I was absolutely addicted to this from the get go. The pretence of the story was amazing, as you can imagine even at a young age there is only so much one person can take before they retaliate. I actually read this entire book in one sitting as when I got to the end of the first main section, it completely threw me as to what I thought was the plot of the story and then towards the end there was another twist I just did not see coming. I loved the development of the characters, in particular the ‘then’ and ‘now’ kind of stance, you feel like you’re getting to know two totally different people rather than one in the same. The book was written very smoothly, it flowed really well and kept me hooked easily throughout. Really would recommend this if you’re a thriller lover like me!

I absolutely loved When I Was Ten by Fiona Cummins. This is as dark and tense as a psychological thriller gets.

I particularly enjoyed the slow reveals of the two families and how the children in both households had to grow up far too soon. The childhood of the Carter sisters is disturbing and makes for uncomfortable reading sometimes but it is a harsh reality we must not shy away from. When we do, unspeakable things happen, like in this novel.

Brinley's first person narrative balances well against the third person narrator. We have a first person viewpoint from childhood to adulthood that is either in the thick of what happens with the Carter sisters or trying to leave it all behind but never being able to. Being their childhood friend and now a reporter, Brinley can't escape that fateful night. She's also carrying her own demons.

The scenes between Brinley and her mother were touching and lovingly written. This meant so much to me, having been in a similar situation although as an adult. I thank the author for her honesty and compassion.

This is a novel where even when you know the answers, the story isn't over. How can it be when a childhood crime haunts the lives of those who were involved, guilty and innocent?

This is an absolute corker of a novel that surpassed the "Just one more chapter night time reading" test. I'd like to say Fiona Cummins stole my sleep because I couldn't stop reading but she gave so much initially by writing such a superbly crafted novel.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my advance copy of the novel.

What a blinding little book, I was drawn in, on the edge of my seat, so sure I knew what was happening and who had done what. Only to have the author blow all my current ideas out of the water before laying it at my feet. A brilliant and engaging 5 star read.

Super dark, very twisted - and a really interesting take on guilt, responsibility, and who really is to blame for the darkest of crimes...

Loved this, a very different take on a fairly well used premise. Edgy, clever and a fantastic twist.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Great book. I loved reading it. Very interesting and covers alot of information

Another brilliant book from Fiona Cummins. This is a compelling read, from the first page to the last you are swept along by this sinister tale.

When I Was Ten made me angry, sad & tense but all in the way only a good book can. I thought the characters were fantastic & I particularly like Brinley. You can really feel the attention that has gone in to creating this book. Some of the scenes with Brinley & her mother were heartbreaking in their acuracy, so raw & real. The Carter sister's tale is so disturbing, but gripping it just keeps you turning the page.

If you love a dark, tense & twisty thriller then you're in for a treat with this one.

Sorry but this book wasn't for me, couldn't get into the story line and I have to give up less than halfway through.

Thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

When the first line of a book is “In eleven minutes and fourteen seconds, Catherine Allen, who only wants to be ordinary, will be dead”. You are immediately hooked.
Even more so as the prologue had started the story 21 years previously, with a violent double murder, by the couple’s own daughter. We also have a second child, running scared who is struck by lightning. With details of her smoking body, and the holes left in her trainers by the escaping energy. Oh yes, buckle up readers, we have a humdinger of a book here!
I do need to say that this book will not be for everyone, this is not a light, cosy crime read. It is dark, a story of cruelty in unexpected places, lies and secrets, and the long reach this will have, through the years. There were times when I was reading of Shannon and Sara’s childhood, that I had to stop reading for a moment.
But if you like dark, gritty, twisting, gripping books, you really need to read When I Was Ten. There was a moment that my jaw, literally, dropped open. I was so engrossed, expecting “something” specific to happen, when something completely unexpected became apparent. I wish I could say more, but to do so would risk me spoiling this 5* book for you. I want you to experience all of this rollercoaster of a book for yourself.
This is the first book by Fiona Cummins I have read, but it certainly won’t be the last. In fact, I’m just about to download Rattle, Fiona’s first book.

A very interwoven plot which has you hooked from the beginning! I particularly liked part 2 of the book which flashes back to the past! It was difficult in some places to distinguish whose POV you were reading as it jumped around a bit but on the whole I enjoyed it!

Compulsive reading from the outset, "When I Was Ten" is a psychological thriller which explores criminal justice, the rehabilitation of young offenders and the long-term effects of trauma. Fiona Cummins' plotting is cleverly done, building intrigue from the opening pages. Her characters are complex and experience a range of issues including bereavement, emotional abuse and bullying. There is also some interesting commentary on how the media operates in the UK and the dangers of social media. I read this in one sitting and think it would transfer well to television.

I'm going to start straight off by saying I LOVED this book. This is pretty much everything I would want a thriller of this nature to be, it had twists, turns and surprises galore. When I Was Ten begins with Catherine Allen trying all she can to make her life as normal as possible. She has changed her name, she has her own family and she desperately wants to forget her past and an awful incident that blighted her early years because....when she was ten Catherine stabbed her parents to death with a pair of scissors. I know right??? That's some super intense stuff right off the bat! Catherine (or as she was known as a child, Sara Carter) is shocked to learn that her older sister Shannon is being interviewed by the media to get an insight into the grizzly crime and what could have pushed her little sister, nicknamed The Angel Of Death, to murder their highly respected parents. The second part of this book is where the story really solidifies itself, we go back to the 1990's where Sara and Shannon's childhood is unearthed along with the events leading up to the fateful day. I raced through this book and finished it in pretty much one sitting and that for me is the sign of an excellent book. There wasn't a single second where I wasn't fully invested in the characters and where the plot was leading me. The writing was punchy but provided a wide scope with nothing being missed. There were unexpected moments and weird twists I didn't see coming. The ending lacked a little of the drive that the book had in the first two thirds but this was a minor quibble and I won't say too much because it didn't spoil my enjoyment of the book at all. This is a must read if you love your books dark, creepy and chilling.

A shocking and harrowing plot . Fiona Cummins has produced a psychological thriller that will keep you engrossed, and on edge, from start to finish. Brilliant!

My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my copy of When I Was Ten.

My first book by Fiona Cummins, a writer I have heard a lot about. I was not disappointed. This is a fantastic psychological thriller, expertly written and not relying on sensationalism as so many of this genre are. Already I am checking out her other novels.

UNPUTDOWNABLE

A chilling take of two sisters and there friend
Growing up in 1997
The sisters parents are murdered
The story moves between them and now
Slowly unravelling the reasons behind the murders
Plenty of twists, easy to read and an unexpected ending

Highly recommended

Thank you netgalley, Fiona Cummins and Pan Macmillan for allowing me to read and review this book.

Wow what can I say, this book will keep you gripped till the end. I thought at first you are given to much information about the story for it to be as gripping as it was. Chapters are just long enough to keep the story moving and changing between characters for you not to lose the story. Thank you netgalley for approving this book. I will definitely be recommending this as a 5 🌟 book

Wow!!!! This is a great thriller and I read a lot of them!

At ten years old, Catherine admitted killing her parents and is now living under a false identity. Brindly is a journalist who witnessed the murders as a child. But the past is not behind them and they're drawn back into their dark past as secrets start to emerge.

It just doesn't let up from the first page to the last. I loved Cummins previous books and she shows she is a growing writer going from strength to strength. I feel like this in book she literally grabs you and refuses to let you go until you have finished. The pace and the ability to grip you never drops. Darkly thrilling and emotionally charged throughout.

5 stars all the way

This book! It was outstanding! I am going to have that book emptiness after finishing this one. Fantastic thriller. A twisted tale of abuse, friendship, trust and lies. A ‘what would I do in that situation’ read.

I've not at all been in the mood for thrillers, but some just grab you violently and pull you into their twisted stories. I really enjoyed this thriller, it has the perfect mix of twists and mystery, and I enjoyed the duel narration and timeline

This book follows two little girls, Sara and Shannon, and we learn that one of them murdered their parents with a pair of scissors when they were young. The narrative then jumps forward to the present as the case is gaining media attention again. One of the sisters is now living a new life with a new name, the other sister has just done a TV interview and dragged up the ghosts of the past for them both

I thought the telling of this story was done really well: we start off in the present, where the children are now adults, and then part two takes us back to the time of the murders and we learn what happened. I thought this was really effective in keeping me engaged, and making me care about the characters

I did call the late twist in this book, but it was still a satisfying read getting to that point. And I'm the type of person who actively tries to figure out the twists and mysteries, so one of my early guesses is usually right. It did all wrap up a little too neatly for me, I prefer slightly more of an open, messy ending, but overall this was a solid thriller

TW: child abuse/neglect, bullying, graphic murder/stabbing

When I Was Ten begins in 1997, with a young girl running away from the scene of a brutal double murder. When the timeline shifts to 2018, we discover that this girl was Brinley Booth, childhood friend of the Carter sisters, Shannon and Sara. Sara was nicknamed the Angel of Death after killing both of her parents when she was ten years old. Brinley hasn’t seen her since that evening and has always kept quiet about once knowing the girls.

Now a journalist, Brinley is shocked when Shannon agrees to discuss the events of that night for the first time in a documentary. It’s also unwelcome news for Sara, who is living under a new identity with a family of her own. The story follows the two women as the events of twenty-one years ago catch up with them.

The story is told in three parts: Who, Why and When. The Why section focuses on Shannon and Sara as children and the relationship with their parents. This was a difficult section to read, as their parents were cruel and abusive and Shannon endures some nasty incidents of bullying from her peers. The vulnerability and fear of the girls come through in the strong writing and, although uncomfortable, this section helps us make sense of the events that led up to these horrific murders.

This is a chilling story full of twists. For me, the most terrifying characters were Richard and Pamela Carter with their ability to portray the image of caring, generous members of the community to the outside world, while being the complete opposite behind closed doors. The novel explores the consequences of past actions, the possibility of rehabilitation after a terrible act and the role of the media in influencing public perception of child offenders. I enjoyed this story and I will look out for more books by Fiona Cummins in the future.