A Mother Always Knows

by Diane Jeffrey

Diane Jeffrey returns with another suspenseful, twisty and brilliantly tense psychological crime thriller.How much can a parent ever truly know their child?When a young man is found murdered in a quiet rural village, it sends shock waves through the close-knit local community.

But Carla is more concerned for her teenage daughter, Iris. When Joshua was alive, he humiliated Iris in the worst possible way, and now she’ll be the main suspect in his murder.

As the police investigate every lead, Carla must navigate the murky waters of guilt and betrayal as well as her growing suspicions of what her own daughter might be capable of.

When a shocking revelation threatens to tear her family apart, Carla is forced to ask herself how far she’ll go to protect her loved ones. In a world of secrets and deception, can a mother truly know what lies beneath the surface?

A Mother Always Knows is the powerful new thriller from Diane Jeffrey.

Praise for Diane 'The Crime Writer bursts with suspense and intrigue with lots of thrilling twists' Jane Corry

'Such a clever premise and so brilliantly executed, The Crime Writer brims with authenticity and atmosphere – I was completely immersed in what it feels like to be at the heart of a high profile missing person case. Tense and twisty’ T. Orr Munro

'An engrossing, enthralling, intriguing thriller' Liz Nugent

‘Compelling storytelling’ Daily Mail

Genres: Mystery Thriller, Thriller

337 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 12, 2026

About the author

Diane Jeffrey is a USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author.

She grew up in North Devon and Belfast in the United Kingdom. She now lives in Lyon, France, with her husband and their three children, Labrador and cat.

She has written seven psychological thrillers, all published by HQ/HarperCollins.

THE GUILTY MOTHER, Diane's third novel, was a USA Today bestseller.
Her fourth novel, THE SILENT FRIEND, was a Karin Slaughter Killer Reads pick for ASDA.
THE COUPLE AT CAUSEWAY COTTAGE, Diane's fifth psychological thriller, won the 2023 International Thriller Writers award for the best ebook original novel.

THE CRIME WRITER is Diane's latest psychological thriller, published in March 2025 in ebook, paperback and audiobook.

Diane is an English teacher. When she's not teaching or writing, she likes swimming, running and reading. She loves chocolate, beer and holidays.
Above all, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Author website: https://www.dianejeffrey.com
Readers can also follow Diane on Twitter @dianefjeffrey
or on Instagram @dianefjeffrey
or on Facebook.com/dianejeffreyauthor
or via her website: https://www.dianejeffrey.com

Reviews

[Jayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

➡️ Teen Revenge Porn, Date Rape, and Bulimia.

I am a devoted Diane Jeffrey fan and have listened to all of her books.

This book's intriguing premise—the idea that a mother’s intuition never fails—was strong and compelling. The story built tension well, and the ending was well-crafted.

That said, I wasn’t expecting the inclusion of the very heavy themes of teen revenge porn, date rape, and bulimia. Those YA elements were a huge turnoff.

Had these themes been stated in the publisher's blurb, I never would have selected this book.

While the "Who Killed a Young Man from a Quiet Rural Village?" storyline was gripping and the writing solid, the darker content made it less enjoyable overall.

I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Bea Holland.

Since the book unfolded from different POVs, a full cast narration would have significantly improved the listening experience.

3.5 Stars

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dark psychological tale with thought provoking domestic abuse. This storyline immediately gave me memories of Jodi Picoult's Mad Honey.
The story was fast paced and kept me wanting just one more chapter. All the characters were built well and I found it easy to form a connection.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good thriller that stays with you long after you read the last page.

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for offering this ARC in exchange for my personal thoughts.

[Nikki Houghton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Outlier warning.
This book is a) atrociously written
b) YA at best
c) triggering in so many ways
d) blindingly obviously scripted from the ending backwards.

Oh, and boring, full of rubbish humans doing rubbish human things. And Olly would never get in to Bristol let alone to read Medicine……a UCAS board always knows. Convenient and trite nonsense.

[Rustic_Reads_ Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this book really kept me on edge! A Mother Always Knows is a slow-burning thriller that’s all about family secrets and the uneasy tension between trust and doubt.

I loved how Diane Jeffrey makes you feel the emotional weight of being a parent while also unraveling a dark mystery. The writing style is smooth and character-driven, which made the suspense feel very real. The story builds tension through family secrets, shifting suspicions, and moral dilemmas. Perfect if you like domestic thrillers with a twist

[Jacob Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Mother Always Knows is the tense new thriller by Diane Jeffrey. Diane opens the novel with a shocking turn of events for the locals of a quiet village. A local boy has been found murdered. As the identity of the boy is revealed to the public, one local woman, Carla, is horrified because she believes her daughter, Iris, could be the boy’s killer.

Diane Jeffrey tackles some dark themes in this novel, some of which have been in the news only recently. Without going into too much detail, the victim in the novel, in this case, is Iris, and this is why her mother believes she could be responsible for the murder of the boy, Joshua. Carla’s fear comes through strongly on the page, and she knows she has to do everything she can to stop the police from pinning the blame on Iris. This is what makes the tension really rise, but is Iris really to blame here for Joshua’s death? As I was reading, I kept wondering if Carla was doing more damage by trying to protect Iris, especially since one of the detectives working on the case is a close family friend.

Diane Jeffrey gradually reveals why Carla suspects her daughter could be involved. Diane Jeffrey paints a very vivid picture of how recent events have impacted Carla’s family. I really felt for Iris, particularly as Diane explored what happened to her in the weeks running up to Joshua’s murder. It is clear to see how the actions of one person can have far-reaching consequences, and Diane Jeffrey explores this really well in the book.

I loved how Diane Jeffrey told the novel from various perspectives, and we get insight into each character, and the way they’re feeling about individual events really comes through. I thought this was particularly the case with Iris in the past scenes when she is reeling from the shock of what has happened to her, and in Carla, as she fights to protect her daughter.

A Mother Always Knows is another compelling read by Diane Jeffrey, who is one of my favourite authors in the thriller genre. I really enjoyed reading it.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a parent isn’t easy, more so the older your children get. What happens to Iris, Carla’s daughter, is awful and you can’t help but be glad that the person that caused her so much hurt has been found dead. Of course, that leads to another question, who killed him? It begs the question of how well you really know your children. As the investigation proceeds, Carla is having doubts and no longer knows what to belief.

Family dynamics play a big part in the story and it was good to see this one pulling together. Ash, the father, is no longer with Carla but he is very present in their lives and only wants the best for not just his kids but his ex also. I also liked the part of Ian, a close friend to the family who is a detective and also working the case. I didn’t envy his position as he finds himself in some compromising situations which will have you wondering what you would do if you were in his shoes.

The story takes plenty of twists and turns and like Carla, I didn’t know who or what to belief. It was heart-breaking in parts as sadly there is so much of what happens in this story going on in the real world and the support from the police can be sadly lacking with families not knowing where to turn for help. It gives you food for thought as to what you would do in the parents situation.

A Mother Always Knows raises the question of how far you would go as a parent to protect your child. From the very first page I was hooked and couldn’t put it down until I discovered the truth. There are some highly unlikeable characters of which it was hard to have any empathy for them but the bond that Carla, Ash and their children have is endearing and will have you hoping that everything works out for them in the end. The conclusion was both shocking and satisfying and my heart was in my mouth many a time. The suspense was addictive and kept me turning the pages. A sleep stealer!

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Mother Always Knows by Diane Jeffrey is a marvellous contemporary psychological crime suspense that hooked me in from the start.
The action is told through four alternating points of view and in two different time periods. This enables the reader to become totally invested in the characters. We care what happens to them.
All the characters were well drawn and were easy to empathise with. Diane Jeffrey has produced characters that are, on the whole, very likable – and those whom we don’t like, we were never meant to. Our responses were guided by the author’s pen.
Devon is the setting. Small villages should be safe but crime still happens, and people are powerless to stop it.
A particularly arrogant and despicable character is responsible for sexual crimes against two girls (that we hear of) within the tale. One is a physical assault, and the other is cyber-crime – even the police are unable to remove the indecent images. A character suffers for many months, and is only brought back from the brink by her loving family.
There is a mother’s dilemma – could her daughter be guilty of murder? And who could blame her if she was? The mother wrestles with her conscience and her desire to protect. There are questions she needs to ask – but doesn’t, for fear of the answers. I found it very easy to step into the mother’s shoes.
Diane Jeffrey is masterful at the psychological suspense. I always love her novels. She draws me in from the start. I read A Mother Always Knows in just over one sitting – as I had to pause for sleep!
This is a powerful, and at times, horrifying read as we are left wondering – how do we protect our young people from not only physical crime but cyber-crime too?
I received a free copy via Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
A word of caution: there are sexual crimes that are disturbing and some readers may not like. If you, or someone you know, has been affected, please tell someone and seek help.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Mother Always Knows is a tense, absorbing psychological thriller that digs into one of the most unsettling questions a parent can face: how well do we ever truly know our children? Diane Jeffrey builds this story with a quiet, simmering dread, the kind that creeps in slowly and then refuses to let go.

When a young man is murdered in a rural village, the shock ripples through the community — but for Carla, the fear is far more personal. Joshua once humiliated her daughter, Iris, in a way that left deep emotional scars, and now Iris is the obvious suspect. Jeffrey captures Carla’s spiralling anxiety with real nuance: the instinct to protect, the creeping doubt, the guilt that settles in when love and fear collide.

The dual threads of police investigation and maternal suspicion intertwine beautifully. As the detectives follow every lead, Carla is forced to confront uncomfortable truths about her daughter, her marriage, and the secrets that have quietly shaped their lives. The tension lies not just in discovering who killed Joshua, but in watching Carla wrestle with the possibility that the child she raised might be capable of something unthinkable.

Jeffrey excels at atmosphere — the village feels close‑knit yet claustrophobic, a place where everyone knows something and no one says quite enough. The pacing is sharp, the twists well‑timed, and the emotional stakes remain front and centre. When the shocking revelation finally arrives, it reframes everything that came before without feeling contrived.

This is a gripping, character‑driven thriller about loyalty, deception, and the fragile line between trust and denial. Perfect for readers who enjoy domestic suspense with real emotional depth and a protagonist whose fear feels painfully, recognisably human.

With thanks to Diane Jeffrey, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Ney oh the thrill of it FN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Diane Jeffrey and Harper Collins, HQ and HQ digital via NetGalley for the free advance copies. This review is being left voluntarily and the opinions are my own.

This storyline is played out over multiple pov and shifting timelines to slowly build the story of how the present came to be. The present is a teenage boy, who has a whole lot of bad history with many people, being found dead.

As the story unfolds a strong theme is the strength and unwaivering nature of parental love and the unmatched resilience to continue to fight, especially when their child has been hurt.

There are so many massive grey areas in this book that will make you question how you would respond and react.

This book deals with some heavy topics such as sexual, emotional, mental abuse, and a topic that is so poignant around revenge porn and intimate image abuse. It is not sugarcoated but looks at how these things can affect not just the victim but those around them. I applaud Diane for her sensitivity.

"Our parents warned us not to talk to strangers, to look both ways before crossing the road, to talk to an adult if we were bullied at school. They talked to us about the birds and the bees. They gave us the tools we needed to work our way through life avoiding most of the potholes."

Going on further to say the children of today have grown up in a world we don't wholly understand. In reality they know more about digital technology than their parents, making it difficult for parents to protect their children from dangers they don't understand and sometimes don't even know that they exist.

This book is slow burn, heavy on the psychological and will give you pause for thought. With some little twists sprinkled through. I would recommend.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Mother Always Knows by Diane Jeffery is a domestic thriller that is thought provoking and a very good read. A chilling exploration of the “maternal instinct” and the terrifying question of how well we actually know the people sleeping under our own roof.

A young man named Joshua is found murdered in a quiet, rural village. In a close-knit community like this, a crime this violent sends shockwaves through everyone, but for the protagonist, Carla, the fear is deeply personal. Carla finds herself in an unenviable position, Joshua wasn’t just a local boy; he was someone who had humiliated Carla’s teenage daughter, Iris, in the most public and cruel way imaginable. As the police begin to circle, Carla realises the devastating truth, her daughter has the perfect motive.

This is a thought provoking novel featuring a family with secrets, lies and suspicion. The mother Carla wants to know the truth but fears it is not what she wants to hear. She fears for her children and wants to protect them, but how far would she go to defend them. This is not just an whodunnit but a thought-provoking study on the secrets and deception that lie beneath the surface of a seemingly normal family.

This is a story full of shocking revelations that threaten to destroy a family. A twisty story that stayed with me long after I had finished it. A Mother Always Knows is a domestic thriller that is tragic, haunting, and undeniably gripping. It’s the kind of book that stays with you long after you’ve turned the final page.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and HQ for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a young man is found murdered in a quiet village, it sends shock waves through the community. But Carla is more concerned about daughter Iris, as the victim previously humiliated her and now she will be seen as the main suspect in his murder. As the police investigate, Carla is forced to confront how far she will go to protect her family.

Ever since reading my first Diane Jeffrey book and really enjoying it, I have been grabbing her new ones as soon as I see them and this was no exception. This seemed a bit different to the other books that I have read by her, due to the fact that it was much more of a slow burn. Due to the pace I found it harder to get into, however that’s definitely not to say this was a bad read, as this was still a multi layered, well written story. The story is told in different voices from different time frames, which helps build up the story. The author also did a great job tackling hard hitting subjects in an authentic, sensitive way.

The characters were developed well and even though I didn’t fully connect with them, I appreciated that they felt real interesting. Even though I didn’t enjoy this as much as her other books, due to the pacing, this was definitely still a solid read and worth picking up if looking for an emotional, compelling domestic thriller. I will definitely continue to pick up books by this author. 3.5 stars rounded down. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a young man is murdered in a quiet rural village, suspicion quickly falls on Iris, the teenage girl he once humiliated. Her mother, Carla, is desperate to protect her, but as the police dig deeper and long buried secrets surface.

This truly is a parents worst nightmare. It constantly made me ask myself: What would I do if I suspected my child had committed a crime? Would I protect them at all costs and keep their secrets buried or would I force myself to do the right thing and turn them in? That moral dilemma hangs over the entire book, and oh my goodness, my nerves were absolutely shredded from beginning to end.

The use of multiple POVs and shifting timelines was incredibly smooth and easy to follow, giving the story a dynamic feel without ever becoming confusing. I loved how relatable and well-drawn so many of the characters were, flawed, human, and emotionally layered in a way that kept me invested.

The pacing is fast flowing, filled with tension yet still offering moments that make you pause and think about the characters’ choices. I could sense the twists coming, but that didn’t take away from the enjoyment at all, they were executed so well, and each reveal landed exactly where it needed to. Nothing felt wasted or thrown in for shock value; everything fit together cohesively.

This book kept me guessing right until the final pages, and at no point did it ever feel dull or predictable. I highly recommend it if you enjoy twisty, emotional, morally grey thrillers that make you question what you would do in the same situation. Even as I closed the last page, I was still asking myself: What would I do if I were Carla?

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read A Mother Always Knows by Diane Jeffrey in exchange for an honest review.
This was a gripping read that touches on some very real and worrying issues surrounding teenagers, relationships, and the pressures young people face. The story follows Carla as her family is thrown into turmoil after a tragic incident involving her daughter Iris and the toxic boyfriend who caused her so much harm. When he is later found dead, the question quickly becomes: who is responsible?
The story raises an uncomfortable but important question about how well parents really know their children and how far they would go to protect them. There are plenty of twists along the way, and although I guessed the overall direction of the twist quite early on, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book.
The family dynamics were interesting, particularly the supportive relationship between Carla and her ex-partner Ash as they try to protect their children. The only character I struggled with was the stepfather, whose judgmental attitude toward Iris felt harsh, especially given the controlling nature of her boyfriend and the difficult situation she was in.
Overall, this was an emotional and thought-provoking thriller that highlights some very real issues young people face today. Despite predicting the twist, I still found it a compelling and engaging read that kept me turning the pages.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slow start, which meant it took me a while to get into the book. It is told from the point of view of Carla, the (step) mother of 3 children. She lives with Daniel and her ex, the father of her own two children is involved with her and the children regularly. As the book starts, the body of a young man is found in woods . It quickly becomes apparant that it is Iris's (the daughter) ex, who gaslighted and abused her and then used revenge porn . Iris is still affected by what heppened. Carla is worried as it is revealed that Josh was murdered. Ash (the ex) & Carla's good friend, Ian is a detective, leading the investigation and it looks like the mother of the victim blames Iris.
Quite a twisty plot and the pace is steady, picking up towards the end with a few reveals. The characterizations are well done, the feelings well described as Iris is gradually overtaken by her ex boyfriend's controlling behaviour. Although her parents have their doubts, unfortunately these are not spoken about. Most of the family are likeable characters, not really convinced by some of Ian's indescretionary behaviour as a detective working on the case where good friends are involved. I did half guess the major twist but that did not make a difference when reading it. The portrayal of abuse and drug use feels very real and is unfortunately part of life in this day and age.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC. Will look out for more by this author

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dark and gripping family drama is at the centre of this page turner of a twisty psychological thriller. It is so well written and, scarily, completely believable and I have no doubt similar situations have happened in the real world, feeling like the end of the world for some.

When her teenage daughter’s ex, who was a nasty piece of work, is found murdered, can Carla get past the niggling feeling she has that her daughter could have been the murderer? Even if she is, Carla will fiercely protect her.

As the story progresses and digs further into the life of the murdered boy Josh, we as the reader are wondering how we would have acted. There are so many worries for parents today with teenage children. The internet. Sharing photos. Social media. A minefield of things we never had to deal with as children, yet we must drum into our children how dangerous this new world is without wrapping them up in cotton wool. As a parent, like Carla, I try to do my best and keep a balance in this scary new world.

The family bonds of Carla, her children and their father are very strong; he is there to support them at every turn even though he and Carla are no longer together.

There are characters to love, characters your heart goes out to, and characters to hate.

Absolutely absorbing and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to see how things would end. Who had killed Josh and why?

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a young man is found murdered in a quiet rural village, it sends shock waves through the close-knit community.But Carla is more concerned for her teenage daughter, Iris. When Joshua was alive, he humiliated Iris in the worst possible way, and now she will be the main suspect in his murder. As the police investigate every lead, Carla must navigate the murky waters of guilt and betrayal as well as her growing suspicions of what her own daughter might be capable of. When a shocking revelation threatens to tear her family apart, Carla is forced to ask herself how far she'll go to protect her loved ones.

If I was Carla or Iris, I'd be ecstatic that Joshua was dead. But who killed him? As the investigation into Joshua's murder unfolds, Carla doesn't know what she thinks. Iris was left with emotional scars when Joshua humiliated her.

The characters are well-developed in this well-written story. This is a dark read about family dynamics. Grace and her ex-husband will do everything they can to protect their family. With secrets, lies and twists, this story kept me guessing all the way.

Published 12th March 2026

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HQ #HQDigital and the author #DianeJeffrey for my ARC of #AMotherAlwaysKnows in exchange for an honest review.

[Zoe Costley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you netgallery for the arc.

A brilliantly tense and emotionally layered thriller that hooked me from the first chapter.
Diane Jeffrey captures the fear, doubt, and fierce protectiveness of motherhood with such precision that I found myself completely absorbed — and constantly questioning everything.

The story centres on a mother whose daughter becomes the prime suspect in a local boy’s murder, and the way Jeffrey builds that slow, creeping dread is masterful.
The question at the heart of the book — does a mother really know her child? — lingers long after the final page.

What struck me most was how deeply this story made me reflect on my own life… It pushed me to think about how far I’d go for my children and the people I love, and what it truly means to protect someone.
The moral tension is sharp, the atmosphere claustrophobic in the best way, and the twists land with real emotional weight.

This isn’t just a thriller; it’s a story about trust, truth, and the complicated, messy, beautiful bond between parent and child.
I devoured it in a day and loved every minute.

A gripping, thought‑provoking read that deserves every one of its five stars.

[Judy Odom · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Mother Always Knows is a compelling and captivating read that will keep those pages turning for just one more chapter.

Grace is living a quiet life until her daughter is targeted by her boyfriend and he releases some photos to the intertnet.

Iris will be the number one suspect when her boyfriend is found murdered in the forest.

Grace and her ex husband Ash will do anything to protect their children and they will go to battle to defend Iris.

The bigger the child the bigger the problem .

Does Grace really want to know what happened in that forest . Can she face the truth.

Diane Jeffrey has given the reader a lot to think about in A Mother Always Knows and you cant help but put yourself in Grace and Ash's shoes.

Twists and turns, secrets, lies and some nasty characters make for a page turner of a read.

I must warn you, you will want to binge read this book in one sitting. I did.

Thanks to NetGalley and HQ/HQ Digital for the privilege of reading and reviewing A Mother Always Knows.

[Farah G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carla's daughter Iris remains traumatized months after events involving a young man from their area with whom she had a relationship. She knows from what her children have told her about Joshua that he was a decidedly unsavoury character, however charming he may have appeared at times.

But when Joshua is mysteriously found dead, and things are in an uproar with fingers being pointed in all directions, Carla begins experiencing a fear that Iris may have done something to him.

Certainly, Iris is likely to be considered a suspect buy the authorities, given her history with Joshua.

And while most parents may think they know what their children are capable of, can anyone really say that with certainty when it comes to secretive and unpredictable teenagers?

Diane Jeffrey is at the top of her game with this one, skillfully displaying her story telling talents. Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and HQ for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Carla’s high school age daughter, Iris’s ex boyfriend, Josh is found dead in the woods after recently going missing. Josh and Iris’s break up had an ugly aftermath and he made her life extremely difficult. Carla doesn’t want it to be be true but she can’t deny that her daughter had motive and opportunity to kill Josh.

4.5 stars.

This was a good read. It flowed well and I found the story engaging. I also liked the format which contained some chapters covering Josh and Iris’s relationship and break up as well as chapters from the points of views of multiple characters in the present. I started to figure out who was guilty before it was revealed but it didn’t spoil the book. Overall it was another winner from this author.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

don't want to say too much about the story as I'd give away spoilers.

A young man is found murdered in a quiet village which sends panic through the village.

Josh is the ex boyfriend of Carla's daughter Iris and throughout their relationship he treated her really badly. After she ended the relationship he humiliated her in the worst possible way which sent her spiralling into darkness.

Will she be the main suspect? Does Carla think her daughter is capable of murder?

Each chapter is told by Carla, Iris the ones closest to them (I love this type of book)

The story will resonate with many who read it, especially ones with teenagers.

A sensitive, upsetting and important topic beautifully written from the heart. What a great author she is. If there is a book you need to read this year, this is the one.

[Jayne Burnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tense, suspenseful, twisty, dark and gripping psychological thriller.
A young man, Josh has been murdered, stabbed repeatedly, Carla has a strong feeling that her teenage daughter, Iris,may be the murderer. What lengths will she go to, to protect her daughter and her family? A parents worst nightmare, a huge moral dilemma!
Iris had been Josh’s girlfriend, he had been controlling and manipulative, he had posted a private video of Iris on social media, causing Iris great distress and turmoil.
This is a compelling, dynamic, thought provoking and absorbing read.
As the story unfolds and the police dig deeper there are secrets and twists which keep the reader engrossed and turning the pages.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.

[Linda Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. When a young man's body is found in woodland, it sends shock waves through the small Devon community. Carla is particularly affected because the victim is Josh who was her daughter Iris' ex boyfriend. Josh humiliated Iris in the worst possible way when they split up and almost ruined her life. Now Carla realises that Iris could become a suspect in Josh's murder and she can't honestly say that she believed Iris is innocent. This is a great read, exploring the nature of parenthood and the lengths we would go to to protect our children.
Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.

[Tracy Fenton · Rating 4 out of 5]

How far will you go to protect your child?

That's the question that faces Carla when her daughter's ex boyfriend is found stabbed to death as 17 year old Iris definitely had motive!

The story slowly reveals what happened when Iris started dating Joshua, her first boyfriend and the dreadful circumstances that turned her life upside down.

This is my first book by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed her writing, the narrators voice and storyline was both engaging and entertaining.

There are some triggers with topics such as coercive control and bullying, but these are handled sensitively.

Overall a thought provoking and entertaining psychological thriller.

[Madeleine Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iris seems to be the main suspect after her ex boyfriend's body has been found in the woods and he was brutally murdered. It was a controlling and abusive relationship and once it was over he humiliated her in the worst way possible.

Her mum, Carla, also thinks she could be the killer but would do anything to protect her.

This is a story of parenthood, relationships, abuse, siblings, love, loss and so much more.

Very thought provoking and a book that keeps you thinking long after it's finished

A real page turner!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great novel that is told in a "now" and "then" format. A young boy's body is found--most likely murdered--and there are no suspects. Protagonist Carla is devastated as they were close and he had lots of friends so his death is an anomaly. There are many clues but none of them "fit" together and the police are initially stymied. But Carla pursues and after many false starts and mistaken ideas, things come to a head! Loved it!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am always excited for a Diane Jeffrey book and this one was just as good as the rest.

I love how she dictates a real feel to her books.
I felt emotionally attached to every character and found the story so compelling.

The title is perfect and the book had layers which took the book in different directions at different times.

Well worth the wait.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the author for the arc

[Celia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only recently discovered Diane Jeffrey so I was thrilled to see another book by her and this didn't disappoint as it had it all! A parent's nightmare of cyber abuse, date rape, secrets, a dead body and the dilemma of believing your child may be responsible. The ending caught me totally off guard as I thought I had worked it out, but so wrong!

Great read.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy in return for an honest review.

[Neville Townsend · Rating 4 out of 5]

The abusive ex boyfriend of Iris is found murdered and Iris's mother Carla thinks she did it, how far will she go to protect her daughter. A twisty thriller that kept me guessing. Loved the characters and plotting, the short chapters made this a fast paced book. I would recommend this book. Thanks to HQ and Netgalley for this review copy.

[Danielle Jenca · Rating 2 out of 5]

There wasn’t anything particularly wrong with this book, per se. I enjoyed the author’s writing, but I found it hard to connect with it being so heavily English and the jargon she used - maybe this is my own fault, just being American. The story was also a bit slow, and I felt that the climax was almost… irrelevant? I did like the characters for the most part. 2.5 stars