Tag: thrillers

I first saw her on the platform on my way home from work a few weeks ago. She had an aura about her that made people stop and stare. Then I saw her again. And again. Our twice weekly commute into London Waterloo insync. She was always so poised, so pretty, so perfect.
Everything I’m not.

In my head, her name’s Lucia, and she’s a glamorous catwalk model from Milan who commutes from Winchester to attend casting calls in the city. But this morning she’s late, barely making the train as
the doors close. She doesn’t take her usual seat, instead staying close to the doors…

Then it hits me – she looks terrified.
I feel compelled to help her, and against my better judgement I stand up and move towards her. It’s then the illusion crumbles. Her name’s not Lucia, but Allie. Not a model, but a woman in need of dire
help. She tells me she’s in danger, that she’s done something dreadful and I don’t know why I do it, but I promise to keep her safe.
But I shouldn’t make promises I know I can’t keep.

Because my life isn’t as picture perfect as I like to pretend, and I can’t stop wondering if maybe I’m not the only one pretending…

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M.A. Hunter is the author of psychological and crime thrillers, including The Boat Party, One Wrong Turn, and Every Step You Take. Born in the north-east of England, he now lives in Southampton
where many of his stories are set, allowing him to use his insider knowledge to deliver realistic and unsettling suspense on every page.
Away from writing, M.A. loves to read anything that will keep him awake at night. He’s also a passionate advocate for contemporary cinema and binge-watching the latest offerings from streaming services. He is married with a son and a daughter, and two dogs.
M.A. also writes under the name Stephen Edger.

Facebook: @AnAutieAuthor
Twitter: @AnAutieAuthor Instagram:@AnAutieAuthor
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My thoughts: when I used to commute across London for work, aiming to get the same train every day, I did sometimes recognise some of my fellow passengers (the 8am pigeon for example) but I never spoke to any of them. Unlike Jenna who offers assistance to a woman she recognises when she sees her in distress.

Unfortunately for Jenna, Allie isn’t the innocent victim she pretends to be, she’s a cuckoo in the nest. She uses Jenna’s fears, her struggles to read people (she’s autistic) and her family’s mental health issues (her mother is sadly very unwell) against her. Or is Jenna just paranoid?

This is a twisted psychological thriller, is Jenna the victim or the aggressor? Is Allie who she claims to be or there to destroy Jenna? As Allie seems to be taking over her life, can Jenna fight back or will she lose everything?

The twists are so good, you won’t see them coming. Promise. I gasped at the ending. So good.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

What would you give for the perfect life?

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 South of France, 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.

What happened that summer?

Was it really an accident?

And is Leah in danger?

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Before writing fiction, TJ Emerson worked in theatre and community arts. As well as acting, she ran drama workshops in health care settings, focusing on adults with mental health issues. Her short stories have been widely published in anthologies and literary magazines, and her feature writing has appeared in Stella magazine, Woman’s Own and The Sydney Morning Herald. She has a PhD in Creative Writing from The University of Edinburgh and works as a literary consultant and writing
tutor. She is also the Creative Director of The Bridge Awards, a philanthropic organisation that provides micro-funding for the arts.

Facebook: @TJEmersonAuthor
Twitter: @TraceyJEmerson
Instagram: @tjemersonwrites

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My thoughts: This reminded me of two things – Robert Browning’s poem My Last Duchess, and Daphne DuMaurier’s Rebecca, with cousin Viv as Mrs Danvers.

Both concern themselves with the previous wife, her haunting the place or a subtle threat about what happens to unfortunate wives.

Indeed Leah does feel the presence of the previous Mrs Sinclair, Riley, but through her absence, no pictures, no one really talks about her. And there is something a bit sinister about being at the house where she died and not acknowledging that. Indeed, Miles seems reluctant to even admit she existed.

Leah isn’t in love, she just wants the wealthy lifestyle, the nice clothes, the lack of needing to work or worry about money. She doesn’t really care much about Miles. Unfortunately for her, there’s something else going on at this crumbling French chateau, with Miles’ possessive and unpleasant cousin Vivienne ever present.

Miles and Viv have a really strange, messed up relationship, and could do with being around each other less and some serious therapy. Instead they’re in the family holiday home, wrapped up in a warped scheme, that when it all unravels, is completely bonkers and aimed at entirely the wrong person. Leah might think she’s the player, but she’s been played.

Disturbing and claustrophobic, questions quickly arise about the death of the last Mrs Sinclair, and possibly a few other incidents from Miles and Viv’s pasts. These damaged and strange people are incredibly toxic and only the old housekeeper with dementia seems able to say that out loud. Compelling and creepy.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

The perfect date…

To celebrate their wedding anniversary, Lily Leonard books a table at the exclusive restaurant of Hector Bolson-Woods renowned celebrity chef. It should be the perfect evening for Lily and husband,
Stig, but not even a perfect menu can heal the cracks in their marriage.
So when Hector invites them to dine with him privately, Lily is thrilled. Surely this will please Stig?

Hector is charming and attentive – everything Stig is not – and she finds herself more and more drawn to the enigmatic Hector.

A nightmare invitation…

After the dinner, Stig makes it clear the entire evening was a mistake, something he never wants to repeat again. Hurt and confused, Lily’s certain Stig is hiding something from her. Something linked to
Hector…she just doesn’t know what.
And then another dinner invitation from Hector arrives. This time with a proposal neither Lily or Stig can refuse…

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Nina Manning studied psychology and was a restaurant-owner and private chef (including to members of the royal family). She is the founder and host of Sniffing The Pages, a book review podcast.

The Daughter in Law is her debut psychological thriller and since then Nina has gone on to write 9 more books including: The Guilty Wife published in March 2020, The House Mate published
in October 2020.The Bridesmaid published May 2021 and Queen Bee in January 2022.

She has also written two ‘mum-lit’ fiction books: The 3 am shattered mums’ club and the 6 pm frazzled mums’ club. Her tenth book, Her Last Summer, another thriller, was published in May 2024.
In 2024 Nina signed with Hodder and Stoughton and her first destination thriller will be released in June 2025

Nina currently lives in The Highlands in Scotland with her family. When she is not writing she can be found romping in the forest with her dog and three children.

Facebook Twitter: @ninamanninguk
Instagram: ninamanningauthor
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My thoughts: Lily and Stig have been married for 5 years but she barely knows anything about him (hello, huge red flag, don’t marry someone like this!) and she can’t understand why he’s so angry about their anniversary dinner.

Cooked for by a celebrity chef at the chef’s table, what a dream. And then the chef invites them to a dinner party at his home. Lily is thrilled. He also donates a very generous amount of money to the charity she works for. Why can’t Stig just be happy for her?

But things start to get a bit strange. There’s a woman Lily has never heard of sending messages to her husband, Hector offers to set up a new charity for Lily to run, then invites her to his remote French chateau, where it appears to be just the two of them  and some terrified employees.

Stig is trying to keep his secrets, but the memories of his teenage years, the bullying he endured, and the messy relationship with his mother and step-father weigh on him. Can he tell Lily or will this just make things worse? He might lose her if he’s not careful.

Hector is not who he seems and he and Stig have a long and complicated history. Lily is in danger as Hector’s grip on his sanity starts to slip.

As with a lot of books with a central couple – Lily and Stig’s main issue is the lack of communication. Stig wants to start a family, Lily’s still on the Pill, because she doesn’t feel she really knows her husband. Stig needs to open up and be honest with her, a lot of what happens to them could easily be avoided. Thank goodness Lily’s best friend is a Google whizz and helps Lily out with some facts about Hector before Lily throws her life away. But honestly couples therapy should be their next stop!

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

Keep your enemies close…your sister closer…

To outsiders, twins Mia and Kate have always been close, like good sisters should be. But in private their relationship is one of jealousy, resentment and bitterness.
Popular and attractive Mia is always the centre of attention, loved by all. Quiet and reserved, Kate is overlooked and underestimated, and has tried to build a life away from Mia and her manipulation.
Finally she is happy and content.

But then Mia returns and makes it clear that she wants to be part of her sister’s life again, to have everything Kate has…including her new fiancé Scott.

Kate can’t allow Mia to ruin her life again. She’s done this too many times in the past – always taking things that don’t belong to her.

As old tensions, secrets and lies return, tragedy strikes. And one sister will use the opportunity to live the life she has always wanted…the life she has always deserved.

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Alex Stone is an accountant from the West Midlands, who uprooted her life to pursue her dream of living by the sea and becoming a writer. She is proof that if you stick at it, anything is possible, and is
now a psychological thriller author based in Dorset. This beautiful and dramatic coast is the inspiration and setting for her novels.
Alex has a keen interest in psychology, and her novels examine how situations in the past can shape a person for the better and the worst.
Her debut novel, The Perfect Daughter, has been described as; ‘cleverly written, powerful, shocking, and totally believable.’

Facebook: @AlexStoneWriter
Twitter: @AlexStoneAuthor
Instagram: @AlexStoneAuthor
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My thoughts: Sisters, a complicated relationship, throw in being twins and the daughters of seemingly unhappy parents, a good dose of trauma from losing their mother young, some guilt, blame, secrets and jealousy and you have the recipe for a really messy situation.

Mia is a translator and lives a glamorous life overseas, while her twin sells flowers from a stall in the park, perfectly happy with her life, it might not be as high flying or impressive, but it’s hers. As is the handsome police officer boyfriend. Then Mia returns, supposedly to sort out their father’s estate, but Kate isn’t so sure.

After a horrific incident, one sister seizes the opportunity to become the other and heads to the family’s old apartment by the sea. But what she learns about the past, about her sister and about herself, turns everything she thought she knew upside down. Can she make it right?

Clever, full of twists and turns, with two very different protagonists, for all they look alike. This is a complex story about our memories, our beliefs and how they can affect us for years, even when it turns out they’re maybe not quite as clear as we think.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

How can one 12-hour night shift be so deadly?

I loved the anonymity, flexibility and solitude that working the night shift at Storage Queen gave me.
The unsociable hours paid well, helping me fund my university degree and giving me a quiet place to study while the world slept peacefully in their warm, cozy beds. It was the perfect job for me.
But that Friday night proved to be more than I bargained for when a man walked through the door, dragging a large suitcase.
My immediate instincts told me something was wrong.
That’s when my ordeal began.
I just had to make it through the night shift.
A pacy, heart stopping, page turning thriller for the fans of Shari Lapena and Lisa Jewell.

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Gemma Rogers lives in West Sussex with her husband, two daughters and a bouncy French Bulldog called Boycie.
Her love of writing began in her early teenage years, inspired by hours spent buried in Point Horror, Richard Laymon and Christopher Pike with the occasional Judy Blume thrown in for good measure.
Other passions include movies – horrors especially (who doesn’t love a good scare), country walks, swimming and anything involving cake.
Her debut novel Stalker was released on the 10th September 2019, quickly followed by The Secret in January 2020, and The Teacher in May.
Gemma’s fourth novel The Mistake was published January 2021, followed by The Babysitter in September.
The Feud came next in May 2022, then The Neighbour in January 2023 and The Flatmate in June 2023.

Gemma’s ninth title The Good Wife came out in March 2024 and the latest title The Honeymoon is out now!

Facebook: @GemmaRogersAuthor
Twitter: @gemmarogers79
Instagram: @gemmarogersauthor
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My thoughts: I’ve always thought self storage warehouses were perfect for horror and this book proves that’s true. Often isolated on industrial estates or the edge of nowhere, they’re huge, open all hours and I can just see how a killer could keep all the evidence hidden in one of the units.

I don’t think I could work a night shift in one, but medical student Nina does, studying while she sits in the reception office. There aren’t many customers this late so it’s usually pretty quiet and she gets her work done. As a type 1 diabetic it also means she can manage her condition quite comfortably, bringing dinner in with her to reheat in the office microwave and no one to complain if it smells!

This night shift however is the stuff of nightmares. A young man brings in a huge suitcase, and there’s something a bit off about him. The unit is registered to a woman, and he just makes Nina nervous. What follows is shocking as Nina gets caught up in a tangle of lies and violence. Chased through the empty building by a dangerous killer, her best friend comes to her aid and gets drawn in too.

When the power gets cut off, there’s no way to call for help and when the killer takes her phone, she can’t even monitor her blood glucose levels and ensure she doesn’t suffer a hypoglycemic attack that could leave her very sick.

As the night wears on, Nina must evade the killer, stay alive and on top of her diabetes, hoping that with the morning help will arrive and end this nightmare.

Gripping, thrilling and with an empathetic and smart protagonist. Adding in a medical condition that must be monitored and adjusted adds an extra layer of suspense, Nina genuinely needs to be able to access her medication and supplies but also hide and stay focused. Really interesting idea and great disability rep too.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

Wife. Mother. Witness. Liar.

Jane has a great marriage and a beautiful teenage daughter. She spends her days illustrating books in her stunning lakeside home. Her life is as close to perfect as she could imagine.

She’s been lying to her husband for a decade.

Ten years ago, Jane witnessed an unspeakable crime. Her testimony put Curtis Murk in prison for manslaughter. She never told her husband.

That’s not the only secret she’s hiding from him.

Now, Curtis is being released from prison. And he’s not willing to let the past rest. He’s searching for revenge. It’s only a matter of time before he finds her.

Her perfect life is built on lies. And it’s about to unravel . . .

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Sadie Ryan is the author of three books. Her latest, Guilty came out in April 2021, a psychological thriller. She loves animals and lives in leafy Cheshire in the North West of England with her daughter and rescue dog. When not writing she spends her time reading, gardening, walking her dog or watching old black and white movies.

When asked where she gets her ideas from, she says, ‘From observation, inspiration and lots of wicked thoughts.’

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My thoughts: This was really good, so many twists. Jane can’t prove that she’s being stalked and driven a bit crazy by Curtis, mostly because she’s never told her husband about what she saw or about Curtis at all.

Her perfect life is about to crumble around her and she’s pretty sure neighbour Pauline and her son are somehow involved, but she can’t prove that either.

As things get worse and the family all start to feel the impact of Jane’s secrets, Curtis finally reveals himself and the stage is set for the showdown. That island hideaway becomes a place of danger and Jane’s very life is at stake. The secrets all come tumbling out then. Utterly gripping, clever and twisted.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

Six CIA officers. Dear friends and cherished enemies. For a quarter century they have stolen other people’s secrets. Now they must steal each other’s.

A Russian arrives in Singapore with a secret to sell. When the Russian is killed and Sam Joseph, the CIA officer dispatched for the meet, goes missing, operational chief Artemis Procter is made a scapegoat for the disaster and run out of the service. Months later, Sam appears at Procter’s doorstep with an explosive secret: there is a Russian mole burrowed deep within the highest ranks of the CIA.

As Procter and Sam investigate, they arrive at a shortlist of suspects made up of both Procter’s closest friends and fiercest enemies. The hunt requires Procter to dredge up her checkered past in the service of the CIA, placing the pair in the sights of a savvy Russian spymaster who will protect Moscow’s mole in Langley at all costs. What happens when friendships forged by sweat and blood—from the Farm to Afghanistan and the executive “Seventh Floor” of CIA’s Langley headquarters—are put to the ultimate test? What can we truly know about the people we love the most?

Taking readers from Langley to Moscow to Paris and beyond, The Seventh Floor explores the nature of friendship in a faithless business, and what it means to love a place that does not love you back.

My thoughts: Artemis Aphrodite Procter is not someone you cross lightly. Even after getting fired from the CIA and going down to Florida to wrestle alligators (apparently that’s a real thing) she still has the skills, knowledge and connections to investigate her former employer and locate a mole right at the heart of the agency.

I was absolutely hooked, I like Procter from the previous books but this was entirely her story, her rivalry with Debbie Sweet, her close friendships with the men in her life, one of whom might be the mole, her intense focus and ability to get shit done. I love it.

The story was clever and gripping, the Russians weren’t cartoon villains, they had their own motives and ambitions, just like the Americans, Sam and Artemis made a great team, as they borrowed the files from the CIA and dove deep looking for clues, looking for the gaps and mistakes in people’s stories, digging slowly but surely.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.