What Lies Between Us by John Marrs

An award winning domestic thriller book by John Marrs.

Author

Diego Dunne
December 10, 2024

Hey, it’s Diego.

I’ve picked up What Lies Between Us by John Marrs this week.

And it’s not what I expected it to be.

Let me give you my spoiler-free unbiased review.

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What Lies Between Us by John Marrs Review

What Lies Between Us is the story of Maggie and Nina, a mother and daughter living under the same roof, sharing meals, conversations—and secrets darker than anyone could imagine.

Trigger Warnings: violence, pedophilia, rape, kidnapping, mental health issues, miscarriages, infertility, drug abuse, underage sex.

This book falls squarely inside the domestic thriller genre. It takes place almost entirely in a family home and explores the relationships of those that live in it.

Domestic thrillers: a subset of psychological thrillers that happen in a “domestic” location. This can be a family home or small town but can also be a hospital, prison, etc.

The story alternates between two perspectives: Maggie’s and Nina’s, as we peel the layers of their relationship. The writing is fast-paced, engaging, and darkly immersive, a classic of other John Marrs’ books.

I appreciated how Marrs revealed the story’s secrets. Each chapter brought a new shock or insight. I’m fine with some graphic violence, but I was not prepared for the deeply disturbing themes. This isn’t a light thriller; it’s creepy, unsettling, and kind of a downer for me.

The dual timeline adds to the tension, flipping between present-day and events from 25 years ago. This is a staple of Marrs and although the information we get does add to the layers, the chapters from the past felt like they overstayed their welcome.

There’s no romance or explicit content here. Swearing is present, and the violence is vivid.

So, what about the ending? (No spoilers obviously)

I love my stories to wrap up nicely, with a neat little bow at the end. I like to read a cathartic scene where everything our characters have been through finally pays off physically and emotionally. Then a denouement in another chapter (or chapters) following the characters decompress where things are resolved and I’m left delighted at how well things played out at the end, every plot thread resolved.

I thought the ending was a good fit for the book’s tone — dark and unapologetic —but I would have liked more on how things settled.

If you are a fan of heavy themes in your thrillers, this one is a good pick.

Similar Books to What Lies Between Us

  • The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

  • Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

  • Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel

That’s all for this week.

See you next time.

— Diego Dunne

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