Book picks similar to
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A Perfect Mother
Jo Crow - 2020
As the lonely days stretch into weeks with no reappearance or body resurfacing, the stay-at-home mom accepts a photography job from a former sorority sister, and current Instagram sensation, and returns to her Milwaukee roots—and the trauma she thought she’d escaped.Her college days left her with scars no camera can capture, and Laurie’s old OCD coping mechanisms creep in as she navigates the frightening new life of single motherhood. But becoming a personal photographer to a popular Instagram-Mom is helping Laurie provide for her daughter like any good mother should. She just never expected her daughter to become the center of so much attention.As the world of celebrity influencers feed her insecurities, Laurie realizes she’s not only lost her husband but now is losing the love of her only child. Arguments ensue. Accidental injuries surface. Allegations of neglect and endangerment are flung her way. But when Laurie’s daughter goes missing, a twisted scheme thrusts the past into the glaring light of the present.And this time, her daughter’s life is at stake.
Keep Me Close
Jane Holland - 2021
What would you do?When shy publisher Kate Kinley finds mysterious bruises on her mother’s arms she assumes the worst. Suffering with early onset dementia, her mother insists that nothing is wrong; it was just a clumsy accident. But was it an accident, or has her mother’s illness made her forget what really happened?In desperate need of someone she can trust, her isolation and paranoia grow as the closest people in her life become key suspects.With each heart-stopping revelation, Kate begins to realise that the perpetrator is no longer interested in inflicting bruises; they want blood.Keep Me Close is a compelling story of gross immorality, a cautionary tale of how easily wicked people can take advantage of the vulnerable elderly people in your life.If you love dark, psychological revenge-thrillers like The Sister-in-Law, The Babysitter and The Girl on the Train, you will love this twisty, sinister read. Perfect for readers of Gillian Flynn, Karin Slaughter, and Paula Hawkins.
In The Dark
Vikki Patis - 2021
She knows Seb would never do anything to hurt his girlfriend, Izzy. But could the shadow cast by his father be influencing the boy she loves?Caitlyn, Izzy's mother, is desperate to reach her daughter, but she only seems to push her further away. Can she help her daughter or are Caitlyn's own demons standing in the way?When an inappropriate photo of Izzy is shared online, no one is prepared for the ripples that threaten to tear their lives apart. Will the truth come out before it's too late? Or is the damage already done?
Mother
Laura Jarratt - 2020
One Chance.When Lizzie's car crashes with her two daughters inside, she faces a terrible choice. And when she recovers from her injuries, she has to deal with the impact of that tragedy as well as the police investigation into it.As Lizzie and her family struggle to come to terms with the events of that night, things take an even darker turn. Just what did happen on that remote country road? Who is responsible? And can the family get through this together...Or will the truth finally tear them apart?A stunning, deeply emotional and beautifully realised cross between SOPHIE'S CHOICE and DAUGHTER.
Dirty Liar
Marissa Finch - 2020
A chance to get away from my stifling apartment, the sweat of the city, a job I hate. A Sunday morning hiking in the woods with my dog is a dream come true … until it becomes a nightmare. I don’t see the hole until it’s too late. Then I’m at the bottom of it, staring up at the ground twelve feet above me. A stupid accident. Or was it? Because soon, someone’s bringing me food and water. Someone who doesn’t want me to see his face. Someone who knows what I did. Out there, someone wants revenge. And down here, at the bottom of a hole, a lifetime of lies is about to unravel… A fresh and original thriller, Dirty Liar asks how well we ever truly know the people we love. Guaranteed to keep you turning pages long into the night!
The One Before
Miranda Smith - 2020
I trust him. But what if I’m wrong?My life should be perfect.I’ve moved to my fiancé Cooper’s hometown on the shores of a beautiful lake. His family have welcomed me with open arms. We’re planning the summer wedding I’ve always dreamed of.But the week after I arrive, one of Cooper’s classmates corners me at the store. She says that Cooper’s not fooling anybody. Everyone in town remembers what happened to Celia Gray…Celia was Cooper’s high school sweetheart, who died in a tragic accident the year they graduated. But some people think it was no accident. That my kind, loving husband is a killer.I don’t believe it. But the only way to be sure is to find out what happened to the woman before me…A dark, gripping suspense novel with a brilliant twist, The One Before is perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Gillian Flynn and The Girl Before
Save Her
Abigail Osborne - 2021
Now life would be a dream come true—if it wasn’t for their mother-in-law. Disappointed that her sons have married beneath them, Cecilia constantly belittles the two young brides. And when she learns that her son Sam is moving away with Flora, her taunting turns to outright wrath.Suddenly, strange things start happening to Flora—things that even Sam finds hard to believe. Meanwhile, Sophie’s life is crumbling around her. Her marriage is not what it seems, and she is desperate to escape the clutches of her poisonous new family. Will Sophie and Flora have to give up on love in order to survive?
The New Home
Chris Merritt - 2021
And her beautiful neighbour Emily is everything she’s ever wanted in a best friend. Finally, she has somebody to share her secrets with over a glass of wine. But as Freya watches her new friend setting the table for dinner one evening, she sees something shocking that makes her think that Emily’s life might not be as perfect as it seems. Days later, Emily and her daughter vanish…When you meet Emily’s husband, you will think you know what he’s hiding.You will ask yourself whether Emily and Freya really did meet by chance.You will think you know what happened to Emily and her little girl the night they went missing.But when you discover the truth, it will shake you to your core and you will lie awake at night wondering if you can ever really trust the people in the house next door…Fans of Claire McGowan, Shalini Boland and Lisa Jewell will love the gripping tension and unexpected twists of The New Home. Once you start reading, you’ll be hooked!
The Wrong Twin
Lorna Dounaeva - 2021
Mel just needs some space so she can recover from a painful separation and get ready to begin a new phase in her life. But something isn’t right… The twins have always been close, but Abbie seems like a different person. She used to be outgoing and gregarious, now she’s sullen and hostile. Even worse, a sinister man Mel has never seen before is following her. She doesn’t know what he wants, but she’s pretty sure it’s nothing good. And Mel is right to be worried. As she is inexorably pulled into a vortex of unimaginable terror, she discovers the horrifying truth about Abbie’s secret life… And the terrible price that has to be paid – by the wrong twin.
Her Best Friend's Lie
Laura Wolfe - 2021
Can’t you?This trip was a chance to reconnect away from our busy lives. The five of us used to be so close—going right back to our college days, when we shared a rickety house and all our favorite clothes, as well as every high and low of our lives—but that was then.Now, the thought of three days in a small cabin far from anywhere, surrounded only by water and trees, with my four oldest friends makes my stomach sink and my hands sweat. Because if they knew what I’d done—the betrayals I’ve committed—they’d never forgive me. And neither would you.The straight-A student, the sports star with a bright future ahead of her, the sheltered girl who blossomed away from her family and the hippie child who was going to save the world. Their lives have turned out so differently to how we pictured all those years ago. I try not to think about why.But then danger strikes, and too late I discover I’m not the only one keeping secrets. And I wonder: who will go furthest to keep the truth hidden?Gripping, addictive and totally unputdownable, The Lake House will have you reading late into the night. Perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train, The Woman in the Window and Big Little Lies.
After She Left
Claire Amarti - 2021
The morning after Christmas Day, she walks out of her home in the leafy suburbs of Westchester, New York, leaving behind a strange note on the kitchen table… and her ten-year-old son, Sam.When her sister Gillian gets the call, she can barely believe it. Abigail has always been a little, well, unreliable, but she hasn’t done anything like this in a decade--not since Sam was born.Now Gillian’s left taking care of Sam while she waits for news of Abigail’s whereabouts. But things aren’t so great in Gillian’s home either, where her husband’s odd behavior and late nights out are giving her doubts she thought she'd never have.Meanwhile as Abigail shows no signs of re-appearing, Gillian is forced to confront the two big questions: what secrets is her sister hiding…and is she ever coming back?The answers will upend her world...
She's Missing
Cole Baxter - 2019
She shouldn’t have trusted a stranger… When Ellen arrives at the Land’s Edge Bed and Breakfast with her baby and the man pretending to be her husband, she thinks she’s escaped her tortured past. But when her baby disappears two days later, a desperate search quickly involves the police, who become suspicious about her strained relationship with her “husband.” Daniel thought he was doing the right thing by helping the frantic woman and her baby and pretending she was his wife. The fact that he had ulterior motives was irrelevant, but the missing baby draws him into a deepening mystery with so many twists and turns, it makes his head spin. Who is Ellen and what is she running from? Did a monster from her past finally catch up with her and her child, or is there another suspect lurking in the shadows? When the truth finally surfaces, no one will be safe from the fall-out…
A thrilling psychological thriller that you won't be able to put down!
What I Never Told You
Dawn Goodwin - 2021
Diana is smart, beautiful, feisty and clearly out to cause trouble.Then an old photograph resurfaces that threatens to uncover a long-buried secret, one that Helen has taken great care to keep hidden in the past. Only one person could have that photograph – and she is dead.Helen immediately suspects that Diana is connected somehow, but before she can confront her, Diana is found dead and the entire family has motive.An addictive, page-turning thriller perfect for Lisa Jewell, BA Paris and Louise Candlish.
The Donor
J.J. Burgess - 2021
But who is he really?Anna’s life is almost perfect. She has a great husband, a huge home, wonderful friends and a soaring career. There’s just one thing missing - a child.Anna has always dreamed of being a mother, it’s what she wants more than anything else in the world.So when it becomes clear that she and her husband can’t conceive, the way forward is obvious – they will use a sperm donor.They select the perfect candidate and Anna soon falls pregnant. She’s never been so happy.But then some disturbing information about their donor comes to light. And Anna begins to wonder about the father of the child she is carrying… Who is he really?She begins to dig for the truth and uncovers a secret more horrifying than her worst nightmare. Because even though she has what she always wanted, she realises she may have to pay a terrible price…The Donor – the stunning psychological thriller, perfect for fans of Mark Edwards, K L Slater, Miranda Rijks.
Our Trespasses
Michael Cordell - 2021
The pain is violent and immediate, and Matt knows exactly what it means… hundreds of miles away, Jake has been viciously killed. But instead of severing their connection, the murder intensifies it and Matt begins to suffer the agony of Jake’s afterlife.Hell bent on solving Jake’s murder in order to break the connection, Matt travels to his troubled hometown of Hatchett, Nebraska, where an old lover and savage new enemies expose the festering wounds that Jake left behind.Matt tries atoning for Jake’s sins, but when a demon infests the connection between the two brothers, Matt must find a way to sever their bond before his world, and ours, become engulfed in the flames of hell.Fans of Stephen King’s The Outsider, Stephen Graham Jones’ The Only Good Indians, and William Peter Blatty’s The Exorcist will find this new paranormal thriller impossible to put down.