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The Bookbinder
One woman knows her ex is a murderer, but no one believes her.
One woman has disappeared.
One woman has never been so happy… Until a visit from a stranger blows her life apart.
Liz, Amber, and Sarah.
After years of obsession, Liz is ready to move on. Until the day she learns her ex has a new victim. Damaged and dangerous, she’s determined he won't get away with it this time.
Amber couldn't be happier. Life is finally falling into place. Newly married to a man she adores, she is looking forward to a bright future. But when a stranger comes to her door, she learns nothing is quite what it seems.
Sarah was the only one to believe Liz, but she's disappeared… and there's a killer on the loose.
‘For lovers of Lisa Jewell, Sophie Hannah, and Liane Moriarty, The Bookbinder is a twisting thriller that will get your heart racing.’
From the author of the highly-rated 'The Woman and the Witch'
One woman has disappeared.
One woman has never been so happy… Until a visit from a stranger blows her life apart.
Liz, Amber, and Sarah.
After years of obsession, Liz is ready to move on. Until the day she learns her ex has a new victim. Damaged and dangerous, she’s determined he won't get away with it this time.
Amber couldn't be happier. Life is finally falling into place. Newly married to a man she adores, she is looking forward to a bright future. But when a stranger comes to her door, she learns nothing is quite what it seems.
Sarah was the only one to believe Liz, but she's disappeared… and there's a killer on the loose.
‘For lovers of Lisa Jewell, Sophie Hannah, and Liane Moriarty, The Bookbinder is a twisting thriller that will get your heart racing.’
From the author of the highly-rated 'The Woman and the Witch'
386 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 2, 2021
34 people are currently reading
790 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Larkman
5 books86 followersAmanda Larkman was born in a hospital as it was being bombed during a revolution. The rest of her upbringing, in the countryside of Kent, has been relatively peaceful.
She graduated with a degree in English Literature degree and an MA in Modern Literature and has taught English for many years. 'The Woman and the Witch' was her first novel.
Hobbies include trying to find the perfect way to make popcorn, watching her mad labradoodle run like a galloping horse, and reading brilliant novels that make her feel bitter and jealous.
She has a husband and two teenage children, all of whom are far nicer than the characters in her book.
Follow Amanda Larkman
On Twitter: @MiddleageWar
On Instagram: @Amanda_Larkman
Blog: www.middle-agedwarrior.com
She graduated with a degree in English Literature degree and an MA in Modern Literature and has taught English for many years. 'The Woman and the Witch' was her first novel.
Hobbies include trying to find the perfect way to make popcorn, watching her mad labradoodle run like a galloping horse, and reading brilliant novels that make her feel bitter and jealous.
She has a husband and two teenage children, all of whom are far nicer than the characters in her book.
Follow Amanda Larkman
On Twitter: @MiddleageWar
On Instagram: @Amanda_Larkman
Blog: www.middle-agedwarrior.com
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 3, 2021
Well, personally, I thought it was marvellous. Highly recommended
I did write it, though, so may be biased ;)
I did write it, though, so may be biased ;)
January 28, 2022
AUDIOBOOK
What a dark and twisted tale of murder and control that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. I loved this audio story about a so called perfect marriage and as the newly weds start to settle into married life the only thing causing any issues is that his best friend is currently living in the house they are renovating with them. When a woman turns up claiming her husband is not all he seems and in fact may well be capable of murder Amber doesn’t believe her but is the story even darker than anyone can imagine
What a dark and twisted tale of murder and control that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. I loved this audio story about a so called perfect marriage and as the newly weds start to settle into married life the only thing causing any issues is that his best friend is currently living in the house they are renovating with them. When a woman turns up claiming her husband is not all he seems and in fact may well be capable of murder Amber doesn’t believe her but is the story even darker than anyone can imagine
February 12, 2022
Listened to it on Audible
Loved this book! Hard to get into at first because the chapters are split up by character, but after a few chapters I was able to catch on. In the end, I loved how it all came together. The reader/listener is able to see how the three main characters develop over some time and the twists are so great!
This book was narrated by Alex Lee and Alex did a fantastic job!
Loved this book! Hard to get into at first because the chapters are split up by character, but after a few chapters I was able to catch on. In the end, I loved how it all came together. The reader/listener is able to see how the three main characters develop over some time and the twists are so great!
This book was narrated by Alex Lee and Alex did a fantastic job!
June 19, 2021
Thrilling read
This story will take you a few minutes to understand who the different people are but, it doesn't take long to sort them out and it is worth the read. You feel like you are a part of the story. Can't wait to read more books by this author.
This story will take you a few minutes to understand who the different people are but, it doesn't take long to sort them out and it is worth the read. You feel like you are a part of the story. Can't wait to read more books by this author.
August 9, 2021
Predictable read
The story of a charming husband who isolates a woman and makes her doubt herself, isn't new or original.
Give this read a miss, unless you suffer from insomnia
The story of a charming husband who isolates a woman and makes her doubt herself, isn't new or original.
Give this read a miss, unless you suffer from insomnia
August 7, 2025
read this in 24 hours
then messaged the author for the other 24 hours because I am that obsessed with this book
the writing style, the twists its perfect im gutted I've finished it
I need this to be a film or netflix series to!
then messaged the author for the other 24 hours because I am that obsessed with this book
the writing style, the twists its perfect im gutted I've finished it
I need this to be a film or netflix series to!
May 11, 2021
I won this book in a GoodReads giveaway. The GoodReads/Amazon summary provides the premise of the story so I’m not going to regurgitate it in case I slip and give something away.
I really enjoyed this story. It grabbed my attention from the start. As the tension built in the last quarter, I stayed up way too late finishing it because I *had* to know the ending.
There were little pieces of information about three women that masterfully came together like a puzzle. Each women has a relationship with the same man but with different consequences. There were two different timelines in the story, but it was very clear when they switched. The pacing was perfect, and there were little twists along the way to keep my interest.
The story is well written, and I particularly enjoyed the description of places. I could imagine myself being in the settings like the old house, the bookbinder shop, having lunch in the back garden of a cafe after a motorbike ride, etc. Both the main and secondary characters were well developed, and I was crossing my fingers that the women would be okay by the end.
I will definitely read other novels from this talented. author.
I really enjoyed this story. It grabbed my attention from the start. As the tension built in the last quarter, I stayed up way too late finishing it because I *had* to know the ending.
There were little pieces of information about three women that masterfully came together like a puzzle. Each women has a relationship with the same man but with different consequences. There were two different timelines in the story, but it was very clear when they switched. The pacing was perfect, and there were little twists along the way to keep my interest.
The story is well written, and I particularly enjoyed the description of places. I could imagine myself being in the settings like the old house, the bookbinder shop, having lunch in the back garden of a cafe after a motorbike ride, etc. Both the main and secondary characters were well developed, and I was crossing my fingers that the women would be okay by the end.
I will definitely read other novels from this talented. author.
May 14, 2021
A Must Read
With many intriguing characters and an astounding plot twist, this is one of the best mystery/thrillers I’ve read. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, you’ll find you’ve gotten it all wrong. Five stars!
With many intriguing characters and an astounding plot twist, this is one of the best mystery/thrillers I’ve read. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, you’ll find you’ve gotten it all wrong. Five stars!
May 13, 2021
This is a very different book from the cozy mysteries I usually read. It's a psychological thriller from three main character's POV. I couldn't put it down. I won an ebook copy through a Goodreads giveaway and I am glad I did. This is an honest review.
April 19, 2022
This novel was very confusing at the beginning, darting from the present to flashbacks, to the present and back again, with a multitude of characters in between. However after the first 75 pages or so it started to make sense and turned out to be a great thriller. It was told by two of the main characters, one in the first person the other an omniscient person, both victims of a mendacious, conniving ogre. It would have been even better had the author included what the ogre was thinking as a backdrop. But then again, that is simply my interpretation. In all, it's a wonderful, page turning novel that will keep your heart racing.
April 5, 2021
Fantastic story!!!
Liz is trying to get over her fears and nightmares of her ex. Amber is madly in love with her new charming husband. Unfortunately they are one and the same... This story will grab you and suck you down the rabbit hole. I read it all in one sitting and couldn't look away. I will definitely be adding Amanda Larkin to my one click author list!!
Liz is trying to get over her fears and nightmares of her ex. Amber is madly in love with her new charming husband. Unfortunately they are one and the same... This story will grab you and suck you down the rabbit hole. I read it all in one sitting and couldn't look away. I will definitely be adding Amanda Larkin to my one click author list!!
April 18, 2021
The Bookbinder is a nail biting psychological thriller with plenty of twists and turns. Some flashbacks are like standalone jigsaw pieces - the story builds up around them and everything slots into place for a full picture - and you're still guessing!! This book had me hooked to the end.
February 15, 2022
Dark, twisted and excellent. It takes a little while to get used to who is who in the plot, but once you do -wow!! what a story. It has a story-line that grips you from the beginning and doesn't let you go until the very end. There is superb character development and the whole package means you want to carry on listening 'just a bit more' each time. As time moves on Ambers husband seems to be acting in a more and more controlling and strange way - is there more to him than meets the eye? This audiobook version was narrated by the excellent Alex Lee, and she certainly helps with the atmosphere of the story. For me a 5 star listen and highly recommended. My free copy was via The Book Club Audible listeners group, the review is entirely my own.
May 11, 2021
The Bookbinder is a suspense novel that will hold your interest. Three woman are linked through one man. Bookbinder Liz claims that she was abused by her ex and now makes a habit of stalking him in order to warn off any new woman in his life. She is also a former addict who has had run-ins with the police. Sarah is Liz's one success, a woman she saved who is constantly on the move but will usually respond to her messages. Newlywed Amber is just discovering a darker side to her handsome new husband's personality but is he the dangerous one or is it the woman that appears claiming that he's dangerous?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2021
Gripping. Narcissistic. Healing.
I loved this book. From the first page I was hooked. The frightful horror of these women pulled me into the pages, wishing for them to overcome the narcissist!
Couldn’t put it down. Read in one day. Perfect for holiday reading.
I also loved Amanda’s other two books. They are all so different, yet captivating in their individuality.
I loved this book. From the first page I was hooked. The frightful horror of these women pulled me into the pages, wishing for them to overcome the narcissist!
Couldn’t put it down. Read in one day. Perfect for holiday reading.
I also loved Amanda’s other two books. They are all so different, yet captivating in their individuality.
August 10, 2021
This book was a revelation. I quickly bonded with the characters and worried about their welfare. It was like reading a psychological thriller movie with moments when I jumped out of my skin at the action described. Don’t be fooled by the title. Like Amanda’s other books a quiet exterior has drama, tragedy, comedy, action and thriller tucked within its pages. An overall cracking good read.
May 5, 2021
Amanda Larkman is a great writer!
I loved her first book and also her short stories. This one is a fast paced thriller and I couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait for her next book whatever it might be!
I loved her first book and also her short stories. This one is a fast paced thriller and I couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait for her next book whatever it might be!
February 25, 2023
Great and well-written!
May 3, 2021
Loved this book!!
This book was amazing with all the twists. If you like a good mystery/thriller this is one you need to pick up. Full of action from start to finish there is never a dull moment in these pages.
This book was amazing with all the twists. If you like a good mystery/thriller this is one you need to pick up. Full of action from start to finish there is never a dull moment in these pages.
February 20, 2025
Enjoyed this book. Great topic and some parts of the book are uncomfortable to read as it deals with a subject I have lived through.
February 12, 2022
Who in the story is the damaged one?
Liz is just about to try and get her life in order as in the past she has been stalked even to the point of being owned by one man some would say he's a sadist, but it got to a point that she was not allowed a life apart from him, he was the one all and be all.
Liz is a bookbinder by trade and very good at it and has started taking some of her samples to a local hotel where she meets a man, and he realizes she is still very fragile so he will wait on the sidelines till she is ready.
Liz finds out this former man that was in her life is about to get married again and she tries to warn Amber but like a lot of women she is in love and if Liz can find Sarah (the only one to believe her) she might be able to save this woman. She embarks on this long perilous journey to find out that Sarah is nowhere to be found she knows in her heart something terrible has happened.
The story is well played out and can be really scary as it still goes on today.
It's written by Amanda Larkman so a new author to me and narrated by Alex Lee, and it's very well done.
Liz is just about to try and get her life in order as in the past she has been stalked even to the point of being owned by one man some would say he's a sadist, but it got to a point that she was not allowed a life apart from him, he was the one all and be all.
Liz is a bookbinder by trade and very good at it and has started taking some of her samples to a local hotel where she meets a man, and he realizes she is still very fragile so he will wait on the sidelines till she is ready.
Liz finds out this former man that was in her life is about to get married again and she tries to warn Amber but like a lot of women she is in love and if Liz can find Sarah (the only one to believe her) she might be able to save this woman. She embarks on this long perilous journey to find out that Sarah is nowhere to be found she knows in her heart something terrible has happened.
The story is well played out and can be really scary as it still goes on today.
It's written by Amanda Larkman so a new author to me and narrated by Alex Lee, and it's very well done.
January 30, 2022
This was my first experience of this author and I did enjoy the book it was an interesting listen, I did really get into the story and wanted to know how it ended so was completely gripped. The narrator really suited the story. It did take me a while to get into the story, so I put it away for a bit and then went back to it.
I was given a free copy by the author via the the book club audible listeners but the review is entirely my own.
I was given a free copy by the author via the the book club audible listeners but the review is entirely my own.
April 16, 2022
I was gifted this book to listen to on the understanding I’d give a review. I didn’t enjoy the book, which I’m putting down to the narrator, her voice was off putting. As to the book I struggled with the narrative eg from one character to another.
February 7, 2022
It took me a little while to be fully “grabbed” by this one. As often is the case when the author gradually Introduces each characters into to the story, and then builds up the plot, but once I was there I really couldn’t let it go. I found myself totally invested in this thrilling ride. Very exciting, with a few twists along the way.
Good narration
Good narration
February 18, 2022
I listened to the audio version of this book. It took a few chapters to get into it and start to set the scene but once you did, it was well worth it. Amber is newly married, but is her husband all he seems. When someone turns up on her doorstep with dark secrets about his past who do you believe. I like the way this told the story from three different viewpoints, building up to the truth and the final outcome. The suspense built up through the book as the story progressed. A dark, engaging read.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews