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The House on the Water's Edge
Sometimes the past is best left buried
Since the birth of baby Joe five weeks ago, Ali Baker has been struggling to cope. Starved of sleep and haunted by painful memories from the past, she’s a million miles away from the polished, professional barrister she has worked so hard to become.
Then her mother tragically and unexpectedly dies, leaving Ali an orphan. Haunted by her loss, Ali can’t forget her mother's last words to her: There is something I really need to tell you...
Heading back to the Norfolk Broads to sort her mother's things, Ali is plunged into memories of her family’s picture-perfect summers on the river.
But as she starts to uncover secrets hidden within the isolated house, Ali is drawn into a dark web that threatens to destroy everything she believed about her childhood – and her very sanity.
Ali may finally discover her mother's secrets... but at what cost?
Since the birth of baby Joe five weeks ago, Ali Baker has been struggling to cope. Starved of sleep and haunted by painful memories from the past, she’s a million miles away from the polished, professional barrister she has worked so hard to become.
Then her mother tragically and unexpectedly dies, leaving Ali an orphan. Haunted by her loss, Ali can’t forget her mother's last words to her: There is something I really need to tell you...
Heading back to the Norfolk Broads to sort her mother's things, Ali is plunged into memories of her family’s picture-perfect summers on the river.
But as she starts to uncover secrets hidden within the isolated house, Ali is drawn into a dark web that threatens to destroy everything she believed about her childhood – and her very sanity.
Ali may finally discover her mother's secrets... but at what cost?
396 pages, Paperback
First published August 11, 2021
40 people are currently reading
418 people want to read
About the author
C.E. Rose
8 books38 followersC.E. Rose is the pen name of novelist Caroline England.
Born in Sheffield, Caroline studied Law at the University of Manchester and stayed over the border. Caroline was a divorce and professional indemnity lawyer. She turned to writing when she deserted the law to bring up her three lovely daughters.
Follow her on Twitter: @CazEngland
Born in Sheffield, Caroline studied Law at the University of Manchester and stayed over the border. Caroline was a divorce and professional indemnity lawyer. She turned to writing when she deserted the law to bring up her three lovely daughters.
Follow her on Twitter: @CazEngland
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
August 11, 2021
Ali Baker is having a hard time. She has a husband who is a bit distant these days, a new baby that she loves, but she's just so tired all the time, she had a difficult delivery, and her mother died a very short time ago. Where is the successful barrister she worked so hard to become?
Ali's mom had called her shortly before her death in a car accident. She's riddled with guilt because she let the call go unanswered.
Needing some time and space, she decides to go back to her hometown, to settle her mother's estate and personal belongings. Long gone memories now rise to the surface and she discovers there were family secrets she was unaware of.
Ali may finally discover her mother's secrets... but at what cost?
This is well-written with an intriguing plot and a story line filled with twists and turns that just don't quit. The characters are solidly drawn ... some more likable than others. The conclusion is totally unexpected and surprising.
Many thanks to the author for the digital copy of this psychological thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
August 30, 2021
THE HOUSE ON THE WATER'S EDGE is a Domestic Suspense/Psychological by CE Rose.
Ali Baker, a prosecuting barrister and now stay-at-home mom living in Manchester, England, was finding it difficult to cope since giving birth to baby Joe, five weeks ago, and now struggling to cope as a new mum. Ali was under pressure with husband, Miles, working long hours as a barrister and having to deal solely with the baby’s colic and crying. She felt guilty…a failure as a new mum. Ali had no one close to help her out. Her mother, Eve, was going to be visiting them tomorrow, as a helper and not as a guest.
Ali receives news from her older sister, Laura, living in Canada, that their mum had died in a tragic car crash accident. Eve was to be coming to see her new grandson, “Little Joe”, and was on her way to the hairdresser, when the accident occurred.
Haunted by her loss, Ali can’t forget her mother's last words to her: There is something I really need to tell you...and she now feels guilty for not answering the call. But what did she want to tell her?
On her sister’s request, Ali heads back to Norfolk to her mother’s house to sort out her mother's things and settle her estate. But with this task, Ali soon finds family memories come flooding back.
Ali starts to uncover secrets hidden within the isolated house, and is drawn into a dark web that threatens to destroy everything she believed about her childhood.
Will Ali discover her mother's secrets? Some things are better left alone.
This is a well-written impressive thriller that slowly creeps on you. Well-developed characters and a twisted surprise ending I didn’t see coming.
Many thanks to the author and The Book Club Reviewer Request Group (FB) for my digital copy.
Ali Baker, a prosecuting barrister and now stay-at-home mom living in Manchester, England, was finding it difficult to cope since giving birth to baby Joe, five weeks ago, and now struggling to cope as a new mum. Ali was under pressure with husband, Miles, working long hours as a barrister and having to deal solely with the baby’s colic and crying. She felt guilty…a failure as a new mum. Ali had no one close to help her out. Her mother, Eve, was going to be visiting them tomorrow, as a helper and not as a guest.
Ali receives news from her older sister, Laura, living in Canada, that their mum had died in a tragic car crash accident. Eve was to be coming to see her new grandson, “Little Joe”, and was on her way to the hairdresser, when the accident occurred.
Haunted by her loss, Ali can’t forget her mother's last words to her: There is something I really need to tell you...and she now feels guilty for not answering the call. But what did she want to tell her?
On her sister’s request, Ali heads back to Norfolk to her mother’s house to sort out her mother's things and settle her estate. But with this task, Ali soon finds family memories come flooding back.
Ali starts to uncover secrets hidden within the isolated house, and is drawn into a dark web that threatens to destroy everything she believed about her childhood.
Will Ali discover her mother's secrets? Some things are better left alone.
This is a well-written impressive thriller that slowly creeps on you. Well-developed characters and a twisted surprise ending I didn’t see coming.
Many thanks to the author and The Book Club Reviewer Request Group (FB) for my digital copy.
July 31, 2021
Once again, I think I mist be in the minority with this book because it didn't resonate with me as it did others. Although I enjoyed it to be begin with, that soon changed when really...nothing changed in the story. Every character got on my nerves and I wanted to bash every single one of their heads together and shout "what the hell is wrong with you?" And as a result, I didn't much care what happened to them. I made it halfway through the book when I thought "you know what? I don't give a toss what secrets are buried anymore because it's taking too damn long to get there!"
In her previous life, Ali was a successful barrister facing off against some of the worst criminals first for the defence and now as a prosecutor. But that all changed when she gave birth to little Joe five weeks ago. Now she's a blubbering self conscious mess smelling of baby puke having not showered in how many days. She was looking forward to her mother's visit the following day when she called earlier in the week to say she was travelling up from Norfolk to where Ali lived with hubby Miles in Manchester. In desperation, Ali said to her mum "You're coming as a helper, not a guest?" as she felt she needed all the help she could get. This motherhood thing was nothing like she had imagined.
But that all changed when her sister Laura called from Canada to tell her that their mother was dead. Just like that. "Ali? Mum's dead." Apparently, her mother's friends called Laura to let her know....but why they didn't call Ali (who is actually in the country) was beyond me. Now, after going through the life-changing disruption of motherhood with which she was struggling and now her mother, her best friend, was dead. All the more reason to sit in a daze unshowered and unchanged in a dirty messy house all day, I should think. Of course, hubby Miles didn't agree. In fact, he appeared to be distant and cold to her needs and was blind to her struggling. He knew she was finding things difficult and his answer was to present his interfering mother Madeleine as a solution.
Before her mother's tragic death, she had wanted to tell Ali something but Ali had cut her off and told her to hold it till the weekend when she would be arriving. And in the ensuing days, she called a number of times but Ali rejected each of them. Why I've no idea. If my mother was calling me, I'd answer. Now, she has no idea what it was that her mother wanted so desperately to tell her. But it's when she's at the wake that she overhears her aunts whispering about some secret alluding to her father who died twenty five years ago and her mother's subsequent move from Sheffield to Norfolk.
But it was her mother-in-law Madeleine's interference that lit a fire under Ali to get her moving after overhearing a telephone conversation in which Madeleine alluded to just how badly Ali was coping and hinting at a sanatorium in which to install her while she, Madeleine, whisked Joe away to her Cheshire home to care for him. Ali was livid and could hardly hide her anger as she thanked Madeleine and ushered her out the door. Then as soon as Miles had left for his big trial in London, Ali loaded their bags and Joe into carseat and made the five hour long journey to Norfolk to their old holiday house in which their mother had lived for the past seventeen years.
Finally! Finally I thought it was going to get interesting and finally Ali was going to start uncovering secrets long buried about her family and all that. But no. Upon arrival, Ali continued in her neurotic state seeing shadows and hearing noises. Walks to the shops or the river or where ever else. Nothing was bloody happening!
Talk about slow moving! The whole story was almost stagnant. And Ali annoyed me no end. She kept on about her episiotomy and peeing and all that that I began to wonder at her ability as a successful barrister. Then there was her constant griping about breastfeeding and yet she kept doing it and she kept letting us know she was doing it. She didn't even appear to be all that enamoured with Joe and I'm not overly maternal myself but really, she seemed rather detached from everything. I know she had just had a baby, which is life-changing, and was in the midst of grief over her mum's death...but she barely cried. She barely did anything. I thought once she got to Norfolk, things would start to get interesting as she delved into her mother's things and uncovered the secrets to which the premise has alluded. But no...by the halfway point she still hadn't done any digging or delving. Just more moaning and self deprecation.
By this point I was...I don't care anymore. Ali was annoying. Laura was self-obsessed. Miles was distant and uncaring. Madeleine was an interfering bitch. Tom and Joan weren't in it long enough by the time I tossed it for me to form an opinion. I saw no twists, no suspense but there was plenty of tension...between the characters not the pages. I get Ali was still recovering from the birth and was probably suffering from post natal depression but I just found everyone around her so irritating that it made her character doubly annoying as well. And Laura had the most irritating habit of referring to baby Joe as "Thingy". Who calls a baby Thingy?
I don't know when the pace picked up because I gave it a good go till halfway afterwhich I ditched it. Life is too short and there are too many other books to be reading a book you are not enjoying.
If you want to give it a go and make it past the halfway point and see where it leads you, be my guest. You just might enjoy it. I, however, didn't because I never made it that far.
I would like to thank #CERose, #Netgalley and #HeraBooks for an ARC of #TheHouseOnTheWatersEdge in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
In her previous life, Ali was a successful barrister facing off against some of the worst criminals first for the defence and now as a prosecutor. But that all changed when she gave birth to little Joe five weeks ago. Now she's a blubbering self conscious mess smelling of baby puke having not showered in how many days. She was looking forward to her mother's visit the following day when she called earlier in the week to say she was travelling up from Norfolk to where Ali lived with hubby Miles in Manchester. In desperation, Ali said to her mum "You're coming as a helper, not a guest?" as she felt she needed all the help she could get. This motherhood thing was nothing like she had imagined.
But that all changed when her sister Laura called from Canada to tell her that their mother was dead. Just like that. "Ali? Mum's dead." Apparently, her mother's friends called Laura to let her know....but why they didn't call Ali (who is actually in the country) was beyond me. Now, after going through the life-changing disruption of motherhood with which she was struggling and now her mother, her best friend, was dead. All the more reason to sit in a daze unshowered and unchanged in a dirty messy house all day, I should think. Of course, hubby Miles didn't agree. In fact, he appeared to be distant and cold to her needs and was blind to her struggling. He knew she was finding things difficult and his answer was to present his interfering mother Madeleine as a solution.
Before her mother's tragic death, she had wanted to tell Ali something but Ali had cut her off and told her to hold it till the weekend when she would be arriving. And in the ensuing days, she called a number of times but Ali rejected each of them. Why I've no idea. If my mother was calling me, I'd answer. Now, she has no idea what it was that her mother wanted so desperately to tell her. But it's when she's at the wake that she overhears her aunts whispering about some secret alluding to her father who died twenty five years ago and her mother's subsequent move from Sheffield to Norfolk.
But it was her mother-in-law Madeleine's interference that lit a fire under Ali to get her moving after overhearing a telephone conversation in which Madeleine alluded to just how badly Ali was coping and hinting at a sanatorium in which to install her while she, Madeleine, whisked Joe away to her Cheshire home to care for him. Ali was livid and could hardly hide her anger as she thanked Madeleine and ushered her out the door. Then as soon as Miles had left for his big trial in London, Ali loaded their bags and Joe into carseat and made the five hour long journey to Norfolk to their old holiday house in which their mother had lived for the past seventeen years.
Finally! Finally I thought it was going to get interesting and finally Ali was going to start uncovering secrets long buried about her family and all that. But no. Upon arrival, Ali continued in her neurotic state seeing shadows and hearing noises. Walks to the shops or the river or where ever else. Nothing was bloody happening!
Talk about slow moving! The whole story was almost stagnant. And Ali annoyed me no end. She kept on about her episiotomy and peeing and all that that I began to wonder at her ability as a successful barrister. Then there was her constant griping about breastfeeding and yet she kept doing it and she kept letting us know she was doing it. She didn't even appear to be all that enamoured with Joe and I'm not overly maternal myself but really, she seemed rather detached from everything. I know she had just had a baby, which is life-changing, and was in the midst of grief over her mum's death...but she barely cried. She barely did anything. I thought once she got to Norfolk, things would start to get interesting as she delved into her mother's things and uncovered the secrets to which the premise has alluded. But no...by the halfway point she still hadn't done any digging or delving. Just more moaning and self deprecation.
By this point I was...I don't care anymore. Ali was annoying. Laura was self-obsessed. Miles was distant and uncaring. Madeleine was an interfering bitch. Tom and Joan weren't in it long enough by the time I tossed it for me to form an opinion. I saw no twists, no suspense but there was plenty of tension...between the characters not the pages. I get Ali was still recovering from the birth and was probably suffering from post natal depression but I just found everyone around her so irritating that it made her character doubly annoying as well. And Laura had the most irritating habit of referring to baby Joe as "Thingy". Who calls a baby Thingy?
I don't know when the pace picked up because I gave it a good go till halfway afterwhich I ditched it. Life is too short and there are too many other books to be reading a book you are not enjoying.
If you want to give it a go and make it past the halfway point and see where it leads you, be my guest. You just might enjoy it. I, however, didn't because I never made it that far.
I would like to thank #CERose, #Netgalley and #HeraBooks for an ARC of #TheHouseOnTheWatersEdge in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
August 15, 2021
The House on the Water's Edge oozes with emotional complications which have no easy answers.
Gripping, emotional and heartwarming with excellent writitng that delves into the intricate melding of character because there's something inherently dramatic in the story of an individual discovering that everything she thought she knew about her life was wrong, causing her to question her own memories and question her sense of self.
An often intense book with an ultimately positive take on ripping open old wounds so they can heal. A brilliant read!
Gripping, emotional and heartwarming with excellent writitng that delves into the intricate melding of character because there's something inherently dramatic in the story of an individual discovering that everything she thought she knew about her life was wrong, causing her to question her own memories and question her sense of self.
An often intense book with an ultimately positive take on ripping open old wounds so they can heal. A brilliant read!
August 15, 2021
The House on the Water's Edge oozes with emotional complications which have no easy answers.
Gripping, emotional and heartwarming with excellent writitng that delves into the intricate melding of character because there's something inherently dramatic in the story of an individual discovering that everything she thought she knew about her life was wrong, causing her to question her own memories and question her sense of self.
An often intense book with an ultimately positive take on ripping open old wounds so they can heal. A brilliant read!
Gripping, emotional and heartwarming with excellent writitng that delves into the intricate melding of character because there's something inherently dramatic in the story of an individual discovering that everything she thought she knew about her life was wrong, causing her to question her own memories and question her sense of self.
An often intense book with an ultimately positive take on ripping open old wounds so they can heal. A brilliant read!
August 20, 2021
'The House On The Water's Edge' by C.E. Rose is a book I was looking forward to as soon as I knew this author had written a new book. Caroline England is C.E. Rose and she always writes a story to keep you glued to your kindle, or book depending on the format you read. I love every book she has released and couldn't wait to sit down and get started.
Since the birth of baby Joe five weeks ago, Ali Baker has been struggling to cope. Starved of sleep and haunted by painful memories from the past, she’s a million miles away from the polished, professional barrister she has worked so hard to become.
Then her mother tragically and unexpectedly dies, leaving Ali an orphan. Haunted by her loss, Ali can’t forget her mother's last words to her: There is something I really need to tell you...
Heading back to the Norfolk Broads to sort her mother's things, Ali is plunged into memories of her family’s picture-perfect summers on the river.
But as she starts to uncover secrets hidden within the isolated house, Ali is drawn into a dark web that threatens to destroy everything she believed about her childhood – and her very sanity. Ali may finally discover her mother's secrets... but at what cost?
I found myself hooked into this book right from the prologue. A slow burner of a book with a tension that begins to build as Ali is at her mothers house sorting herself and her mothers stuff out. As the story unfolds her life as she knows it, begins to unravel. The author has created Ali, a character whose mind is all over the place, so well. We don't really know how reliable she is and that alone builds the intrigue in the story as we have no clue what is real or if Ali is imagining it. As the secrets begin to come to the surface and the memories begin to slowly be remembered, the twists and turns of this story start to reveal the shocks as we reach the end of this emotional, twisty and utterly compelling book.
Thank you to ZooLoo's Book Tours Hera Books NetGalley and C.E. Rose for the copy of the book.
Since the birth of baby Joe five weeks ago, Ali Baker has been struggling to cope. Starved of sleep and haunted by painful memories from the past, she’s a million miles away from the polished, professional barrister she has worked so hard to become.
Then her mother tragically and unexpectedly dies, leaving Ali an orphan. Haunted by her loss, Ali can’t forget her mother's last words to her: There is something I really need to tell you...
Heading back to the Norfolk Broads to sort her mother's things, Ali is plunged into memories of her family’s picture-perfect summers on the river.
But as she starts to uncover secrets hidden within the isolated house, Ali is drawn into a dark web that threatens to destroy everything she believed about her childhood – and her very sanity. Ali may finally discover her mother's secrets... but at what cost?
I found myself hooked into this book right from the prologue. A slow burner of a book with a tension that begins to build as Ali is at her mothers house sorting herself and her mothers stuff out. As the story unfolds her life as she knows it, begins to unravel. The author has created Ali, a character whose mind is all over the place, so well. We don't really know how reliable she is and that alone builds the intrigue in the story as we have no clue what is real or if Ali is imagining it. As the secrets begin to come to the surface and the memories begin to slowly be remembered, the twists and turns of this story start to reveal the shocks as we reach the end of this emotional, twisty and utterly compelling book.
Thank you to ZooLoo's Book Tours Hera Books NetGalley and C.E. Rose for the copy of the book.
September 26, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, but don't believe it is correctly categorized in its description as a 'thriller'. There were elements of mystery, domestic suspense, and even romance within its well executed pages.
The descriptions and characterizations were very well drawn - as one can expect from Caroline England who is using the pen name C.E. Rose in this instance. Some of the characters were appealing and others not so much. I didn't care for Ali's husband at all. I loved Ali's mother's gardener, George and pictured him as looking like the actor Tom Burke.
The setting, in the Norfolk Broads, added to my enjoyment of the book and gave some scenes added strength.
I liked the protagonist and could empathize with her situation. A former criminal lawyer, now not working, and with an infant son, she is struggling to cope with her new 'normal'. Family secrets are always a huge enticement to me when choosing a book, and there were some doozies here. There were two major plot twists, one I anticipated, and one I was surprised by.
This is a slow burner, but worth the journey. It visited the nature vs. nurture debate and would make a great movie. Recommended!
The descriptions and characterizations were very well drawn - as one can expect from Caroline England who is using the pen name C.E. Rose in this instance. Some of the characters were appealing and others not so much. I didn't care for Ali's husband at all. I loved Ali's mother's gardener, George and pictured him as looking like the actor Tom Burke.
The setting, in the Norfolk Broads, added to my enjoyment of the book and gave some scenes added strength.
I liked the protagonist and could empathize with her situation. A former criminal lawyer, now not working, and with an infant son, she is struggling to cope with her new 'normal'. Family secrets are always a huge enticement to me when choosing a book, and there were some doozies here. There were two major plot twists, one I anticipated, and one I was surprised by.
This is a slow burner, but worth the journey. It visited the nature vs. nurture debate and would make a great movie. Recommended!
August 21, 2021
I love a book that breaks down into parts and you can follow the timeline with the days. From the moment you start to read you’re introduced to a death a birth and a potential secret. What more could you want out of a 2 page introduction right?
There was a few characters I was quite wary of to begin with Miles, Laura and Madeline. Something didn’t feel right from the get go so I was really curious to know more. The build up of the story is quite lengthy but not dull. This shows how amazing the author is at creating the backstory slowly building the suspense and anticipation.
I absolutely adored the history of the family and what twists emerged from hidden past secrets. It felt very real and raw to know the complications of every type of relationship possible. Every inch of this got me so excited I couldn’t keep up with the thrilling moments.
This book was unbelievable. I enjoyed the writing style and the plot. I definitely need to read more from this author. Completely blown away. Loved it.
There was a few characters I was quite wary of to begin with Miles, Laura and Madeline. Something didn’t feel right from the get go so I was really curious to know more. The build up of the story is quite lengthy but not dull. This shows how amazing the author is at creating the backstory slowly building the suspense and anticipation.
I absolutely adored the history of the family and what twists emerged from hidden past secrets. It felt very real and raw to know the complications of every type of relationship possible. Every inch of this got me so excited I couldn’t keep up with the thrilling moments.
This book was unbelievable. I enjoyed the writing style and the plot. I definitely need to read more from this author. Completely blown away. Loved it.
July 6, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. It was interesting and the characters were all relatable.
I felt sorry for Allison, she seems to be hiding how hard she's finding things. I think a lot of people will be able to relate to her because I'm sure most of us have hidden certain things when we need help. If I'm struggling with anything I don't like to ask for help because it's always made me feel like a failure, and poor Allison seems like she dealing with this.
I also relate to her relationship because I dated someone who couldn't do anything for himself because his mum did everything for him when he lived at home. I feel like this is a very similar situation. He just seemed like such a waste of space and didn't consider how Allison may feel.
Allison's relationship with her sister is really nice, it seems offish but when you discover more about them throughout the book you realise how lovely it actually is.
There is such emotion in this book and I was intrigued throughout. I wasn't expecting the twist in scenario in this book. I didn't see it coming at all.
I felt sorry for Allison, she seems to be hiding how hard she's finding things. I think a lot of people will be able to relate to her because I'm sure most of us have hidden certain things when we need help. If I'm struggling with anything I don't like to ask for help because it's always made me feel like a failure, and poor Allison seems like she dealing with this.
I also relate to her relationship because I dated someone who couldn't do anything for himself because his mum did everything for him when he lived at home. I feel like this is a very similar situation. He just seemed like such a waste of space and didn't consider how Allison may feel.
Allison's relationship with her sister is really nice, it seems offish but when you discover more about them throughout the book you realise how lovely it actually is.
There is such emotion in this book and I was intrigued throughout. I wasn't expecting the twist in scenario in this book. I didn't see it coming at all.
August 14, 2021
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“The House on the Water’s Edge” is a book about a woman who uncovers secrets from the past that could change her life, and it was an enjoyable read.
I enjoyed the concept of the story and felt it had potential. Ali seems to face psychological issues over what happens to her mother and the birth of her child Joe. I liked the way the author portrayed her conflicted feelings, especially once she moves into the house. Ali is a complex character, who has many layers, and it was interesting to see how she reacts to all the secrets she uncovers.
The author also wrote Ali’s relationships well, and I felt it was another highlight of the tale. Ali faces a stressful relationship with Miles, even though he is the father of her child. Meanwhile, she meets George, who attracts her. The author adds a few twists and turns, which I did not see coming, especially about Ali’s family.
However, the only trouble I had with the story was the pacing. There would be portions where nothing much happened, and suddenly, something surprising occurs. I also thought that there was a lot of potential with Laura to spice up the story to make trouble in Ali’s life. While it was nice to see Ali interact with her siblings, I felt it strayed from the main plot, and the author could have trimmed a few scenes.
Nevertheless, “The House on the Water’s Edge” is an impressive thriller that slowly creeps on you. I recommend this book if you are in the mood for suspense, with family secrets and shocking revelations.
July 14, 2021
After The House of Hidden Secrets, I actually said "Yes! Another book by C.E. Rose" when Zooloo's Book Tours offered me a chance to be on the blog tour for this because the previous novel made such an impression on me.
Ali is a new mother and struggling with her reality. She had her mother in her life until recently when she passed away in a tragic car accident.
With her mother's last words "I have something I need to tell you" in her head and heart, she wonders how to move forward.
She finds herself on a quest back to the house on the Norfolk Broads. What was her mother wanting to tell her?
C.E. Rose has done it again. The House on the Water's Edge is full of suspense. There are a lot of twists although the pace is slow in the beginning. It does pick up but it's a generally slow thriller but in a good way as I was liking lingering over the words and getting caught up in the story.
I really enjoy domestic thrillers like this where the new mother is trying to move her life forward, any thriller relating to family at all. Her relationship with her sister is good despite some awkwardness and I was glad they had each other.
This was not gory in any way and it was gripping. The house is the perfect setting as are the Norfolk Broads in the way they are described, although I have never been to that area of England.
For some, it may be disconcerting that some parts of the plot are not really wrapped up by the end.
As a writer, I know that this is sometimes intentional as a technique to let the writer make of things as they will. It creates suspense and makes my mind wander and create ways things maybe could have been wrapped up. I personally like it rather than having things handed to me on a silver platter as it were.
I like to let my imagination run wild and keep the suspense and mystery going.
Thanks to C.E. Rose and Zooloo's Book Tours for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
5 stars
Ali is a new mother and struggling with her reality. She had her mother in her life until recently when she passed away in a tragic car accident.
With her mother's last words "I have something I need to tell you" in her head and heart, she wonders how to move forward.
She finds herself on a quest back to the house on the Norfolk Broads. What was her mother wanting to tell her?
C.E. Rose has done it again. The House on the Water's Edge is full of suspense. There are a lot of twists although the pace is slow in the beginning. It does pick up but it's a generally slow thriller but in a good way as I was liking lingering over the words and getting caught up in the story.
I really enjoy domestic thrillers like this where the new mother is trying to move her life forward, any thriller relating to family at all. Her relationship with her sister is good despite some awkwardness and I was glad they had each other.
This was not gory in any way and it was gripping. The house is the perfect setting as are the Norfolk Broads in the way they are described, although I have never been to that area of England.
For some, it may be disconcerting that some parts of the plot are not really wrapped up by the end.
As a writer, I know that this is sometimes intentional as a technique to let the writer make of things as they will. It creates suspense and makes my mind wander and create ways things maybe could have been wrapped up. I personally like it rather than having things handed to me on a silver platter as it were.
I like to let my imagination run wild and keep the suspense and mystery going.
Thanks to C.E. Rose and Zooloo's Book Tours for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
5 stars
August 13, 2021
This is a slow burner but very very good. I loved this book. Well written with characters I could relate to, be they nice characters or not! It’s definitely worth sticking with this book. Slow burner definitely doesn’t mean boring. It’s anything but. And as the book moves towards its conclusion there are lots of secrets revealed and the revelations are shocking.
Briefly, Ali is married to Matt. Both are barristers but their marriage hasn’t been happy since Ali gave birth, she is struggling to cope with life. Then her mother dies in a road traffic accident leaving her and her sister Laura without parents, their father having died when they were young. With her mother’s last words ringing in her ears Ali goes to the Norfolk Broads to sort out the house and see if she can find out what her mother wanted to tell her. Can Ali save her failing marriage? What did her mother want to tell her? Who can she trust?
The book centres around secrets from the sister’s childhood; secrets that have been hidden for many years and which will turn lives upside down. A mild domestic thriller which builds to a surprising conclusion. I enjoyed this a lot ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Briefly, Ali is married to Matt. Both are barristers but their marriage hasn’t been happy since Ali gave birth, she is struggling to cope with life. Then her mother dies in a road traffic accident leaving her and her sister Laura without parents, their father having died when they were young. With her mother’s last words ringing in her ears Ali goes to the Norfolk Broads to sort out the house and see if she can find out what her mother wanted to tell her. Can Ali save her failing marriage? What did her mother want to tell her? Who can she trust?
The book centres around secrets from the sister’s childhood; secrets that have been hidden for many years and which will turn lives upside down. A mild domestic thriller which builds to a surprising conclusion. I enjoyed this a lot ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 15, 2021
This was a slow burning twisty mystery which had me hooked from the very first page and was soon drawn into wanting to know what secrets were hidden in the past and how they unfold when Alison is faced with the sudden death of her mum in a car crash whilst coming to terms with being a new mum and having a relationship that is teetering on the brink
Will the key to unlocking the past shape Alison’s future happiness? This was an edge of the seat read which I couldn’t put down and read in practically one sitting. Absolutely love this authors books and highly recommend.
Will the key to unlocking the past shape Alison’s future happiness? This was an edge of the seat read which I couldn’t put down and read in practically one sitting. Absolutely love this authors books and highly recommend.
August 16, 2021
I read and loved C. E. Rose’s previous book called ‘The House Of Hidden Secrets’, which was released in April 2021. So when I heard that the author was due to release another book called ‘The House On The Water’s Edge’, I just knew that I had to grab a copy and read is as soon as I was able to. Well I managed to grab a copy and oh boy, ‘The House On The Water’s Edge’ is one hell of a read, which I thoroughly enjoyed reading but more about that in a bit.
I was drawn into this story from the very first word on the very first page. It was as if the book had developed a hold over me and it was a hold that I wasn’t willing to break. This hold lasted until the moment I read the very last word on the very last page. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I had an inkling of what I thought was going to happen in the story and so I had to keep reading to see if I was on the right track or if I had wandered down the wrong path entirely. It was easy to become so wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time and just how quickly I was getting through the book. All too quickly I reached the end of the story. I found ‘The House On The Water’s Edge’ to be a gripping read, which kept me guessing and which kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘The House On The Water’s Edge’ is superbly written but then I have come to expect nothing less from C. E. Rose. She certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and draw them into what proves to be one hell of a story. For me the story hits the ground running and maintains a fairly fast pace throughout. The tension levels certainly increase throughout the story and there is a dramatic conclusion. Reading ‘The House On The Water’s Edge’ felt like being on a scary and at times unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several twists and turns along the way. I felt as though I was part of the story myself and at the heart of the action, which is thanks to C. E. Rose’s very vivid and realistic storytelling.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The House On The Water’s Edge’ and I would definitely recommend it to other readers. I look forward to reading much more from this author in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
I was drawn into this story from the very first word on the very first page. It was as if the book had developed a hold over me and it was a hold that I wasn’t willing to break. This hold lasted until the moment I read the very last word on the very last page. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I had an inkling of what I thought was going to happen in the story and so I had to keep reading to see if I was on the right track or if I had wandered down the wrong path entirely. It was easy to become so wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time and just how quickly I was getting through the book. All too quickly I reached the end of the story. I found ‘The House On The Water’s Edge’ to be a gripping read, which kept me guessing and which kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘The House On The Water’s Edge’ is superbly written but then I have come to expect nothing less from C. E. Rose. She certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and draw them into what proves to be one hell of a story. For me the story hits the ground running and maintains a fairly fast pace throughout. The tension levels certainly increase throughout the story and there is a dramatic conclusion. Reading ‘The House On The Water’s Edge’ felt like being on a scary and at times unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several twists and turns along the way. I felt as though I was part of the story myself and at the heart of the action, which is thanks to C. E. Rose’s very vivid and realistic storytelling.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The House On The Water’s Edge’ and I would definitely recommend it to other readers. I look forward to reading much more from this author in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
July 19, 2021
In her last phone call with her mother, Ali was busy and dismissive of her. Her mum’s last words to her were "I have something I need to tell you". Her Mum, Eve, was due to visit Ali at the weekend but that never happened after a tragic accident.
What was her mother wanting to tell her?
Her sister Laura lives in Canada and comes over to attend the funeral. They play on the swings and reminisce about their childhood.
Ali takes baby Joe and goes to her mum’s house in Norfolk to sort things out after her death. Her dad had died a long time ago, and this visit brought back memories from his last summer. Her memories are triggered by old photos and letters, where she finds some things confusing and not as she remembered. Her mum had had some help around the property, looking after cleaning and gardening. And some of her parent’s old friends rally round her.
The setting on the Norfolk Broads was lovely, I’ve been there once, and it was nice to revisit it in this book.
I thought her husband was a dodgy character, he wasn’t supportive in her new parent role. Her mother-in-law Madeleine was an interesting character. It must have been difficult for Ali to pause her career and dealing with the grief along with motherhood added extra hardship.
Perfectly-paced, full of suspense and twists that I wasn’t expecting.
It certainly had me gripped!
The notion of ‘respectable hair’ made me laugh and reminded me of my own mother.
What was her mother wanting to tell her?
Her sister Laura lives in Canada and comes over to attend the funeral. They play on the swings and reminisce about their childhood.
Ali takes baby Joe and goes to her mum’s house in Norfolk to sort things out after her death. Her dad had died a long time ago, and this visit brought back memories from his last summer. Her memories are triggered by old photos and letters, where she finds some things confusing and not as she remembered. Her mum had had some help around the property, looking after cleaning and gardening. And some of her parent’s old friends rally round her.
The setting on the Norfolk Broads was lovely, I’ve been there once, and it was nice to revisit it in this book.
I thought her husband was a dodgy character, he wasn’t supportive in her new parent role. Her mother-in-law Madeleine was an interesting character. It must have been difficult for Ali to pause her career and dealing with the grief along with motherhood added extra hardship.
Perfectly-paced, full of suspense and twists that I wasn’t expecting.
It certainly had me gripped!
The notion of ‘respectable hair’ made me laugh and reminded me of my own mother.
July 31, 2021
I really enjoyed CE Rose previous book, The House of Hidden Secrets, and I liked this one as well, but (there's a but of course) I have to admit it is a very, very slow burn.
So expect to get irritated by Ali and by all the other characters (but Ali especially) until well into half the book, because you'll have the sensation that nothing is really happening until then and, if you're like me, you'll get really frustrated by Ali's erratic behaviour.
But after that you will start reading a complete whole new book, with twists and turns that will leave you on the edge of your seat right until the end. And the wait will be definitely worth it!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
So expect to get irritated by Ali and by all the other characters (but Ali especially) until well into half the book, because you'll have the sensation that nothing is really happening until then and, if you're like me, you'll get really frustrated by Ali's erratic behaviour.
But after that you will start reading a complete whole new book, with twists and turns that will leave you on the edge of your seat right until the end. And the wait will be definitely worth it!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 6, 2021
Ali Baker is a new mother - constantly exhausted, worrying about her husband's aloofness, second-guessing her own choices as a mother. Just when she thinks things cannot get worse, she learns that her mother passed away in a freak accident. Her mother, who had something important to say to her...
A chance overhearing at her wake and Ali is curious to know more. She takes up the opportunity to know more about her mother by clearing up her old home. What will she find there? Are some secrets better left undiscovered?
A gripping tale of familial secrets and how they affect everyone's lives. There are so many things obvious to us but we refuse to see.
4 stars.
A chance overhearing at her wake and Ali is curious to know more. She takes up the opportunity to know more about her mother by clearing up her old home. What will she find there? Are some secrets better left undiscovered?
A gripping tale of familial secrets and how they affect everyone's lives. There are so many things obvious to us but we refuse to see.
4 stars.
July 24, 2021
i so enjoyed this story very twisty .Ali gets a phone call from her sister .Laura who lives in Canada that there mum has died in a car crash . Ali cant take it in she has a young baby boy . and her mum was coming to stay to help her .. the last time she spoke to her mum she wanted to tell her something , Ali is married to Miles who is a layer and Ali was before she gave it all up for her baby boy. but Miles is never at home and she does not trust her mother_in_law ,Ali decides to go to her mothers house to sort out things but Miles is as cold as ever with her what is he up to there she meets her mothers gardener , and she figures a lot of secrets out wont say no more but so good
September 4, 2021
Ali has memories of happy holidays in the Norfolk Broads, and nightmares about something much darker. The two worlds collide when she visits her childhood vacation cottage with her newborn baby. As she senses danger close at hand, can she be sure of keeping her son safe? Or will he die like everyone else she loved? A fast, suspense-filled read.
December 26, 2021
A book that pulled at my heart strings in some ways where secrets abounded in the life of Ali when she discovered secrets after her death.
Intriguing story, well linked subplots, developed characters kept me hooked to the story.
Intriguing story, well linked subplots, developed characters kept me hooked to the story.
July 13, 2022
Very realistic and great plot twist.
August 6, 2021
Ali is trying to keep it together. Her newborn, Joe, suffers from colic and lack of sleep - Ali struggles to cope with daily life, not to mention energy to care for her husband. Her husband and mother-in-law seem to compare daily notes of Ali - since Ali isn't Ali. Ugh. I just wanted to yell at them - women have such a hard time recovering from birth - without the stress of family.
Excited her mother will be visiting to help, Ali is blindsided by her sister, Laura's phone call. Her mother has been killed in a car accident.
After the funeral and her sister's departure, Ali finally loses it on her husband. She packs several bags, driving hours to her mother's house. Only to discover George, the gardener, who seems too close. Was he her mother's lover?
As Ali begins to explore her mother's home, she is forced to face certain truths about her family.
Several good twists and resolutions. I just felt Ali some things slide.
I enjoyed these characters, great read!
Excited her mother will be visiting to help, Ali is blindsided by her sister, Laura's phone call. Her mother has been killed in a car accident.
After the funeral and her sister's departure, Ali finally loses it on her husband. She packs several bags, driving hours to her mother's house. Only to discover George, the gardener, who seems too close. Was he her mother's lover?
As Ali begins to explore her mother's home, she is forced to face certain truths about her family.
Several good twists and resolutions. I just felt Ali some things slide.
I enjoyed these characters, great read!
January 3, 2022
Intoxicating
I started to read and kept on reading. Drawn into Ali, s world which on the surface was full of grief and secrets. I felt as if I was living everything that happened with her. A wonderfully well written mystery with characters you believe in.
I started to read and kept on reading. Drawn into Ali, s world which on the surface was full of grief and secrets. I felt as if I was living everything that happened with her. A wonderfully well written mystery with characters you believe in.
August 11, 2021
Absolutely exquisite and all consuming story which made me gasp, cry and smile, maybe not all at the same time. Quite dark in places and incredibly cleverly written this is a real emotional rollercoaster of a tale and utterly compelling. The author has an unequalled talent at describing and relating the essence of being human and our vulnerability and fragility. The descriptions of someone in the throws of grief were absolutely spot on and really touched me as I have very recently lost someone very close to me. The honesty and sensitivity of dealing with emotive issues such as loss, family and relationships completely blew me away to be honest and that was all in addition to a twisty psychological thriller of the main storyline. I loved the main characters and didn’t guess any of the twists which came thick and fast, particularly towards the end. I can’t really recommend this highly enough.
July 2, 2023
I quite liked the first 300 or so pages of this in which nothing much happened. The end was a whirlwind of disappointment, quite unbelievable. No real mystery or suspense here, as the build up was so slow and the end was so rushed. We didn't get any real sense of menace as the long ago murderer was revealed.
A few careless errors too e.g. Alexander Jones became Armstrong Jones in a late chapter in my paperback version.
I won't be reading more by this author.
A few careless errors too e.g. Alexander Jones became Armstrong Jones in a late chapter in my paperback version.
I won't be reading more by this author.
July 4, 2021
I recieved this arc through net galley and the publishers.
I really enjoyed this book and though I had read some reviews which said the ending was confusing I didn't find that to be the case, all the ends tied up nicely and i was routing for Ali all the way through.
I really enjoyed this book and though I had read some reviews which said the ending was confusing I didn't find that to be the case, all the ends tied up nicely and i was routing for Ali all the way through.
July 2, 2021
How much does your family history affect you? What family secrets may cause mental illness? Ali doubts her own sanity and gets some answers after her mother's death. The puzzle is nicely designed and there are some unexpected twist along the way and covered crimes of the past are uncovered. All characters besides her husband Miles seemed believable.
August 3, 2021
‘The House on the Water’s Edge’ is definitely a book for those who enjoy a fantastic mystery! I loved how new mother, Ali, had so much going on in this atmospheric delight. The themes of loss and identity are intricately woven through, drawing the reader deeply into to Ali’s past. The loss of self was overwhelming at times; the type that comes with the enormous stress of having a baby and feeling entirely alone.
I enjoyed how becoming a parent was explored. It’s hard and this book expressed just how hard it can be without holding anything back. To couple that with the death of a parent and all the heartache and stress that would bring really piled on the pressure.
George’s mysterious character had me intrigued from the beginning, as did the neighbours and the cleaners. The shocks and revelations were simply jaw-dropping.
This is a novel that gradually creeps under your skin. It has its fair share of spine-tingling moments and casts doubt on reality, taking the reader deeper into that hole. It’s suffocatingly claustrophobic with an ‘oh my goodness ’ finale!
I enjoyed how becoming a parent was explored. It’s hard and this book expressed just how hard it can be without holding anything back. To couple that with the death of a parent and all the heartache and stress that would bring really piled on the pressure.
George’s mysterious character had me intrigued from the beginning, as did the neighbours and the cleaners. The shocks and revelations were simply jaw-dropping.
This is a novel that gradually creeps under your skin. It has its fair share of spine-tingling moments and casts doubt on reality, taking the reader deeper into that hole. It’s suffocatingly claustrophobic with an ‘oh my goodness ’ finale!
August 9, 2023
So. Many. Plot twists.
October 16, 2021
The House on the Water's Edge by C E Rose.
Psychological thriller
351 pages
My 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review.
This book did not disappoint. I felt that Ali was a great character, one that many could relate to and really likeable.
It starts with her mother's death and you just know there are many secrets she needs to find out. Quite how many, I wasn't expecting!
So many twists and turns, a real page turner. You find yourself just wanting a happy ending for Ali but unsure how she's going to get it.
Loved it.
Description:
Sometimes the past is best left buried
Since the birth of baby Joe five weeks ago, Ali Baker has been struggling to cope. Starved of sleep and haunted by painful memories from the past, she’s a million miles away from the polished, professional barrister she has worked so hard to become.
Then her mother tragically and unexpectedly dies, leaving Ali an orphan. Haunted by her loss, Ali can’t forget her mother's last words to her: There is something I really need to tell you...
Heading back to the Norfolk Broads to sort her mother's things, Ali is plunged into memories of her family’s picture-perfect summers on the river.
But as she starts to uncover secrets hidden within the isolated house, Ali is drawn into a dark web that threatens to destroy everything she believed about her childhood – and her very sanity.
Ali may finally discover her mother's secrets... but at what cost?
Psychological thriller
351 pages
My 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review.
This book did not disappoint. I felt that Ali was a great character, one that many could relate to and really likeable.
It starts with her mother's death and you just know there are many secrets she needs to find out. Quite how many, I wasn't expecting!
So many twists and turns, a real page turner. You find yourself just wanting a happy ending for Ali but unsure how she's going to get it.
Loved it.
Description:
Sometimes the past is best left buried
Since the birth of baby Joe five weeks ago, Ali Baker has been struggling to cope. Starved of sleep and haunted by painful memories from the past, she’s a million miles away from the polished, professional barrister she has worked so hard to become.
Then her mother tragically and unexpectedly dies, leaving Ali an orphan. Haunted by her loss, Ali can’t forget her mother's last words to her: There is something I really need to tell you...
Heading back to the Norfolk Broads to sort her mother's things, Ali is plunged into memories of her family’s picture-perfect summers on the river.
But as she starts to uncover secrets hidden within the isolated house, Ali is drawn into a dark web that threatens to destroy everything she believed about her childhood – and her very sanity.
Ali may finally discover her mother's secrets... but at what cost?
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