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No One Would Do What The Lamberts Have Done
'The twist is perfection. I think it's just about the cleverest thing I've ever read' Gillian McAllister
You think it will never happen to the ring of the bell, the policeman on the doorstep. What he says traps you in a nightmare that starts with the words, 'I'm afraid…'
Sally Lambert is also afraid, and desperate enough to consider the unthinkable. Is it really, definitely, impossible to escape from this horror? Maybe not. There's always something you can do, right?
Of course, no one would ever do this particular something – except the Lamberts, who might have to.
No one has ever gone this far. Until Sally decides that the Lamberts will…
411 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 19, 2025
122 people are currently reading
10817 people want to read
About the author
Sophie Hannah
132 books4,471 followersSophie Hannah is an internationally bestselling writer of psychological crime fiction, published in 27 countries. In 2013, her latest novel, The Carrier, won the Crime Thriller of the Year Award at the Specsavers National Book Awards. Two of Sophie’s crime novels, The Point of Rescue and The Other Half Lives, have been adapted for television and appeared on ITV1 under the series title Case Sensitive in 2011 and 2012. In 2004, Sophie won first prize in the Daphne Du Maurier Festival Short Story Competition for her suspense story The Octopus Nest, which is now published in her first collection of short stories, The Fantastic Book of Everybody’s Secrets.
Sophie has also published five collections of poetry. Her fifth, Pessimism for Beginners, was shortlisted for the 2007 T S Eliot Award. Her poetry is studied at GCSE, A-level and degree level across the UK. From 1997 to 1999 she was Fellow Commoner in Creative Arts at Trinity College, Cambridge, and between 1999 and 2001 she was a fellow of Wolfson College, Oxford. She is forty-one and lives with her husband and children in Cambridge, where she is a Fellow Commoner at Lucy Cavendish College. She is currently working on a new challenge for the little grey cells of Hercule Poirot, Agatha Christie’s famous detective.
Sophie has also published five collections of poetry. Her fifth, Pessimism for Beginners, was shortlisted for the 2007 T S Eliot Award. Her poetry is studied at GCSE, A-level and degree level across the UK. From 1997 to 1999 she was Fellow Commoner in Creative Arts at Trinity College, Cambridge, and between 1999 and 2001 she was a fellow of Wolfson College, Oxford. She is forty-one and lives with her husband and children in Cambridge, where she is a Fellow Commoner at Lucy Cavendish College. She is currently working on a new challenge for the little grey cells of Hercule Poirot, Agatha Christie’s famous detective.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews
July 3, 2025
EXCERPT: 'We'll laugh about this one day.' That's what Mark often says, to snap me out of a fuss I'm making about nothing. Will I laugh. at some point in the future, at how horrified I was to discover Tess Gavey had typed the words 'a neighbour's Welsh Terrier' into her Snapchat box, or whatever you call it, in the hope of persuading God knows how many people to hate and blame and fear Champ? Only if I'm standing over her decomposing dead body at the time - that's my honest answer. No one who sees my smiley face as it trots around the village knows I'm capable of thinking anything as violent as that, and I want to keep it that way. I certainly don't want my family to know.
ABOUT 'NO ONE WOULD DO WHAT THE LAMBERTS HAVE DONE': The twistiest murder mystery you are ever likely to read?
A story about a family that does the unthinkable in order to save the life of one of its beloved members?
Both? Or something else altogether?
You'll have to read until the very last word in order to find out…
You think it will never happen to you: the ring of the bell, the policeman on the doorstep. What he says traps you in a nightmare that starts with the words, 'I'm afraid…'
Sally Lambert is also afraid, and desperate enough to consider the unthinkable. Is it really, definitely, impossible to escape from this horror? Maybe not. There's always something you can do, right?
Of course, no one would ever do this particular something – except the Lamberts, who might have to.
No one has ever gone this far. Until Sally decides that the Lamberts will…
MY THOUGHTS: A novel should operate a bit like an advent calendar: you save the best and most tempting goodies until the very end, the last page - the last paragraph . . .
Bonkers, but entertaining.
I suspect Sophie Hannah has written this very much 'tongue in cheek'.
I can't say a word about the plot because I am at a total loss to explain it other than bonkers, entertaining and verging on the absurd in places, as are the characters. Plus, I don't want to give anything away and I'm afraid that anything I may say will do just that.
Did I understand what was going on? Sometimes (well I thought I did), but not always. I spent more time laughing and eye-rolling than understanding. Is it necessary to understand? Probably not. Well not until the end anyway and that went completely over my head. So I just went along for the mostly enjoyable ride.
⭐⭐⭐.1
#NoOneWouldDoWhatTheLambertsHaveDone #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR - SOPHIE HANNAH writes crime fiction, contemporary psychological thrillers, self-help books and, at the request of Agatha Christie’s family and estate, the new series of Hercule Poirot novels.
She lives with her husband, children and dog in Cambridge.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bedford Square Publishers via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of No One Would Do What the Lamberts Have Done by Sophie Hannah for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
ABOUT 'NO ONE WOULD DO WHAT THE LAMBERTS HAVE DONE': The twistiest murder mystery you are ever likely to read?
A story about a family that does the unthinkable in order to save the life of one of its beloved members?
Both? Or something else altogether?
You'll have to read until the very last word in order to find out…
You think it will never happen to you: the ring of the bell, the policeman on the doorstep. What he says traps you in a nightmare that starts with the words, 'I'm afraid…'
Sally Lambert is also afraid, and desperate enough to consider the unthinkable. Is it really, definitely, impossible to escape from this horror? Maybe not. There's always something you can do, right?
Of course, no one would ever do this particular something – except the Lamberts, who might have to.
No one has ever gone this far. Until Sally decides that the Lamberts will…
MY THOUGHTS: A novel should operate a bit like an advent calendar: you save the best and most tempting goodies until the very end, the last page - the last paragraph . . .
Bonkers, but entertaining.
I suspect Sophie Hannah has written this very much 'tongue in cheek'.
I can't say a word about the plot because I am at a total loss to explain it other than bonkers, entertaining and verging on the absurd in places, as are the characters. Plus, I don't want to give anything away and I'm afraid that anything I may say will do just that.
Did I understand what was going on? Sometimes (well I thought I did), but not always. I spent more time laughing and eye-rolling than understanding. Is it necessary to understand? Probably not. Well not until the end anyway and that went completely over my head. So I just went along for the mostly enjoyable ride.
⭐⭐⭐.1
#NoOneWouldDoWhatTheLambertsHaveDone #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR - SOPHIE HANNAH writes crime fiction, contemporary psychological thrillers, self-help books and, at the request of Agatha Christie’s family and estate, the new series of Hercule Poirot novels.
She lives with her husband, children and dog in Cambridge.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bedford Square Publishers via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of No One Would Do What the Lamberts Have Done by Sophie Hannah for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
June 20, 2025
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review as part of the book tour hosted by Random Things Tours.
No One Would Do What the Lamberts Have Done is a quirky and humours thriller with a clever twist I didn't expect. This book definitely won't be everyone's cup of tea, but I really enjoyed it once I got used to the writing style.
Written with multiple POV, we follow the Lambert family after Sally receives an unexpected visit from the police regarding her beloved dog. Sally sees no other choice than to go on the run with him to save him.
As a dog lover and dog owner myself, this book did make me question what I would do in Sally's shoes.
The Garvey family that the Lambert are at war with are the most disturbing and unlikeable characters I've ever come across, and I was rooting for Sally and her beautiful little fur baby all the way.
No One Would Do What the Lamberts Have Done is a quirky and humours thriller with a clever twist I didn't expect. This book definitely won't be everyone's cup of tea, but I really enjoyed it once I got used to the writing style.
Written with multiple POV, we follow the Lambert family after Sally receives an unexpected visit from the police regarding her beloved dog. Sally sees no other choice than to go on the run with him to save him.
As a dog lover and dog owner myself, this book did make me question what I would do in Sally's shoes.
The Garvey family that the Lambert are at war with are the most disturbing and unlikeable characters I've ever come across, and I was rooting for Sally and her beautiful little fur baby all the way.
April 7, 2025
Nothing sums up Sophie Hannah more than the fact, at the time of writing this, she has four ratings - one five star, one four star, one three star and one two star
May 14, 2025
I’ve given up on this book, life’s too short.
August 30, 2025
What in earth was that? I still don’t think I quite understand what I read. I know Sophie Hannah writes unique stories but No One Would Do What The Lamberts Have Done is something else.
This is a very bizarre and very much out there book. I am a dog lover and still it was a little crazy for me. I can see what this has such mixed reviews, it really is difficult to review.
A family feud between the Lamberts and the Gaveys turns even nastier when the Gaveys accuse the Lamberts dog of biting one of them. This sets off an insane chain of events that really has to be read to believe.. and still then I don’t believe it.
One of my favourite thrillers is Sophie Hannah’s Did You See Melody, and I love her Agatha Christie novels. This will not be up there with those, but I certainly will remember it for a very long time to come,
Thank you to Harper Collins for sending me this book to read and review.
This is a very bizarre and very much out there book. I am a dog lover and still it was a little crazy for me. I can see what this has such mixed reviews, it really is difficult to review.
A family feud between the Lamberts and the Gaveys turns even nastier when the Gaveys accuse the Lamberts dog of biting one of them. This sets off an insane chain of events that really has to be read to believe.. and still then I don’t believe it.
One of my favourite thrillers is Sophie Hannah’s Did You See Melody, and I love her Agatha Christie novels. This will not be up there with those, but I certainly will remember it for a very long time to come,
Thank you to Harper Collins for sending me this book to read and review.
July 6, 2025
'Dog bites don't go to jury trials,' Toby says. 'Do they, Dad?'
I feel like I've been reading a completely different book from the other reviewers... I've been a huge Sophie Hannah fan for years now, loving the 'impossible mysteries' she concocts whether in the Culver Valley series, the standalones, or the modern Poirot continuations. But this one defeated me.
The set-up of the police being sent an anonymous manuscript is intriguing but there's so much withholding of information that the opening is confusing - and then when I found out what the police visit to the Lamberts was about, my jaw dropped... and with not good disbelief. From there the whole thing unravelled for me. Maybe you have to be a fervent dog lover to get this one?! Too much was just too absurd for my tastes - sorry. And for all the allusions to Agatha Christie's The Rose and the Yew Tree and a murder confession, the ending left me unsatisfied.
Thanks to the publisher for an ARC via NetGalley
July 22, 2025
ARC for review. To be published January 20, 2026.
3.5 stars
Sally Lambert loves her dog Champ. Really loves him. He’s one of the family. (I can totally relate. My husband and I are crazy dog people and we love our dogs like this. Just keep your judgement to yourself is all I ask. We are happy this way.)
So when police officers come to her door and say that Champ bit the horrendous, awful, teenage Tess Gavey, daughter of the equally abysmal Lesley Gavey, Sally knows it isn’t true. Because Champ has an alibi, even if she can’t absolutely prove it. And she will go on the run to save him. And that’s just what she, her family and neighbor Corrine do.
The book is written in an arch tone which I’m usually OK with but this book isn’t quite funny enough to carry off, though it gets better as it goes on. However, I totally understood Sally’s position and I loved Champ and Furbert (you’ll see) so very much. Sally’s rituals with the dogs are adorable (don’t most pet lovers have a few of their own?) and overall I enjoyed the book, though I was a little puzzled by the “dark” end? Maybe I missed something?
3.5 stars
Sally Lambert loves her dog Champ. Really loves him. He’s one of the family. (I can totally relate. My husband and I are crazy dog people and we love our dogs like this. Just keep your judgement to yourself is all I ask. We are happy this way.)
So when police officers come to her door and say that Champ bit the horrendous, awful, teenage Tess Gavey, daughter of the equally abysmal Lesley Gavey, Sally knows it isn’t true. Because Champ has an alibi, even if she can’t absolutely prove it. And she will go on the run to save him. And that’s just what she, her family and neighbor Corrine do.
The book is written in an arch tone which I’m usually OK with but this book isn’t quite funny enough to carry off, though it gets better as it goes on. However, I totally understood Sally’s position and I loved Champ and Furbert (you’ll see) so very much. Sally’s rituals with the dogs are adorable (don’t most pet lovers have a few of their own?) and overall I enjoyed the book, though I was a little puzzled by the “dark” end? Maybe I missed something?
August 22, 2025
Gave up after 125 pages…worst book I’ve come across for years. Absolutely nothing happened and the main character, the mother Sally was hard to like. Tedious and boring …I was skipping paragraphs thinking it must get better soon before deciding that life is too short to waste on lousy books. Picked up another from my pile and can’t put it down so definitely made the right decision !
June 20, 2025
This is probably the quirkiest and most bonkers book I’ve ever read. I honestly have no idea how to review it. The book description gives nothing away, and it is definitely better if you go in blind. I can’t tell you what makes the Lamberts do whatever it is they do, because it would ruin all your reading pleasure.
There is, quite frankly, very little at all that I can tell you. One village, two families at war, a death, and a dog in trouble. That’s all you need to know, and for the most part it’s great fun. I always enjoy a small village setting, full of silly issues and odd little rivalries, and there’s some of that here for sure. There are even a few winks at Agatha Christie. Many dog lovers will undoubtedly be able to relate. Even if Sally takes things so far to the extreme that it becomes difficult not to begin making fun of her.
However, at one point, it all starts to verge on the ridiculous, though. The problem is that I can’t actually tell you why as it would be an enormous spoiler. But it was around that point that Sophie Hannah started to lose me. I often felt confused with no clue what was happening. Unfortunately for me, that didn’t go away at the end of the book when I had to admit that I had no idea who had done what, or how, and why. I don’t feel like I missed clues, and I don’t expect everything to be handed to me on a silver platter but the actual reveal, if I can even call it that, left me utterly bewildered.
So, a story of two halves for me. Fun and entertaining, but also a tad too silly at times and just a little bit confusing. Still enjoyed it though and it was an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon or two.
There is, quite frankly, very little at all that I can tell you. One village, two families at war, a death, and a dog in trouble. That’s all you need to know, and for the most part it’s great fun. I always enjoy a small village setting, full of silly issues and odd little rivalries, and there’s some of that here for sure. There are even a few winks at Agatha Christie. Many dog lovers will undoubtedly be able to relate. Even if Sally takes things so far to the extreme that it becomes difficult not to begin making fun of her.
However, at one point, it all starts to verge on the ridiculous, though. The problem is that I can’t actually tell you why as it would be an enormous spoiler. But it was around that point that Sophie Hannah started to lose me. I often felt confused with no clue what was happening. Unfortunately for me, that didn’t go away at the end of the book when I had to admit that I had no idea who had done what, or how, and why. I don’t feel like I missed clues, and I don’t expect everything to be handed to me on a silver platter but the actual reveal, if I can even call it that, left me utterly bewildered.
So, a story of two halves for me. Fun and entertaining, but also a tad too silly at times and just a little bit confusing. Still enjoyed it though and it was an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon or two.
May 7, 2025
I finished this book in early hours of this morning, and it is an utter joy.
This is the story of Sally Lambert (a completely sane, rational and heroic human being, I might add), her ever so slightly dysfunctional family, and - most importantly - her adorable dog Champ. Everything is going swimmingly for the Lamberts, until the nasty Gavey family moves into the village ... then it all starts to go horribly, horribly wrong.
This is a murder-mystery about the lengths you would go to to protect the person you love. It is a ferocious battle between good and evil, a tense, page-turner of a book with so many clever avenues, plus *the* most enormous plot twist (Agatha would be in awe). As if that wasn't enough, it's also incredibly funny, extremely entertaining, and a brilliant study of human behaviour.
I have loved Sophie's writing since I read Little Face many (many) years ago because she is the absolute queen of plot and pace. This will keep you guessing until the end, but you will feel so flippin' smug when you get to the last page and finally work it out (I finished it hours ago and I'm still smiling at myself).
Also, I would totally, one hundred percent do what the Lamberts have done.
Wouldn't you?
This is the story of Sally Lambert (a completely sane, rational and heroic human being, I might add), her ever so slightly dysfunctional family, and - most importantly - her adorable dog Champ. Everything is going swimmingly for the Lamberts, until the nasty Gavey family moves into the village ... then it all starts to go horribly, horribly wrong.
This is a murder-mystery about the lengths you would go to to protect the person you love. It is a ferocious battle between good and evil, a tense, page-turner of a book with so many clever avenues, plus *the* most enormous plot twist (Agatha would be in awe). As if that wasn't enough, it's also incredibly funny, extremely entertaining, and a brilliant study of human behaviour.
I have loved Sophie's writing since I read Little Face many (many) years ago because she is the absolute queen of plot and pace. This will keep you guessing until the end, but you will feel so flippin' smug when you get to the last page and finally work it out (I finished it hours ago and I'm still smiling at myself).
Also, I would totally, one hundred percent do what the Lamberts have done.
Wouldn't you?
May 16, 2025
I am not sure how to review this book. It is without doubt the most surreal thing I have read for some time - and just when I thought I had a handle on it - it spun off in a completely different direction.
The Lamberts and the Gaveys live in close proximity to each other in a small village and are deadly enemies. One day, the police turn up at the Lamberts, accusing their dog Champ of biting the Gaveys teen age daughter. This accusation sets off a chain of events that no one could have foreseen.
It is difficult to add more without giving away plot lines, but suffice to say there are surprises a plenty.
This is a very bizarre story full of dark humour. You really have to suspend belief and just go with the craziness. Almost all the characters are off the scale eccentric. There is murder (though not til almost the end of the book) and mayhem at every turn, so many unexpected twists it makes your head spin.I imagine it will especially appeal to dog lovers. Did I enjoy it? I am not sure but it will certainly stay with me for some time.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and Bedford Square publishers for this ARC, in exchange for an unbiased review.
The Lamberts and the Gaveys live in close proximity to each other in a small village and are deadly enemies. One day, the police turn up at the Lamberts, accusing their dog Champ of biting the Gaveys teen age daughter. This accusation sets off a chain of events that no one could have foreseen.
It is difficult to add more without giving away plot lines, but suffice to say there are surprises a plenty.
This is a very bizarre story full of dark humour. You really have to suspend belief and just go with the craziness. Almost all the characters are off the scale eccentric. There is murder (though not til almost the end of the book) and mayhem at every turn, so many unexpected twists it makes your head spin.I imagine it will especially appeal to dog lovers. Did I enjoy it? I am not sure but it will certainly stay with me for some time.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and Bedford Square publishers for this ARC, in exchange for an unbiased review.
June 21, 2025
♪GOD, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?♪
Dear Sophie, what have you done? This novel drags on forever, with a plot that is almost completely absorbed by the endless and silly conversations between the characters. There's not even a definite solution - the one provided is as absurd as the rest of the book. The only remarkable thing is the twist about , original but not thrilling enough.
Dear Sophie, what have you done? This novel drags on forever, with a plot that is almost completely absorbed by the endless and silly conversations between the characters. There's not even a definite solution - the one provided is as absurd as the rest of the book. The only remarkable thing is the twist about , original but not thrilling enough.
July 12, 2025
This murder mystery about a family wanting to protect their dog Champ, accused of biting a neighbor girl, is a bit too twisty for me. Many fans of the genre will love the elaborate plot and the family shenanigans. It was just not my cup of tea.
June 22, 2025
I finished the book earlier today and since then have tried to decide how to review it! Definitely seems to be a marmite book having read a few other reviews.
If you’re looking for an ordinary crime novel, this is so far away from an ordinary crime novel it needs its own genre!
Such an unusual and unique book. The story, the characters, the narrator(s) - all completely bonkers!
I struggled to get into it as I couldn’t get my head around what was going on. I think reading it again would really help make sense of everything. The synopsis gives absolutely nothing away but the title and cover completely drew me in. It seemed to jump about between timelines and people, but I’d say about half way through I started to enjoy it and got really into the lengths the Lamberts go to, and their plans to save their dog. A crazy but likeable family as opposed to the horrible Gaveys. Having said that, I’m very much in the not understanding the ending group. I have my own thoughts but no idea if I’m right. Which is not satisfactory for my brain which likes endings tied up nicely!
But THAT reveal! Oh My Goodness!
This will make a brilliant book group read, there is so much to discuss.
If Sophie comes up my way to discuss the book, I’ll be buying the first ticket!
Thank you to the publisher for my advance copy.
If you’re looking for an ordinary crime novel, this is so far away from an ordinary crime novel it needs its own genre!
Such an unusual and unique book. The story, the characters, the narrator(s) - all completely bonkers!
I struggled to get into it as I couldn’t get my head around what was going on. I think reading it again would really help make sense of everything. The synopsis gives absolutely nothing away but the title and cover completely drew me in. It seemed to jump about between timelines and people, but I’d say about half way through I started to enjoy it and got really into the lengths the Lamberts go to, and their plans to save their dog. A crazy but likeable family as opposed to the horrible Gaveys. Having said that, I’m very much in the not understanding the ending group. I have my own thoughts but no idea if I’m right. Which is not satisfactory for my brain which likes endings tied up nicely!
But THAT reveal! Oh My Goodness!
This will make a brilliant book group read, there is so much to discuss.
If Sophie comes up my way to discuss the book, I’ll be buying the first ticket!
Thank you to the publisher for my advance copy.
June 27, 2025
I really like Sophie Hannah's Culver Valley police series and I wish she'd get back to them. Maybe I just don't understand this one, but yeah, I don't get it. All the characters except Tobes are horrible, the premise is so ridiculous it makes farcical look believable and it's irritating. I love my cat more than I love many members of my family; I'm not indifferent to animals, in fact generally I like them. But you know those ads for the donkey rescue where the voiceover is narrated by a dolorous bloke speaking as if he's the donkey? I love donkeys but those ads make me want to skin them all and make them into 80s jackets. This book is having a similar effect. But I want to skin all the humans too. In fact Champ the dog (sadly not the Wonder Horse) is the only one, apart from Tobes, who needn't be flayed, tanned and stitched.
I want my friend Lisa to read this to see what she thinks.
I want my friend Lisa to read this to see what she thinks.
June 20, 2025
NO ONE WOULD DO WHAT THE LAMBERTS HAVE DONE BY SOPHIE HANNAH.
Great name and great cover for this book.
It really stood out to me even more so after I read the blurb.
Really twisty at times.
This is my first book by this author and look forward to reading more
Great name and great cover for this book.
It really stood out to me even more so after I read the blurb.
Really twisty at times.
This is my first book by this author and look forward to reading more
September 24, 2025
Thank you the the publisher for the advanced copy
Quirky fun thriller. Can’t really say much without giving anything away. It’s just one of those you have to read till the end.
Quirky fun thriller. Can’t really say much without giving anything away. It’s just one of those you have to read till the end.
May 27, 2025
Thanks to Anne at Random Things Tours for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I'm not overly sure how to review this book, because I liked some of it but I didn't like most of it. It had a lot going for it but I didn't find it a particularly enjoyable book to read. I hadn't been able to move for praise for this book, so I was excited to get a chance to read it, but sadly it didn't live up to my expectations, but there are some positives.
For starters - assuming it's the same in the finished copy - a lot of the book happens on June 17th, which is my birthday, which made me smile.
Thrillers are probably my most read genre and so I know what I like, but they can get a bit samey. This was completely fresh. It still had elements I recognise and expect, but it did feel completely new.
However...
I couldn't really get into the writing, because it's sort of like a stream of consciousness by an unknown character, and I struggled with that. I couldn't connect to the writing or the character.
And talking about the characters, they're very......character-ish. Some books have characters that feel very real and relatable. Whereas I found they were very OTT in this, they're bizarre and eccentric, and whilst it does sort of fit this story, I did find them very annoying.
The pacing felt off. I know it's like a stream of consciousness and so it is very wordy, but for pages and pages it was describing hardly anything of relevance, and I was beginning to wonder if I could skip bits because I felt I wasn't going to miss anything.
Books don't have to be realistic to be good. By their very nature, fictional novels are unrealistic, because they're fiction, that's fine. But this was so unrealistic that I couldn't get into it. I didn't like any of the characters, they were hard to pay attention to. The plot was convoluted and OTT and just didn't make any sense to me, and the dialogue was very rambly.
It all seems to stem from a like or dislike of a pet dog. I love dogs so much and I have a dog, but I understand that not everyone does like dogs and that's fine. But this is so anti-people-who-dislike-dogs that instead of it being a quirky characteristic, it was uncomfortable.
I also felt the ending was odd. Nothing seemed particularly finished for me. I don't mind an open ended ending if it gives you something to think about, but it didn't give me that. I just felt even more confused.
It is unique and quirky, but it's confusing and disjointed and underwhelming.
I think this is my first of her books. I may have read one of her Agatha Christie ones at some point but I'm not sure. It hasn't completely put me off her work, but it definitely didn't live up to the hype. But looking at other reviews...it shows you either love it or hate it. There doesn't seem to be much middle-ground.
I'm not overly sure how to review this book, because I liked some of it but I didn't like most of it. It had a lot going for it but I didn't find it a particularly enjoyable book to read. I hadn't been able to move for praise for this book, so I was excited to get a chance to read it, but sadly it didn't live up to my expectations, but there are some positives.
For starters - assuming it's the same in the finished copy - a lot of the book happens on June 17th, which is my birthday, which made me smile.
Thrillers are probably my most read genre and so I know what I like, but they can get a bit samey. This was completely fresh. It still had elements I recognise and expect, but it did feel completely new.
However...
I couldn't really get into the writing, because it's sort of like a stream of consciousness by an unknown character, and I struggled with that. I couldn't connect to the writing or the character.
And talking about the characters, they're very......character-ish. Some books have characters that feel very real and relatable. Whereas I found they were very OTT in this, they're bizarre and eccentric, and whilst it does sort of fit this story, I did find them very annoying.
The pacing felt off. I know it's like a stream of consciousness and so it is very wordy, but for pages and pages it was describing hardly anything of relevance, and I was beginning to wonder if I could skip bits because I felt I wasn't going to miss anything.
Books don't have to be realistic to be good. By their very nature, fictional novels are unrealistic, because they're fiction, that's fine. But this was so unrealistic that I couldn't get into it. I didn't like any of the characters, they were hard to pay attention to. The plot was convoluted and OTT and just didn't make any sense to me, and the dialogue was very rambly.
It all seems to stem from a like or dislike of a pet dog. I love dogs so much and I have a dog, but I understand that not everyone does like dogs and that's fine. But this is so anti-people-who-dislike-dogs that instead of it being a quirky characteristic, it was uncomfortable.
I also felt the ending was odd. Nothing seemed particularly finished for me. I don't mind an open ended ending if it gives you something to think about, but it didn't give me that. I just felt even more confused.
It is unique and quirky, but it's confusing and disjointed and underwhelming.
I think this is my first of her books. I may have read one of her Agatha Christie ones at some point but I'm not sure. It hasn't completely put me off her work, but it definitely didn't live up to the hype. But looking at other reviews...it shows you either love it or hate it. There doesn't seem to be much middle-ground.
June 27, 2025
This is a hard book to review. Firstly it's a book within a book. A cop purportedly finds a box containing a manuscript. It was out of order he tells his boss, but he puts it together and discovers it's about a recent tragedy in the community. One the cop and his boss thought was resolved. However, the manuscript raises a number of questions.
At its most simple, it's about two neighbouring families - the Lamberts and the Gaveys. Not even warring families, though we learn the daughters didn't get along. It kicks off with a police officer knocking on the door of the Lamberts following an accusation that the Lamberts's dog - Champ - has bitten the Gavey's daughter (Tess).
Sally Lambert comes across as an eccentric character, as devoted to Champ (and Champ's predecessor Furbert), as she is to her husband and son and daughter... well perhaps more-so. In fact, so much so that she decides to go on the run rather than risk anyone taking Champ away. I'm not a pet owner or animal lover so found it hard to relate to the extreme reaction (hence the title of the book also I guess).
What comes next is Sally dragging her family along with her despite the fact that Champ has no history of anger-issues and Sally was in fact walking Champ at the time of the alleged incident. Her husband Mark attempts to have her stay and rebut the accusations but is unable to get through to her.
We then delve into the town of Swaffham Tilney and learn a little more about its residents and their history - including the implosion of the local bookclub. Needless to say residents take sides when it comes to Champ and the accusations.
Complicating factors (which are never explained) is that the Gaveys and Lamberts moved in as neighbours around the same time (relatively recently). And... the two mothers (Sally and Lesley) had a run-in of sorts at the Lamberts's previous house when it was on the market. It meant I was waiting for some past connection that drew Lesley to the Lamberts - stalking them almost.
The resolution of this is somewhat farcical if it wasn't also tragic. It involves an online smear campaign and a confession which goes viral. And then... some of the characters get to live happily ever after.
And we return to the manuscript. We learn it's not exactly accurate and that the author hid certain facts from readers, including their own identity.
Ultimately this felt like a bit of a mish-mash of genres and ideas. There were elements I liked and others that didn't feel resolved. The level of animosity between some characters was never explained. Having said that it'll appeal to those who enjoy a twisty read and don't necessarily need complete closure.
3.5 stars.
At its most simple, it's about two neighbouring families - the Lamberts and the Gaveys. Not even warring families, though we learn the daughters didn't get along. It kicks off with a police officer knocking on the door of the Lamberts following an accusation that the Lamberts's dog - Champ - has bitten the Gavey's daughter (Tess).
Sally Lambert comes across as an eccentric character, as devoted to Champ (and Champ's predecessor Furbert), as she is to her husband and son and daughter... well perhaps more-so. In fact, so much so that she decides to go on the run rather than risk anyone taking Champ away. I'm not a pet owner or animal lover so found it hard to relate to the extreme reaction (hence the title of the book also I guess).
What comes next is Sally dragging her family along with her despite the fact that Champ has no history of anger-issues and Sally was in fact walking Champ at the time of the alleged incident. Her husband Mark attempts to have her stay and rebut the accusations but is unable to get through to her.
We then delve into the town of Swaffham Tilney and learn a little more about its residents and their history - including the implosion of the local bookclub. Needless to say residents take sides when it comes to Champ and the accusations.
Complicating factors (which are never explained) is that the Gaveys and Lamberts moved in as neighbours around the same time (relatively recently). And... the two mothers (Sally and Lesley) had a run-in of sorts at the Lamberts's previous house when it was on the market. It meant I was waiting for some past connection that drew Lesley to the Lamberts - stalking them almost.
The resolution of this is somewhat farcical if it wasn't also tragic. It involves an online smear campaign and a confession which goes viral. And then... some of the characters get to live happily ever after.
And we return to the manuscript. We learn it's not exactly accurate and that the author hid certain facts from readers, including their own identity.
Ultimately this felt like a bit of a mish-mash of genres and ideas. There were elements I liked and others that didn't feel resolved. The level of animosity between some characters was never explained. Having said that it'll appeal to those who enjoy a twisty read and don't necessarily need complete closure.
3.5 stars.
April 29, 2025
I love a good mystery, me. The twistier and more suspenseful, the better. Now, I haven't read many books by Sophie Hannah, but I've read enough to know that she writes good, twisty mysteries, and that's what I expected when I settled down to read No One Would Do What the Lamberts Have Done.
How best to describe this book? Quirky? Sure. Totally bonkers? Yes indeed. The most bizarre story I've read this year? Definitely. And it's for all of these reasons that I absolutely loved it. Of course the other selling point for me was the fact it features a dog. 🐕
There are some truly wonderful characters, and Hannah's descriptions of village life and village gossip conjured up pictures of a quaint Midsomer Murders type village. 🐕
There are a myriad of twists to navigate, and a suspicious death that may or may not have been murder. And did I mention there's a dog? 🐕
No One Would Do What the Lamberts Have Done is definitely one of my favourite reads this year. It won't be to everyone's taste, opinions will be divided, but if you like quirky, or downright bizarre, grab yourself a copy and prepare to be entertained. 🐕
Thanks to Bedford Square Publishers and Netgalley for the digital ARC.
How best to describe this book? Quirky? Sure. Totally bonkers? Yes indeed. The most bizarre story I've read this year? Definitely. And it's for all of these reasons that I absolutely loved it. Of course the other selling point for me was the fact it features a dog. 🐕
There are some truly wonderful characters, and Hannah's descriptions of village life and village gossip conjured up pictures of a quaint Midsomer Murders type village. 🐕
There are a myriad of twists to navigate, and a suspicious death that may or may not have been murder. And did I mention there's a dog? 🐕
No One Would Do What the Lamberts Have Done is definitely one of my favourite reads this year. It won't be to everyone's taste, opinions will be divided, but if you like quirky, or downright bizarre, grab yourself a copy and prepare to be entertained. 🐕
Thanks to Bedford Square Publishers and Netgalley for the digital ARC.
June 20, 2025
This is the second book I've read from Hannah and it's undoubtedly my new found favourite!
It's different and I think that's what made It appeal to me. It wasn't your usual run of the mill thriller.
Narrated from multiple POV and with more twists than Nemesis, Hannah regales with a story strewn with dark humour and replete with a cast of unconventional characters.
As a dog owner would I do what the Lamberts have done? That's for me to know!
It's different and I think that's what made It appeal to me. It wasn't your usual run of the mill thriller.
Narrated from multiple POV and with more twists than Nemesis, Hannah regales with a story strewn with dark humour and replete with a cast of unconventional characters.
As a dog owner would I do what the Lamberts have done? That's for me to know!
June 11, 2025
DNF.
What on earth is this book?? The writing style is all over the place, it’s like page after page of incoherent rambling.
I couldn’t engage with the story or the characters and knew early on this was not the book for me.
What on earth is this book?? The writing style is all over the place, it’s like page after page of incoherent rambling.
I couldn’t engage with the story or the characters and knew early on this was not the book for me.
August 15, 2025
What did I just read?
No, seriously, what did I just read?
If you plan to read this book, I recommend stopping here. Some of what is in this review is spoilerish. Also, Netgalley encourages reviewers to put the positive stuff first so here we go:
No One Would Do What the Lamberts Have Done might make a decent movie in the right hands. If you love dogs and are in the mood for something absolutely bonkers, you might enjoy the book. I recommend you drink a lot of caffeine before starting it.
***
This book IS bonkers, and I don’t believe it would ever have gotten published if not written by a well-known author. The author describes it as being “like The Fugitive starring Harrison Ford, except with an innocent dog on the run instead of an innocent person,” but it’s not nearly as entertaining as that sounds. It’s a book within a book – most of the book is another book, with multiple narrators, that mysteriously appears after a series of incidents, so nothing is reliable. NOTHING.
Twisty? I guess, but mostly just a big mess. Hugely entertaining? No. I only finished it because I have pledged to read and review any book I request from Netgalley.
Two families that don’t like each other. One has a teenaged daughter who claims to have been bitten by a dog, a Welsh terrier, the same breed owned and beloved by the other family. So what the Lamberts “do” is an increasingly insane set of actions to protect their dog Champ from being put down because he bit someone.
Sally Lambert is a dog mom, one who considers both her living dog Champ and her dead dog Furbert as much her children as Ree and Toby. She will do anything to protect Champ. The whole family goes along for the ride, her husband somewhat reluctantly, and a convenient almost-billionaire plays fairy godmother.
Look, I have pets, and I love my pets, and I grieve my pets when they die. But this? “The truth was – and if Sally could change minds in this world about one thing and one thing only, this would be it – being the parent of a dog is exactly the same and every bit as meaningful and amazing as being a parent of humans. Sally can’t bear to think that millions of infertile women don’t know this and are missing out as a result. There’s no need to adopt, traipse around orphanages, hire surrogates, pay egg donors…” (ch 11 of the advance reader copy).
I am definitely avoiding this woman if she corners me and tries to talk to me at a party, the library, a grocery store, or wherever.
It’s satire? I guess? about life in quiet English villages? The thing I liked best (in the entire book) is how the Lamberts call their old house Shukes, a blending of its original name of Shoe Cottage. I rarely finish a book I find as convoluted and insane as this one. I would suspect the author of being high after surgery when she wrote it, or something. I mean, I guess authors have to take risks, but sheesh.
(I will note here that I read and enjoyed Pony Confidential by Christina Lynch, which is narrated by a pony, so it’s not the narrating dog alone that put me off.)
I read an advance reader copy of No One Would Do What the Lamberts Have Done from Netgalley.
No, seriously, what did I just read?
If you plan to read this book, I recommend stopping here. Some of what is in this review is spoilerish. Also, Netgalley encourages reviewers to put the positive stuff first so here we go:
No One Would Do What the Lamberts Have Done might make a decent movie in the right hands. If you love dogs and are in the mood for something absolutely bonkers, you might enjoy the book. I recommend you drink a lot of caffeine before starting it.
***
This book IS bonkers, and I don’t believe it would ever have gotten published if not written by a well-known author. The author describes it as being “like The Fugitive starring Harrison Ford, except with an innocent dog on the run instead of an innocent person,” but it’s not nearly as entertaining as that sounds. It’s a book within a book – most of the book is another book, with multiple narrators, that mysteriously appears after a series of incidents, so nothing is reliable. NOTHING.
Twisty? I guess, but mostly just a big mess. Hugely entertaining? No. I only finished it because I have pledged to read and review any book I request from Netgalley.
Two families that don’t like each other. One has a teenaged daughter who claims to have been bitten by a dog, a Welsh terrier, the same breed owned and beloved by the other family. So what the Lamberts “do” is an increasingly insane set of actions to protect their dog Champ from being put down because he bit someone.
Sally Lambert is a dog mom, one who considers both her living dog Champ and her dead dog Furbert as much her children as Ree and Toby. She will do anything to protect Champ. The whole family goes along for the ride, her husband somewhat reluctantly, and a convenient almost-billionaire plays fairy godmother.
Look, I have pets, and I love my pets, and I grieve my pets when they die. But this? “The truth was – and if Sally could change minds in this world about one thing and one thing only, this would be it – being the parent of a dog is exactly the same and every bit as meaningful and amazing as being a parent of humans. Sally can’t bear to think that millions of infertile women don’t know this and are missing out as a result. There’s no need to adopt, traipse around orphanages, hire surrogates, pay egg donors…” (ch 11 of the advance reader copy).
I am definitely avoiding this woman if she corners me and tries to talk to me at a party, the library, a grocery store, or wherever.
It’s satire? I guess? about life in quiet English villages? The thing I liked best (in the entire book) is how the Lamberts call their old house Shukes, a blending of its original name of Shoe Cottage. I rarely finish a book I find as convoluted and insane as this one. I would suspect the author of being high after surgery when she wrote it, or something. I mean, I guess authors have to take risks, but sheesh.
(I will note here that I read and enjoyed Pony Confidential by Christina Lynch, which is narrated by a pony, so it’s not the narrating dog alone that put me off.)
I read an advance reader copy of No One Would Do What the Lamberts Have Done from Netgalley.
June 26, 2025
No One Would Do What the Lamberts Have Done is definitely a one of a kind. As I was reading it, I kept thinking to myself how on earth am I going to review this and honestly I still have no clue. This is a book about how far you would go to protect a member of your family, but it isn't at all what I was expecting. From the blurb I was expecting a twisty crime thriller but this is completely different to anything I've read before. I'm not even sure if I really liked the book but I'm sure a lot of people will love this unique yet wild ride.
This is a book within a book as the reader reads all about the crime that happened from two different POVs; one from Sally, the mum of the Lambert family and a surprising perspective that is a little ridiculous but I think it works for the story. It was definitely a shock when I first found out who it was! What follows is a mad rush to set the story straight online as the world takes sides about who they believe and what really happened. I liked how I couldn’t decide if I could trust the narrator or not as the story gradually unfolds.
The characters in the book were definitely the best part of the story for me. The Lamberts were a (almost) normal family, the kids Ree and Toby were funny and even though Sally took being a dog mum to the extreme, she was an intriguing character. Even Mark, the dad was funny as he was so fed up with the whole charade and grumbled 95% of the time but no one took him seriously and the family dynamics was fun to read. The Gaveys were immediately painted as the enemy in this neighbour war and the reader doesn't actually get to learn much at all about them apart from that they’re evil, loud and just the worst people ever. Corinne was definitely a favourite character, a neighbour that instantly offered to help Sally and went along with everything no questions asked.
I did think that this book was definitely a slow read. I did struggle in some parts and thought how much more crazy can this possibly get but the last 20% did pick up slightly as more answers are revealed and there are some twists that I did not see coming. I'm still not even 100% sure I know what really happened at the end as it feels like it’s left to the reader’s imagination to figure out. This is a surreal book in which you will not be able to predict what happens and it definitely won’t be like anything else you’ve read.
This is a book within a book as the reader reads all about the crime that happened from two different POVs; one from Sally, the mum of the Lambert family and a surprising perspective that is a little ridiculous but I think it works for the story. It was definitely a shock when I first found out who it was! What follows is a mad rush to set the story straight online as the world takes sides about who they believe and what really happened. I liked how I couldn’t decide if I could trust the narrator or not as the story gradually unfolds.
The characters in the book were definitely the best part of the story for me. The Lamberts were a (almost) normal family, the kids Ree and Toby were funny and even though Sally took being a dog mum to the extreme, she was an intriguing character. Even Mark, the dad was funny as he was so fed up with the whole charade and grumbled 95% of the time but no one took him seriously and the family dynamics was fun to read. The Gaveys were immediately painted as the enemy in this neighbour war and the reader doesn't actually get to learn much at all about them apart from that they’re evil, loud and just the worst people ever. Corinne was definitely a favourite character, a neighbour that instantly offered to help Sally and went along with everything no questions asked.
I did think that this book was definitely a slow read. I did struggle in some parts and thought how much more crazy can this possibly get but the last 20% did pick up slightly as more answers are revealed and there are some twists that I did not see coming. I'm still not even 100% sure I know what really happened at the end as it feels like it’s left to the reader’s imagination to figure out. This is a surreal book in which you will not be able to predict what happens and it definitely won’t be like anything else you’ve read.
Read
July 7, 2025The blurb for this one grabbed me. There is a police visit and a family pushed to the edge. I love a quirky crime story and this sounded right up my street. In the end though, it turned out to be a bit too quirky for me personally as I struggled with the style.That said, as someone who also sings to her dogs (we have made up SO many different songs for them) I did enjoy the obvious love for animals running through the book. I’ve seen other readers absolutely love how unusual and different it is, so if you’re into mysteries that break the mould and do something totally unexpected, it absolutely could be your kind of read.
That said, as someone who also sings to her dogs (we have made up SO many different songs for them) I did enjoy the obvious love for animals running through the book. I’ve seen other readers absolutely love how unusual and different it is, so if you’re into mysteries that break the mould and do something totally unexpected, it absolutely could be your kind of read.Even though I didn’t vibe with this it is always interesting to try something a bit out there and it’s great to see such a different style and approach
Even though I didn’t vibe with this it is always interesting to try something a bit out there and it’s great to see such a different style and approach.
That said, as someone who also sings to her dogs (we have made up SO many different songs for them) I did enjoy the obvious love for animals running through the book. I’ve seen other readers absolutely love how unusual and different it is, so if you’re into mysteries that break the mould and do something totally unexpected, it absolutely could be your kind of read.Even though I didn’t vibe with this it is always interesting to try something a bit out there and it’s great to see such a different style and approach
Even though I didn’t vibe with this it is always interesting to try something a bit out there and it’s great to see such a different style and approach.
July 11, 2025
i am boo-ing
August 26, 2025
Wot?
I have no idea what was going on here. Horrible characters, bizarre plot, no idea who died until the end, and no idea who did it.
What was this?
Yet, somehow, quite readable.
I have no idea what was going on here. Horrible characters, bizarre plot, no idea who died until the end, and no idea who did it.
What was this?
Yet, somehow, quite readable.
June 23, 2025
Such a clever book with twists and turns all the way to the very end and even then it's left up to you to decide on the ending.
August 29, 2025
Did not finish. Boring and tedious
August 28, 2025
Thank you Net Galley for this early copy. I’m a Sophie Hannah completionist so every new book is an automatic buy. Everything I like about her writing is here, small town politics, super witty and fast paced banter and dialogue, lots of twists I never see coming and characters you love and love to hate. This is different from her detective novels but it’s super cute and just as good. I just need to find a Corinne to be friends with now!
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