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The Grandmother
Length: 8 hrs and 39 mins
I might be a grandmother. But I’m not some sweet, harmless old lady who people can push around.
Two little girls stand with their heads bowed in my living room. I’m told they’re my granddaughters. Daisy is nine, and Alice seven. Daisy is the spitting image of her mother. This is the first time I’ve met them since my daughter and I fell out after she married that waste of space, Vince.
They’ve come to live with me because their mother — my daughter — was murdered. In her own home while they slept close by.
I think Vince killed her. But the police can’t prove it. I’ve always known he was no good. He treated my daughter like dirt. I said he’d cheat on her — but she wouldn’t listen.
Now he wants his daughters back.
Over my dead body.
I finally have a family of my own. And nobody is going to take it away from me.
I might be a grandmother. But I’m not some sweet, harmless old lady who people can push around.
Two little girls stand with their heads bowed in my living room. I’m told they’re my granddaughters. Daisy is nine, and Alice seven. Daisy is the spitting image of her mother. This is the first time I’ve met them since my daughter and I fell out after she married that waste of space, Vince.
They’ve come to live with me because their mother — my daughter — was murdered. In her own home while they slept close by.
I think Vince killed her. But the police can’t prove it. I’ve always known he was no good. He treated my daughter like dirt. I said he’d cheat on her — but she wouldn’t listen.
Now he wants his daughters back.
Over my dead body.
I finally have a family of my own. And nobody is going to take it away from me.
9 pages, Audible Audio
First published August 29, 2024
3782 people are currently reading
1106 people want to read
About the author
Jane E. James
18 books258 followersInternational best selling author, Jane E James creates chilling reads that appeal to fans of psychological thrillers, mysteries and dark fiction. Jane loves to weave tense and haunting tales that stay in the reader's mind. All her books are standalone novels.
An animal lover, who believes ‘all life is precious’ Jane is a vegan and an animal rights advocate. She lives in the UK with her two cats Hero and Halo, who are sometimes featured in her books.
When she isn't writing (or reading) Jane enjoys living 'the good life' in the Rutland countryside, in a small village close to the town of Stamford, Lincolnshire in the UK; known for its quirky tea shops and cobbled streets.
Although born in Cambridgeshire, she is half Welsh and hopes, one day, to retire to the mountains of South Wales, where she feels closest to her late mother, whose maiden name 'James' is where Jane gets her pen name from. Once there, she plans to adopt and rescue all kinds of animals including donkeys, sheep, chickens and goats.
Rebecca, Carrie, The Woman in Black and Wuthering Heights are among some of Jane's favourite reads.
Visit her website www.janeejames.com or catch up with her on facebook and twitter. But bring Monster Munch and wine...
An animal lover, who believes ‘all life is precious’ Jane is a vegan and an animal rights advocate. She lives in the UK with her two cats Hero and Halo, who are sometimes featured in her books.
When she isn't writing (or reading) Jane enjoys living 'the good life' in the Rutland countryside, in a small village close to the town of Stamford, Lincolnshire in the UK; known for its quirky tea shops and cobbled streets.
Although born in Cambridgeshire, she is half Welsh and hopes, one day, to retire to the mountains of South Wales, where she feels closest to her late mother, whose maiden name 'James' is where Jane gets her pen name from. Once there, she plans to adopt and rescue all kinds of animals including donkeys, sheep, chickens and goats.
Rebecca, Carrie, The Woman in Black and Wuthering Heights are among some of Jane's favourite reads.
Visit her website www.janeejames.com or catch up with her on facebook and twitter. But bring Monster Munch and wine...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 558 reviews
December 27, 2024
The two main characters are some of the most interesting I’ve encountered in a psychological thriller. They definitely had a personality that was uniquely theirs and they made the story so much intriguing.
May 17, 2025
This book was more of a miss than hit except for this quote, “I love what you have done with your hair. How did you make it come out of your nostrils that way?”
Best quote ever!
Also, worst most stupid ending ever!
Best quote ever!
Also, worst most stupid ending ever!
January 2, 2025
3.5 stars.
Whatever I was expecting after reading the blurb and the first few chapters, by the ending it was all turned on its head. That can go good or bad. It was very surprising and twisty, but the more that was revealed about the grandmother, the less I liked her. The rest of the family were more interesting, although none were exactly loveable.
The Audible narration was very good.
Whatever I was expecting after reading the blurb and the first few chapters, by the ending it was all turned on its head. That can go good or bad. It was very surprising and twisty, but the more that was revealed about the grandmother, the less I liked her. The rest of the family were more interesting, although none were exactly loveable.
The Audible narration was very good.
December 20, 2024
The book started out great and I was on the edge of my seat wondering how everyone played a part in the story but the last quarter of the book got super convoluted; everyone's personalities changed and the plot didn't really have any rhyme or reason. The ending felt rushed and unsatisfying but I'm not upset I read it.
November 19, 2025
The Grandmother serves up a piping hot slice of “What in the family-therapy hell did I just read?”
We’ve got two adorable girls, a suspicious dad, a dead mom, and a grandmother who gives “overprotective” a whole new meaning. You’ll spend half the book thinking “Poor Grandma, she’s just trying her best!”, and the other half yelling “RUN, CHILDREN, RUN!”
The plot twists come faster than you can think. Every time you think you’ve figured it out, another dark secret crawls out.
I finished the book feeling equal parts impressed and disturbed.
If you like your psychological thrillers cozy on the outside but filled with emotional carnage on the inside, this one’s for you.
We’ve got two adorable girls, a suspicious dad, a dead mom, and a grandmother who gives “overprotective” a whole new meaning. You’ll spend half the book thinking “Poor Grandma, she’s just trying her best!”, and the other half yelling “RUN, CHILDREN, RUN!”
The plot twists come faster than you can think. Every time you think you’ve figured it out, another dark secret crawls out.
I finished the book feeling equal parts impressed and disturbed.
If you like your psychological thrillers cozy on the outside but filled with emotional carnage on the inside, this one’s for you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 25, 2024
This Glamma always loves a good Grandmother book!
A grandmother's granddaughters appear on her front doorstep when their mother was murdered.
Did the girls' father kill their mother?
I especially enjoyed the two POV audiobook narrations by Anna Cordell (the grandmother) and Max Dinnen (the accused father).
This Audible Plus selection was pacey, twisty, and entertaining.
January 2, 2025
What a hot mess! I didn't like any of the main characters. What a terrible environment to raise those 2 girls. Just when you think it can't get any worse, it does. By the end I was shaking my head and thinking what a waste of my time.
December 29, 2024
I was enjoying this book immenselly. Until the ending - that I didn't like...
August 8, 2024
This was one of those stories where you don’t know where it’s going until it gets there. Two little girls suddenly find themselves being collected by a grandmother that they never knew they had. At the same time, the grandmother isn’t really sure whether she wants them to live with her but feels that she has no choice as they have nowhere else to go. As the story develops, each chapter pings back and forth between The Father and The Grandmother, hearing their sides of the story and learning more about their lives. Each chapter seems to somehow shift the perspective that the reader gets, and I found myself changing my allegiance to each of them in turn as I progressed through the novel. There is a deep sense that there is more going on than we were first told and as we get to just over half-way through everything seems to change. The ending is an absolutely huge twist which I really didn’t see coming, and just as I thought I had worked it all out, everything changes in a flash. This book is very well written in a conversational format, which I think works perfectly. As a finality to the book, it is definitely worth reading the author's notes as they explain her reasons and compulsion for written it. This is a brilliant read, and I am seriously following this author now and awaiting her next novel.
January 14, 2025
This was a fun listen!
Ok, so the plot starts with a death having occurred, but then the real action commences.
When Scarlet is murdered, her daughters, Daisy (9 years old) and Alice (7 years old), are sent to stay with their Grandmother. The only problem is, they have never met before, as Scarlet and her mother have been estranged from before the girls were born.
The girls' father, Vince, had left their mother for a much younger woman, with whom he has a baby daughter.
Vince is initially a suspect in Scarlet's murder, but has an alibi, and is therefore released without charge.
Vince's girlfriend never wanted his girls around, but Vince desperately wants a relationship with his daughters. He and the Grandmother will have to work together in this - but this Grandmother is not at all who she first appears...
Let the games begin!
Ok, so the plot starts with a death having occurred, but then the real action commences.
When Scarlet is murdered, her daughters, Daisy (9 years old) and Alice (7 years old), are sent to stay with their Grandmother. The only problem is, they have never met before, as Scarlet and her mother have been estranged from before the girls were born.
The girls' father, Vince, had left their mother for a much younger woman, with whom he has a baby daughter.
Vince is initially a suspect in Scarlet's murder, but has an alibi, and is therefore released without charge.
Vince's girlfriend never wanted his girls around, but Vince desperately wants a relationship with his daughters. He and the Grandmother will have to work together in this - but this Grandmother is not at all who she first appears...
Let the games begin!
December 19, 2024
Listened via Audible. Literally everyone is this story sucked. The father….omg I just can’t. The grandmother did hold my interest for a while, but her ended wasn’t it.
September 8, 2024
3.5 rounded up.
Nine year old Daisy and her seven year old sister Alice have been sent to live with their grandmother after the murder of their mother. Having never met their grandmother before it is a big change for everyone. Meanwhile Vince, their father is in the midst of a difficult relationship, an unsuccessful life and desperately wanting custody of his daughters.
This is an easy read which I read and enjoyed on a Sunday afternoon. Yvonne, the grandmother and Daisy had interesting characters. The chapters are told to us from the points of view of Yvonne and Vince and it makes for a good read. I didn’t see where it was going, and the chapters were short which I prefer.
Many thanks to NetGalley, publisher and author for my gifted eARC.
Nine year old Daisy and her seven year old sister Alice have been sent to live with their grandmother after the murder of their mother. Having never met their grandmother before it is a big change for everyone. Meanwhile Vince, their father is in the midst of a difficult relationship, an unsuccessful life and desperately wanting custody of his daughters.
This is an easy read which I read and enjoyed on a Sunday afternoon. Yvonne, the grandmother and Daisy had interesting characters. The chapters are told to us from the points of view of Yvonne and Vince and it makes for a good read. I didn’t see where it was going, and the chapters were short which I prefer.
Many thanks to NetGalley, publisher and author for my gifted eARC.
January 4, 2025
The narration on this was another that far outweighed the story or the plot. It was enjoyable but predictable in every possible way. I knew what was coming at every turn. However I did enjoy it, therefore it was unfair to rate it lower.
Currently included with audible 🎧
Currently included with audible 🎧
October 24, 2024
I was looking forward to The Grandmother because of the plot synopsis. I love a good psychological thriller and hoped for a good fix, but sadly this didn’t deliver. It had the makings for a great story but it was so drawn out in pointless details that I struggled to finish it. About three-fourths into the book the plot finally began to materialize and get farther fetched only to end suddenly and randomly.
December 20, 2025
3.85 ⭐️
This was a fun thriller full of twists and turns.
This was a fun thriller full of twists and turns.
September 5, 2024
I really enjoyed The Grandmother. First of all I adore the idea of an older protagonist…or maybe that should be antagonistic! I will say the first thing that caught me was the first person narration. I am a bit picky with first person and feel it can make or break a novel but Jane E. James made The Grandmother incredibly likable from the first chapter using it. I loved how the narration firmly puts us in present day and real life with the characters thinking about current tv personalities and the like. This also carries over to ‘The Father’ or Vince. I adored (but also hated him) how we got in his mind and saw how he works. In other words this was first person done right (for me at least!).
The other thing I loved was the pacing and the twists and turns. Now obviously I won’t be spoiling anything, especially with a thriller novel but let me say I could never guess where it was going next and that isn’t a bad thing. While I have already mentioned the first person perspective helping you connect with the characters I was pleased to find that it also provides a great pacing and insight into what is going on from different points of view.
All in all this was a brilliant psychological thriller and I will definitely be looking into more from the author. It was fun to have an older protagonist and to get inside their mind as well. A definite 5 stars.
As always thank you to ZooLoo’s Book Tours for the copy to review. My review is always honest and truthful.
The other thing I loved was the pacing and the twists and turns. Now obviously I won’t be spoiling anything, especially with a thriller novel but let me say I could never guess where it was going next and that isn’t a bad thing. While I have already mentioned the first person perspective helping you connect with the characters I was pleased to find that it also provides a great pacing and insight into what is going on from different points of view.
All in all this was a brilliant psychological thriller and I will definitely be looking into more from the author. It was fun to have an older protagonist and to get inside their mind as well. A definite 5 stars.
As always thank you to ZooLoo’s Book Tours for the copy to review. My review is always honest and truthful.
September 8, 2024
The blurb of this book attracted me and I wanted to know exactly who this woman was.
Under horrific circumstances, Daisy and Alice find themselves living with their grandmother, a woman they’d never met. Straight away I got the sense that there was a lot she was hiding and the feeling of unease never left as I turned the pages, especially how she loathed her grandchildren’s dad Vince. Although I did feel sorry for the girls, at times I did find Alice annoying and thought Daisy, as the older sister was a much more interesting character. On the other hand though, I loved Vince as he turns his life around for the girls he loves so much. There are quite a few twists and some surprising revelations which kept me reading until late at night. And some of the things Yvonne says did make me laugh even though I’m still not sure if I liked her. Told from two points of view, Yvonne’s and Vince’s, this made for a more involved read and with each chapter I was looking forward to how the pair of them progressed in their mission to keep or take back the girls.
I really enjoyed The Grandmother and I’m looking forward to reading Jane’s previous books.
Under horrific circumstances, Daisy and Alice find themselves living with their grandmother, a woman they’d never met. Straight away I got the sense that there was a lot she was hiding and the feeling of unease never left as I turned the pages, especially how she loathed her grandchildren’s dad Vince. Although I did feel sorry for the girls, at times I did find Alice annoying and thought Daisy, as the older sister was a much more interesting character. On the other hand though, I loved Vince as he turns his life around for the girls he loves so much. There are quite a few twists and some surprising revelations which kept me reading until late at night. And some of the things Yvonne says did make me laugh even though I’m still not sure if I liked her. Told from two points of view, Yvonne’s and Vince’s, this made for a more involved read and with each chapter I was looking forward to how the pair of them progressed in their mission to keep or take back the girls.
I really enjoyed The Grandmother and I’m looking forward to reading Jane’s previous books.
August 19, 2024
When their Mother is murdered and their Father is arrested on suspicion of killing her, Daisy and Alice go to stay with their Grandmother, who they have never met, after she had a falling out with her daughter many years ago.
This gripping and sinister thriller is narrated by The Grandmother, Yvonne, and The Father, Vince.
Vince is a one time petty criminal who is trying to turn his life around and do the best forms daughters. Yvonne is a sweet old lady who just wants to take care of her granddaughters.
For a while, despite the creepy and sinister undertone, I just couldn't see where this was going to go and then, OMG! THE TWISTS! I actually froze when the first big twist hit, totally stunned and was just staring at the page in disbelief! From then, I felt like I was on a rollercoaster as the shocking truth unravelled and took my breath away!
5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Jane E. James and Joffe for an ARC in return for an honest review.
This gripping and sinister thriller is narrated by The Grandmother, Yvonne, and The Father, Vince.
Vince is a one time petty criminal who is trying to turn his life around and do the best forms daughters. Yvonne is a sweet old lady who just wants to take care of her granddaughters.
For a while, despite the creepy and sinister undertone, I just couldn't see where this was going to go and then, OMG! THE TWISTS! I actually froze when the first big twist hit, totally stunned and was just staring at the page in disbelief! From then, I felt like I was on a rollercoaster as the shocking truth unravelled and took my breath away!
5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Jane E. James and Joffe for an ARC in return for an honest review.
January 3, 2025
Starts off fairly slow but gradually builds over time, creating a few quite interesting plot twists that become more intense with the storyline.
However, the book ends with what feels like random plot twists thrown in there just to bring the story to some sort of dramatic conclusion, rather than with elements of foreshadowing for a good thriller / mystery.
However, the book ends with what feels like random plot twists thrown in there just to bring the story to some sort of dramatic conclusion, rather than with elements of foreshadowing for a good thriller / mystery.
January 1, 2025
What did I just listen to? Apart from insulting every 65 year old on the Planet what was this story about? Not for me, I'm afraid. It was free on Audible Plus.
February 11, 2025
Not worth the effort to write a review.
January 5, 2025
This book was pretty fantastic throughout. I usually see a story’s twists well before they land, but James executed the plot, characters, and storyline well and seamlessly. Unfortunately, the ending seemed like the author just didn’t know where to go next with things, so “the end,” seemed like the easy choice. That ruined things a bit for me.
September 4, 2024
I had no idea when I started reading this how clever it would end up being. At first it was fairly straightforward – a bit ordinary to be honest. But don’t be deceived. Nothing is what it seems and no-one is telling the truth.
First of all we have the ‘grandmother’, Yvonne Castle. A nice little old lady (less of the old – she’s quite a bit younger than me), but at times we see her true colours. And maybe she’s not quite so nice. She has no experience of children, but when her estranged daughter Scarlet is murdered, she offers to take in her granddaughters – Daisy and Alice – their father Vince being a ‘useless unemployed slob’, with a snarling wolf tattoo on his neck and a nice sideline as a getaway driver.
He left Scarlet when she was at her most vulnerable for Leah, and together they have a baby called Saffy. Vince adores her. But Leah is a slob, with her dirty kitchen, her useless parenting, her grown out roots and her disgusting bubble gum. Vince is so sorry he left Scarlet and the girls, now that he can see Leah for the spiteful, nasty piece of work that she really is.
Alice takes to her granny really quickly, but Daisy is far more suspicious. And I don’t blame her. She loves her daddy, in spite of his many faults. But Yvonne hates him, believing him to have killed Scarlet. And nothing is going to stand in her way when it comes to keeping the girls.
It all sounds so simple, but believe me it isn’t. There’s a jaw-dropping twist part way through that turns the whole story on its head and we start questioning who really is the baddy and who can be saved. I really enjoyed it. And the story around Lucky the dog is my favourite part.
Many thanks to @ZooloosBT for inviting me to be part of this blog tour.
First of all we have the ‘grandmother’, Yvonne Castle. A nice little old lady (less of the old – she’s quite a bit younger than me), but at times we see her true colours. And maybe she’s not quite so nice. She has no experience of children, but when her estranged daughter Scarlet is murdered, she offers to take in her granddaughters – Daisy and Alice – their father Vince being a ‘useless unemployed slob’, with a snarling wolf tattoo on his neck and a nice sideline as a getaway driver.
He left Scarlet when she was at her most vulnerable for Leah, and together they have a baby called Saffy. Vince adores her. But Leah is a slob, with her dirty kitchen, her useless parenting, her grown out roots and her disgusting bubble gum. Vince is so sorry he left Scarlet and the girls, now that he can see Leah for the spiteful, nasty piece of work that she really is.
Alice takes to her granny really quickly, but Daisy is far more suspicious. And I don’t blame her. She loves her daddy, in spite of his many faults. But Yvonne hates him, believing him to have killed Scarlet. And nothing is going to stand in her way when it comes to keeping the girls.
It all sounds so simple, but believe me it isn’t. There’s a jaw-dropping twist part way through that turns the whole story on its head and we start questioning who really is the baddy and who can be saved. I really enjoyed it. And the story around Lucky the dog is my favourite part.
Many thanks to @ZooloosBT for inviting me to be part of this blog tour.
June 13, 2025
“An un-put down able psychological thriller with a jaw dropping twist” - not sure who wrote this line on the front cover but they were lying.
The “twists” were trying too hard to be jaw dropping and each one fell flat. I didn’t care about any of the characters enough to be shocked. None of the characters are particularly likeable.
It was a recommendation from my dad who said “I’d like to know what you think.” My immediate reaction is that I won’t be taking any more recommendations from him!
All that being said, it was definitely not terrible. I read it quite quickly but that was because I just wanted to love on. I’d describe this as ok but forgettable.
The “twists” were trying too hard to be jaw dropping and each one fell flat. I didn’t care about any of the characters enough to be shocked. None of the characters are particularly likeable.
It was a recommendation from my dad who said “I’d like to know what you think.” My immediate reaction is that I won’t be taking any more recommendations from him!
All that being said, it was definitely not terrible. I read it quite quickly but that was because I just wanted to love on. I’d describe this as ok but forgettable.
November 27, 2024
Can I love this one without it being weird? This was such a fun read - twisted YES but fun. Told in 2 POVS - the grandmother and the ex husband. The book opens with the mother killed and her 2 young girls go to live with the grandmother while the ex-husband is with his girlfriend. There were several logistics that didn't see right but the book wasn't right ... so the reader can let it slide.
Can't divulge too much - just read it - on Kindle Unlimited. Wait till the reveal at end - clever!!!
Can't divulge too much - just read it - on Kindle Unlimited. Wait till the reveal at end - clever!!!
September 10, 2024
What a read! I flew through this book at a million miles an hour just to see what happened next. I loved how well it showed the grandmother adapt to having the two girls. There were so many times I thought I had figured out what happened but I didn’t work it out and way left quite shocked by some parts. A must read for all thriller lovers and I will be recommending to my friends!
April 17, 2025
So this book started out really good and was pretty good all the way to the end. The end was very disappointing. It was like the author just decided to end it because they were tired of writing it. I don’t usually like books that are written by English authors, but I made an exception and read this one. I mean it’s hard to recommend this book because the ending is so horrible.
December 27, 2024
If there ever was an unwarranted plot twist this book is it
September 30, 2025
And I thought my family was messed up. This book reminded me it could be much worse. Thrilling and keeps you on your toes.
February 12, 2025
Stupid. Dumb. Don’t know why I wasted my time. I don’t even remember who told me to read this. If I did, I’d yell at them.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 558 reviews