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House of Lies
'Somewhere in Vixenhead, I’m certain the truth lies...'
A sudden disappearance
When Roz Outlaw's partner Tom mysteriously vanishes, she knows his life is in danger. Tom has been distracted lately, afraid, as though he is being hunted...
A desperate search
With the police showing little interest Roz knows it falls to her to find Tom. But as Tom's secrets are uncovered nothing can prepare Roz for the dark lies and twisted truths she finds. She thought she loved Tom, but quickly realises she has been living with a stranger – a man with murder in his past.
A house of evil
The key to unlocking Tom's past lies in his childhood home – Vixenhead. A house of wickedness that keeps its secrets well hidden. Can Roz find Tom before it's too late or will the evil within Vixenhead claim her too...
A sudden disappearance
When Roz Outlaw's partner Tom mysteriously vanishes, she knows his life is in danger. Tom has been distracted lately, afraid, as though he is being hunted...
A desperate search
With the police showing little interest Roz knows it falls to her to find Tom. But as Tom's secrets are uncovered nothing can prepare Roz for the dark lies and twisted truths she finds. She thought she loved Tom, but quickly realises she has been living with a stranger – a man with murder in his past.
A house of evil
The key to unlocking Tom's past lies in his childhood home – Vixenhead. A house of wickedness that keeps its secrets well hidden. Can Roz find Tom before it's too late or will the evil within Vixenhead claim her too...
- GenresThriller
418 pages, Paperback
First published March 24, 2017
35 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 28, 2017
When Roz Outlaw’s partner Tom disappears she is confused and devastated, I mean it isn’t like she even has many photos of the guy as he just hated his picture taken, and went ballistic when it appeared in the paper and as he didn’t have any living relatives she couldn’t even ask them if they knew anything. There was only one thing that she could relie on and that was her skills as a journalist to rattle some very uncooperative policemen and a woman’s name on a FB page before Tom closed it down when she had come home early.
Roz is some gutsy lady that just doesn’t back down, I really liked her as the more the powers that be tell her to leave it alone the more determined she is to find out where Tom is. This story just didn’t go where I first thought it was going, it was far more exciting. There are many brick walls but Roz is like a sledge-hammer, relentless and just refuses to stop asking questions. The more she finds out the less she knows of the man she has lived with for years.
This then branches into Tom’s story and bloody hell I would be still running if it was me. There are some really tough chapters to read. Vixenhead is one scary place.
This is a super story that goes from intriguing to a pretty fast paced read that had me shouting instructions to Roz, this woman does you no good if you have a heart condition! I was like ‘No, don’t knock, God damn it woman you just knocked, now run!’
This book is just full of surprise after surprise, characters changed and emotions did flips it was just one massive full on satisfying and entertaining book.
Roz is some gutsy lady that just doesn’t back down, I really liked her as the more the powers that be tell her to leave it alone the more determined she is to find out where Tom is. This story just didn’t go where I first thought it was going, it was far more exciting. There are many brick walls but Roz is like a sledge-hammer, relentless and just refuses to stop asking questions. The more she finds out the less she knows of the man she has lived with for years.
This then branches into Tom’s story and bloody hell I would be still running if it was me. There are some really tough chapters to read. Vixenhead is one scary place.
This is a super story that goes from intriguing to a pretty fast paced read that had me shouting instructions to Roz, this woman does you no good if you have a heart condition! I was like ‘No, don’t knock, God damn it woman you just knocked, now run!’
This book is just full of surprise after surprise, characters changed and emotions did flips it was just one massive full on satisfying and entertaining book.
September 16, 2017
When boyfriend Tom seems to over-react to having his photo taken, Roz will find this is only the start of a catalogue of terrifying events.
House of Lies is a breathtaking roller coaster of a read. The plot gallops along with so many exciting events I sometimes wondered what on earth could happen next. I found it a highly entertaining and exciting read.
E.V. Seymour has a smashing style that adapts sentence length to situation so that she can convey terror and emotion with searing accuracy. I found Roz’s first person account particularly effective, so much so that I almost felt affronted when there was a switch to the third person and Tom’s perspective in the story. The attention to detail and the creation of setting is brilliant. I loved the metaphors that truly brought the places alive. I know the places in North Wales where much of the story takes place and could easily imagine myself there too from E.V. Seymour’s words. The house, Vixenhead, is superbly created so that it felt as if I was in there too. Vixenhead is almost sentient with a malevolence that is tangible.
There were elements that I didn’t enjoy quite as much and I preferred the first half of the novel to the second, partly because there seemed to be a shift of genre from psychological thriller to crime thriller so that it felt a little as if the book had lost its identity. I also had to suspend my disbelief at some of Roz’s actions. However, I decided to accept events and actions as they were presented and soon found myself sucked back into the story and thoroughly enjoying what I read.
Of particular interest to me was E.V Seymour’s examination of identity, of family and how we are shaped by our early experiences. I believed in Tom completely as a character even though his is the most unreliable identity of them all. House of Lies has quite a cast of villains, but even the most innocuous people have their own secrets and lies so that reading the book made me wonder just how much we really know those around us.
Alongside the concept of identity, there’s also an interesting theme of crime and retribution. Reading House of Lies led me to consider what I might have done in Roz’s place, especially towards the end of the novel when it seems no-one is entirely innocent.
House of Lies is an exciting, fast paced read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
House of Lies is a breathtaking roller coaster of a read. The plot gallops along with so many exciting events I sometimes wondered what on earth could happen next. I found it a highly entertaining and exciting read.
E.V. Seymour has a smashing style that adapts sentence length to situation so that she can convey terror and emotion with searing accuracy. I found Roz’s first person account particularly effective, so much so that I almost felt affronted when there was a switch to the third person and Tom’s perspective in the story. The attention to detail and the creation of setting is brilliant. I loved the metaphors that truly brought the places alive. I know the places in North Wales where much of the story takes place and could easily imagine myself there too from E.V. Seymour’s words. The house, Vixenhead, is superbly created so that it felt as if I was in there too. Vixenhead is almost sentient with a malevolence that is tangible.
There were elements that I didn’t enjoy quite as much and I preferred the first half of the novel to the second, partly because there seemed to be a shift of genre from psychological thriller to crime thriller so that it felt a little as if the book had lost its identity. I also had to suspend my disbelief at some of Roz’s actions. However, I decided to accept events and actions as they were presented and soon found myself sucked back into the story and thoroughly enjoying what I read.
Of particular interest to me was E.V Seymour’s examination of identity, of family and how we are shaped by our early experiences. I believed in Tom completely as a character even though his is the most unreliable identity of them all. House of Lies has quite a cast of villains, but even the most innocuous people have their own secrets and lies so that reading the book made me wonder just how much we really know those around us.
Alongside the concept of identity, there’s also an interesting theme of crime and retribution. Reading House of Lies led me to consider what I might have done in Roz’s place, especially towards the end of the novel when it seems no-one is entirely innocent.
House of Lies is an exciting, fast paced read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
May 27, 2017
I loved the whole evil house and secrets story line. It's one that never fails to interest a reader. I have to admit I was dying to know what could possibly have happened in Tom's past for him just to disappear like that with no word to anyone.
I have to admit I struggled to feel much empathy for the characters. They just didn't quite grab me like I wanted them to. Due to that, what was happening just didn't have the impact on me that I really wanted. It's a good solid story line which with out a doubt readers will enjoy but personally for me it was just lacking that added punch I would have liked.
Vixenhead is certainly a dark read full of suspense. There are plenty of twists within the story, though for me not as shocking as I would have hoped, but then psychological thrillers are one of my favourite genres so it does take a lot to shock me. It's still an entertaining and easy read though and one that is worth reading.
My thanks to Harper Impulse for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
I have to admit I struggled to feel much empathy for the characters. They just didn't quite grab me like I wanted them to. Due to that, what was happening just didn't have the impact on me that I really wanted. It's a good solid story line which with out a doubt readers will enjoy but personally for me it was just lacking that added punch I would have liked.
Vixenhead is certainly a dark read full of suspense. There are plenty of twists within the story, though for me not as shocking as I would have hoped, but then psychological thrillers are one of my favourite genres so it does take a lot to shock me. It's still an entertaining and easy read though and one that is worth reading.
My thanks to Harper Impulse for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
October 18, 2017
I cannot begin to tell you how intriguing this story is. The author draws you in right from the start keeping your attention until the end.
We follow a story about the disappearance of Tom who appeared to have the perfect relationship with Roz or so she thought! It all starts over a photo being taken which lead to him vanishing without a trace. Oh my days…. can you imagine that?! Talk about over reacting. I couldn't help but feel for Roz.
Starting off from Roz’s point of view then it moves on to Tom straight away I was hooked and wanted to know why the sudden disappearance, I mean it's only a photo. But has the story unfolds we learn more about Tom and he certainly isn't the person Roz thought he was. The hunt for him leads us to Vixenhead, Tom’s childhood home which is one very dark and disturbing house. Can Roz find Tom before it’s to late or will the evil within Vixenhead Claim her too...
I had plenty of OMG moments where I found myself saying NO WAY! You can feel the tension and emotion with the characters though the author's brilliant writing skills.
House of Lies is full of mystery and suspense and jam packed with twists and turns or should I say shocking turns, which kept me on the edge of my seat.
This is one very entertaining psychological thriller but it also has the crime element in it which I loved. Which I highly recommend giving it 4.5 stars.
I would like to thank Harper Collins for a copy in exchange for an honest unbiased review
We follow a story about the disappearance of Tom who appeared to have the perfect relationship with Roz or so she thought! It all starts over a photo being taken which lead to him vanishing without a trace. Oh my days…. can you imagine that?! Talk about over reacting. I couldn't help but feel for Roz.
Starting off from Roz’s point of view then it moves on to Tom straight away I was hooked and wanted to know why the sudden disappearance, I mean it's only a photo. But has the story unfolds we learn more about Tom and he certainly isn't the person Roz thought he was. The hunt for him leads us to Vixenhead, Tom’s childhood home which is one very dark and disturbing house. Can Roz find Tom before it’s to late or will the evil within Vixenhead Claim her too...
I had plenty of OMG moments where I found myself saying NO WAY! You can feel the tension and emotion with the characters though the author's brilliant writing skills.
House of Lies is full of mystery and suspense and jam packed with twists and turns or should I say shocking turns, which kept me on the edge of my seat.
This is one very entertaining psychological thriller but it also has the crime element in it which I loved. Which I highly recommend giving it 4.5 stars.
I would like to thank Harper Collins for a copy in exchange for an honest unbiased review
April 1, 2017
You think you know someone, but the reality is nobody really knows anyone completely. Everyone keeps secrets and in this case the secrets are the kind that destroy lives.
Roz thinks her boyfriend of three years is her Prince Charming, until one morning when he drops a few reality shocks on her ever so perfect life. All of a sudden he doesn’t want the same things she does. Then later that day he disappears into thin air.
It is by sheer chance that Roz finds out Tom has been hiding not one, but multiple past lives from her. A criminal who is trying to hide from the consequences of his crimes. Or is he?
Seymour brings together a painful past and a violent altercation, which somehow sets the path for a young boy and his life on the run. His life of lies and deception.
I liked the way the author brought it all together in the end. There isn’t a neatly tied bow with a warm and bubbly happy ending. Instead there is realistic one. The lines between guilt and innocence become rather blurred in this story. The main character makes the reader wander between sympathy and antipathy with the frequency of a ping pong ball in a tournament.
It’s an interesting read.
Roz thinks her boyfriend of three years is her Prince Charming, until one morning when he drops a few reality shocks on her ever so perfect life. All of a sudden he doesn’t want the same things she does. Then later that day he disappears into thin air.
It is by sheer chance that Roz finds out Tom has been hiding not one, but multiple past lives from her. A criminal who is trying to hide from the consequences of his crimes. Or is he?
Seymour brings together a painful past and a violent altercation, which somehow sets the path for a young boy and his life on the run. His life of lies and deception.
I liked the way the author brought it all together in the end. There isn’t a neatly tied bow with a warm and bubbly happy ending. Instead there is realistic one. The lines between guilt and innocence become rather blurred in this story. The main character makes the reader wander between sympathy and antipathy with the frequency of a ping pong ball in a tournament.
It’s an interesting read.
July 2, 2017
HarperImpulse turn to the dark side with Vixenhead and it's a book that I absolutely whizzed through. It's so easy to read and hooks you from the start when Tom appears to have the perfect relationship with Roz yet vanishes without even saying goodbye. The catalyst being his photograph appearing in a magazine - what or who is he running from and why does he not want to be found? The answers are all within the intriguing pages of Vixenhead.
Firstly, I have to say that I loved the homage to Robin Hood with characters named Roz Outlaw and Tom Loxley. It did make me smile but if I thought Vixenhead was going to be a light-hearted read, I was so wrong. Roz and Tom seem to be so in love but then one day Tom disappears - he just packs up and leaves without a word. Roz can't understand what went wrong and turns into a bit of a Miss Marple as she hunts high and low for Tom. Roz isn't at all prepared for what she might uncover and it leads her into terrible danger at Tom's childhood home, the rather imposing Vixenhead.
I did rather enjoy Vixenhead; it is fast-paced and intriguing enough to keep you hooked and ensure that the pages turn as fast as possible. The only slight gripe I have is that the house, which the book is named after, doesn't really appear until the latter chapters and I would have loved to have felt my skin crawling as I was introduced to the imposing structure. I loved Roz's determination to get to the bottom of the Tom mystery and my reading pace increased in line with the dangerous circumstances at the end. Vixenhead is a good solid relationship-based thriller that held my interest throughout, it begs the question 'how well do you know the person you are sharing your life with?' I think it would make a good holiday read rather than the late-night spine tingler that I expected.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Firstly, I have to say that I loved the homage to Robin Hood with characters named Roz Outlaw and Tom Loxley. It did make me smile but if I thought Vixenhead was going to be a light-hearted read, I was so wrong. Roz and Tom seem to be so in love but then one day Tom disappears - he just packs up and leaves without a word. Roz can't understand what went wrong and turns into a bit of a Miss Marple as she hunts high and low for Tom. Roz isn't at all prepared for what she might uncover and it leads her into terrible danger at Tom's childhood home, the rather imposing Vixenhead.
I did rather enjoy Vixenhead; it is fast-paced and intriguing enough to keep you hooked and ensure that the pages turn as fast as possible. The only slight gripe I have is that the house, which the book is named after, doesn't really appear until the latter chapters and I would have loved to have felt my skin crawling as I was introduced to the imposing structure. I loved Roz's determination to get to the bottom of the Tom mystery and my reading pace increased in line with the dangerous circumstances at the end. Vixenhead is a good solid relationship-based thriller that held my interest throughout, it begs the question 'how well do you know the person you are sharing your life with?' I think it would make a good holiday read rather than the late-night spine tingler that I expected.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
December 18, 2017
Well... i don't really know what to say except that I'm irrritated. I feel like I wasted time on this book, which could have been interesting with the shocking themes and twists. But the truth is it bored me and I didn't care about any of the characters or even the shocking twist.. it just failed to get me invested.
The main character also annoyed the hell out of me... if I had to read one more time how distraught she was to not to be able to have any children forever (Even though she's not that old) And feel sorry for herself, I would have screamed. Get a grip lady.
Anyway.. promising plot, badly executed. I'm a bit bummed out I paid for this.
The main character also annoyed the hell out of me... if I had to read one more time how distraught she was to not to be able to have any children forever (Even though she's not that old) And feel sorry for herself, I would have screamed. Get a grip lady.
Anyway.. promising plot, badly executed. I'm a bit bummed out I paid for this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2017
E.V Seymour tells the story of Roz, a journalist, who's life falls apart when she suspects her boyfriend of three years is being unfaithful and then loses her job. In roller coaster of emotion Roz pieces together the jigsaw of her lover's past and discovers a web of lies and an awful secret that people are prepared to kill to suppress.
A well-written thriller that I did not want to put down.
A well-written thriller that I did not want to put down.
May 31, 2023
This was a book which I was pleased to finish. The writing style, with excessive amounts of descriptive detail, made it difficult to follow and stretched my concentration levels.
December 17, 2024
Interesting
My goodness a family that should have been locked in the madhouse. Marvellous characters first-class plot developing slowly drawing you in
My goodness a family that should have been locked in the madhouse. Marvellous characters first-class plot developing slowly drawing you in
June 8, 2017
Too long, over-written, badly edited (infer does NOT mean the same thing as imply, and a minor character changes name part way through). I wanted to know what happened JUST enough to keep reading.
April 22, 2017
More like 3.5 stars. The premise of the book was good and holds promise, but halfway through I figured out each piece of the mystery and the book lost some of its lure.
Read
March 25, 2018Another book that started off good and full of promises which sadly so many chapters in, for me, lost the plot and sad to say gave up on it.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews