Thank you to net gallery and the author for this arc copy. Sadly I struggled to read this book as there was far to many povs for me to get my head around and I lost track of which pov was been spoken about sadly. I am really unsure of this cover as it doesn’t really go with what the books about it seems so random and unrealistic. found this to be a very slow pace book to read and if I am been totally honest dragged in most parts for me. I was a fan of many of the characters as well as they seemed to be very similar to one another in my opinion. There were a couple of twists in this book but not many. Sadly not the book for me but I did enjoy my time reading it xx

Thank you @netgalley for the preview of this book inexchange for my honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed Bad Blood. After reading the description I expected this to be a book about a court case but it was actually a story told from multiple POV and through flashbacks. There were many twists along the way and seeds of doubt were constantly being lain along the way. I would recommend this book and think it will be very successful when published next year.

I thought this was heading for a nice, straightforward and easy 4 star rating...until the final forty minutes or so pulled me in and snatched that final star!

It reads as if it will be courtroom drama based, however quickly transpires to be the unravelling of family secrets, murder and lies, and the spiral of destruction caused. I like a book I can read through from start to finish without having to go back and forth looking for answers I may have missed, and this book does that perfectly.

The POV of the 'before' parts as told by multi characters gave extra depth and the character development was great. I enjoyed this one..I thought the ends were tied and answers wee given as we were reaching the end of the book and then a whole new loop was formed throwing everything up in the air!

And can we just mention the cover...it is absolutely stunning and one to admire on the bookshelves! Definitely one to recommend

Thank you NetGalley for my ARC Ebook in exchange for my honest review.

A barrister is challenged with setting up a case against her ex boyfriend who is charged with murder.
Told in different POVs and timelines which I found a little confusing to follow at times. The main POV is that of the banister exposing her past, her secrets, her lies etc. How toxicity of the past impacts on the present.

I found this to be a very slow pace read, that if I am honest dragged in parts. Parts of the plot were good and I did like the ending, but I found it overall a little too predictable for my liking.

If you’re a fan of thrillers with a twist though I would definitely give it a go.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

WOW! One of the best thrillers I’ve read in a LONG time!

Short, snappy chapters kept me engaged.

I really felt that the flashbacks from different POVs kept the momentum going - I was eager to keep reading to see how it fitted into the puzzle.

One thing I would change is the blurb - I think it’s slightly misleading given how the story pans out.

This novel is definitely not a courtroom drama and actually secrets amongst friends and family resurfacing.

From the outset I did not find the main character endearing in any way despite her portrayal as a victim .

The chapters are told from different characters viewpoints in relation to the past but any chapters relating to the main character seemed to drag and interrupt the momentum.

Despite this, it is definitely a plot with many twists, which makes for a page turner and the ending is not how you'd expect such stories to conclude

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

I've been dying to read a juicy courtroom thriller after finishing Apple's Presumed Innocent - and this delivered on all fronts! Can't wait to read what the author writes next.

The book is intense, gripping and unputdownable. Justine’s father was killed and her ex boyfriend Jake was being accused of double murder. While there were dark and unsettling family secrets. After all the unthinkable things happened, Justine started fresh and became a barrister while to get the bottom of the double murder mystery, Justine must revisit the past to get the answers of the unanswered questions. The revelation at the end was shocking. The ending was so unexpected.


Thanks to the Publisher and Author.

Thank you for my copy of this book to read and review.

I really liked the sound of this so was really pleased when I was accepted for an early copy.

I did really enjoy the story, it kept me guessing and I had no idea how it would play out. I always enjoy books where there are chapters telling snippets from the past… this worked really well with the story building and coming together.

As much as I enjoyed this book, I felt some of it was a bit slow and dragged at times.

Secrets Will Out..
Justine Stone left town twelve years ago, now returns to seek justice and possibly avenge the past in this drama fuelled novel of suspense. Is she is to succeed, with a double murder case pending, she needs to dig deep into the past to find the truth. Secrets will out. With a propulsive and nicely paced plot, a cast of well crafted and credible characters and an intriguing premise, a gripping read.

A great story with alot of twists. Told from multiple points of view with a really great ending this gets a great recommendation from me

Firstly thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advance copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

The blurb from the back of the book makes you think you are going in a very different direction in this story but actually it turns out to be about families and secrets.

Told from multiple POV’s and in flashbacks to the past it does keep you guessing throughout and just when you think it’s all tied up another little twist.

Rounded up to 3.5 stars

A well written thriller
The plot was brilliant
Lots of twists and turns
GOSH - did not expect t the ending

rounding up to 3.5

a barrister is tasked with building up a case against her ex boyfriend who’s accused of murder.

as reader, i really enjoyed that the main pov was through the barristers side, rather than the actual person accused of the crime.

the plot mainly focuses on justine’s secrets / her past hitting too close to home on her current case, it is constantly full of twists and turns.

this book was a slow burner at times, and i wished it focused more on the legal aspects of crime. however, i did enjoy the emphasis on family secrets, and the past constantly haunting justine and her family, weaved throughout the book.

I absolutely loved this well crafted thriller, with its mix of small town and family dynamics. It is very much for fans of Sarah Vaughan but also has a flavour of Broadchurch.

With many thanks to Netgalley for this free arc and I am leaving this unbiased review voluntarily. I like the occasional legal thriller so hence why I requested this book, however this was so much more than that. Moving at a blistering pace the author spins a web of intrigue, suspense and lies that at times completely throws the reader. This book will keep you guessing to the very end. This is an outstanding debut from Sarah Hornsley- very well written, with a lovely flow to the book and characters that will surprise you and finishing with a great twist. Brilliant.

Thank you NetGalley for the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This took me while to read. Despite it not being too long and having short chapters, I still felt like it dragged and was a bit slow. But still, the plot was interesting, and I did like the ending.

Dnf found it hard to concentrate on this one couldnt find the flow. I liked the idea of this but not so much the story. I also think the cover is not ideal it seems a bit random and misplaced to the body of the novel unconnected.

I think this book is going to do very well when it's released and personally feel the blurb doesn't do it any justice. I think it's got all the necessary points to be made into an adaptation (it really has it all) Sarah Hornsley is extremely talented and I look forward to reading what's next from her.