Member Reviews

This is a complicated and twisty domestic thriller. Watching Liz figure out all of this was very interesting and I enjoyed figuring out things alongside her. I enjoyed some parts of this book more than others, it held my attention during parts where the story picked up but it definitely had its lulls for me.

Was this review helpful?

Meredith and Liz are two very close sisters, but when Meredith is murdered, Liz is shaken to her core. Her sister’s murder sends Liz downward to uncover the truths about her convoluted family, the stepparents who raised them, and why Meredith was murdered.

Their stepmother raised liz and Meredith and her husband after both of their biological parents died over the years, or so Liz thought. As Liz figures out the truth and pieces together what happened to Meredith and their childhood, nothing is as it seems.

As Liz figures out her past, her sister’s past, and the truth about her family’s secrets, her life is turned upside down. The more pieces she’s able to put together, the more danger she realizes she is in, forcing her to take drastic measures to put everything to rest and finally uncover the truth about her sister’s murder.

This is a complicated and twisty domestic thriller. Watching Liz figure out all of this was very interesting and I enjoyed figuring out things alongside her. I enjoyed some parts of this book more than others, it held my attention during parts where the story picked up but it definitely had its lulls for me.

Was this review helpful?

Wow ! What a story line, it was full of twist and turns, just when you thought it was that one , it might be another one, very well written book, full of suspense, And that house had one two many secrets living in it, I'm giving this a 4 star rating because If I were to give perfect 5 stars , then the writer will have no room to improve his talent.

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely loved this book. A totally thrilling read, I could not stop reading it. I was constantly reading it whenever I got the chance. An amazing book. I want it on my shelves once it is published in physical format.

Was this review helpful?

If I could give this more than five stars I would. When Meredith is found dead in her home her sister Liz is determined to find out who killed her. It is a roller-coaster ride delving into family secrets not only within the walls of the family home but also with Meredith herself.
I really do not want to write any spoilers but do need to say that anyone who likes psychologial thrillers should absolutely read this brilliant work of fiction. It grips the reader from the first to last page with twists, turns and surprises throughout that I was definetly not expecting.

Was this review helpful?

A familial mystery that keeps getting darker the more the title character, Liz, uncovers, this book is an intense and enjoyable ride from beginning to end. The reveal at the end is handled deftly—you might spot the whodunnit before the end, but S. C. Richards keeps you on your toes enough that you aren't quite sure if you're right or not—and there's enough space given after the climax that you feel like the emotional arc has been wrapped up alongside the mystery.

Was this review helpful?

Where Secrets Live
A Novel
by S. C. Richards
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read this advance copy.
This one was a fast read. But not easy. People and sometimes just a bit are far-fetched for me.I did finish, but won't remember it next week.

Was this review helpful?

Merideth and Lizzie are sisters living in an upper middle class household where appearances and status are much more important than any family bonds. The book opens with Merideth being murdered and continues with Tom, the investigating officer and Lizzie searching for who, how and why? Lizzie’s quest is more a journey into the dark and often disturbing secrets revealed to keep the status quo of the family money and name. The second half was a little confusing with a series of sub-plots that didn’t completely flow but overall I enjoyed the book a solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Was this review helpful?

I found this book to be well written but unfortunately for me, I never quite got into the characters or the family dynamic. It took me a while to read it as I wasn’t pressed to pick it up and get stuck back into the story but I would imagine some would enjoy it. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this arc.

Was this review helpful?

This book was so many things. Good, sad, frustrating. Liz and her sister are basically raised by stepparents after the loss of their mom first, then their dad. Then Meredith is murdered and so many secrets start coming out. I couldn't put this down and finished it in one day. Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy for my opinion. I highly recommend this book.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with the arc of this book.

This book is AMAZING. I love psychological thrillers and this is exactly what I wanted to read after reading tons of romance novels.
Once I licked this book up I couldn't stop reading it. I lost the track of time most of the time but this book kept me hooked.

I will definitely recommend this book to all thriller book lovers.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to Netgalley, and Crooked Lane Books for this advanced copy!

Twisty and fast-paced, this book will have you flipping the pages quickly to find out what happened! I was a big fan of this book and S.C. Richards' writing style. I found it engaging and enticing to figure out what's going on and what happened to Meredith!

There were moments when I wanted to scream at Liz and be like what are you doing!!! Don't do that alone! But I think that added to the tension!

Great novel!

Was this review helpful?

This is my first book by this author and won’t be my last. As the saying goes, the truth always comes out. The book was a fast paced read with a nice balance of action and thrill. I will advise that there are highly sensitive topics discussed throughout the book, so proceed with caution.

This didn’t have the thrill factor for me, I appreciate books that keep me guessing / offer a twist. However it is still a solid read and worth the time investment.

Thank you to Net Galley and Crooked River Books for the ARC!

Was this review helpful?

This book began with an intriguing premise and a very exciting first few pages, however, it quickly fell apart after the inciting action. The breakneck speed of plot twist after plot twist gave no chance to get to know any of the characters beyond that the main character -who is an angry cynic because... well because the author tells us that she is - doesn't really like any of them very much. Everyone in this book is very much an exaggerated caricature rather than a believable character and so I found myself not caring about what happened to any of them.
This book also brings 'Deus ex machina' to a whole new level. Characters constantly seem to end up in just the right place in the nick of time with no real reason to have appeared there and then. In the final scene of the book, this happens thrice in a row! What staggeringly good luck for our protagonist!
The actual plot of the book has a lot of promise, but far too much is crammed into one novel. This could have been three or four separate mystery books and the story would have been much better for it. None of the shocking revelations (some of which had potential to be really great) were dealt with in any depth.
This book needs much more showing and much less telling. Rather than including several extraneous sub-plots, I would have preferred the author flesh out the main plot into something believable.

Was this review helpful?

After being raised by step parents following the death of both parents, Liz and Meredith are the only thing each other has. When Meredith is murdered I. Her own home, Liz is desperate for answers and to find who did it. When Liz unearths the secret of Meredith’s daughter that was recently back in her life, Liz searches to find connections.

What a ride! Richards took a beautiful tragedy and made it into such a page turning psychological thriller that I could not get enough of. The development of the characters is wonderfully written. The plot is engaging and keeps you drooling for more.

Was this review helpful?

⭐⭐⭐.4 stars
My first read by this author and the blurb got my attention!

Liz and Meredith Mc Callister were raised by stepparents after their birth parents died in separation situations ~ their mother died when they were young and dad remarried. Later dad died and stepmom remarried so thus the girls were raised by stepparents ~

Story starts when Cousin Fred arrives at Liz’s apartment and states you need to get to Meredith as something is wrong. He states he got a message ~ Fred I need you. He didn’t see the message until this morning. Liz also got the message but she hasn’t checked messages until Fred brought it to her attention. Now he and Liz are now hurrying to Meredith’s apartment; when they arrive they find Meredith face down on the floor with her cell phone inches away. She has been murdered.

I am a big psychological thriller fan and LOVE to figure out whodunit.
I was close with my suspicions but didn’t have all the details so had to keep on reading.
I did struggle with most of these characters, but those secrets kept me curious!

Want to thank NetGalley and Crooked Land Books for this eGalley. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for an honest professional review.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 6, 2022.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read this advance copy.
Family secrets and lies. Psychological thriller. Four stars.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4585042954

Was this review helpful?

Wow, this book is a grab you by the seat of your pants and hang on. Once I started reading this book, I just couldn't put it down. The mystery and how everything keeps you guessing.....you just have to keep reading to find out the answers. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves mystery thrillers. Because the people in this book will stay with you long after you read the final page.

Was this review helpful?

Twisty, suspenseful and fast-paced.

Really enjoyed the pace of this book. Liz is an interesting lead character and her stubbornness to solve her sister's murder is key to the plot. A lot happened at the end of the book so I just read it right through! Very solid read that keeps your attention.

Was this review helpful?

This was one of the best books I’ve ever read!! The twists and turns we’re amazing. It had a lot of names but I never got confused. Loved the ending and couldn’t stop reading. I’d highly recommend this book to anyone

Was this review helpful?