A hit and run. A deadly secret. An accidental killer playing both sides.
Rushing his heavily pregnant wife to hospital, Jack's perfect family life is shattered when, after accidentally hitting a child on a bicycle, he panics and races off.
Jack's wife must avoid stress or risk losing their baby. A criminal defence lawyer, Jack knows that's impossible once he owns up to his crime. So begins Jack's ever-increasing web of deception as he infiltrates the police investigation into the hit and run, led by his close friend, DCI Clara Higgins.
When another suspect is identified, Jack decides he will defend the man he knows is innocent, so he can keep track of the police investigation and buy his wife some time.
As Jack plays both sides of the investigation, the lines of innocence and guilt become blurred as he finds himself lead down a dark road heading for a deadly outcome.
Wow. What a debut!! I was completely hooked and read it in less than 24hrs. It was so compelling, a story of moral dilemma and loss. Absolutely would recommend!
Wow what a debut!!! This book grabs you in from page 1 until the very end. I loved how quickly I was hooked on the storyline and the little twists and turns this book took. What a fantastic ending that was done so well. Go read this one you won’t be disappointed.
Video review on my Instagram (@thestucumminsreads)
Transcript:
I HAD to jump on and tell you all about an incredible book I’ve just finished. It’s out in September. it’s called TRUTH WILL OUT and it’s by NJ Hatton.
It is PHENOMENAL!! I think I overuse that word, but this book completely deserves it! I LOVED IT!
It’s about Jack. He’s driving his pregnant wife to hospital late at night as they think she has gone into early labour. On the way he hits a child on a bike and kills them. He has to leave to try and save his wife and baby. It transpires that she’s not in labour but having early labour signs, and at 23 weeks is much too early for the baby to have a good chance at surviving. She needs to rest, avoid stress and so Jack is facing quite the dilemma. He’s close friends with a police officer and is considering confessing the next day at the police station only to find out that they have arrested and charged someone found at the scene. Jack takes on the defence case, in a bid to stall his confession until his wife reaches a later stage in her pregnancy and it’s safer for their baby to be born.
Let me tell you that nothing is what it seems here! Jack’s life continues to spiral out of control in the very best psych thriller way! Man I was fully SAT!! No…GLUED TO MY CHAIR!! This was so gripping, twistier than that country road Jack was driving too fast on, and has pace to match that man’s speed!
It spoke to me on a Dad level - like I totally sympathised with Jack and understood his emotions and actions. This book really grabs that moral dilemma and throttles it to within an inch of its life. THE STRESS!!!! I cannot tell you!
This is really rambly, so I apologise, but seriously guys you need this on your radar and you need to read it ASAP! It gave me Louise Candlish vibes, you know in that way that she takes an ordinary person and completely screws them over and flips their life upside down? RELENTLESSLY!! And I am here for that!!
As I say, it’s out in September from Hera. It’s a debut too, but my god you wouldn’t know. I’m already looking forward to NJ Hatton’s next one. He is one to watch!!
Fast paced, twisty, short chapters & morally grey with a legal element. Literally the recipe of what I love in my thrillers and also… THIS IS A DEBUT!!
Jack is rushing his pregnant wife to hospital when he hits a child on a bike and makes the split-second decision to keep driving. Then another man is arrested for it and Jack, a criminal defence lawyer, ends up REPRESENTING HIM! Knowing Jack is the one who actually hit the child while he’s now defending the man accused of doing it?! Ohhhh I was IN!
What follows is an absolute spiral as Jack tries to keep what he’s done hidden while his professional & personal lives become more and more tangled. My feelings towards this man were all over the place! That initial decision comes from such a desperate situation that I could understand how he got there, even while knowing it was completely wrong. But as one decision leads to another, those lines become increasingly blurred and I loved having my sympathy constantly tested.
This also MOVES. I absolutely flew through it, with something always pushing me forward and reveals that genuinely got me. Better yet, some completely changed how I was looking at everything that had come before, which I LOVE in a thriller!
But seriously… THIS IS A DEBUT?! Because what a bloody way to introduce yourself. N. J. Hatton is firmly on my radar after this one!
After spotting the glowing endorsements on the cover, I was intrigued, but it was the premise that convinced me to request this debut thriller. I'm so glad I did because N.J. Hatton has delivered an incredibly tense, fast-paced read that had my stress levels rising from the very first chapter.
Truth Will Out throws readers straight into an impossible situation as criminal defence lawyer Jack, while rushing his heavily pregnant wife to hospital, accidentally hits a child on a bicycle before making the split-second decision to leave the scene. From there, the story explores the consequences of one terrible decision, as a single lie quickly spirals beyond anyone's control.
Hatton doesn't waste a second throwing the reader into the action, and from that opening scene the stakes already feel impossibly high. I found myself constantly wondering what I would do in Jack's position, which only made me more desperate to see how he was going to get himself out of the situation he'd created, with the suspense only becoming more agonising as the plot unfolded.
While the characters themselves didn't leave a lasting impression, I enjoyed seeing the story told through multiple perspectives. Each chapter revealed just enough to keep me questioning how everyone connected to the central crime, and the combination of that structure and the short chapters meant there was always something new pulling me into the next chapter.
Another thing I appreciated was how much the plot evolves, with what initially seems like a fairly straightforward crime thriller quickly becoming something much bigger as earlier clues take on new meaning once the later twists begin to unfold. Looking back after finishing, I realised just how many little details I'd read straight past without giving them a second thought.
While the characters weren't the standout here, they honestly didn't need to be because the premise, relentless pacing and constant feeling that everything was on the verge of unravelling were what made this such an enjoyable thriller.
Truth Will Out is an impressive debut from N.J. Hatton and has certainly left me keen to explore whatever he writes next. Fans of fast-paced crime thrillers that waste no time raising the stakes will likely have a great time with this one.
Thank You to Hera Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
I was very fortunate to be given an eARC of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review and what a book. I honestly think this might be my book of the year.
The author's screenwriting background is evident in the cinematic style of writing where every scene of Truth Will Out has the action driving the sense of place, atmosphere and setting immersing you from page one.
The main character Jack is a criminal lawyer racing his 23 week pregnant wife Rachel to hospital, worried she has gone into early labour. On the way to the hospital, Jack and Rachel have a car accident, hitting something on the dark country road, which turns out to be a child on a bike (not a spoiler) who has clearly died, in his panic Jack leaves the child thinking only about saving his unborn daughter. After a tense dash to the hospital, Rachel is given the all clear to return home and rest due to a medical condition which threatens the remainder of the pregnancy. Jack is torn with guilt over what has happened and his instinct is to protect his family at all costs, when he goes to the police station to confess he discovers someone else found at the scene has already been arrested on suspicion of killing the child.
Truth Will Out has a brilliant cast of characters, Jack and Rachel, the child’s grieving family, the police investigation team and uncovering more about the suspect arrested at the scene.
I am reluctant to share any more details of the plot for fear of giving away any spoilers, but I can tell you Truth Will Out is intricately plotted, executed to the highest standard and the characterisation was exceptional. The characters truly come off the page, you feel like a bystander in the rooms watching the action taking place, the arguments, the grief and the emotional tension are palpable.
I genuinely had to slow myself down from reading this book too quickly as I wanted to savour the details. The twists are so excellently plotted, some hit me in the face "like a wet kipper" as someone who reads a lot of thrillers it was refreshing to be caught off guard and the payoff was phenomenal.
I already know this is a book I'll be buying as gifts for my thriller reading friends, it's one you NEED to read! Cannot wait for the next book from NJ Hatton.
Truth Will Out is a tense, tightly wound thriller that thrives on moral pressure. What stood out to me most is how convincingly it captures the panic of a single terrible moment and the way one decision can spiral into something far darker. Jack’s dilemma isn’t just dramatic — it feels painfully human, and that emotional weight gives the whole story its momentum.
The book handles guilt and fear so well. Jack’s desperation to protect his wife and unborn baby sits uneasily beside his instinct to do the right thing, and that conflict drives the tension more effectively than any chase scene could. I liked how the narrative leans into that grey area, showing how quickly good intentions can twist when the stakes are high and the consequences feel unbearable.
The dynamic with DCI Clara Higgins adds another interesting layer. Her involvement shifts the story from a simple moral crossroads into something more complex, and watching Jack navigate the investigation from both sides gives the book a clever, almost claustrophobic edge. The sense of time running out — for his family, for the truth, for the man he’s defending — keeps the pace sharp.
What I appreciated most is the way the story blurs innocence and guilt. It’s not just about what happened, but about how far someone will go to protect the life they’ve built. The tension builds cleanly, the twists land well, and the final stretch has that breathless, race‑against‑time energy that makes you read faster without meaning to.
A gripping, morally tangled thriller that explores the cost of one split‑second decision and the lies that follow. Truth Will Out is perfect for readers who enjoy character‑driven suspense with real emotional stakes and a steadily tightening sense of dread.
With thanks to NJ Hatton, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
An absolutely brilliant thriller! This had me hooked from the shocking opening all the way to the brilliant finale.
It jumps straight into the action, Jack is racing to get his pregnant wife to hospital as fast as he can when he knocks over and kills a child on their bike.
Torn between saving his wife and unborn child and doing the right thing. Jack decides his family are his priority and leaves to get her to hospital, planning on confessing the next day.
When Jack shows up to work, ready to confess, his friend, DCI Clara Higgins, reveals they have a suspect for the hot and run in custody. The suspect and his van was found at the scene and he clearly hit and killed the child.
Jack needs to keep his wife stress free in order to save their baby and offers to defend the suspect in court.
From then on Jack finds himself in a complete tangle of lies and guilt and things keep getting worse and worse for him.
There are sooo many amazing twists and turns and just when I thought I knew what was going to happen it took a completely different turn.
It's very fast paced, the author does an incredible job at making Jack sympathetic and likeable, despite the reader knowing he is lying about being involved in a horrific hit and run.
I was repeatedly shocked at what he was willing to do to not be found out and protect his family but it never felt like I wanted him to get caught.
The other characters are all really well developed and the book does a great job of showing the impact the accident had on the child's family, as well the rest of the town.
The story is very cleverly put together, kept me guessing the whole way through and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought the ending was phenomenal.
I am really excited to see what this author does next 😍
Truth Will Out is a brilliantly tense and relentlessly fast-paced debut thriller that had me completely hooked from the very first chapter. Told through multiple perspectives and packed with short, snappy chapters, the story builds layer upon layer of suspense until an explosive climax that was almost impossible to put down.
The premise immediately pulls you in. When defence lawyer Jack Kilby accidentally hits a child while rushing his pregnant wife to hospital down a dark country lane, he makes one split-second decision that changes everything. What follows is a gripping web of lies, deception, and impossible choices as Jack desperately tries to protect his family while becoming entangled in the very investigation that could expose him.
I loved how the novel explores the moral grey areas between innocence and guilt. Jack is far from a perfect protagonist, but his motivations feel believable, making it fascinating to watch him walk the increasingly precarious tightrope between doing the right thing and protecting the people he loves. Every bad decision leads to another, and the tension never lets up.
The multiple points of view add another layer to the story, allowing you to follow the investigation from both sides of the law while uncovering twist after twist. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, another revelation changed the game.
This is an incredibly confident debut from N.J. Hatton that combines a compelling moral dilemma with relentless pacing and plenty of surprises. If you enjoy twisty, character-driven thrillers that keep you questioning what you would do in the same situation, I highly recommend Truth Will Out. I can't wait to see what this author writes next.
For a debut novel? Wow. N.J. Hatton absolutely came out swinging.
The premise hooked me immediately. Jack is rushing his pregnant wife to the hospital when he accidentally hits and kills a child on a dark country road. Faced with an impossible choice, he leaves the scene to get his wife the medical care she desperately needs, planning to confess afterward. But when someone else is arrested for the crime, Jack finds himself trapped in a moral dilemma that only gets more complicated with every chapter.
This is one of those books where you keep asking yourself, "What would I do?" Jack isn't a perfect character by any means, but the author does such a good job making you understand his decisions, even when they're frustrating. I found myself constantly torn between wanting him to tell the truth and wanting him to protect his family.
The pacing is excellent, and there were plenty of twists that kept me invested. Every time I thought I had the story figured out, another layer was revealed. I also appreciated that this wasn't just about the mystery. It explored guilt, grief, and the ripple effects one terrible decision can have on so many lives.
The only reason this wasn't quite a five-star read for me was that a couple of the later reveals felt a little more dramatic than I personally prefer, but they were still entertaining and fit the tone of the story.
Overall, this is an incredibly strong debut, and I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for whatever N.J. Hatton writes next. If you enjoy fast-paced psychological thrillers packed with moral dilemmas, family drama, and twists that keep you guessing, this one is well worth picking up.
Truth Will Out is a totally outstanding debut novel, and I’m genuinely grateful the author reached out with a gifted copy,I would have hated to miss out on this gripping read.
From the very first page, the story wastes no time in drawing you in. Rather than slowly building, the action hits immediately, pulling you into a tense and thought provoking story about choices, protecting family, and the consequences that follow. It’s very much a “what would I do in your shoes?” kind of read, which adds an extra layer of emotional depth.
The characters are a real highlight. Jack is compelling and easy to invest in even with all his flaws while his relationship with his good friend, DCI Clara Higgins, adds warmth to the story and the will their friendship survive element plays out brilliantly throughout,and I’d love to see more of them in future books.
The tension never lets up, maintaining a tight grip throughout. The plot is cleverly constructed, with twists that are both unexpected and satisfying. Just when you think you have things figured out, the story shifts again, leading to later revelations that are genuinely surprising and brilliantly executed.
This is a smart, fast paced psychological thriller that keeps your attention from beginning to end. A must read for fans of the genre especially those who enjoy stories that challenge you to question what you would do in the same situation. Im looking forward to seeing what the author has lined up for us next.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fast-paced thriller that had me hooked almost immediately. The premise is impossible to ignore: a man accidentally hits a child while rushing his pregnant wife to the hospital, then makes one bad decision after another in an attempt to protect his family. It's the kind of story that makes you constantly ask yourself, "What would I do?"
The strongest part of the novel is the moral conflict. Jack isn't a perfect character, but his choices feel believable, even when they're frustrating. Every lie creates another problem, and the tension continues to build as his web of deception grows.
The pacing is excellent, and I flew through the book in just a couple of sittings. There were several twists I didn't see coming, and the ending was satisfying without feeling forced.
The only reason this wasn't a five-star read for me was that a few plot points required a little too much suspension of disbelief, and I would have liked a bit more character development outside of the central dilemma.
Overall, this is an impressive debut and a thriller I would happily recommend to anyone who enjoys high-stakes suspense, morally gray characters, and stories that keep you turning the pages.
As Jack rushes his pregnant wife to the hospital one night, fearing she is going into labour far too early, he hits a child on a bike and kills them. Panicking, and thinking of his family, he leaves the scene and tells his wife he hit a deer.
As a lawyer, Jack knows that he can’t confess without losing his job and ruining his family’s lives. Instead, he takes the case of defending a young man identified as a suspect, and begins working against his friend and colleague, DCI Clara Higgins.
This was an incredibly tense and addictive debut! With short chapters, multiple POV, and a seriously fast-moving plot, this was a quick and brilliantly devastating read!
From the moment Jack realises what he’s done, he starts making some terrible choices, and he then gets himself further and further into a spiral of lies. But I couldn’t help feel empathy for him wanting to protect his family, whilst everything escalated and made it harder for him to escape his lies.
There were some great twists in there that made me question who I could trust and everyone’s motives!
The impact on the families and community brought to mind G.D. Wright’s heart-wrenching stories, with the page-turning twistiness of a John Marrs. N.J. Hatton is definitely a new thriller author to get on your radar!
This was a relentlessly fast paced thriller debut which I really enjoyed. Told in short, snappy chapters and by multiple characters, the tension intensifies until the dramatic climax, making it difficult to put down.
“A hit and run. A deadly secret. An accidental killer playing both sides.”
This book transports you straight into the heart of the action from the very first chapter when defence lawyer Jack Kilby, accidentally hits a child on a bike while driving his wife Rachel to hospital through narrow, dark lanes of the Worcestershire countryside. Overcome with panic, he speeds away. As an increasingly tangled web of deceit begins to unfold and his deception grows he is propelled towards a devastating fate.
The plot is packed with twists and I found it interesting to follow the different perspectives of the investigation from both sides of the law. Although Jack is a flawed character, I enjoyed following him as he walked a tightrope working both angles, making increasingly bad decisions, and I was intrigued as to it would all turn out in the end. This story delves into the question of moral dilemmas, the grey area between innocence and guilt and the chain reaction of bad choices.
I highly recommend this clever and twisty thriller which is due to be published on 10th September 2026. 4.5 stars rounded up.
Many thanks to @netgalley and @herabooks for the ARC.
Jack's wife is at risk of losing her unborn child at 23 weeks - Truth
Someone was killed in a road accident last night - Truth
Jack knows nothing about the accident - Lie
I love a thriller that grabs you from the first page and this one certainly does that! I had my heart in my mouth with the circumstances we first meet Jack and Rachel. There is so much at stake and none of it bodes well! Then we are only a few chapters in and I cried, which completely took me by surprise. I barely knew the characters at this point but the heightened emotions and one particular scene just got to me! All the characters brought something to the story but Jack stood out and even though I didn't agree with a single decision he made I could see his reasoning and it definitely raises questions in the readers head of what would you do? From that one split decision at the start everything just spirals out of control and ends up being iust as twisty as one of the many farm roads Jack travels along. I was surprised by how exactly everything played out but I did work out a part of it and the conclusion came at the same break neck speed as the start! Truth will out is so vividly written and addicting that you can see it play out in your head. This is NJ Hatton's debut novel out in September and this definitely gets me excited for more!
What a brilliant debut. Criminal defence lawyer Jack is driving his wife Rachel to the hospital. She is 23 weeks pregnant and in early labour so he is frantic. It is late at night and in the next few seconds his life changes in the worst way possible as he collides with something in the road. A well paced and compulsive read that will have you on the edge of your seat.
Briefly, stopping the car Jack is horrified to find a young child dead alongside their bicycle. Concerned for Rachel he leaves for the hospital where they are told that Rachel is not in labour but she needs rest and no stress. Then, when going to confess he finds out from a friend, DCI Clara Higgins, that a suspect in the hit and run has been arrested. To give more stress free time to Rachel he decides to take on the case for the defence!
What would you do? Although I would instinctively say he should own up the author makes a strong case for waiting until the unborn baby is viable. This is so twisted. I kept thinking I’ve sussed this, but no I really hadn’t. And when you discover the real shocking truth of that moment of madness, my mouth dropped! This is an excellent psychological family thriller centred around a terrible moral dilemma and the repercussions of the actions taken. Great read.
Received this as an ARC from the author in return for my honest opinion.
I was blown away! I literally couldn't put this book down. The characters felt incredibly realistic and I found myself completely immersed in both their lives and the unfolding plot.
N.J. Hatton has created a story that grips you from the very first chapter and refuses to let go. The pacing was excellent, with just the right balance of tension, emotion and unexpected twists. The mystery was compelling and the suspense built steadily throughout, making it impossible not to keep reading "just one more chapter."
What really stood out for me was the depth of the characters. Their motivations, relationships and reactions felt authentic. I became genuinely invested in what would happen to them.
Truth Will Out is a captivating, well written thriller that delivers intrigue, emotion and plenty of surprises. If you enjoy stories with believable characters, a gripping plot and twists that keep you guessing, I highly recommend giving this one a try.
N.J Hatton is an author to watch out for and I will one hundred percent be reading more of his books!
The first chapter does a brilliant job of setting the scene and immediately pulled me into the story. I really enjoyed N.J. Hatton’s writing style, and the short chapters were a huge bonus for me! They kept me saying, “Just one more chapter!”
I could really picture each scene as I was reading, and I loved how cleverly all of the characters were linked together. I found myself connecting with some of the characters and was genuinely concerned about what was going to happen to them, which made me even more invested in the story.
The twists were brilliant, and I genuinely didn’t see them coming!
I’m always a little nervous when reading ARCs because I feel the pressure to enjoy them, but this one completely exceeded my expectations. It kept me engaged from beginning to end, and I never found myself losing interest.
This is an excellent debut novel, and I’ll definitely be picking up whatever N.J. Hatton writes next.
**Released this September, I highly recommend adding this one to your TBR. It’s a brilliant thriller that deserves all the attention
After reading the first 10 pages of this I messaged the girls and was like oh my days I think am reading my first 5 ⭐️ read of the month. I was worried I may change my mind after jumping the gun a bit early but i need not have worried. This book deserves all the stars and more.
Picture the scene... your 23 week old pregnant wife is in distress. It's far too early to safely deliver the baby so you rush her to the hospital. You are so worried you aren't paying attention and you suddenly hit something... or is it someone. You get out to check and your life will never be the same again.
We are then thrown into a book full of twists and turns, short chapters and multiple heartbreaking POV's. Who is telling the truth and who can we trust, it's a book full of dilemmas, grief vs desperation and a fight for survival. When I finished this and picked my jaw up off the floor I messaged the author and said "Holy. Fu**ing. Sh?t. Wow" and I think that is the best way to describe this book.
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It's out on 10 September and this is one you definitely need to add to your preorder/tbr list. It's honestly an incredible read and I find it hard to comprehend it's Nick's debut book.
There were so many twists and I felt like I never knew what was going to happen next, in a good way.
I was really torn about the main character, part of me wanted to hate him but mostly I couldn’t! Mostly I rooted for him, which says everything about the writing
Generally all the characters were well developed. There were a few who ended up being less significant than I first thought. I kept wondering whether they were red herrings or just there to fluff out the story. Either way, it worked. If anything, it added another layer of uncertainty and kept me second guessing everything.
It’s brilliantly plotted, tense and executed so well
I actually can’t believe this is a debut novel. If this is the kind of books to come, I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for whatever this author writes next….no pressure 🤣
Thank you to the author for giving me the opportunity to read an early copy for my honest review. As you know I’m always brutally honest 🤣 I can’t stop thinking about this so upped my rating even higher ☺️☺️
There's as many twists and turns in this novel as there were on the road that the accident takes place!
This was a well-written novel that keeps the reader engaged and off balance by the plot changes. I wasn't expecting the final surprise at all!
A terrible car accident causes Jack to make the decision of a lifetime - save his wife and baby or the child he has just accidently run over. The child is tragically already dead, nothing can be done for her (him). But Jack can do what is possible to save the life of his unborn child, and so he makes his choice. That choice leads to many others as the story continues. Getting tangled up with the Prosser family, locally known bullies, wasn't on Jack's plan, but when he sees an opportunity to deflect, he takes it.
I thought this was a very good book, and the ending leaves it open for a potential sequel if the author chooses. If so, I will be looking forward to reading it.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.
This book is about Jack, who’s rushing his pregnant wife to hospital. His perfect family life is shattered when, after accidentally hitting a child on a bicycle, he panics and races off. Jacks wife must avoid stress or risk losing their baby. As a criminal defence lawyer, Jack knows that’s impossible once he owns up to his crime. So begins an ever increasing web of deception as he infiltrates the police investigation, led by his close friend, DCI Clara Higgins. When another suspect is identified, Jack decides he will defend the man he knows is innocent. As Jack plays both sides of the investigation, the lines of innocent and guilt become blurred.
This was such an interesting and complex situation from the get go, and you feel surprisingly bad for Jack but it’s a very complicated situation. I absolutely loved the multiple POV’s in this, especially DCI Clara Higgins chapters as I love a detective story. Having so many POV’s kept things moving and helped you to empathise with different characters and see them in different lights.
I really liked the writing style and how short the chapters were! It made it very easy to say ‘just one more chapter’ and keep going and I read this very quickly. It ended up taking a different direction to what I’d assumed because of who the other suspect was 👀 I wasn’t sure how this would end and started feeling sympathetic to everyone! But I really liked the ending
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book. With short chapters, multiple POV’s and complex characters it’s a great thriller. A great debut!
The Truth will definitely will Out but what an exciting and thrilling ride to get to it
Jack is taking his wife to A and E when they have an accident,an accident that kills a young lad and although horrified Jack is presented with an option to cover it up...with devastating consequences for all involved - morally and emotionally
The book then follows the Police hunt for the hit and run killer and the lies and deceptions Jack has to go to to try and cover himself even though he is telling himself it is only until his wife gives birth to their child - this includes deceiving his best friend....the lead investigator with the Police!
It is a tale of bad decisions - lies - shame and revenge that leads ultimately to a multi twist finish that was a great ending to a book that ticked all the boxes tbh - look forward to more from this author
I was approached by Nick to read this book, and I’m so glad I said yes because I absolutely loved it.
When you can’t put a book down and the twists just keep coming, there’s no better feeling as a reader.
This story hits the ground running and never lets up. The pacing is relentless from beginning to end, which is no easy feat. Every twist landed perfectly, and the cast of morally grey, shady characters kept me second-guessing who I could trust.
It’s also a story that makes you think about how one decision can change your life in an instant, and just how far the consequences can reach.
Fast-paced, twisty, packed with morally grey characters and a compelling story… what more could a thriller girlie want? I loved every minute of it.
Huge thanks to Nick for trusting me with this gem. It’s out on 10 September 2026. 📖
A good thriller with strong characters and plenty of moral ambiguity. Jack is on the way to hospital with his pain wracked pregnant wife when the car hits something. He gets out and finds a dead child. He makes an instant decision: he can't help the child but he can help his wife and child, so he drives on.
This decision starts a chain of events that changes lives. Jack is a lawyer and a long term friend on the lead detective in the case. The twists in their interactions will be difficult and long lasting.
Overall this is a very readable and fast paced thriller. The plot heads close to becoming unbelievable at times, but Jack is in so deep and each decision seems to compound the difficulty of his situation. It's easy to criticise but who can tell what they may do in a similar situation.
This was such a tense and thrilling read! I was on edge from beginning to end and flew through the pages. The characters were great and so easy to root for. I also don't usually love multiple POVs, but they worked really well here and were super easy to follow.
What made this story even more interesting was knowing that the author had a similar experience himself. Thankfully, everyone involved was completely fine and uninjured in the end, but the incident sparked the idea for this story and got him thinking about the what ifs. I thought that was such an interesting way for a story like this to come about.
This was my first book by this author and definitely won't be my last. I can't wait to read more from him!
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC!
The author of Truth Will Out very kindly reached out and asked if I would like to read an advance copy. I jumped at the chance after seeing another review.
A truly fantastic debut, Truth Will Out is a fast-paced, tangled web of lies, to cover up a simple mistake. Jack hits a child on a bike, but leaves them for dead as he is rushing to get his pregnant wife to hospital, who is in early labour. Instead of confessing, he makes one bad decision after another to try and cover his tracks. What started out as a plan to protect his wife and unborn child ends up being the very reason they are in danger.
Truly gripping, and I can’t wait to read more from N.J. Hatton.
A man races his wife to the hospital in order to save her and the unborn child of a perilous pregnancy. On the way, he has an accident, hitting a child on a bicycle, and does not stop to accept responsibility.
He tells himself that he cannot take responsibility now, when he has been warned that his wife must not be put through any stress for the rest of the pregnancy. But then the wrong person is accused of his crime, and he faces a difficult choice...
Fast paced and gripping, this story holds the reader's attention throughout.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
This was such a gripping read, I struggled to put it down. Thriller lovers, add it to your wishlists, you won't want to miss this one!
Jack is rushing his wife to hospital with pregnancy complications when he hits a cyclist with his car. Panicking that Rachel is going to lose the baby, he moves the body to the side of the road and flees to the hospital, promising himself he will turn himself in later. But when the doctor tells him that any stress could cause his wife to lose their unborn child this early in the pregnancy, he realises he can't confess until she passes the point where the baby would be viable. What a ride! The book has so many twists and turns. It's told from multiple viewpoints, from Jack, Rachel, the family of the dead cyclist and the detectives investigating. Even though Jack has done wrong, you can't help but feel for him, he's doing his best to protect his family in a morally grey situation. What would you do in his place? A fantastic story with a brilliant twist that will keep you reading late at night. It's fast paced and has short chapters that just urge you to read one more.
This is a psychological thriller book, it starts with a man rushing to hospital with his pregnant wife, he ends up knocking a child off a bike, panics, leaves the child and carries on to the hospital with his wife. What a start! That made me want to keep reading straight away
This book has lots of twists and turns that of course I didn’t see coming . As well as being a twisty book I feel like it connects with you emotionally too! And I actually cared about the characters and what happened to them