I have being fortunate to have read several John Marrs books and I really enjoyed them so I was really looking forward to getting stuck into What Lies Between Us.
This psychological thriller was intense.In my opinion the severity of the conflict between mother and daughter did make this story quite unbelievable in parts, but then again who knows what goes on behind closed doors so it could possibly be true.
Maggie and Nina are mother and daughter. They live together - but with a difference. Nina keeps her mum shackled to a chain within the confines of the attic. But why? The book is told in chapters that alternate between Maggie's and Nina's point of view. Along the way, their secrets are revealed and all soon becomes clear.I really did love this book and can't recommend it highly enough.

I didn't hate this book, but I absolutely feel like I just woke up from a fever dream. I'm truly horrified by how John Marrs has created this in his head.

This book is by no means an easy read. It's very dark, twisted and heavy. I feel like I was experiencing some kind of out-of-body experience, where I was really distanced from the book and just... watching myself read it. The events that conspire in this book are just... messed up.

I did like the premise of the book, but it was a bit too dark in a sickening way for me to truly 'enjoy' it. There isn't a single likeable character, mainly because they're all insanely flawed and not one of them has done a single thing that can redeem their bad actions, so it's hard to really root for someone without trying to justify the other person's behaviour, in a really weird way. The ending didn't quite satisfy me - I remember seeing the word 'epilogue' and thinking this was so abrupt and had come about so soon, I definitely felt like there was room for at least another 20 pages.

So tl;dr - enjoyed at a very basic surface level, but wouldn't recommend unless you can really handle darkness.

Trigger warnings: paedophilia, grooming, suicidal ideation, drug abuse, mentions of rape, miscarriage, abortion, depression, drugging, underage pregnancy, kidnapping, incarceration, murder, adultery, parental neglect, forced infertility, early menopause, domestic abuse of a parent, gaslighting.

I loved this dark, twisted family thriller. The plot was very original and hard to predict for sure. So many secrets between family members can lead to death, pain, and so much damage. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes psychological thrillers.

Auto buy John Marrs !!!

This is another masterpiece. I won’t recap the synopsis but this was well written as his other books.

Thanks so much NetGalley! John Marrs thanks as well!

Title: What Lies Between Us
Author: John Marrs
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How far would you go to try and save your daughter from the things she did but doesn't have the slightest clue of them? How far are you willing to push back secrets of the past that haunt you daily? Most of all, how far would you let the relationship between the two of you fall before you realize its too late and are being held hostage in your own home?
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Thank you @netgalley for allowing me to review What Lies Between Us. My first John Marrs read has me in agony with the events between Maggie (mother) and Nina (daughter) that continue to unravel. I feel for both characters in this heartbreaking story. I can only imagine what I'd do if I were put in the shoes of Maggie.
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Such an easy page turner. I didnt want to put the book down!

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Over the past 12 months, John Marrs has shot towards the top of my favorite authors' list, and 'What Lies Between Us' does not fail to deliver.

Featuring the most messed up of family dynamics, the gasp moments keep on coming as we try to decide who is most dysfunctional; daughter Nina or mother Maggie. They both put a big claim to the title.

The writing is so gripping that once you start you just want to keep on going, so despite the disturbing content I didn't want a break.

This is a very twisted read about the family dysfunctions, mental illnesses and these very strange holes where we bury ourselves in our darkness. The characters are very unlikable and I find the plot quite boring, even of ot os full of twists and turns; because these turns are only adding to the unbelievability factor.
While I believe that such dysfunctional mother-daughter couples coud very well exist, I only find it being sad, really. What is also sad is that these relationships carry on without somebody else to enter their twisted worlds and bring some kind of healing (be it medication, professional help or police intervention, even - but something to bring the end to the codependent, meaningless lives and maybe offer a way out or at least a way to stop the blackness to spread).

This book was not what I was expecting. I really really loved it. The whole concept was very different than anything I've read before and I loved the mother/daughter aspect of the story. I'm a fan of John Marr's previous novels and this one did not disappoint.

John Marr never disappoints! Each of his book gets to be more of a page turner than his last, disturbing, weird evil people doing horrible things to each other in strange situations. Sounds awful but makes such a good read. Looking forward to his next one.

Wow. Great suspense novel that kept me guessing, trying to figure out who was crazy!! I was surprised right up to the very end!

The premise of this book was different from most domestic thrillers, and I think that’s what drew me to it. I highly recommend for something different! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

What's better than one unreliable narrator? Two unreliable narrators! This entire book was somehow both a train wreck in itself but also leading up to a train wreck of an ending. I don't know how better to explain the twisted, addictive story of a mother and daughter who become embroiled in their own destruction. As each moment unfolds, or is revealed through a past timeline, the reader feels the weight of the wrong decisions and poor choices add up while wanting to yell at the characters hoping to change their fate!

In "What Lies Between Us," John Marrs creates characters that you know you can't completely trust, yet you don't know why. You know you shouldn't has compassion for either Maggie or Nina, but you're not entirely sure why. The ending brings the book back full circle in a way that is surprising yet satisfying. While thrillers don't typically make a regular rotation into my reading, I thought Marrs did a great job of keeping the pages turning and me questioning just what does lie between them.

What Lies Between Us tells the gripping tale about a mother and daughter who live through unspeakable tragedy. These two women are doing the best they can, given their mental and emotional capacities.

The story will make you question how you would act, given the same circumstances. It is easy to pass judgement on the characters and say you would do different. But it is quite clear that they are coping the best way they know how.

Positive Feedback
- Page tuner
- Just enough twists to keep you guessing
- It'll make you feel completely sane (I hope)

Constructive Feedback
- I think one storyline in particular could have been removed all together. Seemed like a deleted scene to me <spoiler> I think either cut the Sally Ann bit, or play it into the story more. it felt like a one off after thought. </spoiler>
- Some bits dragged on, over teasing the plot points
- <spoiler>I think there definitely need to be more development around Dylan turning cold to his mother. It came suddenly. Then the next thing you know, Nina is a complete stalker weirdo. Clearly she was off her rocker, given the sitch with Maggie. But the son thing felt normal for a bit. As much as other parts of the book were drawn out, I feel the breakdown of their relationship could have been more detailed. </spoiler>

This was one crazy ride! I just loved all the characters and their relationships. A must read. I’ll read anything this author writes.

This is the third book I’ve read by John Marrs (The One and The Good Samaritan) and I can now say I really enjoy his writing style. The book was easy to read and the plot very intriguing, definitely a page Turner! Can’t wait to read more by Marrs.

Whoa!! Not many books leave me completely entranced, desperately trying to figure out what has or is going on but this one did it!! You know there’s an underlying secret that’s part of the narrative & I’m almost always able to figure it out by halfway, at least. But. Not. This. One. Creepy! Captivating! Will suck you in & mess with your mind. Go ahead.... it’s wild!!

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

John Marrs is such a good writer, and this book is one of his best. Gripping with plenty of twists and turns. Recommended.

When I started this I wasn't too sure what was going on, what the relationship between the two main characters, the chills creep in pretty much from the get go. The chapters alternate between the two, Nina and Maggie. Nina sorts the meals, keeps house and Maggie is living vicariously through everything/everyone she sees through the window, of her bedroom where she is kept. What is the deal with these two, they dine together, they house together yet they seem to hate each other.

As we flip characters we learn a bit more about each lady, what their relationship is and pulled into their weird situation. As we delve deeper we start to get a bit of understanding of how they come to their current situation, flipping back to the past and some genuinely breath taking moments. You dislike or even hate one character and feel sorry for the other then BAM the author pulls the rug and you feel yourself switching and starting to understand a bit where the other is coming from.

It is a hell of a mind trip, emotive and some seriously shocking themes and choices/behaviours of the characters. More so once you start to seep into the heart of the story, I was pulled in pretty much from the get go & have found this with the previous books I have read by this author, 4.5/5 for me this time. I have more of his works on my tbrm, I need to bump them up the list. Prepare to lose your day and be rocked by some utterly shocking characters!

This book was definitely not at all what I expected it to be, but in the best possible way! There were a lot of great twists and turns and it was so easy to finish this page turner within a day. Definitely one of my favorites of the year!

Why did I take so long to read this book?! John Marrs has something in his writing that makes you want to keep reading, to find out the rest of the plot and story he imagined. He always manage to keep your attention and I loved every second of it (even though it was crazy ahah). The ending also left me speechless and I had to take a minute to figure out how I felt.

What Lies Between Us follows a mother and her daughter as they spiraled into an extremely toxic relationship. You quickly find out that the mother is actually chained up and a prisoner in her own house. Two years have passed and no one rescued her. Now that makes you think why a daughter would chain up their own parent. Everything was pretty messed up. I expected some things while others surprised me.

Overall, this was a great read that will stick in my mind for a long time and I am always grateful and amazed when I find books I'll remember a while since I tend to forget most books pretty easily. You really have to stand out in my eyes for me to remember you.

I can't wait to pick up my next book by this author. Hopefully I won't wait months and months before that happens!

<i>(Thank you for letting me read and review an arc via Netgalley)