Before even getting into the start of this book, lets talk about the synopsis. I read this before starting the book and was very confused when it began as... well... The synopsis is told from 'the Niece's' perspective whereas the book begins from Tara (the Aunty) 's pov. This was confusing and I thought... Well maybe when the character is present in the story pov will switch? Or even a dual pov could've been interesting? No. Nope. Aunty Tara all the 9.5 hours. This was disappointing and now I'm wondering why the synopsis was told from a different pov than the book is.
The summary gives the illusion of so much tension and mystery where, unfortunately, the book falls drastically short.
The writing is simply written, and while it is easy to read and helps keep the steady pace (no one likes to be looking in a dictionary every 5 lines) it just seems boring and there isn't much excitement.
Speaking of excitement! This is something the story vastly lacks. The big 'plot twist' was hardly that. Hints are dropped all the way through the book. This is fine right? This should happen in a thriller, keep you guessing. WRONG. These were not the good type of hints. These were obvious and overexplained in the kind of way that doesn't even make you think and keep you guessing. A good mystery-thriller should drop subtle hints you might not even notice, not take this moments and go on and on basically explaining the ending to you half way through the book.
Speaking of good myster-thriller books, I was so confused sitting there for 2/3 of the book waiting for this moment of 'Okay yeah this is definitely a thriller.' Everything was guessable, I had the ending heavily outlined before I even got there, and this wasn't me looking at every detail and analysing the story- no the ending was given to me on a silver platter by the school registrar of all people.

The main character was a paranoid mess, and although the ending wrapped everything in a cute pink bow screaming 'happily ever after' they author missed out on... well a couple things but the one that really gets me is:
*drumroll*
What happened to Tara's credit card debt because you cannot tell me how broke a character is and then continue to describe all the money they are spending and just write it off at the end not even mentioned.
Plus, the shops mentioned come on. You have and your 12 y/o daughter live a humble life being unable to afford takeout, but this new girl comes along and suddenly you can kit out a whole new bedroom, a new wardrobe, go buy them makeup, new iphones, and underwear from Victoria's Secret?? I know I'm British, clearly not from Alabama, but seriously the price of VS underwear, a new bedroom, and not one but TWO brand new iphones cannot be much less expensive over there. If they were really as broke as they are made out to be, they would definitely not be doing that, and being so reliant on money that she doesn't yet have and we don't even know if she got by the end! I can't. I just can't this whole shopping thing gets me so !!

But well.. Other than not being a mystery-thriller, the credit card black hole, and the unlikable characters. This was okay. I give it 2 stars because the narrator did a good job even if she did have to repeat the same things multiple times a few lines later (We get it, MC has a secret and thinks someone is after her but won't tell us who until a convenient plotpoint).

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and Georgina Cross for the audiobook arc.

I did not see that coming. Maybe I was tricked into not paying enough attention because the characters weren’t really all that likable and I was lulled into what I thought was a simplistic story. But I seemed to have forgotten that Ms. Cross always has a few tricks up her sleeves. Filled with lies, deceit and secrets, this one is much more layered than it may seem.

Lauryn Allman did a good job of pulling me into the story with her narration without overshadowing it. I think this is my first listen of hers and I’ll have to check out her other works.

If you like psychological thrillers that you can’t see the twist coming, this one is for you.

I really enjoyed this one!
I have read The Nanny by Cross and loved it, so I had to read this one too!
This is a suspenseful book, with lots of intrigue and tension- just how I like my thrillers! The narrator is engaging and dramatic, and kept me hooked. I liked most of the characters, and the writing made me suspicious of everyone!

Twists drama intrigue were all part of this story, I really enjoyed the narrator. There are sinister undertones in this book and is emotional in parts! a solid physiological thriller

Really enjoyed this audio book. Well written, fabulous characters and an amazing twist I would highly recommend this audio book.

Thank you NetGalley for the audio copy in exchange for a honest review. Tara and her sister Beth fell out years ago. Then Tara receives a phone call to say her sister had died in a house fire and her daughter Hannah would be coming to live with her and her daughter Cassie. It quickly becomes obvious Hannah is hiding something.

As usual I will not be writing a synopsis as I believe that the professionals do a better job. This is a family based psychological thriller. The tension builds throughout the book, with the past causes for all the mess only revealed in the last couple of chapters. At times I found this a little too frustrating but it works OK in the end.
In the audio edition the narrator suits the book and does a good job.
My one real gripe with the book is minor but might help sales. The title is lame for the content inside. Yes, it is about a niece but its not a very exciting considering the story. A better title would be ‘Dancing Flames’. Much more enticing!

After her estranged sister dies, a woman takes in her orphaned niece, but swiftly becomes convinced that someone is out to get her for something she did in the past, and that she must do all that she can to keep her niece and her own daughter safe. It was a promising start to the story - there were clearly a lot of secrets to be unravelled, but there was a clue quite a way before the end which gave away a bit too much, and so the end wasn't really that much of a surprise, and the ending didn't sustain the tension very well. Parts of the story seemed quite silly and unbelievable, and at times the pace dragged and was a little clumsily written. (I lost count of how many times the protagonist would say that she knew something or could tell something - okay, but describe how?) All in all it was okay. The narrator was quite good and her accent fit in very well with the setting of the story.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in return for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley, Bookouture and Georgina Cross for an ARC in return for an honest review.

'The Niece' by Georgina Cross.

What a rollercoaster of a ride. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it is dark, twisted and utterly thrilling.
This book is full of twists and turns which keep you guessing throughout.
I'm a big fan of Georgina Cross and this does not disappoint.
This is a great psychological thriller.

The Niece by Georgina Cross is a very fast paced and thrilling audiobook narrated by Lauryn Allman. The narrator definitely brought the book and storyline to life with gripping voices and tension unlike any other I have heard from a narrator in quite some time.

Brief synopsis:
All it takes is four words to shatter everything: “Your sister is dead.” Someone set fire to her house, and my niece is the only survivor. With trembling hands, I reach for the window and rip open the blinds. Everything remains quiet. But deep down I know: They’re coming after me next.

Georgina Cross did an excellent job in her story situation and the portrayal of Tara was very well written and narrated. This psychological thriller was jammed packed with suspense and family drama. You will never see that ending coming from a mile away.

Enjoyed the book and author's work tremendously.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to listen to this audio book in return for an honest review.

Synopsis

I love my family. But can I trust them?

Walking down an airport corridor I see her. My mother’s sister. There is no mistaking we’re related; we have the same long, black hair and brown eyes. But my aunt is the one person in the world my mother told me never to trust.

Nothing feels real right now. My beloved mother was my whole world—she taught me everything and she said she would always be there for me. My last memory is of her screaming at me to get out. Then the flames took her, and she was gone.

Now I have to live with my aunt and I hope she’s changed after all these years. But when I secretly watch her speaking to her friends, she makes it sound like I’m a stranger in her home.

She leaves her bedroom door open and I hear her on the phone to the police late at night. I start to wonder if she had something to do with the terrible fire that ripped my life apart. And my blood turns to ice when the detective asks, what are you hiding?

Is my aunt trying to protect me, or is it time to teach her a lesson?

An utterly addictive psychological thriller about a family with a dark secret at its heart that will make you question everyone you trust. Perfect for fans of The Wife Between Us, The Woman in the Window and Gone Girl.

I was really looking forward to starting this novel, it
Sounded like it was right up my alley. It starts immediately with a horrific opener where a woman knows she is burning alive in a house fire. An arson attack it transpires. Then the niece is sent to live with her estranged aunt, an aunt that she hasn’t seen since a family fallout many years ago, and a cousin she has no knowledge of, but can she trust them? More to the point can they trust her?! The story follows along quite nicely with some moments of terror, unfortunately for me I did guess what the jaw dropping twist was going to be. I wish I hadn’t. I don’t know whether it was obvious or I’ve just read soooo many domestic thrillers that it was it expected. None the less, well written, well narrated and an enjoyable read.

The Niece by Georgina Cross Narrated by: Lauryn Allman was an excellent audiobook especially as it was fast paced with lots of great twists and turns throughout I loved it. I found its a book once you start to listen or read you can not put it down. So no start to read it when you are just about to go to bed or have plans for that day! Everything will go out of the window as they say! lol. But, great for your holidays or your day off relaxing!

I do love my family. But can I trust them? Hmmmmm I wonder?

Tara, and Beth are sisters but have been estranged for thirteen years. Tara is shocked when she receives a phone call and she is informed that her sister was killed in a house fire which appears to have been deliberately set. Tara is in a state of shock of the news thats her sister is dead. She can not turn back clocks to make up with Beth now!!!! She is then informed that her niece Hanna will be coming to live with her as her sister' wishes.

But, Who set light to her sister's Beth's house?

Tara and her daughter, Cassie try their best to make Hannah feel at home. However, she is grieving for the loss of her mother and trying to fit in at school, make new friends, and everything around her. So much sadness

But, Hannah can't help but worry if she is next! why was she killed? She can not settle and her last memory is of her mother is screaming at me to get out. Then the flames took her, and she was gone.

WoW.............What a book this was! I loved it and the narrator was very good.

Big Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Tara's estranged sister dies in a house fire and her daughter who managed to escape comes to live with Tara. But it seems the house fire was no accident and could a past secret be the reason for it and could Tara be the next target?
This was a slow start for me and even tho there was a good twist too it at the end, the rest of it just wasn't very suspenseful and I just wasn't too bothered about the characters.
Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC.

This was my first read/listen by Georgina Cross and boy it did not disappoint. This was very fast paced but the tension kept increasing - and wow what an ending. I really dont want to say anymore due to spoilers.

The narration was perfect, just so good you kept wanting to listen

I was given an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.

This is another good book from Georgina Cross, which I enjoyed.

The narrator was great, and I enjoyed listening to her voice.

The story is about Tara, and how she copes after her sister Beth dies and she has to look after Beth's daughter Hannah. Tara has a daughter called Casey, who gets close to Hannah, and Tara, Casey and Hannah learn to get on well together and live together mostly in harmony.

Of course, with this being a psychological thriller, all is not as it seems, and there are secrets to be uncovered, and twists galore! I was surprised by the last portion of the book, but it was very good!

Many thanks to the author, narrator, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.

Set between Alabama and Louisville, Kentucky, this book is slow burn hinting at events from the past that could be effecting their lives today.



After Tara’s former family home in Louisville burns to the ground killing her sister Beth, the protagonist’s niece, Hannah moves in with her. You are left questioning what could have happened to cause the fire. Hannah’s odd actions bring her into question, but what if it is linked to what happened 13 years ago? There are a few good twists, some of it is a little projected although I never guessed all of the main twist.



The narrator is great and perfect for this book

I love my family. But can I trust them?

Walking down an airport corridor I see her. My mother’s sister. There is no mistaking we’re related; we have the same long, black hair and brown eyes. But my aunt is the one person in the world my mother told me never to trust.

Nothing feels real right now. My beloved mother was my whole world—she taught me everything and she said she would always be there for me. My last memory is of her screaming at me to get out. Then the flames took her, and she was gone.

Now I have to live with my aunt and I hope she’s changed after all these years. But when I secretly watch her speaking to her friends, she makes it sound like I’m a stranger in her home.

She leaves her bedroom door open and I hear her on the phone to the police late at night. I start to wonder if she had something to do with the terrible fire that ripped my life apart. And my blood turns to ice when the detective asks, what are you hiding?

Is my aunt trying to protect me, or is it time to teach her a lesson?

An utterly addictive psychological thriller about a family with a dark secret at its heart that will make you question everyone you trust. Perfect for fans of The Wife Between Us, The Woman in the Window and Gone Girl.

This book had a good plot unfortunately it didn’t hold my interest very well, I found the narrator quite annoying and couldn’t get past that.

"The Niece" is a captivating thriller about a niece moving in with her aunt after her mother's death. I've long been a fan of thrillers with strangers in the home. This one was so unsettling because the niece is creepy, but I loved that there were other layers to the story. Other storylines add to the mystery and built up the ending. I loved the audiobook version, the authors accent was appropriate and Louisville was appropriately pronounced, lol. Thanks for the advance review copy. Bookouture rarely disappoints.

This thriller was sensational, one of the darkest I have read all year. I was enthralled from page one, I never quite knew who to trust. The way this book is written makes it feel so claustrophobic, that you can't stop reading even if you want to - I GENUINELY THINK THIS BOOK WILL STAY WITH ME FOR A LONG TIME.

Another fantastic book by Georgina Cross after I read Nanny Needed earlier in the year and this did not disappoint. If you like dark domestic thrillers then this is perfect.
#NetGalley #TheNiece