The first mystery to solve in this latest offering by Sophie Hannah is who is writing the book within the book! This is so quirky and laugh out loud funny. It will divide opinion but that is a good thing. Animal lover or not there are definitely Sally Lamberts out there. Far fetched yes, but thoroughly entertaining.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Sophie Hannah/Bedford Square Publishers for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

I’m honestly at a loss for how to describe this book. It’s one of the most outlandish and unpredictable things I’ve read in a long while. Just when I thought I had a grip on what was happening, it veered off in an entirely unexpected direction.

The story centers on two feuding families—the Lamberts and the Gaveys—who live near each other in a quiet village. Their animosity escalates when the Gaveys accuse the Lamberts' dog, Champ, of attacking their teenage daughter. What unfolds from that moment is a wild, unforeseeable chain of events.

It’s tough to discuss the plot without revealing too much, but rest assured—it’s packed with surprises.

This novel is deeply strange, laced with a very dark, absurd sense of humor. You have to be willing to set logic aside and immerse yourself in its weirdness. Every character seems larger than life, bordering on absurd. There’s chaos, a fair bit of violence (including a murder that comes fairly late), and an endless stream of unexpected developments. Dog lovers may find it especially engaging.

Did I like it? I’m still deciding—but I know I won’t forget it anytime soon.

No One Would Do What The Lamberts Have Done by Sophie Hannah is set to be published by Bedford Square Publishers on the 19th June 2025.

The sleepy village of Swaffham Tilney is the home to many rivalries, controversies and disputes. There's the infamous Agatha Christie Book Club incident, local entrepreneur Corinne Sullivan’s weed-covered front wall and the new timetable policy for swimming at the local Field View Health Club. But none is more prolific than the rivalry between the Lamberts and the Gaveys.

Sally Lambert is a doting wife to Mark, and mother to Ree, Toby, Champ (a Welsh Terrier) and Furbert (a late Welsh Terrier). She prides herself on ‘enjollify-ing’ the lives of those around her, especially her family, of which her current and deceased dogs are an integral part, seen as members in their own right.

When a police officer comes to the Lamberts' door, everything changes. Tess Gavey, daughter of Sally's sworn enemy ? Gavey, has been bitten, and is accusing Champ. Sally is appalled, and adamant that Champ is innocent, and that the Gavey’s are launching a campaign against her to have Champ put down. Will she be able to protect Champ, and her family? Are the Gaveys as bad as they appear?

The book also deals with a manuscript about the incident and its aftermath, written by an author whose identity is of much contention.

I was drawn to this book as two of Hannah's previous books, Haven't They Grown and her entry for the 2015 QuickReads scheme Pictures or It Didn't Happen are two of the best thriller/crime books I have read in recent years. This book doesn't quite reach the same heights as these two, especially Haven't They Grown, but is very enjoyable. I can't think of another writer who could make a dog bite into such a compelling thriller, although it soon becomes clear the dog bite (real or fake) is just the tip of the iceberg.

I say in a lot of these reviews that I have ‘devoured’ books but I really don't remember the last time I read a book as quickly as I read this one. It's definitely easy to read, and a compulsive read, especially considering I was initially quite daunted by the 400+ page count. I couldn't help but feel that the ending doesn't quite live up to the novel’s initial promise, however.

I think there is a fairly good balance in the manuscript aspects of the novel to make it difficult to know whether we should trust the Lambert family or not, let alone like them. It feels, generally, like we should due to their personalities and the fact that they want to protect their pet. It soon seems that they might not be as likable as they appear (even before the manuscript's authenticity and the identity of its author are drawn into question, especially considering how much different members love bigots like Hillsong Church and Ricky Gervais, as well as the political moments in the manuscript (courtesy of The Daily Telegraph, Corinne and Mark). These feel unnecessary in the first instance but become important in these questions of authorial identity.

A largely inventive and intriguing thriller that is incredibly enjoyable to read, if a little underwhelming in places, No One Would Do What The Lamberts Have Done doesn't always reach the heights it tries to but is worth a read nonetheless even just for trying to reach them. It's also a fun and enjoyable read.

I do set the bar high when it comes to Sophie Hannah books but this left my jaw on the floor. What an amazing book. I just loved the whole premise and how original and fresh it was it takes on domestic noir at a completely different angle and it made the whole book so much more enjoyable for it. Absolutely nothing was predictable, I was so invested right from the start and as a dog lover, I could 100% relate. It's so cleverly written with all these interwoven threads that bob and weave expertly to create the most amazing book. The characters were all so life like and distinct from one another or the usual characters in these types of books. I honestly can't say enough good things about it!!! It did make me laugh that the author literally explains what she is doing and how she is lying to you or misdirecting you but it's still a shock when it happens lol. It brought me so much enjoyment and joy, I really wish I could read it again for the 1st time

I am not sure how to review this book. It is without doubt the most surreal thing I have read for some time - and just when I thought I had a handle on it - it spun off in a completely different direction.

The Lamberts and the Gaveys live in close proximity to each other in a small village and are deadly enemies. One day, the police turn up at the Lamberts, accusing their dog Champ of biting the Gaveys teen age daughter. This accusation sets off a chain of events that no one could have foreseen.
It is difficult to add more without giving away plot lines, but suffice to say there are surprises a plenty.

This is a very bizarre story full of dark humour. You really have to suspend belief and just go with the craziness. Almost all the characters are off the scale eccentric. There is murder (though not til almost the end of the book) and mayhem at every turn, so many unexpected twists it makes your head spin.I imagine it will especially appeal to dog lovers. Did I enjoy it? I am not sure but it will certainly stay with me for some time.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and Bedford Square publishers for this ARC, in exchange for an unbiased review.

#NoOneWouldDoWhatTheLambartsHaveDone #NetGalley
Sophie Hannah, queen of the psychological puzzle, delivers a novel that is part domestic drama, part locked-room mystery, and fully engrossing. No One Would Do What the Lamberts Have Done is a slow-burn psychological thriller that explores the terrifying power of desperation—and the unimaginable choices it can drive a family to make.When a police officer shows up at Sally Lambert’s door with the dreaded words, “I’m afraid…,” her world collapses. What follows is a nightmare scenario for any parent or partner, and Sally quickly realizes that conventional options won’t save her family. But the Lamberts aren’t just any family. When push comes to shove, they will do the one thing no one else would. The question is: What is it? And once it’s done—can it ever be undone? To reveal more would spoil the intricate web of secrets and twists Hannah has built, but rest assured: this is a story that demands your full attention and rewards it with a jaw-dropping conclusion.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bedford Square Publishers for giving me an advance copy.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I’m a dog lover and a Sophie Hannah book lover so I should have loved this but it was just a little bit too weird for me!

I can’t believe Sophie Hannah wrote this. The story is silly and the characters even sillier. I’ve enjoyed previous books by this author but unfortunately I can’t read any more of this one.

Agatha Christie lovers will probably like this book, it is almost a murder mystery book.
Dog lovers will love this book, as it spends a good deal of time belittling people who do not absolutely love dogs.
However as I fit into neither of the above categories I must judge it purely on its merits.
The characters were interesting, although mainly somewhat weird.
The storyline was twisty and continually turning (again Agatha Christie lovers will probably like this).
I am afraid it was just too much of all of the above for me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The author has an unusual witty take on an extraordinary feud between two families which results in death. It's quite slow paced, but cleverly done in an intriguing and suspenseful way. I thought it more of a novel, with lots of thoughts rather than an outright thriller. Nevertheless it's a thoroughly enjoyable mystery with interesting characters. I found it a real puzzle working out who the good/bad guys are and who is the narrator?

Not my usual kind of book, however I genuinely enjoyed it. I struggled a bit at the beginning as I got a bit lost. However as the book went on I couldn't put it down.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC

I usually enjoy a Sophie Hannah book but I'm not really sure about this one! It's certainly different!

3.5 stars.

In Sophie Hannah's 'No One Would Do What The Lamberts Have Done' neighbourly dynamics become strained to biting point.

Sally Lambert and her family have been living in a village for sometime. Along with her two children, Sally also has a dog called Champ, who is her second Welsh Terrier and as much of a family member as everyone else. When the police turn up at her door investigating an accusation made by another family in the village, Sally, with the help of another neighbour, goes to extremes to protect those she loves the most.

Sophie Hannah also has a Welsh Terrier called Brewster, and this novel feels like a love letter to him. The beginning of the novel is a (somewhat unnecessarily) confusing read, due to the story being narrated through the pages of a book that has been found by police, with an unknown author. The actions of Sally are also quite extreme, and the presence of a billionaire neighbour who springs to their aid, also feel unreal, making this novel feel a little bit like a fever dream. Finally, in the way of criticism, I found some of Hannah's political remarks, a bit unnecessary. However, despite this I grew to really enjoy the novel and to want to find out how it would end. An odd book, but one that I believe is worth the persistence.

My thanks to Bedford Square publishers and NetGalley for a copy of “ No One Would Do What The Lamberts Have
Done “ for an honest review.

I’ve enjoyed, and recommended , previous books by Sophie Hannah so I was eager to read her latest.
Unfortunately , to me, this was unlike any of her other books and I just couldn’t engage with the characters or the storyline.
I don’t like not finishing a book but I persevered for a few chapters and then sadly gave up on it.

This just was not for me. Some of the narrative choices really rankled and the closing chapters cemented my dislike. Unfortunately not one I enjoyed.

An insanely bizarre adventure by mistake. Any fan of Gavin and Stacey could possibly, like I did, imagine the family in Gav's parental home.....the odd conversations then start to make perfect sense. The star of the show is Champ, a charming Welsh terrier beloved by his family but who is wrongfully accused of .misbehaving by a neighbour. What follows is by turns hilarious and baffling. If you start to read this book, stick with it - it's worth it !

It's Sophie Hannah so people will want to read this but it just didn't do it for me. A dog is accused of biting someone and everything scales from there but not in an interesting way.

I think this may be a 'marmite' book...you'll absolutely love it or not. Sadly I'm in the not group. For me it was confusing, a bit silly and full of characters I didn't really care for. Thank you anyway to netgalley, author and publisher for an early read.

Mixed feelings about this one. I found it difficult to get into and nearly gave up. I carried on but, it still didn't deliver. Shame as I usually like Sophie's books but, this one didn't hit the mark. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

A strange one for me. When i started reading it I thought i was going to have to give it up. I persevered and then became quite fascinated by the total absurdity of the narrative concept and the multiple narrators and the talking dog ghost.... i appreciated it was "clever" but ultimately i was left slightly dissatisfied and confused