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Don't Look Back: A BRAND NEW tense thriller of wealth, betrayal and dark secrets for 2026
Preorder the BRAND NEW nail-biting, heart-pounding thriller from the author of TOP 20 BESTSELLER Three Sisters O J Mullen.💥 Perfect for fans of Harlan Coben, K. L. Slater and Lisa Jewell. When the body is found on a Glasgow street, a chain reaction begins that will destroy lives.
Gavin and Jess Sterling have it all – successful business, stunning home and enough money to last them two lifetimes. But all that glitters is not gold and when secrets begin to creep into their marriage, their ivory tower starts shaking on its foundations.
Gavin has taken a chance, risked everything and when the gamble doesn’t come off, he has just weeks to find a solution. With the clock ticking and his stress levels rising, Gavin meets a man who offers the world. A man who can make things right if Gavin makes him one promise.
He bet everything. Now there’s nothing to lose.
With a final twist that will shock even the canniest reader, Don’t Look Back is a gripping thriller from a master storyteller. 📚 Perfect for fans of Harlan Coben, K. L. Slater and Lisa Jewell.
Readers love OJ
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Owen Mullen gives you a masterclass in potent psychological mind play!’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Utterly gripping from start to finish! The plot is tight and full of twists that kept me on the edge of my seat.’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Best I’ve read in a long time. Good to read a book that doesn’t have a predictable ending. Stayed up till the early hours in order to find out what happened.’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Dark, deep and gritty... It’s gripping from the first page and had my heart pumping with tension and fear. Excellent yet again!!’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Wow! I won't give away the story. But wow! This one got to me. Lots of twists and turns. A great thriller. Awesome! I recommend if you like a crime thriller, this is it!’
Gavin and Jess Sterling have it all – successful business, stunning home and enough money to last them two lifetimes. But all that glitters is not gold and when secrets begin to creep into their marriage, their ivory tower starts shaking on its foundations.
Gavin has taken a chance, risked everything and when the gamble doesn’t come off, he has just weeks to find a solution. With the clock ticking and his stress levels rising, Gavin meets a man who offers the world. A man who can make things right if Gavin makes him one promise.
He bet everything. Now there’s nothing to lose.
With a final twist that will shock even the canniest reader, Don’t Look Back is a gripping thriller from a master storyteller. 📚 Perfect for fans of Harlan Coben, K. L. Slater and Lisa Jewell.
Readers love OJ
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Owen Mullen gives you a masterclass in potent psychological mind play!’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Utterly gripping from start to finish! The plot is tight and full of twists that kept me on the edge of my seat.’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Best I’ve read in a long time. Good to read a book that doesn’t have a predictable ending. Stayed up till the early hours in order to find out what happened.’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Dark, deep and gritty... It’s gripping from the first page and had my heart pumping with tension and fear. Excellent yet again!!’
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Wow! I won't give away the story. But wow! This one got to me. Lots of twists and turns. A great thriller. Awesome! I recommend if you like a crime thriller, this is it!’
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Published June 2, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
May 28, 2026
Don’t Look Back started off strong with a shocking and intense opening—a trader making a devastating mistake and taking his own life. It immediately pulled me in and set the tone for what I expected to be a gripping, fast-paced thriller. Unfortunately, after that explosive beginning, the story slowed down significantly and struggled to maintain that same level of tension.
The plot follows Gavin, who loses everything after a bad investment, and him and his wife Jess as they try to salvage what’s left of their lives. While the premise had potential, I found it difficult to stay engaged. The pacing dragged, and much of the story felt repetitive without adding much depth or suspense.
One of the biggest issues for me was the characters. I couldn’t connect with Gavin or Jess, which made it hard to care about their situation or the choices they made. Because of that, the emotional stakes never really landed.
Overall, while the book had a promising start and an interesting concept, it ultimately fell flat for me. It was a struggle to get through, and I kept hoping it would pick up again, but it never quite did.
The plot follows Gavin, who loses everything after a bad investment, and him and his wife Jess as they try to salvage what’s left of their lives. While the premise had potential, I found it difficult to stay engaged. The pacing dragged, and much of the story felt repetitive without adding much depth or suspense.
One of the biggest issues for me was the characters. I couldn’t connect with Gavin or Jess, which made it hard to care about their situation or the choices they made. Because of that, the emotional stakes never really landed.
Overall, while the book had a promising start and an interesting concept, it ultimately fell flat for me. It was a struggle to get through, and I kept hoping it would pick up again, but it never quite did.
May 14, 2026
Don’t Look Back by OJ Mullen, when a man is found dead in a business Square and Glasgow on Boxing Day another man in Southern Scotland knows this may spell doom for him. A while back Gavin invested all of him and his wife Jesse‘s money into this new stock that Adam heard about while eavesdropping drinking at a bar. He also told Gavin this is a secret but in a few months they’ll be able to tell everybody about how rich they are in despite Gavin‘s hesitancy he ultimately invested all of him and Jessie‘s money in their savings account and the fact he can’t get in touch with Adam now is stressing him out. he goes the Glasgow only to find out it was Adam who jumped from the building and Gavin knows he’s in deep trouble but first he needs to tell his wife Jesse.. eventually he’ll want his partner Daniel to let another company buy in to the company they started. to help Gavin financially get back on his feet the only problem is Daniel isn’t in no such condition he loves the company and wants it to stay the way it is. If Daniel doesn’t agree then the deal won’t go through but wear this ends up isn’t anywhere Gavin wanted it to go but unfortunately his miss stepp happened at a bar as well or at least on the way home from one. his problems name is Lenny and for some reason he cannot get Lenny to go away. unfortunately where it ends up Gavin has no idea but he knows it won’t be anything good. It’s funny how something can seem so important but then you match it up to something even greater and it looks like a minor issue that’s what happened to Gavin in the decision he makes or once he probably tells himself he had to make but ultimately knows he didn’t have to do any of it. I did enjoy this book but I just kept thinking why with somebody and that’s all their money no investor would advise you to do such a thing I know my husband and I financial advisor would never allow us to put every dime into anything except our savings account so I didn’t get this whole much to do about nothing but I got it I just thought it was pointless it was still a good book I do enjoy his thrillers but this one I think was thrilling but the subject matter was so-so. if you just want a fun read to get through the afternoon I would definitely recommend this book but if you’re looking for a thriller that gets into the nitty-gritty and his plausible then I would look for something else. #NetGalley, #BlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley for the copy of this book, appreciated as always.
Dont look back is multi layered and i really did feel like there is alot of choas in this book, especially with Gavin! As much as we understand that people take a risk, he takes one it doesnt come out the right way ! But i felt like this this book completly threw me towards the end as part of it was just unexpected.
We are thrown into the day to day lifes of a haulage business of a married couple and the cracks that starts to show from the perfect house and cars to explosive arguments, silent offices and alot of regrets inbetween , not forgetting a bit of voilence and aggression mixed in.
The character development is good, we get choatic Gavin whose normally got his life together and a business with his wife. The reader can understand the grit and determination to do well for a better quality of life, but sometimes its just not enough for some people. They are always chasing the next high or the next higher pay share, they forget the realities and risk.
One aspect of this book thats really thought provocative is the sore subject of money and how it influences the quality of your life. But this book showcases how money cannot repair certain emotional damages and that sometimes cutting your loses and walking away is closure.
The emotional side of Jess the female main character is portrayed well, you see the brave face, you see the days when she cant bare to face anyone, you also see the resillence return in a women whose had her faith broken and trust but sees the bigger picture, once a happy expensive home now means absolutely nothing! You can walk away from your big house, the clothes, the cars, the holidays homes and start again and there is something so refreshing in rebuilding a character. You could almost feel the new start as they drive away to the city.
The ending of the book well it felt extreme in places, but it also shows the darker side of society and how the characters need to think about their actions/ decisions before fully comitting as somethings you cannot take back or change.
Dont look back is multi layered and i really did feel like there is alot of choas in this book, especially with Gavin! As much as we understand that people take a risk, he takes one it doesnt come out the right way ! But i felt like this this book completly threw me towards the end as part of it was just unexpected.
We are thrown into the day to day lifes of a haulage business of a married couple and the cracks that starts to show from the perfect house and cars to explosive arguments, silent offices and alot of regrets inbetween , not forgetting a bit of voilence and aggression mixed in.
The character development is good, we get choatic Gavin whose normally got his life together and a business with his wife. The reader can understand the grit and determination to do well for a better quality of life, but sometimes its just not enough for some people. They are always chasing the next high or the next higher pay share, they forget the realities and risk.
One aspect of this book thats really thought provocative is the sore subject of money and how it influences the quality of your life. But this book showcases how money cannot repair certain emotional damages and that sometimes cutting your loses and walking away is closure.
The emotional side of Jess the female main character is portrayed well, you see the brave face, you see the days when she cant bare to face anyone, you also see the resillence return in a women whose had her faith broken and trust but sees the bigger picture, once a happy expensive home now means absolutely nothing! You can walk away from your big house, the clothes, the cars, the holidays homes and start again and there is something so refreshing in rebuilding a character. You could almost feel the new start as they drive away to the city.
The ending of the book well it felt extreme in places, but it also shows the darker side of society and how the characters need to think about their actions/ decisions before fully comitting as somethings you cannot take back or change.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to O.J. Mullen, NetGalley, and Boldwood Books for a copy of Don’t Look Back in exchange for an honest review.
Some thrillers grab you by the throat from chapter one. Others slowly build tension until you suddenly realize you’ve inhaled the entire book in one sitting. And then there are books like Don’t Look Back… where I kept waiting for literally anything to pull me in and instead felt like I was emotionally standing in line at the DMV. 🚗📄
This story had all the ingredients for suspense, drama, and emotional tension, but unfortunately none of it ever clicked for me. I never fully believed what was happening, which made it hard to connect to the stakes or care about where the story was heading. Every twist or revelation felt more like “okay, I guess” rather than “WAIT WHAT?!”
And Gavin and Jesse? Sweet mercy, these two had the charisma of damp cardboard. I tried. I really did. But no matter how much drama swirled around them, I could not get emotionally attached to either the characters or the story itself. They existed, things happened around them, and somehow I still felt completely disconnected the entire time.
The pacing dragged, the tension never truly landed, and I kept hoping for a moment that would finally make everything snap into place. Instead, the story just kind of… wandered. By the end, I wasn’t shocked, devastated, or thrilled. I was just relieved it was over.
Not every thriller needs nonstop chaos, but I do need something to hold onto. A compelling character. A believable mystery. A twist that makes me gasp loud enough to scare the dog. Unfortunately, this one never delivered that spark for me.
⭐️⭐️
Final Verdict: Don’t Look Back had potential, but the flat characters, lack of believable tension, and slow pacing made it a struggle to stay invested. Gavin and Jesse never gave me a reason to care, and the story itself failed to leave much of an impression beyond “well… that happened.” Sometimes a thriller should look back and ask itself where the excitement went.
Some thrillers grab you by the throat from chapter one. Others slowly build tension until you suddenly realize you’ve inhaled the entire book in one sitting. And then there are books like Don’t Look Back… where I kept waiting for literally anything to pull me in and instead felt like I was emotionally standing in line at the DMV. 🚗📄
This story had all the ingredients for suspense, drama, and emotional tension, but unfortunately none of it ever clicked for me. I never fully believed what was happening, which made it hard to connect to the stakes or care about where the story was heading. Every twist or revelation felt more like “okay, I guess” rather than “WAIT WHAT?!”
And Gavin and Jesse? Sweet mercy, these two had the charisma of damp cardboard. I tried. I really did. But no matter how much drama swirled around them, I could not get emotionally attached to either the characters or the story itself. They existed, things happened around them, and somehow I still felt completely disconnected the entire time.
The pacing dragged, the tension never truly landed, and I kept hoping for a moment that would finally make everything snap into place. Instead, the story just kind of… wandered. By the end, I wasn’t shocked, devastated, or thrilled. I was just relieved it was over.
Not every thriller needs nonstop chaos, but I do need something to hold onto. A compelling character. A believable mystery. A twist that makes me gasp loud enough to scare the dog. Unfortunately, this one never delivered that spark for me.
⭐️⭐️
Final Verdict: Don’t Look Back had potential, but the flat characters, lack of believable tension, and slow pacing made it a struggle to stay invested. Gavin and Jesse never gave me a reason to care, and the story itself failed to leave much of an impression beyond “well… that happened.” Sometimes a thriller should look back and ask itself where the excitement went.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Don’t Look Back is a sharp, pulse‑tightening thriller that begins with a body on an Edinburgh street and unravels into a web of secrets, lies, and the kind of desperation that makes people dangerous. From the first chapter, there’s a sense that one wrong decision has already set everything in motion — and all that’s left is to watch the fallout spread.
Gavin and Jess Sterling appear to have built the perfect life: wealth, success, a home that gleams from the outside. But the novel wastes no time peeling back that glossy veneer. Gavin’s quiet panic, the gamble he never should have taken, and the ticking clock that shadows every choice he makes give the story a taut, propulsive energy. You can feel the walls closing in on him long before he does.
When Gavin meets the man who promises a way out, the tension sharpens beautifully. It’s the kind of deal that feels too good, too convenient, and you know — with that delicious reader’s dread — that the price will be far higher than he imagines. Jess, meanwhile, becomes the emotional anchor of the story, her growing unease adding a subtle, human ache beneath the thriller’s sharper edges.
What the book does so well is show how quickly a life can tilt off its axis. One secret becomes two, one lie becomes a dozen, and suddenly the Sterlings’ perfect world is held together by threads. The pacing is brisk, the atmosphere thick with unease, and the twists land with a satisfying snap — especially the final one, which is clever enough to catch even seasoned thriller readers off guard.
Dark, gripping, and relentlessly tense, Don’t Look Back is a compulsive read about ambition, deception, and the dangerous illusion that we can outrun the consequences of our choices.
With thanks to OJ Mullen, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Gavin and Jess Sterling appear to have built the perfect life: wealth, success, a home that gleams from the outside. But the novel wastes no time peeling back that glossy veneer. Gavin’s quiet panic, the gamble he never should have taken, and the ticking clock that shadows every choice he makes give the story a taut, propulsive energy. You can feel the walls closing in on him long before he does.
When Gavin meets the man who promises a way out, the tension sharpens beautifully. It’s the kind of deal that feels too good, too convenient, and you know — with that delicious reader’s dread — that the price will be far higher than he imagines. Jess, meanwhile, becomes the emotional anchor of the story, her growing unease adding a subtle, human ache beneath the thriller’s sharper edges.
What the book does so well is show how quickly a life can tilt off its axis. One secret becomes two, one lie becomes a dozen, and suddenly the Sterlings’ perfect world is held together by threads. The pacing is brisk, the atmosphere thick with unease, and the twists land with a satisfying snap — especially the final one, which is clever enough to catch even seasoned thriller readers off guard.
Dark, gripping, and relentlessly tense, Don’t Look Back is a compulsive read about ambition, deception, and the dangerous illusion that we can outrun the consequences of our choices.
With thanks to OJ Mullen, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 stars. O.J. Mullen has crafted a dynamic, fast-paced thriller with Don't Look Back.
The story kicks off in Edinburgh, where a desperate man takes his own life. At first, we have no idea just how far the repercussions of his final, fatal mistake will ripple, but the fallout is massive.
Enter Gavin, the co-owner of a successful haulage company alongside his partner, Hastings, and his wife, Jess. Gavin is driven to absolute desperation when he realizes that the Edinburgh suicide is directly linked to a bad investment. It turns out Gavin didn't just gamble with his own future; he secretly invested his and Jess’s life savings without her knowledge, putting everything they own on the line.
As his world begins to fracture, Gavin will resort to anything to save his business and his marriage. He is written as a purposely, deeply unlikable character, someone who consistently refuses to take accountability for his actions, foolishly believing he can fix everything simply by selling the company. But with Hastings refusing to sell and Jess entirely betrayed, Gavin’s determination takes a dark turn.
Don't Look Back is a decent, compelling story that dives deep into the consequences of greed, the desperate acts people commit when cornered, and the extreme lengths they will go to hide their failures. For me, the highlights were the secondary characters: Jess’s character development really resonated as her life fell apart, and I had a grudging admiration for Hastings for sticking to his guns against Gavin's pressure.
With a neatly tied-up ending, this is a solid read that will definitely appeal to fans of thrillers with strong emotional resonance.
My thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC. This is my own opinion.
The story kicks off in Edinburgh, where a desperate man takes his own life. At first, we have no idea just how far the repercussions of his final, fatal mistake will ripple, but the fallout is massive.
Enter Gavin, the co-owner of a successful haulage company alongside his partner, Hastings, and his wife, Jess. Gavin is driven to absolute desperation when he realizes that the Edinburgh suicide is directly linked to a bad investment. It turns out Gavin didn't just gamble with his own future; he secretly invested his and Jess’s life savings without her knowledge, putting everything they own on the line.
As his world begins to fracture, Gavin will resort to anything to save his business and his marriage. He is written as a purposely, deeply unlikable character, someone who consistently refuses to take accountability for his actions, foolishly believing he can fix everything simply by selling the company. But with Hastings refusing to sell and Jess entirely betrayed, Gavin’s determination takes a dark turn.
Don't Look Back is a decent, compelling story that dives deep into the consequences of greed, the desperate acts people commit when cornered, and the extreme lengths they will go to hide their failures. For me, the highlights were the secondary characters: Jess’s character development really resonated as her life fell apart, and I had a grudging admiration for Hastings for sticking to his guns against Gavin's pressure.
With a neatly tied-up ending, this is a solid read that will definitely appeal to fans of thrillers with strong emotional resonance.
My thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC. This is my own opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Don’t Look Back follows Gavin, a man whose life begins to unravel as secrets are uncovered, forcing him into a tense psychological spiral. What starts as a seemingly controlled life quickly fractures, drawing him into a web of suspicion, guilt, and paranoia that threatens everything he holds together - especially his marriage to Jess.
Although the book is marketed as a thriller, it didn’t quite deliver that pulse-pounding, can’t-put-it-down experience I usually expect from the genre. The tension felt more subdued than gripping, and I never fully got that edge-of-your-seat feeling that defines a strong thriller for me.
Gavin, as the central character, is largely unsympathetic, which typically makes it hard for me to connect with a story. However, I will say that I did find his gradual deterioration compelling. Watching his mental and emotional state unravel added a layer of intrigue, even if I didn’t particularly like him.
One area that felt underdeveloped was Jess. As an important figure in Gavin’s life, she had the potential to bring depth and emotional weight to the story, but I didn’t feel she was given the character development she deserved. A stronger exploration of her perspective could have added more balance and impact.
The novel also promises a major twist at the end, but I wouldn’t quite describe it that way. It leaned more toward predictable than surprising (which could be because of the sheer number of thrillers I’ve read), lessening the overall payoff.
Overall, Don’t Look Back has an interesting premise and some compelling character decline, but it fell short of delivering the intensity and unpredictability I look for in a true thriller.
Although the book is marketed as a thriller, it didn’t quite deliver that pulse-pounding, can’t-put-it-down experience I usually expect from the genre. The tension felt more subdued than gripping, and I never fully got that edge-of-your-seat feeling that defines a strong thriller for me.
Gavin, as the central character, is largely unsympathetic, which typically makes it hard for me to connect with a story. However, I will say that I did find his gradual deterioration compelling. Watching his mental and emotional state unravel added a layer of intrigue, even if I didn’t particularly like him.
One area that felt underdeveloped was Jess. As an important figure in Gavin’s life, she had the potential to bring depth and emotional weight to the story, but I didn’t feel she was given the character development she deserved. A stronger exploration of her perspective could have added more balance and impact.
The novel also promises a major twist at the end, but I wouldn’t quite describe it that way. It leaned more toward predictable than surprising (which could be because of the sheer number of thrillers I’ve read), lessening the overall payoff.
Overall, Don’t Look Back has an interesting premise and some compelling character decline, but it fell short of delivering the intensity and unpredictability I look for in a true thriller.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I give this book 4 stars. It was quick to pick up, and I love that in a book.
I'll keep this vague to avoid spoilers.
I have never wished for the death of a character as much as I wish for Gavin's. The absolute lack of accountability for his actions and constant blaming. He wanted everyone to ruin their lives to dig him out of a hole. What a blow hard.
Jess was an odd character. I wouldn't say she was likeable by any means. She was wishy-washy and I didn't like her and her lies. It was like she didn't even try to stay mutual despite the situation.
Dave was Dave and for that I respect him. He wasn't a kind man, but he was a man who stands by his word and does what he says he is going to do. Can't find fault in that.
I like books where there is a clear perspective of who is talking. I think having each character's perspective would have worked better had they been divided into separate chapters. It was hard for me to understand at first but once I grasped what was happening, I was able to pick up who we were reading about.
I enjoyed the storyline. Great plot. I love, and am slightly terrified, at how low a desperate human being will go in a fiction book. I fought between 3 and 4 because it's just a good book. But the emotion it elicited from me regarding Gavin really bumped it up a notch. I love feeling highly emotional [even if it's hatred - haha] when reading.
I'll keep this vague to avoid spoilers.
I have never wished for the death of a character as much as I wish for Gavin's. The absolute lack of accountability for his actions and constant blaming. He wanted everyone to ruin their lives to dig him out of a hole. What a blow hard.
Jess was an odd character. I wouldn't say she was likeable by any means. She was wishy-washy and I didn't like her and her lies. It was like she didn't even try to stay mutual despite the situation.
Dave was Dave and for that I respect him. He wasn't a kind man, but he was a man who stands by his word and does what he says he is going to do. Can't find fault in that.
I like books where there is a clear perspective of who is talking. I think having each character's perspective would have worked better had they been divided into separate chapters. It was hard for me to understand at first but once I grasped what was happening, I was able to pick up who we were reading about.
I enjoyed the storyline. Great plot. I love, and am slightly terrified, at how low a desperate human being will go in a fiction book. I fought between 3 and 4 because it's just a good book. But the emotion it elicited from me regarding Gavin really bumped it up a notch. I love feeling highly emotional [even if it's hatred - haha] when reading.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Don't Look Back O J Mullen
3 stars
Well written but, for me, not a believable plot
This was a new author for me and I choose this book from the description on Netgalley as it seemed that is would be an interesting storyline. However I thought the actual plot and the characters just were not believable.
Gavin and Jess have been married for 17 years running a successful business together and seemingly having it all. Then Gavin makes a terrible business decision which ends up with him losing not only all his business but also his marriage. The third member of the partnership of GJD Transport, David Hastings seems a very bland character who is set in his ways. When Gavin receives an offer from Lindsay Logistics to buy the company he sees this as a lifeline but David is adamant he will never sell the company even once he finds out that the money is gone.
Gavin in desperation looks for a way out and that is where I found the plot unbelievable. I also did not really feel empathy for any of the characters especially Jess. I could fully understand why she would want out of her marriage after her husband's betrayal especially as she had postponed having a family to concentrate on the business but when almost immediately she launches into an affair with a man she has only just met this just did not resonate with me.
I just did not enjoy this book at all although as stated above I did feel it was well written but just not for me.
Karen Deborah
3 stars
Well written but, for me, not a believable plot
This was a new author for me and I choose this book from the description on Netgalley as it seemed that is would be an interesting storyline. However I thought the actual plot and the characters just were not believable.
Gavin and Jess have been married for 17 years running a successful business together and seemingly having it all. Then Gavin makes a terrible business decision which ends up with him losing not only all his business but also his marriage. The third member of the partnership of GJD Transport, David Hastings seems a very bland character who is set in his ways. When Gavin receives an offer from Lindsay Logistics to buy the company he sees this as a lifeline but David is adamant he will never sell the company even once he finds out that the money is gone.
Gavin in desperation looks for a way out and that is where I found the plot unbelievable. I also did not really feel empathy for any of the characters especially Jess. I could fully understand why she would want out of her marriage after her husband's betrayal especially as she had postponed having a family to concentrate on the business but when almost immediately she launches into an affair with a man she has only just met this just did not resonate with me.
I just did not enjoy this book at all although as stated above I did feel it was well written but just not for me.
Karen Deborah
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Gavin and Jess Sterling have it all - successful business, stunning home and enough money to last them two lifetimes. But all that glitters is not gold and when secrets begin to creep into their marriage, their ivory tower starts shaking on its foundations. Gavin has taken the chance, risked everything, and when the gamble doesn't come off, he has just weeks to find a solution. With the clock ticking and his stress levels rising, Gavin meets a man who offers the world. A man who can make things right if Gavin makes him one promise. He bet everything. Now there's nothing to lose.
This is a multilayered story. Gavin and his wife Jess have a successful haulage company. They have a stunning home and enough money to last two lifetimes, that is until Gavin takes a chance, risked everything and lost everything. The story begins with a body on the streets in Edinburgh....
filled with secrets and lies, this fast-paced read had me hooked by the end of the first chapter. Its gripping, dark and tense, and I couldn't put the book down. I didn't care much for either Gavin or Jess. I was a little bit disappointed by how the story ended, I would rather it had had a different ending altogether. It would have been a five star read if it had.
Published 1st June 2026
I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author OJMullen for my ARC OF #Don'tLookBack inexchange for an honest review.
This is a multilayered story. Gavin and his wife Jess have a successful haulage company. They have a stunning home and enough money to last two lifetimes, that is until Gavin takes a chance, risked everything and lost everything. The story begins with a body on the streets in Edinburgh....
filled with secrets and lies, this fast-paced read had me hooked by the end of the first chapter. Its gripping, dark and tense, and I couldn't put the book down. I didn't care much for either Gavin or Jess. I was a little bit disappointed by how the story ended, I would rather it had had a different ending altogether. It would have been a five star read if it had.
Published 1st June 2026
I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author OJMullen for my ARC OF #Don'tLookBack inexchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
We start with a man jumping to his death from his office in the Business district of Glasgow. We then cut to Gavin who is married to Jesse and who is keeping a big secret from her. He has blown all their money - and taken out a bunch of loans - to invest in a "sure thing" that his financier Adam had convinced him of, after learning about it in a bar, one night.
Problem is Adam has gone quiet on Gavin - probably cos he was the aforementioned jumper - and now Gavin is in BIG trouble as it appears that the "sure thing" was anything but...
An easy out for Gavin would be if their business partner - David - just bought him and Jesse out. But David doesn't want to do that. Gavin is now desperate, and we all know what happens to desperate people...
Where I did get through this book, and eventually enjoyed the overall story, it was a bit of a slog. It was a wee bit too chaotically implausible along the way for me, which also made it drag. There was a lot going on, but at the same time, I felt that the story wasn't progressing enough for me.
The characters were also all pretty much unlikeable for various reasons. I simply didn't care what happened to them. There were twists and turns but none of them really set me alight, some were quite OTT, and the whole thing didn't really satisfy me.
All in all, although not the book for me, my thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read it.
Problem is Adam has gone quiet on Gavin - probably cos he was the aforementioned jumper - and now Gavin is in BIG trouble as it appears that the "sure thing" was anything but...
An easy out for Gavin would be if their business partner - David - just bought him and Jesse out. But David doesn't want to do that. Gavin is now desperate, and we all know what happens to desperate people...
Where I did get through this book, and eventually enjoyed the overall story, it was a bit of a slog. It was a wee bit too chaotically implausible along the way for me, which also made it drag. There was a lot going on, but at the same time, I felt that the story wasn't progressing enough for me.
The characters were also all pretty much unlikeable for various reasons. I simply didn't care what happened to them. There were twists and turns but none of them really set me alight, some were quite OTT, and the whole thing didn't really satisfy me.
All in all, although not the book for me, my thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Once I started Don’t Look Back, I couldn’t put it down.
Even when I did try to step away, it was impossible to switch off - my mind kept returning to the characters and the tension building between them.
O.J. Mullen delivers a tense, fast-paced thriller that builds pressure with every chapter, making it incredibly difficult to step away for long.
The pacing is sharp, with a constant sense of urgency as the tension steadily escalates, and every action feels like it carries real weight. There’s a real momentum to the storytelling that keeps the pages turning.
At the centre of it all are Gavin and Jess Sterling, whose seemingly perfect life is torn apart the moment the truth comes to light. As the consequences of Gavin’s actions begin to close in, the tension rises quickly, creating a strong sense of urgency and unease.
What makes this particularly compelling is the emotional layer beneath the suspense. This isn’t just about what’s been done, but what it reveals. The shifting dynamics within their relationship add real depth, exposing a growing disconnect in priorities and expectations that feels just as impactful as the external stakes. Gavin’s perspective, in particular, is fascinating. As everything begins to unravel, there’s a real sense of desperation and disbelief, and I found myself experiencing a mix of reactions - from shock at how quickly things spiral, to moments of frustration at the way he processes and prioritises what’s happening around him. That emotional tension highlights the contrast between outward success and the reality beneath it, with a clear exploration of mindset and consequence running through the narrative.
The setting is another standout. The story moves seamlessly across the central belt, with both Edinburgh and Glasgow brought vividly to life, along with the routes between them. Each location feels authentic and well-observed, adding to the atmosphere and grounding the tension in a very real sense of place.
Long-time readers of Owen Mullen will also appreciate the subtle nods to previous books, with familiar names dropped in briefly — a really rewarding touch that adds an extra layer of enjoyment without impacting the story for new readers.
A gripping, high-stakes thriller that’s well worth the read.
Even when I did try to step away, it was impossible to switch off - my mind kept returning to the characters and the tension building between them.
O.J. Mullen delivers a tense, fast-paced thriller that builds pressure with every chapter, making it incredibly difficult to step away for long.
The pacing is sharp, with a constant sense of urgency as the tension steadily escalates, and every action feels like it carries real weight. There’s a real momentum to the storytelling that keeps the pages turning.
At the centre of it all are Gavin and Jess Sterling, whose seemingly perfect life is torn apart the moment the truth comes to light. As the consequences of Gavin’s actions begin to close in, the tension rises quickly, creating a strong sense of urgency and unease.
What makes this particularly compelling is the emotional layer beneath the suspense. This isn’t just about what’s been done, but what it reveals. The shifting dynamics within their relationship add real depth, exposing a growing disconnect in priorities and expectations that feels just as impactful as the external stakes. Gavin’s perspective, in particular, is fascinating. As everything begins to unravel, there’s a real sense of desperation and disbelief, and I found myself experiencing a mix of reactions - from shock at how quickly things spiral, to moments of frustration at the way he processes and prioritises what’s happening around him. That emotional tension highlights the contrast between outward success and the reality beneath it, with a clear exploration of mindset and consequence running through the narrative.
The setting is another standout. The story moves seamlessly across the central belt, with both Edinburgh and Glasgow brought vividly to life, along with the routes between them. Each location feels authentic and well-observed, adding to the atmosphere and grounding the tension in a very real sense of place.
Long-time readers of Owen Mullen will also appreciate the subtle nods to previous books, with familiar names dropped in briefly — a really rewarding touch that adds an extra layer of enjoyment without impacting the story for new readers.
A gripping, high-stakes thriller that’s well worth the read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When Gavin decides to take a risk with their money, Jess is unaware that anything has happened. It is not until Gavin starts pushing to sell their business that she realises something is wrong. The business is three-way owned; all three need to agree, or nothing happens. Daniel, the third owner, is adamant he wants to remain, not sell, ever.
The pressure is on for Gavin, as not only has he spent all their savings, but he has also done a lot worse. Jess had put her life on hold for the company, but now she realises that this has been for nothing.
The characters are limited in this story, but that works well as a lot of what goes on is secret, so having a compact cast suits well. There is a random man called Lenny, who is strange, but becomes an interesting addition, keeping Gavin on his toes.
A lot is going on, but Jess has her own ideas for what she wants. Daniel has already stated he will never sell, so this leaves Gavin out in the cold, with no real way of making amends, and he becomes desperate. There are stories within stories in this book, and the author does a great job of keeping the plots intriguing, but also laid out well. Some interesting ideas, secrets and outcomes to keep the reader on their toes.
I really enjoyed this one; it is a mix of deceit, deception, mystery, crime, and it is a thriller. One I would be happy to recommend.
The pressure is on for Gavin, as not only has he spent all their savings, but he has also done a lot worse. Jess had put her life on hold for the company, but now she realises that this has been for nothing.
The characters are limited in this story, but that works well as a lot of what goes on is secret, so having a compact cast suits well. There is a random man called Lenny, who is strange, but becomes an interesting addition, keeping Gavin on his toes.
A lot is going on, but Jess has her own ideas for what she wants. Daniel has already stated he will never sell, so this leaves Gavin out in the cold, with no real way of making amends, and he becomes desperate. There are stories within stories in this book, and the author does a great job of keeping the plots intriguing, but also laid out well. Some interesting ideas, secrets and outcomes to keep the reader on their toes.
I really enjoyed this one; it is a mix of deceit, deception, mystery, crime, and it is a thriller. One I would be happy to recommend.
July 14, 2026
This book starts off with a bang, the plot drew me in and I was intrigued by how it would pan out, especially with the married couple and their partner in the haulage firm. As it progressed though, it lost me a little. Gavin, deep in money trouble because of a situation of his own making, becomes a whinger and a drunk. His wife, rightly washes her hands of him. The other partner in the business is a two dimensional character with fixed ideas and although they apparently built up a good business, I was not convinced by their working relationship.
The book started to become a little repetitive, Gavin desperate to sell the business, his wife wanting out and David set against it. I had to push myself to carry on . Towards the end the action picks up again. Not totally believable, but interesting .
The writing certainly is not bad, the characters are described enough so that we get a good picture of who they are ( Gavin particularly driven by wealth) , the plot is okay, though not really a thriller. Location in Scotland is good and I suppose everyone gets their just rewards. The first I have read by this author, I will look out for more .
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC
The book started to become a little repetitive, Gavin desperate to sell the business, his wife wanting out and David set against it. I had to push myself to carry on . Towards the end the action picks up again. Not totally believable, but interesting .
The writing certainly is not bad, the characters are described enough so that we get a good picture of who they are ( Gavin particularly driven by wealth) , the plot is okay, though not really a thriller. Location in Scotland is good and I suppose everyone gets their just rewards. The first I have read by this author, I will look out for more .
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Gavin is a man whose life is unraveling. As secrets come out in the open, his life takes a downward spiral that forces him to become paranoid and suspicious of everyone and threatens his marriage.
This seemed more of an examination of a descent caused by bad life decisions than a thriller. I was intrigued by what was happening to Gavin and what the outcome would be, although he is a very unsympathetic character. The tension of the story did not have my heart racing. While there was an atmosphere of dread that was pervasive through the whole story, the pacing was a bit slow because the plot was centered around Gavin trying to get out of situations he created. His wife, Jess, was an interesting character. I felt that if she had been more developed it would have added so much more interest to the story.
The "twist" at the end was a bit predictable and not very shocking. It is well written, but did not overly engage me in the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This seemed more of an examination of a descent caused by bad life decisions than a thriller. I was intrigued by what was happening to Gavin and what the outcome would be, although he is a very unsympathetic character. The tension of the story did not have my heart racing. While there was an atmosphere of dread that was pervasive through the whole story, the pacing was a bit slow because the plot was centered around Gavin trying to get out of situations he created. His wife, Jess, was an interesting character. I felt that if she had been more developed it would have added so much more interest to the story.
The "twist" at the end was a bit predictable and not very shocking. It is well written, but did not overly engage me in the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book is a little low powered and slow moving compared to my two previous OJ Mullen reads, Three Sisters and The Wrong Woman. I didn't like any of the three main protagonists, which isn't necessarily a problem: sometimes you can admire someone without liking them. But I didn't find anything particularly admirable about married couple Gavin and Jess, and their business partner. We are supposed to feel sorry for Jess who's been deceived by her husband. But I find it hard to believe that a woman who's supposed to be a success in business can be so clueless.
There's a good twist towards the end but still quite a few pages to go, so I was expecting that some of the disparate threads would turn out to be linked. Instead there's a happy ending which didn'tleave me satisfied. I was still mistrusting one of the characters involved.
There's a good twist towards the end but still quite a few pages to go, so I was expecting that some of the disparate threads would turn out to be linked. Instead there's a happy ending which didn'tleave me satisfied. I was still mistrusting one of the characters involved.
May 15, 2026
Review of advance copy from publisher.
Gavin and Jess Sterling own and run a haulage business with their business partner. They have everything they could want, but following the death of a man in Edinburgh, their lives change.
Jess has put her life on hold for the business, and as circumstances change, so does her whole life. Gavin is not the person she always thought he was, and things need to change.
This is an intense read and shows how so many people’s lives can change following bad choices. The story contains many secrets and lies that were truly shocking.
It was quite hard to like certain characters, they were so well written that they made me quite cross with their behaviour!
A good, and at times, dark story that shows how people’s worlds can change in the blink of an eye.
Gavin and Jess Sterling own and run a haulage business with their business partner. They have everything they could want, but following the death of a man in Edinburgh, their lives change.
Jess has put her life on hold for the business, and as circumstances change, so does her whole life. Gavin is not the person she always thought he was, and things need to change.
This is an intense read and shows how so many people’s lives can change following bad choices. The story contains many secrets and lies that were truly shocking.
It was quite hard to like certain characters, they were so well written that they made me quite cross with their behaviour!
A good, and at times, dark story that shows how people’s worlds can change in the blink of an eye.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.75 rounded up 3
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eBook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I had mixed feelings about this book. It started off quite slowly, with a lot of background information and character development. While that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, at times it felt like a slog to get through. Eventually, the story picked up and I became invested, genuinely wanting to see how everything would unfold. However, after a few more chapters, it lost my interest again.
I felt the author jumped over certain details, leaving parts of the story feeling underdeveloped, and the ending was fairly predictable.
Overall, it was an okay read, but one I felt I had to work hard to finish.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eBook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I had mixed feelings about this book. It started off quite slowly, with a lot of background information and character development. While that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, at times it felt like a slog to get through. Eventually, the story picked up and I became invested, genuinely wanting to see how everything would unfold. However, after a few more chapters, it lost my interest again.
I felt the author jumped over certain details, leaving parts of the story feeling underdeveloped, and the ending was fairly predictable.
Overall, it was an okay read, but one I felt I had to work hard to finish.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 stars.
Different to the usual books I read but in a good way?
A suicide at a small firm, Gavin, a man who has invested his life savings in a sideline without his wife Jess(and business partners) knowledge, Blackmail, danger. Even in marriage, business is a dog eat dog scenario. I was frustrated by Gavin’s lack of accountability. A weak man who wants it all and it backfires. Jess, the suffering wife, who desperately wanted a family, now with an agenda of her own. A different take on a ‘family & friends firm. Recommended. Thanks to author & publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Different to the usual books I read but in a good way?
A suicide at a small firm, Gavin, a man who has invested his life savings in a sideline without his wife Jess(and business partners) knowledge, Blackmail, danger. Even in marriage, business is a dog eat dog scenario. I was frustrated by Gavin’s lack of accountability. A weak man who wants it all and it backfires. Jess, the suffering wife, who desperately wanted a family, now with an agenda of her own. A different take on a ‘family & friends firm. Recommended. Thanks to author & publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Gavin and Jess have what appears to be the perfect life with plenty of money and genuine affection in their marriage.
All this is put at risk when Gavin takes a gamble that does not pay off. Things get even worse when he accepts an offer of assistance that comes with strings and lands him in an even more tangled situation than before...
There is a good twist at the end, but this story was a bit of a slow burn. It gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
All this is put at risk when Gavin takes a gamble that does not pay off. Things get even worse when he accepts an offer of assistance that comes with strings and lands him in an even more tangled situation than before...
There is a good twist at the end, but this story was a bit of a slow burn. It gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A sharp, gripping thriller about the high cost of secrets. Gavin and Jess Sterling seem to have it all, but their perfect life is a lie — Gavin is on the edge of ruin, until a stranger offers an escape with dangerous strings attached. When a body is found, buried truths surface, and trust shatters completely.
Tense, twisty, and packed with flawed, believable characters, this is classic O.J. Mullen: smart, dark, and impossible to put down. The final twist will leave you reeling. Highly recommended for thriller fans.
Tense, twisty, and packed with flawed, believable characters, this is classic O.J. Mullen: smart, dark, and impossible to put down. The final twist will leave you reeling. Highly recommended for thriller fans.
June 3, 2026
This is the story of Gavin and Jess. Gavin gambled and lost big. Now he needs to find a way out and keep Jess by his.side. This story is deceptively intricate. There is a lot going on and a lot of discussion about the haulage trade. It's the personal interactions where the real interest lies. How people may be different to what you think they are. A fascinating read, this will take you from the lows to the highs and back again before the flnale plays out.
an enjoyable read . With thanks to the author and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this book.
an enjoyable read . With thanks to the author and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this book.
June 11, 2026
Don't Look Back by O. J. Mullen was an excellent psychological thrillers. with a cracking start and a Jaw dropping twist at the very end and I did not see that coming! Superb book with excellent twists and turns throughout with excellent characters. I really enjoyed reading this book, it was so addictive, before I knew it I was on the last few chapters!
I highly recommend Don't Look Back, was a book that will have you turning the pages over quicky to find out what happens next.
Big Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood books for my ARC.
I highly recommend Don't Look Back, was a book that will have you turning the pages over quicky to find out what happens next.
Big Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood books for my ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a wild book and I flew through it! It opens with Adam who is CEO of an investment company, his wife Jennifer, and three young children. But later we see Gavin and wife Jess who are often at odds with each other over business--especially the new company: Source 1000, in which Adam had convinced him to invest as a wise man should. But Gavin has other things on his mind as well. There's blackmail, suspicion, and old rumors flying. Loved it!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.5 I really wanted to like this book because the premise was interesting. Unfortunately, the characters were only caricatures and never developed in a way that helped invest me in the story. I found the treatment of the only female character, Jess, to be particularly off putting. She seemed to exist only to show how rotten the male characters were.
Thank you you NetGalley and Boldwood books for the ARC of this title.
Thank you you NetGalley and Boldwood books for the ARC of this title.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I didn't warm to any of the characters in this book and the subject matter was not interesting to me. I think the blurb misled me into believing it was going to be something completely different. The narrative was repetitive and there was too much introspection from the characters. Without giving any spoilers, the final storyline for Jess just felt wrong.
I received this arc from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
I received this arc from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It took me awhile to finish this book as I kept putting it off… the characters were so unlikeable and it dragged on forever. The ending was rushed whereas the whole premise of the story was slowwwww. Everyone’s fate was disappointing, we never even found out what happened to the company. The book summary made it seem more thrilling than it actually was. There were too many plot holes and the storylines didn’t even make sense, there were too many and none connected well.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
✨️Spoiler Free Review✨️
Thanks to @netgalley the author & @boldwoodbooks
for the ARC in return for my honest review.
This is the first time reading anything by this author
Sold as a psychological thriller but it was in some parts a little bit predictable & drawn out. It started off slow & did eventually pick up but I did feel that at times it jumped around the place and I found it hard to keep myself engaged with the book. The characters were ok, but I didn't really gel with them.
Thanks to @netgalley the author & @boldwoodbooks
for the ARC in return for my honest review.
This is the first time reading anything by this author
Sold as a psychological thriller but it was in some parts a little bit predictable & drawn out. It started off slow & did eventually pick up but I did feel that at times it jumped around the place and I found it hard to keep myself engaged with the book. The characters were ok, but I didn't really gel with them.
June 3, 2026
A tragic death sets the stage for this fast-paced thriller, full of twists and an underlying sense of menace. The twists are clever, and even when you think you know what is happening, there are still surprises. Given the clues within the narrative, I expected a couple more twists than there actually were, but it was still an immersive and intriguing read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
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June 6, 2026The opening of this book started off with a shocking scene which drew me in right away. As the plot unfolded, I lost a bit of interest due to the fact that the pacing was slow and I failed to connect with any of the characters. Gavin's unravelling became a spiral as his desperation became paranoia but I found it all a bit unbelievable. It's a book about greed and finances, just not one for me but it will appeal to others who enjoy psychological thrillers. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
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