“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.

Well this was a dark and bingeable read! A fast-paced psychological thriller full of untrustworthy characters, twists and turns, and shocking back stories that reveal themselves at the most opportune time. A fun read if you like shocking storylines and books that leave you just a little bit more weary of the people you meet.

First off I have to thank the ever talented John Marrs for this advanced reading copy of this book! I simply could not wait until February.

This book was so gripping I found every spare moment I could pick it back up I was. The story surrounds an elderly woman who is suffering from dementia - and those sick twisted person(s) who take advantage of someone in that position.

The cat & mouse game between Connie & Paul was so fierce & the quickness in which Paul moved to always have the upper hand was both infuriating and amazing. It really made me feel Connie's frustrations every single time!

Being a huge JM fan & avid reader of his, I was constantly trying to piece things together - even the smallest details but still came up short in the end. Every chapter made me need a little bit more - so of course I indulged and finished this book in no time at all.

There are very few writers that can create a book with SO many unlikeable and ruthless characters & still manage to be so amazing - & John Marrs has definitely done it again.

Paul was horrifying & so damn smart there were many times I was shocked but also low key impressed by him. The scary thing was he was such a believable character & knowing this stuff actually happens makes it far more unsettling.

RUN and get your copy when this hits shelves in February 2024!

My Review: 🍷🍷🍷🍷

Wow this book!!!!!
I think this could be my fav book I have read in 2023.
I was feeling every emotion, but part 1 had me feeling so angry for Connie then wham part 2.
I always love John marrs books, he is a fantastic write and they just get better and better

John Marrs does it again! I absolutely ate this one up, once I started I had it finished in 24 hours! The Stranger in Her House had my jaw on the floor at many points and made my blood boil as well, so to say it was a rollercoaster is an understatement! I loved this reading experience and really cannot recommend this book enough! I'd say the less you know the better heading into this one, you'll be in for a real treat!

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and John Marrs for this copy! The Stranger in Her House is out February 13th 2024, do not miss out!

* Please look up trigger warnings before reading *

I always love John Marrs books and I was SO happy to get access to this one! In this, Marrs succeeds in making the most FRUSTRATING scenario possible and then twisting it on its head so you don’t know how to feel anymore!

This story had a lot less action than I’d come to expect in a John Marrs book, it was very slow and subtle and then there was a bit of action at the end. This wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, this book was a lot more focused on familial relationships, con artists, morality, and the vulnerability of old people. I especially liked that Gwen had dementia, as this made the stakes for figuring Paul out so much higher for Connie. I can’t talk much more about the rest of the book without giving lots away.

This one had some really interesting characters, none massively likeable though 😂 I enjoyed the ending overall as I wasn’t rooting for many of the characters. I did wish that the side plot with Margaret and Tom was more complex. Overall though I really enjoyed this and absolutely raced through it! It was so frustrating and annoying in the best way. I’d definitely recommend.

A dark and unputdownable tale. I loved it more than I loved the mostly unlikeable characters. I felt it dragged just a bit towards the end, but it arrived at a satisfyingly wicked conclusion.

4.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC of this novel. I stayed up way too late to read “just one more chapter!” The twist at the middle of the book was perfection. You really can’t trust anyone in this book- they all have a secret agenda (which I loved!). 4.5 ⭐️ rounded up!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

Paul’s just here to help, or so he claims—sent by a charity for vulnerable people to do odd jobs for elderly widow Gwen. But for Gwen’s daughter Connie, there’s just something about Paul that rings alarm bells from day one. He’s a little too kind, a little too involved…Worse still, Gwen seems to have fallen under his spell.

As always John has blown me away. This book was fantastic.

I thought I knew what was going to happen about half way through by boy was I wrong.

I somehow hated yet loved all the characters.

Love John marrs books! What happens when your elderly loved one gets seduced by a possible con man? Connie finds herself in this position and begins to fear for her mothers life. Good read, a bit repetitive and Connie is a bit unlikeable. But enjoyable

This was such a clever read. There were quite a few twists , but the one that happened about midway completely took this book in a whole different direction. A cat and mouse thriller you will DEFINITELY want to add to your list. The two main characters, Connie and Paul, are both unlikable, but after reading on, you'll realize one is worse than the other and you'll actually be rooting for one of them. This was a compulsively readable book that will almost definitely catch you off guard! Highly recommend!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. My review will be posted on Instagram, Bookbub, Goodreads, and Amazon once it publishes.

Another masterpiece by John Marrs. This book is split into three parts and my word part 1 had my jaw on the floor. I love the way John writes and has you trying to guess the outcome and it ends up completely different. The book is very quick paced and packed with tension. The only negative was that I found towards the end it was just dragging but again it had revelations and it was all imperative to the story. Love John Marrs and he never lets you down. 5 🌟

Twisty thriller with a cast of characters that kept you guessing who to believe the whole time. I really like how John Marrs writes always keeps the story moving and easy to read. I enjoyed the short chapters and the different points of view chapters that would pop up from time to time. I want to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the digital arc in exchange for an honest review. 3 stars for this one would recommend.

My first John Marrs book! And I loved it!

Let me tell you, I was convinced I knew where this was going…I did not!

This book was so twisty. The constant shocks and reveals in the second half made for such addictive reading. It's rare I read a book in 24 hours but this one was just begging to be read!

This is a binge worthy, suspend belief, sit back and enjoy the ride type of thriller and I enjoyed every page of it! Get excited for next Feb when this book is released!

Now I need to know, which John Marrs book do I need to read next?

What a book! It has all you need for a great read. Characters who you love to hate, Short sharp chapters and a good storyline which keeps you on your toes right until the very end. I really enjoyed reading this.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.