On Libby Jones 25th birthday, she receives a letter from a solicitor that unlocks the door leading to the answers about her past. She’s inherited a mansion owned by her late biological parents, Martina and Henry Lamb, Sr. But, she’s also learning the tragic circumstances that led to her being adopted when she was less than a year old. Her parents and a man with the initials DT were found dead in the house of an apparent joint suicide. Her brother and sister, Henry and Lucy, vanished and haven’t been seen or heard from since.
This was the ultimate creepy and psychologically unsettling story! Told from the points of view of Libby (named Serenity at birth), Lucy and Henry, Jr., the events leading up to what happened in that house are slowly revealed, transitioning from past to present. Most of the past is told by Henry, whose reliability was sometimes questionable, making the story even more intriguing. Lucy was the most mysterious as you can sense from her current circumstances that her life has been difficult and she’s continuing to struggle. Libby carries the weight of the present as she and a journalist, Miller Roe, try to untangle what happened in that house and to the Lamb family and others who were occupying that place.
I’m so glad I opted to listen to the story and that there were three separate narrators. Dominic Thorburn was outstanding as Henry, seeming to fit the character perfectly. All gave solid performances with distinction and it was helpful with the point of view transitions. It’s a slow burn kind of story as Henry tells how his wealthy family met their fate after having embraced another and slowly descended into something else. It lacks the punch of dramatic twists and turns but gets under your skin as the slow insinuation of these “guests” powerfully and irrevocably impact Lucy, Henry and ultimately Libby. I found it fascinating and while there are a couple of surprises at the final reveal, I saw some of them coming and the ending was so in line with the tone of the story. This was another Jewell hit for me, more subtle than earlier ones but still delivering that deft touch in mysterious storytelling.
Book Info
- Release Date: November 5, 2019
- Narrators: Tamaryn Payne, Bea Holland & Dominic Thorburn
- Audio Length: 9 hours, 30 minutes
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
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(Thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Blue Mood Café 
I think she does such a great job with tension. Fab review, Jonetta! I have the audio of this one and even though I’ve read it, I think I shall listen to it too!
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Thank you, Jennifer💜 I think you’ll LOVE Henry’s voice!
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Lovely review. I stopped reading her books as I didn’t like the previous three. Maybe I would try for this… One day
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Thanks, Shalini💜 She’s definitely got a distinctive writing style and may not always work well for some, especially the slow burn quality.
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Her followers harassed me for a year as I had written a negative review. I was so new to bogging and every week or month, I had some reader blasting me for the review. It was torturous. So I stopped reading or at least reviewing it on my blog completely
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That’s awful!
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Yp it was. The only post where the cooments have been shut off
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Nice review Jonetta. I’ve bought this book and I do look forward to reading it. So many nice reviews.
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Thank you, Glenda💜 I really hope you enjoy it, too.
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Fantastic review! I have the hardback out from the library at the moment but now I’m thinking I should have waited for the audiobook.
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Thanks, Nicki💜 This is a genre I much prefer listening to on audio as publishers are doing a great job these days in selecting narrators.
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There were so many creepy layers to this book and I enjoyed peeling each one back. While it became predictable, I really enjoyed the slow burn. Great review, Jonetta!
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Thank you, Kyra💜 Creepy layers is the perfect description for this story! There was a little nugget found at every corner, which had me riveted. It was scary, just highly intriguing. My kind of story.
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I have seen so many positive reviews of this one and every time I read about it, the premise makes me so curious about the circumstances which led to Libby being found. Guess I have to give in and download it! Not always a fan of multiple narrators, but when it works, it can be really good! Super review!
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Thanks, Stargazer💜 I just didn’t want to say more in my review as I enjoyed finding out the details on my own. There are tons of stuff to discover and Libby’s situation is at the core. That’s it, all I’m gonna say😏
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I enjoy her books a lot. I have read mixed reviews of this book, but do want to read it. My goal is to read one Christmas book, one mystery/thriller in December, so this one is in the chute. I hope I enjoy it as well as her others I have read.
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This is my third book by Jewell and I’m a big fan. I’m no sure why everyone else was so “meh” about this book but I thought it intriguing. Solid 4 stars.
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I hope I agree.
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Excellent review! I have yet to read this author but I’m sure I will enjoy it.
Anne – Books of My Heart
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Thanks, Anne💜 You’d love this author!
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This looks pretty good, although I’ve seen some mixed reviews.
I read only one book by this author, back in the day when she wrote women’s fiction. I wasn’t a huge fan so never picked up her other work, but since then I think she really developed as an author so maybe I should give her another chance…
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I’m a recent fan, reading her for the first time earlier this year. This is my third and all were recent releases. You might want to try the new stuff.
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Hi, I’ve been wanting to read this, but maybe I’ll listen to the audio version. Glad to have found your blog. I’m looking forward to seeing what you’re reading 🙂
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Thank you, Book Club Mom! I hope you enjoy the book, too, and welcome💜
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Fab review! I really enjoyed this book too.
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Thank you, Hayley💜 Glad you liked it, too!
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Not my most favorite of hers, but of course I am so happy you enjoyed it.
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Thank you, Marialyce💜 You know me and slow burns😏
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