It was my absolute pleasure to meet lovely Diane Jeffrey at Harrogate last year and I owe her a huge debt of gratitude for sending me a copy of her latest book, The Other Couple. I’m delighted to share my review of The Other Couple today. 

It was also my privilege to share an extract from Diane’s previous thriller The Couple at Causeway Cottage in a post you’ll find here.

The Other Couple is published by Harper Collins imprint HQ on 14th June 2023 in ebook and in paperback on 3rd August. It is available for pre-order through the links here.

The Other Couple

Two couples. A fatal accident. And a decision that changes everything…

Kirsten and Nick are enjoying a weekend away until, on their drive home, they accidentally run over and kill a man. They should call for help – but they have too much to lose, and no one can know the real reason they’re here. Instead, they make a split-second decision to conceal the accident.

Amy and Greg have just celebrated their tenth wedding anniversary. Amy is expecting a baby, and they couldn’t be happier. So when Greg fails to come home from a dog walk one weekend, Amy knows the police are wrong to believe he left of his own accord. Someone must be behind Greg’s disappearance, and Amy won’t give up until she gets justice – or revenge.

If you had nothing left to lose, how far would you go to find the truth?

My Review of The Other Couple

Greg is missing.

Oo. I thoroughly enjoyed The Other Couple because it’s filled with drama, deftly plotted and fast paced, making for an exciting and entertaining read. As the narrative progresses, there’s an added frisson of tension and mystery through some anonymous first person interjections from prison that draw in the reader still further making for a really captivating story. 

I loathed the selfishness of Nick from the very start and because Diane Jeffrey had created him so vividly, I was desperate for him to get his comeuppance. I found Kirsten fascinating. I couldn’t decide if I loathed her for her complicity with Nick, felt sorry for her because she is manipulated by him, or was contemptuous of her because of her cavalier attitude to the sanctity of her own marriage and family, and the ease with which she seems to disregard how her and Nick’s actions will impact Amy. 

Amy is both convincing and empathetic. I was on her side completely and thought the way Diane Jeffrey retained my faith in Amy was so skilful. I also loved the way Greg is a catalyst for all the exciting action, even though he is dead from the outset. What we have in The Other Couple is a set of truly realistic, layered and convincing characters that get right under the skin of the reader.

The Other Couple is a cracking, fast paced and twisty story that held my unwavering attention but at the same time, it’s far, far more than simple entertainment as Diane Jeffrey encourages the reader to contemplate morality and the fine line we walk in our lives. She explores marriage, family and relationships, the law and criminality, with absolute precision and a fluidity of style so that the story resonates long after it has been read. This is a narrative that has depth and thought-provoking themes as well as all the excitement and entertainment needed in a fabulous triller.

I thought The Other Couple was excellent. It held me spellbound and I can’t recommend it highly enough. Brilliant. 

About Diane Jeffrey

Diane Jeffrey is a USA Today bestselling author.

She grew up in North Devon and Northern Ireland. She now lives in Lyon, France, with her husband and their three children, Labrador and cat.

Diane has written six psychological thrillers, all published by HQ / HarperCollins.

The Guilty Mother, Diane’s third book, was a USA Today bestseller and her fourth novel, The Silent Friend, was a Karin Slaughter Killer Reads pick for ASDA. Her fifth psychological thriller, The Couple at Causeway Cottage has been shortlisted for an International Thriller Writers award.

The Other Couple is Diane’s latest psychological thriller and will be released on 14th June 2023 in ebook and audiobook and on 2nd August 2023 in paperback.

Diane is an English teacher. When she’s not working or writing, she likes swimming, running and reading. She loves chocolate, beer and holidays. Above all, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

For further information follow Diane on Instagram and on Twitter @dianefjeffrey, visit her website or on Facebook.