I found this to be a brilliant psychological thriller that grew on me as I read through the first chapters of the book and the scene was set, then it gripped me and I found I was hooked so I wanted to know how the story panned out. This is the author’s debut novel and it’s a superb novel that is well written from the start of the book. The story is told by Leonie,the ex-lover of Hugh and she wants petty revenge and Amanda, Hugh’s wife who believes he is playing away. She is dependent on Hugh for the house and money though. I really enjoyed how this book was written and drew me in so slowly, setting the scene so well. Giving you insights into Hugh’s liaison with Leonie and who he was presently with plus the current state of his marriage. The characters were intriguing in their own little ways. The writing was very descriptive. I’m intrigued to know how the author got the idea for this plot as it’s so original and brilliantly thought out, especially Leonie’s side line which she didn’t like doing. I look forward to reading the author’s next novel and more novels by her in the future.

A tangled web of deceit, lies, and criminal activity. The Grass Widow is a pacy, highly engaging thriller and one of my favourite reads of the summer. It begins with a spurned lover, Leonie, intent on getting back at her married ex, Hugh, by inveigling herself into his household as a cleaner. As a cleaner, you become an almost invisible entity and able to watch all the machinations of daily life. Soon, Leonie finds that Hugh's wife, Amanda, isn't the enemy she imagined, and the household gardener has a dark history and even darker intentions. Her new colleagues aren't as squeaky clean as their cleaning work either, but they are good at heart. Leonie finds herself at the heart of a life and death investigation. You won't be able to put this one down.

as soon as i saw that cover i knew this was going to be interesting. Leonie isn't happy. dumped by her man and her job. she wants revenge. so what does she do. well she seeks it by getting imbedded in her married mans house. just as the cleaner. what could go wrong? but it seems there is way more going on in this house and the marriage than she assumed. and this might be a hornets nest she perhaps shouldn't have staid into. just what is Amanda up to herself? we also have the other two cleaners who work in the house. they have their own little hustle going on. Vanessa gives us the light and shade to all involved here. one a purely surface level you can see all the micro motivations going on in the individuals lives. but put them in this big melting pot, under one roof ans there will just be some rubbing up the wrong ways, or open cans of worms everywhere! we also have this mysterious Simon. what part to play does he have here? and oh no, another agenda going on with him also?? there are two many bodies in this house with the own needs to fulfil. and weirdly Hugh seems to be out of it most of the time too. i love books like this when done well. and this one was done ever so well. the layers build. the tension builds as you learn more. you are never quite sure of where its going, but you know its going somewhere. and so you get that excited feeling as the conclusions comes, the reveals come, the twists come. and there are always those smart little aha moments that catch you and make you realise the true skill that goes into pulling stories and books together for us. laid out like a jigsaw and all the edges come, then the true picture. a really clever and keep me turning the page kind of book. because the more you find the more you have to know the next...