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Come a Little Closer
Leah's new to Wyndham Park. Lonely and suffering from insomnia, she befriends her upstairs neighbour Anton.
Anton has only recently returned to the street and is lonely too.
He's been gone for nineteen years - but he hasn't told Leah the reason why.
That nineteen years ago he was imprisoned for killing his wife. A wife who looked a bit like Leah . . .
Was he wrongly convicted?
Or is Leah befriending a killer intent on luring her closer and closer?
THE MUST-READ PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF YOUR CLOSEST FRIEND
389 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 27, 2019
About the author
Karen Perry
22 books250 followersKaren Perry is the pen name of Dublin-based authors Paul Perry and Karen Gillece.
Paul Perry is the author of a number of critically acclaimed books. A winner of The Hennessy New Irish Writer of the Year Award, he is a writer and course director in poetry at the Faber Academy in Dublin.
Karen Gillece is the author of four critically acclaimed novels. In 2009 she won the European Union Prize for Literature (Ireland).
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name
Paul Perry is the author of a number of critically acclaimed books. A winner of The Hennessy New Irish Writer of the Year Award, he is a writer and course director in poetry at the Faber Academy in Dublin.
Karen Gillece is the author of four critically acclaimed novels. In 2009 she won the European Union Prize for Literature (Ireland).
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews
May 25, 2019
Whenever there is a new Karen Perry book it feels like Christmas and my birthday in one go and I have to start the book immediately!!
What a beginning!! A boy appears in the park covered in blood saying “Help Me” you had me hooked from there on!!
Leah and Jake move into the basement of number 14, the house belongings to Anton who has recently returned to the area often years of being away, we soon find out where he has been!!
Leah and Anton become friends and share their secrets, is it just a coincidence that she looks like Charlotte the wife he was accused of killing!!
This story is told from 3 people’s perspectives, Hilary, Anton and Leah.
I loved this book, I was gripped from the first page and read it practically in one siting. It was a chilling read that gave me goosebumps as I found it to be eerie and creepy without being predictable.
10 out of 10 from me loved the twist at the end.
Karen Perry has delivered another 1st class psychological thriller.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
What a beginning!! A boy appears in the park covered in blood saying “Help Me” you had me hooked from there on!!
Leah and Jake move into the basement of number 14, the house belongings to Anton who has recently returned to the area often years of being away, we soon find out where he has been!!
Leah and Anton become friends and share their secrets, is it just a coincidence that she looks like Charlotte the wife he was accused of killing!!
This story is told from 3 people’s perspectives, Hilary, Anton and Leah.
I loved this book, I was gripped from the first page and read it practically in one siting. It was a chilling read that gave me goosebumps as I found it to be eerie and creepy without being predictable.
10 out of 10 from me loved the twist at the end.
Karen Perry has delivered another 1st class psychological thriller.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
June 29, 2019
A neighbourhood had gathered in a park when a young boy wanders over , covered in blood, asking for help.
Nineteen years later, Leah and Jake move into the basement flat of the same house that the little boy has come from. The owners son, Mark is renting it out on behalf of his father, Anton. Jake has a seven year old son who will stay with them some weekends. Anton has been away. The neighbours are not happy to see him back. Leah makes friends with Anton, he's their upstairs neighbour. Hilary and Grey live across the street. They are both teachers. They used to live in the basement flat that Leah and Jake are in. Anton is fixated by Leah, she looks like his wife did. Bit Leah does not know that Anton killed her.
The story is told from Anton, Hilary and Leah's point of view. It's a dark and chilling read. Anton is not the only person who has secrets. We are slowly fed the story but it will keep you hooked until we get to the conclusion. It's also full of surprises. The characters are multilayered and the story is well written. A great creepy read.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Nineteen years later, Leah and Jake move into the basement flat of the same house that the little boy has come from. The owners son, Mark is renting it out on behalf of his father, Anton. Jake has a seven year old son who will stay with them some weekends. Anton has been away. The neighbours are not happy to see him back. Leah makes friends with Anton, he's their upstairs neighbour. Hilary and Grey live across the street. They are both teachers. They used to live in the basement flat that Leah and Jake are in. Anton is fixated by Leah, she looks like his wife did. Bit Leah does not know that Anton killed her.
The story is told from Anton, Hilary and Leah's point of view. It's a dark and chilling read. Anton is not the only person who has secrets. We are slowly fed the story but it will keep you hooked until we get to the conclusion. It's also full of surprises. The characters are multilayered and the story is well written. A great creepy read.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 27, 2019
Come a Little Closer is another cracker of a psychological thriller from Karen Perry and it is genuinely one of the most taut, tense and utterly chilling books I've read this year. I have found some of Perry's earlier novels weren't to my taste but this has blown me away as I initially expected the same average novel. It is clear the author has stepped up her game considerably.
Jake and Leah are moving into a basement together — the first step in taking their relationship to the next level. However, not everything is as rosy as it should be: Leah is suffering from crippling insomnia, something I can relate to as I have it myself, and with Jake being away from home a lot Leah feels lonely and isolated, especially at night. It doesn't take long before she seeks solace elsewhere.
This leads her to the keen listening ear of Anton, the owner of the house in which they have rented the basement. He has returned to the locale after years away. Leah doesn't understand why the residents of the small community have shunned and ostracised him. But when it's revealed that he murdered his wife some years earlier Leah wishes she could unshare some of the secrets she told to him on many a long night.
The story starts with an almighty bang — a young boy bloodied, battered and begging for help in a local park. Now if that doesn't get you interested then I don't know what will. The menacing undertone continues throughout and the deeper you read the more deliciously dark and ominous the atmosphere becomes. It's well written and intelligently plotted with a complex, multilayered structure which means you have to revise your guesses about what will happen multiple times. The conclusion, however, felt rushed and slightly anticlimactic and is the reason for deducting a star. Many thanks to Penguin for an ARC.
Jake and Leah are moving into a basement together — the first step in taking their relationship to the next level. However, not everything is as rosy as it should be: Leah is suffering from crippling insomnia, something I can relate to as I have it myself, and with Jake being away from home a lot Leah feels lonely and isolated, especially at night. It doesn't take long before she seeks solace elsewhere.
This leads her to the keen listening ear of Anton, the owner of the house in which they have rented the basement. He has returned to the locale after years away. Leah doesn't understand why the residents of the small community have shunned and ostracised him. But when it's revealed that he murdered his wife some years earlier Leah wishes she could unshare some of the secrets she told to him on many a long night.
The story starts with an almighty bang — a young boy bloodied, battered and begging for help in a local park. Now if that doesn't get you interested then I don't know what will. The menacing undertone continues throughout and the deeper you read the more deliciously dark and ominous the atmosphere becomes. It's well written and intelligently plotted with a complex, multilayered structure which means you have to revise your guesses about what will happen multiple times. The conclusion, however, felt rushed and slightly anticlimactic and is the reason for deducting a star. Many thanks to Penguin for an ARC.
July 7, 2019
I loved ‘Your Closest Friend’ by the author, this though was a different kind of a read for me!
Jake and Leah move into the basement flat of Anton’s house....Anton has just be released from prison after serving 19 years for his wife’s murder
And never the twain should meet
But of course they do, Leah seemingly unable to stop herself falling for Anton’s charms, although she sees it as platonic.....but Leah has her own secret, one Jake doesn’t know!....
Then add the mad neighbour who after a fling with Anton just before his wife was murdered now thinks because he is back its going to carry on and it all gets a bit, well, silly tbh
The characters are unredeemingly one dimensional and thoroughly unlikeable and they just seem unable to rationally stop and think and NOT do what we all wouldn’t and breezily carry on in unrealistic situations
Couple all this with long descriptive writing that deals with the same thing over and over and chapters where nothing much happens and I have to confess to not liking the book very much at all, but thats just me, it has had some great reviews, sadly for me this just was not a believable story, characters or reactions of characters to situations
3/10 2 Stars
April 24, 2019
Ah ha, a psychological thriller that is genuinely tense and menacing with a delicious drip-feed of emotional chills? Yes please! Perry has managed to side-step some of the worst flaws of this genre which has become ubiquitous and frequently both silly and badly written. I'm not claiming that this is 'literary' - its intentions are other - but it is pulled together with intelligence and a lovely slow-burn feeling of increasing claustrophobia and tension - we know something terrible is going to happen, and who to - but where is the menace coming from?
This book capitalises on the inherent forced urban intimacy of neighbours where houses divided into flats allow us a far closer look into our neighbours' lives than we might like. There's a creepiness that seeps through these pages, and the characterisation is layered enough to have me changing my mind more than once about recently-returned Anton...
The narrative bypasses the go-to structure of multiple 1st person narrators and time-based sections: instead it's focalised through just three characters, all 3rd person, and memories are deftly woven into the main story to give us all we need to know about the past.
I was a little disappointed by the ending which feels driven by the need for a final 'twist' rather than psychological truth - but at least it's not completely left-field.
Overall, a superior little chiller - the sort that makes you hope your commute home might be delayed so you can read a little bit more!
Many thanks to Penguin for an ARC via NetGalley.
This book capitalises on the inherent forced urban intimacy of neighbours where houses divided into flats allow us a far closer look into our neighbours' lives than we might like. There's a creepiness that seeps through these pages, and the characterisation is layered enough to have me changing my mind more than once about recently-returned Anton...
The narrative bypasses the go-to structure of multiple 1st person narrators and time-based sections: instead it's focalised through just three characters, all 3rd person, and memories are deftly woven into the main story to give us all we need to know about the past.
I was a little disappointed by the ending which feels driven by the need for a final 'twist' rather than psychological truth - but at least it's not completely left-field.
Overall, a superior little chiller - the sort that makes you hope your commute home might be delayed so you can read a little bit more!
Many thanks to Penguin for an ARC via NetGalley.
June 23, 2019
Come a Little Closer by Karen Perry is a book that I read in a day. It was a twisty, fast story that I just could not tear myself away from. I wasn't sure where the story was going to go and didn't see the ending coming. As with other Karen Perry books you are drawn into the lives of this community and the relationships of the characters. It is hard to know who is lying to protect themselves and who is honest.
Leah and Jake move into their new basement flat to start their life together. But Leah is still competing with Jakes ex and his son. She befriends Anton, the old man upstairs, not knowing that he has just been released from prison for the murder of his wife Charlotte - a woman who looked a lot like Leah. This is neighbourhood where everybody knows everybody and the gossip soon reaches Leah but is it too late? Anton claims to be innocent, but his actions seem to prove his guilt.
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin UK, Michael Joseph for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
Leah and Jake move into their new basement flat to start their life together. But Leah is still competing with Jakes ex and his son. She befriends Anton, the old man upstairs, not knowing that he has just been released from prison for the murder of his wife Charlotte - a woman who looked a lot like Leah. This is neighbourhood where everybody knows everybody and the gossip soon reaches Leah but is it too late? Anton claims to be innocent, but his actions seem to prove his guilt.
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin UK, Michael Joseph for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
December 20, 2019
I thought this was a really good read. I liked how it was split up into Leah, Anton and Hillary’s accounts. It was really interesting and had me guessing and I changed my mind quite a few times throughout so it was enthralling trying to work out what was going on. The characters were all interesting and I really wanted to find out more about their lives. It was really well written and I can’t wait to read more of Karen Perry’s books. I would definitely recommend this book.
June 27, 2019
Well dang, it’s been a long time since I was blindsided by a twist...well played Ms Perry, well played!
Flawed characters at every turn help add to the many layers of suspense that will keep you guessing.
This is going to be one of the top summer reads this year!
ARC provided by NetGalley
Flawed characters at every turn help add to the many layers of suspense that will keep you guessing.
This is going to be one of the top summer reads this year!
ARC provided by NetGalley
May 30, 2019
Come A Little Closer by Karen Perry is a psychological thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. The story was dark and chilling and I didn't know what was going to happen next.
Leah and Jake have moved into the basement flat of a large house and are happy to finally be making a life together.
The owner of the house Anton has just been released from prison after spending nineteen years for killing his wife.
As Leah and Anton begin to become friendly her relationship with Jake suffers.
I was invited to read this book by the publishers and I really enjoyed it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House UK - Michael Joseph for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Leah and Jake have moved into the basement flat of a large house and are happy to finally be making a life together.
The owner of the house Anton has just been released from prison after spending nineteen years for killing his wife.
As Leah and Anton begin to become friendly her relationship with Jake suffers.
I was invited to read this book by the publishers and I really enjoyed it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House UK - Michael Joseph for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Read
June 28, 2026Not rating boring as hell!
July 2, 2020
The story starts with a young boy covered in blood and begging for help. Then it turns to several different people. Leah is excited to be moving into a basement flat with her boyfriend Jake. Leah has guilt and a secret she has never told Jake. Anton has recently been released after 19 years for murder - the murder of his wife Charlotte. Though convicted he has always maintained his innocence? But is he innocent? The third person is Hilary, who along with her husband Greg, lives near Anton and who knows more about Anton than she should. Or does she? Through these three characters the full story of what happened is finally revealed.
Initially I was quite interested in this story even though I never particularly warmed to any of the chracters. But that is not necessarily a deal breaker as it was intriguing enough to keep me reading. Until about half way through when it just seemed to be dragging on. The longer it continued the more I found myself skimming as it was no longer holding my interest in the same way as earlier. I had my thoughts initially about the murderer and it never wavered, so the ending came as no surprise, although I didn’t like a certain aspect of the ending. In fact, the more detail and seeming red herrings and secrets that were introduced the less I was convinced by the story. By the end I really couldn’t have cared less.
Having said that there will probably be plenty of people who will thoroughly enjoy it and happily turn the pages. But for me, it became somewhat of a chore and far-fetched. I guess a lot depends on how involved you are with the characters for starters and I simply wasn’t. Too often they made stupid decisions which rendered them unbelievable. Again it was a case of hype and expectations that left the story floundering in its wake. But not everyone will agree, so if it sounds like your sort of book, give it a go. You may be one who will enjoy it.
Initially I was quite interested in this story even though I never particularly warmed to any of the chracters. But that is not necessarily a deal breaker as it was intriguing enough to keep me reading. Until about half way through when it just seemed to be dragging on. The longer it continued the more I found myself skimming as it was no longer holding my interest in the same way as earlier. I had my thoughts initially about the murderer and it never wavered, so the ending came as no surprise, although I didn’t like a certain aspect of the ending. In fact, the more detail and seeming red herrings and secrets that were introduced the less I was convinced by the story. By the end I really couldn’t have cared less.
Having said that there will probably be plenty of people who will thoroughly enjoy it and happily turn the pages. But for me, it became somewhat of a chore and far-fetched. I guess a lot depends on how involved you are with the characters for starters and I simply wasn’t. Too often they made stupid decisions which rendered them unbelievable. Again it was a case of hype and expectations that left the story floundering in its wake. But not everyone will agree, so if it sounds like your sort of book, give it a go. You may be one who will enjoy it.
June 23, 2019
Come a Little Closer by Karen Perry is a psychological thriller. When Leah and her partner Jake move into the basement flat, they believe they are moving up in the world. But when she meets upstairs landlord, Anton, she is drawn to his mystery and the secret he is keeping, almost matches her own. 3 stars
June 2, 2019
This is the first book that I’ve read by this author and it certainly won’t be my last . An unputdownable psychological thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat . I absolutely loved it . A brilliant start and a superb ending . Highly recommend for fans of psychological thrillers.
June 23, 2019
3.5 stars
This is a good read about secrets and lies behind closed doors.
Leah and Jake can’t believe it when they get offered a basement flat for a reasonable price, after hunting for so long.
They’re told there’s a man living in the house above them but know nothing about him at first.
It soon comes to light that he’s just been released from prison following a sentence for murdering his wife.
Leah is drawn to him as she feels sorry for him and Anton is drawn to her as she reminds him of his dead wife.
Jake warns Leah to stay away but when she’s asked to keep an eye on him by his son, she’s happy to agree.
Events take a turn for the worse and everyone’s secrets are revealed leading to some tense final few chapters.
This is a good psychological thriller that will keep your interest.
Thanks to Penguin UK - Michael Joseph and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
This is a good read about secrets and lies behind closed doors.
Leah and Jake can’t believe it when they get offered a basement flat for a reasonable price, after hunting for so long.
They’re told there’s a man living in the house above them but know nothing about him at first.
It soon comes to light that he’s just been released from prison following a sentence for murdering his wife.
Leah is drawn to him as she feels sorry for him and Anton is drawn to her as she reminds him of his dead wife.
Jake warns Leah to stay away but when she’s asked to keep an eye on him by his son, she’s happy to agree.
Events take a turn for the worse and everyone’s secrets are revealed leading to some tense final few chapters.
This is a good psychological thriller that will keep your interest.
Thanks to Penguin UK - Michael Joseph and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
October 21, 2020
I enjoyed this book at first but by the time I finished it, it was boring me. I thought it was too long and could have ended sooner.
August 29, 2019
It is around 20 years since Anton was convicted of his wife's murder despite hie pleas of innocence he has served his time. As he is released from prison Leah and Jake move into the basement flat of his home unaware of its history. In the Irish town that he lives again emotions are stirred on his return. The book reads easily enough but I would describe it as a unexciting narrative without the building of real thrill. I could feel myself sighing at the stupidity of the characters- as we learn more about each of them their own histories seem somewhat unbelievable and it is difficult to really fall into the storyline - "I kept wanting to say oh come on - really".
It was Ok but not the best read
It was Ok but not the best read
November 30, 2019
With thanks to Penguin. and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.
The residents of Wyndman Park were enjoying their traditional summer party. However it stopped abruptly when a little boy walked out of his house dazed and covered in blood. .
Nineteen years later Leah and boyfriend Jake were offered a downstairs flat in a big house. They were told the owner of the main house kept himself to himself and they would never see him.
Anton had recently returned to his house after a long period away. When he first saw Leah, she reminded him of his wife Charlotte who had died. Lonely Anton formed a friendship with Leah. Jake instantly disliked Anton but she saw him as a father figure. After Anton tried to commit suicide, Leah revealed a dark secret she was keeping from Jake. As the weeks went by .Anton became obsessed and starred to spy on her.
The story was told from the POV of Anton, Leah and neighbour Hilary. I thought the story was slow and didn't really pick up the 60% mark. However once the events of the party were unravelled I was hooked.
Although Leah was hiding a terrible secret I thought she was boring. I thought Hilary was a more intriguing character. I felt sorry for Anton and thought his abrupt personality change towards the end of the book was unrealistic.
The residents of Wyndman Park were enjoying their traditional summer party. However it stopped abruptly when a little boy walked out of his house dazed and covered in blood. .
Nineteen years later Leah and boyfriend Jake were offered a downstairs flat in a big house. They were told the owner of the main house kept himself to himself and they would never see him.
Anton had recently returned to his house after a long period away. When he first saw Leah, she reminded him of his wife Charlotte who had died. Lonely Anton formed a friendship with Leah. Jake instantly disliked Anton but she saw him as a father figure. After Anton tried to commit suicide, Leah revealed a dark secret she was keeping from Jake. As the weeks went by .Anton became obsessed and starred to spy on her.
The story was told from the POV of Anton, Leah and neighbour Hilary. I thought the story was slow and didn't really pick up the 60% mark. However once the events of the party were unravelled I was hooked.
Although Leah was hiding a terrible secret I thought she was boring. I thought Hilary was a more intriguing character. I felt sorry for Anton and thought his abrupt personality change towards the end of the book was unrealistic.
June 12, 2019
A plot of few characters. Anton, Mark, Leah, Jake, Hilary and Greg. And not one of them to root for. I thoroughly enjoyed Karen Perry's Your Closest Friend. I cannot say the same for Come a Little Closer. It was far too slow for me.
Anton is released from prison where he has been incarcerated for nineteen years, for murdering his wife. He returns to the family home to find that his son Mark has found new tenants for the basement flat - Leah and Jake. Jake has a seven-year-old son, Matthew, who lives with his mother, Jenna. It's a tangled mess. Anton has always claimed that he did not murder Charlotte. Hilary and Greg are teachers who had occupied the apartment all those years ago, waiting for their house over the road to have renovations completed. Hilary it seems, was obsessed with Anton...
So, if Anton didn't - who did? With so few possible culprits I had it figured out all too soon, which made completing the book a chore; although the final fifteen minutes had some redeeming qualities of suspense. It just did not grip me...
My thanks to Penguin UK-Michael Joseph and NetGalley for my ARC.
Anton is released from prison where he has been incarcerated for nineteen years, for murdering his wife. He returns to the family home to find that his son Mark has found new tenants for the basement flat - Leah and Jake. Jake has a seven-year-old son, Matthew, who lives with his mother, Jenna. It's a tangled mess. Anton has always claimed that he did not murder Charlotte. Hilary and Greg are teachers who had occupied the apartment all those years ago, waiting for their house over the road to have renovations completed. Hilary it seems, was obsessed with Anton...
So, if Anton didn't - who did? With so few possible culprits I had it figured out all too soon, which made completing the book a chore; although the final fifteen minutes had some redeeming qualities of suspense. It just did not grip me...
My thanks to Penguin UK-Michael Joseph and NetGalley for my ARC.
January 5, 2020
The opening chapter of this book draws you in immediately, then continuing with a nicely placed but chilling storyline which keeps you guessing about each character over and over, you’re just never sure who can be trusted.
This story is told from 3 characters point of view, Hilary, Anton & Leah , 3 neighbours who all seem to have their own dark past & secrets.
Towards the end of the book, I did have my guesses about the possible outcome. Turned out one of my guesses was right but with the way it was written, it almost made me feel like I hadn’t guessed the plot. 🤔
I really enjoyed the story behind this book and although it wasn’t the most action packed thriller I’ve ever read, there was something about it that I just really enjoyed.
A well deserved 4 stars.
This story is told from 3 characters point of view, Hilary, Anton & Leah , 3 neighbours who all seem to have their own dark past & secrets.
Towards the end of the book, I did have my guesses about the possible outcome. Turned out one of my guesses was right but with the way it was written, it almost made me feel like I hadn’t guessed the plot. 🤔
I really enjoyed the story behind this book and although it wasn’t the most action packed thriller I’ve ever read, there was something about it that I just really enjoyed.
A well deserved 4 stars.
December 29, 2025
Sometimes I like to go at a bit of a slower pace in a book and have a book that sort of focuses more on relationships and people than the fast-paced murder, and this is one of them.
You have three separate story lines, all linked in different ways. You have Anton, who has just been released from prison, accused of murdering his wife some 19 years ago. You have Hillary, the lady across the road, who is obsessed with Anton. And you have Leah, who is the young girl who has her own baggage, her own terrifyingly sad story, who moves into the basement flat of Anton's house. Then Leah and Anton's worlds collide. A friendship is formed.
Basically, you just watch these two people navigate into being friends and their lives. While this is going on, you've got Hillary watching from the shadows, basically pining for Anton and getting more and more unhinged. Well, that is how I looked at it, but again, this isn't a psychological thriller. This isn't a fast pace,’ Oh my god, who's gonna die?’ It's actually quite a sad story.
As we go back into the past and we see Anton's life, yep, okay, he's a massive player. We can't refute that, and we can't defend it. But he chose the wrong person in Hillary, but he was accused of murdering his wife, and he always voiced his innocence, and now he's back in the neighbourhood, and these people are not happy.
The narrator's brilliant. I particularly love the narrator for Anton. The writing!! I was just drawn into the story of these three people and how everything would play out. Would we ever find out who killed Charlotte? Would people ever find out about Leah's story? Would anyone be able to move on and grow, and experience a second chance, because that's what all these three characters have in common? They all want a second chance. Anton wants a fresh new life. Leah wants a fresh new life, and Hilary wants a life she's always thought she deserved. However, it wouldn't be that sort of book if everyone got what they wanted, and things do happen, shocking things happen, and then you have the ending. And gotta say, I wasn't expecting that ending. I had a feeling I knew one way it was going, and then my suspicions were confirmed; it was still very shocking. I really wasn't expecting that to happen, and then it was just nice to see the bittersweet end of it all, quite good.
I really did enjoy this one, and I'll definitely be checking out more by this due because I love the way they write. I love the way they create these characters. They have created something from nothing really, and it was quite an emotional, spell-binding book, and I can't wait to see what else this duo have done.
You have three separate story lines, all linked in different ways. You have Anton, who has just been released from prison, accused of murdering his wife some 19 years ago. You have Hillary, the lady across the road, who is obsessed with Anton. And you have Leah, who is the young girl who has her own baggage, her own terrifyingly sad story, who moves into the basement flat of Anton's house. Then Leah and Anton's worlds collide. A friendship is formed.
Basically, you just watch these two people navigate into being friends and their lives. While this is going on, you've got Hillary watching from the shadows, basically pining for Anton and getting more and more unhinged. Well, that is how I looked at it, but again, this isn't a psychological thriller. This isn't a fast pace,’ Oh my god, who's gonna die?’ It's actually quite a sad story.
As we go back into the past and we see Anton's life, yep, okay, he's a massive player. We can't refute that, and we can't defend it. But he chose the wrong person in Hillary, but he was accused of murdering his wife, and he always voiced his innocence, and now he's back in the neighbourhood, and these people are not happy.
The narrator's brilliant. I particularly love the narrator for Anton. The writing!! I was just drawn into the story of these three people and how everything would play out. Would we ever find out who killed Charlotte? Would people ever find out about Leah's story? Would anyone be able to move on and grow, and experience a second chance, because that's what all these three characters have in common? They all want a second chance. Anton wants a fresh new life. Leah wants a fresh new life, and Hilary wants a life she's always thought she deserved. However, it wouldn't be that sort of book if everyone got what they wanted, and things do happen, shocking things happen, and then you have the ending. And gotta say, I wasn't expecting that ending. I had a feeling I knew one way it was going, and then my suspicions were confirmed; it was still very shocking. I really wasn't expecting that to happen, and then it was just nice to see the bittersweet end of it all, quite good.
I really did enjoy this one, and I'll definitely be checking out more by this due because I love the way they write. I love the way they create these characters. They have created something from nothing really, and it was quite an emotional, spell-binding book, and I can't wait to see what else this duo have done.
June 11, 2019
My thanks to NetGalley and publisher Penquin UK - Michael Joseph for the ARC.
Oh my goodness! This certainly is the epitome of a tense, suspenseful, creepy psychological thriller. What a film this would make!
Does this mean I liked it? - no, I loved it! Couldn't put it down.
This has a fantastic opening - a happy, congenial, neighbourhood gathering in the park; a young boy wanders across from No.14 - someone screams - the boy is covered in blood. The door to the house is besieged by neighbours.
Set in Ireland and narrated from 3 main characters' point of view in the 3rd person, 19 years later.
Twenty-six year old Leah and her boyfriend Jake have finally found a cheap basement flat to move into together, in Wyndham Park, No.14. The owner's son, Mark, is renting it on behalf of his father Anton. Jake is divorced and has a 7yr-old son Matthew who will stay with them some weekends. Leah is thrilled with the new life they are beginning, she and Jake share everything - except one secret from her past she hasn't revealed.
Anton is recently released from prison having served 19years for the murder of his wife Charlotte - which he has consistently denied. His neighbourhood is now a hostile environment to him. Gradually Anton develops a friendship relationship with Leah who feels lonely and excluded from Jake's relationship with his ex-wife and son Matthew. It is to Anton that she reveals the secret which constantly haunts her. Leah has a physical resemblance to Charlotte and shares his ex-wife's piano-playing capability.
Hilary has been married to Greg for 25 years. Leading up to his incarceration, Hilary and Anton were lovers (she and Greg having rented that basement flat for a time before moving), and for 19 years Hilary has been waiting for him; she regularly sent him letters expressing her love for him and that she would await his return. She's now awaiting a sign from him that they could now be together. Hilary's life has been dogged by numerous miscarriages and she and Greg no longer share a bed.
She is just awaiting that 'sign' once she learns of his return.
Did Anton really kill his wife? Where will his obsession with Leah lead? Will Hilary finally get together with Anton and leave Greg?
Oh, so many questions which keep the reading guessing until the very end.
Go on - read it - it's really very good.
Oh my goodness! This certainly is the epitome of a tense, suspenseful, creepy psychological thriller. What a film this would make!
Does this mean I liked it? - no, I loved it! Couldn't put it down.
This has a fantastic opening - a happy, congenial, neighbourhood gathering in the park; a young boy wanders across from No.14 - someone screams - the boy is covered in blood. The door to the house is besieged by neighbours.
Set in Ireland and narrated from 3 main characters' point of view in the 3rd person, 19 years later.
Twenty-six year old Leah and her boyfriend Jake have finally found a cheap basement flat to move into together, in Wyndham Park, No.14. The owner's son, Mark, is renting it on behalf of his father Anton. Jake is divorced and has a 7yr-old son Matthew who will stay with them some weekends. Leah is thrilled with the new life they are beginning, she and Jake share everything - except one secret from her past she hasn't revealed.
Anton is recently released from prison having served 19years for the murder of his wife Charlotte - which he has consistently denied. His neighbourhood is now a hostile environment to him. Gradually Anton develops a friendship relationship with Leah who feels lonely and excluded from Jake's relationship with his ex-wife and son Matthew. It is to Anton that she reveals the secret which constantly haunts her. Leah has a physical resemblance to Charlotte and shares his ex-wife's piano-playing capability.
Hilary has been married to Greg for 25 years. Leading up to his incarceration, Hilary and Anton were lovers (she and Greg having rented that basement flat for a time before moving), and for 19 years Hilary has been waiting for him; she regularly sent him letters expressing her love for him and that she would await his return. She's now awaiting a sign from him that they could now be together. Hilary's life has been dogged by numerous miscarriages and she and Greg no longer share a bed.
She is just awaiting that 'sign' once she learns of his return.
Did Anton really kill his wife? Where will his obsession with Leah lead? Will Hilary finally get together with Anton and leave Greg?
Oh, so many questions which keep the reading guessing until the very end.
Go on - read it - it's really very good.
June 21, 2019
I loved this book and read it in one day as I just wanted to find out the answers as to what was going to happen at the end. The characters were well described and the scenes were very realistic. Charlotte and Anton were not a typical couple but all the way through the book new developments of their relationship were added which caused so much confusion to the reader.s thought processes. The twists were so well engineered throughout which made the story so fantastic to read. The first pages of the story set the scene for the psychological thriller that followed. The story is based upon Anton and Leah (the female half of the couple who have rented the basement) both have stories to hide and so an informal friendship begins but how will it all end is the question?
The ending was totally unexpected as I had so easily fallen into one of the many red herring traps set by the author.
Thank you Net galley for letting me read this in exchange for my truthful review.
The ending was totally unexpected as I had so easily fallen into one of the many red herring traps set by the author.
Thank you Net galley for letting me read this in exchange for my truthful review.
September 4, 2020
I've not read a Karen Perry book before but have a few so was looking forward to this one. Focusing on Anton and his release from prison for the murder of his wife, he tries to fit back into his community. A couple move into his basement flat, and one looks like his dead wife. Lots of surprises and twists along the way, we venture into his world and discover his past. It was a fairly quick read and had me interested to know what happened, I did have an inkling of whodunnit so the end wasn't a surprise but I still enjoyed it. ❤
November 28, 2019
What a compulsive read this was! The reveal is slow but sure, the many flawed characters are well drawn and the writing is such that I felt uncomfortable with Anton, despite his proclaimed innocence. There were definitely surprises but one reveal I did see coming, but it didn't spoil the story in the least. Well written, well paced and thoroughly enjoyed.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Karen Perry/Penguin UK - Michael Joseph for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Karen Perry/Penguin UK - Michael Joseph for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
June 10, 2020
Was sceptical of this book to begin with - even tempted not to continue. The book is one of those where the different chapters are from different people’s perspectives. The book was a very easy read, could have finished it in one sitting if I hadn’t started it so late in the day. The plot was good and the ending was very unpredictable. I was sure I had sussed it but nope I was wrong. Only 3 stars due to the slow start and and few parts of the book where I felt it was waffling to pad it out.
February 22, 2023
This book was a slow starter for me with quite a few characters being introduced near the start, but by the time I got to about 25% on my Kindle I was hooked and found myself looking forward to my next read - always a good sign.
There are some really interesting characters in this book and the story weaves around them very well with some gradual reveals of information and some satisfying twists. Perfect for anyone who likes a contemporary thriller.
I am keen to read more by this author.
There are some really interesting characters in this book and the story weaves around them very well with some gradual reveals of information and some satisfying twists. Perfect for anyone who likes a contemporary thriller.
I am keen to read more by this author.
July 1, 2019
I as delighted to be offered this book to read by the publishers as I had read Your Closest Friend by Karen Perry and really enjoyed that book. This one is a gripping page turner with twists and unpredictable results.
Told from the points of view of Anton who went to prison for killing his wife but who protests his innocence, Leah, who moves into the flat downstairs with her boyfriend, and is hiding a secret that could destroy the relationship, and Hillary, who holds a torch for Anton even though she is married to Greg.
A strange and disturbing story that builds to an unexpected finale. Recommended read.
Told from the points of view of Anton who went to prison for killing his wife but who protests his innocence, Leah, who moves into the flat downstairs with her boyfriend, and is hiding a secret that could destroy the relationship, and Hillary, who holds a torch for Anton even though she is married to Greg.
A strange and disturbing story that builds to an unexpected finale. Recommended read.
July 14, 2019
Karen Perry’s (Dublin‘s Dynamic Duo) gift to write a twisted stories that actually take my breath away with their “OMG I didn’t see that coming finish” has made me a fan for life of this writing team since I cracked open “Girl Unknown”.
July 18, 2020
Absolutely loved this book. It had me hooked right from the beginning. I love the authors style of writing. The plot was great. Slowly unraveling bit by bit, leaving you on the edge of your seat. Characters you could empathise with. Down to earth . The book was very well written.
January 12, 2020
Good page turner, the ending wasn't what I expected
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