Loved this nail biting thriller, raced through the pages to uncover twists and truths. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Couple at No. 9 by Claire Douglas and read it over the course of a day. I really liked the plot and it kept me on the edge of my seat to the very last page. I can’t wait to read more from the author in the future!

The book was archived before our group could download it. We are sure that we would have enjoyed the book judging from the reviews it has received.

Really enjoyed this - will definitely be recommending and looking forward to the next one by this author!

I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

The Couple at Number 9
Claire Douglas

Synopsis
When pregnant Saffron Cutler moves into 9 Skelton Place with boyfriend Tom and sets about renovations, the last thing she expects is builders uncovering a body. Two bodies, in fact.
Forensics indicate the bodies have been buried at least thirty years, which leads the police to question the cottage's former owner, Saffy's grandmother, Rose.
Rose's Alzheimer's means her memory is increasingly confused. She can't help the police, but it is clear she remembers something.
As Rose's fragmented memories resurface, and the police dig ever deeper, Saffy fears she and the cottage are being watched . . .

Review
This was a pretty standard thriller, I didnt like the main character, Saffy, she was iritating throughout the whole book.
The ending was predictable and I guessed it early on.
I was expecting more from this book as I know its received good reviews. While not terrible, the book dragged on in places, rather average.

Rated 2.5/5⭐️

The Couple at No 9 is a cracking read that has you rapidly turning pages as you flit between the past and present stories of Rose, Lorna and Saffy. Had me hooked enough to read in one sitting as I began unravelling the threads and putting the puzzle pieces together. Worth the read.

Hold onto your hats, folks, 'cause this book is a wild ride you won't wanna miss! Picture this - a pregnant couple all set to renovate their cozy little abode when BOOM! They stumble upon not one, but two bodies buried in their very own garden! Talk about renovations taking an unexpected turn!

But hey, it's not all doom and gloom - this story is a rollercoaster of twists and turns that'll leave you scratching your head in the best way possible. And let me tell you, it's not one of those far-fetched plots that'll have you rolling your eyes - oh no, it's all entirely believable, unlike those books that stretch reality like taffy.

Now, here's the best part - I, the mighty reader, did not see that coming! Yup, I love it when a book keeps me guessing, and this one delivered the ultimate coup! It had me flipping those pages at lightning speed, trying to piece together the puzzle.

To add some extra spice to the mix, we've got multiple narrators and time frames. Oh yeah, it's like a suspense sandwich with extra layers! The tension just keeps piling up, and I was on the edge of my seat, ready to jump at every little revelation.

If you're a fan of Ruth Ware and Gilly Macmillan, this book's got your name written all over it! So, buckle up, mystery enthusiasts - this one's for you! I thoroughly enjoyed every twist, turn, and surprise, and I'm here to dish out a solid five-star recommendation. Trust me, you won't regret diving into this nail-biting adventure!

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

Another amazing page turner from Claire Douglas!
This books soon went from 0-100 in the first couple of chapters! But be mindful that there are a lot of characters in this book which I myself found a bit hard to keep up with but stick with it because it all makes sense in the end. I’d say it’s definitely fast paced in parts and Claire has done a great job of deflecting from who could be responsible for the turn of events surrounding this book.
Overall a brilliant mind twisting story you’ll struggle to put down!

This was an interesting and solid read with so many different POVs that you had to pay attention throughout. Made for compelling reading and keeps you glued until the end! Recommended.

I was delighted to be given an advance copy of this book by NetGalley as I had already heard so many positive things from other reviewers.

The pace of the book is fantastic, it keeps the reader gripped from the very first page, and the mixture of past and present - and the dichotomy of the sleepy normative lifestyle of the younger couple in the present juxtaposed with their family's dark history works to unnerve and enthrall the reader.

The characters in this book have fantastic development, especially for a relatively short stand-alone. I love the relationships between the characters and the way in which the subplots intertwine as the story progresses.

Finally, I cannot believe the stunning twists and turns this book takes. Throughout the entirety I was left gasping and guessing, but I could never, ever have foreseen that Claire would keep on shocking until the very last page...

The couple at No. 9 - Claire Douglas

A really great thriller that seemed different from my recent reads. Even though there were quite a few different characters it was still easy to follow the storyline. I thought the writing was atmospheric and I felt an uneasiness when thinking about the woodland surrounding the plot. Overall a great twisty read! Thank you so much NetGalley and Penguin Michael Joseph UK for the e-arc I can only apologise for the long delay in my response.

This book was everything I look for in a book. It was so exciting. The plot was fantastic. It really had me on the edge of my seat and gave me anxiety , and my heart racing. It was very well written and flowed well.

Claire Douglas never fails to grip me with her stories, this was no exception . Another brilliant, twisty thriller.

Fabulous read. Thrilling and full of unexpected twists that I honestly didn't see coming. Highly recommended.

I've loved every book I've read by Claire Douglas and the Couple at No.9 didn't disappoint. Packed with intrigue and twists with believable characters, this mystery kept me hooked to the end

2.5 star rating - Saffron and Tom move into a lovely thatched cottage but are in for a shock when the builders start the renovations. More of a domestic drama than an out and out thriller. Too many different POV’s and going there and back for my liking. It also takes a while to get going. There wasn’t much suspense which is probably why I wasn’t totally drawn into the book. On this occasion it was easier to put down than pick up and read - sorry! No doubt lots of other readers will thoroughly enjoy this.

I’m a big fan of the author’s stories and this one didn’t disappoint one second.
Full of intriguing characters, a story that kept me guessing throughout the chapters and left me speechless in the end. It all tied up nicely but the way to get there is full of turns that need me doubt all my theories and that’s a huge bonus in my cards. A must read story!

⭐️ 4 ⭐️

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC, in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

The Couple at No.9 is a thoroughly enjoyable, entertaining read.

Well-written, deftly plotted and featuring a well-developed, (mostly) likeable cast of relatable characters. The chapters are nice and short, leaving you eager to keep turning the page.

I was gripped from the very beginning, and found the slow-burning storyline intriguing. There are some tense, nail-biting moments and some clever twists. Although I did guess one of the twists quite early on, it didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the book.

Overall, a fantastic psychological thriller.