Member Reviews
Not one, but TWO bodies are found buried in the backyard of the couple who live at number 9, and the only person who might know their identity is suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
Well.
That's a bummer.
Despite the couple themselves being duller than dirt, the book turns out to be a twisty, intriguing little mystery that is pretty darned entertaining.
This was another one that I am so glad I chose the audiobook version of. I simply did not enjoy it, but was able to stick it out to the end because I was able to do other things (clean the house, go for a walk, etc.) while listening.
Saffron is expecting her first child when she and her husband move into a cottage in the Cotswolds owned by her grandmother. While undergoing construction on an extension to their home, workers uncover the skeletal remains of two bodies. With Saffron’s help, police question her grandmother who owns the cottage, but she is unable to provide any information as she is suffering from dementia. This book is fast paced, full of twists and will keep the reader guessing until the end!
With multiple narrators and the identity of the bodies not known for a bit of the books, I can see this one pulled the wool over my eyes. What I thought was a predictable psychological thriller turned into an engaging read.
There are a lot of moving parts in this one and the author does an excellent job of bringing it all together at the end without any missing threads.
A slow burn that kept me guessing.
I thought I knew what happened but there were some things that were surprising. I enjoyed reading the book and thought the ending was a good one. It was a lot to keep track of at one point but it all worked out well for the ending. It was a nice, quick read.
3.5 Stars rounded down
The description of the novel, Couple at Number 9, sets forth the outline of what appears to be a fast paced psychological thriller, and it was. However, I struggled with the role of the grandmother, as a lead worth pursuing or inquiring about despite Alzheimers. I know that often patients with Alzheimer's can have windows of lucidity and are able to recall events of their childhood, even when they struggle to remember what happened yesterday. However, when solving a crime, reliability of sources is of utmost importance. Overall, I really enjoyed my first novel by Claire Douglas, and look forward to reading another book by her in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Enjoyable read! So good from beginning to the end! The twist had me, I had no idea what was coming at the end, pleasantly surprised! I love this book!
Claire Douglas delivers a gripping psychological thriller in "The Couple at Number 9," weaving a chilling narrative around a couple's unsettling discovery in their dream home. Tense and emotionally charged, Douglas keeps readers on the edge of their seats as the past resurfaces, secrets unravel, and danger lurks closer than they ever imagined. A must-read for fans of suspenseful storytelling.
The audiobook initially overwhelmed me with multiple points of view, but reading alongside the Kindle edition greatly improved the experience. Despite some plot holes, like the police's pursuit of information from a woman with dementia, I found myself engrossed in the mystery, the complex characters, and the intricate family dynamics. While not flawless, it provided an intriguing and enjoyable escape, making for a satisfying read overall.
The Couple at Number 9 was a really twisty thriller that I enjoyed thoroughly. I haven't read anything that Claire Douglas has written, but I enjoyed and appreciated her writing, as well as her witty storytelling I'm a huge fan of thrillers and would definitely recommend this one to the book instagram community, friends and family!
This is a fantastic, twisty, entertaining, quick paced book that kept me guessing and kept me on my toes (and up a bit too late reading). I'm definitely looking forward to reading more books from this author.
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!! This book is insanely amazing!!!!!! I read this in one day & couldn't put it down!!!
This was a twisty, suspenseful thriller with multiple POVs. There are unreliable narrators and lots of family drama and mystery. This was an interesting read but at 400 pages, I felt it was a bit too long. Otherwise, there were twists and turns throughout the story that kept you engaged as a reader.
Claire Douglas once again proves her mastery in crafting gripping psychological thrillers with "The Couple at Number 9." From the very first page, the tension builds steadily, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat until the final, jaw-dropping reveal.
The story revolves around a seemingly perfect couple, Ellie and Craig, who move into the idyllic neighborhood of Melville Heights. However, as they settle into their new home, they quickly realize that their neighbors at Number 9 harbor dark secrets. When a series of unsettling events unfolds, Ellie and Craig find themselves drawn deeper into the mysteries surrounding their neighbors, leading to shocking revelations and unexpected twists.
Douglas skillfully weaves together multiple perspectives, each offering unique insights into the characters and their motivations. The narrative is rich with complex relationships, hidden agendas, and sinister undertones, keeping readers guessing until the very end. The pacing is expertly handled, maintaining a sense of urgency that propels the story forward while allowing for moments of reflection and introspection.
What sets "The Couple at Number 9" apart is Douglas's ability to create a palpable atmosphere of unease, infusing every page with a sense of foreboding that lingers long after the book is finished. The characters are impeccably drawn, each flawed and multifaceted, adding layers of depth to the narrative.
Overall, "The Couple at Number 9" is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. With its intricate plot, compelling characters, and spine-tingling suspense, it's a captivating journey into the dark recesses of human nature that will leave readers breathless until the very last page.
The Couple at Number 9" is a psychological thriller by Claire Douglas. The story revolves around a couple, Lucas and Ella, who move into their dream home at Number 9. However, their seemingly perfect life takes a dark turn when they start receiving sinister messages and strange occurrences begin happening around them. As they delve deeper into the secrets of their new home and its previous occupants, they uncover shocking truths that threaten to tear their lives apart. With its twists, suspense, and gripping plot, "The Couple at Number 9" keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.
This book was a great thriller/mystery with a twist I didn't see coming...the very best part of a thriller, IMO!
It was well written, had good pacing but for some reason I just couldn't connect with Saffy + Tom. That's probably just a me issue, though! Still a very good read, my first and not my last by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This is a slow burn with a few surprises some creepiness and some drama! It's an entertaining story that is easy to get lost in
Thank you to Claire Douglas, NetGalley, and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for an advance copy of The Couple at Number 9 in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely love a good who dun it, especially with unreliable characters. When the main characters move into a new place, the find a body. The only witness has Alzheimer’s so we are left to try to decide what is real and what are fake memories. The author does a great job taking us on a journey where we are constantly questioning who did or said what! I look forward to more of this authors work in the future! This one is available now & I rated it 3.5 stars- rounded up to 4 for GR.
I struggled to keep up with the storyline and multiple POVs. It could have just been me, but I just got way too confused which took away from my joy of reading. The overall plot was good but I guessed the twist which is nice but also not at the same time.
4.5 stars!
I really like this author's recent books. I'm glad I tried more of CD's books even though I did not like "Do Not Disturb."
The plot was interesting and a bit unique, which made it unputdownable from Chapter 1. However, some chapters felt too long, and the back and forth from present to past was sometimes frustrating. I would've liked it more if the author dug deeper into Rose and Daphne's POVs. Saffy was sometimes irritating. Saw the twists from a mile away but I still enjoyed it!
Looking forward to reading more of this author's books!
***e-arc provided to me by Netgalley and Harper Perennial in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own.***
With multiple POVs, this thriller hit off with a bang. Character development was on point, the twists were great, and loved everything about it.