Nina keeps Maggie chained in the attic as punishment for things that happened years earlier, but even Nina doesn't know the full truth that Maggie is keeping from her. This was...a quick read, but I didn't really like it. Everyone on Goodreads seems to be blown away by this, but I didn't like the characters (who are both terrible in their own ways) and I really wasn't shocked by any of the big secrets from the past. I am hard to please when it comes to books like this, I admit that, but this one didn't really do it for me. 2.5 rounded to 3 stars.

3.5 stars

This author is definitely a master of end of chapter cliff hangers. It makes you say, just one more page long after you should have stopped reading.

The story is told in alternating chapters, Nina a daughter taking care of her aging mother and Maggie the mother that at first glance seems to be a secluded elderly woman who is hell bent on making her daughter’s life difficult.

But why would you keep your own mother in chains? What could she possibly have done that was so unforgiving?

As the story progresses your impression of who is more unstable ping pong from one to the other and for the first 50% I was not sure who to believe and who to give my sympathies to.

There are lots of twists and secrets revealed and I enjoyed most of them however towards the end it got a BIT much and the one little twist feels like a plot hole to me.

But overall, this was great escapism.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, John Marrs is amazing!

What Lies Between Us is an absolutely incredible rollercoaster of a book.

If you've read The One and The Passengers, you'll know that it would be a mistake to assume everything is as it seems; because you'd be wrong. And then when you think you've cracked the code, you'll be wrong again. And again.

I'm so pleased to have been able to access this book early via Netgalley, and I'll definitely be picking up a hard copy once it's released.

Clearly anticipating a time when people would be quarantined in their homes, unable to go out, chained to their homes, Marss offers us a fast-reading domestic thriller. In it, he explores the often difficult relationships between a mother and a daughter. Here, a rather twisted relationship that has them bound together shut-in dark to the rest of the world and haunted by their memories of things that happened and what could have been. A domestic thriller like this is not my usual genre, but this one is rather unusual. Indeed, it would do Norman Bates proud.

Many thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for review.

I received this as a ARC from NetGalley.
I don't even know what I just read, but it was so good. The twists and turns were unexpected and the story building kept me on the edge of my seat. While both Maggie and Nina are in the wrong, it doesn't mean you don't side with both of them throughout the book. Fabulous ending. Highly recommended!

Another fantastic read from John Marrs, who never fails to deliver something twisty and unexpected. This time we follow mother and daughter, Maggie and Nina, in a dual narrative which switches between the present day and flashbacks which show us how the pair got to the position they're in at the start of the novel. As each character reveals more, the reader is taken on a rollercoaster of emotions as sympathies are won and lost and either character could be 'the bad guy'.

This is an incredibly cleverly crafted novel with a large number of intertwining threads all brought together in the story's climax. Your attention is grabbed right from the start and it keeps its hold on you through to its unexpected and brilliant conclusion. Aside from the ending, there are a few other twists in there which will make you gasp and keep you guessing right to the end. The best part, for me, was that none of it seemed all that far-fetched; you could imagine this happening in your own street.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Fans of Marrs' earlier work will not be disappointed with this new offering. Anyone who enjoys well-crafted thrillers will find something to love here.

WOW....am not sure where to start.
At the beginning it took me a while to get into the book, I got a bit confused when it skipped from one part to the next but I eventually got used it.
Once I got into the book it kept me gripped till the very end, I thought that Maggie had done something seriously wrong to be chained up like that and thought, at first, she was in a prison and not her own home, I really warmed to Maggie and was so looking forward to her getting out.
Nina took a really disliking to her mum whom she only addressed as Maggie and I wondered what she had done to her that made her hate her so much but all she did was try to protect her in her own and strange way.
I know it was sad that Maggie and Dylan (Bobby) did not get out but they had no life really with the way Nina treated them and she fell that was her only option to get away from Nina, I feel if Maggie had known Dylan (Bobby) was in the house too I don’t think she would have set fire to the place. In the end Nina ended up how she made her family, alone and a prisoner. It is surprising what people do for love.
It was a great book with great twists and turns, once I got into it I loved it.

What Lies Between Us by John Marrs....
I give this book 4.9 out of 5 stars 🌟...
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Nina can never forgive her mother Maggie for what she did. And she can never let her leave. They say every house has its secrets and the house that Nina and Maggie share is no different.
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A hard hitting and gripping suspense tale of abuse and secrets buried deep ready to emerge. This is definitely a WTF did I just read book 🙈! It was almost as messed up as Verity which is why I couldn’t give it a full 5 out of 5 as some bits were difficult to read.
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The whole way through the book you are questioning what is the terrible history behind Nina having to keep Maggie chained up in the attic. And let me tell you the reasons behind it are so disturbing and really give you an insight into what humans can be capable of. Thankfully it all culminated into a semi-satisfying ending!
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This was my first John Marrs book and it won’t be my last! Thank you to @netgalley, @amazonpublishing and @johnmarrs.author for this incredible ARC 💕. Publishing day is 15 May 2020.

Oh my goodness this book takes creepiness to the next level and talk about disturbing characters well you certainly have them here. As always with a John Marrs book when you start to read you know you are in for one hell of a ride as every book of his is so well written and all are very different and this one is no exception it’s all of those things and more.
Twisted, dark and unique this is one special read, told alternately by Nina and Maggie and in different timelines it ramps up the tension as more and more secrets are revealed and there are some big surprises in this devilish story and it takes the words psychological thriller to a new high.
I loved the book, it’s shocking and thoroughly entertaining, dark and spine tingling creepy it’s a sure fire hit.
Can’t praise it enough so please don’t miss out, I hear it’s going to be a film and I can’t wait !!
Many thanks John Marrs for a wonderful read that deserves more than 5 stars.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I had a hunch about the plot the minute I started this book, and with each revelation we received, I realized I predicted the whole thing very early on. Given that the only book by John Marrs I'd read before was The One, and that book surprised me the whole way through, I was a bit disappointed by this. I think that if you're familiar with the thriller genre, you'll easily be able to predict the course of this as well... the characters are pretty much what you get, there's no cat and mouse game going on. Nevertheless, I was completely unable to put it down - the author writes in such an exhilarating way that I just wanted to devour this whole thing. And the ending was quite explosive as well, it really upped the whole experience for me!

Overall, a nice, quick read, but not one that's life-changing. I'm still excited to check John Marrs' other works though!

A disturbing tale of love and hate and everything in between!

A mother and daughter, two utterly dysfunctional characters, trapped in a twisted game of life and death. Who’s done who wrong? And who’s to blame?

I did manage to figure out all the major twists and yet, the impeccable writing kept me turning the pages, begging for more.

I would definitely recommend.

I would like to thank the Publishers, NetGalley, and the Author for sending me an ARC of this book.

Another book by John Mares which I read in less than 24 hours. I just love his style of writing and I could not wait to see how this story unfolded. Full of twists and turns! Amazing!

Kind of a depressing scenario between mother and daughter. It takes a great deal of reading to get to the reason behind the hatred but a disturbed sense of punishment. Not sure if it is what is going on in the world right now but not my kind of story.

I really really enjoyed this book, the twists and turns were consistently unexpected and the ending definitely surprised me! I was on tenterhooks for the majority of the book and could not put it down on many occasions!! Definitely worth a read!!

What Lies Between Us by John Marrs Reviewed * April 4, 2020 * 4.8 stars rounded up

Story is told from the POV of Maggie the Mother and Nina the daughter. They share a house well they actually co-exist in the same house.
Everyone seems to think that Nina is a sweet librarian.
Hmmm… Nina is actually holding her mother captive in her attic bedroom while she goes off to work each day.
What has Maggie done to cause Nina’s revenge of keeping her mother in chains??

This is a dark twisted psychological thriller… yep! My kind of a book! My first author, John Marrs novel! I will definitely read another.

Note: One reviewed posted that Rene Zellweger’s Big Picture Co/MGM TV brought the movie rights.

Want to thank NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this early release granted in exchange for an honest professional review. Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 15, 2020

Nina and her mother Maggie live together in their family home. After their twice weekly dinner, where they exchange barbed pleasantries, Nina takes Maggie back to her room in the attic where she is kept chained up and hidden from the world. Nina can never forgive Maggie for what she has done. She believes that Maggie’s imprisonment is a just punishment for her past actions… a way to get back the years she stole from Nina. Nina thinks she knows everything about the past but Maggie still has some secrets to keep…because if Nina discovers the truth it will be her death sentence.

What Lies Between Us is an exciting new domestic thriller/mystery that offers up an unusual twist on a dysfunctional mother-daughter relationship. The novel begins with a seemingly normal family dinner followed by the realization that Maggie is being kept chained up in the attic by her daughter Nina. The book slowly uncovers past events, from both Maggie and Nina's perspectives, which lead to their current circumstances. Although I had an idea of what Maggie's secret was, I definitely did not see the ending playing out quite like it did. I will say that this novel is less graphically violent than some of his other books, making it perfect for readers who might be unfamiliar with his work. I'm a big fan of his novels and love how he always takes a unique approach to turn a seemingly typical situation into something so sinister (i.e. The One and The Good Samaritan). I was thrilled to get a first look this new novel and it did not disappoint. A must read for 2020!

Wow! WTH did I just read? Fast paced, dark tale of a family with such twisted secrets they will do anything to protect them. Frightening and unbelievable, I could not put this book down. When Nina starts exhibiting severe mental illness after a horrific event in her childhood, her mother would do anything to protect her, even if it means sacrificing everything including her own freedom. This is only the second John Marrs book I have read, but it certainly will not be the last. I would give this book way more than 5 stars if possible. Highly recommended!!!

Woahhhh!!! Amazing book by an amazing author. I have read all of his books so when I was lucky enough to an ARC I had to start reading it right away. I put everything else on hold cause I wasn't able to stop reading it's that good. Dark and disturbing with twists that will have your head spinning!! I wish I could give it more then 5 stars!!!

This is the latest offering from John Marrs, and like his previous books, it does not disappoint!

Told from the perspective of a mother and daughter, we read about Maggie and Nina and the relationship they have together. Full of twists and turns, some dark and deeply disturbing, this book is a rollercoaster ride and you won’t want to stop reading until it is finished.

John Marrs manages to make you change your opinions of the two characters throughout the book, who is the villain and who is the victim?! Although by the end I found myself not really liking either after all the lies and truths that came out!

Full of suspense and disturbing family secrets, this book certainly takes you to some dark places, some of which I found a little too unbelievable. Overall, an excellent thriller of a book and definitely one that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end!

What Lies Between Us by John Marrs is the first novel I've read from this highly praised author, and I have to say that all of the accolades are richly deserved. This is a novel that you will not want to put down, so make sure you set aside a block of uninterrupted time to fully immerse yourself. You will not be disappointed.

Alternating between the perspectives of Maggie, a sixty-eight year old woman, and her daughter, Nina, it is quickly apparent that their relationship, and cohabitation, goes far beyond dysfunctional, and is simply beyond comprehension. As the history of the two women is brought to light through an alternating timeline that shifts between past and present, it becomes clear that very dark and disturbing elements have always pervaded the discourse between mother and daughter, and the secrets that are revealed will shock even the most jaded of readers. I will say no more, only that you should move this one to the top of your TBR. Highly recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this wonderful ARC.