A review by traceyroberts
The Lodge by Sue Watson

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

5.0

I've been a fan of Sue Watson for some time now.  She is definitely an autobuy author for me so I was delighted to be approved by Netgalley and Bookouture to receive an ARC of her latest novel, The Lodge. 

A dysfunctional family are brought together to spend a long weekend  celebrating matriarch of the family, Angela's 75th birthday.   Angela hopes a weekend at a luxury lodge in the depths of winter will help heal family rifts.  She's even hired a chef for the weekend.  However there is a snow storm and the family are unable to escape the lodge and the tension explodes in a mix of secrets, jealousy and revenge.

I thought the writing was superb and created an atmospheric setting for this locked room thriller.  You could cut the tension with a knife.  As is expected with thrillers there were plenty of twists, red herrings and clues to unravel. 

I really loved the characters, although no-one is who they appear to be.  The story is told from the POVs of Fiona, the ex-wife and Danni, the new wife.  The complicated family dynamics add to the tension and creates an air of anxiety. 

I would recommend this one to anyone who loves a good psychological thriller.  It had me gripped and on the edge of my seat.