Crumbs, Camilla Läckberg - I don't know why I have not happened across your novels before now! The Gilded Cage is my first book by this author and certainly will not be my last. It is an addictive and intoxicating psychological thriller and I could not put it down.

In a captivating story of love, friendship, betrayal and revenge, the principal character, Faye, is so disingenuously written. A devoted wife to one of Sweden's most successful entrepreneurs, Jack Adelheim, co-founder of Compare a multi million kroner company, she appears to be happy and contented. Also a loving mother to her beautiful daughter Julienne, when she is swapped for a younger version, the real Faye emerges...

For me this book is exceptionally well written and the plot is scintillating and evocative. There are plenty of shocking revelations along the way giving rise to a whole range of emotions in connection with Jack in particular, but others as well. The resolution is a real surprise and beyond satisfying.

Overall, a spectacular, sexy, deliciously dark read which I highly recommend to fans of Scandi Noir and psychological thrillers with every confidence. A pat on the back to the translator who has done a terrific job. I have already checked out some of Camilla Läckberg's other books and will be adding her to my list of authors to look out for.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel at my request from HarperCollins UK via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion. Thank you also to Pigeonhole and Camilla Läckberg for the opportunity to read this book!

'She had taken some painkillers, then drained a litre of her own blood': wait, what? How is it even possible for a perfectly ordinary person with no medical equipment to do that? This just epitomizes my eye-rolling throughout this book which veers between melodrama and the absurd. It's a shame as I love Lackberg's Erica and Patrik Hedstrom series with its mix of cosy domesticity, humour and the macabre but this is nothing like them.

I enjoyed reading The Gilded Cage and recommend it for fans of domestic noir style psychological thrillers. It's well written and brings a twist to the complex relationship between abuser and victim.

You don’t always have to like a character to enjoy a book but Faye is such a complex bundle of awfulness that in this instance it really did make a difference. Add to that far too many clumsy sexual scenes and for me itmade a rather boring uninteresting plot.

I received this pre-publication e-book from Random House UK via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. (Review posted on NetGalley, Goodreads and Amazon.)

I requested this book because I had read and enjoyed some of Camilla Lackberg’s police procedurals, so I was expecting more of the same. This is not the case, however; this book is a standalone thriller told from the point of view of a main protagonist who is very problematic in her own way.
Faye Adelheim is difficult as heroines go. She is, at different times, a devoted wife and mother, a victim of emotional, physical and sexual abuse, a successful and ruthless business woman, a downtrodden doormat, a loving and generous friend, a bitch, a clever manipulator, a supporter of other women, an adulterer, a liar and a casual murderer. Obviously it could be argued that we all wear many hats throughout our lives, but Faye’s journey, gradually revealed in fragments through flashbacks and internal monologues, is certainly twistier than most.
Eventually we are able to trace her story from a child in an abusive household and her escape to a new identity in Stockholm, through a series of relationships and into her marriage and subjugation to Jack, a successful businessman. The birth of their daughter Julienne completes the external picture of a rich, happy, powerful family.
However, we already know this won’t end well, because in the opening scene of the book Faye receives the news that Jack has apparently killed Julienne. The narrative goes on to gradually unravel how the characters arrive at this point, detailing the arc of Jack’s betrayal (in the first half of the book) and Faye’s revenge (in the second half).
I didn’t NOT enjoy this book, but I didn’t love it either. The plot was gnarly with some good reveals, but none of the characters were likeable or sympathetic, and Faye herself was by turns irritating, boring, predictable and psychotic. The sex scenes (quite a few of these) were rather clumsy, and most of the incidental characters (and some of the main ones) felt like they were made of cardboard; the whole thing felt rather flat, with little emotional nuance or texture.
Having said that, it kept me going to the end, and it gets an extra star for that. This is not Camilla Lackberg at her best, though, lacking the characterisation and the deft touch of the Hedstrom thrillers. Overall, disappointing.

The Gilded Cage, a completely captivating domestic-based psychological thriller, is bestselling crime writer and Scandinavian (Scandi) Noir starlet Camilla Lackberg’s latest standalone thriller to be translated into the English language and proves beyond all reasonable doubt that money cannot always make one happy shortly followed by the fact that it very clearly can often be the root of all evil and it certainly played its part here. Faye has everything anyone could ever want in life and then some, given she is wedded to Jack Adelheim, the co-founder of a multi-million kroner company named Compare. She had moved to Stockholm to try to forget her hellish childhood and to attend business school where she met and fell in love with her saviour, Jack. But soon Jack weaponises his words and starts completely disrespecting both Faye and their marriage reminding Faye of the very abuse she thought she had successfully escaped. This turns out to be a recipe for disaster.

This is a very different style to all of Camilla's previous books but it is just as riveting and from the first page the plot grabs you and pulls you in. Once you start reading it's difficult to stop and as a consequence, I read it in a single sitting. Full of exciting reveals and a plethora of twists and turns that blindside you, this is an addictive read. The topic of abuse was dealt with sensitively although it was awful to read about, especially as I have suffered abuse myself. The characters are some of the most interesting I've encountered in a while; Jack is detestable as he carries himself with an air of arrogance and believes everyone should bow down to him. Faye is somewhat enigmatic and mysterious which makes her so intriguing and her idea of revenge is taking it to the max. There are some truly shocking reveals throughout the entirety of the story and the conclusion is beyond satisfying. Highly recommended. Many thanks to HarperCollins for an ARC.

My thanks to HarperCollins U.K. for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Gilded Cage’ by Camilla Lackberg in exchange for an honest review. It was translated from the Swedish by Neil Smith.

“They were both trapped in gilded cages. Like a couple of peacocks. Even if Faye felt more like one of the scabby pigeons at Hötorget these days.”

This novel opens very dramatically with Faye Adelheim sitting in a police station with officers sharing some the news that they believe her husband has killed their daughter.

We then move back a few years and Faye is living in a posh apartment in an exclusive district of Stockholm with Jack, her gorgeous millionaire husband, and their young daughter. Her life should be perfect but it isn’t.

She has secrets in her past and we get the occasional hint and flashback sprinkled throughout the text. She is insecure about her body and even if Jack provides lavishly for her, he also is constantly undermining her confidence.

It’s a fairly familiar setup for a psychological thriller/domestic noir. The title pretty much indicates the issue Faye faces as she is increasingly aware that she is living in a gilded cage.

How Faye gets from that cage to the police station is a journey of some years and in keeping with my policy of avoiding spoilers in thrillers, I won’t say more about the plot.

However, I found it impossible to like Faye at all (though Jack is even worse). Aside from the love she has for her daughter and two close women friends, she’s not a pleasant person. There were also a number of quite sordid sex scenes and references that were uncomfortable to read. Could something have been lost in translation?

In addition, Faye’s overall attitude towards her body and other women (apart from the aforementioned pals) was also shallow and unhealthy. I didn’t consider her stance feminist at all.

Despite this it was quite readable and I was keen to find out more about Faye’s past and to see how things turned out for her. Yet there were also aspects of the plot that seriously strained credibility. I mean who knew dog walking could prove so lucrative?

Given her negative attitudes toward others it was hard to understand how she inspired love and loyalty in Chris and Kersten, two quite amazing women. Usually people who are as toxic as Faye demonstrate those traits through all their relationships. So, her characterisation felt a bit confusing.

Having previously read some of Camilla Lackberg’s crime fiction I had quite high expectations for this stand-alone and was disappointed. Yes, it was entertaining to some degree but just didn’t hit the mark for me.

2.5 stars rounded up to 3.

This was a dark, twisted thriller that was over the top in the best possible way!
The story follows Faye, the wife of a rich,controlling husband. When she catches her husband cheating she leaves her fabulously wealthy lifestyle and starts again from scratch, with one thing on her mind - Revenge!
I loved the way Faye took control of her life and worked hard to try build up her company. I also liked the way it focused on women supporting other women.
The story flips between past and present and there are some really dark secrets revealed along the way. The story has a definite "hell hath no fury" theme to it and makes for a very satisfying read.
Thankyou to netgalley and the publisher for my copy in exchange for my honest review.

With thanks to Netgalley, Pigeonhole and the publishers for the arc, which I have enjoyed reading.
The Gilded Cage by Camilla Lackberg is an extremely clever, psychological thriller written by an excellent accomplished writer. The story moves between Faye’s childhood and then between her friendship with Chris, Henri and Jack Adelheim. Then the story moves along to her marriage to Jack, the birth of her daughter Julienne, her divorce and her accomplishments in building a successful life on her own. Then how Faye demolishes Jack’s life and how she succeeds.
The storyline and the characters are very interesting and entertaining and the whole book is a masterclass in story telling.
Highly recommended.

Thank you Harper Collins for providing me with ARC copy for an honest review!

Absolutely brilliant and Thank you Harper Collins for providing me with ARC copy for an honest review! 

Absolutely brilliant and well developed crime psychological fiction, involving a narcissist's behavior in a very precise actions and twisted, but an interesting plot! I have read all the books Camilla has written and that have been translated in English.

The Guilded Cage is a separate, standalone book. I found the plot so well developed as at first I kinda disliked both of the main characters, and could say I find it hard to read when the plot has sexy, but at the same domestic violence through and through. I disliked Faye at first, even she's going through all that due to her own action seem to reflect - what goes around comes around because of what she did in her early youth, I could feel sorry for her, but I just couldn't, until the moment when the author has mastered the plot so - that my views switch and I am so proud of this main female character, that I want to salute for her femininity and strong will getting back to her feet when hit so hard under the belly.

Have your life path ever crossed with someone who has narcissist traits? Have you ever gave yourself to someone who didn't value it or used it to reverse and hurt yourself? Faye has supported her boyfriend, then her husband whole time, starting from the time when they just dated to the point where she was mum and a wife - 24/7 at home. Her life does not seem to be perfect, nor her attitude at times, but what's not known she's constantly devalued, ghosted, gash-lighted and masterfully manipulated by her partner. 

Jack on the other hand is very well known by his name only, having experienced rough childhood he has mastered to be admired by women, and in the society circle. Everyone wanting to be friends with him as of the benefits that comes along those...but little do they know his smartest ideas might not be his own... He is someone you don't dare to mess, if so he will bring you down to destroy...

Unless there's someone who's not afraid of him anymore ... well developed crime psychological fiction, involving a narcissist's behavior in a very precise actions and twisted, but an interesting plot.

Wow I’m never disappointed by this author. Camilla’a latest story revolves are Faye who on paper appears to have the perfect wife. She lives the millionaire lifestyle with a husband she adores and a beautiful daughter but you should not always judge the book by its cover and the truth is much darker. The police are at her door and her world is starting to fall down around her but it everything as it seems. This book is dark and totally twisted but I couldn’t put it down.

Having read most of the Patrick Hedstrom books by this author I was looking forward to this stand-alone novel. This is a story about revenge. About an anti-heroine who is not only the abuser but also the abused, not only the victim but the victimiser.

To the world Faye Adelheim has it all, the attractive wealthy husband Jack. Lots of money, a beautiful young daughter, the perfect life.

But in reality she has non of that, she’s not even who she says she is. But not only that she really isn’t a nice person, there was absolutely nothing about this character or any of the other characters in this book except possibly for Chris, that I could honestly say I liked.

There were scenes in this that I did struggle to read.

The story opens near the end where Faye is told that her daughter Julienne is dead, possibly at the hands of Jack. But then the story is told through different timelines Faye before she became Faye, so her distant past and interspersed with the immediate past.. I really wish i could have had some sympathy for Faye but it just wasn’t there. Some of the things she does are just wrong. The way she treats people.

Then Jack again has no redeemable features either he is a mysoginistic, perverted, selfish, man.

I would like to thank #netgalley and #HarperCollins for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

This was my first Camilla Lackberg book and now I can't wait to pick more up from her. Her writing is addictive, the story had me gripped and those TWISTS! Really enjoyed this book.

After a violent childhood Matilda escapes to Stockholm to create a whole new life for herself and Faye appears. The narrative moves backward and forward in time. After helping create a huge business with her husband Jack and his friend Faye becomes a perfect wife and mother but betrayal comes from her husband. After begging on her knees to him to keep the family together and being rebuffed and financially betrayed Faye yet again has to rebuild herself from the bottom up. Real friends and not the wives she knew, who literally live in a gilded cage like she did, help her reinvention.
Revenge perfume and cosmetics is not only the brand that makes her millions but the method she uses to punish her husband for his betrayal and lack of love for the family.
Faye is an amazing character. At times she can be brutal and unforgiving but she is also loyal and generous to her friends.
This is an amazing read with twists and turns along the way and there is a huge surprise at the end.
Enjoyable and fast moving this is the best book I have read in a long time. Cotemporary and fast moving as Faye plans her revenge and how and why she does it becomes clear is worth reading more than once.

I enjoyed reading this book and I felt that the story was well executed.

The characters had depth and added a lot to the overall sense of the book and it was very enjoyable to keep turning the pages.

I’m so glad I’m not in a gilded cage of marriage to a mega wealthy man if it means eating half a lettuce leaf a day, Botox until your face is frozen and subservience. Meet Faye, who is married to Jack Adelheim co-founder of Compare a multi million kroner company. They have one child, a daughter Julienne. Their marriage is a bit faded, jaded and she’s degraded but persuaded by love to glue a smile on even while he devalues her. However, Faye has a dark past which is suppressed when she is playing the part of a dutiful wife but after she makes several discoveries the blinkers about him are removed and she sets about revenge in such a manner that it puts a whole new spin on the meaning of the word. The story goes between the past and the present until we learn just how dangerous Faye is as an enemy when pushed to anger.

First of all, let’s look at the characters. Jack is beyond awful, he’s so arrogant and has an overinflated sense of entitlement and his intellect. He is a user. I’d rather be Faye’s friend than enemy any day of the week as she’s not just dark she’s jet black in her revenge! There’s a real air of mystery about her though which is intriguing. However, she’s a good friend to Chris who is a lovely character and to Kerstin who helps her in the early days of separation from Jack.

Secondly, the book is well written although I’m not entirely convinced the plot is plausible but I really like it so I won’t dwell too long on that one and happily go with the flow!! There are plenty of shocking revelations along the way and you feel a whole range of emotions and most of them not positive about Jack and it makes me wonder what Faye ever saw in him in the first place. Their relationship and that of other wealthy couples in the story highlights the imbalance between the sexes and talking of sex it’s a bit steamy in places (blushes)!!!! I like that you feel Faye’s emotions - her suppression, her anger, of being trapped and discontented and I feel a sisterly camaraderie as she plots so surreptitiously and cleverly against those who have wronged her. I like the way her revenge empowers women in the business she set up to do more for themselves. The end is very satisfying.

Overall, a terrific rollercoaster read which I recommend to fans of Scandi Noir and psychological thrillers. Congratulations to the translator which is excellent.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, Harper Fiction for the ARC.

Faye has everything money can buy; expensive holidays, an exclusive apartment, the best designer clothes. Her rich and handsome husband and her beautiful daughter are everything to her.
But the truth is that her life is far from what it seems. And on top of that, she isn't exactly who she wants everybody to believe she is.

This tale of revenge opens with a sentence that sucks you in instantly, making you hungry to find out what lead to this moment.
Told from Faye's point of view in a third-person narrative, the story weaves from present to past. Faye is a very interesting character that will have you feeling for her one moment and despising her the next.
I was mostly cheering her on, but there was one particular moment that had me baffled as to why she did what she did, especially when the ending drew nearer, and her secrets were finally revealed.
This book is definitely a page-turner, full of suspense and unpredictable turns of events.
However, there are parts where the story slows down, and a few times, I wasn't sure what direction it was heading in.
The ending was jaw-dropping and unexpected, but there were some aspects that I found unbelievable and far-fetched.
And the secret that prompted Faye to change her name...well, I was expecting something really gruesome, but in the end, it neither explained nor warranted what she had done to the person who discovered it.
Overall, putting those little faults aside, it was a really good thrilling read that, for the most part, kept me racing through it. It was my first book from Camilla Lackberg, but I will definitely be checking out her other novels.

Good Lord but this book irritated me. There were pockets of time during the predictable plot where I managed to involve myself in the moment but to be completely honest I spent most of the read rolling my eyes.

I should point out that there is nothing fundamentally wrong with The Gilded Cage, the writing is good and the story does have a lot of the elements that appeal to me as a reader of psychological thrillers- therefore I can see a lot of people enjoying this thoroughly. I just wasn't one of them.

Faye as a character is just completely annoying. There's a strong sexual element that runs through almost all of the narrative that becomes inutterably dull. The women in this novel apart from one notable exception felt like cardboard cut outs of the extreme husband pleasing stereotypes- if this was used to explore some deeper societal issues that would have been ok but there was none of that just surface level plot devices.

With full disclosure I will admit that I skim read and skipped a lot of it during the 50 -80% mark but by then it was becoming obvious to me that the basic storyline here was just not going to engage me so I simply wanted to find out if all I predicted quite early on came to pass- which it did so hey ho.

I have read this author before and she's usually so good. I'm not sure what happened here but this one was flat as a pancake. I can't really recommend it, I'd point you towards her other books instead.

Captivating story of betrayal and manipulation within a marriage. Set in modern day Sweden Jack and Faye have become the ultimate couple with a successful business and enviable lifestyle. But Faye is frustrated with her role as sidelined, stay at home, carer of their small daughter. It was her business acumen that started it all rolling but Jack has conveniently forgotten that and treats her as insignificant-his infidelities become more blatant and finally he demands a divorce, throwing her out of the marital home with nothing but a raging need for revenge.
As she works out her strategy for climbing to the top herself we are aware of dark secrets from her past which are gradually revealed to the reader.
The resulting playing out of her plans c9mes at the end. A very different novel fro Camilla Lackberg other ones but written with the same confident style that makes her such a good writer.

On the whole this was quite a well constructed thriller however about 60%of the way in I felt the author was trying to hard to be politically correct and far to topical I respect of the #metoo campaign and to be honest the storyline did not need this. The repetitive sexual references also in my opinion were not needed in order to sell this book. Although I felt no love towards any of the characters I did want to keep reading on to see how it all ended however even this ending when it came was so expected it was ridiculous.
This is the first story I have read from this author and I may try another in the future, just not quite yet.