Oh my goodness- i loved this book so much. I really couldn’t work out what was happening and the eventual reveal was fantastic. Claire’s mother was a horrible character and I felt sorry for Claire but it gradually begs clear that all was not as it seemed. Highly recommended.

Wasn’t sure what to expect from this book but it did draw me in from the start. Good characters and the plot is full of twists and turns, including a rather unexpected one right at the end!

What a book! I absolutely loved it! This mystery thriller had me hooked from the very first page, and I could have easily devoured it in one sitting—if only I didn’t need to sleep! The twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat, and the book pulled me in so completely, I couldn’t put it down.

The dual timelines were expertly crafted and easy to follow, adding a layer of depth to the mystery. Every chapter brought something new to the table, and by the halfway point, I thought I had it all figured out. I was convinced I knew the story and the lies… but then, just when I thought I had it all figured out, the author masterfully made me question everything again and again and again... This is what I call a true mystery thriller—it keeps you on your toes until the very end.

I absolutely adored the main protagonist, Claire. Her troubled childhood and the painful, dysfunctional relationship with her mother were heartbreaking to read, but it made her journey all the more compelling. The emotional depth was spot on. I also loved Claire’s friendship with Sukhi—she’s the kind of support everyone wishes they had.

A huge thanks to Net Galley and Random House UK for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

What a fantastic debut! Had me hooked from beginning to end. Noah and Claire's perfect relationship comes crashing to an abrupt end when he goes out and doesn't come back! Claire tries to phone him and text him but is getting no response she even goes to his workplace and is told he doesn't work there and hasn't done for six months! Just what else could Noah be hiding and will Claire find out the truth?
This would make a great movie!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read this. Can't wait for another novel by Callie!

Firstly I have to say that I was so engrossed that I read this in one day. Fairly early on I had Claire and Noah sorted out in my mind as the story line made this very clear, but still left twists to cause doubt. The diary entries from Claire that were interspersed made her situation very clear and were excellently written, - just as a younger girl would write in her diary detailing the things that were happening and her feelings. Claire's mother was depicted as a real nasty piece of work that was evil to Claire and so set her emotional future. The story was paced so that the start was much slower but part 2 picked up and the final part depicting the trial was correctly paced to keep the reader totally engrossed. The trial was illuminating and I felt very sorry for Claire at this point and di now not know what to believe any more.
I do not classify this as a psychological thriller but it certainly very suspenseful and had me thinking and doubting my thoughts all the way through.
I read this in one day as I just wanted to know more details all the time and I found that the ending was totally unexpected and a superb way to end the story. This is my first book by this author but I look forward to reading more.

Claire has met Noah the man of her dreams and after one year they become engaged. One day Claire goes to Noah’s office to drop some lunch off as he mentioned that he would be working through due to meetings. Her new office friend decides to tag along. When she gets there the receptionist tells her that nobody called Noah Corrs works there. Claire immediately tries to call him but he doesn’t answer. Claire goes into shock but decides to fight for her man.

Interspersed throughout the story are diary entries. These include Claire’s thoughts on her relationship with her mother. Her mother was emotionally abusive and controlling. I quickly guessed where the story was going which I felt was a shame as I would have given this a five star review had it gone in a different direction. I was also left with questions. Throughout the last quarter of the book there was one mystery in particular that was keeping me reading. It was never addressed which left me frustrated. I’m inclined to class this more of a contemporary read rather than psychological thriller.

An interesting read which took some time to get into but cleverly written. The ending was not unsurprising but it was gripping to see if the trial meant Claire was telling the truth or not.

The childhood trauma and development of psychosis into adulthood is terrifying and that’s what makes the storyline so compelling.

All of the characters were believable and I was rooting for Claire’s life with Noah to have been true!

What a brilliant read ! nothing is as it seems .Claire thinks she has found the man of her dreams until one day he just doesn't come home and won't answer her calls or texts ,he just disappears from her life. Claire decides to try and find him and that is when her world comes crashing down .This is a gripping ,fast paced book with a very unexpected ending, a brilliant debut book .Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC.

This kept me so hooked I read it in one sitting!! You are led through a confusing situation throughout this book and are constantly wondering who is lying and who is telling the truth! Definitely best not to read the blurb or any reviews going into this so you get the full twisty experience. I was fully shocked by the epilogue and didn’t expect that at all. It is a tense thriller and I really recommend to anyone who likes books with psychological twist. I could not stop reading as I was desperate to know the truth as much as Claire did. Thank you to NetGalley for this arc!

Thank you NetGalley for giving me an early copy in exchange for an honest review!

In hindsight, I would say that this book needs a new title however, I felt completely stupid because the twist did actually get me!

I found parts of this book boring and though I understand the importance of Claire speaking about her past, it was so frequent and happened mostly in the middle of exciting parts of the ordinary story so I just found it to be boring and it took me out of the actual main timeline.

Part 1 of the book was quite repetitive and was a slow read but part 2 was very fast and as soon as I hit part 2 the book was finished very quickly! I do feel that part 2 was maybe slightly rushed but I enjoyed it nonetheless

Claire is living the perfect life, with the perfect fiancé, what more could she ask for. Until it all starts to crumble away from her and she then has to do her own little detective work to find out where Noah is and what he has been doing.

I was hooked with this book from the very beginning. Straight in, we know the backstory of Claire, and her “relationship” with Noah. There was so many twists and turns and I was left wondering how is this happening.

I’ve not read a book with this type of storyline before but I am glad I did.
I enjoy the way it went back to the past and how Claire’s relationship was with her mother and so on.

A very good read and thank you for the approval

When Claire decides to surprise her fiancé at work for their anniversary, she’s shocked to discover that Noah left the company nine months ago. And now he’s disappeared…

Cuckoo takes the reader on a suspenseful and surprising ride as Claire sets out for answers about the man she was going to marry—but will she want to know the truth?

Callie Kazumi’s debut is a beautifully written, tense rollercoaster ride that also delivers on twists. Highly recommended!

I received a free copy of, Cuckoo, by Callie Kazumi, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Claire is lucky in love or so she thinks, she went to surprise her fiance Noah, at his job, and he has not worked there in almost a year, and Noah is now ghosting Claire. Claire has not turned to stalking Noah and his partner Lilah. This book went past how normal people deal with, issues in their life to she should be locked up for everyone's protection, pretty quickly. I did not care for this book, Claire is way too psycho for me.

This book is a compelling read. It’s a psychological thriller that really draws you, the reader, into this dark world of obsession.
This book has a few unexpected twists along the way, it’s so well written you find yourself getting pulled along for the ride.
This really will go down as a must read.

Wow oh wow this is one of those books where you firstly, stay up all night because you *have* to know what happens and also because you have whiplash from the back and forth of the plot.
It's a first person narrative , taking the perspective of Claire, who narrates her life now, interspersed with diary entries from when she met her partner, Noah, and how her life has skyrocketed beyond anything she could have ever hoped for herself.
Claire does what most people would do without thinking, bringing her fiancé a lunch on their 1 year anniversary.
But, on turning up to his offices, not only does she find out that he hasn't worked there for months, he is not answering any of her calls.
She has such a small and insular life because Noah has made himself the center of her universe, and your sympathies are immediately with Claire, as she reels from the devastating news her perfect life and relationship is far from it.
As she and her friend dig into Noah's past, things become increasingly bizarre, and as a reader, I felt so close to Claire as she shows you what she had in the *then*, the abuse she went through as child, to what she has lost in the *now*.
It is devastating and you want revenge and closer for her.
And then , she is accused of murder.
So this intense relationship between you and Claire suddenly becomes a courtroom drama and the race to the truth of just what has happened begins...
This is a fantastic debut which bodes well for any future books which Callie may write...and which I will be eagerly awaiting!
My thanks to Rachel Quinn and the publisher for my gifted review copy all opinions are my own

Claire decides to take lunch to her hard working fiancé at his office,her co worker Sukhi goes with her. She's told at the reception desk that Noah has not worked there for months.
Claire is absolutely shocked and when Noah doesn't come home that night or subsequent nights she decides to look for him and find out what's going on.
What a book with twists and turns. I had two thoughts of what was going on and one of them turned put to be right but it was interesting finding out.
This is the first book I've read by this author but I will be on the lookout for others.

This is a great debut psychological thriller. Fast paced storyline that had me glued from the first page. I went through a rollercoaster of emotions feeling sorry for Claire who was treated badly by the love of her life to the ending where things were not as they seemed, I will definitely look out for more by this author in the future.

*Cuckoo* by Callie Kazumi is a darkly compelling psychological thriller that pulls readers into the twisted world of obsession, identity, and unraveling truths. With its sharp prose, unexpected twists, and deeply unsettling atmosphere, *Cuckoo* is a novel that stays with you long after you've read the final page.

### Plot Overview:
At its core, *Cuckoo* is a story about a woman named Lily who finds herself drawn into an obsessive relationship with an enigmatic figure, all while grappling with her own fractured sense of self. The book takes place in a tense, suspense-filled environment where every character seems to be hiding something, and trust is a fragile commodity. As Lily becomes increasingly entangled with those around her, the lines between reality and illusion blur, forcing her to confront the darker aspects of her own psyche.

Kazumi does an excellent job of creating a gripping, slow-burn narrative that steadily builds suspense and tension. The plot is laced with psychological complexity, and the deeper the reader goes, the more they uncover about the dark motives and twisted connections between the characters.

### Character Development:
The central strength of *Cuckoo* lies in its characters. Lily is both a sympathetic and unreliable protagonist, making her journey all the more compelling. As the story unfolds, Lily’s vulnerabilities and insecurities are laid bare, and readers are kept on edge, constantly questioning her reliability. Kazumi does a fantastic job of blending her internal struggles with the external events of the plot, creating a layered character who feels both real and enigmatic.

The secondary characters are equally intriguing, particularly the mysterious figure who draws Lily into a psychological game of manipulation. Kazumi writes each character with a deft touch, giving them just enough depth to keep the reader guessing about their true intentions. As the layers of deception are peeled away, the relationships between the characters become more complicated and the stakes higher.

### Writing Style:
Kazumi’s writing is crisp, atmospheric, and engaging. The prose flows smoothly, and the author has a keen sense of pacing, knowing when to speed up the narrative for a shocking moment and when to slow things down to heighten the tension. The tone is dark and moody, with a subtle undercurrent of paranoia and unease that permeates every page. The author’s use of description is sparing but effective, often focusing on just enough detail to evoke a chilling sense of atmosphere.

The book also excels in its ability to get inside the mind of its protagonist. The reader is taken on an emotional and psychological rollercoaster, experiencing Lily’s shifting perceptions and growing paranoia as though they are living her unraveling reality alongside her.

### Themes and Symbolism:
*Cuckoo* explores themes of identity, self-deception, and the lengths to which people will go to control or manipulate others. The title itself is symbolic, referring not only to the idea of a “cuckoo” bird (which lays its eggs in another bird's nest) but also to the concept of intrusion—whether physical, emotional, or psychological. The novel asks important questions about who we are when we strip away the facades we present to the world and what happens when we are forced to confront uncomfortable truths.

Kazumi also delves into the idea of control in relationships, especially the ways in which power dynamics shift and how individuals can be drawn into unhealthy patterns. The symbolic elements, particularly the idea of being trapped or ensnared, provide a layered, thought-provoking backdrop to the plot.

### Emotional Impact:
The emotional impact of *Cuckoo* is profound and unsettling. The novel taps into the reader’s own anxieties and fears, making them question the reliability of what they’re reading and leaving them with a lingering sense of dread. As the tension builds and the revelations come to light, the emotional payoff is both cathartic and disturbing.

There’s an underlying sense of sorrow and loss throughout the book, as characters grapple with their own failures and desires. The ultimate revelations are both surprising and heartbreaking, leaving readers to reflect on the cost of obsession and the dangers of losing oneself in the process.

### Final Thoughts:
*Cuckoo* is a taut, psychological thriller that delivers on its promises of suspense, intrigue, and emotional complexity. Callie Kazumi crafts a mesmerizing, haunting narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. With its strong character development, thought-provoking themes, and atmospheric writing, *Cuckoo* is a book that will appeal to fans of psychological suspense and those who enjoy narratives that delve deep into the darkness of the human mind.

If you’re looking for a book that offers both an intellectual puzzle and an emotional rollercoaster, *Cuckoo* is an excellent choice. It’s a story that will challenge your perceptions, provoke your emotions, and leave you with lingering questions long after you’ve closed the book.

Cuckoo by Callie Kazumi is a captivating psychological thriller that takes the reader on a rollercoaster of emotions, with twists and shocks that will keep you glued to the pages. The story follows Claire, whose life is turned upside down when she discovers her fiancé Noah has been hiding a secret life from her.

The book begins with a seemingly innocent surprise for Claire: an anniversary visit to Noah's office. But to her horror, she learns that Noah hasn’t worked there in months, and worse, he’s gone completely off the radar. As Noah refuses to take her calls or respond to her messages, Claire becomes frantic in her search for him. But as she digs deeper, the truth begins to unravel, and she’s forced to confront the unsettling reality of who Noah truly is.

Claire’s journey is both heartbreaking and suspenseful. She’s a woman who, for most of her life, has felt isolated—estranged from her mother, without a strong support system, and somewhat adrift. Meeting Noah initially seems to be the answer to her loneliness, but as his secrets come to light, Claire finds herself in a dangerous spiral. The revelation of Noah's secret life with Lilah, his other partner, is just the beginning of the shocking truths that Claire uncovers.

The book's strength lies in its well-developed characters and the intense, gripping writing. Claire’s desperation and growing sense of betrayal are palpable, and you can’t help but feel for her as she struggles to piece together the truth. Her friend Sukhi, who helps her investigate Noah’s life through social media, adds a layer of support and depth to the narrative, grounding Claire in a reality she’s only now beginning to understand.

The pacing is spot-on, with tension building steadily as Claire uncovers more about Noah’s secret life. The unexpected twists—especially the jaw-dropping ending—will leave readers stunned. Kazumi's writing is immersive, and her ability to balance emotional depth with suspense is remarkable.

Cuckoo is a book that will stay with you long after you’ve finished it. It’s an exploration of love, trust, and betrayal, with a shocking conclusion that will leave you reeling. Fans of psychological thrillers will find this book impossible to put down, and the characters, especially Claire, will linger in your mind long after the final page.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

This is a fast-paced, intriguing read. Claire has been in a loving relationship with Noah for almost a year. One day she takes Noah’s lunch to his office only to be told that Noah has not worked at that office for several months. After her calls and text messages to Noah go unanswered, Claire along with her friend and co-worker Sukhi try to uncover the mystery of what has happened to Noah.
Told in flashbacks and present day POV this is a gripping psychological thriller. All the characters are well-developed and believable. Clare’s character is especially complex and chilling as she leaves no stone unturned trying to understand what has happened.
Great debut novel. Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley UK for the ARC.