Member Reviews
Was a bit of a suspense and enjoyed parts of it. I have read better books by this author but still enjoyable
This is an easy read, set in an attractive part of Mallorca. I did find Finn and his relationship with his stepmother and sister rather strange given the circumstances of his visit. But is all becomes clear in the end with a surprising twist.
Really enjoyed this thriller which didn’t really resolve any of the loose ends but really dragged me into reading it in one sitting!
"I don't know if this is commiserations or congratulations, but I've got some news. Brace yourself. Dad's dead."
I usually love Delaney's book, an instant buy. This was why I was delighted to receive an advance copy. But this one just didn't hit right with me, which was a shame.
Finn and Jess's father had passed away in Mallorca, where he lived with his third wife, who they have yet to meet. The house is to be inherited by the children, but they haven't seen it in years and presumed it was still falling to pieces. Finn goes out to sort out the league stuff out and to hopefully sell it as soon as possible. Only for Finn to discover the house had been renovated and both his fathers wife and her daughter are currently living there. However, not everything around his father's death and not everything is what it seems
It was an easy read but it was incredibly slow and lacked depth. It felt less of a thriller and mainly focused more on the mysteries and trying to find out what was truly going on. You could tell there was definitely some inspiration from 'My Cousin Rachel' by Daphne Du Maurier. I liked that you didn't really have an idea on what was happening. You didn't know who was being truthful or what to believe. At the end you are definitely left with more questions than answers.
"My generation is sometimes mocked for talking about 'my truth' rather than 'the truth' - an easy habit to criticise, but one which accepts, perhaps that, in a world where so many different versions of the facts are constantly available, it matters not so much what actually happened as who one chooses to believe"
*Thank You Netgalley for m advance copy of the book. Sorry I didn't finsh the book sooner before publication
An excellent thriller as you expect from this author, plenty of twists and turns with good characters in this well plotted novel. I had a job to put thos book down. I got to read this book with thanks to the publishers and Netgalley
Sadly not my favourite JP Delaney read. Normally the author snowballs ordinary people or situations out of control but this was different focusing instead on competing truths. This was done well, cleverly leaving the final judgement up to the reader. But, personally I much prefer a clear ending, with no ambiguity and ideally justice done. For the most part it also felt a little slow, with few characters and plot one-dimensional, before taking a very strange hallucinatory turn towards the end. So not for me but as always I look forward to the author's next book.
Another great book from this author, perfect as a summer read too based upon a brother and sister who have inherited their fathers home abroad. His new wife and her daughter are still living there and the son finds it difficult to ignore the beauty of her. But things don’t quite add up and the sister is not happy that the brother is doing everything he can to get the ownership over to them. Great thriller and summer read
I’m very aware of this kind of twisty tale book and although this was my first by the author I did enjoy it BUT I did think it took a while to get going and I persevered where I thought others might not. But when it picked up the pace, I loved it.
Didn’t enjoy this one as much as previous books by this author. It is still a good story with lots of twists, I just found I wasn’t really invested in the characters or what happened to them. I still finished it because I wanted to know what happened in the end, A good story overall but I didn’t find it as page turning as many people here.
I was disappointed with this - it started out well and it was a good setting and original premise. But, for me, it took a long time to get going and I was not invested enough in the characters to care much about what happened to them. I was eager to find the twist but the denouement fell flat for me. Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book.
In many ways this is a fascinating book. I've read others books by 'Delaney' so knew to expect some twists, but for much of this book it seems pretty straight forward.
Finn - at the behest of his sister - travels to Mallorca to ensure their estranged father's third and last wife, leaves the house the siblings are to inherit following his recent death.
When he arrives he finds that Ruensa's adult daughter, Roze lives there as well. And what follows is Finn trying to work out whether the two women are cunning and duplicitous or innocent refugees. It's a real tussle in his mind. I'm not sure if I'm cynical but I felt it was obvious he was being played, as his father possibly was before him. Although, I wondered...
CAN SOMEONE BE DUPED IF THEY KNOW THEY'RE BEING DUPED?
Is Finn needy enough to allow himself to be swept up in the women's dreams even though he's suspicious of their motives? There are certainly enough falsehoods or constantly-changing stories to be wary. And yet.... like the proverbial train crash we're unable to stop Finn's actions.
However... Delaney then throws a very large spanner in the works, giving us an entirely different scenario.
I have to say, like Finn's sister Jess, I'm not entirely sure who played who here and can't decide if the ending was clever or confusing.
This is certainly a twisty and unpredictable read. But I'm not sure I ultimately liked the characters enough to ponder if justice was served. Or not.
3.5 stars
A very twisty story! The plot keeps you guessing who to trust throughout with some very interesting characters. It’s a good summer read as it is set in beautiful Mallorca.
Another great read by JP Delaney.
Hooked from the start I felt reeled into the plot and could not put it down. Normally I work out plots/subplots before they happen but this book I can say I never saw certain parts coming which for me is the mark of a great read.
Highly recommended and looking forward to the next book by JP Delaney already
Indulging in this literary escapade was an experience beyond compare. The author masterfully weaved a narrative that effortlessly swept me to the edge of my seat, igniting a rollercoaster of emotions that left me breathless. Mallorca, with its idyllic charm and mysterious aura, became more than just a setting; it transformed into a character in itself, adding depth and intrigue to every twist and turn.
The plot's intricate design, riddled with unexpected surprises and artful suspense, ensured that I was perpetually engrossed, eager to unravel the enigmas that unfolded with each passing page. The author's craft lies not only in their ability to craft a tale that commands attention but also in their skill at weaving layers of complexity that entwine seamlessly, leaving a profound impact.
As a reader, I found myself lost amidst the labyrinth of emotions the characters evoked. From heart-pounding anticipation to genuine surprise, and even moments of introspection spurred by the artful prose, the journey through the narrative was as diverse as it was exhilarating. The author's prowess at crafting characters so relatable yet enigmatic underscores their understanding of human nature, ensuring that I felt an unbreakable connection to their struggles and triumphs.
In a world where literature often strives to create an experience that transcends the ordinary, this book succeeds admirably. It captivated not only my imagination but also my heart, leaving an indelible mark that will linger long after the final page has been turned. For those seeking a read that seamlessly melds the allure of an evocative locale with the allure of a suspenseful tale, this is an absolute gem that promises to satiate the most voracious appetite for both beauty and intrigue.
Wow what a book!
You think you know where things are going and then twist after twist gets thrown in to prove you wrong!
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest, independent review.
Finn and his sister Jess are not upset when they learn their father has died. Since their parents' divorce, their father Jimmy has lived a different, somewhat bohemian, lifestyle in Mallorca, while his family returned to the UK.
However, ownership of his run-down farmhouse now passes to Finn and Jess. Finn travels to Mallorca to take possession of their inheritance, but is surprised by what he finds: Jimmy's new wife Ruensa lives there.
As with JP Delaney's previous novels, I found this a gripping and suspenseful page-turner.
I enjoyed having a male narrator and found his unreliability as a narrator added to the suspenseful moments and unpredictable plot.
Delaney expertly weaves a web of intrigue, deceit and betrayal throughout. The plot revolves around a cat-and-mouse game and is filled with tension as suspicions shift from one character to the next.
While the characters are well-portrayed, and I like how Delaney builds suspense by gradually unveiling the characters' complexities and secrets, I struggled to like any of them due to their ulterior motives.
The description of Mallorca's setting is beautiful and atmospheric, and the location of the finca adds to the dramatic moments later in the book.
A captivating, cleverly plotted page-turner.
I enjoyed this twisting thriller and found the characters interesting. I didn’t see the twist coming which was good. It was the perfect holiday read.
As I’ve come to expect from JP Delaney, this was an intriguing, addictive read, featuring a convincing but unreliable narrator, and a raft of beautifully disguised twists.
I couldn’t put it down.
I loved the setting of Mallorca, and the idea of the dilapidated farmhouse, nestled in the hills. Delaney’s evocative descriptions brought them vividly to life.
Starting off as a slow burn, the plot increases in tension with each new twist, turning deliciously dark, before exploding in a heart-stopping finale.
I’ve read better by Delaney, but this was still a thoroughly enjoyable psychological thriller.
This book was absolutely not what I expected when I first started reading it - far darker than you are lead to originally believe. A great read with a great ending.
The New Wife
J.P Delaney
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Thanks so mucn Netgalley and the author J.P Delaney for this much appreciated ARC of this latest book in exchange for my honest review.
I thouroughly enjoyed this one.
The setting in Mallorca is fantastic and makes it all the more a perfect escapism and summer holiday read.
It was so easy to read and I absolutely flew through it.
I was gripped from the very first chapter - in typical JP Delaney style.
The storyline started off as a slow burn despite it being well paced. I never could fully trust Ruensa or her daughter Rose. But the plot kept me guessing throughout and there were a couple of surprises thst shifted the storyline in an unexpected direction that I did not see coming.
I've read a few other books by this author but will defo be adding the rest of them to my list.
A Great Read.
Looking forward to the next book by J.P Delaney
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