The Deceit

by Sara Foster

A gripping suburban thriller from the bestselling author of Beneath the Shadows and The Hush Lenny has always known that his wife, Claire, is the love of his life. But somehow his marriage is in shambles, he's struggling with the kids, and a string of anonymous text messages are tormenting him, insisting that Claire is a liar. Claire adores Lenny, but there's a lot she hasn't told him about the traumatic events that led her to him, and over the last few years she has gradually closed down. Now she's terrified that the horrors of her past might be about to put her entire family in danger. However, it's only when new neighbors move in across the road that Claire and Lenny's carefully built facades start to rupture, for these strangers appear to know far more than they should about the couple's troubles. Over the next few days, the lies will be exposed, and everyone's lives will change forever, as the truth about Claire's past finally comes to light.

Genres: Audiobook, Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Suspense, Crime

206 pages, Paperback

Published February 7, 2023

About the author

Sara Foster is a critically acclaimed, bestselling fiction author with a passion for psychological suspense and a keen interest in exploring zeitgeist issues and strong female characters in her nail-biting novels. Her latest, When She Was Gone (2025), begins when an au pair and two small children vanish from a remote Australian beach, and is a race-against-time thriller, exploring themes around misogyny, wealth, power and control.

Sara is also the author of dystopian thriller The Hush and seven more bestselling novels. Two of her books have been optioned for television, and You Don’t Know Me was adapted into a chart-topping podcast series by Listnr. Sara has a PhD in creative writing (studying maternal representations in fiction) and lives in Perth, WA, with her husband, two daughters, three cats, Luna the cavoodle and Sunny the bearded dragon.

Follow Sara on Substack at Story Matters (for readers) and The Resilient Author (for writers). Or visit her website: www.sarafoster.com.au

Reviews

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was one of my quickest reads yet! It was solid, riveting, and filled with intrigue, and at some points, I even contemplated giving it four stars. However, there's one aspect that left a bitter taste in my mouth: Claire's propensity for making repeated, foolish mistakes. I desperately wanted to empathize with the character, but every time I attempted to, she would go and do something that made me want to scream in frustration. In the end, I couldn't help but feel sorry for her husband!

Let's briefly recap the plot: Claire and Lenny may appear to be a picture-perfect couple, but don't be fooled by their exterior. They harbor their own significant issues. Claire, for one, allows her husband to seek intimacy elsewhere, all while keeping some hefty secrets hidden away (Oh, how I wish she had come clean from the beginning to save her family and her own dignity).

Things take a turn for the worse when new, noisy neighbors move in next door. They seem to possess insider knowledge about Claire's past, causing her to realize that her family is under threat. She's forced to find a way to protect them.
I've enjoyed the author's previous works, and I must say that I found this book at least engaging enough to keep me from getting bored. However, it was the ending and the characterization (especially of Claire) that left me with some reservations. Hence, I'm settling on a solid three stars for my rating.

Despite this, I remain eager to explore more of Sara Foster's works. Hopefully, in her next book, we'll encounter a heroine who is more likable.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for generously providing me with a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

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[Nina (ninjasbooks)]

I read this a long time ago, and can’t rate it since I remember nada.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am beyond sick of reading stories about weak, selfish, idiot women who put everyone around them in danger, simply because they're "too traumatized to talk about their experience". They whine and whine, but do nothing to remedy the problem, because they are ,"just too scared". Just put on your big girl pants, open your effing mouth, tell someone, and ask for help. I have no sympathy for characters who say they really love and trust their loved ones, then spend a decade or more just too scared to tell their loved one about a past that could put them all in danger. Authors: Can you please stop writing about such selfish, whiny, weak women, who "just don't know what to do!"? It's exhausting, I have no sympathy, and it's insulting to all the strong women out there

[Brooke - Brooke's Reading Life · Rating 3 out of 5]

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The Deceit by Sara Foster. (2023).

Lenny has always known that his wife Claire is the love of his life. But his marriage is in shambles, he's struggling with the kids, and a string of anonymous texts are tormenting him insisting Claire is a liar. Claire adores Lenny but she's kept her traumatic past secret and closed down. But now she's terrified her past might be putting her entire family in danger. But when new neighbours move in, they appear to know more about the couple than they should. Over the next few days all the lies will be exposed and everyone's lives will change forever as Claire's past finally comes to light.

I've quite enjoyed previous novels from this author so was looking forward to this one. While it didn't quite live up to my expectations, it was still a pleasant enough read. Without going into spoiler territory, I thought the author did an excellent job of portraying the long-lasting trauma effects on Claire from events earlier in her life. What slightly frustrated me was it felt like that if Claire had been open with her husband Lenny, a lot of the relationship conflict there would likely not have occurred (all that stemmed from her shutting down with her secrets anyway). I'm not sure parts of this storyline near the end was believable but it was certainly dramatic which some readers may find entertaining.
Overall: an okay thriller, it's a quick and easy read.

[Gwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

“The Deceit” is the most recent novel from author Sara Foster. This story focuses on what happens when age old secrets come back to haunt you. Claire and Lenny have a marriage on the rocks, but when threats and odd occurrences start happening right around the time their new neighbors move in, they have to work together to save their marriage and their family.

What it got right:
I love how much detail was able to be put into this book despite the fact that it’s a bit shorter. This book is also very accurate in terms of stalking and how it can ruin people’s lives. Although this story takes place in Australia, the US is lacking in laws to help protect victims from stalkers. It seems that even after a pattern of incidents, the victims aren’t always able to be protected by law enforcement. In general there weren’t many anti-stalking laws until very recently. Stalking can leave people looking over their shoulder for the rest of their lives, and sadly they aren’t always wrong to do so.

What it could improve on:
I felt that despite the fact that Claire obviously has trauma, most of the problems in this story could have been resolved if she just talked to her husband. I think in a way this made it a bit difficult to feel sympathetic for her. I know this is easier said then done. I also think the ending was a bit predictable / lackluster and I would’ve preferred something a bit more surprising.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the ARC of this book, as well as Sara Foster for writing it.

[Katrina (rusticpages) · Rating 2 out of 5]

My rating: 1.5/5

I hate to give this low of a review, but I so struggle with books that hinge on miscommunication or complete lack there of..

[Chrissie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very decent thriller. The audiobook has two narrators, and well done. The plot is not too far fetched thankfully!

[Natalie M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not too bad.

An Audible special and only 5 hours long, it flew by. There was room for more depth in the characters and less drama. The drama was to create red herrings but I didn’t feel it was that necessary.

A great short listen.

[Kori Potenzone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Covid finally caught me …

I spent 3 years protecting myself and running from this wild virus and the minute I let down my guard, it swooped right in and plagued my entire body .

Although the first couple of days were extremely difficult and I found it hard to concentrate, I have been on the mend and able to finally get to the book I have been eye balling for quite sometime .

The Deceit

The perfect book to keep me company during this trying time . Sara Foster is a literary genius ! There is no way I would lose my focus with this one . The title just nailed it! This is a book jam packed with deceit, secrets and twisted gasp worthy moments!

I’m a huge fan of domestic thrillers but this one is like nothing I have read before and that’s saying a lot!

This is a book to be read and loved by all, easy 5 stars!

[Diane Merritt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read so much guessing going on but somehow missed the mark on making it interesting enough to care what would happen in the end. Was just ok.for me....I hope you enjoy it more.

[Toni FGMAMTC · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

On the one hand, I found the mystery and suspense interesting, on the other hand, I found the female lead very hard to sympathize with. She told her husband nothing even when it was obvious they were in danger. She always made the wrong decision IMO. The male lead kind of followed her lead and also didn't do the smart thing.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was alright for being free on audible.

[Eric WT · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 ☆

[ClaireJ_KL]

Listened to this book during a long car ride and then some. Really enjoyed the feel of the book and I was intrigued by the characters. Particularly Lenny.

However, I was really disappointed by the ending and the actual plot twist of who Claire was. I did not like how she was characterised. After surviving and running for her life she was pretty pathetic. Whiny and scared and you really wondered what a talented musician like Lenny was doing with her. Even her MIL was fabulous. Both the MIL and Lenny were maybe a little too good to be true to balance Claire’s stupidity.

Anyway, ok book. Don’t expect any big AHA! moments.

[Howard Davis · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Deceit is a novel destined to be disliked by many readers. The characters are not very interesting and the main character who is the one keeping secrets from her husband is not at all likable. Theirs is a troubled marriage in which the husband stays home to care for young twins and the wife is the breadwinner. There are sub plots revolving around an “open” marriage, a philandering, abusive husband and a music career put on hold.

Although I cannot recommend this book to others, I thank NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to its publication.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the copy of The Deceit. More of a domestic suspense book and not a thriller or much of a mystery. If you like your heroines strong and intelligent, maybe skip this book. Claire is so annoying and I cannot believe that she hid her past from her husband, even when it affected her marriage so much he seeks comfort in another woman’s arms. They have kids and she STILL doesn’t bother to tell him, even if they might all be in danger. If you don’t think too hard about the story, this is a fast, easy read. This just wasn’t the book for me at all.

[Emilie White · Rating 2 out of 5]

Finishable but lacklustre

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fast paced story about Claire and Lenny who have a troubled marriage based on secrets being kept by Claire from her disturbing and mysterious past. Enter snoopy new neighbors who seem to know more than they should and trouble begins! I was surprised at the ending, had no idea how it was all going to play out. Thank you Netgalley, Blackstone Publishing and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book is available for purchase on February 7, 2023

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm torn between 3.5 - 4 stars ...

⭐ quick read, less than 200 pages
⭐ Short chapters mean no unnecessary details
⭐ FMC keeps secrets but eventually confides in her husband

I dislike the trope when FMC think they can handle a situation and go off on their own to make it worse. Luckily she finally trusts her husband so they can fight together.

Short book, short chapters didn't lend itself to much in-depth character or plot development, which was fine as I wanted something to read something quick and short.

[Alma · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️s

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 / 5 ⭐️
Predictable and not very exciting. At least it was a short listen.

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was OK. Not bad but instantly forgettable

[Brandy Nichols · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay to me. It kept my interest but it was very predictable. I listened on Audible so the narration was enough to keep me listening. Decent story, I just figured it out quickly.

[Suzi (Lil Bit Reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lenny and Claire’s marriage has been a little rocky as of late. Claire, who is keeping secrets from her past and emotionally unavailable, suggests an open marriage. When new neighbors move in across the street, will Claire’s carefully constructed lies and life come crashing down?

The Deceit is gripping and fast paced. At a little over 200 pages, it’s a quick read that can be consumed in just one or two sittings. The characters are well-crafted and while Claire is beyond unlikeable, stay-at-home dad Lenny is complex and sympathetic. Although the plot relies heavily on lack of communication, this pacey thriller is entertaining and satisfying.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for providing me an advance copy of this book.

[Kerran Olson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was fine, but nothing particularly twisty happened, it was resolved very quickly, and all of the drama and angst during the first half could have been avoided if Claire just TALKED about her trauma/past.

[Alissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

No complaints for a free audible, narration was great. As a thriller, it’s about as deep as a lifetime movie. Supremely average but enjoyable listen.

[Wren Boyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little melodramatic at times but I enjoyed the characters and the storyline.

[Faery · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tells the story of married couple Lenny and Claire. Their relationship has suffered since the birth of their twins, with Claire being very distant and Lenny longing for his wife. Lenny then starts receiving messages from an unknown number stating that Claire is a liar, and he starts questioning things. Claire has a secret she has never told anyone, which Lenny is determined to uncover. Meanwhile, new neighbours move in across the road, and strange things start happening.

This is told in alternating chapters between Lenny and Claire which I liked. Lenny is a great, likeable guy (with a really lovely mum who needs to be mentioned). I have mixed feelings about Claire however, I want to like her and sympathise with her tragic history, but she's very whiney at times, and her character is inconsistent. Considering the strength it must've taken her to get through her ordeal and start a new life, combined with the self-defence training she had from Devon, she is not a strong person. It just doesn't fit. I also found some of her narratives long- winded and unnecessarily drawn out.

Overall it was an entertaining listen, a dramatic finish, just no wow factor.

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mild spoiler toward intent and culpability.

The plot and intrigue were delivered well and entirely plausible.... except the logic behind never telling her husband. I completely get withholding early, but a decade, marriage, kids, and you still couldn't bring yourself to trust him? In fact, you're more comfortable with the idea of him being with someone else than divulging your past? That's the only part I had a hard time accepting. Sadly, it was roughly 85% of the foundation for the suspense.