Hot Springs Drive

Loved, loved, loved this book. A real page turner that keeps you guessing who is really guilty. Multiple narrators deftly manipulated, a fast paced plot and strong characters . I couldn’t put it down!

Wow! To say this is jist a thriller or a domestic noir would be a disservice to the book. Its written in multiple povs and gives such a clear insight into friendship, secrets, lying, trauma, marriage and of course murder. It's very character driven but it still kept me invested due to how well the characters were brought to life an dthe secrets that were constantly being unraveled. It was a bit disturbing and unsettling but I guess that says something about how life like the writing must have been

Hot Springs Drive is where the lives of the Linden and Stinson families coincide, ultimately with tragic consequences.

It takes a while for Theresa to find the right person for her but at 32 she marries Adam Linden within a year of meeting him and at 33 she gives birth to her daughter Cece. However, it’s the day that Theresa meets Jackie that the story really begins. Fifteen years ago the pair meet on the maternity ward with Jackie eventually having four children and Theresa just the one. They become neighbours and good friends so much so that after gaining a lot of weight having her children Jackie encourages Theresa to go to Get Skinny with her. Jackie’s weight loss is dramatic as is the change deep within her. She begins a torrid affair with Adam and one day Theresa discovers them in flagrante. The following day Theresa is found dead in her garage, brutally murdered, the murderer still with crowbar in hand.

The story is told via multiple perspectives through which we get an all round view and a deep insight into the consequences of the murder. These different points of view are cleverly done as you might expect it to feel disjointed but it doesn’t. It’s extremely revealing, illuminating and somehow the author keeps the momentum flowing as you turn pages, sometimes stunned, sometimes sad and sometimes bewildered.

Although it’s impossible to deny its very well written, I’m not entirely sure how I feel about the book. I really like the genre crossover of domestic noir with literary fiction, it’s much more about the impact of Theresa’s murder than a murder/mystery especially as we learn who the murderer is slightly less than halfway It’s character driven, these are not necessarily likeable characters with a couple of exceptions but they are so well crafted they’re impossible to ignore and they drive the narrative. It’s quite shocking in places, not just the murder but other behaviours too and it positively simmers with tension as dirty secrets emerge from beneath shiny suburban surfaces.

The novel is incisive, it encompasses several themes such as friendship, motherhood especially via Jackie, sex, food and control as well as the obvious underpinning family dynamics and relationships. It’s different which is clearly a good thing and the author demonstrates a great deal of talent. I’m glad I read it but it does leave you feeling somewhat unsettled.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Dialogue Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Compelling, Tension Fuelled..
Between the idyllic gardens, over perfectly placed pickets and picture perfect homes lies something insidious. Perhaps you cannot put your finger on it, but it’s there nonetheless. Unsettling and perfectly executed domestic noir where lives collide with drastic and tragic consequences. Effectively relayed with multiple viewpoints, a tension fuelled propulsive plot and a cast of credible characters, this is a compelling read where the underlying vein of menace is never too far away.

A really compelling and complicated story but very interesting all the same. Told from multiple points of view, we gain a real insight into this marriage, friendship and secrets. Brilliant. Highly recommended xx

This is my first time reading any of Lindsay Hunter's work and I am blown away! I initially expected a standard, run of the mill thriller/crime novel (silly me), but Hot Springs Drive exceeded all my expectations. This novel delves deep into the intricacies of human desires and the darker aspects of suburban life.

The story is about Theresa, who makes a heart-wrenching discovery that her husband is having an affair with her best friend. The day after this discovery, Theresa's body is found.

Hot Springs Drive is not just a murder mystery - it's an exploration of motherhood and what it means to be a woman. It is also an exploration of the complexities of human nature, desire, and the hidden darkness lurking beneath the veneer of suburban tranquillity.

Lindsay Hunter uses multiple p.o.vs to burrow deep into the story and reveal the far-reaching consequences of desire. Each character, with their flaws and unique personalities, felt remarkably real and (alarmingly) relatable.

One of the book's standout qualities is the balance Hunter achieves between suspense and humour. Each p.o.v is full of tension, yet she expertly weaves moments of humour into the narrative, and I found myself hooked from the very first chapter.

Overall, Hot Springs Drive is a must-read for anyone seeking a gripping and thought-provoking read that delves into the depths of human desire and the tangled web it weaves.

Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read this before its publication date - I thoroughly enjoyed it!