The Sudden Departure of the Frasers by Louise Candlish

The Sudden Departure of the Frasers

by Louise Candlish

FROM THE AUTHOR OF ITV'S OUR HOUSE COMES ANOTHER ADDICTIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE YOU SIMPLY CAN'T PUT DOWN

'The best book I have read all year . . . keeps you guessing until the end' 5***** READER REVIEW
'I was gripped by this book' 5***** READER REVIEW
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My name is Amber Fraser. I've just moved in at Number 40, Lime Park Road. You'll think of me as a loving wife, a thoughtful neighbour and a trusted friend.

But this is a lie.

When Christy and Joe Davenport are handed the keys to Number 40 on picture-perfect Lime Park Road, it should be a dream come true.

But it's strange that the house was on the market for such a low price.

And that the previous owners, the Frasers, had renovated the entire property yet moved out within a year.

And that none of the neighbours will talk to Christy.

As her curiosity begins to give way to obsession, Christy finds herself drawn deeper into the mystery of the house's previous occupants - and the dark and shocking secret that tore the street apart . . .
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'Hints of Rear Window . . . addictive and fun . . . it will keep you guessing until the end' Stylist

'Brilliantly obsessive' Red

'Tense and intriguing' Woman & Home

'Pacy and claustrophobic' Fabulous

'Smart and perceptive' Good Housekeeping

Reviewed by Leah on

4 of 5 stars

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This was an intriguing read. I've read quite a few books recently that are long ones and this one tops out at just over 500 pages, which is always a worry for me, because how the heck can an author fill so many pages with just one book?!?! Well, Louise Candlish manages it, and the only tell-tale sign of how long the book was were my aching hands after finishing.

The Sudden Departure of the Frasers is one of the most compelling books I've read this year. For the vast majority of the novel, Amber Fraser's life is a mystery; we're not sure in the slightest what happened to her that would make her and her husband, Jeremy, leave their brand new home that they'd spent a ton of money on. It was mind-boggling and it was up to new resident Christy to find out the truth, especially since all the neighbours on Lime Park Road appear to have something against Christy, just for living in the Frasers' house.

It was such a good read for me. The fact we're told virtually nothing of Amber and Jeremy leaves a lot to the imagination, as you wonder just what happened to make them move out and that's what kept me reading. I was itching every time to get back to Amber's "confession" and see what all the hoo-ha was about. I also enjoyed getting to know Christy and Joe, they seemed like such a sweet couple, and I sort of liked seeing Christy unravel as she tries to figure out the Frasers' secrets. I'm nosy like that, too.

I must confess to being disappointed with the ending. After so much build up, so much suspense, and suspicion and wonderings, I found the explanation a bit pants. I expected more. Like a murder-suicide, but maybe I've just been reading too many thrillers. In fact, I was actually quite offended somewhat by what happened, because it was just wrong.

The Sudden Departure of the Frasers was such a suprise for me, I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did, I just wished the ending had been different. Then it would have been perfect.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 4 June, 2015: Finished reading
  • 4 June, 2015: Reviewed