Deeply unsettling and timely thriller told in an interesting way!

What She Left Behind is a really brilliant thriller that is dark, shocking, uncomfortable to read, but most importantly tackles issues that are incredibly relevant in our society today. This is a psychological thriller about coercive control in relationships, which Freud approaches with sensitivity, but packs a massive punch with in her narrative. There is immediately an underlying sense of foreboding and mounting dread, from the moment Lauren and Paul arrive at the glass house in the woods. The isolated location creates an evocative atmosphere of unease, which is only heightened as Paul’s behaviour becomes more malevolent and Lauren’s situation starts to become more precarious.

A similar, yet more harrowing situation is experienced by a previous resident of the glass house, also at the hand of her husband. This brings me to the format of the novel, which is told in a clever way. Split into four separate parts, we first hear a portion or Lauren’s story, then the previous resident. Part three blends their narratives as their home situations escalate and part four converges to reveal the dark heart of these women’s lives. It’s very hard to review this book without risking revealing its secrets, but I can say that this format really ramped up the tension and thrusts the readers deeply into the minds and situations of these characters. I felt a strong affinity to both and was routing for them the whole way, even when my suspicions about one of their fates were raised. Freud is masterful at directing a reader down her desired path, allowing them to think that they have worked out the truth, but at the eleventh hour she expertly rips that rug out from under with a twist that totally blindsided me! Despite this, this book is affecting and gripping enough to not have needed a twist, which somehow made the final, shocking revelations all the more satisfying! With this also comes a sense of hope emerging from the shadows of the all-encompassing darkness that has come before.

One final point of note, there is a really strong theme of males abusing positions of power (Paul is a clinical psychologist) to hurt women and this was particularly poignant given some of the horrendous news stories of recent months. This was such a thought-provoking and challenging aspect to the novel, which propelled the plot forward in a really affecting and emotional way. I felt a visceral hatred for both Paul and an absolute disgust that he would treat his partner and children in the way that he does. It stood as a stark reminder to me that women suffer at the hands of their partner’s every day and that this is something we desperately need to stop.

This thriller started really off good and I was hooked. It was fast paced and did a good job at creating an unsettling atmosphere. Unfortunately, it didn't really do anything new or exciting with the genre and relied on typical domestic thriller tropes. This made it predictable and I was able to guess the twists. Still a fun and engaging read for anyone who enjoys the genre.

I consider myself a thriller-lover, however, in my opinion, really good thrillers are few and far between.

This is a really good thriller.

A read-in-one-sitting type of thriller.

Perfect pacing, with a gradual build up of a sinister, menacing atmosphere that suits the storyline perfectly. Well written, three dimensional female characters (which is not always the case in suspense novels!), who, although unreliable are immensely sympathetic. I’d describe this as a well executed domestic noir that makes compulsive reading, and would definitely recommend to thriller lovers.

*To be released in digital format on the 12th May, 2022. Currently available for preorder on Amazon*

*Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book*

Oh my god, this book blew me away! It is stunning, captivating, menacing and heart breaking all at the same time.

The story starts with Lauren and Paul and their two children, Margo and Jesse (Lauren's stepchildren) moving to an isolated rented house in the woods. Lauren, recovering from a serious head trauma, is cautious, but excited. However, once there, the ghost of Paul's former wife, Emma, is constantly making Lauren feel inadequate and Jesse seems to be having trouble settling. Rumours begin circling about their house and Lauren begins to fear nothing is at it seems and she could lose it all.

Not only is this an absolutely brilliant psychological thriller, it's also so brilliantly and beautifully written. The second half of the book introduces new characters of Eliza and Richard, which add to the mystery and heart in mouth tension.

The underlying darkness and evil here is never far from the surface and the coersive control and gas lighting within its pages is as believable, as it is terrifying.

One of the best books I have read this year. It would make a brilliant film or TV series. I cannot recommend it enough.

Thanks to author, Emily Freud, publishers Quercus Books and Net Galley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review

I really enjoyed the latter part of the book but I did struggle a bit until about 40% of the way though as I felt it lost it’s way a bit.
However when it got going I did not see what was coming at all.
Very clever, loved the ending, brought together brilliantly and the last half was read in one sitting. I could not put it down.
After a rollercoaster ride the final few lines bring a comforting smile to your face.
Overall a great book and I would recommend it

What a bingeworthy read!! 👏🏻

Split into 4 parts this was broken down really well and the short chapters allowed me to binge it in under 24 hours!

The plot twists just kept coming and coming in this one! I had figured out what was happening pretty early, but I still loved how everything unravelled and how the twists were told!

It’s hard to say too much about the plot without spoilering it, but I guess the plot is kind of similar to Rebecca in the beginning - new girlfriend trying to live up to the standards set by her boyfriend’s wife who passed away. She uncovers a lot of secrets and rumours within the village, and it’s essentially a don’t-trust-anyone sort of thriller which I love!!

I loved the kids’ characters in the book - I felt they were pretty accurately depicted and you feel so many things towards them while still distrusting everyone! 🙈

I haven’t read Emily’s debut novel yet, My Best Friend’s Secret, but I will definitely be looking to get it soon as I loved her writing!!

What she left behind is a book that will trick you!

When the story unfolds ,we see through the eyes of Lauren and Eliza, who both have their own bagage, living with a man and his kids.
The twist at the end was unexpected and a pleasant surprise

This was a great book with a real.mysterious and dark undercurrent. The characters are well written and relatable. Brilliant xx

This was a dnf for me,20% in and nothing happened, escept the main character moping around and trying to get on with the 2 kids under 5, apologies but not for me

Lauren is like the unnamed narrator of du Maurier's Rebecca, the second wife who feels she will never live up to the memory of the first one.

In What She Left Behind Lauren leaves London with Paul, who she has known for less than a year, and his two young children Jesse and Margo to an isolated house in the woods on the edge of a small village. The house belongs to friends of Paul who are lending it to him for a year but, as always with good domestic noir and psychological thrillers, all is most definitely not what it seems. The ghost of the perfect Emma and her tragic death is always there and while Margo settles quickly Jesse does not and his behaviour causes some major issues. Everything we know about Paul and his past is turned on its head in the second half of the book, almost like in Gone Girl, so the reader doesn't quite know what is going on.

What She Left Behind is a clever and page-turning story that I enjoyed very much. Many thanks to Quercus and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Lauren moves to an isolated house in the country to start her new life with Paul and his two children, who she loves from the start. But, things start to appear not quite what they seem. I found myself thinking “Surely he wouldn’t do that? Or would he.”

A compelling storyline with interesting characters

I started loving this book but felt it was a little too predictable and too long. Having said that I did finish it all in one reading and felt I had invested in reading it so had to finish and confirm what I suspected. Overall almost there and I would read Emily's next book

I honestly cannot recommend this book enough! I read this based on a friend’s recommendation and she spoke so highly of it so I knew I would enjoy it but it definitely exceeded my expectations. I loved it and just couldn’t put it down once I started it.
The pace of the whole book was just perfect, it was paced enough to build up the story and the characters but with events happening that really kept you guessing the whole way through. The story is so clever and absolutely filled with twists and turns and your just reading it wanting to shout at the characters! I loved how it’s split into different sections too with you finding out more and more about characters pasts in the sections. It’s a brilliant psychological thriller that keeps you thoroughly engaged throughout and really makes you love & hate the characters. The ending was amazing and I was completely shocked by it. I’m definitely going to checking out other books written by the author :)

I loved this book, although one of the characters was so evil, I thought I might actually get some nightmares after reading it. Really cleverly done, and a very satisfying ending.

Thank you so much for giving me the chance to read What She Left Behind.

Easy 5 stars, this thriller was completing engrossing, the definition of tense and nail biting.
I was honestly so anxious reading this I had to remind myself I wasn’t living in the book.

The most perfect twist and ending! I did not see it coming and I loved it.

One of the best thrillers I’ve read this year.

I can’t say much about the plot without giving the game away. Seasoned thriller readers may cotton on quickly, but will enjoy this different take on the domestic noir. Rebecca meets Sleeping with the Enemy, perhaps. With its likeable main character, it will be a hit.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.

This was good, I liked the dual narration and it was nice and twisty. I did guess the twist but I don't see that as a negative at all, it was v enjoyable and well constructed with good pacing and the mystery unfurled well.

This book has two tropes I enjoy. Psychologist and patient become couple, and a 'stepmum' having to step into the life of a widower and his children. The start of this book handles this in a real unique way and had me gripped. I did find that by the middle it became more predictable and similar to other books with the same trope. It's worth nothing for author/editor that sometimes Eliza refers to Richard as 'Paul' and then goes back to Richard again.
That said, the final twist I didn't see coming, so overall a satisfying and quick read.

I was given advance copy this book by the kind people at NetGalley: What She Left Behind by Emily Freud, I got to say What a fantastic psychological thriller, so well written ,it literally had me up all night reading , probably one of the best novels I’ve ever read this year, highly recommended to all who loves fiction: ratings , story 10/10 , characters 10/10

Wow! What a book!
I’ve just finished it and I definitely didn’t predict that ending,
This is the perfect thriller; it’s fast paced, unique and engaging.
It’s my first book by this author but it definitely won’t be the last.