5* Great intro to this author and a couple of truly heart-pounding scenes.

This book had my heart pounding from around 2/3 of the way through, when the reveals and the changes in the characters' behavours started to get more extreme and we were privy to breakthroughs from the little boy, Jesse, and Lauren, and strangely, an almost-stranger, Susie.

You do have to suspend disbelief a little with this, as when a child exhibits the behaviours that Jesse did, in a school environment, teachers have a duty of care to document and report to authorities, especially where there's a sense of not all being right, and when the child suddenly stops coming to school, but that didn't happen here. Also, that not one person from the characters' pasts recognised any of them didn't quite ring true, but the author got round this by keeping them isolated, though we never got proper physical descriptions of them.

As for the storyline, it reminded me a lot of the Julia Roberts film Sleeping with the Enemy, with the same sense of danger and dastardlyness and darkness. It's still a 5* tale for me, despite the above mentioned, and it's one that would play out great on TV.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Quercus books, for my reading pleasure.

As Lauren struggles to adjust to motherhood, her fears grow. She'll never live up to the ghost of Paul's perfect wife, or help him forget his grief over her tragic death. And as village rumours begin to swirl about their house in the woods, Lauren feels ever more isolated - despite Paul's reassurances. She wants to trust Paul - she owes him everything - but how can she, when she can barely trust herself? I cannot wait to read more by this author. This author has now become a go-to author. To have a book that is well written as well as entertaining and creepy is a delight. Reading is about escaping your world and entering another one. The word building was phenomenal in this book. Here I forgot about my own life and was immersed in the world created by the author.

Lauren can't believe she's escaped her old life in London for a new start with her partner, Paul, and his two young children. Haunted by her past, Lauren knows how lucky she is: a dream home, a ready-made family. And she also knows how much she could lose.

This is domestic noir at its best, quite a tale. I thoroughly enjoyed book and was able to relate to each of the characters, I especially liked Lauren and felt for her, a great plot with lots of twists and turns. Held my attention from the beginning to the end which to me is so important in the enjoyment of any book. I would definitely recommend this to book other readers.

Thank you to the NetGalley, author and publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review,

Well I'll be damned! That super twist at the end was seriously fu*King mind-blowing!!! I definitely didn't expect that geez!!!! & just for that ending alone you need to read this book!

That's without the super characters who I was totally praying for to get through the tough time to kick arse back to see through the cloud!

I've not come across a story like it, Emily's idea is completely original and would totally make a sh*t hot movie or better still a TV series because those
Plot twists would totes have viewers hooked!!!

Defo my number 1 read this year I reckon! Thanks Netgalley & Quercus for the copy 🙏 AdPr product.

Lauren leaves London for a fresh start with her partner Paul and his two children Jesse and Margo in the countryside and Karen can’t believe how lucky she is it’s all she’s dreamed of but lauren keeps comparing herself to Paul’s deceased wife emma who Paul talks about and she soon starts hearing stories about the family that lived there before
Thank you Emily Freud for writing a truly gripping and captivating book which I fully enjoyed from start to finish and couldn’t put it down

I devoured this book - beautiful written and the characterisation was utterly masterful. The tension built and built until that triumphant climatic finale. So brilliant. Well done Emily!

This was such a good book, so many twists and turns and I was just practically glued to it from beginning to end x

A few pages in and i was totally gripped and read over two evenings. I really felt for Lauren, constantly comparing herself to Paul's first wife, giving her all to the two children but feeling more inadequate as time goes on. There were several occasions when i really was on the edge of my seat and unprepared for the twists. If you only read one book this year make it this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus for the opportunity to read this book and give an honest review.

I've just finished reading this book and it has blown my mind! It's a very cleverly written domestic thriller. I knew from the off that this was going to be a great read and my kind of book. It was really well paced , intriguing and gripping! The only reason I didn't finish in a few sittings was because I didn't want it to end. I would really love to see this as a TV series too. When a book plays out so well in my head , I want to watch the characters come to life and I really could picture this as a TV adaptation!
A fantastic domestic noir and I can not wait for the next installment from Emily Freud. Its 5 stars from me !

This is absolutely my type of book. The tension and eerie underlying tension just makes me happy! It's really well written and will have you hooked for the start. It's a perfect example of a normal life domestic noir story and it's also got a good pace that keeps you interested without dragging it out or feeling rushed. Really really enjoyed it

I seem to be an odd one out here, but this wasn't for me. Struggled to hold my attention and grab my interest from the off.

3.5 rounded up.

Paul and Lauren, along with Paul’s young children Margot and Jesse are moving to the countryside. They’ve not known each other long, in fact less than a year and Lauren is tingling with happiness and anticipation at the new beginning in the impressive architect designed house, deep in the heart of rural England. However, “she“ hangs over her like a dark cloud obscuring the sun, judging her, ‘she’ being Paul’s deceased first wife, Emma.

The book starts really strongly with some unsettling signs and a number of things to puzzle over and get the grey matter going! It’s hard to get a handle on Paul as he seems very erratic and exhibits some strange, surreptitious behaviour which is intriguing. The biggest concern and some of the most disturbing aspects of the book come from Jesse, whose behaviour demonstrates that he is clearly struggling. This is a very strong aspect of the book and you really feel for the little boy. Margot is a cute foil to Jesse and this makes his unsettling behaviour really stand out.

The author conveys a strong sense of mystery, suspicion piles on top of suspicion, there is some truth twisting and coercive control and manipulation and you feel Lauren’s confusion and her attempts to disseminate truth from lies and her tension is palpable. The claustrophobic atmosphere in the house and grounds adds to the tension with at times a feeling of menace hanging over it .

Initially, I’m not so keen on the second half as I question it’s point especially as I’m enjoying the first half so much but I should’ve had faith, the end twist is so unexpected and one you do not see coming. It’s definitely very unpredictable. However, clever though it is you do need to suspend some disbelief!

Overall, the author can construct a good, well paced mystery thriller with well rounded characters. .


With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Quercus Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review

I could barely stop reading this book, the creeping sense of tension building until I was desperate to know what was going on, and the twist when it came was a big surprise - very cleverly done. The handling of the main subject - coercive control - was skillfully done, and the characters sympathetic - apart from one, who deserved a big comeuppance! Excellent read, would highly recommend.

This book ..... WOW. I mean just WOW. this book is really, really well written, it is gripping and had so many twist and turns lots of unreliable characters. It's really, really good. Don't miss it.

If I had to sum What She Behind up in a single phrase it would be MIND-BLOWING!

I was completely gripped from the first chaper. I found myself actually gasping and saying 'oh-my-god! Out loud several times.

A completely addictive read, not only because the plot is perfectly paced and full of twists and turns, but also because I was just so invested in the characters.The twist at the end was particularly brilliant. I was speechless. Which is rare!

If you're lover of domestic noir/psychological thrillers I honestly cannot recommend What She Left Behind to you enough.

Emily's writing is fresh and smart, and the story is completely original and gut wrenchingly suspenseful. I would love to see it being adapted into a film/TV drama in the future.

What She Left Behind is one of my favourite reads of the year so far and I'd highly recommend you all pre-ordering or requesting on @netgalley ASAP

Congratulations Emily! You deserve every sucess!

Brilliantly set against the backdrop of a 'normal' life, this story simmers with foreboding and menace. The build-up to the ending is perfectly paced and executed. A highly recommended read for lovers of dark domestic noir thrillers. 5 stars from me.

This was a gripping read right from the very start. It was well written with a compelling storyline and well developed, relatable and believeable characters. The book was full on tension with twists and unpredictability that kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.

#WhatSheLeftBehind #NetGalley
Wonderful.
Lauren can't believe she's escaped her old life in London for a new start with her partner, Paul, and his two young children. Haunted by her past, Lauren knows how lucky she is: a dream home, a ready-made family. And she also knows how much she could lose. But as Lauren struggles to adjust to motherhood, her fears grow. She'll never live up to the ghost of Paul's perfect wife, or help him forget his grief over her tragic death. And as village rumours begin to swirl about their house in the woods, Lauren feels ever more isolated - despite Paul's reassurances. She wants to trust Paul - she owes him everything - but how can she, when she can barely trust herself?
This book is really brilliant. I love to read more from this author.
Thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books for giving me an advance copy.

Oh wow! I love this from page one, and that twist at the end took my breath away, I was not expecting that at all. Compelling is absolutely right, I give this book 5 stars for definite.