This is a tough review because the novel is tough reading. It's well written, for sure, and the social issues around women in court are masterfully displayed. Mike is an incredible unreliable narrator. It was just stomach churning and terrible/wonderful to read.

Mike loves Verity, and will stop at nothing to prove it. It’s all a game in the end - one that Mike and Verity have been playing for years. And Mike knows that Verity will always love him, won’t she?

I’m really conflicted with regards to this review, because my opinions are a bit all over the place. On the one hand, this is a well written novel. It’s contemplative and thoughtful, scenes set up with obvious care and attention to detail, and the pacing in the first part of the book is good. The way the story is told is multilayered and deeply clever too, as we see the characters buried in a web of lies, exposing multiple betrayals, building in tension to a rapid and disturbing series of events.

Mike, the protagonist is also a really interesting character. He's got so much emotional depth, and an attitude and behaviour that are anything but black and white. He’s clearly disillusioned with the world, and his very unhealthy relationship with Verity, which is all consuming, obsessive and stalker-like.

I think my main issue here is the writing style. It’s very internal in nature, relying on character development and train of though rather than actions and descriptions. We are inside Mike’s head most the time, following his thought process and reasonings, meaning we know his character very well, but less so the other people around him. It almost makes the reader feel very detached from the situations as they develop, which removed a lot of my ability to care about what was happening.

I also found the conclusion to be completely out of tone with the rest of the book. It goes from psychological thriller to courtroom drama about two thirds in, which I wasn’t expecting, and didn’t really like. I’m not a fan of these kind of novel at all, and thought it changed the feel of the overall story.

If courtroom dramas are your thing, or very introspective character driven thrillers, you might enjoy this more than me. I just found it ok.

We are immediately drawn into the life of our narrator in Our Kind of Cruelty. It becomes clear very quickly that he is an unreliable and unstable narrator, which makes a nice change from an unreliable female narrator. It is actually a little frightening being stuck inside Mike’s head for the whole novel. We don’t really get to know Verity (Mike’s supposed great love) at all because all we have of her is Mike’s twisted, idealistic, fantasy version. At times I wished for a few chapters from Verity’s point of view but I think its necessary for the book that to not go there as it would have taken us out of the insular first person narrative which gives the story so much tension. I also believe it is important to not really hear Verity’s side of things because the lack of it is one of the main points of the novel. Despite spending all our time with Mike, the book isn’t really about him, its about how the world and society treats or rather mistreats so many women. Its about how differently men and women are perceived and judged by the press, the public and the legal system. That is what is truly chilling about this story.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a classic psychological thriller . Our Kind of Cruelty is all about psychology and how people are shaped and fractured by their past experiences. There is a great sense of foreboding pretty much from the get-go here and it never really wavers or lifts. There is also an almost claustrophobic feeling throughout and it is a testament to the author’s talents that a couple of times she could even evoke sympathy for our evidently delusional and damaged narrator. All in all, a sinister and compulsive read.

Verity and Mike are an example of a classic love story. They met at university, fell in love and then seven years later, circumstances meant that they had to continue their relationship long-distance to further their careers and ultimately to enable them to buy their dream house in London.

Then it all went wrong and the couple split up.

“I must be cruel only to be kind / Thus bad begins and worse remains behind.”

We meet Mike who in the first half of the book explains his history both before and after he met the love of his life Verity. I’m not really spoiling anything to say that you may find this young man a little hard to warm to, but that’s not to say this isn’t one fascinating story. If you like your psychological themed books of the variety where you see into the minds that view life in a very different way to the norm, you’ll love it.

While they were together Mike and Verity played a game, not of the tame board variety but one of a more adult nature. This game was called ‘The Crave.’ So when Mike receives an invitation to Verity’s wedding to a rich older man, Angus, he interprets this as a continuation of the game and acts accordingly. To the man on the street his behaviour would be classed as stalking, but not to Mike who is convinced that despite losing in act one, he is in with a definite chance in act two. This book tells us how this plays out for the couple.

That’s all I’m going to say about the plot because the power of the book is in the structure and the many layers that have clearly been lovingly thought out to give the reader an insight into stories which reflect the talking points that you probably discuss with friends even if only in the context of your combined relationship history. Someone you know is bound to have known a Mike, and a Verity. What gave me conviction that this is a brilliantly crafted piece of psychological fiction was the way that although I rattled through the book,
wondering what was going to happen next, it was only after I had finished that some of the talking points were really revealed. It is one of those books which tempted me to go back to the beginning armed with the knowledge of the ending.

One of the obvious joys in this book was to read a good psychological thriller from a male perspective. I have often said I don’t need to like the protagonists of the books I read and so to read about a damaged man in his own words was fascinating in itself and really was a change from the other way around. Mike is obsessive in his love for Verity and we learn why that may be from his internal thoughts that occupy the first half of the book but we learn about those who inhabit his world and what his view of it does to them too. So very, very clever and utterly compelling.

I have been a fan of Araminta Hall ever since I read her first novel Everything and Nothing way back in 2011, which was followed by Dot in 2013 (which made my top ten reads of that year,) so I was absolutely delighted to be provided with an advance copy of Our Kind of Cruelty by the publishers Century. This unbiased review is my thank you to them and the exceptional author.

First Published UK: 3 May 2018
Publisher: Century
No of Pages: 368
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Amazon UK
Amazon US

V and Mike have been together since university, when Mike goes to work in Amierica he makes a stupid mistake which ends the relationship , mike is left devastated and cannot get over V, especially when he finds out she is getting married. Mikes love turns to obsession and fantasy until one night he commits an horrific crime. A brilliant thriller which will keep you turning the pages until the end.

Dark, disturbing and oh so compelling, I could not put this book down.

Told through Mike, who can’t accept that his relationship with the love of his life, Verity, is over and instead believes she is punishing him for his one night stand while in America.

Mike had a traumatic childhood and is now obsessed with and deluded by his love for Verity. Their relationship is sexually taut and further enhanced by a game they play that they call The Crave. Mike believes that Verity’s every action is part of this game.

Araminta Hall’s writing is adept and skillful. She will draw you into Mike’s frame of reference, until you find yourself almost believing his twisted sense of reality.

This book may not be for everybody, but if you like your books dark, intense and shocking then this one is for you. But read it at your peril. It will mess with your mind, keep you up late and even when you’re not reading it you will find yourself thinking about it.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review this title. Unfortunately in this instance,I didn't connect to the story. As I didn't finish reading, I will not be reviewing this title. Many thanks and I do look forward to picking up another read from this author.

'Our Kind of Cruelty' is an unusual psychological thriller. The relentless plot isn't full of the usual twists and misinformation.

Told from Mike's point of view, the outcome is inevitable, but it's the events that lead up to this that make this dark thriller absorbing and chilling. Drawn into the mind of a damaged man, whose obsession with Verity, his girlfriend since university colours every action, plan and thought. Mike is blinkered and driven; Verity is his only reference point. He lacks insight concerning everything outside the bubble that contains the two of them.

The first two-thirds of the story is overlong. While it is essential to relive Mike's version of events, his lack of self-worth, his abusive childhood and his obsession with Verity make for exhausting reading and condensing this would make the story an easier read.

Mike's character is undoubtedly well- written, but he lives in a warped reality, and it's hard to empathise. Verity's point of view is unknown, her action may be indicative of her differing perspective, but Mike's perception of them always comes back to the two of them being inseparable.

It's not until the book's last third that the pacing picks up and the real point of the story becomes clear. The legal courtroom scenes are realistic and riveting, the lawyer's cross-examination of their clients are fascinating. Mike's barrister's direction of his client illustrates that knowing how to play the legal game doesn't necessarily equate to justice. The ending is suitably unsettling and highlights the inequities of the legal and other social systems, despite equality laws.

I received a copy of this book from Random House UK, Cornerstone via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

From page one, it's clear that Mike is crazy about his girlfriend, V. By the end of chapter one, it is clear that Mike is simply crazy and V is a young woman called Verity who is caught up in a toxic, obsessive love affair.

Both the strength and weakness of Our Kind of Cruelty was, for me, its structure as a domestic thriller; it has all the tension while simultaneously subverting the formula. The reader awaits twists and about-turns that never come -- what will be, will be. This is an intelligent novel and the author has an important point to make about controlling men and the treatment of women in the criminal justice system. Perhaps the fact that the novel has been tagged as a "Gillian Flynn"-style thriller -- Flynn being the reigning queen of the twist -- adds to a feeling of unresolved expectations.

Instead, the novel ploughs its own pitiless path and Hall's portrayal of a man with an unravelling mind is chilling. Her accomplished writing traps us inside Mike's disturbed mind -- seeing up close his twisted logic -- resulting in an addictive and affecting read.

Mike and Verity are lovers. They are crazy in love. Well, and a bit crazy overall if truth be told. They have this game they call the Crave. It involves Verity allowing herself to be chatted up and then, when she gives him a sign, Mike swoops in to save the day. This ignites their passion so to speak.
Fast forward a couple of years and Mike is returning home from the USA where he has been working. He and Verity are no longer together as he admitted to his infidelity when he was visiting at Christmas. Ignoring this for the moment, Mike sets up his new house exactly as Verity would want it, where she would want it and then goes on to pretend that they are still together. But then the postman brings him a wedding invitation. Verity is getting married to Angus; and after only knowing him a matter of months. Instead of being devastated, Mike decides that this is all part of the game - the ultimate Crave.
This was a bit of a book of two halves. We start with what is a relatively slow build up, mostly courtesy of Mike's inner musings. Then, once the foundation is laid and all the scenes are set, the action really hots up and races towards a bit of a shocking, but a tad predictable, ending.
I usually mention my thoughts and feelings about the characters in my reviews. For reasons that will become obvious when you have read the book, I am a bit reluctant to go into any detail but, suffice to say, neither Mikey nor Verity would be on my Christmas card list! Secrets, lies, duplicitous behaviour, obsession, and some really rather great manipulation are all front and centre in this story and there was quite a bit of - can I really believe what I am reading - going on too. It's obviously a very character driven story too and, in this regard, the author does not disappoint.
Plotting is also very cleverly, and sometimes subtly, done too. You do really have to have your wits about you throughout. Once I got to the very end, when I finally had all the pieces of the puzzle, I was able to see the picture as a whole and I had to sit back and applaud the author for a job well done. It also made me appreciate the slow beginning build up all the more.
It's a bit dark in nature but this all adds to the creepy claustrophobic nature of some of the manipulative behaviour going on in the book. It also has the novel spin of being narrated from the male perspective, something also a little outside the box; refreshingly so.
All in all, a good solid read that kept my attention well and left me, on the whole, satisfied. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Mike receives an invitation to his ex-girlfriend's wedding, and instantly knows that this is the opening round of a game they used to play called 'the Crave'. This is written entirely from Mike's pov, and I think it was quite cleverly done, in that the reader is never 100% sure who is manipulating events, or if both of them are. I think the author also has some salient points about how men and women are judged differently, both in society and in a court of law. Overall, an interesting read and a book that kept me reading 'just one more chapter.

Thanks to Netgalley and publishers, Random House UK / Cornerstone, for the opportunity to review an ARC.

This is a mind messer of a book! A dark, compelling and intense thriller, which I was left feeling shocked at the end.
I loved the fact this was narrated by a male lead, a male lead with issues. With the look of a good cover and knowing it was a male at the heart of the book not female for once, I couldn't not give it a read.
Mike is one of those characters that make you shiver with his creepy ways and reminded me of Jamie Dornan when he was in the tv show The fall, the kind of man who makes you look under your bed at night for real life monsters.
It's very hard to review this book without giving to much away, it one of those books you need to read to believe. Mike is obsessed with V, his ex, he not only convinces himself they are happy, he also makes his world about her.
If you are looking for a dark psychological thriller that covers, mental health, obsession and a need to convince yourself and others you are right then this is the book for you.

It has taken me a bit of time from finishing this book to reviewing it as I had to give some consideration to how I really felt about it. Mike and Verity have a powerful, sexually charged relationship and they like to include others in their games. When the sheen wears off their relationship, you are never quite sure if this is due to one of them really wanting out or if it is all part of the game.
The story is mostly told from Mike's point of view and I would like to have heard from Verity a bit more, to try and gauge her true feelings. I feel it does become slightly repetitive at times, but on reflection, it is actually very cleverly written and I am angry at the ways things turned out! Very thought provoking, and indicative of how patriarchal our society still is. The term psychological thriller is sometimes used quite loosely with many recent books falling under this mantle, but this one really does fit the term. Absorbing read.

4.5 stars.
I really enjoyed this compulsive story, which depicted a kind of love so obsessive and all-consuming that ultimately it lead to murder and a prison sentence. The main character and narrator Mike was very well portrayed and my feelings for him ranged from sympathy to disgust to pity. There's not much action and no jaw-dropping twists in this book, but nevertheless, it is a gripping and compulsive read.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC.

I really wanted to love this book but I really struggled with it. It tells the story of an obsessive man refusing to believe his ex girlfriend can possibly move on.
I couldn’t warm to any of the characters and I found the plot line pretty unbelievable.
This one wasn’t for me - sorrry!

An unusual and strangely page-turning read about obsession, and psychological disorder, all in the very believable voice of the obsessed and out-of-touch-with-reality male protagonist. He is not likeable; indeed few of the characters in the book are, and the object of his obsession is almost as unlikeable as he is. Yet the author has the skill to also make the reader feel some empathy for the rather Aspergers -type male protagonist. It was always a toss up what the ending would be,but when it came it was a little flat and almost too in-character to be interesting!

This is the story of a man totally obsessed by a woman and not believing her when the relationship is over. Quite disturbing but believable

A really intriguing read that I loved.
A twisting love story that stays with you, keeping you wondering til the end whose story to believe.
Obsession turns to murder in an unexpected way. One of the best reads of year

This is one of those books that is so dark and tense you almost want to read to with your eyes closed, which obviously isn’t possible. It’s also one of the few books I have felt slightly dirty after reading and needed a shower.

If you follow my blog you will know I love an unreliable narrator, but, seriously, I have never read a book with someone who is so disturbed, affected and delusional as Mike.

I’m not going to give anything away in my review except to say when you start this book, it’s unlikely you will be able to put it down until you’ve finished it.

Our Kind of Cruelty is without doubt a tense, scary, dark and disturbing story, however it is also utterly compelling, addictive and brilliantly written. Personally I loved it and highly recommend it and now need to clean myself with a loofah and some sweet smelling shower gel.

3 stars.
I struggled with this one. There were elements that l enjoyed and the writing style was quite good but overall this fell a bit flat for me.
Firstly, most of the book is terribly repetitive, l feel like his inner monologue just dragged on and on and went around in circles. It could have been much shorter and not have lost anything, IMO. Secondly, l had real problems with the representation of this type of character. Was he supposed to be disliked or were we supposed to feel sorry for him? He should have been a character we despised, but then why give him such a sob story for a childhood? Because. Because, the way he was raised does not make it ok. It does not make his behaviour excusable. And the fact that Verity never reported him to the police seems to support the notion that his behaviour was innocent (mostly), not too bad, that Verity was complicit in her own victimisation. And that is where l checked out.
Maybe l read this wrong (lots of people love this one), but l've been researching a lot on intimate partner violence and coercive control in my university studies and this left a bad taste in my mouth.
I did find the courtroom scenes quite good, which is why it got 3 stars instead of two. I may give this author another go with their next book , but l would not recommend this one.