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21 Willow Lane: A BRAND NEW tense psychological thriller of hidden secrets for 2026
Discover the BRAND NEW gripping psychological thriller from the INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING author of The House Sitter, Keri Beevis ⚡️ Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Claire McGowan and Lisa Jewell! 📚 Some friendships - and secrets - should stay buried forever…
Everyone said a change of scenery would help after my divorce. That’s how I found my perfect little cottage on Willow Lane, in the postcard-pretty Norfolk village of Blakeney. Number 21 was meant to be my fresh start.
Then I met Hope Andrews. Hope is Blakeney’s unspoken secret.
Twenty years ago, three teenagers went into the woods. One was found dead. One vanished without a trace. Hope was the only one who came home.
I didn’t plan to get close to her. I was new to Willow Lane. And we both seemed to need a friend.
As Hope begins to confide in me, her fear that her attacker never left the area, appear to feel real as strange things start happening at Number 21 and her fears start to become my nightmare.
Now I’m looking over my shoulder. Someone here knows the truth about what happened in those woods and I’m starting to realise Willow Lane isn’t the safe haven I was searching for.
Praise for Keri
'Another winner from Ms Beevis. A gripping story with plenty of twists and turns' - J.A. Baker
‘From the start I was glued - a cracking roller-coaster ride of a story’ - Susanna Beard
‘Compelling, addictive, fast-paced and chilling. I loved it!’ - Amanda Brittany
'A tense, clever and thought-provoking thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish and long afterwards.' - Natasha Boydell
'This is how to write a page turner.'- Valerie Keogh
'Another suspenseful page-turner from this very talented author' - John Nicholl
'Brilliant, chilling, and unputdownable' - Gemma Rogers
'Another gripping fast paced story from the brilliant Keri Beevis.' - Sadie Ryan
‘Beevis has created a dark psychological thriller thick with atmosphere. Cleverly woven threads pull together in a heart-stopping conclusion in this satisfyingly clever tale. Highly recommended’ - Diane Saxon
'A disturbingly chilling thriller which is completely gripping. The Sleepover is an intense mystery full of clever twists which I didn't see coming' - Alex Stone
'An atmospheric thriller that grips until the last page. Beevis at her best!' - Diana Wilkinson
Everyone said a change of scenery would help after my divorce. That’s how I found my perfect little cottage on Willow Lane, in the postcard-pretty Norfolk village of Blakeney. Number 21 was meant to be my fresh start.
Then I met Hope Andrews. Hope is Blakeney’s unspoken secret.
Twenty years ago, three teenagers went into the woods. One was found dead. One vanished without a trace. Hope was the only one who came home.
I didn’t plan to get close to her. I was new to Willow Lane. And we both seemed to need a friend.
As Hope begins to confide in me, her fear that her attacker never left the area, appear to feel real as strange things start happening at Number 21 and her fears start to become my nightmare.
Now I’m looking over my shoulder. Someone here knows the truth about what happened in those woods and I’m starting to realise Willow Lane isn’t the safe haven I was searching for.
Praise for Keri
'Another winner from Ms Beevis. A gripping story with plenty of twists and turns' - J.A. Baker
‘From the start I was glued - a cracking roller-coaster ride of a story’ - Susanna Beard
‘Compelling, addictive, fast-paced and chilling. I loved it!’ - Amanda Brittany
'A tense, clever and thought-provoking thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish and long afterwards.' - Natasha Boydell
'This is how to write a page turner.'- Valerie Keogh
'Another suspenseful page-turner from this very talented author' - John Nicholl
'Brilliant, chilling, and unputdownable' - Gemma Rogers
'Another gripping fast paced story from the brilliant Keri Beevis.' - Sadie Ryan
‘Beevis has created a dark psychological thriller thick with atmosphere. Cleverly woven threads pull together in a heart-stopping conclusion in this satisfyingly clever tale. Highly recommended’ - Diane Saxon
'A disturbingly chilling thriller which is completely gripping. The Sleepover is an intense mystery full of clever twists which I didn't see coming' - Alex Stone
'An atmospheric thriller that grips until the last page. Beevis at her best!' - Diana Wilkinson
- GenresThriller
355 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 22, 2026
About the author
Keri Beevis
32 books2,035 followersHi, I'm Keri Beevis, and I'm the author of the bestselling psychological suspense thrillers, Deep Dark Secrets, Dying To Tell, The Sleepover, and The Summer House.
Other titles I've written include Trust No One, Every Little Breath, The People Next Door, and The House in the Woods (previously released as The Boat House).
I am signed with Boldwood Books and my twelfth thriller, Nowhere To Hide is out 2nd April.
You can find out more about me on my website.
https://keribeevis.com/
Other titles I've written include Trust No One, Every Little Breath, The People Next Door, and The House in the Woods (previously released as The Boat House).
I am signed with Boldwood Books and my twelfth thriller, Nowhere To Hide is out 2nd April.
You can find out more about me on my website.
https://keribeevis.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
May 30, 2026
Not a bad read from Keri. Started off well but dragged in the middle and brightened up in the end. A little too obvious in the plot for me. My thanks to netgalley and the publisher's for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
April 27, 2026
21 Willow Lane delivers that classic villain‑gone‑mad energy and keeps the tension simmering throughout. I enjoyed the ride, but not as much as I hoped. While the twists were shocking and the premise intriguing, the story lacked the substance and originality I usually look for. As a thriller girlie who has read just about everything, this one lands in the “okay” category for me.
What Worked:
Fast, twisty pacing
Shocking moments
Classic villain energy
What Didn’t Fully Hit:
Lacked depth
Not very original
Didn’t stand out in a crowded genre
Overall, it’s a decent pick if you’re after a quick, entertaining thriller with familiar beats. It kept me guessing, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression.
~JaNnA~
What Worked:
Fast, twisty pacing
Shocking moments
Classic villain energy
What Didn’t Fully Hit:
Lacked depth
Not very original
Didn’t stand out in a crowded genre
Overall, it’s a decent pick if you’re after a quick, entertaining thriller with familiar beats. It kept me guessing, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression.
~JaNnA~
May 23, 2026
4.5 stars!
Wow, this book was absolutely unhinged, and that's putting it lightly! I'm a huge fan of Keri's work, and I'd read anything she puts out. Recently, her writing has really evolved. She's becoming incredibly skilled at misdirection and wrapping up stories in some serious knots!
We meet Camilla, who is starting fresh after a divorce. She moves to a small town with a dark past, and as usual, everyone is in everyone else's business, so you quickly find out whether you're welcome or not. Camilla buys a house with its own history, and as we dive into this mystery, we encounter Hope, Nick, Sophie, and a few other locals. The story unfolds in a dual timeline, revealing what happened the night three teenagers ventured into the woods—only one came back. So, buckle up! This is a mystery waiting to be unraveled, and it's a wild ride!
It’s a chilling and atmospheric small-town read. As I mentioned, everyone knows everyone, but do they really? The mystery of the missing teens looms large—only one returned home, and you can’t help but notice the strange behavior around the village, prompting you to trust no one. The entire reading experience sent shivers down my spine! The house was creepy, but the whole town was unsettling, too!
This is a well-crafted, 20-year-old murder mystery with its fair share of uneven pacing, but the twists will keep you hooked. The book starts slow but really picks up speed; by the second half, it races like a freight train through the plot twists. Just don’t forget to breathe! A lot is happening, but it’s easy to keep track of each character, thanks to the author’s skillful differentiation. Some characters are predictable, while others are shrouded in enigmatic darkness and unpredictability.
I managed to guess a twist or two along the way, but the ending and the main twist completely blindsided me. If you enjoy the eerie vibes of a small town, creepy old house, unsolved teenage mysteries, and a sprinkle of obsession with some characters who are tough to crack, this book is bound to knock your socks off. You'll find yourself reaching for your wine glass more than once! So, get comfy and stay alert because things will escalate quickly, and you’ll want to keep pace. Trust me, it all comes together seamlessly in the end. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to check on my camera that malfunctioned because this book has definitely taught me a thing or two! Ha!
Thank you, Boldwood Books and NetGalley, for the DRC widget. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Wow, this book was absolutely unhinged, and that's putting it lightly! I'm a huge fan of Keri's work, and I'd read anything she puts out. Recently, her writing has really evolved. She's becoming incredibly skilled at misdirection and wrapping up stories in some serious knots!
We meet Camilla, who is starting fresh after a divorce. She moves to a small town with a dark past, and as usual, everyone is in everyone else's business, so you quickly find out whether you're welcome or not. Camilla buys a house with its own history, and as we dive into this mystery, we encounter Hope, Nick, Sophie, and a few other locals. The story unfolds in a dual timeline, revealing what happened the night three teenagers ventured into the woods—only one came back. So, buckle up! This is a mystery waiting to be unraveled, and it's a wild ride!
It’s a chilling and atmospheric small-town read. As I mentioned, everyone knows everyone, but do they really? The mystery of the missing teens looms large—only one returned home, and you can’t help but notice the strange behavior around the village, prompting you to trust no one. The entire reading experience sent shivers down my spine! The house was creepy, but the whole town was unsettling, too!
This is a well-crafted, 20-year-old murder mystery with its fair share of uneven pacing, but the twists will keep you hooked. The book starts slow but really picks up speed; by the second half, it races like a freight train through the plot twists. Just don’t forget to breathe! A lot is happening, but it’s easy to keep track of each character, thanks to the author’s skillful differentiation. Some characters are predictable, while others are shrouded in enigmatic darkness and unpredictability.
I managed to guess a twist or two along the way, but the ending and the main twist completely blindsided me. If you enjoy the eerie vibes of a small town, creepy old house, unsolved teenage mysteries, and a sprinkle of obsession with some characters who are tough to crack, this book is bound to knock your socks off. You'll find yourself reaching for your wine glass more than once! So, get comfy and stay alert because things will escalate quickly, and you’ll want to keep pace. Trust me, it all comes together seamlessly in the end. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to check on my camera that malfunctioned because this book has definitely taught me a thing or two! Ha!
Thank you, Boldwood Books and NetGalley, for the DRC widget. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 12, 2026
3 stars!
****book club read****
So this was fun. Very fast paced and entertaining. The narration for the audio was done well. The predictability of this novel is high and the story plays out almost the exact way you expect it too. The epilogue adds another layer of texture and possibilities and don’t fully close the story.
The characters were well built and thought out. Some decisions they make are on the typical thriller side of things. The MC is pretty intelligent throughout the novel but does have some dumb moments when reveals come. The author really puts emphasis on reveals before they happen so you know it’s coming. The sense of dread throughout this novel goes in and out.
It reads quickly and is entertaining. There are moments of lull and moments where it drags beyond belief. It pics up around the 83% mark and it all hits the fan at once. I would have liked it to burn slower on throughout the story and less at the end.
I will read more from this author, this was a good introduction. It’s nothing special and isn’t life changing but it does scratch the thriller itch. This would be good for a day at the pool or a rainy day inside.
****book club read****
So this was fun. Very fast paced and entertaining. The narration for the audio was done well. The predictability of this novel is high and the story plays out almost the exact way you expect it too. The epilogue adds another layer of texture and possibilities and don’t fully close the story.
The characters were well built and thought out. Some decisions they make are on the typical thriller side of things. The MC is pretty intelligent throughout the novel but does have some dumb moments when reveals come. The author really puts emphasis on reveals before they happen so you know it’s coming. The sense of dread throughout this novel goes in and out.
It reads quickly and is entertaining. There are moments of lull and moments where it drags beyond belief. It pics up around the 83% mark and it all hits the fan at once. I would have liked it to burn slower on throughout the story and less at the end.
I will read more from this author, this was a good introduction. It’s nothing special and isn’t life changing but it does scratch the thriller itch. This would be good for a day at the pool or a rainy day inside.
April 28, 2026
This was my first time reading a book by Keri Beevis, and overall I found it to be a decent read.
The story is told from multiple viewpoints, which I always enjoy, as it allows you to see events unfold from different perspectives and helps build a fuller picture of what is going on. It also introduced an element of unreliable narrators, which I thought worked well and is always a great way to keep you guessing and on your toes.
I found this to be more of a slow burner, particularly in the earlier stages, and it wasn’t always the most gripping read. However, there was enough intrigue throughout to keep me engaged and wanting to see how everything would come together.
The pace picked up noticeably in the final third of the book, which made it a quicker and more compelling read towards the end. I thought the ending was good and wrapped things up well.
Overall, this was an easy and enjoyable read. It may have been a slower build than I expected, but I still enjoyed it and would definitely be interested in reading more from this author in the future.
Thank you to the Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.
The story is told from multiple viewpoints, which I always enjoy, as it allows you to see events unfold from different perspectives and helps build a fuller picture of what is going on. It also introduced an element of unreliable narrators, which I thought worked well and is always a great way to keep you guessing and on your toes.
I found this to be more of a slow burner, particularly in the earlier stages, and it wasn’t always the most gripping read. However, there was enough intrigue throughout to keep me engaged and wanting to see how everything would come together.
The pace picked up noticeably in the final third of the book, which made it a quicker and more compelling read towards the end. I thought the ending was good and wrapped things up well.
Overall, this was an easy and enjoyable read. It may have been a slower build than I expected, but I still enjoyed it and would definitely be interested in reading more from this author in the future.
Thank you to the Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.
Read
May 8, 2026Twenty years ago three girls went into Pretty Corner Woods but only one came out. Bianca is dead and Natalie was never found and Hope is now living with the trauma of that night and also the loss of both her parents and younger sister in other tragedy’s. Hope is a loner through choice and when Camilla moves into 21 willow lane, home of one of the pretty corner girls - Natalie who has never been found, Hope and Camilla soon build up a friendship but simmering beneath the surface is the shadows of the past.
I’ve read most of Keri Beevis’ work and I have to say I’ve never been disappointed, this one lost momentum for me from about halfway through though unfortunately. A mystery with the suspense of a decades old case sums up the plot.
Many thanks to NetGalley, publisher and author for my gifted eARC.
I’ve read most of Keri Beevis’ work and I have to say I’ve never been disappointed, this one lost momentum for me from about halfway through though unfortunately. A mystery with the suspense of a decades old case sums up the plot.
Many thanks to NetGalley, publisher and author for my gifted eARC.
June 4, 2026
An addictive read,
Hope is a strange character, a loner, she was the only survivor 20 years ago when herself and two friends went into the dark woods at night, She has no friends, works alone, shops in the frozen food isle.
Camilla is new to the village of Blakeney, she is making a fresh start. She stops to assist Hope when comes off her bicycle, she finds Hope standoffish to the point of rudeness. After several meetings they build a tentative friendship, though Hope doesn’t like that Camilla is also making some other new friends. She wants Camilla all to herself.
The story is filled with well crafted characters, mystery, suspense, an uneasy atmosphere in the village when Hope’s name is mentioned, paranoia and twists galore.
Loved the descriptions of the area, I could visualise Camilla’s new surroundings.
A enjoyable read. Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.
Hope is a strange character, a loner, she was the only survivor 20 years ago when herself and two friends went into the dark woods at night, She has no friends, works alone, shops in the frozen food isle.
Camilla is new to the village of Blakeney, she is making a fresh start. She stops to assist Hope when comes off her bicycle, she finds Hope standoffish to the point of rudeness. After several meetings they build a tentative friendship, though Hope doesn’t like that Camilla is also making some other new friends. She wants Camilla all to herself.
The story is filled with well crafted characters, mystery, suspense, an uneasy atmosphere in the village when Hope’s name is mentioned, paranoia and twists galore.
Loved the descriptions of the area, I could visualise Camilla’s new surroundings.
A enjoyable read. Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.
June 3, 2026
I spent the last hour of this book nervously tapping my Kindle. It was so intense. I guess I'm going to have to find some more books from Keri Beevis.
June 23, 2026
⭐️ 5 ⭐️
Slightly predicable in some areas but overall a great read!!!
Slightly predicable in some areas but overall a great read!!!
June 3, 2026
Gripping dark, sinister and psychologically thrilling, once again Keri Beevis has come up with the goods
Camilla is hoping for a new start when she moves into 21 Willow Lane
She be friends, one of the locals, Hope, who survived an attack 20 years ago which resulted in one of her friends being murdered and one disappearing altogether
However, a peaceful life is not what is not destined for Camilla
With sinister goings on lots of twists, suspense and tension throughout and a gripping conclusion, Keri has again had me on the edge of my seat
The narration on the audiobook was absolutely fantastic
Camilla is hoping for a new start when she moves into 21 Willow Lane
She be friends, one of the locals, Hope, who survived an attack 20 years ago which resulted in one of her friends being murdered and one disappearing altogether
However, a peaceful life is not what is not destined for Camilla
With sinister goings on lots of twists, suspense and tension throughout and a gripping conclusion, Keri has again had me on the edge of my seat
The narration on the audiobook was absolutely fantastic
May 27, 2026
Keri has done it again. Grabbed by the Prologue and racing to find out what really happened and who was responsible. Even when life interfered with my reading time, I hurried back to the book. Keri has a way of making you feel that you are living the experience along with the characters!
May 21, 2026
This is a psychological thriller. Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Claire McGowan and Lisa Jewell!
Some friendships - and secrets - should stay buried forever…
I enjoyed this book it was about divorce and going to different places might help easier the pain of a divorce.
Some friendships - and secrets - should stay buried forever…
I enjoyed this book it was about divorce and going to different places might help easier the pain of a divorce.
May 22, 2026
There’s something about thrillers set in sleepy little villages that instantly puts me on edge because you just know every single resident is hiding something behind their painfully polite smiles.
21 Willow Lane was such an addictive read. What starts as Camilla trying to rebuild her life after a messy divorce quickly spirals into small-town paranoia, buried secrets, creepy incidents, and a decades-old mystery that refuses to stay buried. Honestly, this woman moved into a cottage for peace and immediately got handed trauma, suspicious neighbors, and possible murder cover-ups instead.
Hope Andrews was easily the most fascinating character in the book for me. Twenty years earlier, she was the only survivor when three teenage girls entered the woods and only one came back alive. Since then, the entire village has treated her like both a victim and a question mark. The way Keri Beevis writes Hope keeps you constantly uncertain — is she genuinely terrified, deeply traumatized, unreliable, manipulative… or all four at once?
The setting absolutely carried the atmosphere too. Blakeney feels postcard-perfect on the surface, but underneath there’s this constant tension simmering through every interaction. The village gossip, the history everyone avoids talking about, the strange things happening around Number 21 — it all created that deliciously claustrophobic thriller vibe where nobody feels trustworthy.
The pacing is incredibly bingeable. Short chapters, constant reveals, suspicious behavior everywhere, and enough twists to make me accuse basically every character at some point. Every time I thought I had figured things out, the story casually introduced another detail that sent my theories spiraling.
The prose is straightforward and accessible, which honestly worked perfectly here because the story relies heavily on momentum and suspense. It reads fast and keeps you hooked without getting bogged down in unnecessary detail.
I also appreciated the emotional undercurrent beneath all the mystery. Camilla’s loneliness after her divorce and her desperate need for connection made her choices feel believable, even when she was clearly making the kind of decisions that would get me killed immediately in a thriller.
Overall, this was a tense, compulsively readable psychological thriller with a wonderfully eerie setting and enough twists to keep me second-guessing everyone until the end.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
21 Willow Lane was such an addictive read. What starts as Camilla trying to rebuild her life after a messy divorce quickly spirals into small-town paranoia, buried secrets, creepy incidents, and a decades-old mystery that refuses to stay buried. Honestly, this woman moved into a cottage for peace and immediately got handed trauma, suspicious neighbors, and possible murder cover-ups instead.
Hope Andrews was easily the most fascinating character in the book for me. Twenty years earlier, she was the only survivor when three teenage girls entered the woods and only one came back alive. Since then, the entire village has treated her like both a victim and a question mark. The way Keri Beevis writes Hope keeps you constantly uncertain — is she genuinely terrified, deeply traumatized, unreliable, manipulative… or all four at once?
The setting absolutely carried the atmosphere too. Blakeney feels postcard-perfect on the surface, but underneath there’s this constant tension simmering through every interaction. The village gossip, the history everyone avoids talking about, the strange things happening around Number 21 — it all created that deliciously claustrophobic thriller vibe where nobody feels trustworthy.
The pacing is incredibly bingeable. Short chapters, constant reveals, suspicious behavior everywhere, and enough twists to make me accuse basically every character at some point. Every time I thought I had figured things out, the story casually introduced another detail that sent my theories spiraling.
The prose is straightforward and accessible, which honestly worked perfectly here because the story relies heavily on momentum and suspense. It reads fast and keeps you hooked without getting bogged down in unnecessary detail.
I also appreciated the emotional undercurrent beneath all the mystery. Camilla’s loneliness after her divorce and her desperate need for connection made her choices feel believable, even when she was clearly making the kind of decisions that would get me killed immediately in a thriller.
Overall, this was a tense, compulsively readable psychological thriller with a wonderfully eerie setting and enough twists to keep me second-guessing everyone until the end.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I loved this book. Like REALLY loved it.
In fact, this is the first book in a very long time that I actually couldn’t comfortably read in bed at night because I was too on edge sitting in the darkness. 21 Willow Lane completely got under my skin.
From the very beginning there’s this constant uneasy atmosphere hanging over the story and I was instantly pulled into the mystery surrounding what happened in those woods twenty years earlier. The cleverness of the writing is that you know the truth is slowly working its way to the surface… but you never truly know which direction the story is about to turn. Every single time I thought I had worked things out, another twist arrived and completely changed everything. One chapter I was convinced I knew exactly who I should suspect. The next? Completely blown away and looking at somebody else entirely.
The pacing was exceptional. There’s this constant feeling of tension building in the background and it genuinely had me reading faster and faster while my brain desperately tried to piece everything together before the next revelation landed. At times it honestly felt like my mind couldn’t keep up with my eyes on the page.
Keri Beevis is fantastic at atmosphere and scene setting. Blakeney felt so vividly real that I could completely immerse myself in the story, and that beautiful village backdrop made the darker moments feel even more unsettling. The characters felt fully formed and believable throughout, and the relationships developed naturally in a way that never felt forced or rushed. Everything about the story felt grounded and real, which only made the suspense even stronger.
And honestly? The paranoia in this book is incredible. This is one of those thrillers where you constantly feel like somebody is watching from the shadows. The tension slowly creeps into every chapter until you start second-guessing absolutely everything and everyone.
BLOODY BRILLIANT.
The only downside? This may have been my first Keri Beevis novel… but it definitely won’t be my last because I now seem to have acquired a dangerously long wishlist of her books.
In fact, this is the first book in a very long time that I actually couldn’t comfortably read in bed at night because I was too on edge sitting in the darkness. 21 Willow Lane completely got under my skin.
From the very beginning there’s this constant uneasy atmosphere hanging over the story and I was instantly pulled into the mystery surrounding what happened in those woods twenty years earlier. The cleverness of the writing is that you know the truth is slowly working its way to the surface… but you never truly know which direction the story is about to turn. Every single time I thought I had worked things out, another twist arrived and completely changed everything. One chapter I was convinced I knew exactly who I should suspect. The next? Completely blown away and looking at somebody else entirely.
The pacing was exceptional. There’s this constant feeling of tension building in the background and it genuinely had me reading faster and faster while my brain desperately tried to piece everything together before the next revelation landed. At times it honestly felt like my mind couldn’t keep up with my eyes on the page.
Keri Beevis is fantastic at atmosphere and scene setting. Blakeney felt so vividly real that I could completely immerse myself in the story, and that beautiful village backdrop made the darker moments feel even more unsettling. The characters felt fully formed and believable throughout, and the relationships developed naturally in a way that never felt forced or rushed. Everything about the story felt grounded and real, which only made the suspense even stronger.
And honestly? The paranoia in this book is incredible. This is one of those thrillers where you constantly feel like somebody is watching from the shadows. The tension slowly creeps into every chapter until you start second-guessing absolutely everything and everyone.
BLOODY BRILLIANT.
The only downside? This may have been my first Keri Beevis novel… but it definitely won’t be my last because I now seem to have acquired a dangerously long wishlist of her books.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Keri Beevis has quickly become a go-to author for me, so I was excited to get the chance to dive into an early copy of her latest release.
Seeking a fresh start, Camilla relocates to the picturesque village of Blakeney, where a twenty-year-old mystery involving the Pretty Corner Girls still lingers over the town.
This story had all the right ingredients I’m drawn to, particularly its quaint village setting, a decades-old case, and characters that genuinely have you looking at them sideways.
Camilla wasn’t the most distinctive protagonist for me, but her curiosity definitely helps drive the story, especially as she keeps pushing for answers about the past. Hope is one of those characters who keeps you guessing—it’s easy to sympathise with her initially, given her past, but there’s always a lingering sense that something isn’t quite right. I think the author does a great job of making you empathise with certain characters while still keeping you on edge, before gradually making you re-evaluate everything you thought you knew.
Some of the earlier foreshadowing made it fairly easy to gauge where the story was heading, and I correctly predicted a few of the reveals, which did take away some of the impact for me. I also felt the ending wrapped up a little too neatly, and I didn’t quite get the shock or thrill factor I’ve experienced with some of her other stories.
All in all, this was a solid mystery with plenty of suspenseful moments, even if it didn’t quite win me over. Keri Beevis is still an author I’ll keep going back to, and Every Little Breath remains my top pick, but I would recommend this to domestic thriller readers who enjoy a steady build of tension, atmospheric village settings, and characters that leave you narrowing your eyes in suspicion.
3.5⭐️
Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
Seeking a fresh start, Camilla relocates to the picturesque village of Blakeney, where a twenty-year-old mystery involving the Pretty Corner Girls still lingers over the town.
This story had all the right ingredients I’m drawn to, particularly its quaint village setting, a decades-old case, and characters that genuinely have you looking at them sideways.
Camilla wasn’t the most distinctive protagonist for me, but her curiosity definitely helps drive the story, especially as she keeps pushing for answers about the past. Hope is one of those characters who keeps you guessing—it’s easy to sympathise with her initially, given her past, but there’s always a lingering sense that something isn’t quite right. I think the author does a great job of making you empathise with certain characters while still keeping you on edge, before gradually making you re-evaluate everything you thought you knew.
Some of the earlier foreshadowing made it fairly easy to gauge where the story was heading, and I correctly predicted a few of the reveals, which did take away some of the impact for me. I also felt the ending wrapped up a little too neatly, and I didn’t quite get the shock or thrill factor I’ve experienced with some of her other stories.
All in all, this was a solid mystery with plenty of suspenseful moments, even if it didn’t quite win me over. Keri Beevis is still an author I’ll keep going back to, and Every Little Breath remains my top pick, but I would recommend this to domestic thriller readers who enjoy a steady build of tension, atmospheric village settings, and characters that leave you narrowing your eyes in suspicion.
3.5⭐️
Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
April 30, 2026 21 Willow Lane by Keri Beeves 4 Stars
Title: 21 Willow Lane
Author: Keri Beevis
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Genre: Psychological Domestic Thriller
Pub Date: May 22, 2026
My Rating: 4.3
Pages: 355
21 Willow Lane in the picturesque village of Blakeney is Camilla ’Cam’ Darrow’s ‘fresh start’ home after the break- up of her marriage to Dean. She decided with help from her best friend Sophie that it would be good for her to setter closer to her and her husband Will.
Camilla learns that the previous owner Brenda Tolliver was the mother of Natalie who was one of ‘the Pretty Corner Girls’ from the twenty-year-old mystery.
Twenty years ago, three teenagers: Bianca Fox, Hope Andrews, and Natalie Tolliver went into the woods as they hoped it would be fun but it turned into a nightmare. Later Bianca was found dead and Natalie vanished. Hope was the only one who came home.
Camilla accidentally meets Hope one day while driving in the village. She saw a young girl on a bicycle have a ‘close call’ and is nearly hit by a car. The girl wasn’t wearing helmet and was thrown from her bicycle. Camilla stops to help her and drives both her and her damaged bicycle to her home. The girl appears to be a young woman in her thirties and not a young girl. She isn’t talkative but does state her name is Hope.
Camilla soon comes to Hope’s aid again, and a tentative friendship is formed.
The story turns more to Hope and does get dark and creepy- So short chapters plus dark and creepy definitely had me reading -one more chapter!!
My thoughts ~
Yes I was cheering for Cam
Yes this was good
Yes the ending was satisfying!
Yes I will read another Keri Beevis
Want to thank NetGalley and Boldwood Publishing for granting me this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 22, 2026.
Title: 21 Willow Lane
Author: Keri Beevis
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Genre: Psychological Domestic Thriller
Pub Date: May 22, 2026
My Rating: 4.3
Pages: 355
21 Willow Lane in the picturesque village of Blakeney is Camilla ’Cam’ Darrow’s ‘fresh start’ home after the break- up of her marriage to Dean. She decided with help from her best friend Sophie that it would be good for her to setter closer to her and her husband Will.
Camilla learns that the previous owner Brenda Tolliver was the mother of Natalie who was one of ‘the Pretty Corner Girls’ from the twenty-year-old mystery.
Twenty years ago, three teenagers: Bianca Fox, Hope Andrews, and Natalie Tolliver went into the woods as they hoped it would be fun but it turned into a nightmare. Later Bianca was found dead and Natalie vanished. Hope was the only one who came home.
Camilla accidentally meets Hope one day while driving in the village. She saw a young girl on a bicycle have a ‘close call’ and is nearly hit by a car. The girl wasn’t wearing helmet and was thrown from her bicycle. Camilla stops to help her and drives both her and her damaged bicycle to her home. The girl appears to be a young woman in her thirties and not a young girl. She isn’t talkative but does state her name is Hope.
Camilla soon comes to Hope’s aid again, and a tentative friendship is formed.
The story turns more to Hope and does get dark and creepy- So short chapters plus dark and creepy definitely had me reading -one more chapter!!
My thoughts ~
Yes I was cheering for Cam
Yes this was good
Yes the ending was satisfying!
Yes I will read another Keri Beevis
Want to thank NetGalley and Boldwood Publishing for granting me this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 22, 2026.
May 22, 2026
I really enjoyed this book, it was a slowly unfolding, dual timeline, psychological thriller centring around a crime that took place twenty years before.
Some friendships - and secrets - should stay buried forever…
20 years ago, Hope Andrews was with her two friends Natalie and Bianca, when they were attacked by a man in the woods. Bianca was killed and Natalie was presumed dead , her body never found. Hope was the only survivor, and they became known as the Pretty Corner Girls. Now twenty years later Camilla (Cam) Darrow has moved into 21 Willow Lane, Natalie’s childhood home. Recently divorced and looking for a new start, Cam is hoping to make new friends, and as Hope starts to confide in her, Cam begins to realise Willow Lane isn’t the safe haven she was hoping for.
This is an emotional, well-structured story that builds quietly then about two thirds of the way through the pace picks up significantly. I did manage to guess how the story was going to end, but that didn’t detract from the enjoyment of the book for me at all. All the core characters are strong and completely believable. I particularly liked Cam’s persona, I felt she had clarity and a warmth and integrity that endeared me to her straight away.
Keri Beevis’ writing is immersive, with well-crafted characters who each have their own hidden agendas, making it difficult to know who to trust. The narrative felt flowy and natural and I found the content engaging. I really enjoyed this book, it’s not fast paced, so probably not for you if you’re looking for a book with lots of twists and turns, but it explores the themes of loneliness and of someone desperately trying to fit in. Another good read from start to finish.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read an advanced copy.
Some friendships - and secrets - should stay buried forever…
20 years ago, Hope Andrews was with her two friends Natalie and Bianca, when they were attacked by a man in the woods. Bianca was killed and Natalie was presumed dead , her body never found. Hope was the only survivor, and they became known as the Pretty Corner Girls. Now twenty years later Camilla (Cam) Darrow has moved into 21 Willow Lane, Natalie’s childhood home. Recently divorced and looking for a new start, Cam is hoping to make new friends, and as Hope starts to confide in her, Cam begins to realise Willow Lane isn’t the safe haven she was hoping for.
This is an emotional, well-structured story that builds quietly then about two thirds of the way through the pace picks up significantly. I did manage to guess how the story was going to end, but that didn’t detract from the enjoyment of the book for me at all. All the core characters are strong and completely believable. I particularly liked Cam’s persona, I felt she had clarity and a warmth and integrity that endeared me to her straight away.
Keri Beevis’ writing is immersive, with well-crafted characters who each have their own hidden agendas, making it difficult to know who to trust. The narrative felt flowy and natural and I found the content engaging. I really enjoyed this book, it’s not fast paced, so probably not for you if you’re looking for a book with lots of twists and turns, but it explores the themes of loneliness and of someone desperately trying to fit in. Another good read from start to finish.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read an advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
21 Willow Lane certainly has The Blair Witch Project vibe to it but on steroids!
Keri Beevis has written a brilliant psychological thriller that she adds her own unique twists to.
After a messy divorce Camilla decides to move close to her friends Sophie and her husband Will in the wonderful village of Blakeney in Norfolk England.
The cottage itself needs a lot of work but Camille is determined to bring life back into her new home, but some homes don't want to be disturbed as that may reveal some deep dark secrets, and a past that needs to stay buried.
The village itself has a dark past as twenty years ago three teenage friends go into the woods but one one comes out alive, Hope Andrews, Natalie vanishes without a trace and Bianca is murdered.
What really happened in the woods that night and why was the attacker never caught?
Ever since that night Hope has kept her distance from everyone, but a chance meeting with Camilla changes everything. They soon become friends even though Camilla's friends warn her to stay away from Hope,but Camilla wants to help her new friend as she sees how lonely Hope is.
Hope confides in Camilla that she still believes that her attacker is still out there watching her and Hope's paranoia is in full swing and when strange things start to happen at her new home that strangely enough was where Hope's best friend Natalie lived before she disappeared even Camilla starts to wonder if someone is out there watching her.
There are so many plot twists in this book you never know where the author is going to take you next.
A masterpiece of writing.
Keri Beevis has written a brilliant psychological thriller that she adds her own unique twists to.
After a messy divorce Camilla decides to move close to her friends Sophie and her husband Will in the wonderful village of Blakeney in Norfolk England.
The cottage itself needs a lot of work but Camille is determined to bring life back into her new home, but some homes don't want to be disturbed as that may reveal some deep dark secrets, and a past that needs to stay buried.
The village itself has a dark past as twenty years ago three teenage friends go into the woods but one one comes out alive, Hope Andrews, Natalie vanishes without a trace and Bianca is murdered.
What really happened in the woods that night and why was the attacker never caught?
Ever since that night Hope has kept her distance from everyone, but a chance meeting with Camilla changes everything. They soon become friends even though Camilla's friends warn her to stay away from Hope,but Camilla wants to help her new friend as she sees how lonely Hope is.
Hope confides in Camilla that she still believes that her attacker is still out there watching her and Hope's paranoia is in full swing and when strange things start to happen at her new home that strangely enough was where Hope's best friend Natalie lived before she disappeared even Camilla starts to wonder if someone is out there watching her.
There are so many plot twists in this book you never know where the author is going to take you next.
A masterpiece of writing.
April 22, 2026
Review of ‘21 Willow Lane’ by Keri Beevis, due to be published on 22 May 2026 by Boldwood Books.
Camilla Darrow is looking forward to her fresh start in her new home in Blakeney, 21 Willow Road. Having been convinced to move close to her best friend Sophie and her husband Will, she’s got a new job and the opportunity to make new friends following her acrimonious divorce.
When Camilla happens across Hope Andrews when she falls off her bike, she tries to strike up a friendship, only to be met with hostility. Sophie tells her not to take it personally, she is like that with everyone, and soon learns that Hope is one of the Pretty Corner girls, the sole known survivor.
Despite this, Camilla soon comes to Hope’s aid again, and a tentative friendship is formed. Hope doesn’t like Camilla’s other friends though, and her jealously spiking when local man Will becomes part of Camilla’s friendship group, with a dark past teased between the pair.
This was a fast paced thriller with a gripping storyline and twists aplenty. You quickly get acquainted with the main characters, with chapters carved out into Camilla and Hope’s points of view, interspersed with other backstories to get to know who is who, how they are connected and what secrets are being held.
It ramps up a few notches for the final quarter of the book when the motives and true intentions are laid bare, turning on its head any instincts you hold earlier in the book to reveal something far more sinister. A recommended read.
Camilla Darrow is looking forward to her fresh start in her new home in Blakeney, 21 Willow Road. Having been convinced to move close to her best friend Sophie and her husband Will, she’s got a new job and the opportunity to make new friends following her acrimonious divorce.
When Camilla happens across Hope Andrews when she falls off her bike, she tries to strike up a friendship, only to be met with hostility. Sophie tells her not to take it personally, she is like that with everyone, and soon learns that Hope is one of the Pretty Corner girls, the sole known survivor.
Despite this, Camilla soon comes to Hope’s aid again, and a tentative friendship is formed. Hope doesn’t like Camilla’s other friends though, and her jealously spiking when local man Will becomes part of Camilla’s friendship group, with a dark past teased between the pair.
This was a fast paced thriller with a gripping storyline and twists aplenty. You quickly get acquainted with the main characters, with chapters carved out into Camilla and Hope’s points of view, interspersed with other backstories to get to know who is who, how they are connected and what secrets are being held.
It ramps up a few notches for the final quarter of the book when the motives and true intentions are laid bare, turning on its head any instincts you hold earlier in the book to reveal something far more sinister. A recommended read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Camilla Darrow, recently divorced, decides on a fresh start and she buys 21 Willow Lane, a house along the north Norfolk coast in the village of Blakeney. This is a British psychological thriller that explores the mystery of the Pretty Corner Girls.
I think that 21 Willow Lane is a GOOD 4 star read. I liked how this novel features real locations like Pretty Corner Woods near Sheringham and that Blakeney is real. I loved how descriptive Keri is about the area, you feel as though you are walking around with Camilla as she enjoys the best the locality offers. I liked how there was a dog in the story, Tara a Red Setter, no harm came to her. I liked how suspicions about the locals were raised with the reader as Camilla did her best to make new friends.
However, I did not like how this story was told. There are two time frames, the present day and the events that took place twenty years ago at Pretty Corner Woods. The story rolls backwards and forwards countless times which I found very tiresome indeed. The plot was okay but not that complex with all the hints in the narrative pointing to 3 dodgy characters, anyone of which could be the bad guy. This novel lacks sparkle and does not have a WOW! Factor, leaving me with the feeling of solving the mystery of the Pretty Corner Girls, rather than being on a thrilling ride. Keri can write a very good novel but I feel that 21 Willow Lane is nowhere near as good as her The Cottage by the Sea.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Boldwood Books for passing me an ARC on the understanding that I post a review.
I think that 21 Willow Lane is a GOOD 4 star read. I liked how this novel features real locations like Pretty Corner Woods near Sheringham and that Blakeney is real. I loved how descriptive Keri is about the area, you feel as though you are walking around with Camilla as she enjoys the best the locality offers. I liked how there was a dog in the story, Tara a Red Setter, no harm came to her. I liked how suspicions about the locals were raised with the reader as Camilla did her best to make new friends.
However, I did not like how this story was told. There are two time frames, the present day and the events that took place twenty years ago at Pretty Corner Woods. The story rolls backwards and forwards countless times which I found very tiresome indeed. The plot was okay but not that complex with all the hints in the narrative pointing to 3 dodgy characters, anyone of which could be the bad guy. This novel lacks sparkle and does not have a WOW! Factor, leaving me with the feeling of solving the mystery of the Pretty Corner Girls, rather than being on a thrilling ride. Keri can write a very good novel but I feel that 21 Willow Lane is nowhere near as good as her The Cottage by the Sea.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Boldwood Books for passing me an ARC on the understanding that I post a review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This particular novel marks my first foray into her bibliography, and based on this exceptional experience, I am already planning to delve into and read much more of her back catalog!
I am enthusiastically rating this book a solid 4 out of 5 stars. The overall experience was highly enjoyable, and I particularly loved the intricate and engaging storyline, the perfect, driving pacing, and the well-developed and relatable characters. This is a super fast-paced read, structured with short, punchy chapters, a format that brilliantly held my attention captive from the very first page to the last. The narrative was peppered with some truly great, unexpected twists that kept me guessing throughout.
My rating, while high, is just shy of a perfect five due to the conclusion. Throughout the final act, I honestly thought the ending was steering toward a more shocking or unpredictable direction, but ultimately, it resolved in a way that felt slightly predictable. That element of mild predictability is the specific reason for my 4-star rating. I was genuinely hoping for one more impactful, last-minute twist—that final, unforgettable jolt of surprise. Nevertheless, the ending was by no means a failure; it was a satisfactory and well-written conclusion, just not the completely blindsiding one I had mentally prepared for. Overall, this was a fantastic read that I highly recommend.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy!
#21willowlane #keribeevis
I am enthusiastically rating this book a solid 4 out of 5 stars. The overall experience was highly enjoyable, and I particularly loved the intricate and engaging storyline, the perfect, driving pacing, and the well-developed and relatable characters. This is a super fast-paced read, structured with short, punchy chapters, a format that brilliantly held my attention captive from the very first page to the last. The narrative was peppered with some truly great, unexpected twists that kept me guessing throughout.
My rating, while high, is just shy of a perfect five due to the conclusion. Throughout the final act, I honestly thought the ending was steering toward a more shocking or unpredictable direction, but ultimately, it resolved in a way that felt slightly predictable. That element of mild predictability is the specific reason for my 4-star rating. I was genuinely hoping for one more impactful, last-minute twist—that final, unforgettable jolt of surprise. Nevertheless, the ending was by no means a failure; it was a satisfactory and well-written conclusion, just not the completely blindsiding one I had mentally prepared for. Overall, this was a fantastic read that I highly recommend.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy!
#21willowlane #keribeevis
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Everyone said a change of scenery would help after my divorce. That's how i found my perfect little cottage on Willow Lane, in the postcard perfect village of Blakeney. Number 21 was supposed to be my fresh start. Then I met Hope Andrews. Hope is Blakeney's unspoken secret. Twenty years ago, three teenagers went into the woods. One was found dead. One vanished without a trace. Hope was the only one that came home. I didn't plan to get close to her. I was new to Willow Lane. And we both seemed to need a friend.
When Camilla helps Hope Andrews after she fell off her bike, she tried to become friends with her. Camillia's friend Sophie tells her not to worry about it as Hope is hostile to everyone. Hope had been one of the Pretty Corner girls, she was the only one who came home. One was dead and the other vanished without a trace.
the story is told from Camilla and Hope's perspectives. Secrets are being kept, there's plenty of twists and the characters are well-developed. There was a creepy vibe surrounding Hope. I flirted back and forward with two suspects and luckily got one of them right. I was a little disappointed in the way the story ended. I really expected it to be a bit more mind blowing than it was. filled with mystery, suspense and intrigue.
Published 22nd May 2026
I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #KeriBeevis for my ARC of #21WillowLane in exchange for an honest review.
When Camilla helps Hope Andrews after she fell off her bike, she tried to become friends with her. Camillia's friend Sophie tells her not to worry about it as Hope is hostile to everyone. Hope had been one of the Pretty Corner girls, she was the only one who came home. One was dead and the other vanished without a trace.
the story is told from Camilla and Hope's perspectives. Secrets are being kept, there's plenty of twists and the characters are well-developed. There was a creepy vibe surrounding Hope. I flirted back and forward with two suspects and luckily got one of them right. I was a little disappointed in the way the story ended. I really expected it to be a bit more mind blowing than it was. filled with mystery, suspense and intrigue.
Published 22nd May 2026
I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #KeriBeevis for my ARC of #21WillowLane in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I absolutely adored this book. A story that began 20 years ago with the death of one girl, another missing and only one survivor.
Camilla moves into 21 Willow Lane. She has family close by and is now beginning the next part of her life as she comes to terms with being single. The house used to belong to the family of the missing girl from 20 years ago. The only survivor is Hope; she is withdrawn, doesn't have the best social skills, but then, given the circumstances of her past as a teen, it is hardly any wonder. The thing is, no one was ever caught, so the thought of the killer still being out there plays well into this story.
AS Camilla settles in, she befriends Hope, and they get on well. But as they grow friendlier, the fears, doubts and dread from Hope begin to form in Camilla's head. Little things start to happen, a broken window is put down to a local lad, but then other things happen.
This is a psychological thriller that plays on the mind and in the heads of the characters; suspicions, gossip, and opinions are all rife. It uses the sense of a neurotic mind, the sense of doubt, of being watched, things moving are all part of the story.
If you are looking for a tense thriller, with an old murder and mystery event, then this is one that I think you would want to have a look at. I thought it was brilliant and I would definitely recommend it.
Camilla moves into 21 Willow Lane. She has family close by and is now beginning the next part of her life as she comes to terms with being single. The house used to belong to the family of the missing girl from 20 years ago. The only survivor is Hope; she is withdrawn, doesn't have the best social skills, but then, given the circumstances of her past as a teen, it is hardly any wonder. The thing is, no one was ever caught, so the thought of the killer still being out there plays well into this story.
AS Camilla settles in, she befriends Hope, and they get on well. But as they grow friendlier, the fears, doubts and dread from Hope begin to form in Camilla's head. Little things start to happen, a broken window is put down to a local lad, but then other things happen.
This is a psychological thriller that plays on the mind and in the heads of the characters; suspicions, gossip, and opinions are all rife. It uses the sense of a neurotic mind, the sense of doubt, of being watched, things moving are all part of the story.
If you are looking for a tense thriller, with an old murder and mystery event, then this is one that I think you would want to have a look at. I thought it was brilliant and I would definitely recommend it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I did not find this book to be for me. I wasn't a hard finish to read. I wouldn't rate it one star because I didn't feel like I suffered through. But I felt lackluster at the end.
I enjoyed the premise of the book. Three teens in the woods. One dies, one disappears, and the other comes out alive but traumatized. I sensed I knew what was going to happen as each chapter unfolded. I guess the who behind what happened two the two girls. As I got further into, I guessed another detail [I don't want to give more than that due to a possible spoiler]. I guessed what happened to other characters.
There were breadcrumbs to try and lead us in another direction. It was almost immediately followed up with how this person is a good person and it can't be them.
The ending fell flat because it seemed predictable to me. And I love feeling intense emotion and being completely blindsided. I felt neither of these with this.
One thing I did enjoy, Camilla's emotional intelligence and ability to remain calm/logical. Also, not entering areas and instead backing out of the house and calling the police to investigate!
For me, I wouldn't recommend it openly. But I wouldn't actively dissuade someone from reading it.
Thank you NetGalley & Boldwood Books!
I enjoyed the premise of the book. Three teens in the woods. One dies, one disappears, and the other comes out alive but traumatized. I sensed I knew what was going to happen as each chapter unfolded. I guess the who behind what happened two the two girls. As I got further into, I guessed another detail [I don't want to give more than that due to a possible spoiler]. I guessed what happened to other characters.
There were breadcrumbs to try and lead us in another direction. It was almost immediately followed up with how this person is a good person and it can't be them.
The ending fell flat because it seemed predictable to me. And I love feeling intense emotion and being completely blindsided. I felt neither of these with this.
One thing I did enjoy, Camilla's emotional intelligence and ability to remain calm/logical. Also, not entering areas and instead backing out of the house and calling the police to investigate!
For me, I wouldn't recommend it openly. But I wouldn't actively dissuade someone from reading it.
Thank you NetGalley & Boldwood Books!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
After her divorce, Camilla Darrow decides to move to the picturesque village of Blackney for a fresh start. She moves into 21 Willow Lane, and her friends don’t live that far away.
She is looking forward to her job as a Primary school teacher but that I a few weeks away. She wants to redecorate the house that seems quite outdated.
On her travels she meets Hope Andrews that has fallen off her bike. She tries to help her but at first is hostile towards her. The locals say that she is quite the loner and lives on her own. But it may be down to her being the only survivor of the pretty corner girls where she was the only survivor.
But several days later they meet again and soon they start forming a friendship. Happy days for Hope it been a long time on her own. But when Camilla’s friends started coming to see her Hope starts getting jealous and old history starts repeating itself.
I have read several books by Kerri Beevis now and they never seem to disappoint. 21 Willow Lane is no exception. This is a creepy atmospheric read about one’s loneliness turning into an obsession. It started at a medium pace but speed up towards the end. This is lots of twists that at times felt a bit unsettling. But I couldn’t stop turning the pages. 4 stars from me.
She is looking forward to her job as a Primary school teacher but that I a few weeks away. She wants to redecorate the house that seems quite outdated.
On her travels she meets Hope Andrews that has fallen off her bike. She tries to help her but at first is hostile towards her. The locals say that she is quite the loner and lives on her own. But it may be down to her being the only survivor of the pretty corner girls where she was the only survivor.
But several days later they meet again and soon they start forming a friendship. Happy days for Hope it been a long time on her own. But when Camilla’s friends started coming to see her Hope starts getting jealous and old history starts repeating itself.
I have read several books by Kerri Beevis now and they never seem to disappoint. 21 Willow Lane is no exception. This is a creepy atmospheric read about one’s loneliness turning into an obsession. It started at a medium pace but speed up towards the end. This is lots of twists that at times felt a bit unsettling. But I couldn’t stop turning the pages. 4 stars from me.
May 30, 2026
This was a quick read and I enjoyed it. It centers on Camilla, who moves to a small town to be close to her best friend after getting a divorce. She meets reclusive Hope and takes an interest in her, later finding out that Hope was the only survivor or a brutal attack decades earlier. While the story is mostly told from Camilla's POV, there are some chapters also told from Hope's. The alternating voices moves the story along well.
I liked Camilla and thought for the most part that she was relatable. There is a little bit of romance in the book, which normally I don't like, but it didn't detract from the story and I found myself rooting for Camilla. The author did a good job in introducing believable red herrings throughout the book and when the villain is revealed, it was one of my guesses but I wasn't totally sold yet. The ending maybe wrapped things up a little too quickly- the book went from slow burn action to extreme action pretty quickly- but I still liked the way it call came together. I thought the loose ends were tied up well when all was said and done.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read with some legitimate surprises. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I liked Camilla and thought for the most part that she was relatable. There is a little bit of romance in the book, which normally I don't like, but it didn't detract from the story and I found myself rooting for Camilla. The author did a good job in introducing believable red herrings throughout the book and when the villain is revealed, it was one of my guesses but I wasn't totally sold yet. The ending maybe wrapped things up a little too quickly- the book went from slow burn action to extreme action pretty quickly- but I still liked the way it call came together. I thought the loose ends were tied up well when all was said and done.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read with some legitimate surprises. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Having read a number of books by this author, I had high expectations for her latest offering – and I wasn’t disappointed! The story is well crafted and easy to get into: I liked Camilla from the start and was keen to see where the tale was going to take her. There is an underlying feeling of something not being quite from the beginning, which allowed the tension and creepy vibe to build at a good, steady pace.
The story is told from Camilla and Hope's perspectives, which keeps thigs fresh and allowed me to build my own opinion as to what had happened in the past, who was responsible and what the present would bring. Alongside Cam and Hope, the supporting characters are all well-written and believable, and it’s clear that a number of them are harbouring secrets. That coupled with plentiful twists, turns and red herrings, kept me engaged and keen to find out the truth… I did, however, feel the ending was a little rushed, in comparison to how the pace was ramped up in the preceding chapters.
All in all, this is a well-written book which has suspicion, mystery, and intrigue aplenty. Highly recommended.
The story is told from Camilla and Hope's perspectives, which keeps thigs fresh and allowed me to build my own opinion as to what had happened in the past, who was responsible and what the present would bring. Alongside Cam and Hope, the supporting characters are all well-written and believable, and it’s clear that a number of them are harbouring secrets. That coupled with plentiful twists, turns and red herrings, kept me engaged and keen to find out the truth… I did, however, feel the ending was a little rushed, in comparison to how the pace was ramped up in the preceding chapters.
All in all, this is a well-written book which has suspicion, mystery, and intrigue aplenty. Highly recommended.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Having tried, and failed, to get into 3 books after my last read I needed a book I could settle to and enjoy, as soon as saw this next on my list I KNEW would be a good read and it was!
A ‘creeping up on you’ thriller I would class this as, subtle in its devious characters and making me feel pity for folk I shouldn’t be as it bit by bit started to make me question characters and what had and was happening
21 Willow Lane has a history, a dark one and when Camilla, wanting a fresh start, moves in she is aware of it…..just not how it will affect her life in the coming weeks, nor the people she meets will try and destroy her!
I loved the setting of Blakeney, sounds idyllic and also loved Tara amongst other characters we meet and get to know but mostly loved the suspense and trickle of unease as the story started to play out and you got that feeling all was not as it seemed
As always brilliant story telling from the million selling author and great when you know an author and their book will stop the run of ‘did not finishes’
Fab read
A ‘creeping up on you’ thriller I would class this as, subtle in its devious characters and making me feel pity for folk I shouldn’t be as it bit by bit started to make me question characters and what had and was happening
21 Willow Lane has a history, a dark one and when Camilla, wanting a fresh start, moves in she is aware of it…..just not how it will affect her life in the coming weeks, nor the people she meets will try and destroy her!
I loved the setting of Blakeney, sounds idyllic and also loved Tara amongst other characters we meet and get to know but mostly loved the suspense and trickle of unease as the story started to play out and you got that feeling all was not as it seemed
As always brilliant story telling from the million selling author and great when you know an author and their book will stop the run of ‘did not finishes’
Fab read
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A Gripping Read!
What begins as a picturesque fresh start soon turns into a waking nightmare where a quest for a peaceful life turns into a deadly obsession.
21 Willow Lane delivers a sharp dose of claustrophobic suspense from Keri Beevis.
Following her divorce, Camilla is eager to put down roots in a pretty seaside village. Buying the former family home of Natalie a girl who vanished twenty years ago, seems like a non-issue until she meets Hope, a survivor of that tragic night.
The story sets the scene perfectly before the tension ramps up into a spiral of paranoia. As Camilla tries to befriend the lonely Hope, her life begins to unravel.
Beevis excels at portraying an atmosphere of paranoia, leaving you to wonder who is targeting Camilla and why they want to scare her so badly.
I read this in one sitting and even if you spot the culprit early, the dread of the chase makes it a thoroughly enjoyable, gripping read.
My thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC. This is my own opinion.
What begins as a picturesque fresh start soon turns into a waking nightmare where a quest for a peaceful life turns into a deadly obsession.
21 Willow Lane delivers a sharp dose of claustrophobic suspense from Keri Beevis.
Following her divorce, Camilla is eager to put down roots in a pretty seaside village. Buying the former family home of Natalie a girl who vanished twenty years ago, seems like a non-issue until she meets Hope, a survivor of that tragic night.
The story sets the scene perfectly before the tension ramps up into a spiral of paranoia. As Camilla tries to befriend the lonely Hope, her life begins to unravel.
Beevis excels at portraying an atmosphere of paranoia, leaving you to wonder who is targeting Camilla and why they want to scare her so badly.
I read this in one sitting and even if you spot the culprit early, the dread of the chase makes it a thoroughly enjoyable, gripping read.
My thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC. This is my own opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Y’all, Keri Beevis basically said “trust absolutely nobody” and wow… she meant it. 😵💫🔪 21 Willow Lane is a creepy, twisty psychological thriller about a woman starting over after divorce in a quiet Norfolk village—only to get pulled into a chilling twenty-year-old mystery involving a dead teen, a missing girl, and the only survivor who came home.
The atmosphere was deliciously unsettling, the small-town secrets were MESSY, and every character had me side-eyeing them like 👀 because nobody in Blakeney felt remotely trustworthy. Hope Andrews was especially intriguing—fragile, suspicious, and impossible to fully figure out.
The writing is sharp, fast-paced, and ridiculously bingeable. I guessed one small twist early, which is why it’s a 4⭐ instead of 5, but honestly? The tension, paranoia, and “something is very wrong here” vibes totally delivered. 🖤
Thanks to Boldwood Books for this copy via #NetGalley for my honest, voluntary review. #21WillowLane #KeriBeevis #NewRelease #PsychologicalThriller
The atmosphere was deliciously unsettling, the small-town secrets were MESSY, and every character had me side-eyeing them like 👀 because nobody in Blakeney felt remotely trustworthy. Hope Andrews was especially intriguing—fragile, suspicious, and impossible to fully figure out.
The writing is sharp, fast-paced, and ridiculously bingeable. I guessed one small twist early, which is why it’s a 4⭐ instead of 5, but honestly? The tension, paranoia, and “something is very wrong here” vibes totally delivered. 🖤
Thanks to Boldwood Books for this copy via #NetGalley for my honest, voluntary review. #21WillowLane #KeriBeevis #NewRelease #PsychologicalThriller
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