This novel was not what I was expecting - in fact it was so much better. It seemed to be part police procedural and part psychological thriller, which I found worked extremely well.

In the quiet, suburban Cedar Close, Robert Miles is found dead in his bedroom. His wife Laurie is the prime suspect. All evidence seemingly points to Laurie - however, Laurie can't remember anything about that night. Laurie isn't sure if she killed her husband. But if she didn't, then who did?

I didn't know when I requested this book that it was actually part of a series (I have not read any of the others), however that didn't matter at all as it can be read as a standalone novel. The Couple on Cedar Close is a fast-paced, brilliantly written thriller/crime procedural which works so well in my opinion. It kept me guessing right to the end. I actually wish that there were more books like this, and I plan on buying the others in this series.

I was torn between rating this book 3 or 4 stars. It was a good thriller, it was never boring and it was intriguing right to end. However I much prefer a ‘who dunnit’ and I enjoy making my own presumptions about who’s done what etc, which is why I made the decision to give it 3 stars instead. For me, all questions were answered very early on which meant the remainder of the book was just spent waiting for it all to come out. Despite all this, it was an enjoyable thriller and I would recommend others to read it.

I really enjoyed this book. Though part of a series, can be read as a stand alone. I liked the pace and the characters. While I figured out the suspect early on, I enjoyed the way the author dropped subtle hints that could be missed; this kept my interest. I was invested in the story & the personalities of the characters. Would definitely recommend.

I like to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Loved this one but wasn’t sure if I was supposed to have figured out the twist somearly? Like a few chapters in? Either way I enjoyed watching everything unfold. I will
Say the incest storyline was not my cup of tea.

Laurie Mills is preparing a lavish dinner for her estranged husband, Robert, who is coming over to talk. Even though she knows she should let him go - he is having an affair with another woman, after all, and they have a child together - Laurie still wants to convince him to come back to her and rekindle their marriage. Fast forward a few hours and Laurie wakes up in her bedroom, covered in blood - Robert's blood. With no recollection of what happened, she is swept up in a mystery and fighting for her freedom. She knows she didn't kill Robert - right?

Alternating between past and present and different characters, this is a quick read. It is the second in the DI Daniel Riley series, but the first I have read. I didn't lose anything from the story by not having read the first in the series, so this could be a standalone.

DI Daniel Riley's chapters were the most annoying to read - his voice comes across as very Dick Tracy, film noir and it take a little while to get used to. I had a pretty good idea of who the killer was, but still thought the mystery was very well done. An interesting twist at the end with the eyewitness.

I really enjoyed this one! Small neighbourhood mysteries are some of my favourites to read, and this one was a great one as well!

Gave up after two chapters. Perfectly average book up to that point. no interest in continuing.
Didn't sound true or honest. Had a hard time investing myself into the story.

Unfortunately, this one wasn't for me. I felt like the author tipped her hand way too quickly, I had the main 'twist' figured out 1/5 the way through (thanks Kindle!) and saw all the other surprises coming quite quickly. Except for one about an old neighbour, which seemed a bit of a pointless throw in. I also felt like the novel was really repetitive. I even considered tagging every time someone (another character or the narrator) told me how thin Laurie was (we get it!).

On the plus side, I thought the MC was great. She was a fully-fleshed woman whose strength was really admirable.

A good psychological thrill that drew me in from the beginning
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

This is the 2nd book in the Detective Dan Riley series however I was not aware of that when I began reading and would say that it also works perfectly well as a standalone. It follows the story of Laurie and Robert Mills who live in a quiet neighbourhood where nothing much happens - until Robert is discovered dead in his bedroom. His wife Laurie is covered in blood in the kitchen with no recollection of what has happened in the past few hours. Laurie maintains that she is absolutely innocent of any crime but it seems like no one is prepared to believe her.
I flew through this book mainly due to the addictive quality of the story as well as the quality of the writing and although I sussed the culprit very early on it did not spoil my enjoyment at all.
I highly recommend this book and will definitely read more from this author in future.
Thanks to Netgalley and publishers for the advance review copy.

What a great thriller by Anna-Lou Weatherley. This is my first book by this author but it won't be my last. I was interested in the story line and I enjoyed the characters. Looking forward to reading her first novel now too! Thank you netgalley for this arc!

This was a good psychological thriller and deals with some painful subjects. This is book 2 in the Detective Dan Riley series and is a stand alone. I did not read book 1, Black Heart. Cedar Close is a small neighborhood where everyone is friendly. One day Robert is found dead and his wife Laurie is found covered in blood. She claims she doesn't remember anything but the police aren't looking too hard for anyone but her for Robert's murder. Secrets abound in this household. Nothing is quite as it seems. Finally A policewoman uncovers some very unsavory facts about Robert and they begin to think Laurie may be innocent. Not my cup of tea but a well written thriller that should make readers happy. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review*

I found this one a little disappointing. The second half was definitely better than the first, but I guessed most of the twists before they happened, so it just kind of fell flat for me. The dialogue felt a little forced at times, and I had a hard time sticking with it. Great concept, but needed a little work on the execution. 2/5⭐️‘S

The Coupkle on Cedar Close is a well written book, the characters are interesting. The story was filled with a lot of plot twists and turns and had me guessing to the end. I had a hard time putting it down. This is the second book in the series. Thanks netgalley for gifting me the arc. The opinion is my own .

Like others, I enjoyed the story concept at first but guessed very early on what was happening. I continued with the story, hoping that there would be a big twist but sadly not. I liked Dan Riley's character but found most of the rest of the characters quite irritating and unbelievable.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was an amazing book. Twists and turns all the way through. I didn't want this book to end. So addictive that it had me wanting to know more and more.

Recommend this book. It’s not what you think when you first start it and if I’d lent it I might have not carried on but OH MY GOD I am so glad I did. Brilliant.
5/5 on goodreads

Absolutely Brilliant from start to finish, a gripping page turner, didn’t want to put this book down, lots of twists and you could definitely relate to the characters especially Robert, will definitely recommend to friends.

THE COUPLE ON CEDAR CLOSE is the second book in the Detective Dan Riley Crime Thriller Series by author Anna-Lou Weatherley. After really enjoying book one, I was anxious to start the second book in the series; The Couple on Cedar Close…and again another winner! I was not disappointed! I loved it! This book will clutch you right from the beginning until the last page.

The 2 books in the series include:
Black Heart (Book 1)
The Couple on Cedar Close (Book 2)

Detective Dan Riley is still coming to terms with the death of his girlfriend and unborn baby in a car accident two years ago, and totally immerses himself into his work investigating cases.

It was with great trepidation for Laurie Mills to meet her neighbours, at the annual summer barbecue for the residents of Cedar Close. For Laurie Mills, it’s her first time meeting the neighbours. But her husband, Robert said he would be right by her side to face the ordeal. But where was Robert? Her friend Monica was hosting it. Robert had said that Laurie needed to get out of the house and start interacting with people.

The residents of Cedar Close were close and nosy. Everyone knew everyone’s business. It was impossible to be anonymous.

Laurie happily retreats back into the house in search of her husband. But when she went to search for him upstairs, she discovered and heard him on his cellphone talking to his “lover”, arranging a rendezvous. Robert was having an affair!

“I just need a little more time…She’s still unhinged and I-we-don’t want her suicide on our conscience.”

Laurie was devastated…she really loved him! But after the scene at the barbecue, Robert moved out and three months later he was to show up at the house for a meeting with Laurie, requesting a divorce.

The last thing Laurie remembers was she was in the kitchen waiting for Robert, the dinner ruined, her heart destroyed. And when the light comes on, she is covered in blood!

Robert Mills is found dead in his bedroom.

She can’t remember the last few hours, but she knows she didn’t kill Robert.

The trouble is, no-one believes her…

This was an amazing story with complex characters, and twists and turns around every bend. It touches upon the subject of emotional and domestic abuse, an important issue that needs to be addressed. Highly recommended!

Many thanks to the author Anna-Lou Weatherley, Bookouture via NetGalley for my digital copy.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.* So, after beginning this book, I realised that it was the second in a series, focussing on Detective Dan Riley. The first novel is 'Black Heart' and I am now keen to go back and read it. 'The Couple on Cedar Close' can certainly be read as a stand-alone novel, but there were mentions of events that I assume occurred in the first book. I do hate when I start a book not realising it isn't the first in a series... however, I digress. 'The Couple on Cedar Close' is a fast-paced mystery, where the bodies continued to pile up. At first, I struggled to keep track of the shifting perspectives and all of the characters, but it did eventually fall into place. Laurie Mills is accused of murdering her husband Robert Mills. She doesn't think she did it... but then she can't really remember what happened on that day. It is up to Detective Dan Riley and his colleagues to unravel the truth, before too many other people are killed. An enjoyable and intriguing read.