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The Good Listener
Not yet published
Expected 7 May 26An anonymous call. A mother desperate for justice.
The Good Listeners are there for anyone who needs to talk.
When the phone rings, a Good Listener has no idea who could be at the other end. The woman cheating on her husband, the man who has lost yet another job, the teenager struggling at school...
And Clara is prepared for every kind of caller. Except this one.
Because the woman on the other end of the line has just told her 'my husband killed a little girl.'
And two years ago, Clara's own daughter was murdered and her killer never caught.
The police have no leads. This is Clara's only chance of justice. But when the caller is anonymous, what chance does she have of finding them?
The Good Listeners are there for anyone who needs to talk.
When the phone rings, a Good Listener has no idea who could be at the other end. The woman cheating on her husband, the man who has lost yet another job, the teenager struggling at school...
And Clara is prepared for every kind of caller. Except this one.
Because the woman on the other end of the line has just told her 'my husband killed a little girl.'
And two years ago, Clara's own daughter was murdered and her killer never caught.
The police have no leads. This is Clara's only chance of justice. But when the caller is anonymous, what chance does she have of finding them?
Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 7, 2026
3 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Holly Watt
9 books72 followersHello!
My name is Holly Watt. The Good Listener is out in May 2026.
My first novel - To The Lions - won the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger for the best thriller of the year. My second book, The Dead Line, was named one of the Thrillers of the Year by The Times and the FT. The Casey Benedict series continues with The Hunt and The Kill and The End of the Game.
Before writing novels, I was an investigative journalist. I started at the Sunday Times (long, complicated story), before moving to the Daily Telegraph.
During six years at the Telegraph, I was the Whitehall Editor and jointly ran the investigations team. I then moved to work on the Guardian's investigations team (yes, a bit of a leap politically...).
I worked on stories including MPs’ Expenses at the Telegraph and the Panama Papers at the Guardian and I also did lots of undercover work.
I've reported from countries all around the world, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Libya, Jordan and Lebanon (some of which appear in my books).
I now live in Dartmoor with my family and my badly behaved dog.
My name is Holly Watt. The Good Listener is out in May 2026.
My first novel - To The Lions - won the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger for the best thriller of the year. My second book, The Dead Line, was named one of the Thrillers of the Year by The Times and the FT. The Casey Benedict series continues with The Hunt and The Kill and The End of the Game.
Before writing novels, I was an investigative journalist. I started at the Sunday Times (long, complicated story), before moving to the Daily Telegraph.
During six years at the Telegraph, I was the Whitehall Editor and jointly ran the investigations team. I then moved to work on the Guardian's investigations team (yes, a bit of a leap politically...).
I worked on stories including MPs’ Expenses at the Telegraph and the Panama Papers at the Guardian and I also did lots of undercover work.
I've reported from countries all around the world, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Libya, Jordan and Lebanon (some of which appear in my books).
I now live in Dartmoor with my family and my badly behaved dog.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Good Listener is a tense, atmospheric thriller that immediately pulls you into the fragile headspace of a woman grieving the unimaginable. It’s both a page‑turner and an emotional punch, driven by the raw desperation of a mother who has never stopped searching for answers.
Clara is such a vividly drawn protagonist. As a volunteer listener on an anonymous helpline, she’s calm, empathetic, and prepared for almost anything — until a chilling caller quietly confesses, “my husband killed a little girl.” What makes the moment so powerful is Clara’s instant, visceral reaction: two years ago, her own daughter was murdered, and the case went cold. The author captures her shock and disbelief beautifully without ever tipping into melodrama.
From that moment on, the tension sharpens. Clara’s grief, hope, and need for justice tangle together in a way that feels deeply human. You can feel the stakes — not just for finding her daughter’s killer, but for holding onto her sanity as she becomes consumed by the anonymous voice on the line.
The helpline setting adds a wonderfully unsettling tone to the whole novel. Anyone could be on the other end, anyone could be lying, and Clara is trapped trying to sift truth from manipulation without a single clue to hold onto. The sense of isolation builds with each chapter, and the mystery tightens as Clara edges closer to answers she’s not sure she’s ready for.
What I especially loved is how grounded the story feels. It’s emotional without being sentimental, suspenseful without relying on shock tactics, and deeply character‑driven. The twists land with impact because you’re fully invested in Clara’s journey — her determination, her fear, and the tiny spark of hope she can’t let go of.
A haunting, tightly woven thriller perfect for readers who enjoy stories about grief, obsession, and the lengths a parent will go to for the truth.
With thanks to Holly Watt the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Clara is such a vividly drawn protagonist. As a volunteer listener on an anonymous helpline, she’s calm, empathetic, and prepared for almost anything — until a chilling caller quietly confesses, “my husband killed a little girl.” What makes the moment so powerful is Clara’s instant, visceral reaction: two years ago, her own daughter was murdered, and the case went cold. The author captures her shock and disbelief beautifully without ever tipping into melodrama.
From that moment on, the tension sharpens. Clara’s grief, hope, and need for justice tangle together in a way that feels deeply human. You can feel the stakes — not just for finding her daughter’s killer, but for holding onto her sanity as she becomes consumed by the anonymous voice on the line.
The helpline setting adds a wonderfully unsettling tone to the whole novel. Anyone could be on the other end, anyone could be lying, and Clara is trapped trying to sift truth from manipulation without a single clue to hold onto. The sense of isolation builds with each chapter, and the mystery tightens as Clara edges closer to answers she’s not sure she’s ready for.
What I especially loved is how grounded the story feels. It’s emotional without being sentimental, suspenseful without relying on shock tactics, and deeply character‑driven. The twists land with impact because you’re fully invested in Clara’s journey — her determination, her fear, and the tiny spark of hope she can’t let go of.
A haunting, tightly woven thriller perfect for readers who enjoy stories about grief, obsession, and the lengths a parent will go to for the truth.
With thanks to Holly Watt the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
February 18, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of The Good Listener by Holly Watt
This was an intense and emotionally charged thriller that I raced through in no time. The opening sets a bleak and oppressive tone as we meet a grieving mother, Clara, determined to uncover the truth about her daughter Lyra’s death. From the start, the sense of loss, suspicion and rising dread permeates every page, making the tension almost unbearable in the best possible way.
The author handles the psychological aspects of grief with real skill. Clara’s obsession with finding answers and the way her world begins to unravel as she digs deeper is unsettling and all too believable. The sense that something is lurking just out of sight keeps you constantly on edge, and the short, urgent chapters make it hard to put the book down.
The build-up of suspicion and creeping dread is the novel’s strongest feature: every interaction feels weighted with meaning, and every unanswered question drives the story forward with relentless momentum. While the resolution may not surprise seasoned thriller readers, the emotional and atmospheric journey to get there is gripping.
A tense, atmospheric and compelling read that blends psychological depth with page-turning suspense. A very solid four-star thriller.
This was an intense and emotionally charged thriller that I raced through in no time. The opening sets a bleak and oppressive tone as we meet a grieving mother, Clara, determined to uncover the truth about her daughter Lyra’s death. From the start, the sense of loss, suspicion and rising dread permeates every page, making the tension almost unbearable in the best possible way.
The author handles the psychological aspects of grief with real skill. Clara’s obsession with finding answers and the way her world begins to unravel as she digs deeper is unsettling and all too believable. The sense that something is lurking just out of sight keeps you constantly on edge, and the short, urgent chapters make it hard to put the book down.
The build-up of suspicion and creeping dread is the novel’s strongest feature: every interaction feels weighted with meaning, and every unanswered question drives the story forward with relentless momentum. While the resolution may not surprise seasoned thriller readers, the emotional and atmospheric journey to get there is gripping.
A tense, atmospheric and compelling read that blends psychological depth with page-turning suspense. A very solid four-star thriller.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a solid 4 star, "the reveal" parts would probably be a 5 star on it's own.
This was a good slowburn, I really felt the intensity of Clara's feelings of dispare, grief and anxiety as she tried to find out who her young daughter's killer was. Clara's loss and the dark void of her life being destroyed by the trauma was clearly portrayed.
For some reason that I couldn't put my finger on, just a feeling I had, I had guessed who Lyra's killer was so although I didn't know how they'd done it, I was pleased that I'd guessed correctly as " the reveal" happened in a dramatic way. The tension of this was well portrayed in the book.
Clara's character felt well drawn, the other characters were a mix of being well drawn and not so much, the men who she initially suspected could have been drawn a little more three-dimensionally.
The main reason I only gave 4 stars was that it felt a little dragged out, especially the scenes at the "Good Listeners" office but that might be just me.
Definitely recommend if you like slow burns.
With thanks to Netgalley & the author for the opportunity to read ahead of publication.
This was a good slowburn, I really felt the intensity of Clara's feelings of dispare, grief and anxiety as she tried to find out who her young daughter's killer was. Clara's loss and the dark void of her life being destroyed by the trauma was clearly portrayed.
For some reason that I couldn't put my finger on, just a feeling I had, I had guessed who Lyra's killer was so although I didn't know how they'd done it, I was pleased that I'd guessed correctly as " the reveal" happened in a dramatic way. The tension of this was well portrayed in the book.
Clara's character felt well drawn, the other characters were a mix of being well drawn and not so much, the men who she initially suspected could have been drawn a little more three-dimensionally.
The main reason I only gave 4 stars was that it felt a little dragged out, especially the scenes at the "Good Listeners" office but that might be just me.
Definitely recommend if you like slow burns.
With thanks to Netgalley & the author for the opportunity to read ahead of publication.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Holly and NetGalley for allowing me to read The Good Listener before the publication date.
6 year old Lyra disappears from a local folk festival. Weeks later, her body is found in woodland.
Lyra’s father, Lucas, soon returns to London, only to file for divorce from Clara, who has remained in the village, determined to find out who killed her daughter.
6 months later, in a fragile state, and despite advice from her lawyer, Clara agrees to the divorce with little financial provision.
Now she works part time as a gardener for the Blackslades at Harepath House. She volunteers for The Good Listeners, a charity which provides an anonymous phone service for anyone who needs someone to talk to.
Callers share their, often disturbing, concerns.
When a woman caller tells Clara that her husband killed a little girl, Clara is desperate to find out more about who the woman is, although she knows that this will breech the terms of her contract with the organisation.
This is a well woven tale is a slow burn in which the author uses misdirection as she introduces snippets of conversations which support Clara’s own suspicions.
6 year old Lyra disappears from a local folk festival. Weeks later, her body is found in woodland.
Lyra’s father, Lucas, soon returns to London, only to file for divorce from Clara, who has remained in the village, determined to find out who killed her daughter.
6 months later, in a fragile state, and despite advice from her lawyer, Clara agrees to the divorce with little financial provision.
Now she works part time as a gardener for the Blackslades at Harepath House. She volunteers for The Good Listeners, a charity which provides an anonymous phone service for anyone who needs someone to talk to.
Callers share their, often disturbing, concerns.
When a woman caller tells Clara that her husband killed a little girl, Clara is desperate to find out more about who the woman is, although she knows that this will breech the terms of her contract with the organisation.
This is a well woven tale is a slow burn in which the author uses misdirection as she introduces snippets of conversations which support Clara’s own suspicions.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4 Stars from me
I was drawn in to this one incredibly quickly and felt huge empathy for Clara.
Although, having said that, I also wanted to shake her a lot of the time.
Really enjoyed the concept of 'Good Listeners' and that they had the same people ringing in week in week out with the same tales of woe. This was a nice undercurrent of 'you never know what someone is going through' and also a balance of real problems vs third world problems feeling just a real and painful to the person experiencing them.
I couldn't help but admire the tenacity shown by Clara, the dogged determination to track down the person who took and killed her daughter - but what I admired even more was her ability to carry on, to get up each day and go out into the world to do good.
A simple premise that was executed well and made for a highly engaging read.
My thanks to the author, netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ) for an ARC in return for an honest review.
I was drawn in to this one incredibly quickly and felt huge empathy for Clara.
Although, having said that, I also wanted to shake her a lot of the time.
Really enjoyed the concept of 'Good Listeners' and that they had the same people ringing in week in week out with the same tales of woe. This was a nice undercurrent of 'you never know what someone is going through' and also a balance of real problems vs third world problems feeling just a real and painful to the person experiencing them.
I couldn't help but admire the tenacity shown by Clara, the dogged determination to track down the person who took and killed her daughter - but what I admired even more was her ability to carry on, to get up each day and go out into the world to do good.
A simple premise that was executed well and made for a highly engaging read.
My thanks to the author, netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ) for an ARC in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
Clara is a volunteer at The Good Listener service, who literally sit and listen to people who call up and their problems. Clara took on this volunteer work as her own daughter was murdered, and the killer never found, so for her it helped that she was helping people. Until one night, when a caller confesses that her husband murdered a little girl, which Clara is sure she means her little girl, and then Clara starts to investigate.
I found the storyline to this book quite unique, and I really enjoyed it. The writer ensures all subjects discussed via that service are written sensitively, and this really holds weight to the storyline. I love the characters, especially Clara, who was vulnerable, yet fierce. It had all the elements I enjoy in a good thriller, and this was quite a page turner. Brilliant.
Clara is a volunteer at The Good Listener service, who literally sit and listen to people who call up and their problems. Clara took on this volunteer work as her own daughter was murdered, and the killer never found, so for her it helped that she was helping people. Until one night, when a caller confesses that her husband murdered a little girl, which Clara is sure she means her little girl, and then Clara starts to investigate.
I found the storyline to this book quite unique, and I really enjoyed it. The writer ensures all subjects discussed via that service are written sensitively, and this really holds weight to the storyline. I love the characters, especially Clara, who was vulnerable, yet fierce. It had all the elements I enjoy in a good thriller, and this was quite a page turner. Brilliant.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 Stars rounded up to 5.
This thriller opens with Clara’s daughter going missing and subsequently being murdered, and the killer has never been found. Two years later Clara volunteers at “The Good Listener Service” where people can call in and talk to the listeners about anything, and their calls cannot be traced, are not recorded and no details taken. One night a caller rings to say her husband has killed a little girl, and that when Clara starts to investigate.
This was a fast paced read, which not only kept you guessing who the killer was, but also dealt with Clara mourning her daughter’s death, in a compassionate and realistic way. This was a page turner for me, and most of the twists I did not see coming until they happened.
Would recommend.
My thanks to #NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing PLC for the ARC copy of #TheGoodListener
This thriller opens with Clara’s daughter going missing and subsequently being murdered, and the killer has never been found. Two years later Clara volunteers at “The Good Listener Service” where people can call in and talk to the listeners about anything, and their calls cannot be traced, are not recorded and no details taken. One night a caller rings to say her husband has killed a little girl, and that when Clara starts to investigate.
This was a fast paced read, which not only kept you guessing who the killer was, but also dealt with Clara mourning her daughter’s death, in a compassionate and realistic way. This was a page turner for me, and most of the twists I did not see coming until they happened.
Would recommend.
My thanks to #NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing PLC for the ARC copy of #TheGoodListener
March 19, 2026
The Good Listener by Holly Watts is the story of Clara, who is the mother of a young girl who was murdered, when her and her mother went to a village yearly event and she disappeared to be found murdered weeks later in the local woods.
Clara stays in the area after her daughter’s death determined to find the person who killed her daughter. She volunteers at a local helpline “The Good Listener” to fill the time. She then listens to a woman who starts phoning the helpline regularly who tells her that her husband has killed a child, two years ago. Clara is convinced that this is the men responsible for her daughter’s death. Then events escalate with missing women and an earlier death of a child, are they all connected?
A tension filled storyline with many twists and turns before the killer is found.
Highly recommended
Clara stays in the area after her daughter’s death determined to find the person who killed her daughter. She volunteers at a local helpline “The Good Listener” to fill the time. She then listens to a woman who starts phoning the helpline regularly who tells her that her husband has killed a child, two years ago. Clara is convinced that this is the men responsible for her daughter’s death. Then events escalate with missing women and an earlier death of a child, are they all connected?
A tension filled storyline with many twists and turns before the killer is found.
Highly recommended
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Good Listener is a fast paced thriller that had a way of latching onto your emotions. This is first thriller I've read in a long time that has heart. ♥️
Read in one sitting it's utterly compelling & the unique storyline starts of slow but terrifying however it escalates once Clara has the call that changes everything. I was glued to my seat.
The author portrayed the grieving mother who needs answers, needs the truth perfectly. It's hard to imagine how you would feel if you were in Clara's position however the author does a great job at invoking the reader to just imagine & honestly I absolutely can say I'd be exactly the same.
A really unsettling thriller that hooks you in, definitely worth a read.
Thank you to Netgalley, Raven Books & Holly Watt for an Advanced copy.
Read in one sitting it's utterly compelling & the unique storyline starts of slow but terrifying however it escalates once Clara has the call that changes everything. I was glued to my seat.
The author portrayed the grieving mother who needs answers, needs the truth perfectly. It's hard to imagine how you would feel if you were in Clara's position however the author does a great job at invoking the reader to just imagine & honestly I absolutely can say I'd be exactly the same.
A really unsettling thriller that hooks you in, definitely worth a read.
Thank you to Netgalley, Raven Books & Holly Watt for an Advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The story begins with Clara’s daughter going missing and being murdered, and her killer never caught.
Clara's life is in turmoil, so she takes on a ‘Samaritan’ type role, listening to various callers to help them with whatever their problem is.
Clara receives training to talk to callers, except when a female on the other end of the line tells her ‘my husband killed a little girl.’ Was it her little girl? After this, the plot is a slow burn of her trying to discover who the caller is and having to handle the worries of, what if she finds them? What will she do?
An excellently paced drama unfolds through the narrative, and the ending turns many things on their heads. A revealing and interesting read.
Clara's life is in turmoil, so she takes on a ‘Samaritan’ type role, listening to various callers to help them with whatever their problem is.
Clara receives training to talk to callers, except when a female on the other end of the line tells her ‘my husband killed a little girl.’ Was it her little girl? After this, the plot is a slow burn of her trying to discover who the caller is and having to handle the worries of, what if she finds them? What will she do?
An excellently paced drama unfolds through the narrative, and the ending turns many things on their heads. A revealing and interesting read.
February 21, 2026
Having read the blurb for this book I was keen to read it because it sounded such an interesting story. And I was definitely not disappointed.
I really felt for Clara as she is grieving the loss of her daughter whilst trying to get on with her life. But as the killer was never found Clara finds her volunteering work at The Good Listeners uncovers a lead she starts to follow after an anonymous woman calls in claiming her husband killed a little girl!
This is an emotional read with great characters written very well. It got very intense towards the end and I had to concentrate to follow the twists and turns but it was very satisfying to do so and well worth it.
Many thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.
I really felt for Clara as she is grieving the loss of her daughter whilst trying to get on with her life. But as the killer was never found Clara finds her volunteering work at The Good Listeners uncovers a lead she starts to follow after an anonymous woman calls in claiming her husband killed a little girl!
This is an emotional read with great characters written very well. It got very intense towards the end and I had to concentrate to follow the twists and turns but it was very satisfying to do so and well worth it.
Many thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.
February 18, 2026
I absolutely loved reading this book! It is a very tense thriller that had my heart racing at times.
It is a story about secrets, power and the dangers of being heard. The author played with the themes is manipulation and journalism while proving that listening to someone may not always be innocent!
That time you are reading, it can feel very unsettling which was done in such a smart way. It is a fast-paced book that keeps you on the edge of your seat. when you feel like you’ve worked out who the caller and killer are you realise how wrong you are.
If you have a good thriller or mystery then this book may be for you. This is the first book I’ve read by Holly Watt but It definitely won’t be the last.
Thank you, Holly Watt, NetGalley an Bloomsbury for an advanced copy.
It is a story about secrets, power and the dangers of being heard. The author played with the themes is manipulation and journalism while proving that listening to someone may not always be innocent!
That time you are reading, it can feel very unsettling which was done in such a smart way. It is a fast-paced book that keeps you on the edge of your seat. when you feel like you’ve worked out who the caller and killer are you realise how wrong you are.
If you have a good thriller or mystery then this book may be for you. This is the first book I’ve read by Holly Watt but It definitely won’t be the last.
Thank you, Holly Watt, NetGalley an Bloomsbury for an advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thankful for my ARC copy. This was a bit of a slow burn and took me a while to really get into, but once the story found its footing I became hooked. The tension builds nicely and kept me turning the pages as it picked up pace.
I did struggle at times with the number of characters, and while I didn’t see the ending coming, I also didn’t feel I knew the characters well enough to try and guess where the story was heading. That distance made the reveal less impactful for me than it could have been.
Overall, still a good read, and despite a few issues, I enjoyed it enough to round my rating up. I’d recommend it, especially for readers who enjoy slow-burn suspense.
I did struggle at times with the number of characters, and while I didn’t see the ending coming, I also didn’t feel I knew the characters well enough to try and guess where the story was heading. That distance made the reveal less impactful for me than it could have been.
Overall, still a good read, and despite a few issues, I enjoyed it enough to round my rating up. I’d recommend it, especially for readers who enjoy slow-burn suspense.
Read
March 13, 2026I enjoyed this book. 2 years ago Clara's young daughter was murdered and her killer never found. Clara now volunteers for the Good Listeners. All sorts of people call in with all sorts of problems. The service is completely anonymous. So when a woman calls and tells Clara that her husband killed a little girl, she knows that this is the best lead she's had. But how can she find out who the woman is and where she's calling from?
This is a real page turner that will keep you guessing to the end, although I did find the denouement rather complicated.
Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
This is a real page turner that will keep you guessing to the end, although I did find the denouement rather complicated.
Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Really enjoyed this one, read in one sitting whilst on holiday. This is a tense, clever thriller about power, secrets, and the quiet danger of being heard. Holly Watt plays with themes of journalism, manipulation, and control, proving that listening isn’t always innocent. Fast-paced, unsettling, and smart — this one grips hard and doesn’t let go.
📚I was able to read an advanced copy of title thanks to NetGalley, Holly Watt and Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ) | Raven Books📚
📚All reviews and opinions are entirely my own📚
📚I was able to read an advanced copy of title thanks to NetGalley, Holly Watt and Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ) | Raven Books📚
📚All reviews and opinions are entirely my own📚
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I found this story really gripping and couldn't put this down. I was drawn in by the character of Clara and her loss. Every mother's nightmare. I applauded her work with Good Listeners and loved all the twists and turns in the story. It's human nature for the mind to jump to conclusions as Clara does. Everything is a possible clue.
Got a little confused at the end as the clues and evidence came thick and fast, but overall I would recommend this book.
With thanks to Holly Watt, the publishers and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Got a little confused at the end as the clues and evidence came thick and fast, but overall I would recommend this book.
With thanks to Holly Watt, the publishers and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a tragic tale of a mum whose young child was murdered during a holiday. The mum has never managed to move on from the event and vows not to leave until she knows what happened to her child. She signs up to a listening helpline and on one late night call hears a confession that stops her heart. My husband killed a child! As she tries desperately to find out more from this unknown caller will she get to the truth about her daughter before it’s too late but how can she find out who it is when the calls are anonymous and can’t be traced and is her snooping putting her in danger.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Was not sure to expect from this as a new author for me but wow! Read super quick as such a good read! The author has completely nailed this with getting you to have such empathy for Clara! The plot is perfectly timed and the book well paced.
Loved it!
Thanks to Netgalley, Holly Watts and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.
Loved it!
Thanks to Netgalley, Holly Watts and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was different from the author’s previous books and I enjoyed it but found the subject matter unsettling at times.
Clara was a well drawn character and I enjoyed the concept of the Good Listeners.
As others have said I found the ending a bit confusing and rushed but a good book nevertheless.
Clara was a well drawn character and I enjoyed the concept of the Good Listeners.
As others have said I found the ending a bit confusing and rushed but a good book nevertheless.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A fantastic book that’s completely different to anything else I’ve read. I was desperate for Clara to find out the truth so couldn’t put this down.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for my honest and unbiased opinion.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for my honest and unbiased opinion.
March 9, 2026
In The Good Listener, Clara is grieving the death of her daughter who was murdered two years ago and the murderer has never been found. Clara works as a volunteer on the Good Listener helpline ( which I assume is based on the Samaritans). One night she receives a call from a woman who claims that her husband killed a little girl. This leads Clara on an investigation to work out if this little girl is her daughter and to discover who ‘Emma’ the caller is.
I loved the setting of the novel and the author creates an intense atmosphere in a Dartmoor village, where everyone knows each other and Clara suspects everyone. Clara is a well drawn character and I felt her grief and reluctance to leave the place where her daughter was murdered and I was completely consumed by her investigation The plot moves along at a fast pace and so I raced through this over a couple of days. However I did find the last section of the novel became a little tedious and confused.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
3.5 stars
I loved the setting of the novel and the author creates an intense atmosphere in a Dartmoor village, where everyone knows each other and Clara suspects everyone. Clara is a well drawn character and I felt her grief and reluctance to leave the place where her daughter was murdered and I was completely consumed by her investigation The plot moves along at a fast pace and so I raced through this over a couple of days. However I did find the last section of the novel became a little tedious and confused.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
3.5 stars
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a fantastic read. I was invested from start to finish. An anonymous caller and a murder. How are they linked? Highly recommend this book to anyone liking a good mystery. I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy and leave this review willingly.
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