Welcome to life in suburbia. With its manicured lawns and idyllic homes, Cowerworth is the perfect place to live. And Marcus and Gina are the latest newcomers in town. They’ve just moved into a beautiful detached home in a quiet cul-de-sac, definitely living the dream. Their closest neighbours are Sarah and Kevin who live in the house next to them, with their son Dillon. Marcus is charming; handsome as hell and he knows it too. But Marcus has a darker side, one that he needs to keep hidden. However when he catches sight of his new neighbour Sarah, well let’s just say his will power is going to be tested in more ways than one…
Now this is what I call a fabulous, fun thriller and a half. Short choppy paragraphs and a wonderfully easy style of writing meant this book was an absolute joy to read. I raced through it, meaning to stop then thinking, just one more chapter, repeatedly til before I knew it, I was done!
The plot is brilliant too. Just when you think you know where it’s heading it spins around and catches you off guard. Marcus is such an intriguing character, I loved him despite him being so awful. But actually, every character in this book brings something to the table and I found them all hugely entertaining.
And that’s exactly what Knock Knock is; a hugely entertaining and very gripping thriller, filled with suspense, tension and intrigue. Recommended!
In a quiet suburb, all eyes are on Marcus and Gina, the new couple who have just moved in. They seem to be the perfect fit for the neighbourhood. Except for one thing. Marcus has a secret and you are his next victim!
I have been hearing great things about this and when I saw it at 66 books, I just had to buy it! I then met the author a week later at Theakston Crime Festival and she was so lovely and I had to make reading this a priority.
Other peoples reviews were on point, this lived up to my expectations! I love neighbourhood drama and this is a little darker compared to ones I have read recently.
There are short punchy chapters with some occasional transcripts making this so easy to inhale! I thought that this was the authors debut but actually she has another book out which I am now definitely going to have to check out!
If this book isn’t already on your radar, I’d really strongly suggest you check it out!
Wow!!! A real page turner of a book. Neighbours becoming friends, affairs and gossips is not a new concept but this plot was very original and a joy to read something that wasn't predictable. Enjoyed every page. Full of twists and turns. Well thought out and entertaining. Top marks from me for this pacy thriller!
This was wonderful. I would never have suspected this ending. So many bodies. So many twists. There was great plot twists, excellent character building. I need more!
This was slower than I expected. I wish it was a little bit more fast paced -- it took me a bit to get into -- but I'm glad I stuck with it. Second half was better than the first.
A bit repetitive at times which did affect the pace, but overall this was good and I liked the twists. I also liked the female lead’s character development.
I wasn’t quite sure what kind of book this was going to be from the short description I read but it turned out to be a psychological thriller.
The first part is a bit slow and the story seems predictable. Then suddenly the whole things flips inside out and you are questioning everything you just read.
I personally am pretty good at guessing the outcome of most books I read yet this one took me completely by surprise. That made me enjoy it immensely. About halfway thru I couldn’t put it down. I really enjoyed alternating chapters of Sarah and Marcus.
The only reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the slow start. Once I got through it I understood why the foundation needed to be laid out so carefully but I can see where it might discourage some readers.
This was the first book I have read by this author and I will definitely read more by her.
Wow!! Thrilling from start to finish and I absolutely loved it! I could not stop reading!
This is one of those books that makes you question how well you know the people next door. Furthermore, you get to sit back and watch a self proclaimed apex predator become prey. Let’s face it, when two psychopaths collide, you want to know who’s going to emerge as the top contender.
If you enjoy twisty, psychological thrillers that leave you on the edge of your seat wanting to know what happens next, then you will absolutely enjoy this one!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Knock Knock by Michelle Teahan The twists and turns in this book almost gave me whiplash. 🤣 Twist after twist. Loved it and didn't want to put it down. The first part of this book was a little slow for me personally but once it picked uo it blew mw away. First time reading this author and it won't be the last.
I thought that this started out just like any other book in this genre but it really ramped up halfway through. There were plenty of twists and turns, most of which were quite heavily signposted but there was still enough of a twist to leave me surprised at the end.
Knock Knock by Michelle Teahan published June 13th with Headline and is described as an ‘irreverent, dark and addictive…a nail-biting, spine-tingling and thrilling ride, with a KILLER twist.’
I devoured Michelle Teahan’s debut Go Seek back in 2023 with its heart-pounding and fast-paced story. I loved the gangland aspect of the plot which really kept me on edge at all times so I was really looking forward to seeing where she would go next. With Knock Knock Michelle has changed tack a little, slowing it down to a less frenetic pace as she plays a more psychological game with her readers. Knock Knock is set in Cork but the city has no bearing on the novel and it could be set in any town or city near you, no matter where you live.
Visualise a cul-de-sac made up of four perfect houses with four perfect gardens. Park up some top-of-the-range cars, insert some perfect neighbours and a scattering of almost invisible children and you have Cowerworth, a luxurious estate in a quiet suburb of Cork city. Marcus and Gina are new to the neighbourhood, with Gina’s promotion resulting in them having a new beginning in a new city. Gina’s company organised the rental for them and provided her with a Mercedes as part of the deal. Marcus works from home. He’s extremely handsome and causes quite a stir among the local female population beyond the boundaries of their immediate houses. Gina is seriously attractive, making them an enviable couple. But Marcus is a shady character and from the beginning it’s clear that he is not what he seems.
He is calculated in his every move, gracefully immersing himself into the community with ease. The women all lust after him and the men are just too busy to notice. Dinner parties, drinks out, runs in the woods nearby and chats over garden fences are all part of life in Cowerworth and Marcus is delighted. Marcus observes like a predator on the savanna, watching every move and noting when it’s his time to strike. But when Marcus makes an unexpected connection his world is suddenly thrown off kilter and he has to think twice before his next move.
As Marcus seeps into your head, Michelle Teahan establishes the rest of the neighbourhood, creating a great cast of characters that perfectly fit the scene. Secrets are tantalisingly drip fed catching you off guard on numerous occasions, as the plot unravels and we get a peek into what is really going on behind the perfectly painted doors of this creepily utopian estate.
Knock Knock is very much a cat-and-mouse type of psychological thriller that most definitely keeps you guessing. There are plenty of twists and turns that, in many cases, are quite unexpected and the truth, when revealed, is downright disconcerting. I did get a little bit distracted by the repetitive use throughout of two particular words to describe a craving, but that’s very much a minor niggle.
Knock Knock is the second novel from this Cork writer. It is a slow-burner but when it ramps up you’ll be blindsided by the truth. An exciting tale that will certainly entertain all of you looking for a menacing thriller that might just have you second guessing your neighbours!!
A fabulous book from another new author I have not read before which grabbed me from page one and did not let go, the second half of the book was even more exciting.
Marcus is married to Gina but there are things about Marcus that Gina is not aware of. They move to a quiet town named Cowerworth and soon Marcus and Gina meet their new neighbors Sarah, her husband Keith and their son Dillon. Marcus is straight away taken with Sarah and it seems the attraction is mutual but Sarah may be playing with fire without even knowing it. As time moves on we learn more about Marcus and what drives him, it is hard to say too much here without providing spoilers so I will limit what I say. ..
Sarah and Marcus start meeting quietly when their other halves are sleeping. There is a gate that adjoins both yards and they meet to talk, soon they are flirting and each of them now has the other on their minds most of the time. This soon becomes a game of cat and mouse but there are some major revelations in the second half of the book and this is where the book really picks up speed. I have to say that this is a very clever story and Michelle Teahan does a brilliant job of drawing the reader in and then keeps us on the edge of our seats as events happen moving the book to a very suspenceful, gripping and surprising end, loved it.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy, all opinions expressed are my own.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
Knock Knock is a descent into the chilling depths of paranoia and isolation. This isn't a story of jump scares or gore, but of a creeping dread that seeps into the reader's bones.
The novel follows a young woman living alone in a remote cabin, a retreat designed to offer solace. But the tranquility is shattered by a series of unsettling events: late-night knocks on the door, unsettling phone calls, and a growing sense of being watched. As the unease escalates, the protagonist is forced to confront her deepest fears and question her own sanity.
Teahan masterfully builds suspense, relying on subtle psychological cues and a masterful sense of atmosphere. The isolation of the setting becomes a character in itself, amplifying the protagonist's growing sense of dread. The ending, when it arrives, is a gut punch, a shocking twist that will leave readers reeling long after they've turned the final page.
"Knock Knock" is a reminder that the most terrifying monsters often lurk within our own minds. It's a chilling exploration of paranoia and the fragility of our sense of safety, a novel that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it.
Recommended for readers who enjoy psychological thrillers, atmospheric suspense, and stories that delve into the depths of the human psyche.
This book drew my eye in the library because its cover reflected exactly what it is: suburban domestic noir! One of my favourite genres. The story did not disappoint and I am awarding it 4 stars because I looked forward to picking the book up everyday and reading it. I found the dynamic between Sarah and her husband interesting (being a medical family was a major plus!) and I was psyched to find out what would eventually happen between her and Marcus (further kudos to the author for including an extramarital affair). As a narcissist/psychopath, Marcus was fun to read about from the beginning. Alas, I must say that the book became less enjoyable for me when it transpired that Sarah was Marcus's personality double (perhaps two empathy-deprived, personality-disordered madpeople were just too far outside the realm of believability). However, the little twists of plot throughout the novel were engaging, especially the contrived death of a prominent neighbour and the resultant goings-on. The ending underwhelmed a bit, but this was a fun ride regardless - the best Irish book I've read since 'Breakdown' and 'Water'.
Blew my mind! One of the best psychological thrillers I have ever read!
Marcus and Gina move into their new house in an affluent suburb, where the neighbours are all close, socialising together and popping in for coffee. Marcus is instantly attracted to their next door neighbour, Sarah, but he doesn’t get his thrills from the affair alone, Marcus is a twisted psychopath.
The first twist rendered me speechless with shock; never in a million years did I expect that and then the author kept throwing the most jaw-dropping curveballs all the way to the epilogue.
The plot is, quite simply, genius!
5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Michelle Teahan and Headline for an ARC in return for an honest review.
In all honesty this was going to be a 3 star read for me as for the most part it was okay, the plot was good but not spectacular and the characters were a bit weird. But then, Teahan throws in the most surprising twist, I was completely blown away and it completely changed the direction of the plot and everything that happened after. It turns out that this has an incredibly dark plot and once this is laid bare it is electrifying and left me speechless. There is so much more to this than I first thought and it turned into a shocking read. Once the major twist happened I also warmed to the characters more as I could see they played their roles exceptionally well. Stick with this book and you will be rewarded. Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for an advance copy.
Absolutely brilliant book from an author I've not read before and now want to read her other book too.
Had me addicted from the very start and I didn't want to put it down but also didn't want it to end. Loved the writing style, was convinced I knew who was talking to the therapist, then thought it was someone else only to find out I was wrong on both and it was someone else entirely! Great book - really enjoyed how the story unfolded and was quite surprised by some of the twists and turns. Would highly recommend this book, read it, you won't be disappointed.
Thanks to NetGalley and Headline Wildfire for the ARC in return for an honest review
I raced through this book as the pacy short chapters kept me turning the pages. There was a great cast of mostly dislikeable characters, which made it an unpredictable read! I particularly loved the second half after quite a shocking twist and couldn't wait to find out how the rest of the book would play out between Sarah and Marcus (the neighbours who were having an affair) I enjoyed the therapy notes and guessing how these would fit in to the rest of the story! There were several great twists in this story that I didn't see coming and a great epilogue too. Overall, it was an original and fast-paced thriller.
Wow! This one caught me off guard with so many twists and turns, I finished it within 24hrs! In a seemingly small quite suburb, Marcus and Gina are the new neighbors everyone keeps talking about. We quickly release they are running from something and Marcus has a lot of secrets. But little did we know others in the neighborhood also had their own secrets, as the stories progresses we watch the deceptive neighbors betray each other and at times protect each other, even in uncomfortable situations. Great psychological thriller!
Marcus and Gina move to a pretty chill town Cowerworth. Right off the bat, the couple meets their new neighbors Sarah, Keith and their son Dillion. There is an immediate attraction between Marcus and Sarah which leads to a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Everyone has secrets and specifically Marcus has some mind-blowing revelations.
This storyline is very clever and keeps you hooked! Just as the story goes on the twist and turns will keep you on the edge of your seat.
What a read! Absolutely thrilling. I loved this. Hooked me straight away with suspense right at the beginning. Very clever writing which adds to the suspense and build an amazing amount of tension. Couldn’t put it down! 5/5 stars! Thank-you to netgalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for my honest review.
I really enjoyed this Thriller by Michelle Teahan. I enjoyed the multi POV and the addition of the transcripts to break up the story. Some of the twists were predictable but there were more than expected near the end and they were a nice surprise. The pacing was good throughout.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc copy to review.
This book was a bit of a slow burner for me. It had an intriguing start but then I found the pace slowed somewhat until the middle third when it picked back up and became a gripping thriller that I couldn’t put down. I would rate it 3.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, Headline and the author for the chance to review.
The first half is rather slow, and the majority of the book is filled with internal monologue or dialogue so you don't really get a sense of the characters personalities or the place in which the story is set. However, the second half is filled with revelations and twists. I had no idea who the baddie was or how it would end, so this made up for a plotless story I struggled to envision.
I'm sorry what! My mind has been blown! 5 star 🌟 read right here. I was pulled in from the beginning. What do you expect to happen when 2 murderers live next door to each other, without each other knowing. It was full of suspense, I didn't want to put it down, but that ending was absolutely fantastic it was such a revelations of events! I want to go back in time so I can read it all again!
This story is about a couple and their neighbors who have lots of secrets especially the new couple. We also have a killer and get to hear their perspective all throughout the story. But there is a very big twist that I didn’t even see coming but absolutely loved.
The setting for this book is an upper class suburban neighborhood filled with affairs and secrets. A fun, solid 4 star read! There was one small story line I didn’t care for and I felt it was unnecessary. Was pleasantly surprised by the plot twist.