This book had been on my Kindle for a while and I picked it at random. I hadn’t read the blurb so wasn’t sure what to expect.

Set in Ireland, the book opens with three brothers at a funeral. It then tells the story from the perspective of each brother at different periods in their lives. It becomes clear that all the brothers are troubled in their own way and have various challenges in their lives. Their difficult family relationships have affected how they interact with each other.

I didn’t find any of the characters likeable and Will was particularly horrible. For me, the book was a bit too slow paced and seemed to drag at times. It felt like a very long book.

Generally, I prefer a more gripping book and this didn’t do it for me, unfortunately. I got a bit fed up with the unlikeable characters and problem after problem in their lives.

2.5 stars rounded to 2.

I love being given the opportunity to update our school library which is a unique space for both senior students and staff to access high quality literature. This is definitely a must-buy. It kept me absolutely gripped from cover to cover and is exactly the kind of read that just flies off the shelves. It has exactly the right combination of credible characters and a compelling plot thatI just could not put down. This is a great read that I couldn't stop thinking about and it made for a hugely satisfying read. I'm definitely going to order a copy and think it will immediately become a popular addition to our fiction shelves. 10/10 would absolutely recommend.

The story from 3 different brother's perspectives and although it is a bit of a slow burner, you are engrossed in their lives. I think the flashbacks became a bit much by the end.

Although this book jumps back and forth through timelines and viewpoints, it's easy to follow and compellingly addictive - a testament to the author's skill. The three brothers whose stories we follow across the years are all unreliable narrators, sympathetic at times and wholly unpleasant at others. While this means there isn't really anybody to root for, it doesn't stop this story being a real page-turner as you work to discover the tragic culmination of this story and what it means for the family. Special mention also goes to the dialogue, which is so vibrant and easy-to-read. Liz Nugent always writes a grippingly dark story, which won't let go of you until you've reached the very end (and then for a little while after).

Great read. My first Liz Nugent and now I can´t wait to read all of her novels. Not really a thriller but felt as it. The characters, the descriptions, the narration... just great!

This book was exceptionally well written and although I knew the premised I had no idea who had committed the crime and who was the victim until the very last reveal. This catapulted into my top books of the year with the compulsive storyline, I could not wait to read more every time I put it down.

The use of perspective and timeline to flesh out the storyline was brilliant.

It’s not that I expect to like every character in a novel but when the first third of the novel is being related by the main protagonist; an entirely self-centred narcissist, oblivious to the needs of any others and without any redeeming features, my irritation levels were particularly elevated and I found it is very difficult to engage with the book. I understand that the flaws in this character’s (erm) character this is a vital part of the construction of the story but that doesn’t temper the irritation.

Still, this book is divided into three narratives of the same events as seen through the eyes of three brothers. This device, when handled well, can be engaging and illuminating. The added twist to this is that we know from the outset that one of the narrators is dead (the book opens at his funeral) but we don’t know which one. And that lays out the basis of the novel – it is a form of whodunnit, but is more of a whosdunnin...
So, a fairly unusual and quite interesting set up, the problem is that with each passing narrator being no less of a pain than the one before, I found myself slowing down and eventually pausing the book for a few days as to be honest, I did not want to be in the company of ANY of the characters.

Having said all that, "Our Little Cruelties" is a well written book with a lot of humour and very believable Dublin dialogue – this reads like it would have been said in Dublin, rather than the fake 'Oirish' that is often presented in novels (even by Irish authors!). The interactions and descriptions are believable and real and all in all, it is quite refreshing to read something that doesn’t pander to expectations and Irish stereotypes.

In the end, "Our Little Cruelties" is not quite the book I expected – it is certainly not your average ‘psychological thriller’ (although billed as such by the publisher), it is much more an exploration of growing up in the 1980s, of mental health, and of the complexities of family life. But this is told within the backdrop an alternative, modern Ireland to what is normally presented in literature and film, and it is told very believably by a talented author. I just wish I had felt a modicum of sympathy (let alone empathy) for anyone in the book.

I loved the authors writing style and her exquisite story telling.
The characters are well written. They are horrible people but well characterised.

My other complaint was that it was told in a non linear format and this isn’t something I enjoy.
However it is a great book.

Moving through different timelines and telling the background stories from the three brothers’ povs, this brilliantly written book is compelling in its psychological drama of one family’s twisted personalities and of the cruel torment they inflict on one another.
A great read.

With thanks to Netgalley for arc

This wasn't the read I was expecting it to be and unfortunately I didn't connect with it and ended up skimming through.
Thank you for the opportunity.

"Our Little Cruelties" is written from the perspective of three brothers to explore their relationship. It gets very dark and twisted, elevating this above a typical story of sibling rivalries - well worth reading.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC without obligation.

This sat on my to be read pile for over a year and I'm really sorry that it did. I enjoyed the book immensely. Written from the perspective of each of three brothers in turn, the different viewpoints of events that occur between the siblings over the years are more and more eye opening the further through the book the reader gets. Highly recommended both from the point of view of this being a story of relatively ordinary sibling relationships and for the plot of the book itself. Don't wait as long as I did before picking this one off the shelf.

Liz is a fantastic writer, Our Little Cruelties is another dark (and disturbing) suspense which you just won’t be able to put down.

I found the narrative a bit confusing as it frequently flipped about in time. There is quite a lot of suspense though as to who has been killed. The dynamics between the brothers were intriguing and at times very unpleasant. None of the characters are particularly likeable, which adds to the tension.

This dysfunctional family drama based in 1970s Dublin opens with a funeral; "3 brothers, 1 is dead". There is much sibling rivalry and betrayal from the sons of a self-obsessed, unfaithful theatre has been and she only has love for 2 people, herself and her eldest son. Told from multiple POV, which isn't in sequence. I found the story confusing and wasn't able to warm to or engage with the characters. I felt the tale albeit interesting a bit of an underwhelming and depressing read. Thank you to Liz Nugent, Penguin Uk for a free Arc in return for a fair review

I’ve read all of Nugent’s books, and while this one was a bit different than her earlier novels, it was nevertheless excellent. Without giving away spoilers, the central mystery was less jaw dropping than Unraveling Oliver and Lying in Wait, but untangling the family dynamics and slowly uncovering which brother was dead and why was still compelling and original. Definitely recommend!

Not quite the book I was expecting and so took me a few attempts to get through. Not really my style and I found it difficult to connect with.

A brilliant book by a very talented author.. the book format was well done, told from the e brothers perspective and going back and forth from periods of their childhood to the present day. The character of the mother is complex and flawed, leading us to some understanding of why the boys turned out as they did. The book is quite engaging with some unlikeable characters, yet Nugent keeps you turning the pages.

Liz Nugent does it again!

The story begins with a funeral, but we don't know whose and we don't know why! The vast majority of the book is a reflection on the lives of each of the brothers, how they waned in and out of their relationships with each other, and the little cruelties they have both endured and inflicted throughout their lives.

Because the funeral doesn't come back into play until the last 20 pages or so, the suspense builds beautifully as we are unsure which of the characters has been murdered and which of the brothers carried out the murder. This is definitely a psychological character study, one that is intricately woven across three different lives and I think this is some of Liz Nugent's strongest writing thus far.

Already looking forward to her next offering!

Our Little Cruelties is the first book I have read by Liz Nugent, and I’ve since made it my priority to read more of her work. The gripping story, infuriating characters and in-depth exploration of the toxic family dynamic had me hooked from the beginning.

I loved the fact the book was split into the three different perspectives of the brothers, as each perspective brought to light new information on specific events. I loved making these discoveries as the book progressed. Details of these crucial events were slowly fed to us as the book went on, which made for a thrilling read.

'Our Little Cruelties' was an emotional rollercoaster. There were many points where I had to put the book down because I was so mad at the characters. The suspense by the end had me gripping the edge of my seat. I loved seeing the characters grow and their relationship with each other change and develop. Learning more about their mother and the different relationship they each had with her, also added another severely toxic element to their dysfunctional family dynamic. The theme of family was explored in great detail, with a focus on how toxic upbringings can influence how we feel about ourselves and our actions towards others. How much of their actions could be blamed on their childhood? These questions that surfaced through my reading made this book really stand out.

I loved the drama! I felt so many emotions whilst reading this book - disbelief at some of the things these brothers were capable of, shock (how can someone do that to their own family?!), and sympathy - mainly for the youngest brother who really didn’t deserve to die. These boys were insane, and I loved to hate them.

I was drawn in from the start and couldn't stop reading until I knew how it ended. I absolutely loved this book. It was a thrilling read which was incredibly well written, and I can't wait to read more of Liz Nugent's work!

Thank you so much for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.