The Man in the Photo: A BRAND NEW absolutely addictive psychological thriller with a shocking final twist

by McGarvey Black

From the No.1 bestselling author of The Second Honeymoon

I’m scrolling through my daughter’s photos of her trip to Australia when I see him.

In the background. Blue shirt. Gray beard.

He looks familiar. It can’t be . . . can it? My dead fiancé.

But that’s impossible.

He drowned in a boating accident off Long Island over twenty years ago.

He was the love of my life. We were planning our dream wedding. I was pregnant with his child.

And then he was gone.

I rebuilt my life from nothing. Raised our daughter alone. Eventually stopped grieving.

But now he’s back.

Which means one thing.

The man I loved didn’t just leave me. He lied about everything.

And what am I going to do about it?

AN EXHILARATING BLEND OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE, NAIL-BITING TENSION AND A MIND-BLOWING FINAL TWIST.

Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Daniel Hurst, T.M. Logan, Patricia MacDonald and Shari Lapena.

READERS LOVE THE MAN IN THE PHOTO:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘An absolutely unputdownable novel! I was addicted from the first chapter! McGarvey Black is a terrific storyteller.’ Sue E.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Absolutely loved this thriller! Kept me guessing throughout.’ Michelle M.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Twisty, tense, and packed with secrets. If you enjoy Freida McFadden, Daniel Hurst, T. M. Logan or Shari Lapena, this one will be right up your street.’ NetGalley Review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I absolutely loved this book and couldn’t put it down.’ Niki M.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A brilliant book. I finished it in one day as I couldn’t put it down.’ Natalie T.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Packed with action and suspense, I was hooked.’ Andra C.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Keeps you engrossed throughout. I can’t recommend this book highly enough. I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I did. It’s fabulous.’ Audrey

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I loved it.’ Emily C.

Genres: Thriller

274 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 24, 2026

About the author

Suspense/Thrillers

THE SECOND HONEYMOON - August 2025

He's planned the perfect cruise - and the perfect murder. His new girlfriend (my replacement) is waiting in the wings.

Our luxury cruise ship departs from Florida. Its destination - paradise. A surprise gift from Andre. Our first proper vacation in five years. A second honeymoon.

He's bought me the perfect outfit. The champagne is flowing. Everything's going to plan. Andre's plan.

He thinks he'll get away with it. But he doesn't know what I'm capable of. Not yet.

Also,

—THE BABY I STOLE
—MY SISTER'S KILLER
—THE FIRST HUSBAND
—WITHOUT HER CONSENT
—THE WOMAN UPSTAIRS
—TRUST ONLY ME
—TWICE ON CHRISTMAS
—THE GIRL WHO KILLED HER MOM

Romantic Comedy;

— LOVE ON THE LINE (original title— THE FUSSY VIRGIN).

Morality Tale

—A FAMILIAR STRANGER "It's a Wonderful Life" meets "Wall Street". This novel is a parable of our times.


All my stories are character driven. I try to throw in lots of twists and turns to keep the reader interested and guessing. Most of my writing is inspired by real people or events that trigger my imagination.

I am married with two children and currently live in Connecticut where many of my stories take place. I'm happy to FaceTime or Zoom into your book club if our schedules permit. Reach out and I'll do my best to make it happen.


——McGarvey

You can find me on Facebook or Twitter, too. Thanks for reading my books and if you like them, please leave a review, it helps so much.

Reviews

[Jennifer Sweeney · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m surprised by the high reviews for this one. Not much thriller and just felt like a flat read.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick read. The writing style had me turning the pages to see how it would unfold. The premise is an interesting one. Beginning of the book was great. I found the middle a bit repetitive. This wasn’t actually a thriller since we knew what was going on. It’s more domestic drama. The ending was satisfying but some of the way we got there wasn’t for me. I’ve read other books by this author and I find her books well written easy reads. Though this wasn’t my favorite of hers it was still a read I enjoyed.

[Faye Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Man in the Photo by McGarvey Black
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Wow! I love this author!
What a page turner. I couldn't put it down

You find out you are pregnant, engaged, life is good.....and then your finances boat in on the news. It blew up. Alan is dead

Shannon rebuilds her life and raises her daughter, Danielle. They attend a memorial service for Alan, and a lady called Margot introduces herself as Alan's wife. Over time, Margot and Shannon become friends.

Danielle goes travelling when she is older, and whilst looking through the photos, Shannon spots someone in the background. Her dead fiance Alan!

Omg - this book is a must!
Add it to your list!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great thriller about a woman scammed, a diamond dealer, and all of the women who fall for a scheming liar! Loved it!

[Heidi Lynn’s BookReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I want to thank McGarvey Black, Joffee Books and Zooloo Book Tours for providing me with this book so I can bring you this review.

OMG!! Men like Alan are the reason for my trust issues with men!! One of the reasons I switched teams lol!! The Man In The Photo by McGarvey Black just reminded me why it might be better to be single than be in a relationship!! Oh this book stirred up so many emotions and feels where as many times I was literally yelling and screaming at my Kindle! Oh Alan really pissed me off!! This is one book I could not put down until I knew why he did what he did to these poor women and their families! I would love to see this made into a movie on Netflix! It would be totally binge watchable!

Nebojsa Zoric did an incredible job designing the cover art on The Man In The Photo! It automatically drew me into desiring to know more about this book. Having read this author in the past I knew that this is a must read book. I was spot on.

Chapter one paragraph one regarding just when you think you have everything figured out, life has a way of knocking you down, in her case it was more of an avalanche! Oh I could totally relate! It was this one little bit that I was drawn into the book.

Imagine your fiancé, the love of your life, someone you were going to spend the rest of your life with…who you just found out you were pregnant with his child…and bam you see on the news his boat blew up!!! That was just one of the first shockers that McGarvey Black has in store for her readers in The Man In The Photo. Ohh I despised Alan for so many reasons more than any other character in the past!

For all the negatives that Alan brought to the story the two positives were he brought two friendships together that would have never had happened had they not had known Alan. Those bonds in my eyes are huge.

The Man In The Photo has so many wicked twists and turns, engaging, fast paced, mysterious, and a twist you never saw coming.

[Sonja Charters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Given that this is my sixth read by this author, I think we can safely say that I absolutely love their books and writing style.
I find that I'm instantly gripped from the get go and usually struggle to put the book down once I've started.
Well, this book was just the same!

I was instantly immersed and really liked Shannon. As the pair talk of babies, rings and weddings, I could see how excited she was - but I definitely had an odd feeling about how Alan was taking the news deep down.

As we flip ahead to the memorial and Shannon meets Margot, I just knew it - Alan had been married!
Another jump forward and it was lovely to see that Margot and Shannon had actually bonded over their shared grief - but when Shannon sees Alan in the background of a photo, I couldn't wait to see how this was going to play out.

This was another fast paced and easy to read story. I really enjoyed the premise and found it easy to immerse myself into all that was going on.

I liked the way the bond between Shannon and Margot grew and instead of battling each other, they came together to uncover what really happened to Alan all those years ago.

As always, there were quite a few surprises and twists along the way and the tension builds throughout, leading us to the final confrontation.

Another great read to add to my growing collection.

[A Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Man in the Photo is an addictive, deeply disturbing psychological thriller packed full of lies and tension.

Shannon discovers she's pregnant and her fiancee Alan is less than impressed with this discovery. When he leaves on another one of his business trips, the boat he was on explodes and all are presumed dead. Raising their daughter alone, Shannon is in for one shock after another. When she recognizes Alan in the background of a picture, she puts it all on the line to get justice for herself and her daughter.

This was one crazy good story. I loved the chase and felt Shannon's desperation for justice. I loved the bond and friendship that developed between the female characters. The chapters are short and flow easily. This is an excellent suspense story.

Thanks to Netgalley and Joffe Books for the advanced copy

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my fourth venture into one of Black's psychological thrillers. The premise of the book had me sold, and then the first few chapters just confirmed what I already knew...

Easily bingeable, I read it over the course of an afternoon. The plot shifts were seamless, and the chapters short and extremely moreish.

Chapters were narraed from multiple POV, and it made a refreshing change for the main characters to be reliable narrators that were actually likeable.

The twists twisted, and the ending blindsided me BIG time.

OMFG, what a ride!

[Heather Cairns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book

[Sharon Valler: Live Love Read Review · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise sounded incredible and I went in expecting the usual tension and twists I've come to love from McGarvey Black, but this one took a different approach. It's less of a thriller, in that there isn't much of a mystery to unravel, since we already know early on that Alan, presumed dead for twenty years, is very much alive, so it's more a tale of revenge.

What made it such fun was watching Shannon and Margot's story unfold. The two women don't even know the other exists until they meet by chance and become close friends, after realising they were both connected to the same man; the one they'd each been told died in a boating accident all those years ago. Finding out he's alive and well and living it up in Australia sends them off on a mission to track him down and get their revenge.

It was an enjoyable read. Shannon and Margot could be a little naive at times, but that didn't stop me rooting for them the whole way through. The writing itself was strong, and the ending delivered exactly the kind of karma I was hoping for.

3 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

[Alison Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Man in the Photo by McGarvey Black is one of those books that takes you on a journey you really don't expect, with plenty of twists, secrets and a storyline that kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next.
The story begins with Alan Frye and Shannon Hunter, a seemingly happy couple who are about to have their lives turned upside down when Shannon discovers she is pregnant. Alan isn't exactly thrilled by the news. They're not married, his career is uncertain and he feels that having a child isn't part of his plans just yet. With an important meeting potentially giving his career the boost it needs, Alan heads off to meet a client on a fishing boat. But when the boat explodes and everyone on board is presumed dead, Shannon is left devastated and facing the prospect of bringing up their child alone.
Five years later, Shannon has a daughter, Danielle, who has grown up without ever knowing her father. When Shannon takes her to a memorial marking the anniversary of the disaster, hoping to give Danielle some connection to the father she never knew, she gets the shock of her life. She meets Margot Frye, who tells her that she was Alan's wife at the time of the explosion.
Shannon initially keeps the truth to herself, telling Margot that she only knew Alan through work. But after having time to process what has happened, she realises that she has to tell Margot the truth. After all, their daughters are sisters.
What follows is one of my favourite parts of the story. Despite the circumstances that brought them together, Shannon and Margot develop an incredibly strong friendship. Over the years they become best friends and a source of support for one another. I loved watching their relationship develop from such a heartbreaking situation into something so positive and meaningful. Their friendship really becomes the heart of the story.
Then, twenty years later, everything changes again.
Danielle shows Shannon photographs from a holiday in Australia, and Shannon sees something she never expected to see again — Alan. At first it seems impossible, but further evidence confirms that the man in the photographs really does appear to be Alan. Shannon tells Margot and together they decide they are going to find him.
Their investigation leads them to Darwin, where they discover that Alan is now living under the name James Mahoney. But the man they find is very different from the man they thought they knew. He has built himself a new life and is involved with a wealthy woman whose money he is taking advantage of. When they discover that he is cheating on her as well, Shannon and Margot realise that she deserves to know the truth.
I absolutely loved this part of the book. Watching Shannon and Margot set out to uncover the truth and finally get some justice for all the hurt and misery Alan/James has caused was so entertaining. I was desperate to find out exactly how they were going to bring him down, and I certainly wasn't disappointed.
What I particularly loved about this story was the bond between Shannon and Margot. They were brought together through tragedy and betrayal, but instead of allowing it to tear them apart, they became each other's strongest support. Their friendship develops beautifully throughout the years, and it was lovely to see how much they genuinely cared for one another.
There are plenty of twists along the way, but the story never loses sight of its emotional side. The ending was perfect and left me with a huge sense of satisfaction.
The Man in the Photo is an entertaining, emotional and thoroughly enjoyable read, with friendship, betrayal, secrets, revenge and plenty to keep you turning the pages. I loved Shannon and Margot's journey and was completely invested in finding out what would happen when they finally caught up with Alan.
A fantastic read that I would definitely recommend. 5 stars from me!

[Pav S. (pav_sanborn_bookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

You've probably heard the phrase "it's complicated" tossed around casually, right? Well, get ready, because this book embodies that phrase! What an exhilarating journey this story takes you on!

The narrative unfolds from several perspectives, including Shannon, Alan, Margot, and James. I don't want to give too much away, but prepare for an unexpected web of events leading to a satisfying conclusion! So, here’s the setup: Shannon is pregnant and engaged to James. After three years together, they were eagerly planning their wedding. However, everything takes a dramatic turn when she learns that a boat James was on for business has exploded, leaving no survivors. James’s name is on the passenger list, but his body was never recovered.

Fast forward to the fifth anniversary of James’s death, when Shannon crosses paths with Margot, and they become best friends under some rather intriguing circumstances. Then, we leap twenty years ahead, when Shannon’s daughter visits Australia. In her photos, Shannon spots a man who startlingly resembles her late husband, James. What a twist!

Shannon and Margot are genuinely likable characters, and I found myself cheering for their friendship and the closure they desperately sought. There are some challenging moments along the way, but they navigate their situation to mutual benefit. On the other hand, James is certainly the least likable character, grappling with some heavy addictions. You might think he learned a lesson or two from his past, but we all know that a leopard doesn’t change its spots.

I managed to predict some twists early on since everything clicked into place, but that didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment. The author did an excellent job of keeping me turning pages late into the night, eager to discover Shannon’s plan and whether that man truly was James. The ending was fantastic, and everything came together beautifully! Kudos to the author! Some sections felt a bit lengthy and overly detailed, but they ultimately contributed to the story. If a few chapters had been trimmed, the pace might have picked up, but overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this read.

If you don't mind a bit of amateur sleuthing, delving into an international mystery, and reading about con artists getting caught, this book is for you. After all, who among us hasn’t entertained a fantasy of stepping into someone else’s shoes and getting away with it? The themes of friendship, motherhood, grief, and unresolved feelings are woven throughout, culminating in a satisfying conclusion. I hope this review encourages you to add this book to your TBR list. You’re not just reading a story; you're signing up for a masterclass in complexity that will have you reaching for the aspirin by the second half! Ha!

And by the way, it's available on Kindle Unlimited.

Thank you, Joffe Books, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lisa Ahlstedt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shannon is working in New York City and in a relationship with Alan. Although Alan can be a bit impulsive, she’s excited to plan their upcoming wedding. Even better, she’s just found out that she’s pregnant. Alan didn’t seem thrilled when she told him, but she’s sure it was just the shock of the unexpected announcement. She’s sure Alan will be more than thrilled to be a father once the baby arrives. Money is tight, but Alan works in the diamond industry and has a big client ready to sign a massive deal that will solve all of their money problems. He’s set up a meeting with the client during an excursion on a fishing boat. Since the deal involves diamonds, Alan signs out a large selection from his job to take to the meeting.

Shannon then is alarmed to hear that a fishing boat has exploded off the coast. She knows there are many boats, so the likelihood it was Alan’s boat seems slim. Unfortunately, it soon is confirmed that Alan had been on the passenger list and that everyone on the boat was killed in the massive explosion. Most bodies had been completely destroyed, so it was no surprise that Alan’s body was never found. Shannon grieved and raised their daughter Danielle alone.

Twenty-five years later, Danielle accompanies her boyfriend back to his home country of Australia for a family wedding. When Danielle returns and shows Shannon the photos from her vacation, Shannon is stunned to see a man in the background that appears to be Alan. As she begins to investigate whether Alan might possibly be alive, she soon finds other women who have been taken in by Alan’s charm and promises.

I enjoyed the story of the wronged women getting together to set things right. Their friendships and teamwork really added a fun and exciting layer to the revenge story. It was incredible to follow the trail of the conman and see his victims work together to bring him to justice.

I received an advanced reader's copy of this book from Joffe Books.

[Steph Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

An additive twisty thriller with a wicked ending!

'Once a woman hits 35, gravity takes over and by 50, I literally had to keep my eyes closed'.
(Quote taken from my proof copy).

The MMC in this was a despicable, narcissistic and grew more and more hateable until he had become a total ar*ehole by the end in my eyes! Thankfully the book ended on a triumphant and satisfying conclusion!
This thriller is about trust, deception, retribution and the consequences of hiding nasty secrets 🙊
Top things i loved about the book:
■ The comradery of the MF characters and their determination and teamwork
● The book was set mostly in Australia 🇦🇺 (where i live) Broome, Cairns, Darwin
☆ The trill if what happens next and the progression of the story and characters
◇ The payback

The plot starts in 2002 where the MFC Shannon Hunter gets engaged to her boyfriend MMC Alan Frye and she announces to him she is pregnant 🤰
🛥 One day he is due to meet a very important business client on-board a boat to go fishing for the day with 50 others but there is a huge explosion💥 on the boat and as far as rescuers are concerned there are no survivors.
📸🔍 20 yrs later and by an amazing coincidence, Shannon sees a man in a photo and video, taken by her daughter when on a holiday to Australia, that looks suspiciously like Alan....things start escalating from here...
Set over various time periods and the POV of the MFC's and brilliantly the MMC the story builds quickly and is fast paced.
I loved the nick name one of the ladies used for one of the characters: 'Trash Bag'.
Not wanting to give anything more away, I recommend this to any psychological thriller lover who likes a MMC you love to hate 😉 and a small group of revenge driven women seeking justice ⚖️

I received an advance reader copy and am leaving my honest review voluntarily.

[Paula Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a particular kind of book that gets under my skin before I've even turned the first page, and it's this one: stories about people living double lives, walking away from everything they knew, and building someone new out of the wreckage. I don't know what it is about reinvention that fascinates me so much , maybe it's the fantasy of a clean slate, maybe it's the horror of realizing you never really knew someone at all but The Man in the Photo delivers that obsession in spades.

The setup alone had me settled into my reading chair with a cup of tea, utterly hooked. Our narrator is doing something so ordinary, so achingly relatable scrolling through her daughter's holiday photos from Australia when the ground shifts beneath her. There, in the background of a stranger's snapshot: a blue shirt, a gray beard, a face she buried over twenty years ago. Her fiancé. The father of her child. The man who drowned off Long Island before they ever made it down the aisle.

Except, apparently, he didn't.

What McGarvey Black does so well here is capture the quiet devastation of that moment not a scream, not a scene, just a woman staring at a photograph, quietly recalculating an entire life. I found myself thinking about how she rebuilt everything from nothing, raised her daughter alone, finally allowed herself to stop grieving only to have the ground open back up. There's something so human in that slow-burn horror of realizing the love of your life didn't just leave you. He lied. About all of it.

I'll be honest, I went into this one for the "secret identity" thrill, but I stayed for the emotional gut-punch underneath it. This isn't just a mystery about where he went and why it's a story about what grief does to us when it turns out to be built on a lie, and what a woman does with her rage and heartbreak once she has somewhere to point it.

[Phil Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you see the author McGarvey Black, you just know it's going to be good!

This latest psychological thriller is certainly a thriller, from start to finish!

Shannon is swept off her feet by the charismatic Allan Fryer, he charms her with gifts and eventually a Christmas Caribean cruise. Promises of marriage follow and Shannon is deeply under his spell. Little things don't seem quite right though, mysterious phone calls to him that he has to take in secret, money going missing , and long spells away on business. The situation comes to a head when Shannon discovers that she is pregnant and Allan is far from happy.
Allan announces that he has to entertain a client on a fishing trip and the narrative switches to his story. He's deep in debt has a gambling habit and is about to lose his job! This fishing trip should clinch a lucrative deal and save his bacon.
Back to Shannon's story and she watches the breaking news that Allen's boat has exploded at sea and all fifty odd passengers are feared dead!

Fast forward five years and Shannon is shocked when she takes her young daughter to see her Daddy's memorial and is confronted by a Margot claiming to be Allen's wife and that she also has a daughter of similar age. After a the initial shock Margot and Shannon form a bond not least to allow the girls to be friends, as after all they are half sisters.

Imagine the shock when 20 years later they find a photograph of Allen in the background of of a photo taken at a wedding celebration in Australia. He's alive!

Shannon and Margot are determined to track him down and confront him. The chase is on and the pair need all they can get.

[Georgia Debbie Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dead Men Don't Take Holidays Down Under!

Imagine casually flicking through your daughter's holiday snaps from Australia, only to spot a familiar face in the background: your fiancé who drowned off Long Island over twenty years ago. Talk about a punch to the gut!
McGarvey Black kicks off this psychological thriller with a fantastic, hook-heavy premise that instantly pulls you in. The central premise—discovering that the man you grieved for decades lied about his death, abandoned his pregnant fiancée, and has been living a whole second life—keeps the tension high as the fallout unfolds.
The story is told through multiple perspectives, which really helps drive the momentum. Jumping between character viewpoints keeps the pacing brisk and lets us see the ripple effect of this massive revelation from different angles. It makes you constantly second-guess everyone's true motives and wonder just how deep the web of lies actually goes.
There were a couple of minor narrative choices that didn't land 100% for me, but the sheer urge to find out why he faked his death and how she was going to get her payback kept me turning the pages late into the night.
A sharp, gripping read with a cracking premise that will make you double-check the background of all your family holiday photos!

[TJ Wynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Man in the Photo by McGarvey Black had a premise that immediately grabbed my attention. Twenty years after Shannon’s fiancé supposedly drowned, her daughter posts a photo from Australia, and the man standing in the background looks exactly like him… only older. That setup had me expecting a suspenseful, twisty mystery, and I was definitely intrigued in the beginning.

Unfortunately, the story never really delivered on that promise for me. The answer to the mystery became pretty obvious early on, so there wasn’t much suspense left to keep me turning the pages. Once Shannon sets off to uncover the truth, the pacing slowed down quite a bit, and I found myself losing interest as the story went on.

I also wouldn’t really classify this as a thriller. It felt more like a family drama with a mystery at its center, which may work well for some readers, but it wasn’t what I was expecting. If you enjoy slower, character-focused stories, this could absolutely be more your speed.

This one just wasn’t for me, which is a little disappointing because I’ve enjoyed other books by McGarvey Black. I’ll still pick up this author again, but The Man in the Photo ended up being an average read overall.

[Joanne Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this read! With a relaxed writing style and plenty of drama, McGarvey Black has concocted a tale of deception, intrigue and ultimately karma.

I loved the bond between Margot and Shannon, especially given the circumstances in which they were thrown together. In fact, the strength of the women in this book in general is admirable and it’s satisfying to see them come out on top.

The storyline initially felt a little bit far-fetched when Shannon and Margot embarked on their trip to Australia and I couldn’t quite reconcile myself with the likelihood of them achieving success but, as the chapters unfolded, I became engrossed in their search and the subsequent development of their plan to seek retribution and revenge.

Alan/ James is utterly despicable, making him the perfect villain of the piece and you certainly end up rooting for the ladies to deliver his comeuppance. I also liked that the plan for this didn’t evolve until the final chapters.

It’s billed as a psychological thriller and I’m not sure it definitely falls within this genre but it is a riveting read all the same.

With thanks to the author, Zoe at Zooloo’s Book Tours and Joffe Books for the opportunity to participate in the blog tour for this book.

[Andria Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time I have read a book by this author, but I have purchased six other books that are on my tbr list to read.

I love stories like this one, fast, entertaining, twisty and then the karma takes place. Shannon has been dating Alan for about three years, they have talked about marriage. Shannon then tells Alan she's pregnant. Alan then goes on a business trip on a fishing boat that then explodes and Alan is lost at sea. Then five years later at a memorial for the boat incident Shannon meets Margot. They develop a friendship under some shocking circumstances. Then the story jumps about twenty years. At that point, something happens that makes the get even more wild and twisty. I have left out quite a bit but I don't want to spoil the story for others. This is a revenge thriller, told from the points of view of Shannon, Margot, Alan, and James. It's fairly fast paced, has some investigative amateur sleuthing, some twists and turns and a karma like ending and less than 300 pages so super fast and easy to read.

Thank you Netgalley and Joffe Books for the complimentary copy of the story.

[Bibliophile Foodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging mystery filled with secrets, betrayal, and long-awaited revenge.

The story begins with Shannon, who is excited about her future with Alan and their growing family. Everything changes when a fishing boat explodes and Alan has.... died. Few years later, while visiting a memorial with her daughter, Shannon makes a shocking discovery. What follows is a story that stretches across decades, uncovering hidden truths and unexpected connections.

I was completely invested in Shannon and Margot. Their relationship became my favourite part of the book. They are brought together under heartbreaking circumstances, but instead of becoming enemies, they build a genuine friendship. Watching them support each other and refuse to let the past define them was incredibly satisfying.

The story moves between different perspectives, which helped me understand what was happening from all sides.

The investigation that unfolds later in the book added a different energy to the story. I loved following the trail of clues and seeing how determined Shannon and Margot were to finally uncover the truth.

[Kim McFall · Rating 4 out of 5]

How have I never heard of this author before?! I absolutely loved the writing style! This book grabbed my attention right from the beginning and didn’t let go.

I went into this one mostly blind, only knowing that it was a psychological thriller about a woman who spots her dead fiancé in the background of a photo… very much alive. Honestly, that was all I needed to know!

I definitely think going in mostly blind is the best way to experience this one. The characters are incredibly well written, and every time I thought I knew where the story was heading, I was wrong.

I also really enjoyed the direction the author chose to take the story. It wasn’t what I expected, which made it even more fun to read. There were plenty of moments where I knew what the expected route was, but this author went a different way.

Needless to say, I’m now off to check out more books by this author!

Thank you to Zooloo’s Book Tours, NetGalley, and Joffe Books for providing me with an advanced reader copy!

[Barney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well worth reading! To be fair some of the plot is obvious to we crime fiction aficionados from the beginning- when Shannon’s daughter shows her holiday photos the man in the background looks startlingly like Shannon’s long dead fiancé, her daughter’s father! At this point we all know where this is going. However this story is actually one of human relationships, strong women, friendships and betrayal. Shannon meets Margot in a park when their daughters are little, mothers and girls bond and a friendship develops which becomes tighter and more supportive over the years. Shannon then Margot realise why their daughters look so alike but don’t tell them until near the end; both women set off on an expensive expedition to Australia to track down the man in the photo, which takes some doung, and to find the truth about the explosion on the boat years before. We get the story from different perspectives, which, unusually, encourages a very negative view of one of them ( not going to say which one!) as their egotism is staggering! Great read, loved it!

[Angela Mellor · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Man In The Photo was a great read, a little mad at times but that’s what I loved.
Shannon thinks she’s met the man of her dreams, they’ve been dating for nearly three years when she tells him she’s pregnant, Alan doesn’t seem over the moon about it but he promises Shannon a better engagement ring and talks of the wedding actually happening now. Unbeknown to Shannon this will be the last she sees of Alan until years later when he’s in the back of a photo.
This was a really good thriller, I haven’t heard of this author before and I am wondering why? The premise was different and with quite a decent pace throughout this a solid four star read. The women are definitely the better characters and need to be in this book. I came in blind to this book and I think others should too. The relationship Shannon had with Margot got better and better and enhanced the book hugely. I didn’t know how this would end, I hoped revenge would be served but I was unsure how it would be done.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Joffe Books for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

[Sonia S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine this - you're engaged to be married. You're pregnant. Life is looking great. Only...he suddenly dies in a boat explosion and you end up raising your daughter alone.

Fast forward 5 years and, at his memorial site, you bump into a lady claiming to be his actual WIFE + child...! Whaaaaaaat?! 😲😲

Fast forward another 20-odd years, and you both realise the man you thought had died...MAY still be very much alive. What do you do?! Is it him? How can it be him? Was everything a lie??

I enjoyed reading this book and can definitely see it being made into a movie! 🎬

I found the backstory really interesting, and I liked how the unlikely friendship between the two women gradually developed into such a strong bond.

Their journey takes them from the US to Australia, with plenty of twists and turns along the way, as they set out to uncover the truth and seek revenge. I was fully satisfied with the ending 😊

Would definitely recommend this one!

Thank you to @mcgarveyblack1 @zooloosbooktours @joffebooks for the advance copy and for having me on the tour! ❤️

[Valleri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed the premise of The Man in the Photo, although I wouldn't call it a thriller. "He drowned in a boating accident off Long Island over twenty years ago. He was the love of my life. We were planning our dream wedding. I was pregnant with his child. And then he was gone."

There was a lot I liked as I read. However, the FMCs were so gullible that I wanted to reach into my kindle and shake them! In my opinion, what was happening was too obvious to the reader - however, the last part of the book was totally satisfying. I liked The Man in the Photo, although I didn't love it.

Thank you, #JoffeBooks, for providing this book for consideration and review via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own. The Man in the Photo has an expected publication date of Sep 24, 2026.

#Crime #Friendship #Mystery #StrongFemaleProtagonist

[Rustic_Reads_ Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had me hooked from the moment she spotted that face in the photograph. The whole premise immediately makes you wonder how a man who died twenty years ago could suddenly turn up in a photo on the other side of the world.

I really liked the way the story slowly unravelled, with secrets from the past coming back into the present and plenty of questions about who could be trusted. There were some twists I saw coming, but there were also enough surprises to keep me guessing.

The relationship between the past and present worked well, and I was constantly wondering what had really happened all those years ago — and why.

Im a massive fan of @mcgarveyblack1 writing and this was no exception. The Man In The Photo is a really enjoyable psychological thriller with an intriguing premise, plenty of secrets and a storyline that kept me turning the pages.

[J Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

I barely put it down
Have read previous books by McGarvey Black and enjoyed them, so I was looking forward to this one. It didn't disappoint.
Two women meet for the first time at a memorial to the victims of a boat explosion five years before. It turns out he had been married to one of them yet was engaged to the other. After the initial shock the became friends. 20 years on they spot someone in the background of a photograph of a photograph that suggests Alan may not have died in the explosion. They set off to find him.
I found the main characters completely believable, as were the various other people who help them in their search, and even Alan. There are surprises throughout, and some clever twists at the at the end of the book. A must read.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever been scammed?

Alan is engaged to Shannon. He works away a lot, as he is a diamond salesman.
Shannon is thrilled to be pregnant, and it seems Alan isn't as happy.
He has a meeting with a client, and the boat that they meet on explodes. Shannon is heartbroken. Five years later, she visits the site where there is a memorial wall, with her daughter, and by chance, meets Margot.

This is an absolutely unputdownable novel! I was addicted from the first chapter!

Told in several POV's, the suspense is built up.

An absolutely fitting ending as well.

McGarvey Black is a terrific story teller.

5/5 stars

[Barbara Deeprose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth More Than 5 Stars

Shannon was devastated when her fiance Alan, was killed while out on a boat trip, leaving her alone and pregnant. She struggles but managed to raise her daughter alone. As if that wasn't bad enough, five years later at a memorial to remember all those lost that day, Shannon receives a terrible shock. She ran into Margot who was Alan's wife and mother of his daughter. Amazingly the two become friends, and years later while looking through photos taken by her daughter on a trip to Australia Shannon spots a man in the background, and it was Alan, not dead after all. I was gripped by this book and would give it more than 5 stars if I could.