COMMENTS
Great read. Couldn’t put it down!!
Damien , 10 May, 2018
Great book I felt great apathy towards Louise
Tia Selston, 21 May, 2018
I got into the book straight away, and related very much to the characters, although I hated Sophie almost immediately, I didn’t have a ‘Sophie’ type at school exactly, but related to the bullying side of things, although at first I felt sorry for Louise, i must admit to becoming very cross with her too, for not having the courage of her convictions when she obviously knew right from wrong, and for being so easily led. I admired Ester the most for her courage to stand her ground and not be drawn. The duel time lines worked very well in my opinion, and it was easy to flit between the two lives of Louise. I was guessing the twists throughout the book, and about halfway in i suspected it may turn out to be Maria’s mum behind the facebook friend request, but was not sure until the end, as there were other possibilities on offer, however I did not guess about Sam until nearly the end. I could and did forgive Louise for her actions and would like to believe she had a second chance of happiness. The ending was satisfying and the pace was just right in my humble opinion, and I do agree with what the author is trying to say about the dangers of Facebook, and how you should take care, I also believe that although it is a force for re-connection it is also a false appraisal of peoples lives, letting you in on the highs and not the lows, and if you are easily led you could believe life is a bed of roses all the time for some of these people, which in turn can lead to feelings of loneliness and having a not so perfect life, when in reality nobody lives the perfect life, we all have our own insecurities, or issue. I really enjoyed the book, and am trying to break it down into it’s parts to quantify the hero and anti-hero, the gatekeeper and the shape shifter ect. as i am learning about this in my creative writing classes, but as the book has so many twists and turns i think that the anti- hero, heros and shape shifter are more than one person am i right? Anyhow great novel, really enjoyed it, look forward to hearing of more.
Claire Grant
Claire Grant, 28 May, 2018
Gripping from beginning to end, brilliant book!
Rob Harford, 24 Jun, 2018
Incredible book. I haven’t been able to find a genre or many books that I have truly become lost in since high school. I am now in 3yr university and this book has sparked my love of reading again. Couldn’t put it down, and read it in a day. Thank you for bringing back my love of reading can’t wait to read your future works!
Jessica, 3 Jul, 2018
A truly gripping novel, read it in a day. Never guessed the ending, never doubted Sam of being a cold blooded murderer. It was a shock. Ofcourse all empathyid is for Louise, she is the most tortured character, forced to live with the mistakes she made in an insecure adolescence. If she had had some emotional support at that vulnerable stage she would have not made those.
Ofcourse
Sulochana RamMohan, 28 Aug, 2018
Don’t want to give away any spoilers but every review was true plus plus plus!! An excellent book, a true thriller and was gripped from the start! Guessed some bits but admittedly didn’t see the end coming! Thank you, Laura Marshall, for an awesome book!
Sue Jackson, 3 Sep, 2018
Great read and a very important subject= reminds me how fortunate I am not to have been subjected to bullying at school, however, also very aware that this is not an uncommon experience, sadly- aware of these issues from a professional view too, having retired a few years ago from teaching. Think everyone should read this book which would encourage reflection on personal relationship and importantly on the negative or positive effects that people’s behaviour can have,
Also enjoyed the unravelling of the story, it certainly kept me guessing to the end. This evening this book will be discussed by fellow members of a book group -thanks for suggestions for questions.- would recommend this book to all my friends, thanks
Anne Harden, 4 Sep, 2018
I loved this book. Couldn’t put it down. It is so well written and I liked the past and present chapters. Didn’t know Laura Marshall but will definitely read more of her books. I enjoyed the twists and the fact that i couldn’t guess who was involved and that for me is a sign of a good read.
Angela Carlisle, 19 Sep, 2018
Just finished reading this, I’ve been listening to it for the past two weeks on audible, now I need something to fill the void left by this truly gripping novel.
Val Matti, 30 Nov, 2018
Well where to start I think I will have to go straight from the first chapter, I read a sample of this book. From there it was an obsession. Brilliant opening, completely hooked. A very real & frighteningly tool we all probably use. Facebook. The character of Louise sounds like someone I would of gone to school with. Insecure & needing the acceptance of popularity. A story I found very believable & honest with insecurities we can all face. I liked the ending as it wasn’t a glossy Hollywood finale but a measured account of someone’s life.
David Barton, 3 Dec, 2018
Great book. Easy to read and well written. Congrats!!!
Ángel Castro, 8 Dec, 2018
I’m not a great reader and usually give up after two or three chapters. But Friend Request… I couldn’t put it down. Finished it within a week - I never managed to do this before. Fantastic writing. Please carry on!
Rod Brouwer, 13 Mar, 2019
Great book Laura, I couldn’t put it down!
I love reading and it’s great to find an interesting story. When is the next book out?
Jayne Abernethy, 13 Mar, 2019
Thanks Jayne! My second book Three Little Lies is out now in ebook/hardback. Paperback comes out in a few weeks time on 4th April.
Laura, 13 Mar, 2019
Hi Laura, I just finished reading ‘Friend Request’ last week , I couldn’t tear myself away from it. It was so gripping. You certainly have a knack for writing Thrillers.
As requested at the back of the book I had to contact you. As with most people we have our secrets we carry around with us a lifetime, not that I have killed anyone or anything of the sort.
Could I ask was it your intention to give readers a view (as fictional as it may be) to give into their guilt and deal with what is troubling them, to confess… or was it subtly your way of confessing something less severe in comparison in a manner more relatable to you by putting pen to paper so to speak?
Do you find yourself portraying a self portrait in your work to show authenticity, or how do you get your inspiration?
Did you subconsciously try to convey the pitfalls related to the misuse of non-prescription drugs?
Lastly, I’m a final year student of Contemporary Art and my practice thus far has heavily focused on our need for self commodification and our over indulgence on social media. Part of the reason for having purchased your book was to help aid my research for my thesis (which it did beautifully I may add, thank you) and and also to relate how books have swayed (through no fault of its own) in the direction of using social media as the premise nowadays (with your title being so suggestible I couldn’t resist). I feel i was born in the wrong era you see, and not that I don’t fit in or that I don’t give into social dictate (because I do) but I’m in a frame of mind that primarily preferences a time long gone. Although I’m aware of my safe distance in time from that era, it’s more nostalgic, it’s the glamorous image of the roaring 20’s that comes to mind when I wish to be projected back in time. A time when internet or technology hadn’t the control over humanity that it does today. A simpler time. I don’t have to suffer the hardship or wars of those time stricken by diseases etc. so perhaps this is why I can gaze back (metaphorically of course) and embrace my senses through written word and depictions of those times through cinema and theater. Rather I feel society has fallen victim as consumers have monotonously given into mainstream ideologist constructs. To get to my question (as I feel I’m rambling a little, was it your intention, also, to slate or just create awareness to the troubles related to our personas portrayed online?
Since 2011 the percentage of people diagnosed with depression and anxiety has risen to 52%, mainly in teens and young adults, researchers say this is as a direct link to the take off of social networking. People addicted to their phones, sleeping less are having a knock on effect on society. Being addicted to this pocket-sized device that blocks out reality and has us enter a virtual world (which we are not in control of, as much as we like to think we are). Some people are under the illusion it (the internet) is a safe place… I think not! With cyber bullying (causing preventable suicides), fraud (which bring on anxiety), cat-fishing (that is linked to murders) etc. becoming ever knowingly more prevalent in our every day lives around us. I’m not sure if you’re aware of this video that kids were viewing on how to kill themselves, not to go into detail but social media has so many pitfalls to outweigh the pros it presents. Technology, industrialization and planned obsolescence have cheapened our physical values and lessened our true/natural experiences in the world. We need to start living in the real world. Through no fault of our own, millennial’s may never embark on true connections (either with family or friends) or have fulfillment in life if they are dependent on gratification from virtual accreditation’s.
I’ve already read THREE LITTLE LIES, I took the day off work (and from study) yesterday to read it in it’s entirety. You’re a brilliant writer. Please continue to stick to this genre. You have great talent and a great team behind you. Best of luck with future endeavors and I look forward to reading future work.
All the best
Wesley Williams, 15 Apr, 2019
