Book Description
When your whole life becomes one big lie…
The night my mum disappeared, after a panicked 3am phonecall, I knew something was wrong.
The police tried to reassure me. There had to be a logical explanation they said – perhaps she’s
taking a break after the tragic death of my father.
But I know my mum.
Or do I?
She would never leave without telling me.
Or would she?
The harder I look, the more I discover deep, dark family secrets I was not privy to.
Worrying secrets I was never meant to know.
Which means my parents have lied to me my whole life.
But why?
Who can I turn to? Trust?
Were they scared of something in their past?
Or were they trying to protect me?
Has mum gone on her own free will?
Or has someone taken her?
Diane Saxon’s compelling new thriller will have you questioning who you can trust to keep your
family safe.
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'The Stepson' by Diane Saxon.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Diane Saxon, Boldwood, Book & Tonic and Rachel's Random Book Tours .
Publication date 19th June 2023
This is the first book I have read by this author.
I was originally drawn to this book by its eye catching cover and intriguing sounding synopsis and title. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Boldwood/ Book & Tonic. I have yet to read a book published by Boldwood/ Book & Tonic that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book.
This novel consists of a Prologue, 35 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Scotland 🏴, UK 🇬🇧. I always enjoy when books are set in the UK as I'm from Wales and have sometimes visited areas mentioned in the book. This makes it easier to picture where the scenes are set at times. I have in fact visited and holidayed in Scofland on many occasions including this year and next year again so am looking forward to possibly recognising name places.
This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonists are Carol Jardine, Lulu Clyde and Maggie. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
Absolutely loved this fast paced, gritty and unputdownable psychological thriller filled with emotions and secrets!!!
This book is fantastically written with vivid descriptions that absolutely grip the readers attention and puts them right in the middle of it all making your heart pound and you constantly second guessing.
A huge success by Diane!!! This may be the first book I have read by this fantastic author but it most certainly wil not be my last and I've already added all the rest of her books to my Amazon wish list. This book had me hook, line and sinker from the first page and I could not put it down!!! Every time I said one more chapter it ended on a cliffhanger and I just had to know what was going on!!! This kept on happened over and over until before I knew it I had devoured the whole book in one sitting!! If you are going to read this then clear your day because it is truly unputdownable. I started this this morning and finished it at approx 2pm, reading it in one sitting. This is one of those fascinating books that will have you questioning the characters and yourself throughout!!! You have no idea who to believe and if any other of them can be trusted!!! Sandra Leivesley is petrified after seeing a car pulling into her drive at 3am. She phones her daughter Lorraine telling Lorraine that she is in danger. Lorraine doesn't know what to do and isn't even sure if her mother is drunk because what she told Lorraine can't be true as Lorraine doesn't have a brother? Does she? Lorraine sorts her children out and then goes to visit her mum to find she isn't there. She calls the police but they aren't taking her seriously. This story is very cleverly written with multiple timelines and multiple protagonists giving the reader plenty of background information and insight to make up their own minds about what is going on without giving too much away. Where is Sandra? Is Lorraine and her family safe? Does she have a brother or did she misunderstand her mum? If you want the answers to these questions and many more then you'll just have to grab your copy of this superb page turner today!!!It is ram packed with twists, turns and surprises you'll never see coming. I definitely didn't and I have read hundreds of crime and psychological books so a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS Diane!!! It is getting harder and harder to surprise me but you managed it in this successful, chilling and page turning psychological thriller!!! Grab your copy and jump on the rollercoaster ride of secrets, family, suspense, chills, twists, thrills, mystery and everything you could ask for in an epic page turner!!! Diane's fantastic and evocative writing skills ensures you are sucked into the lives of the characters feeling your heart pounding and the hair on your arms raise. This book is rammed with suspense and tension and will keep you biting your nails, on the edge of your seat with your heart pounding while your flipping the pages because you just cant stop. I loved the fantastic ending that left me wanting to pick up more of Diane's books and get stuck straight in.
It is set over multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture
This may be the first book I have read by this very talented author but it most certainly won't be the last and I cannot wait to get stuck into more of her previous and future books!!!
The authors evocative writing skills brings each of the characters to life and leaves you feeling that you are standing next to them as their story unfolds and lives start to tumble around them. Each of the characters were realistic, well rounded and strong characters which makes it a realistic read. All the characters were strong and realistic as well as hiding their own secrets. I was completely invested in each and every one of them. Although many were flawed as well as unlikeable this made them all the more realistic!!! It is rare for me to become so invested in unlikeable characters but the storyline was so addictive i just could not put it down!!!! There were flaws, secrets and so much more you have no idea who to trust and what the truth really is!!! Diane makes you question each and every one of the characters throughout!!! I don't want to risk saying more about how I felt about the characters as I don't want to give anything away to future readers but I will say that I was annoyed, angry, upset, disappointed at the different ones for many different reasons!! Regardless of whether you love them or hate them they each played their parts perfectly!!!
An absolutely epic pageturner!! Im off to add all of Diane's previous and future books to my Amazon wishlist and I'd like to welcome Diane to my favourite author list!!! Congratulations and here's to your next success 🥂!!
Make sure you read to the very end of the book to read the prologue and first chapter of Diane's 'No Place Like Home' which promises to be just as addictive as this book and is one I'm definitely looking forward to reading myself!!
Overall an addictive and gripping emotional rollercoaster of secrets, family, suspense, tension and everything you could want in a gripping thriller!!
Genres covered in this novel include Coming Of Age Fiction, Fiction Mashups, Noir Crime, Women's Psychological Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Literary Fiction, Suspense Thriller, Psychological Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Noir Fiction, Womens Psychological, Domestic Thriller, Thriller, Mystery ,Thriller & Suspense Literary Fiction, Psychological Suspense, Domestic Fiction, Domestic Thriller, Suspense Thriller and Thriller amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of 'Gone Girl', 'The Wife Between Us', 'The Woman in the Window', 'The Girl on the Train' ,Lisa Jewell, ,Ruth Ware, Paula Hawkins, Gillian Flynn , Freida McFadden, K.L Slater, Daniel Hurst. Shari Lapeni, 'The Wife Between Us', 'The Housemaid' aand anyone who loves a book filled with suspense and surprises!!
376 pages.
This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle, free with kindle unlimited and £10.99 in paperback via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
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Author Bio
Diane Saxon previously wrote romantic fiction for the US market but has now turned to writing
psychological crime. Find Her Alive was her first novel in this genre and introduced series character
DS Jenna Morgan. She is married to a retired policeman and lives in Shropshire.
Social Media Links
Twitter https://twitter.com/Diane_Saxon
Newsletter Sign Up: http://bit.ly/DianeSaxonNewsletter
Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/diane-saxon
Purchase Link
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