I already enjoy books by m j Aldridge but have never read a book by steph broadribb so I was intrigued by this collaboration, it definitely did not disappoint!
Jennie & her best friend Hannah have planned to meet up & run away to London together but Hannah never turns up & is never seen again! Fast forward 30 years & jennie, now a high ranking decective in the police force, gets a call to say human remains have been found in the flooring of her old school which was set to be demolished. Are these hannahs remains or is she still out there not wanting to be found? Will meeting with old school friends & acquaintances bring secrets out of the woodwork & what do they know about hannah? And can jennie stay professional when she is looking into the disappearance of her childhood friend or will she allow her emotions to get in the way?
I devoured this book in less than 24 hours it had you hooked from the start & left you guessing right until the end. I would definitely recommend this to any thriller fan or even if you fancy a who dunnit read!

I loved this story and can imagine it as a tv series, the relationship between the old school friends and how their lives had evolved. Secrets, family issues, alcohol and drugs and lies lots of lies. It kept me guessing to
the end.

I would say this was a good, fast 4 star read for me. I had suspicions all through the book but wasn't 100% correct. I can't wait to read more from this author. It kept me entertained and guessing.

Jenny had spent 30 years thinking her high school best friend Hannah left her waiting and wondering what ever happened to her. Fast forward to her adult life as a detective and a body found at her high school has her reexamining old wounds and trying to solve the mystery.

I thought this was a decent read however wanted a bit more of a mystery. I think from the onset it was obvious of who was going to be found guilty. I also think there was a bit of a disconnect with the attack on her.

Thank you for the advance copy!

The prologue efficiently sets the tone for the mystery that lies ahead. I couldn’t put this book down from the start! The story of Jenny and her mission to seek justice is captivating. I pride myself on guessing the murderer in each thriller/mystery that I read, and I’m happy to say I was unsure and unaware until the very end. The amount of drama and suspense in this book had me flying through the pages! I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed a book this much!

Jennie Whitmore wanted to escape White Cross as an 18 year old but when her best friend Hannah didn't arrive for the bus to take them both to London Jennie ended up staying and settling into life there, eventually becoming a police officer. Following a school reunion for White Cross Academy pupils in anticipation of the building being demolished the next day, Jennie gets an early wake up call - a body's been found buried in the foundations of the old building and she can only wonder if the mystery of Hannah's disappearance will now finally be resolved?

With such an intriguing premise and the fast paced introduction to the overall mystery I really wanted to love this book. It's exactly the kind of crime thriller I usually enjoy and whilst it grabbed my attention initially I very quickly tired of the repetition of Jennie having to hide her connection to the body found in the school and having to hide her emotions. It felt unethical and a thin plot device to make sure she could stay investigating the case and it wore thin on me as a reader.

I was fully invested for the first 75-100 pages of the story but then my enjoyment dipped due to my annoyance at Jennie's actions and thought processes and the fact that the middle section felt a lot slower paced with what I felt to be unnecessary elements. But I did enjoy the final quarter and I liked that there were plenty of red herrings and multiple viable suspects revealed and the conclusion overall felt pretty satisfying. I think most readers of small town murder mysteries will likely enjoy this book but unfortunately for me there were several story elements just didn't work for me.

2.75*

Thank you to Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group | Orion for this digital review copy of "The Reunion" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

Jennie Whitmore is a cop who attended White Cross Academy 30 years ago when her best friend Hannah went missing. They start to demolish the building and they find the body of Hannah. Jennie is heartbroken and suspects that someone from their group done it. She uncovers secrets and lies among her friends.
This was a gripping story that had my attention from start to finish. Thanks NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for this eARC that will be released September 5, 2024!

While the opening of the book gripped me, I struggled to connect with the beginning portion. There was a point where I considered putting it down but am really glad I didn’t because it definitely picked up for me at about 40% and I loved the back half!

I really liked the element of her running the information she learns in the present investigation to the details she remembers from the past. I also enjoyed the behind-the-scenes police procedural aspects! The photography and picture development added a nice atmospheric element to the book.

The pacing felt a bit off at times, sometimes moving too quickly and others dragging a bit. I also felt like I would have enjoyed this more had it been written from a first person perspective. I think I would have connected a bit more to Jennie’s character that way. Some scenes, while very riveting in their own regard, felt out of place with the story and may have been better served to have been more thoroughly woven into the plot. They were enjoyable aspects to read, and I can see their purpose, but felt a bit jarring in how they were presented.

I loved that there were plenty of options for the killer. I was kept guessing on suspects the whole time and enjoyed that I never quite felt confident on who it was. The ending was great and I liked how it wrapped up!

Thank you to M. J. Arlidge, Steph Broadribb, Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for an ARC of this thriller! It was a pleasure to read and give my honest review!

This fast and twisty thriller did not disappoint! I am a big fan of M.J. Arlidge and was excited to read his new release with co-author Steph Broadribb. I now have a new author to read!

The Reunion is a fast-paced mystery/thriller that keeps you second-guessing page after page. I really enjoyed the book and highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a story that can be devoured in a few sittings.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group /Orion for sharing this book’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.

Happy reading everyone!

I found the writing to be redundant and trite. I can see the appeal to a partial crowd or age gap though..

I am a real fan of M,J. Arlidge this one didn’t disappoint Jennie has always wondered where her missing friend went so many years ago now she has become a Police Officer she gets a call that a body has been found in a college which is going to be demolished she hopes its not Hannah if it is she can’t let them know that they were best friends as she will be taken off the case which proves difficult as she will have to speak to her old school friends it’s a real page turner and the end was brilliant,

Thank you to Netgalley and Orion Publishing group for an ARC

I couldn’t put it down!

An incredible read peppered with twists and served with’Hold your breath’ reveals! This is a book you will always remember.

Written with pure immersive storytelling, an ensemble of characters hiding secrets.. All of them suspects and all proof that no matter how much time passes the past is never far behind you, it is always there like a shadow and the authors use that fact, bringing us to a shocking conclusion.

I was caught from the get-go and cannot recommend this brilliant thriller highly enough.

5 Stars absolutely deserved.

This book is absolutely brilliant! I really enjoyed the story and the characters. I liked the cast of dodgy characters and trying to figure out who the guilty person was.

Former student, DI Jennie Whitemore arrives at her school reunion but she has regrets. Her best friend from school, Hannah, isn't there, as she disappeared, thought to have run away. The five people she does know there, from the old photography club, were never really that nice to her and they haven't changed. The day after the reunion, a body is found at the old school building site and Jennie is involved in the investigation.
As Jennie continues the investigation, it becomes clear they are all keeping secrets.

This was another intriguing mystery and while it was slower in parts, there were plenty of twists to keep me engaged. Thank you to NetGalley and Orion Publishing for this gifted review copy.

thank you so much to net galley for this arc .jennie is a detective trying to find out who killed her best friend and who buried the body under the school. so this book fell kinda flat for me i wanted more back ground on the characters.

The Reunion is a compelling mystery with a deep emotional core. The story begins with a dramatic twist—a human skull is discovered during the demolition of White Cross Academy. DI Jennie Whitmore, tackling her first major investigation, must uncover the truth behind the remains of Hannah Jennings, a missing student whose case has left a dark mark on the town.

The novel shines with its intricate character development and atmospheric setting. The group of former friends at the center of the mystery each hold their own secrets, making for a suspenseful and engaging read. While the pacing slows in parts, the narrative builds effectively to a satisfying conclusion.

Overall, The Reunion is a captivating blend of mystery and emotional depth, offering a gripping read for fans of character-driven thrillers.

DI Jennie Whitmore is unexpectedly drawn into a murder investigation that hits a little too close to home. When a human skull is found during the demolition of her old school, Jennie is horrified to discover that it belongs to her best friend, Hannah, who disappeared without a trace 30 years ago.

As Jennie delves into the case, she must confront the dark secrets of her past and the tangled web of lies that surround her old circle of friends. Just how well did she know them, and how will she keep the case, given her history with the group?

We’ve some interesting characters, each with their own complex motivations and histories, adding depth and intrigue to the narrative. Drama with her colleagues and her boss added tension to the story, although one side plot seemed a little irrelevant to the story - a red herring, I suppose.

The pacing is good, with twists and turns that kept me guessing for a long time. The book effectively blends elements of a classic whodunnit with the psychological tension of a modern thriller.

I found Jennie to be slightly irritating at times, but her determination to uncover the truth and her struggle with personal biases made her a compelling protagonist. I thought that one element of the book (I can’t say more without spoilers) was far fetched but I ploughed on regardless and was glad I did.

If, like me, you enjoy a small-town murder mystery, offering a satisfying blend of dark history, complex relationships, and a twisty plot then I’d recommend giving this one a go.

A huge thanks to the authors, Orion, and to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book for review consideration.  All opinions are my own.

Jennie has lived in White Cross all her life. There was a point 30 years ago that she did want to leave and make a new start. But, she didn't go.

Fast forward 30 years, and Jennie is now a detective in White Cross. And, a case is called in. Human remains have been found buried in the schools basement. It turns out that Jennie has a close connection to the find. Jennie is invested personally in this case. She now wants to know. Who murdered her friend?

I absolutely love M J Alridge's Helen Grace series. So, I knew I had to read this book. The storyline and development were excellent. Slowly, Jennie uncovers new evidence and delves into the lies and alibis of those in the frame. Will she discover the murderers identity before they get to her?

I did have a slight annoyance with this story. I'm a small town girl, and around where I live, we all know everyone and everyone's business. From present to the far past. In this story, apparently nobody really knew Jennie. Despite having lived in White Cross for over 30 years and working her way up the ranks in the police force. She was able to lead the investigation into a murder of her best friend. But, nobody knew that they were friends.

But, anyway, I had to put this qualm to the back of my head and go into the story, believing what I'm expected to. As I've said, the story is excellent. And the discoveries and twists were great.

It didn't take me long to get through the story, and as the lies start unravelling, the pace quickens until we get to the reveal

The Reunion by M.J Arlidge & Steph Broadribb
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OUT 5th September 2024
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It's a brilliant Whodunit small town murder mystery. Told from various perspectives, including the lead detective, this story had me gripped the whole way. It's absolutely brilliant 5 big stars 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
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Thanks, @netgalley @m_j_arlidge @crimethrillergirl
And @orionbooks for my arc
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This book is written by two authors but you would never know because it is written seamlessly from start to finish.

The story is told over eight days, day one is when a body is found at a school that Jennie used to go to. She is now a police detective and is leading the case. She learns that the body is her old friend. We soon learn she has conflicted interest in the case so has to tread very carefully. Over the eight days we follow the investigation to find out who the killer is.

I enjoyed reading this book, the characters were not very likeable though but they made a good story. I found it to be a good crime thriller.

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