Thank you NetGalley and Louise Candlish for the arc.
Ellen a devoted mother and wife who suffers every mother’s worse fear of losing her son in tragic circumstances. Ellen does not believe this was a simple accident and she turns to revenge.
The story is told by Ellen herself, through her writing a memoir, going from past to present and news stories.
I found the characters to be very intriguing and I was interested in which direction the author was going with each one.
All though in some places I found it to be a bit of a slow burner, I found the twists and turns exciting and I thoroughly enjoyed the read.
I would highly recommend The Heights.

Thank you to @louise_candlish and @simonschusterUK for this advanced copy of The Heights in return for an honest review. The Heights is due to be published on 1st September 2021 and you can get a copy here.

Description 🔖

The Heights is a very tall, very expensive apartment building in London. Overlooking the Thames and with a view of the Shard it is no wonder that it houses some pretty well off people. Ellen has a client in the building opposite and whilst at an appointment she spots the tenant of the penthouse out on the roof terrace. She recognises him but she knows it’s impossible to be the man she thinks it is. Because that man has been dead for two years. She knows this to be true because she killed him.

General Thoughts 🤔

Gosh this book caused some arguments. Not with anyone else, just me arguing with myself. I like to think of myself as a rational person and so for the majority of the time I just could not get on board with Ellen’s actions. At the same time, I empathised with what she was going through and I can’t relate to that and therefore don’t know how I would react if in the same position. Either way, this book was fantastically written and I can’t imagine that anyone would be able to read it without questioning themselves.

The timing and tension in this psychological thriller was perfect. It wasn’t fast paced, it was more like watching a train crash in slow motion which resulted in a lot of breath holding and lots of quick reading as I raced to find out what the outcome of the train crash would be. It ended with a cracking twist at the end which I admit I didn’t see coming until it was right in front of me.

Characters 👫👭👬

I found Ellen’s character really intriguing and it was her that made me ask myself a tonne of questions. I don’t think I’ve read a character before who has so much love and hate in equal measure. Ultimately I don’t think Ellen ever faced her own grief and instead focused all of her hate and efforts towards Kieran and I think the people around her were dragged along on that ride, whether they wanted to be or not.

Vic was Ellen’s ex partner and the father of their son Lucas. My opinion of Vic switched pretty drastically about half way through the book. I couldn’t understand why he was so keen to go along with Ellen’s plans until I read his own point of view and then it all started to make sense. Although Vic harboured his own resentment towards Kieran, he didn’t seem like the type of man to act irrationally.

Writing Style ✍️

The way this book was structured was probably one of my favourite things about it. The majority is told from Ellen’s perspective and written in first person. Interspersed with those chapters are snippets from a newspaper article that has been written about her a couple of years down the line. The rest of the book is told from Vic’s perspective, but this doesn’t start until about half way through. It was when I read Vic’s perspective that I started to question everything that had come before it. I thought that the way Louise Candlish pieced all of this together was superbly clever and was what kept the tension taut throughout.

Conclusion & Scoring 🎖️

I am a bit of a Louise Candlish fan girl, I’ll admit. I feel like she’s peaking right now and the last couple of books have been her best yet. I loved The Heights and look forward to what is to come from her next!

After her son, Lucas, lost his life in a car accident, Ellen Saint wants revenge. Lucas’ friend Keiran was in the car at the time of the accident and yet escaped unscathed. Believing Keiran entirely responsibly for her son’s death she becomes obsessed with Keiran and wants him to suffer.

Therefore when Ellen sees Kieran through the window in the penthouse of The Heights she’s shocked. Kieran is supposed to be dead, and she was responsible for his murder. How could he possibly be living in the building opposite where she’s having a business meeting? How can he possibly still be alive?

The story is told primarily from Ellen’s perspective, flipping back from when Ellen first meets Kieran and back to the present day where she finds out he’s still alive. There are also sections from Lucas’ father Vic and a newspaper reporter who is commenting on Ellen releasing her memoir.

I enjoyed the way Louise Candlish built the tension. When we are introduced to Kieran, we know his friendship with Lucas is going to end in tragedy and all the events are building up towards that moment. Ellen dislikes Kieran from the moment she met him, and seems to see no wrong in her own child which makes you question her reliability as a narrator. This made Vic’s commentary in the second half of the book a really clever addition. It made me question whether Ellen was obsessive, paranoid and hell bent on revenge or whether her thoughts and fears really were justified.

There are hints and twists thrown in throughout the book and I found it a really gripping read. I did predict the ending though which is slightly disappointing as I was hoping for another big twist.

The death of a son is unthinkable to any parent but beyond that, learning that maybe you'd lost him long before he took his last breath is the tipping point for Ellen and Vic that push them into a place where the only choice for them is murder or is it...
Louise Candlish has done it again. In The Heights she reels the reader in from the very page, handling her characters and plot with the delicacy and surety of a writer at the very top of her game - parents will find this read both addictive and chilling.
Thoroughly enjoyed this riveting story - thank you for the advance copy!
Faith Hogan - Author

Ellen Saint becomes obsessed with revenge when her son is killed. This novel was totally gripping; Ellen's dislike of Kieran, her son Lucas's new friend is all encompassing but when a car accident leaves Lucas dead her obsession grows deadly and there is nothing she will stop at to take revenge on her sons perceived killer. The back and forth between Ellen and Vic's telling of the story was compelling and the twists and turns kept coming until the nail biting conclusion. An addictive thriller that I couldn't put down.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review

I received a copy of this e-arc in exchange for an honest review thanks to NetGalley and Simon Schuster UK.

Ok, so that I not what I expected at all!

I really liked the way this was written: most of it is Ellen telling the story from start to finish as part of her book. It then flicks back and forth to a news article reporting Ellen’s life story. Over half way through, there’s a section set in Vic’s point of view to show what Ellen didn’t witness.

I loved the snippets from the newspaper article, revealing details before they happened to make you curious as to what’s about to happen next in the story.

I honestly couldn’t see where the story was going, it seemed like a very open-close case with no real mystery to it. However, it’s not until the last 20% where the real drama happens.

It’s an absolute rollercoaster of a book which really takes off towards the end. It’s so cleverly written with different layers to the plot, and unlikeable characters where you flick between despising them and loving them.

Louise Candlish has done it again!!!
I loved this book! So many twists and turns. I was into the book straight away, loved it from the beginning.
Such an interesting concept. Like nothing I have read before. I have to admit, I was always one step ahead of the characters, and guessed what was going to happen. This didn't hinder my enjoyment though, as there were so many twists and turns it never was the major climax that I was guessing. Just when I thought I knew the ending, there was another bombshell!
Louise Candlish has a way of writing such original stories. I absolutely love a thriller, but I'm fed up of reading the same old stories. The thrillers I have read lately have been so 'samey' and lacking originality so this book was such a welcome relief.

The only reason I didn't give this book the full 5* was because of the random subplot of our protagonist being scared of heights?!? Just felt vey convenient in terms of the ending. Just a bit too random.

Overall I loved this, and it was so nice to read such a great thriller after a few duds lately!!

I have been reading Louise Candlish's books since the publication of 'The Swimming Pool' in 2016 and almost a year since reading and reviewing the excellent 'The Other Passenger', I count myself lucky to have been sent an e-ARC of her latest thriller 'The Heights' to be published in September so a big thank you to @NetGalley, the author and the publisher Simon and Schuster UK. In no way sounding derogatory, you know exactly what you're going to get with @louisecandlish - mounting tension, carefully constructed three dimensional characters and when flicking the last couple of pages, twists even the seasoned thriller obsessive doesn't see coming. That's why I love her books - the characters could be any one of us, relatable and ultimately flawed.

'The Heights' has an unusual narrative style, flicking between past and present and interspersed with extracts from an article about our narrator Ellen Saint who is writing her memoir. Breaking the fourth wall, Saint addresses us the 'dear readers' to appeal to our sympathy and recognition in what she has experienced. We also have the narrative of Ellen's ex-husband, Vic and again, his involvement in the story.

Ellen is a lighting engineer with some extremely rich clients. Whilst on business at an apartment at Shad Thames she cannot believe what she has seen - a face from the past, her son's friend Kieran who she feels was responsible for his untimely and tragic death. Ellen is right to be stunned - she knows that Kieran should be dead. Cue revenge, secrets and obsession as Ellen seeks retribution for her son's death.

Invoking a sense of the classic film noir 'Vertigo', the chapter detailing Ellen's phobia whilst visiting Shad Thames - the sheer drop, the spinning and sense of one plunging to their death really sets the tone for the dizzying effects of the narrative.

Loved it.

I was curious about the premise of this from the blurb and was looking forward to getting stuck into a tense drama as I had thoroughly enjoyed two of the authors previous books. However, I really found it difficult to connect to the narrator in the first part. I found Ellen frustrating and at time annoyingly clichéd, so my attention kept waning. It thankfully picked up a gear in part two when you start to see other perspectives of the tragedy, which is why I’m giving it two stars on my rating instead of 1. It really felt like a slog to get to the more meatier parts of the story, and by then I just wasn’t that fussed about the revenge aspects or what the truth actually was. Which was a real shame, but I’m glad that other readers found that vital spark that I missed as Candlish is a fantastic author, but this story just didn’t make a connection with me.

I am still planning on tracking down the remaining books from her backlist, so my lacklustre experience with The Heights won’t hold me back.

A gripping thriller that was difficult to put down!

It was a bit of a slow burn, but I was very intrigued by the characters, in particular Ellen who was set out for revenge.

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

I am a big fan of this author, she writes a good psychological thriller and this one certainly was it. Gripping and also thought-provoking. I'm looking forward to the next read from this author.

I would like to thank both NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for offering ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

This book is a great psychological thriller that is about obsession and revenge. Strongly plotted and you may be addictive to the story once you've started it. Anyway, I did find a bit of a slow burner but later I immersed in the story and was hooked in it, hardly to put it down. Well written. It is found that there are different perspectives and gripped your attention. The writing style changed halfway and a lots of twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat. Really I enjoyed the narrative style that would get me more detail and understanding. The characters are developed very well to stir my emotions. I would say this is a compelling read and you can't see what coming at the end. It got me under skin. You have to prepare that the story was still wandering in my mind after finishing it.

Overall, this is a psychological thriller which is gripping and compelling. Slow paced at the beginning but later got to faster with all the twists and turns in the plot. Highly recommended.

I am a fan of Louise Candlish, having read many of her previous novels so was delighted to receive the ARC of The Heights in return for my honest review. Thanks to NetGalley, Simon and Schuster UK and Louise Candlish for this opportunity.

Ellen Saint sees Kieran Watts in the penthouse of a building opposite where she is having a business meeting. The Heights is an apartment building in the posh Shad Thames area of London and Ellen doesn’t think he should be alive as she believes she was responsible for his death.

Ellen blamed Kieran for the death of her son, Lucas, who drowned when he couldn’t get out of the car Kieran was driving even though Kieran managed to get out and survive.

Ellen tells the story from 2012 when Kieran came into their lives and seemed to dominate all aspects of what Lucas was involved with. This story is interspersed with an article about Ellen, Killing Time, from 2021.

It is a story of hatred, revenge and anger which takes control of Ellen. Cleverly plotted with some unpleasant characters and a wicked twist at the end.

Excellent. Highly recommended.

This thriller hooked me from the beginning. The blurb sold it. I won’t say too much with this review because I feel like you need to just dive into this and experience the suspense.

Our narrator is writing a memoir of sorts in a writing class when we meet her, we follow her through tragedy and revolution. She is unreliable, and to me unlikeable, but she keeps us on the edge of our seats.

The structure was interesting and different to what I’ve read before, it kept a good pace and I enjoyed the twist at the end.

Filled with grief and revenge this book takes us on a journey, we see the heights of London City and the heights of a mother’s need for revenge.

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was looking for a crime novel and this really hit the spot. The story was cleverly written and the plot left me guessing until the very last page. I loved how obsessive the main character got and I loved to hate the antagonist as well. I found all the characters in the book flawed in the best way and could totally see this adapted as a mini series or movie one day.

The Heights is the type of building that would appear in fancy property publications: it has it all. In fact, it’s so discreet that you would barely know it’s there unless you were standing in the one perfect spot across from the flat opposite. So when Ellen Saint, mum to Lucas and Freya, spots Kieran Watts, her son’s best friend (and someone who she thought she’d never see again) in the luxury apartment building, it doesn’t make sense, although it’s very definitely him. Kieran befriended Lucas while at school and while Ellen and her son’s father, Vic, were unhappy with the friendship, Lucas remained under his friend’s influence. This multi-layered thriller has everything you want in a great read: tension – you’re never sure who is telling the truth – emotion – as you put yourself in Ellen’s shoes – and an unravelling of the plot that is both satisfying and scary. Wonderful.

A truly impeccable domestic thriller, that burns slowly but with suspense enough to keep you going.

The Heights is captivating, chilling, powerful and observed perfectly.

You will feel the vertigo that the location lends itself to and you will feel the sheer hate of Ellen, the main character.

Go in blind and enjoy.

Exquisite.

4.5 rounded up.

This is a novel about hate; hate that Ellen Saint harbours for Kieran Watts who destroys her life and took that of her son Lucas. She believes he is a monster whose hold over Lucas becomes like that of a cult leader he has so much sway. The Heights is a slender apartment building nestled among the warehouses of Shad Thames and there to her utter shock she glimpses her nemesis who she thought was dead. Ellen is writing her story at a writing class and she recounts how Kieran came into their lives from 2012. It’s interspersed with an article about Ellen ‘Killing Time’ from 2021 and we also get her ex Vic’s point of view who is the father of Lucas.

This is an incredibly powerful and well written psychological thriller which could also be classed as domestic drama. It’s so skilfully crafted because you have no clue where the truth lies until the tense, breathtaking nail biter of an ending which is really clever. It’s like watching a train crash in slow motion, waiting for the impact and disaster to unfold. The settings are excellent and are used to great effect. The Heights apartment block is vividly described. The characters are well crafted and all are flawed. What is the truth about Lucas? Does Kieran have a hold over him? Is he challenging, malicious and malevolent as Ellen believes? What about Ellen? Are her feelings justified? Her tension and fears are palpable and so cleverly the author adds in a phobia called High Place Phenomenon which is a compulsion to jump from heights. You feel Ellen’s vertigo like sensations and this is woven into the storytelling effectively. As the storyline progresses her emotions of grief and shock manifest themselves into an overwhelming desire for revenge and her anger and pain come across strongly. Vic’s perspective is a fascinating counterpoint and good insight into Ellen and this leads you to ask further questions about where the truth lies.

Overall, this is a high class slow burner thriller by an author at the height of her game. This book grips from start to finish with all the twists and turns in the plot. Highly recommended to fans of the genre.

With thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

"The Heights" are the second book by Louise Candlish that I've read so far.
At the beginning of 2021, I've picked up "The Swimming Pool" for free from a lovely soul using @olioapp .

If you read my review, then you will know how much I disliked the book. The writing style was great, I loved the hot, summery London vibe as well but that's about it. I certainly expect more from the "dark, twisted, psychological thriller" as the reviewers described it.

Around that time, another book by Louise Candlish was published in Poland.
I guess Polish bookstagram wasn't too impressed by "Those people", so after reading few negative or neutral reviews I decided not to give it ago.

A few weeks ago, during my late night Netgalley requesting madness I came across Louise's new book. I don't know how and I don't know why but I ended up requesting it.

The publisher granted my request and I've downloaded the book straight away.

Once again, I really loved the fact, that "The Heights" was set in London. The author has a way with words which made it really smooth and enjoyable read.
Now, surprise! Surprise!

I couldn't put this book down. It was totally opposite to "The Swimming Pool". Fast-paced and unpredictable. Well, most of it because I was still able to pick up little hints left by the author but I think it's a good thing. It made me feel like a proper investigator.

I liked the way all the pieces of the puzzles came together in the end, even though I had so many questions and doubts about how is the author going to explain everything.

Why am I rating it only 4/5, even though I liked it so much?
It's because of the perfectly fitting puzzles.
I would really, really love those little pieces to be scrambled again at the very end and left me with my jaw on the floor.

Thank you for this amazing read.

The heights by Louise Candlish is the first book from the author that I have read and it won’t be my last.
Ellen has a son called Lucas by her first husband Vic. He is gifted and expected to go to university and beyond. But he makes friends with Kieran, who he has been asked to mentor at school. Kieran has been in care and Ellen is not happy with the friendship and thinks Kieran will lead him astray and does everything in her power to stop the relationship between the two. But this just pushes the two boys together and after a night out the boys’ take drugs, drinking and Lucas dies after the car ending up in the lake. But Kieran lives. This starts Ellen to seek revenge.
This is a compelling thriller from Louise Candlish, expertly written with lots of twists and turns. This story is about one mother’s determination to protect her child and seeks revenge when he dies. The first half of the book is so much about Ellen and how far she would go in seeking revenge and it started to get a bit samey and I thought of giving up. But I am so glad that I kept with it. The writing style changed and had one of them endings that I didn’t see coming. 4 stars from me.