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Five Fatal Flaws
A missing baby. A dead councilman. Five suspectsWhen psychotherapist Trudy’s baby disappears one afternoon, the individual motives of four members of her post-trauma therapy group are gradually revealed. But when the police begin investigating baby Benny’s disappearance, the seemingly unrelated death of a local councilman brings each member of the group under firm suspicion, along with Trudy herself.
Five Fatal Flaws is a whodunnit psychological suspense with a #MeToo thread, for fans of Liane Moriarty and Lucy Foley.
Shortlisted in the Page Turner awards
Five Fatal Flaws is a whodunnit psychological suspense with a #MeToo thread, for fans of Liane Moriarty and Lucy Foley.
Shortlisted in the Page Turner awards
333 pages, Paperback
Published July 24, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 23, 2024
Loved this psychological whodunnit from Louise Mangos, who just gets better and better! Trudy is a psychologist working with a small group of four people recovering from trauma, and is herself a new mum with mixed feelings about the change in her life with a very unsettled baby - her hours running the trauma research group are a welcome respite from the challenges of motherhood, not that she could ever admit such a feeling to her husband. The group members are survivors of rape, a house fire, physical abuse, and a car crash in which a spouse was lost.
But everything changes one day when she wakes from a nap in the garden, in a rare moment of peace with baby Benny, only to find him gone...
The police involved are looking closely at the couple, and Trudy feels ever more guilty for the resentful feelings she has had about motherhood, and the four members of the trauma group also come under the spotlight, and particularly so when a local dignitary, the founder of the funding for the trauma group research, is found burnt to death in his bed, and despite his 'golden guy' public persona, it seems multiple people have reason to wish him harm...
Louise does an excellent job with misdirection in this gripping story, as the allegations and doubts mount, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
But everything changes one day when she wakes from a nap in the garden, in a rare moment of peace with baby Benny, only to find him gone...
The police involved are looking closely at the couple, and Trudy feels ever more guilty for the resentful feelings she has had about motherhood, and the four members of the trauma group also come under the spotlight, and particularly so when a local dignitary, the founder of the funding for the trauma group research, is found burnt to death in his bed, and despite his 'golden guy' public persona, it seems multiple people have reason to wish him harm...
Louise does an excellent job with misdirection in this gripping story, as the allegations and doubts mount, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
August 4, 2024
This is my first book by the author and I will be catching up with her previous work asap. I was hooked immediately and had her gardening as a much more sinister plot 😂 (might be a sign that I need to read a few light hearted reads)
I really enjoyed the different POVs and the therapy sessions, which gave a real insight into the characters and what a damaged bunch they are! The author allows us readers to know how they had been affected and the reasons they needed therapy.
I suspected everyone (non more so than Trudy at the beginning) as they all had such clear reasons to! If you like mysteries with characters you can really get your teeth into, you need to add this to your TBR.
I really enjoyed the different POVs and the therapy sessions, which gave a real insight into the characters and what a damaged bunch they are! The author allows us readers to know how they had been affected and the reasons they needed therapy.
I suspected everyone (non more so than Trudy at the beginning) as they all had such clear reasons to! If you like mysteries with characters you can really get your teeth into, you need to add this to your TBR.
July 28, 2024
Well this is quite and addictive and thrilling read. Form the very beginning of the book Louise Mangos had me drawn into the story, not just because of the tension and shock factor relating to the disappearance of little Benny, but because she has done such a great job of creating a pool of suspicion around around so many of her characters, not least of which is Benny's mother, Trudy.
Now the story may seem a touch familiar - mother falls asleep for just a few moments and wakes to find her child missing - and, to a degree, it is. But what adds a kind of layer of mystery to this story is that Trudy is a therapist, working with a group of individuals who are all experiencing their own elements of loss and trauma. To that end, trudy could easily be one of their number, struggling as she had been since the birth of Benny. There is perhaps little surprise that she becomes one of the initial suspects in her son's disappearance, although that is not something I personally found easy to accept or believe, no matter how sleep deprived Trudy may have been. It's just not the vibe I got from her. Could be that was a deliberate double bluff by the author though, and one of the reasons I was so sucked into the story, to find out if I might be wrong.
With such a variety of characters forming part of Trudy's special post therapy group sessions, the author has given us plenty of reason to suspect one of them for being the cause of Benny's disappearance, but takes her time in establishing their personal challenges and what potential motives they may have for taking such drastic and devastating action. From a victim of sexual assault, an abusive relationship, to the grief stricken to and someone who may be just a touch too keen on fire, it is a strange group that we are to spend our time with. I found each of them fascinating in their own right, and the book explores their very different feelings of shame, guilt, anger and indifference when it comes to articulating the scenes from their past that brought them into Trudy's life in the first place. Louise Mangos has done a fantastic job in bringing them to life, giving them an air of authenticity as she exposes their motivation and their multi-layered lives.
This is a deceptively pacy book, built upon the differing perspectives of the five people in the group. In amongst the narrative, told in both the present day, in the patients all too tragic pasts, and in the weeks leading up to Benny's disappearance when the trauma group first start meeting, we have moments from the point of view of the person who took Benny. Just enough to reassure that there is no harm meant to the baby, and plenty to misdirect and have our attention focused on each of the characters in turn. These scenes are written especially well, making sure that we are unable to tell the identity, or even the gender, of the perpetrator. If you pay close attention to some of the sessions and the discussion that takes place during and after, you may get some clues as to which of the people might be guilty. Then again, each one of them has a clear reason for taking Benny too, so it's not as clear cut as you might believe.
And in amongst the worry and tension created by Benny's disappearance, Trudy is faced with the very real prospect that one of her trauma group may well be a murderer. She knows the victim, not personally, but through an unexpected windfall and a shock confession during a group session. But does that make one of the group a potential suspect, or all of them? The author has built up a fragile and uneasy camaraderie between certain characters, a hint of obsession in some quarters, that had me wondering if any one of them might be motivated to take revenge on another's behalf.
For some embarrassing reason, this is the first full length book I have read by the author, but it won't be the last (have another later this month in fact). If you enjoy a good mystery, with plenty of well fleshed out, very damaged characters who you can simultaneously empathise with and suspect, with an undercurrent of tension and emotion, then I'd definitely recommend this book.
Now the story may seem a touch familiar - mother falls asleep for just a few moments and wakes to find her child missing - and, to a degree, it is. But what adds a kind of layer of mystery to this story is that Trudy is a therapist, working with a group of individuals who are all experiencing their own elements of loss and trauma. To that end, trudy could easily be one of their number, struggling as she had been since the birth of Benny. There is perhaps little surprise that she becomes one of the initial suspects in her son's disappearance, although that is not something I personally found easy to accept or believe, no matter how sleep deprived Trudy may have been. It's just not the vibe I got from her. Could be that was a deliberate double bluff by the author though, and one of the reasons I was so sucked into the story, to find out if I might be wrong.
With such a variety of characters forming part of Trudy's special post therapy group sessions, the author has given us plenty of reason to suspect one of them for being the cause of Benny's disappearance, but takes her time in establishing their personal challenges and what potential motives they may have for taking such drastic and devastating action. From a victim of sexual assault, an abusive relationship, to the grief stricken to and someone who may be just a touch too keen on fire, it is a strange group that we are to spend our time with. I found each of them fascinating in their own right, and the book explores their very different feelings of shame, guilt, anger and indifference when it comes to articulating the scenes from their past that brought them into Trudy's life in the first place. Louise Mangos has done a fantastic job in bringing them to life, giving them an air of authenticity as she exposes their motivation and their multi-layered lives.
This is a deceptively pacy book, built upon the differing perspectives of the five people in the group. In amongst the narrative, told in both the present day, in the patients all too tragic pasts, and in the weeks leading up to Benny's disappearance when the trauma group first start meeting, we have moments from the point of view of the person who took Benny. Just enough to reassure that there is no harm meant to the baby, and plenty to misdirect and have our attention focused on each of the characters in turn. These scenes are written especially well, making sure that we are unable to tell the identity, or even the gender, of the perpetrator. If you pay close attention to some of the sessions and the discussion that takes place during and after, you may get some clues as to which of the people might be guilty. Then again, each one of them has a clear reason for taking Benny too, so it's not as clear cut as you might believe.
And in amongst the worry and tension created by Benny's disappearance, Trudy is faced with the very real prospect that one of her trauma group may well be a murderer. She knows the victim, not personally, but through an unexpected windfall and a shock confession during a group session. But does that make one of the group a potential suspect, or all of them? The author has built up a fragile and uneasy camaraderie between certain characters, a hint of obsession in some quarters, that had me wondering if any one of them might be motivated to take revenge on another's behalf.
For some embarrassing reason, this is the first full length book I have read by the author, but it won't be the last (have another later this month in fact). If you enjoy a good mystery, with plenty of well fleshed out, very damaged characters who you can simultaneously empathise with and suspect, with an undercurrent of tension and emotion, then I'd definitely recommend this book.
August 27, 2024
Louise Mangos definitely knows how to write a pacy, gripping read, and I raced through her latest book, Five Fatal Flaws. We meet Trudy, a new mother, who is caring for her baby son, Benny, when she unintentionally falls asleep in the garden, while she is supposed to be watching him. When Trudy wakes up, she discovers that her son has disappeared, and Trudy is plunged into a horrific nightmare. But who could’ve taken her son and for what purpose? Could this have anything to do with the secrets Trudy is hiding?
I could really feel the anguish and pain Trudy was going through when she realised her son wasn’t in the house. She is frustrated when the police don’t, to her, seem to be making enough progress, and I could feel her fear, when it is first suggested that something more sinister might’ve happened to Benny. And soon Trudy finds herself under suspicion. It is clear to see, that although her husband is supportive, deep down, he blames her for Benny going missing, and this is soul destroying for Trudy.
As we get to know Trudy, and as Louise Mangos takes us back in time, to the weeks and months before Benny’s disappearance, we learn that Trudy is a group therapist. I found this part of the story really intriguing. In these scenes we meet a group of people who all have interesting backgrounds, and as we get to know them, it made me wonder if any of them were responsible for Benny going missing, and what reason they would have to do this.
Louise Mangos has done a brilliant job of creating a complex mystery and I really had no idea what was really going on. Louise creates some very real, mysterious characters, and we begin to see their personalities come to life during the therapist scenes. They all have their own unique voice and I liked how Louise flicked between them in different chapters. I thought that the added intrigue of what happened to the local councillor, who dies in a house fire, was also done really well, and ups the tension as we get to know the characters. Louise Mangos weaves this expertly into the plot and it kept me on the edge of my seat.
The final reveals, when they came, were definitely not what I expected, and Louise Mangos wrapped everything up in a satisfying way. Five Fatal Flaws is an excellent psychological thriller and I really enjoyed it.
I could really feel the anguish and pain Trudy was going through when she realised her son wasn’t in the house. She is frustrated when the police don’t, to her, seem to be making enough progress, and I could feel her fear, when it is first suggested that something more sinister might’ve happened to Benny. And soon Trudy finds herself under suspicion. It is clear to see, that although her husband is supportive, deep down, he blames her for Benny going missing, and this is soul destroying for Trudy.
As we get to know Trudy, and as Louise Mangos takes us back in time, to the weeks and months before Benny’s disappearance, we learn that Trudy is a group therapist. I found this part of the story really intriguing. In these scenes we meet a group of people who all have interesting backgrounds, and as we get to know them, it made me wonder if any of them were responsible for Benny going missing, and what reason they would have to do this.
Louise Mangos has done a brilliant job of creating a complex mystery and I really had no idea what was really going on. Louise creates some very real, mysterious characters, and we begin to see their personalities come to life during the therapist scenes. They all have their own unique voice and I liked how Louise flicked between them in different chapters. I thought that the added intrigue of what happened to the local councillor, who dies in a house fire, was also done really well, and ups the tension as we get to know the characters. Louise Mangos weaves this expertly into the plot and it kept me on the edge of my seat.
The final reveals, when they came, were definitely not what I expected, and Louise Mangos wrapped everything up in a satisfying way. Five Fatal Flaws is an excellent psychological thriller and I really enjoyed it.
September 16, 2024
There is so much packed into this novel, I could write a review that goes on and on and on, but I won't!
Not only is this a top class psychological thriller, it is also an intelligent look into human nature, about how trauma can affect a life, and how it can be dealt with. The title is extremely clever, we have five main characters, all very flawed and all potentially fatal.
It is that potential that we see in each character that keeps the reader on their toes. When Trudy's small baby goes missing, we are introduced to the four people that make up her recently formed post-trauma group. Every single one of those four carry scars, some physically, but all mentally, from their experiences. The fifth quite flawed person is Trudy herself.
The author tells this story from the various points of view of each character, how reliable these narrators are are for the reader to discover. She doesn't hold back with descriptions of awful things that every one of them have experienced, and whilst some of those are harrowing, they go a long way to explain their current behaviour and feelings.
Throw in a dead councilman, a guy who has great influence in the area and you've a full blown mystery on your hands.
I have not delved into the whole plot line here, it's complex and for new readers to discover and I certainly wouldn't want to spoil anything for anyone. However, do look out for the tiny bread crumbs along the way. The author is extremely skilled in casting doubt in the mind of the reader.
It's an explosive conclusion, cleverly done. With characters who range from the abrupt and off hand, to those whose vulnerabilities make them easier to empathise with, this is a story that kept me reading far later than I should have! Recommended by me.
Not only is this a top class psychological thriller, it is also an intelligent look into human nature, about how trauma can affect a life, and how it can be dealt with. The title is extremely clever, we have five main characters, all very flawed and all potentially fatal.
It is that potential that we see in each character that keeps the reader on their toes. When Trudy's small baby goes missing, we are introduced to the four people that make up her recently formed post-trauma group. Every single one of those four carry scars, some physically, but all mentally, from their experiences. The fifth quite flawed person is Trudy herself.
The author tells this story from the various points of view of each character, how reliable these narrators are are for the reader to discover. She doesn't hold back with descriptions of awful things that every one of them have experienced, and whilst some of those are harrowing, they go a long way to explain their current behaviour and feelings.
Throw in a dead councilman, a guy who has great influence in the area and you've a full blown mystery on your hands.
I have not delved into the whole plot line here, it's complex and for new readers to discover and I certainly wouldn't want to spoil anything for anyone. However, do look out for the tiny bread crumbs along the way. The author is extremely skilled in casting doubt in the mind of the reader.
It's an explosive conclusion, cleverly done. With characters who range from the abrupt and off hand, to those whose vulnerabilities make them easier to empathise with, this is a story that kept me reading far later than I should have! Recommended by me.
October 19, 2024
I’ve come up for breath – Five Fatal Flaws is a ride, it’s not the “blink and it’s over” Nemesis kind of a ride, it’s a breathtaking, heart wrenching stop and think kind of a ride. One that makes me look one way and then drags my attention an entirely different way before sending me a third direction.
Trudy’s little boy has disappeared from right next to her. There is no crime in a mum having a snooze next to her sleeping baby. God forbid, I’d have been convicted several times if it had been!! But as the media does, the finger is pointed. My heart broke for Trudy at that point – being a new mum is seriously tiring!
As the book started to introduce me to the remaining lineup of characters aka the therapy crew, I tried to pick out who would have taken this sweet adolescent. Yes my mind suspected certain individuals but eventually I settled on one perpetrator. Was I right or had I taken the suspect breadcrumbs Mangos had intended me to follow? Only I know!
I was intrigued by the back / side stories of the therapy group. Without wanting to spoil it, their baggage and group added to the unsettling feeling I got from the whole group. Who could I trust?
Five Fatal Flaws took me on a journey of five voices that interwove together and took my attention in so many directions. I wasn’t confused and baffled for a while suspecting everyone. Brilliant subterfuge from Mangos to create my mistrust in my quintet. This read spans several different sub-genres of the crime fiction spectrum – the domestic noir feel of the family environment, the police procedural of the hunt for Benny and then the psychological thriller aspect with the mistrust of my narrators – an accomplished crime thriller! Bravo Louise 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Loved it!!
Trudy’s little boy has disappeared from right next to her. There is no crime in a mum having a snooze next to her sleeping baby. God forbid, I’d have been convicted several times if it had been!! But as the media does, the finger is pointed. My heart broke for Trudy at that point – being a new mum is seriously tiring!
As the book started to introduce me to the remaining lineup of characters aka the therapy crew, I tried to pick out who would have taken this sweet adolescent. Yes my mind suspected certain individuals but eventually I settled on one perpetrator. Was I right or had I taken the suspect breadcrumbs Mangos had intended me to follow? Only I know!
I was intrigued by the back / side stories of the therapy group. Without wanting to spoil it, their baggage and group added to the unsettling feeling I got from the whole group. Who could I trust?
Five Fatal Flaws took me on a journey of five voices that interwove together and took my attention in so many directions. I wasn’t confused and baffled for a while suspecting everyone. Brilliant subterfuge from Mangos to create my mistrust in my quintet. This read spans several different sub-genres of the crime fiction spectrum – the domestic noir feel of the family environment, the police procedural of the hunt for Benny and then the psychological thriller aspect with the mistrust of my narrators – an accomplished crime thriller! Bravo Louise 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Loved it!!
September 13, 2024
Five Fatal Flaws is a complex, pacy, gripping, and tense psychological suspense/whodunit story with a #metoo thread running through it.
The story follows the therapist and first-time mum, Trudy, as she tries to juggle motherhood and all of the mixed emotions, expectations, thoughts, and feelings that come with it. Alongside keeping her hand in at work by leading a PTSD support group with 4 members in the hope of gaining funding for a research paper/project.
In an unexpected twist of fate and what it is, every parents nightmare. Trusy's 4 month old baby is abducted from her own backyard.
What follows is a race against time to try to put all the clues together, find Benny, and return him home safely. The suspect pool is quickly whittled down to 5. Trudy and the 4 support group members.
Told from the pov of each of the suspects and flitting between the time period leading up to and around the abduction.
As each story unfolds and the suspects personalities and back story comes to life. You find yourself trying to tie them in with what's happening. But Louise writes so well that you seamlessly get caught up in the next chapter as she lays another piece of the puzzle. Leaving you second guessing your ever changing theories. Louise really taps into each person's story. Portraying every thought process, behaviour, and life experience with confidence and ease. Effortlessly capturing your attention, imagination, and sympathy. Leading to her readers' total investment in the story she is trying to portray and the message she is trying to deliver.
It's a book with meaning and purpose that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
The story follows the therapist and first-time mum, Trudy, as she tries to juggle motherhood and all of the mixed emotions, expectations, thoughts, and feelings that come with it. Alongside keeping her hand in at work by leading a PTSD support group with 4 members in the hope of gaining funding for a research paper/project.
In an unexpected twist of fate and what it is, every parents nightmare. Trusy's 4 month old baby is abducted from her own backyard.
What follows is a race against time to try to put all the clues together, find Benny, and return him home safely. The suspect pool is quickly whittled down to 5. Trudy and the 4 support group members.
Told from the pov of each of the suspects and flitting between the time period leading up to and around the abduction.
As each story unfolds and the suspects personalities and back story comes to life. You find yourself trying to tie them in with what's happening. But Louise writes so well that you seamlessly get caught up in the next chapter as she lays another piece of the puzzle. Leaving you second guessing your ever changing theories. Louise really taps into each person's story. Portraying every thought process, behaviour, and life experience with confidence and ease. Effortlessly capturing your attention, imagination, and sympathy. Leading to her readers' total investment in the story she is trying to portray and the message she is trying to deliver.
It's a book with meaning and purpose that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
September 16, 2024
My thoughts
I loved this story. It has so many elements of a classic whodunnit. Think Christie-esque, but modern day. Something that could happen to you, or someone you know. I was riveted by the stories of the people in the therapy. Their disclosures and non-disclosures. It was so realistic in the way we all say certain things and don’t mention others.
I love the intertwining stories that made people more alike than they first seemed.
This was incredibly clever and I read it over two sittings. This was only because I wanted to absorb the story properly and see what motivations were. Five people in therapy, means five people with a possible motive and nobody was exempt.
It starkly showed how we make assumptions based on our experience and don’t always have a story to back up the assumption. One character says ‘Mummy’ and another assumes something about him.
I was, as I always am, open mouthed at the twists and turns in this story. So very clever. It really highlights people and their thought processes and the #MeToo showing again how this is still a relevant topic.
A brilliant story from Louise Mangos who writes such fantastic psychological suspense and has excelled herself in this twisty, creepy and altogether disturbing book that I’d recommend to anyone.
With thanks to Anne Cater, and the author for the advanced reading copy of this book.
I loved this story. It has so many elements of a classic whodunnit. Think Christie-esque, but modern day. Something that could happen to you, or someone you know. I was riveted by the stories of the people in the therapy. Their disclosures and non-disclosures. It was so realistic in the way we all say certain things and don’t mention others.
I love the intertwining stories that made people more alike than they first seemed.
This was incredibly clever and I read it over two sittings. This was only because I wanted to absorb the story properly and see what motivations were. Five people in therapy, means five people with a possible motive and nobody was exempt.
It starkly showed how we make assumptions based on our experience and don’t always have a story to back up the assumption. One character says ‘Mummy’ and another assumes something about him.
I was, as I always am, open mouthed at the twists and turns in this story. So very clever. It really highlights people and their thought processes and the #MeToo showing again how this is still a relevant topic.
A brilliant story from Louise Mangos who writes such fantastic psychological suspense and has excelled herself in this twisty, creepy and altogether disturbing book that I’d recommend to anyone.
With thanks to Anne Cater, and the author for the advanced reading copy of this book.
December 10, 2024
Trudy is a psychotherapist and runs a post trauma group. She has funding for a paper and has four past patients in the group.
Trudy has a young baby called Benny, and she’s been finding it hard to cope with him lately. When Trudy falls asleep in the garden and wakes up to find Benny missing from his pram, her world turns upside down.
With the police looking for him, and Trudy having to do a TV appeal, she’s worried that the police think she’s done something to him.
As the police start to question her about those in her group, Trudy quickly realises that any one of them could have taken him.
With a local town councillor found dead around the same time as investigating Benny’s disappearance, the police soon realise there is more to the group than they thought.
My goodness, what a page turner this story is! I hated having to put the book down, I just wanted to learn more.
The author weaves a difficult and at times, emotional tale by taking us back in time so we understand why the people involved were in therapy, what happened that affected them so much.
It is a hard story to read, due to the damage each person has from the events in their lives. Each character is written with care and depth, they are all unique.
I would highly recommend this psychological thriller.
Trudy has a young baby called Benny, and she’s been finding it hard to cope with him lately. When Trudy falls asleep in the garden and wakes up to find Benny missing from his pram, her world turns upside down.
With the police looking for him, and Trudy having to do a TV appeal, she’s worried that the police think she’s done something to him.
As the police start to question her about those in her group, Trudy quickly realises that any one of them could have taken him.
With a local town councillor found dead around the same time as investigating Benny’s disappearance, the police soon realise there is more to the group than they thought.
My goodness, what a page turner this story is! I hated having to put the book down, I just wanted to learn more.
The author weaves a difficult and at times, emotional tale by taking us back in time so we understand why the people involved were in therapy, what happened that affected them so much.
It is a hard story to read, due to the damage each person has from the events in their lives. Each character is written with care and depth, they are all unique.
I would highly recommend this psychological thriller.
July 30, 2024
A cleverly constructed page turner.
Rachel, Olive, Alain and Daniel. Four damaged people start group therapy with exhausted psychologist Trudy, whose colicky baby son is causing her many sleepless nights and soul-searching about her ability and also her wish to be a mother. Husband Harry is supportive, but it’s complicated… The group sessions are part of a research project, and Trudy values them not only as respite from the demands of motherhood, but also as a chance to reconnect with her four ex-patients and help them further in their journey to better mental health.
Then baby Benny is taken from the garden, and Trudy descends into a swirl of grief, guilt and uncertainty. Surely her patients have nothing to do with the abduction? As information trickles out, Trudy and Harry come under as much scrutiny as the four patients.
Chapters switch between past and present, telling the stories of the four and also Trudy’s handling of the group sessions. When the local councilman who is also funder of Trudy’s project dies in a house fire, shock waves ripple through the community, and Trudy is horrified to realise that someone in her group of four may be more involved than it seems.
Five Fatal Flaws is beautifully written and fully deserves five stars.
Rachel, Olive, Alain and Daniel. Four damaged people start group therapy with exhausted psychologist Trudy, whose colicky baby son is causing her many sleepless nights and soul-searching about her ability and also her wish to be a mother. Husband Harry is supportive, but it’s complicated… The group sessions are part of a research project, and Trudy values them not only as respite from the demands of motherhood, but also as a chance to reconnect with her four ex-patients and help them further in their journey to better mental health.
Then baby Benny is taken from the garden, and Trudy descends into a swirl of grief, guilt and uncertainty. Surely her patients have nothing to do with the abduction? As information trickles out, Trudy and Harry come under as much scrutiny as the four patients.
Chapters switch between past and present, telling the stories of the four and also Trudy’s handling of the group sessions. When the local councilman who is also funder of Trudy’s project dies in a house fire, shock waves ripple through the community, and Trudy is horrified to realise that someone in her group of four may be more involved than it seems.
Five Fatal Flaws is beautifully written and fully deserves five stars.
September 5, 2024
I knew the second that I saw this book, that I had to read it!
I loved the bright front cover - my favourite colour - and the tag lines really caught my attention.
I actually think that this is the first book I've read by this author, but I recognised the name and remember hearing good things - so couldn't wait to dive into my first encounter.
This book, as well as being a great mystery thriller, contained a lot of tough topics as we delve into the group therapy sessions of 4 patients and therapist Trudy.
There is so much online at the moment about mental health awareness and I think that almost everyone has been touched by this in some way - so this storyline felt, in that way, very revelvent.
These topics were written brilliantly and it was great, having had some experience, to see how the sessions were run and how each characters developed throughout.
Adding the missing baby and having it so closely connected to the group tied everything together nicely and the story flowed over a dual timeline to progress this and allow the story to unfold bit by bit.
Being a mum, I instantly connected with Trudy and could feel her anxiety, anguish and guilt along with her. It's such a difficult time anyway, but also being a working new mum, things were even worse for her.
I was on the edge of my seat throughout and raced through this.
The writing was brilliantly tense and I really didn't know how this was going to play out until the final reveals.
A great read and I'll definitely be reading more by this author in the future!
I loved the bright front cover - my favourite colour - and the tag lines really caught my attention.
I actually think that this is the first book I've read by this author, but I recognised the name and remember hearing good things - so couldn't wait to dive into my first encounter.
This book, as well as being a great mystery thriller, contained a lot of tough topics as we delve into the group therapy sessions of 4 patients and therapist Trudy.
There is so much online at the moment about mental health awareness and I think that almost everyone has been touched by this in some way - so this storyline felt, in that way, very revelvent.
These topics were written brilliantly and it was great, having had some experience, to see how the sessions were run and how each characters developed throughout.
Adding the missing baby and having it so closely connected to the group tied everything together nicely and the story flowed over a dual timeline to progress this and allow the story to unfold bit by bit.
Being a mum, I instantly connected with Trudy and could feel her anxiety, anguish and guilt along with her. It's such a difficult time anyway, but also being a working new mum, things were even worse for her.
I was on the edge of my seat throughout and raced through this.
The writing was brilliantly tense and I really didn't know how this was going to play out until the final reveals.
A great read and I'll definitely be reading more by this author in the future!
January 24, 2025
Trudy is a psychotherapist who obtains funding to run a small post trauma therapy group. It comprises Rachel, Olive, Daniel and Alain, each of whom has suffered greatly from an event in their past. Trudy herself is stressed with a new born baby Benny and struggles to cope with both jobs.
Briefly, one day, whilst in the garden with him, she falls asleep and on awakening discovers the baby gone. With the police now involved and no clues, we start to learn more about the group as their stories are revealed. When a local councillor, who helps fund the group, is found dead in suspicious circumstances, clear motives for both events become clearer.
Who is the killer and who took the baby? Could it be the same person? I didn’t have a clue. The characters were so well written, all damaged, they all fell into my sights at some time. The suspense was good and plot dark, with a lot of potential suspects. Clever and absorbing read. A beast of a psychological thriller.
Briefly, one day, whilst in the garden with him, she falls asleep and on awakening discovers the baby gone. With the police now involved and no clues, we start to learn more about the group as their stories are revealed. When a local councillor, who helps fund the group, is found dead in suspicious circumstances, clear motives for both events become clearer.
Who is the killer and who took the baby? Could it be the same person? I didn’t have a clue. The characters were so well written, all damaged, they all fell into my sights at some time. The suspense was good and plot dark, with a lot of potential suspects. Clever and absorbing read. A beast of a psychological thriller.
September 1, 2024
Where do I start with this review I was completely hooked the minute I picked this up and started it. Louise Mangos writing just gets better and better. The suspense in this was top notch, as you are trying to guess who has done what but are completely blown away when all things are revealed at the end.
The story begins with Trudy in the present day, Trudy is a psychologist who has also recently become a new mother, but motherhood is proving tough after a difficult birth, and a colicky baby. Whilst she is on maternity leave she has got funding to do a research paper with 4 ex patients who are now trying to live their normal lives after something had sent each of them spiralling mentally.
We are initially introduces to each of them on different timelines Rachel, three years ago, Olive, two years ago Daniel, Two years ago, Alain, one year ago. You gradually learn what each character has been through that led them to seeing Trudy in the first place. As they meet each week at a local centre. But I between these characters chapters is Trudy in the present as she is looking after her son Benny, then Benny is gone, taken from the garden.
Who could have taken Benny? No one is above suspicion, as the police investigate, even Trudy is questioned. Could it be one of the four people taking part in Trudy’s research paper. Who has the motive?
As you learn more about each of these individuals you certainly suspect it could be someone but who? I was convinced I had guessed right then the twist caught me out, cleverly.
What I thought was good about this read not only did it cover rape and the fear of coming forward because the person is wealthy or well known so who will you believe you? The abuse of one person who will take it because it means a bit of money to buy food, believing they aren’t good enough to be treated better. Death of a partner and survivors guilt. Along with a fire starter.
But for me the biggest thing addressed is no matter how excited you are at becoming a mother, not every woman falls in love with that baby the minute it is born. That could be through a traumatic birth, a hormone imbalance, or anything that can just trigger it. It’s not something you are in control of, you may go through the motions of doing everything as Trudy does, the baby having colic doesn’t help when you are sleep deprived. It’s not something you can predict.
This book had everything, self harm, PTSD, traumatic birth, #MeToo, possibly murder, and abduction. Everyone of these things blended brilliantly into the story.
I really felt for each of the characters and the trauma’s they had been through and how they were dealing with things in everyday lives, that a lot of people take for granted and probably have no idea what is going on in the person next to you’s life. The invisible illness of Mental health.
This is a gripping psychological thriller that you will not be able to put down once you have picked it up, so make sure you have a free day to sit and read this.
The story begins with Trudy in the present day, Trudy is a psychologist who has also recently become a new mother, but motherhood is proving tough after a difficult birth, and a colicky baby. Whilst she is on maternity leave she has got funding to do a research paper with 4 ex patients who are now trying to live their normal lives after something had sent each of them spiralling mentally.
We are initially introduces to each of them on different timelines Rachel, three years ago, Olive, two years ago Daniel, Two years ago, Alain, one year ago. You gradually learn what each character has been through that led them to seeing Trudy in the first place. As they meet each week at a local centre. But I between these characters chapters is Trudy in the present as she is looking after her son Benny, then Benny is gone, taken from the garden.
Who could have taken Benny? No one is above suspicion, as the police investigate, even Trudy is questioned. Could it be one of the four people taking part in Trudy’s research paper. Who has the motive?
As you learn more about each of these individuals you certainly suspect it could be someone but who? I was convinced I had guessed right then the twist caught me out, cleverly.
What I thought was good about this read not only did it cover rape and the fear of coming forward because the person is wealthy or well known so who will you believe you? The abuse of one person who will take it because it means a bit of money to buy food, believing they aren’t good enough to be treated better. Death of a partner and survivors guilt. Along with a fire starter.
But for me the biggest thing addressed is no matter how excited you are at becoming a mother, not every woman falls in love with that baby the minute it is born. That could be through a traumatic birth, a hormone imbalance, or anything that can just trigger it. It’s not something you are in control of, you may go through the motions of doing everything as Trudy does, the baby having colic doesn’t help when you are sleep deprived. It’s not something you can predict.
This book had everything, self harm, PTSD, traumatic birth, #MeToo, possibly murder, and abduction. Everyone of these things blended brilliantly into the story.
I really felt for each of the characters and the trauma’s they had been through and how they were dealing with things in everyday lives, that a lot of people take for granted and probably have no idea what is going on in the person next to you’s life. The invisible illness of Mental health.
This is a gripping psychological thriller that you will not be able to put down once you have picked it up, so make sure you have a free day to sit and read this.
September 2, 2024
Trudy is juggling motherhood and a career as a psychologist working with a small group of people all with their own severe traumas.
On a much cherished day off trudy falls asleep and when she wakes baby Benny has disappeared. The police investigate his disappearance but the death of a prominent councillor with links to Trudy’s group overshadows this. Who could be involved?
This took me a little while to get into as there was a lot of people but short chapters helped and it soon had me glued to it. I would definitely read more from this author.
Thank you to random tours for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
On a much cherished day off trudy falls asleep and when she wakes baby Benny has disappeared. The police investigate his disappearance but the death of a prominent councillor with links to Trudy’s group overshadows this. Who could be involved?
This took me a little while to get into as there was a lot of people but short chapters helped and it soon had me glued to it. I would definitely read more from this author.
Thank you to random tours for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 13, 2024
I love the Author’s writing style. The characters are realistic, flawed and intriguing. The setting is so good. The book is suspenseful, mysterious and a brilliant whodunnit. It will keep you guessing till the end. I loved the psychological elements and the suspects. The author has done a deep evaluation on each character. When we dig into the characters life, the suspects list increases and mystery gets deep. There were twists and turns. The author has explained motherhood so well. This was a touching and emotional book. I do recommend it.
Many Thanks to the Publisher, Author and Book Tour Organisers
Many Thanks to the Publisher, Author and Book Tour Organisers
November 6, 2024
3.5 stars
A real page turner that makes you suspect everybody! (I was even suspicious of the gardening...) A motive was given to everyone, and I did like that I kept changing my mind about who could be involved and why. I wasn't sure about the wrap-up endings for each character if I'm honest, felt it wasn't needed. But that's just personal preference. Overall it is a fast-paced mystery with interesting characters.
A real page turner that makes you suspect everybody! (I was even suspicious of the gardening...) A motive was given to everyone, and I did like that I kept changing my mind about who could be involved and why. I wasn't sure about the wrap-up endings for each character if I'm honest, felt it wasn't needed. But that's just personal preference. Overall it is a fast-paced mystery with interesting characters.
December 3, 2024
If this was just Trudy's story it would've been one star, she has to be the worst therapist and I felt zero sympathy for her. I enjoyed the story of the group therapy and the way they interacted but I skimmed the Trudy chapters. The ending was a bit dull and predictable and left me disappointed. 2.5 stars
December 30, 2025
Nicely constructed whodunit although not a murder mystery.
Trudy’s character was a bit overly helpless and hopeless as a new mum- she had lots of family support and could have easily availed herself of a wealth of resources including counseling - something not all new mothers have, so her vulnerability a bit overdone, but otherwise a good read
Trudy’s character was a bit overly helpless and hopeless as a new mum- she had lots of family support and could have easily availed herself of a wealth of resources including counseling - something not all new mothers have, so her vulnerability a bit overdone, but otherwise a good read
August 26, 2024
This had me gripped and I had no clue who it was that had taken Benny! I really felt for Trudy as she had clearly been struggling since Benny was born and her therapy group was almost her 'escape' from being a mum. She had selected the group members from her previous client list and she felt that they were all done with individual therapy and that this project may be good for them.
I thought that the mix of characters was very interesting, the group however, held secrets and lies and just kept me guessing, was it one of them? Was it two of them working together? If it was two of them then which two as there was multiple possibilities! I found that I had to keep reading as I just needed to know who it was that had taken Benny and why!
I loved how the book was told from each of the main five characters points of view whilst moving the story forward. Each of the group members had a story to share and as it was revealed things were making me think that they were the person responsible for taking Benny, but then something else was revealed and it made me think otherwise!
I really liked the ending of the book, everything was wrapped up neatly and there was nothing left unanswered.
I thought that the mix of characters was very interesting, the group however, held secrets and lies and just kept me guessing, was it one of them? Was it two of them working together? If it was two of them then which two as there was multiple possibilities! I found that I had to keep reading as I just needed to know who it was that had taken Benny and why!
I loved how the book was told from each of the main five characters points of view whilst moving the story forward. Each of the group members had a story to share and as it was revealed things were making me think that they were the person responsible for taking Benny, but then something else was revealed and it made me think otherwise!
I really liked the ending of the book, everything was wrapped up neatly and there was nothing left unanswered.
August 1, 2024
Five Fatal Flaws is a Psychological thriller novel by Louise Mangos.
❤️Blurb-
A missing baby. A dead councilman. Five suspectsWhen psychotherapist Trudy’s baby disappears one afternoon, the individual motives of four members of her post-trauma therapy group are gradually revealed. But when the police begin investigating baby Benny’s disappearance, the seemingly unrelated death of a local councilman brings each member of the group under firm suspicion, along with Trudy herself.
Five Fatal Flaws is a whodunnit psychological suspense with a #MeToo thread, for fans of Liane Moriarty and Lucy Foley.
💝 Review -
I was hooked from the very first page and couldn't put it down until I finished. I loved this book. There were so many twists and turns it had me guessing until the end. Louise's story telling is clever and just the right pace. I expect more good things to come from Louise, I can't wait to read more by her. I highly recommend it.
💜 Thank you to Random book tours, the author, Louise Mangos and the publisher for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
❤️Blurb-
A missing baby. A dead councilman. Five suspectsWhen psychotherapist Trudy’s baby disappears one afternoon, the individual motives of four members of her post-trauma therapy group are gradually revealed. But when the police begin investigating baby Benny’s disappearance, the seemingly unrelated death of a local councilman brings each member of the group under firm suspicion, along with Trudy herself.
Five Fatal Flaws is a whodunnit psychological suspense with a #MeToo thread, for fans of Liane Moriarty and Lucy Foley.
💝 Review -
I was hooked from the very first page and couldn't put it down until I finished. I loved this book. There were so many twists and turns it had me guessing until the end. Louise's story telling is clever and just the right pace. I expect more good things to come from Louise, I can't wait to read more by her. I highly recommend it.
💜 Thank you to Random book tours, the author, Louise Mangos and the publisher for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
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