I loved John Marr's the one SO much. Unfortunately, this one was not as great in my opinion. I found the plot to be slightly predictable and not all that unique. It was however, a page turner.

I really enjoyed this book. I actually retains off the anxiety and feet Maggie was having! I was really hoping for a happier ending but I definitely enjoyed it and will absolutely look for other books by this author.

Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for providing this book in exchange for my honest review.
I heard a rumor that a film could be in the works and it should be. I would see it, for sure.
What Lies Between Us is the epitome of dark and twisted. It is so messed up but in that “I can’t look away” kind of way. I will say this; it’s a very dark story with a lot of violence, dysfunctional characters, and heart-wrenching decisions. Maggie and Nina are so intertwined, so co-dependent, so abusive to each other that I didn’t know whether to hate them or feel sorry for them. Possible triggers warnings for some people.
I don’t want to give too much away, so I’m going to try to keep this clean and quick.
Nina has locked her mother, Maggie, up for reasons we don’t know. Nina hates her mother. Maggie loves Nina, maybe too much, I can’t decide. Maggie’s love for Nina knows no bounds. I’m not exaggerating; it’s intense. Nina should have been seeing a doctor for years, in my opinion. Life for Nina and Maggie go off the rails when Nina is about 13 years old. The story’s told in alternating POV between Maggie and Nina. It shifts between when Nina is younger, up through age 36-ish. I’m not always a fan of flashbacks, but Marrs did a great job.
I will say that I unraveled the story long before we got to the big reveal, which usually makes me dislike a book, but I still couldn’t put this one down. I had to know how it ended. Warning: It’s HEARTBREAKING and yet cathartic in away.
This book is not for everyone. As I said, this one is dark, violent, and contains other possible triggers (things I don’t want to mention because it could give away too much) BUT all that said, I know plenty of people who will love this one. Thank you, NetGalley, for sending it my way!

This book made it official: John Marrs is one of my new favorite authors. This book follows two women: Nina and Maggie. They live in the same house, and Nina is keeping Maggie there as a prisoner. That's basically all you know going in, and for good reason. This story took so many twists and turns, and I loved all of them.
Maggie and Nina are both such awful people, but Marrs writes them in a way that you can still sympathize with them, even when they're doing despicable things. The things these women go through in this book are so awful, and they make *such* poor decisions...but it was one hell of a ride.
I know that sounds really vague, but I honestly don't thing you should know *anything* about the plot of this book going into it-it is so satisfying to discover everything for yourself as you get farther and farther into the story. What Lies Between Us isn't a super fast paced thriller like The Passengers, but I still couldn't put it down and read it super quickly. If you liked any of Marrs' other books, I think you'll love this one.

I will say that the plot of this book deals with a lot of hard to read topics, including emotional abuse, addiction, pedophilia, and death of family members, so if those are triggers for you then definitely be cautious.

*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my copy of this book via NetGalley!*

The blurb of this book was excellent: it was super intriguing but didn't give anything away. I started it with huge curiosity, wanting to know what was happening, and I wasn't let down, because it was a fast paced and gripping read from start to finish. I liked how we gradually learnt more about Nina and Maggie and their pasts. There were lots of twists and turns, and, while I guessed some of them, they were very well done and were revealed at the right time.
This was also one of the most twisted and disturbing books I've ever read, so be aware of it. Some parts and themes were a little hard for me to read, but at the same time it was hard to put the book down and I couldn't wait to find out how it would end. I wasn't entirely happy with the ending: it was a good way to end things, but I wanted a little more from it.
If you don't mind disturbing books and enjoy darker reads, I would highly recommend this one.

Holy WOW. John Marrs has done it again!

I was a huge fan of his last novel, The Passengers. I read it in one sitting and gave it 5 entertaining stars. So, I was a bit hesitant about What Lies Between Us. I’ve been disappointed before (not by Marrs) and really didn’t want this one to go there. Imagine my delight when this not only did not disappoint, but was fantastic!

I have some serious emotional whiplash from this story. I have never flip flopped this much from hating one character to hating another character and then back again. That’s just a testament to how good Marrs is in his pacing. Truly masterful.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this advance copy. I will be posting my review on Instagram and goodreads closer to pub date.

John Marrs you devious devil, you write stories that worm their way into my brain and then refuse to leave! It's a marvelous and irritating skill in equal measure because it means once I pick up one of your books, I can't put it down - regardless of my *real* obligations or life-requirements... This latest novel is no exception. It's a creepy horrifying tale of love and obligation and the insidious necrotizing power of lies. It's a dark tale full of misdirection and red herrings and misunderstandings - and I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT.

There were so many times when I thought I knew what was going on and underpinning a character's decision, when I was sure I knew who the good guys were - and each and every time I was wrong. I don't chalk this up to my reading but to Marrs' phenomenal ability to misdirect and taunt his audience. I read a LOT of psychological thrillers. After a while, it gets pretty easy to see where things are going - there are usually not that many unique ways to hide the eight ball, after all... Or so I thought. Then, once again, Marrs showed me how wrong that statement can be.

This is a delicately woven, incredibly intricate tale of the dangers that love can represent. It's told through a back-and-forth narration between the two main characters, and the format heightened the tension until each page was so fraught with it that I was almost afraid to turn them, for fear of what spanner would be thrown in the works next. I've become a bit jaded about the use of unreliable narrators as a plot device. It's been done SO MANY TIMES by now, that it's not (usually) effective any more to me. But clearly, it's not the device that is the issue because Marrs uses an ongoing level of disturbing uncertainty in his narrators that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the course of this fantastic tale.

If you don't know Marrs' work, this is an excellent place to start. It's an insanely compelling tale and a grand introduction to an author who is at the top of his game...

4.25 traumatisied stars ★★★★✩
This book is for all of you… who thrive in violent, sociopathic environments that leave no space for calmness. At one point I didn't know who to trust and what to think, much less was I brave enough to not read on.

⤐ Overall.
Well, this was intense. Considered me damaged. Long-term.

This is my second John Marrs book ( The One was my first), nonetheless I've come to value him for his ability to make sure you're sure that nothing's what it seems in the stories he presents to you. What Lies Between Us has proven just that.

I'm in awe over the way John captures the readers' attention and makes us tip around our guesses on light and careful feet, inviting us to speculate and deem nothing too unlikely. His way of telling stories is also full of determination: every sentence serves a purpose, every twisted detail makes us recoil and cling to the pages at the same time.

What Lies Between Us is not for the fainthearted. It shows how misinterpretations and actions that seek to protect a loved one can make reality become a nightmare. Even the best intentions have outcomes that make you doubt whether they were a good motivator in the first place.

⤐ What’s happening.
‘The next time we are together, I want one of us to be lying stiff in a coffin wearing rags that no longer fit our dead, shrunken frames.’

Nina and Maggie have a difficult daughter-mother-relationship. Lot's of triggering memories, very intense past. But does it justify Nina keeping her mother prisoner in the attic of their house? And if so, what did Maggie do? Or not do?
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writing quality + easy of reading = 4*

pace = 4*

plot/story in general = 5*

plot development = 4*

characters = 5*

enjoyability = 4*

insightfulness = 3*

What a bloody cracking book!! Does John Marrs ever disappoint?? I’d give this book 6 stars if I could!!

A gripping psychological domestic thriller which may hold triggers for some, will put you on the roller coaster of a lifetime! Just how does John come up with the twists and turns that had me guessing all wrong until the very end??!! Who to believe, who to side with, I went back and forth throughout the entire book....mother Maggie, daughter Nina....back, forth, back, forth.

A must read for anyone who wants to be utterly gripped by a story and left with the words WTF!

Many thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

John does it again. I read a lot and am very eclectic although mainstay is suspense/thriller/horror. When I read "The Good Samaritan" my first reaction was "Who is this guy? What else has he written?" and I've been hooked ever since - this one has the same atmosphere which I was really pleased to see. I have several authors who are my favorites and John maintains his standing in the top few. Exceptional character development - who else can maintain interest at this level with two main characters? I mean really! He is the master of leaving the breadcrumbs along the way to keep you guessing but providing enough to keep you going. I kind of guessed part of what was going on, but what is most fun is there is always a tidbit or two that still eludes you. I am a big fan of multiple plot lines merging toward the finale, and John continues to perform on this venue, I must say this is one of his many strong points. This one does not disappoint - it takes a real talent to keep a story going with only two main characters and he does it so well. I've got maybe a handful of authors I follow and really enjoy, and John continues to lead the pack. Was a treat to read this one and can't wait until the next.

What an interesting book. I have very mixed feelings.

Maggie and Nina. Mother and Daughter. Both really despicable human beings. One more than the other but we don't get to find that out until deep in the book.

Nina keeps her mother prisoner in the attic of her home. She tells her friends and co-workers that her mother had a stroke and is recuperating at her sister's house. Why would she do this?

The story bounces around in time which is a very effective way of telling this story. We learn what Maggie did to merit this imprisonment through Nina's eyes and then we learn why Maggie feels like she is protecting her daughter through her eyes. It's hard to read a book where one can root for one of the characters but the book is engaging and a page turner. It's a quick read and makes one think.

Oh my God what a brilliant book. Ridiculously far-fetched at times - did no-one ever check or investigate or even visit the house - but hey ho, it's fiction. Two of the most ghastly and wicked protagonists I have ever come across but nail-bitingly good and full of unexpected twists right up to the end.

Some bits will really shock until you say 'please no more' but still it goes on. On a number of occasions I had to hide behind the sofa metaphorically speaking and scream to myself - 'please don't!' but then she did or not as the case may be.

By the end I'm not sure which of them is worse - actually I am but I'm not giving that away. At least you'll never question your relationship with your mum/daughter again. You'll think thank God we are not like that. Unless of course you keep your mum chained up in the attic....

Many thanks to NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow what a ride! Nina has hate for her mom, Maggie, for the treatment & upbringing she endured so now Nina has vengeance. Maggie"s treatment was always to protect Nina but at a cost. Maggie's live is now controlled by Nina, she lives chained up in the attic. Nina and Maggie has a strange relationship that's intense and crazy. This was twisty and fast paced! Thanks to Thomas & Mercer, Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for this ARC.

Crazy people. Twisted story. Impossible to put it down.
That is my favorite kind of thriller. 5 stars for sure!

Maggie is Nina’s mom but she’s also her prisoner. Nina keeps Maggie in the attic, attached to a chain. Some nights, she’s allowed to have dinner downstairs with Nina, but she gets attached to a longer chain that reaches the main floor. Maggie has been a prisoner for two years now and Nina intends to keep her like this for many years to come, until she pays for everything she did.

The chapters go back and forth between Nina and Maggie, in the past and in the present. So we have both POVs and they reveal their secrets little by little. There are so many plot twists! I was surprised in every single chapter and the end was not nearly what I was expecting. That’s why I liked it so much.

Nina was a troubled teenager, starting when her dad abandoned her and her mom. She was a rebel and when she was only fourteen, she was already doing drugs, drinking, passing out, and having sex with strangers. Maggie tries to be a good mother and discourage her from this behavior but it’s difficult for her.

Nina also has some memory lapses and doesn’t remember these years very well. But when Nina starts digging into the past, she finds out some horrible things her mom did, and that’s why she wants revenge. But maybe the past is not all that it seems.

I loved this book from the first chapter. I highly recommend it if you want something creepy and intense!

A psychological suspense like you’ve never read before! John Marrs has taken dysfunctional family drama to an entirely new level!

Nina lives with her mother Maggie, but it’s clear they have an unhealthy relationship. Maggie isn’t allowed to leave the house; instead she spends her time reading books her daughter brings home from the library and observing the neighborhood from her bedroom window upstairs. So why cant Maggie go anywhere? Nina blames her mother for all the problems in her life and is punishing Maggie for what she has done in the past. Wait, how exactly is she punishing her?
Well, Maggie is chained by the ankle and left locked in the attic for long periods of time. What could Maggie have done to deserve such barbaric punishment from her own daughter?

Nina has serious psychological issues, and though her mother’s actions were unspeakable at times, they may have been justified. If Nina can keep her mother prisoner in her own home, what else is she capable of?

It’s so difficult to write a review without spoiling the major plot twists and turns in this amazing book! It is an exceptionally written story that intrigued me from the very beginning. I cannot recommend it enough! MUST READ

I really enjoyed this book which is not surprising because I have enjoyed every book that I have read from this author. I was very invested in the story between mother and daughter.

I really enjoyed this book. John Marrs tells us the story of Mum Maggie and Daughter Nina and family who are trapped in a tangled web of secrets and lies. Maggie is held captor by her daughter Maggie, the book jumps about from the present day and up to 20 years ago in both Maggie and Ninas narration. It is very easy to follow. Very descriptive and twists that you definitely do not see coming! Could Maggie and Nina actually have any more secrets! This book does not disappoint!

Maggie has her mother held captive and she can never forgive her for the terrible things that happened in their past. But what exactly are those terrible things? What has led them to this point in life with so much hatred between them?

A dark, twisted, tale of a dysfunctional group relationship between mother and daughter,

I Could not put this book down! I loved the characters, the plot twists and just how dark the story was.

5 stars from me!

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review.

BOOK REVIEW ~ Thanks to @netgalley and @amazonpublishing for this egalley. ⁣
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Nina and Maggie don’t have a typical mother/daughter relationship. Nina is keeping her mother prisoner in her own home. YES, she has chained Maggie up and doesn’t allow her to leave her bedroom but to eat dinner together every other night. What could Maggie have done to deserve such an awful punishment? ⁣
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This book is bananas. B-A-N-A-N-A-S! Seriously, talk about a crazy ass thriller! So sick, twisted, and DARK. Pitch black dark. At multiple points in the story, I felt the hair on my arms stand straight up! It kept me guessing the whole time and on the edge of my seat until the very last page. I read all 371 pages in ONE day because I had to know what was going to happen. ⁣
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It’s been about a week since I finished this book and I can’t stop thinking about it. I can still feel the tension that built up while I was reading it. The twists and turns were so damn satisfying. I wish I could unread this book just so I can read it again and be as shocked and surprised as I was the first time. ⁣

What did I just read?! My jaw is still on the floor! This is one twisted domestic thriller. What Lies Between Us plot was so original and takes you on a journey like no other. I felt like there was not only the non stop twists and turns but also with every passing sentence I was constantly shocked, thrilled and left in awe. The secrets and lies between mother and daughter were insurmountable. From the very first page to the very last I was glued to those pages, finishing in one sitting.
John Marrs is 100% at the top of his game with the novel. I have loved all of his previous books but this one set a new standard as far as thrillers are concerned. I am anxiously waiting to see what comes next.
I want to thank netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.