Lies Behind the Ruin

by Helen Matthews

How can you build a new life on toxic foundations?
Emma Willshire has overcome plenty of obstacles in her life. From student bride to single mother of a son, Owen, but she has found happiness with her second husband, Paul and another child, Mollie. Emma's dark days seem far behind her until a fatal accident happens at Paul's work and he is held responsible.
On holiday in France, trying to leave his problems behind, Paul's behaviour turns erratic. On impulse, he buys a dilapidated property and, to Emma's dismay, persuades her they can renovate it into a holiday home. As the couple strive to renovate their marriage and their French ruin and to open a small business, shadows from the past threaten their happiness and safety. Escape to a new life in France seemed the only solution but leads to heart-breaking loss and Emma must fight to protect herself and her daughter.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, France, Mystery Thriller

352 pages, Paperback

First published April 25, 2019

About the author

Delighted to announce that domestic suspense novel The Sisters is out soon from Bloodhound Books. They also recently republished my prize-winning suspense thriller Girl Out of Sight.

Lies Behind the Ruin, family noir set in France, is available from Amazon. A new edition of The Girl in the Van, winner of the Pageturner prize 2022 in the suspense and thriller category, will be out in January 2025.

I'm originally from Cardiff, studied English at Liverpool University and hold an MA in Creative Writing from Oxford Brookes. I've won prizes for flash fiction and short stories and been published in 'Artificium', Reflex Fiction, 1k story, ElipsisZine, Love Sunday, Scribble and in an eBook 'Garage 54 and other stories'.

Long ago in a galaxy far away (before I focused on fiction) I had some articles published in the Guardian, on the BBC and in lifestyle magazines. I love travelling and you can read about some quirky encounters and places on my blog. I'm an ambassador for the charity , Unseen that fights to end modern slavery.

Reviews

[DJ Sakata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Favorite Quote:

My empty kitchen shelves yawn, as if they’ve been plundered by a thief with a crockery fetish.

My Review:

Family drama, deceit, betrayal, duplicity, financial strain, and lots of angst underscore this slowly evolving tale of treachery. The writing was easy to follow and held my attention and despite the slow pace, I remained curious as to how long the deception could remain undetected. Apparently, Emma wasn’t a deep thinker, or at all observant, or diligent about birth control. Ms. Matthew’s storylines were taut with tension and fraught with various stressors and uncertainty as a British family stumbled and fractured while attempting to start anew in France amidst the insecurities of Brexit. I didn’t find any of the main characters to be totally likable yet I was sympathetic to the blinkered and beleaguered Emma, although I had nothing but disdain for either of her husbands.

[Pgchuis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

I really didn't enjoy this: Emma's husband Paul buys a ruined house in France for them to renovate without asking her first. He then tells her he has lost his job and they will have to sell their house, move to France, and live in their property in a caravan. Emma therefore allows her first husband custody of their son (without taking legal advice) because she believes she is not entitled to take him to France. Paul later claims he has to return to the UK to work, leaving Emma and their daughter in the caravan trying to get a bar business off the ground. And so on and so on.

It was all so depressing (there was not one moment of humour in the whole book). Emma put up with totally unreasonable behaviour from Paul, who course, is lying to her right left and centre. For a while not much happened apart from the author employing unnecessarily complicated switches in viewpoint and time frame, but then towards the end all hell broke loose. I didn't like anyone, couldn't believe in any of their behaviour and I think the author might come to regret focussing so much on the Brexit angle.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lies Behind the Ruin is a wonderful novel told in dual perspective. That dual perspective was written so seamlessly, that there was never a jarring moment. I'm impressed with Helen Matthew's writing style in this novel. Consider me a new fan!

I love the contrast between Emma and Paul's points of views. Emma is vulnerable and strong, Paul is erratic. I love the seamless transitions between the two characters. I think this made the novel much more enjoyable than if it had been one perspective.

I highly recommend checking out this book. I found it difficult to put down and I am really looking forward to more from Helen Matthews!

*I received a copy of this book as part of a blog tour with Rachel's Random Resources. All opinions are my own.*

[Kerry https://likeherdingcatsblog.wordpress.com Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lies behind the ruin is a married couple's navigation of moving to France and moving on from a tragic incident at work.  Emma and Paul aim for a fresh start in France when they purchase a run down farm house and begin rennovations, despite being close to bankrupt.  What is meant to be a new and exciting venture soon begins to take a turn for the worse, especially when one of the couple is hiding a secret so devastating that it would ruin everything if discovered.

This novel is told from a dual perspective and moves between narrators seamlessly and at the right time to keep you reading in a rush to return to the next part.  I was never sure which direction the story was going to take me in, romance or thriller?  This made the book even more enjoyable and surprising.      

Emma's story is told with contrasting emotions.  She is excited and looking forward to a new life in France but is heartbroken at leaving her oldest child behind to live with his father.  Her character is written with a vulnerability that makes her stronger, not weak.  From the beginning, Paul's story seems to harbour a more sinister feel within the words and I love how Helen slips between the two characters so easily but easy to differentiate between.   

Overall, I found this book really entertaining and moorish and found it difficult to put down once I had began.  I am looking forward to reading more of Helen Matthew's work in the future.      

[Mary Kendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover drew me in but the plot kept me there. As the story unfurled, I was especially drawn to the main character, Emma, with her moxie to move forward despite all the obstacles and challenges life threw in her way.
A side plot involving the restoration and reconstruction of a ruin in a small French village setting was really interesting and provided a nice counterbalance to the disturbing storyline around it.
Helen Matthews delivers a riveting psychological thriller once again!

[Els · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all I would like to say that I like the cover. The upper part represents the lovely relaxed holiday feeling in France, the middle part stands for the darker parts in the story and the lower part is misty and gives you a feeling of uncertainty. To me this reflects the contents perfectly.

As the title already indicates, lies are a big part of this story, as well as deceit, struggling through hard times and heartbreak, but of course there is a bright side filled with motherly love, friendship and deciding what’s good for you and not what others dictate.

I liked Emma a lot. She is a very determined and strong woman and after everything she is been through, she comes out of it even stronger. Paul on the other hand wants it all and it blows up in his face. He so gets what he deserves.

The author takes us from the UK to France and the story is alternately told by the two main characters. I really enjoyed this book and I certainly would not mind reading more of her works. 4 stars.

Thank you, Helen Matthews and Rachel’s Random Resources.

https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a good read. I enjoyed it from the beginning right through to the end. I liked the writing.

I also thought the characterisation was good. It's told mainly from main character, Emma's, POV, with chapters from her husband's and son's POV also. This gave us an insight into each character, not just from their own viewpoint but also how each person perceived the others and what was happening, and also things that Emma was unaware of.

I especially loved that we were not told who was speaking in the prologue. It added an air of anticipation throughout the book, and because it was just a little creepy it prevented any reader complacency from setting in. Everything tied up well at the end very satisfactorily.

[Alexandra Watt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh this book was wonderful. A story of a woman who’s family just one after another keeps getting smaller and smaller. She’s good and loyal. Not perfect but no one is. As this story unfolds, you really feel for Emma. Paul is horrible, her ex is horrible and brain washing their son. This was absolutely well written and grabbed you in. I loved it!

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book: it's fascinating, engaging, and entertaining.
I appreciated the style of writer, the character development, and the plot.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

[C C Garrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hang in there

It takes awhile to get into but stick to it is good. Bit like Fatal Attraction. Just in a small French town and London

[Anne Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great and page-turning read with a very strong main character. I really enjoyed this story.

[Katharine Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books about old houses in idyllic locations filled with secrets so this was sure to appeal and definitely met my high expectations. Many of us dream of being able to restore a tumbledown property in France so I thoroughly enjoyed that side of it but this is also a be-careful-what-you-wish-for domestic noir story, full of secrets and spiralling tension behind a perfect facade. I tore through it!

[Susan Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slow read

Have you ever read a book that just drags on and on? You make yourself keep reading in hopes it will get interesting? It finally started to pick up somewhat a little over half way but unfortunately everything was as I expected before it was actually revealed in the story. Classic cheating husband with a over zealous woman who will and does break up the husbands marriage. Nothing new here folks.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lies Behind the Ruin by Helen Matthews

Moving part of your life to Europe, especially in these confused times, is always a big decision. Emma in this novel moves to France as part of a traumatic situation, and she has no idea of the chief reason for doing so in her husband’s mind. A family story in which honesty and betrayal leads to a thriller ending is a strong comment on contemporary life, and an important insight into the lengths that some women will go to for love and obsession. Following a dream is difficult, following someone else’s dream is even more challenging. As the 2016 referendum result unsettles lives even further, this topical read is a fascinating into twenty-first century life. I was pleased to be asked to be take part in this blog tour, and read and review this strong novel.

Emma and Paul live in London with their daughter, Mollie and Owen, Emma’s son from a previous relationship. Emma has experienced poverty, and is desperate to avoid debt again. Unknown to her, Paul is having an affair with a work colleague which has become more intense as the struggles to cope with the death of a worker for the company. His behaviour becomes unpredictable and erratic and he secretly buys a ruinous building in France with the intention of converting it into a family home. He elects to stay in England while Emma and Mollie live in a caravan in France, deceiving them over their extent of his indebtedness and relationship with Genevieve. Fortunately Emma accepts help from Henri in France, and has had the foresight to invest in the lease of a bar in a small village, and though it struggles to be profitable for a while, her hard work and friendliness begin to establish regular trade. When Emma and Mollie find a temporary home, they only need Paul to come and oversee the house conversion to ensure their wellbeing, but he is preceded by a mysterious woman called Eve. How will Emma cope with a situation in which all her certainties are overthrown, and there is real danger to those she loves?

This is a novel which packs many unexpected punches, as the less than idyllic life of expats in France is described and the pain of dysfunctional relationships explored. As Emma, Owen and Paul each narrate sections of the book from their own point of view, we see that the break up of the relationships are not easy. Matthews has an undoubted gift for bringing characters alive in all their complexity, confusion and sometimes pain. Life is complex for every character, and Matthews does well in constructing and maintaining each person, even the minor customers at the bar. This book works on many levels, as a modern novel of relationships and a comment on the complexity of life in a different country. At times gripping and always well paced, this is a worthwhile read which attempts to explore the depths of betrayal within a relationship, and I recommend it as a strong contemporary novel.

[Malvika Jaswal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lies behind the Ruin is a new, contemporary look at the time-old case of 'fatal attraction'. This is the story of Emily and Paul, a couple who have been together for a few years, have two kids and seem happy in every possible way in their British home. However, an ill-fated accident at Paul’s work leads to the complete unraveling of the domestic fabric of their lives as Paul begins to make one mistake after another in order to get himself out of increasingly dicey situations.

To begin with, one must  take a minute to appreciate the title once the you have read the book because it is an absolutely genius play on words, for it could apply to the actual physical 'ruin' in the book as well as to the ruin of a marriage. The cover of the book is very modernistic and monochrome and sort of French in design when  you come to think of it. It gives you a clue that what you are about to read is not going to be romantic, mushy stuff but hard, hurt-your-eyes kind of glaring truths.

While the concept appears simple enough at first glance, in the hands of Helen Mathews it becomes a story that is engrossing and entertaining. The author manages to create an atmosphere that is full of suspended tension and the gruesome vibes of lies being told to cover for guilty secrets. The story moves between Britain and France (with the major drama occurring in France and more in-depth descriptions of the French countryside and way-of-life than the British side) and the author also brings in fleeting mentions of Brexit to round off the entire experience. The narrative alternates between the point of views of Emily and Paul. While Paul is unlikable from the beginning, Emily begins to grow on you after a time. 

The ending of the book was something that I truly appreciated, mainly for the way that Emily takes blow after blow to her psyche and still manages to soldier on and fight for her kid. And just when one thinks that matters are going to spin completely out of control, the author adds a twist that mires things in the reality of everyday life.

There doesn’t seem to be much one can say about the book without giving away the plot, but it is certainly a good read for lovers for Danielle steel and contemporary middle-age dramas. May be a tear-jerker for some. 

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hesitated before saying yes to reviewing this book because it’s not my usual warm and fluffy read that enables me a moment of blissful escape. It contains some difficult and uncomfortable situations, including debt, deceit and Brexit, and as I’m a bit of a wimp, I had to man-up, but I’m so glad I did. It wasn’t long before I was gripped by the chain of events that I knew was building up to a dramatic situation for Emma and her family.

The characters are strong and vivid, and I couldn’t help but like Emma. From feeling happy and secure in her second marriage to Paul, she soon finds herself coping alone in rural France, running a business and coordinating the renovation of the ruined farmhouse Paul bought. Reliable and resourceful, Emma can always find a way to make things work for the better, despite never being fully in control as so many others seem to have a say on the direction her life takes. Weakness and giving up are not for her and even when things took a dramatic turn, I never worried she wouldn’t rise to the challenge.

Paul however is weak, stupid and ultimately doesn’t deserve Emma. He might try to resolve the issues he has created through his poor decisions, but he seems a ‘one-step-forward, two-steps-backward’ kind of person. He made me cross, but some of the mess he found himself in actually made me laugh as well.

All the action is set against a backdrop of Limoges and rural Limousin that the author has perfectly captured. From the often-stagnant communities to be found in rural areas of France to the characters that frequent small village bars, it is all here with some local history and places of interest too.

This book shows the good, the bad and the ugly of relationships, and really drew me in. If you are looking for something gritty to get stuck into this summer, give it a go.

[Nicola Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma and her husband Paul are holidaying in France with their daughter, Molly, and Emma's son, Owen. On a whim they visit a crumbling cottage that is for sale. It's in a countryside setting but close to a village and despite Emma's reservations, Paul goes ahead and buys it, initially as a holiday home but he soon wants to flee his problems at work in England and move the whole family to France. Their new life is not easy for Emma as Paul is missing for months at a time finishing work projects, but she starts to settle in and make a new life for herself. However, as the title suggests, there are lies and secrets and Emma doesn't know how precarious the family's new start is, not only with what's going on behind the scenes with Paul, but also with the Brexit referendum looming large and threatening the life of Brits in Europe.

Lies Behind the Ruin had everything I want in a book. It's a story of family, relationships and what makes a home. I liked Emma so much and I really enjoyed how she made her life in France work for her, forging new friendships and finding ways to keep the family afloat. Paul, on the other hand, I found weak and deceitful. Revenge for Paul's behaviour by a third party added a psychological thriller aspect into the mix and gave the story an edgy feel.

This is the third of Helen Matthews' books I have read and I've thoroughly enjoyed them all. She's a fantastic writer of gripping plots, tangled and messy lives, and tricky situations. The characterisations work perfectly, from the main players down to the bit parts, and I felt like I was fully immersed in the life that Emma makes for herself. This story of a toxic relationship told from both sides kept me gripped. Matthews is definitely a favourite author of mine.

[Kaysi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice change of pace from my current usual repertoire. This novel is very well written and I think the author handled the dual perspectives quite well. I appreciated the dates on the chapters to keep the timeline in perspective, although it didn’t seem to have an impact on anything in particular.

I really wanted to really enjoy and love this book. The premise had me intrigued and wanting to know what psychological thrill could happen in rural France. What I learned? Not much thrill to be honest. Whereas I was captivated enough to keep reading, the first 80% of the book is incredibly quaint and so relatable as real life scenarios…so bland and grimly “normal.” Then we get about 30 pages of craziness and excitement to ultimately resolve in an anticlimactic way. In fact, I am left feeling empty and with not much satisfaction from finishing the book.

The author has good things happening in her writing style and storytelling techniques. The climax just came so late and resolved so poorly that I am glad it was so close to the end. That way I only had about 20 pages left to finish.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book had me totally hooked from the first chapter!

Emma is happy with life with her husband Paul and children Mollie and Owen. Then one day an accident happens at Paul's place of work and a man dies. As a director of the company Paul has to shoulder responsibility. The pressure of dealing with the accident starts to get to Paul and whilst on holiday in France he purchases a run down French house with plans to turn it into a holiday home. On returning to England the problems for the family escalate and in the end they are left with no choice but to sell up and move to France to renovate the property. As they try to build their new life in France the past comes back to haunt them and Emma's happiness is shattered.

I really loved this book and the story had me totally gripped. Even though I sort of guessed what was going to happen it really didn't deter from it at all, and I found myself rooting for Emma all the way through. A brilliant read!

[Lel Budge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma and Paul decide to move to France, to renovate a ruin of a farmhouse. This is mean to be a fresh start after a terrible accident at Paul’s work, for which he was held responsible.

They are not exactly flush with money and tensions rise….especially as one of them has a secret…..

I enjoyed the way the story is told from both Emma and Paul’s perspectives as you get a real feel for each of their characters and their emotions…..there’s the heartache of Emma leaving her eldest child with their father, the excitement of a new life and then the hidden secret that threatens it all….engrossing writing by Helen Matthews.

Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.

[Nikki Vallance · Rating 4 out of 5]

By coincidence I've just finished reading Lies Behind the Ruin whilst holidaying a few hours south of the Limousin region in France where the book is set. I loved getting to know Emma, Paul and their family and discovering how the ruin playing the title role impinges on their lives. The village, its villagers and the business they strive to build for themselves provide a perfect backdrop to the main action as the strands of the story are told through Emma and Paul's points of view. This thoroughly enjoyable novel is fast paced and entertaining. Will the ruin ever become the family home Emma and Paul hoped for or will their lives unravel as the Lies Behind the Ruin threaten to undermine them? If you love a good page turner and you race through the story as quickly as I did, it won't take long for you to find out!

[Gail White · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this book. The story revolves around Emma and Paul and their children. Paul's job is in danger after a fatal accident at work and his behaviour erratic resulting in the purchase of a derelict house in France. As Emma navigates the move to France she slowly uncovers the web of lies and deceit Paul has woven around their lives.
The story is told in dual narratives by the two protagonists. I found Paul's character to be weak, shallow and frankly annoying. I found Emma's equally weak willed and contrary - she can run her own business but can't tell her deadbeat liar husband to clear off? Why not?! I did enjoy the supporting characters Henri, Lilianne and Geneveive, but the ending was predictable and I didn't care enough about anyone in it to be bothered. In short, much ado about nothing.

[Benedicta Norell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m finding it hard to put into words how much I loved Lies Behind the Ruin without giving away too much. This book has everything: a surprising plot with just the right amount of tension; an intriguing backdrop full of compelling detail that makes you feel like you’re there, right in the story; and characters whose dilemmas are so real they feel like your own struggles. The structure of the narrative, with Emma and Paul’s alternating points of view, offers so much detail about a dream many of us have had, starting over and moving to France. Most of us will never make such a bold move but this family’s journey is so relatable in their love for their children and the way we all struggle to do our best for our kids.

[Pam Devine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book although the ending felt a bit rushed hence the reduction of one star. The descriptions of many of the characters in the book and their relationships would have been good to have been fleshed out a it more - the history between Henri and Lilianne, Eve (how did she get the Gaspards to like her so quickly?).
The author gave a good sense of the desperation Emma must have been feeling and good descriptions of the French village, the scenery, the bureaucracy and the comings and goings of the community set around the village pub.
The character of Paul was also well written and the dual narrative was a good way to see the same event or time period from two different perspectives. Definitely worth a look.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book.. however.. I feel that towards the end the author just gave up maybe? The slow but also fast pace throughout the book kept my attention and got me through the book. I loved the characters and the storyline. Very much my kind of storyline. I "hated" some of the characters but that's because of their part in the story. Towards the end, I could feel it leading up to a big finish. But unfortunately this is where the rollercoaster of emotions I was on dropped. The ending for me felt like it could of been executed in a far more descriptive manner.

However overall I loved the book and the story and I will be purchasing the next part of the story as the author did grip me.

[Lorna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this author, and I am certainly not disappointed. I got wrapped up in Emma's life from the outset and was cheering her on throughout the book. The main characters were set out so fantastically that my feelings towards them were extremely strong; without adding any spoilers I will just say be prepared for strong feelings of love, hate and suspicion throughout this book! I did predict a couple of the twists but still a fantastic book that I could not put down.

[Ileana Renfroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lies Behind The Ruin is a riveting and engrossing story about Emma and her idyllic life comes crashing down when a fatal accident at her second husband's job points the finger at him.

On holiday in France, trying to leave his problems behind, Paul's behaviour turns erratic. On impulse, he buys a cheap, dilapidated property and, to Emma's dismay, persuades her they can renovate it into a holiday home. As the couple strive to renovate their marriage, and their French ruin to open a small business, shadows from the past threaten their happiness and safety.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A woman married with a daughter and a son had a husband who was away alot for work. He wanted to move to France and build a home there. She didnt want to go because the son would not go. So he stayed and the rest went to the other country. He bought a camper like for them to live in just for awhile so Mom had to get a job . She bought a bar okayed by her husband saying finances were fine. Life was rough for the family. It got worse one day when a lady appeared in their lives. Not being know what terror this lady would cause to the whole family. Later all the secrets came out.

[Jane Sleight · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great second novel from the author.

I found it very engaging from the start and the plot hurtles along at speed in the early chapters; I was surprised how much I knew about Emma in particular after just a few pages.

At times I wanted it to slow down a little, so I could take stock of what had happened but equally I was keen to read on. It made a delayed plane journey a pleasure and it absorbed me in a way few books do. It's well plotted and has an easy to read style.

[Calleen Petersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I definitely saw the plot coming early in the book, I really did enjoy reading this one. The main character is relatable and human. The antagonist? . . . You can’t wait to see what’s coming his way. But I love how she resolves the issues at the end, the antagonist gets his dues, but it’s handled in an adult manner.
Full disclosure- I received this book for free from Voracious Readers in exchange for an honest review.