Semi-Detached

by Deborah Stone

Bill and Amanda are living in a semi-detached house, stuck in a depressing rut of boredom and disappointment, when Terry and Fiona – glamorous, successful and very much in love – move in next door. Despite their different outlooks on life, the couples befriend each other and life appears to improve for both pairs. But all is not what it seems, and their increasingly interconnected relationships are fated for tragedy.

Semi-Detached is a thrilling psychological drama from the bestselling author of What’s Left Unsaid and Me and My Shadow.

Genres: Thriller

311 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 15, 2023

About the author

Deborah Stone is the best-selling author of four gripping psychological thrillers that keep readers turning pages late into the night. Her novels have won multiple awards and critical acclaim, establishing her as a standout voice in contemporary psychological suspense and thriller fiction.

Her latest release, Nowhere Man (October 3, 2024), is available in paperback, Kindle, and as an audiobook. It follows the success of Semi-Detached (April 3, 2023) which was recently honoured with the Chill With A Book Readers' Award.

Deborah’s second novel, Me and My Shadow, received the prestigious Chill With A Book Premier Award, given only to books that earn outstanding ratings across all reviewer categories. Her debut, What's Left Unsaid, won the Runner-Up Prize for Best Book of 2018 in the same awards and remains a reader favourite.

In addition to fiction, Deborah is the author of the highly respected non-fiction guide, The Essential Family Guide to Caring for Older People, a finalist in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2022.

A recognised expert on elder care, Deborah frequently appears on BBC, ITV, Sky, and Channel 5, offering expert advice on aging, care planning, and family support. She contributes regularly to national newspapers and lifestyle magazines, helping families navigate the complexities of caring for older relatives.

She lives in London with her husband and their delightfully mischievous golden retriever

Reviews

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

YES!!! Fast-paced and had me on the edge of my seat! I was immediately pulled into the lives of the two couples. Fiona and Terry couldn't have been more different from Bill and Amanda. One couple was flashy and the life of the party, while the other couple was drab and boring. Soon their lives become intertwined and the future is altered forever. I couldn't finish this original, dramatic, twisty thriller fast enough. Just when I thought I knew where the story was going, it would take an unexpected turn that had me shook. This is the first book I’ve read from this author, but definitely won’t be the last. I loved every twisted minute. Thank you BookSirens for my copy. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Chloe Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Semi Detached starts with young couple Clare and Jack heading home for Christmas from university, and Clare is about to introduce Jack to her Mum for the first time. They are both left shocked and confused by Clare’s Mum’s reaction to meeting Jack, where she demands that they cannot be together.

The story then goes back to 22 years in the past and alternates between the points of view of new neighbours Amanda and Fiona, both of whom we discover are married to controlling and manipulative men - Bill and Terry. The story explores the dynamics of the relationships that exist between the two couples. All four of the main characters are complex, flawed, and extremely intriguing to read about. My feelings towards each one changed so many times!

There are very tough themes explored in the book - controlling relationships, depression, attempted suicide, miscarriage, to name a few. It’s very sad and it took a lot out of me emotionally each time I read some of it, and I think that it was the realism attached to the topics explored contributed to this feeling.

Part two is where the book became a lot more thrilling and this is where I struggled to put the book down. I raced through the last 130 or so pages and I was utterly shocked at how events unfolded towards the end - I could never have predicted what happened!

This little cast of characters are going to stay with me for a long time - especially Amanda and Bill. A really well written, thought provoking story.

[Vicki (chaptersofvicki) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book got me hooked from the very start. I found I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough at times.

Bill & Amanda couldn’t be a more different couple to the full of life and outgoing pair of Fiona and Terry who have money to spend.

I really liked reading from the different POV’s to learn more how the characters were feeling about each other,

There were plenty of twists and turns along the way, I did guess a couple but nothing prepared me for the jaw dropper at the end 😱😱

This was the first book I’ve read by this author and I’ll definitely read more.

Thank you to Love Book Tours and the author for having me on the tour and for my gifted ebook.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to follow, I've been completely invested in this character driven novel the last couple of days

[Aparna Prabhu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most psychological thrillers I have watched/read stayed true to its title till the very end. So was the case with this one too.

Amanda is a timid woman, a 'puffy hamster' as Fiona describes her. Bil's controlling nature is the cause of emptiness in Amanda's life. Enter Terry and Fiona, a glamourous couple who are very much in love with each other move next door. Fiona decides to break the ice by visiting her neighbors with a cake and inviting them over for the weekend. Amanda is hesitant and Bil looks forward to the meeting.

The two couples bond over a couple of drinks, horse racing, and shopping.

Two women from different walks of life, each nursing secret(s) from the past. Just like the semi-detached house that they live in, their lives get entangled. When the can of worms spills, how does it impact the lives around them?

The thing with psychological thrillers is that one has to be alert and read line by line to not miss out on any crucial fact and watch out for red herrings. Terry's mysterious profession that produced wads of cash to support Fiona's luxuriant splurging alerted my sixth sense. I was very much keen to witness the cat out of the bag. The writing portrayed what goes on in the psyche of the main MCs by switching between the POVs. It was descriptive at times, vividly depicting the settings. The story courses through multiple timelines and the narrative is built by various flashback scenes that smoothly run parallel to each other. There were jaw-dropping edge-of-the-seat moments when the story was inching toward the climax. There was a point in the story when I was overcome with all sorts of emotions fleeting in the blink of an eye.

I anticipated a few twists but I was not ready for the major twist in the end. I would love to explore more reads in this genre as this book opened my eyes to the heinous crimes people committed in the spur of the moment in the guise of love and passion.

[Gianna ✧*:･ﾟ · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5) It was such a quick and easy read that I ended up racing through the book in one afternoon. As I read I found myself smiling so hard, feeling deep anger and frustration with the some of the character's decisions, and suffering MAJOR mental whiplash from an unexpectedly great twist.
There were plenty flawed characters, and I mean really messed up characters, that I couldn't learn to love, but I really did enjoy reading about them. This is definitely a good read and takes an open mind to get into.

[Lauren Griffiths · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was sooo good! I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, but what I read was so much more! I kind of suspected one of the “twists” from the beginning, I think this was maybe intended by the author though. However, there were so many other twists that I did not see coming and some jaw dropping chapters! The story highlights some sensitive subjects such as depression, loneliness, obsession, fraud and how easily people can fall into the hands of a conman.

The ending was just… 😮!!!

Overall, a very twisted, gripping and shocking read (in a good way)!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bill and Amanda's lives take a depressing turn when they find themselves trapped in a monotonous and disappointing routine within their semi-detached house. However, their gloomy existence is revitalized when Terry and Fiona, a couple who effortlessly exude glamor, success, and deep affection, move in next door. Bill and Amanda quickly befriend their new neighbors, and it seems as though the presence of Terry and Fiona injects a newfound joy into both couples' lives.

The story takes an intriguing twist as it becomes evident that what initially appeared as a recipe for happiness is, in fact, a facade. As the relationships between all four individuals become more intertwined, it becomes clear that tragedy looms on the horizon. The contrasts in outlook on life between the two couples begin to reveal cracks in their seemingly ideal existences.

The strength of this narrative lies in its exploration of the human condition and the intricacies of human relationships. Bill and Amanda's dissatisfaction with their own lives serves as a relatable backdrop for readers, making their initial connection with Terry and Fiona feel like a lifeline. This contrast between the two couples allows the audience to reflect on their own desires for fulfillment and happiness.

The characters themselves are well-developed and relatable, each grappling with their own set of flaws and desires. The portrayal of Terry and Fiona as glamorous and successful initially entices readers, who are eager to unravel the mystery behind their seemingly perfect lives. Bill and Amanda, on the other hand, serve as a reflection of many individuals who find themselves stuck in an unfulfilling routine.

The pacing of the story maintains a steady build-up of tension, with each chapter revealing more about the interconnected relationships between the characters. The author skillfully builds suspense, leaving readers eagerly turning the pages to uncover the inevitable tragedy that awaits.

In conclusion, this book presents a compelling tale of two couples' interconnected lives, their initial hopeful friendships, and the tragic fate that befalls them. The exploration of human relationships, the relatable portrayal of dissatisfaction, and the gripping build-up of tension make this story an engaging read.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Claire comes home for Christmas holiday she’s so excited to bring her new boyfriend Jack with her but when they arrive at her moms flat and her mom gets one look at Jack she instantly tells Claire she must get rid of him. When Claire is indignant that if he goes she is also going. Her mom begs her not to leave with him but Claire does anyway. This is when we meet Fiona and Terry and Bill and his wife Amanda. Bill it’s very standoffish and burgers on abusive he’s 10 years older than Amanda and they live a very secluded life. When they get new neighbors in the semi-detached house next-door it’s Fiona and Terry Fiona comes over with a thing it’s OK to introduce her self to her new neighbors and invites the couple over for drinks and dinner Amanda doesn’t think Bill will go because hanging out with other people isn’t his style but he surprises her but not only going but letting her buy a new dress for the occasion even more surprising is Bill and Terry get along splendidly he even wants the word bill on a great deal that will make him lots of money in against the person Amanda knows built a big he is old for it slowly but surely the couple becomes very close and the laws become intertwine but what do these couples have to do with the first couple Claire and Jack you’ll have to read the book to find out. This was such a good book it is another one of those books that you do not want to put down I have been running into a lot of these lately and feel lucky I have this is definitely one of those books. Even towards the end when I kind of figured out what was happening I still wanted to read until the end because it is not good they do have twist that I didn’t at all for coming in at all made for one gradebook. If you love a great page turning thriller then you need to read Semi Detached it is a book I highly enjoyed. I received this book from Book Sirens but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

[Brett Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

My genre of choice is murder mystery, and I grabbed this book based on the intrigue built into the book’s description. My feelings about this book morphed with time, and the deeper I got into the book, the better my review sounded in my mind. This was not a simple murder mystery, but more of an examination of human nature and different levels of truth or … more realistically, the voluminous levels of DECEIT.

I like a book that grabs you in paragraph two and hurtles you into the story before you have a chance to catch a breath. This was not that book. For the first third of the book, Deborah is building characters and thickening the plot. Once the characters were developed though, I found myself turning the pages faster and faster. This became a very fast read for me. I loved the chapter construction which is built from every character’s point of view. Each chapter has a different feel because it is the voice of Fiona, Terry, Amanda, or Bill. The book is also written in three unique sections, highlighting different time frames in the characters’ lives.

The more I understood the characters and the more I read, the more I liked this book. The plot twists are found throughout the story and there are enough of them to always keep you guessing.

I recommend this book. Stick with it through the early stages and you will be rewarded as the characters grow and mature.

I received an advanced review copy of “Semi-Detached” for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily!

[Mamadukes · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! What a story. I loved this one.

I just love a book that pulls you in right away and puts you in a zone where nothing can reach you. Deborah Stone’s SEMI-DETACHED is just that kind of book.

When Clare brings her college boyfriend home to meet her mother her mother takes one look at him and, we’ll, um..freaks out, resulting in an argument and Clare leaving her mom’s home with Jack vowing never to return.

Meanwhile, we meet Amanda, beaten down with no self-esteem, and her controlling, mean husband, Bill, who still lives in the 1930’s in regards to ‘a woman’s place’ in the home.

Amanda trudges through every day until her glamorous new neighbors move into the other side of the duplex. Fiona, a shopaholic and Terry, who can afford her, seem to be living the high life as far as Amanda is concerned. Fiona seems to bulldoze her way into Amanda and Bill’s lives and before long, they’ve all become entwined in each other’s lives. Shortly after Terry tries to bring Bill in on a hugely profitable business deal, things completely fall apart.

I thought the ending was PERFECT! But what happened? You’ll have to read it to see.

I love the author’s smooth, easy style of writing and the way she describes things. I could almost hear the sound of someone walking around on the other side of the wall, feel the heft of ALL of those shopping bags that Fiona brought home and the anxiety Amanda felt every time Bill, well, um … looked at her. I think this will make a great beach read, but have someone else in charge of the kids because you’re not going to want to look up!

[Sonja Charters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by this author and oh how glad I am to have been introduced to them.
Everyone knows I love my psychological thrillers and this one really hit the spot!

The excitement and action starts straight away and I was pretty much hooked from the first chapter when we meet Claire and Jack heading home for Christmas.

We then flashback to the 90's when Fiona and Terry move in next door to Amanda and Bill, neither couple realising just how embroiled in each others lives they were about to become and what the consequences would be.

The characters are introduced to us initially through both Amanda and Fiona's pov's - This alternating of pov's meant that we could get into each of their minds and fully understand their feelings and emotions within their own lives and towards each other.

They were all very relatable and believable but I actually couldn't decide whether or not I liked any of them. But as their stories unfolded throughout the book my views chopped and changed so often, even upto the end!

The writing style was so easy to read and the short chapters meant that I raced through this, I just couldn't put this down, desperate to hear more of the flash backs and more of what was about to happen.

There were some great side stories weaved throughout that flowed nicely and added some great twists to the book. Some of these proved to be quite shocking, even right at the end!

I absolutely loved this and can't wait to read more from this author!

[Frank Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a point near the end of this book when one of the characters says that what has happened is so improbable that were he to submit it to the producers of Eastenders, as a potential storyline, they would reject it. It echoes my own impression, much earlier in the story, when I thought to myself "this is preposterous and yet it is entertaining, just like a soap opera."
That is the main point I want to make: Semi-Detached is an entertaining read despite the impossibility of suspending disbelief. The two central female characters come across as rather naive and dim witted; their respective husbands as controlling misogynists. In fact, the only character that is at all likeable is the husband that behaves in the most despicable fashion.
Not that this is surprising because his whole modus operandi is to use his considerable charm to perpetrate fraud on credulous individuals.
Despite the implausibility of the premise, it was fairly obvious from quite early on where the story was heading. Anticipating how Ms Stone would get us there is part of the entertainment. But, to her credit, she does not stop there. She is able to deliver a final twist that makes it all come right for the younger generation of her cast of characters.
Semi-Detached lacks the literary qualities that would make it a five star novel. It does not adequately address serious social issues. It doesn't offer insights into human behaviour. The main characters, unlike those in soap operas, seem entirely detached from the communities in which they exist. Nevertheless I believe it merits more than three stars for its entertainment value. My rating, therefore, is 3.5
Free copy received via Rosie Amber's Book Review serivice.

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

The blurb for this book really appealed to me and I was intrigued to see what happened to these characters. Bill and Amanda live in a semi-detached house in London in their sparsely decorated and basic house leading fairly normal lives. One day new neighbours, Fiona and Terry move in next door and the two couples couldn’t be more different. They are glamorous, loud and also very determined to make friends with their new neighbours.

I really enjoyed this book for the first half, the characters were brilliant and it was written in such a way that you just had to keep reading to find out what happened next. Then it got a bit far-fetched and my interest began to wane as the story unfolded. I finished it to the end, but feel that it would have been a five star read for me if it had carried on how it started.

This book was the first one I’d read by this author, but I’ll definitely be looking out what else she has written.

[☠Arianne Reads Horror ☠ · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐.5 (Rounded up)

I'm going to do a quick review for this to follow up on the readalong.

I loved the different perspective element, as well as the time differences, which explain a lot of the background of some of the two couples involved. For the most part, it's a juicy read, fast paced and easy to follow along. I found the writing pretty good, and the story telling was great.

I enjoyed the book being split into 3 parts, I loved the backstory on how both couples met, as it opens up a lot of perspective. The characters themselves are fairly unlikeable the more I progressed, which works in the story's favour, and links into back stories too.

I wasn't keen on quite a few of the present day latter chapters, I found them to be unnecessary and a little bit filler-y. It's fun to get perspective from most or all characters of the same scene, but it can get tedious to read. Some things just weren't needed as they added very little to the story.

The ending kind of let the whole story down for me. I think there definitely could've been a better ending that fit better into the story. The ending itself was so far field and unrelated that I just felt let down by it. A whole book leads up to the ending, and when it just doesn't add or round up the story really, it just leads to disappointment in my eyes. It really played into the whole unhinged soap opera-esque feel, and whilst that works throughout the story, the ending just didn't make sense, felt abrupt and a little rushed.

Overall, this is a fun read, somewhat heavy in parts, but definitely a juicy read. Great for something in-between reads. Fast paced and fun for the most part.

[jakkicook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good read, the end surprised me.

The early part of this book is set in 1990. We were in a time of deep recession, the mortgage rate was @15%, the housing market had collapsed and repos and negative equity were everyday language.
I myself was working three jobs just to keep the roof over my head.
Wide boy loadsamoney types like Terry were history.
I think the time scale should have been more mid/late 80s.
But apart from that, it was a really good read. Amanda was always a damaged person, Fiona was an airhead. But my allegiance and sympathy for these two changed over the course of the book.
And I found the end truly shocking and was left pondering how embittered parents could affect their children.
I read this book really quickly as I really wanted to know what was going to happen next.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved "Semi-Detached", but I couldn't stay semi-detached from the characters! I wanted to slap a few*, shake a few, and give others a stern talking-to. It's written brilliantly, there's an addictive story that kept me turning the pages, and very realistic characters. The one downside is that I'm now looking at my neighbours and wondering what's really going on... Should come with a warning that it could turn you into a nosy neighbour!

*I only resort to violence with imaginary characters!!

My thanks to the author. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.

[Nimalee Ravi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this roller coaster thriller and I devoured this book in one sitting. Loved Stone's writing style and the characters were developed so well.

Amanda and Bill live in a semi-detached house and lead a plain life. Terry and Fiona move next door to them. Their lives are far more glamorous and loud. They are determined get to know Amanda and Bill. Things get complicated when they get to know each other. This is definitely not a regular murder mystery. I did not see that plot twist at the end.

I have to admit this is one of the best thriller I've read this year. Highly recommend this book.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A highly enjoyable book about how things can come up from the past to get you. The story opens with Claire, Amanda’s daughter, bringing her boyfriend home for the first time. The story then goes back many years to when Amanda was a young wife. She lives in a semi detached house and a new, outgoing couple, moves in next door. Amanda is more of a homebody but is fascinated by the new couple.
One thing I loved about this book is that it has short chapters! I read for an hour and was on chapter 26. The story is told in multiple POV, which is one of my favorite ways to read a story. This book will keep you guessing until the very end!

[Sallie Greenhalgh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bill & Fiona are a very boring, everyday couple in one side of a semi detached house. Terry & Fiona move in and are he complete antipathy - glamorous, outgoing and with money to spend.

Surprisingly the couples bond at a drinks evening and there lives become entangled.

This is a well written book which changes point of view to allow you real insight into each character. There are a lot of twists and turns - some of which I saw coming but many I didn’t.

Well worth a read!

I was given an ARC to read but all views are my own.

[Gemma Best · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Semi Detached’ is a gripping psychological drama. It’s a real page turner and I was hooked right from the explosive first chapter. The main characters are well written and believable. Throughout the novel I swung from hating Amanda to sympathising with her to hating her again. All the main characters are flawed and fascinating. The end of this novel is pretty shocking and I did not see it coming. I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys captivating dramas.

I received a gifted copy of this novel. This review is my honest opinion and written voluntarily.

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, I finished it in a couple of days, couldn’t put it down, you could just see the characters in your minds eye as Deborah described them so well it was like watching a play in your head
Didn’t expect the twist at the end
Well worth a read, and will be reading more of Deborah’s books

[Emma_bookaholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant book! Full of twists and wasn't sure where it was heading! Loved the storyline and characters. Was intrigued with the starting chapter but all was revealed and tied up at the end but woah, what a journey to get there!

I feel like I could say so much about this book but don't want to spoil the plot but my god, it's worth a read!

Gripping and full of suspense, loved it! My new fave!

[Heather Poet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohhhh let me tell you even that first line sunk me and my nose has been in these pages since I opened it! You guys I’m almost to the end of this gem and it’s soooo good! My last couple reads were just ok and this is exactly what I needed !

[Jennifer Ann Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

NEARLY DETACHED

This story was brilliant and of course it was related to the book beforehand. I definitely would recommend this book as it follows on from the last one.
Excellent, can't put the book down even when your eyes are almost closing.
A1+++++++++++

[Claire Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book by Deborah Stone and it certainly won’t be my last! From the blurb I was hooked and am very glad I picked up this book. Honestly I didn’t really like many of the characters but the ones I did really surprised me. The ending was absolutely brilliant and the whole book was well written. I liked how it was told from different viewpoints and how 2 stories melded together to make a complete plot. I would really recommend to everyone as I really enjoyed it!

[ChillwithabookAWARD With · Rating 5 out of 5]

Semi Detached by Deborah Stone has received a Chill with a Book Readers' Award.
www.chillwithabook.com

[Angela Dobson. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

I loved this book I read it in one sitting I couldn't put it down and the ending was totally unexpected and brilliant .

[Arvin Dhillon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this litte nugget of a book on Goodreads. I must say it is quite a read. I was thoroughly entertained by this semi thriller.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! Thought was one thing going on with the two couples and there all these twists and surprises. I was drawn I got he storyline from the start. Interesting characters and how each one’s responses to their choices. *I was given an advanced reader copy via BookSirens and am voluntarily giving my honest review.