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Queen Bee
A brand new psychological thriller from the bestselling author of The Bridesmaid and The Daughter in Law. In the quiet village of Helesbury, Miranda Wallace prides herself on being the most popular member of her small social circle; the perfect friend, the best mum – the queen bee.
Until one day, Verity arrives. Cool and indifferent, Verity is everything Miranda isn’t, but she threatens to shatter Miranda’s picture-perfect life.
Suddenly plagued with insecurities, Miranda is certain Verity is hiding something. And Miranda knows all about secrets and the damage they can cause, because she’s hiding some of her own.
So when Verity threatens to reveal the truth about Miranda and destroy the perfect life she’s built, Miranda knows she has to act to protect the people she loves – even if the results are deadly.
Until one day, Verity arrives. Cool and indifferent, Verity is everything Miranda isn’t, but she threatens to shatter Miranda’s picture-perfect life.
Suddenly plagued with insecurities, Miranda is certain Verity is hiding something. And Miranda knows all about secrets and the damage they can cause, because she’s hiding some of her own.
So when Verity threatens to reveal the truth about Miranda and destroy the perfect life she’s built, Miranda knows she has to act to protect the people she loves – even if the results are deadly.
Paperback
First published January 26, 2022
554 people are currently reading
675 people want to read
About the author
Nina Manning
30 books332 followersNina Manning began her career in the catering industry. She has worked as a private chef cooking for royalty and TV personalities.
She has a degree in Psychology and has three books published with Boldwood: The Daughter In Law, The Guilty Wife and The House Mate.
Her fourth Psychological thriller is published in Spring 2021.
Nina is a voracious reader of many genres, is the founding member of a long standing book club and the founder and co-host of a book podcast called Sniffing The Pages.
She is a mother to three young children so when she is not writing or reading she can usually be found scaling a soft play tower or romping in the woods with the family and her chocolate Labrador.
She has a degree in Psychology and has three books published with Boldwood: The Daughter In Law, The Guilty Wife and The House Mate.
Her fourth Psychological thriller is published in Spring 2021.
Nina is a voracious reader of many genres, is the founding member of a long standing book club and the founder and co-host of a book podcast called Sniffing The Pages.
She is a mother to three young children so when she is not writing or reading she can usually be found scaling a soft play tower or romping in the woods with the family and her chocolate Labrador.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
January 17, 2023
Not the domestic thriller i wanted to read. This book had too many annoying monologs, repetitive paragraph and paranoid thoughts. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲, 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞, 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐲, 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐨. I progressively loathed and cursed her the more i read, honestly she was written to be such an unlikeable human being they were no other choice. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮#𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐢 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐚𝐦.
September 9, 2022
Oooh, the main character really grated on me, she was so needy and self-centred! Throughout the book she is always very conscious of what people think of her, caring about her reputation as being ‘top dog’ in the village. However, it is clear there is something not quite right with Miranda: a hidden past and a suddenly edgy relationship with her supposed best friend sends her world askew.
The narrative is interrupted with flashbacks, chapters that are ambiguously titled ‘Before’. There are also extracts from several police interviews with members of the village where Miranda lives, giving clues to readers that something sinister happens in the climax of the novel. This certainly piqued my interest and encouraged me to come up with outlandish theories about what was to come in the story. However, when the time (eventually) came, I thought the ending to be an anti-climax and rather rushed.
I don’t think it helped that I had predicted some of the novel’s outcomes, feeling impatient for these to be revealed. This is where my biggest complaint is of the novel: although starting off so well, it falls flat about a third of the way in. Personally, I thought there was too much talk and waffle, with the pace slowing considerably, that meant my frustrations towards Miranda simply intensified. It was only when I realised that the night referred to in the police interviews was dawning that I found I was interested in the story but when the revelations started coming, they felt too rushed and underdeveloped, as if the writer was racing to complete the novel.
Aside from the developments being a bit predictable, I really grew to dislike Miranda’s character. She is so self-centred and desperate to belong in everyone’s lives. In my opinion, she is really insecure and this fuels her neediness. Manning refers to Miranda’s life back in London, successfully giving it a sinister angle. Yet, when the truth is finally revealed, I thought it was a bit lack-lustre and one dimensional. I think I was hoping for something a lot more darker than a history based on social media channels.
This was an ok book and I thought the supporting characters to be nicer. In fact, I thought they were too kind for the likes of Miranda and Evie, thinking perhaps they must be blind to the constant competitiveness and desire for acceptance – particularly from Miranda. The countryside setting was idyllic which juxtaposed with the mystery of the story, but this was not enough to make the story gripping.
With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The narrative is interrupted with flashbacks, chapters that are ambiguously titled ‘Before’. There are also extracts from several police interviews with members of the village where Miranda lives, giving clues to readers that something sinister happens in the climax of the novel. This certainly piqued my interest and encouraged me to come up with outlandish theories about what was to come in the story. However, when the time (eventually) came, I thought the ending to be an anti-climax and rather rushed.
I don’t think it helped that I had predicted some of the novel’s outcomes, feeling impatient for these to be revealed. This is where my biggest complaint is of the novel: although starting off so well, it falls flat about a third of the way in. Personally, I thought there was too much talk and waffle, with the pace slowing considerably, that meant my frustrations towards Miranda simply intensified. It was only when I realised that the night referred to in the police interviews was dawning that I found I was interested in the story but when the revelations started coming, they felt too rushed and underdeveloped, as if the writer was racing to complete the novel.
Aside from the developments being a bit predictable, I really grew to dislike Miranda’s character. She is so self-centred and desperate to belong in everyone’s lives. In my opinion, she is really insecure and this fuels her neediness. Manning refers to Miranda’s life back in London, successfully giving it a sinister angle. Yet, when the truth is finally revealed, I thought it was a bit lack-lustre and one dimensional. I think I was hoping for something a lot more darker than a history based on social media channels.
This was an ok book and I thought the supporting characters to be nicer. In fact, I thought they were too kind for the likes of Miranda and Evie, thinking perhaps they must be blind to the constant competitiveness and desire for acceptance – particularly from Miranda. The countryside setting was idyllic which juxtaposed with the mystery of the story, but this was not enough to make the story gripping.
With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 6, 2022
3.5 stars rounded down to 3
In the quiet village of Helesbury, Miranda Wallace prides herself on being the most popular member of her small social circle; the perfect friend, the best mum - the queen bee. Until one day Verity arrives. Cool and indifferent, Verity is everything Miranda isn't, but she threatens to shatter Miranda's picture perfect life. Suddenly plagued with insecurities, Miranda is certain Verity is hiding something. And Miranda knows all about secrets and the damage they can cause, because she's hiding some of her own. So when Verity threatens to reveal the truth about Miranda, Miranda knows she has to act to protect the people she loves.
On the surface, there's not a lot goes on in the small village of Helesbury, only a small book club and the local schools PTA meetings. But when Miranda gets too friendly and paranoid over her friendship with Evie, secrets are slowly revealed.
This is a quick and easy book to read. Although I enjoyed the story, It seemed to lack something substantial. I do like the authors writing style. The characters were well rounded but Miranda annoyed me with her jealousy.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #BpldwoodBooks and the author #NinaManning for my ARC of #QueenBee in exchange for an honest review.
In the quiet village of Helesbury, Miranda Wallace prides herself on being the most popular member of her small social circle; the perfect friend, the best mum - the queen bee. Until one day Verity arrives. Cool and indifferent, Verity is everything Miranda isn't, but she threatens to shatter Miranda's picture perfect life. Suddenly plagued with insecurities, Miranda is certain Verity is hiding something. And Miranda knows all about secrets and the damage they can cause, because she's hiding some of her own. So when Verity threatens to reveal the truth about Miranda, Miranda knows she has to act to protect the people she loves.
On the surface, there's not a lot goes on in the small village of Helesbury, only a small book club and the local schools PTA meetings. But when Miranda gets too friendly and paranoid over her friendship with Evie, secrets are slowly revealed.
This is a quick and easy book to read. Although I enjoyed the story, It seemed to lack something substantial. I do like the authors writing style. The characters were well rounded but Miranda annoyed me with her jealousy.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #BpldwoodBooks and the author #NinaManning for my ARC of #QueenBee in exchange for an honest review.
March 16, 2022
Miranda has cemented herself as the Queen Bee in the little country town of Helesbury. Even though she hasn't been in town long, she has already garnered the favor of the local villagers and has developed a meaningful friendship with Evie. And Evie is exactly what Miranda needs as part of her fresh start....especially after all the ugliness from her life in London. The life she is so desperate to escape.
Unfortunately, Miranda's perfect new life is turned upside down when Verity shows up. Verity is an odd duck, so why is Evie so enthralled with her? Much to Miranda's dismay, the appearance of this stranger has caused a huge rift in her and Evie's friendship. What's worse...Miranda has a sinking feeling that Verity knows about her past and is willing to do anything to expose her.
This is the first time I've read Nina Manning, and I'm wondering what took me so long to pick up one of her books. I enjoyed the writing style. It had a great flow, was easy to read and had me completely engrossed.
Miranda is such a fun character! She's a posterchild for the downfalls of needing constant affirmation, reassueance and admiration for others. And when she doesn't get it? Well...things get ugly pretty quickly!
This was a solid 4 star read for me until the ending. The conclusion was hastily thrown together and unsatisfying. It rendered all of Miranda's histrionics throughout the novel moot, which was such a huge letdown.
Despite not liking the end, I did enjoy the story and look forward to reading more by Manning in the future.
Unfortunately, Miranda's perfect new life is turned upside down when Verity shows up. Verity is an odd duck, so why is Evie so enthralled with her? Much to Miranda's dismay, the appearance of this stranger has caused a huge rift in her and Evie's friendship. What's worse...Miranda has a sinking feeling that Verity knows about her past and is willing to do anything to expose her.
This is the first time I've read Nina Manning, and I'm wondering what took me so long to pick up one of her books. I enjoyed the writing style. It had a great flow, was easy to read and had me completely engrossed.
Miranda is such a fun character! She's a posterchild for the downfalls of needing constant affirmation, reassueance and admiration for others. And when she doesn't get it? Well...things get ugly pretty quickly!
This was a solid 4 star read for me until the ending. The conclusion was hastily thrown together and unsatisfying. It rendered all of Miranda's histrionics throughout the novel moot, which was such a huge letdown.
Despite not liking the end, I did enjoy the story and look forward to reading more by Manning in the future.
February 4, 2022
Review published in: https://diagnosisbookaholic.blogspot....
3,5 ⭐️
Miranda Wallace is the “Queen Bee” in the small village of Helesbury. Her family moved there after some mysterious scandal in her past, but in the year she’s being living there she has managed to leave it behind and make a good friend, Evie. She’s the friend she always wanted and their friendship looks perfect until a new woman, Verity, arrives in town and threatens their idyllic friendship. Miranda suspects Verity of hiding something, but she has some skeletons in her closet too so, which secrets will come out to light first?
Queen Bee was a nice domestic suspense story but, in my opinion, it could have been so much more. The main issue I encountered was Miranda’s character. It was veeeery difficult to warm to her. She behaves in a very childish, immature way for the most part. Her jealousy over Evie and Verity’s friendship was more like a teenager would behave, not a woman in her 40s. This not so rational behavior also made me think that the thing she was trying to keep secret would be much bigger. Thinking about it now, I still can’t honestly understand why the need to keep it quiet.
The story points the finger to some interesting issues about social media, how addictive it can become if you’re not careful, how it can become a wrongful source of validation for some people and the dangers of going down the rabbit hole when you engage with certain kinds of people.
There was a past timeline that added a bit of suspense to the story, but at the same time made the resolution not so surprising. Besides, the ending felt a little bit rushed.
Scattered throughout the story were chapters consistent of police interviews of the village neighbors that reminded me a bit of “Big little lies” and that made me keep guessing what could have happened between all the main characters.
Slow burn suspense story about friendships and secrets that has been interesting enough to make me wanna read some more of the author’s backlist.
Thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review and a spot on the Blog Tour.
3,5 ⭐️
Miranda Wallace is the “Queen Bee” in the small village of Helesbury. Her family moved there after some mysterious scandal in her past, but in the year she’s being living there she has managed to leave it behind and make a good friend, Evie. She’s the friend she always wanted and their friendship looks perfect until a new woman, Verity, arrives in town and threatens their idyllic friendship. Miranda suspects Verity of hiding something, but she has some skeletons in her closet too so, which secrets will come out to light first?
Queen Bee was a nice domestic suspense story but, in my opinion, it could have been so much more. The main issue I encountered was Miranda’s character. It was veeeery difficult to warm to her. She behaves in a very childish, immature way for the most part. Her jealousy over Evie and Verity’s friendship was more like a teenager would behave, not a woman in her 40s. This not so rational behavior also made me think that the thing she was trying to keep secret would be much bigger. Thinking about it now, I still can’t honestly understand why the need to keep it quiet.
The story points the finger to some interesting issues about social media, how addictive it can become if you’re not careful, how it can become a wrongful source of validation for some people and the dangers of going down the rabbit hole when you engage with certain kinds of people.
There was a past timeline that added a bit of suspense to the story, but at the same time made the resolution not so surprising. Besides, the ending felt a little bit rushed.
Scattered throughout the story were chapters consistent of police interviews of the village neighbors that reminded me a bit of “Big little lies” and that made me keep guessing what could have happened between all the main characters.
Slow burn suspense story about friendships and secrets that has been interesting enough to make me wanna read some more of the author’s backlist.
Thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review and a spot on the Blog Tour.
January 13, 2022
Nina Manning holds up the mirror to society and encourages us to take a look at the effects of a dependency on social media.
To carry her cautious tale, she turns a spotlight on the Helesbury Village in Gloustershire and on the dichotomy resulting from social media addiction. Hatty Willoby, Natasha Redwood, Olivia Cunningham, Beth Higgson and Evie Pollard welcomed Miranda Wallace last year when her family moved to their little village from Chelsea. She soon became the Queen Bee of their social group and loved life in the tight-knit community. When a newcomer arrives and gatecrashes Miranda’s book club, everything changes.
Readers watch as the Queen Bee’s carefully curated façade starts to crumble. She reverts to a people pleaser who “needs others to see her perfection.” When a woman from her past catches up with her, it triggers Miranda’s insecurity, and she gives in to her secret addiction and its “endless dopamine release” that she craves. Unfortunately, the rose-coloured lens she’s now looking through taints her view of reality and causes further dichotomy in Helesbury.
Manning’s blaring tale of caution stopped me dead in my tracks. WOW! Mid-pandemic; what a perfect time to publish. With our busy lives and now lockdowns and quarantine/isolation, it’s meant that we often have less time to socialize (or are restricted from socializing) and therefore we turn to a social media alternative to physical contact in a desperate desire to satiate our recognition hunger. Manning shows us what it really is; a rabbit hole. Instead of helping Evie with whatever was bothering her, Miranda turned it inward and made it all about herself and her insecurities. Had she been truly interested in a friend who “valued integrity over possessions,” she’d have discovered why Evie was so distant.
I love the title! In nature, the queen bee is dependent on the worker bees and without their care, she will not survive. Likewise, Miranda needs confirmation and affirmation that she craves. Without receiving it from the ‘hive,’ she’d die. The queen bee does not control the beehive. Likewise, Miranda is controlled by what others think of her. Manning reveals that being the queen bee is not worth the buzz.
If you frequent social media, you need to read this book. We all need someone to place the mirror in front of us and show us what a psychological drive for recognition can do to us and those we love – Nina Manning is that person.
I was gifted this copy by Nina Manning, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
To carry her cautious tale, she turns a spotlight on the Helesbury Village in Gloustershire and on the dichotomy resulting from social media addiction. Hatty Willoby, Natasha Redwood, Olivia Cunningham, Beth Higgson and Evie Pollard welcomed Miranda Wallace last year when her family moved to their little village from Chelsea. She soon became the Queen Bee of their social group and loved life in the tight-knit community. When a newcomer arrives and gatecrashes Miranda’s book club, everything changes.
Readers watch as the Queen Bee’s carefully curated façade starts to crumble. She reverts to a people pleaser who “needs others to see her perfection.” When a woman from her past catches up with her, it triggers Miranda’s insecurity, and she gives in to her secret addiction and its “endless dopamine release” that she craves. Unfortunately, the rose-coloured lens she’s now looking through taints her view of reality and causes further dichotomy in Helesbury.
Manning’s blaring tale of caution stopped me dead in my tracks. WOW! Mid-pandemic; what a perfect time to publish. With our busy lives and now lockdowns and quarantine/isolation, it’s meant that we often have less time to socialize (or are restricted from socializing) and therefore we turn to a social media alternative to physical contact in a desperate desire to satiate our recognition hunger. Manning shows us what it really is; a rabbit hole. Instead of helping Evie with whatever was bothering her, Miranda turned it inward and made it all about herself and her insecurities. Had she been truly interested in a friend who “valued integrity over possessions,” she’d have discovered why Evie was so distant.
I love the title! In nature, the queen bee is dependent on the worker bees and without their care, she will not survive. Likewise, Miranda needs confirmation and affirmation that she craves. Without receiving it from the ‘hive,’ she’d die. The queen bee does not control the beehive. Likewise, Miranda is controlled by what others think of her. Manning reveals that being the queen bee is not worth the buzz.
If you frequent social media, you need to read this book. We all need someone to place the mirror in front of us and show us what a psychological drive for recognition can do to us and those we love – Nina Manning is that person.
I was gifted this copy by Nina Manning, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
February 4, 2022
I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher, in return for an honest review. This review is based entirely on my own thoughts and feelings.
Overall rating : 1*
Writing skill : 1*
Plot: 2*
Characters: 2*
Predictability:1*
Okay, so I had written a whole review, but I've deleted it. I'm not here to drag authors down when I don't particularly like their book. Others will love it, and I'm glad they do. All I will say is that I was disappointed in the story but I am not put off reading another of her books, but this one was just not for me.
Overall rating : 1*
Writing skill : 1*
Plot: 2*
Characters: 2*
Predictability:1*
Okay, so I had written a whole review, but I've deleted it. I'm not here to drag authors down when I don't particularly like their book. Others will love it, and I'm glad they do. All I will say is that I was disappointed in the story but I am not put off reading another of her books, but this one was just not for me.
July 25, 2022
A mild thriller about Miranda The Insufferable who doesn't know how to mind her own business. A lot of the supposed tension came from the secret about her past. When it's dragged out for so long I usually just feel quite fed up, and the revelation is generally anticlimactic.
June 30, 2023
Mhmmmmm.
First thoughts: There’s something that instantly ruins a book for me and it’s when authors try too hard to have a shocking twist but end up having a twist that is too shocking because it comes out of literally absolute nowhere (see for a perfect example: Riley Sager’s The house across the lake).
First thoughts: There’s something that instantly ruins a book for me and it’s when authors try too hard to have a shocking twist but end up having a twist that is too shocking because it comes out of literally absolute nowhere (see for a perfect example: Riley Sager’s The house across the lake).
March 5, 2022
Only good thing about this novel was the main character being in a Book Club! Otherwise she was annoying and way too obsessed with her friends...just dumb!
January 22, 2022
I was quite disappointed in this book. I didn’t like the characters much I found them shallow and only interested in themselves. Although the pace did pick up I did struggle to finish this one. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
December 16, 2021
Miranda Wallace is the so-called “Queen Bee” in her friend group in the small town of Helesbury. She likes it this way and seems to have the perfect life. Then one day, Verity enters the picture. Verity is the polar opposite of Miranda, this puts Miranda’s world out of balance. Miranda starts to suspect Verity of hiding something and she knows a lot about holding secrets, because she has some of her own as well. Will Verity discover Miranda’s secrets and expose her?
Bravo to Nina Manning on this excellent thriller. I loved the concept and it was a quick and easy read for me. The pacing was fast and I was hooked in from the very beginning. I suspect most people will be surprised at the end!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
Bravo to Nina Manning on this excellent thriller. I loved the concept and it was a quick and easy read for me. The pacing was fast and I was hooked in from the very beginning. I suspect most people will be surprised at the end!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
April 5, 2022
Nina Manning's books are just not for me. I didn't like The Bridesmaid and I obviously didn't like this one either. By the amount of foreshadowing involved, not only by the annoying main character but also by the cardboard side characters, I would have expected a particularly gruesome crime or revelation by the end. No such luck. Miranda's dark past/dark secret whatever and especially that ending are all underwhelming.
October 5, 2022
3.5 This was a fun, fast paced book with a little suspense. If you have or had children in elementary school perhaps you will recognize that one overzealous parent that does it all as with the main character Miranda. Although Miranda goes a little too far when she suspects her best friend is being stolen by a newcomer to the neighborhood, Varity. Does this sound adolescent? Yes. Following Miranda to see what lengths she would go to uncover any dirt on Varity and win her best friend back was worth finishing this book. The ending came fast and wrapped everything up.
June 1, 2022
Nina has done so much research into social media and the effects. Reading this was like being in our every day lives now. It was bang on current.
Loved how it wrapped it all up at the last minute. Talk about keeping us waiting. Fab holiday read for me.
Loved how it wrapped it all up at the last minute. Talk about keeping us waiting. Fab holiday read for me.
March 4, 2022
Totally Forgettable.
This book was flat and boring. The story wasn’t interesting and the ending was simultaneously predictable and of zero consequence.
Miranda’s big shameful past mistake (which is referenced in nearly every paragraph of the writing that isn’t dialogue between characters) was a non-event. I don’t know if the author doesn’t use social media or is oblivious to influencer culture but the “horrible mistake” that takes up half the story would amount to nothing except for a few weeks of personal embarrassment maybe. Miranda likely wouldn’t have even lost her sponsors. It certainly wouldn’t be a reason to flee London and obsessively hide your past.
Also the whole Verity mystery was so boring and nonsensical, it was infuriating. The resolution was abrupt and uninspired with glaringly obvious and clumsy foreshadowing.
This book was flat and boring. The story wasn’t interesting and the ending was simultaneously predictable and of zero consequence.
Miranda’s big shameful past mistake (which is referenced in nearly every paragraph of the writing that isn’t dialogue between characters) was a non-event. I don’t know if the author doesn’t use social media or is oblivious to influencer culture but the “horrible mistake” that takes up half the story would amount to nothing except for a few weeks of personal embarrassment maybe. Miranda likely wouldn’t have even lost her sponsors. It certainly wouldn’t be a reason to flee London and obsessively hide your past.
Also the whole Verity mystery was so boring and nonsensical, it was infuriating. The resolution was abrupt and uninspired with glaringly obvious and clumsy foreshadowing.
May 12, 2022
I did not finish. It was extremely boring and did not hold my interest at all
October 25, 2022
Short and sweet, but kept me on my toes. Ultimately, it gave me everything I want on my domestic thrillers.
September 4, 2022
Nothing 'psychological thriller ' about it!!
The main, very unlikable character has a 'trauma' that involves a social media issue. This negated her and full family moving house to forget it and start again.
Whilst I understand that the author was trying to be relevant, it really wasnt worth the lead up.
She was like a 5year old child, worrying about someone taking her friend from her!
The red herrings regarding Verity are very obvious, it's clear who Juno is from the moment we are introduced to Verity. It would have been slightly more believable if Evie was Verity's sister, but clearly that would have been too logical. The husband, the daughter ( which 8yr old speaks like Bel Bel?) the villagers, all totally unbelievable. Add to that the incomprehensible timeline, the bad spelling (I counted a minimum of 3 slithers that ought to have been sliver) the candle making company that apparently Miranda makes are never made, but delivered to her house? No explanation there.
Betty, introduced for no reason
Suddenly David is watching the news, that Miranda says he never does?!?! Which CEO never watched watched the news?
It was just awful, put together in one day and bashed out to readers.
Only saving grace, I got it via kindle unlimited.
The main, very unlikable character has a 'trauma' that involves a social media issue. This negated her and full family moving house to forget it and start again.
Whilst I understand that the author was trying to be relevant, it really wasnt worth the lead up.
She was like a 5year old child, worrying about someone taking her friend from her!
The red herrings regarding Verity are very obvious, it's clear who Juno is from the moment we are introduced to Verity. It would have been slightly more believable if Evie was Verity's sister, but clearly that would have been too logical. The husband, the daughter ( which 8yr old speaks like Bel Bel?) the villagers, all totally unbelievable. Add to that the incomprehensible timeline, the bad spelling (I counted a minimum of 3 slithers that ought to have been sliver) the candle making company that apparently Miranda makes are never made, but delivered to her house? No explanation there.
Betty, introduced for no reason
Suddenly David is watching the news, that Miranda says he never does?!?! Which CEO never watched watched the news?
It was just awful, put together in one day and bashed out to readers.
Only saving grace, I got it via kindle unlimited.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2022
Squeakin' Rubber Ducky 😳😳
Well mighty fluff! That was one heckuva long ride. Definitely nothing of what you would think with this psychological thriller. Miranda has become the "queen bee" of the book club group in the village where her best friend Evie attends along with Hatty, Beth, Tash and Olivia. However, a new comer, Verity, moves into the village and soon things are thrown off kilter with Miranda seeing green. Miranda is determined to not only solidify her friendship with Evie, but remain at the top in the village; not to repeat a past mistake in London. But who is Verity? And what's with Miranda's past? I will say parts seemed to drag on and Miranda really could get annoying at some parts. However the ending was definitely surprising and unforeseen. I can't believe the ending.
Thank you to netgalley and boldwood books for this ARC!
Release date: January 25, 2022
I give this 3 / 5 snowflakes! ❄️
Well mighty fluff! That was one heckuva long ride. Definitely nothing of what you would think with this psychological thriller. Miranda has become the "queen bee" of the book club group in the village where her best friend Evie attends along with Hatty, Beth, Tash and Olivia. However, a new comer, Verity, moves into the village and soon things are thrown off kilter with Miranda seeing green. Miranda is determined to not only solidify her friendship with Evie, but remain at the top in the village; not to repeat a past mistake in London. But who is Verity? And what's with Miranda's past? I will say parts seemed to drag on and Miranda really could get annoying at some parts. However the ending was definitely surprising and unforeseen. I can't believe the ending.
Thank you to netgalley and boldwood books for this ARC!
Release date: January 25, 2022
I give this 3 / 5 snowflakes! ❄️
March 22, 2022
It's difficult to read a book when you absolutely can't stand the main character - actually, you want to run away (as fast as possible) from this woman. Miranda is needy, interfering, and way too much of "that woman" - we all know her, the woman who has to prove something to everyone as she manipulates each and every one of them. She has to please everyone while at the same time holding the leash tighter. Miranda makes the same mistake over, and over, ad nauseum, again. I didn't find myself closing the book, and I wasn't completely disappointed, but I did find myself asking, "Why?" and shouting at Miranda, "No!" throughout this book. I gave it three stars for I do think that although it wasn't my favorite read, it would definitely be on my list for a great discussion for my book club.
January 27, 2022
After running away from London with her husband, David and little girl Anabel, Miranda has settled well into life in the country in a close-knit village. She has made a lovely group of friends and her best friend is the bubbly and kind Evie. However, Miranda still doesn’t feel she wants to reveal to them what led to her and David making such a drastic move for fear they will change their opinion about her. All of a sudden, a new face arrives into the village, Verity, subdued and quiet Miranda takes an instant dislike to Verity on sight and visa-versa. But when Verity bonds with Evie, Miranda starts to get jealous and with that, her and Evie’s relationship begins to crumble. Miranda has so many questions about Verity especially when she starts to realise that Verity knows why she left London and Verity has no allegiance to Miranda and is more than happy to spill the beans. Will Miranda lose her “Queen Bee” title once all her friends know the truth?!
I found this book quite hard to read because despite trying I just couldn’t warm to Miranda. I thought the way she behaved was very immature especially when it came to her jealousy over her friends and in all honesty at times, it felt like I was reading about a teenager not a woman in her 40’s. The pace was quite slow but did pick up a bit after the mid-point of the story, but I had already worked out what the twist was, so it didn’t surprise me unlike other books I have read. I quite liked the Instagram content and how addictive Instagram can be however ultimately, I felt the ending was really rushed and I didn’t feel satisfied when I finished the book.
I must admit I wouldn’t recommend this to others as I didn’t really enjoy it. I don’t like giving a low star rating, but I have to be honest with my opinion. However, I do have another Nina Manning book on my to be read list so hopefully that will capture me unlike this story.
Thank you to Netgalley, Nina Manning and Boldwood Books for my advanced reading copy. Due out 26th January 2022.
I found this book quite hard to read because despite trying I just couldn’t warm to Miranda. I thought the way she behaved was very immature especially when it came to her jealousy over her friends and in all honesty at times, it felt like I was reading about a teenager not a woman in her 40’s. The pace was quite slow but did pick up a bit after the mid-point of the story, but I had already worked out what the twist was, so it didn’t surprise me unlike other books I have read. I quite liked the Instagram content and how addictive Instagram can be however ultimately, I felt the ending was really rushed and I didn’t feel satisfied when I finished the book.
I must admit I wouldn’t recommend this to others as I didn’t really enjoy it. I don’t like giving a low star rating, but I have to be honest with my opinion. However, I do have another Nina Manning book on my to be read list so hopefully that will capture me unlike this story.
Thank you to Netgalley, Nina Manning and Boldwood Books for my advanced reading copy. Due out 26th January 2022.
March 13, 2022
Enjoyment: 4
Total rating: 4.07
Miranda is the consummate Queen Bee - self-involved and attention-seeking, unable to empathize or care for anyone around her.
I really enjoy Manning novels; they are easy to read, very tense and satisfying at the end. I wish I had enjoyed this book more, but Miranda was a hell of headspace to be in - Kudos to Manning for writing such a despicable character, but oh boy, is she something?
Total rating: 4.07
Miranda is the consummate Queen Bee - self-involved and attention-seeking, unable to empathize or care for anyone around her.
I really enjoy Manning novels; they are easy to read, very tense and satisfying at the end. I wish I had enjoyed this book more, but Miranda was a hell of headspace to be in - Kudos to Manning for writing such a despicable character, but oh boy, is she something?
August 19, 2024
1.5 / 5 stars
It starts off and goes all the way through with intrigue and obsession and suddenly a bland boring ending with no bad guys but actual bad guys... urgh! So much potential (even though Miranda is an annoying main character) and I had hoped Miranda would turn out to be a deliciously unreliable narrator.
This all wrapped up way too nicely.
It starts off and goes all the way through with intrigue and obsession and suddenly a bland boring ending with no bad guys but actual bad guys... urgh! So much potential (even though Miranda is an annoying main character) and I had hoped Miranda would turn out to be a deliciously unreliable narrator.
This all wrapped up way too nicely.
October 9, 2022
This was a quick, yet unsatisfying, read. The mystery of Verity was drawn out with not much bang for the reveal. Also, Miranda’s shameful secret wasn’t that shameful.
April 10, 2024
Such a good book. I enjoyed it very much
December 19, 2021
Thank you Boldwood Books and NetGalley for an early copy of Queen Bee. Sooooooooo not like her other books, struggled to get through this one, I couldn’t wait for it to end. The only good part was the last few chapters, if only the whole book was that interesting!!!!
December 22, 2024
I kept having a de ja vu with the book like Ive read this type story in another book but can’t remember which. By the way what was that ending? It fell short of expectations compared to the build up
December 11, 2021
A huge thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the advance copy.
Would you want to be the Queen Bee?
This novel from Nina Manning was totally unexpected.
A quaint, quiet place to live. Book clubs and PTA meetings, surely nothing overly exciting goes on here? Well you'd be wrong.
When Miranda ( seemingly normal housewife) starts to become paranoid over her friendship with fellow neighbour Evie, secrets are slowly revealed and relationships are tested.
I was kept guessing right from the very beginning but I couldn't have predicted just how it ended.
Keeping your friends close could lead to unknown dangers!
Absolutely thrilling from start to finish.
Would you want to be the Queen Bee?
This novel from Nina Manning was totally unexpected.
A quaint, quiet place to live. Book clubs and PTA meetings, surely nothing overly exciting goes on here? Well you'd be wrong.
When Miranda ( seemingly normal housewife) starts to become paranoid over her friendship with fellow neighbour Evie, secrets are slowly revealed and relationships are tested.
I was kept guessing right from the very beginning but I couldn't have predicted just how it ended.
Keeping your friends close could lead to unknown dangers!
Absolutely thrilling from start to finish.
January 29, 2022
“Every tribe needs its queen”
Moving to a new place is never easy but moving to a close knit community like Helesbury is going to be even harder. Everyone has their friendship groups and it’s so small, it’s difficult to muscle your way in… that is unless you’re Verity. And things are awkward with our leading lady Miranda…
Miranda hints at something that’s happened in her past, what is it? I really wanted to know what it was! And how does she link to the little girl found in the beach hut or is that a total red herring?? I was flummoxed and totally intrigued!
Manning presented the story by keeping me on my toes. The jumps between the present and the past are a little unnerving as the key players in the past are yet to manifest themselves. The interviews drop little nuggets of information which add to the intrigue and suggestion of something sinister that was ahead of me… I kept clicking through my e-copy desperate to get to the climax!
This is a tense thriller set in a claustrophobic village where everyone knows everyone’s business and it’s a matter of time before secrets are known. Manning tempered the tension and intrigue brilliantly. I genuinely didn’t know how this was going to pan out despite the unsuspecting and innocent clues she drops in throughout. I was totally blindsided! This is my first taster of Manning’s writing and it won’t be my last; in fact, I’ve added another one of her novels to #mountTBR.
Moving to a new place is never easy but moving to a close knit community like Helesbury is going to be even harder. Everyone has their friendship groups and it’s so small, it’s difficult to muscle your way in… that is unless you’re Verity. And things are awkward with our leading lady Miranda…
Miranda hints at something that’s happened in her past, what is it? I really wanted to know what it was! And how does she link to the little girl found in the beach hut or is that a total red herring?? I was flummoxed and totally intrigued!
Manning presented the story by keeping me on my toes. The jumps between the present and the past are a little unnerving as the key players in the past are yet to manifest themselves. The interviews drop little nuggets of information which add to the intrigue and suggestion of something sinister that was ahead of me… I kept clicking through my e-copy desperate to get to the climax!
This is a tense thriller set in a claustrophobic village where everyone knows everyone’s business and it’s a matter of time before secrets are known. Manning tempered the tension and intrigue brilliantly. I genuinely didn’t know how this was going to pan out despite the unsuspecting and innocent clues she drops in throughout. I was totally blindsided! This is my first taster of Manning’s writing and it won’t be my last; in fact, I’ve added another one of her novels to #mountTBR.
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