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The Photo
I thought he was dead. Until I saw him staring back at me…
Ten years have passed since my beloved sister was murdered, leaving behind her sweet five-year-old daughter, Lily.
I’m trying my best to care for Lily and salvage what’s left of our shattered family. I promised to keep her safe after all she’s been through, and after a lot of challenges, I hope she might be starting to lead a normal life again.
But then I see a face in a photo I took just yesterday that turns my blood to ice.
I tell myself it can’t be him, but I know in my gut it is. The man my sister married. The man who killed her. The man I thought was dead…
A totally unputdownable psychological thriller filled with jaw-dropping twists. Fans of Freida McFadden, Claire McGowan and Lisa Jewell will be utterly gripped!
Ten years have passed since my beloved sister was murdered, leaving behind her sweet five-year-old daughter, Lily.
I’m trying my best to care for Lily and salvage what’s left of our shattered family. I promised to keep her safe after all she’s been through, and after a lot of challenges, I hope she might be starting to lead a normal life again.
But then I see a face in a photo I took just yesterday that turns my blood to ice.
I tell myself it can’t be him, but I know in my gut it is. The man my sister married. The man who killed her. The man I thought was dead…
A totally unputdownable psychological thriller filled with jaw-dropping twists. Fans of Freida McFadden, Claire McGowan and Lisa Jewell will be utterly gripped!
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 11, 2024
907 people are currently reading
1075 people want to read
About the author
A.J. McDine
15 books401 followersA J McDine is the author of twisty, character-driven psychological thrillers that explore secrets, lies and the dark side of relationships.
Before turning to fiction, she worked as a journalist and police press officer in Kent, where she lives with her husband, fellow thriller writer A J Wills, their two sons and three rescue cats.
When she’s not writing, she can usually be found with her nose in a book, attempting a 5K, or gazing out of the window thinking up new ways to get her characters into (and out of) trouble.
Her books are all standalone reads. They are (in no particular order):
The Baby
The Husband Before You
The Photo
Everyone Has Secrets
The Invite
Should Have Known Better
No One I Knew
The Promise You Made
When She Finds You
Before turning to fiction, she worked as a journalist and police press officer in Kent, where she lives with her husband, fellow thriller writer A J Wills, their two sons and three rescue cats.
When she’s not writing, she can usually be found with her nose in a book, attempting a 5K, or gazing out of the window thinking up new ways to get her characters into (and out of) trouble.
Her books are all standalone reads. They are (in no particular order):
The Baby
The Husband Before You
The Photo
Everyone Has Secrets
The Invite
Should Have Known Better
No One I Knew
The Promise You Made
When She Finds You
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews
October 5, 2024
The Photo by A J McDine
Narrated by Tamsin Kennard
Lara, is a former photo journalist who gave up her career to become a wedding photographer, after she suffered a personal tragedy which made her realize that stories like those she featured, added to the pain that the families of Victims were already suffering.
Ten years ago, her sister Isabelle, and her two twin nephews were killed, in what could only be assumed as a Murder-Suicide by Isabelle’s husband, Jason.
His body was never recovered.
His five year old daughter, Lily was left for dead by the murderer, but when the ambulance arrived, she was found to have a weak pulse. She is being raised by her grandmother and her Aunt Lara.
Lara would love to add “landscape photography” to her portfolio, and one day while going through photos she took on the beach, she spots a man in the background of one picture, which could only be her “brother in law”.
Lily, now fifteen, aspires to be an “influencer” so, without discussing it with her family, she posts a TIC TOC video, talking about the crime she lived through as a child and the new memories that have started to surface.
The timing could NOT be worse.
As disturbing things begin to happen, Lara begins to worry if Jason has returned to finish the job.
She teams up with both the DC from the case, Curtis Frampton and a former rival journalist, Johnny Nelson, in an attempt protect Lily, and locate her missing father.
This was a FAST PACED story which hooks you from the OPENING SCENE, told primarily from the first person POV of Lara, who is a smart, sympathetic protagonist.
AJ McDine’s prose is DELICIOUSLY descriptive, and it brings to life the characters, and their conversations as they go about their lives. I could easily envision what was happening as I listened to this story!
I enjoyed the narrator’s voice for the women, but all of the men sounded alike, so I really had to concentrate on who was with Lara when one of them was speaking with her.
ENTERTAINED from start to finish, and completely SURPRISED by the final twist- this is the kind of book which reminds me of why I love Goodreads so much.
This is the author’s seventh novel but US audiences were not familiar with this UK author until Bookouture brought her work to the US in April with her sixth novel, “The Baby”. It reached Amazon’s top 20 in the UK and the top 100 in the US. It’s great that readers around the World can share their favorite authors and books on one Global site.
Three positive reviews on the same day from GR friends, put THIS book and author on MY radar, and I decided that I just HAD TO READ IT NEXT!
Since this was an AUDIOBOOK listen, please excuse any errors with the spelling of character names as I wasn’t able to see the names in print.
McDine was a journalist and police press officer until she started writing Fiction. She lives in Kent in the UK with her husband, fellow thriller writer A J Wills, their two sons and three rescue cats.
AVAILABLE NOW!
Highly recommended!
Thank You to Bookouture for the gifted Audiobook provided through the NetGalley Shelf. These are my candid opinions.
Narrated by Tamsin Kennard
Lara, is a former photo journalist who gave up her career to become a wedding photographer, after she suffered a personal tragedy which made her realize that stories like those she featured, added to the pain that the families of Victims were already suffering.
Ten years ago, her sister Isabelle, and her two twin nephews were killed, in what could only be assumed as a Murder-Suicide by Isabelle’s husband, Jason.
His body was never recovered.
His five year old daughter, Lily was left for dead by the murderer, but when the ambulance arrived, she was found to have a weak pulse. She is being raised by her grandmother and her Aunt Lara.
Lara would love to add “landscape photography” to her portfolio, and one day while going through photos she took on the beach, she spots a man in the background of one picture, which could only be her “brother in law”.
Lily, now fifteen, aspires to be an “influencer” so, without discussing it with her family, she posts a TIC TOC video, talking about the crime she lived through as a child and the new memories that have started to surface.
The timing could NOT be worse.
As disturbing things begin to happen, Lara begins to worry if Jason has returned to finish the job.
She teams up with both the DC from the case, Curtis Frampton and a former rival journalist, Johnny Nelson, in an attempt protect Lily, and locate her missing father.
This was a FAST PACED story which hooks you from the OPENING SCENE, told primarily from the first person POV of Lara, who is a smart, sympathetic protagonist.
AJ McDine’s prose is DELICIOUSLY descriptive, and it brings to life the characters, and their conversations as they go about their lives. I could easily envision what was happening as I listened to this story!
I enjoyed the narrator’s voice for the women, but all of the men sounded alike, so I really had to concentrate on who was with Lara when one of them was speaking with her.
ENTERTAINED from start to finish, and completely SURPRISED by the final twist- this is the kind of book which reminds me of why I love Goodreads so much.
This is the author’s seventh novel but US audiences were not familiar with this UK author until Bookouture brought her work to the US in April with her sixth novel, “The Baby”. It reached Amazon’s top 20 in the UK and the top 100 in the US. It’s great that readers around the World can share their favorite authors and books on one Global site.
Three positive reviews on the same day from GR friends, put THIS book and author on MY radar, and I decided that I just HAD TO READ IT NEXT!
Since this was an AUDIOBOOK listen, please excuse any errors with the spelling of character names as I wasn’t able to see the names in print.
McDine was a journalist and police press officer until she started writing Fiction. She lives in Kent in the UK with her husband, fellow thriller writer A J Wills, their two sons and three rescue cats.
AVAILABLE NOW!
Highly recommended!
Thank You to Bookouture for the gifted Audiobook provided through the NetGalley Shelf. These are my candid opinions.
July 11, 2024
Smile for the camera!📸
Lara is a wedding photographer. A much less stressful career than her previous as a photojournalist.
But she may need to draw from her past experiences after discovering the image of a man in one of her photos. Not just any man, mind you. It’s her brother-in-law who’s been on the run from the law, wanted for murder!
Ten years ago Lara’s sister Isabelle and two of her children were brutally murdered in their home. The daughter Lily was left for dead. Isabelle’s husband Jason suddenly vanishes. Well, I’d feel safe in assuming (along with Lara) that all signs point to Jason as our killer. 💁🏻♀️
So why did Jason resurface now? Did he come back to finish the job?
This was an entertaining thriller that kept me captivated throughout. It’s my first read/audio from this author but I’ve already researched some of her older works and will be adding them to my shelf!
🎧 The narrator Tamsin Kennard did an excellent job with all the characters, but I do feel an additional narrator would have elevated the performance.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio 🎧
Lara is a wedding photographer. A much less stressful career than her previous as a photojournalist.
But she may need to draw from her past experiences after discovering the image of a man in one of her photos. Not just any man, mind you. It’s her brother-in-law who’s been on the run from the law, wanted for murder!
Ten years ago Lara’s sister Isabelle and two of her children were brutally murdered in their home. The daughter Lily was left for dead. Isabelle’s husband Jason suddenly vanishes. Well, I’d feel safe in assuming (along with Lara) that all signs point to Jason as our killer. 💁🏻♀️
So why did Jason resurface now? Did he come back to finish the job?
This was an entertaining thriller that kept me captivated throughout. It’s my first read/audio from this author but I’ve already researched some of her older works and will be adding them to my shelf!
🎧 The narrator Tamsin Kennard did an excellent job with all the characters, but I do feel an additional narrator would have elevated the performance.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio 🎧
July 13, 2024
3.5
I suppose I didn’t get off on the right foot with this one when I thought what a coincidence about THAT photo that started it all off. Tongue firmly in cheek. There are a lot of assumptions, a lot of it was very passive and as a consequence I didn’t find it too thrilling. The end twist was ok but I thought it wasn’t too surprising when a key piece of information was learned. Not a bad book by any means but not a full four star for me.
Also ‘Lils’ - that got on my nerves 😂
I suppose I didn’t get off on the right foot with this one when I thought what a coincidence about THAT photo that started it all off. Tongue firmly in cheek. There are a lot of assumptions, a lot of it was very passive and as a consequence I didn’t find it too thrilling. The end twist was ok but I thought it wasn’t too surprising when a key piece of information was learned. Not a bad book by any means but not a full four star for me.
Also ‘Lils’ - that got on my nerves 😂
June 15, 2024
"The Photo" was a "picture perfect", fast-paced 5-star read.
Ten years ago, in Tidehaven, England, a woman and her twin 2-year-old sons were brutally massacred in their home.
The woman's 5-year-old daughter was severely injured but survived.
The key suspect in this horrific crime was the woman's husband, who disappeared.
A recent photo taken by the woman's sister changes everything and reopens the case.
This gripping, compelling, pacey book boasted red herrings galore and unpredictable twists.
I listened to the audiobook read by Tamsin Kennard, who did an outstanding job with the narration.
AJ Devine is one of my new favorite "go-to" authors and special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 13, 2024
If you are looking for a fast paced, binge worthy mystery, look no further than The Photo by AJ McDine. I could not stop listening to this and I read it in a day. Full of heart and wild twists, it will keep you guessing until that very last chapter. That ending was just so 😱😱😱
Imagine seeing something or someone in the background of a photo you have taken. And that person is your brother in law, a man you though was dead, a man who murdered his wife and 2 year old twin boys 10 years ago, Lara is a photographer, and this leads her on a dangerous path to find him and bring her sisters killer to justice.
I was so shocked and entertained by this wonderful story. I just had to finish it.
Thanks so much to the author and Bookouture for my advanced kindle and audio copy of this book. Just fantastic. Publishes in July 11th.
Imagine seeing something or someone in the background of a photo you have taken. And that person is your brother in law, a man you though was dead, a man who murdered his wife and 2 year old twin boys 10 years ago, Lara is a photographer, and this leads her on a dangerous path to find him and bring her sisters killer to justice.
I was so shocked and entertained by this wonderful story. I just had to finish it.
Thanks so much to the author and Bookouture for my advanced kindle and audio copy of this book. Just fantastic. Publishes in July 11th.
May 2, 2024
Ten years ago, in Tidehaven, England, a family was found massacred. Isabelle and her twin sons, Jack and Milo, were killed in their beds, and her daughter, Lily, was severely injured. Isabelle’s husband, Jason, was the prime suspect, but he escaped and hasn’t been seen in a decade…until a photo changes everything.
Jason’s ex-sister-in-law, Lara, was a photojournalist, but she is now a wedding photographer hoping to move into landscapes. After taking a picture near a beach, she realizes that she recognizes the man walking in the background. It’s absolutely Jason, the man who killed her sister and nephews.
Lara immediately tells the police what she’s seen, but she’s not ready to tell Lily that her dad is back - maybe to finish what he started. She probably should have told her right away though, because Lily is now 15, and has created a true-crime TikTok account where she promises to tell her rising number of followers about her memories from that violent night. The public account, plus the sight of Jason, becomes too much. Lara is terrified something terrible is going to happen (and she’s not wrong!)
This is a quick read that contains a good backstory and decent characters. I did figure out a part of the ending, but then there was another big twist that changed everything! This is the second book I’ve read by this author, and I’m looking forward to more. 3.5 stars, rounded up.
(Thank you to Bookouture, A.J. McDine and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on July 11, 2024.)
Jason’s ex-sister-in-law, Lara, was a photojournalist, but she is now a wedding photographer hoping to move into landscapes. After taking a picture near a beach, she realizes that she recognizes the man walking in the background. It’s absolutely Jason, the man who killed her sister and nephews.
Lara immediately tells the police what she’s seen, but she’s not ready to tell Lily that her dad is back - maybe to finish what he started. She probably should have told her right away though, because Lily is now 15, and has created a true-crime TikTok account where she promises to tell her rising number of followers about her memories from that violent night. The public account, plus the sight of Jason, becomes too much. Lara is terrified something terrible is going to happen (and she’s not wrong!)
This is a quick read that contains a good backstory and decent characters. I did figure out a part of the ending, but then there was another big twist that changed everything! This is the second book I’ve read by this author, and I’m looking forward to more. 3.5 stars, rounded up.
(Thank you to Bookouture, A.J. McDine and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on July 11, 2024.)
May 29, 2024
Thank you to the author and Bookouture for gifting me this ARC! I've read a few books from A.J. McDine, so I was so excited to get my hands on this one before its release on July 11, 2024. ✨
This story did not disappoint! I was hooked from the very first chapter and could not put it down. There were so many twists along the way, and even when you begin to catch on, another curveball gets thrown your way. I loved the plotline, although heartbreaking, and its development. This book was a page-turner, for sure. I rated it 4.5 stars, but rounding up because this was such a fun read. This may be the author's best book yet!
I highly recommend adding this one to your TBR list if you enjoy psychological thrillers/mysteries!
This story did not disappoint! I was hooked from the very first chapter and could not put it down. There were so many twists along the way, and even when you begin to catch on, another curveball gets thrown your way. I loved the plotline, although heartbreaking, and its development. This book was a page-turner, for sure. I rated it 4.5 stars, but rounding up because this was such a fun read. This may be the author's best book yet!
I highly recommend adding this one to your TBR list if you enjoy psychological thrillers/mysteries!
July 30, 2024
This book had me hopping all the way through!
I literally didn't see the twisty mctwisters that rolled through this book!
So Laura's sister was murdered by her husband 10 years ago. She was a photo journalist until that point and then starts taking wedding pics because of what happened to her sister and nephews. her niece is the only one who survives and goes to live with her grandmother. They assume the father killed himself but 10 years later, laura snaps a photo.... The man in the photo is none other than her brother in law.
Holy mcnuggets I was hooked right in and I couldn't stop listening.
The narration was on point and I was drawn right in. This book will keep you on your toes right until the very end and just when you think you know.... you don't know!
The writing is exactly what I need from a thriller author. It was well paced and expertly executed. I loved the characters and it was a solid thriller book.
4.5 stars
I literally didn't see the twisty mctwisters that rolled through this book!
So Laura's sister was murdered by her husband 10 years ago. She was a photo journalist until that point and then starts taking wedding pics because of what happened to her sister and nephews. her niece is the only one who survives and goes to live with her grandmother. They assume the father killed himself but 10 years later, laura snaps a photo.... The man in the photo is none other than her brother in law.
Holy mcnuggets I was hooked right in and I couldn't stop listening.
The narration was on point and I was drawn right in. This book will keep you on your toes right until the very end and just when you think you know.... you don't know!
The writing is exactly what I need from a thriller author. It was well paced and expertly executed. I loved the characters and it was a solid thriller book.
4.5 stars
July 8, 2024
This was a fast paced thriller from beginning to end. Lara is a wedding photographer and while looking through photos, it appears her sister’s husband is in the picture. How could that be when he was accused of murdering her sister and their kids and then he was missing himself? This had me guessing and I thought I had it figured out, but there was a twist at the end. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review. To be published July 11, 2024.
July 20, 2024
The Photo is a compelling, suspenseful thriller with never a dull moment. Evenly paced, with lots of red herrings, I thought I knew where the story was going. But the twists kept coming until the very end, and I was way off base with my suspicions. AJ McDine is a new author for me, but I will be looking into her previous works.
July 15, 2024
photographer and has been raising her niece Lily, who tragically lost her mother and twin brothers at the hands of her own father. Lily barely remembers the brutal attack, as she also was attacked and was in a coma for a time. Lara’s photography career has started not doing so well. Not only is Lara struggling of late, she sees someone in the background of one of her photos - her former brother-in-law, Jason. He disappeared after the attacks and it is now over a decade later and he was presumed dead.
To say that Lara is shocked would be an understatement. This sets the groundwork for A. J. McDine’s next thrilling story. The tension is palpable, especially as disturbing events begin to take place. Meanwhile, Lily, now a teenager, is determined to not only become a social media influencer, but is determined to publicly discuss the case that nearly took her life when she lost the other members of her family. Although only five at the time, as well as being severely injured, Lily is now beginning to experiencing some memories.
I think when readers dive into this story, they just might want to be team Lara, who is determined to protect Lily. However, with Jason back in the picture, more than a bit of drama comes into play, especially with the twists and turns in this novel. Not surprisingly, Lara has a lot of questions, and, as a reader, these questions were more than intriguing. With a shocking ending that left me breathless, I highly recommend this book.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
To say that Lara is shocked would be an understatement. This sets the groundwork for A. J. McDine’s next thrilling story. The tension is palpable, especially as disturbing events begin to take place. Meanwhile, Lily, now a teenager, is determined to not only become a social media influencer, but is determined to publicly discuss the case that nearly took her life when she lost the other members of her family. Although only five at the time, as well as being severely injured, Lily is now beginning to experiencing some memories.
I think when readers dive into this story, they just might want to be team Lara, who is determined to protect Lily. However, with Jason back in the picture, more than a bit of drama comes into play, especially with the twists and turns in this novel. Not surprisingly, Lara has a lot of questions, and, as a reader, these questions were more than intriguing. With a shocking ending that left me breathless, I highly recommend this book.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
July 13, 2024
Pretty basic. Kept my interest though
July 5, 2024
THE PHOTO by AJ MCDINE✨
arc review • pub date 07.11.24
This was a solid rollercoaster of suspense and mystery! I am pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this story and kept picking it up every chance I got because i wanted to continue the story. My first book from this author, and I will definitely be seeking out more from her!
quick synop: lara is a photographer, and one day after going through photos to edit, she notices her brother in law in the background of a photo. The problem: he has been missing for 10 years after the brutal murder of his wife and two of his children.
swipe for full #goodreads synop!
4⭐️
Thanks so much to @netgalley, @bookouture & Bookouture Audio for my ARC!
arc review • pub date 07.11.24
This was a solid rollercoaster of suspense and mystery! I am pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this story and kept picking it up every chance I got because i wanted to continue the story. My first book from this author, and I will definitely be seeking out more from her!
quick synop: lara is a photographer, and one day after going through photos to edit, she notices her brother in law in the background of a photo. The problem: he has been missing for 10 years after the brutal murder of his wife and two of his children.
swipe for full #goodreads synop!
4⭐️
Thanks so much to @netgalley, @bookouture & Bookouture Audio for my ARC!
June 22, 2024
10 years ago Lily was the soul survivor of a family slaughter. In true Gen Z style, she’s announces on TikTok her memories are returning - shockingly this begins a series of dangerous events
Coincidentally, her aunt Lara inadvertently snaps a photo of the number one suspect Jason and proceeds to investigate
What starts out as a fast paced story, quickly becomes a super slow, not-a-lot happens domestic thriller
I found the characters two-dimensional and struggled to connect with anyone. Events seemed to occur, but I found the investigation wanting and uneventful
When the reveal came, I was disappointed as it was recalled rather than discovered. However, the final twist was kinda twisty which I appreciated
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for access to this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review
Coincidentally, her aunt Lara inadvertently snaps a photo of the number one suspect Jason and proceeds to investigate
What starts out as a fast paced story, quickly becomes a super slow, not-a-lot happens domestic thriller
I found the characters two-dimensional and struggled to connect with anyone. Events seemed to occur, but I found the investigation wanting and uneventful
When the reveal came, I was disappointed as it was recalled rather than discovered. However, the final twist was kinda twisty which I appreciated
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for access to this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review
June 16, 2024
High quality quick read audio was a binge read. It had me hooked from the burb to the omg ending. I loved the narration and the way the story arc of various characters was dripped inyo the narrative as inner monologues. I felt the usage of tick tock and references to ring doorbells and cctv gave in a modern grounding in a atory rhat you could have listen to on any postcard or watched in any film. I was fully invested in the characters due to skillful writing and narration
I found the police officer harder to like and loved the red herrings throughtout. Always the way issues such as inner conflict and guilt survivor were dealt with. It's often overlooked that of you are told a family member fid a very bad thing you can suddenly stop loving them it was a simple plot with a cracking ending told in a brilliant way. Highly recommended this t star listen to anyone after a fully engaging mystery. Thank you netgallery and publisher and author and narrator.
I found the police officer harder to like and loved the red herrings throughtout. Always the way issues such as inner conflict and guilt survivor were dealt with. It's often overlooked that of you are told a family member fid a very bad thing you can suddenly stop loving them it was a simple plot with a cracking ending told in a brilliant way. Highly recommended this t star listen to anyone after a fully engaging mystery. Thank you netgallery and publisher and author and narrator.
July 5, 2024
"The Photo" by A.J. McDine is a fast-paced, 5-star read! After a long day at a wedding with a nightmare client, Lara Beckett returns to her flat knowing she needs to review the photos. To her shock, she recognizes Jason Carello, the murderer of her sister and two little boys, in one of the pictures. Lara hasn’t seen the man in a decade, believing him to be dead. This discovery sets Lara, her mother, and her niece on a collision course with the truth from the past.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and thought it was well-written. Most of the narrative is told from Lara’s perspective, and the short chapters make it a quick read. As a wedding photographer, Lara’s profession held a personal connection for me. Despite the challenges in her business, Lara perseveres. The story ends with a surprising twist that I didn’t see coming. I am definitely interested in reading more books by A.J. McDine.
Thanks to Bookouture, A J McDine, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and thought it was well-written. Most of the narrative is told from Lara’s perspective, and the short chapters make it a quick read. As a wedding photographer, Lara’s profession held a personal connection for me. Despite the challenges in her business, Lara perseveres. The story ends with a surprising twist that I didn’t see coming. I am definitely interested in reading more books by A.J. McDine.
Thanks to Bookouture, A J McDine, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.
June 30, 2024
If you are looking for a fast paced, quick read with a decent twist, then look no further! The Photo is the right book for you. I thought I had guessed it all, but in the end I was wrong! A 3.5 read for me!
Lara is a wedding photographer who is raising her niece, Lily, who is the sole survivor of her families tragic massacre. Lily's father, in a fit of rage, murdered her mother and her twin brothers and then fled the scene leaving Lily for dead. They believed he killed himself after running away. However, when Lara is editing her photos from a wedding she shot, she notices someone in the background who she believed to be dead and her stomach sinks. Staring back at her is her terrifying brother-in-law. This can only mean one thing; he's back and ready to finish what he started.
In true Gen-Z fashion, Lily takes to TiK-Tok when she starts having flashbacks to the night she lost her family. As her followers start climbing, so does her bad luck when weird and scary things begin to happen. As her aunt is trying to protect her from the knowledge her father has returned she continues to put herself and what family she has left in danger.
Will Lara be able to uncover the truth before it's too late?
Pub. date: July 11, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for my early copy!
Lara is a wedding photographer who is raising her niece, Lily, who is the sole survivor of her families tragic massacre. Lily's father, in a fit of rage, murdered her mother and her twin brothers and then fled the scene leaving Lily for dead. They believed he killed himself after running away. However, when Lara is editing her photos from a wedding she shot, she notices someone in the background who she believed to be dead and her stomach sinks. Staring back at her is her terrifying brother-in-law. This can only mean one thing; he's back and ready to finish what he started.
In true Gen-Z fashion, Lily takes to TiK-Tok when she starts having flashbacks to the night she lost her family. As her followers start climbing, so does her bad luck when weird and scary things begin to happen. As her aunt is trying to protect her from the knowledge her father has returned she continues to put herself and what family she has left in danger.
Will Lara be able to uncover the truth before it's too late?
Pub. date: July 11, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for my early copy!
July 11, 2024
Ten years ago, Isabelle and her young twin sons were brutally murdered. Her 5 year old daughter, Lily, was badly injured, but she survived. Isabelle's husband, Jason, is the prime suspect, but he disappeared the day of the murder and hasn't been seen twice. Isabelle's sister, Lara, is a photographer. As she's reviewing her recent photos, she swears it's Jason in the background of one of her pictures. Is it really him? Has Jason resurfaced? If so, why? WOW! What develops in this book is a roller coaster, and I was fully invested in the ride!
A J McDine has done it again! I loved her most recent book, The Baby, and The Photo is even better! This book is fast paced and had me gripped from the very first words. The short chapters made this an easy read, and I found myself engrossed in this story.
McDine's writing style is vividly descriptive, which really helps to bring her characters to life. I flew through this book because I just had to know what was going to happen. The plot developed at a rapid pace that kept me entertained until the very end. There were twists and turns that I didn't predict. Every time I thought I knew what would happen next, McDine proved me wrong. The ending was brilliant! McDine is one of my new fave authors. I can't wait to read her full catalog.
Tamsin Kennard did a great job as usual with her narration. She always brings a story to life for me.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the ALC!
A J McDine has done it again! I loved her most recent book, The Baby, and The Photo is even better! This book is fast paced and had me gripped from the very first words. The short chapters made this an easy read, and I found myself engrossed in this story.
McDine's writing style is vividly descriptive, which really helps to bring her characters to life. I flew through this book because I just had to know what was going to happen. The plot developed at a rapid pace that kept me entertained until the very end. There were twists and turns that I didn't predict. Every time I thought I knew what would happen next, McDine proved me wrong. The ending was brilliant! McDine is one of my new fave authors. I can't wait to read her full catalog.
Tamsin Kennard did a great job as usual with her narration. She always brings a story to life for me.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the ALC!
July 17, 2024
Oh my! What can I say. How many times while reading this book did I think I had it all figured out only to change my mind after reading a bit more. that is about all I can say without spoilers. Isabelle, Jason's wife and their twin boys are murdered viciously, daughter Lily barely survives the attack and Jason goes missing. Did he commit suicide--is he dead? Did he just go away because he did the dirty deeds? That is how it all starts out. Ten years later Lara, a photographer, and Isabelle's sister, sees an image in the background of a seascape photo she took...and she swears she sees a ten year older Jason. More twists and turns than you can imagine and I want a follow up to this story.
July 23, 2024
"The Photo" by A.J. McDine is a great psychological thriller! If this genre is one you like, you'll want to check out this one! It's an unputdownable fast read or listen.
Laura is a wedding photographer and former news photographer. Ten years ago, her sister, Isabel, and twin toddler boys were murdered. Everyone thought it was her husband, Jason, who did it, and he had disappeared. One day, while taking landscape photos, Laura gets a picture of a man she later recognizes as Jason. She is terrified!
Isabel had an older child, Lily, who survived the attack. Lily is now 15 years old and living with her grandmother. Is Lily in danger again?
This book has an outstanding plot. It moves right along with plot and action. It is set in England in modern times.
The audiobook is expertly narrated by Tamsin Kennard. I love her, but I would like to listen to other thrillers with different narrators who are just as good. She's the main narrator doing all the thrillers from England lately.
Characters - 5/5
Writing - 5/5
Plot - 5/5
Pacing - 5/5
Unputdownability - 5/5
Enjoyment - 4/5
Narration - 5/5
Cover - 4/5
Overall - 38/8 = 4 6/8
Rounded up to 5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley, Bookouture Audio, and A.J. McDine, for providing this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
Laura is a wedding photographer and former news photographer. Ten years ago, her sister, Isabel, and twin toddler boys were murdered. Everyone thought it was her husband, Jason, who did it, and he had disappeared. One day, while taking landscape photos, Laura gets a picture of a man she later recognizes as Jason. She is terrified!
Isabel had an older child, Lily, who survived the attack. Lily is now 15 years old and living with her grandmother. Is Lily in danger again?
This book has an outstanding plot. It moves right along with plot and action. It is set in England in modern times.
The audiobook is expertly narrated by Tamsin Kennard. I love her, but I would like to listen to other thrillers with different narrators who are just as good. She's the main narrator doing all the thrillers from England lately.
Characters - 5/5
Writing - 5/5
Plot - 5/5
Pacing - 5/5
Unputdownability - 5/5
Enjoyment - 4/5
Narration - 5/5
Cover - 4/5
Overall - 38/8 = 4 6/8
Rounded up to 5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley, Bookouture Audio, and A.J. McDine, for providing this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
June 20, 2024
Photographer Lara is at home editing the pictures shes taken, when she comes across something that makes her stop. It can't be?
Her brother in law Jason, the one who brutally murdered her sister and nephews, and left her neice in a coma in hospital?
Approaching 10 years since their deaths, and assumed Jason dead after murder/suicide, why is she staring at him in her photo?
Little did Lara know, her neice Lily, has decided to get on Tik Tok and tell her side of the story, and what she remembers of the night the murders took place.
Lily goes viral, and before they know it, the past is coming back whether they like it or not.
Told in multiple POVs, I really enjoyed this audiobook. It had me hooked very quickly and kept my attention throughout. Narrator Tamsin Kennard does a brilliant job.
The final twist was not expected!!
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Her brother in law Jason, the one who brutally murdered her sister and nephews, and left her neice in a coma in hospital?
Approaching 10 years since their deaths, and assumed Jason dead after murder/suicide, why is she staring at him in her photo?
Little did Lara know, her neice Lily, has decided to get on Tik Tok and tell her side of the story, and what she remembers of the night the murders took place.
Lily goes viral, and before they know it, the past is coming back whether they like it or not.
Told in multiple POVs, I really enjoyed this audiobook. It had me hooked very quickly and kept my attention throughout. Narrator Tamsin Kennard does a brilliant job.
The final twist was not expected!!
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
June 25, 2024
I consumed The Photo by A.J. McDine through the audiobook version. I will preface this by saying I do not always do well with audiobooks. My mind tends to wander and I cannot pay attention especially if the author is scatterbrained but with The Photo I was able to focus 100%. I never had to rewind to feel as if I needed to "flip back" to earlier in the book. I'm sure this was contributed to a combination of the narrator and the structured writing of McDine. As for the story...I really really enjoyed it. It was the right amount of suspense and a perfect twist at the end. This was my first book by this author and I'm certain I will be picking up other books by her too. If you're looking for an easy to follow entertaining suspense novel, then this book is for you!
November 21, 2024
Torn between a 3.5 and a 4. Not a brilliant plot, in places. But an excellent twist.
June 12, 2024
A wedding photographer realises she has met up with the man who killed her sister in this thriller. Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC/audiobook with a class narrator!
July 11, 2024
4.25⭐️
This was a really good book in the end!
The opinions expressed are honest and my own but I am thankful to NetGalley and the publisher for the audio ARC of this title.
I’ll be honest, it was a slow start for me but I can’t put my finger on why. I started and stopped a few times in favor of consuming other books first but I’m glad I finally kept my finger off the pause button.
The narration was great. I love reading books from other counties that haven’t been reformated for a US audience as I prefer to listen to their accents and learn new things. The narrator read the book with just the right amount of passion but didn’t go overboard with a “performance”.
The book itself I imagine is fairly fast paced if reading the physical book. Once I got over the initial hump I didn’t want to turn it off.
The characters are well developed and the story is engaging and keeps you guessing. I love the twists, especially at the end.
I also was taken a back of how the book ended in a very abrupt manner but as I sat with it, I enjoyed it and it makes me want to pick up the next book that was teased after it ended.
I highly recommend putting this on your TBR for the summer. It comes out July 2024.
My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.
⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again
This was a really good book in the end!
The opinions expressed are honest and my own but I am thankful to NetGalley and the publisher for the audio ARC of this title.
I’ll be honest, it was a slow start for me but I can’t put my finger on why. I started and stopped a few times in favor of consuming other books first but I’m glad I finally kept my finger off the pause button.
The narration was great. I love reading books from other counties that haven’t been reformated for a US audience as I prefer to listen to their accents and learn new things. The narrator read the book with just the right amount of passion but didn’t go overboard with a “performance”.
The book itself I imagine is fairly fast paced if reading the physical book. Once I got over the initial hump I didn’t want to turn it off.
The characters are well developed and the story is engaging and keeps you guessing. I love the twists, especially at the end.
I also was taken a back of how the book ended in a very abrupt manner but as I sat with it, I enjoyed it and it makes me want to pick up the next book that was teased after it ended.
I highly recommend putting this on your TBR for the summer. It comes out July 2024.
My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.
⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again
May 18, 2024
I always seek out books by AJ McDine. The Photo is a good thriller that is easy to read! It has subplots that you won’t see coming. It actually reads more like a mystery with a fun cast of characters. What would you do if you unknowingly took a picture of a man who had supposedly been dead for ten years? What an exciting premise for a book! The man in the photo was suspected of killing his wife, twin sons, and wounding his daughter before killing himself. Now, there is an urgency to find him and learn the truth behind the murders. It was exciting and held my interest throughout. I’m still not sure I liked the final twist but it didn’t deter too much from my enjoyment! Thanks for NetGalley for this ARC!
June 20, 2024
Second book by this author and really like the style. Easy to read, full of twists and turns. Didn't see the ending coming .
May 2, 2024
It's always a pleasure reading this authors books because they hold me in their grip during the whole story.
They always say that when you do something a lot, you get better. I don't knowif this goes for unraveling plots in crime books, but I do think you start reading in a different way. You start to notice some details you need to complete the jigsaw and come to some conclusions where
I already ruled someone out as the culprit from the very beginning and focused on someone else. This resulted in me guessing part of the plot but the author still had saved the best for last and that was something that hit me like being struck by lightning. That will teach me for thinking I knew it all. LOL
Overstepping the line can seem like a lot of fun, but when you when you are forced to make a choice, never forget one party will be disappointed and who knows what that means.
Great characters, wonderful story, perfect twist. 5 stars
Thank you
They always say that when you do something a lot, you get better. I don't knowif this goes for unraveling plots in crime books, but I do think you start reading in a different way. You start to notice some details you need to complete the jigsaw and come to some conclusions where
I already ruled someone out as the culprit from the very beginning and focused on someone else. This resulted in me guessing part of the plot but the author still had saved the best for last and that was something that hit me like being struck by lightning. That will teach me for thinking I knew it all. LOL
Overstepping the line can seem like a lot of fun, but when you when you are forced to make a choice, never forget one party will be disappointed and who knows what that means.
Great characters, wonderful story, perfect twist. 5 stars
Thank you
August 29, 2024
Very good book by a new author to me. Great twist at the end and I actually thought I had worked it out from early on so I was kind of glad to have been wrong. Will read another by this author. Lovely narrator too.
June 29, 2024
On THE PHOTO we follow a professional wedding photographer named Laura, whose sister and 2 nephews were bruttaly murdered at their own house 10 years ago. Laura's niece, Lilly, was the sole survivor of that tragic night, and Laura's brother-in-law has been considered guilty of the murders and for 10 years he has been missing. During one of Laura's weddding events she is taking photos of the guests and realises that one man, who looks exactly like her brother-in-law, is captured by one of her photos. She now goes on a mission to figure out who that man really is and if her brother-in-law is alive and back, she fears that she and Lilly might be in danger.
This book is really fast-paced. A true thriller. And let's be honest...we, thriller readers, know that a lof of books are marketed as 'thrillers' but most of them are anything but that. Not the case here. Not this book. THE PHOTO is a true thriller. And this audiobook is 8 hours long and it goes very fast and easy to listen to.
In my opinion, Laura is an easy character to empathise with and care for. So is Lily.
The mystery around the man in the photo and his true identity is engaging and intriguing, and there is also other mysterious things happening to Laura concerning her job that adds another layer to the complexity of this case.
As for the conclusion, personally, I didn't predict that ending. But I also didn't find it very surprising, either. However, it is twisty. I'm sure there will be readers who will be thrilled about it.
This was my first time reading (or listening to) a book by this author and I'll definitely keep my eye on them in the future.
I do recommend this book to anyone who likes thrillers. Period. Because as I said before, this is a true thriller.
I wanna thank NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for allowing me to listen to a free advanced audiobook copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
This book is really fast-paced. A true thriller. And let's be honest...we, thriller readers, know that a lof of books are marketed as 'thrillers' but most of them are anything but that. Not the case here. Not this book. THE PHOTO is a true thriller. And this audiobook is 8 hours long and it goes very fast and easy to listen to.
In my opinion, Laura is an easy character to empathise with and care for. So is Lily.
The mystery around the man in the photo and his true identity is engaging and intriguing, and there is also other mysterious things happening to Laura concerning her job that adds another layer to the complexity of this case.
As for the conclusion, personally, I didn't predict that ending. But I also didn't find it very surprising, either. However, it is twisty. I'm sure there will be readers who will be thrilled about it.
This was my first time reading (or listening to) a book by this author and I'll definitely keep my eye on them in the future.
I do recommend this book to anyone who likes thrillers. Period. Because as I said before, this is a true thriller.
I wanna thank NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for allowing me to listen to a free advanced audiobook copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
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