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A Flaw in the Design

‘A psychological thriller par excellence’ Guardian
By Nathan Oates
0.0 (0 reviews)
3.02 goodreads logo

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Check link for latest rating. ( 109 ratings, 23 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
A Flaw in the Design by Nathan Oates explores the intense dynamics of a family shaken by tragedy and suspicion. The plot delves into the psychological tension between a man and his teenage nephew, whose disturbing behaviour raises unsettling questions. This gripping narrative keeps readers on edge as underlying motives and dark secrets threaten to unravel their lives.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this novel if you appreciate psychological thrillers laced with moral complexity and family dynamics. This engaging story dives deep into themes of suspicion, grief, and the complexity of relationships, offering a tense narrative that keeps you questioning the characters' motives. Perfect for readers who enjoy suspenseful tales with thought-provoking issues.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

An ingenious thriller about a father who has to adopt his nephew, despite fearing he is a psychopath

An ingenious thriller about a father who has to adopt his nephew, despite fearing he is a psychopath

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A Flaw in the Design is described as "Absorbing and original... A very smart tale packed with jeopardy" by the Daily Mail and is praised for "Keeping you guessing till the very end" by The Times. Miranda Cowley Heller, author of The Paper Palace, calls it "An absolute page-turner".

He's in your house. He's in your family. Or is he in your mind?

Gil has been estranged from his sister ever since her obnoxious son tried to drown his daughter on a family holiday. That's Gil's interpretation; his sister thinks Matthew was just playing around.

Or did. When she and her husband perish in a car crash, Gil becomes Matthew's legal guardian. Matthew is now an urbane 17-year-old, raised on Manhattan's Upper East Side, a world away from rural Vermont, where Gil lives with his wife and daughters, teaching at the local university.

At first, Matthew appears to have changed, but when he joins Gil's writing class, he submits a story detailing the various ways a character resembling Gil's youngest daughter might die. While Gil believes he has invited a psychopath to live under his roof, the women in his life are impressed by Matthew's intelligence and charm. Is Gil losing his mind, or are his family in desperate danger?

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Flaw in the Design by Nathan Oates is praised for its strong characterisation and suspense, offering a psychological thriller that keeps readers on edge. Reviews highlight its original plot, sharp writing, and insightful family dynamics, providing a mix of terror and amusement that is both gripping and thought-provoking. The narrative is described as compulsively readable and richly imagined, with a tense, claustrophobic atmosphere that heightens the story's impact.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781800812796

Publisher: Profile Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 December 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Serpent's Tail

Edition: Main

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 24.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 240g

Pages: 304

Collections

Crime & Thriller Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction Nathan Oates

About the Author

Nathan Oates's debut collection of short stories, The Empty House, won the 2012 Spokane Prize. He is an associate professor at Seton Hall University, where he teaches creative writing. He lives in Brooklyn, New York with his family. A Flaw in the Design is his debut novel.

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