I am so split on how to review this book.

On one hand, this isn't usually the genre/plot that I enjoy. The he said/she said trope, where absolutely no one believes the protagonist, is one that I have always found frustrating rather than tense. Especially when it's that blind almost unfounded disbelief, where the only obstacles are the protagonist telling someone the truth only for them to not believe a word. I was therefore teetering between enjoyment and dismay at the start of the book.

On the other hand, this him vs. her trope wasn't the primary focus for the whole book, and everything kept shifting and twisting with new elements constantly evolving. The layers of plots and revelations have meant that I've read this in under 24 hours and sat up late to do so, which, for me, means a lot.

I think if the he said/she said at the start had been handled a bit more believability and sympathetically with even just a few of the characters standing with Connie, or the social worker or police being more sympathetic but hand tired, then I would have gone for a full 5 star review. My personal preference and taste have meant that I have gone for a 4 star.

Thank you for the opportunity to preview A Stranger in the House.
Connie is taking care of her mom Gwen. She is getting more and more forgetful. It is not easy for Connie. Until Paul shows up doing chores and helping out Gwen. Isn’t that nice of him?
Connie starts to see there is more to this kindness and soon she starts to question what is really going on.
Is Paul too good to be true or is Connie not too good?
Things are just not right and Connie is at the losing end
3 stars

I was so excited to be able to review this book from one of my fave authors!! And this book did not disappoint, I was hooked from the beginning right to the end. A brilliant storyline where karma comes around and around and doesn’t stop…

It amazes me the way John Marrs thinks, his twisted psychological thrillers always keeps me wondering on what he will come up with next!

This is a book of three thirds.

The first third is so ludicrous that I nearly stopped reading. I mean just incredibly implausible and silly. I thought the whole book would be this story arc. Thankfully just as I was about to stop, a bombshell I didn’t see coming is dropped and the pace picks up and it turns into a game of cat and mouse.

The second third of this book is enjoyable enough(if you can put the beginning out of your mind somewhat). It’s fast paced with reveal after reveal and quite clever in parts. Certainly the strongest part of the book by a long way.

The final third….well. Just as you feel the book has reached its climax and conclusion, the author feels compelled to write more chapters to tie up some loose ends and throw in some more, by now ludicrous reveals. The book just didn’t seem to want to end.

From the blurb you can see it’s an interesting subject. Old woman with dementia accepts help around the house from a volunteer with ulterior motives. Handled sensitively it could have been really interesting but it’s handled like a bull in a china shop.

I’m an outlier here as this book is being well received but for me, overall it was a good idea shoddily and clumsily executed.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.

Where to start?
A psychological thriller that will really mess with your head.
Well written characters with a storyline that is full of twists.
Another John Marrs masterpiece.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

I am in my John Marrs era of reading so I was BEYOND EXCITED to see this one on read now!! I JUMPED at the opportunity. As always there’s an ominous eerie feeling that comes over me anytime I’m reading a JM book.. you just know nothing is as it seems.. lulled into a false sense of secuity by the apparent normalcy of it all.. and I was SO RIGHT. This book was a RIDE. We’ve got Connie coming back from abroad to care for her elderly mother who is suffering with dementia unbeknown to Connie the church arrange a volunteer to come and do some odd jobs on Gwens house.. Paul. Paul is kind, polite and CANNOT do enough for Gwen.. Slowly but surely he begins to weedle his way into their lives in every which way possible… think sixth commandment vibes but SO much more than that.

So I loved it.. is it my favourite JM book.. no! BUT it’s still top TOP tier reading. OBVS! The last hour in particular was WILD.. TWISTY TWIST TWIST with a twist on top LOVED! I REALLY loved Connie as a character she was SO much more than she first appeared and I loved the complexity of her. I will say I found a couple of the high energy scenes a bit 🙄🙄 but WHO AM I TO SAY THAT.!

Thank you so much for allowing me the early copy I do of course have it on preorder for that GORGEOUS COVERRRR!

Twist after twist after twist! Marrs is back with another banger- just when you think you know how things are going he switches it up but still leaves you breathless and wanting more.!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this advanced copy in return for an honest review. This was an astounding thriller! John Marrs does it again! I thought I knew what was going on, then boom, no I didn't. Then, I thought ok, now I know. I didn't! Many twists and turns throughout. Amazing book.

Big thanks to NetGalley and John Marrs for the ARC.

Man. John has done it again. This book was suspenseful and FRUSTRATING!! Following Connie on this INSANE journey had me begging for more. There are so many hidden details along the way with endless turns. Every time you think you know something, he goes and says, "You're kinda right, but also, you don't know sh!t." It's so hard to write a review on John's books when I have a hard and fast rule of never leaving spoilers. By the end of the book, I needed to just sit and emotionally recover. I can not recommend John enough. Highly recommend this book if you're looking for something to keep you engaged. Many times you're left shouting about decisions being made. Every interaction has you hanging on every word desperately trying to guess the catch.

A big thanks to #NetGalley and #Thomas&Mercer for the ARC of #TheStrangerInHerHouse by #JohnMarrs. Another home run for the Amazing John Marrs. I have no idea how he does what he does, but we are lucky to get to devour his books. This book was such a twisted thrill ride that hits home for many loved ones of dementia. I couldn’t put it down. Very Highly Recommended!

Lies, deception and alllll the twists! This story definitely captured my attention and was an enjoyable read. All of the characters have their “story” and the ending is sure to capture most of yall’s attention.

John Marrs does it again. He has perfected the art of exploring the most deprave parts of humanity within his characters. This ending was my absolute favorite.

Wow! What a book! This is by far my favourite read of the year.
John Marrs has always been one of my favourite authors, so I was super excited to read this book. I was certainly not disappointed.
I was hooked from page 1, and the twists just kept coming.
This is a fabulous psychological thriller and I loved every page. I wish I could go back and start it again! It truly is a must read and one that is more than worthy of a big fat 5 stars!

Another amazing book by John Marrs that kept me guessing with all the twists and turns. I didn't suspect the ending and that is what I love about his writing. I will continue to read all of his books.

OMFG What have I just read?
An absolutely compulsive page turner with bite! Yet again John Marrs has smashed it out the park creating his best and memorable book to date!
This is hands down the most compelling, disturbing addictive book I have read this year!
I don’t want to go into the book description too much as the blurb is all you need to know. As for the rest, it’s a must read as the story gets darker and twistier than a tornado!
The writing and plot are so good time just becomes irrelevant, they suck you in and don’t let you go until either your eyes can no longer keep themselves open or you’ve finished the book it is so good!
Filled with characters that get under your skin and most of them are so despicable they are a real love to hate protagonist and antagonist. You certainly won’t forget them for a while.
And as for the twists, at the end of a few chapters, I knew something bad was coming, so much so I had to put the book down to one side for a breather so I could prepare myself for what was to come!
I know, this review is basically just blowing smoke up the arse of this book, but I cannot express to you how good it really is!! So sorry if you were looking for a review on what happens in the plot but for that, this is 100% a must read for yourself it’s so damned good.
I will say that the book deals with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and that these parts of the book are written with delicacy, care and respect that such horrible disease’s deserve. He has done a fantastic job of highlighting how if affects both sufferer and family and friends.
Also, once you have finished the book, please take the time to read the author’s acknowledgements because it will open your eyes to current UK law about dementia patients and marriage and how the law leaves these people vulnerable to exploitation. For more information on that please visit
https://www.predatorymarriage.uk/
On a lighter note, The Stranger in her House will be published on the 13 Feb 2024 and is available to preorder now from your local bookshop or online.

A massive thank you to the author John Marrs, publishers Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for my advance digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest and independent review.

THE STRANGER IN HER HOUSE was a top-notch thrill ride from the first page! I was drawn in immediately by the seemingly innocuous storyline that ratched up quickly, and raced through this book in less than a day. There were twists galore but all believable given the overall storyline.

I’ve read two previous John Marrs books, one that I loved and one that was a bit disappointing - after this one, I’ll be seeking out his backlist again.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read and review THE STRANGER IN HER HOUSE!

5 stars book
Had me totally addicted , and I just sat for hours turning the pages, as there was no way I could put it down until the very end… thrilling read, this book is an absolute must-read , it’s just too good to miss.

John Marrs does not disappoint.
The Stranger in Her House has the perfect amount of shock, twists and who dunnits to keep you hooked until the very last page.

Connie is caring for her elderly mother when charity handy man Paul arrives suddenly into their lives. Is Connie right to be suspicious of Paul?

I could not put this down.

Connie cares for her mother who has dementia. Gwen has lucid moments, and seems to have more when a young man, Paul, comes to help around the property. She flirts with him, but sometimes confuses him with her late husband, Bill.
Connie is not at all happy to have Paul around, and questions his motives when Gwen favours his company over hers.
She soon finds herself locked out of the house, and discovers that Paul has moved in.
To her horror, she finds out that Gwen and Paul are married and sharing a bed.
Connie and Paul both have secrets that they don't want coming out.

I just loved this book. Although the dementia angle was a trigger for deep emotions, as I lost my sister in more ways than one to this terribly cruel disease. I would have hated her to have been taken advantage of because she would have been easily manipulated.

However, I was so drawn in by the story, and was unable to put the book down. There were some really gory parts, and also extremly creepy parts. The ending was a huge and shocking twist.
Well done, John Marrs, you are really 'up there ' among my top favourite authors.

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC copy of The Stranger in Her House

WOW! Just going to start out by saying John Marrs is the absolute master of weaving together wild (but completely believable) stories. I stayed up way past my bedtime finishing this because I needed to see how it all ended and let me tell you *chef's kiss*. Do yourself a favor and add this to the top of your 2024 TRB!