Greenwich Park

By: Katherine Faulkner

Narrated by: Laura Kirman

Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Bloomsbury presents Greenwich Park by Katherine Faulkner, read by Laura Kirman.

A book to watch out for from a stunning new voice in thriller writing, as selected by the i, Daily Mail, Grazia, Culture Fly and her.ie.

Helen has it all....

Daniel is the perfect husband.

Rory is the perfect brother.

Serena is the perfect sister-in-law.

And Rachel? Rachel is the perfect nightmare.

When Helen, finally pregnant after years of tragedy, attends her first antenatal class, she is expecting her loving architect husband to arrive soon after, along with her confident, charming brother Rory and his pregnant wife, the effortlessly beautiful Serena. What she is not expecting is Rachel.

Extroverted, brash, unsettling single mother-to-be Rachel, who just wants to be Helen’s friend. Who just wants to get know Helen and her friends and her family. Who just wants to know everything about them. Every little secret....

Masterfully plotted and utterly addictive, Greenwich Park is a dark, compelling look at motherhood, friendships, privilege and the secrets we keep to protect ourselves.

©2021 Katherine Faulkner (P)2021 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Critic reviews

"Deliciously dark and deftly plotted. Faulkner mines the seam of guilt beneath her characters' 'perfect' lives with devastating precision." (Lesley Kara, author of The Rumour)

"Meticulously crafted and deeply satisfying, Greenwich Park has all the hallmarks of a first-class psychological thriller. I read it in two sittings and was left smiling sardonically at the final line." (Charlotte Philby, author of A Double Life)

"Brilliantly twisty and full of excellently observed – if chilling – characters, Greenwich Park is a clever and knowing delve into the female psyche as well as a classic, pacy mystery. Atmospheric, aspirational and addictive!" (Harriet Walker, author of The New Girl)

This was a surprise

Far better, than expected. The beginning is a bit slow, but when it pulls you in, it gets really exciting.

Deeply satisfying.

It’s a while since I’ve enjoyed a book this much. The characters, with a couple of exceptions, are all pretty unlikeable in their own ways but I still found aspects of them relatable. I had figured out some plot points along the way but the full picture was never totally clear and the ending was very satisfying.

All round a really worthy use of a credit and the narration was excellent.

Greenwich Park

I am a South Londoner and know Greenwich Park well, plus I was once a member of the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) and spotted the hardback version of this book in Blackheath. I read/listen to an awful lot of these psychological thrillers but this wasn't a hugely brilliant novel. The characters were just so darn unpleasant and I almost gave up, twice.

It's OK, but not hugely thrilling or entertaining.

Very slow burn and unlikeable characters

Just too much detail, constant awkward similes, didn't like any of the characters. Well narrated, but the story is very slow. The several twists at the end were satisfying, if not totally startling.

To be played on a low volume

Story was extremely predictable and rushed at the end. If you like audio stories where the author gives you not so subtle hints she wears a white pointy hat on weekends, whilst always holding an air of clear ignorance as though everyone is beneath the 'privileged' this is for you. Its VERY unsurprising she works for the times. Also if you like the narrator to shout all the way through for one or two characters this is definitely for you, sooo relaxing.

Excellent

A very accomplished debut. Faulkner is an excellent writer and this book is pacey and suspenseful - unpauseable!

Meh

I really don’t understand why this book received rave reviews. I found the whole story really tedious. Dull characters I couldn’t care less about and a so-what plot. Although the narration is good it’s quite difficult to follow the changes in point of view as the voice doesn’t change. The author’s second novel which I read, the Other Mothers, is much better.

Term

Bit confusing I need to read it before the fb meeting in February. Good plot but a bit laboured - no pun intended! Some medical errors. Benzodiazepines aren’t used for depression any more and premature babies have steroids in utero not post birth. Mostly a good listen and the narrator does well

Require listener to suspend all common sense.

The only way this book works is for the lead character to be unbelievably gullible.

Absolutely no one would be so stupid in real life.

Other characters unlikable, ‘twist’ very obvious.

Good narration though.

Worth listening to.

I really enjoyed listening to this book. The characters were earthy and human. I enjoyed finding excuses to listen.

Brilliant

I loved listening to this, kept me hooked and the narrator is fab! I’ve listen to this authors 2nd book too, she certainly knows how to write a great story!

Enjoyable

I found this to be a great, fast paced book, with interesting characters and plot.