‘Knock Knock’ by Michelle Teahan

Published by Headline,
13 June 2024.
ISBN: 978-1-03-545061-9 (PB)

Marcus and Gina are thrilled to bits when a large pharmaceutical firm Gina works for covers the cost of a house for them on the Cowerworth Estate in a Cork suburb. It’s a perfect place of detached houses and all neat lawns.

Marcus makes an instant impression on all the women, he is devastatingly handsome, but he has hidden tendencies unknown to anyone.

Next door to the new arrivals live Sarah, her husband Kevin and their young son Dillon. Across the road are Maisie and her husband Peter.

As soon as Marcus sees Sarah, he is smitten, he compares her to a cigarette – he has a craving for her. She finds herself attracted to him in return. Marcus enjoys seducing women and then when they fear being found out, he completely ignores them, it drives them crazy. It turns him on seeing them suffer. He does actually suspect Sarah may be different though and it really thrills him. However, he does not realise just how different.

Maisie over the road fancies Marcus like mad, but then she flirts with all the men, especially Sarah’s husband.

Then there is a sudden death, supposedly from a drugs overdose, but was it really accidental? The neighbours have never had so much to gossip about and under the guise of shock and horror, most of them are thrilled to bits!

It all settles down after a couple of weeks and Marcus now decides he wants the extra thrill of killing Sarah and plans it meticulously. However, oh boy, how he has underestimated her! 

Throughout the book we learn of sessions between a “Host” and a “Guest”, the “Guest” talking about Marcus and at one of the later sessions mentions that Marcus has started ignoring her and how distraught she is. It is not until the end of the book we discover who she is and it’s a real revelation.

On the last pages there is another unexpected death – this time it is obviously murder and all is revealed to the reader very satisfactorily making for a wholly unexpected ending.

A thoroughly enjoyable story that builds up with a great sense of anticipation and goodness how worth the wait it is. A tale of an extreme act of revenge. Most highly recommended.
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Reviewer: Tricia Chappell

Michelle Teahan is a qualified Medical Scientist but her passion has always been writing stories. She loves creating strong female characters, putting them in the worst types of situations and seeing how they react. She lives in County Cork, Ireland with her husband, two young daughters and a giant ginger cat. 

Tricia Chappell. I have a great love of books and reading, especially crime and thrillers. I play the occasional game of golf (when I am not reading). My great love is cruising especially to far flung places, when there are long days at sea for plenty more reading! I am really enjoying reviewing books and have found lots of great new authors.