The Last Witness: A BRAND NEW unputdownable thriller of secrets, paranoia and deadly truths

by Natasha Boydell, Melanie Crawley (Narrator)

A totally gripping and unputdownable psychological thriller. Fans of Lisa Jewell, Clare Mackintosh, Freida McFadden and Daniel Hurst will be kept up all night! 🔪🩸🤫 You saw something terrible… now you’ll never be safe again

Ellie can’t stop having nightmares. It’s been the same ever since she saw the car accident, where a man lost his life.

Awaiting the trial of the dangerous driver, where she’s the primary witness, she finds herself befriending Samantha, the widow of the man who died. And – as their children also become friends – their lives become intrinsically entangled.

But then Ellie starts thinking she’s being followed. She wants to believe it’s paranoia. But then she receives a note – written in red ink, like blood – it says just one word ‘LIAR’…

Don’t miss this completely captivating, brand new thriller, full of secrets and twists and turns. Order now!

Readers love Natasha Boydell’s gripping ‘Wow! What a brilliant book!!... The suspense, the doubt, THE PLOT TWISTS!! I absolutely loved the characters, loved the story, loved everything about this book. This was my first by Natasha Boydell and now I am running to read more by her! 5 stars!!’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘This book blew me away. I love books that grab you from the beginning and hold on so tightly that you cannot put the book down… The ending was explosive and was not predictable at all. I love, love, love this author and cannot wait for more.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Literally picked this book up in the morning and began to read it and before I knew it I was finishing it later that evening. It’s that addicting, honestly I found this so hard to put down. Every page that went past, I was frightened, I was dreading what was coming next. I could never have predicted the outcome. I’m still in shock, it’s crazy. The suspense oh my god!… This book is incredible… I would definitely say this has got to be one of my favourite books ever!!’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Amazing… it’s an addictive read, it has it all the shocks and twists… A page turner of a book… Who do you believe and who do you trust? I so recommend this book – a twisty read!’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A gripping masterpiece that masterfully combines elements of mystery and suspense. Boydell’s narrative unfolds like a carefully crafted puzzle, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The sense of suspense is palpable, making it nearly impossible to put the book down. As the intricate plot weaves its web of intrigue, the anticipation builds, creating a thrilling reading experience.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genres: Audiobook, Thriller, Psychological Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Suspense, Book Club

Audible Audio

Published January 9, 2026

About the author

Natasha is an internationally bestselling author of psychological thrillers. Her books have featured in the top 100 charts in the UK, Canada and Australia, and include the top 10 bestseller The Fortune Teller.

Natasha's novels are available around the world in ebook, paperback and audiobook and have been translated into several languages. She lives in North London with her husband, two daughters and two rescue cats.

Reviews

[JanB]

Ellie is the sole witness to a fatal car accident, an accident she can’t stop thinking about, leaving her with nightmares.

As she awaits the trial of the accused, where she will testify for the prosecution, she can’t get the survivors, a wife and two young sons, off her mind. On a whim, she decides to go to the man’s funeral.

She ends up becoming friends with the victim's widow, Samantha, while their children also form a bond.

As the trial approaches, Ellie begins to feel as if she’s being followed, and receives threatening messages, which sends her and her family in turmoil, and doubting everyone, including herself.

As did I! I didn’t know who to trust and my suspicious eye landed on nearly everyone. The twists kept coming and didn’t let up. Predictable? Not at all, which I loved.

A caveat: I began to grow annoyed at Ellie at times, and more than once I wanted to reach through the pages to smack some sense into her.

BUT all was eventually made clear and I was left smiling at the author’s cleverness.

A tense page turner that I enjoyed on audio.


* Available on Hoopla audio

[Jayne]

This "LAST" book is my FIRST 5-star book of 2026!
👏👏👏👏👏

Yes, Natasha Boydell's pacey and razor-sharp thriller was a winner -- completely enticing and blindsiding me, in the best possible way.

The book's first major emotionally pulverizing twist was gasp-worthy; instantly reframing the storyline, characters, and what was at stake.

It's a thriller that brilliantly plays with perception, trust, and truth.

Characterizations were strong, with “The Last Witness” concept used in a smart, unsettling way.

The author's use of manipulation was subtle, not over-the-top, which made the twists land even harder.

I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Melanie Crawley.

Melanie Crawley's performance was outstanding.

All the stars!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Aya ☕︎]

Natasha really adopted the idea of "Never let them know what your next move is". She really blindsided me with a plot twist after a plot twist after a plot twist till the end of the book. And I truly don't know why didn't I read the sooner I had the ARC after all I have been a huge Natasha Boydell fan for a year and a half now and I intend to keep being her fan for as long as she writes.

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

This is my third Natasha Boydell book, I loved the last two books so... here we go. thank you so muchBoldwood Books and Netgalley for offering me this eARC 💛💚

Find my review on Instagram

[Melody McNamara]

When Ellie is the only witness to a fatal traffic accident, she makes the questionable decision to befriend the victim's wife, leading to totally unexpected consequences. As threats escalate, things spiral out of control, and secrets and deceptions are slowly revealed. I couldn't guess where the story was going and my early theories were off base. Tense, fast-paced and addictive, I thoroughly enjoyed this twisty thriller.

[Anne]

2.5 stars.

What began as an intriguing premise was hampered by awkward writing, bland characterization, narrative that churned over the same thoughts, and when a different POV was offered it covered previous scenes that added little new perspective.

This may be of the thriller genre, but it reads like mystery fiction. It has a legal basis with Ellie being the only witness to a fatal car accident and feeling nervous about testifying. However, the focus is on the unlikely relationship that is forged between Ellie and the wife of the deceased.

I kept reading because I was curious about how this would turn out, what twist could make the build up worth my time. And the twist was good; I didn’t expect that. But the before and the after was so so.

While this didn’t appeal to me, it might just be your cuppa judging by the reviews. I’d say, if the premise grabs your interest, then go for it.

[Lady MacDeath 🌒🌕🌘]

Natasha Boydell has created ANOTHER amazingly gripping and suspenseful psychological thriller. She is becoming one of my favourite authors, as she knows how to weave the perfect story, and keep the reader glued to each and every page. I’m not going to say what the book is about, just go and read it…I absolutely loved it!

Highly recommended and…

5 ⭐️

Thanks to the author, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley, for providing me with this free ARC, with which I leave a voluntary review.

[littlefox]

2.5 stars

A big thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Expected Publication Date: January 9th, 2026

I liked this book at the beginning and was interested in the plot and where it was going to go but unfortunately I started to lose interest by the halfway mark (ironically, by the first plot twist). I found the plot twists to be very obvious but that wasn’t my main issue - it was the writing.

The writing was technically okay. There were some grammar errors and switches in tenses but I’m sure those are being corrected in the final rounds of editing. However, it was so technically okay that it was bland. There was no “voice” or style, whether in the narration or in the dialogue. All the characters sounded the same. Of course, reading is subjective and many will be able to enjoy the book regardless, but I felt it prevented me from being able to fully connect with the characters. I just didn’t care about Ellie or Samantha or their kids or even Amelia because they all sounded the same and didn’t have any discernible personalities.

That being said, this was an entertaining book and an interesting premise. I don’t want to discourage anyone from reading this book so if you’re interested, give it a try!

[Maria]

2.5 stars

First off: Why would you call a book "The Last Witness" when there only ever is ONE witness...?

Secondly: This is the kind of twisted, domestic thriller that cements my average opinion that I actually mostly hate domestic thrillers, thank you very much.

The book is probably brilliant, if you like this sort of story.
Me? I don't, so the rating is nothing personal towards the author, as such. This just isn't my jam in any kind of way.

(Read: Only infidelity, but no murder makes me really, really bored. Yeah. It's 100% a "me problem", I'm aware.)

I didn't like Ellie and my opinion of her were completely obliterated during the trial.
The plot twist was "nice", but sordid. I didn't care. I was hoping for it to be revealed that Samantha had actually hired Jason, the lorry driver, to hit Graham's car. That would have been fun! If you ask me. (Don't look at me like that! This is fiction, ffs!)

No, instead we mostly got very flawed humans doing flawed and rather nasty, stupid things.
Not my favourite kind of entertainment, to say the least.

Plus, as stated before: I didn't care for anyone of the characters.
Not even Tom. The only wronged party with a clean continence within the entire book! (That's pretty bad.)

Starting out I was kind of intrigued with the premise, but as the relationship between Ellie and Sam developed, I kept scratching my head as to why everyone was so against this friendship.
Felt like a cultural thing (among others) I perhaps didn't get at all.

Trauma-bonding is a real thing, after all. So it never seemed all that weird to me that these two women could find some kind of solace in each other.

The end - and I mean the very ending - was my favourite part of the book.
No matter how twisted the origin story of the friendship, I rather liked that part.

Also: Screw Graham! Hope he had good life-insurance, as the Yanks would say.

[MicheleReader]

Ellie Appleby, a married mother of two, witnessed a deadly car accident in which a man named Graham Hunter lost his life. She gave her statement to the police and is awaiting the trial where she is set to testify against Jason Hunter, a truck driver she saw hit the car. Traumatized by the incident, Ellie decides to attend the victim's funeral to pay her respects to Samantha, Graham's widow. Hoping to offer comfort and support, Ellie and Samantha become friends, much to the disapproval of Amelia, Samantha's ever-present best friend. As the trial approaches, Ellie believes she is being followed. She starts to receive threatening messages accusing her of being a liar. The situation escalates, putting her family's safety at risk. When the narrative shifts from Ellie to another character's perspective, it becomes clear that there's much more to this story. 

The Last Witness by Natasha Boydell is a clever thriller that will keep you guessing. It's an emotional story filled with tension and moves at a fast pace. Brace yourself for some surprising twists. I was hooked.

4.25 stars.

Review posted on MicheleReader.com.

[Anne]

Loved this one! Ellie is being threatened by an unknown person and as things escalate, she's worried for her life! She had witnessed a horrific accident that left a man dead and isn't sure why as she becomes friendly with the victim's wife. Things escalate as she begins getting creepy notes and fears leaving her home. It's wild ride but fascinating!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

[Jackie]

3.5 ⭐️

This one had me side-eyeing every character from the start, which is always a good sign for a psychological thriller. Ellie is the only witness to a fatal car accident, and ever since that day, her life has been a mix of nightmares, anxiety, and this nagging sense that someone isn’t telling the whole truth. She forms an unexpected friendship with the victim’s widow, their families get close, and that’s when things start feeling… off.

This is the second book I’ve read by Natasha Boydell—the first being The Doll’s House, which wasn’t my favorite thriller-mystery novel. However, I would definitely recommend The Last Witness over The Doll’s House, and I’m still interested in reading more by Boydell.

I liked the steady tension and how the story keeps nudging you to question everyone’s motives. The paranoia, the tangled relationships, and those unsettling little moments kept me turning the pages. But I will say, I was hoping for a bit more depth and a more unusual, surprising plot twist to give the story that extra punch.

Something Boydell does especially well is create an easy, accessible writing style that keeps the story moving, even when the twists feel familiar. Her pacing is smooth, her dialogue feels natural, and the overall flow makes this a quick, seamless read.

All in all, this was a quick and easy psychological thriller, and the relatable, imperfect characters really helped make it a solid, twisty read.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC. I greatly appreciate being given the opportunity to read this book in advance of its public date and share my thoughts
with other readers.

[Susan Belman]

This one wasn’t my favorite of Natasha Boydell’s, but it definitely kept me intrigued. The premise felt fresh, especially the way it explores women’s inner fears and the complicated, sometimes manipulative nature of female friendships.
The story centers around Ellie, who becomes the key witness in a high-profile case after a violent crime. As the pressure mounts, she finds herself increasingly dependent on her two closest friends, Samantha and Amelia—but their support doesn’t always feel entirely selfless. As Ellie’s testimony approaches, secrets from the past begin to surface, loyalties are tested, and it becomes clear that not everyone wants the truth to come out.
The tension between Ellie, Samantha, and Amelia was palpable. The emotional manipulation, shifting power dynamics, and quiet mind games created an undercurrent of anxiety that had me genuinely gasping out loud a few times. While I didn’t find the criminal case itself as compelling, I was far more invested in how the friendships unraveled and how easily fear and influence can blur someone’s sense of reality.
The witness manipulation felt a bit softer than I expected—less psychologically sharp than I’d hoped—but it ultimately made sense once all the pieces fell into place. Overall, I enjoyed the ride, even if it wasn’t quite as much of a page-turner as her other books. Still a solid, unsettling read that lingers more for its emotional tension than its crime plot.

[Dozelina 666]

Thank you NetGalley & Boldwood Books for the ARC!

Solid 4.5★ from me, this one really felt a bit different than my latest reads.

This book starts off with all the right elements for a good book: a woman haunted by nightmares after witnessing a fatal acciden, a trial waiting, a friendship with a widow that feels unsettlingly close… aaand then those disturbing “LIAR” messages. I spent about 60 % of the story thinking I had it figured out. I knew things wouldn’t be straightforward, but I was still unprepared for when the other shoe dropped.

Tbh, I mostly suspected that our FMC was the real culprit in the accident or something like that, but ofc book went in a totally different direction (one that I did not see it coming lol). I also felt like almost everyone (except Tom) in this messed‑up cast went off the rails at some point. When the truth came out, my jaw dropped 3 floors because oh, boy... the mother of messy situation happened.

But hey, at least I got 1 character right since the beginning and that one was Amelia. (boohoo to her)

Anyway, I feel like I'm talking too much atm, so I'll just shut up and recommend this book. I think it a easy, good read, with enough twists to keep readers entertained.

[Jessica’s Bookshelf]

This was one of the most absorbing thrillers I’ve read it flowed so fast and I was pulled in by Natasha’s writing as I was desperate to know why Ellie was experiencing what she was and who was responsible. I was totally off the mark with my theories all the way to the end where it was so explosive to the very last page catching me off guard. Exactly what I love from this genre of book.

All the characters were likeable and all had their own demons to battle. It was full of drama, suspense and also heartache. I felt for each and every character all the way to the bitter end feeling like each one I read fully was like a friend. It’s definitely a book I will remember for a long time. How it makes you think and feel so many things especially about how life can change in such a split second or decisions we make.

I will definitely be reading more from Natasha in the future and recommend this one to any thriller lover.

Jessicasbookshelf Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✨ Thankyou so much to @lovebookstours @tashy_boydell and @themurderlist for my digital copy of the book through @netgalley in exchange for my honest review ✨

[Renée Waring]

Holy. Sheeeet.

I absolutely inhaled this book. I started it yesterday and finished it in less than 24 hours because I physically could not put it down. My sleep schedule is absolutely paying the price today, but honestly? Worth it.

From the very first chapter, The Last Witness had me completely hooked. Every time I thought I had a handle on where the story was going, something else happened that pulled me even deeper. The pacing was relentless, the tension just kept building, and I found myself saying, "Just one more chapter"... until suddenly I'd finished the entire book.

This is one of those thrillers that makes you forget everything else around you. The suspense was addictive, the twists landed perfectly, and I was second-guessing everyone right until the end.

If you're looking for a thriller that grabs you from page one and refuses to let go, this is it.

Five stars without hesitation. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to survive the day on far too little sleep because this book refused to let me go.

[Pauly]

A bit of a slow start, but stick with it. The story picks up a quarter of the way through, and by the halfway mark, it delivers a massive 'what the hell' twist. Part two completely shifts perspectives and keeps you guessing. With a great final twist and plenty of secrets, it turns out to be a really satisfying read.

[Samantha Reilly]

intriguing, well paced, and twisty (albeit a little obvious)

[Salma Mattar]

مشاكل عائليه مالينا خص بها

[Caitlin Bunting]

My first read from this author and I absolutely loved the writing style. This one was fast paced throughout and was such a page turner. I will be adding more books from the backlist to my TBR.

[Sheila]

I received a free copy of, The Last Witness, by Natasha Boydell, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Ellie is a witness to a car accident. I did not care for this book at all. Cheaters never win.

[Janna (Bibliophile Mom)]

Such an emotional and powerful read. This is my third book from Natasha Boydell, and once again she delivered a story that kept me hooked. The characters are flawed yet deeply relatable, and the twists, some I even predicted, made the journey all the more satisfying.

Likes:
• Dual POV split into two parts
• Strong, complex female leads
• Honest exploration of motherhood

Dislikes:
• Friendship betrayal that felt a bit naïve
• Manipulation taken too far
• The heartbreaking ripple effect of infidelity on family

Ratings Breakdown:
❥ Setting: 3⭐️
❥ Character Building: 4⭐️
❥ Writing Style: 4⭐️
❥ Message: 5⭐️
❥ Overall: 4⭐️

Overall, it’s a story built on a strong premise with unforgettable female characters. Even when you want to hate them for their choices, you can’t help but understand them. A genuine reminder of how one moment of losing focus can alter not just one life, but many.

Huge thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and Natasha Boydell for the advance copy. Opinions are my own.

~JaNnA~

[Rochelle]

This book was super depressing

[Barb]

If you stick with the slow start: “her hands hovered over the keyboard, gathering her thoughts…” then you will get a mystery, twists, and drama. I was truly about halfway through listening and was wondering what else could be discussed for another 4 hours; seems there was plenty to discuss! I guessed one responsible party at least. You have read to the very end. Great character development and perspective. This could be a book for a long snowy/rainy day.

[Diane Merritt]

Definitely unputdownable. Such a pager turner. Loved this book and the situations they go through because if one accident. How it affects all. Excellent

Thanks to the author the publisher and Netgalley for a early release of this book

[Steffs.Chapter]

Well. This was addictive AF.

Considering it's literally about a witness to a crash, and how she copes with the anxiety, the strain it has on her family and the frightening events that occur before final trial... oh my goodness. Had me HOOKED.

But the twist. The twist had me SHOOK. Absolutely blindsided. I've had a mad week so winding down and mindlessly reading was just perfect and I won't lie, I think some of y'all will see it coming but me... nope. Actually gasped.

It starts off really well and packs a punch, just like any thriller should! The character development is perfect. I loved the pace, the small twists and the overall kicker. The writing is easy, still nudges you to guess but also strings you along which again, I think is exactly what you want for a thriller.

The only niggles for me is that I think some scenes could have been heightened more, as some events were glazed over a bit. The final chapters also just completely dulled it down for me, after that high of a twist but overall, throughly enjoyed and its a quick read to recommend!

I see you Natasha! You lil thriller rising star👀✨️

This is perfect for fans of Lisa Jewel, Deborah O'connor and our Frieda McFadden

[Laura Connelly]

Ellie is the only witness in a car accident that kills a man, Graham Hunter. She is understandably traumatised after this, experiencing nightmares and dreading the upcoming trial of the driver responsible. After attending his funeral, she becomes friends with his widow Samantha. Before long, strange things start happening to her - she’s being followed, messages spray painted on her car and being called a liar. Is it the lorry driver who is accused of murdering Graham by dangerous driving? Is it Amelia, Samantha’s best friend, who clearly doesn’t like Ellie? Or is it someone else completely?

Another great book by Natasha! This is a compelling psychological thriller which manages to balance character driven emotion with secrets, paranoia and excellent twists. Natasha manages to create tension and makes the reader question what is going on. Ellie and Samantha’s friendship is extremely complex and kept the reader wondering if there was more to it. The momentum of this story meant I couldn’t put it down and read it in less than 24 hours!

[Natalie B]

I had fun reading Natasha Boydell’s newest novel, The Last Witness. Boydell writes women’s inner fears and complicated, sometimes manipulative friendships so well. The anxiety and tension between Ellie, Samantha, and Amelia was palpable. I actually gasped out loud at the courthouse twist and again at the very end. I didn’t find the criminal case itself that engaging, and the witness manipulation felt a bit soft and not as psychologically thrilling to me (though it made sense in the end). While I did enjoy this one, it wasn’t quite as much of a page-turner for me as The Doll’s House.

Thank you to Boldwood Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

[VickydpBooks]

I really enjoyed this book, there was a lot of twist and turns. I couldn’t put this down.
This book is perfect for the people that likes Freida McFadden and Lisa jewels and Daniel hurst

You saw something terrible… now you’ll never be safe again

Ellie can’t stop having nightmares. It’s been the same ever since she saw the car accident, where a man lost his life.

Awaiting the trial of the dangerous driver, where she’s the primary witness, she finds herself befriending Samantha, the widow of the man who died. And – as their children also become friends – their lives become intrinsically entangled.

But then Ellie starts thinking she’s being followed. She wants to believe it’s paranoia. But then she receives a note – written in red ink, like blood – it says just one word ‘LIAR’…

[Cleopatra Pullen]

Natasha Boydell’s The Last Witness begins with a slow burn that may test the patience of some readers, but the deliberate pacing does lay the groundwork for the tension that follows. The story of Ellie, haunted by nightmares after witnessing a fatal accident and preparing to testify against the driver, gradually builds into a psychological thriller that explores trauma, trust, and deception. Once the narrative finds its rhythm, the suspense tightens and the book becomes increasingly difficult to put down.

The author's strength lies in her ability to craft adult characters with depth and authenticity. Ellie and Samantha, the widow of the victim, are particularly well drawn, their grief and vulnerability rendered with emotional weight. Their evolving relationship adds layers of complexity to the plot, making the reader question motives and loyalties as the story unfolds.

The teenage characters, however, don’t quite ring true. Their behaviour lacked authenticity at times and this slightly undermines the believability of the family dynamics, which otherwise provide a strong backdrop to the central psychological drama.

Despite these flaws, the novel is ultimately a well-constructed thriller with a plot that is carefully thought out and executed. The second half delivers on the promise of suspense, with twists that keep the reader engaged until the end. For those who enjoy thrillers that balance emotional depth with psychological intrigue, The Last Witness is a rewarding read once it gathers momentum.

[Zara Dal]

This was a really engaging, well-written thriller that kept me turning the pages. I loved that the book is split into two parts, each told from a different character’s POV — it added depth and kept the story feeling fresh and layered as it unfolded.

I did manage to guess the main twist, but not how all the loose ends were tied together, so the final reveals still landed well and felt satisfying rather than disappointing.

What really stood out for me was how thought-provoking this book was alongside the tension. It explores how decisions made in a single moment can have devastating, long-lasting consequences, while also weaving in themes of forgiveness and redemption.

A solid, gripping read with plenty to think about — a strong 4* from me.