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Broken Flowers
Your mother. The one person you trust. What if you're wrong?
Widowed Nan is on her way to her beloved son's wedding. She should be excited, but she is dreading her return to Paradise Place - a small area of Notting Hill that she hasn't dared set foot on for decades. Nan had arrived there as a young girl in the late seventies, desperate for freedom and a career as an artist. But, drawn into a dark obsession that spun out of control, Nan was forced to flee.
And while the only thing seemingly connecting her son's wedding and her old secret life is Paradise Place, Nan quickly gets the impression that someone is watching her every move . . . someone she thought was dead.
Widowed Nan is on her way to her beloved son's wedding. She should be excited, but she is dreading her return to Paradise Place - a small area of Notting Hill that she hasn't dared set foot on for decades. Nan had arrived there as a young girl in the late seventies, desperate for freedom and a career as an artist. But, drawn into a dark obsession that spun out of control, Nan was forced to flee.
And while the only thing seemingly connecting her son's wedding and her old secret life is Paradise Place, Nan quickly gets the impression that someone is watching her every move . . . someone she thought was dead.
400 pages, Paperback
First published April 16, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
April 12, 2020
Nan is having to face all her fears to return to London for her estranged sons wedding. She hasn't been back since she jumped on a late night train forty years ago. She hasn't seen her son since her husband died two years ago. Once she's in London, Nan starts meeting the family of her future daughter-in-law. But there is one relative she has ot met yet. The mysterious godfather of Marie-Laure. But they are in the same house that Nan had rented a room in all those years ago. The night that had changed her life for good.
The story flips back and forth between past and present and its told from multiple perspectives. Thenoace is slow and the twists were a litt,e predictable. It took me a few chapters to get into the story. We learn the secrets of Nan's past and the choices she had to make. The last quarter of the book was by far the best. I also thought there was a few chapters that were written just to bulk the book up.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Quercus Books and the author Kate MaQuaile for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The story flips back and forth between past and present and its told from multiple perspectives. Thenoace is slow and the twists were a litt,e predictable. It took me a few chapters to get into the story. We learn the secrets of Nan's past and the choices she had to make. The last quarter of the book was by far the best. I also thought there was a few chapters that were written just to bulk the book up.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Quercus Books and the author Kate MaQuaile for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 17, 2023
In brief - Entertaining and quite edgy - I did spot some of the twists quite early on but not bad at all.
In full
Nan, a widow, is heading to London for her son's wedding. While that should be good news she has been estranged from her son for a couple of years now. Equally very few people know (her son included) that she lived in London herself in the late 1970s. That was not a happy time for her and she has kept the events secret for many years. This is one of those "Now and Then" stories. It switches between the late 1970s and the present day.
Slightly strangely (to me) the "Now" part of the narrative is in the first person from Nan's perspective in the main. The "Then" part in London in the seventies is written in the third person. One or two things are apparently clear from the start. It seems that Nan may have murdered someone during her time in London. She then returned to her northern home and her husband of many years has recently died. As the book progresses there are a number of reveal moments when we find out more about past and present events.
I'd prefer not to say more about this interesting story - the reader would be better making that journey for themselves. What I will say is that there is a spooky edge to this tale. Even when it's not spooky you just know things are going to happen that may have profound effects. I found the storytelling good and the characters were certainly up to the jobs they were given. Some are maybe less than pleasant and some may have made mistakes but it makes for a very readable book.
I did find that I worked out some of the twists in advance (maybe not all!) however I'm not complaining. There is well worked tension in this book. I for one would certainly read something else by Kate McQuaile. For those who like a dark tense tale this one should satisfy most.
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
In full
Nan, a widow, is heading to London for her son's wedding. While that should be good news she has been estranged from her son for a couple of years now. Equally very few people know (her son included) that she lived in London herself in the late 1970s. That was not a happy time for her and she has kept the events secret for many years. This is one of those "Now and Then" stories. It switches between the late 1970s and the present day.
Slightly strangely (to me) the "Now" part of the narrative is in the first person from Nan's perspective in the main. The "Then" part in London in the seventies is written in the third person. One or two things are apparently clear from the start. It seems that Nan may have murdered someone during her time in London. She then returned to her northern home and her husband of many years has recently died. As the book progresses there are a number of reveal moments when we find out more about past and present events.
I'd prefer not to say more about this interesting story - the reader would be better making that journey for themselves. What I will say is that there is a spooky edge to this tale. Even when it's not spooky you just know things are going to happen that may have profound effects. I found the storytelling good and the characters were certainly up to the jobs they were given. Some are maybe less than pleasant and some may have made mistakes but it makes for a very readable book.
I did find that I worked out some of the twists in advance (maybe not all!) however I'm not complaining. There is well worked tension in this book. I for one would certainly read something else by Kate McQuaile. For those who like a dark tense tale this one should satisfy most.
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
August 5, 2021
It's no secret that I am not a fan of slow burn thrillers, unless they have a little extra something to hold my attention while the tension builds. But I found BROKEN FLOWERS to be so slow burning that the pace was non-existent.
Nan Brown is returning to London for her estranged son's wedding to a woman she has yet to meet. She hasn't been back since she boarded a train to take her back to Yorkshire some forty years ago. Then two years ago her husband Chris died and she hasn't seen her son Ben since.
Now she's back and her son has sent a car to collect her from the station and take her to her hotel and from there another car will meet her later that evening to transport her to their house where they are all gathering to celebrate the upcoming wedding. But as the car takes her through the familiar streets of London bringing her closer and closer to her past, all her fears return to haunt her as they pull up in front of an address she had hoped never to see again...let alone return to.
Number 4 Paradise Place - where a tragedy that haunts her nightmares occurred four decades ago. This was not a happy time for her and she has kept that part of her life secret for many years. Is it all about to erupt to the surface?
But as the guests mingle and Nan lays eyes on her son for the first time in two years, there is one guest she has not met...who has yet to arrive. The mysterious godfather of Ben's fiance, Marie-Laure. And then there is a face from her past she thought she would never see again...he couldn't be here, could he? Because he's dead! He died forty years ago! Is she hallucinating?
The narration shifts between THEN and NOW as Nan's past life comes back to haunt her present, as well as through various characters as well as voice from the past. I don't mind past and present stories and usually find them the most engaging...however BROKEN FLOWERS was not it. Nan's constant rehashing over everything that took pages and pages when a paragraph would have sufficed just grated on me as well as the slow to non-existent pace. I am not a huge fan of over descriptive stories and prefer to have an equal amount of dialogue.
I cannot say when the pace picked up, as I gave up before it bored me to sleep. But I have seen most reviewers say that it didn't get interesting until the last quarter of the book. Boy, am I glad I didn't stick around for that because in my view that is far too late to start making things interesting.
This was my introduction to Kate McQuaile and I can't say I was excited about it. But it may appeal to fans who love their thrillers the slow burning simmering type.
I would like to thank #KateMcQuaile, #Netgalley and #Quercus for an ARC of #BrokenFlowers in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
Nan Brown is returning to London for her estranged son's wedding to a woman she has yet to meet. She hasn't been back since she boarded a train to take her back to Yorkshire some forty years ago. Then two years ago her husband Chris died and she hasn't seen her son Ben since.
Now she's back and her son has sent a car to collect her from the station and take her to her hotel and from there another car will meet her later that evening to transport her to their house where they are all gathering to celebrate the upcoming wedding. But as the car takes her through the familiar streets of London bringing her closer and closer to her past, all her fears return to haunt her as they pull up in front of an address she had hoped never to see again...let alone return to.
Number 4 Paradise Place - where a tragedy that haunts her nightmares occurred four decades ago. This was not a happy time for her and she has kept that part of her life secret for many years. Is it all about to erupt to the surface?
But as the guests mingle and Nan lays eyes on her son for the first time in two years, there is one guest she has not met...who has yet to arrive. The mysterious godfather of Ben's fiance, Marie-Laure. And then there is a face from her past she thought she would never see again...he couldn't be here, could he? Because he's dead! He died forty years ago! Is she hallucinating?
The narration shifts between THEN and NOW as Nan's past life comes back to haunt her present, as well as through various characters as well as voice from the past. I don't mind past and present stories and usually find them the most engaging...however BROKEN FLOWERS was not it. Nan's constant rehashing over everything that took pages and pages when a paragraph would have sufficed just grated on me as well as the slow to non-existent pace. I am not a huge fan of over descriptive stories and prefer to have an equal amount of dialogue.
I cannot say when the pace picked up, as I gave up before it bored me to sleep. But I have seen most reviewers say that it didn't get interesting until the last quarter of the book. Boy, am I glad I didn't stick around for that because in my view that is far too late to start making things interesting.
This was my introduction to Kate McQuaile and I can't say I was excited about it. But it may appeal to fans who love their thrillers the slow burning simmering type.
I would like to thank #KateMcQuaile, #Netgalley and #Quercus for an ARC of #BrokenFlowers in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
April 21, 2020
ARC provided by Quercus Books and Kate McQuaile via NetGalley. All opinions are mine and freely given.
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"Between lifting the poker and smashing it down.. there must have been a moment when I thought about what was going to happen..."
"But if there was such a moment, I don't remember it."
04-21: 'Broken Flowers' by Kate McQuaile is the story of a woman who decades earlier fled her youthful dreams and a house called Paradise Place with devastating secrets she hoped she'd never have to address again. Upon arriving in London for her estranged son's wedding, she finds herself looking up at the very home she ran from all those years ago. The voice and face of a man she longed to forget, already plaguing her mind.
The narration shifts constantly between characters and unfortunately lacks any distinction of 'voice' leaving the reader to rely on overt statements to remind them who's telling their story, despite the name appearing at the start of some chapters. But the story itself is interesting, if not a bit overreaching at times.
It very much so feels like a novel that was written with plot points first as the writer tried to weave her way toward the scenes she envisioned and moments she felt were crucial. Now, it's not uncommon for a book to be approached that way, but I don't often find myself feeling it along the way as I read.
Nan, our main character, has a strained relationship with her son.. to say the least. I think McQuaile does an amazing job at the emotional narrative between those involved in her story. Most of the interactions seemed very genuine and though I didn't yet know exactly how these people had failed each other, their pain felt reasonable and I wanted to champion their attempts to bridge those gaps.
"I've become one of those pathetic women desperately hoping the man of her dreams will see her as the woman of his."
Almost all the characters have a relatability factor to them, regardless of their strengths or social statuses, they have realistic vulnerabilities. They're likable and I even found it difficult at times to choose how I would have wanted things to work out. For even the 'villains' certainly didn't see themselves as such and admittedly, I didn't entirely either.
"..it seemed that nothing I dished out, regardless of how rude or even cruel, could faze her. In fact, I credit her for turning me into a human being again."
Puzzle pieces were delivered slowly, but sometimes felt ill-placed as if the author felt they were necessary in that moment to turn the direction of the story she wanted to tell. In all fairness, I'm just picky about how these things are handled. I like a natural pattern to emerge and feel that if you have to use another character to insert information in order to create a turning point, you should reassess. But make no mistake, that's my preference and this author still did a wonderful job of driving her story steadily toward the crescendo she foresaw.
Though I traversed the majority of the novel with a relatively accurate expectation as to where certain aspects of the story were going, McQuaile does hit us with a bit of a 1-2-punch in the reveal, which I'd only half considered. From there, the landscape is a steady shift of change. In fact, she did so much 'footwork' in the story throughout the last chapters, I was unsure to the last moment which outcome I was going to get.. and I applaud her for that.
It's certainly not as finessed as classic thrillers like Du Maurier's 'Rebecca' or 'D'entre les morts' (the novel from which Hitchcock's 'Vertigo' was born) by the French duo known simply as Boileau-Narcejac, I do believe fans of these titles would find 'Broken Flowers' highly enjoyable and I'm happy to recommend it despite my small misgivings.
PURCHASE LINKS: AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | GOOGLEPLAY BOOKS | KOBO | WATERSTONES
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04-20: Good enough to read straight through! Review to come this afternoon!
04-19: Starting this one today and hoping it's good!
February 1, 2020
A Mother's love will never die"
Thank you so much Quercus Books to provide me with ARC from this novel.
This novel is melting my heart and I loved it so much that I don't want to finish it.
I loved flashback and suspense scenes.
Thank you so much Quercus Books to provide me with ARC from this novel.
This novel is melting my heart and I loved it so much that I don't want to finish it.
I loved flashback and suspense scenes.
July 10, 2020
Dark. Twisted. Enthralling!! The perfect read for making time disappear fast!! The more you find yourself getting involved with these characters, the more you find yourself turning the pages to find out what happens next!! I loved it!
The character of Nan, is the centre of this book, and boy what a story she has to tell!! When she finds herself heading to London to see her estranged son ahead of his wedding, the more you find yourself wondering what has kept her away from London for so long, and why her relationship with her son is so strained.... nothing is going to prepare you for the truth!!
The story then flashes back to the 1970's and Nan arrives in London as a young artist. On her own for the first time she finds herself drawn into a world of dark obsessive love - a far cry from her 'normal' life back home in Yorkshire. When things spiral out of control she is left suffering mentally and her life is never the same again despite her best efforts to live life the normal way.
Returning to London she finds herself back at places she tried very hard to put out of her mind, and those flashes from the past begin to take over her every moment again. Is her mind playing tricks on her, or is the past she thought she'd left behind finally catching up with her?
I loved the pace of this story! It felt really unsettling at times when things were happening to Nan and the shocking events of the past were brilliantly played out to keep the tension up! The fact that she hid so much of her past from those around her really seemed to mess her up and cloud her judgement and thought process in knowing how to move on. Sticking her head in the sand wasn't going to work for the situation she found herself in! And now it's come back to bite her big time!!
I really enjoyed the twists and turns and can't wait to read more from this author in the future!
The character of Nan, is the centre of this book, and boy what a story she has to tell!! When she finds herself heading to London to see her estranged son ahead of his wedding, the more you find yourself wondering what has kept her away from London for so long, and why her relationship with her son is so strained.... nothing is going to prepare you for the truth!!
The story then flashes back to the 1970's and Nan arrives in London as a young artist. On her own for the first time she finds herself drawn into a world of dark obsessive love - a far cry from her 'normal' life back home in Yorkshire. When things spiral out of control she is left suffering mentally and her life is never the same again despite her best efforts to live life the normal way.
Returning to London she finds herself back at places she tried very hard to put out of her mind, and those flashes from the past begin to take over her every moment again. Is her mind playing tricks on her, or is the past she thought she'd left behind finally catching up with her?
I loved the pace of this story! It felt really unsettling at times when things were happening to Nan and the shocking events of the past were brilliantly played out to keep the tension up! The fact that she hid so much of her past from those around her really seemed to mess her up and cloud her judgement and thought process in knowing how to move on. Sticking her head in the sand wasn't going to work for the situation she found herself in! And now it's come back to bite her big time!!
I really enjoyed the twists and turns and can't wait to read more from this author in the future!
July 26, 2020
I had all but given up with thrillers and their predictability but then came along this book and gave me literal goosebumps.
I love when a thriller has both character development and an edge of your sit plot and this has both in abundance.
Nan A widow is on the way to London to her estranged Son's wedding. What would be an ordinarily happy occasion and a chance to reconcile with her son is far from that.
Nan lived in London in the 1970's where she lived in a house with two charismatic men. Something happened there and shes been haunted by it ever since....
I don't give too much away with thriller reviews so will leave the synopsis there, But let me say this ticked all my thriller satisfaction boxes.
Its edgy, twisty and I love when there's unpredictability and I don't guess the twists or the ending.
If you're looking for a thriller that is character driven as well as plot then this is that book for you. I love the way you really got to know about all of the characters and not just some of them. I love when a book alternates between time periods yet doesn't feel out of sync or disjointed and this did that too. I rarely give thrillers 5 stars but feel that this one truly deserves it.
I love when a thriller has both character development and an edge of your sit plot and this has both in abundance.
Nan A widow is on the way to London to her estranged Son's wedding. What would be an ordinarily happy occasion and a chance to reconcile with her son is far from that.
Nan lived in London in the 1970's where she lived in a house with two charismatic men. Something happened there and shes been haunted by it ever since....
I don't give too much away with thriller reviews so will leave the synopsis there, But let me say this ticked all my thriller satisfaction boxes.
Its edgy, twisty and I love when there's unpredictability and I don't guess the twists or the ending.
If you're looking for a thriller that is character driven as well as plot then this is that book for you. I love the way you really got to know about all of the characters and not just some of them. I love when a book alternates between time periods yet doesn't feel out of sync or disjointed and this did that too. I rarely give thrillers 5 stars but feel that this one truly deserves it.
July 9, 2020
I received this free copy in exchange for an honest review on Netgalley.
This was AMAZINGLY good!!! I am not the one who goes for that genre but for some reason I decided to give it a try nonetheless and oh my my mind was blown. Loved every minute of reading it. The characters, the back and forth in time, the overall frustration, the inception of different storylines that were cleverly woven together. Definitely reading more of her work! A big five star from me!
This was AMAZINGLY good!!! I am not the one who goes for that genre but for some reason I decided to give it a try nonetheless and oh my my mind was blown. Loved every minute of reading it. The characters, the back and forth in time, the overall frustration, the inception of different storylines that were cleverly woven together. Definitely reading more of her work! A big five star from me!
June 12, 2025
This book was awesome! The way it jumped between flashbacks and different perspectives, plus the third-person narration, just made it even better. Towards the end, everything started clicking, and you could totally piece together what happened. But then, classic suspense novel style, there was a twist that completely messed with my head!
July 19, 2020
Nan had something to hide, and someone was determined to expose it.
My first book by this author, the premise and the feeling of dread gripped me. The midsection was a bit slow, but the story picked up pace to end in a revealing finale.
Overall, a fun read
My first book by this author, the premise and the feeling of dread gripped me. The midsection was a bit slow, but the story picked up pace to end in a revealing finale.
Overall, a fun read
January 20, 2020
I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review
It doesn’t get more WTF did I just read than this. Throughout the entire book. WTF. Horrifying
It doesn’t get more WTF did I just read than this. Throughout the entire book. WTF. Horrifying
February 11, 2020
3.5/5 Stars.
This book was a good read the only thing i didnt enjoy much about it was it had alot of filler chapters and the art talk about paintings honestly was put into the book and it was boring when they talked about it a few times in the filler chapters. The book picked up super slow but however towards the end around 70% it started to get really really good and had alot of dark twists and turns and honestly i was shocked a few times. It had Then and Now chapters and the then chapters were super good and my favorites. Thank you netgalley for sending me this book i look foward to reading this author in the future.
This book was a good read the only thing i didnt enjoy much about it was it had alot of filler chapters and the art talk about paintings honestly was put into the book and it was boring when they talked about it a few times in the filler chapters. The book picked up super slow but however towards the end around 70% it started to get really really good and had alot of dark twists and turns and honestly i was shocked a few times. It had Then and Now chapters and the then chapters were super good and my favorites. Thank you netgalley for sending me this book i look foward to reading this author in the future.
January 13, 2025
Basically a psychological thriller where a widowed woman named Nan tries to put her tragic past behind her but it doesn't let her do that when she gets invited to her son's wedding in London, where the nightmares of her past lie.
- In the seventies, she went to London from Yorkshire to join in an art college and thats where she meets Eddie in a pub and Hugo (who's the landowner of the flat she moves into because she doesnt like the non-freedom in her college hostel)
- Bfr Nan comes to London, she has a bf in Yorkshire (Chris) and she keeps in touch with him through calling once a while just cuz she has to
- Nan likes Eddie but soon theyre just friends because she falls for Hugo; who's essentially a playboy who has many girls over and doesn't like the idea of settling down with one woman
- One night when the 3 of us drink too much, Nan thinks Hugo is trying to r*pe her and hits on his head with a metal rod. Eddie threatens Nan to go to the police about this so she also hits Eddie on his head (its revealed eventually that he dies but Hugo survives with a major brain injury that makes him lose 2 years of his life)
- Nan leaves the 2 men there and returns to her house in Yorkshire, marries Chris and lives a life. She also thinks she killed Hugo
- When she comes back to London (40 years after the incident), Nan realises Hugo is still alive and is out to get her for revenge. Nan's son, Ben is set to marry Marie-Laure (ML) and Ben ran away from home after his dad Chris died in an accident because chris told him Nan is hiding smth from him and Ben ran away to become an artist
- One day when Nan and ML's mum Alice talk, Alice tells Nan that she has had an affair with Hugo (who's actually ML's godfather) and at this point none of them know Nan had a life in london before and knew Hugo
- Nan goes in search of Eddie and finds eddie's sister who tells nan eddie has been reported missing for 40 years. When Nan gets scared that eddie's sister might go to the police about this, she reveals the truth about Hugo to Alice
- about how Hugo raped her and Ben is actually hugo's son and Chris married her despite knowing this. At that point Alice is gobsmacked because ML is ALSO hugo's daughter who was born to Alice and hugo due to their affair
- Ben learns about this and makes Hugo take a DNA test with him but it turns out hugo isnt ben's father and thats when hugo reveals the truth to nan that it was EDDIE who raped Nan and not hugo.
- Hugo also tells Nan that she actually murdered Eddie that night and he also realises she only hit him on the head because she thought it was Hugo that was raping her. So his urge to get revenge goes away and he starts liking Nan
- So that night Nan sleeps with the man she feared the most for the past 40 years and everything seemed like the way she has always wanted it to be (cuz she liked hugo from the start) except she finds hugo's journal he had kept secretly and reads it when he goes out to get food
- in that he wrote that it was him who murdered Chris because he couldn't picture Nan with anyone but him and also because of revenge (so hugo was the one that staged the car accident chris was in and made him die, it was a whole plot)
- Nan thinks hugo doesnt know that she read his diary but it turns out he never left the house to get food and knew that now Nan knows the truth
- In a major turn of events, Hugo gets pushed onto the train track and he dies while Nan finally is freed of her nightmares and lives her life to the fullest
*Very captivating book that you cannot put down because every important event happens one after the other and keeps you hooked to know what was the tragic past that Nan was running from
- In the seventies, she went to London from Yorkshire to join in an art college and thats where she meets Eddie in a pub and Hugo (who's the landowner of the flat she moves into because she doesnt like the non-freedom in her college hostel)
- Bfr Nan comes to London, she has a bf in Yorkshire (Chris) and she keeps in touch with him through calling once a while just cuz she has to
- Nan likes Eddie but soon theyre just friends because she falls for Hugo; who's essentially a playboy who has many girls over and doesn't like the idea of settling down with one woman
- One night when the 3 of us drink too much, Nan thinks Hugo is trying to r*pe her and hits on his head with a metal rod. Eddie threatens Nan to go to the police about this so she also hits Eddie on his head (its revealed eventually that he dies but Hugo survives with a major brain injury that makes him lose 2 years of his life)
- Nan leaves the 2 men there and returns to her house in Yorkshire, marries Chris and lives a life. She also thinks she killed Hugo
- When she comes back to London (40 years after the incident), Nan realises Hugo is still alive and is out to get her for revenge. Nan's son, Ben is set to marry Marie-Laure (ML) and Ben ran away from home after his dad Chris died in an accident because chris told him Nan is hiding smth from him and Ben ran away to become an artist
- One day when Nan and ML's mum Alice talk, Alice tells Nan that she has had an affair with Hugo (who's actually ML's godfather) and at this point none of them know Nan had a life in london before and knew Hugo
- Nan goes in search of Eddie and finds eddie's sister who tells nan eddie has been reported missing for 40 years. When Nan gets scared that eddie's sister might go to the police about this, she reveals the truth about Hugo to Alice
- about how Hugo raped her and Ben is actually hugo's son and Chris married her despite knowing this. At that point Alice is gobsmacked because ML is ALSO hugo's daughter who was born to Alice and hugo due to their affair
- Ben learns about this and makes Hugo take a DNA test with him but it turns out hugo isnt ben's father and thats when hugo reveals the truth to nan that it was EDDIE who raped Nan and not hugo.
- Hugo also tells Nan that she actually murdered Eddie that night and he also realises she only hit him on the head because she thought it was Hugo that was raping her. So his urge to get revenge goes away and he starts liking Nan
- So that night Nan sleeps with the man she feared the most for the past 40 years and everything seemed like the way she has always wanted it to be (cuz she liked hugo from the start) except she finds hugo's journal he had kept secretly and reads it when he goes out to get food
- in that he wrote that it was him who murdered Chris because he couldn't picture Nan with anyone but him and also because of revenge (so hugo was the one that staged the car accident chris was in and made him die, it was a whole plot)
- Nan thinks hugo doesnt know that she read his diary but it turns out he never left the house to get food and knew that now Nan knows the truth
- In a major turn of events, Hugo gets pushed onto the train track and he dies while Nan finally is freed of her nightmares and lives her life to the fullest
*Very captivating book that you cannot put down because every important event happens one after the other and keeps you hooked to know what was the tragic past that Nan was running from
January 22, 2020
What happens when your past could ruin absolutely everything in your life after you've worked so hard to put it behind you? Kate McQuaile gives it all to you in "Broken Flowers".
Nan hasn't seen the likes of London in 40 years, not since art school, not since she jumped on a train late that night and never looked back. She also hasn't seen her son since her husband passed away 2 years ago. So when she receives a wedding invation for her son and his beloved Marie-Laure, with a ticket to London and a hotel for the week of the wedding though she's reluctant, she goes. Once she begins meeting the family of her son's fiance, it's awkward enough for her as her and her son haven't spoken so there are obvious tensions. At the same time there is a mysterious godfather to Marie-Laure that hasn't shown himself just yet. All the while they're in the same house she rented a room in some 40 years ago. The night that changed everything. She hasn't been able to step foot in London since that evening but what exactly happened that night? Was coming back the right thing to do? Or is something bad about to happen?
I really enjoyed this book. The flashbacks and alternating points of view as well as the 3rd person narration made it even better. Towards the latter part of the book it all started piecing together so that you could form opinions as to what exactly happened, but as in every good suspense novel there is a twist thrown in and blows the reader's perspective. Though at the beginning I was concerned with the ability to believe the MC Nan but as the novel progressed I became a slight bit more confident in her. I am very pleased that the author offered us multiple sides of the story so that you were able to see the full picture. I was honestly sad that the book was over when I got to the end, I just wanted more, I had immersed myself into the characters so much I wanted to find out what happened with Nan and her son. Overall I think Kate McQuaile has a knack for suspense novels and has an immediate bestseller on her hands.
*I was provided this novel by NetGalley for feedback to the publisher.
Nan hasn't seen the likes of London in 40 years, not since art school, not since she jumped on a train late that night and never looked back. She also hasn't seen her son since her husband passed away 2 years ago. So when she receives a wedding invation for her son and his beloved Marie-Laure, with a ticket to London and a hotel for the week of the wedding though she's reluctant, she goes. Once she begins meeting the family of her son's fiance, it's awkward enough for her as her and her son haven't spoken so there are obvious tensions. At the same time there is a mysterious godfather to Marie-Laure that hasn't shown himself just yet. All the while they're in the same house she rented a room in some 40 years ago. The night that changed everything. She hasn't been able to step foot in London since that evening but what exactly happened that night? Was coming back the right thing to do? Or is something bad about to happen?
I really enjoyed this book. The flashbacks and alternating points of view as well as the 3rd person narration made it even better. Towards the latter part of the book it all started piecing together so that you could form opinions as to what exactly happened, but as in every good suspense novel there is a twist thrown in and blows the reader's perspective. Though at the beginning I was concerned with the ability to believe the MC Nan but as the novel progressed I became a slight bit more confident in her. I am very pleased that the author offered us multiple sides of the story so that you were able to see the full picture. I was honestly sad that the book was over when I got to the end, I just wanted more, I had immersed myself into the characters so much I wanted to find out what happened with Nan and her son. Overall I think Kate McQuaile has a knack for suspense novels and has an immediate bestseller on her hands.
*I was provided this novel by NetGalley for feedback to the publisher.
March 8, 2020
Thanks to Quercus Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Fiendishly clever and compelling - a wonderfully twisty thriller from Kate McQuaile. 'Broken Flowers' is one of those novels that takes a few chapters to really get into, but once you do, it is almost impossible to put down. The storyline is dark, opaque at times, yet satisfyingly so. Yet, what really elevates this novel above the average is the mesmerising prose of McQuaile. This is a well written, wonderfully composed psychological thriller, where the past meets the present to devastating effect. This story is all about Nan. Called back to London for her son's wedding, Nan is forced to confront the past. Through a dual, time-lapse narrative we learn the secrets of Nan's past, and the influences that made her into the woman she is today. In this respect, McQuaile is quite the tease' offering us mere glimpses of the dark events that shaped Nan in 1970s London. Yet, the denouement is all the more satisfying for the slow build up of tension in the story. Indeed, for the final quarter of the book I found myself turning the pages with bated breath. In other words, a slow- burner became a literal page-turner. A fantastic read from a gifted storyteller.
Fiendishly clever and compelling - a wonderfully twisty thriller from Kate McQuaile. 'Broken Flowers' is one of those novels that takes a few chapters to really get into, but once you do, it is almost impossible to put down. The storyline is dark, opaque at times, yet satisfyingly so. Yet, what really elevates this novel above the average is the mesmerising prose of McQuaile. This is a well written, wonderfully composed psychological thriller, where the past meets the present to devastating effect. This story is all about Nan. Called back to London for her son's wedding, Nan is forced to confront the past. Through a dual, time-lapse narrative we learn the secrets of Nan's past, and the influences that made her into the woman she is today. In this respect, McQuaile is quite the tease' offering us mere glimpses of the dark events that shaped Nan in 1970s London. Yet, the denouement is all the more satisfying for the slow build up of tension in the story. Indeed, for the final quarter of the book I found myself turning the pages with bated breath. In other words, a slow- burner became a literal page-turner. A fantastic read from a gifted storyteller.
April 14, 2020
Nan is on her way to London for her son's wedding. She fled from London in the 70s and hasn't set foot in the capital since. She is scared of the memories London holds and scared of her relationship with her son which fractured after her husband's death.
I really struggled with this book and just couldn't get into it. I returned several times and finally finished it in a rather piece meal fashion. It just didn't hold my attention.
I am not sure exactly what the problem was. It isn't a fast moving book and I found that the action rather dragged. It was certainly padded out in places.
The story itself is set in two time periods - London in the 1970s when Nan was a young and quite immature student. The other thread is set in the present day where we follow Nan as she meets her future daughter in law and her family for the first time.
I don't think I can exactly pinpoint one problem with the book. It dragged a bit, was a bit padded in places & had some events that seemed to me to be very unlikely even in the world of fiction. Add in characters that I failed to relate to; in fact I couldn't like most of them. In all it just didn't work for me.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley.
I really struggled with this book and just couldn't get into it. I returned several times and finally finished it in a rather piece meal fashion. It just didn't hold my attention.
I am not sure exactly what the problem was. It isn't a fast moving book and I found that the action rather dragged. It was certainly padded out in places.
The story itself is set in two time periods - London in the 1970s when Nan was a young and quite immature student. The other thread is set in the present day where we follow Nan as she meets her future daughter in law and her family for the first time.
I don't think I can exactly pinpoint one problem with the book. It dragged a bit, was a bit padded in places & had some events that seemed to me to be very unlikely even in the world of fiction. Add in characters that I failed to relate to; in fact I couldn't like most of them. In all it just didn't work for me.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley.
June 9, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc.
This book has taken me forever to get through - from the very beginning it just dragged thanks to the main character. Nan is such an unlikeable character and I found myself unable to sympathize with her, which I'm uncertain if that was the author's intention or my disagreeablity with her character voice. Honestly, Ben had the right idea to have issues with her.
The decision to have three points of views was alright, I didn't particularly mind that aspect except the past chapters were probably the part that dragged the most for me because I didn't particularly care about Nan enough to want to know what led her to the way she is now. But I did care enough toward the 85% or so mark to find out what exactly was going on, although the previous red herring kind of annoyed me when I looked back on it.
Anyway, the only true good parts of this was anything related to Chris as a person because he actually made me quite sad. And Ben trying so hard to live his life after being raised with a mother like Nan. As well as Ben's fiancée.
Content warnings for sexual assault, bad parent and child relationship, car accident, mental distress
This book has taken me forever to get through - from the very beginning it just dragged thanks to the main character. Nan is such an unlikeable character and I found myself unable to sympathize with her, which I'm uncertain if that was the author's intention or my disagreeablity with her character voice. Honestly, Ben had the right idea to have issues with her.
The decision to have three points of views was alright, I didn't particularly mind that aspect except the past chapters were probably the part that dragged the most for me because I didn't particularly care about Nan enough to want to know what led her to the way she is now. But I did care enough toward the 85% or so mark to find out what exactly was going on, although the previous red herring kind of annoyed me when I looked back on it.
Anyway, the only true good parts of this was anything related to Chris as a person because he actually made me quite sad. And Ben trying so hard to live his life after being raised with a mother like Nan. As well as Ben's fiancée.
Content warnings for sexual assault, bad parent and child relationship, car accident, mental distress
October 30, 2024
This book is about Nan, a Mother and a widow trying to rebuild her relationship with her son, which also means facing her biggest fear in the city that she used to love where something sinister happened. Will her son be able to forgive her? Or will her visit to this city ruin everything she holds dearly and worse will uncover the horrible secret she's been hiding.
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 (𝗡𝗼 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀) 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸｡
What I liked about this book is that it is a slow burn thriller, I love this kind because for me it builds up a story and suspense. However, the plot just falls messily for me. There's two pov which I love however there's also a changing timeline which doesn't always confuse me, however this one does. Every time I read I had to double check if I had the correct timeline in mind hahaha. But I did enjoy it, it wasn't so bad I wish there was just more this book can offer but it's not for me I guess. I just hated that all those sacrifices she did felt nothing at the end and it's frustrating at her part and for the reader as well.
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 (𝗡𝗼 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀) 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸｡
What I liked about this book is that it is a slow burn thriller, I love this kind because for me it builds up a story and suspense. However, the plot just falls messily for me. There's two pov which I love however there's also a changing timeline which doesn't always confuse me, however this one does. Every time I read I had to double check if I had the correct timeline in mind hahaha. But I did enjoy it, it wasn't so bad I wish there was just more this book can offer but it's not for me I guess. I just hated that all those sacrifices she did felt nothing at the end and it's frustrating at her part and for the reader as well.
November 24, 2022
Thank you #netgalley and #quercusbooks for the chance to review this arc.
Nan Brown is returning to London for her estranged son's wedding. She hasn't been back to her hometown in fourty years, not since a tragedy occured at Number 4 Paradise Place.
At the wedding Nan sees a face from her past. A face that couldn't be there, because he died fourty years ago.
Nan's past has come back to haunt her present.
This was a very slow book. There was a lot of overly descriptive prose which gave the book pacing problems. I'm happy I stuck it out because the end was good.
This is my first book by this author and while it wasn't my cup of tea, I can see it appealing to people who like slow burns.
Nan Brown is returning to London for her estranged son's wedding. She hasn't been back to her hometown in fourty years, not since a tragedy occured at Number 4 Paradise Place.
At the wedding Nan sees a face from her past. A face that couldn't be there, because he died fourty years ago.
Nan's past has come back to haunt her present.
This was a very slow book. There was a lot of overly descriptive prose which gave the book pacing problems. I'm happy I stuck it out because the end was good.
This is my first book by this author and while it wasn't my cup of tea, I can see it appealing to people who like slow burns.
December 18, 2024
Don’t they say revenge is a dish best served cold?
If you’re a fan of slow-burning thrillers where tension meets suspense in a whirlwind of lies, secrets, and bloody cold revenge? Then this book might be for you!
For me, this was a slow-burner that didn’t pick up speed till about the last quarter of the book and when it did, the twists were either predictable or far-fetched. I did, However, enjoy the writing and the premise of the book and would still recommend it.
I would like to thank the Publishers, NetGalley, and the Author for sending me a copy of this book.
You can check out my reviews on my blog
If you’re a fan of slow-burning thrillers where tension meets suspense in a whirlwind of lies, secrets, and bloody cold revenge? Then this book might be for you!
For me, this was a slow-burner that didn’t pick up speed till about the last quarter of the book and when it did, the twists were either predictable or far-fetched. I did, However, enjoy the writing and the premise of the book and would still recommend it.
I would like to thank the Publishers, NetGalley, and the Author for sending me a copy of this book.
You can check out my reviews on my blog
February 18, 2020
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my advanced copy! This will be published on 4-16-20.
I’ve got to say that the first couple of chapters I didn’t know if I was going to like it....but this author writes so beautifully and I just absolutely love her writing style! And I found myself I couldn’t put this book down and read it in 2 days. I am not a big fan of flashbacks but the author did it well and I found myself looking forward to them .
The twist was a juicy one and made me 😳😮have that look on my face! Well done!!! This was my first book from this author and now I am a fan!!!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
April 7, 2020
What happened to Nan all those years ago that was so bad that she left London for good? Told in dual time line, you'll slowly come to understand why she's been reluctant to return and why she's been estranged from her son. Now, however, she's got to face her fears because he's getting married. His fiancé Marie-Laure is an interesting one too; she's got a mysterious godfather out there who will be relevant to the story (or will he?). This one gets a little out there but that's ok because McQuaile is a good storyteller and she's carefully crafted her plot. I also liked that Nan is an artist. No spoilers. You will be sympathetic to Nan as you turn the pages.
April 12, 2020
This book is a slow burner. Brilliantly written that builds to a crescendo.
NaN on leaving school heads to London to study art. There she shares a house with the charismatic Hugo and Eddie.
Years later she is invited back down toLondon to celebrate her sons wedding. They haven’t spoken since her husband’s death 2 years ago. Whatever has happened for them to fall out. And you is the godfather of Bens bride to be.
Secrets will keep tumbling out and things hidden for years come to the surface.
Well worth 5 stars.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the arc in return for an honest review
NaN on leaving school heads to London to study art. There she shares a house with the charismatic Hugo and Eddie.
Years later she is invited back down toLondon to celebrate her sons wedding. They haven’t spoken since her husband’s death 2 years ago. Whatever has happened for them to fall out. And you is the godfather of Bens bride to be.
Secrets will keep tumbling out and things hidden for years come to the surface.
Well worth 5 stars.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the arc in return for an honest review
July 12, 2020
Dark, twisted & intriguing!
This novel is a slow burner but you soon get pulled into the story. The main characters are both convincing in there but they have different story's... who would you believe? It keeps you on toes throughout, with every twist and turns you'll find yourself second-guessing unit the end.
It missed out on 5⭐ because I felt the twists were a bit far-fetched, but if you take it with a pinch of salt it is still an enjoyable read.
Perfect for fans of a dark twisty & tense thriller.
A huge thanks to Katya Ellis & Quercus for gifting me a copy in return for an open & honest review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
This novel is a slow burner but you soon get pulled into the story. The main characters are both convincing in there but they have different story's... who would you believe? It keeps you on toes throughout, with every twist and turns you'll find yourself second-guessing unit the end.
It missed out on 5⭐ because I felt the twists were a bit far-fetched, but if you take it with a pinch of salt it is still an enjoyable read.
Perfect for fans of a dark twisty & tense thriller.
A huge thanks to Katya Ellis & Quercus for gifting me a copy in return for an open & honest review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
April 16, 2020
Broken flowers by Kate McQuale.
Widowed Nan is on her way to her beloved son's wedding. She should be excited, but she is dreading her return to Paradise Place - a small area of Notting Hill that she hasn't dared set foot on for decades. Nan had arrived there as a young girl in the late seventies, desperate for freedom and a career as an artist. But, drawn into a dark obsession that spun out of control, Nan was forced to flee.
A very good read with some good characters. I liked Nans character. Little confusing with the then now and Hugo. But I slowly enjoyed it. 4*.
Widowed Nan is on her way to her beloved son's wedding. She should be excited, but she is dreading her return to Paradise Place - a small area of Notting Hill that she hasn't dared set foot on for decades. Nan had arrived there as a young girl in the late seventies, desperate for freedom and a career as an artist. But, drawn into a dark obsession that spun out of control, Nan was forced to flee.
A very good read with some good characters. I liked Nans character. Little confusing with the then now and Hugo. But I slowly enjoyed it. 4*.
July 9, 2020
Deceitful Nan has something to hide. We know this because her version of events doesn't quite tally with the flashbacks. The story felt a little convoluted in the middle, it felt as if it took the long way round, and then ended quite abruptly, I thought immediately after finishing the story. On reflection though the ending fit the needs of the story and it was just the change of pace between middle and end that made it seem to end so suddenly. I look forward to reading more by this author.
January 31, 2021
This is the first book I have read by this author, and it has certainly got me intrigued to read her other books.
The storyline is full of mystery, suspense and is brought together beautifully. The author takes us through a range of emotions and produces a storyline that is compelling and impossible to put down.
Perfectly paced, thrilling and unique, this was a wonderful book.
*Thank you to Quercus and Netgalley for my copy of this book in return for my honest review.*
The storyline is full of mystery, suspense and is brought together beautifully. The author takes us through a range of emotions and produces a storyline that is compelling and impossible to put down.
Perfectly paced, thrilling and unique, this was a wonderful book.
*Thank you to Quercus and Netgalley for my copy of this book in return for my honest review.*
March 10, 2020
Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book for my honest opinion.
3 stars out of 5. I almost didn’t finish this book. The beginning felt drawn out and it didn’t really hold my interest until about halfway through. However, once I got past that slump it was actually pretty good. The twists were a bit far fetched, but they were enjoyable.
3 stars out of 5. I almost didn’t finish this book. The beginning felt drawn out and it didn’t really hold my interest until about halfway through. However, once I got past that slump it was actually pretty good. The twists were a bit far fetched, but they were enjoyable.
March 30, 2020
Omg! What a crazy story I ever read!
Nan couldn’t remember whet happened to her cause she was super drunk, got pregnant by her rapiist...she felt the need to tell the truth to her son Ben but, I don’t think they have a relationship together anymore...she had two murders which she didn’t know..
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy....
Nan couldn’t remember whet happened to her cause she was super drunk, got pregnant by her rapiist...she felt the need to tell the truth to her son Ben but, I don’t think they have a relationship together anymore...she had two murders which she didn’t know..
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy....
April 5, 2020
An entertaining read that kept me engaged!
I loved the flashbacks between the present and the past and the fact it was told from different characters points of view as it really help to set the scene, I had a couple of light bulb moments along the way only to find them challenged and disproved which is what's expected in a truly good suspense novel.
I loved the flashbacks between the present and the past and the fact it was told from different characters points of view as it really help to set the scene, I had a couple of light bulb moments along the way only to find them challenged and disproved which is what's expected in a truly good suspense novel.
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