Our House by Louise Candlish
Berkley Hardcover; August 7, 2018
Review copy courtesy of Berkley
Description: (content provided by the publisher)
From an internationally acclaimed author, a disturbing and addictive novel of domestic suspense where secrets kept hidden from spouses cause shocking surprises that hit home…
There’s nothing unusual about a new family moving in at 91 Trinity Avenue. Except it’s her house. And she didn’t sell it.
When Fiona Lawson comes home to find strangers moving into her house, she’s sure there’s been a mistake. She and her estranged husband, Bram, have a modern coparenting arrangement: bird’s nest custody, where each parent spends a few nights a week with their two sons at the prized family home to maintain stability for their children. But the system built to protect their family ends up putting them in terrible jeopardy. In a domino effect of crimes and misdemeanors, the nest comes tumbling down.
Now Bram has disappeared and so have Fiona’s children. As events spiral well beyond her control, Fiona will discover just how many lies her husband was weaving and how little they truly knew each other. But Bram’s not the only one with things to hide, and some secrets are best kept to oneself, safe as houses.
My take: Oh the tangled web that results when Bram and other key figures act out of selfish, nefarious concerns. This domestic suspense novel was a bit of an addictive read. Author Louise Candlish swept me along with the tony suburban setting and having one character reveal a part of the story via a crime podcast and another tell a part via a pdf. I alternated being appalled by their behavior and feeling some sympathy. Little by little, details were revealed and didn’t stop until the last page when I was left to wonder if there could be a sequel. In the end, I was a bit frustrated but also entertained.
Advance praise for Our House:
“An artfully plotted, affecting page-turner…Candlish manages to stash a couple of trump cards, setting up a truly killer climax. American fans of domestic suspense will want to see more from this talented author.” —Publishers Weekly, STARRED review
“The last line will make you literally shout with shock.” —Good Housekeeping
Bookfan 
Hmm not sure its for me but I have seen some good reviews for this one Mary and it sounds like it kept you engaged. Even if the ending was unfinished.
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It definitely kept me engaged – had to see how it resolved. And then the ending kind of left me hanging!
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I’m not sure I want to be frustrated by a book right now – real life is frustrating enough.
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It could be my fault for the frustration. Lots of good reviews out there for it.
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I do like the sound of this one Mary! I will definitely try this one.
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I look forward to your thoughts on it, Diane!
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Terrific review.
I enjoyed the book as well.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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Thanks, Elizabeth!
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I don’t like frustration so I think I’ll pass.
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I hear you!
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I’ve just come from another blog featuring this very book. I’m still not convinced its one for me but I can see the appeal. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on a book i’m sure we’re going to be hearing lots about.
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I’d be interested in your take, Tracy. The author is British 🙂
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I did think the author was clever in how she told this story. The podcast, etc. Yes, the characters were not so likable, but the whole premise was unique and very troubling to me. And I found out later that the author did her research there – it could happen. Whew! It did make me want to seek out Louise Candlish’s other books.
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I found it disconcertingly believable that this could happen. Yikes. I’ll have to check out her other titles.
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My biggest takeaway from the book was how that whole “birds’ nest” custody arrangement would be a really bad idea if you didn’t absolutely trust your ex. But if you did trust him or her, would you have divorced? LOL.
I couldn’t stop reading, and even when I thought I had it figured out…I was stunned.
Thanks for sharing.
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It’s an interesting way to do custody. I’ve heard of it before but agree you’d really need to trust your ex.
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Ok…another one I need to read very soon! Love your thoughts about this one!
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Yes, I want to know what you think!
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Mary, this sounds like it would be a gripping story. Thanks for a very nice review.
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Thanks, Susan. It was certainly entertaining!
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Eeek where are the kids? I do wonder
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