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Message Deleted
The message has disappeared. So has my best friend.
When I read the message from my best friend Leona, I sense the danger screaming from every word.
Can’t speak. Don’t text or call. Please just come.
I race to her house, thinking about the circle of bruises I saw on her wrist days earlier. But when she opens the door, Leona is smiling, her husband’s arm tightly around her narrow shoulders, her little girl’s laughter echoing from the living room.
She says she never sent me a message and she’s fine. And when I look at my phone, the message is deleted.
But six hours later, the police are at my door. Leona and her family have disappeared, their dinner burned, blood all over the kitchen.
My best friend and her beautiful family are missing. I was the last one to see them alive…
A completely gripping and addictive thriller from the number 1 ebook bestselling author K.L. Slater,Message Deletedwill have you glued to the pages until the very last twist. Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell and Freida McFadden.
When I read the message from my best friend Leona, I sense the danger screaming from every word.
Can’t speak. Don’t text or call. Please just come.
I race to her house, thinking about the circle of bruises I saw on her wrist days earlier. But when she opens the door, Leona is smiling, her husband’s arm tightly around her narrow shoulders, her little girl’s laughter echoing from the living room.
She says she never sent me a message and she’s fine. And when I look at my phone, the message is deleted.
But six hours later, the police are at my door. Leona and her family have disappeared, their dinner burned, blood all over the kitchen.
My best friend and her beautiful family are missing. I was the last one to see them alive…
A completely gripping and addictive thriller from the number 1 ebook bestselling author K.L. Slater,Message Deletedwill have you glued to the pages until the very last twist. Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell and Freida McFadden.
380 pages, Paperback
Published February 26, 2025
15 people are currently reading
321 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 10, 2025
Very twisty thriller. Good read and my first of this author. The only thing that spoiled it for me was the writing style as it was in third person narrative. I would have enjoyed it even more if it was from the pov of the characters. Great character development and timelines.
October 15, 2025
Summary:
The message disappeared. So did Leona.
She’d written: Can’t speak. Don’t text or call. Please just come. But when Saffy arrived, she was all smiles, her husband’s arm around her, her little girl laughing inside. She said she never sent it. Then it vanished. Now Leona and her family are gone - their dinner still on the table, blood in the kitchen.
And Saffy - the last person to see them alive.
Review:
Absolutely hooked from page one! I had no idea what happened to the family - every twist caught me off guard. Fast, tense, and impossible to put down. If you love a thriller that keeps you guessing till the last line, this one’s for you.
The message disappeared. So did Leona.
She’d written: Can’t speak. Don’t text or call. Please just come. But when Saffy arrived, she was all smiles, her husband’s arm around her, her little girl laughing inside. She said she never sent it. Then it vanished. Now Leona and her family are gone - their dinner still on the table, blood in the kitchen.
And Saffy - the last person to see them alive.
Review:
Absolutely hooked from page one! I had no idea what happened to the family - every twist caught me off guard. Fast, tense, and impossible to put down. If you love a thriller that keeps you guessing till the last line, this one’s for you.
April 24, 2025
I was hooked right off the bat and then I thought where is this going. I am not used to many of the phrases, but I could still figure out what they were talking about. The twist doesn't come till later, but it did keep me wondering. Not what I was expecting and I love that about the book.
March 26, 2025
I listened to this book and only bothered to finish because I am waiting for my next Audible credit. The female characters in this book were terrible. It’s rare to read a book where you truly do not care what happens to the central character but in this case Saphy was so utterly irritating that I actually hoped the author would kill her off. Then instead of finishing with the resolution the book continues for several more tedious chapters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2025
Saffy is waiting to go into an important meeting when she receives a text message from her best friend, Leona: Can’t speak… don’t text or call… please just come. By the time she arrives Leona’s house, the message is deleted. When Leona answers the door and insists everything's fine, Saffy can tell something’s not right. Six hours later, the police turn up at her door. Leona is missing, along with her young child and there's blood everywhere.
And Saffy was the last one to see them alive...
With a great concept, I expected this to be more involving and with a quicker pace but, to be honest, I think the first third could have been cut by half and still done the same job. Saffy gets annoying quickly and the dripfeed of her ‘past’ never quite lives up to its promise. A better character is Poppy, her sister and she carried a lot of the plot which is full of twists and turns, several of which I didn’t see coming. Nice use of Nottingham locations help and it’s an interesting read but it never quite lived up to its promise.
And Saffy was the last one to see them alive...
With a great concept, I expected this to be more involving and with a quicker pace but, to be honest, I think the first third could have been cut by half and still done the same job. Saffy gets annoying quickly and the dripfeed of her ‘past’ never quite lives up to its promise. A better character is Poppy, her sister and she carried a lot of the plot which is full of twists and turns, several of which I didn’t see coming. Nice use of Nottingham locations help and it’s an interesting read but it never quite lived up to its promise.
June 10, 2025
São sempre livros de leitura rápida. A autora é muito boa no enredo.
Gostei bastante das voltas e reviravoltas
Gostei bastante das voltas e reviravoltas
August 1, 2025
the whole build up was so long and involved for no reason for it to all just come crashing in on like one scene, was an easy read but wouldn’t pick up more of her books again
February 25, 2026
3,75⭐️
October 21, 2025
Well damn…that was disappointing! What started out as a real thrill seeking “who dun it & where did they go”
turned out to be a flop. all the momentum and new discoveries really didn’t pay off for me and I was disappointed in the end. Great story line until it wasn’t. Still at the end I’m waiting for the twist…no twist.
turned out to be a flop. all the momentum and new discoveries really didn’t pay off for me and I was disappointed in the end. Great story line until it wasn’t. Still at the end I’m waiting for the twist…no twist.
April 6, 2025
Started off okay but then too much attention to one characters mental health, soon got quite boring, was glad to find out who done it so I could finish it
March 1, 2026
In Message Deleted, I found a psychological thriller that thoughtfully explores the devastating consequences of secrets in the digital age. The story revolves around what initially appears to be an ordinary incident, a message that was sent and then deleted. However, as I progressed through the novel, it became clear that this seemingly minor act triggers a chain reaction of suspicion and doubt that unravels into something far darker. True to K. L. Slater’s style, the novel delves into themes of trust, betrayal, and the hidden complexities that often lie beneath the surface of everyday lives.
From my perspective, this is very much a domestic suspense novel driven more by psychological tension than by dramatic action. Rather than relying on high-stake chases or shocking violence, the narrative builds its intensity through emotional strain and mounting unease. For readers like me who appreciate slow-burn mysteries with emotional depth, this approach is particularly effective.
The premise struck me as both simple and compelling. A deleted message sparks suspicion, and that suspicion gradually spirals into obsession. As the plot unfolds, layers of deception are carefully peeled back, revealing how one small digital action can conceal life-altering truths. I was especially drawn to the way the narrative exposes how fragile certainty can be when communication is incomplete or manipulated.
In terms of pacing, I felt the story began at a steady, deliberate rhythm, allowing me to become fully immersed in the domestic setting and the relationships at its core. As the novel progressed, the tension escalated naturally, particularly once secrets began to surface and assumptions were challenged. The final act delivered sharper twists and a satisfying resolution that felt earned rather than rushed. Slater’s method of building suspense through withheld information and shifting perspectives, rather than through overtly dramatic scenes, heightened the sense of psychological unease throughout.
The characters felt convincingly human to me, flawed, vulnerable, and at times frustratingly real. The protagonist’s emotional reactions drive much of the tension, and I found the portrayal of paranoia, guilt, and doubt within intimate domestic spaces especially compelling. Slater captures the quiet intensity of private fears and unspoken suspicions with notable skill. The secondary characters are sufficiently layered to keep motives ambiguous, and I often found myself questioning who could truly be trusted. This persistent uncertainty significantly enhanced the overall atmosphere of unease.
K. L. Slater’s writing style is accessible and direct, which I believe contributes greatly to the novel’s readability. The short chapters encouraged me to continue reading, often telling myself, “Just one more chapter.” While the prose is not overly descriptive, it effectively conveys both atmosphere and emotional strain. The integration of modern communication, texts, deleted messages, and digital traces, adds a contemporary relevance that feels believable and timely, reinforcing the central premise in a way that resonates with modern readers.
Thematically, the novel prompted me to reflect on digital secrets and privacy, the fragility of trust within relationships, and the powerful roles of guilt and manipulation. It also explores how easily perception can be distorted, especially when information is incomplete or deliberately concealed. I was left considering how technology can amplify misunderstandings and how fragile our narratives about the people closest to us truly are.
What I appreciated most was the strong psychological tension that underpins the story and the relatable domestic setting that grounds its drama. The short, gripping chapters, maintained momentum, and the twists toward the end were effective without feeling gratuitous. The modern, relevant premise further strengthened my engagement with the narrative.
That said, I did feel that the slower build might not appeal to readers who prefer fast-paced thrillers with immediate action. At times, I wished certain secondary characters had been explored in greater depth to enhance the emotional stakes. Additionally, a few plot conveniences required some suspension of disbelief, though they did not significantly detract from my overall enjoyment.
In conclusion, I found Message Deleted to be a compelling domestic thriller that thrives on emotional tension and the power of seemingly small secrets. Although it is not action-heavy, it delivers suspense through psychological complexity and carefully timed revelations. For readers who value character-driven tension and contemporary themes, it is a satisfying and thought-provoking read.
From my perspective, this is very much a domestic suspense novel driven more by psychological tension than by dramatic action. Rather than relying on high-stake chases or shocking violence, the narrative builds its intensity through emotional strain and mounting unease. For readers like me who appreciate slow-burn mysteries with emotional depth, this approach is particularly effective.
The premise struck me as both simple and compelling. A deleted message sparks suspicion, and that suspicion gradually spirals into obsession. As the plot unfolds, layers of deception are carefully peeled back, revealing how one small digital action can conceal life-altering truths. I was especially drawn to the way the narrative exposes how fragile certainty can be when communication is incomplete or manipulated.
In terms of pacing, I felt the story began at a steady, deliberate rhythm, allowing me to become fully immersed in the domestic setting and the relationships at its core. As the novel progressed, the tension escalated naturally, particularly once secrets began to surface and assumptions were challenged. The final act delivered sharper twists and a satisfying resolution that felt earned rather than rushed. Slater’s method of building suspense through withheld information and shifting perspectives, rather than through overtly dramatic scenes, heightened the sense of psychological unease throughout.
The characters felt convincingly human to me, flawed, vulnerable, and at times frustratingly real. The protagonist’s emotional reactions drive much of the tension, and I found the portrayal of paranoia, guilt, and doubt within intimate domestic spaces especially compelling. Slater captures the quiet intensity of private fears and unspoken suspicions with notable skill. The secondary characters are sufficiently layered to keep motives ambiguous, and I often found myself questioning who could truly be trusted. This persistent uncertainty significantly enhanced the overall atmosphere of unease.
K. L. Slater’s writing style is accessible and direct, which I believe contributes greatly to the novel’s readability. The short chapters encouraged me to continue reading, often telling myself, “Just one more chapter.” While the prose is not overly descriptive, it effectively conveys both atmosphere and emotional strain. The integration of modern communication, texts, deleted messages, and digital traces, adds a contemporary relevance that feels believable and timely, reinforcing the central premise in a way that resonates with modern readers.
Thematically, the novel prompted me to reflect on digital secrets and privacy, the fragility of trust within relationships, and the powerful roles of guilt and manipulation. It also explores how easily perception can be distorted, especially when information is incomplete or deliberately concealed. I was left considering how technology can amplify misunderstandings and how fragile our narratives about the people closest to us truly are.
What I appreciated most was the strong psychological tension that underpins the story and the relatable domestic setting that grounds its drama. The short, gripping chapters, maintained momentum, and the twists toward the end were effective without feeling gratuitous. The modern, relevant premise further strengthened my engagement with the narrative.
That said, I did feel that the slower build might not appeal to readers who prefer fast-paced thrillers with immediate action. At times, I wished certain secondary characters had been explored in greater depth to enhance the emotional stakes. Additionally, a few plot conveniences required some suspension of disbelief, though they did not significantly detract from my overall enjoyment.
In conclusion, I found Message Deleted to be a compelling domestic thriller that thrives on emotional tension and the power of seemingly small secrets. Although it is not action-heavy, it delivers suspense through psychological complexity and carefully timed revelations. For readers who value character-driven tension and contemporary themes, it is a satisfying and thought-provoking read.
January 26, 2026
Didn't read the epilogue 🤭
From the first half?it was boring,I was this close👌🏾 to dropping it
Second half?I was getting inetr3stested a bit more and curious as to what happened to Leona and Rose and who killed Ash, però..... the flipping reveal was just underwhelming for me
The whole reveal of the 10 year old boy who drowned and Saffy being there and her trying to saving him then leaving him ,for that to be the sole reason, Wes, attacked Poppy,Saffy's sister and Leona ,i dont even know what is going on with her, she needs therapy or something,
The ending was boring and wasn't bothered to read the aftermath of it
From the first half?it was boring,I was this close👌🏾 to dropping it
Second half?I was getting inetr3stested a bit more and curious as to what happened to Leona and Rose and who killed Ash, però..... the flipping reveal was just underwhelming for me
The whole reveal of the 10 year old boy who drowned and Saffy being there and her trying to saving him then leaving him ,for that to be the sole reason, Wes, attacked Poppy,Saffy's sister and Leona ,i dont even know what is going on with her, she needs therapy or something,
The ending was boring and wasn't bothered to read the aftermath of it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2026
a deleted text message. a missing best friend. blood all over the kitchen. I was hooked before the end of chapter one and I did not stop until the very last page. there were twists I never saw coming and ones I pieced together myself - and somehow both felt equally satisfying. Saffy is messy and complicated and I loved her for it.
the way Slater weaves the past and present together is so seamlessly done. if you’re a Lisa Jewell or Freida McFadden girlie - this is your next read. no debate.
the way Slater weaves the past and present together is so seamlessly done. if you’re a Lisa Jewell or Freida McFadden girlie - this is your next read. no debate.
February 26, 2026
In my opinion all of the characters in this book are completely blah! There is not one individual that stood out to me as being likeable. The story also seemed way too long. I have read other books by this author that I enjoyed a lot more. This one did pull me in immediately with the deleted messages, which I found interesting, but the rest of the book was certainly not what I was expecting.
September 10, 2025
the ending is okay but feels as though i could’ve picked up this book half way through and still understood what was going on, very long winded and dragged out- if it was more to the point and less waffle then it probably would’ve been an easier read.
September 15, 2025
I had a lot of trouble getting into this book and ended up skimming a lot of it. I felt it was actually quite predictable and rather boring. Definitely not a page turner. It was actually very easy for me to put down and very difficult to motivate myself to pick it back up!
May 7, 2025
A good read, but I could only give it 3 stars because of the way everything with the characters gets turned out.
July 26, 2025
This was beautifully written and well worth picking up.
August 13, 2025
A bit of a slow start but worth persevering with lots of twists
November 10, 2025
Suspenseful
November 25, 2025
A good read but took me a while to finish.
The first half of the book went on for a bit too long, and slightly disappointing ending. Was still full of suspense but just nothing too special.
The first half of the book went on for a bit too long, and slightly disappointing ending. Was still full of suspense but just nothing too special.
January 15, 2026
Very interesting! Didn’t expect the ending at all
January 26, 2026
Soooooo good. Couldn’t put it down. Lots of links between characters and couldn’t guess the ending.
May 30, 2025
This was a start, put down and then come back to kinda book… but wow thank god I came back too it!
Really great twists and turns and what an ending.
100% add it to your TBR list!!
Really great twists and turns and what an ending.
100% add it to your TBR list!!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews