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ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I requested this one because I love a psychological thriller, and from the start, it delivered. By 21%, I was completely hooked. The characters had me fully invested, the house itself felt like a character, and I already had a list of theories forming. The character development is brilliant, and let’s be honest, we’ve all met an Iris or a Laura. I picked it up after work and didn’t want to put it down.

By 66%, I still couldn’t. I stayed up late to finish it, which says a lot with 4 kids and a full time job. I was gripped right to the end. I’d been hoping for a few more twists, so I’m knocking off half a star, but overall this is a great domestic thriller. It might have been even better with a darker edge, but I really enjoyed it.

And that last paragraph? Perfect.

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Kathryn Sharman’s debut is a binge-worthy domestic suspense that is gripping from the beginning and easy to fly through. I love this genre and setting, and the cast of characters who definitely weren’t what they seemed on the surface added an extra layer of fun. Even with often unlikeable characters, the story made me empathize with their choices, blurring the lines between right and wrong ⚖️. The contrasts and parallels between the two protagonists were especially entertaining, and I really enjoyed the clever moment at the end where the author uses the same word to mean different things for each of them 👥.

The main premise does ask the reader to suspend disbelief a fair bit. It seemed like some of it would have been too easily found out in the real world. I wished there was a bit more justification to make it seem more plausible, which is the main reason for giving it 3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️.

That said, I really enjoyed the dry humor (the peanut scene stands out🥜) and the clever exploration of class dynamics. Overall, I’m excited to see what Sharman publishes next 📚!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

#TheFamilyatNo23 #NetGalley

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Iris helps an old woman back from the supermarket and the next thing she knows, she is living in a house with all the trappings of a magazine lifestyle - terracotta tiles, cornices and the right catchment area for a good school. What could possibly go wrong? Meanwhile, across the neighbourhood, friends Laura and Ivo seem to have everything. Or do they?

This is a fast paced read where judgements of questionable morality and intent lead to dark and difficult dilemmas.

A confident debut from this author. Well done!

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Kathryn Sharman’s psychological thriller intertwines the lives of two couples into an intricate web of secrets and deception. The Family at No. 23. thrives on the suspense of not knowing who can truly be trusted. It is so much fun to see as alliances shift throughout the book.

At its core, the story explores themes of jealousy and the lengths of desperation Iris will go to in order to match the luxurious life of her friend Laura. Iris has no idea that Laura is also guarding a lie. We all know that lies cannot stay hidden for long.

The secret Iris harbours is about how she acquired the house, and someone knows the truth. Through the story Iris is manipulated by those around her. She becomes entangled in psychological games and she begins to second-guess her own reality.

If you like psychological thrillers such as Lisa Jewel, Frieda McFadden, etc. you will enjoy this book. It certainly had me engaged from the very first chapter.

Thank you NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton, for this opportunity to read the ARC.

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Iris looks on enviously when her friend Laura moves to a desirable neighbourhood that Iris could never afford. But soon after she is presented with an unexpected opportunity to move to the much sought after Riddleston Road.
Iris and her family move into number twenty three but they shouldn't be there. As they make the house their home, Iris begins to feel more uncomfortable, she is suspicious of everyone and terrified her secret will be uncovered. How far will she go to protect it?
When you read as many psychological thrillers as I do, there's bound to be some similarities of the plot themes so it's always good to read something a bit different. This is a slow burn but the hint of underlying tension is always bubbling under the surface and it is an easy to read, engrossing page turner.
Iris is a complex character, I was both appalled by her and sympathetic to her, and perfect Laura is not quite as perfect as people think. Throw into the mix their husbands and sons and you have a small but interesting cast.
There is a final shocking twist in the penultimate paragraph, what a way to end the book!

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This was a nice easy thriller to read. Characters weren't overly likable, but I think that was intended. Ending felt a little rushed. Overall good read where I wanted to know what happens. Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for this Arc

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This book had me interested from start to finish. Never a dull moment. I liked that the characters had personalities and were very different from each other. I loved the author included an epilogue explaining where each character was six months later. If you forget about reality it’s a very enjoyable story. I was left with a few unanswered questions and would have liked more details (which I can’t specify without spoilers). I would love for there to be a sequel fast forwarding into the future.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

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This was a fast paced edge of your seat thriller! It kept me hanging on chapter after chapter. The characters were written just perfectly so that it was like I knew them personally.

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Great book. Was up all night reading it. I loved the characters & the storyline. I totally recommend reading this book straight away, the twists and turns are fab. Definitely 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Oh my god! I literally couldn’t put this book down! I had to keep reading, the suspense is unreal. Absolutely packed with twists and shocking turns. Definitely a book I will be recommending.

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The Family at No. 23 provides exactly what you want from a book like this; it’s twisty, turny, and it’s full of characters you veer between rooting for and feeling grateful that they aren’t a part of your life!

This is a self-assured debut, rich in the traditions of a psychological thriller, but somehow gentler than others in the genre, and all the better for it in my view. The ‘mystery’ of the book is revealed up front; we know right away what Iris has done, and in making this part of the story, we don’t get the usual (and somewhat tired) trope of hints throughout the majority of the book as to what might be happening.

There’s still plenty to keep the reader guessing, but Sharman doesn’t fall into the trap of planting lots of seeds, only for them to come to fruition at the climax. Instead, we’re treated to a series of revelations peppered throughout the story, making the conclusion all the more satisfying when it does throw up something unexpected.

I can’t wait to see what comes next from Sharman, as I absolutely devoured this debut in just a couple of sittings!

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A quick easy read that I finished in one sitting. Well paced, a good level of tension and suspense with twists that kept me guessing all the way way through. I really enjoyed it.

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The Family at No23 was a strange story to get into. Was not sure that I was not sure I would finish but it kept me wanting to find out what happens. Iris Simmonds is the main character. She is walking home when she sees an elderly woman who has fallen and hit her head. She helps the woman home. Her name is Rosemary Parker. The woman lived in a rundown home on Riddleston Road, a very desirable street. No 23, very close to her friend, Laura iand her husband, Ivo live. Their sons, Ben and Freddie are good childhood friends. She feels that Rosemary should go to the hospital but she refuses. Iris makes Rosemary some tea and takes it to her in her parlor where she finds her dead. Rosemary had lived in the house all her life and it had been left to her by her parents,

Six months later, iris and her husband, Steve and their son Ben have moved into the house which they are renting. It is in the school district that Iris wants her son to attend. the private school, Toppingdon. A tortoiseshell cat dits in her yard and juslt looks at the house.. Her friend, Laura surrprises Iris to welcome Iris to the new home which she is fixing up. Although Ben and Freddie are in the same school they are not in the same form. Freddie is popular with the boys playing sports while Ben stays in the library,

Of note: Iris had wrapped Rosemary in the pink sheets from her bed when she buries the body. She came back when it was dark and dug the grave, etc. Iris pretended that the house had come up for rent and while her husband was on a business trip she moved them into the house. She has taken a part-time job at a consignment shop. She kept the secret of Rosemary from her husband. Iris is called to the principal's office as they are concerned about Ben. He has not been sleeping well and having strange dreams. Iris does not take the information well, Ben seems to spend most of his time in the house in his bedroom. Steve likes to watch TV in the parlor but Iris does not like being in the room.

Laura after years of trying to get pregnant she finds that she is. She calls Steve to tell him about the pregnancy. She has been having an affair with him.

One evening an older man arrives at Iris's door. It is the caretaker at the school. He had found the rugby boots that Ben claimed was taken and wass returning them to Iris. He tells her that he knew Rosemary and her sister, June. They had grown up together. June had gotten pregnant and her mother threw her out of the house as it was a complete scandel for the family. He didn't know what had happened to June and her baby after she left.

This is where the story takes off with all it's twists and turns, There is so much going on that I will leave it to the reader to enjoy to the surprising ending. I was surprised but happy to read that Iris and Ben are happily living in a new apartment in the city.

Thank you NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for this ARC.

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Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.

The Family at No 23 by Kathryn Sharman is a psychological thriller set on Riddleston Road, where each house appears pristine but hides dark secrets. The story follows Iris, who moves into Number 23 with the hope of securing a better future for her son. However, she harbors a secret about how she acquired the house, and someone knows the truth. Through the story Iris is manipulated by those around her and she becomes entangled in psychological games and she begins to second-guess her own reality. The tension that is around her in the seemingly perfect neighbourhood makes Iris question who she can trust and Iris's choices leave to a series of events that force her to confront the consequences of her actions.

I enjoyed this book and read through it in one night as i got that involved. Good if you enjoy psychological thriller books and enjoy other authors in this genre such as Freida McFadden or Lisa Jewell. Its a good story which keeps you guessing until the end.

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Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advance copy.

This book is filled with twists and turns that keep you on your toes. I read it in two sittings because I just needed to know what was coming next. Definitely will be adding this to my shelf.

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This story is wild!! Actual mind blowing psychological fiction that has you simultaneously shouting at the characters to stop their crazy antics, while turning pages at a rate of notts to find out what will happen next!!

In an attempt to keep up with her best friend, (who has moved to an affluent catchment area to get her teenage son into a better school, Iris indulges in some very questionable behaviour to follow suit! What follows is immense!!

This is the most original book I have read in YEARS! Highly recommended.

My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.

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This book by Kathryn Sharman answers two very simple questions. What deep dark secrets is Iris hiding and what did she do to get to where she is today? What will a mother do to protect her son and his potential future?

Full of manipulation, dark secrets and desperation, this was a page turner for me. This book embodied what a psychologically thriller should be made of. The characters were enjoyable, relatable, and full of personality that you didn't get bored with them. The plot was good and every element you look for in a thriller I found. Twist, turns, jealousy, and a plot twist at the end that you didn't expect.

This is a must add to any collection. Thank you NetGalley for my eArc!

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This does suffer from having a bizarre plot from the start, I found it completely insane and wondered how Sharman would get a logical, exciting read out of it. First actions aside, and the plot does become more plausible the more I read, and I found myself enjoying the book a lot. There was a lot of intrigue in this read, as well as other secrets, which certainly kept my attention.
Iris and Laura are interesting characters, they are not particularly likeable or sympathetic but there was something about them that kept me reading this. As the plot progresses it is clear they both have secrets and maybe they can help each other out of a sticky situation.
Stick with this read as the bizarre plot becomes intense and thrilling.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advance copy.

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A Twisting Tale of Deception and Desire!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review of The Family at No. 23. Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, Hodder & Stoughton, for this opportunity.

Kathryn Sharman’s newest psychological thriller expertly weaves the lives of two couples into an intricate web of secrets, ambition, and deception. The Family at No. 23. thrives on the suspense of not knowing who can truly be trusted, as shifting alliances and well-placed twists keep readers on edge.

At its core, the story explores themes of jealousy and the desperate lengths Iris will go to in order to match the luxurious life of her friend Laura. Iris’ struggle for status leads to a series of decisions that escalate tension, creating a gripping and immersive experience. Unbeknownst to Iris, Laura is also guarding a lie that cannot stay hidden for long. As their deceptions deepen, Laura and Iris increasingly struggle to uphold the carefully crafted illusions they present to the world.

The Family at No. 23. is an engaging read, offering an engrossing mix of psychological tension and unpredictable turns. Fans of character-driven mysteries will appreciate its layered narrative and morally complex cast.

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This story does a good job of taking a familiar trope - London property prices and the competitive furore over postcode lotteries between ambitious parents who want theirchildren to have the best educational opportunities - and gives it an unexpected and sinister twist.

How apparently normal people can do horrifying things is amply demonstrated. Although one or two story elements do require a suspension of disbelief. There are plenty of creative twists, and I particularly liked the reveal with respect to the identity of the blackmailer in the story.

I enjoyed the story, despite a somewhat distasteful aspect of it that emerges in the beginning, and recommend it for its originality and characters that are well drawn - if not always likeable!

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