My Best Friend’s Secret

by Karen Clarke

When Rose’s old friend Elise suddenly arrives on her doorstep having just escaped a controlling marriage, she offers her a place to stay. But Elise wants more than a safe refuge, she wants Rose to help her get her daughter back, so that she can truly start afresh with five-year-old Daisy safely in her arms. Every little girl needs her mother, after all. Ready to insert herself into Elise’s old home, Rose gets a job as a teacher, home-schooling Daisy. But when Rose is asked to take the little girl and bring her to Elise, she gets cold feet… Elise’s behaviour is becoming increasingly erratic, and Daisy’s father is far from the monster described… Will Rose take Daisy and return her to her mother, or is the real danger closer to home?
Who should she trust?

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Crime, Fiction, Adult, Mystery Thriller

338 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 26, 2023

About the author

I live in Buckinghamshire with my husband and three grown-up children where I write psychological thrillers for HQDigital/HarperCollins and romantic comedy novels published by Bookouture.

Over the years I've been a secretary/bookkeeper, a wedding photographer, a pub manager, I've worked in a supermarket, a newsagent's and as a librarian - all good for story ideas.

I now write full-time and when I'm not writing, I read a lot, enjoy walking - which is good for plot-wrangling and ideas - photography, watching Netflix, baking and eating cakes. And then more walking to work off the cakes.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although my last read from Clarke was not my favourite, this book was the antithesis of a reading experience. I was gripped by this twisting and turning narrative and was hooked right until the very end.

Rose is accosted by an old friend who convinces her to take part in a deceitful mission: return Daisy to her mother, Elise. Rose is disconcerted by Elise’s plan but sympathises with her distressed story, especially as it provokes some difficult, emotional memories. Yet, when Rose is immersed into Daisy’s family home, there are too many questions raised that makes Rose start to question all that Elise has told her. Furthermore, it would seem that someone in this family home is not happy with Rose’s presence and seem to want to do all that they can to send her away.

What I enjoyed most about this book was the level of deception taking place. You can never be sure who is telling the entire truth and I had my doubts about almost everyone in the story. From the father (Isaac), to Daisy’s grandmother and even her sister, nothing seems innocent and sinister, to the point that even I wholly believed in Elise’s tale. But, the signs that Rose starts to see cannot be ignored and this created a warren of misconceptions that Rose herself struggles to find the truth to.

This really is a twisting and turning narrative. I loved the pace of the story and was tense about whether Rose would be able to carry out her plans without being discovered. I did not know who she could trust because it is a case of so many people offering their version of events about Daisy’s mother. Consequently, I felt incredibly sorry for Daisy, who, blissfully unaware, is right at the centre of these events. There are so many layers to the narrative and I enjoyed seeing how external factors added to Rose’s behaviour, such as her conversations with her neighbour and what happened to Rose in the past. It definitely made the story more interesting as a result.

Clarke keeps readers guessing right until the very end: just when you think there are no more revelations to come, the writer throws in another unexpected one. In my opinion, it felt like this was written by a completely different writer compared to my previous read from Clarke and I am really glad I picked this one up. A detailed narrative that has so many unexpected developments, it is a great example of a psychological thriller and I would definitely recommend.

With thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[StinaStaffymum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know her...but can I trust her...?

Rose and Elise haven't seen each other in years. Not after something happened to drive them apart. But now Elise is back, having just arrived on Rose's doorstep after escaping her marriage to a controlling man and his equally controlling family, and Rose offers her a place to stay. But Elise wants more than a roof over her head. She wants Rose to help her get her daughter back and away from her controlling husband...after all, Rose owes her.

So Rose approaches Isaac outside the school one afternoon and before long, she's been offered the job of home schooling five year old Daisy. Her mission is simple. Return Daisy to her mother. While she sympathises with Elise's distressing story, evoking some equally emotional memories of her own past, the more Rose spends at Isaac's house with Daisy the more she begins to question the validity of Elise's story. Added to that, Elise's behaviour is becoming increasingly erratic. Is she really being a honest as she made out? Or is there more to the story than Elise is saying?

This tale is filled with secrets, lies and a load of deceit. Who is really lying? The deception is next level. Nothing and no one is as innocent as they seem and everyone is suspect. And the holes in Elise's tale that Rose began to unravel create even more misconception. A twisty narrative, this made for uncomfortable reading much of the time. I didn't know who to trust. Everyone had their own version of Daisy's mother - but which of them is the truth? And yet in the middle of this nightmare is Daisy who is blissfully (and thankfully) unaware of all these events happening around her.

With so many layers to this tale, the author keeps readers guessing right up to the end as she peels back each layer to reveal a little more. This is my first read by Clarke on her own, having read a few she has penned alongside Amanda Brittany. A well-plotted psychological thriller.

I would like to thank #KarenClarke, #Netgalley and #HQDigital for an ARC of #MyBestFriendsSecret in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Rose's old friend Elise suddenly arrives on her doorstep, having just escaped a controlling marriage, she offers her a place to stay. But Elise wants more than just a safe refuge, she wants Rose to help her get her daughter back, so that she can truly start afresh with five-year-old Daisy safely in her arms. Every little girl needs her mother, after all. Ready to insert herself into Elise's old home, Rose gets a job as a teacher, home-schooling Daisy. But when Rose is asked to take the little girl and bring her to Elise, Rose gets cold feet. Elise's behaviour is becoming increasingly erratic, and Daisy's father is far from the monster described. will Rose take Daisy and return her to her mother? Or is the real danger closer to home?

What a rollercoaster ride this book was. who was telling me the truth? Rose is a great character, really likable. Her friend Elise turns up on her doorstep asking for help. Elise was in a controlling and abusive marriage, and she needed Rose's help to get her daughter away from her father. The characters are flawed and unreliable, the twists just kept coming. The pace kept changing from between slow and fast. This is a well written psychological thriller. All the loose end were tied up. I loved the way this book ended.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HQ and the author #KarenClark for my ARC of #MyBestFriendsSecret in exchange for an honest review.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and HQ for access to this arc in exchange for my honest review.

This is the first time I read from this author, it was an amazing read ! It was slow paced at times, but the twists at the end caught my breath ! It was really worth the ride and I'm very happy with how everything ended, well, maybe not the epilogue haha, but overall it was very interesting.

[Tammie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've tried by this author and it won't be my last. One thing I really liked about this story is how likable the main character was. She was at turns foolish and smart, which I felt was a little inconsistent but possibly realistic. Sometimes we all do foolish things. What I really liked about her, is that she had a conscience, and genuinely loved the little girl, Daisy that she was in charge of.

There was a lot of deception in this book and it took a while to unravel what was happening but I started to put the pieces together and figure everything out at around the 60 percent mark. Even though I figured it out, I still wasn't quite sure if I had gotten it right until I got close to the end. I was actually surprised at how accurate my guesses were. I will say that I'm not sure I care how things ended up with Elise but that didn't ruin the book for me.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I liked the pace and author's writing style, and it kept me reading until late at night.


See all my reviews at Writings of a Reader and on Facebook.

[Tracy ann Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

my first book from this author. and so, enjoyed. what would you do? when your best friend you not seen for years? Turns up and asks you for help to get their daughter back from her husband. Who she says he cruel and so is his family. This is what happens to Rose her old friend Elise turns up on her doorstep. Rose is a schoolteacher. she left her job to get away from her abusive boyfriend.so she says yes. And gets into the family household. Isaac needs a homeschool. Teacher for Daisy but she gets the feeling she not welcome. Buy the other family members.is someone watching her. And who has secrets? So, gripping a must read

[Lesa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. What an amazing story from the first page.
Loved the twist and did not expect the ending at all...

[Daisy Bunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very slow read… didn’t have me that engaged.
Wasn’t a bad read just nothing special
3.5 ⭐️

[What Lynsey Read · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a quick easy read, but you have to suspend disbelief throughout at the plot-lines as it relies on several major 'that wouldn't happen' moments to get off the ground.
Firstly, Rose agrees to help kidnap a 5 year old child for Elise, a woman she was best friends with many years ago, but hasn't seen since, all because she feels guilty about Elise's attempted suicide as a teenager.
Secondly, a father asks a complete stranger whom he met at the school gates, to move in and tutor said child, later that same day.
Thirdly, not one of the extended family has a proper or full time job, and yet somehow they can afford to pay a qualified teacher to provide one-to-one tutoring. And her teaching is a bit sketchy and unrealistic (1+1=2, 2+2=4, 3+3+6 - where did she qualify to be a teacher? 1950?)
Add to the mix a pantomime villain sister and her actual villain husband.
I feel like the book could have delved more into Rose's past relationship for the reader to get an understanding of what on earth would make her agree to this plan. Also, the blurb says that Elsie's behaviour becomes increasingly erratic, but I don't feel that this is displayed enough either. It would have been good to see her unravel more so that Rose realised that she had to be stopped sooner.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loads of twists and turns! A book that keeps you interested from start to finish! Highly recommend

[Bicho da Galáxia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book didn't work for me because of the lack of speed when necessary, especially if you like compulsive reading when it comes to thrillers. Also, maybe the twists were a little too much...

However, I think it could be an amazing starter for people who want to start reading thrillers or books with mysterious details. 

Thank you, NetGalley, for the arc copy!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thriller I could not put down!

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and it was one that keeps you reading and at the edge of your seat. The only issue I saw was a few spelling errors throughout. The characters and plot twist was 10/10 for this psychological thriller.

Elise shows up at her friend Rose’s doorstep, one she hasn’t seen in years asking for help. She states she is running away from her abusive husband and needs Rose to help get her daughter Daisy back to her safely. Rose agrees to help but what happens within the course of her time in Isaacs home will have your head spinning. Who is telling the truth? Who is lying? Rose is about to embark on a teaching journey that may put Daisy at risk if Elise is lying.

Trigger warnings: mental disorders, abuse, pregnancy loss.

Publication dated for July 26, 2023.

I would like to give a special thank you to #NetGalley, #teamHQ, and #KarenClarke for this advanced copy. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

[Hillary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elise tells her friend Rose that she is no longer able to see her daughter because of her husband, issac. Elise asks rose for help and Rose ends up tutoring Daisy, Elise’s daughter. Will Rose bring Daisy back to Elise? I couldn’t put this book down. There were lots of twists and turns. I never knew what to expect when I turned the page. Thank you NetGalley, Karen and HQ for the ARC!

[John F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pretty good!! Okayyyy 🤪

[Geereadsx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. I really, thoroughly enjoyed this book. I really liked how I kept thinking I knew what was going on yet I ended up being wrong every time.

The characters were so complicated, I really didn't know who I could and couldn't trust, except for one person who I had a feeling about all along but didn't know the extent of what they'd be capable of.

I loved the premise too, a woman makes a promise to get an old friend's daughter back by becoming the nanny/teacher yet there's so many stories and lies to unravel. Brilliant.

My only complaint would be that It was very slow at times which would make me lose interest, not often but once or twice. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a good thriller though!

[Christine Zara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending/epilogue had me picking my jaw off the floor like 😲

Saying that, the whole book/plot could've been avoided if the Rose knew of the word "no" 🙃

[Eric Rodrigues · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iykyk - Can I go any higher than a 5? I can’t love this more.

Also laughing at how this review is gonna impact my algorithm of recommendations lol.

[Natalie Forsyth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story but not as good as the reviews made it out to be.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

[Linda Surritte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of an unrealistic premise and predictable ending.....

[Becca allan Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this definitely keeps you on your toes!

[Sophie Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

i listened to this one as an audiobook and it wasnt great but it wasnt bad. i finished it 3 weeks ago and i cant even really remember much content which just shows what i thought!

it was fast paced at the beginning but slowed down very quickly, i found myself getting very bored and i wouldnt reach for another book by the author.

i dont really like the 'long lost best friend turned up on my doorstep' storyline because it just isnt believable - and it became very unrealistic very quickly i felt!

[Destiny Garcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took a minute to get into. It was a bit slow at first but it... Oh my goodness. There were so many twists and turns. I tried to guess what the end was gonna look like but I was so wrong!!!

[Tasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was pissed off the entire time while reading this book

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rose Carpenter has recently moved to a new town after she got out of a toxic relationship. A trained teacher, she will soon need to get a job. One day, she opens her door to find an old friend from university, Elise. The woman looks down-trodden and says she needs Rose’s help. She says her husband is manipulative and may want her dead. So, she ran away from him. He wants the money that her father left her and had her committed. She just wants to get her little girl, Daisy, back.

The plan Elise and Rose come up with is for Rose to meet Elise’s husband at the school gate as he waits to pick up Daisy from school. She tells him she is a teacher and wants to know if the school is a good one. He then tells her that Daisy is not settling into the school well and he wants her home-schooled. He invites her to come to meet Daisy and see what they both think. All goes well and she accepts the job and the offer to live-in.

Rose invites Elise to stay at her place. Elise wants her to get Daisy’s passport and bring her to Elise so they can escape together.

The story had me skeptical from the start as I felt Rose was above doing something this deceitful. This thought followed me all the way through the book which is why I am glad that the ending wasn’t a “slam dunk.” I liked how it all played out and the ending was as it should be. Well done. Interesting characters and I really liked Rose and Daisy.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Amanda Reynolds · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book sounded great from the blurb and I was excited to read it, but I found it really hard to get into and unfortunately the ending was so anticlimactic. The pace of the story was slow and whilst there were some twists and turns overall it made for a slow read. I quite liked Rose’s character but to be honest, I found the whole plot very unbelievable. I mean within the first 30 or so pages she already had been employed as a home tutor/au pair and moved in. Speaking as someone who is a primary school teacher I know that this would never have happen. I don’t normally mind a book being a bit over the top and not entirely believable, but this seemed to be a huge stretch. Throughout the book they were several plot twists designed to keep us on our toes guessing whether Rose had made the right decision or not but it just made me annoyed with her character as she couldn’t seem to make up her mind about anything. It’s a shame because the concept sounded really interesting but it just wasn’t for me. I think I could’ve looked past the flaws of the book if it had had a good conclusion but the ending, or lack of ending, was so boring and almost as unbelievable as the whole concept. The epilogue is okay, if slightly obvious, but by that point I’d already lost interest in the book. Unfortunately if this book is anything to go by I’m not going to rush out to buy any more by this author.

[Lauren Robillard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.

If you are looking for a fast-paced thriller, then My Best Friend’s Secret by Karen Clarke is for you! I binged this in one weekend and the writing had me turning the page wanting more.
What would you do if an old friend turned up at your doorstep asking for help? This is exactly what happened to Rose Carpentier, a thirty-year-old elementary school teacher who had just moved for a fresh start. That is until her old friend, Elise, shows up in trouble. She was in a controlling/abusive marriage, and she needs Rose help getting her daughter out of a dangerous situation. She needs Rose to pose as her daughter's tutor to help take her and give her back to Elise.
This had everything that you need in a thriller. Fast paced, unreliable characters, and twists you do not see coming. There were some twists I could predict, but others I was completely blindsided. It was a quick read and very enjoyable. This is my first Karen Clarke novel but definitely not my last. 4 out of 5 stars!

[Juuu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review on my bookstagram

I am “shooketh!”. My Best Friend’s Secret had me straight-up addicted. I can't remember the last time I read a book in just one or two sittings. The book has massive page-turner vibes and is the definition of being impossible to put down. And the feeling of "I absolutely need to know what's gonna happen next" is what makes this story so great.

Let me get this straight: I seriously believed I had this figured out. The plot, however, has decided to backhand me with some unexpected twists, and my best guesses have led me nowhere. Lol. This book messes with your head, making you side-eye every character. And just like Rose, our main character, she's in an awful state of mind, being unsure of who to trust and frequently wondering on what’s the best thing to do for Daisy.

Definitely not the last time I will read something from this author. There was no hesitation on my part while giving "My Best Friend's Secret" a perfect score of five stars. It has genuine tension and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Highly recommended to readers who appreciate psychological thrillers, mysteries, and narratives that explore trust issues and the blurred lines between truth and deception.

[Nelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book didn't quite capture my attention as much as I had hoped. The very slow start made it challenging to get into the story, and the ending felt a bit rushed and unrealistic. Would the main character really let a stranger move in with him and his daughter after just meeting her? And the way the other characters easily shared their secrets so openly after a week of living with her felt a bit too convenient. On top of that the main character Rose just blindly believing her 'friend' that suddenly turned up out of nowhere and preparing to kidnap a child with barely any question was rather farfetched from the very beginning, however, I do understand that Roses vulnerabilities and recent experiences with the abusive relationship might have influenced her decisions. Overall, I personally wouldn't recommend this book, but I appreciate the author's ideas and attempt to explore complex relationships and personal growth. I haven't been put off trying another her books.

[Julie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this was ridiculous, the premise was too unbelievable for me. An ex teen friend contacts Rose to ask her to infiltrate a family to kidnap the daughter for this woman. The woman, Elise, states she is the mother of the daughter, Daisy, but that the family abused Elise, battered her, gaslit her and had her committed against her will. Elise just wants her daughter and knows Rose will do it for her because Rose has guilt for some kind of secret in their teen years.

So, come one, Rose has not seen Elise for years and years. But she swallows the story hook, line and sinker. And somehow she thinks there would be no repercussions for her to help Elise essentially kidnap Daisy and whisk her out of the country?!?! Really??

I read this book, sort of, but mostly I kept waiting for the huge light bulb above Rose's head to go off so she could see the light and the truth!