Today I am reviewing Keep You Close by Lucie Whitehouse for TLC Book Tours. As always, I am provided with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
About the book (from the publisher): When artist Marianne Glass falls to her death, everyone insists it was a tragic accident. Yet Rowan Winter, once her closest friend, suspects there is more to the story. Ever since she was young, Marianne had paralyzing vertigo. She would never have gone to the roof’s edge.
Marianne – and the whole Glass family – once meant everything to Rowan. For a teenage girl, motherless with a much-absent father, this lively, intellectual household represented a world of glamour and opportunity.
But since their estrangement, Rowan knows only what the papers reported about Marianne’s life: her swift ascent in the London art world, her much scrutinized romance with her gallerist. If she wants to discover the truth about her death, Rowan needs to know more. Was Marianne in distress? And so she begins to seek clues – in Marianne’s latest work, her closest relationships, and her new friendship with an iconoclastic fellow artist.
But the deeper Rowan goes, the more sinister everything seems. And a secret in the past only she knows makes her worry about her own fate…
My review: Author Lucie Whitehouse is new to this reader and what a pleasure it is to get to know her work. She writes beautifully and know how to craft a story that is complex and multi-layered, slowly building suspense until the reader simply can’t put the book down until the final page. This is a psychological thriller that gets the reader in its grip and doesn’t let go.
The story takes place in Oxford and London – mostly in Oxford – and the author clearly knows Oxford intimately. It’s painted with such detail, with descriptions that are so evocative, that the reader can’t help but feel they are walking the streets of the famous university town.
The characters are written with great depth, all of them richly drawn. One gets a real sense of who they are and of their complexity of their relationships to each other, to Rowan, and to the late Marianne – who, by the way, is also a ‘living’ character in this story as we learn about her life, her passions and her talent.
What impresses me about this book is the author’s sure-footed skill in writing a plot that is compelling, complicated, and mysterious. She slowly unveils clue after clue, revealing only what needs to be revealed at any given point, gradually adding layer after layer until – and this is what blew my mind – there is a plot twist that is unexpected and shocking. I literally gasped out loud.
I never recap the plot or reveal any telling details because that, my friends, would ruin the experience for you. I will say that this is one of the best books I’ve read in quite some time. It stayed with me long after the final page. Haunting, suspenseful, a character study that is beautifully written – I recommend it highly.
About the author: Lucie Whitehouse grew up in Warwickshire, England, studied classics at the University of Oxford, and now lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and daughter. She is the author of The House at Midnight, The Bed I Made, and Before We Met.
One of you will be the winner of a copy of Keep You Close. Just leave a comment on this post. I’ll choose the winner on Wednesday evening. Good luck!
New post on Just Let Me Finish This Page today.
Happy Monday.
Charlotte says
I am going to see if the library has any of this author’s books.
kathy says
as you know, i rarely read fiction … but your review of this book (that gasp) and its setting in the art world have me intrigued!
glad you enjoyed this book.
thanks for the chance to win it.
hope you all have a good week ahead.
kathy in iowa
Pam in Illinois says
sounds like a great read. I am adding to my wish list. pam
Barbara Hamric says
Would love to read this book! Sounds like a good summer read.
Doris says
I am also adding it to my list, you had me at gasp!
Sylvia says
Ah, you’ve hooked me in! Can’t wait to read this book.
Carolyn Marie says
Oh, I must read this!
Linda @ A La Carte says
I take your reviews and recommendations to heart and this book sounds wonderful. On my ‘too long to ever finish reading everything list!! ‘
Hoping for a bit of rain here today, the grass and all the plants are parched.
hugs,
Linda
LauraC says
A crime in set in Oxford! yes, please!
Liza Kirschner says
This sounds like a wonderful read! Having your recommendations for new authors is terrific because usually I’m not a very adventurous reader but we seem to enjoy similar books. Thanks for the opportunity!
Donnamae says
If it made you gasp…I must read it! ;)
MimiG2002 says
Sounds like a delicious book!! I’ll be looking for this new (to me) author.
Chris K in Wisconsin says
You had me at ~ gasp!!
Sounds like a great read!
Vera says
This sounds like a great read Claudia!
Karen L says
Claudia – the book sounds intriguing – very nice review. I haven’t had a chance to stop by since I saw Anastasia and just wanted to tell you how absolutely fabulous it was! Mesmerizing – truly a gift to be able to enjoy it, and the hubs liked it too! And….I now have a playbill with your name in it! Thanks, Karen
Jan Routh Wells says
I trust your recommendations so it’s on my list. Thanks, Jan
Nancy Blue Moon says
I love British thrillers and this sounds like another winner..If I don’t win this one I will be buying it! Thanks Claudia..
Anne says
Your excellent review captivated my interest. This novel sounds intriguing and exceptional. Thanks for this great feature and giveaway.
Debbie Darlington says
I’m ALWAYS looking for my next read…this may be it. It would be delightful to win a copy. Thank you for the give-a-way opportunity!
Trina says
This book sounds interesting. I am always looking for something new to read. Going to the library today. Hopefully they’ll have a book by her. Thank you for a give-away opportunity.
Trina
Myra says
This sounds like a very interesting read!!
Linda Kimura says
I would love to read this book.
Thanks
Linda
Dana says
Oh this one sounds delicious! Love your luna moth too!
Ann Stevens says
Putting this on my wish list … sounds intriguing.
carol harrison says
this is right up my alley; love suspense. i’ll be checking with my library for any of her books.
Emma Cook says
I would sure like to win this book. Need a little suspense in my little life.
Love your daily blog!
Shirley Elliott says
Sounds like a really good read! Thanks for the opportunity to enter the giveaway.
Betsy says
Thanks for chance to win!
Joan says
The way you share the spirit of this book….well, you draw me into it and like everyone else, the gasp got me. As long as it isn’t too twisted and dark it will be a good read. I couldn’t even finish Gone Girl.
This sounds like something to read on a hot afternoon, in the shade with cold lemonade.
Connie says
Ooohhhh it sounds good! I’ve been reading a few of the other books you have reviewed and I enjoy the sort of books you like, so I’ll put this on my list. Thank you!
Vicki says
Well, Claudia, I’m not into mysteries, but you make them so tantalizing that I’ve now bought a few books you’ve recommended; you really do know how to review a book! This sounds like a great read. I love it when an author goes into great detail to set the physical surroundings, so that I can get a real sense of the characters moving in their world; their environment. With great descriptions of a time and a place or even just a scenic locale, it can really make you want to go there, be there. Thanks for the review!
Janet says
Now this sounds like a great book to start off summer reading! Would love to win this one!
P.S. The Luna Moth from yesterdays post was breathtaking
Jo says
Sounds like a great read for the summer. Your review peaked my interest .
Claudia E says
Sounds like my kind of book. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
April Baldwin says
Hi Claudia, I recently started reading mysteries so I would love the chance to win this interesting book. Have a wonderful day! April Baldwin
Roma Brooks says
Sounds like a good one for mystery fans…
Claudia, how can I get in touch with you?
Claudia says
Email address is on the sidebar. Click on the envelope icon.
Kim says
Sounds like a great read!
Nancy in PA says
What an intriguing review! You had me at “This is a psychological thriller that gets the reader in its grip and doesn’t let go.” One way or another, I’ll be reading this book. I hope that the author herself reads your review.
Good luck to everyone!
Connie J. says
Based on your reviews, I’ve now read all of Susan Hill’s and Louise Penny’s mysteries – all great reads. I’m looking forward to reading another of your recommendations. Thanks ever so much.
dq says
hope i win but if i don’t hope the winner likes the book
Heather J @ TLC Book Tours says
I love it when a book stays with me long after I read the final page!
Thanks for being a part of the tour.