So much suspense packed into one book! I was captured right from the start and it didn’t let up!
We start with Sarah, seemingly living a normal family life, until one day when she goes to pick up her twins, their Dad has already picked them up earlier and spun a lie about her. He then disappears. She has no idea where they are, what’s happened or why he’s doing this.
What happens next kept me turning page after page, questioning everyone. And just when I thought I had it all worked out, the story shifted again throwing me back into unease and suspicious of each thing. I didn’t see most of the twists coming which was good, and even those I did preempt felt purposeful because I experienced the emotional toll of knowing it was going to play out that way but being powerless to stop it.
In terms of pacing I felt the narrative contained enough events/moments to keep me engaged and we were fed bits of information periodically throughout so it didn’t feel like it dipped in pace at any point. Sarah was also a likeable character, she felt relatable and her responses were entirely believable. It’s also refreshing to read a book about a stepmother who isn’t cruel!
Overall this is a solid psychological thriller, engaging and easy to read, I really enjoyed it.
Thanks Netgalley, Sheila Bugler and Hodder & Stroughton for allowing me to read this ARC.
Author: Sheila Bugler
Publisher: Hodder & Stroughton
Release Date: 24 September 2026
Lotte's Library 