We publish a Literature Newsletter when we have news and features on UK and international literature, plus opportunities for the industry to share. Big thanks to Claire McGowan and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions! The United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities.

I love creative POVs, and this one is particularly interesting because it provides a perspective that is both impartial and biased, personal and detached. It also starts the story with a heavy dose of foreshadowing that immediately interested me. The husband was someone that I would completely despise. But, I also didn't like anyone else, really. I was 100% on board. Everything unwinds slowly and carefully. I even stayed up until the early hours of the morning, despite having to get up early for work the next day.

This is a book with both characters you will love to hate but also love ! Filled with twists and turns at every corner, the amount of suspense kept me on edge the entire time ! I flippin’ loved this book!

All across the USA, people are showing up dead. The deaths don't appear to be connected in any way until one particular death occurs and gets the Secretary of Defense's attention. He arranges for a task force to investigate. We always think we want to know secrets, but what we forget is that they come with their own weights, heavy as millstones, and if you aren’t careful this weight can crush you.”The book description had me intrigued from the start; A house full of secrets, sinister dolls, and a triple murder, sign me up. Did the book fully deliver everything it had promised me? Sadly, no. And then the last 10% happens and goes downhill from there. To say I'm disappointed is an understatement. I felt a sense of betrayal, like the author has made an unspoken promise to me that isn’t fulfilled. That the big build-up was all just a ruse for me to be late for work the next day. I mean, how can it start strong and ended like that?? It was hurried, messy, nonsense, and a little too convenient. The story is told by multiple POVs. I enjoyed seeing the story unfold from each characters point of view. I think Janna’s storyline was my favorite; Probably held the meat of the story. With only 5 chapters, the story dragged at times; maybe this will change with the final book. My inner devious child peeked out this week and I got a bit jealous ! Whoa! I would love to say that is unlike me but who am I kidding. I can be a jealous brat 🤗 British Council complies with data protection law in the UK and laws in other countries that meet internationally accepted standards.

Silence in the courtroom, silence in the street, the biggest mouth in Ireland is just about to speak . . .” So for most of it, I was leaning toward a Honda Civic Reliable three. The writing was whatever, but the plot was kinda interesting and I liked the different threads that were being woven together. We're pottering along, reveals are being revealed, and suddenly a gigantic sink hole opens up around the 75% mark and swallows up the plot and all logic. BRUHHH I've never had a book tank this viciously in a hot minute. So here we are, at a generous 2. This book was just ok for me. I was really into it for a good chunk and then it took a turn where I lost interest. It was not what I was expecting and I’m disappointed. What is exhilarating about this novel, is that it takes place during a time when the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are working hand in hand so as to find out what happened to the missing people such as Paula’s mother, who had mysteriously disappeared during the Troubles. Some of the missing people were believed to have been captured by the paramilitaries, while other people believed that the missing people had decided to run away. In this installment, Paula’s family is not the only family that has lost a loved one. Apart from Paula, we are also introduced to other pivotal characters such as Paula’s boyfriend, Aiden who is in charge of the local newspaper. Aiden’s father who was the editor and the owner of the newspaper was murdered because the IRA were not happy with the stories that he wrote.I honestly can't believe this is the same author who wrote I Know You? What's being going on with these last two books? Halp. Cue the little magic ding ding in my inbox and I see my big ole eyes get wide as I stare at my approval ! Yay ! I’m still a cool kid ! One might question Helen's decision to go along with the move without seeing the house or understanding what challenges awaited her. It seems she sacrificed everything to accommodate George, who can come across as rather foolish. This dynamic adds depth to the story, providing intriguing material for the unfolding events. The strength of their relationship is now at stake as they face the mysteries lurking within the house.

Her first novel, The Fall, was published by Headline in 2012. She has also written a series of novels about the forensic psychologist Paual Maguire, which currently consists of The Lost (2013), The Dead Ground (2014), The Silent Dead (2015) and the novella Controlled Explosions (2015). There are three more novels to follow in the series. This crime series has been optioned by BBC Drama. Some things I did enjoy: Janna's story was really interesting and I liked the healing/witchcraft bits. The characters were all well written and the house setting was atmospheric (although being from Penzance myself I couldn't quite work out where the fictional village was supposed to be). It's a sad day Goodreaders, but I have misplaced my Kindle. My husband and I (yep, I unchained him from the basement to elicit his help) tore apart the house, but it seems to have grown legs and sauntered on out. It's tired of the abuse! LOL. So, without my Kindle, I don't have all my handy dandy ranty notes... gonna have to activate my brain and do this one from memory.

There are lots and lots of other characters, all of whom are just as bad if not worse. No spoilers but you’ll roll your eyes so hard at who the killer turns out to be. This was a well written thriller with a little eeriness added to it with the isolated setting, witchcraft, murder and secrets. The husband and wife had their good qualities but something about them made me kind of dislike them too. The best character in this and by far the most likeable was Janna, the convicted killer of three murders decades ago. This keeps you on your feet and we'll invested in the story. I would of liked a little more from the epilogue but otherwise a great read. Four Stars. For Helen and George, the remote fixer-upper in Cornwall was supposed to be a dream home, and a way to leave behind the problems they’re both running from. But something about the place feels wrong from day one. And why does Helen have a creeping feeling she’s seen this house before? Her unease only deepens after renovations begin, when the builders find sinister dolls hidden in the walls. As Helen digs into the house’s past, she discovers that the previous owner was not only rumoured to be a witch; she was also imprisoned for a brutal triple murder thirty years earlier. Claire McGowan grew up in a small village in Northern Ireland. After a degree in English and French from Oxford University she moved to London and worked in the charity sector. She is currently the Director of the Crime Writers’ Association.