Lying in Wait
A Novel
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4.0 • 114 Ratings
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
From the #1 internationally bestselling author of Strange Sally Diamond and Unraveling Oliver—a brilliantly plotted, utterly immersive novel 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's life seems idyllic. Her husband, Andrew, is a prosperous, respected judge; they live in the spacious, comfortable, well-appointed house where she was raised. And she is utterly, obsessively devoted to her son, Laurence—her adored only child, her pride and joy.
But Andrew's murder of Annie Doyle, accidental or not, sets into motion a dark downward spiral. It doesn’t take long for Laurence to suspect that something is very, very wrong in the Fitzsimons household—and he is determined to discover the truth.
For fans of Ruth Ware and Gillian Flynn, Lying in Wait is “a devastating psychological thriller...an exquisitely uncomfortable, utterly captivating reading experience” (Publishers Weekly, starred review).
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Irish author Nugent follows her well-received debut, 2017's Unraveling Oliver, with a devastating psychological thriller. Late on the night of Nov. 14, 1980, judge Andrew Fitzsimons and his wife, Lydia, rendezvous with troubled 22-year-old prostitute Annie Doyle on a deserted Dublin beach for unspecified reasons. When Annie threatens blackmail, the couple kill her. Lydia orders Andrew to bury the body in their garden and forget it, but then Annie's family reports her missing and a media circus ensues. Andrew panics, arousing the suspicion of the couple's 17-year-old son, Laurence, who becomes obsessed with Annie. Also fixated is the victim's 19-year-old sister, Karen, who remains dedicated to finding Annie even after the police lose interest. This tragic tale unfolds over five years from the perspectives of Lydia, Laurence, and Karen, allowing Nugent to develop character while exploring the crime's ripple effect. Annie's connection to the Fitzsimonses is the mystery on which the plot hangs, but Lydia is the most intriguing puzzle; equal parts victim and villain, she simultaneously inspires pity, outrage, and horror. The result is an exquisitely uncomfortable, utterly captivating reading experience.
Customer Reviews
See AllA real page turner
A real page turner, there are a few I’m probabilities in the plot but it’s easy to ignore those because it’s not a serious read or a book that takes itself seriously... it’s pure entertainment and 100% engaging.
One of my favorite thrillers
Don’t know what people’s problem is in the reviews. I read thrillers almost exclusively (not to mention it’s my favorite genre of movies as well) and I found this book to be a page turning wild ride. The chapters are written so well to distinguish the characters it almost feels like different voices telling the story. I love the author and have read her other super well written and great thriller “Unraveling Oliver.” She is one of my absolute favorite writers. She just came out with a new book last month which I’ve ordered and am exited to read also. I highly recommend her books especially this one.
Don’t waste your time
Don’t waste your time on this book unless you like thoroughly depressing stories. The characters are depressing, the theme is depressing, the aesthetics are depressing and the ending is even worse. I NEVER write reviews but I did so this time to hopefully save someone else the bother of reading this one. I give it 0 stars:(