This book is a compelling read. It’s a psychological thriller that really draws you, the reader, into this dark world of obsession.
This book has a few unexpected twists along the way, it’s so well written you find yourself getting pulled along for the ride.
This really will go down as a must read.

Wow oh wow this is one of those books where you firstly, stay up all night because you *have* to know what happens and also because you have whiplash from the back and forth of the plot.
It's a first person narrative , taking the perspective of Claire, who narrates her life now, interspersed with diary entries from when she met her partner, Noah, and how her life has skyrocketed beyond anything she could have ever hoped for herself.
Claire does what most people would do without thinking, bringing her fiancé a lunch on their 1 year anniversary.
But, on turning up to his offices, not only does she find out that he hasn't worked there for months, he is not answering any of her calls.
She has such a small and insular life because Noah has made himself the center of her universe, and your sympathies are immediately with Claire, as she reels from the devastating news her perfect life and relationship is far from it.
As she and her friend dig into Noah's past, things become increasingly bizarre, and as a reader, I felt so close to Claire as she shows you what she had in the *then*, the abuse she went through as child, to what she has lost in the *now*.
It is devastating and you want revenge and closer for her.
And then , she is accused of murder.
So this intense relationship between you and Claire suddenly becomes a courtroom drama and the race to the truth of just what has happened begins...
This is a fantastic debut which bodes well for any future books which Callie may write...and which I will be eagerly awaiting!
My thanks to Rachel Quinn and the publisher for my gifted review copy all opinions are my own

Claire decides to take lunch to her hard working fiancé at his office,her co worker Sukhi goes with her. She's told at the reception desk that Noah has not worked there for months.
Claire is absolutely shocked and when Noah doesn't come home that night or subsequent nights she decides to look for him and find out what's going on.
What a book with twists and turns. I had two thoughts of what was going on and one of them turned put to be right but it was interesting finding out.
This is the first book I've read by this author but I will be on the lookout for others.

This is a great debut psychological thriller. Fast paced storyline that had me glued from the first page. I went through a rollercoaster of emotions feeling sorry for Claire who was treated badly by the love of her life to the ending where things were not as they seemed, I will definitely look out for more by this author in the future.

*Cuckoo* by Callie Kazumi is a darkly compelling psychological thriller that pulls readers into the twisted world of obsession, identity, and unraveling truths. With its sharp prose, unexpected twists, and deeply unsettling atmosphere, *Cuckoo* is a novel that stays with you long after you've read the final page.

### Plot Overview:
At its core, *Cuckoo* is a story about a woman named Lily who finds herself drawn into an obsessive relationship with an enigmatic figure, all while grappling with her own fractured sense of self. The book takes place in a tense, suspense-filled environment where every character seems to be hiding something, and trust is a fragile commodity. As Lily becomes increasingly entangled with those around her, the lines between reality and illusion blur, forcing her to confront the darker aspects of her own psyche.

Kazumi does an excellent job of creating a gripping, slow-burn narrative that steadily builds suspense and tension. The plot is laced with psychological complexity, and the deeper the reader goes, the more they uncover about the dark motives and twisted connections between the characters.

### Character Development:
The central strength of *Cuckoo* lies in its characters. Lily is both a sympathetic and unreliable protagonist, making her journey all the more compelling. As the story unfolds, Lily’s vulnerabilities and insecurities are laid bare, and readers are kept on edge, constantly questioning her reliability. Kazumi does a fantastic job of blending her internal struggles with the external events of the plot, creating a layered character who feels both real and enigmatic.

The secondary characters are equally intriguing, particularly the mysterious figure who draws Lily into a psychological game of manipulation. Kazumi writes each character with a deft touch, giving them just enough depth to keep the reader guessing about their true intentions. As the layers of deception are peeled away, the relationships between the characters become more complicated and the stakes higher.

### Writing Style:
Kazumi’s writing is crisp, atmospheric, and engaging. The prose flows smoothly, and the author has a keen sense of pacing, knowing when to speed up the narrative for a shocking moment and when to slow things down to heighten the tension. The tone is dark and moody, with a subtle undercurrent of paranoia and unease that permeates every page. The author’s use of description is sparing but effective, often focusing on just enough detail to evoke a chilling sense of atmosphere.

The book also excels in its ability to get inside the mind of its protagonist. The reader is taken on an emotional and psychological rollercoaster, experiencing Lily’s shifting perceptions and growing paranoia as though they are living her unraveling reality alongside her.

### Themes and Symbolism:
*Cuckoo* explores themes of identity, self-deception, and the lengths to which people will go to control or manipulate others. The title itself is symbolic, referring not only to the idea of a “cuckoo” bird (which lays its eggs in another bird's nest) but also to the concept of intrusion—whether physical, emotional, or psychological. The novel asks important questions about who we are when we strip away the facades we present to the world and what happens when we are forced to confront uncomfortable truths.

Kazumi also delves into the idea of control in relationships, especially the ways in which power dynamics shift and how individuals can be drawn into unhealthy patterns. The symbolic elements, particularly the idea of being trapped or ensnared, provide a layered, thought-provoking backdrop to the plot.

### Emotional Impact:
The emotional impact of *Cuckoo* is profound and unsettling. The novel taps into the reader’s own anxieties and fears, making them question the reliability of what they’re reading and leaving them with a lingering sense of dread. As the tension builds and the revelations come to light, the emotional payoff is both cathartic and disturbing.

There’s an underlying sense of sorrow and loss throughout the book, as characters grapple with their own failures and desires. The ultimate revelations are both surprising and heartbreaking, leaving readers to reflect on the cost of obsession and the dangers of losing oneself in the process.

### Final Thoughts:
*Cuckoo* is a taut, psychological thriller that delivers on its promises of suspense, intrigue, and emotional complexity. Callie Kazumi crafts a mesmerizing, haunting narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. With its strong character development, thought-provoking themes, and atmospheric writing, *Cuckoo* is a book that will appeal to fans of psychological suspense and those who enjoy narratives that delve deep into the darkness of the human mind.

If you’re looking for a book that offers both an intellectual puzzle and an emotional rollercoaster, *Cuckoo* is an excellent choice. It’s a story that will challenge your perceptions, provoke your emotions, and leave you with lingering questions long after you’ve closed the book.

Cuckoo by Callie Kazumi is a captivating psychological thriller that takes the reader on a rollercoaster of emotions, with twists and shocks that will keep you glued to the pages. The story follows Claire, whose life is turned upside down when she discovers her fiancé Noah has been hiding a secret life from her.

The book begins with a seemingly innocent surprise for Claire: an anniversary visit to Noah's office. But to her horror, she learns that Noah hasn’t worked there in months, and worse, he’s gone completely off the radar. As Noah refuses to take her calls or respond to her messages, Claire becomes frantic in her search for him. But as she digs deeper, the truth begins to unravel, and she’s forced to confront the unsettling reality of who Noah truly is.

Claire’s journey is both heartbreaking and suspenseful. She’s a woman who, for most of her life, has felt isolated—estranged from her mother, without a strong support system, and somewhat adrift. Meeting Noah initially seems to be the answer to her loneliness, but as his secrets come to light, Claire finds herself in a dangerous spiral. The revelation of Noah's secret life with Lilah, his other partner, is just the beginning of the shocking truths that Claire uncovers.

The book's strength lies in its well-developed characters and the intense, gripping writing. Claire’s desperation and growing sense of betrayal are palpable, and you can’t help but feel for her as she struggles to piece together the truth. Her friend Sukhi, who helps her investigate Noah’s life through social media, adds a layer of support and depth to the narrative, grounding Claire in a reality she’s only now beginning to understand.

The pacing is spot-on, with tension building steadily as Claire uncovers more about Noah’s secret life. The unexpected twists—especially the jaw-dropping ending—will leave readers stunned. Kazumi's writing is immersive, and her ability to balance emotional depth with suspense is remarkable.

Cuckoo is a book that will stay with you long after you’ve finished it. It’s an exploration of love, trust, and betrayal, with a shocking conclusion that will leave you reeling. Fans of psychological thrillers will find this book impossible to put down, and the characters, especially Claire, will linger in your mind long after the final page.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

This is a fast-paced, intriguing read. Claire has been in a loving relationship with Noah for almost a year. One day she takes Noah’s lunch to his office only to be told that Noah has not worked at that office for several months. After her calls and text messages to Noah go unanswered, Claire along with her friend and co-worker Sukhi try to uncover the mystery of what has happened to Noah.
Told in flashbacks and present day POV this is a gripping psychological thriller. All the characters are well-developed and believable. Clare’s character is especially complex and chilling as she leaves no stone unturned trying to understand what has happened.
Great debut novel. Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley UK for the ARC.

Crikey! I just loved Cuckoo. Kept me guessing to about halfway and then I twigged what was going on but the writer made me doubt my conclusions right until the end. Just brilliant. Please write more.

This is a great start for a debut novel, It was light and dark at the same time and I read it in one sitting.
Very intriguing to find out what Noah was actually playing at and why he vanished from Claires life in the blink of an eye. What was his real game?

Very much enjoyed reading this and look forward to more work from Callie.

Thanks for an advanced copy

Such a great debut novel! I wanted to know what was going on with Noah just as much as Claire did! Such a great read, highly recommend!

Fantastic book . I thoroughly enjoyed the story . Fantastic twists and turns . Loved it and would definitely recommend. A good holiday read while lounging by the pool

This is Callie's debut novel and I was gripped.
Claire Arundale is engaged to Nathan Coors and live together. One day Claire decides to surprise Nathan with a takeaway lunch. On arriving at the company where he works, she is shocked when the receptionist says no one of that name works here.
She calls him repeatedly and he doesn't answer. That night he doesn't come home. Claire is distraught. She tries to find him checking out old haunts and is shocked even more when he denies knowing her. The story is told from Claire's pov but over 2 timelines, present and her childhood with her brutal, unloving mother. This is a brilliant psychological novel with a shocker of an ending. Unputdownable and I loved it. A must read!!!!

An enjoyable thriller with a great twist. Characters are a bit thin but plot holds interest and it’s a quick read.

What a storyline and what an ending! I went through a roller coaster of emotions whilst reading this book. I will certainly be looking out for Callie Kazumi in the future. A well deserved 5 stars.

Easy to read, it just flows
Didn't take long to read
I just completely switched off and focused on this book
If you love psychological thrillers this is for you
Completely Unputadownable

Thank you netgalley, Callie Kazumi and Random House

Can a thriller with a “killer twist” be considered good if you can figure out the twist from the first chapter?
This book was fun and very easy to read. It’s been a while since I finished a book in less than 24 hours. Especially the first 200 pages were intriguing and kept me hooked with Claire trying to figure out her fiancés double life and going crazy. The trial got a little dry after a while but I still wanted to know how everything would play out.
But the twist underwhelmed me. Even if you don’t figure it out right away, the book continues to make it obvious. And even the final twist didn’t hit because how can something surprise you if the story already established it as a fact?

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.
Definitely a book to read. I was pulled into the story and it did not let go. The book is well written with a strong character driven story and many a twists and turns
Recommended 4 star read ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

3.5 stars

The scenario outlined hooked me to read this one.

Abused as a child and believing herself unloveable, Claire has found the love of her life in Noah. She decides to surprise her fiancé, buying him lunch and delivering to his office. However, she finds he hasn’t worked there for months. Then he won’t answer her calls or respond to her texts, doesn’t come home. Why has he decided to ghost her?

An intriguing mystery, told completely from Claire’s point of view, this held my interest throughout, and I liked the surprises revealed along the way.
A promising debut and I look forward to reading more from this author.

An addictively readable story that I couldn’t put down. Claire has grown up with an unstable abusive mother, always being told she’ll never amount to anything. When she meets handsome wealthy Noah, she can’t believe he’ll be interested in her but the two quickly fall in love and get engaged.

A year after they meet, Claire goes to surprise Noah at work, only to find out that he left months ago and is working elsewhere. When she calls him, Noah ignores her calls, blocks her on social media, the works-and Claire has no idea how he has changed so much in such a short period of time. When she discovers something out about what Noah has been doing, it changes everything.

The story flew by although it wasn’t always as light as I had assumed it might be - the sections of Claire’s childhood are heartbreaking to read, and I wanted to give her a big hug at times.


I’ll definitely be recommending this to friends

This is a story about mental heath illness and a daughter being brought up in a loveless home, coping with her mother’s illness and difficulties. Of course the child has no idea that the mother is ill but learns that she is not the same as other parents.
The story revolves around the daughter’s first relationship and her devotion to the boyfriend, followed by her devastating discovery that he is seeing someone else.
The results of her upbringing develop and the mental heath theme continues. I found the first part of the book is irritating and repetitive as there are many entries from her diary, either delighted in the boyfriend or devastated at his betrayal.
Time passes and as the story moves on it is clear that the dreadful experiences in her childhood have led to her behaviour and inevitable consequences.
Recommended