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They Have My Baby

Not yet published
Expected 14 May 26
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‘A chilling page-turner…Gripping and twisty, I was hooked until the last page.’ Sophie Flynn, author of All My Lies They’re in your house.

They want your life.

And now, they have your baby.

To the world, I’m @HappyWife. Online, people only see my picture-perfect home, my handsome husband, Nick, and my beautiful baby, Thomas.

They don’t see the real Gemma Adams. They don’t see my past, the dark secrets I’m hiding in my marriage. They don’t see the fear I live in every single day.

But I know someone is watching me. And now, they’ve taken Thomas.

I just don’t know why.

But I’m going to stop at nothing to get my baby back.

Even if it destroys everything I’ve got to find him.

A compelling thriller, packed with suspense - fans of K.L. Slater and Lisa Jewell won't be able to put it down.

Praise for The Face at the Window:

'Tense and heartbreaking, this emotional thriller really got under my skin.' Barbara Copperthwaite, author of The Girl in the Missing Poster

‘Races towards an explosive ending. A compelling and engrossing read!’ Jane Isaac, author of One Good Lie

'An emotional rollercoaster of a thriller with twists and turns that kept me hooked from page one.' Karen Coles, author of The Asylum

‘Chilling,twisty, emotional and compulsive, this is psychological thriller writing at its best!’ A.A. Chaudhuri, author of She's Mine

‘Loved this book!! The twists just kept coming’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review

‘A great page turner, brilliantly addictive with great characters and I just loved every page.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review

‘Wow - just wow…took a plot twist that I wasn't expecting.’ Reader Review

‘Kept me turning the pages late into the night…The ending was satisfying and unexpected.’ Reader Review

‘A great read with loads of twists and turns which kept me guessing until the end.’ Reader Review

‘This book was incredible!...It was so hard to put down…Would definitely recommend.’ Reader Review

‘Packed full of suspense, nail-biting angst and drama, this is one you definitely don't want to miss!’ Reader Review

‘Wow!...This book definitely gave me chills!’ Reader Review

‘This is so addictive writing. Definitely recommend it.’ ‘A great page turner, brilliantly addictive with great characters and I just loved every page.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review

‘This was a very good page turner… it’s full of twists and turns throughout, the suspense keeps you on the edge of your seat.’ Reader Review

‘Read in one sitting! Dark, frightening and twisty story that you won't be able to put down’ Reader Review

391 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication May 14, 2026

3 people are currently reading
22 people want to read

About the author

Ruby Speechley

14 books161 followers
Ruby Speechley is a psychological thriller writer. Her debut novel, Someone Else’s Baby, was published by Hera Books on 25 July 2019.

You can contact her on Twitter: @rubyspeechley, Facebook: ‘Ruby Speechley Author’ or via her website: rubyspeechley.com

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5 stars
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11 (57%)
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Profile Image for Britney Ireland.
272 reviews2 followers
April 8, 2026
Solid 4.5 star from me.This was an absolutely captivating read from beginning to end. The pacing was wonderfully executed, maintaining a swift momentum that ensured my attention never wavered. I was hooked and thoroughly engrossed with the narrative throughout the entire book.

The core storyline was fantastic, brimming with intrigue, and I particularly enjoyed the rich layer of mystery woven around the male protagonist. This element added considerable depth and kept me guessing with every turning page. The character development was nuanced, and the plot offered a refreshing and exciting escape.

I would enthusiastically recommend this book to my friends, family, and anyone seeking a thrilling and well-crafted story.

Thank you, #NetGalley, for providing me with an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this compelling novel in exchange for my honest review.

My rating for this title is a very solid 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Profile Image for Leanne.
1,085 reviews100 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
April 7, 2026
They Have My Baby is one of those thrillers that slips under your skin from the very first page. What looks, on the surface, like a glossy, curated life — the perfect home, the perfect husband, the perfect little family — begins to crack almost immediately, and Gemma Adams’ world unravels with a kind of quiet, relentless dread that feels all too believable.

Gemma is such a compelling narrator precisely because she’s not the woman her online persona suggests. Behind the @HappyWife façade is someone carrying fear, guilt, and a past she’s spent years trying to outrun. That tension between the life she presents and the life she actually lives gives the story a sharp emotional edge. When her baby, Thomas, is taken, the panic feels raw and intimate, not just a plot twist but the collapse of everything she’s been holding together with trembling hands.

The novel plays beautifully with the idea of being watched — by strangers, by loved ones, by the ghosts of your own choices. Every character around Gemma seems to hold a piece of the puzzle, and the sense of mistrust builds with each chapter. The atmosphere is taut, almost claustrophobic at times, as if the walls of her perfect home are inching closer with every revelation.

What I enjoyed most is how the story balances pace with emotion. The twists come quickly, but they’re anchored in Gemma’s desperation, her fierce love for her child, and the secrets she’s terrified will surface. It’s a thriller that understands the power of vulnerability, and how easily it can be exploited.

Dark, addictive, and quietly heartbreaking, They Have My Baby is a gripping exploration of fear, identity, and the dangerous illusions we build to survive. Fans of K.L. Slater and Lisa Jewell will feel right at home in its shadows.

With thanks to Ruby Speechley, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Profile Image for Jen.
1,171 reviews113 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
April 5, 2026
This was a good read, which I finished in less than a day. It centers on 2 protagonists: Gemma, who is living what looks like the perfect life with her husband and brand-new baby; and Scarlett, a young girl who is infatuated with the older man she has been dating. The story starts with Gemma's baby being taken by someone she thought was a friend, and then flips back and forth between the current time and both Gemma's and Scarlett's backstories leading up to the incident.

While it's pretty easy to figure out how these 2 storylines converge, I still found it interesting to read about all of the things that led up to the big moment. Gemma is a likable character who I definitely felt for the more I read about the events that have gotten her to her current situation. Scarlett, on the other hand, is insufferable, though I do believe she actually experienced growth as the story continued, and sometimes that is all you can ask for. Scarlett's friend Amy was somehow more likable than Scarlett even though she was kind of a horrible person too. Nick, Gemma's husband, is the worst of them all. and it was easy to root against him. The story took a unique view on the "stole my child" situation, as the characters made decisions on what they were sure other characters were going to do, and when they DIDN"T do those things, the whole plot became a lot more stressful and complicated than it could have been. I appreciated that vibe. The ending of the book was satisfying and worked well with the rest of the story.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one and thought it was a unique take on a common story in this genre. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
567 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
April 11, 2026
I can highly recommend They Have My Baby (Kindle Edition) a fast paced, exciting thriller by Ruby Speechly


Gemma Adams is married to Nick and they have a baby son Thomas. They appear to portray the happy couple to outsiders, but once indoors, the idyllic image is shattered like splintered glass, revealing secrets from both Gemma and Nick.

Someone is watching and waiting to step into Gemma's shoes but is unaware of what she is letting herself in for.

Gemma lets a Rosie, a colleague from her work place look after Thomas whilst she shopped in a supermarket, but when she comes out the designated spot where she said she would meet up with Rosie at a nearby bench,there is no sign of Rosie or baby Thomas. Rosie is not answereing her mobile and a police appeal is put out but to no avail.

Nick is a controlling husband and Gemma's nerves are torn to shreds as she knows what he will do to her when she comes home without baby Thomas.

I felt for Gemma as she had no Father figure in her life and her Mother had never revealed whether he was alive or dead.

Gemma is looking for love and affection, and marries Nick, who has lied about his age to her. One lie will lead to another and another until Gemma finds out why her Mother never wanted Gemma to know anything about her Father.
Profile Image for Jackie.
1,438 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
April 2, 2026
3.5 ⭐️

Not every thriller grabs you and refuses to let go, but this one absolutely did. Ruby Speechley is quickly becoming a go-to author for me, and this is my second read by her after Stolen. Just like that first book, I was pulled in almost instantly. There’s something about her pacing that just works, it’s sharp, fast, and completely addictive.

What really stood out to me was the constant sense of unease woven throughout the story. The premise alone is chilling, but it’s the execution that kept me turning the pages. The twists kept coming, and while some were more predictable than others, I still found myself completely invested in how everything would unfold. I also loved how emotionally charged the storyline felt, especially as a parent, it hit a little harder.

That said, there were a few moments where things leaned a bit over the top, and I had to suspend disbelief more than I typically like. Some parts felt slightly repetitive, especially when reinforcing the main character’s fear and urgency, which occasionally slowed the momentum just a bit.

Overall, this was a solid, gripping thriller that kept me engaged from beginning to end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Claire.
186 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
April 7, 2026
If you love a twisty thriller that keeps you glued to the page, this one is dangerously bingeable.

On the surface, Gemma Adams looks like she has it all — the perfect home, the perfect husband, the perfect life. But behind that polished image is a much darker reality… one filled with secrets, fear, and control.

Then the unthinkable happens: her baby is taken.

What follows is a tense, emotional unraveling as everything begins to surface — and just how far things spiral in the search for the truth.

There’s also a second storyline running alongside about identity and family that might feel a little separate at first… but it all comes together in the end. That final twist? More of a shock than anything else, and it definitely stays with you.

A big theme here is domestic abuse, and it’s handled in a way that feels raw and authentic without being exploitative. It adds real depth to the story and the characters.

The chapters are short and punchy, which makes it ridiculously easy to say “just one more”… and suddenly it’s 2am

Not every character makes good choices (understatement of the year), but the way everything unfolds makes it hard to look away.

Perfect for fans of fast-paced psychological thrillers with messy characters and powerful twists.
Profile Image for Emma-Louise Wykes.
145 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 27, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

This was so good I stayed up all night to read it. Pacey, engaging and full of twists.

The main plot follows the pre planned abduction of a newborn baby by a young girl who had been having an affair with the baby's father. There is a sub plot running alongside featuring Scarlet/Rosie's desire to find out who her father is. I was a little puzzled by this at first, and couldn't work out the relevance, but the author brings everything together at the end, with another mad twist in the last page or two.

There is a strong theme of domestic abuse throughout the book. I am a survivor of domestic abuse, and the subject matter was handled realistically and with care.

My only criticism is that Scarlet/Rosie and her friend Amy were supposedly 21, however they come across a bit younger. I kept forgetting they were adults, thinking they sounded more like 16/17 year olds.
11 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 28, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
I Want My Baby by Ruby Speechly is a really gripping psychological thriller that follows Gemma, a new mum whose world is turned upside down after a stressful supermarket trip. When a seemingly kind employee, Scarlett, offers to watch her baby for a moment, the unthinkable happens—and her child disappears.
Told through dual perspectives, this adds an extra layer of tension as things slowly start to come together. The short chapters made this such an easy, bingeable read, and I found myself flying through it. It’s fast-paced and has that constant uneasy feeling that keeps you hooked. I also really enjoyed the plot twist at the end—it definitely added an extra punch to the story.
Definitely recommend this if you enjoy twisty domestic thrillers.
Profile Image for Sue.
890 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 24, 2026
I like Ruby Speechley's psychological thrillers.
This one is good, but trigger warnings of GBV should be included.

The story is tense, and at first confusing, as the POV's change and one isn't certain of the identity of one of the characters. I did suspect though, I have read enough of these kind of books that I recognize a red herring.
But it will be revealed if you carry on reading!

Very emotional - a girl who is desperate to know who her father is, and this is why I suspect she got involved with the wrong type of man.

There are a couple of massive twists at the end of the book, which I wasn't expecting.

All in all, a good read in my opinion.
I don't, in any way, condone what Amy and Scarlett did, but it turned out to be a good thing in the end.

4/5 stars.
408 reviews23 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
March 29, 2026
They’re in your house. They want your life. And now, they have your baby. Will Gemma get her baby back? Who took Thomas?

This is my fourth Ruby Speechley book – I knew I would love it! Her writing is fast-paced, and this was a true page turner with its short chapters. The theme of Gemma being watched and not knowing who to trust created a constant sense of unease that kept me totally interested. It was a gripping, suspenseful storyline with definitely relatable fear and twisty plots that kept me guessing. It was a compelling, addictive read that will appeal to anyone who loves domestic and psychological thrillers because it’s not just about a missing child but about secrets and how far someone will go to reclaim what they’ve lost. I loved it!
Profile Image for Kecia.
60 reviews8 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 26, 2026
Advanced copy received through NetGalley.


I feel like I have a bit of a “love/hate” relationship with this book. I really enjoyed it, but it also hit close to home due to personal experiences with DV….and please add a trigger warning!

It’s an action packed read that will hook you in the first chapter. My first experience with Ruby Speechley, but I will be reading more of her works.

Though some of the plot is predictable, there are still a couple twists later in the story you may not see coming (I didn’t). The characters were so relatable at times, though I didn’t always agree with their choices.

All in all, a solid read and I’m happy to have found a new author to read!
Profile Image for Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50).
2,105 reviews269 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
March 26, 2026
This book had my heart pounding throughout the entire story as it unfolded. Told in two timelines.
“Ruby” has infiltrated Gemma and her husbands, Nick’s life. Gemma trust her friend, but when her baby disappears, things get very intense.

Lots of twists, but kept my attention.

Another part of the story is of a girl who is trying to find out who her father is, and her mother is not divulging his identity.

Get ready for a very bumpy and intense story.

Trigger Warning-Domestic Violence
2,031 reviews52 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 22, 2026

This is a crazy-good novel about Gemma, husband Nick, and baby Thomas. It' begins with Thomas being kidnapped by Gemma's "friend," Rosie who volunteers to take the baby for her but suddenly disappears with him! Told in two timelines, the book centers on themes of identity, abuse, murder, and different kinds of relationships. Had me in a chokehold till I finished it!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Profile Image for Jo Woodcock.
175 reviews6 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 24, 2026
Thanks to Netgallery for this book. This is the first book of Ruby Speechley ive read and I think ive found another author. I really enjoyed this book with the characters and definitely all the twists kept you hooked. This is a book to look out for when its published x
Profile Image for Sara.
22 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 22, 2026
A great book! I couldn’t put it down. There’s lots of twists and turns and a plot twist at the end that I didn’t see coming!
Profile Image for Nicole Kralis.
90 reviews6 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 23, 2026
Such a fun twisted book. The storyline had depth and made you think and provided an entertaining and thrilling aspect. I enjoyed the read and would for sure read more by this author!
Profile Image for Janet.
560 reviews15 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
April 6, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews