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A Place to Lie
In a dark, dark wood
In Summer 1990, Caroline and Joanna are sent to stay with their great aunt, Dora, to spend their holidays in a sunlit village near the Forest of Dean. The countryside is a welcome change from the trauma they know back home in the city; a chance to make the world a joyful playground again. But in the shadowy woods at the edge of the forest hide secrets that will bring their innocence to a distressing end and make this a summer they will never forget.
There was a dark, dark house
Years later, a shocking act of violence sends Joanna back to Witchwood. In her great aunt's lonely and dilapidating cottage, she will attempt to unearth the secrets of that terrifying summer and come to terms with the haunting effects it has left on her life. But in her quest to find answers, who can she trust? And will she be able to survive the impending danger from those trying to bury the truth?
In Summer 1990, Caroline and Joanna are sent to stay with their great aunt, Dora, to spend their holidays in a sunlit village near the Forest of Dean. The countryside is a welcome change from the trauma they know back home in the city; a chance to make the world a joyful playground again. But in the shadowy woods at the edge of the forest hide secrets that will bring their innocence to a distressing end and make this a summer they will never forget.
There was a dark, dark house
Years later, a shocking act of violence sends Joanna back to Witchwood. In her great aunt's lonely and dilapidating cottage, she will attempt to unearth the secrets of that terrifying summer and come to terms with the haunting effects it has left on her life. But in her quest to find answers, who can she trust? And will she be able to survive the impending danger from those trying to bury the truth?
400 pages, Hardcover
First published December 6, 2018
11 people are currently reading
293 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Griffiths
10 books115 followersPRAISE FOR REBECCA GRIFFITHS:
'Twisty, atmospheric and elegantly written, it has echoes of Daphne du Maurier with its shivering paranoia, fear and dread.' The Daily Mail
'An increasingly tense narrative with stylish writing that keeps her a cut above most of her rivals' The Guardian
‘A chilling thriller . . . brilliantly written.’ The Sun
'Truly chilling.' Woman
‘There is something of the tenterhooks tension of a Daphne du Maurier to Rebecca Griffith’s dreamy and disturbing domestic thriller . . . Griffiths has a superb handle on her characters and their twisting motivations, spinning out a story of memory and long-term consequence that grips from cover to cover.’ Waterstones
'Tense, intriguing, with a satisfying twist.' The Western Mail
'Eerie and tense.' The Morning Star
'Gripping.' Hello
'Creepy.' Heat
'Twisty, atmospheric and elegantly written, it has echoes of Daphne du Maurier with its shivering paranoia, fear and dread.' The Daily Mail
'An increasingly tense narrative with stylish writing that keeps her a cut above most of her rivals' The Guardian
‘A chilling thriller . . . brilliantly written.’ The Sun
'Truly chilling.' Woman
‘There is something of the tenterhooks tension of a Daphne du Maurier to Rebecca Griffith’s dreamy and disturbing domestic thriller . . . Griffiths has a superb handle on her characters and their twisting motivations, spinning out a story of memory and long-term consequence that grips from cover to cover.’ Waterstones
'Tense, intriguing, with a satisfying twist.' The Western Mail
'Eerie and tense.' The Morning Star
'Gripping.' Hello
'Creepy.' Heat
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
December 2, 2018
In brief - Parts of this made for a decent enough read however overall I was not that convinced by the story.
The first chapter here I found slightly puzzling but powerful. I was intrigued. In the summer of 1990 sisters Caroline and Joanna were sent to stay with their great aunt. The somewhat sleepy village was a contrast to their town lives and their great aunt seemed happy for the girls to do what they wanted in the main. Years later Joanna returns to the village and the house. Will there be a resolution to both the issues of the past and of the present day? The story alternates between the two time frames.
It quickly becomes clear that there have been some issues in the girls childhood at the time of their stay with Dora their great aunt. As is often the case the narrative is one of a "gradual reveal" of what happened in the past and its impact on current events.
Some of the narrative worked well for me here. Descriptively the writing is good given a feel of rural childhood and characters in the village. Indeed some of those characters worked well for me too. Dora was interesting and colourful and Mrs Hooper, who taught Joanna piano, struck me as convincing for example.
However some of the scenarios here did strike me as unlikely and unconvincing. There were certainly occasions where I simply felt that it was highly unlikely that what was in the narrative would have happened in the way they were described. Equally I did find other characters struggled to become real for me.
All in all this was not a bad story but I simply didn't find it compelling. Parts of it worked well parts did not.
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
http://viewson.org.uk/thriller/place-...
The first chapter here I found slightly puzzling but powerful. I was intrigued. In the summer of 1990 sisters Caroline and Joanna were sent to stay with their great aunt. The somewhat sleepy village was a contrast to their town lives and their great aunt seemed happy for the girls to do what they wanted in the main. Years later Joanna returns to the village and the house. Will there be a resolution to both the issues of the past and of the present day? The story alternates between the two time frames.
It quickly becomes clear that there have been some issues in the girls childhood at the time of their stay with Dora their great aunt. As is often the case the narrative is one of a "gradual reveal" of what happened in the past and its impact on current events.
Some of the narrative worked well for me here. Descriptively the writing is good given a feel of rural childhood and characters in the village. Indeed some of those characters worked well for me too. Dora was interesting and colourful and Mrs Hooper, who taught Joanna piano, struck me as convincing for example.
However some of the scenarios here did strike me as unlikely and unconvincing. There were certainly occasions where I simply felt that it was highly unlikely that what was in the narrative would have happened in the way they were described. Equally I did find other characters struggled to become real for me.
All in all this was not a bad story but I simply didn't find it compelling. Parts of it worked well parts did not.
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
http://viewson.org.uk/thriller/place-...
December 6, 2018
Right away after beginning this I felt it had a distinctive fairytale vibe about it. The dark woods, young women and the menacing forces that are at work all contributed to that flavour. Witchwood may look beautiful and charming in daylight, but when night falls it is not a place to venture. I loved the unique mix of fairytale-esque darkness, intense atmosphere and immersive writing. It was a haunting experience, and by the end, my nerves were frayed due to the unpredictability and the surprises that continually blindsided me.
It's safe to say I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it difficult to put down, so I read through the night to finish it in a single sitting. But it's not only the plot that is compelling the characters are also superbly developed. This is one of the rare times when the plot and the characters are equally as engaging as one another. Rebecca Griffiths is a hell of a writer. The ending appears to have been left open, and there is certainly potential for a sequel given how it concluded. I really hope there is and that it's as captivating as this was.
Many thanks to Sphere for an ARC.
It's safe to say I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it difficult to put down, so I read through the night to finish it in a single sitting. But it's not only the plot that is compelling the characters are also superbly developed. This is one of the rare times when the plot and the characters are equally as engaging as one another. Rebecca Griffiths is a hell of a writer. The ending appears to have been left open, and there is certainly potential for a sequel given how it concluded. I really hope there is and that it's as captivating as this was.
Many thanks to Sphere for an ARC.
March 6, 2025
☆3.5
This was a surprisingly good read, with hella plot twists. I really enjoyed it, and it had me at the edge of my seat, trying to figure out, whodunit? The characters were well written, and I definitely won't forget the ripple effect of a lie. The first few pages are a bit slow, but I would definitely recommend it. It would also make a good mini series.
This was a surprisingly good read, with hella plot twists. I really enjoyed it, and it had me at the edge of my seat, trying to figure out, whodunit? The characters were well written, and I definitely won't forget the ripple effect of a lie. The first few pages are a bit slow, but I would definitely recommend it. It would also make a good mini series.
November 18, 2018
I loved The Primrose Path so I was looking forward to diving into this and once again I thought it was terrific.
Rebecca Griffiths has such a great eye for character building and involving you utterly with the story unfolding. Once again this is a brilliantly imagined family drama wrapped
up with psychological thriller elements with an emotional core and that past/present vibe I love. The sense of place and time is evocative and the solution unpredictable .
Yes. Very good indeed. A fuller review nearer publication.
Rebecca Griffiths has such a great eye for character building and involving you utterly with the story unfolding. Once again this is a brilliantly imagined family drama wrapped
up with psychological thriller elements with an emotional core and that past/present vibe I love. The sense of place and time is evocative and the solution unpredictable .
Yes. Very good indeed. A fuller review nearer publication.
December 31, 2018
Two sisters Joanna and Caroline and a summer of 1990. Something happened which caused the 2 sisters to fall out, and later Jo was called to identify her sister's body. Was it a suicide, if so, why?
Written cleverly by Rebecca Griffiths in the dual timeliness, the present and 1990, the story slowly rolled on, providing me with clues as the pages turned, some of them were just a sleight of the hand to distract me.
What happened in the summer of 1990 with the disappearance of a child and Caroline causing a storm in the village with her flaming words left life as they knew it in shreds. Each went their own way, but a sliver of their old selves were firmly entrenched in the past.
The book was a slow burn read with routine and mystery intertwined. I liked how Joanna started investigating the past to get to the truth. The explosive end made up for the slow release of suspense with a massive secret being revealed in the last page. I enjoyed the last 20%. It was rocking
Overall, an enjoyable story recommended for readers who love a slow uncovering of layers.
Written cleverly by Rebecca Griffiths in the dual timeliness, the present and 1990, the story slowly rolled on, providing me with clues as the pages turned, some of them were just a sleight of the hand to distract me.
What happened in the summer of 1990 with the disappearance of a child and Caroline causing a storm in the village with her flaming words left life as they knew it in shreds. Each went their own way, but a sliver of their old selves were firmly entrenched in the past.
The book was a slow burn read with routine and mystery intertwined. I liked how Joanna started investigating the past to get to the truth. The explosive end made up for the slow release of suspense with a massive secret being revealed in the last page. I enjoyed the last 20%. It was rocking
Overall, an enjoyable story recommended for readers who love a slow uncovering of layers.
August 23, 2019
With thanks to the publisher for the copy received. A Place To Lie contains everything I love in fiction. A dual time frame with the same characters where events that have happened in the past can cause heartache and tragedy years later.
This book has put me off living in a village for life. There was the violent death of the young girl but there was also the gossiping villagers who were betrayed brilliantly, the sense of being watched by just about every character and the too quick to judge attitude of all of them.
I expected to find the wooded areas spooky but found that what was more intimidating were the hints of the young children being watched and photographed.
The one who was the main suspect, despite being the local bad boy was the one I suspected least, and he was probably the one I had the most sympathy for. But there were many others who I did have my doubts about.
Throughout a lot of this book is an almost overwhelming sense of loneliness and guilt. Not just from Caroline but also Cecilia, Liz in her later years and Dora with her dreams about the younger men in the village and hints of a tragic past.
It’s a strange original novel that had me feeling uneasy a number of times.
This book has put me off living in a village for life. There was the violent death of the young girl but there was also the gossiping villagers who were betrayed brilliantly, the sense of being watched by just about every character and the too quick to judge attitude of all of them.
I expected to find the wooded areas spooky but found that what was more intimidating were the hints of the young children being watched and photographed.
The one who was the main suspect, despite being the local bad boy was the one I suspected least, and he was probably the one I had the most sympathy for. But there were many others who I did have my doubts about.
Throughout a lot of this book is an almost overwhelming sense of loneliness and guilt. Not just from Caroline but also Cecilia, Liz in her later years and Dora with her dreams about the younger men in the village and hints of a tragic past.
It’s a strange original novel that had me feeling uneasy a number of times.
December 26, 2018
I was so excited for this after loving Rebecca Griffiths' debut - and oh, I was not disappointed! There is such a haunting beauty to her writing. Such a fairytale element to the way she weaves a tale, to the traditional elements of a dark house in the woods, and a childhood troubled by secrets. I was utterly lost in this, and being so lost I did not see some of the shocking reveals coming. I can't recommend this enough.
August 11, 2019
A good clever thriller that has a gripping story. I raced through this one and didn’t see the end coming.
August 23, 2019
This begins with Caroline feeling paranoid on a trip to a supermarket, that everyone is a danger to her….then she is confronted by someone she recognises and tragedy ensues…
The story is then told in the present day with skips back to the summer of 1990. Caroline and Jo had been sent to stay with their Great Aunt Dora, their mum isn’t well.
They enjoy the freedom of the countryside, but Caroline is not really settled, she steals trinkets and is easily upset, saying things that may not be exactly true.
What did happen to their friend Ellie? Who is keeping secrets and who is telling the truth?
I loved the descriptive writing that builds the atmosphere of a summer in the countryside, the people and events and the general sense of something dark just under the surface. A compelling, rural mystery with some surprises!
Thank you to Anne Cater and Random Things Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the book and this is my honest, unbiased review
The story is then told in the present day with skips back to the summer of 1990. Caroline and Jo had been sent to stay with their Great Aunt Dora, their mum isn’t well.
They enjoy the freedom of the countryside, but Caroline is not really settled, she steals trinkets and is easily upset, saying things that may not be exactly true.
What did happen to their friend Ellie? Who is keeping secrets and who is telling the truth?
I loved the descriptive writing that builds the atmosphere of a summer in the countryside, the people and events and the general sense of something dark just under the surface. A compelling, rural mystery with some surprises!
Thank you to Anne Cater and Random Things Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the book and this is my honest, unbiased review
June 16, 2019
4.5 stars. Started off slow but turned out to be a fantastic read. Loved the ending. Very well written.
July 11, 2021
Full of twists
January 20, 2019
I chose to read A Place to Lie by Rebecca Griffiths as it is set in The Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire where I spent my formative years. What I didn’t expect was quite such an eerie and dark tale that was frankly unsettling.
The story is set in two time periods, the past which is 1990 and the present day. In the present Jo is coming to terms with the death of her estranged sister, Caroline. It isn’t quite clear why the two were estranged but the loss Jo feels is combined with a measure of regret that the two who shared a close childhood no longer were part of each other’s lives.
In 1990 the two sisters are sent to stay with their Great Aunt Dora in Witchwood, a village in the Forest of Dean. I’m going to come right out and say it – the depiction of this area didn’t match the area as I know it with the style of houses being far more at home in the Cotswolds which although in Gloucestershire is a place of an entirely different nature altogether.! To be blunt a far more gentrified nature. Even the description of the forest itself didn’t quite reflect the sense of darkness from the many evergreen trees above and the thick bracken below. Rather this was a fairy-tale description of a forest with trees to climb and play happily beneath with the sun filtering through the leaves. The author has blended the names of the towns and villages in the area to come up with ‘fictional’ settings but again because my mind was trying to match with reality this is an example where a specific disconnect in a book can interrupt reading enjoyment for me. Of course I know full well would not bother those who don’t know the area intimately at all but perhaps explains to the readers of this review as to why I was unable to fully embrace this story.
The characters are all suitably grim as fits the fairy-tale setting Rebecca Griffiths has conjured up. The aunt, the neighbours and the shopkeeper are a toned down variety of the worst kinds of adults and the two girls, and the one other child they mix with in the area, are both simultaneously left to their own devices and watched over. The adults themselves have their own version of a witch hunt going on and the girls are for the most part an inconvenience.
In the present Jo returns to the cottage in the woods in Witchwood to search for clues to the mystery in the past and the clues to what happened to her sister. In a way this present section mirrors the trials of the past with Jo unsure who she can trust to really tell her the truth. Reading both sections alongside each other the consequences of the past are bought into relief but in doing so some of the mist slowly clears allowing us, the reader, and eventually Jo to see the truth.
There really was a lot to enjoy in this book with the mysteries, the darkness and the echoes of the scary stories that linger at the edge of our consciousness long after we have left childhood behind. Sadly the disconnect I personally felt meant it fell a little short of expectations for me.
The story is set in two time periods, the past which is 1990 and the present day. In the present Jo is coming to terms with the death of her estranged sister, Caroline. It isn’t quite clear why the two were estranged but the loss Jo feels is combined with a measure of regret that the two who shared a close childhood no longer were part of each other’s lives.
In 1990 the two sisters are sent to stay with their Great Aunt Dora in Witchwood, a village in the Forest of Dean. I’m going to come right out and say it – the depiction of this area didn’t match the area as I know it with the style of houses being far more at home in the Cotswolds which although in Gloucestershire is a place of an entirely different nature altogether.! To be blunt a far more gentrified nature. Even the description of the forest itself didn’t quite reflect the sense of darkness from the many evergreen trees above and the thick bracken below. Rather this was a fairy-tale description of a forest with trees to climb and play happily beneath with the sun filtering through the leaves. The author has blended the names of the towns and villages in the area to come up with ‘fictional’ settings but again because my mind was trying to match with reality this is an example where a specific disconnect in a book can interrupt reading enjoyment for me. Of course I know full well would not bother those who don’t know the area intimately at all but perhaps explains to the readers of this review as to why I was unable to fully embrace this story.
The characters are all suitably grim as fits the fairy-tale setting Rebecca Griffiths has conjured up. The aunt, the neighbours and the shopkeeper are a toned down variety of the worst kinds of adults and the two girls, and the one other child they mix with in the area, are both simultaneously left to their own devices and watched over. The adults themselves have their own version of a witch hunt going on and the girls are for the most part an inconvenience.
In the present Jo returns to the cottage in the woods in Witchwood to search for clues to the mystery in the past and the clues to what happened to her sister. In a way this present section mirrors the trials of the past with Jo unsure who she can trust to really tell her the truth. Reading both sections alongside each other the consequences of the past are bought into relief but in doing so some of the mist slowly clears allowing us, the reader, and eventually Jo to see the truth.
There really was a lot to enjoy in this book with the mysteries, the darkness and the echoes of the scary stories that linger at the edge of our consciousness long after we have left childhood behind. Sadly the disconnect I personally felt meant it fell a little short of expectations for me.
August 31, 2019
A Place to Lie is a chilling story set both in the summer of 1990 and in the present day. The story follows two sisters, Joanna and Caroline who are sent to live with the Great Aunt Dora in the village of Witchwood in the Forest of Dean where they’re looking forward to getting away from town life and out into the forests. When the story is picked up in present time, it’s obvious that during that summer, something terrible happened….
This is my first book by this author. The story sounded creepy and intriguing and just the kind of thing I love! Switching between the past and present, the author takes you straight into the heart of the story right from the very beginning. Whilst, some dual timeline books can be confusing, this one wasn’t and was easy to follow despite the switching between the years. What really happened during the summer of 1990 is slowly revealed throughout the book and is truly a shocking and heart-breaking tale. We also get to see the aftermath of what happened right up to present day, and realise that all actions have consequences, whether they be good or bad.
This book definitely had me on the edge of my seat, but in a different way to other books. It wasn’t because it was full of fast paced action, but because it was chilling, unsettling and had me biting by nails in anticipation as to what was happening. The descriptions in the story were fabulous and certainly played a big part in making this book so creepy. No one likes a dark wood surely, but how the author describes it will certainly make me think about taking the long route in future rather than the shortcut through the woods! The characters are all so well written and some left me feeling as uneasy as the forests did.
There are lots of twists within the story and whilst tantalisingly slower through the first half of the book, the second half increases the pace as it heads towards the reveal at the end. A gripping and hypnotising story which will give you goose bumps as you read! Would definitely recommend!
This is my first book by this author. The story sounded creepy and intriguing and just the kind of thing I love! Switching between the past and present, the author takes you straight into the heart of the story right from the very beginning. Whilst, some dual timeline books can be confusing, this one wasn’t and was easy to follow despite the switching between the years. What really happened during the summer of 1990 is slowly revealed throughout the book and is truly a shocking and heart-breaking tale. We also get to see the aftermath of what happened right up to present day, and realise that all actions have consequences, whether they be good or bad.
This book definitely had me on the edge of my seat, but in a different way to other books. It wasn’t because it was full of fast paced action, but because it was chilling, unsettling and had me biting by nails in anticipation as to what was happening. The descriptions in the story were fabulous and certainly played a big part in making this book so creepy. No one likes a dark wood surely, but how the author describes it will certainly make me think about taking the long route in future rather than the shortcut through the woods! The characters are all so well written and some left me feeling as uneasy as the forests did.
There are lots of twists within the story and whilst tantalisingly slower through the first half of the book, the second half increases the pace as it heads towards the reveal at the end. A gripping and hypnotising story which will give you goose bumps as you read! Would definitely recommend!
August 14, 2019
As young children Caroline and Joanna are sent to stay with their great-aunt in a remote village. Pretty much left to their own devices they have a great time, until an awful chain of events is set off.
The events surrounding their childhood - where their young friend is found murdered - have clearly impacted on their adulthood, though we don’t put all the pieces together until later on.
Suffice to say, this is a fairly typical scenario. We are more focused on the extent to which the girls are involved, why at least one of them thinks they’re culpable and how all the loose ends get tied up.
Unfortunately, the modern day situation always felt like we were one step behind things and the final ‘twist’ was meant to be shocking but wasn’t actually feeling like much of a reveal.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with the chance to read this in exchange for my thoughts.
The events surrounding their childhood - where their young friend is found murdered - have clearly impacted on their adulthood, though we don’t put all the pieces together until later on.
Suffice to say, this is a fairly typical scenario. We are more focused on the extent to which the girls are involved, why at least one of them thinks they’re culpable and how all the loose ends get tied up.
Unfortunately, the modern day situation always felt like we were one step behind things and the final ‘twist’ was meant to be shocking but wasn’t actually feeling like much of a reveal.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with the chance to read this in exchange for my thoughts.
August 29, 2019
A Place To Lie opens with one sister Caroline (Carrie) on her way home one night. She is agitated and anxious of every shadowy figure she comes across. She quickly jumps into a supermarket to pick up some items, and whilst she is in the freezer aisle a face reflected in one of the doors terrifies her. It’s a face she recognises. Having taken to carrying a knife around with her Carrie attacks the man before he attacks her, however in the struggle Carrie stabs herself and dies there and then in the supermarket.
Joanna hasn’t spoken to her sister Carrie in ten years and is shocked to not only hear of her death, but how she died. She can’t understand why Carrie would be carrying a knife, and what could make her so scared she would attack an innocent man in the supermarket? Unable to deal with her grief and guilt, Joanna starts digging into Carrie’s life desperate for some answers. This takes her back to Witchwood, where the two sisters spent a summer in 1990 when they were kids. That summer was overshadowed by a horrific incident that seemed to follow the sisters for the rest of their lives.
I completely sunk into A Place To Lie like sinking into a hot bubble bath after a long day. Tautly plotted and a purely character driven psychological drama, the setting could be counted as one of those characters. Haunting and highly engaging, this is the story of two sisters coming-of-age and having their innocence taken away as they realise the world is not a pleasant place. The imagery in this novel is astounding – you really feel like you are there in Witchwood during that fateful summer with our main protagonists as the blistering sun burns your neck and the nettles sting your bare ankles. It is so simply done, with no need for exposition or endless descriptive passages, the place is just there, underneath the actions of the characters and you sense it on every page.
A Place To Lie has two timelines, one present day, one 1990 and is told in alternating chapters and the author manages to switch between these two seamlessly. The plot is carefully thought out to the last detail and well crafted with a few shocking twists and turns. The pace begins slow burning, picking up slightly about halfway through, then only when we get to the last quarter of the book it really cranks up a gear.
The prose is written in such a flawless, suspenseful way, I could not help but have a tight feeling of unease creep over me, feeling myself jumping at every little noise in the house. There is a black, menacing undercurrent flows throughout most of the book, becoming stronger until it reaches the final climax.
A Place To Lie is a deliciously dark and unnerving thriller that I devoured in one day. I CANNOT wait to see what will be next from Rebecca Griffiths.
Joanna hasn’t spoken to her sister Carrie in ten years and is shocked to not only hear of her death, but how she died. She can’t understand why Carrie would be carrying a knife, and what could make her so scared she would attack an innocent man in the supermarket? Unable to deal with her grief and guilt, Joanna starts digging into Carrie’s life desperate for some answers. This takes her back to Witchwood, where the two sisters spent a summer in 1990 when they were kids. That summer was overshadowed by a horrific incident that seemed to follow the sisters for the rest of their lives.
I completely sunk into A Place To Lie like sinking into a hot bubble bath after a long day. Tautly plotted and a purely character driven psychological drama, the setting could be counted as one of those characters. Haunting and highly engaging, this is the story of two sisters coming-of-age and having their innocence taken away as they realise the world is not a pleasant place. The imagery in this novel is astounding – you really feel like you are there in Witchwood during that fateful summer with our main protagonists as the blistering sun burns your neck and the nettles sting your bare ankles. It is so simply done, with no need for exposition or endless descriptive passages, the place is just there, underneath the actions of the characters and you sense it on every page.
A Place To Lie has two timelines, one present day, one 1990 and is told in alternating chapters and the author manages to switch between these two seamlessly. The plot is carefully thought out to the last detail and well crafted with a few shocking twists and turns. The pace begins slow burning, picking up slightly about halfway through, then only when we get to the last quarter of the book it really cranks up a gear.
The prose is written in such a flawless, suspenseful way, I could not help but have a tight feeling of unease creep over me, feeling myself jumping at every little noise in the house. There is a black, menacing undercurrent flows throughout most of the book, becoming stronger until it reaches the final climax.
A Place To Lie is a deliciously dark and unnerving thriller that I devoured in one day. I CANNOT wait to see what will be next from Rebecca Griffiths.
September 6, 2019
In a dark, dark wood.
In Summer 1990, Caroline and Joanna are sent to stay with their great aunt, Dora, to spend their holidays in a sunlit village near the Forest of Dean. The countryside is a welcome change from the trauma they know back home in the city; a chance to make the world a joyful playground again. But in the shadowy woods at the edge of the forest hide secrets that will bring their innocence to a distressing end and make this a summer they will never forget.
There was a dark, dark house
Years later, a shocking act of violence sends Joanna back to Witchwood. In her great aunt's lonely and dilapidating cottage, she will attempt to unearth the secrets of that terrifying summer and come to terms with the haunting effects it has left on her life. But in her quest to find answers, who can she trust? And will she be able to survive the impending danger from those trying to bury the truth?
This was a great thriller.
Fast paced.
Well written plot and story line
Characters that have been fleshed out well and were enjoyable to read about.
Kept me gripped to the end.
Recommend Reading.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this arc, all opinions are mine.
In Summer 1990, Caroline and Joanna are sent to stay with their great aunt, Dora, to spend their holidays in a sunlit village near the Forest of Dean. The countryside is a welcome change from the trauma they know back home in the city; a chance to make the world a joyful playground again. But in the shadowy woods at the edge of the forest hide secrets that will bring their innocence to a distressing end and make this a summer they will never forget.
There was a dark, dark house
Years later, a shocking act of violence sends Joanna back to Witchwood. In her great aunt's lonely and dilapidating cottage, she will attempt to unearth the secrets of that terrifying summer and come to terms with the haunting effects it has left on her life. But in her quest to find answers, who can she trust? And will she be able to survive the impending danger from those trying to bury the truth?
This was a great thriller.
Fast paced.
Well written plot and story line
Characters that have been fleshed out well and were enjoyable to read about.
Kept me gripped to the end.
Recommend Reading.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this arc, all opinions are mine.
December 16, 2018
This author's second book was a long time coming but was well worth the wait. As with her debut novel Rebecca Griffiths has delivered an enthralling story that keeps the reader guessing, but once again, I was unable to correctly anticipate the ending - and what an ending! Set in two time frames, the author furnishes this credible and original tale with such believable characters, sensitively drawn and enriched by the beautiful descriptive writing - definitely this author's trademark - which brings much more to this genre than mere plot line! Suspenseful, thrilling, humorous and touching, a book that delivers.
My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for a fair review.
My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for a fair review.
August 26, 2019
I should have known from the Lewis Carroll quote at the start that this would be a dark childlike tale. But even I was unprepared for the almost fairytale spun story that lie ahead.
I loved the slow burn and the gradual reveal of what happened to Caroline and Joanna and the dual timeline made this work perfectly.
The setting of Witchwood with its creepy inhabitants is full of secrets and lies and you will mistrust everyone.
The lyrically descriptive writing will hold your attention to the blissfully twisted end.
I loved the slow burn and the gradual reveal of what happened to Caroline and Joanna and the dual timeline made this work perfectly.
The setting of Witchwood with its creepy inhabitants is full of secrets and lies and you will mistrust everyone.
The lyrically descriptive writing will hold your attention to the blissfully twisted end.
January 18, 2019
What I like with Rebecca's writing is her use of language and attention to detail. There were a lot of red herrings around the story, and while I guessed
a couple of the plot twists, I was kept wondering right to the end about the main culprit. The last chapter was an excellent addition, I didn't see that coming! I also love the fact she leaves a few untied threads, no neat Murder She Wrote endings here. Looking forward to the next book xx
a couple of the plot twists, I was kept wondering right to the end about the main culprit. The last chapter was an excellent addition, I didn't see that coming! I also love the fact she leaves a few untied threads, no neat Murder She Wrote endings here. Looking forward to the next book xx
March 6, 2019
Thankyou to NetGalley, Little, Brown Book Group, Sphere and the author, Rebecca Griffiths, for the opportunity to read a digital copy of A Place To Lie in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.
What can I say, I loved this book. It was a creepy, atmospheric book that keeps you hooked to the end.
Well worth a read.
What can I say, I loved this book. It was a creepy, atmospheric book that keeps you hooked to the end.
Well worth a read.
August 22, 2019
A good thriller, fast paced and engrossing. I liked the plot, the character development and the setting.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this arc, all opinions are mine.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this arc, all opinions are mine.
April 25, 2025
This gripping novel had me hooked from the very first pages. The story begins with Caroline in the present day, who is terrified and believes she is being watched. Tragically, Caroline is murdered, and the mystery deepens as we question whether she knew her killer. The narrative then jumps back to the summer of 1990, where Caroline and her sister Joanna spent time with their great aunt Dora in Witchwood.
As Joanna struggles to come to terms with her sister's death, compounded by their years of estrangement, she begins to clear out Caroline's flat. Joanna suspects there may be a connection to the summer they spent in Witchwood. The book is filled with twists and turns, keeping readers guessing until the very end.
The author masterfully describes the setting, making readers feel as though they are watching the story unfold on the pages. The vivid depiction of Witchwood and the eerie atmosphere adds depth to narrative.
As Joanna struggles to come to terms with her sister's death, compounded by their years of estrangement, she begins to clear out Caroline's flat. Joanna suspects there may be a connection to the summer they spent in Witchwood. The book is filled with twists and turns, keeping readers guessing until the very end.
The author masterfully describes the setting, making readers feel as though they are watching the story unfold on the pages. The vivid depiction of Witchwood and the eerie atmosphere adds depth to narrative.
April 27, 2025
The story starts with a bang with the death of Caroline. Her sister Joanna is desperate to make sense of what happened, & why the sisters, once so close, became estranged. And the turning point appears to be a long ago summer spent with their great aunt, following the death of their father.
The book alternates between the past and present, as adult Joanna revisits her childhood memories.
Almost everyone's behaviour seems suspicious as the plot twists and turns and secrets are revealed.
A really gripping read.
The book alternates between the past and present, as adult Joanna revisits her childhood memories.
Almost everyone's behaviour seems suspicious as the plot twists and turns and secrets are revealed.
A really gripping read.
April 6, 2025
Joanna and Caroline spend the Summer in Witchwood with their great Aunt while their Mother recovers from the death of their father, but it doesn’t turn out to be as idyllic as they expected. Years later Joanna returns after the sudden death of Caroline and discovers some dark secrets from their past. A well written novel about families and secrets.
April 13, 2025
Totally engrossed from start to finish. A tragedy today is tied up with a tragedy in 1990. Very well written. What a twist or two at the end! Highly recommended read. I will certainly read other books by this author. I was lucky enough to receive an advanced reader copy and leave this review voluntarily.
April 26, 2025
A really good read with enough twists and turns to keep you interested and guessing. I enjoyed the way the book was written from two time periods.
The characters were relatable and well written.
I have never read anything by this author but I'll definitely be reading more.
The characters were relatable and well written.
I have never read anything by this author but I'll definitely be reading more.
October 6, 2023
Didn't grab my attention and found it slow to finish as I wasn't interested in it
December 7, 2023
A bit of a slow start but it was a good read. By the end i couldn't put the book down. I love me a well written lil small village in England murder mystery.
July 12, 2024
3.5
Was hooked on this book from the first page and I did enjoy it however at times the story did drag and some stuff didn’t need to be in, it did have a few twists, some that I didn’t see coming.
Was hooked on this book from the first page and I did enjoy it however at times the story did drag and some stuff didn’t need to be in, it did have a few twists, some that I didn’t see coming.
August 20, 2024
Fantastic book with lots of twists and turns. I did work out a couple of the secrets, but still a brilliant read
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