A big thank you to John, @netgalley & the publishers for this ARC! It's one of the most anticipated books to come out and I have also heard that it has been bought to become a film! 😲

WOW. This book had me!! What a roller-coaster. This is my first novel by John, but I am overjoyed to realise I have two others by him which I'm bumping up my TBR thanks to this! This book had me speechless, it is DARK, that is the best possible way to describe it.
Nina and her mother Maggie, in one house, hiding many secrets. Why is there relationship in the state it's in?
I feel like no matter what I write about this book, it won't do it justice. From the first chapter, I wanted to carry on reading it, I was hooked! I literally felt soooo many emotions, the twists kept on coming and my jaw absolutely DROPPED! The book goes from past to present.. Going back to 25 years but I found it super easy to follow, especially as everything just flows as you go along, everything connects and I literally had to take a few seconds to breathe after some chapters.

There is a lot of tough topics in here, beautifully written, it was dark, moving and at times, terrifying! I didn't expect how this book was going to go. I'm still in a book hangover recovering from it! Absolutely incredible! I cannot wait to get my paperback version and relive the roller-coaster again, and I CANNOT wait for the film!!

I always look forward to a John Marrs novel as you know that you are going to get a completely unique plot, some intense characters and a compelling narrative that you will completely lose yourself in. This book delivers all of that once again. It oozes love and hate in equal measure and feels almost claustrophobic in its sheer intensity. Love it!
Maggie and Nina live together, survive together and are chained together by events spanning over twenty years. The tension between them leaves you holding your breath. We hear their story in alternate sections where they reflect on the life they lead and all that went before it. We begin to understand what hides behind closed doors and the two characters' stories are revealed one excruciating step at a time! You won't relax until you have read every page...

Another masterpiece from the King of Sick – John Marrs! John Marrs writes two types of books, in my opinion. The clever jigsaw ones, where there are many characters living many different lives which somehow all intertwine by the end of the book, and what I call his sicklogical thrillers. This book is in the second category. It delves into the very depths of psychologically sick individuals. I was shocked at how my sympathies changed, changed and changed again as the book went on and didn’t know what to think by the end, other than he’s done it again! A fantastic read and I can’t wait for his next book.

Who really knows what goes on behind closed doors? What Lies Between Us is the story of Mother and Daughter, Maggie and Nina, and their story really took me on a roller coaster ride; just as I thought that I knew what was happening , a new piece of information was shared and the ride started all over again. What Lies Between Us is another five-star psychological thriller from John Marrs and I dare anyone to read it. I now have book hangover and can’t stop thinking about Maggie and Nina!

Thanks to Net Galley for the chance to read this for an honest review. #WhatLiesBetweenUs #NetGalley

Man. I always seem to forget what a CRAZY ride John Marrs' books are until I get in and press start on the roller coaster. His books are so outlandish but in the best way possible. You find yourself saying "wtf" and "no way" and "omg, no!" most of the time you're spending with his characters. What Lies Between Us is no exception.

I don't want to say much more than what the description gives you - this is a book that's best gone into blind. There are so many twists and turns and - pretty shocking - surprises that you need to see and experience all for yourself. Nina and Maggie are living in a house together but Maggie is chained to the floor and Nina walks free. Why, you ask? Well, it's a long story.

One of the things I love about Marrs is that he makes you question all of your assumptions. You think you know who you're going to like and ally yourself with and quickly, you find out that was the wrong decision. You think you know who the monsters are when quickly, you find out that's everyone. I love authors that make you questions conventional wisdom and I love authors that make you question whether right is really right and whether wrong is really wrong. This was a really fun read that had me entertained from page one.

One thing that I need to start getting used to with Marrs is that his books don't have happy endings and usually, the bad guy either gets away, doesn't get their due punishment or ends without you knowing what happens to them. For someone who loves endings tied into bows, this can be hard to come to terms with. But Marrs does such a great job of storytelling that I am able to get past not having all of the books' problems solved.

Another great read from a really stellar author.

They say a mother daughter relationship can be one of the strongest bonds between two people. These relationships are complex and can go from each being each other's best friend to one of animosity and hate. So, when John Marrs decided to take on this time honored relationship, his view turned a bit to the dark side.

Having read, loved, and been majorly spooked by John Marrs's The Passengers, I was quite anxious to experience those very same feelings once again, and once again I can gladly say I was not disappointed. His books encompass that feeling of well this would probably never happen, but what if it did question that rolls around in your head and takes hold.

Maggie and Nina are a mother daughter duo living in the same house, eating the same food, passing each and every day together, and best of all seeming to exist in a world of hate and animosity. One lives in an attic plotting her escape while the other lives in a world of hate, vitriol, and somewhat cloudy remembrances of the past.

So much has gone on between these two ladies that as the story is masterfully developed, we learn the many facets of each of these women's personalities and behaviors. Maggie, the mother, expresses her overwhelming, undying love for her daughter, Nina. She has in the past and continues to be a protector, carrying this protectiveness into zones that are both bizarre and dangerous. Maggie is the consummate mother, a manipulator, and will never let anyone or anything come in the way of her daughter's life. However, where Nina is concerned, Maggie has stars in her eyes and becomes a captive of everything that Nina is and has been

Nina hates her mother. She blames her for all the ills of her life of thirty-seven years. Forgive and forget are not on her play list and yet Nina does seem to have times where her forgetfulness has played out with devastating results. She is a sad adult, a troubled adult, an adult keeping secrets that are destroying her. She will seek revenge to her dying days and her focus of that revenge is a mother who seemed to have only her daughter's best interest at heart...or did she?

This was an exciting heart pounding thriller that kept the focus squarely on the relationships that can develop when one is in a constant state of denial, of over protectiveness, and fear. Mr Marrs is a superstar in fessing out the story in slowly dripping details and makes each revelation one that is shocking and ghastly. This is one not to miss if you so enjoy a tale of horrifying, dreadful, and distressing proportions.

Thank you to John Marrs, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for a copy of this chilling tale due out on May 15, 2020.

Oh Mr Marrs, what are you doing to us?
This is his 7th novel and I've loved every one. I honestly can't single any of them out as a favourite. (Despite the subject matter being so diverse)
An absolute BELTER of a book once again.
Nailed it, delivered it and dropped the mike with all the aplomb we have come to expect from this author.
I read this in two days and just when I thought I'd sussed the twist, another one came to light, followed by another and so on.
Until the final chapter which is a curve ball shocker.
Not much more to add really except to say Thank You.

If you're a fan of psychological/domestic thrillers, STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING RIGHT NOW AND GO AND ORDER THIS BOOK. You can thank me later.

"What Lies Between Us" is a story told through the dual narratives of Maggie and her daughter Nina. Nina has kept Maggie chained in her bedroom for the last two years, but we don't know why - the story unravels gradually, switching between past and present, so that the actions leading to Maggie's present-day circumstances are revealed incrementally. Both narrators are somewhat unreliable as they're each keeping secrets, and the author manipulates the release of information so cleverly - I found myself switching sympathies between Nina and Maggie throughout, as each plays the role of both villain and victim at different times.

I'm always a fan of a good twist, and this novel is jam-packed with them - just when you think you've figured things out, the story veers sharply off somewhere else. I was reeling by the end - and those last chapters in particular were so tense and brilliantly written.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I read a lot of thrillers (and I mean a LOT of thrillers) so it takes something really special to stand out for me. "What Lies Between Us" was an absolute treat, and I'll be thinking about this book for a long time. The writing is wonderful, the story is masterfully told, and the characters are so well-developed I felt like they were people I knew. Twist after clever twist, and some genuine gasp-out-loud moments - I'll be recommending this to anyone who'll listen.

Easiest five stars I've ever given. Read it, read it, read it. Just brilliant.

Thank you to NetGalley, who provided me with a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Generally whenever I read a thriller or a classic “whodunnit” book I pretend to be smarter than the writer and think of the most absurd and impossible character in the plot who can and ultimately turns out to be the culprit (and many times more so than not this theory works).

So anyhow, that’s how I went about reading this book and midway I felt like the genius me had the plot all figured out but oh, boy! Was I ever so wrong!

John Mars has thrown so many curveballs I lost count of it and every time I thought I understood what was happening there was an unexpected turn of events that left me gobsmacked.

This book is absolutely crazy and definitely among the best thrillers ever!

In comparison to this book The Silent Patient is a mild mystery.
Highly recommend this book!

Mr. Mars take a bow!

Well, that was dark. And, to be clear, when I say dark I mean implacable, impenetrable, black-hole of humanity dark. So, that was fun.

And the award for the craziest book I’ve ever read goes to……What Lies Between Us by John Marrs!!!!!!!

Y’all!!!

So, I’m reading the prologue, which is basically one unnamed person telling another unnamed person how much she/he hates her/him. It’s downright dirty. I’m thinking to myself, “Uhm, should I be here for this? This sounds really personal. Maybe I should show myself the door and let you two work this out.” But my voyeuristic tendencies and I decided to stick around. Let’s just say that things got real!!

The Basics:
Nina keeps Maggie, her MOTHER, captive in her bedroom. We’re talking actual chains and actual pee buckets, for cryin’ out loud!! Out of the kindness of her heart, she does let Maggie eat a meal at a table and have a visit to the bathroom a couple of times a week before she locks her back in the room. That Nina is a real peach!! But here’s the thing: Does Maggie deserve her punishment? I know! I know the answer! Now, it’s your turn to find out. All this animosity came from somewhere. These two definitely have a few things lying between them.

The story is told mainly in the present with sprinkles of flashbacks that offer insight into the disturbing status quo of this mother/daughter relationship. As bizarre as all this sounds, it all feels very real. I imagine that this is what it would feel like if you tiptoed over to your neighbors and peeked into their living room windows. You know, if your neighbors were complete and total wackadoodles.

Beware: This is a black hole of a book. I had plans today, dang it. Oh well, book finished in one sitting, and plans have been forgotten.

There are very few authors who can keep up with different storylines, suspense, unique characters and keep the reader hooked throughout the book. John Marrs is definitely one of them! I have read all his books and just like the previous ones, this one does not disappoint at all. Highly recommended!

This book was fantastic and completely terrified me. I couldn't tell who was crazier, Maggie or Nina and I was biting my nails all the way through. The story pulls you in straight away. You better make sure that you have your dinners set up before you start this book. You're going not going to do anything else until you're done. Say goodbye to your family and read this thing! I'm starting over again because I loved it so much

Wow, what a dark domestic thriller. I loved that the main characters in this book were not a husband and wife, but a mother and daughter. Told from both Maggie and Nina’s points of view and over the course of 30 or so years in resent day and flashbacks, this book really keeps you reading. I love John Marrs’ dark imagination and will read anything he writes. Honestly I prefer his more science fiction type books as the reality of this one almost makes it a bit depressing, as there is little to root for in the book. The characters are complex and dislikable and the plot is filled with twists and gut punches throughout.

Boy oh boy was I looking forward to this one. I mean first – HOUSE COVER = auto request.

Second – SOMEONE CHAINED UP IN THE MUTHAFUCKING ATTIC! Um yes and you might receive automatic 5 Stars.

Third, I read The Passengers not that long ago and that dang thing was about autonomous cars murdering people so at this point all I can say is John Marrs – you are a freaking T.R.E.A.S.U.R.E.

I will say due to the fact that I watch only reality housewives and things on the Lifetime Stabby Stabs for Women I was a bit scared I was going to find this a bit boring. I mean my level of crazy isn’t exactly the same as most people’s level of crazy (except for my Goodreads friends – they all batshit too). But great news! I haven’t had this much fun with someone locked up in a house since I had dinner with Norman Bates.

That being said, I could absolutely see every single one of the big reveals coming well beforehand. Luckily it didn’t diminish my enjoyment at all. Read this when you are looking for an escape. I picked it up after having a couple of real butthole days at work and it totally turned my frown upside down. Yes, it’s 100% farfetched and ridiculous and whatever else Ron 2.0 might say about it, but hey . . . . just like Oscar the Grouch I LOVE IT BECAUSE IT'S TRASH!!!!

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my review. This was a fun time.

Netgalley accidently sent me 'When you disappeared' also by John Marrs instead. However, this was an excellent mistake as I really enjoyed the book and was gripped throughout. When I tried again to download, I then got 'What lies between us' and was also gripped. So, thanks NetGalley for the mistake - I have now read two excellent books via one request!

John Marrs does it again! I jumped at the chance to review What Lies Between Us, because I’ve enjoyed every novel I’ve read by John Marrs and this was no exception.
As the chapters jumped between Maggie and Nina, both past and current, so did my ideas on who the true villain of the story was.
I stayed intrigued though the entire book and devoured it in one sitting. I’d definitely recommend this book.

Wow! What a book! I’m speechless...now to read all of the books by this author.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC

4.5 twist and turn stars

This is a tale of a tortured family – mother Maggie and daughter Nina live together, but neither is honest with the other about a whole host of life secrets. Nina has taken the extreme step of imprisoning her mother in the house to punish her and we slowly learn about the events that led to this state.

Author John Marrs is a master of creating a tense and disturbing tale that kept me turning the pages and scratching my head. Will Maggie find a way to escape or will Nina decide she’s “served her time” and release her?

My sympathies toggled back and forth between the women as we hear from each of them in alternating chapters and just when I thought I had a few things figured out, there was a new twist to ponder. I do give it one half star deduction for plausibility about some of the events, but I’ll let you decide when you read this one for yourself!

Thank you to NetGalley, John Marrs, and Amazon Publishing UK for an early copy of this one to read in return for an honest review. This one is out 5.15.2020 and I predict it will make many top thrillers of 2020 lists.

Not sure what I was expecting from this book but what an incredible rollercoaster ride of a story.
Told by 2 narrators who live together in a house, the story is told over a number of years and happenings from both viewpoints. There are only a handful of other characters mentioned but the story is so centred on Nina and Maggie that it doesn’t matter.
I changed my mind as to who my sympathies were for numerous times in the book and even at the end I still wasn’t sure what I wanted to happen.
Would recommend.