What do you think?
Rate this book
Five Silver Spoons
They should have made sure he was dead.
DI Hope Fenton is haunted by the abduction of her son Noah eight years ago. It shadows every investigation she works with her ex-husband, forensic scientist Dr Adam Fenton.
One down.
When a supposed overdose victim is found to have received a postcard marked You're first, Hope uncovers links to a circle of privileged Cambridge an eco-entrepreneur, a surgeon, a lecturer, and a government minister. But are they potential victims - or suspects? And as the body count rises, could this case hold the key to Noah's disappearance as well?
Four to go.
Five Silver Spoons is a gripping tale of shameless entitlement and merciless revenge.
DI Hope Fenton is haunted by the abduction of her son Noah eight years ago. It shadows every investigation she works with her ex-husband, forensic scientist Dr Adam Fenton.
One down.
When a supposed overdose victim is found to have received a postcard marked You're first, Hope uncovers links to a circle of privileged Cambridge an eco-entrepreneur, a surgeon, a lecturer, and a government minister. But are they potential victims - or suspects? And as the body count rises, could this case hold the key to Noah's disappearance as well?
Four to go.
Five Silver Spoons is a gripping tale of shameless entitlement and merciless revenge.
- GenresCrime
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 23, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
April 23, 2026
Two things I love about reading - finding a great police based thriller (ideally in a series) and finding a new to me author whose work I enjoy an know will make a point of following in the future. Tick-tick on both counts when it comes to Five Silver Spoons by Sam Steele. From the opening chapter I was suckered in and whilst the motives behind the crimes in this book take little working out, neither do the identities of the intended/pending victims, it is the characters, in particular DI Hope Fenton, who really made this story for me. I liked Hope, liked her team, and the dynamic here, as well as the mystery surrounding elements of Hope's father's past, really did keep me hooked to the book right to the very last page.
Believe me when I say that, as victims go, most of the ones in this book garner little to no sympathy for their plight, but still. Violence is never the right way to solve your problems. Unless you are writing a crime novel, in which case the more the merrier and the better the reading experience for us goulish readers, right? The opening to the book took me a little by surprise, but certainly set the scene for what I expected was soon to follow. I wasn't disappointed. We meet each of the targets in turn through the following scenes, and whilst they had little by way of redeeming qualities for the most part, I was fascinated by the way in which Sam Steele portrayed them, a kind of morbid fascination in watching their worlds fall apart. These are all people of note, in their own way. Former students who believed themselves to be untouchable who come to learn how wrong they are.
Hope is a complex and flawed character, part of which is driven by a tragedy in her home life that informs a lot of how she behaves, and also how she reacts to the case in hand. Whilst there are some very familiar tropes used here, the author has portrayed the troubles in Hope's life with an element of sympathy, and whilst she manages to keep messing up in her home life, there was something engaging about her that kept me invested in not only the investigation, but also her personal stake in it and how various other characters sought to disrail her. She is strong, maybe even stubborn, but ultimately very human and I am really looking forward to seeing how Sam Steele continues to develop her character particularly given the revelation at the end of the book. She has a good team around her, and I liked Christie as a character, but we perhaps learned less about each of them than Hope, so I hope (no pun intended) their back stories are explored more in future books.
The case itself is a bit of a whodunnit but with the whydunnit answered. At least, that is how it appears. You will have to read the book to see if it is quite as straightforward as it seems. Yes, I kind of guessed on thread of the story, but that didn't change my enjoyment of the book. In fact the author threw in a good number of curveballs that served to have me second guessing my assertions at times, and certainly led the investigations astray. This is a story about the privileged few and their belief that they are above the law, all of whom are in for a few short, sharp, and ultimately deadly, shocks. It's not often that I want the victims to face their just deserts more than the perpetrator but that was kind of where this book led me. The pacing was spot on, the dialogue and relationships between characters well observed, and I am completely on the hook for whatever comes next. I've the feeling this could be the start of a great series and I'm looking forward to book two.
Believe me when I say that, as victims go, most of the ones in this book garner little to no sympathy for their plight, but still. Violence is never the right way to solve your problems. Unless you are writing a crime novel, in which case the more the merrier and the better the reading experience for us goulish readers, right? The opening to the book took me a little by surprise, but certainly set the scene for what I expected was soon to follow. I wasn't disappointed. We meet each of the targets in turn through the following scenes, and whilst they had little by way of redeeming qualities for the most part, I was fascinated by the way in which Sam Steele portrayed them, a kind of morbid fascination in watching their worlds fall apart. These are all people of note, in their own way. Former students who believed themselves to be untouchable who come to learn how wrong they are.
Hope is a complex and flawed character, part of which is driven by a tragedy in her home life that informs a lot of how she behaves, and also how she reacts to the case in hand. Whilst there are some very familiar tropes used here, the author has portrayed the troubles in Hope's life with an element of sympathy, and whilst she manages to keep messing up in her home life, there was something engaging about her that kept me invested in not only the investigation, but also her personal stake in it and how various other characters sought to disrail her. She is strong, maybe even stubborn, but ultimately very human and I am really looking forward to seeing how Sam Steele continues to develop her character particularly given the revelation at the end of the book. She has a good team around her, and I liked Christie as a character, but we perhaps learned less about each of them than Hope, so I hope (no pun intended) their back stories are explored more in future books.
The case itself is a bit of a whodunnit but with the whydunnit answered. At least, that is how it appears. You will have to read the book to see if it is quite as straightforward as it seems. Yes, I kind of guessed on thread of the story, but that didn't change my enjoyment of the book. In fact the author threw in a good number of curveballs that served to have me second guessing my assertions at times, and certainly led the investigations astray. This is a story about the privileged few and their belief that they are above the law, all of whom are in for a few short, sharp, and ultimately deadly, shocks. It's not often that I want the victims to face their just deserts more than the perpetrator but that was kind of where this book led me. The pacing was spot on, the dialogue and relationships between characters well observed, and I am completely on the hook for whatever comes next. I've the feeling this could be the start of a great series and I'm looking forward to book two.
May 10, 2026
Twenty years after a privileged Cambridge friendship group covered up a devastating accident, someone starts targeting them one by one — and suddenly, the past they thought was buried is catching up with them.
This had me hooked from the opening chapters. I’m always on the lookout for a really good police procedural series to sink into, and I genuinely think DI Hope Fenton has the potential to become one of those detectives I’ll happily keep returning to. Alongside the murder investigation, Hope is still dealing with the disappearance of her son years earlier, and I found that personal storyline added an extra emotional layer to the book without taking over the main case.
The mystery itself kept me completely engaged. Whilst I did have suspicions about parts of the storyline fairly early on, there were still enough twists, misdirection, and character dynamics to keep me flying through the pages. I also really liked the team dynamic around Hope, and I’m hoping future books explore those characters even more.
The victims in this were particularly interesting too — wealthy, privileged, and convinced they were untouchable — which made watching everything unravel strangely compelling.
A gripping start to what I really hope becomes a long-running series.
This had me hooked from the opening chapters. I’m always on the lookout for a really good police procedural series to sink into, and I genuinely think DI Hope Fenton has the potential to become one of those detectives I’ll happily keep returning to. Alongside the murder investigation, Hope is still dealing with the disappearance of her son years earlier, and I found that personal storyline added an extra emotional layer to the book without taking over the main case.
The mystery itself kept me completely engaged. Whilst I did have suspicions about parts of the storyline fairly early on, there were still enough twists, misdirection, and character dynamics to keep me flying through the pages. I also really liked the team dynamic around Hope, and I’m hoping future books explore those characters even more.
The victims in this were particularly interesting too — wealthy, privileged, and convinced they were untouchable — which made watching everything unravel strangely compelling.
A gripping start to what I really hope becomes a long-running series.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
They should have made sure he was dead … 1 down, 4 to go …
It’s 2001 and 5 Cambridge Students, driving drunk following their final ball, hit a pedestrian and presume he is dead. Panicked and selfishly thinking of their futures, they bury him and his bike. But he wasn’t dead … and 48 hours later he wakes in his own shallow grave. He promises himself that he will spend his life hunting the group and making them pay for what they have done.
Fast forward to 2025 and we are introduced to Hope, a Detective Inspector who is haunted by the disappearance of her son Noah. It has affected many cases before and she is at risk of losing her job, so she must focus and put everything into this one. She is called to the suspicious death of former Cambridge Student, Jack Bennett. A former rockstar, it is believed his death is drugs related … until they find a postcard with a threat on it, predicting Jack’s untimely demise. Hope finds a link to a Cambridge Alumni: a surgeon, an MP, a Lord of an estate and a professor, but are they potential victims like Jack, or suspects in his death?
As the death count increases, Hope is left wondering who to trust and how an earth is this linked to her son, Noah?
I thought the description of the police work as well as the forensics was amazingly detailed and so interesting! The characters have been so well done in this story, with each receiving enough development for you to understand the type of person they are and the reason for their decision making! I loved seeing the depth of Hope’s complex character and the struggles she faced trying to juggle all the different hats - mother, ex-wife, career woman, grieving parent, daughter. It made for a complex and vulnerable character that despite not always making good choices, was likeable.
This book was brilliant - I was hooked from Chapter 1! There was lots of twists but it never felt confusing or that the plot was going off at huge tangents, with Sam Steele cleverly bringing it all together when I didn’t know how it would be possible! Short, sharp chapters and lots of incredible detail - this is highly recommended for lovers of suspenseful ‘whodunnit’ crime thrillers! And that ending … chef’s kiss!
Huge thank you to NetGallery, Allison and Busby Publishers and Sam Steele for the ARC copy of this book!
It’s 2001 and 5 Cambridge Students, driving drunk following their final ball, hit a pedestrian and presume he is dead. Panicked and selfishly thinking of their futures, they bury him and his bike. But he wasn’t dead … and 48 hours later he wakes in his own shallow grave. He promises himself that he will spend his life hunting the group and making them pay for what they have done.
Fast forward to 2025 and we are introduced to Hope, a Detective Inspector who is haunted by the disappearance of her son Noah. It has affected many cases before and she is at risk of losing her job, so she must focus and put everything into this one. She is called to the suspicious death of former Cambridge Student, Jack Bennett. A former rockstar, it is believed his death is drugs related … until they find a postcard with a threat on it, predicting Jack’s untimely demise. Hope finds a link to a Cambridge Alumni: a surgeon, an MP, a Lord of an estate and a professor, but are they potential victims like Jack, or suspects in his death?
As the death count increases, Hope is left wondering who to trust and how an earth is this linked to her son, Noah?
I thought the description of the police work as well as the forensics was amazingly detailed and so interesting! The characters have been so well done in this story, with each receiving enough development for you to understand the type of person they are and the reason for their decision making! I loved seeing the depth of Hope’s complex character and the struggles she faced trying to juggle all the different hats - mother, ex-wife, career woman, grieving parent, daughter. It made for a complex and vulnerable character that despite not always making good choices, was likeable.
This book was brilliant - I was hooked from Chapter 1! There was lots of twists but it never felt confusing or that the plot was going off at huge tangents, with Sam Steele cleverly bringing it all together when I didn’t know how it would be possible! Short, sharp chapters and lots of incredible detail - this is highly recommended for lovers of suspenseful ‘whodunnit’ crime thrillers! And that ending … chef’s kiss!
Huge thank you to NetGallery, Allison and Busby Publishers and Sam Steele for the ARC copy of this book!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Five Silver Spoons is a sharp, atmospheric thriller that threads together privilege, guilt, and long‑buried secrets with a pace that tightens chapter by chapter. From the moment DI Hope Fenton arrives at the scene of what looks like a tragic overdose—only to find a postcard marked You’re first—the story locks into that irresistible blend of police procedural and psychological suspense.
The Cambridge alumni at the centre of the investigation are a fascinating mix: polished, successful, and bound by a night they’ve spent twenty years trying to forget. An eco‑entrepreneur, a surgeon, a lecturer, a government minister—each one outwardly untouchable, yet all suddenly vulnerable as the body count rises. The novel plays beautifully with the question of whether they’re being hunted… or whether one of them is hunting the others.
Hope Fenton is the emotional anchor of the book. Her grief over her son Noah’s disappearance eight years earlier is ever‑present, shaping her instincts and clouding her judgment in ways that feel painfully real. The tension between her and her ex‑husband Adam—now her forensic colleague—adds another layer of complexity, especially as the case begins to echo the unanswered questions surrounding Noah. The possibility that this investigation might hold the key to what happened to him gives the story a compelling undercurrent of dread and hope.
Thematically, the novel digs into entitlement and the corrosive belief that some people are simply above consequences. The revenge arc is chilling without ever tipping into gratuitousness, and the countdown structure—one down, four to go—keeps the momentum taut.
A gripping, cleverly constructed thriller that blends procedural detail with emotional depth, Five Silver Spoons delivers a satisfying mix of mystery, tension, and the haunting pull of the past.
With thanks to Sam Steele, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
The Cambridge alumni at the centre of the investigation are a fascinating mix: polished, successful, and bound by a night they’ve spent twenty years trying to forget. An eco‑entrepreneur, a surgeon, a lecturer, a government minister—each one outwardly untouchable, yet all suddenly vulnerable as the body count rises. The novel plays beautifully with the question of whether they’re being hunted… or whether one of them is hunting the others.
Hope Fenton is the emotional anchor of the book. Her grief over her son Noah’s disappearance eight years earlier is ever‑present, shaping her instincts and clouding her judgment in ways that feel painfully real. The tension between her and her ex‑husband Adam—now her forensic colleague—adds another layer of complexity, especially as the case begins to echo the unanswered questions surrounding Noah. The possibility that this investigation might hold the key to what happened to him gives the story a compelling undercurrent of dread and hope.
Thematically, the novel digs into entitlement and the corrosive belief that some people are simply above consequences. The revenge arc is chilling without ever tipping into gratuitousness, and the countdown structure—one down, four to go—keeps the momentum taut.
A gripping, cleverly constructed thriller that blends procedural detail with emotional depth, Five Silver Spoons delivers a satisfying mix of mystery, tension, and the haunting pull of the past.
With thanks to Sam Steele, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Five Silver Spoons is the first instalment of a new police procedural series about Hope Fenton, a London CID detective with a tragic past, by an author who is new to me. I was invited to read an Advance Review Copy by the publisher, and while I’m trying to resist new ARCs while I catch up with my backlog, this sounded intriguing, so overall I’m glad I accepted. I’ve been avoiding serial killer plots for years, because of how formulaic they tend to be, but I liked that this gave us the motive and intended victims from the start, with the suspense being about who would survive and would the killer be caught in time.
DI Fenton is a mess - after losing her six year old son eight years earlier, her marriage to forensic scientist Adam ended, and she’s just about holding on to her career after some embarrassing self-destructive affairs, but she needs a win. When a former rock star and a lecturer are found dead with silver spoons in their mouths, Hope discover that the men were friends at Cambridge - but the rest of their arrogant entitled group deny any suggestion that they have done anything wrong. The killer is the man they buried alive after a drunken hit & run, but to admit it will ruin their careers. Now they’re being hunted down, and their privilege can’t save them - but can Hope?
This was a well written crime thriller with multiple interwoven subplots, including the mystery of what happened to Hope’s son, why did her father, a venerated detective, retire so suddenly, and who are the other people keeping an eye on the potential victims. There are few likeable characters and it was quite long for a procedural/mystery, with a fair bit of repetition. All the angst about the demise of Hope & Adam’s marriage got a bit tedious, and it does end on a significant cliffhanger, but I’m now invested enough that I will eagerly be awaiting book two.
Thanks to NetGalley and Allison & Busby for the ARC. Five Silver Spoons is published on April 23rd.
DI Fenton is a mess - after losing her six year old son eight years earlier, her marriage to forensic scientist Adam ended, and she’s just about holding on to her career after some embarrassing self-destructive affairs, but she needs a win. When a former rock star and a lecturer are found dead with silver spoons in their mouths, Hope discover that the men were friends at Cambridge - but the rest of their arrogant entitled group deny any suggestion that they have done anything wrong. The killer is the man they buried alive after a drunken hit & run, but to admit it will ruin their careers. Now they’re being hunted down, and their privilege can’t save them - but can Hope?
This was a well written crime thriller with multiple interwoven subplots, including the mystery of what happened to Hope’s son, why did her father, a venerated detective, retire so suddenly, and who are the other people keeping an eye on the potential victims. There are few likeable characters and it was quite long for a procedural/mystery, with a fair bit of repetition. All the angst about the demise of Hope & Adam’s marriage got a bit tedious, and it does end on a significant cliffhanger, but I’m now invested enough that I will eagerly be awaiting book two.
Thanks to NetGalley and Allison & Busby for the ARC. Five Silver Spoons is published on April 23rd.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
In 2001, five Cambridge students, drunk after their final May Ball, buried a youth they had just mown down on a quiet country road. All five were high flyers who have gone on to great heights in their respective careers, despite being blackmailed ever since by someone who has evidence of this illegal internment. That might be the youth himself, since these drunken students, rather incompetently, had failed to dig a very deep grave, and had possibly not noticed that the youth was still alive. And now someone has decided to start killing them; one by one. DI Hope Fenton is assigned to investigate the first death, which is initially just classed as the slightly suspicious overdose of a former rock star. However, she and her team realise that they are dealing with a serial killer and are now in a race to identify the other targets and discover the killer and his motive.
This is the first of an intended series featuring DI Hope Fenton and her ex-husband Adam, a senior forensic scientist. A big factor in their breakup was the disappearance eight years ago of their son Noah, and Hope’s belief that he must be dead while Adam, and Noah’s twin Lily, cling to the belief that he will eventually be found alive. Because we are dealing with a number of different crimes the plot is quite intricate, and the whydunnits are varied, as are the different whodunnits. All of the characters are convincingly drawn and the writing quality is high, although I found it a bit over elaborate in places. That attention to detail might come from her other activities. Sam Steele is the pseudonym of Sarah Steele, previously known for historical novels, and she also has had a career in music. Overall, hard to argue with such clever writing.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.
This is the first of an intended series featuring DI Hope Fenton and her ex-husband Adam, a senior forensic scientist. A big factor in their breakup was the disappearance eight years ago of their son Noah, and Hope’s belief that he must be dead while Adam, and Noah’s twin Lily, cling to the belief that he will eventually be found alive. Because we are dealing with a number of different crimes the plot is quite intricate, and the whydunnits are varied, as are the different whodunnits. All of the characters are convincingly drawn and the writing quality is high, although I found it a bit over elaborate in places. That attention to detail might come from her other activities. Sam Steele is the pseudonym of Sarah Steele, previously known for historical novels, and she also has had a career in music. Overall, hard to argue with such clever writing.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
June 2021 - a vow is made all those years ago to seek revenge for what has been done to him.
In September 2025 a series of postcards are sent, one enigmatically states ‘You’re first’, one threatens to bring their world crashing down, and the rest asking ‘Who’s next?’ A ghost has risen so Jack, Al, Lois, Gideon and Ajay, some born with silver spoons in their mouth, need to watch their backs. Then it’s one down, four to go. DI Hope Fenton is called in to investigate a killer with a unique calling card. However, Hope and her ex-husband Dr Adam Fenton have much pain in their past that both are desperate to get answers to. Eight years ago their six year old son Noah disappears without a trace. Will this case provide answers to what haunts them both?
I really enjoy this mystery thriller which is well written with the different strands of the plot flowing towards a really good conclusion. It has multiple layers to it which makes for a compelling read. There’s the enquiry itself and the revenge quest being managed by a good team led by Hope. All the characters involved in that are well depicted although some are not necessarily likeable. .
Another layer is between Hope and Adam and that gets very interesting, in addition there’s the relationship between Hope and her daughter Lily, who is Noah’s twin. This is an especially good element and the pain of the loss of Noah and how it’s impact them all is very well conveyed.
The plot has many twists and turns, it’s tense and suspenseful and I do hope that number two is underway as it’s left on a jaw dropping cliffhanger! 👏
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Allison and Busby for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
In September 2025 a series of postcards are sent, one enigmatically states ‘You’re first’, one threatens to bring their world crashing down, and the rest asking ‘Who’s next?’ A ghost has risen so Jack, Al, Lois, Gideon and Ajay, some born with silver spoons in their mouth, need to watch their backs. Then it’s one down, four to go. DI Hope Fenton is called in to investigate a killer with a unique calling card. However, Hope and her ex-husband Dr Adam Fenton have much pain in their past that both are desperate to get answers to. Eight years ago their six year old son Noah disappears without a trace. Will this case provide answers to what haunts them both?
I really enjoy this mystery thriller which is well written with the different strands of the plot flowing towards a really good conclusion. It has multiple layers to it which makes for a compelling read. There’s the enquiry itself and the revenge quest being managed by a good team led by Hope. All the characters involved in that are well depicted although some are not necessarily likeable. .
Another layer is between Hope and Adam and that gets very interesting, in addition there’s the relationship between Hope and her daughter Lily, who is Noah’s twin. This is an especially good element and the pain of the loss of Noah and how it’s impact them all is very well conveyed.
The plot has many twists and turns, it’s tense and suspenseful and I do hope that number two is underway as it’s left on a jaw dropping cliffhanger! 👏
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Allison and Busby for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As this book is listed as Hope Fenton book 1 of 1, I suspect there may be more? If so, then this is a brilliant introduction to DI Hope Fenton, her team and her family. I’m not a huge fan of crime fiction and definitely not police investigations, and don’t read them very often, so for me to enjoy a book as much as I enjoyed this one, then it must be very good. It’s gripping more or less from the beginning with a good plot and plenty of twists and turns and as it says in the description, very much an edge of your seat thriller.
The book starts off with quite a gruesome beginning, which also gives us a clue that at least one character isn’t very happy and may be holding a grudge. Not much further on, and we have our first dead person, murdered? Quite possibly. There are some brilliant characters, both the good and the not so good, it’s fast paced and full of menacing mystery. There’s lots of interesting forensic detail in it too coming from DI Fenton’s husband Adam, who is a forensic scientist and carries out the post mortem’s as well as other forensic investigation.
As it mentions in the blurb Hope and her husband Adam are trying to come to terms with their missing son, one of twins, he leaves behind their teenage daughter who also is struggling to accept that Noah is probably dead and they may never find out what happened to him. It’s broken Hope and Adam’s marriage which adds another thread to the narrative.
There really is lots to get your teeth into with the tension rarely letting up. Having finished the book, I have my suspicions about something, and so obviously if there is a next book I will definitely have to read it.
The book starts off with quite a gruesome beginning, which also gives us a clue that at least one character isn’t very happy and may be holding a grudge. Not much further on, and we have our first dead person, murdered? Quite possibly. There are some brilliant characters, both the good and the not so good, it’s fast paced and full of menacing mystery. There’s lots of interesting forensic detail in it too coming from DI Fenton’s husband Adam, who is a forensic scientist and carries out the post mortem’s as well as other forensic investigation.
As it mentions in the blurb Hope and her husband Adam are trying to come to terms with their missing son, one of twins, he leaves behind their teenage daughter who also is struggling to accept that Noah is probably dead and they may never find out what happened to him. It’s broken Hope and Adam’s marriage which adds another thread to the narrative.
There really is lots to get your teeth into with the tension rarely letting up. Having finished the book, I have my suspicions about something, and so obviously if there is a next book I will definitely have to read it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A perfectly paced police thriller that delivers on every level.
This is the kind of mystery that reminds you why you fell in love with the mysteries in the first place. It’s a perfectly paced police thriller that doesn’t disappoint — it has exactly the right amount of unsavory characters, palpable tension, investigative drama, and just enough murky circumstance to keep you second-guessing yourself until the very end.
What sets this one apart is how deeply everyone is connected. Every character is tangled up in one another’s lives — through messy histories, fractured relationships, and secrets that didn’t stay buried. That web of connections makes for deep world-building and gives the story a lived-in, layered quality that elevates it well beyond a standard whodunit.
But it isn’t content to just be a mystery. It reaches deeper, exploring themes of guilt, shame, and the weight of the choices we carry with us — sometimes for decades.
Our lead is exactly the kind of protagonist I love most: flawed in all the right ways. She doesn’t feel like the polished, untouchable heroine of so many thrillers — she feels real. Her relationship dynamics are complicated and messy in the most compelling way, and honestly, she’s better for it. More human. More interesting.
The result is a beautiful blend of mystery, police procedural, and genuine emotional depth — the kind of story that keeps you both entertained and quietly invested.
If you love steady, methodical mysteries where the investigation is the heartbeat of the story, this one belongs on your list.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
This is the kind of mystery that reminds you why you fell in love with the mysteries in the first place. It’s a perfectly paced police thriller that doesn’t disappoint — it has exactly the right amount of unsavory characters, palpable tension, investigative drama, and just enough murky circumstance to keep you second-guessing yourself until the very end.
What sets this one apart is how deeply everyone is connected. Every character is tangled up in one another’s lives — through messy histories, fractured relationships, and secrets that didn’t stay buried. That web of connections makes for deep world-building and gives the story a lived-in, layered quality that elevates it well beyond a standard whodunit.
But it isn’t content to just be a mystery. It reaches deeper, exploring themes of guilt, shame, and the weight of the choices we carry with us — sometimes for decades.
Our lead is exactly the kind of protagonist I love most: flawed in all the right ways. She doesn’t feel like the polished, untouchable heroine of so many thrillers — she feels real. Her relationship dynamics are complicated and messy in the most compelling way, and honestly, she’s better for it. More human. More interesting.
The result is a beautiful blend of mystery, police procedural, and genuine emotional depth — the kind of story that keeps you both entertained and quietly invested.
If you love steady, methodical mysteries where the investigation is the heartbeat of the story, this one belongs on your list.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is the first in a series featuring D.I. Hope Fenton. But if the reader was not aware of that , they would certainly be aware of it after reading the last chapter in the book which I thought was rather a cheap trick to ensnare the reader.
The book has the often used plot of a bunch of university students with a secret that does not stay buried. Here the students studied at Cambridge and were a fairly privileged lot and somebody is out for revenge and the first murder takes place. This may sound a bit trite but I enjoyed the book because Hope is portrayed as very human with lots of minuses as well as pluses and we learn a lot about her background and her family life that was destroyed when her son Noah went missing. Although this info explains why her marriage fell apart and why she often copes poorly , I thought that the question of whether he was dead or not was played on a bit too much and distracted from the main investigation into the murders of these high flyers.
Hope has to work alongside her separated husband who is a forensic scientist and this aspect of the book worked well revealing what often happens in real life when work and family are closely entwined. Although the reader is told a lot about the plot there is still one major reveal that shocked me.
All the students bar one were an unpleasant bunch but Hope and her team were interesting and likeable and the investigation of the murders was a satisfying read.
I can envisage a successful series following on from this well written book.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC
The book has the often used plot of a bunch of university students with a secret that does not stay buried. Here the students studied at Cambridge and were a fairly privileged lot and somebody is out for revenge and the first murder takes place. This may sound a bit trite but I enjoyed the book because Hope is portrayed as very human with lots of minuses as well as pluses and we learn a lot about her background and her family life that was destroyed when her son Noah went missing. Although this info explains why her marriage fell apart and why she often copes poorly , I thought that the question of whether he was dead or not was played on a bit too much and distracted from the main investigation into the murders of these high flyers.
Hope has to work alongside her separated husband who is a forensic scientist and this aspect of the book worked well revealing what often happens in real life when work and family are closely entwined. Although the reader is told a lot about the plot there is still one major reveal that shocked me.
All the students bar one were an unpleasant bunch but Hope and her team were interesting and likeable and the investigation of the murders was a satisfying read.
I can envisage a successful series following on from this well written book.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This debut novel features D.I. Hope Fenton and her ex-husband, forensic scientist, Dr Adam Fenton. Hope Fenton's father, D.C.I. Derek Milson is now in a care home, and she is living on his barge. Hope's marriage broke down after her son, Noah, went missing, and his twin sister, Lily, lives with Adam.
Meanwhile, the 'Five Silver Spoons' of the title belong to five successful Cambridge graduates. One is now a surgeon, another has an eco-friendly company, one is an academic, another was in a rock band, and the last is the current Junior Minister for Justice. Years ago, while still at university, the five were involved in a hit and run and left a young man for dead. They have been paying financially ever since, but after receiving threatening postcards, it seems that money has not atoned for their crime, and someone is after revenge.
This is an interesting debut with a number of different threads running through it. One involves the main crime storyline, while a second thread focuses on Hope, her failed marriage, a crime family linked to her father, who keeps dripping possible hints about the whereabouts of her missing son and a previous case he was involved with. As such, this is an involved crime novel and, as I am assuming there will be a second, it will be difficult to read unless you have first read this. At times, I felt there were too many storylines, but I did enjoy it. I liked Hope, Adam and the rest of the team and would definitely read on. I received a copy of this book from the publishers, via NetGalley, for review.
Meanwhile, the 'Five Silver Spoons' of the title belong to five successful Cambridge graduates. One is now a surgeon, another has an eco-friendly company, one is an academic, another was in a rock band, and the last is the current Junior Minister for Justice. Years ago, while still at university, the five were involved in a hit and run and left a young man for dead. They have been paying financially ever since, but after receiving threatening postcards, it seems that money has not atoned for their crime, and someone is after revenge.
This is an interesting debut with a number of different threads running through it. One involves the main crime storyline, while a second thread focuses on Hope, her failed marriage, a crime family linked to her father, who keeps dripping possible hints about the whereabouts of her missing son and a previous case he was involved with. As such, this is an involved crime novel and, as I am assuming there will be a second, it will be difficult to read unless you have first read this. At times, I felt there were too many storylines, but I did enjoy it. I liked Hope, Adam and the rest of the team and would definitely read on. I received a copy of this book from the publishers, via NetGalley, for review.
April 24, 2026
Read if you like;
-Revenge-fuelled
-Cambridge University
-London setting
-Real world problems
-Family loss
This police procedural has quickly become one of my favourites. The premise is perfect for this genre, and the author doesn’t disappoint by beginning chapter 1 in a high pressure atmosphere.
Five Silver Spoons is a quick and easy read, especially with its short chapters. They’re so engaging that you’ll find yourself turning the pages without realising it.
The author skilfully weaves clues throughout the story, sometimes leading absolutely nowhere. The police procedural and forensic elements are meticulously detailed.
The shifting narration keeps you engaged and on your toes, which is always another firm favourite.
What I love most about this book is the moral dilemma it presents. The “victims” are not likeable at all; they’re entitled snobs. The author provides just enough background information to allow you to form your own opinion of them. DI Hope Fenton is portrayed as the perfectly flawed character who has realistic challenges that’s she battles with.
The book raises thought provoking questions: if someone does something wrong, do they deserve to suffer worse consequences?
The author also explores grief and its impact on different family members. Some are unable to move on and seek alternative ways to find answers, while others unfortunately turn to addiction for solace.
Overall, if you enjoy police procedurals with a mix of mystery and well-developed characters, you’ll definitely love this book!
-Revenge-fuelled
-Cambridge University
-London setting
-Real world problems
-Family loss
This police procedural has quickly become one of my favourites. The premise is perfect for this genre, and the author doesn’t disappoint by beginning chapter 1 in a high pressure atmosphere.
Five Silver Spoons is a quick and easy read, especially with its short chapters. They’re so engaging that you’ll find yourself turning the pages without realising it.
The author skilfully weaves clues throughout the story, sometimes leading absolutely nowhere. The police procedural and forensic elements are meticulously detailed.
The shifting narration keeps you engaged and on your toes, which is always another firm favourite.
What I love most about this book is the moral dilemma it presents. The “victims” are not likeable at all; they’re entitled snobs. The author provides just enough background information to allow you to form your own opinion of them. DI Hope Fenton is portrayed as the perfectly flawed character who has realistic challenges that’s she battles with.
The book raises thought provoking questions: if someone does something wrong, do they deserve to suffer worse consequences?
The author also explores grief and its impact on different family members. Some are unable to move on and seek alternative ways to find answers, while others unfortunately turn to addiction for solace.
Overall, if you enjoy police procedurals with a mix of mystery and well-developed characters, you’ll definitely love this book!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Hope Fenton #1
They should have made sure he was dead.
DIHope Fenton is haunted by the abduction of her son Noah eight years ago. It shadows every investigation she works with her husband, forensic scientist Dr Adam Fenton.
One down.
When a supposed overdose victim is found to have a postcard marked You're First, Hope uncovers a link to a circle of privileged Cambridge an echo-entrepreneur, a surgeon, a lecturer, and a government minister. But are they potential victims - or suspects? And as the body count rises, could this case hold the key to Noah's disappearance as well?
Four to go.
Five Silver Spoons is a gripping tale of shameless entitlement and merciless revenge.
When DI Hope Fenton arrives at the scene of a suspected suicide, she finds a postcard with Your First written on it. At the centre of the investigation Cambridge alumiini are all bound by a night twenty years ago that they've tried to forget.
This is a fast-paced police procedural. All the characters are entwined in one another's life's. We get a bunch of Cambridge students who have a secret that won't stay buried. We learn of some of Hope and her husband Dr Adam Fenton's backstory. I wasn't keen on how this story ended, but I will be looking out for more from the author.
Published 23rd April 2026
I would like to thank #NetGalley #AllisonandBusby and the author #SamSteele for my ARC of #FiveSilverSpoons in exchange for an honest review.
They should have made sure he was dead.
DIHope Fenton is haunted by the abduction of her son Noah eight years ago. It shadows every investigation she works with her husband, forensic scientist Dr Adam Fenton.
One down.
When a supposed overdose victim is found to have a postcard marked You're First, Hope uncovers a link to a circle of privileged Cambridge an echo-entrepreneur, a surgeon, a lecturer, and a government minister. But are they potential victims - or suspects? And as the body count rises, could this case hold the key to Noah's disappearance as well?
Four to go.
Five Silver Spoons is a gripping tale of shameless entitlement and merciless revenge.
When DI Hope Fenton arrives at the scene of a suspected suicide, she finds a postcard with Your First written on it. At the centre of the investigation Cambridge alumiini are all bound by a night twenty years ago that they've tried to forget.
This is a fast-paced police procedural. All the characters are entwined in one another's life's. We get a bunch of Cambridge students who have a secret that won't stay buried. We learn of some of Hope and her husband Dr Adam Fenton's backstory. I wasn't keen on how this story ended, but I will be looking out for more from the author.
Published 23rd April 2026
I would like to thank #NetGalley #AllisonandBusby and the author #SamSteele for my ARC of #FiveSilverSpoons in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Five Silver Spoons by Sam Steele is a gripping and emotionally driven start to what promises to be a standout new crime series. DI Hope Fenton is a compelling lead, still haunted by the abduction of her son eight years ago—a tragedy that overshadows every case she works on. Each time she’s called to a scene, there’s that lingering question: could this finally be him? It adds a powerful emotional thread throughout.
Her relationship with her husband, Dr Adam Fenton, a forensic scientist, who she’s separated from, brings an extra layer of depth, blending personal grief with professional investigation in a believable and engaging way.
The novel works brilliantly as a police procedural, with strong pacing and detail, and is made even more engaging by its dual storylines. This structure keeps the tension high, especially with a clever twist early on that genuinely surprises without feeling forced.
What really stands out is Hope herself. She isn’t a perfect “goodie goodie” character—her flaws and struggles make her feel real and relatable, and add depth to the story. Another person I’m sure we’ll be hearing more from is Lois Blackstock a rather unlikeable character.
Steele’s writing is confident and well-paced, drawing you in from the start.
And that final sentence? It really leaves an impact, making you eager to see what’s coming next. I’m genuinely excited that this is the firstin a new series—it feels like one that could run and run.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I really enjoyed this. It’s a solid police procedural, although you pretty much know the motive from the start, as well as who the victims or potential victims are likely to be. Most of them are privileged, entitled and honestly quite awful, which made the empathy for some of those victims quite minimal. It’s very much a story about privilege, power and people thinking they’re untouchable.
DI Hope Fenton was definitely the standout for me. She’s messy, flawed but brilliant, still struggling with the disappearance of her son eight years earlier while also trying to work out the relationship with her ex, who is a forensic specialist, and deal with the tension there as well as with her daughter. I liked her team and the supporting characters.
I was really invested in all the subplots too, Adam and Hope, what happened to Noah, and finding out more about Hope’s dad past…they were all as interesting as the main plot and kept me reading. There were some really good twists thrown in as well that kept things interesting.
The ending is definitely a cliffhanger, that made me want book two immediately. Great first book in the series!
Thank you to Novel Tours and Allison & Busby for the ARC!
DI Hope Fenton was definitely the standout for me. She’s messy, flawed but brilliant, still struggling with the disappearance of her son eight years earlier while also trying to work out the relationship with her ex, who is a forensic specialist, and deal with the tension there as well as with her daughter. I liked her team and the supporting characters.
I was really invested in all the subplots too, Adam and Hope, what happened to Noah, and finding out more about Hope’s dad past…they were all as interesting as the main plot and kept me reading. There were some really good twists thrown in as well that kept things interesting.
The ending is definitely a cliffhanger, that made me want book two immediately. Great first book in the series!
Thank you to Novel Tours and Allison & Busby for the ARC!
May 9, 2026
Thank you to @allisonandbusby for the proof copy and to @novel.tours for having me on their tour. Today is my stop 👇🏼
My Thoughts:
Oooohhh … I enjoyed this one. I don’t read many police procedural type books, but I can safely say I’m eagerly awaiting book two in this series.
This was well paced and the twists were TWISTING! Such a fantastic premise for a crime fiction book. There are a lot of facets to this book. Lots of clues and inevitable dead ends. Plenty of unreliable characters and then the gripping mystery to solve as well as the family drama with Hope and her family running along all of this.
Yes, there is a lot going on. This book is busy. But the writing (in my opinion) was so well done and seamless, I followed it perfectly and was thoroughly engaged.
The constantly shifting narrative kept me on my toes and I loved that the characters came from privileged backgrounds. For a thriller type read this added a intriguing element - the darker side of the elite.
This book was clever, tense, and unnerving and I ate it up. I did have inkling of some parts but this didn’t take away from my reading experience at all.
And that final sentence 👀…
… Bring on book 2.
My Thoughts:
Oooohhh … I enjoyed this one. I don’t read many police procedural type books, but I can safely say I’m eagerly awaiting book two in this series.
This was well paced and the twists were TWISTING! Such a fantastic premise for a crime fiction book. There are a lot of facets to this book. Lots of clues and inevitable dead ends. Plenty of unreliable characters and then the gripping mystery to solve as well as the family drama with Hope and her family running along all of this.
Yes, there is a lot going on. This book is busy. But the writing (in my opinion) was so well done and seamless, I followed it perfectly and was thoroughly engaged.
The constantly shifting narrative kept me on my toes and I loved that the characters came from privileged backgrounds. For a thriller type read this added a intriguing element - the darker side of the elite.
This book was clever, tense, and unnerving and I ate it up. I did have inkling of some parts but this didn’t take away from my reading experience at all.
And that final sentence 👀…
… Bring on book 2.
May 17, 2026
Twenty years ago five Cambridge students made a huge mistake, now it has come back to haunt them. When a drug addict dies, no-one thinks it is any more than an accidental overdose until a postcard is found with a threat. For DCI Hope Fenton, balancing this case alongside the implosion of her marriage and threats from criminals is a lot. However when links are made to a group of friends who attended Cambridge together she knows something is wrong. As each of them is killed only a doctor and a government minister are left. For Lois, this is just a problem she can make go away, that's what she's done all her life but maybe the killer is closer than she thinks.
There's a lot to juggle in this book with three major plot strands all competing and I like the way that Steele has focused on the main murders whilst setting up the other two strands (the missing child and the police corruption) for future books. As a police procedural it lands just on the acceptable side of credulity and it cleverly put together. Although really obvious to this reader I liked the way it built up to a final ending and a minor twist.
There's a lot to juggle in this book with three major plot strands all competing and I like the way that Steele has focused on the main murders whilst setting up the other two strands (the missing child and the police corruption) for future books. As a police procedural it lands just on the acceptable side of credulity and it cleverly put together. Although really obvious to this reader I liked the way it built up to a final ending and a minor twist.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
DI Hope Fenton is a realistically imperfect character with her own share of family trauma. Her son went missing several years ago and her marriage to forensic scientist husband Adam has collapsed. She has made poor choices, too. But she is riveted by a new criminal case which changes her focus. Old Cambridge friends have moved on in their adulthood, living their lives, and are suddenly the recipients of threatening mail which sickens them. It only takes a few short spine chilling words to unravel them. One by one, they are found dead with silver spoons rammed into their mouths and Hope realizes she is dealing with a serial killer bent on exacting revenge.
The killer flashback at the beginning yanked me in immediately. I tasted the desperation. Emotions run deep in this police procedural which adds a beautiful depth. The premise is fascinating. Unfortunately, I felt no connectedness to the story or characters which surprised me and I worked out the twists. However, I would like to try the next in this new series and hopefully absorb it like a sponge!
The killer flashback at the beginning yanked me in immediately. I tasted the desperation. Emotions run deep in this police procedural which adds a beautiful depth. The premise is fascinating. Unfortunately, I felt no connectedness to the story or characters which surprised me and I worked out the twists. However, I would like to try the next in this new series and hopefully absorb it like a sponge!
May 3, 2026
Wow, what a read! Lots of twists and turns and I loved the main detective, Hope. As the book starts, a young man finds himself in a shallow grave and gets himself out . In the first couple of chapters a couple of men are found dead, with a litte investigation the deaths are found to be suspicious. Little to go on at first, but the clues gradually come together and the links between the characters become known.
The characterizations are done well, all of them. You sometimes find that the main characters are well portrayed but others remain little more than names, not so here. Descriptions of places and events are also excellent, gives you a good sense of place. My one criticism is that the action was a little slow in the middle, before that it speeded up fort he last part of the book. What a cliffhanger to end on , cannot wait for the next in theseries.
Thanks to Net Galley , the publisher Allison & Busby and the author for a great read. A new name to add to my favorite authors.
The characterizations are done well, all of them. You sometimes find that the main characters are well portrayed but others remain little more than names, not so here. Descriptions of places and events are also excellent, gives you a good sense of place. My one criticism is that the action was a little slow in the middle, before that it speeded up fort he last part of the book. What a cliffhanger to end on , cannot wait for the next in theseries.
Thanks to Net Galley , the publisher Allison & Busby and the author for a great read. A new name to add to my favorite authors.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.
This opens with an excellent flash back prologue as an unnamed narrator regains consciousness, realizes he has been buried alive, and manages to dig his way out of his freshly dug grave.
Then the narrative moves to the present day where Hope is a DI and works with her ex-husband Adam, a forensic scientist, investigating the deaths of various people who were at Cambridge together at the time of the flashback. It took me a while to get to grips with all the characters (the narrative kept switching to different perspectives and this made the pace drag a little in places), but the plot was well done and there were some good twists.
Where this lost stars for me was Hope and Adam's backstory (there was far too much of it) and present day drama. I particularly disliked the ending, but I suppose it paves the way for instalment two.
This opens with an excellent flash back prologue as an unnamed narrator regains consciousness, realizes he has been buried alive, and manages to dig his way out of his freshly dug grave.
Then the narrative moves to the present day where Hope is a DI and works with her ex-husband Adam, a forensic scientist, investigating the deaths of various people who were at Cambridge together at the time of the flashback. It took me a while to get to grips with all the characters (the narrative kept switching to different perspectives and this made the pace drag a little in places), but the plot was well done and there were some good twists.
Where this lost stars for me was Hope and Adam's backstory (there was far too much of it) and present day drama. I particularly disliked the ending, but I suppose it paves the way for instalment two.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Five Silver Spoons by Sam Steele
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
DI Fenton is struggling with the disappearance of her son Noah, who she last saw 8 years ago. Called to the scene of a suspected overdose victim, she uncovers what could be a link to a circle of elite Cambridge alumni- but are these people victims or suspects? And how could the case hold answers about Noah's disappearance?
This is the first novel in a new series by Steele featuring DI Fenton. The premise a clever twist on the decades old revenge plot, and there are twists and turns throughout. As a police procedural novel, the characters are handled well, with Fenton being believably flawed and giving the reader a good insight into her personal life as well as her ability professionally. There's obviously a bit of a cliffhanger ending, to encourage you to read the next novel but I was glad that this was based around DI Fenton's personal life rather than the case that is the focus for the book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
DI Fenton is struggling with the disappearance of her son Noah, who she last saw 8 years ago. Called to the scene of a suspected overdose victim, she uncovers what could be a link to a circle of elite Cambridge alumni- but are these people victims or suspects? And how could the case hold answers about Noah's disappearance?
This is the first novel in a new series by Steele featuring DI Fenton. The premise a clever twist on the decades old revenge plot, and there are twists and turns throughout. As a police procedural novel, the characters are handled well, with Fenton being believably flawed and giving the reader a good insight into her personal life as well as her ability professionally. There's obviously a bit of a cliffhanger ending, to encourage you to read the next novel but I was glad that this was based around DI Fenton's personal life rather than the case that is the focus for the book.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Five Silver Spoons is a fascinating thriller that blends mystery with emotional depth. Sam Steele has curated a story that revolves around a single night from the past that controls everything from that moment on.
This isn't a fast paced thriller that hooks you with plot twists, it's more of a slow burn captivating story thats character driven fueled with multilayered relationships.
The characters felt real, flawed & shaped by their mutual history together. I felt that Steele did a great job at divulging their inner lives which gave me greater insight into them individually & together & also gave meaning to their decisions.
I was hooked, the writing was atmospheric & incredibly tense at times. The slow build up to all the reveals definitely drew me in & i didn't want to put the book down.
Thank you to Sam Steele, Allison & Busby & Novel Tours for a copy of the book & tour opportunity.
This isn't a fast paced thriller that hooks you with plot twists, it's more of a slow burn captivating story thats character driven fueled with multilayered relationships.
The characters felt real, flawed & shaped by their mutual history together. I felt that Steele did a great job at divulging their inner lives which gave me greater insight into them individually & together & also gave meaning to their decisions.
I was hooked, the writing was atmospheric & incredibly tense at times. The slow build up to all the reveals definitely drew me in & i didn't want to put the book down.
Thank you to Sam Steele, Allison & Busby & Novel Tours for a copy of the book & tour opportunity.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Allison & Busby for the eARC.
DI Hope Fenton is called to the scene of the drug overdose of a rock star. When a card is found saying:
'You're First', plus a silver spoon is found in the mouth of the deceased, it's deemed to be murder. Not long after another body is found and eventually the dead count is 5, all with the same cards and silver spoons. What secret was held by the 5 that caused them to be hunted down?
This is a good police procedural and I liked that we got back stories on all the characters, which made it a meatier story.
Hope's back story is one of a broken marriage, a truculent daughter, a missing son (the daughter's twin) and a husband who really wants his wife back. I felt sorry for him.
The ending was very satisfactory and I hope this is the 1st of a series!
DI Hope Fenton is called to the scene of the drug overdose of a rock star. When a card is found saying:
'You're First', plus a silver spoon is found in the mouth of the deceased, it's deemed to be murder. Not long after another body is found and eventually the dead count is 5, all with the same cards and silver spoons. What secret was held by the 5 that caused them to be hunted down?
This is a good police procedural and I liked that we got back stories on all the characters, which made it a meatier story.
Hope's back story is one of a broken marriage, a truculent daughter, a missing son (the daughter's twin) and a husband who really wants his wife back. I felt sorry for him.
The ending was very satisfactory and I hope this is the 1st of a series!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Hope Fenton is a Detective, she has had trauma in her background due to her missing son, the collapse of her marriage, and some other issues from the fallout of her life but she's hard at work to catch a killer. She is investigating a case that involves what may be a serial killer. There are characters that have a shared history and dark secrets and now there are consequences coming for them. They are dying one by one. The killer's calling card is silver spoons in the mouth. There are themes of entitlement, revenge, and the past never stays buried. There are multiple perspectives, and timelines and characters. Though I tend to not read a lot of police procedural thrillers I thought this one was a pretty solid read and it seems that there will be more books in the series. Thank you Netgalley and Allison and Busby for the complimentary copy of the story.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
From the opening chapter to the epilogue I was fully immersed in this brilliant debut crime thriller. The author introduces us to DI Hope Fenton, a complex and flawed individual whose private life is something of a car crash following the disappearance of her young son. Her work life is also under scrutiny due to poor decisions and too much booze. Despite this Hope is good at what she does and she has a dedicated team behind her. A group of privileged and high profile public figures are being picked off one by one by an unknown perpetrator - the aim being revenge. It was very hard to feel sympathy for any of them and ultimately I felt they got what they deserved. The twists kept coming, red herrings thrown in and right up until the reveal I was clueless as to who the killer was. I am really hoping there will be a sequel to this book as there is a lot of unfinished business. And that final chapter ..... my jaw was on the floor!
April 24, 2026
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I really enjoyed it.
Whilst at Cambridge University twenty years ago, a friendship group is involved in a serious accident but decide to keep it a secret. All of them privileged, they got on with their lives and careers, but someone has been bribing regular amounts of money from them ever since.
Then the members of the group get murdered, picked off one at a time. DI Hope Fenton is investigating and her own story is running in the background. Eight years ago, her son, Noah, went missing. She also has to work alongside her ex-husband sometimes as Adam is a forensic pathologist.
This book had me drawn in and gripped from the beginning, and I really hope that this will be the start of a series for DI Fenton.
Thank you to NetGalley and Allison & Busby for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.
Whilst at Cambridge University twenty years ago, a friendship group is involved in a serious accident but decide to keep it a secret. All of them privileged, they got on with their lives and careers, but someone has been bribing regular amounts of money from them ever since.
Then the members of the group get murdered, picked off one at a time. DI Hope Fenton is investigating and her own story is running in the background. Eight years ago, her son, Noah, went missing. She also has to work alongside her ex-husband sometimes as Adam is a forensic pathologist.
This book had me drawn in and gripped from the beginning, and I really hope that this will be the start of a series for DI Fenton.
Thank you to NetGalley and Allison & Busby for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.
May 13, 2026
This book had me hooked from the very beginning and kept me completely invested throughout. Without giving anything away, all I can really say is that nothing is quite as it seems. Just when you think you know where the story is heading, it turns everything upside down. I honestly thought I had it figured out several times, only to be proven completely wrong.
Packed with dark secrets, psychological tension, and plenty of twists, this is a gripping thriller that keeps the suspense building the entire way through. The pacing is addictive, the reveals are genuinely shocking, and the story constantly keeps you second-guessing everyone and everything.
Expect a complete rollercoaster of a journey — one that left me stunned and genuinely open-mouthed by the end. A brilliantly twisty read that thriller fans will absolutely devour.
Packed with dark secrets, psychological tension, and plenty of twists, this is a gripping thriller that keeps the suspense building the entire way through. The pacing is addictive, the reveals are genuinely shocking, and the story constantly keeps you second-guessing everyone and everything.
Expect a complete rollercoaster of a journey — one that left me stunned and genuinely open-mouthed by the end. A brilliantly twisty read that thriller fans will absolutely devour.
July 6, 2026
Thank you to the author, Allison & Busby and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My apologies for the delay in posting, I have had continuing familial health challenges to contend with in the past months, but am working hard to finally catch up with my reviews.
This police thriller was well-paced and atmospheric - the premise pulled me in right away: a detective haunted by the disappearance of her son, a series of carefully signposted killings, and a group of wealthy, connected Cambridge alumni who all seem to have secret entanglements that they're not willing to admit to. The countdown structure creates its own tension, and that underlying feeling of knowing there are connections even though its unclear how, kept me reading. Well-constructed - and finally a book with twists that weren't always foreseeable.
This police thriller was well-paced and atmospheric - the premise pulled me in right away: a detective haunted by the disappearance of her son, a series of carefully signposted killings, and a group of wealthy, connected Cambridge alumni who all seem to have secret entanglements that they're not willing to admit to. The countdown structure creates its own tension, and that underlying feeling of knowing there are connections even though its unclear how, kept me reading. Well-constructed - and finally a book with twists that weren't always foreseeable.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
There was a lot going on in this one and at times, it got a bit confusing as to who had done what to who. As the plot developed, I felt like the reader was being led down an obvious path but the less obvious path was the most revealing. Hope and Adam are an interesting ex-married couple with a missing child and their dynamic reflects the trauma they have been through especially with their teenage daughter, and it does appear to impact how they approach the case. There were lots of themes alluded to that I assume will be in future books in a series, especially involving Hope's dad and DCI Cannon, so I look forward to reading more.
I would have given it 4 stars but I did find it confusing in places, but it did get better as it went on.
I would have given it 4 stars but I did find it confusing in places, but it did get better as it went on.
April 23, 2026
DI Hope Fenton is called in to investigate a suspicious death, and when they are found with a postcard saying @You're First@! What does this mean? This leads Hope to uncover links to a group of college friends from Cambridge - how are an eco-entrepreneur, a surgeon, a lecturer, and a government minister connected? Could this be linked to an incident at that college a few years ago? Then a one of them is found killed and Hope must search for answers to questions to crack the case. However, Hope and her estranged husband, Adam, are still reeling from their son's disappearance eight years ago. It was dark, disturbing, full on unexpected twists, gripping, gritty, pacy and thrilling. More please!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews