Member Reviews
I enjoyed this book, though I’d definitely say it was more of a domestic thriller / drama than a psychological thriller. The premise was so intriguing & it had so much potential, but I couldn’t help but feel like some of the characters lacked depth & seemed to exist just to push the plot forward.
The story is told mainly from 3 different neighbors’ perspectives - Willow, Heidi, & Dylan - while also going between multiple timelines that span over a week: "future" (after the infamous street party), the past (the week prior to the party), & the present (when a detective is talking to witnesses to gather information).
It was definitely the kind of book that kept your attention & made you want to uncover what was really happening.
It had a very sudden ending, though, which I wasn’t quite expecting... I guess for me it didn’t really add anything to the book ending it so abruptly like that. I’ve read books before where the Author will include a shock factor in the final line & close out the book like that, & I think that’s what she was trying to accomplish, but she missed the mark in my opinion.
All in all, the story flowed smoothly, making it an easy read, even if it the “twists” became a bit predictable. If you're in the mood for a book that will keep you hooked from start to finish, this might just be the one for you.
Home Is Where the Lies Live dives into the tangled lives of three residents preparing for a neighborhood street party that goes horribly wrong. The dual timelines - current events and future police interviews - are brilliantly used to reveal secrets piece by piece, pulling the reader deeper into the chaos of this dysfunctional community.
While the suspenseful buildup and complex interconnections kept me hooked, some moments felt like they dragged, leaving me wanting a tighter pace. Still, the mystery was still entertaining to try and figure it out.
*Home Is Where the Lies Live* presents an intriguing exploration of a seemingly normal street, where each family conceals its own secrets. The story unfolds through multiple points of view, allowing for a rich tapestry of hidden truths and revelations.
This novel effectively adopts a slow-burn drama thriller approach, which is particularly beneficial given the array of characters involved. Taking the time to explore each family's dynamic significantly contributes to the building of drama and suspense, as clues and hints are gradually revealed. I found myself genuinely surprised by the twists and turns throughout the storyline. It’s not often that a book keeps me guessing for long, but Wilkinson skillfully maintained my curiosity until the end.
The character development stands out, with the shifting perspectives offering insight into each family, making the narrative feel layered and engaging—much more so than many other books in this genre. While I appreciated the slow pacing for its depth, there were occasionally moments where it felt a bit slower than I preferred. Nonetheless, it was an overall wonderful read!
This story is rich with gossip and drama, filled with an array of secrets and lies, all set within the Huntington Grove neighborhood. Each neighbor is harboring something, which heightens the tension of this slow-burn mystery. The narration greatly enhances the story, adding depth and emotion to this complex domestic drama. The constant sense of foreboding kept me thoroughly engaged and entertained.
I extend my gratitude to Bookouture Audio for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture Audio, for my audiobook.
I am always up for a domestic thriller. 95% of the time there is something going on behind closed doors, and I am not talking about a thriller novel. So I was pretty excited to get into this one and find out what is going on in that crazy little world in Huntington Grove.
As some others have written in their reviews, I would also agree that this is more of a mysterious "what the heck is going on" drama than a thriller. I found this book to be the middle of the road for me. I didn't dislike it, but I didn't find myself on the edge of my seat waiting for everything to fall apart.
However, with all that being "said", I never discourage people from reading anything. Different books are for different people, and some people may really enjoy this book. Many people enjoy romance novels, and that is not my thing- try it out- this may be your favorite.
Home is Where the Lies Live starts off with a bang, and just keeps erupting!! The story revolves around one night in the neighborhood, with details from the characters leading up to the events of that evening. The 3 narrators did an extraordinarily job telling Wilkinson's story. The characters are interesting, and the story itself keeps you pulled in from beginning to end. Let this audiobook transport you directly to Huntington Grove as you try to figure out what happened, and who has kept the biggest secret of all!!
#NetGalley #HomeIsWhereTheLiesLive
A soap opera-style view into the convoluted and (in some cases, quite bizarre) of the residents of Huntington Grove.
This is an odd crowd, make no mistake. It fascinates me, that you can Iive next door to - or alongside - someone, and not really know them at all. Some of the characters are very likeable, some really not (Kev, ugh). I liked Dylan a lot, and Orla, Isabella. Even Willow, interfering busybody that she is.
All in all a solid 3-and-a-half-star read (or listen.
here is a lot to unpack in this book about what goes down between neighbours and friends. Things are not what they seem when newcomers Heidi and Freddie arrive in Huntington Grove. Strange neighbours who have secrets and don’t mind telling lies. You certainly don’t like all the characters in this book! It was a good read that was a little predictable towards the end but overall it kept my attention. Thank you for providing this book for review via Netgalley.
Home is Where the Lies Live by Kerry Wilkinson had all the ingredients for an unforgettable read—a gripping premise, a small-town setting brimming with secrets, and a central mystery that could have tied everything together. Unfortunately, the execution fell short of its promise.
The story centers on Huntington Cove, a place filled with intriguing characters who should have been woven into a rich tapestry of interconnected lives. Instead, the narrative unravels into a collection of disjointed storylines, each only scratching the surface of its potential. The characters could have been better developed and more believable, leaving readers with just enough information to care about them. However, more is needed to feel satisfied with their arcs.
At its core, the mystery of who killed Dylan's wife and why had the potential to be powerful, but the lack of meaningful connections between the characters weakened its impact. I found myself wishing for a more cohesive approach-one where the residents of Huntington Cove each contributed a piece to the puzzle in a way that enriched both the main story and their own individual tales.
As someone who loves a good mystery, l'm deeply disappointed because this could have been an incredible read.
2.5 Stars - It felt like a good use of time, but it wasn't satisfying.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrators did a great job. I was a little disappointed in the lack of thriller, it felt more like a domestic drama. I have enjoyed this author in the past but this one was a miss for me, I will definitely read more by her in the future though.
Heidi and Freddie move into Huntington Grove into what they believe is the perfect neighborhood.
They are just in time for the neighborhood block party and can't wait to meet everyone.
One of the people at the party recognize Freddie and the wild ride begins.
Everyone in this 'hood has their own secrets and issues.
Several POV on audio really helps you get a multi-faceted story!
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for an ALC.
Home Is Where the Lies Live by Kerry Wilkinson is a captivating and suspenseful psychological thriller that grips you from the very first page. The novel expertly weaves together tension, mystery, and emotional depth, creating a dark and atmospheric narrative full of twists and turns. Wilkinson’s skillful writing draws readers into the tangled lives of the characters, where nothing is as it seems, and secrets are buried deep. With a perfect balance of suspense and heart, Home Is Where the Lies Live is an addictive, thought-provoking read that will keep you hooked until the very last page. A must-read for fans of gripping psychological thrillers.
I thought Home Is Where the Lies Live was an okay and pretty mild neighborhood thriller. I liked it well enough. I didn't have to force myself to finish it, but I wasn't on the edge of my seat. I was expecting a more suspenseful, psychological thriller, but to me this read more like a suburban drama with the occasional mention of some secrets and a gun.
We get the perspectives of three neighbors, Heidi, Willow, and Dylan. They all have a family member or two, and there are a few more relevant characters as well. The characters are all well written and their thoughts, motivations, and behaviors made sense to me for the most part, and there were some interesting storylines that could have been explored further.
The three different narrators' voices helped differentiate between the three main characters, but I'm not sure their voices would have been as distinct in text form. As for the narrators, I think they did a good job. The voice of Willow sounded a bit older to me than her character was, and sometimes, in the police interviews that are interspersed in the story, I found it distracting when "Officer:" and "Name:" was read aloud (it wasn't always).
The biggest reasons my rating isn't higher is that I thought the plot was predictable, I didn't find the story very suspenseful, and the climactic scene at the end was over way too quickly. I just barely understood what happened and then it was over. There was no drama to it and the chapters seemed to overlap to the point where I couldn't clearly make out the order of events. I also wanted more of a sense of resolution to the story, with answers about what happened to everyone, and there were a few loose ends that I felt needed to be tied up. Some things were hinted at, but I didn't find the ending very satisfying. At no point in the story did I gasp or drop my jaw.
This was my first time reading a book by Kerry Wilkinson. I found it easy and entertaining enough to get through, and if you want a thriller that isn't too thrilling, this might be a great fit. I wanted more emotional depth, more suspense, more drama, and a stronger ending.
This was an interesting book. This neighborhood of people had a lot of secrets that slowly unraveled and came out over time. One of the male characters is truly a narcissist and his character was written well. Overall, I enjoyed the twists and turns of this book. The audiobook was enjoyable.
Thanks to Netgalley for the arc of this audiobook. A young couple move into suburbia where there are secrets lurking behind each of their neighbours doors.
Told in the past, present and future from each of the characters we see into their lives and what no one else sees behind closed doors.
Unfortunately I don’t feel that we ever really get under the skin of any of the characters and I didn’t care enough about any of them or what the big reveal was at the end which felt like an anticlimax. 3.5 lowered to 3 stars. I did like the narrators though.
Thank you to the author, narrator, publisher, and Net Galley for providing a free e-audio of this title in exchange for my review.
Sadly, this was not the book for me. Listed as a thriller with a mystery, I didn't find it either mysterious or thrilling. There is a lot of DRAMA, though! The book settles around a street in a neighborhood and hops around from one resident to another for the story. But it never really feels like a coherent story, just a bunch of little snippets. And I felt left with a lot of unanswered questions. Additionally, the narrators did nothing to help to separate one character from another. I felt really confused and just wanted it to end!
2 stars for 'it was ok'
I enjoyed this book as it was the first of this genre that I have read in this format. It took me a little bit to follow along as I stretched this one out too far between listens but it was good. I think it would be even better if I actually read it.
Got an ARC audiobook. This book wasn’t thrilling and quite boring. Maybe it was because the book kept jumping stories and it was hard to keep track via audio. Also could be because of the accent of the narrators.
Do we ever really know what happens in other people's homes? Do we even know what's happening under our own roofs? This audiobook had me listening long into the night. The characters were very well written, and the narrator did such a great job bringing them all to life. A must-read/listen!
Home Is Where the Lies Live by Kerry Wilkinson and narrated by Matthew Spencer, Rebecca Lee, and Julia Barrie was another excellent book written by one of my favourite authors. Every book or audiobook I have read or listened to has been addictive from start to finish with lots of twists and turns throughout with great characters and Home Is Where the Lies Live was no different.
"Even the most perfect home can hide shocking secrets. But on this peaceful street, is one of them dangerous enough to kill for?"
So true this can be!
When young married couple Heidi and Freddie moved into Huntington Grove. All their neighbours see they are very friendly and polite but why is one door in their house always locked? Very Strange!
Across the street, Willow tries not to argue with her teenage daughter, Willow is trying her hardest to keep everything together especially as her marriage is falling apart. But, where does her husband really go every night, leaving his side of his bed beside cold beside her?
Feeling lonely, she always waves hello to single dad Dylan next door. His wife died in a tragic murder. The culprit was never found. It’s no surprise there are rumours he was involved…
It’s time for the whole street to gather for a summer party. So, on a beautiful sunny day, everyone plasters on a fake smile. But soon the picnic tables will be overturned, sirens are blaring and one of the residents will be marched away in police handcuffs. - (My kind of Party! lol)
Everyone at the party are questioned by the local Police.
But everyone will lie. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Everyone is hiding something, who has a secret big enough to kill for?
And why?
I loved all the narrators Matthew Spencer, Rebecca Lee, and Julia Barrie they all worked so well together and made this book come alive.
Superb book I loved it.
Big Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture and Bookouture Audio for my Arc.
This review is for the audiobook ARC from Netgalley.
This book was quite good but it felt more like a drama than a psychological thriller.
There were quite a lot of different narrators in this story and the chapters were quite short so it did feel like you were jumping around quite a bit.
I also dip between audiobook and ebook at times and I found the chapter numbers were off. They were 8 "chapters" ahead on the audiobook compared to the kindle unlimited book. It made switching between difficult.
The story itself was good and kept you guessing and wondering what was actually going on in each household however the ending was very abrupt! I really thought I had some more chapters to come then it was just "the end" that is why I've made it a 3 star instead of a 4 or 5. I was left quite disappointed after what seemed like a decent book then just ended.
I've seen good reviews for the author so I am going to try some other books and see what I think.