What do you think?
Rate this book
Where There's Doubt
'I can be anything you want me to be. Even if you don't know you want it.'
Café owner Kate is mentally drained after a tough two years; all she wants from her online chess partner is entertainment on lonely evenings, and maybe a little virtual flirtation.
She is unaware that Nico Lewis is a highly intelligent con artist who, with an intricately spun web of lies about their emotional connection, will soon convince her that he is The One.
Neither does Kate know that his schemes involve women who seek love on dating sites, as well as his small publishing business. A host of excited authors believe Nico is about to make their dreams come true.
Terry Tyler's twenty-fourth publication is a sinister psychological drama that highlights the dark side of internet dating—and the danger of ignoring the doubts of your subconscious.
'I powered through it in just two days because it was so difficult to tear myself away from the story!' - Stephanie Jane, Literary Flits Book Blog.
'I found this book so hard to put down, it had me hooked right from the start.' - Chapters of Vicki Book Blog
'an enthralling read that grabbed my attention from the beginning and held it captive until the final page' - Harmony Kent, book reviewer.
'From a writer whose books are always compulsive reading, this is one of her best' - Lizanne Lloyd, Lost in a Good Book Blog
'A chilling, fascinating and compelling psychological drama' - Cathy Ryan, Between The Lines book blog
'This novel runs the whole gamut of emotions, and they are beautifully reflected in the writing' - Olga Nunez, book blogger
Café owner Kate is mentally drained after a tough two years; all she wants from her online chess partner is entertainment on lonely evenings, and maybe a little virtual flirtation.
She is unaware that Nico Lewis is a highly intelligent con artist who, with an intricately spun web of lies about their emotional connection, will soon convince her that he is The One.
Neither does Kate know that his schemes involve women who seek love on dating sites, as well as his small publishing business. A host of excited authors believe Nico is about to make their dreams come true.
Terry Tyler's twenty-fourth publication is a sinister psychological drama that highlights the dark side of internet dating—and the danger of ignoring the doubts of your subconscious.
'I powered through it in just two days because it was so difficult to tear myself away from the story!' - Stephanie Jane, Literary Flits Book Blog.
'I found this book so hard to put down, it had me hooked right from the start.' - Chapters of Vicki Book Blog
'an enthralling read that grabbed my attention from the beginning and held it captive until the final page' - Harmony Kent, book reviewer.
'From a writer whose books are always compulsive reading, this is one of her best' - Lizanne Lloyd, Lost in a Good Book Blog
'A chilling, fascinating and compelling psychological drama' - Cathy Ryan, Between The Lines book blog
'This novel runs the whole gamut of emotions, and they are beautifully reflected in the writing' - Olga Nunez, book blogger
418 pages, ebook
Published March 24, 2022
104 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
About the author
Terry Tyler
34 books584 followersI am self-published with thirty books on Amazon. Most recently I've published the first two books in my Revenge series, Served Cold and So Shall Ye Reap. More to come!
Other recent releases include Safe Zone, a dystopian/post-apocalyptic thriller. It follows on from the SFV-1 series (Infected, Darkness and Reset), but is completely stand-alone, so can be read as a story within itself.
I love watching and reading anything to do with history, post apocalypse, dystopian scenarios, anthropology, mountaineering and polar exploration. Big Walking Dead fan.
Favourite writers: Gemma Lawrence, Kate Mary, Blake Crouch, Deborah Swift, Carol Hedges, Douglas Kennedy, John Boyne, Deborah Moggach, Judith Arnopp, Jon Krakauer, Phillipa Gregory, John Privilege, Zeb Haradon, Dylan Morgan, Kate Atkinson, Norah Lofts, Dorothy Parker, Bill Bryson, PJ O'Rourke, Ann Swinfen, Keith Blackmore, Frank Tayell.
Other recent releases include Safe Zone, a dystopian/post-apocalyptic thriller. It follows on from the SFV-1 series (Infected, Darkness and Reset), but is completely stand-alone, so can be read as a story within itself.
I love watching and reading anything to do with history, post apocalypse, dystopian scenarios, anthropology, mountaineering and polar exploration. Big Walking Dead fan.
Favourite writers: Gemma Lawrence, Kate Mary, Blake Crouch, Deborah Swift, Carol Hedges, Douglas Kennedy, John Boyne, Deborah Moggach, Judith Arnopp, Jon Krakauer, Phillipa Gregory, John Privilege, Zeb Haradon, Dylan Morgan, Kate Atkinson, Norah Lofts, Dorothy Parker, Bill Bryson, PJ O'Rourke, Ann Swinfen, Keith Blackmore, Frank Tayell.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
May 30, 2022
The reason this novel captured my eye was because of its blurb. I didn’t know how the author was going to bring the idea of a conman who preys on vulnerable women knowing that they are missing something that he can provide, make them believe they are desired by a younger more attractive man, and hand over stacks of cash but wow, the book really blew me away.
The reality was that, whilst I felt terribly sorry for Kate because she is such a care-free and kind-hearted woman, there were times when I truly wanted the fairy-tale of how she was seeing it to be true and there were points where I believed it was true seeing it through her eyes. There were other times when I simply wanted her to realise that it was all a ruse. The author has expertly shown it from Nico’s perspective realising what he has to go through in order to pull off the con, particularly with Polly, who he has nicknamed Polyp, a spoilt, entitled lottery winner. There were times when I liked Nico’s character and wanted to delve in a little deeper with regard to his true background and what had got him to this point in his life.
It’s page-turning stuff because Kate has fallen for Nico hook, line, and sinker and it’s not long before she’s more than happy to part with her inheritance that her friends are so fiercely protective of. With the main plot very much heading in only one direction, I was very much in for the ride because Kate is such a likeable character that you immediately want everything to work out.
When the author gives snippets of the background of the other three women who Nico is trying to scam, Penny, Minerva, and Heather, it’s Heather’s story that really hits. Having realised that she is still in love with her late husband and doesn’t want to leave the home they shared, it swings it around in terms of how outrageously cruel Nico is being with the plan to scam them out of around £150,000 but even crueller, that they had fallen in love and believed he was in love.
The introduction of Brett, who has also been conned into believing that his series of books could be as good as The Lord of the Rings and that he’d taken out huge loans to pay Nico’s fake company, Curlew Publishing for the privilege of publishing his work, is a wonderful addition and the price a wannabe author will pay to one of these vanity publishers, in the hope that their book will reap the rewards with royalties.
Bearing in mind we hear about this type of cruel scam more and more, the subject matter is approached articulately and with an emotional depth, and all of the characters and the feelings that you would expect under the circumstances are perfectly reflected and I was completely immersed in both the characters and the story.
This book has lots of twists and turns and a perfect ending, a superb novel that I would highly recommend.
The reality was that, whilst I felt terribly sorry for Kate because she is such a care-free and kind-hearted woman, there were times when I truly wanted the fairy-tale of how she was seeing it to be true and there were points where I believed it was true seeing it through her eyes. There were other times when I simply wanted her to realise that it was all a ruse. The author has expertly shown it from Nico’s perspective realising what he has to go through in order to pull off the con, particularly with Polly, who he has nicknamed Polyp, a spoilt, entitled lottery winner. There were times when I liked Nico’s character and wanted to delve in a little deeper with regard to his true background and what had got him to this point in his life.
It’s page-turning stuff because Kate has fallen for Nico hook, line, and sinker and it’s not long before she’s more than happy to part with her inheritance that her friends are so fiercely protective of. With the main plot very much heading in only one direction, I was very much in for the ride because Kate is such a likeable character that you immediately want everything to work out.
When the author gives snippets of the background of the other three women who Nico is trying to scam, Penny, Minerva, and Heather, it’s Heather’s story that really hits. Having realised that she is still in love with her late husband and doesn’t want to leave the home they shared, it swings it around in terms of how outrageously cruel Nico is being with the plan to scam them out of around £150,000 but even crueller, that they had fallen in love and believed he was in love.
The introduction of Brett, who has also been conned into believing that his series of books could be as good as The Lord of the Rings and that he’d taken out huge loans to pay Nico’s fake company, Curlew Publishing for the privilege of publishing his work, is a wonderful addition and the price a wannabe author will pay to one of these vanity publishers, in the hope that their book will reap the rewards with royalties.
Bearing in mind we hear about this type of cruel scam more and more, the subject matter is approached articulately and with an emotional depth, and all of the characters and the feelings that you would expect under the circumstances are perfectly reflected and I was completely immersed in both the characters and the story.
This book has lots of twists and turns and a perfect ending, a superb novel that I would highly recommend.
May 26, 2022
I have read several series and single novels (some linked to one of her series) by Terry Tyler, and she’s become one of a group of authors whose next release I automatically add to my TBR list. And no matter what genre she chooses to write in, I’ve never been disappointed yet.
On top of that, I am a fan of books, movies, and series, about con artists, (I even wrote about it in my Ph.D.), so the description of this novel made it sound like the perfect read for me. And yes, it was.
As you can imagine, I cannot describe the plot of the book in too much detail, because among the beauties of heists and con games are the twists, surprises, and trying to guess what comes next, so I’ll keep my peace. The description talks about a couple of the protagonists and two aspects of the business, the romantic con and also the literary con. The romantic con is something most people will be familiar with, as it seems to have existed, in one form or another, for a very long time, but the novel illustrates how much easier things have become nowadays, with the almost universal access to the internet and social media. The literary con will sound very familiar to those of us who are authors or follow and know indie authors, and I thought the combination of both worked really well and allowed Tyler to include some very interesting comments about the current state of the publishing industry. And those who know her work will have the added bonus of recognising some plot descriptions and some locations as well. (But don’t worry, this is a totally independent book, and you don’t need to have read any of the author’s previous books to enjoy this one, although I’m happy to recommend them all).
As you can imagine from the subject, themes such as trust, confidence, honesty, sincerity, love, fraud, hope, caution, betrayal, psychology, manipulation, pretence, friendship, greed, but also grief, creativity, ageing, fame, small-town society... And a few other things that I won’t mention to avoid giving out too many clues.
For the same reason, I cannot talk too much about the characters. One of the things I most admire about this author is her talent to create both, compelling plots that keep you turning the pages, and characters that grab your attention and whose actions and the reasons behind them will keep you intrigued, irrespective of how much you like them. There were quite a few characters in this novel that I didn’t like very much (if at all, although in some cases this changed, in both directions, as the story progressed), but that doesn’t mean I didn’t want to know what made them tick. Quite the opposite. This is, partly, because the novel offers us different accounts of the events, most narrated in the first person, where we get to share in the thoughts and the deepest feelings of the characters, both “good” and “bad” (although these notions are far from being totally black and white). Even though most of the narration follows Kate and Nico, they are not the only ones we hear about, and that means we get a good understanding of the complexity of the con, and also of the reasons why such different people get involved, both as victims and as perpetrators.
Readers don’t need to worry about getting confused, as each chapter is narrated from a clearly indicated character’s point of view, and the story is told in chronological order, with the dates also included. Because we are privy to the characters’ thoughts, we also bear witness to their memories and recollections, and that allows us to get some much-welcomed background information. But, Tyler knows very well how to create tension and when to swap and change points of view to avoid revealing too much. She doesn’t use unreliable narrators (if anybody is an unreliable narrator, that is her), although it is fair to say that some of the characters have very limited insight into how they come across or what their real talents are, but most of us have been unintentionally guilty of that at some point.
This novel runs the whole gamut of emotions, and they are beautifully reflected in the writing. We have “perfect” romance (different versions of it, as that is in the eye and the heart of the beholder), we have grief (different versions of it as well), and we have betrayal, hope, selfishness, coldness, fear, desperation... And although there are sad moments, there are also very funny ones, and plenty of surprises (I suspected some, not others). Each character has his/her own personality, and the way their thoughts are expressed fits them perfectly. You can hear and see them in your head as you read. You can imagine their tone of voice and their gestures. And thanks to the brief samples of the novels submitted, you also get a fair idea of what those might be like (and be thankful for not having to read those). The rhythm is perfect, alternating between quiet and introspective moments, and tense and action-filled ones. As I always say, you can check a sample of the book if you want to know if the style of writing would suit your taste, but I don’t dare to share anything, just in case.
There is very little I can say about the ending, evidently. But, it worked beautifully for me. I am not one for perfect, all-tied-up, endings, especially for this kind of book. There are genres that call for a happy (or a scary, or sad) resolution, but with psychological drama, I’ve always felt something should be left to the reader’s imagination, and a little uncertainty is always called for. That doesn’t mean there isn’t closure, and I love the way things work out for most of the people involved (on both sides of the con). This might be a tale of caution, but it’s not all doom and gloom.
I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy complex plots, books told from different points of view, psychological dramas where one gets to delve into the characters’ minds and their motives, to fans of con games and con artists, and to anybody who enjoys good writing, set mostly in the UK, but with some visits to fancy locations as well. Some of the emotions the characters experience can be tough for readers who’ve suffered recent losses or breakups, and although not extreme, excessively explicit, or prominent, there is violence in the novel, so those looking for a cosy mystery should try elsewhere. Otherwise, go for it. If you haven’t read any of Terry Tyler’s books, I’m sure you’ll become a convert, and if you have... what are you waiting for?
There are glad tidings in the author’s note at the end, and I am eagerly awaiting her next series (while checking some of the old ones as well).
On top of that, I am a fan of books, movies, and series, about con artists, (I even wrote about it in my Ph.D.), so the description of this novel made it sound like the perfect read for me. And yes, it was.
As you can imagine, I cannot describe the plot of the book in too much detail, because among the beauties of heists and con games are the twists, surprises, and trying to guess what comes next, so I’ll keep my peace. The description talks about a couple of the protagonists and two aspects of the business, the romantic con and also the literary con. The romantic con is something most people will be familiar with, as it seems to have existed, in one form or another, for a very long time, but the novel illustrates how much easier things have become nowadays, with the almost universal access to the internet and social media. The literary con will sound very familiar to those of us who are authors or follow and know indie authors, and I thought the combination of both worked really well and allowed Tyler to include some very interesting comments about the current state of the publishing industry. And those who know her work will have the added bonus of recognising some plot descriptions and some locations as well. (But don’t worry, this is a totally independent book, and you don’t need to have read any of the author’s previous books to enjoy this one, although I’m happy to recommend them all).
As you can imagine from the subject, themes such as trust, confidence, honesty, sincerity, love, fraud, hope, caution, betrayal, psychology, manipulation, pretence, friendship, greed, but also grief, creativity, ageing, fame, small-town society... And a few other things that I won’t mention to avoid giving out too many clues.
For the same reason, I cannot talk too much about the characters. One of the things I most admire about this author is her talent to create both, compelling plots that keep you turning the pages, and characters that grab your attention and whose actions and the reasons behind them will keep you intrigued, irrespective of how much you like them. There were quite a few characters in this novel that I didn’t like very much (if at all, although in some cases this changed, in both directions, as the story progressed), but that doesn’t mean I didn’t want to know what made them tick. Quite the opposite. This is, partly, because the novel offers us different accounts of the events, most narrated in the first person, where we get to share in the thoughts and the deepest feelings of the characters, both “good” and “bad” (although these notions are far from being totally black and white). Even though most of the narration follows Kate and Nico, they are not the only ones we hear about, and that means we get a good understanding of the complexity of the con, and also of the reasons why such different people get involved, both as victims and as perpetrators.
Readers don’t need to worry about getting confused, as each chapter is narrated from a clearly indicated character’s point of view, and the story is told in chronological order, with the dates also included. Because we are privy to the characters’ thoughts, we also bear witness to their memories and recollections, and that allows us to get some much-welcomed background information. But, Tyler knows very well how to create tension and when to swap and change points of view to avoid revealing too much. She doesn’t use unreliable narrators (if anybody is an unreliable narrator, that is her), although it is fair to say that some of the characters have very limited insight into how they come across or what their real talents are, but most of us have been unintentionally guilty of that at some point.
This novel runs the whole gamut of emotions, and they are beautifully reflected in the writing. We have “perfect” romance (different versions of it, as that is in the eye and the heart of the beholder), we have grief (different versions of it as well), and we have betrayal, hope, selfishness, coldness, fear, desperation... And although there are sad moments, there are also very funny ones, and plenty of surprises (I suspected some, not others). Each character has his/her own personality, and the way their thoughts are expressed fits them perfectly. You can hear and see them in your head as you read. You can imagine their tone of voice and their gestures. And thanks to the brief samples of the novels submitted, you also get a fair idea of what those might be like (and be thankful for not having to read those). The rhythm is perfect, alternating between quiet and introspective moments, and tense and action-filled ones. As I always say, you can check a sample of the book if you want to know if the style of writing would suit your taste, but I don’t dare to share anything, just in case.
There is very little I can say about the ending, evidently. But, it worked beautifully for me. I am not one for perfect, all-tied-up, endings, especially for this kind of book. There are genres that call for a happy (or a scary, or sad) resolution, but with psychological drama, I’ve always felt something should be left to the reader’s imagination, and a little uncertainty is always called for. That doesn’t mean there isn’t closure, and I love the way things work out for most of the people involved (on both sides of the con). This might be a tale of caution, but it’s not all doom and gloom.
I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy complex plots, books told from different points of view, psychological dramas where one gets to delve into the characters’ minds and their motives, to fans of con games and con artists, and to anybody who enjoys good writing, set mostly in the UK, but with some visits to fancy locations as well. Some of the emotions the characters experience can be tough for readers who’ve suffered recent losses or breakups, and although not extreme, excessively explicit, or prominent, there is violence in the novel, so those looking for a cosy mystery should try elsewhere. Otherwise, go for it. If you haven’t read any of Terry Tyler’s books, I’m sure you’ll become a convert, and if you have... what are you waiting for?
There are glad tidings in the author’s note at the end, and I am eagerly awaiting her next series (while checking some of the old ones as well).
May 23, 2022
I’ve read a few of Terry Tyler’s novels, so I was so excited to read Where’s the Doubt! This is a different genre than what I’ve read previously– this is a psychological thriller. It kept me on the edge of my seat and I devoured it in one sitting!
I really enjoyed the different perspectives. Terry Tyler has always been absolutely brilliant at creating characters who feel like people you’ve met. Realistic with interesting back stories and unforgettable. The characters in Where’s the Doubt are no different. This is a totally character driven plot line and that is why it was easy for me to give this five stars.
The theme of dating in this was really intriguing. I enjoyed how ‘now’ this felt because of it. I loved the mystery aspect as well. As I said, this was impossible to put down. I just had to know what was going to happen.
I highly recommend giving this a read. Just make sure you give yourself time before bed, or you’ll be up late finishing it!
Thank you to R&R Book Tours for the free review copy. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
I really enjoyed the different perspectives. Terry Tyler has always been absolutely brilliant at creating characters who feel like people you’ve met. Realistic with interesting back stories and unforgettable. The characters in Where’s the Doubt are no different. This is a totally character driven plot line and that is why it was easy for me to give this five stars.
The theme of dating in this was really intriguing. I enjoyed how ‘now’ this felt because of it. I loved the mystery aspect as well. As I said, this was impossible to put down. I just had to know what was going to happen.
I highly recommend giving this a read. Just make sure you give yourself time before bed, or you’ll be up late finishing it!
Thank you to R&R Book Tours for the free review copy. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
May 24, 2022
This a solid 3 star book.
I found this book to be a real mix of things. The synopsis makes it sound like it is the story of one couple and it turns into this messy, tangled web of lies.
Pros:
The wicked characters are truly realistic which makes their betrayals and lack of care about the pain they leave in their wake all the more devastating.
Watching everything unfold from multiple views you always know something that some character doesn’t which builds the anticipation greatly and makes you guess at when and how they will find out. Even with this knowledge there are shocks so you need to keep reading!
Cons:
From the synopsis you think this is just the story of Nico and Kate so maybe two points of view. Then we expand to adding in the views of an author, what happens at a real estate firm, four or more different women, another man…on and on and on…. I don’t like multiple points of view to begin with but when you add in this many it is just too much to care about everyone and I find myself skimming over some. It may have been effective to show the entire fallout from the situation but I feel that could have been achieved in so many other ways that would have been just as effective or more so.
This book, while mostly karma or the universe finds balance and punishes those who do bad things it left me feeling that no one can ever be trusted and there is little point in allowing anyone close. It is a terribly depressing way to leave a story even if it is realistic.
I found this book to be a real mix of things. The synopsis makes it sound like it is the story of one couple and it turns into this messy, tangled web of lies.
Pros:
The wicked characters are truly realistic which makes their betrayals and lack of care about the pain they leave in their wake all the more devastating.
Watching everything unfold from multiple views you always know something that some character doesn’t which builds the anticipation greatly and makes you guess at when and how they will find out. Even with this knowledge there are shocks so you need to keep reading!
Cons:
From the synopsis you think this is just the story of Nico and Kate so maybe two points of view. Then we expand to adding in the views of an author, what happens at a real estate firm, four or more different women, another man…on and on and on…. I don’t like multiple points of view to begin with but when you add in this many it is just too much to care about everyone and I find myself skimming over some. It may have been effective to show the entire fallout from the situation but I feel that could have been achieved in so many other ways that would have been just as effective or more so.
This book, while mostly karma or the universe finds balance and punishes those who do bad things it left me feeling that no one can ever be trusted and there is little point in allowing anyone close. It is a terribly depressing way to leave a story even if it is realistic.
April 28, 2022
There’s one thing I’ve come to count on with Terry Tyler’s books: you can’t count on anything. She effortlessly — and brilliantly — moves between genres, from history, to romance, to dystopia, from mystery, to sci-fi, to thriller. So I was intrigued but not surprised to read her newest book, the psychological drama Where There’s Doubt, which tells the stories of four women and their romantic relationships.
Kate is an entrepreneurial restaurant owner recovering from a breakup who meets and falls for the perfect man: a fellow chess lover who enjoys the same low key approach to life.
Heather is a grieving and introverted widow. The man she meets through an online site has also lost his family. He promises her it will be “us against the world”, and offers her a chance at a new life.
Minerva is a clear-eyed realist looking for companionship. The wealthy older widow finds her new boyfriend “amusing, outspoken, and a little brash”, and is looking forward to becoming his business partner as well.
Polly’s trust in the universe has paid off. “I asked for a handsome, romantic boyfriend, a fabulous house and all the money I need, and six months after I started doing my self-valuation ritual in the morning I won the lottery.” Now the bubbly young woman is planning her upcoming wedding and move into the mansion she and her fiance are buying together.
Each of these woman has met The One, a perfect man who knows exactly what she wants and needs. There’s just one problem: it’s the same man. Nico, a self-absorbed amoral narcissist, has a plan for each woman. He showers them with loving attention, promises them a happy-ever-after, including shares in his business or the family mansion where he and his sister played.
Where There’s Doubt is a character-driven tour de force. Author Terry Tyler takes us into each woman’s head, shows how each sees herself as capable, intelligent, and able to make her own decisions. They know about romance, how it’s supposed to work, what it’s supposed to become. None of them have a clue about the real identity of the man who offers them their dreams, accepts their hearts, and plans to take so much more. We also see through Nico’s eyes. He sees his approach to conning each woman as a business decision but it becomes clear that Nico’s genius lies in allowing each victim to guide the course of her own loss.
QUOTE: "It’s all about understanding what people want. Knowing how they see themselves. What they fear, what floats their boat. Once you understand these basics about a person or a group of people, you can bend them to suit your will."
I enjoyed the way Nico lays out the complex series of relationship cons, often repurposing his ‘sets’. He’s clearly an experienced con artist, at one point absently musing that he could teach classes in the con. But what I found even more fascinating and unexpected is the way each of the supporting characters rationalizes their behavior to reflect their own wants and desires. I enjoyed the detailed planning and groundwork involved, and was honestly surprised by some of the outcomes.
I absolutely can NOT resist a shout-out to the humor of Polly’s version of one of the books put out by her boyfriend’s publishing company. As author Terry Tyler is a master of the dystopian thriller—indeed, this book is set in Shipden, the fictional Norfolk village setting for the beginning of one of Terry’s dystopian series—this description is hilarious.
QUOTE: "I did start one but it was all dark and depressing about the world when something really bad had happened (I’m not sure what ’cause it didn’t say) and lots of people had died. I don’t know why he thought I’d want to read anything like that."
I recommend Where There’s Doubt to anyone who enjoys character-driven con artist capers with a real-life flair, dark humor, and more than one twist.
Kate is an entrepreneurial restaurant owner recovering from a breakup who meets and falls for the perfect man: a fellow chess lover who enjoys the same low key approach to life.
Heather is a grieving and introverted widow. The man she meets through an online site has also lost his family. He promises her it will be “us against the world”, and offers her a chance at a new life.
Minerva is a clear-eyed realist looking for companionship. The wealthy older widow finds her new boyfriend “amusing, outspoken, and a little brash”, and is looking forward to becoming his business partner as well.
Polly’s trust in the universe has paid off. “I asked for a handsome, romantic boyfriend, a fabulous house and all the money I need, and six months after I started doing my self-valuation ritual in the morning I won the lottery.” Now the bubbly young woman is planning her upcoming wedding and move into the mansion she and her fiance are buying together.
Each of these woman has met The One, a perfect man who knows exactly what she wants and needs. There’s just one problem: it’s the same man. Nico, a self-absorbed amoral narcissist, has a plan for each woman. He showers them with loving attention, promises them a happy-ever-after, including shares in his business or the family mansion where he and his sister played.
Where There’s Doubt is a character-driven tour de force. Author Terry Tyler takes us into each woman’s head, shows how each sees herself as capable, intelligent, and able to make her own decisions. They know about romance, how it’s supposed to work, what it’s supposed to become. None of them have a clue about the real identity of the man who offers them their dreams, accepts their hearts, and plans to take so much more. We also see through Nico’s eyes. He sees his approach to conning each woman as a business decision but it becomes clear that Nico’s genius lies in allowing each victim to guide the course of her own loss.
QUOTE: "It’s all about understanding what people want. Knowing how they see themselves. What they fear, what floats their boat. Once you understand these basics about a person or a group of people, you can bend them to suit your will."
I enjoyed the way Nico lays out the complex series of relationship cons, often repurposing his ‘sets’. He’s clearly an experienced con artist, at one point absently musing that he could teach classes in the con. But what I found even more fascinating and unexpected is the way each of the supporting characters rationalizes their behavior to reflect their own wants and desires. I enjoyed the detailed planning and groundwork involved, and was honestly surprised by some of the outcomes.
I absolutely can NOT resist a shout-out to the humor of Polly’s version of one of the books put out by her boyfriend’s publishing company. As author Terry Tyler is a master of the dystopian thriller—indeed, this book is set in Shipden, the fictional Norfolk village setting for the beginning of one of Terry’s dystopian series—this description is hilarious.
QUOTE: "I did start one but it was all dark and depressing about the world when something really bad had happened (I’m not sure what ’cause it didn’t say) and lots of people had died. I don’t know why he thought I’d want to read anything like that."
I recommend Where There’s Doubt to anyone who enjoys character-driven con artist capers with a real-life flair, dark humor, and more than one twist.
May 27, 2022
3.75 stars
Thank you to R&R Book Tours for allowing me a spot on this tour and to the author for providing me with an ecopy in exchange for my honest review.
This was my first book by this author, and I can definitely say it won't be my last. Did I have some issues with this book? Yes. Was I thoroughly invested in the story? Again yes.
There were a few things in this book that rubbed me the wrong way, so I have to mention them. First off there is a mention of someone going on a date with someone who ended up having a glass eye. The way it was used in the book didn't sit well with me. First off, someone with a disability doesn't have to tell you immediately about what happened to them and it's rude to stare or avoid the subject completely in a very awkward manner which is what happened in this book. Being someone with a physical disability myself I prefer to have people be up front and ask me. Then there was an instance where a couple of the characters belittled an author's story about childhood abuse saying he probably made it all up. I don't think something like childhood abuse or abuse of any sort should be treated as a joke. Also, there is mention about how one of the characters thought about getting therapy but because she was raised by her grandparents, she was old fashioned in a way and therefore looked down on therapy. Again, this is not something I think should be made light of. People benefit from therapy all of the time. Maybe I am reading too much into these statements and the author didn't mean for them to come off the way that I took them but that's how they came across to me, so I had to mention it.
Ok now that all of the negative is out of the way let's talk about what I did like. The author pulls you into the story immediately. When you start reading you don't want to stop because even though you know who the bad guy is you want to know how everything is going to play out. I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the moment when everything became known. There were some twists I definitely did not see coming but when they happened, I was like yeah that make sense.
Based on the synopsis you think this is going to be Kate and Nico's story but there are so many more characters, and we get their POVs too. I'm not big on multiple POVs but the author made it work in this book. I was never confused about who was who although there were a couple of times where we would all of a sudden get a new character added into the mix and I was like who is this person, but it was quickly revealed so I was never really confused by all of the POVs.
I was worried about how the book would end but I didn't need to be. I won't say anything about how it ends because I don't want to spoil anything I was hoping for it to end a certain way. It's a personal preference kind of thing and while it didn't end exactly how I would have liked it to, I will say that the ending was really good and that there is potential for a follow up book. I don't know if the author has plans for a follow up book but with the way it ended, I would say it's possible and I would for sure read it if there was one.
Overall, while I had some pretty major issues with it, I was still really sucked into the story and enjoyed it, but I think somethings definitely needed to be handled differently. If this sounds like something you would be interested in I definitely recommend you giving it a read yourself.
Thank you to R&R Book Tours for allowing me a spot on this tour and to the author for providing me with an ecopy in exchange for my honest review.
This was my first book by this author, and I can definitely say it won't be my last. Did I have some issues with this book? Yes. Was I thoroughly invested in the story? Again yes.
There were a few things in this book that rubbed me the wrong way, so I have to mention them. First off there is a mention of someone going on a date with someone who ended up having a glass eye. The way it was used in the book didn't sit well with me. First off, someone with a disability doesn't have to tell you immediately about what happened to them and it's rude to stare or avoid the subject completely in a very awkward manner which is what happened in this book. Being someone with a physical disability myself I prefer to have people be up front and ask me. Then there was an instance where a couple of the characters belittled an author's story about childhood abuse saying he probably made it all up. I don't think something like childhood abuse or abuse of any sort should be treated as a joke. Also, there is mention about how one of the characters thought about getting therapy but because she was raised by her grandparents, she was old fashioned in a way and therefore looked down on therapy. Again, this is not something I think should be made light of. People benefit from therapy all of the time. Maybe I am reading too much into these statements and the author didn't mean for them to come off the way that I took them but that's how they came across to me, so I had to mention it.
Ok now that all of the negative is out of the way let's talk about what I did like. The author pulls you into the story immediately. When you start reading you don't want to stop because even though you know who the bad guy is you want to know how everything is going to play out. I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the moment when everything became known. There were some twists I definitely did not see coming but when they happened, I was like yeah that make sense.
Based on the synopsis you think this is going to be Kate and Nico's story but there are so many more characters, and we get their POVs too. I'm not big on multiple POVs but the author made it work in this book. I was never confused about who was who although there were a couple of times where we would all of a sudden get a new character added into the mix and I was like who is this person, but it was quickly revealed so I was never really confused by all of the POVs.
I was worried about how the book would end but I didn't need to be. I won't say anything about how it ends because I don't want to spoil anything I was hoping for it to end a certain way. It's a personal preference kind of thing and while it didn't end exactly how I would have liked it to, I will say that the ending was really good and that there is potential for a follow up book. I don't know if the author has plans for a follow up book but with the way it ended, I would say it's possible and I would for sure read it if there was one.
Overall, while I had some pretty major issues with it, I was still really sucked into the story and enjoyed it, but I think somethings definitely needed to be handled differently. If this sounds like something you would be interested in I definitely recommend you giving it a read yourself.
April 19, 2022
Where There’s Doubt is a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of internet dating. Nico Lewis is a master in the art of seduction and, along with his girlfriend and others, is working an intricate scam targeting likely women on dating apps. Befriending them first in order to suss out their weaknesses and playing to their emotions, he convinces them he could be what their lives are lacking.
Internet dating isn’t Nico’s only hunting ground. He also hooks in authors just waiting for their big break with all the spiel they’re so desperate to hear, promising them their book will be the next best thing. But his publishing company is small (he says ruefully) so they need to invest, but they’ll reap the rewards very soon.
Kate, who was able to buy her cafe with plenty money left over, thanks to her grandmother’s legacy, is wary of relationships after the previous disaster. She ‘met’ Nico playing chess online and the meeting wasn’t by chance. Taking it slow, he won her over with charisma, attentiveness and carefully crafted empathy.
Before too long they were an item. Kate of course was unaware that Nico had three more women on the go, manipulating his time with them all, using the pretence of business meetings with authors and book related events to account for the times he was unavailable.
Unfortunately dating sites seem to be the perfect opportunity for unscrupulous men preying on those who are genuinely looking for that special connection. I know of two friends who were subjected to the sob stories, trying to extort money, one fell for it and the other didn’t, thank goodness. And this was years ago, so this type of deception is ongoing.
The story is told from the first person perspectives of each of the characters, so thoughts and reactions are realistic and convincing—from Kate’s initial cautiousness after the end of her previous relationship to the thoughts, musings and planning of the three other women. Nico’s own thoughts and feelings show the scope of manipulation, disregard for others and self absorption that motivates him.
The characters are crafted realistically and believably, from the engaging to the downright despicable. Anticipation and suspense build steadily as Nico’s machinations escalate, with twists I wasn’t expecting adding to the tension. Where There’s Doubt is a chilling, fascinating and compelling psychological drama.
Internet dating isn’t Nico’s only hunting ground. He also hooks in authors just waiting for their big break with all the spiel they’re so desperate to hear, promising them their book will be the next best thing. But his publishing company is small (he says ruefully) so they need to invest, but they’ll reap the rewards very soon.
Kate, who was able to buy her cafe with plenty money left over, thanks to her grandmother’s legacy, is wary of relationships after the previous disaster. She ‘met’ Nico playing chess online and the meeting wasn’t by chance. Taking it slow, he won her over with charisma, attentiveness and carefully crafted empathy.
Before too long they were an item. Kate of course was unaware that Nico had three more women on the go, manipulating his time with them all, using the pretence of business meetings with authors and book related events to account for the times he was unavailable.
Unfortunately dating sites seem to be the perfect opportunity for unscrupulous men preying on those who are genuinely looking for that special connection. I know of two friends who were subjected to the sob stories, trying to extort money, one fell for it and the other didn’t, thank goodness. And this was years ago, so this type of deception is ongoing.
The story is told from the first person perspectives of each of the characters, so thoughts and reactions are realistic and convincing—from Kate’s initial cautiousness after the end of her previous relationship to the thoughts, musings and planning of the three other women. Nico’s own thoughts and feelings show the scope of manipulation, disregard for others and self absorption that motivates him.
The characters are crafted realistically and believably, from the engaging to the downright despicable. Anticipation and suspense build steadily as Nico’s machinations escalate, with twists I wasn’t expecting adding to the tension. Where There’s Doubt is a chilling, fascinating and compelling psychological drama.
April 2, 2022
This enthralling novel, told from multiple viewpoints, grips you from the first page. Kate is an engaging character whom you might meet in a romance novel. She is a strong, intelligent woman with a new business and a group of friends, living in a pleasant coastal town in Norfolk. But then we meet Nico; a handsome charmer with a publishing business appealing to those who have been unsuccessful in putting their first novels on the market. Having parted with several thousands they may find that Nico never follows through. Now, aided by his girlfriend, Em, Nico has a new scam, dating wealthy women to extract funds from them.
Next, we meet some of his victims; lonely widow, Heather, demanding would-be bride, Polly and Minerva, an attractive older woman who gives Nico the most pleasure. Under the pretence of meeting authors or going to book fairs, he juggles the four women while persuading them that he deserves financial reward. After a disastrous relationship with her former partner, Kate believes Nico may be, “the one,” but she is not stupid. Realising that he and his sister are about to lose their home, she considers becoming a co-owner and moving in with them, but first she consults her friends.
As a reader you feel a sense of dread, expecting the consequences, but there are twists in the plot which I did not expect. As the tale became more exciting, I found it difficult to put the book down. Terry Tyler shows great skill in her observation of people’s psyche and thus the behaviour of her characters is totally believable. From a writer whose books are always compulsive reading, this is one of her best.
Next, we meet some of his victims; lonely widow, Heather, demanding would-be bride, Polly and Minerva, an attractive older woman who gives Nico the most pleasure. Under the pretence of meeting authors or going to book fairs, he juggles the four women while persuading them that he deserves financial reward. After a disastrous relationship with her former partner, Kate believes Nico may be, “the one,” but she is not stupid. Realising that he and his sister are about to lose their home, she considers becoming a co-owner and moving in with them, but first she consults her friends.
As a reader you feel a sense of dread, expecting the consequences, but there are twists in the plot which I did not expect. As the tale became more exciting, I found it difficult to put the book down. Terry Tyler shows great skill in her observation of people’s psyche and thus the behaviour of her characters is totally believable. From a writer whose books are always compulsive reading, this is one of her best.
May 22, 2022
What a read!! This book caught and kept my attention from the very beginning. Starting with Kate’s story and her relationship with Nico, I got the feeling very early on that there was something illicit happening. Oh, how right I was. The story is told from multiple perspectives, and each of them were captivating. I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out how it would all end…and then another twist came up.
In the end, great book from start to finish. This was my first read by this author, and I would read another of her books in a heartbeat!
In the end, great book from start to finish. This was my first read by this author, and I would read another of her books in a heartbeat!
May 26, 2022
I found this book so hard to put down, it had me hooked right from the start.
I really enjoyed hearing from the different POV’s. Books with multiple POV’s are always a favourite of mine.
I really didn’t see the twists coming and it was so tense at times. I just had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen.
This was my first read by this author and I will definitely be reading more of their work in the future.
Thank you to R&R Book Tours for having me on the tour.
I really enjoyed hearing from the different POV’s. Books with multiple POV’s are always a favourite of mine.
I really didn’t see the twists coming and it was so tense at times. I just had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen.
This was my first read by this author and I will definitely be reading more of their work in the future.
Thank you to R&R Book Tours for having me on the tour.
April 22, 2022
This is not a genre of book I would normally go for, but since the author is Terry Tyler, I did. And Ms Tyler did not disappoint. This book is deeply disturbing, on many levels.
Being a woman who has in the past been on dating apps, this book held many terrors for me. It is, in fact, the worst nightmare of anyone heading out onto the internet to date and find friends; that you will meet someone who is not what they seem. This book in fact struck me as a kind of modern gothic horror, a slow reveal unveiling that the world we think we live in, the places we feel safe are not. There are creatures out there waiting to prey on us, on our trust, vulnerability, and on our hope.
This novel shows us the modern gothic monster in all his horrific glory; a creature who feeds not on blood or brains, as the good old-fashioned monsters did, but on hope, wishes, dreams, even grief. At least Dracula was usually up-front about who and what he was, and if you missed the cape and pointy teeth, the stormy-skied castle, howling wolves and odd assortment of vampiric women roaming about his house, you might note the fact he tends to head to bed in a coffin full of earth... but Nico, the villain of this book, is a modern vampire, stalking love, money, loneliness and preying on desires for company, love, friendship and fame. Nico is a monster in a mask, and a convincing one since he manages to persuade himself, even after acts unforgiveable, that he's not as bad as people make out.
Perhaps the scariest thing about this book is the idea that what we should fear is not monsters anymore. Half-monsters, indeed, like werewolves and vampires, have become heroes of many books. The truth of this novel is that it is not the unknown thing going bump in the night that we need to fear anymore, it is the known, the people close to us, people we are friends with, people we are in relationships with; people that sadly we trust, and should not. It is not monsters we should fear, but mankind.
Highly recommended, especially if you like a scare!
June 10, 2022
Tyler takes us on a psychological ride into the dark side of internet dating. Sweet Kate thinks she’s met her perfect match through meeting Nico while playing chess on ‘Lifeshare’ a social media site. Kate owns a successful cafe by surfside in a Shipden, Norfolk, village and had recently broke up with a cheating boyfriend, Jackson. Nico was a collector of woman, who used the guise of being a vanity publisher for Indie books because it gave him a boatload of excuses to be unavailable to the many women he seemed to be in relationships with. Think ‘Tinder Swindler’ when envisioning Nico. The story pulls us in because yet again, another internet scammer on the prowl for women seems to be a topic of interest these days.
The author brings in richly crafted characters to drive the story, and gives us a peek into Nico’s psyche to let us in on what makes this conman tick. We get to know the ‘other’ women he’s ensnared with his wiley charms, knowing how to play each one – Polly the low self-esteemed girl who dreams of a fairytale life, Heather, the young grieving widow, Minerva, the lonely, older more secure widow, and the pretty, carefree and fun Kate. And of course we can’t leave out ‘Em’ Nico’s ‘apparent’ ‘real’ girlfriend who assists him to ensnare these other women by doing all the social media profiling for him to make sure his tracks are covered, leading us to think he is doing all this cyber stalking and dating to extort money for ‘them’ both. He cleverly uses Em as his default decoy when with these women, telling them she’s his sister.
Polly is busily planning her wedding with Nico, unaware that his intentions are to get her to spend some of her lottery winnings on a house he wants to buy – for himself. Heather is a young widow living in isolation in the home she shared with the love of her life who has passed on. Wealthy Minerva is smart and realizes handsome Nico is fun to be with, though realizing two decades younger than her, that one day this relationship will probably end, but surely, investing in his publishing business could be a lucrative business adventure. Kate is his favorite he spends most time with, and he’s snagged her heart and trust and goes to deceitful ends to take her to the house he’s pining after, lying to Kate by telling her the house was left to him and his sister in his aunt’s will, adding, the problem is that the house was left to two other cousins and he’d love to buy them out, giving Kate the idea she should buy in so they can live there together. What could go wrong? Plenty!
As the plots thicken and Nico gets sloppy covering his tracks, things begin to happen. Heather begins to feel Nico is pushing a little to hard for her to sell her house to buy into ‘the Grove’ house he supposedly wants to buy his ‘cousins’ out of, and she decides to do some internet surfing and discovers that Nico is a conman. And this is where part two of the book opens up a whole new insidious plot with characters we never would have suspected are part of Nico’s evil ploy.
As the story unfolds, little pieces of his lies are slipping through the cracks and Nico finds himself having to come up with quick coverups. And when the shyte hits the fan, a whole lot of evil is unveiled to us. Don’t even think I’ve given away any spoilers here because the fun begins in this book once Nico is exposed.
Lots of twists and a great conman caper, which sadly, is not so uncommon in today’s world. And a book that was literally hard to put down!
The author brings in richly crafted characters to drive the story, and gives us a peek into Nico’s psyche to let us in on what makes this conman tick. We get to know the ‘other’ women he’s ensnared with his wiley charms, knowing how to play each one – Polly the low self-esteemed girl who dreams of a fairytale life, Heather, the young grieving widow, Minerva, the lonely, older more secure widow, and the pretty, carefree and fun Kate. And of course we can’t leave out ‘Em’ Nico’s ‘apparent’ ‘real’ girlfriend who assists him to ensnare these other women by doing all the social media profiling for him to make sure his tracks are covered, leading us to think he is doing all this cyber stalking and dating to extort money for ‘them’ both. He cleverly uses Em as his default decoy when with these women, telling them she’s his sister.
Polly is busily planning her wedding with Nico, unaware that his intentions are to get her to spend some of her lottery winnings on a house he wants to buy – for himself. Heather is a young widow living in isolation in the home she shared with the love of her life who has passed on. Wealthy Minerva is smart and realizes handsome Nico is fun to be with, though realizing two decades younger than her, that one day this relationship will probably end, but surely, investing in his publishing business could be a lucrative business adventure. Kate is his favorite he spends most time with, and he’s snagged her heart and trust and goes to deceitful ends to take her to the house he’s pining after, lying to Kate by telling her the house was left to him and his sister in his aunt’s will, adding, the problem is that the house was left to two other cousins and he’d love to buy them out, giving Kate the idea she should buy in so they can live there together. What could go wrong? Plenty!
As the plots thicken and Nico gets sloppy covering his tracks, things begin to happen. Heather begins to feel Nico is pushing a little to hard for her to sell her house to buy into ‘the Grove’ house he supposedly wants to buy his ‘cousins’ out of, and she decides to do some internet surfing and discovers that Nico is a conman. And this is where part two of the book opens up a whole new insidious plot with characters we never would have suspected are part of Nico’s evil ploy.
As the story unfolds, little pieces of his lies are slipping through the cracks and Nico finds himself having to come up with quick coverups. And when the shyte hits the fan, a whole lot of evil is unveiled to us. Don’t even think I’ve given away any spoilers here because the fun begins in this book once Nico is exposed.
Lots of twists and a great conman caper, which sadly, is not so uncommon in today’s world. And a book that was literally hard to put down!
November 6, 2022
Best book I've read in ages!
There are many movies and television shows that feature characters you love to hate. Only good acting can make you feel that way. In this book, Nick is such a well written character that, although despicable, you can't wait to see what he will do next.
As an author, I know how difficult it is to write multiple points of view, and Terry Tyler does it well.
Where There's Doubt is a page turned that I genuinely enjoyed.
There are many movies and television shows that feature characters you love to hate. Only good acting can make you feel that way. In this book, Nick is such a well written character that, although despicable, you can't wait to see what he will do next.
As an author, I know how difficult it is to write multiple points of view, and Terry Tyler does it well.
Where There's Doubt is a page turned that I genuinely enjoyed.
May 13, 2022
One of the certainties about any of Terry Tyler’s novels is that there will be individualistic characters that, from the moment they are introduced, come to life. Another of her talents is that she tells a great story, whatever the genre. I can say that, in all honesty, having read every one of her books. Whether it’s sagas, psychological fiction or dystopian, it’s the strength of the plots, the characters and the relationship between the two that draw in the reader from the first page. And Where There's Doubt is no exception, as a psychological thriller this is both powerful and complex.
I love stories told from a variety of first-person points of view; for me it adds to the narrative if it is revealed in this way. We get to know each character, through their voice, through their behaviour, through their perception of the world, of life. In Where There's Doubt the author introduces trust and gullibility, motivations with coercions, honesty with lies, and weaves them together. All of which kept me guessing. And usually getting it wrong.
The main characters are multi-layered, from the wary protagonist, Kate, to Nico, the smooth conman, and the three diverse women he meets on an online dating site. And, in the background, adding authenticity to the plot, there are other characters: the would-be suitor of Kate’s, the friend whose loyalty may be questionable, Kate’s employees in the café, the unpublished and naïve authors – preyed upon by Nico and his claims to be an independent publisher.
There are many settings, but the main background, the seaside town and café, give a unsafe validity to the criminality that is a fundamental theme throughout.
This is a contemporary read, with an all too familiar aspect of deceit and misrepresent in both internet dating and vanity press. But there are always possible consequences with both. I try not to give spoilers with any of my reviews – but I will say that love, loyalty, and justice are also threaded through this book..
I admire Terry Tyler’s writing style, her ability to produce impressive stories, and this thriller doesn’t disappoint. I would highly recommend Where There's Doubt to any reader who is looking for a fascinating read..
I love stories told from a variety of first-person points of view; for me it adds to the narrative if it is revealed in this way. We get to know each character, through their voice, through their behaviour, through their perception of the world, of life. In Where There's Doubt the author introduces trust and gullibility, motivations with coercions, honesty with lies, and weaves them together. All of which kept me guessing. And usually getting it wrong.
The main characters are multi-layered, from the wary protagonist, Kate, to Nico, the smooth conman, and the three diverse women he meets on an online dating site. And, in the background, adding authenticity to the plot, there are other characters: the would-be suitor of Kate’s, the friend whose loyalty may be questionable, Kate’s employees in the café, the unpublished and naïve authors – preyed upon by Nico and his claims to be an independent publisher.
There are many settings, but the main background, the seaside town and café, give a unsafe validity to the criminality that is a fundamental theme throughout.
This is a contemporary read, with an all too familiar aspect of deceit and misrepresent in both internet dating and vanity press. But there are always possible consequences with both. I try not to give spoilers with any of my reviews – but I will say that love, loyalty, and justice are also threaded through this book..
I admire Terry Tyler’s writing style, her ability to produce impressive stories, and this thriller doesn’t disappoint. I would highly recommend Where There's Doubt to any reader who is looking for a fascinating read..
April 4, 2022
Terry Tyler’s latest novel is a departure from her recent run of dystopian stories and takes us into the world of Internet dating – a fertile playground for the conman.
Docudramas like The Tinder Swindler are currently enjoying pole position in the movie charts, a measure of how popular the subject is and how it appeals to women of all ages. Listening to the horror stories, we tend to stereotype the women involved. We marvel at their gullibility and lack of judgement, convincing ourselves that this could never happen to us. But could it? In ‘Where There’s Doubt’ Tyler gives us a different perspective and leads us to ponder this question. This is what makes the story feel fresh.
Nico is the charismatic, sweet-talking villain who has lured four unsuspecting women into his net. Other than Polly (an incurable romantic), they are intelligent and resourceful. Kate, the main protagonist, owns a successful seaside cafe and is cautious where new relationships are concerned. Minerva is a mature, confident woman and nobody’s fool. Heather, though sexually needy, is no fool either. Nico has done his homework well and become something of a chameleon. He has meticulously planned his whole operation, so what could possibly go wrong?
There is a lot happening in this story with friends and ex-partners brought into play. It’s a well-constructed plot, the unexpected twist ramping up the tension. As with all Ms Tyler’s books, the characters come alive and I like the way we are given a look into Nico’s mind - his motivations and rationale – and not seeing things from only the women’s’ POV.
I found Polly and Heather irritating, but loved Miranda. Throughout the story, I was rooting for Kate. Would the inevitable happen or would she discover Nico’s treachery before it was too late? I liked the atmospheric vibes of the seaside town, the cafe scenes and the conclusion which was both satisfactory and unpredictable.
Terry Tyler has excelled herself with this one – a captivating read that I enjoyed enormously. 5*
Docudramas like The Tinder Swindler are currently enjoying pole position in the movie charts, a measure of how popular the subject is and how it appeals to women of all ages. Listening to the horror stories, we tend to stereotype the women involved. We marvel at their gullibility and lack of judgement, convincing ourselves that this could never happen to us. But could it? In ‘Where There’s Doubt’ Tyler gives us a different perspective and leads us to ponder this question. This is what makes the story feel fresh.
Nico is the charismatic, sweet-talking villain who has lured four unsuspecting women into his net. Other than Polly (an incurable romantic), they are intelligent and resourceful. Kate, the main protagonist, owns a successful seaside cafe and is cautious where new relationships are concerned. Minerva is a mature, confident woman and nobody’s fool. Heather, though sexually needy, is no fool either. Nico has done his homework well and become something of a chameleon. He has meticulously planned his whole operation, so what could possibly go wrong?
There is a lot happening in this story with friends and ex-partners brought into play. It’s a well-constructed plot, the unexpected twist ramping up the tension. As with all Ms Tyler’s books, the characters come alive and I like the way we are given a look into Nico’s mind - his motivations and rationale – and not seeing things from only the women’s’ POV.
I found Polly and Heather irritating, but loved Miranda. Throughout the story, I was rooting for Kate. Would the inevitable happen or would she discover Nico’s treachery before it was too late? I liked the atmospheric vibes of the seaside town, the cafe scenes and the conclusion which was both satisfactory and unpredictable.
Terry Tyler has excelled herself with this one – a captivating read that I enjoyed enormously. 5*
April 9, 2022
This is a psychological thriller which delves into the minefield that is modern day online dating and keeps you on the edge of your seat from page one.
Dating has become big business. Certainly for those who host the sites where millions hopefully upload their photographs, likes and dislikes and reach out into the void for a connection that will fulfil their dreams of everlasting love. It is also a feeding ground for sharks, seeking out the vulnerable, the desperate, the broken-hearted and those who are easily manipulated. Their intent is to bequile and deprive their victims of their money, self-esteem, dreams and hope.
Kate is just out of a long term relationship which has left her wondering about the myth surrounding true love. Then along comes a man who ticks all the boxes… seems to know her so well from the outset, anticipating all her needs and hopes within a relationship. Wary but falling in love, Kate begins to ignore her inner voice and friends well-meaning cautions and the game is on.
Over the course of the first part of the book the other players in this game each side of the con are introduced, including the masterminds behind the scam. The author is very good at creating characters who the reader can easily identify, including the poster boy for every woman’s romantic dream, handsome, attentive, successful and sexy. However we hear first hand from this adonis about what he thinks of his victims and his accomplice as well as his endgame. We are spectators to the events but can only watch from the sidelines, helpless to intervene to prevent the inevitable tragedies and loss.
In the second part of the book we discover which of the victims are going to rise above this dispicable piece of trickery and deal with the aftermath. The best and worst of human traits is explored and for some there will be surprising revelations that threaten to devastate them even further. Does crime pay, will there be retribution, who will survive the con?
Highly recommended as a thriller you will find hard to put down.
Dating has become big business. Certainly for those who host the sites where millions hopefully upload their photographs, likes and dislikes and reach out into the void for a connection that will fulfil their dreams of everlasting love. It is also a feeding ground for sharks, seeking out the vulnerable, the desperate, the broken-hearted and those who are easily manipulated. Their intent is to bequile and deprive their victims of their money, self-esteem, dreams and hope.
Kate is just out of a long term relationship which has left her wondering about the myth surrounding true love. Then along comes a man who ticks all the boxes… seems to know her so well from the outset, anticipating all her needs and hopes within a relationship. Wary but falling in love, Kate begins to ignore her inner voice and friends well-meaning cautions and the game is on.
Over the course of the first part of the book the other players in this game each side of the con are introduced, including the masterminds behind the scam. The author is very good at creating characters who the reader can easily identify, including the poster boy for every woman’s romantic dream, handsome, attentive, successful and sexy. However we hear first hand from this adonis about what he thinks of his victims and his accomplice as well as his endgame. We are spectators to the events but can only watch from the sidelines, helpless to intervene to prevent the inevitable tragedies and loss.
In the second part of the book we discover which of the victims are going to rise above this dispicable piece of trickery and deal with the aftermath. The best and worst of human traits is explored and for some there will be surprising revelations that threaten to devastate them even further. Does crime pay, will there be retribution, who will survive the con?
Highly recommended as a thriller you will find hard to put down.
May 25, 2022
Terry Tyler had me from the first page for this book, well that and the excellent book blurb that RR book tours included: “A good sinister read,” a psychological thriller/drama, and it has multiple POV, I am in! This was my first book of Tyler’s, and I know that I will be adding the rest of her collection to my TBR list. If they are as half as good as this one, I know I am in for a treat.
Tyler’s art of storytelling, description of the world she created, the feelings that the characters are experiencing at that moment, and the suspense are nothing to be messed with. The main characters of Kate and Nico are great; Tyler toes the line for you falling for Nico, then hating him the next, whereas, with Kate, you’re rooting for her and then screaming at the book, “Why can’t you see he’s an ass!”
I loved being surprised by the twist in the book; I won’t spoil anything here, but trust me, it’s good, and if you like me, you didn’t see it coming until right before Tyler reviled it to us, and setting us on a second half of the book bouncing around from characters to characters.
Don’t let the number of chapters intimidate you; at 48, with an epilogue, Tyler keeps her writing tight, not dragging out at all, and keeping the suspense up that you want to keep going onto the next chapter. Even when it's 2 am, you need to get up in 4hours for work; you have to know how it ends! Like me, you power through and grab a strong coffee to help you through the workday. Knowing all the while, it was worth it.
Overall I would give this book 4/5 ⭐; it was a great introduction to Tyler’s writing and made me want to read more from her. There is a bit of spicy to it, maybe enough to give it one chili pepper 🌶️; I don’t think spicy was Tyler’s intention with this book, but its pepper in there to aid in the storytelling. I would give it a 5/5 drama mask 🎭 for its overall thriller/drama; Tyler did deliver on that and was the book's central theme. The book does have some light and funny moments that are great; they help to break up the tension.
Tyler’s art of storytelling, description of the world she created, the feelings that the characters are experiencing at that moment, and the suspense are nothing to be messed with. The main characters of Kate and Nico are great; Tyler toes the line for you falling for Nico, then hating him the next, whereas, with Kate, you’re rooting for her and then screaming at the book, “Why can’t you see he’s an ass!”
I loved being surprised by the twist in the book; I won’t spoil anything here, but trust me, it’s good, and if you like me, you didn’t see it coming until right before Tyler reviled it to us, and setting us on a second half of the book bouncing around from characters to characters.
Don’t let the number of chapters intimidate you; at 48, with an epilogue, Tyler keeps her writing tight, not dragging out at all, and keeping the suspense up that you want to keep going onto the next chapter. Even when it's 2 am, you need to get up in 4hours for work; you have to know how it ends! Like me, you power through and grab a strong coffee to help you through the workday. Knowing all the while, it was worth it.
Overall I would give this book 4/5 ⭐; it was a great introduction to Tyler’s writing and made me want to read more from her. There is a bit of spicy to it, maybe enough to give it one chili pepper 🌶️; I don’t think spicy was Tyler’s intention with this book, but its pepper in there to aid in the storytelling. I would give it a 5/5 drama mask 🎭 for its overall thriller/drama; Tyler did deliver on that and was the book's central theme. The book does have some light and funny moments that are great; they help to break up the tension.
June 26, 2022
So, I’ve gone on holiday, as in an abroad, proper lie down and do nothing but read holiday, for the first time since 2019. Where There’s Doubt was the book I’d started before I left on my travels. I read it continuously on the flight and finished it once I’d reached my first destination, just before my afternoon nap – what a treat! Both the book and the nap.
What always impresses me most about Tyler’s books is her complete understanding of how relationships work. Their strengths, their weaknesses. The motivations as to why people form them. What sustains them and what causes them to fail. In this case it is all about fake and toxic relationships.
I wondered where the surprise was going to be with this one as we know from the start that Nico is a romance con artist. We see exactly what he is doing as he lures each of his marks along the path to where they hand over their money to him. However, I was not disappointed as I didn’t see the twist coming. I also liked the fallout, the consequences of each character’s actions.
I won’t go into all the ins and outs of what happens to who and how but I will say I had a special fondness for Minerva (class), Heather (heartbreak) and Kate (soul searching). And this is what I mean about Tylers work. She manages a large cast of characters, makes them come alive as you read so you care for them, or not. And combines super characters with a cracking story that keeps the pages turning. Top stuff and highly recommended.
What always impresses me most about Tyler’s books is her complete understanding of how relationships work. Their strengths, their weaknesses. The motivations as to why people form them. What sustains them and what causes them to fail. In this case it is all about fake and toxic relationships.
I wondered where the surprise was going to be with this one as we know from the start that Nico is a romance con artist. We see exactly what he is doing as he lures each of his marks along the path to where they hand over their money to him. However, I was not disappointed as I didn’t see the twist coming. I also liked the fallout, the consequences of each character’s actions.
I won’t go into all the ins and outs of what happens to who and how but I will say I had a special fondness for Minerva (class), Heather (heartbreak) and Kate (soul searching). And this is what I mean about Tylers work. She manages a large cast of characters, makes them come alive as you read so you care for them, or not. And combines super characters with a cracking story that keeps the pages turning. Top stuff and highly recommended.
July 17, 2022
Psychological fiction that feels real
It has been a while since Kate’s last relationship, and she’s thrown herself into her new business and playing chess on-line. So when her on-line chess partner and she agree to meet in person she is nervous as to how it will go.
Nico is a natural at behavioural psychology, which is fortunate as his various rich girlfriends need to believe in him, and the authors he is signing up to his indie publishing business also need to deliver the goods before his deadline is reached.
This fast moving story has characters who are not as they seem, and others who are exactly as they say they are and who are accepting that things may not be as perfect as they appear. Hope and dreams are being fought for, but not everyone is going to come out smiling. Kate is a lovely character that will have readers hoping she will be ok in the end, Nico is very different but equally as interesting.
Twists and turns, true to life characters and plenty of tension building makes this a great read, where (as in life) things do not turn out as one might expect.
Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys a fast moving psychological novel, with plenty of reality and characters one can empathise with.
It has been a while since Kate’s last relationship, and she’s thrown herself into her new business and playing chess on-line. So when her on-line chess partner and she agree to meet in person she is nervous as to how it will go.
Nico is a natural at behavioural psychology, which is fortunate as his various rich girlfriends need to believe in him, and the authors he is signing up to his indie publishing business also need to deliver the goods before his deadline is reached.
This fast moving story has characters who are not as they seem, and others who are exactly as they say they are and who are accepting that things may not be as perfect as they appear. Hope and dreams are being fought for, but not everyone is going to come out smiling. Kate is a lovely character that will have readers hoping she will be ok in the end, Nico is very different but equally as interesting.
Twists and turns, true to life characters and plenty of tension building makes this a great read, where (as in life) things do not turn out as one might expect.
Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys a fast moving psychological novel, with plenty of reality and characters one can empathise with.
May 24, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was so hard to put down and had me hooked from the beginning!
I think my favourite part of this book was definitely the multiple view points! Books with more than one pov are always my favourite to read, I love getting to read from different perspectives as for me it adds more depth to the storyline.
The twists in this book we're immaculate and I didn't always seem them coming. The suspense I felt whilst reading this honestly had me absolutely hooked and I just couldn't put it down because I needed to know the outcome!
This is definitely a great psychological thriller that will honestly make you question a lot of things about the world of online dating. As a massive fan of thrillers this one ticked all the boxes for me and I think everyone should go and read it straight away!!
I think my favourite part of this book was definitely the multiple view points! Books with more than one pov are always my favourite to read, I love getting to read from different perspectives as for me it adds more depth to the storyline.
The twists in this book we're immaculate and I didn't always seem them coming. The suspense I felt whilst reading this honestly had me absolutely hooked and I just couldn't put it down because I needed to know the outcome!
This is definitely a great psychological thriller that will honestly make you question a lot of things about the world of online dating. As a massive fan of thrillers this one ticked all the boxes for me and I think everyone should go and read it straight away!!
Read
August 21, 2022First up, a confession. I hesitated to pick this one up at first, despite loving other books written by Terry Tyler, purely because I saw the word 'romance' and shied away. Serves me right for skimming, because this is not romantic fiction, this is a psychological thriller, and a damned good one at that.
I read it over three days, and if I'd had time I would have read it even faster because I found it gripping.
A bonus for me was that it involved the sordid nature of vanity publishing, as well as the perils of online dating.
I enjoyed the weaving of the plot, the twists and turns, the varied characters' stories.
Terry Tyler has the ability to hook you in and keep you there until the very end.
Loved it!
I read it over three days, and if I'd had time I would have read it even faster because I found it gripping.
A bonus for me was that it involved the sordid nature of vanity publishing, as well as the perils of online dating.
I enjoyed the weaving of the plot, the twists and turns, the varied characters' stories.
Terry Tyler has the ability to hook you in and keep you there until the very end.
Loved it!
May 25, 2022
This was the perfect mix of psychological thriller and drama. Nico is eerily good at what he does - and the way he operates, it's all too easy to imagine someone getting wrapped up in his lies - and not just within the pages of the book. It brings into stark relief just how connected and vulnerable the digital age has made us. Being able to follow the story first hand from the character's POV only made it that much more chilling and engaging. A brilliant read that is sure to leave chills running down your spine even after you've read the final word.
March 31, 2022
I have read many of Terry's books over the past few years and enjoyed them all. This was a bit different and very cleverly done. I couldn't put the book down once I started and wanted to follow through to find out what happened to each of the characters involved. I don't want to say too much as it could contain spoilers, but there are some very sick people out there, who spend their lives scamming vulnerable people and Terry has captured them exceptionally well.
April 5, 2022
I absolutely loved this book totally engaging & compulsive reading. As ever the author has created excellent characters & the plot has many twists & surprises, in conclusion I feel that this is one of Terry Tyler’s best books to date.
May 30, 2022
An Amazing and Entertaining Read
Having read and loved many books by this great author, I had to pick up this copy, and the read did not disappoint.
"If you've ever gone through post-long-relationship rehabilitation you'll know that once you've climbed out of the murky pit of emotion, you're left with lots of empty spaces." ... this great line occurs fairly near the beginning of the book and sets up what happens next perfectly. We have a main character left reeling after the break-up of a long term relationship. Over the course of the ensuing chapters, the author introduces the reader to the other main players ... the good, the bad, the ugly, the indifferent, and definitely the gullible.
I love how the main bad guy is revealed early on. It left me wanting to shake the characters being duped and yell at them, "Don't do it!" lols. The characterisation, plot, and set up were all brilliantly done, and I love the humour and snark that runs throughout both the narrative and the dialogue interactions. It all felt so real that I could have been standing next to any one of the characters at any time. Here are some lines I loved ...
"There's something about your parents not really wanting you that makes you either desperate for love or incredibly self-sufficient."
And ...
"The evening has taken on that pinky glow of too much Pimm's and approaching dusk."
And ...
"At it's worst, low self-esteem goes round in an ever-intensifying downward spiral of introspection until it meets self-obsession, then crashes headlong into narcissism at the other end."
And ...
"If there were any shoots of nostalgia about this year still floating around in the silliest corners of my subconscious, this certainly poured weed-killer on them."
Where There's Doubt is an enthralling read that grabbed my attention from the beginning and held it captive until the final page. I give a resounding five stars and highly recommend both this book and this writer.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
Having read and loved many books by this great author, I had to pick up this copy, and the read did not disappoint.
"If you've ever gone through post-long-relationship rehabilitation you'll know that once you've climbed out of the murky pit of emotion, you're left with lots of empty spaces." ... this great line occurs fairly near the beginning of the book and sets up what happens next perfectly. We have a main character left reeling after the break-up of a long term relationship. Over the course of the ensuing chapters, the author introduces the reader to the other main players ... the good, the bad, the ugly, the indifferent, and definitely the gullible.
I love how the main bad guy is revealed early on. It left me wanting to shake the characters being duped and yell at them, "Don't do it!" lols. The characterisation, plot, and set up were all brilliantly done, and I love the humour and snark that runs throughout both the narrative and the dialogue interactions. It all felt so real that I could have been standing next to any one of the characters at any time. Here are some lines I loved ...
"There's something about your parents not really wanting you that makes you either desperate for love or incredibly self-sufficient."
And ...
"The evening has taken on that pinky glow of too much Pimm's and approaching dusk."
And ...
"At it's worst, low self-esteem goes round in an ever-intensifying downward spiral of introspection until it meets self-obsession, then crashes headlong into narcissism at the other end."
And ...
"If there were any shoots of nostalgia about this year still floating around in the silliest corners of my subconscious, this certainly poured weed-killer on them."
Where There's Doubt is an enthralling read that grabbed my attention from the beginning and held it captive until the final page. I give a resounding five stars and highly recommend both this book and this writer.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
April 21, 2023
I read this book last year and didn’t get round to writing a review. (I’m playing catch up)
I don’t need to look back through the pages of this book to remind myself of the story because most of it sticks in my mind quite clearly. And also because I had a recent conversation about it with a friend who I had recommended it to because she dates on-line.
The story opens with Kate meeting her on-line date for the first time. Nico is his name. Oh and he’s so lovely.
Then we hear from Nico’s point of view and learn that Kate isn’t his own girlfriend. This was when I stopped liking him. We learn his true colours and what to expect in the coming chapters. (Every time I hear the name Nico, I think of this guy!)
He has a few tricks up his sleeve which I found very entertaining. That’s what kept me turning the pages and wondering what on earth he’ll say or do next.
Terry is really good at telling a story from several characters’ points of view. You get to know very quickly which head we’re in as soon as a chapter begins. (Although, each chapter is character labelled.)
Kate was my favourite. I was rooting for her right through and at no point did I get annoyed at her for being so blind because Nico is a master conman. Now, I did yell at Heather once or twice but I empathised with her a little.
I didn’t expect the Giselle twist towards the end! Excellent! There’s not many books that I can’t put down when my eyes are burning, but this was one of them.
I’m glad that my dating days are over. This is a work of fiction but could easily be a true story.
I don’t need to look back through the pages of this book to remind myself of the story because most of it sticks in my mind quite clearly. And also because I had a recent conversation about it with a friend who I had recommended it to because she dates on-line.
The story opens with Kate meeting her on-line date for the first time. Nico is his name. Oh and he’s so lovely.
Then we hear from Nico’s point of view and learn that Kate isn’t his own girlfriend. This was when I stopped liking him. We learn his true colours and what to expect in the coming chapters. (Every time I hear the name Nico, I think of this guy!)
He has a few tricks up his sleeve which I found very entertaining. That’s what kept me turning the pages and wondering what on earth he’ll say or do next.
Terry is really good at telling a story from several characters’ points of view. You get to know very quickly which head we’re in as soon as a chapter begins. (Although, each chapter is character labelled.)
Kate was my favourite. I was rooting for her right through and at no point did I get annoyed at her for being so blind because Nico is a master conman. Now, I did yell at Heather once or twice but I empathised with her a little.
I didn’t expect the Giselle twist towards the end! Excellent! There’s not many books that I can’t put down when my eyes are burning, but this was one of them.
I’m glad that my dating days are over. This is a work of fiction but could easily be a true story.
February 2, 2024
Café owner Kate doesn’t want much out of life. Aside from a tiring but successful business, a little dating site flirtation would be nice. Making an online connection with the apparently charming Nico, she agrees to meet, and despite warnings from friends, soon finds herself falling for him. But Nico has his own agenda, and Kate isn’t the only fish dangling on his greedy hook…
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. On the face of it, Ms Tyler has created a clever plot with a range of intriguing characters. Each one has a different ‘voice’ adding a convincing tone to their individual stories that helps to draw in the reader. However, while most of the book is written in first person – switching between each of the main characters—some of it is written in third person. Switching from first to third person like this is a technique that never makes any sense to me. Unfortunately, it also takes the reader out of the story, which I’m sure wasn’t the author’s intention. Anyway, aside from my whinges, it’s a cunning tale with plenty of twisty turny bits to keep the tension simmering away.
An interesting tale that should have been better.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. On the face of it, Ms Tyler has created a clever plot with a range of intriguing characters. Each one has a different ‘voice’ adding a convincing tone to their individual stories that helps to draw in the reader. However, while most of the book is written in first person – switching between each of the main characters—some of it is written in third person. Switching from first to third person like this is a technique that never makes any sense to me. Unfortunately, it also takes the reader out of the story, which I’m sure wasn’t the author’s intention. Anyway, aside from my whinges, it’s a cunning tale with plenty of twisty turny bits to keep the tension simmering away.
An interesting tale that should have been better.
September 30, 2025
Intense
This novel was intense for sure. People can be jealous over things that don't have anything to do with them. But I'm ahead of myself. Online dating sites. Never been on any, never will. This novel reinforces that some people you meet are NOT who they portray, no matter how skilled they are in their deceit. Nico is good at that. But Nico is also greedy and he doesn't follow the ground rules that his team have in not scamming a poor person, only setting up with with plenty of money. That is one of his downfalls. This novel has it all, romance, in many ways, murder in a couple different ways, people with a gazillion aliases, friends who are not who they appear to be, deceit is rampant. That deceit comes forth in this twisted novel that is truly more than intense.
This novel was intense for sure. People can be jealous over things that don't have anything to do with them. But I'm ahead of myself. Online dating sites. Never been on any, never will. This novel reinforces that some people you meet are NOT who they portray, no matter how skilled they are in their deceit. Nico is good at that. But Nico is also greedy and he doesn't follow the ground rules that his team have in not scamming a poor person, only setting up with with plenty of money. That is one of his downfalls. This novel has it all, romance, in many ways, murder in a couple different ways, people with a gazillion aliases, friends who are not who they appear to be, deceit is rampant. That deceit comes forth in this twisted novel that is truly more than intense.
August 6, 2023
HERE THERE'S DOUBT
TERRY TYLER
Review by Author Roy Murry
Nico and associates con people in this psychological thriller. The reader will be on the edge of their set, wanting and anticipating his demise.
This novel has many twists and turns, starting with Kate, a recent inheritance receiver. The individual stories explain why each woman falls for Nico's approach and why he thinks his play will win.
Everyone, including Nico, is hurt monetarily, mentally, or physically when the gig is up - some more than others. Not all who read this will be happy with the ending, which begins with another con.
If you want suspense, read this well-written novel, and you will be content.
TERRY TYLER
Review by Author Roy Murry
Nico and associates con people in this psychological thriller. The reader will be on the edge of their set, wanting and anticipating his demise.
This novel has many twists and turns, starting with Kate, a recent inheritance receiver. The individual stories explain why each woman falls for Nico's approach and why he thinks his play will win.
Everyone, including Nico, is hurt monetarily, mentally, or physically when the gig is up - some more than others. Not all who read this will be happy with the ending, which begins with another con.
If you want suspense, read this well-written novel, and you will be content.
June 19, 2023
Very interesting book until the end.
Each chapter was a different character and at first I had problems keeping them straight. But once I did, I found the book really interesting that is until I got near the end. Once the crimes were exposed, I found the chapter per person somewhat of a drag. I guess I just wanted the book to wrap up, and I found the continuing chapters a bit tedious. If the authors other books are written this way, this will be the last one.
Each chapter was a different character and at first I had problems keeping them straight. But once I did, I found the book really interesting that is until I got near the end. Once the crimes were exposed, I found the chapter per person somewhat of a drag. I guess I just wanted the book to wrap up, and I found the continuing chapters a bit tedious. If the authors other books are written this way, this will be the last one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews