What Lies Between Us

Wow! So many twists and turns to this book which is a psychological head f**k!!!
Dark, shocking - my favourite John Marrs book yet! Such a good book, I truly didn’t know what was coming next. Brilliant!

There is nothing I like more than a John Marrs book. And this one surpassed all of his others put together. I was literally turning the pages as fast as I could. The twistiest turniest book I have ever read. Absolutely brilliant. Beyond brilliant. I plead with everyone to do yourself a favor and buy this book. Good lord it was thrilling. 20 Stars

Yet another amazing read from the spectacular John Marrs. He's by far one of my favourite authors so I jumped at the chance of getting this ARC. In true Marrs style this book is full of clever little twists with well developed dark and twisted characters. And as always with his books all is never what it seems. Without leaving any spoilers this book was a slight departure from Marrs previous modern Sci fi books, and he proves yet again that he can write pure enthralling magic, irrelevant of the genre.

This was something of a slow burner for me as it took a little while to get accustomed to going back in time in some chapters. It reminded me a little of whatever happened to baby Jane.

Good story of a warped family. Makes you wonder just what goes on behind closed doors!

Jayme C (Brunettes like books too!)'s Reviews > What Lies Between Us

What Lies Between Us
by John Marrs (Goodreads Author)

Jayme C (Brunettes like books too!)'s review
Feb 16, 2020 · edit


it was amazing




bookshelves: mystery-suspense, netgalley


Take a good look at that gorgeous book cover....

You can see a woman gazing out of the attic window-but you cannot see the chains which keep Maggie a prisoner there.

You can see Nina, downstairs...perhaps preparing one of the dinners that she and Maggie share, every other night, before she locks her up again.

Nina cannot forgive Maggie for the things she did. And, she can never let her leave...

Told from the alternating voices of Nina and Maggie, (past and present)- you will discover how and why this happened.

You won’t know which woman is reliable or who is more wicked....till the very end.

And, what an end it is....

It’s another book by John Marrs who has not disappointed me yet, and who will continue to be an auto-request author who makes me giddy when I see that he has a new book available!

Thank You to Netgalley, Thomas and Mercer, and John Marrs for allowing me to read a digital ARC in exchange for a candid review!

Available May 15, 2020...pre-order now!!
And, read his other books until this is out, if you haven’t already done so!

Writing this review is challenging without any spoilers but let’s just say, John Marrs, as always, transports you effectively into the lives of Nina & her mum Maggie. I was hooked from the outset and grabbed any moment I could to devour this take.
The characters become real people and their lives intertwined which each, in their own way, trying to help the other (possibly) and the effects they cause in the people around them. The tale is told alternately from both their perspectives and also from both years ago and up to date. The pieces of the dark, twisted jigsaw begin to drop terrifying into place and you wonder where it will all end. A psychological read with secrets aplenty and a definite 5* recommend!!

Maggie has only ever wanted to protect her daughter, Nina, but doing so has cost so very much. And for all she has done, her daughter hates her. Nina keeps her mother locked up in the attic, with a chain attached to her ankle. She's punishing her mother for all that she has taken from her.

As we read the alternating views of Maggie and Nina, spreading over various timelines, it's hard to know who is the craziest, Maggie or Nina. This is one fiendish read and the more we know, the worse things get. I couldn't put this one down and it made for a fantastic buddy read. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer/Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for this ARC.

I love John Marrs.. Was so excited to see he had a new book out.
Sadly i didn't love this one as much as some of his others.
The going back and forth so much in timelines I found frustrating. Chemo brain here so hard to keep track of timelines sometimes.
I usually devour his books this I had to make myself keep picking it up.
Solid 4 as the ending was great! Can't wait for his next book!!

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for a early release if this book.

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! I don’t know even how to describe this book, the storyline is so unique. I’ve become so bored by endless books about missing children or husbands with a secret; this book smashed all those repetitive storylines into pieces! I gasped so many times, I didn’t see any of the twists coming. I will be recommending this book to everyone. I’d rate this book 10 stars if Netgalley would let me!

Wow what a book kept me hooked start to finish I couldn’t put it down and did not expect the ending! The first book that’s kept me gripped in a while!

Another smash hit from John Marrs. This author is in my top three authors of all time and I get so excited when he has a new release. This book is amazing and dark and even a bit surreal at times. Loved it. Go into this book blind and you will be shocked and blindsided at every turn. An absolutely fantastic and intelligent psychological thriller. Or perhaps it’s better named as a psychological nightmare. Five stars xxxxx

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this John Marrs you've done it again. Chilling, twisted and totally gripping. Absolutely loved this unputdownable book from one of my favourite authors..

John Marrs has done it again!

Holy cow, has he done it again.

Maggie and Nina are co-dependent, co-habitating and co-existing but the hatred between them throbs like a pulse. What terrible history has led Nina to chain Maggie up in her attic??

More twisted than my hair in the morning, this book is SO good that I simply could not adult until I had finished it. This book is all anyone will be talking about in May!!

Thank you to John Marrs, Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have read every single book by this author and I always recommend them to friends, family and customers in the library. This book is no exception. I read this in one night. John Marrs just gets better and better.

oaster ride. I couldn’t put it down
Nina will never forgive Maggie for what she.
They share dinner together at night, Maggie chained inside the house. She must live her days in the attic staring out the window watching the neighbors. This is how Maggie “pays the price” for what she’s done. However Nina doesn’t know the truth and she can’t find out what it is because the truth is worse than all the lies.
John Marrs did an amazing job putting shock into this book

What Lies Between Us by John Marrs is an electrifying, insane, chilling, shocking, unpredictable and totally riveting physiological thriller. Will be hard to forget Nina and Maggie. Mr. Marrs' books keep getting better and better. Highly recommended.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

First, I have to say that I am a big fan of this author's books. Everyone is different with such unique characters and plots. In my experience, I receive one of his books, then put everything off, can't you see I'm reading a John Marrs book, and I wouldn't trade the time I spent reading for work or chores or social interaction. That being said, I never know whether an author can write another phenomenal, page flipper, but, What Lies Between Us is proof that it can happen again and again.
I went back and reread the book description. It tells very little, and that is the perfect way to enjoy all the twists and turns to come. I never read reviews until after I have written mine. Why? Spoilers, yes some people think nothing of sharing spoilers, but I don't want my read to be ruined. I could tell you how Nina and Maggie are connected but read the description. Nope, it isn't there and that is because I believe part of the enjoyment is letting the author guide the pace of the reveals. What I can say is that you will discover quite a bit about these two women, and be prepared for more than one what did I just read moment.
I think my Kindle might have been smoking by the time I read the last page! Short chapters, alternating narratives, and a fast-paced plot add up to another I stayed up all night reading book. If you haven't, might I suggest you read one or all of the author's other books? I doubt you will be disappointed!

What Lies Between Us by author John Marrs is yet another excellent novel by Marrs! He is fast becoming a favorite author of mine, I’ve absolutely loved his books and this one has excelled! Shocking and twisty, full of amazing character structure and an awesome plot line! Definitely recommend this book!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

John Marrs is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. I read three of his books last year and could not put them down, easily 5 star reads. And he’s done it again!
This is very different to two books I’ve read of his previously (The One and The Passengers) as those dealt with topics you’d likely find at the centre of a Black Mirror episode. Instead this was a twisty turny thriller with domestic, mystery and psychological elements and I loved it. This is more similar to The Good Samaritan in topic and in thrills. He writes amazing and believable characters that you have no idea how you should really feel about them. He’s had me feeling sorry for a woman locking up a family member, a man who murders his dates, a woman who ‘mercy’ kills depressed people who call her for help and a man who claimed innocence while orchestrating an elaborate plan to overthrow technology developments. This guy is a winner and I won’t hear a bad word said about his books, I won’t!
John Marrs has a talent and I will never say no to one of his books.
Thank you to Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book - much appreciated and much loved!

Wow.... John Marrs you have completely excelled!!!! I’ve enjoyed all of this authors books, this one is on a different level.

Completely hooked from the first page and I’ve read in one sitting! Totally unexpected story, shocking, disturbing so many more words I could use.

This book plus the characters Nina and Maggie will stay with me for a very very long time..... 6 stars plus if I could rate that high

Two women, Maggie and Nina live in the same house. But Maggie lives chained up in the attic, where she spends all day, every day, except for the short time she spends down stairs having dinner with Nina after Nina unlocks her chains. After dinner, it’s straight back up to the attic. where Maggie is once again locked up. Nina believes she has every right and reason to keep Maggie a prisoner, but there’s more to the story than Nina knows and if she should uncover the truth, things might get even worse. The is definitely different than the usual thriller that pits a man against a woman in a domestic situation and made me think of that creepy old movie Whatever Happened to Baby Jane

WHAT THE HELL I JUST READ!??HOLY COW(that’s me!) What a breath taking, captivating, pitch black dark, dazzling, devious and intense, soul crushing mother and daughter story!

I haven’t read something so scary, disturbing for so long! The growing tension from the beginning, those sick and shocking twists and revelation you find out at each chapter and that epic ending made me get an urgent appointment from hospital. My grey cells burned after over usage so I need an urgent transplant now! Yes, Mr. Marrs, my chin dropped! My eyes popped out of my sockets, my hands are shaky, actually my entire body was shaky and everybody is taking I’m the worse break-dancer. And something smells so bad! No, it’s coming from me. Oh no! Nooooo!!!It can’t be! What have I done!!!

OMG! In the middle of my reading I found myself acting like Regan from Exorcist making spider walk, climbing backwards from the stairs and my head spinning. (Thankfully my vomit color is not green. Not yet! I hate kale and spinach!)

That was true expression and quiet real reflection of my feelings: I was terrified! And you know what I’m not easily scared of anything instead of my image in the morning and my husband’s snoring sound louder than cumulative ten T-rex screaming! But let me tell you something, when I reach the end, my spine was already tingling and there were at least 15 teeth bites on my arm (nope, my dogs are innocent, I did to myself because
I have no longer nails which is more disgusting image you may ever imagine.) I was so close to scream for help but I also lost my voice (Yes, in the beginning of the book I already used my right to screaming louder till my sister in-law shoved a sock into my mouth (And it was my husband dirty sock! So yes there are things in the world scarier than waterboarding.)

Without giving too much spoilers I may only say this book’s story is definition of borderline personality disorder and unfortunately Maggie (mother) who is chained at the attic of her own house to pay for her sins and things she’s done to her daughter. (As Chris Isaak sings baby did a bad bad thing! Oh actually she did too many bad things! But I have to stop there not to ruin the surprises and bombs the author leaves into our laps and runs away!) And sweet Nina, at the end of her thirties, librarian is guardian and judge of her own mother’s slow punishment and execution.

Do you want to know why they built this sick relationship? Why Nina’s father leave without saying goodbye? Why Nina is so fragile around little children? Is Maggie innocent victim or pure evil needs to be behind the bars? Can she escape and save herself from captivation?

There are so many twists, so many revelations you cannot foresee their coming! You feel like punching several times from supernatural forces and crying like a baby to make it stop! Sorry our author is evil genius and he keeps sending more bombs and destroys your safe space.

Overall: Sometimes I felt suffocated from tension so I cut only half star but it is still 4.5 rounded up to 5 stars reading for me. I adore this author’s riveting, captivating style. He never ever disappoints me! Salute!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for sharing this special ARC for me in exchange my honest review.

<u>Rating:</u> <b>4.7 / 5</b>

**ARC review from Netgalley for advance copy.

At first, you may innocently be going into this and think that the setup is something akin to <i>Whatever Happened to Baby Jane</i>.

I mean, it's a similar setup: two women living in the same house, one of them unable to get out and is thus reliant on the other, but puts up with everything due to a handicapping secret that cannot be revealed at all costs. So...Jane and Blanche much?

But you'd be wrong. Oh no, my dears, it's worse. <i>Much worse.</i>

This book goes from bad to worse on the scale of how messed up it is, in that no matter how far you read and think, "okay, this is it--it can't get any worse than this", the book will find a way of proving you wrong. There's no rivalry, no jealousy, no logical understanding at the heart of this whole confinement situation. Both Nina and Maggie have their side of the story, and fortunately the author doesn't hesitate to take us through both of them in tantalizing (and tantalizingly but deliciously slow) detail. It all just brings "disturbing" on a whole new level that will leave you in need of a bath to wash the grime off. And it is grimy, my friends--that it is.

I don't know what to say without giving it away, but all I can advise readers is not to expect anything pleasant, not to expect closure, not to expect logic or justification for either character. Some things are the wrong things done for the right reasons whereas other things are just out of control--in either case, you end up hesitating to point fingers and by the end will just throw up your hands in the air and give up trying.

Read it if you have the stomach for it, I say. But categorize this outside the realm of the ordinary, if you will--nothing feels short of insane in this one.

I. Could. Not. Stop. Reading. This. Book.
I thought I had figured out what was going on early on in the book, but I was way off! What a fabulous suspenseful thriller!

Loved this book!!! One of the best stories I have read in a long time. Every time I thought I figured it out, I was wrong. Makes one reevaluate living with someone you may hate and the things one can do to another to make them stay and suffer. I love John Marrs books! I really think he has grown as a writer. I can not wait to read his next book.
I am recommending this to everyone who thinks they have read about every type of thriller book!

What Lies Beneath Us had me hooked me the beginning. I actually read this in one sitting. No way I was putting this page turner down!

Nina and Maggie live in the same house. There’s bad blood between them. Nina can’t forgive Maggie for something. But what?

I wasn’t expecting this to be so shocking. There were moments when all I could do was let the “wow” slowly fall out of my mouth and give myself a moment to let my brain catch up with the horrors I was reading.
What Lies Beneath Us is dark, it’s chilling and I’ll be talking about this story for a long time. Already planning on buying a copy for family to read as well as check out John Marrs other books for myself!

You will not regret reading this book.

Another unputdownable book by John Marrs.
I always get excited when I see that John Marrs has written a new book and I was delighted to receive an advanced copy of What Lies Between Us.
I devoured this book in two sittings, it had me hooked from the first page.
Maggie and Nina share a house. Nina looks after Maggie’s every need but they don’t get on very well because of secrets they share that cause bitter resentments.
Secrets that need to kept hidden from the word outside.
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

4.5/5 - Another fantastic offering from John Marrs!
I really enjoyed this and couldn't put it down. I read it within 24 hours!
A few of the reveals were slightly predictable but I totally forgave it because the tension and the mood was so brilliantly crafted throughout.
I recommend this to fans of atmospheric psychological thrillers.
Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for my Honest review.

This book is intense, scarily real and totally addictive, This book is chilling, you will not be able to read the book without being a bit shocked, a tad ruffled.
Maggie has her whole life controlled by Nina who she lives with, in ways you can't even imagine.
this book kept me guessing and when the turns come hold on tight.
Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for my Honest review.

Just when you think you know it all, everything will get flipped over. I read this in one day and know you will too! Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC

There is no secret that John Marrs is one of my favourite authors, every book is guaranteed to be very different and a major ‘talking point’ with readers

This book is chilling, you will not be able to read the book without being a bit shocked, a tad ruffled and majorly wowed by this story

Nina lives with Maggie, Maggie is older so Nina cooks for her and ‘keeps house’, she virtually controls her life, in fact she 100% controls every aspect of it....and when you find out how, where and why you will, like me be in for one of those ‘book shock’ moments that when they hit,they hit hard ,in fact I had to re read to make sure I had it right.....

But why is Nina doing this? What could Maggie have done in the past to warrant such behaviour and how can Nina continue a ‘normal’ life knowing what is happening at her home?,and more to the point how on earth does Maggie cope with it, the indignity, the worry and the punishments she randomly faces?

This book is intense, scarily real and totally addictive, flawless story telling and though a term easily used it really was ‘unputdownable’, John Marrs always manages to shock and surprise in his books and this does both, over and over!

Superb

10/10
5 Stars

It was an intriguing set-up and it certainly kept me reading. However, I can't say that I really enjoyed it. The two main characters were deeply unpleasant. Also, the ending was too slight for me.

Dark, disturbing dysfunction!

John Marrs has done it again with a unique novel of suspense about the twisted relationship between a mother and daughter, and the effects it has over the decades. . If the author intended to unsettle his readers by making it difficult for them to work out who was the 'goody' to root for, and who was the 'baddie' to dislike, then he's done a great job! A great novel that kept me awake more than one night thinking it over.

Blimey! Yet another read from John Marrs that is impossible to put down!
I’m not going to discuss the plot in too much detail as there were so many twists and turns that I could very easily trip myself up and spoil the story for you, but simply Nina and Maggie live in the same house, but while Nina works and is able to leave the house, Maggie isn’t. I genuinely couldn’t read this book fast enough.
Ok, if I’m being brutally honest, there were a couple of instances where I asked myself “Really? Could that really happen?” The answer was “Yes. It really could”. Scary stuff
I loved this, thank you to John Marrs, Netgalley and the publisher’s for letting me read an ARC

QUICK TAKE: great premise, not sure Marrs nailed the execution. Both women are extremely unlikable and difficult to root for and I kept expecting a big twist and reveal and was left wanting more at the end. I was hoping for WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE but it never really lived up to that. Easy, quick thriller if you need a palette cleanser.

4.5 stars*** This book was dark, twisted, and creepy. This is my second John Marrs book and I’m loving his writing style. It took a little bit for me to get into the book and the characters. But wow, this had so many twists and turns! Both the narrators are unreliable and it’s hard to keep up with who is telling the truth. In the beginning, Maggie is painted as the innocent one and then that plot twist was insane.
The ending dragged a little bit but it came full circle in the epilogue and I’m glad to see Maggie get revenge.


Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Omg .. how does this man do it. Every book he writes is so different
i think this has been my favourite book of his so far. So many twists and turns and he's damn good at writing about deranged females.
but why.. why did he end it that way....

A dark, twisty tale of two women with secrets and a very complicated relationship!

Why is Nina keeping her mother in the attic?
Why does she hate her so much?

Gosh this book was dark! Maybe a little too dark for me? John Marrs you have a twisted mind 😂

Filled with unlikeable, dysfunctional characters, secrets, lies and disturbing choices, 'What Lies Between Us' had a malevolent feel to it, which chilled me. The characters, with their co-dependency, got under my skin, and left me feeling anxious and quite sad.

Told from two character's pov, Maggie, and her daughter Nina in flashbacks over the last 25 years, and in the present, this story was so addictive, I just couldn't look away!

I was a little disappointed that I predicted some of the major plot twists, they felt a bit obvious to me?! I also had some issues with the police or lack of.. But the writing was strong enough to make me read on, to see if was correct!

I definitely prefer John Marrs's more sci-fi books like 'The One' and 'The Passengers' but this book undoubtedly had me on edge! Also the cover is hauntingly good!

Recommended if you want a dark, crazy read! I now need a light fluffy book and a hug please!

WOW. This book took me on such a perfect thrilling rollercoaster, with impeccably executed and well timed twists and a crazy premise that had me sucked in within just a few pages.

Told with both alternating narrators as well as alternating timelines, this book constantly leaves the reader wondering who is the bad guy and who is the good guy in this mother-daughter relationship. As the history between them unfolds, one can't help but not have any clue with who to side with until the book reaches an epic climax and resolution, with a super fulfilling ending.

At no point did I think the author overdid the twists or the plot depth. While I consider this a domestic suspense for sure, it is an example of doing the genre justice and proving how juvenile some of the other novels in the genre are. John Marrs is for sure one of the best authors in the thriller genre overall in my opinion and this book solidifies that thought with perfect character and plot development and a unique storyline that you won't be able to find anywhere else.

Oh what a tangled web we weave....... What a twisted book! I love twisted! This is my first book by this author and I am wow'd! Is that a word? John Marrs you are now on my radar!

Nina and Maggie, Maggie and Nina, which side will you be on ? This was a crazy fun ride! Told in alternative points of view from Maggie to Nina, from past to present, with secrets revealed throughout that will leave you shocked. I believe my jaw dropped several times. This was a fast paced, addictive read that kept me gripped from start to finish. I highly recommend for anyone that loves twisty thrillers! I don't think I will be forgetting this book anytime soon! Now excuse me while I go search for John Marrs other books!

A big thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book!

Maggie has always tried hard to protect her daughter Nina, ever since her husband left her when Nina was just a teenager.
Nina went off the rails and fell for local band member Jon Hunter after becoming pregnant for the second time at 14 and what Maggie had told Nina that the baby was born stillborn and that she couldn't have any more children due to a medical condition.
Into adulthood they both live together in the family home just the two of them, Nina discovers shocking secrets that Maggie had kept from her.
Being outraged Nina wants revenge and locks her mother in the attic room only allowing her to come and have dinner with her every two days after two years of being locked away from the outside world something begins to change and in a house full of secrets that can't be a good thing.

Well, he’s done it again!
I think John Marrs is incapable of writing a bad book.... his work just keeps getting better.
This is another enthralling and gripping page turner, and I stayed up all night to finish it.
Wonderful character creating and such visually descriptive scene setting sucks you right into the story.
Another triumph from this talented author.

I found this thriller really hard to read - as the lies between Nina and Maggie were exposed I alternated between who I sympathised with in a situation where no decision seemed ‘right’. You had a mother desperately trying to protect her child but in so doing causing her further harm. This was a very dark read exploring the intensity of feelings between two co-dependent individuals drawn together by past secrets.

Not for the faint hearted - a compelling read.

Wow. Just wow. That was a ride!

Nina and Maggie live in the same house, eat dinner together every other night, but Maggie is kept prisoner by Nina, her ankle chained to the floor. The story is told alternating between Maggie and Nina narrating. You will have so many questions that will be answered bit by bit as you read.

I absolutely loved this book! The plot kept me reading and I finished it in almost one sitting. I think this book will be talked about a lot once published in May. Definitely plan to read it if you are a psychological thriller fan. I had never read a book by John Marrs, but now I’m eager to read his others.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book for an honest exchange.

Another great book by John Marrs, he does not disappoint! I did not want this book to end. The relationship between Maggie and Nina was fascinating and the alternating chapters told in both their voices kept me flipping the pages well into the night. Dysfunctional family drama coupled with murder and mystery makes for such a great story. I cant wait for his next book!

I am a huge fan of John Marrs and have read all of his previous books therefore I was very excited to receive an advanced copy of What Lies Between Us.
A very dark and twisty story surrounding Maggie and her daughter Nina and the story surrounding their relationship.
I enjoyed reading the mother and daughters different perspectives and a real rollercoaster of changing my feelings on one character to the next.
Lots of twists and turn which certainly kept me on the edge of my chair.

This is me shouting “WHAT THE HELL DID I JUST READ???” from the rooftops! This book is very disturbing. I give it 10 stars, actually. I couldn't put it down!

What Lies between Us is structured with alternating POVs from the two main characters: Maggie (the mother chained by her daughter in the attic) and Nina (the daughter with a massive resentment towards Maggie). One of the things I loved about this novel was the anticipation of when these two POVs would finally collide and the story will finally makes sense (and will let me breathe because the last 13 hours of reading this book was an uncomfortable pleasure. It gives me anxiety! Hahaha). It was incredibly interesting to see things from both Maggie and Nina’s perspective and with any mystery/thriller, I was left wondering which one was the unreliable narrator or if both of them were to be trusted. And to be honest, ever since I read this book, I started to doubt my own sanity. Every cliffhanger at the end of every chapter makes me want to know what happens next. It’s like I’m losing my mind. I was like “WTF?” “OMG!” the whole time. This book is highly recommended!

Oh and huge thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the ARC.

I’ve been a huge fan of John Marr’s books for some time and his latest offering certainly doesn’t disappoint.
Maggie and her daughter Nina have a very unusual and strained relationship. Each chapter is written from the perspective of each character and as you learn about their reasons and mindset you begin to take sides.
I was totally immersed in this book from the first page. I found myself gravitating from each character with a heightened sense of love and hate in equal measures.
Twisty and absolutely nerve wrecking in equal measures! Highly recommended

Everybody hop aboard the crazy train! First stop: Dysfunction Junction!

Oh my, I'm not sure what to say about this one. This book is so bonkers and so entertaining that it was hard to look away from my kindle. I'm not going to discuss the plot because there is a minefield of spoilers to tip toe around if I do.

I loved The Good Samaritan by this author but Her Last Move was a DNF for me and Passengers I didn't bother to request because I just knew it wasn't my jam. But this one! Oh yes, this one is on par with The Good Samaritan and a reminder as to why I love these twisty psych thrillers. Well done! 4 *You can't pick your family* Stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

John marrs ...I love his books ..rare to find such consistency but book after book is gripping .
This soooooo reminded me of Liz Nugent in terms of dynamics and unlikable characters .There are mainly two female characters and with every chapter u think how on earth did they get here and then a revelation and u think ahhh and then bam 💥 u see why .
The need to controll through the anxiety to protect can lead to serious danger and damage
There is a case for one being more dangerous than the other but if the other hadn't tried to fiercely protect her and controll her dysfunctionally and at times selfishly I suspect then they may have got help ,been kept safe and therefore others also protected .
I felt so sad though also other characters and am always reading one more chapter pre bed with John marrs .
Ty again netflicks and publishers I liked it alot .John never dissapointed and even an average read from him is good .
He doesnt really do formula ,u are always intrigued and always delivers a good set up between his characters .
I giving a four as his is a cut above the average ,bit more creative with his thinking and how people cd end up like this ..I also liked the ending
This appeals to my love for dark dynamics ,secrets and what we do when we panic ,lose controll or are overly protected .

Yet again John Marrs delivers, I absolutely devoured this book. Another twisted and wicked tale from the mind of one of my favourite authors. John Marrs has a talent for writing characters to despise and making you want to unlock their awful secrets.
This book drags you in from the very beginning and spits you out at it’s terrible conclusion.
I can not wait to read whatever he comes up with next!

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.

John Marrs has done it again!

Why is Nina keeping her mother, Maggie, locked (and chained) to a top floor room?

This story takes the reader back to where Nina's and Maggie's "falling out" began - 25 years ago - and, of course, to the present time.

Why does Nina hate her mother SO much? What happened in their past for Maggie to deserve being so severely punished?

A superb read that continues to build as we are captivated and kept guessing.

A wonderful story - HIGHLY Recommend!

Many Thanks to Amazon Publishing, UK and NetGalley for a "can't put down" book.

An adult woman is keeping her elderly mother chained up in the attic. How did things come to this pass? The story cleverly unfolds with flashbacks and present day sections and I have to say I was engrossed throughout. Things were not as I first thought them. A mother’s love can be distorted. We would do anything for our children, but should we? It certainly makes you wonder what your nice neighbours are really like! I haven’t read a John Marrs novel I haven’t loved and this one’s no exception. Totally a five star read.

What a beautifully written dark twisty book!

Written from both Maggie and Nina’s point of view, we learn why Nina has gone to great lengths to keep Maggie prisoner in their own home and why some things can never be forgiven..

This book is full of twists and turns, each more shocking than the one before, I was on the edge of my seat the whole way through! My thoughts and feelings on Maggie and Nina were changing constantly. I couldn’t put this book down, I needed to know how it was all going to end!

The story line was so unique it really drew me in as I think it will for a lot of readers in this genre.

Each flashback added so much to the story and it all tied back perfectly in the well executed ending. I’m excited to read now John Marrs books. This one was excellent!

When I initially began reading this book I couldn't help but help but feel this has been done before, resembling other books of this genre I'd read, and so I was hesitant at first whether this book was going to grip me. Whilst I read this pretty much in one sitting and did enjoy reading it and finding out what happens, there were some parts which for me let it down. We are first introduced to one of our main characters, Maggie, who is being held captive in her own home. Whilst we are yet to find out why she came about these circumstances, our first encounter with her is of her observing neighbours and events in her street from the window of the bedroom she is being held in confinement in. This opening chapter of the book initially reminded me of 'Rear Window' (which is in fact referenced in the text) or even the extremely similar plot 'The Woman in the window'. We are then introduced to our other main character, Nina, who we find out shares the same house as Maggie and provides her with food and basic needs whilst keeping her chained up. The story is told through the eyes of these two characters, with events being narrated in the present day and also jumps back in time, as the plot gradually unfolds, and we begin to find out who these characters are and why they have ended up living in such circumstances.. As the plot unravels in this way, you do begin to question which of these characters is the more candid of the two, and as you begin to learn of further events, I found myself debating which of these characters has more credibility in their moral choices. Such a plot and relationship between two characters reminded me somewhat of Stephanie Wrobel's novel 'The Recovery of Rose Gold'. Whilst the story is well written, has a good pace and keeps you interested, I did in fact guess many of the twists in the plot. Maybe I've read too many psychological thrillers, but as the character of Maggie actually reflects herself in the book with her opinion of reading novels, states, 'I'm hard to please though. If I guess the culprit correctly, I'll be disappointed at how predictable the story is. If I get it wrong, I'll be annoyed at myself for not spotting it earlier'. Whilst there is no doubt John Marrs creates well written and carefully thought out plots with often believable characters, I'm afraid it was the former of this statement by Maggie (and created by Marrs himself) that prevented me from giving this book a full five stars, as I just felt it lacked originality somewhat. If you're a John Marrs fan and have enjoyed his previous books, I'm sure you'll enjoy this, but maybe you will/won't guess the plot. My thanks go out to netgalley and Amazon publishing for giving me the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this.

Knowing that not all mother-daughter relationships are ideal, this book took me to the brink of a seriously dysfunctional family relationship. From the beginning to the end of the novel, I was enthralled with needing to put the pieces together as to why the mother Maggie and the daughter Nina had such a hatred for one another. This book was loaded with surprising twists and turns and hit home hard with a wonderful dose of reality. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who might even consider carrying a grudge against someone. What Lies Between Us really opened my eyes to the danger that anger and revenge can have on a person‘s heart❤️ and definitely on their mental well-being. It also took a deeper look into the heart and determination of a mother and the lengths she will go to for her child, whether they are done for a common good or done out of necessity. A mother’s love can never be measured or weighed. Another “out of the ballpark“ hit for John Mars! Can’t wait to share this one with my book club! ☺️👍🏼

I wanted to read What Lies Between Us because of how much I enjoyed the experience of reading The One. And holy F did this not disappoint!

Nina and Maggie have a complicated relationship (to say the least). Regardless about how I feel about either character (hint: not great!!), there is something so smoothly compelling about John Marrs' writing, that I legit could not look away.

So many twists.
So many questions.
So many jaw drops.

Like The One, I devoured this book in 1 day (2 sittings) and do not regret ignoring friends/other hobbies and staying up past my bedtime to do so. Albeit dark and at times disturbing, this book is a phenomenal thriller and turned out to be the perfect "pallet cleanser" I was searching for.

Thanks to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Highly recommend the train wreck of a story that is this book and can't wait for its release in May so my friends can read it and so we can discuss over cocktails!

John Marrs is one of the leading thriller authors and he has done it again! If you start reading this book be prepared to put your life on hold because you may not stop until you are finished. It truly is "unputdownable"I read it in one sitting and found myself holding my breath until it was finished.
It is the unsettling shocking story of a mother and daughter with such an unpredictable and totally enthralling storyline. The characters and the plot are portrayed in such a way that I found myself sympathizing for one or the other in different parts of the book. It is a very compelling and addictive novel and there is lots to like about this book!

Whoa! I need to cuddle a kitten...or call my mom after this one! I love John Marrs and was eager to read this one. I went into this somewhat blind and had not read any spoilers so I wasn't sure who the two women were and their relationship. I will try not to spoil this, but this was tense story about the dynamic between family. It was a little of a slow burn at first, and wow that was not a pun at all, but really got going the second half. Another win for Mr. Marrs Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc.

Well that was unpleasant.

I requested this ARC through NetGalley after several of my Goodreads friends raved about it. The premise was intriguing. Basically, a woman keeps her mother chained in the attic because of... secrets.

There are two fiction tropes that I find unforgivable. One is the secret twin sister. The other is used in this book. I won't give it away, but I was so disappointed to see it used. It was old in 1970's made for TV movies. Ugh.

There was a lot of misdirection in this book that's told through the eyes of the mother and the daughter in the present and the past, but I figured all of it out early on. I could forgive it all if there was a fantastic ending, but without giving anything away, the ending did not redeem it for me.

Two stars for "it was okay." These people are now going to be permanent characters in my head and I can't say I want them there.

I read a digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.

No doubt about it, John Marrs has delivered another spectacular, gut-punch of a novel.

This was an incredible read filled with complicated, engaging characters, and an utterly unique plot. Told from two perspectives, those of Maggie and her daughter, Nina, both in present time and in flashback, I was wholeheartedly engaged from the very first page, to the final gasp-worthy sentence.

You're probably wondering, if I think so highly of this book, why I only gave it 4 stars. And to be honest, I've debated about my rating now for more than an hour. This is a tough one for me because the story is so evocative, and so unlike anything I've read previously.

But...
(You were waiting for that "but" weren't you?)

It's not my favorite Marrs book. When I read a story like What Lies Between Us, I need it to be clean; for the puzzle pieces to match up precisely. For this to work completely for me, the characters can't rely on good fortune to get them through two decades of bad behavior. I'm willing to overlook a total lack of police procedural once, but when it happens over and over again, I begin feeling a bit let-down. I know this isn't typical of John Marrs because I've read (and loved) all his other novels, but by the end, I was frustrated. (view spoiler)

This is also an instance in which I was reading, and literally within the first 15 to 20%, I'd figured out a couple of the major plot twists. Sadly, I wasn't even trying to...there were simply some clues which really stood out to me. Thankfully, the story is so captivating, I didn't feel it took anything away, but these are the reasons I ultimately decided on a 4 star rating. And yes, John Marrs is still one of my favorite authors.

5 stars for plot and characterization + 3 stars for believability = 4 stars overall

Despite my minute gripes, I 100% recommend this book to every reader I know. It's a fun ride. Be sure to pick up your own copy on May 15, 2020.

**Many thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Wow. Absolutely wow. John Marrs’ novels just keep getting better and better. A rich tapestry of characters, a deep storyline and so many twists that actually made me say “what?” - this was truly unputdownable. I’m recommending it to everyone I speak to.

BUY. IT.

Wow, what a book! I read this over 2 days and was absolutely gripped.
I'd have read it in one sitting had that been an option.
It was so well written and addictive, sinister and twisty and kept making me change whose side I was on.
Absolutely loved it, didn't want it to end but couldn't wait to see how it did.
Enjoyed this so much, can't wait for his next book.
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the advanced digital read in return for my honest review.

Maggie and Nina share a house. But they're not like your ordinary roommates. What makes them different is the fact that Maggie is not allowed outside of the house and the fact that she is locked upstairs. But even that could probably be explained somehow if it wasn't for the fact that Maggie is Nina's mother.

John Marrs is one of those authors whose books I either love or hate. I have read 4 of his books, 2 of which I loved while the other two weren't to my taste, so I was curious but skeptical when requesting What Lies Between Us.
Well, let me put it this way. This book turned out to be a huge WOW!
It had me gripped from the first page and didn't let go till the very last.
I always reserve 5 stars for books that can only be described as mindblowing, and to be honest, there aren't that many books that deliver on the promise offered in the opening pages, but this one achieved this and more.
Every time I thought it couldn't get any better, I was proved wrong.
The story is told from 2 perspectives, the mother's and the daughter's, and the author did a fantastic job in getting us to despise these two women while at the same time making us feel for them.
And don't even get me started on the twists and secrets that were revealed during the story. What an absolute rollercoaster of emotions it was. I couldn't read it fast enough.
It was spectacular, it was amazing, it is simply a masterpiece.
This is the best book I have read so far this year and I urge you to preorder it immediately.
Solid 5 stars.

John Marrs has done it again and given us a fantastic read.

Nina and Maggie are 2 very complicated characters and severe unreliable narrators. The story slowly unfolds itself, starting with Maggie imprisoned by her daughter. Page by page reveals the reasons as to why this happened and the results it has on both women, only to end in a huge climax.

Really, read this book. You will not regret this!

Thank you, Mr. Marrs, for your brilliantly twisted story telling! I was totally sucked into this, thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for an ARC.
“Nina can never forgive Maggie for what she did. And she can never let her leave.
They say every house has its secrets, and the house that Maggie and Nina have shared for so long is no different. Except that these secrets are not buried in the past.
Every other night, Maggie and Nina have dinner together. When they are finished, Nina helps Maggie back to her room in the attic, and into the heavy chain that keeps her there. Because Maggie has done things to Nina that can't ever be forgiven, and now she is paying the price.
But there are many things about the past that Nina doesn't know, and Maggie is going to keep it that way--even if it kills her.
Because in this house, the truth is more dangerous than lies.”
That is the lead in for this book, and I don’t want to give anything away so I won’t expand too much more on the story line. I will, however, rave that this book grabbed me from the first page, until the last! There were numerous twists that I didn’t see coming and didn’t even think about! I was rooting for Maggie and still felt sympathetic towards Nina at the same time! I love a book that can make me have that love/hate relationship with a character!! If thriller /suspense is your genre, I highly recommend giving this one a go!

I'm a big John Marrs fan and this book did not disappoint! We meet Nina and Maggie and immediately wonder why Nina is keeping Maggie imprisoned and what could possible have happened in this house. Full of clever twists and turns, well developed and interesting characters, and an exciting and thrilling story, I couldn't put 'What Lies Between Us' down. I loved how it moved between the present and the past and it all came together really well. It shows how secrets can have such a big impact, but that things aren't always what they seem! While the book is a little different from John Marrs' other books, it is an original and gripping story and I wholeheartedly recommend it!

Nina is Maggie’s only child and she will do anything to keep her safe no matter what the cost to herself. Nina, on the other hand, will never forgive Maggie for what she’s done. Nina is going to make Maggie pay back every year of Nina’s life, that she feels has been robbed from her and Nina will never let Maggie go. As Nina punishes Maggie, keeping her captive in their home, Maggie keeps the secrets of the past deep inside her, protecting them both from the truth.
This dark, depraved and deeply intense novel gives a whole new meaning to the relationship between mothers and daughters. The writer has taken the raw visceral need that mothers have to protect their children and intensified it to the point of obsession and madness. This book scared me, enthralled me, overwhelmed me and by the end I was still questioning whether mother or daughter was right or wrong.I could not put this book down, the pace and writing had me captured from the first pages.
John Marrs you have created yet another incredible novel to join all of your others.

I really enjoy John Marrs books and this is a good one. It tells the story of a mother and daughter and why one of them is locked up in the attic. It's goes back and forth and tells over years through both of there eyes. Twists and turns along the way. Would recommend anyone to read.

Wow, what a fantastic book! It’s fantastically dark with so many twists and turns that you won’t see coming.
I’ve loved all of John Marrs books so far and his writing seems to get better with each book he releases.
It’s a true page turner and will definitely be one of my favourite reads of the year.

All i can say is wow! Im a massive fan of John Marrs and have loved everything he has written. He tells amazing stories, filled with twists that actually take your breath away. I keep thinking the next book i read will be the one i do not like but its yet to happen and they actually keep getting better. I was super happy to be accepted to review this and ive sat up to 1am unable to put it down. The plot is so unique. The characters are developed so well and you literally can not put it down until you know whats going to happen. Id give this book and the author a million stars if i could.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, John Marrs and the publishers for letting me read this early.

Wow! This is a series of twists and turns that just won’t let the reader go. This is my first novel by Marr, but it certainly won’t be my last. Nina imprisons her mother Maggie because of all the things Maggie has taken from her, including Nina’s father. Nina wants justice and revenge, and will stop at nothing to get it. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read the eARC in exchange for my fair and honest review.

I am absolutely shocked by this book. I devoured it over the course of a few hours and was on the edge of my seat feeling slightly ill the whole time. It's my first John Marrs book, but I'll definitely check out some of his other work after reading this. Wow.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing for an ARC!

John Marrs has done it again - a five star read all the way! This is the story of Maggie and Nina, mother and daughter, a terrifying and intriguing tale of the totally unexpected. This story yanks you in immediately and fills you with so many questions, the answers to which gradually emerge through the storytelling. Maggie is watching and waiting - but for what opportunity? Why is Nina hurting Maggie? The twisty, dark black story is told in alternating storylines by Maggie and Nina in the present day and backtracks to 25 years ago. This is where the origins are of the trauma that lies between them that evolves into the most dysfunctional relationship, if indeed you can call it that, as it’s more like the worst definition of the film Wars of the Roses.

The storytelling is fantastic. It’s like a game of malevolent tennis as each retaliates to the actions of the other. The tension between the main characters is palpable and you feel like you are treading on the most delicate of eggshells. The secrets that Maggie and Nina are hiding are jaw dropping, eye popping, brain numbing, mind blowing and breath taking in their magnitude. You are not sure whose perspective is the truth and who is the deluded liar but that become clearer towards the end where we see just how huge a maternal sacrifice Maggie has made. It is terrifying in its power and we learn that one character has anger that is so intense it goes beyond blind rage. There is mystery and intrigue throughout and we gradually learn the horrors of what has been covered up and the lengths that some people will go to to exact mistaken revenge. The story unfolds really well and is full of twists and as revelation piles on top of mountainous revelation you find yourself utterly incapable of putting the book down. The conclusion is excellent and you feel like you’ve been through the wringer with these characters but at least you can breathe again!!

Overall, brilliant, brilliant, brilliant and I think this will be in my top ten reads of 2020. John Marrs is incredibly talented and he is one of my favourite authors as I know he always delivers a terrific read. Highly recommended especially to fans of a twisty thriller.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the ARC.

I think this is a difficult book to review because I don't want to give much away, but I've got to say something.No spoilers though.First of all I wasn't sure how this was going to work out, then I thought just read the book and stop trying to second guess it, there is no second guessing with this book, its far too twisty and unpredictable and I loved that about it.I was also impressed that although both lead characters were very unlikable I wanted to keep reading to find out what would happen to them.This is truly a unique book, not like anything I've ever read.I think John Marrs has the most deliciously twisted mind and it certainly shows in this book.I could see the book as a film I think it would be perfect.I found this book to be dark and twisty and I thought it was really great.,I enjoyed reading it.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of What Lies Between Them!

Uhhhhh WTF did I just read???? I devoured this book and finished after three long reading sessions. I don’t even know where to begin... Nina and Maggie are mother and daughter, one of which is chained to her bedroom not permitted to leave, talk to other people, or have any type of freedom. Why??? That is the best part and I won’t spoil it! Everything you think you know will be wrong! There were so many times when I was like “oh I know exactly what’s going on here...” Nope, wrong! This book reveals what happens in a relationship when most of it is built on lies. Whether you are trying to protect someone else or yourself, all lies have consequences!

Thanks Netgalley for an ARC of this. After reading Passengers last year I devoured every book by John Marrs that I could. I was anxiously awaiting this one to appear for request. Because I am the type of person who cannot draw out things I am excited about and make them last longer, I settled in and read this straight thru. I literally could not put it down. My wife wasn't so happy since it was Valentine's Day when I decided to do this.

When I say holy woah will this book rock you, I mean it. This book is told between the two main characters POV Nina and Maggie, in the past and the present. It opens with figuring out that Maggie is being held hostage in her home, by Nina. We delve deeper into the reasons why she is, but the thing is, not everything is what it seems. There are secrets that Nina doesn't know....very dark secrets. Maggie isn't willing to give these secrets up, even with her being imprisoned. What could be so bad that she is willing to keep that up? Just keep reading and find out because the answers will shock you.

A dark and twisted ride through the lives of these two women and the shocking conclusion will have you shook.

Before I start this review, I would like to say I am a big fan of all of John Marrs' work, so to be given the chance to review his latest book 'What Lies Between Us' before it's release date is a huge honour - and boy, it did not disappoint!

Maggie and Nina are mother and grown-up daughter living together in a house full to the brim with secrets, and I mean full to the BRIM! Wow, I thought my relationship with my mother was complicated!

With practically each page, we are introduced to more depths of the secrets and lies that have surrounded Maggie and Nina over the course of the past 25 years. The story flits between Maggie and Nina, and present day and past, but that is not to say its confusing, (as sometimes stories that are written like that may be).

The book is so well and cleverly written with many twists and turns. Some I did see coming, and some I didn't. It is a real page turner and I read it in two days.

If you haven't read any John Marrs books before, and enjoy psychological thrillers, read them all! His books all have completely different subject matters. I would say 'What Lies Between Us' is definitely one of my favourites. I give it a full five stars because of the many twists I didn't see coming and how well the story flows from one part to another.

Wow what a dark twisty book! This was the first John Marrs book I’ve read but I want to read more!
Written from mother and daughter perspective we learn why daughter is keeping her mother locked away in her own home!!!
Each twist was more shocking than the one before and I couldn’t turn the page quick enough! I still am unsure how I feel about either character and who was really the victim.
Put this on your May 2020 tbr! Thanks to Netgalley for my advanced ebook copy!

I am the first one to recommend Marrs’ work. I think he is absolutely brilliant and has a gift when it comes to writing twisty stories. Unfortunately, my love for him got a big hit after reading this book. I found it extremely predictable and it dragged on for way too long. I really had to push myself to finish it, in the hopes that a juicy twist or good story line would present itself. But no, that didn’t happen.

WOW! This was my first time reading a book by this author and it definitely won't be my last! I really liked the alternating chapters between Maggie and Nina, the two main characters. If you' like twisted, dark, psychological thrillers, you're definitely going to want to get your hands on a copy of this book in May - it's a page turner for sure!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an advanced copy!

Wow! All I can say is wow!! This book is a mind bending 5 stars and then some!! I gobbled it up in a day once I had a chance to sit down with it. John Marrs has done it again. Brilliant backstory, strong characters and a satisfying ending. Will highly recommend it to others.

Thank you to NetGalley for an arc of What Lies Between Us.

This is my first book by this author so I was open minded when I began to read, and, for the most part, I was entertained.

It's a dark, sordid tale of two women, mother and daughter, with devastating secrets, lies and the dangerous paths we take when we protect those we love at the detriment of others.

What Lies Between Us is both a domestic drama based on your typical cliches and the fraught relationships we have with our parents; secrets a person or persons is unable to voice because he or she fears revealing them is worse than the current circumstances; an unreliable narrator, and deceit and betrayal.

There is plenty of tension and suspense filled moments, though some times I felt my ability to suspend disbelief begin to fray.

The most difficult part of the book was caring about the characters. Maggie and Nina are unlikable.

Now, I don't have to like a character to root for him or her, but Maggie and Nina possessed no redeeming qualities.

I couldn't even fathom some of the choices Maggie made; maybe its because I'm not a mother, but as I was reading, I couldn't help but think if she had manned up, exerted more discipline, things would have gone in a different direction.

But, then, there wouldn't be this book, right?

I felt some measure of sympathy for Nina in the beginning but as she unraveled, I could see no rhyme or reason to it.

Is she ill? Psychotic? Or is this just who she is?

What Lies Between Us captured my interest and kept me reading. The writing was decent, and the ending a satisfying conclusion to a premise that sometimes stretched the ability to suspend disbelief.

I’d like to say a huge thank you to Netgalley and Quercus for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Wholly hell...this was WAY darker than I expected it to be. I literally read this entire book on tenterhooks! I only wish I’d had more reading time the last few days! It’s a horrifically scary and sadistic story, unimaginable really, but it was unputdownable. A serious page turner. The main characters - of course - are not at all likeable, but as the story progresses you start to see each POV. I think you lean more towards the mother as things pan out, but she had so many choices....I felt like screaming at her! I think any parent wants to protect their child, but at what level does it end?! As always, John Marrs, has delivered another fantastic ‘out there’ read, short chapters between characters and times definitely make it easy to quickly read some more between life getting in the way of reading!!! Not for the light hearted...I think I’ll go watch Barney now!!!!

Before I start, I just want to say how much I love the title of this book. It has the perfect double meaning.

So, on to the book itself! This is a dark and twisted story told from two alternating points of view, Maggie and Nina. It's a fast, compelling read and the author handles the jumps back and forth in time very well. It's also quite horrible. Don't expect any glimmer of a happy ending here.

I'm knocking off a star because despite everyone else talking about the twists, I saw most of them coming. Points that were meant to be major revelations just confirmed what I'd already guessed. And without the twistiness, what's left was rather unpleasant to read as I watched these two people locked in their inevitable downward spiral.

I'd recommend this book to those who like darker psychological thrillers and don't mind being left without any hope at all. It wasn't quite my cup of tea but I can see that it was well done!

I have never read this author before and I must agree with the other reviewers this was an exceptionally, twisty book. I enjoyed it from the first page until the shocking ending, reading it in one sitting. I will be checking out John Marrs other books. I give it a 5 rating easily. Thank you Net Galley for allowing me to read this fascinating book.

I have read every other John Marrs book I could get my hands on. I LOVE his style, the way his mind works and consider him one of my favorites.

Basically I feel terrible for having any sort of negative view of his work. That being said, this book was not the most amazing, epic read ever for me. It was good, it kept me on my toes and I really wanted to finish it. That is where the 4 stars come from.

I couldn't give it 5 because I didn't like either of the main characters! I also think that I must have some mommy-daughter thing that made this book uncomfortable for me. Clearly not too uncomfortable to read the entire thing, but it was just dark in an unwelcomed way to me.

I still love John Marrs, will still read his work and fully support his twisted writing!

Fast-paced and keeps you guessing. I really enjoyed this one. It was disturbing and seemed predictable in spots, only to surprise me again. I will be reading more by this author.

A big thank you to John, @netgalley & the publishers for this ARC! It's one of the most anticipated books to come out and I have also heard that it has been bought to become a film! 😲

WOW. This book had me!! What a roller-coaster. This is my first novel by John, but I am overjoyed to realise I have two others by him which I'm bumping up my TBR thanks to this! This book had me speechless, it is DARK, that is the best possible way to describe it.
Nina and her mother Maggie, in one house, hiding many secrets. Why is there relationship in the state it's in?
I feel like no matter what I write about this book, it won't do it justice. From the first chapter, I wanted to carry on reading it, I was hooked! I literally felt soooo many emotions, the twists kept on coming and my jaw absolutely DROPPED! The book goes from past to present.. Going back to 25 years but I found it super easy to follow, especially as everything just flows as you go along, everything connects and I literally had to take a few seconds to breathe after some chapters.

There is a lot of tough topics in here, beautifully written, it was dark, moving and at times, terrifying! I didn't expect how this book was going to go. I'm still in a book hangover recovering from it! Absolutely incredible! I cannot wait to get my paperback version and relive the roller-coaster again, and I CANNOT wait for the film!!

I always look forward to a John Marrs novel as you know that you are going to get a completely unique plot, some intense characters and a compelling narrative that you will completely lose yourself in. This book delivers all of that once again. It oozes love and hate in equal measure and feels almost claustrophobic in its sheer intensity. Love it!
Maggie and Nina live together, survive together and are chained together by events spanning over twenty years. The tension between them leaves you holding your breath. We hear their story in alternate sections where they reflect on the life they lead and all that went before it. We begin to understand what hides behind closed doors and the two characters' stories are revealed one excruciating step at a time! You won't relax until you have read every page...

Another masterpiece from the King of Sick – John Marrs! John Marrs writes two types of books, in my opinion. The clever jigsaw ones, where there are many characters living many different lives which somehow all intertwine by the end of the book, and what I call his sicklogical thrillers. This book is in the second category. It delves into the very depths of psychologically sick individuals. I was shocked at how my sympathies changed, changed and changed again as the book went on and didn’t know what to think by the end, other than he’s done it again! A fantastic read and I can’t wait for his next book.

Who really knows what goes on behind closed doors? What Lies Between Us is the story of Mother and Daughter, Maggie and Nina, and their story really took me on a roller coaster ride; just as I thought that I knew what was happening , a new piece of information was shared and the ride started all over again. What Lies Between Us is another five-star psychological thriller from John Marrs and I dare anyone to read it. I now have book hangover and can’t stop thinking about Maggie and Nina!

Thanks to Net Galley for the chance to read this for an honest review. #WhatLiesBetweenUs #NetGalley

Man. I always seem to forget what a CRAZY ride John Marrs' books are until I get in and press start on the roller coaster. His books are so outlandish but in the best way possible. You find yourself saying "wtf" and "no way" and "omg, no!" most of the time you're spending with his characters. What Lies Between Us is no exception.

I don't want to say much more than what the description gives you - this is a book that's best gone into blind. There are so many twists and turns and - pretty shocking - surprises that you need to see and experience all for yourself. Nina and Maggie are living in a house together but Maggie is chained to the floor and Nina walks free. Why, you ask? Well, it's a long story.

One of the things I love about Marrs is that he makes you question all of your assumptions. You think you know who you're going to like and ally yourself with and quickly, you find out that was the wrong decision. You think you know who the monsters are when quickly, you find out that's everyone. I love authors that make you questions conventional wisdom and I love authors that make you question whether right is really right and whether wrong is really wrong. This was a really fun read that had me entertained from page one.

One thing that I need to start getting used to with Marrs is that his books don't have happy endings and usually, the bad guy either gets away, doesn't get their due punishment or ends without you knowing what happens to them. For someone who loves endings tied into bows, this can be hard to come to terms with. But Marrs does such a great job of storytelling that I am able to get past not having all of the books' problems solved.

Another great read from a really stellar author.

They say a mother daughter relationship can be one of the strongest bonds between two people. These relationships are complex and can go from each being each other's best friend to one of animosity and hate. So, when John Marrs decided to take on this time honored relationship, his view turned a bit to the dark side.

Having read, loved, and been majorly spooked by John Marrs's The Passengers, I was quite anxious to experience those very same feelings once again, and once again I can gladly say I was not disappointed. His books encompass that feeling of well this would probably never happen, but what if it did question that rolls around in your head and takes hold.

Maggie and Nina are a mother daughter duo living in the same house, eating the same food, passing each and every day together, and best of all seeming to exist in a world of hate and animosity. One lives in an attic plotting her escape while the other lives in a world of hate, vitriol, and somewhat cloudy remembrances of the past.

So much has gone on between these two ladies that as the story is masterfully developed, we learn the many facets of each of these women's personalities and behaviors. Maggie, the mother, expresses her overwhelming, undying love for her daughter, Nina. She has in the past and continues to be a protector, carrying this protectiveness into zones that are both bizarre and dangerous. Maggie is the consummate mother, a manipulator, and will never let anyone or anything come in the way of her daughter's life. However, where Nina is concerned, Maggie has stars in her eyes and becomes a captive of everything that Nina is and has been

Nina hates her mother. She blames her for all the ills of her life of thirty-seven years. Forgive and forget are not on her play list and yet Nina does seem to have times where her forgetfulness has played out with devastating results. She is a sad adult, a troubled adult, an adult keeping secrets that are destroying her. She will seek revenge to her dying days and her focus of that revenge is a mother who seemed to have only her daughter's best interest at heart...or did she?

This was an exciting heart pounding thriller that kept the focus squarely on the relationships that can develop when one is in a constant state of denial, of over protectiveness, and fear. Mr Marrs is a superstar in fessing out the story in slowly dripping details and makes each revelation one that is shocking and ghastly. This is one not to miss if you so enjoy a tale of horrifying, dreadful, and distressing proportions.

Thank you to John Marrs, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for a copy of this chilling tale due out on May 15, 2020.

Oh Mr Marrs, what are you doing to us?
This is his 7th novel and I've loved every one. I honestly can't single any of them out as a favourite. (Despite the subject matter being so diverse)
An absolute BELTER of a book once again.
Nailed it, delivered it and dropped the mike with all the aplomb we have come to expect from this author.
I read this in two days and just when I thought I'd sussed the twist, another one came to light, followed by another and so on.
Until the final chapter which is a curve ball shocker.
Not much more to add really except to say Thank You.

If you're a fan of psychological/domestic thrillers, STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING RIGHT NOW AND GO AND ORDER THIS BOOK. You can thank me later.

"What Lies Between Us" is a story told through the dual narratives of Maggie and her daughter Nina. Nina has kept Maggie chained in her bedroom for the last two years, but we don't know why - the story unravels gradually, switching between past and present, so that the actions leading to Maggie's present-day circumstances are revealed incrementally. Both narrators are somewhat unreliable as they're each keeping secrets, and the author manipulates the release of information so cleverly - I found myself switching sympathies between Nina and Maggie throughout, as each plays the role of both villain and victim at different times.

I'm always a fan of a good twist, and this novel is jam-packed with them - just when you think you've figured things out, the story veers sharply off somewhere else. I was reeling by the end - and those last chapters in particular were so tense and brilliantly written.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I read a lot of thrillers (and I mean a LOT of thrillers) so it takes something really special to stand out for me. "What Lies Between Us" was an absolute treat, and I'll be thinking about this book for a long time. The writing is wonderful, the story is masterfully told, and the characters are so well-developed I felt like they were people I knew. Twist after clever twist, and some genuine gasp-out-loud moments - I'll be recommending this to anyone who'll listen.

Easiest five stars I've ever given. Read it, read it, read it. Just brilliant.

Thank you to NetGalley, who provided me with a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Generally whenever I read a thriller or a classic “whodunnit” book I pretend to be smarter than the writer and think of the most absurd and impossible character in the plot who can and ultimately turns out to be the culprit (and many times more so than not this theory works).

So anyhow, that’s how I went about reading this book and midway I felt like the genius me had the plot all figured out but oh, boy! Was I ever so wrong!

John Mars has thrown so many curveballs I lost count of it and every time I thought I understood what was happening there was an unexpected turn of events that left me gobsmacked.

This book is absolutely crazy and definitely among the best thrillers ever!

In comparison to this book The Silent Patient is a mild mystery.
Highly recommend this book!

Mr. Mars take a bow!

I devoured this book. In the last three months I have read my fill of mysteries and thrillers and none of them seemed to satisfy me until I read What Lies Between Us. The premise was so unique and original, every time I thought I had the plot figured out another twist would appear up ahead. On the surface this story follows a mother and daughter from through 25 years of their life together, but a darker, seedier history lies just below.

Well, that was dark. And, to be clear, when I say dark I mean implacable, impenetrable, black-hole of humanity dark. So, that was fun.

And the award for the craziest book I’ve ever read goes to……What Lies Between Us by John Marrs!!!!!!!

Y’all!!!

So, I’m reading the prologue, which is basically one unnamed person telling another unnamed person how much she/he hates her/him. It’s downright dirty. I’m thinking to myself, “Uhm, should I be here for this? This sounds really personal. Maybe I should show myself the door and let you two work this out.” But my voyeuristic tendencies and I decided to stick around. Let’s just say that things got real!!

The Basics:
Nina keeps Maggie, her MOTHER, captive in her bedroom. We’re talking actual chains and actual pee buckets, for cryin’ out loud!! Out of the kindness of her heart, she does let Maggie eat a meal at a table and have a visit to the bathroom a couple of times a week before she locks her back in the room. That Nina is a real peach!! But here’s the thing: Does Maggie deserve her punishment? I know! I know the answer! Now, it’s your turn to find out. All this animosity came from somewhere. These two definitely have a few things lying between them.

The story is told mainly in the present with sprinkles of flashbacks that offer insight into the disturbing status quo of this mother/daughter relationship. As bizarre as all this sounds, it all feels very real. I imagine that this is what it would feel like if you tiptoed over to your neighbors and peeked into their living room windows. You know, if your neighbors were complete and total wackadoodles.

Beware: This is a black hole of a book. I had plans today, dang it. Oh well, book finished in one sitting, and plans have been forgotten.

I have finally read a thriller!🤣🤣
After a while I have finally read a thriller in a day! And I have been an awful mother today because my child had a lot of screen time in order for me to finish this. :D Even she was confused as to why she is allowed to watch so many cartoons today - haha!

Such a compelling story, fascinating and at times awful characters, story lines that just get better at every following chapter are just some of the many reasons I recommend you pre-order this book.
I especially like John's simple, yet provocative writing. His way with words steer you throughout the narrative and it's simply impossible to put down the book.

Quick chapters, jumps from present to past and vice-versa are excellently composed, you can follow the story and you don't get confused even for one second.

As the secrets are revealed you start to loathe the characters, then you try to understand them, then you want to kill them, then you want to try and get some help for them.
This story is entirely unique and distinctly well executed. Suspense is flecked in all the right places, and all of the breadcrumb trail left throughout the story comes back in fiercly imaginative ways.

There are very few authors who can keep up with different storylines, suspense, unique characters and keep the reader hooked throughout the book. John Marrs is definitely one of them! I have read all his books and just like the previous ones, this one does not disappoint at all. Highly recommended!

This book was fantastic and completely terrified me. I couldn't tell who was crazier, Maggie or Nina and I was biting my nails all the way through. The story pulls you in straight away. You better make sure that you have your dinners set up before you start this book. You're going not going to do anything else until you're done. Say goodbye to your family and read this thing! I'm starting over again because I loved it so much

Wow, what a dark domestic thriller. I loved that the main characters in this book were not a husband and wife, but a mother and daughter. Told from both Maggie and Nina’s points of view and over the course of 30 or so years in resent day and flashbacks, this book really keeps you reading. I love John Marrs’ dark imagination and will read anything he writes. Honestly I prefer his more science fiction type books as the reality of this one almost makes it a bit depressing, as there is little to root for in the book. The characters are complex and dislikable and the plot is filled with twists and gut punches throughout.

I can't emphasize how much I LOVE John Marrs! He knows how to get you on the edge of your seat and keep you there. I couldn't put this one down, a little slow at first but I stayed up to finish reading it! The plot is a bit far-fetched but it flows amazingly and keeps you needed to know how it ends!
Thank you NetGalley and John Marrs for allowing me to read your fantastic work!

Boy oh boy was I looking forward to this one. I mean first – HOUSE COVER = auto request.

Second – SOMEONE CHAINED UP IN THE MUTHAFUCKING ATTIC! Um yes and you might receive automatic 5 Stars.

Third, I read The Passengers not that long ago and that dang thing was about autonomous cars murdering people so at this point all I can say is John Marrs – you are a freaking T.R.E.A.S.U.R.E.

I will say due to the fact that I watch only reality housewives and things on the Lifetime Stabby Stabs for Women I was a bit scared I was going to find this a bit boring. I mean my level of crazy isn’t exactly the same as most people’s level of crazy (except for my Goodreads friends – they all batshit too). But great news! I haven’t had this much fun with someone locked up in a house since I had dinner with Norman Bates.

That being said, I could absolutely see every single one of the big reveals coming well beforehand. Luckily it didn’t diminish my enjoyment at all. Read this when you are looking for an escape. I picked it up after having a couple of real butthole days at work and it totally turned my frown upside down. Yes, it’s 100% farfetched and ridiculous and whatever else Ron 2.0 might say about it, but hey . . . . just like Oscar the Grouch I LOVE IT BECAUSE IT'S TRASH!!!!

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my review. This was a fun time.

Netgalley accidently sent me 'When you disappeared' also by John Marrs instead. However, this was an excellent mistake as I really enjoyed the book and was gripped throughout. When I tried again to download, I then got 'What lies between us' and was also gripped. So, thanks NetGalley for the mistake - I have now read two excellent books via one request!

John Marrs does it again! I jumped at the chance to review What Lies Between Us, because I’ve enjoyed every novel I’ve read by John Marrs and this was no exception.
As the chapters jumped between Maggie and Nina, both past and current, so did my ideas on who the true villain of the story was.
I stayed intrigued though the entire book and devoured it in one sitting. I’d definitely recommend this book.

Wow! What a book! I’m speechless...now to read all of the books by this author.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC

4.5 twist and turn stars

This is a tale of a tortured family – mother Maggie and daughter Nina live together, but neither is honest with the other about a whole host of life secrets. Nina has taken the extreme step of imprisoning her mother in the house to punish her and we slowly learn about the events that led to this state.

Author John Marrs is a master of creating a tense and disturbing tale that kept me turning the pages and scratching my head. Will Maggie find a way to escape or will Nina decide she’s “served her time” and release her?

My sympathies toggled back and forth between the women as we hear from each of them in alternating chapters and just when I thought I had a few things figured out, there was a new twist to ponder. I do give it one half star deduction for plausibility about some of the events, but I’ll let you decide when you read this one for yourself!

Thank you to NetGalley, John Marrs, and Amazon Publishing UK for an early copy of this one to read in return for an honest review. This one is out 5.15.2020 and I predict it will make many top thrillers of 2020 lists.

Not sure what I was expecting from this book but what an incredible rollercoaster ride of a story.
Told by 2 narrators who live together in a house, the story is told over a number of years and happenings from both viewpoints. There are only a handful of other characters mentioned but the story is so centred on Nina and Maggie that it doesn’t matter.
I changed my mind as to who my sympathies were for numerous times in the book and even at the end I still wasn’t sure what I wanted to happen.
Would recommend.

This was a dark and at times disturbing read, though I will add it was also a good one. Maggie and Nina are mother and daughter that live in the same house. Nina, the daughter, keeps Maggie on a short chain fastened to her ankle and at times switches to a longer chain that enables her to access the dining room where they usually have dinners. Maggie has not left the house in two years, though she has made several attempts to escape. The story is told from both of their perspectives, in the present day and varying times in the past. The past portion reveals why Nina has Maggie confined and the author skillfully reveals little nuggets of information, some of those nuggets added quite the twist to the story. Overall, I enjoyed the story though it was dark at times. I have read a couple of other books by this author and enjoyed them, I look forward to reading another. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This book is absolutely brilliant! I couldn’t stop reading, I just wanted to find out what happened to Maggie and Nina. Best book I’ve read this year!

Another truly captivating book from John Marrs. Probably the best one yet. A gripping, disturbing story with many twists and turns. Exceptional writing, looking in to the alternate minds and thoughts of mother & daughter. Highly recommend.

Thanks for NetGalley and Amazon publishing UK for providing me with ARC.
OMG OMG my head is spinning so hard, I don't know how can I describe this novel.
The story is so good and well written.
This is the first novel to me by John Marts, I heard a lot about his novel * The One* but don't have the chance to read it.
The characters are amazing specially Maggie ,I felt sorry for her, she have a lot to deal with. I loved how she tried so hard to protect her daughter, if I was in her shoes I will do anything to protect my baby like she said * our children comes first*
Nina oooh poor Nina, I don't know what should I say about you, you broken my heart in million pieces girl.
Dylan character is so provocative , I don't love him and I don't know why he come back, why he mixed his biological mother and his other mother life if he not be a man, why he want to leave Nina and won't stay with her or call her mum, so selfish person.
I really enjoyed this novel and as I always said Good childhood is a basic for strong personality.

Rating: 9.5/10

Thanks to the publisher and author for an eARC of What Lies Between Us for review consideration. Receiving a copy of the novel did not influence my thoughts or opinions.

What Lies Between Us is a no holds barred, emotionally jarring, and addictive thrill ride that will have you never looking at your relatives the same way again. Marrs produces an engrossing read that is sure to make tons of ‘Best of’ lists this year.

On a side note: this is actually my first time reading a novel by the author. I didn’t have the opportunity to read The Passengers when it came out last year but had heard nothing but glowing reviews about it. Turns out that John and I were both blurbed for C.J. Tudor’s The Other People and had a chance to chat on Twitter, leading me to pick up WLBU as quickly as possible.

With this being my first stab at the author’s works, I truly had no idea what to expect going in. You can only glean so much from reviews and others’ opinions, but seeing a few in my circle give him such high praise, I knew that I had to give his newest a shot.

Suffice to say, I now want ALL of John Marrs’ books, I want them now, and I want to go read in my cave until the last page is turned.

If the synopsis alone doesn’t entice, you will become enamored within the first few pages. The relationship between Maggie and her daughter, Nina, is one of the most toxic I have ever seen. No matter what my mother has done, I’m pretty sure I’d never lock her in the attic, shackled and alone. Pretty sure I’d just ignore all of her calls and phone the police. Unfortunately for Nina, she takes her grudges to the extreme and her mother pays dearly. But at least she leaves her some food, a waste bucket, and some baby wipes to get her through the week, right?

This read threw me against the wall, onto the floor, and beat me senseless only to pick me up and embrace me like nothing had ever happened. It is the definition of an intense, adrenaline-fueled thriller that takes crazy to another level. The twists alone throughout the story aren’t exactly “mind-blowing” even though you can never say for sure where they are going to hit, but I can, in the affirmative, state that I did NOT see the ending coming from a mile away.

All in all, if you are looking for another Top Notch thriller to read in 2020, look no further. Marrs has you covered.

This is sooo twisted! It's been a really long time since I read something that twisted!
John Marrs you really out did yourself this time!
The twist and the turns are crazy!
Nina was a librarian by day and at night and she was like a jail warden to her mother. Keeping her chained to a room. The whole thing the secrets and lies between them are sooo crazy and the twist I never say coming! This is definitely a must read!

I really enjoyed this dark and twisted story.

Nina lives with her mother, Maggie. More accurately, Nina keeps her mother captive in their family home.

It’s difficult to describe this story without giving away spoilers so I won’t try! I’ll just say that the twists and turns are plentiful and you don’t see what’s right in front of you until the author chooses to reveal it. It’s skilfully written and very well paced- I devoured it in a single sitting.

I haven’t read any of this authors previous works and I intend to rectify this quickly! Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy of this book.

John has delivered yet again another brilliant and clever read. He is fast becoming the king of psychological thrillers with twists you rarely see coming.
This book kept me hooked from start to finish with me finishing it within a couple of day. This is probably one of my favourites of Marr's books. This is dark, clever and full of surprises.

Wow this book was very dark, but had a ton of great twists and turns. I thought the plot was very creative and it held my interest throughout. All in all a very satisfying and entertaining read. Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for granting me access to this advance reader copy. I will be publishing this review today to my Bookstagram and companion Facebook page, @thatrradingrealtor.

An engrossing book on what happens behind closed doors. Though the story is told by two POV and revolves around a house, the author skilfully weaves the narrative, maintaining the suspense without any slack in pace. A must read for fans of psychological thrillers.

So, its official. I LOVE John Marrs.

I recently came across The One. I read it, loved it so much...read parts of it again...gave it to my brother...he read it ..enjoyed it. Brought it for a friend. That book brought so many questions and discussions of ethics and emotional situations which increased the enjoyment of the book.

I was worried about reading a 2nd John Marrs book...they were on my reading list but you know there is always that danger of the tricky 2nd album...although I know John Marrs has wrote numerous book, I was apprehensive about reading the next one as I really wanted to love it.

The good news is
..I really did.

John Marrs has a wonderful tone to his writing. He has an emotional depth that really comes across and something about the way he writes really touched and resonated with me. This is also a book I couldn't put down. I literally devoured it.

This book has numerous triggers...something when I started reading and realised the direction the narrative was going in, made me nervous. It deals with loss, grief, addiction, infertility, difficult family relationships and illness both mental & physical. I cannot say more than that as I do not want to give any spoilers but usually these topics are ones I try to avoid let alone read all at once.


However, although the book was very dark and disturbing it isn't unmanageable due to the way the story unfolds. You are constantly thinking about what caused this reaction & what would be the reason for doing that...that the themes behind the narrative do not become overwhelming. This is again, a credit to John Marrs who has presented us with the worst of human nature but in such a way that although it's disturbing & may play on your mind, it doesn't overwhelm the story.

This is a very dark story & it is fairly relentless in its darkness, with little to alleviate that darkness. However, it is also an exceptional read and again one which the morality of within is questioned & examined, which can only be a positive thing.

Thanks to the publisher & Net Galley for the advance reader copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

This is my third book by this author and it did not disappoint. My favorite thing about John Marrs is his dark and twisty themes and crazy characters. That being said nothing about the twists or story surprised me. Those parts were very predictable but I still couldn’t stop reading!
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of What Lies Between Us by John Marrs.

"It's like room service at a hotel I can't check out of." Welcome to the "Hotel California" of books.

"What Lies Between Us" was the first John Marrs book I have read, but it won't be the last. It was a dark rollercoaster of a ride and I read it in two readings. If you are looking for a thriller that will leave you guessing until the end, look no further.

The story is told through alternating narrators (Maggie and Nina) and alternating story lines, over the course of 25 years. It is a complex story of mother/daughter co-dependency and co-habitation. As their twisted history unfolds, you don't know who you should be rooting for. Which one is good? Which one is evil? Which one has lost their mind? One does not know from page to page. Just when you think you have it all figured out, Marrs throws a new twist in and leaves you guessing right up to the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for my arc in exchange for an honest review.

Holy shit! Was this book f***ed up!! This book will keep you reading till late into the night. I really don't want to give anything away because this is a book you should go into knowing nothing. It will make the experience so much more thrilling. It was amazing....that's all that needs to be said.

*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a big fan of books by John Marrs however this wasn’t my favourite one. I still enjoyed the book and it was very well written however at times I struggled to get my head around the main concept of the story of the main character holding her mum prisoner in her own home. I loathed the main character and found it very difficult to feel anything other than dislike towards her. I didn’t predict the twists and turns in relation to her mum and the truth behind the story so my dislike to the mother changed towards the end of the book. A good story , quick paced and gripping but I think that the concept of the story didn’t draw me in fully.

John Marrs latest “ What Lies Between Us” is a must read for anyone who loves the classic “ Whatever Happened to Baby Jane”.
Nina lives with her mother Maggie in the house where her father walked out on them years prior. Something has happened to their relationship however, Maggie is imprisoned in the attic and chained so she cannot escape. Nina put a longer chain on her a few days a week so they can dine together but this is more so that Nina can inflict further small cruelties in her mother than a desire to spend tine with her. At the same tine Nina can’t beat the thought of her mother not being there as she is the only person in her life that has always stayed. This truly is a book that you should go into blindly because each new revelation is either shocking or heartbreaking.
This author never disappoints and I highly recommend this deliciously twisted tale. I am stingy with 5⭐️ reviews but this truly deserves it. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. This is due for release in May, add it to your must read list now, it’s that good,

John Marrs is a master storyteller. Every book of his that I have read has had me gripped and What Lies Between Us is no exception.

Well developed, nuanced characters, a gripping plot, many twists and turns and a satisfying conclusion. What's not to love?

Highly recommended.

Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the ARC.

Now THIS is how you write a psychological thriller!!

This mind blowing psychological trip is written by John Marrs an author who is quickly becoming one of my favorites.

As this nightmare materializes you are introduced to a mother who wants to protect her child using secrets but ends up enabling her instead. And a daughter who is essentially a human wrecking ball making decision after decision based on a faulty memory and blind rage. These two kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire story.

The two "live" together and as the story unfolds you realize they are trying to coexist under the weight of their lies and deception.

This review is purposefully vague because you need to experience this book as I did, unspoiled.

Thank you so much to Netgalley UK and Amazon Publishing UK for sending my very first digital ARC. I thoroughly this book.

Wow just wow. A fantastic and gripping read which leaves you guessing at many points throughout the book. Cleverly written to lead you to believe one thing only to discover another.

The story centres around a Mum and a daughter which is told from both their perspectives throughout the book. What seemingly appears to be a complicated mother daughter relationship the author slowly introduces memories from both to indicate why they have ended up the way they have. Without any spoilers the story includes murder, psychosis, grief, loss, unconditional love and mystery. A fantastic read 5 stars!! I was excited to read another book from John Mars and was not disappointed!

Wow! This book is definitely in my top two that I have read this year. It had me hooked right from page one and I had no idea where it was going. The relationship between a mother and daughter can sometimes be a tricky one. And this was especially true for Nina and Maggie. This is the first book I have read by this author and I will definitely be reading more in the future.

4.5 🌟 Ooh the secrets upon secrets these two women kept. I was completely addicted by chapter one and tried to figure out which character my loyalties would lie with, the captor or the captive. This was a sinister, wild, captivating ride learning from both Nina and Maggie the events that unfolded over the last 25 years. Plenty of shocking betrayals and vile actions that paved the way.
The ending and epilogue were perfectly nightmarish and yet I wanted more. It was a great book with an equally cryptic finale but personally I felt a bit hanging and wanted a little bit more. I highly recommend!!

Thanks to NetGalley & Amazon Publishing UK for the opportunity to read this and offer my honest opinion.

A terrifying tale of two women with dark secrets as they descend in to madness.

Why does Nina keep Maggie chained at the ankle up in the attic?
This is told in alternating storylines by Maggie and Nina from 25 years ago to present day -- back and forth. You are not sure who is telling the truth and who is the liar as it unfolds. Even though they are family, the anger and hate that they feel goes beyond what would be called blind rage. Could this all be a case of mistaken revenge? Are they both co-dependent on each other so much that they will do anything to stay together ... at any cost?

A beautiful cover, tight layout and brilliant read woven with high octane tension. John Marrs is, and always will be, on top of the bestseller suspense list for very good reason! Intense, scary real and extremely addictive from start to blazing finish! Bravo!

Thank you to John Marrs, and NetGalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As a massive fan of John Marrs I was delighted to be able to read this courtesy of the author and Netgalley.
As with all this author’s books the storyline is shocking and controversial, making for an exceptional book to discuss as part of a book group.
Nina lives with her mum Maggie in a house which hides years of family secrets. We are introduced to both of these main characters who tell their own stories in different timelines. We discover that Nina was a daddy’s girl whose life changed when he unexpectedly left home and whose life spiralled into teenage rebellion and a relationship with a local would be pop star.
Maggie, in present day, lives chained upstairs, and during the course of the book we guess why and discover the many dark secrets and deeds done in the name of love and revenge.
The story was appalling dark and thought provoking, with the thought, as with John’s other novels, could this be happening next door to me?
Thanks again Netgalley for the chance to read and review this fabulous novel.

Having enjoyed all of John Marts’ previous books, I was very excited to read this. It really didn’t disappoint. A very clever story line, with lots of twists and turns and I couldn’t put it down. Definitely his best book to date!

Another 5star book by John Marrs. I was so happy to receive this on Netgalley and opened it up straight away. The book jumps over different time frames but never do you feel confused as to who you are reading about and what time frame you are in. The book flows along with so many twists and turns along the way, you hate the characters then feel sorry for them the next.

Now what to read next always end up with a book hangover after reading John's books 😁 not that I'm complaining

Thanks again John

Oh my god what a book loved every minute from the frist page i was hooked.
Very well writen i could not put it down.
So many twists it gave me book whip lash. I didnt want it to end but at the same time i wantted to read on and on to see how it will turn out.
5 star read
100% must read

"We Have Always Lived in the Castle" but ten times more disturbing. Domestic thriller on crack!

This is such a deep dive into the darkest corners of human mind and at the same time a very chilling and fast paced story. John Marrs's writing is getting more and more compelling with each book, it seems. Beware, reading from the points of view of the both protagonists, you'll be switching sides back and forth with all the details getting revealed bit by bit.

Jeezo John Marrs you have some twisted mind In that fantastic brain of yours !! Wow I really don’t know what to say ... super dark , super twisted , super great !!

Oh my! I have just finished this delectably evil take on co-habitation taken to the extreme.

I won't give anything away about the plot but John Marrs has such a brilliant gift for characterisation and building suspense. Every time you think you have the plot figured, he adds layer upon layer to it which results in genuinely shocking moments.

A key indicator of reading about fantastic characters is that even when they are completing mundane tasks like stacking books in a library or baking a cake, you are wrapped up in everything they do waiting for the next eye-widening twist.

Mr. Marrs, never stop doing what you do!

Thank you to Netgalley who provided me this copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

An easy 5 star review. The thing that I like most about this author’s books are that you never know what you are going to get. They are the books I start reading before I look at the blurb. I know this author will transport me to a different time and place. This had me totally transfixed. I loved it!

Twist, turns, misinformation and disinformation, this was a book that I kept having to make time to read as I had to know what happened next, Dark and dangerous but a superb read

Abso-bloody-lutely brilliant!!! Holy crap, this is John Marrs at his finest. I read this book in one sitting, there wasn't the slightest inclination to skip paragraphs or even to take a break from reading! Just wow.

Review:
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

If you open this book know it is going to take you one crazy dark and twisted ride! What Lies Between Us is a shocking and jaw dropping thriller. The content at times was difficult to read for me but yet so well written even if I walked away from the book I came back shortly after. I devoured this in under 24 hours. John Marrs talent to weave such a twisted, mind blowing, creative story with plot bombs( I can’t even call them twists) is nothing but sure brilliance!
If you have never read a book by this author I highly recommend that you pick one of his titles and start, I haven’t read one that I didn’t love!

This is such a page turner--I raced through it to find out just what had happened between Nina and Maggie that had Nina keeping her secretly chained up in the attic. I started out feeling sympathetic toward Maggie, then as secrets emerged, more understanding of what Nina had done, and then fully back to being firmly Team Maggie. I do have mixed feelings about this book though. As compelling as this was, and as much as I enjoyed following the twists and turns, it is ultimately a deeply ugly story, and left me feeling kind of gross and sad at the end. I would recommend this to fans of dark thrillers, but be sure you're in the mood for a deep dive into some really sad and disturbing stuff.

This was the first John Marrs book I have read & it certainly won't be the last. This book was absolutely brilliant. Nina was a very dark character & she certainly had a strange idea of how she wanted her family close to her. This was full of so many unexpected twists that I thought I'd guessed...but was wrong. Ninas teen 'relationship' had paedophile stamped all over it, did her father abuse her or not though? I hoped we'd see a different side to her when she got Dylan back into her life, that she'd develop as a mother & get her own poor mother the treatment she needed. Fab book deserving of more than 5 stars. Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me this ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

Probably the darkest book I've read by John Marrs, or even ever. He never disappoints though and this book was absolutely brilliant, sickening at most parts, I was balancing between putting it down and never opening it again and reading it until I finish. Read in just over a day as it was the only way. 5 stars from me

The blurb for this book is positively sinister... and the book lives up to it.
Nina is quite clearly unhinged,and yet carries out every day life quite normally.
I had a good few guesses as to where the plot was going,and it's great to be right with them,but even better when you get thrown a curve ball and all the hints have led a false trail.
So there were surprises the whole way through.
Marrs has written a cracking book,and to be fair, he always does.
This one might just be my favourite yet.

What Lies Between Us by John Marrs is a dark and twisted family novel about long know secrets. They say every family has its secrets and this one has many... but wow, these continue to grow. This family also has a seriously intense love/hate relationship and are very dysfunctional.

As one of my friends on Goodreads said about this book, “Holy Cow”! And I say, double Holy Cow with cherries on top!

Brilliant and ingenious!

One more chapter. One more chapter. Just one more. This is what I was saying while reading the book. Please baby don’t start crying, just one more chapter. Please eyes don’t close, just one more chapter. I promise I will get up, just one more chapter…

“Sharing a house with a twisted spirit is better than being alone.”

This book is about Maggie and Nina who live together. Nina is a librarian and also the “primary carer” for Maggie. Maggie was working at a GP’s office once upon a time but now she stays at home. She lives in the attic, more like she is held against her will there.
But what has Maggie done to deserve this treatment? Why does Nina keep her a prisoner?

Sometimes appearances can be deceptive.

Thanks to John Marrs, Amazon Publishing UK and the NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

Wow just wow! As always with a John Marrs book your completely gripped and unable to put it down until the last page and this one was no different. How far does a mother’s love go? How do the lines get so blurred with what’s right or wrong?? This book was fabulous and kept me guessing all the way through, genius!

What the hell did I just read? I’ve been feeling some kind of anxiety since I’ve started this book. I know I might have finished this earlier but I had to stop reading it a few times. It’s that sick and odd.

I put down the book having finished it a few minutes ago but I’m still not sure what to make of it. I’m exhausted trying to figure out how the hell did he come up with such tragic and rattling story.

It was filled with dysfunctional characters that you won’t be able to decide which one is sicker than the other.
I would have love a different ending.

My mind’s still all over the place.
I’ll just edit this review later.

One of the greatest experiences in life is when you fall in love with an author, and I have fallen head over heels in love with John Marrs. I’ve read his previous novels and I say the same thing each time: this is his best one yet!

What do you do when you love someone so much you would do the unthinkable to protect them? What do you do when you despise someone so much you would do the unthinkable to get revenge? This book answers those questions in a way only Mr. Marrs can do.

It will twist your insides, it will turn your world upside down, it will rattle your bones, and still you won’t put it down.

#netgalley #johnmarrs #whatliesbetweenus #amazonpublishinguk

Oh my word. I'm sitting here absolutely speechless having just finished reading this.

This book had me hooked from page one and didn't let up. I read it in one sitting because Nina and Maggie are such complex characters and their lives are so incredibly warped that I had to keep turning the pages to see what was going to happen next. We learn at the very beginning that they are mother and daughter sharing a house, but with the unusual circumstance of Maggie being chained so that she can't leave. The story flits back and forth in time and between both Nina's and Maggie's points of view, slowly unraveling the hows and whys of how they arrived at their current situation, but thanks to the clear chapter headers it was never confusing. I always knew who was narrating and the timeline. The twists and turns and curveballs just kept coming but there's no way of expanding on that without risking spoilers.

I've been a fan of John Marrs since the first book of his that I read and they just keep getting better!

This was my second John Marrs book. The first was The One. I requested this book based on that one.

I enjoy his writing style. This book was a quick read for me. It was engaging. I thought I had it figured out early on, and while some things I did have correct others I did not. Neither character is likable, but that is never an issue for me as it is for others.

As a parent, you always wonder if the choices you make for your children will help or harm them. Do they always need to know everything of the past. What Lies Between Us explores this. We hope we are doing good~ but who really knows til it is all over for parent and child.

While I did not care for some of the plot near the end, overall I thought the book was good. There are arguments for both characters actions that are plausible that make the book a good read.

Wow wow wow. Thank you so much Netgalley for this ARC. John Marrs has done it again.

Having read all John Marrs books I didn’t think they could get any better but he has smashed it again.

I don’t even know where to start with this one. Each chapter flicks between Nina and Maggie the books main characters. Slowly the chapters then begin to flick between the past and the present. Just what happened between this mother and daughter to explain how they have come to where they are now ?
As the story unfolds further the secrets and lies begin to emerge with some fantastic twists, turns and shocks.

I don’t want to give anything else away as you HAVE to read this book. If I could give it 10 stars I would.

Highly recommended. Fabulous book.

Whoa. This book was twisted haha! But not in like a way that turns you from it. Like in a way your passing a car wreck and terrified of what you might see but curiosity gets the best of you. YES. That was this book. Great read, I’m looking forward to reading other books by this author now.

Another fantastic read from John Marrs, I’m savouring his books as I don’t want to devour them and then have none left! These books seriously disrupt my life!!! The way he writes gives you little glimpses and teasers right until the end. Brilliant just brilliant.

I was so excited to read the latest John marrs book and yet again it didn’t disappoint. I thought how can he compete with the passengers, nothing will live up to that book. It was just as good. I loved the little twists in the story throughout. I often felt sorry for Nina until a new part of the story was told then I changed my mind again and again.

Wow! John Marrs has done it once again!
An absolutely stunning read so cleverly written meaning it takes the reader a while to work out who is the untrustworthy narrator. The plot shows a fractious, unloving relationship between mother (Maddie) and daughter (Nina), trapped in the family home that Nina grew up in. Now an adult Nina has her mother chained to her room, allowing her to eat dinner with her every other day but why?
The story is told alternating between modern day and 25 years ago where the original trauma stems from and switching seamlessly between Maddie and Nina’s version of events. Clues are slipped in and there are so many twists in this dark, breath-taking and devious story line.
Overall, an absolutely fantastic read. I’m sure this book will do well once published and I have no doubt that it will end up as one of my top reads of 2020.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this ARC.

I usually love John Marrs books but I really struggled with this, I didn't like Nina or Maggie which didn't help, a whole book about Maggie locked in the attic by her daughter Nina and going back to the past to unravel why was boring at times, I didn't really feel the book ever got going

There is no other relationship quite like there is between a mother & daughter and no author quite like Marrs. Once again Marrs has written a fantastic thriller & this book is not to be missed.

4.5*
Over the course of my reading career, (passion, hobby!) I’ve come across some seriously bizarre characters. Folks, these two take home the grand prize!💁🏻♀️

John Marrs is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. You just can’t predict what you’re in for when cracking open up one of his books. But what you will be guaranteed is one doozy of a thriller that will seriously mess with your mind! And in John Marrs latest, he brings that same magic again!

Mother and daughter. There is no other relationship like it on the planet. At times it can be a fine line between love and hate. John Marrs molds this relationship, twists and weaves it into something that will positively leave you reeling!

As the perspectives and timelines shift between the mother and daughter, so did my sympathies! Like watching a tennis match! To the point where I felt I was in jeopardy of getting whiplash. Relentlessly stubborn, neither woman letting up for even a moment!

If you are a fan of John Marrs...and seriously, how can you not be!? Don’t miss this latest release! Everyone will be chatting this one up over the summer! They already are!

A fabulous buddy read with Susanne that we both loved!

Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and John Marrs.

LOVED THIS BOOK! Creepy good! I just had to know what the story was about. So good and a quick read! I couldn’t put it down!

Absolutely fantastic. This book was recommended to me and I’m so glad I read it. The story of a mother and daughter who live together has so many twists and turns it’s unbelievable. Highly recommended

Oh my goodness, what did I just read? I don't know how to process this story. It was great. and demented. and dark. and psychotic. and great.

Nina and her mother Maggie live together in their family home. Each chapter alternates between narrator and time frame- easy to follow but each chapter left you with more questions. One chapter would leave me convinced Maggie is the devil and the next chapter would have me convinced its Nina. Talk about unreliable narrators.

I guessed a few of the twists of this book but it still left lots of surprises. Great quick read- I will be reading more of John Marrs.

Thank you to #netgalley #amazonpublishingUK and #johnmarrs for the complimentary book in exchange for an honest review.

OMG what have I just read? This book is so disturbed it needs its own meds prescription. I had to take a couple of breaks as the book disturbed me so much. It was so well written. Coming up with this story makes me wonder for John’s own sanity. It is a dark and disturbed story of Nina and her mother who live together in different parts of their home. Her mother actually lives upstairs in an attic room, chained to the floor. The story flits between the current time and twenty five years earlier. The reader eventually finds out why her mother is being held captive by her daughter and is challenged as to whether to feel sorry for each character or not. They are both flawed. The book is unlike any other book I have read. Reading it was difficult for me due to my own personal circumstances but this shouldn’t put anyone off reading it. It is, as usual with a John Marrs book, flawlessly well written and the plot is superbly timed throughout the book. It is a challengingly brilliant read. Thank you to Netgalley for the early read. When this book is released it will storm the charts.

What on earth did I just read?? I don’t know of I’ve ever read a book with as many twists and turns as this one! I can’t wait to read more from this author!

What Lies Between Us by John Marrs was a twisted and dark story that alternates between mother’s and daughter’s point of view. You really never know who is telling the truth and several times, I was left with my jaw open saying, “NO WAY!”

Talk about family problems and dysfunction! This goes beyond what you could ever imagine although if you watch true crime shows as I do, nothing is surprising.

I wasn’t sure what was going on… or who could we, the reader, trust?

Here’s the synopsis:

They say every house has its secrets, and the house that Maggie and Nina have shared for so long is no different. Except that these secrets are not buried in the past.

Every other night, Maggie and Nina have dinner together. When they are finished, Nina helps Maggie back to her room in the attic, and into the heavy chain that keeps her there. Because Maggie has done things to Nina that can’t ever be forgiven, and now she is paying the price.

But there are many things about the past that Nina doesn’t know, and Maggie is going to keep it that way—even if it kills her. Because in this house, the truth is more dangerous than lies.

This is one of those books where the less you know going into the book, the better. You want to be surprised and shocked! But know that John Marrs is a gifted suspense writer who never lets me down with his downright creepy stories!

This comes out on May 15, pre-order here. You can read The Good Samaritan, one of his earlier novels, for free on Kindle Unlimited.

A mother and daughter living together. What could be more normal? In the hands of the evil genius John Marrs this is far, far from normal. John has created a plot so twisted, and so full of secrets and lies that you won't know what's coming next - and where the truth ends and the lies begin.

The one thing you will know, for an absolute fact is that this is a book you won't want to put down, and when you finish you won't be able to stop thinking about it.

I have heard that this book has already been optioned for a film. Oh wow!!!

Harrowing, disturbing, gripping. A book you won’t forget for a long time! Real psychological insight into a very complicated mother-daughter relationship. At times it’s unbelievable but then a fragment of reality will make it totally and terrifyingly believable! Read it!

Maggie and Nina are mother and daughter who live together. They eat dinner together every other night, discuss Nina’s job and associates, and even wonder about their neighbors. The only glitch is Maggie is kept in chains and Nina is the key holder.

Told through dual viewpoints bouncing between past and present, we learn how this family ended up as broken as they are.

Perhaps my expectations were too high based on other reviews, but I didn’t think this book was as shocking and twisty as others seemed to. It was definitely an original thriller, but didn’t have an entirely unexpected ending. Worth the read for sure.

One of my favourite authors who never disappoints! A dark, twisty story about a toxic mother/daughter relationship, with shocking plots that I never saw coming!

Nina can never forgive Maggie for what she did. And she can never let her leave.

They say every house has its secrets, and the house that Maggie and Nina have shared for so long is no different. Except that these secrets are not buried in the past.

Every other night, Maggie and Nina have dinner together. When they are finished, Nina helps Maggie back to her room in the attic, and into the heavy chain that keeps her there. Because Maggie has done things to Nina that can’t ever be forgiven, and now she is paying the price.

But there are many things about the past that Nina doesn’t know, and Maggie is going to keep it that way—even if it kills her.

Because in this house, the truth is more dangerous than lies.

WOW! Having read this author’s other books, I was debating with myself could they get any better and they do! He obviously has a very sick and twisted imagination which he can brilliantly pour into a book. There are so many twists and turns that I sometimes struggled to keep up with myself. The story is fast paced and I really didn’t want to put it down!

The blurb of the book really does not do it justice but to be fair the only way to to do it justice is to read it! Without giving any spoilers I can honestly say one of the best and most suspenseful thrillers I read in a long time!

John Marrs is definitely one of my fav authors ,every person I see I recommend his books (even strangers in supermarkets lol) yet again he has done it ! Loved this! so many shock gasp moments and things I didn't see coming . Hurry up John can't wait for the next rollercoaster ride !
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for my advanced read in exchange for a review.

Brilliant! And extremely sick and twisted!
Maggie and Nina have the most convoluted mother/daughter relationship I think I have ever read. We find out that Nina is keeping Maggie captive in the attic, well from there it just gets even more bizarre and disturbing! John Marrs is a genius, every book he writes is brilliant but different and I think this might just be one of his best. It is a true domestic noir, I loved the claustrophobic feel of it. So many twists, you are constantly wondering who is at fault and what the motivations of the characters are. Every so often you think what on earth am I reading here!
Jut fantastic, I would urge everyone who likes a good twisted psychological thriller that messes with your head to give this one a go!

Wow! This book was totally batshit BONKERS...in the BEST way!! I have read John Marrs before and loved his work so when I was lucky enough to get an advance copy I dropped everything and went straight into it totally blind. I would recommend this because I think it really added something to the already crazy story that I had no idea who this was about or where it was going. There was so much happening in this book, it just jumped from one thing to another to another, and not in a confusing way. Somehow John Marrs managed to get it all down in such an easy readable way at no point was I lost or confused. I dont want to go into any details, as I said I really think the less you know going into this the better, but I will say that some of the more explosive scenes involving to 2 main characters were some of the best I have ever read. The unfathomable battle royals that ensued between 2 such unlikely participants, I was able to picture it all with crystal clarity, and that is down to the incredible writing.

Another John Marrs book, another 5 stars.

An uncomfortable and chilling look into family dynamics, the cyclic nature of abuse, and how far you would go and the things you would do for the ones you love.

Marr created an incredible duo of characters in an elderly mother, Maggie, and her bitter daughter Nina, whose life is controlled entirely by Maggie out of a desire to protect Nina. The book delves into the motivations of each character and orchestrates an incredible family drama wherein no character is truly innocent. An ambiguous storytelling and unreliable narration leaves one to question whether Nina is truly a victim of her mother's control and machinations, or if Nina was warped all along and conscious of the violence she inflicts on others.

An excellent read for anyone that's a fan of psychological thrillers along the lines of works by Gillian Flynn, Sarah Pekkanen & Greer Hendricks.

I had read so many positive reviews and comments from my friends here that I got really curious and requested this book myself. So, I thank Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this ARC but all opinions expressed in this review are my own. I was certainly not disappointed, the book was even better than I imagined. I think it's the best story that I've read this year.
At the start of the book, we're introduced to Nina and Maggie, who share a house on an estate somewhere in England. Maggie is confined to the attic where she has little else to do than read and look down to the neighbours on the street that can't see her through the shutters. Every other night Nina brings her downstairs to share a home-cooked meal but it's clear that she resents Maggie and cooks things she knows that the other woman dislikes. She can't trust the older woman with sharp instruments and removes a spring, a corkscrew and a loose screw for both their safety. Also, she removed her watch and clock as punishment for a transgression. Apparently, this situation exists for at least two years and however Maggie resisted openly at first by now it looks as if she's adapted (but not accepted) to it. She still tries to escape every time she sees a slight opportunity. Then drops the bombshell, Maggie is Nina's mother and she's a captive, chained to the floor of her bedroom in the attic.
What's going on here? Nina isn't an evil or cruel person, she gives her lunch to a homeless woman that comes to the library for warmth while reading 'Mills & Boon' (I actually knew a woman here in Antwerp who used to do the same, although she had a better taste in books). Why does she treat her mother is this despicable, inhumane way? Nina is convinced that her mother did something horrible and unforgivable to her but we're not told what it is
We dive 25 years into the past to the time when Nina's dad left his wife and kid and just disappeared into thin air. Nina blames her mother for this loss Around that time, she's 14 and starts acting out by getting drunk and staying out half of the night. After she has a (secretly induced by her mother) miscarriage she starts an affair with a much older, popular local rock singer that later will end up in jail for murder.
Little by little, we become aware that there are important events that the daughter has forgotten and the mother keeps silent about. Some of these secrets are hinted at so that you just have an inkling of what may have happened. The tension slowly builds up and you keep wondering if Maggie will eventually escape or even be released (not likely) and also what are these awful unforgivable crimes that Nina accuses her mother of and what happened during the periods that she can't remember? Slowly, one by one those secrets are revealed and some of them are really evil, others merely cruel, I thought repeatedly 'wow, I, didn't see this coming', other things I saw coming or guessed from the hints given. This surely is one messed up, twisted family. And I can understand how Nina feels that some of the things her mother did, no matter how well her intentions were, are completely unforgivable. Nevertheless, her own actions out of resentment aren't defendable neither. It's a twisted page-turner where you're kept in suspense until the very end

4.5🌟

This was such a creepy book and I loved it! The author made you believe one thing but then he started slowly sharing the truth so you weren’t sure what to believe and then the full truth was revealed at the end and it was crazy! You didn’t know whether to believe Nina or Maggie because each one was able to present their truth and it was up to you at first who to believe I was so enthralled as I was reading this

Wow a hard one to review, it's an absolute cracker of a read with the two main characters Mother Maggie and daughter Nina telling their own stories over different time periods. Dysfunctional is putting it mildly, it's one of the best psychological thrillers that I have ever read, one minute I was siding and believing Maggie and the next my sympathies were with Nina. It's a must read

John Marrs has done it again! This book contains so many twists and tiny hidden things that are uncovered at the perfect pace. Perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn and Riley Sager.

This is my favourite John Marrs book to date.

Maggie and Nina share a house, but only Nina is free to come and go as she pleases. Told from different timelines and the alternating viewpoints of Nina and Maggie it makes for compulsive reading with a shocking, non-stop storyline.

Refreshingly different from so many other psychological thrillers I’ve read recently, with their predictable twists and plots. What Lies Between Us is dark, twisted and completely unpredictable.

What an amazing domestic thriller!!

Nina and Maggie share a house, and once every few days, they even share a meal. But there is something terribly wrong about this house, and the relationship between Nina and Maggie. Maggie can never leave, and Nina is determined to keep her there forever.

There are secrets and reveals galore as the characters delve into their past. Appearances are deceiving here, because on the street, both Nina and Maggie would look like innocuous people leading innocuous lives. But oh, how far from the truth that is!

This was my first John Marrs book, and I was very impressed. I'll definitely read more in the future.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.