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Night Calls: A Thriller
A mother who has vanished into seclusion is forced to revisit her son’s heinous crimes in a haunting psychological thriller by the Edgar Award–winning author of
Or Else
.
Eight years ago, Hattie Conlee’s world was torn apart when her son, Tommy, was convicted of being a serial killer known as the Bedfellow. When Tommy escaped custody, he simply disappeared. So did Hattie. She changed her name and moved to a coastal town in Maine to build an anonymous new life. No one would find her here. Hattie couldn’t have been more wrong.
Now investigative journalist Ross Eeling has come calling. He agrees to keep Hattie’s new identity a secret on one Hattie tell him things she’s never told the vultures of the press before—about her son, the murders of so many innocent women, its impact on a devastated family, and the depths of a mother’s love. Ross wants the truth.
Dredging up the most painful moments of her life is a revelation for Hattie too. Because the past is more complicated and disturbing than she realizes. And its deadly repercussions are far from over.
Eight years ago, Hattie Conlee’s world was torn apart when her son, Tommy, was convicted of being a serial killer known as the Bedfellow. When Tommy escaped custody, he simply disappeared. So did Hattie. She changed her name and moved to a coastal town in Maine to build an anonymous new life. No one would find her here. Hattie couldn’t have been more wrong.
Now investigative journalist Ross Eeling has come calling. He agrees to keep Hattie’s new identity a secret on one Hattie tell him things she’s never told the vultures of the press before—about her son, the murders of so many innocent women, its impact on a devastated family, and the depths of a mother’s love. Ross wants the truth.
Dredging up the most painful moments of her life is a revelation for Hattie too. Because the past is more complicated and disturbing than she realizes. And its deadly repercussions are far from over.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 22, 2026
About the author
Joe Hart
45 books1,438 followersJoe Hart is the Edgar Award-winning and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of seventeen novels including The River Is Dark, Obscura, The Last Girl, and Or Else. His work has been optioned for film and translated into eight languages. He lives with his family in Minnesota.
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Night Calls by Joe Hart
Hattie Conlee has been in hiding for years. She had a different name but it's connected to her son, Tommy, who was convicted of heinous crimes, a son who should be in prison if he hadn't escaped, a son who she loves but also a son who scares her. Where did she go wrong to raise a son who would do all the horrible things he did. How can she live through the guilt of accepting that her son did these things when her heart wants to think he didn't do those things. Her husband couldn't handle it all anymore and now she is alone, truly alone, without a past that can be spoken of or admitted.
But now investigative journalist Ross Eeling has found Hattie and he threatens to destroy this new life that Hattie has created. Actually, anything he does could destroy this new life, a life that is so important to Hattie thanks to the relationship she has developed with her next door neighbors and their young son. That boy is so important to Hattie and she is so worried about him and tendencies that may be starting to express themselves. She wants to help the boy but she risks being kept out of his life if she makes even one wrong move.
It's not always clear to me that Hattie okay. She sees an owl often but then nothing is there. She also feels like someone is watching her and she often seems to lose track of time and place. Events in her life have made her fragile in many ways and there is no one at all she can talk to about all that weighs on her heart.
Now things have become very dangerous. Has her son found her? Hattie is so torn with not wanting her son to know where she is and with wanting to see her son again. But what will Hattie have if her friendship with her neighbors means she can never see her young neighbor again? And is anyone safe with her son still out there, possibly lurking nearby?
The oppressive atmosphere feels smothering, a feeling that makes me feel like this cannot go on, cannot be maintained. The grief is never-ending and since Hattie hears her husband talking to her, advising her, we can't be sure just how sound minded she is in her fragile emotional state. But it's up to Hattie to make sense of things going on, to stop something bad happening, or to find out who is doing what before what little she has left is lost. I was so wrapped up in Hattie and the emotions she carries in her heart and wanted her pain to be eased. We do get answers, we get some resolutions, but when they come they almost seem like too much happening, too many things had to go right to make things work for the one doing things wrong. I plan to read more of Joe Hart's books since I've enjoyed the two books of his I've read so far. There was so much to discuss with Jayme, Mary Beth and DeAnn, this is a great book to read with others, so be sure to check out their thoughts on this story.
Publication September 22, 2026
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this ARC
Hattie Conlee has been in hiding for years. She had a different name but it's connected to her son, Tommy, who was convicted of heinous crimes, a son who should be in prison if he hadn't escaped, a son who she loves but also a son who scares her. Where did she go wrong to raise a son who would do all the horrible things he did. How can she live through the guilt of accepting that her son did these things when her heart wants to think he didn't do those things. Her husband couldn't handle it all anymore and now she is alone, truly alone, without a past that can be spoken of or admitted.
But now investigative journalist Ross Eeling has found Hattie and he threatens to destroy this new life that Hattie has created. Actually, anything he does could destroy this new life, a life that is so important to Hattie thanks to the relationship she has developed with her next door neighbors and their young son. That boy is so important to Hattie and she is so worried about him and tendencies that may be starting to express themselves. She wants to help the boy but she risks being kept out of his life if she makes even one wrong move.
It's not always clear to me that Hattie okay. She sees an owl often but then nothing is there. She also feels like someone is watching her and she often seems to lose track of time and place. Events in her life have made her fragile in many ways and there is no one at all she can talk to about all that weighs on her heart.
Now things have become very dangerous. Has her son found her? Hattie is so torn with not wanting her son to know where she is and with wanting to see her son again. But what will Hattie have if her friendship with her neighbors means she can never see her young neighbor again? And is anyone safe with her son still out there, possibly lurking nearby?
The oppressive atmosphere feels smothering, a feeling that makes me feel like this cannot go on, cannot be maintained. The grief is never-ending and since Hattie hears her husband talking to her, advising her, we can't be sure just how sound minded she is in her fragile emotional state. But it's up to Hattie to make sense of things going on, to stop something bad happening, or to find out who is doing what before what little she has left is lost. I was so wrapped up in Hattie and the emotions she carries in her heart and wanted her pain to be eased. We do get answers, we get some resolutions, but when they come they almost seem like too much happening, too many things had to go right to make things work for the one doing things wrong. I plan to read more of Joe Hart's books since I've enjoyed the two books of his I've read so far. There was so much to discuss with Jayme, Mary Beth and DeAnn, this is a great book to read with others, so be sure to check out their thoughts on this story.
Publication September 22, 2026
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Even Serial Killers were someone’s child once…
Eight years ago, Hattie Conlee’s son, Tommy, was convicted of being a serial killer known as the Bedfellow but he escaped while being transferred to the facility where he would spend the rest of his life, and he hasn’t been seen since. As if that wasn’t devastating enough, she also lost her husband around the same time.
With no support system in place, Hattie did what she needed to do to survive-she disappeared too.
She changed her name to Mary and moved to a small coastal town in Maine where she hoped nobody would recognize her and nobody would find her. She assists an elderly man named Sloan with his grocery shopping and they have become friends. And, she has exchanged keys with the neighbors next door, whose child she babysits.
But, somehow, investigative journalist Ross Eeling has tracked her down, and he is threatening to destroy her newfound peace unless she consents to an interview. He agrees to keep Hattie’s new identity a secret IF she provides him with the answers he needs to write his book.
Surprisingly, SHE may actually learn more from him, than he learns from her.
Psychological Thrillers are driven by emotion, focusing on the minds and actions of the characters and this one is done really well. The atmosphere was often rainy, and Hattie often felt as if she was being watched by an Owl in the surrounding woods, adding to the Suspense and dread of this SLOW BURN story. It was interesting to explore the emotions of a Victim we don’t always meet-the parents who become ostracized from the lives they have built because of the actions of their children, and the story felt very credible for the first 75%.
Where the book loses a star, is in the final quarter, where it loses its HARD EARNED credibility, by taking things TOO FAR in the opposite direction, and failing to tie up a loose end with the reporter. I can’t say more as I don’t want to spoil this book for anyone else.
Despite this, I DO RECOMMEND this book, which kept me turning the pages late into the night. It was my first read by Joe Hart, but I was impressed and will definitely be checking out past and future titles.
Glad to have read this with Marilyn, Mary Beth and DeAnn as there was MUCH to discuss! Be sure to watch for their reviews.
AVAILABLE NOW!
Thank You to Thomas & Mercer for the gifted ARC provided by NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
Eight years ago, Hattie Conlee’s son, Tommy, was convicted of being a serial killer known as the Bedfellow but he escaped while being transferred to the facility where he would spend the rest of his life, and he hasn’t been seen since. As if that wasn’t devastating enough, she also lost her husband around the same time.
With no support system in place, Hattie did what she needed to do to survive-she disappeared too.
She changed her name to Mary and moved to a small coastal town in Maine where she hoped nobody would recognize her and nobody would find her. She assists an elderly man named Sloan with his grocery shopping and they have become friends. And, she has exchanged keys with the neighbors next door, whose child she babysits.
But, somehow, investigative journalist Ross Eeling has tracked her down, and he is threatening to destroy her newfound peace unless she consents to an interview. He agrees to keep Hattie’s new identity a secret IF she provides him with the answers he needs to write his book.
Surprisingly, SHE may actually learn more from him, than he learns from her.
Psychological Thrillers are driven by emotion, focusing on the minds and actions of the characters and this one is done really well. The atmosphere was often rainy, and Hattie often felt as if she was being watched by an Owl in the surrounding woods, adding to the Suspense and dread of this SLOW BURN story. It was interesting to explore the emotions of a Victim we don’t always meet-the parents who become ostracized from the lives they have built because of the actions of their children, and the story felt very credible for the first 75%.
Where the book loses a star, is in the final quarter, where it loses its HARD EARNED credibility, by taking things TOO FAR in the opposite direction, and failing to tie up a loose end with the reporter. I can’t say more as I don’t want to spoil this book for anyone else.
Despite this, I DO RECOMMEND this book, which kept me turning the pages late into the night. It was my first read by Joe Hart, but I was impressed and will definitely be checking out past and future titles.
Glad to have read this with Marilyn, Mary Beth and DeAnn as there was MUCH to discuss! Be sure to watch for their reviews.
AVAILABLE NOW!
Thank You to Thomas & Mercer for the gifted ARC provided by NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
September 19, 2026
Hattie Conlee’s son, Tommy, is known as the Bedfellow Killer. When his alleged crimes came to light, Hattie disappeared from her former life, and then Tommy escaped custody and disappeared as well.
Now living under a new identity, Hattie considers her current existence a second life. She has no intention of revisiting the horrors she left behind, much less sharing them publicly. That changes when journalist Ross Eeling discovers her secret and blackmails her into telling him what happened. Desperate to protect her new identity, Hattie begins recounting what it was like to discover that her son may be a serial killer.
Hattie is not one to be pushed around by a stranger, however. Even as Ross forces her to relive the most traumatic period of her life, she investigates him and searches for a way to stop him from destroying everything she has rebuilt. This gives the novel an intriguing dual tension: Hattie must confront the past while attempting to protect her future.
Disturbing revelations emerge from the beginning of Hattie’s story. Beyond the brutality of the Bedfellow Killer’s crimes, Hattie harbors secret homicidal thoughts of her own, raising uncomfortable questions about how much she might have in common with her son. She also receives silent phone calls that she believes are from Tommy. Although the police dismiss them as pranks, Hattie speaks into the silence as though she knows exactly who is listening.
What begins as an unwilling retelling of Hattie’s most painful memories gradually becomes an investigation into everything she failed to understand at the time. As new information surfaces, doubts arise about whether Tommy committed the murders and, if he did, whether he acted alone. The mystery pulled me in several directions before finally revealing the truth.
Emily Sutton-Smith’s voice and cadence suit the dark, unsettling tone of the story. Some of the additional female character voices sounded unusually rough to my ear, although that may have been an intentional part of their characterization. Overall, her performance complements the novel’s steadily building tension and Hattie’s complicated perspective.
Night Calls is a disturbing psychological thriller about maternal fear, buried secrets, and the unsettling possibility that the truth you escaped may not be the truth at all.
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for providing an advanced listener copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Now living under a new identity, Hattie considers her current existence a second life. She has no intention of revisiting the horrors she left behind, much less sharing them publicly. That changes when journalist Ross Eeling discovers her secret and blackmails her into telling him what happened. Desperate to protect her new identity, Hattie begins recounting what it was like to discover that her son may be a serial killer.
Hattie is not one to be pushed around by a stranger, however. Even as Ross forces her to relive the most traumatic period of her life, she investigates him and searches for a way to stop him from destroying everything she has rebuilt. This gives the novel an intriguing dual tension: Hattie must confront the past while attempting to protect her future.
Disturbing revelations emerge from the beginning of Hattie’s story. Beyond the brutality of the Bedfellow Killer’s crimes, Hattie harbors secret homicidal thoughts of her own, raising uncomfortable questions about how much she might have in common with her son. She also receives silent phone calls that she believes are from Tommy. Although the police dismiss them as pranks, Hattie speaks into the silence as though she knows exactly who is listening.
What begins as an unwilling retelling of Hattie’s most painful memories gradually becomes an investigation into everything she failed to understand at the time. As new information surfaces, doubts arise about whether Tommy committed the murders and, if he did, whether he acted alone. The mystery pulled me in several directions before finally revealing the truth.
Emily Sutton-Smith’s voice and cadence suit the dark, unsettling tone of the story. Some of the additional female character voices sounded unusually rough to my ear, although that may have been an intentional part of their characterization. Overall, her performance complements the novel’s steadily building tension and Hattie’s complicated perspective.
Night Calls is a disturbing psychological thriller about maternal fear, buried secrets, and the unsettling possibility that the truth you escaped may not be the truth at all.
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for providing an advanced listener copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It’s been eight years since…
🩸Tommy was convicted of multiple murders.
🩸Tommy escaped and hasn’t been seen since.
🩸Everyone he knows has gone underground, changing their names and locations.
But now…
🩸A journalist is stirring up the pot.
🩸Secrets are about to be revealed.
🩸Who will be safe?
The premise: I loved!
The execution: Kept me guessing. Lots of red herrings.
Only niggle:There was definitely a lull in the pacing midway through.
Overall a good solid thriller!🙌
✍️ Joe Hart
🗓️ Anticipated release date: September 22, 2026
📈 4/5🌟🌟🌟🌟
👉 Thriller, suspense
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer
🩸Tommy was convicted of multiple murders.
🩸Tommy escaped and hasn’t been seen since.
🩸Everyone he knows has gone underground, changing their names and locations.
But now…
🩸A journalist is stirring up the pot.
🩸Secrets are about to be revealed.
🩸Who will be safe?
The premise: I loved!
The execution: Kept me guessing. Lots of red herrings.
Only niggle:There was definitely a lull in the pacing midway through.
Overall a good solid thriller!🙌
✍️ Joe Hart
🗓️ Anticipated release date: September 22, 2026
📈 4/5🌟🌟🌟🌟
👉 Thriller, suspense
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 serial killer stars
*now available
Would you know if your son was a serial killer? That news shocked mother Hattie Conlee, but eventually she believed all the evidence against her son, Tommy. Accused of being The Bedfellow, Tommy was sentenced to jail but somehow escaped during his jail transfer. Now he’s been on the run for 8 years. And Hattie went into seclusion, changed her name, and moved to a small town in Maine.
When a journalist, Ross Eeling, turns up on Hattie’s doorstep, she’s forced to talk to him, or else he will give away her identity. She wants to know how the journalist found her. As she tells her story to Ross, we learn Tommy's story, more about his friends, and the painful journey of the last few years, including the death of her husband. Hattie experiences some disturbing daymares and I wasn’t sure what to make of those. Is Hattie ok mentally?
This chilling tale was a compelling read that kept me turning the pages. Very much a character-driven story and on the slow-burn side. I loved the atmospheric setting of Maine. The ending was imperfect for me, but I still recommend this book, and I will read more from this author.
This was a great buddy read with Jayme, Marilyn, and Mary Beth, be sure to see what they thought.
My thanks to Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read and honestly review this one.
*now available
Would you know if your son was a serial killer? That news shocked mother Hattie Conlee, but eventually she believed all the evidence against her son, Tommy. Accused of being The Bedfellow, Tommy was sentenced to jail but somehow escaped during his jail transfer. Now he’s been on the run for 8 years. And Hattie went into seclusion, changed her name, and moved to a small town in Maine.
When a journalist, Ross Eeling, turns up on Hattie’s doorstep, she’s forced to talk to him, or else he will give away her identity. She wants to know how the journalist found her. As she tells her story to Ross, we learn Tommy's story, more about his friends, and the painful journey of the last few years, including the death of her husband. Hattie experiences some disturbing daymares and I wasn’t sure what to make of those. Is Hattie ok mentally?
This chilling tale was a compelling read that kept me turning the pages. Very much a character-driven story and on the slow-burn side. I loved the atmospheric setting of Maine. The ending was imperfect for me, but I still recommend this book, and I will read more from this author.
This was a great buddy read with Jayme, Marilyn, and Mary Beth, be sure to see what they thought.
My thanks to Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read and honestly review this one.
July 2, 2026
Joe Hart has quickly emerged as an auto-read author for me. His novels are gripping, mysterious, and laced with emotion.
Night Calls hits all those marks. A grieving mother with a serial killer for a son. Worse yet, he's on the lamb leaving behind more questions than answers. When a nosy journalist starts poking around it threatens to shatter Hattie's house of cards but also ignites something far worse...hope.
There are a lot of red herrings in this book and I think I made about 20 wrong predictions. It kept me guessing until the very last page. However, this is more a character study than an edge of your seat thriller. While it has all the elements of a solid mystery, it's fairly slow-paced and I think what I enjoyed most was the inward reflection it forced. Imagining my son being a convicted serial killer. Living a secret life in order to maintain a hidden connection to a loved one. The doubt, the not knowing, the fear, the shame.
Thriller Book Lovers the Pulse put Joe Hart on my radar and I'm grateful that they did! Night Calls releases September 22, 2026.
Night Calls hits all those marks. A grieving mother with a serial killer for a son. Worse yet, he's on the lamb leaving behind more questions than answers. When a nosy journalist starts poking around it threatens to shatter Hattie's house of cards but also ignites something far worse...hope.
There are a lot of red herrings in this book and I think I made about 20 wrong predictions. It kept me guessing until the very last page. However, this is more a character study than an edge of your seat thriller. While it has all the elements of a solid mystery, it's fairly slow-paced and I think what I enjoyed most was the inward reflection it forced. Imagining my son being a convicted serial killer. Living a secret life in order to maintain a hidden connection to a loved one. The doubt, the not knowing, the fear, the shame.
Thriller Book Lovers the Pulse put Joe Hart on my radar and I'm grateful that they did! Night Calls releases September 22, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Umm…hello?! HOLY AMAZEBALLS?!? A slow-burning serial killer thriller with heart, Night Calls was yet another example of Mr. Hart’s insanely talented brain. Weaving together an unreliable narrator, dark family secrets, and palpable emotion into one stunning tale, there wasn’t a chance of my putting this book down until I reached the end of the jaw-dropping last few chapters. You see, this suspense-laden tale oozed tension, grief, and just the smallest spark of hope. In between the three, a genre-bending story smoldered hot and ready to blow, where nothing was as it seemed and a heart-rending family drama laid the way to an explosive second half. Twist-heavy and full of careful misdirection, I was utterly shocked by the way it all came together in the end. After all, just when I thought it was all nicely resolved, another reveal meant the revelations were oh so very far from over.
I do have to warn you, though, that this book wasn’t a straightforward thriller. Combining tear-jerking scenes, complex characters, and mind-bending paranoia into one superlative story, there was a very Lisa Jewell-meets-Alex Michaelides-like vibe alongside of the classic feel of Hart’s other thrillers. That being said, this one takes the cake for me out of his entire roster due to the thought-provoking themes and raw, emotional depth. Exploring guilt, trauma, and nature vs nurture with a deft hand, it was a total no-brainer that this was going to be a one-sitting read. I mean, who could resist a premise where there’s a true-crime journalist hunting for the truth while a woman hides her identity from her small town? Altogether, it was a deeply layered, intricate novel full of secrets, intrigue, and lies that I utterly loved. All the stars go to this absolute banger of a read! Rating of 5+ stars.
Read if you’re a fan of:
- Long-buried secrets
- Dual timelines
- Psychological slow burns
- Shocking twists
- A sense of paranoia
- Palpable emotion
- Complex characters
- Family drama
- Unreliable narrators
- Clever plotting
- Thought-provoking themes
- Serial killer stories
BRIEF BLURB:
PLEASE OH PLEASE go into this one BLIND! An intricate plot that was much better without being aware of what was to come, all you really need to know is the following…
After fleeing her old life following a trauma, Hattie Conlee has started over and found a comfortable existence on the coast of Maine. But when a true-crime journalist named Ross Eeling comes calling with questions about her past, she fears all of that is about to go up in smoke. You see, she’s hiding more than just the fact that she once went by another name. In almost a decade, Hattie hasn’t told a soul about what happened in her old life. Will she be able to hold her world together and evade suspicion? Or will this man’s questions change everything for her in a way she could never have imagined? Guess you’ll have to read the book to find out!
Thank you Joe Hart and Thomas & Mercer for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: September 22, 2026
Content warning: blackmail, intrusive thoughts/mental illness, death of a spouse, heart attack, bullying, murder/suicide, suicidal ideation, violence, gun violence, mention of: drug overdose
I do have to warn you, though, that this book wasn’t a straightforward thriller. Combining tear-jerking scenes, complex characters, and mind-bending paranoia into one superlative story, there was a very Lisa Jewell-meets-Alex Michaelides-like vibe alongside of the classic feel of Hart’s other thrillers. That being said, this one takes the cake for me out of his entire roster due to the thought-provoking themes and raw, emotional depth. Exploring guilt, trauma, and nature vs nurture with a deft hand, it was a total no-brainer that this was going to be a one-sitting read. I mean, who could resist a premise where there’s a true-crime journalist hunting for the truth while a woman hides her identity from her small town? Altogether, it was a deeply layered, intricate novel full of secrets, intrigue, and lies that I utterly loved. All the stars go to this absolute banger of a read! Rating of 5+ stars.
Read if you’re a fan of:
- Long-buried secrets
- Dual timelines
- Psychological slow burns
- Shocking twists
- A sense of paranoia
- Palpable emotion
- Complex characters
- Family drama
- Unreliable narrators
- Clever plotting
- Thought-provoking themes
- Serial killer stories
BRIEF BLURB:
PLEASE OH PLEASE go into this one BLIND! An intricate plot that was much better without being aware of what was to come, all you really need to know is the following…
After fleeing her old life following a trauma, Hattie Conlee has started over and found a comfortable existence on the coast of Maine. But when a true-crime journalist named Ross Eeling comes calling with questions about her past, she fears all of that is about to go up in smoke. You see, she’s hiding more than just the fact that she once went by another name. In almost a decade, Hattie hasn’t told a soul about what happened in her old life. Will she be able to hold her world together and evade suspicion? Or will this man’s questions change everything for her in a way she could never have imagined? Guess you’ll have to read the book to find out!
Thank you Joe Hart and Thomas & Mercer for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: September 22, 2026
Content warning: blackmail, intrusive thoughts/mental illness, death of a spouse, heart attack, bullying, murder/suicide, suicidal ideation, violence, gun violence, mention of: drug overdose
May 21, 2026
WOW!
thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review
i don’t have the right words to describe how fantastic this book was.
i’ve been in a reading slump for over six months and if i could read books this gripping every single day i would never be in one again. it captivated me from the very first page and i devoured it in one sitting and even stopping reading long enough to use the bathroom felt like too long!
joe hart has a way of writing books that grip you and don’t let you go and that’s at the core of what’s so magical about reading. i felt fully immersed into the world he created and i didn’t want to leave
the mystery he wove in this book was completely unique and i was desperate to find out more. the characters were so well developed and complex, leaving you wondering just who you’re supposed to be suspicious of at every turn
i’ll be thinking about this book for awhile and will definitely pick up more books by joe hart
thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review
i don’t have the right words to describe how fantastic this book was.
i’ve been in a reading slump for over six months and if i could read books this gripping every single day i would never be in one again. it captivated me from the very first page and i devoured it in one sitting and even stopping reading long enough to use the bathroom felt like too long!
joe hart has a way of writing books that grip you and don’t let you go and that’s at the core of what’s so magical about reading. i felt fully immersed into the world he created and i didn’t want to leave
the mystery he wove in this book was completely unique and i was desperate to find out more. the characters were so well developed and complex, leaving you wondering just who you’re supposed to be suspicious of at every turn
i’ll be thinking about this book for awhile and will definitely pick up more books by joe hart
July 26, 2026
🔪 M U R D E R E R M O N D A Y review & book tour 🔪 featuring “Night Calls” by Joe Hart!
8 years ago, Hattie Conlee’s life was shattered when her son Tommy was convicted of being the notorious serial killer, The Bedfellow Killer. However, Tommy managed to escape custody and disappeared on the run. With Tommy gone, Hattie decided to do the same. She moved to remote coastal Maine where she created a brand new identity for herself.
Living an anonymous and quiet life doesn’t last for long once investigative journalist Ross Eeling shows up at her door. He has an ultimatum for Hattie … either she tells him everything she knows about her son OR he will expose her new identity and location to the press. Ross wants to write a book on The Bedfellow Killer that isn’t necessarily about the crimes committed, but about the people connected to Tommy … especially his own mother.
Left without a choice, Hattie decides to get the interview over with and is forced to revisit Tommy’s horrific crimes that never made sense to her. She soon finds out that Ross’s book is trying to clear Tommy’s name and show proof that he was set up. This sends Hattie into an investigative spiral of her own focusing on the people in her old life that she thought she could trust the most.
💭 One of my favourite books of the year! This is a raw story about a serial killer’s mother and how she can still stand by and love a monster regardless of his heinous crimes. Hattie’s grief, guilt and heartbreak plays on repeat throughout the story as she is forced to face and fight for the truth. After Tommy’s disappearance she has had no reassurance that he is even still alive besides some silent phone calls in the night. Her isolated life adds such a tense, chilling and foreboding vibe overall that will grip you with shock and anxiety!
Thank you kindly to @joe_hart_author @thrillerbookloversthepulse @thomasmerceruk for my advanced digital copy and spot on this book tour. All opinions are my own. This 5⭐️ book releases on September 22, 2026!
8 years ago, Hattie Conlee’s life was shattered when her son Tommy was convicted of being the notorious serial killer, The Bedfellow Killer. However, Tommy managed to escape custody and disappeared on the run. With Tommy gone, Hattie decided to do the same. She moved to remote coastal Maine where she created a brand new identity for herself.
Living an anonymous and quiet life doesn’t last for long once investigative journalist Ross Eeling shows up at her door. He has an ultimatum for Hattie … either she tells him everything she knows about her son OR he will expose her new identity and location to the press. Ross wants to write a book on The Bedfellow Killer that isn’t necessarily about the crimes committed, but about the people connected to Tommy … especially his own mother.
Left without a choice, Hattie decides to get the interview over with and is forced to revisit Tommy’s horrific crimes that never made sense to her. She soon finds out that Ross’s book is trying to clear Tommy’s name and show proof that he was set up. This sends Hattie into an investigative spiral of her own focusing on the people in her old life that she thought she could trust the most.
💭 One of my favourite books of the year! This is a raw story about a serial killer’s mother and how she can still stand by and love a monster regardless of his heinous crimes. Hattie’s grief, guilt and heartbreak plays on repeat throughout the story as she is forced to face and fight for the truth. After Tommy’s disappearance she has had no reassurance that he is even still alive besides some silent phone calls in the night. Her isolated life adds such a tense, chilling and foreboding vibe overall that will grip you with shock and anxiety!
Thank you kindly to @joe_hart_author @thrillerbookloversthepulse @thomasmerceruk for my advanced digital copy and spot on this book tour. All opinions are my own. This 5⭐️ book releases on September 22, 2026!
July 30, 2026
Night Calls is my third book of Joe Hart’s and he’s officially become an auto-buy author for me!
In this psychological thriller, Hattie changes her identity and starts her life over after her son is convicted as the Bedfellow serial killer. Right after the trial, her son manages to escape police custody and vanishes without a trace.
With the press coverage and non-stop attention Hattie is receiving as the mother of the infamous Bedfellow she decides to disappear as well.
That is until 8 years later when she is found by an investigative journalist intent on writing a book and spilling all of the family secrets.
The story goes back and forth between two timelines and the suspense of the reveals and twists are shocking and utterly delicious.
I really felt for Hattie throughout even though at times she felt like an unreliable narrator. But most of all I absolutely adored her relationships; one with her neighbor’s young son, and the other with her other elderly neighbor.
I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to see what the author comes up with next. In the meantime, I’ll need to check out his massive backlist.
*Thanks so much to Thomas & Mercer and to NetGalley for the gifted e-ARC!*
In this psychological thriller, Hattie changes her identity and starts her life over after her son is convicted as the Bedfellow serial killer. Right after the trial, her son manages to escape police custody and vanishes without a trace.
With the press coverage and non-stop attention Hattie is receiving as the mother of the infamous Bedfellow she decides to disappear as well.
That is until 8 years later when she is found by an investigative journalist intent on writing a book and spilling all of the family secrets.
The story goes back and forth between two timelines and the suspense of the reveals and twists are shocking and utterly delicious.
I really felt for Hattie throughout even though at times she felt like an unreliable narrator. But most of all I absolutely adored her relationships; one with her neighbor’s young son, and the other with her other elderly neighbor.
I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to see what the author comes up with next. In the meantime, I’ll need to check out his massive backlist.
*Thanks so much to Thomas & Mercer and to NetGalley for the gifted e-ARC!*
September 2, 2026
This is my first novel by this author and I was totally blown away. It’s a well-written psychological suspense read with emotional depth.
This is the story of Hattie, a mother whose adult son is a convicted serial killer, and, eight years later, is trying to rebuild her life, with a new name in a small, rural town. But then an investigative reporter comes calling. Secrets, loss, and betrayal abound as the past come rushing back.
The story slowly unfurled with a sense of dread and unease. As a mother, I was especially immersed in Hattie’s story of how would one deal with the engulfing grief and trauma of being the mother of a multiple murderer, “because every monster had once been someone’s child.”
The autumn/winter setting and Hattie living in a house by the sea miles away from the nearest town was so atmospheric. I could feel the loneliness and isolation and the dreary landscape.
While the story was character-driven for the first half, it shifted to a faster pace as a mystery unfolded in the second half. I equally enjoyed both parts of the book, both the look at Hattie’s emotional turmoil and the twists and turns and the tense scenes building up to the ending.
I really enjoyed this read. Will be one of my favourite thriller/domestic suspense reads this year.
Thanks to the publisher for the complimentary digital copy. All opinions are my own.
This is the story of Hattie, a mother whose adult son is a convicted serial killer, and, eight years later, is trying to rebuild her life, with a new name in a small, rural town. But then an investigative reporter comes calling. Secrets, loss, and betrayal abound as the past come rushing back.
The story slowly unfurled with a sense of dread and unease. As a mother, I was especially immersed in Hattie’s story of how would one deal with the engulfing grief and trauma of being the mother of a multiple murderer, “because every monster had once been someone’s child.”
The autumn/winter setting and Hattie living in a house by the sea miles away from the nearest town was so atmospheric. I could feel the loneliness and isolation and the dreary landscape.
While the story was character-driven for the first half, it shifted to a faster pace as a mystery unfolded in the second half. I equally enjoyed both parts of the book, both the look at Hattie’s emotional turmoil and the twists and turns and the tense scenes building up to the ending.
I really enjoyed this read. Will be one of my favourite thriller/domestic suspense reads this year.
Thanks to the publisher for the complimentary digital copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When investigative journalist Ross Eeling starts chasing after Hattie Conlee, a woman who has retreated from the world since her son Tommy was convicted as the serial killer known as the Bedfellow, she is forced to confront her haunting past. Eight years after Tommy’s escape and her own transformation, Hattie finds herself drawn back into the chaos of her son’s atrocities, the consequences for their family, and her unwavering love for him. As the story unfolds, she grapples with painful truths that reveal the past is more intricate and dangerous than she ever imagined...
This was a fast-paced, heart-pounding read that I couldn't put down for an afternoon! The narrative is broken into six parts and weaves between dual timelines, allowing us to grasp the events of the past fully. Just picture being a mother, forced to hide from your own son who has escaped before serving his time! Hattie knows that if a journalist like Ross were to find her, it wouldn't be long before her son locates her, too. The twists kick in right from the start, and I was instantly glued to the pages! Ross is relentless in his pursuit of the story, interviewing Hattie’s family while withholding details of the book until the interviews are completed—how strange!
Meanwhile, Hattie receives eerie phone calls with no one on the other end, but deep down, she knows it’s Tommy trying to reach her. She attempts to convey that she’s okay, but each time the call disconnects before she can gather any clues about his whereabouts. There are many moments where you’ll find yourself stepping into Hattie’s shoes, pondering what you would do in her situation.
As we delve into the past, we learn a great deal about Tommy, his ex-girlfriend who was pregnant at that time, and others who were significant in Tommy’s life during his childhood. He had friends from unstable homes, and they practically grew up together. Long story short, a lot is going on, and the twists begin right in chapter two, keeping the momentum going. I didn’t see any of it coming; the story is truly well-crafted.
The author did an excellent job of keeping me engaged, painting a vivid atmosphere that had me feeling the chill and dampness of each page. I felt as if Tommy was watching me, constantly anticipating his return! When he finally makes an appearance, Hattie comes to realize that hiring a private investigator before agreeing with the courts regarding Tommy's guilt was a wise move. Unfortunately, the PI didn’t do a thorough job, as her son remains just as he was years ago, raising the question: who is the real killer? Could the danger have been lurking close all along?
This book is perfect for those who love suspense, unexpected twists, and unraveling the past to uncover hidden secrets. If you're into cold cases and enjoy amateur sleuthing alongside Hattie, don’t miss out on this gripping story. I was completely captivated, and the mind-blowing twists and the ending left my jaw on the floor! I couldn't believe the direction it took, with impeccable timing and flawless execution of lies and deceit! The themes of family dynamics, the nature of innocence until proven guilty, and a mother’s love and desire for second chances are all explored. It’s intriguing how often the greatest dangers lie closer than we think, shrouded in shadows, but who can we truly trust?
Thank you, ThrillerBookLoversThePulse and NetGalley, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was a fast-paced, heart-pounding read that I couldn't put down for an afternoon! The narrative is broken into six parts and weaves between dual timelines, allowing us to grasp the events of the past fully. Just picture being a mother, forced to hide from your own son who has escaped before serving his time! Hattie knows that if a journalist like Ross were to find her, it wouldn't be long before her son locates her, too. The twists kick in right from the start, and I was instantly glued to the pages! Ross is relentless in his pursuit of the story, interviewing Hattie’s family while withholding details of the book until the interviews are completed—how strange!
Meanwhile, Hattie receives eerie phone calls with no one on the other end, but deep down, she knows it’s Tommy trying to reach her. She attempts to convey that she’s okay, but each time the call disconnects before she can gather any clues about his whereabouts. There are many moments where you’ll find yourself stepping into Hattie’s shoes, pondering what you would do in her situation.
As we delve into the past, we learn a great deal about Tommy, his ex-girlfriend who was pregnant at that time, and others who were significant in Tommy’s life during his childhood. He had friends from unstable homes, and they practically grew up together. Long story short, a lot is going on, and the twists begin right in chapter two, keeping the momentum going. I didn’t see any of it coming; the story is truly well-crafted.
The author did an excellent job of keeping me engaged, painting a vivid atmosphere that had me feeling the chill and dampness of each page. I felt as if Tommy was watching me, constantly anticipating his return! When he finally makes an appearance, Hattie comes to realize that hiring a private investigator before agreeing with the courts regarding Tommy's guilt was a wise move. Unfortunately, the PI didn’t do a thorough job, as her son remains just as he was years ago, raising the question: who is the real killer? Could the danger have been lurking close all along?
This book is perfect for those who love suspense, unexpected twists, and unraveling the past to uncover hidden secrets. If you're into cold cases and enjoy amateur sleuthing alongside Hattie, don’t miss out on this gripping story. I was completely captivated, and the mind-blowing twists and the ending left my jaw on the floor! I couldn't believe the direction it took, with impeccable timing and flawless execution of lies and deceit! The themes of family dynamics, the nature of innocence until proven guilty, and a mother’s love and desire for second chances are all explored. It’s intriguing how often the greatest dangers lie closer than we think, shrouded in shadows, but who can we truly trust?
Thank you, ThrillerBookLoversThePulse and NetGalley, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 23, 2026
I really enjoyed this one!
I listened to the audiobook and finished in less than 24 hours. I love a good book about a serial killer and this one gave off the best “there’s something not right” vibes right from the beginning.
I really enjoyed that the POV was the mother in this one and that it takes place years later, but get flashes that go back in time.
Such a great book!! I wasn’t sure about the narrator at first, but after a few chapters I realized her voice was perfect for this one!!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author & thrillerbooks the pulse for this alc!!
I listened to the audiobook and finished in less than 24 hours. I love a good book about a serial killer and this one gave off the best “there’s something not right” vibes right from the beginning.
I really enjoyed that the POV was the mother in this one and that it takes place years later, but get flashes that go back in time.
Such a great book!! I wasn’t sure about the narrator at first, but after a few chapters I realized her voice was perfect for this one!!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author & thrillerbooks the pulse for this alc!!
Did Not Finish
September 19, 2026DNF. I received an ALC of this book, and it probably isn’t a bad book based off of the reviews. However, I cannot with the narrator. She sounds like a robot.
September 24, 2026
Interconnected web of dark family secrets, trauma, and hidden identities and unreliable characters.
Hattie Conlee (alias Mary Whittaker): She is a grieving mother burdened by intense guilt and paranoia after her son is convicted of heinous serial murders. To protect herself and start over, she flees to Maine, changes her name, and meticulously guards her anonymity. As the reader you see mainly Hattie’s POV, inner monologues and descriptive daymares as she calls them.
I love that we get glimpses of her intrusive thoughts. I think it really adds another layer to the story!
Tommy Conlee is Hattie’s 22-year-old son. He was convicted of a series of ritualistic, gruesome murders where he would stab victims and sleep in their beds. He escaped custody before sentencing and has been a ghost for eight years. The puzzle pieces regarding Tommy's old school friends (Dustin, Colm, and Leah) coming together later in the book, but I felt like this was needed to build the plot. This worked well in this book and had no lull. Kept my attention the whole time bending and twisting right to the end!
Narrated by Emily Sutton-Smith.
Duration ~ 10 hrs
Publication: September 22, 2026
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Hattie Conlee (alias Mary Whittaker): She is a grieving mother burdened by intense guilt and paranoia after her son is convicted of heinous serial murders. To protect herself and start over, she flees to Maine, changes her name, and meticulously guards her anonymity. As the reader you see mainly Hattie’s POV, inner monologues and descriptive daymares as she calls them.
I love that we get glimpses of her intrusive thoughts. I think it really adds another layer to the story!
Tommy Conlee is Hattie’s 22-year-old son. He was convicted of a series of ritualistic, gruesome murders where he would stab victims and sleep in their beds. He escaped custody before sentencing and has been a ghost for eight years. The puzzle pieces regarding Tommy's old school friends (Dustin, Colm, and Leah) coming together later in the book, but I felt like this was needed to build the plot. This worked well in this book and had no lull. Kept my attention the whole time bending and twisting right to the end!
Narrated by Emily Sutton-Smith.
Duration ~ 10 hrs
Publication: September 22, 2026
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 12, 2026
Joe Hart is an automatic read for me, so I was thrilled to receive Night Calls from NetGalley. Unfortunately, this one just fell a little short for me.
The atmosphere was easily one of my favorite parts. The setting was eerie from the start and created this unsettling tone that carried throughout the story. Hattie/Wendy was also such an unreliable narrator that I was constantly questioning whether her flashbacks were real, distorted, or something else entirely, and whether she herself might somehow be connected to what was happening.
For me, though, the beginning was a bit slow, and I struggled to fully connect with the story and characters. I also figured out fairly early on he was never the killer, which took away some of the impact of the eventual reveal for me.
While this wasn’t a favorite Joe Hart read, I wouldn’t hesitate to pick up his next book. Sometimes a book just doesn’t hit quite the way you hoped it would and for me fell short of my high expectations.
The atmosphere was easily one of my favorite parts. The setting was eerie from the start and created this unsettling tone that carried throughout the story. Hattie/Wendy was also such an unreliable narrator that I was constantly questioning whether her flashbacks were real, distorted, or something else entirely, and whether she herself might somehow be connected to what was happening.
For me, though, the beginning was a bit slow, and I struggled to fully connect with the story and characters. I also figured out fairly early on he was never the killer, which took away some of the impact of the eventual reveal for me.
While this wasn’t a favorite Joe Hart read, I wouldn’t hesitate to pick up his next book. Sometimes a book just doesn’t hit quite the way you hoped it would and for me fell short of my high expectations.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Joe Hart, you really had me with this one! I read it in under 12 hours which is as close to reading a book on one sitting as I’m going to get. I was immediately sucked into the story by the need to know more about the mysterious Hattie and her connection to Julian, and eventually Tommy’s story. And oh my what a story it turned out to be! This book is absolutely chock full of surprises and twists literally until the very end. I was led astray so many times as everything unfolded and I didn’t guess anything correctly!
Night Calls is full of secrets, lies, murders, complicated relationships, and love. Add the twists on top of all that and you have an absolute banger of a thriller. This one is definitely going on my best books of 2026 list!
Night Calls is full of secrets, lies, murders, complicated relationships, and love. Add the twists on top of all that and you have an absolute banger of a thriller. This one is definitely going on my best books of 2026 list!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Eight years ago, Hattie moved to a secluded home. Away from the awful things her son, Tommy did. To leave the past behind and live in seclusion. All of that changes when an investigative journalist Ross shows up on her doorstep. He is dredging up the past. Hattie has been reliving those memories, and her son’s childhood. Those moments where she’s questioning Tommy’s childhood. Owls start appearing, and time itself is slipping from Hattie’s memories. At times, Hattie seems to be an unreliable narrator. It drew me in like no other. While this is a slow burn thriller, it really pays off. The twists and turns were wicked and I didn’t see any of them coming.
The narrator, Emily Sutton-Smith did a wonderful job portraying Hattie and several characters in the book. The tones and inflections were great. I was hooked till the very end.
A very special thanks to Brilliance Audio + Netgalley for the gifted ALC.
The narrator, Emily Sutton-Smith did a wonderful job portraying Hattie and several characters in the book. The tones and inflections were great. I was hooked till the very end.
A very special thanks to Brilliance Audio + Netgalley for the gifted ALC.
July 20, 2026
All I can really say is WOW. I don’t know what I expected from this book but it was a dang page turner. Some of the ends of chapters had me gasping. The main character was easily likable and understandable, and I enjoyed her perspective. The mystery was great. I can’t say too much without giving things away but I promise you’ll be blown away when you figure out what’s actually going on and what’s actually happened. I had a really good time with this one and it was so hard to put down. I’d rate it higher if I could. Coming September 2026. If you love a good psychological thriller make sure to add this one to your TBR.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.25 ⭐
That cover is beautiful. Love it 🙌
Night Calls is definitely a slow paced thriller. The pacing is really slow. It took forever to get to the point and I found myself skimming for the fist 60%. When it did finally have more action, it was good. I did like the premise of the book. It was very intriguing. However, I did find it strayed away from the aftermath aspect and just focused on the mystery of the actual murder. I guess I was just expecting something different.
The setting, coastal Maine, was perfect. It gave an eerie vibe that I always love in any thriller book.
The ending was a bit bonkers and all other the place, but was fun. I thought that it wrapped up a little too fast though when comparing it to the pace of the rest of the book.
» Thank you to Thomas & Mercer | NetGalley for an eARC of this book! «
❗ Expected Publication Date: September 22, 2026
That cover is beautiful. Love it 🙌
Night Calls is definitely a slow paced thriller. The pacing is really slow. It took forever to get to the point and I found myself skimming for the fist 60%. When it did finally have more action, it was good. I did like the premise of the book. It was very intriguing. However, I did find it strayed away from the aftermath aspect and just focused on the mystery of the actual murder. I guess I was just expecting something different.
The setting, coastal Maine, was perfect. It gave an eerie vibe that I always love in any thriller book.
The ending was a bit bonkers and all other the place, but was fun. I thought that it wrapped up a little too fast though when comparing it to the pace of the rest of the book.
» Thank you to Thomas & Mercer | NetGalley for an eARC of this book! «
❗ Expected Publication Date: September 22, 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Finished reading: September 6th 2026
"No, usually it's tragedy that defines the beginnings and ends of lives."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
REVIEW
WARNING: it's another unpopular opinion...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"False face must hide what the false heart doth know." (William Shakespeare)
Joe Hart dug deep in this one. His approach is completely unexpected. The minute that we hear "serial killer" in the promo for a novel our expectations ratchet up to follow in the footsteps of the killer. What if the focus falls upon the family of the accused instead? What if the heavy emotions of shame, shock, and disbelief are brought into the light? How does life end abruptly even for those in the killer's own familial circle?
Hattie faces the cold unforgiving winds along the jagged coast of Maine. She's changed every little nugget of her life including her name, her identity, and her location within these past eight years. Everyone in this little town knows her as Mary Whitaker from California. But Mary still painfully knows the Hattie that resides within herself day and night. Night and day.
Hattie lost her husband, Ed, years ago from a massive heart attack while living in Pennsylvania. The couple were clinging to one another in desperation after the news broke that their only son, Tommy, was The Bedfellow, a renowned serial killer. How do you sift through all of that and survive the demands of everyday life? It follows you like every breath released.
So Hattie became Mary. Her secret life suddenly is shattered once more when an investigative journalist, Ross Eeling, sets foot on her property. Slamming the door in his face just won't do. Certainly not. Eeling presses Hattie while threatening to reveal her own dark secret to the public. We'll come to know Hattie's own secret and as readers we wish to protect her as well. How much more devastation can one individual endure? But Hattie curtly agrees to reveal to Eeling her side as a mother of a serial killer. It wounds her with every word.
And then Joe Hart flips the script. Eeling is found dead. But Hattie's troubles are not over with his death. Someone has an agenda here. Hattie, herself, is in a type of danger that she could never envision coming for her. And Night Calls begins to tighten.
Our expectations drive our reviews. Some here on GR rated this one so lowly. Understand that this is a deep character study. If we could only showcase one individual in this novel, it would be Hattie. Her anguish is almost palatable in its telling by Joe Hart. Hart brings out all the emotional deep cuts and bruises through this mother who must bear the weight of reality. She lives as a single vessel in a world that could never ever realize nor understand her pain and her experience. Hart does a splendid job with that alone. Dismiss the controversial ending. Allow Hattie to tell her own story.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Thomas & Mercer and to the talented Joe Hart for the opportunity.
Joe Hart dug deep in this one. His approach is completely unexpected. The minute that we hear "serial killer" in the promo for a novel our expectations ratchet up to follow in the footsteps of the killer. What if the focus falls upon the family of the accused instead? What if the heavy emotions of shame, shock, and disbelief are brought into the light? How does life end abruptly even for those in the killer's own familial circle?
Hattie faces the cold unforgiving winds along the jagged coast of Maine. She's changed every little nugget of her life including her name, her identity, and her location within these past eight years. Everyone in this little town knows her as Mary Whitaker from California. But Mary still painfully knows the Hattie that resides within herself day and night. Night and day.
Hattie lost her husband, Ed, years ago from a massive heart attack while living in Pennsylvania. The couple were clinging to one another in desperation after the news broke that their only son, Tommy, was The Bedfellow, a renowned serial killer. How do you sift through all of that and survive the demands of everyday life? It follows you like every breath released.
So Hattie became Mary. Her secret life suddenly is shattered once more when an investigative journalist, Ross Eeling, sets foot on her property. Slamming the door in his face just won't do. Certainly not. Eeling presses Hattie while threatening to reveal her own dark secret to the public. We'll come to know Hattie's own secret and as readers we wish to protect her as well. How much more devastation can one individual endure? But Hattie curtly agrees to reveal to Eeling her side as a mother of a serial killer. It wounds her with every word.
And then Joe Hart flips the script. Eeling is found dead. But Hattie's troubles are not over with his death. Someone has an agenda here. Hattie, herself, is in a type of danger that she could never envision coming for her. And Night Calls begins to tighten.
Our expectations drive our reviews. Some here on GR rated this one so lowly. Understand that this is a deep character study. If we could only showcase one individual in this novel, it would be Hattie. Her anguish is almost palatable in its telling by Joe Hart. Hart brings out all the emotional deep cuts and bruises through this mother who must bear the weight of reality. She lives as a single vessel in a world that could never ever realize nor understand her pain and her experience. Hart does a splendid job with that alone. Dismiss the controversial ending. Allow Hattie to tell her own story.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Thomas & Mercer and to the talented Joe Hart for the opportunity.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐⭐ A Strong Premise Undone by Pacing and a Too-Neat Ending
I received Night Calls by Joe Hart as an ARC from NetGalley, and it was a book I genuinely wanted to enjoy. The premise immediately caught my attention. Hattie Conlee has spent years living under the shadow of her son Tommy's crimes after he was convicted as a serial killer. When investigative journalist Ross Eeling enters her life with new questions and new evidence, Hattie is forced to revisit a past she has spent years trying to escape. What appealed to me most was that this was not really a novel about a serial killer. Instead, it was a story about guilt, shame, family loyalty, and what happens to the people left behind when someone they love commits terrible acts.
Unfortunately, the novel takes a very long time to reach its most compelling material. For roughly the first sixty-five percent of the book, the pacing is painfully slow. I found myself moving from chapter to chapter waiting for meaningful developments, only to receive small pieces of information that did little to advance the story. There were multiple points where I considered setting the book aside altogether. Once the narrative finally shifts into a more active phase, however, the book becomes considerably stronger. The tension increases, the revelations become more interesting, and I found myself eager to keep reading. Ross Eeling was easily the character who intrigued me the most. Much of the novel's momentum comes from the questions surrounding him, and his presence creates a sense of mystery that the book often lacks elsewhere.
What makes the final result so disappointing is that the strongest section of the novel arrives just in time for the ending to undermine it. After investing in the mystery and the growing tension, I expected a conclusion that would challenge the characters and force difficult choices. Instead, the resolution felt overly convenient and surprisingly neat. The novel spends hundreds of pages exploring complicated emotions and fractured relationships, yet the ending resolves matters in a way that felt far easier than the story had earned. I appreciate the themes Joe Hart explores, particularly the emotional burden carried by the family members of notorious criminals, and there were moments when I could see the excellent novel this might have become. In the end, though, the slow pacing and unsatisfying conclusion prevented it from fully delivering on its promise.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Joe Hart, and Thomas & Mercer Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#NightCalls #NetGalley
I received Night Calls by Joe Hart as an ARC from NetGalley, and it was a book I genuinely wanted to enjoy. The premise immediately caught my attention. Hattie Conlee has spent years living under the shadow of her son Tommy's crimes after he was convicted as a serial killer. When investigative journalist Ross Eeling enters her life with new questions and new evidence, Hattie is forced to revisit a past she has spent years trying to escape. What appealed to me most was that this was not really a novel about a serial killer. Instead, it was a story about guilt, shame, family loyalty, and what happens to the people left behind when someone they love commits terrible acts.
Unfortunately, the novel takes a very long time to reach its most compelling material. For roughly the first sixty-five percent of the book, the pacing is painfully slow. I found myself moving from chapter to chapter waiting for meaningful developments, only to receive small pieces of information that did little to advance the story. There were multiple points where I considered setting the book aside altogether. Once the narrative finally shifts into a more active phase, however, the book becomes considerably stronger. The tension increases, the revelations become more interesting, and I found myself eager to keep reading. Ross Eeling was easily the character who intrigued me the most. Much of the novel's momentum comes from the questions surrounding him, and his presence creates a sense of mystery that the book often lacks elsewhere.
What makes the final result so disappointing is that the strongest section of the novel arrives just in time for the ending to undermine it. After investing in the mystery and the growing tension, I expected a conclusion that would challenge the characters and force difficult choices. Instead, the resolution felt overly convenient and surprisingly neat. The novel spends hundreds of pages exploring complicated emotions and fractured relationships, yet the ending resolves matters in a way that felt far easier than the story had earned. I appreciate the themes Joe Hart explores, particularly the emotional burden carried by the family members of notorious criminals, and there were moments when I could see the excellent novel this might have become. In the end, though, the slow pacing and unsatisfying conclusion prevented it from fully delivering on its promise.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Joe Hart, and Thomas & Mercer Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#NightCalls #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4 ⭐️
‘How can you miss someone you barely know?’
Eight years ago, Hattie Conlee’s world was torn apart when her only child, Tommy, was convicted of being a murderer and is referred to as the ‘Bedfellow’ Serial Killer. But when Tommy escapes custody and disappears, Hattie realises she needs to do the same … She settles on a new name, story and quiet town to live her anonymous life within - no one could find her on the outskirts of Maine, could they?
She couldn’t have been more wrong.
When investigative journalist Ross Eeling appears at her door, Hattie is left with an ultimatum - tell Eeling everything about her son, his life, the murders and the impact he has left; or he will tell the press her new identity and location. Ross wants the truth but dredging up the most painful moments of her life is also a revelation for Hattie too. She hasn’t picked this home at random and it being made public could ruin more than just her anonymity …
The past is more complicated and disturbing than she realises and its deadly repercussions are far from over …
What an amazingly, interesting and powerful book! Although a psychological thriller, with its backstory of murder, an eerie, isolating setting and suspicious activity surrounding Hattie and her home, this is one of the most emotional books within this category that I have read! The domestic element is so powerful - focusing on the consequences of Tommy’s actions for the people left behind after his conviction; his parents, partner and friends appose to the crimes committed.
A story of a mother’s love, this is a captivating read and I loved Joe Hart’s writing style. The book is immersive and the desperation I felt to know more about the complex characters, their relationships and the trial was gripping. The suspense remains alive throughout the book; will Hattie’s identity and reason for picking this home be revealed? Is she being followed or is she paranoid of everything and everyone?
Guilt, betrayal, loyalty and the long standing argument of nature vs nurture, this is a book that has me thinking long after it was finished. The internal questioning this book made me do was amazing - what would you do or feel if you loved someone who had committed a terrible act? What decisions would you make? It feels shockingly realistic and chilling. It also reminds us that grief doesn’t have to come with death - it can be the loss of something you thought you would have or what you did have.
My first and most definitely not my last Joe Hart book! With thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Joe Hart for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
‘How can you miss someone you barely know?’
Eight years ago, Hattie Conlee’s world was torn apart when her only child, Tommy, was convicted of being a murderer and is referred to as the ‘Bedfellow’ Serial Killer. But when Tommy escapes custody and disappears, Hattie realises she needs to do the same … She settles on a new name, story and quiet town to live her anonymous life within - no one could find her on the outskirts of Maine, could they?
She couldn’t have been more wrong.
When investigative journalist Ross Eeling appears at her door, Hattie is left with an ultimatum - tell Eeling everything about her son, his life, the murders and the impact he has left; or he will tell the press her new identity and location. Ross wants the truth but dredging up the most painful moments of her life is also a revelation for Hattie too. She hasn’t picked this home at random and it being made public could ruin more than just her anonymity …
The past is more complicated and disturbing than she realises and its deadly repercussions are far from over …
What an amazingly, interesting and powerful book! Although a psychological thriller, with its backstory of murder, an eerie, isolating setting and suspicious activity surrounding Hattie and her home, this is one of the most emotional books within this category that I have read! The domestic element is so powerful - focusing on the consequences of Tommy’s actions for the people left behind after his conviction; his parents, partner and friends appose to the crimes committed.
A story of a mother’s love, this is a captivating read and I loved Joe Hart’s writing style. The book is immersive and the desperation I felt to know more about the complex characters, their relationships and the trial was gripping. The suspense remains alive throughout the book; will Hattie’s identity and reason for picking this home be revealed? Is she being followed or is she paranoid of everything and everyone?
Guilt, betrayal, loyalty and the long standing argument of nature vs nurture, this is a book that has me thinking long after it was finished. The internal questioning this book made me do was amazing - what would you do or feel if you loved someone who had committed a terrible act? What decisions would you make? It feels shockingly realistic and chilling. It also reminds us that grief doesn’t have to come with death - it can be the loss of something you thought you would have or what you did have.
My first and most definitely not my last Joe Hart book! With thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Joe Hart for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Night Calls by Joe Hart is a highly recommended character based psychological thriller. This one is heavy on the psychology in the character development and not really a thriller until later in the novel.
After her husband Ed died from a heart attack, Hattie Conlee escaped her life in Pennsylvania, moved to a coastal town in Maine, and is now known as Mary Whittaker. Eight years ago, Ed and Hattie's son, Tommy, was convicted of being a serial killer known as the Bedfellow. Tommy managed to escape custody and disappeared. Hattie now lives a quiet life next door to Kevin and Wendy Crawford, and is a reliable babysitter for their son Julian, the son they adopted. What they don't know is that Julian is actually Tommy’s child and Hattie’s grandchild.
Unexpectedly, investigative journalist Ross Eeling has tracked her down. He shows up at her door, threatening to tell the Crawford's her secret if she doesn't talk to him about a book he is writing. After setting her own demands, she agrees to tell Eeling about her son and the events in 2018 along with the accompanying guilt, shame, memories, repercussions, and grief. Then several unexpected events happen which change the trajectory of everything.
The narrative is well-written, but the plot is very slow moving until later in the novel. For much of the beginning it is really focus much more on the character development of Hattie and what she is experiencing. It is clear that Hattie may not be okay. She feels watched. She sometimes loses track of where she is and gets lost in her thoughts. She sees owls where there are none. She is still grieving the loss of her husband and her son. It seems she is strong, but, simultaneously, her mental state is also very fragile. She is in great pain internally, but outwardly keeping it all together, in spite of the momentary lapses into internal thoughts. There is no one she can confide in, no one supporting her.
Once the tone changes in the narrative, the true thriller portion of the novel starts. The pace picks up dramatically, along with the plot twists and multiple dangers. The ending does stretch credulity, but there is no question that it is also very compelling and will hold your full attention right to the end.
Night Calls is a great choice for those who appreciate a deep dive into character development along with a thriller. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer 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...
After her husband Ed died from a heart attack, Hattie Conlee escaped her life in Pennsylvania, moved to a coastal town in Maine, and is now known as Mary Whittaker. Eight years ago, Ed and Hattie's son, Tommy, was convicted of being a serial killer known as the Bedfellow. Tommy managed to escape custody and disappeared. Hattie now lives a quiet life next door to Kevin and Wendy Crawford, and is a reliable babysitter for their son Julian, the son they adopted. What they don't know is that Julian is actually Tommy’s child and Hattie’s grandchild.
Unexpectedly, investigative journalist Ross Eeling has tracked her down. He shows up at her door, threatening to tell the Crawford's her secret if she doesn't talk to him about a book he is writing. After setting her own demands, she agrees to tell Eeling about her son and the events in 2018 along with the accompanying guilt, shame, memories, repercussions, and grief. Then several unexpected events happen which change the trajectory of everything.
The narrative is well-written, but the plot is very slow moving until later in the novel. For much of the beginning it is really focus much more on the character development of Hattie and what she is experiencing. It is clear that Hattie may not be okay. She feels watched. She sometimes loses track of where she is and gets lost in her thoughts. She sees owls where there are none. She is still grieving the loss of her husband and her son. It seems she is strong, but, simultaneously, her mental state is also very fragile. She is in great pain internally, but outwardly keeping it all together, in spite of the momentary lapses into internal thoughts. There is no one she can confide in, no one supporting her.
Once the tone changes in the narrative, the true thriller portion of the novel starts. The pace picks up dramatically, along with the plot twists and multiple dangers. The ending does stretch credulity, but there is no question that it is also very compelling and will hold your full attention right to the end.
Night Calls is a great choice for those who appreciate a deep dive into character development along with a thriller. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer 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
𝑰𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒇 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒖𝒃𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅, 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒂 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒕 𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆. 𝑾𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒕? 𝑾𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒐𝒂𝒅𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒅?
Eight years after her son Tommy was convicted as the serial killer known as the Bedfellow, Hattie Conlee has buried herself inside a new identity in a quiet coastal town in Maine, hoping anonymity might finally give her room to breathe. But when an investigative journalist tracks her down and asks her to revisit the horrors surrounding Tommy’s crimes, the past comes clawing its way back to the surface. What unfolds is not just a thriller about murder and secrets, but a devastating exploration of motherhood, guilt, memory, and the impossible question of whether we are ever truly responsible for the monsters we love.
Joe Hart handles morally gray material with the same effortless precision as Jodi Picoult. He never takes the easy route, and he never reduces his characters to simple answers. What struck me most was how deeply human every single person in this story felt, especially Hattie. Her grief quietly screams from the pages. The shame, the fear, the tiny fractured pieces of hope she still clung to despite everything absolutely wrecked me. Hart has this incredible ability to tap into such painfully specific emotions that it almost feels invasive at times, like he reached into places most people try very hard not to look at. And the way he writes women continues to astound me. These women are not plot devices or stereotypes or vehicles for trauma. They are complicated, sharp, wounded, resilient people who feel achingly real.
By the end of this book, I felt emotionally wrung out. Not because of shock value or twists, although the tension is incredible, but because NIGHT CALLS understands something painful and deeply human about loving someone who has done terrible things. It understands the guilt of hindsight. The desperate need to search the past for warning signs that maybe were never there at all. More than anything, this book reminded me that grief is not always about losing the person you thought you had. Sometimes it is about realizing you never truly knew them to begin with. So many thanks to the author, Thomas and Mercer, and Thriller Book Lovers: the Pulse for the early copy that will publish September 22, 2026.
Eight years after her son Tommy was convicted as the serial killer known as the Bedfellow, Hattie Conlee has buried herself inside a new identity in a quiet coastal town in Maine, hoping anonymity might finally give her room to breathe. But when an investigative journalist tracks her down and asks her to revisit the horrors surrounding Tommy’s crimes, the past comes clawing its way back to the surface. What unfolds is not just a thriller about murder and secrets, but a devastating exploration of motherhood, guilt, memory, and the impossible question of whether we are ever truly responsible for the monsters we love.
Joe Hart handles morally gray material with the same effortless precision as Jodi Picoult. He never takes the easy route, and he never reduces his characters to simple answers. What struck me most was how deeply human every single person in this story felt, especially Hattie. Her grief quietly screams from the pages. The shame, the fear, the tiny fractured pieces of hope she still clung to despite everything absolutely wrecked me. Hart has this incredible ability to tap into such painfully specific emotions that it almost feels invasive at times, like he reached into places most people try very hard not to look at. And the way he writes women continues to astound me. These women are not plot devices or stereotypes or vehicles for trauma. They are complicated, sharp, wounded, resilient people who feel achingly real.
By the end of this book, I felt emotionally wrung out. Not because of shock value or twists, although the tension is incredible, but because NIGHT CALLS understands something painful and deeply human about loving someone who has done terrible things. It understands the guilt of hindsight. The desperate need to search the past for warning signs that maybe were never there at all. More than anything, this book reminded me that grief is not always about losing the person you thought you had. Sometimes it is about realizing you never truly knew them to begin with. So many thanks to the author, Thomas and Mercer, and Thriller Book Lovers: the Pulse for the early copy that will publish September 22, 2026.
Review of advance copy
Thank you to Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse, Thomas & Mercer, Amazon Publishing, and Netgalley for this gifted e-ARC...this is my honest review.
📖 Night Calls 📖
Author: Joe Hart
Pub Date: September 22, 2026
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer | Amazon Publishing
MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
WOW.
Rarely does a thriller finish with such a brilliant flourish that I am literally left stunned, seemingly unable to formulate a cohesive thought as my mind tries to catch up with the stunningly suspenseful read I just finished.
Friends, prepare yourself to experience that rarity with Night Calls by Joe Hart, publishing September 22, 2026 from Thomas & Mercer.
Hart, I don't know how you do it. Every single one of your books becomes my newest thriller obsession. And leaves me with an absolute certainty that this book, THIS ONE, is your best yet. And somehow, each time I'm right.
All I'm going to tell you about the storyline in this read is that it's told in dual timelines with short chapters from the POV of the mother of a serial killer who's hiding her identity. You get an unreliable narrator, a remote setting, an investigative journalist with a fixation on uncovering the truth at any cost, and an overwhelming sense of creepy foreboding on every single page.
This book gave me such a palpably eerie sense I was being watched, it had me wanting to close my curtains in broad daylight and phone a friend for safety. No joke -- the intensity with which this one had my anxiety spiking was nothing short of phenomenal.
There is not a single Joe Hart book that hasn't had my heart racing from start to finish. And this one was a masterfully twisty and unsettling thriller -- the stuff daymares are made of and an absolute five-star must-read! Trust me when I tell you to just sit down, cancel all your plans, and get comfy -- because once you start this book, you'll be going nowhere until you read the last page.
Without a doubt, this thriller will be one of the best I'll read in 2026 -- and it'll be one of yours too. Standing ovation to you, Joe Hart.
#NightCalls #JoeHart #Thomas&Mercer #AmazonPublishing #ThrillerBookLoversThePulse #Netgalley #fivestarreads #MUSTREADS #thriller #thrilleraddict #booklover #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookrecommendations
📖 Night Calls 📖
Author: Joe Hart
Pub Date: September 22, 2026
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer | Amazon Publishing
MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
WOW.
Rarely does a thriller finish with such a brilliant flourish that I am literally left stunned, seemingly unable to formulate a cohesive thought as my mind tries to catch up with the stunningly suspenseful read I just finished.
Friends, prepare yourself to experience that rarity with Night Calls by Joe Hart, publishing September 22, 2026 from Thomas & Mercer.
Hart, I don't know how you do it. Every single one of your books becomes my newest thriller obsession. And leaves me with an absolute certainty that this book, THIS ONE, is your best yet. And somehow, each time I'm right.
All I'm going to tell you about the storyline in this read is that it's told in dual timelines with short chapters from the POV of the mother of a serial killer who's hiding her identity. You get an unreliable narrator, a remote setting, an investigative journalist with a fixation on uncovering the truth at any cost, and an overwhelming sense of creepy foreboding on every single page.
This book gave me such a palpably eerie sense I was being watched, it had me wanting to close my curtains in broad daylight and phone a friend for safety. No joke -- the intensity with which this one had my anxiety spiking was nothing short of phenomenal.
There is not a single Joe Hart book that hasn't had my heart racing from start to finish. And this one was a masterfully twisty and unsettling thriller -- the stuff daymares are made of and an absolute five-star must-read! Trust me when I tell you to just sit down, cancel all your plans, and get comfy -- because once you start this book, you'll be going nowhere until you read the last page.
Without a doubt, this thriller will be one of the best I'll read in 2026 -- and it'll be one of yours too. Standing ovation to you, Joe Hart.
#NightCalls #JoeHart #Thomas&Mercer #AmazonPublishing #ThrillerBookLoversThePulse #Netgalley #fivestarreads #MUSTREADS #thriller #thrilleraddict #booklover #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookrecommendations
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Well, here's to hoping this 5+ star serial killer thriller is the beginning of a beautiful relationship with Joe Hart and the rest of this his catalog! In the acknowledgements, the author says he is always thrilled when his editor tells him, "This might be your best yet." If this is his best so far, the bar is extremely high so even if his earlier books are not as good, they still have to be pretty dang good! But about this one, Night Calls, yes, it has a serial killer, but the story focuses more on Hattie, a serial killer's mother. Hattie's only son Tommy has been serving time for turning out to be the Bedfellow Killer. So named because he lays down and sleeps next to his victim. Creepy, right? Oh, and he escaped about 8 years ago. Hattie and her husband, Ed's lives were totally destroyed in the aftermath and Hattie fled from the scrutiny and wreckage of her life and also from Tommy. He is still out there somewhere. She has changed her name, broken contact with everyone she knew and moved across the country. No one knows where she is. Well, we know. It's the remote coast of Maine. Serial killers and Maine, and I'm all in, but I digress. Hattie has made some tentative new friends, a young couple and their son and an elderly man. She helps take care of him. But then reporter Ross Eeling shows up at her door. Eeling knows exactly who she is and makes her an offer she can't refuse to get an exclusive interview. It's blackmail but Eeling knows enough to blow Hattie's new life out of the water if she doesn't cooperate. The past is brought back into focus. We see the denial as Tommy is first accused. We learn about how all the mounting evidence pointed to Tommy as the Bedfellow and he is arrested. We get an insider look into all of Hattie's guilt. Oh, and Hattie also receives mysterious silent phone calls at night. She suspects it may be Tommy. This was quite an emotional read, and I couldn't put it down! All the feels are there. I can't wait for the next Joe Hart book and am comforted by the fact that he does have those previous titles at least.
Thank you to #NetGalley, Joe Hart and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to #NetGalley, Joe Hart and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Eight years after her son Tommy was convicted of being the notorious Bedfellow killer, Hattie has secluded herself in a quiet coastal town under an alias. But when a journalist tracks her down, she’s pushed to revisit the devastating ripple effects of Tommy’s crimes, forcing her to wrestle with grief, guilt, motherhood and the uneasy feeling that not everything is as straightforward as it seems.
This was a really solid psychological thriller that felt just as focused on the psychological impact of crime as it was the mystery itself. At its core, it explores the ripple effects one crime can have on a family, particularly through Hattie and the impossible position of loving someone accused of horrific things. I found her incredibly easy to sympathise with, and Hart captures that push and pull between unconditional love, guilt and doubt really well.
I loved that the story doesn’t hand everything to you straight away, instead slowly revealing why things are the way they are and peeling back layers as you read on. Nothing ever feels clear-cut, both in the plot and characters, which kept me engaged from start to finish.
I had suspicions about the Bedfellow killer fairly early on and the eventual culprit was on my suspect list, which can sometimes lessen the impact for me. But here, it didn’t affect my investment at all. Hart plants enough uncertainty around the characters to keep you second-guessing yourself, even when you feel confident in your theories.
The atmosphere was another standout: creepy, unsettling and quietly ominous, with a constant feeling of paranoia, isolation and questioning what’s real.
This may have been my first experience with Joe Hart’s writing, but I’ll definitely be checking out more of his backlist. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with a murder mystery at their core, layered characters and emotional depth alongside the suspense, this is well worth picking up.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
This was a really solid psychological thriller that felt just as focused on the psychological impact of crime as it was the mystery itself. At its core, it explores the ripple effects one crime can have on a family, particularly through Hattie and the impossible position of loving someone accused of horrific things. I found her incredibly easy to sympathise with, and Hart captures that push and pull between unconditional love, guilt and doubt really well.
I loved that the story doesn’t hand everything to you straight away, instead slowly revealing why things are the way they are and peeling back layers as you read on. Nothing ever feels clear-cut, both in the plot and characters, which kept me engaged from start to finish.
I had suspicions about the Bedfellow killer fairly early on and the eventual culprit was on my suspect list, which can sometimes lessen the impact for me. But here, it didn’t affect my investment at all. Hart plants enough uncertainty around the characters to keep you second-guessing yourself, even when you feel confident in your theories.
The atmosphere was another standout: creepy, unsettling and quietly ominous, with a constant feeling of paranoia, isolation and questioning what’s real.
This may have been my first experience with Joe Hart’s writing, but I’ll definitely be checking out more of his backlist. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with a murder mystery at their core, layered characters and emotional depth alongside the suspense, this is well worth picking up.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In this book we meet Hattie Conlee whose world imploded 8 years ago when her son Tommy was convicted of being a serial killer. She changed her name, upped sticks and moved to Maine to start again. He absconded on his way to jail and has been on the run ever since.
As we will soon find out, Hattie's choice of destination is not random, but I will leave you to discover this as the author intends. But suffice to say, she is living a now decent enough life. With only a few remaining links from her, and Tommy's, past.
Until the day that an investigative journalist finds her and comes calling. Wanting to know her side of the story. He claims not to be like the other journalists and just wants the truth.
Long story short and this visit, and what happens soon after, becomes the catalyst for Hattie to start to think back on things more, to reopen old wounds she once thought were pretty healed, to start to think that maybe that isn't the case at all...
I loved this book. I loved the story, the twists and turns, the dead ends and about faces, the secrets and lies, and the delightful obfuscation that all go hand in hand with this genre of book. All the shocks that happened through the book. With pacing matching the narrative all the way through and no superfluous waffle or padding, it also got on with itself very well indeed.
I also loved the characters - especially Hattie (and others who I can't go into here cos - spoilers) who I took to right from the start. I really did feel for her and when certain things happened my heart went out to her.
And the ending, when it came was shocking and perfect. Obviously I had a few inklings along the way but never thought we'd be going there!
I have read and loved most of the author's back catalogue already but I do have a couple more to keep me going until his next book, but I do hope he won't keep me waiting too long. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
As we will soon find out, Hattie's choice of destination is not random, but I will leave you to discover this as the author intends. But suffice to say, she is living a now decent enough life. With only a few remaining links from her, and Tommy's, past.
Until the day that an investigative journalist finds her and comes calling. Wanting to know her side of the story. He claims not to be like the other journalists and just wants the truth.
Long story short and this visit, and what happens soon after, becomes the catalyst for Hattie to start to think back on things more, to reopen old wounds she once thought were pretty healed, to start to think that maybe that isn't the case at all...
I loved this book. I loved the story, the twists and turns, the dead ends and about faces, the secrets and lies, and the delightful obfuscation that all go hand in hand with this genre of book. All the shocks that happened through the book. With pacing matching the narrative all the way through and no superfluous waffle or padding, it also got on with itself very well indeed.
I also loved the characters - especially Hattie (and others who I can't go into here cos - spoilers) who I took to right from the start. I really did feel for her and when certain things happened my heart went out to her.
And the ending, when it came was shocking and perfect. Obviously I had a few inklings along the way but never thought we'd be going there!
I have read and loved most of the author's back catalogue already but I do have a couple more to keep me going until his next book, but I do hope he won't keep me waiting too long. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
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