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The Refugee
In a small rural town, Bernard's seemingly perfect life is shattered when Sally, his beautiful wife and Joshua, his young son, are murdered in cold blood. Nearby, in a local village a refugee, far from home, attempts to put his violent past behind him and escape the consequences of his monstrous deeds. Caught between his fractured reality and the lies he spins Ahmed travels from town to town. Ahmed's psyche begins to unravel. Will he be able to outrun his guilt or will the truth finally catch up with him. As the investigation unfolds it seems that there were quite a few people who might have had reason to kill Sally. Leading Inspector Lawrence to think that perhaps he should look for the perpetrator much closer to home. A chilling tale of betrayal, rage and the lengths one man will go to, to protect his reputation.
- GenresMystery
194 pages, Paperback
Published May 29, 2025
54 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
August 26, 2025
Today I’m giving an extra big shout out to thriller fans The Refugee is your next crime read from the new talented crime thriller author Kim Hopkinson. I loved every single second, every single word, every single sentence and every chapter. But be warned this murder is not for the faint hearted. Author Kim Hopkinson will go where no other crime author has ever gone before and I know thriller fans like me love to read something toe-curling, heart-racing different. My hand on my heart you all have to believe this story is a chilling tale of betrayal, rage and the length one man will go to, to protect his reputation. A mother, wife, and her youngest son is murdered in a cornfield. Her husband is busy at their farmhouse he spends his time harvesting his crops.
Sally was a beautiful woman and her son had just started school. You would never know pretty Sally had a Secret. From a small town in Sussex where crime is rare people can’t imagine anyone in their community committing murder. It has to be a stranger. Can a refugee who has come to the town, be trusted? Why does he keep going from town to town? The Refugee is absolutely brilliant from page one, keeping its twisted suspense under wraps until the very last page.
Sally was a beautiful woman and her son had just started school. You would never know pretty Sally had a Secret. From a small town in Sussex where crime is rare people can’t imagine anyone in their community committing murder. It has to be a stranger. Can a refugee who has come to the town, be trusted? Why does he keep going from town to town? The Refugee is absolutely brilliant from page one, keeping its twisted suspense under wraps until the very last page.
October 4, 2025
Kim Hopkinson completely surprised me. Ahmed’s story really stuck with me—he’s going through so much trauma: losing his mom and sister and, his father. The way it’s written shows how all that grief and pain blurred his ability to recognize what was real and what was imagined, and it made his journey feel even more raw and heartbreaking.
And just when I thought I had the story figured out, Kim hit me with a major plot twist! Seriously, I wasn’t expecting it, and it completely changed how I saw everything that came before!
This is one of those books that’s both moving and thought-provoking, with a main character you won’t forget. Highly recommend.
And just when I thought I had the story figured out, Kim hit me with a major plot twist! Seriously, I wasn’t expecting it, and it completely changed how I saw everything that came before!
This is one of those books that’s both moving and thought-provoking, with a main character you won’t forget. Highly recommend.
September 27, 2025
Fantastic Piece of work...... My Book club outreach members can't get over this book ❤️
5 stars from Me
5 stars from Me
November 25, 2025
The Refugee
~Kim Hopkinson
When Kim Hopkinson reached out and asked if I’d be willing to read her debut novel, I happily added it to my list - never expecting I’d need a full week afterward just to process my thoughts. This one stayed with me.
Let me start by saying: the story is fan-freaking-tastic. It’s almost impossible to believe this is her first book. The plot is rich, suspenseful, and unexpectedly emotional, all while maintaining a perfect balance between tension and heart.
We meet Bernard, a Sussex farmer, and his wife Sally, a city girl doing her best to settle into life on the farm. They build a family - Harry and shortly after, Joshua - only for tragedy to rip through their lives. Sally and Joshua are brutally murdered in the cornfields near their home, a crime scene so horrific it leaves no doubt that they never stood a chance. Bernard is shattered, suddenly a single father trying to keep the farm running and protect Harry with the help of his parents.
Then there’s Ahmed, a refugee from Syria. He’s been on the move for years, haunted by a violent past - his father forced into war, his mother and sister killed. Drifting from farm to farm, he takes whatever work he can find. Locals already keep their guard up around refugees… so when whispers start, the question becomes impossible to ignore: could Ahmed be the killer?
Hopkinson builds her cast with raw, unfiltered emotion. Vulnerabilities surface slowly, shaping each character as the story unfolds. She captures the daily grind, the quiet hopes, the gut-deep fear of losing what you love, and the desperate lengths people go to for their families. Infidelity, murder, deception, mental illness - nothing is off limits, and she handles each topic with honesty and boldness. What begins as a simple cast on the surface deepens into a web of rich, complicated lives.
The Refugee isn’t just a story - it’s a journey. Hopkinson’s vivid descriptions drop you straight into the atmosphere of Sussex farm life, the tension, the grief, the simmering distrust. The pacing is steady, the short chapters addictive, and the multiple POVs offer a layered, thought-provoking perspective from every angle.
And just when you think you’ve pieced things together, Hopkinson delivers a plot twist that knocks the breath out of you. Suddenly nothing feels certain anymore - and trust becomes a dangerous luxury.
If you’re searching for a psychological crime thriller from a debut author who isn’t afraid to dig deep and leave you with lingering, unresolved emotions, The Refugee needs to be on your list. I cannot wait to see what Hopkinson does next. If this is her debut, we’re in for an incredible ride.
Thank you to Kim Hopkinson for reaching and bringing The Refugee to my radar. As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised compensation, current or future, by the author or publisher for a fair and honest review.
~Kim Hopkinson
When Kim Hopkinson reached out and asked if I’d be willing to read her debut novel, I happily added it to my list - never expecting I’d need a full week afterward just to process my thoughts. This one stayed with me.
Let me start by saying: the story is fan-freaking-tastic. It’s almost impossible to believe this is her first book. The plot is rich, suspenseful, and unexpectedly emotional, all while maintaining a perfect balance between tension and heart.
We meet Bernard, a Sussex farmer, and his wife Sally, a city girl doing her best to settle into life on the farm. They build a family - Harry and shortly after, Joshua - only for tragedy to rip through their lives. Sally and Joshua are brutally murdered in the cornfields near their home, a crime scene so horrific it leaves no doubt that they never stood a chance. Bernard is shattered, suddenly a single father trying to keep the farm running and protect Harry with the help of his parents.
Then there’s Ahmed, a refugee from Syria. He’s been on the move for years, haunted by a violent past - his father forced into war, his mother and sister killed. Drifting from farm to farm, he takes whatever work he can find. Locals already keep their guard up around refugees… so when whispers start, the question becomes impossible to ignore: could Ahmed be the killer?
Hopkinson builds her cast with raw, unfiltered emotion. Vulnerabilities surface slowly, shaping each character as the story unfolds. She captures the daily grind, the quiet hopes, the gut-deep fear of losing what you love, and the desperate lengths people go to for their families. Infidelity, murder, deception, mental illness - nothing is off limits, and she handles each topic with honesty and boldness. What begins as a simple cast on the surface deepens into a web of rich, complicated lives.
The Refugee isn’t just a story - it’s a journey. Hopkinson’s vivid descriptions drop you straight into the atmosphere of Sussex farm life, the tension, the grief, the simmering distrust. The pacing is steady, the short chapters addictive, and the multiple POVs offer a layered, thought-provoking perspective from every angle.
And just when you think you’ve pieced things together, Hopkinson delivers a plot twist that knocks the breath out of you. Suddenly nothing feels certain anymore - and trust becomes a dangerous luxury.
If you’re searching for a psychological crime thriller from a debut author who isn’t afraid to dig deep and leave you with lingering, unresolved emotions, The Refugee needs to be on your list. I cannot wait to see what Hopkinson does next. If this is her debut, we’re in for an incredible ride.
Thank you to Kim Hopkinson for reaching and bringing The Refugee to my radar. As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised compensation, current or future, by the author or publisher for a fair and honest review.
September 4, 2025
“The Refugee” by Kim Hopkinson is a debut thriller full of murder, betrayal, and rage. As suspicion falls on the local refugee, the question lingers—was it truly him, or someone closer to home? With his psyche unraveling, the story digs deep into fear and trust, keeping you hooked until the shocking end. Very well written and twisty!
October 6, 2025
First off I wanna say this was not what I was expecting, and I read this in one sitting 😳
I LOVED that this book was wrote differently than most thrillers. In my head I read it as a crime documentary (which I LOVE watching) but it wasn’t the boring documentary- but the one you didn’t wanna turn off or look away from.
Throughout the whole book there was twists and turns and it was definitely one of the best thrillers I read this year! The ending was heart stopping and I am definitely IMPRESSED!
GREAT JOB KIM!!
I LOVED that this book was wrote differently than most thrillers. In my head I read it as a crime documentary (which I LOVE watching) but it wasn’t the boring documentary- but the one you didn’t wanna turn off or look away from.
Throughout the whole book there was twists and turns and it was definitely one of the best thrillers I read this year! The ending was heart stopping and I am definitely IMPRESSED!
GREAT JOB KIM!!
October 13, 2025
Review
The Refugee
Author Kim Hopkinson
My rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Refugee, WOW what an incredible debut novel by Kim Hopkinson.
A psychological crime thriller, a real page turner, full on suspense from the first couple of pages right up to the totally unexpected ending.
Hard to believe this is Kim's first book, it's full of twists and turns that make it compelling reading, fast-paced with short chapters.
Sally and Bernard seem to have the perfect marriage and life tending the farm with their sons Joshua and Harry, when tragedy strikes when Sally and Joshua are found brutally murdered in a cornfield.
Ahmed a refugee living in a nearby village and a farm worker, racked with guilt from his violent past and the chilling brutality around him, makes his escape and moves around the country to avoid being caught.
Police inspector Lawrence leading the investigation is not entirely convinced of Ahmed's connection to the murders and thinks they could be committed by someone closer to home, as he discovers that a few of the villagers could have reasons to kill Sally.
This is a story of deception, hidden secrets and deadly rage, and of how far a person would go to protect their name and reputation.
Kim's portrayal of very strong believable characters is excellent, the settings and storyline had me engrossed from start to the totally unexpected turn of events at the end.
I didn't want to put this book down.
The Refugee
Author Kim Hopkinson
My rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Refugee, WOW what an incredible debut novel by Kim Hopkinson.
A psychological crime thriller, a real page turner, full on suspense from the first couple of pages right up to the totally unexpected ending.
Hard to believe this is Kim's first book, it's full of twists and turns that make it compelling reading, fast-paced with short chapters.
Sally and Bernard seem to have the perfect marriage and life tending the farm with their sons Joshua and Harry, when tragedy strikes when Sally and Joshua are found brutally murdered in a cornfield.
Ahmed a refugee living in a nearby village and a farm worker, racked with guilt from his violent past and the chilling brutality around him, makes his escape and moves around the country to avoid being caught.
Police inspector Lawrence leading the investigation is not entirely convinced of Ahmed's connection to the murders and thinks they could be committed by someone closer to home, as he discovers that a few of the villagers could have reasons to kill Sally.
This is a story of deception, hidden secrets and deadly rage, and of how far a person would go to protect their name and reputation.
Kim's portrayal of very strong believable characters is excellent, the settings and storyline had me engrossed from start to the totally unexpected turn of events at the end.
I didn't want to put this book down.
October 16, 2025
Great book
THE REFUGEE BY KIM HOPKINSON.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
This is Kim's debut novel and what a debut it is.
A really great psychological crime thriller that can be read in one sitting.
I loved the writing style and the story flowed lovely.
This was a fast and quick read for me.
That twist 🤯 didn't see that coming.
I'm looking forward to seeing what Kim does next ☺
THE REFUGEE BY KIM HOPKINSON.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
This is Kim's debut novel and what a debut it is.
A really great psychological crime thriller that can be read in one sitting.
I loved the writing style and the story flowed lovely.
This was a fast and quick read for me.
That twist 🤯 didn't see that coming.
I'm looking forward to seeing what Kim does next ☺
November 21, 2025
Wow. This book hooked me from chapter 1. I was immediately wanting to read more and more. I love the way the author describes everything in detail without it being boring. Throughout the whole book I thought I knew who did the crime, but each chapter makes you question. Everyone has a motive and wow is all I can say without giving stuff away! 10/10 recommend.
October 3, 2025
Really great easy and quick read, believable characters and suspenseful, when you know whodunit but do you? Great plot twist that you really dont see coming.
This was a real winner for me read it in a day as I wanted to know what happened, fantastic first release can't wait to see what comes next for Kim.
This was a real winner for me read it in a day as I wanted to know what happened, fantastic first release can't wait to see what comes next for Kim.
October 8, 2025
I really enjoyed this book and the characters. Some I really liked and others frustrated me, but that is what makes a good book. I like the suspense created throughout the book, kept me turning pages.
November 17, 2025
It was a good story line.
It was a good story line but it was not my cup of tea. It didn't keep my attention very well. It was well written.
It was a good story line but it was not my cup of tea. It didn't keep my attention very well. It was well written.
September 27, 2025
Great piece of work. All of us from the Marjorie Springfield book club outreach loves and recommends this fantastic Piece of art. ❤️
September 18, 2025
A thrilling, emotional ride from start to finish! Hopkinson’s storytelling is gripping, the characters unforgettable, and the twists kept me hooked. Highly recommended!
September 27, 2025
A haunting and suspenseful read, this story grips you from the very first page. Bernard’s seemingly picture-perfect life collapses after the brutal murder of his wife, Sally, and their young son, Joshua. Meanwhile, Ahmed, a refugee with a dark and violent past, drifts from town to town, consumed by guilt and deception as his sanity begins to unravel. The tension builds masterfully as Inspector Lawrence investigates, uncovering secrets and hidden motives that suggest the killer may be far closer than anyone imagined. A chilling tale of rage, betrayal, and the desperate lengths one man will go to protect his reputation—this is a thriller that lingers long after the last page.
Fantastic book ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
The Marjorie Springfield book outreach club endorses it ✅���✅✅✅
Fantastic book ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
The Marjorie Springfield book outreach club endorses it ✅���✅✅✅
September 27, 2025
A 5 star ⭐ thriller
We, members of the Marjorie Springfield book club outreach loves this piece of art.
We, members of the Marjorie Springfield book club outreach loves this piece of art.
December 18, 2025
"The Refugee" is a twisted thriller that will keep you guessing. Hopkinson does a great job at vivid scene depiction. You can't help but feel the emotions as the story unfolds.; leading to a shocking ending. Overall, I would give it 3.5 stars and rounded it up to 4 for Goodreads.
September 18, 2025
Great book! Hopkinson adds a juicy crime story to our libraries. The plot moved nicely with twists and turns that kept me guessing. I felt like I wanted to find out what happened next. The only negative was I wish there had been a bit more suspense and character building to justify the ending and less short chapters --I felt a bit of literary whiplash. All in all a very worthwhile read.
November 2, 2025
very interesting read
A dark mystery with many twists and turns . As the story unfolds the main characters inner most thoughts are revealed allowing the reader to visualize each character’s thoughts and probabilities of guilt and how each character’s emotions and involvement in the investigation. A very atypical story which makes very interesting.
A dark mystery with many twists and turns . As the story unfolds the main characters inner most thoughts are revealed allowing the reader to visualize each character’s thoughts and probabilities of guilt and how each character’s emotions and involvement in the investigation. A very atypical story which makes very interesting.
September 6, 2025
Could not Put Down
Without giving the book away. This book at first I was a little lost until I realized it was different characters. That part to me was genius. Keep reading until the end you will not be disappointed.
Without giving the book away. This book at first I was a little lost until I realized it was different characters. That part to me was genius. Keep reading until the end you will not be disappointed.
September 7, 2025
You can't predict the journey this book takes you on! Small chapters make it fun to read, and really has your heart pounding!
September 3, 2025
Great psychological thriller!
This new psychological thriller is full of well-drawn characters whose motivations and actions make you wonder if they have played a part in the terrible murders of a well-liked, young mother and her little son. As the story unfolds the tension rises and everyone in the Sussex village comes under suspicion. This book is one of those you cannot put down as you want to know what happens . The ending does not disappoint.
This new psychological thriller is full of well-drawn characters whose motivations and actions make you wonder if they have played a part in the terrible murders of a well-liked, young mother and her little son. As the story unfolds the tension rises and everyone in the Sussex village comes under suspicion. This book is one of those you cannot put down as you want to know what happens . The ending does not disappoint.
August 29, 2025
A Chilling Tale of Betrayal and Guilt
is a gripping psychological thriller that masterfully explores the aftermath of a brutal crime in a quiet rural town. The story follows Bernard, whose world collapses after the murder of his wife and son, while a mysterious refugee named Ahmed battles his own demons nearby. The layered narrative keeps you hooked, with strong character development and unexpected twists. As the investigation unfolds, the line between truth and deception blurs, leading to a shocking conclusion. A compelling and thought-provoking story that lingers long after it ends.
is a gripping psychological thriller that masterfully explores the aftermath of a brutal crime in a quiet rural town. The story follows Bernard, whose world collapses after the murder of his wife and son, while a mysterious refugee named Ahmed battles his own demons nearby. The layered narrative keeps you hooked, with strong character development and unexpected twists. As the investigation unfolds, the line between truth and deception blurs, leading to a shocking conclusion. A compelling and thought-provoking story that lingers long after it ends.
August 29, 2025
i really love this book, the peaceful surface of a small town is shattered by tragedy, sending shockwaves through its residents. Bernard’s grief is palpable after the loss of his family, while Ahmed’s mysterious past and inner turmoil add depth to the unfolding drama. The story weaves themes of justice, trauma, and hidden motives with precision. Inspector Lawrence’s investigation takes unexpected turns, making the audience question every character’s intentions. This is a well-written, atmospheric thriller that keeps you engaged from start to finish.
August 28, 2025
Page Turner !!!
What an unexpected read!! I usually don’t read this genre and decided to take a chance and was glad I did . This book grabs your attention quickly and gives you perspective from many different viewpoints that keep you thinking you know exactly what is going on and what has happened…. Stop there because you don’t… There are twists and turns you are not gonna see coming and an ending that’s going to seriously surprise you . This is a fantastic weekend read for curling up with that book and letting it take you away .
What an unexpected read!! I usually don’t read this genre and decided to take a chance and was glad I did . This book grabs your attention quickly and gives you perspective from many different viewpoints that keep you thinking you know exactly what is going on and what has happened…. Stop there because you don’t… There are twists and turns you are not gonna see coming and an ending that’s going to seriously surprise you . This is a fantastic weekend read for curling up with that book and letting it take you away .
October 14, 2025
Dark, gripping, and deeply unsettling. THE REFUGEE weaves a haunting tale of guilt, deception, and buried rage. As shattered lives and fractured minds collide, every page twists the truth tighter. A sharp psychological thriller that keeps you questioning everyone — right up to the final revelation.
November 26, 2025
In a small rural town, Bernard's seemingly perfect life is shattered when Sally, his beautiful wife and Joshua, his young son, are murdered in cold blood. Nearby, in a local village a refugee, far from home, attempts to put his violent past behind him and escape the consequences of his monstrous deeds. Caught between his fractured reality and the lies he spins Ahmed travels from town to town. Ahmed's psyche begins to unravel. Will he be able to outrun his guilt or will the truth finally catch up with him. As the investigation unfolds it seems that there were quite a few people who might have had reason to kill Sally. Leading Inspector Lawrence to think that perhaps he should look for the perpetrator much closer to home. A chilling tale of betrayal, rage and the lengths one man will go to, to protect his reputation.
Tropes: Refugee, Fractured Reality, Investigations, Murder Mystery, Betrayal, Thriller Crime Thriller, Small Town, Psychological, Deception, Hidden Secrets, Deadly Rage,
The Refugee by Kim Hopkinson. The Refugee is Kim Hopkinson's debut novel and I'm not one who normally enjoys the murder mystery genre. But I have to say that The Refugee really surprised me, and while I can't say that I'll be reading a lot more of this genre, I will say that I did enjoy this book and this book did really surprise me over and over again.
Kim managed to enthrall me with every second, every word, every sentence, and every single chapter of this book. But I will warn you that this thriller is not for the faint of heart. Kim's going to take you to places that no other crime author (I have at least heard of) has gone before. The Refugee is from what I can tell a totally new and toe-curling, breathtaking thriller.
This is a chilling story of betrayal, rage, and just how far a single man is willing to go in order to protect his reputation after a a young mother and wife along with her youngest son is left brutally murdered and left discarded in a cornfield. All while her loving husband is at their farmhouse harvesting their crops.
Sally was the kind of woman you would look at and think she had it all. She was a beautiful woman, her young son Joshua had just started school, she had an older son named Harry, and she had a husband who loved and adored her. Just by looking at her you would never think that she was carrying a secret.
In the small Sussex town crime is a rarity and no one can imagine anyone in their community committing a crime as horrific as this. Everyone thinks, believes and is pointing their fingers at any stranger that has come through town recently.
There is one person, a refugee named Ahmed who has come to town, no one knows him and now everyone is asking if he can be trusted? And they are all asking why he keeps going from town to town and now trying to settle in one place?
As the story continues, we learn that Ahmed is going through his own trauma, he's lost his own mom, father, and sister. We can feel his grief and pain blurring with his inability to recognize what is truly real or imagined and this makes his journey so much rawer and heartbreaking.
Police Inspector Lawrence is not completely convinced that Ahmed is connected in Sally and Joshua's murder when he begins leading the investigation. He actually thinks that it could have been someone much closer to home as he discovers that there were a couple of the villagers who had a reason to kill Sally.
There were moments when I had thought that I had figured out this story, and all the sudden I am hit with a new major plot twist that I never saw coming or expected that changed everything. And this plot twist changed everything I thought I knew and it changed how I saw everything that came next.
Kim has given us a book that's incredibly moving, thought-provoking, with major characters you'll never be able to forget.
This is a story that's more about deception, hidden secrets, a deadly rage, and just how desperately a single person is going to go in order to protect their very name and reputation.
Kim has created characters who are really well developed, they are believable, they change, grow and continue to develop through the story and they have arcs that keep your rooted to their stories. The storyline, plot and subplots had me engrossed from the first word till I finally finished this book. I just couldn't put this book down till I finished it.
Kim Hopkinson did an amazing job in writing this book and it's absolutely brilliant with the right twists and turns and the suspense keeps everything under wraps until the very end and the final reveal.
Tropes: Refugee, Fractured Reality, Investigations, Murder Mystery, Betrayal, Thriller Crime Thriller, Small Town, Psychological, Deception, Hidden Secrets, Deadly Rage,
The Refugee by Kim Hopkinson. The Refugee is Kim Hopkinson's debut novel and I'm not one who normally enjoys the murder mystery genre. But I have to say that The Refugee really surprised me, and while I can't say that I'll be reading a lot more of this genre, I will say that I did enjoy this book and this book did really surprise me over and over again.
Kim managed to enthrall me with every second, every word, every sentence, and every single chapter of this book. But I will warn you that this thriller is not for the faint of heart. Kim's going to take you to places that no other crime author (I have at least heard of) has gone before. The Refugee is from what I can tell a totally new and toe-curling, breathtaking thriller.
This is a chilling story of betrayal, rage, and just how far a single man is willing to go in order to protect his reputation after a a young mother and wife along with her youngest son is left brutally murdered and left discarded in a cornfield. All while her loving husband is at their farmhouse harvesting their crops.
Sally was the kind of woman you would look at and think she had it all. She was a beautiful woman, her young son Joshua had just started school, she had an older son named Harry, and she had a husband who loved and adored her. Just by looking at her you would never think that she was carrying a secret.
In the small Sussex town crime is a rarity and no one can imagine anyone in their community committing a crime as horrific as this. Everyone thinks, believes and is pointing their fingers at any stranger that has come through town recently.
There is one person, a refugee named Ahmed who has come to town, no one knows him and now everyone is asking if he can be trusted? And they are all asking why he keeps going from town to town and now trying to settle in one place?
As the story continues, we learn that Ahmed is going through his own trauma, he's lost his own mom, father, and sister. We can feel his grief and pain blurring with his inability to recognize what is truly real or imagined and this makes his journey so much rawer and heartbreaking.
Police Inspector Lawrence is not completely convinced that Ahmed is connected in Sally and Joshua's murder when he begins leading the investigation. He actually thinks that it could have been someone much closer to home as he discovers that there were a couple of the villagers who had a reason to kill Sally.
There were moments when I had thought that I had figured out this story, and all the sudden I am hit with a new major plot twist that I never saw coming or expected that changed everything. And this plot twist changed everything I thought I knew and it changed how I saw everything that came next.
Kim has given us a book that's incredibly moving, thought-provoking, with major characters you'll never be able to forget.
This is a story that's more about deception, hidden secrets, a deadly rage, and just how desperately a single person is going to go in order to protect their very name and reputation.
Kim has created characters who are really well developed, they are believable, they change, grow and continue to develop through the story and they have arcs that keep your rooted to their stories. The storyline, plot and subplots had me engrossed from the first word till I finally finished this book. I just couldn't put this book down till I finished it.
Kim Hopkinson did an amazing job in writing this book and it's absolutely brilliant with the right twists and turns and the suspense keeps everything under wraps until the very end and the final reveal.
December 23, 2025
Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Refugee by Kim Hopkinson
First things first: thank you, Kim, for trusting me with an early copy of this book. Genuinely. It’s an honor, and I don’t take that lightly. Being invited into someone else’s story—especially one this heavy—isn’t something I ever breeze past.
And heavy it is.
This book hit me in a way I didn’t see coming. Not loud. Not dramatic. More like that quiet, creeping sadness mixed with irritation and anger that sits in your chest and refuses to leave. The kind where you finish reading and just… stare. Without spoilers, I can’t go into the why, which is frustrating because I really want to. I’m honestly curious how other readers feel after this one, because it did things to my head I wasn’t prepared for.
It’s heartfelt. It’s bleak. And yes—it’s unsettling in that uncomfortable, almost intimate way. At times it feels like you’re standing far too close inside a killer’s mind, peeking into thoughts you weren’t meant to see. Not flashy horror. Just quiet, psychological unease that crawls under your skin and stays there.
Now, the critic in me needs a moment (I apologize in advance).
For me, the pacing was a little too fast. At times I felt like I needed to sprint just to keep up—jumping from one headspace to another without a breath in between. I’m not asking for a slow burn that takes a hundred pages to blink, but sometimes it’s okay to let moments sit. Let them hurt. Let them rot a little. That’s why this lands at four stars for me. Purely personal. No pitchforks required.
That said��once this story had me, it had me. From the very first sentence. I didn’t want to stop. I just wanted answers, closure, damage. And I’m glad I finished it, because it delivered exactly the kind of psychological bruising my twisted soul apparently craves.
The mental aftermath is what stuck with me most. Long after the final page, I was still thinking about it. About choices. About accountability. About how easy it is to shift blame instead of owning the mess we create.
What can I say—we should all probably own our mistakes before they own us.
This book is absolutely worth reading. Don’t let my inner critic scare you off—that voice is loud but not malicious. The Refugee deserves recognition. It’s different, yet oddly familiar in a way that feels strangely comforting if you’re someone who thrives on psychological stories that leave a mark.
If you like your books dark, emotionally bruising, and lingering long after you’re done—this one belongs on your shelf.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Refugee by Kim Hopkinson
First things first: thank you, Kim, for trusting me with an early copy of this book. Genuinely. It’s an honor, and I don’t take that lightly. Being invited into someone else’s story—especially one this heavy—isn’t something I ever breeze past.
And heavy it is.
This book hit me in a way I didn’t see coming. Not loud. Not dramatic. More like that quiet, creeping sadness mixed with irritation and anger that sits in your chest and refuses to leave. The kind where you finish reading and just… stare. Without spoilers, I can’t go into the why, which is frustrating because I really want to. I’m honestly curious how other readers feel after this one, because it did things to my head I wasn’t prepared for.
It’s heartfelt. It’s bleak. And yes—it’s unsettling in that uncomfortable, almost intimate way. At times it feels like you’re standing far too close inside a killer’s mind, peeking into thoughts you weren’t meant to see. Not flashy horror. Just quiet, psychological unease that crawls under your skin and stays there.
Now, the critic in me needs a moment (I apologize in advance).
For me, the pacing was a little too fast. At times I felt like I needed to sprint just to keep up—jumping from one headspace to another without a breath in between. I’m not asking for a slow burn that takes a hundred pages to blink, but sometimes it’s okay to let moments sit. Let them hurt. Let them rot a little. That’s why this lands at four stars for me. Purely personal. No pitchforks required.
That said��once this story had me, it had me. From the very first sentence. I didn’t want to stop. I just wanted answers, closure, damage. And I’m glad I finished it, because it delivered exactly the kind of psychological bruising my twisted soul apparently craves.
The mental aftermath is what stuck with me most. Long after the final page, I was still thinking about it. About choices. About accountability. About how easy it is to shift blame instead of owning the mess we create.
What can I say—we should all probably own our mistakes before they own us.
This book is absolutely worth reading. Don’t let my inner critic scare you off—that voice is loud but not malicious. The Refugee deserves recognition. It’s different, yet oddly familiar in a way that feels strangely comforting if you’re someone who thrives on psychological stories that leave a mark.
If you like your books dark, emotionally bruising, and lingering long after you’re done—this one belongs on your shelf.
November 1, 2025
No one escapes their past.
The Refugee by Kim Hopkinson 😍
The Refugee is an atmospheric and gripping thriller that slowly but insistently gets under your skin. Kim Hopkinson takes the reader to an apparently quiet rural village, where the shock of a gruesome murder completely shatters the carefully constructed balance. Bernard’s life, which on the outside appears so exemplary, collapses like a house of cards when his wife Sally and their young son Joshua are killed. What follows is an investigation that not only tries to uncover the truth, but also exposes the darker sides of the human desire for control, respect, and stability.
At the same time, we follow Ahmed, a refugee who tries to bury his past, but is trapped in the echoes of the deeds he has committed. Hopkinson does not portray Ahmed as a one-dimensional villain, but as a man constantly balancing between regret, denial, and self-preservation. His wandering existence and crumbling psyche create a restless tension that hangs over the story like a dark cloud.
Inspector Lawrence forms the rational core of the book. As he digs deeper into the case, it becomes clear that the truth does not simply appear when you search for it, but rather slowly, abrasively, and painfully. What initially seems to be a murder driven by revenge or hatred turns out to be intertwined with personal motives, hidden relationships, and the desire to protect a carefully constructed image.
Hopkinson manages to mislead the reader cleverly. Suspects shift, sympathies change, and time and again you are forced to reconsider your judgment. The driving force of this story is not only the question of who did it, but especially why, and what price the truth demands.
The Refugee is a layered, psychological thriller that is not afraid to address uncomfortable themes. The story examines guilt, identity, and the human capacity for self-deception. The writing style is accessible, yet manages to dig deeper than a typical crime novel. Anyone who enjoys thrillers in which the tension lies more in the characters than in the action will certainly appreciate this book.
The Refugee by Kim Hopkinson 😍
The Refugee is an atmospheric and gripping thriller that slowly but insistently gets under your skin. Kim Hopkinson takes the reader to an apparently quiet rural village, where the shock of a gruesome murder completely shatters the carefully constructed balance. Bernard’s life, which on the outside appears so exemplary, collapses like a house of cards when his wife Sally and their young son Joshua are killed. What follows is an investigation that not only tries to uncover the truth, but also exposes the darker sides of the human desire for control, respect, and stability.
At the same time, we follow Ahmed, a refugee who tries to bury his past, but is trapped in the echoes of the deeds he has committed. Hopkinson does not portray Ahmed as a one-dimensional villain, but as a man constantly balancing between regret, denial, and self-preservation. His wandering existence and crumbling psyche create a restless tension that hangs over the story like a dark cloud.
Inspector Lawrence forms the rational core of the book. As he digs deeper into the case, it becomes clear that the truth does not simply appear when you search for it, but rather slowly, abrasively, and painfully. What initially seems to be a murder driven by revenge or hatred turns out to be intertwined with personal motives, hidden relationships, and the desire to protect a carefully constructed image.
Hopkinson manages to mislead the reader cleverly. Suspects shift, sympathies change, and time and again you are forced to reconsider your judgment. The driving force of this story is not only the question of who did it, but especially why, and what price the truth demands.
The Refugee is a layered, psychological thriller that is not afraid to address uncomfortable themes. The story examines guilt, identity, and the human capacity for self-deception. The writing style is accessible, yet manages to dig deeper than a typical crime novel. Anyone who enjoys thrillers in which the tension lies more in the characters than in the action will certainly appreciate this book.
December 13, 2025
Bernard, Sally, and their son's live in a small country town, and they appear to have a wonderful marriage and life. But Sally and their youngest son Joshua are suddenly brutally murdered which sends the town into shock. Who would do this?
In another Village nearby is a Refugee called Ahmed. He's a very troubled man because of his violent and horrific past. The lines between his truth and lies become extremely blurred...
Ahmed now has eyes upon him with regards to several murders and he starts to panic and begins to move from place to place to avoid scrutiny from law enforcement.
Inspector Lawrence, who heads the murder investigations starts digging a whole lot deeper into the lives of the locals as it would seem not everyone was fond of Sally.
This is a deep and emotional story of extreme rage and betrayal.
Will the truth catch up with Ahmed and expose him, or is he innocent?
This is Kim's debut novel and I'm very impressed. It's fast-paced with short chapter's and multiple POV's. Although there are a few punctuation and grammatical errors throughout the book, I'm more about focusing on the story!
The Refugee is full of plot twists which are interwoven with revenge, love, and suspense.
The character's all seem transparent and relatable, but as the story progresses, deeper layers of darkness are peeled back, which had me jumping from person to person as I tried to guess the murderer.
I failed.
I really liked how the short chapters enabled me to read the book sporadically when I had the time.
Thanks Kim, I thoroughly enjoyed your novel and hope you're working on another one 🥰
In another Village nearby is a Refugee called Ahmed. He's a very troubled man because of his violent and horrific past. The lines between his truth and lies become extremely blurred...
Ahmed now has eyes upon him with regards to several murders and he starts to panic and begins to move from place to place to avoid scrutiny from law enforcement.
Inspector Lawrence, who heads the murder investigations starts digging a whole lot deeper into the lives of the locals as it would seem not everyone was fond of Sally.
This is a deep and emotional story of extreme rage and betrayal.
Will the truth catch up with Ahmed and expose him, or is he innocent?
This is Kim's debut novel and I'm very impressed. It's fast-paced with short chapter's and multiple POV's. Although there are a few punctuation and grammatical errors throughout the book, I'm more about focusing on the story!
The Refugee is full of plot twists which are interwoven with revenge, love, and suspense.
The character's all seem transparent and relatable, but as the story progresses, deeper layers of darkness are peeled back, which had me jumping from person to person as I tried to guess the murderer.
I failed.
I really liked how the short chapters enabled me to read the book sporadically when I had the time.
Thanks Kim, I thoroughly enjoyed your novel and hope you're working on another one 🥰
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