The surprise party

 

AMAZON UK

This trip was meant to save our marriage. Instead it will destroy everything… 

To celebrate my special birthday, my husband and I have returned to the beautiful Greek island village where we spent our honeymoon. As the boat pulls in to the harbour, I feel hope rise in my heart. The white houses, the blue doors, the brilliant turquoise of the sea, are just as I remember. If two weeks in this paradise won’t fix our marriage, nothing will.

But then the next day a boat arrives, full of my friends and family. My grown-up children jump on to the shore, grinning and holding balloons. My husband beams at me and says, “Surprise!”

I can’t believe it. It was meant to be just the two of us. This was my chance to confess what I’ve been hiding for years, the truth that will change everything.

Now I’m surrounded by all the people I’ve been desperate to escape, all the secrets I’ve been pretending I don’t know. I force a smile on to my face, but inside I want to kill my husband.

But even after my party ended in disaster, I didn’t expect anyone to die…

A completely gripping psychological thriller about the darkness at the heart of a family and how far a mother will go to protect her children that will keep you glued to the pages as you discover twist after twist. Fans of Lisa Jewell, Ruth Ware and Lucy Clarke will love The Surprise Party.

My review 

So many twist and turns in this book I didn't know what was going to happen. There is a lot of characters but once I figured out who was who it made it a lot easier to read. I really did not see that ending coming. A great Psycological thriller.

Blog tour 01 July 2024

Wife at the window

 

AMAZON UK

The little boy runs into the kitchen in his pajamas. He is swept up into a hug and gorgeous auburn hair falls across his face. I shiver, staring through the glass, my cheeks wet with tears as I gaze at the beautiful woman holding my son. That should be me. It will be me again. 

We were the perfect family once. Shep, my handsome husband. My darling little boy… and our tiny baby girl. The night she died I lost everything. I know without a shadow of a doubt that I would never, ever have hurt her. I was trying to save her. But nobody believed me.

So, I can only watch through the rain-streaked window as Shep’s new girlfriend plays mother to my son. Hugs him, holds him. Does he even remember me?

Now I am finally out of the hospital, I will make sure everyone knows what really happened. I will get my son back. The doctors might say my nightmares are dangerous…

But the woman in the window has been planning to take my place for a long time. And she doesn’t know how far I will go to protect my family…

An absolutely gripping psychological thriller with a killer twist that will keep you up all night! Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, A.R. Torre and The Girl on the Train.

My review 

What a tremendous book. This book kept my attention and I stuggled to put it down. I really liked the character Emmerson, this lady has been through hell and she is just desperate to get her child back. A very good psychological thriller.

Blog tour June 20th 2024

The perfect housemate

 

AMAZON UK

Wow!!!... Had me hook, line and sinker from beginning to end… My heart was pounding… OMG the twists!!! I DID NOT see any of them coming!!!... What an ending!!!... Gripping, unputdownable… I was so hooked… Kept me on the edge of my seat... Addicted from the first page… I read this in one sitting as I could not put it down!!... Absolutely hooked!!... Absolutely heart racing, unputdownable, addictive!!!’ Bookworm86, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

You let her in. You shouldn’t have…

I was so nervous about someone new joining our house share; after everything that happened with my parents, my friends are like my family. Our imperfect but well-loved house is the only place where I can be myself. But when Poppy knocks on our door, blonde hair, wide eyes and a friendly smile, we all agree she’s a perfect fit. I just wish I could shake the feeling that I’ve seen her before…

At first, everything runs smoothly. But one day, Poppy arrives home with my housemates in tow. She says she ‘forgot’ to invite me to the movie. My stomach drops. As she sidles up to my friends, I’m gripped by a familiar panic. If Poppy is from my past, will she turn my friends against me? Will she tell them the secret I’ve so carefully buried?

I feel like Poppy’s watching my every move. My home used to be the place where I felt most comfortable. But as she places a delicious home-cooked meal in front of me, I don’t even feel safe eating here.

I have to find out who she really is, and what she wants.

And when I do, will she realise too late which one of us is truly dangerous?

An absolutely gripping page-turner about the dark secrets harboured by the people closest to us. Fans of Shari Lapena, Lisa Jewell and Sally Hepworth won’t be able to put down The Perfect Housemate!

My review 

This book is such a great read which I really enjoyed. I found it difficult to tear myself away because I wanted to know what's going to happen. It extremely gripping and full of outstanding characters.  It is really unpredictable and keeps you guessing right till the end. It made me think who I share a house with that's for sure. I highly recommend this book.

The Bridal Party

 

AMAZON UK

Blog Tour 04-05-24

The moment she sees Caitlyn, wearing her ‘bride-to-be’ sash and brimming with excitement, it hits her. She hates Caitlyn. She knows who Little Miss Perfect really is – what she’s really hiding. And the temptation to do something about it is too strong to resist… 

When the first bottle of prosecco pops open I breathe a sigh of relief. As maid-of-honour, I’ve worked so hard to organise my best friend Caitlyn’s big celebration before her wedding. Even though her schoolfriends are jealous they aren’t bridesmaids like me, and her sisters won’t make eye contact, I plaster a fake smile on my face and top up everyone’s glasses. Nothing will spoil this special weekend.

But as we begin the cute husband-and-wife games, Caitlyn’s sister-in-law reveals something shockingly cruel. In the silence that follows, the little question cards I’d made drop, forgotten, to the floor. We’re supposed to be celebrating her upcoming wedding but Caitlyn’s lied to me for years. Her relationship is far from the magical dream she’d made it out to be.

Suddenly, everyone in the room is arguing. All of our secrets and lies are exposed. It’s clear that none of us really know each other – or Caitlyn.

The next morning I find Caitlyn, beautiful, pale and unmoving in her bed. The bride is dead. One of us killed her. But which devastating truth was dangerous enough to kill for? And with us all stuck here until the murderer is found, how long will it be until someone else gets hurt…? 

Perfect for fans of The Perfect Marriage, Lucinda Berry, and Freida McFadden, this is an utterly compelling and shocking psychological thriller with amazingly unexpected twists.

This book was originally published as The Hen Party.

My review 

Where do I start. What an absolute amazing book this was.I was totally gripped from the beginning until the end. the twists the  turns just like a rollercoaster. You just do not know what’s gonna come next .Absolutely fantastic. I would highly recommend this book to everybody to read and look forward to reading more from this author going forward.

Definitely a five star book from me.I’ve so enjoyed this book so much I can’t wait to read more. This is a must book to read. Absolutely outstanding ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Author Bio:

Maria Frankland has a dubious internet search history and a very worried mother-in-law. However, neither of these things can stop her writing gripping psychological thrillers in which you’ll never find a happy-ever-after.

Her novels are mostly set in Yorkshire where you’ll hear the accent through all her characters. These are people you could live next door to, or closer still… don’t say you haven’t been warned.

Maria’s novels are fast-paced, down to earth and realistic. You never know what’s around the corner…

Find out more about Maria at www.mariafrankland.co.uk. Whilst you’re there, you can download your free novella – The Brother-in-Law. Happy reading!

Author Social Media Links

Website:  https://mariafrankland.co.uk/  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/writermariafrank/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/writermaria_f/  

Bookouture Email Sign Up:  https://bookouture.com/subscribe/maria-frankland

 

A Marriage of Lies

 

AMAZON UK

An Amazon Charts bestseller
Beneath the surface of every marriage there are secrets. This one is deadly. 

My husband is lying. The minute he came home with alcohol on his breath and unable to look me in the eyes I knew it. We used to be in love – the intense ‘I can’t be without you for a second’ kind. Where it hurts deep to be apart.

But now, we’re the couple that keep secrets from each other. We hide the truth. He thought I wouldn’t find out. I’m a detective – it’s literally my job to uncover clues and solve mysteries. I know what he did.

My review

What a truly fantastic thriller which kept me guessing until the end. The twists were jaw dropping and I still can't get over them. The pace is fast so its very easy to read this in a day. I throughly enjoyed this book. 5 starts from me.

FIVE NIGHTS

 

AMAZON UK

A powerful family. A luxury cruise. A killer on board.

You're invited to join the infamous Scarmardo family on a five night voyage aboard their glamorous new ship. It's a chance to see your best friend, Belle, newly married to Mattia Scarmardo. You haven't seen her in years.

FIVE
On the first night, you'll be wrapped up in the glamour of the ship.

FOUR
On the second night, you'll wonder who is sending you threatening notes.

THREE
On the third night, someone will die.

TWO
On the fourth night, you'll discover that someone knows the truth of what you did.

ONE
On the last night, you'll be left for dead.

WILL YOU MAKE IT BACK TO SHORE ALIVE?

'Deadly glamour on the high seas and lashings of schadenfreude in this addictive, claustrophobic thriller.'ERIN KELLY

My review

Absolutely amazing psychological thriller I was hooked from start to finish. I just could not put this one down my God another fantastic read the ups the downs the lefts the rights. You just do not know what’s gonna happen next. I highly recommend this book to everybody.

HOW CAN I TRUST YOU ?

 

AMAZON UK

My husband is accused of killing my best friend. Can I trust anything he says?

It feels like all the air has been knocked out of me. My best friend is dead, killed at her own daughter’s birthday party. All I want to do is run into my husband’s loving arms. But he’s in handcuffs, covered in her blood. His voice quivers, almost sobbing as officers put him in the police car. ‘You don’t think I did this, do you? I was trying to save her.’

At first, I’m sure he couldn’t have done it. The man I love wouldn’t hurt anyone. But as I try to prove that he didn’t murder Lucy, secrets begin unravelling…

It starts with the messages between the two of them. Initially, they seem innocent enough. But the more I look, the more I become convinced they were having an affair. Then I find out about his divorce lawyer…

Suddenly my whole life feels like a lie. If he was hiding his plan to leave me for Lucy, can I believe his protests that he is innocent? And if he really did murder his lover, what else is he capable of?

An unputdownable thriller that will keep you up all night! This gripping read is perfect for fans of The Housemaid, The Perfect Marriage and Shari Lapena.

My review 

Be prepared to have your whole day taken up by reading this.

This book has blown me away. It is phenomenal.

I enjoyed the pace of this book and how gripping it is. Full of outstanding twists.

THE LOST ONES

 

AMAZON UK

As dawn breaks over a small gas station on the outskirts of Groveton, Ohio, the body of a teenage girl lies totally still. Long blonde hair covers her face, and a length of frayed rope hangs loosely around her neck. It’s only a matter of time before someone finds her, just like her killer intended…

When FBI agent Nikki Cassidy receives a call from Groveton’s Chief of Police, her heart pounds. A young girl just knocked on the door of Nikki’s old family home, claiming to be Nikki’s kid sister, Caitlin. But Caitlin was murdered fifteen years ago. Who is the girl and what does she want?

Nikki thinks the impersonator could finally lead her to her sister’s twisted killer. But her hope is shattered when the girl’s lifeless body is found strangled at a local service stop. If the girl knew about Caitlin, could she have known the identity of the killer? Was she murdered before she could unmask them?

Going against her boss’s orders to stay away, Nikki traces the girl’s last known steps to her best friend, Shirley. Nikki learns that the girl was last seen meeting with a stranger at the mall. Could it have been her killer?

Closer than ever to uncovering the truth, Nikki can’t give up now. But when Shirley’s body is found at another service station, a length of rope wound around her neck, her heart shatters. Another young life has been lost. Nikki vows that this will be the last.

When an intruder breaks into her old home, Nikki knows it’s the killer sending her a sign. As she walks into the familiar old house in the dead of night, will she finally get justice and catch her sister’s killer, or did she just walk into a deadly trap?

My review 

So this is the 3rd book in the series and I really enjoyed the first two books. The Lost Ones is every bit as good as the other two books. The suspense and twists keep you hooked. The mystery element really is superb. I have loved the character Nikki Cassidy and I hope the author has plans to write more books like this in the future.

Last One To Die

 

AMAZON UK

Ten days ago, straight-A student Jessica Stanley ran away from home. Now her lifeless body lies pale and still in an empty parking lot, her unblinking brown eyes staring up to the night sky…

FBI agent Nikki Cassidy’s heart pounds as she takes in the short, dark hair and delicate features of fourteen-year-old schoolgirl Jessica Stanley. It’s another unsolved murder in Groveton, Ohio, just like her sister, Caitlin, fifteen years before. Her family beg her to keep her distance, but Nikki knows she can’t walk away.

What if her sister’s killer is back?

Talking to Jessica’s heartbroken family, Nikki learns that she wasn’t happy at home. Just days ago, she packed a few belongings into her school backpack and left, never to be seen alive again.

Determined to give Jessica’s family the answers she never found for herself, Nikki works around the clock, trawling hours of CCTV footage from the scene. And just when she thinks she’s close to uncovering the truth, a chilling email arrives that confirms her deepest fear. There are more victims, Nikki. Can you ever stop me?

This killer is playing a dangerous game, and he has Nikki in his sights now—one wrong move and she could be his next victim. She’s determined to unmask the monster who has tortured her hometown for decades. But what if the killer is someone close to her? What if it’s someone she loves? 

Fans of Lisa Regan, Robert Dugoni and Kendra Elliot will absolutely love this gripping new series from Dana Perry. Prepare to stay up all night!

My review 

What another brilliant psychological thriller by Dana Perry. Very thrilling and enjoyable. 

I felt scared and nervous for the Dectective Nikki and dreaded something happening to her.

This is not a predictable book which is what I love to see as I don't want to read a book that is easy to guess what happens.

This series NEEDS Netflix to be made into a show.

The Nowhere Girls

AMAZON UK

My kid sister was murdered fifteen years ago. Now the killer has struck again. And this time, I’m going to take my revenge…

On the anniversary of her sister’s death, FBI agent Nikki Cassidy takes a call that has her heart pounding in her chest, the image of her beautiful sister Caitlin etched in her mind.

Another girl has been taken.

Days later, the lifeless body of twelve-year-old Natalie Jarvis is found in a remote patch of woodland, a crown of roses delicately placed on her head. Just like Caitlin.

The killer is back. 

Nikki rushes to her small hometown of Groveton, Ohio. She will do anything to stop another young girl dying, but she soon realises that nothing is what it seems—everyone in her hometown is keeping a secret. And when a note is discovered near Natalie’s body addressed to Nikki, it’s clear what the murderer really wants: her…

My review 

This book is very gripping.  When I read the description for it I was intrigued.

The opening chapter captured my attention and made me want to keep reading. I was frightened and scared throughout.  I dreaded to think what was going to happen next. There are a lot of gasping moments in the book that shock you to the core.

This is a tremendous read and I am going to get stuck straight into the next book in this series.

 

I Let Her In

AMAZON UK

I tread quietly up the plush carpeted stairs. There’s no-one here to see me as Cassie and Jon’s bedroom door creaks gently open. I’ve watched them from afar for so long. Now I’m finally in their house. But there’s no time to waste. I’m here for a reason, and I’m going to get what I came for, whatever the cost… 

I open the front door and there’s Amy, smiling sweetly and ready to help. She’s been a lifesaver since Jon and I moved here – from walking the dog to picking up my little son Teddy from nursery last minute. I’m so lucky we met in the playground the first day we arrived. Amy is more than just a good friend. My only friend, really.

Whenever Amy and Jon exchange glances I’m sure it seems like they’ve met before, even though Jon swears they haven’t. But then again Jon recognises lots of people from his childhood round here without truly knowing them. I’ve put it out of my mind. Just like my fear of being watched. I need to remember I’m safe now.

But today, when I turn up at Teddy’s nursery, I learn I was so, so wrong. The teacher tells me Amy picked him up an hour ago. Now they have both disappeared.

I am frantic. I will do anything to get my son back. I should have known I can’t trust anyone. Then the phone rings, and I know what I have to do… 

An utterly absorbing and shocking psychological thriller with the most unexpected of twists, this novel is perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Mark Edwards and The Woman in the Window.

My Review

This is a book that will draw you in. The description makes you want to get stuck right in. 

I let her in is full of twists. Each and every one shocked me to the core.

Characters that you will love and plenty to hate.  

This is a psychological thriller at its best.  Bravo.

 

The secrets next door

AMAZON UK

What does she know?

On a leafy, suburban street, curtains are subtly twitched to watch the new neighbor moving in.

Anne gets exactly the welcome to the neighborhood she expects: a basket of homemade cupcakes delivered by the woman next door and her best friend. One wears a curious smile while the other studies her every move. When Talia and Tabitha leave, Anne throws the treats in the trash.

She knows what to expect from the new neighbors. Talia with her perfect husband and pale-peach sweater sets, and Tabitha who reigns as queen in the close-knit community. That’s why she chose this house.

But they don’t know what to expect from her.

And if they get suspicious, well they can’t uncover Anne’s secrets without spilling their own…

An absolutely gripping and twisty psychological thriller that will have you questioning everything in a race to the jaw-dropping ending. The perfect read for fans of The Perfect Marriage, The Housemaid and Nicola Sanders.

Readers love The Secrets Next Door

My Review 

This book is incredible.  It had me hook line and sinker from first chapter.  I really liked the characters and got to know them well easily.  Pace through the book was good and I couldn't wait to find out what happened. A great read overall.