The Invite by Sheryl Browne
Genre: Domestic thriller, Domestic drama, Psychological thriller, Suspense
Read: 20th February 2022
Audible:
Published: 22nd February 2022
★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)
DESCRIPTION:
Kaitlin has been looking forward to her engagement party for weeks. She’s finally introducing her fiancé Greg to her best friend Zoe, but as the champagne corks pop, her dream party soon becomes her worst nightmare…
Staring at the stunning diamond solitaire on her finger, Kaitlin knows her relationship has been a whirlwind… but Greg looks after her, and he loves playing dad to her young daughter. How could she refuse when he’s already planned their romantic elopement?
As the guests arrive, Kaitlin wonders why Greg is suddenly acting so shifty. Is that a flicker of recognition on Zoe’s face? And why does she look terrified every time her phone rings?
Kaitlin watches as Zoe knocks back her white wine and makes a beeline for Greg. Then, after a heated conversation, her best friend stumbles outside without looking back.
Days later, the police knock at Kaitlin’s door – Zoe is missing.
When the police question Greg about the night of the party, Kaitlin knows he’s telling lies. But why would he? Can she really trust the man she’s marrying? And could her precious daughter’s life now be in danger too?
The Invite is an absolutely unmissable psychological thriller, perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train, Gone Girl and The Wife. You’ll be hooked from the first page!
MY REVIEW:
I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Sheryl Browne's domestic thriller THE INVITE.
Betrayal and unrequited love can lead people to all sorts of madness.
I think this is the 8th book by Sheryl Browne I have read and reviewed and each of them are different and a little bit twisted in their own ways. Betrayal, jealousy, trust and obsession feature heavily this time round and ultimately that with each action comes a reaction...some very serious consequences. Filled with an intricate web of lies and multiple viewpoints throughout gave a multi-layered aspect to this twisted tale.
Kaitlin Chalmers finally has it all. The perfect love; the perfect life; the perfect fiance. After the marriage from hell to her abusive ex-husband Sean, Kaitlin met and fell in love with handsome and charming Greg Walker and after a whirlwind romance the couple moved in together and began planning a wedding. But tonight, it was Kaitlin's birthday party - organised single-handedly by her very attentive fiance.
And tonight after what seems so long, Kait will finally see her best friend Zoe who was flying in from Portugal especially for the event. Kait cannot wait for the two loves of her life to meet...but it doesn't go according to plan. Zoe, it seems, shocked to discover the state of play that has taken place in her absence and, particularly after how things turned out for her with Sean, believe the couple to be moving far too quickly. Added to that, something seems to be off about Greg though she can't put her finger on exactly what. When Zoe tries to warn her friend to be careful, Kaitlin takes offence and the friends argue spectacularly, after which Zoe storms out into the pouring rain.
Worried about her friend, Kaitlin calls her continually but her calls and text messages go unanswered. As the party drew to a close, Kaitlin and Greg make their way to Zoe's apartment in the hope she has arrived home safely...but when they get there, they discover she hasn't been home at all and there appears to be no sign of her. She wouldn't stay out in this filthy weather so where could she be? Remembering her recent break-up with her boyfriend Daniel, Zoe confided in her earlier that evening that Daniel had followed her back to the UK and had been calling and harassing her. Basically stalking her, were her words. Immediately worried, particularly in light of Daniel's sudden return as well as the unanswered messages, Kaitlin decides to call the police.
In the days following, Zoe remains missing despite searching the river path and footbridge and its surrounds. The only item recovered was Zoe's handbag on which appeared to be blood. Then things begin to get muddy regarding Greg but when questioned his answers are vague before cleverly changing the subject. What has Greg got to hide? He went after Zoe that night? Did he catch up with her? Did he see what happened to her? Or did he have something to do with her disappearance? Suddenly, Kaitlin isn't sure what to believe anymore as she begins her own quest for answers...with surprising results.
Meanwhile, readers meet Daniel in flashbacks through Zoe's narrative as well as the surprising discovery that lead to their break-up and her ultimate humiliation seeing her lose her job. With nothing to keep her in Portugal any longer, Zoe returned to the UK. But at what cost? Did her return lead to circumstances from which she could have escaped had she not flounced out of the party so soon? Was she simply in the wrong place at the wrong time? Or was there are more sinister reason behind her disappearance?
Almost every character had a voice in this thrill-ride of a story and the multiple perspectives initially made for a convoluted tale but believe me, it all comes together and makes a whole lot of sense in the end. The short snappy chapters (my favourite kind) keep the pace moving steadily through the alternating viewpoints and multiple characters. As the investigation into Zoe's disappearance continues, the doubts that her friend had raised leads Kait to wonder if there is something in what Zoe alluded to. And soon Kait wonders who can she trust at all.
Sheryl leads us through various avenues whilst handing us multiple suspects, leaving readers scratching their heads as to who is responsible for Zoe's disappearance. Whilst Kaitlin refused to believe her best friend was dead, so too did I, unless there was some tangible evidence that was irrefutable. And yet we are quick to believe there is something shady about Greg. Why is that?
Tensions mount as the story progresses as the reader is hand-fed plenty of suspects but wondering if it's all just a clever plot to hoodwink us. I started my investigation before the story really even began with my first thought that Greg and Daniel were one and the same...though I was barely 10 pages in at that stage, it was a wild stab in the dark that jumped to mind as I was reading. But Sheryl was much cleverer than that...still I was able to iron out some of those twists before their reveals although one did come out of nowhere despite my initial suspicions of a particular character. Overall, I wasn't fooled...I pretty had them worked out.
An enjoyable mystery, THE INVITE is a domestic thriller of unbelievable proportions. I certainly didn't want to put it down until I had all the answers, that's for sure. Something which Sheryl skillfully does with every book. The intensity was such that by the time the tension has built, the book is impossible to put down.
Secrets, lies and obsession make for a delicious domestic thriller and THE INVITE is no different. A cleverly woven tale that will keep you up all night.
I would like to thank #SherylBrowne, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheInvite in exchange for an honest review.
MEET THE AUTHOR:
When she's not writing Sheryl can usually be found messing about on the water in her little narrowboat, Aquaduck, which she says she can generally be found falling off and she admits to being a bit accident prone.
Sheryl lives in Worcestershire with her partner and a variety of disabled dogs, of whom she says "my furry-friends give me back much more than I could ever give them. I really wouldn’t be me without them." According to readers of her thrillers, she also apparently makes an excellent psychopath.
Thank you so much for sharing your brilliant review, Stina. This one has made me fluff up my chest feathers! So please you enjoyed! xx
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