The synopsis for this book was what drew me in as it just felt a little different to what I had read before but unfortunately, it just didn’t land for me. It was decent enough that I kept on reading but there was just something about it that felt a little off for me.

This is the second book of Lia Middleton that I’ve read and I have to say: I think Lia Middleton is becoming a suspense writer to watch out for. The Confession Room doesn’t take long getting into the story, which is fast-paced and propulsive.

We follow Emilia who has left the world of being a detective to being a PI where the hours are long and boring, but she needs that job where she can just switch off from, as she focus since her sister was murdered by her stalker. She spends her time on forums including the confession room. An on-line portal forum where people confess their deepest, darkest secret. Anonymously. One day she sees two names. A confession for murder and it’s not long before their death is being reported. Emilia tries to work with her detective ex to solve the problem until one day she sees her name…on the confession room…the next victim.

Wow, this was a rollercoaster. Such a gambit of emotions. I really felt for Emilia, grieving the death of her sister and blaming herself for the things she could’ve done to prevent. The characters are so emotionally truthful. I was immersed. A solid thriller.

As I read this book I found myself picturing Jodie Foster as the central character ex-police Emilia has the same kind of intense/obsessive vibe that Foster brings to her roles.

Emilia left the force following the death of her sister yet cannot shrug off the part of her that was drawn to the police in the first place she searches online forums and stumbles across The Confession Room.

This is a grim concept and one that went at quite a pace, although this did fluctuate at points through the book but I guess maintain breakneck speed and intensity throughout would be difficult.

Once Emilia gets the bit between her teeth she is relentless in her pursuit of the people responsible for the confession room, which is lucky really as the police seemed a little behind the curve.

I've seen a few reviews where people have been disappointed with the ending whereas I kinda liked it, I did suspect it might end that way but even so it worked for me.

My thanks to NetGalley, the author and Penguin for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I couldn’t put this one down. I was gripped from the very first page. I really enjoyed Lia’s writing. It kept me engaged the whole time. The chapters being from different POVs really helped with that. Just when you thought you had something figured out, the next POV came along and you realised you weren’t quite right.

I struggled with my morals in this one. I kept questioning what would I do if it were me and I honestly couldn’t tell you. I don’t think anyone would know unless they were in that situation.

When you read as many crime novels as I do it is rare that a truly original plot comes along, this book is one of those. From the very first sentence I was hooked, there was no way I was putting this book down until the very last line. I thought Emilia was a great character. At first I couldn't figure out why her life was so disjointed. Why had she resigned from the police? Why had she dumped her lovely boyfriend with whom she was obviously still in love? These were the questions that gripped me before the murders even started. By the time the first body was found I was addicted. Emilia was a very sympathetic character who had been through a lot but she was also manipulative and single minded to the extent that it became a vice. In other words she was human and I think that's why she was so easy to identify with. This book had me biting my nails right until the fantastic climax. This is an author I'll be looking out for in the future.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book

This book was exactly what it said on the tin (or the cover); it was all centred around The Confession Room. I was intrigued to find out what this room was going to be so to begin with I was a little disappointed, thinking it was a virtual room only. However the plot soon started to thicken and drama ramped up significantly.

I enjoyed the story and did find it engaging however the pacing seemed to be a little off to me. There were sections that felt a bit rushed and I would have liked to have delved into the detail some more. Then other sections that didn't feel as important, but were laboured over more.

The main character Emilia was a wreck, no doubt about it. She had gone through her fair share of trauma and it just kept piling on and on. Do I think she helped herself at all times? Probably not. But did I empathise with her when people didn't take her trauma seriously? Definitely.

Overall, this was a good psychological thriller that was quick paced and easy to read; I got through it super quickly. Personally, I was a little disappointed in the ending, I didn't want it to go that way, however that was 100% just my personal preference.

'The Confession Room* by Lia Middleton is a riveting and suspenseful read that kept me hooked from the very first page. Lia Middleton has crafted a story filled with secrets, intrigue, and unexpected twists that make for a truly engaging thriller.

The plot centers around a mysterious online confession room where people can anonymously share their deepest secrets. This intriguing concept sets the stage for a rollercoaster of emotions and suspense. As the confessions begin to intertwine with the lives of the characters, the tension ramps up, keeping me on the edge of my seat.

The characters are well-developed and relatable, each with their own hidden depths and motivations. I found myself invested in their stories, eager to uncover the truth behind their secrets. The interactions and dynamics between the characters are compelling, adding to the overall suspense of the novel.

The twists and turns are cleverly executed, and just when I thought I had everything figured out, Middleton threw in another surprise. The conclusion is satisfying and ties up the loose ends nicely, leaving me thoroughly satisfied with the journey.

One of the highlights of the book is Middleton's writing style. She has a way of creating a gripping atmosphere and vivid scenes that draw you into the story. The tension and suspense are palpable, making it hard to put the book down.

Overall, *The Confession Room* is a fantastic read for anyone who loves a good psychological thriller with plenty of twists and turns. Lia Middleton has delivered a captivating and thought-provoking novel that I highly recommend.

I requested this on NetGalley because it sounded right up my street, and boy oh boy did it deliver!
The tension and suspense is real, I was in bed late at night reading this with my heart hammering in my chest and fully creeped out.

I was so engrossed in this story, following an ex-police woman who becomes obsessed with reading The Confession Room posts and feels duty bound to try and solve the mystery of it all.

It was fast-paced, gripping, it has all the emotions. I felt genuine fear reading this!

I loved the way it all unravelled and the solution to the mystery. Knocked of half a star for the very ending of the book which I felt kind of unnecessary. But I couldn’t recommend this more to thriller lovers out there!

4.5/5

Thanks must first go to the author, Netgalley & the publish for the ARC of ‘Confession Room’.

This is the first book I’ve read of Lia Middletons and I will definitely be reading more. This book is well written, very fast paced and has huge twists. Half way through you think it’s all over and can’t figure out how the book will continue, and then it takes another dramatic twist. Loved the ending, the characters were brilliant and would highly rate it.

The best book I’ve read in a long time!

The premise pulled me into reading this book as I thought the concept was really interesting. Although I found it slow in parts, it did hook me and keep me emerging until the ending. I struggled to connect with the characters, however, the plot made up for it.

From the first chapter to the last, I was completely hooked. A must-read for anyone who loves a good adrenaline rush, I seriously loved this book it was brilliant!!!

This is the second book I’ve read by this author and it’s as good as the last. An unusual storyline with a massive twist at the end !!

Wow wow wow THIS BOOK!! I read it in one sitting - three hours, and I could not put it down!!! The book had me hooked from the beginning until the very last word. A compelling, captivating, gripping story that I thoroughly loved.

Ex police officer Emilia has found herself sucked into an anonymous online forum entitled The Confession Room, where there are seemingly no repercussions or consequences for the confessions people make. That is until one day, two names are posted onto the forum. Somebody has confessed to their murder. And this then happens again. And again. Until Emilia finds herself fully immersed in this horrifying ‘game’ of life or death.

At about 45% I felt as though the book was surely coming to its climax and was unsure how the rest of the book was going to be filled - but I needn’t have worried as the thrilling plot simply did not stop there. In fact, it cranked up and up until I could honestly feel myself holding my breath waiting to see what was going to happen next.

I really, really enjoyed this book. It whisked me away from my real life and propelled me into this alternative reality where I felt like I was walking alongside Emilia. So tense, so many heart in my mouth moments - literal edge of your seat reading. Chilling and spine tingling…an outstandingly good thriller. Would highly, highly recommend!

Thank you everyone for this book.
Wow, wow, wow - could this please be made into a TV series?

Darkly, chilling, and very difficult to put down. Well written, great characters and utterly gripping.

Highly recommended - more please

The idea for this book is brilliant and I enjoyed reading it, it kept my interest even though it did feel predictable in some parts.
I can see it becoming a TV series

A darkly chilling crime thriller. Former police detective Emilia Hayes left the force following the murder of her sister, blaming herself. Seeking solace in the internet, she comes across a sinister site called 'The Confession Room. Someone is declaring they are a killer and naming their victims before murdering them. In a race against time to stop the killer, Emilia places a target on her own back. Utterly gripping.

4/5 stars! I'll admit the cover of this book and the tagline "I need to confess to murder. I just haven't committed it yet" are what drew me in for this book. The payoff was there for the most part and made this a 4-star read. I found myself wrongly guessing the twists and rushing to get to the final reveal. A strong thriller story.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

This was the opposite of a slow burn....heck, even faster than a page turner, because I could not swipe fast enough to the next page. There was a lot of tension and I enjoyed that about the book

A modern mystery that is very well written and fast paced. I was hooked from the first page and could not wait to find out where the story would lead. Would highly recommend

The Confession Room is an online confessional space where you can confess your sins anonymously; ex-police officer Emilia is hooked on the confessions and has made her own, feeling immensely responsible for not being able to stop her sister's murder.
Then the murders start, where people are named on the site and then found dead shortly afterwards.
Can Emilia help solve them before any more occur?
I wasn't blown away by this Im afraid - a lot of padding in the story which didnt really need to be there, and the ending left me bemused.