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The Playground
"Beautifully written and suffused with dread. Jane Shemilt's domestic settings are seductively vivid, and the final outcome is profoundly shocking and terrifying." — Gilly Macmillan, New York Times bestselling author of The Nanny
Big Little Lies meets Lord of The Flies in this electrifyingly twisty psychological thriller, follow-up to Jane Shemilt’s breakout debut The Daughter.Over the course of a long, hot summer in London, the lives of three very different married couples collide when their children join the same tutoring circle, resulting in illicit relationships, shocking violence, and unimaginable fallout.
There’s Eve, a bougie earth mother with a well-stocked trust fund; she has three little ones, a blue-collar husband and is obsessed with her Instagrammable recipes and lifestyle. And Melissa, a successful interior designer whose casually cruel banker husband is careful not to leave visible bruises; she curates her perfectly thin body so closely she misses everything their teenage daughter is hiding. Then there’s Grace, a young Zimbabwean immigrant, who lives in high-rise housing project with her two children and their English father Martin, an award-winning but chronically broke novelist; she does far more for her family than she should have to.
As the weeks go by, the couples become very close; there are barbecues, garden parties, a holiday at a country villa in Greece. Resentments flare. An affair begins. Unnoticed, the children run wild. The couples are busily watching each other, so distracted and self-absorbed that they forget to watch their children. No one sees the five children at their secret games or realize how much their family dynamics are changing until tragedy strikes.
The story twists and then twists again while the three families desperately search for answers. It’s only as they begin to unravel the truth of what happened over the summer that they realize evil has crept quietly into their world.
But has this knowledge come too late?
"Countless psychological thrillers get compared to Big Little Lies; Shelmilt's is the real deal." — People
Big Little Lies meets Lord of The Flies in this electrifyingly twisty psychological thriller, follow-up to Jane Shemilt’s breakout debut The Daughter.Over the course of a long, hot summer in London, the lives of three very different married couples collide when their children join the same tutoring circle, resulting in illicit relationships, shocking violence, and unimaginable fallout.
There’s Eve, a bougie earth mother with a well-stocked trust fund; she has three little ones, a blue-collar husband and is obsessed with her Instagrammable recipes and lifestyle. And Melissa, a successful interior designer whose casually cruel banker husband is careful not to leave visible bruises; she curates her perfectly thin body so closely she misses everything their teenage daughter is hiding. Then there’s Grace, a young Zimbabwean immigrant, who lives in high-rise housing project with her two children and their English father Martin, an award-winning but chronically broke novelist; she does far more for her family than she should have to.
As the weeks go by, the couples become very close; there are barbecues, garden parties, a holiday at a country villa in Greece. Resentments flare. An affair begins. Unnoticed, the children run wild. The couples are busily watching each other, so distracted and self-absorbed that they forget to watch their children. No one sees the five children at their secret games or realize how much their family dynamics are changing until tragedy strikes.
The story twists and then twists again while the three families desperately search for answers. It’s only as they begin to unravel the truth of what happened over the summer that they realize evil has crept quietly into their world.
But has this knowledge come too late?
"Countless psychological thrillers get compared to Big Little Lies; Shelmilt's is the real deal." — People
369 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 30, 2019
1169 people are currently reading
12258 people want to read
About the author
Jane Shemilt
9 books676 followersJane is a general practitioner who completed a post graduate diploma in Creative Writing at Bristol university and went on to study for a M.A in Creative writing at Bath Spa. She was shortlisted for the Janklow and Nesbitt award and the Lucy Cavendish fiction prize for Daughter, her first novel.
She and her husband, a Professor of Neurosurgery, have 5 children and live in Bristol, England.
She and her husband, a Professor of Neurosurgery, have 5 children and live in Bristol, England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 709 reviews
March 27, 2020
2.5 stars
The Playground is part drama, part mystery, and part psychological thriller about 3 couples so caught up in the drama of their relationships that they become blind to the extremely dangerous games their children are playing. When a tragedy occurs, their lives implode.
Melissa and Paul, Eve and Eric, and Grace and Martin, who come from varying social classes, are brought together through their young children’s play/education group. The children quickly bond, while the adults participate in illicit affairs and get lost in their heads about their own dissatisfaction from their marriages and lives. Some have first world problems that caused me to just want to shake them, whereas others are trapped in physically abusive marriages. Their attention, needless to say, is not given to their children who so desperately need it. While they are somewhat present physically, they are oblivious to what’s happening in front of their eyes.
Narrated by Eve, Melissa, and Grace, the story is told in disjointed chapters that alternate between the female characters, as well as with small snippets from the children's POV. The structure shifts from detailed concurrent chapters, to disjointed chapters with time gaps and random recollections. The shift in narrative styles was rather jarring. A lot is left out, so the reader only gets to hear about certain aspects of these characters’ lives and misses watching extremely important events play out, including the discovery of an affair. This made it difficult for me to get invested. Also, all of the characters (except some of the children), are loathsome. Some do grow and become a little likable, but they don't grow enough! I wouldn’t have minded this element if other parts of the book had been well-executed.
Part of my reason for not connecting with this book might have to be the way I read it. Over several weeks, I would pick it up, read a few chapters, then put it down and switch to something more enjoyable. Once the narrative style shifted from detail to sporadic mess, I became disconnected. Or maybe I was disconnected from the start?
I will say that it was interesting to watch how the mystery played out. I figured it out early, but one character made it especially intriguing! Too bad, more of this character wasn’t featured. Overall, I can't say I would recommend The Playground. It has some interesting moments, but the narrative style combined with vile characters makes this a miss for me.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway!
The Playground is part drama, part mystery, and part psychological thriller about 3 couples so caught up in the drama of their relationships that they become blind to the extremely dangerous games their children are playing. When a tragedy occurs, their lives implode.
Melissa and Paul, Eve and Eric, and Grace and Martin, who come from varying social classes, are brought together through their young children’s play/education group. The children quickly bond, while the adults participate in illicit affairs and get lost in their heads about their own dissatisfaction from their marriages and lives. Some have first world problems that caused me to just want to shake them, whereas others are trapped in physically abusive marriages. Their attention, needless to say, is not given to their children who so desperately need it. While they are somewhat present physically, they are oblivious to what’s happening in front of their eyes.
Narrated by Eve, Melissa, and Grace, the story is told in disjointed chapters that alternate between the female characters, as well as with small snippets from the children's POV. The structure shifts from detailed concurrent chapters, to disjointed chapters with time gaps and random recollections. The shift in narrative styles was rather jarring. A lot is left out, so the reader only gets to hear about certain aspects of these characters’ lives and misses watching extremely important events play out, including the discovery of an affair. This made it difficult for me to get invested. Also, all of the characters (except some of the children), are loathsome. Some do grow and become a little likable, but they don't grow enough! I wouldn’t have minded this element if other parts of the book had been well-executed.
Part of my reason for not connecting with this book might have to be the way I read it. Over several weeks, I would pick it up, read a few chapters, then put it down and switch to something more enjoyable. Once the narrative style shifted from detail to sporadic mess, I became disconnected. Or maybe I was disconnected from the start?
I will say that it was interesting to watch how the mystery played out. I figured it out early, but one character made it especially intriguing! Too bad, more of this character wasn’t featured. Overall, I can't say I would recommend The Playground. It has some interesting moments, but the narrative style combined with vile characters makes this a miss for me.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway!
December 23, 2019
What a wild ride, this is a playground you want to avoid taking your children to! You know how you feel when you get off one of those playground merry go rounds? A little shook, a little queasy, a little unstable, A little flustered, that’s how I felt after reading this book. Three couples Meat and form a fast friendship. Their children all get along so well and this leads to barbecues, dinners, and even vacations together. All three couples are very different, but they are all very damaged and have some major secrets. What follows is a story full of deceit and tragedy. I would classify this as a dark domestic drama, despicable characters doing questionable things. I found myself shaking my head at these characters several times, I could not believe how involved they were in their own lives and how oblivious they were to what was going on with these kids. There are several tragedies in this story and I am still a little confused as to the reaction of some of the characters. This is one of those books where you don’t necessarily like any of the characters, but the story is so compelling you just have to find out what the heck is going on.
The story jumps between multiple perspectives and I have to admit I found this a little confusing in the beginning. There are a lot of characters and I couldn’t exactly figure out whose kid belonged to who for the first little bit, but once I did it became a little more clear. This book really kind of made me think about people’s priorities and made me put myself in these character’s shoes. Some actions are a little more forgivable than others, I’m still a little angry with some of these characters. A twisty story with a disturbing ending that still has me reeling.
🎧🎧🎧 This Book was narrated by Elizabeth Knowelden Who I thought did a wonderful job. There really is nothing better than having a book set in England read to you in an English accent!
This book in emojis 😕 😖 😩 🙄 😬 😦
*** Big thanks to William Morrow and Harper Audio for my copy of this book ***
The story jumps between multiple perspectives and I have to admit I found this a little confusing in the beginning. There are a lot of characters and I couldn’t exactly figure out whose kid belonged to who for the first little bit, but once I did it became a little more clear. This book really kind of made me think about people’s priorities and made me put myself in these character’s shoes. Some actions are a little more forgivable than others, I’m still a little angry with some of these characters. A twisty story with a disturbing ending that still has me reeling.
🎧🎧🎧 This Book was narrated by Elizabeth Knowelden Who I thought did a wonderful job. There really is nothing better than having a book set in England read to you in an English accent!
This book in emojis 😕 😖 😩 🙄 😬 😦
*** Big thanks to William Morrow and Harper Audio for my copy of this book ***
January 8, 2020
Three families were brought together by a tutoring program for dyslexic children. There were 6 children (aged 3 to 13) and 3 sets of neglectful parents. One child went missing and then a second child went missing. Despite the fact that the culprit was obvious from the beginning, this was still an entertaining domestic suspense novel. It never veered too far into the territory of women’s fiction. The characters were self-involved twits, but they weren’t idiots. The pacing of the novel was brisk. The blurb describes the book as “Big Little Lies meets Lord of the Flies”. I disagree. The book is more like Truly Madly Guilty. And forget the Lord of the Flies reference. I would read more by this author. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
January 8, 2020
Oh what a tangled web of secrets are woven among three couples brought together by their kids, but held together by their actions… Until something shocking occurs… This is quite a book! A character-driven novel of suspense that will suck you right in!
I loved the title for this book, The Playground, because it is the sort of metaphor that worked on many levels. And no, it isn’t a physical playground the way you would think of it. But what sort of playground games do you think might arise in a book about three couples and their secrets and deception? What do kids get up to when left to their own devices? Who becomes the alpha?
Eve is a wealthy stay at home mom to three children (though I wouldn’t say she is very attentive to her kids). They are left to roam the outdoors while she begins tutoring children with dyslexia at her sprawling estate. Grace sends her eleven year-old son for tutoring, and her daughter comes along as well. Of course, as Grace is the employed parent, her husband takes care of the drop-offs at Eve’s home, leaving plenty of space for her husband and Eve to get to know one another… Melissa is an interior designer who also brings her daughter for tutoring at Eve’s and is thrilled to learn her daughter is becoming friends with the other girls. Afterall, her daughter has always been a bit shy.
As the summer progresses, the couples become friends. And that is truly when things begin to unravel. These were not the most attentive parents! They are wrapped up in their friendships and secrets, and the kids are left to their own devices. (Latchkey kids, they used to call them) The alcohol flows, vacations are taken, dinners are had, and eventually an illicit relationship forms. Meanwhile, the kids have their own secrets…
This is one of those grab-your-popcorn novels, because it is a look into the salacious secrets that hide behind closed doors. The characters were complex and the events of the novel were shocking and engaging. I wanted to know where it was headed, and I could see an inevitable crash of some kind on the horizon. This is tautly wound novel filled with tension that had me on the edge of my seat!
A twisted domestic suspense novel that you won’t want to miss! Thank you to TLC Book Tours for my spot on the tour. Opinions are my own.
I loved the title for this book, The Playground, because it is the sort of metaphor that worked on many levels. And no, it isn’t a physical playground the way you would think of it. But what sort of playground games do you think might arise in a book about three couples and their secrets and deception? What do kids get up to when left to their own devices? Who becomes the alpha?
Eve is a wealthy stay at home mom to three children (though I wouldn’t say she is very attentive to her kids). They are left to roam the outdoors while she begins tutoring children with dyslexia at her sprawling estate. Grace sends her eleven year-old son for tutoring, and her daughter comes along as well. Of course, as Grace is the employed parent, her husband takes care of the drop-offs at Eve’s home, leaving plenty of space for her husband and Eve to get to know one another… Melissa is an interior designer who also brings her daughter for tutoring at Eve’s and is thrilled to learn her daughter is becoming friends with the other girls. Afterall, her daughter has always been a bit shy.
As the summer progresses, the couples become friends. And that is truly when things begin to unravel. These were not the most attentive parents! They are wrapped up in their friendships and secrets, and the kids are left to their own devices. (Latchkey kids, they used to call them) The alcohol flows, vacations are taken, dinners are had, and eventually an illicit relationship forms. Meanwhile, the kids have their own secrets…
This is one of those grab-your-popcorn novels, because it is a look into the salacious secrets that hide behind closed doors. The characters were complex and the events of the novel were shocking and engaging. I wanted to know where it was headed, and I could see an inevitable crash of some kind on the horizon. This is tautly wound novel filled with tension that had me on the edge of my seat!
A twisted domestic suspense novel that you won’t want to miss! Thank you to TLC Book Tours for my spot on the tour. Opinions are my own.
December 15, 2019
AH-HA-HA-HA - I KNEW IT!!! **points finger and then shakes fist**
What an interesting web you weave, Shemilt! The synopsis definitely says best when it comes to Big Little Lies feels because those are definitely all there! These parents are the worst. I mean, they don't mean to be but they're so busy dealing with their own issues to really pay attention to their children. Then again, what's really right or wrong - every one has a different parenting technique. I don't even want to blame them *too* much even though there are definitely some that I just wanna slap silly.
Listen, this is a fun read. We get various POVs with occasional breaks between fuller chapters of the kids thoughts. I'm not *quite* sure if I liked those - I think they either should've been elaborated on a little bit or just left out altogether. They didn't really lend a whole lot to my personal reading experience. There are also a few things that didn't seem to make sense... like that random raisin you find in a chocolate chip cookie.
Here's the thing. I figured this one out very early on. But that's ok. I don't mind figuring things out as long as the rest of the ride is still a fun one to be on. This one is a bit bumpy at times but phew. I think I had love/hate relationships with almost all the characters and just needed a bit more. With everything going on, some things didn't get fully fleshed out. I may have almost liked it more if it had been written more from the kids' perspectives. And while I have a lot of why why why going on in my head by certain things, sometimes it's better to just enjoy the journey.
A good read for those who like those domestic dramas with a touch of evilness. Avid thriller readers may find this easily predictable and not as *full* as they would otherwise prefer.
What an interesting web you weave, Shemilt! The synopsis definitely says best when it comes to Big Little Lies feels because those are definitely all there! These parents are the worst. I mean, they don't mean to be but they're so busy dealing with their own issues to really pay attention to their children. Then again, what's really right or wrong - every one has a different parenting technique. I don't even want to blame them *too* much even though there are definitely some that I just wanna slap silly.
Listen, this is a fun read. We get various POVs with occasional breaks between fuller chapters of the kids thoughts. I'm not *quite* sure if I liked those - I think they either should've been elaborated on a little bit or just left out altogether. They didn't really lend a whole lot to my personal reading experience. There are also a few things that didn't seem to make sense... like that random raisin you find in a chocolate chip cookie.
Here's the thing. I figured this one out very early on. But that's ok. I don't mind figuring things out as long as the rest of the ride is still a fun one to be on. This one is a bit bumpy at times but phew. I think I had love/hate relationships with almost all the characters and just needed a bit more. With everything going on, some things didn't get fully fleshed out. I may have almost liked it more if it had been written more from the kids' perspectives. And while I have a lot of why why why going on in my head by certain things, sometimes it's better to just enjoy the journey.
A good read for those who like those domestic dramas with a touch of evilness. Avid thriller readers may find this easily predictable and not as *full* as they would otherwise prefer.
January 15, 2020
Started off with a “Big Little Lies” vibe, but then the plot turned boring and clumsy. The characters are totally unlikable and I figured out who “the evil” is from the first 20 pages. And not because I put together some amazingly difficult clues, but because it was blatantly obvious. Disappointing ending also.
July 12, 2020
3.5 stars rounded up
I really enjoy Jane Shemilt's writing... The Playground was a good story, but not really the suspense I was expecting. I'm not sure if the twist was supposed to be a twist, but I knew how it was going to end from the start.
Still really enjoyed it! Looking forward to reading what she comes up with next.
I really enjoy Jane Shemilt's writing... The Playground was a good story, but not really the suspense I was expecting. I'm not sure if the twist was supposed to be a twist, but I knew how it was going to end from the start.
Still really enjoyed it! Looking forward to reading what she comes up with next.
January 15, 2020
A well written disturbing story about horrible people making horrible decisions and the life altering consequences that occur. I thank Librarything and Jane Shemilt for the opportunity to read and review this book.
November 24, 2019
There’s a lot of things I’m not sure about in The Playground. I’m not sure if there’s really a plot line for the first half of the book. The characters, adults and children both, just go in circles around each other, manipulating and contriving. I’m not really sure what the title has to do with the book unless it’s a metaphor, since the playground built for the youngest child barely makes an appearance. I’m not sure if I’m supposed to like any of the characters since most of them are weak-willed or power hungry, and some just get worse as the story goes on. I find Grace the most interesting and complex, which isn’t hard, since most of the characters are pretty one dimensional to me throughout most of the book. I kept waiting for some of the other characters to become more likable after tragedy strikes the collective group, but they’re so wrapped up in themselves that tragedy strikes a second time, right under their noses and finally wakes them up that bad things are happening. It's unfortunate that the book didn't become compelling until the last 100 pages or so, because pretty much the only thing I’m sure of is that I probably wouldn’t have gotten to that point if I wasn’t reviewing it as an ARC.
August 11, 2020
3.5 stars. I figured out most of the twists from the start, and I did some skimming to get past the overwrought descriptions that tried to be thoughtfully literary, but overall it was a decent read with plenty of moments I didn't expect.
January 25, 2020
Pretty decent book. The author does a great job of setting the mood. I could minus a star because most of the plot was predictable but I'm feeling generous :)
January 22, 2020
Three families’ lives become increasingly intertwined when they meet during tutoring sessions for their children. Throughout the summer and into the fall, the adults become more and more preoccupied with each other, leaving the kids to amuse themselves. But what exactly are the kids up to?
This was a somewhat dark and twisted story that was the quick read that I needed after a couple of heavier reads. I’d figured out the mystery early on, but that didn’t detract from my enjoyment as I watched these dysfunctional, self-absorbed, rather unlikeable adults spin out of control, leaving the kids to their own devices. It was a bit like a car accident: you don’t want to look, yet you can’t look away.
It was just what I was in the mood for, and it kept me turning the pages to see how it was going to play out. If you want some lessons on how to be a bad parent, look no further, LOL!
This was a somewhat dark and twisted story that was the quick read that I needed after a couple of heavier reads. I’d figured out the mystery early on, but that didn’t detract from my enjoyment as I watched these dysfunctional, self-absorbed, rather unlikeable adults spin out of control, leaving the kids to their own devices. It was a bit like a car accident: you don’t want to look, yet you can’t look away.
It was just what I was in the mood for, and it kept me turning the pages to see how it was going to play out. If you want some lessons on how to be a bad parent, look no further, LOL!
March 4, 2020
Excellent suspense story of what happens when a couple grows apart and become so wrapped up in their separate, secret lives, that their children go missing right under their noses, because neither husband or wife is paying attention to what’s really going on. Highly recommended, especially for fans of Liane Moriarty.
March 21, 2020
Very confusing, and not well written.
Among other flaws, author Shemilt does not know how to use commas.
I have re-read the ending twice and I still don't know what happened.
Maybe someone will enlighten me.
Among other flaws, author Shemilt does not know how to use commas.
I have re-read the ending twice and I still don't know what happened.
Maybe someone will enlighten me.
November 6, 2021
Dark, twisted and disturbing
January 8, 2020
What a wild, crazy ride this book is! If you like Big Little Lies than this is definitely your type of read, but just know, it's a touch darker, but so addicting!
You know when you see a car wreck and you just can't help but look? That's this story and I mean that in the best possible way. This book completely captured my attention and not necessarily because I liked the characters but because of all the hints of what was to come - I love books like that - it just gets under my skin and I desperately need to know what has happened and why. With those hints, you know it can't all be good. You get the sense of foreboding and perhaps you pick up a few clues here and there but can you put it all together?
These characters are not the most likeable, I'll be honest, but they do have this power over you where you want to know all their secrets because they all have them. Each of these families may seem normal on the outside, but behind closed doors it is anything but. It is clear that they all have some form of dysfunction in their lives and perhaps that leads to the obliviousness when they are all together - leaving the children to get up to whatever games they want...games that aren't all that safe it turns out.
I had my theories as to who might be behind everything and even with all the twists and turns, it turned out I was correct, but this in no way detracted from my enjoyment of this book. I thought for sure I was wrong and while I wasn't, I still didn't know the why. This was such a dark, clever book and I know for sure I will be reading more from this author.
Thank you to William Morrow Books & TLC Book Tours for providing me with a free review copy!
My reviews can also be found on my blog: Always With a Book
You know when you see a car wreck and you just can't help but look? That's this story and I mean that in the best possible way. This book completely captured my attention and not necessarily because I liked the characters but because of all the hints of what was to come - I love books like that - it just gets under my skin and I desperately need to know what has happened and why. With those hints, you know it can't all be good. You get the sense of foreboding and perhaps you pick up a few clues here and there but can you put it all together?
These characters are not the most likeable, I'll be honest, but they do have this power over you where you want to know all their secrets because they all have them. Each of these families may seem normal on the outside, but behind closed doors it is anything but. It is clear that they all have some form of dysfunction in their lives and perhaps that leads to the obliviousness when they are all together - leaving the children to get up to whatever games they want...games that aren't all that safe it turns out.
I had my theories as to who might be behind everything and even with all the twists and turns, it turned out I was correct, but this in no way detracted from my enjoyment of this book. I thought for sure I was wrong and while I wasn't, I still didn't know the why. This was such a dark, clever book and I know for sure I will be reading more from this author.
Thank you to William Morrow Books & TLC Book Tours for providing me with a free review copy!
My reviews can also be found on my blog: Always With a Book
January 2, 2020
First off--what is with the title? There is not one playground mentioned in this book, it has nothing to do with playgrounds. I'd call this a domestic thriller, set within a group of people who meet when they sign their children up for dyslexia tutoring (which is never really mentioned much except that it was a reason why they got together at first). The couples kind of become friends because their children become friends and everything goes from there. I saw where it was going from a mile away, but it was still a decent and readable thriller overall.
A few too many characters and none of the adults are very good parents. They are all so totally wrapped up in themselves and their issues (sometimes rightfully so, but still) that they don't have a clue what is going on with their kids. And the kids were a bit too smart for their own good, I find it implausible that all of them were able to lie so easily and hide what was actually going on.
Some of the subject matter, especially with domestic violence, is too vividly described for me and made those parts difficult to stomach.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
A few too many characters and none of the adults are very good parents. They are all so totally wrapped up in themselves and their issues (sometimes rightfully so, but still) that they don't have a clue what is going on with their kids. And the kids were a bit too smart for their own good, I find it implausible that all of them were able to lie so easily and hide what was actually going on.
Some of the subject matter, especially with domestic violence, is too vividly described for me and made those parts difficult to stomach.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
June 13, 2020
Gorgeous prose, brilliant characterization, high drama and a vivid setting to make it all sparkle.
Buuuuuut...
That ending, though. It confused me. There was so little compassion there, so little resolution. And, spoiler alert, we don't need more stories about manipulative young girls making false accusations of abuse to ruin men's lives. The phenomenon is rare in real life, but the perception that it's commonplace is damaging. Knocked this down to three stars because it was such a letdown from the first three quarters of the book, which were incredible.
So, read and enjoy, but be ready for that ending. It's quite a curveball, and not in a fun way.
Buuuuuut...
That ending, though. It confused me. There was so little compassion there, so little resolution. And, spoiler alert, we don't need more stories about manipulative young girls making false accusations of abuse to ruin men's lives. The phenomenon is rare in real life, but the perception that it's commonplace is damaging. Knocked this down to three stars because it was such a letdown from the first three quarters of the book, which were incredible.
So, read and enjoy, but be ready for that ending. It's quite a curveball, and not in a fun way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2019
Rating somewhere between 2.5-3⭐
The Playground features three families that live in the surrounding areas of London. Eve and Eric have three children, Melissa and Paul have a teenage daughter, and Grace and Martin have two children. The three families are brought together because they all have a child who has dyslexia. Eve is a teacher and stay-at-home mom who has decided to start tutoring her oldest daughter and other dyslexic children.
From the outside, each of these families seem normal and adjusted. On in the inside, dysfunction rules. The Playground rotates perspectives between the three woman. It is clear from the beginning that something has happened that involves the police, but it is unclear to whom or what. The book is full of drama and self-absorbed adults who don't see that their children are playing dangerous games. The rotating perspectives were a bit disjointed at first and I had trouble keeping track of who was who. (Side note: I have a habit of writing on bookmarks when this happens. Then I can start keeping them straight.) Occasionally there would be short paragraphs from the kids' perspectives. In the end, I think I would have preferred the entire book to be written from the kids' perspective or even switch to the kids' perspective later on in the book. Clearly the kids were up to something while the parents were distracted by their own dramas.
This book had so much potential. In the end it was full of loose ends and unnecessary plot lines. I actually had to reach out to another book reviewer before I wrote this review because I needed to put my thoughts in order. The title doesn't seem to have anything to do with the book. And the synopsis states that there are 5 kids, when there are clearly 6 (I hope this is caught before final publication).
TW: Implied sexual assault, rape, physical and emotional abuse
The Playground features three families that live in the surrounding areas of London. Eve and Eric have three children, Melissa and Paul have a teenage daughter, and Grace and Martin have two children. The three families are brought together because they all have a child who has dyslexia. Eve is a teacher and stay-at-home mom who has decided to start tutoring her oldest daughter and other dyslexic children.
From the outside, each of these families seem normal and adjusted. On in the inside, dysfunction rules. The Playground rotates perspectives between the three woman. It is clear from the beginning that something has happened that involves the police, but it is unclear to whom or what. The book is full of drama and self-absorbed adults who don't see that their children are playing dangerous games. The rotating perspectives were a bit disjointed at first and I had trouble keeping track of who was who. (Side note: I have a habit of writing on bookmarks when this happens. Then I can start keeping them straight.) Occasionally there would be short paragraphs from the kids' perspectives. In the end, I think I would have preferred the entire book to be written from the kids' perspective or even switch to the kids' perspective later on in the book. Clearly the kids were up to something while the parents were distracted by their own dramas.
This book had so much potential. In the end it was full of loose ends and unnecessary plot lines. I actually had to reach out to another book reviewer before I wrote this review because I needed to put my thoughts in order. The title doesn't seem to have anything to do with the book. And the synopsis states that there are 5 kids, when there are clearly 6 (I hope this is caught before final publication).
TW: Implied sexual assault, rape, physical and emotional abuse
March 4, 2020
The story of five clueless parents and Grace (the only likable parent), not clueless but working all the damn time because her husband was too busy being lazy and banging another woman. There’s just so much poor decision making and willful ignorance (and drinking) that it was hard to sympathize.
I get wanting to give your kids some freedom, especially when you have 2+ acres of woods to run around in, but you can’t do that with a two year old! Tweens/early teens, not a big deal, but they also shouldn’t have to keep a constant eye on younger siblings.
There weren’t any surprises, I figured it all out from the beginning, so I wish there’d been a little more mystery involved.
I found the ending really weird, how are these people all still friends? Not to mention the living arrangements?
I get wanting to give your kids some freedom, especially when you have 2+ acres of woods to run around in, but you can’t do that with a two year old! Tweens/early teens, not a big deal, but they also shouldn’t have to keep a constant eye on younger siblings.
There weren’t any surprises, I figured it all out from the beginning, so I wish there’d been a little more mystery involved.
I found the ending really weird, how are these people all still friends? Not to mention the living arrangements?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2019
Three families and their children become close over the course of a summer. The parents become too focused on their selves and leave the children too much freedom. When bad things start to happen the parents are devastated. The truth is much worse than they originally thought. This was a good thriller but at times, the story doesn't make as much sense as it should. Some of the characters actions are very questionable. I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.
June 2, 2021
Да, согласна, это можно сравнивать с Лиан Мориарти, только в седьмой степени мрачности. Многовато героев, не сразу разобралась, кто кому Вася, но как только они начали убивать друг друга, сразу прояснилось.
March 8, 2020
This was a page turner. All is not what it appears to be on the playground! Nothing like a little sex, deception and psychopathology to make childhood and adulthood interesting...read this book for what it is—fun!
January 8, 2020
Domestic drama that illustrates just what can happen when adults are not paying attention to what is going on with their children. The evil might not come from the outside...
A close circle develops around Sunday tutoring when a stay-at-home mom starts giving special help to children who have dyslexia. Eve (married to Eric) comes from money and has a lovely home complete with woods, pond and donkeys. She loves cooking and allows her own children (Poppy, Sorrel and baby Ash) a lot of freedom to run around the property secure in the safety of her life. The children who come on Sunday quickly become tight knit while their parents drift in and out of Eve's home. There's Paul and Melissa, he's an architect and she's a designer, and their daughter, Izzy. Novelist Martin is married to Grace who works to support the family while he attempts to write, and their two children Charley and Blake. While the adults are absorbed with themselves and each other, the children are left to their own devices. And that benign neglect leads to tragedy. Someone should have been watching the kids. NO SPOILERS.
I found this to be intriguing at first and then maddening as it became obvious what was going on. There were a lot of characters to get to know and different points of view in the narration to adjust to, but I never really related to any of them. The children needed supervising, that was obvious, and the parents kept on blithely getting drunk, forming illicit relationships, or just not paying attention. I couldn't understand why no one was taking care of them, asking them questions, being more observant. It mystified me how the truth could go unnoticed for so long. I like suspenseful thrillers and I might have quit reading had I not agreed to write a review and also having a compulsion to finish every book I start. I wanted to like it more than I did and the vague ending left me a bit unsettled.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for this e-book ARC to read and review.
A close circle develops around Sunday tutoring when a stay-at-home mom starts giving special help to children who have dyslexia. Eve (married to Eric) comes from money and has a lovely home complete with woods, pond and donkeys. She loves cooking and allows her own children (Poppy, Sorrel and baby Ash) a lot of freedom to run around the property secure in the safety of her life. The children who come on Sunday quickly become tight knit while their parents drift in and out of Eve's home. There's Paul and Melissa, he's an architect and she's a designer, and their daughter, Izzy. Novelist Martin is married to Grace who works to support the family while he attempts to write, and their two children Charley and Blake. While the adults are absorbed with themselves and each other, the children are left to their own devices. And that benign neglect leads to tragedy. Someone should have been watching the kids. NO SPOILERS.
I found this to be intriguing at first and then maddening as it became obvious what was going on. There were a lot of characters to get to know and different points of view in the narration to adjust to, but I never really related to any of them. The children needed supervising, that was obvious, and the parents kept on blithely getting drunk, forming illicit relationships, or just not paying attention. I couldn't understand why no one was taking care of them, asking them questions, being more observant. It mystified me how the truth could go unnoticed for so long. I like suspenseful thrillers and I might have quit reading had I not agreed to write a review and also having a compulsion to finish every book I start. I wanted to like it more than I did and the vague ending left me a bit unsettled.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for this e-book ARC to read and review.
January 5, 2020
A new friendship between three sets of parents and six children develops when one child in each family takes part in tutoring for dyslexia. To say these families are different is putting it mildly. We have:
-Eve, living well on her trust fund and her husband Eric, a landscaper. They live in a large but messy house with their three children Eve believes that children shouldn't lead structured lives and should be free to play without parental interference.
-Melissa is an interior decorator who lives her life very strictly and tries her best to stay out of Paul's way. Paul is an abuser to his wife but very close to their daughter Izzy.
-Grace and Martin have two children. She is from Zimbabwe and works to keep the family fed and taken care of. He is an author who has had one big book and appears to be having a major writer's block as he tries and fails on his second book. Grace is also a writer but doesn't have time or energy to write after her long days at work.
Over the course of the summer, the six adults all become closer and even go to Greece on vacation. The unsupervised children also grow close but what is really going on with the kids. Is it simple hide and seek or is there something much more sinister going on? The story twists and turns while the three families search for answers. It’s only as they begin to unravel the truth of what happened over the summer that they realize evil has crept quietly into their world while they weren't paying attention.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
-Eve, living well on her trust fund and her husband Eric, a landscaper. They live in a large but messy house with their three children Eve believes that children shouldn't lead structured lives and should be free to play without parental interference.
-Melissa is an interior decorator who lives her life very strictly and tries her best to stay out of Paul's way. Paul is an abuser to his wife but very close to their daughter Izzy.
-Grace and Martin have two children. She is from Zimbabwe and works to keep the family fed and taken care of. He is an author who has had one big book and appears to be having a major writer's block as he tries and fails on his second book. Grace is also a writer but doesn't have time or energy to write after her long days at work.
Over the course of the summer, the six adults all become closer and even go to Greece on vacation. The unsupervised children also grow close but what is really going on with the kids. Is it simple hide and seek or is there something much more sinister going on? The story twists and turns while the three families search for answers. It’s only as they begin to unravel the truth of what happened over the summer that they realize evil has crept quietly into their world while they weren't paying attention.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
January 28, 2020
I saw it described as Big Little Lies meets Lord of the Flies, this roped me in. At first I was unsettled, I felt like I sometimes do when watching a British film production, I need subtitles even though they are speaking English... once I sorted out the children’s names & whom they belonged to I was pretty good to go. Saw some things coming, thought I saw some things coming then didn’t, but then oh maybe... Overall really enjoyed it. If any friends read it I have a question about the ending! LMK
March 11, 2021
I’m left puzzled... Who were those two men at the end of the story?? Did I miss something?
I found the characters (especially the children) hard to follow and I felt like they all kind of mashed together which made it really hard to figure out who was who and who belonged to who. I had high hopes for this book but I’m disappointed.
I found the characters (especially the children) hard to follow and I felt like they all kind of mashed together which made it really hard to figure out who was who and who belonged to who. I had high hopes for this book but I’m disappointed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2026
3 stars for a well written predictable story. This story was well written and the characters were interesting but it took to long to get to the meat of the story while giving everything away.
***trigger warning*** attempted rape, rape, and murder of a child.
***trigger warning*** attempted rape, rape, and murder of a child.
January 5, 2020
Started off slow in the beginning but I spent my entire Sunday finishing up.
Everyone's point of view kept me engrossed and I was really sad and really angry at different parts. I kind of pieced it all together early on but the story telling was really good and kept me wanting more.
Everyone's point of view kept me engrossed and I was really sad and really angry at different parts. I kind of pieced it all together early on but the story telling was really good and kept me wanting more.
February 6, 2021
A suspenseful, yet disturbing novel.
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