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Our Little Lies
How far would you go to protect your perfect life?
Marianne has a life others dream of. A beautiful townhouse on the best street in the neighbourhood. Three bright children who are her pride and joy.
Sometimes her past still hurts: losing her mother early, growing up in foster care. But her husband, Simon, is always there. A successful surgeon, he’s the envy of every woman they’ve ever met. Flowers, gifts, trips to France: nothing is too good for his family.
Then Simon says another woman’s name. The way he lingers on it, Caroline , gives Marianne a shudder of suspicion, but she knows it’s nothing – she can’t entertain this flash of paranoia.
In the old days, she’d have distracted herself by excelling at work, but Marianne left her glamorous career when she married. She’d speak to a friend, but she’s too busy with her children and besides, Simon doesn’t approve of the few she has left.
It’s almost by accident that Marianne starts to learn more about Caroline. But once started, she can’t stop, because what she finds makes her wonder: is the question she should be asking not ‘should she be jealous’, but... ‘should she be scared?’
Marianne has a life others dream of. A beautiful townhouse on the best street in the neighbourhood. Three bright children who are her pride and joy.
Sometimes her past still hurts: losing her mother early, growing up in foster care. But her husband, Simon, is always there. A successful surgeon, he’s the envy of every woman they’ve ever met. Flowers, gifts, trips to France: nothing is too good for his family.
Then Simon says another woman’s name. The way he lingers on it, Caroline , gives Marianne a shudder of suspicion, but she knows it’s nothing – she can’t entertain this flash of paranoia.
In the old days, she’d have distracted herself by excelling at work, but Marianne left her glamorous career when she married. She’d speak to a friend, but she’s too busy with her children and besides, Simon doesn’t approve of the few she has left.
It’s almost by accident that Marianne starts to learn more about Caroline. But once started, she can’t stop, because what she finds makes her wonder: is the question she should be asking not ‘should she be jealous’, but... ‘should she be scared?’
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 11, 2018
6871 people are currently reading
8333 people want to read
About the author
Sue Watson
48 books1,535 followersSue Watson was a TV Producer at the BBC until she wrote her first book and was hooked.
Now a USA Today bestselling author, Sue has sold almost 2 million books and explores the darker side of life, writing psychological thrillers with big twists. Originally from Manchester, she now lives with her family in leafy Worcestershire where much of her day is spent writing – and procrastinating. Her hobby is eating cake while watching diet and exercise programmes from the sofa, a skill she’s perfected after many years of practice.
For up-to-date offers and news of Sue's latest books, click the 'Follow' button next to her photo on Amazon.
Sue would love to meet you on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/suewatsonbooks
And on Instagram @suewatsonbooks
Now a USA Today bestselling author, Sue has sold almost 2 million books and explores the darker side of life, writing psychological thrillers with big twists. Originally from Manchester, she now lives with her family in leafy Worcestershire where much of her day is spent writing – and procrastinating. Her hobby is eating cake while watching diet and exercise programmes from the sofa, a skill she’s perfected after many years of practice.
For up-to-date offers and news of Sue's latest books, click the 'Follow' button next to her photo on Amazon.
Sue would love to meet you on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/suewatsonbooks
And on Instagram @suewatsonbooks
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,165 reviews
September 11, 2018
On the face of it, Marianne appears to lead a charmed life. She’s married to renowned heart surgeon Simon, who also happens to be extremely handsome - they have three wonderful children, a stunning new home in the best part of town filled with the most expensive and tasteful furnishings. Wonderful isn’t it? Well actually no it isn’t, because under that very shiny and perfect veneer, lies something very dark indeed!
Marianne didn’t have the best start in life, she lost her mother at a very early age and spent her formative years in foster care. However, she eventually discovered that her gift for art brought her a successful career, one that she not only excelled in, but one that she absolutely loved too. Enter Simon - handsome, charming, and a career that’s really going places. Marianne is besotted and it looks as if the future is decidedly rosy. Well, of course this being a psychological thriller we know that won’t be the case, and suffice to say ‘Our Little Lies’ is very aptly named!
I didn’t immediately take to Marianne, I found her somewhat irritating, however, as the story progressed I discovered that there was more substance to her, I liked the fact that she’d led a completely different life before her new husband Simon persuaded her to give up her career, a career that made her whole, a career that defined her as a person, and if he was able to do that so easily, what else was he capable of? Well, read it for yourself and you’ll find out just how controlling and cruel our handsome charming Simon is!
With a well constructed narrative, some great (if not always likeable) characters, and a twist at the end that smacked me right between the eyes, this was a really dark but enjoyable read.
*My thanks to Bookouture for my ARC. I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange*
Marianne didn’t have the best start in life, she lost her mother at a very early age and spent her formative years in foster care. However, she eventually discovered that her gift for art brought her a successful career, one that she not only excelled in, but one that she absolutely loved too. Enter Simon - handsome, charming, and a career that’s really going places. Marianne is besotted and it looks as if the future is decidedly rosy. Well, of course this being a psychological thriller we know that won’t be the case, and suffice to say ‘Our Little Lies’ is very aptly named!
I didn’t immediately take to Marianne, I found her somewhat irritating, however, as the story progressed I discovered that there was more substance to her, I liked the fact that she’d led a completely different life before her new husband Simon persuaded her to give up her career, a career that made her whole, a career that defined her as a person, and if he was able to do that so easily, what else was he capable of? Well, read it for yourself and you’ll find out just how controlling and cruel our handsome charming Simon is!
With a well constructed narrative, some great (if not always likeable) characters, and a twist at the end that smacked me right between the eyes, this was a really dark but enjoyable read.
*My thanks to Bookouture for my ARC. I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange*
August 21, 2019
An ok thriller that sees Marianne have a seemingly perfect life, gorgeous surgeon husband, 3 fantastic children and a beautiful house and lifestyle. However, behind closed doors Marianne's husband Simon is abusive. He is controlling, and he bullies and humiliates her. He's had her committed for her mental health previously, and loves nothing more than to make life a living hell for Marianne. Then one day Simon mentions a woman he works with, Caroline, and Marianne is suddenly convinced he's having an affair with this woman, after all he's done it before. Hasn't he?
I honestly found it hard to get into this book. The leadup, showing us how Simon was abusive, was too drawn out, ending up taking over half the book, and became rather monotonous and, well, boring. I ended up skimming through a lot of this part as it was just the same repetitive thing over and over. When things did finally get interesting the book improved, however I still found myself predicting the twists before they happened. It's not a bad book by any means, just a little too drawn out and predictable.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I honestly found it hard to get into this book. The leadup, showing us how Simon was abusive, was too drawn out, ending up taking over half the book, and became rather monotonous and, well, boring. I ended up skimming through a lot of this part as it was just the same repetitive thing over and over. When things did finally get interesting the book improved, however I still found myself predicting the twists before they happened. It's not a bad book by any means, just a little too drawn out and predictable.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 17, 2018
All that glitters is not gold...
Marianne has the perfect life, the perfect husband, the perfect children, the perfect townhouse... if you are a regular reader of the psychological thriller genre then you well know that everything or nothing is as it appears to be... but even Marianne has her head in the sand for the first 40% of this book... but then again ignorance is bliss!
The first 40% of this book really sets up the story, revealing to us the reader what a controlling, narcissistic, abusive, douche that Simon is! As someone who was married to a narcissist for many years I truly did feel for Marianne, abuse is a vicious cycle especially when you are in a bit of denial.... One day another woman’s name unintentionally slips from Simon’s lips, Caroline... but it’s not just the name, it’s how Simon says it the name lingering on his lips... Who is Caroline to Simon? Marianne is determined to find out, and determined to let nothing interrupt her perfect life.... but should Marianne be jealous, Or scared?
This was a compelling story about the Dark side of human nature... Marianne was a sympathetic yet frustrating character, I wasn’t always on board with her... Simon was simply a monster, and you really wanted justice to prevail in the end.... this book was a crazy twisted ride with an unexpected turn in the end...
Sue Watson is a beloved romance author and this is her first psychological thriller, and I have to say she has made a successful transition... something I personally think romance authors do better than others is character development, and that really did shine through in this book... even though the characters weren’t necessarily terribly likable, Although some of the best books are filled with unlikable characters! A job well done, and I certainly hope this is not Sue Watson’s last thriller...
*** thanks so much to Bookouture for my copy of this book ***
Marianne has the perfect life, the perfect husband, the perfect children, the perfect townhouse... if you are a regular reader of the psychological thriller genre then you well know that everything or nothing is as it appears to be... but even Marianne has her head in the sand for the first 40% of this book... but then again ignorance is bliss!
The first 40% of this book really sets up the story, revealing to us the reader what a controlling, narcissistic, abusive, douche that Simon is! As someone who was married to a narcissist for many years I truly did feel for Marianne, abuse is a vicious cycle especially when you are in a bit of denial.... One day another woman’s name unintentionally slips from Simon’s lips, Caroline... but it’s not just the name, it’s how Simon says it the name lingering on his lips... Who is Caroline to Simon? Marianne is determined to find out, and determined to let nothing interrupt her perfect life.... but should Marianne be jealous, Or scared?
This was a compelling story about the Dark side of human nature... Marianne was a sympathetic yet frustrating character, I wasn’t always on board with her... Simon was simply a monster, and you really wanted justice to prevail in the end.... this book was a crazy twisted ride with an unexpected turn in the end...
Sue Watson is a beloved romance author and this is her first psychological thriller, and I have to say she has made a successful transition... something I personally think romance authors do better than others is character development, and that really did shine through in this book... even though the characters weren’t necessarily terribly likable, Although some of the best books are filled with unlikable characters! A job well done, and I certainly hope this is not Sue Watson’s last thriller...
*** thanks so much to Bookouture for my copy of this book ***
September 5, 2018
Our Little Lies by Sue Watson is a psychological thriller that takes you on a roller coasters ride of lies, manipulation and paranoia.
Marianne is married to a successful heart surgeon and lives in a beautiful home with her husband and three children. She is unable to trust her husband and imagines that he is having an affair and is insanely jealous. Her husband Simon is very controlling and cruel to her and undermines her with the children.
At the start of the book I found Marianne to be a winger and very annoying but as the story unfolded I found myself to be in her corner and rooting for her character.
I enjoyed this book and read it in one day as I didn't want to put it down. I did not guess the twist until the end.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Marianne is married to a successful heart surgeon and lives in a beautiful home with her husband and three children. She is unable to trust her husband and imagines that he is having an affair and is insanely jealous. Her husband Simon is very controlling and cruel to her and undermines her with the children.
At the start of the book I found Marianne to be a winger and very annoying but as the story unfolded I found myself to be in her corner and rooting for her character.
I enjoyed this book and read it in one day as I didn't want to put it down. I did not guess the twist until the end.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 12, 2018
I am going to be standing alone when I post this review. But since this is my journey into the book, I have to write my honest views.
I didn’t like the book for the reasons below, and I am going to try to attach proof to my statements.
As repeatedly done in psychological thrillers of late, the male main character Simon, the husband thinks nothing while undermining his wife, Marianne, calling her unstable, and blaming her for every infraction and every imperfection around the house. In the first half of the book, perfect was a frequently used word.
Dialogue from the book
1) I know a recipe isn’t a worry but it’s a torture as Simon’s a bit of a perfectionist.
2) I think back at the early days. I vowed I’d be the perfect wife and mother
3) I totally gave myself to this perfect family who needed me
In fact I counted, perfect word was used 78 times in the book!!
And you wonder what happened when she was not perfect? He insulted her, made her have anti-psychiatric medications, got angry with her when she doubted his fidelity and hit her in bed during sex.
After all this, the wife thinks
Dialogue from the book
1) I’m so lucky. I still love my husband after all these years. I love him with a blind passion that has no reason, no sense, and I’m aware that there are times when I should be stronger, but I’m irrational where Simon is concerned.
2) As a child I’d never dreamt a life like this could be mine and it’s all thanks to him – without Simon I have nothing. I am nothing.
3) We haven’t had sex for a while, but tonight he wants me… He doesn’t want me in a loving, gentle way, but he still wants me.
I do get it that Simon has chosen his prey well, and he takes undue advantage of her neediness, her lack of confidence, and her dependence on him.
As the wife justifies… Dialogue from the book
I sometimes wonder if it was my fear that Simon was drawn to. A flawed vulnerable woman who wouldn’t control him, as his mother always had.
The book continues on with Simon having his indiscretions and then she coming to know of it. Throw in a murder and a police investigation, a false charge, a suspicious cop and red herrings, it becomes a potboiler of a thriller.
I like Sue Watson books, they are fun and sweet, this is her first psychological thriller. And it follows the same formula as seen in most books of this genre. Insult and beat the wife + wife pushing back mid book + a murder = psychological thriller. Sighhhh… It’s so done. I am so done.
If I skim over such prose about the Marianne's thoughts which is nearly 50% of the book, then the next half has her taking action, which is okay. But her way of thinking even after proofs and confession from the mistress d’affaire does not change, she thinks she may be mistaken.
The thriller part is okay. My rating is for the basic plot line but the prose doesn’t work for me, the characters have the same way of thinking, wife doesn’t grow a backbone, the story is formulaic.
I really want to like the book, but it is too delusional for the main character and too illusional for me. I am sad and angry!! I hate when a book makes me feel so down.
I didn’t like the book for the reasons below, and I am going to try to attach proof to my statements.
As repeatedly done in psychological thrillers of late, the male main character Simon, the husband thinks nothing while undermining his wife, Marianne, calling her unstable, and blaming her for every infraction and every imperfection around the house. In the first half of the book, perfect was a frequently used word.
Dialogue from the book
1) I know a recipe isn’t a worry but it’s a torture as Simon’s a bit of a perfectionist.
2) I think back at the early days. I vowed I’d be the perfect wife and mother
3) I totally gave myself to this perfect family who needed me
In fact I counted, perfect word was used 78 times in the book!!
And you wonder what happened when she was not perfect? He insulted her, made her have anti-psychiatric medications, got angry with her when she doubted his fidelity and hit her in bed during sex.
After all this, the wife thinks
Dialogue from the book
1) I’m so lucky. I still love my husband after all these years. I love him with a blind passion that has no reason, no sense, and I’m aware that there are times when I should be stronger, but I’m irrational where Simon is concerned.
2) As a child I’d never dreamt a life like this could be mine and it’s all thanks to him – without Simon I have nothing. I am nothing.
3) We haven’t had sex for a while, but tonight he wants me… He doesn’t want me in a loving, gentle way, but he still wants me.
I do get it that Simon has chosen his prey well, and he takes undue advantage of her neediness, her lack of confidence, and her dependence on him.
As the wife justifies… Dialogue from the book
I sometimes wonder if it was my fear that Simon was drawn to. A flawed vulnerable woman who wouldn’t control him, as his mother always had.
The book continues on with Simon having his indiscretions and then she coming to know of it. Throw in a murder and a police investigation, a false charge, a suspicious cop and red herrings, it becomes a potboiler of a thriller.
I like Sue Watson books, they are fun and sweet, this is her first psychological thriller. And it follows the same formula as seen in most books of this genre. Insult and beat the wife + wife pushing back mid book + a murder = psychological thriller. Sighhhh… It’s so done. I am so done.
If I skim over such prose about the Marianne's thoughts which is nearly 50% of the book, then the next half has her taking action, which is okay. But her way of thinking even after proofs and confession from the mistress d’affaire does not change, she thinks she may be mistaken.
The thriller part is okay. My rating is for the basic plot line but the prose doesn’t work for me, the characters have the same way of thinking, wife doesn’t grow a backbone, the story is formulaic.
I really want to like the book, but it is too delusional for the main character and too illusional for me. I am sad and angry!! I hate when a book makes me feel so down.
October 11, 2018
Well Sue Watson fans, are you wondering if she can pull off a thriller genre? Wonder no more, the answer is yes! She was able to spin us a twisted tale worthy of the title psychological thriller.
Marianne Wilson has the world at her fingertips. Living a posh lifestyle with her cardio thoracic surgeon husband Simon and their children.
Marianne's sole job in life is to be a homemaker, the "perfect wife" to Simon aka Dr. Wilson. Of course Simon deserves dinner on the table waiting for him every night, an immaculate home scrubbed to perfection, an attentive wife and obedient children. I mean he deserves it, right? He demands it to be so. Appearance is everything for the doctor and his wife.
I must say this title was extremely fitting for this dysfunctional family dynamics. I was quickly drawn into this story as it was completely believable. Sadly we never know what goes on behind closed doors. I found myself wondering if Simon was really the controlling violent husband portrayed by Marianne. Or perhaps is she riddled with psychiatric disorders and heavy amount of prescription drugs as Simon suggests? Who is telling the truth?
Sue Watson brought us an exciting story of lies, deceit, death and family dysfunction. I often found myself questioning if Marianne was a reliable narrator. It made for an interesting story that kept me guessing all the way until the end!
Thank you so much to Sue Watson, Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC.
Marianne Wilson has the world at her fingertips. Living a posh lifestyle with her cardio thoracic surgeon husband Simon and their children.
Marianne's sole job in life is to be a homemaker, the "perfect wife" to Simon aka Dr. Wilson. Of course Simon deserves dinner on the table waiting for him every night, an immaculate home scrubbed to perfection, an attentive wife and obedient children. I mean he deserves it, right? He demands it to be so. Appearance is everything for the doctor and his wife.
I must say this title was extremely fitting for this dysfunctional family dynamics. I was quickly drawn into this story as it was completely believable. Sadly we never know what goes on behind closed doors. I found myself wondering if Simon was really the controlling violent husband portrayed by Marianne. Or perhaps is she riddled with psychiatric disorders and heavy amount of prescription drugs as Simon suggests? Who is telling the truth?
Sue Watson brought us an exciting story of lies, deceit, death and family dysfunction. I often found myself questioning if Marianne was a reliable narrator. It made for an interesting story that kept me guessing all the way until the end!
Thank you so much to Sue Watson, Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC.
October 16, 2018
Once again I CAN'T stop myself from reading domestic thrillers, it’s like putting a piece of chocolate cake in front of me and expecting me not to eat it. Not gonna happen! I ate this book up and it was delicious. Although the plot was not completely original it was still a fantastic read.
Thank you to Netgellay and the publishers for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Netgellay and the publishers for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
October 10, 2018
Our Little Lies is Sue Watson's first foray over to the dark side but she is by no means new to the publishing scene. Having written plenty of feel-good women's fiction books, this is her debut psychological thriller. It does play around with tropes but most thrillers do. Here, the story follows Marianne who appears to have everything, including the perfect life and surgeon husband. But appearances can be deceiving! To say she has issues would be an understatement, not totally of her own doing, given her rough upbringing but issues all the same. So, when husband Simon accidentally utters the name "Caroline", Marianne naturally becomes extremely paranoid. She then starts learning more and more about the mysterious Caroline despite trying to distract herself from it playing over and over in her mind... What is happening between my husband and this Caroline? Is she a threat to me and my blessed lifestyle, or was this all just an innocent slip of the tongue?
The author expertly lulls you into a false sense of security, and I felt like I had pinpointed exactly where it was heading, but suddenly, whoosh, the rug was swiftly pulled out from under me! The characters are well drawn, and as often expected in crime fiction, many of them were unlikeable. Watson is adept at ratcheting up the tension and then letting the story unravel with the revealing of secrets, lies. manipulation and jealousy. Sometimes switching to writing in a different genre can be a tricky business, but, here, I detected none of the issues that many authors make with their first thriller. If you like books that feature mentally unstable characters which in turn can often lead to unreliable narration then I'm sure you'll thoroughly enjoy this one just as I did. I look forward to her releasing more crime fiction in the future!
Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
The author expertly lulls you into a false sense of security, and I felt like I had pinpointed exactly where it was heading, but suddenly, whoosh, the rug was swiftly pulled out from under me! The characters are well drawn, and as often expected in crime fiction, many of them were unlikeable. Watson is adept at ratcheting up the tension and then letting the story unravel with the revealing of secrets, lies. manipulation and jealousy. Sometimes switching to writing in a different genre can be a tricky business, but, here, I detected none of the issues that many authors make with their first thriller. If you like books that feature mentally unstable characters which in turn can often lead to unreliable narration then I'm sure you'll thoroughly enjoy this one just as I did. I look forward to her releasing more crime fiction in the future!
Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
September 28, 2018
I received a free e-copy of Our Little Lies by Sue Watson from Netgalley for my honest review.
Marianne has the perfect life. She has a beautiful home in a beautiful neighborhood, a handsome husband and three beautiful children. Her husband, Simon is a surgeon and provides for his families lavish lifestyle. But one day Simon talks about his new co-worker, Charlotte. It is the way he says her name and speaks about her that puts Marianne on edge. She becomes very suspicious and decides to learn more about this woman. The more she learns about her the more obsessed she becomes about her. Is she loosing her mind? How far will she go till she is satisfied with her obsession of this other woman?
Things aren't as perfect as everyone things in their home or in their marriage. A clever psychological thriller that will keep you guessing who is sane or who isn't?
Marianne has the perfect life. She has a beautiful home in a beautiful neighborhood, a handsome husband and three beautiful children. Her husband, Simon is a surgeon and provides for his families lavish lifestyle. But one day Simon talks about his new co-worker, Charlotte. It is the way he says her name and speaks about her that puts Marianne on edge. She becomes very suspicious and decides to learn more about this woman. The more she learns about her the more obsessed she becomes about her. Is she loosing her mind? How far will she go till she is satisfied with her obsession of this other woman?
Things aren't as perfect as everyone things in their home or in their marriage. A clever psychological thriller that will keep you guessing who is sane or who isn't?
October 13, 2018
4.5/5
Did you catch the authors name at the top of this post? Yes, it’s Sue Watson, the same lovely lady who writes romantic comedies that make me laugh hysterically one minute and then swoon the next. Little did I know that she has a dark side, she’s not all cakes and champagne, she went very dark for her latest book and it was amazing!! I’m even more in awe of her than I already was, she is fabulous at both genres and has an even bigger fan in me than I was before.
This had a slow burning style of suspense, the kind that creeps up on you and then in the end leaves you reeling. It all begins with Simon and Marianne, they have a picture perfect life and seem blissfully happy. We all know that not is always as it seems to outsiders and their relationship is fraught with tension and hostility underneath the surface. While I truly enjoyed Marianne, I wasn’t quite sure what to make of her up until the very end. She seems unhinged somehow, but she’s also sweet and a loving mother as well, she made me scratch my head. She also had the funniest hashtags, some of Watson’s trademark humor snuck through and I loved the black humor that broke up an otherwise tense story.
This was yet another case where I was absolutely sure that I knew exactly what would happen only to be totally wrong in the end. While the tension builds at a steady pace for most of the book at about three quarters of the way through the real surprises begin and I was well and truly stunned. This had a whopper of an ending and if this is only Watson’s first foray into psychological thrillers I cannot wait to see what she does next!
Our Little Lies in three words: Dark, Devious and Impressive.
Did you catch the authors name at the top of this post? Yes, it’s Sue Watson, the same lovely lady who writes romantic comedies that make me laugh hysterically one minute and then swoon the next. Little did I know that she has a dark side, she’s not all cakes and champagne, she went very dark for her latest book and it was amazing!! I’m even more in awe of her than I already was, she is fabulous at both genres and has an even bigger fan in me than I was before.
This had a slow burning style of suspense, the kind that creeps up on you and then in the end leaves you reeling. It all begins with Simon and Marianne, they have a picture perfect life and seem blissfully happy. We all know that not is always as it seems to outsiders and their relationship is fraught with tension and hostility underneath the surface. While I truly enjoyed Marianne, I wasn’t quite sure what to make of her up until the very end. She seems unhinged somehow, but she’s also sweet and a loving mother as well, she made me scratch my head. She also had the funniest hashtags, some of Watson’s trademark humor snuck through and I loved the black humor that broke up an otherwise tense story.
This was yet another case where I was absolutely sure that I knew exactly what would happen only to be totally wrong in the end. While the tension builds at a steady pace for most of the book at about three quarters of the way through the real surprises begin and I was well and truly stunned. This had a whopper of an ending and if this is only Watson’s first foray into psychological thrillers I cannot wait to see what she does next!
Our Little Lies in three words: Dark, Devious and Impressive.
October 11, 2018
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me a copy of this book. I am really sorry to be posting a negative review on the day the book will be published, however, this is definitely not for me. Lovers of domestic dramas will love this book, and will probably want to look away now.
Starting with the characters, I hated all of them! The main character Marianne was unbelievably contradictory when it came to her internal dialogue - She talks about how nasty Simon is to her (more on that later) but then fights to save her marriage when threatened by a new girl. She shows violent tendencies and yet claims to be fatigued as a result of her medication. This may have been to make her seem more of an unreliable narrator to the reader, however I only felt annoyed and wished for some consistency. Simon was a suitable bad guy, however that ending that tried to make him a hero only served to show just how awful he is as a character. The children, particularly the twins are horrid , with Sophie being a small consolation although vastly underused throughout. The rest of the cast were just background players (although the revelations about one of them I saw coming a mile off and that just served as a minor distraction).
The pacing of this book is poor, with the first 50% being dedicated to establishing how awful Simon is and how under the thumb Marianne is and why she is like that. This could have been an interesting piece of character development with the reader being drip fed information, and slow reveals about all our characters, however what we get is vast amounts of repeated internal dialogue as well as scenes that, although tense, are also repeated throughout. The second half of the book couldn't seem to decide what it wanted to be, with various reveals being rushed and brushed over. For example, there is a murder at around the 85% mark, with it solved by the 95% mark...it was completely out of place and felt like padding rather than actual plot development.
In terms of writing, parts of this book are engaging and well written, however there are huge chunks that I found myself scanning because I just wasn't engaged with it at all. It was frustrating to be thrown out of the narrative because I was bored with the story telling and just wanted it to get going again. The big reveal at the end was not a twist and fairly predictable.
I really didn't get on with this book, and I am really sorry about it. It isn't a thriller and perhaps should have stayed as a domestic drama rather than trying to create tension that I just didn't feel.
Starting with the characters, I hated all of them! The main character Marianne was unbelievably contradictory when it came to her internal dialogue - She talks about how nasty Simon is to her (more on that later) but then fights to save her marriage when threatened by a new girl. She shows violent tendencies and yet claims to be fatigued as a result of her medication. This may have been to make her seem more of an unreliable narrator to the reader, however I only felt annoyed and wished for some consistency. Simon was a suitable bad guy, however that ending that tried to make him a hero only served to show just how awful he is as a character. The children, particularly the twins are horrid , with Sophie being a small consolation although vastly underused throughout. The rest of the cast were just background players (although the revelations about one of them I saw coming a mile off and that just served as a minor distraction).
The pacing of this book is poor, with the first 50% being dedicated to establishing how awful Simon is and how under the thumb Marianne is and why she is like that. This could have been an interesting piece of character development with the reader being drip fed information, and slow reveals about all our characters, however what we get is vast amounts of repeated internal dialogue as well as scenes that, although tense, are also repeated throughout. The second half of the book couldn't seem to decide what it wanted to be, with various reveals being rushed and brushed over. For example, there is a murder at around the 85% mark, with it solved by the 95% mark...it was completely out of place and felt like padding rather than actual plot development.
In terms of writing, parts of this book are engaging and well written, however there are huge chunks that I found myself scanning because I just wasn't engaged with it at all. It was frustrating to be thrown out of the narrative because I was bored with the story telling and just wanted it to get going again. The big reveal at the end was not a twist and fairly predictable.
I really didn't get on with this book, and I am really sorry about it. It isn't a thriller and perhaps should have stayed as a domestic drama rather than trying to create tension that I just didn't feel.
September 26, 2018
2.5⭐️⭐️ I can see most people love this book. It's a taut psychological thriller that has you guessing from the start.
However, it didn't work for me. After getting 20% into the book, I thought I was going to lose my mind from reading the word perfect repeatedly.
Simon had to have everything perfect. My perfect family. Our perfect house. I think we all got the point after the 10th perfect.
With the protagonist, Marianne, I didn't know what to think. First I thought her husband was a jerk, then I wondered is she crazy? Then later I wondered if maybe it was a combination of the two. I don't want to give too much away but it does end up weaving together, albeit a tad slowly.
I took two and a half stars because while I thought the plot spectacular, the story dragged and it seemed to take forever to get to the good stuff.
I would recommend this book simply because I'm well aware I'm in the minority and I think other readers would likely enjoy it.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
However, it didn't work for me. After getting 20% into the book, I thought I was going to lose my mind from reading the word perfect repeatedly.
Simon had to have everything perfect. My perfect family. Our perfect house. I think we all got the point after the 10th perfect.
With the protagonist, Marianne, I didn't know what to think. First I thought her husband was a jerk, then I wondered is she crazy? Then later I wondered if maybe it was a combination of the two. I don't want to give too much away but it does end up weaving together, albeit a tad slowly.
I took two and a half stars because while I thought the plot spectacular, the story dragged and it seemed to take forever to get to the good stuff.
I would recommend this book simply because I'm well aware I'm in the minority and I think other readers would likely enjoy it.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 17, 2020
Another addictive psychological thriller my one of my new favourite authors Sue Watson. Yet again Sue Watson invents another unattractive character that makes this book an addictive read. This time it is Simon the husband with a roving eye.
Marianne appears to live a life to die for, a beautiful house in a much sought after street and three wonderful children that she adores. Her past life though was far from happy, losing her mother at an early age she grew up in foster care. But now she is married to Simon who is a successful surgeon who is very popular with the women that envy the lifestyle he affords his family. Flowers, gifts and trips to France are always available for his family.
But Simon is attracted to other women and Marianne is always suspicious that he may cheat on her. When another doctor, the attractive Caroline appears on the scene, Marianne has good reason to be paranoid. It is not long before Marianne become obsessed with Caroline and wants to know everything about her. Is Caroline another one of Simon's misdemeanours or is the there something more to be scared of.
Another entertaining, addictive read that once again made it very difficult for me to put down. Great characters and so well written, this is a page turner that makes you wonder just where is it going to end.
Marianne appears to live a life to die for, a beautiful house in a much sought after street and three wonderful children that she adores. Her past life though was far from happy, losing her mother at an early age she grew up in foster care. But now she is married to Simon who is a successful surgeon who is very popular with the women that envy the lifestyle he affords his family. Flowers, gifts and trips to France are always available for his family.
But Simon is attracted to other women and Marianne is always suspicious that he may cheat on her. When another doctor, the attractive Caroline appears on the scene, Marianne has good reason to be paranoid. It is not long before Marianne become obsessed with Caroline and wants to know everything about her. Is Caroline another one of Simon's misdemeanours or is the there something more to be scared of.
Another entertaining, addictive read that once again made it very difficult for me to put down. Great characters and so well written, this is a page turner that makes you wonder just where is it going to end.
September 10, 2018
I am a huge fan of this authors books. She writes the most fabulous stories and I know I am always guaranteed the best reading experience. When I saw that she had written a book outside of her usual genre and one of my favourite genres, well I was beyond excited. There is always that little niggle though at the back of your mind as to whether they can carry it off or not. Well shame on me for even having that little niggle as she well and truly nailed it!
This is very much a mix of dark domestic noir whilst also being a psychological thriller. Marianne I didn't envy at all. From the outside she looks like she has it all. On the inside though things are sadly very different. She is someone who just wants the best for her family. Nothing she does though seems to please her husband.
Simon, my dislike for him grew throughout the novel. Straight off you can see what he is. I felt sorry for Marianne and the children as they are just like some little trinkets, there for the purpose of being on show. He had me question if he actually loved anyone other than himself.
Our Little Lies drew me in and the further I got into it the harder it got for me to put it down. I had no clue as to what to expect with this being so unlike the authors other novels so just had to buckle up and see where she was going to take me. There is a gripping tension that builds and builds so that I ended up racing though the pages to see how things were going to end for Marianne. I kept thinking I knew where she was going only to be knocked side ways and eagerly reading more to so see what other shocks and surprises were in store for me. An absolute page turner of a read that sent my heart racing. Bravo to the new queen of psychological thrillers.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
This is very much a mix of dark domestic noir whilst also being a psychological thriller. Marianne I didn't envy at all. From the outside she looks like she has it all. On the inside though things are sadly very different. She is someone who just wants the best for her family. Nothing she does though seems to please her husband.
Simon, my dislike for him grew throughout the novel. Straight off you can see what he is. I felt sorry for Marianne and the children as they are just like some little trinkets, there for the purpose of being on show. He had me question if he actually loved anyone other than himself.
Our Little Lies drew me in and the further I got into it the harder it got for me to put it down. I had no clue as to what to expect with this being so unlike the authors other novels so just had to buckle up and see where she was going to take me. There is a gripping tension that builds and builds so that I ended up racing though the pages to see how things were going to end for Marianne. I kept thinking I knew where she was going only to be knocked side ways and eagerly reading more to so see what other shocks and surprises were in store for me. An absolute page turner of a read that sent my heart racing. Bravo to the new queen of psychological thrillers.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
October 19, 2018
To an outsider it may seem as if Marianne leads a perfect life , an attentive handsome t surgeon husband Simon ,perfect three kids , a beautiful home but looks can be deceiving. In actual life though Simon is a controlling narcissistic who drives great pleasure in putting Marianne down. So when Marianne hears him utter another woman’s name she is determined to find out the truth about their relationship but sometimes the truth is better left untold
Our Little Lies is a dark psychological thriller by Sue Watson. Surprise twists , great character development and an intense story-line makes it an interesting read .
I would like to thank Bookouture & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
Our Little Lies is a dark psychological thriller by Sue Watson. Surprise twists , great character development and an intense story-line makes it an interesting read .
I would like to thank Bookouture & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
October 19, 2018
Think of it as a dark domestic thriller and you won't be disappointed.
Perfect for fans of hidden truths that coexist under the same roof as well as fictional paranoia-holics.
Thank you NetGalley for this copy in exchange for my honest review.
Perfect for fans of hidden truths that coexist under the same roof as well as fictional paranoia-holics.
Thank you NetGalley for this copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 22, 2018
Do you remember the childhood game “Simon Says”?
Marianne appears to be living the perfect life, but you start to get the impression early on, that things are not quite so perfect when you learn that Marianne was up at 3 AM baking bread for breakfast, or when Simon calls her into the family room to show her how to PROPERLY fold the throw that is over the back of sofa...again.
Marianne had better do exactly what Simon Says, or there will be hell to pay.
Then one morning, Simon mentions another woman’s name. The way he lingers on it...Caroline....gives Marianne a shudder of suspicion, but is she just being paranoid..........like the last time?
With no real friends to turn to...Simon doesn’t approve of the neighborhood women....she becomes obsessed with learning all that she can about Caroline.
But should be jealous? Or should she be scared?
The first 40% of the book (perhaps just a tad too long) establishes that Simon is a narcissist but once Marianne decides, though her haze of Mirtazapine, that she wants to keep her home, despite all she must endure, the story picks up in pace.
Privy to her every catty (but oh so honest!) inner thoughts, Marianne devises a plan to make sure that “Caroline” does not take her place.
“There’s not enough room for both of us.”
The plan sets off a chain of events that had me mesmerized like a swinging pendulum....
I think I know where this is going...nope.
Maybe, I do!
Nope!
I am right!
Only partially....
This is the author’s first “psychological thriller”, have previously written a series of romance novels, , but I hope she chooses to stay in this lane, as I would love to read more from her in this genre!
AVAILABLE NOW!!
Merged review:
Do you remember the childhood game “Simon Says”?
Marianne appears to be living the perfect life, but you start to get the impression early on, that things are not quite so perfect when you learn that Marianne was up at 3 AM baking bread for breakfast, or when Simon calls her into the family room to show her how to PROPERLY fold the throw that is over the back of sofa...again.
Marianne had better do exactly what Simon Says, or there will be hell to pay.
Then one morning, Simon mentions another woman’s name. The way he lingers on it...Caroline....gives Marianne a shudder of suspicion, but is she just being paranoid..........like the last time?
With no real friends to turn to...Simon doesn’t approve of the neighborhood women....she becomes obsessed with learning all that she can about Caroline.
But should be jealous? Or should she be scared?
The first 40% of the book (perhaps just a tad too long) establishes that Simon is a narcissist but once Marianne decides, though her haze of Mirtazapine, that she wants to keep her home, despite all she must endure, the story picks up in pace.
Privy to her every catty (but oh so honest!) inner thoughts, Marianne devises a plan to make sure that “Caroline” does not take her place.
“There’s not enough room for both of us.”
The plan sets off a chain of events that had me mesmerized like a swinging pendulum....
I think I know where this is going...nope.
Maybe, I do!
Nope!
I am right!
Only partially....
This is the author’s first “psychological thriller”, have previously written a series of romance novels, , but I hope she chooses to stay in this lane, as I would love to read more from her in this genre!
Thank You to Netgalley, Bookouture and Sue Watson for providing an ARC in exchange for a candid review!
You can pre-order this and start reading it on Oct. 11th, 2018!
Marianne appears to be living the perfect life, but you start to get the impression early on, that things are not quite so perfect when you learn that Marianne was up at 3 AM baking bread for breakfast, or when Simon calls her into the family room to show her how to PROPERLY fold the throw that is over the back of sofa...again.
Marianne had better do exactly what Simon Says, or there will be hell to pay.
Then one morning, Simon mentions another woman’s name. The way he lingers on it...Caroline....gives Marianne a shudder of suspicion, but is she just being paranoid..........like the last time?
With no real friends to turn to...Simon doesn’t approve of the neighborhood women....she becomes obsessed with learning all that she can about Caroline.
But should be jealous? Or should she be scared?
The first 40% of the book (perhaps just a tad too long) establishes that Simon is a narcissist but once Marianne decides, though her haze of Mirtazapine, that she wants to keep her home, despite all she must endure, the story picks up in pace.
Privy to her every catty (but oh so honest!) inner thoughts, Marianne devises a plan to make sure that “Caroline” does not take her place.
“There’s not enough room for both of us.”
The plan sets off a chain of events that had me mesmerized like a swinging pendulum....
I think I know where this is going...nope.
Maybe, I do!
Nope!
I am right!
Only partially....
This is the author’s first “psychological thriller”, have previously written a series of romance novels, , but I hope she chooses to stay in this lane, as I would love to read more from her in this genre!
AVAILABLE NOW!!
Merged review:
Do you remember the childhood game “Simon Says”?
Marianne appears to be living the perfect life, but you start to get the impression early on, that things are not quite so perfect when you learn that Marianne was up at 3 AM baking bread for breakfast, or when Simon calls her into the family room to show her how to PROPERLY fold the throw that is over the back of sofa...again.
Marianne had better do exactly what Simon Says, or there will be hell to pay.
Then one morning, Simon mentions another woman’s name. The way he lingers on it...Caroline....gives Marianne a shudder of suspicion, but is she just being paranoid..........like the last time?
With no real friends to turn to...Simon doesn’t approve of the neighborhood women....she becomes obsessed with learning all that she can about Caroline.
But should be jealous? Or should she be scared?
The first 40% of the book (perhaps just a tad too long) establishes that Simon is a narcissist but once Marianne decides, though her haze of Mirtazapine, that she wants to keep her home, despite all she must endure, the story picks up in pace.
Privy to her every catty (but oh so honest!) inner thoughts, Marianne devises a plan to make sure that “Caroline” does not take her place.
“There’s not enough room for both of us.”
The plan sets off a chain of events that had me mesmerized like a swinging pendulum....
I think I know where this is going...nope.
Maybe, I do!
Nope!
I am right!
Only partially....
This is the author’s first “psychological thriller”, have previously written a series of romance novels, , but I hope she chooses to stay in this lane, as I would love to read more from her in this genre!
Thank You to Netgalley, Bookouture and Sue Watson for providing an ARC in exchange for a candid review!
You can pre-order this and start reading it on Oct. 11th, 2018!
October 11, 2018
You may be familiar with Sue Watson from her Ice-Cream Café series but now, Sue has decided to join the dark side. Our Little Lies is is her first psychological thriller and holy guacamole, is it tense or what? Answer, yes, yes it is.
Marianne seems to have it all. She’s married to a successful surgeon, has three wonderful children and lives in the most delightful house in a wonderful neighbourhood. Until the day, her husband mentions a colleague called Caroline. There is just something about the way he says her name that makes Marianne incredibly suspicious. Bit by bit, Marianne’s perfect life will start to crumble.
Now, prepare yourself to become increasingly angry as the story goes on. There is a vile and despicable character that made me feel quite murderous. Yet, the way Sue Watson tells the story constantly left me wondering if I had the right end of the stick. Is there one unreliable character? Or are there more? Who to believe? I didn’t have a clue! So many lies, so much paranoia, such extreme manipulation … my head was spinning!
It was clear to me relatively quickly that I was never going to figure out the outcome and I didn’t. Up until the final reveal, I still had an idea in my head that wasn’t even close to what actually occurred. I love it when that happens and I breathed a happy sigh of satisfaction. And also one of exhaustion because yikes, the tension was almost so unbearable my heart was racing at a bajillion miles an hour.
This to me is a combination of a domestic noir and a psychological thriller at its finest. I absolutely raced through this extremely gripping and hugely addictive page-turner, as if my own life depended on it. Obviously, Sue Watson should tackle this genre more often! I’ll be waiting with baited breath!
Marianne seems to have it all. She’s married to a successful surgeon, has three wonderful children and lives in the most delightful house in a wonderful neighbourhood. Until the day, her husband mentions a colleague called Caroline. There is just something about the way he says her name that makes Marianne incredibly suspicious. Bit by bit, Marianne’s perfect life will start to crumble.
Now, prepare yourself to become increasingly angry as the story goes on. There is a vile and despicable character that made me feel quite murderous. Yet, the way Sue Watson tells the story constantly left me wondering if I had the right end of the stick. Is there one unreliable character? Or are there more? Who to believe? I didn’t have a clue! So many lies, so much paranoia, such extreme manipulation … my head was spinning!
It was clear to me relatively quickly that I was never going to figure out the outcome and I didn’t. Up until the final reveal, I still had an idea in my head that wasn’t even close to what actually occurred. I love it when that happens and I breathed a happy sigh of satisfaction. And also one of exhaustion because yikes, the tension was almost so unbearable my heart was racing at a bajillion miles an hour.
This to me is a combination of a domestic noir and a psychological thriller at its finest. I absolutely raced through this extremely gripping and hugely addictive page-turner, as if my own life depended on it. Obviously, Sue Watson should tackle this genre more often! I’ll be waiting with baited breath!
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October 11, 2018"Our present is informed by our past, the fears, the insecurities -- the loss"
I dare you to put this psychological drama down once you've started! The narrative, driven by the voice of Marianne Wilson, creates incredible tension and a sense of foreboding as the story evolves. Marianne -- wife to Dr. Simon Wilson, "the dashing and brilliant cardiac surgeon", stepmother to 17-year-old Sophie, and mother of 6-year-old boy twins -- has been married for 10 years. The family lives at the prestigious Number 5 Garden Close and seems to have a perfect life. Things are not so golden behind closed doors, however, and Marianne struggles daily to hold everything together. She has a history of mental health problems and a police record because she's not alway been able to have all under control. Simon has some high expectations and Marianne knows she's not doing her part to be the perfect wife and mother. But her medication makes her a bit foggy and...NO SPOILERS. Just read it and see if you can figure out where it's all going.
I really enjoyed this as I dissected the characters and made some guesses. I usually don't care for books that have a character spending a lot of time in his or her own mind, but this time I really got into it. Of course I was expecting a twist, you read enough of this type of thriller and you KNOW one is coming, but I liked how the revelations came out and found the book to have a satisfying conclusion.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the e-book ARC to read and review. I look forward to reading future books by this author.
I dare you to put this psychological drama down once you've started! The narrative, driven by the voice of Marianne Wilson, creates incredible tension and a sense of foreboding as the story evolves. Marianne -- wife to Dr. Simon Wilson, "the dashing and brilliant cardiac surgeon", stepmother to 17-year-old Sophie, and mother of 6-year-old boy twins -- has been married for 10 years. The family lives at the prestigious Number 5 Garden Close and seems to have a perfect life. Things are not so golden behind closed doors, however, and Marianne struggles daily to hold everything together. She has a history of mental health problems and a police record because she's not alway been able to have all under control. Simon has some high expectations and Marianne knows she's not doing her part to be the perfect wife and mother. But her medication makes her a bit foggy and...NO SPOILERS. Just read it and see if you can figure out where it's all going.
I really enjoyed this as I dissected the characters and made some guesses. I usually don't care for books that have a character spending a lot of time in his or her own mind, but this time I really got into it. Of course I was expecting a twist, you read enough of this type of thriller and you KNOW one is coming, but I liked how the revelations came out and found the book to have a satisfying conclusion.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the e-book ARC to read and review. I look forward to reading future books by this author.
February 20, 2019
Considering it didn't have the most original twist that I was looking for, I actually enjoyed this book. There were a few endings I felt would have mad it so much better but all in all I have a marvelous time reading it.
October 1, 2018
Disappointed in this book. Sounded so good but found all the characters so unlikeable that I really didn't care what happened to them.
February 16, 2021
3 stars only.
There some really good parts, and I liked the main character. But first it was going too slow with virtually nothing happening. Then it picked up but the ending felt rushed and bleak.
There some really good parts, and I liked the main character. But first it was going too slow with virtually nothing happening. Then it picked up but the ending felt rushed and bleak.
August 1, 2019
Marianne has a life others dream of. A beautiful townhouse on the best street in the neighbourhood. Three bright children who are her pride and joy.
Sometimes her past still hurts: losing her mother, growing up in foster care. But her husband Simon is always there. A successful surgeon, he’s the envy of every woman they’ve ever met. Flowers, gifts, trips to France – nothing is too good for his family.
Then Simon says another woman’s name. The way he lingers on it, Caroline, gives Marianne a shudder of suspicion, but she knows she can’t entertain this flash of paranoia.
In the old days, she’d have distracted herself at work, but Marianne left her glamorous career behind when she got married. She’d speak to a friend, but she’s too busy with her children and besides, Simon doesn’t approve of the few she has left.
It’s almost by accident that Marianne begins to learn more about Caroline. But once she starts, she can’t stop. Because what she finds makes her wonder whether the question she should be asking is not ‘should she be jealous’, but... ‘should she be scared’?
My Thoughts: It didn’t take very long for me to hate Simon, with his criticisms, his bullying, and his crazy-making behavior, but Marianne was so damaged and so beaten down from this behavior and from her childhood that she was also difficult to endure.
Our Little Lies is a journey into the dark dynamics of a truly toxic marriage, and sometimes I just wanted one of these characters to step up and make some changes.
On the edge of my seat, I rapidly turned pages and wondered which of them would truly go nuts and do whatever they had to do to stir the pot until it boiled over.
The back and forth between the two marital partners grew more and more tedious, for me, as I couldn’t believe that they could sustain that level of animosity without doing grave harm to each other…or to someone else. Finding out what would ultimately happen did keep me reading. 4.5 stars.
Sometimes her past still hurts: losing her mother, growing up in foster care. But her husband Simon is always there. A successful surgeon, he’s the envy of every woman they’ve ever met. Flowers, gifts, trips to France – nothing is too good for his family.
Then Simon says another woman’s name. The way he lingers on it, Caroline, gives Marianne a shudder of suspicion, but she knows she can’t entertain this flash of paranoia.
In the old days, she’d have distracted herself at work, but Marianne left her glamorous career behind when she got married. She’d speak to a friend, but she’s too busy with her children and besides, Simon doesn’t approve of the few she has left.
It’s almost by accident that Marianne begins to learn more about Caroline. But once she starts, she can’t stop. Because what she finds makes her wonder whether the question she should be asking is not ‘should she be jealous’, but... ‘should she be scared’?
My Thoughts: It didn’t take very long for me to hate Simon, with his criticisms, his bullying, and his crazy-making behavior, but Marianne was so damaged and so beaten down from this behavior and from her childhood that she was also difficult to endure.
Our Little Lies is a journey into the dark dynamics of a truly toxic marriage, and sometimes I just wanted one of these characters to step up and make some changes.
On the edge of my seat, I rapidly turned pages and wondered which of them would truly go nuts and do whatever they had to do to stir the pot until it boiled over.
The back and forth between the two marital partners grew more and more tedious, for me, as I couldn’t believe that they could sustain that level of animosity without doing grave harm to each other…or to someone else. Finding out what would ultimately happen did keep me reading. 4.5 stars.
December 9, 2018
One of the few books that I chose not to finish. The characters are so unlikable, and I was halfway through when I realized I didn't care what happened.
October 15, 2018
Well what a change of genre for Sue Watson. From Lemon Cakes to the dark side!
To outsiders, Marianne and her successful, handsome surgeon husband Simon might seem to have the perfect life and marriage. Three lovely children, a beautiful house and a lifestyle to envy, however not everything is as it seems.
Marianne wants to be the perfect wife. She cleans and cooks and looks after the children so that her busy husband Simon isn’t bothered by the minutiae of domestic life. After all, he never stops telling her that he works long and hard to give her the house and the nice life and if he complains because there is a smear on the expensive German kitchen worktop or a crumb on the floor – well that’s his prerogative!
Marianne has had her share of past trauma and being of an anxious personality, she is still on medication which Simon encourages her to take. She trusts him implicitly – after all he is a doctor, he should know what is best for her.
The true nature of Marianne and Simon’s marriage is gradually laid bare in this domestic thriller with accusations, counter-accusations, allegations and denials. Just what is the truth – that is something the reader has to decide however the author doesn’t make it easy and is very good at sowing doubts in your mind.
Marianne’s medication causes memory issues and this, together with her fragile mental state, makes her the perfect unreliable narrator. As more of their married life was exposed I did feel some sympathy for Marianne – she came across as broken, and Simon as controlling in the extreme but I also found her exasperating at times; on occasions Marianne was her own worst enemy and I found myself cringing as she dug herself into a deeper hole giving Simon just the ammunition he needed.
Sue Watson kept up the tension and suspense all the way through very well, with the story becoming darker as it went on. Excellent characterisation together with the reference to stalking on social media and the use of hashtags in the narrative, made this a relevant and a realistic read.
I really enjoyed Our Little Lies, this was an impressive debut thriller and I would happily read more of this from Sue Watson.
To outsiders, Marianne and her successful, handsome surgeon husband Simon might seem to have the perfect life and marriage. Three lovely children, a beautiful house and a lifestyle to envy, however not everything is as it seems.
Marianne wants to be the perfect wife. She cleans and cooks and looks after the children so that her busy husband Simon isn’t bothered by the minutiae of domestic life. After all, he never stops telling her that he works long and hard to give her the house and the nice life and if he complains because there is a smear on the expensive German kitchen worktop or a crumb on the floor – well that’s his prerogative!
Marianne has had her share of past trauma and being of an anxious personality, she is still on medication which Simon encourages her to take. She trusts him implicitly – after all he is a doctor, he should know what is best for her.
The true nature of Marianne and Simon’s marriage is gradually laid bare in this domestic thriller with accusations, counter-accusations, allegations and denials. Just what is the truth – that is something the reader has to decide however the author doesn’t make it easy and is very good at sowing doubts in your mind.
Marianne’s medication causes memory issues and this, together with her fragile mental state, makes her the perfect unreliable narrator. As more of their married life was exposed I did feel some sympathy for Marianne – she came across as broken, and Simon as controlling in the extreme but I also found her exasperating at times; on occasions Marianne was her own worst enemy and I found myself cringing as she dug herself into a deeper hole giving Simon just the ammunition he needed.
Sue Watson kept up the tension and suspense all the way through very well, with the story becoming darker as it went on. Excellent characterisation together with the reference to stalking on social media and the use of hashtags in the narrative, made this a relevant and a realistic read.
I really enjoyed Our Little Lies, this was an impressive debut thriller and I would happily read more of this from Sue Watson.
October 10, 2018
This is a gripping read and I really enjoyed it.
Marianne seems to have a fabulous life with her handsome surgeon husband Simon, but all is not what it seems.
Simon does as he wants, with who he wants and then accuses Marianne of ‘imagining everything’ and is angry at her for even daring to question him.
He made my blood boil whilst reading the book and his nastiness made me uncomfortable.
I won’t say too much more as I wouldn’t want to spoil it for you, but I can say that the book delivers an ending that will take your breath away.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Marianne seems to have a fabulous life with her handsome surgeon husband Simon, but all is not what it seems.
Simon does as he wants, with who he wants and then accuses Marianne of ‘imagining everything’ and is angry at her for even daring to question him.
He made my blood boil whilst reading the book and his nastiness made me uncomfortable.
I won’t say too much more as I wouldn’t want to spoil it for you, but I can say that the book delivers an ending that will take your breath away.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
November 13, 2019
I had a love hate relationship with this book. I'm so sick of weak door mat women that have no self worth. I feel like I've read alot of books with this type of character lately. However it did get better.
February 5, 2022
Die Geschichte war sehr spannend und war definitiv ein Page-Turner! Durch die einfache und naive Art von Marianne wurde ich am Anfang auf falsche Fährten geführt und war am Ende überrascht in was für einem Chaos Marianne und ihre Familie gelandet ist. Normalerweise bin ich sehr gut darin zu raten wer der Mörder ist, aber hier wurde ich tatsächlich von der Autorin geschickt an der Nase herumgeführt. Außerdem hat es mir gefallen, dass die Autorin zwar mit Klischees arbeitet, aber diese dann auf ihre eigene Art und Weise aufdeckt. Auch wenn ich Marianne (und ihren Mann) am Anfang anstrengend fand, tat sie mir dann doch leid, und die Story an sich hat mir auch gefallen!
** Dieses Buch wurde mir über NetGalley als E-Book zur Verfügung gestellt **
** Dieses Buch wurde mir über NetGalley als E-Book zur Verfügung gestellt **
September 7, 2018
I was intrigued to read this book as the author has previously written in a very different genre ( comedy/woman’s )........this book proves she has many talents!
Marianne, poor Marianne has a fabulous life with her debonair Cardiac surgeon husband Simon....
Marianne also has an unseen shockingly scary life with her bullying manipulative monster husband Simon
Simon does as he wants, with who he wants and then accuses Marianne of ‘imagining everything’ and abuses her in every way for even daring to question him
Simon is scary, very scary and very believable, he made me angry whilst reading the book and his quiet evilness made me shudder ( fantastic character writing )
As the story evolves you find out why Marianne is so reluctant to stop him.....but then she snaps and with a real buzz ( for me ) confronts him about his latest affair at a party she is throwing....to say it is a wonderful scene is not exaggerating, I read it twice as Simons fury at her fighting back is so good ( he can do nothing either as surrounded by colleagues)
The book then changes direction and shocked me again and well delivers an ending that will make you go WOW but you need to read it to see why 😃
Straight into my Top 10 of the year and a really great read, dark, disturbing and just everything you want from a psychological thriller and more
I hope the author writes more in this genre, awesome book
10/10 5 stars
October 11, 2018
I have loved every single one of this wonderful author's books and when I saw that she had made the switch into psychological thriller genre I was thrilled, to say the least! This author is amazing, she writes with heart and this although a different genre for her, was no different. This was a carefully crafted, exquisite gem of a book. The book unfolds in one way and gradually the story is revealed, the twists taking you by surprise. I loved this amazing book and as always with this author, was left feeling bereft, wanting more. What an amazing story, right up there with the best! I cannot wait for more from this incredible author!
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