When She Was Bad by Tammy Cohen

This psychological thriller kept me guessing until the end. The story has two threads; one is in America and about a particularly horrific case child psychologist Anne Cater dealt with years ago. The other is in England, set in an office at a recruitment agency where manager Gill has been let go. Much to the rest of the staff's dismay she's been replaced by the much stricter Rachel Masters. Gone is the friendly office atmosphere and everyone is on edge, wondering if they will be the next one shown the door and suddenly becoming suspicious of each other. Anyone who has worked in a similar environment will recognise the office politics involved and the team bonding weekend away was my idea of hell.

The two storylines are obviously linked but as the tension gradually increased during the book, I didn't work out correctly how until all was revealed. A gripping read that I raced through in a few days and I will certainly look at my work colleagues in a different light. 

Rating: 5 out of 5

Thanks to Netgalley and Transworld for my copy in return for an honest review. 

Publication date: 21st April 2016

The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena

If you enjoy thrillers with lots of twists and turns then you must read this book.
It was a slow starter for me, but once I'd got into it I found it almost impossible to put down. 

Marco and Anne are out one evening for their neighbours birthday, let down by the babysitter they've left their six month old daughter alone. After all they are only next door and are going home to check on her every half hour so what could go wrong? The unthinkable happens and when they return in the early hours she's gone and there's no sign of where she is or what has happened. The story concentrates on Marco and Anne along with her wealthy parents and neighbours Cynthia and Graham, it's up to detective Rasbach to get to the bottom of the mystery and get baby Cora home safely. There are lots of secrets in the family and The Couple Next Door is a book that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Thanks to Netgalley and Transworld Publishers for a copy in return for an honest review. 

 

Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Publication date: July 14th 2016

Book Beginnings on Fridays - The Couple Next Door

Book Beginnings on Fridays is hosted by Rose City Reader and as she says the idea of this meme is for you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name. There's a linky list on the website and you can use #BookBeginnings on Twitter.

 

This week I'm reading an ARC of The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena, it's due to be published on 14th July.

 

Anne can feel the acid churning in her stomach and creeping up her throat; her head is swimming. She's had too much to drink.

 

 

 

Book Description

You never know what's happening on the other side of the wall.

 

Your neighbour told you that she didn't want your six-month-old daughter at the dinner party. Nothing personal, she just couldn't stand her crying.

Your husband said it would be fine. After all, you only live next door. You'll have the baby monitor and you'll take it in turns to go back every half hour.

Your daughter was sleeping when you checked on her last. But now, as you race up the stairs in your deathly quiet house, your worst fears are realized. She's gone.

You've never had to call the police before. But now they're in your home, and who knows what they'll find there.

What would you be capable of, when pushed past your limit? 

 

Mailbox Monday

 

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It was created by Marcia @ A Girl and Her Books but now has a permanent home here

 

Another from Netgalley and Transworld Publishers for me this week.  It's by Tammy Cohen, is called When She Was Bad and publication date is 21st April.

 

 

YOU SEE THE PEOPLE YOU WORK WITH EVERY DAY.

BUT WHAT CAN'T YOU SEE?

Amira, Sarah, Paula, Ewan and Charlie have worked together for years - they know how each one likes their coffee, whose love life is a mess, whose children keep them up at night. But their comfortable routine life is suddenly shattered when an aggressive new boss walks in ....

Now, there's something chilling in the air.

Who secretly hates everyone?

Who is tortured by their past?

Who is capable of murder?

Mailbox Monday

 

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It was created by Marcia @ A Girl and Her Books but now has a permanent home here

 

I received The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena from Netgalley and Transworld Publishers. It's a psychological thriller that is being published on 14th July and looks like just my kind of read.

 

 

You never know what's happening on the other side of the wall.

Your neighbour told you that she didn't want your six-month-old daughter at the dinner party. Nothing personal, she just couldn't stand her crying.

Your husband said it would be fine. After all, you only live next door. You'll have the baby monitor and you'll take it in turns to go back every half hour.

Your daughter was sleeping when you checked on her last. But now, as you race up the stairs in your deathly quiet house, your worst fears are realized. She's gone.

You've never had to call the police before. But now they're in your home, and who knows what they'll find there.

What would you be capable of, when pushed past your limit?

 

 

Book Beginnings on Fridays - The Stopped Heart

Book Beginnings on Fridays is hosted by Rose City Reader and as she says the idea of this meme is for you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name. There's a linky list on the website and you can use #BookBeginnings on Twitter.

 

My book beginning is from The Stopped Heart which is the latest novel from Julie Myerson.

 

It was a sunny day. The sky was thick and high and blue. Addie Sands was standing in the lane and she was screaming. There was blood everywhere. On her skirts, her wrists, her face.

 

 

 

 Book Description

Some memories are too powerful to live only in the past.

During a ferocious storm, a red-haired stranger appears in the garden of a small farming cottage. Eliza and her parents take him in. But very soon, it’s clear he has no intention of leaving.

A century later, Mary and Graham have experienced every parent’s worst nightmare. Now, escaping the memories and the headlines, they have found an idyllic new home in rural Suffolk. A cottage, a beautiful garden. The perfect place to forget. To move on. But life doesn’t always work that way.
A devastating depiction of profound loss, sexual longing, love and true evil, The Stopped Heart is the finest novel to date from this most fearless and original of writers.