Connie: An unputdownable thriller with a twist that will keep you guessing

by Charlotte Duckworth

They know she killed them. They just don't know why.

Connie Cross was a trusted pharmacy assistant when she was arrested for the gruesome murders of at least seven strangers.

Now, she's serving a whole-life order for the shocking crimes she refuses to explain.

Olivia Lang never forgot Connie, the awkward teenager from a south London estate she first met while working for the police.

Twenty years later, Olivia is desperate to understand what made Connie turn into a murderer.

But as she begins to uncover the truth about the UK's most notorious female serial killer, Olivia risks revealing secrets she's kept hidden for years . . .

EVERYONE LOVES CHARLOTTE DUCKWORTH'S NOVELS

'Get ready for a rollercoaster ride' HEAT

'Pulse-pounding' LOUISE MUMFORD

'Had me hooked from beginning to end' 5* READER REVIEW

'The perfect thriller' EMILY FREUD

'Not to be missed' 5* READER REVIEW

'Utterly addictive' WOMAN'S OWN

'A thrilling page-turner' 5* READER REVIEW

'Full of pace, suspense and intrigue' L V MATTHEWS

Genres: Crime, Psychological Thriller

464 pages, Paperback

Expected publication May 5, 2026

About the author

Charlotte Duckworth is the USA Today bestselling author of The Rival, Unfollow Me, The Perfect Father, The Sanctuary and The Wrong Mother.

Connie, her sixth psychological suspense, will be published by Quercus in January 2026.

She started her career working as an interiors and lifestyle journalist, writing for a wide range of consumer magazines and websites.

She also writes contemporary bookclub fiction under the pen name Charlotte Rixon. The One That Got Away was published in the UK & the US in 2023. Translation rights sold to Brazil, Hungary, Romania, Ukraine, Israel, Serbia and Russia. The film rights have been optioned by a major US producer.

Charlotte lives in Surrey, UK, with her partner and their daughter.

Reviews

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Connie Cross, trusted pharmacy assistant, was just your normal average girl wasn’t she? Quiet, awkward, and not very sociable, but that isn’t a crime. What was a crime though was the seven strangers who died a brutal death by her hands!

She was sentenced to four whole life orders, and here’s the thing that nobody can understand - she refused to explain why she carried out these horrific murders on complete strangers, indeed she showed no remorse either.

Olivia Lang was a police officer when she first met Connie Cross. Connie was a teenager from a home where her mother suffered mental health issues, and her father hated his daughter.

The circumstances in which Olivia and Connie met, came about by the murder of Connie’s mother, by her father, and subsequently the suicide of her father. Olivia never forgot the rather strange and awkward girl, and now some twenty years later, after Connie had been imprisoned for her crimes, Olivia wants to interview Connie with the intention of writing a book about her. What turned this South London girl into the vicious killer she became. Was it the trauma and neglect she suffered during her childhood, or something else entirely?

Connie is a character who gets right into the readers psyche, due to the absolute need to discover why she did what she did. Here were seven complete strangers, so what was the motive, and why did she show no remorse? This is a taut and intelligent psychological thriller that will stay with you long after the last page is turned. Recommended.

*Thank you to Netgalley and Quercus Books for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *

[Jayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meet my first 10-star book of 2026.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Kudos to author Charlotte Duckworth for penning a dark, disturbing, gripping, and emotionally jolting tale of murder, mayhem, and dysfunctional family dynamics.

From start to finish, the book was unpredictable and unputdownable.

THE PREMISE:
A former police officer is writing a book on Connie, the UK's most notorious, incarcerated, and emotionless "Psychopath Extraordinaire" female serial killer.

Connie knew none of her murder victims during her 15-year killing spree.

All victims differed in age and shared no connection with Connie.

Different methodologies were used for the murders.

The former police officer's goal? To explain the inexplicable.

The book's intensity was palpable—with each chapter humming with tension, unease, and forboding.

WHAT SET THIS BOOK APART?
The brilliant characterizations of the deeply flawed, conflicted, and vulnerable FMCs.

The FMCs were rendered with clarity and depth that felt achingly real and fiercely human.

Their voices were distinct, with motivations that were unsettlingly complex.

I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Susie Riddell.

This was a very difficult book to narrate.

Although Susie Riddell's Oscar-worthy performance was outstanding, the book would have benefited from two narrators since it unfolded from two POVs.

All the stars....and MORE!

One of my besties of 2026!

[Ceecee · Rating 5 out of 5]

What makes pharmacy assistant Connie Cross kill seven people over a period of fifteen years? Female killers are much less usual than male, and female serial killers are even rarer. Connie is found guilty and given a whole life sentence. She never explains her motives but it’s something that has long lived inside ex police officer Olivia Lang, who remains desperate to work out what propels Connie to murder. In her quest to understand Connie and produce a book in the process, what will it reveal about Olivia herself and her personal truths? The story is told in alternating points of view.

Wow, just wow. I’ve always rated Charlotte Duckworth’s books highly but I think this might be her best to date. It’s multi layered as buried secrets are peeled back to reveal what lies beneath, the pacing is spot-on, it’s suspenseful, tense and unpredictable. It deals with a number of issues some of which are certainly harsh, dark and chilling so there are shocks along the way with revelations I don’t see coming. Cliffhanger chapter endings keep me ploughing on, often perched on the edge of my seat. There are some scenes where threats and danger seem to be palpable.

One of the things that gives the novel a real edge is the brilliant and compelling characterisation. I don’t want to give anything away about either of these complex women but their incisive portrayal is what gives the book its power. Both are at times elusive and evasive but that’s the fascination and the author certainly has surprises in store for her readers.

This is a very thought-provoking novel, it makes me realise that the truth is rarely ever simple. In my opinion this is an outstanding character driven psychological thriller, which I recommend to fans of the genre.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Quercus Books for the much appreciated early copy and return for an honest review.

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have read in 2025…and it is not even out until January 2026! Wow. Charlotte Duckworth is an author that deserves much more recognition and love. I have read all of her books and am always blown away by them. Connie may be her best yet. I couldn’t stop reading, and when I had to stop to do life, I was thinking about it. Just fabulous Charlotte 👏

Connie Cross is a serial killer. She has shocked the world with her murders and is in prison for the rest of her life. Everyone know what she did but nobody knows why. Former police officer Olivia Lang knew her when she was a teenager, and still can’t stop thinking that maybe she could have done something and stopped Connie becoming the monster that she turned out to be. Determined to find out, she starts to visit her in prison.

This is such a heartbreaking, emotional and thought provoking story. As awful as the things that Connie has done, you can’t help but feel for her and what she went through in her life. Nothing in this story is predictable, and. Much of of it is shocking. When crime book pulls at my heartstrings and s makes me cry, you know it has been a winner. Easy 5 starts from me.

Thank you so much to Quercus Bools for my early copy of this amazing book. Publishes on January 15th and I urge everyone to read it.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Connie Cross once worked as a trusted pharmacy assistant, until her arrest for the brutal killings of at least seven strangers. She is now serving a whole life sentence for crimes so shocking that she has never offered an explanation. Olivia Lang remembers Connie well, the awkward teenager from a south London estate she encountered during her time with the police. Two decades later, Olivia is determined to uncover what drove Connie to become a killer.

This novel digs deep into the human psyche, exposing how pain, insecurity, and the longing for recognition can shape a person’s choices. It is unsettling yet captivating, a story that grips from the first page and refuses to let go. Rather than relying on shock value alone, the narrative builds tension through its exploration of fractured identities and blurred truths, reminding us that reality is rarely straightforward. It stands out as a psychological thriller that thrives on character depth, making it a powerful recommendation for readers who enjoy stories driven by emotion and complexity.

Connie’s journey is both horrifying and strangely sympathetic. Despite the terrible acts she commits, the writing allows us to glimpse the suffering that shaped her, creating moments of unexpected empathy. The book is unpredictable, layered with revelations that are as heartbreaking as they are disturbing. By weaving together Connie’s past with Olivia’s perspective, the author crafts a tale that feels both intimate and unsettling, a reflection on society as much as on individual choices. It’s a story that lingers long after the final page, and one I would readily suggest to anyone drawn to dark, character focused crime fiction.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy, all opinions are my own.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Connie Cross was a trusted pharmacy assistant when she was convicted of murdering at least seven strangers. Now serving a whole life sentence, she has always refused to explain the reasons for her crimes. Olivia, an ex police officer, never forgot about Connie and years later she decides she needs to find out the truth behind the crimes. But uncovering the truth about the notorious serial killer, she may risk revealing her own secrets.

I have read a few books by Charlotte Duckworth and they have been good reads, Connie however is in a different league and by far the best I have read by her. The story was emotionally charged, poignant and felt so authentic that it read like an actual true crime account. The author does not shy away from dark issues and while at times feeling harrowing and bleak, it also had a lot of profoundness, intrigue and was truly thought provoking.

What the author has really achieved is such fantastic character development, so much so that at times I found empathy where it would not usually be placed and became a deep-rooted look at society as a whole. The story was a fascinating exploration into what made Connie into the serial killer she was renowned as and carried a lot of depth, while having a sense of uneasiness running throughout. This is certainly a story that will stay with me and I hope the author will write more thrillers like this one. This is definitely one I will recommend, especially for those who enjoy multi layered, character driven psychological thrillers. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

[Kate Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been super hyped, so was very excited to get my hands on an early proof copy. And it did not disappoint!. I really really enjoyed this one.
I liked the fact it lured you in manipulating the reader to feel a certain way about the central character, but then very quickly brining up her past, and making the reader rethink everything you initially thought. I loved how Duckworth managed to constantly keep me on my toes, and constantly change my viewpoint on Connie.
This book would be perfect for a book club and there is so much to discuss.
Really enjoyed this book and would 100% recommend - it's so refreshing to have a thriller book that is so different.

[Ann T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Quercus Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

**** Book comes with trigger warnings - sexual abuse, domestic violence, child abuse ******

Oh wow, thank you Charlotte Duckworth !!

If you love the psychology of the human mind, this book is for you.

Connie is one of UK’s most dangerous serial killers, a precious pharmacist assistant in a maximum security prison for killing 7 people.

This book grabbed me from the first page and I was absolutely absorbed. I loved the pace, the grit, the intensity of this book. Books like this are sadly few and far apart for me so this is an easy 5* read for me.

I’m still processing this book a few days after I’ve finally, sadly put it down. The ending leaves me with so many thoughts, the reasoning of the human mind, ethics, morals, everything is still bringing up questions, dilemmas and so much more.

Read this now, put it at the top of your TBR .
I need to discuss this with you!

Thank you so much for restoring my faith in a really good psychological read. I’m not sure I’d call this a thriller, it’s hard for me to define where it sits but regardless it will get you thinking. Is she mad? Is she evil? Or is there something else. Regardless, be careful.

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review

This was a dark, layered thriller that surprised me in a lot of ways. Right from the start, both main characters, including Connie, our serial killer, are written with a surprising amount of humanity, which immediately made the story feel more complex than I expected. The book tackles some heavy subjects like domestic violence, child neglect, postpartum mental health, and childhood trauma, so definitely be aware of content warnings going in.

I liked the multi-timeline structure and how the story slowly revealed pieces of Connie’s past. Some aspects of her character worked for me, but at times her voice didn’t match her age in the flashbacks, or she drifted into speaking in riddles that became more frustrating than intriguing. Rosemary, however, was a standout. The twist involving her connection to Connie added depth I wasn’t expecting.

The mystery itself kept me guessing, and even when my theories were wrong, I didn’t mind because it meant the book wasn’t predictable. Some reveals, though, felt a little sudden or underwhelming, especially the secret Olivia had been holding onto for years. The final twist about Connie’s family was genuinely interesting, even if some of the buildup felt uneven.

One thing I wasn’t expecting was how strongly political the book felt at times. Themes of feminist anger, justice, and systemic failure run through the story, and while some readers will connect with that, it sometimes felt a bit forced or heavier than what the synopsis led me to expect. The ending ties things up clearly, Connie’s fate, Olivia’s choices, but left me unsure how I felt about what the book ultimately wanted to say.

Overall, this is a thought-provoking thriller with bold themes, some gripping twists, and moments that really landed. Other parts didn’t quite hit the mark for me, but I appreciated the ambition and complexity of the story.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read. Emotionally engaging and very well written it was hard to put down. Connie is in her mid 30s. She is in prison with a tariff of 4 life sentences. She will never be released and will die incarcerated. She accepts this as only fitting as she is a mass murderer. She has not denied killing 7 men. It was her vocation she says. They deserved to die and the reader knows what her motives are from the start. She was caught because she made a fatally tragic mistake and a four year old boy dies.

The narrative shifts seamlessly from “Then” and “Now” with Connie’s backstory, starting when she is a neglected 9 year old, trying to look after her ill mother, Laura, who had just had a baby, Penny, and trying to avoid her father who is emotionally abusive and violent. Into the frame comes Olivia Lang, former police detective who was involved with Connie’s case. Exhausted from her job and looking after new born twins, Olivia, after the trauma of Connie’s case, resigns to become a full-time mum. She never forgets Connie. But why is she feeling so guilty about the case. What secrets is she hiding? She decides she will write a book about Connie to try and understand Connie and her terrible actions; to rid herself of the feeling of a job still to be done and so arranges meetings with her.

The characters in the story are skillfully drawn and as a reader, I was initially feeling very sorry for Connie. How her childhood ignites a burning anger in her. How, as an adult, she feels isolated and misunderstood. However, having been drawn out by Olivia’s questions, Connie writes down, what turns out to be her last confession. The confession is shocking and tragic and so sad. Her attitude displayed in her confession tells you finally, just how disturbed Connie is.

This is a skilfully written, complicated story with the slow reveal of people’s secrets coming to a head at the end. Highly recommend this to readers who like twisty psychological stories.

Thanks to NetGalley for sending an ARC for my kindle. This is my honest review after a full reading of the book.

[Wynnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Connie is serving a life-sentence behind bars for a string of murders—each victim male, each killing seemingly random. With no apparent links between the men or to Connie herself, one question hangs over the case: why did she do it?

Olivia, a former police officer who feels an unexpected pull toward Connie, becomes determined to uncover the truth.In this gripping and emotionally charged thriller, Charlotte Duckworth masterfully unravels the layers of Connie’s troubled past. As the story delves into her traumatic childhood, we begin to understand how her upbringing shaped the woman she ultimately became. It’s a dark, compelling journey—one that is as heartbreaking as it is unforgettable.

[The Cookster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.2/5

I have read Charlotte Duckworth's books previously and have always found them to be fluently written and entertaining, even if they have erred towards stretching credulity with some of the plot developments. However, her latest offering, "Connie", is something quite different. The author says in her notes that she found this her most difficult novel to write so far. Well, it has to be said that the additional effort has been well worth the while. "Connie" is comfortably the most mature and well-rounded book by Charlotte Duckworth that I have read.

The story is told across two timelines and from the perspective of the two central female protagonists, Connie and Olivia. Their interrelationship across the time frames is intriguing, at times shocking and at others quite poignant. The pace of the novel is more measured than in this writer's previous work, but that is in no way a euphemism for being dull - it is simply handled with greater maturity and allows the storyline to develop in a captivating fashion. This fine piece of domestic drama does focus heavily on how women are treated within society as a whole and, as such, may particularly resonate with its female audience. However, readers of both genders should be able to appreciate the themes and the sensitivity with which they are handled.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.

[Tom - Reader of Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Connie is a convicted murderer responsible for the deaths of seven strangers, yet the central mystery is not what she did, but why. That question hangs over the novel like a low cloud, shaping both the investigation and the reader’s engagement as layers of motivation and psychology are slowly peeled back.

As a psychological thriller, this is more contemplative than propulsive. It lacks the white-knuckle tension often associated with the genre, largely because Connie herself is difficult to empathise with. She is not positioned as a tragic or misunderstood figure, which limits emotional investment when compared to similar novels that hinge on reader sympathy. However, what the book sacrifices in suspense it regains through its methodical and often unsettling exploration of the human psyche and the forces that drive extreme behaviour.

While it may not sit at the very top of its genre, this is still an absorbing and thoughtfully constructed novel. Its strength lies in its psychological depth rather than shock value, resulting in a compelling, above-average read that draws you in even if it never quite reaches the heights it seems to be aiming for.

[Sarah Griffiths · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book had my life yesterday. I decided to start reading it with my morning coffee. Just a few chapters. And 5 hours later I hadn’t moved but I had finished the book
This book was everything I needed.
The book centres around Connie, a female serial killer and Olivia, a family liaison officer who Connie had dealings with
The story is told then and now and the more of the “then” chapters I read, the more I was sympathetic with Connie and I almost understood her actions.
The scene when her and her mum were getting ready to leave really angered me. If you know you know. I just really wanted her mum to be okay.
Charlotte Duckworth really made this story work. At times I did wonder where the story was going but I loved it. And reading this as a woman I felt I could resonate with the message even more so.
I was sad at the ending and never thought I’d be on the side of a serial killer!
The book is out now. It’s so good and highly recommended from me. Thriller lovers go add to your tbr!!

[Rachel Sargeant]

This is less of a thriller and more of a fluently written psychological study of the two protagonists - Connie, a serial killer, and Olivia, a former police officer.
We delve into Connie’s psyche as the horror of her childhood with a loving but mentally ill mother and a violent father is revealed.
Gradually, through her prison visits to Connie, Olivia not only learns what motivated Connie but also faces the flaws and secrets in her own life.

For fans of tense, slow-burn fiction.

This is an independent review of an advance copy. I thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity.

[Dozelina 666 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book left me a little conflicted; not because it was bad (it wasn’t), but because I’m not entirely sure what shelf to put it on. On one hand, Connie was fascinating. I’ve always been drawn to the psychology behind serial killers; what makes them tick, what they feel toward their victims, what drives them to cross that line. This book gave me exactly that: an unsettling, slow unpeeling of who Connie is and how she became who she is.

Connie is in prison for killing seven men. She’s never explained why, not to the press, not to the police, not even in court. She simply refused to appear for her own trial. Everyone assumes the murders were random… but as the story unfolds through alternating POVs (Connie and Olivia, the ex-police officer who once knew her as a troubled teen), we start to see that nothing about these killings is random at all.

The writing is strong and the dual timelines (past and present) give the story a lot of depth. The author handles some very sensitive, dark themes with care. There isn’t a ton of action or suspense; it’s more about understanding the “why” than chasing the “who.”

Even so, I read it in one sitting. It was dark and disturbing , definitely not a light read, but a solid one.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.75★ rounded up)

Thank you NetGalley and Quercus Books for the ARC.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! From start to finish, I was hooked, and I found the premise really intriguing and unlike anything I’ve read recently. I always love books that dive into serial killers and their motives for killing, and Connie was a really interesting character to read about and her motives weren’t as clear cut as I first thought. She was an incredibly complicated character and so intriguing to learn about, and I also loved the perspective of Olivia too, and throughly enjoyed all the tense scenes of the characters together too.

This was a really great thriller following a convicted serial killer that dives into her childhood and what made her go on to murder people, and how her upbringing shaped her into the person she is today. I’d definitely recommend this to any thriller fans!

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

TW: abuse, rape, domestic violence, mental health, suicide, murder, arson, relationships, misogyny, gaslighting, revenge, retribution.

I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I devoured this book (including staying up late/early!) and then really didn’t want it to end; I now feel bereft and a bit emotional. I had never read any of the author’s books before this so had no idea how it might be but I was hooked from early on.

This book was so utterly brilliant; it was beautiful, dark, tragic, emotional, depressing, and a book that really really made you think. It was a real moral dilemma type story and written so well that I was so absorbed by Connie and Olivia at both their then and now stages of life.

The book centres around our main character, Connie, a young woman described by mainly the media as Britain’s most prolific serial killer. She is facing off against our other main female character, Olivia, who is keen to meet (prison visits) as she’s writing a book on Connie and her case, and was a serving Detective and Family Liaison Officer during Connie’s youth and is looking to return to the police force now her twin sons have grown up and left home* for uni. There are also many little nuggets that Olivia drops further into the story and so many things fall into place with what happened to Connie, her family, and to show how she never really stood a chance.

For me, there were many themes running through this:
guilt, secrets, lies, regrets, hopes and disappointments, justice & retribution for the greater good. In this way, it really reminded me of the Jodie Foster film “The Brave One”.

It’s also a great insight into women in prison and the narrative that surrounds this/them versus how men are viewed and described, along with an important spotlight on the impact of men on women’s lives, in many different - and usually negative - ways, eg. relationships (many of these but the most apparent are Connie and her family, Connie and Olivia, Connie and Gareth, Olivia and Dan, Olivia and her boys, Olivia and Jason); careers (Olivia’s sacrifice and Dan’s misogyny); how men treat and view women generally but also with their language, behaviours, motives, and actions. It’s a very timely book considering the state of the world and the rise in misogyny, gaslighting and VAWG over recent years and how women still need to fight biases every day.

Again, as per my earlier TW, there are themes of: abuse, rape, domestic violence, mental health, suicide, murder, arson, relationships, misogyny, gaslighting, revenge and retribution.

*I’ve just realised that Olivia and Dan’s sons flying the nest is another nest/home theme here, along with the “cuckoo” nickname.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough and big congrats to the author who will have a corker on her hands. I’m kinda now annoyed with myself for powering through this now!!

Thanks again to the publisher and NetGalley again for this advance copy.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5*

I requested this book from Netgalley because of the amazing reviews it received and it sounded right up my street. The UK's most notorious female serial killer in prison and the former police officer from the case - a story that loosely reminded me of Aileen Wuornos.

This is a thought provoking read and it is a good read but to be honest, I found it a bit long and overly slow in parts. I liked how well it all tied together at the end for the main story but I was less interested in Olivia and so that plodded along for me where I became less interested. Olivia's ties to the case and her failure to disclose same were unbelievable to me and certain things were just too coincidental.

[Jo-anne Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imprisoned for murdering seven men and a child, Connie is the most hated woman in Britain. Olivia is a former policewoman for whom Connie's story has always meant something and now her sons have left home she is determined to find out why Connie did what she did.
There is so much to this novel from the initial premise and that's what makes it so good. Although outwardly appearing as a simple psychological thriller about a serial killer the story is far more nuanced. Olivia's awakening to her life parallels Connie's motivations in a completely different way. I liked the subtle way that misogyny was handled, as a way of control and its effects. In fact the only thing that didn't really work was Bruno the Bear, it felt one thing too far, and that is a minor quibble.

[Melissa Kirkman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Connie by Charlotte Duckworth is a thriller centring around Olivia, a retired police officer and Connie, a famed female serial killer who has remained quiet on her motives. Olivia starts visiting Connie, using their history as an in to write a book.

I really enjoyed this book! I couldn't seem to make up my mind if Connie was a hero or a villain through most of the story. While there was no huge OH MY GOD 'twist', there was tension through the whole book with certain themes & events unfolding over time which I loved. Not every book needs to be twisty! I liked both characters with them both going through life changing realisations and events which made me unable to put the book down.

4 stars from me!!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

[Jayne Burnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new author for me.
What a fabulous read, fast paced, full of suspense and buried secrets, and a few chilling shock.
Connie is a quiet rather awkward girl and not very sociable, however, over a period of time, she kills 7 people. She has been sentenced to life in prison.
Olivia is an ex police officer with an interest in Connie’s story, and there are reasons for her interest which are revealed as the story unfolds, she wants to know why Connie chose to murder her victims, what was Connie’s motive and why does she show no remorse? Olivia wants to write a book to tell Connie’s story.
Rosemary is a neighbour and later becomes Connie’s guardian, she is a strong influential character in Connie’s life.
All three woman are brought to life so vividly in these pages.
A gripping, compelling story, horrifying, traumatic, emotional, unpredictable, heartbreaking and disturbing.
A thought provoking story that will stay with the reader after the book is closed.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quercus for an ARC of this book in an exchange for a review.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlotte Duckworth is a new author for me and one that I'm now keen to read more of. What a brilliant book this was and the portrayal of Connie was just sublime. The story of how Connie came to be a serial killer is dark yet tragic and emotional. The multi layered plot is well constructed and very thought provoking and at times reads like a true crime story. Told in the then and now with POV from Connie and an equally brilliantly portrayed Olivia really gives the story a perfect flow. One of the best psychological thrillers I have read in a long time.

[Bookstagramshaz Sharon Logue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic read!! It felt slightly different vibe BUT it really was good. I genuinely couldn’t stop reading it lol . Thank you for allowing me to read this.

They know she killed them. They've just never known why.

Connie Cross was a trusted pharmacy assistant when she was arrested for the gruesome murders of at least seven strangers.
Now, she's serving a whole-life order for the shocking crimes she refuses to explain.
Olivia Lang never forgot Connie, the awkward teenager from a south London estate she first met while working for the police.

Twenty years later, Olivia is desperate to understand what made Connie turn into a murderer.
But as she begins to uncover the truth about the UK's most notorious female serial killer, Olivia risks revealing secrets she's kept hidden for years . . .

[Lyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!! What a gripping fab read this was!! Hard subject matter in some points & quite long but had me wanting to read more throughout. I liked the dual timelines & finding out about Connie's childhood then Olivia's point of view too, how it all linked up. Would def recommend this book if ok with dark reads, really well written 👌.

[Arvin Dhillon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very dark and intense thriller I have read in a long time. I have mixed feelings about the book. it is powerful portrayal of Connie's character, but its vigilante nature against bad men is little difficult to digest. Well written and engrossing read though.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fortunate to receive an ARC from Quercus publishers and NetGalley.

This felt like a different novel from this author and I am here for it! I couldn't help but thinking about Myra Hindley, Rose West as I was reading this. Connie's fixation is killing men though. Although initially the reaction is horror, as the author leads us through Connie's background and her childhood, it does become clearer how she could have ended up in her situation. Like most offenders, the roots of her crimes could be seen very early on but sadly there was little to no intervention.

We also hear from Olivia, a former police liaison officer who gave up work to dedicate herself to her twins and is now interested in writing a book on Connie. As the story develops, we learn more about Olivia's childhood and adolescence and how this perhaps gives her a greater understanding of Connie than first expected. Supporting characters include Boris and Rosemary, who both add their own personalities to the story.

My favourite quote:
"You expect the world when you are young, and then you steadily bargain your way down until you reach the point of declaring gratitude just to be alive."

[Lily-May · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was written so well,
I was hooked from the first page
a brilliant psychological thriller

I can't wait to be read more from this author

Thank you netgalley and quercus books for this arc

[Saffy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed the author’s previous books but she has surpassed herself with Connie which is her best novel by far.
Connie Cross is a serial killer serving multiple life tariffs for the murder of seven people. Olivia Lang is an ex police officer who met Connie when she was a teenager and in order to understand her crimes is writing a book. The novel moves between past and present and is told from the point of view of both Connie and Olivia.
This is such a well paced novel, each chapter left me wanting more and so I raced through it over the course of 24 hours. Despite her horrific crimes the author shows us, with real sensitivity, the impact of trauma on Connie’s life which helps the reader to begin to understand her. There is real depth to the characterisation of the main characters and I would love to see Olivia in another book. This is a dark novel, but it’s so beautifully written and explores trauma with great empathy. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

[Gillian Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Out 15th January 2026
Utterly compelling, unsettling and brilliantly constructed.

Connie is the kind of psychological thriller that burrows under your skin and refuses to let go. Charlotte Duckworth has created not just a killer, but a woman shaped by trauma, silence, and years of unseen damage.

I was genuinely fascinated by the emotional landscape of Connie’s life — not just the crimes she committed, but the layers of neglect, pain and unresolved trauma that shaped her into the woman she became. Duckworth never sensationalises the violence; instead, she invites you to sit inside Connie’s world, to see how a quiet, awkward girl from a South London estate ends up as one of the UK’s most notorious female serial killers.

Olivia’s determination to uncover the truth twenty years later is tense and deeply human. As the past unravels, so does everything Olivia thought she knew — about Connie, justice, loyalty and the secrets we bury to survive.

This is exactly what I want in a thriller:
🔸 morally complex women
🔸 a slow, suffocating psychological tension
🔸 trauma explored with depth, not gimmicks
🔸 and a final reveal that lands with force.

If you love dark, character-driven crime fiction that grips both the mind and heart, Connie is a must-read. Not just a thriller, but a tragic portrait of what happens when trauma is ignored, dismissed and mishandled.