I love John Marrs books and this one is no exception! Honestly, I haven’t hidden away in the bath for 3 hours to finish a book for ages, and then message my friend immediately afterwards to tell her she needs to read this book asap! The way the author is able to write such a clever story in such a readable way and remain sensitive to a very emotional subject in such a perfectly balanced way is second to none, The characters are very cleverly written as you swing from trusting them to not believing a word they say from one paragraph to the next. This is a devilishly addictive and highly recommended read.

This seems to be a common start to my reviews - that despite having many of this Authors books on my shelves or on my kindle, this is the first John Marrs book I have actually read.
I was hooked in very very quickly, to the point where I read the first 50 % almost in one go as I couldn't put it down.
It had so many little twists and turns, that I didn't see coming at all - not even close, and I just couldn't get enough.
I have read reviews stating that this particular book isn't as good as his previous books - if that's the case, I can't wait to read his others as this one was really good, and I would be happy to recommend.
Great book ❤️

If John Marrs wrote it, you know it’s good! I was hooked right away at the beginning, felt a little bored in the middle, but then the ending picked back up again. Overall I enjoyed this game of cat and mouse.

Wow! I loved this book! It’s one of those books you keep thinking about long after you read it. It’s about a handyman that insinuates himself into the life of a woman with Dementia. The woman’s daughter grows suspicious of the man.
There’s so much more to it than that, but I don’t want to give anything away. Def recommend!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

John Marrs comes through once again, with a captivating novel you cannot bear to put down. The first half of this novel kept me up reading most of the night.

Although, there are no honestly "good" people to cheer for in this novel, ultimately, all the bad people are certainly thoroughly punished (to death in some cases) for their misdeeds.

Think how you would feel if you were taking care of your elderly mother (who has dementia) and a young man half her age begins a relationship with her so that he becomes her soul heir? Not really a spoiler, and does not give away the various mysteries in this book as this occurs almost immediately.

What would you do when there is little you CAN do?

Many secrets to discover in this mystery where women are loved - to death.

John Marrs has made his best book yet IMO. WOW! Just wow!! This thriller had me flipping the pages so fast I felt like I was getting whiplash! So many twists and turns along the way, all the way to the very last page. Loved it!! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance copy in exchange for my honest review. I do think this will be a favorite of 2024 (even though it's only January) I highly recommend this one.

Connie has a tough life, eking out a living by walking dogs and taking in ironing while also caring for her mom Gwen, who has vascular dementia. The day a handsome stranger shows up is the day it all starts going off the rails. Paul has been sent by a charitable organization to help with some yard work, but he’s soon wormed his way far deeper into the women’s lives and to say his motives appear suspect would be putting it mildly. As things start spiraling out of control, Connie fears she’s at risk of losing on the inheritance she’s been counting on.

Holy crap, John Marrs! It’s a good thing I can tell from Bookstagram that he’s such an awesome person, because otherwise I would be seriously concerned about where these twisted stories come from! He’s got such a compelling writing style that sucks you in immediately and doesn’t let go. The plot is intricate and clever and there’s a palpable sense of dread running just under the surface that will keep you racing through the pages. The gaslighting and cat-and-mouse interplay between Connie and Paul are dark and disturbing and kept me off balance as much as they kept each other dangling. I know Marrs is always going to have a curveball up his sleeve that I couldn’t possibly predict, so I didn’t even try to guess how this story would turn out, I just hung on and enjoyed the ride!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me an advance copy of this book.

A good read which kept me involved in the storyline from the beginning until the end.

I engaged with all the characters and they were well described.

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC which I can recommend.

John Marrs has done it again and has written another fabulous and twisted story that I just can’t fault. I knew right from the off I was going to love this book as in no time at all I was so deeply immersed in the story I refused to leave the house until I finished reading it. The story is a sad one in many ways but it’s deliciously cunning and clever as the twists come and take you down yet another pathway it leaves you gasping as you realise what is going on…. well I thought I did but this is Mr Marrs at his best and of course I was wrong!!
Fabulous story, superb writing, characters that are never what they seem this book has it all and much more so another 5 star read from an amazing author I absolutely loved it and can highly recommend it it’s one that’s not to be missed.
My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Connie is struggling a bit, taking care of her mother, Gwen, who's dementia has progressed since becoming a widow. Luckily, a charity group for seniors has sent Paul to do some yard and house work, a huge help for both of them. But when Paul gets a little too involved with her mother's care, Connie starts to wonder what Paul's real intentions are.

I admit this book started off a little bit much. Part one had me shaking my head about some things that were going on and I could not get past. That is, until part two came and completely threw me for a loop. I was not expecting the twist at all, BUT looking back, the clues were there, which I believe to be important for a good twist, and there were more to follow. The characters were well written and all fairly unlikeable in a good way. The plot was very good, and while I had questions about some parts at first, the author answered them all in his acknowledgements, which were quite enlightening and shocking. The ending was perfect and I wouldn't have changed a thing. I have read several books by this author and this is likely tied with my favorite (alongside What Lies Between Us.)

To swim in a pond of deception with waves coming off the deceiver and the deceived.

John Marrs has created quite a multi-faceted novel here. Marrs stands his characters upright like two Samarai warriors eyeing each other for battle. Braced for combat, they both shift positions according to the circumstances. But through the process, both will begin to lose their solid footing at the expense of a total downfall.

Gwen sits in her chair near the door. It's become second nature to her as she awaits the arrival of her daughter, Connie, who lives in her own apartment in the village. Days run into each other with confusion and unsettled feelings. Dementia never seems to focus on the light at the end of the tunnel. It begins to dim day after day.

Connie concentrates on supplying Gwen with a change of clothes and a visit to the bathroom. Once Gwen is settled, she begins her regular routine as Gwen's carer. But sounds from outdoors suddenly draw Connie to the window. It's a handsome young man in his thirties cutting down branches from the overgrown tree in the front yard.

The man introduces himself as Paul, a volunteer from Help For Homes. Connie feels a bit uneasy. Paul returns every day with a new task at hand. It's Paul who settles Gwen down after one of her episodes that leaves scratches on Connie's face. Gwen begins to find comfort in Paul's presence and Paul begins to wear a path over the threshold day after day to Connie's dismay.

Connie contacts the local minister who assures her that Paul is a highly recommended volunteer. She also contacts Help For Homes and sees nothing but positive experiences listed. But there's something about Paul. His continuous presence is leaving Connie unsure of her own relationship with Gwen. Connie is losing her footing here. Paul will become a threat of momentous proportions. Just stick around and see this one unfold, folks. Deep Creep.

The Stranger in Her Home visits upon those issues that affect the elderly and those who care for them. And even on a grander scale, Marrs touches on those events and circumstances in life in which the sands of control begin to shift.......and not in our favor. When lies begin as small bites and then become mouthfuls. When the actual truth becomes hazy and difficult to discern in the mix of ill-gotten gains and terrible losses. Marrs will keep you clutchin' those pearls as these actions begin to swirl into a giant tsunami at the end. Stay tuned. This is a complicated knot of a read.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Thomas & Mercer and to John Marrs for the opportunity.

How trustworthy is someone helpful? Are their motives always for good? And how can you know when the person they are helping isn’t of their right mind all the time? John pulls you into this creepy drama and has you second guessing yourself throughout.

Thank you NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and John Marrs for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Marrs has done it again! This excellent thriller had all sorts of twists I was not expecting (one big one in particular blew my mind).

The alternating POV chapters are always a favorite of mine and they were very well done in this instance. My only knock is something that happened at the end of the book but it’s probably just because I’m over sensitive!

The Stranger in Her House will be on US bookshelves February 13!

The Stranger in Her House" by John Marrs is a rollercoaster of suspense and twisted psychological intrigue. Marrs skillfully weaves a tale where a seemingly helpful stranger, Paul, infiltrates the life of elderly widow Gwen under the guise of charity assistance. However, Gwen's daughter, Connie, is quick to sense that something about Paul is off. As Paul's influence grows, Connie's suspicions intensify, leading to a gripping battle of wits between them.

While the premise requires some suspension of disbelief, Marrs delivers a proper twisty thriller that keeps readers guessing until the very end. The narrative's tension is palpable as Connie tries to unveil Paul's true intentions, creating a psychological chess game that explores themes of trust, manipulation, and the fragility of reality. "The Stranger in Her House" is an entertaining ride for those who enjoy suspenseful and mind-bending thrillers.

“I was prepared for the dementia to take away a little bit more of her every day. But I didn’t expect another person to rob me of her.”

Connie Wright, 43, has her hands full caring for her aging mother, Gwendoline, who suffers with vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s. Connie is appreciative of Help For Homes sending Paul Michael to help with the handyman chores around the house as it means that she can return home for short spells to keep her wedding planning business operational. It seems that Paul gives ‘Gwenny’ purpose and Connie agrees that “there’s clearly something about him that’s rejuvenating brain cells yet to be decimated by her disease.”

However, six weeks into the arrangement, the Wright house is upended. Although at first, Connie appreciated the free help, she suddenly becomes aware that this isn’t the mutually beneficial relationship she had planned for her mother. She fears that Paul has a hidden agenda.

You’ll love this cat-and-mouse, high-stakes psychological thriller that will have you questioning just who is using who.

Although this thriller is centered around the issue of trust, Marrs also spotlights those brain-related illnesses, such as dementia, that are so cruel because they are gradual and drawn out. He draws our attention to victimless crimes and the ease and repetition of their occurrence. I was in awe of Marrs representation of predators and those people who, when we finally think we have them figured out, keep moving the goalposts. He also gave me food for thought when he examined the life of a care-aid and revealed that they often feel invisible. Most of all, I appreciated his warning about those people we let into our lives who, when given a chance, become a malignant presence and a cancerous tumour. If I discover such a relationship developing, I hope I have the courage and foresight to remove them before it becomes terminal.

The tension-filled read was peppered with moments of lightheartedness that allowed me to sigh and decompress. One such moment was the referral to “Hyacinth Bucket and her Royal Doulton with the hand-painted periwinkles.”

I’m glad I gave this author a second chance as this was a deliciously good, five-star read for me!

I was gifted this copy by Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this fun and creepy read. Wow..lies..lies and more lies is what this book is about. I don’t want to give anything away but this book will have you reading it all the time and you will not put it down. The book has short chapters and so easy to read. John Marrs is still the storyteller he has been in his other books. No exception here . I do not even know what to say other than read it was good.

This book is so unique and cleaver, I couldn’t help it; I loved it. I was hooked the entire way through and the different POV really built the suspense. So many of the chapters left on a cliffhanger, I just had to keep reading! Every time I thought I had it figured out, Marr throw me for a loop. At one point I was holding my breath because I just couldn’t believe what was happening. The ending was so unexpected and I really can’t recommend this book enough.

Whether you are a Marr’s fan or not, you don’t want to miss this book! I definitely want to check out more of his twisty thrillers.

****Many thanks to Thomas and Mercer for my gifted copy in turn for an honest review.

This not my first John Marrs’ novel and won’t be my last. With themes of dementia and exploitation, scamming and violence it was in keeping with the somewhat darker themes John seems to prefer.

After a relatively slow start and unfolding story you are hit by a significant twist and then they start to flow freely. I found myself caught up in the moral conflicts and discussing options in my head, searching for the best/safest way forward for the characters. The author cleverly managed to keep said discussions off balance and difficult to pin down.

The characters are well developed and we learn their story and those of the people in their orbit, over time. As More detail is revealed the deeper and sometimes darker, the story gets.

There were many uncomfortable scenarios and a number that I found edgy to say the least. I can’t say much more, due to significant spoiler risk, other than I read the final 90 minutes straight through, which is unusual for me.

The end was feeling a little too tidy………………..

Recommended for fans of John and newcomers alike

A new to me author who has me now searching out his backlist. This book is interesting, well written, and held my attention. I don't want to give spoilers, just read it! You won't be sorry. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy.

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Connie has moved back from Italy to care for her mom Gwen who is suffering from dementia. But out of the blue comes Paul, who was sent from the agency that helps elderly people with home projects. When it seems there should be no more projects to work on he is still hanging around and Gwen is smitten with him. Connie knows something is amiss but can't convince Gwen of this.

This was a very entertaining book. There were times I didn't know where it was going and I was very interested in finding out. I never found my intereste waivering. Another strong read from John Marrs.