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The Secrets of Strangers
Not yet published
Expected 28 Apr 26A propulsive thriller about a writer who gets caught up in the case of a missing woman, for fans of Lisa Jewell, Paula Hawkins and Ruth Ware.
After suffering a loss, Janine and her husband Kamal need a fresh start. They leave their family and everything they know in Manchester and move to Bamblethorpe, a picturesque Lancashire village where they expect nothing but peace and quiet. It’ll be just what Janine, a thriller writer, needs to work on her next manuscript.
But the peace of their new village life is disrupted when longtime local Alexa Clarke goes missing out of the blue. Did she leave her husband like some people suspect? Or is there credibility to the rumours that something more nefarious has happened to Alexa?
Frozen by writer’s block, Janine stumbles into investigating Alexa’s disappearance, and the more she discovers about Alexa’s life, the more complicated things become. Nothing is as it seems, and Janine begins to realise that there are disturbing parallels between Alexa’s life and her own.
What starts as curious procrastination quickly spirals into a tangled web of secrets, lies and a truth Janine may not be ready to face … if she survives.
After suffering a loss, Janine and her husband Kamal need a fresh start. They leave their family and everything they know in Manchester and move to Bamblethorpe, a picturesque Lancashire village where they expect nothing but peace and quiet. It’ll be just what Janine, a thriller writer, needs to work on her next manuscript.
But the peace of their new village life is disrupted when longtime local Alexa Clarke goes missing out of the blue. Did she leave her husband like some people suspect? Or is there credibility to the rumours that something more nefarious has happened to Alexa?
Frozen by writer’s block, Janine stumbles into investigating Alexa’s disappearance, and the more she discovers about Alexa’s life, the more complicated things become. Nothing is as it seems, and Janine begins to realise that there are disturbing parallels between Alexa’s life and her own.
What starts as curious procrastination quickly spirals into a tangled web of secrets, lies and a truth Janine may not be ready to face … if she survives.
- GenresThriller
Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 28, 2026
4 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Jess is back in the thriller world 😀 After delving into romance last year (which was also amazing) Jess is back where she started with an incredible thriller with a killer twist. Oh my goodness, you got me good.
This book has it all.. a thriller writer, a missing woman, a small village where everyone knows everyone’s business and a dog. On top of all of this, it is incredibly emotional. You will never guess where it is headed, that ending is jaw dropping.
A book filled with secrets, with grief, with unlikeable characters, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I picked this up in the middle of the Australian Open tennis, which is my favourite time of year. I had to make myself turn the TV off and get lost in this story. Any book that can do that is a winner in my eyes.
A must read, you won’t be sorry.
Published on April 28th, I. Annoy wait to catch up with Jess and hear all about her writing process and thoughts on this one. Thank you Jess, Simon and Schuster and The Pilkington Agency of my advanced copy to read.
This book has it all.. a thriller writer, a missing woman, a small village where everyone knows everyone’s business and a dog. On top of all of this, it is incredibly emotional. You will never guess where it is headed, that ending is jaw dropping.
A book filled with secrets, with grief, with unlikeable characters, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I picked this up in the middle of the Australian Open tennis, which is my favourite time of year. I had to make myself turn the TV off and get lost in this story. Any book that can do that is a winner in my eyes.
A must read, you won’t be sorry.
Published on April 28th, I. Annoy wait to catch up with Jess and hear all about her writing process and thoughts on this one. Thank you Jess, Simon and Schuster and The Pilkington Agency of my advanced copy to read.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
After taking a detour into the romance genre, Jess Kitching is back with yet another killer thriller!
Boy oh boy, this one got dark at times but it was just. so. good.
the TWIST!?!?! 🤯
I'm still thinking about it...
As she so often brilliantly does, Jess weaves together a compelling and well written story that keeps you engaged and on the edge of your seat while also carefully and thoughtfully integrating real world issues (and not just for drama's sake, but for depth). It's classic Kitching thriller but at it's absolute peak.
God I'm so excited for the world to read this book in 2026. Get excited y'all, and brace yourselves 📚
Boy oh boy, this one got dark at times but it was just. so. good.
the TWIST!?!?! 🤯
I'm still thinking about it...
As she so often brilliantly does, Jess weaves together a compelling and well written story that keeps you engaged and on the edge of your seat while also carefully and thoughtfully integrating real world issues (and not just for drama's sake, but for depth). It's classic Kitching thriller but at it's absolute peak.
God I'm so excited for the world to read this book in 2026. Get excited y'all, and brace yourselves 📚
March 31, 2026
To say I was addicted to this book would be an understatement! I’ve loved reading Jess’s thrillers, so when I saw The Secrets of Strangers on NetGalley, I knew I had to request it immediately.
The story follows Janine, an author living in a small town that is shaken by a missing persons case. As the investigation unfolds, Janine finds herself relating to the missing woman, Alexa, and begins to play detective in an effort to uncover the truth.
This was such an easy yet gripping read. I flew through it and couldn’t put it down. While the book explores some heavy topics, Jess handles them with empathy and weaves them seamlessly into the story in a thoughtful and impactful way.
Overall, this is a fantastic mystery thriller that completely pulled me in. Jess Kitching is officially an auto buy author for me!
Thank you so much Netgalley for the ARC of this book.
The story follows Janine, an author living in a small town that is shaken by a missing persons case. As the investigation unfolds, Janine finds herself relating to the missing woman, Alexa, and begins to play detective in an effort to uncover the truth.
This was such an easy yet gripping read. I flew through it and couldn’t put it down. While the book explores some heavy topics, Jess handles them with empathy and weaves them seamlessly into the story in a thoughtful and impactful way.
Overall, this is a fantastic mystery thriller that completely pulled me in. Jess Kitching is officially an auto buy author for me!
Thank you so much Netgalley for the ARC of this book.
March 29, 2026
my rating: ★★★★.5
aesthetic: 📰💻💊👼🏼☕️💵🌳🚓🩸📚⛓️💥
Set against the backdrop of a seemingly idyllic small village, the story leans heavily into that close-knit, watchful community atmosphere — where everyone knows everyone, and gossip spreads faster than truth. That small-town tension adds such an addictive layer to the mystery.
Following Janine, a thriller writer grappling with grief and the heartbreak of fertility struggles, the story feels deeply grounded in real emotion. Her pain, her writer’s block, and the weight of starting over are all portrayed in a way that feels raw and authentic — especially with the underlying themes of child loss and grief woven throughout. It gives the story a depth that goes beyond your typical missing person thriller.
The disappearance of Alexa Clarke is where everything begins to spiral, and I loved how the narrative slowly peeled back the layers of her life. The dual POV (particularly getting insight into the victim) made the story even more suspenseful and emotionally impactful. It added this eerie sense of inevitability, like you’re always one step behind the truth.
What really stood out to me was how unpredictable it all felt. Just when I thought I had it figured out, the story shifted again. The twists weren’t just shocking — they were earned, and the final reveal genuinely caught me off guard.
Dark, tense, and emotionally charged, this is a thriller that balances suspense with deeply human struggles. If you love stories filled with secrets, messy lives, and that unsettling feeling that something isn’t quite right beneath the surface — this one absolutely delivers.
Thankyou so much @netgalley and the author @jesskitchingwrites for the opportunity to read this ahead of release 🫶🏼
aesthetic: 📰💻💊👼🏼☕️💵🌳🚓🩸📚⛓️💥
Set against the backdrop of a seemingly idyllic small village, the story leans heavily into that close-knit, watchful community atmosphere — where everyone knows everyone, and gossip spreads faster than truth. That small-town tension adds such an addictive layer to the mystery.
Following Janine, a thriller writer grappling with grief and the heartbreak of fertility struggles, the story feels deeply grounded in real emotion. Her pain, her writer’s block, and the weight of starting over are all portrayed in a way that feels raw and authentic — especially with the underlying themes of child loss and grief woven throughout. It gives the story a depth that goes beyond your typical missing person thriller.
The disappearance of Alexa Clarke is where everything begins to spiral, and I loved how the narrative slowly peeled back the layers of her life. The dual POV (particularly getting insight into the victim) made the story even more suspenseful and emotionally impactful. It added this eerie sense of inevitability, like you’re always one step behind the truth.
What really stood out to me was how unpredictable it all felt. Just when I thought I had it figured out, the story shifted again. The twists weren’t just shocking — they were earned, and the final reveal genuinely caught me off guard.
Dark, tense, and emotionally charged, this is a thriller that balances suspense with deeply human struggles. If you love stories filled with secrets, messy lives, and that unsettling feeling that something isn’t quite right beneath the surface — this one absolutely delivers.
Thankyou so much @netgalley and the author @jesskitchingwrites for the opportunity to read this ahead of release 🫶🏼
March 16, 2026
I have been a fan of Jess’ books since reading her first, so I was so excited to be able to read an early copy of this book.
We meet Janine, a thriller author who has moved to a small English village for a fresh start with her husband. Suffering writers block and being a bit of a recluse, she is drawn out of the house when Alexa Clarke, a local woman, goes missing. What happened to Alexa, and who is responsible? As Janine is drawn further and further into the case, she realised that things aren’t as they seem - but she is desperate to find Alexa.
Just wow. I love trying to work out what has happened and who did it, and I didn’t have any guesses until over halfway through the book! So many characters seemed unreliable, with potential motives to make Alexa disappear, but with each of them there was also something that made me think it just didn’t sit right that they were responsible. So incredibly written, and that ending 🤯
If you have read it, please let me know as I’m desperate to talk about it!
Thanks to @netgalley and @simonschusterau for the review copy, and @jesskitchingwrites for writing another amazing book.
We meet Janine, a thriller author who has moved to a small English village for a fresh start with her husband. Suffering writers block and being a bit of a recluse, she is drawn out of the house when Alexa Clarke, a local woman, goes missing. What happened to Alexa, and who is responsible? As Janine is drawn further and further into the case, she realised that things aren’t as they seem - but she is desperate to find Alexa.
Just wow. I love trying to work out what has happened and who did it, and I didn’t have any guesses until over halfway through the book! So many characters seemed unreliable, with potential motives to make Alexa disappear, but with each of them there was also something that made me think it just didn’t sit right that they were responsible. So incredibly written, and that ending 🤯
If you have read it, please let me know as I’m desperate to talk about it!
Thanks to @netgalley and @simonschusterau for the review copy, and @jesskitchingwrites for writing another amazing book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
‘You’re a thriller author. You know twists and lies and people’s dark sides better than most… what’s your theory’?
Bramblethorpe is a small, rural northern English town where nothing much happens—but where everyone knows (or thinks they know) everyone else’s business. So when Otis bursts into the local tea room desperately searching for his missing wife, Alexa, the townspeople seem more interested in gossiping about the couple’s strained relationship than actually searching for her.
Janine moved to this quiet village to escape city life and focus on writing her new novel. But she can’t help wondering about Alexa. After all, “…the woman in the photograph is not a stranger… she’s someone who’s been on my mind every day for the last 11 months.” And although she really shouldn’t get involved, Janine does what all good authors do and searches for plot holes in the story.
From the opening chapters, the novel builds a steady, compelling sense of suspense that keeps the pages turning, without spinning its wheels.
A refreshing aspect of the story is the protagonist’s POV: a thriller author drawn into solving a real-life crime. Janine’s knowledge of crime fiction shapes the way she interprets clues and suspects.
Kitching also weaves in a deeply personal secondary storyline involving fertility struggles and miscarriage. This thread adds emotional depth and humanity to Janine’s journey, making her motivations and vulnerabilities feel authentic and relatable.
The result is a thriller that manages to be both gripping and thoughtful, with a unique narrative perspective that feels refreshingly believable. I finished this in 24 hours. With Midsomer Murder village vibes, a touch of horror, and the clever perspective of a thriller author investigating a real crime, this story will satisfy a range of crime thriller readers.
‘It’s just writing 101, isn’t it? Don’t trust anyone or what they say’.
Bramblethorpe is a small, rural northern English town where nothing much happens—but where everyone knows (or thinks they know) everyone else’s business. So when Otis bursts into the local tea room desperately searching for his missing wife, Alexa, the townspeople seem more interested in gossiping about the couple’s strained relationship than actually searching for her.
Janine moved to this quiet village to escape city life and focus on writing her new novel. But she can’t help wondering about Alexa. After all, “…the woman in the photograph is not a stranger… she’s someone who’s been on my mind every day for the last 11 months.” And although she really shouldn’t get involved, Janine does what all good authors do and searches for plot holes in the story.
From the opening chapters, the novel builds a steady, compelling sense of suspense that keeps the pages turning, without spinning its wheels.
A refreshing aspect of the story is the protagonist’s POV: a thriller author drawn into solving a real-life crime. Janine’s knowledge of crime fiction shapes the way she interprets clues and suspects.
Kitching also weaves in a deeply personal secondary storyline involving fertility struggles and miscarriage. This thread adds emotional depth and humanity to Janine’s journey, making her motivations and vulnerabilities feel authentic and relatable.
The result is a thriller that manages to be both gripping and thoughtful, with a unique narrative perspective that feels refreshingly believable. I finished this in 24 hours. With Midsomer Murder village vibes, a touch of horror, and the clever perspective of a thriller author investigating a real crime, this story will satisfy a range of crime thriller readers.
‘It’s just writing 101, isn’t it? Don’t trust anyone or what they say’.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Janine is grieving, multiple miscarriages have taken a huge toll on her, and her relationship with husband Kamal. The move to rural Bramblethorpe hasn’t healed and helped, as she had hoped. Alexa, a stranger who lives in the village, disappears. Janine instantly feels an affinity with the missing woman, and knows she must help.
I found myself turning the pages so quickly, I was gripped by the compelling story, and drawn in by the characters. I liked Janine immediately. I really appreciated her empathy, which brought my empathy for her. I enjoyed the small village claustrophobia, it added an extra layer of pressure on the central characters. There is no such thing as a secret, in a small, insular community.
The author writes beautifully, she doesn’t write that someone is feeling a certain way, her words describe the emotion perfectly. So intuitively, that I know what the character is feeling, as I am feeling it too, alongside them. Jess’ thrillers are far more than a standard thriller, it is this emotional element that stand them apart for me
At the end of a review, for an author whose writing I love, I usually say how much I’m looking forward to whatever they write next. In the past, I thought it was a compliment to the writer, now I know it is extra pressure on them. So I will just say to Jess, thank you for writing such a gripping book, that held me tight for the days that I lived in the world of your imagination.
The Secrets of Strangers is a fabulous, highly recommended read. All the stars from me.
I found myself turning the pages so quickly, I was gripped by the compelling story, and drawn in by the characters. I liked Janine immediately. I really appreciated her empathy, which brought my empathy for her. I enjoyed the small village claustrophobia, it added an extra layer of pressure on the central characters. There is no such thing as a secret, in a small, insular community.
The author writes beautifully, she doesn’t write that someone is feeling a certain way, her words describe the emotion perfectly. So intuitively, that I know what the character is feeling, as I am feeling it too, alongside them. Jess’ thrillers are far more than a standard thriller, it is this emotional element that stand them apart for me
At the end of a review, for an author whose writing I love, I usually say how much I’m looking forward to whatever they write next. In the past, I thought it was a compliment to the writer, now I know it is extra pressure on them. So I will just say to Jess, thank you for writing such a gripping book, that held me tight for the days that I lived in the world of your imagination.
The Secrets of Strangers is a fabulous, highly recommended read. All the stars from me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wow, what a winner Jess Kitching has absolutely delivered with this new book.
This thriller completely swept me away from the very first page. After suffering a devastating loss, Janine and her husband Kamal move from Manchester to the seemingly idyllic village of Bamblethorpe, hoping for peace, healing, and a fresh start. But the tranquillity they’re promised quickly fractures when local woman Alexa Clarke goes missing. What begins as a distraction from Janine’s writer’s block soon becomes an obsession, and I was utterly hooked as she stumbled deeper into the mystery. The way the author builds tension, layer by layer, secret by secret, is masterful. Every new discovery about Alexa’s life adds another twist, and the unsettling parallels between the two women create a creeping sense of dread that never lets up.
By the time the story spirals into its tangled web of lies, hidden motives, and dangerous truths, I was completely glued to the pages. The atmosphere is pitch perfect, the pacing relentless, and the emotional undercurrent surprisingly powerful. What starts as curious procrastination for Janine becomes a fight for survival, and the final revelations hit with real force. This book is brilliantly executed sharp, immersive, and filled with the kind of suspense that keeps you reading long past the point you meant to stop. A standout thriller that delivers on every promise.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
This thriller completely swept me away from the very first page. After suffering a devastating loss, Janine and her husband Kamal move from Manchester to the seemingly idyllic village of Bamblethorpe, hoping for peace, healing, and a fresh start. But the tranquillity they’re promised quickly fractures when local woman Alexa Clarke goes missing. What begins as a distraction from Janine’s writer’s block soon becomes an obsession, and I was utterly hooked as she stumbled deeper into the mystery. The way the author builds tension, layer by layer, secret by secret, is masterful. Every new discovery about Alexa’s life adds another twist, and the unsettling parallels between the two women create a creeping sense of dread that never lets up.
By the time the story spirals into its tangled web of lies, hidden motives, and dangerous truths, I was completely glued to the pages. The atmosphere is pitch perfect, the pacing relentless, and the emotional undercurrent surprisingly powerful. What starts as curious procrastination for Janine becomes a fight for survival, and the final revelations hit with real force. This book is brilliantly executed sharp, immersive, and filled with the kind of suspense that keeps you reading long past the point you meant to stop. A standout thriller that delivers on every promise.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Big thanks to Simon & Schuster for a gifted copy to read and review.
After the success of The Life Experiment and switching back to the thriller brand for her newest, Jess Kitching is about to make an eminent impact in the genre.
This isn’t released until May 2026 but I can honestly say that all readers are in for a reading treat.
It’s chilling, dynamic and totally addictive.
Janine and husband Kamal move from the city to the country after a loss.
The English countryside is perfect for Janine, a thriller writer.
While working on her next book a local goes missing.
Many speculate and Janine becomes intrigued by the disappearance.
She begins her own sleuthing and as she gets deeper the more it’s gets troublesome.
An entanglement of secrets climb to the top until finally the shocking truth is discovered……..
A mind blowing psychological domestic noir that pulls you into the drama and doesn’t let go until the final scene.
The plot is gripping, the characters suspicious, there’s a jaw on the floor twist and a very satisfying ending.
An enthralling mystery style that had me guessing until the sneaky ingenious twist.
It’s all killer no filler and will be on many favourites lists for the year, it’s that good.
Gimme more Jess, I need your next book now…..
After the success of The Life Experiment and switching back to the thriller brand for her newest, Jess Kitching is about to make an eminent impact in the genre.
This isn’t released until May 2026 but I can honestly say that all readers are in for a reading treat.
It’s chilling, dynamic and totally addictive.
Janine and husband Kamal move from the city to the country after a loss.
The English countryside is perfect for Janine, a thriller writer.
While working on her next book a local goes missing.
Many speculate and Janine becomes intrigued by the disappearance.
She begins her own sleuthing and as she gets deeper the more it’s gets troublesome.
An entanglement of secrets climb to the top until finally the shocking truth is discovered……..
A mind blowing psychological domestic noir that pulls you into the drama and doesn’t let go until the final scene.
The plot is gripping, the characters suspicious, there’s a jaw on the floor twist and a very satisfying ending.
An enthralling mystery style that had me guessing until the sneaky ingenious twist.
It’s all killer no filler and will be on many favourites lists for the year, it’s that good.
Gimme more Jess, I need your next book now…..
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It’s been far too long since Jess Kitching’s previous thriller Lucky Number 11 - The Secrets Of Strangers has been one of my most-anticipated thrillers ever since.
In The Secrets Of Strangers author Janine and her husband Kamal move to a picturesque village for a new start. The tranquillity is soon disrupted by the disappearance of a young local woman, Alexa. Janine can’t help but be drawn in to start investigating in an attempt to help find Alexa.
Jess Kitching is known for writing ‘thrillers with heart’, characters that you really care about and believe in. The Secrets Of Strangers adds to that reputation, but what this book will be remembered for is the twist. It’s exceptional!
If I think about truly memorable, original twists a few books really stand out, Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and The Ex by Freida McFadden for example. Add The Secrets Of Strangers to the elite list, the kind of twist that leaves you blinking, taking deep breaths, wondering if you’ve been knocked unconscious.
Of all the 2026 thriller releases I’ve read so far The Secrets Of Strangers and Liz Nugent’s The Truth About Ruby Cooper are my two favourites. It’s really that good.
Read it as soon as you can!
Thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster (Australia)
In The Secrets Of Strangers author Janine and her husband Kamal move to a picturesque village for a new start. The tranquillity is soon disrupted by the disappearance of a young local woman, Alexa. Janine can’t help but be drawn in to start investigating in an attempt to help find Alexa.
Jess Kitching is known for writing ‘thrillers with heart’, characters that you really care about and believe in. The Secrets Of Strangers adds to that reputation, but what this book will be remembered for is the twist. It’s exceptional!
If I think about truly memorable, original twists a few books really stand out, Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and The Ex by Freida McFadden for example. Add The Secrets Of Strangers to the elite list, the kind of twist that leaves you blinking, taking deep breaths, wondering if you’ve been knocked unconscious.
Of all the 2026 thriller releases I’ve read so far The Secrets Of Strangers and Liz Nugent’s The Truth About Ruby Cooper are my two favourites. It’s really that good.
Read it as soon as you can!
Thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster (Australia)
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ok.... all I can say is don't let how nice author Jess Kitching is fool you.... inside that sweet exterior lies a truly evil mind that keeps coming up with plot twists that haunt and surprise you.
This upcoming 2026 release is Jess's new thriller and I'm already listing it as one of my best books of 2026!
I don't want to give away any spoilers, but I highly recommend you add this one to your wishlist, pre-order it, and add it to your Goodreads or Storygraph 'want to read' shelves.
I knew the twist was coming... I was searching for it the whole book... and I was still left with that jaw-dropping moment when the big reveal came.
Keep this one on your 2026 radar!
Thanks to Jess Kitching for the ARC of this book
This upcoming 2026 release is Jess's new thriller and I'm already listing it as one of my best books of 2026!
I don't want to give away any spoilers, but I highly recommend you add this one to your wishlist, pre-order it, and add it to your Goodreads or Storygraph 'want to read' shelves.
I knew the twist was coming... I was searching for it the whole book... and I was still left with that jaw-dropping moment when the big reveal came.
Keep this one on your 2026 radar!
Thanks to Jess Kitching for the ARC of this book
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Secrets of Strangers is a page turning thriller that highlights just how little we know about those around us and yet how connected we can be.
This novel follows a thriller author who is plagued by writers block after moving to a small English village, following pregnancy loss. Janine is struggling with many facets of grief and loss but the search for a local missing woman draws her from her solitary existence, giving back some purpose to her days.
The Secrets of Strangers has all the best parts of a thriller - relatable but also unreliable characters, small town true crime vibes, dizzying twists and a gripping pace. I had to force myself to put this one down!
Thank you to #netgalley and @simonschusterau for the ARC.
This novel follows a thriller author who is plagued by writers block after moving to a small English village, following pregnancy loss. Janine is struggling with many facets of grief and loss but the search for a local missing woman draws her from her solitary existence, giving back some purpose to her days.
The Secrets of Strangers has all the best parts of a thriller - relatable but also unreliable characters, small town true crime vibes, dizzying twists and a gripping pace. I had to force myself to put this one down!
Thank you to #netgalley and @simonschusterau for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book gives the word thriller a new meaning. I had to put it down for a few days because my heart was racing so much! I absolutely loved the setting of a small English village. It seemed quaint and cozy. Then the thrills started! Needless to say, when I did pick the book back up, the twist floored me. Well done, Jess!! I will remember Alexa Clarke for a long time.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Jess Kitching is back at the top of her thriller game! The Secret of Strangers is a juicy, razor-tense, and cleverly crafted suspense. It’s part Agatha Christie, with its cosy English village, writers group and a missing woman - but then darkly glam and sinister, too. Jess has crafted the whole complete thrilling package!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book is exactly what you want from a thriller..... it keeps you hooked with this unnerving sense of unease with all the secrets, lies and tension, where you don't know what to believe. It's like the best kind of puzzle. For fans of Gone Girl or Lisa Jewell!
Review of advance copy
I received an advanced copy of this book through Dymocks booksellers. I really enjoyed it. Thank you.
March 27, 2026
I really enjoy a good who done it thriller and this ticked every single box.
Janine, a thriller author with writers block, moves to a small English village with her husband. They dream of a fresh start but she’s a bit of a hermit and life isn’t as great as they thought it would be. Finally drawn out of the house after a local woman goes missing, Janine is convinced she can help find Alexa. She writes books where things like this happen after all. But what happened to Alexa?
I was so invested in this story. I was kept hooked with all the lies, the tension and suspense. I was definitely kept guessing as to who was involved, who could be trusted and who was spinning a yarn!
I’m so glad that Jess is back in the world of thrillers and I look forward to the next one!
Janine, a thriller author with writers block, moves to a small English village with her husband. They dream of a fresh start but she’s a bit of a hermit and life isn’t as great as they thought it would be. Finally drawn out of the house after a local woman goes missing, Janine is convinced she can help find Alexa. She writes books where things like this happen after all. But what happened to Alexa?
I was so invested in this story. I was kept hooked with all the lies, the tension and suspense. I was definitely kept guessing as to who was involved, who could be trusted and who was spinning a yarn!
I’m so glad that Jess is back in the world of thrillers and I look forward to the next one!
Review of advance copy received from Author
𝗙𝗶𝘃𝗲-𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The best twist I’ve read in a long, long time. Watch out, world — Jess Kitching is going to be huge.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 is an absolutely brilliant thriller — fast-moving, flawlessly executed, and written with immense talent. It’s destined to be an instant bestseller.
No notes. Just absolute awe. Wish I’d written it.
Thank you @jesskitchingwrites for asking me to read this ARC — I can already say with high confidence it’ll be my book of 2026. I honestly can’t imagine there being a twist to beat it.
(Out May 2026 with @simonschusteraus. Rep’d by @thepilkingtonagency.)
The best twist I’ve read in a long, long time. Watch out, world — Jess Kitching is going to be huge.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 is an absolutely brilliant thriller — fast-moving, flawlessly executed, and written with immense talent. It’s destined to be an instant bestseller.
No notes. Just absolute awe. Wish I’d written it.
Thank you @jesskitchingwrites for asking me to read this ARC — I can already say with high confidence it’ll be my book of 2026. I honestly can’t imagine there being a twist to beat it.
(Out May 2026 with @simonschusteraus. Rep’d by @thepilkingtonagency.)
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