3.5 stars. I really enjoyed this book. The first 40% was really slow and mundane, yet i’m glad i got through it as i finished the last 60% within a day. This book is such a thrill with a lot of serious topics that i personally believe were handled and tackled well. I highly recommend this book.

Let’s Play Dead by Elena Frost is a domestic thriller with multiple twists and turns.

When Lisa meets Alex, she thinks she has met the man of her dreams and a father for her daughter Bella, following a 9 month whirlwind romance. They get married but it soon becomes clear Alex isn’t who he appears to be.

I enjoyed the book but for me, the plot was revealed 45% of the way through the book and I was able to predict the ending as a result. Whilst there were moments of the plot being tense, it became clear what was going to happen.

Thank you to Net Galley and Inkubator Books for the arc.

This was a fast paced book that I pretty much finished in one sitting. It centers on Lisa, tho gets married to Alex after a whirlwind romance, only to quickly realize that not everything is as it seems. To make it worse, Alex is a very senior member of the police force so it won’t be easy to get support for her concerns.

The book moves at a fast clip from beginning to end and it feels like characters make decisions quickly. I did have to suspend my disbelief a bit a few times- I found it hard to believe that Lisa’s opinion would change so quickly and suddenly, and I felt that both Lisa and Alex made decisions that were just not smart (even worse for Alex as a policeman who should know better). There weren’t major twists in the book and it was more of a cat and mouse chase throughout, but that was ok and kept the pacing fast. I did think the ending was a bit unrealistic (and it left one major question unanswered) but I also felt that it worked well with the rest of the story.

Overall, this was a fast and fun read as long as you don’t take it TOO seriously. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Newlywed Lisa, has moved into her policeman husband Alex's home, along with her your daughter Bella.
At first everything is wonderful, and Alex dotes on Bella as if she were his own. Both Lisa & Alex had lost their previous partners, and so can help each other through their grief.
However, things take a sinister turn, when the sister of Alex's first wife Polly, turns up on the doorstep, telling Lisa that Alex had killed her. Lisa has also discovered a hidden letter that had been written by Polly, saying that she was being held against her will.
Lisa soon finds herself plotting her escape, after she walks in on a scene that scares her. It looks like Alex is trying to drown their young puppy, but he shrugs it off, saying that he was trying to give it a bath, and that it was struggling. This event makes her wonder just what her new husband is capable of.
This book was a real page turner, and I can't tell you just how much I enjoyed it. You just need to read it for yourself!!
A perfect psychological thriller that will keep you reading until the early hours.

What an enthralling story of survival for a newly wed wife and her daughter.
When Lisa, a widowed mother of a young daughter falls for a widowed police officer called Alex, she seems to think her happy ever after may be giving her a second chance in life…. but is it?
Lisa discovers a letter from Alex’s previous wife Polly, which leaves her with warning signs and a sense of unease, these have been previously told by Polly’s sister after she was thwarted at the wedding by Alex’s fellow colleagues who turn out to be more corrupt than honest…
How long can Lisa and her daughter stay safe for while married to a dangerous psychopathic monster.
Sometimes you have to bite the bullet and run to try and save yourself, hoping it works and doesn’t put you or others in more danger than before….. the only problem is, without a passport you're limited to distance and when police corruption is involved - it won’t be long until the law comes knocking.

An absolutely fantastic story
keeping you on the edge of your seat at every page.

Thank you to Netgalley and Inkubator Books for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book and read it in one sitting. I had to know what was going to happen. The twists in this book were surprising! I loved the storyline and the characters and thought they had great growth. I would definitely recommend this book.

Just wow! I have read many controlling husband/vulnerable wife relationship tropes, but this was written differently. The author let us know quickly and created a strong POV in Lisa! With the help of her best friend, Willow, they outsmart Alex and get to the bottom of the death of his first wife, Polly. I read this one in a day, it’s good. Thank you to Boldwood for a copy.

Synopsis
Ater losing her first husband, Lisa thinks she and her daughter Bella have got their happily ever after. Alex is a devoting husband and father but is there something more sinister lurking underneath?

As cracks begin to show and more dangerous secrets are revealed can Lisa and Bella escape with their lives?

Review
Let's Play Dead had me so invested and on the edge of my seat. I literally gasped out loud at several points in this book.

I am glad we got Alex's point of view but I haven't hated in being someones head for a long time. He honestly made me skin crawl at points.

The writing in this was superb! Elena Frost really knows how to create an atmosphere and make you want to keep reading - I think I read this in like 3 sessions as I just didn't want to stop. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

I couldn't give this 5 stars as there were a couple of continuity errors, and I wanted a little bit more from the epilogue. However I really enjoyed this and recommend this if you're looking for a fast paced thrilling read.

Thanks so much to Netgalley, Inkubator and Elena Frost for this advanced review copy.

Let's Play Dead gripped me right from the very page. It's claustrophobic atmosphere drew me in completely, and with it's fast-paced, tension-filled story, this was a read I found very hard to put down.
Lisa was a character I instantly had a lot of empathy for, and my heart was pounding for her every time I turned a page.
By the time I reached the end, I was still left with a lot of unease. How well do we really know the people closest to us?
Sharp twists, complex characters and a haunting story that delves into toxic relationships, and the darker corners of the human mind.
A must-read!

Thank you, Netgalley, for allowing me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The cover image of the child's bear on the stairs? That had me straight away...when you know there's a child involved it always adds to the intensity.

If a man seems too perfect then he probably is. Alex was just that. The whirlwind romance to wedge his feet firmly under the table, the love bombing, the charm? IT'S ALL A PLOY!!

I did like that we get to witness events from both POV...I could sense the fear in Lisa's narrations, as for Alex he's a character that I simply have no words for...not words that are review worthy anyhow...

It's tense, super twisty and sent my pulse rocketing. I needed a rest after reading!

At first Alex is perfect. The perfect husband to Lisa and father to Lisa’s daughter. Even his ex wife, Polly, who lives on the same grounds, is a testament to how perfect he is. He takes care of Polly after her accident that left her unable to live my herself.

When something sounds too perfect, there is a good chance it is. I read this book in one sitting because I loved the mystery and the characters.

Yes, yes, yes!

Let’s Play Dead is a fresh take on the thriller genre. By chapter 10, the villain had revealed himself, so the tension came not from who but from how. How would the victim escape, and how would justice catch up? That inversion of the usual formula kept me gripped — I kept having to remind my shuddering heart that this was a work of fiction.

The pacing pulled me in, and the stakes felt real. If I’m picky, the villain’s final reveal was a touch too neat, and there was a false equivalence equating betrayal with harsh language at the end.

Still, a solid 4.5 happily rounded up to 5.

Thank you to Inkubator Books and NetGalley for a copy of this title.

TW for domestic abuse.

❤️ WoW ❤️ Let's Play Dead by Elena Frost was a psychological suspense that will have you hooked from the very first few pages and the book cover was excellent for this book! Let's Play Dead was a gripping psychological thriller with a chilling twist that just took my breath away! Brilliant.

💙 Don’t speak. Don’t move. Don’t even breathe.. . . . . . . . . . You try it! 💙

💙 "NOW, Just sit there and Pretend to be dead!" 💙

"No, you can't breath and if you do it has to be very shallow and silent.......You moved your arm!!!! so Pretending to be dead isn’t easy it's hard work especially if you get an itch!"

Lisa is a widow and after a whirlwind romance, and is happy she thinks she's found her perfect match and partner in senior policeman Alex. He's everything she needs, he is a devoted husband and caring stepfather to her daughter Bella,
and he knows what it is to lose someone precious to them. Especially as Alex suffered his own bereavement when his previous partner, Polly, passed away.

But is he really Mr. Right?

Everything Lisa feels about him is perfect.

But, Alex’s charm gradually morphs into rigid control, Lisa realises that he has a very dark side, that she has married a man she doesn’t really know.

She discovers a note left by his deceased wife Polly which seems to imply that Alex may have been responsible for her death, Lisa fears that she and Bella may be in mortal danger. Noooooooooooo 🥺

But escaping a man who wears a Police badge and knows how to hunt isn't just difficult.......This it could be deadly.

There is No escape!!! Nowhere she can hide!!!!

Does Lisa and her Daughter Bella escape from Alex? Alive?

WoW Excellent and I highly recommend this book. 5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Big Thank you to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for my ARC.

Thank you to netgalley and the author for this ARC! Omg i absolutely loved this book! Crazy husband, murder, faking death. It was so good! I loved how lisa figured everything out that Alex was trying to hide! Such a good read that i will think about daily! This would make such a good movie!!

🧸ARC REVIEW🧸

Available now on KU and Amazon paperback

“Pretending to be dead isn’t easy. But it’s even harder to live a life that’s slowly being poisoned by distrust, violence and fear“

“Tis not a year or two shows us a man. They are all but stomachs, and we all but food; they eat us hungerly, and when they are full, they belch us.” -Shakespeare-

“Men might not have changed much in the four hundred years since Shakespeare wrote Othello, but women have.”

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Easily 5 stars. One of the BEST domestic thrillers I’ve read this year! I loved the writing style, the fast paced plot, the suspense and the character development. HIGHLY recommend. Literally go read it now. A sleeper hit.

Thank you @netgalley @inkubatorbooks

#netgalley #letsplaydead #domesticthriller #thrillerbooks #thrillerbooksaddict #thrillerreads #bookstagram #fyp

After a whirlwind romance, widow Lisa thinks she's found her perfect match senior policeman Alex. He's everything she needs, a devoted husband and caring stepfather to her daughter Bella. And, like Lisa, he knows what it is to lose someone precious. Alex suffered his own bereavement when his previous partner, Polly, passed away. As Alex’s charm gradually morphs into rigid control, Lisa realises that he has a dark side, that she has married a man she doesn’t really know. When she discovers a note left by his deceased wife Polly which seems to imply that Alex may have been responsible for her death, Lisa fears that she and Bella may be in mortal danger.
I was drawn in from the start & kept on the edge of my seat until the end. I made the mistake of starting the book in the evening & it was well into the night when I finished it – no way could I have got to sleep without knowing what happened to Lisa, Bella & Figgy. A very well written book, the characters had depth & the pace was so good. I really liked Lisa who literally ran for her life. Alex was too good to be true until he crossed a line with Figgy early on & that sealed his fate for me. There were twists & turns throughout the book which were often unexpected & surprising. If you love a good psychological thriller then I highly recommend this book
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

I absolutely loved “Let’s Play Dead” by Elena Frost! If you like a fast-paced thriller, that kept you on the edge of the seat wondering what would happen next, this is the book for you! I’ve already recommended it to my fellow book besties!

***** 5 STARS ***** SCREAMING IT FOR THOSE IN THE BACK!
Trigger Warning: Domestic Violence

I was so happy to read a novel that brought to light the true complexities of domestic violence. I could not put this book down! Written extremely well and it was refreshing to have some factual information thrown in to these types of books for a change. I could not help but feel emotionally attached to Lisa and Bella. I don't know what more I can say, but do not sleep on this book! You won't regret it.

Thank you NetGalley for the eArc.

As someone who loves thrillers I'm obsessed with the cover!

The ending was predictable but the book was still an really fun thrilling read and would have you on pins even though you knew what was going to happen

Let's Play Dead is fantastic.

I devoured it in two days. The chapters are short and snappy, and I just wanted to keep reading.

The story starts with Lisa and Alex's wedding. He seems like the perfect husband, but a visit from his dead wife's sister soon causes Lisa to question how well she knows her new husband. Is he really as perfect as he seems? What ensues is a fast-paced cat and mouse game where Lisa and Alex both make the most of their skills, and Alex reveals himself to be anything but the perfect husband.

Personally, I love a good cat and mouse game, and this one didn't disappoint.

Thank you to Netgalley, Inkubator Books and Elena Frost for the advanced copy to read and review. My opinions are my own.