When a nature trail is being built on an area that has been disused for year's Alex starts to worry. He is afraid a secret that he has kept will be discovered and his comfortable suburban life with his wife Beth will be destroyed. Both timelines are equally riveting. The 1990s vibe of the London scene when you’re young is captured well. Add in some obsession and some behaviour that strikes distinctly off notes and which deepens the enigmatic puzzle. In the present day Alex’s unease is almost palpable and some of his actions raise an eyebrow as they are so questionable. There seems to be encroaching danger and things coming from several angles in both periods of time. There are threats of discovery making the atmosphere extremely intense . It’s brim full of tension occasionally relieved by some dark humour. There is a sense of impending doom overhanging both periods of time which weighs heavy. Such a vivid sense of place, a gripping plot, elegantly told, and a twist that left me reeling - brilliant! Alex is surprised when his wife Beth tells him about the nature trail that is going to be built near their house. He’s got nothing against nature, but there’s something buried there from years ago that he doesn’t want found.

The Only Suspect | Book by Louise Candlish | Official The Only Suspect | Book by Louise Candlish | Official

I couldn’t have asked for more, really, and feel so proud that readers are continuing to discover it and recommend it far and wide. To report on our triumph, of course. They’ll want to follow the progress of the project, you know, document the journey.’ She pulled a face. ‘I know, don’t say it, you hate that word. Everything’s a journey now, even putting out the bins.’ I could tell her now, he thought. It might be his last opportunity to reveal his connection. What was that line from the police caution? It may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something you later rely on in court… The Only Suspect is a suspenseful, thrilling and breath-taking mystery about the dark secrets that live in the past, and the paralysing fear that they'll be uncovered. If you thought you misbehaved in the nineties you've got nothing on the devious, duplicitous cast of this book. Gripping, unpredictable and tense, it'll keep you guessing all the way through

While Alex isn't likeable, I kinda fked with him on the basis that he doesn't overdo the Mr. Nice Guy(TM) charade. While he's definitely not true to himself, he is entertaining in a way. I found his snarky and cheeky inner monologue to be amusing. Yes, Beth deserves better, without a doubt. And no, I don't want to be married to Alex. But hey, if you're gonna give me a bad guy, give me a funny one at least 😂 It kinda reminded me of Lucas from Never Coming Home.

Book review: The Only Suspect by Louise Candlish - Debbish

If you want a suspenseful summer read that carries its own unique formula then this is a book that will linger in your thoughts for some time after. This novel is a bit like driving up a mountain in which it gradually builds momentum then about mid-way through it reaches a heart-thumping pace and you begin to notice the many twists and turns. Coral, VIC, 4 Stars Just as you think you might have it all figured out some bombshells are dropped - as does my jaw! The twists keep on coming and coming especially towards the end and as per usual Louise Candlish has me perched on the edge of my seat, super glued to the dramatic events of the plot. Hi, I am an avid reader and have been all my life. I put it down to being an only child and having a teacher for a mum. The idea of this blog is to share my passion for reading and review new and upcoming books as well as those that may have been out for several years. THE NEW CAUTIONARY TALE OF OBSESSION, LOVE, JEALOUSY AND DECEPTION FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF OUR HOUSE AND THE OTHER PASSENGERIn the present we have Alex who seems to be coasting along in married bliss with his wife Beth. He lives in Silver Vale, he is not the friendliest of men but makes an effort.

The Only Suspect by Louise Candlish | Waterstones

The Only Suspect is a perfectly executed thriller, an unpredictable ride that will enthral both fans and new readers alike. I had no idea where this was headed, and loved every minute of it. The Only Suspect is full of unexpected twists and turns, making for a very exciting read. It was certainly hard to put down – and it is cleverly written to keep the reader guessing almost till the end! It is written in two different time periods – 1995 and the present, and told in the names of different characters, which gives different sides of the story, at the same time not telling the whole story immediately, which builds the suspense and adds to the surprise of the final chapters, which are far from straightforward. I would recommend this book to the reader who enjoys a clever plot, with twists and turns galore, and also the added bonus of a love story! (What would you do for love?) Marilyn, NSW, 5 Stars Surprising, intoxicating, elliptical and vexing, The Only Suspect is a five star read from Louise Candlish.When it comes to mind-blowing twists, award-winning author Louise Candlish knows her stuff -- Woman & Home Let’s have a look,’ he said, returning to the present, and she passed him her phone, a WhatsApp thread named ‘Trailblazers’ growing in front of his eyes. Christ, how he’d preferred life before you were subjected to these streams of other people’s consciousness; he had enough on his plate wrangling his own. I'm blown away by how good it is. A gripping tale of love, secrets and deception - it's the best psychological thriller I've read in a long time' Mark Edwards The second they stumbled inside, he excused himself and went straight to her bathroom, where he vomited into the toilet bowl and sluiced his mouth with the Listerine he found in the cabinet. Amazing he’d got away with it, when you thought about it, for he must have been obviously agitated when he rejoined her, but she was giggly, boozed up, all over him.

The Only Suspect by Louise Candlish - Fantastic Fiction The Only Suspect by Louise Candlish - Fantastic Fiction

The Only Suspect kept me guessing all the way through. It’s the book version of a Rubik’s Cube with so many unexpected twists and turns. An adrenaline-burner for sure!” Het probleem is dat Alex die bosjes heel goed kent van vijfentwintig jaar geleden, en dat daar een groot geheim begraven ligt. Een geheim waar hij al heel lang voor op de vlucht is en dat het einde van zijn zorgvuldig opgebouwde leven kan betekenen. Once again, Candlish gives the reader a tightly-plotted tale with plenty of red herrings and distractions that keep the reader guessing right up to the final, fantastic twist and reveal. Her setting and era are perfectly rendered, and her characters recall people we all meet in everyday life, even if many of them are not at all what they first seem to be. This is excellent slow-burn British crime fiction. I didn’t like the main male character, Alex and then realised I wasn’t keen on any of the main characters. I haven’t read much of Louise Candlish’s work so far but am keen to read more since I read her book, Our House and watched the TV adaptation.I loved The Only Suspect: a heady dose of mid-’90s nostalgia, with trademark whiplash twists and satire. Louise Candlish has surpassed her own, always-high standards. Quite possibly her best yet.”