What do you think?
Rate this book
The Move: A gripping, unmissable thriller from the author of The Girl Before and Playing Nice
*From the multi-million copy bestselling author of The Girl Before and Playing Nice, now major television series*
'Taut and absorbing . . . Another triumph from JP Delaney' B A PARIS
'A tense psychological thriller in the spirit of Daphne du Maurier . . . I loved it' ELLY GRIFFITHS
'JP Delaney has a gift for the unputdownable story' MICK HERRON
New beginnings c an be deadly . . .
Kate and Matt Crowther are finally moving out of London, in search of a better life for their young family. Trade Cottage seems to be the house of their dreams - and they immediately hit it off with the sellers, Rosemary and Paul Finch, who brought up their own family there.
When Kate and Matt move in, they're pleased to discover the Finches still very much in offering advice, introducing them to the local community, and becoming honorary grandparents to Will, 11, and Tilly, 9. But when the Finches take exception to Kate and Matt's renovations, relations with the neighbours sour, and Kate and Matt find themselves subjected to a vicious campaign of hate.
But Kate isn't giving up her dream home without a fight. And it turns out Trade Cottage has secrets of its own to reveal - secrets that may endanger the very family Kate has moved there to protect . . .
'JP Delaney is King of Thrillers' FIONA CUMMINS
'Twisty, unexpected and utterly convincing' DAILY MAIL
READERS LOVE JP DELANEY
'My favourite author!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'The twists and turns are always unexpected' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'The master of spinning stories' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'An all-time favourite of mine' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Love this author's books, so clever!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Taut and absorbing . . . Another triumph from JP Delaney' B A PARIS
'A tense psychological thriller in the spirit of Daphne du Maurier . . . I loved it' ELLY GRIFFITHS
'JP Delaney has a gift for the unputdownable story' MICK HERRON
New beginnings c an be deadly . . .
Kate and Matt Crowther are finally moving out of London, in search of a better life for their young family. Trade Cottage seems to be the house of their dreams - and they immediately hit it off with the sellers, Rosemary and Paul Finch, who brought up their own family there.
When Kate and Matt move in, they're pleased to discover the Finches still very much in offering advice, introducing them to the local community, and becoming honorary grandparents to Will, 11, and Tilly, 9. But when the Finches take exception to Kate and Matt's renovations, relations with the neighbours sour, and Kate and Matt find themselves subjected to a vicious campaign of hate.
But Kate isn't giving up her dream home without a fight. And it turns out Trade Cottage has secrets of its own to reveal - secrets that may endanger the very family Kate has moved there to protect . . .
'JP Delaney is King of Thrillers' FIONA CUMMINS
'Twisty, unexpected and utterly convincing' DAILY MAIL
READERS LOVE JP DELANEY
'My favourite author!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'The twists and turns are always unexpected' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'The master of spinning stories' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'An all-time favourite of mine' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Love this author's books, so clever!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Audible Audio
Published March 12, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
December 2, 2025
Rosemary and Paul Finch are selling quirky, historic Trade Cottage and Kate and Matt absolutely fall in love with it, stretching themselves financially to make the move from Dulwich in London. In the beginning everything goes well, the whole family love Trade Cottage and they set about renovating it. As an added bonus, they get on well with the elderly previous owners. However, for a number of reasons, relations turn exceptionally sour and it seems the whole area is against them as they face a campaign of hate. However , Kate in particular is made of stern stuff but can she withstand this ever worsening barrage?
JP Delaney always delivers a highly entertaining and engaging thriller for his readers to get their “teeth” into and I thoroughly enjoy the psychological thriller, even though at times it’s perhaps a tad OTT! That’s not to say I don’t relish the plot escalation because I certainly do! I like how the energy and feelings in the village change but how Kate’s emotional attachment to Trade Cottage stays the same or even deepens but it brings out the steel in her personality. At times it gets quite dark as the vendetta gains malicious heat and so it’s engaging reading.
The main characters are well portrayed and can be visualised easily with the star of the show undoubtedly being the atmospheric cottage with all its ancient beauty and secrets. This is conveyed exceptionally well by the author and I love the inspiration noted in the afterword. The surrounding area is also used most effectively as the chilling twisty and twisted tale unfolds.
Overall, this is a fun, easy to read, tense thriller which clips along at a brisk pace. It’s another winner for this popular author.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Quercus Books for the much appreciated daily copy and return for an honest review.
JP Delaney always delivers a highly entertaining and engaging thriller for his readers to get their “teeth” into and I thoroughly enjoy the psychological thriller, even though at times it’s perhaps a tad OTT! That’s not to say I don’t relish the plot escalation because I certainly do! I like how the energy and feelings in the village change but how Kate’s emotional attachment to Trade Cottage stays the same or even deepens but it brings out the steel in her personality. At times it gets quite dark as the vendetta gains malicious heat and so it’s engaging reading.
The main characters are well portrayed and can be visualised easily with the star of the show undoubtedly being the atmospheric cottage with all its ancient beauty and secrets. This is conveyed exceptionally well by the author and I love the inspiration noted in the afterword. The surrounding area is also used most effectively as the chilling twisty and twisted tale unfolds.
Overall, this is a fun, easy to read, tense thriller which clips along at a brisk pace. It’s another winner for this popular author.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Quercus Books for the much appreciated daily copy and return for an honest review.
March 12, 2026
JP Delaney books are always a guaranteed hit for me, and The Move was wild! I love a good domestic thriller, full of characters that can’t be trusted, and a village full , of secrets.. what happens to newcomers Kate and Matt is just awful, a complete nightmare. I wouldn’t have blamed them if they sold up and left.
A young family, ready to escape London and start a new life in the countryside. They find the perfect home, one that needs a little updating which is exactly what they want. Only the previous owners struggle to let go, and that is when the drama begins.
I couldn’t believe some of the tactics that were used to put Kate and Matt off their new forever homes. Just awful people. It was unpredictable and twisty and I loved it.
Thanks so much to Quercus Books for my early copy to read.
A young family, ready to escape London and start a new life in the countryside. They find the perfect home, one that needs a little updating which is exactly what they want. Only the previous owners struggle to let go, and that is when the drama begins.
I couldn’t believe some of the tactics that were used to put Kate and Matt off their new forever homes. Just awful people. It was unpredictable and twisty and I loved it.
Thanks so much to Quercus Books for my early copy to read.
May 18, 2026
The Move was a solid psychological domestic suspense read and, as my first experience with J.P. Delaney’s writing, I found it an easy, bingeable thriller to sink into, with enough tension and uncertainty to keep me guessing.
The setting was an instant win for me. Kate and Matt leave the busy streets of London behind for an idyllic countryside cottage, hoping for a fresh start, but the quiet isolation of village life soon begins to feel far more claustrophobic than comforting. They bond with the previous owners, Rosemary and Paul Finch, though it soon becomes clear that something feels a little off, creating a lingering sense of foreboding that builds steadily.
I especially liked the way the cottage almost felt alive, adding another layer to the story’s eerie atmosphere. The dream fresh start slowly becomes more disturbing, as both the house and the close-knit village begin to feel suffocating.
The short chapters gave this a strong “just one more chapter” feel and made it a quick, easy thriller to fly through. While the pacing felt fast, the plot itself took a little longer to catch up at times, unfolding more as a slow burn before really picking up after the halfway mark. The twists weren’t necessarily jaw-dropping, but I thought they were well placed.
Personally, I would’ve liked a little more grip and higher stakes, but I can appreciate that this story was more focused on creeping unease and psychological tension than big, explosive thriller moments. Overall, it is an engaging domestic suspense with an ominous atmosphere and enough intrigue to keep me turning the pages.
This was a 3.5⭐️ read for me. I’ll definitely be back to this author’s backlist, and I’ve had Playing Nice sitting on my shelf long enough now, so that’ll likely be up next.
The setting was an instant win for me. Kate and Matt leave the busy streets of London behind for an idyllic countryside cottage, hoping for a fresh start, but the quiet isolation of village life soon begins to feel far more claustrophobic than comforting. They bond with the previous owners, Rosemary and Paul Finch, though it soon becomes clear that something feels a little off, creating a lingering sense of foreboding that builds steadily.
I especially liked the way the cottage almost felt alive, adding another layer to the story’s eerie atmosphere. The dream fresh start slowly becomes more disturbing, as both the house and the close-knit village begin to feel suffocating.
The short chapters gave this a strong “just one more chapter” feel and made it a quick, easy thriller to fly through. While the pacing felt fast, the plot itself took a little longer to catch up at times, unfolding more as a slow burn before really picking up after the halfway mark. The twists weren’t necessarily jaw-dropping, but I thought they were well placed.
Personally, I would’ve liked a little more grip and higher stakes, but I can appreciate that this story was more focused on creeping unease and psychological tension than big, explosive thriller moments. Overall, it is an engaging domestic suspense with an ominous atmosphere and enough intrigue to keep me turning the pages.
This was a 3.5⭐️ read for me. I’ll definitely be back to this author’s backlist, and I’ve had Playing Nice sitting on my shelf long enough now, so that’ll likely be up next.
October 5, 2026
Poor Matt and Kate. They have moved into their new home and thinking that they had a wonderful relationship with the previous owners. The previous owners just can't let go of their old home. There is a reason why and you will find out.
I connected with Matt and Kate. I couldn't imagine going through something like this. To their credit they never gave up. Especially Kate. She wanted everything settled.
What I loved about this book was the ending. (the last say 150 pages - I flew through them.) This book is all about the "why" wont they let it go.
This is a book about harassment, secrets and obsession.
I connected with Matt and Kate. I couldn't imagine going through something like this. To their credit they never gave up. Especially Kate. She wanted everything settled.
What I loved about this book was the ending. (the last say 150 pages - I flew through them.) This book is all about the "why" wont they let it go.
This is a book about harassment, secrets and obsession.
November 24, 2025
JP Delaney is one of those authors who has hovered on my periphery for a while. If I asked I would have thought I had read more of their novels however this is only my second after Playing Nice. However, that is about to change as I absolutely loved this one.
The Move in question is Kate and Matt's move into Trade Cottage, leaving behind the hustle of London for a beautiful house in the country. What's even better is that they have struck up a close relationship with the sellers, Rosemary and Paul who are downsizing into a local bungalow due to Paul's deteriorating health.
However, what starts as a beautiful friendship and shared love of the house soon descends into murkiness, back stabbing and treachery when Kate and Matt begin some renovations in the house which Rosemary and Paul continue to feel a close connection to. When the relationship sours to the point that the local community turn against them, will Kate and Matt stick it out or what secrets are really hiding behind the Trade cottage walls.
As I say, I loved this one. Trade Cottage is really brought alive here and you could sense why it was such a well-loved home, it almost became a character in itself. The four main characters were extremely well developed and the plot moves along beautifully but subtly as the relationship sours gently as time goes on.
I can't say too much more about the plot as there are some twists and turns which can't be hinted at but get your hands on a copy of this as soon as you can.
Thanks to Quercus Books | Quercus for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
The Move in question is Kate and Matt's move into Trade Cottage, leaving behind the hustle of London for a beautiful house in the country. What's even better is that they have struck up a close relationship with the sellers, Rosemary and Paul who are downsizing into a local bungalow due to Paul's deteriorating health.
However, what starts as a beautiful friendship and shared love of the house soon descends into murkiness, back stabbing and treachery when Kate and Matt begin some renovations in the house which Rosemary and Paul continue to feel a close connection to. When the relationship sours to the point that the local community turn against them, will Kate and Matt stick it out or what secrets are really hiding behind the Trade cottage walls.
As I say, I loved this one. Trade Cottage is really brought alive here and you could sense why it was such a well-loved home, it almost became a character in itself. The four main characters were extremely well developed and the plot moves along beautifully but subtly as the relationship sours gently as time goes on.
I can't say too much more about the plot as there are some twists and turns which can't be hinted at but get your hands on a copy of this as soon as you can.
Thanks to Quercus Books | Quercus for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
May 4, 2026
Kate and Matt with their two children Tilly and Will want to move to start a new life in the country. Viewing properties they fall in love with Trade Cottage. The sellers Paul and Rosemary have lived there a long time with their own family and feel it's time to move on, or is it?
I have read a few books by the author and have quite enjoyed them. This book i didn't enjoy as much as I thought I would. When reading the book I felt like it wasn't the usual style of the author and did wonder if he had used a ghostwriter.
The story started off fine then I found i was getting very bored very quickly. The plot was weak and predictable and didn't really pick up until the end where it did venture into thrillerland. The whole story up to this point was just about neighbours who weren't getting on.
This book didn't turn out the be the usual thriller that I
have read before from the author. I would perhaps still read books by the author in the future and see how if this author is still for me.
I have read a few books by the author and have quite enjoyed them. This book i didn't enjoy as much as I thought I would. When reading the book I felt like it wasn't the usual style of the author and did wonder if he had used a ghostwriter.
The story started off fine then I found i was getting very bored very quickly. The plot was weak and predictable and didn't really pick up until the end where it did venture into thrillerland. The whole story up to this point was just about neighbours who weren't getting on.
This book didn't turn out the be the usual thriller that I
have read before from the author. I would perhaps still read books by the author in the future and see how if this author is still for me.
May 11, 2026
I LAPPED this up. It’s very rare for me to read a book within 24 hours but I couldn’t put this down. You honestly have no idea where it’s heading. And the theories I did have were completely wrong. My only criticism is the ending felt a little rushed but to be honest I don’t care, I enjoyed it that much. At times I felt so angry for the situation Kate and Matt were in that it reminded me of a bad neighbour I used to have. To me that just shows how good the writing is but I wish they’d got some bloody cameras 😂
My rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Buy it!
My rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Buy it!
September 30, 2026
This was such an unsettling read! The Move starts with Kate and Matt Crowther making what seems like the perfect decision for their family — leaving London behind and moving into their dream country home, Trade Cottage. It sounds like the fresh start they've been looking for, especially with their two children, Will and Tilly.
But things quickly become complicated when they meet the previous owners, Rosemary and Paul Finch. At first, the Finches seem lovely and welcoming, and they even develop a close relationship with the Crowther children. However, once Kate and Matt decide to renovate the cottage, the Finches' attitude changes dramatically.
What begins as a disagreement over renovations turns into something much more disturbing. The Crowthers find themselves increasingly isolated as the local community seems to turn against them, and the hostility becomes impossible to ignore. Kate starts questioning why the Finches are so determined to hold on to Trade Cottage and what exactly happened in the house before her family moved in.
I really enjoyed how the story slowly shifted from "we found our dream home" to "something is seriously wrong here." The tension builds gradually, and there are plenty of secrets, manipulation and twists along the way. I especially liked the way the house itself becomes such an important part of the story, almost feeling like another character.
There were moments where I wanted Kate to make different choices 😂, but at the same time, I couldn't stop reading because I needed to know what was really going on.
A creepy and atmospheric domestic thriller about home, family, obsession and the secrets people are willing to protect. Some parts felt a little slow for me, which is why I'm landing on 4 stars, but the twists and overall premise definitely kept me hooked.
Thank you Definitely Books for sending me a copy in exchange for honest review.
But things quickly become complicated when they meet the previous owners, Rosemary and Paul Finch. At first, the Finches seem lovely and welcoming, and they even develop a close relationship with the Crowther children. However, once Kate and Matt decide to renovate the cottage, the Finches' attitude changes dramatically.
What begins as a disagreement over renovations turns into something much more disturbing. The Crowthers find themselves increasingly isolated as the local community seems to turn against them, and the hostility becomes impossible to ignore. Kate starts questioning why the Finches are so determined to hold on to Trade Cottage and what exactly happened in the house before her family moved in.
I really enjoyed how the story slowly shifted from "we found our dream home" to "something is seriously wrong here." The tension builds gradually, and there are plenty of secrets, manipulation and twists along the way. I especially liked the way the house itself becomes such an important part of the story, almost feeling like another character.
There were moments where I wanted Kate to make different choices 😂, but at the same time, I couldn't stop reading because I needed to know what was really going on.
A creepy and atmospheric domestic thriller about home, family, obsession and the secrets people are willing to protect. Some parts felt a little slow for me, which is why I'm landing on 4 stars, but the twists and overall premise definitely kept me hooked.
Thank you Definitely Books for sending me a copy in exchange for honest review.
October 13, 2026
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Great book, thoroughly enjoyed the read
Great book, thoroughly enjoyed the read
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Really disappointing. I was so looking forward to this thriller, based around a young family who move into their dream home, only to find everything and everyone is against them. But unfortunately, that was the full extent of the plot for 80% of the book. It was slow, repetitive and rather than a gripping thriller, it was little more than a neighbourly dispute, which the entire village got behind.
It was only in the last part of the book that there was any real sense of a thriller unfolding and whilst that part was well written, with a little more pace, by that stage, I knew the characters well enough that it was fairly easy to predict the perp. It all wrapped up very conveniently and a bit cutesy, with several nasty and vindictive acts brushed under the carpet by the victim; “less said, soonest forgotten”, which just felt lazy.
2 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
It was only in the last part of the book that there was any real sense of a thriller unfolding and whilst that part was well written, with a little more pace, by that stage, I knew the characters well enough that it was fairly easy to predict the perp. It all wrapped up very conveniently and a bit cutesy, with several nasty and vindictive acts brushed under the carpet by the victim; “less said, soonest forgotten”, which just felt lazy.
2 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
May 31, 2026
I have read every book by this author and was so looking forward to reading his new book. I am so glad that I didn’t pay the price of the hard back version. I have kept all of his other books as I absolutely love his style of writing but this fell really flat. It is nothing like anything he has ever written before. I couldn’t even recognise it was written by him! I have read another book very similar to this storyline which really put me off. I love his style of writing but this had none of the gritty thriller elements of the rest of his books. Very disappointed after waiting so long for this to actually be published. I can only hope that he goes back to his normal thriller style of writing next time.
April 6, 2026
Absolutely loved it ! Wizzed through it in a couple of days ! Would make a great tv series! We all have the dream of moving to the country , living in the quirky old house, children living their best life out doors ! But what if the reality isn’t what you thought? Especially when the old owners of your new house relocate next door!!!
September 30, 2026
4/5
Classic Delaney creating characters that have you boiling with rage and chapters that get shorter and more intense leaving you unable to stop reading. Read this book in 24 hours, it was short, sharp and devious!
Classic Delaney creating characters that have you boiling with rage and chapters that get shorter and more intense leaving you unable to stop reading. Read this book in 24 hours, it was short, sharp and devious!
Did Not Finish
April 25, 2026Not really my cup of tea. Again very slow to develop. Held my patience for 72 pages before I couldn’t stand any longer. Too slow for my liking unfortunately.
Want to Read
April 19, 2026Hbk
October 3, 2026
Small town vibe in this domestic thriller, the type that JP Delaney excels at. Wanting to leave London with their kids, Kate and Matt find an impossibly cute cottage, and successfully purchase it from the elderly owners - Paul and Rosemary Finch. But the ties are strong, and soon it seems that the Finches - and their family- can’t truly let go, culminating in a campaign of everything from shunning to outright threats. And things exasperate from there, but Kate is determined to find out the secrets of Trade Cottage, as it seems the only way they can stay there.
March 29, 2026
Exactly the same as another book I’ve read , but with different characters
Read half of the book
Read half of the book
April 5, 2026
Delaney never ever disappoints. Fantastic story
April 20, 2026
Delaney's work is always good - this one is perhaps not his best but has a great sense of place, a few characters so annoying my blood was boiling, and a satisfying resolution.
June 25, 2026
This was such a fast paced story - had no idea what was going to happen next. Sort of domestic thriller with some proper nasty neighbours Entertaining
October 5, 2026
Very slow to get started but I enjoyed the book eventually. A lot of loose ends.
August 15, 2026
3.5 stars rounded up
This book was good but not as good as I'd hoped. I kept thinking to myself if there were so many issues with a house and neighbours, no one would put up with it as much as Kate was determined to. The amount of vitriol the family was subjected to was unimaginable and while it was twisted, there were parts that I found to be super unrealistic, given the age of the tormentors. The twist given the reasoning was surprisingly good though and it did make the book feel worthwhile reading.
This book was good but not as good as I'd hoped. I kept thinking to myself if there were so many issues with a house and neighbours, no one would put up with it as much as Kate was determined to. The amount of vitriol the family was subjected to was unimaginable and while it was twisted, there were parts that I found to be super unrealistic, given the age of the tormentors. The twist given the reasoning was surprisingly good though and it did make the book feel worthwhile reading.
May 9, 2026
The first half was interesting with some really annoying characters but the climax was flat and disappointing.
March 26, 2026
pure rage-bait! Then ending didn't climax though, it fell off a cliff which was a bit disappointing
November 25, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus for an advanced copy of The Move in exchange for a review.
What a tense, suspense-filled, gripping thriller this was! In the first half, things bubbled up fairly slowly, setting quite a stressful tone, before ramping up massively in the second half with a very surprising change of direction!
In this domestic psychological thriller, Kate, Matt and their two children are ready to move away from London to somewhere with a quieter, less dangerous feel. Finally, they find the house of their dreams – Trade Cottage. A beautiful old house in the countryside that speaks to Kate immediately and she just knows it’s the house for them.
Previous owners, elderly couple Rosemary and Paul are incredibly friendly, and keen for their home to go to a family with children who will love the house as much as they have. But, after their continued advice and friendly introductions around the village starts out as a welcome help, things quickly start turning malicious as the older couple begin to overstep the mark with their presence and distaste for Kate’s changes to the house.
Suddenly the village feels a lot less welcoming when Rosemary and Paul start waging a vendetta against the new family.
I found the first half of the story so stressful, feeling so angry on behalf of Kate and Matt for how they were treated! But then BAM the direction of the story turned and there was twist after twist! Things turn quite dark and hugely compelling. I read the second half in one day, I couldn’t put it down!
It’s hard to say more about the plot and where things go without spoiling some great surprises but it was wonderful! And I loved the setting of Trade Cottage, which seemed to have a soul of its own that seeps into its owners with its history, secrets and beauty.
What a tense, suspense-filled, gripping thriller this was! In the first half, things bubbled up fairly slowly, setting quite a stressful tone, before ramping up massively in the second half with a very surprising change of direction!
In this domestic psychological thriller, Kate, Matt and their two children are ready to move away from London to somewhere with a quieter, less dangerous feel. Finally, they find the house of their dreams – Trade Cottage. A beautiful old house in the countryside that speaks to Kate immediately and she just knows it’s the house for them.
Previous owners, elderly couple Rosemary and Paul are incredibly friendly, and keen for their home to go to a family with children who will love the house as much as they have. But, after their continued advice and friendly introductions around the village starts out as a welcome help, things quickly start turning malicious as the older couple begin to overstep the mark with their presence and distaste for Kate’s changes to the house.
Suddenly the village feels a lot less welcoming when Rosemary and Paul start waging a vendetta against the new family.
I found the first half of the story so stressful, feeling so angry on behalf of Kate and Matt for how they were treated! But then BAM the direction of the story turned and there was twist after twist! Things turn quite dark and hugely compelling. I read the second half in one day, I couldn’t put it down!
It’s hard to say more about the plot and where things go without spoiling some great surprises but it was wonderful! And I loved the setting of Trade Cottage, which seemed to have a soul of its own that seeps into its owners with its history, secrets and beauty.
April 2, 2026
3 stars.
I really enjoy this book and it held my attention.. until the last 30 or so pages. The ending felt a bit of a let down and rushed which is disappointing. I was also left with a few questions about things that were constantly mentioned through the book but not explored further.
Kept going on about how young Rosemary appeared despite being an old lady and I expected there to be a twist to that. Also thought that Matt would have had involvement in the plot instead of being half-present.
I really enjoy this book and it held my attention.. until the last 30 or so pages. The ending felt a bit of a let down and rushed which is disappointing. I was also left with a few questions about things that were constantly mentioned through the book but not explored further.
Kept going on about how young Rosemary appeared despite being an old lady and I expected there to be a twist to that. Also thought that Matt would have had involvement in the plot instead of being half-present.
March 16, 2026
Bought this as soon as it came out and was excited to read but, sadly couldn’t finish it. I found it very dull and boring. There’s no mystery and It wasn’t a page turner, I didn’t feel like I wanted to know what happens.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really enjoyed this one, and I think a lot of that came from how close the premise felt to home for me. At its heart, this is a story about moving into what you believe is your dream house, and that alone was enough to hook me. Having been through that experience myself, making friends with the previous owners and settling into a place that genuinely feels right, I couldn’t help but slip into the Crowthers’ shoes almost immediately. We even have an elderly neighbour called Rosemary, which made the sense of familiarity feel a little uncanny at times. Thankfully, our own move didn’t come with any of the darkness or hostility that unfolds here, but it did make me pause more than once and wonder how I would cope if things had turned sour in the same way.
What really worked for me was how quietly unsettling the story is. Nothing feels rushed or overplayed, yet there’s a steady undercurrent of unease that never quite lets you relax. I found myself constantly thinking about trust, boundaries, and how quickly a place of safety can start to feel threatening when relationships shift. The idea of previous owners turning on you, of the past refusing to stay in the past, is explored in a way that feels believable rather than sensational, which made it all the more effective.
I also loved the way the prologue was handled. This is one of those books where you almost forget about it as the story unfolds, only to have that moment later on where everything clicks and you’re hit with a very satisfying “oh yeah!” realisation. That delayed payoff really added to my enjoyment and made the structure feel clever without being showy.
Once I was properly immersed, I was completely gripped. This is very much a ‘just one more chapter’ kind of read, and I lost track of the time more than once, pushing on into the early hours because I needed to know how it was all going to work out. The tension builds in a way that kept me emotionally invested, not just in the outcome, but in the characters themselves and the choices they were forced to make.
Overall, this was a thoroughly absorbing read that left me both entertained and thoughtful. It took a familiar life event and twisted it just enough to make me question how secure any sense of home really is. I finished it feeling satisfied, slightly unsettled, and very glad that my own dream home story didn’t take the same turn.
What really worked for me was how quietly unsettling the story is. Nothing feels rushed or overplayed, yet there’s a steady undercurrent of unease that never quite lets you relax. I found myself constantly thinking about trust, boundaries, and how quickly a place of safety can start to feel threatening when relationships shift. The idea of previous owners turning on you, of the past refusing to stay in the past, is explored in a way that feels believable rather than sensational, which made it all the more effective.
I also loved the way the prologue was handled. This is one of those books where you almost forget about it as the story unfolds, only to have that moment later on where everything clicks and you’re hit with a very satisfying “oh yeah!” realisation. That delayed payoff really added to my enjoyment and made the structure feel clever without being showy.
Once I was properly immersed, I was completely gripped. This is very much a ‘just one more chapter’ kind of read, and I lost track of the time more than once, pushing on into the early hours because I needed to know how it was all going to work out. The tension builds in a way that kept me emotionally invested, not just in the outcome, but in the characters themselves and the choices they were forced to make.
Overall, this was a thoroughly absorbing read that left me both entertained and thoughtful. It took a familiar life event and twisted it just enough to make me question how secure any sense of home really is. I finished it feeling satisfied, slightly unsettled, and very glad that my own dream home story didn’t take the same turn.
March 31, 2026
I can highly recommend The Move (Audio Edition) an amazing domestic thriller which I could not put down by J.P. Delaney. (Narrator) Annabelle Dowler provided an excellent variety of of male and female characters in her narration.
Kate and Matt Crowther along with their two young children, Will age eleven, and Tilly age nine, move from London to their dream home, 'Trade Cottage' in a rural area, to provide a more peaceful and safe environment for their family.
They bought their cottage from an elderly couple Rosemary and Paul Finch who become like adopted grandparents to their two children and they initially become quite friendly at the beginning.
Unfortunately, tensions run deep when Kate and Matt decide on renovating their very outdated cottage and also the barns into airbnbs. Rosemary and Paul strongly object, also the locals hear about this and start a vindictive campaign to put a stop to it.
Jamie, Rosemary and Paul Finch's son wants to relocate from the USA and is on a mission to repossess his former childhood home from Kate and Matt for his own family and will go to any length to take Trade Cottage from them.
Poor Kate and Matt are harrassed continually by the locals, including Jamie, to give up their cottage. Sadly ,when the earth has been dug up near a pond by the cottage, the body of a young woman has been found murdered over nineteen years ago and is still well preserved. What secrets will be revealed when they examine her body?
The cottage is more than just a cottage to both Kate and Rosemary as they love it as much as their own family.
Dark toxic secrets, a fight for survival, the identitiy of a murderer is revealed, and suspected suicide factor in this stunning thriller.
I felt empathy for Kate and her family who only wanted to make a fresh start. My blood was at boiling point when how the locals including Jamie harrassed both Kate and Matt continually in order to drive them out of their home and community.
The community is close knit and dislked outsiders who wanted to change things and were also scared of competition.
Kate and Matt Crowther along with their two young children, Will age eleven, and Tilly age nine, move from London to their dream home, 'Trade Cottage' in a rural area, to provide a more peaceful and safe environment for their family.
They bought their cottage from an elderly couple Rosemary and Paul Finch who become like adopted grandparents to their two children and they initially become quite friendly at the beginning.
Unfortunately, tensions run deep when Kate and Matt decide on renovating their very outdated cottage and also the barns into airbnbs. Rosemary and Paul strongly object, also the locals hear about this and start a vindictive campaign to put a stop to it.
Jamie, Rosemary and Paul Finch's son wants to relocate from the USA and is on a mission to repossess his former childhood home from Kate and Matt for his own family and will go to any length to take Trade Cottage from them.
Poor Kate and Matt are harrassed continually by the locals, including Jamie, to give up their cottage. Sadly ,when the earth has been dug up near a pond by the cottage, the body of a young woman has been found murdered over nineteen years ago and is still well preserved. What secrets will be revealed when they examine her body?
The cottage is more than just a cottage to both Kate and Rosemary as they love it as much as their own family.
Dark toxic secrets, a fight for survival, the identitiy of a murderer is revealed, and suspected suicide factor in this stunning thriller.
I felt empathy for Kate and her family who only wanted to make a fresh start. My blood was at boiling point when how the locals including Jamie harrassed both Kate and Matt continually in order to drive them out of their home and community.
The community is close knit and dislked outsiders who wanted to change things and were also scared of competition.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews