Leona Walsh a wife and mother goes missing whilst out jogging one cold afternoon. The appeal for information sparks major interest and invites speculation. The police have a suspect, Leona’s husband Matthew. He’s a crime writer and his wife’s disappearance is very similar to the plot of one of his books. Public interest dwindles as no new leads are found, then five years later, bones are discovered in a garden. Could they be Leona’s remand and will they finally uncover the truth? A gripping thriller full of intrigue and suspense. Thank you to NetGalley, HQ and the author for the chance to review.

It's bad enough when you've had a fight with your wife and she subsequently goes missing while out jogging. But it's much, much worse when you're a crime writer. Because being in a position to pull off the perfect murder inevitably leaves you with something of a credibility problem when you are protesting your Innocence to the police...

5 years ago, Leona Walsh went missing, at a time when she was accused of embezzling funds as a local politician. Now, her body has been found but its location throws suspicion on one particular person.

Diane Jeffrey does a good job of sending red herrings and plot twists our way in the course of telling this story, and the novel is entertaining. The only flaw I found was in the lack of clear resolution at the end, because perhaps the author was trying to keep her reader guessing. But overall, this is a book worth reading and a good follow up to her previous novel, The Other Couple, which I loved.

Leona – wife, mother and probably dishonest local councillor – disappears one evening in late November. Despite an extensive police search and intense media scrutiny (chillingly reminiscent of a tragic real-life case) that attracts the attention of amateur sleuths, psychics and true-crime addicts, Leona is still missing after five years.
The story is told across two time lines:
In 2019, during the days immediately after Leona’s disappearance, from the viewpoint of Leona’s husband, Matt. He writes crime fiction for a living and soon becomes the chief suspect.
In 2024, from the viewpoint of Gabi, a journalist. Back 2019, she secured a series of exclusive interviews with Matt. Now, when new evidence emerges, she revisits the case via her podcast.
Diane Jeffrey is an accomplished writer who knows how to plot, build suspense, establish setting and create rounded and intriguing main characters. This story gripped me to the extent that I downed tools to read it in two days. It’s likely to feature on my favourite books of 2025 list.

With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.

On publication, I will post this review on my blog, Amazon and on GoodReads.

Excellent twisty storyline.
Keeps you guessing right to the end and then some
Thoroughly enjoyable.
Thanks for the opportunity to read and review

Leona Walsh's husband Matthew, a crime writer, is the prime suspect after his wife disappears whilst out running.. A body is discovered five years later and once again Matthew comes under suspicion. Local journalist Gabriela decides to make a podcast about Leona’s disappearance and she makes a friend of Matthew.

Set in a Devon village this is a pacy and brilliantly gripping read. I loved the plot. The story unfolded beautifully and as a reader this book was just perfect.

Wow!!!!! Loved!!!!! Speechless!!!!... My head was spinning throughout the whole entire book it kept me guessing and that ending was a complete shock... I raced through each chapter like it was my last.

I really loved the plot it was mysterious, gripping and a real page turner! I’d highly recommend for everyone to read this book! I really liked the podcast chapters they gave a great insight into certain elements of the story.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 stars!

This is a really intelligent thriller, tightly plotted and it really made me think. When a writer's wife is missing, her husband is the prime suspect. A story we all know too well. This novel really made me think and I thoroughtly enjoyed it.

Loved this gripping thriller.
Great characters, mainly unlikeable.
Interesting storyline where i kept changing my mind.
Clever writing from this fabulous author.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

I’ve enjoyed a couple of the author’s previous novels and was drawn to the synopsis of The Crime Writer.
When Leona Walsh disappears after a run one winter’s evening in 2019, her husband Matthew, a crime writer, is the prime suspect and he and his two daughters are soon shunned by those in his Devon village. Five years later when a body is discovered there is immediate speculation that it is Leona and Matthew is once again under suspicion. Local journalist Gabriela befriends Matthew and in 2024 decides to make a podcast about Leona’s disappearance.
The Crime Writer is a twisty and compelling read, I changed my mind about Matthew many times throughout the novel. Gabriela is an excellent character and reflects the readers own doubts throughout. An excellently plotted , fast moving thriller with a clever ending that I loved and would recommend.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

Diane Jeffrey is back,hurrah and back with a corker of a book

Leona has disappeared,Matthew,her crime writing hubby says he has no idea what has happened to her but 5 years later journalist and confidant Gabriela is starting to wonder if she has been hoodwinked and as things start to come to light is more convinced she befriended a murderer…

Exceptionally well written I was swopping allegiances all the way through,as quickly back and forth as the plot thickened and the likelihoods changed,very cleverley the story demanded the reader be involved and draw your own conclusions as the story evolved

I liked Gabriela’s interviews with all the main players which gave you chance to get to know them a bit better and to decide what you thought of their ‘evidence’

The ending is 2,3 fold and had me thinking then thinking more,you will see what I mean

An effortless read for me as it gave me reading excitement and pleasure and really was flawless in presentation,a fab read