I loved this twisty story, it was full of red herrings and dark streets and quite creepy at times. The characters were very realistic and I really got caught up in it. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

This is a thriller novel full of secrets and lies, set against the backdrop of a lovely place called Addison Square. I could really picture it and whilst it was lovely on the surface, the secrets and lies that pervade the lives of those who live there paint it in a very different light. I really enjoyed this one.

Addison Square is a lovely place to live, large Georgian houses and a block of flats, all with access to leafy garden. For the wealthy professional who live there, their lives are private and seemingly content but that is not the case. IT consultant Collette works for many on the Square, anonymous and capable she fixed technology and wifi but is party to all their guilty secrets. When a new resident Leila Mercheri arrives she also learns a lot of secrets but Leila doesn't hide her knowledge.
This is a great little escapist book. The plot is actually quite tight and with lots of little twists along the way. Yes, many of the characters are one dimensional but it's a speedy read that bounces along and keeps the reader hooked. For that reason I would heartily recommend it.

I loved the concept from the beginning of this closed room mystery whodunnit story set in a London square with a few nasty characters - what’s not to love! Initially I struggled to differentiate the participants as they were briefly introduced but latterly I grasped their individuality. Obviously there’s the ubiquitous mystery about who was the victim and who was the perpetrator - which is in fact a theme throughout all the relationships in the square. The story unfolds with just enough intrigue and literary carrot to keep the reader interested. Overall I enjoyed this book.

A close knit community has a host of secrets in this psych thriller novel, where the residents of the square fail to recognise the power the IT support woman holds over them. A lesson in online security and the butterfly effect ensues when a wannabe influencer who has rubbed her neighbours up the wrong way is found dead. A gripping read, although some twists felt contrived. 4 stars.

The Square is an enjoyable, easy read. And a page-turner.

Colette is a middle-aged IT consultant and tech troubleshooter for some well-off people in a fictional London square, whose residents share a private garden. Her clients rely on her skills (i.e. demand immediate help when they can't sort out their tech) but ignore her as a person. And forget that full access to their devices gives her insights into the secrets they hold.

It's a fun concept, as secrets gradually are revealed to Colette, leaving her to decide whether to report on what she has found out or respect her clients' privacy. Then someone is murdered.

The Square is a packet-of-crisps novel: easily devoured, hard to put down and soon forgotten. But nice to grab and enjoy every now and then. It's somewhat cliché-ridden but competently written, well structured and nicely paced. It certainly held my attention. A solid 3 stars.

A brilliant roller coaster of a read. A close knit community with lots of dark secrets and a murder. What’s not to love? A real page turner.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.

A good mix of characters which gives a varied mix of stories related to each. Some twists along the way so you are tempted to keep guessing at who done it , to whom and why.

The Square is perfect for fans of Big Little Lies and the like. It's full of glitz and glamour, but there's also a seedy side to the wealthy residents of The Square. From social media influencers to lonely retirees, everyone has their own secrets to hide. But IT guru Colette can see everything; with access to all of the files and the emails, what will she uncover.

The Square is a great read, with multiple viewpoints and plenty of twists and turns. At times you won't know who to trust, and even if you like any of them!

Collette is an IT consultant who is in and out of the houses on a London Square fixing and setting up tech for the residents. She knows a lot more about them than she really should and she is happy to share with the reader! We are given an insight into the residents lives leading up to a big party in the Square. On the night of the party one of the residents is murdered and it is this murder that opens the book and it's solution that closes it. The in-between bit is a fascinating insight into the minutiae of family life and the misunderstandings that can occur when an onlooker does not have all the facts. I loved the characters in this book and how they were developed warts and all. An excellent read. Recommended.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

An outstanding second novel from the author of the brilliant Payday. The Square is an assuredly written suspense thriller reminiscent of Lisa Jewell’s The Girl and Liane Moriarty.
The Square is set in a fictional street in Hammersmith following a group of residents who share a private garden square whose lives are altered by the appearance of a new neighbour - Leila. Young, pretty and French. The prologue opens with the death of Leila but the question is who killed her and how did things escalate to this point? We then go back in time and find how each resident got into altercations with this new neighbour. Inserted throughout the chapters are excerpts of police interviews which contradicts events of the chapters and adds a layer of mystery and functions as red herring.
The Square is a gripping suspense story that explores the lives of the affluent Londoners and what goes on behind close doors.

Dark and sinister, this is exactly the type of book I was in the mood for! Definitely shows how careful one should be about the people they let on their doorstep… A highly suspenseful read!

I really enjoyed this book with plenty of twists and turns that keep you guessing and it makes sure you're hooked right to the end.

This is a good twisty thriller. It is full of intrigue and the characters are particularly interesting. A great book for discussion at book clubs!

Deftly Crafted..
An affluent and luxurious square nestled in the heart of London, a gaggle of eclectic residents, a common link and one devastating garden party after which nothing can ever be quite the same again. That common link, Colette, knows the square well but, more than that, she knows the people - only all too well, as she also knows their closest guarded secrets. Beautifully drawn suspense with a deftly crafted and credible cast of characters, a nigh on perfect setting and a tension fuelled, pacy plot which make this an ideal, one sit read riddled with high drama.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for an honest review. I adored Warden’s debut, Payback, and with The Square she cements herself as an author to look out for. I will be sure to keep my eyes peeled for her next book.

The Square is set in an affluent square in Hammersmith. It’s a multi-cast narrative where the live of the residents are threaded with one common link - Collette, the IT consultant who helps the residents with tech support. Collette has access to everyone and sees their lives. She also sees their secrets.
The overall story is the inevitable death of Leila - a young, beautiful and conceited woman - who arrives at the square, renting one of the flats and gets into everyone’s bad books. She’s highly unlikeable but her cunningness and arrogance make her a compelling character as she drives the narrative forward along with Collette.
At first the story can be confusing, getting to grips with who is who, but once you do the story picks up and rams up pace as we hurdle towards the night of the garden square party after which nothing is the same.

The story comes to a thrilling conclusion with a few reveals and twists along the way. I loved the setting of the novel and peeking into the lives of these affluent people along with Collette who I found relatable and engaging as a character. This is excellent psychological suspense/drama that is also commentary on attitude towards people who work for her but are never acknowledged. This perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty. It has the perfect blend of suburban drama and suspense thriller.

A gripping, suspense read following a group of residents in a square in West London. We start with a prologue watching one of the resident named Leila dying on the night of the square garden party.
Going back in time we follow the residents and Collete the IT Manager and see how their lives entwine and secrets are revealed. Leila is the new resident on the block and she antagonises most of the residents, but who would be so provoked as to kill her? We have short snippets of the police investigation that adds another layer of suspense.
This is brilliant grip lit at its best. I completely devoured this book. The cast of characters are relatable and engaging. And no for a second did the pace lose its hold; I was engrossed through and through.

Colette, an expert in IT, spends a significant amount of time at Addison Square, one of the most sought-after locations in West London. She possesses an unrivaled knowledge of the place and its residents. However, despite her expertise, the wealthy inhabitants she serves barely remember her name. This is unfortunate because Colette is well acquainted with all their secrets.

When Laila Mercherie seeks Colette's help to identify her cyber stalker, Colette disregards the code of ethics she has diligently adhered to for years. She does so because Laila's suspicions prove to be accurate. Colette realizes that she, like Laila, has always been an outsider—a marginalized individual who is undervalued. Their lack of recognition stems from Colette's unreciprocated loyalty over the years. Furthermore, Colette strongly suspects that the person stalking Laila is the same individual who had once humiliated her—an intimidating man who derives pleasure from tormenting women.

This psychological thriller is an exceptionally captivating slow burner that immerses readers in its narrative. The story is masterfully written, displaying an intense storytelling style enriched with thought-provoking subtleties. Although the story features numerous characters, which is expected given its focus on the inhabitants of The Square, it poses no difficulty for readers to keep track of them. The characterizations are superbly crafted, and each individual is presented adeptly. While few characters are truly likable, it is precisely this aspect that renders the reading experience even more delightful. Several characters cunningly deceive the reader, skillfully shrouded in proverbial sheep's clothing. Secrets abound among this deceitful ensemble, giving rise to captivating subplots that make the book a true page-turner.

As the novel progresses, a growing sense of foreboding permeates the narrative, hinting at the impending eruption of a metaphorical volcano within Addison Square. Along the journey towards the conclusion, unexpected twists and turns upend expectations, showcasing Ms. Walden's narrative skills. The tension steadily escalates, building up to a climactic ending abundant with possibilities. It cleverly keeps readers on tenterhooks, eagerly awaiting the revelation of the big secret.

Celia Walden skillfully crafts an entertaining storyline, replete with fascinating subplots revolving around the diverse neighbors residing in The Square.

Colette works as a freelance IT consultant, with a lot of her work centred on an affluent square of houses in London. She is only a face to them but her job allows her to see behind the facades at what is truly happening in their lives, something she uses more and more as there lives all become more entangled.

I really enjoyed this book - it starts off with a body but we have no idea of either who it is or who did it. The lives of the residents of the square unfold as the book goes on and a series of twists and turns kept me guessing right to the end. The characters are far from all being likeable but they are interesting and well written and it was a total page turner for me - I couldn't stop once I started and that's always a good sign. Celia Walden has a lovely writing style, it really flows and feels natural, the dialogue as well as the scenes. A really good whodunnit!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in return for an honest review.

#TheSquare #NetGalley

Thank you for my copy of this book to read and review. I read Payday a while ago so was looking forward to this new one.

I enjoyed the setting of the story…an affluent London square, and that you knew something had happened from the start but not who the victim was or the suspect. I always enjoy books with chapters being told from different perspectives and this had a different angle with the interspersed police interviews which definitely kept me guessing til near the end.

An easy to read thriller, albeit a bit slow for me. I didn’t particularly like many of the characters but I think that was the authors intention.