What do you think?
Rate this book
The Only Child
How well do you really know the people you love?
After her parents are killed in a tragic accident, Amelia Simpson retreats from her old life and moves to the sleepy Isle of Wight to be near her grandmother, her last remaining family.
But as the people closest to her start to die and secrets from her parent's past are uncovered, Amelia is forced to question everything she thought she knew about her childhood and the people that she loved the most.
In order to find the killer, Detective Inspector Jennifer Stone will have to delve into Amelia's past where she learns that there's no such thing as a perfect family and that stopping them may end up costing her everything that she holds dear.
After her parents are killed in a tragic accident, Amelia Simpson retreats from her old life and moves to the sleepy Isle of Wight to be near her grandmother, her last remaining family.
But as the people closest to her start to die and secrets from her parent's past are uncovered, Amelia is forced to question everything she thought she knew about her childhood and the people that she loved the most.
In order to find the killer, Detective Inspector Jennifer Stone will have to delve into Amelia's past where she learns that there's no such thing as a perfect family and that stopping them may end up costing her everything that she holds dear.
340 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 20, 2025
380 people are currently reading
2347 people want to read
About the author
S. Englefield
2 books31 followersScott Englefield grew up on the Isle of Wight. Despite being surrounded by idyllic beaches and woodland walks, he was often to be found with his head buried in a book.
His love of reading endured into adulthood and now he spends his free time writing crime and psychological thrillers, often having to stop to fend off his cat James who believes his keyboard is the perfect place to sleep.
He is in his mid-forties (and feels it) and lives with his wife, son and cat in the East of England.
He grew a beard once – his wife hated it.
His love of reading endured into adulthood and now he spends his free time writing crime and psychological thrillers, often having to stop to fend off his cat James who believes his keyboard is the perfect place to sleep.
He is in his mid-forties (and feels it) and lives with his wife, son and cat in the East of England.
He grew a beard once – his wife hated it.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
February 25, 2025
My Initial Thoughts
Normally I tend to read psychological thrillers, but I really enjoyed the aspect of reading a crime thriller, which I haven’t read in a while. I was drawn straight in; however it did take me a little while to get used the way it’s written but after I was pulled in, the flow just made sense.
Plot
The plot is like watching a police force tv series, this is one I’d love to see as such. I enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot and following the detectives as they try to solve a case that becomes ever more complicated. The plot held my attention throughout, with me telling my husband what was happening more often than not. I read this in just a couple of day, that’s how gripping I found it.
Characters
This had such a mix of characters, ones you will love and also characters you will dislike. I found there was parts of all the characters that I was not keen on, but that is how you get a real feeling for who they are. Amelia is the victim and everything centres around her and the crimes that are being committed. She came across as someone who just wanted a quiet life and therefore lets things happen because of her past. She doesn’t listen to any advise and then crimes with seminally no evidence present find their way to DI Jennifer Stone who is the main lead for the police. I enjoyed reading the process and how she tries everything to get the right person, even at a loss to herself.
Recommend
If you enjoy crime thrillers or watching crime programs, this could be the series for you. Especially as it’s a new series that we can follow DI Stone throughout the highs and lows of being detective.
Favourite Quotes
“Even at the start of a new case some things never changed, especially to a detective.”
“Unfortunately, I don’t get to pick and choose when crimes happen, they don’t consult me about my schedule first.”
“I know the world seems dark at the moment, but it won’t always be. You can’t let this beat you.”
Favourite Chapter/s
No chapter in particular was my favourite.
Summed up in one sentence
Addictive crime thriller that takes you on a whirl of an adventure.
Overall Wrap up
I really enjoyed reading this and it made a refreshing change from the normal thriller books I read. I read it so quickly as there was never a good point to put the book down as there was always a new twist or update to the case. The flow was good, with action from the start to the very end. The side characters like George really stood out among the less likeable character – DCI Edwards, looking at you.
Stars.
4 Stars
Book Information – The Only Child by S Englefield.
Genre – Crime thriller.
Pages – 342 pages.
Tropes – The Red Herring.
Available on Kindle Unlimited – Yes, available now.
Available Formats – Kindle and paperback.
Publishing Information – Published on 20th February 2025 by Jones & Baker.
Format in Which I Read – Kindle.
Where my copy come From – Zooloo’s Book Tours.
POVs – Multiple POVs throughout, mainly Amelia and Jenny.
Single/Dual/Multiple Timelines – Multiple timelines.
1st or 3rd Person – 3rd person.
HEA, HFN or Cliff hanger – Case solved.
Series or Standalone – Series I think. This is book 1 of the DI Jennifer Stone series.
Trigger Warnings – Please check content warnings before reading if necessary and please always remember that your mental health matters.
Normally I tend to read psychological thrillers, but I really enjoyed the aspect of reading a crime thriller, which I haven’t read in a while. I was drawn straight in; however it did take me a little while to get used the way it’s written but after I was pulled in, the flow just made sense.
Plot
The plot is like watching a police force tv series, this is one I’d love to see as such. I enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot and following the detectives as they try to solve a case that becomes ever more complicated. The plot held my attention throughout, with me telling my husband what was happening more often than not. I read this in just a couple of day, that’s how gripping I found it.
Characters
This had such a mix of characters, ones you will love and also characters you will dislike. I found there was parts of all the characters that I was not keen on, but that is how you get a real feeling for who they are. Amelia is the victim and everything centres around her and the crimes that are being committed. She came across as someone who just wanted a quiet life and therefore lets things happen because of her past. She doesn’t listen to any advise and then crimes with seminally no evidence present find their way to DI Jennifer Stone who is the main lead for the police. I enjoyed reading the process and how she tries everything to get the right person, even at a loss to herself.
Recommend
If you enjoy crime thrillers or watching crime programs, this could be the series for you. Especially as it’s a new series that we can follow DI Stone throughout the highs and lows of being detective.
Favourite Quotes
“Even at the start of a new case some things never changed, especially to a detective.”
“Unfortunately, I don’t get to pick and choose when crimes happen, they don’t consult me about my schedule first.”
“I know the world seems dark at the moment, but it won’t always be. You can’t let this beat you.”
Favourite Chapter/s
No chapter in particular was my favourite.
Summed up in one sentence
Addictive crime thriller that takes you on a whirl of an adventure.
Overall Wrap up
I really enjoyed reading this and it made a refreshing change from the normal thriller books I read. I read it so quickly as there was never a good point to put the book down as there was always a new twist or update to the case. The flow was good, with action from the start to the very end. The side characters like George really stood out among the less likeable character – DCI Edwards, looking at you.
Stars.
4 Stars
Book Information – The Only Child by S Englefield.
Genre – Crime thriller.
Pages – 342 pages.
Tropes – The Red Herring.
Available on Kindle Unlimited – Yes, available now.
Available Formats – Kindle and paperback.
Publishing Information – Published on 20th February 2025 by Jones & Baker.
Format in Which I Read – Kindle.
Where my copy come From – Zooloo’s Book Tours.
POVs – Multiple POVs throughout, mainly Amelia and Jenny.
Single/Dual/Multiple Timelines – Multiple timelines.
1st or 3rd Person – 3rd person.
HEA, HFN or Cliff hanger – Case solved.
Series or Standalone – Series I think. This is book 1 of the DI Jennifer Stone series.
Trigger Warnings – Please check content warnings before reading if necessary and please always remember that your mental health matters.
February 20, 2025
The Only Child by S Englefield.
Detective Inspector Jennifer Stone book 1.
I did enjoy this book. I liked the cover and blurb of this book. I did like Jennifer and the team George, Emma, Claire, and Simon. Dci Edwards grew on me. Non stop action all the way through. I definitely didn't see that coming. Jaw-dropping. I'm looking forward to the next book. I would recommend this book
Detective Inspector Jennifer Stone book 1.
I did enjoy this book. I liked the cover and blurb of this book. I did like Jennifer and the team George, Emma, Claire, and Simon. Dci Edwards grew on me. Non stop action all the way through. I definitely didn't see that coming. Jaw-dropping. I'm looking forward to the next book. I would recommend this book
April 4, 2025
This was a slow build to an explosive ending, and I loved every minute. Jennifer's poor work-life balance was relatable; I have that problem, and I am not a police detective. I could not figure out if Amelia was part of the problem or a hapless victim. This book had me fooled from the start, and I did not see the end coming
February 20, 2025
i loved reading this - this novel took the bare bones of the concept of a classic detective thriller and ran with it and i loved that!! ⠀
⠀
it follows amelia - who lost her parents when she was younger and moved to live with her grandma. when her grandma was murdered (rip frances she sounded like a right legend) loads of family secrets are uncovered, and consequently throws amelia’s life upside down. ⠀
⠀
as a thriller there’s content warnings for murder - but i also wanted to mention a warning for child kidnapping and animal abuse & cruelty which was sad to read. ⠀
⠀
overall a super easy thriller to binge and i’d recommend it for any fellow crime thriller lovers 💌
⠀
it follows amelia - who lost her parents when she was younger and moved to live with her grandma. when her grandma was murdered (rip frances she sounded like a right legend) loads of family secrets are uncovered, and consequently throws amelia’s life upside down. ⠀
⠀
as a thriller there’s content warnings for murder - but i also wanted to mention a warning for child kidnapping and animal abuse & cruelty which was sad to read. ⠀
⠀
overall a super easy thriller to binge and i’d recommend it for any fellow crime thriller lovers 💌
February 6, 2025
It's hard to believe this is the first book but it is and a top quality book also. It's set in the Isle of Wight, a new location for me, and one I enjoyed. Someone is targeting Amelia who runs a florist shop and when some murders occur close to her, it seems that whoever is targeting her has really upped the ante.
I found this riveting from the start. The book goes back and forth between a young girl years ago and the present day, gradually building up the motivation behind the attacks and an insight into how deeply disturbed the killer is. I liked Jennifer and really enjoyed the twist near the end which totally blindsided me. I'm delighted to see it's the first in a series and can't wait to read more as it's already off to a great start.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I found this riveting from the start. The book goes back and forth between a young girl years ago and the present day, gradually building up the motivation behind the attacks and an insight into how deeply disturbed the killer is. I liked Jennifer and really enjoyed the twist near the end which totally blindsided me. I'm delighted to see it's the first in a series and can't wait to read more as it's already off to a great start.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 9, 2025
It is a wholesome reading experience for a mystery and suspense enthusiast. The plot was eloquently written, it was simple to imagine the scenes which made it easier to connect with how the story was turning out to be. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Plot: Revolved around how a detective tries to solve a crime and managing their own life. Beautifully covered each point of interest in the story and gave a closure to all of them
Genre: Crime, Suspense, Mystery, Thriller
Highlights:
+Comfortable to imagine
+Connectable
+Multiple timelines
+Grab and go kinda read
Personal favourite: It felt like a visual story being played in literature. It had clear boundaries about the different timelines and pleasant on the mind to read ✨😁
Plot: Revolved around how a detective tries to solve a crime and managing their own life. Beautifully covered each point of interest in the story and gave a closure to all of them
Genre: Crime, Suspense, Mystery, Thriller
Highlights:
+Comfortable to imagine
+Connectable
+Multiple timelines
+Grab and go kinda read
Personal favourite: It felt like a visual story being played in literature. It had clear boundaries about the different timelines and pleasant on the mind to read ✨😁
October 19, 2025
This book seemed like it was going to be a well paced police procedural thriller that I was looking for.
I was hoping for great action and likable characters. The premise of this book was great, but our main characters Amelia and Jennifer Stone are just unlikable.
Amelia’s parents died in a horrible accident, and years later she owns a flower shop and lives with her insufferable boyfriend. People in Amelia’s life are being killed, and DI Stone is on the case.
Stone is hard working, and her husband judges her harshly for well, WORKING.
As Amelia’s life unravels we finally see the killer’s POV, and it just doesn’t make sense.
This book had great moments that never really come together. I received a copy for free, and am leaving a review voluntarily.
I was hoping for great action and likable characters. The premise of this book was great, but our main characters Amelia and Jennifer Stone are just unlikable.
Amelia’s parents died in a horrible accident, and years later she owns a flower shop and lives with her insufferable boyfriend. People in Amelia’s life are being killed, and DI Stone is on the case.
Stone is hard working, and her husband judges her harshly for well, WORKING.
As Amelia’s life unravels we finally see the killer’s POV, and it just doesn’t make sense.
This book had great moments that never really come together. I received a copy for free, and am leaving a review voluntarily.
February 17, 2025
Three years ago we went as a family to the Isle of Wight to celebrate my granddaughter’s sixth birthday (she’s about to turn nine). We stayed in Ryde and spent her birthday on the seafront. I hadn’t been there since Bob Dylan played the Isle of Wight Festival in 1969 and I was still at school.
So I was very excited to read a book that takes place on the island as it’s pretty rare. It’s not exactly the crime centre of the universe, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Something a bit Midsomer Murders probably.
Amelia Simpson’s parents both died in a car accident when she was young, and a number of years later she decides to move to the island to be near her grandmother, her only living relative. She owns a flower shop, has a lazy boyfriend of six years called Sam, a cat named James (who Sam is jealous of – yes really), and a ghastly best friend Megan, who has anger issues – sorry but I thought she was dreadful.
Initially, the most exciting thing to happen is when the owner of a rival flower shop puts a brick through Amelia’s shop window. But when people close to her start to die, Amelia realises something far more sinister is going on, but she has no idea who would want to target her. Quite a few people have a minor motive it would appear, but not enough to carry out a revenge vendetta on this scale.
The Only Child is an interesting concept and for much of the book I was convinced I knew who the killer would turn out to be. How wrong I was, but then it wouldn’t be half as much fun if it was that easy to work out.
This is the first in a series featuring Detective Inspector Jennifer Stone and her team, so we are also setting the scene for more to come.
Many thanks to @ZooloosBT for inviting me to be part of this blog tour.
So I was very excited to read a book that takes place on the island as it’s pretty rare. It’s not exactly the crime centre of the universe, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Something a bit Midsomer Murders probably.
Amelia Simpson’s parents both died in a car accident when she was young, and a number of years later she decides to move to the island to be near her grandmother, her only living relative. She owns a flower shop, has a lazy boyfriend of six years called Sam, a cat named James (who Sam is jealous of – yes really), and a ghastly best friend Megan, who has anger issues – sorry but I thought she was dreadful.
Initially, the most exciting thing to happen is when the owner of a rival flower shop puts a brick through Amelia’s shop window. But when people close to her start to die, Amelia realises something far more sinister is going on, but she has no idea who would want to target her. Quite a few people have a minor motive it would appear, but not enough to carry out a revenge vendetta on this scale.
The Only Child is an interesting concept and for much of the book I was convinced I knew who the killer would turn out to be. How wrong I was, but then it wouldn’t be half as much fun if it was that easy to work out.
This is the first in a series featuring Detective Inspector Jennifer Stone and her team, so we are also setting the scene for more to come.
Many thanks to @ZooloosBT for inviting me to be part of this blog tour.
March 15, 2025
The Only Child primarily follows Amelia. After the loss of her parents, she moved to the Isle of Wight to be with her grandma where she has a flower shop. After tragedy strikes Amelia, a cop named Jenny takes on the case and, in ways, works with Amelia to discover what happened. The stakes are heightened when Amelia seems to be targeted.
This review will contain minor spoilers and major spoilers when *SPOILERS* is noted.
This book had a lot of potential, but it felt a bit all over the place. A lot of parts of the book were left unanswered, and some parts just felt unnecessary. Do we need to know that Amelia got room service? I felt like some of the space in the book could've been saved for developing the characters. I think there was good development for Jenny, but even Amelia felt a bit surface level. The dialogue felt unrealistic in many parts as well. All of the people in the book were so 0 to 100 when it came to their emotions. Every time Gregg was mentioned, he'd be happy one minute and pissed the next. This was the same for Sam. I felt like the men could've been cruel in a more subtle way, especially if Amelia had been dating Sam for 6 years. They felt so immature, but as if they were 15 and not immature grown men. The dialogue in parts felt so unrealistic, and Jenny was a super unprofessional cop. I think there should be more research into how things work with the police. I don't understand why Jenny did an interview with Amelia at the beginning at her house in front of Sam and Megan, but then later she actually had people come into the office. I doubt Jenny would interview in groups for a murder investigation, especially when she is around other potential suspects. I think this story would've been much better if there had been a bit more show and a little less tell.
If I hadn't been set on finishing this novel, I probably would've given up on it quickly. The beginning was just too confusing and needs to be toned down a bit to keep readers' focus. The initial part that put me off of the book was when it had flipped between five different POVs within the first 10% of the novel. I was so confused! I think there are way too many POVs in this book. I thought the hook was good with the parents, but I was surprised there wasn't more to the accident. It may have been better if the POVs were labelled, and if the author didn't want to include names, they could've put numbers or symbols or something at the top to help. Megan's POV was so unnecessary. We could've heard about it another way. I also think the timeline was confusing. A year for the first Jenny/Amelia sections would've been nice. I wasn't sure if the book took place in present day or not, and the 'mystery girl's' POVs not being in chronological order was confusing. It was so hard to keep up with all of the different chapters and POVs. I was lost for so long.
It started picking up about halfway through the novel. I think since *SPOILER START* we don't really know the killer's character outside of her POV, it's nice to learn more about her past and see her thoughts. However, I think it could've been done better. The killer's motive felt so weak, and the fact that her partner just went along with it was wild. Since she's angry about her parents not wanting her to be gay and bonds with Ashley, she just automatically is okay with murder? That makes no sense. There is no way Ashley could've been undercover all these years after her murdering her psychologist. Like what? I feel like she could've been an animal murderer or something if we wanted to know how evil she was. Also, what are the odds that no one knew of Kelly? It would've been nice to hear more about Amelia's father's relationship with Kelly and get some truth as to what happened there. *SPOILER OVER*
Dawn also felt so unnecessary. I think if they wanted us to care more, she could've been introduced earlier. I also would've liked to see Maria or Kristie's assistant interviewed. Why did the cops not look at them as being a part of the killer or for where Kristie had gone when she disappeared? The scene with Amelia and the random guy on the train was unnecessary too. I guess *SPOILER START* George and Amelia hooking up was fine, but like why? *SPOILER OVER*
Overall, this isn't a bad book. I think the plot was interesting, and I was surprised by the partner in crime. It felt a bit odd, but I was willing to run with it. I just think the book needs a refresh. It would've been better with a couple less POVS and a little more clarity, especially in the beginning. The dialogue and depth of the characters need some work, but it's a first novel. I hope that the writing will improve for the next book.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
This review will contain minor spoilers and major spoilers when *SPOILERS* is noted.
This book had a lot of potential, but it felt a bit all over the place. A lot of parts of the book were left unanswered, and some parts just felt unnecessary. Do we need to know that Amelia got room service? I felt like some of the space in the book could've been saved for developing the characters. I think there was good development for Jenny, but even Amelia felt a bit surface level. The dialogue felt unrealistic in many parts as well. All of the people in the book were so 0 to 100 when it came to their emotions. Every time Gregg was mentioned, he'd be happy one minute and pissed the next. This was the same for Sam. I felt like the men could've been cruel in a more subtle way, especially if Amelia had been dating Sam for 6 years. They felt so immature, but as if they were 15 and not immature grown men. The dialogue in parts felt so unrealistic, and Jenny was a super unprofessional cop. I think there should be more research into how things work with the police. I don't understand why Jenny did an interview with Amelia at the beginning at her house in front of Sam and Megan, but then later she actually had people come into the office. I doubt Jenny would interview in groups for a murder investigation, especially when she is around other potential suspects. I think this story would've been much better if there had been a bit more show and a little less tell.
If I hadn't been set on finishing this novel, I probably would've given up on it quickly. The beginning was just too confusing and needs to be toned down a bit to keep readers' focus. The initial part that put me off of the book was when it had flipped between five different POVs within the first 10% of the novel. I was so confused! I think there are way too many POVs in this book. I thought the hook was good with the parents, but I was surprised there wasn't more to the accident. It may have been better if the POVs were labelled, and if the author didn't want to include names, they could've put numbers or symbols or something at the top to help. Megan's POV was so unnecessary. We could've heard about it another way. I also think the timeline was confusing. A year for the first Jenny/Amelia sections would've been nice. I wasn't sure if the book took place in present day or not, and the 'mystery girl's' POVs not being in chronological order was confusing. It was so hard to keep up with all of the different chapters and POVs. I was lost for so long.
It started picking up about halfway through the novel. I think since *SPOILER START* we don't really know the killer's character outside of her POV, it's nice to learn more about her past and see her thoughts. However, I think it could've been done better. The killer's motive felt so weak, and the fact that her partner just went along with it was wild. Since she's angry about her parents not wanting her to be gay and bonds with Ashley, she just automatically is okay with murder? That makes no sense. There is no way Ashley could've been undercover all these years after her murdering her psychologist. Like what? I feel like she could've been an animal murderer or something if we wanted to know how evil she was. Also, what are the odds that no one knew of Kelly? It would've been nice to hear more about Amelia's father's relationship with Kelly and get some truth as to what happened there. *SPOILER OVER*
Dawn also felt so unnecessary. I think if they wanted us to care more, she could've been introduced earlier. I also would've liked to see Maria or Kristie's assistant interviewed. Why did the cops not look at them as being a part of the killer or for where Kristie had gone when she disappeared? The scene with Amelia and the random guy on the train was unnecessary too. I guess *SPOILER START* George and Amelia hooking up was fine, but like why? *SPOILER OVER*
Overall, this isn't a bad book. I think the plot was interesting, and I was surprised by the partner in crime. It felt a bit odd, but I was willing to run with it. I just think the book needs a refresh. It would've been better with a couple less POVS and a little more clarity, especially in the beginning. The dialogue and depth of the characters need some work, but it's a first novel. I hope that the writing will improve for the next book.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
February 9, 2025
My Thoughts: never in a million years would you think this was this authors first book because it had me invested from the beginning!
Poor Amelia had it rough, literally everyone she cared about was in danger and we didn’t even know it so the book was full of shocking moments & just when you think it couldn’t get any worse another spanner was thrown into the works..
As a main character Amelia was a really likeable woman but was riddled with insecurities after losing her parents at a fairly young age and uprooting her life and getting settled in the Isle of Wight to be near her gran, she had a boyfriend Sam who is quite frankly a bit of a knob.
DI Jennifer Stone or Jenny as she is known in the book really is a force to be reckoned with, she’s confident & unafraid to do or say what needs be, the only problem is that her husband and daughter Sophie sometimes get forgotten and she misses important moments.
The story had me so tense that I got cramp in my fingers with how tight I was holding my kindle at times.
The red herrings, the twists, the turns all had me feeling like I didn’t know which way was up & I just loved the whole experience! – I’m hoping there will be a second book & I can’t want to see what Jenny gets up to next!
Poor Amelia had it rough, literally everyone she cared about was in danger and we didn’t even know it so the book was full of shocking moments & just when you think it couldn’t get any worse another spanner was thrown into the works..
As a main character Amelia was a really likeable woman but was riddled with insecurities after losing her parents at a fairly young age and uprooting her life and getting settled in the Isle of Wight to be near her gran, she had a boyfriend Sam who is quite frankly a bit of a knob.
DI Jennifer Stone or Jenny as she is known in the book really is a force to be reckoned with, she’s confident & unafraid to do or say what needs be, the only problem is that her husband and daughter Sophie sometimes get forgotten and she misses important moments.
The story had me so tense that I got cramp in my fingers with how tight I was holding my kindle at times.
The red herrings, the twists, the turns all had me feeling like I didn’t know which way was up & I just loved the whole experience! – I’m hoping there will be a second book & I can’t want to see what Jenny gets up to next!
February 13, 2025
I love when the prologue has you instantly gripped and this book definitely delivered a jaw dropping prologue!
Told through multiple POV and it did take me a little bit of time to come to terms with who was who and what was what… but when I started to put the pieces together it all began to make sense. Definitely a bit brutal in places and dropped a few bombshells which I was not expecting!
At one point, I thought - yep I have this all figured out. Did I? Absolutely not. So many twists and turns in here that I was dizzy!
Overall, a very fast paced and twisted psychological thriller and definitely one you should add onto your TBR.
Told through multiple POV and it did take me a little bit of time to come to terms with who was who and what was what… but when I started to put the pieces together it all began to make sense. Definitely a bit brutal in places and dropped a few bombshells which I was not expecting!
At one point, I thought - yep I have this all figured out. Did I? Absolutely not. So many twists and turns in here that I was dizzy!
Overall, a very fast paced and twisted psychological thriller and definitely one you should add onto your TBR.
February 11, 2025
This book was absolutely fantastic and if this is book one then I cannot wait to read the rest of the series.
The book was well written with a compelling story line that completely hooked me right from the start and well developed characters that really sucked me in too.
It is full of suspense and tension and twists that just kept on coming and really kept me guessing all the way through with the twist at the end making me audibly gasp.
I really enjoyed it and can't wait to read more in this series and by the author in general
The book was well written with a compelling story line that completely hooked me right from the start and well developed characters that really sucked me in too.
It is full of suspense and tension and twists that just kept on coming and really kept me guessing all the way through with the twist at the end making me audibly gasp.
I really enjoyed it and can't wait to read more in this series and by the author in general
March 16, 2025
I have so many detective series books on the go now - but I cannot get enough of them - so when I spotted this book, which starts off the DI Jennifer Stone series, I absolutely had to read it!!
It's my first read by this author and I believe also a debut novel and what a brilliant introduction to both the series and this author.
The storyline was really well worked through and I loved that we were often sent in specific directions with the case - only to hit a twist and be sent straight back to square one.
I love this though and I was making all kinds of theories along the way.
We finally get to a point that things start to pull together only to find that there was a great final shocking twist - which I hadn't seen coming.
I liked getting to know DI Jennifer and seeing both her home and work life.
As with most main characters in this genre, we see Jenny struggling to juggle her family life with the demands of the job - obviously with the job taking over.
A really relatable character with great potential for developing further through the series.
I absolutely loved the setting - not that I've been too often, but living just across the water from the Isle Of Wight, this felt really familiar.
The writing also gave a clear image of the area and sucked me right in.
A great read and one I'll be keeping an eye on in the future. I can't wait to grab the next book and see what case awaits Jenny and the gang.
It's my first read by this author and I believe also a debut novel and what a brilliant introduction to both the series and this author.
The storyline was really well worked through and I loved that we were often sent in specific directions with the case - only to hit a twist and be sent straight back to square one.
I love this though and I was making all kinds of theories along the way.
We finally get to a point that things start to pull together only to find that there was a great final shocking twist - which I hadn't seen coming.
I liked getting to know DI Jennifer and seeing both her home and work life.
As with most main characters in this genre, we see Jenny struggling to juggle her family life with the demands of the job - obviously with the job taking over.
A really relatable character with great potential for developing further through the series.
I absolutely loved the setting - not that I've been too often, but living just across the water from the Isle Of Wight, this felt really familiar.
The writing also gave a clear image of the area and sucked me right in.
A great read and one I'll be keeping an eye on in the future. I can't wait to grab the next book and see what case awaits Jenny and the gang.
September 23, 2025
I’m blown away at the 4 and 5 star reviews. It was a chore to finish to the end. Full disclosure, I regularly skipped 5 chapters at a time to plow through it. While skipping 5 chapters after reading three chapters, I missed nothing. In fact, often I was still at the same scene 5 chapters back. I should have jumped more chapters.
All in all, this was a difficult read. Tedious and repetitive throughout. It could have been better. The concept had good bones. The character development was not strong and Sam’s character was absolutely transparent. Because of that it almost made it difficult to connect with Amelia, the main character.
In general the plot jumped about, sometimes jarring (this was before I started chapter skipping). The writing wasn’t enthralling. It’s definitely not a thriller or a police procedural either. Either way, it was a disappointment and rather predictable ending.
All in all, this was a difficult read. Tedious and repetitive throughout. It could have been better. The concept had good bones. The character development was not strong and Sam’s character was absolutely transparent. Because of that it almost made it difficult to connect with Amelia, the main character.
In general the plot jumped about, sometimes jarring (this was before I started chapter skipping). The writing wasn’t enthralling. It’s definitely not a thriller or a police procedural either. Either way, it was a disappointment and rather predictable ending.
February 9, 2025
what a cracking storyline! This definitely had an interesting, shocking chain of events. Firstly, I would like to mention the setting, Isle Of Wight, I only live across from the beautiful little island. It is refreshing to read a book about a place that you’re quite familiar with.
This had suspicions coming from every corner, there are a couple of idiotic characters, and straight away I was wishing they would vanish. The story is very gripping, & occasionally some parts are little bit graphic-which I loved.
I love the DI in this, down to earth, career driven woman but also trying to be a good mumma, just loved her.
I really hope the author writes a few more to add to the series.
This had suspicions coming from every corner, there are a couple of idiotic characters, and straight away I was wishing they would vanish. The story is very gripping, & occasionally some parts are little bit graphic-which I loved.
I love the DI in this, down to earth, career driven woman but also trying to be a good mumma, just loved her.
I really hope the author writes a few more to add to the series.
February 8, 2025
The Only Child is a fabulous debut novel. I would love to see it turned into a series as I liked Detective Inspector Jenny. The DI struggles balancing home and work and too often puts work first. I enjoy police novels that show the police outside of work as well.
The story kept me guessing and the author loves to lead the reader in one direction only to lead them in the opposite direction and you don’t know which one is real. I read this book in one sitting and throughly enjoyed every page!
The story kept me guessing and the author loves to lead the reader in one direction only to lead them in the opposite direction and you don’t know which one is real. I read this book in one sitting and throughly enjoyed every page!
April 14, 2025
This was a solid mystery with all the elements of a good thriller- had you guessing "whodunnit" from the beginning but didn't give too many clues away that made you figure it out early on in the book. It never felt boring, or like the plot was being dragged out. It was a page-turner that I finished quickly! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. However- I will definitely purchase future books from this author.
May 26, 2025
This is kind of a mixed bag. The writing is crisp. The plot is of a young woman whose grandmother and best friend are murdered because of something to-do with her (mystery). The characters of DI Jenny Stone, Amelia, and a few of the other characters are well defined, and the story held my interest. Jenny's motivation for obsessing about the murders to the exclusion of family commitments is nicely explained in her introduction.
OTOH, the murderer is the only character with a backstory, which is too long, and how she manages to get close to the victims in a closed community is conveniently shared after the climax. The boyfriend is a clown, the chief is a bully, and the motivation of an accomplice is bizarre.
Finally when an accomplice to the murderer is revealed I felt betrayed by red herrings that contradicted criminal intent. The conclusion is rushed.
Finally, Never ever kill a pet.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
OTOH, the murderer is the only character with a backstory, which is too long, and how she manages to get close to the victims in a closed community is conveniently shared after the climax. The boyfriend is a clown, the chief is a bully, and the motivation of an accomplice is bizarre.
Finally when an accomplice to the murderer is revealed I felt betrayed by red herrings that contradicted criminal intent. The conclusion is rushed.
Finally, Never ever kill a pet.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 2, 2025
DI Stone is dedicated to her job despite her family and her child, although the child almost seems like a throw away. The scenes involving her husband and child were short, and it always seems like she didn't think of the child at all. I mean you come home from work and immediately have some wine vs putting your child to bed and reading them a story? As a mother, wouldn't you set reminders for your child's events and when given an opportunity to attend, take them? I guess the child needed to be there to wrap up the storyline, but it almost seemed like she was a throwaway character.
The rest of the story was interesting and ended with decent wrap ups.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The rest of the story was interesting and ended with decent wrap ups.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 16, 2025
The action doesn't really stop with this one with a constant stream of events that keeps you hooked. There were a few moments where I thought I'd guessed who was behind it all but I thought it might be predictable so kept with it. The book isn't predictable at all and we do get a few good twists and turns!!
Amelia's luck is pretty shocking and you know roughly the direction it's heading but not how or when. Very suspenseful and keeps you on your toes! I enjoyed the way it unfolds and glad Jenny gets a handle of everything. This tale might have reached a conclusion but I feel there could be more ahead and I'd love a series of this so we can see what happens next for Jenny, Amelia and George
Amelia's luck is pretty shocking and you know roughly the direction it's heading but not how or when. Very suspenseful and keeps you on your toes! I enjoyed the way it unfolds and glad Jenny gets a handle of everything. This tale might have reached a conclusion but I feel there could be more ahead and I'd love a series of this so we can see what happens next for Jenny, Amelia and George
February 11, 2025
Some books are so brilliant that no review can ever fully do them justice. The Only Child by S. Englefield is one such book. I devoured this novel in one sitting, utterly unable to tear myself away. It’s not just a book you read; it’s an experience you live. Englefield has created a gripping, emotional masterpiece that left me awestruck and yearning for more.
The story follows Amelia Simpson, who, after the tragic loss of her parents, finishes university and decides against pursuing a career in graphic design. Instead, she moves to the Isle of Wight to be near her grandmother and opens a flower shop, which brings her great joy. For years, Amelia builds a quiet and fulfilling life on the island, but this peace is shattered after a series of tragic events prompts investigations that gradually bring secrets from her family’s past to light. Detective Inspector Jennifer Stone’s investigation into these events is just as riveting, as she painstakingly follows leads while trying to be present at home for her husband and daughter—a constant struggle for a detective balancing her demanding career with family life.
From the very first page, I felt completely immersed in the world Englefield created. The narrative—shifting seamlessly between past and present, as well as different points of view—was masterfully done. It allowed the story to unfold effortlessly, pulling me deeper and deeper into its layers. Every twist and turn felt natural yet utterly surprising, keeping me on edge and unable to stop reading.
The characters are exceptional. Amelia and Jenny, as well as the supporting cast, felt so real and true to life that it was as though I was standing right there beside them. Their emotions, reactions, and relationships were crafted with such authenticity that I found myself fully invested in their lives. And the way Englefield describes the crime scenes? Utterly vivid and chilling. I could picture every detail so vividly it felt as if I had stepped into the scenes myself.
If I had to critique anything—and believe me, this is nitpicking at its finest—I did notice that characters seemed to spill their tea and coffee quite a bit! As for the cat caught up in the horror, while no specifics are given, I choose to believe it survived unscathed (a comforting narrative I’m sticking to). Neither of these points diminishes the brilliance of this book in the slightest.
The Only Child is, without a doubt, an out-of-this-world debut. Yes, I searched for other books by S. Englefield and came up empty, which only makes me more excited to see what comes next. If this is the standard set by their first book, then we’re in for something truly special in the future.
Is it possible to declare a favourite book of the month on the second day of said month? I’m doing it anyway, because The Only Child deserves all the accolades and more. This book is gripping, emotional, beautifully written, and packed with twists you won’t see coming. If you’re looking for a novel that will leave you breathless, Englefield’s debut is an absolute must-read.
Final thoughts: Wow. Just wow. This is a book that will stay with me for a long time, and I’ll be recommending it to everyone I know. Here’s hoping we don’t have to wait too long for the next masterpiece from this incredibly talented author.
The story follows Amelia Simpson, who, after the tragic loss of her parents, finishes university and decides against pursuing a career in graphic design. Instead, she moves to the Isle of Wight to be near her grandmother and opens a flower shop, which brings her great joy. For years, Amelia builds a quiet and fulfilling life on the island, but this peace is shattered after a series of tragic events prompts investigations that gradually bring secrets from her family’s past to light. Detective Inspector Jennifer Stone’s investigation into these events is just as riveting, as she painstakingly follows leads while trying to be present at home for her husband and daughter—a constant struggle for a detective balancing her demanding career with family life.
From the very first page, I felt completely immersed in the world Englefield created. The narrative—shifting seamlessly between past and present, as well as different points of view—was masterfully done. It allowed the story to unfold effortlessly, pulling me deeper and deeper into its layers. Every twist and turn felt natural yet utterly surprising, keeping me on edge and unable to stop reading.
The characters are exceptional. Amelia and Jenny, as well as the supporting cast, felt so real and true to life that it was as though I was standing right there beside them. Their emotions, reactions, and relationships were crafted with such authenticity that I found myself fully invested in their lives. And the way Englefield describes the crime scenes? Utterly vivid and chilling. I could picture every detail so vividly it felt as if I had stepped into the scenes myself.
If I had to critique anything—and believe me, this is nitpicking at its finest—I did notice that characters seemed to spill their tea and coffee quite a bit! As for the cat caught up in the horror, while no specifics are given, I choose to believe it survived unscathed (a comforting narrative I’m sticking to). Neither of these points diminishes the brilliance of this book in the slightest.
The Only Child is, without a doubt, an out-of-this-world debut. Yes, I searched for other books by S. Englefield and came up empty, which only makes me more excited to see what comes next. If this is the standard set by their first book, then we’re in for something truly special in the future.
Is it possible to declare a favourite book of the month on the second day of said month? I’m doing it anyway, because The Only Child deserves all the accolades and more. This book is gripping, emotional, beautifully written, and packed with twists you won’t see coming. If you’re looking for a novel that will leave you breathless, Englefield’s debut is an absolute must-read.
Final thoughts: Wow. Just wow. This is a book that will stay with me for a long time, and I’ll be recommending it to everyone I know. Here’s hoping we don’t have to wait too long for the next masterpiece from this incredibly talented author.
February 5, 2025
3* Misses the mark on several fronts, and the requirement to suspend disbelief was just a bit too much, 'nah, can't go there' for me.
What's refreshing is that the book is set in the UK and doesn't have any faux gloss. But, the start is really random and you don't get an explanation of the parent-connection thing, not even at the end with what's transpired. Just a little background of Family 1 or Family 2 could've helped make it more interesting. You also don't find out about Mum 2, and why she left her daughter an orphan. You also don't find out about how bad sister could get away with what she did to her psych, and how the cops didn't pursue that incident. With Ring doorbells and CCTV times we live in, the activities of Emma and Ashleigh couldn't have been this under the radar.
To have 2 female characters with A-names, especially when one's targeting the other, isn't a clever move, especially with flashbacks to 10 years and at times, less, in the past. To tell us that a new red-herring-but-not character has lied about her reasons for being on the island, utterly randomly that it should've had questions being asked, should have rung major warning bells. The age gap rang bells. The forced-upon-them 'relationship' rang bells. The profession/background rang bells but none of the cops did anything about anything.
Emma didn't sound believable. We didn't get am explanation for the blue car crashing into the undercover cop car. Was that Ashleigh? Don't know, and by then, didn't care.
Segueing to take a kid's cop hostage was utterly random and didn't tie into the tale. Keeping Jenny Stone on the case when it was her daughter being held hostage couldn't happen. Death By Cop in the UK would've made massive headlines and the post-event stuff would be on-going weeks and weeks after said event, not neatly tied up 2 weeks on.
I wouldn't read more, as there wasn't a lot of excitement or believability in this tale, sadly.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Jones and Baker, for my reading pleasure.
What's refreshing is that the book is set in the UK and doesn't have any faux gloss. But, the start is really random and you don't get an explanation of the parent-connection thing, not even at the end with what's transpired. Just a little background of Family 1 or Family 2 could've helped make it more interesting. You also don't find out about Mum 2, and why she left her daughter an orphan. You also don't find out about how bad sister could get away with what she did to her psych, and how the cops didn't pursue that incident. With Ring doorbells and CCTV times we live in, the activities of Emma and Ashleigh couldn't have been this under the radar.
To have 2 female characters with A-names, especially when one's targeting the other, isn't a clever move, especially with flashbacks to 10 years and at times, less, in the past. To tell us that a new red-herring-but-not character has lied about her reasons for being on the island, utterly randomly that it should've had questions being asked, should have rung major warning bells. The age gap rang bells. The forced-upon-them 'relationship' rang bells. The profession/background rang bells but none of the cops did anything about anything.
Emma didn't sound believable. We didn't get am explanation for the blue car crashing into the undercover cop car. Was that Ashleigh? Don't know, and by then, didn't care.
Segueing to take a kid's cop hostage was utterly random and didn't tie into the tale. Keeping Jenny Stone on the case when it was her daughter being held hostage couldn't happen. Death By Cop in the UK would've made massive headlines and the post-event stuff would be on-going weeks and weeks after said event, not neatly tied up 2 weeks on.
I wouldn't read more, as there wasn't a lot of excitement or believability in this tale, sadly.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Jones and Baker, for my reading pleasure.
February 17, 2025
Here is my review for The Only Child by S Englefield
This was an exciting read and I was hooked right from the beginning of the book. I liked that it was set somewhere different like the Isle Of Wight. The characters were interesting and I liked that DI Jennifer Stone had a family and her daughter, Sophie, turns nine in the book. It is blended nicely with the story of the police thriller and DI Stone’s work as a police officer with the long hours she works. The case is an intriguing one where it looks like Amelia Simpson has an enemy that is targeting her flower shop. Then things deteriorate even further for her when her gran dies and the police are involved. Megan, her best friend, tells the police about the problems the shop is experiencing with the targeted attacks. It’s a fantastic read which I loved and it’s a great start to the series. I thought it was extremely well written and well thought out. It seemed to be well plotted throughout the book and the author seemed to have a good knowledge of police procedures. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series already.
Blurb :
How well do you really know the people you love?
After her parents are killed in a tragic accident, Amelia Simpson retreats from her old life and moves to the sleepy Isle of Wight to be near her grandmother, her last remaining family.
But as the people closest to her start to die and secrets from her parent's past are uncovered, Amelia is forced to question everything she thought she knew about her childhood and the people that she loved the most.
In order to find the killer, Detective Inspector Jennifer Stone will have to delve into Amelia's past where she learns that there's no such thing as a perfect family and that stopping them may end up costing her everything that she holds dear.
This was an exciting read and I was hooked right from the beginning of the book. I liked that it was set somewhere different like the Isle Of Wight. The characters were interesting and I liked that DI Jennifer Stone had a family and her daughter, Sophie, turns nine in the book. It is blended nicely with the story of the police thriller and DI Stone’s work as a police officer with the long hours she works. The case is an intriguing one where it looks like Amelia Simpson has an enemy that is targeting her flower shop. Then things deteriorate even further for her when her gran dies and the police are involved. Megan, her best friend, tells the police about the problems the shop is experiencing with the targeted attacks. It’s a fantastic read which I loved and it’s a great start to the series. I thought it was extremely well written and well thought out. It seemed to be well plotted throughout the book and the author seemed to have a good knowledge of police procedures. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series already.
Blurb :
How well do you really know the people you love?
After her parents are killed in a tragic accident, Amelia Simpson retreats from her old life and moves to the sleepy Isle of Wight to be near her grandmother, her last remaining family.
But as the people closest to her start to die and secrets from her parent's past are uncovered, Amelia is forced to question everything she thought she knew about her childhood and the people that she loved the most.
In order to find the killer, Detective Inspector Jennifer Stone will have to delve into Amelia's past where she learns that there's no such thing as a perfect family and that stopping them may end up costing her everything that she holds dear.
February 26, 2025
The Only Child by Scott Englefield is a gripping British crime thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The story follows Amelia Simpson, whose life is shattered when her parents die in a car crash, leaving her truly alone. Seeking solace, she moves to the picturesque Isle of Wight to be closer to her grandmother while running a quaint flower shop. But peace remains elusive as the people she loves start dying mysteriously around her.
Englefield masterfully builds tension and suspense, crafting a narrative filled with twists and turns that keep you guessing at every page. Just when you think you’ve figured out who’s behind the murders, the story takes another unexpected turn. The complexity of the plot and the clever misdirection make this a standout in the genre.
The characters are well-developed and relatable, drawing you into their lives and struggles. That said, the trope of cops drinking endless cups of coffee felt a bit cliché. I couldn’t help but wonder how DI Stone manages to avoid a bladder infection with her caffeine consumption!
Despite this minor quirk, The Only Child is an enthralling read that’s hard to put down. Englefield’s writing is sharp, his pacing impeccable, and the eerie atmosphere of the Isle of Wight adds an extra layer of intrigue. Fans of British crime thrillers won’t be disappointed.
Highly recommended for those who love a good mystery that keeps them guessing until the very end. Just be warned – once you pick it up, you won’t want to put it down. This is one thriller that will haunt you long after the last page is turned.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Englefield masterfully builds tension and suspense, crafting a narrative filled with twists and turns that keep you guessing at every page. Just when you think you’ve figured out who’s behind the murders, the story takes another unexpected turn. The complexity of the plot and the clever misdirection make this a standout in the genre.
The characters are well-developed and relatable, drawing you into their lives and struggles. That said, the trope of cops drinking endless cups of coffee felt a bit cliché. I couldn’t help but wonder how DI Stone manages to avoid a bladder infection with her caffeine consumption!
Despite this minor quirk, The Only Child is an enthralling read that’s hard to put down. Englefield’s writing is sharp, his pacing impeccable, and the eerie atmosphere of the Isle of Wight adds an extra layer of intrigue. Fans of British crime thrillers won’t be disappointed.
Highly recommended for those who love a good mystery that keeps them guessing until the very end. Just be warned – once you pick it up, you won’t want to put it down. This is one thriller that will haunt you long after the last page is turned.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 12, 2025
I’ve never read any books by this author before so was intrigued to be offered this arc. It turned out to be a very compelling as well as twisty read that kept me guessing right up to the last page.
Amelia is a florist who lives ion the Isle Of Wight- she is happy owning a flower shop and spending time with her boyfriend as well as her best friend, Megan and her elderly Grandmother.
However things start to go wrong- someone is sabotaging her shop and awful things start to happen to her loved ones.
Detective Inspector Jennifer Stone is called in to investigate when someone close to Amelia suffers an untimely end and she is in a race against time to unravel the mystery and find the perpetrator before more unfortunate events occur.
I liked the characters in this novel- they seemed life like, Jenny’ s private life was explored, her husband Greg and young daughter Sophie feature in the novel. It becomes clear that she has trouble striking a work life balance due to the nature of her job.
Amelia seems a kind and trusting person, caring for those around her making the attacks on her all the more perplexing.
There are so many twists in this plot, coupled by several flashbacks to earlier times, not to mention the myriad of suspects meaning that I really couldn’t figure out how it was all going to come together and who the person targeting Amelia really was.
This was an enjoyable murder procedural introducing an interesting new Detective and I am now awaiting the next book in which I believe will be an excellent series.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.
Amelia is a florist who lives ion the Isle Of Wight- she is happy owning a flower shop and spending time with her boyfriend as well as her best friend, Megan and her elderly Grandmother.
However things start to go wrong- someone is sabotaging her shop and awful things start to happen to her loved ones.
Detective Inspector Jennifer Stone is called in to investigate when someone close to Amelia suffers an untimely end and she is in a race against time to unravel the mystery and find the perpetrator before more unfortunate events occur.
I liked the characters in this novel- they seemed life like, Jenny’ s private life was explored, her husband Greg and young daughter Sophie feature in the novel. It becomes clear that she has trouble striking a work life balance due to the nature of her job.
Amelia seems a kind and trusting person, caring for those around her making the attacks on her all the more perplexing.
There are so many twists in this plot, coupled by several flashbacks to earlier times, not to mention the myriad of suspects meaning that I really couldn’t figure out how it was all going to come together and who the person targeting Amelia really was.
This was an enjoyable murder procedural introducing an interesting new Detective and I am now awaiting the next book in which I believe will be an excellent series.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.
February 28, 2025
4 stars
After the death of her parents, young Amelia gave up university and moved to the Isle of Wight to be closer to her grandmother, her last remaining family. She opened a small flower shop and led a simple life from then on. But now, years later, someone seems to be gunning for Amelia directly - her shop is vandalised, her pet goes missing, and people around her start dying. She has no idea why. DI Jenny Stone is in charge of the investigation into what's going on, but as the case progresses, DI Stone finds herself being pulled deeper into this dark mess of lies, wrath, and revenge. It'll take everything in her arsenal to figure out the truth before the killer strikes too close to home.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I have to be honest - I didn't think I would enjoy the book as much as I did. It was a slow build through most of the first half of the story and I initially wasn't sure I wanted to finish it. But soon I was guessing at some of the twists, and then it started looking like I was WRONG, so I had to keep reading to find out the actual answer!
Overall it's pretty much your run-of-the-mill, UK-based, crime procedural thriller. There were definitely sections that could've used a bit more polishing and depth within the story, but it was still a fun read and easy to devour in a couple sittings. I think the main storyline, as well as the police force characters, made it interesting enough to warrant further books in the series.
After the death of her parents, young Amelia gave up university and moved to the Isle of Wight to be closer to her grandmother, her last remaining family. She opened a small flower shop and led a simple life from then on. But now, years later, someone seems to be gunning for Amelia directly - her shop is vandalised, her pet goes missing, and people around her start dying. She has no idea why. DI Jenny Stone is in charge of the investigation into what's going on, but as the case progresses, DI Stone finds herself being pulled deeper into this dark mess of lies, wrath, and revenge. It'll take everything in her arsenal to figure out the truth before the killer strikes too close to home.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I have to be honest - I didn't think I would enjoy the book as much as I did. It was a slow build through most of the first half of the story and I initially wasn't sure I wanted to finish it. But soon I was guessing at some of the twists, and then it started looking like I was WRONG, so I had to keep reading to find out the actual answer!
Overall it's pretty much your run-of-the-mill, UK-based, crime procedural thriller. There were definitely sections that could've used a bit more polishing and depth within the story, but it was still a fun read and easy to devour in a couple sittings. I think the main storyline, as well as the police force characters, made it interesting enough to warrant further books in the series.
February 2, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I enjoyed this book and cannot believe it is a debut book, it is well written and a good plot with some twists and had me guessing. Amelia believes she is an only child and both her parents have died in a car crash, she runs a flower shop on the Isle of Wight and issuing targeted by a newcomer with a rival flower shop. Detective Inspector Jennifer Stone has recently been promoted and is dedicated other job causing a family rift with her husband and daughter as she puts her job first and is on the case of the murders involving people around Amelia, her Grandmother, her cat and her best friend are all murdered and the race is on to find the culprit before Amelia is murdered.
This book has lots of misdirection regarding the crimes but actually explores the emotions of the intended victim to the deaths surrounding her and the belief that it is her rival florist and her reactions to the circumstances surrounding it. The book also highlights the difficulties of working mothers in a high profile role that causes them put their jobs first causing family problems and the emotional problems of the young children involved and resentment of their mother's work. It was a very good book and I look forward to reading more from this author.
I enjoyed this book and cannot believe it is a debut book, it is well written and a good plot with some twists and had me guessing. Amelia believes she is an only child and both her parents have died in a car crash, she runs a flower shop on the Isle of Wight and issuing targeted by a newcomer with a rival flower shop. Detective Inspector Jennifer Stone has recently been promoted and is dedicated other job causing a family rift with her husband and daughter as she puts her job first and is on the case of the murders involving people around Amelia, her Grandmother, her cat and her best friend are all murdered and the race is on to find the culprit before Amelia is murdered.
This book has lots of misdirection regarding the crimes but actually explores the emotions of the intended victim to the deaths surrounding her and the belief that it is her rival florist and her reactions to the circumstances surrounding it. The book also highlights the difficulties of working mothers in a high profile role that causes them put their jobs first causing family problems and the emotional problems of the young children involved and resentment of their mother's work. It was a very good book and I look forward to reading more from this author.
April 20, 2025
The Only Child*(DI Jennifer Stone: Book 1)
Whew, let me tell you—I went into this book expecting your typical procedural crime novel, but *The Only Child* surprised me in the best ways. From the opening chapter, I could tell DI Jennifer Stone was no-nonsense, but the more I read, the more I realized just how layered she is. She’s sharp, determined, emotionally scarred, but still fighting like hell to make sense of the darkness she faces.
The plot moved at a solid pace with enough twists to keep me guessing, and while I did have some moments where I predicted a few things, it didn’t take away from the enjoyment. In fact, I found myself flipping pages late at night needing to see how it would all unfold.
What really stood out to me was how grounded the story felt—it wasn’t flashy or over-the-top, but gritty and real, the kind of crime fiction that feels like it could’ve come straight off a cold case file. I appreciated how the author didn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths, especially about trauma, justice, and power.
This is a strong start to what I hope becomes a long-running series. I’m invested in DI Stone and her team, and I’ll definitely be on the lookout for book two. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
If you're into British crime fiction with heart and grit, go ahead and add this one to your list.
Whew, let me tell you—I went into this book expecting your typical procedural crime novel, but *The Only Child* surprised me in the best ways. From the opening chapter, I could tell DI Jennifer Stone was no-nonsense, but the more I read, the more I realized just how layered she is. She’s sharp, determined, emotionally scarred, but still fighting like hell to make sense of the darkness she faces.
The plot moved at a solid pace with enough twists to keep me guessing, and while I did have some moments where I predicted a few things, it didn’t take away from the enjoyment. In fact, I found myself flipping pages late at night needing to see how it would all unfold.
What really stood out to me was how grounded the story felt—it wasn’t flashy or over-the-top, but gritty and real, the kind of crime fiction that feels like it could’ve come straight off a cold case file. I appreciated how the author didn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths, especially about trauma, justice, and power.
This is a strong start to what I hope becomes a long-running series. I’m invested in DI Stone and her team, and I’ll definitely be on the lookout for book two. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
If you're into British crime fiction with heart and grit, go ahead and add this one to your list.
September 5, 2025
The Only Child by S. Englefield is a gripping and emotionally layered thriller that dives deep into the fragility of memory, family, and trust. The story follows Amelia Simpson, who, after the devastating loss of her parents, retreats to the Isle of Wight seeking solace. What begins as a quiet attempt at healing soon spirals into a chilling mystery as those closest to her begin dying and long-buried secrets surface.
Englefield has a talent for building suspense in subtle, unnerving layers while weaving in themes of identity, grief, and betrayal. Detective Inspector Jennifer Stone’s perspective brings a strong investigative thread that balances Amelia’s emotional journey, enriching the narrative with tension and realism. The Isle of Wight setting adds both charm and an unsettling edge, perfectly suited to the unfolding drama.
While the pacing dips slightly in the middle and a few twists are more predictable than shocking, the emotional depth and complex character development kept me turning pages. It’s a compelling psychological thriller with a poignant reminder that sometimes the truth is the most dangerous secret of all.
Fans of slow-burn suspense with rich emotional undercurrents will find The Only Child both unsettling and satisfying.
I received an advance copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Englefield has a talent for building suspense in subtle, unnerving layers while weaving in themes of identity, grief, and betrayal. Detective Inspector Jennifer Stone’s perspective brings a strong investigative thread that balances Amelia’s emotional journey, enriching the narrative with tension and realism. The Isle of Wight setting adds both charm and an unsettling edge, perfectly suited to the unfolding drama.
While the pacing dips slightly in the middle and a few twists are more predictable than shocking, the emotional depth and complex character development kept me turning pages. It’s a compelling psychological thriller with a poignant reminder that sometimes the truth is the most dangerous secret of all.
Fans of slow-burn suspense with rich emotional undercurrents will find The Only Child both unsettling and satisfying.
I received an advance copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 7, 2025
Thank you to Book Sirens and the author for an ARC for an honest review.
Just when I think that I’ve convinced myself that nope, I’m not going to let another book stump me and throw me a curve, and a greatly unexpected twist, well here it goes again!
This book was slightly slow to start for me, only because at first I had trouble following the timelines/characters for the first little bit. But once I got the hang of it, I was hooked. This book hit hard in all the right places, a true thriller/crime book without the gore. It was detailed enough that you got the picture, and kept it light enough to follow theme for the rest of the story.
Two timelines that intertwine and being fully entangled within each other, ending with an eruption of gasps, fear, and “I was NOT ready for that!” Scenarios, the author has truly created an impressive book.
It was easy to read, overall easy to follow along, and the timelines made sense. There were parts you were able to put together yourself, but just when you had questions, here comes a flashback explaining things out.
I’m looking forward to more reads by this author, and have no doubt this will be a hit!
Just when I think that I’ve convinced myself that nope, I’m not going to let another book stump me and throw me a curve, and a greatly unexpected twist, well here it goes again!
This book was slightly slow to start for me, only because at first I had trouble following the timelines/characters for the first little bit. But once I got the hang of it, I was hooked. This book hit hard in all the right places, a true thriller/crime book without the gore. It was detailed enough that you got the picture, and kept it light enough to follow theme for the rest of the story.
Two timelines that intertwine and being fully entangled within each other, ending with an eruption of gasps, fear, and “I was NOT ready for that!” Scenarios, the author has truly created an impressive book.
It was easy to read, overall easy to follow along, and the timelines made sense. There were parts you were able to put together yourself, but just when you had questions, here comes a flashback explaining things out.
I’m looking forward to more reads by this author, and have no doubt this will be a hit!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews