Book Review: The Stranger In Her House by John Marrs
The Stranger in Her House
Author: John Marrs
Narrators:
Elizabeth Knowelden
Soneela Nankani
Steve West
Published: February 13, 2024
Audiobook: 10 hours 11 minutes
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Listened To: March 24-29, 2025
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:
A stranger has infiltrated your family…and now he’s taking over.
Paul’s just here to help, or so he claims—sent by a charity for vulnerable people to do odd jobs for elderly widow Gwen. But for Gwen’s daughter Connie, there’s just something about Paul that rings alarm bells from day one. He’s a little too kind, a little too involved…Worse still, Gwen seems to have fallen under his spell.
The last thing Connie wants is a stranger meddling in the safe routine she’s built around Gwen. She loves being the one Gwen turns to for cooking, cleaning and company. But the more Paul visits, the more Gwen is relying on him. By the time he conveniently finds himself between homes and has no choice but to move in, Connie is certain he’s trying to push her out completely.
It’s her word against his, though, and as her attempts to unmask him become ever more desperate she’s not the only one left wondering if she’s lost her grip on reality. But when events start spiralling rapidly out of her control, should Connie wage all-out war on Paul and risk losing Gwen forever—or has that been his plan all along?
Jessica’s Review:
Whoa: Another John Marrs book that delivers! How does he come up with these twisted ideas?!?! We have mother Gwen and daughter Connie. Connie takes care of Gwen who suffers from Vascular Dementia and Alzheimer’s. Then Paul comes into the picture: He was sent in by a charity that helps the elderly who are also sick. Paul starts doing small jobs and pulls himself fully into Gwen’s life. Slowly he begins taking over Gwen and her home. Is Paul honest or does he have ulterior motives? What is Connie to do?
Both Connie and Paul were unlikeable to me. Connie just rubbed me the wrong way despite trying to help her mother. The only one I felt empathy for was Gwen. Marrs captured a character’s descent into Dementia and Alzheimer’s with compassion and understanding. It seems like he must know someone who has suffered from those dreaded diseases.
This novel is so much more than it seems! I can’t give my thoughts on one character without it being a possible spoiler. John Marrs can just do a one, two, three punch when it comes to twists: Just when he delivers one doozy of a twist, you better get ready, because he is about to deliver another one!
I will definitely be working on reading more of Marrs books.
Audiobook Review: The One by John Marrs
The One
Author: John Marrs
Narrators:
Clare Corbett
Vicki Hall
Simon Bubb
Jot Davies
Sophie Aldred
Published: February 20, 2018
Audiobook: 11 hours 1 minute
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Listened To: November 4-9, 2024
Jessica’s Rating: 5 stars
Book Description:
How far would you go to find The One?
A simple DNA test is all it takes. Just a quick mouth swab and soon you’ll be matched with your perfect partner the one you are genetically made for.
That’s the promise made by Match Your DNA. A decade ago, the company announced that they had found the gene that pairs each of us with our soul mate. Since then, millions of people around the world have been matched. But the discovery has its downsides: test results have led to the breakup of countless relationships and upended the traditional ideas of dating, romance and love.
Now five very different people have received the notification that they’ve been “Matched.” They’re each about to meet their one true love. But “happily ever after” isn’t guaranteed for everyone. Because even soul mates have secrets. And some are more shocking than others…
A word-of-mouth hit in the United Kingdom, The One is a fascinating novel that shows how even the simplest discoveries can have complicated consequences.
Jessica’s Review:
I first read The One back in 2018 and loved it! It was a re-read for my book club that I am in for this month, and we meet on Saturday to discuss it: And I’m looking forward to it! This time I listened to the audiobook and it was a cast narration.
Here is the link to my original review back in 2018. I can’t really add more to say than that as it would be spoilers. I can add to say what I think about the narrators: Which is the narrators all did a fabulous job! They helped to distinguish the characters from each other and just brought these five people to life with their experiences.
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
[Top]
Audiobook Review: What Lies Between Us by John Marrs
What Lies Between Us
Author: John Marrs
Narrator: Elizabeth Knowelden
Published: May 15, 2020
Audiobook: 11 hours 27 minutes
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read: May 15-19, 2023
Jessica’s Rating: 5 stars
Book Description:
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.
Jessica’s Review:
This is my second John Marrs book and I had already planned to read all of his books, but now I really MUST read them all! I loved The One and now I couldn’t stop listening to What Lies Between Us! I spent a couple of my lunch breaks at work listening because I just HAD to know what was going to happen next! This book is intense and when you think he is done with the twists… BAM! Mr. Marrs gives us another one! This book keeps moving and doesn’t slow until the very end!
We have Maggie and Nina in a very twisted and disturbing mother/daughter relationship. Neither one is likable and I was dying of curiosity as to just what Maggie did to let Nina keep her locked up in the attic. And just when you think it’s been figured out… Nope, just keep reading! So much happens in this book and I just didn’t know who to like least: Maggie or Nina. And I kept changing my mind as the book progressed and didn’t decide until the very end. And that ending!!!!
If you have certain triggers this might be a book to stay away from. I just can’t mention what they are because… Well spoilers!
If you enjoy thrillers and have not read any of Mr. Marrs books, pick them up and get started reading! I am sure this will be one of my top reads of the year!! I am already calling it: What Lies Between Us will definitely be in my Top 10 for 2023!
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK