This was a brilliant brilliant mystery thriller read.
With the perfect mix of blood shed and police procedures.
Told from multiple POV, dual timelines and writing in both first and third person (which I absolutely loved) this was a fast paced edge of your seat read. With themes of domestic abuse, psychological abuse, baby death, insest, mental illness and addiction written so respectfully and sensitively.
Unfortunately I did see the big reveal coming from very very early in the book. But between the ridiculously well written characters and the writing style this is the best psychological thriller I have read in a long time.

Was very disappointed in this book. Sadly it wasn’t what we had hoped it would be from reading the description. It just wasn’t for me

Overall a good thriller with some twists, but I saw most of them coming very early on in the story. There are quite a few one-dimensional characters that don't add much and some situations that are far-fetched even if you allow yourself to suspend belief. It's a 3.5 stars for me. Didn't love it, but didn't hate it either. Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

With thanks to Netgalley and Bookoutre for this ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.

Laurie Mills had prepared a special meal and was waiting for her soon to be ex husband Robert to arrive. Robert had left Laurie and wanted to start a new life with girlfriend Claire and their baby daughter Matilda. Although Robert was just there to collect his things and talk about practicalities Laurie hoped she could win him back.

Whilst waiting Laurie had started drinking, when Robert didn't arrive she continued drinking and blacked out. Later on Laurie woke up in the guest room upstairs, Robert`s body was the floor stabbed multiple times. It also appeared she had made a crude attempt at cutting her own wrists

Laurie was arrested and questioned by DI Dan Riley and his colleague Martin Delaney. Shocked and confused Laurie was sure that she could never have murdered Robert. Although it looked like an open and shut case Riley also had his doubts that she was a murderer. Luckily Laurie`s friend Monica said she had been with Laurie during the time period Robert was murdered. Monica promised to look after Laurie and offered to stay with her.

A couple of days later Claire is found murdered by her Mother. Baby Matilda was lying beside Claire badly dehydrated. Monica told the police that she saw Laurie creeping out of the house in the middle of the night and drove away. Back at the police station she tells Dan she didn't know where Claire lived and would never harm a baby. As Riley discovers more about serial womanizer Robert he realises that he had a number of suspects.

I have recently been drawn to books about suburban estates which hide dark secrets. I was drawn to The Couple on Cedar Close from the first page and found it hard to put down. I have the first Dan Riley book Black Heart on my TBR list and will definitely be reading it next.

Although I guessed early on who the murderer was there were some aspects I did not guess in a million years The book also had some interesting characters. I liked Laurie whose confidence had been crushed over the years by Robert. But she was brave and mentally stronger then she realised. But I had to mention Miss Foster the blind old lady across the road and Leanna George, Robert`s ex lover of four years. The author showed appearances can be receptive, Miss Foster was not blind and in fact had been a ballerina. Although Leanna was a model she was also a member of MENSA.

I also liked Dan Riley whose cared but also had a sarcastic side. At thre end of the book Dan was given some surprising news he never thought he would hear. I can't wait for book three.

I received this book in exchange for a honest review from NetGalley

Weatherley crafts a strong domestic thriller/ police procedural with the novel The Couple on Cedar Close. The story moves between a few key players, including a detective that follows intuition over protocol, an empathetic wife who may or may not be a reliable narrator, and a young brother and sister. The novel begins with a murder and unravels with a fast paced style that makes it hard to put down.

This was my first read of Weatherley's work, but it is the second in the Detective Dan Riley series. I was able to keep up with the characters and backstory, and it made me interested in reading the previous and following books in the series! I tend to gravitate towards character driven thrillers, which is the strongest characteristic of this book. Weatherley was able to get into the mind of each of the characters so we could follow their thought processes and choices. Excellent book!

DI Dan Riley is faced with a broken down suspect in the gruesome murder of her philandering husband. He doesn't think she has done it but the evidence piles p against her. Meanwhile, the book flashes back to the abusive relationship between a young girl, her adoptive parents, and their son. Even before Ms. Weatherley made the connection for the reader, I knew where it was going. But the character development, the story, and the falling together of the puzzle pieces make the reading very enjoyable. You know where you are going, but just how are you going to get there? I did like the twists snuck into the story and have really enjoyed learning more about Riley. I look forward to seeing where his character goes in the future.

This book was okay. The main thing I took away was feeling awful for Laurie, who seemed like a kind human being. I really felt for her & the situation(s) she ended up in.

The book includes back & forth between the past & present, which all ends up making sense in the end. At times I just found it confusing. Parts of the story felt very slow and then other parts seemed to move very quickly. The overall writing style was nice - I liked the character's voices - though at times some of it seemed like it was trying too hard.

The majority of plot points I saw coming so there wasn't as much suspense as I might have liked. Some of the characters were highly developed, while some I found wanting to know more about or feeling more in the dark.

Overall not a bad book, but not one I consider good either.

I didn’t realise that this was the second book in the series featuring Detective Dan Riley, but it certainly didn’t spoil my enjoyment of this book as a standalone. Laurie and husband Robert live a comfortable life on Cedar Close after moving wanting a fresh start. Laurie discovers that Robert has been having an affair and has a child and when she attends a neighbourhood barbecue, in a drunken rant she tells everyone about Robert’s affair. Three months later she is preparing a dinner for her estranged husband still hoping they can be reconciled. She starts drinking vodka waiting for him to arrive and passes out. When she wakes up she is covered in blood but cannot remember anything about the evening. Robert is found dead and Laurie is the main suspect but she knows that she never would have killed him. Her best friend helps her but she thinks that Laurie did kill Robert and then we have a gripping story of deceit, lies and psychological abuse. Detective Dan Riley is drawn to the case, he doesn’t think that Laurie is guilty but as he investigates the case he discovers secrets after secrets. I did guess who the killer was early on but it didn’t stop my enjoyment of the book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

What a brilliant book was took in right from the start . I will definitely be reading more of Anna-Lou books . This one is a who needs enemies when you’ve got friends like these

Ooh this is a good read.
I was totally hooked after the first few chapters and desparate to know who had killed Robert.
His wife Laurie is prime suspect as she found his body and was covered in his blood, but Dan Riley knows deep down that she’s not the killer.
The rest of the team want it to be Laurie but with a strong alibi, how can it be?
Laurie’s friend has been supporting her but she is also hiding information from her friend.
Robert is a serial adulterer and once dead, it comes to light how many women he’s been seeing.
He’s also said to be a master at manipulating people so some would say he deserved to die.
Dan is sure there is more to the murder than meets the eye, and when a second person is killed, the clues start to build up regarding who is to blame.
Laurie can’t remember what happened but knows deep down she didn’t kill her husband, but will the Police believe her?
This is s gripping read that had me on the edge of my seat.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Laurie Mills is preparing a meal for her husband. Things have not been right between them and all she wants is to set things right. But that when there's no sign of him, the last she remembers is drinking while waiting for him. The next thing she remembers is waking up covered in blood, and discovering her husband's brutally murdered body..

Needless to say, she's the prime suspect and Inspector Dan Riley is on the case.

It is considered an open and shut case by everyone but Dan Riley. He is convinced that there is more than meets the eye..

An interesting read. I guess the murderer very early in the story, which kind of spoiled the suspense for me, but it was still an interesting, fast paced read.

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for the review copy of this book.

Many thanks to Bookouture and Mary Lou Weatherly for the opportunity to read and review this book. The Couple in Cedar Close is totally unputdownable. I love love loved it. What a brilliant crime thriller. The story revolves around Laurie and Roberts marriage. A very sad couple; he is a dominant narcissist and she is a devout wife. She jeopardises her own happiness through out their marriage until one night Robert is found brutally murdered
Does Laurie have blood on her hand or is she yet again a victim.

Really enjoyed this book - though it did take me a while to get into it. So much so that I've bought the first book by the author!

I'm a sucker for a detective with a back story and Dan Riley is certainly one of those - though I think the books could be read as stand alone and certainly don't need to be enjoyed as part of a series!

*I received an ARC of this book in return for a fair and honest review.

Laurie and Robert haven't had the best marriage. In fact, he's fathered a child with another woman and when Laurie finds out, things don't go very well. In fact. Robert is found in their bedroom with his throat cut, and Laurie is covered in blood.

This is a thriller that didn't have very many thrills for me. It was apparent who the killer was very early on in the story. I found all the characters to be immoral and/or annoying, so I never was able to get emotionally invested in any of them. It's not a bad book; I would describe it as "meh". Others obviously disagree with me, so if it sounds like your cup of tea, grab a copy and enjoy!

Absolutely loved this book! Couldn't put it down until it was finished. Will definitely be recommending to customers at my work!

I was not sure about this one, as i had never read this author and I was afraid it would lean more towards a domestic drama than a police-procedural. WRONG! This book is GREAT!! Lot's of twists and pretty dark. The only thing I didn't like is that it is actually Book 2 in a series so I hadn't read the 1st one. Still really enjoyed it, that's just my thing. I like to start with Book 1. I will go back and read that one too, though. Thanks to the author, Bookouture and Netgalley!!

What an amazing novel! I have always been a fan of Anna-Lou Weatherley, but this book tops her previous ones. Less of a bonkbuster more of a domestic drama, it reels you in and doesn't let go...

Get ready to get sucked into this book. You will get hooked,
This is a very meaty book full of mystery and intrigue . It’s well written and enjoyable.
Thank you to both NetGalley and Bookouture for my eARC in exchange for my honest unbiased review

The Couple on Cedar Close is basically the autopsy of a toxic relationship, detailing the fallout affecting the lives of family members and friends of the central couple, and color the hearts and minds of the police. We see the damage inflicted on generations of women throughout the almost 40 year lifespan of Bobby Mills, who is a psychological brute, a covert narcissist who understands all the right moves to keep his women in line and at fault.

Our viewpoint is through the eyes of British Homicide Detective Inspector Dan Riley, often assisted by Detective Sergeant Lucy Davis as they follow the trail of broken ladies left behind after the murder of Bobby Mills. Which of his many victims is responsible for the death of Bobby Mills? Are they also involved in the deaths of his many murdered women?

This was at times a difficult novel to read, but the need to understand the ripples of destruction trailing the Mills couple kept me reading on. This is a novel I can comfortably recommend to family and friends. Anna-Lou Weatherley is an author I will add to my must read lists.

I received a free electronic copy of this British Police Procedural from Netgalley, Anna-Lou Weatherley, and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.

When I read the blurb for this book I knew I would not be disappointed. This book kept me up until 3am, I could not put it down. I had to know !!!!!
This is a real page turner and I devoured this book. I had my list of suspects and i knew who had done it but I was shocked with the extent of how evil this person was. This is a must read and a brilliant psychological/ domestic noir thriller of the highest calibre. I did not want this book to end. As for the climax it blew me away.
A rollercoaster of a read, amazing, thrilling, OMG this book is so good. I want more now please. Highly recommended.
I would like the author, Bookouture and Netgalley for the advanced copy in return for giving an honest review.