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The Shrew: A nerve-shredding psychological thriller that asks how far you would go to provide for your family

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Noel knows the difference between right and wrong.

Upon learning he and his wife, Helen, are expecting a child, they know the financial pressures will be huge. Regardless, Noel is desperate to give their baby the upbringing it deserves. However, the safe and rule-abiding life he has created in Cardiff soon comes crumbling down.


Noel narrowly misses out winning a small fortune, because of one stupid mistake. Fuelled by a sense of guilt and inadequacy, he becomes desperate to make amends.


Guided by Noel's wayward brother, Max, he retreats into the brutal underground world of illegal fighting to claw back his lost money. As he increasingly questions his own morals and how far he's willing to go to provide for his family, Noel begins to wonder why the people who cross his path start to mysteriously die.


Has he finally gone too far?

Praise for "The Shrew"

"This is the definition of a page turner and I devoured it."
"An excellent slow burn thriller with so many cinematic moments and poetic metaphors."
"I absolutely loved it and can't remember reading anything like it before."
"The tension while reading this book was insane..."
"My heart constantly went out to Noel, making very bad decisions with a good heart."

277 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 3, 2026

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About the author

Lee Coates

3 books18 followers
After having two kids, Lee Coates had almost given up on ever fulfilling his dream of writing a novel, spare time being so precious. However, a light-bulb moment occurred during one of his sons’ extracurricular activities. These interminable minutes needn’t be dead time. Lee can be regularly found writing his dark psychological thriller novels at the side of football pitches and tennis courts in his hometown of Cardiff.

He has written three dark psychological thriller novels to date - The Shrew, Smileyface and The Look.

Follow him on Instagram and Facebook for more updates.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
Profile Image for Kealyn.
618 reviews176 followers
March 11, 2026
The Shrew by Lee Coates

I am gonna try my hardest to be as kind and respectful as I can. I have no idea how to rate this book, because this book wasn't for me. Right from the get go I felt a disconnect with the book and its character's. Because I got an arc copy from the author for this book I pushed through, but unfortunately the connection never came. Don't get me wrong, I don't think or am saying that this is a bad book. It's just a book that didn't invoke anything in me.

It's advertised as a 'nerve-shredding psychological thriller' and I was ready to get caught up and be blown away by this. But it wasn't nerve shredding for me. Yes it was psychological, but I really missed a darker edge in this book.

This book is about Noel Garvey and his wife Helen. Noel works in HR and is really good at his job. He and his wife have been trying for a baby for years and they finally conceive and are both overjoyed. But things are a bit precarious money wise. Helen just published a book but it isn't doing well and they don't have a lot of income from her side. Things are tight and Noel is laser focussed on a radio competition where he can win 250k. He misses out on it and fury consumes him and drives him to do things he never expected to ever do.

His brother Max isn't really helping him along as well. He is known for doing shady business and he introduces Noel to something and Noel slides down the drain even further.

This is truly a story about how far are you willing to go to provide a solid future for your unborn baby and wife? What has a man to do to really become the cornerstone of the family. It's a story about mental health and what the impact physically is of what Noel gets mixed up in.

It all sounds really amazing and captivating. And parts of the book were really good. That shady business he gets mixed up in was introduced and balanced out very well in this novel. The ending of the book is also brilliant. I think the last two chapters are the strongest chapters of the entire book.

But the author also tries to create confusion in the earlier chapters of the book. We get details scattered through the chapters. I think all in order to make it nerve wracking. But it unfortunately had the opposite effect on me and it made the disconnect with the story even bigger. I really missed a feeling of fear or of what the hell is going on right now.

Noel's brother Max has the best character arc in the entire book and that arc is what elevated this book to a solid 3 star rating for me. I really struggled throughout this novel. Struggled to keep attention on the pages. It was such an up and down feeling. The book starts off really slow, but the shady business kept me reading, then it slipped again, for a character arc to capture my attention. I wish it was a bit more solid throughout the entire book.

So 3 stars from me for The Shrew!

But if you love thrillers and you love books that deal with the mental response to suddenly needing to be the strongest pillar in your family then definitely give this book a shot. You might enjoy it way more than I did. Because like I said, it's not a bad book, it's just not for me.
Profile Image for Chapters Cats Coffee.
44 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 18, 2026
I was lucky enough to be given an ARC by Lee and this is my third time reading this author's books.

I LOVED this book. I loved the way it opened and I loved all the different character dynamics. When I found myself beginning to dislike characters like Max and Luke, they redeemed themselves with good deeds! My heart constantly went out to Noel, making very bad decisions with a good heart.

When it came to illegal fighting, I could really picture the scene as a dingy, dark oppressive arena. I could imagine all the types of people involved in that business, and Jabberwocky and his assistant really gave me the creeps! There is a part in this book which involves a metal coat hanger which made my toes twist and curl!! I will say no more and leave the suspense for future readers there. Also the twist with the vomit was brilliant.

I absolutely adored the ending to this book as well. It was sad but poignant, and made complete sense. 

Thank you so much Lee for allowing me to have a copy of this book. Personally for me, this is your best book yet. Big congratulations on this one! ❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 17, 2026
Review based on advanced copy provided by the author.

Mr. Coates has once again written a compelling page turning thriller, set in Cardiff with familiar backdrops for those of us that have lived in the city as well as a few Easter Eggs for readers of The Look or Smiley Face. Even the title keeps you guessing about the relevance of a Shrew for a good while.

Lee has an amazing ability to take a normal person, living a relatively normal life with all its relatable challenges and creating unlikely scenarios which are nonetheless totally believable and understandable. The main theme underlying the Shrew was totally unexpected and shines a light on a subculture I never even knew existed, since reading it the all knowing Google has shown me such content exists even though I haven’t actively searched for it. This to me has just highlighted Lee’s creativity in taking that spark of an idea and creating a compelling story around it, that you want to read.

Without giving too much away, if you are a fan of any of his earlier novels this one will not disappoint and has his trademark observational wit and dark humour. If you are new to Lee’s work then I could thoroughly recommend any of his books, but if you want something with a focus on a man’s drive to provide for his family, making bad decisions justified by their own logic and a feeling of being wronged with a touch of Falling Down about it … I would suggest you start with this sublime entry.

As always, I’m already looking forward to seeing what he comes up with next.
Profile Image for Pav S. (pav_sanborn_bookworm).
757 reviews24 followers
Review of advance copy
January 29, 2026
What kind of “we don’t talk about it” vibe does this story give off? It definitely has an air of suspense with some intriguing characters to boot.

Noel comes across as a straightforward guy with strong morals, and his character evolves significantly throughout the narrative. We also meet Helen and Max—Helen, in particular, has every reason to be upset with Noel, making her relatable in her own right. As Noel finds himself in increasingly sticky situations, events begin to unfold around him, and you can't help but wonder if he has a hidden side to him. To find out more, you'll need to get this, as there are twists that will catch you off guard several times, sparking plenty of contemplation.

The setting and events are vividly portrayed, pulling you right into the action alongside Noel as the fights unfold around him. It’s easy to judge Noel, but he is on the brink of becoming a father, and he desperately needs the money to set up his family for success. It’s tough to put yourself in his shoes—if you were so close to winning a life-changing amount of money, what would you do?

This is a clever, well-structured, and slowly burning thriller filled with themes of guilt, childhood trauma, and tough choices. As someone new to this author, I found this read thoroughly enjoyable. It’s perfect for anyone who admires go-getters willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals. If you like suspenseful reads with thought-provoking elements, this one’s for you. Now excuse me while I turn up my ringer, just in case the lottery decides to call! Ha!

Thank you, Love Book Tours and Lee Coates, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Jordan (jordanbeavenblogs).
71 reviews8 followers
February 4, 2026
The Shrew written by Lee Coates is a psychological thriller based on a man, Noel, who enters a radio competition and misses THE call. A row with the neighbour and a missed financial opportunity makes Noel spiral,he will do whatever it takes to protect his family from harm. This book was rather emotional in some parts due to the character reliving childhood trauma and abuse from a young age. This gives immediate impact to the rest of the story as it’s an underlying theme throughout the book. I found the writing style to be great and a very easy to follow book, this is important to me as I struggle with too many ‘complicated’ words, however this was just the right mix so that I also learnt the definitions of some new words too! I really enjoyed this book and for 277 pages The Shrew is packed with drama and really confuddles your mind...exactly what I look for in a psychological thriller — I need to be questioning my own sanity for it to be a good un’.

I recommend The Shrew to anybody that wants a drama filled, mind boggling read. If you love fights, gangs, family and twisted crime then this one is for you!
Thank you for reading my review, I really hope you enjoy The Shrew just as much as I did!
Profile Image for Calum Williams.
114 reviews9 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 31, 2026
Lee has written another absolutely brilliant book with this one! A slow burner, but one with an amount of tension that had me biting my nails in anticipation!

Throughout both of his previous books, Lee has crafted a talent of writing books that just build and build with a sense of unease that is nothing like I've read in any other book by any other author.

In this one, we follow Noel, who we see, in times of desperation, doing everything he can possibly do to make up for an error he sees as disastrous. The way we as the reader both sympathise with Noel, as well as want to shake him by the shoulders and scream 'What are you doing?!' just show the quality of Lee's writing! Reading thrillers set in an area close to you is always a great bonus!

This is an absolute must-read!

Rating: 9/10 (rounded up!)
Profile Image for Johanna Cogbill.
Author 3 books13 followers
May 1, 2026
Another horror thriller from Lee Coates. The story builds and builds in a menacing fashion until the edge of your seat ending.
Coates writes in such a fascinating clever way that has you hanging on every word and takes you on a horrific path that you know you can't leave until you have followed every crazy, sickening twist and turn of it.
This time we are drawn into the disastrous world of greed and the terrible consequences of one man's desire to have a windfall.
Great read again from Lee.
Profile Image for Lou.
219 reviews14 followers
April 9, 2026
Lee never fails to write a gripping, twisty, immersive story and this is no exception!

It plays to our knowledge of just how easily someone living their ordinary, every day life can fall down a catastrophic rabbit hole that's not easy to climb back out of.

An edge of your seat read with plenty of nail biting thrills, I highly recommend it!
Profile Image for Sonja Charters.
3,014 reviews147 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 24, 2026
I was instantly intrigued by this book's title and front cover image.

Why the shrew?

And why is it skeletal?

 

Well, it took some time to get these questions answered but honestly the journey was relatable, disturbing and gruesome in equal measure - throw in a good dose of humour along the way and this all made for an amazing read!

 

We are lulled into a false sense of security when meeting our main characters.

The normality of their lives drew me into their story and they were so relatable that it was easy to become immersed from the start.

One missed opportunity leads Noel (or Ed as his brother calls him) to head down a path of bad decisions culminating in a tense and exciting final few chapters!

 

I absolutely loved that were drawn into what was essentially a normal routine life with Noel and Helen. The relatability of this meant that the following events, however crazy they seemed, swept us along on the journey and even had me questioning how this sort of thing would affect others and myself.

 

It was great to have Noel's character developed as the story unfolds and each little snippet from his youth, added another layer to the motivations he followed and I was, at times, stuck between rooting for him and feeling totally repulsed by his actions.

 

As things escalated, I was frantically trying to think up scenarios and theories for how this was going to end and although I did guess one aspect of the plotline, this in no way spoiled my enjoyment of racing towards the ending - where honestly, I was totally wrong about the final outcome.

 

The writing style had me hooked from the start - despite not having that gripping punchy prologue style that many thrillers go for - the contrast felt refreshing for a change and intrigued me more.

I also loved the way that there was always a balance following the super descriptive horrific scenes, with something that had me go from grimacing to grinning.

 

A great read and I'm so pleased to have seen this author grow over their first 3 novels - each one getting better and better - I'm excited to see what will be coming next! 
Profile Image for Bethany.
571 reviews7 followers
Review of advance copy
January 17, 2026
Coming 3rd February! Thanks for the ARC Lee!

Blimey - Smileyface was a top of the year book for me, so I was sure I'd enjoy this one but I didn't think it could equal it. The Shrew sure did though! Lee has a talent for thrillers and this was bloody awesome!

Noel and his wife Helen have a fairly normal life. Noel works for the council. Helen is trying her hand at self publishing and is hoping to become a bestselling author. Money is tight though. So when Helen announces some news: Noel is excited about the future, but dreadfully scared too.

Finanically stressed, plagued by nightmares from his violent childhood, losing out on a life changing competition, and an argument with his neighbour... Noel starts to spiral. Introduced to the world of slap fighting by his brother Max, Noel finds a very dangerous and life threatening way to make money. But how far will he go?

SO GOOD. This is the definition of a page turner and I devoured it. It was all I could think about. The slow psychological breakdown of Noel felt so realistic, and it was terrifying the further he went and the people he involved himself with. I felt like I should watch over my shoulder just like Noel was. There was a constant sense of dread, a constant sense of something about to happen. Lee portrayed this so well. And the character development was brilliant. All the characters have flaws. You like them, you dislike them, then you begin to judge them, question them, and are ultimately reminded they are human.

When things get intense, things really do get intense!!! You wonder how the heck Noel will get away from the danger he's put himself and his family in. And credit to Lee because those descriptions of the fights - I was memorised! As if I was actually there watching.

An excellent slow burn thriller with so many cinematic moments and poetic metaphors. A representation of mental health issues, childhood trauma, and how life really can change in the blink of an eye.
655 reviews4 followers
February 10, 2026
The Shrew was my first introduction to Lee Coates work, and after finishing it, I can safely say it won’t be my last. This is a strong, fast-paced thriller that pulled me in from the very beginning. At the heart of the story is Noel, a man who will do absolutely anything to provide for his family—and he truly goes above and beyond, sometimes to an unsettling degree. His character is complex and often conflicted, which makes him compelling to follow. You find yourself constantly seesawing with his choices: rooting for him in one moment, then desperately wishing he would stop in the next.
Noel’s backstory is deeply emotional, especially when it delves into the abuse he suffered at a young age. These moments are handled in a way that really hits hard and adds important layers to his character. The reveal of who his abuser was completely shocked me—a genuine “wow” moment that I did not see coming and one of the most impactful twists in the book Lee Coats’ writing style is engaging and confident; he clearly knows how to tell a good story. The pacing is quick without feeling rushed, and the plot is packed with twists that keep you guessing. While Noel is a sympathetic character, there were times when he needed to take responsibility for his actions—and his refusal to do so added to the tension and frustration in a very effective way. As for Noel’s wife, Helen, I have to admit I found her a bit annoying at times. I can’t quite put my finger on why—it may just be personal preference—but she didn’t always work for me as a character. That said, she still plays an important role in the story and in highlighting Noel’s struggles.
The Shrew is a well-written, gripping thriller with emotional depth, morally grey characters, and plenty of surprises along the way. I really, really enjoyed it and would happily recommend it to fans of fast-paced, character-driven thrillers. Lee Coats has definitely earned a new reader in me.
Profile Image for Holly.
180 reviews9 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 24, 2026
The Shrew follows Noel who, upon learning he and his wife are expecting, vows to give their baby the upbringing it deserves. But when he narrowly misses out on a small fortune they desperately need, Noel becomes fuelled by a sense of guilt and inadequacy. So in an attempt to make amends and claw back his lost money, he retreats into the brutal underground world of illegal fighting. Noel knows the difference between right and wrong, but in his desperation to provide for his family, has he finally gone too far?

The Shrew is an incredible example of how a seemingly normal, relatable character can be thrown into circumstances that quickly spiral out of control. The story is cleverly written and makes you question your own morals and how far you’d go in Noel’s shoes.

Told from Noel’s perspective, the book makes it easy to root for him despite his questionable choices. The characters are so skilfully written that you constantly shift between liking, disliking, judging, pitying, and ultimately empathising with them when you realise they’re just ordinary people navigating life and making flawed decisions.

The narrative itself was so gripping, I found myself frustrated whenever I had to put the book down. I loved the unique concept of the fights and how the vivid, descriptive scenes built a dark, immersive atmosphere. That heaviness, combined with Noel’s slow psychological breakdown, created tension masterfully, all leading to a thoughtful and satisfying ending. Without a doubt, The Shrew is my favourite Lee Coates read so far!

Thank you so much to Lee Coates for sending me this copy to read and review. My opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Gales Tales70.
327 reviews14 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 17, 2026
Noel knows the difference between right and wrong.
 
Upon learning he and his wife, Helen, are expecting a child, they know the financial pressures will be huge. Regardless, Noel is desperate to give their baby the upbringing it deserves. However, the safe and rule-abiding life he has created in Cardiff soon comes crumbling down. 
 
Noel narrowly misses out winning a small fortune, because of one stupid mistake. Fuelled by a sense of guilt and inadequacy, he becomes desperate to make amends.
 
Guided by Noel's wayward brother, Max, he retreats into the brutal underground world of illegal fighting to claw back his lost money. As he increasingly questions his own morals and how far he's willing to go to provide for his family, Noel begins to wonder why the people who cross his path start to mysteriously die. 
 
Has he finally gone too far?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


This wasn’t my favourite by Lee but still an excellent slow burn thriller, covering many subjects such as childhood trauma and mental health issues which are a big subject more so nowadays.

I give credit to Lee as he puts his all into his writing and really makes you feel you are there in the moment. Not giving anything away this early on, plus I’m on the tour shortly but if you’ve read Lees material before this is one not to be missed.

Excellent psychology with the main man’s issues wanting to provide for his family while making some very bad and wrong decisions on the way. Did he go too far ??? Publishing soon do pop it on your list!!

Enjoy!!
Profile Image for sarahisreadingagain.
55 reviews1 follower
January 26, 2026
📚 Book Review 📚

The Shrew by @leecoatesauthor 🦴
 
Noel and Helen, a normal couple living in Cardiff, are elated to find out they’re expecting their first child. But knowing the financial pressures this will bring, Noel is determined to ensure his family live a financially stress-free life.
 
But when Noel misses a call after entering a local radio competition to win a juicy cash prize, and having an argument with his neighbour, he’s sent into a downward spiral that involves illegal fighting. Just how far will Noel go to provide for his family?
 
Lee Coates has done it again. After reading and enjoying both of Lee’s other books: The Look and Smileyface, I was overcome with excitement when Lee asked me if I’d like an ARC of The Shrew, and I’m so glad I accepted. Like his other two books, Lee’s focus is creating normal characters who are living seemingly normal lives and putting them in questionable scenarios that aren’t too unrealistic.
 
Noel was a great, witty MC and his relatability and determination really stood out amongst everything else. Putting himself in some disturbing situations made for a compelling read and I couldn’t turn the pages quick enough. I didn’t find myself particularly drawn to Helen, but that was mainly due to a piece of dialogue that I thought was brutal and uncalled for – and it takes a lot for me to think like that!
 
I loved the main concept of this as it’s one I haven’t really seen featured in the genre before – it’s brutal and gruesome, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away – but it’s not something I’d go to Google to learn more about!
 
Overall this is a compelling read that promotes undeniably relatable characters, nail-biting suspense, and poses the question of what lengths we’d go to to make sure our family get the life they deserve. I’d definitely recommend. A huge thank you again, Lee, for the ARC! Release date is 3rd Feb 2026 and all opinions are my own!
Profile Image for Shellie W.
161 reviews2 followers
January 30, 2026
First of all I would like to thank @leecoatesauthor for sending me this arc in return for my honest review. I of course read this with my @northyorkshirereader and we both had similar views so don’t forget to check out her review and give it some love 💙

I went into this one not really knowing what it was about but having read Smileyface by Lee last year I had high hopes it was gonna be fab. It wasn’t exactly what expected, it was a total different concept to the other one I have read, though it definitely kept me intrigued enough to see where it progressed to.

Even though it was full of action it was defo a slow burn for me which in place I felt the pace could have been picked up a little.

I would say the only little things I had with this book was that there was some words in there that I did not know what they meant or even how to pronounce some of them so I found myself googling a few of them.

Also for me, I was not a major fan of the main character and found myself saying a few times, come on man just take the ownership of your mistakes once in a while. I felt he always passed the blame onto someone else or had an excuse for his actions.

I wasn’t sure to start with where the title would come into it as I had no idea what a shrew was but all becomes clear and was rather well thought out in the end to be fair. It was however a unique storyline and written well. I do enjoy Lee’s writing style and will look for his future work.

Publishing 3rd February 2026!!
27 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 24, 2026
Wow, this book is such an emotional rollercoaster and I loved it!

Noel works in HR and lives with his wife Helen. They are wanting to start a family but find themselves struggling financially when Helen gets made redundant.

Wanting some extra cash, Noel routinely enters a radio competition offering £250000 to anyone that answers the phone with a specific catchphrase.

When Noel receives an unknown call whilst arguing with his neighbour and doesn't say the catchphrase he is devastated and then things really start to unravel for him.

Noel is furious with himself, under financial pressure and discovering he now has a child on the way he convinces himself he was entitled to that money and sets himself on a path of pure self destruction.
Desperate to provide for his family, Noel gets involved in the brutal world of illegal fighting and gets embroiled in far more than he intended too.

The tension while reading this book was insane, it slowly builds up and up until it's almost unbearable, like a car crash you know is going to happen but you can't look away from. Noel was a great main character, just a normal guy with a normal job and normal hopes and dreams who reaches his snapping point one day and sees red.
When we find out more about his past it's clear why this could happen to him and despite him making some really dumb decisions I was rooting for him all along.

I read it in one sitting because I simply could not put this book down. I absolutely loved it and can't remember reading anything like it before. The illegal fighting scenes did make me feel a bit sick.

Like Lee's previous book, Smiley face, I did feel it could have gone a little bit darker but it's still a stand out book for me so far this year and I can't wait to see what he does next
Profile Image for Beth.
66 reviews7 followers
February 12, 2026
A perfect example of how a simple assumption can completely snowball and lead to some very questionable decisions. Noel is a man who plays by the rules and always follows his moral compass, until a missed phone call changes everything he knows. When he finds out his wife is expecting, he is determined to give his unborn child the best life. All the good intentions are there, but so are all the wrong choices!
The first chapter intrigued me, I had to know what had led to that situation and who had broken what rules. Noel is a likeable character although he does need to start taking some responsibility for his own actions, while I switched between liking and disliking Max and Luke. The Shrew is an easy read and my first from Lee Coates. He really zoned in on what someone can be capable of when they are desperate and think they have something to prove. The underground fighting scenes are full of atmosphere and you can almost feel the build up of tension through the pages. A bit of a slow burn but once it got into the nitty gritty, I just couldn't put it down.
Profile Image for Kirsty Fowler.
261 reviews1 follower
February 2, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

The Shrew starts off deceptively calm—quiet, measured, and comfortable as you settle in and get to know the main characters. Everything feels reasonably right… until one bad decision changes everything, along with the pacing of the book!

From that moment on, the story completely flips on its head. I genuinely didn’t know which way was up, who to trust, or who I should be suspicious of. At one point, I even found myself doubting all the “nice” people. That constant uncertainty kept the tension high and my anxiety levels climbing in the best possible way.

This is a true edge-of-your-seat thriller. I could not put my Kindle down and found myself racing through chapters, needing to know what would happen next.

Thank you to the author, @leecoatesauthor and @LoveBookTours for sending me an ARC of this book, which has just been released this week. If you’re looking for a gripping, can’t-stop-reading kind of book addiction—this is absolutely the book for you.
Profile Image for emsonthebooks_again.
288 reviews12 followers
January 31, 2026
📚 Book Review 📚

The Shrew tells us Noel’s tale; a married man who discovers that his and his wife are about to become parents. Noel is desperate to provide for his new family and give them a life he feels he never had.

After loosing out on a tidy sum of money, Noel descends into the brutal world of illegal fighting to make the money he has promised to provide. Quickly, Noel finds himself in a spiral of deceit and self loathing.

I really enjoyed this story and the characters are so real. Lee has a way of writing that brings the fantastical into reality. Noel puts himself into some really disturbing situations which are compelling, I didn’t want to stop reading!

Thank you Lee for sending me a copy of your new book, I loved it.

Book released 3rd February 😃

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Lisa reads alot  Hamer.
1,172 reviews32 followers
February 4, 2026
The third book I’ve been lucky enough to review from @leecoatesauthor and this one is my favourite so far.

Thank you Lee for a copy of your latest book I devoured it in one sitting.
The first page had me hooked desperate to find out what was going to happen as it certainly wasn’t any normal HR interaction I’d ever seen 😂

I think my husband decided to just keep out of my way as any distraction from this book had me giving tuts and scowls 😂
It was fast paced mainly due to the writing and characters but also due to the way the story unfolds as you read more with twists and a spiralling journey.

Another fantastic read and I cannot wait to see what comes next

Thank you @leecoatesauthor for a copy of The Shrew it really is a fantastic read.

#theshrew #bookreview #arcreader
Profile Image for Tami Wylie.
802 reviews38 followers
February 7, 2026
This was an incredibly intense thriller from the author of Smiley Face, which was one of my favourite books from last year. Noel and his wife live a normal life. He works in HR for the council and she is an aspiring author. Under financial stress, Noel gets involved in the world of slap fighting to make some extra money. Dangerous and life threatening, how far is he willing to go to support his family? What a unique concept! Noel’s story was very intense as he descended on a downhill spiral as his mental health deteriorates as he is plagued by childhood trauma and his dangerous situation. The author has created a fascinating psychological thriller chronicling the downfall of a seemingly normal man.
27 reviews2 followers
February 3, 2026
This was definitely a slow burn, but once everything started to come together and we started to witness the further breakdown of the main character I was gripped. It was so cleverly written and unlike anything I’ve read before.
Noel wasn’t a particularly likable character and it was definitely hard to root for him. The decisions he constantly made were so bizarre and self-centred.
As usual with Lee’s books, his descriptions and events always make me feel uneasy and squeamish, which is unusual for me as an avid thriller reader, and this was no exception. The fights were so well written it felt like I was watching myself.
Profile Image for Melissa.
174 reviews9 followers
February 6, 2026
The Shrew is an intriguing psychological thriller about a man who is mild-mannered and squeamish about violence but enters the world of underground fighting to earn more money for his growing family. Lee Coates weaves an interesting tale which kept me turning the pages until the end, just as a good thriller should. The character and plot development were fantastic, and I found myself invested in Noel’s story from the get-go, making it hard for me to put the book down for things like work and sleep, which for me, is the epitome of a great read! As a mood reader itching for a riveting psychological thriller, this hit the spot. 5 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Highly recommend!
Profile Image for Thrillergeek.
83 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 22, 2026
This was a very good slow burner thriller. The tension is always there building up. You feel it building and want to know what happens next.
The book starts with the tension right at the first page. You can feel something is wrong, definitely wrong but why...
This is a book which is written beautifully and smart, the characters well described so you can picture them in front of you. You get sucked in, it's like you are really there. The illegal fighting was new for me, so a little bonus.
The end I didn't see coming. A good twist.
Really recommend this one!
Profile Image for S Williams.
4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 12, 2026
Another great read from Lee. He has yet again managed to create a sense of unnerving dread throughout a book that is also full of suspense, scares, humour and heart. The Shrew has some pretty chilling moments, but thankfully not overly gruesome. It has a really interesting premise depicting the slow downfall of a good, honest man. Written beautifully, clever and has a twist that I didn’t see coming. Loved it!
Profile Image for Lauren Flewett.
527 reviews17 followers
February 8, 2026
The Shrew by Lee Coates has an interesting plot. How gutted would you feel if you just missed out on winning a life changing amount of money and could you live with that? For me I’d be gutted for sure but also what is meant to be will be!

This book is quite a slow burn, there is a fair bit of build up to the main point of the novel.

I found the main character Noel a bit annoying as he had a very woe is me attitude but I did feel a bit sorry for him as the story went on.
13 reviews
February 3, 2026
this is the second book of Lees ive read and loved both. this is fantastic and as u wanting to get to the end and find out what happens. a book u cant put down. I love the cover and would definitely grab this is a book shop.
this book is gruesome and disturbing but with humour throughout. its easy to like the characters and its all going well in their normal lives when something happens and changes things. a very exciting book I could not put down!
231 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 3, 2026
So this book wasn't exactly what I was expecting. But I was intrigued to see where it went.
I absolutely despised the main character and thought he needed to take some responsibility for his actions. Nothing was ever his fault......

I thought that this book was full of action, and it is definitely a slow burn. But it was a clever and well thought out storyline. Which has also made me question certain things in real life.

I thought the cover was abit strange, but it makes sense after you've read it.

I do like Lee's writing style and still have one of his earlier books on my shelf and will definitely be keeping an eye out for more.
478 reviews17 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 6, 2026
It was the front cover of The Shrew which first caught my attention. Different, unusual and slightly sinister looking. This was one of those books that once I started I couldn’t stop reading. It has a strong and very interesting opening which made me want to instantly read on.

Straight away I really liked Noel and Helen. They seemed like a really normal couple, living rather quiet and boring lives. I connected with them and their situation. Their struggles are relatable. What isn’t so relatable is the dark path Noel goes down trying to support his family. It really shows how what might seem small actions can end up making a big impact on your life.

I was hooked wanting to find out what was going to happen next as Noel’s life began to spiral further and further out of control. The story is dark and even rather gruesome at some points. However there is humour, albeit it dark, running through the whole book. Noel and his brother often came across as a comedy duo with their interactions.

It was a bit of a slow burn but I loved how everything tied together at the end. It was a really satisfying read.
Profile Image for Evelyn.
413 reviews5 followers
February 2, 2026
All round good egg Noel Garvey is struggling to make ends meet financially until he finds an unconventional solution…However, things escalate pretty quickly when desperation hits - and I couldn’t help rooting for him despite his terribly bad decisions.

As the tension builds the unsettling sense of foreboding intensifies in the extremely well written and well paced thriller full of twists.

I couldn’t stop reading!

Who knew working in Human Resources could be so hands on?!

Childhood trauma and mental health issues are also covered in this page turner.

This compelling thriller certainly packs a punch …and a hard satisfying slap.
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