This is a fascinating psychological thriller from Harriet Tyce which I initially tried to listen to on audio, it is approximately 10 hours and 30 minutes long, but I gave up at 15%, due to the dire narration by Candida Gubbins with her overly unbearable emoting, and if I did'nt have the book as well, I would have never have been able to go on to see just how brilliant the storytelling is. It raises pressing issues afflicting the justice and legal system, and underlines the cruelty of the prison system and its failures when it comes to the goal of rehabilitating prisoners, many with mental health issues and complex needs. We are introduced to Anna, on the cusp of being released from prison, a ghost of the woman she used to be, bearing a burden of guilt that has her condemning herself to a mental life sentence with no reprieve.

Anna's last night turns out to be so harrowing that it pushes her further over the edge, but can this broken woman find the resilience within her to survive as ominous events test her further? In Oxford, after the death of her mother, Lucy begins an MSc at the university, drawn to a good looking criminology professor, in his late fifties, and his well known ideas when it comes to the justice system. She becomes steadily more and more obsessed with him, stalking him, certain he is the right man for her. However, he is married to his second wife, and they have a baby, but this does not prevent Lucy from insinuating herself into his life, taking on demanding research for him that he begins to find invaluable. There are references to the ancient sea monsters, Scylla and Charybydis, and who is is Marie, living a troubling, lonely and remote existence in Scotland?

Tyce skilfully creates and develops characters that initially appear to have little to do with each other, fuelling my intense curiousity as to what could possibly connect them. The tension and suspense begins to rise as we learn more of their lives and circumstances, there are surprising and shocking twists and turns that move the narrative towards the thrilling and explosive finale. I particularly felt for an Anna whose life was shattered after a terrible mistake. You will have to suspend your sense of disbelief, but this is a thought provoking thriller that I have no doubt will appeal to many fans of the author and others who love the crime and mystery genre. Many thanks to the publisher for the ALC and the ARC.

A superb new thriller gathering the stories of three women and weaving a web that will connect their disparate lives. Anna has served three years in prison and is due to be released after serving time for her crime. She doesn't feel like she is deserving, and someone unknown seems to agree and is targeting her. Lucy is besotted with her Oxford College professor and has a brief dalliance with him, which hasn't gone unnoticed. Whilst Marie is in isolation in North Scotland, but this is not punishment enough in itself as far as someone is concerned. This audiobook is brilliantly told to draw out the intricate stories of each of the women and bring us tantalisingly to the reveal that ties them. #alessonincruelty #harriettyce #netgalley #audiobook

Elaborately woven, intricately detailed, engross yourself in the set up for a brilliant pay off. Absolutely fantastic read!

This book reminded me a bit of Kate Atkinsons Case Histories, where several stories are told with no obvious connection until the threads are woven together in the latter stages of the book.
The story starts with Ana, she is about to be released from prison after 3 years there for drink driving causing an accident and unfortunately seriously injuring her young nephew. On her last night inside she has a young woman share her cell, in the morning the girl is dead and she has hidden her phone under Ana’s pillow.
Lucy is a student infatuated with one of her Oxford professors, the only trouble is he is married.
The third woman is Maria, a recluse on an island where she seems to be a minder of an older woman who killed her children. The island is a jail of sorts as neither woman can leave.
As each person tells their story we see more of the twisted lives they have led and as the stories cleverly start to entwine it seems someone wants to teach these ladies a lesson.
Fabulous read with a satisfying twist. Loved it.

#ALessonInCruelty. #NetGalley.

3 separate story’s that seem very different but do all end up being part of the main story. Although far fetched the story is entertaining enough and holds your attention keeping you wanting to listen more to see how it all finally ties together

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review. I found this book to be a complicated and fascinating story that instantly hooked me in. I would say that the first half of the book is setting the scene with all the background information on the characters. It is told in 3 separate stories which I could not connect together for quite some time. As the book develops and the stories merge, prepare to be shocked by the real story! A brilliantly thought out story that definitely left me wondering about my own personal views on the subject. Highly recommended 5 stars.

I will be watching this author closely as although this book did not quite meet its potential it is a really good set of characters in a well designed plot that is thoroughly readable. Plus a great resource list at the end.

In diving into this thrilling narrative without mentioning its title, it's akin to embarking on a rollercoaster ride through a dark, mysterious world. With its intricate plot and heart-pounding twists, each part of the story is like a thrilling chapter in a suspenseful novel.

Listening to the story is like being on the edge of your seat, eagerly awaiting the next shocking revelation. While the audio format adds to the tension, it can sometimes feel like grasping at shadows. Reading it might offer a more intense experience, allowing you to devour every chilling detail.

Despite the spine-tingling nature of the story, its grip on your imagination is undeniable. The characters are like shadows in the night, haunting your thoughts long after the story has ended.

In essence, this story is like a pulse-pounding thrill ride that will keep you guessing until the very end. Whether you're listening or reading, it's sure to leave you breathless and craving more.

I am grateful to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen to a DRC copy of this book for review.
This is the first book I have read by this author, and I will definitely be reading some of her other works based on my enjoyment of this book.
The book is written from the perspective of 3 characters, with an additional "voice" which may, or may not, belong to one of them. Initially it is difficult to see how the 3 narratives are linked, but it does become clearer as the story progresses.
Although there are some very common tropes in the book, for example student/professor relationships. The story is interesting and different enough to capture the reader's interest. I particularly liked the exploration of the prison system and it's efficacy (or not) with regard to women.
There were a few moments in the story where I got a strong "that would never happen in real life" feeling, but this did not detract from my enjoyment of it as a work of fiction.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys suspense dramas.

What a clever story. I was absolutely captivated right from the start. Three separate stories, on the face of it, but clearly linked and the twists just kept coming. I loved the rather unusual narrative style which followed Anna initially. But interlinked with snippets from another character and with no obvious connection. Anna is about to be released from prison but is accused of murder. Her salvation is Tom, duty lawyer. Little by little her full backstory is revealed and it’s gripping. As she catches up with her past and seeks redemption, the story suddenly stops and switches to Lucy. There have been snippets of her tale throughout; clearly obsessed with ‘the Professor’ it’s difficult to know how she slots in. It’s a totally different tale involving Lucy and Edgar. Equally compelling and so skilfully interwoven. Then there’s a third, very mysterious narrative which appears to bear no relevance to anything else going on.

Harriet Tyce is not only a natural storyteller, she’s skilled in pacing and plotting. So much so that I listened to most of this through one night. I just couldn’t switch it off, keen to know how it was all going to slot together. A cast of plausible characters, troubled and tortured for various reasons, seeking resolution. This is a cracking tale and I’m just disappointed that it’s finished. Double 5 stars if I could for tension, twists and thrills.

I really got into the three individual stories of Anna, Lucy and Marie, really missing each of them when they ended quite abruptly. I was a little confused as to how they were going to be drawn together. However that became clear once Anna was released from prison and two of the three became acquainted. There is no shortage of twists throughout the book as the women interact with Rachel, Tom, Edgar and Victor. Best of all the book ties up all loose ends and has an extremely clever ending. I really like a book that ends properly, be it good or bad! Finally I have to compliment the narrator. A narrator can make or break and audiobook. Candida Gubbins definitely enhanced A Lesson in Cruelty with her excellent narration.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Three women, three separate stories.
Anna is spending her final night in prison when a new inmate is placed in her cell late at night. When Anna wakes the next morning her new cellmate is dead.
Lucy, a brilliant law student, is obsessed with her professor. She will do anything to get his attention.
Marie has lived in an isolated cabin on the edge of a remote loch for five years. Her only contact with the outside world is the weekly supply drop and the cameras that watch her every move.



A Lesson In Cruelty by Harriet Tyce is one of those stories that will initially have you wondering what you are reading/listening to. The first part focuses on Anna but every so often you get little snippets from other characters. An unknown character; lurking, watching, whispering and clearly obsessed with someone. We also hear from a pair of characters, Scylla and Charybdis, two women living together but the relationship is difficult.

Anna's story really draws you in. Initially, we don't know why she's in prison but we do know that she's filled with guilt and has decided that once she's released the only solution is to kill herself. When she is forced to share her cell on her last night in prison you can understand her reluctance to engage with her new cellmate, Kelly. All Anna wants to do is get through the night so she can be released and carry out her plan. Anna can hear that Kelly is distressed, she's talking to someone on a mobile phone. The following morning Anna discovers that Kelly has committed suicide and this puts Anna's release in jeopardy. When she is eventually released, Anna decides to change her plans and discover why Kelly was so upset.

Lucy is a law graduate, she's jumped at the chance to further her knowledge by studying under an eminent professor at Oxford. Lucy doesn't want anything to do with the rest of her cohort, all her attention is on getting closer to her professor. The closer she gets, the more she discovers about his home life but Lucy doesn't care, all she wants is him.

Marie shares a remote cabin on the edge of a loch with Janice. Their life is a difficult one, they rely on a weekly delivery of provisions but after five years they know that the actual contents can't always be relied on. It becomes clear that both women have committed terrible crimes and the remote cabin is their punishment. Over time Janice has become more and more disturbed, with Marie struggling to ensure their survival.

Eventually, you realise that the stories are connected and they begin to converge. The big question is what connects them? There is a lurking sense of dread about what will happen, you are filled with trepidation, worried about the fate of some of the characters as you realise that someone will stop at nothing to get what they want.

There are twists galore as the fates of the three women are revealed. The narrator, Candida Gubbins, has done a fantastic job voicing the different characters but particularly "the watcher", Scylla and Charybdis. I could feel the hairs on my neck rising each time I listened to a section featuring these characters.

4.5 stars
Firstly I enjoyed this so much more than Blood Orange. I felt like the pacing was so much better and both the plot and the characters felt a lot more fleshed out and well-rounded. It took me a while to get into the story but I think that's more of a reflection of this book being the first audiobook that I have listened to and me not liking the narrator instead of the story itself not being engaging.

First, we meet Anna, a prisoner waiting to be released after serving her sentence before an incident on her final night leads her into trouble again. Next, we meet Lucy, a postgrad student at Oxford who is obsessed with her married criminology professor and is convinced she can have a relationship with him. Finally, we meet Marie, a reclusive individual living in a remote area of Scotland.

From the start, the story is told in chunks from the POV of each character with the occasional fairly vague view from an unknown character. As there are so many POV switches, I would've liked for it to be narrated by multiple voice actors to avoid confusion. Other than the professor, I couldn't for the life of me work out how the three individual storylines could come together but the author did a wonderful job of dropping subtle hints throughout that I didn't take too much notice of until the big reveal at the end.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to A Lesson In Cruelty and I look forward to reading more from Harriet Tyce in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wildfire for an ARC/ audible of this book. Harriet Tyce is one of my go to authors in the mystery/ thriller genre after I read Blood Orange in 2019.

I really enjoyed it from start to finish. No spoilers here but a great twist at the end! The 3 POV was well handled by the narrator and I was hooked from the start with the plot.

**Listened to the audio book**

I really struggled with this book. I was left a little confused, and wasn't completely engrossed so when it came to picking up up this book again I wasn't really that interested.
I'm not sure if it was the writing or the lack of differentiation between the characters with the narrator.
Just not for me, this one!
Dull! Not original! All over the place.

I really enjoyed this - yes it was time a little convoluted and some helpful coincidences but it was highly entertaining

The lives of three women leading very different lives collide in this tale of power and corruption. Anna, released from prison following the death of a relative in the car she was driving under the influence of drink. Lucy; a young woman in love with her university professor, and Marie living a reclusive life away from prying eyes. The story begins as three separate tales all meeting as secrets and lies become uncovered and connections are made. Flicking from one perspective to the next, the pace veers from racing to a crawl with no time for the reader to adjust accordingly. Having read Blood Orange I expected to really enjoy this book but the pace, and a very obvious ‘twist’ at the end made this less than enjoyable.A shame as it had an interesting premise questioning society’s handling of both mental health and reform issues. Finally, I listened to the audio version and whilst the plot was intriguing to a point the narration was poor. Did the narrator have a cold? She sounded very nasal and as though she were struggling to catch her breath. This distracted from any pace she tried to build. The book itself would be 3 stars but I’ve dropped the overall rating to 2 stars for that reason.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publishers Headline audio and author, Harriet Tyce for this audiobook in exchange for my personal, honest review.

Despite my excitement to read this, this audiobook ended with a "meh" feeling and fell a little flat for me.

I enjoyed certain aspects of the audiobook, but some areas could have been improved. For example, I found myself zoning out and having to rewind at several points in the story, which made it hard to follow the plot. However, I appreciated the deeply developed characters and the clever connection between them all. The conclusion was interesting and well executed.

I found the thriller aspect of the story entertaining, but the plot pace was sporadic and didn't flow as smoothly as in other audiobooks and previous works by this author. Despite these drawbacks, the plot was engaging enough to keep me from reading.

Overall, I recommend considering reading the physical book instead of the audiobook format to fully immerse yourself in this story. However, this is based on my personal preferences, and I don't wish to discourage anyone from picking this up in any format!

This is a hard review to write because for the vast majority of time I was completely absorbed by the tale. Wondering how on earth everyone and every strand would eventually fit together. So full marks for that. However the problem started when the links and the history became clear and then to quote a line from the book ‘ the story is so outlandish it will be met with derision’… I rest my case.

Well, what can I say. I really enjoyed this and couldn't put it down. It keeps you guessing and just when you think you’ve guessed right, nope, you’re back to guessing right up to the end.