One of the family is dead.
One of the family is missing.
And one of the family might just be the killer...
The outstanding new psychological thriller from the 5 million copy-bestselling author of Here to Stay and The Magpies
*****
Patrick couldn’t believe his luck when Holly fell for him. She’s wickedly funny, beautiful, and with an intimidatingly successful father, Charles.
So when she invites him to Charles’ mansion for a New Year’s break in Scotland, all he’s hoping is that they’ll accept him as one of the family.
But everything feels a little off. Whispers in hallways. Rumours of a body that got found nearby the previous year. And something very strange about Charles’ new girlfriend.
Every family has secrets, and Patrick tells himself all he needs to do is survive the next few days.
But then the first body is found, and Patrick realises that all he needs to do is survive the next few days…
Review
I thought the book was a little slow to begin with, but that did seem to fit the bleak Scottish landscape that it was set in. There was quite a bit of scene setting with who was who in the family, and everyone settling either back into the Scottish Mansion, or as first time visitors.
Once the action began I was all in for trying to solve it, which proved pointless. The book flipped back 10 years a few times, to when two of the characters were teenagers. This began to make some sense of the present day scenario.
There wasn't a lot of depth to the characters but that didn't affect the story. I hated most of them anyway for varying reasons.
Once the snow began to come down it really was an atmospheric novel, especially as there is only one policewoman in the vicinity. When the twists began I did literally have my mouth open at each one! It was a bit of a rollercoaster towards the end. Then came the epilogue. I'm not sure I liked it as the ending to the book. I'm still reasoning it in my mind now.
I'm giving this book 4 out of 5 stars. My thanks to Netgalley for the ARC to review. The book is published on 18 June 2026
