Book Review: The Couple at No. 9, Claire Douglas

My rating: 2 stars

Book of 2022: 4 

BODIES FOUND UNDER PATIO

When Saffy moves into 9 Skelton Place with boyfriend Tom and sets about renovations, the last thing she expects is workmen uncovering two bodies. 

POLICE INVESTIGATE

Forensics indicate the bodies have been buried for thirty years - much to Saffy’s relief. Until the police’s murder investigation turns to the cottage’s former owner - her grandmother, Rose. 

A KILLER AT LARGE? 

As the police dig ever deeper and Rose begins to remember, Saffy fears she and the cottage are being watched. 

What happened thirty years ago?

What part did her grandmother play?

And is Saffy now in danger?

This was a book picked as the first installment of the work book club. I never gravitate to crime novels in particular, so it was interesting to delve into something new. The deadline did help me get through this one a little quicker, as well as the sun, and the language being very straightforward. 

You can tell just by the lengthy blurb just how painful this reading experience might have been. I’m usually happy enough reading a simple plot-based book that doesn’t require much of you, but this one was a little tiresome. 

The book begins from Saffy’s point of view, & then we also get a third person perspective from Theo (whose relevancy is unknown for a long time), Lorna (Saffy’s mother), & then Rose (Saffy’s grandmother, therefore Lorna’s mother) who directs her perspective to Lorna.  

The perspective switching was somewhat interesting, but sometimes just got in the way. It was fairly easy to pick up between stints, but it did get in the way at times when you were following one line of narrative. 

Theo’s story came from nowhere. We had no clue how he fit into the story, which I believe was supposed to be suspenseful, but it was just a bit annoying. His narrative voice made me write the word “NO” in the margins. 

Lorna’s was a little better, but Douglas characterised her as a neat-freak do-er and would not drop it. It got a little repetitive. We also had a side angle of her relationship in Spain, which was completely pointless to the plot, served no tension, and frankly would have made no difference if it had been ignored. 

The story touched on some interesting points - there was a central theme of motherhood running through, and there were some touching moments. 

The meanders of the plot were interesting to read and not always completely guessable. I think, somehow though, there were too many elements involved. The writing style was simple (and frustratingly obvious at times… the phrase “show don’t tell” came to mind a lot). 

Mostly though, the plot was just a bit boring. It was easy to read & get through, so I did. But, I was never gripped. I’m not sure if it’s because the genre isn’t one I really reach for, or if it was because it was chosen for me, or if it was just actually boring. I can’t decide. I’m just glad it’s over. 

The biggest thing for me was just how rushed the ending was. In generic terms, the ending, or denouement, should be the most thrilling part. With The Couple at No. 9, it wasn’t. It felt rushed, & quickly came to a close, without much exploration into the characters in the past, or how it affects the present ones. 

Ultimately, this wasn’t terrible but I’ll be in no rush to read another if I can help it. The whole point of this book club is to expand our readership, try something new, and read for the joy of reading. I am in no way butt hurt that I’ve now read this novel, and I look forward to the next one. 

Book 4 of 2022: complete