Book Blurb: You’re back home after four years working abroad, with a brand-new husband in tow. You’re keen to find a place of your own. But for now you’re living with your big brother, camped out in his spare bedroom.
And then – quite unexpectedly – you meet the man next door. He’s the head teacher of the local high school. He’s twice your age. And he’s devastatingly attractive. Soon you find you’re watching him.
All the time.
But what you don’t know is that someone is watching you. Or that what has started as an innocent crush is quickly turning into an obsession as dark as it is deadly.
My Review
Well this audiobook gave me a huge book hangover. You know the sort that leaves you unable to start another book or do anything else book related?!
This book really got under my skin in a big way. I should’ve known this really as I’ve read most of Lisa Jewell’s books and they always leave me feeling like this. I was actually going to give this book a miss as I’d read an excerpt last year and I thought it was more of a police procedural. However, when I kept reading more and more amazing reviews from book bloggers I trust, and there was no mention of it being a police procedural, I added it to Goodreads. Then when the audiobook was available at the library I just knew I had to give it a try.
The story is set around the fictional area of Melville Heights, in Bristol and told through the eyes of three main characters. Joey, who is mentioned in the blurb above, living with her new husband in her brother and sister-in-law’s house. Freddie, the teenage son of the Super Head of the local struggling academy who live a few doors down from Joey. Jenna, another teenager who lives in the village below Melville Heights, with her extremely paranoid mother.
Also dotted throughout the story are interviews from a police investigation, which I thought was a clever way to discover what was really going on in the area.
This audiobook was narrated expertly by Gabrielle Glaister who brought the characters to life so well that I forgot that I was listening to one person. I particularly enjoyed the way she protrayed the teenagers in the story, so full of angst and drama, especially the girls!
As usual Lisa Jewell has created a wonderful community of real life characters, some I liked, some that made my flesh creep and some I really wasn’t too sure about. I loved all the twists and turns this story took me on, and was convinced I knew what was going on. I guessed bits of it, but definitely not the ending. In fact, as the big reveal came along I still hadn’t fully caught on to what had really happened and I was astounded that I never guessed!!
I throughly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys domestic dramas and thrillers, and can’t wait to see what Lisa Jewell comes up with next!
This is my first book for the 2019 Library Love Challenge
Oh, I’m so glad you loved not only the story but the narrator! This is in the queue. Excellent review, Nicki.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks I hope you enjoy it all as much as I did 🙂
LikeLike
This title is on my TBR for review Nicki, so I’m very pleased that you enjoyed it. I’ll be reading it though, not listening to it. I have a hard time getting immersed in audio books. Also, you can’t highlight so I would find it difficult to review without highlights. LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
It one of best I think she’s so good at writing real people and their relatiosnhips. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
LikeLike
I loved this one! I would almost like to “listen” just to hear the narrator. Great review. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks I remember you review, it was one of the ones that made me listen to this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww, made my day ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
great review! I think I’ve only read a couple from this author so will check out more!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks she’s brilliant author and your tbr defintely more by her! lol
LikeLike
So glad you loved this. I also listened to the audiobook. Great narrator and brilliant plot! Excellent review. 💕📚
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! Did you guess the big reveal as it why rather than who or were as shocked as me?
LikeLike
Lisa Jewell is a great author. Fab review.
LikeLike
Thanks she is so good!
LikeLike
Wonderful to see how much you enjoyed this. Great review Nicki!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks glad that came across in the review! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful review! I definitely can’t wait to read this one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow thanks so much! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t it wonderful when the book blogging community help us pick wisely? 😀 So glad that you ended up checking this one out and had a good time with it. It definitely sounds good! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! I so glad I’m part of the book blogging community, although sometimes my bank account isn’t 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing review! I can’t seem to be able to review audio books! But I really need to read this!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks I think you’d enjoy it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am glad you loved this one Nicki. I can imagine that the audio would have been amazing. I enjoyed reading it, but now wish I had listened to it, it usually brings the book to life.
LikeLiked by 1 person