As a fan of Harriet Tyce's previous works, I was really looking forward to her new one, and from the very beginning, I found myself totally captivated by the intriguing and compelling storyline that kept me guessing until the very end. In my humble opinion this is another winner from this highly talented author!!!

This was a really twisted tale that just kept getting weirder. When Anna wakes up on what should have been her last day in prison she finds her unexpected cellmate dead and she is taking in for questioning when she is finally released she is in for even more strife and starts to fear she may well be in danger on the outside is someone after revenge for what she did. As she accepts help from a strange things get even more dangerous and it’s a race against time to find out what is going on.

An exceptionally clever, original and well written and plotted psychological thriller which brings together the lives of four women whose stories intertwine and connect as the plot develops.

Initially hard to follow the story given all the different characters, things become far clearer and your concentration and patience is fully rewarded by the end.

This is a new author to me. The story involves four women from very different backgrounds, how they respond to one man (Edgar) and the eventual untangling of their lives. The book starts in distinct parts which don’t seem to make much sense. For this reason, it is quite slow at the beginning. Once the scene is set though, the story rattles along. The ‘lesson in cruelty’ of the title could refer to several strands of the story. I enjoyed the book once I had got passed to slow start and will now look out for more by the author. Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for a prepublication ebook in return for an honest review.

This certainly stood out from most other books over read! I've very cleverly written and you do have to really pay attention or you'll easily get lost, especially in the 1st half before things start to connect up. The characters were brought to life really well and each had their own story to tell. They're all very human and real! I did get a but lost once or twice but I soon righted myself again! Well written, captivating and complex. I really enjoyed it

I can't make my mind up about this book. This first half was confusing. I usually love multiple POVs but I found this hard to follow. The second half was better, when things started to connect.

I have really enjoyed a previous novel by Harriet Tyce so was really looking forward to this and the beginning of the book had me completely hooked. I was intrigued by Anna and keen to find out what was going on with her and the ( no spoilers!) situation that she found herself in on her final night in prison.
The plot got very busy quickly and we had several threads running through the novel which gradually began to come together. Women are at the forefront of this novel and portrayed in a much more three dimensional way than the men. However, if we are to know anything about the author of this book, it is to assume nothing....!
There were a couple of things that I found just a little too neat and on those occasions, I lost my immersion in the narrative but overall this a multi-layered and interesting read and I will look forward to reading more by this author in the future.

With many thanks to Netgalley and Headline for this free arc and I am leaving this unbiased review voluntarily

I adore Harriet Tyce - Blood Orange being one of my all time favourite reads- so I was excited to read her latest book and it did not disappoint. Intriguing from the off and with the book split into parts from different points of views you can’t quite work out how it will all come together, but it is brilliantly executed as everything slots into place. The storyline is very complex but at the same time compelling and the latter part of the book is excellent as it reaches a fascinating conclusion. Another winner from this very talented author

The multiple view points left me rather confused. The book did not seem to flow well for me at all. I felt disappointed at the end.

‘Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely’

INSIDE- is Anna Flynn who is leaving prison tomorrow with all her worldly goods packed in a clear plastic bag. It’s been ‘home’ for three years after a split second decision that leads to her world spinning out of control. She barely remembers the Anna of before as she has richly deserved harsh words constantly ringing in her ears and thoughts that haunt her, these will be a life sentence. As she leaves prison is it a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire?

OUTSIDE is Lucy who is studying for a Masters degree in law with an Oxford professor who it’s fair to say she’s obsessed with, as it’s his lectures she is most looking forward to. He’s married of course, not for the first time either. Also outside in reclusive isolation in Northern Scotland is Marie and her situation is unusual to say the least.

Three women, three storylines, do they connect? If so how and what will be the consequences?

I love the way Harriet Tyce writes, the way she draws you into intriguing plot webs, the way she gets you to ask multiple questions, the way she has you trying to observe the breadcrumbs dropped enticingly which of course leads to her delivery of a knockout psychological thriller. She is one of those authors who has you reflecting, for example in this book on characters current situations versus the old, also to weigh up the flaws in the legal system which gives her so much scope when creating a novel like this one. There are some very good descriptions that give different sensations such as a sense of unmooring or unreality, the fascinating vibes emanating from characters and as the novel progresses it becomes almost febrile, weird, distinctly messed up and increasingly dangerous. Whatever do these characters step into??? That would be telling!

The characterisation is very good, although you know Anna has done wrong, you root for her, Lucy’s obsession leaps off the pages ad as far r Marie, I’ll say little as therein lies the rub.

The settings in Oxford and Scotland are excellent choices as they not only give a great atmospheric backdrop but the beauty is such a contrast to the propulsive and well paced plot. The tension builds and builds and at times I feel as if I’m in a pressure cooker about to blow. I enjoy the way the connections reveal themselves, yes, a bit of suspension of belief is required but as I really enjoy the journey I’m more than happy to go with the flow. I like the ending, it’s satisfying, I do figure out one part of the jigsaw puzzle but not all of it by any means.

If you like well written and well constructed psychological thrillers then check out Harriet Tyce because she has mastered the genre and has produced yet another cracker.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Headline, Wildfire for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Many thanks to NetGalley,Headline and Harriet Tyce for my ARC of 'A Lesson in Cruelty' in return for an honest review.

The story is told from the aspect of three separate women who all have different tales to tell. Although they appear to have nothing to do with each other they are all brought together as the plot progresses.

At time I seemed to lose my way but it is an interesting plot.

Recommended

Thankyou to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

This particular story is split into 3 different stories that slowly weave together. We have Anna, who has just left prison, Lucy who is a uni student totally in love with her Professor, and Marie, living with Janice off grid. When the stories start to collide, everything we’ve been building towards becomes very clear.

I did really enjoy this book but I only gave it 4 stars because it was a bit slow in the beginning. I loved the way the author brought all the stories together with catastrophic consequences. The characters were well written, and I found myself really rooting for Anna in particular. I enjoyed the way the author broached each subject within the stories, especially talking about the criminal system, and how failing it can be to people. I really enjoyed it.

Any book by Harriet Tyce is an automatic read for me and A Lesson in Cruelty was no different. The three women's stories all really intrigued me but I would have preferred that the three stories alternated rather than being told in blocks although I appreciate this is an entirely personal thing. I did like how the three plots eventually weaved together as it wasn't something I figured out and the common thread of prison that they all shared was an interesting, thought provoking one. I did find some of the connections we eventually learn about to be far-fetched but it's fairly easy to overlook these for the sake of the plot. I did guess where the story was going before it got there and things ended a little too neatly and quickly for my liking but overall this was a compelling thriller I'd be happy to recommend.

I requested this book purely on my enjoyment of Harriet Tyce's earlier novels - you always know you're in for a dark, mysterious, unpredictable story with her books. I think I enjoyed this book so much due to not knowing anything about the plot - the whole story and structure was unexpected for me.

A Lesson in Cruelty features three main different points of view - all are distinct and convincing, part of what always make Harriet Tyce's books so enjoyable. There were some early parts I found a little confusing (the CCTV chapters) however this did not detract from my enjoyment of reading this book as you know that you are in safe hands with this author and that the storylines will come together and be explained.

As for the storylines coming together, for the most part of this book, I had no idea how the plot was going to be resolved. This is the kind of book where you want to keep reading - be warned, it will keep you up at night!

Having read Harriet Tyce's previous three novels, I would say this is her best yet! Totally gripping, very dark and an unpredictable mystery!

Harriet Tyce is an amazing writer. This book had be gripped from the very first page, and I was unable to put it down. The plot is so clever, and all the characters are well developed and credible, I think and know that this book will be a massive success and it a brilliant read and not to be missed!

Anna has been in prison for 3 years after a drunk driving incident.
The night before her release an unexpected event threatens to derail her being let out.
The story has 3 main plot lines and I loved the way the seemingly unconnected stories wove together.
The characters were all richly developed and the plot was twisty and cleverly told. The pacing was excellent.
This is an intriguing, complex and compelling story. A real captivating page turner.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley UK for the ARC.

A compelling and highly complex story.

I loved the structure of this book, told in parts, focusing purely on each female character, their scenario, their problems, and what hurdles they face.

it’s entirely impossible to understand how each character is connected, and how the story will come together or what it is even about until you’ve read each characters situation.

When they do eventually collide and the story becomes apparent, it is highly complex, but very compelling to read. some of the situations were a little bit outlandish and unbelievable and didn’t entirely fit the full narrative, but I loved it!

Harriet Tryce really is a force to be reckoned with. She consistently writes excellent novels! If you loved her previous novels, then you’ll definitely love this book. A very different style to the rest but an excellent read

Thanks to NetGalley for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I love Harriet Tyce and A Lesson in Cruelty might be my favorite of her books yet! I loved how the multiple threads came together and the moral questions at the heart of this book - I recommend!

I have loved all of Harriet Tyce’s books and this was no exception. It was a very gripping read which had me up late into the night reading once I started I couldn’t put it down. It was such a well written book with interesting and well developed characters. I will definitely be recommending this to everyone fantastic book. Thanks to netgallery and the publisher.

‘A Lesson in Cruelty’ focuses on three different women, all of whom have had experience of, or interest in, the prison system, whether it be intellectual, emotional or through actual incarceration. Harriet Tyce introduces us to her main characters through three seemingly separate tales and, yet, we know that at some point in the narrative they will segue into a single focus.
Anna, a woman very soon released from prison, is a sympathetic portrayal. Certainly, her drink-drive crime has caused tragedy but she is her own harshest critic. Can she ever make things better with her family? Will she ever return to the middle-class world in which she was so successful? It seems as if this might be a possibility until her rehabilitator meets his end in a house fire. Lucy is a student whose fantasy life tips over into reality until she meets Rachel, supportive wife and devoted mother. And who are the half-feral women co-existing on a remote island off the west of Scotland?
Harriet Tyce sets up plenty of questions in the first half of the novel and gradually reveals the women’s connections in the second half. Some of the revelations are a little too bizarre to feel credible, in particular details of the Scottish link. Whilst there is some discussion on the place of imprisonment for crimes – when it is acceptable, when counterproductive – readers are encouraged to become emotionally involved in the characters’ predicaments rather than respond at an intellectual level. Although the ending of the novel left me feeling as if everything came together a little too neatly, ‘A Place of Cruelty’ will certainly please fans of crime fiction who enjoy working their way through a complex maze of clues.
My thanks to NetGalley and Headline, Wildfire for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.