A little slow for me to start with.
I also found myself skipping parts waiting for the story to get going.
Some twists and turns but overall this was sadly not for me.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

2.5/3 rounded up

The nicest couples in question are Christian and Lily and Nina and Jake. Lily and Nina are teachers at the same high school and are good friends. One evening Christian arrives home to find newly pregnant Lily exhausted but it’s more than that as she seems fearful. The same night Jake fails to return home after the couple have an argument earlier in the day. Nina thinks he’s staying away to blow off steam but is that the case or is there more to it?

First of all, I am a big Mary Kubica fan but this is far from my favourite book of hers. I’m not keen on the way it’s written with very short, rather staccato sentences as it feels so basic from such a good author. There is irrelevant detail, repetition and some statements that frankly, make my eyes roll .

The characters are not especially well fleshed out and some dialogue between them isn’t good either which considering what’s occurring this feels very understated and underwhelming.

However, there are some moments of tension and a few decent twists that throw you off the expected track, as well as some good red herrings . Sadly though, the pace rarely rises much above a country amble and this plot deserves to be brisk. What can I say about the ending? It doesn’t wow and it also feels rushed considering all the buildup.

Overall, I’m so disappointed as excitement levels rise when you see a new Mary Kubica novel and it grieves me to rate her book this low. I still very much want to read what she comes up with next but in all honesty I don’t think this is up to her usual high standard.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HQ for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

This was just sheer perfection when it comes to domestic thrillers! I've actually bn in a bit if a slump and have started half a dozen books and not one held my interest past 2 chapters but then I got to this one.... and omg! I was up all night and just could not put it down. It was such a pleasure to read a really written and original thriller. The characters were original and the plot itsself just always kept you guessing. I can't speak highly enough of it. Its up there with the great thriller writers most definitely! I'm downloading the entire back catalogue as we speak...... just amazing!! A must read!!!

This is the second Mary Kubica novel I've read after absolutely loving Local Woman Missing and I have now started reading my way through the author's back catalogue.
Lily and Nina are friends and fellow teachers. When Nina's husband Jake goes missing, Lily confesses to her husband Christian that she may have been involved in Jake's disappearance.
This was such an expertly and tightly plotted novel, it's gripping, twisty and tension filled. I raced through it and found myself holding my breath on many occasions. The author is skilled at characterisation and describing the darkness of American suburban lives.
Mary Kubica excels in this genre and if you like Harlan Coben and Linwood Barclay I'm sure you'll love this. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.