Hard book to review, i found the concept interesting of a book within a book, and the story was interesting but left with lots of questions, but the actual reading of the book dragged. others have commented a lot on the plot so won't do that here. thanks for the arc!

I originally requested a galley of this novel because I was most interested in the author. Amber Cowie has most definitely lived the writerly life. She has worked as a smalltown newspaper reporter, as a front desk person for a remote hotel between England and France and served hot chocolate in Scotland’s only ski resort. It’s safe to say she has many more stories to tell us. What I also loved so much about her is that she is also a wife and a mother now which gave me hope, especially after my last post.

I found the premise of the book to be interesting, in that, so many of us leave the flightly world of being young for the more settled version of life on a cul-de-sac with our partners and families. For some of us, that life is idyllic and it means that we have made it. For others like, like Esme Werner, she struggles with life on the cul-de-sac. She is haunted by old ghosts, including the fact that she had been raped and she still questions the paternity of the daughter that she loves so much. This also leads her to question her love or lack of love for her husband, Benedict. Everything begins to culminate when Torn, the street’s omni-sexual and local best-selling author, is the victim of a hit and run. His voice continues throughout the book as there is also a story within a story as we are taken through the events juxtaposed with Torn’s book, The Call.

Through the use of Torn’s novel, we get a deeper look at the monsters that are fictionalized within the story and those “real-world” monsters that are living every day on Raven Lane. Benedict and Esme had been celebrating Benedict’s new contract at work, sharing some wine and enjoying each other’s company when he decides to go to the liquor store for more wine. While backing out of his driveway, he hits and kills Torn. At first, this looks like a horrible accident, but upon further investigation, the police uncover that not only had Benedict been drinking, but that there were also drugs in his system. This propels the novel forward, creating a rich narrative that takes us from past and present and unleashes many of the dark secrets that Esme and Benedict held as well as the secrets that suburbia overall likes to hide behind white picket fences.

In the same breathe as Big, Little Lies, Cowie’s Raven Lane takes the reader on a spiral down past the glittery images of suburbia and deep into the lives and lies of the people who live on the cul-de-sac. Overall, a quick and enjoyable read that will leave you with a few surprises and an understandable ending–a solid weekend kind of read.

BOOK INFORMATION
Raven Lane by Amber Cowie is scheduled to be released on November 12, 2019, from Lake Union Publishing with ISBN 9781542003728. This review corresponds to an advanced electronic galley that was supplied by the publisher in exchange for this review.

This is the second "cul-de-sac" novel I've read this month. Is this a new genre?

Esme and Benedict Werner live in a beautiful house, in a beautiful neighborhood, living a beautiful life. A tragic accident changes everything. Secrets are exposed, friends turn against friends, etc.

It's good, but at one point, I just stopped caring about anyone in this neighborhood.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC. This review is my own.

Raven Lane may seem like an idyllic suburban block, but behind the doors there is plenty of intrigue, a lot of lies and more than a few secrets from the past. I enjoyed the plot twists and turns of this novel, even if at times it seemed to go a teeny bit too abstract or cliche.

A few of the characters were grating on me by the end, and I confess that the names chosen were distracting.

Even with those red flags, I enjoyed the read. It was tied up in a very complicated, origami almost, bow by the end.... With some ends left dangling. I did like that it didn't totally satisfy the reader, and that just as in life, some mystery remains that way.

I will be honest. This book ends on one humongous WTF. Slow to start, and never really gaining momentum, it lumbers to an ending in which much is implied but precious little is explained. That is not, however, always a bad thing.

At the heart of Raven Lane is a mother's love for her daughter. A mother traumatized by rape that leaves her doubting her daughter's parentage and married to a man she may or may not love. And yet, for all the love she professes she does some incredibly selfish things. In fact, all the residents of Raven Lane are incredibly selfish people and their acts of selfishness drive the plot. Benedict, the has been model and accused murderer. Kitty, the real estate tart who throws herself at the neighbors' husbands. Torn, the omni-sexual and hit and run victim. This Pacific Northwestern street makes Peyton Place look like Sesame Street. But in spite of al the layers of betrayal and longing and drama it never quite gels into a full blown thriller. It's more of a mystery with multiple personality disorder.

The story within the story, Torn's bestseller The Call, provides an intriguing juxtaposition of the fictional monsters in the book and the monsters living on Raven Lane. Monsters that could be any one of us, given the right set of circumstances. Amber Cowie does a great job of weaving this theme within the pages. Monsters with human faces are, of course, more dangerous and terrifying than imaginary ones.

This is a solid effort. If you enjoy domestic intrigue with a healthy dose of wealthy people angst, Raven Lane provides it. And the ending packs one heck of a wallop, even if many threads are left hanging. If bothing else, it will make you appreciate the boring everyday life most of us read to escape from.

This book was dark, but in a good way. I really recommend you read it and see for yourself. Will you discover the monster inside?

Thank you to NetGalley, Amber Cowie and Lake Union Publishing for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review.

I have had Cowie’s first novel on my TBR for what feels like years so I was really excited to get a galley of this one that I would have to get to in a timely manner. I will now be picking up Rapid Falls sooner rather than later because this book had me hooked right from the first chapter. I didn’t want to put this one down for anything – I just had to know what the heck was going on in this neighborhood. I loved the idea of neighbors being so close to one another, and all the drama that the closeness brought with it. There are so many twists and unexpected drama in this novel that I honestly felt like I never knew what was going to happen next and I loved it. I flew through this one in one day and I was so pleased with the chapters of one of the characters books interspersed throughout the novel! Definitely kept my interest! I would definitely recommend this novel and trust me; you’re in for a treat!

Out November 12th!

Raven Lane is a fast paced domestic thriller that kept me absolutely gripped despite liking hardly any of the characters. From the first page Cowie is planting seeds that all is not well in this world, specifically the marriage between Benedict and Esme, and, as the plot unfurls some things could be seen a mile away, while others are more of a surprise. This is a quick read and a perfect pick-me-up from a reading slump.

Raven Lane by Amber Cowie

Benedict just secured a great contract at work, and he and his wife, Esme, are celebrating at home. After a few drinks Benedict decides to go to the store a few blocks away to get more wine.

As he is backing out of the driveway, he hits their neighbor Torn, a best selling author. The neighbors rush to assist and confirm that it was an "accident".

The police discover that not only had Benedict been drinking before the "accident" but he had also been taking drugs. Torn dies from his injuries and the investigation into Benedict and Esme, as well as their daughter and neighbors begins. And the truths uncovered may reveal that there was something more sinister going on.

Told in past and present narrative, this book simply trudged along for me. Much of what is written in the past was fluff.

It did have a good ending, but one that was fairly predictable. It was just okay...

Thank you Net Galley for the copy of the book in exhange for an honest review.

Thank you Lake Union and Net Galley for an early release of Raven Lane. The plot was amazing, loved the whole idea of the book BUT what was it about Torn's book the Call? It had absolutely no place in the book and the ending was ridiculous, it changed my whole attitude regarding the book.

This book has a great plot but it was so boring trying to get to the end. It took the author forever to get there.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

After a promising start, this book settled into lots of tittle-tattle from suburbia. Not what I was expecting, and although I kept reading in the hope that the promised mystery would surface at some point, it never did. The book is well-written, with layers upon layers of secrets and family drama, but there is a noticeable lack of tension or suspense. To add to the general malaise, I found it difficult to care for any of the characters, and the dynamics of their cul-de-sac were completely unbelievable.

This book started with
So much promise for me. The theory of this book is based on something happening at the beginning and the promise of more coming from it. It never quite delivers. While this was a fast and easy read for me, the ending doesn’t live up to what you think you may get at the start. Which ultimately is unfortunate.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

An intriguing psychological thriller, which, like an iceberg, the truth is hidden deep, beneath this apparently superficial story of neighbourly disputes, serial adultery, drug taking and a book,' The Call', a rather toxic novel, written by Torn Grace, one of the main characters, that causes us all to contemplate the ' monsters' , that live inside us. The Call, is quoted throughout this read, and used as a verbal explanation of actions taken, reasons why and the end results. It is a very cunning device, that helps turn a neighbourhood death into a resemblance of a Greek Tragedy, in that there are so many webs of lies and deceits to unravel.
Raven Close is a close of ' nice ' houses, filled with interesting people, who are talented, or famous. You have to be recommended to live there, and then be prepared to join in all the community activities and soirées. There are almost no nice people living there!. All have secrets to hide. Esme and Benedict have a co- dependent marriage. Their relationship is based upon need, Esme needed a place to feel safe and protected from an earlier scandal of rape, and a home for Zoe, the daughter of uncertain parentage. Esme keeps all the secrets in this marriage, and manipulates her husband, especially in the aftermath of his adultery and drug scandals. Esme was a model, but is now a successful restaurant owner. Benedict was a model, but now runs a model agency. The implied question appears to be, does failure create a monster? If we all have hidden monsters, can these feelings be altered by jealousy of another's success, or does it inspire us to embrace the monster, to acts of horror and evil?. Evil desires that are normally suppressed by the norms of society, can be set free by hearing ' voices', or The Call, as used in this book. Many murderers have claimed that their actions were caused by mental health issues, that do involve monsters and voices, this book can also be seen as a plea, to have a greater understanding of reasons for why people kill, for no rational reasons.
There are so many issues raised within this book. Did Esme cause Benedict to run over Torn, by deliberately distracting him, when he was reversing his car? Did Esme want Torn to suffer, in revenge for him abandoning her as a lover? Was Esme even a good actress, or did she give it all up for a weak man, that would her allow to be forgiving in public yet embrace her monster in private?
An interesting and highly complex story that works on so many levels! A very clever read. The truth is hidden deep. Would make a fascinating book for book clubs to discuss. Of course, there is always the possibility I have completely misread this book, but I do hope not!! A five star read for sure.

Raven Lane by Amber Cowie was a book that I had high hopes for. And it started really well.. As the story went along though I started to lose interest and by the end I didn't really care for any of the characters or what happened to them. The idea of the book really appealed to me but the execution did not. In saying that I did not hate this book, I just hoped for more from it.

Raven Lane is a tight knit community where everybody knows each other and their business. Esme and Benedict appear to have a charmed life. Money, a beautiful house and a smart daughter. Until one night when Benedict hits one of the neighbours with his car. As the police investigate the couple secrets and those of the neighbours come to light. When the neighbour dies, Benedict is arrested for murder.

Thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.

I was so excited for this book, but as I kept reading I became confused and mad with the ending. I had a hard time with Thorn's name, normally that wouldn't have bothered me but I couldn't wrap my head around it. Kitty reminded me of A from Pretty Little Liars (actually the whole book kind of did lol and I love that show!) Kitty being able to screen who lives in her cul-de-sac was shady too, she knew too much. Esme I had a love hate relationship with. I loved her passion for cooking, the memories with her grandma, and how so wanted to move on from being just a famous person, but her letting her husband Benedict get away with all that he did and never saying anything was not ok. Also Zoe was rude to her and I don't get why she just took her dad's side instead of hearing her mom out, I mean I get why but still.

The story would have been really good if we weren't thrown into these flash backs and memories so often. I wouldn't have had any issue with the affiar if we didn't get so many flashbacks and then thrown into Torn's H. P. Lovecraft retelling. Also, didn't her chef have a different last name? I swore he did. I will give the book another chance, but the ending made me mad, I'm still like WHAT WHY? I need more answers lol.

Thank you Netgalley and to the author and Amber Cowie for this ARC.

I had high hopes for this thriller but it just wasn't my favorite. This seemed less thriller more drama to me. The story line started out very interesting however it just lost it's luster after the first few chapters. This was a hard one to finish. I can't say I would recommend this to a friend.

This is normally the kind of book I love - a good domestic drama with just a little suspense and mystery mixed in. But the characters were so wholly unlikable and dynamic of the street was just too hard to believe. It opens when Benedict accidentally hits their neighbor, the famous author Torn Grace (an awful character name), as he backs out of his driveway. From there things get very messy as he is soon suspected after his wife's Esme's affair with Torn is revealed. Everybody seemed to be in everybody else's business yet nobody knew what was really going on with their spouse or in Kitty's case her child. Kitty was so annoying and domineering - she was worse than an HOA with all her rules for the street. Benedict was a jerk and Esme did not end up being the good person she was made out to be. I was suspicious of Anthony from the beginning - something about him seemed off. I did not like the book within a book feature - it was difficult to tell when Esme was reading Torn's book because there was nothing to distinguish it from the rest of the book like a font change or italics. I also found it unbelievable that Benedict's lawyer were tell them to make up a story about their marriage and lie in court as part of his defense.

There were a little of things mentioned that never really went anywhere - Benedict's business partner, Jose, the red string around Julia's wrist, what really happened to Esme's missing phone.

Book 📖

Raven Lane by Amber Cowie

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and Amber Cowie for this ARC in return for an honest review.

Description 🔖

Raven Lane is the type of street whereby all new home owners must be approved, community parties are a-plenty and everyone knows everyone’s business. Esme and Benedict Werner are ingrained into the community until Benedict is involved in a car accident causing the death of their neighbour. From the moment of the accident, everything starts to unravel for the Werners. Lies, secrets and betrayals are dug up from both the distant and near past and the serenity of Raven Lane is well and truly destroyed.

General Thoughts 🤔

I started this book quite some time ago and although the first couple of chapters had me gripped, I lost interest quite quickly and therefore put it down. I came back to it purely because I wanted to finish it. It didn’t pick up for me and I was pretty much just going through the motions in order to get it finished.

There wasn’t really an unravelling of the story, I felt like this big thing happened (the car accident), then some secrets came out, then it was back and forth in a timeline and then another big thing happened at the end. I wanted more build up and more tension building. Without that, I didn’t feel the BAM that I perhaps should have felt.

Characters 👫👭👬

There are quite a few characters in the book. Some of them you kind of do get to know, others are very much on the periphery and I’m not sure add an awful lot. I struggled in the beginning to know who was who, who lived with who, who was who’s kid.

I didn’t make much of a meaningful connection with any of the characters. I had moments of sympathy for Esme as well as Benedict, but it wasn’t deep.

Writing Style ✍🏽

Although I struggled with staying focused on this book, it wasn’t too difficult to pick it back up and know what was going on. I’d compare it to what I call background TV. Shows you can put on in the background and get what’s going on, but still do something else at the same time.

Couple of things to watch out for; the timeline does jump around with no warning or setting of tense, so there is a moment of adjustment. There are also parts that are supposed to be excerpts of another novel which again; weren’t signposted well enough for me.

Conclusion & Scoring 🎖

Unfortunately, this book and I just did not get along. It wasn’t spicey enough for me and I didn’t find the drama that I thought the synopsis sold to me. I hate to give a negative review, but it wouldn’t be honest to say otherwise.

I wouldn’t be adverse to giving other books by Amber Cowie a go, but this one unfortunately didn’t float my boat!

😍😍😫😫😫

I really wanted to like this, and in it, there are some things to praise. I could empathise with the characters, but there was a promise in the blurb, and unfortunately, the book fell short.
I read it, with a struggle, which is rare. I didn't want to give in, but I really couldn't fully relax into the story, and found myself trying to skin to finish.
Others may enjoy it more - it just wasn't for me.