Cushla

Dan and a group of his friends enjoy a Sunday lunch together on a perfect summer's day. They're pleased to welcome their glamorous new neighbour and novelist, Ellie, who has rented a house in the village to work on her book. She likes to place herself in the centre of her plots, she says, although it's hard to see what she'll find to write about in a quiet country backwater.

As Ellie slots effortlessly into the village social scene, Dan’s wife begins to feel increasingly alienated from her friends and isolated from her family, but, for the life of her, she can’t fathom why..

'I stood for a moment, feeling alone and isolated, and yet here I was amongst my closest friends. Everyone was chatting, laughing, relaxing, having a happy time together without a care in the world, and then there was me. It was all so subtle, almost subliminal.'

Can’t really say too much without giving away plot details…best to read this without knowing much about it.

A solid psychological thriller, twisty, tense read told by contrasting voices,which, effectively gives two unreliable narrators. For me the destination didn't live up to the journey, I found the explanation somewhat unconvincing. But even so an enjoyable and very anxious read!