Title: WE PLAY GAMES
Author: Sarah A. Denzil
Narrators: Billie Piper, Dan Stevens, Shane Zaza Avita Jay, Felicity Duncan, David Holt and Sarah Whitehouse
Duration: 8hours, 41minutes
Publisher: Audible Originals
Source: Audible
The perfect couple. The perfect marriage. The perfect game.
Effie and Ben May have everything. Success. Beauty. Glamour. But beneath the charming smiles and expensive clothes, a twisted game is in progress.
A game for which only they know the rules.
Leaving their fast-paced London life behind them, the Mays move to the exclusive gated community of Ivy Oaks. Here they can settle down and start a family in this quiet, safe little neighbourhood. At least, that’s what they tell their new neighbours.
But the truth has deadly consequences.
While Effie and Ben scheme and manipulate those around them, they fail to notice their carefully cultivated façade crumbling away. The perfect couple soon turn the game on each other, breaking all the rules. But when the stakes are life and death, losing isn’t an option.
As the final cards are dealt, who will play the winning hand and who will pay the ultimate price?
Official Summary
14 March 2024
I have no idea why I have not read more of this author’s books. I really enjoy her work and I have made a note to keep an eye out for more of her books to add to my TBR. (Yes, my TBR self is full, but I am sure I can squeeze another book or two into it.)
When you open tis book you can expect a riveting psychological thriller that unravels the intricate layers of a seemingly perfect marriage, where beneath the veneer of success and glamour lies a dangerous game with deadly consequences.
Effie and Ben May, the quintessential power couple, decide to leave their fast-paced London life behind and move to the exclusive gated community of Ivy Oaks. Their outward charm and affluence hide the twisted game they are playing, a game shrouded in secrecy and unknown rules that only they understand. The author creates an atmosphere of suspense as the Mays manipulate those around them, weaving a narrative that keeps you guessing about the true nature of their game.
The story explores the façade of perfection that the couple presents to their new neighbours, highlighting the conflict between appearance and reality. As Effie and Ben’s carefully crafted world begins to crumble, the stakes escalate to life and death. The Narrative takes unexpected turns, keeping you glued to the pages (or audiobook) as the characters turn the game against each other, breaking the rules with dire consequences. This storytelling is sharp and compelling, with a keen sense of pacing that adds to the tension. The psychological manipulation and the unravelling of the perfect façade make this book a captivating read. The author beautifully deals the final cards, leaving you guessing who will emerge with the winning hand and who will pay the ultimate price in this thrilling and unpredictable game of life and death.
I loved this book and cannot wait to read more of this author’s books. Watch my social media pages, I am reviewing another one of her books next week.
Also By Sarah A. Denzil
The Housemaid
Housemaid wanted.
Skills required: Discretion, and the willingness to go the extra mile.
It seems like the perfect job. Great wages, accommodation provided, and all located within the walls of Highwood Hall, a stunning stately home owned by the Howard family. Not many little girls dream of becoming a maid, but this is an opportunity for me to get back on my feet. And for me to revisit my past…
But I soon realise I’ve made a mistake. The strict housekeeper, Mrs Huxley, watches my every move, emerging from the shadows when least expected. Lord Howard’s son, Alex, takes an interest in me, and as a former addict, I find myself drawn to him because I know he’s bad for me.
There’s a general atmosphere of unease at Highwood Hall, from the narrow tunnels laced throughout the sprawling house, to the abandoned north wing, rumoured to be haunted. It’s easy to imagine the secrets hidden within these walls, like the secrets I hold close.
On my first day, I receive a mysterious package. I open up the pretty gift box to find a miniature doll version of me trapped inside a dollhouse. In this scene I’m dead, lying in a pool of red paint at the bottom of the perfectly recreated staircase. Someone sent this threatening diorama to me, but who even knows I work at the hall? And what do they want?
I know only one truth: my perfect job is turning into my perfect nightmare.
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Sarah A. Denzil is a million copy bestselling author of psychological suspense novels. Her books include number one bestseller Silent Child, which was a Goodreads Choice semi-finalist in 2017. Her books have been published in several different languages and have appeared on the Wall Street Journal bestseller list.
Sarah lives in Yorkshire with her husband and cats, enjoying the scenic countryside and rather unpredictable weather. She loves to write moody, psychological fiction with plenty of twists and turns.
Thank you for visiting the blog and reading my review. Thanks to my Audible subscription I have been able to work my way through a lot more books, with my day-job stealing more of my day, I have been loving audiobooks.
What are your thoughts on audiobooks? I will always prefer a book to the audio, but with less and less time to read, I have found a place for audiobooks in my day-to-day routine. (I always thought that once my kids are grown up I would have more time, yet I feel as if since the start of the year I have even less hours in each day….) Until next time…Happy Reading!
