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The Move: A gripping, unmissable thriller from the author of The Girl Before and Playing Nice
Not yet published
Expected 12 Mar 26*From the multi-million copy bestselling author of The Girl Before and Playing Nice, now major television series*
'JP Delaney has a gift for the unputdownable story' MICK HERRON
New beginnings c an be deadly . . .
Kate and Matt Crowther are finally moving out of London, in search of a better life for their young family. Trade Cottage seems to be the house of their dreams - and they immediately hit it off with the sellers, Rosemary and Paul Finch, who brought up their own family there.
When Kate and Matt move in, they're pleased to discover the Finches still very much in offering advice, introducing them to the local community, and becoming honorary grandparents to Will, 11, and Tilly, 9. But when the Finches take exception to Kate and Matt's renovations, relations with the neighbours sour, and Kate and Matt find themselves subjected to a vicious campaign of hate.
But Kate isn't giving up her dream home without a fight. And it turns out Trade Cottage has secrets of its own to reveal - secrets that may endanger the very family Kate has moved there to protect . . .
'JP Delaney is King of Thrillers' FIONA CUMMINS
'Twisty, unexpected and utterly convincing' DAILY MAIL
READERS LOVE JP DELANEY
'My favourite author!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'The twists and turns are always unexpected' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'The master of spinning stories' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'An all-time favourite of mine' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Love this author's books, so clever!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'JP Delaney has a gift for the unputdownable story' MICK HERRON
New beginnings c an be deadly . . .
Kate and Matt Crowther are finally moving out of London, in search of a better life for their young family. Trade Cottage seems to be the house of their dreams - and they immediately hit it off with the sellers, Rosemary and Paul Finch, who brought up their own family there.
When Kate and Matt move in, they're pleased to discover the Finches still very much in offering advice, introducing them to the local community, and becoming honorary grandparents to Will, 11, and Tilly, 9. But when the Finches take exception to Kate and Matt's renovations, relations with the neighbours sour, and Kate and Matt find themselves subjected to a vicious campaign of hate.
But Kate isn't giving up her dream home without a fight. And it turns out Trade Cottage has secrets of its own to reveal - secrets that may endanger the very family Kate has moved there to protect . . .
'JP Delaney is King of Thrillers' FIONA CUMMINS
'Twisty, unexpected and utterly convincing' DAILY MAIL
READERS LOVE JP DELANEY
'My favourite author!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'The twists and turns are always unexpected' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'The master of spinning stories' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'An all-time favourite of mine' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Love this author's books, so clever!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 12, 2026
69 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 2, 2025
Rosemary and Paul Finch are selling quirky, historic Trade Cottage and Kate and Matt absolutely fall in love with it, stretching themselves financially to make the move from Dulwich in London. In the beginning everything goes well, the whole family love Trade Cottage and they set about renovating it. As an added bonus, they get on well with the elderly previous owners. However, for a number of reasons, relations turn exceptionally sour and it seems the whole area is against them as they face a campaign of hate. However , Kate in particular is made of stern stuff but can she withstand this ever worsening barrage?
JP Delaney always delivers a highly entertaining and engaging thriller for his readers to get their “teeth” into and I thoroughly enjoy the psychological thriller, even though at times it’s perhaps a tad OTT! That’s not to say I don’t relish the plot escalation because I certainly do! I like how the energy and feelings in the village change but how Kate’s emotional attachment to Trade Cottage stays the same or even deepens but it brings out the steel in her personality. At times it gets quite dark as the vendetta gains malicious heat and so it’s engaging reading.
The main characters are well portrayed and can be visualised easily with the star of the show undoubtedly being the atmospheric cottage with all its ancient beauty and secrets. This is conveyed exceptionally well by the author and I love the inspiration noted in the afterword. The surrounding area is also used most effectively as the chilling twisty and twisted tale unfolds.
Overall, this is a fun, easy to read, tense thriller which clips along at a brisk pace. It’s another winner for this popular author.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Quercus Books for the much appreciated daily copy and return for an honest review.
JP Delaney always delivers a highly entertaining and engaging thriller for his readers to get their “teeth” into and I thoroughly enjoy the psychological thriller, even though at times it’s perhaps a tad OTT! That’s not to say I don’t relish the plot escalation because I certainly do! I like how the energy and feelings in the village change but how Kate’s emotional attachment to Trade Cottage stays the same or even deepens but it brings out the steel in her personality. At times it gets quite dark as the vendetta gains malicious heat and so it’s engaging reading.
The main characters are well portrayed and can be visualised easily with the star of the show undoubtedly being the atmospheric cottage with all its ancient beauty and secrets. This is conveyed exceptionally well by the author and I love the inspiration noted in the afterword. The surrounding area is also used most effectively as the chilling twisty and twisted tale unfolds.
Overall, this is a fun, easy to read, tense thriller which clips along at a brisk pace. It’s another winner for this popular author.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Quercus Books for the much appreciated daily copy and return for an honest review.
November 24, 2025
JP Delaney is one of those authors who has hovered on my periphery for a while. If I asked I would have thought I had read more of their novels however this is only my second after Playing Nice. However, that is about to change as I absolutely loved this one.
The Move in question is Kate and Matt's move into Trade Cottage, leaving behind the hustle of London for a beautiful house in the country. What's even better is that they have struck up a close relationship with the sellers, Rosemary and Paul who are downsizing into a local bungalow due to Paul's deteriorating health.
However, what starts as a beautiful friendship and shared love of the house soon descends into murkiness, back stabbing and treachery when Kate and Matt begin some renovations in the house which Rosemary and Paul continue to feel a close connection to. When the relationship sours to the point that the local community turn against them, will Kate and Matt stick it out or what secrets are really hiding behind the Trade cottage walls.
As I say, I loved this one. Trade Cottage is really brought alive here and you could sense why it was such a well-loved home, it almost became a character in itself. The four main characters were extremely well developed and the plot moves along beautifully but subtly as the relationship sours gently as time goes on.
I can't say too much more about the plot as there are some twists and turns which can't be hinted at but get your hands on a copy of this as soon as you can.
Thanks to Quercus Books | Quercus for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
The Move in question is Kate and Matt's move into Trade Cottage, leaving behind the hustle of London for a beautiful house in the country. What's even better is that they have struck up a close relationship with the sellers, Rosemary and Paul who are downsizing into a local bungalow due to Paul's deteriorating health.
However, what starts as a beautiful friendship and shared love of the house soon descends into murkiness, back stabbing and treachery when Kate and Matt begin some renovations in the house which Rosemary and Paul continue to feel a close connection to. When the relationship sours to the point that the local community turn against them, will Kate and Matt stick it out or what secrets are really hiding behind the Trade cottage walls.
As I say, I loved this one. Trade Cottage is really brought alive here and you could sense why it was such a well-loved home, it almost became a character in itself. The four main characters were extremely well developed and the plot moves along beautifully but subtly as the relationship sours gently as time goes on.
I can't say too much more about the plot as there are some twists and turns which can't be hinted at but get your hands on a copy of this as soon as you can.
Thanks to Quercus Books | Quercus for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
November 26, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus for an advanced copy of The Move in exchange for a review.
What a tense, suspense-filled, gripping thriller this was! In the first half, things bubbled up fairly slowly, setting quite a stressful tone, before ramping up massively in the second half with a very surprising change of direction!
In this domestic psychological thriller, Kate, Matt and their two children are ready to move away from London to somewhere with a quieter, less dangerous feel. Finally, they find the house of their dreams – Trade Cottage. A beautiful old house in the countryside that speaks to Kate immediately and she just knows it’s the house for them.
Previous owners, elderly couple Rosemary and Paul are incredibly friendly, and keen for their home to go to a family with children who will love the house as much as they have. But, after their continued advice and friendly introductions around the village starts out as a welcome help, things quickly start turning malicious as the older couple begin to overstep the mark with their presence and distaste for Kate’s changes to the house.
Suddenly the village feels a lot less welcoming when Rosemary and Paul start waging a vendetta against the new family.
I found the first half of the story so stressful, feeling so angry on behalf of Kate and Matt for how they were treated! But then BAM the direction of the story turned and there was twist after twist! Things turn quite dark and hugely compelling. I read the second half in one day, I couldn’t put it down!
It’s hard to say more about the plot and where things go without spoiling some great surprises but it was wonderful! And I loved the setting of Trade Cottage, which seemed to have a soul of its own that seeps into its owners with its history, secrets and beauty.
What a tense, suspense-filled, gripping thriller this was! In the first half, things bubbled up fairly slowly, setting quite a stressful tone, before ramping up massively in the second half with a very surprising change of direction!
In this domestic psychological thriller, Kate, Matt and their two children are ready to move away from London to somewhere with a quieter, less dangerous feel. Finally, they find the house of their dreams – Trade Cottage. A beautiful old house in the countryside that speaks to Kate immediately and she just knows it’s the house for them.
Previous owners, elderly couple Rosemary and Paul are incredibly friendly, and keen for their home to go to a family with children who will love the house as much as they have. But, after their continued advice and friendly introductions around the village starts out as a welcome help, things quickly start turning malicious as the older couple begin to overstep the mark with their presence and distaste for Kate’s changes to the house.
Suddenly the village feels a lot less welcoming when Rosemary and Paul start waging a vendetta against the new family.
I found the first half of the story so stressful, feeling so angry on behalf of Kate and Matt for how they were treated! But then BAM the direction of the story turned and there was twist after twist! Things turn quite dark and hugely compelling. I read the second half in one day, I couldn’t put it down!
It’s hard to say more about the plot and where things go without spoiling some great surprises but it was wonderful! And I loved the setting of Trade Cottage, which seemed to have a soul of its own that seeps into its owners with its history, secrets and beauty.
December 1, 2025
Kate moves into her dream home, Trade Cottage, along with her husband Matt and their children. They immediately hit it off with the sellers of the home, Rosemary and Paul Finch, who brought up their own family there. But when the Finch family take exception to planned renovations, soon relationships fracture and a campaign of hate begins.
J.P. Delaney is a go to author for me, having read all of his books and knowing that I will get an original, entertaining thriller, I hoped this would be much the same. I knew I had to add it to the top of my list. After reading I can happily say this follows his trademark style and actually ended up one my favourites by the author. The storyline was simple, but had its own unique spin and was hugely compelling. I was completely sucked into the drama and vendetta, and at times the story became very disturbing and enraging, while remaining tense and suspenseful throughout.
The characters were strongly written, each felt authentic and easy to imagine. I loved that Trade Cottage also felt like a main character in its own right, making the story feel atmospheric and charming. I enjoyed watching the storyline play out, desperate to know what would come next, and all the twists and turns that followed. I found that I learnt some things I didn’t know as well. Some parts may have felt slightly sudden, however this didn’t detract from the story and overall this was a fun, chilling and hugely entertaining thriller. I will definitely be recommending and looking forward to more by this author. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
J.P. Delaney is a go to author for me, having read all of his books and knowing that I will get an original, entertaining thriller, I hoped this would be much the same. I knew I had to add it to the top of my list. After reading I can happily say this follows his trademark style and actually ended up one my favourites by the author. The storyline was simple, but had its own unique spin and was hugely compelling. I was completely sucked into the drama and vendetta, and at times the story became very disturbing and enraging, while remaining tense and suspenseful throughout.
The characters were strongly written, each felt authentic and easy to imagine. I loved that Trade Cottage also felt like a main character in its own right, making the story feel atmospheric and charming. I enjoyed watching the storyline play out, desperate to know what would come next, and all the twists and turns that followed. I found that I learnt some things I didn’t know as well. Some parts may have felt slightly sudden, however this didn’t detract from the story and overall this was a fun, chilling and hugely entertaining thriller. I will definitely be recommending and looking forward to more by this author. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
November 17, 2025
JP Delaney is an auto read, jump to the top of the TBR list, always entertaining author. When I was approved for their latest book, The Move, I knew I was in for a treat. I didn’t expect to be dreaming about it as well as reading it!
In ‘The Move’, uber-stressed London family Kate, Matt and their two children desperate for a change of scenery and a change of pace. When they view idyllic country cottage ‘Trade Cottage’ they instantly fall in love with The quirky historic layout, the house’s history and most of all the current owners, retired couple Rosemary and Paul.
Kate and Matt are delighted to move into the cottage, envisioning country pub lunches, supportive community, horse riding, fruit picking- the works.
But as almost as soon as they move in, things start to turn and the glorious future Kate had imagined is under severe threat. They start to receive hate mail, they feel ignored by their new neighbours, and someone has reported them to the local council for illegal work.
The stand off continues to escalate, Kate desperate to keep her beloved home despite everything turning against her.
I couldn’t stop reading, desperate to find out how things would resolve. This is an entertaining psychological and domestic drama and I highly recommend it!
In ‘The Move’, uber-stressed London family Kate, Matt and their two children desperate for a change of scenery and a change of pace. When they view idyllic country cottage ‘Trade Cottage’ they instantly fall in love with The quirky historic layout, the house’s history and most of all the current owners, retired couple Rosemary and Paul.
Kate and Matt are delighted to move into the cottage, envisioning country pub lunches, supportive community, horse riding, fruit picking- the works.
But as almost as soon as they move in, things start to turn and the glorious future Kate had imagined is under severe threat. They start to receive hate mail, they feel ignored by their new neighbours, and someone has reported them to the local council for illegal work.
The stand off continues to escalate, Kate desperate to keep her beloved home despite everything turning against her.
I couldn’t stop reading, desperate to find out how things would resolve. This is an entertaining psychological and domestic drama and I highly recommend it!
December 2, 2025
Review of ‘The Move’ by JP Delaney, due to be published on 12 March 2026 by Quercus Books.
Kate, Matt and their two children are excited to move from their home in London to Trade Cottage, and to start renovations, even though they are stretched to the very limits of what they can afford.
Original owners, Paul and Rosemary, are really friendly, treating the family like their own, until they take exception to the work taking place at ‘their home’.
Things take a dramatic turn when their son Jamie arrives from America, leading to a vicious campaign of hate, and an evil vendetta against Kate and Matt.
The descriptions of the house and the surrounding area are beautifully written. The characters are well developed and some make you feel nauseous with the lengths they are prepared to go to, both to get what they want and to keep the past secrets they harbour buried.
A gripping and sinister psychological thriller, that holds you tight and doesn’t let go until the end. Definitely a recommended read, and undoubtedly another bestseller.
Kate, Matt and their two children are excited to move from their home in London to Trade Cottage, and to start renovations, even though they are stretched to the very limits of what they can afford.
Original owners, Paul and Rosemary, are really friendly, treating the family like their own, until they take exception to the work taking place at ‘their home’.
Things take a dramatic turn when their son Jamie arrives from America, leading to a vicious campaign of hate, and an evil vendetta against Kate and Matt.
The descriptions of the house and the surrounding area are beautifully written. The characters are well developed and some make you feel nauseous with the lengths they are prepared to go to, both to get what they want and to keep the past secrets they harbour buried.
A gripping and sinister psychological thriller, that holds you tight and doesn’t let go until the end. Definitely a recommended read, and undoubtedly another bestseller.
December 7, 2025
I’ve enjoyed most of the author’s previous novels so was looking forward to reading The Move.
Kate, Matt and their two children leave London to move into their dream home- Trade Cottage- in the Hampshire countryside. Rosemary and Paul, the previous owners have moved next door and Kate and their children develop a close relationship with them. However once Kate and Matt begin renovations on the house relationships with Rosemary, Paul and the rest of the community begin to break down.
I love psychological thrillers with a house at the centre and here Trade Cottage is a character in its own right. The author’s descriptions of the house are so atmospheric that I felt like I was there with the characters. There’s a good sense of tension, the plot moves along at a good pace and this was a gripping read that I raced through. At times I wondered if Kate’s devotion to a house she’d lived in for a short time was realistic and I found this frustrating but overall this was a satisfying thriller.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
Kate, Matt and their two children leave London to move into their dream home- Trade Cottage- in the Hampshire countryside. Rosemary and Paul, the previous owners have moved next door and Kate and their children develop a close relationship with them. However once Kate and Matt begin renovations on the house relationships with Rosemary, Paul and the rest of the community begin to break down.
I love psychological thrillers with a house at the centre and here Trade Cottage is a character in its own right. The author’s descriptions of the house are so atmospheric that I felt like I was there with the characters. There’s a good sense of tension, the plot moves along at a good pace and this was a gripping read that I raced through. At times I wondered if Kate’s devotion to a house she’d lived in for a short time was realistic and I found this frustrating but overall this was a satisfying thriller.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
November 29, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus for the ARC
The story follows Kate, Matt and their two children they are ready to move away from London they find the house of their dreams - Trade Cottage. A stunning old house in the countryside Kate knows straight away it’s the perfect house for them.
The previous owners, elderly couple Rosemary and Paul are so friendly and want their home to go to a family with children who will love the house as much as they have.
Rosemary and Paul are very much involved in the community them and the rest of village welcome them with open arms but very quickly the older couple that have moved next door begin to over step the mark and the whole village seem not very welcoming a vendetta against Kate and Matt
What a tense, gripping thriller I couldn’t put it down it kept me guessing all the way through
The Move is out 12th March 2026 and would 100% give this a read a very good thriller
The story follows Kate, Matt and their two children they are ready to move away from London they find the house of their dreams - Trade Cottage. A stunning old house in the countryside Kate knows straight away it’s the perfect house for them.
The previous owners, elderly couple Rosemary and Paul are so friendly and want their home to go to a family with children who will love the house as much as they have.
Rosemary and Paul are very much involved in the community them and the rest of village welcome them with open arms but very quickly the older couple that have moved next door begin to over step the mark and the whole village seem not very welcoming a vendetta against Kate and Matt
What a tense, gripping thriller I couldn’t put it down it kept me guessing all the way through
The Move is out 12th March 2026 and would 100% give this a read a very good thriller
November 17, 2025
Kate, Matt and their two young children were very excited to move into their new house in a countryside village. At first everything was idyllic.
When they settled in and started renovating the kitchen and dining room everything started to go wrong.
Then the previous owners decided they wanted to buy their house back and things went from bad to worse.
A chilling tale of village life, secrets and revenge.
Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
When they settled in and started renovating the kitchen and dining room everything started to go wrong.
Then the previous owners decided they wanted to buy their house back and things went from bad to worse.
A chilling tale of village life, secrets and revenge.
Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 4, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review. I’m a fan of JP Delaney’s previous books so I was excited to read this new book. The Move was a great psychological and domestic thriller with fabulous characters and depth to the story. I was instantly hooked by this book and I was eager to find out how it would end. The story had drama and was very suspenseful. Overall a great book.
November 17, 2025
Atmospheric and suspenseful, I enjoyed the drama of Kate and Matt moving to their new home with their children and discovering their new neighbours. Old houses harbour secrets and surprises. I thought this an original psychological thriller with interesting characters. A modern version of a Gothic style, set in an old house.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews