The Couple at No 9: ‘Spine-chilling’ - SUNDAY TIMES

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Book Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Crime, Fiction, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Thriller Woohoo! Multi POVs! A unique puzzle! Great characterization! Well executed, hooking, riveting, smart mystery! This story is told through both past and present perspectives. You learn about the present by following Saffy, Lorna and a man named, Theo. In the past, you learn about Rose's time living at 9 Skelton Place. The story is told in the past and the present through many different POVs, but Rose’s perspective in the past was the most interesting to me. I thought she was strong and interesting. I liked Saffy a lot, and I couldn’t wait to see how Theo’s storyline tied into the rest of them. These were all very well-rounded characters that grew throughout the storyline. Some characters that I wasn’t the biggest fan of at the beginning became my favorites at the end, which is certainly a sign of excellent character development.

As Rose's fragmented memories resurface, and the police dig ever deeper, Saffy fears she and the cottage are being watched.

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This book had a bit of a slow start, perhaps because there were quite a few characters that needed to be introduced, as well as different timelines, and the author wanted to lay a good foundation for the crazy twists to come. And wow were there some twists in this book! If you love a good plot. Not exceptionally fast paced but definitely not boring or dipping in any way throughout. Have characters where some you love and some you shouldn’t but do because in a weird way you understand them, but you then wonder WHATS WRONG WITH ME, I should be angry, cross, not like this person at all! This well-paced thriller never lets up the pace, and delivers a twist that it's unlikely you will have seen coming Choice Magazine

Sadly, this was the one minus this novel had and for me, it weighed heavy enough. Changes of perspective are alright but not mixed with first-third person switches and time lapses. It just gets confusing. The characterization is impressive throughout. Every single protagonist is well drawn and fully sculpted, making them totally believable and relatable. The story is also plotted very elaborately and holds together very well. It has to be said that an event or two tends to be too convenient, but they are necessary mechanics to move the plot along. In general, however, these cases are forgivable. The couple find out that the bodies have been buried at least 30 years. It is ruled a homicide and the police immediately begin their investigation.They ask to speak to the cottage’s former owner, Saffron’s grandmother Rose. I really enjoyed the dual timelines - 2016 and the 1980's - but I must admit I enjoyed Rose's story in the past the most. The book is told from the POV of Saffy, Lorna, Rose, and Theo (although Theo seemed almost like a throw-in character). I honestly loved Lorna and Rose - they were strong-willed, resilient women, with a tenuous bond that felt believable. Saffy, eh, not so much. Her actions annoyed me much of the book - especially her reaction to the "big twist". I thought her mother was a much more interesting character! Were there a few unbelievable moments? Yes. Did Lorna remember a bit too much as a 3-year old child but then did not recall the most important thing of all? Yes. Did I guess the twist before it was revealed? Yes. Did any of it take away from overall enjoyment? No. I thought the writing was phenomenal, and I raced through the book in two sittings. This appears to me my first introduction to Claire Douglas (although I swear I've read other books by her but not according to GR 🤷‍♀️), and I must say, I am a fan. I'm already on the hunt for more of her books!Introducing the residents, The Couple at No 9, is Saffy and Tom expecting their first baby. There is so much excitement having a cottage gifted to them from her mother Lorna, who also inherited it. Lorna never knew it existed until her mother, Rose, was placed into a nursing home with Alzheimer's. The excitement turns to uncertainty when 2 bodies are found during an excavation of the garden. Autopsies reveal they died 30 years ago. When detectives question Rose, her memory comes in fragments due to this cruel disease of the mind. This makes the story intriguing with each visit as bits of history are displayed. There are a lot of characters introduced but necessary to rebuild the past keeping you on the edge of your seat. Theo’s father Victor was also Lorna’s father. Glen Davies is his henchman. Victor commited fertility fraud (inseminated his patients with his own sperm) and had killed Theo’s mother. He was convicted. The story, told at an excellent pace, uncovers an abundance of hidden secrets and dark obsessions. There is no shortage of characters that are well drawn and relevant to the story and the suspense is very good as we enter the mystery of whodunit and why? Expansive, emotional, with one of the very best end twists I've ever read. Douglas at her heart-stopping best Gillian McAllister

This book has everything I love: murder, a taut and fiendishly clever plot and nail-biting tension' EMMA CURTISThis novel has various, complex POVs. Saffy is the primary storyteller, but we also hear from Lorna, Daphne, and the seemingly unrelated (at first) character of Theo. Theo and his family seemed incongruously thrown into the plot; a filler with his own mystery to solve. But as the story plays out, both Theo and his father play an important, albeit disturbing, role in Saffy and Lorna’s life.

I loved this slow burn 🔥 … creepy vibe mystery..it was sooo TWISTED!!! The further we get into the story.. the more twisted it got! 😳 As Rose’s fragmented memories resurface, and the police dig ever deeper, Saffy fears she and the cottage are being watched.

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As Rose's fragmented memories resurface and the police dig ever deeper, Saffy fears she and the cottage are being watched.