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You won’t be able to put this gripping psychological thriller down.

A big thank you to Goodreads Giveaways for this ARC copy of The Heights!
(I can assure you.. These are absolutely my own thoughts and opinions.)

After hearing so much about this book.. you would think I would have gone in more prepared for what awaited me but, alas, I was not. In the end.. It may not have been exactly what I was expecting but it did keep me turning pages until the very end.

This book is one of those love/hate kind of reads.
You’ll either enjoy the ride or want very little to do with it.

Warning: Death, Grief, Loss, Drug abuse, Murder

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The Heights by Louise Candlish

Publication date: March 1, 2022

First line: Kieran Watts has been dead for over two years when I see him standing on the roof of a building in Shad Thames.

Ellen had the perfect life.. A loving husband, two wonderful children, and the kind of happiness you only achieve before something inevitably goes horribly wrong.

Then.. a single moment alters their lives forever.

If you think you know how this story goes.. Prepare to be surprised.

Four Stars!

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Characters:
Ellen, the main character, is fiercely protective. Driven. Angry. Desperate. Obsessive. She’s not a likable person.. but she is well-written. You will follow this woman through hell and back, after all, what mother wouldn’t do whatever it takes to defend her child?
Vic, the ex.. They had Lucas at twenty-three but never married. They’re still close. He followed them to Beckenham to remain close to Lucas but don’t let that fool you.. He’s kind of a douche.
Justin, her husband, doesn’t see the same darkness in Kieran that Ellen does. He thinks the boy has been through a lot and deserves more patience and understanding. Very noble of him.
Freya, her twelve-year-old daughter. We see very little of her character throughout the book, though, she does seem like a good kid.
Lucas, Ellen’s sixteen-year-old son, has fallen hard under Kieran’s spell. Nothing that couldn’t be explained away as typical teen rebellion.. but there’s Keiran and his bad influence to consider.
Kieran Watts, also sixteen and in need of a good, old-fashioned spanking. He has no problem living up to his trouble-making reputation and, while he may look like a boy, Ellen only sees the monster that destroyed their lives. (This kid is a piece of work.)

Pace: Steady. Engaging.
Storyline: Absorbing.

The Past: 2012
The Plan: 2017
The Present: 2021

Multiple POVs: Ellen and Vic.. as well as short articles from the Sunday Times magazine.

It all begins with a story. Ellen’s story. Her confession. And how a boy she thought was dead.. turned out to be very much alive.

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Overall:

I spent the entire book trying to decide if I liked it or not.
The pace was pretty good, I enjoyed the author’s writing, and the storyline is interesting.
No. My issue lay with Ellen.
Is she a good character for this book? Oh, absolutely. But is she a decent person? Debatable.
You see.. there are lines you don’t cross. Even if you believe you have a very good reason, there are lines, and Ellen crosses many. Could I say with certainty that my actions and choices, if placed in her situation, wouldn’t be the same? I can’t.. but I would like to hope so.

Liked:

The writing. The author has this way of writing that captivates. It’s not flowery or lyrical but there’s something about it that just draws you in.

There are a surprising amount of twists and turns here, and just when you think you have everything figured out, you’re thrown another curveball so.. if you’re looking for a light, predictable read? This isn’t it.

The tension had me on the edge of my seat. Almost from page one, there’s this quiet, uncomfortable pressure that twists around your spine.. the kind that only eases if you keep moving forward.

I also think this book did a great job of forming and highlighting toxic relationships. It’s not pleasant to read but more people should be aware, and wary of, the signs of toxic influences in their lives.

The ending threw me for a loop. Not all of it, mind you, but what did.. was fantastically done.

Disliked:

Almost all of the characters are unlikable.
Ellen’s and Kieran’s obsessive hatred of one another becomes predictable and repetitive.
Vic’s a two-faced, cowardly, no-good scoundrel.. (It isn’t until later on that Vic’s true colors are revealed but, once they are, you’ll understand my contempt towards him.)
And Justin was too soft to be of interest to me.

There’s also a fairly good amount of emotionally triggering content and I can see this being a difficult read for some so.. be cautious if that might be a concern for you.

Besides that, though, I thought this was a great introduction to Louise Candlish’s work and I’ll be looking forward to seeing more of it in the future.

I would recommend ‘The Heights’ to fans of Lisa Jewel, Ashley Winstead, and Kimberly McCreight.

Quotes:

“I thought of all the mothers out there worrying themselves silly. It was a full-time job in itself and it didn’t seem to matter if the children were technically adults. They were always our cubs, always in need of our protection.”

“Through the window, the garden was drenched with colour, but I thought only of that old Stones song ‘Paint It Black’. I’m sure you know it. Melancholic, but not without elegance. The feeling that grief might have some kind of grace wrought from it.”

“I had begun to feel the fanaticism of someone whose mission is absolutely – almost divinely – right.”

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And that’s all folks!
I do hope you enjoyed today’s review and appreciate you taking the time to check it out..
Stay safe, be well, and happy reading!

Have you/would you read this book?
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