Kathryn Croft

The Girl in Room 12 by Kathryn Croft is a highly recommended mystery full of secrets, tension, and deception.

While their daughter Poppy is happily chatting about her day, Hannah's husband Max is late, again. Max has been staying out late, distracted, and unnaturally short-tempered lately and Hannah wonders what is instigating this change in personality. After Max returns home Hannah picks up the suit coat he left crumpled on the floor. When checking the pockets she finds a key card to a room at the River Walk Hotel, where the news just reported a young woman was found murdered. Was Max having an affair with her and is he responsible for the murder?

The narrative is a twisty tale as more information is uncovered and Hannah's personal investigation takes different directions. The Girl in Room 12 is compelling throughout. Not all of Hannah's actions are believable but the mystery, tension, secrets, deception and betrayals are nonstop right to the end. It's also clear that not all the characters are reliable or trustworthy and what is really happening is not revealed until the end.

The writing is very good. Croft establishes her characters, especially that of Hannah, and then creates a complex, layered plot to hold your attention. There is plenty of misdirection thrown into the mix to try and distract you from following clues. The story could have been tightened up a little, however, as there is a bit of a slowdown halfway through the novel. Keep reading though because the ending is jam-packed with shocking surprises and twists.

Thanks to Bookouture for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion. http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2024/01/the-girl-in-room-12.html… (más)

The Lie by Kathryn Croft is a highly recommended domestic suspense mystery.

Lucy and Tom and their children Jacob and Ava threw a barbeque for their new neighbors in Surrey signifying their new start. Jacob's girlfriend Rose and her mother Carrie are among the guests. Ava adores Rose and spent much of the evening talking to her. Seemingly, it was a successful evening. Then early the next morning Carrie calls and says Rose is missing. Jacob says he walked Rose home, but there are some questions about his claim. Carrie is certain Jacob had something to do with her daughters disappearance.

The first thing you need to know is that The Lie will hold your attention from start to finish. The second is that the title of the novel is a misnomer as everyone seems to be lying about something. There is plenty of deception swirling around everyone as they are even lying to themselves.

Lucy, Carrie, and Rose narrate the story through chapters told in their alternating points-of-view. This allows insight into their thoughts, personal lives, and eventually their secrets. Honestly, I didn't trust anyone in this novel as they all seemed suspect and sketchy at times. Characters are developed, but slowly as people demonstrating who they really are is part of the plot. The surprising twist in the ending wasn't really shocking because no one is particularly believable. If you like mysteries featuring flawed characters in dysfunctional families, The Lie will entertain you.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Bookouture via NetGalley.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2023/04/the-lie.html… (más)

I found this to be a fast paced, heart in the mouth book. I always wondered what I would find when I turned the next page in this gripping psychological thriller. I’ve not read any of this writers books before but feel they may be finding their way to my bookshelf.

I have read a few of this genre and the writing is somewhat different in this book. There are many twists in this book which don’t come out fully until the very end which is always good.
Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for the arc xx… (más)