I do enjoy a thriller from this author, this must be the third or fourth I’ve read by her. There’s always intrigue, despicable characters and a pacy plot. This book had all those things, but it didn’t quite pay off for me. It may be that it fell short in comparison with previous works I’ve read by the author, but I wasn’t quite satisfied by the way things ended. This is still an enjoyable and quick read so if you’ve been a fan of Candlish in the past, you’ll most likely enjoy this one.

Louise Candlish is an auto-buy author for me and this one didn't disappoint. I was hooked from the very beginning and did not see the twists coming! If you like twisty thrillers with believable plots then this one is perfect for you!

An interesting premise and i like Louise Candlish writing style. However, this was very slow paced and had an awful lot of very unlikeable characters which kind of left me not really caring what happened at the end. It was quite predictable at times. Not as good as her previous books

I really enjoyed this.
Ever since loving Our House by Candlish, I have read everything she has written. This didn't live up to what I hoped, but it was an enjoyable read nonetheless.
I wasn't as gripped for the entirety as I hoped, and I can't remember much about it now!

I really enjoy Louise’s books. She is a wonderful author and this book delivered its consistent balance of thrill and depth. Thanks for sharing

Not her best book! A little long-winded and predictable - although it did have a good twist at the end. Would recommend for fans of her previous books, but not to fans of a domestic thriller in general.

Alex is living an ordinary life. He’s married, has a stable job, lives in the suburbs with his wife Beth and dog. When work for a new nature trail is announced Alex’s carefully designed life is in danger and the secrets he’s been hiding are threatened to be revealed.

While the book got off to a promising start, my interest dwindled as I continued reading. Alex is unlikeable from the start, how the man is married I have no idea. He is snarky, self-obsessed, rude, and as devolves as the book goes on. The sections in the present day were slightly boring, maybe this was because of the pacing or due to an uninterest in the characters. I found myself confused at some of the character’s actions, and for the involvement of Zara. The sections set in 1995 were more interesting but I felt that the pacing was still too slow. I guessed the twists and unfortunately I think this would be the case for any seasoned thriller reader.

A really clever, interesting novel about the long shadows cast by past misdemeanours.

As usual, Candlish captures the human psyche well and creates a cast of characters who are compelling but fundamentally flawed.

I was drawn into this tautly woven domestic thriller from the first page. Although a little overlong, it is a riveting tale of murder and abuse and I enjoyed the twist at the end.

The Only Suspect doesn’t let you breathe for one second. Hugely character driven that leads you through a maze of mystery with hidden traps that want, no need, to trip you up.

The Only Suspect is razor sharp in its ability to engage its reader in a fall from reality. Nothing gets me giddier than a crime fiction novel that requires the reader to use their brain and their wit to get to the conclusion. Even when I thought I had it all worked out…I was dead wrong, on every count. A crime novel, domestic in its nature and deadly in its outcome, The Only Suspect has me salivating for more novels written by Louise Candlish, she has a skill that isn’t easily replicated.

You know what they say – love makes the world go round, and for Rick he is just about willing to do anything for his love, Marina. After meeting her one summer’s afternoon whilst she temped in the same building as him, he knew he’d never be the same again. But he never quite anticipated just how disastrous his life would become after becoming embroiled in her personal problems. 1995 was a year he’d never forget, for all the wrong reasons. Candlish focuses heavily on relationships and the pull they have upon us. Is it only natural to ignore the red flags that any rational person would point out? Does love make us completely blind?

Marina has a difficult life. She’s married to Drew Stanley, a businessman specialising in flooring. A thick set, intense man that brokers no disagreement to what could happen to you if you interfere in his personal life. Marina states that he controls her in all aspects, from her working life to her family to what she is allowed to wear. She is completely miserable. She knows what rules to follow and sees no other way out – not until she meets and gets to know, dependable Rick. He cares deeply for her and wants to help her find a way to help her escape the tyranny of Drew – even saving a fund for her new life. If he really examined things though, would things seem amiss or is it merely the situation?

Alex, told in the present day is married to Beth. Their relationship is also fraught with difficulties. They’ve struggled to conceive a child and now the boat has well and truly sailed with Alex reaching his fiftieth birthday. He likes his privacy, doesn’t like to be paraded or have his picture taken, low key is his middle name. Things could get tricky though with the opening of the new path at the nature reserve being dug up. The scene of a grisly murder twenty years ago in which he’s connected, could his game of Jenga come tumbling down?

Death, domestic abuse, control, and deceit make this an impeccable crime thriller. Louise Candlish serves it with a helping of beautiful prose that hints at the threatening nature of its conclusion and other times hits you full on with the force of a guillotine. This is definitely a book that you’re going to want to switch off all devices, grab a comfy blanket and all the tea you can drink because when you start – you won’t want to stop.

Alex and Beth live in Silver Vale, Alex likes to keep himself to himself whereas Beth likes to get involved in the community. This involvement reveals plans for the track which gives Alex cause for concern.
The story is told in a dual timeline of 1995 & the present day. It builds slowly giving the reader a chance to know the characters, there are several twists and the ending is good.
I'd definitely recommend this book.
Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for this read.

Fantastic book. Kept me guessing right until rhe very end what the hell was going on. Absolutely devoured it in 2 days in a bid to find out not only who dunnit but what did they do! Another corker from Louise Candlish

Louise Candlish strikes again! A thriller you won’t be able to put down that will definitely have your heart racing! Love her work, her writing style builds a plot so well!

For me, this was far too much of a slow burn. It had potential, but it was just too long an by the time it got interesting unfortunately I was already over it and ready for to finish.

This story sucked me right in, I had to know what was going on.

It starts with two threads of storyline and both are well written and keep you wanting more.

I enjoyed the contrast between the couples reactions to the new nature trail.

This is a gripping thriller with twists galore. Another great read from this exceptional author, and one that I recommend
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC

A tense story with intriguing characters that kept me turning the pages.. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

The Only Suspect is a phenomenal thriller from start to finish. The characters are incredibly well-written. The plot is fast-paced and captivating. If you're looking for your next favorite thriller, this is the one for you. Be sure to check out The Only Suspect today. Highly recommended!

This book was an absolutely brilliant read and kept me guessing right up to the end. The characters are well developed and the storyline is very different. Told in dual timelines you will find this book very hard to put down. There is tension, there is drama, there is intrigue and just when you think you have it all figured out there is the ultimate plot twist.

In her newest novel The Only Suspect, Louise Candlish twists and turns the reader through a dark and mysterious world where everyone has secrets and appearances can be deceiving. From the easy-going protagonist Alex, to the mysterious and seductive Marina, readers will be captivated by each unique character and taken along for a thrilling ride. With a creative mix of suspense and intrigue, this twisting, seductive, and ingenious thriller will leave readers breathless. Louise Candlish’s mastery of craft and attention to detail in the description of characters, settings, and the story’s themes have certainly raised the bar on this work and firmly secured her place as one of the bestselling authors of crime and suspense. Don’t miss out on this enthralling and tantalizing tale of suspense that will keep you guessing until the very last page.