📖 Book Review ~ The Serial Killer Gene by Alice Hunter

Avon Books UK
7 May 2026

My thanks to the publisher for the copy of this book 

I should never have taken that DNA test. Then maybe things wouldn't have gone so wrong…

Lily thought she was an ordinary woman with an ordinary life. But when a DNA test seems to reveal she carries the 'serial killer gene', she is terrified by the thought of passing it onto her future children. She decides to break off her engagement and move back in with her devoted mother, Eva — until unexpected sparks fly with a charismatic journalist, and Lily finds herself diving into a wild, intoxicating new relationship.

Their obsession soon turns toxic, and as they spiral out of control Lily’s traumatic past resurfaces, leaving her questioning everything she thought she knew. Could she be the monster she fears she is?

Confronted with a sudden, horrifying murder, Lily's only choice is to turn to the one person who has always protected her: her mother. But Eva is hiding secrets that could destroy them both…

📖 My Review ..

After a devastating breakup with her boyfriend and hampered by the knowledge that a recent DNA analysis has thrown up the possibility of her carrying a serial killer gene, Lily return to her mother’s house, a place which has always been her refuge when life became complicated. When Lily meets the charismatic Margo she immediately embarks on a passionate and eventful relationship which questions everything that Lily thought she knew about herself, her mother and the secrets at the heart of her family.

Quick paced, filled with several twists and turns and with some genuinely dark moments I didn’t see coming, The Serial Killer Gene is another clever psychological thriller from an author who knows how to crank up the tension in a story which doesn’t take a break in its momentum until the whole fascinating story has been revealed.

About the Author

After completing a psychology degree, Alice Hunter became an interventions facilitator in a prison. There, she was part of a team offering rehabilitation programmes to men serving sentences for a wide range of offences, often working with prisoners who’d committed serious violent crimes. Previously, Alice had been a nurse, working in the NHS. She now puts her experiences to good use in fiction.

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📖 Book Review ~ It’s Always the Husband by C L Taylor

Avon
26 March 2026

My thanks to the publisher and Laura Sherlock for my copy of this book

Welcome to Lowbridge. Where secrets hide behind every door…

When newly divorced Jude arrives in the small town of Lowbridge, she is soon drawn to widower Will, the father of her young daughter's best friend.

But Will's past is shrouded in tragedy, with questions that no one knows the answer to – and after two tragedies tore his life apart in just a few short years, gossip and rumours abound about what really happened to the women he loved.

As whispers of murder surround Will, Jude becomes determined to uncover the truth – and with her own father's tragic fate haunting her, she refuses to let another innocent man suffer.

Yet in Lowbridge the darkness runs deep, and nothing is as it seems. Can Jude protect Will from a community out for blood? Or will she become the next victim in this web of deceit?

Because whilst one dead wife is tragic, two starts to look like murder…

📖 My Review..

Jude and her young daughter Betsy have newly arrived in town but when Betsy makes friends with Millie, the other other mums at the school gate are quick to enlighten Jude about Millie’s father, Will who, as a single parent and widower, has an air of mystery about him. With rumours swirling around that Will might have been involved in the death of his first wife and the disappearance of his second partner, Jude isn’t sure where the gossip ends and the truth starts.

With so much suspense unfolding the story moves along quite briskly and it soon becomes apparent that there is a lot more to Will Ledger than at first appears. As Jude gets drawn inexorably into Will’s life, so the tension starts to mount and the gossipmongers go into overdrive.

This is another good psychological thriller/ domestic drama from an author who certainly knows how to keep the momentum of the plot ticking over, there are lots of hidden nuances which I enjoyed figuring out and some unexpected twists, especially at the end, which I didn’t see coming. Overall, this is a great page- turner of a story which kept my attention from beginning to end.

About the Author

C.L. Taylor is an award winning Sunday Times bestselling author. Her psychological thrillers have sold over two million copies in the UK alone, been translated inot over thirty languages,and optioned for , television. . Her 2023 novel, The Guilty Couple, and her 2019 novel, Sleep, were both Richard and Judy book club picks. C.L. Taylor lives in Bristol with her partner and son.

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📖 Book Review ~ Troublemaker by Lesley Kara

Random House UK
Random House
15 January 2026

Thanks to the publisher for my copy this book

Storm used to be just like her name. Wild and strong. A force to be reckoned with.

But ever since her younger brother was killed in a violent mugging, she has led a very different life: quiet and cautious, seeing danger everywhere. Storm’s tendency to panic has resulted in several false alarms, so when she witnesses a murder with uncanny similarities to the way her brother was killed, and yet no body is found and no one is reported missing, the police don’t take her seriously.

But Storm knows what she saw. And the murder is only the start – the killer will stop at nothing to keep Storm quiet. But how can she solve the murder and stay out of danger when no one believes her?

📖 My Review…

After the traumatic death of her younger brother, Storm tries to pick up the pieces of her life and whilst she tries to carry on, she can’t shake off the suspicion that someone is targeting her. After a series of false alarms, and unable to convince the police, Storm is labelled a troublemaker and isn’t taken seriously. However, when events start to spiral out of control Storm realises that she has to conduct her own investigation whilst at the same time placing herself in great danger.

This is a cleverly written psychological suspense story which has all the necessary twists and turns to keep you guessing and whilst it took me a while to warm to Storm’s character I couldn’t help but want everything to work out well for her. The pace of the story is good, with lots going on, a few cleverly placed red herrings and some scary situations that had me gripped, especially toward the end of the story when the tension really starts to rack up.

Troublemaker looks at the issues around unresolved grief and the effects of PTSD and does so in an entirely appropriate manner whilst the same timely keeping the edginess of the story paramount.

Best Read With: A double shot of espresso and a comforting chocolate hobnob.

About the Author

Lesley Kara is the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Rumour, Who Did You Tell?, The Dare, The Apartment Upstairs and The Other Tenant. The Rumour was the highest selling crime fiction debut of 2019 in the UK, a Kindle No.1 bestseller, and is now a major TV series on Channel 5. Lesley is an alumna of the Faber Academy 'Writing a Novel' course. She lives in Kent.

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📖 Featured Book of the Month ~ His Other Woman by Valerie Keogh

 

Boldwood Books
November 2025

My thanks to the publisher for my invitation to read this book

Fiona Carlton has never needed a man to make her life complete. Until she meets charming, handsome and sophisticated Richard. She is consumed, first by lust, then by a love for him that overwhelms her. The only problem? Richard already has a wife. But a little detail like that isn’t going to stand in Fiona’s way…

Richard’s wife, Lydia, however, is not a woman to be trifled with. She’s sacrificed everything for her husband, been the perfect stay-at-home wife and mother, raised two beautiful children, built a happy home full of memories. She refuses to stand by and watch a woman like Fiona take what’s hers.

But when both women discover the truth about the man they love, everything changes…

And Richard is about to learn that if a woman scorned is dangerous, two wronged women are deadly.

📖 My Review..

When Fiona and Richard meet inadvertently it opens up a whole series of events which neither of them could ever have imagined. Richard is everything Fiona wants, he’s suave, sophisticated and successful, the only down side is that Richard has been happily married to Lydia for forty years. In this cleverly put together psychological thriller we get to watch the whole of the story play out with vignettes from Fiona, the sexy and charismatic mistress, Lydia, the rather frumpy and downtrodden wife and Richard, a man with a complicated secret in his past.

Like all the books I have read by this author I race through the story in one sitting and His Other Woman is no exception. I couldn’t wait to see what would happen when all the tangled threads came together and believe me there are threads a plenty to work your way through. Each of the central characters add their own personality, some are definitely more likeable than others, but they are always totally believable in the way that the story wraps around them and brings them all to life.

The ending is great, there’s an edginess to it which made me finish the book with a wry smile and having throughly enjoyed another great story from this talented writer, I’m already looking forward to the next one.

About the Author

Valerie Keogh is the internationally bestselling author of several psychological thrillers and crime series, most recently published by Bloodhound. She originally comes from Dublin but now lives in Wiltshire and worked as a nurse for many years. Her first thriller for Boldwood was published in August 2022.

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📖 Blog Tour ~ The Son-in-Law by Ellie Monago

Bookouture
13 October 2025

Thanks to the publisher for my copy of the book
and the invitation to the blog tour

 

“Mom, meet my fiancé.” I look at the man standing next to my daughter and my heart starts pounding. I know him. He is the only person who knows all my secrets.

I play nervously with the white tablecloth in the restaurant my daughter Lise picked out. I want to make a good first impression on her fiancé. I watch as the door opens and a man in a crisp white shirt enters holding my daughter’s hand. The moment I see his face my blood runs cold. Why has he found me?

Lise slips out to take a call, leaving me alone with the man who could tear my family apart. Gavin smiles as he says the words that I hoped he never would: “You know why I’m here and what it will take to make me leave.”

My world starts to spin as my past and present collide. He’s been lying to my daughter about who he really is. But I will do anything to keep her safe.

Because only I know what my future son-in-law is capable of, how far he will go to get what he wants. But he underestimates how far I will go to protect my daughter. Which one of us will make it out alive?

📖 My Review..

When Lise first introduces her fiancé she expects her mother to be happy and supportive however, from an uncomfortable first meeting in a local restaurant it becomes obvious that Lise’s mother is far from pleased with this news. Diana immediately recognises Gavin, Lise’s fiancé, as he was once her daughter’s high school English teacher, this fact makes her very nervous, with reasons which become obvious as the story progresses.

This tense and tightly put together psychological fiction has all the necessary ingredients for an entertaining read. We have secrets from Diana’s past to explore along with the reason why she dislikes Gavin so much and it was interesting to see Lise’s own perception of what was happening. I enjoyed the mixing of time frames labelled ‘now and then’ and the way the other characters, particularly Gavin, alter the overall dynamic making it an altogether darker story. The shadow of toxic relationships is threaded throughout the narrative, along with lots of dark secrets which are finally exposed.

With an emotionally charged atmosphere The Son-in-Law is entertaining psychological fiction which kept my attention from start to finish.

About the Author

Ellie Monago is a novelist and practicing therapist. She’s also a wife and mother, and when you add it all up, she doesn’t wind up with much time for hobbies. But she’s an avid tennis fan, a passionate reader of both fiction and nonfiction—especially memoir (nothing’s as juicy as the truth!)—and she relishes a good craft cocktail.

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📖 Publication Day Book Review ~ I Want What You Have by Hayley Smith

Bookouture
8 September 2025

My thanks to the publisher for my copy of this book to review 

As I watch you check in for a romantic week for two, his arm protectively around your waist, I smile to myself. You have no idea that this was all planned. Or what’s coming next…

‘Welcome to LunaBliss.’ I smile widely as I greet Gemma and her husband at the resort. As we clink glasses to toast the start of a gorgeous week, she doesn’t seem to remember that we’ve met before. And that I’ve waited so long to see her again.

Every detail of the week has been planned. From the carefully placed black lilies around her luxury room to the ex who broke her heart turning up unannounced. I will make sure she remembers who I am.

Because I’m the only person who knows Gemma’s secret. I know just how far she’ll go to stop it from coming out. And soon, she’ll realise there’s no way out of this place, and that I’m here to take what’s hers.

But as old secrets surface and perfect lives are destroyed who will make it out alive?

📖 My Review..

Gemma and Sophy have been friends since their school days so when Gemma wins a giveaway competition organised by Addie, her favourite online social media influencer, Sophy and her husband Tom are the perfect choice to accompany Gemma and her husband, Matt on an idyllic escape into the Welsh mountains. This is the perfect chance for the couples to relax and enjoy some together time in beautiful surroundings however, Addie’s surprise arrival at the retreat the dynamics of the group are altered dramatically, and not in a good way.

What then follows is a suspenseful thriller which uncovers many dark secrets which, once revealed, will have a devastating effect for one person in particular. I really enjoyed all the twisty turns of this complex thriller and enjoyed trying to piece together all the pieces of the puzzle. The characters are a strange bunch, not always very likeable as they all have their secrets but I enjoyed how such a set of unreliable narrators could have such a powerful effect on the outcome of the story.

Well written, by an author who knows how to crank up the tension I Want What You Have is a complex story of secrets, lies and unbridled jealousy.

About the Author

Hayley Smith is married with three children and lives in a north Derbyshire village. She has worked as a graphic designer, youth worker and musician, and has been involved for many years in organising music festivals and gigs. She studied English Language and Creative Writing with the Open University and is an avid reader of psychological fiction. Having a penchant for all things alternative, she often dips into the counter-culture scene for writing inspiration, producing quirky rough-edged characters and dark, unpredictable twists, turns and moral dilemmas.

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📖 Publication Day review ~ Slander by Rhiannon Barnsley

One More Chapter
8 August 2025

Thanks to the publis for the opportunity to review this book

When Hollywood actor Ethan Simmons sues his wife Tori for allegedly lying about his infidelity, the world is captivated. Once the darlings of the social scene, the case will tear apart their perfect exteriors.

For Riley Grey, a true crime influencer, the case might hold the key to the disappearance of her sister, Alice, after an anonymous source tips her off.

As the high-profile trial begins, it soon becomes clear that both parties are willing to air their dirty laundry in public. And when Tori hints at an even darker secret, Ethan’s reputation could be destroyed once and for all.

And as the media frenzy intensifies, and the courtroom holds their breath, who will win the defamation case of the century?

📖 My Review..

At the centre of the controversy are a celebrity couple who are determined to air all their grievances in a very public, and live-streamed trial, in which one is attempting to sue the other for slander. This story captures the imagination of Riley Grey who is a true crime influencer, with a growing following onTikTok and with her own agenda very much forefront she is determined to discover more about the disappearance of her twin sister, Alice. How this is blended into the plot forms the basis of this engrossing story of who did what, to whom, and why.

Cleverly blending the trial itself, which is only a small part of the overall story, with the nitty gritty of why celebrity couple Ethan Simmons and his wife Tori have so publicly fallen out of love with each other makes for interesting reading. I enjoyed the alternate chapters from Tori and Ethan’s point of view and the social media posting from Riley Grey adds an altogether different dimension to the story and makes it feel really current.

The story kept my attention, there were surprisingly clever twists which I didn’t see coming and an ending which left me with a wry smile on my face. Great escapism, and a good book to get lost in, hence my reading it over the space of a couple of rainy afternoons.

About the Author

Originally from the West Midlands, Rhiannon currently lives in London with her fiancé and her cat Salem. She's a corporate lawyer by day and writes after work and during weekends.

She is a Faber Academy Writing a Novel graduate and loves to write dark and twisty thrillers with a particular focus on women. When she's not writing, she can often be found reading or training with her cheerleading team.

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📖 Book Review ~ Believe by S M Govett

Michael Joseph
19 June 2025

Thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to review this book

Natalie has spent ten years trying to get over the twin set of events which changed her life forever.

The first: the moment her boss assaulted her. The second: the moment the jury declared him innocent - and her, a liar.

The memories continue to haunt Natalie, and in her attempts to block out the past, she often wakes up with no recollection of where she’s been – or what she’s done,.

So when her husband, Ryan, gets accused of the same crime, Natalie comes perilously close to the edge.

Natalie wants to believe him. But when the body of the young woman who made the accusation is found in the woods near their house, Ryan becomes a prime suspect, and Natalie realises she can't trust anyone - herself included...

📖 My Review..

Natalie and her husband Ryan live a quiet sort of life, Natalie works from home whilst Ryan works for a marketing company. On the surface they have a lovely life but Natalie struggles with PTSD following an assault some ten years previously when the perpetrator walked free and Natalie was branded a liar. When, out of the blue, Ryan is now accused of a similar crime, Natalie struggles to rationalise this information however, with the discovery of a body, the police are relentless in their search for justice and are determined to make this case stick.

This is a cleverly put together crime novel which is told from Natalie’s perspective alongside that of DI Helen Stratton who is in charge of the investigation. Both women are compelling however, it is Natalie’s unreliability which really makes this such an interesting story. Stratton has her own demons which surface from time to time and although it took me a while to warm to her character I couldn’t help but be impressed with her tenacity. There’s some interesting dynamics between the rest of the detectives, all of which could be explored more if this becomes a crime series. The plot is filled with surprises as you’re never quite sure who to believe, hence the title of the book. I found myself trying to fit the crime to a completely different person only to have my theory completely shattered with the final denouement, which I honestly didn’t see coming.

Believe is a fast paced crime drama which kept my attention from start to finish. I really hope we get to see more of DI Helen Stratton in future crime stories, I have a feeling this one could run and run.

About the Author

S.M. Govett read Law at Trinity College, Oxford, before qualifying as a solicitor in the City. After realising that didn't suit her, she started tutoring before turning her hand to writing, which she discovered was her true calling. She has since authored several bestselling YA novels, including The Territory trilogy and We Go On Forever. She also co-wrote the screenplay for the feature film, T.I.M., which was the no. 1 film on Netflix upon release. Believe is her debut adult thriller.

She currently lives in London with her husband and three children.

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📖 Book Review ~ One Dark Night by Hannah Richell

Simon & Schuster
3 July 2025

Thanks to the publisher for the invitation to read this book

A party at sunset. A body at sunrise.

What happened that night in the woods?

ELLIE

When the body of a young woman is discovered in the woods the morning after Halloween, arranged with ritualistic precision, teenager Ellie has more reason than most to be afraid …

RACHEL

As both Ellie’s mum and the local school counsellor, Rachel, must grapple with the terror gripping the community, a tough job that’s made even harder when she realises her daughter is keeping secrets …

BEN

Police detective Ben Chase is desperate to solve the murder, but with his daughter Ellie struggling and the noose circling ever tighter, can he catch the killer before they strike again?

📖 My Review..

A group of private school pupils sneak out into the woods on Halloween for an impromptu party which soon becomes something far more sinister especially when they begin to frighten each other with scary tales. The creepy woodland all contributes to the dark atmosphere and with a sense that someone is watching just heightens the tension. The following morning the body of a young teenager is found in suspicious circumstances and a whole police investigation is launched to determine just what happened at the fateful Halloween party.

This is a really creepy story which made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and I found myself jumping at shadows, imagining a dark, dark wood with hidden figures, and the hint of something dangerous lurking in the undergrowth. The characters are well drawn and the fractured relationship between the main characters is done with a fine eye for captivating the nuances of teenagers who all have secrets to hide. The police procedural part of the story doesn’t intrude too much as it’s more about the dynamics between the lead detective whose daughter Ellie has been caught up in the events of Halloween night and his ex-wife who is a member of staff at the school.

One Dark Night is a real page turner of a read and one I couldn’t put down until final clever twist in this dark and creepy tale had been revealed.

About the Author

Hannah Richell was born in Kent and spent her childhood years in Buckinghamshire and Canada. After graduating from the University of Nottingham, she worked in the book publishing and film industries in both London and Sydney. She is a dual citizen of Great Britain and Australia, and currently lives in the South West of England with her family.

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📖 Book Review ~ Every Mother’s Nightmare by S E Lynes

Bookouture 
9 July 2025

Thanks to the publisher for my copy of this book to review

It’s the call every mother dreads. 

You knew it was coming… 

You are at work, on a hot summer afternoon, when the phone vibrates in your handbag. Your heart beats faster as you scrabble to find it because somehow, even before you answer it, you know. It’s the call every mother fears. It’s the call you’ve been waiting for.

Your daughter is in hospital. She was found this morning, confused and alone. She doesn’t remember anything. You wish you had never let her go away for the weekend. You can’t understand why her brother wasn’t watching over her like he promised, why he didn’t protect her.

You race to be with them, before it’s too late. But then the police find a body, deep in the woods, right next to where your children were staying.

You’ll do anything to keep them safe. But knowing what you know… do you need to protect your son, your daughter, or yourself?

📖My Review ..

Melissa’s two teenage children are at a summer camp for school leavers but when she receives a phone call at work to say that her daughter has been found naked, confused and disorientated on the camp site and has been rushed to hospital, Melissa leaves home to travel to her daughter’s bed side and is shocked and saddened when she finds out what happened. Melissa is also concerned about her son and wonders how he could have allowed his sister to be vulnerable to such a violent attack especially when he was supposed to be looking out for her.

The story gathers pace quickly and with some clever explaining we get the story, both before and after the event, from the point of view of Melissa, her daughter, Casey and her son, Dan. All have a vital role to play in this emotionally charged story which continues the debate about toxic masculinity, coercive control and dangerous grooming whilst at the same time reiterating the strength of the bond between mothers and their children. With so much going on I was reluctant to leave the story alone and pretty much read the book in one sitting. What I love about this author’s writing is her ability to surprise me every single time as just when I think I have the plot all sewn up, she strikes with a totally different scenario which leaves me gasping out loud.

Every Mother’s Nightmare is exactly what you expect from this talented writer, it’s a taut and dark psychological thriller which grips from the very first page and doesn’t let go of your imagination until the whole of this complicated story is told. 

About the Author

Formerly a BBC producer, S.E. Lynes turned to writing following the birth of her third child. After completing an MA in Creative Writing, she became a tutor at Richmond Adult Community College, where she taught creative writing for over ten years. She now combines writing, mentoring and lecturing.

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📖 Blog Tour ~ The Secret Between Us by Kate Hewitt

Bookouture
24 July 2025

Thanks to the publisher for my copy of the book to review
Also for the invitation to be part of the blog tour

My husband and I share a secret. How far will I go to keep it?

In the middle of our school’s bustling summer picnic, I watch Harriet walk purposefully toward my husband, Michael. She places her hand on his arm, introducing herself and laughing at something he says. A knot forms in my stomach as I watch them. We’ve been here before. But I can’t just walk away…

Over the next few weeks, I try to keep Harriet from my family. But no matter what I do, she finds a way in. Her daughter and my twin boys become friends, and one night I find Harriet in my kitchen, smiling at my husband as she sips a cocktail. I feel like a stranger in my own home.

That night, when I see her name light up my husband’s phone, I can barely breathe. Because I know this is more than just an affair. She’s in our lives for a different reason. For years, I’ve kept a secret buried deep because I thought I could hold my family together. But now, I’m terrified Harriet is going to reveal it and I will lose everything…

Whatever happens, I can’t let her expose the secrets between me and my husband. But what will I have to do to stop her?

📖 My Review ..

When Elise Dunnett sees her husband, Michael, talking to Harriet Tierney at the annual school picnic she is immediately on high alert and is even more dismayed when Harriet’s daughter Kyra is newly enrolled at the same private school as her twin boys. From this innocent first meeting Elise is wary of Harriet and does her best to keep her away from her family with devastating consequences.

The plot is so gripping that I read the book quickly as I couldn’t wait to see what would unfold next as it really is a story which gets under your skin especially as the secrets which are being revealed are so cleverly placed that you can’t help but be left wondering whatever is going to happen next in this twisted tale of jealousy and revenge. All credit must go to this talented writer who weaves such a complex plot in which most of the main characters are largely unlikeable, this takes an inordinate amount of skill and it really pays off in an intricate story of secrets, lies and pure malice.

Fascinating and complex, The Secret Between Us is an emotional domestic drama which had plenty of twists and turns, compelling characters, and a real page turner of a plot.

About the Author

Kate Hewitt is the author of many romance and women’s fiction novels. A former New Yorker and now an American ex-pat, she lives in a small town on the Welsh border with her husband, five children, and their overly affectionate Golden Retriever. Whatever the genre, she enjoys telling stories that tackle real issues and touch people’s lives.

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📖 Blog Tour ~ Did You See Evie? by Miranda Smith

Bookouture
25 April 2025

My thanks to the publisher for the book
and the invitation to the blog tour

I blink awake to the sound of whispering, and look around. Automatically, I do a count. And then I am upright, my heart racing. I count again. “Girls,” I say, trying to sound calm. “Did you see Evie?” 

It was meant to be a celebration. A team sleepover in the school movies, pizza, hot chocolate. I walk among the girls, checking they’re ok. They collect in groups and giggle, play truth or dare.

Then there’s Evie. Always the outsider, just like I was. She sits apart, fiddling with her long blond hair. It seems like she wants to speak to me, but there’s a never a good time.

And when we wake up the next day, stiff and groggy, Evie is gone.

I know the girls are lying about something. I see it in their averted eyes, their sullen silences. But how can I challenge them, when I’m the worst liar of all?

Because the truth is, I’m desperate to find her. I’d do anything to protect these girls. But it’s also true that the longer she’s missing, the more risk I’m running.

You see, the night she vanished, I did something no one can ever know…

📖 My Review..

An exciting sleepover to celebrate the elementary school’s success as local basketball champions goes horribly wrong when one of the young team players goes missing. With hardly any explanation as to why Evie has disappeared Coach Cass is determined to discover where her star player has gone but with the police also investigating the disappearance Cass is worried that some of her own secrets may get uncovered.

This is a lovely slow burner of a thriller which sets the scene perfectly. We get to know more about the girls in the team, their privileged backgrounds no excuse for bad behaviour and yet there is far more to this clever mystery than team rivalry. I enjoyed piecing together the pieces of the puzzle, especially as we get to know more about Cass, who is an extremely good basketball coach and yet she is held back by shadows from her past which threaten her judgement and fill her with indecision.

Cleverly done, with several twists and turns I didn’t see coming, and an ending which brings all the complicated strands of the plot together, Did You See Evie? captured my imagination and I finished the book in a couple of sittings as I couldn’t put it down until I knew just what had happened on the fateful night that Evie disappeared.

About the Author

 

Miranda Smith writes psychological and domestic suspense. She is drawn to stories about ordinary people in extraordinary situations. Before completing her first novel, she worked as a newspaper staff writer and a secondary English teacher. She lives in East Tennessee with her husband and three young children.

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📖 Book Review ~ The Boyfriend by John Nicholl

Boldwood
4 April 2025

My thanks to the publisher for the invitation to read this book 

Not every love story is a fairytale romance… When Anna first meets Mark, she thinks he’s the perfect boyfriend. Wealthy and charming, he showers her with gifts, compliments, everything she has ever desired.

But Mark is less a prince than a man with a dangerous secret, and as their love life becomes ever darker, Anna flees him.

There is nowhere safe from him, though. Not for Anna. Nor for the girlfriends who follow her.

Because this is a boyfriend who would kill to make sure he can continue to kiss sleeping princesses…

📖 My Review ..

Having not come across this author before I was delighted to be given the opportunity to read something new and boy did this one keep me reading long after I should have stopped to do something else.  From its graphic opening chapter, to the final pages, this gritty crime novel never lets up in terms of suspense and psychological terror.

Mark Shady appears to be the perfect boyfriend but he gets his sadistic pleasure by targeting young women, exploiting them in horrifying detail, only to walk free when repeatedly found not guilty of rape and sexual assault. He laughs at the police, keeping one step ahead of the law, confident in his ability to thwart every attempt to bring him to justice, but then on the side of the good guys there is DS Ray Lewis, an honourable detective, who is equally determined to bring Shady to justice.

Brilliantly written, dark and atmospheric, I flew through the book in the space of one terror filled sitting, heart in mouth as this chilling story progressed, ultimately moved by the fate of the victims, but heartened by the conclusion to the story, and a sense of rough justice having been achieved. The Boyfriend’s overall grittiness is perhaps not for the faint hearted, but it’s definitely a page turner.

About the Author

John Nicholl is a Welsh author renowned for his gripping psychological thrillers and crime novels. Born and raised in West Wales, Nicholl draws upon his experiences as a former police officer, child protection social worker, and lecturer to craft compelling narratives that delve into the darkest corners of human nature. His work often explores themes of justice, psychological manipulation, and the resilience of the human spirit.

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📖 Book Review ~ The Last Mrs Sinclair by T J Emerson

Boldwood Books
26 March 2025

Thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read this book 

Leah Williams knows exactly what she wants from life – comfort, luxury and security. All the things she would have had if her childhood hadn’t been derailed by her father’s bad decisions. And then she meets Miles Sinclair. After the death of his wife last year, Miles is ready to start living his life again, and Leah knows just how to help him… what could be so wrong with that?

When Miles takes Leah to his chateau in the French countryside, she's excited to get a taste of the life she deserves, even if it means enduring the presence of Miles’ cousin Vivienne, who seems determined to insert the memory of his dead wife into every conversation.

But the Chateau Clairvallon has a history, not least as the place where the last Mrs Sinclair died. And as Leah discovers more about the accident that took her predecessor's life, she begins to realise that the family she's set her sights on isn't quite what it seems.

📖My Review..

Oh my word, what a tangled web of lies this turned out to be. Quite delicious in the way it manipulated both the characters and the reader so that you’re left with a wry smile at the end.

Leah Williams is a beautiful young woman, who knows what she wants and once she is approached by Miles Sinclair in swanky London bar, she wants what he has to offer. He’s rich, a grieving widower, and seems to be so beguiled by Leah that their thirty year age gap is no barrier to lust.  Once at Miles’ chateau in France, their relationship strengthens and the only down side of this idyllic setting is the domineering presence of Miles’ cousin, Vivienne, who acts as chatelaine of the chateau, and who is a constant reminder of the past.

All is not what it seems at the chateau, there’s a definite sinister edginess and some deadly secrets about what happened to the last Mrs Sinclair and with some clever twists I didn’t see coming The Last Mrs Sinclair is a definite page turner.

About the Author 

T.J. Emerson’s debut psychological thriller was published by Legend Press and received brilliant reviews. Her short stories and features have been widely published in anthologies and magazines, and she works as a literary consultant and writing tutor. She lives in Scotland.

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📖 Blog Tour ~ The Perfect Home by Natasha Boydell

 

Boldwood Books
21 June 2024

My thanks to the publisher and Rachel's Random Resources for my copy of this book
and the invitation to the blog tour

Until the girl went missing, we thought it was the perfect place to live…

When we move into the exclusive Westford Park housing estate, we feel safe at last. More like a country club, it has everything we might need – beautiful houses with big gardens, a pool, a boating lake, extensive grounds. It’s also got 24/7 security.

Our new neighbours are lovely too. We start to make friendships that feel like they could last a lifetime.

It feels like nothing could possibly go wrong here.

It’s like our secrets haven’t followed us here.

Or that’s what we think at first…

📖 My Review..

Three families move into the prestigious new development at Westford Park. This new housing estate with its high level security, lively club house, pretty boating lake and secluded woodland offers a new start for all of them as each family is hiding secrets which, if exposed, could ruin everything. Gradually, the ladies, Lily, Avril and Sandy form a close knit bond whilst at the same time their teenage children, Poppy, Bethany and Micky become firm friends. All should be well in this paradise but soon cracks start to appear and when one of the teenagers goes missing tempers start to flare, with disturbing consequences.

I’ve really enjoyed reading this domestic thriller, which looks at the dynamics of a small group of people who each have something to hide. There is much to discover, lots of loose ends which need tying up and more than enough teenage angst to make you ponder just what is going to happen next. The characters are well thought out, some of them I liked more than others but collectively they gel together well, making each of their stories entirely plausible.

The Perfect Home is a great example of showing that despite outside appearances seemingly perfect there are often secrets bubbling under the surface thus making the perfect home something of an enigma.  I read the book in one sitting and can well imagine this as an ideal story to take on holiday to read poolside, or when you have an easy afternoon planned in the garden, as once started you won’t be able to stop until the story is told.

About the Author

Natasha is an internationally bestselling author of psychological fiction, including The Missing Husband and The Woman Next Door. She trained and worked as a journalist for many years before moving into communications in the charity and education sectors. She decided to pursue her lifelong dream of writing a novel in 2019, when she was approaching her 40th birthday and realised it was time to stop procrastinating. Her debut, The Missing Husband, was released in May 2021 and she went on to write three more novels, which are published by Bloodhound Books. Her first novel with Boldwood Books is The Fortune Teller. Natasha lives in North London with her husband, two daughters and two rescue cats.

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