I really don't know how to feel about this book.  I wasn't too invested in the characters as no one was 100% likable or honest.  The story line was so screwed up, it was a bit of a turn off.  It was a quick read but I am not sure if I would consider it an enjoyable read.  It was depressing and a bit aggravating.  I don't think I would recommend this book.

IThank you to NetGalley and Gallery for an ARC of this book in exchange for honest feedback.

This book started out with a lot of promise and I really did enjoy it at first. However, one of the main characters is so deranged and evil that I found couldn’t even bring myself to read her chapters. The level of evil she was was so over the top that it kind of ruined the book for me. I really enjoyed reading the other characters POV and the book would have been great from those standpoints. Also, the book kind of slows down towards the end and I found that I wasn’t interested in the story anymore and had to force myself to finish reading it.

I can’t give an “overall” perspective because I’m really conflicted about the book. I’d definitely read another book by this author but this one just wasn’t my taste.

IMG_4875My Review of “Lying in Wait” by Liz Nugent Gallery, Threshold, Pocketbook, June 2018

WOW! “Lying in Wait” by Liz Nugent is a captivating, intense, intriguing, twisted, and disturbingly horrifying and sickening , suspenseful novel, which is hard to put down.. Freud would have a field day with these characters. This has a feel of Alfred Hitchcock, and Twilight Zone mixed. The Genres of this novel are Fiction, Mystery, Suspense and Thriller, with a touch of horror.

One of the first sentences that one reads is ” My husband did not mean to kill Annie Doyle, but the lying tramp deserved it.” This is a quote from one of the characters Lydia Fitzsimons,.

The Fitzsimons family is looked upon with great respect. After all, Lidia’s husband is a Judge, and they have a loving son Laurence. They live in a mansion, and to the eye, everything is perfect. No one knows that the Judge lost a tremendous amount of money he invested, when the person who handled the funds, ran with the money. No one realizes how Lidia has been over-protective to their son. From all the stress, Laurence can’t stop eating, and is first dealing with new experiences in life.

The author describes her unstable characters as complicated, complex, and deeply dysfunctional .There are deep and dark secrets that Lidia hold the key to, that could destroy the family. ( and have destroyed others)

Meanwhile, Annie Doyle’s family is looking into their daughter’s disappearance. There seem to be some significant clues. Annie’s sister is obsessed with finding what happened to her.

Lidia is one extremely manipulative woman. She has an answer for anything and justifies everything. Unfortunately, Laurence is starting to unravel some of the secrets. There are a lot of Uh-Oh moments, and tension. I would recommend this page-turning chilling thriller to readers who enjoy thrillers and suspenseful stories. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

I am conflicted about this book. I was excited to read it and was taken in by that killer opening line like everyone else. I just didn't love it. Maybe it's because I've been reading too many psychological thrillers lately. Or maybe it's because the characters were all so unlikable that I didn't really care what happened to any them. Not my cup of tea this time. Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.

“My husband did not mean to kill Annie Doyle, but the lying tramp deserved it.”

That is the opening line of the book.

Just a mere 4 pages later, you know that the statement is not quite true.

Andrew, respected judge
Lydia, his wife and mistress to a beautiful house in Dublin
Laurence, their beloved son

Karen, sister of our murder victim, Annie Doyle

You will hear from all of them.

At least one of them is a master of manipulation...

This book, the second by Liz Nugent, author of Unraveling Oliver, is like no other book that I have read. It is truly unique. I was never bored or wanting to skim ahead.

I am not going to say more...I want you to be surprised.

If you enjoy psychological thrillers, this MUST go on your TBR list.

It is available NOW!

I would like to thank Netgalley, the publisher and Liz Nugent for the ARC I received in exchange for a CANDID review.

From the shocking murder at the start to the truly frightening denouement, Nugent fashions a truly twisty pshchological suspense novel. Lydia Fitzsimons gives every appearance of leading the perfect life in her Dublin stately home with her husband, a respected judge, and her beloved son, Laurence. But the lovely home and perfect family conceal some dreadful secrets. In chapters narrated by central characters, Nugent reveals each secret, ramping up the suspense until the final horror. Lydia and Laurence are very memorable characters, lingering long after reading the final page of this novel. If you like Gillian Flynn and Paula Hawkins, you will enjoy Liz Nugent's new novel. #LyingInWait #NetGalley

I received an egalley of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This book had me crazy!! It book is an edge of your seat kinda book!! I really could not put down!! This is a must summer read!!

Wow!! I just finished Lying in Wait by Liz Nugent and I am stunned., truly stunned. This is an amazing read, and you definitely don't want to miss it!!

The first sentence in the book is exquisite "My husband did not mean to kill Annie Doyle, but the lying tramp deserved it." Great hook! Well-respected judge Andrew Fitzsimmons and his reclusive wife Lydia don't seem the type of people who would murder a young, drug-addicted prostitute - but they did, and then buried her body in the backyard flowerbed of their posh estate. Why were they involved with the girl at all? What precipitated such a heinous action?

What follows is a dark, twisted story as told from three points of view: Lydia, Laurence (only child of Lydia and Andrew), and Karen, sister of the victim who can't stop trying to find out why her sister has gone missing.

Dysfunctional is far too mild a term to use for this family, which is under the thumb of manipulative, unbalanced Lydia. Mommy Dearest on steroids would be more appropriate. An enthralling read throughout, I promise you will DEFINITELY be surprised by the ending! Do yourself a favor and don't let this one pass you by!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery/Scout Press for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

“My husband did not mean to kill Annie Doyle, but the lying tramp deserved it.”

^^^That line right there had me like . . . .

HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GORGEOUS!

I mean let’s be honest. I don’t care if the tramp deserved it – or if she was a tramp – or if the husband did or didn’t mean to kill her. I just appreciate any time someone is dead and I am given an early copy to read. As mentioned a time or a thousand before, I have a bit of old lady brain so I knew I had read Liz Nugent before, but I couldn’t remember what and I didn’t bother looking it up because I thought I had enjoyed her previously. Turns out I was right because this is the author of Unraveling Oliver. Go brain! You is smart sometimes!

Anyway, I didn’t bother looking her up before starting and it turns out I didn’t even have to because once I started reading I remembered who she was and what I had read before. I love an author whose voice is so distinct that you can recognize it without a Google search.

The story here is about that tramp chick above who gets whacked by dear ol’ hubs. It tells the who, when, why and how – and all by the 30% point which had me a little dubious. But then I remembered that it was Liz Nugent writing the story, so the thriller aspect was just the peel of the onion and the remaining 70% would be all the stinky deliciousness contained in the other layers. If you didn’t like Oliver, there’s a good chance you probably won’t like Lydia or Andrew or Laurence either. But if you did????? Oh such good times in a story that reminds us all that a boy's best friend is his mother : )

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!











Reading Progress

From the very first line I was hooked. Won’t say much cause I don’t want to give anything away but this book is definitely a page turner. I couldn’t put it down, had to find out what was going to happen. Will definitely recommend this book.

This was quite an exciting read.

I felt so incredibly sorry for most of our characters - and so absolutely horrified by one in particular. As I got to one particular part, I said to myself that this person was just horrifically evil.

The way that everything ends up is shocking. It made sense, but was still unexpected.

A highly suspenseful thriller. I'd read the author again in a heartbeat!

WOW this book is TWISTED but amazing!
You will find out the who done it right away and then work your way backwards for the why, how and back story of everyone involved in this sick twister tale! I was glued to my kindle! The backstories were WOW…no words! This story was very twisted and sick yet I was still able to sleep after reading each night so that is a major bonus!

Liz Nugent is fast becoming one of my favorite writers. Her books always have a storyline that is so unique and jaw dropping! Lying in Wait is a summer must read!!

First I want to thank netgalley and the author for an advanced copy for my kindle! Wow wow wow, the books starts out right away with a murder and knowing who the murders are. Lawrence is the son of a judge and a mother who is basically a psychopath and recluse and always in fear of anyone leaving her. Liz Nugent the author does a perfect job combining the story line and having each characters point of view and how they play a role in each others lives and the murder victims life. The murder victim whose name is Anne has a sister named Karen who cannot and will not let go of her sisters disappearance to the point of obsession. The ending will blow you away and have you questioning did I just read that? I feel sorry for Lawrence he tries so hard to fit in and he’s self contious about his weight and his mother has him wrapped around her finger, you just want to reach into the book and strangle his mother at times! I don’t want to give to much away but this will be a great summer thriller!

Lying in Wait by Liz Nugent is the first suspense novel of the year that has audibly made me gasp in surprise. Readers learn fairly quick that Annie Doyle has been murdered by Andrew, a high-ranked judge, and his wife, Lydia. This novel follows the guilty family as they try to cope with their decisions that led them to murder, as they try to hide their secrets and as they try move on with their live--but their suspicious son Laurence doesn't make moving on easy. Told in a split-narrative, readers will hear from several different characters--but not all of them are exactly reliable.

Upon finishing Lying in Wait, I quickly added Nugent's other novels to my "to-read" list on Goodreads! Once you have read so many thriller and suspense novels, it can be easy to expect the twists or surprise endings. However, with Nugent's work, I suspected a totally different climax and ending! As an author, she doesn't fall into common plot lines or tropes of the genre, which was refreshing and exhilarating. As I mentioned, I would audibly gasp during parts of this novel and stayed up a little too late, on more than one occasion, to continue reading! I also found my loyalties to different characters were constantly changing. With each new piece of information or insight, Nugent is able to manipulate her readers into rooting for almost everyone at some point! I may be wrong, but I believe Lying in Wait was previously published in Europe, but is now available (with a beautiful new cover) in the US as of today! I highly recommend grabbing a copy, curling up and digging in.

Another outstanding psychological thriller from Liz Nugent! Annie Doyle has been murdered and unlike most murder mysteries, we know upfront who committed the murder and why, making this plot unique. Lydia Fitzsimmons has a seemingly picture-perfect life with a gorgeous mansion and well-respected husband who is a judge. So why do she and her husband get involved with the seedy prostitute Annie Doyle and what leads to her murder? As the story progresses, we are drawn into the lives of several characters, including Lydia, her son Laurence and Karen, Annie's sister. The story centers around Annie's murder and its impact on each of these characters and how they ultimately handle very stressful situations. As the story progresses, more and more very disturbing secrets are revealed right up to the very unexpected conclusion.

Nugent's style of writing is so enjoyable and the alternating narrators worked especially well in this instance. I loved how we were shown different perspectives of the same situation by the different characters, which ultimately revealed very deep character flaws. I can't say that any of these characters were particularly likeable, but some were definitely worse than others. This was not your typical psychological thriller but Nugent's innovative technique worked so well. I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys psychological suspense.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for providing a complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.75/5 stars

Well this was fun! Sick and twisted, but fun nonetheless.

Going into this I thought that it was going to be a contemporary murder story, but it wasn't the case. The story starts in 1980, and I think that the time period chosen added a very nice touch to the overall feel of the book.

Is there anything worse than smother-mother? No. And apparently there is also nothing more terrifying than a smother-mother either. The format is quite different, as the main murder and its murderers is given away right in the beginning, so in the sense the mystery is already known to the reader. I was very curious how the rest of the book would play out and what ways the plot could possibly go.

With that said, I devoured this book within 24 hours - I just could not stop reading! The plot took some interesting turns, and while none of them were too shocking they still kept my attention glued. But I think what definitely propelled this book forward was the amazingly messed up cast of characters.

There are three points of view. We get a very twisted and mental, but oh so calm character - which was the most terrifying one to read. We also get a person who knows, but can't do much about it, except keep covering it up. And we get the victim's sister, which is probably the only semi-normal character of this book. Emphasis on semi, because none of them were truly normal.

The three different points of view weave the story perfectly - I especially liked how they interlocked and crossed on the most important parts. The character study in this book is simply superb.

​I went into this book not expecting much, but it turned out that this was just what I needed - a very twisted, very wrong, but oh so fun murder book. It's not gory or brutal in any way, but it's still very ghastly and macabre, thanks to the messed up characters. I will definitely be picking up another book by Liz Nugget in the future, because I really dig what she did here.

​Big thanks to NetGalley and Gallery, Threshold, Pocket books for a digital advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own, honest and come from the heart.

Lying in Wait by Liz Nugent Book Review
I usually wait a bit before writing a book review so my mind can settle in. But, I cannot wait to talk to someone about Lying In Wait by Liz Nugent! What a crazy, dark, tense ride!

Many Twists, Dark & Intriguing
No spoilers here because the first line of the book is, "My husband did not mean to kill Annie Doyle, but the lying tramp deserved it." Readers already know we are dealing with a murder. We know how they did it, but we aren't really sure why. And check out the title, Lying In Wait, that means danger is lurking around the corner. Well, my friend, you have no idea!

These characters though. My heart aches a bit for the son Laurence. His dad has money problems, but his mother definitely has bigger issues. I mean she doesn't even leave the house & she's super controlling. Laurence is overweight, a bit lonely, but smarter than we initially realize. At the same time, Liz gives us a look into Annie Doyle's family.

Raw, Unlikable Characters
Lying In Wait introduces readers to some unsavory characters, but you know what, it totally matches the storyline. I don't have to love the characters to be Into a story, I just need to feel a certain way about them. Liz makes sure to give us plenty of dirt on each character, so the reader may form his or her own opinion.

THE VERDICT
I am Really Into This book. While it's a bit darker than my standard thriller fare, it's a wild one. I think it will make a great movie or miniseries, so someone needs to get on that pronto!

Special thanks to Liz Nugent, Gallery Books & NetGalley for providing our copy in exchange for an honest & fair review.

This complex, creepy and downright disturbing book had me from the first line, "My husband did not mean to kill Annie Doyle, but the lying tramp deserved it." Lydia appears to be a loving mother and wife that prefers the company of her husband, Andrew, and son, Lawrence, and their stately home, Avalon, above all else. Lurking under the surface, however, Lydia is crazy! This novel is a psychological thriller that will not disappoint!

Wow, what a crazy story! The murder is announced in the first sentence: "My husband did not mean to kill Annie Doyle, but the lying tramp deserved it." The speaker is Lydia, the wife of Andrew, a respected judge in Dublin. She is not exactly a reliable narrator; in fact, she is most likely a psychopath.

But thankfully, there are two other first-person narrators who help flesh out this tale with some sanity: Laurence, Lydia and Andrew's sixteen-year-old son; and Karen, Annie Doyle's sister. Laurence is aware that his parents are lying about their whereabouts on the night the girl went missing--Karen is desperately trying to figure out what has happened to her sister.

I really enjoyed Nugent's writing style in this thriller. Even though the reader knows whodunit right from the start, there are layers to this story that make for compulsive reading--perfect for your summer reading list! Highly recommend.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for providing me with an arc for an honest review.

Liz Nugent is one of those rare authors willing to take true risks with her writing. In terms of structure, themes, and character depth, Nugent defiantly refuses to adhere to long-held crime fiction conventions. Her debut novel, Unraveling Oliver, made an instant splash with its UK release and proceeded to experience a slow boil as other locations discovered the book’s unparalleled uniqueness. By the time her new book appeared, it was clear that many fans the world over would be rushing to get their hands on Lying in Wait. They will not be disappointed.

Lying in Wait begins with Lydia Fitzsimons conspiring with her husband on a secret meeting that ends in the death of a young woman named Annie Doyle. By the end of the first chapter, Annie is buried in the garden behind the family estate.

The rest of the novel covers 36 years in the convoluted journey of this Irish family. Readers are given three points of view: Lydia, Laurence (Lydia’s son), and Karen (Annie’s sister). There are a number of other characters who play key roles in the development of this novel’s plot, but the reader’s only access to them is through the lens of the three leads. As the police, relatives, and their own guilt begin to close in on the Fitzsimons, this insular family must make some very difficult choices or risk having their secrets exposed.

Plot-wise, Lying in Wait is so elegantly structured that really to say much more would risk spoilers. The narratives of each of the main characters reflect upon the others in beautifully enlightening ways, weaving through each other’s testaments, exposing the speaker to the reader in subtle, by significant ways, and yet obscuring the most pertinent details until that precise moment when maximum impact can be achieved.

It is probably Laurence who elicits the most sympathetic response from readers. His choices are the ones that readers will most easily identify with – albeit, knowing that he is making mistakes along his journey. Watching him gain confidence and self-worth as he overcomes unhealthy eating habits and his obesity make him relatable in all his flawed glory. As the “outsider,” Karen’s viewpoint allows readers a glimpse into the family dynamic that those intimately involved are unable to see. All that said, Lydia is likely the character readers will remember the most by the dramatic conclusion of this novel. To put it mildly, she is a piece of work.

Suffice to say, all three points of view are needed to work this word magic. One loose thread in any of their tales and this house of cards would crumble. Liz Nugent’s talent is such that she makes this look so easy, when in fact later rumination reveals many deliberate choices that enhanced the overall enjoyment of Lying in Wait.

This is a very Irish tale, almost fairy tale in nature, assuming that one likes their fairies warped and their tales dark. Some readers may be put off by the overwhelming unhappiness on display throughout the novel, but Liz Nugent knows what she is doing. Even the main setting – the family estate known as Avalon – comes alive and vacillates between feeling like “home sweet home” and a menacing entity in which every crevice holds a secret.

All of this is in service to the winning plot. Lying in Wait is one of those books where plot and character merge so successfully that it would be impossible to imagine one without the other. Prepare to dig in, you never know what you will find buried within.