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A Lesson in Cruelty
WHAT PRICE WOULD YOU PAY FOR THE PERFECT LIFE?
They say you can't always get what you want. But you can take it.
Anna wants a fresh start. She doesn't believe she deserves it, but after three years behind bars she has finally paid her dues. Most of them, anyway.
Lucy craves the attention of the only man she can't have, her alluring Oxford professor. He's married - not for the first time. Maybe she should be next in line?
Marie the recluse has been locked up for too long. She's not ready to be free, but some rules are meant to be broken.
Everyone wants a perfect life. But not everyone is prepared to take it.
Unless someone decides to teach them a lesson.
They say you can't always get what you want. But you can take it.
Anna wants a fresh start. She doesn't believe she deserves it, but after three years behind bars she has finally paid her dues. Most of them, anyway.
Lucy craves the attention of the only man she can't have, her alluring Oxford professor. He's married - not for the first time. Maybe she should be next in line?
Marie the recluse has been locked up for too long. She's not ready to be free, but some rules are meant to be broken.
Everyone wants a perfect life. But not everyone is prepared to take it.
Unless someone decides to teach them a lesson.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 11, 2024
314 people are currently reading
3023 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 435 reviews
December 8, 2023
‘Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely’
INSIDE- is Anna Flynn who is leaving prison tomorrow with all her worldly goods packed in a clear plastic bag. It’s been ‘home’ for three years after a split second decision that leads to her world spinning out of control. She barely remembers the Anna of before as she has richly deserved harsh words constantly ringing in her ears and thoughts that haunt her, these will be a life sentence. As she leaves prison is it a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire?
OUTSIDE is Lucy who is studying for a Masters degree in law with an Oxford professor who it’s fair to say she’s obsessed with, as it’s his lectures she is most looking forward to. He’s married of course, not for the first time either. Also outside in reclusive isolation in Northern Scotland is Marie and her situation is unusual to say the least.
Three women, three storylines, do they connect? If so how and what will be the consequences?
I love the way Harriet Tyce writes, the way she draws you into intriguing plot webs, the way she gets you to ask multiple questions, the way she has you trying to observe the breadcrumbs dropped enticingly which of course leads to her delivery of a knockout psychological thriller. She is one of those authors who has you reflecting, for example in this book on characters current situations versus the old, also to weigh up the flaws in the legal system which gives her so much scope when creating a novel like this one. There are some very good descriptions that give different sensations such as a sense of unmooring or unreality, the fascinating vibes emanating from characters and as the novel progresses it becomes almost febrile, weird, distinctly messed up and increasingly dangerous. Whatever do these characters step into??? That would be telling!
The characterisation is very good, although you know Anna has done wrong, you root for her, Lucy’s obsession leaps off the pages ad as far r Marie, I’ll say little as therein lies the rub.
The settings in Oxford and Scotland are excellent choices as they not only give a great atmospheric backdrop but the beauty is such a contrast to the propulsive and well paced plot. The tension builds and builds and at times I feel as if I’m in a pressure cooker about to blow. I enjoy the way the connections reveal themselves, yes, a bit of suspension of belief is required but as I really enjoy the journey I’m more than happy to go with the flow. I like the ending, it’s satisfying, I do figure out one part of the jigsaw puzzle but not all of it by any means.
If you like well written and well constructed psychological thrillers then check out Harriet Tyce because she has mastered the genre and has produced yet another cracker.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Headline, Wildfire for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
INSIDE- is Anna Flynn who is leaving prison tomorrow with all her worldly goods packed in a clear plastic bag. It’s been ‘home’ for three years after a split second decision that leads to her world spinning out of control. She barely remembers the Anna of before as she has richly deserved harsh words constantly ringing in her ears and thoughts that haunt her, these will be a life sentence. As she leaves prison is it a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire?
OUTSIDE is Lucy who is studying for a Masters degree in law with an Oxford professor who it’s fair to say she’s obsessed with, as it’s his lectures she is most looking forward to. He’s married of course, not for the first time either. Also outside in reclusive isolation in Northern Scotland is Marie and her situation is unusual to say the least.
Three women, three storylines, do they connect? If so how and what will be the consequences?
I love the way Harriet Tyce writes, the way she draws you into intriguing plot webs, the way she gets you to ask multiple questions, the way she has you trying to observe the breadcrumbs dropped enticingly which of course leads to her delivery of a knockout psychological thriller. She is one of those authors who has you reflecting, for example in this book on characters current situations versus the old, also to weigh up the flaws in the legal system which gives her so much scope when creating a novel like this one. There are some very good descriptions that give different sensations such as a sense of unmooring or unreality, the fascinating vibes emanating from characters and as the novel progresses it becomes almost febrile, weird, distinctly messed up and increasingly dangerous. Whatever do these characters step into??? That would be telling!
The characterisation is very good, although you know Anna has done wrong, you root for her, Lucy’s obsession leaps off the pages ad as far r Marie, I’ll say little as therein lies the rub.
The settings in Oxford and Scotland are excellent choices as they not only give a great atmospheric backdrop but the beauty is such a contrast to the propulsive and well paced plot. The tension builds and builds and at times I feel as if I’m in a pressure cooker about to blow. I enjoy the way the connections reveal themselves, yes, a bit of suspension of belief is required but as I really enjoy the journey I’m more than happy to go with the flow. I like the ending, it’s satisfying, I do figure out one part of the jigsaw puzzle but not all of it by any means.
If you like well written and well constructed psychological thrillers then check out Harriet Tyce because she has mastered the genre and has produced yet another cracker.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Headline, Wildfire for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
May 5, 2024
3.5 / 5
Probably the wildest book I’ve read in a while, reading this book there was 3 individual separate plots occurring and it felt very disconnected and disorientating trying to understand how they all linked, with a twist at the end to tie things up in a nice bow. I found it hard to get into the book given how com-parted each parts felt, I did feel like the connection between them all felt rushed, and little to minimal amount of pages provided to detail how their stories all intertwined with themselves.
The book follows Anna, who is just released from Prison after servicing her sentence and is starting to find her feet again. Lucy a master student/ post grad student studying in Oxford obsessed with her law professor having daily fantasies and Marie who lives in a small village in Northern Scotland. You’ll be surprised that they are all linked to one another through their history and past.
Probably the wildest book I’ve read in a while, reading this book there was 3 individual separate plots occurring and it felt very disconnected and disorientating trying to understand how they all linked, with a twist at the end to tie things up in a nice bow. I found it hard to get into the book given how com-parted each parts felt, I did feel like the connection between them all felt rushed, and little to minimal amount of pages provided to detail how their stories all intertwined with themselves.
The book follows Anna, who is just released from Prison after servicing her sentence and is starting to find her feet again. Lucy a master student/ post grad student studying in Oxford obsessed with her law professor having daily fantasies and Marie who lives in a small village in Northern Scotland. You’ll be surprised that they are all linked to one another through their history and past.
May 1, 2024
Harriet Tyce checklist:
Legal setting? Check
Women lawyers with hearts of gold but messy personal lives? Check
Utter bastard husband who knows no boundaries, either moral or professional? Check.
It’s standard Tyce fare, though actually less legal based than other novels of hers: surprising, considering the subject matter.
But where to begin with this mess? A woman in prison due to be released comes across a dead body in her cell. Rather than raising the alarm she stands there for unfathomable reasons to be caught literally red handed. But not before she’s able to hide aa mobile phone that for some reason she doesn’t feel the need to declare to anyone, despite the fact she’s about to be released.
Tyce skins over why she’s suddenly released from the interests of the police investigating this murder (she just is, ok) but not before the woman is literally run over. Sent flying through the air, apparently, but has no need for medical attention when her lawyer decides that taking him back to her place.
Oh Tom the lawyer is a creep by the way. Who brings vulnerable offenders to their house? I mean he met her about two hours before as the duty solicitor and suddenly he’s giving her a room to sleep in and delicious coffee.
I could go on. Lucy is a brilliant female lawyer (aren’t they all?) infatuated with a man called Edgar, which is such a ridiculous name it never stops being funny even when it’s “revealed” that he’s a total wrong’un. There’s Scylla and Charibdis, known as Marie and someone else. They’re living a Big Brother sort of existence having deliveries given and not much else. Some sort of prison reform experiment apparently but so mentally far fetched, unless government oversight of funds used to rehabilitate someone found guilty of murdering her own children is nothing more than “trust me bruv”.
There’s a good story in there somewhere, trying to get out. But crikey it’s a total mess. And the denouement, where everything is spoonfed to the audience through exposition from Marie sums up the terribleness of how it is crafted.
Legal setting? Check
Women lawyers with hearts of gold but messy personal lives? Check
Utter bastard husband who knows no boundaries, either moral or professional? Check.
It’s standard Tyce fare, though actually less legal based than other novels of hers: surprising, considering the subject matter.
But where to begin with this mess? A woman in prison due to be released comes across a dead body in her cell. Rather than raising the alarm she stands there for unfathomable reasons to be caught literally red handed. But not before she’s able to hide aa mobile phone that for some reason she doesn’t feel the need to declare to anyone, despite the fact she’s about to be released.
Tyce skins over why she’s suddenly released from the interests of the police investigating this murder (she just is, ok) but not before the woman is literally run over. Sent flying through the air, apparently, but has no need for medical attention when her lawyer decides that taking him back to her place.
Oh Tom the lawyer is a creep by the way. Who brings vulnerable offenders to their house? I mean he met her about two hours before as the duty solicitor and suddenly he’s giving her a room to sleep in and delicious coffee.
I could go on. Lucy is a brilliant female lawyer (aren’t they all?) infatuated with a man called Edgar, which is such a ridiculous name it never stops being funny even when it’s “revealed” that he’s a total wrong’un. There’s Scylla and Charibdis, known as Marie and someone else. They’re living a Big Brother sort of existence having deliveries given and not much else. Some sort of prison reform experiment apparently but so mentally far fetched, unless government oversight of funds used to rehabilitate someone found guilty of murdering her own children is nothing more than “trust me bruv”.
There’s a good story in there somewhere, trying to get out. But crikey it’s a total mess. And the denouement, where everything is spoonfed to the audience through exposition from Marie sums up the terribleness of how it is crafted.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2024
Wow! What a twisted gripping can't-put-down book! Loved it! So well constructed, brilliantly written, twisty, surprising, well thought out story. I can't praise it enough.
Told from multiple points of view, A Lesson In Cruelty slowly draws you in until you can't help yourself but keep on reading. I loved the premise of the story. I thought I knew what was going on and then I got surprised and it just kept me guessing. So so good.
Harriet Tyce did a brilliant job writing multi-layered story that just grabs your attention and doesn't let go till you're finished.
I really enjoyed how all the different threads were eventually connected together. I can't say too much about the plot as I don't want to give anything away but it's unique and really well executed.
All in all A Lesson In Cruelty is an amazing book written brilliantly full of twists and turns and one not to be missed. Highly recommended.
Big thank you to NetGalley and Headline Audio | Wildfire for my copy of that book.
Told from multiple points of view, A Lesson In Cruelty slowly draws you in until you can't help yourself but keep on reading. I loved the premise of the story. I thought I knew what was going on and then I got surprised and it just kept me guessing. So so good.
Harriet Tyce did a brilliant job writing multi-layered story that just grabs your attention and doesn't let go till you're finished.
I really enjoyed how all the different threads were eventually connected together. I can't say too much about the plot as I don't want to give anything away but it's unique and really well executed.
All in all A Lesson In Cruelty is an amazing book written brilliantly full of twists and turns and one not to be missed. Highly recommended.
Big thank you to NetGalley and Headline Audio | Wildfire for my copy of that book.
May 26, 2025
INSIDE- is Anna Flynn who is leaving prison tomorrow with all her worldly goods packed in a clear plastic bag. It’s been home for three years after a split second decision that leads to her world spinning out of control. She barely remembers the Anna of before as she has richly deserved harsh words constantly ringing in her ears and thoughts that haunt her, these will be a life sentence. As she leaves prison is it a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire?
OUTSIDE is Lucy who is studying for a Masters degree in law with an Oxford professor who it’s fair to say she’s obsessed with, as it’s his lectures she is most looking forward to. He’s married of course, not for the first time either. Also outside in reclusive isolation in Northern Scotland is Marie and her situation is unusual to say the least.
Three women, three storylines, do they connect? If so how and what will be the consequences?
OUTSIDE is Lucy who is studying for a Masters degree in law with an Oxford professor who it’s fair to say she’s obsessed with, as it’s his lectures she is most looking forward to. He’s married of course, not for the first time either. Also outside in reclusive isolation in Northern Scotland is Marie and her situation is unusual to say the least.
Three women, three storylines, do they connect? If so how and what will be the consequences?
March 26, 2024
Narrators can make or break a book.
This audiobook's narrator did the latter.
😭😭😭
Narrator Candida Gubbins' gasping was not easy on one's ears.
And this book had a lot of gasping.
The book showcases the stories of three women:
1) Anna who is due to be released on parole and wants a fresh start
2) Law student Lucy who is infatuated with her alluring married college professor
3) Marie, a woman leading a secluded existence in Scotland.
How are these women connected?
Although I applaud the author for creating a complex and compelling storyline, the book's pacing was uneven.
Also, since the book unfolded from three POVs, I would have enjoyed the book much more had there been a full-cast narration with fewer gasps.
November 28, 2024
I normally like Harriet’s books but honestly this one is dire. Totally unbelievable in plot and with characters that were all shallow and with no redeeming features. The jump from person to person might have worked if there was any credible plot. There wasn’t. The extra character Kelly just remained unresolved at the end and added nothing. Mind you by that point my head was spinning with all the nonsense and I just wanted the pain of reading it to end. My main complaint is the seven quid I wasted on this rubbish. I’m literally too ashamed to pass it on and will be lighting my wood burner with it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2025
3.5⭐️ = Quite Good.
Paperback.
This was lent to me by a work colleague, after I bought it for her birthday!😁
I was disoriented and confused initially, as it kept flitting back and forth and from character to character. I have to say though, it was still a page turner as you knew it would all fall into place at the end.
The epilogue was great.
This might be for you if you’re willing to stick with it . A few twists and turns but you might easily predict these. Think the epilogue may surprise you.
Paperback.
This was lent to me by a work colleague, after I bought it for her birthday!😁
I was disoriented and confused initially, as it kept flitting back and forth and from character to character. I have to say though, it was still a page turner as you knew it would all fall into place at the end.
The epilogue was great.
This might be for you if you’re willing to stick with it . A few twists and turns but you might easily predict these. Think the epilogue may surprise you.
July 25, 2024
4.5 stars.
Wow, what a brilliantly constructed and suspenseful novel!
Slow to start but builds up to a powerful conclusion. I loved the three distinct POVs - Anna, Lucy and Marie. All three characters were well developed with complex, yet thrilling narratives. How do these three women with different storylines connect?
Set in Oxford and Scotland, the writing is beautifully atmospheric paired with a clever plot that will keep you turning the pages to find out how it all ties together.
A Lesson in Cruelty was my first by Harriet Tyce and I look forward to reading more from her.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Headline Audio for the ALC. The narration by Candida Gubbins was fantastic.
Wow, what a brilliantly constructed and suspenseful novel!
Slow to start but builds up to a powerful conclusion. I loved the three distinct POVs - Anna, Lucy and Marie. All three characters were well developed with complex, yet thrilling narratives. How do these three women with different storylines connect?
Set in Oxford and Scotland, the writing is beautifully atmospheric paired with a clever plot that will keep you turning the pages to find out how it all ties together.
A Lesson in Cruelty was my first by Harriet Tyce and I look forward to reading more from her.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Headline Audio for the ALC. The narration by Candida Gubbins was fantastic.
January 3, 2025
This book had me intrigued at first but then I thought the plot was too contrived, and unbelievable. Why did Lucy not simply walk away from the house? Staying in a house with the wife of the man she’s just slept with? Come on!
Anna, who became so heavily embroiled in it all, also could have walked away. Why the urgency to get to Scotland on behalf of someone she doesn’t even know?
Rachel inviting strangers from the hostel home? Surely there’s protocol on keeping relationships professional, volunteer or not?
Edgar, falsifying all the legal stuff? Really?
There were lots of sub-plots that got tidied away at the end and everyone lived happily ever after (perhaps too quickly and conveniently).
Anna, who became so heavily embroiled in it all, also could have walked away. Why the urgency to get to Scotland on behalf of someone she doesn’t even know?
Rachel inviting strangers from the hostel home? Surely there’s protocol on keeping relationships professional, volunteer or not?
Edgar, falsifying all the legal stuff? Really?
There were lots of sub-plots that got tidied away at the end and everyone lived happily ever after (perhaps too quickly and conveniently).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2025
Geez Louise, what a messed up mess. I didn’t understand any of it. I’m sorry, Harriet Tyce, but this was way out of my brain waves.
February 28, 2025
It was impossible to miss Tyce's debut hit 'Blood Orange' and loving it, so I always pick up her latest releases if ever I see them in the library.
Her latest thriller intertwines the tales of three women:
Anna due to be released from prison.
Lucy infatuated with her college lecturer.
Whilst Marie us a recluse.
All three have lessons to be learnt.
The driving mystery throughout the book is how the three women are connected and whilst I liked the idea of the initial introductions, the narrative structure makes it hard to keep on top of them all.
It's a slight struggle to recall where things have been left.
Whilst I was intrigued by the opening, I soon found myself never really clicked with the characters - so ultimately felt underwhelmed.
Her latest thriller intertwines the tales of three women:
Anna due to be released from prison.
Lucy infatuated with her college lecturer.
Whilst Marie us a recluse.
All three have lessons to be learnt.
The driving mystery throughout the book is how the three women are connected and whilst I liked the idea of the initial introductions, the narrative structure makes it hard to keep on top of them all.
It's a slight struggle to recall where things have been left.
Whilst I was intrigued by the opening, I soon found myself never really clicked with the characters - so ultimately felt underwhelmed.
March 30, 2024
In diving into this thrilling narrative without mentioning its title, it's akin to embarking on a rollercoaster ride through a dark, mysterious world. With its intricate plot and heart-pounding twists, each part of the story is like a thrilling chapter in a suspenseful novel.
Listening to the story is like being on the edge of your seat, eagerly awaiting the next shocking revelation. While the audio format adds to the tension, it can sometimes feel like grasping at shadows. Reading it might offer a more intense experience, allowing you to devour every chilling detail.
Despite the spine-tingling nature of the story, its grip on your imagination is undeniable. The characters are like shadows in the night, haunting your thoughts long after the story has ended.
In essence, this story is like a pulse-pounding thrill ride that will keep you guessing until the very end. Whether you're listening or reading, it's sure to leave you breathless and craving more.
Listening to the story is like being on the edge of your seat, eagerly awaiting the next shocking revelation. While the audio format adds to the tension, it can sometimes feel like grasping at shadows. Reading it might offer a more intense experience, allowing you to devour every chilling detail.
Despite the spine-tingling nature of the story, its grip on your imagination is undeniable. The characters are like shadows in the night, haunting your thoughts long after the story has ended.
In essence, this story is like a pulse-pounding thrill ride that will keep you guessing until the very end. Whether you're listening or reading, it's sure to leave you breathless and craving more.
March 23, 2024
I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review. This review is based entirely on my own thoughts and feelings.
Overall rating : 4*
Writing skill : 4*
Plot: 5*
Pace: 4*
Characters: 3*
Concept: 3*
The first 50% of this book read like 3 completely seperate, short stories, or at least the start of them. I couldnt for the life of me work out how this story fitted together, how the stories were to be linked further on, but I had faith in the author to hit us with that show stopping twist I previously know her for. And as amazing as it was to see it all come together, something was missing for me, and at the end of the story I am still wondering about a few things. But regardless of my small brain, how authors come up with these stories, that by the end of the book all parts seamlessly come together is beyond me and I'm in awe! If you like a twisty who-dun-it then this will be the book for you. I'm going to read anything sent my way by this author, shes an amazing writer and her books are super entertaining.
Overall rating : 4*
Writing skill : 4*
Plot: 5*
Pace: 4*
Characters: 3*
Concept: 3*
The first 50% of this book read like 3 completely seperate, short stories, or at least the start of them. I couldnt for the life of me work out how this story fitted together, how the stories were to be linked further on, but I had faith in the author to hit us with that show stopping twist I previously know her for. And as amazing as it was to see it all come together, something was missing for me, and at the end of the story I am still wondering about a few things. But regardless of my small brain, how authors come up with these stories, that by the end of the book all parts seamlessly come together is beyond me and I'm in awe! If you like a twisty who-dun-it then this will be the book for you. I'm going to read anything sent my way by this author, shes an amazing writer and her books are super entertaining.
March 2, 2025
2,75⭐️ Olipahan jotenkin outo kirja… 😂 tässä kerrottiin yhteensä kolmen eri naisen elämästä, mutta lopussa kaikki kietoutui kuitenkin yhteen. Tycellä on näköjään tapana kierrättää kirjoissaan samanlaisia hahmoja (vaan nimet vaihtuu), mikä alkaa olla jo vähän tylsää 🙈
Koukuttavasti tää kirja oli kyllä kirjoitettu, sillä luin tän kahden illan aikana jo loppuun. Ihan okei trilleri, mutta ei mun mielestä mitenkään erikoinen. Tästä jäi ehkä vähän sellanen fiilis, että on yritetty väkisin keksiä joku tajunnanräjäyttävä plot twist, mutta lopputulos on vaan sekava ja jättää paljon kysymysmerkkejä…
Koukuttavasti tää kirja oli kyllä kirjoitettu, sillä luin tän kahden illan aikana jo loppuun. Ihan okei trilleri, mutta ei mun mielestä mitenkään erikoinen. Tästä jäi ehkä vähän sellanen fiilis, että on yritetty väkisin keksiä joku tajunnanräjäyttävä plot twist, mutta lopputulos on vaan sekava ja jättää paljon kysymysmerkkejä…
July 24, 2024
WOW. Loved it - so many twists I didn't see coming!
July 23, 2025
Dit was totaal niet wat ik had verwacht toen ik dit boek uitkoos, maar het was wel goed
July 21, 2024
Enjoyed this one once I got into it. So many what? Moments so many twists and turns - right upto the last page. Would recommend
April 12, 2025
Vankilasta vapautunut Anna alkaa selvittää sellitoverinsa kuolemaa ja päätyy lopulta aivan erilaisen sotkun keskelle. Kirjan kolmen eri naisen tarina yhdistyy lopulta mielenkiintoiseksi ja tarina avaa tätä kuviota sopivalla tahdilla.
Loppu oli ehkä hieman kliseinen, eikä päähenkilöt olleet ehkä tarpeeksi kiinnostavia, että tämä saisi tämän enempää tähtiä. Kiinnostava ja hyvä äänikirja joka tapauksessa.
Loppu oli ehkä hieman kliseinen, eikä päähenkilöt olleet ehkä tarpeeksi kiinnostavia, että tämä saisi tämän enempää tähtiä. Kiinnostava ja hyvä äänikirja joka tapauksessa.
March 28, 2024
The lives of three women leading very different lives collide in this tale of power and corruption. Anna, released from prison following the death of a relative in the car she was driving under the influence of drink. Lucy; a young woman in love with her university professor, and Marie living a reclusive life away from prying eyes. The story begins as three separate tales all meeting as secrets and lies become uncovered and connections are made. Flicking from one perspective to the next, the pace veers from racing to a crawl with no time for the reader to adjust accordingly. Having read Blood Orange I expected to really enjoy this book but the pace, and a very obvious ‘twist’ at the end made this less than enjoyable.A shame as it had an interesting premise questioning society’s handling of both mental health and reform issues. Finally, I listened to the audio version and whilst the plot was intriguing to a point the narration was poor. Did the narrator have a cold? She sounded very nasal and as though she were struggling to catch her breath. This distracted from any pace she tried to build. The book itself would be 3 stars but I’ve dropped the overall rating to 2 stars for that reason.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publishers Headline audio and author, Harriet Tyce for this audiobook in exchange for my personal, honest review.
This review will also appear on my bookstagram account www.instagram.com/not_quite_a_bookshop
Thanks to Netgalley, the publishers Headline audio and author, Harriet Tyce for this audiobook in exchange for my personal, honest review.
This review will also appear on my bookstagram account www.instagram.com/not_quite_a_bookshop
August 12, 2025
4.25⭐️
January 2, 2025
I read Blood Orange and thought that there was something in Tyce's writing that, despite my lowly rating, might draw me in with a different novel. This was not the one and is very probably going to be my last Harriet Tyce novel.
I mean, where to even start? I guess with the start. The novel opened in a women's prison, Anna on the verge of being released on probation only to wake up and find her new cellmate dead. Suicide or at the hands of Anna? It's pretty quickly established to be the former, although Anna somehow - despite her relief at not being charged for murder - decides to investigate the circumstances around this woman's death and is released, only to immediately be victim of a hit and run. Gearing up nicely, I suspect you're thinking... NEITHER OF THESE EVENTS ACTUALLY HAVE ANY BEARING ON THE PLOT OF THIS NOVEL! The first vaguely, kinda does although it did very much feel like Tyce backpedalling to make that opening relevant to the rest of the novel, rather than a cleverly orchestrated character arc.
As for the other two women...eh. We've seen the student-infatuated-with-professor trope before, especially one where it is revealed that he's actually pretty pathetic and his wife is the true power behind the facade. Despite the various red herrings, it became fairly quickly obvious what the truth was behind the various mysteries and a heck of a lot of it - FAR too much of it - relied on an uncanny amount of luck and fluke. There's just no way that this situation could so effortlessly have been engineered with so many elements that could have gone either way or weren't even factored into the original plan.
The only glimmer of *something* in this book was the exploration of prison, whether it's purpose is to punish or reform and if there are ever crimes that are so heinous that reform can never be an option for justice. However, even that aspect threw up a plotline that was so wildly implausible for a safeguarding or academic perspective that any thought-provoking aspects of this novel dwindled as my need for it be over upped and upped.
I mean, where to even start? I guess with the start. The novel opened in a women's prison, Anna on the verge of being released on probation only to wake up and find her new cellmate dead. Suicide or at the hands of Anna? It's pretty quickly established to be the former, although Anna somehow - despite her relief at not being charged for murder - decides to investigate the circumstances around this woman's death and is released, only to immediately be victim of a hit and run. Gearing up nicely, I suspect you're thinking... NEITHER OF THESE EVENTS ACTUALLY HAVE ANY BEARING ON THE PLOT OF THIS NOVEL! The first vaguely, kinda does although it did very much feel like Tyce backpedalling to make that opening relevant to the rest of the novel, rather than a cleverly orchestrated character arc.
As for the other two women...eh. We've seen the student-infatuated-with-professor trope before, especially one where it is revealed that he's actually pretty pathetic and his wife is the true power behind the facade. Despite the various red herrings, it became fairly quickly obvious what the truth was behind the various mysteries and a heck of a lot of it - FAR too much of it - relied on an uncanny amount of luck and fluke. There's just no way that this situation could so effortlessly have been engineered with so many elements that could have gone either way or weren't even factored into the original plan.
The only glimmer of *something* in this book was the exploration of prison, whether it's purpose is to punish or reform and if there are ever crimes that are so heinous that reform can never be an option for justice. However, even that aspect threw up a plotline that was so wildly implausible for a safeguarding or academic perspective that any thought-provoking aspects of this novel dwindled as my need for it be over upped and upped.
October 8, 2024
From the first few chapters not one single character in this book behaves in any way, or carries out any action, that a normal rational person would. Just imagine what you’d do in any given situation and the characters did the exact opposite. But to such an extreme it became laughable.
Some parts of the plot were just glossed over with no real explanation at the end. The whole story became a mess.
As for the ending, rushed and totally ludicrous.
Some parts of the plot were just glossed over with no real explanation at the end. The whole story became a mess.
As for the ending, rushed and totally ludicrous.
January 5, 2025
2.5 stars
I found it really difficult to like this book. The beginning was impactful and I was drawn in, but after about 15-20% I found it hard work. It was meandering and slow to get to any real point. When the various parts started coming together it felt a bit disjointed and like a real grasp to make it really work. Not one I’d recommend sadly!
I found it really difficult to like this book. The beginning was impactful and I was drawn in, but after about 15-20% I found it hard work. It was meandering and slow to get to any real point. When the various parts started coming together it felt a bit disjointed and like a real grasp to make it really work. Not one I’d recommend sadly!
dnf
April 10, 2024DNF @ just under 50% - was me not book
August 1, 2024
Started off so well and I was gripped. Too many characters with different stories introduced that all had a feeble link at the end. Ending was quite predictable too. Disappointing.
December 6, 2023
Thankyou to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
This particular story is split into 3 different stories that slowly weave together. We have Anna, who has just left prison, Lucy who is a uni student totally in love with her Professor, and Marie, living with Janice off grid. When the stories start to collide, everything we’ve been building towards becomes very clear.
I did really enjoy this book but I only gave it 4 stars because it was a bit slow in the beginning. I loved the way the author brought all the stories together with catastrophic consequences. The characters were well written, and I found myself really rooting for Anna in particular. I enjoyed the way the author broached each subject within the stories, especially talking about the criminal system, and how failing it can be to people. I really enjoyed it.
This particular story is split into 3 different stories that slowly weave together. We have Anna, who has just left prison, Lucy who is a uni student totally in love with her Professor, and Marie, living with Janice off grid. When the stories start to collide, everything we’ve been building towards becomes very clear.
I did really enjoy this book but I only gave it 4 stars because it was a bit slow in the beginning. I loved the way the author brought all the stories together with catastrophic consequences. The characters were well written, and I found myself really rooting for Anna in particular. I enjoyed the way the author broached each subject within the stories, especially talking about the criminal system, and how failing it can be to people. I really enjoyed it.
October 12, 2025
3.5
I was hooked right till the last 1/4, then it was a mind f*ck. I liked how it was told from different points of view, but how quick they all came together & why, was so rushed, it ruined a 5 star review for me. It's a good twisty read, but i feel the ending needed to be longer to understand better. Still a good read, but unsure if i would read again, i had high hopes from the author after Blood Orange but this felt rushed.
I was hooked right till the last 1/4, then it was a mind f*ck. I liked how it was told from different points of view, but how quick they all came together & why, was so rushed, it ruined a 5 star review for me. It's a good twisty read, but i feel the ending needed to be longer to understand better. Still a good read, but unsure if i would read again, i had high hopes from the author after Blood Orange but this felt rushed.
April 11, 2024
A Lesson in Cruelty is an amazing narrative of twists and turns, despicable and damaged characters and thrilling events. I loved it. My full review is on the My Weekly website.
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