Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to the ARC of The Photo!

A. J. McDine had me hooked from the very beginning and had me guessing all the way to the very twisty ending! I definitely did not see that coming!

Following a cast of characters, this book starts on the 10th anniversary of a horrific murder/possible suicide of a woman and two of her three children. The husband is the main suspect who happens to disappear after it happens only to turn up again.

This was my first AJ McDine book but it won’t be my last!

Jason killed his wife, Isabelle, and their two boys then disappeared in an apparent murder/suicide. However, Lara, Isabelle's sister, has a picture of him from a photo shoot she was just on. Could he be alive? What happened 10 years prior that rocked her entire family?

This book was suspenseful from the moment Lara saw that picture. There are so many twists that you will continue guessing who is behind this horrific crime throughout the entire book. The final chapter will SHOCK you and will leave you wanting more!

This was an ARC provided by Bookotour audio so thanks to them for the opportunity to review.

This book is centred around the murder of a woman and her young twins. The only survivor of the attack is 5 year old Lily who is taken in by her gran and a close part of the family is her Aunt who was a news reporter turned wedding photographer. The 10 year anniversary looms and what will come? Will they finally capture the man suspected all along of the murder, the woman’s husband and father of the children or will things start to unravel to bring to light the real story?

Firstly for the audio, I really enjoyed the narrator and thought she did a great job at telling the story. There were male and female voices but the narrator kept the accents consistent without it being cringy like it sometimes can. I would listen to more by this narrator definitely.

For the story this is definitely a psychological thriller in that it’s a slower burn with tidbits of information peppered throughout. I had a theory around 50% in of where the story was going and it turned out to be right. Therefore it’s not wildly out of the scope of finding out but this may be due to the fact I have read a lot of psychological thrillers.

There is a big twist at the end which made sense and if you hadn’t figured it out, would be a revelation.

Overall as a first read from this author I would give it a 3.5. It kept me entertained, I wasn’t bored, there were enough characters to keep it interesting without being too much to remember or think about.

If you’re looking for an easy listen, this is definitely a good option.

My first clue should have been how overhyped the book was in its listing: "The Photo
A totally addictive and heart-pounding psychological thriller with a breathtaking twist". I am so over the ridiculous marketing word salad that keeps getting appended to every single new book title. Most, like this one, simply don't deserve it.

I can't remember the last time I read a book with a main character who grated as much as Lara did in The Photo. Seriously, she was a disaster of cluelessness and outraged confidence that would rival any conspiracy theorist on social media. There were significant happenings she simply "let go" or would forget about that would send up huge red flags for any sensible person. Then there were hills she was ready to die on with absolutely no reason to believe what she did. So many times, especially toward the end, I really wanted to tell her to JUST SHUT UP.

Unlikeable Lara aside, the story was an okay domestic suspense, but there was no thrill to it. It started out promising, but then it got ridiculous and annoying. If I could have read the book the first 75 pages seemed to be ramping up to, it would have been easily a 4-star book. Instead, the pace slowed considerably and the last 50ish pages were simply painful. I didn't even want to finish it, but alas I did.

There were two twists, one so obvious I rolled my eyes (at no one, in bed) and then another so unnecessary and excessive I can't figure out why it even made it into the book. It was all very shruggable.

It grabbed my attention from the first chapter. Not having read anything by McDine previously, I did have any expectations but I really liked how The Photo was written- descriptive passages and multiple, well identified, POVs. I was totally blindsided by the many twists.
The audiobook’s narration by Tamsin Kennard is clear and well paced. The voice portrayals are consistent and well suited. Enjoyed the suspense! I look forward to finding more books by this author.
Thank You to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to listen to and enjoy this ARC.

🎧Audio Book Review🎧

The Photo
AJ McDine

🌟🌟🌟🌟

This was my first read by this author, but is definitely going to be one of many.

Photographer Lara spots someone from her past in the background of a photo she's taken whilst editing.
Ten years ago her sister and nephews were murdered. The main suspect, the husband, disappeared leaving an almost dead daughter Lily behind - but has he returned to finish the job?

In terms of plot, this seemed like a pretty straight forward one. I had a theory and everything fell into place beautifully.
This didn't deter me wanting to read nor spoil my enjoyment of the book and the events that were taking place.

We follow this over a past and present timeline and as the story progresses, we learn more about the night of the murder and the other characters involved helping us also piece together the events happening now in the present.
This was really well done and I was still confident about the theory I'd worked out.
However, the plot gradually becomes more and more complex and more and more characters shift into being suspects and I spent a good while trying to make new theories.

I loved the shift in dynamics between all the characters. I can't say too much here, but there was a lot going on and I feel like I changed my opinion of most of them throughout the book.

This kept me gripped from start to finish and even when I thought it was all explained.....there was more to come.
There were so many twists right to the very end!

A great read which was well written and I can't wait to read more like this!


💕Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my ARC copy - this is my honest review 💕

I loved this book. One of my favorites I’ve read this year. I dislike the cover of the book which is a big thing for me when deciding on what books to read. I’m so glad I read it. Twists were great. Not knowing who the villains were and questioning everything made this so much fun. It’s dark and sad but still very enjoyable. It was a perfect thriller to me. I will be following this Author now and waiting for more books from them!

I was chosen for an ARC on NetGalley for this book and I’m so glad I was. Thank you to Bookouture Audio and AJ McDine for selecting me.

A.J. McDine is the real deal, a really talented writer of psychological thrillers. It doesn’t surprise me to learn that she is a former journalist and police press officer herself, as her books bring a level of detail and authenticity that speak to firsthand knowledge of how criminal investigations might unfold in real life. This is the second book I’ve had the opportunity to listen to from this author via NetGalley, and I was so engrossed that I finished in just a day.

In The Photo, Lara, a former journalist herself who is biding time as a wedding photographer until she can sustain herself as a landscape photographer, is editing a photo of just such a landscape and sees a familiar face. She is certain it is her brother-in-law Jason, who she hasn’t seen in 10 years — when he was presumed to have killed himself after killing her sister and two nephews. Her niece Lily was the only survivor of this horrific crime, but didn’t remember much at age 5. Now 15, things are starting to come back to her, and she decides to create a TikTok account to tell her story to a true crime audience.

Suddenly things start to go very wrong in their little remaining family. Who has it out for Lara, her mother and her niece? It’s obviously Jason, with plenty to lose if he’s caught and arrested, right? But not so fast. The book presents several characters who may be innocent but may be perpetrators — and when the final twist came, I wasn’t rolling my eyes like I have with some thriller writers, where it feels like throwing in one more thing just for the sake of it. It felt authentic and believable and just left me wanting more.

The Photo publishes July 11 and, after these two books, this writer is going to be on my automatic read list going forward. I need to dig into her back catalog a bit as well. Thank you so much #NetGalley #Bookouture and #AJMcDine for the excellent advance listen!

Loved this Audio book I listened to it in a couple of days
Lots of twists and turns just what I like in a book
Give it a listen or read

Audiobook Title: The Photo
Author: A.J. McDine
Genre: Domestic Thriller
Format: 🎧
Audiobook Narrator: Tamsin Kennard
Publisher: Bookouture Audio
Pub Date: July 11, 2024
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Pages: 339


Story starts with Lara a photographer who take a photo and it appears Jason her brother-in-law in the background. Only he killed himself ten-year-ago after murdering Isabelle his wife (Lara’s sister) as well as little Jack and Milo, their two-year-old twins who were killed in their beds; and five-year-old, Lily, was severely injured.

Now ten years later Lily is a teenager and has a true crime pod cast and has updated it as she too believes she saw her father.

Lara wants authorities to deal with find Jason and not reporters and other social media crime fighters. She is upset with Lilly for doing the pod cast.

I love a good audiobook and I do like narrator Tamsin Kennard as her performance of the characters is always spot on!
I did get frustrated with shouting at Lara to think before she goes into her profanity rants – true, I have a low threshold for obscenities. Although I didn’t like Lilly’s language I do know that most teens have ‘no filter’.

Story kept me curious. It really was a quick read as I was carrying my tablet from room-to-room as I couldn’t stop listening to this story.
I read a lot of psychological thriller so was sure I had it somewhat figured out.
Nope!! The ending was a surprise!

This is only my second A.J. McDine story, The other was " The Baby".
A.J. lives in Kent, UK and is married to A.J. Willis; also a psychological thriller author has two sons and three rescue cats.
She worked as a journalist and police press officer until she realized writing fiction was much more fun. Now she is the author of six dark, domestic thrillers. Her goal is to keep readers guessing till the very last page.
She writes dark, domestic thrillers about ordinary people in extraordinary situations. When she’s not writing, playing tennis or attempting to run a 5k, she can usually be found people-watching in her favorite café.

Want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for granting me this early audio Galley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for July 11, 2024.

Wow, thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me experience this audiobook early! "Good book" doesn't even begin to cover it. This was a rollercoaster ride of mystery and chills!

The story starts with a seemingly quiet neighborhood rocked by a horrific family tragedy ten years ago. But as the layers peel back, it becomes clear there's so much more to the story than anyone realized. The author absolutely floored me with their ability to keep me guessing – I was constantly on the edge of my seat wondering what shocking secret would be revealed next.

And let's talk about that ending! Completely unexpected, but in the best way possible. It left me reeling, but in a way that just makes you want to rewind and listen all over again. The narration was phenomenal too, really bringing the characters and story to life.

This audiobook is more than just good – it's a must-listen for anyone who loves a good mystery with a killer twist!

The Photo is yet another amazing book from AJ McDine. The story follows Lara, a former journalist turned wedding photographer, as she is forced to face the trauma of her sister’s death. 10 years later, her sister Isabelle and two nephews are gone and their deaths remain a mystery. It is assumed they were part of a murder suicide plot with their dad Jason.

As we follow Lara through her life thru photos, we go back to the story. With the help of Lara’s surviving niece, this intricately woven web becomes untangled… or maybe even more tangled? The audiobook for this is phenomenal and I includes one of my favorite ever narrators. I believe this book will be a hit and congratulations and thank you to the author for the opportunity to receive an ARC of this book!

AJ McDine has created yet another amazing psychological thriller. Multiple POVs creates more suspense, while allowing the reader to establish a connection with the characters. Keeps you on your toes right until the end!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
I LOVED this audiobook. Plenty of mystery and thrills too. A horrific family annihilation in a mostly quiet neighbors ten years ago now reveals so much about so many.
Author did a phenomenal job holding my interest and having me wonder what really happened.
And oh boy did I not expect that ending! Definitely a surprise that is well worth the listen.
Great job! Narration was phenomenal as well.
This was a good book.

A great story with numerous twists and turns that leads you to a jaw dropping ending, I really loved this part, such a shocker! I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good thriller!

Great book, fabulous ending

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The only complaint I have is that I listened to it at double speed (slow readers drive me crazy) and so it was over way too fast.

The story is simple. A woman and her young twin sons were murdered and her young daughter was seriously injured. Her husband was no where to be found. The presumption was that he killed them and either committed suicide or went into hiding. Years later his sister-in-law was doing her job as a wedding photographer and noticed someone who looked exactly like the missing husband in a photo. She tries to figure out what is going on, while also protecting her niece from any danger the husband may want to cause.

The ending found a solution that was no big surprise, but it was still good. Then there was more. A twist came that was totally unexpected, but not a stupid jump the shark type of thing. It made me stop what I was doing to listen completely.

Excellent read.

Thanks Netgalley for my copy.

I enjoyed this book but I am getting really tired of stupid, annoying teenagers always thinking they know best and then going and doing something ridiculously stupid. You can guarantee in every novel at the moment with a person aged 14 to 18 in it, they will put themselves in danger after insisting how "grown" and "independent" they are. It's really boring now.

Anyway, besides that, the story was alright and the characterisation was good.

Happy to read more by McDine.

I really enjoyed this audiobook. It kept me engaged and on the edge of my seat! Not to mention, the ending wraps everything up nicely! And I was NOT expecting the killer reveal. The whole time listening to the audiobook, I thought I had it figured out, but I certainly did not!

This was a quick listen for me, at 2x and it was the perfect speed. I also really enjoyed the narrator!

If your looking for a book, that has twists and turns, this is it!

At first I was a bit annoyed by our main character Laura. But as I kept on going she really grew on me and I started to really enjoy this twisty story about a family torn apart by a horrible crime! I particularly liked how everybidy tries to go on after such a tragedy. All the characters are so human and that's what I like best!
Tamsin Kennard, like always, performs perfectly!
Thank you #NetGalley #Bookouture Audio for this audiobook

An unputdownable, fast paced psychological thriller!
After the murder of her sister and her twin nephews 10 years earlier, Laura sees the suspected killer in a photo she took the day before. The face looking back at her is her sister’s husband, Jason, who disappeared the night they were murdered and was presumed dead. Only her 5 year old niece survived the grizzly murders. Shocked, she questions herself and what she is seeing.
As the story unfolds it is confirmed that Jason has returned on the 10th anniversary of the murders. Laura notifies the police and starts to look for Jason, using contacts from the past. She fears they are all in danger. Has Jason returned to finish what he started? Can she keep her niece safe?
The author and narrator do a great job of keeping the intrigue and thrills at a peak in this book. There are twists and turns and the final twist is jaw dropping.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.