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What My Family Saw
Four family members. One incident. Several shocking twists...
When Sophie and Stuart take their children, Josh and Tilly, for a family day out, they have no idea that things will never be the same again. But after each of them witnesses a crime in the woods, their lives are turned upside down.
With the police seeking answers while the criminals hope to silence the witnesses before they can say any more, the four family members have different ways of handling things. They also have secrets, both relating to the crime they witnessed and from their lives before the incident occurred.
As things spiral out of control, the family think they have two options; either stick together or lose everything. But it might already be too late for them to even have that choice anymore...
When Sophie and Stuart take their children, Josh and Tilly, for a family day out, they have no idea that things will never be the same again. But after each of them witnesses a crime in the woods, their lives are turned upside down.
With the police seeking answers while the criminals hope to silence the witnesses before they can say any more, the four family members have different ways of handling things. They also have secrets, both relating to the crime they witnessed and from their lives before the incident occurred.
As things spiral out of control, the family think they have two options; either stick together or lose everything. But it might already be too late for them to even have that choice anymore...
229 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 11, 2022
1401 people are currently reading
2026 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Hurst
89 books3,971 followersDaniel Hurst is an Amazon #1 bestselling author of fast paced psychological thrillers. His most popular titles include Til Death Do Us Part, The Passenger and The Doctor's Wife, the latter title reaching #1 on the Amazon UK Kindle store in February 2023. A regular KDP Select All Star since he became a full-time author in 2021, Daniel prides himself on writing fast, releasing stories often and engaging with his readers.
You can visit him at www.danielhurstbooks.com, where you can also download a copy of his FREE thriller 'Just One Second.'
You can visit him at www.danielhurstbooks.com, where you can also download a copy of his FREE thriller 'Just One Second.'
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews
May 19, 2025
3.5 stars. I really did not care for all four main character’s perspectives. Normally it works with Hurst’s books, but this just didn’t seem necessary. I think if it was just between Sophie and Stewart it would have worked well, and we could have gotten more intimate with those two centerpiece characters. That’s not to say that Tilly and Josh didn’t matter, because they surely did, but their internal monologues felt like the weakest parts of the story. It also felt like the background of the criminals was way too brief and just kept them as faceless villains. Not that I need to have a full on crime drama in conjunction with this thriller, but it needed to be developed more to feel like they had a proper place here. Rachel also felt very underutilized as the mistress here, and her aspect of the story was also underdeveloped, with an unsatisfactory conclusion. Now that I think of it, she may have been another interesting party to have a consistent perspective from throughout. Instead of all her dialogue and portions of the story only occuring with Stuart, some could have been traded in to see from her point of view. But I did have a good time with the story, however everything needed to be retooled to make this great premise and well-written book shine a little brighter.
September 8, 2022
This book was a quick read on a lovely afternoon. It is the story of a family of four out for a Saturday walk in the woods near their home. They see something they shouldn't and are forced to change their lives to avoid discovery. The children's characters are believable while the parents came across as somewhat shallow. Overall, a pleasant way to spend some time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2022
This author is more than prolific and seems to have a new book out or I see one I have missed every time I look at his page/list of books
This time we are told the story via 4 points of view, Dad, Mum, Son and Daughter after they witness something terrible and their lives begin to turn upside down….and things that were about to happen in their lives ( good and bad! ) and would change their family come to a halt….basically their whole lives alter
The author writes a great thriller, often pyschological, any of his fans know without uncertainty that a very readable exciting adventure is going to happen from the first paragraph read
This book does exactly that and I cant fault this authors skill in writing really exciting and interesting fiction that you become immersed in until the last sentence
This time we are told the story via 4 points of view, Dad, Mum, Son and Daughter after they witness something terrible and their lives begin to turn upside down….and things that were about to happen in their lives ( good and bad! ) and would change their family come to a halt….basically their whole lives alter
The author writes a great thriller, often pyschological, any of his fans know without uncertainty that a very readable exciting adventure is going to happen from the first paragraph read
This book does exactly that and I cant fault this authors skill in writing really exciting and interesting fiction that you become immersed in until the last sentence
August 27, 2022
The shortest most boring book I’ve ever read. I’ll save you from reading this.
Family sees bad guys in woods, family is threatened, husband is of course, having an affair, family has to go into the WIP, gang of bad guys come back, and family wins and is safe.
THE END.
Family sees bad guys in woods, family is threatened, husband is of course, having an affair, family has to go into the WIP, gang of bad guys come back, and family wins and is safe.
THE END.
September 25, 2022
This author always manages to hook with a great and believable premise….. But
After dragging their kids out for lunch, mum Sophie wants to delay going home so suggests a walk in the woods. Unfortunately they aren’t the only ones with that idea but the others have guns, spades and a body in a bag.
However the only hole that was evident was the plot hole big enough for a body or two. Nobody buries a body in broad daylight near a pub that serves Sunday lunches unless it is in a churchyard with a vicar of course. I mean come on even I wouldn’t do that and I am not an expert in burying bodies.
As soon as that happened I rolled my eyes so far back in my head I could have auditioned for a remake of The Exorcist. While I did carry on reading, as I still wanted to know the outcome, my heart was no longer in it and to be honest I would have happily thrown her husband Stuart in the hole too.
Take this with a very large shovel of salt and you may enjoy it but for me it was a little too predictable.
After dragging their kids out for lunch, mum Sophie wants to delay going home so suggests a walk in the woods. Unfortunately they aren’t the only ones with that idea but the others have guns, spades and a body in a bag.
However the only hole that was evident was the plot hole big enough for a body or two. Nobody buries a body in broad daylight near a pub that serves Sunday lunches unless it is in a churchyard with a vicar of course. I mean come on even I wouldn’t do that and I am not an expert in burying bodies.
As soon as that happened I rolled my eyes so far back in my head I could have auditioned for a remake of The Exorcist. While I did carry on reading, as I still wanted to know the outcome, my heart was no longer in it and to be honest I would have happily thrown her husband Stuart in the hole too.
Take this with a very large shovel of salt and you may enjoy it but for me it was a little too predictable.
September 14, 2022
I like Daniel Hurst books for a quick read. But the long run-on sentences and grammar (have gotten, not have got) drives me crazy. And they are rampant in all of his books. I gave this book 4 stores because despite some predictability and grammar issues, I do enjoy reading them. This book did have some twists and overall satisfying ending.
August 13, 2022
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
May 27, 2025
This book is about choices and their consequences. Most of the choices are bad ones and most of the consequences are awful. And yet, one particular consequence in this book spelled salvation for a troubled family.
That family is Stuart and his wife Sophie, who are just shy of age 40. They have a son Josh, age 13, and a daughter Tilly, age 8. The family is described in the Prologue as ordinary and unremarkable.
That all changes one Saturday afternoon when the family is playing Hide and Seek in a local woods and from his hiding place in a treetop, Josh witnesses the criminal act of two strangers about to bury a body nearby.
It turns out those strangers belong to a notorious and dangerous gang who discover this family has seen them. Incredibly, without demanding his name and address, the criminals make Stuart promise not to contact the police — or else.
Stuart wants to keep that promise hoping the criminals will leave them alone, but against his wishes and without his knowledge or consent, Sophie contacts the police anyway. That’s choice number one. Sophie thinks it’s the right choice despite Stuart’s bitter disagreement. But we don’t discover until the Epilogue the real reason why Sophie thought it was the best choice.
Choice number two is when Josh surprisingly produces a video of the criminals he took from his treetop perch, enabling the police to identify the criminals and bring them to trial where they are convicted.
Even though the police warned the family not to share that video with anyone, Josh makes terrible choice number three and sends the video to his friend, who posts it on social media even though Josh had trusted him not to. As a result, the gang, seeking revenge, is able to trace the video’s origin to Josh through his friend.
But now that the family is in mortal danger as a result of Josh’s recklessness, the police immediately place them in witness protection, meaning they will be moved far away, given new names, new jobs and schools, and will never again be able to contact anyone from their past, including family, friends, and in Stuart’s case, Rachel, the mistress he was about to abandon his family for in the worst choice of all.
But fate can be funny the way that sometimes good can be salvaged from the awful consequences that flowed from so many bad choices.
That family is Stuart and his wife Sophie, who are just shy of age 40. They have a son Josh, age 13, and a daughter Tilly, age 8. The family is described in the Prologue as ordinary and unremarkable.
That all changes one Saturday afternoon when the family is playing Hide and Seek in a local woods and from his hiding place in a treetop, Josh witnesses the criminal act of two strangers about to bury a body nearby.
It turns out those strangers belong to a notorious and dangerous gang who discover this family has seen them. Incredibly, without demanding his name and address, the criminals make Stuart promise not to contact the police — or else.
Stuart wants to keep that promise hoping the criminals will leave them alone, but against his wishes and without his knowledge or consent, Sophie contacts the police anyway. That’s choice number one. Sophie thinks it’s the right choice despite Stuart’s bitter disagreement. But we don’t discover until the Epilogue the real reason why Sophie thought it was the best choice.
Choice number two is when Josh surprisingly produces a video of the criminals he took from his treetop perch, enabling the police to identify the criminals and bring them to trial where they are convicted.
Even though the police warned the family not to share that video with anyone, Josh makes terrible choice number three and sends the video to his friend, who posts it on social media even though Josh had trusted him not to. As a result, the gang, seeking revenge, is able to trace the video’s origin to Josh through his friend.
But now that the family is in mortal danger as a result of Josh’s recklessness, the police immediately place them in witness protection, meaning they will be moved far away, given new names, new jobs and schools, and will never again be able to contact anyone from their past, including family, friends, and in Stuart’s case, Rachel, the mistress he was about to abandon his family for in the worst choice of all.
But fate can be funny the way that sometimes good can be salvaged from the awful consequences that flowed from so many bad choices.
September 16, 2022
bad
It was so far fetched that I just skimmed through most of the book. It started out believable but the way the couple interacted, the mistress, the the gang, it just wasn’t believable. Sorry!
It was so far fetched that I just skimmed through most of the book. It started out believable but the way the couple interacted, the mistress, the the gang, it just wasn’t believable. Sorry!
February 23, 2025
My first read from Daniel Hurst and it's alright. Not very thrilling or much of a suspense but it was an easy, PG 13 fast read. Not very likable characters. Very forgettable but I did enjoy it but nothing to write home about.
April 6, 2024
Sophie and Stuart are like any other family, they just want a day out with their children. And so we find that is not going to happen today. Yes, this is another Daniel Hurst book. I havent found one that I didnt like....because all his books are so compelling and wanting me to tell people to leave me alone...I am reading!
Another page turner with so many twists - you must start reading this author.
Another page turner with so many twists - you must start reading this author.
September 12, 2022
This is a very fast read which is something I needed at the time. The story is not super great, I'm gonna be really honest. There's an entire side story that could have been quite interesting, but it was just there for fluff I guess. Anyway, not the worst book I've read but definitely doesn't have a whole lot to offer in terms of punch.
March 1, 2023
Another twisted tale!
Daniel Hurst never disappoints. Just when I think I “might” have it figured out, another twist appears. Always enjoy a guessing game!
Daniel Hurst never disappoints. Just when I think I “might” have it figured out, another twist appears. Always enjoy a guessing game!
August 17, 2022
What My Family Saw is a gripping thriller written by Daniel Hurst. This story has well defined characters and the two kids within this story are spot on for their age group. The storyline moves along at a great pace and builds the suspense with every chapter. When a mom decides to have a Saturday family day little does she know it will turn out to be a disaster. When a simple walk in the woods gets them into a very sticky situation their whole lives are turned upside down. The husbands shows just how childish he is and wants his own way. He thinks he is hiding a secret but now several know what he is up to. The little 8 year old girl was my favorite character. This story ends with a big bang.
I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not approached to post a favorable response and all opinions are my own. I have rated this story with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful story that I can highly recommend to others.
I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not approached to post a favorable response and all opinions are my own. I have rated this story with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful story that I can highly recommend to others.
February 19, 2025
A mum and dad takes there 2 children out for the day and things will never be the same again ……..a superb read #KindleUnlimited ❤️
October 28, 2025
I liked the twists in this story and I never figured out where this story was going in the beginning. This is my 3rd book by this author and I really enjoyed his writing style.
August 29, 2022
★★★★ 4.5 stars
Daniel Hurst never fails to thrill with the twists and surprise reveals throughout the course of his absorbing psychological domestic thrillers. WHAT MY FAMILY SAW is no different, though it is a little different from others I have read by him in recent times. But then he has such a vast library to his name, he is almost as prolific as James Patterson. lol And I have a number of others to get through at some point. Basically, he is Shalini Boland as a male incarnate. He cannot write a bad book and all of them are addictive page-turners.
Mum Sophie feels like doing something different together as a family one weekend afternoon and announces that they are all going out to lunch and after that, a walk in the woods. Sounds idyllic, right? Wrong! Firstly, moody teenager Josh would much rather be at home playing video games online with his friends whilst Tilly was lured on the promise of a big bowl of ice cream. And Stuart? Well, his mind is as elsewhere as some other parts of him have been lately. And he takes a few minutes to make a call filled with yet more promises that can only end in disaster. And they do. Because after this afternoon, NOTHING will ever be the same for this family again.
What should have been an innocent game of hide and seek in the woods turns their lives upside down. Josh is the first to see something isn't right from his vantage point high up in the trees. But then he hears his family approaching and knows he panics. He must warn them before it's too late and he yells at them to RUN!! But too late, he is seen, they are seen and soon they've all seen what now can never be unseen as they run for their lives through the undergrowth and back to the safety of their car in the pub carpark.
As soon as they are all safely accounted for, Sophie insists on calling the police. Her husband Stuart say no. But what just happened could happen to someone else and they must prevent that from happening. Stuart still insists no. That it's the only way to keep them all safe. Josh and Tilly listen quietly from the backseat as their parents argue like never before...and that frightens them. Why? Because what they have all just witnessed has now put each of their lives in danger and that means that they must now look over their shoulders in fear.
But it doesn't end there. Even when the family think it is all behind them, just one innocent slip puts them all in danger once again as their lives are again turned upside down. It seems what they saw will forever haunt them and to escape they must start afresh...but can they do that? And will it be enough? With more lies than they know what to do with, secrets begin to emerge as the family wonder can they ever go back to being normal and happy again? Or will what they saw follow them forever?
WHAT MY FAMILY SAW is a quick read that is fast paced and thrilling from start to finish. I love how the story unfolds through the eyes of all four members of the family as each of them sees something different and keeps their own counsel as to what they saw. None of the family are completely blameless for the positions in which they find themselves at one point or another. Each of them do something decidedly stupid to put them all at risk but how Hurst weaves it all together is really quite masterful.
I love Daniel Hurst's books and have not come across a bad one yet. I don't think he could write a bad one! They are all equally thrilling, fast paced and addictive. And I eagerly await another as soon as I finish one. I look forward to seeing what he comes up with next.
Though I do wonder how his wife pondered his naming one of Tilly's dolls in her honour? Did she win a competition to be named in his next book? Or was that just a coincidence? lol
Overall, WHAT MY FAMILY SAW is another addictive thrill ride by this well accomplished author to watch out for. Highly recommended for fans of Shalini Boland and Kim Slater.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
Daniel Hurst never fails to thrill with the twists and surprise reveals throughout the course of his absorbing psychological domestic thrillers. WHAT MY FAMILY SAW is no different, though it is a little different from others I have read by him in recent times. But then he has such a vast library to his name, he is almost as prolific as James Patterson. lol And I have a number of others to get through at some point. Basically, he is Shalini Boland as a male incarnate. He cannot write a bad book and all of them are addictive page-turners.
Mum Sophie feels like doing something different together as a family one weekend afternoon and announces that they are all going out to lunch and after that, a walk in the woods. Sounds idyllic, right? Wrong! Firstly, moody teenager Josh would much rather be at home playing video games online with his friends whilst Tilly was lured on the promise of a big bowl of ice cream. And Stuart? Well, his mind is as elsewhere as some other parts of him have been lately. And he takes a few minutes to make a call filled with yet more promises that can only end in disaster. And they do. Because after this afternoon, NOTHING will ever be the same for this family again.
What should have been an innocent game of hide and seek in the woods turns their lives upside down. Josh is the first to see something isn't right from his vantage point high up in the trees. But then he hears his family approaching and knows he panics. He must warn them before it's too late and he yells at them to RUN!! But too late, he is seen, they are seen and soon they've all seen what now can never be unseen as they run for their lives through the undergrowth and back to the safety of their car in the pub carpark.
As soon as they are all safely accounted for, Sophie insists on calling the police. Her husband Stuart say no. But what just happened could happen to someone else and they must prevent that from happening. Stuart still insists no. That it's the only way to keep them all safe. Josh and Tilly listen quietly from the backseat as their parents argue like never before...and that frightens them. Why? Because what they have all just witnessed has now put each of their lives in danger and that means that they must now look over their shoulders in fear.
But it doesn't end there. Even when the family think it is all behind them, just one innocent slip puts them all in danger once again as their lives are again turned upside down. It seems what they saw will forever haunt them and to escape they must start afresh...but can they do that? And will it be enough? With more lies than they know what to do with, secrets begin to emerge as the family wonder can they ever go back to being normal and happy again? Or will what they saw follow them forever?
WHAT MY FAMILY SAW is a quick read that is fast paced and thrilling from start to finish. I love how the story unfolds through the eyes of all four members of the family as each of them sees something different and keeps their own counsel as to what they saw. None of the family are completely blameless for the positions in which they find themselves at one point or another. Each of them do something decidedly stupid to put them all at risk but how Hurst weaves it all together is really quite masterful.
I love Daniel Hurst's books and have not come across a bad one yet. I don't think he could write a bad one! They are all equally thrilling, fast paced and addictive. And I eagerly await another as soon as I finish one. I look forward to seeing what he comes up with next.
Though I do wonder how his wife pondered his naming one of Tilly's dolls in her honour? Did she win a competition to be named in his next book? Or was that just a coincidence? lol
Overall, WHAT MY FAMILY SAW is another addictive thrill ride by this well accomplished author to watch out for. Highly recommended for fans of Shalini Boland and Kim Slater.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
November 19, 2023
Fair
A quick and decent read. Not much of a thriller but it had its moments. It started well with suspense and drama but then seemed to trail off a bit. It picked up towards the end with some action and revelations. A little disappointing as I have read a lot of books by Daniel Hurst and all have been 4* or 5* quality reads. An excellent writer and I look forward to reading more, this one just didn't reach my expectations.
A quick and decent read. Not much of a thriller but it had its moments. It started well with suspense and drama but then seemed to trail off a bit. It picked up towards the end with some action and revelations. A little disappointing as I have read a lot of books by Daniel Hurst and all have been 4* or 5* quality reads. An excellent writer and I look forward to reading more, this one just didn't reach my expectations.
March 5, 2024
I did enjoy reading this book. It held a lot of entertaining story lines that kept me interested in going on. However it was another thriller with NO TWISTS that leave you wanting more. It was just a basic thriller. Nothing too exciting.
May 8, 2023
Awful. Quite possibly the worst “book” I’ve ever read. Seems like it was written by a not so bright teenager
December 14, 2022
I enjoyed What My Family Saw a fast paced psychological thriller by Daniel Hurst.
Sophie and Stuart have a teenage son Josh and an eight year old daughter Tilly. Sophie loves nothing more than playing with her dolls and Josh lives in his bedroom playing games on-line with his friends. Both Sophie and Stuart have well paid jobs and have made a home for their family.
One day their idylic lives will be taking a drastic turn but will it be for the better or worse?
One week-end Sophie decideds to entice her family to go for a pub lunch and the prospect of ice cream is enough to tempt Tilly. The promise of a cool pint and no driving on the way back is also enough to tempt Stuart but Josh would rather stay on his own playing with his friends on-line but on Sophie's insistence that he is not allowed to stay at home unsupervised so under duress he ends up going along with the rest of the family.
After having had their pub lunch Sophie insists that they all go for a nice ramble in the woods nearby and Stuart and Josh remember the rope swing tree which Josh had swung on when he was younger. Unfortunately the rope breaks as Josh proved to be far too heavy for it now that he had grown and a game of hide and seek is next on their agenda.
As the Nursery Rhyme goes 'If you go down to the woods today you'd better go in disguise for every bear that ever there was will gather there for certain.' But this is not going to be a picnic for any of the members of this family.
Twigs snap, a car not belonging to the family stands empty as their game of hide and seek progresses. Each member of the family witness a crime and two members of the family come face to face with the criminals and one of them threatens to kill the whole family if they ever breathe a word of what they have just witnessed.
Stuart seems to have fallen out of love with Sophie and embarks on a relationship with Rachael who he met at work and he really wanted to tell Sophie that he was breaking up with her on that fateful day when they went out to enjoy a family treat but due to their nasty encounter in the woods he decides that this was not the best time to tell Sophie.
But one phone call to the Police is all it takes for everything to take a downward spiral for the whole family.
Sophie and Stuart have a teenage son Josh and an eight year old daughter Tilly. Sophie loves nothing more than playing with her dolls and Josh lives in his bedroom playing games on-line with his friends. Both Sophie and Stuart have well paid jobs and have made a home for their family.
One day their idylic lives will be taking a drastic turn but will it be for the better or worse?
One week-end Sophie decideds to entice her family to go for a pub lunch and the prospect of ice cream is enough to tempt Tilly. The promise of a cool pint and no driving on the way back is also enough to tempt Stuart but Josh would rather stay on his own playing with his friends on-line but on Sophie's insistence that he is not allowed to stay at home unsupervised so under duress he ends up going along with the rest of the family.
After having had their pub lunch Sophie insists that they all go for a nice ramble in the woods nearby and Stuart and Josh remember the rope swing tree which Josh had swung on when he was younger. Unfortunately the rope breaks as Josh proved to be far too heavy for it now that he had grown and a game of hide and seek is next on their agenda.
As the Nursery Rhyme goes 'If you go down to the woods today you'd better go in disguise for every bear that ever there was will gather there for certain.' But this is not going to be a picnic for any of the members of this family.
Twigs snap, a car not belonging to the family stands empty as their game of hide and seek progresses. Each member of the family witness a crime and two members of the family come face to face with the criminals and one of them threatens to kill the whole family if they ever breathe a word of what they have just witnessed.
Stuart seems to have fallen out of love with Sophie and embarks on a relationship with Rachael who he met at work and he really wanted to tell Sophie that he was breaking up with her on that fateful day when they went out to enjoy a family treat but due to their nasty encounter in the woods he decides that this was not the best time to tell Sophie.
But one phone call to the Police is all it takes for everything to take a downward spiral for the whole family.
August 13, 2022
Sophie and Stuart and their two children, Josh and Tilly, head to their favorite restaurant for a meal. Sophie feels that it is the perfect day for a family outing. After finishing their meals, they decide to go for a walk in the woods. Teenaged Josh is not happy. He would much rather be home playing video games. His younger sister, Tilly, wants to play hide and seek. Tilly wants Mom and Dad and Josh to hide and she will be the one to try and find them. When Tilly is ready to find her family, she gets nervous and she looks and looks but can’t find any of them. Tilly knows that she is really good at hide and seek. Where are Mom and Dad and Josh? Why is she having so much trouble finding them? Sophie has been watching Tilly all along from her hiding place and decides to make a sound so that Tilly can find her. Together, Tilly and her Mom set out to find Dad and Josh. Meanwhile, from his hiding spot, Josh witnesses a horrific crime and videos it with his cell phone. As his family calls out to him, he panics. They will all be in danger if the criminals see them. Josh yells at his family to RUN!! They hear gunshots and start to run. They are in serious danger of being hurt or killed. I love books by Daniel Hurst. He is a great author with a vivid imagination. I highly recommend this book to everyone, This is a must read!
November 12, 2022
This is the 2nd book I have read by this author and much as I enjoyed it, certain things irritated me. It begins with a seemingly happy middle class family enjoying an everyday normal life... oh, but hold on, that's not right. The husband is planning to leave his wife for another woman, the same scenario as the last book I read by Daniel Hurst, 'The Accident.' You can't help but feel sorry for Sophie, desperately trying keep her family happy, suggesting a day out and a pub lunch. All Stuart cares about is how can sneak away and text his mistress. The kids meanwhile, have their own concerns and if there's one thing I like, it is the way the story's depicted through their eyes. As innocents being in the wrong place at the wrong time, witnessing a potential murder, then narrowly escaping with their lives, emotions run high. But bigger challenges lie ahead when they are forced into witness protection. The traumatic process of leaving their house, their jobs and schools, cutting themselves off from family and friends is skilfully depicted and despite Stuart being an utter pig (still only thinking of how can keep cheating on his wife) the book has a neat twist, as well as a well-rounded satisfying resolution.
August 14, 2022
I am so grateful to Daniel Hurst for another book that grabbed me from the start and kept a good hold on me throughout. It seems strange to me that of all the thousands of books being written, so few of them have this appeal. And I'm also thankful that his works are available on Kindle Unlimited. It's authors like him that keep me paying for the service monthly!
The family in this tale may look ordinary and, for the most part, feel ordinary, but one unexpected event can change all that. Like witnessing what appears to be a murder. To continue the story feels like a spoiler; you really need to read it, yourself and be as engrossed as I was. You may relate to Josh, the typical teen-age boy or, perhaps, to Tillie and her doll collection as I did. Sophie, the mom, tries to be the glue holding the family together, while Stuart, her wayward husband, makes plans to run out on them. Each of their lives changes in a big way after what is meant to be an innocent family walk in the woods.
The family in this tale may look ordinary and, for the most part, feel ordinary, but one unexpected event can change all that. Like witnessing what appears to be a murder. To continue the story feels like a spoiler; you really need to read it, yourself and be as engrossed as I was. You may relate to Josh, the typical teen-age boy or, perhaps, to Tillie and her doll collection as I did. Sophie, the mom, tries to be the glue holding the family together, while Stuart, her wayward husband, makes plans to run out on them. Each of their lives changes in a big way after what is meant to be an innocent family walk in the woods.
April 7, 2023
Thought provoking
This was an accidental sighting and I’m sure almost unbelievable that you were witness to it, if you were there.
In an ordinary life, in an ordinary town, on an ordinary afternoon jaunt with your family, would you believe it? I wouldn’t.
It was interesting to participate in the alliances between parents and children. Children are raised with a certain moral ground that is mostly black and white. Then you throw in some shades of gray and they’re not so confident in right or wrong. Is it ok for the “greater good”? Is it just a little “white lie”? Is it protecting our family to stay silent?
A family breaking because of a few moments in an afternoon that should have never been known. These moments can change a life or family dynamic forever.
There are several moments of “What would I do?” You really felt for the children and were proud of their heroism at times when their strength powered through.
Definitely a good read, I would recommend. Mr.Hurst always surprises us in the end with various revelations. Enjoy !
This was an accidental sighting and I’m sure almost unbelievable that you were witness to it, if you were there.
In an ordinary life, in an ordinary town, on an ordinary afternoon jaunt with your family, would you believe it? I wouldn’t.
It was interesting to participate in the alliances between parents and children. Children are raised with a certain moral ground that is mostly black and white. Then you throw in some shades of gray and they’re not so confident in right or wrong. Is it ok for the “greater good”? Is it just a little “white lie”? Is it protecting our family to stay silent?
A family breaking because of a few moments in an afternoon that should have never been known. These moments can change a life or family dynamic forever.
There are several moments of “What would I do?” You really felt for the children and were proud of their heroism at times when their strength powered through.
Definitely a good read, I would recommend. Mr.Hurst always surprises us in the end with various revelations. Enjoy !
July 23, 2025
What My Family saw
What if one event changed your family forever ?
When Sophie and Stuart take their two children, Josh and Tilly, for a family day out,they have no idea that things will never be the same again.But after each of them witness a crime in the woods , their lives are turned upside down.
With the police wanting answers while the criminals look to silence the witness before they can say any more, the four family members have different ways of handling things . They also have secrets , both relating to the crime they witnessed and from their lives before the incident occurred.
As things spiral out of control , the family think they have two options ; either stick together or lose everything. But maybe it’s already too late for them to even have the choice anymore …
Four Family Members . One incident. Four Viewpoints.
What if one event changed your family forever ?
When Sophie and Stuart take their two children, Josh and Tilly, for a family day out,they have no idea that things will never be the same again.But after each of them witness a crime in the woods , their lives are turned upside down.
With the police wanting answers while the criminals look to silence the witness before they can say any more, the four family members have different ways of handling things . They also have secrets , both relating to the crime they witnessed and from their lives before the incident occurred.
As things spiral out of control , the family think they have two options ; either stick together or lose everything. But maybe it’s already too late for them to even have the choice anymore …
Four Family Members . One incident. Four Viewpoints.
July 8, 2025
This whole story was pretty far-fetched. This family - Sophie, Stuart, Josh and Tilly, go out for a Sunday lunch at a local pub. Sophie wants to extend the family time and has them all go for a walk in the woods. There they see the thing the shouldn't have seen. It seemed unrealistic that some gang would be burying a dead guy in the woods, right next to a local pub. Then it gets even more unbelievable. Stuart agrees with the gang guy, gives his word that he won't tell what they saw. What gang guy would even suggest this. And how could Stuart even believe him. I didn't like either Sophie or Stuart but Stuart was my least favorite. This got very repetitive. I did finish but it was a let down.
August 14, 2022
Excellent thriller that I couldn’t put down. I love the ideas that Daniel Hurst comes up with as they are all believable. A family witnesses something when playing hide and seek in the woods. Tilly, the young daughter, sees a man, alive but tied home about to be buried by two men with guns. The son, Josh, manages to video the events. Stuart, the father, promises the men, when at gunpoint, that he won’t tell the police in return for the family’s safety however his wife, Sophie, has other ideas. Add into the mix that Stuart is also having an affair and there is lots that could go wrong!
An intriguing story and one you can’t stop reading!
An intriguing story and one you can’t stop reading!
August 29, 2022
2.75 làm tròn lên 3.
Viết trên ngôi thứ nhất là chủ yếu, nhiều pov nhân vật (4 người trong gia đình) pov của con gái út thì chuyển ngôi thứ 3.
Nói chung mình cứ mong chờ có plot twist gì đó hoành tráng trong này, song nó không có. Tuy nhiêu plot đủ để khiến mình hứng thú đọc và tò mò kết quả. Căn bản plot truyện này không phải là bí ẩn cần giải mã gì cả, nó bình thường bà đọt toạt ra.
Về phía nhân vật, mình có thể không thích một vài hành động của họ lắm, cơ mà nó không đến mức khiến mình phải đảo mắt.
Nhịp sách nhanh, ngắn gọn nên mình recommend cuốn này cho những ai đang chán đọc giải trí.
Viết trên ngôi thứ nhất là chủ yếu, nhiều pov nhân vật (4 người trong gia đình) pov của con gái út thì chuyển ngôi thứ 3.
Nói chung mình cứ mong chờ có plot twist gì đó hoành tráng trong này, song nó không có. Tuy nhiêu plot đủ để khiến mình hứng thú đọc và tò mò kết quả. Căn bản plot truyện này không phải là bí ẩn cần giải mã gì cả, nó bình thường bà đọt toạt ra.
Về phía nhân vật, mình có thể không thích một vài hành động của họ lắm, cơ mà nó không đến mức khiến mình phải đảo mắt.
Nhịp sách nhanh, ngắn gọn nên mình recommend cuốn này cho những ai đang chán đọc giải trí.
January 25, 2023
Few issues with this book. 1) Prologue basically ruins the book since its basically the ending of the book...you know the family survives everything up until that point so you end up reading the whole book to get back to the prologue ( takes a lot of the suspense out of it). 2) It's one of those books that is written from 4 different points of view...sorta. 3 main characters all written in first person but Tilly seems to be written in the 3rd person..annoying AF. this is the second book by this author and 2nd 2 star review. I may try a 3rd if only to boost my book count since they are quick easy reads.
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