A mother and child move to a rural home to start a new life. But will they be able to make their place amidst the tight-knit village community?

This book came as a total surprise to me. It is not a typical domestic thriller, but it carries a sense of menace. As it was, I found it impossible to put down. What if I missed something???

Suitable for lovers of domestic thrillers and cozy mysteries, The Playground talks about how subtly classist behaviour can cause major damage.

3.5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for an ARC.

Thank you Pan Macmillan and Netgalley and why didn't I read this sooner.
I've enjoyed all the books I've read by Michelle and this was no different.
Once started I couldn't put this down.
Highly recommended.

Nancy and her daughter move to a village, seeking a simpler life. Unfortunately, the games are not limited to the playground, nor to the kids. Both Nancy and Lara are ostracized and targeted. The primary Queen Bee Imogen is quite over the top in her machinations and I felt bad Nancy.

I really resonated with this one, being a former playground parent myself. Well written, and twisty, I really felt for Laura at times. It was a good read that I finished in two sittings.

This is such a fantastic written story I loved all the twists and turns it was like being on a rollercoaster I didn't want this story too end but such an amazing ending I never guessed I love a good thriller that keeps me on my toes

After the death of her husband, Nancy and her daughter Lara decide to move to the countryside especially as Lara was being bullied at her former school. They move into Willow Barn, an expensive property that a fellow village resident Imogen recently had had to vacate. But Nancy’s expectations are soon dashed as problems start to arise. Nancy and Lara soon become outcasts as Imogen accuses Lara of bullying her daughter and when things start to happen in the village Nancy is blamed. The inclusion of the Mums What’s App chat group was interesting as we realised that the village had a lot of secrets. This was a really enjoyable read with a surprise twist at the end.
Thanks to Netgalley and Pan books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Gee, this book kept my attention right to the very end! So many different characters and all with their own agendas!! My heart really went out to Nancy and her daughter but the scheming ways of Rosie and her mother sent my blood pressure rocketing!!
A very well written and true to life book and look forward to any others by this author.
Many thanx to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book

Fast paced and compelling, I couldn't stop thinking about it when I wasn't reading it. A really enjoyable read that kept me guessing

I love books exploring complex female friendships (or maybe frenemies would be a better description in the case of this novel!) so I was keen to get to The Playground. This novel follows Nancy and her daughter who has just moved to a small village after the death of her husband. She hopes to be part of the community but from the start the school mums seem very insular and not very welcoming, and this just gets worse when accusations of bullying are made between the children. I did find this book a little slow in places and I did suspect some of what was going on but overall this was an engaging read that kept me turning the pages all the way through.

The Playground - Michelle Frances

An easy suspicious read, which would be a perfect holiday book. I really enjoyed the pace of this book, and the addition of the school mum whats-app chat group info, I thought this added an extra layer to the nonsense that they spout throughout- very cut-throat. The characters were not very likable which just adds to the atmosphere of the book and were brought to life excellently by the author. Very enjoyable and kept me gripped all the way through.

Thanks so much Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for this e-arc in return for my honest thoughts and opinions.

Absolutely loved this book. It had me hooked from the off. I felt like I rushed it to find out what was coming next. Very well written. Clever plot that played out well.

Loved it, A relentless ride of suspense that will keep you guessing till the very last page, great book full of twists and turns, brilliant

This was a great read and I couldn't put it down. I nearly finished it in one sitting it was so good. Looking forward to reading more by this author. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley and Pan McMillan for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Nancy and her school age daughter Lara move to a new town, looking for a new beginning. But Lara is accused of trying to drown Rosie, a local child whose parents have recently fallen on hard financial times. In fact, Nancy and Lara have moved into their Rosie’s previous house. When Rosie is later accused of bullying Lara, the town sides with Rosie’s mon Imogen because they have loyalty to her rather than the newcomer and thinks ultimately reach a climax.

I shouldn’t have requested this book because I don’t like kids and don’t want to read about them. This was ok. There was enough drama going on with other adult characters to keep me from dnf’ing but I found the bullying that was at the center of the book to be boring. This all came to a plausible conclusion but I think I would label it women’s fiction not a thriller.

I really enjoyed this book. The storyline was gripping and intriguing and I really liked the characters. Would definitely recommend.

I just couldn't get into this book, the premise didn't seem important enough to give the story momentum. The side stories were a bit predictable and the conclusion was a little unbelievable

Gripping read about a mother and daughter who move to a new area and get drawn into a drama of a small town and childhood issues! Easy read and couldn’t put it down!!!

The Playground is a phenomenal thriller from start to finish. Filled to the brim with twists and a captivating plot, this one is sure to keep readers hooked. The characters are well-developed. The story is incredibly fast-paced. This is one not to be missed! Highly recommended! Be sure to check out The Playground asap.

I’m a big fan of Michelle Frances’ books, but I’m afraid this one just didn’t live up to her usual standard, despite the fact I was enjoying it right up until the last few chapters.

The premise was great, about a young widow and her daughter moving to a small village and both finding it hard to fit in. There are several storylines, all of which are well developed and believable: school bullying, mum cliques, an affair, misappropriation of school funds, mysterious dog deaths, etc. etc.

I liked the short, snappy chapters and the build-up of tension, all of which indicated a looming climax. But then it all fizzled out, and instead of a thrilling denouement, what transpired was a massive info dump, Such a bizarre way to finish off an otherwise immersive read. It felt like the author had grown bored of the story, or run out of ideas, so just threw everything into an epilogue.

I don’t think I’ve ever felt so let down at an ending and am still shaking my head in disbelief.

An excellent psychological thriller! Michelle Frances has never let me down yet. She's an immediate go to when I see she has a new one out. Read this book!