I received a copy of this e-arc in exchange for an honest review thanks to NetGalley and HQ Stories.

This initially was a 3* rating, possibly dnf, due to it revealing the whole story in the first 10%. It made me not want to continue as I felt like I knew what had happened.

I couldn’t understand what the story was going to be about but I persevered so I could decide if it was worth continuing once I’d read the first 5 chapters.

And boy am I glad I finished it! The first 75% follows the investigation and court case with the final verdict. There are some things revealed but nothing significant. At least, that’s how it looks.

It was the last 25% where all the twists and turns, the truths and lies, were all revealed. And wow! I did not expect that!

My initial thought was that Leila was innocent, it was a complete accident and that it was Andrew (Max’s dad) who had somehow murdered Max. That was the direction it looked to be going. But of course, not everything is as it seems.

Wow wow wow. Another incredible book by this author. Expertly written with a plot that builds and draws you in and characters you feel you know....a family in the middle of a tragedy and a court case that follows. Absolutely excellent

What a great book. Leila breaks her normal routine in a characteristic act of kindness to her sister Yasmin and takes toddler Max to nursery. What happens next is the tragic stuff of nightmares as her work takes over from her duty as an Auntie.

The ensuing court case is full of drama and some excellent twists and the book could end at the jury’s verdict. But there is a slightly unsatisfactory part three in which the rollercoaster story takes one or two more turns than might ideally be necessary. Five stars for the moral dilemma at the heart of the book and how it plays out minus a bit for trying just a little too hard at the end to deliver such surprise.

Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for a fair review

Oh. My. Goodness. This book took me on such a rollercoaster of emotions. The story is a heart-breaking one, yet thrilling and captivating in a weird kind of way. Leila Syed is supposed to drop her young nephew, Max off at nursery on the way to work but gets distracted with work problems. She forgets Max is in his car seat asleep, and leaves him in the car on the hottest day of the year. This book takes us on the journey on what happens after this tragedy, not just for Leila, but for her sister Yasmin and her husband Andrew.

The story was shocking and heart-breaking in equal amounts. I went through most of the book changing my opinion on Leila, feeling sorry for her at some points and then disliking her at others. The author takes us on an emotional journey through the aftermath of Max’s death and the ensuing court case. Leila and Yasmin have been such a tight knit unit for so long, but this, understandably, drives a huge wedge between them. I loved the court case part of the book, with lots of cross examinations and interrogations, and I found myself completely hooked into this part of it! I also loved the investigating police officer, DI Shepherd and found him to be like a ‘dog with a bone’ with the case, looking at every possible angle.

It’s most definitely a difficult subject to read about, but thumbs up to the author for making a fabulous job out of it! Whilst it’s hard hitting, it does get you thinking about things! I was surprised at the number of cases where this has actually happened, and found myself questioning whether I’d ever left my child in the car on his own when paying for petrol for example! (Thankfully I never did when he was younger, although I do now but he’s 14 so I suppose that’s okay!) It may be a trigger point for some people, so would advise a word of caution that it does have some upsetting scenes. Overall, this was a great book! It had lots of suspense, tension, twists and turns and I was glued to the book for fear of missing something! The court room parts were cleverly done and captivating and really added to an already gripping storyline. This was the first book I’ve read by this author, but it certainly won’t be the last! Whilst I initially thought the storyline would make me feel really uncomfortable, by the end of the book I absolutely loved it and wanted to start it all over again! Would definitely recommend!

I nearly put this book to one side as my emotions where all over the place but I'm really glad I didn't.
Two sisters two completely different lives and when Leilia is asked to take her nephew to nursery she doesn't hesitate to help but after a frantic phone call from work Leilia completely forgets that she has Max in the back of her car.
What happens next is a horrific and can the two sister's ever overcome this tragedy?

Leila is asked to drop her sister's toddler off to school on her way to work. Unfortunately she forgets he's sat in the back of her car and parks up on the hottest day of the year.
The first part of the book is heartbreaking as the sisters have to deal with the aftermath. The second part of the book deals with the following court case.
I liked both parts and had to keep reading. This is a very readable book, even though the story is not a pleasant subject.

When Leila is asked at the last moment to drop her nephew Max at nursery she begrudgingly agrees. A crisis at work and she does the unforgivable which results in a tragedy.

Sisters Leila and Yasmin are very close. Both are married but while Yasmin gives birth to Max, Leila has no children and appears on the surface to favour her career over motherhood. But all is not as it seems and the sisters' relationship falls apart as a result of Leila's carelessness. Or is her forgetfulness a case of jealousy?

This book is a complex family drama with a court case at its centre and a detective who refuses to give up his belief in Leila's guilt. Next of Kin is well plotted and the characters realistic. Kia Abdullah's fans will love it. Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ for the opportunity to red and review this book.

This book is absolutely BRILLIANT!!! A definite to get in the TBR.

This will grip you and give you shivers from the very beginning. Especially as a central part of the plot is the death of a child.

The author introduces us to two sisters, Leila and Yasmin. Both likeable in different ways and both have taken their own paths.

I have been completely unable to predict where this was going and unsuccessfully made predictions on more than one occasion.

I have devoured this book, I am a huge fan of Abdullah and read the previous books. This is definitely my favourite and the best yet.

This is gripping and written in a way you feel as though you are with the characters. The pace is absolutely perfect and this is a book tht will make your heart race.

A definite five star read and one that I cannot recommend enough.

Kia Abdullah is a writing maestro.

I read and loved her previous two books and recommend them whenever the opportunity rises. So when I saw her new book on Netgalley I jumped at the chance to request it. Thank you so much HQ stories for approving me.

Now I did wonder if Abdullah could do it again. I didn't have to worry a few chapters in and I was fully engrossed.

It was so easy to put yourself in Leila's shoes and the feelings and guilt she had took over you. It gave me an uneasy feeling especially when the statistics about how many people have forgotten their kids in the cars.

The story takes on a gritty courtroom drama and I really enjoyed the toing and froing from defence to prosecution wondering what the outcome will be.

Now when I thought I had it all sealed up, that's when Abdullah threw in her curve balls and magic into the story. And this had me gasping and shouting "what the actual heck" I never saw that coming.

Well done Kia you have knocked it well out of the park again with this book.

A gripping legal thriller hat will leave you reeling. A moment's forgetfulness (don't we all have those!) leads to tragic consequences that leave a family split and, bewildered and in court. A book that will stay with you long after the last page. The ending is a stunner!

To be honest I wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy this book to start with but I got about a quarter of the way in and something just caught my attention and I was hooked. It is quite a slow paced book but there is still lots of drama with plenty of twists and turn along the way. I won’t say too much else other than this author knows how to finish a story! it definitely delivered at the end and I am glad that I kept reading.

Wow! Gripping from the first to the last page! Leila has been asked to take her nephew Max to nursery at the last minute and leaves him in the car on the hottest day of the year for over three hours. Is this a tragic accident or negligence? I found myself questioning my opinions and morals throughout and asking myself "what would I have done?" I became emotionally invested and consumed by the intricate and unfolding storyline. As new details of the story emerged, my own opinions swapped and changed, keeping me intrigued and on the edge of my seat throughout. An emotional storyline which was highly emotive but sensitively written and stayed with me long after I had finished reading. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Leila Syed receives a call that cleaves her life in two. Her Brother-in-law's voice is filled with panic. He's at his sons nursery to pick Max up, but he isn't there. Leila was supposed to drop Max off that morning. But she forgot. Racing to the carpark, she gasps at the horror of what she has done. Max has been locked in the car for six hours on the hottest day of the year. But she's too late. What follows is an explosive, high-profile trial that will tear the family apart.

What a compelling and emotional read this book is. It's gripping and quite original. Leila had left her nephew Max in the car on the hottest day of the year. What follows is an emotional journey as the family have to deal with the aftermath and the court case that follows.

This is a fast paced read that's tense and emotional. I was shocked, sad and angry at times whilst reading but it all just made me want to read on. This is a beautifully written story.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HQ and the author #KiaAbdullah for my ARC of #NextOfKin in exchange for an honest review.

A dark sad twist of a thriller about a sister who is responsible for the death of her nephew. The question is was is a tragic accident or deliberate. I loved it and the twist at the end was great

This book started off great. Exciting plot. Leaving you wondering where it could possibly go. How could Leila have done such a thing? But half way through it got really boring. So much so I wanted to give up. But I forced myself to keep going to find out how it ended. I’m glad I did. What a lot of twists and turns towards the end. Fantastic finish.

Just a shame it got lost in the middle as it had the makings of a 5* but had to knock one off for the lull in the book.

Such an exciting plot too. Going somewhere no other book I’ve read has. I’d definitely look out for this author again.

A truly addictive read that has you reeling with the drama that doesn't merely unfold but punches it's way off the page straight to the emotions.

Leila is sister and protector to her younger sibling, Yasmin and that in turn of course extends to her son Max. When she is asked to drop Max off at school she agrees, but on the way she receives a phone call. What happens next is a tragedy and one with high stakes that means Leila is put on trial.

A courtroom drama that includes the family drama that is played out simultaneously and I defy your feelings not to be swayed as you see different aspects of their characters.

Kia Abdullah has a real skill in writing really complex stories which challenge the reader and having been blown away by her previous novels I'm now struggling to express just how much she has raised the bar higher in this novel.

Absolutely up there for contender of my favourite read of 2021.

Leila is asked, at the last minute, to drop her three year old nephew at nursery. En route, she gets an emergency phone call from work and drives straight there, forgetting Max is in the back of the car with devastating results. The book is about how the relationship between Leila and her sister changes as a result, the court case and the moving on, despite DS Shep still having a niggling doubt about something he cannot quite put his finger on.
This is a brilliant book with an ending which absolutely blew me away and have me thinking and rethinking late into the night Highly recommended.

Fast-paced, absorbing thriller. I sympathised hugely with the characters and their actions felt credible and likely. Exciting all the way to the very end.

Next Of Kin By Kia Abdullah

This book had me hooked from the first page!
It's a tragic story of a child dying due to being left in a car on the hottest day of the year after being left by his aunt.

Then the trial begins is Leila guilty? This is where the plot has many twists and turns and many secrets are unveiled.

Can this family get through this tragedy and all the horrors that the court case unveils?

The death of a child is immensely catastrophic and hard to imagine however the author did a great job to make it realistic and I felt that the characters were real people by the way they were portrayed.

The ending was very unexpected but a great one!

This was my first read from this author and I will definitely be reading more from her.

Next of kin what can I say about this book! To say that reading this book became addictive is a huge understatement. I would stupidly pick the book up only intending to read a couple of chapters to fill in the odd half hour but I would become so wrapped up in the story that I would still be sat there well over an hour and several chapters later. My book wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I just couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story. Fabulous ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️