The Night of the Sleepover

by Kerry Wilkinson

Pub Date: 23 Oct 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 17 Nov 2023

Leah and her three friends were the best of friends when one evening at a sleepover, four went to bed, but only one woke up. Leah’s three friends disappeared in the middle of the night and have never been seen since.
Twenty years on, she still hears locals saying she must know what happened that fateful night. One of the girls younger brother, Owen is a filmmaker and is determined to find some answers.
A gripping psychological thriller, wouldn’t expect any less from Kerry Wilkinson. The story builds up into a page turning conclusion, where secrets are revealed and the truth is finally discovered. I really liked Leah’s character, and you really felt for everything she has endured, spurring on her need to find the truth. I can’t wait to read the sequel ‘After the Sleepover’.

 

The Lodge

by Sue Watson

Pub Date: 24 Oct 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 17 Nov 2023

A power punched dysfunctional domestic locked-room thriller that does not disappoint! To celebrate her birthday, Angela books a isolated lodge with her son, Scott, newly married daughter-in-law, Danni, two granddaughters, grandson and her son’s former wife, Fiona. Naturally, there is tension between Fiona and Danni. They are stranded at the lodge after a bad storm and Danni goes for a walk and doesn’t return. 
Told from Danni and Fiona’s point of view, there are many hidden family secrets that start to unravel. Just when you think the story concludes, the twists keep on coming. Sue Watson is the master of thrillers and The Lodge is another fantastic read.

 

THE PERFECT FAMILY

by Anya Mora

Pub Date: 7 Sep 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 17 Nov 2023

Emery and Mark’s world falls apart when their daughter, Betsy is brutally murdered while trick or treating. Prime suspicion falls onto Holden, their adopted son with behavioural issues. Determined to find the truth, Emery enables the help of old flame and Sheriff, Cooper to discover the truth of that fateful night.
Told from multiple timelines, Holden is made out to be a monster invited into the house in this dark psychological thriller. The truth is finally revealed in a page gripping twist. A new author to me, but already looking forward to read more from Anya Mora.

 

The Girls Left Behind

by Emily Gunnis

Pub Date: 1 Aug 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 17 Nov 2023

Forty years ago, Jo Hamilton, a young PC at the time is called to a domestic disturbance which turns into a house fire and death of the parents of Holly and Daisy. The two girls are put into a Childrens Home, with Daisy being adopted and Holly left in the system. The girls are denied any contact. Holly disappears from the Childrens Home and Daisy has been wondering all these years about what happened to her. Forty years on, just before she retires, Jo Hamilton is called to a site where bones are found, and is determined to find a resolution for her sake, as well as to Daisy about what really happened to Holly.
A cleverly written piece, Emily Gunnis, structures the story over several timelines and from different character points of view. The plot tackles sisterly bonds, deceit, friendship, guilt, abuse and secrets and builds up to a dramatic conclusion. With several guesses over who the guilty party was, I really enjoyed the suspense and the clues finally falling into place.

 

All Us Sinners

by Katy Massey

Pub Date: 7 Mar 2024

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 20 Oct 2023

It is 1977 in Leeds, which is a very dangerous place to be for sex workers with the Yorkshire Ripper on the prowl. Maureen runs Rio’s, a local brothel, but still fears for herself and the girls, Bev and Annette. Maureen is fraught about who to trust as is she made to confront her past. A debut novel, the description sounded dark and gritty, which it seemed to lack in general, however still an enjoyable read.

 

The Weekend Away

by Miranda Smith

Pub Date: 4 Oct 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 20 Oct 2023

Sienna is still grieving the death of her twin sister, Samantha and fails to believe she would ever harm herself. To mark the one year anniversary, Samantha’s close knit group of friends invite her to a weekend away to commemorate her memory. When Sienna arrives she is horrified to see Samantha’s best friend and boyfriend are now a couple. As the weekend progresses, Sienna reveals she has Samantha’s diary and there is some very interesting revelations. Sienna declares someone within the group killed Samantha and will find out who… A dark thriller that will keep you hooked until the end. With plenty of intrigue and twists, this book build and builds into an explosive finale.

 

Bad Blood (Detective Kim Stone Book 19)

by Angela Marsons

Pub Date: 15 Nov 2023

Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on 20 Oct 2023

Detective Kim Stone and the team are back to investigate a body found under a tree, however, much to pathologist, Keates horror, he is not actually dead…yet. The victim was found with broken bones and posed in a strange position. It is not long before a second body, which is definitely dead this time, is found in a similar macabre fashion. Stone and the team receive information that the victims were part of a gang in a youth offenders facility and fear the rest of the gang could also be in danger. Another fantastic read, with an intensely gripping plot and on going story with Kim and her teams personal lives. You can’t go wrong with reading any of the Kim Stone books. First class writing!