I have just read another book with similar themes which did not work; a struggling author, an event from the past catching up with the main character, someone intent on revenge, main character out of control with drink, mental issues; I thought oh no not again, but the similarities ended there. This one did work, and the surprises and twists kept on coming until the end. I did not like the main character, she made so many bad choices, but the plot was so strong and compelling that it did not matter. I am not going to say any more because this is worth discovering without any clues.
I did not know this author, but I see that she has written quite a few other books, so I look forward to my holiday reading next week!

In a world over-populated with 'twisty' psychological thrillers, this stands out for keeping things creepy but real. Clarke certainly re-uses tropes of the genre like the big empty house, though now renovated and modernised, and that old chestnut of 'how well do we know those around us?' - but, importantly, she makes them work for her by not going over the top and by keeping the focus on characterisation rather than hokey twists. Ok, there is one huge coincidence but I was happy to overlook it in view of how adroitly we're wrong-footed - and even if I guessed the villain, the motive was kept well hidden till the last.

A deliciously creepy read, then, with emotional payoff - clear your calendar for this one, I literally couldn't stop reading once I'd started it!