I’ve read a few of Claire Douglas’s books and they’ve always been fabulous reads with this one being no different, except it could just be possible that it’s even better than the previous. Her novels always keep me captivated with a twisted web of lies that runs through the characters lives which you have to try to untangle first to even begin to understand what’s going on.

This book certainly kept me interested with so many red herrings throughout I really didn’t have a clue of what I suspected was what was going on. The one thing I did pick up on was mentioned a few times which left once I got to the last few chapters and wasn’t explained left be a little confused.

Great characters that all intertwined through the storyline. Plenty of threads of suspicion and so many fabulous twists that although I did guess, it didn’t spoil the story for me.

Another fabulous novel by a wonderful author.

My third novel by Claire Douglas, The Couple at No. 9 was a really cracking read!

The reader is introduced to Saffron "Saffy" Cutler whose new home is 9 Skelton Place. Saffy's mum, Lorna lives in Spain and her mother, Rose has dementia and is living in a care home. Rose rented out the cottage and now it is in need of renovation. Lorna has no use for it so has given it to Saffy who is living with Tom. Saffy is appalled to find that there are human remains in the garden when the building work commences.

Set in Beggars’ Nook in the Cotswolds, this was a wonderfully tense, dramatic and nerve-wracking read and everything I would want to see in a thriller was there. The reader is given events from the perspectives of Saffron and Lorna in the present, and Rose in the past. Claire Douglas threw several twists into the plot and there were occasions when I was sure I knew exactly what had gone on, only to be thrown a curveball and be knocked off track. I was totally hooked from the beginning and the character creation and development was very well done. Gripping and suspenseful, the plot unravelled at a very satisfying pace.

I appreciated the way Claire Douglas delved into the complexity of relationships, adeptly creating further depth to the story. There was plenty to muddy the waters and I was certainly very pleased with the astonishing denouement. I highly recommend this taut and unputdownable book.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Penguin UK - Michael Joseph via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Ok, I will be the first to say this took me a while to get into... But once I started to warm to the characters Saffy and Lolly I was hooked... It really starts to build Momentum halfway through and then I read it all in an evening it was that good I sort of thought I could see the twist early on but that never spoiled the ending for me.

It was such a great book and I highly recommended this book it really never disappointed me.

Thanks once again for letting me read this book and review it such a fan of her work and this was one of the best yet!

I had high hopes for this book, but sadly I find myself slightly disappointed after finishing it.

The book follows the story of Saffy and Tom, who are renovating their cottage when two bodies are discovered in the garden. The book switches between the stories of Saffy and Tom, Saffy's Mum Lorna, Saffy's grandmother Rose and Theo, gradually uncovering the secrets of the past and interlinking them all. There were several twists and turns along the way, many of which I never saw coming.

I can't really put my finger on what it was that stopped me from really enjoying this book. I just didn't especially relate to the characters and didn't particularly find it 'exciting'.

I've given it 3 stars as I did enjoy the story and thought the book was well written.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending the ARC in return for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. It started off slow and I struggled to get into it but once it got going I couldn’t put it down. It had so many twists and turns with different characters but it all linked together very well in the end. Definitely recommend this book.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a great storyline with excellent characters. I would highly recommend this book as it was a great read.

A cautionary tale that would make me think twice before starting renovations that require the digging up of my back garden. Not one body, but two!! And so starts this slow burner with twists and turns galore. Just when you think you have the answer to the what happened to who there is another spanner thrown in the works. The characters are well drawn, the mystery thickens and the surprises keep coming. My favourite read by this author so far.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Claire Douglas/Penguin Michael Joseph UK for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and read it in one sitting. A gripping story with plenty of twists and turns and a killer ending. A must read.

Tom and Saffron are the young couple at No 9. They live in a secluded cottage on the edge of the woods that actually belongs to Saffron's mum, but before that had been rented out for several years. The renovations begin and bodies are found in the garden, and as the investigation digs deeper, lots of secrets are unearthed.
I found the narrative a bit slow at the start as the characters were introduced and the plot laid out, but I am so glad I stuck with it as I soon found myself completely immersed in this unputdownable page turner.
A perfect summer escapism, page turning read with a delightful array of thriller, mystery and amateur sleuthing going on to keep you reading way past your bedtime.

A thoroughly enjoyable book - I felt it started at a decent pace and just built up and up towards the fantastic twist., which I would never have guessed. I loved it - but I think I've missed something - didn't they live at number 10 and not number 9 - I was waiting for a reveal there that never came - confused about that. Still, highly recommended.

The Couple at No.9 by @clairedouglasauthor

I was lucky enough to be sent a digital ARC by @netgalley so thank you so much to them, the author and the publisher @michaeljbooks ❤️

Synopsis…. When pregnant Saffron Cutler and her boyfriend Tom move into 9 Skelton Place, they didn't expect to find this.

Two bodies, buried under the patio over thirty years ago.

When the police launch a murder investigation, they ask to speak to the cottage's former owner - Saffy's grandmother, Rose, whose Alzheimer's clouds her memory.

But it is clear she remembers something . . .

What happened thirty years ago?
What part did her grandmother play?
And is Saffy now in danger? . . .

My thoughts…..I absolutely raced through this thriller in just a day! Short snappy chapters, great twists and turns, endearing characters. It kept me gripped and guessing throughout which is what I love!

Apologies for the boring booksta pic but I only have the digital copy so no Dobby shots this time or beach views 😂😂

I urge you to pick this book up if you love Claire Douglas or want to try a new thriller author! You won’t be disappointed!

It’s a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me!

I just adore a Claire Douglas thriller! This book was another gripping page-turner.
I was left guessing the entire time. I didn't want to put the book down - exactly what you want from a thriller.
The only reason I didn't give this book the full 5* was just because it got a little confusing at the end with all the false identities etc.
I loved the premise of this book as it didn't feel far fetched at all. It felt so real. I could just imagine the opening chapters of the book being something I would see on the news. Everything about this book was just so intriguing.

I recommend this book to anyone after a good and proper thriller! However just make sure you're paying attention - you'll need your wits about you at the end when everything is revealed!

The two main characters are a bit “Ab Fab”… the daughter is even called Saffy!
I did find it pretty hard to keep tabs on all the names, characters, victims and others. I’d often think “who on earth is that?!” when an unfamiliar name was mentioned; with so many stories running in tandem, maybe I should’ve kept notes! But nevertheless, the story kept me gripped till the end.

I’ve been lucky enough to have read the last two books by Claire Douglas, and so when I was offered the chance to read her next one in advance of its publication – I said yes please!

Here’s the blurb:

“When pregnant Saffron Cutler and her boyfriend Tom move into 9 Skelton Place, they didn’t expect to find this.
Two bodies, buried under the patio over thirty years ago.
When the police launch a murder investigation, they ask to speak to the cottage’s former owner – Saffy’s grandmother, Rose, whose Alzheimer’s clouds her memory.
But it is clear she remembers something . . .
What happened thirty years ago?
What part did her grandmother play?
And is Saffy now in danger? . . .“

The book kicks you off right into the deep end with a body found in the garden of Saffy and Tom’s house as they’re having an extension built. Quickly followed by a second corpse. They’ve only recently moved in having been gifted the house by Saffy’s grandmother who has moved into a home suffering with dementia – although Saffy never knew her Grandmother owned the house in the quaint village Beggars Nook before that.

There is then, obviously, an investigation into who these two bodies are.

Saffy’s Mum Lorna flies over from Spain – where she’s living with her current younger man – and they visit their Grandmother / Mother Rose discussing with her – through the clouds of Alzheimers – who the victims may be.

Some of the chapters are told from the point of view of Saffy, some by Lorna, some by Rose – and some by Theo – a seemingly unconnected chef from Yorkshire with a horrible father. You suspect that he must be connected (otherwise it would be a very strange book!) but you don’t know why.

There are LOADS of twists and turns. Some of these I guessed and some I didn’t. I actually quite liked that as I could feel smug when I pre guessed a twist – but still be shocked with some of them!

It continued at pace – and consequently I was desperate to keep reading as it was so good and really kept my interest.

Whilst being a murder mystery at heart – the book also looks at parent / child relationships in great depth – and all in quite unique ways.

Overall this was a great read and I would highly recommend it. It was originally planned to be published today – but has been pushed back until the end of September 2021 – so plenty of time to pre order!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC in exchange for an independent review.

I really enjoyed this book.

I was gripped from the beginning and there were lots of twists and turns and I couldn’t see what was coming next.

Fast paced and easy to read. Well written and gripping
Loved it

I really enjoyed this book. It hooked me from the start and I breezed through the story. It’s from the perspective of a few different characters and this helps to build up the picture of what happened and also keeps the suspense going too. It’s well written with a good plot. I recommend this book. Thank you #netgalley

Claire Douglas writes ripping thrillers and this is true to form.

Saffy and her husband Tom move into her grandmother's cottage in the country; with a baby on the way, life is perfect... but then two bodies are dug up under their patio...

Populated with a cast of colourful, nice and nasty characters, and with many a plot twist, this is an engaging read.

Wow, Wow, Wow The Couple at No.9 is phenomenal, I loved it. Firstly I loved the characters and the writing style was great. It kept me on the edge of my seat throughout, I didn't want to put it down and the ending did not disappoint.
I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Michael Joseph UK for my ARC.

This book was incredible and one of my favorite reads of the year. When Saffy and Tom start an extension on their Grandmother's house in preparation for their new arrival they did not bank on what they find. The story has depth, intrigue and covers aspects from all three generations. Their family is changed forever. Lots of surprising twists.

What a treat Claire Douglas has given us with The Couple at No. 9. I absolutely loved it. A clever plot, a gripping mystery, great characters and so many twists (one of which had my jaw hit the floor). Absorbing from start to finish. Highly recommended.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.