No One Would Do What The Lamberts Have Done - Sophie Hannah

 

Description

The twistiest murder mystery you are ever likely to read?

A story about a family that does the unthinkable in order to save the life of one of its beloved members?

Both? Or something else altogether?

You'll have to read until the very last word in order to find out…

You think it will never happen to you: the ring of the bell, the policeman on the doorstep. What he says traps you in a nightmare that starts with the words, 'I'm afraid…'

Sally Lambert is also afraid, and desperate enough to consider the unthinkable. Is it really, definitely, impossible to escape from this horror? Maybe not. There's always something you can do, right?

Of course, no one would ever do this particular something – except the Lamberts, who might have to.

No one has ever gone this far. Until Sally decides that the Lamberts will…

'An incident involving a dog in a small village escalates to an all-out conflict, turning neighbour against neighbour, and culminating in murder. But who did it? Who was it done to? You'll have to read to the final line to find out! Hugely entertaining and infectiously funny, this joyous adventure is one of Sophie Hannah's very best books. A delight from start to finish.' Alex Michaelides, bestselling author of The Silent Patient.

'The twist is perfection. I think it's just about the cleverest thing I have ever read.' Gillian McAllister, bestselling author of Wrong Place, Wrong Time

'IT. IS. BRILLIANT...it's funny, clever & audacious! I bloody loved it!' Jennie Godfrey, bestselling author of The List of Suspicious Things

'No one writes twisted, suspenseful novels quite like Sophie Hannah' Liane Moriarty, bestselling author of Big Little Lies.

Review

I was really looking forward to reading this book having read a previous book by the author. I was also drawn in by the unusual title. It is an unusual read, but unfortunately not a book I could get invested in. I've also found it difficult to review.

At first I thought it was a YA novel with the characters dialogue, particularly the main narrator sounding naive.   I nearly didn't finish the book after the first 10%. I found it hard going. Although there was action, it also included a lot of scene setting and back story that I didn't find relevant (at the time!).

The book centres around a policeman visiting the house, and informing the owner Sally that they have had a report of an incident involving her dog. Having been a dog owner, I still found the overly descriptive love for the dog (and houses) too over the top. I think if you are not an animal person, then you won't be the audience for this book. A lot of the writing is about dogs, and how much the owner loves her dog.

As the author was granted permission by the Agatha Christie estate to write new novels, it is clearly an indication of her being excellent at her craft. When I got to the last 10% of the book it finally gripped me! I realised how clever it was, and I could see Agatha Christie comparisons. Unfortunately it was too late to give a higher rating to the book overall.

I'm giving this book 3 out of 5 stars.  My thanks to netgalley for the ARC to review. This book is published on 19 June 2025.