Love love love Sue Watson. Now’s that’s said, The Lodge is a great addition to her family dramas. Right now, I have two or three books I’m reading that feature storms cutting off the characters from the rest of the world. Hey, if it works, don’t knock it. This one works well. A grandmother, her son and his three children are at a weekend lodge. Also along for the ride is his ex wife, the mother of his two teenage children and the current wife with a newborn. As a character says, what could possibly go right? Sit back, read and enjoy this story, all its well-developed women and parallel points of view. It had me fooled, by the way.

The Lodge by Sue Watson was a fantastic thrill read that kept me engrossed from beginning to end. I have read nearly all of the authors books and they are always so fun to read so I was happy to have the chance to read this one.

The Lodge is a jam packed psychological thriller that has all the twists and turns keeping readers intrigued. Throughout the book my emotions were all over, I felt sorry for the main characters and I couldn’t decide who I was rooting for more.

All the characters are so well done and portrayed, some you will like and some in my opinion you will really dislike. There is never a dull moment, always good twists and turns throughout the book which are amazingly done. I love how the environment was described as it was easy to imagine in my mind. Overall the plot, setting, characters and overall feel of this book was so good, I loved everything about this book and would fully recommend to fellow book readers. This is a must read book for the autumn/fall season.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publishers and Bookouture for the copy of this arc in exchange of an honest review.

5*

I Love this authors books and so enjoyed this book very gripping and addictive. Fiona is divorced from her husband they have two children she is still very close to her former mother in law Angela. her ex left her for a younger woman and they now have a child. Angela is celebrating her seventy-five birthday and wants Fiona to join her at a family weekend at a Lodge but things don't go to plan a man is found died and a lot of tension and so many secrets a very must read book

★★★★ 4.5 stars

One family...one holiday...one chance for murder...

One wife, one ex-wife, the husband, his mother, his two teenage/adult by said ex-wife, a 12 month old baby by now current wife and a personal chef with a possible hidden agenda. What could possibly go wrong?? This dysfunctional family are the stars of this locked room thriller set in the beautiful and picturesque Cornwall that is snowed in for this tale. Sue Watson does family drama on a whole other scale here right up to the barely convoluted end.

Fiona is just getting her life back on track after her husband Scott threw a grenade into their marriage by sleeping with a colleague and then marrying her. She's tried the dating life and discovered it's not for her so it settling back into her own rhythm when she receives an invite from family matriarch Angela to join them all on a family holiday to a secluded lodge in Cornwall to celebrate her 75th birthday. And she does mean...everyone. Including Scott's new wife Danni and their bouncing baby Olivia. Fiona really doesn't want to play happy families with her ex and the newer model he traded her in for, but her former mother-in-law hinted that it may be her last birthday. So Fiona felt she could hardly refuse.

From the moment everyone arrived, tensions were high. It was clear from the outset that no one was comfortable with the arrangement but were here for Angela. Even the birthday cake was a bone of contention as both Fiona and Danni had made one specially because Angela always said "that it wasn't my birthday without Fiona/Danni's cake!" Really? Talk about awkward. And then came the sabotage. Who was really guilty there?

Honestly, I think Angela was winding everyone up by inviting them all to the lodge for "a nice family holiday". How on earth did she think it would go? The entire weekend was doomed from the start. And then she announces their own personal chef in the form of former lab assistant from Scott's school, Jenna! How did she go from lab assistant to waitress to cordon bleu chef in a matter of months?

And then the police arrive one evening to announce a hit and run on the road leading to their lodge the evening of everyone's arrival. They seem to think one of them guilty! And when one of them disappears in the early hours of the morning, everyone is on tenterhooks as to what happened...and more importantly, why?

Let's talk about the characters...or not. There really isn't much to like about many of them. First of all, Danni. She got on my nerves from the off. Her irritating annoying little snipes at everyone made me want to slap her. Jenna? She was annoying on another level, sidling up to "Scottie" and trying to be the centre of his attention at every opportunity...even in front of his wife. Both of them! Fiona? I liked her but some of her decisions were questionable. Scott? Simply put, he was a tool. He'd have a shiny toy that he had been happy with until an even shinier one came along and then he decided he wanted that one instead...and so he risked everything by being an absolute idiot. And he didn't stop there. Georgia was incredibly insecure and anxious about just about everything. Sam seemed a little cagey...what was he hiding. Even baby Olivia got on my nerves with her constant screaming and wailing...and I couldn't even hear her! And then there was Angela. I really think she was winding everyone up by inviting them all to the lodge because what did she honestly think was going to happen? But then she did want one last birthday with them all. One last birthday that she could enjoy as Angela. And therein lies the conundrum.

There was so much cattiness and bitchiness going on with Danni being the main instigator and Jenna being a little more subtle in her approach. I really didn't like any of the characters but Fiona and Angela were the lesser of the evils I think. I guess I found a little sympathy for Angela in her case which is maybe why I was relatively okay with her.

The ending was somewhat convoluted with an epilogue that seemed to go on forever. But held within those pages were the answers we were all seeking. What really happened in Kynance Cove in Cornwall?

This atmospheric thriller is the perfect locked room mystery that will have even the reader on edge being locked up with all these characters for company. But what a fun read it was. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with with Sue once again and once again in Cornwall, always an atmospheric setting.

Tightly plotted, well written, tense, chilling and a thoroughly entertaining read.

I would like to thank #SueWatson, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheLodge in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

Being invited to celebrate a 75th birthday in a beautiful lodge on the coast of Cornwall sounds idyllic and of course you’d jump at the chance to go or would you ? Well in this gripping read by Sue Watson , family matriarch Angela Wilson has invited her ex Daughter-in-law Fiona , her two grandchildren and her son Scott, along with Scott’s new wife Danni and their baby daughter Olivia to celebrate her birthday. Angela is hoping they’ll all get on and have the most wonderful few days away, after all it might be her last birthday? To make it even better Angela has invited along a ‘gourmet’ chef to do all the cooking . Sounds absolutely perfect but will it be ?

Oh wow this is again another gripping and at times heart stopping read by Sue Watson . Sue is one of my automatic go to authors where I don’t even need to read the blurb of her book to know I’m in for an awesome read . The Lodge is one that once you start you will honestly struggle to put down . Filled with characters that all seem to be hiding something and I didn’t know who to trust for the majority of this book. There were a few red herrings thrown in and some twists that I really wasn’t expecting . The final sentence in this book will really have you thinking . ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A fast paced psychological thriller full of twists and turns told from dual perspectives of the wife and ex-wife.

The set up for getting this very dysfunctional family together is Angela's 75th birthday which she hints could be her last so although no one wants to they all set off to Kynance Cove in Cornwall to a holiday lodge on the cliffs.

Scott, headteacher and Angela's son, with his young wife Danni and baby Olivia.

Fiona, ex-wife and mother.

Georgia and Sam, the college aged children of Fiona and Scott.

Jenna, a young chef hired by Angela for the weekend

All arriving at the lodge in treacherous weather conditions they soon find they are cut off by snow and when the police call with news of a hit and run near them they are ordered to stay where they are. This sets up a remote lockdown situation where everyone has secrets, the wives hate each other, and someone in the family could be a murderer!

The most unbelievable aspect is the weather. I'd be surprised if it snows in Kynance Cove more than one day a decade but here they're snowed in, knee deep for a week! We really don't get that much snow in Cornwall.
Still, fantasy element aside it provides a good excuse to keep all these nasty people together. My allegiance between Fiona and Danni kept shifting with different revelations in their chapters.

The second half of the book piles on the shocks, twists and surprises and is skillfully written and good fun.

A fast read that provides good entertainment.

The Lodge by Sue Watson was a perfect thriller for the cold rainy days of fall. When I started this book I felt sympathy and wanted revenge for Fiona. But then I also found myself feeling sorry and wanting to comfort Danni. I often felt torn about whose side I wanted to be on, but can say I absolutely hated Scott and Jenna! This book had twists and turns that kept me guessing and intrigued. The plot was amazing, the setting cold and the ending was so good! Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for my ARC copy in exchange for my honest review. 4.5 stars rounded up.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture & Bookouture Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest thriller by a favorite, Sue Watson, beautifully narrated by both Alison Campbell and Tamsin Kennard, and for including me on the blog tour for this book - 5 stars!

Fiona is invited to a birthday party at a lodge in Cornwall by her mother-in-law. Fiona is still recovering from her divorce from Scott, and his subsequent remarriage to Danni and their new daughter. But Angela intimates that this might be the last birthday they celebrate together, so for her and the sake of their two teenagers, Fiona agrees to go. As everyone gathers, including a chef Angela hired who is actually known to the group in other ways, snow begins to fall. Then the police show up at the door with news that there was a hit and run and someone in their group may be guilty. They are told they have to stay put. Tensions mount between everyone, and then someone goes missing.

I love locked-room, atmospheric mysteries and love Sue Watson's books, so this is an absolute winner for me. There are a lot of characters and everyone is not exactly they seem to be. One of the best parts? The last sentence of the novel is a question to the reader - love that! Grab a cozy blanket, curl up in your favorite chair and don't miss this one!

In "The Lodge" readers will find a captivating and emotional story that delves into family, loyalty, and love.

Angela, who is turning 75, organizes a family weekend at a stunning lodge on the Cornish coast, fearing it maybe her last birthday celebration. Her son, his wife & baby, 2 teenage children, and his ex-wife have all been invited to this extraordinary family affair. The combination of a blizzard and being stranded brings out old resentments and jealousies, resulting in a recipe for disaster.

Just when you think you have everything all worked out, Sue throws another spanner in the works. I frequently thought I had predicted the book's trajectory and events, only to be taken aback repeatedly.

To make matters worse, the police have arrived and stated that an accident has occurred, being treated as a hit-and-run!!

I found the story enjoyable and the setting captivating. This book's captivation lies in the author's ability to hide many things, even from the reader. The reader is kept on edge as secrets come to light and the plot unfolds, just like the characters. By using different perspectives, the plot becomes richer and readers gain personal insights into each character. I found the character interactions to be enjoyable - the tension in the air was intense - I empathized with the betrayed wife, and I had my own theories. Even though a few of them were correct, I didn't predict the final surprises.

Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Sue Watson for an advanced copy in exchange for an unbiased and honest opinion.

I loved this book so much I got the audio version as well as the book version. The author writes really well and it definitely kept me engaged! Brilliant

From the moment I delved into the pages of this captivating book, I was hooked! The intricate web of drama, mystery, and conflicting perspectives between Fiona, Scott, and Danni had me on the edge of my seat. The snowy backdrop of the lodge added an extra layer of chilling atmosphere that sent shivers down my spine. Sue Watson truly knows how to craft a story that keeps you glued to the pages, especially when it comes to dysfunctional families.

As the plot unfolded and I got to know the characters better, I couldn't help but shake my head at their choices and actions. The tension in this book was palpable, leaving me constantly guessing and questioning who could be trusted. I thrive on that kind of uncertainty in a story, and this book delivered it in spades. The twists and turns along the way only heightened the suspense, leading up to a jaw-dropping reveal that left me speechless.

The writing itself was superb, with Watson expertly building a sense of unease and keeping me hooked until the very end. The combination of tension, chilling atmosphere, and addictive storytelling made this book a true page-turner. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a gripping, shocking, and thoroughly entertaining read.

Can you say awkward? An ex-mother-in-law, Angela, invites her ex-daughter-in-law, Fiona, and the grandkids, Georgia and Sam, to come spend the week at a wonderful estate. It is Angela's birthday, and she wants Fiona to be a part of the celebration. This all sounds fun until Fiona finds out that she will also have to share the home with her ex-husband, Scott, and his new young wife, Danni. As soon as I read this part, this sounded like the beginning of a nightmare. Once they are all under one roof, catastrophe strikes in the form of a horrific snowstorm. Now they are trapped with no way to leave the premises.

Needless to say tempers are at the boiling point with this crew. The mere sight of Danni makes Fiona physically ill and the jealousy on all sides bleeds off of the pages. I was surprised there was not bloodshed the first day. When one of the them disappears overnight, they are all suspects. There is a killer in their midst, but you have no idea who. There are more secrets and lies being kept in this group than you can imagine. As secrets are revealed, shocking does not even begin to describe how I felt. Let's just say my preconceived notions about these characters were way off base, which is not surprising when you read a Sue Watson novel. Sue Watson likes to play mind games with her readers with sinister puzzle pieces scattered throughout the story that have no discernable pattern until the final pages. Every twist in the story will lead you down another dark path that will leave you scratching your head about what you just read. Fair warning to readers - forget about sleep once you start this one because you will be burning the midnight oil to finish this book. After which time you will sit back and say what just happened? This is another winner for Sue Watson,

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

What could be more perfect than some family time at a beautiful lodge with a winter wonderland outside? Angela has invited her family to join her at a beautiful lodge for her 75th birthday. Her family includes her son, Scott, his wife, Danni, and their daughter, Olivia. She also invites Scott’s ex-wife, Fiona, and their children. Sam and Georgia. Add in a chef from the local cafe who is there to cook for them during the long weekend and what could possibly go wrong. It starts with a nasty snow storm that isolates them from everyone and the police are investigating murder that happened the day the family arrived at the lodge. It alternates viewpoints between Danni and Fiona to fully understand their mindset. I liked the book but felt it took a little bit of time to grab my attention and hold it. Once it did that, I wanted to know who killed the man on the side of the road. Just when I thought I had figured out what was going on, the author threw me another curve ball. I truly did not see the ending coming.

Wow! An absolutely gripping read.
Angela is celebrating her 75th Birthday and wants to be surrounded by her family so asks them to all gather in a beautiful lodge in Cornwall. Her son, his ex-wife and their two nearly adult children, and his current wife and their baby, what could possibly go wrong? and that's before you add the ‘chef’.
Just for good measure lets throw in a risk to life level snow storm that cuts them off.
Told from multiple points of view not only will it keep you guessing but you'll change your allegiances time and time again. An absolutely brilliant locked-in thriller with so many twists and turns your head will be spinning and then, boy oh boy, the ending!

There is nothing like a snowy trapped in mystery thriller! I absolutely love them. The Lodge completely fit the bill and did not disappoint! I found it to be chilling, atmospheric, dramatic, gripping, shocking and hard to put down! I loved that I had both the kindle and audiobook version which made for a completely enjoyable reading experience! The narrators of the audiobook were fantastic and did a brilliant job telling the story and doing the voices.

Angela has called her family together to celebrate her 75th birthday! She has chosen a luxury cabin for the venue and has invited not only her son, Scott and his new wife, Danni, and their baby, but his ex-wife, Fiona and their two children. Talk about uncomfortable! Scot cheated on Fiona with Danni and now they are all under one roof! YIKES!

The snow is falling, emotions are flying, the police have arrived, a body has been found and the police have come calling.

I was fully invested in this book from the very first page! I loved the drama, the mystery, the POV's of Fiona, Scott, and Danni, and the snowy environment. The cabin surrounded by snowfall was atmospheric and chilling. I found this book to be gripping, shocking, addictive and so much fun! Sue Watson knows how to pile on the drama and excels at writing dysfunctional families. As the book progressed and I learned more about the characters, I had fun shaking my head at them, their decisions, and actions. Plus, the tension! You could cut the tension in this book with a knife. As I love tension and not knowing who to trust in a book, I was completely blown away by this book. There were also a nice amount of twists and turns along the way with a jaw dropping reveal!

Well written, tense, chilling, atmospheric and addictive!

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I enjoyed reading this book, which took a while to get into, as there was a lot of things happening in the family.

The story was well-written, with lots of twists and kept you hooked, wanting to continue reading to know what happens next.

The ending surprised me, not what I was expecting at all.

I highly recommend this book.

A dysfunctional family including ex-wife, 2 children, current wife, 1 baby, husband and mother-in-law all unhappily sharing a beautiful lodge in a raging snowstorm. Oh, and a chef who all knew and didn’t trust. No one wanted to be there, but it was to be a special birthday and a good time for the whole family to be together. There are a lot of characters in this plot each with their own story. As the birthday looms and the storm wages its own havoc, tempers begin to flare, secrets come out and someone is murdered. This is not a sweet Christmas Lodge cozy, but rather a twisted, psychological read with lots of drama, jealousy and a surprising ending. Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. This review is my honest opinion.

The Lodge is another fantastic read from the equally fantastic Sue Watson. This one is fast paced with plenty of twists and turns that kept me gripped from beginning to end. I absolutely loved it and cannot recommend it highly enough.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

Thank you so much Netgalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A dysfunctional family end up stranded in a secluded cabin. Relationships which are already strained, become worse when the police start investigating a near by hit and run.

I can never resist family drama thriller type books and I have enjoyed books by this author in the past. There are so many stranded secluded cabins books out there at the moment and while I enjoyed this one, I don’t think it was a standout or her best novel unfortunately!!

The first half of this book is definitely a slow burn and the story wasn’t as dark as I was expecting it to be. The second half of the book does pick up though and once I hit that point, I raced through it.

This was a melting pot of mystery, suspense, twists and family drama in a beautiful snowy setting. An ex-wife and a new one, the husband, mother-in-law, a new baby and the two children of the first marriage all holed up in a luxury lodge in remote Cornwall amidst a snow storm this has all the makings of a page-turning read and it doesn’t disappoint.

The story starts with a bang, a dead body is discovered and the storm worsens with the family trapped in the lodge. Is the killer outside or inside? Are the members or of the family in danger from a stranger or each other?

Told from the alternate points of view of Fiona the ex-wife and Danni the new wife, bitterness and resentment unfold and secrets are revealed. I enjoyed reading both Danni and Fiona’s point of view and felt for Fiona, she was so desperate to protect her family and keep them together. But how far do you go to protect your children? I raced through this pacey story. Highly recommended.