I've read two of Harriet Tyce's books previously, Blood Orange I adored. But this one fell flat for me. I couldn't get into the story and I didn't find the relationship between Anna and Tony believable at all.

I don't know if it that I usually read Harriet's books instead of listen but it didn't grab me and keep my attention. I also felt the ASMR of one of the narrators really grated me. I'm sure it will be devoured by lots of crime thriller fans, but it just wasn't for me. DNF's at 30%.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

After enjoying other books by Harriet Tyce, I dove straight into this one and wow, did it take me on a journey!

It initially follows three women who are seemingly unconnected but as the story picks up pace, there are twists and turns that bring the three women together in dramatic form. The narrative was well suited to this book and kept me wanting to listen to more each time. I found that the characters were well written, particularly Anna who I found myself warming to more as the story continued. The discussions around the prison system were interesting, especially the differing opinions of each of the characters.

My only gripe is that the ending felt a little rushed, as though the author just needed it to be done. One of the women's connection felt pretty weak and it was only addressed in the very last chapter, almost like it was an afterthought.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoy the pace and story, I just wish the ending had been a little stronger.

Thanks to NetGalley and Headline Audio for the eARC

This book takes place in three parts. Anna has just been released from prison after three years and Lucy is a young woman involved with her professor. The stories do join together but it is a bit confusing at times and I don't think the audiobook helped where you could skip back a few pages on a physical book. It was ok but not particularly gripping. Narration was good.

This book tells the stories of three different women all with their own stories who we slowly discover are connected and a shocking plot twisting way.

I read this on audiobook on holidays and started it twice as I found it initially confusing because of the different characters. The story itself was very good, and I think if I had read it in book form, I would have enjoyed it even more.

Three appearingly separate tales of three women, their scenario and problems. It is hard to see how they are connected but eventually they do. I found this book was quite put together in quite a blunt style and didn’t like the suddenly move to another character to another. The twist was not as expected and made a confusing conclusion. The narrator was not easy on the ear which didn’t help. Not quite what I was expecting after enjoying other books by Harriet Tyce.

I love Harriet Tyce’s novels. This one was a little more complex in structure than previous ones - three separate narrative strands come together eventually, but they did keep me wondering for a long time.

Having worked for barristers as a librarian a long time ago, I really enjoyed hearing Tyce use her professional experience so thoroughly. Her character Anna, who we meet for the first time on the eve of her release from prison, comes across as unusual to me in my comparatively sheltered library life, but she has walked straight out of the work tales of barristers I have known. Avoidant but perseverant and clued up on the legal system from her previous work as a corporate solicitor, Anna quickly takes charge of a situation that would leave someone like me stumped.

Meanwhile, lawyer-in-training Lucy moves quickly from wide-eyed ingenue to switched-on investigator, assisting Anna in the final stages of the novel.

In short, this is a novel by a lawyer with lawyer main characters which examines the relationship between the human instinct for justice with the experiences meted out by the court and prison services. That may sound dry, but it is anything but. It’s a Harriet Tyce novel, so of course it raises our heart rates in all the right places.

This book was not for me. I kept stopping and starting the audiobook and struggled to finish it. The problem with having one narrator and having multiple characters makes for a confusing listen if they don’t have discernible voices for each character, this added an extra layer of confusion to this read. I’ve found that with Harriet Tyce’s book to not expect anything to be what it seems nor will it end how you think it will. A Lesson In Cruelty is no different.

A sensational thriller… Dark, engrossing and atmospheric… sublime tension. EXCELLENT
Packed full of twists and turns, I couldn’t stop frantically turning the pages! Listening to the audio was mind blowing too!

There were lots of promising parts of this novel but overall, delivered less than I would have liked.

I have read all of Harriet’s other novels.

Was really keen to read this when I read the blurb and feel the idea is strong.

The three stories about women creates a strong premise and lots of intrigue, however, it takes a while to get going and some of the points seem laboured.

Anna’s story is the most developed and interesting, and for the first half I was disappointed when the viewpoint changed.

Lucy and Marie were less developed in comparison and I would have liked to hear more about Tom.

Without spoilers, there are some interesting parts but nothing that caused a gasp. There was almost too much build up to get that.

The narration was okay but also probably a little forgettable.

Would recommend for a beach read and probably better to read than to listen so you can have control of the pace.

Thanks for the opportunity to read.

I always enjoy a Harriet Tyce thriller and this was an entertaining, fast-paced thriller, with several interconnected stories which came together very cleverly. Kept me hooked and guessing throughout.

The narration was excellent and well adapted to the different characters and plot lines.

A Lesson in Cruelty by Harriet Tyce and narrated by Candida Gubbins just took my breath away and so creepy when the narrator Candida whispers! It gave me goose bumps especially if you have your earphones in......You feel like you are there in the audiobook.

WHAT PRICE WOULD YOU PAY FOR THE PERFECT LIFE?

"But, No ones live is perfect everyday..........."

This latest book called “A Lesson in Cruelty” by Harriet Tyce was a brilliant audiobook/ book which tells of the lives of three women, Anna, Marie and Lucy and is set in Oxford and Northern Scotland.

Anna Flynn has just served three years in prison and is about to step out to freedom but her past will always haunt her every move she makes everyday. But, she is free now and has to try and live a normal life outside from the prison.

Lucy craves the attention of the only man she can't have, her alluring Oxford professor. But, He's married - not for the first time. Maybe she should be next in line? She will do anything to be the next wife!

And Marie who lives as a reclusive in Northern Scotland. She had been locked up for a long time and is not ready to be free and and to face others, but some rules are meant to be broken.


This book is well written and it is full of twists and turns throughout that had me sitting on the edge of my seat many times. All the characters were brilliant. The book starts off slow, then bang.......You are hooked and I could not turn my earphones off. I was hooked!

I highly recommend this book and especially the audiobook. The narrator was excellent especially the creepy whisper voice she does!

5 stars for this book and 5 stars for the Narrator!

Big Thank you to Netgalley, Headline | Wildfire for my copies of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This is a fascinating psychological thriller from Harriet Tyce which I initially tried to listen to on audio, it is approximately 10 hours and 30 minutes long, but I gave up at 15%, due to the dire narration by Candida Gubbins with her overly unbearable emoting, and if I did'nt have the book as well, I would have never have been able to go on to see just how brilliant the storytelling is. It raises pressing issues afflicting the justice and legal system, and underlines the cruelty of the prison system and its failures when it comes to the goal of rehabilitating prisoners, many with mental health issues and complex needs. We are introduced to Anna, on the cusp of being released from prison, a ghost of the woman she used to be, bearing a burden of guilt that has her condemning herself to a mental life sentence with no reprieve.

Anna's last night turns out to be so harrowing that it pushes her further over the edge, but can this broken woman find the resilience within her to survive as ominous events test her further? In Oxford, after the death of her mother, Lucy begins an MSc at the university, drawn to a good looking criminology professor, in his late fifties, and his well known ideas when it comes to the justice system. She becomes steadily more and more obsessed with him, stalking him, certain he is the right man for her. However, he is married to his second wife, and they have a baby, but this does not prevent Lucy from insinuating herself into his life, taking on demanding research for him that he begins to find invaluable. There are references to the ancient sea monsters, Scylla and Charybydis, and who is is Marie, living a troubling, lonely and remote existence in Scotland?

Tyce skilfully creates and develops characters that initially appear to have little to do with each other, fuelling my intense curiousity as to what could possibly connect them. The tension and suspense begins to rise as we learn more of their lives and circumstances, there are surprising and shocking twists and turns that move the narrative towards the thrilling and explosive finale. I particularly felt for an Anna whose life was shattered after a terrible mistake. You will have to suspend your sense of disbelief, but this is a thought provoking thriller that I have no doubt will appeal to many fans of the author and others who love the crime and mystery genre. Many thanks to the publisher for the ALC and the ARC.

A superb new thriller gathering the stories of three women and weaving a web that will connect their disparate lives. Anna has served three years in prison and is due to be released after serving time for her crime. She doesn't feel like she is deserving, and someone unknown seems to agree and is targeting her. Lucy is besotted with her Oxford College professor and has a brief dalliance with him, which hasn't gone unnoticed. Whilst Marie is in isolation in North Scotland, but this is not punishment enough in itself as far as someone is concerned. This audiobook is brilliantly told to draw out the intricate stories of each of the women and bring us tantalisingly to the reveal that ties them. #alessonincruelty #harriettyce #netgalley #audiobook

Elaborately woven, intricately detailed, engross yourself in the set up for a brilliant pay off. Absolutely fantastic read!

This book reminded me a bit of Kate Atkinsons Case Histories, where several stories are told with no obvious connection until the threads are woven together in the latter stages of the book.
The story starts with Ana, she is about to be released from prison after 3 years there for drink driving causing an accident and unfortunately seriously injuring her young nephew. On her last night inside she has a young woman share her cell, in the morning the girl is dead and she has hidden her phone under Ana’s pillow.
Lucy is a student infatuated with one of her Oxford professors, the only trouble is he is married.
The third woman is Maria, a recluse on an island where she seems to be a minder of an older woman who killed her children. The island is a jail of sorts as neither woman can leave.
As each person tells their story we see more of the twisted lives they have led and as the stories cleverly start to entwine it seems someone wants to teach these ladies a lesson.
Fabulous read with a satisfying twist. Loved it.

#ALessonInCruelty. #NetGalley.

3 separate story’s that seem very different but do all end up being part of the main story. Although far fetched the story is entertaining enough and holds your attention keeping you wanting to listen more to see how it all finally ties together

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review. I found this book to be a complicated and fascinating story that instantly hooked me in. I would say that the first half of the book is setting the scene with all the background information on the characters. It is told in 3 separate stories which I could not connect together for quite some time. As the book develops and the stories merge, prepare to be shocked by the real story! A brilliantly thought out story that definitely left me wondering about my own personal views on the subject. Highly recommended 5 stars.

I will be watching this author closely as although this book did not quite meet its potential it is a really good set of characters in a well designed plot that is thoroughly readable. Plus a great resource list at the end.

In diving into this thrilling narrative without mentioning its title, it's akin to embarking on a rollercoaster ride through a dark, mysterious world. With its intricate plot and heart-pounding twists, each part of the story is like a thrilling chapter in a suspenseful novel.

Listening to the story is like being on the edge of your seat, eagerly awaiting the next shocking revelation. While the audio format adds to the tension, it can sometimes feel like grasping at shadows. Reading it might offer a more intense experience, allowing you to devour every chilling detail.

Despite the spine-tingling nature of the story, its grip on your imagination is undeniable. The characters are like shadows in the night, haunting your thoughts long after the story has ended.

In essence, this story is like a pulse-pounding thrill ride that will keep you guessing until the very end. Whether you're listening or reading, it's sure to leave you breathless and craving more.

I am grateful to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen to a DRC copy of this book for review.
This is the first book I have read by this author, and I will definitely be reading some of her other works based on my enjoyment of this book.
The book is written from the perspective of 3 characters, with an additional "voice" which may, or may not, belong to one of them. Initially it is difficult to see how the 3 narratives are linked, but it does become clearer as the story progresses.
Although there are some very common tropes in the book, for example student/professor relationships. The story is interesting and different enough to capture the reader's interest. I particularly liked the exploration of the prison system and it's efficacy (or not) with regard to women.
There were a few moments in the story where I got a strong "that would never happen in real life" feeling, but this did not detract from my enjoyment of it as a work of fiction.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys suspense dramas.