What Lies Between Us by John Marrs | Book Review

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What Lies Between Us by John Marrs

My rating: 5/5

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Publication date: 15th May 2020

Blurb:

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.

Review: 

Oh my God. As someone who reads a lot of thrillers, I find that they can get a bit samey and I can guess what is coming. I was craving a five star thriller and this was it.

What Lies Between Us follows the story of 36-year-old Nina and her mother Maggie. We discover that Nina is keeping her mother chained up in the attic with her luxuries taken away but they do eat dinner together occasionally. 

The chapters alternate between the present and twenty-five years earlier when Nina was a teenager. We learn a lot about their relationship with one another and Nina's mental state. In all honesty it felt chaotic but it all makes perfect sense. It is amazingly written, fantastically paced and I did not want to stop reading. I would probably go as far as to say that it is a perfect thriller. 

I don't want to give any of the plot away because the less you know going in, the better, but there are a few trigger warnings for miscarriage, cancer, grooming.