The Couple in the Cabin by Daniel Hurst
Genre: Psychological thriller, Domestic thriller, Suspense
Read: 25th October 2022
Published: 20th October 2022
★★★★★ 5 stars
DESCRIPTION:
They’ll do anything to get out. She’ll do anything to keep them in.
When happily married Grace comes home early one night and catches her husband, Dominic, with another woman in the cabin at the bottom of their garden, she is shocked, angry, and most of all, hell-bent on revenge. That’s why she acts quickly, locking the pair in the cabin while she decides what she wants to do to them.
While Dominic and his mistress desperately try to get free, Grace makes a plan on the outside, but it’s a plan that is formed based on her previous experiences. That’s because this might not be the first time Grace has done something like this…Who is the real villain? The cheating husband? Or the vengeful wife?
The new psychological thriller from the bestselling author of The Intruder, Til Death Do Us Part & We Used To Live Here.
MY THOUGHTS:
They say revenge is a fish best served cold but Daniel Hurst doesn't even let it cool. He serves it piping hot!
I only discovered Daniel Hurst less than twelve months ago and in that time I have already read about half a dozen of his books and each one as intriguing as the next. I love his easy style drawing you in and immersing you within the story that you experience every flipping thing going on. But so prolific is he that he publishes another book before I've had the chance to read a previous one (all of which are sitting on my kindle shelf awaiting attention). When his newsletter came out the other day with news of this book being published, off I went to Amazon and purchased it right away. I had a teensy gap in my schedule and knowing how fast paced and what quick reads he writes, I decided to slot it in. And I'm glad I did. It was just phenomenal.
Grace and Dominic have been married for several years now and are comfortable with the life they share together. When Dominic announces he wants to build a cabin in their back garden, a man cave of sorts where he can work in the peace and quiet, Grace is dubious at first. But she relents and up goes the cabin...as does the budget. But Dominic wants only the best. Heating, a TV and triple glazed windows amongst other luxuries. Perfect for work as well as some relaxation time.
One night, Grace is at an out of town work function and had intended to stay over in the hotel at her employers' expense but as the night drew on she decided that what she really wanted was to go home and snuggle up with Dom in her own bed. She meets Clark at the function who was doing some networking of his own and after a couple of hours of chatting he offered to drive her home, as he lived in the same neighbourhood. Upon arriving home, Grace noted that all the lights were on but there was no sign of her husband. Calling out to him she received no answer. And then she noticed items scattered about the floor...and the back door open. She looks out towards Dominic's cabin in the back yard and sees it's door is also open. What she discovers beyond that door shocks her. Dominic and another woman - a much younger woman - naked on the floor of his cabin.
She doesn't say a word. She doesn't have to. Dominic senses her presence and turns to see her standing there. And without a word, Grace slams the cabin door shut and turns the key, locking her husband and the younger woman inside. No one does this Grace. No one.
Dominic and Kamilla thought they had the night to themselves - after all, Grace was out of town for the night. After having sex in every room of the house they decide to be adventurous and take it to the cabin, running naked across the lawn with nothing but a bottle of wine and wearing nothing but smiles.
Imagine their shock when Grace returns home earlier than expected and discovers them writhing naked on the cabin floor. Even moreso when she then turns around and locks them in the cabin. Shocked, Dominic and Kamilla find themselves trapped with no clothes, phone, food, water or keys. Not even a bathroom. And since Dominic wanted only the best with triple glazed windows, no one can hear them and they cannot penetrate through the fortified glass and doors. And believe me, they try. From throwing things at the window to screaming at the retreating Grace for help, it is all to no avail.
Then Grace does something shocking...yes, even more than locking them in the cabin. She brings all of Kamilla's scattered belongings and most of Dominic's from the house into the garden, piling it up in front of the cabin. Then she sets it alight, watching it burn to ashes. What the...? Has she completely lost the plot?
But Grace has not finished with them. She then turns off the power so they have no heating and no light. And then she takes herself back into the house, turns out the lights and goes to bed. Is she just going to leave them there? To freeze overnight? Dominic and Kamilla hope that in the light of day, Grace will have calmed down and set them free.
How wrong could they be...?
Unbeknownst to her cheating husband and his mistress outside, Grace is unable to sleep. But she won't give them the satisfaction of knowing that. Instead, she takes herself off to work in a great mood, leaving them there until she decides how much punishment is enough.
What ensues is a deliciously wicked game of cat and mouse that is dark, chilling and peppered with sarcastic humour. From writing notes pleading their case to guessing what Grace is going to do next, prepare to be shocked.
THE COUPLE IN THE CABIN is a phenomenal read that is fast paced and oh so twisted! When I started it I wondered how much mileage can you get out of locking someone in a cabin and making an entire story out of it? Well, I needn't have feared because Hurst expertly weaves a tale with an equally enthralling backstory that holds your attention throughout. As he seamlessly threads the past with the present we gain a better understanding of what's going on but still we wonder just how far it will go?
The story unfolds through Grace and Dominic's alternating narratives, as well as Grace as a ten year old which was equally compelling as adult Grace. Hurst captures the nature and sense of a ten year old exceptionally well that my heart went out to the little girl. As events gradually unfolded I began to see what was happening and I was shocked yet intrigued even more.
THE COUPLE IN THE CABIN is deviously plotted and skillfully written, showcasing Hurst's phenomenal talent and wicked humour. And he keeps it going right to the delicious end. One of his best thrillers to date despite having to suspend belief a tad. I don't care. I'm here for the ride...and what a ride he gives us!
Highly recommended.
MEET THE AUTHOR:
He has been employed in several glamorous roles in his lifetime, including bartending, shelf stacking and procurement administration, all while based in some of the most exotic places on the planet, like Bolton, Preston and South London.
Daniel writes psychological thrillers and loves to tell tales about unusual things happening to normal people. He has written all his life, making the progression from handing scribbled stories to his parents as a boy to writing full length novels in his thirties. He lives in the North West of England and when he isn’t writing, he is usually watching a game of football in a pub where his wife can’t find him.
Since following his lifelong passion for writing in 2020, he has amassed a loyal and devoted set of readers, and regularly has several books in the top 100 of the Psychological Thriller Charts on Amazon. His title The Passenger became the #1 selling psychological thriller in the UK in October 2021.
A prolific writer, Daniel likes to keep readers on their toes by self publishing even more books in between those released through his publisher.
Social Media links:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads
Social Media links:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads
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