Thank you to NetGalley, Headline Audio and Wildfire for the opportunity to review this audiobook ARC.

I will admit it took me a while to get into this audiobook as there was multiple POV to get to grips with – Anna (just released from prison), Lucy (student obsessed with her Professor) and Marie (trapped on remote Scottish island) – however once I did I was gripped. The story is complex and I did need to concentrate but that’s no bad thing and it was well worth the effort. The pace of the story was good with interesting, if not always likeable, characters. The individual stories eventually come together and this is done well with the ending being wrapped up in a clever and satisfying way.

This is one of the few books I’ve listened to recently where I felt I’d have preferred to read it. I had to rewind more than I would usually as I was confused where I was in the story.

I love Harriet Tyce’s book and this one was no exception. Great to listen to totally immersive thriller with well developed characters and lots of twist and unexpected moments. A Lesson in Cruelty was throughly brought to life by the narrator adopting different voices in a completely natural way. These days the narrators seem more like actors rather than someone reading the book to you. They keep the words flowing so the listener can create pictures in their mind. I listen while walking or gardening and really enjoy being transported to another place.

I’m still getting to grips with audiobooks and the pacing vs a physical copy. I found early on I needed to up the speed as the narrator was too slow and it was hard to maintain plot momentum between listens. Wasn’t a fan of the narrator at all and this does make such a difference.
As to the story. Well, I guessed the outcome fairly early on. Probably from half way and so I did find plot holes and things that really didn’t make logical sense if the book wasn’t headed where I was expecting.
I didn’t find it plausible in a lot of places , partythe tying together of all the loose ends. And some plot lines tied up far too nearly.
Was a big fan of blood orange but not sure this lives up to the authors previous novel.

I did not finish this audiobook, but have bought a Kindle copy of this book, as I thoroughly enjoyed what I had read of the audiobook and wanted to finish, but was not enjoying the delivery of the audiobook version of one of the characters. I knew that I would enjoy it so much more if I could read it for myself, so I decided not to continue listening and instead to purchase the Kindle version and to treat this a a ‘taster’ which certainly had me captivated enough to buy the book.
I completed 20% of the book. I really enjoyed listening to the chapters by Anna, wondering how she ended up in the position she was in and how she would tie in with the other characters.
My difficulty was with the delivery of the words of the character, Lucy. I understand why it was delivered in the way that it was, but for me it did not work, and I found it so irritating, I was unable to enjoy it, to such an extent I abandoned it and bought a Kindle copy instead.
I did consider delaying the writing of this review until after I have finished reading the ebook version, but decided against it, as I am reviewing the audiobook and not the ebook version. However, my review is based on treating it as a taster of rather than the whole book.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an audiobook version of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed the plot of this book, however unfortunately for me the narrator seriously detracted from it and made it hard for me to follow it. I didn’t see the twists coming which for me makes a good thriller.

Title : A Lesson in Cruelty
Author : Harriet Tyce
Genre : Phycological Thriller
Rate : 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thanks for @netgalley for an early copy of this book (arc copy). This book was published earlier this month (11th April 2024).

We meet 3 women with very different stories.

1. Anna who has just been released from prison after a 3 year sentence. She has a chance to start afresh but doesn’t feel like she deserves it after what she did.

2. Lucy who is a super smart Oxford post grad student, who has an infatuation with her professor (that proceeds her Uni years) and she is desperate to get his attention.

3. And Finally Marie, who lives on an isolated Scottish island with another woman, and the complex relationship they have.

Confused and intrigued? Curious to see what’s going on and what do any of these woman have in common?
You’re not the only one, I was all of the above and my mind what making up its own stories wondering what was happening.

Then their stories start interlinking and everything starts falling into place nicely. Once the link is made, it’s easy to look back and see the crumbs that were left along the way.

It’s a complex and intriguing plot, but it’s definitely one you need to focus on, to see the links fit into place.
Once the questions started coming, I had to keep listening to know where it was all heading.

If you enjoy whodunnit, mystery and intrigue, with twists and turns I did not see coming, then I recommend you go and pick this book up.

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A Lesson in Cruelty - Harriet Tyce

I have loved all of Harriet Tyce's previous books, and although I did enjoy this one it was not as good as the others (for me). I found the story a little difficult to get into and struggled between the characters. I liked the pace of the story and enjoyed the narrator. Thanks so much Netgalley, Headline Audio and Wildfire for this audiobook in return for my honest thoughts and opinions.

A fantastic thriller weaving together the story of 3 women who are inexplicably linked. The plot really gripped me and I began to empathise with some of the characters and loathe others, there were some outlandish twists but I felt they worked well with the plot line so forgave them. The narrator did an excellent job of keeping me engaged with the story and really brought all the characters to life.

I wasn’t too sure about this audiobook to start of with, I couldn’t work out where it was leading to but I was intrigued and I’m glad I continued to listen because it was worth it and things slowly started to make sense as I started to connect how the women were connected and why they were in the storyline.

Can't say I enjoyed this audio book it started off OK but then the story seemed to affect that many different characters I got confused with who was who and had to keep going back to other chapters and parts to try and follow the plot

A Lesson in Cruelty written by Harriet Tyce and narrated by Candida Gubbins is an equally brilliant and terrifying crime thriller which sent shivers down my spine.

This is a highly compelling listen, not least for Gubbins exceptional narration, especially with the stalker in the byline. My blood ran cold at the voice. Gubbins dances between the characters with ease, keeping continuity and artfully painting the ambience with their intonation and expression. Epic!

The writing style of Harriet Tyce had me at once utterly focussed, yet almost nervous to continue. Was it a fear of my suspicions being correct? Was it the haunting, atmospheric prose? Was it the high emotion throughout, portrayed accurately in the narrative? It was this and so much more.

It's important to note, the terror comes from the core theme; the women who have caused the unaliving or injury of children whether accidental or intentional. So, right away, TW of violent themes.

A Lesson in Cruelty follows three women; Anna (convicted drunk driver who searches to find out what happened to her nephew after the accident). Lucy, the Oxford MSc student who is obsessed by her Professor, despite the fact he is married, and the most unnerving and mysterious, Marie, the companion of a woman who has been sent to a remote Loch with no human contact apart from cameras, not even the boatmen who bring their supplies. That is, until the murderer passes away and she needs to break free..

One wants closure and a new life, another wants love, another wants freedom. They all want, but do they deserve? Who has decided that wanting does not get?

I was absolutely floored by this audiobook, it was utterly mindbending, insightful, terrifying and each one completely plausible. Who knows what happens behind closed doors

Thoroughly gripped and completely shaken, an incredibly impressive psychological thriller

Thank you to Netgalley, Headline Audio | Wildfire, the author Harriet Tyce and narrator Candida Gubbins for this outstanding ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

The premise sounded interested and I enjoyed the three POVs of the women and how they were connected however I felt like it could be developed more to create more tension to the build up.
The audiobook was okay, I think I would've liked it more if I read it myself but all in all, a good read.

2.5 stars rounded up to 3 due to the narration on the audiobook which was very compelling (despite the narrator sounding like she had a cold for a good chunk of the book).

This book started strong. I was intrigued to follow up Anna's story, fairly interested in Lucy's one too, puzzled by Marie and spooked by the creepy interludes between the chapters. And yet by the end it all fizzled out somehow. I could see the final twist coming from a mile away and I can write a long list of all the completely unrealistic and frankly ludicrous story developments.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest and impartial review.

I loved this absolutley loves this 🫶🫶very clever how the 3 storylines collide and then boom superb and I’ve been recommending it to anyone who’s venturing into audiobooks

After really enjoying Blood Orange, I couldn’t wait to get stuck in to this audiobook however I was soon deflated.

I’m not sure whether it is the narrators breathy voice in parts or the narrative jumping back and forth but I just could not get stuck in. I will read this as a hard copy as I am find on the authors writing but this audio book was not for me.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this novel in return for an honest review

This is a case of a story that was fine but not my fav by a typically favorite author and then the narrator doesn’t do it any favors. I wish I had liked this more than I did, but honestly it’s been a couple of days since I listened to it and I had to go back and re read the synopsis to remember what the book was even about, it’s that meh. I feel like it had the potential but just didn’t get all the way there for me, which is disappointing, because, as mentioned, I am a fan of the author.
It’s the story of three women who’s lives intersect-Anna, who’s being released from prison after a drunk driving incident killed someone in her car; Lucy, a college student obsessed with her professor, and Marie who has made herself a recluse after some issues in her past. Soon we saw his these women are connected as secrets are revealed and lies are uncovered. Sounds good right? I think the biggest issue beyond the narrator was the pacing. At times it raced and then others it crawled and there was no logical reasoning for the imbalance. Then there was the weird add on in Lucy’s story if some Greek mythology characters which I still don’t understand what they had to do with anything even thinking back over it all these days later. Yes, all the storylines come together, but not seamlessly, but more like a jigsaw puzzle that’s missing a piece. Maybe it needs a bit more editing? And a new narrator. Just my opinion.
Thanks to Headline Audio and NetGalley for this ALC in exchange for my review.

A good story overall
Thanks to NetGalley, the editor and the author for the opportunity to access this advanced copy.

A Lesson In Cruelty - Harriet Tyce

Thank you to @netgalley for giving me an advanced copy of this audiobook.

I have to be really honest and say that this book was sadly not for me. I really struggled with the narrator of this book and I just couldn't get into the story. I have enjoyed books by this author before but I'm afraid this one just wasn't for me.

We can't like them all though.

#netgalley #audiobook #listening #listeningwhilstworking #notforme

In her latest book A Lesson in Cruelty, Harriet Tyce presents a promising premise that intertwines three seemingly unrelated stories into one intriguing narrative. The concept of disparate threads converging is captivating, offering the anticipation of a thrilling and complex storyline.
However, as the plot unfolds, it becomes far-fetched and contrived, straining the suspension of disbelief. While the book explores some interesting and thought-provoking themes, these are somewhat overshadowed by the implausibility of certain plot developments. Although there are several twists and revelations throughout the story, they are not particularly surprising.
I listened to the audio version and the narrator's performance, while adequate, was marred by noticeable struggles with breathing, possibly due to a cold. This detracted from the overall listening experience, disrupting the immersion in the story.
Despite these shortcomings, the novel manages to maintain a level of engagement, making it an average thriller that may appeal to fans of the genre.

I have been given this audiobook as an ARC is was a really good plot & I did enjoyed it but I really think that this would have been a lot better if I had read this physical book rather than listening to the audiobook as the narrator can either build the book or it can ruien it and I think that it didn’t click with me. I would recommend this book but definitely read the book rather than audiobook.