I have loved all of Louise Candlish's novels and The Heights was no exception. It is about loss, grief, revenge and the maternal bond and Candlish portrays her characters and their stories beautifully. Of course this is also a psychological thriller and I was gripped throughout, it is definitely a book to devour over the course of a few sittings with many twists and turns. I feel that Candlish writes thrillers with real depth and The Heights made me question what I would do in Ellen's place. A superior psychological thriller that I would highly recommend. 4.5 stars.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC.

Love all of Louise candlish’s books and could not wait to read this latest one, did not let me down, excellent book, definitely worth reading.

Huge fan of this author and was beyond excited when I got approved for this book. Thank you so much.

Raced through this book. As is always the case.

At first I was unsure about how the story was being told. It seemed a little daft but after a few chapters how wrong was I. As more of the story developed it became clear that this was the best possible way to tell this story.

The queen of twists. This book did not disappoint. I just didn’t know which way this way going and each twist brought a new, different spin on things.

Did not expect the ending. I had a theory and it wasn’t that !

I raced through this book. I always do. So much admiration for this author as she never disappoints and each book is unputdownable, thrilling and a joy to read.

Thank you so very much for letting me have this copy.

The only thing left to say is please keep
Writing - we need you !

Have to say that I did find this one a bit of a slow burner, but once I got into it, I was hooked.
My opinions changed so many times on certain characters throughout this book as it progressed and developed.
A story which, at the heart of it, is a mother and son relationship.
Its dark, its very character driven and has more twists than a garden hose.

Gripping thriller with Hitchcockian flare and raw emotion

I’m calling it! Louise Candlish is the Hitchcock of modern crime fiction. If the master of suspense was still alive, the films he could make from Candlish’s work would be thriller cinema perfection (an impression that is cemented in my mind via the wonderful references to the director in the novel)! The Heights is another triumph that perfectly exhibits Candlish’s ability to blend a dark, thrilling mystery with the devastating social and emotional critique that makes her novels so exhilarating and affecting. This is a story about loss, grief, revenge, family and retribution. Candlish continues to weave these human themes throughout a suspenseful and surprising narrative, building tension alongside deep and probing character studies. I always find that Candlish’s novels can be read of multiple levels. The Heights is simultaneously a gripping revenge thriller with a jaw-droppingly satisfying twist, an exceptional exploration of parenting and the impact of losing a child, and a profound critique of social prejudice, classism and family dynamics.

I arrived for the thrilling mystery and shocking twists, but as with The Other Passenger, it is the richness of the themes and social/psychological assessment that kept me turning the pages as quickly as possible. As a father, I found this novel to be extremely thought provoking and I continually questioned what I would do in this situation. I could see myself in more than one of the characters and I found this added a layer of tension and drama to the narrative. I love to read something that has me questioning myself and leaves me pondering long after closing the book, which is very much what The Heights has done. Ellen’s interesting condition - high place phenomenon (which sees her experiencing an irrational desire to jump into the void when up high) - is a fantastic metaphor, as well as an exciting narrative device. Throughout the plot, it is clear that she is continually teetering on the edge of jumping into the void that Lucas’s death has left. This makes Ellen a very relatable character and despite her extreme emotions and reactions, there is something very authentic in her character. This novel questions how far we would go to protect our children and what it would take for our moral compass to become misplaced or broken. In turn, this raises the question of whether an eye for an eye is ever acceptable or whether it simply causes more pain. The moral dilemma plays out perfectly amongst the characters and provides multiple reveals and unexpected turns.

The Heights delivers everything readers have come to expect from Candlish and it is not an exaggeration to say that her novels continue to get better and better. This is a sharp, clever, unsettling, engaging and exhilarating read that I cannot recommend highly enough!

This was brilliant! I have read a couple of Louise Candlish books before and enjoyed them but this is definitely my favourite so far.

We got to know all the characters so well, which really helped me care about them and empathise with their situations. Ellen was a great main character, she was very flawed but you could still see things from her point of view and understand how she gets to the point she gets to. I also enjoyed getting her ex partner's point of view later in the book, as this flipped some things on their head and made me re-evaluate my opinion on some things.

The story was possibly a bit slow to get started but I do appreciate the back story was necessary to get the full picture and bring the best out of the plot. From the half way point, it was unputdownable and I couldn't wait to see how it ended.

I would definitely recommend this book.

The Heights by Louise Candlish is another well-plotted, highly entertaining book from this author. I’m one of those readers who rushes out to buy the latest Candlish offering because I know it’s going to be brilliant.

Ellen Saint is a remarkable character and has all the traits of someone fit for this role. Mother to Lucas and Freya, her intuition is spot on when Lucas finds a new friend. Kieran is not the type of person Ellen wants her son to hang out with. If you could use the metaphor “chalk and cheese” this is as good as it gets. Kieran scared me right from the start. He is the type of person that makes your skin crawl and there appears to be no redeeming features. He is creepy, vulgar and secretive, all the ingredients that make up a huge disaster. Throughout the book, Ellen is desperate to end their friendship and when tragedy strikes, her despair doesn’t stop there. A pact to end all this terror is about to happen and not in the way the reader thinks.

Candlish is skilful with twists and turns, so much so, you often miss the underlying character layers that call for these clever devices. It’s the “who’d have thought” image that kept surfacing chapter after chapter and there’s no way I would have predicted the ending. Kieran is so vile, I wanted to kill him myself!

Ellen is a tough bird trying to persuade those around her that this friendship is toxic. She is protective, often a little intrusive and stalky perhaps, but none of these traits stopped me from liking her. In fact, I applauded her. But in her aloneness, there is a wretchedness with which we can all resonate. Whether you’re a parent or a friend, you’ll find this book remarkable accurate in its portrayal of an endangered family, suffering the manipulation of one powerfully equipped individual.

The writing and plotting is second-to-none. You won’t find a better collaboration of author and editor. I leave Louise Candlish’s novels disgruntled that there isn’t another book coming sooner. Quality is at the forefront of everything she writes and you know you’re in for a darkly intricate ride. As always, highly recommended.

Thank you to Netgalley, Louise Candlish and Simon & Schuster for the privilege of reading an advance copy of this book.

Ellen lives with her children Lucas and Freya, and her husband Justin, who is Freya’s dad. Lucas’ dad, Vic, still gets on well with Ellen, and lives nearby. Towards the end of his secondary school years, Lucas is asked to ‘buddy’ a new boy, Kieran, who is in foster care, and they become best friends. Unfortunately, Kieran is a very bad influence on Lucas, much to Ellen’s dismay.

Some years later, Ellen is visiting a client and, from the window, she can see onto the terrace of a penthouse in The Heights, a tall, slim apartment block. Ellen is in the only place where you can get a good view of the terrace. Then she sees a man coming out onto the terrace and although there are a few small changes, she can still tell that it’s Kieran. Has he come back from the dead??

A gripping plot with twists and turns, and an unexpected ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy. The first book I read by Louise was “Our House” and I loved it. Sadly, all her books Since then have just fell flat for me. I just couldn’t get into it. I skimmed it and skipped around a lot to see if things got any better. My blood boiled as a mother dealing with this Kieran kid. I will say the ending was a surprise.

Mixed reactions from me for this book. The description sounded brilliant but I felt the book didnt quite live up to it Not a bad read , just not as good as I was expecting. . But it looks like I am in a minority here.

Louise Candlish is an incredibly talented writer who has the ability to captivate the reader within the first sentence, and keep them enthralled throughout. The Heights is another gripping novel that creates a psychological thriller centred around normal family life. The characters within the book are incredibly mercurial, with your opinion of them changing as the story progresses due to the slow reveal of vital details and different perspectives.
Ellen is a protective mother who wants the best for her children Lucas and Freya. When new boy Kieron arrives at school, Lucas is given the task of becoming his buddy and they strike up a close friendship. Unfortunately, Kieron doesn’t make a good first impression with Ellen, and their relationship soon becomes a power struggle.
I was incredibly excited when I received this as an advanced reading copy from NetGalley, and was not disappointed with the content. I cannot recommend this book (or the writer’s whole back catalogue) highly enough. Relatable characters, a credible plot development and plausible twists throughout. An absolute triumph.

What an absolute treat to read this - it jumped to the top of my reading list! Louise Candlish hones her craft with every book that she writes and this is no exception.

Ellen's much loved, successful and doted on son, Lucas, is assigned as a mentor for a new boy at 6th form, Kieran. Lucas changes his habits and personality and Ellen quickly pins the blame firmly on Kieran and his bad influence. The book starts after the desperately sad loss of Lucas, and as readers, we know that this was to do with Kieran.
Ellen is shocked beyond belief to see Kieran again and we find out more about why this might be the case.
The story is in 3 parts, firstly entirely from Ellen's side, then from Lucas's dad Vic, and then a combination of the two of them.
It taps into parents' fears about their children growing up wonderfully and isnt making me look forward to the teenage years! It also has a lot of small clever details that I enjoyed, like Vic's fervent desire to be a micro-brewer (a dream shared by lots of men I know!)
Well worth reading, thanks so much to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read it

Louise Candlish is one of my must read authors and always look forward to reading her novels. This is another winner for me, well written, intriguing plots and excellent characters.

This is a cleverly written story told through the novel Ellen Saint’s is writing. Ellen is mother to teenagers Lucas and Freya and is feeling the pressures most parents do when bringing up children. Ellen is particularly disturbed by Lucas’s friend Kieran who appears to go out of his way to annoy her as well as introducing drugs into his life. Her dislike for Kieran goes off the scale when tragedy strikes her family and her thoughts are now edging towards murder. Two years later Ellen is at a business meeting next to an apartment block named ‘The Heights’ when she spots a man on a roof opposite and is dumbstruck. She is convinced it is Kieran the man she hated who she believed was dead. Ellen was sure he was dead because she was responsible for his death.

A clever psychological thriller that is utterly addictive.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Simon and Schuster UK for supplying a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I hadn't read a Louise Candlish but have many friends for whom she's a favourite author, so I was keen to read The Heights when the opportunity arose. The premise - Ellen Saint sees a man she knows to be dead standing in a building across from her - sounded intriguing. But I didn't get on with the writing style nor could I relate to any of the characters. All down to personal taste, as I know it's been highly praised by other reviewers, but The Heights was not for me.

I love Louise Candlish. I recommend her to people in the bookshop all the time, and it is so great to have an author you can basically guarantee the reader will enjoy. You know what you are getting from this author - twisty turny psychological thrillers, and you can never be quite sure who is good and who is bad.
This isn't my favourite of her books, but that does not mean it isn't brilliant, it just means that she has others that are even better. I will continue to read and recommend this excellent author and her books.

I honestly don't think there can be anyone who moves to hit the request button on NetGalley faster than I do when I see there's a new Louise Candlish book available.

In "The Heights", we follow Ellen Saint's story through the book she is writing. Ellen, mother of teenagers Lucas and Freya, takes an instant dislike to her son's new wayward friend, Kieran, the definition of "kid from the wrong side of the tracks." He's rude to her, manipulates her son into misbehaving, and uses drugs. But when unthinkable tragedy strikes, Ellen's dislike turns murderous...

Fast forward in time, and Ellen is consulting with a client when she notices a man on the roof of the building opposite. It can't be Kieran....Kieran is dead. And Ellen knows that because she was responsible for his death. So why is he in front of her, larger than life?

The reason I return again and again to Louise Candlish's novels is that they are consistently brilliant. The writing is great, the plotting is fiendish, and the character development is unmatched - I leave each book feeling as if I actually know the people in it, and reeling from the invariably unguessable final twist. This novel, as always, was a read-in-one-session job, and my only complaint (again, as always!) is that the story had to come to an end. Loved this book, love this author, and will be recommending to all my reader friends.

Thank you to NetGalley, who provided me with a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Heights - Louise Candlish

I've been a fan of Louise Candlish's books since picking up Our House last year, in the four of her books I've read prior to this one she always deliver highly original plots, great characters and plenty of twists and tension.

No spoilers or plot reveals, this is one to immerse yourself in blind.

The Heights is a great read. A unique psychological character thriller motivated by a mother's need to keep her teenage son on the right track, the fear of him getting in with bad company and the impact on her life should things go wrong.

Ellen Saint, the mother, the central character is brilliantly portrayed, multi-layered with real depth, anxious, concerned and passionate.

There is more than one side to this story, as the very fresh and clever structure reveals.

The writing is compelling, the depth of characterisation is a joy, the plotting is immaculate and the tension ramps up and up towards the end.

Very highly recommended.

#TheHeights #NetGalley
A good thriller.
He thinks he’s safe up there.
Can he ever be safe from you?
The Heights is a tall, slender apartment building among the warehouses of Tower Bridge, its roof terrace so discreet you wouldn’t know it existed if you weren't standing at the window of the flat directly opposite. But you are. And that’s when you see a man up there – a man you’d recognize anywhere. He’s older now and his appearance has subtly changed, but it’s definitely him.
Which makes no sense at all since you know he has been dead for over two years.
I loved all the characters. And the suspense was awesome.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon Schuster for giving me an advance copy of this book.