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The House on Otley Road: Brand new gripping debut crime thriller fiction for 2026
Not yet published
Expected 18 Jun 26Everyone heard the story. But no one knows the truth.
Two murders. Twenty years apart. One truth to be uncovered.
1999. Emily Pierce is at uni in Leeds having the time of her life. On New Year’s Eve her plans to have the best night ever are brutally cut short when she is killed in her student house. The police conclude her murder was a burglary gone wrong and never find the killer.
2019. When Olivia Kavanagh discovers that twenty years earlier a girl was murdered in her bedroom, she becomes obsessed. But her questions end with another dead body.
Journalist Kate Marsden is sent to cover the story. She reported on Emily’s murder twenty years earlier and finds the similarities staggering and eerie. She is determined to discover the link. But the deeper she digs, the closer she gets to a murderer. Because this isn’t just a story, it’s a well-hidden crime and there’s someone out there who will do anything to stop her from ever unearthing the truth…
Two murders. Twenty years apart. One truth to be uncovered.
1999. Emily Pierce is at uni in Leeds having the time of her life. On New Year’s Eve her plans to have the best night ever are brutally cut short when she is killed in her student house. The police conclude her murder was a burglary gone wrong and never find the killer.
2019. When Olivia Kavanagh discovers that twenty years earlier a girl was murdered in her bedroom, she becomes obsessed. But her questions end with another dead body.
Journalist Kate Marsden is sent to cover the story. She reported on Emily’s murder twenty years earlier and finds the similarities staggering and eerie. She is determined to discover the link. But the deeper she digs, the closer she gets to a murderer. Because this isn’t just a story, it’s a well-hidden crime and there’s someone out there who will do anything to stop her from ever unearthing the truth…
374 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 18, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The House on Otley Road is a gripping, atmospheric thriller that blends cold‑case intrigue with the unsettling feeling that the past is never quite as buried as we’d like to believe. Rosa Silverman delivers a story that moves seamlessly between 1999 and 2019, weaving together two murders, two young women, and one truth that refuses to stay hidden.
The 1999 storyline is instantly compelling. Emily Pierce is full of life, celebrating New Year’s Eve with all the optimism of a student who believes the world is just beginning to open up for her. When she’s brutally killed in her own house, the shock reverberates through the narrative. The police write it off as a burglary gone wrong, but the unanswered questions linger like a shadow.
Fast‑forward twenty years, and Olivia Kavanagh discovers that her bedroom once belonged to Emily. What starts as curiosity quickly spirals into obsession—and then into danger. Her storyline adds a modern, relatable lens to the mystery, showing how easily the past can entangle the present.
Enter journalist Kate Marsden, who covered Emily’s murder two decades earlier and is now back on the case. Kate is the glue that holds the timelines together, and her determination to uncover the truth gives the novel its driving force. As she digs deeper, the parallels between the two deaths become impossible to ignore, and the tension ratchets up beautifully.
Silverman excels at atmosphere: student houses with creaking floorboards, the eerie familiarity of a street that hasn’t changed in twenty years, and the creeping sense that someone is watching. The pacing is tight, the twists well‑timed, and the final stretch genuinely gripping.
The House on Otley Road is a chilling, cleverly constructed thriller about buried secrets, dangerous obsessions, and the stories we think we know. Perfect for readers who love cold‑case mysteries with emotional depth and a strong investigative thread. A tense, addictive read that kept me turning pages late into the night.
My thanks to Rosa Silverman, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
The 1999 storyline is instantly compelling. Emily Pierce is full of life, celebrating New Year’s Eve with all the optimism of a student who believes the world is just beginning to open up for her. When she’s brutally killed in her own house, the shock reverberates through the narrative. The police write it off as a burglary gone wrong, but the unanswered questions linger like a shadow.
Fast‑forward twenty years, and Olivia Kavanagh discovers that her bedroom once belonged to Emily. What starts as curiosity quickly spirals into obsession—and then into danger. Her storyline adds a modern, relatable lens to the mystery, showing how easily the past can entangle the present.
Enter journalist Kate Marsden, who covered Emily’s murder two decades earlier and is now back on the case. Kate is the glue that holds the timelines together, and her determination to uncover the truth gives the novel its driving force. As she digs deeper, the parallels between the two deaths become impossible to ignore, and the tension ratchets up beautifully.
Silverman excels at atmosphere: student houses with creaking floorboards, the eerie familiarity of a street that hasn’t changed in twenty years, and the creeping sense that someone is watching. The pacing is tight, the twists well‑timed, and the final stretch genuinely gripping.
The House on Otley Road is a chilling, cleverly constructed thriller about buried secrets, dangerous obsessions, and the stories we think we know. Perfect for readers who love cold‑case mysteries with emotional depth and a strong investigative thread. A tense, addictive read that kept me turning pages late into the night.
My thanks to Rosa Silverman, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4* Great until almost the end. Pay attention to the cleverly done prologue.
This tale ends in a bit of an anticlimactic, slightly lazy, literal scramble, as the killer in 2019 flees but ends up awaiting trial. I felt sorry for the female journalist at the end, who ended up becoming part of the story that'd stayed with her for 20 years. The 2 female students, Olivia in 2019, and Wotsername from 1999 weren't the most empathetic, the latter with her lies, thefts, deceit, user tendencies, and married lecturer lover, and Olivia always wondering how she might be perceived, how she looked, her insecurities, her envy of more outgoing females, and her resentment of her middle-class background. I couldn't connect with any of the females, but that didn't spoil the tale.
The ending revealed a conscience-free killer living in anyone's, well, 2019 regular life. Not a sensationalist one, not a really noticeable one, not one that stood out, but a devious one with no qualms. I kind of didn't believe that with all 2019's tech, with so many journalists on the case, that their identity didn't get dug into and they didn't get pulled into the investigation. It felt a bit KISS, but it technically worked.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley and HQ for my reading pleasure.
This tale ends in a bit of an anticlimactic, slightly lazy, literal scramble, as the killer in 2019 flees but ends up awaiting trial. I felt sorry for the female journalist at the end, who ended up becoming part of the story that'd stayed with her for 20 years. The 2 female students, Olivia in 2019, and Wotsername from 1999 weren't the most empathetic, the latter with her lies, thefts, deceit, user tendencies, and married lecturer lover, and Olivia always wondering how she might be perceived, how she looked, her insecurities, her envy of more outgoing females, and her resentment of her middle-class background. I couldn't connect with any of the females, but that didn't spoil the tale.
The ending revealed a conscience-free killer living in anyone's, well, 2019 regular life. Not a sensationalist one, not a really noticeable one, not one that stood out, but a devious one with no qualms. I kind of didn't believe that with all 2019's tech, with so many journalists on the case, that their identity didn't get dug into and they didn't get pulled into the investigation. It felt a bit KISS, but it technically worked.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley and HQ for my reading pleasure.
February 7, 2026
I received an digital advance copy of this book via NetGalley.
This novel is marketed as a crime story, but the murder never truly takes centre stage. For most of the book, it remains in the background while the narrative focuses on the personal dramas and relationships of its characters.
There are a few brief moments where tension and danger finally appear, but they are fleeting and quickly defused. These isolated spikes are not enough to generate sustained suspense or a sense of real consequence.
The characters are introduced with detail, yet they remain largely unchanged by the end of the story. Despite the presence of a serious crime, there is little meaningful development or transformation, which leaves the narrative feeling static and emotionally distant.
The writing is competent and controlled, but the tone remains cold and observational. Opportunities for deeper psychological exploration are often passed over, and the novel never fully commits to either its crime elements or its character study.
Overall, this felt less like a crime novel and more like a collection of loosely connected life stories with a crime element attached. Readers looking for sustained tension or character growth may find it underwhelming.
This novel is marketed as a crime story, but the murder never truly takes centre stage. For most of the book, it remains in the background while the narrative focuses on the personal dramas and relationships of its characters.
There are a few brief moments where tension and danger finally appear, but they are fleeting and quickly defused. These isolated spikes are not enough to generate sustained suspense or a sense of real consequence.
The characters are introduced with detail, yet they remain largely unchanged by the end of the story. Despite the presence of a serious crime, there is little meaningful development or transformation, which leaves the narrative feeling static and emotionally distant.
The writing is competent and controlled, but the tone remains cold and observational. Opportunities for deeper psychological exploration are often passed over, and the novel never fully commits to either its crime elements or its character study.
Overall, this felt less like a crime novel and more like a collection of loosely connected life stories with a crime element attached. Readers looking for sustained tension or character growth may find it underwhelming.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It’s 2019 and Olivia is starting her 2nd year at university in Leeds, moving into a ground floor flat with a group of friends she’s hoping to get closer to. But she soon finds out that another student, Emily, was murdered in her very room 20 years ago.
Olivia starts delving into the murder, sure she can be the one to solve what really happened. But then another murder is committed.
Meanwhile, journalist Kate covered Emily’s murder in 1999 and has never stopped thinking about it. Now she’s back in Leeds investigating another murder with strong similarities, and she’s determined to find the truth.
This took me a bit of getting into – I really didn’t like any of the student characters, particularly Emily! But in the second half, when Kate started to delve into her investigation, it became super suspenseful and twisty. I much preferred Kate’s character!
I really enjoyed the investigation from the perspective of a journalist, as a change from the police perspective. Kate could get away with a bit more!
Emily evoked strong feelings in a lot of people, giving a lot of characters a potential motive to be the killer! I began to suspect everyone! Switching between the 1999 and 2019 timelines was great, and I loved the turn of the millennium nostalgia!
Olivia starts delving into the murder, sure she can be the one to solve what really happened. But then another murder is committed.
Meanwhile, journalist Kate covered Emily’s murder in 1999 and has never stopped thinking about it. Now she’s back in Leeds investigating another murder with strong similarities, and she’s determined to find the truth.
This took me a bit of getting into – I really didn’t like any of the student characters, particularly Emily! But in the second half, when Kate started to delve into her investigation, it became super suspenseful and twisty. I much preferred Kate’s character!
I really enjoyed the investigation from the perspective of a journalist, as a change from the police perspective. Kate could get away with a bit more!
Emily evoked strong feelings in a lot of people, giving a lot of characters a potential motive to be the killer! I began to suspect everyone! Switching between the 1999 and 2019 timelines was great, and I loved the turn of the millennium nostalgia!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a gripping dual-timeline thriller that expertly weaves together two murders separated by twenty years. In 1999, student Emily Pierce is killed on New Year’s Eve, her death written off as a burglary gone wrong. Two decades later, Olivia Kavanagh becomes obsessed with the cold case—only for her curiosity to lead to another tragedy. When journalist Kate Marsden, who originally covered Emily’s murder, returns to investigate, she uncovers eerie parallels and a long-buried truth. As she digs deeper, it’s clear someone will do anything to keep the past hidden.
Having been a student in Leeds myself, I particularly enjoyed how vividly the setting was brought to life and woven into the story. Even without that personal connection, the narrative is completely absorbing, moving seamlessly between timelines while gradually revealing the truth. The characters are well-developed and believable, with several convincing suspects that keep you guessing throughout. The tension builds steadily, making it both engaging and intriguing in equal measure. The ending is satisfying and ties everything together well—an enjoyable and compelling read.
Having been a student in Leeds myself, I particularly enjoyed how vividly the setting was brought to life and woven into the story. Even without that personal connection, the narrative is completely absorbing, moving seamlessly between timelines while gradually revealing the truth. The characters are well-developed and believable, with several convincing suspects that keep you guessing throughout. The tension builds steadily, making it both engaging and intriguing in equal measure. The ending is satisfying and ties everything together well—an enjoyable and compelling read.
January 6, 2026
Review of ‘The House on Otley Road’ by Rosa Silverman, due to be published on 18 June 2026 by HQ, Harper Collins.
One house used as student accommodation. One girl found dead in the front bedroom 1999. One girl dead in the same bedroom in 2019. Coincidence or related? That’s what journalist Kate is determined to uncover.
Kate has been haunted by the first death, ruled a bungled robbery, her first big story as a reporter, no one ever found responsible. Now a new girl has been killed, and the few people who are prepared to speak to Kate, give her tiny morsels of information that give her threads to pull, in an attempt to uncover the mysteries of both deaths.
Told over split timelines for 1999 and 2019, from the point of view of the killed girls, the housemates at both times and Kate.
This was an exceptionally well written and well executed story, with good character development. It is a story littered with clues, red herrings and twists, leading to the final reveal that leaves you realising that the evidence was there in plain sight all along. A highly recommended read.
One house used as student accommodation. One girl found dead in the front bedroom 1999. One girl dead in the same bedroom in 2019. Coincidence or related? That’s what journalist Kate is determined to uncover.
Kate has been haunted by the first death, ruled a bungled robbery, her first big story as a reporter, no one ever found responsible. Now a new girl has been killed, and the few people who are prepared to speak to Kate, give her tiny morsels of information that give her threads to pull, in an attempt to uncover the mysteries of both deaths.
Told over split timelines for 1999 and 2019, from the point of view of the killed girls, the housemates at both times and Kate.
This was an exceptionally well written and well executed story, with good character development. It is a story littered with clues, red herrings and twists, leading to the final reveal that leaves you realising that the evidence was there in plain sight all along. A highly recommended read.
January 27, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of The House on Otley Road by Rosa Silverman
This was a compelling and skilfully constructed crime novel built around a chilling premise. One student house. One young woman found dead in the front bedroom in 1999. Twenty years later, another girl is killed in the same room. Coincidence, or something far darker?
Journalist Kate, haunted by the first case which was dismissed as a bungled robbery and never solved, is determined to uncover the truth behind both deaths. As she revisits the past, small fragments of information begin to surface, each one offering a new thread to pull. The story is told across dual timelines in 1999 and 2019, with perspectives from the victims, their housemates and Kate herself, which adds depth and emotional weight.
The writing is assured, the character development strong, and the plotting sharp. Clues and red herrings are carefully placed, leading to a final reveal that feels both surprising and entirely earned. A thoughtful, unsettling and very well executed debut. A solid four star read.
This was a compelling and skilfully constructed crime novel built around a chilling premise. One student house. One young woman found dead in the front bedroom in 1999. Twenty years later, another girl is killed in the same room. Coincidence, or something far darker?
Journalist Kate, haunted by the first case which was dismissed as a bungled robbery and never solved, is determined to uncover the truth behind both deaths. As she revisits the past, small fragments of information begin to surface, each one offering a new thread to pull. The story is told across dual timelines in 1999 and 2019, with perspectives from the victims, their housemates and Kate herself, which adds depth and emotional weight.
The writing is assured, the character development strong, and the plotting sharp. Clues and red herrings are carefully placed, leading to a final reveal that feels both surprising and entirely earned. A thoughtful, unsettling and very well executed debut. A solid four star read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
THE HOUSE ON OTLEY ROAD
PRE ORDER NOW FOR JUNE 2026.
I was drawn to this book by 2 things, the name as it's local to me and the statement that it is the gripping crime thriller fiction of 2026.
It did not disappoint and I was gripped all the way through and changed my mind about the killer about 40 times. It's one of those one more chapter books that flips back and forth from 1999 and 2019 and named so many local landmarks that I felt like I was there. Loved this book !
Thank you @netgalley and @rosasilverman for allowing me to read pre publication for an honest review, honestly got get it on pre order.
PRE ORDER NOW FOR JUNE 2026.
I was drawn to this book by 2 things, the name as it's local to me and the statement that it is the gripping crime thriller fiction of 2026.
It did not disappoint and I was gripped all the way through and changed my mind about the killer about 40 times. It's one of those one more chapter books that flips back and forth from 1999 and 2019 and named so many local landmarks that I felt like I was there. Loved this book !
Thank you @netgalley and @rosasilverman for allowing me to read pre publication for an honest review, honestly got get it on pre order.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
When Journalist Kate Marsden gets the call to attend a shared student flat in Leeds where a young girls body has been found she can't help but recall a similar case she covered early in her career. What she wasn't expecting was it to be the same road and the same flat.
Told across different timelines The House on Otley Road was an intriguing read with well written characters and a cleverly executed storyline. The pacing was perfection, it kept me on my toes and once started I found it impossible to put down. A great read.
My thanks to the publisher for the early read, all opinions expressed are my own.
Told across different timelines The House on Otley Road was an intriguing read with well written characters and a cleverly executed storyline. The pacing was perfection, it kept me on my toes and once started I found it impossible to put down. A great read.
My thanks to the publisher for the early read, all opinions expressed are my own.
May 25, 2026
What an amazing debut novel. Have to admit part of me wanted to read this novel as I’m familiar with the locations, but I was also intrigued by the plot. Two murders. Twenty years apart. One truth to be uncovered. Kate Marsden is a journalist who reported on the death of Emily Pierce twenty years ago. Determined by police as a burglary gone wrong, Kate isn’t so sure, especially as almost two decades later, another body is discovered. Finding out the truth almost becomes an obsession but Kate is determined to uncover the truth. Gripping, tense and unputdownable - a fast paced novel that will have you hooked. Thank you to NetGalley, HQ and the author for the chance to review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2019 and Olivia is starting her second year at university, This time sharing a house with 3 others.
Hoping for a great year Olivia is dismayed to find that on New Years Eve 1999 another student was murdered in her bedroom.
Told over the two time periods by the people involved, this is a slow build to the end.
It was a bit to slow for me, but I'm sure it will be a big hit.
#NetGalley #HQ #TheHouseOnOtleyRoad #RosaSilverman
Hoping for a great year Olivia is dismayed to find that on New Years Eve 1999 another student was murdered in her bedroom.
Told over the two time periods by the people involved, this is a slow build to the end.
It was a bit to slow for me, but I'm sure it will be a big hit.
#NetGalley #HQ #TheHouseOnOtleyRoad #RosaSilverman
March 26, 2026
Wow for a debut novel this was amazing I was hooked from the very first page I loved a different timeline thriller and this was easy to follow, couldn’t put it down every spare minute I was reading eager to find how it ended this definitely didn’t disappoint and will definitely read more from this author
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A very intriguing cold case book.
Journalist Kate Marsden digs into deaths in the same house 20 years apart.
Well paced, tense and well written.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy to review
Journalist Kate Marsden digs into deaths in the same house 20 years apart.
Well paced, tense and well written.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy to review
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the digital copy, but I’m afraid this book was not for me. I didn’t find it interesting or exciting, and it seemed to be packed with lots of unnecessary information about all the many characters. Sorry!
March 15, 2026
Kate Marsden 20 years ago reported on a student murder 20 years later there is a another student murder in the same flat. Is there a connection?
Fast paced story, lots of characters however well written.
Fast paced story, lots of characters however well written.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews