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The Gardens
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It might look idyllic, but the secrets buried there are deadly…
When human bones are found in the garden attached to the glamorous London home where she grew up, Jess McIntyre prepares to receive the news she has dreaded for thirty-four years that her sister, Nina, is dead and now here is the proof.
Nina disappeared without a trace in 1992, aged eighteen, the summer she fell in with a charismatic group of friends who squatted in a vacant house on the other side of Willow Gardens.
Having moved to Australia years ago, widow and single mum Jess arrives back in London to provide a DNA sample to help the investigation, with her teenage son, Ollie, in tow.
As they try and unravel the secrets of Nina's past, will they discover that some bodies are best left buried…?
Readers love Emma Babbington!
'I could not put this down! The twists and turns – I did NOT see them coming!' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
'I haven’t read a book with such well developed characters in a long time and this book manages to match that with a fast, clever plot.' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
'You will not be able to out this one down.' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
'A twisty, atmospheric story that's deeper and more complex than your everyday domestic thriller' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
'I stayed up well past the time I should have been asleep. Five stars no doubt. Can't wait to see what else this author has to offer.' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It might look idyllic, but the secrets buried there are deadly…
When human bones are found in the garden attached to the glamorous London home where she grew up, Jess McIntyre prepares to receive the news she has dreaded for thirty-four years that her sister, Nina, is dead and now here is the proof.
Nina disappeared without a trace in 1992, aged eighteen, the summer she fell in with a charismatic group of friends who squatted in a vacant house on the other side of Willow Gardens.
Having moved to Australia years ago, widow and single mum Jess arrives back in London to provide a DNA sample to help the investigation, with her teenage son, Ollie, in tow.
As they try and unravel the secrets of Nina's past, will they discover that some bodies are best left buried…?
Readers love Emma Babbington!
'I could not put this down! The twists and turns – I did NOT see them coming!' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
'I haven’t read a book with such well developed characters in a long time and this book manages to match that with a fast, clever plot.' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
'You will not be able to out this one down.' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
'A twisty, atmospheric story that's deeper and more complex than your everyday domestic thriller' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
'I stayed up well past the time I should have been asleep. Five stars no doubt. Can't wait to see what else this author has to offer.' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
336 pages, Paperback
Published September 22, 2026
About the author
Emma Babbington
2 books39 followersEmma Babbington writes novels that are part psychological thriller, part family mystery and full of twists and turns. Her debut novel is The Neighbours and her second book, The Gardens is released June 2026.
She is a London-born, now Sydney-based journalist with a 25 year career in the UK and Australia on newspapers and magazines. This has seen her interview celebrities, everyday heroes and even the occasional criminal. Emma lives with her husband, children and cat not far from Sydney harbour.
Instagram @emmababbington
Facebook @emmababbingtonauthor
She is a London-born, now Sydney-based journalist with a 25 year career in the UK and Australia on newspapers and magazines. This has seen her interview celebrities, everyday heroes and even the occasional criminal. Emma lives with her husband, children and cat not far from Sydney harbour.
Instagram @emmababbington
Facebook @emmababbingtonauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
July 12, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
••𝔽𝕒𝕧𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕖 [𝕓𝕚𝕘] 𝕢𝕦𝕠𝕥𝕖:
“Then that word, the focus emotion we called it and usually something like ‘shame’, ‘regret’ or ‘hatred’, would be lingered on and dissected and ruminated on for however long it took for the guilty party to break down and admit their failings to the group. It was a horrible, painful affair... At that point others would be invited to share how they felt or how the person’s behaviour had adversely affected the community... Finally Mary would hug the person and kiss their head, as if anointing them with her approval... One evening a thirteen-year-old called Alice was picked out for the ritual humiliation, accused of yawning during meditation... Alice finally admitted to her crime and that she had done this because she was worried about her friend and wanted to keep her company. It was suggested that Alice’s insecurity and neediness was at the root of this. Her focus word that night became ‘empty’... We all hated being the focus of these considerations.”
••𝕎𝕙𝕪 𝕚𝕥 𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕠𝕕 𝕠𝕦𝕥: The insidious nature of cults always fascinates and abhorrs in equal measure. The cult slant is what drew me in, endlessly aware of the God like- esque nature of the beast.
•• 𝕎𝕙𝕠 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕚𝕥: Readers who love twisty psychological cult like vibes over decades, dual time lines and long held family secrets
Grateful thanks to HQ Insiders and the author for the complimentary copy.
••𝔽𝕒𝕧𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕖 [𝕓𝕚𝕘] 𝕢𝕦𝕠𝕥𝕖:
“Then that word, the focus emotion we called it and usually something like ‘shame’, ‘regret’ or ‘hatred’, would be lingered on and dissected and ruminated on for however long it took for the guilty party to break down and admit their failings to the group. It was a horrible, painful affair... At that point others would be invited to share how they felt or how the person’s behaviour had adversely affected the community... Finally Mary would hug the person and kiss their head, as if anointing them with her approval... One evening a thirteen-year-old called Alice was picked out for the ritual humiliation, accused of yawning during meditation... Alice finally admitted to her crime and that she had done this because she was worried about her friend and wanted to keep her company. It was suggested that Alice’s insecurity and neediness was at the root of this. Her focus word that night became ‘empty’... We all hated being the focus of these considerations.”
••𝕎𝕙𝕪 𝕚𝕥 𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕠𝕕 𝕠𝕦𝕥: The insidious nature of cults always fascinates and abhorrs in equal measure. The cult slant is what drew me in, endlessly aware of the God like- esque nature of the beast.
•• 𝕎𝕙𝕠 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕚𝕥: Readers who love twisty psychological cult like vibes over decades, dual time lines and long held family secrets
Grateful thanks to HQ Insiders and the author for the complimentary copy.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
⭐️4 Stars⭐️
The Gardens by Emma Babbington is certainly a page turner! In this psychological thriller human bones are unearthed in the community garden attached to the glamorous house Jess once lived in.
Widow and single mum Jess travels from Australia to London with her son Ollie to provide a DNA sample and help with the investigation fearing the bones could be her long lost sister.
Jess’s half sister Nina went missing thirty four years ago at eighteen years of age.
This book was so fascinating! There’s a sinister cult involved, dual timelines and an unknown narrator which was exciting. I loved the tense moments and mystery in the story.
I felt there was some unanswered questions at the conclusion which I suspect was on purpose to add to the intrigue. Definitely a good one to read with a buddy or book club to discuss the ending together.
As this is my first, I will definitely be on the lookout for more of Emma’s books.
Publication Date 28 July 2026
Publisher HQ Fiction GB
Thank you so very much Harper Collins Australia & HQ Books
for a copy of the book.
The Gardens by Emma Babbington is certainly a page turner! In this psychological thriller human bones are unearthed in the community garden attached to the glamorous house Jess once lived in.
Widow and single mum Jess travels from Australia to London with her son Ollie to provide a DNA sample and help with the investigation fearing the bones could be her long lost sister.
Jess’s half sister Nina went missing thirty four years ago at eighteen years of age.
This book was so fascinating! There’s a sinister cult involved, dual timelines and an unknown narrator which was exciting. I loved the tense moments and mystery in the story.
I felt there was some unanswered questions at the conclusion which I suspect was on purpose to add to the intrigue. Definitely a good one to read with a buddy or book club to discuss the ending together.
As this is my first, I will definitely be on the lookout for more of Emma’s books.
Publication Date 28 July 2026
Publisher HQ Fiction GB
Thank you so very much Harper Collins Australia & HQ Books
for a copy of the book.
July 28, 2026
Big thanks to HQ Books for sending us a copy to read and review.
Emma Babbington’s second release is a family mystery saga with atmospheric thriller vibes.
The Gardens has all the ingredients to activate the reading mind, surprise and shock.
When secrets that were meant to stay buried are dug up, a group of people become entangled and their lives become more complicated.
Jess McIntyre decides to return to her childhood home in London when human bones are found in the garden.
Her sister Nina disappeared decades before and the family believe it’s her.
Back in 1992 she and her friends lived in a nearby apartment but strange goings on were the norm for them.
She arrives back in the town where she grew up with her son, Ollie to give a DNA sample to the investigating police.
But as the truth begins to emerge, Jane and Ollie are dragged right back in the middle.
A very hooking read.
I was completely drawn into the story and eagerly flipping the pages to know what was going to be revealed.
With great characters, twists and conundrums woven through and an enticing plot these are highlights to expanding your reading experience.
The setting with Australia, although briefly and the ambience of London made this an added attractive bonus.
I’m delighted to say, I can’t wait to see what Emma gives her readers next.
Emma Babbington’s second release is a family mystery saga with atmospheric thriller vibes.
The Gardens has all the ingredients to activate the reading mind, surprise and shock.
When secrets that were meant to stay buried are dug up, a group of people become entangled and their lives become more complicated.
Jess McIntyre decides to return to her childhood home in London when human bones are found in the garden.
Her sister Nina disappeared decades before and the family believe it’s her.
Back in 1992 she and her friends lived in a nearby apartment but strange goings on were the norm for them.
She arrives back in the town where she grew up with her son, Ollie to give a DNA sample to the investigating police.
But as the truth begins to emerge, Jane and Ollie are dragged right back in the middle.
A very hooking read.
I was completely drawn into the story and eagerly flipping the pages to know what was going to be revealed.
With great characters, twists and conundrums woven through and an enticing plot these are highlights to expanding your reading experience.
The setting with Australia, although briefly and the ambience of London made this an added attractive bonus.
I’m delighted to say, I can’t wait to see what Emma gives her readers next.
June 6, 2026
3.5⭐️
If you’d told me beforehand that this was going to involve a cult storyline, I probably would’ve left it on the shelf. Cult thrillers aren’t usually my thing. Surprisingly though, I ended up enjoying how the Chisledown storyline fed into the wider mystery. I was far more invested in Jess’s present-day chapters than the ‘Before’ chapters set in 1992, but the payoff ultimately justified their inclusion.
The pacing dipped for me through the middle section and I found myself wishing things would move along a little faster, but the final 40% pulled me back in as the pieces started falling into place. Despite the slower middle, I remained invested in uncovering what had happened to Nina all those years ago, and there were a few reveals along the way that I thought were particularly well executed. Looking back, one character reveal in particular felt surprisingly obvious in hindsight, yet completely flew over my head while I was reading. I also appreciated that the story focused just as much on the emotional fallout of Nina’s disappearance as it did on solving the mystery itself.
I really enjoyed the relationship between Jess and her son Ollie, which gave the story some heart amongst all the secrets, grief and unanswered questions. The family dynamics felt authentic, and I found myself genuinely invested in the characters as well as the mystery.
The ending didn’t quite land as strongly for me as the rest of the book. While I don’t mind a little ambiguity, this left things more open-ended than I’d hoped, and Jess seemed surprisingly willing to accept certain revelations and head back to Australia. Personally, I would’ve liked to see a little more vengeance before she boarded that plane home.
A solid mystery with strong family dynamics, buried secrets and enough discussion points to keep a book club busy afterwards.
If you’d told me beforehand that this was going to involve a cult storyline, I probably would’ve left it on the shelf. Cult thrillers aren’t usually my thing. Surprisingly though, I ended up enjoying how the Chisledown storyline fed into the wider mystery. I was far more invested in Jess’s present-day chapters than the ‘Before’ chapters set in 1992, but the payoff ultimately justified their inclusion.
The pacing dipped for me through the middle section and I found myself wishing things would move along a little faster, but the final 40% pulled me back in as the pieces started falling into place. Despite the slower middle, I remained invested in uncovering what had happened to Nina all those years ago, and there were a few reveals along the way that I thought were particularly well executed. Looking back, one character reveal in particular felt surprisingly obvious in hindsight, yet completely flew over my head while I was reading. I also appreciated that the story focused just as much on the emotional fallout of Nina’s disappearance as it did on solving the mystery itself.
I really enjoyed the relationship between Jess and her son Ollie, which gave the story some heart amongst all the secrets, grief and unanswered questions. The family dynamics felt authentic, and I found myself genuinely invested in the characters as well as the mystery.
The ending didn’t quite land as strongly for me as the rest of the book. While I don’t mind a little ambiguity, this left things more open-ended than I’d hoped, and Jess seemed surprisingly willing to accept certain revelations and head back to Australia. Personally, I would’ve liked to see a little more vengeance before she boarded that plane home.
A solid mystery with strong family dynamics, buried secrets and enough discussion points to keep a book club busy afterwards.
July 20, 2026
A very good read!
June 5, 2026
3.5⭐️
The Gardens was a very quiet mystery that just never really quite got there for me.
Following the discovery of human remains in the garden of her childhood home, Jess heads back to London to figure out what happened to her sister that went missing more than three decades prior. What she finds is a tangled web of lies and deception.
This book was written in a very engaging style. I absolutely appreciated that about it, and the anticipation for where the story was going really did have me hooked in. Unfortunately, the payoff at the end didn’t live up to the hype, and I was left with more questions than I started with.
Thank you to HQ Australia for providing me with an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Gardens was a very quiet mystery that just never really quite got there for me.
Following the discovery of human remains in the garden of her childhood home, Jess heads back to London to figure out what happened to her sister that went missing more than three decades prior. What she finds is a tangled web of lies and deception.
This book was written in a very engaging style. I absolutely appreciated that about it, and the anticipation for where the story was going really did have me hooked in. Unfortunately, the payoff at the end didn’t live up to the hype, and I was left with more questions than I started with.
Thank you to HQ Australia for providing me with an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 8, 2026
The Gardens by Emma Babbington
⭐️⭐️⭐️ and a half ⭐️
This book was a slow paced character driven story that follows Jess (and her teenage son Ollie) returning to London to provide DNA evidence after bones are discovered that are thought to be her sister Nina who vanished 30 years ago.
This book is dark, mysterious and a slow burn. Ive always bren fascinated by cults and particular personalities that cults attract. There was lots of back and forth timelines and I enjoyed the present timeline and secrets being discovered. I wanted a little more of a clear cut ending than the ambiguous ending that Nina accepted before she flew home to Australia. But overall it was an enjoyable read and Ill certainly read more from this author.
"It might look idyllic, but the secrets buried there are deadly…
When human bones are found in the garden attached to the glamorous London home where she grew up, Jess McIntyre prepares to receive the news she has dreaded for thirty-four years: that her sister, Nina, is dead and now here is the proof.
Nina disappeared without a trace in 1992, aged eighteen, the summer she fell in with a charismatic group of friends who squatted in a vacant house on the other side of Willow Gardens.
Having moved to Australia years ago, widow and single mum Jess arrives back in London to provide a DNA sample to help the investigation, with her teenage son, Ollie, in tow.
As they try and unravel the secrets of Nina's past, and her connection to a sinister cult, will they discover that some bodies are best left buried…?"
⭐️⭐️⭐️ and a half ⭐️
This book was a slow paced character driven story that follows Jess (and her teenage son Ollie) returning to London to provide DNA evidence after bones are discovered that are thought to be her sister Nina who vanished 30 years ago.
This book is dark, mysterious and a slow burn. Ive always bren fascinated by cults and particular personalities that cults attract. There was lots of back and forth timelines and I enjoyed the present timeline and secrets being discovered. I wanted a little more of a clear cut ending than the ambiguous ending that Nina accepted before she flew home to Australia. But overall it was an enjoyable read and Ill certainly read more from this author.
"It might look idyllic, but the secrets buried there are deadly…
When human bones are found in the garden attached to the glamorous London home where she grew up, Jess McIntyre prepares to receive the news she has dreaded for thirty-four years: that her sister, Nina, is dead and now here is the proof.
Nina disappeared without a trace in 1992, aged eighteen, the summer she fell in with a charismatic group of friends who squatted in a vacant house on the other side of Willow Gardens.
Having moved to Australia years ago, widow and single mum Jess arrives back in London to provide a DNA sample to help the investigation, with her teenage son, Ollie, in tow.
As they try and unravel the secrets of Nina's past, and her connection to a sinister cult, will they discover that some bodies are best left buried…?"
June 22, 2026
**Advanced Reader Copy sent to me by the Publisher**
The Gardens is a compelling and atmospheric mystery that kept me hooked from the very first pages. With its dual timeline structure, cult elements, and plenty of red herrings, this was a book I raced through, constantly questioning what was really going on and who could be trusted.
One of my favourite aspects was the "Before" timeline. I loved not knowing whose perspective we were following and trying to slowly piece together their identity as the story unfolded. Emma Babbington handles this mystery beautifully, revealing information at just the right pace to keep the tension high without becoming frustrating. The short chapters and fast pacing made it incredibly easy to say "just one more chapter", even when I really should have been sleeping.
Jess was also a fantastic protagonist to follow. I was invested in her journey and found myself completely immersed in the unsettling atmosphere surrounding The Gardens and the secrets hidden within its walls. The cult aspect added another layer of intrigue and was one of the strongest elements of the novel for me.
For most of the book, I genuinely thought I was heading towards a five star read. Unfortunately, the ending did not quite deliver the payoff I had hoped for. As the final chapters unfolded, the conclusion felt increasingly ambiguous, and while I appreciate that some readers enjoy open-ended endings, I was left a little confused by the final page and wanting more clarity. It did not ruin my enjoyment of the story, but it did stop me from giving it full marks. Thats just my own personal opinion.
That said, The Gardens is an engrossing, fast-paced mystery filled with twists, secrets, and an atmosphere of creeping unease. If you enjoy dual timelines, cult narratives, and stories that keep you guessing until the very end, this is absolutely worth picking up. I would love to keep discovering books from this author.
The Gardens is a compelling and atmospheric mystery that kept me hooked from the very first pages. With its dual timeline structure, cult elements, and plenty of red herrings, this was a book I raced through, constantly questioning what was really going on and who could be trusted.
One of my favourite aspects was the "Before" timeline. I loved not knowing whose perspective we were following and trying to slowly piece together their identity as the story unfolded. Emma Babbington handles this mystery beautifully, revealing information at just the right pace to keep the tension high without becoming frustrating. The short chapters and fast pacing made it incredibly easy to say "just one more chapter", even when I really should have been sleeping.
Jess was also a fantastic protagonist to follow. I was invested in her journey and found myself completely immersed in the unsettling atmosphere surrounding The Gardens and the secrets hidden within its walls. The cult aspect added another layer of intrigue and was one of the strongest elements of the novel for me.
For most of the book, I genuinely thought I was heading towards a five star read. Unfortunately, the ending did not quite deliver the payoff I had hoped for. As the final chapters unfolded, the conclusion felt increasingly ambiguous, and while I appreciate that some readers enjoy open-ended endings, I was left a little confused by the final page and wanting more clarity. It did not ruin my enjoyment of the story, but it did stop me from giving it full marks. Thats just my own personal opinion.
That said, The Gardens is an engrossing, fast-paced mystery filled with twists, secrets, and an atmosphere of creeping unease. If you enjoy dual timelines, cult narratives, and stories that keep you guessing until the very end, this is absolutely worth picking up. I would love to keep discovering books from this author.
July 28, 2026
Ohhhhhh this was such a great mystery! I read it in the middle of the night, under the covers, with only light coming from amber light next to me and I got chills! I was gripped! A murder mystery set in an English garden, with a dash of domestic noir, there were plenty of surprises and the story took a direction I didn't expect, but I'm glad it did, because it felt very fresh and original.
August 24, 2026
Talk about a twisty Domestic Thriller! The Gardens is such an addictive thriller by one of our very own amazing Aussie Authors, @emmababbington.
When widow Jess and her son receive the news that human bones have been found in the garden attached to the house that she grew up in, she and her teenage son Ollie fly across the world from Australia to London to assist in this case by providing DNA.
Jess' worst fear is that the found bones could be those of her sister, Nina, who went missing 34 years ago at age 18.
As Jess and Ollie try to find out the truth about Nina's disappearance, they find a link to a cult... does this cult have anything to do with NIna's disappearance? And just how dangerous and sinister is it?
I really loved how this book drew me in straight away with its compelling cold case mystery and the dual viewpoints and shifting timelines. I was so incredibly intent on trying to figure out the identity of the "before" narrator.
I was completely hooked by all the twists and turns and the tense, ominous atmosphere that Babbington created throughout the pages. There were definitely moments of absolute dread, but also moments where I felt the raw emotions of families who have had the tragic experience and loss of a missing loved one.
I am super keen to read more from this author!
When widow Jess and her son receive the news that human bones have been found in the garden attached to the house that she grew up in, she and her teenage son Ollie fly across the world from Australia to London to assist in this case by providing DNA.
Jess' worst fear is that the found bones could be those of her sister, Nina, who went missing 34 years ago at age 18.
As Jess and Ollie try to find out the truth about Nina's disappearance, they find a link to a cult... does this cult have anything to do with NIna's disappearance? And just how dangerous and sinister is it?
I really loved how this book drew me in straight away with its compelling cold case mystery and the dual viewpoints and shifting timelines. I was so incredibly intent on trying to figure out the identity of the "before" narrator.
I was completely hooked by all the twists and turns and the tense, ominous atmosphere that Babbington created throughout the pages. There were definitely moments of absolute dread, but also moments where I felt the raw emotions of families who have had the tragic experience and loss of a missing loved one.
I am super keen to read more from this author!
June 18, 2026
I really enjoyed this story. I love a then and now storyline, and particularly when there is a house central to the story and the secrets it may hold.
Jess heads back to England when bones are unearthed in the back garden of the house she used to live in, as there is a chance they may be from her missing sister Nina. The prologue sets the scene for this story - it is incredibly sinister and leaves a lot to the imagination (which went every which way), and I wondered how it could possibly be connected to the bones in the garden.
As we learn more about the circumstances surrounding Nina's disappearance, and the extremely weird commune known as Chisledown, the more this story takes on a mysterious and ominous feeling.
Jess's family felt that the police weren't that helpful back in 1992 when Nina disappeared, and this leads Jess to make some very questionable decisions that may very easily put herself and her son Ollie in danger. I certainly did a bit of yelling at her!
As the facets of this story started to come together and I realised who the characters were, the feeling of dread did not diminish at all and there were some very tense moments. The conclusion was well done and I liked that there was an added bit of intrigue that will remain unanswered.
Jess heads back to England when bones are unearthed in the back garden of the house she used to live in, as there is a chance they may be from her missing sister Nina. The prologue sets the scene for this story - it is incredibly sinister and leaves a lot to the imagination (which went every which way), and I wondered how it could possibly be connected to the bones in the garden.
As we learn more about the circumstances surrounding Nina's disappearance, and the extremely weird commune known as Chisledown, the more this story takes on a mysterious and ominous feeling.
Jess's family felt that the police weren't that helpful back in 1992 when Nina disappeared, and this leads Jess to make some very questionable decisions that may very easily put herself and her son Ollie in danger. I certainly did a bit of yelling at her!
As the facets of this story started to come together and I realised who the characters were, the feeling of dread did not diminish at all and there were some very tense moments. The conclusion was well done and I liked that there was an added bit of intrigue that will remain unanswered.
August 15, 2026
This was a book picked up and put down but still read in a day. I haven’t done that for a while. It’s not that it was a quick read, I happened to stay up really late as I wanted to get it finished!
Stories about cults always interest me and this plot line was interwoven with an intrafamily dynamic and made for an interesting psychological thriller - a missing woman whose bones might have been discovered under the garden of the family home in England. The main character Jess, whose family lived in the house lives in Australia so she and her 15 yo son travel back to England during the investigation.
The chapters with Jess’s current day and were interspersed with the “before” chapters - the latter including the view point of a nameless person involved in the cult, and Jess’s memories of forgone years. The book detailed Jess’s relationship with her teen son, and her struggle to keep him on the right path.
I found the momentum slowed a little in the middle third, and as the tension mounted there was some ambiguity which left things somewhat undone. There was opportunity there for more impact I think.
This is a great sophomore novel to the Neighbours.
Stories about cults always interest me and this plot line was interwoven with an intrafamily dynamic and made for an interesting psychological thriller - a missing woman whose bones might have been discovered under the garden of the family home in England. The main character Jess, whose family lived in the house lives in Australia so she and her 15 yo son travel back to England during the investigation.
The chapters with Jess’s current day and were interspersed with the “before” chapters - the latter including the view point of a nameless person involved in the cult, and Jess’s memories of forgone years. The book detailed Jess’s relationship with her teen son, and her struggle to keep him on the right path.
I found the momentum slowed a little in the middle third, and as the tension mounted there was some ambiguity which left things somewhat undone. There was opportunity there for more impact I think.
This is a great sophomore novel to the Neighbours.
August 29, 2026
Jess is back in London, this time with her teenage son, trying to finally get to the bottom of her sisters disappearance over 30 years ago. But the more she discovers the darker the answers become. What became of Nina and are Jess and Ollie safe now?!
I really did enjoy this story it’s a solid 3.5 read. But I found the twists a bit predictable.
I’m not a huge cult thriller fan and I don’t know this is original enough to help change my opinion of this thriller trope.
Well written though and a nice quick read!
I really did enjoy this story it’s a solid 3.5 read. But I found the twists a bit predictable.
I’m not a huge cult thriller fan and I don’t know this is original enough to help change my opinion of this thriller trope.
Well written though and a nice quick read!
July 11, 2026
Jess returns to London from Australia, after bones found in a backyard closely resemble those of her missing sister. But how did Nina disappear and what happened to her in the end?
I guarantee you will be as hooked into this book as I was. There was more story thrown in the more I read too, so I could never predict the way it was going to go. Loved the dual timelines so we could see the before and follow Jess in the after section. Cleverly written, I highly recommend this one to all my fellow thriller lovers.
I guarantee you will be as hooked into this book as I was. There was more story thrown in the more I read too, so I could never predict the way it was going to go. Loved the dual timelines so we could see the before and follow Jess in the after section. Cleverly written, I highly recommend this one to all my fellow thriller lovers.
June 29, 2026
Another unputdownable domestic thriller from Emma Babbington that had me guessing until the very end. A number of the characters in this book - Marcus, Lillian, Adam and Mary (just to name a few) gave me shivers down my spine. The inclusion of the cult Chistledown was believable and realistic. The characters were so well developed and thought out, and there were so many twists and turns I didn’t know what to expect next. I was so invested in finding out what happened to Nina so that Jess, her mum and Ollie could have closure, and it really made me think about the families that have had similar experiences of missing loved ones and not knowing what happened to them.
June 6, 2026
I know the majority of people loved this book, but sadly it wasn’t one of my favourites. Human remains have been discovered in the gardens of Jess’s former home. Her sister Nina went missing decades earlier so Jess flies back from Sydney with her son Ollie to see if the mystery of Nina’s disappearance can finally be solved. This is a mystery that goes between past and present but for me the tension wasn’t quite there and the ending was a bit of a let down. Thank you to NetGalley, HQ and the author for the chance to review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There are books that quietly creep under your skin… and then there are books that dig up the entire damn garden and leave you emotionally pacing your kitchen at midnight questioning every character decision like you’re suddenly employed by Scotland Yard.
Emma Babbington’s The Gardens absolutely buried me in secrets, grief, manipulation, and that deliciously unsettling feeling that nobody in this story should be trusted for even a single second. HQ Digital, thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the gifted ARC.
This story starts with human bones being discovered in the shared garden of a glamorous London home, and honestly? That alone already had me fully sat with coffee in hand and zero plans to be productive. Jess McIntyre returns from Australia with her teenage son Ollie after learning the remains may belong to her sister Nina, who vanished back in 1992 after becoming involved with a mysterious group of charismatic squatters tied to a cult-like community. And from there this book just keeps tightening the screws.
What I loved most is that this doesn’t rely on cheap shock value. It’s atmospheric in that slow-burn, deeply human way where the tension comes from memory, family dysfunction, buried resentment, and the terrifying realization that the people closest to us are often the ones keeping the darkest secrets. Willow Gardens feels beautiful on the surface, but underneath? Rot. Emotional rot everywhere. My favorite kind of thriller setting honestly.
Jess felt incredibly grounded and believable to me. She’s grieving multiple versions of her life at once—her missing sister, her dead husband, the childhood she can’t quite make peace with—and that emotional weight gave the mystery real depth. Ollie also added such an important layer because his presence constantly reminded you what was at stake while Jess unraveled the past.
And Nina’s storyline? Whew. The cult element was handled so well because it wasn’t over-the-top theatrical nonsense. It felt disturbingly plausible. The kind of manipulation that sneaks in slowly under the disguise of belonging, freedom, friendship, and purpose. Those sections genuinely unsettled me in the best way.
The dual timelines worked beautifully here, and every time I thought I had the mystery figured out, this book basically looked me dead in the eye and said, “Cute theory. Anyway…” I kept changing suspects every few chapters like I was rotating shifts in an emotional support conspiracy group.
“Some bodies are best left buried.”
Yeah. About that. Apparently my sanity was buried right alongside them.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is the kind of thriller I’d hand to someone who loves layered domestic suspense, emotionally messy families, cult dynamics, missing persons mysteries, and stories where the setting feels alive enough to become its own character. If Lisa Jewell-style tension mixed with eerie nostalgia and simmering psychological unease is your thing, you need this on your radar immediately.
Also can we talk about how books with beautiful gardens are never actually about gardening? At this point if a thriller mentions flowers, hedges, or an idyllic courtyard, I immediately assume somebody’s about to uncover trauma and/or a skeleton.
Have you ever read a thriller where the atmosphere unsettled you more than the actual murder mystery? Because this one absolutely got into my head.
#TheGardens #EmmaBabbington #NetGalley #BookReview #PsychologicalThriller #DomesticThriller #MysteryThriller #ThrillerBooks #Bookstagram #BooksCoffeeBrews #CultThriller #SuspenseReads #GeneralFiction #HQDigital #LisaJewellVibes #DarkFiction #CurrentlyReading #BookLover #ReadersOfInstagram #TwistyThril
Emma Babbington’s The Gardens absolutely buried me in secrets, grief, manipulation, and that deliciously unsettling feeling that nobody in this story should be trusted for even a single second. HQ Digital, thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the gifted ARC.
This story starts with human bones being discovered in the shared garden of a glamorous London home, and honestly? That alone already had me fully sat with coffee in hand and zero plans to be productive. Jess McIntyre returns from Australia with her teenage son Ollie after learning the remains may belong to her sister Nina, who vanished back in 1992 after becoming involved with a mysterious group of charismatic squatters tied to a cult-like community. And from there this book just keeps tightening the screws.
What I loved most is that this doesn’t rely on cheap shock value. It’s atmospheric in that slow-burn, deeply human way where the tension comes from memory, family dysfunction, buried resentment, and the terrifying realization that the people closest to us are often the ones keeping the darkest secrets. Willow Gardens feels beautiful on the surface, but underneath? Rot. Emotional rot everywhere. My favorite kind of thriller setting honestly.
Jess felt incredibly grounded and believable to me. She’s grieving multiple versions of her life at once—her missing sister, her dead husband, the childhood she can’t quite make peace with—and that emotional weight gave the mystery real depth. Ollie also added such an important layer because his presence constantly reminded you what was at stake while Jess unraveled the past.
And Nina’s storyline? Whew. The cult element was handled so well because it wasn’t over-the-top theatrical nonsense. It felt disturbingly plausible. The kind of manipulation that sneaks in slowly under the disguise of belonging, freedom, friendship, and purpose. Those sections genuinely unsettled me in the best way.
The dual timelines worked beautifully here, and every time I thought I had the mystery figured out, this book basically looked me dead in the eye and said, “Cute theory. Anyway…” I kept changing suspects every few chapters like I was rotating shifts in an emotional support conspiracy group.
“Some bodies are best left buried.”
Yeah. About that. Apparently my sanity was buried right alongside them.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is the kind of thriller I’d hand to someone who loves layered domestic suspense, emotionally messy families, cult dynamics, missing persons mysteries, and stories where the setting feels alive enough to become its own character. If Lisa Jewell-style tension mixed with eerie nostalgia and simmering psychological unease is your thing, you need this on your radar immediately.
Also can we talk about how books with beautiful gardens are never actually about gardening? At this point if a thriller mentions flowers, hedges, or an idyllic courtyard, I immediately assume somebody’s about to uncover trauma and/or a skeleton.
Have you ever read a thriller where the atmosphere unsettled you more than the actual murder mystery? Because this one absolutely got into my head.
#TheGardens #EmmaBabbington #NetGalley #BookReview #PsychologicalThriller #DomesticThriller #MysteryThriller #ThrillerBooks #Bookstagram #BooksCoffeeBrews #CultThriller #SuspenseReads #GeneralFiction #HQDigital #LisaJewellVibes #DarkFiction #CurrentlyReading #BookLover #ReadersOfInstagram #TwistyThril
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Gardens by Emma Babbington is a highly recommended psychological thriller following bones found in a garden and a story that is told through two timelines, past and present.
Thirty-four years ago, in 1992, Jess McIntyre's eighteen-year-old sister, Nina, disappeared, and was presumed dead. Now Jess, who lives in Australia, receives the news that bones have been found under the shed in the garden of her childhood London home and they are though the be Nina's. Jess and her fifteen-year-old son Ollie, return to London to give DNA samples to the police and finally clean-up and sell the home since her mother is now living with them after her father died. Jess can also provide the police information on what she remembers at that time when she was sixteen and Nina disappeared.
Alternating chapters go back in time and follow a cult, Chisledown, up to the time of Nina's disappearance. Chisledown is lead by Mary, who adopted the children she brought in and purported that they were a learning community, but, as expected in any cult in a novel, that was not the case. As time went on, Mary became more of a dictator, manipulating everything to suit her. An unnamed male narrator tells the readers the events of Chisledown. Eventually the two story lines have a connection.
This is a well-written thriller that starts out at an even pace, with new information disclosed later in the plot which allows the pace and subsequent tension to quickly pick up. Jess is recalling events from years ago, so her memories are that of a younger sister. She does remember a group of young squatters in the house next door and how they all became friends with Nina. This piecemeal memory leads to more information and connections that the police didn't make, or apparently try to unravel, thirty-four years earlier.
Generally, I'm not a fan of novels that use cults as a device to move the plot forward. The connections to Chisledown and Nina's disappearance are not immediately apparent, so those chapters early on in the novel actually, for me, detracted from the present day concern over the identification of the bones and the reopening of Nina's case. I had no reason to care as I was there to read a psychological thriller and discover the identity of bones found on a property.
Jess is a believable, sympathetic character who has been placed into an extremely stressful situation. She has been living in Australia for years, is a widow, and is raising her son alone. Her mother moved down under a couple years earlier. Now she is revisiting her grief from years earlier, which opens up all the emotions again, and she wants closure and an answer to what happened to Nina. Ollie is written as a typical teen. The other supporting characters, including the neighbor and police, are all believable.
As everything begins to be revealed and connected, the pace picks up, along with the suspense, tension, and sense of dread. With all the twists and new revelations toward the end of the novel, it does become a more compelling read. Some of the twists may be predicted ahead of time, but several will be a surprise.
The Gardens is a good choice for anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers and will appreciate a tie in to a cult in the plot. Thanks to HQ/HarperCollins for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2026/0...
Thirty-four years ago, in 1992, Jess McIntyre's eighteen-year-old sister, Nina, disappeared, and was presumed dead. Now Jess, who lives in Australia, receives the news that bones have been found under the shed in the garden of her childhood London home and they are though the be Nina's. Jess and her fifteen-year-old son Ollie, return to London to give DNA samples to the police and finally clean-up and sell the home since her mother is now living with them after her father died. Jess can also provide the police information on what she remembers at that time when she was sixteen and Nina disappeared.
Alternating chapters go back in time and follow a cult, Chisledown, up to the time of Nina's disappearance. Chisledown is lead by Mary, who adopted the children she brought in and purported that they were a learning community, but, as expected in any cult in a novel, that was not the case. As time went on, Mary became more of a dictator, manipulating everything to suit her. An unnamed male narrator tells the readers the events of Chisledown. Eventually the two story lines have a connection.
This is a well-written thriller that starts out at an even pace, with new information disclosed later in the plot which allows the pace and subsequent tension to quickly pick up. Jess is recalling events from years ago, so her memories are that of a younger sister. She does remember a group of young squatters in the house next door and how they all became friends with Nina. This piecemeal memory leads to more information and connections that the police didn't make, or apparently try to unravel, thirty-four years earlier.
Generally, I'm not a fan of novels that use cults as a device to move the plot forward. The connections to Chisledown and Nina's disappearance are not immediately apparent, so those chapters early on in the novel actually, for me, detracted from the present day concern over the identification of the bones and the reopening of Nina's case. I had no reason to care as I was there to read a psychological thriller and discover the identity of bones found on a property.
Jess is a believable, sympathetic character who has been placed into an extremely stressful situation. She has been living in Australia for years, is a widow, and is raising her son alone. Her mother moved down under a couple years earlier. Now she is revisiting her grief from years earlier, which opens up all the emotions again, and she wants closure and an answer to what happened to Nina. Ollie is written as a typical teen. The other supporting characters, including the neighbor and police, are all believable.
As everything begins to be revealed and connected, the pace picks up, along with the suspense, tension, and sense of dread. With all the twists and new revelations toward the end of the novel, it does become a more compelling read. Some of the twists may be predicted ahead of time, but several will be a surprise.
The Gardens is a good choice for anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers and will appreciate a tie in to a cult in the plot. Thanks to HQ/HarperCollins for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2026/0...
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Gardens was a really engaging slow-burn psychological thriller with an atmosphere that quietly crept under my skin the further I read.
The story follows Jess McIntyre, returning to London from Australia after human bones are discovered in the shared gardens of her childhood home. The remains may belong to her sister Nina, who disappeared back in 1992 after becoming involved with a mysterious, cult-like friendship group living nearby. From there, the story slowly unravels decades of buried secrets, grief, manipulation, and family dysfunction.
One thing I really appreciated is that, despite being a thriller with cult themes, it never felt overly theatrical or heavy-handed to me. I’m actually not the biggest fan of cult-focused thrillers because they can sometimes lean too exaggerated or cliché, but Emma Babbington approached that aspect in a much more grounded and psychological way. The manipulation felt subtle, believable, and far more unsettling because of it. You could genuinely understand how someone could slowly get pulled into that world.
The dual timelines and multiple viewpoints worked really well too. I liked gradually piecing together the events surrounding Nina’s disappearance alongside the present-day investigation into the body discovered in the gardens. Even when I suspected certain twists ahead of time, I was still completely invested in seeing how everything fell into place.
What worked most for me was the atmosphere and overall feeling throughout the story. There’s this lingering sense that something isn’t quite right, and it made every interaction feel layered with tension and mistrust. Willow Gardens had the perfect thriller setting too, beautiful and polished on the surface while slowly unearthing secrets that refused to stay buried.
While the pacing occasionally slowed for me in parts, overall this was a strong and very readable domestic psychological thriller.
Definitely one to pick up if you enjoy dark, layered domestic suspense, cold case mysteries, emotionally messy families, and haunting slow-burn atmospheres.
3.5⭐️
Thank you to HQ Digital and NetGalley for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The story follows Jess McIntyre, returning to London from Australia after human bones are discovered in the shared gardens of her childhood home. The remains may belong to her sister Nina, who disappeared back in 1992 after becoming involved with a mysterious, cult-like friendship group living nearby. From there, the story slowly unravels decades of buried secrets, grief, manipulation, and family dysfunction.
One thing I really appreciated is that, despite being a thriller with cult themes, it never felt overly theatrical or heavy-handed to me. I’m actually not the biggest fan of cult-focused thrillers because they can sometimes lean too exaggerated or cliché, but Emma Babbington approached that aspect in a much more grounded and psychological way. The manipulation felt subtle, believable, and far more unsettling because of it. You could genuinely understand how someone could slowly get pulled into that world.
The dual timelines and multiple viewpoints worked really well too. I liked gradually piecing together the events surrounding Nina’s disappearance alongside the present-day investigation into the body discovered in the gardens. Even when I suspected certain twists ahead of time, I was still completely invested in seeing how everything fell into place.
What worked most for me was the atmosphere and overall feeling throughout the story. There’s this lingering sense that something isn’t quite right, and it made every interaction feel layered with tension and mistrust. Willow Gardens had the perfect thriller setting too, beautiful and polished on the surface while slowly unearthing secrets that refused to stay buried.
While the pacing occasionally slowed for me in parts, overall this was a strong and very readable domestic psychological thriller.
Definitely one to pick up if you enjoy dark, layered domestic suspense, cold case mysteries, emotionally messy families, and haunting slow-burn atmospheres.
3.5⭐️
Thank you to HQ Digital and NetGalley for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Gardens is a beautifully tense, slow‑burn mystery that pulls you straight into its shadowed corners from the very first page. When human remains are unearthed in the garden of her childhood home, Jess McIntyre is forced to confront the truth she’s been dreading for more than three decades: that her sister Nina, who vanished in the summer of ’92, may finally have been found.
Jess’s return to London—grief‑tinged, reluctant, and accompanied by her teenage son—sets the tone for a story steeped in memory and unease. The contrast between her quiet life in Australia and the charged atmosphere of Willow Gardens is striking, and the novel makes brilliant use of that tension. Every street, every house, every familiar face seems to hold a fragment of the past, just out of reach.
As Jess begins to unravel what really happened to Nina, the narrative slips between timelines with a deft, unsettling rhythm. The world Nina fell into—charismatic friends, a vacant house, whispers of a cult—feels both intoxicating and dangerous, the kind of place where a young woman could disappear without anyone noticing until it’s far too late. The more Jess uncovers, the more the story tightens, revealing layers of manipulation, secrecy, and the kind of loyalty that curdles into something darker.
What makes the novel so compelling is its emotional core. Jess’s grief is quiet but constant, and her determination to finally understand her sister’s fate gives the story a steady, aching heartbeat. The relationship with her son adds warmth and grounding, a reminder of what she still has to protect even as she digs into the past.
Atmospheric, haunting, and deeply human, The Gardens is a gripping exploration of family, memory, and the dangerous allure of belonging. A chilling, beautifully written mystery that lingers long after the final page.
With thanks to Emma Babbington, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Jess’s return to London—grief‑tinged, reluctant, and accompanied by her teenage son—sets the tone for a story steeped in memory and unease. The contrast between her quiet life in Australia and the charged atmosphere of Willow Gardens is striking, and the novel makes brilliant use of that tension. Every street, every house, every familiar face seems to hold a fragment of the past, just out of reach.
As Jess begins to unravel what really happened to Nina, the narrative slips between timelines with a deft, unsettling rhythm. The world Nina fell into—charismatic friends, a vacant house, whispers of a cult—feels both intoxicating and dangerous, the kind of place where a young woman could disappear without anyone noticing until it’s far too late. The more Jess uncovers, the more the story tightens, revealing layers of manipulation, secrecy, and the kind of loyalty that curdles into something darker.
What makes the novel so compelling is its emotional core. Jess’s grief is quiet but constant, and her determination to finally understand her sister’s fate gives the story a steady, aching heartbeat. The relationship with her son adds warmth and grounding, a reminder of what she still has to protect even as she digs into the past.
Atmospheric, haunting, and deeply human, The Gardens is a gripping exploration of family, memory, and the dangerous allure of belonging. A chilling, beautifully written mystery that lingers long after the final page.
With thanks to Emma Babbington, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Gardens
By Emma Babbington
4 ⭐️
It might look idyllic, but the secrets buried there are deadly …
When human bones are found in the garden of Jess McIntyre’s childhood home in Willow Gardens, she prepares herself for receiving the news her family have been dreading for decades. Her sister, Nina, has been missing for 34 years … is this the proof that she has been so close to home all this time?
In 1992, Nina disappeared without a trace after she became friends with a charismatic group of people who were squatting in the vacant house within Willow Gardens. Jess had to move on; she got married, became a mum, moved to Australia. But Nina has never been far from her thoughts.
Jess arrives back in London to give a DNA sample and alongside her teenage son, Ollie, she begins her own re-investigation into Nina’s disappearance. They didn’t trust the police then and she is worried to trust them now. As ghosts of the past come to the surface, Jess and Ollie risk their own safety trying to get answers. They may find that some secrets are best left buried …
The majority of the book is told in the present through Jess’ experience, however, occasional chapters - titled ‘before’ - are told by an unknown character. I was surprised at who this was and their part within the story. Not often a lover of ‘cult’ involved books but this is really different and I think more present than we know. The characters within the book are excellent and I adored the relationship between Jess and Ollie and they have been so well developed by EB to be realistic and dynamic.
An atmospheric, twisty domestic thriller which covers deep topics including family relationships, coercive behaviour and a living cult. I think you are best going into this blind so don’t do too much reading!!
Thank you to NetGallery, Harper Collins and Emma Babbington for the ARC of this book.
By Emma Babbington
4 ⭐️
It might look idyllic, but the secrets buried there are deadly …
When human bones are found in the garden of Jess McIntyre’s childhood home in Willow Gardens, she prepares herself for receiving the news her family have been dreading for decades. Her sister, Nina, has been missing for 34 years … is this the proof that she has been so close to home all this time?
In 1992, Nina disappeared without a trace after she became friends with a charismatic group of people who were squatting in the vacant house within Willow Gardens. Jess had to move on; she got married, became a mum, moved to Australia. But Nina has never been far from her thoughts.
Jess arrives back in London to give a DNA sample and alongside her teenage son, Ollie, she begins her own re-investigation into Nina’s disappearance. They didn’t trust the police then and she is worried to trust them now. As ghosts of the past come to the surface, Jess and Ollie risk their own safety trying to get answers. They may find that some secrets are best left buried …
The majority of the book is told in the present through Jess’ experience, however, occasional chapters - titled ‘before’ - are told by an unknown character. I was surprised at who this was and their part within the story. Not often a lover of ‘cult’ involved books but this is really different and I think more present than we know. The characters within the book are excellent and I adored the relationship between Jess and Ollie and they have been so well developed by EB to be realistic and dynamic.
An atmospheric, twisty domestic thriller which covers deep topics including family relationships, coercive behaviour and a living cult. I think you are best going into this blind so don’t do too much reading!!
Thank you to NetGallery, Harper Collins and Emma Babbington for the ARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was going through one of those phases of not being able to find a book that really captured my attention when I read Emma Babbington’s The Gardens. And PING – just like that – I was staying awake until 2am, promising myself I’d put the book down once I finished the next chapter, then the next, then the next.
The plot of The Gardens centres around Jess, a widowed mum from London, living in Australia, whose half-sister Nina went missing in the UK when Jess was a child. When human remains are found in the garden of the house where Jess, her parents, and on occasion Nina, lived at the time, Jess hops on a plane back to London in the hope of laying the mystery that has plagued her family for decades, to rest.
Starting with a great premise, you might be fooled into believing this is a standard murder-mystery but oh my, it absolutely isn’t. What follows once Jess returns to London is a reveal of layer upon layer of past secrets where Emma Babbington sends the reader off on a multitude of possibilities as to what the truth is. With the turn of every page, I felt certain I’d figured out what was really happening. Not once did I get it right.
The characters, particularly Jess and her teenage son, are skilfully developed, plotlines include a sinister cult, a wanted criminal who may be stalking Jess and the mystery of her wealthy neighbour who Jess is convinced is hiding his elderly father in the flat upstairs. Then there are the chapters from the POV of an unknown narrator. Not to brag, but I do have an uncanny knack of guessing endings. The Gardens completely blindsided me. It is a hugely entertaining and highly engaging read with great depth and fabulous pacing. This book will keep you awake at night for all the right reasons.
Thanks to the author for providing an advance copy.
The plot of The Gardens centres around Jess, a widowed mum from London, living in Australia, whose half-sister Nina went missing in the UK when Jess was a child. When human remains are found in the garden of the house where Jess, her parents, and on occasion Nina, lived at the time, Jess hops on a plane back to London in the hope of laying the mystery that has plagued her family for decades, to rest.
Starting with a great premise, you might be fooled into believing this is a standard murder-mystery but oh my, it absolutely isn’t. What follows once Jess returns to London is a reveal of layer upon layer of past secrets where Emma Babbington sends the reader off on a multitude of possibilities as to what the truth is. With the turn of every page, I felt certain I’d figured out what was really happening. Not once did I get it right.
The characters, particularly Jess and her teenage son, are skilfully developed, plotlines include a sinister cult, a wanted criminal who may be stalking Jess and the mystery of her wealthy neighbour who Jess is convinced is hiding his elderly father in the flat upstairs. Then there are the chapters from the POV of an unknown narrator. Not to brag, but I do have an uncanny knack of guessing endings. The Gardens completely blindsided me. It is a hugely entertaining and highly engaging read with great depth and fabulous pacing. This book will keep you awake at night for all the right reasons.
Thanks to the author for providing an advance copy.
June 27, 2026
The recently widowed Jess McIntyre, and her son Ollie (15), flies from Sydney to London to pack up her family's long-time home in Willow Gardens on the edge of Hampstead Heath. She has never stopped grieving for her lost sister, Nina, who disappeared mysteriously in 1994 after being involved in a cult-like community near the New Forest. When bones are dug up from Willow Gardens. Jess fears the remains belong to Nina and a new investigation is opened into her sister's disappearance.
The Gardens is a quietly unsettling novel that carries an undercurrent of sadness through Jess's first person narrative. Jess is also grieving for her husband, deceased two years before, as well as her father; and on top of those traumas she is worried about her spirited son who has been expelled from his school in Sydney. When she is not working with police to unravel Nina's fate, she is trying to keep Ollie safe.
The Gardens appealed to me not only for the sharpness of the writing and the compelling voice of Jess, but also for its exploration of the insideous ways in which cult followers can be exploited, financially, physically and psychologically. I like a thriller that does more than thrill - and in the character of Mary, we get a glimpse into the mindset of a cult leader and the dire consequences for those who get in to the cult life too deep, and stay too long.
The whole time I was reading the novel I was impressed with Sydney-based Emma Babbington's detailed knowledge of London, in particular the areas around Hampstead Heath, right down to the bus routes. In her author's note she reveals that she grew up in the area, and still feels nostalgic for the happy times she had with family and friends on the heath.
I highly recommend The Gardens for readers who prefer thriller novels without graphic violence, but appreciate intelligent social and psychological themes.
The Gardens is a quietly unsettling novel that carries an undercurrent of sadness through Jess's first person narrative. Jess is also grieving for her husband, deceased two years before, as well as her father; and on top of those traumas she is worried about her spirited son who has been expelled from his school in Sydney. When she is not working with police to unravel Nina's fate, she is trying to keep Ollie safe.
The Gardens appealed to me not only for the sharpness of the writing and the compelling voice of Jess, but also for its exploration of the insideous ways in which cult followers can be exploited, financially, physically and psychologically. I like a thriller that does more than thrill - and in the character of Mary, we get a glimpse into the mindset of a cult leader and the dire consequences for those who get in to the cult life too deep, and stay too long.
The whole time I was reading the novel I was impressed with Sydney-based Emma Babbington's detailed knowledge of London, in particular the areas around Hampstead Heath, right down to the bus routes. In her author's note she reveals that she grew up in the area, and still feels nostalgic for the happy times she had with family and friends on the heath.
I highly recommend The Gardens for readers who prefer thriller novels without graphic violence, but appreciate intelligent social and psychological themes.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Jess McIntyre's older sister Nina's been missing for over 34 years, since she was a teenager. Jess and her mother are still grieving, hoping against hope that Nina - or her body - will eventually be found so they can put to rest this aching, unending grief. Such an awful situation to live with.
The police at the time of Nina's disappearance seemed unhelpful, and Jess (now widowed) and teenage son Ollie eventually moved to Australia to get away from their bad memories, and her mother is also now there. Out of the blue a phone call comes from the British police. Bones have been found in their old back yard during a garden renovation, and they need a DNA sample from Jess...
What a spectacular beginning to what becomes a slow-burning mystery. Jess and Ollie fly to London to begin the hopeful procedure with the police, this time meeting with people who seem more inclined to assist them now there appears to be a lead in her sister's cold case.
Ollie is between schools, somewhat of a genius but also a rebel. His behaviour in London, although well meaning, is also very 'teenagery' and leads to more tense situations that magnify in menace as Nina's back story begins to unfold. There is more to Nina's disappearance that Jess ever knew. Infinitely more, and that same danger now begins to extend to Jess and Ollie as connections are made.
This was a hold-your-breath story, the past revealing itself in unbelievable ways, with slow menace and long memories. All is not what it seems. Secrets and lies are held very close to the chest - and people don't want Jess to learn a thing. The truth, when it comes, is shocking.
Thankyou HQ Books and Harlequin Australia for the advance reading copy. Thoroughly enjoyable and very unputdownable!
The police at the time of Nina's disappearance seemed unhelpful, and Jess (now widowed) and teenage son Ollie eventually moved to Australia to get away from their bad memories, and her mother is also now there. Out of the blue a phone call comes from the British police. Bones have been found in their old back yard during a garden renovation, and they need a DNA sample from Jess...
What a spectacular beginning to what becomes a slow-burning mystery. Jess and Ollie fly to London to begin the hopeful procedure with the police, this time meeting with people who seem more inclined to assist them now there appears to be a lead in her sister's cold case.
Ollie is between schools, somewhat of a genius but also a rebel. His behaviour in London, although well meaning, is also very 'teenagery' and leads to more tense situations that magnify in menace as Nina's back story begins to unfold. There is more to Nina's disappearance that Jess ever knew. Infinitely more, and that same danger now begins to extend to Jess and Ollie as connections are made.
This was a hold-your-breath story, the past revealing itself in unbelievable ways, with slow menace and long memories. All is not what it seems. Secrets and lies are held very close to the chest - and people don't want Jess to learn a thing. The truth, when it comes, is shocking.
Thankyou HQ Books and Harlequin Australia for the advance reading copy. Thoroughly enjoyable and very unputdownable!
August 25, 2026
The Gardens — Emma Babbington
⭐️ 4.5 stars
The twists were twisting and the cult was culting and I had such a good time with this one.
The Gardens is one of those books where the less you know going in, the better. There are secrets layered upon secrets, complicated relationships and plenty of moments that had me questioning exactly who I could trust. What I particularly loved, though, was how much grey there was. People aren’t easily divided into heroes and villains, and even once answers begin to emerge, everything isn’t suddenly tied up in a neat moral bow.
Jess was a fantastic protagonist. I especially appreciated the way motherhood was portrayed through her relationship with her son. She loves him fiercely and recognises when he’s struggling, but she also doesn’t view him through rose-coloured glasses or excuse every choice he makes. Their relationship felt loving, imperfect and very real.
That was probably one of the book’s greatest strengths for me overall: the relationships are complex without feeling unnecessarily complicated. Everyone feels like they’re carrying their own history, loyalties and motivations, and I found myself genuinely caring about what happened to these people.
And then there are the Gardens themselves. I could picture the setting so clearly that, despite everything happening there, part of me still wanted it to be a real place I could wander into.
There are some genuinely sad moments here too, and by the end I found myself unexpectedly emotional about certain characters and the choices they’d made. Some of those final revelations really stayed with me.
Twisty, atmospheric, morally grey and surprisingly moving. This was my first Emma Babbington, but it definitely won’t be my last.
Gifted by the publisher. All thoughts are my
⭐️ 4.5 stars
The twists were twisting and the cult was culting and I had such a good time with this one.
The Gardens is one of those books where the less you know going in, the better. There are secrets layered upon secrets, complicated relationships and plenty of moments that had me questioning exactly who I could trust. What I particularly loved, though, was how much grey there was. People aren’t easily divided into heroes and villains, and even once answers begin to emerge, everything isn’t suddenly tied up in a neat moral bow.
Jess was a fantastic protagonist. I especially appreciated the way motherhood was portrayed through her relationship with her son. She loves him fiercely and recognises when he’s struggling, but she also doesn’t view him through rose-coloured glasses or excuse every choice he makes. Their relationship felt loving, imperfect and very real.
That was probably one of the book’s greatest strengths for me overall: the relationships are complex without feeling unnecessarily complicated. Everyone feels like they’re carrying their own history, loyalties and motivations, and I found myself genuinely caring about what happened to these people.
And then there are the Gardens themselves. I could picture the setting so clearly that, despite everything happening there, part of me still wanted it to be a real place I could wander into.
There are some genuinely sad moments here too, and by the end I found myself unexpectedly emotional about certain characters and the choices they’d made. Some of those final revelations really stayed with me.
Twisty, atmospheric, morally grey and surprisingly moving. This was my first Emma Babbington, but it definitely won’t be my last.
Gifted by the publisher. All thoughts are my
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a decent read, centered on Jess, who returns to her childhood home when human bones are discovered in her backyard that seem likely to be tied to the disappearance of her sister Nina 30 years prior. Jess brings along her son Ollie and together they dive into her childhood while waiting to hear the results of the testing on the remains. What starts out as a murder mystery turns into more, as Jess realizes that Nina's friends have ties to a mysterious communal living situation that may or may not be some kind of cult. The story goes back and forth between past and present and also contains some chapters told by an unknown narrator.
Jess was a likable character and I thought her decisions made sense, for the most part. The dynamic between Jess and Ollie felt real , as did Jess's desperation to find out what happened to her sister and her grief over the death of her husband. I don't have a whole lot of interest in cults but the mystery around what was really going on was interesting to me, and I also found the squatter storyline unique. The reader is introduced to a lot of characters as Jess digs deeper into Nina's past but it wasn't hard to keep everyone straight. The story became increasingly tense as it continued and there were some good twists as the mystery unraveled. While I thought the ending was OK, I was left a little confused with both the actions and the intentions of some of the characters.
Overall, this book ended up being different than I expected, but I liked where it went. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Jess was a likable character and I thought her decisions made sense, for the most part. The dynamic between Jess and Ollie felt real , as did Jess's desperation to find out what happened to her sister and her grief over the death of her husband. I don't have a whole lot of interest in cults but the mystery around what was really going on was interesting to me, and I also found the squatter storyline unique. The reader is introduced to a lot of characters as Jess digs deeper into Nina's past but it wasn't hard to keep everyone straight. The story became increasingly tense as it continued and there were some good twists as the mystery unraveled. While I thought the ending was OK, I was left a little confused with both the actions and the intentions of some of the characters.
Overall, this book ended up being different than I expected, but I liked where it went. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 24, 2026
Okay you know how some books have those “flashback” chapters that intertwine with the present day narrative, and from the beginning it all makes sense and ties in nicely? Yeah this isn’t that.
From the start I was so confused by these “before” chapters trying to figure out how they fit in with the story of the body being found in a London garden. Who is the narrator? Is it male or female? What role do they play? And it irked me. BUT boy oh boy, once it clicked I had to do a double take. BUT WAIT FOLKS BECAUSE THATS NOT ALL. There’s a second reveal that ties the before chapters with Jess’ chapters. And I did not see it coming.
Anyway. This is, unintentionally, the second thriller I’ve read recently with a cult storyline, and both took a different path - this one more realistic than the last but both still good. It has some interesting characters- the cult member turned influencer, the rich downstairs neighbour hellbent on buying Jess’ parents flat (and we do learn why he is so desperate for it), Jess’ son who appears to be a 15 year old tech whizz who falls in with the wrong crowds, and then the “before character.” Obviously there’s Jess, but as a main character something about her bugged me…
If you can accept that the “before” chapters will eventually make sense and reveal a whole lot, this is a book to read on holiday, or in front of the fire on a lazy day. But if you want something with an ending that makes you throw the book down in frustration/shock/amazement then pock something else. Yes it was enjoyable. Yes I wanted to know what happened. But I just didn’t find myself desperate to keep picking it back up…
From the start I was so confused by these “before” chapters trying to figure out how they fit in with the story of the body being found in a London garden. Who is the narrator? Is it male or female? What role do they play? And it irked me. BUT boy oh boy, once it clicked I had to do a double take. BUT WAIT FOLKS BECAUSE THATS NOT ALL. There’s a second reveal that ties the before chapters with Jess’ chapters. And I did not see it coming.
Anyway. This is, unintentionally, the second thriller I’ve read recently with a cult storyline, and both took a different path - this one more realistic than the last but both still good. It has some interesting characters- the cult member turned influencer, the rich downstairs neighbour hellbent on buying Jess’ parents flat (and we do learn why he is so desperate for it), Jess’ son who appears to be a 15 year old tech whizz who falls in with the wrong crowds, and then the “before character.” Obviously there’s Jess, but as a main character something about her bugged me…
If you can accept that the “before” chapters will eventually make sense and reveal a whole lot, this is a book to read on holiday, or in front of the fire on a lazy day. But if you want something with an ending that makes you throw the book down in frustration/shock/amazement then pock something else. Yes it was enjoyable. Yes I wanted to know what happened. But I just didn’t find myself desperate to keep picking it back up…
June 17, 2026
When human bones are found in the garden attached to the glamorous London house where she grew up, Jess prepares to receive this news she has dreaded for years, that it’s her sister Nina. Nina disappeared without a trace the summer she fell in with a group of friends who squatted in a vacant house the other side of the London home. Jess returns to London from Australia where she now lives, to try and unravel what really happened to Nina.
This was my first book by this author but I was drawn to the cover and synopsis. This ended up being a pleasant surprise, in that it was a highly compelling, intricate mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed. Straight away I found myself invested in the story, feeling the unsettling atmosphere and slow burn suspense. Even though this was a slow moving book, it worked well for this story, helping create depth and build the backstory. Told in two timelines, the author did a great job at developing both and building a haunting, emotional read.
The characters were strongly written, even though Jess frustrated me slightly at times, feeling a bit overbearing. Saying that I could really picture her plight. The story kept me guessing and even though I predicated parts it did not impact the story at all. I did find that at times it became overly complex and felt dragged out, however for the most part, I found the story entertaining and interesting. This was a solid thriller overall and an author I will definitely read more of. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
This was my first book by this author but I was drawn to the cover and synopsis. This ended up being a pleasant surprise, in that it was a highly compelling, intricate mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed. Straight away I found myself invested in the story, feeling the unsettling atmosphere and slow burn suspense. Even though this was a slow moving book, it worked well for this story, helping create depth and build the backstory. Told in two timelines, the author did a great job at developing both and building a haunting, emotional read.
The characters were strongly written, even though Jess frustrated me slightly at times, feeling a bit overbearing. Saying that I could really picture her plight. The story kept me guessing and even though I predicated parts it did not impact the story at all. I did find that at times it became overly complex and felt dragged out, however for the most part, I found the story entertaining and interesting. This was a solid thriller overall and an author I will definitely read more of. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
August 10, 2026
Perfect for fans of Holly Craig, Jess Kitching and Lisa Jewell
Honestly, Emma Babbington had me at ‘cult’. There is something so intriguing and insidious about cults that they always make for a great psychological thriller. That combined with an unearthed body and long held family secrets, made for a compelling read that absolutely nailed the creeping sense of unease I look for in a thriller.
The Gardens is told through the perspectives of present-day Jess and an unknown narrator from the past - I thoroughly enjoyed this added element of intrigue. While at points I had an inkling of what was going on, I was never completely certain and was waiting for everything to unravel.
One of my favourite aspects was the mysterious nature surrounding the garden and the house. They almost become characters in their own right. I love stories that highlight how places and houses hold the secrets no one wants uncovered.
What Emma Babbington does especially well is her portrayal of the cult. Rather than presenting an over-the-top version of a cult, she captures the subtle, realistic manipulation that slowly draws people in before they even know what is happening. More than once in the beginning I found myself wondering “is this actually a cult?” and that thought is exactly what makes them so frightening.
Unfortunately the ending didn't quite land for me, not packing the punch it intended too. That said, I do love an ambiguous ending and it has kept me thinking about the book long after I have finished.
Thank you to the publishers at HQ for my gifted copy!
Honestly, Emma Babbington had me at ‘cult’. There is something so intriguing and insidious about cults that they always make for a great psychological thriller. That combined with an unearthed body and long held family secrets, made for a compelling read that absolutely nailed the creeping sense of unease I look for in a thriller.
The Gardens is told through the perspectives of present-day Jess and an unknown narrator from the past - I thoroughly enjoyed this added element of intrigue. While at points I had an inkling of what was going on, I was never completely certain and was waiting for everything to unravel.
One of my favourite aspects was the mysterious nature surrounding the garden and the house. They almost become characters in their own right. I love stories that highlight how places and houses hold the secrets no one wants uncovered.
What Emma Babbington does especially well is her portrayal of the cult. Rather than presenting an over-the-top version of a cult, she captures the subtle, realistic manipulation that slowly draws people in before they even know what is happening. More than once in the beginning I found myself wondering “is this actually a cult?” and that thought is exactly what makes them so frightening.
Unfortunately the ending didn't quite land for me, not packing the punch it intended too. That said, I do love an ambiguous ending and it has kept me thinking about the book long after I have finished.
Thank you to the publishers at HQ for my gifted copy!
September 8, 2026
The Gardens by Emma Babbington
Thoughts: This is the first book I’ve read by Emma, and I’ll definitely be picking up more of her books!
Set in London, the story begins when human remains are discovered, leading to an intriguing mystery that kept me hooked from the very beginning. I enjoyed this one, it was hard to put down, definitely in the first 60% of the book and each chapter left me wanting to keep reading to find out what would happen next! A gripping read with plenty to keep you guessing!
Thank you HQ Books for gifting me a copy of The Gardens in exchange for an honest review!
Synopsis: It might look idyllic, but the secrets buried there are deadly…
When human bones are found in the garden attached to the glamorous London home where she grew up, Jess McIntyre prepares to receive the news she has dreaded for thirty-four years: that her sister, Nina, is dead and now here is the proof.
Nina disappeared without a trace in 1992, aged eighteen, the summer she fell in with a charismatic group of friends who squatted in a vacant house on the other side of Willow Gardens.
Having moved to Australia years ago, widow and single mum Jess arrives back in London to provide a DNA sample to help the investigation, with her teenage son, Ollie, in tow.
As they try and unravel the secrets of Nina’s past, and her connection to a sinister cult, will they discover that some bodies are best left buried…?
Please check the content/trigger warnings prior to reading this book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thoughts: This is the first book I’ve read by Emma, and I’ll definitely be picking up more of her books!
Set in London, the story begins when human remains are discovered, leading to an intriguing mystery that kept me hooked from the very beginning. I enjoyed this one, it was hard to put down, definitely in the first 60% of the book and each chapter left me wanting to keep reading to find out what would happen next! A gripping read with plenty to keep you guessing!
Thank you HQ Books for gifting me a copy of The Gardens in exchange for an honest review!
Synopsis: It might look idyllic, but the secrets buried there are deadly…
When human bones are found in the garden attached to the glamorous London home where she grew up, Jess McIntyre prepares to receive the news she has dreaded for thirty-four years: that her sister, Nina, is dead and now here is the proof.
Nina disappeared without a trace in 1992, aged eighteen, the summer she fell in with a charismatic group of friends who squatted in a vacant house on the other side of Willow Gardens.
Having moved to Australia years ago, widow and single mum Jess arrives back in London to provide a DNA sample to help the investigation, with her teenage son, Ollie, in tow.
As they try and unravel the secrets of Nina’s past, and her connection to a sinister cult, will they discover that some bodies are best left buried…?
Please check the content/trigger warnings prior to reading this book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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