The Death Bed

by Chris Bridges

PRAISE FOR CHRIS BRIDGES

‘Hugely gripping’ ABIGAIL DEAN

‘A unique new voice’ ERIN KELLY

‘Full of surprises’ LESLEY KARA

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She’s not there to save her friend.

She’s there to silence her.

When nurse Laura arrives at her old best friend’s death bed, it’s not out of compassion – it’s out of fear. Her enigmatic friend Sadie is dying, and with her last breath, she might destroy everything.

Sixteen years ago, tragedy tore their group of nursing students apart. And Laura has spent every moment since then ensuring the truth never sees the light of day.

But as Sadie fades, the past refuses to stay buried. And Laura is about to The dying don’t always go quietly.

And some confessions are worth killing for.

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AUTHORS LOVE THE DEATH BED

'Sinister and packed with twists' D S BUTLER

'The Death Bed kept me intrigued and hooked until the shocking end’ MARIE TIERNEY

‘Vivid, harrowing and utterly compelling' LESLEY KARA

'As slick as it is sick' JO FURNISS

‘Intriguing, atmospheric and unpredictably twisty’ CATHERINE KIRWAN

'Darkly atmospheric and gripping’ ASHLEY TATE

‘Sick, twisted and impossible to put down!’ NAOMI WILLIAMS

‘Dark, twisty and dripping with dread’ CAROLE HAILEY

‘Fresh and distinctive storytelling' KINGSLEY PEARSON

‘Simmers with tension and mystery’ KATHERYN SHARMAN

‘Intoxicating and riveting’ BONNIE BURKE-PATEL

‘A brilliantly astute thriller’ PHILIPPA EAST

'An immersive page-turner' KATE KEMP

‘The kind of book you lose sleep to keep reading’ REBECCA HANNIGAN

'No one can be trusted, and the twists keep coming. I couldn't put it down' JO LEEVERS

'One of the most gripping novels I’ve read this year’ SAM FRANCES

'A novel injected with so much menace, you’ll be left reeling' KATIE HUTTLESTONE

'Compulsive, addictive and gripping' LOUISE SWANSON

'A dark, tension-fuelled thriller’ RUTH IRONS

'Jam-packed with plot twists and a killer ending' NATALI SIMMONDS

'Taut, quiet and unnervingly atmospheric' SEAN WATKIN

'Clever and relentlessly compelling, this sophisticated thriller held me in its grip' CELIA SILVANI

'A compelling thriller which you'l

Genres: Thriller

380 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 26, 2026

Reviews

[Jayne · Rating 1 out of 5]

This "BED" book was a SLEEPER!

It was a "thriller" that lacked thrills.
🛏️💤🥱🛏️

I am an impatient reader/listener and the book was very, very, very slow burn.

Frequently, I had to pinch myself to stay awake.

I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Kristin Atherton and Julia Bird.

Even these two talented narrators failed to enhance the listening experience.

[Tracy Fenton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read and LOVED Chris' debut book I was super excited to receive an early readers copy of his latest book THE DEATH BED.

The story centres around a young student nurse, Laura, who has moved to London to escape her past. She soon meets the exotic and somewhat enigmatic Sadie and to say she becomes OBSESSED is probably an understatement.

Sixteen years after a tragic event and the women have had no contact with each other, but when Laura is summoned to Sadie's death bed she has no alternative but to attend to ensure her deadly secrets remain secret.

The author has once again used his personal knowledge and experience in his books, this time about nursing and caring for patients which shows throughout the storyline, giving the readers that extra layer of reality and belief.

If you have read Chris' previous book you will know that he excels at creating dark, dysfunctional and extremely disturbed characters. I've met him a couple of times at Crime Festivals and he is REALLY nice in real life, quiet, unassuming and polite... but as the saying goes... "it's always the quiet ones" and I shiver to think what goes through his mind to be able to write these books.

This is a toxic tale of friendship, obsession and sinister twists.

Highly recommend.

[Maddie Weeks · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Read for a book tour, below is my honest review**

The Death Bed is the second book released by Chris Bridges. I haven’t read Sick to Death but it’s on my TBR!

The story is told through the POV of Laura. Laura is a student nurse who is befriended by Sadie during their training in the 90’s. Their friendship is full of ups, downs and secrets.

We get a then and now timeline as we go through Laura’s life. In the later years, she is forced to return to Sadie’s side after not seeing her for many years. Old threats and secrets resurface.

The characters in this book (particularly the women) are unhinged! They’re written well and I found that I didn’t really find any of them likeable which I think was the whole point.

It’s a slower pace than I was expecting when I went into it and at times I felt a little lost but it is a good read! The ending definitely upped the pace and shocked me!

If you have any content triggers, I advise you to read any trigger warnings beforehand.

I recommend this to anyone who loves an unhinged female character!

Thank you Compulsive Readers and Chris for letting me be a part of this tour!

I give this 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4 on Goodreads and Amazon)

[Beth Reads Crime]

Following on from his excellent debut, Sick to Death, last year, I’m very pleased to say that Bridges has absolutely done it again. The Death Bed is simply wonderful.

Told across dual timelines, predominantly in 2010, where nurse Laura is providing end-of-life care to Sadie and also from 1991–1993. The novel gradually reveals the complicated history between them. In the 90s, Laura is a student nurse in London, desperate to form a friendship with mature student Sadie. Sadie is so vividly drawn and easy to picture with her hennaed hair, vintage clothing, a black poodle called Coco and a large Edwardian home named Laurel House.

Sadie intrigues Laura; she is such a larger-than-life character, yet their age difference seems to bring a sense of stability. Laura finds herself imagining life at Laurel House rather than in her student accommodation, preferring Sadie’s company to that of her current housemates.

It’s obvious that something happened in the 90s, a reason why the two haven’t seen each other in all those years and something that Laura is determined to keep buried. As Sadie drifts in and out of fevered consciousness due to her sickness, Laura fears that she may actually spill the beans.

As with Sadie’s vivid depiction, the writing feels rich and immersive. From the student digs to the enigmatic Laurel House to the era and its atmosphere. There are so many layers at play here. Each character is complex, bringing their own issues and motivations to the surface. I loved peeling back those layers as the mysteries gradually unravelled and converged across the timelines.

Bridges’ nursing background adds authenticity and those who follow him online will appreciate the subtle personal touches, including the iconic poodles. I now definitely need to have a novella featuring Sick to Death‘s Emma and The Death Bed‘s. Laura together.

Thank you to Avon for the proof copy.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not every bedside vigil is about saying goodbye…
Sometimes it’s about making sure the truth never comes out. 💔

This was a dark, disturbing read and I honestly couldn’t put it down.🖤📖
The slow reveal of all the secrets coming out created such great tension as the story built. I love a dual timeline, and for me it always makes a thriller more addictive when the past and present slowly start to collide.

I really enjoyed the student nurse storyline too. You can tell Chris Bridges has drawn on his own experience working in healthcare, which made the hospital setting feel really authentic.
It’s a story full of guilt and secrets and completely character-driven, which is exactly the kind of thriller I love. 🤫

Honestly… toxic characters, buried secrets and loads of tension — I was completely here for it🔥

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Netgalley for giving me this free advance copy, and I’m writing this review honestly and without bias.
I really enjoyed the debut book by Chris Bridges, however this one did not live up to my expectation. Whilst the actual plot and style of writing were good the pace was excruciatingly slow - had this not been an ARC I would have stopped reading well before the midway point. A few twists but they lacked the execution and shock value. I do like the authors style of writing and he does well to write a dark read full of deprived and mostly unlikeable characters, but the pace was just too slow for me

[Cheryl Drury · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, where to start…. This book is dark. The characters are each very complex in their own way and pretty much all of them have complicated pasts that affect how they behave as people and towards each other. I’m not sure I found any of them particularly likeable but I feel as though that was how they were written to be and it was done well. At first I felt a bit sorry for Laura, like she found making friends difficult, but after a while she seemed a little creepy, especially how she was with the eccentric Sadie.
I felt like Laurel House definitely had a pull to it, to make people want to stay. It sounded like a fascinating place although with all that happened in it, I’m not really sure I’d like to visit.

It was a really great story that had me absolutely pulled in, waiting to see where each little secret went and I loved how I was fed little nuggets of information that led to big ‘Oh’ moments where things clicked into place.

If you’re looking for something dark, disturbing and gripping, this book will be right up your street.

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read and enjoyed this author's debut, Sick to Death, a while ago I was very excited to get my grubby mitts on this, the dreaded, scary, tricky follow up. Well... blow me down, this exceeded all my expectations!
That is, if, like me, you like your books chock full of dysfunctional, co-dependent, car crash behaviour. Served with a healthy slice of addiction and the most larger than life, nasty (in a great way) characters...
This book has all that, and then some. Told in a split timeline, with the parts in the past being inserted at exactly the right time to illustrate, explain, and progress what is happening in the present day.
So... Laura is a nurse who has a bit of a chequered past but is getting herself back on track and, when we first meet her in the past, she has just started to train as a nurse. Back in the present, we see that she is still a nurse and has done well by that profession. But her world is about to get torn apart when the daughter of an old "friend" visits her to try and persuade her to come back with her to nurse said old "friend" who is dying. I say friend in quotes as, well, you'll find out. What I will just say is that they haven't been friends since the tragedy that tore them and the rest of the group apart some 16 years ago... But Laura has no choice. After all, a dying woman has nothing to lose and, especially in this case, everything to tell...
And that's all I am saying as to say any more would run the risk of injecting spoilers. Suffice to say that I was absolutely held captive by this book, desperate to find out all the grubby and nasty secrets that were hinted at all the way through and, by the time all was exposed, when the characters were all laid bare and everything made as much sense as dysfunctional, unlikeable, misfits acting out abhorrent behaviour, could, I just had to sit back and applaud the author for a job well done.
All in all, a cracking book that I have no hesitation to recommend for fans of the genre who love a dysfunctional car crash of characters driving a convoluted, interconnected, tightly plotted narrative. Me, I'm now hanging for book three... My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

[Kim Snaith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been so looking forward to The Death Bed after loving Chris' debut novel, Sick to Death, last year. That book was enough to cement Chris as one of my favourite authors, not to mention one of the most genuine, lovely souls. His Instagram is a source of joy, and meeting him at last year's Harrogate Crime Festival was a real highlight.

The Death Bed is the story of Laura, a nurse, and her close friend Sadie. Split over two timelines, we get the perspective of 1990s Laura, as a student nurse going through her training, and 2010 Laura, when Sadie, after 15 years of being estranged, calls her to her death bed. Dying of cancer, Sadie says she wants Laura to be the one to care for her. But Laura just wants to make sure Sadie doesn't spill her secrets while she still can...

This is a slow-burn novel which concerns itself with detail and setting just as much as plot. Laurel House, where Sadie lives and Laura stays as a student, is just as much a character as anyone else; it feels like a living, breathing entity. It's almost as complex as Laura and Sadie, too, both who hold secrets right from the moment we meet them. They are equally mysterious and intriguing, and getting to know more about them will ultimately be what keeps you reading.

Bridges does a fantastic job of teasing his readers, giving just enough away about Laura to keep us hanging on. It's a payoff that you'll need to keep reading for, though, and thankfully the beautiful prose will hold your attention. It's clear Chris has poured a lot of himself in here, from his previous career to his style - it oozes out of the pages. Thankfully, he's much more likeable than the characters he's created - but then that is testament to his writing ability.

Neither Laura or Sadie, or any of the sub-characters, are fully likeable, all with questionable traits and blurry morals. You'll likely be frustrated at each and every one of them at some point during the course of The Death Bed, but that's the nature of this thriller. It's Laura's story, not yours.

If you like layered plots, dark characters and slow-burn intrigue, you're in for a treat. A solid follow-up from Bridges, and I can't wait to see what comes next.

[Bookshortie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laura thought she had left the past behind but not as far behind as she thought. Her old best friend Sadie wants Laura to nurse her in her final days. But Laura doesn’t have just nursing on her mind she wants to stop Sadie revealing an old secret.

This is the first book that I've read by this author and it won't be my last. This was a fantastic thriller that at times had my jaw hitting the floor. The storyline was dark, intense, about secrets and toxic friendships.

The story is narrated in a dual timeline format moving between the past and the present. In the present Laura (now a qualified nurse) is asked and starts to care for Sadie. In the past we learn about Laura and Sadie’s beginnings, how they met and what happened at Laurel House (Sadie’s home) many years ago. Although Laura seems to be the best person to care for Sadie, she also has an ulterior motive because she wants to stop Sadie revealing a long-buried secret. There were times when Sadie would start to say something or drop a hint and immediately Laura would spring into action to either change the subject or distract Sadie to make sure that nothing was said. It's not clear what the secret is and this is something that really intrigued me. As the story progressed the secret was slowly revealed. It was not what I expected or anticipated it would be.

One of the main themes in the story is friendship but the one that exists between Laura and Sadie is actually quite a toxic one. Laura and Sadie are similar but very different. They come from different backgrounds but are similar in that as soon as they meet, they latch onto each other and form this unhealthy bond. In some ways they are both seen as outsiders by others and it’s partly that that they bond over. Laura has had a tough upbringing and when she meets Sadie, she sees her as not only as a friend but also as a form of stability and starts becoming very possessive of Sadie. Especially when Sadie shows interest in befriending others. Sadie is quite free spirited and flits between people which is something that Laura doesn’t like. I got the impression that Laura was worried about being left behind or replaced by Sadie.

There was a big plot twist in the story that I didn’t see coming which was followed by another when the book ended which was brilliant.

[Meg Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Death Bed by Chris Bridges is a dark, tense, and utterly compelling psychological thriller that hooked me from the very first pages and refused to let go.

Laura and Sadie first meet in 1991 as student nurses in London — both loners in their own way, drawn together despite their differences, including Sadie being older and far more enigmatic. Their friendship quickly deepens, and when Sadie invites Laura to live with her, it feels like a lifeline for Laura. Until it all spectacularly falls apart. A devastating row, a sudden departure, and a past left buried — or so Laura hopes.

Fast forward to 2010, and Laura’s carefully built life is shattered when Sadie’s teenage daughter appears at her door. Sadie is dying of cancer and wants Laura by her side in her final days. With no contact for 18 years, Laura knows returning is dangerous… but how can she say no to a dying woman?

That decision turns out to be a catastrophic mistake.

Told across dual timelines, the story slowly peels back layers of secrets, lies, manipulation, and betrayal on both sides. As Sadie’s health declines, the truth about what really happened all those years ago emerges in shocking, often unsettling detail. The tension is relentless — claustrophobic, uncomfortable, and incredibly addictive. I found myself constantly questioning motives, loyalties, and just how far each woman was willing to go to protect the truth.

There are difficult themes here, including suicide, end-of-life care, and PTSD, but they are handled with care and sensitivity, adding emotional weight rather than shock value. The author’s nursing background adds authenticity, grounding the story in a realism that makes it all the more disturbing.

With plenty of twists and revelations right through to the end, The Death Bed is a dark, slow-burn thriller that absolutely pays off. Compelling, unsettling, and impossible to put down — a gripping read that stayed with me long after I finished.

Highly recommended for fans of psychological thrillers who like their stories tense, twisted, and morally complex.

[Katies_cosy_reading_corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

~Book Review~
The Death Bed by Chris Bridges

AD/PR
Thank you @thebookdealer , @avon books for my gifted copy and having my n the blogtour.

This is Bridge's second ingenious, ill-health-focused novel. They both stand out to me for their psychological complexity, intricately layered with depth and sharp detailing, intertwining genuine human experiences with authentic emotion and conflict. Similar to his first, this one smolders over time. An author who masters the slow burn, where trepidation and suspense become art form.

The novel is narrated by 'Now and Then' timelines. 'Now,' in 2010, Nurse Laura takes leave from her matron job to provide end-of-life care to Sadie. You can recongise Laura's reluctance, but you don't know why.
'Then' was between 1991-1993, when Laura and Sadie were completing their nurse training and had an authentic '90s aesthetic. These years cemented the reader's understanding of the characters and their bond. Both worked seamlessly to build tension and drip-feed information. The short chapters often left you on a cliff-hanger, which kept me gripped and turning the pages.

The backdrop of Laurel House was atmospheric and complemented both timelines. Its vintage decor and open-house feel made it inviting. Yet look close enough to the core, and the hidden trauma seeped through the cracks.

The characters' personalities were exquisitely crafted and extremely vivid. With a strong contrast between Laura, who was guarded, and Sadie, being vibrant, it was an opposite attraction made them strong. Which lead to my rumination of theories as to what lead to the pinnacle breakage of this bond.

It's packed with many twists and bumps along the way, which kept me guessing right until the very satisfying end.
A novel that could be hard-hitting for some, but a powerful one that deserves to be noticed. Available now! You'll only be disappointed if you don't read it.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Death Bed follows Laura, who arrives at her old best friend Sadie’s death bed, not out of compassion - but out of fear. Because sixteen years ago, tragedy tore their group of nursing students apart. And Laura has spent every moment since then ensuring the truth never sees the light of day. But as Sadie fades, the past refuses to stay buried. And Laura is about to learn: The dying don’t always go quietly. And some confessions are worth killing for.

I loved Sick To Death, so I practically ran to Netgalley to request The Death Bed, and I can honestly say it lived up to my very high expectations of Chris Bridges’ writing.

Told over two parts, the story follows Laura across two timelines, gradually building a complex, tightly woven web that expertly hints and unravels as you read. The chilling prologue hooked me instantly, and I ended up finishing the book in just a few sittings, completely driven by the need to uncover its secrets.

The toxic relationship between Laura and Sadie was addictive to read. It was dark, obsessive, and a compelling exploration of friendship and the fragile line between delusion and truth. The setting, Laurel House, almost felt like a character too in its own right, especially with its eerie pull over everyone connected to it. None of the characters are particularly likeable, but they are layered and complex, and for me, both the strength of the plot and that sense of dislike only enhanced the narrative further.

The Death Bed is another example of Chris Bridges’ talent for delivering dark, disturbing stories, using his past experience to add authenticity and depth. It is more of a slow burn, but in a claustrophobic, tension-building way that fully pays off through its revelations, twists, and a very cleverly executed ending.

Thank you so much to Avon Books for sending me this copy to read and review. My opinions are my own.

[Teresa Nikolic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back in the early nineties Laura became best friends with Sadie at nursing college in London and she even moved in with Sadie at Laurel House where she lived with her husband Sacha, but towards the end of her training, tragedy tore them, and some other students, apart and Laura returned to her hometown. Fast forward to 2010 and a young girl turns up seeking help from Laura, her mum is dying and is asking Laura to nurse her in her final weeks. She reluctantly returns to London with Elsie, not because she wants to help her old friend, but because Sadie knows too much and she needs to make sure she stays quiet about the past.

The Death Bed is the latest novel by this author and, after reading his debut, Sick to Death I was looking forward to this one. The story is told across two timelines; Then and Now and flows intermittently between the two. It's a story of two friends and one becomes very obsessed with the other, to the point where she is jealous of any other relationships that she has. As with his previous work this is a slowburn with the author laying the foundations of the story throughout and then slowly peeling back the layers to reveal what happened all those years ago. This is an intriguing read, packed with detail and covering some rather delicate subjects, but I didn't find any of the characters really that likeable and therefore couldn't really empathise with their lives and quite honestly thought the relationship between the two women was very toxic, having said that it was a dark and compelling read that will keep you guessing.

I'd like to thank Avon Books and Netgalley for the approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

[Charlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Laura was in the middle of her shift at the hospital in Derby when a teenage girl arrived asking to see her. Curious and slightly concerned, Laura agreed. 👩🏼‍⚕️

Laura was surprised to learn who the girl was. She introduced herself as Elsie, the daughter of Laura’s old nursing school friend, Sadie. Laura and Sadie had once been very close while studying nursing together, but they had lost touch for more than sixteen years. 🤨

Elsie explained that she had come to find Laura because her mother had asked about her many times. Sadie was now bedridden with cancer and nearing the end of her life. Elsie begged Laura to come back with her to London and help care for Sadie in her final days. 🥺

Eventually, Laura agrees to go to London with Elsie to help nurse Sadie, as she seems to be the best person to care for her and make sure Sadie takes the secrets to the grave. Throughout the story there are moments when Sadie starts to hint at something, but Laura quickly shuts it down by changing the subject or distracting her so nothing more is said. 🤫

It’s a slow burn, but the claustrophobic tension builds brilliantly and it really pays off with the twists and a smart ending. It definitely has those obsession and dark, toxic friendship vibes. 🤔

I couldn’t put the book down because I was so curious about all the secrets and why Laura and Sadie hadn’t stayed in touch for all those years. 📖👀

I love that this book is set in my hometown - it makes it even better! London girl at heart! 🇬🇧

I would like to say thank you to Chris and Tracy of Compulsive Readers Blog Tours for letting me take part in this tour. ♥️

Although I somehow lost the digital copy, I was happy to buy the paperback to support the author, as I’ve heard so many good things about this book. 🥰

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laura is a nurse who has travelled to care for her dying old best friend. She hasn’t done this out of compassion though, but rather out of fear. Sixteen years ago tragedy tore their friendship group apart and Laura has spent the subsequent years trying to make sure the truth doesn’t come out. Now her old best friend might destroy it all.

Having previously read this author’s first book and really enjoying it, I was excited to be able to read this next one, whilst also enjoying medical thrillers and being drawn to the cover. What I liked so much about the previous book was the unique storytelling and writing style, which I was happy to find this one also contained. The story is a slow burn, but this works well with the writing style and creates a claustrophobic, creepy atmosphere, that you can’t help but read more of. Saying that, at times the pacing made the story feel slightly long. The author explores some serious topics in an authentic, sensitive way. I appreciated the author’s note at the end about the reasons for the story, which resonated with me.

Although there were a lot of unlikeable characters, they were well written and interesting to read. I never quite knew who to trust, with many feeling unreliable, which helped keep up the suspense within the story. I was keen to see where it would go and there were a few twists and turns as the story progressed. I can certainly see this haunting, compelling story having a firm grip on readers who enjoy slow burn, complex thrillers and I will continue to look out for more books by this author. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

[Harmony Kent · Rating 1 out of 5]

Atrocious

Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Harper Collins for this free ARC.

Had this not been a book for a NetGalley review, I would not have persevered with it. The writing needs a serious edit and proofread to weed out the over abundance of passive prose, sentence fragments, and not a single character with a redeeming quality a reader could care for.

Slow paced, the story switches between the 1990s and ‘present day’ 2010. Be prepared to suspend all disbelief and read about boring, messed up, and unlikeable characters with nothing to redeem them or make you care about any of them. The ending forces yet more suspense of your disbelief and only reinforces the messy feel of this read.

I finished it by sheer force of will. Even now, I have to ask: What’s the point? A total waste of hours of my life I won’t get back.

On any review, I endeavour to end on a positive note and offer a quote from the book for a line that stood out for me. Sadly, this time I have nothing to produce from this mess. 1 reluctant star.

***

NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.



5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.

4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.

3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.

2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.

1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.

[Mary Carbajosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read by Chris Bridges and one which I thoroughly enjoyed. With this story he has masterfully crafted a gripping and unsettling plot, brimming with rich details and unexpected twists, that not only capture your attention but also manage to trigger deep emotions.

The story is told in both past and present and follows Laura, a nurse who travels to London to care for her enigmatic friend Sadie, who is dying. However her visit is not out of compassion, Laura must ensure that the past stays buried along with their secrets and that the truth never sees the light of day.

Laura narrates the story, offering the reader a glimpse into her psyche and showing us the other characters through her lens. I felt pulled into the unfolding narrative and could sense Laura’s trauma, discomfort and her desperation to fit in, and although I can’t say that I particularly liked any of the characters, I was still compelled to read onward.

Chris Bridges’ writing keeps the pace moving, and the flawed, unhinged characters add to the intrigue. I always enjoy stories set in dual timelines and there were some real surprises in this one.

THE DEATH BED is a moody, psychological thriller that’s explores grief, obsession, the feeling of not belonging and the fragile line between truth and illusion. Part domestic thriller, part family drama and part crime fiction, it’s a cracking read. 4.5 stars

THE DEATH BED will be released on 26th February 2026 and is available to pre-order now.

Thank you to Net Galley and Avon books for the advanced copy.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Death Bed is one of those thrillers that hooks you from the very first line and keeps tightening its grip with every chapter. What begins as a simple bedside vigil quickly unravels into a knot of old loyalties, buried secrets, and the kind of guilt that never really dies.

Laura is such a fascinating narrator — controlled, careful, and clearly terrified of the past catching up with her. When she arrives at Sadie’s death bed, it’s obvious she’s not there out of love or nostalgia. She’s there because Sadie knows too much. That tension simmers beautifully throughout the book, and the author does a brilliant job of letting the truth surface in slow, unsettling waves.

The flashbacks to their nursing‑school days add a sharp emotional edge, revealing how one tragedy splintered a group of friends and left Laura carrying far more than her share. I loved how the story plays with the idea that the dying don’t always go quietly — and that sometimes the most dangerous secrets are the ones whispered at the very end.

Atmospheric, twisty, and surprisingly emotional, The Death Bed is perfect for readers who enjoy character‑driven suspense with a strong psychological undercurrent. It’s a story about friendship, fear, and the lengths we go to protect the lies we’ve built our lives around.

A tense and satisfying read.

With thanks to Chris Bridges, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of ‘The Death Bed’ by Chris Bridges, due to be published on 26 February 2026 by Avon Books UK.

A story of two parts told in the ‘Then’ and ‘Now’.

Then - we meet Laura and Sadie, amongst a host of supporting characters, who are all training to be nurses in London in the 1990’s. Sadie, older than the others, has a house with quirky 50’s decor to match her fashion style. She talks lovingly about growing up there, the people that have previously lived in the house and how she never wants to leave. Laura is delighted when Sadie asks her to stay at the house with her, finally feeling at home after a troubled past. Until it all goes wrong and Laura has no choice but to leave the house, and Sadie, behind.

Now - set in 2010, Sadie is dying and deploys her daughter, Elsie, to convince Laura to come back to the house to nurse her in her final weeks. In fear of her past secrets and career ending indiscretions coming to light, Laura reluctantly agrees.

Both Laura and Sadie are strong, well written protagonists, supporting characters are well developed, each adding their own unique part of the story. There are surprising plot twists, secrets unearthed that have long been buried, and not everyone is as they present themselves. It’s a gripping read, that gets its claws into you in from the very first page.

[Catharine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Regardless of choice, starting a book is always a gamble (both a risk and a stroll). You don’t necessarily know where you’re going — especially when it’s a new author to you, as Chris Bridges was for me.

I’m a prolific reader, dipping into most genres at one time or another, though thrillers are a particular mainstay. A good one gets the blood flowing. It’s also rare for me to start a book and not finish it. If I’ve read the blurb and I’m interested enough to begin, then I’ve committed. The very least I can do is spend a fraction of my time appreciating the creativity an author has spent their time producing.

On this occasion, I also read the reviews — because while I’m not the sole dissenting voice, we are few. Most of the praise comes from well-respected authors. Statistically speaking, you should listen to them rather than me.

Here’s the worst part.

I struggled with the writing style from the opening sentences and continued to struggle throughout. I simply couldn’t settle into it. I reached around 20% before skimming the remainder. Because of that, I can’t honestly rate the book itself — so the five stars are given in respect of the work involved, rather than as a reflection of my personal reading experience.

My thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the DRC of “The Death Bed” by Chris Bridges.
“The Death Bed” is due to be published on 26 February 2026.

[Charlie Morris (Read, Watch & Drink Coffee) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm still getting FOMO over Bridge's 2025 release, Sick To Death, so when I was asked if I would like an early copy of his new book, I jumped at the chance!

And I can easily see why everybody quickly became addicted to his books, as The Death Bed is another gripping thriller that's hard to put down.

The start of this book had my intrigue running so high. We primarily follow Laura over two timelines. The first is when she begins her nurse training and meets Sadie, and the second is when she must return to Sadie's aid as she only has weeks to live.

So what we really want to know is what happens in between, as there's a darkness bubbling up, but you're not sure who has secrets to hide and who needs their past to be kept buried. What kind of drama did Laura run away from?

The journey to find out is an immersive one. I constantly felt uneasy, not knowing who to trust, and fearful of what was going to happen. It's a very entertaining thriller!

I especially love the hospital setting as death lingers in every corner, and Bridge does an excellent job of describing this atmosphere, which only adds more tension.

For me, the last part did get dragged out for a pinch too long, while I think a quicker wrap-up would have made this a really exhilarating read. But I still thoroughly enjoyed it, and I'm certain this will be another Booksta favourite!

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laura and Sadie first met as student nurses in London. Both, for their own reasons, are loners but get on well together even though Sadie is older. Told in dual timeline, 1991 when Laura and Sadie first met and present day 2010, this is a book full of secrets and lies.

Briefly, getting on so well Sadie invites Laura to live with her which Laura is delighted to do. However, for reasons not detailed there is a substantial row and Laura leaves to return to her home town in Derbyshire. 18 years later, and without any contact in between, Laura receives a visit from Sadie’s 15 year old daughter. Sadie is dying from cancer and wants Laura to help her in her final days. How can Laura refuse! Big mistake Laura, massive! As Sadie slowly declines the truth about their lives emerges in every shocking detail.

There are lies, deceptions and worse on both sides and the truth takes some dealing with by both the women and the reader. There are detailed descriptions around suicide, end of life care and PTSD but these are handled sympathetically. Plenty of twists and some shocking truths right to the end I found this book difficult to put down. A dark, tense and compelling thriller. Great read.

[Angela Mellor · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Death Bed is another great read for this author.
Laura hasn’t seen her best friend for sixteen years, a tragedy split them apart but now Sadie is dying and needs Laura to look after her. Laura and Sadie met when they were starting their nursing career in London. Laura struggled to make friends and had some strange things happen to her. Sadie was older and had her own house so Laura moved in but tragedy came quite fast and then another tragedy happened resulting in Laura moving back home to her mum in Derbyshire and them never speaking until now. Why did Sadie never contact Laura and were the tragedy’s accidental or planned?
I couldn’t wait to read this one as I loved their debut “sick to death”. This book had me hooked from the first chapter, a group of students all with something that’s affected them leaving them slightly different from others. Laura I felt sorry for but then changed my mind several times!! The storyline was decent and has a good flow with good pace. I liked the then and now chapters giving you greater insight into what led to the relationship dissolving. A great read.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking forward to reading the death bed by Chris bridges after loving his debut novel.
Laura is a student nurse and befriends Sadie who is quite older than her. So much that she moves into Sadie’s home with is full of 50’s décor, but something happened and secrets were reveal that was so detrimental that Laura had to leave.
Sixteen years later, Sadie’s daughter visits Laura and said that she is dying and wants her to visit and help her in her last days. So, Laura decides to return to the house in London. Not for Compassion but to make sure secrets stayed buried.
But when she returns the old threatening letters start reappearing and even someone pushers her in front of the railway’s tracks. After all the years is someone still out to get revenge.
This is another disturbing read from Chris Bridges, and I did like the story line to some extent. It has well developed characters but, none of the was very likeable even the protagonist. I found the back and forth of the storyline 16 years a bit overwhelming and some of it unnecessary, but ti has a satisfying ending. 3.5 stars from me.

[Claire - TheBookendReviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m always drawn to a medical thriller, so I was curious to try Sick to Death.

The story follows Laura, a nurse who is summoned to the bedside of her former best friend Sadie, a woman she hasn’t spoken to in sixteen years. The question hangs over everything: why go back? Is it forgiveness… or making sure certain secrets stay buried?

Told across two timelines - present day and their time together during nursing school - the pacing is on the slower side. The author drip-feeds information, gradually revealing what fractured their friendship. There were moments I felt slightly disoriented, though that may have been intentional to keep the reader off balance.

As Laura returns to Sadie’s London home, old threats resurface and it becomes clear the past isn’t finished with her. The tension builds steadily, with the final stretch delivering more momentum and a reasonably satisfying conclusion.

The characters are well developed, though not particularly likeable, including Laura herself, which gave the story a cold, unsettling edge. Not a fast, twist-heavy thriller, but an intriguing exploration of secrets, guilt, and the long shadow of the past.

[Ney oh the thrill of it FN · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this free advance copy via Netgalley. Thank you to Chris Bridges and Avon books UK. This review is being left voluntarily and the opinions are my own.


I love a medical thriller so was excited to see that this one was available. It was my first read from Chris Bridges so I was unsure what to expect.


This book follows a nurse, Laura, who is summoned to her former best friend Sadie's death bed. It has you wondering, if they are no longer friends, why is Laura willing to go? Is it to let bygones be bygones or to make sure the truth dies with Sadie? 

 

This book is definitely on the slower side pacing wise as it is delivered over two timelines - present day and back during nursing school. Chris slowly gives you more information to help put all the pieces together. At times I felt a little lost but maybe it was deliberate to knock you off the scent?


The action ramps up slightly towards the end and the end was somewhat satisfying. Would be interested to read more from Chris Bridges in the future.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the authors debut so was keen to read this his 2nd book

And the goodness continued albeit a very dark,dismal goodness,this stirring book did not many a smile give but it did give a wonderful look at characters insecurities over a lifetime and how obsessive friendships curdle and sour,interestingly we discover with the 2 main friends what happens when 1 is dying and after many years apart calls on the other to nurse her towards her ultimate end,the past,the horrific past comes back to taunt and hurt them and also to surprise,nastily

It is a very in depth read with ( as an ex student nurse ) very very realistic writing about life in this profession and how it feels to be a first timer on a ward and the challenges you feel and the things you see often without warning

Ultimately though it is a ride into places none of the cast want to be steered,however once started it cannot be stopped

Once again great writing and a mesmerising story

[mrsbookworm5 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis—She’s not there to save her friend.

She’s there to silence her.

When nurse Laura arrives at her old best friend’s death bed, it’s not out of compassion – it’s out of fear. Her enigmatic friend Sadie is dying, and with her last breath, she might destroy everything.

Sixteen years ago, tragedy tore their group of nursing students apart. And Laura has spent every moment since then ensuring the truth never sees the light of day.

But as Sadie fades, the past refuses to stay buried. And Laura is about to learn: The dying don’t always go quietly.

And some confessions are worth killing for.
#mythoughts I read sick to death so was excited to read this new one by @chrisbridgeswriter and it didn’t disappoint. Young student nurses Laura and Sadie are working together Laura becomes somewhat obsessed with Sadie . In amongst the mix is a flurry of characters including Sasha who is Sadie’s ‘husband’ alcohol dependent trying to become dry. This is a complete mix of unhinged characters who is lying who is not? Past and present chapters , layered with dark unlikeable characters gives you the death bed !

[Andria Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book by the author and I loved it! Laura has a traumatic past that she wants to keep hidden. She moves away to enter nursing school and tries to leave that past behind her but weird things start to happen; it seems someone knows of her past and is using it against her. Laura meets Sadie at nursing school, Laura becomes obsessed with being around Sadie. Laura doesn't realize how manipulative Sadie is and that Sadie is basically a user of people to get what she wants. All the characters in the story are dysfunctional in some form or fashion. The story has a past and a present timeline, and so you figure out a little at the time what has happened and is happening in the lives of Laura and Sadie. There are secrets, manipulations, deceptions, and murders in the story. I enjoyed the twists and turns and even the ending of the story. Highly recommend this read!