Spare Room: a twisty dark psychological thriller

It appears I’m in the minority of Goodreads reviewers who’ve read this book, which I admit is well-written, but truth is—during the first 20% of the book—none of the characters engaged me, plus they weren’t particularly likable. That includes the protagonist Lisa, who is nervous, jumpy, depressed but on meds, has screaming rages, probably anorexic, lies to her doting parents, etc. I had a difficult time adjusting to her self-centered inner monologue.I almost quit at the 20% mark, but I’m glad I persevered, because Lisa’s decisions and actions, which appeared TSTL at first, had a purpose. The intricate plot is cleverly woven and the strands cohere as the book progresses. Recommended if you like psychological suspense.Warning: gruesome post-murder scenes of children. A pet cat is poisoned, etc.—it’s germane to the plot but I hated it.

At 99 cents this is overpriced. I read a lot of books and it is rare they I find one so insipid as to feel the need to write a negative review. This is one of the worst books I have ever encountered. The writing is amateurish at best. She may have won a previous award but she will be lucky not to be dropped by her publisher for this monstrosity. The protagonist is so outlandish you could not possibly find any way to relate to, or feel sympathy for her. The editor either did not read the book, or just decided to not waste the time with all the errors and repetition of phrases. The plot is ridiculous and the ending perhaps even more so. This is a “stinker” do not waste your time.

Very very good story! I could not stop reading until the end to see what really happened. I would recommend Spare Room to anyone who loves psychological mysteries!

At first it seems stupid that Lisa has this overwhelming desire to rent a room in this house where the landlords seem weird. I almost quit reading but I am glad I didn't as she had a reason to be in that particular Victorian house. It was a well written story but the end was gruesome and far fetched. The actions of Lisa's family just did not seem realistic. I liked the setting, the mystery and intrigue.

Lady sure knows how to write a book that keeps you wondering if you know the truth only to find out that you're nowhere close to it! This has been one of the very few books that kept me guessing, from the first page to the very last. If you want something to read that will keep your attention and you have the time to finish it in one read, by all means pick this one. I'm a voracious reader and will be looking for all that Dreda Say Mitchell has written and will continue to write, lady, you have a new fan and the pleasure is mine.

Read it in one sitting, couldn't put it down! A thriller that grabs you and doesn't let go. Looking forward to more from this amazing author.

Love Dreda's books. This one was amazing. Kept me in suspense all the way thru. Finished it a little over a day. Couldn't put it down.

There are not enough stars available for rating this book! Dreda Mitchell is an artist! The characters and settings came alive for me, and my only regret was that I was reading from my phone and not a tangible book I could hold and hug and thank for the amazing journey when I finished. A thousand stars and many thanks to the author!

Nobody but nobody would have carried on living in the 'Spare Room' after (spoiler) being jumped by the landlord on the first night and a day later a mouse being deliberately left and then violently killed by same landlord. Absurd unto the extreme. Am so fed up by the trashy books being promoted on Kindle as thrillers when in fact they are nothing but nasty ridiculous garbage. Good books by good authors are available but usually at prices far higher than in your local supermarket.Naturally stopped reading this vile book at chapter eight. Do not waste your 99p on it...

What a long tale of implausible nonsense!The author rushes in where angels fear to tread with no research whatsoever into the Mental Health Act under which she has her central figure detained and has her solicitor/ boyfriend risking heavy fines and/or imprisonment into cavalier "research" into closed government files.Ms Mitchell doesn't "do" research it seems. She claims Alex looks at the 2011 census and that 2001 census was the celebrated as the hundred year anniversary of the first one in 1801Ms Mitchell, the first census was in 1841. The census records are closed for 100 years and 1911, is the most recent one published. All subsequent censuses are closed for 100 years and unlawful disclosure is a criminal offence and carries a heavy penalty. Put plainly, Alex could not have accessed these records be he a lawyer or not. The electoral register and the land register would be quite sufficient for him to find what he was after and I can't figure out why you bring the census in at all.The Mental Health Act is very tightly regulated and you might just about get a way with getting a 72 hour detention order although the Psychiatrist would have known to get a Mental Health Officer present as it requires 2 officers to sign it. Your patient would have been admitted to a hospital for assessment before any further detention or treatment is decided upon and further legislation kicks in before she can be further detained. Alex would not have been able to find a" technicality" to allow his friend to leave the hospital, she could have left within 72 hours of her own accord. Given the circumstances I think it is unlikely Lisa would even have been detained on a 72 hour emergency order in the first place. She may have been angry and obstructionist in her behaviour but that is not enough. People in a high state of stress and anxiety are not detained on that alone.So why give it two, stars at all. The issues with the census and the MHA can be dropped from the story without affecting the narrative, I don't know why the author has so exposed herself to such ridicule unnecessarily. Otherwise this is a story with some intrigue and the sort of story you have "on the go" whilst waiting for the washing machine to finish its cycle, or the dog to come back from its visit to the garden at night.But it is not a serious read and not really for adults.

Wasn’t too impressed with this but stuck with it after reading all the 5 star reviews.None of the characters are really likeable- and the thoughts of Lisa became quite repetitive. Don’t get me wrong- I did sympathise with her problems, but the story becomes quite shallow with too many obvious “twists “The actual ending of the book when we discover what really happened is actually quite horrid . I know that’s what some fiction is, but I wouldn’t have read it had I known the violence that is quite honestly, disturbing and lightly addressed.This is the first book I have read by this author- it may be my last ....

Fantastic readVery original and spine chilling not Dreda’s usual east end family sagaA very different well thought out suspense thriller with great characters content and twistsLoved all the main characters including the baddiesThis is unputtdownable and once you start it you will be hooked

I have read so many mystery suspense books on kindle for 99p and only just come to my senses. They are not for me! This book was awful and like many others it was ok to start with but then became childish and the ending was unbelievable. Don't waste your time or money