House of Correction by Nicci French is a captivating psychological thriller that centers on Tabitha Hardy, a woman accused of murder who must unravel the mystery of her own case from within the confines of her prison cell. As Tabitha fights to prove her innocence, she navigates the labyrinthine complexities of the legal system and her own fractured memories. French’s intricate plot and deft character development draw readers into a web of suspense and uncertainty, where the truth is elusive and the stakes are perilously high.

French’s writing is taut and engaging, capturing the claustrophobic tension of Tabitha’s imprisonment and the relentless drive of her quest for justice. The novel’s structure, shifting between the present and flashbacks, allows for a gradual and tantalizing revelation of crucial details. Tabitha is a refreshingly complex protagonist—flawed, determined, and achingly human. House of Correction is a masterclass in psychological suspense, offering a gripping narrative that keeps readers guessing until the very end. This novel is a must-read for fans of intense, character-driven thrillers.

I enjoyed reading this book and loved the plot. It was a great thrilling read that I brought on vacation!

“House of Correction” by Nicci French is the story of Tabitha Hardy who is not doing well; she is locked up in prison, but she does not belong there. Her story unfolds in a flood of metaphors and sensory descriptions, the squeak of rubber-soled shoes, the glossy institutional paint of the walls, the spluttering sound of the water pipes, and the sour taste of the milk. Her days are fluid and vast.

The narrative is driven by conversations, what Hardy says to others, what others say to her, and what she says to herself. She is charged with the murder of Stuart Robert Rees, yet she remembers nothing. Readers follow her through the prison conflicts, the interviews, the soul searching, her efforts to convince everyone that she did not do this terrible thing, and her pains to remember those events herself.

Her fight begins; the action proceeds at a measured, calculated pace. She is playing a game, deadly poker, with her life on the line. She has no legal representation; she decides to represent herself. This means she cannot be put into solitary confinement, and she has access to every document and resource needed for her own defense. She pours through documents, statements, files, CCTV, and finds that people remember what said six months previously, but not perhaps what actually happened. For the trial, she is unprepared, like a horrible exhibit of what not to do; yet, proceed she must.

Tabitha Hardy is not in an American courtroom, and things are very different. She is stuck in a complicated legal system and must find the courage within herself to find answers. She questions everything, even herself. Yet she still believes that somewhere there is a killer who is getting away the crime she is accused of committing. I received a review copy of “House of Correction” from Nicci French, HarperCollins Publishers, and William Morrow Paperbacks. It is a personal journey, compelling and complex right from the start.

As I've mentioned in my other reviews, I've read everything that Nicci French has ever written. I love their books, despite there being some misses as well as many hits. This is a definite hit. The story follows a woman who is in prison after being accused of murder. From memory the book is split into a few parts, starting with incarceration, going into the trial, and then finally the aftermath of that trial. The main character is a classic Nicci French female character, stubborn, insightful (impossibly so some might say!), self-sabotaging to some extent, empathic and determined. It really works in this book. I was so intrigued to find out where her story would lead, whether or not she was a murderer, how on earth she would get out of prison while representing herself in court! I raced through it in the best way possible, I just could not put it down. I would definitely recommend this as one of the writing couple duo's best books.

I really enjoyed this book. I was unsure how I felt about her guilt the whole time, and the ending really surprised me! Well-written and suspenseful.

An interesting premise, but the main character is difficult to sympathize with. As well, it is hard fully to believe in certain of the plot details

This book had promise at the start, but then slogged through the middle. I was happy that it had a twist at the end to freshen it up. Many of the characters were forgettable, so much so that I found myself confused about a crucial character very late in the story! Not a must read, but if you find it and pick it up, it is a great way to pass the time.

House of Correction was an interesting story that follows Tabitha as she is accused of murder when her neighbor Stuart is found stabbed to death in her shed. Tabitha does not have a clear memory of the day. It starts with her in prison and follows along to her representing herself in court. It seems crazy and big risk but no one else believes she is truly innocent so she feels she has to do it. I didn’t know who did it, whether Tabitha or someone else, until the very end. This story does a good job of portraying the hardness of being in jail and possibly falsely accused. The court scenes were well thought out even if Tabitha was a disaster in her delivery and in keeping her composure. I found it well planned and very enjoyable. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an arc of this ebook.

This book had such an interesting premise. A woman locked in prison trying to defend herself and win her court case. I liked the story, and I found it very interesting. I struggled with the speed of the first half of the book. It felt really drug out, and I found myself wanting to just jump ahead. Tabitha's not an easily liked character, so I didn't find myself connected to her, but I did want to know what happened in the end.

Overall, I think it was a good story, and I enjoyed the courtroom drama!

I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

Tabitha Hardy stands accused of the premeditated murder of her former teacher and neighbor, Stuart Rees. His bloody body was found in a shed outside the house she had bought and was renovating in Okeham, where she had grown up. Upon arrest and questioning, Tabitha can't seem to recall anything specific that happened that day and she is remanded to Crow Grange Prison to await trial. After firing her lawyer, Tabitha decides to represent herself in court. NO SPOILERS.

This book took me forever to read and I honestly would have marked it DNF except for this crazy issue I have that I just can't do it. I didn't like the story or any of the characters and found the whole trial and courtroom scenes hard to believe. I've read this author before and enjoyed the books, but this one was just not for me. If you can relate to an unreliable narrator with lots of problems and can suspend disbelief, this might work for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for this e-book ARC to read and review.

4.5 Stars

Tabitha Hardy has always felt like an outsider in her hometown, but she still returns from London to the village of Okeham, England where she grew up. She is working with a friend to fix up an old house when the dead body of her neighbor is found outside her back door. Tabitha is arrested for the murder, and everyone in the village seems to think she’s guilty. Even her own lawyer isn’t convinced of Tabitha’s innocence so Tabitha feels compelled to take matters into her own hands. Soon many secrets about Tabitha and also the victim come out. Tabitha has made some bad decisions in her life, but is she guilty of murder?

Nicci French, the pen name for a husband and wife writing team, is a popular author, but this is the first book I have read by French. House of Correction is a standalone novel that is part mystery, part courtroom thriller. The first part of the book focuses on Tabitha trying to adjust to life in prison while she awaits her trial. Tabitha is often her own worst enemy and when she smarts off to some of the prison staff members, she made me cringe. Although her actions are off-putting at first, I really started rooting for Tabitha as the story continues. When Tabitha disagrees with the way her solicitor is handling her case and announces her strategy for her defense, I was skeptical. Some of the things that happen are hard to believe, but if you just go with it like I did, you will be rewarded with a suspenseful story. Not all aspects are completely believable, but they are fun to read.

The investigation is very interesting as Tabitha pieces together the evidence against her and comes up with the right questions to ask to uncover other motives and suspects for the murder. The courtroom scenes are riveting and I became fully immersed in the story as Tabitha’s research comes in handy against the prosecution’s case against her. There is drama as well as humor, and the trial is more entertaining than I had imagined. Tabitha has one person on her side, her former cellmate Michaela who was recently released, and the two make a formidable team. The final chapters of the book more than make up for a somewhat slow start, and I highly recommend this book that will appeal to fans of Alafair Burke.

~ Christine

This legal thriller kept me engaged and trying to guess the ending. It was an interesting take, having the main character try to solve a crime from inside prison with limited resources. Some parts were difficult to believe and I did catch one editing error which referred to the main character by the wrong last name....at first I thought it was going to be a plot point. Overall a fun mystery!

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Admittedly when I first read the premise for Nicci French’s latest thriller ‘House of Correction” I was concerned that reading a novel that primarily takes place in a jail cell would become dull and tedious rather quickly. However the Nicci French writing team (consisting of the married duo Nicci Gerrard and Sean French) crafted a blisteringly intense thriller about a woman trying to prove her innocence from the confines of prison.

Tabitha cannot believe that she is in prison for a murder she didn’t commit, she thinks that its all one big mistake, a clerical error that will fix itself. Well...until she realizes that everyone thinks she did it. When Tabitha is faced with proving her innocence to regain her freedom she’s alarmed when she realizes that she had a motive to kill and she’s shocked when she discovers she’s not the only person in her village with a grudge against the deceased. As Tabitha digs deeper into the case she can’t help but wonder if she did commit the murder, after all she doesn’t remember much from that day and all the evidence points to her. Tabitha is a doggedly stubborn protagonist determined to discover the killer’s identity even if it means spending the rest of her life in jail.

“House of Correction” is a gripping drama that will leave thriller lovers rapidly turning the page as twist after twist unfurls. As the novel progresses and the village’s dirty secrets are aired in court, some readers might begin to wonder about what their own neighbors are capable of. This compelling read will keep readers riveted until the final page as they wonder who the killer could be. Readers be warned this novel does include details of child abuse and sexual assault.

I enjoyed this book, but I really struggled liking the main character. Tabitha is accused of murdering a man, who we find out has a past with her. Nobody really likes Tabitha, and she fires her lawyer to defend herself. Good story, and kept my attention to the end, once I realized nobody liked Tabitha either!

Nicci French's House of Correction is a very different standalone mystery. It's written from the point of view of a young woman who's in jail and about to stand trial for murder.

The evidence against Tabitha is circumstantial but compelling and she has no idea whether she is actually innocent or guilty.

She investigate the case from jail and acts as her own attorney. House of Correction is a suspenseful, gripping read, with a most unusual premise and development, and an even more surprising conclusion.

Another winning mystery from Nicci French, HOUSE OF CORRECTION provides a classic scenario of the unreliable protagonist charged with a murder she doesn’t remember anything about. Did she do it and will she ever find out the answer, consumes the tale as our main character decides to act as her own solicitor during her murder trial. The book is a fast and clever tale that keeps the tension and claustrophobia high. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

House of Correction
Nicci French
October 27, 2020

It was late when Tabitha arrived. She was stripped, searched, showered and given minimal clothing, a pillow, towel, blanket and a few health provisions. Upon arrival in her cell she placed it all on the table and lay on her bed with the scratchy blanket. What had happened that day and why? She awoke early, had tea, ran an errand, and did not feel well. After her swim in the freezing ocean, she came home to stretch out on the couch. She just didn’t feel well, depression had taken her over. She knew that her friend, Andrew would come to help her work on the house that day, when he did she would ask him to leave. She couldn’t do any projects that day. He did come and entered through the unlocked door. He wanted to get the planks for the floor remodel in the kitchen. She told him no but he walked out back to the shed to collect the timber. When he entered that is when she heard the screams. Tabitha ran out to help him but what she found was terrifying. In her present state of mind, she couldn’t grasp the outcome she found.
This very long, intricate journey is a tale of a woman wrongly accused. Her lawyer didn’t believe her. Why should she carry on with this woman? She knew that in the end it would not be good. Tabitha was very intelligent but socially inept. She suffered from depression most of her life. Regardless of the drugs she took to help, nothing seemed to help. As I read this journal of Tabitha’s dire situation I became obsessed with reading toward the outcome. In Part One entitled Inside, I thought the book would be a detailed, daily journal of her time in prison. The book continued to Part Two - Prosecution and Part Three - Defense and Part Four - Outside. In essence it was a diary of Tabitha Harper’s arrest, imprisonment, court history and outcome. Describing the ordeal makes it appear rather monotonous and boring . Not so, it was absolutely fascinating. Readers who enjoy Nikki French’s novels will very much enjoy this one. If you are a mystery fascinado you will enjoy this one.
House of Correction: A Novel by Nikki French is published by William Morrow of Harper Collins Publishing. Today, October 27, 2020 is the first day of publication. I am appreciative of William Morrow for allowing me to read and review this latest book by Ms. French. It is one that will keep you questioning, wondering what Tabitha’s strategy will be next. Upon completion, the reader feels accomplished, perhaps overwhelmed with completing Tabitha’s quest.

I am a true Nicci French fan and look forward to every new book this writing duo produces. House of Correction definitely didn't disappoint. It started slowly but really held my attention by the second half of the book. Great legal thriller and I highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley, the Publisher and Authore for providing me an ARC copy of House of Correction.

I have to be honest and say I really didn't care for this book. Usually I love Nicci French novels and I've been reading them since 1999. I was very disappointed when I realized most of the story takes place in a prison. And that the protagonist is accused of a murder she didn't commit. But somehow she can't remember what happened that day because of her melancholia. A bit later we find out she definitely had a motive to murder the victim and there really aren't any other suspects. The problem with this novel is that the protagonist is a salty, obstinate young woman and the entire village where she lives (and may have committed murder) would like to see her convicted. By the time I finished the book, I couldn't have cared less if she really did or didn't murder the victim. I didn't hate this novel, but it definitely wasn't my favorite from French.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC! It is exciting to read novels before they're published.

The husband and wife team who write under the name Nicci French have managed to make a very unlikeable character a believable protagonist in a story set in prison. Tabitha, who has been sent to prison to await her trial for the murder of a neighbor shares many hostile personality traits with autistic people. She is bright and doesn’t want to plead guilty so she takes on her own defense. While managing to irritate everyone around her, including jury members and the judge, Tabitha’s eye for detail, particularly in watching CCTV tapes, proves that she can handle her own defense. Not only is at a very well-crafted tale, but it is an interesting look at the prison and judicial systems in England.