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Out of the Dark: A psychological thriller
Maddie’s life is far from perfect... but it’s about to get considerably worse.
An emotional thriller that will draw you into grief, suspicion, and a fractured family.
Shouldn’t your family keep you safe?
Aren't they meant to give you the courage to step out of the darkness, into the light?
Maddie’s simmering resentment against the world seems determined to keep her down, and dealing with a mother who can’t hide her distaste for her firstborn certainly doesn’t help. She's even struggling to forgive her younger sister for being her mother’s favourite child; the apple of her mother’s eye.
When her father, the only person she can rely on, is killed in a hit-and-run, her all-consuming grief will not be silenced. She will stop at nothing to prove his death wasn't an accident, and to track down whoever was to blame…
But when more deaths occur, Maddie struggles to convince the police that she isn’t the culprit. Will she be able to explain why death seems to follow her wherever she goes?
Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, AJ Campbell and Andrea Mara.
An emotional thriller that will draw you into grief, suspicion, and a fractured family.
Shouldn’t your family keep you safe?
Aren't they meant to give you the courage to step out of the darkness, into the light?
Maddie’s simmering resentment against the world seems determined to keep her down, and dealing with a mother who can’t hide her distaste for her firstborn certainly doesn’t help. She's even struggling to forgive her younger sister for being her mother’s favourite child; the apple of her mother’s eye.
When her father, the only person she can rely on, is killed in a hit-and-run, her all-consuming grief will not be silenced. She will stop at nothing to prove his death wasn't an accident, and to track down whoever was to blame…
But when more deaths occur, Maddie struggles to convince the police that she isn’t the culprit. Will she be able to explain why death seems to follow her wherever she goes?
Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, AJ Campbell and Andrea Mara.
283 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 14, 2025
About the author
Carol Gulliford
5 books54 followersCarol Gulliford is a British author of psychological thrillers. As an avid reader of mystery and suspense, she occasionally loves something light and funny to lighten the mood, but will always remain a thriller girl at heart! She lives in the south of England with her son and partner.
Her debut novel, Behind the Lies, was released in 2024, and is now available as an audiobook. She also has a twisty quick read, One Final Breath, and a new thriller, Out of the Dark. Carol's first children's picture book, The Popcorn Factory, was released in November 2025.
Connect with Carol:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
https://www.instagram.com/carolgullif...
https://www.tiktok.com/@carolgullifor...
Her debut novel, Behind the Lies, was released in 2024, and is now available as an audiobook. She also has a twisty quick read, One Final Breath, and a new thriller, Out of the Dark. Carol's first children's picture book, The Popcorn Factory, was released in November 2025.
Connect with Carol:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
https://www.instagram.com/carolgullif...
https://www.tiktok.com/@carolgullifor...
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 30, 2025
OUT OF THE DARK
A PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER
BY CAROL GULLIFORD
Release date set for the 14th of November 2025.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
Thank you so much for allowing me to be apart of your first ever arc team ☺.
From the very beginning I felt sorry for the main character Maddie and her sister Lizzie. So much empathy for Maddie especially.
Theres a couple of Horrible and despicable characters that I would of loved to punch in the throat 👊.
I was suspicious of nearly every single character aswel.
Short and sweet chapters that made you keep thinking 'just another chapter'.
I've literally flew through this book.
I loved the writing style and the storyline
A PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER
BY CAROL GULLIFORD
Release date set for the 14th of November 2025.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
Thank you so much for allowing me to be apart of your first ever arc team ☺.
From the very beginning I felt sorry for the main character Maddie and her sister Lizzie. So much empathy for Maddie especially.
Theres a couple of Horrible and despicable characters that I would of loved to punch in the throat 👊.
I was suspicious of nearly every single character aswel.
Short and sweet chapters that made you keep thinking 'just another chapter'.
I've literally flew through this book.
I loved the writing style and the storyline
November 21, 2025
Finished ✅ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another brilliant read from Carol Gulliford.
This is another claustrophobic piece of writing, meaning that it never lets up with the tension.
Maddie, the older sister of two, had a tough upbringing when it came to her mother, who treated her with contempt all her life. Her dad loved both her and her sister Lizzie, but his life wasn’t as straightforward as Maddie thought.
Falling in love at a young age, having to leave home, Maddie’s life falls apart, only having a few close people around her to help.
This book has many layers that make you want to read on.
Well done Carol. I thoroughly enjoyed this storyline, and can’t wait to see what you have up your sleeve for future books. 📚
Another brilliant read from Carol Gulliford.
This is another claustrophobic piece of writing, meaning that it never lets up with the tension.
Maddie, the older sister of two, had a tough upbringing when it came to her mother, who treated her with contempt all her life. Her dad loved both her and her sister Lizzie, but his life wasn’t as straightforward as Maddie thought.
Falling in love at a young age, having to leave home, Maddie’s life falls apart, only having a few close people around her to help.
This book has many layers that make you want to read on.
Well done Carol. I thoroughly enjoyed this storyline, and can’t wait to see what you have up your sleeve for future books. 📚
November 9, 2025
Maddie and Lizzie have an interesting home life. Their cold, distant mother has an obvious preference for Lizzie, and she’s not afraid to show it. Maddie’s father, Trevor, is the complete opposite. He’s a family man who loves both of his girls equally. However, the family is full of secrets and after a random accident one night outside of a pub, the family will be ripped apart. Lies, secrets, and drama abound! Just when you think you’ve caught your breath, another twist flies in your face!
This is the third book I’ve read by the author and they keep getting better and better. The characters were vivid and I felt like I was there in every scene. Every revelation made me gasp and I couldn’t put this book down!
Yet another amazing book from this author. Highly recommend!
This is the third book I’ve read by the author and they keep getting better and better. The characters were vivid and I felt like I was there in every scene. Every revelation made me gasp and I couldn’t put this book down!
Yet another amazing book from this author. Highly recommend!
October 31, 2025
I found the this book easy to read, and I did not find boring.
The story was written well and I felt connected to the characters.
While there was some unexpected events in this book and it was suspenseful , I didn’t really feel it was more on the thriller side.
I would still recommend this book to read as I really did enjoy the storyline.
The story was written well and I felt connected to the characters.
While there was some unexpected events in this book and it was suspenseful , I didn’t really feel it was more on the thriller side.
I would still recommend this book to read as I really did enjoy the storyline.
November 1, 2025
Great story, really enjoyed it but the ending feels unfinished, what happened next?!
February 14, 2026
ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Out of the Dark by Carol Gulliford
First things first: thank you for this ARC. And thank you to Inside Story for once again handing me a book that gently took my heart, squeezed it, and then pretended it hadn’t done anything wrong.
This story wrecked me. Quietly. No explosions. Just that slow, suffocating kind of ache that builds up over years — like being the child who tries a little too hard to be loved and still somehow gets it wrong.
Maddie. God. Maddie.
She wants to be chosen. That’s it. Not worshipped. Not perfect. Just chosen. Her father is her safe place, and then life does what life does best — it takes him away. Her sister? The golden one. The easy one. The loved one. And Maddie loves her, but also resents her, because that’s what happens when you grow up competing for crumbs of affection. It’s messy. It’s human. It’s ugly in the most honest way.
And her mother… well. Some people shouldn’t have children. Some people love trees more than their own daughters. Some people close doors and call it parenting.
This book follows Maddie through years of trying. Trying to be enough. Trying to be loved. Falling in love with people who don’t love her back — because when you grow up starved, you’ll accept emotional breadcrumbs and call it a feast. Death circles her life like it’s on payroll. The people she clings to leave. Over and over. And still she keeps going. I don’t know whether that’s resilience or pure stubborn survival instinct, but I respect it.
She finds comfort where she least expects it. And yes, that too comes with grief, because apparently peace in this book comes with a price tag.
I won’t spoil anything — I’m not a villain — but I felt this one in places I usually keep locked up. I wanted to step into the pages, grab Maddie by the shoulders and say, “You are not hard to love. You were just surrounded by people who didn’t know how.”
This story isn’t shiny. It’s not dramatic for the sake of drama. It’s the slow burn of growing up unwanted and learning — painfully — that you can choose your own family. That you can choose yourself. Even if no one else ever did.
Five stars. Not because it was easy. But because it was real. And when a character feels this alive, this painfully human, it earns every single one of them.
If you’re ready for an emotional rollercoaster wrapped in abandonment issues, complicated love, grief, and the brutal art of surviving your own childhood — pick this up.
Just maybe don’t read it if you’re already emotionally stable.
Wouldn’t want to ruin that.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Out of the Dark by Carol Gulliford
First things first: thank you for this ARC. And thank you to Inside Story for once again handing me a book that gently took my heart, squeezed it, and then pretended it hadn’t done anything wrong.
This story wrecked me. Quietly. No explosions. Just that slow, suffocating kind of ache that builds up over years — like being the child who tries a little too hard to be loved and still somehow gets it wrong.
Maddie. God. Maddie.
She wants to be chosen. That’s it. Not worshipped. Not perfect. Just chosen. Her father is her safe place, and then life does what life does best — it takes him away. Her sister? The golden one. The easy one. The loved one. And Maddie loves her, but also resents her, because that’s what happens when you grow up competing for crumbs of affection. It’s messy. It’s human. It’s ugly in the most honest way.
And her mother… well. Some people shouldn’t have children. Some people love trees more than their own daughters. Some people close doors and call it parenting.
This book follows Maddie through years of trying. Trying to be enough. Trying to be loved. Falling in love with people who don’t love her back — because when you grow up starved, you’ll accept emotional breadcrumbs and call it a feast. Death circles her life like it’s on payroll. The people she clings to leave. Over and over. And still she keeps going. I don’t know whether that’s resilience or pure stubborn survival instinct, but I respect it.
She finds comfort where she least expects it. And yes, that too comes with grief, because apparently peace in this book comes with a price tag.
I won’t spoil anything — I’m not a villain — but I felt this one in places I usually keep locked up. I wanted to step into the pages, grab Maddie by the shoulders and say, “You are not hard to love. You were just surrounded by people who didn’t know how.”
This story isn’t shiny. It’s not dramatic for the sake of drama. It’s the slow burn of growing up unwanted and learning — painfully — that you can choose your own family. That you can choose yourself. Even if no one else ever did.
Five stars. Not because it was easy. But because it was real. And when a character feels this alive, this painfully human, it earns every single one of them.
If you’re ready for an emotional rollercoaster wrapped in abandonment issues, complicated love, grief, and the brutal art of surviving your own childhood — pick this up.
Just maybe don’t read it if you’re already emotionally stable.
Wouldn’t want to ruin that.
December 20, 2025
A dark, gripping, and emotionally charged psychological thriller that stayed with me long after I turned the final page.
Carol Gulliford has a remarkable gift for creating tension so tight it almost hums beneath the surface. Out of the Dark is no exception — this story wraps itself around you from the opening chapter and refuses to let go.
Maddie, the eldest of two sisters, grows up under the heavy shadow of a mother whose coldness borders on cruelty. Her father’s love is the only anchor she has… until he’s taken from her in a hit-and-run that feels anything but accidental. Maddie’s grief is raw, consuming, and painfully real — and Gulliford captures it with an authenticity that makes your heart ache for her.
As Maddie’s life unravels and secrets begin to rise to the surface, the story tightens into a claustrophobic knot of suspicion, family dysfunction, and psychological turmoil. Every chapter peels back another layer, revealing just how fragile Maddie’s world truly is — and how little she can trust the people around her.
What I loved most is the book’s depth. This isn’t just a thriller; it’s a study of how trauma shapes us, how grief distorts reality, and how one person’s determination to find the truth can look dangerously like obsession. The unfolding deaths, the shifting blame, and Maddie’s struggle to prove her innocence kept me racing through the pages.
Carol has woven multiple layers into this story — emotional, psychological, and suspenseful — each one pulling you deeper into the darkness Maddie is fighting her way through.
A brilliantly crafted thriller.
A haunting exploration of family, loss, and resilience.
Well done, Carol. I thoroughly enjoyed this storyline and I can’t wait to see what you bring us next. 📚✨
Read the full review here.
Carol Gulliford has a remarkable gift for creating tension so tight it almost hums beneath the surface. Out of the Dark is no exception — this story wraps itself around you from the opening chapter and refuses to let go.
Maddie, the eldest of two sisters, grows up under the heavy shadow of a mother whose coldness borders on cruelty. Her father’s love is the only anchor she has… until he’s taken from her in a hit-and-run that feels anything but accidental. Maddie’s grief is raw, consuming, and painfully real — and Gulliford captures it with an authenticity that makes your heart ache for her.
As Maddie’s life unravels and secrets begin to rise to the surface, the story tightens into a claustrophobic knot of suspicion, family dysfunction, and psychological turmoil. Every chapter peels back another layer, revealing just how fragile Maddie’s world truly is — and how little she can trust the people around her.
What I loved most is the book’s depth. This isn’t just a thriller; it’s a study of how trauma shapes us, how grief distorts reality, and how one person’s determination to find the truth can look dangerously like obsession. The unfolding deaths, the shifting blame, and Maddie’s struggle to prove her innocence kept me racing through the pages.
Carol has woven multiple layers into this story — emotional, psychological, and suspenseful — each one pulling you deeper into the darkness Maddie is fighting her way through.
A brilliantly crafted thriller.
A haunting exploration of family, loss, and resilience.
Well done, Carol. I thoroughly enjoyed this storyline and I can’t wait to see what you bring us next. 📚✨
Read the full review here.
November 6, 2025
I received an early copy of this book by the author to review and I was impressed! Loved the writing style and easy to read chapters
This suspenseful family drama follows Maddie, a young girl whose father is killed in a tragic accident by an unknown stranger. Along with her abusive mother and overshadowing sister Lizzie, Maddie must uncover family secrets and break free from the control she’s always known to discover the truth.
The book definitely feels like it needs a sequel! I’ll be keeping this author on my list to see what comes next
This suspenseful family drama follows Maddie, a young girl whose father is killed in a tragic accident by an unknown stranger. Along with her abusive mother and overshadowing sister Lizzie, Maddie must uncover family secrets and break free from the control she’s always known to discover the truth.
The book definitely feels like it needs a sequel! I’ll be keeping this author on my list to see what comes next
February 22, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ ARC Review
A really well-written story with strong pacing and twists that kept me completely hooked. The plot unfolded in such an engaging way that I couldn’t help but keep turning the pages.
The twists were brilliant — clever, unexpected, and perfectly placed. By the time I reached the end, I was confused in the best possible way, the kind of ending that sticks in your mind and makes you think.
Overall, a gripping and cleverly crafted read. A solid 4.5 stars.
A really well-written story with strong pacing and twists that kept me completely hooked. The plot unfolded in such an engaging way that I couldn’t help but keep turning the pages.
The twists were brilliant — clever, unexpected, and perfectly placed. By the time I reached the end, I was confused in the best possible way, the kind of ending that sticks in your mind and makes you think.
Overall, a gripping and cleverly crafted read. A solid 4.5 stars.
October 31, 2025
Read in 1 day. Loved it. Coworker came in and asked me something in the middle and I said this mom is such a b**** seriously. 😳
New meaning to keep an eye on those you love and that are closest to you?
Also why the woman detective got to be like that?
Oh and not all Shelly’s are skanky!!! Just saying some of us are nice young ladies 🤣
New meaning to keep an eye on those you love and that are closest to you?
Also why the woman detective got to be like that?
Oh and not all Shelly’s are skanky!!! Just saying some of us are nice young ladies 🤣
November 7, 2025
Maddie can't catch a break; at home, at life, in all of her relationships she seems to get the short end of the stick.
When her favorite person in the world; the only one who seemed to truly love her dies under mysterious circumstances Maddie feels like she needs to take matters into her own hands. Bad things keep happening. When will it ever end?
Great characters! I especially love the relationship between Maddie and her sister Lizzie. Some of the characters you loved, some you hated and some you loved to have.
Short chapters that kept me reading late into the night needing to know what happened next.
Thank you to the author for letting me be a part of her very first ARC team.
When her favorite person in the world; the only one who seemed to truly love her dies under mysterious circumstances Maddie feels like she needs to take matters into her own hands. Bad things keep happening. When will it ever end?
Great characters! I especially love the relationship between Maddie and her sister Lizzie. Some of the characters you loved, some you hated and some you loved to have.
Short chapters that kept me reading late into the night needing to know what happened next.
Thank you to the author for letting me be a part of her very first ARC team.
November 3, 2025
I really enjoyed reading this book. I got through it in 24 hours!
The main character is very likable, and I was drawn to keep reading to figure out what happens with her.
The main character is very likable, and I was drawn to keep reading to figure out what happens with her.
November 9, 2025
This was a fast read for me. I was immediately invested and couldn't put it down. I really enjoyed the story. There were several twists that I didn't see coming. It was a great read
I gave it 4 stars only because I felt like I needed more at the end. Maybe it was just me. I would still recommend this book.
I gave it 4 stars only because I felt like I needed more at the end. Maybe it was just me. I would still recommend this book.
November 21, 2025
I have read all of Carol's books and enjoyed each one. I'm already looking forward to her next book. If you're looking for a Christmas gift for an avid reader, you can't go wrong with this one.
December 6, 2025
Loved this so much! Hooked me in and I couldn’t put it down. Would recommend!
January 31, 2026
Dark, emotional, and sharply written, Out of the Dark delves into grief, suspicion, and fractured family ties with gripping intensity. A tense read with a protagonist you can’t help but root for.
May 11, 2026
Carol Gulliford has crafted a psychological thriller that works on two levels simultaneously, as a tightly wound mystery and as a deeply uncomfortable portrait of family dysfunction. Out of the Dark is the kind of book that makes you uneasy not just because of its plot twists, but because of how recognizable its emotional wounds feel.
Maddie is a protagonist you root for even when, perhaps especially when you're not entirely sure you should. From the opening pages, Gulliford establishes her as a woman shaped by years of maternal coldness and quiet rejection, a firstborn who has spent her life watching her sister occupy the warmth she was never given. This psychological foundation is the novel's greatest strength. Maddie's grief over her father isn't just sorrow; it's the loss of the one person who saw her clearly. That specificity of pain gives the story an emotional authenticity that elevates it well above genre convention.
The mystery itself moves at a confident pace. The hit-and-run that sets events in motion feels genuinely sinister, and Gulliford is skilled at layering suspicion without tipping her hand too early. As deaths accumulate around Maddie and the police begin to look in her direction, the novel taps expertly into one of the thriller genre's most effective fears, being trapped in a narrative others are writing about you, unable to make anyone believe the truth.
The family dynamics are rendered with real psychological sharpness. The mother-daughter relationship in particular is portrayed with a cold precision that will resonate with readers who understand that the most lasting damage is rarely dramatic, it's quiet, repetitive, and dressed up as normalcy.
Maddie is a protagonist you root for even when, perhaps especially when you're not entirely sure you should. From the opening pages, Gulliford establishes her as a woman shaped by years of maternal coldness and quiet rejection, a firstborn who has spent her life watching her sister occupy the warmth she was never given. This psychological foundation is the novel's greatest strength. Maddie's grief over her father isn't just sorrow; it's the loss of the one person who saw her clearly. That specificity of pain gives the story an emotional authenticity that elevates it well above genre convention.
The mystery itself moves at a confident pace. The hit-and-run that sets events in motion feels genuinely sinister, and Gulliford is skilled at layering suspicion without tipping her hand too early. As deaths accumulate around Maddie and the police begin to look in her direction, the novel taps expertly into one of the thriller genre's most effective fears, being trapped in a narrative others are writing about you, unable to make anyone believe the truth.
The family dynamics are rendered with real psychological sharpness. The mother-daughter relationship in particular is portrayed with a cold precision that will resonate with readers who understand that the most lasting damage is rarely dramatic, it's quiet, repetitive, and dressed up as normalcy.
November 6, 2025
Summary:
Out of the Dark is a haunting and emotional psychological thriller that follows Maddie, a woman whose life has been scarred by a toxic childhood and years of emotional abuse. Growing up under a manipulative mother and overshadowed by her beloved sister Lizzie, Maddie learned to hide her pain behind obedience and silence. But when tragedy strikes and long-buried secrets begin to resurface, she’s forced to confront the darkness that has shadowed her family for years. As Maddie’s past and present begin to collide, she must find the strength to break free from the cycle of control and uncover the truth before it destroys her completely.
Review:
Carol Gulliford delivers a deeply affecting and atmospheric novel that blends family drama, psychological suspense, and emotional recovery. The writing is vivid and intimate, pulling readers straight into Maddie’s fractured world. Themes of trauma, resilience, and survival are handled with sensitivity and depth, making this more than a standard thriller — it’s a powerful story about finding light after years of darkness.
Out of the Dark is gripping, heartbreaking, and ultimately hopeful.
Out of the Dark is a haunting and emotional psychological thriller that follows Maddie, a woman whose life has been scarred by a toxic childhood and years of emotional abuse. Growing up under a manipulative mother and overshadowed by her beloved sister Lizzie, Maddie learned to hide her pain behind obedience and silence. But when tragedy strikes and long-buried secrets begin to resurface, she’s forced to confront the darkness that has shadowed her family for years. As Maddie’s past and present begin to collide, she must find the strength to break free from the cycle of control and uncover the truth before it destroys her completely.
Review:
Carol Gulliford delivers a deeply affecting and atmospheric novel that blends family drama, psychological suspense, and emotional recovery. The writing is vivid and intimate, pulling readers straight into Maddie’s fractured world. Themes of trauma, resilience, and survival are handled with sensitivity and depth, making this more than a standard thriller — it’s a powerful story about finding light after years of darkness.
Out of the Dark is gripping, heartbreaking, and ultimately hopeful.
February 9, 2026
Maddie and Lizzie grew up in a deeply troubled home. Maddie bears the brunt of their mother’s rage and cruelty, while Lizzie is favored and doted on. Their father tries to compensate for the imbalance and protect them, but his sudden and tragic death leaves the girls even more vulnerable.
This story had the potential to be a gripping psychological thriller, but I never quite felt the tension I was expecting. I kept waiting for that edge-of-your-seat moment that never fully arrived. The timeline felt a bit disjointed at times, and the main character seemed to endure an almost unbelievable amount of bad luck, which made parts of the plot feel unfinished or underdeveloped.
That said, it was an easy, fast read and clearly well written. I just finished the book, wishing it had pushed further into the suspense and provided a more satisfying payoff.
This story had the potential to be a gripping psychological thriller, but I never quite felt the tension I was expecting. I kept waiting for that edge-of-your-seat moment that never fully arrived. The timeline felt a bit disjointed at times, and the main character seemed to endure an almost unbelievable amount of bad luck, which made parts of the plot feel unfinished or underdeveloped.
That said, it was an easy, fast read and clearly well written. I just finished the book, wishing it had pushed further into the suspense and provided a more satisfying payoff.
November 13, 2025
This book was very fast paced and easy to fly through the chapters. The character Maddie went through a lot and experiences many unexpected incidents and so much grief as she grows up and it draws you in to her character to understand why she is who she is. The writing makes you feel sadness and anger like your standing by her side experiencing what she does. I totally did not expect the ending and how everything concluded in the book! I feel that there could be a second book following Maddie as she continues throughout life as she works on moving past all the grief. I especially loved the way Maddie and Lizzie relationship grew as they went through life!
March 1, 2026
This was an emotional ride of a novel. Maddie is that character whom I wanted to climb in the book and hug daily. She’s a reminder of a lot of children out here in this world. This book is packed with suspense none the less. I found myself playing the guessing game often and being wrong a bit. The twist were fantastically executed. There’s a character for everyone. The writing is quick paced so never a real dull moment. The ending felt like there’s a possibility of a sequel but if not it’s still a solid read. Carol has a good writing style. This story is edge of the seat worthy.
Thank you BookFunnel & Carol Gulliford for the eARC. This review is that of my own.
Thank you BookFunnel & Carol Gulliford for the eARC. This review is that of my own.
November 12, 2025
I had the honor of reading this title as an ARC, and I was hooked on Maddie's story from the first page!
From the complex family dynamics to the heartbreaking tragedies that befall her, I found myself rooting for Maddie and hoping she finds the happiness she deserves.
The emotional ups and downs had me fully invested, and the mystery element had me second guessing everyone!
The reveal was unexpected and added a great twist that brought it back to the start.
Overall, it was a gripping, fast-paced read that kept me turning the pages til the end.
Definitely recommend!
From the complex family dynamics to the heartbreaking tragedies that befall her, I found myself rooting for Maddie and hoping she finds the happiness she deserves.
The emotional ups and downs had me fully invested, and the mystery element had me second guessing everyone!
The reveal was unexpected and added a great twist that brought it back to the start.
Overall, it was a gripping, fast-paced read that kept me turning the pages til the end.
Definitely recommend!
November 7, 2025
This is her new HOT release (soon)!!!
This book was very well written. The chapters are smooth and easy flowing.
The bomb she drops is just unbelievable!!! The Suttle approach throughout the whole book is impeccably done by the Author!!
Look forward to the next read by this author for sure!!!
This book was very well written. The chapters are smooth and easy flowing.
The bomb she drops is just unbelievable!!! The Suttle approach throughout the whole book is impeccably done by the Author!!
Look forward to the next read by this author for sure!!!
April 24, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ I really enjoyed the writing style and it kept my interest, but it felt more YA drama / mystery than a psychological thriller. It was quite a sad story and the twists were predictable. Very different to her short story which I read and loved. But I did find the writing very engaging and so will definitely try another by this author.
March 13, 2026
An ARC read.
Absolutely brilliant.
So many twists.
Absolutely brilliant.
So many twists.
December 27, 2025
I enjoyed this novel. The characters were interesting to say the least.
I really felt sorry for Maddie. She was unloved by her mother, and emotionally abused by her. Her protector, her father, was killed in a hit and run accident, and not long after that, Maddie was ousted from her home, where she should have been loved and protected.
I liked her determination to find out who exactly killed her father.
There were twists I never predicted, which makes a nice change.
It was a quick read. Emotional, tragic, sad, and dark in places.
Thank you, Carol Gulliford for the opportunity to read and review your novel.
I really felt sorry for Maddie. She was unloved by her mother, and emotionally abused by her. Her protector, her father, was killed in a hit and run accident, and not long after that, Maddie was ousted from her home, where she should have been loved and protected.
I liked her determination to find out who exactly killed her father.
There were twists I never predicted, which makes a nice change.
It was a quick read. Emotional, tragic, sad, and dark in places.
Thank you, Carol Gulliford for the opportunity to read and review your novel.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews