The Secrets of Cedar Farm

by Carissa Ann Lynch, Laurence Bouvard (Narrator)

* Duration: 06:35:24 *

The brand new thriller from 'USA Today' best-selling author, Carissa Ann Lynch. Perfect for fans of John Hart, Jane Harper and Shirley Jackson.

Behind every family is a story.

But some stories are darker than others.

Norah Campbell was an addict. The loss of her fiancé drove her to despair; she lost custody of her daughter, Gemma, and control of her life.

Now Norah is in recovery and she wants Gemma back. But to do so she must move in with her eccentric aunt and uncle, and they refuse to give up control without a fight. When strange occurrences keep happening at the farm and Norah makes a gruesome discovery, she soon realizes she’s living with a monster.

As her mental health spirals out of control and she is tempted to relapse, she begins to wonder if she is also a monster.

This is a novel about addiction and recovery, and the strength of a mother who must fight in order to save herself and her child.

©2022 Carissa Ann Lynch (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

Genres: Thriller

6 pages, Audiobook

First published January 29, 2022

About the author

Besides my family, my greatest love in life is books. Reading them, writing them, holding them, smelling them…well, you get the idea. I’ve always loved to read, and some of my earliest childhood memories are me, tucked away in my room, lost in a good book. I received a five dollar allowance each week, and I always — always — spent it on books. My love affair with writing started early, but it mostly involved journaling and writing silly poems. Several years ago, I didn’t have a book to read so I decided on a whim to write my own story, something I’d like to read. It turned out to be harder than I thought, but from that point on I was hooked. My first and second books were released by Sarah Book Publishing: This Is Not About Love and Grayson’s Ridge. I’m a total genre-hopper. Basically, I like to write what I like to read: a little bit of everything! I reside in Floyds Knobs, Indiana with my husband, three children, and massive collection of books. I have a degree in psychology and worked as a counselor.

Reviews

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read a few books by this author but this is the best one by far! Norah Campbell has just come out of a three month stint in rehab after the death of her fiancé. Her daughter (6-7 year old) Gemma has been living with Norah’s Aunt Sara and Uncle Francis at Cedar Farm. Gemma arrives there full of optimism about making a new start with her daughter but her hopes are soon dashed.

To start with, the house is pretty creepy, a gothic monstrosity with peeling paint and gloomy windows. Her aunt and uncle do not seem very welcoming and express no confidence about Norah’s apparently drug free status. There are rules, she is not to be alone with Gemma and, and, and…

Francis seems very draconian and grim. Norah is anxious but confident that when her custody hearing is held she will get Gemma back and be able to return to Chicago and her old apartment and job and life. Things don’t go according to plan and roadblocks are constantly put in front of her. Her only ally is Jana, the counsellor at Gemma’s school, she is also a recovering addict and gives Norah lots of encouragement.

But when Norah discovers something horrific in a shed in a clearing on the property everything goes pear shaped and she fears for her safety and Gemma’s. Norah is right to be afraid and it is only her friend Jana and her new AA sponsor Patricia who have any chance of coming to her rescue.

This was a very creepy story and I had it all wrong! It was quite a dark psychological thriller and it highlights the dangers of addiction of any kind and also the lengths a mother will go to for her child. The characterisations were well done and you could really relate to Norah who was trying her hardest to stay clean. Jana was a godsend, without her things would have ended badly. The pace was relentless and I was never comfortable reading this, I always felt like something terrible was about to happen. And then it did! I’m grateful to the library for lending me this e-book.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't just a story about a creepy farmhouse and dark family secrets.
This is a powerful story of addiction and redemption.

There's a lot of creepiness in this story, but the real horror is the realities of addiction that are heavily explored. The physical, emotional and mental facets of addiction are so vividly and realistically portrayed in this novel. I used to be a substance abuse counselor at an inpatient facility and I'm a recovering alcoholic, so this book really hit home for me.
WARNING: This book pulls no punches, and if you are a recovering addict it could be triggering for you.

This book also made another powerful statement: Don't make assumptions about people based solely on their gender. With all the misandry that seems to dominate literature these days, I really appreciate the flipping of the script. It's people who are evil-not their gender.

All that being said, the middle of the book did lag and the ending was -IMO-too abrupt and rushed. Otherwise, this is another excellent book for Carissa Ann Lynch that I highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kat (Katlovesbooks) Dietrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

The Secrets of Cedar Farm by Carissa Anne Lynch is a psychological thriller.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Harper Collins, One More Chapter and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Norah Campbell is a recovering addict, with 90 days clean.  She is just out of rehab.  Her world exploded when her fiancé died, and then her daughter Gemma was taken away.

The good news was that Norah's Aunt Sara and her husband took temporary custody of Gemma so that she didn't end up in foster care.  Norah was rather surprised that they stepped up, because she barely knew them.

But now she wants Gemma back, and it won't be easy.  Norah moves in with her aunt and uncle, so that they can see that her intentions are good and that they can trust her with Gemma.  But from the start, things are weird, and it quickly becomes evident that not everything is as it seems.

 
My Opinions:   
This was a really fast and entertaining read.  It was also a rather creepy read...I'd love to explore that house!

The book is about addiction, recovery, and mental illness.  It is also about how far a mother would go to save her child.

I loved the main character, but because of her background, I started wondering if I was dealing with an unreliable narrator.  The author definitely gave me somebody to root for when she gave me Norah.  The other characters were just as good (well, not always good, but....)

I am not sure if the author is a friend of Bill W's, but she definitely did the research.  The addiction recovery segments read true.

Overall, it was a really enjoyable read....and I will continue to watch for her books.


For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information and contact details), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Norah Campbell was an addict. The loss of her fiance drove her to despair; she lost custody of her daughter, Gemma, and control of her life. Now Norah is in recovery and she wants Gemma back. But to do so she must move in with her eccentric aunt and uncle, and they refuse to give up without a fight. When strange occurrences keep happening at the farm, and Norah makes a gruesome discovery, she soon realises she's living with a monster.

What an intriguing read this book is. There was a prevailing sense of evil and creepiness throughout. Norah's aunt and uncle have rules she must abide by, and it tells of the struggles of someone with an addiction. I wasn't struck on any of the characters but I think that made this a better read. The pace is steady and I was pulled in from the first page. This is a descriptively written book that kept me guessing throughout.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #ONeMoreChapter and the author #ClarissaAnnLynch for my ARC of #TheSecretsOfCedarFarm in exchange for an honest review.

[Paula Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite auto-read authors is Carissa Ann Lynch. I started reading her books years ago with Have you Seen This Girl? back in 2015 and from that day on, I have made sure to read all her books that she has published since as each one is just as good as the previous book especially if you love thrillers. In The Secrets of Cedar Farm, it started with Norah Campbell heading to her aunt’s place to reunite with her daughter. Norah's fiancé Finn died of an overdose and this caused Norah to head to rehab so that she could start a new life for her daughter Gemma. Whilst in Rehab, Gemma went to live with Norah's mother's sister Sarah and her husband Francis. When Norah gets there though, things are very strange and off-putting as Norah can't spend any time with her daughter alone and they are acting as if Norah is intruding on their perfectly created life and also Gemma is acting odd. During the book, we read as Norah is being gaslighted by Sarah and Francis and taught that she is a bad mother. During this time, Norah decides to do some recon of her own as she knows something is up and what she will find is a body. What will happen though when she tries to go to the authorities? Who will they believe? Francis and Sarah - pillars of the community or Norah - a former drug addict. Can Norah get to the bottom of the strange things happening and save her daughter and in doing so, may have to make a phone call to the one person she never thought she would need to rely on. I liked the twist of this book as I had a feeling, but I did get a surprise when the actual killer was revealed. If you love thrillers and skeletons not only in the closet but also the ground, then you will Carissa Ann Lynch's The Secret of Cedar Farm.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Norah was a good girl until she wasn’t. In the brief time she wasn’t, she became an addict, found her boyfriend dead in the den, and lost her six-year-old daughter Gemma. When Norah gets out of rehab, she goes to her aunt and uncle’s farm with the intention of getting custody back and bringing Gemma home. But Uncle Francis and mousy Aunt Sara are making it really difficult for her to reach her goals.
The longer Norah stays in their home with them, the more she sees that just doesn’t feel right. No one will believe her, not with her drug use history. Things get testy up to the court date, then Norah has some tricks of her own to turn the tables.
The plot is fast-paced, and this is such a fun, quick, tense, and thrilling read, you’ll add Ms. Lynch to your list of “must-read” authors!
Sincere thanks to Harper Collins UK / One More Chapter for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. The publishing date is January 29, 2022.

[Tish · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I'd never read anything by this author before so when I was given the chance to read this book I didn't hesitate. And I'm so glad I gave it a chance. It was thrilling and full of mystery. I wasn't really sure what to expect when I started reading it but it kept me entertained from start to finish. Even had me running to Amazon to download a couple more of the authors books.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some novels are a slow burn, and some rage like a wildfire. This one is somewhere inbetween...a hidden smolder, like volcano lava lurking beneath the surface, bursting into a raging fire at the conclusion.

Carissa Lynch is excellent at misdirection. Every time I think I have it figured out, I am proven so very wrong...in the best way possible.

This novel so perfectly illustrates not only the struggle of addiction, but the struggle of the stigma that follows even when a person is in recovery. It perfectly sets the stage for everything that follows.

This novel is beautifully written...and beautifully chilling. It is one that could very easily be a true story. It is one that will stick with me for a very long time.

[Jessi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. This did not read like a seasoned thriller writer novel. I wondered as I listened if it was a debut, but surprisingly she has lots of books before this one. I for sure caught myself actually rolling my eyes during this, and more than once.
The audio wasn’t great, and I think that can severely affect how a book goes over. Maybe it would have been better on paper? Still doubtful. I did do 2 stars because I read it to the end, but that doesn’t really say much. I’ve read more than one bad book to the end. I. So surprised at the high average rating this book has received, maybe I’m the outlier 🤷‍♀️

[Kayla Krantz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of twists and turns, this newest book by Carissa Ann Lynch kept me on the edge of my seat until the very last page. Highly recommended!

[Melissa Ammons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to receive a gifted copy and am providing a review.

I went into this read with absolutely no expectations, as I hadn’t even read the blurb … I mean, it was written by Ms. Lynch, so it has to be good right? To say this is an excellent read is an understatement. If I could give this one more than five stars, I would … yes, I thought it was that good. I was pulled in from the very first sentence. If I didn’t have to sleep, I would’ve finished this one in a day … it will definitely keep you up past your bedtime!

There is so much going on throughout this tale of addiction, love, forgiveness, creepiness involving Aunt Sara and Uncle Francis and Cedar Farm itself. That house … the way it is portrayed, it definitely reminds me of a museum we have here in California, the Winchester House where there are doors and stairwells leading to absolutely nowhere, the only difference being at Cedar Farm’s house the secret door leads somewhere. Norah, the main character, ended up in rehab and the only reason she ended up staying with Aunt Sara and Uncle Francis was because she had no alternative; as well, that is where her daughter, Gemma, was … again, having no alternative. This book definitely has a creep factor that you will not want to miss.

If you don’t have this one on your radar or in your to-be-read pile – add it! Expected to be published January 2022 – an excellent read to start the near year with!

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Audio) A book about addiction, recovery, trust, motherhood, friendship set in a creepy old house in the middle of nowhere - what's not to like. Great characters - not too long - plenty of pace. I was quite hooked and didn't guess the twist

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finished this book pretty quickly. Overall, it moved along fairly steadily but meandered a little in the middle. I loved the idea of Norah’s character - how she battled addiction and got drawn into because of her fiancé, Finn (died of a drug overdose). It felt raw and gritty at times, and was a great portrayal of how addiction is an ongoing battle. She was trying to redeem herself and gain back custody of her daughter Gemma.

I found the story around her Aunt and Uncle to be fairly unbelievable. Especially when it came to her Aunt being a murderer (twist ending). There were a lot of sections in the book that didn’t make sense - why didn’t Norah stick around after she found the barrel with the body and get the police to call the school? How would her frail Aunt move such a heavy barrel? Why did the school counsellor confide in Norah about her distrust of her aunt and uncle - that’s not very professional or ethical? Why did Norah not try to spend more time with Gemma in the book? Why didn’t Gemma’s biological dad step in when she initially lost custody? How did her aunt and uncle even come to know that Norah was going to lose custody? Some big plot holes that weren’t properly thought through

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing is stronger than a Mom and her child. Or maybe I should say nothing should be. Norah has just made it through rehab and was grateful to her aunt and uncle for taking temporary custody of her daughter, but now she wants to resume the role of mother. She’s ready to be the Mom she should have been, but her family has other ideas.

This is a story not only about the power of addiction, but also the road to redemption. All wrapped up in a psychological thriller. And I liked that the chapter headings took you through the 12 step process of becoming clean and sober. Always tying things back to the root of Norah’s trouble.

The eerie farmhouse her family lives in was almost like another character and had me a little more than creeped out at times. And I spent most of the novel trying to figure out exactly how reliable a narrator Norah was since she is a recovering addict. I’ll let you judge that for yourself.

I love when I am reading a thriller, and I am surprised when I am supposed to be. Since I read so many suspenseful books, I have become quite adept at knowing where we are heading, and I can say there were a couple of moments that caught me off guard.

I really think psychological thriller lovers will enjoy this one.

[Lisa Wetzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I pick up a book by Carissa Ann Lynch I know I am in for a wonderful time! The Secrets of. Cedar Farm is her latest that arrived today, January 29, 2022 and I was not disappointed. This book has a lot going on with it. Lynch covers some sensitive issues and she does it well. She definitely did her homework with this one. There is the topic of addiction that is spoken of throughout the book along with its struggles of dealing with it and all that follows when you overcome it! It also has friendship, love, forgiveness and murder. This is a well written book that keeps your attention from the very start all the way to the very end. There is an aura of creepiness throughout this one that really holds your attention. The twist and turns are there and will keep you guessing throughout! I thoroughly enjoyed this story and highly recommend it to all thriller lovers! Thank You Carissa Ann Lynch for another fantastic thriller! I look forward to the next one!!

Thank you NetGalley, Harper Collins and Carissa Ann Lynch for an advanced copy of this tremendous book in exchange for my honest opinion.
#NetGalley, #thesecretsofcedarhill #carissaannlynch # harpercollins #arc

[Lisa Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Secrets of Cedar Farm is a little bit spooky, a little bit mysterious and a heck of a lot thrilling. Gemma, a young child, was sent to live on Cedar Farm with some relatives after her mom was sent to rehab for a drug addiction. Now, after a few months, Norah returns to claim her daughter. She is invited to stay with her aunt and uncle at Cedar Farm until custody is returned to her by a judge.

To her chagrin, her aunt and uncle have some rules she must abide by, one of them being that she must never be alone with her daughter. Norah does some digging around and finds that the house is a bit creepy and its inhabitants are even creepier. Getting her daughter back proves to be a daunting task.

I don’t want to give too much away because every word in this story is twisty and thrilling and I don’t want to ruin your reading pleasure. I give this book 5 stars. It kept me absolutely enthralled throughout and I was sad to see it end. You should start your year right and grab a copy as it is due to be published in January 2022.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK and One More Chapter for the ARC of this book. This is my honest review.

[Ellie Midwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I think Carissa has written her best book, she writes another one and absolutely blows me away with it! As it’s always the case with her stories, I read this one in a single breath, riveted to me seat from the first page to the last one. And how could I not, when a mother is threatened with any mother’s worst possible nightmare—losing her daughter? Norah Campbell is an incredibly admirable protagonist. She’s flawed; she’d made mistakes and knows it and is set to correct them—the qualities that make her a real person, not just a book character. But most of all, she’s a fierce momma-bear who shall stop at nothing to protect her daughter Gemma from the dangers of a place that was supposed to be a safe heaven for both of them. It’s that protective fierceness of hers that send my admiration for her through the roof and made me bite my nails as I rooted for her to conquer all of her demons—both metaphorical and very real.

“The Secrets of Cedar Farm” is a book that will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions and will make you question what you would do in Norah’s place. Also, just like all of Ms. Lynch’s books, this one raises many important social issues that will certainly resonate with many readers. Incredibly powerful, riveting, and emotionally-charged, this thriller will stay with you long after the last page is turned. A winner for sure!

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carissa Ann Lynch is a new to me author, and man, I WAS MISSING OUT BIG TIME! Norah is a girl who became an addict & destroyed her life in a short time. She lost her fiance which set off a downward spiral which ended with her losing her daughter. Now she's fresh out of rehab with the agreement that she would stay with her aunt & uncle so she can prove she can take care of her daughter. I mean if that's not tragic enough, really creepy things start happening which lead to a very brutal discovery. Obviously this means the twists are coming in hot while this particular farm actually gave me goosebumps big time (should have seen me going outside when it was dark after this story LOL), and I LOVED EVERY MINUTE! I'm all about a great thrill ride and The Secrets of Cedar Farm provided that in spades, but there's also the angst as I truly felt Norah's pain & struggle putting her life back together again. This author has a new fan for life as I have to read everything she released in the past & everything she releases in the future! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this author's books and was excited to get this one!

A thriller/mystery, but there is always such an amazing storyline to go along with it. This one, despite the creepy farmhouse and the even creepier aunt and uncle, delves deep into addiction, recovery and redemption.

Norah is sent to rehab for her drug addiction and her daughter, Gemma, was sent to live with Aunt Sara and Uncle Francis. Nora returns from rehab to reunite with Gemma. But it seems her aunt and uncle aren't so keen on that idea.

Norah does some investigating and things don't add up. Strange things happen. And it's creepier than we imagined.

Patricia and Jana befriend Norah and try to help her in her quest to regain custody of Gemma. There are so many twists and turns and unexpected events.

I don’t want to give away much more. You need to read this one if you like a good creepy family suspense/thriller!

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK and One More Chapter for the ARC of this book.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book. I would give it 2.5 stars. I enjoyed it but the ending felt so rushed and that there were pieces to the story missing. Why were these people like this? Didn't she suspect anything when these people show up out of the blue. Norah hasn't seen then or talked to them in years? How did they even know Norah needed help? Norah knew there was something creepy going on, but didn't document anything. Why didn't she take pictures of what she found in the shed? I enjoyed the build up of the mystery/thriller but I ended up having so many questions when the truth about everything was finally revealed.

Recommend giving the book a try, it just wasn't for me. Look forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Norah Campbell had fallen off the tracks. She was drinking and taking drugs. Her fiancé then died and she sank further loosing custody of her daughter, Gemma.
After a successful stint in rehab she has her addictions under control and she wants her daughter back and to be a good mum.
Her aunt and Uncle took custody of Gemma to stop her going into care. They are willing to support Norah until a court decides the custody arrangements. However, it soon becomes apparent that her relatives are not going to give up Gemma without a fight. Even if that means playing dirty.
Soon Norah becomes worried not just for her life but that of her daughter. Has Norah given into her demons again or is there something sinister going on.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to see an ARC.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, One More Chapter for the arc of this book. After reading some so-so books, I was so happy to finally read one that was really well-written that drew me into the story! It was also a little shorter than many books, so it didn't have the 'filler' of endless descriptions, which was also a relief. I really liked how there was a pervading sense of evil and dread throughout the book. Even though it took a while to figure out the actual plot/storyline, the feeling of the book really kept me reading to see where the story was going. I didn't really like any of the characters, but they were all skillfully drawn and distinct. Great book if you want an intriguing read!

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The secrets of cedar Farm.
By Carissa ann Lynch.

Carissa Lynch. Writes Dam Good Books. Wonderful Story's must read. This book is about a mother's struggle to save herself and her child.


Norah Campbell story.

Fresh out of rehab. Norah has been invited to her aunt and uncles farm. We're her child is.
Being close but so far away. From her child. Is hard.

Aunt Sarah seems to be the fragile old person, at times
Uncle Francis is hard as stone.




Sometimes secrets can be deadly
Sometimes secrets can be painful. Sometimes not knowing who to trust is the worst part of a loving family.

This cedar Farm has a few secrets you won't want to miss. Definitely pick up your copy. It's a total fantastic read. Love each book I have Read by this author.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Norah Campbell has not had the easiest roads to travel. She is a single mother of her 8 year old daughter, Gemma and her fiancé has died of an overdose, sending her into a tailspin. Miraculously, her Aunt & Uncle show up out of the blue to take temporary custody of Gemma, while Norah, ordered by court to go into rehab. When released, all she can think about is getting her daughter back on moving back home. As she arrives at Cedar Farm, Norah has vague memories from her youth there, it's a spooky place and doesn't believe her daughter is happy there either. Only too soon upon arrival, does Norah realize they are not going to give up Gemma without a fight. Norah is recalling memories there with her mother but what other secrets are hidden in her subconscious and more importantly, what is her Aunt & Uncle hiding? Norah is tested numerous times and her own mental health begins to spiral but one thing is clear, never mess with a mother and their child.

Carissa has done it again! She pulls you in and you don't want it to end. She takes you on the journey of a recovering addict trying to prove her worth as a mother, only to be met with distrust and lies. Carissa is a gifted storyteller and I will read anything she writes!

I was gifted a ecopy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was intrigued by this book and captivated by the plot. The plot addressed addiction and the challenges faced by those trying to claw their way out of drug and alcohol addiction. Norah struggles not only with her weird relatives and desire to take back custody of her daughter, but also questions all the bad decisions she made leading up to the loss of custody. So many things she could have done but didn't. So many bad decisions she wished she hadn't made. Lots to consider about how our life choices affect those we love (i.e. our children) and those we barely know (i.e. relatives, etc.) in addition to a good mystery.

[Jaime Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was not what I expected, which is not a bad thing. I don’t know how to categorize this book and would likely put it across a few genres. I want to say expected the unexpected with this story. It is powerful story about addiction and the struggles of recovery and thereafter. I was sucked in and found my jaw dropping a couple times. Different from many things I have read with unique characters and storyline. You never know what is going to happen. Yes there were parts that I felt were lulled and maybe a bit rushed, but overall it was pretty well done and is one I would recommend.

[Within The Pages Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was not what I expected, which is not a bad thing. I don’t know how to categorize this book and would likely put it across a few genres. I want to say expected the unexpected with this story. It is powerful story about addiction and the struggles of recovery and thereafter. I was sucked in and found my jaw dropping a couple times. Different from many things I have read with unique characters and storyline. You never know what is going to happen. Yes there were parts that I felt were lulled and maybe a bit rushed, but overall it was pretty well done and is one I would recommend.

[D.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-structured and interesting read which reveals the true price of drug addiction. The plot will have you questioning the motives of several characters and jumping at noises. Overall it was a thought provoking read that held my attention through to the very end.

Thank you to the publisher on Netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC and apologies for the delay in publishing a review which I blame entirely on the increase in my workload due to covid impact within my chosen profession.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Norah, having returned from rehab, wants her daughter Gemma back in her custody. Gemma is currently in the custody of aunty Sara and uncle Francis, a mysterious and sinister pair. It isn't long before Norah becomes aware of unexplained goings on in and outside the dilapidated farmhouse.

An easy read but with an ending that felt very rushed and unsatisfying. Lynch did a great job at building the tension, but the ending was anticlimactic for me and the novel finished with lots of unanswered questions.

[Sophie Ruthven · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a new to me author and one I'd definitely be interested in reading more from in the future.
To be completely honest this book wasn't quite what I was expecting but that's not necessarily a bad thing. I still found myself mostly captivated from cover to cover, trying to put all the pieces together of who or what you could trust.
On top of the mystery this is an inspiring story full of hope, that lives full of mistakes can be turned around if you keep fighting.