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What Have I Done?
9 hours, 15 minutes
You let her in. Was that your first mistake?
Stranded in Paris during an air traffic crisis, Laura offers to share her hotel room with a young woman who seems lost and alone. It’s a split-second act of kindness—one any good mother would make. But as the girl slips away at dawn, Laura feels a whisper of unease.
Weeks later, as her precious family is targeted one by one, Laura’s ordinary life completely unravels and she can’t shake the feeling that everything leads back to that night.
Suddenly she’s in a police cell, the main suspect in a serious crime. But what has she done to deserve this? Laura must battle to unlock the secret behind this darkest of nightmares, while trying to save her family.
If she fails, will it all be her fault?
You let her in. Was that your first mistake?
Stranded in Paris during an air traffic crisis, Laura offers to share her hotel room with a young woman who seems lost and alone. It’s a split-second act of kindness—one any good mother would make. But as the girl slips away at dawn, Laura feels a whisper of unease.
Weeks later, as her precious family is targeted one by one, Laura’s ordinary life completely unravels and she can’t shake the feeling that everything leads back to that night.
Suddenly she’s in a police cell, the main suspect in a serious crime. But what has she done to deserve this? Laura must battle to unlock the secret behind this darkest of nightmares, while trying to save her family.
If she fails, will it all be her fault?
Audible Audio
First published January 6, 2026
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About the author
Teresa Driscoll
14 books2,730 followersTeresa Driscoll is a former BBC TV news presenter whose psychological thrillers have sold over two million copies in more than 20 languages. Her first thriller I AM WATCHING YOU was kindle #1 in the UK, USA and Australia and has sold more than 1.5 million copies in English alone.
Teresa writes book club fiction as well as thrillers and her work has been optioned for film.
During her long career as a journalist, Teresa worked for newspapers, magazines and television, including 15 years presenting the BBC TV news programme Spotlight. Covering crime for so long, she was deeply moved by the haunting impact on the relatives, the friends and the witnesses and it is those ripples she explores now in her darker fiction.
Teresa lives in glorious Devon with her family and blogs regularly about her "writing life" at her website - www.teresadriscoll.com.
Teresa writes book club fiction as well as thrillers and her work has been optioned for film.
During her long career as a journalist, Teresa worked for newspapers, magazines and television, including 15 years presenting the BBC TV news programme Spotlight. Covering crime for so long, she was deeply moved by the haunting impact on the relatives, the friends and the witnesses and it is those ripples she explores now in her darker fiction.
Teresa lives in glorious Devon with her family and blogs regularly about her "writing life" at her website - www.teresadriscoll.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
November 7, 2025
Laura Harry is in Barcelona at the airport for a flight back to the U.K. but it’s is especially chaotic following British air traffic control systems going down. In the ensuing carnage people are desperate to get on flights, any flights but Laura manages to bag one for Paris, at a vastly inflated price. She thinks ahead and is lucky to be able to reserve a twin bed hotel room in the city and from there hopefully board Eurostar the following morning. A young woman is not so lucky and Laura makes the rash decision to offer Jade the other bed in her room. Laura fails to spot any red flags and has absolutely no idea where it will all lead to. After all, how could she? However, it is the key as to why her life, and that of her family, unravels so disastrously in the following weeks.
The first half of the novel is good, having plenty of tension and unease following some strange incidents that are very puzzling. However, from that point on I find it falls very flat becoming melodramatic and at times, a bit silly. The final twist doesn’t land well for me either. Some of the characters are not particularly realistic with a couple making my eyes roll, as does some of the dialogue. It’s disjointed too as the various points of view don’t flow well and one adds very little to the drama.
Overall, I usually enjoy Teresa Driscoll‘s books but this is not her best in my opinion.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to the publishers for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
The first half of the novel is good, having plenty of tension and unease following some strange incidents that are very puzzling. However, from that point on I find it falls very flat becoming melodramatic and at times, a bit silly. The final twist doesn’t land well for me either. Some of the characters are not particularly realistic with a couple making my eyes roll, as does some of the dialogue. It’s disjointed too as the various points of view don’t flow well and one adds very little to the drama.
Overall, I usually enjoy Teresa Driscoll‘s books but this is not her best in my opinion.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to the publishers for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
January 10, 2026
Not Teresa Driscoll's best book.
😭😭😭
What happens when a "Good Samaritan" protagonist generously shares a hotel room with a young female stranger?
Although I enjoyed the "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished" premise and suspense hook, the book's jumbled, disjointed, and dizzying timelines and character perspectives negatively impacted my star rating.
Many characters and plotlines were unrealistic and unbelievable.
I am a huge Teresa Driscoll fan, so perhaps my expectations were set too high.
Technically a standalone novel, several characters from Driscoll’s previous books (such as DI Melanie Sanders and a kidnapped girl) made significant appearances.
Therefore, reading the author's earlier books is highly recommended before reading this one.
I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Elizabeth Knowelden.
Although the narration was superb, the book unfolded from multiple POVs and would have benefited from a full-cast narration.
January 12, 2026
I don't like to give low ratings to NetGalley books that I read. That's why I am careful about what I request. Sometimes I make a mistake and run into one I didn't like, and then I must write a review explaining why I didn't like it. I hadn't read anything by this author before, but the blurb sounded interesting, suggesting that it would be at least an average read or better. It is not. WHAT HAVE I DONE is at best a 1.5 star book, and had I borrowed it from the library, I would have dnf'd by the 15% point.
Where to begin:
1) Laura, the main protagonist, is extremely unlikable. When reading the sections of the story seen from her perspective, it was like hearing a nail scratching across a blackboard. Some readers might like her but I definitely did not.
2) Laura's daughters, Ruby and Clara, initially seemed more appealing, but as the story progressed, they became less attractive because both turned out to be foolish—so naive as to be unbelievable.
3) The villain, when finally unmasked, was totally unbelievable, a boogeyman who might appear in a child's book. No complexity. No real rationale for (his/her) actions.
4) Only one character was in the least bit captivating, Special Constable Amelie Hill, and she appeared far too infrequently.
5) However, the real flaw in this novel was the plot. Meagre. Weak. Feeble. To cover up this lacklustre plot, the story was written like it was an exercise done for a Creative Writing class. The timelines and character perspectives were jumbled. What seemed so important—what Laura did to cause a rift in her relationship with Ruby—was not described until 65% of the story had been told, even though it was left hanging at the end of almost every chapter from early on in the book. And when it was finally revealed, it was so trite, so trivial, that I, at least, thought that I would have done exactly the same as Laura under the same circumstances.
In short, a weak plot and unrealistic characters. A one-star novel, raised to 1.5 stars because one character, Amelie Hill, shone the short time she was featured. The story should have begun with her investigations.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing an electronic copy of this book. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinions.
Where to begin:
1) Laura, the main protagonist, is extremely unlikable. When reading the sections of the story seen from her perspective, it was like hearing a nail scratching across a blackboard. Some readers might like her but I definitely did not.
2) Laura's daughters, Ruby and Clara, initially seemed more appealing, but as the story progressed, they became less attractive because both turned out to be foolish—so naive as to be unbelievable.
3) The villain, when finally unmasked, was totally unbelievable, a boogeyman who might appear in a child's book. No complexity. No real rationale for (his/her) actions.
4) Only one character was in the least bit captivating, Special Constable Amelie Hill, and she appeared far too infrequently.
5) However, the real flaw in this novel was the plot. Meagre. Weak. Feeble. To cover up this lacklustre plot, the story was written like it was an exercise done for a Creative Writing class. The timelines and character perspectives were jumbled. What seemed so important—what Laura did to cause a rift in her relationship with Ruby—was not described until 65% of the story had been told, even though it was left hanging at the end of almost every chapter from early on in the book. And when it was finally revealed, it was so trite, so trivial, that I, at least, thought that I would have done exactly the same as Laura under the same circumstances.
In short, a weak plot and unrealistic characters. A one-star novel, raised to 1.5 stars because one character, Amelie Hill, shone the short time she was featured. The story should have begun with her investigations.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing an electronic copy of this book. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinions.
January 10, 2026
good concept, but…
“What Have I Done”, by Teresa Driscoll (a new author to me).
a generous 3 stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
This book started so well and I thought that the writing (until the last 30%) was good.
The concept had everything to make this book a winner, but..,
The timeline structure was interesting and done with multiple POV (but I don’t think it will please some readers, especially those who prefers a linear progression).
I really enjoyed the first 42%, especially the family drama, which kept me interested.
Once the police started getting into the scene, I kind of started losing interest, as I did not like their interactions with the other characters. I found the police work poorly described and quite questionable.
After 55%, the story became a bit dramatic, and not in an interesting way.
The plot twist was very disappointing for me, and the story development in the last 25% was quite ludicrous, as if it was written by someone else.
Still, I may check the author’s previous books, as this is her latest release, but not so soon.
As English is not my first language, at least I learned a new word: “schism” and a new term: “operating theatre”.
E-book (Kindle): 341 pages (default), 79 chapters
“What Have I Done”, by Teresa Driscoll (a new author to me).
a generous 3 stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
This book started so well and I thought that the writing (until the last 30%) was good.
The concept had everything to make this book a winner, but..,
The timeline structure was interesting and done with multiple POV (but I don’t think it will please some readers, especially those who prefers a linear progression).
I really enjoyed the first 42%, especially the family drama, which kept me interested.
Once the police started getting into the scene, I kind of started losing interest, as I did not like their interactions with the other characters. I found the police work poorly described and quite questionable.
After 55%, the story became a bit dramatic, and not in an interesting way.
The plot twist was very disappointing for me, and the story development in the last 25% was quite ludicrous, as if it was written by someone else.
Still, I may check the author’s previous books, as this is her latest release, but not so soon.
As English is not my first language, at least I learned a new word: “schism” and a new term: “operating theatre”.
E-book (Kindle): 341 pages (default), 79 chapters
December 5, 2025
Whoa, what a roller coaster of a read. A simple act of kindness explodes into a nightmare for the Harry family . So much tension , intrigue and menace throughout the book. . I was desperate to find out how it would end and how the Harry family, Joe, Laura, Ruby and Carla would cope with extraordinary events
November 15, 2025
Rating: 1.2/5
What have I done? That is quite possibly the question you will be asking yourself before you have got too far into this disappointing read. I have previously read a couple of novels by Teresa Driscoll, one of which was impressive, whilst the other was okay, but nothing special. Sadly, "What Have I Done?" is simply poor. It is ludicrously contrived, melodramatic and just plain silly. It also contains more padding than a fake sumo wrestler's costume.
The initial premise is okay. Laura Harry finds herself stranded in Paris and, with hotel rooms in short supply, plays the Good Samaritan by offering a young woman the spare bed in her room for the night. Some readers may already find this scenario a bit of a stretch, though the author does state in her notes that this element of the story was based on an actual act of kindness by a friend of hers. Even if you are prepared to buy into this, it isn't long before it all becomes too much to take seriously. Melodrama sets in at an early stage and it isn't long before the plotline becomes increasingly silly. The police procedural thread of the story is purely laughable. If you are an admirer of clever plot twists, you are going to be very disappointed. Any twists that appear in this novel are of the "rabbit out of the hat" variety that are almost always guaranteed to earn a one star rating from me.
As ever, I would still like to convey my thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review. It is a pity I was not in a position to pass more favourable comment on this occasion.
What have I done? That is quite possibly the question you will be asking yourself before you have got too far into this disappointing read. I have previously read a couple of novels by Teresa Driscoll, one of which was impressive, whilst the other was okay, but nothing special. Sadly, "What Have I Done?" is simply poor. It is ludicrously contrived, melodramatic and just plain silly. It also contains more padding than a fake sumo wrestler's costume.
The initial premise is okay. Laura Harry finds herself stranded in Paris and, with hotel rooms in short supply, plays the Good Samaritan by offering a young woman the spare bed in her room for the night. Some readers may already find this scenario a bit of a stretch, though the author does state in her notes that this element of the story was based on an actual act of kindness by a friend of hers. Even if you are prepared to buy into this, it isn't long before it all becomes too much to take seriously. Melodrama sets in at an early stage and it isn't long before the plotline becomes increasingly silly. The police procedural thread of the story is purely laughable. If you are an admirer of clever plot twists, you are going to be very disappointed. Any twists that appear in this novel are of the "rabbit out of the hat" variety that are almost always guaranteed to earn a one star rating from me.
As ever, I would still like to convey my thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review. It is a pity I was not in a position to pass more favourable comment on this occasion.
January 17, 2026
So... I’m honestly a bit torn on this one. The premise sounded interesting; a woman stranded in Paris makes a split-second decision that ends up wrecking her life, buuuut I felt like the execution didn’t fully deliver.
Laura, our main character, seemed like a normal woman just trying to hold everything together. Her business, marriage and family are already strained before things take a turn for the worse. Her daughters, especially Ruby, came across as immature and difficult to sympathize with, and I didn’t really feel a strong emotional connection between them and Laura. (And the reason Ruby refused to speak to her? I think it was wild, because I really think any other person would've done exactly the same thing as Laura did.)
Once the story got moving, a few mysterious incidents happen, including a car accident, and eventually a murder accusation. And like that, I was hooked again, until the reveal, that felt quite flat. The “villain” was obvious early on and while the full extent of their manipulations, lies and actions was wild, it also felt a little unbalanced compared to their motive.
The narration, however, was solid and definitely elevated the experience. Overall, not a bad listen, but not one that completely wowed me either.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5★ rounded down)
Thank you NetGalley & Brilliance Publishing for the audiobook ARC!
Laura, our main character, seemed like a normal woman just trying to hold everything together. Her business, marriage and family are already strained before things take a turn for the worse. Her daughters, especially Ruby, came across as immature and difficult to sympathize with, and I didn’t really feel a strong emotional connection between them and Laura. (And the reason Ruby refused to speak to her? I think it was wild, because I really think any other person would've done exactly the same thing as Laura did.)
Once the story got moving, a few mysterious incidents happen, including a car accident, and eventually a murder accusation. And like that, I was hooked again, until the reveal, that felt quite flat. The “villain” was obvious early on and while the full extent of their manipulations, lies and actions was wild, it also felt a little unbalanced compared to their motive.
The narration, however, was solid and definitely elevated the experience. Overall, not a bad listen, but not one that completely wowed me either.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5★ rounded down)
Thank you NetGalley & Brilliance Publishing for the audiobook ARC!
October 31, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I previously read I Am Watching You by this author and really enjoyed it, so this one will definitely be added to my collection as well!
The story follows Laura, a mother who ends up sharing a hotel room with a stranger. After that night, everything in her life seems to fall apart. Could it all be connected to that one incident?
How far would you go to protect the ones you love? This book makes you rethink that question. It’s an emotional and thought-provoking story that keeps you guessing while exploring family bonds and secrets. Some of the characters are very likable and relatable. I found myself feeling quite emotional in certain chapters, especially when it came to Ruby and Laura’s relationship. Teresa Driscoll portrayed a very realistic and gloomy mother-daughter relationship, one that isn’t always happy or perfect. It was definitely exciting to read, constantly wondering what would happen next.
Some parts I didn’t like were the excessive POVs and shifting timelines; they made me a bit confused, and it took me a while to get into the story. I expected it to be a lot more chilling given the premise, but sadly it wasn’t. I also found it a bit overwhelming, there was just too much going on at once.
Overall, this was a solid four-star read for me! I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys emotional thrillers with a touch of sadness.
I previously read I Am Watching You by this author and really enjoyed it, so this one will definitely be added to my collection as well!
The story follows Laura, a mother who ends up sharing a hotel room with a stranger. After that night, everything in her life seems to fall apart. Could it all be connected to that one incident?
How far would you go to protect the ones you love? This book makes you rethink that question. It’s an emotional and thought-provoking story that keeps you guessing while exploring family bonds and secrets. Some of the characters are very likable and relatable. I found myself feeling quite emotional in certain chapters, especially when it came to Ruby and Laura’s relationship. Teresa Driscoll portrayed a very realistic and gloomy mother-daughter relationship, one that isn’t always happy or perfect. It was definitely exciting to read, constantly wondering what would happen next.
Some parts I didn’t like were the excessive POVs and shifting timelines; they made me a bit confused, and it took me a while to get into the story. I expected it to be a lot more chilling given the premise, but sadly it wasn’t. I also found it a bit overwhelming, there was just too much going on at once.
Overall, this was a solid four-star read for me! I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys emotional thrillers with a touch of sadness.
December 9, 2025
Holy dooly, this book was wild. You need to go in with the mindset that anything can happen as some parts do seem a bit unbelievable but if you're okay with that, you'll enjoy it as much as I did. Laura's husband, Joe, is in hospital after a car accident. Her eldest daughter Ruby doesn't speak to her and her youngest daughter Clara has her own issues. When Laura is arrested, the revelations begin. I sped through this book as I needed to know how it played out. As a mother, I appreciated the epilogue too.
February 1, 2026
Audiobook 3.5
November 2, 2025
3.5 stars
“No good deed goes unpunished.” That phrase kept running through my mind while reading this one. Without giving anything away, Laura’s split-second decisions—more than once—end up having some serious consequences. I definitely wanted to keep reading to see how everything would unfold.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
“No good deed goes unpunished.” That phrase kept running through my mind while reading this one. Without giving anything away, Laura’s split-second decisions—more than once—end up having some serious consequences. I definitely wanted to keep reading to see how everything would unfold.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
January 24, 2026
Another good thriller! This is brand new! I’ve read another by this author and also liked it. Some aspects of this book reminded me a lot of Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney. I did guess the ending near 80% but was still happy to follow it through to the end. Good stuff!
January 11, 2026
3.5 stars, rounded up. Review based on the audiobook version.
I have mixed feelings about this one! The story did really keep me engaged throughout, and I binge-listened to it in a single day, so clearly there’s an interesting story here. It’s just that the motive and the actions of the villain were so bonkers that I felt a little let down that there wasn’t a more realistic explanation for why everything was happening. A couple of the twists surprised me, and I appreciated how complex the scheme turned out to be. I did find myself also wondering why we were getting so much detail about the junior police officer and her mentor (turns out their backstory can be found in the author’s other work, though the books are marketed as standalones). And the conflict between mother and daughter was drawn out, and turned out to be rather tenuous, IMO. Overall, a decent thriller, and I’d be down for reading more by this new-to-me author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the ALC in exchange for an honest review!
I have mixed feelings about this one! The story did really keep me engaged throughout, and I binge-listened to it in a single day, so clearly there’s an interesting story here. It’s just that the motive and the actions of the villain were so bonkers that I felt a little let down that there wasn’t a more realistic explanation for why everything was happening. A couple of the twists surprised me, and I appreciated how complex the scheme turned out to be. I did find myself also wondering why we were getting so much detail about the junior police officer and her mentor (turns out their backstory can be found in the author’s other work, though the books are marketed as standalones). And the conflict between mother and daughter was drawn out, and turned out to be rather tenuous, IMO. Overall, a decent thriller, and I’d be down for reading more by this new-to-me author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the ALC in exchange for an honest review!
November 13, 2025
Trying to do a good turn to a fellow stranded passenger, Laura has no idea what impact this will have on her already fractured family.
She is already estranged from her daughter Ruby after an accusation against her boyfriend. Her youngest daughter Clara has anxiety issues, but is being helped by her friend Phoebe. And her husband is becoming increasingly snappy with her.
All this pales into insignificance as Laura finds herself arrested for Murder.
I've loved the Teresa Driscoll books I've read previously and this one is no exception, the suspense and tension mounts as you're left wondering what will happen next. As the story progresses into the second half it's clear the mastermind behind the story is clever and conniving, they've gone to some lengths to pull off this.
I liked the involvement of the PCOS, would like to see her feature in future books.
She is already estranged from her daughter Ruby after an accusation against her boyfriend. Her youngest daughter Clara has anxiety issues, but is being helped by her friend Phoebe. And her husband is becoming increasingly snappy with her.
All this pales into insignificance as Laura finds herself arrested for Murder.
I've loved the Teresa Driscoll books I've read previously and this one is no exception, the suspense and tension mounts as you're left wondering what will happen next. As the story progresses into the second half it's clear the mastermind behind the story is clever and conniving, they've gone to some lengths to pull off this.
I liked the involvement of the PCOS, would like to see her feature in future books.
October 25, 2025
This book intrigued me from the moment I picked it up, leading me to read all in one sitting.
It follows a mother who hasn’t had contact with her eldest daughter in a year, and struggling with her youngest daughter who can’t decide whether to take a gap year or go to university.
The fast pace of this book along with the constant twists and unexpected turns, made it an enjoyable read. Initially I found it difficult to keep up with the different POVs and timelines, but soon was so invested I stopped noticing these at all.
I’ve read a lot of Teresa Driscoll’s books and this is another addition to a great collection
It follows a mother who hasn’t had contact with her eldest daughter in a year, and struggling with her youngest daughter who can’t decide whether to take a gap year or go to university.
The fast pace of this book along with the constant twists and unexpected turns, made it an enjoyable read. Initially I found it difficult to keep up with the different POVs and timelines, but soon was so invested I stopped noticing these at all.
I’ve read a lot of Teresa Driscoll’s books and this is another addition to a great collection
February 3, 2026
I have typically really enjoyed her books, but this one didn’t seem like her writing style. I felt lost and not really sure where this book was going. I understand you need to have a mystery element in the book, but it was almost too much of a mystery.
I was not a fan of any of the characters and then when I found out why the mom and daughter stopped talking, that really annoyed me. IT made me really dislike the characters and their development.
Thanks NetGalley and publisher for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
I was not a fan of any of the characters and then when I found out why the mom and daughter stopped talking, that really annoyed me. IT made me really dislike the characters and their development.
Thanks NetGalley and publisher for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
January 20, 2026
3.5⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of What Have I Done? by Teresa Driscoll in exchange for an honest review.
I discovered Teresa Driscoll’s thrillers at the beginning of 2025 and read all of them back to back. I love her writing so when I saw she had a new book coming out I just had to read it. This was classic Driscoll; past/present timeline, suspenseful and twisted with cliffhangers at the end of many chapters. I really enjoyed this and would absolutely recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of What Have I Done? by Teresa Driscoll in exchange for an honest review.
I discovered Teresa Driscoll’s thrillers at the beginning of 2025 and read all of them back to back. I love her writing so when I saw she had a new book coming out I just had to read it. This was classic Driscoll; past/present timeline, suspenseful and twisted with cliffhangers at the end of many chapters. I really enjoyed this and would absolutely recommend.
December 11, 2025
This was a fast paced thriller that kept me hooked throughout. Short chapters as well which we love in a book. The only reason this one wasn’t a higher rating was because I sadly did see the twist happening and it didn’t catch me off guard. However, a fab book for this time of year.
December 8, 2025
I really enjoyed this psychological thriller. The author had very well developed characters and great storyline. It kept me guessing throughout and I couldn't wait to finish it since it grabbed my attention from the start and held it until the end. It was another middle of the night read so I could finish it.
did-not-finish
January 8, 2026The plot started slow. Honestly, I didn’t give this one much of a chance. All of my library holds became available at the same time, and I’d rather read those books. Maybe I’ll give it another chance later.
January 12, 2026
never disappoints
I did guess some of it but loved the twists. Also so happy to see old characters back…. Thank you, as a reader you wonder what happens to them so this was great to see more.
The messages behind the weren’t lost …..
I did guess some of it but loved the twists. Also so happy to see old characters back…. Thank you, as a reader you wonder what happens to them so this was great to see more.
The messages behind the weren’t lost …..
January 15, 2026
3.5. Not bad! I always enjoy when Matthew Hill makes a cameo!!
January 23, 2026
The beginning and middle was very slow paced. But I’m glad I pushed thru because the way the ending tied everything together was crazy.
January 14, 2026
4.5 stars
January 24, 2026
brilliant, well written thriller.
Excellent read. Good twist at the end ( which sadly I guessed ) but this did not ruin the book for me. Definitely recommend.
Excellent read. Good twist at the end ( which sadly I guessed ) but this did not ruin the book for me. Definitely recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
***I received an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review
When Laura is stranded in Paris during an air traffic crisis, she offers to split her twin room with a stranger when she realizes she got the last available room. The girl looked like she was about the same age as Laura's oldest daughter, so she immediately thought about how she would want someone to look out for Ruby in the same situation. When Laura wakes up the next morning, the girl has gone. Weeks later, Laura's life begins to unravel, but at first she doesn't attribute it to the stranger who stayed with her. When Laura's husband has a serious car wreck, it turns out someone used a laser to blind him. Then, when their younger daughter Clara convinces Ruby to come home because their dad is in the ICU in a medically-induced coma after surgery, Ruby discovers that her stalker has followed her home. Why is Laura's family imploding, and why does she have the creeping sensation that it is all tied back to Paris?
This book was SO good. The chapters went back and forth between past and present, so you got the backstory on all four family members slowly parceled out, and every once in awhile it would flash forward to Laura sitting in a jail cell, being held on murder charges, but you didn't have any more information to go on than that. Laura helped out Jade as an act of goodwill, and Jade could have robbed her in the middle of the night, but when she woke up, nothing was missing. Laura's husband Joe went to a club with a partner and some clients trying to close a deal, and while he was out, a woman took a selfie with him even though he asked her not to. Then the woman started blackmailing him, telling him she would tell his wife he was cheating with her, etc. if he didn't pay up, so he was on his way home to talk to his wife and tell her everything when the accident happened. It kept referring to a bad relationship or bad breakup that Ruby was trying to get over, and that she blamed her mother for. It took a long time to get all of the details on that, so I won't spoil that here. But Ruby left home and went to live and work in Scotland for a gap year, and she met a guy named Scott who had also been through a bad breakup. They bonded, and she thought they could just become really good friends, but he wanted more, so he began stalking her. Clara was stressed over the whole situation with Ruby and her ex, and her hair had started falling out, she was having anxiety and stomach issues, and she was just being really secretive as well. There were lots of twists and turns, and big reveals towards the end. This is perfect for fans of J.T. Ellison.
When Laura is stranded in Paris during an air traffic crisis, she offers to split her twin room with a stranger when she realizes she got the last available room. The girl looked like she was about the same age as Laura's oldest daughter, so she immediately thought about how she would want someone to look out for Ruby in the same situation. When Laura wakes up the next morning, the girl has gone. Weeks later, Laura's life begins to unravel, but at first she doesn't attribute it to the stranger who stayed with her. When Laura's husband has a serious car wreck, it turns out someone used a laser to blind him. Then, when their younger daughter Clara convinces Ruby to come home because their dad is in the ICU in a medically-induced coma after surgery, Ruby discovers that her stalker has followed her home. Why is Laura's family imploding, and why does she have the creeping sensation that it is all tied back to Paris?
This book was SO good. The chapters went back and forth between past and present, so you got the backstory on all four family members slowly parceled out, and every once in awhile it would flash forward to Laura sitting in a jail cell, being held on murder charges, but you didn't have any more information to go on than that. Laura helped out Jade as an act of goodwill, and Jade could have robbed her in the middle of the night, but when she woke up, nothing was missing. Laura's husband Joe went to a club with a partner and some clients trying to close a deal, and while he was out, a woman took a selfie with him even though he asked her not to. Then the woman started blackmailing him, telling him she would tell his wife he was cheating with her, etc. if he didn't pay up, so he was on his way home to talk to his wife and tell her everything when the accident happened. It kept referring to a bad relationship or bad breakup that Ruby was trying to get over, and that she blamed her mother for. It took a long time to get all of the details on that, so I won't spoil that here. But Ruby left home and went to live and work in Scotland for a gap year, and she met a guy named Scott who had also been through a bad breakup. They bonded, and she thought they could just become really good friends, but he wanted more, so he began stalking her. Clara was stressed over the whole situation with Ruby and her ex, and her hair had started falling out, she was having anxiety and stomach issues, and she was just being really secretive as well. There were lots of twists and turns, and big reveals towards the end. This is perfect for fans of J.T. Ellison.
October 27, 2025
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for this eARC.
🔍Teresa Driscoll’s What Have I Done? is a taut, emotionally charged thriller that explores how a single act of kindness can spiral into a nightmare. With her signature blend of psychological insight and narrative tension, Driscoll crafts a story that’s as much about maternal instinct and moral ambiguity as it is about unraveling a mystery.
🧠 Stranded in Paris during an air traffic crisis, Laura—a devoted mother and wife—makes a split-second decision to help a young woman who appears lost and vulnerable. She offers her hotel room for the night, thinking it’s the kind of thing any good person would do. But when the woman vanishes at dawn, leaving behind only unease, Laura’s life begins to unravel.
Weeks later, Laura’s family is targeted one by one. The attacks are subtle at first, then terrifyingly direct. As her world collapses, Laura finds herself in a police cell, accused of a serious crime. The question isn’t just what happened—it’s what she might have done to deserve it.
🔍 Driscoll probes the fragility of trust and the ripple effects of trauma. The novel explores:
- The cost of compassion in a cynical world
- The psychological toll of suspicion and isolation
- The blurred line between victim and perpetrator
- The complexity of motherhood under siege
Laura’s descent into paranoia is rendered with chilling clarity, making readers question every motive and memory.
✍️ Driscoll’s prose is crisp and evocative, with short chapters that heighten suspense and emotional immediacy. The narrative toggles between Laura’s present-day crisis and flashbacks that slowly reveal the layers of her decision. The pacing is relentless, but never rushed—each revelation lands with emotional weight.
👩👧 Laura is a compelling protagonist: empathetic, flawed, and increasingly desperate. Her maternal instincts clash with her growing fear, creating a tension that drives the story forward. The supporting cast—especially the enigmatic young woman and the investigators—are sketched with enough ambiguity to keep readers guessing.
⭐ What Have I Done? is a masterfully constructed thriller that turns a moment of kindness into a psychological crucible. Teresa Driscoll doesn’t just ask what happened—she asks what it means to be good, and how far we’ll go to protect the ones we love.
For fans of Lisa Jewell, Gillian McAllister, or domestic suspense with emotional bite, this is a must-read.
🔍Teresa Driscoll’s What Have I Done? is a taut, emotionally charged thriller that explores how a single act of kindness can spiral into a nightmare. With her signature blend of psychological insight and narrative tension, Driscoll crafts a story that’s as much about maternal instinct and moral ambiguity as it is about unraveling a mystery.
🧠 Stranded in Paris during an air traffic crisis, Laura—a devoted mother and wife—makes a split-second decision to help a young woman who appears lost and vulnerable. She offers her hotel room for the night, thinking it’s the kind of thing any good person would do. But when the woman vanishes at dawn, leaving behind only unease, Laura’s life begins to unravel.
Weeks later, Laura’s family is targeted one by one. The attacks are subtle at first, then terrifyingly direct. As her world collapses, Laura finds herself in a police cell, accused of a serious crime. The question isn’t just what happened—it’s what she might have done to deserve it.
🔍 Driscoll probes the fragility of trust and the ripple effects of trauma. The novel explores:
- The cost of compassion in a cynical world
- The psychological toll of suspicion and isolation
- The blurred line between victim and perpetrator
- The complexity of motherhood under siege
Laura’s descent into paranoia is rendered with chilling clarity, making readers question every motive and memory.
✍️ Driscoll’s prose is crisp and evocative, with short chapters that heighten suspense and emotional immediacy. The narrative toggles between Laura’s present-day crisis and flashbacks that slowly reveal the layers of her decision. The pacing is relentless, but never rushed—each revelation lands with emotional weight.
👩👧 Laura is a compelling protagonist: empathetic, flawed, and increasingly desperate. Her maternal instincts clash with her growing fear, creating a tension that drives the story forward. The supporting cast—especially the enigmatic young woman and the investigators—are sketched with enough ambiguity to keep readers guessing.
⭐ What Have I Done? is a masterfully constructed thriller that turns a moment of kindness into a psychological crucible. Teresa Driscoll doesn’t just ask what happened—she asks what it means to be good, and how far we’ll go to protect the ones we love.
For fans of Lisa Jewell, Gillian McAllister, or domestic suspense with emotional bite, this is a must-read.
January 13, 2026
Driscoll at her finest!
What Have I Done? By Teresa Driscoll
Thanks to @netgalley and Brilliance Publishing for the ARC! It was such a ride being able to read Teresa Driscoll’s latest novel! I absolutely loved it!
About the novel:
The story is told in a dual timeline and revolves around a family of four and two specific events that set in motion a tremendous loss for them all.
Driscoll portrays motherhood and its challenges wonderfully! She created a successful woman, mother of two wonderful daughters, loving wife and upstanding member of her community. However, underneath all that, there lived a sad woman. A woman full of regrets who couldn’t get her own daughter to talk to her.
Ruby couldn’t forget her mother and she took off. Stayed in contact with her father and younger sister but she couldn’t at a point forget her mother. Up until a phone call woke her up: her father was in the ICU, he had been involved in a car accident and his life was on the line. And so her way back home started. Unfortunately, she brought home so much more than her bags. She brought her.
My thoughts 💭
Oh I was definitely waiting for this book! It was so promising and it delivered as usual. Driscoll has a wonderful way to build her characters and I love it. This time she brought to the table: motherhood, addictions, vulnerability at its worst and hearts full of regrets.
And I want to make a point here: I want to remember my dear friend Cris who lost her daughter to a group of people like the ones portrayed in the novel, and died without seeing her again. Thank you for going over this topic to the author.
Finally, I want to make a second stop at the final message: forgiveness. We can’t move on in life without forgiveness. Hating and blaming are too heavy and time consuming. Driscoll wrote one of her finest scenes in the epilogue! I loved it!
What Have I Done? By Teresa Driscoll
Thanks to @netgalley and Brilliance Publishing for the ARC! It was such a ride being able to read Teresa Driscoll’s latest novel! I absolutely loved it!
About the novel:
The story is told in a dual timeline and revolves around a family of four and two specific events that set in motion a tremendous loss for them all.
Driscoll portrays motherhood and its challenges wonderfully! She created a successful woman, mother of two wonderful daughters, loving wife and upstanding member of her community. However, underneath all that, there lived a sad woman. A woman full of regrets who couldn’t get her own daughter to talk to her.
Ruby couldn’t forget her mother and she took off. Stayed in contact with her father and younger sister but she couldn’t at a point forget her mother. Up until a phone call woke her up: her father was in the ICU, he had been involved in a car accident and his life was on the line. And so her way back home started. Unfortunately, she brought home so much more than her bags. She brought her.
My thoughts 💭
Oh I was definitely waiting for this book! It was so promising and it delivered as usual. Driscoll has a wonderful way to build her characters and I love it. This time she brought to the table: motherhood, addictions, vulnerability at its worst and hearts full of regrets.
And I want to make a point here: I want to remember my dear friend Cris who lost her daughter to a group of people like the ones portrayed in the novel, and died without seeing her again. Thank you for going over this topic to the author.
Finally, I want to make a second stop at the final message: forgiveness. We can’t move on in life without forgiveness. Hating and blaming are too heavy and time consuming. Driscoll wrote one of her finest scenes in the epilogue! I loved it!
October 30, 2025
Title: What Have I Done?
Author: Teresa Driscoll
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publication Date: January 6, 2026
I had never read a book by this author, so I didn't know what to expect. This book is told by several different points of view and over two different time periods, before and now.
There seem to be a lot of secrets and animosity in Laura's family. A good portion of the book refers to a horrible thing that happened with Ned, but the references to the event are very vague. Chapter 7 (now) presents with Laura in a jail cell, but the reader has no clue why she's been arrested. We don't find out why she was arrested until just over halfway through the book. It just seemed odd to present the chapters/order of events in that manner.
There is a "woo woo" element to this book with the inclusion of a cultish type group called StarBonders. It's crazy to me how people can actually get all caught up in that type of nonsense.
This book had a lot of action, twists, and turns. All of the crazy events definitely kept me wanting to read more. I was actually able to figure out who was behind all of the tragic events that occurred in Laura's family, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the book. I found the storyline to be fairly unique. I will definitely try another of this author's books.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review.
Author: Teresa Driscoll
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publication Date: January 6, 2026
I had never read a book by this author, so I didn't know what to expect. This book is told by several different points of view and over two different time periods, before and now.
There seem to be a lot of secrets and animosity in Laura's family. A good portion of the book refers to a horrible thing that happened with Ned, but the references to the event are very vague. Chapter 7 (now) presents with Laura in a jail cell, but the reader has no clue why she's been arrested. We don't find out why she was arrested until just over halfway through the book. It just seemed odd to present the chapters/order of events in that manner.
There is a "woo woo" element to this book with the inclusion of a cultish type group called StarBonders. It's crazy to me how people can actually get all caught up in that type of nonsense.
This book had a lot of action, twists, and turns. All of the crazy events definitely kept me wanting to read more. I was actually able to figure out who was behind all of the tragic events that occurred in Laura's family, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the book. I found the storyline to be fairly unique. I will definitely try another of this author's books.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review.
January 6, 2026
What Have I Done? by Teresa Driscoll is a slow-burn family drama that only truly transitions into a thriller in its final moments. While the first half of the novel successfully builds plenty of tension and unease through a series of puzzling incidents, the second half unfortunately veers into melodrama, becoming a bit foolish and illogical in places.
The story follows Laura, a protagonist I found quite unlikable and frankly a bit boring. Her daughters, Ruby and Clara, didn't fare much better; they were painted as incredibly spoiled, and I found myself liking Ruby less and less as the mystery surrounding her relationship with her mother unfolded. Surprisingly, the standout character was Laura’s husband, Joe. In a genre where husbands are usually the villains, it was refreshing to see him portrayed as a genuinely decent man!
The mystery kept my attention enough that I was curious to see how the pieces fit together, but the ultimate "twist" lacked the excitement I was hoping for. While it made sense within the context of the story, it wasn't the jaw-dropping moment you want from a psychological thriller.
If you enjoy domestic dramas with a heavy focus on motherhood and "strange occurrences," you might find this interesting, but for those looking for a high-octane thriller with logical character choices, this one might feel a bit flat. It’s a decent read, but certainly not a standout.
The story follows Laura, a protagonist I found quite unlikable and frankly a bit boring. Her daughters, Ruby and Clara, didn't fare much better; they were painted as incredibly spoiled, and I found myself liking Ruby less and less as the mystery surrounding her relationship with her mother unfolded. Surprisingly, the standout character was Laura’s husband, Joe. In a genre where husbands are usually the villains, it was refreshing to see him portrayed as a genuinely decent man!
The mystery kept my attention enough that I was curious to see how the pieces fit together, but the ultimate "twist" lacked the excitement I was hoping for. While it made sense within the context of the story, it wasn't the jaw-dropping moment you want from a psychological thriller.
If you enjoy domestic dramas with a heavy focus on motherhood and "strange occurrences," you might find this interesting, but for those looking for a high-octane thriller with logical character choices, this one might feel a bit flat. It’s a decent read, but certainly not a standout.
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