Review: The Couple at No. 9

The Couple at No. 9 by Claire Douglas
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was my first time reading something by Claire Douglas. Even though I enjoyed it, I can't say I'll be running to read some of her other books.

This psychological thriller, The Couple at Number 9, offers mystery and tension. The book revolves around young couple Saffron and Tom, who find two dead buried in the grounds of their new house. As the investigation unfolds, long-buried family secrets emerge, with Saffron’s grandmother, Rose, at the heart of the mystery.

A very interesting and positive point of this book is its multi-layered narrative. The novel is written from several points of view, including Saffron, Rose, and a few other key characters. Since every one's point of view contributes bits to the puzzle, this method helps develop tension. Rose's perspective, in particular, is interesting as her memory fades, turning her into a somewhat untrustworthy narrator. This brings some uncertainty that elevates the suspense. Furthermore, the generational aspect gives the narrative depth and historical background, as the present-day mystery links events from Rose's past.

One area the book falls short is character development, as the main couple, Saffron and Tom, seem to be somewhat bland. Saffron is shown as a relatively passive figure reacting to circumstances rather than motivating the action. Tom's part is even less relevant. Their connection seems less important than the storyline in a tale about trust and betrayal. Consequently, it is difficult to really relate to their suffering or commit completely to their path.

Rose, Saffron's grandmother, on the other hand, is a more intricate and finely rendered figure and very well drawn out. Her story gains a moving depth from her battle with memory loss; her past holds the answer to the enigma.

On a negative note, I found the twists predictable and was a bit disappointed by that.

Douglas writes stylistically with clarity and strong sense of context. The tone of the book is formed in great part by the well-written descriptions of the spooky atmosphere, and the cramped sense of the neighbourhood. However, the language is sometimes awkward, with some exchanges feeling forced rather than natural.

The Couple at Number Nine gave me mixed feelings. Although the book's original idea and framework show potential, the execution suffers, particularly with regard to character development and the lack of surprising twists. For readers of home thrillers, it's an interesting and entertaining enough book; nevertheless, it doesn't stand out in the highly competitive category that I adore.

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