Lying in Wait by Liz Nugent
An “unputdownable psychological thriller with a conclusion that lingers long after reading the final page” about a Dublin family whose dark secrets and twisted relationships are unexpectedly revealed comes from the author of the international bestseller Unraveling Oliver.
Although the lying tramp deserved it, my husband killed Annie Doyle without intending to.
Lydia Fitzsimons appears to have the ideal life—she is the wife of a reputable, successful judge, the mother of a devoted boy, and the mistress of a stunning Dublin home. But there’s a mystery in that lovely house. And when Lydia’s son Laurence learns its secret, events start to spiral into a terrifyingly dark and claustrophobic finale.
Lying in Wait by Liz Nugent
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Liz Nugent is a true master of grotesque characters. We are simultaneously attracted and horrified by them as she takes us inside of their thoughts. Despite the fact that Nugent is cautious not to call them psychopaths herself, we might classify them as such.
We observe them harming those around them while gleefully covering our mouths in terror because they are completely self-aware. I simply adore these. Lydia Fitzsimmons is this book’s primary character. She is the judge’s wife and appears to have the ideal life, residing in a lovely home with her husband and children, but in reality, she is an absolute monster.
The book’s opening sentence, “My husband did not plan to kill Annie Doyle, but the lying tramp deserved it,” is the best psychological thriller first line ever. That establishes the overall tone of the text.
The judge, Lydia’s husband, kills a sex worker, and they both bury the body in the garden. She adores her son, but she is domineering and controlling of him. When her son finds the body, he becomes fascinated with figuring out who the deceased girl was and intrudes into her family life.
The murder is mentioned in the book, but it’s really more about this toxic woman, what she does to her family, and the extent she’ll go to keep them under her thumb.
In alternate chapters, the story is narrated from the perspectives of three characters. The insane mother Lydia, Laurence, her obese kid who has been overfed, and Karen, the sister of the aforementioned murder victim. The murder serves as a connecting factor amongst the individuals in this tale, which is most definitely character-driven.
This is not a suspenseful murder mystery, and it is not a scary film. Sincerely, I am at a loss for words other than to say that it is brilliant. It’s been a while since I laughed out loud while reading, and I know it seems strange that a “dark and spooky” novel could do so, but it’s true. These incredibly damaged individuals have been expertly woven by Liz Nugent into a dysfunctional intersection that I never wanted to leave. I’ve already purchased Unraveling Oliver. This is my first time reading Nugent, but it won’t be my last.
