For many women of Penny’s age, helping elderly parents is a natural part of life. But for Penny, things have taken a more serious turn.
One night, Penny receives a frantic call from her parents. No, they haven’t had a fall – they’ve killed someone, and his body is in the garden right next to the rose bushes!
Laura Marshall is an authors whose books I pick up without a second thought. They are always fast-paced, gripping, and consistently shocking. So, when I had the opportunity to read A Good Place to Hide A Body, I was thrilled to dive in.
First things first: you should never judge a book by its cover, but I have to admit I was drawn to the vibrant cover of this one (that green will look beautiful on the bookshelf!) The caption ‘Everyone is Capable of Murder. They just need to meet the right person’, promised a suspenseful journey and the book certainly delivered.
The prologue introduces the main event, making it engaging from the very first page. Laura Marshall’s use of short chapters adds to the bris pace. One writing technique I’ve noticed across her works is how she portrays ordinary characters. By this I mean, we often expect perpetrators to stand out, but her characters could easily be you, or me, which adds an extra layer of suspense. I felt warm towards the main character in the book.
I really enjoyed the characterisation in the book. The characters were all quite stereotypical, but this added some humour to the story, and I felt warm towards the main character Penny. She faces so many relatable problems, such as caring for ageing parents, parenting teenagers, dealing with grief, juggling a full time job, divorce and co-parenting. I emphasised with her struggles and could truly feel the pressure she was under.
To summarise, Laura Marshall has crafted yet another page-turner with A Good Place To Hide A Body. It’s a compelling read that keeps you on the edge of your seat, if you’re a fan of suspenseful thrillers, this book is a must read. Five Stars.
With thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC. A Good Place To Hide A Body is out on the 4th July 2024.
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