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A Price to Pay: A suspense-filled crime thriller
A single mistake seals Frank's fate, and redemption won't be easy…
In an attempt to settle his wife's financial mess, Frank becomes involved in what should have been a simple crime. But when the robbery goes disastrously wrong, he becomes indebted to the nefarious Morgan family, and now he’s trapped. They know what he did, and they won’t let him forget. Now they control him, and Frank will be forced to make a devastating choice.
He never thought he could kill. But what if it’s the only way to save his family?
The new thriller from the author of Behind the Lies, One Final Breath and Out of the Dark. Perfect for fans of Mark Edwards and Gillian McAllister.
In an attempt to settle his wife's financial mess, Frank becomes involved in what should have been a simple crime. But when the robbery goes disastrously wrong, he becomes indebted to the nefarious Morgan family, and now he’s trapped. They know what he did, and they won’t let him forget. Now they control him, and Frank will be forced to make a devastating choice.
He never thought he could kill. But what if it’s the only way to save his family?
The new thriller from the author of Behind the Lies, One Final Breath and Out of the Dark. Perfect for fans of Mark Edwards and Gillian McAllister.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 26, 2026
About the author
Carol Gulliford
5 books57 followersCarol Gulliford writes psychological thrillers that keep you up at night. Not too dark, but full of suspense and hard to put down. Her character-driven stories have surprise twists that keep readers wanting to read just one more chapter.
She is an avid reader of mystery and suspense and lives in the south of England with her son and partner.
Her debut novel, Behind the Lies, was released in 2024 and is now available as an audiobook. She also has a quick thriller read, One Final Breath, and a taut emotional thriller, Out of the Dark. A new crime thriller, A Price to Pay, will be released on 26th June 2026.
Carol also has a children's picture book called The Popcorn Factory.
Connect with Carol:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
https://www.instagram.com/carolgullif...
https://www.tiktok.com/@carolgullifor...
She is an avid reader of mystery and suspense and lives in the south of England with her son and partner.
Her debut novel, Behind the Lies, was released in 2024 and is now available as an audiobook. She also has a quick thriller read, One Final Breath, and a taut emotional thriller, Out of the Dark. A new crime thriller, A Price to Pay, will be released on 26th June 2026.
Carol also has a children's picture book called The Popcorn Factory.
Connect with Carol:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
https://www.instagram.com/carolgullif...
https://www.tiktok.com/@carolgullifor...
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 5, 2026
“A Price To Pay” by Carol Gulliford was a fantastic read! What starts as one small mistake quickly spirals into something completely out of control. The suspense kept building with every chapter and I couldn’t put it down! It’s a tense, gripping story that kept me turning pages, and I ended up reading it in a single sitting. If you enjoy suspenseful reads where one bad decision leads to a cascade of trouble, this one is definitely worth reading.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
A Price to Pay by Carol Gulliford
Release Date: June 26, 2026
First of all, thank you to Carol and InsideStory for handing me this book and another reason to distrust humanity. Much appreciated. I’ll just add it to my growing list of reasons to sleep with one eye open.
This is one of those crime thrillers that grabs you early and quietly refuses to let go. I sat down intending to read a few chapters and somehow ended up emotionally invested in people whose life choices made me question my own blood pressure.
Frank… honestly, I wanted to slap that man into next week. Repeatedly. Would it have solved anything? Absolutely not. Would it have made me feel better? Without a doubt.
What I loved most was how realistically one bad decision snowballed into something much bigger. A little lie becomes a bigger lie, secrets pile up, people start playing games, and before long nobody seems safe anymore. It’s a reminder that the easy way out usually comes with a very expensive bill attached.
The story moves at a fast pace, with plenty happening, but it never became confusing. I never felt like I needed a whiteboard, sticky notes, and a detective wall connected by red string just to keep up. Everything flowed naturally, which made it an enjoyable read.
Reading it felt strangely comforting, in the same way spending an evening watching a solid crime drama is comforting—provided your definition of comfort includes murder, bad decisions, and questionable human beings.
So why 3.5 stars?
Because I have to be honest. I genuinely enjoyed reading this book, but the ending left me wanting more. After such a strong build-up, it felt abrupt, almost like someone suddenly remembered they had somewhere else to be. Personally, I also felt some characters got off a little too easily. Maybe that’s my eternal craving for justice talking, maybe I’m just difficult to please, but I walked away feeling slightly unsatisfied.
That said, don’t let my inner chaos goblin scare you away. This is still a gripping crime thriller packed with tension, emotion, and enough frustrating decisions to make you yell at fictional people through the pages. If you enjoy stories that make you question what you would do in the same situation—and occasionally make you want to throw a character into the nearest canal—then this is definitely one worth picking up.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
A Price to Pay by Carol Gulliford
Release Date: June 26, 2026
First of all, thank you to Carol and InsideStory for handing me this book and another reason to distrust humanity. Much appreciated. I’ll just add it to my growing list of reasons to sleep with one eye open.
This is one of those crime thrillers that grabs you early and quietly refuses to let go. I sat down intending to read a few chapters and somehow ended up emotionally invested in people whose life choices made me question my own blood pressure.
Frank… honestly, I wanted to slap that man into next week. Repeatedly. Would it have solved anything? Absolutely not. Would it have made me feel better? Without a doubt.
What I loved most was how realistically one bad decision snowballed into something much bigger. A little lie becomes a bigger lie, secrets pile up, people start playing games, and before long nobody seems safe anymore. It’s a reminder that the easy way out usually comes with a very expensive bill attached.
The story moves at a fast pace, with plenty happening, but it never became confusing. I never felt like I needed a whiteboard, sticky notes, and a detective wall connected by red string just to keep up. Everything flowed naturally, which made it an enjoyable read.
Reading it felt strangely comforting, in the same way spending an evening watching a solid crime drama is comforting—provided your definition of comfort includes murder, bad decisions, and questionable human beings.
So why 3.5 stars?
Because I have to be honest. I genuinely enjoyed reading this book, but the ending left me wanting more. After such a strong build-up, it felt abrupt, almost like someone suddenly remembered they had somewhere else to be. Personally, I also felt some characters got off a little too easily. Maybe that’s my eternal craving for justice talking, maybe I’m just difficult to please, but I walked away feeling slightly unsatisfied.
That said, don’t let my inner chaos goblin scare you away. This is still a gripping crime thriller packed with tension, emotion, and enough frustrating decisions to make you yell at fictional people through the pages. If you enjoy stories that make you question what you would do in the same situation—and occasionally make you want to throw a character into the nearest canal—then this is definitely one worth picking up.
Review of advance copy
⭐⭐⭐⭐
A Price to Pay by Carol Gulliford is a gripping, emotionally charged contemporary crime thriller that masterfully explores the devastating domino effect of a single flawed choice.
The narrative grabs the reader early, establishing a quiet but relentless tension that refuses to let go. The plot follows Frank, an ordinary man who makes a terrible mistake in a desperate bid to resolve his wife's financial crisis. This single lapse in judgment snowballs into a chaotic nightmare of mounting lies, buried secrets, and psychological mind games. As Frank becomes helplessly ensnared by the ruthless Morgan family, who weaponise his past to keep him under their control, the stakes skyrocket.
The novel excels in its realistic, slow-burning escalation, demonstrating how easily a small error can dismantle multiple lives and trap an individual in a web of impossible choices. Well-written, fluidly paced, and anchored by deep character development—particularly regarding Frank's agonising struggle to protect his family—this brutal story is a stark reminder of the hidden costs of the easy way out. Highly recommended for fans of domestic and financial crime suspense, this compelling ride earns 4 heart-stopping stars.
A Price to Pay by Carol Gulliford is a gripping, emotionally charged contemporary crime thriller that masterfully explores the devastating domino effect of a single flawed choice.
The narrative grabs the reader early, establishing a quiet but relentless tension that refuses to let go. The plot follows Frank, an ordinary man who makes a terrible mistake in a desperate bid to resolve his wife's financial crisis. This single lapse in judgment snowballs into a chaotic nightmare of mounting lies, buried secrets, and psychological mind games. As Frank becomes helplessly ensnared by the ruthless Morgan family, who weaponise his past to keep him under their control, the stakes skyrocket.
The novel excels in its realistic, slow-burning escalation, demonstrating how easily a small error can dismantle multiple lives and trap an individual in a web of impossible choices. Well-written, fluidly paced, and anchored by deep character development—particularly regarding Frank's agonising struggle to protect his family—this brutal story is a stark reminder of the hidden costs of the easy way out. Highly recommended for fans of domestic and financial crime suspense, this compelling ride earns 4 heart-stopping stars.
Review of advance copy
ARC Copy Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Price To Pay
Author Carol Gulliford
Publication date June 26, 2026
First, I’d like to thank Carol Gullifird and Inside Story for the opportunity to read this great book before publication.
This was a gripping, fast-paced thriller that kept me turning the pages.
Frank is an ordinary man who makes one terrible decision in an attempt to fix his wife’s financial problems, but that single mistake sets off a chain of events that quickly spirals out of control.
The tension builds steadily as Frank becomes trapped by the ruthless Morgan family, who use his past actions to keep him under their control.
Watching him struggle with impossible choices and the lengths he is willing to go to protect his family made for a compelling and emotional read.
The author does an excellent job of exploring guilt, desperation, and the consequences of bad decisions. Just when I thought I knew where the story was heading, new twists kept me guessing.
A suspenseful and thought-provoking read that I highly recommend to fans of crime thrillers.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Price To Pay
Author Carol Gulliford
Publication date June 26, 2026
First, I’d like to thank Carol Gullifird and Inside Story for the opportunity to read this great book before publication.
This was a gripping, fast-paced thriller that kept me turning the pages.
Frank is an ordinary man who makes one terrible decision in an attempt to fix his wife’s financial problems, but that single mistake sets off a chain of events that quickly spirals out of control.
The tension builds steadily as Frank becomes trapped by the ruthless Morgan family, who use his past actions to keep him under their control.
Watching him struggle with impossible choices and the lengths he is willing to go to protect his family made for a compelling and emotional read.
The author does an excellent job of exploring guilt, desperation, and the consequences of bad decisions. Just when I thought I knew where the story was heading, new twists kept me guessing.
A suspenseful and thought-provoking read that I highly recommend to fans of crime thrillers.
August 16, 2026
If I had to describe this book in one word, it would be unhinged. The premise follows two individuals who attempt a burglary, only for everything to go horribly wrong. From there, things continue to get worse and worse for the male main character and the people he cares about.
The plot was incredibly engaging, and the pacing was fantastic. I read this in just a couple of hours because I couldn’t put it down. I was completely invested and had to keep reading to find out what would happen next.
The only thing that stopped this from being a five-star read for me was that I expected a few more twists. I was constantly waiting for a big reveal, which definitely kept me hooked, but I personally would have liked a few more unexpected turns.
That said, I really enjoyed how gripping the story became, particularly the last 100 pages. If you’re looking for an easy read that is compelling, fast-paced, gripping and slightly disturbing, this is definitely one I’d recommend.
The plot was incredibly engaging, and the pacing was fantastic. I read this in just a couple of hours because I couldn’t put it down. I was completely invested and had to keep reading to find out what would happen next.
The only thing that stopped this from being a five-star read for me was that I expected a few more twists. I was constantly waiting for a big reveal, which definitely kept me hooked, but I personally would have liked a few more unexpected turns.
That said, I really enjoyed how gripping the story became, particularly the last 100 pages. If you’re looking for an easy read that is compelling, fast-paced, gripping and slightly disturbing, this is definitely one I’d recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a gripping novel about how easy it is to get sucked into crime if you are desperate.
Well written, the book flows easily and the characters are well developed. Especially the character of Frank.
He is a family man, loving and caring, and the fact that he cares for people in general shines through. His guilt for what he has done weighs heavily on him.
I am not condoning what he did, he felt like he was backed into a corner and doing the best thing for his family. Until he wasn't.
Once involved, he battles to extricate himself, thinking that it was a one time commitment.
Tense, heartbreaking, slightly dark and suspenseful, I enjoyed the book immensely.
Thank you to Inside Story and Carol Gulliford for the chance to read and review this novel.
4/5 stars from me.
Well written, the book flows easily and the characters are well developed. Especially the character of Frank.
He is a family man, loving and caring, and the fact that he cares for people in general shines through. His guilt for what he has done weighs heavily on him.
I am not condoning what he did, he felt like he was backed into a corner and doing the best thing for his family. Until he wasn't.
Once involved, he battles to extricate himself, thinking that it was a one time commitment.
Tense, heartbreaking, slightly dark and suspenseful, I enjoyed the book immensely.
Thank you to Inside Story and Carol Gulliford for the chance to read and review this novel.
4/5 stars from me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
One night. Two men. One house full of jewels and money. The objective is to get in and out with as much as possible. However, things don’t quite turn out as planned and the the fallout from the night casts a long shadow over the men and all those around them.
I can easily say this is one of my favorite books that I’ve read in a while. The pacing is lightning quick, the characters are often morally questionable, and the writing is sharp. I found myself grabbing my kindle whenever I could just to see where the story was going. Carol really knows how to write, and this book is another shining example of how to make a wild thriller that grabs you by the throat and leaves you gasping until the very end.
Grab a copy of this and hold on tight. It’s going to get very bumpy!
I can easily say this is one of my favorite books that I’ve read in a while. The pacing is lightning quick, the characters are often morally questionable, and the writing is sharp. I found myself grabbing my kindle whenever I could just to see where the story was going. Carol really knows how to write, and this book is another shining example of how to make a wild thriller that grabs you by the throat and leaves you gasping until the very end.
Grab a copy of this and hold on tight. It’s going to get very bumpy!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Advanced Copy received by Author
Having enjoyed Carol’s first three novels I was excited to get an advance copy of her upcoming release.
I instantly became immersed in the story and characters, and it was easy to follow along. I am giving it 4.5 ⭐️’s only because I guessed the way Frank ‘handled’ the situation, but that didn’t spoil the book for me.
Given that Carol is an Indie author I decided it was definitely worth rounding up to a 5, rather than down to a 4.
Thank you Carol for another well written novel 😊
Having enjoyed Carol’s first three novels I was excited to get an advance copy of her upcoming release.
I instantly became immersed in the story and characters, and it was easy to follow along. I am giving it 4.5 ⭐️’s only because I guessed the way Frank ‘handled’ the situation, but that didn’t spoil the book for me.
Given that Carol is an Indie author I decided it was definitely worth rounding up to a 5, rather than down to a 4.
Thank you Carol for another well written novel 😊
July 27, 2026
I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to read A Price To Pay before publication. I liked it so much that once it became available, I downloaded it on KU and read it again. I liked Frank, the main character. He was a caring, family man who wanted to climb out of a stressful financial situation and agreed to do something he wouldn’t otherwise do. But then, that snowball kept rolling and soon became a life or death situation. What’s a guy to do when he finds himself in over his head? Find out by reading A Price To Pay by Carol Gulliford.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A Price to Pay is an easy read that takes you on a POV journey through a very bad, desperate decision. A series of unfortunate events leads the reader through a first person narrative, lead by a cast of characters who each feel unique and interesting. An easy recommendation for a fun read! Gulliford does it again!
August 13, 2026
A gripping, fast-paced thriller that shows how one bad decision can spiral into a nightmare of lies, secrets, and manipulation. The tension builds steadily, while the sharp writing and morally complex characters keep the story compelling throughout.
July 2, 2026
I really enjoyed this story. Great characters and a sense of dread about what they are caught up in. Fantastic.
July 5, 2026
Whizzed through this book. I really felt for Frank. Great twist at the end too!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews