What do you think?
Lie Quietly
Robbers Bridge hides more than secrets—it harbours the dead.
1959. Childhood friends Jackey and Annie are bound by a love as wild and untamed as the moors that surround them. But the close-knit village of Robbers Bridge still clings to the old ways, and not everyone wishes the young couple well. When jealousy festers and dark superstition takes hold, a single act of malice shatters their future—and sets in motion a tragedy that will echo for decades.
2009. Hannah and her husband arrive in Robbers Bridge, searching for a fresh start before their baby is born. Annie’s long-abandoned childhood home seems perfect—until the house begins to whisper its secrets. The locals turn cold, strange events unfold, and the walls themselves seem steeped in grief. As Hannah digs into the past, she uncovers something vengeful that refuses to rest.
The past never lies quietly. It waits.
1959. Childhood friends Jackey and Annie are bound by a love as wild and untamed as the moors that surround them. But the close-knit village of Robbers Bridge still clings to the old ways, and not everyone wishes the young couple well. When jealousy festers and dark superstition takes hold, a single act of malice shatters their future—and sets in motion a tragedy that will echo for decades.
2009. Hannah and her husband arrive in Robbers Bridge, searching for a fresh start before their baby is born. Annie’s long-abandoned childhood home seems perfect—until the house begins to whisper its secrets. The locals turn cold, strange events unfold, and the walls themselves seem steeped in grief. As Hannah digs into the past, she uncovers something vengeful that refuses to rest.
The past never lies quietly. It waits.
299 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 27, 2026
About the author
Alice Wright
2 books14 followersAbout the author
As a freelance writer Alice has written for various national outlets including Metro Online, MSN UK, You Magazine, Good Housekeeping and The Press Association, and released her first book, a pet-memoir with a difference, Handbags & Poobags: Tales of a Soho Boxer Dog in 2012.
Her first novel, Lie Quietly, a Gothic romance, follows the doomed young relationship of Jack and Annie in the 1950s, and Hannah - the woman who rekindles their love affair in the 2000s, long after one of them has died...
To be released January 2026.
Alice loves ghost stories, works in entertainment and celebrity publicity and lives with her family and dogs on the south coast of England, where she likes to swim in the sea as often as she can.
Find her on online @alicewrightnow
As a freelance writer Alice has written for various national outlets including Metro Online, MSN UK, You Magazine, Good Housekeeping and The Press Association, and released her first book, a pet-memoir with a difference, Handbags & Poobags: Tales of a Soho Boxer Dog in 2012.
Her first novel, Lie Quietly, a Gothic romance, follows the doomed young relationship of Jack and Annie in the 1950s, and Hannah - the woman who rekindles their love affair in the 2000s, long after one of them has died...
To be released January 2026.
Alice loves ghost stories, works in entertainment and celebrity publicity and lives with her family and dogs on the south coast of England, where she likes to swim in the sea as often as she can.
Find her on online @alicewrightnow
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Amma hit this with an ♾️ rating ✨️🌙
I don't even know where to begin with this book, it was everything I needed, thank you so so much to Alice for sending me this ARC!!
We follow Hannah in 2009, who is pregnant and moving into a new house. The villagers are hostile and when the house starts to present as paranormal, it all decends into chaos.
We have brilliant flashbacks to Annie - 1950's who has an intense love affair with Jack. The opening prologue alone was enough to have me completely and utterly obssesed with the pair, which continued throughout the book. I have such a deep emotional connection to Annie, I loved every single part of her chapters.
The flashback chapters felt like I was reading an old diary. The 50's style writing made it feel so real, it was such an important addition to Annie's chapters. There was moments that felt poetic, the way Annie worded phrases and intimate moments really added to the emotional depth of Annie & Jack.
Book's don't usually scare me, it's actually quite rare, however when the paranormal aspect of this book began I was genuinely a bit twitchy 😂 again, the way Alice writes is beautiful and feels so REAL. It was SO well done, I had to continously remind myself that it's a book.
This book is a perfect example to authors that you HAVE to do the thing, whatever plot twist / sad moment you're scared to write. WRITE IT, I will carry this book in my heart forever, because of the heart wrenching twists.
If you love;
✨️ paranormal
✨️ flashbacks
✨️ obsessive love
✨️ emotional damage
✨️ a dark gothic atmosphere
this book is for you!!
I don't even know where to begin with this book, it was everything I needed, thank you so so much to Alice for sending me this ARC!!
We follow Hannah in 2009, who is pregnant and moving into a new house. The villagers are hostile and when the house starts to present as paranormal, it all decends into chaos.
We have brilliant flashbacks to Annie - 1950's who has an intense love affair with Jack. The opening prologue alone was enough to have me completely and utterly obssesed with the pair, which continued throughout the book. I have such a deep emotional connection to Annie, I loved every single part of her chapters.
The flashback chapters felt like I was reading an old diary. The 50's style writing made it feel so real, it was such an important addition to Annie's chapters. There was moments that felt poetic, the way Annie worded phrases and intimate moments really added to the emotional depth of Annie & Jack.
Book's don't usually scare me, it's actually quite rare, however when the paranormal aspect of this book began I was genuinely a bit twitchy 😂 again, the way Alice writes is beautiful and feels so REAL. It was SO well done, I had to continously remind myself that it's a book.
This book is a perfect example to authors that you HAVE to do the thing, whatever plot twist / sad moment you're scared to write. WRITE IT, I will carry this book in my heart forever, because of the heart wrenching twists.
If you love;
✨️ paranormal
✨️ flashbacks
✨️ obsessive love
✨️ emotional damage
✨️ a dark gothic atmosphere
this book is for you!!
December 1, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I went into this book really wanting to love it, and while there were parts that absolutely hooked me, overall it felt slow for my taste. I found myself far more invested in the flashback storyline than the present-day POVs—the past was where the tension and intrigue really lived for me.
I genuinely believe this could have been a 5-star read if we’d been given more depth into the characters, their motives, and some kind of more satisfying resolution. The potential was all there; it just didn’t fully land in the execution.
That said, I think this story would make an incredible movie. The atmosphere alone had me creeped out in my own home, and it definitely reminded me why I stay far, far away from small towns. The spooky, unsettling vibe was easily my favorite part of the entire book.
Even though the ending didn’t work for me, the eerie tone and flashback storyline were strong enough that I’m still glad I picked this one up.
I went into this book really wanting to love it, and while there were parts that absolutely hooked me, overall it felt slow for my taste. I found myself far more invested in the flashback storyline than the present-day POVs—the past was where the tension and intrigue really lived for me.
I genuinely believe this could have been a 5-star read if we’d been given more depth into the characters, their motives, and some kind of more satisfying resolution. The potential was all there; it just didn’t fully land in the execution.
That said, I think this story would make an incredible movie. The atmosphere alone had me creeped out in my own home, and it definitely reminded me why I stay far, far away from small towns. The spooky, unsettling vibe was easily my favorite part of the entire book.
Even though the ending didn’t work for me, the eerie tone and flashback storyline were strong enough that I’m still glad I picked this one up.
January 27, 2026
Well this was an interesting read. I went into this book not knowing what to expect and it totally surprised me.
It was a gothic romance with a hint of supernatural and lots of eerie moments.
The story flips between two time lines and two POV's. Annie and Hannah. While I didn't fully connect with Hannah's character I did really enjoy Annie's parts.
The chapters were short and easy to read and I enjoyed the epilogue adding an extra bit of mystery and spookiness to the book.
This book actually creeped me out a bit and if you've read my reviews you will know I love that. Not so much the romance aspect of it as am dead inside 🤣
Is the house haunted or is it the place?? You'll have to read it to find out!
February 7, 2026
"This broken, unwelcoming building was far from the warm and happy viewings she and Luke had taken late in the summer when they had fallen in love with the ramshackle old Lodge, with its original flint and curling vines, and had decided it was to hold their dreams. Now it felt almost hostile.”
Alice Wright’s debut novel Lie Quietly reverberates with passages such as the one above: gothic, psychological, almost primeval. The novel takes readers through a dual-timeline narrative, plunging into the troubled past and present through the eyes of two women - one, a lovestruck young girl with her whole life ahead of her, and the other, a mother-to-be eagerly anticipating a new start. Although fifty years separates them, a singular dwelling connects them in a tale of love, loss, and unspeakable horror.
In 2009, Hannah Webb and her husband arrive in Robbers Bridge to take up residence in Robery Lodge, a forlorn and dilapidated home with a dark and lurid history. The villagers, however, meet these new arrivals with fear, hostility, and disapproval. Malice and grief swirl within the Lodge’s halls, and as Hannah unravels its past, she learns that sometimes the past refuses to, well, lie quietly.
In 1959, young Annie Mills and Jack Allen find in each other a wild, untethered love. Their fellow villagers share nothing but antipathy, even jealousy. Superstition and malice beget tragedy, shattering Robbers Bridge forever and leaving behind a persistent, deadly legacy.
At heart, Lie Quietly reminds me of Thomas Hardy’s The Return of the Native, another Gothic novel with its share of grey-shaded characters, illicit love set against traditional societal constrictions, tragedy, timelessness of the environment, and the slight anthropomorphizing of the central location as both a silent observer of the plot as well as a contributing barrier to happiness.
Robbers Bridge feels suspended in time - in both the past and present. Through the clever manipulation of atmosphere and description, Wright provokes readers to engage in a suspension of disbelief, that the stories occurring therein could exist in Victorian England as easily as the present. Hardy also employed such a tactic in narrating the story of Egdon Heath, the location in which the events of The Return of the Native take place.
In 2003, Mark Asquith wrote in The English Review that Native’s central message was “life is harsh, the best we can do is endure and use our limited free will to make the best of limited opportunities for happiness…Hardy's tale is primarily concerned with those who fail to learn its message and continually attempt to use their free will to impose themselves on the universe and determine their own destiny.” The same message applies to the love triangle of Jack, Annie, and Annie's rival Lillian in Lie Quietly. Jack and Annie plan to start a new life and abscond from Robbers Bridge in the future, and Lillian plots to usurp Annie's role in Jack’s life. Robbers Bridge, however, conspires to prevent any true happiness. Depressing, perhaps, but then again Gothic literature rarely leaves readers with warm feelings.
The novel's plot moves as slowly as mist creeping across the tangled brush on an English moor at dawnbreak. This is intentional. Each chapter unravels increasingly more of the plot until the shattering climax and resolution. Some readers may find the slow progress frustrating, but Wright excellently balances plot progression in each chapter with hooks and information reveals.
Lie Quietly is an ode to the classical Gothic novel, one will resonate with readers long after its conclusion.
Thank you to Alice for a copy of her novel for review consideration!
Alice Wright’s debut novel Lie Quietly reverberates with passages such as the one above: gothic, psychological, almost primeval. The novel takes readers through a dual-timeline narrative, plunging into the troubled past and present through the eyes of two women - one, a lovestruck young girl with her whole life ahead of her, and the other, a mother-to-be eagerly anticipating a new start. Although fifty years separates them, a singular dwelling connects them in a tale of love, loss, and unspeakable horror.
In 2009, Hannah Webb and her husband arrive in Robbers Bridge to take up residence in Robery Lodge, a forlorn and dilapidated home with a dark and lurid history. The villagers, however, meet these new arrivals with fear, hostility, and disapproval. Malice and grief swirl within the Lodge’s halls, and as Hannah unravels its past, she learns that sometimes the past refuses to, well, lie quietly.
In 1959, young Annie Mills and Jack Allen find in each other a wild, untethered love. Their fellow villagers share nothing but antipathy, even jealousy. Superstition and malice beget tragedy, shattering Robbers Bridge forever and leaving behind a persistent, deadly legacy.
At heart, Lie Quietly reminds me of Thomas Hardy’s The Return of the Native, another Gothic novel with its share of grey-shaded characters, illicit love set against traditional societal constrictions, tragedy, timelessness of the environment, and the slight anthropomorphizing of the central location as both a silent observer of the plot as well as a contributing barrier to happiness.
Robbers Bridge feels suspended in time - in both the past and present. Through the clever manipulation of atmosphere and description, Wright provokes readers to engage in a suspension of disbelief, that the stories occurring therein could exist in Victorian England as easily as the present. Hardy also employed such a tactic in narrating the story of Egdon Heath, the location in which the events of The Return of the Native take place.
In 2003, Mark Asquith wrote in The English Review that Native’s central message was “life is harsh, the best we can do is endure and use our limited free will to make the best of limited opportunities for happiness…Hardy's tale is primarily concerned with those who fail to learn its message and continually attempt to use their free will to impose themselves on the universe and determine their own destiny.” The same message applies to the love triangle of Jack, Annie, and Annie's rival Lillian in Lie Quietly. Jack and Annie plan to start a new life and abscond from Robbers Bridge in the future, and Lillian plots to usurp Annie's role in Jack’s life. Robbers Bridge, however, conspires to prevent any true happiness. Depressing, perhaps, but then again Gothic literature rarely leaves readers with warm feelings.
The novel's plot moves as slowly as mist creeping across the tangled brush on an English moor at dawnbreak. This is intentional. Each chapter unravels increasingly more of the plot until the shattering climax and resolution. Some readers may find the slow progress frustrating, but Wright excellently balances plot progression in each chapter with hooks and information reveals.
Lie Quietly is an ode to the classical Gothic novel, one will resonate with readers long after its conclusion.
Thank you to Alice for a copy of her novel for review consideration!
December 9, 2025
A deliciously dark gothic novel that respectfully nods to classics like Wuthering Heights and Haunting of Hill House.
Wright deftly weaves two timelines and two women’s POVs. In 1959, Annie falls hard and passionately for her childhood friend, the dark and dangerous Jackey. Their love is wild and obsessive like Bronte’s Cathy and Heathcliff.
In 2009, Hannah and Luke look to start a new life in the crumbling Manor House in Robbers Bridge. Wright continues the classic gothic themes of isolation, fear of loss of control, psychological terror, misogyny, secrets, jealousy and murder.
The terror builds, the characters are very sympathetic and the situations feel so realistic. The slow burn pacing and consistent unraveling of Annie and Hannah had me turning pages feverishly. The ending, the twists, the chaos, the heartbreak. Ugh. So good.
A great read.
Wright deftly weaves two timelines and two women’s POVs. In 1959, Annie falls hard and passionately for her childhood friend, the dark and dangerous Jackey. Their love is wild and obsessive like Bronte’s Cathy and Heathcliff.
In 2009, Hannah and Luke look to start a new life in the crumbling Manor House in Robbers Bridge. Wright continues the classic gothic themes of isolation, fear of loss of control, psychological terror, misogyny, secrets, jealousy and murder.
The terror builds, the characters are very sympathetic and the situations feel so realistic. The slow burn pacing and consistent unraveling of Annie and Hannah had me turning pages feverishly. The ending, the twists, the chaos, the heartbreak. Ugh. So good.
A great read.
February 7, 2026
This was received as ARC in exchange for an Honest review. Thank you Alice Wright.
Book: Lie Quietly
Genre: Gothic Romance / Paranormal thriller.
Rating: 5⭐
5/5 Relationships
5/5 Characters
5/5 Plot
2🌶
*:✿˚⋆ SPOILER FREE REVIEW RECAP *:✿˚⋆
I am still not ready to let go of this story or its characters. Not in the familiar way that makes you wish for just a few more pages, but in a way that feels closer to mourning. This story cleaved my heart in two and left me scrambling to piece it back together. I have cried over books before — felt grief, even — but never like this. It is a heartbreakingly beautiful story, steeped in eerie mystery and wrapped in a strangely comforting gloom.
One of the most compelling elements of this novel is its dual timeline. Both narratives unfold in the same village, within the same house, and among interconnected characters — yet their experiences are hauntingly different. We move between the childhood friendship of Annie and Jack in 1959 and the marriage of Hannah and Luke in 2009, all set in Robbers Bridge, a small town that seems untouched by the rules of the outside world.
When Hannah moves into Robery Lodge ahead of Luke, who remains in the city for work, unexplainable things begin to happen. There is a sinister undercurrent to these events — one that the villagers appear determined to ignore. At first, their hostility toward the couple feels like rejection, but it soon reveals itself as something far more unsettling: fear. Not just for themselves, but for Hannah, Luke, and their unborn child.
As Hannah searches for answers in the present, Annie’s timeline slowly unveils the past, each revelation tightening the knot of dread in your chest. With every answered question comes the unsettling realization that perhaps you never wanted the truth at all.
This is a slow-burning plot that keeps you suspended in anticipation until the very end — where the full weight of the story finally crashes down. Alice Wright does not soften the heartbreak she delivers. No matter how tightly you cling to denial, this book will break you.
The characters are crafted with such emotional precision that any protective distance you might try to maintain quickly dissolves. Their personalities, histories, and relationships feel profoundly real, making your attachment to them almost inevitable. You don’t simply read about their emotions — you experience them.
Jackey, with his distinct quirks and odd manners, quickly became a favorite, as did Annie with her unwavering devotion and innate kindness. The love they share is unforgettable.
And that brings us to the romance.
Jackey and Annie’s love story is timeless, tragic, and hauntingly beautiful — one that stands comfortably beside classics like Romeo and Juliet, Wuthering Heights, and The Great Gatsby. Childhood friends turned soulmates, their bond deepens with every page, their devotion nearly tangible. Yet in a small 1959 village governed by scrutiny, superstition, and jealousy, their love is far from protected. Though it possesses the strength to endure anything, it ultimately meets a devastating and everlasting fate — one that casts a long shadow over Hannah’s own story.
Hannah’s timeline is equally gripping, filled with moments that are both chilling and quietly maddening. The atmosphere is thick with unease, reminiscent of The Haunting of Hill House, Bly Manor, and The Watcher. I can’t say much without spoiling the experience, but if you love a cozy thriller layered with emotional depth, this is absolutely one to prioritize.
Despite the dual timelines, the narrative is remarkably easy to follow. The transitions are seamless, never muddy, and the writing thoughtfully reflects the tone and dialect of each era.
This is the kind of book that stays with you — the kind you carry long after the final page. If I’m honest, I don’t know that I could ever reread it; I’m not sure my heart could withstand it twice. The day I finished, I posted a collage of myself crying through the final two hours — relentless, unstoppable tears. By the end, my eyes were nearly swollen shut.
It feels like the sort of novel that, had it been written decades ago, would already be considered a classic — and in my opinion, it deserves that status now.
If you loved The Haunting of Hill House, Bly Manor, The Unmaking of June Farrow, Romeo and Juliet, or Wuthering Heights, make this a priority on your TBR.
Book: Lie Quietly
Genre: Gothic Romance / Paranormal thriller.
Rating: 5⭐
5/5 Relationships
5/5 Characters
5/5 Plot
2🌶
*:✿˚⋆ SPOILER FREE REVIEW RECAP *:✿˚⋆
I am still not ready to let go of this story or its characters. Not in the familiar way that makes you wish for just a few more pages, but in a way that feels closer to mourning. This story cleaved my heart in two and left me scrambling to piece it back together. I have cried over books before — felt grief, even — but never like this. It is a heartbreakingly beautiful story, steeped in eerie mystery and wrapped in a strangely comforting gloom.
One of the most compelling elements of this novel is its dual timeline. Both narratives unfold in the same village, within the same house, and among interconnected characters — yet their experiences are hauntingly different. We move between the childhood friendship of Annie and Jack in 1959 and the marriage of Hannah and Luke in 2009, all set in Robbers Bridge, a small town that seems untouched by the rules of the outside world.
When Hannah moves into Robery Lodge ahead of Luke, who remains in the city for work, unexplainable things begin to happen. There is a sinister undercurrent to these events — one that the villagers appear determined to ignore. At first, their hostility toward the couple feels like rejection, but it soon reveals itself as something far more unsettling: fear. Not just for themselves, but for Hannah, Luke, and their unborn child.
As Hannah searches for answers in the present, Annie’s timeline slowly unveils the past, each revelation tightening the knot of dread in your chest. With every answered question comes the unsettling realization that perhaps you never wanted the truth at all.
This is a slow-burning plot that keeps you suspended in anticipation until the very end — where the full weight of the story finally crashes down. Alice Wright does not soften the heartbreak she delivers. No matter how tightly you cling to denial, this book will break you.
The characters are crafted with such emotional precision that any protective distance you might try to maintain quickly dissolves. Their personalities, histories, and relationships feel profoundly real, making your attachment to them almost inevitable. You don’t simply read about their emotions — you experience them.
Jackey, with his distinct quirks and odd manners, quickly became a favorite, as did Annie with her unwavering devotion and innate kindness. The love they share is unforgettable.
And that brings us to the romance.
Jackey and Annie’s love story is timeless, tragic, and hauntingly beautiful — one that stands comfortably beside classics like Romeo and Juliet, Wuthering Heights, and The Great Gatsby. Childhood friends turned soulmates, their bond deepens with every page, their devotion nearly tangible. Yet in a small 1959 village governed by scrutiny, superstition, and jealousy, their love is far from protected. Though it possesses the strength to endure anything, it ultimately meets a devastating and everlasting fate — one that casts a long shadow over Hannah’s own story.
Hannah’s timeline is equally gripping, filled with moments that are both chilling and quietly maddening. The atmosphere is thick with unease, reminiscent of The Haunting of Hill House, Bly Manor, and The Watcher. I can’t say much without spoiling the experience, but if you love a cozy thriller layered with emotional depth, this is absolutely one to prioritize.
Despite the dual timelines, the narrative is remarkably easy to follow. The transitions are seamless, never muddy, and the writing thoughtfully reflects the tone and dialect of each era.
This is the kind of book that stays with you — the kind you carry long after the final page. If I’m honest, I don’t know that I could ever reread it; I’m not sure my heart could withstand it twice. The day I finished, I posted a collage of myself crying through the final two hours — relentless, unstoppable tears. By the end, my eyes were nearly swollen shut.
It feels like the sort of novel that, had it been written decades ago, would already be considered a classic — and in my opinion, it deserves that status now.
If you loved The Haunting of Hill House, Bly Manor, The Unmaking of June Farrow, Romeo and Juliet, or Wuthering Heights, make this a priority on your TBR.
January 27, 2026
It's been a long time since I've read a thriller/horror read that affected me quite as much as this book did.
Ok, I've had a few that put me on edge and had the occasional jump scare - but the atmosphere this author created right from the opening pages had me on the edge of my seat from page 1 right to the very end!
I think the thing with this read that made it all the more effective was that I genuinely fell in love with the characters - past and present.
Being told over the dual timeline allowed the story to unfold gradually and really burrow under my skin.
When Hannah and Luke move into their new home, they're looking forward to settling in before the imminent birth of their first child.
Hannah arrives before her husband is due to join her at the weekend and is shocked by the terrible state of the property.
The villagers don't seem too fond of their new neighbour and more and more strange things happen at the house.
I definitely formed some theories quite early on in the story - and in some ways, I was right. But this did not spoil the read for me at all and I still couldn't wait to find out how each of the storylines would play out.
Through the initial chapters, I honestly went through every emotion possible. Annie's story was so beautiful but heartbreaking - and poor Hannah too, I just felt so much for her through each experience and cried for them both more than once!
The supporting characters also played their parts to perfection, sewing the seeds just right to progress the story along the way.
As much as I say I absolutely loved this read - I literally could not read this on those evenings I was alone in the dark - even sitting at the dining table, I had to close the open doors behind me because I felt that uncomfortable at times!
But this is just the way I want a book of this genre to make me feel!
An amazing read and I can't believe that this is a debut novel - honestly it was everything!
I'm beyond excited to see more from this author in the future - I'll be waiting patiently.....
Ok, I've had a few that put me on edge and had the occasional jump scare - but the atmosphere this author created right from the opening pages had me on the edge of my seat from page 1 right to the very end!
I think the thing with this read that made it all the more effective was that I genuinely fell in love with the characters - past and present.
Being told over the dual timeline allowed the story to unfold gradually and really burrow under my skin.
When Hannah and Luke move into their new home, they're looking forward to settling in before the imminent birth of their first child.
Hannah arrives before her husband is due to join her at the weekend and is shocked by the terrible state of the property.
The villagers don't seem too fond of their new neighbour and more and more strange things happen at the house.
I definitely formed some theories quite early on in the story - and in some ways, I was right. But this did not spoil the read for me at all and I still couldn't wait to find out how each of the storylines would play out.
Through the initial chapters, I honestly went through every emotion possible. Annie's story was so beautiful but heartbreaking - and poor Hannah too, I just felt so much for her through each experience and cried for them both more than once!
The supporting characters also played their parts to perfection, sewing the seeds just right to progress the story along the way.
As much as I say I absolutely loved this read - I literally could not read this on those evenings I was alone in the dark - even sitting at the dining table, I had to close the open doors behind me because I felt that uncomfortable at times!
But this is just the way I want a book of this genre to make me feel!
An amazing read and I can't believe that this is a debut novel - honestly it was everything!
I'm beyond excited to see more from this author in the future - I'll be waiting patiently.....
Review of advance copy
4.5*
Wow — I absolutely loved this suspenseful thriller! For a debut novel, this is an incredibly strong and confident start for this author.
I’m still trying to find the right words to describe how this book made me feel after finishing it.
Told through a dual timeline, the story flicks between 2009 and 1959–60 and is set in the eerie village of Robbers Bridge.
Hannah – 2009
You can’t help but feel both frightened for and deeply sympathetic toward Hannah, our modern-day female main character. She has recently moved into Robbers Lodge, an old, long-abandoned house in serious need of repair. With her husband frequently away for work and Hannah heavily pregnant, she is left alone in this unsettling place. Add to that, the cold, unwelcoming attitude of the locals — and the disturbing “you shouldn’t be here” atmosphere, the tension quickly escalates. Even more chilling are the strange and deeply concerning events unfolding within her own home. The suspense is heart-stopping. Will Hannah uncover who — or what — is making her life a nightmare?
Annie – 1959
The story also follows Annie, a 17-year-old girl who once lived in the same house. She shares a passionate, intense relationship with Jack (also 17), a handsome local, until a tragic accident changes everything forever. The echoes of this devastating event ripple forward through time, haunting the present-day occupants of Robbers Lodge.
Atmospheric, gripping, and utterly chilling, this book kept me hooked from start to finish!
The past never lies quietly. It waits.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Wow — I absolutely loved this suspenseful thriller! For a debut novel, this is an incredibly strong and confident start for this author.
I’m still trying to find the right words to describe how this book made me feel after finishing it.
Told through a dual timeline, the story flicks between 2009 and 1959–60 and is set in the eerie village of Robbers Bridge.
Hannah – 2009
You can’t help but feel both frightened for and deeply sympathetic toward Hannah, our modern-day female main character. She has recently moved into Robbers Lodge, an old, long-abandoned house in serious need of repair. With her husband frequently away for work and Hannah heavily pregnant, she is left alone in this unsettling place. Add to that, the cold, unwelcoming attitude of the locals — and the disturbing “you shouldn’t be here” atmosphere, the tension quickly escalates. Even more chilling are the strange and deeply concerning events unfolding within her own home. The suspense is heart-stopping. Will Hannah uncover who — or what — is making her life a nightmare?
Annie – 1959
The story also follows Annie, a 17-year-old girl who once lived in the same house. She shares a passionate, intense relationship with Jack (also 17), a handsome local, until a tragic accident changes everything forever. The echoes of this devastating event ripple forward through time, haunting the present-day occupants of Robbers Lodge.
Atmospheric, gripping, and utterly chilling, this book kept me hooked from start to finish!
The past never lies quietly. It waits.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 9, 2026
Lie Quietly was such an intriguing & interesting read, it definitely felt like a mixed bag for me, part psychological thriller, part mystery, part paranormal with a very eerie gothic feel throughout & a haunting love story at it core.
Told across dual timelines that slowly weave together & eventually merge together as one I found myself almost hypnotised by the story. In the present day Hannah is setting out to make newly purchased Robery Lodge the perfect home for her growing family but the house seems to have its own ideas, while 50 years previously former resident, young Annie is in the depths of a beautiful love story with childhood friend Jack that soon leads to sorrow, tragedy & a darkness that will linger over many lives & the house and village itself.
I really enjoyed how the author used the unsettling moments Hannah experiences in the house to reveal Annie's past, these interwoven elements worked so well. While I liked all the characters there was just something about Annie that I loved, her story was heartbreaking & I felt so much for her. Annie & Jack really gave me Heath & Cathy vibes but more likeable (I was coincidentally reading Wuthering Heights at the same time as this 😂) The author also did an incredible job of making the house itself a character & what an incredible character it was, creepy, eerie, haunting, you could feel the stories, history, grief & pain seeping from the seams.
A stunningly haunting story that will bring every emotion to the surface. I would highly recommend.
Told across dual timelines that slowly weave together & eventually merge together as one I found myself almost hypnotised by the story. In the present day Hannah is setting out to make newly purchased Robery Lodge the perfect home for her growing family but the house seems to have its own ideas, while 50 years previously former resident, young Annie is in the depths of a beautiful love story with childhood friend Jack that soon leads to sorrow, tragedy & a darkness that will linger over many lives & the house and village itself.
I really enjoyed how the author used the unsettling moments Hannah experiences in the house to reveal Annie's past, these interwoven elements worked so well. While I liked all the characters there was just something about Annie that I loved, her story was heartbreaking & I felt so much for her. Annie & Jack really gave me Heath & Cathy vibes but more likeable (I was coincidentally reading Wuthering Heights at the same time as this 😂) The author also did an incredible job of making the house itself a character & what an incredible character it was, creepy, eerie, haunting, you could feel the stories, history, grief & pain seeping from the seams.
A stunningly haunting story that will bring every emotion to the surface. I would highly recommend.
February 12, 2026
This took my breath away, quite literally. As a reader you go backwards and forwards in time, the same place.
Back in time, you have Annie & Jack & her little group. It’s a very close knit village so everyone knows everyone. The author takes you through the families of growth, then in the present day, there is Hannah & Luke who has brought this house, Hannah is also carrying.
Annie used to live in this house, but everything is very different.
This is dark and haunting, there is secrets, true love, spooky goings on, plenty of history also tremendous heartbreak. The author definitely takes you through the motions, one minute you are freaked out then the next your heart is broken.
This is another phenomenal book, I will not be forgetting this.
Back in time, you have Annie & Jack & her little group. It’s a very close knit village so everyone knows everyone. The author takes you through the families of growth, then in the present day, there is Hannah & Luke who has brought this house, Hannah is also carrying.
Annie used to live in this house, but everything is very different.
This is dark and haunting, there is secrets, true love, spooky goings on, plenty of history also tremendous heartbreak. The author definitely takes you through the motions, one minute you are freaked out then the next your heart is broken.
This is another phenomenal book, I will not be forgetting this.
February 14, 2026
Annie 1959
Best friends Annie & Jack turn young lovers and and are head over heels for one another. They hang with a group of friends but one friend is full of jealousy and will stop at nothing to have what Annie has.
Hannah 2009
Hannah & her husband buy the old Robery Lodge to make it a family home. Hannah is 8 months pregnant and excited for what's ahead. But strange things occur in the home and the neighbours in Robbers Bridge are acting hostile towards then. Secrets are buried here and as Hannah begins to dig, things escalate.
I absolutely loved this story from start to finish. I loved the supernatural elements and the strange goings on were original. Annie was such a fantastic character and I really felt for her. Hannah also was brilliant and I was rooting for her to find the truth. There were eerie/spooky parts aswell as heartfelt/beautiful parts. I've ran out of words to describe this book! Just trust me & read it. You'll see how good it is for yourself
Best friends Annie & Jack turn young lovers and and are head over heels for one another. They hang with a group of friends but one friend is full of jealousy and will stop at nothing to have what Annie has.
Hannah 2009
Hannah & her husband buy the old Robery Lodge to make it a family home. Hannah is 8 months pregnant and excited for what's ahead. But strange things occur in the home and the neighbours in Robbers Bridge are acting hostile towards then. Secrets are buried here and as Hannah begins to dig, things escalate.
I absolutely loved this story from start to finish. I loved the supernatural elements and the strange goings on were original. Annie was such a fantastic character and I really felt for her. Hannah also was brilliant and I was rooting for her to find the truth. There were eerie/spooky parts aswell as heartfelt/beautiful parts. I've ran out of words to describe this book! Just trust me & read it. You'll see how good it is for yourself
December 23, 2025
eARC provided to me on BookSirens by Vine Leaves Press in exchange for my honest review. This title publishes on January 27th, 2026
Lie Quietly by Alice Wright is a chilling, atmospheric debut that blends undying love with the creeping dread of malevolent spirits. I was immediately drawn into the haunting mood of the story and found myself flying through the pages with ease. Wright’s prose captures that classic gothic eeriness beautifully, and the emotional undercurrent running through the narrative gives the horror a poignant edge.
While I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, some of the narrative arcs felt familiar, echoing patterns often seen in gothic horror, which held it back from being a full five‑star read for me. The story is compelling, but the structural beats didn’t always feel wholly original.
That said, this is an impressive debut with strong atmosphere, engaging pacing, and a satisfying blend of romance and supernatural tension. I’m excited to see what Alice Wright writes next.
Lie Quietly by Alice Wright is a chilling, atmospheric debut that blends undying love with the creeping dread of malevolent spirits. I was immediately drawn into the haunting mood of the story and found myself flying through the pages with ease. Wright’s prose captures that classic gothic eeriness beautifully, and the emotional undercurrent running through the narrative gives the horror a poignant edge.
While I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, some of the narrative arcs felt familiar, echoing patterns often seen in gothic horror, which held it back from being a full five‑star read for me. The story is compelling, but the structural beats didn’t always feel wholly original.
That said, this is an impressive debut with strong atmosphere, engaging pacing, and a satisfying blend of romance and supernatural tension. I’m excited to see what Alice Wright writes next.
February 10, 2026
This was such an atmospheric read, told through a past story with Annie and then Hannah in the present, I loved how the whole story came in bits through each chapter, it got me gripped from the start.
A tragic story which pulls at your heart bur more than that it was creepy and terrifying at times, the mix of paranormal and thrilling storyline was amazing.
Such a great read and it stayed with me long after i had finished the book
Thank you @zooloosbooktours for having me on this tour
#LieQuietly #AliceWright @alicewrightnow #ZooloosBookTours
A tragic story which pulls at your heart bur more than that it was creepy and terrifying at times, the mix of paranormal and thrilling storyline was amazing.
Such a great read and it stayed with me long after i had finished the book
Thank you @zooloosbooktours for having me on this tour
#LieQuietly #AliceWright @alicewrightnow #ZooloosBookTours
February 9, 2026
Thank you to Zooloo's Book Tours and the author for this ARC.
It was a delightfully unsettling light horror brought together beautifully by the dual POV, wherein the author captured two different voices very well. The novel was full of classic tropes, giving it a feeling of familiarity that made it very easy to race through. It wasn't a neatly-resolved ending - in fact, it was reminiscent of a good haunted horror film end, which I enjoyed wholeheartedly.
It was a delightfully unsettling light horror brought together beautifully by the dual POV, wherein the author captured two different voices very well. The novel was full of classic tropes, giving it a feeling of familiarity that made it very easy to race through. It wasn't a neatly-resolved ending - in fact, it was reminiscent of a good haunted horror film end, which I enjoyed wholeheartedly.
February 6, 2026
Loved this book. Such well drawn characters and world which drew me in from the very beginning. Highly recommend.
February 16, 2026
Amazing. Absolutely amazing.
I was emotional and terrified all at the same time reading this book. Truly a beautiful and tragic love tale.
I was emotional and terrified all at the same time reading this book. Truly a beautiful and tragic love tale.
December 5, 2025
Mysterious things happen in a small village. A haunting love story that spans over decades. I don't want to give any spoilers. If you like suspense/mystery/romance, you will enjoy this story.
Review of advance copy
4.5/5 Stars
Version: E-ARC from Book Sirens
Spoilers: No
Thank you to the Author, Book Sirens, and Vine Leaves Press for the E ARC for this book.
I am so impressed with Lie Quietly, Alice Wright's first published novel. While I am a sucker for gothic, supernatural horror stories, they can be difficult to do well, and do not always land for me. I had such a great time reading this book!
Lie Quietly is a dual timeline story. We get the story of a girl named Annie and her friends in 1959 and 1960, and Hannah, an expecting mother who moves into a house with her husband in anticipation of starting a family. The town is leery of the new arrivals, and as we learn more about Alice, and the town's history, things start to go wrong at the old house, leaving Hannah to try to figure out the mystery.
I loved the alternating timelines. Alice's story very much had a gothic, almost Shilery Jackson-esque feel to it, calling me back to the unsettling narrators I loved in We Have Always Lived in the Castle and Haunting of Hill House. The modern story kept that same atmosphere, with Hannah being more and more drawn into the mystery of her new house, and that of the town. Alice's story includes a dark romance, which leaves you guessing and is just off kilter enough to be unsettling in its own right.
From the beginning, everything feels just slightly off, mysterious, and ominous. There is a consistent tension that builds over the course of the book. This tension, along with everything feeling a little off, keeps you guessing and on your toes the entire book. Alice Wright weaves these two timelines together so well, and the finish of this was unexpected and extremely satisfying. Haunted house stories can be hard to land sometimes, but the climax and ending here were spot on. Our characters are vivid, and Annie's entire timeline is just unsettling and tragic. Hannah's feels more modern, and there is an air of solving a mystery to it that I really enjoyed. The townspeople are appropriately off putting, and you can never shake the gloom that seems to hang in the air in the town, and the house. We get heavy themes of vengeance, mysterious evil, loss, and grief.
While there were a few minor things that felt unanswered, and there were a few sections that felt a bit longer than needed, my issues were minor compared to the amount of enjoyment I got out of this book. This is gothic, supernatural horror done really, really well. If you like gothic horror, or supernatural stories, this one is an absolute must read!
Version: E-ARC from Book Sirens
Spoilers: No
Thank you to the Author, Book Sirens, and Vine Leaves Press for the E ARC for this book.
I am so impressed with Lie Quietly, Alice Wright's first published novel. While I am a sucker for gothic, supernatural horror stories, they can be difficult to do well, and do not always land for me. I had such a great time reading this book!
Lie Quietly is a dual timeline story. We get the story of a girl named Annie and her friends in 1959 and 1960, and Hannah, an expecting mother who moves into a house with her husband in anticipation of starting a family. The town is leery of the new arrivals, and as we learn more about Alice, and the town's history, things start to go wrong at the old house, leaving Hannah to try to figure out the mystery.
I loved the alternating timelines. Alice's story very much had a gothic, almost Shilery Jackson-esque feel to it, calling me back to the unsettling narrators I loved in We Have Always Lived in the Castle and Haunting of Hill House. The modern story kept that same atmosphere, with Hannah being more and more drawn into the mystery of her new house, and that of the town. Alice's story includes a dark romance, which leaves you guessing and is just off kilter enough to be unsettling in its own right.
From the beginning, everything feels just slightly off, mysterious, and ominous. There is a consistent tension that builds over the course of the book. This tension, along with everything feeling a little off, keeps you guessing and on your toes the entire book. Alice Wright weaves these two timelines together so well, and the finish of this was unexpected and extremely satisfying. Haunted house stories can be hard to land sometimes, but the climax and ending here were spot on. Our characters are vivid, and Annie's entire timeline is just unsettling and tragic. Hannah's feels more modern, and there is an air of solving a mystery to it that I really enjoyed. The townspeople are appropriately off putting, and you can never shake the gloom that seems to hang in the air in the town, and the house. We get heavy themes of vengeance, mysterious evil, loss, and grief.
While there were a few minor things that felt unanswered, and there were a few sections that felt a bit longer than needed, my issues were minor compared to the amount of enjoyment I got out of this book. This is gothic, supernatural horror done really, really well. If you like gothic horror, or supernatural stories, this one is an absolute must read!
December 11, 2025
Lie Quietly is the sort of ghost story that feels like it doesn’t more rely on scares as much as it does on creating an inexorable squeezing sensation in your chest. The jumping back and forth is between 1959 and 2009, and the key village and house is Robbers Bridge. In the earlier part, Jackey and Annie are best friends who are tied together through “this kind of love that is as untamed and natural as the Yorkshire moors they grew up among,” and through observing the development of their “deep and all-consuming love” against the “background of village rumour and small-town cruelties,” you know pretty early that this is going to go very wrong indeed.
Today, Hannah and her husband move to Robbers Bridge with hopes of a new beginning before she gives birth to their child, and on paper, Annie's childhood home, long abandoned, is just what they need. Before long, the house is no longer empty. This is, of course, the creepy, delicious feel of a Gothic novel—knowing figures are watching, the house is listening, and the past is a living thing, not a memory. What I really appreciated was how this tale is told entirely from the perspective of Hannah, a new wife who is unraveling secrets of what happened to Jackey and Annie, and with every new thing she learns, the community is less welcoming, and it's as if the entire village is in on whatever secrets happened back then.
By the time the two timelines are fully intersecting, *Lie Quietly* has evolved into a tale of guilt, grief, and the impact that cruelty can have down the line if it isn’t ever exposed to the light. It’s no longer about the big reveal so much as the terror of recognizing the ground you’re standing on is dripping wet with the pain of others. There’s a sense of rain, stone, and whispers that sticks with you long after the reading experience itself has passed. I finished the book feeling a little haunted, but very content with the notion that the story gave its ghosts a voice rather than simply using them to decorate the background.
Goods:
- A chilling dual timeline setup where the past and present are able to slowly intertwine in really satisfying ways
- Atmosphere: Wonderfully moody Gothic atmosphere, with the village and house as characters in themselves
- A core tragic love story that serves to provide a realistic weight to the haunting
Bads
- It has a rather slow pace in the story. Some may find this quite annoying. They may be expecting huge surprises and action all the time.
- There are some questions that are answered through implication only, and it can be a letdown if you like very definite conclusions
- The sorrow, pain, and suffering which run through the heart of the story are emotionally loaded, potentially being too much for more sensitive readers
Every book hits differently for every reader.
Thanks for Reading my Review.
- Corey
Today, Hannah and her husband move to Robbers Bridge with hopes of a new beginning before she gives birth to their child, and on paper, Annie's childhood home, long abandoned, is just what they need. Before long, the house is no longer empty. This is, of course, the creepy, delicious feel of a Gothic novel—knowing figures are watching, the house is listening, and the past is a living thing, not a memory. What I really appreciated was how this tale is told entirely from the perspective of Hannah, a new wife who is unraveling secrets of what happened to Jackey and Annie, and with every new thing she learns, the community is less welcoming, and it's as if the entire village is in on whatever secrets happened back then.
By the time the two timelines are fully intersecting, *Lie Quietly* has evolved into a tale of guilt, grief, and the impact that cruelty can have down the line if it isn’t ever exposed to the light. It’s no longer about the big reveal so much as the terror of recognizing the ground you’re standing on is dripping wet with the pain of others. There’s a sense of rain, stone, and whispers that sticks with you long after the reading experience itself has passed. I finished the book feeling a little haunted, but very content with the notion that the story gave its ghosts a voice rather than simply using them to decorate the background.
Goods:
- A chilling dual timeline setup where the past and present are able to slowly intertwine in really satisfying ways
- Atmosphere: Wonderfully moody Gothic atmosphere, with the village and house as characters in themselves
- A core tragic love story that serves to provide a realistic weight to the haunting
Bads
- It has a rather slow pace in the story. Some may find this quite annoying. They may be expecting huge surprises and action all the time.
- There are some questions that are answered through implication only, and it can be a letdown if you like very definite conclusions
- The sorrow, pain, and suffering which run through the heart of the story are emotionally loaded, potentially being too much for more sensitive readers
Every book hits differently for every reader.
Thanks for Reading my Review.
- Corey
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow… this month has been full of thrillers, and I think I’ve been irrevocably changed for good. I might officially be a thriller girl now.
Lie Quietly by Alice Wright is a psychological, paranormal thriller that sneaks up on you and refuses to let go.
The story unfolds through dual timelines. In the present day, we follow Hannah, who has just purchased a large country home with her husband in hopes of restarting their lives as they prepare to welcome their first baby-due in just one month. Determined to get the house ready for her growing family, Hannah moves in early, alone, while her husband stays behind in the city to wrap up work.
The house is old and in need of serious restoration-but it quickly becomes clear that it holds far more than creaky floors and outdated walls. As Hannah uncovers the tragic and unsettling history of both the house and the small town, she realizes this is no ordinary renovation project.
The alternate storyline takes us back to 1959, following Anna, a young girl growing up in the same house alongside a small group of peers. What begins as an innocent love story slowly unravels into something deeply traumatic and haunting.
The atmospheric tension in this book is next level. Alice Wright doesn’t rely on cheap shocks or jump scares-the dread builds quietly and persistently, tightening its grip chapter by chapter until it becomes impossible to put the book down.
If you love slow-burn psychological thrillers with eerie paranormal elements, layered timelines, and a creeping sense of unease that seeps into your bones… this one belongs on your TBR. Huge thanks to Alice, Vine Leaves Press and Booksirens for allowing me to chance to read this eARC!
Lie Quietly by Alice Wright is a psychological, paranormal thriller that sneaks up on you and refuses to let go.
The story unfolds through dual timelines. In the present day, we follow Hannah, who has just purchased a large country home with her husband in hopes of restarting their lives as they prepare to welcome their first baby-due in just one month. Determined to get the house ready for her growing family, Hannah moves in early, alone, while her husband stays behind in the city to wrap up work.
The house is old and in need of serious restoration-but it quickly becomes clear that it holds far more than creaky floors and outdated walls. As Hannah uncovers the tragic and unsettling history of both the house and the small town, she realizes this is no ordinary renovation project.
The alternate storyline takes us back to 1959, following Anna, a young girl growing up in the same house alongside a small group of peers. What begins as an innocent love story slowly unravels into something deeply traumatic and haunting.
The atmospheric tension in this book is next level. Alice Wright doesn’t rely on cheap shocks or jump scares-the dread builds quietly and persistently, tightening its grip chapter by chapter until it becomes impossible to put the book down.
If you love slow-burn psychological thrillers with eerie paranormal elements, layered timelines, and a creeping sense of unease that seeps into your bones… this one belongs on your TBR. Huge thanks to Alice, Vine Leaves Press and Booksirens for allowing me to chance to read this eARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I know you are not supposed to judge a book by its cover...but the cover is what initially attracted me to this book in an Instagram post. The author offered an ARC, and the journey began! I'd like to thank Alice Wright and Book Sirens for the Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Lie Quietly is billed as a Gothic Romance...and I'm not typically a romance reader...but I have to tell you, the romance is so masterfully woven into the story that it wasn't all mushy like a typical romance. Instead, this book often had me on the edge of my seat or looking over my shoulder!
Told in a dual timeline, we go back and forth between the main characters: Hannah in the present and Annie in 1959/1960. Annie is madly in love with Jack, and early foreshadowing tells us this will not be a fairy tale romance by any means! Hannah and her husband Luke buy Annie's childhood home, Robery Lodge, as Annie is expecting their first child. Things are "off" right from the start, and the local townsfolk are not at all pleased to welcome their new neighbors. Hannah, a former journalist, decides she must learn more about the house's history and why the townsfolk are so unwelcoming...but as she learns more, the house becomes more and more agitated.
This book had definite "Mexican Gothic"- type vibes, with the house as a main character, and it reeled me in right from the start. I did kind of figure out some of the story ahead of time...but the writing was so good, that I was thoroughly wrapped up in the story anyway and didn't mind that I'd figured out some things...there were still many details that I did not see coming!
If this was Wright's first foray into Gothic romance/horror, I can't wait to see what she comes out with next!
Lie Quietly is billed as a Gothic Romance...and I'm not typically a romance reader...but I have to tell you, the romance is so masterfully woven into the story that it wasn't all mushy like a typical romance. Instead, this book often had me on the edge of my seat or looking over my shoulder!
Told in a dual timeline, we go back and forth between the main characters: Hannah in the present and Annie in 1959/1960. Annie is madly in love with Jack, and early foreshadowing tells us this will not be a fairy tale romance by any means! Hannah and her husband Luke buy Annie's childhood home, Robery Lodge, as Annie is expecting their first child. Things are "off" right from the start, and the local townsfolk are not at all pleased to welcome their new neighbors. Hannah, a former journalist, decides she must learn more about the house's history and why the townsfolk are so unwelcoming...but as she learns more, the house becomes more and more agitated.
This book had definite "Mexican Gothic"- type vibes, with the house as a main character, and it reeled me in right from the start. I did kind of figure out some of the story ahead of time...but the writing was so good, that I was thoroughly wrapped up in the story anyway and didn't mind that I'd figured out some things...there were still many details that I did not see coming!
If this was Wright's first foray into Gothic romance/horror, I can't wait to see what she comes out with next!
December 1, 2025
Alice Wright’s Lie Quietly is a hauntingly beautiful tale that lingers like mist over the moors. Set between 1959 and 2009, it weaves together two timelines with seamless elegance, showing how the past never truly stays buried—it waits, and it whispers.
In 1959, childhood friends Jackey and Annie are bound by a love as wild as the landscape around them. Yet jealousy and superstition in the close-knit village of Robbers Bridge lead to a single act of malice that shatters their future, echoing across decades. Fast forward to 2009, when Hannah and her husband move into Annie’s abandoned childhood home, hoping for a fresh start before their baby arrives. Instead, they find themselves surrounded by silence that feels alive, walls steeped in grief, and a community reluctant to welcome them.
Wright’s prose is atmospheric and deeply evocative—the moors, the cottage, and the village itself feel like characters, each carrying the weight of secrets and sorrow. The dual narrative builds tension beautifully, blending gothic unease with emotional depth. Hannah’s journey into the past is both chilling and poignant, reminding us that history has a way of demanding to be heard.
This is a story of love, loss, and vengeance, wrapped in an eerie sense of place that will captivate fans of gothic mysteries and supernatural suspense. It’s the kind of book you read with the lights low, the quiet pressing in, and the sense that the walls around you might be listening.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
In 1959, childhood friends Jackey and Annie are bound by a love as wild as the landscape around them. Yet jealousy and superstition in the close-knit village of Robbers Bridge lead to a single act of malice that shatters their future, echoing across decades. Fast forward to 2009, when Hannah and her husband move into Annie’s abandoned childhood home, hoping for a fresh start before their baby arrives. Instead, they find themselves surrounded by silence that feels alive, walls steeped in grief, and a community reluctant to welcome them.
Wright’s prose is atmospheric and deeply evocative—the moors, the cottage, and the village itself feel like characters, each carrying the weight of secrets and sorrow. The dual narrative builds tension beautifully, blending gothic unease with emotional depth. Hannah’s journey into the past is both chilling and poignant, reminding us that history has a way of demanding to be heard.
This is a story of love, loss, and vengeance, wrapped in an eerie sense of place that will captivate fans of gothic mysteries and supernatural suspense. It’s the kind of book you read with the lights low, the quiet pressing in, and the sense that the walls around you might be listening.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 10, 2026
I'm reviewing this as part of a tour with Zooloo's Book Tours.
“Lie Quietly” tells two stories, fifty years apart. In 1959, Annie and Jack are deeply in love, and contemplating their future together. In 2009, Hannah, who is expecting a baby, has just moved into a new home with her husband, Luke.
In recent years, I've come to really enjoy books like this, and as is often the case, I connected with the two narratives in different ways. Following Annie's narrative in 1959, I was quite moved by her experiences of love. It seemed bigger and more meaningful than anything else, as young love often is. I had a curious feeling of nostalgia for a time that I had never lived in, and for a love that I had never known. Books make me feel that way sometimes; the story was Annie's, not mine, but reading it, I felt almost as though I'd been there.
Following Hannah's narrative in 2009, I felt the suspense. Like Hannah, I began to wonder about the history of the house and what secrets it might hold. Like Hannah, I wanted to know the truth; to know what happened in 1959, and what linked Annie's story to Hannah.
There are some books that leave you reeling emotionally, in the best way, and you need a moment to reconnect with reality because of how invested you became. I think this book is one of those.
Thank you to Zooloo's Book Tours, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
“Lie Quietly” tells two stories, fifty years apart. In 1959, Annie and Jack are deeply in love, and contemplating their future together. In 2009, Hannah, who is expecting a baby, has just moved into a new home with her husband, Luke.
In recent years, I've come to really enjoy books like this, and as is often the case, I connected with the two narratives in different ways. Following Annie's narrative in 1959, I was quite moved by her experiences of love. It seemed bigger and more meaningful than anything else, as young love often is. I had a curious feeling of nostalgia for a time that I had never lived in, and for a love that I had never known. Books make me feel that way sometimes; the story was Annie's, not mine, but reading it, I felt almost as though I'd been there.
Following Hannah's narrative in 2009, I felt the suspense. Like Hannah, I began to wonder about the history of the house and what secrets it might hold. Like Hannah, I wanted to know the truth; to know what happened in 1959, and what linked Annie's story to Hannah.
There are some books that leave you reeling emotionally, in the best way, and you need a moment to reconnect with reality because of how invested you became. I think this book is one of those.
Thank you to Zooloo's Book Tours, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Lie Quietly – Alice Wright (Advanced Readers Copy - ARC) 🌳 👻
This is one of those books that whispers nothing bad happens here while quietly locking the doors and whispering “I am unstoppable” for inner encouragement.
Told through dual points of view, where the past bleeds into the present and the present refuses to stay still, you follow Hannah - thrilled about the quiet rural home she’s just bought with her husband - and Annie, whose history and entanglements quietly poison the future. What unfolds is a slow, deliberate tightening of the throat.
At times, I genuinely had to exercise self-control not to skip ahead just to live inside the other POV for longer. The suspense is relentless - not loud, not chaotic…but deeply unsettling. You ache for more perspectives, desperate to see the madness through the eyes of those who already know what’s wrong…and aren’t saying it.
The isolation is suffocating.
The wariness is constant.
The people are unsettling.
And yes - the babies are questioning.
This feels less like a book and more like the pilot episode of a Netflix series that would ruin your sleep for days. It lingers. It crawls under your skin. It will absolutely linger.
If you’re down for quiet dread, rural unease, and suspense that smoulders instead of explodes - absolutely do this book.
A yes from me!
This is one of those books that whispers nothing bad happens here while quietly locking the doors and whispering “I am unstoppable” for inner encouragement.
Told through dual points of view, where the past bleeds into the present and the present refuses to stay still, you follow Hannah - thrilled about the quiet rural home she’s just bought with her husband - and Annie, whose history and entanglements quietly poison the future. What unfolds is a slow, deliberate tightening of the throat.
At times, I genuinely had to exercise self-control not to skip ahead just to live inside the other POV for longer. The suspense is relentless - not loud, not chaotic…but deeply unsettling. You ache for more perspectives, desperate to see the madness through the eyes of those who already know what’s wrong…and aren’t saying it.
The isolation is suffocating.
The wariness is constant.
The people are unsettling.
And yes - the babies are questioning.
This feels less like a book and more like the pilot episode of a Netflix series that would ruin your sleep for days. It lingers. It crawls under your skin. It will absolutely linger.
If you’re down for quiet dread, rural unease, and suspense that smoulders instead of explodes - absolutely do this book.
A yes from me!
Review of advance copy received from Author
A spine-chilling and heartbreaking debut novel. Full of love, fear and a village with dark and dangerous secrets.
This was a brilliant read! A little slow to start with, but once it got going I was hooked and couldn't put it down! I went into reading this book expecting a gothic romance, but got so much more. I'd definitely say it was more horror/psychological thriller with a romance subplot.
The story is split between two corresponding timelines, 50 years apart. We had a fierce and heartbreaking love story between the young Jack and Annie set 50 years in the past. In the present, we follow Hannah through a gripping tale of fear, strange occurrences and the horrors she discovers whilst trying to adjust to her new home, both pregnant and alone. Both stories take place around the beautifully gothic setting of Robery Lodge, an old manor-style house in the heart of the village Robbers Bridge.
There was so much to love about this book! The writing was brilliant! It painted such a beautiful picture whilst reading. I loved how the story flipped between the past and present, staying relevant to each other and revealing little details and clues that added depth to the present story. The suspense had me up until the early hours every time I picked this one up. I had to know what happened next…who needs sleep anyway?! It was creepy, heartbreaking, and so intense all at the same time and the ending…WOW! Incredible!
If you love a good haunted house story, you will definitely love this book! It was giving me 'The Woman In Black' vibes throughout. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to see what comes next from this author.
Thank you so much to the author, Alice Wright and BookSirens for sending me a free ARC copy of this book. This is my honest review, the opinions are my own and I have not been influenced in any way.
This was a brilliant read! A little slow to start with, but once it got going I was hooked and couldn't put it down! I went into reading this book expecting a gothic romance, but got so much more. I'd definitely say it was more horror/psychological thriller with a romance subplot.
The story is split between two corresponding timelines, 50 years apart. We had a fierce and heartbreaking love story between the young Jack and Annie set 50 years in the past. In the present, we follow Hannah through a gripping tale of fear, strange occurrences and the horrors she discovers whilst trying to adjust to her new home, both pregnant and alone. Both stories take place around the beautifully gothic setting of Robery Lodge, an old manor-style house in the heart of the village Robbers Bridge.
There was so much to love about this book! The writing was brilliant! It painted such a beautiful picture whilst reading. I loved how the story flipped between the past and present, staying relevant to each other and revealing little details and clues that added depth to the present story. The suspense had me up until the early hours every time I picked this one up. I had to know what happened next…who needs sleep anyway?! It was creepy, heartbreaking, and so intense all at the same time and the ending…WOW! Incredible!
If you love a good haunted house story, you will definitely love this book! It was giving me 'The Woman In Black' vibes throughout. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to see what comes next from this author.
Thank you so much to the author, Alice Wright and BookSirens for sending me a free ARC copy of this book. This is my honest review, the opinions are my own and I have not been influenced in any way.
Review of advance copy received from Author
As I’m writing this, my tummy feels fuzzy from all the feels! I loved this story so much!
I don’t know what I expected going in to this book but I knew I needed something that held my interest, and this really did.
Being set in the same place but over two timeframes equates to a fast paced story which is at times heart warming and others, intense. Our female leads are both lovingly written and make you want to follow their journeys while the side characters make you feel a myriad of both good and bad emotions throughout the book. The overall sense of creepiness even in the mundane day to day life in a small village can be uncomfortable and the horror aspect of the book is just the right level to keep this a page turner and not needing a few days to feel safe to continue reading! All in all I felt this was a well written, layered gothic romance/horror which in my opinion, would make a cracking film!!
I don’t know what I expected going in to this book but I knew I needed something that held my interest, and this really did.
Being set in the same place but over two timeframes equates to a fast paced story which is at times heart warming and others, intense. Our female leads are both lovingly written and make you want to follow their journeys while the side characters make you feel a myriad of both good and bad emotions throughout the book. The overall sense of creepiness even in the mundane day to day life in a small village can be uncomfortable and the horror aspect of the book is just the right level to keep this a page turner and not needing a few days to feel safe to continue reading! All in all I felt this was a well written, layered gothic romance/horror which in my opinion, would make a cracking film!!
February 5, 2026
First of all let me just say that there is no way I would have gone to stay in a run down old house that no-one has lived in for decades, on my own, eight months pregnant, no car, and with no phone signal. And my husband would not have been happy to leave me there either.
But let's move on. The house itself appears to have been ransacked since Hannah and her husband visited, but who would have done such a thing? The tap water is running like sludge, and there is no heating. The locals are not exactly friendly - hostile even - they just tell her she should leave. And not to ever have a baby in that house.
In the other timeline it is 1959 and Jackey and Annie are obsessed with each other, somewhat unhealthily so considering their young age. Lillian is jealous, she wants Jackey for herself. Lillian lives with her grandmother Old May, as her parents are not around. If she was 'Old' in 1959, I dread to think how ancient she must be in 2009 when Hannah visits her. Again, she warns Hannah to leave.
The atmosphere is very sinister and creepy and gets more so as the book progresses. Hannah eventually discovers what happened to the four friends back then - the fourth one being Emmet, who is still around and - yes - he tells Hannah to leave as well.
I adored this book. It's really scary and unsettling and the ending will stay with me for a long time to come. It has a slight The Omen feel to it, especially at the very end. One of my favourite books of the year so far.
Many thanks to @ZooloosBT for inviting me to be part of this blog tour.
But let's move on. The house itself appears to have been ransacked since Hannah and her husband visited, but who would have done such a thing? The tap water is running like sludge, and there is no heating. The locals are not exactly friendly - hostile even - they just tell her she should leave. And not to ever have a baby in that house.
In the other timeline it is 1959 and Jackey and Annie are obsessed with each other, somewhat unhealthily so considering their young age. Lillian is jealous, she wants Jackey for herself. Lillian lives with her grandmother Old May, as her parents are not around. If she was 'Old' in 1959, I dread to think how ancient she must be in 2009 when Hannah visits her. Again, she warns Hannah to leave.
The atmosphere is very sinister and creepy and gets more so as the book progresses. Hannah eventually discovers what happened to the four friends back then - the fourth one being Emmet, who is still around and - yes - he tells Hannah to leave as well.
I adored this book. It's really scary and unsettling and the ending will stay with me for a long time to come. It has a slight The Omen feel to it, especially at the very end. One of my favourite books of the year so far.
Many thanks to @ZooloosBT for inviting me to be part of this blog tour.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was fortunate enough to be sent an ARC of this book and after reading the synopsis i was immediately intrigued.
I read this in one sitting . . . .
I love anything with Romance but also enjoy reading something that makes your brain properly think about what the plot could be leading to. The only thing that i will say is that i wish there was almost more of a build up in regards to what you find out at the end of the book, however with this being said, i still really enjoyed the book and would highly recommend.
There were multiple eye brow raising moments for me where some of the things that happened were creepy vibes and also "WTF" moments personally.
I would highly recommend this book. Anyone that enjoys a romance with some mystery and suspense.
Overall great read and thank you soo soo much to the Author for giving me the opportunity to read this before release date.
I read this in one sitting . . . .
I love anything with Romance but also enjoy reading something that makes your brain properly think about what the plot could be leading to. The only thing that i will say is that i wish there was almost more of a build up in regards to what you find out at the end of the book, however with this being said, i still really enjoyed the book and would highly recommend.
There were multiple eye brow raising moments for me where some of the things that happened were creepy vibes and also "WTF" moments personally.
I would highly recommend this book. Anyone that enjoys a romance with some mystery and suspense.
Overall great read and thank you soo soo much to the Author for giving me the opportunity to read this before release date.
Review of advance copy
Oh my goodNESS!!! This book is un-put-downable! I devoured this story.
The mixture of spooky haunting, with the pov from both the past and present, with a gothic undertone is just perfection!
Along with Hannah, we are finding out the mysteries that surround Robbers Bridge, in real time the reader gets to discover parts of the past as Hannah is scrabbling for answers and it is just delicious! It keeps you guessing right up to the last page!
I loved how the paranormal goings on were written, it’s not garish or overdone, it’s a tasteful haunting that doesn’t get silly. It leaves you spooked! I honestly adored this book so much! I will forever be recommending it to those who love a good spooky mystery! Please add this to your TBR’s!!
The mixture of spooky haunting, with the pov from both the past and present, with a gothic undertone is just perfection!
Along with Hannah, we are finding out the mysteries that surround Robbers Bridge, in real time the reader gets to discover parts of the past as Hannah is scrabbling for answers and it is just delicious! It keeps you guessing right up to the last page!
I loved how the paranormal goings on were written, it’s not garish or overdone, it’s a tasteful haunting that doesn’t get silly. It leaves you spooked! I honestly adored this book so much! I will forever be recommending it to those who love a good spooky mystery! Please add this to your TBR’s!!
January 30, 2026
📆 dual timeline.
👀 dual POV
🐢 -🐇 fast-paced
All too often i pick up a book that is labelled as horror, only to find that it's only marginally scary. But 'Lie Quietly' was spine tinglingly creepy, especially as I chose to read it in the dark in the middle of the night. It's a proper old-fashioned horror! I kept thinking "I know how modern horror books go, there'll be a logical explanation, but nope.
I thought the writing was brilliant, it flowed well and the characters felt fully developed and genuine. The plot was engaging, and I loved the dual time-line aspect, which worked so well for this story. The horror of what happened in the past, and the blending into the present day was fantastic.
👀 dual POV
🐢 -🐇 fast-paced
All too often i pick up a book that is labelled as horror, only to find that it's only marginally scary. But 'Lie Quietly' was spine tinglingly creepy, especially as I chose to read it in the dark in the middle of the night. It's a proper old-fashioned horror! I kept thinking "I know how modern horror books go, there'll be a logical explanation, but nope.
I thought the writing was brilliant, it flowed well and the characters felt fully developed and genuine. The plot was engaging, and I loved the dual time-line aspect, which worked so well for this story. The horror of what happened in the past, and the blending into the present day was fantastic.
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