Wicked Games

A gripping read that I couldn't put down, it was fast paced, twisty and unpredictable that kept me guessing the whole way throough and turning pages rapidly.

Wicked Games by Zoe Mayen.
Josephine longs for love. Something to fill the gaping void that she has lived with since that terrible day. Someone who can make her feel less inadequate. Especially when it comes to her stunning sister, Jennifer, whose engagement with the equally striking Cameron is the reason the eight of them are staying in the Cotswolds this weekend. So, finding a wonderful man who likes Josephine for who she is, is something that has been a long time coming.
Edward has mixed feelings about this weekend – and the eclectic mix of characters around him. Everyone seems to have something to hide. But Josephine is happy he is here, and he is pleased to have been welcome to join her sister’s big weekend. He can hardly allow himself to trust that in Josephine, at last, might be a hopeful ray of light to start anew; something to help him heal.
As for the happily engaged couple, they seem to have everything going for them; but someone has other ideas. Cameron may be charismatic, but is he loyal? Jennifer so badly wants everything to be perfect, but at what cost?
And what about the secrets of this beautiful house itself, with its dark, long-buried past?
It all seems like fun and games…until friend turns murderer.
But who is the traitor in their midst? And who, and how many, have been killed…? 
A good read. Well written with likeable characters. 4*.

Well written, with a great story line. I liked the way it wove its way to the end without giving away the conclusion. A fun book to read on a winter's day.
Thank you NetGalley for providing this copy. The opinion expressed here is solely my own.

A group of friends get together to go to the Cotswolds to stay for the weekend and a house called the Gables. They gather together to celebrate the upcoming marriage of Josephine and Cameron. The first weird thing to happen is a wet note in a dog‘s mouth that reads like a suicide letter but that won’t be the last mysterious thing to happen to these friends before it’s over there frayed edges start to show jealousy rears its ugly head and soon they will find out there’s a killer among them… But who? They had entirely too many people for me to give a great summary but just know this is a book with multi points of view and the author does something I love in a book and she gives voice to the culprit who is doing all the dastardly deeds it all makes for a great read, a good mystery and an awesome thriller. I really enjoyed it and highly highly recommend it. I think it’s a great talent that could have so many loose ends different POV‘s and pull it all together in the end with no eye rolling. Please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate most of my review. I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Book Review
WICKED GAMES
By Zoe Mayen

Date Finished Reading: 11th Dec
Main Characters: Josephine, Jennifer, Eloise, Erik, Edward, Cameron, Frankie, Charlie, Miranda
I enjoyed reading this book, which from the beginning is very much a ‘who dunnit’, - but more like a ‘who’ done ‘what’?! And, ‘what’ are each of the main characters hiding?! – It seems they ALL have some secret! So, they are all, in some form, hiding something, - which kept me guessing until the end!
This book kept a good pace throughout, and kept me drawn in; eager to read more.
There are inserts within which revert back in time, which, at first, I had some dread of this hopping to and fro in time, but it soon became apparent, along with snippets of a diary exert also, that these ‘X years/months ago’ inserts, as well as the diary exerts, built part of the plot, which weren’t too frequent, and kept a good pace throughout, but both, tied in with the main present day plot; it worked!
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this, and I think I pointed my finger of suspicion at each of the characters! – At one point, or another! This is deffo a ‘keep you guessing until the end’ compelling read! I would deffo recommend!
My Afterthought! – This book makes you wonder just how well you really know your friends, and those closest to you!
My Scores (1 – 5) ((1 = Lowest, 5 = Highest))
Plot: 4
Ease Of Reading: 5
Overall: 4 ½

You killed the thing I held most dear, and now I seek revenge…
“For a moment, I wavered. I almost considered changing my mind, after all of this. Almost saved my soul. But I have come this far – and it is not just for me… I am too far gone for saving. So now I am waiting. Waiting, for the house to finally fall still and silent.”
Josephine longs for love. Something to fill the void she has lived with since that terrible day. To feel less inadequate; especially when it comes to her stunning sister, whose engagement the eight of them are here to celebrate. So finding a wonderful man, who likes her as she is, seems almost too good to be true.
Edward has mixed feelings about this weekend and his eclectic housemates. Everyone is hiding something. But Josephine is happy and he is pleased to be welcome to join her sister’s big weekend. He can hardly let himself trust that Josephine might be the ray of light he needs, at last, to start anew.
As for the happily engaged couple, they have everything going for them; but someone has other ideas. Cameron may be charismatic, but is he loyal? Jennifer wants everything to be perfect, but at what cost?
And what about the secrets of this beautiful house, long-buried?
It’s all fun and games…until friend turns murderer.
Who is the traitor among them?
And who, and how many, have been killed…?

This is a gripping read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.

Oh my goodness! This book is full of twists, suspense, and a great plot. I found myself reading until the wee hours of the morning. This is a book that anyone who loves suspense will love.