What Lies Between Us was an incredibly twisty dark tale and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I’ve read two other books by John Marrs and have added him to my list of go-to authors as I’ve loved all three of his books.

Nina has a secret. She has her mother, Maggie, locked up on the third floor for the wrongs her mother has committed to her. Maggie has secrets of her own.

Both woman are unlikable characters and I typically need to like someone in any book I’m reading. In this one, it didn’t matter that whether or not I liked either character. Yes, there were times when I’d start to like one character somewhat but then a twist would show up and nope.

The story goes back and forth between the past and the current and between the POVs of Nina and Maggie. As the story unfolds, I was reeling at some of the twists.

Well done, John Marrs. You hooked me!

*Thank you so much to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the advance copy!*

This was a pretty solid read. Most of it was entertaining, although there were some parts that I thought dragged a bit and felt slow to me. I also found most of the twists to be really predictable - I think there were only two things that I had not guessed.

What a shockingly brilliant book! I went into reading this book without knowing much of the synopsis, and within the first few chapters, I was so enthralled with the plot. Surely not a book for the faint of heart, but overall the plot was perfectly sinister.

For once, I found neither character likable and it was intriguing how through the entire book, as the reader, I kept going in between each main character of liking and agreeing with their point of view, but then subsequently disliking them entirely. Up until the final chapter do you find a solution to the differing viewpoints.

I highly recommend this book for someone who can handle darker thriller plot lines and who enjoy tons of twists and turns.

TW: miscarriage

This was the first book I’ve read by John Marrs. I was pleasantly surprised by all of the twists, turns and revealing surprises in the book. John Marrs masterfully wrote a dark, psychological thriller and it was a great read. Maggie and Nina live in a house together which harbors more secrets than you could ever think possible. They are mother and daughter, yet worse enemies. So much past, so much pain and hurting and John Marrs portrays it perfectly. I will be buying more of Mr. Marrs books, that is for sure!

Absolutely brilliant! I highly recommend this story about mother Maggie and daughter Nina. Not your average happy relationship as Nina keeps Maggie chained and locked in the attic of their house. The unpredictable plot expands with every page and is full of twists and turns. This is my first John Marrs book but it definitely won't be my last.

Thank you Netgalley, John Marrs, and Amazon Publishing UK for the ARC for my honest review in return.
Synopsis:

Nina will never forgive Maggie for what she did in her past. Because of that, she won't ever let her leave their house. She keeps her trapped in the house, chained to her room only letting her out every other night for their dinners together. She feeds her daily and ensures she has a basin to use the bathroom in, but outside of that she gives her very little. She has the end goal of making Maggie suffer for 20 years as she feels Maggie made her suffer that long. She strips her of everything she loved, just as she feels Maggie did of her. However, their reasons are much much different, and Maggie has her reasons for doing what she did, she just hopes Nina never finds out.

Review:
4/5. This story was a thriller, but the whole reasons for their disputes were utterly heartbreaking. As a mother, I truly felt for Maggie. I couldn't imagine having to be put into the positions she was placed in time and time again for her daughter. I was also frustrated with her because as an NP, I knew Nina needed psychological help and by Maggie not getting this for her she was causing long term damage and troubles. This is not the way to "fix" things. I see her predicaments in wanting to protect her child, but at the same time she should have gotten her the help she needed. When Nina met Dylan I was at first shocked thinking this was her dad's child (although the entire time until that point I was thinking his outcome was truly what had happened) and then quickly realized what was going. I understood Nina longing to know her child, but because of her issues she took it too far. I would recommend this book, but I would want others to know there are some deep thoughts despite the thriller genre.

While I did guess all the "unbelievable" plot twists I still really enjoyed this! This book is so messed up and totally worth the read. Really anything said about this book is kind of a spoiler so I you just want a wild ride definitely pick this up!

Sorry late with this so will go straight over to Amazon to leave my 5 star review. John Marrs has done it again.

This is the first book I have read by John Marrs and I now understand why he is so popular. It is a quite a while since a book has made me feel so unsettled.

The two women, mother and daughter, both live in the same house. But they don’t live together like a normal family. One of them lives in chains in the attic. The reasons why become clearer the further you read. This is one dysfunctional relationship.

The narrative switches between both of them, in modern day and from years earlier. The earlier years show how their relationship started to disintegrate but don’t be quick to assume anything. There are many unseen reasons why certain decisions were made. I was very quick to judge and at times I had sympathy for the wrong character. Neither of them were easy to like, it was only towards the end when I understood what was happening that my feelings regarding both settled. My nerves didn’t though, trying to sleep after finishing the novel was quite difficult.

This was a book I found difficult to put down, John Marrs is an author I will look out for in the future.

"...everything that is wrong with me is wrong with you too. We are one and the same."

This is a mother-daughter story like none other. Wowza -- I was completely glued to the pages as I sat down to read this and didn't move until the final words. I've read a lot of dysfunctional family relationships before, but this one surpassed my expectations completely. The twists and turns never let up and as I vacillated between mother and daughter, I wasn't sure what story was true and what was a fabrication of their crazy minds. I'd say much more but I don't want to give any spoilers to this fantastic novel by one of my favorite authors.

The characters -- mom is Maggie and daughter is Nina. We hear from them in past and present terms and both have decidedly different viewpoints on what has happened to them and the decisions they made. Why? That's the biggest question and it comes down to this -- love? What kind of daughter chains her mom up in a second story bedroom? What mother doesn't do what she thinks is best for her daughter? The narrative will leave you reeling. I was torn and undone by the revelations! Who to believe? What was going on? Yes, so many questions and I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did. I am quite sure that this is going to give me nightmares as I think about it! Well done.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Amazon publishing for this e-book ARC to read, review and recommend.

EXCERPT: I follow my mother up the staircase as she takes one step at a time. I notice the muscles tighten in her sinewy arms as she uses the bannisters to pull herself up. The last two years have really taken it out of her. And she's not as confident on her feet as she used to be. It's as if she's afraid that by going faster, she'll lose her balance and fall backwards. I'm here to catch her if she does.

Most of us at some point in our lives come to terms with the fact that we'll gradually watch our parents erode before our eyes and there will be nothing we can do to slow it down. I'm no exception. Despite everything that's happened between Maggie and me, it makes my heart heavy to know there will come a time when I'll no longer have her here with me. Sometimes I find myself standing at the bottom of her staircase with my eyes closed, listening to her feet pacing the bedroom floorboards and reading aloud from a book. I wonder if she makes her own noise to fill the empty space in her room.

I told her once that she's like a ghost haunting the house long before she's dead. She laughed and said she'll always be watching me, even from beyond the grave. I sensed a hint of malice in her delivery, but strangely, it offered me comfort. Sharing a house with a twisted spirit is better than being alone. Being alone scares me more than anything else in the world.

ABOUT THIS BOOK: Nina can never forgive Maggie for what she did. And she can never let her leave.

They say every house has its secrets, and the house that Maggie and Nina have shared for so long is no different. Except that these secrets are not buried in the past.

Every other night, Maggie and Nina have dinner together. When they are finished, Nina helps Maggie back to her room in the attic, and into the heavy chain that keeps her there. Because Maggie has done things to Nina that can’t ever be forgiven, and now she is paying the price.

But there are many things about the past that Nina doesn’t know, and Maggie is going to keep it that way—even if it kills her.

Because in this house, the truth is more dangerous than lies

MY THOUGHTS: What Lies Between Us by John Marrs is, dark, twisted, and breathtaking. Creepy and chilling. Think Flowers in the Attic on steroids.

I have heard mothers say that they would do anything for their children. Meet Maggie. Maggie has sacrificed everything for her daughter Nina. Nina could never understand how much her mother has done for her, because Maggie can never explain why she has done what she has done.

And now Nina keeps her mother chained up in the attic. Maggie has created and nurtured a monster, and now can't extricate herself from her grip.

Or is everything not quite what it seems? Does Nina indeed have a valid reason for keeping her mother restrained and hidden? Marrs does a masterful job of toying with the reader. I felt for both the women, first one, then the other, sometimes both, sometimes neither. And that ending...it's a double whammy. When I said that this book is breathtaking, I meant it literally. I am quite sure that I did not breathe right through that ending. John Marrs gives the expression 'family ties' a whole new meaning!

If you read only one book this year, make it What Lies Between Us by John Marrs.

😱😱😱😱.75

#WhatLiesBetweenUs #NetGalley

'I think about a quote I read once in a letter written by one of my favourite authors, Charlotte Bronte. 'I can be on guard against my enemies, but God deliver me from my friends.' I wonder if that includes family members too?' - (Nina)

ABOUT THIS AUTHOR: John Marrs is the author of #1 Best Sellers The One, The Good Samaritan, When You Disappeared, Welcome to Wherever You Are, Her Last Move, The Passengers, The Minders and What Lies Between Us.
The One has been translated into 30 different languages and is to be turned into an eight-part Netflix series starting in autumn 2020.
After working as a journalist for 25-years interviewing celebrities from the world of television, film and music for national newspapers and magazines, he is now a full-time writer. (Goodreads.com)

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of What Lies Between Us by John Marrs for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage

Thankyou to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and the author, John Marrs, for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of What Lies Between Us in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.

I was drawn to this book not only by the cover but by the premise of the storyline. I was not disappointed.
The characters are well drawn and compelling. The narrative and the settings were rich in detail. What Lies Between Us is an incredible read.

Easily one of my favorite books so far this year/quarantine. This book was perfectly thought up and executed by John Marrs, the author.

Again, I’ll try not to spoil too much simply because this book is that exquisite.

What Lies Between Us is a psychological thriller that centers on two main characters–Maggie and Nina. At first, I never imagined Maggie and Nina to be mother and daughter but pretty soon into the book this fact is reveal to us. The suspense found in the beginning chapters of the book made me be in denial that this really was their relationship. Alas, it was true.

Maggie and Nina live in the same house with different secrets. Long story short (and without too many spoilers), Maggie is Nina’s mother. Maggie resides in the attic while Nina occupies the rest of the house. All seems pretty normal in the beginning until we learn that Nina chains Maggie up every night. Why you ask? You’ll have to read to find out. I promise you won’t regret it. This is a mother-daughter story like you’ve never heard before (or so I hope you haven’t!)

This book is told in two different perspectives, which I personally love. I had never read a Marrs book before this one but honestly, I feel like I will add all the books he’s ever written into a new TBR list.

Thank you to Netgalley, John Marrs, and Thomas and Mercer for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. I have found a new favorite author.

Wasn't quite sure of this book when I started it and was quite puzzled on where it was going to go but I stuck with it and I'm so glad I did!
This was my first John Marrs book that I have read and it was brilliant! I loved all the twists and turns it had.
If anyone is looking for a thriller that has them gripped then this is the one to pick up!

Certainly contains a lot of drama. I would say melodrama. It ceased to be believable very early on. The death count is extraordinary is all I will say. Apparently this type of writing is to a lot of people’s taste going by the reviews but sadly I was not convinced by it. I read it all the way through but had given up hoping it would get better by about chapter three. Entertainment anyway. Thanks to #Netgalley for a review copy. This review appears on Amazon.

Well, tickle me pink! What a roller-coaster ride! Absolutely gripping.

"I have stopped loving you. I have stopped caring about you. I have stopped worrying about you. I have simply.......stopped"

What will you do if you have to share a house with someone you hate? Even better what if this person is someone close to you like a partner or parent. But that is just part of this story. The big question here is.....what would you do to protect someone you love and what will the consequences be of your actions.

It's the type of book where your sympathy keeps switching between the characters. Brilliantly written and highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Title: What Lies Between Us ⠀⠀
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Author: John Marrs ⠀⠀
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Rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


Thank you so so much Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for a digital ARC of What Lies Between Us.

I became very interested after watching Gabby from @gabbyreads praising it on her booktube.

Once I was done reading WLBU, the only thought I had was What The Fuck did I just read. (Pardon my French) 😂 This the darkest mother and daughter relationship I’ve ever read but I loved it. Does that make me a psychopath? 🧐
As dark as it was I just couldn’t stop reading. I abandoned all the books I was reading or listening to so I can give this my full attention. It is a situation I couldn’t root for either one of the women. I enjoyed reading the point of view of both Maggie and Nina. They did some really F-up things to each other.

Recommend: If you like family dysfunction and slow burn but don’t mind dark and crazy roller coaster ride than it is 100 percent for you.

If you enjoy Stephen King or Dean Koontz then John Marrs’s WHAT LIES BETWEEN US should be right up your alley. All three men write dark psychological thrillers and all three have often created sick, twisted characters that can make your flesh crawl and this reader often wonders about the minds that can create such disturbed and disturbing creatures.

In Marrs’s latest tome we are introduced to two women living in the same house. Both of these resentful and aggressively hostile women have secrets and it’s a tossup as to which one is the most manipulative, devious and adept at wreaking havoc in the life of the other.

Immersing yourself in this book is akin to eating an artichoke, with each chapter of the narrative peeling away a little more of the events and motivations that brought these women to the current place in their relationship. Perhaps the author has chosen to utilize the technique of Hippolytus de Marsiliis as he ever so slowly drip, drip, drips small pieces of information that raises the readers suspicions -- taunting them with impressions and innuendo and ultimately issuing an unwritten challenge to the reader to determine if we, in fact, have an unreliable narrator or perhaps even two of them.

Fasten your seat belt and get ready of an amazing ride that will test your powers of detection, deduction as well as your perspective.

Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

WOW! Just WOW. This book has knocked me for a loop, from beginning to the end. So many twists and turns! The book is about a daughter who has her mother chained to a room and held hostage. Over the course of the story, you slowly learn how things come to be and reasons for each characters actions. It's dual perspective and bounces around in time but it's easy to follow.

If Stephen King's book, Misery, and VC Andrews' book, Flowers in the Attic, had a love child...this would be it. Overall the story was different and very thrilling. Some of the plot twists I figured out around 30% of the book but the last 20% of the book surprised me. This is easily the best thriller I've read in a while and probably will be my favorite one for 2020. So so good. I highly recommend this to someone who loves thrillers, mysteries, domestic thrillers and just dysfunctional families.

TW: miscarriage, grief, death, murder

5/5

So I’ve just finished ‘What Lies Between Us’ on it’s day of publication! What a wild ride! At times it was sickening at others heart wrenching. It had so many twists and turns that were so compelling. The characters are well developed and the plot is well planned. My only slight negative was that it took me a little while to get into it. However, this really is a must read for anyone who likes a gritty domestic thriller. Thank you Netgalley & Amazon Publishing.