You know when you meet someone and you really like them and as time goes on you like them more and more? That’s the feeling I got with this book as I turned the pages. New author for me too which is even more exciting, so I love this feeling!

In this a family thriller we kick off with the jury ready to deliver a verdict but we are unaware of who is in the dock or what the verdict is.
We then follow the family of mum and dad Livia and Scott and their two children Heidi and Noah following the death of Scott’s brother Nicky. Scott rapidly begins to fall down a rabbit hole of conspiracy theories that makes Livia concerned, whilst balancing her job as a probation officer, worrying about the changes in 13 year old Heidi’s behaviour and Noah’s chronic asthma.

Told from first person pov from Livia, Scott and Heidi we see how the pieces fall together and how things are affecting them at the same time. As Scott falls further into the abyss focusing on new world order and jumping from one conspiracy to the next and trying to influence everyone around him, Livia begins to entrust her home life secrets to recently released Charlie Shephard.

This book was so interesting, with so much going on yet it all went together perfectly it was such an amazing read and an eye opener about the tin foil hat brigade.

Many thanks to NetGalley, publisher and author for my digital ARC

Ugandan-born Kiwi author Charity Norman sure knows how to pack a punch in her mystery and thriller tales, while eschewing high-concept hooks and hyped-up #OMGThatTwist endings. The former barrister draws readers in with the depth of her characters and quality of her writing, and splits your defences with well-placed uppercuts, rather than looping haymakers.

Her outstanding rural suspense, Remember Me, winner of the 2023 Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Novel, was the last book to make me cry, and in Home Truths Norman stirs similarly strong, if different, emotions.

Livia Denby is used to dealing with criminals in her role as a Yorkshire probation officer, but now she’s at risk of a lengthy prison term, as a jury is deliberating whether Livia is guilty of attempted murder and other crimes. After the happiness of a family birthday turns to tragedy, Livia’s husband, Scott, a well-respected teacher, stumbles into the world of online conspiracy theories and grifting charlatans. As Scott seeks answers, or comfort, the lives of Livia and their children, Heidi and Noah, are upturned, inviting more tragedy and terror. What would you do if your child’s life was in danger? Home Truths is a terrifying and all-too plausible tale of how the wounds of grief can cause otherwise sensible people to go down disinformation rabbit holes.

Masterfully written, it shows a massively talented author at the top of her game.

[This review was first written for Good Reading magazine in Australia, and published in their August 2024 issue]

This was a thrilling read, making you question just how far you would go to save your child. A tale as old as man written in a new and exciting way. I loved this book

This was an interesting read. We meet Scott and Livia, who have two children and are happily married. However, when Scott’s brother dies suddenly Scott realises he needs answers but then finds himself believing in all sorts of theories which turns his and Livia’s families lives upside down.

I enjoyed the storyline and the way the story was told in each characters point of view. It was easy to follow and I didn’t see the reveal coming, I read that part twice!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Charity Norman is an incredibly brilliant author and her books, while being very different, are always totally addictive. I couldn't tear myself away from this book and have lost many hours sleep, (in the best way ever), being held in thrall by this story. How a seemingly happy, normal family can have their lives changed so massively by a simple, random incident, is the focus of the story. The characters of mum, 13 year old daughter and 4 year old son were all likeable but the dad, Scott, made me want to scream! It does show, though, how a normal, rational person can get sucked into cults and conspiracy theory groups as Scott did and the serious outcomes for his family. The Covid pandemic was covered really well and I loved the courtroom drama towards the end. I absolutely loved this book and it is right up there with my favourite books of all time. I am recommending this very highly to all my contacts. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am completely and utterly in awe at just how amazing this book is and I cannot find the words to give it the justice it deserves but I will try. This was a read that took over my life for three days and completely different to what I was expecting it to be when I started it and impossible to describe without spoiling it.
We have all been there in a small way I’m sure listening to conspiracy theories, thinking about if there was something in it and that’s normal I think but this book makes you realise how dangerous this can become and how it can affect you and your family but again I will say no more on this plot line only to say it’s an amazingly powerful read.
I loved everything about this book the story so well crafted, the writing was perfection and a superb twist towards the end made it my favourite read of the year so far and I really cannot praise it enough , my only sadness is that I finished it and I miss it !
Many many thanks to Charity Norman for giving me so much pleasure in a 5 star read.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Atlantic Books, Allen and Unwin for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Charity Norman smashes is out the park yet again!

Perfect for those who enjoy:
- Dysfunctional relationships
- Storylines that explore guilt and grief
- Courtroom drama
- Conspiracy theory novels
- Knock on effect stories

With thanks to Atlantic books and Netgalley for an ARC copy in return for an honest review.

I have read a few books from this author and enjoyed them all. This one I enjoyed from the beginning and then I found it wasn't for me unfortunately.

It was hard to get into the storyline and just didn't grip me nor was I keen on the characters.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atlantic Books for this ARC I just wish I could have enjoyed it more

Home Truths by Charity Norman

Charity Norman is one of my must-buy authors, because although you don’t see many people talking about her work I find it really intelligent with a particular insight into difficult and dysfunctional relationships of all kinds. She’s also great at bringing the issues of modern day society to bear on those relationships, exploring whether they get stronger or whether they crack. Livia Denby is a probation officer on trial for attempted murder and the jury have reached a verdict. Everything went wrong two years before, on a particular Saturday morning as Livia and her family are celebrating daughter Heidi’s birthday. Livia and husband Scott have bought her a new bike and she’ll get to try it out on her planned bike ride to a local pub with her dad. Scott has promised to take her for a birthday lunch and she’s really excited to have her dad to herself. Scott is one of those people with lots of responsibilities; he’s a father, an English teacher and cares for his brother who has Down’s Syndrome and diabetes. The phone keeps ringing and Heidi can see their outing slipping away, her uncle has already called twice because he’s confused they’re not going to Tesco as usual. So before the phone can ring again, Heidi takes it and slips it down the back of the armchair. It’s a momentary decision with terrible consequences.

Livia awaits their return with terrible news. Scott’s brother accidentally locked himself out of the house and then had a hypo. Despite help from passers by, the paramedics were unable to revive him. He died before he even reached the hospital. When Scott finally finds his phone there are several missed calls and one plaintive, heartbreaking voice mail that Scott can’t stop listening to. Guilt complicates grief and Scott starts looking for answers. He fixates on something one of the passers by said about the ambulance taking a long time and the paramedics taking a while to make a decision. He starts to research medical negligence, watching videos on YouTube and making links with content creators who talk about ‘Big Pharma.’ I could already see the path he was on because it happened to my husband last year when our local air base was requisitioned by the government for asylum seeker accommodation. He did his basic training there and knew it had been used for refugees before after WW2. Sadly, right-wing racist group from a different part of the country hijacked local protests and turned the camp gates into a protest against all asylum seekers. My husband was so angry they were using images and the legacy of the Dam Busters to peddle hatred. It consumed him so much that he was constantly on social media fighting against their viewpoint and became sucked into a hellish echo chamber of Nazism. He felt like the whole world was racist, but he hadn’t realised that the algorithm behind social media channels is simply to give you more of what you’re viewing. I had to explain using BookTwitter which is mostly a lovely, benign and accepting part of Twitter/X. Thankfully he closed his account and instead is taking positive steps to support the asylum seekers when and if they arrive. As I was reading I could see that Scott was so vulnerable, so desperately sad and ripe for manipulation.

Scott finds a content creator called Dr Jack who claims to work in the NHS but in Scotland. He hides behind a mask, a voice simulator and a cartoon avatar. He talks about Big Pharma, the danger of vaccines and how health fears can be used to control the population. Behind it all is the global conspiracy of the New World Order, a shadowy cabal of billionaires, celebrities and politicians who are the real power in the world. They have the ability to control governments and democracy, both of which give us an illusion of control. It’s not long before he is messaging Scott directly and taking him deeper down the rabbit hole. Heidi is due to have her HPV vaccine at school and after contacting Dr Jack, Scott is keen to take direct action. Without talking to Livia he refuses to sign Heidi’s consent form. Then he uses a video suggested by Dr Jack in his English class, making a link between vaccines and fatal consequences. The video shows a supposedly dead girl in the morgue, a girl with long red hair rather like Heidi. By lunchtime the school is full of terrified teenage girls and the head is inundated with calls from angry parents. Poor Heidi is thrown into the spotlight and the head is left with no option but to suspend Scott. When Livia tries to talk to him she can’t get through and Scott tells her she’s just not listening to him. When she looks into her husband’s eyes all she can see is the fervour of the fanatic.

Meanwhile, Livia is acting slightly out of character too. She’s working with an old con called Charlie who’s about to be released from prison into a hostel, where Livia will act as his probation officer. He’s served most of his sentence with time off for good behaviour. Livia is sure they’ll make a strong team and she’s sure Charlie is reformed from his days as a gangland enforcer called The Garotter. Charlie is a great listener and once he’s in the community they meet at a local cafe for lunch and to check in, so it’s easy to slip into confidences. Something personal is disclosed and she immediately checks herself, she must keep her professional boundaries. However, as Scott’s obsession worsens Livia feels like she’s losing her best friend and the usual person she would talk to. Despite being off work, he isn’t pulling his weight at home. He’s up till the small hours, researching his theories and then haranguing people with them at parties. Livia is lost and embarrassed. She needs somewhere to offload and surely it can’t do any harm to disclose to Charlie now and again? At least Scott has his old university friend nearby, giving him someone to talk to and take him to the pub when it all gets too much for Livia. She is the only one keeping the family on track and the pressure is huge. She’s trying to shield Heidi from Scott’s wilder ideas and managing their son Noah’s asthma. The kids seem ok but it’s hard to know. In the section narrated by Heidi we realise she isn’t ok. She’s pouring herself into making music with her friend Flynn, but the guilt is killing her. She thinks she caused her uncle’s death and finds herself drawn to risky behaviour. There’s no doubt that this is a family in crisis; when will these hairline cracks finally give and begin to break apart? Slowly in the background, we learn about a new coronavirus outbreak in China and it creeps ever closer.

The tension built by the author is too much to bear. She builds her characters so well that they feel authentic and I could feel Livia’s heartbreak that the man she loves is slipping away. I could also feel Scott’s desperation as he tries to make sense of a tragedy that’s so difficult to comprehend there must be a reason. When faced with a tragedy humans have to make sense of what’s happened. We’re hard wired to detect patterns in events, because it’s terrifying to accept that life is random and chaotic. There must be a reason, because how could the King of rock and roll come to an undignified end in a bathroom? How could a politician and new president who’s filled his countrymen with hope have his life ended by one lucky shot from a random man? Surely a beautiful Princess can’t meet her end in a Paris tunnel because of a drunk driver? There must be something behind it, an intent, a missing clue, a conspiracy. I enjoyed the clever inclusion of experts in the field of online grooming and brain washing and that they were there to support Livia. When someone we love is behaving so illogically, it’s easy to wonder whether everything you’ve thought is wrong and maybe there’s actually some truth in what they’re saying. Livia needs people to say ‘it’s not you’. I was desperate for this lovely family to get through this. Yet I couldn’t help but think a further tragedy lay ahead and that Scott would fall so far out of reach, Livia wouldn’t be able to catch him. As we came closer finding out why Livia was on trial I wondered whether I would be able to understand her actions. I did understand and I hope I would have the courage to do the same in these circumstances. The author captures this whirlwind of feelings so well that I felt emotional. I thought she captured the strangeness and dislocation of the pandemic incredibly well too. This is a book that takes the most traditional of institutions, a nuclear family, then shows us how the dangers of modern life can literally tear it apart. This was an incredible read and I recommend it very highly.


Sorry for the length but I’ve written it for my blog nearer to the publication date.

I loved this book, from one of my favourite authors.

The story is set in Yorkshire, and is told by Livia, a probation officer, her husband Scott, a secondary school teacher, and their teenage daughter Heidi, as they look back on the events that led Livia to be on trial for attempted murder. It starts in early 2022 and then goes back to August 2019, where it all began on Heidi’s 13th birthday.
I really liked Livia and rooted for her right from the first page. Scott however did my head in quite early on! Heidi I felt very sorry for more and more as the story unfolded.

The pace and the twists were perfect all the way through, making me want to find out what was going to happen next.

As I mentioned above Charity Norman is one of my favourite authors and I loved the way she tackled the very beginning of the Covid Pandemic and the ensuing conspiracy theories. Two huge subjects we’ve all been touched by, some more than others. There’s a an excellent author’s note at the end of the book which is a must read.

Highly recommended if you enjoy domestic and courtroom dramas, it's one of my favourite reads this year!

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my early access in exchange for a review .
This was a new author for me .
This was a really interesting and insightful read, dealing with big heavy topics that were thought provoking.
Fast paced and unpredictable with twists and turns.
Shows how tragedy can affect and leave ripples in peoples lives .
Well written and had me completely captivated

This book starts with Livia Denby awaiting the verdict in her trial for attempted murder (that got my attention!). The story then goes back a couple of years to when Livia's life was far more ordinary. It looks at what happened on the "day when everything changed". It's Heidi's birthday (Livia and Scott's 13 year old daughter) and she is going cycling with her dad. Scott leaves with his daughter but without finding his phone. This part is told in Livia's voice however the next part is in Heidi's voice (and this changes from time to time and includes Scott's voice too). Scott's brother who is a worry and a diabetic dies that day. The funeral is seen through Scott's eyes in part.

The book goes on to look at the consequences for Nicky's (Scott's brother) death for all the family. The effects are wide ranging and disturbing. They affect Livia, Scott and Heidi but also Noah who is the youngest member of the family and is asthmatic. The story starts just before the start of the COVID epidemic and is quite obviously "inspired" by events around that time. Scott gets drawn into some dark conspiracy theory orientated parts of the Internet.

I am a real fan of Charity Norman's writing and have enjoyed all her previous books (though I think I might have one more older one to read). However I found this one less appealing to me I guess. The start was good and the last third was pretty much unputdownable but the middle seemed a little slow. Equally my tolerance for conspiracy theories is probably pretty low too. I really liked Livia and Heidi as well as some of the more peripheral characters. The use of the timing around COVID was good. The general remoteness of the setting was nice - North Yorkshire.

I will certainly read anything else by this author but for me this is not the high point of her work even though it is perfectly readable.

Home Truths is a very, very clever book. Before the pandemic of 2020 it would be hard to believe, but this event simply served to reinforce Scott’s wild conspiracy theories and I was completely captivated by the story as it unfolded.

Charity Norman develops her characters brilliantly. I found myself being torn from wanting to scream at Scott to feeling desperately sorry for him. The ‘domino effect’ was fascinating to observe. How one event can create such catastrophe was terrifying.

The power of the internet is paramount in this story. One random event, one viewpoint from a dangerous online lurker leading to one click on a dark website has the potential to destroy everything.

Do find time to read the acknowledgments, which add an extra dimension to the novel.

Loved the unusual premise of this book . Charity Norman writes beautifully with fully developed characters, and riveting storyline. Having read most of her books, I can say each books is different from the other and I hope the wait for her next book isn’t too long. Thoroughly enjoyed everything about this book and know it will stay with me for awhile - so much still to digest.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers, Allen & Unwin for this ARC.

I am a great fan of Charity Norman and the premis of the novel regarding antivaccers and conspiracy theorists is right on the ball. An interesting and entertaining read. Especially the courtroom drama.

Set against a background of conspiracy theories and the first Covid lock down in the UK, this book looks into how far a mother will go to protect her own children, Will she kill, will she attempt to kill to save a child and if so, how will a court of law find her, guilty or not guilty.
First publication I've read by this author and found that it pretty much grabbed me from the off.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for ARC in return for an honest and unbiased review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atlantic Books for this ARC.

In 2022, Livia is in court for attempted murder. How did she get here?

Livia and Scott, with son Noah, 6, who has asthma, and daughter Heidi, 13, used to be a happy family. Livia is a probation officer and Scott a teacher. On Heidi's 13th birthday in 2019, Scott's brother Nicky who had uncontrolled type 1 diabetes, suddenly dies, and it becomes the catalyst for Scott trying to alleviate his guilt by searching for answers for his untimely death online. It is terrifying how easily he falls into a rabbit hole of videos peddling conspiracy theories and fake news, which are only exacerbated when the 2020 COVID pandemic hits and makes him seek solace in the truther community.

"Online recruiters use many of the same techniques we see in quasi-religious sects or cults. They know exactly what they’re doing. They offer community and belonging to individuals who feel disconnected. Relevance to those who feel irrelevant. Purpose and meaning to those whose lives seem pointless."

Livia tries her absolute best to bring Scott back to reality, but he has already lost his friends and his job and acts increasingly irrational.

"I was losing him to an enemy I couldn’t even see."
...
"Ooh, but they were clever. It’s almost like they reached in and grabbed him through his computer screen."

When Scott's beliefs endanger Noah's life, this becomes a high-octane, frantic race to save Noah before it's too late - but is truther Dr Jack someone much closer to home than previously thought? And how far will Livia go to save her son?

It is an all too realistic account of how even sane people can start believing that everyone is out to get them. We get Livia's POV but also Scott's and Heidi's so it's quite balanced out. The characters are believable even though Heidi sounds maybe a bit too adult for her age.

This is one heck of a book. What a powerful, engaging story! It is part family tragedy, part breathless thriller and part courtroom drama, and I was here for all of it.

This is my first book by Charity Norman but it certainly won't be the last. Absolutely gripping until the last page - I read this in a day. Loved, loved, loved. Don't skip the acknowledgements!

What an absolutely fabulous, scary read! It just shows how precarious life can be however secure we may think we are. Charity's characters are so believable. I found it so easy to identify with Livia and the terrible decisions she has to make. It is terrifying how quickly the internet can influence and take over people's thinking especially in worrying times like during the pandemic. A not to be missed book in my opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own

Charity always writes so beautifully and I was delighted to be allowed to read and review her latest book.

A family living in Yorkshire, completely normal life happening on a completely normal day. Until a missing phone sparks a series of events beginning in a family tragedy that unlocks a never ending chain of repercussions for all…..

Livia begins the story in the dock of a courtroom, waiting for the jury to return. We don’t find out until much later what she is on trial for but know it links to the starting point of the book, back in 2019. The pre pandemic days.

I devoured this book and will be highly recommending.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review.

4-5 stars

February 2022

This has a start that pulls you in immediately but the whole thing actually begins in August 2019 with Livia Denby, her family and a lot of what ifs. Livia is a probation officer in North Yorkshire, husband Scott is a teacher and they have two children, Heidi and Noah, who both play a crucial role in the drama that follows. It’s Heidi‘s 13th birthday and a happy family day is planned. However, it’s shattered when they learn of the death of Scott’s much loved older brother Nicky and Scott blames himself, feeling his death avoidable. This is the catalyst, as in his quest for answers, Scott starts to head down a dangerous route looking at medical and other conspiracy theories. Anti-VAX is the very least of it. He vanishes down this particular rabbit hole, getting deeper and deeper immersed in this world, preaching to others at every opportunity he gets. He is totally convinced about what he learns and is especially heavily influenced by one particular. ‘Truther’ and his actions become increasingly drastic.
What impact will this have on his family? How will Livia respond? How far will Scott be prepared to go for his new found beliefs?

This is a good character driven, courtroom and domestic drama which keeps me immersed and horribly fascinated by Scott’s actions. Hell to live with is the very least of it as the family enter a twilight, nightmarish world. The effect he has on his family is done extremely well and you watch in horror at the control and manipulation witnessed as things unravel to say the very least.

The plot is well thought out, the intervening years of 2019 to 2022 are used effectively in the plot and the author is careful to use characters to present a balance on both sides of the conspiracy theory arguments and she does this well. The pacing is good, as is the characterisation and there’s tension alongside a good mix of fear, terror and shock when things are revealed or at the depths of some actions. On occasions it’s quite moving. The Yorkshire setting is used very effectively too and provides plenty of atmosphere to compliment the drama. It builds to a good conclusion.

Overall, this is another intriguing novel from a creative author whose books I thoroughly enjoy. It’s well worth reading the Acknowledgements too.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Atlantic Books, Allen and Unwin for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.