Another book by John Mares which I read in less than 24 hours. I just love his style of writing and I could not wait to see how this story unfolded. Full of twists and turns! Amazing!

Kind of a depressing scenario between mother and daughter. It takes a great deal of reading to get to the reason behind the hatred but a disturbed sense of punishment. Not sure if it is what is going on in the world right now but not my kind of story.

I really really enjoyed this book, the twists and turns were consistently unexpected and the ending definitely surprised me! I was on tenterhooks for the majority of the book and could not put it down on many occasions!! Definitely worth a read!!

What Lies Between Us by John Marrs Reviewed * April 4, 2020 * 4.8 stars rounded up

Story is told from the POV of Maggie the Mother and Nina the daughter. They share a house well they actually co-exist in the same house.
Everyone seems to think that Nina is a sweet librarian.
Hmmm… Nina is actually holding her mother captive in her attic bedroom while she goes off to work each day.
What has Maggie done to cause Nina’s revenge of keeping her mother in chains??

This is a dark twisted psychological thriller… yep! My kind of a book! My first author, John Marrs novel! I will definitely read another.

Note: One reviewed posted that Rene Zellweger’s Big Picture Co/MGM TV brought the movie rights.

Want to thank NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this early release granted in exchange for an honest professional review. Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 15, 2020

Nina and her mother Maggie live together in their family home. After their twice weekly dinner, where they exchange barbed pleasantries, Nina takes Maggie back to her room in the attic where she is kept chained up and hidden from the world. Nina can never forgive Maggie for what she has done. She believes that Maggie’s imprisonment is a just punishment for her past actions… a way to get back the years she stole from Nina. Nina thinks she knows everything about the past but Maggie still has some secrets to keep…because if Nina discovers the truth it will be her death sentence.

What Lies Between Us is an exciting new domestic thriller/mystery that offers up an unusual twist on a dysfunctional mother-daughter relationship. The novel begins with a seemingly normal family dinner followed by the realization that Maggie is being kept chained up in the attic by her daughter Nina. The book slowly uncovers past events, from both Maggie and Nina's perspectives, which lead to their current circumstances. Although I had an idea of what Maggie's secret was, I definitely did not see the ending playing out quite like it did. I will say that this novel is less graphically violent than some of his other books, making it perfect for readers who might be unfamiliar with his work. I'm a big fan of his novels and love how he always takes a unique approach to turn a seemingly typical situation into something so sinister (i.e. The One and The Good Samaritan). I was thrilled to get a first look this new novel and it did not disappoint. A must read for 2020!

Wow! WTH did I just read? Fast paced, dark tale of a family with such twisted secrets they will do anything to protect them. Frightening and unbelievable, I could not put this book down. When Nina starts exhibiting severe mental illness after a horrific event in her childhood, her mother would do anything to protect her, even if it means sacrificing everything including her own freedom. This is only the second John Marrs book I have read, but it certainly will not be the last. I would give this book way more than 5 stars if possible. Highly recommended!!!

Woahhhh!!! Amazing book by an amazing author. I have read all of his books so when I was lucky enough to an ARC I had to start reading it right away. I put everything else on hold cause I wasn't able to stop reading it's that good. Dark and disturbing with twists that will have your head spinning!! I wish I could give it more then 5 stars!!!

This is the latest offering from John Marrs, and like his previous books, it does not disappoint!

Told from the perspective of a mother and daughter, we read about Maggie and Nina and the relationship they have together. Full of twists and turns, some dark and deeply disturbing, this book is a rollercoaster ride and you won’t want to stop reading until it is finished.

John Marrs manages to make you change your opinions of the two characters throughout the book, who is the villain and who is the victim?! Although by the end I found myself not really liking either after all the lies and truths that came out!

Full of suspense and disturbing family secrets, this book certainly takes you to some dark places, some of which I found a little too unbelievable. Overall, an excellent thriller of a book and definitely one that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end!

What Lies Between Us by John Marrs is the first novel I've read from this highly praised author, and I have to say that all of the accolades are richly deserved. This is a novel that you will not want to put down, so make sure you set aside a block of uninterrupted time to fully immerse yourself. You will not be disappointed.

Alternating between the perspectives of Maggie, a sixty-eight year old woman, and her daughter, Nina, it is quickly apparent that their relationship, and cohabitation, goes far beyond dysfunctional, and is simply beyond comprehension. As the history of the two women is brought to light through an alternating timeline that shifts between past and present, it becomes clear that very dark and disturbing elements have always pervaded the discourse between mother and daughter, and the secrets that are revealed will shock even the most jaded of readers. I will say no more, only that you should move this one to the top of your TBR. Highly recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this wonderful ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley, John Marrs and Amazon Publishing UK for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review.

I have been dying to read something by Marrs as there is so much hype around his writing, and I was not disappointed. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this novel throws you right into the middle of the story and lets you find out little bits and pieces that make the story make more sense. I really enjoyed the way it’s all laid out and all the twists peppered throughout the novel! I was shocked by most of the twists and how far the mother and daughter will go to keep things hidden. It was a quick and interesting read!

Out May 15th!

WOW. This was my book of 2020 so far. It's gripping, emotional, frustrating...I just felt so many emotions and I couldn't put it down. After 2 nights of reading til past 2am, I had to read it in the afternoon as it was so addictive. Absolutely fantastic 5 stars, 10/10!

I’ve read less throughout March but the quality of what I’ve read has been AMAZING! This is the first book that I’ve read by John Marrs too and it was incredible and definitely will not be the last. I couldn’t predict the twists and turns that this book would have and that made it all the more gripping. I just HAD to know what was going to happen. Books where the chapters are dedicated to each character are just brilliant to read – getting a little of each persons personality and back story is a great way of feeding the reader along the way. I really do suggest you buy this book – pre-order it – share it – it’s brilliant!

Easiest 5 stars in a while!
WOW! WHAT DID I.JUST READ? The master of messed-up-storytelling does it again!
Read in a day, even though I had to keep taking a break with my hands over my eyes to digest the scenes.
Normally time lapses and different perspectives confuse me but this was easy to follow, gripping and so, so weird!
Love this author!

I was very excited to start John Marrs's next book as I was absolutely blown away by The One. My issues with this one may be that I had such high expectations. Unfortunately, this did not live up to the hype I created for it.

The story begins with alternating narrators: Maggie and Nina are mother and daughter, and the book starts out with the reader trying to understand how their relationship become so strained. The chapters then begin to head back in time. Readers get to start unraveling the truth by learning about past events that have plagued both characters. It takes some time to figure out what really happened behind those closed doors, so the twists, though expected, were there. I just was waiting for something that never happened. I kept thinking, "Ok, this is a twist, but where's the REVELATION?" It just never got there.

I can't deny that this story is intriguing, but it just went far too slow for me. I didn't find myself compelled to keep reading like I do in many other mysteries. Unfortunately, I will say that if you haven't read The One, I would skip this one and read that one. There is entertainment in this one, but it just didn't it for me.

I have never read any of this authors novels before but the description of this one caught my attention.
I read it in a few sittings, it's very well written and plotted. A psychological thriller at it's best, it kept me turning the pages and devouring every word. What an imagination this author has, I will certainly be reading more by John Marrs.

What a book. I read the last 50% of this in one sitting as I just couldn't put it down. It's a dark and disturbing read at times, but so well written, that I was drawn into Maggie and Nina's world and wanted to know the reasons behind Maggie's forced imprisonment by her own daughter. This story has me questioning so many things and as everything unfolded, I was gobsmacked. So many twists and turns and the ending, wow. The story gripped me from the beginning and I loved how it jumped back and forth through time in both characters perspectives to give the full story. I tried guessing at a few things and waited to see if I was right. I wasn't expecting a lot of the outcomes and this is what made this such a powerful and engrossing tale.

This was my first book by this author, but I now have his others on my kindle and will be reading them for sure. Well written, excellent prose and vivid descriptions, and characters that came to life on the page. An easy 5 stars from me.

WOW WOW WOW What a book and it might just be John's best yet. That says a lot as I have loved all of his books to date. This book is utterly captivating and jaw dropping and is a book I simply couldn't put down. I devoured this book in just over a day.
Thank you so much Netgalley for approving me to read this book.

Really dark book, the amount of twists and turns in this was brilliantly gripping throughout.
As we read the alternating views of Maggie and Nina, spreading over various timelines, it's hard to know who is the craziest, Maggie or Nina? You will have to decide that for yourself though!
Really enjoyed it and kept me reading till early hours of the morning.
John Marrs is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors and I have yet to read one of his books that disappointed me.

Maggie is being held captive in her attic by her 36 year old daughter, Nina. She is chained to a beam in the floor and spends her days watching the comings and goings from her window. Nina believes she has good reason to imprison her mother. But things are not what they seem.

What Lies Between Us by John Marrs is an incredibly twisty thriller. As always, the plot is original and entertaining. I enjoyed the dual timelines and creepy atmosphere. This is one of the best thrillers I’ve read in awhile!

Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the review copy!

Another fantastic read by John Marrs. Always keeps you guessing with lots of twists and turns. A real page turner.