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Until Death: An unputdownable domestic thriller that follows the journey from fairytale marriage to unhappiness, death, and stalking.
'Until death us do part.' He meant it.Following the success of her debut novel, Her, C.M. Serpell is back with a standalone domestic thriller.'All Catherine wanted was a happy ever after.Swept off her feet by a charming lawyer, she learned not all fairy tales have a happy ending.Sometimes death is the only escape.Someone knows what you did...Revenge is coming.'
300 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2023
3 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 8, 2023
"I’ve started following her. I don’t know why. Maybe if life turned out differently, I would have a life like hers – normal. I blend in now, and no one notices me. What a change from the life I had before when men threw themselves at me. Prison has aged me."
TW - mentions of suicide, domestic violence, baby loss
This is my first book by this author, and I've already added her other book to my tbr. This was such a good atmospheric story. It had my heart pounding, thinking about what was coming next.
I wasn't sure exactly what I was expecting, but the story from when Catherine disappeared went in a very different direction to what I'd thought, and it completely threw me off. I feel like the last part of the story was a little rushed and the ending was a bit of a let down. But overall, this was an enjoyable thriller.
TW - mentions of suicide, domestic violence, baby loss
This is my first book by this author, and I've already added her other book to my tbr. This was such a good atmospheric story. It had my heart pounding, thinking about what was coming next.
I wasn't sure exactly what I was expecting, but the story from when Catherine disappeared went in a very different direction to what I'd thought, and it completely threw me off. I feel like the last part of the story was a little rushed and the ending was a bit of a let down. But overall, this was an enjoyable thriller.
January 22, 2024
Very consistently paced with a variety of intriguing characters and relationships. The book tackles some serious real-world issues, interweaving them with a storyline that keeps the reader wondering until the end. A good, light, entertaining read that also makes you think.
January 3, 2024
The first part of the book that's all about Catherine and Patrick gets 1 star, then all the other parts after gets 2 stars. So, technically, this book is a 1.5 stars for me.
Okay, fine, so Catherine who is a waitress gets married to Patrick who is a successful lawyer. Patrick is also successful at many other things such as domestic violence against his wife, gaslighting, manipulation and the list could keep going but no spoilers! What I don't understand is after the point has been driven home about Patrick being the husband from hell, then why are so many other pages just dedicated to more scenes of the same? It feels like a broken record where Patrick abuses Catherine and then Cat cries herself to sleep.
Is this a good thriller? No. Do you feel like you're hanging by a thread just waiting for the other shoe to drop? No. Why? Because the author just gives the perpetrator to you. How? As an excerpt from a newspaper or something.
Some of the bits of Ashleigh's story were good but it's just a repeat of the Cat's story....broken record. Cat's own parts of "freedom" were also good
I almost forgot, I only kept reading this book and tolerated Patrick because I was promised a murder which I expected would be bone chilling, but the delivery on that was bland. This book had the makings of a good story but it all got lost in less than average writing and storytelling.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Okay, fine, so Catherine who is a waitress gets married to Patrick who is a successful lawyer. Patrick is also successful at many other things such as domestic violence against his wife, gaslighting, manipulation and the list could keep going but no spoilers! What I don't understand is after the point has been driven home about Patrick being the husband from hell, then why are so many other pages just dedicated to more scenes of the same? It feels like a broken record where Patrick abuses Catherine and then Cat cries herself to sleep.
Is this a good thriller? No. Do you feel like you're hanging by a thread just waiting for the other shoe to drop? No. Why? Because the author just gives the perpetrator to you. How? As an excerpt from a newspaper or something.
Some of the bits of Ashleigh's story were good but it's just a repeat of the Cat's story....broken record. Cat's own parts of "freedom" were also good
I almost forgot, I only kept reading this book and tolerated Patrick because I was promised a murder which I expected would be bone chilling, but the delivery on that was bland. This book had the makings of a good story but it all got lost in less than average writing and storytelling.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 12, 2024
I received this story as an ARC for my honest feedback.
This story follows Catherine, who marries her dream guy (Patrick), who turns out to be a monster. The author broke this story down into 4 parts. The first part is all about Catherine and Patrick's marriage. This section of the book was very hard to read because it focuses on the domestic abuse Catherine has to endure. The author wrote these characters very well to where I hated Patrick and felt the pain Catherine was experiencing.
There are several triggers, so please make sure you are in the right mindset to read this book. Those triggers are pregnancy, pregnancy loss, stalking, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, and gaslighting.
Part 4 is set 20 years after Catherine has faked her death. She has settled down in Spain and has someone stalking her while they play pranks on her.
Part 3 is written from the 1st POV of Ashleigh writing in her journal. Ashleigh is Patrick's second wife.
Finally, Part 4 follows Catherine back to the UK to confront her fears and her stalker.
This typically would not be a story I would have read, but it is well written, and Catherine was a very relatable character. The bulk of the story is told in the 3rd person, but for Part 3, the author switches to 1st person, which threw me off for a few pages trying to figure out who was telling the story. Then, they switch back to 3rd person for Part 4.
This story follows Catherine, who marries her dream guy (Patrick), who turns out to be a monster. The author broke this story down into 4 parts. The first part is all about Catherine and Patrick's marriage. This section of the book was very hard to read because it focuses on the domestic abuse Catherine has to endure. The author wrote these characters very well to where I hated Patrick and felt the pain Catherine was experiencing.
There are several triggers, so please make sure you are in the right mindset to read this book. Those triggers are pregnancy, pregnancy loss, stalking, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, and gaslighting.
Part 4 is set 20 years after Catherine has faked her death. She has settled down in Spain and has someone stalking her while they play pranks on her.
Part 3 is written from the 1st POV of Ashleigh writing in her journal. Ashleigh is Patrick's second wife.
Finally, Part 4 follows Catherine back to the UK to confront her fears and her stalker.
This typically would not be a story I would have read, but it is well written, and Catherine was a very relatable character. The bulk of the story is told in the 3rd person, but for Part 3, the author switches to 1st person, which threw me off for a few pages trying to figure out who was telling the story. Then, they switch back to 3rd person for Part 4.
January 6, 2024
Intriguing.
What a story Catherine had. I truly felt this author wrote a pretty good depiction of marital abuse, from mental to physical abuse and that the abuser can make outside people believe they are the ones being wrongly accused, which is horrible. She fled a horrific situation by making everyone believe she had died until someone from her past started stalking her. Someone who wants her to pay for her past. This book was told by several different pov and on a few times had to go back to figure out who's pov it was, but that didn't take long to figure out. I felt the story could have been shorter but overall was a good book one which I did enjoy.
What a story Catherine had. I truly felt this author wrote a pretty good depiction of marital abuse, from mental to physical abuse and that the abuser can make outside people believe they are the ones being wrongly accused, which is horrible. She fled a horrific situation by making everyone believe she had died until someone from her past started stalking her. Someone who wants her to pay for her past. This book was told by several different pov and on a few times had to go back to figure out who's pov it was, but that didn't take long to figure out. I felt the story could have been shorter but overall was a good book one which I did enjoy.
January 9, 2024
I found Until Death to be a very entertaining book. While the subject matter is dark and disturbing (trigger warnings - domestic abuse, both mental and physical, loss of baby, stalking), the story just flowed and you find yourself wondering how Catherine is going to get herself out of her situation.
I finished this book in less than 24 hours, it was that absorbing. The book is interesting, easy to read, has likable characters and does keep you guessing in the second part once Catherine makes her escape.
If you like easy to read thrillers that are not too intense but are highly enjoyable and push those triggers, this is the book for you!
I finished this book in less than 24 hours, it was that absorbing. The book is interesting, easy to read, has likable characters and does keep you guessing in the second part once Catherine makes her escape.
If you like easy to read thrillers that are not too intense but are highly enjoyable and push those triggers, this is the book for you!
December 24, 2023
I was hooked from the very beginning, the characters drew me in, and I went through a roller coaster of emotions. There is a current through this book that made me deeply sad and angry, fully aware that these experiences exist, yet the strength and determination of the main character, Catherine, maintained a sense of hope in a cruel world. The structure of the story was really clever and the pace kept me hooked from the start and I galloped through this in super quick time. I'd highly recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 5, 2024
could not put this down
A brilliant yet emotive read. The author really got a handle on how women feel trapped in dangerous and controlling relationships, and the portrayal of the perpetrator was so accurate. A book I couldn’t stop reading. Highly recommend
A brilliant yet emotive read. The author really got a handle on how women feel trapped in dangerous and controlling relationships, and the portrayal of the perpetrator was so accurate. A book I couldn’t stop reading. Highly recommend
August 5, 2024
Due to the fast pace, it didn't feel very clear when some of the events happened.
December 28, 2023
Once again CM Serpell creates a cast of characters that draws you in with every page.
With a central antagonist you'll hate with a passion and a heroine you'll root for to the very end this was a book I really struggled to put down.
I can't wait to read more by Serpell as I've yet to meet a (semi)-debut author that can create characters as well rounded and interesting as hers.
With a central antagonist you'll hate with a passion and a heroine you'll root for to the very end this was a book I really struggled to put down.
I can't wait to read more by Serpell as I've yet to meet a (semi)-debut author that can create characters as well rounded and interesting as hers.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews