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The Couple in the Lodge
A couple cut off by the snow. A series of mysterious packages. And a prediction that one of them will die...Clara Flint’s life changed forever when her debut novel became an international bestseller. Now, under pressure to deliver a sequel, she's paralysed by writer’s block — and watching her marriage quietly unravel.
A few weeks away with her husband, Seb, at Harrowglen Lodge, deep in the Scottish Highlands, should reignite her creativity and save her relationship.
But cut off by deep snow and surrounded by brooding mountains, Clara glimpses a light burning in an attic room that should be empty, catches a shadow moving past the window, and hears whispered voices calling her name.
Then the envelopes appear.
Hidden around the lodge, each anonymous brown package contains a chapter of a chilling story that seems to anticipate disturbing events before they occur.
And as the boundary between fiction and reality begins to fracture, Clara becomes convinced she and Seb are being watched and manipulated — until the story reaches its darkest turn.
A brutal murder. Two bodies buried in the snow.
Is it a warning? A threat? Or a prediction?
The Couple in the Lodge is a psychological thriller with a breathtaking twist from the author of the No.1 Kindle bestseller, His Wife's Sister.
A few weeks away with her husband, Seb, at Harrowglen Lodge, deep in the Scottish Highlands, should reignite her creativity and save her relationship.
But cut off by deep snow and surrounded by brooding mountains, Clara glimpses a light burning in an attic room that should be empty, catches a shadow moving past the window, and hears whispered voices calling her name.
Then the envelopes appear.
Hidden around the lodge, each anonymous brown package contains a chapter of a chilling story that seems to anticipate disturbing events before they occur.
And as the boundary between fiction and reality begins to fracture, Clara becomes convinced she and Seb are being watched and manipulated — until the story reaches its darkest turn.
A brutal murder. Two bodies buried in the snow.
Is it a warning? A threat? Or a prediction?
The Couple in the Lodge is a psychological thriller with a breathtaking twist from the author of the No.1 Kindle bestseller, His Wife's Sister.
479 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 10, 2026
90 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Wills
17 books426 followers***Book bloggers join my ARC team and never miss getting your hands on a review copy of my latest books. You can sign up here: bit.ly/bloggersalert ***
AJ Wills writes standalone psychological thrillers with twisty plots.
He’s a former journalist who wrote in his spare time, before and after work for ten years, until he was finally able to fulfil his lifelong dream of becoming a fulltime author in May 2021.
He’s never looked back and now runs a small independent publishing company, Cherry Tree Publishing with his wife, AJ McDine, also a thriller writer.
He said: “I've always loved thrillers, but psychological thrillers hold a special interest for me because they're about the scary, insane, disturbing things that happen to ordinary people - and we can all relate to them on some level.”
He lives in Kent in the south east of England.
You can download AJ Wills’s psychological thriller, His Lost Wife, for free by visiting bit.ly/hislostwife
You can find out more about him on his website: ajwillsauthor.com, his Facebook page AuthorAJWills or on his Instagram account ajwills_author
Of course, you can always contact him directly at adrian@ajwillsauthor.com, where he loves to answer messages from genuine readers.
And don't forget to follow him on BookBub for his new releases: bit.ly/BookBubAJWills
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 10, 2026
This is a well written storyline and plot. It's tense, gripping on the edge of the seat, with mysterious goings on, totally captured me from start to finish, and what a finish.
There are strong, interesting characters, revelations, a roller-coaster of twists, and turns, leading to that final unexpected one.
It keeps you guessing all the way through, and at one time, I did think I'd worked out who. Only to realise those clever red herrings proved that I hadn't a clue at all.
This is an absolute brilliant written psychology thriller. Well worth reading.
Although I had this on pre-order, I would like to thank the author for the advanced copy.
This is my honest and unbiased review of this book.
There are strong, interesting characters, revelations, a roller-coaster of twists, and turns, leading to that final unexpected one.
It keeps you guessing all the way through, and at one time, I did think I'd worked out who. Only to realise those clever red herrings proved that I hadn't a clue at all.
This is an absolute brilliant written psychology thriller. Well worth reading.
Although I had this on pre-order, I would like to thank the author for the advanced copy.
This is my honest and unbiased review of this book.
February 14, 2026
This was a fun read, I loved the book within a book element. plenty of twists and turns to keep you hooked, I guessed a couple of bits but it didn't take away any of the enjoyment.
huge thanks to the author for having me on their arc team.
huge thanks to the author for having me on their arc team.
February 15, 2026
The couple in the lodge
I was wondering how the story you were telling coincided with the one she kept finding. I did not guess at all. Extremely well written. Well done....
I was wondering how the story you were telling coincided with the one she kept finding. I did not guess at all. Extremely well written. Well done....
February 14, 2026
Sooooooooo good! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 13, 2026
Crazy good
I did not see that coming at all so good
Great characters and alternate stories
Loved this and will follow you
I did not see that coming at all so good
Great characters and alternate stories
Loved this and will follow you
February 13, 2026
𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬. 𝐈𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥...
Clara Flint is a bestselling author struggling with writer’s block and a marriage that feels like it’s quietly slipping away. Hoping for a reset, she and her husband Seb retreat to Harrowglen Lodge in the remote Scottish Highlands, only to find themselves trapped by heavy snow and an atmosphere that feels instantly wrong. Strange sounds, flickering lights, and shadows where no one should be quickly give way to something even more unsettling: anonymous packages hidden around the lodge, each containing chapters of a story that seems to predict what’s about to happen to them.
What really hooked me was the eerie “book within a book” format, which adds such a clever layer of tension. The mysterious chapters in the anonymous packages are certainly unsettling, but they do provide a jump start to Clara's writer's block. As she settles in to write, every chapter feels like it’s tightening the screws, blurring the line between fiction and reality in a way that kept me constantly questioning what kind of story I was actually reading. Is this a ghost story creeping in from the edges or pure psychological suspense unraveling Clara’s mind? The dread is absolutely pervasive, seeping into every quiet moment, and the isolation of the lodge makes everything feel sharper and colder.
This was the kind of thriller that thrives on atmosphere and unease more than big spectacle. I loved how it kept me suspended in that uncomfortable in-between space where nothing feels fully explainable, and every page carries the sense that something is about to break. If you enjoy stories that play with perception, paranoia, and the unsettling power of narrative itself, then this is the book for you. It's unlike anything this author has written before. Many thanks to the author for the early copy, and this book is available now!
Clara Flint is a bestselling author struggling with writer’s block and a marriage that feels like it’s quietly slipping away. Hoping for a reset, she and her husband Seb retreat to Harrowglen Lodge in the remote Scottish Highlands, only to find themselves trapped by heavy snow and an atmosphere that feels instantly wrong. Strange sounds, flickering lights, and shadows where no one should be quickly give way to something even more unsettling: anonymous packages hidden around the lodge, each containing chapters of a story that seems to predict what’s about to happen to them.
What really hooked me was the eerie “book within a book” format, which adds such a clever layer of tension. The mysterious chapters in the anonymous packages are certainly unsettling, but they do provide a jump start to Clara's writer's block. As she settles in to write, every chapter feels like it’s tightening the screws, blurring the line between fiction and reality in a way that kept me constantly questioning what kind of story I was actually reading. Is this a ghost story creeping in from the edges or pure psychological suspense unraveling Clara’s mind? The dread is absolutely pervasive, seeping into every quiet moment, and the isolation of the lodge makes everything feel sharper and colder.
This was the kind of thriller that thrives on atmosphere and unease more than big spectacle. I loved how it kept me suspended in that uncomfortable in-between space where nothing feels fully explainable, and every page carries the sense that something is about to break. If you enjoy stories that play with perception, paranoia, and the unsettling power of narrative itself, then this is the book for you. It's unlike anything this author has written before. Many thanks to the author for the early copy, and this book is available now!
February 14, 2026
Clara Flint wrote a best seller three years ago but her second book was a disaster and she is under pressure to produce her third book. She has decided to take herself and husband Seb to Scotland where she believes the solitude of the Highlands will help her write and maybe even repair her fractured marriage. Told in three parts, then and now, and the pages of the ‘novel’.
Briefly, arriving late after their car broke down Clara is sitting at the typewriter with a blank page. Nothing comes to mind but she feels that there is a third person in the house! The snowstorm is getting worse and they are effectively marooned. Then an envelope appears on the doorstep which contains the first chapters of a story. It concerns a couple stuck in Scotland in heavy snow when they find an empty house into which they seek shelter. But this is only the first envelope and it becomes apparent that all is not well and there appear to be worrying similarities between their lives and that of the fictional characters.
The tension levels rises in tandem with the increasing number of the envelopes and their sinister contents. There is a real blurring between fact and fiction and it’s hard to decide if this is a psychological thriller or if there is something paranormal in play. An atmospheric read with a chilling conclusion, this is a book to keep you on the edge of your seat. A good read.
Briefly, arriving late after their car broke down Clara is sitting at the typewriter with a blank page. Nothing comes to mind but she feels that there is a third person in the house! The snowstorm is getting worse and they are effectively marooned. Then an envelope appears on the doorstep which contains the first chapters of a story. It concerns a couple stuck in Scotland in heavy snow when they find an empty house into which they seek shelter. But this is only the first envelope and it becomes apparent that all is not well and there appear to be worrying similarities between their lives and that of the fictional characters.
The tension levels rises in tandem with the increasing number of the envelopes and their sinister contents. There is a real blurring between fact and fiction and it’s hard to decide if this is a psychological thriller or if there is something paranormal in play. An atmospheric read with a chilling conclusion, this is a book to keep you on the edge of your seat. A good read.
February 23, 2026
Oh! My! Stars! Mr. Wills has done it again - written a story that tied me up in knots and had me chomping at the bit because I couldn't read it fast enough!! I have never run across a book that combines two stories into one and does it so flawlessly. And even more, I don't know which one I enjoyed the most. All I know is I didn't want to put the book down until the very last page, and what a last page it was! If you enjoy psychological thrillers that will have you jumping at every little noise, reading much later than you should, and wondering if your heart rate will ever come down to normal again, then this is the book for you! It does all of those things and more. I did find myself having some suspicions about a certain character, but I never could come to a solid conclusion, and even then, I found I wasn't completely right. I highly recommend this book, but then again, Mr. Wills has yet to disappoint me, so I shouldn't be surprised. I received a review copy from the author at my request, and this review reflects my honest and voluntary opinion.
February 11, 2026
This is a twisted tale. It's about an author with writer's block after her one best seller. She and her husband journey to the Scottish Highlands to a lodge hoping the change of scene will give her the inspiration to write. They arrive during a monster snowstorm. They are isolated. Her husband finds an envelope on the porch with a partial manuscript that she believes he wrote to give her an idea and end the block. When the second envelope arrives, she is convinced he's behind it. The manuscript is compelling and she starts writing. But strange occurrences give the story a creepy undertone and then twist after twist with shocking surprises you don't see coming. This is actually two stories in one and I think the best of A J Wills' books. It's a page turner and hard to put down. I would highly recommend the book.
March 13, 2026
This is my second AJ Wills psychological thriller novel. I read Stranger at the Door last year and enjoyed it, but the Couple at the Lodge is a different level. AJ Wills has hit his stride with this book. It starts with an interesting premise of following a novelist on a deadline with writers block who goes with her husband to stay in a remote lodge in Scotland to write her book and work on their marriage. It doesn’t take long for things to get crazy…and this book gets crazy…in the best way. I enjoyed the story and characters. Most of the twists were well executed. I started to suspect the big twist, but then wills put twists on the twists. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, highly recommend it, and plan to read more by AJ Wills.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Clara and Seb have gone away for a remote lodge so that Clara can push through her writers block to deliver her next novel and they can repair their breaking marriage. When a chapter of a manuscript turns up that inspires Clara it seems that real life is echoing the chills of the manuscript.
Told in three parts of then, now and the book in a book this all comes together with a proper wtf moment!
Thank you to Adrian for an arc in exchange for my honest review.
Told in three parts of then, now and the book in a book this all comes together with a proper wtf moment!
Thank you to Adrian for an arc in exchange for my honest review.
February 17, 2026
The Couple in the Lodge
This is the worst book I have read this year. A lot of it was totally boring. The amount of repeating with the arguments between Clara and Seb and the envelopes with a dual story. The ending made no sense at all, and neither did the murders. I was glad to finish the book which I did hoping it would improve, it didn't.
This is the worst book I have read this year. A lot of it was totally boring. The amount of repeating with the arguments between Clara and Seb and the envelopes with a dual story. The ending made no sense at all, and neither did the murders. I was glad to finish the book which I did hoping it would improve, it didn't.
February 24, 2026
I can't believe I would ever read a new style of thriller. This is it guys. it really gave me that feeling, I am constantly searching in good, addictive thriller stories. This was really something fresh, new. I could say, this book is gonna be on my "Best of the year" list of books.
Review of advance copy
A get a way at a lodge in the mountains of Scotland. It was meant to be a writing retreat and reconnect their marriage. All is not what appears and the ending is not what I expected. A real page turning thriller that I could not put down.
February 27, 2026
Compelling
A really complex storey unfolds slowly drawing you in and making you turn the pages marvellous characters first-class plot believable people are really odd went they thank goodness I don't know any thoroughly enjoyed reading this book
A really complex storey unfolds slowly drawing you in and making you turn the pages marvellous characters first-class plot believable people are really odd went they thank goodness I don't know any thoroughly enjoyed reading this book
February 27, 2026
Brilliant book.
I really enjoyed this book so many twists and turns. The characters were good and believable. I thought i had it sussed halfway through but I was wrong. It's a really good book one is recommend reading.
I really enjoyed this book so many twists and turns. The characters were good and believable. I thought i had it sussed halfway through but I was wrong. It's a really good book one is recommend reading.
February 14, 2026
The amount of effort that the author put into perfecting this book really comes through. I loved the reading the book within the book element.
February 18, 2026
Great book! Original storyline! I had been in a rut, it was nice to appreciate a good book again
February 24, 2026
Captivating read! Psychological thrillers with paranormal elements are usually not my favorite genre, but this story kept my constant immediate focus & attention!
February 27, 2026
played on my mind
Amazing.. great storyline, clever twists.. ones you would never guess.
The kind of book you need to put down and have a think about between reads
Amazing.. great storyline, clever twists.. ones you would never guess.
The kind of book you need to put down and have a think about between reads
March 12, 2026
This was amazing. The writing told your thoughts where to go and it definitely didn’t disappoint
Review of advance copy received from Author
This novel was full of mystery, twists and turns. Engrossing. Clara an author and her husband rent a lodge for a month. This was so that Clara could get rid of her writers block but also spend time with Seb her husband, as they had grown apart and felt that this would help. They set out to Scotland, deep snow and the old lodge doesn’t feel great to them but they stick it out. Mysterious things start happening envelopes keep turning up, someone else’s story. This is about a couple Nelle and her husband. Clara decides to rewrite it in her own words. Things do not improve in her marriage as she’s writing all of the time. The envelopes keep turning up in various places. The story unfolds. Worth a read, lots of the story after what I have written but don’t want to spoil anything. 5 stars from me.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews