A Saturday morning, and a few people have taken their children to a judo class. However, something happens at the lesson which has serious long-term consequences for three of the children. One of these, the beautiful Isabel, is so traumatised that she will forever be trapped as a 7 year old: even as a woman she will speak with a child’s high pitched voice.

Decades later, Evie (Isobel’s mother) decides to sell the house and Claire with the help of her in-laws buys the property. The plot unfolds through the perspective of Evie and Claire. Fox Cottage is a central prop in the unveiling of this tale; spooky and full of secrets, and lies. Nods to the supernatural, and hints of madness add to the suspense. A great reveal adds to the satisfaction quota of this read.

Well-written, great characters that will surprise you and an overall I am one happy reader!

Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.

When newly widowed Eve and her seven year old daughter Isobel are involved in a traumatic incident, the repercussions are far-reaching and they retreat to Fox Cottage to recover. However, twenty seven years later, Eve and Isobel are still suffering the effects of the mayhem inflicted on them.

Claire and her partner Tim are buying Fox Cottage together with their daughter Rosie. Claire feels she has been manipulated into moving into Fox Cottage and Tim really doesn’t want to live there, it scares him and he doesn’t know why. When they move into the cottage and unexplained events occur, Claire is left wondering just what have they bought until they make an unexpected discovery.

The Memory is a dark thriller told from both Eve and Claire’s point of view, it’s a story of secrets and lies with a shocking twist towards the end.

A haunting tale of love, loss and revenge. How far would our go to protect the ones you love? The. Emory grabs you and keeps you reading!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

This is one of those books that has little or no bearing on what the description says about it. The book begins with a horrific incident in a primary school. That the incident has long term repercussions on the children and parents involved is apparent. But, and for me this is a big but it adds nothing to the story which takes off in a different directions.

Eve and her daughter Izzie witnessed the school event, and the fact that it had long term ramifications is apparent in the grown-up Izzie who behaves more like a child than an adult.

Eve sells her home, but the buyer is a face from Eve and Izzie’s past. Izzie appears to become even more unhinged. Or does she? There are so many sub plots going on, and a twist at the end that I guessed straight away, that I came away unconvinced that I had followed all the novel atall.
The characters are dislikeable. I didn’t get Eve – I felt that she might be the root of Izzie’s problems as I just could not understand the parenting tactics. The supernatural element of the story was unnecessary and added nothing to the plot.

On the whole I came to the end and wondering what was the point?

I was really looking forward to this as I am a big Lucy Dawson fan, but it just didn't fulfil my expectations.
For one I am not a fan of supernatural edges! Give me a twisted, serial killer any day! There were some parts that gripped me, and I can't say much more without giving any spoilers - but one I have pressed send for this review, this book will be pretty much forgotten.

I am a big fan of Lucy Dawson's books and I did really enjoy this one. It is very different from her previous books, and a bit slower in pace in my opinion. But it was a great story, told from multiple points of views in various points in time. It is a hard one to review without giving anything away. The story is dark and creepy with plenty of twists you won't see coming.

It is the story of 2 families known to each other but not friendly with each other. Eve's daughter Isobel is involved in a disturbing incident when she is 7 and her life is changed forever. When Eve decides to sell her home and moves the secrets that have been hidden for years come spilling out. Strange things happen in the house, making them all think they are going mad and seeing things.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased

Lucy Dawson has done it again she had me quesses who was the lier and who was telling me the truth every page had me in suspense. This is a good book I rate it at a 5 stars

I am a fan of Lucy Dawson’s, having read pretty much much all but her very early books. Therefore I was very keen to read this ARC of The Memory from the publisher, kindly given to me in return for my honest review

I enjoy Lucy’s novels, they’re always easy to read, not too taxing, and roll along at an interesting twisty pace. The Memory however I struggled with I have to say. It started well, but sagged in the larger part in the middle, almost to the point of it ending up on my abandoned list. Nevertheless I persevered, though through skim reading a lot. The ending however made me glad I hadn’t just dropped it completely. But with no character I could enjoy, having a supernatural lean to the story which isn’t my thing, along with a plot that had too many nuances which sagged im afraid it lost my interest, I can’t rate this any more than 2.5 stars. I’m sorry Lucy!! It wouldn’t stop me reading her novels again in the future however.

Thank you again to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC.

my 1st book from this author and so enjoyed the places in book is set buy me. a mother who is protective of her daughter {izzie} who is troubled . no spoilers as hate this book is very cleverley thought out and so creepy dont read in the night suspenseful creepy . twisty and an ending you wont see coming highley recomend

I’d like to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for letting me have a copy of ‘The Memory’ by Lucy Dawson in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
It starts thirty years ago when Eve refuses a date from Paul Jones, the martial arts instructor at the class that her seven-year-old daughter Izzie attends. In retaliation he starts shooting at the children with pellets from his gun, which has a lasting effect on Izzie and also Tim who throws himself over Izzie to save her.
Now, Eve are Izzie are moving out of Fox Cottage where they’ve lived for many years and Tim, his partner Claire and daughter Rosie are moving in following Tim’s father purchasing it for them after the loss of Claire’s savings.
Izzie who has metal health issues has always loved Tim and thinks he’s has returned for her. She makes voodoo dolls and practices witchcraft, and when strange events occur at Fox Cottage Claire believes the cottage is haunted and that it’s all down to Izzie.
‘The Memory’ is a dark and nightmarish thriller which has an interesting beginning then seems to slow down in the middle before becoming more exciting towards the end. There are twists and turns, believable characters who aren’t what they seem so it’s hard to guess how it’s going to end. As the conclusion is reached the plot becomes quite sinister and unnerving, the loose ends are tied up and the truth uncovered.

I have read all of Lucy’s books and this one was just as good, if not better! A real solid psychological thriller that kept me wanting to turn the pages. I loved it.

This is Lucy Dawson's best! The beginning starts with a bang and twists and turns all the way through. It is unpredictable and very entertaining. Definitely a suspenseful thriller with a little noir thrown in for a creepy effect.

This was a VERY good psychological suspense thriller that was hard to put down. Told in different perspectives, it is all about how one moment can change the course of your life forever. It is really hard to write too much without giving away, but this is one book I could not put down and the twists and secrets just kept unraveling until its shocking end. Very much enjoyed the authors character development and intertwined plot.

Fantastic to read!

The story is gripping and full of tense moments. Twists and turns await every page! I really enjoyed reading this a lot and can highly recommend it.

This is a suspense thriller with a difference. It had me hooked from the the first to the last page. I had no idea what was going on and who was doing what. This book had me totally gripped and the ending I have only one word to say and that is WOW.
I have read several of this authors books already, personally I think that this is her best so far. Be warned once you start reading this book you will not be able to put it down. Highly recommended a really good story and wonderful writing. How far would you go to protect someone ?
I would like to thank the author Lucy Dawson, Bookouture and Net.galley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for giving an honest review.

WOW WOW WOW I can breathe easy again, what a book, I started this book this morning and I have finished this evening, I literally could not put it down, talk about drawing you in, completely gripped me, had no idea who to believe, what was happening, was there paranormal activity at play? My head is still spinning from the twists and turns, to sum it up an emotional psychological paranormal thriller...highly recommend it but be prepared to be give up your day, YOU WILL NOT WANT TO PUT IT DOWN!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This suspense thriller had me hooked from start to finish. Lucy Dawson is fast becoming one of my go-to authors.
Thanks to Bookouture for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Full review after publication.
4.5 stars

The description of this book was so intriguing...I couldn’t wait to dive right in.
I have read all of Lucy Dawson’s books and was a fan going into The Memory!
I found this book to be slow moving, the idea of the book was awesome, however it just never came together for me. It was good, definitely not her best book in my opinion.
Thank you netgalley!

This was a brilliant book, very gripping and really liked the different perspectives in this book. Had me awake long into the night as I raced to the conclusion. Really recommend this to everyone.

The Memory dives right in with a very hard hitting and traumatic scene which I’m not going to describe, as it would reduce the impact to know what’s coming. It’s a brilliant opening to the story. We then move on a number of years to find Eve and her daughter Isobel still dealing with the effects of that day. Isobel, in many ways still trapped in childhood... and apparently dabbling in witchcraft... is a fascinating character - but throughout the story we’re kept unsure as to how much of her issues are really her and how much is possibly manipulated by her mother for whatever reason.

Then there’s Claire, moving into Isabel and Eve’s old house with her husband Tim and daughter Rosie. I liked Claire as a character. She’s strong, sceptical and not inclined to take any nonsense, despite being pushed into a situation very much not of her choosing, though things do start, not surprisingly, to get to her and not all her actions are wise. Husband Tim - also, like Izzie, a survivor of childhood trauma - seems much more vulnerable and is susceptible to the strange and threatening atmosphere of the new house. Is someone really trying to drive them out, are supernatural forces at work or is it all in somebody’s fragile mind? You don’t know who to trust....

I’m very impressed with Lucy Dawson’s books - her last, The Daughter, was excellent and I think The Memory is even better. (The only thing I don’t love is the title - what’s with this current obsession with “The [Proper Noun]” titles? It feels meaningless and I’m certain the author could’ve come up with something better. I’m not wild about the cover, either and I’m not entirely sure what that dress has to do with anything.)

I found the story to be unusual - definitely not standard psychological thriller fare, despite the cover - and never predictable: throughout, I had no idea where things were going and no idea how it would all end. There are a couple of big surprises and at least one genuinely chilling scene (aside from the terrifying opener). Highly recommended and I can’t wait to see what Lucy Dawson does next.