Thank you Netgalley for this ARC. The Only Child by S. Englefield is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The story follows a character dealing with secrets, lies, and unexpected twists, leading to a tense and unpredictable journey. Englefield’s writing is engaging, with a dark atmosphere that enhances the suspense. The plot is well-crafted, and the characters are complex, making it a compelling read for fans of thrilling mysteries. Overall, The Only Child is a captivating, fast-paced book perfect for those who enjoy psychological drama and shocking revelations.

I thought that this book held great promise, judging by the blurb, but it really didn't deliver. The characters were two dimensional and the writing, I found, simplistic.

This was a wild ride of a book. I had no idea who was who and kept suspecting everyone, including Amelia. It all wrapped up very nicely with a nice twist and that last chapter was just absolutely perfect.

The Only Child primarily follows Amelia. After the loss of her parents, she moved to the Isle of Wight to be with her grandma where she has a flower shop. After tragedy strikes Amelia, a cop named Jenny takes on the case and, in ways, works with Amelia to discover what happened. The stakes are heightened when Amelia seems to be targeted.

This review will contain minor spoilers and major spoilers when *SPOILERS* is noted.

This book had a lot of potential. To me, it reads like an unedited novel. I not only found numerous errors in the novel, but it felt a bit all over the place. A lot of parts of the book were left unanswered, and some parts just felt unnecessary. I felt like some of the space in the book could've been saved for developing the characters. I think there was good development for Jenny, but even Amelia felt a bit surface level. The dialogue felt unrealistic in many parts as well. Many characters in the book were very 0 to 100 when it came to their emotions. This was especially prominent for the men in the novel, with Sam acting normal one second and pissed the next. I felt like the men could've been cruel in a more subtle way, especially if Amelia had been dating Sam for 6 years. This would've helped to develop the characters more and make them more relatable. I think it would help if more research had gone into the police since we had the perspective of a cop. Jenny felt unprofessional, sharing information to potential suspects and interviewing Amelia at home while she was around Megan and Sam, two other potential suspects. I think this story could've benefited from a bit more showing of people's emotions through their actions rather than telling us how angry they were.

If I hadn't been set on finishing this novel, I probably would've given up on it quickly due to how confusing it is in the beginning. The initial part that put me off was when it had flipped between five different POVs within the first 10% of the novel. I was so lost! I think there are way too many POVs in this book. I thought the hook was good with the parents, but it ended up causing more confusion after having so many perspectives. It may have been better if the POVs were labelled, and if the author didn't want to include names, they could put numbers or symbols or something at the top to help. Megan's POV felt unnecessary, and I think it would've been better told in another way. I also think the timeline was confusing. A year included for the first Jenny/Amelia sections would've been nice. I wasn't sure if the book took place in present day or not, and Ashley's POVs not being in chronological order was confusing. It was so hard to keep up with all of the different chapters and POVs.

It started picking up about halfway through the novel. I think since *SPOILER START* we don't really know the killer's character outside of her POV, it's nice to learn more about her past and see her thoughts. However, I think it could've been done better. The killer's motive felt weak in ways. I would've loved to hear if there had been more depth to the affair between Kelly and Ashley's father that really angered her. I wish we could've seen more bonding between Emma and Ashley to see why Emma was so willing to go along with Ashley's plan despite her not having many benefits from it. I also think rather than Ashley killing her psychologist, it could've been better for her to have injured someone critically or maybe killed animals in the past. It would make it feel more realistic, especially since she was a teenager and the obvious murderer. *SPOILER OVER*

Dawn felt a bit unnecessary. I'm glad Amelia had an opportunity to move on, but I think if they wanted us to care more about Dawn, she could've been introduced earlier. I also would've liked to see Maria or Kristie's assistant interviewed. Why did the cops not look at them as being a part of the killer or for where Kristie had gone when she disappeared?

Overall, this isn't a bad book. I think the plot was interesting, and I was surprised by the partner in crime. It felt a bit odd, but I was willing to run with it. I just think the book needs a refresh. It would've been better with a couple less POVS and a little more clarity, especially in the beginning. The dialogue and depth of the characters need some work, but it's a first novel, so I'm sure this will improve throughout the novels.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

A really good book that kept me guessing with all it's twists and turns. It was suspenseful and kept my attention. The characters were easy to engage with and the book is a good page turner

Agreat start to a new series. I liked this easy to read book and easily finished it in no time.

Thanks to net galley and the publishers for the arc

4 stars

The Only Child by S Englefield is the first book in the DI Jennifer Stone series. First off, I cannot believe this is a debut novel! I cannot wait to see what comes next!
Amelia Simpson has not had it easy. After losing her parents, she moved to the Isle of Wight to be close to her grandmother as she is her only remaining family. Once there she buys her own shop and takes pleasure in running it with her grandma, her friend, and boyfriend. But when unsettling things begin to happen like sabotage on the shop and a tragic death, DI Stone is called in to investigate. As secrets get uncovered can DI Stone find out who the killer is before they claim their next victim?
This was definitely a page turner. The way Englefield wrote this novel is brilliant. A great compelling storyline, characters that felt real and well written and immersive descriptions and details are just a couple of things that make this a great beginning to a series.
Thank you to NetGalley, S Englefield, and Jones and Baker for this ARC. Expected publication date is February 20th 2025.

I think thus authors got a great career ahead. I would've thought it was well into a series or definitely not the first novel. I am glad though that I can start from the beginning of a new detective series as I will be waiting in anticipation for what's next.
The depth and fleshing out of the characters was done really well. The descriptions were definitely capturing. it went deeper and more heartfelt into the storyline and it's characters and this helped alot.

Over all a decent thrller. I struggled to read it but it was worth the finish. Although somewhat predictable, there was a few twist that were not expected.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'The Only Child' by S. Englefield.

This is Scott's DEBUT novel, not that you would ever think that!!! I cannot wait to get stuck into his next guaranteed success and I just hope he is busy writing it as I write this!!! This book is also the first book in his 'DI Jennifer Stone' series.
OMG!!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE, LOVE ,LOVED THIS BOOK, AN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING, GRIPPING AND PAGE TURNING EXPLOSIVE MUST READ!!

The first thing I have got to say is an absolutely HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to the amazing author Scott Englefield!! I was absolutely mind blown when I had finished this epic page turner and realised that it is actually his first and only book!! What an absolutely EPIC debut novel!! If THIS is what you can create for your very first book then I just cannot wait to see what on Earth you will come out with next!! This is definitely ONE OF THE BEST DEBUT books I have ever read and it is also one of my favourite crime thrillers of all times!!! You seriously have to grab your copy of this twisty and gripping crime thriller today!! Just OMG!!! The gorgeous setting of the Isle Of Wight, the suspense, the characters, the absolutely MIND BLOWING TWISTS AND TURNS!!! This book NEEDS to be turned into a movie and I hope to God he is busy writing his the next book because I need it in my life now. The looks I was getting from my partner because of the amount of times I shouted out 'WTAF!!' , 'OMFG!!' and 'No FLexking way did THAT just happen' I seriously lost count. I mean seriously I cannot describe just how AMAZING this book is!!! There are just no words. I mean I'll try but my advice is stop reading this review and GET YOUR COPY NOW!!! In this gripping page turner we meet Amelia Simpson who tragically lost her parents. She decides to move to the stunning Isle Of Wight to be closer to her Gran and ends up buying and running her own flower shop. She is enjoying her life spending time in her shop, with her Gran, her best friend Megan and her boyfriend. That is until someone sabotages her shop and there is another tragic death close to her. Detective Inspector Jennifer Stone is called in to investigate the death and Amelia discovers some shocking secrets. Jennifer is determined to find the killer before they strike again but can she find them in time? What secrets are uncovered and how will Amelia cope? Well, if you want to discover more then grab your copy of this gripping page turner today and I promise that you will not regret it!! With an addictive storyline ram packed with mystery, crime, stunning settings, suspense, twists, flashbacks and so much more including a family cat then what on Earth are you waiting for? Scott absolutely captured my attention and sucked me deep into the storyline. I cannot even express in words how good this storyline in and how much I was completely sucked into the storyline!! If you love thrillers, crime, unique, mind blowing, action packed ... Do you know what? Whatever you like to read just give this a go and you will NOT regret it!!! As you can tell I absolutely LOVED this addictive and explosive page turner!!! I honestly loved absolutely everything about it from the start to the end. It was just one heck of an amazing read!!! I absolutely love, love, LOVED the unique storyline!! I have read so many books that it is getting harder and harder for me to find a truly unique plot but Scott absolutely smashes it out of the park with this one!! There was no way I could put this book down until I had finished it. I picked it up and even though I kept telling myself just one more chapter I just could not put it down as every time I went to something happened which meant I had to read just one more again until I ended up reading it in one sitting having been glued to the book for a few hours!! Scott's vivid evocative writing skills and descriptions really brought the storyline to life and I just cannot wait to get hooked into his next book!!! I have just never come across a book or movie anything like this one and I doubt I will again!!!! I really hope this is brought to the big screen and if not why not? I will definitely be first in line to watch it. I just genuinely love, love, LOVED IT!!! This book will suck you in and keep you gripped in the pages until your thrown out at the end with a racing heart!! A truly unforgettable one in a million page turner!!!! Get ready to pick your jaw up from the floor at the twists that you will NEVER see coming!! An absolute must read that I wont be forgetting about anytime soon!!
I hope your busy writing your next book Scott as I just cannot wait to see what happens next in this promising new series!!
Do not start this book until you have cleared your schedules as you will not be able to put it down!!
The characters were all realistic and strong and I was completely invested in them throughout. Scott does an absolutely amazing job of weaving the storyline through multiple protagonists and flashbacks giving the reader a bigger picture of what is going on at different times without giving anything away until he is well and truly ready to!! His evocative descriptions really makes them jump out of the book and come to life in front of the readers eyes. I was completely invested in each and every one of the characters especially DI Jennifer Stone who I loved "being next to" and investigating the crimes with. I really enjoyed getting to know her and look forward to seeing her again in the next book in this series Each of the characters all played their own roles perfectly and they all had their own unique and individual personalities with their own flaws, strengths and weaknesses. The fact that this is Scott's debut novel yet he has managed to create these amazing, unique and strong characters is just absolutely amazing!!! All of the characters were multi layered with complex personalities which definitely made them all the more interesting to read about!!! Unfortunately, I really can not say anymore as I don't want to spoil it for future readers. Regardless of what I thought about who, each character worked perfectly to make this page turning psychological thriller!!! I just cannot wait to see what characters this amazing author comes up with next!!! I genuinely loved getting to know all the characters and was completely invested throughout!! It just goes to show how fantastic Scott's writing skills are as he completely brought them all to life for me. An absolutely fantastic selection of unique characters that all worked together perfectly to create an absolutely chilling, gripping and addictive page turner!!! This book really is a truly unique page turner that I picked up this morning and had completely devoured it in a few hours!!! When the hell is this being made into a film and when are you bringing your next book out as I need my next hit!!!

Overall an absolutely unputdownable, action packed, intriguing crime thriller that will keep you up at night on the edge of your seat with a pounding heart!!

#TheOnlyChild #DIJenniferStone #SEnglefield #JonesAndBaker #BooksOnTour #ZooLoosBookTours

@Senglefield @JonesAndBaker @ZooLoosBT

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Very much enjoyed the first story of the Jennifer Stone series. I am looking forward to see what is in store for her next. This story had all the right ingredients. Well written. Great characters and premise…Plenty of suspense and a twist towards the end that I didn’t see coming. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it

I’ve never read any books by this author before so was intrigued to be offered this arc. It turned out to be a very compelling as well as twisty read that kept me guessing right up to the last page.
Amelia is a florist who lives ion the Isle Of Wight- she is happy owning a flower shop and spending time with her boyfriend as well as her best friend, Megan and her elderly Grandmother.
However things start to go wrong- someone is sabotaging her shop and awful things start to happen to her loved ones.
Detective Inspector Jennifer Stone is called in to investigate when someone close to Amelia suffers an untimely end and she is in a race against time to unravel the mystery and find the perpetrator before more unfortunate events occur.
I liked the characters in this novel- they seemed life like, Jenny’ s private life was explored, her husband Greg and young daughter Sophie feature in the novel. It becomes clear that she has trouble striking a work life balance due to the nature of her job.
Amelia seems a kind and trusting person, caring for those around her making the attacks on her all the more perplexing.
There are so many twists in this plot, coupled by several flashbacks to earlier times, not to mention the myriad of suspects meaning that I really couldn’t figure out how it was all going to come together and who the person targeting Amelia really was.
This was an enjoyable murder procedural introducing an interesting new Detective and I am now awaiting the next book in which I believe will be an excellent series.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.

this was a really good mystery/ thriller book! It had me guessing and second guessing who the killer was. I love the tense feelings you feel while our main character is learning new info and discovering old secrets about her family who she thought she knew!!!

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

This book has everything a good thriller should- solid characters, a beautiful setting and the perfect TWISTS. This book get me guessing and just when I thought I’d figured it out, it twisted again! I loved everything about this book- the words flowed off the pages and I read this in one sitting, I couldn’t put it down! Amazing

I don't recall ever feeling at peace after reading a physcological thriller, but that's how this story left me. There are so many twists, be prepared to be blindsided a few times. Just when you think you know what going to happen BAM think again. This is a book I would love to read again for the first time. Even though I'm happy with the way it ended, the shock and betrayal will be hard to get out of my head for some time.
Who can you trust, when the one person who loved you unconditionally is not around to help save you?

This is a new to me author and I was quite impressed. The writing is precise and suspenseful, leading you into several characters’ lives in order to figure out the ‘whodunit’. Very enjoyable and entertaining.

3* Misses the mark on several fronts, and the requirement to suspend disbelief was just a bit too much, 'nah, can't go there' for me.

What's refreshing is that the book is set in the UK and doesn't have any faux gloss. But, the start is really random and you don't get an explanation of the parent-connection thing, not even at the end with what's transpired. Just a little background of Family 1 or Family 2 could've helped make it more interesting. You also don't find out about Mum 2, and why she left her daughter an orphan. You also don't find out about how bad sister could get away with what she did to her psych, and how the cops didn't pursue that incident. With Ring doorbells and CCTV times we live in, the activities of Emma and Ashleigh couldn't have been this under the radar.

To have 2 female characters with A-names, especially when one's targeting the other, isn't a clever move, especially with flashbacks to 10 years and at times, less, in the past. To tell us that a new red-herring-but-not character has lied about her reasons for being on the island, utterly randomly that it should've had questions being asked, should have rung major warning bells. The age gap rang bells. The forced-upon-them 'relationship' rang bells. The profession/background rang bells but none of the cops did anything about anything.

Emma didn't sound believable. We didn't get am explanation for the blue car crashing into the undercover cop car. Was that Ashleigh? Don't know, and by then, didn't care.

Segueing to take a kid's cop hostage was utterly random and didn't tie into the tale. Keeping Jenny Stone on the case when it was her daughter being held hostage couldn't happen. Death By Cop in the UK would've made massive headlines and the post-event stuff would be on-going weeks and weeks after said event, not neatly tied up 2 weeks on.

I wouldn't read more, as there wasn't a lot of excitement or believability in this tale, sadly.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Jones and Baker, for my reading pleasure.

Book 1 in a new series and the author has pitched it just right! I really liked DI Jennifer Stone, although she really needs to spend more time with her family. Amelia was an interesting character also, she is quite likeable. The pace was steady and the tension built throughout the book as the plot unfolded. The Isle of Wight setting added to the plotting and the ending left things neatly tied up. I liked it and would recommend it to lovers of the genre. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

I very much enjoyed this book. The writing was great and the characters were well developed. I hope to read more from this author in the future.

Great book. I was really entranced and couldn't put it down. Stayed up all night reading it and had immediate regret waking up to three kids. Love. 5 stars hands down.