Emma is single and lives with her mother, stepfather and stepsister Becky and Ava who is Emma’s daughter in a small council flat. Emma has a neurological disorder that stops her from working and her Stepsister Becky looks after her daughter. Her stepfather thinks that she should get over it and get herself a job. She lives everyday from getting abuse from her family.
So when she meets Adam, who is separating from his wife they seem to have a connection, Adam has a nice house just up the road with his wife Celeste who Adam tells her that she is violent towards him. So, the pair decide to hatch a plan to get rid of Celeste. But nothing is straightforward as it seems when Emma finds out that Adam is not what he claims to be.
I didn’t know what to expect from this debut novel by Chris Bridges, But I found ‘Sick to death’ to be a surprisingly good read full of suspense and an advocate to anyone that suffers with a neurological condition.
Emma is a great character, and the author has portrayed very well regarding her condition and making sure that we are aware just because someone has a condition like this not as helpless as to be believed. Albeit a bit slow and at first, I thought I knew where this story was going but I was wrong, This story has lots of surprises along the way. 5 stars from me.

Possible spoilers


I was happily enjoying this book, thinking it was good, but just a tad predictable.
Until it wasn't. Then I enjoyed it a whole lot more.
Whilst the first half probably had you all sympathetic to Emma, it had me suspicious... was she really ill.
So I watched every move she made carefully, and I was still surprised by her actions, and those of a few others.
This book came recommended to me by a friend, so I best go thank them.
Good fun.

SICK TO DEATH BY CHRIS BRIDGES.
Release date set for the 27th of March 2025.
I was honestly shocked to discover that this book is the author's debut novel.
It's so original.
I loved the story line, i loved the writing style and the suspense is so gripping.
Huge congratulations Chris Bridges on your debut novel.
I can't wait to see what's next.

Toxicity in your life can not only exacerbate an illness beyond medical understanding, but it can actually be the route cause.

Emma has been living with FND, a chronic illness that is not only hard to diagnose effectively, or treat, but is also a chronic illness that has no visible or provable symptoms. Often adding an additional layer of stress and manageability due to appeasing others’ judgement or being able to action a proper treatment plan.
 
But when your main issues come from within the home, the one place where you should feel safe and supported, it is enough to make you feel murderous… A great look at FND and how allies in our lives can be found anywhere.

Great book. Was up all night reading it. I loved the characters & the storyline. I totally recommend reading this book straight away, the twists and turns are fab. Definitely 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Chris Bridges’ Sick to Death is a dark and deeply engrossing psychological thriller that masterfully explores themes of chronic illness, invisibility, and the destructive power of resentment. With its gripping narrative, morally complex characters, and sharp social commentary, this debut novel offers a standout experience for fans of psychological suspense.

Emma, the protagonist, suffers from a debilitating neurological condition that leaves her confined to her family’s cramped council house and dependent on those who fail to support her emotionally. Bridges vividly captures the isolation and frustration Emma feels, creating a realistic portrayal of life with an invisible disability. When she meets Adam, a charismatic doctor, Emma sees a chance for change, but his marriage to Celeste complicates her dreams. Driven by desperation and a growing obsession, Emma begins to navigate morally ambiguous territory, with consequences that spiral out of control.

The first half of the novel is a slow burn, focusing on Emma’s struggles and her growing infatuation with Adam. This careful buildup immerses readers in Emma’s perspective, making her emotions raw and tangible. The second half shifts to multiple perspectives, adding complexity to the narrative and heightening the tension as secrets unravel and motives are revealed. While the twists are compelling, the transition between the novel’s two halves introduces occasional repetition and moments that strain credibility.

Bridges uses Emma’s love for birds as a recurring motif, symbolizing her yearning for freedom from her physical and emotional constraints. This element, while poignant, might feel overdone for some readers. The conclusion ties up loose ends quickly but leaves a lingering unease, which fits the psychological thriller genre’s tone.

Overall, Sick to Death is a haunting and thought-provoking debut that balances suspenseful storytelling with an empathetic exploration of chronic illness. Chris Bridges delivers a narrative that challenges perceptions and stays with readers long after the final page. For those seeking a psychological thriller with depth, unexpected twists, and a compellingly flawed protagonist, this book is a must-read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"Sick to Death" by Chris Bridges is a psychological thriller but you don't really know that until the twists kick in. Up until then you just think it is a book about an ill girl who meets a dreamy guy with a horrible wife. I really did feel sorry for Emma and the way that she had been ousted from her room and forced to sleep on the sofa, especially as she is so unwell. Like many readers, I did prefer the second half of the book when various other points of view are presented and build extra layers of plot.

I found this book took a bit of getting into, I was about half way through before I felt the pace pick up. Some good twists to the story and liked the ending. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC.

Sick to Death is the debut novel by Chris Bridges and it was a really good read. I did however find the first,half of the book a rather slow burn but I did find the pace increased in the second half with lots going on. There were a few good twists that I certainly didn’t see coming and that ending !

This is a pretty powerful, strong debut novel full of twists and turns.
If I'm honest I didn't particularly like Emma's character especially in the first half, I tried to empathise because of her illness and her horrible family but found her quite irritating, I also wondered where the story was going, however once I got through the 50% mark I was engrossed and rooting for her to have a happy ending.
It's a rollercoaster of a read filled with deceit and intruige.
I will leave my review on Goodreads, Bookmory and Storygraph now and on Amazon on publication day

Emma, a single mum, has a chronic illness which leaves her permanently exhausted and unable to look after her daughter. She now lives with her mother, horrible step-father and step-sister who help raise Emma’s daughter. This is a twisty domestic thriller with expertly drawn characters. Told in several POVs with unique insight into someone with a chronic illness, it breaks the stereotype. The pace slowly builds to a gripping conclusion.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley UK for the ARC.

Wow! Absolutely loved it. It has a different premise and looks at a lead who is disabled and sick and her perspectives. It is a psychological thriller with her at the core which makes it quite gripping and different. It talks about her struggles and makes the reader understand her motivations. Definitely loved this one as it kept me guessing.

Thank you Avon Books UK and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review.

This book pleasantly surprised me. I started reading it with low expectations, but ended up absolutely enjoying the book. It is well written, with lots of thrills and plot twists that kept me engaged from the start till the last page. I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next book by this author.
Thanks to Avon Books UK and Netgalley for giving me a chance to review this book.

#SickToDeath #NetGalley
Chris Bridges’ Sick to Death is a darkly twisted and engrossing psychological thriller that dives headfirst into themes of obsession, manipulation, and vengeance. The narrative challenges readers’ perceptions at every turn, offering a protagonist who is as unreliable as she is fascinating.
Sick to Death explores themes of illness, invisibility, and the destructive power of resentment. It also raises thought-provoking questions about morality and the lengths to which someone might go when they feel wronged or overlooked.
Chris Bridges delivers a dark, unsettling thriller with Sick to Death. Emma’s twisted perspective and the book’s sharp social commentary make it a standout read for fans of psychological suspense. This is a story that will keep you guessing—and leave you feeling uneasy long after the final page.
A gripping, thought-provoking thriller with a protagonist you’ll love to hate.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for giving me an advance copy.

This was a very different read and at times broke my heart with the lack of care and understanding this poor woman has around her disability. People find it very hard sometimes to empathise with someone with a disability especially if it’s not always visible to someone and this book showed it. The treatment she received from her family was horrific and when she finally meets the man of her dreams it looks like she will be able to break away from her family and find true happiness there are just a few things in her way. I won’t say more on this as it will spoil it but I loved it. It is so nice to have a disabled character at the forefront of the story and the author made me fall in love with her. Hopefully this book will make people think a bit more about what some people go through every day.

Thoroughly enjoyed joyable read full of suspense. The main character is Emma who is suffering mainly from a psychological illness affecting her mobility and living with her mother and step father who treats her abominablly. There are lots of twists and surprises in the storyline and I would recommend this as a great read.

A very solid and gripping read, this was my first book by this author but I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for more

Absolutely brilliant book!
I am a big fan of this author and love the writing style!
I cant wait to read more!

As a chronically ill person, I adored how the novel doesn't shy away from the darkness in sickness. The simmering rage against a society that demeans and marginalises is perfectly articulated in Emma. Characters like Peter are apt vessels for the challenges faced by a lack of empathy chronically ill people face. Without giving anything away, the novel retains authenticity whilst allowing for a victory of sorts, which I very much enjoyed! Bring on way more novels with ill protagonists being angry and raw!

This was such a clever, twisty and addictive thriller. It certainly kept me guessing.

The first half was a slow burn, getting to know and understand our main players. You really do appreciate Emma’s situation and isolation due to her illness. Her stepfather is truly awful to her but she feels stuck as she cannot work and take care of herself and her daughter. Her hope is wonderful when she meets Adam, a good looking doctor who cares about her.

I really appreciated the way the author deal with the characters illness, a somewhat invisible one that had people thinking she was faking it or taking advantage of things. As somebody who has been there, it was refreshing to see a character like Emma, who was still tough and determined. After reading the author’s note, I see that it comes from his own personal experiences.

There is much talk about birds in this book which really creeped me out as someone who is not a bird lover! it worked in the story but images of all these birds did little to keep me calm!

A unique thriller thatI can highly recommend.

Thanks to Avon Books UK for my early copy of this book to read. Published on March 27th.