I enjoyed this book even though I struggled with the writing style at times, specifically the use of “she said”.
The book is creepy and gripping, set in an area I am familiar with.

A very different book, with an unusual writing style, and the story leaves the reader unsettled throughout. This novel is for folks who like psychological insights and don't need a true beginning, middle and end to a story where it's all tied up neatly at the end. Unfortunately, I'm not one of those readers. I felt the potential wasn't reached, and research on a number of topics in the book could have been more effective. 2.5 stars rounded up. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

I was excited to read this book - the premise of a dark, suspenseful storyline intrigued me. However I really disliked the author's 'narrative' style of writing. I tried so hard to ignore the continual 'she'll say this', 'she'll say that' but it just irritated me to the point that I found it a chore to keep reading.
The setting of the novel, a dilapidated house in the Black Country with curious neighbours, worked well to convey a sense of foreboding. There was something very unsettling about it, and I can't fault the author's ability to create a feeling of unease. As the story progresses, questions arise that never seem to be fully answered, and the ending left me feeling disappointed.
I am sure that many people will enjoy this novel but sadly it wasn't for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

Sadly, this book wasn't for me - maybe because I found the narrator's constant use of 'she'll say/she'll tell you' grating so didn't concentrate on the storyline thus wasn't sure where it was going or what the book was trying to do. I wasn't sure of the purpose of the narrator or how they linked to the 'plot'.
For me there were too many unanswered questions to the little mysteries thrown into the narrative.

Lie of the Land is an atmospheric novel that explores the darkness simmering beneath the surface of a deteriorating relationship. The story dives into the complexities of guilt, suspicion, and buried secrets, with an eerie tension that keeps the reader intrigued. Hadley-Pryce’s prose is dense and unconventional, which, while stylistically bold, sometimes feels difficult to follow and may disrupt the narrative’s flow.

The protagonists move into a run-down house becomes a metaphor for their crumbling relationship, as the novel builds tension around the secrets each character is hiding, the strain of their financial situation, and the isolation they feel in this unfamiliar, unsettling rural environment. Some aspects were very reminiscent to my first purchase of a property, the underwhelming excitement of owning land and overwhelming burden of making it your own.

While the novel’s mystery elements are compelling, there are points that feel inadequately researched, particularly regarding how the media would handle details around suicide attempts. This oversight can be jarring and pulls the reader out of the story, especially for those familiar with these topics.

Overall, Lie of the Land is an intriguing but challenging read, suited to those who appreciate psychologically rich stories and don’t mind an unconventional, sometimes disorienting narrative style.

This was a real page turner. I was intrigued from the beginning and liked the style it was written in. The author was masterful at setting the scene and introducing you to the characters.
It kept you guessing throughout and built up the suspense beautifully. A sense of mystery was maintained until the end of the book.
I would recommend this book to others and read more from this author.

Lie of the Land had me gripped and kept me guessing; the story is dark., the writing is poetic and draws you in. Without wishing to spoil anything, I found the ending did not satisfy in the way the reader would want it to - there lacks an explanation, which I actually didn't mind as I felt it was in keeping with the story as a whole.

Jemma Crawford, (a family lawyer), meets Rory on a night out in a pub. Rory is already engaged to Sophie, however, that doesn’t stop Jemma from making a move on him, and almost in the blink of an eye things have moved on to a point where they’ve had an offer accepted on a house named ‘The Rocks’ in the Black Country in the Midlands, UK.


‘The Rocks’ is in dire need of restoration, a complete doer upper. This Victorian three bedroomed semi is in the very best part of town, but Jemma hates it on sight. Rory thinks it’s a bargain, especially as when it’s completely renovated, it’ll be worth an awful lot of money. It’s not just the house that’s bothering Jemma though, their relationship has moved way too quickly for her liking, and quite honestly she’s not ready for this sort of commitment.

After moving in, they discover that the house is really quite sinister, and then something strange happens that involves a neighbour, and it leaves them both questioning everything they’ve seen.

It has to be said that the author uses a very unusual (nay strange) style of writing, and yet there’s something really poetic about it too. This is a bleak unsettling story where the house is almost a character in itself, brooding, sinister, cold, like a dark cloak has smothered all the joy from it. Strange writing or not, it did make me want to read on, however, the ending just petered out, and offered no real answers.

Lie of the Land offers a haunting exploration of toxic relationships, secrets and deceit that lingers long after the last page and leaves you wondering what actually happened. The unusual and repetitive writing style initially posed a challenge, but ultimately creates a hypnotic, dreamlike feel that encourages rapid reading. The author paints vivid images of the landscape, enhancing the overall sense of creepiness and intrigue. Dark, cold and atmospheric, I could actually feel the chill while reading. The characters add depth to this unsettling world, revealing the complexities of human emotion and the moral ambiguities faced. Overall, while the writing style may be polarizing, it undeniably immerses readers in a chilling, unforgettable experience.

Thank you to NetGalley and Salt Publishing for an advanced copy in exchange for my review

I nearly gave up on this new novel by Kerry Hadley-Price. The style of writing was certainly different and the constant use of ‘she said’ or ‘she would say’ took quite a lot of getting used to. I persevered however and started to really enjoy the story however the end fell flat for me as I didn’t really understand what happened.

Jemma and Rory meet in a pub, but Rory is already engaged, but that doesn't stop them getting together resulting in some devastating consequences. Their relationship moves quickly and they decide to buy a house together a fixer upper in the midlands. But there's something about where theyre living that's not quite right and when a terrible accident happens Rory and jemma are forced to tackle their demons.

This was a strange read from the way it's written to the actual story I never really knew what was going on. But I enjoyed this it kept me gripped. The characters were weird and I'm still not sure if everything was real or just going on in Jemmas head. I recommend if you're looking for something strange to read.

Lie of the Land is an insular, chilly thriller set against a backdrop of the Black Country. Jemma and Rory’s relationship is on the rocks and she isn’t sure what she wants, simultaneously keeping him at arm's length while going along with his plan to take their relationship to the next level. Rory suggests moving in together, and despite Jemma’s half-hearted protests, they end up buying The Rocks, a dilapidated cottage that they can “fix up”. Their only neighbours, couple Ed and Catherine and their daughter, Amber, are friendly enough if not a little overeager for Jemma’s taste.

As soon as we set foot in The Rocks, we are assaulted by the sense that something is really not right. The house, and even the Black Country itself, takes on a sinister personality of its own as Jemma grows increasingly unsettled and claustrophobic, with the author describing it as “a migraine of a landscape”. It is quiet and isolated, and the author masterfully builds up the atmosphere in relatively few pages. Despite its short length, this is definitely a slow burn, but unfortunately the plot never quite seems to catch fire.

The writing style of this novel is quite unique, with “Jemma will say now” and “Jemma tells how” sprinkled throughout, telling the reader that the narrative voice is untrustworthy. However, I feel the effectiveness of this is diminished when it’s used in almost every sentence - it became repetitive and took me out of the story. I also got the sense that the author was building up to a big, surprising, twisted finish, and when it arrived, the ending fell a bit flat for me. There were lots of elements that felt important to the plot that were never revisited or properly explained.

Overall, this is a quick, atmospheric read which I’d recommend for those who love an ambiguous ending and to be kept guessing throughout a book. 2.5/5

This was a different kind of read for me and it did take me a few chapters to really settle I got the book but once I did I was gripped. Rory and Jemma’s coming together while Rory still had a partner is the start then the couple buy a fixer upper house in the Midlands.
The neighbours and the lives of Rory and Jemma come together in a sinister shocking way and the outcome isn’t what I was expecting.
Good story line dealing with toxic relationship issues so possible triggers for some but I found it enthralling.

I was initially drawn to this book because of the title and the atmospheric cover. After reading the synopsis it seemed even more compelling. The idea of having a haunting and atmospheric story that was intertwined with deeper themes and human issues sounded ‘right up my street.’

I was aware, before starting the text, of the unusual writing style. The narration and constant ‘she’ll say it was…’ and ‘she’ll tell how it was…’ was not for me personally but I did not mind it and could get into the story despite this.

Initially I quite liked the story and was excited to read more however i felt that the characters were not really likeable and I really didn’t care what happened to them. Unfortunately this, along with the way it was written, felt like I was reading a detailed plan of how the novel WOULD be written rather than reading the novel itself. The writing style did not help this as it was almost as if the author was saying ‘then this will happen, next we’ll look at this, then XYZ will take place etc.’ I appreciate that the author was trying to write as if the main character thoughts were tumbling onto the page it just felt like it was more the author’s thoughts and plans for the story were tumbling out and they lacked depth and clarity.

As such I was not drawn in or gripped at all. The atmosphere I was so looking forward to was never forthcoming and it was a real slug to get to the end.

The ending itself was anti-climatic and disappointing and, perhaps it is just me, but I really felt like it just didn’t make sense. It qas almost as if there wasn’t a clear idea of how it would end so it just stopped.

It’s a shame as the idea behind this book is fantastic and the storyline could have been brilliant but under-developed and unlikeable characters, along with a writing style that kept the reader at arms length rather than bringing them into the story, left it being a lacklustre read for me and one I really didn’t enjoy.

If you're looking for an unsettling read, look no further. This is one of the most unsettling books I've ever read.

Jemma and Rory buy a house together. Their relationship hasn't had the best start, based as it is on his infidelity with tragic consequences for his ex fiancee.. The house is a doer upper. Rory can't resist it with its cheap price and promise of a good profit but Jemma is not so sure. It is a character in its own right with its creaking and sighing and mysterious noises. Next door their neighbours live in luxury. Jemma dislikes Ed (whom Rory seems unduly influenced by) while Catherine is a more attractive figure.

The style of writing is unusual with its use of the future tense, 'Jemma will say, Jemma will tell you'. I enjoyed this but I wouldn't want to read this tense as a matter of course. It did however fit very well with the enigmatic nature of the novel.

If you like clear cut endings you probably won't take to this but if you enjoy thinking about a book long after you've read it then this is ideal. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

I started off liking this one, the writing style made me feel that we can't believe anything we're being told, that the narrator is flawed, but the style soon got a bit tedious and i felt that the storyline, even though intriguing and haunting, was maybe dragged out for longer than it needed to be, i lost interest about 3/4 through.

Lie of the Land is a gripping dark domestic literary thriller set against the backdrop of the gritty Black Country in the Midlands, UK. The story follows Rory and Jemma, who embark on a relationship despite Rory already having a girlfriend. Before long, they find themselves purchasing their first home together, a dilapidated property in a less-than-inviting neighbourhood.

The house, aptly named ‘The Rocks,’ is a run-down fixer-upper that immediately leaves Jemma feeling reluctant and uneasy, as she grapples with her feelings of commitment. From the outset, it becomes clear that the house holds an unsettling charm, almost as if it has a sinister presence of its own. The situation takes a darker turn when a horrific accident involving their new neighbours forces both Jemma and Rory to confront their inner demons.

The themes of toxic relationships, secrets, and deceit are expertly woven throughout the narrative, amplified by a judgmental voice that drives the plot towards its chilling resolution. The atmospheric writing is undeniably poetic, enveloping the reader in the eerie, compelling world that Jemma and Rory inhabit.

As unexpected events unfold, the sense of unease grows, not just within the house but in the neighbourhood as well, where even the neighbours harbour their mysteries. The ending is both surprising and unsettling, leaving readers reflecting on the dark undercurrents of relationships and the haunting nature of the environment.

Overall, Lie of the Land is a masterfully crafted thriller that explores the complexities of love, fear, and the unseen forces that shape our lives, making it a captivating read from start to finish.

Read more at The Secret Bookreview.

This very short read is a domestic thriller about a couple whi purchase a creepy old house with dodgy neighbours.

For a book with 'few' pages it is filled drama, well written and the plot is intriguing. I was thinking one thing that might happen then totally unexpected something else did.

I actually wish it was a full sized novel.. its brilliant ..

Throughly amazing, excellent, spell binding, creepy and torturous. The story reads with a third person telling it which only heightens the drama. If your requirements are to be utterly terrified and perpelxed pick this out, you wont be disappointed. Unwaveringly good.

This book was a pleasant surprise.
It is way more dramatic, eerie and unsettling than I could hoped for.
I have some reservations concerning the conclusion....but all in all, this is a cool mystery/horror read for October.