The Stranger on the Stairs by Ruth Mancini

Description from Goodreads:

"You were only seven years old when you witnessed your mother's murder.

Although you did not see her attacker clearly, you are pretty sure who it was.

Thanks to you, he went to prison for twenty years.

Now he's out.

And you are no longer certain that the man you identified that terrifying evening really was the killer.

But if it wasn’t him, who was the stranger on the stairs?

And can he now be coming for you?"

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A twisty and unsettling thriller

I read Ruth Mancini’s previous book, The Woman on the Ledge, back in December 2023 just before it was officially released, and I've been meaning to pick up another of her stories for ages. I’ve definitely left it far too long to dive back into her work, but I’m so glad I finally did because this was another cracking read.

The story centres on a woman who witnessed her mother’s murder when she was just a child. Her evidence was what put a man behind bars for twenty years, but now that he’s been released, she’s starting to question everything she thought she knew. It’s a really clever premise that looks at how fragile our memories can be – especially when we’re young – and whether we can ever truly trust what we think we saw.

Because Ruth Mancini is a criminal defence lawyer, the whole thing feels incredibly authentic. You can really tell she knows the legal system inside out. It isn’t just about the mystery either; it’s a very human story about trauma and the search for the truth, even when that truth is terrifying.  The idea of a potential miscarriage of justice feels all too real – we've seen enough cases like this over the years to know that the system isn't always perfect – and that adds a layer of genuine unease to the plot.

The pacing is excellent and kept me turning the pages late into the night. I'll admit I did manage to guess what was happening and worked out "whodunnit" before the reveal, but that didn't take away from the enjoyment at all. I really liked how everything came together at the end which was very satisfying.

Many thanks to the author, Random House UK, Cornerstone, Century and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this thought-provoking and scarily all to real book.

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A Deadly Episode by Anthony Horowitz

Description from Goodreads:

"The Word is Murder, the first book in the Hawthorne series, is about to be made into a major feature film.

The actors have been cast, the script written, and filming has already started in Hastings.

But when Hawthorne and Anthony visit the set, they find a far from happy family.

The director’s pretentious, the screenwriter’s an eco-warrior, the two stars hate each other, and the producer has run out of money.

And things are about to get much, much worse.

In the middle of shooting, the actor playing Hawthorne is stabbed – which leaves the real Hawthorne with no choice. He has to step in and investigate his own murder.

Because the killer may not have got the right man. Was it Hawthorne himself who was meant to be the target?

A Deadly Episode is a wild ride through a world that the author knows only too well, and the most personal case Hawthorne has had to deal with so far."

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Murder on the movie set

I’ve just finished the latest Hawthorne and Horowitz mystery and it’s honestly one of the cleverest ones yet. This is the fourth book in the series I’ve read, and I still love the way Anthony Horowitz writes himself as the slightly out-of-his-depth sidekick to the brilliant but difficult Daniel Hawthorne.

The setup for this one is brilliant. They’re on the set of a film adaptation of the first book, The Word is Murder, when the actor playing Hawthorne is found murdered in his trailer. It’s such a fun premise – it’s essentially a book about a man writing a book about a movie based on a book he wrote! It forces the characters to navigate a cast of suspicious film types – from a pretentious director to an intense screenwriter – while wondering if the real Hawthorne was actually the intended target.

What I really enjoy about these books is there’s plenty of dry humour, especially when the film crew treats the "real" Anthony like a bit of a nuisance on set. We also get a few more hints about Hawthorne’s mysterious past, which always keeps me hooked. It’s sharp, engaging and doesn’t feel like a typical "by the numbers" detective story.

If you’ve enjoyed the previous books, you’re going to love this one. It’s a wonderful story within a story that kept me guessing right until the end. It’s definitely a must-read for anyone who likes a mystery that’s a bit different and very well-constructed.

Many thanks to the author, RandomHouse UK, Cornerstone and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this, the 6th book in this intriguing series.

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The Waitress by K.L. Slater

Description from Goodreads:

"My job as a waitress means I’m used to watching everything – and used to lying. Soon I’m posing as someone’s girlfriend… But what does he really want from me?

When I slip on my waitress’s uniform I become a different person. And I’m good at what I do. I instantly identify Trent as the most important man in the room, and I catch his eye as I serve canapes to his rich clients. We share a little smile… and later that evening, he asks me to pretend to be his girlfriend.

Of course I accept. It’s the perfect way for me to escape my own past. He just needs me to watch certain people. It seems easy.

Soon I’m living in his opulent home, wearing a new wardrobe of designer clothes. Then I discover there was a woman here before me. Saskia. Nobody will talk about her…

Suddenly I don’t feel safe anymore. If I leave, I’m no longer protected. But if I stay here, in this silent apartment of secrets, will anyone miss me if I disappear?"

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A quick read but a bit far-fetched

It was great to jump back into a K.L. Slater book as she's usually a "must-read" author for me. I found myself flying through the pages because the hook was definitely there and I really wanted to know how everything was going to wrap up. It kept me guessing for a while and had that classic addictive quality that makes you want to read "just one more chapter" before turning out the light.

However, I've got to admit this one felt a bit "out there" compared to some of her earlier work. While I expect a few twists in a psychological thriller, the plot in this one felt quite implausible and required a huge leap of faith to really get on board with. There were moments where I found myself thinking that things just wouldn't happen that way in real life, which pulled me out of the story a bit.

It's a solid, fast-paced read if you're looking for something to breeze through on a weekend, but it didn't quite hit the heights of her best thrillers for me. It's a decent middle-of-the-road story that does what it says on the tin but lacked that extra bit K.L.'s books usually give me.

Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this book.

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I Owe You One by Lauren North [Audiobook]

🎙🎙🎙 Narrated by Heather Long 🎙🎙🎙

Description from Goodreads:

"You saved my life. I faked your death...

I only came back to Skelwick Bay to lie low and reconnect with my sister. But now she wants me to fake her death...

Bryony says her husband Alex is abusive and it's the only way. And even though I think it's crazy, I can't say no, because I owe her for saving me 15 years ago...

So we hatch a plan – we fake a sailing accident. And my darling sister 'dies'.

Only, when she's gone, I start to think. There are holes in the story she gave me. She doesn't reach out like she says she will, leaving me to deal with the mess alone. And Alex only seems completely devastated...

So when I learn Bryony never actually saved my life all those years ago, I start to question everything she's ever told me. And I'm left with the terrifying Have I just saved my sister's life? Or helped her get away with a terrible crime...?"

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A tense and gripping listen

I've listened to Lauren North before, so I had high expectations for this one, and it certainly didn't disappoint. It's one of those stories that starts with a simple premise – a small favour – that quickly spirals into something much more unsettling. The psychological tension builds beautifully throughout, making it very hard to press pause.

The characters are well-drawn and I found myself constantly questioning who was actually telling the truth. It's a clever look at how easily life can be disrupted when you let the wrong person in. The pacing was spot on for a thriller; it felt like there was always a new layer being peeled back just as I thought I'd figured things out.

The narrator did a fantastic job of bringing the tension to life. Their voice really suited the tone of the book and helped to distinguish the different perspectives without it feeling forced. It made the whole experience much more immersive, especially during the more claustrophobic moments of the plot.

The ending felt a little bit rushed compared to the steady build-up of the rest of the book. However, I still recommend it to anyone who enjoys a twisty domestic thriller. 

Many thanks to the author, Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of this audiobook.

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Star of the North by D. B. John

Description from Goodreads:

"North Korea and the USA are on the brink of war.

A young American woman disappears without trace from a South Korean island.

The CIA recruits her twin sister to uncover the truth.

Now, she must go undercover in the world's most deadly state.

Only by infiltrating the dark heart of the terrifying regime will she be able to save her sister ... and herself."

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A gripping look into the hidden world of North Korea

I’ve finally done it! I've managed to clear a bit of space on my virtual bookshelf and get around to reading Star of the North. It’s been sitting on my to-be-read pile on my Kindle since the beginning of 2019, which is quite embarrassing really, but I’m so glad I finally picked it up.

The story’s a bit of a slow burner at first because it follows three very different paths. You’ve got an American academic looking for her twin sister, a North Korean diplomat trying to survive the regime’s politics and a peasant woman just trying to get by. It’s a lot to keep track of, but the way D B John eventually weaves these lives together is brilliant.

The level of detail about life in North Korea is what really stuck with me. It doesn't feel like a typical Hollywood thriller; it’s gritty and far more realistic. Some parts are actually quite difficult to read because the author doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of the labour camps. It’s clear a huge amount of research went into this to make the setting feel so authentic.

It isn’t perfect - some of the coincidences felt a little bit convenient - but the tension kept me turning the pages late into the night. It’s a very good, solid thriller that actually makes you think. If you like stories with a bit of political weight, you’ll definitely enjoy this one.

Huge thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this and eventually share my thoughts.

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