Cuckoo: The original twisted psychological drama

Mixed feelings about this book. It was a bit confusing and it was very far fetched, I know it's fiction but it was really unbelievable in places. The characters were just that.. Characters... as a reader there was no bonding with them. And come on, who'd consider Polly a friend!!! That said I was strangely hooked on this book. It isn't the best read but it's an easy read and did give you food for thought and I couldn't put it down so it is gripping. the ending was quick which after reading the majority of the book was a bit disappointing.... I'm very confused. I neither liked it or hate it... Would I recommend it...erm - probably...hesitantly.

This book was recommended to me as I am a fan of Authors like Sophie Hannah and Claire Seeber. It is a good suspense thriller but I must admit it took me a while to get into. But by a third of the way through the book I was hooked on the plot and I think the creepiness of Polly's character built quite well. There are some really shocking moments in the book where I thought to myself 'Oh this will be a bit of a scare but it'll all turn out to be fine.' But it didn't, which is good because it surprised me.However towards the end, Rose, the main character was getting on my nerves a bit. I hadn't like Gareth (Rose's husband) from the start and by the end I found it hard to see why Rose had married him in the first place, but his unlikable demeanour actually works quite well with the climax of the book. Also, there are some incidents that are alluded to earlier in the book but you never find out exactly what happened (I guess it is left to the readers interpretation/imagination); this was a little frustrating for me as I like to know everything.The ending itself was dramatic but a little disappointing. It was all wrapped up a bit too quickly. Yet the majority of the book is a good, page turning read and overall I enjoyed it.

This is the first book I've read by this author and I couldn't put it down. I was actually resenting going to work as it was interfering with my reading time! Only occasionally I've felt like that about a book. The story unfolds and you think you know where it's heading but suddenly a little twist leaves you wondering. I also loved the fact that it is a proper full length book not a short ebook. As soon as I post this I'm going shopping for more by Julia Crouch.

Couldn't relate to characters, difficult to finish. Ending didnt make sense. Disappointing and really didn't enjoy. Promised so much and failed to deliver. Would not recommend even as a holiday read.

Absolutely loved it and although I didn't want it to end I couldn't stop reading! All the warning signs were there but she wasn't strong enough to heed them. Oh the folly of lies and giving someone that power over you.! Was a bit frustrated that Kate's prescription appeared not to be followed through and that we were never told the extent of Polly's evil particularly with regard to Flossie. My only criticism would be that I found myself losing sympathy with Rose..almost thinking "she asked for it!" But I would certainly recommend this book and am currently reading more books by this author.

This kept me reading throughout although set in a domestic scene with lots of kids which isn't my usual read. Polly is under suspicion from the start and there's an air of mystery that keeps you going. An excellent read with the perfect title. For the last 25%, I never put my Kindle down. Thanks - I'll read another by this author.

This book was very easy to read and exciting and enjoyable. The reason I have only rated it 3 stars is because the ending was disappointing and there were several major and significant incidents in the story left hanging in the air as to what actually happened, that I was expecting would be revealed at the end, but it is left to the reader to guess. None of the main adult characters in the book are likeable. The first part of the book I also found a bit slow moving, but still readable nonetheless, and it gets better and more exciting as the book progresses. Just a silly ending left with loose ends.

One of those stories where the heroine is thick enough to exasperate anyone reading the clues that point to her friend's true nature. These Pollyanna types deserve everything they get, and the hausfrau in this one is a perfect case in point. Even the swearing is middle class, agony over the Aga.