After years of being told by her Mother and school bullies that she is nothing, Claire now has it all! A great job in PR, her own flat in London and a gorgeous fiancé. Then one day that starts off normal enough ends terribly and everything she knows comes crashing down.

This was a very addictive read, early on Claire's fiancé goes 'missing' and I just had to keep reading to find out what happened to him. As things start to be revealed, I worked out the way things were headed long before Claire and her friend Sukhi did but I still raced through the story so that I could see exactly how it would all play out. For anyone who loves thrillers or Netflix true crime you will not be surprised by the revelations along the way but I just couldn't draw myself away from the car crash that was Claire's life. I'm not sure I would class this book as a thriller it is more of a drama/mystery but it was easy to read and I would be interested to see what the author writes next.

I couldn't, and I mean COULDN'T put this down. I read it in less than a day, taking sneaky extra-long coffee breaks at work to get through cos I just HAD to know what happened. as many people have said in their reviews below, yeah, the story is a little predicatable at times, but the twists and turns don't disappoint. The multi-timeline plot adds to the sense that all is not what it seems, told in bursts from a childhood diary, adult journals, and part two as a courtroom drama. What a book! Can't wait to read more by Callie Kazumi.

A fabulous debut novel that had me intrigued and kept me turning the pages! It hooked me right in early on and I loved that it was full of twists with an unexpected one right at the end. A very entertaining read! I look forward to more from this author in the future!

What a great debut novel. A very clever, twisty read which, once I picked it up I could not put down. Highly recommended.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I will be looking out for more from this new writer

Wow, what a debut novel from Callie Kazumi and what a ride Cuckoo takes you on. The present day story line makes you feel the same disorientation that Claire must be feeling and desperate to know what it going on. Combined with stories of Claire's childhood you really start to feel for her and your heart is breaking too.

I'm going to leave my review there for fear of spoiling the story but if you love a thriller that you can't put down you're doing to love Cuckoo.

What a fantastic debut novel by Callie Kazumi for taking unhinged onto a completely new level. This was such an intriguing read because not only did the main character, Claire want to know what was happening, but I did as well and I honestly could not put the book down.

Told from Claire's perspective - her side of the story is believable, highlighting her traumatic childhood as a single child to an abusive mother. As a psychological thriller, it may have been predictable, but you can't help but feel for Claire. It was cleverly written bringing out Claire's vulnerability along with plenty of twists.

Dark, compelling, and emotionally charged—Cuckoo is a gripping debut that pulls readers into an intense, rollercoaster journey through the life of Claire, a woman battling her inner demons and external forces in a world that seems set to unravel her. From the very first page, the narrative draws you in with its raw emotional depth, leaving you both unsettled and deeply invested in Claire’s tumultuous journey.

The novel explores themes of identity, betrayal, and the complexities of mental health, all while building a profound sense of dread that lingers throughout. Claire is a multifaceted character, struggling with both personal and familial expectations, which makes her both relatable and heartbreaking.

What stands out in this debut novel is the author’s ability to balance the psychological tension with moments of profound introspection. The pace is relentless, with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing, yet there’s a delicate balance of vulnerability in Claire’s character that anchors the narrative. As the story progresses, you can’t help but root for her, even as her decisions become increasingly erratic.

Stunning book read in one sitting!
The story is about Claire who discovers that her fiancé Noah has changed his place of work without telling her & is living another life with his long term girlfriend. It is a tale of love and dark obsession with a background of an abusive childhood. It is well written & totally absorbing. Highly recommended

A very accomplished debut that had me reading until very late in the night. A little bit dark, a bit heart wrenching and with a twisty twist I didn't except. Excellent!

This strong debut by Kazumi explores a case of extreme ghosting, obsession, and murder.

Cuckoo has a similar feel as Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, with its misdirection and confused sense of reality. The first half puts readers firmly inside Claire’s mind, with the second delivering a fast paced series of twists and turns.

The ending was fairly predictable, but it was nonetheless an engaging and interesting ride. I enjoyed Kazumi’s expressive prose and the discomforting experience of trying to find the thread of reality in amongst Claire and Noah’s story.

Thank you Random House UK for an advance copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

Cuckoo was an absolute cracker of a book. And kept me guessing throughout.

Claire is happily engaged to Noah, until one day she takes him some lunch at work, only to discover he no longer works there and hasn't done for some time.

Totally confused and worried, Claire attempts to contact Noah, only to be ignored. She's blocked from his social media and is frantic with worry.

When work colleague and friend Sukhi does some online stalking, she discovers that Noah has a long-term partner and Claire's world falls apart.

Interspersed with the present day timeline, we move back to learn about Claire's childhood, and the extreme abuse she suffered at the hands of her mother. This is important for part two of this amazing book.

I think that's all I'm going to say about the plot, it's just too good to spoil. But I want to emphasise just how talented this writer is. I was fully invested in Claire's story and found her wholly believable and likeable. So the end of part one and part two did truly shock me which is quite a rare phenomena. I'm usually so good at spotting twists, and though I started to have some inklings, I really didn't predict the final twist.

Deliciously dark, beautifully crafted and a joy to read.

OKAYYYYY....i loved this one!

the fact that we were following claire throughout the book as to why her fiancé noah had completely ghosted her, and had what seems to be a completely different life, really hooked me because i just HAD to find out what was happening. why was noah ignoring her? acting like she had no idea who she was?

cut to the ending....WHAT!! i did not see that coming from a mile away, but i am in love. the way the story was written from start to finish was amazing, hooked me in, made me feel what the fmc was feeling, and i just had to know what happened next.

I think i read this book within 2-3 days!!

if you haven't read this one already, please please do! :D

thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the early copy in return for my review.

This had me hooked from the very start. Following Claire as she tried to come to terms with her fiance Noah disappearing from their flat to him completely ghosting her. It was intriguing and kept me turning the page for the latest twist. I definitely did not see the ending coming.Well written,pacy and very contemporary. Will be looking for Callie's next book

This was a very strange story of the obsession of a young woman, partially associated with her up bringing. Very open ended conclusion.

Not the novel I thought it was going to be! Follows Clare young woman who is engaged to Noel a banker in a posh London bank Clare works as a publicist in a company in London too but not as posh as Noel’s
They meet in a supermarket she recommended a bottle of wine to him and to say thanks he takes her for coffee and next thing you know he’s moving his stuff into her tiny studio flat,makes more sense as she lives right near tube station and they can use money from sale of his flat as deposit on their together home
So romantic, he takes her to Italy on holiday and she loves it
She tells her friend at work all about him they have tried meeting as a foursome but Noel got stuck at work!
But she seen pic of him on her phone and knows everything about him so when Clare goes to take him lunch at work she asks her friend along they get to his office Clare dropped him lunch only the other day. She goes into reception and says to the lady hi can you let Noel Coors know his fiancée is here with his lunch please ? The woman then tells her no he wants nothing to do with you stop coming here security will remove you.. Clare is completely shocked and immediately tries ringing Noel but no answer he won’t reply to her texts either. Shakil what’s happening? I don’t know but let’s get you home
Once there shakil starts doing some digging on her laptop and soon all starts to become clear Noel is living a double life he has another girlfriend called Lilah omg no Clare can’t believe it! But this is just the start of Clare’s nightmare

Cuckoo was a debut thriller centred around Claire, who surprises her fiancé, Noah, at work for their anniversary; but on her arrival she learns that Noah hasn't worked there for 9 months! Claire is shocked, even more so now he won't answer her calls or reply to her messages - he's ghosted her. Claire's world falls apart as she comes to terms with what is happening and then things take an even stranger turn...

I really enjoyed this book and felt that it was an incredible debut for this author. The story was written across two timelines and flicked between the present day and back to Claire's harrowing childhood with her abusive mother. I empathised with Claire straight away and felt a real bond with her throughout the book, wanting the absolute best for her.

There were twists and turns along the way and I found it hard to determine what was real and what was just in Claire's mind - no wonder she found it hard too! I can't wait to see what Callie Kazumi writes next.

My thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for sending this ARC in return for an honest review.

I highly recommend this brilliant debut novel where everything is not as it seems and ending with an unforeseen twist. Questionable relationships result in possible stalking.

Claire decides to surprise her fiance Noah at work only to find he no longer works there. She then can't make contact with him. Its as if he's disappeared but then she starts putting thing together and maybe her life isn't as she thought.

As a big fan of thriller stories, I quickly recognised this type of story and figured out what might be going on. That being said it was still a good read. Its an easy thriller that you can just sit and read. The ending was good and i did like the very final diary entry. That was cleverly done. The book is told by Claire in the present and her diary entries plus flashbacks to her past with her mother. That was a little tough reading at times but added depth to the story and Claire. Its a short cast of characters and you only really get to know Claire. An easy read thriller.

A story of obsession, love and murder - and not the one you're expecting... Discover a gripping new thriller with a killer twist at its core.
When Claire surprises her fiancé, Noah, at work for their anniversary, she's the one who ends up being shocked to her
core...
Because Noah left the company nine months ago, and she had no idea. How can she not have known?
Now he isn't answering her calls. He won't respond to her messages. He's disappeared.
As Claire desperately tries to find her fiancé, her world begins to shatter as the truth about who Noah really is starts to emerge.
And things are about to spiral dangerously out of control...

This was a first book for this author. Sometimes I get nervous reading new authors BUT I really enjoyed this book. It’s a really good book with twists, explanation of characters so readers can bond. I would t have known this was a first book.

Thanks netgalley, Random House and of course the author.


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This book started off well so I was hooked early on and the need to discover what was happening kept me reading. My guesses were way off so I commend the author for that. It did feel a bit repetitive at times but overall a good easy read.