I raced through The Couple at No.9 in less than a day over a cold & rainy weekend. It was the ideal novel to curl up with on a sofa and immerse yourself in the story. The plot was written so that it slowly drew you into the mystery and intrigue as to why two bodies had just been discovered in the garden of a Cotswold cottage. Lots of twists and turns but nothing that jarred or felt out of place. I hope to read more of Claire Douglas’s work.

When Saffy’s beloved grandmother gets moved to a care home and she inherits her grandmother's charming little cottage, 9 Skelton Place, she never expected to unearth a history of dark secrets.

Pregnant, Saffy and her boyfriend and Tom think they’ve struck gold inheriting a freehold property in Beggars Nook until they start an extension and discover two bodies buried under the patio in the back garden.

The discovery sends local detectives searching for possible killers and ignites Saffy’s and her mother, Lorna’s, desire to find the truth. The truth of who committed the murders and covered them up and, devastatingly, what it might have to do with their grandmother.

The Couple at no. 9 is a beautifully crafted story with a plot you will not forget easily—a twisty blend of love, relationships, obsession and betrayal. The story shifts back and forth from the 1970s to 2018, and I loved the contrast – I particularly appreciated the style in which the mystery unravels – well-paced, not rushed but fast enough to keep you engaged.

The story is segmented in a clever way to keep you guessing but leaving subtle breadcrumbs – I guessed the ending about three-quarters of the way in, and I was right. But, although my predictions were correct, it didn’t take away from the story or how well it was told and ended.

I loved Saffy and Lorna – it’s hard to accept that they don’t exist in real life – they felt so real to me! They are polar opposites with a complicated relationship and yet work harmoniously side by side in their pursuit to find the truth. Although I had my favourites, I felt that all the characters added immense value to the overall story.

A brilliantly crafted and engaging book!

Thanks to Penguin Random House for inviting me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

Saffy's beloved Grandmother has Alzheimers and gets moved into a care home. Saffy inherits a cottage in a small village that her and her mother knew nothing about. Saffy and her boyfriend Tom start renovations on the cottage - with the builders finding two bodies buried under the patio.

This was such a good book for multi layers of secrets! Some I guessed, some I didn't. I would recommend this for anyone who enjoys a mystery.

An excellent, well written book which held my interest for most of the time, not the best psychological thriller I have read neither a page turner and for me personally it was quite easy to put down and pick up later.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin (Michael Joseph) Publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

I couldn't put this book down. It was thrilling from beginning to end. The twists and turns from when the bodies were found to near the end when the book and a letter were found in the fireplace. You just never knew what was going to happen next. Sometimes you have an inkling as to what happened but not this time. It was an incredibly written plot which made for a compelling read. Absolutely brilliant.

Blurb: It was the house of their dreams. Until the bodies were found . . .BODIES FOUND UNDER PATIO 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. POLICE INVESTIGATE Forensics indicate the bodies have been buried at least thirty years. Nothing Saffy need worry herself over. Until the police launch a murder investigation and ask to speak to the cottage's former owner - her grandmother, Rose.OWNER QUESTIONED Rose is in a care home and Alzheimer's means her memory is increasingly confused. She can't help the police but it is clear she remembers something. A KILLER AT LARGE? As Rose's fragmented memories resurface, and the police dig ever deeper, Saffy fears she and the cottage are being watched. What happened thirty years ago? Why did no one miss the victims? What part did her grandmother play? And is Saffy now in danger?

My thoughts: A well-plotted, absorbing thriller with twists! The characters and setting all worked, the point of view varied so we saw things unfold from different characters perspective. There were twists and turns and revelations, made you want to keep reading just one more chapter. I would certainly recommend this, it's very enjoyable!

There is plenty to keep the reader engaged here in this story of bodies in the garden and the repercussions of their discovery having wider and wider implications as the story progresses. The story is told by the voices of Saffy, her Mother Lorna, her Grandmother, her Grandmother’s lover Daphne, and Theo, a seeming outsider in the plot until he becomes part of it in a shocking revelation. The timeframes are individual to each of the protagonists, and the reader needs to be pretty sharp to keep up with whose voice is speaking and when. The plot is excellent but I found the writing style a little stilted at times, and the book a little longer than it needed to be - some of the narrative could have been usefully shortened, which would have improved readability. Nonetheless, the book kept this reviewer reading to the end, which was satisfying if not too much of a surprise.

Wow! What a fantastic read, from start to finish I just could not put it down. Full of gripping twists I didn't want the book to end. The book flows perfectly, it doesn't get into it so quick that you don't know what's happening but it also doesn't drag out to the point you get bored, it is literally perfect! The characterisation within the book is great! I honestly think this book would make an amazing film! Claire Douglas has done a fantastic job and I am so excited to recommend this book to friends who I know will love just as much as I have done! Well done.

A very enjoyable gripping read that kept you turning the pages. Well written with great characters and a great deal of twists in the storyline. I would have no hesitation in recommending this book for readers of thrillers.

This was blooming amazing, Claire pulls another fantastic gripping thriller out the bag again.

I enjoyed the way the chapters were set out by each character and the timelines of events, it keeps you page turning and thinking oh just one more chapter.

A brilliant read.

I enjoyed this one. A lot.

When two bodies are discovered in the garden during building works, the identities of the bodies are unknown. As the truth gradually unfolds, it turns out that the family of the couple at no. 9 have far more secrets than anyone could have possibly imagined.

While there are plenty of twists and outrageous revelations, everything remains within the realms of plausibility which makes for a refreshing change. Douglas avoids going too over the top, which gives this book more of an impact as a result. Definitely worth a read if you enjoy domestic thrillers with well drawn characters.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC without obligation.

Wow, wow, wow!! What a twist..... I didn’t see it coming which added another star rating from me.

This book unfolds at a steady pace however it is intriguing and keeps you guessing throughout... two bodies discovered in the garden on page 2, it’s straight in there from the beginning which I like in a book and I read it in 24 hours.. couldn’t put it down!

I like the ways it’s written with 4 key characters narrative throughout, keeping us guessing right up to the end!

Who are the bodies in the garden? what happened to them? does Rose know more than she is letting on?

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publishing.

Rating: 3.8/5

It is not particularly unusual for the marketing blurb to describe a book that they think people will want to read rather than the one the author actually wrote, but this is one of those more rare occasions where the story is a significantly better, more rounded (and certainly less melodramatic) affair than its blurb suggests.

This is the second book I have read in recent weeks that has been influenced to a degree by the real life story of Mary Bell. When young couple, Saffy and Tom, set up home in the former home of Saffy's grandmother, Rose, they have no idea what they are about to unearth and the shocking path of discovery that they will be led down.

If you are looking for an action-packed page turner that moves along at a rollicking pace, then this probably isn't the book for you. Whilst it is not exactly a slow-burner as such, the author has taken a considered approach and, for the most part, the layers of the mystery only unfurl very gradually. There are plenty of interesting twists and turns, but I suspect that the pace of the story may not be to everyone's liking. Even though there was never a point where I wasn't enjoying the read, there were times when I felt it could have benefitted from an increased tempo.

The characterisation is impressive throughout. Each individual protagonist is well-drawn and fully formed, making them entirely credible and relatable. The storyline has also been intricately plotted and holds together nicely. It has to be said that one or two events lean towards being a touch too convenient, but are necessary mechanics to move the plot forward. However, in the overall scheme of things, these instances are forgivable.

All in all, Claire Douglas has succeeded in producing an engaging and, at times, emotional mystery that held my interest and is easy to recommend.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.

I seem to be picking some cracking books at the moment and this one did not disappoint at all. Another fabulous novel that keeps you guessing until the last few pages with twists and turns all the way through.

When Saffy and Tom move into their cottage at Beggars Nook, they count their blessings – the cottage was an inheritance and that means they can spend their money on making it their own, including a modern kitchen extension. However, when the builders come across a human bone whilst digging the garden up, they uncover more than just an old shallow grave.

The whole family come together to uncover the truth and identity of the two bodies found in the garden and it brings out things none of them could have imagined.

The book covers the past and present event in a skilful way with brilliantly played out characters. I must say this would make a fab movie! This is a book of many emotions and when I shed a few tears at the end it just confirmed how good this book was.

Thank you to NetGalley for access to this fab book.

A fabulous page turner. A well crafted cast of characters guide you through the story, and each time you think you know what's going to happen, it's something different.
Highly recommended.

I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book wasn’t my favorite psychological thriller of late, but it was perfectly serviceable and did the job. The epitome of a three star thriller

This is by far my favourite of Claire Douglas’ books. An absolute rollercoaster of a page-turner, I couldn’t help but keep reading until my eyes were burning! I kept thinking I had the story sussed but I was wrong. Great character development and family dynamics, along with a mystery from years ago that brings all sorts of trouble to the surface, result in a perfect read.
Thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Young couple Saffron and Tom are happily married and expecting their first baby in her grandmother’s former home, when two dead bodies are dug up in their garden.
As the police investigation takes place, and Saffy’s mother comes to stay, old secrets are unearthed.
How are the bodies linked to Saffy’s grandmother Rose, and what is the connection to another young couple - Theo and Jen - and his father’s suspicious behaviour?
This is a fast-paced story, told from all the characters’ points of view, with plenty of twists and turns.
Yes, the plot is a little far-fetched, but it’s still absorbing and the novel builds up to an exciting ending which had me skim-reading to find out what had really happened back in the 1980s.
Recommended if you like a thriller with absorbing characterisation that keeps you turning the pages after lights-out!

I loved this book so much. It isn't often I am hooked from the very beginning, but I was. I instantly warmed to the characters and I loved how the story unravelled with different characters and different timelines. It doesn't take much to confuse me when books are written like this, but this is done so well and adds to the intensity of the story. A few times I thought I knew how it might end but I would never have guessed.
There were parts where I'd gasp out loud and quite a few moments where my husband would look over at me laughing because I was so caught up in the story. I can't believe this is the first book I have read from this author, I now need to read the rest asap!
If I could have read this in one sitting, I 100% would have.
Highly recommend.

I loved this book, the way the story followed different characters in different timelines and time periods was well done. The pieces and characters of the story seemed totally unrelated at the start, however by the end they were all joined up and the story and picture completed. I struggled to put this book down, wanting to know what would happen next. Highly recommend.