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Bad Blood: A Novel
A double murder. A toxic past. A family secret. There's no law against keeping secrets...My name is Justine Stone.I left home twelve years ago, never to return.Now my ex-boyfriend, Jake, has been accused of a double murder in the town where we grew up. It's my job as a barrister to make the case against him.But to face the courts, I need to know the truth. The real truth about what happened when we were young - not just the story I'll spin the jury.To reach the heart of it, I must face up to the part my own family played.Even if it means risking my life.
352 pages, Paperback
Published July 1, 2025
96 people are currently reading
6235 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
November 5, 2024
⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⭑
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Okay I really enjoyed this book! I was hooked all the way through, and would definitely recommend this book to any mystery, thriller, crime readers out there. As a debut this is very impressive and will definitely be buying for my shelf when released 🤩
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Thank you to NetGalley and Sarah Hornsley for the ARC 🫶🏼
Publication date 27th March 2025.
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Okay I really enjoyed this book! I was hooked all the way through, and would definitely recommend this book to any mystery, thriller, crime readers out there. As a debut this is very impressive and will definitely be buying for my shelf when released 🤩
~
Thank you to NetGalley and Sarah Hornsley for the ARC 🫶🏼
Publication date 27th March 2025.
July 25, 2025
"BAD BLOOD" was BAD NEWS for this fastidious reader.
TW:
Child abuse
Had I known that disturbing child abuse details would be showcased, I never would have selected this book.
(Was this really necessary????)
This "dark and twisty debut about a woman whose high school sweetheart is accused of murder" had a strong start before it faltered.
The book's dual timelines were dizzying.
I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Gemma Whelan, who did an outstanding job with the narration.
DNF at 40%
July 2, 2025
Well, this “Bad Blood” certainly ran deep. This well paced thriller held my attention, as I was anxious to see how the story unfolded, & determine who was guilty and who was not. It is evident from the very beginning that there is much more going on beneath the surface than the readers think.
Justine is a successful lawyer, on the brink of a wonderful career. Anxious to begin her first murder trial, she is taken aback when she opens a folder to review the case and realizes it is the face of her first love, with a new identity. When she returns to her hometown to investigate this case, her world is turned upside down as family secrets, deeply rooted traumas, and lies are revealed leaving her in a mental whirlwind.
Overall, a solid read that I would recommend for fans of family/domestic thrillers, with mind churning twists! Thank you Zando and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own..
Publication 🗓️ : 07.01.25
Justine is a successful lawyer, on the brink of a wonderful career. Anxious to begin her first murder trial, she is taken aback when she opens a folder to review the case and realizes it is the face of her first love, with a new identity. When she returns to her hometown to investigate this case, her world is turned upside down as family secrets, deeply rooted traumas, and lies are revealed leaving her in a mental whirlwind.
Overall, a solid read that I would recommend for fans of family/domestic thrillers, with mind churning twists! Thank you Zando and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own..
Publication 🗓️ : 07.01.25
July 1, 2025
Happy publication day 🎉🥳🎧
I really enjoyed Bad Blood, while the pacing isn’t necessarily fast, it is gripping. Justine is a successful barrister, has a lovely husband, a lovely home and it seems that her career is about to take another turn for the better when she’s selected for a new double murder prosecution case. There’s just one issue, when she opens the file the face looking back at her is that of her ex boyfriend. Her first love, and a face she hasn’t seen for many years.
Justine is quite literally dragged back to her past, a place she doesn’t really want to be in and people she doesn’t want to see, and of course, where secrets are plenty.
Can Justine prove her ex’s innocence and can she finally get to the truth of the past and let it rest.
I didn’t quite guess the twist!
Thanks to Lorna, I can credit the narrator by name, Gemma Whelan, she done a fantastic job and played a big part in reeling me in.
Huge thanks to Dreamscape Select and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ELC 🎧
I really enjoyed Bad Blood, while the pacing isn’t necessarily fast, it is gripping. Justine is a successful barrister, has a lovely husband, a lovely home and it seems that her career is about to take another turn for the better when she’s selected for a new double murder prosecution case. There’s just one issue, when she opens the file the face looking back at her is that of her ex boyfriend. Her first love, and a face she hasn’t seen for many years.
Justine is quite literally dragged back to her past, a place she doesn’t really want to be in and people she doesn’t want to see, and of course, where secrets are plenty.
Can Justine prove her ex’s innocence and can she finally get to the truth of the past and let it rest.
I didn’t quite guess the twist!
Thanks to Lorna, I can credit the narrator by name, Gemma Whelan, she done a fantastic job and played a big part in reeling me in.
Huge thanks to Dreamscape Select and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ELC 🎧
June 17, 2025
UGH!!! Easily my least favourite read of 2025 so far. It's actually safe to say I hated it :( So disappointing!
The award for most misleading blurb goes to... this book! What I was led to believe: This would be a gripping legal thriller about a prosecutor that so happens to be assigned the case of her formal lover who she hadn't seen in years.
What I got: A horrible MC, barely any legal/courtroom drama, and mostly family drama that was filled with characters I did not care about.
I'm going to do a slight rant, which I will hide under the spoiler tag.
So yep... hated this book and will sadly not pick up another one from this author. Hopefully my next read will be better :)
The award for most misleading blurb goes to... this book! What I was led to believe: This would be a gripping legal thriller about a prosecutor that so happens to be assigned the case of her formal lover who she hadn't seen in years.
What I got: A horrible MC, barely any legal/courtroom drama, and mostly family drama that was filled with characters I did not care about.
I'm going to do a slight rant, which I will hide under the spoiler tag.
So yep... hated this book and will sadly not pick up another one from this author. Hopefully my next read will be better :)
July 9, 2025
4.5 stars
Thank you Zando for an early copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback
This book was a wild ride. Everyone in this story has their secrets, each darker than the last. I never knew where this story was going and it had my head spinning with theories throughout never quite satisfied with any of them which I loved.
Justine is a train wreck on the inside but does a very good job of keeping up her appearance until she no longer can as her world unravels from under her feet.
The ending of this book gave me whiplash in the best way and I really enjoyed how all the pieces clicked into place. I had a great time with this book
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT6dxEg83/
Thank you Zando for an early copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback
This book was a wild ride. Everyone in this story has their secrets, each darker than the last. I never knew where this story was going and it had my head spinning with theories throughout never quite satisfied with any of them which I loved.
Justine is a train wreck on the inside but does a very good job of keeping up her appearance until she no longer can as her world unravels from under her feet.
The ending of this book gave me whiplash in the best way and I really enjoyed how all the pieces clicked into place. I had a great time with this book
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT6dxEg83/
March 19, 2025
*4 ABUSIVE STARS*
ARC received through Netgalley.
This definitely had some crazy twists and turns! And while I wouldn't say this had me on the edge of my seat, I for sure was eager to continue every time I put this down.
I kind of saw the big final chapter plot twist coming, which was a bit of a bummer, but some of the others took me by surprise, so this is a hard one to rate.
As a mother myself, this book definitely spoke to me and had me wondering what I would and wouldn't do for my daughter. This also deals with some strong topics like physical and emotional abuse, so be warned!
ARC received through Netgalley.
This definitely had some crazy twists and turns! And while I wouldn't say this had me on the edge of my seat, I for sure was eager to continue every time I put this down.
I kind of saw the big final chapter plot twist coming, which was a bit of a bummer, but some of the others took me by surprise, so this is a hard one to rate.
As a mother myself, this book definitely spoke to me and had me wondering what I would and wouldn't do for my daughter. This also deals with some strong topics like physical and emotional abuse, so be warned!
March 9, 2025
Family secrets and a lot of drama in Bad Blood. This was a great debut novel, with plenty of shocking twists and turns that kept me guessing.
I never really warmed to any of the characters but that doesn’t mean that I it isn’t a great story. These were complicated characters, who had gone through a lot. We learn their stories from now and 18 years earlier when their lives changed forever.
I did fly through this book, needing to know what would happen next. Thanks to Hodder and Stoughton for my early copy of this book to read. Due to be published on March 27th.
I never really warmed to any of the characters but that doesn’t mean that I it isn’t a great story. These were complicated characters, who had gone through a lot. We learn their stories from now and 18 years earlier when their lives changed forever.
I did fly through this book, needing to know what would happen next. Thanks to Hodder and Stoughton for my early copy of this book to read. Due to be published on March 27th.
July 1, 2025
DNF ... bei 40%.
Wieder ein Buch bei dem der Klappentext spannender war als das Buch selbst.
Thrilling war da für mich leider gar nix, sondern alles einfach nur langweilig.
Wieder ein Buch bei dem der Klappentext spannender war als das Buch selbst.
Thrilling war da für mich leider gar nix, sondern alles einfach nur langweilig.
March 30, 2025
Justine Stone is living the dream. She’s a successful barrister, with a devoted husband and a luxurious home. Growing up back in Essex seems like another lifetime. That is, until she’s asked to defend her ex-boyfriend, Jake, who is accused of a hideous double murder.
As Justine returns to the past she’s worked so hard to escape from, she starts to wonder if blood really is thicker than water?
A fast paced and incredibly twisty read. I was turning the pages towards the end and my head was spinning! Bad Blood is chilling and captivating with a plot that takes you where you least expect and you’ll have so much fun unraveling it all.
There’s an abundance of unpleasant characters, who all add to the swirling maelstrom of deceit and distrust. I don’t actually think I liked any of them, their flaws were too great, but despite that I found each and every one compelling and memorable, and they certainly helped make this book very entertaining.
As Justine returns to the past she’s worked so hard to escape from, she starts to wonder if blood really is thicker than water?
A fast paced and incredibly twisty read. I was turning the pages towards the end and my head was spinning! Bad Blood is chilling and captivating with a plot that takes you where you least expect and you’ll have so much fun unraveling it all.
There’s an abundance of unpleasant characters, who all add to the swirling maelstrom of deceit and distrust. I don’t actually think I liked any of them, their flaws were too great, but despite that I found each and every one compelling and memorable, and they certainly helped make this book very entertaining.
August 20, 2025
*Toxic*
I strongly recommend this story to be adding the audio with the physical book. Gemma Whelan narrates it, and in my opinion, she perfectly captures the essence of the book. The story is primarily told by the lead character, Justine Stone, with flashbacks leading up to a crime that occurred in her home. However, the family she belongs to is full of unlikeable characters, including Justine herself.
In the present day, we get a glimpse of the kind of barrister Justine is. She then receives a case that could make a name for her firm, but she doesn’t read all the details as she wants to win. When she does look into it, she discovers that the person accused of a double murder is her ex-boyfriend, who goes by a different name. Her world is rocked as he was her first love and she hadn’t seen him in 18 years. He had a significant impact on her life, but the cost was his leaving her. Justine can never forgive him, but the full facts of this one horrific night were never disclosed.
This case forces Justine to confront her past. She returns to the place she grew up in and to a mother she thought was weak who didn’t protect her. However, the mother has her own reasons for her actions, as she was the punching bag of a charismatic husband and there are plenty of secrets within the family.
The drip-feed of secrets kept me engaged and appalled by it all at the same time. Even their secrets had secrets. We also learn how this family of four became two.
I found the ending shocking, and the circumstances of the case against Justine’s ex-boyfriend were not justifiable. I struggled with how to rate this book, but I cannot deny that I was engrossed. It’s a great debut, even though it was full of unlikeable characters.
‼️Triggers‼️
Physical and Mental Abuse.
I strongly recommend this story to be adding the audio with the physical book. Gemma Whelan narrates it, and in my opinion, she perfectly captures the essence of the book. The story is primarily told by the lead character, Justine Stone, with flashbacks leading up to a crime that occurred in her home. However, the family she belongs to is full of unlikeable characters, including Justine herself.
In the present day, we get a glimpse of the kind of barrister Justine is. She then receives a case that could make a name for her firm, but she doesn’t read all the details as she wants to win. When she does look into it, she discovers that the person accused of a double murder is her ex-boyfriend, who goes by a different name. Her world is rocked as he was her first love and she hadn’t seen him in 18 years. He had a significant impact on her life, but the cost was his leaving her. Justine can never forgive him, but the full facts of this one horrific night were never disclosed.
This case forces Justine to confront her past. She returns to the place she grew up in and to a mother she thought was weak who didn’t protect her. However, the mother has her own reasons for her actions, as she was the punching bag of a charismatic husband and there are plenty of secrets within the family.
The drip-feed of secrets kept me engaged and appalled by it all at the same time. Even their secrets had secrets. We also learn how this family of four became two.
I found the ending shocking, and the circumstances of the case against Justine’s ex-boyfriend were not justifiable. I struggled with how to rate this book, but I cannot deny that I was engrossed. It’s a great debut, even though it was full of unlikeable characters.
‼️Triggers‼️
Physical and Mental Abuse.
July 19, 2025
I read that this was Hornsley’s debut novel, and for a first book this was good. But I think I went into this expecting something different based off the excerpt. I’m not sure exactly what, maybe more twists? More romance? More suspense? But this felt more slow burn suspenseful to me. The writing was good and SH can tell a story, so I’ll be reading future works for sure.
July 6, 2025
Man oh man what a fun ride! Now this did a great job having some twists that added so much from the story! The author also did a great job at making such an unlikeable character that you can’t stop reading about and wanting to find out what the heck is going on! But gotta say as much as I was like what the heck is wrong with this person you realize oh they have definitely had such a rough past so then you are like I get it now. This one also packs an emotional punch so get ready for that!
June 28, 2025
I’ve been trying to read this book for TWO. WHOLE. MONTHS.
That’s right. A book that should’ve taken me a weekend max became my literary hostage situation.
Opening you get to know Justine who is a criminal barrister and I was like, “Ooh law thriller! I was just watching suits this is up my alley”. But it wasn’t.
The thing is nothing happens up until 58% (which is when I decided to DNF). “My dad did something bad years ago and so I’m going to push away my husband because he can’t know about it and I’ll have an affair with my murdered brother’s best friend instead of getting comfort from my husband” is this books motto.
It’s not giving me anything to want to read on. Seriously nothing is interesting and I couldn’t care less what happens.
The worst part? It shoved me into a reading slump for two months. TWO.
So yeah. It’s a DNF from me. 1 star.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc of this book.
Instagram: nadareadss 💕
That’s right. A book that should’ve taken me a weekend max became my literary hostage situation.
Opening you get to know Justine who is a criminal barrister and I was like, “Ooh law thriller! I was just watching suits this is up my alley”. But it wasn’t.
The thing is nothing happens up until 58% (which is when I decided to DNF). “My dad did something bad years ago and so I’m going to push away my husband because he can’t know about it and I’ll have an affair with my murdered brother’s best friend instead of getting comfort from my husband” is this books motto.
It’s not giving me anything to want to read on. Seriously nothing is interesting and I couldn’t care less what happens.
The worst part? It shoved me into a reading slump for two months. TWO.
So yeah. It’s a DNF from me. 1 star.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc of this book.
Instagram: nadareadss 💕
July 14, 2025
BAD BLOOD started out strong: A criminal lawyer returns to her hometown to investigate a double homicide, for which her childhood sweetheart has been charged. The beginning was compelling and, for a few chapters, it progressed enticingly.
It quickly stalled out. The mystery is nothing new or surprising; there are plenty of family secrets that are alluded to without any satisfying exploration until the end. And as for the ending? Some decent twists, but they landed with a dull thud after the lengthy buildup.
The writing is fine, but extraordinarily wordy. As I neared the end I definitely skimmed sentences and paragraphs—there’s a lot of internal monologue.
If you enjoy slow-burn thrillers about dark pasts, family secrets, and a flatly unlikeable heroine, you might like this one.
Thank you to Zando Projects and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review; thank you again to the publisher for the gifted paperback.
It quickly stalled out. The mystery is nothing new or surprising; there are plenty of family secrets that are alluded to without any satisfying exploration until the end. And as for the ending? Some decent twists, but they landed with a dull thud after the lengthy buildup.
The writing is fine, but extraordinarily wordy. As I neared the end I definitely skimmed sentences and paragraphs—there’s a lot of internal monologue.
If you enjoy slow-burn thrillers about dark pasts, family secrets, and a flatly unlikeable heroine, you might like this one.
Thank you to Zando Projects and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review; thank you again to the publisher for the gifted paperback.
March 27, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I really enjoyed this book, I found it to be an easy read and although I didn't find myself on the edge of my seat, it still kept me entertained throughout!
I didn't really know how the book was going but the ending was a real shock, with lots of twists and turns that I did not expect!
This has been a brilliant debut novel and I look forward to seeing more from this author!
I really enjoyed this book, I found it to be an easy read and although I didn't find myself on the edge of my seat, it still kept me entertained throughout!
I didn't really know how the book was going but the ending was a real shock, with lots of twists and turns that I did not expect!
This has been a brilliant debut novel and I look forward to seeing more from this author!
March 31, 2025
Bad Blood by Sarah Hornsby, This is another book where the summary doesn’t match the story. She isn’t the one who builds a case against him because for one thing she’s a lawyer in London not to mention she knows the defendant which is something That causes a breach of trust in the judicial system. Now despite that she still investigates the story the thing I didn’t like about the book besides the main character Justine was that when she arrived in her hometown she said she hadn’t seen her mom in 12 years but when she realized her brother isn’t home She just immediately goes to her house… Does this village not have hotels? I do want to say the whole thing with her brother and the ending of the book made this worth reading all of it. Just be worn she isn’t likable and there are many things you may be like WTF? as far as the mystery and the conclusion goes it was really good and I would definitely read another book by this author I just didn’t like the main character the overuse of words in the story and a few things that had me raising an eyebrow but other than that you will probably love this book way more than I did.#NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,#SarahHornsby, #BadBlood,
October 19, 2024
Oh my goodness. This book had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. There were so many twists, so many little lies and omissions that you didn’t know who you could trust or what really happened. Every time I came to a twist I would go “called it!” And then a page later I would realize that I was incorrect.
The multiple POVs really twisted the story for me. Going back to the past as other characters spun a tale that you didn’t know whether or not you could believe what you were being told.
Overall, this story will be one I recommend for years to come. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read it as an ARC. I can’t wait to see what other people end up thinking about it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ .5
The multiple POVs really twisted the story for me. Going back to the past as other characters spun a tale that you didn’t know whether or not you could believe what you were being told.
Overall, this story will be one I recommend for years to come. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read it as an ARC. I can’t wait to see what other people end up thinking about it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ .5
November 13, 2024
I’ll be honest, brief and a little brutal for this one. I do try to be as kind as possible but sometimes there’s just no positives to be found.
It’s instantly forgettable. The storyline has an overused trope of ‘is it an accident or not?’
Throughout the whole book, it felt like the reasonings and actions were a little dumbed down.
It’s an instantly forgettable book with unlikable characters and moments of pure irrelevance.
I’m sorry to say I don’t recommend this one at all.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the ARC.
It’s instantly forgettable. The storyline has an overused trope of ‘is it an accident or not?’
Throughout the whole book, it felt like the reasonings and actions were a little dumbed down.
It’s an instantly forgettable book with unlikable characters and moments of pure irrelevance.
I’m sorry to say I don’t recommend this one at all.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the ARC.
July 23, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Zando for providing a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.
Justine Stone is a criminal lawyer who has been handed her first big case to prosecute. As she is reading the folder on the double homicide, she notices that she knows the defendant, Brad Finchley; but she knows him as Jake Reynolds, the love of her life as a teenager. This case has immediately transported Justine back 18 years and reliving the memories of her father's death and the abandonment by her mother and Jake. Justine knows she can't ethically prosecute this case due to a conflict of interest, but she can't help wanting to solve this case; not just for Jake, but for herself. To do this, she returns home to Maldon, after being away for 18 years. As she returns to her hometown, she discovers that her brother, Max, has gone missing and she can't help but think that the double homicide and Max's disappearance are connected somehow. As more and more secrets are revealed to her, she can't help but wonder who she is and who were the people in her life 18 years ago.
There are so many themes to this book and I loved it so much. I love the theme of family drama/secrets being revealed that make the MC question their whole being. They question themselves, their parents, their friends, and their town. It's almost like a coming-of-age story as an adult. Finding connections to what the character never imagined to be connected to and the secrets within. While the twists in this book weren't shocking, I still really enjoyed this. I think what I loved most about it was how everything was interconnected at the end and how you watch Justine grow into the woman she is at the end. You actually feel like you're going through the emotions and the sadness and the grief with her, which was really nice.
Justine Stone is a criminal lawyer who has been handed her first big case to prosecute. As she is reading the folder on the double homicide, she notices that she knows the defendant, Brad Finchley; but she knows him as Jake Reynolds, the love of her life as a teenager. This case has immediately transported Justine back 18 years and reliving the memories of her father's death and the abandonment by her mother and Jake. Justine knows she can't ethically prosecute this case due to a conflict of interest, but she can't help wanting to solve this case; not just for Jake, but for herself. To do this, she returns home to Maldon, after being away for 18 years. As she returns to her hometown, she discovers that her brother, Max, has gone missing and she can't help but think that the double homicide and Max's disappearance are connected somehow. As more and more secrets are revealed to her, she can't help but wonder who she is and who were the people in her life 18 years ago.
There are so many themes to this book and I loved it so much. I love the theme of family drama/secrets being revealed that make the MC question their whole being. They question themselves, their parents, their friends, and their town. It's almost like a coming-of-age story as an adult. Finding connections to what the character never imagined to be connected to and the secrets within. While the twists in this book weren't shocking, I still really enjoyed this. I think what I loved most about it was how everything was interconnected at the end and how you watch Justine grow into the woman she is at the end. You actually feel like you're going through the emotions and the sadness and the grief with her, which was really nice.
September 6, 2025
#netgalley
He’s her ex-boyfriend.
She’s the prosecutor.
He’s accused of a brutal double murder.
She doesn’t know who to believe.
From the opening chapter, I was caught in the same knot of tension I loved so much in The Cut Throat Trial — that sharp, breathless mix of legal drama and buried secrets waiting to detonate. But here, the drama stretches beyond the courtroom and deep into family ties that refuse to loosen their grip.
Justine Stone thought she’d escaped her hometown eighteen years ago. Instead, she’s dragged back when her first love faces trial for murder, her brother disappears, and the silence around her father’s death grows louder by the day. Every chapter is another door creaking open, another secret tumbling out.
Justine herself is gloriously flawed — messy, conflicted, and impossible to pin down. I loved how her unreliability kept me off balance, never quite knowing where to place my trust. Some twists I spotted, others blindsided me completely, but the overall atmosphere was what hooked me most: heavy with dread, threaded with unease, impossible to ignore.
What struck me most wasn’t just the trial itself, but the way Hornsley writes about family — the loyalty, the betrayals, the silences that echo louder than words. This is a novel that asks how well we can ever really know the people closest to us, and whether blood ties are strong enough to hold when every truth threatens to break you apart.
This debut pulses with atmosphere: unreliable voices, timelines that flicker back and forth, and a protagonist so flawed you’re never sure if you should root for her or run from her. Some twists I saw coming, others hit like a hammer, but the slow-burn suspense never let me go.
Bad Blood is about what we bury, what we silence, and what happens when those ghosts refuse to stay hidden. A debut brimming with courtroom drama, family secrets, and the kind of suspense that makes you question everyone.
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read via NetGalley. All opinions my own.
He’s her ex-boyfriend.
She’s the prosecutor.
He’s accused of a brutal double murder.
She doesn’t know who to believe.
From the opening chapter, I was caught in the same knot of tension I loved so much in The Cut Throat Trial — that sharp, breathless mix of legal drama and buried secrets waiting to detonate. But here, the drama stretches beyond the courtroom and deep into family ties that refuse to loosen their grip.
Justine Stone thought she’d escaped her hometown eighteen years ago. Instead, she’s dragged back when her first love faces trial for murder, her brother disappears, and the silence around her father’s death grows louder by the day. Every chapter is another door creaking open, another secret tumbling out.
Justine herself is gloriously flawed — messy, conflicted, and impossible to pin down. I loved how her unreliability kept me off balance, never quite knowing where to place my trust. Some twists I spotted, others blindsided me completely, but the overall atmosphere was what hooked me most: heavy with dread, threaded with unease, impossible to ignore.
What struck me most wasn’t just the trial itself, but the way Hornsley writes about family — the loyalty, the betrayals, the silences that echo louder than words. This is a novel that asks how well we can ever really know the people closest to us, and whether blood ties are strong enough to hold when every truth threatens to break you apart.
This debut pulses with atmosphere: unreliable voices, timelines that flicker back and forth, and a protagonist so flawed you’re never sure if you should root for her or run from her. Some twists I saw coming, others hit like a hammer, but the slow-burn suspense never let me go.
Bad Blood is about what we bury, what we silence, and what happens when those ghosts refuse to stay hidden. A debut brimming with courtroom drama, family secrets, and the kind of suspense that makes you question everyone.
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read via NetGalley. All opinions my own.
June 1, 2025
Ein Debütroman, der mich besonders aufgrund des Titels und des Klappentextes interessiert hat. Anwältin Judtine erfährt nämlich, dass ihre Jugendliebe des Mordes angeklagt wird. Also kehrt sie zurück in ihre Heimat, um Antworten zu finden. Dabei kommt das ein oder andere dunkle Geheimnis ans Licht. 💡
Anfangs dachte ich noch: Wo führt das alles hin?! Aber nach und nach ergibt alles einen Sinn und es gibt viele überraschende Twists! Justine ist ein interessanter und vielschichtiger Charakter, nicht immer sympathisch aber dennoch menschlich. Der Plot ist relativ fast paced, es passiert immer mal wieder etwas und man setzt sich die Geschichte dann Stück für Stück wie ein Puzzle zusammen. Und gegen Ende wird es dann nochmal richtig krass.🙃 Mlr hat dieses Buch echt Spaß gemacht und ich war sehr erstaunt vom Ende - aber auch geschockt.😯 Und es war mal ein besonderer Plot, den man nicht zu 100% vorwegsagen konnte und deshalb für mich ein Hit. 4/5⭐️
Anfangs dachte ich noch: Wo führt das alles hin?! Aber nach und nach ergibt alles einen Sinn und es gibt viele überraschende Twists! Justine ist ein interessanter und vielschichtiger Charakter, nicht immer sympathisch aber dennoch menschlich. Der Plot ist relativ fast paced, es passiert immer mal wieder etwas und man setzt sich die Geschichte dann Stück für Stück wie ein Puzzle zusammen. Und gegen Ende wird es dann nochmal richtig krass.🙃 Mlr hat dieses Buch echt Spaß gemacht und ich war sehr erstaunt vom Ende - aber auch geschockt.😯 Und es war mal ein besonderer Plot, den man nicht zu 100% vorwegsagen konnte und deshalb für mich ein Hit. 4/5⭐️
March 9, 2025
A tense and gripping psychological thriller that kept me guessing - if you love an unreliable narrator, you will love Justine, who is so clearly hiding something! But what, and how does that connect to her ex-boyfriend’s accusation of murder?
I listened to the audiobook of this one, and whilst I found the narration a bit stiff, I was hooked on the story itself and enjoyed the way we slowly unravelled Justine’s past - a great debut!
I listened to the audiobook of this one, and whilst I found the narration a bit stiff, I was hooked on the story itself and enjoyed the way we slowly unravelled Justine’s past - a great debut!
July 31, 2025
This book has me angry. What a giant fuckin bitch Justine is. I cannot believe what this girl did to this poor boy who loved her. And she is eating fuckin finger sandwiches and cupcakes while he’s in jail. And she says it’s his fault because he didn’t have to do what she told him to do. I. Hate. Her. And I hate books where the villains get away with their evil. Can’t take it. I guess at least this book made me feel something……
March 18, 2025
Main character felt unlikeable to me for many reasons and choices throughout the story. Which I think put me off a bit.
There were a lot of flawed characters but it was the main one that felt annoying. Almost like it was okay for her bad behaviours because you has been through trauma? Not sure how to explain.
It often felt quite slow and at points felt like I was reading every single thought the main character was having.
The twists or unraveled mysteries didn’t quite feel as jaw dropping as i would have hoped. It felt both juicy and meh.
I enjoyed the multiple POV that unravelled different perspectives and secrets. I enjoyed the exploration of tricky relationships and family dynamics. The last 3rd of the book was the most enjoyable.
There were a lot of flawed characters but it was the main one that felt annoying. Almost like it was okay for her bad behaviours because you has been through trauma? Not sure how to explain.
It often felt quite slow and at points felt like I was reading every single thought the main character was having.
The twists or unraveled mysteries didn’t quite feel as jaw dropping as i would have hoped. It felt both juicy and meh.
I enjoyed the multiple POV that unravelled different perspectives and secrets. I enjoyed the exploration of tricky relationships and family dynamics. The last 3rd of the book was the most enjoyable.
July 2, 2025
Y’all. This book ate me up and left nothing but vibes and goosebumps.
Bad Blood throws criminal lawyer Justine Stone into her first big murder case—only to realize the man on trial is her ex, Jake, who ghosted her years ago and is now accused of a brutal double homicide. Awkward doesn’t even begin to cover it.
To get answers, Justine heads back to her sleepy hometown—a place that reeks of sweet tea, old trauma, and secrets buried six feet deep. And when her brother goes missing? All bets are off.
This one’s got everything: courtroom drama, slow-burning suspense, a tangled past, and an ending that slaps. Hornsley serves up atmosphere so thick you can taste the tension. It’s moody, twisty, and unputdownable.
If you love complex families, morally murky love interests, and thrillers that keep you guessing—Bad Blood is calling your name.
Thank you to Zando for providing this advance copy via NetGalley for my honest, voluntary review.
#BadBlood #NetGalley
Bad Blood throws criminal lawyer Justine Stone into her first big murder case—only to realize the man on trial is her ex, Jake, who ghosted her years ago and is now accused of a brutal double homicide. Awkward doesn’t even begin to cover it.
To get answers, Justine heads back to her sleepy hometown—a place that reeks of sweet tea, old trauma, and secrets buried six feet deep. And when her brother goes missing? All bets are off.
This one’s got everything: courtroom drama, slow-burning suspense, a tangled past, and an ending that slaps. Hornsley serves up atmosphere so thick you can taste the tension. It’s moody, twisty, and unputdownable.
If you love complex families, morally murky love interests, and thrillers that keep you guessing—Bad Blood is calling your name.
Thank you to Zando for providing this advance copy via NetGalley for my honest, voluntary review.
#BadBlood #NetGalley
July 10, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Select, and Sarah Hornsley for the gifted copy of the audiobook.
Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me. I found myself losing interest frequently and had to restart several chapters. I think I listened to the first six chapters at least four times. The story didn’t particularly engage me, although the last 25% was the most compelling part. I’m rating the book 2.5 out of 5.
I had expected the plot to focus more on the ex-boyfriend and the crime he committed, but that turned out to be a very minor element of the story.
As for the narration, it was neither particularly good nor bad. I just wish there had been more vocal distinction between some of the characters. I’d rate the narration 3 out of 5.
I wish Sarah Hornsley all the best with her book and future projects.
Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me. I found myself losing interest frequently and had to restart several chapters. I think I listened to the first six chapters at least four times. The story didn’t particularly engage me, although the last 25% was the most compelling part. I’m rating the book 2.5 out of 5.
I had expected the plot to focus more on the ex-boyfriend and the crime he committed, but that turned out to be a very minor element of the story.
As for the narration, it was neither particularly good nor bad. I just wish there had been more vocal distinction between some of the characters. I’d rate the narration 3 out of 5.
I wish Sarah Hornsley all the best with her book and future projects.
March 21, 2025
ARC - PUBLICATION DATE 27TH MARCH 2025
『 plot 』
justine stone left home over a decade ago, vowing to never return, after that fateful night, too many secrets, too many lies and too much to lose if it all came out. but the night that changed everything is threatening to surface when she hears on the news that her ex boyfriend has been arrested for a double murder, in that same hometown she never wanted to return to. but as a criminal barrister, this is something she is good at, finding out the truth; spinning the truth. two murders, a dark past, and secrets that will ruin her carefully planned new life, but she needs to know the truth.
『 characters 』
justine stone is the main character and what a main character she is! on the surface she’s the cool, calm, collected barrister with the perfect life and the perfect husband and friends but underneath all that is so many layers of everything she went through as a child, and what a deep and complex person she is! you quite literally feel like you’re inside of her head and knowing all her thoughts, which helps to delve into the mystery of it all.
『 writing style 』
the story is told in ‘before’ and the present time, and whilst we’re reading about the now it is written in first person, but the ‘before’ jumps to third person and it just works so well! the third person kind of made me feel like i was just being told a story, whereas the first person made me connect more, made me empathise and try to really understand what justine was going through and it is so cleverly done for this story! i absolutely loved it
there are multiple POVs from other characters throughout this book, all retelling the ‘before’ part of the story which really helps spin the twists and turns and keep you constantly trying to guess what actually happened
『 my thoughts 』
i honestly loved this book, i genuinely had no idea where the story was heading the majority of the time and every time i thought i knew something about justine or what her ex did, or what happened all those years ago, i was proven wrong a few pages later! the twists and turns just kept coming and kept me wanting more and more. this was such clever mystery/thriller and i am so glad i found this arc on netgalley. and that ending!! wow! so well done and just made the whole book that much more compelling and so worth the read
『 plot 』
justine stone left home over a decade ago, vowing to never return, after that fateful night, too many secrets, too many lies and too much to lose if it all came out. but the night that changed everything is threatening to surface when she hears on the news that her ex boyfriend has been arrested for a double murder, in that same hometown she never wanted to return to. but as a criminal barrister, this is something she is good at, finding out the truth; spinning the truth. two murders, a dark past, and secrets that will ruin her carefully planned new life, but she needs to know the truth.
『 characters 』
justine stone is the main character and what a main character she is! on the surface she’s the cool, calm, collected barrister with the perfect life and the perfect husband and friends but underneath all that is so many layers of everything she went through as a child, and what a deep and complex person she is! you quite literally feel like you’re inside of her head and knowing all her thoughts, which helps to delve into the mystery of it all.
『 writing style 』
the story is told in ‘before’ and the present time, and whilst we’re reading about the now it is written in first person, but the ‘before’ jumps to third person and it just works so well! the third person kind of made me feel like i was just being told a story, whereas the first person made me connect more, made me empathise and try to really understand what justine was going through and it is so cleverly done for this story! i absolutely loved it
there are multiple POVs from other characters throughout this book, all retelling the ‘before’ part of the story which really helps spin the twists and turns and keep you constantly trying to guess what actually happened
『 my thoughts 』
i honestly loved this book, i genuinely had no idea where the story was heading the majority of the time and every time i thought i knew something about justine or what her ex did, or what happened all those years ago, i was proven wrong a few pages later! the twists and turns just kept coming and kept me wanting more and more. this was such clever mystery/thriller and i am so glad i found this arc on netgalley. and that ending!! wow! so well done and just made the whole book that much more compelling and so worth the read
July 8, 2025
The way I forgot to update my reading on this for days...oops...
I was quite disappointed with this book. It started out with so much potential, I loved how it started in the middle of cross-examination in a criminal trial. Starting the book like that really engaged me as a reader, giving me something exciting to may attention to right off the jump. But then it all went downhill.
Our main character's motivations really don't make sense. She gets upset over something we never learn about until the end (and even then, it's vague) and she runs away to her hometown, leaving her nice and normal husband behind with no explanation. She does some unsavory things (cheats on her husband), thinks she is the smartest person in the world (she is not), does some other criminal things that make no sense, somehow she knows things that she has no reason to know (very annoying and feels like sloppy planning and writing), and then the ending felt weird and uncomfortable and didn't really make sense (but it is written as if it is supposed to make sense to everybody).
I think this needed more rounds of edits just to get the actual mystery/crime element properly sorted out and planned. I think everything else would have been excusable if the crime part had more effort to it. There were too many plot holes that the author tried to cover up. And it did not work. It felt sloppy to me.
I do like the cover though, it looks like one of those paintings that is flat but also looks three-dimensional. If you don't know what I'm talking about, I am sure that description sounded very dumb. Oops.
I get the feeling that plenty of people will like this book, everybody has different opinions and tastes. And some people really do not care about or notice plot holes if they are entertained. Valid, sometimes I can be like that. But sometimes not.
Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
I was quite disappointed with this book. It started out with so much potential, I loved how it started in the middle of cross-examination in a criminal trial. Starting the book like that really engaged me as a reader, giving me something exciting to may attention to right off the jump. But then it all went downhill.
Our main character's motivations really don't make sense. She gets upset over something we never learn about until the end (and even then, it's vague) and she runs away to her hometown, leaving her nice and normal husband behind with no explanation. She does some unsavory things (cheats on her husband), thinks she is the smartest person in the world (she is not), does some other criminal things that make no sense, somehow she knows things that she has no reason to know (very annoying and feels like sloppy planning and writing), and then the ending felt weird and uncomfortable and didn't really make sense (but it is written as if it is supposed to make sense to everybody).
I think this needed more rounds of edits just to get the actual mystery/crime element properly sorted out and planned. I think everything else would have been excusable if the crime part had more effort to it. There were too many plot holes that the author tried to cover up. And it did not work. It felt sloppy to me.
I do like the cover though, it looks like one of those paintings that is flat but also looks three-dimensional. If you don't know what I'm talking about, I am sure that description sounded very dumb. Oops.
I get the feeling that plenty of people will like this book, everybody has different opinions and tastes. And some people really do not care about or notice plot holes if they are entertained. Valid, sometimes I can be like that. But sometimes not.
Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
July 2, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ 𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗘𝗘𝗞
Prosecutor Justine Stone, about to lead a high‑stakes murder trial, recognizes the defendant as her first love, Jake. After 18 years away, she returns to her UK hometown to confront buried trauma and uncover the truth.
𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗡
With a legal drama backdrop, this domestic thriller packed a punch. It felt grown up but not gritty - gripping and perfectly paced.
I love characters who aren’t simply “good” or “bad,” “weak” or “strong.” Justine is all of those things. I liked that she was reserved yet soft, fought for justice but could justify lying.
This is really her journey, but the flashbacks added depth to the people around her. The structure reminded me of a procedural TV show with the headings: The Boyfriend, The Brother, The Mother etc - so good!
I appreciated the simplicity of the storyline. There weren’t too many characters or tangled subplots to confuse things. I was fully engrossed and loved the reveals and twists - every single one.
The audiobook narrator was exactly the vibe and a total pleasure to listen to. This is the second of hers I’ve heard, and she’s quickly becoming a favorite.
𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
I hate to say it, but I was so close to not reading this book because of the generic book cover. It does absolutely nothing to represent this fantastic debut.
So please look past it - this British thriller deserves a spot on any thriller reader’s TBR.
Thanks to Dreamscape Select and @Netgalley for access to this advance readers copy
Prosecutor Justine Stone, about to lead a high‑stakes murder trial, recognizes the defendant as her first love, Jake. After 18 years away, she returns to her UK hometown to confront buried trauma and uncover the truth.
𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗡
With a legal drama backdrop, this domestic thriller packed a punch. It felt grown up but not gritty - gripping and perfectly paced.
I love characters who aren’t simply “good” or “bad,” “weak” or “strong.” Justine is all of those things. I liked that she was reserved yet soft, fought for justice but could justify lying.
This is really her journey, but the flashbacks added depth to the people around her. The structure reminded me of a procedural TV show with the headings: The Boyfriend, The Brother, The Mother etc - so good!
I appreciated the simplicity of the storyline. There weren’t too many characters or tangled subplots to confuse things. I was fully engrossed and loved the reveals and twists - every single one.
The audiobook narrator was exactly the vibe and a total pleasure to listen to. This is the second of hers I’ve heard, and she’s quickly becoming a favorite.
𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
I hate to say it, but I was so close to not reading this book because of the generic book cover. It does absolutely nothing to represent this fantastic debut.
So please look past it - this British thriller deserves a spot on any thriller reader’s TBR.
Thanks to Dreamscape Select and @Netgalley for access to this advance readers copy
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