What Lies Between Us: A Tortuous Tango of Mother and Daughter
What Lies Between Us by John Marrs caught my attention for a few reasons. The premise alone—a mother-daughter relationship marred by dark secrets, manipulation, and isolation—felt intriguing and pretty unsettling. I have to confess, I enjoy a good mindf*ck of a book now and then, but there’s always the hope that, along with intrigue, there’s also a genuine twist that leaves me satisfied rather than simply bewildered.
At its core, this novel revolves around Nina and her mother, Maggie—a duo caught in a web of psychological tumult. While the premise could lead to an engrossing exploration of love and betrayal, the execution left much to be desired. Nina keeps Maggie locked away in the attic, punishing her for sins that are only revealed as the plot unfolds. Initially, I found this dynamic fascinating. However, as the story progressed, it became hard to digest Maggie’s enabling behavior. As a healthcare worker, wouldn’t she know that her daughter needs help? Instead, she seems to spiral into an enabling role instead of taking on the protective, guiding figure a mother should be.
Then there’s Nina. Oh boy, where do I even start? With her contradictory feelings toward both her mother and her absent father, I was invited into a chaotic mental landscape. But rather than feeling compassion for her struggles, I often found myself perplexed—or perhaps even annoyed. Her emotional responses, especially when dealing with her father’s fractured role in her life, never fully resonated with me. It’s like the narrative was purposely designed to elicit frustration rather than sympathy.
One significant drawback was the predictability of the plot. Spanning from the beginning as an intriguing suspense story, it turned into a mere waiting game for the “unexpected” twist that any seasoned reader could decipher halfway through. By the time we reach the major reveal at about 70% into the book, I felt like I was receiving an expositional lecture rather than a thrilling conclusion. I appreciate a well-structured plot, but it needs to do more than just confirm my theories in a very straightforward way.
As I delved into the characters’ backstories, I found the situations they found themselves in, particularly surrounding their mental health, lacked a layer of realism. Some elements seemed far-fetched, almost as if the author crafted them for shock value rather than authenticity. Wouldn’t police involvement have heightened the stakes and introduced a needed tension?
Despite my critiques, I have to admit that Marrs’s writing style kept me engaged. There’s a sense of urgency, an unsettling undertone that makes you want to keep flipping the pages, even if you’re occasionally rolling your eyes at the predictability. This book does evocatively explore the heavy themes of trauma and the lengths to which a mother might go to protect or punish—emotions that can indeed elicit a visceral reaction.
For potential readers, if you’re looking for a psychological thriller that doesn’t shy away from the murkiness of human relationships and the complexities of love, you might find What Lies Between Us to be a worthwhile read. Just be prepared for some predictable twists and a touch of incredulity along the way. Ultimately, this book may leave you pondering the darker sides of familial bonds long after you’ve closed its covers, as it did for me.