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Lying in Wait

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Lying in Wait by Liz Nugent is a dark psychological thriller that delves into the lives of a dysfunctional family after they commit a murder. The story follows Lydia and Andrew, who kill Annie Doyle and bury her in their backyard, and their son Laurence, who becomes entangled in the aftermath. Narrated from multiple perspectives, including Lydia, Andrew, Laurence, and Annie's sister Karen, the book explores the twisted dynamics within the family and the repercussions of their actions. With a chilling plot, unexpected twists, and complex characters, the story unfolds in a deliberate manner, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

The narrative of Lying in Wait is intricately woven, revealing the depths of depravity and manipulation within the characters. As secrets unravel and relationships deteriorate, the suspense builds, leading to a shocking and sinister conclusion. Nugent's writing style is engaging, with taut plotting that keeps readers guessing and a dark undertone that adds to the atmospheric tension of the story.

Characters:

The characters are complex and flawed, particularly Lydia, whose manipulative nature drives the plot, while Laurence struggles with his mother's control.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is engaging and clear, employing multiple perspectives to deepen the story, characterized by a dark yet humorous tone.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features a murder revealed early on, focusing on the subsequent cover-up and its psychological impact on a dysfunctional family.

Setting:

Set in 1980s Ireland, the story unfolds mainly within the confines of a family mansion, adding to its dark and claustrophobic atmosphere.

Pacing:

The pacing starts slow but accelerates towards the end, where the tension and suspense heighten significantly.
My husband did not mean to kill Annie Doyle, but the lying tramp deserved it. After we had overcome the initial shock, I tried to stop him speaking of her. I did not allow it unless to confirm alibis ...

Notes:

The story takes place mainly in the 1980s in Ireland.
The main family, Lydia, Andrew, and Laurence, appear to have a perfect life that hides dark secrets.
Annie, a prostitute, is murdered by Andrew and Lydia after she tries to blackmail them.
Laurence, the son, begins to uncover the truth about his parents' involvement in Annie's murder.
The narrative is told from three perspectives: Lydia, Laurence, and Karen, Annie's sister.
Lydia is described as a controlling and manipulative mother, obsessed with her son.
The book explores themes of family dysfunction, obsession, and the consequences of secrets.
Lydia has a traumatic past, including the death of her twin sister when they were children.
The pacing was noted to be slow at times, with readers feeling bored during parts of the story.
The ending is described as chilling and uneventful, with lingering feelings of depression and no justice.
Laurence struggles with his weight, which is a recurring theme throughout the story, affecting his self-image and relationships.
The book was initially published in 2016 and gained popularity thereafter, with audiobook versions highly praised for their narration.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for Lying in Wait include themes of murder, mental illness, family dysfunction, manipulation, and potential triggers related to weight and body image issues.

From The Publisher:

From the international bestselling author of Unraveling Oliver comes a "dark, captivating psychological thriller" (People) lauded by A.J. Finn-#1 New York Times bestselling author of The Woman in the Window-as "extraordinary…crackles and snaps like a bonfire on a winter's night."

My husband did not mean to kill Annie Doyle, but the lying tramp deserved it.

On the surface, Lydia Fitzsimons has the perfect life: married to a respected judge, mother of a beloved son, living in the beautiful house where she was raised. That beautiful house, however, holds a secret. And when Lydia's son, Laurence, discovers its secret, wheels are set in motion that lead to an increasingly claustrophobic and devastatingly dark climax.

For fans of Ruth Ware and Gillian Flynn, this is "a devastating psychological thriller...an exquisitely uncomfortable, utterly captivating reading experience" (Publishers Weekly, starred review).

Ratings (8)

Loved It (6)
Liked It (1)
It Was OK (1)

Reader Stats (21):

Read It (9)
Want To Read (12)

2 comment(s)

It Was OK
2 months

Love a book with just weird and messed up characters and this had a few. Excellent read.

 
Loved It
2 years

I loved the characters in this book. They were relatable and frightening all at the same time. I love Liz Nugent's writing as it is gripping and and makes you think.

 

About the Author:

Liz Nugent has worked in Irish film, theater, and television for most of her adult life. She is an award-winning writer of radio and television drama and has written critically acclaimed short stories both for children and adults, as well as the bestselling novels Unraveling Oliver and Lying in Wait. She lives in Dublin. Visit her at LizNugent.ie or follow her on Twitter at @Lizzienugent.

 
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