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The Bodies
How many times would you let your child get away with murder? The new break-out thriller from Sam Lloyd, author of Richard & Judy Book Club pick The Memory Wood.
When you look down at your newborn baby, you realise they were right, those smug parents you’ve always rolled your eyes you’d do literally anything for your child. To make them happy, keep them safe.
So when Joseph Carver wakes one night to find his teenage son Max scrubbing the kitchen, hands wet with blood and panic flooding his voice as he promises it was an accident, he didn’t mean to do it, Joseph does the only thing he can. He helps Max bury the body.
Joseph thinks that’s the end of the nightmare. Until he finds Max with stricken eyes and bloody hands once again . . .
You’d do anything for your child – even cover up a murder.
But would you do it twice?
Praise for Sam Lloyd
‘Lloyd is a rare new thriller talent.’ – Daily Mail
‘Remarkable. Stunning prose and compulsive reading. It's undoubtedly the best thriller I've read in a long, long time.’ – Lesley Kara
‘An intense, atmospheric, and truly original thriller.’ – Shari Lapena
‘Fiendishly clever’ – Sunday Times
When you look down at your newborn baby, you realise they were right, those smug parents you’ve always rolled your eyes you’d do literally anything for your child. To make them happy, keep them safe.
So when Joseph Carver wakes one night to find his teenage son Max scrubbing the kitchen, hands wet with blood and panic flooding his voice as he promises it was an accident, he didn’t mean to do it, Joseph does the only thing he can. He helps Max bury the body.
Joseph thinks that’s the end of the nightmare. Until he finds Max with stricken eyes and bloody hands once again . . .
You’d do anything for your child – even cover up a murder.
But would you do it twice?
Praise for Sam Lloyd
‘Lloyd is a rare new thriller talent.’ – Daily Mail
‘Remarkable. Stunning prose and compulsive reading. It's undoubtedly the best thriller I've read in a long, long time.’ – Lesley Kara
‘An intense, atmospheric, and truly original thriller.’ – Shari Lapena
‘Fiendishly clever’ – Sunday Times
375 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 19, 2025
116 people are currently reading
567 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
September 28, 2025
One thing is for sure, this is not boring! If you put a LOT of disbelief aside, you will be drawn in. If not I’m not sure of anything will.
May 10, 2025
4.5
0 to 100mph from the get go and tension at the max with atmosphere you could cut with a knife. Well, if you’ve read Sam Lloyd before you’ll know what you’re in for. Joseph Carver awakes one night and steps into a world that no parents wants to enter when he finds his son Max covered in blood and cleaning himself up. It’s an accident apparently, but there’s a body in the boot of his car. He helps Max by covering it up and disposing of the body. If he thinks things are bad, they’re going to get a whole lot worse and then some.
Poor Joseph, he’s riddled with guilt and full of angst in a myriad of ways , there’s so much tragedy he’s had so much to deal with as the wheels of his life come off and are barrelling in front of his eyes yet again and taking him into nightmarish realms. The turmoil he feels is palpable as he weighs up the amount of lies he’s got to construct and it gets worse. A whole lot worse and oh boy, some of the discoveries are jaw drops. It’s definitely like sitting on an epic rollercoaster as it rushes its way through one situation after another, twisting and turning on unexpectedly in random directions. It’s very hard to put the novel down as there’s an unravelling in more ways than one as things speed out of control. It’s probably a bit OTT at times, but it’s fair to say I’m glued to it, so who cares??
Just as you think things can’t get any worse, there’s an escalation and things that you don’t foresee. I actually realise at times I’ve been holding my breath. It’s dark, scary and fast paced with a whole lot of twists and a really good ending.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House U.K. for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Please Note - this is the author of The Memory Wood and not the author of the children’s books as shown here.
0 to 100mph from the get go and tension at the max with atmosphere you could cut with a knife. Well, if you’ve read Sam Lloyd before you’ll know what you’re in for. Joseph Carver awakes one night and steps into a world that no parents wants to enter when he finds his son Max covered in blood and cleaning himself up. It’s an accident apparently, but there’s a body in the boot of his car. He helps Max by covering it up and disposing of the body. If he thinks things are bad, they’re going to get a whole lot worse and then some.
Poor Joseph, he’s riddled with guilt and full of angst in a myriad of ways , there’s so much tragedy he’s had so much to deal with as the wheels of his life come off and are barrelling in front of his eyes yet again and taking him into nightmarish realms. The turmoil he feels is palpable as he weighs up the amount of lies he’s got to construct and it gets worse. A whole lot worse and oh boy, some of the discoveries are jaw drops. It’s definitely like sitting on an epic rollercoaster as it rushes its way through one situation after another, twisting and turning on unexpectedly in random directions. It’s very hard to put the novel down as there’s an unravelling in more ways than one as things speed out of control. It’s probably a bit OTT at times, but it’s fair to say I’m glued to it, so who cares??
Just as you think things can’t get any worse, there’s an escalation and things that you don’t foresee. I actually realise at times I’ve been holding my breath. It’s dark, scary and fast paced with a whole lot of twists and a really good ending.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House U.K. for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Please Note - this is the author of The Memory Wood and not the author of the children’s books as shown here.
October 17, 2025
Sooo many dead bodies!
This dark, twisty, and unputdownable thriller earns four strong stars for its palpable atmosphere, compelling characterizations, relentless pace (buckle your seatbelt!), and truly shocking nature of its central premise:
How far will a father go to protect his adult son?
And how quickly can good intentions spiral out of control?
WHY NOT 5 STARS?
The final chapters required a huge suspension of disbelief.
I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Joe Jameson.
Joe Jameson's performance was outstanding.
A must-read for any parent!
September 1, 2025
4.0 / 5.0
I’ve not read a book that feels so claustrophobic, the feeling of ants crawling down your spine feel in quite some time. It’s psychological, you couldn’t predict what was going to happen. I felt as thought I was constantly on my toes anticipating for the next thing. If you’re up for the challenge this book is definitely it, there an edge to this book with something psychological to it.
The plot is centred around Joseph Carver who is awoken by his wife Erin when they hear noises downstairs. Still dealing with his personal trauma, Joe goes downstairs armed to find his only son in the kitchen, scrubbing his hands caked in blood. Max claims it was an accident and he didn’t mean it. Joe accepts this and helps bury the bloody. But just as they are starting to put the past behind them, there’s another body. You would do everything to save and protect your child even cover up murder but can Joe do it twice??
It a gripping book from start to finish, once you start you don’t want to put this book down! Great read, worth the time investment!
I’ve not read a book that feels so claustrophobic, the feeling of ants crawling down your spine feel in quite some time. It’s psychological, you couldn’t predict what was going to happen. I felt as thought I was constantly on my toes anticipating for the next thing. If you’re up for the challenge this book is definitely it, there an edge to this book with something psychological to it.
The plot is centred around Joseph Carver who is awoken by his wife Erin when they hear noises downstairs. Still dealing with his personal trauma, Joe goes downstairs armed to find his only son in the kitchen, scrubbing his hands caked in blood. Max claims it was an accident and he didn’t mean it. Joe accepts this and helps bury the bloody. But just as they are starting to put the past behind them, there’s another body. You would do everything to save and protect your child even cover up murder but can Joe do it twice??
It a gripping book from start to finish, once you start you don’t want to put this book down! Great read, worth the time investment!
August 15, 2025
At the second time of trying I’ve actually finished this book. I love Sam Lloyds writing but the numbers before each line distracted me reading it the first time. I enjoyed Lloyds previous three books so I started again determined to read it. I was glad!
How far do you go to protect your child? Joes life goes from bad to worse when he helps his son cover up a murder. This book was thrilling from the beginning and had me holding my breath. I definitely wanted to give Joe a shake though.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I was gifted this book a few days ago and I have to say this was an excellent story, third time reading.
How far do you go to protect your child? Joes life goes from bad to worse when he helps his son cover up a murder. This book was thrilling from the beginning and had me holding my breath. I definitely wanted to give Joe a shake though.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I was gifted this book a few days ago and I have to say this was an excellent story, third time reading.
November 26, 2025
My Thoughts:
Want a book that you literally can’t put down? Well I can 100% recommend THE BODIES by Sam Lloyd. This is my first book by this author and the minute I finished it I downloaded his entire back catalogue!.
The Bodies is one of those books that gets under your skin and into your thoughts from the opening page until the final chapter. It asks that terrifying question “how far would you go to protect your child?” and plunges the reader immediately into a moral dilemma that no parent should ever have to contemplate.
The story follows Joseph Carver, a father who wakes one night to find his teenage son Max scrubbing blood off the kitchen floor. Max insists it was an accident. Joseph, driven by love and guilt, helps him bury the body. But then it happens again and Joseph is forced into a spiral of deception, fear, and moral compromise.
The pacing of the story is fast and furious. The emotional turmoil is heightened due to Joseph’s past and his profound guilt at what happened to his first wife. All the characters are complex, hiding their own secrets which adds another layer of tension.
Honestly, I could go on and on about this book but I won’t, because you NEED to download this now and I’d love to know if you agree with me.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Want a book that you literally can’t put down? Well I can 100% recommend THE BODIES by Sam Lloyd. This is my first book by this author and the minute I finished it I downloaded his entire back catalogue!.
The Bodies is one of those books that gets under your skin and into your thoughts from the opening page until the final chapter. It asks that terrifying question “how far would you go to protect your child?” and plunges the reader immediately into a moral dilemma that no parent should ever have to contemplate.
The story follows Joseph Carver, a father who wakes one night to find his teenage son Max scrubbing blood off the kitchen floor. Max insists it was an accident. Joseph, driven by love and guilt, helps him bury the body. But then it happens again and Joseph is forced into a spiral of deception, fear, and moral compromise.
The pacing of the story is fast and furious. The emotional turmoil is heightened due to Joseph’s past and his profound guilt at what happened to his first wife. All the characters are complex, hiding their own secrets which adds another layer of tension.
Honestly, I could go on and on about this book but I won’t, because you NEED to download this now and I’d love to know if you agree with me.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
July 16, 2025
The Bodies throws you into the action from the start. When a suspect intruder is heard downstairs at night, Joseph Carver is taken right back to a past tragedy and trauma. This time however the cause is his son Max – whom he finds wiping up blood from the kitchen floor. After being assured by Max that the death was an accident, Joseph makes a decision that will lead to so many unintended consequences – and one, possibly very bad decision that leads to another… and another……
I’m not a parent so I have no idea what I would do in Joseph’s situation. He is desperate to protect his son and past parental failings weigh heavily on his shoulders. The problem is that with every deception, he digs a bigger hole for himself.
There were times when I found the plot ever so slightly preposterous however this fast paced read kept me completely engrossed with its plot twists and surprises. It wasn’t just some of the more gory detail that had me wincing but also Joseph’s endeavours to deal with deadly situations whilst being seemingly held together with Elastoplast strip!
The story also focuses on grief, blended families and parental responsibility and there is a moral dilemma at every turn. Joseph’s attempts to prioritise his son put his marriage in jeopardy however there are secrets aplenty here and Joseph is not the only one with something to hide.
This was a dark, tense and suspenseful read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Whilst I wasn’t sure that I agreed with all of Joseph’s decisions, I was nonetheless rooting for him all the way. And as for the ending, it gave me the chills.
I’m not a parent so I have no idea what I would do in Joseph’s situation. He is desperate to protect his son and past parental failings weigh heavily on his shoulders. The problem is that with every deception, he digs a bigger hole for himself.
There were times when I found the plot ever so slightly preposterous however this fast paced read kept me completely engrossed with its plot twists and surprises. It wasn’t just some of the more gory detail that had me wincing but also Joseph’s endeavours to deal with deadly situations whilst being seemingly held together with Elastoplast strip!
The story also focuses on grief, blended families and parental responsibility and there is a moral dilemma at every turn. Joseph’s attempts to prioritise his son put his marriage in jeopardy however there are secrets aplenty here and Joseph is not the only one with something to hide.
This was a dark, tense and suspenseful read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Whilst I wasn’t sure that I agreed with all of Joseph’s decisions, I was nonetheless rooting for him all the way. And as for the ending, it gave me the chills.
October 22, 2025
How far would you go to protect your child?
High tension from the get go and continues without let up. Leave your disbelief at the door and just go with it, it's quite a ride, 4 stars.
High tension from the get go and continues without let up. Leave your disbelief at the door and just go with it, it's quite a ride, 4 stars.
August 29, 2025
wasn’t a bad book by any means, i mean i did literally finish it in a day. i do like how everything was weirdly connected and the story developed at exactly the right place, maybe 3 stars is a bit harsh or maybe im just depressed and nothing is inspiring me❤️
July 2, 2025
Guys - just look at this front cover!!
How could I not be tempted by this!?
Bright and bold, this really stood out and with a title and tag like that - there was no question that I was going to be hooked!!
Now, I may have read The Memory Wood, by this author, back in 2021, but it was honestly one of the best books I read that year and remember it like it was yesterday - I had high hopes for this read too and can now confirm that my expectations were very well met....and even surpassed!
This was another read that absolutely grabbed me from the first few pages and that grip didn't loosen until the very last page!
This storyline was pretty thought-provoking and actually quite terrifying as we look at just how far the bonds between parent and child will truly run?
What would you do to keep your child safe?
I'd like to think that I'd do the right thing - but watching the trauma unfold as Joseph discovers his son cleaning the blood from his hands and the kitchen, really does make you really question that.
After making that initial choice, when it happens again....and again ....it's only natural to get sucked into that spiral that sees Joseph really questioning his actions but desperate to save his son.
This was, as you can imagine, a brutal read - but this is one of the reasons I was so hooked.
This will make you feel things and question things that will make you feel uncomfortable because the answers aren't so clear.
The ever building tension, terror and panic that follows through really did have me on edge and racing through the pages to find out how this was going to end for both Joseph and Max.
I absolutely loved the writing style which really packs a punch.
It was dark and gory - but oh so addictive.
I just know that this will be another read that I won't forget in a long time!
How could I not be tempted by this!?
Bright and bold, this really stood out and with a title and tag like that - there was no question that I was going to be hooked!!
Now, I may have read The Memory Wood, by this author, back in 2021, but it was honestly one of the best books I read that year and remember it like it was yesterday - I had high hopes for this read too and can now confirm that my expectations were very well met....and even surpassed!
This was another read that absolutely grabbed me from the first few pages and that grip didn't loosen until the very last page!
This storyline was pretty thought-provoking and actually quite terrifying as we look at just how far the bonds between parent and child will truly run?
What would you do to keep your child safe?
I'd like to think that I'd do the right thing - but watching the trauma unfold as Joseph discovers his son cleaning the blood from his hands and the kitchen, really does make you really question that.
After making that initial choice, when it happens again....and again ....it's only natural to get sucked into that spiral that sees Joseph really questioning his actions but desperate to save his son.
This was, as you can imagine, a brutal read - but this is one of the reasons I was so hooked.
This will make you feel things and question things that will make you feel uncomfortable because the answers aren't so clear.
The ever building tension, terror and panic that follows through really did have me on edge and racing through the pages to find out how this was going to end for both Joseph and Max.
I absolutely loved the writing style which really packs a punch.
It was dark and gory - but oh so addictive.
I just know that this will be another read that I won't forget in a long time!
June 14, 2025
What would you do for your children? Would you protect them at all costs, no matter what they have done?
This is the crux of this story. A father, riddled with guilt for failing his first wife, now faces a moral dilemma when it seems his son has lost his way and done the unthinkable. It is also a question about how well you know your children and, ultimately, about the fact that actions have consequences.
It's another absolutely brilliant book by an amazing storyteller. A story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, with twists you don't see coming. Sam Lloyd's books are always very visual, and you can see the scenes play out in front of your eyes.
A must-read!
This is the crux of this story. A father, riddled with guilt for failing his first wife, now faces a moral dilemma when it seems his son has lost his way and done the unthinkable. It is also a question about how well you know your children and, ultimately, about the fact that actions have consequences.
It's another absolutely brilliant book by an amazing storyteller. A story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, with twists you don't see coming. Sam Lloyd's books are always very visual, and you can see the scenes play out in front of your eyes.
A must-read!
July 3, 2025
'How many would you bury to save your child?'
A thriller that kept me on the edge of sofa the whole time! This is one of those fast paced books that you just cannot put down.
Joseph Carver is the embodiment of a father who will go to extreme lengths to protect his son, because he truly believes that despite the circumstances he know what his son is capable of doing. As the story unfolds, it feels like you are hurtling down a very fast rollercoaster that doesn't seem to slow down 🙈😅. With one catastrophe after another I felt all the emotions for the protagonist!
This is a thriller that you will not want to skip on!!
A thriller that kept me on the edge of sofa the whole time! This is one of those fast paced books that you just cannot put down.
Joseph Carver is the embodiment of a father who will go to extreme lengths to protect his son, because he truly believes that despite the circumstances he know what his son is capable of doing. As the story unfolds, it feels like you are hurtling down a very fast rollercoaster that doesn't seem to slow down 🙈😅. With one catastrophe after another I felt all the emotions for the protagonist!
This is a thriller that you will not want to skip on!!
September 19, 2025
Never have I read before a book that keeps on giving until the very last word. Gripping with strong twists, it's full of suspense and surprises. I highly recommend this read.
June 27, 2025
This book was quite frankly batshit crazy from the start.
This book takes the question ‘how far would you go for your child?’ and turns it into a story that will grip you right from the start.
Sam Lloyd’s writing style was brilliant, making this book one where I needed to find out what was going to happen next! The tension didn’t stop throughout the entirety of the book, and the twists????? Unhinged af.
I have a feeling this book will linger with me for a longggg while.
This book takes the question ‘how far would you go for your child?’ and turns it into a story that will grip you right from the start.
Sam Lloyd’s writing style was brilliant, making this book one where I needed to find out what was going to happen next! The tension didn’t stop throughout the entirety of the book, and the twists????? Unhinged af.
I have a feeling this book will linger with me for a longggg while.
June 16, 2025
Hugely improbable, logistically impossible and morally questionable but wow! A hugely entertaining storyline which literally kept me reading well past my bedtime and chomping at the bit to get going again the next day. It’s a dark story that really does get darker and darker, and has twists and turns aplenty that makes you wonder, who is actually being truthful and who is hiding behind their lies. Pace perfect, it pulls you in and doesn't let go til the nail biting end. “The Bodies” has a genuine thought provoking storyline which would make an interesting book club topic. How far you would go to protect your child or any loved one is something everyone will have different views on and although this story is likely the extreme, the moral regarding the power of parental love, shows it remains a life long commitment.
I’ve also read ‘The Memory Wood’ by this author when it published, and also rated that ‘creepy’ read 5 stars, so it goes without saying that Sam Lloyd really does know how to keep his readers gripped. He has a considerable imagination that is quite frightening to behold but great for his many dedicated readers!
#TheBodies - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’ve also read ‘The Memory Wood’ by this author when it published, and also rated that ‘creepy’ read 5 stars, so it goes without saying that Sam Lloyd really does know how to keep his readers gripped. He has a considerable imagination that is quite frightening to behold but great for his many dedicated readers!
#TheBodies - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 17, 2025
I have to be honest, I do enjoy reading a scenario where an ordinary character struggles with extraordinary circumstances. ‘The Bodies‘ is most definitely that, as well as posing a very thought-provoking “what would you do?” dilemma.
Some time during the night Joseph wakes up, thinking there might be an intruder in the kitchen. Joseph is no hero, though past events really make him want to be. But armed with a tomahawk of all things, he bravely enters the kitchen, only to discover his son, Max. Max, who is frantically scrubbing the kitchen, who has blood on his hands, and is quite obviously as out of his depth as his father is.
Now, I’m not a parent but I’d like to think I’d do the right thing if I found my son in the way Joseph discovers his. And by the right thing, I mean call the police and face the consequences. Part of me feels Joseph’s way is the wrong way, but again, not a parent so what would I know. Finding excuses for Max’s behaviour is all fine and dandy and maybe somewhat acceptable the first time around. But the second time? Because yes, there will be a second murder and that’s not a spoiler since it’s right there in the book description.
Joseph is doing what he can but really he’s just digging a hole for himself, which is only getting deeper the more he tries to protect his son. He’s not made for situations like these. It’s quite frankly a miracle nobody sees right through him. A criminal mastermind, he is not. On top of that, it’s obvious Joseph is being lied to, and in turn he himself is lying to his wife. Considering their marriage already seems to be hanging by a thread, that’s probably also not the right way to go about things.
As an aside, Sam Lloyd does a great job in highlighting the difficulties in a second marriage. Joseph’s instinct will always make him take his son’s side, even if it means angering his wife or, in this case, shutting her out entirely. But he promised his first wife that he would always protect their son, and he will go to the ends of the earth to do exactly that. Where does one draw the line though?
There is a heck of a lot of deceit, secrets and manipulation going on in ‘The Bodies‘. Nothing is what it seems. There are twists galore and while I did feel things went slightly off the rails, the story remained extremely compelling and tense, and I couldn’t wait to see how it would all play out. As a bonus, I failed to see the bigger picture and that is always a good thing.
Although the ending felt absolutely satisfying, it is also extremely chilling. It’ll make you want to sleep with one eye open for the rest of your life. Or possibly just never again. Stuff of nightmares, that. Really enjoyed this one and I look forward to more from Sam Lloyd.
Some time during the night Joseph wakes up, thinking there might be an intruder in the kitchen. Joseph is no hero, though past events really make him want to be. But armed with a tomahawk of all things, he bravely enters the kitchen, only to discover his son, Max. Max, who is frantically scrubbing the kitchen, who has blood on his hands, and is quite obviously as out of his depth as his father is.
Now, I’m not a parent but I’d like to think I’d do the right thing if I found my son in the way Joseph discovers his. And by the right thing, I mean call the police and face the consequences. Part of me feels Joseph’s way is the wrong way, but again, not a parent so what would I know. Finding excuses for Max’s behaviour is all fine and dandy and maybe somewhat acceptable the first time around. But the second time? Because yes, there will be a second murder and that’s not a spoiler since it’s right there in the book description.
Joseph is doing what he can but really he’s just digging a hole for himself, which is only getting deeper the more he tries to protect his son. He’s not made for situations like these. It’s quite frankly a miracle nobody sees right through him. A criminal mastermind, he is not. On top of that, it’s obvious Joseph is being lied to, and in turn he himself is lying to his wife. Considering their marriage already seems to be hanging by a thread, that’s probably also not the right way to go about things.
As an aside, Sam Lloyd does a great job in highlighting the difficulties in a second marriage. Joseph’s instinct will always make him take his son’s side, even if it means angering his wife or, in this case, shutting her out entirely. But he promised his first wife that he would always protect their son, and he will go to the ends of the earth to do exactly that. Where does one draw the line though?
There is a heck of a lot of deceit, secrets and manipulation going on in ‘The Bodies‘. Nothing is what it seems. There are twists galore and while I did feel things went slightly off the rails, the story remained extremely compelling and tense, and I couldn’t wait to see how it would all play out. As a bonus, I failed to see the bigger picture and that is always a good thing.
Although the ending felt absolutely satisfying, it is also extremely chilling. It’ll make you want to sleep with one eye open for the rest of your life. Or possibly just never again. Stuff of nightmares, that. Really enjoyed this one and I look forward to more from Sam Lloyd.
June 27, 2025
"It was an accident"
After reading " Memory Wood" previously, I wasn't sure how this would be able to match up, but boy oh boy does it.
When Joseph comes downstairs in the middle of the night to a potential intruder, he finds his son, Max in quite the predicament. He has accidentally hit someone with his car and killed him. Torn apart by this news, Joseph sees his bright, kind hearted son in turmoil, and in a dseparate bid to try and keep his son safe, decides to step in and help hide the body. Safe In the knowledge that only the two of them know what has happened he is sure he can make this situation go away. The problem is, there is a loose end which Joseph wasn't counting on. When he confronts Max about this and expresses his concern that this loose end could be their undoing, Max does, apparently, the only thing he can to tie off this loose end. This then leaves Joseph with yet another significant problem...
This is absolutely brilliant. trying to keep his son safe is becoming more and more problematic and the twists that follow are endless. The difficult decision to keep Max out of trouble spirals into a high adrenaline and fast paced thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from the beginning. Possibly, a few little bits to take away about rash decisions and a parent's battle between the "right* thing to do really adds to the emotional investment to poor Joseph. Such a great read. I'd say this is the best so far from San Lloyd, and after reading a lot of his books, that's say
After reading " Memory Wood" previously, I wasn't sure how this would be able to match up, but boy oh boy does it.
When Joseph comes downstairs in the middle of the night to a potential intruder, he finds his son, Max in quite the predicament. He has accidentally hit someone with his car and killed him. Torn apart by this news, Joseph sees his bright, kind hearted son in turmoil, and in a dseparate bid to try and keep his son safe, decides to step in and help hide the body. Safe In the knowledge that only the two of them know what has happened he is sure he can make this situation go away. The problem is, there is a loose end which Joseph wasn't counting on. When he confronts Max about this and expresses his concern that this loose end could be their undoing, Max does, apparently, the only thing he can to tie off this loose end. This then leaves Joseph with yet another significant problem...
This is absolutely brilliant. trying to keep his son safe is becoming more and more problematic and the twists that follow are endless. The difficult decision to keep Max out of trouble spirals into a high adrenaline and fast paced thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from the beginning. Possibly, a few little bits to take away about rash decisions and a parent's battle between the "right* thing to do really adds to the emotional investment to poor Joseph. Such a great read. I'd say this is the best so far from San Lloyd, and after reading a lot of his books, that's say
June 19, 2025
The Bodies is a hugely intense read right from the first page to the last. When Joseph Carver is woken up by his son and plunged into a nightmare that involves a dead body and a distraught son, what else can he do than help to cover up and bury the body? Things keep going from bad to worse in this story and I loved how the tension never lets up even for a second as the reader feels stressed about what is happening and I was constantly wondering if and how it could possibly get worse!
There is a range of intriguing and suspicious characters throughout the book that kept this story interesting and whenever I thought I had figured out what was going on, another plot twist is revealed which completely turns the story on its head! Joseph will do whatever it takes to protect his son after losing his mum but he is pushed to his very limits throughout the novel. His step daughter Tilly and her best friend Drew also have a role to play along with the twin brothers Angus and Gabriel Roth who are very violent and abusive men. Each character connects in a gruesome and shocking way to create a suspense filled novel that had my jaw dropping multiple times.
I was shocked at some of the twists and the last 150 pages of the book were very intense with drama packed moments that ensured I could not put this book down. The descriptions of the attacks were also very gruesome and detailed which painted a vivid picture in my mind and some parts of the story twisted from thriller into horror. I loved the reveals and even though it started to feel a little bit ridiculous that all of this is happening at once to one family, it was an incredibly fast paced and heart racing read.
I also really enjoyed the back story of Joseph with Claire, his first wife, as Joseph is still filled with so much guilt and grief about what happened to her which is why he is so focused on protecting Max and putting him first before anything else, even at the detriment to his new marriage. This is a brilliant thriller novel which is very easy to race through in no time at all.
There is a range of intriguing and suspicious characters throughout the book that kept this story interesting and whenever I thought I had figured out what was going on, another plot twist is revealed which completely turns the story on its head! Joseph will do whatever it takes to protect his son after losing his mum but he is pushed to his very limits throughout the novel. His step daughter Tilly and her best friend Drew also have a role to play along with the twin brothers Angus and Gabriel Roth who are very violent and abusive men. Each character connects in a gruesome and shocking way to create a suspense filled novel that had my jaw dropping multiple times.
I was shocked at some of the twists and the last 150 pages of the book were very intense with drama packed moments that ensured I could not put this book down. The descriptions of the attacks were also very gruesome and detailed which painted a vivid picture in my mind and some parts of the story twisted from thriller into horror. I loved the reveals and even though it started to feel a little bit ridiculous that all of this is happening at once to one family, it was an incredibly fast paced and heart racing read.
I also really enjoyed the back story of Joseph with Claire, his first wife, as Joseph is still filled with so much guilt and grief about what happened to her which is why he is so focused on protecting Max and putting him first before anything else, even at the detriment to his new marriage. This is a brilliant thriller novel which is very easy to race through in no time at all.
June 21, 2025
The Bodies by Sam Lloyd is one of those rare books that doesn’t just hook you — it grabs you by the throat and refuses to let go. From the very first chapter, I was pulled into this dark, gripping, and heartbreakingly intense story. It’s one of the best thrillers I’ve read in a long time — a solid five stars and then some.
The premise is terrifyingly simple: Joseph wakes one night to find his teenage son, Max, scrubbing blood from the kitchen floor. An accident, he says. Just an accident. And Joe does the only thing a parent can do — he helps cover it up. But when it happens again, and again, the stakes spiral wildly out of control, and the questions cut deep: how far would you go for your child? What lines would you cross? What monsters would you become?
This book hit me harder than I expected. The writing is sharp, clever, and infused with a raw emotion that kept me breathless. The twists come out of nowhere — brutal, shocking moments that left me reeling. The tension is relentless, building with every chapter until I felt like I was right there with Joe, panicked and desperate, unable to look away.
And the gore… wow. Reading this during the hottest week of the year was an experience in itself — it felt like every scene, every description of the bloody aftermath, turned my stomach just a little bit more. But it’s a testament to Lloyd’s storytelling that I couldn’t put it down. This is a book that doesn’t just entertain; it burrows under your skin and lingers long after the final page.
The Bodies is an absolute masterclass in psychological thrillers — a dark, disturbing exploration of parenthood, guilt, and sacrifice. It’s brutal, heartbreaking, and completely unforgettable. Do yourself a favour and pick it up… just be prepared to lose sleep, shed a few tears, and possibly skip a meal or two along the way. It’s that good.
The premise is terrifyingly simple: Joseph wakes one night to find his teenage son, Max, scrubbing blood from the kitchen floor. An accident, he says. Just an accident. And Joe does the only thing a parent can do — he helps cover it up. But when it happens again, and again, the stakes spiral wildly out of control, and the questions cut deep: how far would you go for your child? What lines would you cross? What monsters would you become?
This book hit me harder than I expected. The writing is sharp, clever, and infused with a raw emotion that kept me breathless. The twists come out of nowhere — brutal, shocking moments that left me reeling. The tension is relentless, building with every chapter until I felt like I was right there with Joe, panicked and desperate, unable to look away.
And the gore… wow. Reading this during the hottest week of the year was an experience in itself — it felt like every scene, every description of the bloody aftermath, turned my stomach just a little bit more. But it’s a testament to Lloyd’s storytelling that I couldn’t put it down. This is a book that doesn’t just entertain; it burrows under your skin and lingers long after the final page.
The Bodies is an absolute masterclass in psychological thrillers — a dark, disturbing exploration of parenthood, guilt, and sacrifice. It’s brutal, heartbreaking, and completely unforgettable. Do yourself a favour and pick it up… just be prepared to lose sleep, shed a few tears, and possibly skip a meal or two along the way. It’s that good.
July 6, 2025
The night that Joseph discovers his son Max with blood on his hands his life changes forever. But how far will Joseph go to protect Max when one body turns into two.
My initial thoughts when I’d finished reading this book was wow because this was a brilliant read. It's one that once I started I couldn't turn the pages quick enough. The storyline was fast paced, filled with misdirection and manipulation. At times I wasn’t sure who to trust or who was telling the truth.
The story is told from Joseph’s point of view. As soon as Joseph finds Max in the kitchen covered in blood his parental instincts kick in. He knows he has to do everything in his power to protect his son. The difficulty that Joseph finds himself in is that one lie quickly turns into another and things start to snowball. Joseph has his work cut out for him as not only does he have to cover up Max’s tracks but also his own. At the same time he has to act normal in front of his wife Erin and his stepdaughter Tilly. As the story progresses Joseph is surrounded by this sense and feeling of paranoia especially when the people around him like his neighbours start to ask questions about his movements.
What was interesting about the story was that it took the concept of how far a parent will go to protect their child to another level. Joseph is protective of Max not only because he is his son but also because he is the only thing that he has left from his late wife. Joseph has been everything to Max, both mother and father so the idea of losing Max is something that Joseph can’t contemplate.
There were many twists and turns especially towards the end that completely took me by surprise. When I thought I knew where the story was going there would be a plot twist and it would take the story in a completely different direction. As for that ending it gave me chills and was unforgettable.
If you enjoy thrillers then this is one not to be missed.
My initial thoughts when I’d finished reading this book was wow because this was a brilliant read. It's one that once I started I couldn't turn the pages quick enough. The storyline was fast paced, filled with misdirection and manipulation. At times I wasn’t sure who to trust or who was telling the truth.
The story is told from Joseph’s point of view. As soon as Joseph finds Max in the kitchen covered in blood his parental instincts kick in. He knows he has to do everything in his power to protect his son. The difficulty that Joseph finds himself in is that one lie quickly turns into another and things start to snowball. Joseph has his work cut out for him as not only does he have to cover up Max’s tracks but also his own. At the same time he has to act normal in front of his wife Erin and his stepdaughter Tilly. As the story progresses Joseph is surrounded by this sense and feeling of paranoia especially when the people around him like his neighbours start to ask questions about his movements.
What was interesting about the story was that it took the concept of how far a parent will go to protect their child to another level. Joseph is protective of Max not only because he is his son but also because he is the only thing that he has left from his late wife. Joseph has been everything to Max, both mother and father so the idea of losing Max is something that Joseph can’t contemplate.
There were many twists and turns especially towards the end that completely took me by surprise. When I thought I knew where the story was going there would be a plot twist and it would take the story in a completely different direction. As for that ending it gave me chills and was unforgettable.
If you enjoy thrillers then this is one not to be missed.
September 8, 2025
A hidden gem from a talented and relatively new thriller writer, The Bodies by Sam Lloyd is an engaging, gripping, and well-written novel that explores a father's relationship with his son and the extreme lengths he'll go to in order to protect him. When Joseph Carver wakes in the middle of the night to a noise, he expects a burglar, but instead finds his son, soaked in blood and panicking, claiming he's hit someone with his car. Faced with an impossible situation, Joseph makes a dark decision to help his son bury the body. The nightmare ends, and Joe starts to relax—until he finds his son huddled over another body, once again covered in blood...
I really enjoyed the writing style in The Bodies, and after abandoning his previous book, my return to this author's work was a pleasant surprise. The atmosphere is incredibly well built, with tension at the end of every chapter and a real sense of psychological distress woven through the pages. Joe's predicament was an interesting moral dilemma viewed through a lens of parental panic, and although some elements felt unrealistic, it was still an enjoyable read that kept me on edge.
The novel did falter slightly in the final few chapters, where things became quite convoluted and perhaps too twisted. While the character arcs were satisfying and felt natural, the sudden increase in pace left me feeling swept away by the plot rather than fully keeping up with it. Overall, The Bodies is a great novel—perfect if you're in a slump and seeking a quick, engaging, and unsettling read.
I really enjoyed the writing style in The Bodies, and after abandoning his previous book, my return to this author's work was a pleasant surprise. The atmosphere is incredibly well built, with tension at the end of every chapter and a real sense of psychological distress woven through the pages. Joe's predicament was an interesting moral dilemma viewed through a lens of parental panic, and although some elements felt unrealistic, it was still an enjoyable read that kept me on edge.
The novel did falter slightly in the final few chapters, where things became quite convoluted and perhaps too twisted. While the character arcs were satisfying and felt natural, the sudden increase in pace left me feeling swept away by the plot rather than fully keeping up with it. Overall, The Bodies is a great novel—perfect if you're in a slump and seeking a quick, engaging, and unsettling read.
July 3, 2025
Wow—if you love fast-paced crime fiction that keeps you guessing until the very end, this is the book for you. Just when you think you’ve figured things out, the story takes another shocking turn.
Joseph Carver lost his first wife, Claire, five years ago during a violent home invasion. Since then, it’s just been him and his son, Max. Erin, his second wife, has her own difficult past—two failed marriages and a daughter, Tilly. Three years ago, Joseph and Erin found each other and built what looks like the perfect life: a beautiful home, good jobs, and grown children who seem to be thriving. Max is about to start training as a surgeon at St Andrews. Everything appears stable… until one night changes everything.
Erin wakes Joseph in the middle of the night, convinced she’s heard something downstairs. Joseph, still haunted by the tragedy of losing Claire, has hidden weapons around the house for protection. Creeping downstairs with a tomahawk in hand, he prepares to confront an intruder. But what he finds stops him cold: it’s Max, standing in the kitchen. And Max is covered in blood.
At first, Joseph fears Max is injured—but he isn’t. So whose blood is it? And what really happened?
What follows is a relentless, high-stakes psychological thriller that asks one haunting question: How far would you go to protect your child? Most of us would say “as far as it takes”—but what if your child has done something truly unforgivable? Something that can’t be explained away?
The moral dilemmas faced by the characters are so compelling. I loved how layered and human they all felt—flawed, vulnerable, and caught in impossible situations. The tension is constant, and the twists keep coming. Just when you think it can’t get more intense, it does. And the ending? Jaw-dropping.
This book has definitely landed on my list of top reads for the year. I could not put it down. Gripping, emotional, full of sharp turns and dark secrets—I’ll be recommending this one to every crime fiction fan I know.
An easy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read
Joseph Carver lost his first wife, Claire, five years ago during a violent home invasion. Since then, it’s just been him and his son, Max. Erin, his second wife, has her own difficult past—two failed marriages and a daughter, Tilly. Three years ago, Joseph and Erin found each other and built what looks like the perfect life: a beautiful home, good jobs, and grown children who seem to be thriving. Max is about to start training as a surgeon at St Andrews. Everything appears stable… until one night changes everything.
Erin wakes Joseph in the middle of the night, convinced she’s heard something downstairs. Joseph, still haunted by the tragedy of losing Claire, has hidden weapons around the house for protection. Creeping downstairs with a tomahawk in hand, he prepares to confront an intruder. But what he finds stops him cold: it’s Max, standing in the kitchen. And Max is covered in blood.
At first, Joseph fears Max is injured—but he isn’t. So whose blood is it? And what really happened?
What follows is a relentless, high-stakes psychological thriller that asks one haunting question: How far would you go to protect your child? Most of us would say “as far as it takes”—but what if your child has done something truly unforgivable? Something that can’t be explained away?
The moral dilemmas faced by the characters are so compelling. I loved how layered and human they all felt—flawed, vulnerable, and caught in impossible situations. The tension is constant, and the twists keep coming. Just when you think it can’t get more intense, it does. And the ending? Jaw-dropping.
This book has definitely landed on my list of top reads for the year. I could not put it down. Gripping, emotional, full of sharp turns and dark secrets—I’ll be recommending this one to every crime fiction fan I know.
An easy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read
June 20, 2025
I haven’t read anything from this author before but have since noticed I have another of their books The memory woods!
After reading the bodies I am for sure going to make it a priority to read memory woods as well. Really loved Sam’s style of writing and tense atmospheric dramatics!
The story follows the complex relationship of Joe and his son Max and let’s just say, what a wild ride. Unbelievable and unlikely in parts, absolutely, but that’s what makes it so gripping.
I don’t want to give too much away as I went in blind (other than the blurb) and I do think that’s the best way, especially with this book.
It’s that age old ‘what would you do?’ Would you help your child hide a body?
Joe already feels like he has let Max down with the traumatic loss of Max’s mum, Joe struggles between his conscious and his promise to his late wife to take care of their son.
A complex story line of emotion and turmoil, characters that will make you shake your head in disbelief with their actions and chapters that leave you wanting more, just one more chapter!
This book never goes where you think it is and a lot of the twist and turns I didn’t guess and was left open mouthed!
If you like suspenseful and dark thrillers I think this one is for you. And it has my favourite ‘oh shit’ ending! And I even wonder if it’s lining up for book 2 with the same characters.
After reading the bodies I am for sure going to make it a priority to read memory woods as well. Really loved Sam’s style of writing and tense atmospheric dramatics!
The story follows the complex relationship of Joe and his son Max and let’s just say, what a wild ride. Unbelievable and unlikely in parts, absolutely, but that’s what makes it so gripping.
I don’t want to give too much away as I went in blind (other than the blurb) and I do think that’s the best way, especially with this book.
It’s that age old ‘what would you do?’ Would you help your child hide a body?
Joe already feels like he has let Max down with the traumatic loss of Max’s mum, Joe struggles between his conscious and his promise to his late wife to take care of their son.
A complex story line of emotion and turmoil, characters that will make you shake your head in disbelief with their actions and chapters that leave you wanting more, just one more chapter!
This book never goes where you think it is and a lot of the twist and turns I didn’t guess and was left open mouthed!
If you like suspenseful and dark thrillers I think this one is for you. And it has my favourite ‘oh shit’ ending! And I even wonder if it’s lining up for book 2 with the same characters.
July 9, 2025
Oh Lordy!!!! What the heck have I just read?!? I’m slightly speechless. That is a rollercoaster and a half!! I don’t know what to say!
How far would you go to protect your child with a promising future? I don’t know how far I’d go until I’m tested. But Joe is willing to go far for his son Max, a medical student in the making. But this loyalty really pushes the limits of parenthood.
I really felt for Joe. He’d promised his wife on her deathbed he would protect Max no matter what. He’s torn up with that promise. But will he destroy his second chance of love by looking out for his son? I could see this ripping his marriage to Erin apart and this woman has been through the mill with her previous relationships. Joe seems a good guy; I wanted him to do the right thing but I couldn’t decide by whom. There was so much at stake which ever way he jumped.
The Bodies starts as what seems like a straight forward dilemma read but as I delved deeper and deeper in to the Carvers’ predicament, I was sent spiralling into a mess-with-your-head kind of book. I was left stunned by the ending, just stunned … I don’t know what to think at all! This is one messed up read and what an introduction to Sam Lloyd’s writing!
How far would you go to protect your child with a promising future? I don’t know how far I’d go until I’m tested. But Joe is willing to go far for his son Max, a medical student in the making. But this loyalty really pushes the limits of parenthood.
I really felt for Joe. He’d promised his wife on her deathbed he would protect Max no matter what. He’s torn up with that promise. But will he destroy his second chance of love by looking out for his son? I could see this ripping his marriage to Erin apart and this woman has been through the mill with her previous relationships. Joe seems a good guy; I wanted him to do the right thing but I couldn’t decide by whom. There was so much at stake which ever way he jumped.
The Bodies starts as what seems like a straight forward dilemma read but as I delved deeper and deeper in to the Carvers’ predicament, I was sent spiralling into a mess-with-your-head kind of book. I was left stunned by the ending, just stunned … I don’t know what to think at all! This is one messed up read and what an introduction to Sam Lloyd’s writing!
June 23, 2025
There was definitely no slow burn with this book - it jumped straight into the action right from the get go!
A father comes down the stairs in the middle of the night to fight off what he thinks is a burglar to find his son in the kitchen covered in blood and trying to clean everything up… what do you do!? I was hooked and fully invested from this point which is the opening chapter to this fast paced and thrilling book!
The pace of this book was heart-racingly quick! Just when I was thinking things could get any worse for Joseph… bang! Another bombshell of a twist and dilemma for him… he really was up **** creek, without a paddle! I could feel the anxiety radiating from the pages and the pure panic/nerves as the days went on.
An overall fantastic read!
A father comes down the stairs in the middle of the night to fight off what he thinks is a burglar to find his son in the kitchen covered in blood and trying to clean everything up… what do you do!? I was hooked and fully invested from this point which is the opening chapter to this fast paced and thrilling book!
The pace of this book was heart-racingly quick! Just when I was thinking things could get any worse for Joseph… bang! Another bombshell of a twist and dilemma for him… he really was up **** creek, without a paddle! I could feel the anxiety radiating from the pages and the pure panic/nerves as the days went on.
An overall fantastic read!
June 24, 2025
Starting at 100mph and continuing at the same pace all the way through, I was glued to The Bodies and finished it in just a couple of sittings.
Joseph finds his son covered in blood in the middle of the night, with a body in the boot of his car. Should he believe Max's story? Or will he just help him cover it up regardless because he'll do anything to protect his son?
Short and fast paced chapters, full of surprises that keep you reading to find out the real story of what happened.
My second book of Sam Lloyd's won't be my last, I love the writing style and the twists that come out of nowhere!
Joseph finds his son covered in blood in the middle of the night, with a body in the boot of his car. Should he believe Max's story? Or will he just help him cover it up regardless because he'll do anything to protect his son?
Short and fast paced chapters, full of surprises that keep you reading to find out the real story of what happened.
My second book of Sam Lloyd's won't be my last, I love the writing style and the twists that come out of nowhere!
June 24, 2025
Joseph will do anything for his son but when he awakes one night to a strange noise downstairs he’ll wish he didn’t get up to investigate. He finds his son Max covered in blood trying to clean up saying over and over that it was an accident. He realises that his world is about to shatter and Joseph will do anything to protect his son, even bury a body. Joseph just wants to protect his son and tells himself he’s just lost his way. Until he finds him once again covered in blood………
This is a fast paced, thrilling and twisty story that will leave you with your jaw on the floor. You really feel the tension building with this story and I felt for Joseph who really thinks he’s helping his son by protecting him. It pushes the boundaries of just how far you would go to protect someone you love. How you’ll put yourself on the line and take the fall just to protect them. The story continues to escalate and although a tad far fetched towards the end it was a fantastic read and I look forward to reading more books by this author. A story that raises questions about someone’s ethics and morals.
This is a fast paced, thrilling and twisty story that will leave you with your jaw on the floor. You really feel the tension building with this story and I felt for Joseph who really thinks he’s helping his son by protecting him. It pushes the boundaries of just how far you would go to protect someone you love. How you’ll put yourself on the line and take the fall just to protect them. The story continues to escalate and although a tad far fetched towards the end it was a fantastic read and I look forward to reading more books by this author. A story that raises questions about someone’s ethics and morals.
June 29, 2025
This is very much one of those books that I may not have ordinarily have read, but wowser. Am I glad I did.
The question asked if how far you'd go to protect your child. I dont have children of my own yet but it didnt take away from the thrill of this book.
It starts off at 100mph, which is an impressive feat in itself, but it doesnt take its foot off the pedal at any point. Its kind of insane how you speed through it, unable to stop. Its not even an easy read at times, not holding back on the gorier aspects of the crimes. Thankfully this doesn't bother me and I was all for it.
I dont want to ruin it, I will just say you must go and read it. This has catapulted into one of my top reads of the year.
The question asked if how far you'd go to protect your child. I dont have children of my own yet but it didnt take away from the thrill of this book.
It starts off at 100mph, which is an impressive feat in itself, but it doesnt take its foot off the pedal at any point. Its kind of insane how you speed through it, unable to stop. Its not even an easy read at times, not holding back on the gorier aspects of the crimes. Thankfully this doesn't bother me and I was all for it.
I dont want to ruin it, I will just say you must go and read it. This has catapulted into one of my top reads of the year.
July 1, 2025
I expected this book to be good, but I wasn’t expecting it to be blown away by it! The concept and blurb sounded right up my street and I soon found, this really did tick my thriller box.
The vivid descriptions throughout really set the scenes, it felt like I was literally watching it all unfold, gruesome bits and all. I liked the slow but tense build up, to then be hit with an action packed, nail biting climax.
I loved the twists and the turns, I was thrown off guard a few times and I adore it when books can do this as I’ve read a lot of thrillers. This was a story you genuinely get sucked into, the author had me in their clutches and I was excited to delve back into the read everytime I set the book down.
Suspense, atmosphere, darkness and gore along with lies, manipulation and back stabbing, safe to say I was on the edge of my seat. I wouldn’t say I was the biggest fan of the characters, but this wasn’t an issue, the story more than made up for that, this clever plotted read I won’t forget in a while.
The vivid descriptions throughout really set the scenes, it felt like I was literally watching it all unfold, gruesome bits and all. I liked the slow but tense build up, to then be hit with an action packed, nail biting climax.
I loved the twists and the turns, I was thrown off guard a few times and I adore it when books can do this as I’ve read a lot of thrillers. This was a story you genuinely get sucked into, the author had me in their clutches and I was excited to delve back into the read everytime I set the book down.
Suspense, atmosphere, darkness and gore along with lies, manipulation and back stabbing, safe to say I was on the edge of my seat. I wouldn’t say I was the biggest fan of the characters, but this wasn’t an issue, the story more than made up for that, this clever plotted read I won’t forget in a while.
July 10, 2025
This book had me gripped and frantically reading from start to finish!
Joseph Carver’s life is turned upside down when, one night, he stumbles across his teenage son in the kitchen scrubbing up blood. He says it was an accident and he didn’t mean to kill him. He struggles with what to do but realises there is only thing he can do and it’s to help Max bury the body. However, when it happens again, Joe is really forced to question what he knows about his son and what he would do to protect him.
The book is told through short chapters with changing POVs. This really added to the intensity of the book. The switches in perspective lead to so many nail biting cliffhangers that meant I could not stop reading. The writing style of the novel also added to this and ramped up the tension and made me feel like I wasn’t able to read fast enough for my brain and my need to know what was going to happen next.
Nothing prepared me for how this book made me feel. It was anxiety inducing at times as Joseph struggled to comprehend and deal with the consequences of his son’s actions. It was also thought provoking and made me think about how strong the bonds of family can be and how far we might go for those we love.
This is an absolute white knuckle ride of a read! There are so many twists and turns that kept me guessing. I throughly enjoyed reading it and was desperate to know what was going to happen next. I would highly recommend it to those who love breakneck thrillers!
Joseph Carver’s life is turned upside down when, one night, he stumbles across his teenage son in the kitchen scrubbing up blood. He says it was an accident and he didn’t mean to kill him. He struggles with what to do but realises there is only thing he can do and it’s to help Max bury the body. However, when it happens again, Joe is really forced to question what he knows about his son and what he would do to protect him.
The book is told through short chapters with changing POVs. This really added to the intensity of the book. The switches in perspective lead to so many nail biting cliffhangers that meant I could not stop reading. The writing style of the novel also added to this and ramped up the tension and made me feel like I wasn’t able to read fast enough for my brain and my need to know what was going to happen next.
Nothing prepared me for how this book made me feel. It was anxiety inducing at times as Joseph struggled to comprehend and deal with the consequences of his son’s actions. It was also thought provoking and made me think about how strong the bonds of family can be and how far we might go for those we love.
This is an absolute white knuckle ride of a read! There are so many twists and turns that kept me guessing. I throughly enjoyed reading it and was desperate to know what was going to happen next. I would highly recommend it to those who love breakneck thrillers!
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