Review - The Woman Downstairs

Title:  The Woman Downstairs

Author:  J.D. Kirk  

Publisher:  Bookouture

Genre:   Psychological Thriller 

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   309

Date of Publication:   October 15, 2025

My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

‘Hi,’ she says, ‘I’m your new neighbour.’ Her smile is bright but her shoulders are tense as she stands on the leafy green Edinburgh street. She seems friendly. But soon I’ll discover her dangerous secret…

On the first day I meet my new neighbour, we share a glass of wine and talk into the night. We swap numbers and I vow to get to know her better. But as I get closer to her, I discover something about her past that changes everything. She isn’t who I thought she was.

Then when I step into her home, my jaw drops. Everything in here is identical to my own flat – every cushion, every picture on the wall.

Except for the knife, covered in blood. My heart pounds in my chest. What has she done? What is she capable of?

I should never have come here. I should never have got close to her. I need to run.

But then I hear a creak outside the door. And I realise, it may be too late…

MY THOUGHTS:

An easy five star read.Diane and Chloe, now neighbors, have an unexpected connection. Chloe’s move into Diane’s building wasn’t accidental; it was by deliberate design, and the reader will soon discover the reason behind it. Revenge serves as the central theme of this story, and the reader will soon understand why. Continue reading to uncover the truth.

The twists. The drama. Two characters with their own stories. Factor in bit of snarky dialogue woven through the pages and what you have is quite an entertaining read. J.D. Kirk pulls the reader into the story by with a developing mystery all while the story pulls the reader in. 

Delivered from both Diane’s and Chloe’s POV, the story holds at a rapidly increasing pace. Their very first conversation, and the drama that ensues, is top-notch. I loved this story and this book definitely puts Kirk on my radar. 

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

JD Kirk lives in the Highlands of Scotland with his wife, two children, and a number of sturdy umbrellas. Despite writing from a young age, 'A Litter of Bones' is his first novel, and combines his love of the Highlands, crime thrillers, and cats.

AUTHOR SOCIAL MEDIA

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BLOG TOUR - Please Don’t Find Me

DESCRIPTION: 

My heart is hammering furiously as the bedroom door creaks open. The second I see my husband’s lifeless body, I know I have to run. And no-one can ever find us.

 There are three things I know to be true.

 ONE. My husband knew my secret.

 TWO. Now he’s dead, my daughter and I are in danger.

 THREE. I will do anything to protect my child, whatever the cost.

 We need to vanish. But first, it has to look like we were taken.

 I move through our house, pushing over chairs and rummaging violently through drawers. I pull out items Robert and I bought together and throw them across the room. As a final touch, I leave Avery’s sneaker abandoned on the ground outside.

 It’s important there’s no trace. But if I could leave a message behind, it would be this:

 If you look for me, you won’t like what you find.

 An addictive and jaw-dropping page-turner with twists to die for. Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Gillian Flynn and Alice Hunter.

Content warning: This book includes the discovery of a suicide and the discussion and portrayal of suicidal ideation.

BUY LINK:

https://geni.us/B0DYWCB6MJsocial

Title:  Please Don’t Find Me

Author:  Wendy Dranfield

Publisher:  Bookouture

Genre:   Psychological Thriller

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:  352

Date of Publication:   May 22, 2025

My Rating:   5 Stars 

MY THOUGHTS:

This book delivers a rollercoaster of emotions, leaving you questioning what you just read. Julia, a woman on the run with her six-year-old daughter Avery, is fleeing from a shocking discovery—her husband Robert’s suicide. But the reasons behind her escape run far deeper, delving into her dark and disturbing urges and resulting actions.

Julia’s actions are inexplicable, and the novel explores the reasons behind her behavior. But the story doesn’t stop there. Enter Officer Scott Walker, Julia’s ex-boyfriend, whose own disturbing reasons for breaking up with her years ago are revealed. His relentless pursuit of Julia becomes a central thread in the novel.

This haunting read takes you on a journey through Julia’s dark urges and the brutal extremes she goes through while on the run with Avery. It’s a shocking and compelling story that keeps you on the edge of your seat from the very beginning.

While it’s clear that Julia has dark urges, the novel also delves into Scott’s story. Even the deceased Robert has a voice, adding to the intensity of the read.

This fast-paced novel is thrilling from beginning to end. The question lingers: what is Julia’s story, and what is Scott’s? The book answers these questions and more, offering a unique and unexpected perspective. While the trigger warning at the opening of this book was warranted, it is most certainly worth the read. It’s a different and shocking experience that you won’t be able to put down. 

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Wendy is the author of the Detective Madison Harper crime series. Her novels and short stories have been shortlisted and longlisted for various writing competitions and awards, including the International Thriller Writer Awards.

Visit her website for the most accurate and up-to-date information about her books: www.wendydranfield.co.uk

Author social media 

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BLOG TOUR - The Uninvited Guest

DESCRIPTION:

One hen, one stag, one uninvited guest… who won’t make it to the wedding?

Megan Lewis is ready for her big day, but when an unexpected guest crashes her hen weekend, her perfectly curated world unravels.

Beth, claiming to be Jamie’s cousin, quickly charms the group. But when she gets close to bridesmaid Lauren, things take a dark turn, and a game of truth or dare exposes secrets from Megan’s past, shaking her world.

As the wedding nears, Megan realises Beth isn’t who she says she is — but she may be her only ally.

When you can’t trust anyone, not even your fiancé, who can you turn to?

An unputdownable novel full of suspense and secrets, perfect for fans of Shari Lapena, Alice Feeney and Lisa Jewell.

Link to purchase the book

Title:  The Uninvited Guest 

Author:  Ruby Speechley

Publisher:  Boldwood Books

Genre:   Psychological Thriller 

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   289

Date of Publication:   February 10, 2025

My Rating:   4 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

Megan Lewis is certain that there’s going to be a wedding. But then again, this wedding might not happen. When Megan and her friends get together for a hen party over the weekend, things take a disturbing turn. A funeral display with the words “R I P  M E G A N” appears, and they’re funeral flowers. Someone doesn’t want Megan to marry, and it seems like they’re willing to go to any lengths to stop her, perhaps even putting her life at risk.

Megan, eagerly anticipating her upcoming marriage to Jamie, believes it was love at first sight. This conviction leads her to believe that this is the best decision for her and will bring her lasting happiness. However, someone else has a completely different perspective. The threats don’t end with the initial shocking message. These threats have undoubtedly put a damper on her hen party.

From the very beginning, the party is off-balance. To make matters worse, Megan invited Lauren to the hen party, hoping to mend their fractured friendship. Unfortunately, the two are clearly at odds, and their differences only escalate when they start playing revealing party games.

Just when things can’t get any worse, a newcomer, Beth, joins the group. Beth claims to be Jamie’s cousin, and everything goes completely off the rails. Megan already felt unnerved by Lauren’s presence, Beth’s arrival just makes things worse. 

The party is filled with threats, secrets, lies, and blackmail—none of which are conducive to happiness. The threats are clear and escalate tension throughout the short span of time the story takes place. This thrilling domestic suspense story is expertly paced and filled with twists and surprises. The reader is drawn into Megan’s point of view, especially as some revelations start to become clear.

Many thanks to Boldwood Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ruby Speechley is a bestselling psychological thriller writer, whose titles include Someone Else’s Baby. Previously published by Hera, she has been a journalist and worked in PR and lives in Cheshire.

Social Media Links – 

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