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No Son of Mine
They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree…
When her fifteen-year-old son Milo goes off the rails, Alex Harding is terrified she’s passed on her abusive father’s ‘bad’ genes. When she then makes the shocking discovery that her estranged son, Samuel, who she gave up for adoption as a baby, has been accused of murder, she becomes even more convinced nature not nurture is the cause.
The only way Alex sees to help Milo, is to get to know Samuel and understand the crime that he has been accused of. But it isn’t long before Alex starts to wonder if she has made the biggest mistake of her life by inviting this man she barely knows into her family.
As Alex becomes increasingly obsessed with Samuel, it gets harder to know who she can trust and who is lying to her. But if she can’t uncover the truth, she risks losing everything and everyone she loves…
When her fifteen-year-old son Milo goes off the rails, Alex Harding is terrified she’s passed on her abusive father’s ‘bad’ genes. When she then makes the shocking discovery that her estranged son, Samuel, who she gave up for adoption as a baby, has been accused of murder, she becomes even more convinced nature not nurture is the cause.
The only way Alex sees to help Milo, is to get to know Samuel and understand the crime that he has been accused of. But it isn’t long before Alex starts to wonder if she has made the biggest mistake of her life by inviting this man she barely knows into her family.
As Alex becomes increasingly obsessed with Samuel, it gets harder to know who she can trust and who is lying to her. But if she can’t uncover the truth, she risks losing everything and everyone she loves…
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2024
420 people are currently reading
372 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
December 11, 2024
Entertaining, eye-rolling, and predictable.
A woman's father abused her mother.
Did the woman's two sons inherit her father's abusive behavior gene?
I listened to the audiobook read by Antonia Beamish, one of my favorite narrators.
Antonia Beamish's expert narration helped me reach the finish line.
August 6, 2024
Thank you, Boldwood Books, for the advance reading copy.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and I was on edge the entire time once I started reading it. The characters are convincing and the writing is really good. Until the “twist” happened and it is so underwhelming or should I say it is not convincing at all considering this age?
I will not write much about the plot as this is a thriller and anything can be considered a spoiler.
Will be perfect for thriller beginners or if you’re looking for a quick, easy to read thrilling read.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and I was on edge the entire time once I started reading it. The characters are convincing and the writing is really good. Until the “twist” happened and it is so underwhelming or should I say it is not convincing at all considering this age?
I will not write much about the plot as this is a thriller and anything can be considered a spoiler.
Will be perfect for thriller beginners or if you’re looking for a quick, easy to read thrilling read.
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December 14, 2024Repetitive and weak characters
I grew to despise and pity Alex- she came across as weak and gullible. There was also a lot of repetition throughout the book which just got irritating. I'm sorry, bit I don't think I'll be picking another one up by this author.
I grew to despise and pity Alex- she came across as weak and gullible. There was also a lot of repetition throughout the book which just got irritating. I'm sorry, bit I don't think I'll be picking another one up by this author.
June 2, 2025
3.5 stars - i wanted it to be more fast paced and thrilling
January 18, 2025
It was an interesting story, entertaining. Too many super far fetched connections. And enough foreshadowing to make it waaaay too predictable.
January 22, 2025
Could have been much better, ended quite predictably and was repetitive.
December 21, 2024
Oh dear, started so promisingly but soon became repetitive and quite unbelievable in places. The visit to the homeless shelter was an example. What was that all about!!! I didn’t warm to any of the characters and have to say, I gave up after I’d read over half the book. I couldn’t take any more of Alex’s “dramatics”.
May 13, 2025
This was fine, but maybe skip it if you read a lot of thriller books…
There was no real shock factor in this book, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing because no matter how a story ends, there will always be readers claiming they saw it coming the whole time. However, there should be at least some exciting elements to drive other readers to the edge of their seat. The entire plotline fell a little flat, and the characters remained one-dimensional throughout.
In terms of the writing, I had an issue with the scene transitions, which were either awkward or nonexistent. Actually, even the characters’ movements within scenes were inconsistent and confusing.
Overall, this is fine if you’re a fast reader/audiobook listener and just want to pass the time one day.
Audiobook side note: Antonia Beamish was pretty great! My only issues were with the production. The volume was slightly inconsistent, and the acoustics varied at times.
There was no real shock factor in this book, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing because no matter how a story ends, there will always be readers claiming they saw it coming the whole time. However, there should be at least some exciting elements to drive other readers to the edge of their seat. The entire plotline fell a little flat, and the characters remained one-dimensional throughout.
In terms of the writing, I had an issue with the scene transitions, which were either awkward or nonexistent. Actually, even the characters’ movements within scenes were inconsistent and confusing.
Overall, this is fine if you’re a fast reader/audiobook listener and just want to pass the time one day.
Audiobook side note: Antonia Beamish was pretty great! My only issues were with the production. The volume was slightly inconsistent, and the acoustics varied at times.
June 24, 2025
Convoluted Madness
So... it kept me reading. At points, even kept me guessing. But in the end what dropped the rating for me? The unconvincing motive behind it all. A twist is only good if it actually makes sense...
So... it kept me reading. At points, even kept me guessing. But in the end what dropped the rating for me? The unconvincing motive behind it all. A twist is only good if it actually makes sense...
November 3, 2024
A turn away from the usual women's literature for Swatman and what a great turn it is!
Thoroughly enjoyed this new book which kept me guessing throughout. Enjoyed the characters (despite having a teenage boy myself and hearing echos of him in Milo!) and could relate to them.
Devoured the book in two days. A brilliant entry into the genre for Swatman.
Thoroughly enjoyed this new book which kept me guessing throughout. Enjoyed the characters (despite having a teenage boy myself and hearing echos of him in Milo!) and could relate to them.
Devoured the book in two days. A brilliant entry into the genre for Swatman.
November 17, 2024
This was my Amazon First Reads choice for November. I wanted something that was gripping and easy to read to get me through the night feeds!
Whilst it was definitely an easy read, it certainly wasn’t one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve ever read and there were a lot of inconsistencies and things that just didn’t make sense. Like when they tried to make out that Scott Jones was an uncommon name?! 🤷🏻♀️😂
I did also unfortunately find the ending very predictable…
That being said, it was an easy enough read and as I believe it’s the author’s first foray into the psychological thriller world, I’ll forgive some of the inconsistencies.
Rating: 2.5 ⭐️
Whilst it was definitely an easy read, it certainly wasn’t one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve ever read and there were a lot of inconsistencies and things that just didn’t make sense. Like when they tried to make out that Scott Jones was an uncommon name?! 🤷🏻♀️😂
I did also unfortunately find the ending very predictable…
That being said, it was an easy enough read and as I believe it’s the author’s first foray into the psychological thriller world, I’ll forgive some of the inconsistencies.
Rating: 2.5 ⭐️
March 19, 2025
This was OK. I found Alex's character really frustrating in her behaviour towards her 2 sons and her friend. The story of Samuel and death of his adopted father was a bit ridiculous. Police couldn't crack the case but Alex decides she will, to make up for putting him up for adoption. Her husbands behaviour didn't make sense either, treating her and Samuel terribly, even though he knew he was responsible for the death. Also Milo started misbehaving as his step father asked him to lie to his mum but then he takes his step dad's side and moves in with him. Lots of faults in story.
December 12, 2024
undecided…
Very interesting book and really enjoyed it. Couldn’t figure out the ending although it could only have been a handful of people. But I didn’t like the ending… it was kinda like, I don’t know how to end this so I’ll write something so ridiculous and it will work and I can finish this book. Well it didn’t work for me…
Very interesting book and really enjoyed it. Couldn’t figure out the ending although it could only have been a handful of people. But I didn’t like the ending… it was kinda like, I don’t know how to end this so I’ll write something so ridiculous and it will work and I can finish this book. Well it didn’t work for me…
October 26, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️ — No Son of Mine by C.L. Swatman
This one had me hooked enough to keep turning the pages — not because it was full of twists, but because it felt real. It’s one of those stories that quietly gets under your skin, especially if you know what it’s like to live with fear, guilt, or trust issues that don’t just disappear when you want them to. The writing carries that heavy, human ache — the kind that comes with broken families, distance, and trying to fix what might never be fixed.
I really felt for the characters — the parent struggling to reach a child, the tension of trying to love someone who’s already halfway gone. Swatman captures that mix of love and helplessness so well that it hurts a bit to read.
Still, as heartfelt as it was, it didn’t hit quite as hard as some others I’ve read. Maybe it was the pacing, or maybe I just didn’t connect as deeply as I hoped. But it’s definitely worth the read — emotional, honest, and painfully relatable in the quiet moments where love meets fear.
⸻
⭐️⭐️⭐️ — No Son of Mine van C.L. Swatman
Dit is zo’n boek dat je blijft lezen, niet omdat er elk hoofdstuk iets spectaculairs gebeurt, maar omdat het echt voelt. Eerlijk. Rauw. Het kruipt langzaam onder je huid. Vooral als je weet hoe het is om te leven met angst, wantrouwen en dat knagende gevoel dat sommige dingen nooit helemaal goedkomen — hoe graag je ook wilt.
De personages raakten me. Een ouder die z’n kind probeert te bereiken, dat machteloze gevoel van houden van iemand die al half verdwenen lijkt. Swatman weet precies die combinatie van liefde en frustratie neer te zetten — het is pijnlijk herkenbaar, maar daardoor juist zo echt.
Toch, hoe mooi en gevoelig het ook was, er zijn boeken die me nét iets dieper raakten. Misschien lag het aan het tempo, misschien aan mijn stemming, geen idee. Maar het was absoluut de moeite waard: oprecht, menselijk en vol emoties die blijven hangen, ook als je het boek al dichtgeslagen hebt.
This one had me hooked enough to keep turning the pages — not because it was full of twists, but because it felt real. It’s one of those stories that quietly gets under your skin, especially if you know what it’s like to live with fear, guilt, or trust issues that don’t just disappear when you want them to. The writing carries that heavy, human ache — the kind that comes with broken families, distance, and trying to fix what might never be fixed.
I really felt for the characters — the parent struggling to reach a child, the tension of trying to love someone who’s already halfway gone. Swatman captures that mix of love and helplessness so well that it hurts a bit to read.
Still, as heartfelt as it was, it didn’t hit quite as hard as some others I’ve read. Maybe it was the pacing, or maybe I just didn’t connect as deeply as I hoped. But it’s definitely worth the read — emotional, honest, and painfully relatable in the quiet moments where love meets fear.
⸻
⭐️⭐️⭐️ — No Son of Mine van C.L. Swatman
Dit is zo’n boek dat je blijft lezen, niet omdat er elk hoofdstuk iets spectaculairs gebeurt, maar omdat het echt voelt. Eerlijk. Rauw. Het kruipt langzaam onder je huid. Vooral als je weet hoe het is om te leven met angst, wantrouwen en dat knagende gevoel dat sommige dingen nooit helemaal goedkomen — hoe graag je ook wilt.
De personages raakten me. Een ouder die z’n kind probeert te bereiken, dat machteloze gevoel van houden van iemand die al half verdwenen lijkt. Swatman weet precies die combinatie van liefde en frustratie neer te zetten — het is pijnlijk herkenbaar, maar daardoor juist zo echt.
Toch, hoe mooi en gevoelig het ook was, er zijn boeken die me nét iets dieper raakten. Misschien lag het aan het tempo, misschien aan mijn stemming, geen idee. Maar het was absoluut de moeite waard: oprecht, menselijk en vol emoties die blijven hangen, ook als je het boek al dichtgeslagen hebt.
January 26, 2025
In No Son of Mine, CL Swatman crafts a compelling tale of family, guilt, and the haunting question: is evil born, or does it evolve over time? Set against the backdrop of the UK, this gripping psychological drama pulls readers into the life of Alex, a mother struggling to navigate the chaos in her family.
The story begins with Alex’s teenage son, Milo, teetering on the edge of suspension from school. Despite her best efforts to reach him, Alex feels her influence slipping away. Her worry intensifies when she stumbles across an online article about Samuel, a young man on trial for the murder of his adoptive father. The twist? Samuel is the son Alex gave up for adoption as a teenage mother.
What follows is a riveting exploration of Alex’s guilt and her quest for answers. Feeling like the common denominator in her family’s struggles, Alex reaches out to Samuel. Their reunion is tense but layered with a deep need for connection. Alex’s unwavering belief in Samuel’s innocence leads her to support him during the trial, and when he is acquitted, she invites him into her home.
Just as readers begin to hope for redemption and healing, Alex discovers the murder weapon in her own shed. This shocking revelation turns the narrative on its head. Could Samuel be the killer despite his acquittal? Or is someone even closer to Alex responsible for the crime? Milo’s troubling behavior adds another layer of complexity—could he be involved, or is he hiding a dark secret to protect someone else?
The book forces readers to confront uncomfortable questions about nature versus nurture, familial bonds, and the weight of generational trauma.
If you’re looking for a thriller that will keep you on edge and leave you pondering long after the last page, No Son of Mine delivers in spades.
The story begins with Alex’s teenage son, Milo, teetering on the edge of suspension from school. Despite her best efforts to reach him, Alex feels her influence slipping away. Her worry intensifies when she stumbles across an online article about Samuel, a young man on trial for the murder of his adoptive father. The twist? Samuel is the son Alex gave up for adoption as a teenage mother.
What follows is a riveting exploration of Alex’s guilt and her quest for answers. Feeling like the common denominator in her family’s struggles, Alex reaches out to Samuel. Their reunion is tense but layered with a deep need for connection. Alex’s unwavering belief in Samuel’s innocence leads her to support him during the trial, and when he is acquitted, she invites him into her home.
Just as readers begin to hope for redemption and healing, Alex discovers the murder weapon in her own shed. This shocking revelation turns the narrative on its head. Could Samuel be the killer despite his acquittal? Or is someone even closer to Alex responsible for the crime? Milo’s troubling behavior adds another layer of complexity—could he be involved, or is he hiding a dark secret to protect someone else?
The book forces readers to confront uncomfortable questions about nature versus nurture, familial bonds, and the weight of generational trauma.
If you’re looking for a thriller that will keep you on edge and leave you pondering long after the last page, No Son of Mine delivers in spades.
November 14, 2024
No Son Of Mine - C.L. Swatman
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
“That was the problem with lies – the more you told the more you got caught in their ever-tightening web.”
No son of mine follows Alex, who is worried she has passed down her abusive father’s genes to her son Milo, when he goes off the rails. When Alex then sees the son she gave up for adoption, Samuel, has been arrested for murder, she desperately scrambles to unearth whether the violence is down to nature or nurture for the sake of helping Milo. However, trying to unearth the truth could put Alex and her family in danger, and she could risk losing everything…
No Son Of Mine is Claire’s debut psychological thriller and what a debut it is! It is told solely from Alex’s perspective across one timeline which I thoroughly enjoyed. However this does not make the plot lack simplicity or intricacy, as it is spun deliciously to unravel chapter by chapter and keep you guessing. This was an easy 24 hour read for me, purely because I was gripped and could not put it down!
This book explores the themes of nature vs nurture in one of the most horrifying ways for a parent, and it is done so expertly to maximise tension, fear and suspicion. I really empathised with Alex’s character, and I was fully satisfied by the ending and how everything came together in a rather dramatic way!
I am so pleased to hear that C.L. Swatman has been signed up for 3 thrillers, because I will definitely be reading her other books after this triumph. I was lucky enough to read this as part of Amazon First Reads, so thank you to Boldwood books and to C.L. Swatman for the advanced copy. My opinions are all my own.
📍This book is out on the 1st December.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
“That was the problem with lies – the more you told the more you got caught in their ever-tightening web.”
No son of mine follows Alex, who is worried she has passed down her abusive father’s genes to her son Milo, when he goes off the rails. When Alex then sees the son she gave up for adoption, Samuel, has been arrested for murder, she desperately scrambles to unearth whether the violence is down to nature or nurture for the sake of helping Milo. However, trying to unearth the truth could put Alex and her family in danger, and she could risk losing everything…
No Son Of Mine is Claire’s debut psychological thriller and what a debut it is! It is told solely from Alex’s perspective across one timeline which I thoroughly enjoyed. However this does not make the plot lack simplicity or intricacy, as it is spun deliciously to unravel chapter by chapter and keep you guessing. This was an easy 24 hour read for me, purely because I was gripped and could not put it down!
This book explores the themes of nature vs nurture in one of the most horrifying ways for a parent, and it is done so expertly to maximise tension, fear and suspicion. I really empathised with Alex’s character, and I was fully satisfied by the ending and how everything came together in a rather dramatic way!
I am so pleased to hear that C.L. Swatman has been signed up for 3 thrillers, because I will definitely be reading her other books after this triumph. I was lucky enough to read this as part of Amazon First Reads, so thank you to Boldwood books and to C.L. Swatman for the advanced copy. My opinions are all my own.
📍This book is out on the 1st December.
October 23, 2024
Oh wow! A book I devoured in one sitting. Alex has a son Milo, who lives with her and her husband. Milo has been acting up at school with his friend Archie who is the son of Alex’s business partner and close friend. One day Alex sees a picture of a man, Samuel, who is being tried for murder and knows it is her son she gave away many years ago. Something draws her and she has to find out more about Samuel even if only to find out if she is passing on bad genes to her offspring. Through getting to know one she hopes to help the other, but things are never as straightforward as that and could even be dangerous. Can Alex sort out her life and her sons without alienating or putting anyone in danger?
OMG. This is stunningly written and I couldn't help but devour this. It's very cleverly written with Clare’s talent for characters and now in this new genre, stunning plot twists. I liked and felt for Alex who was doing her best whilst putting herself in a tenuous position, possibly naively but well meaning. One thing leads to another which keeps the pages turning and I somehow wanted Samuel not to be the perpetrator the media had portrayed him as and him to be the good son Alex longed for without perhaps knowing. A brilliant, captivating stunning read. Wow, just wow! 5 big ones *
For more reviews please follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @nickisbookblog
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August 8, 2024
When her fifteen-year-old son Milo goes off the rails, Alex Harding is terrified she's passed on her abusive father's "bad" genes. When she makes the shocking discovery that her estranged son Samuel, who she gave up for adoption as a baby, has been accused of murder, she becomes even more convinced that nature not nurture is the cause. The only way Alex sees to help Milo is to get to know Samuel and understand the crime that he has been accused of. But it isn't long before Alex starts to wonder if she's made the biggest mistake of her life by inviting this man she barely knows into her family.
How was this story going to play out? I honestly had no idea. A tale of a mother in a quandary - she has two sons, one of them adopted, and the other has gone off the rails. How can she wind her youngest son in and get him back on track? She comes up with an idea, but is it the right one? We do get a bit of repetition from the mother, and some parts seem drawn out. The final twist was a good one. This is a quick and easy book to read.
Published 1st December 2024
I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #CLSwatman for my ARC of #NoSonOfMine in exchange for an honest review.
How was this story going to play out? I honestly had no idea. A tale of a mother in a quandary - she has two sons, one of them adopted, and the other has gone off the rails. How can she wind her youngest son in and get him back on track? She comes up with an idea, but is it the right one? We do get a bit of repetition from the mother, and some parts seem drawn out. The final twist was a good one. This is a quick and easy book to read.
Published 1st December 2024
I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #CLSwatman for my ARC of #NoSonOfMine in exchange for an honest review.
November 24, 2024
I received an E-ARC with a request for my honest review.
This gripping psychological thriller follows Alex Harding who is worried about her son, as he seems to be going off the rails and is concerned for his future.
Suddenly, she spots a newspaper article about a family murder, and she realises she recognises his face as the son she gave up for adoption when she was very young.
Alex is determined to work out if her children have ‘bad’ genes, so gets closer to her estranged son.
However soon she isn’t sure this was a good idea and is unsure who she can trust.
Will Alex discover what is behind her son’s change in behaviour? Who can she trust?
This psychological thriller is gripping throughout as along with Alex you try to discover the truth.
Along with Alex it is hard to know who she can trust as you read, which adds to the suspense in the storyline.
Alex is a strong female character who wants the best for her family and will do anything to make sure they are safe.
Overall, a gripping psychological thriller where a mother tries to discover the truth.
This gripping psychological thriller follows Alex Harding who is worried about her son, as he seems to be going off the rails and is concerned for his future.
Suddenly, she spots a newspaper article about a family murder, and she realises she recognises his face as the son she gave up for adoption when she was very young.
Alex is determined to work out if her children have ‘bad’ genes, so gets closer to her estranged son.
However soon she isn’t sure this was a good idea and is unsure who she can trust.
Will Alex discover what is behind her son’s change in behaviour? Who can she trust?
This psychological thriller is gripping throughout as along with Alex you try to discover the truth.
Along with Alex it is hard to know who she can trust as you read, which adds to the suspense in the storyline.
Alex is a strong female character who wants the best for her family and will do anything to make sure they are safe.
Overall, a gripping psychological thriller where a mother tries to discover the truth.
July 17, 2025
great read
No Son of Mine by C.L. Swatman is a gripping and emotionally intense psychological thriller that delves deep into the fragile threads of family, identity, and the haunting question of whether our past defines who we become.
Swatman crafts a chilling atmosphere where suspicion hangs heavy and every twist exposes another crack in a family already on the edge. As disturbing truths begin to surface, the story masterfully explores the nature-versus-nurture debate—posing uncomfortable questions about inherited behavior, personal responsibility, and the long shadow of trauma. Through raw emotional tension and deeply flawed characters, readers are drawn into a web of guilt, fear, and fractured loyalty.
Tense, thought-provoking, and darkly compelling, No Son of Mine is a powerful portrayal of motherhood tested to its limits. Perfect for fans of domestic thrillers filled with moral ambiguity, buried secrets, and shocking revelations, this is a novel that keeps you questioning right up to its final, unsettling page.
No Son of Mine by C.L. Swatman is a gripping and emotionally intense psychological thriller that delves deep into the fragile threads of family, identity, and the haunting question of whether our past defines who we become.
Swatman crafts a chilling atmosphere where suspicion hangs heavy and every twist exposes another crack in a family already on the edge. As disturbing truths begin to surface, the story masterfully explores the nature-versus-nurture debate—posing uncomfortable questions about inherited behavior, personal responsibility, and the long shadow of trauma. Through raw emotional tension and deeply flawed characters, readers are drawn into a web of guilt, fear, and fractured loyalty.
Tense, thought-provoking, and darkly compelling, No Son of Mine is a powerful portrayal of motherhood tested to its limits. Perfect for fans of domestic thrillers filled with moral ambiguity, buried secrets, and shocking revelations, this is a novel that keeps you questioning right up to its final, unsettling page.
September 26, 2024
Alex is having problems with her teenage son misbehaving and is worried that it is due to his genes. When she sees the news of a son murdering his father her blood runs cold. Is this someone she knows?
I liked the premise of this one and the nature vs nurture debate. The story kept me guessing and I wasn’t sure how it would all play out. I found it started strongly and the characters were interesting, however as the story progressed I found myself less invested and unable to connect fully, as the story felt long and a bit repetitive. Saying that, this is definitely a quick, easy read with twists, turns and an interesting storyline. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
I liked the premise of this one and the nature vs nurture debate. The story kept me guessing and I wasn’t sure how it would all play out. I found it started strongly and the characters were interesting, however as the story progressed I found myself less invested and unable to connect fully, as the story felt long and a bit repetitive. Saying that, this is definitely a quick, easy read with twists, turns and an interesting storyline. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
December 4, 2024
Wow!!!!! I was gripped from the very first page. I couldn’t put it down and read it in just a few sittings. This author is new to me and it is her first psychological thriller. She normally writes romance but I’m so happy she decided to give another genre a try. She nailed it. First off I loved the characters. They each had a certain quality about them that made this book for me. Don’t even get me started on the plot either. I could talk about it for days. It was different and I loved the nature versus nurture theme. This debate has always interested me. Now let’s talk ending. Boy was I shocked and left speechless. That’s doesn’t surprise me as the whole book was awesome. I will definitely read another book by this author if she writes in this genre again.
January 9, 2025
As a new author to me and as her first book in a new genre I was excited to read this.
C.L. Swatman normally writes Women’s fiction so the swap to psychological thriller was exciting. I found this book to be really well written and had everything I love in a thriller. The storyline was well thought out, had plenty of intrigue making the guessing of the culprit puzzling. I did guess who it was but not until after the halfway mark. The decoys and foreshadowing was really good.
I will certainly be reading more of this authors novels and after reading her writing style will try books in her other genre too.
Overall a gripping thriller which everyone that loves this genre should give a try!
C.L. Swatman normally writes Women’s fiction so the swap to psychological thriller was exciting. I found this book to be really well written and had everything I love in a thriller. The storyline was well thought out, had plenty of intrigue making the guessing of the culprit puzzling. I did guess who it was but not until after the halfway mark. The decoys and foreshadowing was really good.
I will certainly be reading more of this authors novels and after reading her writing style will try books in her other genre too.
Overall a gripping thriller which everyone that loves this genre should give a try!
August 26, 2024
Alex is very concerned when her fifteen year old son, Milo continuously gets into trouble at school. Her husband, Patrick, tries to convince her that the troublemaking and violence is not something passed down from her violent father.
Alex has not told Patrick that she has another son, Samuel, who she gave up for adoption. Samuel is arrested for the murder of his adoptive father, who was a bully.
Is bad blood inherited? Alex does all she can to find out.
An absorbing novel - truly unputdownable. There are secrets and many many lies in this family.
I thought I had the twist figured out, but was wrong.
Very tense in parts, and I read it in one sitting.
I recommend. 4/5 stars.
Alex has not told Patrick that she has another son, Samuel, who she gave up for adoption. Samuel is arrested for the murder of his adoptive father, who was a bully.
Is bad blood inherited? Alex does all she can to find out.
An absorbing novel - truly unputdownable. There are secrets and many many lies in this family.
I thought I had the twist figured out, but was wrong.
Very tense in parts, and I read it in one sitting.
I recommend. 4/5 stars.
December 18, 2024
No Son Of Mine - C.L Swatman
⭐️⭐️.5
2.5/5
This was a weird book. I was hooked enough to want to know what was going on but it was also a bit shit and just very predictable. You get to the end and think ‘yeah, thought so’.
Alex has a 15 year old son and when he starts playing up, she is convinced it’s because of her father passing on an abusive gene and goes looking for her estranged son, Samuel. . His step father, Patrick, seems to be the only one to get through to him.
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#reading #kindle #books #book #reader #booktok #bookstagram #bookclub #kindlereads #reader #kindlereads #amazon #kindleunlimited #readingcorner #thrillers #bookclub #read #hobby #goodreads
⭐️⭐️.5
2.5/5
This was a weird book. I was hooked enough to want to know what was going on but it was also a bit shit and just very predictable. You get to the end and think ‘yeah, thought so’.
Alex has a 15 year old son and when he starts playing up, she is convinced it’s because of her father passing on an abusive gene and goes looking for her estranged son, Samuel. . His step father, Patrick, seems to be the only one to get through to him.
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March 2, 2025
An okay read
This is the first book of theirs I've read, and wow, so many parts felt like a TV recap, just repetitive – super frustrating! Plus, some sentences were just gibberish, no matter how many times I reread them, and the typos and grammar errors were awful and distracting. It took me forever to finish because of all that. But, it *was* thrilling, with some real shockers and parts that made me think. The title, "no son of mine," though? Huh? Sounds like she disowned her son... Never happened. I'm seriously gonna think twice before reading anything else by this author. It had potential, but it just didn't deliver.
This is the first book of theirs I've read, and wow, so many parts felt like a TV recap, just repetitive – super frustrating! Plus, some sentences were just gibberish, no matter how many times I reread them, and the typos and grammar errors were awful and distracting. It took me forever to finish because of all that. But, it *was* thrilling, with some real shockers and parts that made me think. The title, "no son of mine," though? Huh? Sounds like she disowned her son... Never happened. I'm seriously gonna think twice before reading anything else by this author. It had potential, but it just didn't deliver.
November 20, 2024
Alex Harding is reading about a local murder when she thinks she recognises the accused....he is the baby boy she gave up for adoption 23 years ago.
This then starts a chain reaction which will pull at every corner of Alex's life.
The book works as it slowly unravels Alex's life and you never know where the next twist will come from. It kept me interested all the way through.
This then starts a chain reaction which will pull at every corner of Alex's life.
The book works as it slowly unravels Alex's life and you never know where the next twist will come from. It kept me interested all the way through.
November 22, 2024
It's amazing what lies will do
A family story that starts with a the truth not being told by a wife hiding her past to a hiding to keep the wife who !did to him .I really didn't think they were the perfect family from the start when the lies started.to in court.the only only one I felt sorry for was the first son who was given away by her...
A family story that starts with a the truth not being told by a wife hiding her past to a hiding to keep the wife who !did to him .I really didn't think they were the perfect family from the start when the lies started.to in court.the only only one I felt sorry for was the first son who was given away by her...
March 18, 2025
This was a good who done it kind of book. it opens with the main character struggling with her son and his behavior. Is it normal teenage boy stuff or something more nefarious? Then a man is murdered and she recognizes the alleged murderer. Which begins the unraveling our her marriage and entire life as she knows it.
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