The Lie of the Land by Amanda Craig

I have to admit that I am new to Amanda Craig’s novels and when her latest The Lie of the Land (Little, Brown) landed on my desk, it was just what I was looking for, and how I enjoyed this multi-layered novel that is life in very much today. An absolute joy to read and one of those books that you just do not want to leave alone for very long.

Meet Quentin and Lottie Bredin, they have three children and live in London, sadly the recession has hit the couple hard and both lost their jobs. Now despite everything they know that they can’t afford the sky high living costs of the big city. Quentin has had many affairs and Lottie has had to cope with his appalling behaviour and is rightly very hurt. There is no money even for a divorce, so the only answer is to move away and they set up home in Devon. Not everyone who lives in the city can adapt to the life living in the countryside. So now they have to downsize and no-one in the Bredin household is too happy at their new home. A sad looking home it will be. But why on earth is the landlord offering such cheap rent? The rock star landlord could be hiding a secret or two here. Amanda Craig has written a wondrous modern novel of how we live today. At times it is superbly witty and the characters you will come to know and love and possibly even not. This is also part psychological thriller.

Quentin and Lottie do not want to talk to each other and hardly surprising considering Quentin’s adventures away from the marriage. There are so many rich characters they you will meet within the pages that I would be giving away the rich tapestry of the story. And it is just superb in all its forms. Then there is the ending. No spoilers here but simply is breath-taking. I loved The Lie of the Land. I can now see why Amanda Craig is so loved by many fellow authors and readers and I now happily join those ranks. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

432 Pages.

Thank you to Amelia Reid at Little, Brown for the advanced review copy.

The Lie of the Land by Amanda Craig is published by Little, Brown on 15^th June and will be available through Waterstones, Amazon and all good bookshops.