A Stranger in the Family

by Diane Saxon

The BRAND NEW pulse-pounding thriller from Diane Saxon, BESTSELLING author of The Quiet Wife 🩸📖 Just what is in the attic? 😱 I’ve just made the biggest mistake of my life.

As the last of my children leave home, I’ve persuaded my husband we should move house.

Clearing out thirty-odd years of rubbish is overwhelming, but nothing prepares me for what I find in my attic.

It’s a hint at a hidden horror. A box of secrets I only glimpsed, before I was disturbed.

And now it’s gone.

Someone in my home has removed it. Which means someone I love thinks I know their secret. A secret so dark, I refuse to contemplate it. Until I am forced to.

I need to find that box and take a better look.

I need to protect myself because if I’m right…

My life is in peril.

Genres: Thriller, Psychological Thriller, Fiction, Mystery

282 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 27, 2026

About the author

Diane Saxon lives in the Shropshire countryside with her tall, dark, handsome husband. She has two gorgeous daughters, a Dalmatian, two cats, numerous rare breed chickens, and grandfurbabies too.

After working for years in a demanding job, Diane gave it up when her husband said, “Follow that dream.” She subsequently had 12 romances published for the U.S. market then turned to the dark side with her psychological thrillers published through Boldwood Books.

Nominated for the CWA Dagger in the Library Award 2024 and an International No 1 Amazon Bestseller, Diane never regrets living her second life.

Reviews

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark and addictive, describe this gripping thriller. Diane Saxon masterfully evokes an eminent sense of foreboding and tension. I was engaged throughout. The story definitely kept me guessing after each shocking twist. The conclusion was unexpected and satisfying. I enjoyed how the plot unfolded shifting from the past to the present while keeping me intrigued. This is intense and emotional, and it kept me reading as I tried to solve this twisted puzzle. Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my copy.

[Lady MacDeath 🌒🌕🌘 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emma, a put upon wife and mother, is married to Ralph, with twin teenaged boys, and twenty something Harry, whom is married to Jess. As the twins have moved away to university, Emma and Ralph have decided to downsize their large family home for a bungalow. While she is in the attic, packing up boxes, she finds one, which she doesn’t recognise, and which after investigating, realises it’s contains odd pieces of jewellery, which don’t belong to her or her family. Meanwhile, the news is full of reports of female bodies being found, all over the UK, spanning the last 20 years. When she later returns to the attic, to have another look, she finds that someone in the family has moved it…

I enjoyed reading this book, which is my first from Diane Saxon, and found it to be full of twists and turns, but somewhere in the middle, it seemed to lose the excitement, which eventually picked up again towards the last part of the book. I also found that it was quite repetitive in parts, which felt like gap fillers. This is the reason, for a 3 star rating instead of 4. I really enjoyed the story and it really gets exciting and suspenseful towards the end, though I did have an idea how the book would end.
I will definitely read more from this author, and recommend this book to anyone who likes psychological thrillers.

Thanks to Diane Saxon, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for providing me with this free ARC, with which I leave a voluntary review.

3 ⭐️

Available: 27th February 2026

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diane does it again! This story dropped just enough hints to make you think you know exactly what’s going on, yet also just enough hints to make you doubt everything you think you know! Throughout the entire story, it is very evident that someone is living a double life, but I love how this author keeps you guessing who. I really enjoyed the alternating timelines as well as alternating points of view. Overall, this was a great domestic thriller that I loved and would recommend. This is my fourth read by this author, and I have thoroughly enjoyed all four. Thank you NetGalley & Boldwood Books for an advanced reader copy.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc. I think if this was my first time reading this genre, I would’ve liked it. But I thought that the plot twist was predictable and then the plot twist to the plot twist was a little ridiculous? Like I see how it makes sense technically, but I didn’t feel like we were there emotionally? Story wise? I’m not sure. But it did keep my attention! And even though I was sure I knew the plot twist I was like “well let me keep reading justttt to be sure.”

[daniela weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

dark elements slowly
creep in through emma's
family life and before you
realize you are going along
for a walk on the wild side. ♡

[Dozelina 666 · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.5–3.75 stars)

The blurb definitely caught my attention and the opening chapters were strong enough to pull me in. The attic discovery was intriguing and I was ready for things to spiral.

However, from about 30-40% to maybe 70%, the story felt a bit flat for me. Not bad, just… steady. I had already guessed the culprit and the direction things were heading, so I was mostly waiting for confirmations rather than being surprised.

One thing I did appreciate was the dual POV structure. We get the present timeline from the FMC and glimpses into the past from the criminal’s perspective. That contrast added some depth and kept me engaged even when the pacing slowed.

Overall, I liked the book, but I didn’t love it as much as I hoped. It’s still a solid thriller, just not one that completely surprised me.

Thank you NetGalley & Boldwood Books for the ARC.

[Susan]

An awful book. D,N.F.

[Tina Plintz · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy family dramatic thrillers, this book might be a good fit. As your kids grow up and move on, downsizing can be appealing. That’s exactly what Emma and Ralph wanted to do. However, when Emma discovers a mysterious box in the attic, it unleashes a new mystery.

A nomad has been killing people for years, especially during warmer months, and remains elusive. That is until one day, a woman survives his wrath and manages to escape.

While the book is somewhat repetitive and drawn out, and you can predict the ending, a few good twists elevate it to a solid 3.5 stars. It’s not a book you’ll be discussing for days, but it’s a good read.

[Zoe Kindle Queen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t know how this is the first book I’ve come across by Diane Saxon but it definitely won’t be my last. I really struggled to put this one down, it pulled me in from the first chapter and is full of suspense.

Emma is married to Ralph and is mum to three adult boys, deciding to size down now they have all flew the nest she is packing for their house move when she makes an interesting discovery in the attic.

Serial killer books are a favourite of mine and the story is told through multiple perspectives, keeping the reader guessing through to the twisty ending.

Many thanks to NetGalley, publisher and author for my gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Diane Merritt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wooohhhh such a great read. I love anything about serial killers so this was right up my alley. I loved how this came to a crazy crashing end. And also happy.

Thanks to the author the publisher and Netgalley for a early release of this book.

[Pav S. (pav_sanborn_bookworm) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an exhilarating ride this book turned out to be! It’s packed with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.

Emma, feeling overwhelmed by the process of moving after her children leave home, discovers a mysterious box in the attic that hints at a hidden horror and dark secrets. After realizing the box was removed by someone she loves, she becomes anxious, suspecting that this person believes she is aware of the secret. As Emma grapples with the implications, she feels her safety is at risk and decides to find the box to better understand the situation.

The story unfolds through multiple perspectives, allowing us to grasp the full scope of the narrative. We dive into the lives of Emma, The Nomad, Laura, and Harry, while a separate timeline weaves through the chapters, adding depth to the plot. Each character is shrouded in a bit of mystery, with clever hints scattered throughout. I thought I had it all figured out, but the jaw-dropping twist at the end left me speechless as I rifled back through the timeline to catch the clues I missed.

Emma is such a relatable character, facing a significant life change that many of us can understand. Starting anew is never easy, and I found myself wondering whether she truly knows her family, or if danger lurks closer than she realizes. You’ll have to read on to uncover the truth!

This book is impressively crafted and flows seamlessly through its timeline. I've been a fan of this author for a while, and it’s evident she improves with every new release! The ending was completely unexpected, and it’s astonishing how a person on the run can end up in the wrong place at the wrong time.

If you enjoy fast-paced stories filled with mind-bending twists and surprises, this one is definitely for you! It kept me guessing and left me breathless. I think this is my absolute favorite from Ms. Diane so far, so don’t miss out on this fantastic read! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to finish unpacking the last boxes from my recent move. I hope I don’t stumble upon any unexpected surprises! Ha!

Thank you, Boldwood Books and Netgalley, for the DRC widget. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this chilling novel by Diane Saxon, Emma is packing up her house for a move she has genuinely been looking forward to. But everything she believes about her life is thrown out the window when she discovers a box buried deep in the attic. For years, women have been murdered, and something deep within Emma tells her that what she’s found is connected. It’s a horrifying realization — one that could detonate her long marriage to Ralph.

The story unfolds from multiple perspectives. One of them belongs to a lorry driver who accidentally kills a woman. Before long, it becomes disturbingly clear that these murders will continue over the course of years. Like me, if you’re trying to connect the dots between what Emma discovers and the chilling voice of the killer, your mind will likely go to the same place mine did — it would have to be Ralph, wouldn’t it?

Meanwhile, Emma’s personal life is unraveling in quieter but equally unsettling ways. As the mother of a married son and twin boys away at university, she begins to question how much of her life has truly been the idyllic existence she believed it to be.

Diane Saxon keeps the tension tight throughout — from the opening murder, to Emma’s discovery of the box, to the shifting dynamics within her family. I was completely drawn in and genuinely loved the twists. I will definitely be reading more from her in the future.

Many thanks to Boldwood Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into A Stranger in the Family with high expectations because the premise sounded so intriguing, a hidden secret, a missing box, and the idea that someone close to you might be dangerous. While the concept definitely hooked me at first, I found myself feeling a bit disconnected from the characters as the story unfolded. I wanted to feel more invested in them emotionally, but I never fully got there.

There was also a lot of dialogue and plot detail throughout, and at times it felt like those pieces didn’t quite mesh together as smoothly as I hoped. Some scenes felt over-explained, while others seemed rushed or underdeveloped, which made the pacing feel uneven for me. I kept waiting for everything to click into place, but it never completely did.

That said, the story still had moments of tension and a solid central idea, and I can see how it might work better for readers who enjoy slower, dialogue-heavy thrillers. For me, though, it ended up being one of those books where the premise was stronger than the execution.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest review.

[Trina Dixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual Diane Saxon has given us a fast paced, tense family drama with the added twist of a serial killer theme.
Emma is reluctantly packing up the family home, all 3 boys are moving out so it will just be her and husband Ralph. She comes across a box in the attic filled with jewellery but has little time to look. The next day she realises the box has been moved, who in the family could've moved it and why?
We also have The Nomad, a killer who's preyed on women around the country for years.
Each time I thought I had everything worked out, a curveball was thrown into the mix.
Really enjoyed it

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely recommend.

A Stranger in the Family by Diane Saxon.
I really did enjoy this book. I love the cover and blurb of this book. I got into this book straight away. I liked the writing style and the story. Diane is one of my favourite authors. I did like the short chapters. I read this book in one sitting. I couldn't put it down. I certainly didn't see that twist coming. Twisty and gripping. I was certainly wrong with who I thought it was. I definitely recommend this book

[VickydpBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

psychological thriller book I enjoyed this book!!

Defo had me gripped

I’ve just made the biggest mistake of my life.

As the last of my children leave home, I’ve persuaded my husband we should move house.

Clearing out thirty-odd years of rubbish is overwhelming, but nothing prepares me for what I find in my attic.

It’s a hint at a hidden horror. A box of secrets I only glimpsed, before I was disturbed.

[Amy Bowers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the plot, and I thought I completely guessed the main twist near the start, so the ending was interesting.

The audiobook was very well done, however I do have a couple issues with this book - I won’t go into details but perhaps the concept was better than the execution. Also Emma’s character was slightly annoying, get a divorce. 😂

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing

Wow what a book I adore this author Diane Saxon you smashed it again I didn’t see that’s twist coming I just couldn’t get enough of this book I hope u can do another book after this

A must read book

[Madison Leyenhorst · Rating 5 out of 5]

There were a few parts that were a little vulgar, but the storyline was 10/10.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up because I was entertained throughout but found the twist very obvious

[Katherine Hayward Pérez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to Come

4 stars

Thanks to Diane Saxon and Boldwood Books for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

[Wendi Flint Rank (WendiReviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, let me come right out and share that
when we moved house 31 years back~ we
found only really cool artifacts in a pony wall…
Whew ‼️‼️‼️

This book had me going - I got a little boisterous
and I was all wound up because I KNEW who and
where~. Nope! Did NOT.

This book is so well laid out and the horror
is absolutely, positively horrific. You would
not think of any of these connections but it
Is spectacular.

Oddly, for a short book it packs a full blown
Lisa Jewell or Patricia Cornwell from start to
finish. It is a “hurry up & wait of the highest
Order. I’ve been talking about it for 3 days!

I recommend the book to suspense / thriller
fans. My thanks to Boldwood Books via
NetGalley for the download copy of the book
for review purposes.

[johnanimalantics.net, Margaret G Conlan · Rating 1 out of 5]

not for me

It’s a shame that after a chapter or two swearing feels in which is totally unnecessary in my opinion. I do realise some others will enjoy it but it’s not for me.

[Laura Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A STRANGER IN THE FAMILY BY DIANE SAXON
4 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
I enjoyed this book and I enjoyed the storyline.
If you love family drama thrillers then this is the one for you.
This is my 2nd book by this author and looking forward to picking up another one ☺

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Stranger In The Family by Diane Saxon, during the book someone called the nomad killer is killing women up and down the country and has been doing it for years while somewhere else in Iceland Emma and her husband Ralph are empty-nesters their oldest son is married and their youngest boys the twins are all at Uni so they’re downgrading to a smaller home but on the day that packing is to commence the boys go off to watch a football game and she is left to do all the dirty work. While packing up the attic she finds a box With different pieces of jewelry that she knows doesn’t belong to her in the box isn’t something her husband would buy so she is baffled as to what it is and who it belongs to. Before she could search any further her husband and the kids get home and for now the box is forgotten about. Throughout the book there is another POV where a lorry driver which is an 18 wheel driver in European countries, Who at first accidentally killed a woman. Soon however he starts doing it on purpose but who is it well at first we all think it’s Ralph I know I did! Emma believes her husband loves her and that her children love her but her son Harry and his wife seem to be standoffish and Emma is a nice lady and it really hurts her because she doesn’t know why. Throughout the book Emma goes through the ordeal of packing unpacking and a water flood but by the time it’s over her family will be different in many ways she just hopes that she gets to live through it. I find books go through trends as if the newsletter is sent out to the authors telling them to write stories including A,B,C, because this is the second book where the ending just almost seemed too much. I love this author those books in love her ability to tell great stories and have all the questions answered by the end but I think the ending as I said was just a tad bit too much. I am still going to read her book because this one although you read the book thinking you know who did it only to find out no he isn’t the nomad killer but someone else’s and I knew or at least I thought because it was Miss Saxon that it would be an explosive moment and it was but maybe just a tad to bit explosive. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of A Stranger in the Family by Diane Saxon

This was a tense, disturbing and utterly compelling thriller that completely drew me in. At its heart is Emma a wife, mother, and a woman whose ordinary family life begins to fracture in the most devastating way imaginable. When the truth about her husband slowly starts to surface, the shockwaves through her world are profound. What follows is not just a crime story, but a deeply human exploration of betrayal, denial and survival.

The premise is chilling: a HGV driver, constantly on the road and living a seemingly routine life, becomes linked to a series of horrific crimes. But this is very much Emma’s story. The emotional core of the novel lies in her perspective, her confusion, her instinct to protect her children, and her growing realisation that the man she thought she knew may have been living a double life. The author captures that dawning horror with restraint and realism, which makes it all the more powerful.

I particularly appreciated how the narrative balances suspense with psychological depth. The tension builds steadily as Emma pieces together fragments of truth, and the atmosphere becomes increasingly claustrophobic as suspicion seeps into every corner of domestic life. The author doesn’t sensationalise; instead, she focuses on the emotional fallout and the impact on a family forced into the glare of scrutiny and judgement.

Emma is a strong, believable protagonist. Her resilience feels hard won, and her determination to shield her children while confronting an unimaginable reality gives the novel real heart. The pacing is confident, the twists feel earned, and the final revelations land with real force.

A chilling, character driven thriller that explores what happens when evil is not a stranger at all, but someone sitting at your own kitchen table. A powerful and unforgettable read, five stars from me.

[justonemorechapter2025 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Stranger in the Family by Diane Saxon is a gripping psychological thriller that combines everyday life with unsettling mystery. The story begins when a woman, recently empty-nested and ready to start a new chapter, decides to clear out decades of accumulated belongings in her attic. What she discovers hints at a secret so disturbing that it changes everything she thought she knew about her own home and the people she loves.
The pacing is sharp and compelling, with chapters that pull you forward and keep you invested in uncovering the mystery right alongside the main character. Saxon balances moments of quiet unease with dramatic revelations, making it hard to put the book down once the tension begins to mount.
The pacing is steady and engaging, particularly in the first half, where the mystery is at its strongest. The tension builds naturally, and the short chapters make it easy to keep reading “just one more.” The central concept is compelling to me and taps into that universal fear of not truly knowing the people closest to you.
However, there are moments where the story feels slightly drawn out, particularly in the middle, where the tension plateaus rather than escalates. I also found certain character reactions a little repetitive, as the emotional turmoil circles similar thoughts before moving the plot forward. While the twists are effective, I did anticipate parts of the story before the final reveal.
Although the novel remains an absorbing and well-crafted domestic thriller. It’s strongest in its atmosphere and its exploration of family dynamics under pressure. If you enjoy stories built around secrets within seemingly normal lives, A Stranger in the Family is a tense read.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Stranger in the Family by Diane Saxon is a tense, emotionally charged domestic thriller that explores how fragile trust can be—even among the people who are supposed to know you best.

From the very start, there’s a strong sense of unease that never fully lets up. Saxon does an excellent job creating an atmosphere where everything feels slightly off, and I found myself constantly questioning characters’ motives and wondering who could really be trusted. The tension builds steadily, and the uncertainty kept me turning pages, eager to uncover the truth.

What really stood out was the emotional complexity woven into the family dynamics. This isn’t just a story about shocking secrets—it’s about relationships, loyalty, and the way fear and doubt can slowly erode even the strongest bonds. The characters felt believable, each with their own vulnerabilities and flaws, which made their reactions feel authentic even when the situation became increasingly unsettling.

The pacing was mostly strong, especially in the second half when the revelations began to unfold more quickly. There were a few slower moments early on as the groundwork was being laid, but those details ultimately helped make the later twists more impactful.

I also appreciated how the story focused on the psychological tension rather than relying solely on dramatic twists. The emotional stakes felt just as important as the mystery itself, and the resolution was both satisfying and thought-provoking.

Overall, A Stranger in the Family is an engaging and suspenseful read that blends emotional depth with psychological tension. It’s a great pick for readers who enjoy domestic thrillers that focus as much on relationships and trust as they do on uncovering secrets.

[Stephen Clynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now that her children have left home, Emma decides it is time to move. When sorting things out, she comes across a strange box in the attic. Suddenly a nightmare she never imagined shakes her life to the edge.

This is the first book from Diane Saxon that I have read. I am very impressed by the quality of her storytelling and writing. I found this psychological thriller an OUTSTANDING 5 star read. I loved how the author builds her story with little hints along the way, forcing the reader to jump to conclusions before the reveal. There are many, many hints as this story unfolds, each with their little reveals before the mystery continues with more revelations about her family and the strange box from the attic.

I liked how most of the chapters are from Emma’s point of view as she grapples with the possibility that she may have “a stranger in the family”. There are also chapters from the points of view of “one of her boys” and Laura, who Emma does not meet until near the end. This is a British psychological thriller but no actual locations are given, leaving the reader to imagine the scene from generic descriptions like urban, rural, motorway services, layby and woods. I liked the inclusion of lorries and road haulage into the story as the workplace practices add so much to the plot. A Stranger in the Family is a gripping read from the start, is entertaining with no dull bits or padding. The editing is faultless and I feel this would make an excellent television drama. All the little odds and ends are cleared up by the end, what’s not to like? Having read A Stranger in the Family, I am now in the market to read more from Diane Saxon.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Boldwood Books for passing me an ARC on the understanding that I post a review.

[Andrea Hulme · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Stranger in the Family by Diane Saxon is a gripping psychological thriller.. The story begins when Emma and Ralph, who are now empty nesters decide to downsize. Emma is clearing out the attic, ready for the house move, when she discovers an unfamiliar box, containing unusual and unfamiliar items. What she discovers hints at a secret so disturbing that it changes everything she thought she knew about her own home and the people she loves.
We are also drawn into the life of the Nomad, a serial killer, so twisted and gruesome, who has been taking the lives of your women, over a long period of time. We follow this story, flipping back and forward over the years that the killings have been taking place.
The pacing is steady and engaging, particularly in the first half, where the mystery is at its strongest. The tension builds, and the short chapters make it easy to keep reading “just one more.” The central concept is compelling and taps into that fear of not truly knowing the people closest to you.
There are moments where the story feels slightly drawn out, particularly in the middle, but then escalates again as we move towards the end and the unravelling.. I found some of storyline a little bit repetitive. But the twists and tensions were effective.
Overall this was a great, family drama. The seemingly close knit family, yet holds so many lies and secrets.
3.5 stars for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood for the chance to read this ahead of publication day. My opinions are my own.