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Double Deceit
When Jennifer’s husband, a hotshot lawyer from Amsterdam, is found dead at a holiday park during a weekend getaway, the young mother’s world is turned on its head. Convinced that the police have failed in their investigation, she embarks on a desperate quest for the truth. The deeper she digs, the more she gets sucked into a tangled web of lies, spun by a ruthless law firm and instigated by greed.
As her search for answers intensifies, her grip on reality weakens. Barely able to manage her patients at the health clinic, or take care of her young son, Jennifer is at risk of losing it all – even her closest friends begin to desert her. A chance encounter with a charming stranger sparks a new chain of events that plunges her deeper into a world of threats and corruption, and she begins to fear for her life. Who can she trust, and how far will she go in pursuit of the truth?
As her search for answers intensifies, her grip on reality weakens. Barely able to manage her patients at the health clinic, or take care of her young son, Jennifer is at risk of losing it all – even her closest friends begin to desert her. A chance encounter with a charming stranger sparks a new chain of events that plunges her deeper into a world of threats and corruption, and she begins to fear for her life. Who can she trust, and how far will she go in pursuit of the truth?
370 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 21, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
November 25, 2020
Thank you JB Publishing for providing me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Jennifer Smits and her husband Oliver decide to take their son away to a holiday park for the weekend to spend time as a family. Oliver is a lawyer in one of Amsterdam's to legal firms and working long hours is putting strain on their relationship. After just one day at the holiday park, Oliver is found dead and Jennifer's world is upended.
The police are convinced that Oliver's death is an accident. Just bad luck. But Jennifer is not so sure.
Haunted by her husband's death, Jennifer struggles to manage her responsibilities at work and at home.
When Jennifer starts digging for answers herself she finds a web of lies which runs deeper than she could have imagined. Convinced she is being followed, Jennifer starts to worry for her life A chance meeting with a handsome stranger may provide Jennifer with what she needs to discover the answers she so desperately seeks.
What I liked about this book
The Amsterdam setting - This is somewhere I've always wanted to visit so I found the descriptions of the locations and the travel very appealing.
Unexpected twists - Without giving away any spoilers I can say that I had decided early on who I thought the perpetrator was and I was completely wrong.
The romance - Although the romance is not the main thread of this story it does help to move it along and adds an extra layer to the story.
What I didn't like
There we a few minor inconsistencies.
Double Deceit had me sucked in from the beginning and kept hold of my attention till the end. I would recommend this book to you if you like crime thrillers or just thrillers in general.
4 stars
✮✮✮✮
Find this review and others on my blog
Jennifer Smits and her husband Oliver decide to take their son away to a holiday park for the weekend to spend time as a family. Oliver is a lawyer in one of Amsterdam's to legal firms and working long hours is putting strain on their relationship. After just one day at the holiday park, Oliver is found dead and Jennifer's world is upended.
The police are convinced that Oliver's death is an accident. Just bad luck. But Jennifer is not so sure.
Haunted by her husband's death, Jennifer struggles to manage her responsibilities at work and at home.
When Jennifer starts digging for answers herself she finds a web of lies which runs deeper than she could have imagined. Convinced she is being followed, Jennifer starts to worry for her life A chance meeting with a handsome stranger may provide Jennifer with what she needs to discover the answers she so desperately seeks.
What I liked about this book
The Amsterdam setting - This is somewhere I've always wanted to visit so I found the descriptions of the locations and the travel very appealing.
Unexpected twists - Without giving away any spoilers I can say that I had decided early on who I thought the perpetrator was and I was completely wrong.
The romance - Although the romance is not the main thread of this story it does help to move it along and adds an extra layer to the story.
What I didn't like
There we a few minor inconsistencies.
Double Deceit had me sucked in from the beginning and kept hold of my attention till the end. I would recommend this book to you if you like crime thrillers or just thrillers in general.
4 stars
✮✮✮✮
Find this review and others on my blog
November 12, 2020
This is a review of ONLY the first chapter.
It starts off with a bang. Jennifer is startled awake from a short nap taken at a holiday park during a weekend getaway. She looks up to see her husband playing games on his phone or checking his emails.
Her first thought .. when is their 2-year-old son? Her husband was supposed to watching him....and the boy has seemingly disappeared.
They eventually find him ... and Jennifer's husband states that he needs to be alone .. and he leaves.
That's all there is in the first chapter. Without any spoilers here, it looks like it might be a really good read. The book blurb will give you more information. It's hard to review when you're only given a few pages, so my rating will be a 3 ... right in the middle. Will I get the book ... yes, I probably will. My appetite to see what happens to this family intrigues me.
Many thanks to the author / BooksGoSocial / Netgalley for the digital copy of the beginning of what seems to be a really good thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
ADDENDUM: The author and Publisher were kind enough to send me the entire digital copy of DOUBLE DECEIT.
Starting where I left off .... After Jennifer's husband storms out, she's almost relieved. But when he doesn't return home that night, she begins to worry... especially as his car is still in the driveway. Calling the police, she's told he hasn't been missing long enough to file a report. She has no choice to wait just one more day ... and then the police show up at her door.
It's a well-written page turner with twists and turns that rival a roller coaster ride. The characters are deftly drawn in this story of a wife discovering deep, dark secrets that her husband has hidden for years. A good story line that you can sink your teeth into.
It starts off with a bang. Jennifer is startled awake from a short nap taken at a holiday park during a weekend getaway. She looks up to see her husband playing games on his phone or checking his emails.
Her first thought .. when is their 2-year-old son? Her husband was supposed to watching him....and the boy has seemingly disappeared.
They eventually find him ... and Jennifer's husband states that he needs to be alone .. and he leaves.
That's all there is in the first chapter. Without any spoilers here, it looks like it might be a really good read. The book blurb will give you more information. It's hard to review when you're only given a few pages, so my rating will be a 3 ... right in the middle. Will I get the book ... yes, I probably will. My appetite to see what happens to this family intrigues me.
Many thanks to the author / BooksGoSocial / Netgalley for the digital copy of the beginning of what seems to be a really good thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
ADDENDUM: The author and Publisher were kind enough to send me the entire digital copy of DOUBLE DECEIT.
Starting where I left off .... After Jennifer's husband storms out, she's almost relieved. But when he doesn't return home that night, she begins to worry... especially as his car is still in the driveway. Calling the police, she's told he hasn't been missing long enough to file a report. She has no choice to wait just one more day ... and then the police show up at her door.
It's a well-written page turner with twists and turns that rival a roller coaster ride. The characters are deftly drawn in this story of a wife discovering deep, dark secrets that her husband has hidden for years. A good story line that you can sink your teeth into.
December 1, 2020
The book begins with Jennifer Smits, her husband/hotshot lawyer Oliver and their two year old son Tim away for the weekend at a holiday park. Tim wanders off, his parents frantically search for him ... tensions are already high ... Tim is found, both parents are relieved. Jennifer is angry at Oliver for not keeping an eye on Tim. Oliver needs a breather and ends up dead. Some holiday ...
So begins the search into Oliver's death. Jennifer doesn't believe it was an accident ... the police aren't being helpful, the law firm where Oliver worked is shady and Jennifer has way more questions than answers...
ALL the red herrings in this book ... enough that you'll be questioning almost everyone! Seriously.
If you're a fan of crime thrillers you will likely enjoy Double Deciet.
Big thanks to JB Publishing and Julienne Brouwers for my review copy.
So begins the search into Oliver's death. Jennifer doesn't believe it was an accident ... the police aren't being helpful, the law firm where Oliver worked is shady and Jennifer has way more questions than answers...
ALL the red herrings in this book ... enough that you'll be questioning almost everyone! Seriously.
If you're a fan of crime thrillers you will likely enjoy Double Deciet.
Big thanks to JB Publishing and Julienne Brouwers for my review copy.
December 17, 2020
"I got a call from the police saying Oliver died...when they undressed him he was... wearing your underwear."
Imagine confronting your dead husband's mistress with the above sentence. Double Deceit by Julienne Brouwers is filled with crazy revelations like this one and rollercoaster clues and red herrings.
Jennifer, her husband Oliver and their toddler Tim are away on holiday hoping to recommit to their fractured family when Oliver is found dead in the woods. The police label it an accidental death but Jennifer starts to realize circumstances aren't adding up. The more she investigates the more her friends think she is losing her grasp on reality. As she battles the police, her friends, and even her own sanity she feels the walls closing in on her own life.
This book is filled with unpredictable turn of events and being told from Jennifer's point of view we understand her anxiety and fear as each WTF moment unfolds.
I read this novel quickly because I truly needed to know what was actually going on in Jennifer's life. I figured a few clues out way before she did which was a little frustrating because as a doctor I expected her to be a bit more aware of the evidence surrounding her.
I wish the ending had a bit more detail but it was still satisfying to read.
One of the things I loved was the way the writer described each setting in a scene. I could clearly see where and what each character was doing at the time. Reading this novel was more like watching a suspenseful thrilling movie. With that being said let me add that in the movie version @emily.bluntt would be a perfect Jennifer!
I received a free copy of this book from the publishers for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Imagine confronting your dead husband's mistress with the above sentence. Double Deceit by Julienne Brouwers is filled with crazy revelations like this one and rollercoaster clues and red herrings.
Jennifer, her husband Oliver and their toddler Tim are away on holiday hoping to recommit to their fractured family when Oliver is found dead in the woods. The police label it an accidental death but Jennifer starts to realize circumstances aren't adding up. The more she investigates the more her friends think she is losing her grasp on reality. As she battles the police, her friends, and even her own sanity she feels the walls closing in on her own life.
This book is filled with unpredictable turn of events and being told from Jennifer's point of view we understand her anxiety and fear as each WTF moment unfolds.
I read this novel quickly because I truly needed to know what was actually going on in Jennifer's life. I figured a few clues out way before she did which was a little frustrating because as a doctor I expected her to be a bit more aware of the evidence surrounding her.
I wish the ending had a bit more detail but it was still satisfying to read.
One of the things I loved was the way the writer described each setting in a scene. I could clearly see where and what each character was doing at the time. Reading this novel was more like watching a suspenseful thrilling movie. With that being said let me add that in the movie version @emily.bluntt would be a perfect Jennifer!
I received a free copy of this book from the publishers for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
December 24, 2020
If you are looking for a book to make your mouth drop open several times, that is going to be Double Deceit by Julienne Brouwers. This was a slow burn that kept me guessing and I didn't see the end coming at all. The first chapter immediately hooked me, and I couldn't put the book down, basically until I finished. Or at least I would have read it in one sitting if time had allowed, but I ended up reading it in two. There were so many twists and turns, and the end comes at you from left field, but totally in a good way.
It is kind of hard to talk about Double Deceit without giving anything away, but know that this book abounds with red herrings, and I thought Brouwers did a great job of misdirecting the reader. Some of it was a bit unbelievable and clearly wouldn't happen in real life, but I like books like that since I read fiction to get AWAY from real life. So before reading this do keep in mind you will have to suspend some disbelief, and you might not always agree with the main character's choices. But if you want a crazy ride then that is exactly what you will get, and I can't wait to see what Brouwers comes up with next!
Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with a review copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
It is kind of hard to talk about Double Deceit without giving anything away, but know that this book abounds with red herrings, and I thought Brouwers did a great job of misdirecting the reader. Some of it was a bit unbelievable and clearly wouldn't happen in real life, but I like books like that since I read fiction to get AWAY from real life. So before reading this do keep in mind you will have to suspend some disbelief, and you might not always agree with the main character's choices. But if you want a crazy ride then that is exactly what you will get, and I can't wait to see what Brouwers comes up with next!
Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with a review copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 12, 2020
I loved the premise of it, a doctor, Jennifer, investigating her husband’s death which occurred when they had gone on a weekend away, just a fall from a gentle slope, but he was wearing red lacy panties. The cops were doing nothing as it didn’t rock their boat.
My first book by author Julienne Brouwers, the story had some wicked twists. I loved how Jennifer roped in new people to help her get evidence. There was an inner fire in her. Her digging into the truth had an air of earnestness.
The intelligence shown was great, the author managed to get her into a few scrapes. Increased body count and attacks close to her home made her wary and added suspense to the plotline. An unknown stranger in the playground added more fuel to the fire as I didn’t know if he represented safety or threat.
But that started my inner niggles. If someone met me on a playground where children were playing and he had no child with him, trying to mosey into my favors, all my antennae would stand up, and it would spell stranger danger. But Jennifer trusted the man even when, till the end, there was no daughter. But then, a doctor who drank as much as she did would have skewered judgment.
I liked the villains in this book. They were the law firm doing unscrupulous things, but in style. They were ruthless and knew how to keep their employees in check. The other subplots were rushed yet entertaining. The prose kept to its furious pace as Jennifer was made to go through a wringer, including an arrest. The story came to an end with the important things slotting into place.
Overall, an interesting thriller.
My first book by author Julienne Brouwers, the story had some wicked twists. I loved how Jennifer roped in new people to help her get evidence. There was an inner fire in her. Her digging into the truth had an air of earnestness.
The intelligence shown was great, the author managed to get her into a few scrapes. Increased body count and attacks close to her home made her wary and added suspense to the plotline. An unknown stranger in the playground added more fuel to the fire as I didn’t know if he represented safety or threat.
But that started my inner niggles. If someone met me on a playground where children were playing and he had no child with him, trying to mosey into my favors, all my antennae would stand up, and it would spell stranger danger. But Jennifer trusted the man even when, till the end, there was no daughter. But then, a doctor who drank as much as she did would have skewered judgment.
I liked the villains in this book. They were the law firm doing unscrupulous things, but in style. They were ruthless and knew how to keep their employees in check. The other subplots were rushed yet entertaining. The prose kept to its furious pace as Jennifer was made to go through a wringer, including an arrest. The story came to an end with the important things slotting into place.
Overall, an interesting thriller.
November 23, 2020
Double Deceit is a steadily paced thriller that didn't keep me on the edge of my seat but did keep me engaged enough to want to see what would unfold next. The suspicion surrounding most of the characters and their possible motives was well done and helped keep the story moving along until the end. The ending was abrupt which was surprising since the majority of the story felt like a slow build up. Overall this was a pretty good story and an author I would try again.
***I received an eARC of Double Deceit in exchange for an honest review.***
Where you can find me:
•(♥).•*Monlatable Book Reviews*•.(♥)•
Twitter: @monicaisreading
Instagram: @readermonica
Goodreads Group: The Black Bookcase
***I received an eARC of Double Deceit in exchange for an honest review.***
Where you can find me:
•(♥).•*Monlatable Book Reviews*•.(♥)•
Twitter: @monicaisreading
Instagram: @readermonica
Goodreads Group: The Black Bookcase
November 28, 2020
I enjoyed this book, for the most part. It centers on Jennifer, whose husband Oliver is killed in what looks like a tragic accident while they are on holiday together, trying to respark their marriage. Jennifer thinks that his death is suspicious, but the police say it was pretty straightforward and refuse to investigate further. More events unfold, including some things Jennifer discovers that just don't seem right at her husband's law firm, but the deeper she digs, the more the people around her think she is losing the plot and just having a hard time getting over her husband's death.
The author did a good job at throwing out a lot of red herrings so I honestly could not figure out who to trust and who not to trust. The doubts were expertly weaved throughout the book, making me question everyone's intentions. Unfortunately, I didn't think there was as much set-up done around the real villain as the red herrings, which made the ending of the book seem rather abrupt after a solid build-up.
I struggled in connecting with Jennifer, though- I think the things that she chose to tell or not tell the police, and some of the situations she got herself into, seemed like bad choices, some causing me to suspend my disbelief. Also, she left her young son with her parents constantly while she did her own investigation, went out with her friends, and went on dates, which seemed seemed like poor parenting, especially after the trauma of losing his father.
Overall, the mystery in this book was solid and the storyline itself, when the scam was uncovered, felt plausible, though Jennifer herself made some questionable decisions. I was very impressed that the author wrote this book in English after having written her previous books in Dutch. I'd recommend this book to those who are interested in legal/crime thrillers as as well as mysteries. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The author did a good job at throwing out a lot of red herrings so I honestly could not figure out who to trust and who not to trust. The doubts were expertly weaved throughout the book, making me question everyone's intentions. Unfortunately, I didn't think there was as much set-up done around the real villain as the red herrings, which made the ending of the book seem rather abrupt after a solid build-up.
I struggled in connecting with Jennifer, though- I think the things that she chose to tell or not tell the police, and some of the situations she got herself into, seemed like bad choices, some causing me to suspend my disbelief. Also, she left her young son with her parents constantly while she did her own investigation, went out with her friends, and went on dates, which seemed seemed like poor parenting, especially after the trauma of losing his father.
Overall, the mystery in this book was solid and the storyline itself, when the scam was uncovered, felt plausible, though Jennifer herself made some questionable decisions. I was very impressed that the author wrote this book in English after having written her previous books in Dutch. I'd recommend this book to those who are interested in legal/crime thrillers as as well as mysteries. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 28, 2023
The first chapter of this novel was gripping and I had high hopes for the novel. Then, when Jennifer begins to become unraveled by events, I started to think that my interest in her fate was unraveling as well…
Why wouldn’t she leave well enough alone? Why not spend her energies on looking after her toddler son and working at her medical practice? As a medical doctor she showed very few decision-making skills and acted often times in a rash and foolhardy manner.
While reading this thriller, I couldn’t decide whether I was torn between admiration that Jennifer would persevere in looking into the circumstances surrounding her husband’s death, or, whether she was crazy to do so. Her actions required the reader to stretch their credulity to accept on many occasions.
The Amsterdam setting is one which I was very interested in, and I was fascinated by how the characters seemed to travel almost everywhere by bicycle – even when dressed up for a night out – wearing stilettos!
The plot was rife with red herrings, and this fact alone will attract many readers. In my personal opinion the story was rather too far-fetched and didn’t quite live up to the outstanding premise. The true villain, when revealed, came as a surprise to me, but I felt the ending was rushed and tied up a tad too neatly.
My opinion seems to be in the minority as many others thoroughly enjoyed the read. I urge you to read it and decide for yourself.
Why wouldn’t she leave well enough alone? Why not spend her energies on looking after her toddler son and working at her medical practice? As a medical doctor she showed very few decision-making skills and acted often times in a rash and foolhardy manner.
While reading this thriller, I couldn’t decide whether I was torn between admiration that Jennifer would persevere in looking into the circumstances surrounding her husband’s death, or, whether she was crazy to do so. Her actions required the reader to stretch their credulity to accept on many occasions.
The Amsterdam setting is one which I was very interested in, and I was fascinated by how the characters seemed to travel almost everywhere by bicycle – even when dressed up for a night out – wearing stilettos!
The plot was rife with red herrings, and this fact alone will attract many readers. In my personal opinion the story was rather too far-fetched and didn’t quite live up to the outstanding premise. The true villain, when revealed, came as a surprise to me, but I felt the ending was rushed and tied up a tad too neatly.
My opinion seems to be in the minority as many others thoroughly enjoyed the read. I urge you to read it and decide for yourself.
December 20, 2020
Jennifer is a young wife and a mother. She is married to Oliver Smits, a hot-shot lawyer with their home in Amsterdam. The couple together have a young son named Tim to complete their family. But all is not hunky-dory in their happy world and there’s more to this than what meets the eye.
On a much needed weekend getaway, when the family is having a convivial time, something unfathomable happens which shatters Jennifer. Her spouse, Oliver, is found dead at a holiday park. With the investigation leading to nothing concrete and definite, the police declare this case as an accident. But for various reasons, the dots don’t equate and Jennifer embarks upon this quest to unearth the truth.
What happens to Oliver?
Is Oliver’s death really an accident?
What does Jennifer discover?
Is she able to get to the bottom of this incident?
How does it all come together in the end?
Rating – 5/5 Stars
Recommendation – Very High
Conclusion,
This is an absolute gripping tale. Filled with the most unexpected twists and turns in the plot, this book keeps you on the edge. The plot development is brilliant. The character development is vivid. An enthralling and crisp page turner, I was hooked to this book right from the beginning until the end. A fast paced thriller, this was an utterly captivating read. For all the fellow thriller junkies out there, this fascinating book is truly a readers revelry.
P.S – Thank You J.B. Publishing Company for sending me an advanced review ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
On a much needed weekend getaway, when the family is having a convivial time, something unfathomable happens which shatters Jennifer. Her spouse, Oliver, is found dead at a holiday park. With the investigation leading to nothing concrete and definite, the police declare this case as an accident. But for various reasons, the dots don’t equate and Jennifer embarks upon this quest to unearth the truth.
What happens to Oliver?
Is Oliver’s death really an accident?
What does Jennifer discover?
Is she able to get to the bottom of this incident?
How does it all come together in the end?
Rating – 5/5 Stars
Recommendation – Very High
Conclusion,
This is an absolute gripping tale. Filled with the most unexpected twists and turns in the plot, this book keeps you on the edge. The plot development is brilliant. The character development is vivid. An enthralling and crisp page turner, I was hooked to this book right from the beginning until the end. A fast paced thriller, this was an utterly captivating read. For all the fellow thriller junkies out there, this fascinating book is truly a readers revelry.
P.S – Thank You J.B. Publishing Company for sending me an advanced review ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 19, 2020
I thought this book had an exciting premise since I love the classic 'whodunit' trope. However, the execution of the story is not as compelling as I'd like it to be. I thought it was so slow and so much unnecessary descriptions were put into it. I also found the main character's inner monologues and actions repetitive. It did make me doubt every characters in the story though which is obviously good for thrillers. Although, the "thrilling" aspect of the book has only a light existence overall in the narrative.
The number one thing I did not like from this is the ending. That was such a long build up for something that would end so abruptly and in a very anticlimactic way. I wish the writer spent more time fleshing out that ending than the lengthy prose where nothing much happened. There's also a little romance here and granted, it was just a small part of the story, it still feels unnecessary.
Thank you so much to Netgalley for the copy.
The number one thing I did not like from this is the ending. That was such a long build up for something that would end so abruptly and in a very anticlimactic way. I wish the writer spent more time fleshing out that ending than the lengthy prose where nothing much happened. There's also a little romance here and granted, it was just a small part of the story, it still feels unnecessary.
Thank you so much to Netgalley for the copy.
November 28, 2020
So, I decided to read a book that hasn't read by anyone I know in Goodreads. I checked Netgalley and luckily, this book was available for download. The title and the cover enticed me and when I read the synopsis, I concluded that this must be it.
Even when the story was fast-paced, the characters were well-established. It was hard for me to guess what would happen next and became doubtful with everyone related to the main character, Jennifer, even Jennifer herself.
All in all, I enjoyed this book. It was entertaining, engrossing and made me want to pedal to Amsterdam.
Thank you Netgalley, BooksGoSocial and author Julienne Brouwers for the ARC.
Even when the story was fast-paced, the characters were well-established. It was hard for me to guess what would happen next and became doubtful with everyone related to the main character, Jennifer, even Jennifer herself.
All in all, I enjoyed this book. It was entertaining, engrossing and made me want to pedal to Amsterdam.
Thank you Netgalley, BooksGoSocial and author Julienne Brouwers for the ARC.
July 18, 2020
3*. Verhaal was wel oké. Ik vond vooral het begin goed. Daarna zwakt het voor mij na een tijdje wat af. Einde vond ik ook mwah. Ging allemaal net iets te makkelijk voor mijn gevoel.
November 5, 2020
Find this and other reviews in my blog.
I have now realized that I absolutely love thriller novels. They are the best of the genres and I end up rating most of my thriller reads 4 stars and above and this was not an exception. Double Deceits started with a blast and kept up with it for the rest of the book. This read made me very sceptical about all the characters and I ended up doubting all of them.
So what is this book about? Double Deceits is filled with plot twists and revelations so I will try to sum it up without giving away too much information. Jennifer’s husband Oliver, is a lawyer at a very prestigious law firm Mason & McGant. Due to having some problems in their marriage, they decided to give their marriage another try and to patch things up by spending some time at a holiday park. However after an outburst from Jennifer after their son Tim, gets lost under Oliver’s care, he leaves the house in a fit of anger. A worried Jennifer finds out the next day that Oliver is dead. Apparently, he had a terrible accident and slipped down a slope and hit his head. Although the police and the detective presiding over the case, seem to believe that there is no foul play involved, Jennifer is not so sure. She is determined to finding out more about the circumstances in which her husband died and to check for herself his death was really due to bad luck or something greater.
It is safe to say that Double Deceits was one hell of a book. I had my doubts about every character involved. I, at one point, started suspecting Jennifer too, doubting if she was really insane and making all this stuff up or if this was indeed something more than an accident. The author has done an impeccable job in crafting out a plot that is not only very interesting to read but one which is packed with little packets of surprises all the way through.
Jennifer is a character that I really look up to. She toughened herself after her husband’s sudden death and took up the responsibility of risking her everything just to find about it without any support system.
Overall, Double Deceit was a great read. I love mystery and revelations so this was surely my cup of tea. It has rightfully earned a place among my favourite books in this genre and I definitely recommend it to all thriller lovers.
I have now realized that I absolutely love thriller novels. They are the best of the genres and I end up rating most of my thriller reads 4 stars and above and this was not an exception. Double Deceits started with a blast and kept up with it for the rest of the book. This read made me very sceptical about all the characters and I ended up doubting all of them.
So what is this book about? Double Deceits is filled with plot twists and revelations so I will try to sum it up without giving away too much information. Jennifer’s husband Oliver, is a lawyer at a very prestigious law firm Mason & McGant. Due to having some problems in their marriage, they decided to give their marriage another try and to patch things up by spending some time at a holiday park. However after an outburst from Jennifer after their son Tim, gets lost under Oliver’s care, he leaves the house in a fit of anger. A worried Jennifer finds out the next day that Oliver is dead. Apparently, he had a terrible accident and slipped down a slope and hit his head. Although the police and the detective presiding over the case, seem to believe that there is no foul play involved, Jennifer is not so sure. She is determined to finding out more about the circumstances in which her husband died and to check for herself his death was really due to bad luck or something greater.
It is safe to say that Double Deceits was one hell of a book. I had my doubts about every character involved. I, at one point, started suspecting Jennifer too, doubting if she was really insane and making all this stuff up or if this was indeed something more than an accident. The author has done an impeccable job in crafting out a plot that is not only very interesting to read but one which is packed with little packets of surprises all the way through.
Jennifer is a character that I really look up to. She toughened herself after her husband’s sudden death and took up the responsibility of risking her everything just to find about it without any support system.
Overall, Double Deceit was a great read. I love mystery and revelations so this was surely my cup of tea. It has rightfully earned a place among my favourite books in this genre and I definitely recommend it to all thriller lovers.
December 16, 2020
A huge thankyou to JB publishing for sending me an ebook copy of this thrilling book!
To start off I want to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s a thrilling mystery that truly keeps you guessing and I really enjoyed my experience reading this.
Now I absolutely loved the setting in this book. I’ve never read a book that was placed in Amsterdam so it was honestly a nice and refreshing placement to read about. The atmosphere created was so lovely to read about. The authors writing style and way of setting each scene was another really enjoyable aspect of this book for me to read. Along with this, the story was so incredibly gripping. I found myself trying to figure out what was going on and what the twist was and I will admit that I got it absolutely wrong. I was pleasantly surprised that this book managed to trick me because not many have been able to do that. There was also a nice little romance present in this story, and while it definitely wasn’t a major plot point, I found it an enjoyable aspect of the book.
As for things I didn’t like, I did find the main character to be very irritating to read about because I’ll be honest she made some questionable decisions throughout the book. The other aspect I wasn’t and a fan of was certain stereotypes that were present in the book such as a character that was classified as a cleaner that was written as a latinx character. I do think it is problematic that specific character role was written in that way, however, those are the only two negative things I have to say.
So my final thought are that I really loved this book. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good mystery/suspense/thriller!
To start off I want to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s a thrilling mystery that truly keeps you guessing and I really enjoyed my experience reading this.
Now I absolutely loved the setting in this book. I’ve never read a book that was placed in Amsterdam so it was honestly a nice and refreshing placement to read about. The atmosphere created was so lovely to read about. The authors writing style and way of setting each scene was another really enjoyable aspect of this book for me to read. Along with this, the story was so incredibly gripping. I found myself trying to figure out what was going on and what the twist was and I will admit that I got it absolutely wrong. I was pleasantly surprised that this book managed to trick me because not many have been able to do that. There was also a nice little romance present in this story, and while it definitely wasn’t a major plot point, I found it an enjoyable aspect of the book.
As for things I didn’t like, I did find the main character to be very irritating to read about because I’ll be honest she made some questionable decisions throughout the book. The other aspect I wasn’t and a fan of was certain stereotypes that were present in the book such as a character that was classified as a cleaner that was written as a latinx character. I do think it is problematic that specific character role was written in that way, however, those are the only two negative things I have to say.
So my final thought are that I really loved this book. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good mystery/suspense/thriller!
November 19, 2020
Special thanks to NetGalley, author Julienne Brouwers, and JB publishing for an ARC of Double Deceit in exchange for an honest review.
Jennifer and Oliver are on a family holiday to try to repair their marriage. Oliver goes on a walk and never comes back. He’s found dead and it’s ruled an accident, but Jennifer has her suspicions that something is not right about the situation. Digging for more information leads her to find out everything was not as seems with her husband. Jennifer now to figure out if her husbands death was an accident or if it was murder! Lots of good twists throughout the book, and a real page-turner! My only complaint is that none of the characters are really likable, and the ending seemed rushed compared to how slowly the build-up was for the rest of the book.
All in all, I enjoyed reading this thriller. 3.5/5 stars
Jennifer and Oliver are on a family holiday to try to repair their marriage. Oliver goes on a walk and never comes back. He’s found dead and it’s ruled an accident, but Jennifer has her suspicions that something is not right about the situation. Digging for more information leads her to find out everything was not as seems with her husband. Jennifer now to figure out if her husbands death was an accident or if it was murder! Lots of good twists throughout the book, and a real page-turner! My only complaint is that none of the characters are really likable, and the ending seemed rushed compared to how slowly the build-up was for the rest of the book.
All in all, I enjoyed reading this thriller. 3.5/5 stars
December 14, 2020
Actual rating: 2.5 stars
I have mixed feelings about this one. I'll start with what I liked. I loved that the setting for this book was in Amsterdam. It was refreshing and made the book more unique. I also liked that you never knew who you could trust in the book. I was always questioning the motives of each character. I also appreciated that the mystery is solved an tied up nicely at the end.
However, there were a few things I didn't like. The biggest issue I had was with the main character Jennifer. I did not like her at all and her personality really rubbed me the wrong way. This is more of a personal preference thing though and another reader may not feel the same. Despite the red herrings present in the story, it was missing the shock factor I associate with thrillers. I would have liked more twists.
This book also lacked diversity. A Spanish speaking cleaning lady and a homeless man with dirty dreadlocks were mentioned and that was it. These are stereotypes that are harmful in my opinion, but I do not think that was the intention of the author. Overall, this was a well written book with a solid mystery. If you like crime thrillers definitely give it a try.
**A free ebook was provided by JB Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
I have mixed feelings about this one. I'll start with what I liked. I loved that the setting for this book was in Amsterdam. It was refreshing and made the book more unique. I also liked that you never knew who you could trust in the book. I was always questioning the motives of each character. I also appreciated that the mystery is solved an tied up nicely at the end.
However, there were a few things I didn't like. The biggest issue I had was with the main character Jennifer. I did not like her at all and her personality really rubbed me the wrong way. This is more of a personal preference thing though and another reader may not feel the same. Despite the red herrings present in the story, it was missing the shock factor I associate with thrillers. I would have liked more twists.
This book also lacked diversity. A Spanish speaking cleaning lady and a homeless man with dirty dreadlocks were mentioned and that was it. These are stereotypes that are harmful in my opinion, but I do not think that was the intention of the author. Overall, this was a well written book with a solid mystery. If you like crime thrillers definitely give it a try.
**A free ebook was provided by JB Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
January 29, 2021
I do love a good thriller and this one checks off many boxes. The story centers around Jennifer who has lost her husband in a tragic accident, but then things start to go awry, and perhaps he didn't have an accident but was murdered. Jennifer starts looking for clues and manages to convince several people to help her even when in normal situations they would be the last to help.
The book is filled with red herrings and I suspected several people as the perpetrators because something didn't seem quite right. I wasn't correct, but the way the characters were portrayed, you would be suspicious too!
I did think that Jennifer was ripe for finding herself dead like her husband by sticking her nose into the situation. I can't believe how easy it was for her and Sandra to sneak into the law firm to look for a file and be able to copy it for themselves. I also wondered about Dan and he set off all sorts of red flags with how he met Jennifer in the park. Seemed a bit off but it did add some drama to the story.
I'm not sure that Jennifer is a very likable character. Something about her personality seemed off to me, maybe it was how she was dealing with the death of her husband and who is to say what is right or wrong? And perhaps it had something to do with the interactions with her friends. But she was persistent if nothing else, even when the police didn't believe her story.
Overall, this was an intriguing story set in Amsterdam and the author provides some wonderful descriptions of the areas and I felt like I could picture them in my mind. We give this book 4 paws up.
The book is filled with red herrings and I suspected several people as the perpetrators because something didn't seem quite right. I wasn't correct, but the way the characters were portrayed, you would be suspicious too!
I did think that Jennifer was ripe for finding herself dead like her husband by sticking her nose into the situation. I can't believe how easy it was for her and Sandra to sneak into the law firm to look for a file and be able to copy it for themselves. I also wondered about Dan and he set off all sorts of red flags with how he met Jennifer in the park. Seemed a bit off but it did add some drama to the story.
I'm not sure that Jennifer is a very likable character. Something about her personality seemed off to me, maybe it was how she was dealing with the death of her husband and who is to say what is right or wrong? And perhaps it had something to do with the interactions with her friends. But she was persistent if nothing else, even when the police didn't believe her story.
Overall, this was an intriguing story set in Amsterdam and the author provides some wonderful descriptions of the areas and I felt like I could picture them in my mind. We give this book 4 paws up.
December 2, 2020
Thrillers are a genre I have been wanting to get into but never really got round to doing so when I got the chance to read Double Deceit, I had to jump on it. And I’m glad I did! I felt this was a great introduction to a new genre.
You are engaged right from the start, with the initial tension between Jennifer and her husband, Oliver. After Oliver’s death is when the main plot and the real fun starts. Jennifer starts putting the pieces together that maybe her husbands death wasn’t just an accident but with the police ruling out foul play you can imagine how she sounds – like a lunatic.
This story includes a lot of twists and turns that will have you questioning who the killer is. I had a great time trying to figure out who it was as everyone seemed a little dodgy even Jennifer herself! The classic "whodunit" trop was executed solidly. As main characters go, Jennifer is one of the better ones although there were times when she got herself into problematic situations that left me wanting to scream at her BUT maybe that makes her more realistic.
The only real criticism I have is that I would have liked to see the ending fleshed out a little more as the ending came across a tad abrupt.
Overall, this book was fast-paced, easy to read and suspenseful and I’d definitely recommend this especially to someone who wants to delve into Crime Thrillers.
A huge thank you Julienne Brouwers for kindly sending me the E-book and involving me in the UK Blog Tour!
You are engaged right from the start, with the initial tension between Jennifer and her husband, Oliver. After Oliver’s death is when the main plot and the real fun starts. Jennifer starts putting the pieces together that maybe her husbands death wasn’t just an accident but with the police ruling out foul play you can imagine how she sounds – like a lunatic.
This story includes a lot of twists and turns that will have you questioning who the killer is. I had a great time trying to figure out who it was as everyone seemed a little dodgy even Jennifer herself! The classic "whodunit" trop was executed solidly. As main characters go, Jennifer is one of the better ones although there were times when she got herself into problematic situations that left me wanting to scream at her BUT maybe that makes her more realistic.
The only real criticism I have is that I would have liked to see the ending fleshed out a little more as the ending came across a tad abrupt.
Overall, this book was fast-paced, easy to read and suspenseful and I’d definitely recommend this especially to someone who wants to delve into Crime Thrillers.
A huge thank you Julienne Brouwers for kindly sending me the E-book and involving me in the UK Blog Tour!
November 27, 2020
Double Deceit by Julienne Brouwers is a thriller at its heart, but also a really meaty whodunit, set in Amsterdam.
Oliver Smits is a lawyer at a prestigious law firm, Mason & McGant and married to Jennifer. The couple have a young son, Tim and one day Oliver is found dead at a holiday park during a much needed family weekend getaway. The police are satisfied that Oliver's death is an accident, yet Jennifer has her doubts, believing that the police have failed in their investigation. She embarks on a desperate quest for the truth - but as she digs she becomes embroiled in a web of lies.
A cracking read, I had misgivings about every character involved. I thought I had everything sussed from quite early on, but no... I was barking up the wrong tree. Unexpected twists put me on a roundabout of doubt in an impeccably crafted plot that was compelling and jam-packed with surprises and reveals. The Amsterdam setting was a real bonus and the main reason I chose to read this compulsive thriller. The snippets of romance added a further layer to the story.
Overall, a fantastic, totally absorbing, razor-sharp mystery-thriller that I recommend very highly.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from BooksGoSocial via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
Oliver Smits is a lawyer at a prestigious law firm, Mason & McGant and married to Jennifer. The couple have a young son, Tim and one day Oliver is found dead at a holiday park during a much needed family weekend getaway. The police are satisfied that Oliver's death is an accident, yet Jennifer has her doubts, believing that the police have failed in their investigation. She embarks on a desperate quest for the truth - but as she digs she becomes embroiled in a web of lies.
A cracking read, I had misgivings about every character involved. I thought I had everything sussed from quite early on, but no... I was barking up the wrong tree. Unexpected twists put me on a roundabout of doubt in an impeccably crafted plot that was compelling and jam-packed with surprises and reveals. The Amsterdam setting was a real bonus and the main reason I chose to read this compulsive thriller. The snippets of romance added a further layer to the story.
Overall, a fantastic, totally absorbing, razor-sharp mystery-thriller that I recommend very highly.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from BooksGoSocial via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
November 23, 2020
While on vacation with her husband and toddler, Jennifer Smits is stunned when her husband goes missing and then shortly turns up dead. His death seems suspicious to her, but she can’t convince anyone else to agree with her. Dealing with her grief, she begins going through his belongings only to find that he was having an affair during the time of his death. Along with finding some cryptic work papers, Jennifer is convinced something sinister is going on and caused her husbands death. Teaming up with her husbands mistress and a handsome lawyer, Jennifer puts everything on the line to get to the bottom of what exactly happened to her husband.
I give this read 3.5 stars, not exactly fast paced but I also wouldn’t consider this a slow read. There were some predictable elements, but still enough mystery to keep you reading. I sympathized with Jennifer and was cheering her on during the whole book. Even so, I did get frustrated with her for certain parenting decisions she made- I was yelling “Come on, Jennifer! You’re better than this!”.
I do wish we had learned a little more about Dan, he had me guessing the ENTIRE time. I’m very pleased with how the book wrapped up, even though it seemed a bit sudden. Overall, I recommend this book to those who may want to start dipping their toe into the suspense/thriller genre. It may not be as thrilling as seasoned thriller readers may be used to, but it’s a great break and a simmering suspense.
Special thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
I give this read 3.5 stars, not exactly fast paced but I also wouldn’t consider this a slow read. There were some predictable elements, but still enough mystery to keep you reading. I sympathized with Jennifer and was cheering her on during the whole book. Even so, I did get frustrated with her for certain parenting decisions she made- I was yelling “Come on, Jennifer! You’re better than this!”.
I do wish we had learned a little more about Dan, he had me guessing the ENTIRE time. I’m very pleased with how the book wrapped up, even though it seemed a bit sudden. Overall, I recommend this book to those who may want to start dipping their toe into the suspense/thriller genre. It may not be as thrilling as seasoned thriller readers may be used to, but it’s a great break and a simmering suspense.
Special thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
November 28, 2020
If you want to try a thriller, and don’t know where to start, this is one for you.
Jennifer’s life takes a turn for the worse when her husband is found dead in the holiday park they are staying in. Adamant to find out the truth and risking all her other commitments in the process, she finds herself in murkier waters than she first believed...
This was a classic who-dunnit full of tension from the offset. There was no messing around and the characters were actually likeable, despite the odds being against them. It was quite tame compared to other thrillers I’ve read, but that made it an easy read, and a perfect book for someone new to the genre.
Jennifer’s life takes a turn for the worse when her husband is found dead in the holiday park they are staying in. Adamant to find out the truth and risking all her other commitments in the process, she finds herself in murkier waters than she first believed...
This was a classic who-dunnit full of tension from the offset. There was no messing around and the characters were actually likeable, despite the odds being against them. It was quite tame compared to other thrillers I’ve read, but that made it an easy read, and a perfect book for someone new to the genre.
November 23, 2020
Overall I enjoyed Double Deceit. After a woman finds our her husband has died unexpectedly, she discovers unexpected things he has been involved in, which leads to a myriad of other discoveries. She cannot leave it alone and soon finds herself thrust headfirst into a mystery. It leads to tension between herself and her family and friends, which leads to unexpected allies.
I debated between 3 and 4 stars for this book. It was well written and easy to follow. However, after the twists and turns, I expected a much more intense ending. I felt like the ending was a little lackluster after the build up. Based on what was happening, I expected something much more exciting. The ending was okay, but there was really so much more I thought the author could do with it.
I recommend this book if you enjoy thrillers. Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
I debated between 3 and 4 stars for this book. It was well written and easy to follow. However, after the twists and turns, I expected a much more intense ending. I felt like the ending was a little lackluster after the build up. Based on what was happening, I expected something much more exciting. The ending was okay, but there was really so much more I thought the author could do with it.
I recommend this book if you enjoy thrillers. Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
January 27, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley and BooksgoSocial for the arc of this book.
4 star read ⭐⭐⭐⭐- This follows Jennifer and her husband Oliver whom decide to take their child away for the weekend to a holiday park. Oliver is a lawyer so he works long hours which puts strain on their relationship.. One day afyer arriving at this holiday park Oliver is found dead.... Police are determined that his death was an accident but his wife Jennifer isn't so sure about that......
Very compelling, thrilling, gripping and a page turner! I loved this book recommend to all!
4 star read ⭐⭐⭐⭐- This follows Jennifer and her husband Oliver whom decide to take their child away for the weekend to a holiday park. Oliver is a lawyer so he works long hours which puts strain on their relationship.. One day afyer arriving at this holiday park Oliver is found dead.... Police are determined that his death was an accident but his wife Jennifer isn't so sure about that......
Very compelling, thrilling, gripping and a page turner! I loved this book recommend to all!
November 15, 2020
This story follows Jennifer and her husband Oliver, who are having a few marital problems. In the aim to save their marriage, they go away with their young son for a weekend away to spend some quality time together. However, after a disagreement Oliver decides to go for a walk for some time alone and does not return and Jennifer is soon made aware by the police that Oliver is dead. The police are certain that this was down to a tragic accident, but Jennifer is adamant there is more to it. Is Jennifer right?
Overall, this is a good book and I did enjoy reading it. I think throughout the book I felt some sort of doubt towards every character. The author did a great job at giving readers a valid reason to think that every character had some form of hidden agenda. I felt a strong connection to Jennifer's character: a strong, independent woman who's struggling with the sudden death of her husband but still finds the determination and fight everyday to find out what really happened to her husband. At some stages I felt like it was me who had just lost their husband?
The plot was gripping and very interesting, but for me I felt as though the story dragged out in some places. I felt as though I was waiting too long for the next twist and turn as they were uncovered pretty slowly. However, this did not take the full enjoyment away from the book and I can't wait to read another Julienne Brouwers novel!
Overall rating: 3.5/5!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, BooksGoSocial and Julienne Brouwers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Overall, this is a good book and I did enjoy reading it. I think throughout the book I felt some sort of doubt towards every character. The author did a great job at giving readers a valid reason to think that every character had some form of hidden agenda. I felt a strong connection to Jennifer's character: a strong, independent woman who's struggling with the sudden death of her husband but still finds the determination and fight everyday to find out what really happened to her husband. At some stages I felt like it was me who had just lost their husband?
The plot was gripping and very interesting, but for me I felt as though the story dragged out in some places. I felt as though I was waiting too long for the next twist and turn as they were uncovered pretty slowly. However, this did not take the full enjoyment away from the book and I can't wait to read another Julienne Brouwers novel!
Overall rating: 3.5/5!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, BooksGoSocial and Julienne Brouwers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
November 28, 2020
Whilst this was an enjoyable thriller, I am not sure it was entirely memorable. It dealt a lot with science, conspiracies and of course deception. It was fast paced and would still recommend it, but not sure it stood out to me as a 'top thriller of the year'.
January 12, 2021
What a book, so many twists and turns!! I do feel that the ended was rushed a bit though!
May 19, 2023
Goed verhaal, einde was wat abrupt.
May 21, 2025
boek las zo makkelijk weg en was zo spannend dat ik hem in 1 dag uit heb gelezen
over een huisarts & advocaat 🥰
alleen het einde vond ik wat afgeraffeld dus daarom 4⭐️ (en geen 5)
over een huisarts & advocaat 🥰
alleen het einde vond ik wat afgeraffeld dus daarom 4⭐️ (en geen 5)
November 12, 2020
During a holiday vacation, Jennifer’s husband goes missing. Days later, he is found dead.
As she tries to recollect the pieces of her shattered life, Jennifer soon discovers something else: her husband had an affair. Eventually, she realizes that his secrets go much deeper.
I thought this book had an interesting premise, but the story’s lengthy prose and descriptions often took more time than it should. Clues and secrets were uncovered very slowly. The attempt at provoking a critical and edge-of-your-seat tale was sensed, but it was really more of a light presence that was laden by an extensive narrative. The writing was fair, but the story needed more excitement.
As she tries to recollect the pieces of her shattered life, Jennifer soon discovers something else: her husband had an affair. Eventually, she realizes that his secrets go much deeper.
I thought this book had an interesting premise, but the story’s lengthy prose and descriptions often took more time than it should. Clues and secrets were uncovered very slowly. The attempt at provoking a critical and edge-of-your-seat tale was sensed, but it was really more of a light presence that was laden by an extensive narrative. The writing was fair, but the story needed more excitement.
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