Skin Deep

by Liz Nugent

'I could probably have been an actress.
It is not difficult to pretend to be somebody else.
Isn't that what I've been doing for most of my life?'

Cordelia Russell has been living on the French Riviera for twenty-five years, passing herself off as an English socialite. But her luck, and the kindness of strangers, have run out.

The arrival of a visitor from her distant past shocks Cordelia. She reacts violently to the intrusion and flees her flat to spend a drunken night at a glittering party. As dawn breaks she stumbles home through the back streets. Even before she opens her door she can hear the flies buzzing. She did not expect the corpse inside to start decomposing quite so quickly...

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Crime, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Psychological Thriller

373 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

Liz Nugent worked as a stage manager in theatres in Ireland and toured internationally before writing extensively for radio and television drama.

Unravelling Oliver was published in 2014, hit the number 1 spot for several weeks and won Crime Novel of the Year at the Irish Book Awards.

Lying in Wait, published in 2016, went straight to number 1 and was chosen for the Richard & Judy Book Club. It won the Radio 1 Ryan Tubridy Listeners Choice Award at the Irish Book Awards.

In October 2017, Liz won the Irish Tatler Woman of the Year Award in Literature.

Skin Deep was published in 2018. It also went straight to number 1 in the bestsellers charts and scooped two awards at the An Post Irish Book Awards in Nov '18: Crime Novel of the Year AND the Radio 1 Ryan Tubridy Listener's Choice Award.

Little Cruelties (Our Little Cruelties) was published in 2020. Another number 1 bestseller, it topped the charts for fifteen weeks, was nominated for Crime Novel of the Year at the Irish Book Awards, long listed for a CWA award at Theakston Crime Festival at Harrogate. It was listed as one of the most recommended thrillers of the Year by the New York Times.
Liz was presented with the James Joyce Medal for Literature (via Zoom!) in February 21 and was a Guest of Honour at Iceland Noir in November 21.

Strange Sally. Diamond was published in 2023 and was number 1 in the Irish charts for 9 weeks and stayed I the top ten for 26 weeks. It won Crime Novel of the Year at the Irish Book Awards and made the shortlist of six for Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year in 2024. It was the second best selling book in Ireland after the Booker Prize winning Prophet Son by Paul Lynch and the most borrowed book for adults from Irish libraries.

Her new novel The Truth About Ruby Cooper will be published in March 2026 in UK and iRL by Penguin Sandycove and in the US by Gallery /Simon and Schuster at a later date TBC.

Reviews

[Paromjit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liz Nugent serves up an atmospherically chilling, macabre and twisted psychological thriller that illustrates with perfection that beauty really is only skin deep with her creation and character study of the appalling, monstrously repellent Delia. Nugent has few peers when it comes to writing about obsession and the nastiest of characters with no redeeming qualities whatsoever, whilst having the reader hypnotically mesmerised, fascinated and horrorstruck, gripped by the need to know how the trajectory of their lives unfolds. This is set on the desolate and disturbing Irish Island of Iniscran with its myths and legends and the French Riviera. The story kick starts with a bang with a death, and we follow the compulsive history, life, and events in the beautiful, manipulative and deceitful Delia's life. She lacks any sense of self awareness and empathy for any other human being. We soon learn that you are most unfortunate if your life crosses the path of the sociopathic Delia.

Nugent excels in well structured and complicated plotting and her writing is visceral, vibrant and arresting. Her detailed descriptions evoke a great sense of location, making them come alive with ease. This novel is for those who wallow in the deliciously sinister, hugely enjoy reading about the worst of human beings, and are fervently attracted to well written psychological thrillers with unexpected twists. I urge you let Delia into your life, she will burn brightly in all her glorious horror and evil, destined to be indelibly imprinted in your imagination. A brilliant read that will make your skin crawl. Many thanks to Penguin UK for an ARC.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Narcissism
To what extent can beauty mask the evil that lies beneath?

Skin Deep is a breath-taking, expressive and ultimately heart-breaking novel. The title reflects on the ever-increasing preoccupation we have on image over substance. The story portrays the lack of normal reciprocal human relationships, masked by a pretty cover.

“I knew this wasn’t normal. I knew that I wasn’t normal. I have never needed people, just the comforts they could offer me”

Narrated through the eyes of Delia, the story is a lifelong revelation of manipulative actions and motives from a stunningly beautiful, contriving and narcissistic woman. In Delia’s mind, instilled by her father, she was the Queen of Inishcrann and the world was her oyster. From Ireland to London, and from Nice and Monaco, Skin Deep is a roller coaster of a ride from opulent extravagant highs, to harsh destitute lows. We travel on this journey with Delia as a captivated and often shocked observer. It is a potent, disturbing portrayal of how one human being can manipulate others to the point of their own destruction with no remorse.

The characterisation, dialogue and landscapes are superbly portrayed, and you are propelled through this psychological narrative thanks to the wonderful writing of Liz Nugent. The pace and edge to the story are maintained to the final page, with a shocking and upsetting final surprise. Whether you really wanted to empathise with Delia or not, she is a character that you’ll not easily forget and she will sit uncomfortably in your mind for a while after finishing this book.

I would rate this book 4.5 stars and I'd recommend reading it. Many thanks to Penguin Books UK and NetGalley, for an ARC version of the book in return for an honest review.

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a good thing that Liz Nugent lives in Ireland because I can totally see myself pulling an Annie Wilkes on her.
I AM NOW HER #1 FAN!!!
Be afraid, Liz, be very afraid.

I only discovered Liz Nugent a month ago and I have now read all three of her books. Wellllll...not really read, more like devoured.

Skin Deep has yet to be released in the US and is not available in eBook form so I had to hunt it down, eventually finding it at bookstore in the UK and patiently impatiently waiting for it to arrive.

And holy hell was it ever worth the trouble!

"Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes clean to the bone."

Nugent has once again introduced a protagonist that made my skin crawl. The character Cordelia (Delia) is devious, narcissistic, diabolical, with zero redeeming qualities and one that I couldn't turn my attention away from if I tried. Delia devastateingly destroys everyone in her life with no remorse. Just when I thought she couldn't possibly become more unsavory she proved me wrong over and over again and I LOVED IT!!

Nugent is in a class by herself when it comes to writing relentless, immersive, intelligent narratives. I have created a new genre inspired by Liz Nugent books and it's called Psychological Mind Fuck.

Note to Liz: I hope you like Liberace 😉

[Kim ~ It’s All About the Thrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Merry Christmas to me....Merry Christmas to me... Yes I finally did it! I have been not so patiently waiting for Skin Deep to hit the shelves here in the United States. I admit, I am a bit of a book snob and I wanted to have a shiny hardback to sit next to my other two Liz Nugent books. I could take it no longer! I had to order a copy from Book Depository...anyways.....that is why I have not read this book until just now! The perfect Christmas gift to myself!

Who is Cordelia Russell? I will tell you who she is- she is a psychopath, narcissist, crazy AF woman that thinks about herself 100% of of the time. When this woman isn't thinking about how to advance herself, she is thinking how to take someone down. In true Liz Nugent fashion, this character is extremely well developed and a despicable human being that is impossible to like. Yet that is what is so intriguing! You can't put it down because you are not quite sure of what this woman will do next.

I really loved how we got to look into Cordelia's past, I swear this girl was a manipulator from day one of her life. When this woman should have been down and out she was clinking champagne glasses with the highest of society- with not a penny to her name.

I have made no secret that Liz Nugent and Peter Swanson are my absolute favorite authors on the face of the earth! So it is no surprise that I loved this book. Unraveling Oliver still stands as my favorite though. I love that twisted dude!

I can NOT wait for Our Little Cruelties to come out! I will not be waiting to order that one! Come on March 26, 2020! Exactly 3 months to go!

[Dem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Startlingly vivid and Original. This is a tormented tale of obsession and murder that I found utterly compelling and beautifully written.

This is Liz Nugent's third Novel and she is certainly an author who deserves her place amoung the top thriller writer's as this is a throughly engrossing and well thought out psychological thriller and I enjoyed every moment spent in this chilling and athmospheric tale.

First of all the character of Delia is dislikable but memorable and the initial setting of the novel on the Island of Inishcrann is hauntingly vivid and gives a gothic style feel to this thriller, The folklore tales she casts from the Island's history are pure storytelling at its best and for me this added that eerie element to the novel that pushed this from a 4 star to a 5 star read for me.
image:
Cordelia Russell has been living on the French Rivera for twenty five years, passing herself off as an English socialite. But her luck and the kindness of strangers have run out.

I love the contrast setting of this novel in the classic French Riveria and the eerie Island of Inishcrann and its bleakness. A highly impressive 3rd novel from Liz Nugent with a gripping narrative of twisted love and murder that inhabits a landscape as bleak and eerie as Inishcrann and its folklore. This author has a vivid imagination and certainly not afraid to write dark and dislikable characters and I think Delia o Flaherty is one of her best yet.

I think readers who enjoy cleaver and dark psychological thrillers will really enjoy this one.

I also enjoyed Unraveling Oliver and Lying in Wait by Liz Nugent.

My thanks to Penguin Ireland for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this novel in return for an honest review.

[Elyse Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I wanted to live a life with open sky and the sound of waves to soothe me to sleep. I wanted isolation”.

I LOVE LIZ NUGENT!!!!!! love her - love her - love her.....
I’m still in a trance....my mind spinning!!!!
All of Nugent’s books are terrific... but this third one - tops them all!!

Cordelia Russel is a dangerous commodity....
Irish? English? French?
She’s a fascinating Chamaeleon!!

I’m dying to discuss this book with readers who have read it!!!!

***EVERYTHING***WAS AWESOME!!!!!!

5+ stars

[Liz Barnsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skin Deep is genuinely amazing. A truly memorable psychological character study.

It is a difficult one to review if I’m honest – the basis of the tale is simply the story of one woman and those whose lives she enters and leaves, but it’s impact on you is subtle, immeasurable and difficult to describe. Beauty may indeed only be “Skin Deep” but what lies beneath the surface is fascinating, absorbing and taken apart by the author in amazingly clever and intelligent ways.

The writing is beautiful, full of thought provoking prose and is also descriptively stunning – the settings are alive, Cordelia herself provides the light and dark and the story unwinds in a hugely addictive fashion, taking us from small islands to vibrant cities as she lives a life less than ordinary.

The whole novel is completely and utterly brilliant but the final resolution is stunning. Days later I’m still worrying away at it, my mind goes back there at odd moments, not only to the ending but to the entirety of the story. It is dark yes, it is a twisty tale indeed, in character and event, but is entirely believable and utterly authentic.

Liz Nugent wastes not one word – every part of Skin Deep is plotted to perfection, designed for emotional impact and hits the mark every single time. I will never forget Cordelia or those whose lives she affects, her story is ingrained on my soul. Without doubt this is the author’s best novel to date.

Hauntingly beautiful, achingly sad.

Highly HIGHLY recommended.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skin Deep by Liz Nugent is a highly original psychological thriller which centres around the most cold-blooded, unfeeling and damaged individual I’ve ever come across!

After the opening pages show a blood-soaked body, and a panic-stricken observer, we go back to the beginning to a small Irish island named Inishcrann where Delia lived with her parents and brothers; through to the beauty of the French Riviera, where Delia was Cordelia Russell. Living and deceiving everyone she came in contact with, she was obsessed with her beauty - the darkness inside her only lightened by thoughts of her Daddy who loved her. The past wouldn’t leave her, but she wouldn’t acknowledge it either.

Manipulative, obsessive, appalling – Cordelia Russell is a character you should run from; do not let yourself know her as she is only skin deep and aims to use you....

This is my second novel by this author and it is so different to anything I’ve ever read before! I don’t think I liked any of the characters – I know I wished someone would knock Delia off early in the proceedings! (Though of course we wouldn’t have a story then, would we!) I would have to say Skin Deep is one of the best, most horrifying psychological thrillers I’ve read in a long time and recommend it to fans of the same!

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read and review.

[Katie B · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I absolutely adore Liz Nugent. All three of the books I have read by her have been fantastic. A completely underrated author and if I have to start shouting from the rooftops to get more people to read her books, I will!

So the book starts off with you finding out something terrible has happened in the present time and then you go back and get to see everything that led to it. In this case, a woman who appears to be down on her luck has a slight problem on her hands. You see there's a dead body at her place and well, it's starting to smell. After that crazy introduction, we basically start at the beginning in which a young girl named Delia is living on a sparsely populated island off the coast of Ireland. The story follows Delia from childhood all the way into adulthood.

If you loved the author's other book, Unraveling Oliver, you will most likely enjoy this one as they are both more character driven novels rather than plot based. That's not to say that nothing interesting happens in the novel because there is definitely a lot of drama, but Delia herself is the strength of the book. Delia was an interesting character to me because in some ways you feel like you got deep in her head but in other ways she felt a bit mysterious, like someone you didn't completely understand. She's such a complex character and it's like I couldn't take my eyes off her which meant I kept flipping the pages, wanting to learn more about her. Liz Nugent just really nails it when it comes to featuring fascinating characters in her novels.

Definitely recommend giving this book a try especially if you enjoy stories with imperfect characters. I will now try my best to patiently wait for the author to come out with her next novel!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first Liz Nugent Book & all I can say is what an author she is, Skin Deep was very atmospheric being set in Inishcrann on the French Riviera thought I was there the prose follows Delia's life from a child till now & she was one sick twisted self absorbed without any empathy for anyone.



At first I didn't know where this was going but about a quarter way through I worked it all out there was a murder in the opening that is so disturbing it chilled me to the core, and a lot of folklore history which I enjoyed I hated Delia's character but Ms Nugent wrote her exceptionally well .




I loved Jimmy's character the hate he had for his mother was extreme but I didn't blame him loved every minute he showed a sense of loss not being loved only by his father the amount of plastic surgery he had made me cringe sadness gripped my inner soul.



My Thoughts

Loved this book & author Think I have found another author yay for me!! The book took a little time to take off but once it did it was one thing after another, the prose was very interesting the pacing was top notch & characters were well written & a page turner could not wait to get back to it.

If your looking for something with evil characters then look no further this will delight anyone who likes sick twisted characters this is for you, its a very dark read.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first taste of a Liz Nugent book and found this psychological thriller an addictive read that left me wanting to read more of her work. I found this book strangely captivating and although non of the characters were appealing or likeable in the slightest, I just had to read on.
There is nothing to like about the lead character Cordelia Russell, she is cruel, selfish and ruthless but her story is intriguing. A well written novel that is thought provoking and different from a lot of books I read personally. This is the story of Cordelia's life that I found truly fascinating.

I would like to thank Net Galley and Penguin UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Jayme · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I wondered when Rigor Mortis would set in, or if it already had.”

This is the opening line of Liz Nugent’s third novel. As always, her opening lines are meant to shock us, and pull us right into the story...

Having enjoyed “Unraveling Oliver” (a strong 4 stars for me) and Lying In Wait (a 5 star favorite, this year), I decided that for Christmas, I would order a copy of this book, which was released in Ireland and the U.K. this April, because I just did not want to wait for the U.S. release...

Unfortunately, her third effort was not nearly as strong for me.

Born on the Island of Inishcrann, Delia is beloved by her father, and told she will grow up to be Queen of the Island. It’s a land rich with folklore, but poor in many other ways. The residents are few, and there are not enough women, for every man born there, to have a wife.

The novel is sprinkled with the legends that the residents believe in.

But, fate would take Delia to the mainland when she is just a beautiful, young girl, away from her father, perhaps the only person she ever felt love for. And, away from the sea, to which she is drawn, and always yearns to return to.

Delia is incapable of bonding with others, but she will find that she can coexist with those who can provide her with something she wants.

Like “Unraveling Oliver”, this is a character study, but unlike her first, this book does not alternate between each character’s perspective, though at about the 50% mark, you will be sporadically offered a “one chapter” observation from someone who has been a part of her life.

I found that I prefer when Ms. Nugent writes from the alternating viewpoints of her characters, as she did in her first two novels....the pace being much faster when she does.

But, again, she delivers a dark novel, which I am sure will please many of her fans, more than it did me, and I will still be watching eagerly for her next release.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cordelia (Delia) Russell's luck is running out. She is desperate, her flat is grotty and reality is grim. Delia spends a night at a glittering party. She stumbles home through the backstreets at dawn. Before she opens her door, she can hear the flies buzzing. It hasn'ttaken long for the corpse in her bedroom to start decomposing......

Delia Russell is an appalling, manipulative and obessive character. We learn about her childhood on an isolated Irish Island, her domineering father, through to her now virtually penniless life. This is a very well written story that has many surprises along the way.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Penguin Books UK and the author Liz Nugent for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Adrian Dooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a ride! I feel both dirty and enthralled after spending the last 370 odd pages with (Cor)Delia Russell. A both enthralling and repulsive novel at the same time.

The whole story follows the life of Delia Russell from a young age to her middle age. Growing up on a remote island off the West coast of Ireland, she comes from a dysfunctional family where her father obsesses and adores her while ignoring his sons completely. He tells her folklore tales of the islands past and how one day she will be Queen of the island.

We know from a very young age that something is not right with Delia. Shes manipulative and narcissistic even at that young age and causes havoc for her family and the island as a whole.

The story is told mostly, but not exclusively in chronological order from Delias point of view. From her years as a child on the island to her time as a young adult in London to her time spent in the south of France for most of her adult life.

I loved this novel, but in an odd way. Delia is a thoroughly dislikeable character with no real redeeming features. Totally self centred, totally narcissistic and perhaps psychotic, despite all this I really enjoyed spending all that time with her and was intrigued by her and what may happen to her and those around her. The whole world she inhabits feels slightly otherworldly with a cast of odd characters to match it. It is set in the real world of course but it felt slightly otherworldly to me or slightly surreal and I never felt quite comfortable when turning the pages(but in a good way)

I loved the ending of this book and the pure symbolism of it. When I had finished I felt exhausted from the read. I had been totally drawn in to this world and the goings on in Delias life. So many dislikeable or slightly strange characters but so many memorable ones too.

Ive read nothing like this before really and dont even know if Id class it as a thriller. Liz Nugent has really written a fantastic piece here. So much in this book, so many vivid images, so many memorable characters all set in a world where a lot goes wrong and we stumble from one dislikeable character to the next. None so more than our main character.

So how do I like this so much when the main character is such an awful character as are a lot of the other characters? Its because it has that je ne sais quoi(pun intended). That hidden ingredient that has you asking yourself why are you enjoying this read so much when you know you are. It is of course all in the writing. I tip my hat to miss Nugent. Another cracker of a novel from her. Shes a special talent who you dont know what to expect from, but do know you will be in for a treat.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Penguin UK and Liz Nugent for a ARC in excahnge for an honest review.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed Liz Nugent’s previous novels, “Unravelling Oliver,” and “Lying in Wait,” and so was looking forward to her new book. It begins with us being introduced to Cordelia (Delia), a middle aged woman living on the Côte d'Azur. Delia was famed for her beauty, but she is now ageing, she drinks too much and her life is complicated by the corpse currently dead in her apartment…

During this novel, we hear the story of Delia’s life; from her childhood on an isolated, remote Irish island, with her domineering father, Martin O’Flaherty, through her life and up to the point where we re-discover her, down and heel, virtually penniless and in an extremely difficult situation. We learn how she was idolised by her father, who worshipped her, while virtually ignoring his wife and sons. How she grew up to see herself as special and expected to be given everything that she wants – and, if this is not forthcoming, she will take it for herself, regardless of the consequences.

Delia is selfish, cruel, self centred and lacking empathy. In those terms, she is an extremely unsympathetic character. However, as the novel progresses and events unfold, you do have some grudging respect for her, as she constantly reinvents herself. The finale of the book is extremely shocking as we learn who the corpse lying on her floor is.

The centrepiece of this novel is, undoubtedly, the character of Delia. Malevolent, selfish, cruel, beautiful and deeply flawed. Nugent has created an excellent central character, who is unusual for being female and, in a way, both the victim and the villain of the story. This is a really well written, compelling psychological thriller, which is full of surprises. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a bookish baddie. You know the kind. Self-centered, narcissistic, just hateful in general. Well, yet again, Liz Nugent has created a truly terrible fictional human being in Cordelia Russell. Right from the beginning of Skin Deep I found myself disliking her as a character.

But. And there is definitely a but. When we are taken through Cordelia’s early life, the reader learns why she is the way she is. No excuse, I know, but it is a very insightful and eye-opening character development that left me wondering how many more layers Liz Nugent could possibly add to her character.

Skin Deep is a masterful exploration of character and circumstance. It is graphic, raw and unashamedly honest in its portrayal of the lengths to which someone will go to get what they need from others. Selfishness and greed are front and centre in this book, and as we learn more about Cordelia, it is difficult to not have some very real and often angry feelings towards her.

I had been eagerly awaiting this book, and it was most definitely worth the wait. A savage look at the depravity of the human condition, the lengths to which people will go for their own gain, it is a triumph.

Highly recommended!

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Skin Deep starts with a death (no spoilers here, it’s literally the first page), and the reader soon becomes aware that there is something slightly off about Delia O’Flaherty, the female character narrating the story. And it’s not just the fact that she is leaving a body behind in her flat in Nice as she goes out trying to clear her head and come up with a plan of how to best dispose of it. It was all very, very intriguing, and I soon felt myself getting sucked into the story. Who can resist a mysterious character embroiled in a violent death at the start of a mystery? Well, lovers of crime fiction will surely know what I mean!

After the first chapter, the story jumps back in time to Delia’s childhood on a remote island off the West coast of Ireland renowned for inbreeding and madness. And Delia’s upbringing certainly isn’t normal. As her father’s favourite, she has learned at an early age to use her beauty to scheme and plot in order to get her way, without caring about the consequences of her behaviour on others. Every life she touches, however briefly, will be irrevocably altered – unfortunately never for the better!

Liz Nugent certainly knows how to create a sociopathic character that burns through the pages like a fireball of destruction (an apt comparison, which you will find out if you read the book). I initially found myself intrigued, then disturbed, and at one point in the book so disgusted by her actions that any empathy I may have felt for this character vanished in a puff of smoke. There was a definite turning point in the story for me, from a kind of morbid fascination to one of outright horror. To say that it disturbed and depressed me is an understatement – some of its images haunted me in my worst nightmares. Perhaps the graphic images in my mind come from a background of seeing such tragedy in real life in my job, which created visuals I did not want to follow me into my sleep. Or perhaps it is parenthood that altered me to the point where I could not get over this one particular event in the book without feeling sickened to the very pit of my stomach. Whatever the reason, I admit that I would have gladly abandoned the book at this point if I had not invested so much time in it already. Delia was not the only dislikeable character in this somewhat bleak tale, but certainly the one who created the most destruction in her wake. All in all, the images created in my mind were bleak, depressing and disturbing. Kudos to the author for evoking such a visceral reaction, but sadly it marred any pleasure I may have gained from reading the rest of the story.

Skin Deep is a powerful, sinister and disturbing character study of a narcissistic, sociopathic protagonist that will appeal to readers who don’t mind their characters dark and unlikeable. Nugent’s writing is engaging and soon manages to draw you into the action. There is an unexpected twist at the end that should please mystery lovers, even though its circumstances just add to the overall tragedy of the story. Personally, I found some of the themes too disturbing for my liking and concede that I am obviously not the right audience for this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin UK for the free electronic copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.

*blog* *facebook* *instagram*

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, what to say about Liz Nugents new novel? Well, "Skin Deep" is a memorable read. Nugent has created a character that you love to hate in Cordelia. That said, I actually felt sympathy for her at certain points though it evaporated rather quickly each time. Nugent has developed a complex personality which isn't exactly a breeze. I know some people stopped reading as they could not connect with her, if you prefer a likable cast this may not be for you. I was drawn in from the first pages and didn't stop until I had reached the finale.

A very unsettling novel that is unique in terms of the premise and plot. I haven't read a book as chilling as this in a while.

Many thanks to Penguin Books (UK) for an ARC. I was not required to post a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

[Julie Parks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book left me mentally crippled. I mean I literally drank for three days straight and came down with flu right after.

It's grand. It's brilliant. DON'T READ IT ON YOUR HONEYMOON!

Our main villain, Delia (or Cordelia, depends on who you ask) is a real masterpiece.


First, it kind of matters whether you've read Unraveling Oliver before this or not. Because it's hard not to see this as a female spin-off of the same pain. I was actually mad at Nugent for a while. It's one thing to rewrite old books by other authors, a completely different thing to just keep justifying the world's worst people are unluckily orphaned children grown badass. Also, dear Liz you are making us pity your home country a lot!

Second, this book is a strange mix of chapters. The main narration is Delia but then you get these single chapters by the supporting characters that aren't developed at all. You want more but instead, you go back to Delia and the action continues.

And the action just down the hill from the first to the last chapter.

While reading Unraveling Oliver I had these pangs of sorrow, or sympathy, or empathy even, or injustice. Well, Delia is just pure devilish. It's not the same thing. There's no grace or glory in this story.

I cried my eyes out in about 81% into Oliver - but this book is just frown, headache, open that bottle so that it hurts less...more pain...how many more pages?

I asked myself again and again after finishing this if these kind of books are necessary at all. Sure, we have American Psycho - though maybe one is enough. But even that is a sort of Rhapsody to fallen virtue that is white male power. In the same way, we would have to add this up to the value that is visual innocence, especially in young women. And I'm not sure I agree with that. Certainly not to the point where I would like to glorify it in literature.

To me Delia was just a growing malice. To claim that she - we - had reasons not to spot it early, or to justify one "mistake" after another is a bit easy. I'm not saying this book needs the Hollywood style happily ever after, but most people in her world simply let her go...is that really life? Or literature?

Loved the ending. Poetic. And Irish!

Now Liz, how about a non-orphan story now?!

[Nila (digitalcreativepages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really don't know how to review this book. I have read this book with a wide eyed fascination, in complete disbelief, at the way the main character was and the actions taken by her in her life, all selfish ones. There was no empathy, no tenderness, she almost seemed empty. A sociopath of sorts. Scary!!!

The story starts with the main character Cordelia/ Delia killing someone from her past, and then going to a party to find a man who would sponsor her escape from the apartment where the corpse was. Finding no one, she returns home, back to the decomposing body (she is shocked that a body can decompose so quickly) and then the back story starts.

A story into her past starting from her childhood where her father brainwashed her into believing that she was the Queen of the island (which she believed throughout the book. The father soon killed the rest of family and himself) and then the story went on to how she survived life, not really needing/liking/loving anyone, but using everyone who came her way.

I have read Liz Nugent's books, they were all psychological thriller, this probably is too but a different kind. A look into the mind of a sociopathic woman who had no feelings for anyone, (including her son) other than herself. This is how the main character Cordelia described herself.

I knew this wasn't normal. I knew that I wasn't normal. I have never needed people, just the comforts they could offer me.

Her mantra throughout the book was —Daddy was right all along, I am better than all of them. I have never come across a more self-obsessed main character than this, ever in so many years of reading.

I couldn't put down the book as I wanted to know about the identity of corpse and the reason she killed. Besides, Cordelia went deeper and deeper into the abyss as the story went that I couldn't stop reading, just to know how much, how far, and where and how will it all end.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher, Penguin Books UK, and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Kelly (and the Book Boar) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual footage of me at Savers on half price book sale day . . . .



Generally I buy stuff that I just want to hoard and have probably already read, but this time I had the buzzkill husband with me who kept reminding me I have zero bookshelf space left and pretty much just cramping my style so I had to find books I hadn’t read before. And then I saw this one . . . .



So I have a handful of reviews I haven’t written yet (shocker, I know) where I’m going to complain about not liking the characters. Liz Nugent is a great exception to that rule because the entire point of her stories is so you can have the reaction . . .



The easiest comparison of the lead in this novel as well as her latest Little Cruelties is to that of Maurice in A Ladder to the Sky. There are literally zero redeeming qualities. And she does it oh so well.

Skin Deep is basically the life story of a fictional character named Cordelia. As with all of Liz Nugent’s books, it begins with a signature whammy of a first sentence . . . .

I wondered when Rigor Mortis would set in, or if it already had.

And then you rewind all the way to the beginning and work your way back to the present.

Take my rating with a dump truck full of salt because I am truly a superfan at this point and will read ANYTHING she writes.

[Herbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skin deep is a dark and twisted novel which shows just how heartless one person can become. It messed me up and I loved it.

[Nazanin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Told in multiple POV, 1st person, it’s a standalone novel. Compared with other books I’ve read by this author this one is my favorite so far. The main character is the most unlikeable one, as much as I wanted to strangle her or slap her most of the time. She is a psychopath, a selfish woman who only sees herself and puts her own needs beyond others, and doesn’t think or care about anyone else. And that is what is so intriguing and made me enjoy it! She could manipulate everyone to get what she wanted without thinking or any care about the consequences! I don’t know why I waited so long to read it. I was captivated from the beginning and I couldn’t put it down. It’s well-written and for the ending, I think it was the perfect one for the story. Overall, I had fun reading it and hope you enjoy it as well!

[Joanne Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having been a huge fan of Liz Nugent’s last two books, I’m not quite sure why this one has sat on my TBR for so long! And now I’ve read it, I wish it was back on there! Not because I didn’t like it, but because I would love to be reading it once again for the first time! What a wonderfully dark and harrowing story Liz Nugent weaves around one of the most hideous and monstrous characters she has ever created…proving that beauty truly is only skin deep.

When we first meet Cordelia she is the only daughter of a family with four children living in a small island community with her parents. The relationships between them all are pretty dysfunctional but I have to say that even I was shocked when I eventually realised just how messed up this family was. I’m a big believer in nurture over nature and Cordelia was certainly a product of her upringing but as her life story develops, I did start to wonder why her luck never seemed to change and why. There were some very shocking moments for me here and, as a mother, I found myself utterly repulsed by some of the decisions taken by Cordelia and the total lack of personal responsibility she took. Any sympathies I felt started to ebb away as I decided to step back and just watch her “car crash” of a life head towards its ultimate fight for survival.

Liz Nugent writes such involving, character lead psychological thrillers that I have to read them in one tension filled session. She has a real talent for developing despicable and unlikable characters and Cordelia is one of her most fascinating. Her beauty seemed at the heart of many of her problems but how much blame could be laid at the door of those who exacerbated her problems? How much do the actions of others towards us affect our self worth?

This is a fantastic book that I couldn’t put down and want to shout about to anyone who will listen! And as I have a captive audience here then that means you lot!! THIS BOOK IS BRILLIANT!! Needless to say, it’s highly recommended by me!

[Ieva Andriuskeviciene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liz Nugent is a master of dark atmospheric books. I probably prefer this one over Unraveling Oliver. Main character is so difficult and complex. Highly recommend

[Blair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank god I decided to pick this up when I did – it got me out of the biggest reading slump I’ve had all year. Delia’s story, from a tiny and wild Irish island to the glamour of the French Riviera, is a superb character study, something like Tana French meets (early) William Boyd. (I thought Diana from Stargazer was going to be the most riveting character I read about in 2022; now, she has competition.) This is a near-400-page book that’s so captivating, so easy to get lost in, it feels like it’s about a quarter of that length. Highly recommended to similarly jaded readers (and everyone else).

TinyLetter | Linktree

[Elaine Mullane || Elaine and the Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Liz Nugent. Both her debut and sophomore novel kept me awake until the early hours. I was so drawn into her stories, her characters, that I couldn't sleep without knowing how things played out with them. So, naturally, I was delighted to be sent an advanced copy of her third novel, Skin Deep from Penguin Ireland.

Nugent is a stunningly talented writer. Her thrilling, gripping plots and utterly despicable characters tend to transfix, so my expectations were high. Thankfully I was not disappointed. When this book opens, Cordelia Russell is stumbling around a rotting corpse in her Côte d'Azur flat. She is hungover from the night before, having attended a lavish party thrown by some of the coast's wealthiest inhabitants. With her funds rapidly dwindling, she ventures out into the afternoon sun to try and find someone to trick into giving her money. Already we dislike her. We are offered no explanation about the corpse in her flat, but over the course of the book are drawn back into the story of her life, to delve into her history and figure out just who exactly Cordelia is.

Our protagonist, real name Delia O'Flaherty, was born on the small and remote island of Inishcrann. The eldest child and only daughter of Martin O'Flaherty, an island native, and an American tourist who fell in love, Delia was idolised by her father. Regarded by him as the future queen of Inishcrann, Delia is self-possessed and self-obsessed from a young age. Her beauty is mesmerizing, something which she is constantly reminded of. Her three younger brothers are ignored by O'Flaherty, as he parades his daughter around the island, obsessed with her future role in continuing the legacy of his family and helping with the further population of the island. Although she is still a child, Delia is aware of the power her beauty holds and stirs trouble among the community of islanders. It isn't long before her actions lead to a devastating event that will change Inishcrann forever and see her forced to leave the island for mainland Ireland.

The story then moves from the small village of Cregannagh to an orphanage in Galway, to the home of a couple in Westport, Co Mayo, where Delia spends her childhood and teenage years. As she grows up, she continues to manipulate people, to use her beauty and sexuality to get what she wants, and to utterly destroy lives. (“She’s a life-ruiner...she ruins lives.” ~ Mean Girls) She is, it seems, devoid of human emotion, always leaving a trail of shattered people in her wake. Eventually, after a dramatic turn of events, she moves to London, where her behavior becomes even more shocking. Spending her later years in the French Riviera, Delia (now Cordelia) is no more likable, and her actions are no more warranted. Before we know it, we are back where we started, standing over that decomposing, stinking corpse, wondering whether this woman was born bad or, through her life, became that way.

As well as being a superb thriller - and a sheer contender for the ever-popular "grip-lit" genre of women's writing- Skin Deep is ultimately a story of nature vs. nurture; of family, history and fate. It is a truly compelling and intelligent novel about a beautiful and terrifying femme fatale. Delia's, or Cordelia's, story is masterfully structured and suspenseful, the plot perfectly intricate. The tension Nugent builds in this dark and chilling tale is unbearable at times and I couldn't wait to discover our protagonist's fate. Nugent's talent clearly lies in her ability to bring to life detestable, abnormally self-possessed human beings, and expertly portray the inner workings of their twisted minds. This is psychological suspense at its absolute best and you, too, will devour it.

Skin Deep is a seductive, sinister and satisfying read that will leave you breathless. Five very well deserved stars.

Thank you so much to Penguin Ireland and the author for the opportunity to read this book ahead of its release. It was a pleasure. Skin Deep is due for release in April.

[NILTON TEIXEIRA · Rating 5 out of 5]

TW: unwanted pregnancy, substance abuse, abusive relationship, victims of fire.

Beforehand let me say that if you, as a reader needs to love a character then this book is not for you.

Only recently I discovered this book, thanks to a member of a book group that I follow.
It was published in 2018 and for some unknown reasons, it has not yet been published in Canada, not even as an ebook.
I was able to purchase a paperback copy from UK, through Amazon.ca.
This was my 5th book by this author and once again she surprised.
Her writing and storytelling skills are superb!
She creates despicable and unlikeable characters that at the same time are very intriguing.
This is a character study and the development of the storyline, although slow, is quite absorbing.
I would not label it as a thriller, but as a suspenseful drama.
It really triggers your curiosity and emotions.
The insertion of some dark tales (Irish folklore) as an intermission as well as short POVs by different characters was very clever.
I must confess that, even though I disliked the main character’s personality, there was a moment that I was tearful and felt happy for her.
Only a good writing and storytelling could have touched me this way, hence my 5 stars.
The revelation at the end was a huge surprise, and the way it happened was shocking.

I can hardly wait for her next book.

Paperback (Penguin Random House UK): 374 pages (or 390 from cover to cover)

[Noeleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohhh Delia O’Flaherty, you are a devilishly despicable, devious, dreadfully wicked character and I loved every single moment! Liz Nugent’s third book, Skin Deep is a definite hit and deserves high praise. Following on from Unravelling Oliver and Lying in Wait, I was apprehensive that a third book may not live up to the first two fantastic books…..but I was totally wrong. Skin Deep is equally as excellent as the two previous novels.

The story follows Delia O’Flaherty from a young age as she leaves her Irish island home to Westport, London, Côte d'Azur and Monaco. It is a dark tale full of twists and turns. Just as we think Delia simply cannot become any more deceitful and scheming………she can and does! I loved the stories of the old islanders interspersed throughout the book and the unexpected dark ending just wrapped this all up perfectly!

This is a very well written page turner with an excellent story and many surprises along the way. Skin Deep is going to be a hit in 2018 for sure. All of the stars for this one!

My thanks to Penguin Ireland and NetGalley.

[Sonja Arlow · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

I enjoyed this a little more than Unraveling Oliver and I think the main reason was that unlike Oliver, Delia also got her comeuppance.

It’s just difficult to give a book a higher rating when 90% of the characters are all bitter or aggressive A*holes. The author really has a gift of writing despicable characters.

I really enjoyed the island stories interspersed throughout the tale – little stories her father told her that all have some link to what is currently happening to Delia. I could appreciate the thought the author put into creating Delia, her back story and how her circumstances affected her as a person and I know I was not meant to like her, but I also didn’t really care what happened to her.

Part 3 was very well done but unfortunately, I had to slog through 300 pages to get to it.

Like with Unraveling Oliver the first sentence hooks you immediately, Delia leaves her apartment where a corpse is cooling rapidly, determined to go find someone to help her out of this situation.

The story unfolds to show Delia’s background as the beloved daughter of an island fisherman. In fact, her father was so totally obsessed with her he practically ignoring his wife and sons. Her childhood was anything but idyllic as she is separated from her family early on and brought up by Moira and Alan, a loving couple who sees the potential in this gorgeous child. The story follows Delia’s life from childhood to adulthood and shows all the people she affected, used and manipulated throughout her life.

Now that I am done I can see the similarities to Unraveling Oliver in terms of the structure of the story, the type of characters, the different POV’s and the overall feel. The author is clearly a good solid writer, but I just don’t resonate with her stories, so I am not sure I will be reading more of her books in future.