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I Had to Do It: an absolutely gripping psychological thriller full of twists
Not yet published
Expected 8 Oct 26My sister is missing. My father is guilty...
In a café on a normal Monday morning, a stranger sits down opposite Jessica Walsh and tells a story that eerily mirrors Jess's own.
They both have sisters who are addicts and increasingly desperate fathers. The difference is Jess knows her dad would never resort to violence to fix the 'problem', even if this woman's father has.
Later that morning, Jess sees voicemails from her their dad is wielding an axe, Vicky needs her now.
When Jess gets home and finds her sister missing, her father explains this is all part of a plan. Though the measures are extreme, this will help Vicky get clean. But Jess can't forget the woman from the café.
And she knows from experience it only takes a day for your whole life to unravel...
In a café on a normal Monday morning, a stranger sits down opposite Jessica Walsh and tells a story that eerily mirrors Jess's own.
They both have sisters who are addicts and increasingly desperate fathers. The difference is Jess knows her dad would never resort to violence to fix the 'problem', even if this woman's father has.
Later that morning, Jess sees voicemails from her their dad is wielding an axe, Vicky needs her now.
When Jess gets home and finds her sister missing, her father explains this is all part of a plan. Though the measures are extreme, this will help Vicky get clean. But Jess can't forget the woman from the café.
And she knows from experience it only takes a day for your whole life to unravel...
- GenresPsychological Thriller
399 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 8, 2026
About the author
Charlie Gallagher
32 books634 followersCharlie Gallagher was a serving UK police officer for thirteen years where he performed many roles. Starting out as a front-line response officer, he was also a member of a specialist tactical team and worked as a detective in various areas, including elements of Counter Terrorism.
Charlie now writes full time. He lives on the south coast of England with his wife and two kids and, somehow, a spaniel, a tortoise and a two cats, one of which has far more twitter followers.
Charlie now writes full time. He lives on the south coast of England with his wife and two kids and, somehow, a spaniel, a tortoise and a two cats, one of which has far more twitter followers.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I Had To Do It had a strong start, an almost frantic build up to an event but unfortunately for me almost every twist that happened I’d already predicted and really wanted to be proven wrong,I should add as I always do with any thriller that this is really a me thing it takes something entirely fresh to hook me and catch me out, so you might not want to take my word for it. The writing was good as was the premise I didn’t really connect well with the characters but k managed to overlook that and I did still enjoy the book and the narration.
Huge thanks to Head of Zeus Audiobooks and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
Huge thanks to Head of Zeus Audiobooks and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
July 24, 2026
I Had To Do It had all the ingredients for a tense domestic‑crime thriller. But instead of leaning into psychological suspense, it settled more firmly into a family‑drama spiral filled with addiction, panic, and extreme decisions that never quite landed with the punch they were aiming for.
I liked the initial setup with the café encounter, the eerie parallels, the frantic voicemails but the story quickly became chaotic rather than gripping. The father’s “plan,” the missing sister, and the escalating desperation felt more frustrating than thrilling.
Likes:
• Strong opening hook that pulls you in
• Family tension with real emotional stakes
• Fast pacing that keeps the plot moving
Let Down:
• Messy execution, tension without payoff
• Characters that are hard to connect with
• Predictable turns that weaken the suspense
Ratings Breakdown:
• Setting: 3⭐
• Characters: 3⭐
• Writing: 2⭐
• Message: 2⭐
• Overall: 3⭐
Overall Thoughts:
Even though the premise promised a gripping domestic thriller, the execution didn’t fully deliver. The emotional stakes were there, but the plot’s chaos overshadowed the suspense, leaving the story feeling more exhausting than exciting. It’s a quick read with a strong hook, but if you’re craving a tighter, more satisfying thriller, you’ll probably want to reach for something else.
~JaNnA~
I liked the initial setup with the café encounter, the eerie parallels, the frantic voicemails but the story quickly became chaotic rather than gripping. The father’s “plan,” the missing sister, and the escalating desperation felt more frustrating than thrilling.
Likes:
• Strong opening hook that pulls you in
• Family tension with real emotional stakes
• Fast pacing that keeps the plot moving
Let Down:
• Messy execution, tension without payoff
• Characters that are hard to connect with
• Predictable turns that weaken the suspense
Ratings Breakdown:
• Setting: 3⭐
• Characters: 3⭐
• Writing: 2⭐
• Message: 2⭐
• Overall: 3⭐
Overall Thoughts:
Even though the premise promised a gripping domestic thriller, the execution didn’t fully deliver. The emotional stakes were there, but the plot’s chaos overshadowed the suspense, leaving the story feeling more exhausting than exciting. It’s a quick read with a strong hook, but if you’re craving a tighter, more satisfying thriller, you’ll probably want to reach for something else.
~JaNnA~
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this audiobook. I did enjoy the story of this one but it just felt dragged out a tad. One of the twists did get me pretty good.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for an advance reader copy. If you want a synopsis, click on the book.
This book is cleverly-plotted and well-written. It zips along with an unusual plot and the author makes the impossible seem possible. I didn't know where it was going until the end. Another good story from Charlie Gallagher.
This book is cleverly-plotted and well-written. It zips along with an unusual plot and the author makes the impossible seem possible. I didn't know where it was going until the end. Another good story from Charlie Gallagher.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Charlie Gallagher’s first venture into psychological suspense is a gripping surprise, especially for readers who know him for his fast‑paced crime fiction. This story begins quietly, almost deceptively so, with a chance encounter in a café that feels harmless at first glance. Yet the stranger’s tale, so eerily similar to Jess’s own family troubles which plants the first seed of unease. Gallagher lets the tension simmer rather than explode, drawing you in with subtle hints, unsettling coincdences, and the creeping sense that something is deeply wrong beneath the surface. It’s a slower start than his usual style, but that deliberate pacing makes every new clue land with sharper impact, pulling you deeper into the emotional chaos of a family on the brink.
As the narrative unfolds, the suspense tightens beautifully. Jess’s father’s frantic voicemails, the chilling image of him wielding an axe, and the shocking discovery that her sister has vanished all escalate the dread in carefully measured steps. Gallagher drip feeds information with expert control, allowing suspicion to build layer by layer until Jess, and the reader can no longer tell whether her father is desperate, dangerous, or both. The echoes of the café woman’s warning linger throughout, adding an extra twist of paranoia that keeps the pages turning. By the time the truth begins to unravel, the slow burn has transformed into a full‑blown psychological storm. It’s a tense, cleverly constructed thriller that proves Gallagher’s talent extends far beyond traditional crime and I thoroughly enjoyed every unsettling moment. I look forward to his next endeavour in this particular genre.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.
As the narrative unfolds, the suspense tightens beautifully. Jess’s father’s frantic voicemails, the chilling image of him wielding an axe, and the shocking discovery that her sister has vanished all escalate the dread in carefully measured steps. Gallagher drip feeds information with expert control, allowing suspicion to build layer by layer until Jess, and the reader can no longer tell whether her father is desperate, dangerous, or both. The echoes of the café woman’s warning linger throughout, adding an extra twist of paranoia that keeps the pages turning. By the time the truth begins to unravel, the slow burn has transformed into a full‑blown psychological storm. It’s a tense, cleverly constructed thriller that proves Gallagher’s talent extends far beyond traditional crime and I thoroughly enjoyed every unsettling moment. I look forward to his next endeavour in this particular genre.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is only my second read by this author and yet this was a completely different read.
This was much more a psychological thriller and I really got drawn into this one within just a few pages.
There was a lot going on here and I really liked the confusion of the first section that kept me invested in what on earth was going on and how things would play out from here.
I felt so sorry for Jess who had been put in such a difficult position. The issues with her sister and now with her daughter playing up too - it's so easy to see how she managed to spiral like she did.
As a mum, you just naturally have that instinct to protect at any cost.
As the story unfolds, we see many twists and turns which managed to complete flip the storyline on its head and then I actually ended up changing my views on the characters and yet I still felt uncomfortable about this.
This was so well written because by midway, everything has changed and instead of rethinking my theories, I was questioning everything and had no clue who to trust or not.
Despite my feelings about each of the characters, I was completely invested in this one and had to know how things would be resolved.
Seeing the pages dwindle and yet I had so many questions still unanswered, I wasn't even sure of this would work out by the end - but the pieces just all came together swiftly for the final few pages.
This really does get you thinking about what you would do to keep your family safe - how far you'd let things go and how are you are to stretch your own morals.
Another great read and I can't wait to add more soon.
This was much more a psychological thriller and I really got drawn into this one within just a few pages.
There was a lot going on here and I really liked the confusion of the first section that kept me invested in what on earth was going on and how things would play out from here.
I felt so sorry for Jess who had been put in such a difficult position. The issues with her sister and now with her daughter playing up too - it's so easy to see how she managed to spiral like she did.
As a mum, you just naturally have that instinct to protect at any cost.
As the story unfolds, we see many twists and turns which managed to complete flip the storyline on its head and then I actually ended up changing my views on the characters and yet I still felt uncomfortable about this.
This was so well written because by midway, everything has changed and instead of rethinking my theories, I was questioning everything and had no clue who to trust or not.
Despite my feelings about each of the characters, I was completely invested in this one and had to know how things would be resolved.
Seeing the pages dwindle and yet I had so many questions still unanswered, I wasn't even sure of this would work out by the end - but the pieces just all came together swiftly for the final few pages.
This really does get you thinking about what you would do to keep your family safe - how far you'd let things go and how are you are to stretch your own morals.
Another great read and I can't wait to add more soon.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My familiarity with Charlie Gallagher’s novels has been the two Abigail Morton thrillers that were released earlier in 2026. Both books were excellent and held my attention throughout. I’m hoping for another one before the end of the year or early 2027.
Seeing a non-series thriller by Gallagher was being released. I couldn’t wait to read “I Had to Do It”. I had to wonder how well his style would match up with the description of the book.
I found the book quite enjoyable for the first half of the book. I was interested in what direction he was going to go with the book. There were several choices that he had laid out for where he could go. And then I got worried. I felt like he was losing the plot.
“Oh, ye (or should I say me) of little faith!” Dear Mr. Gallagher (Can I call you Charlie?), I must apologize to you for ever doubting you.
By the end of this book, I had a huge smile on my face. Let’s just say, what you think is going on, you are most likely wrong.
I know a lot of books promise that. This one actually delivers.
I still prefer the Abigail Morton books, but this was a fun way to kill a rainy day.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
Seeing a non-series thriller by Gallagher was being released. I couldn’t wait to read “I Had to Do It”. I had to wonder how well his style would match up with the description of the book.
I found the book quite enjoyable for the first half of the book. I was interested in what direction he was going to go with the book. There were several choices that he had laid out for where he could go. And then I got worried. I felt like he was losing the plot.
“Oh, ye (or should I say me) of little faith!” Dear Mr. Gallagher (Can I call you Charlie?), I must apologize to you for ever doubting you.
By the end of this book, I had a huge smile on my face. Let’s just say, what you think is going on, you are most likely wrong.
I know a lot of books promise that. This one actually delivers.
I still prefer the Abigail Morton books, but this was a fun way to kill a rainy day.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Charlie Gallagher steps away from crime fiction and into psychological thriller territory with I Had To Do It, and oh, does he land with a bump!
It starts so innocently. Jessica Walsh meets a stranger in a café, and within minutes they've bonded over the same private heartache: an addict sister and a father growing desperate to help. It's a comfort, a moment of feeling less alone. Then Jess's sister Vicky goes missing, her father insists it's all part of the plan, and that lovely coincidence starts to look like something else entirely.
This is one of the most tense books I've ever read. There's an undercurrent of dread on every single page, and I spent the whole time desperate for Jessica to get one step ahead of the plot. She never does.
Reading it felt like waiting for an axe to fall, knowing exactly how horrible the repercussions will be, and having no way to stop it. As Jessica fights for her family and is utterly manipulated, she has no idea she isn't the only one.
It's tense, it's twisty, it's harrowing, and it is utterly fantastic. My heart was racing, then breaking, and all the while I was longing for everything to be put back together again. But at whose expense?
My thanks to Netgalley and Aria & Aries for the ARC. All views are my own.
It starts so innocently. Jessica Walsh meets a stranger in a café, and within minutes they've bonded over the same private heartache: an addict sister and a father growing desperate to help. It's a comfort, a moment of feeling less alone. Then Jess's sister Vicky goes missing, her father insists it's all part of the plan, and that lovely coincidence starts to look like something else entirely.
This is one of the most tense books I've ever read. There's an undercurrent of dread on every single page, and I spent the whole time desperate for Jessica to get one step ahead of the plot. She never does.
Reading it felt like waiting for an axe to fall, knowing exactly how horrible the repercussions will be, and having no way to stop it. As Jessica fights for her family and is utterly manipulated, she has no idea she isn't the only one.
It's tense, it's twisty, it's harrowing, and it is utterly fantastic. My heart was racing, then breaking, and all the while I was longing for everything to be put back together again. But at whose expense?
My thanks to Netgalley and Aria & Aries for the ARC. All views are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was absolutely incredible!
From the very first page I was all in. Life on pause, I needed to keep reading. Charlie Gallagher's writing is always on point and the way he delivers a story is masterful.
Told across different timelines, from years before to days after and the present, there are so many details and subplots that nothing really feels connected until everything clicks into place. Then you get that "oh!" moment. It is such a clever way to tell the story. Had it been written any other way I think the plot would have been far more obvious, but the structure is completely deliberate and brilliantly executed.
I loved the constant tension and the way Jess is pulled in so many directions as she tries to help her sister, rebuild her relationship with her daughter and work out who Dan really is.
I honestly loved every minute of it. In fact, I love Charlie Gallagher's books. I discovered him by chance on NetGalley and now, whenever I see his name, I request the book without even reading the synopsis because I know I'm going to enjoy it.
If you've never read Charlie Gallagher before, what are you waiting for?
Thanks to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
From the very first page I was all in. Life on pause, I needed to keep reading. Charlie Gallagher's writing is always on point and the way he delivers a story is masterful.
Told across different timelines, from years before to days after and the present, there are so many details and subplots that nothing really feels connected until everything clicks into place. Then you get that "oh!" moment. It is such a clever way to tell the story. Had it been written any other way I think the plot would have been far more obvious, but the structure is completely deliberate and brilliantly executed.
I loved the constant tension and the way Jess is pulled in so many directions as she tries to help her sister, rebuild her relationship with her daughter and work out who Dan really is.
I honestly loved every minute of it. In fact, I love Charlie Gallagher's books. I discovered him by chance on NetGalley and now, whenever I see his name, I request the book without even reading the synopsis because I know I'm going to enjoy it.
If you've never read Charlie Gallagher before, what are you waiting for?
Thanks to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
October 2, 2026
Jessica meets a woman in a cafe, who’s problems seems to be similar to hers and thinks she’s met a kindred spirit. But when she receives a panicked message from her sister, she rushes home to find her missing and her dad insisting it’s all part of a plan to help her. Jess can’t help but wonder if the meeting with the stranger in the cafe had more to it than she first thought.
I have read a couple of this authors books from his shorter series and enjoyed them at the time. The premise of this one sounded mysterious and intriguing, so I was looking forward to reading it. Although this was a multi layered, well plotted story, I did find it slow to start, where I struggled to connect properly to it or the characters. I enjoyed the exploration into the family dynamics and the found it was managed well. I also enjoyed watching the puzzle come together, which it did so in a clever, twisty way. This was a solid thriller overall and I would be interested seeing what else he comes up with. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
I have read a couple of this authors books from his shorter series and enjoyed them at the time. The premise of this one sounded mysterious and intriguing, so I was looking forward to reading it. Although this was a multi layered, well plotted story, I did find it slow to start, where I struggled to connect properly to it or the characters. I enjoyed the exploration into the family dynamics and the found it was managed well. I also enjoyed watching the puzzle come together, which it did so in a clever, twisty way. This was a solid thriller overall and I would be interested seeing what else he comes up with. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Absolute Rollercoaster—Tense, Fast-Paced, and Completely Unpredictable!
I’m a massive thriller fan, but it takes a lot for a book to genuinely keep me guessing these days—and I Had To Do It delivered in spades. From the very first chapter, the tension kicks off and just does not let up.
The structure of this story is brilliantly crafted. Switching between the perspectives of Jessica, Dan, and Caitlin across different timelines kept me completely hooked. Every time I thought I had figured out where the plot was heading or how the pieces fit together, another twist dropped and threw me completely off balance. The eerie coincidence of the café meeting and the escalating desperation surrounding the family dynamics made it impossible to put down.
If you love a fast, gritty, edge-of-your-seat thriller that makes you second-guess everyone’s motives, you need to add this to your reading list immediately. A solid 5 stars from me!
I’m a massive thriller fan, but it takes a lot for a book to genuinely keep me guessing these days—and I Had To Do It delivered in spades. From the very first chapter, the tension kicks off and just does not let up.
The structure of this story is brilliantly crafted. Switching between the perspectives of Jessica, Dan, and Caitlin across different timelines kept me completely hooked. Every time I thought I had figured out where the plot was heading or how the pieces fit together, another twist dropped and threw me completely off balance. The eerie coincidence of the café meeting and the escalating desperation surrounding the family dynamics made it impossible to put down.
If you love a fast, gritty, edge-of-your-seat thriller that makes you second-guess everyone’s motives, you need to add this to your reading list immediately. A solid 5 stars from me!
September 13, 2026
I absolutely loved this audiobook. I ended up listening to it over just two days because I was completely hooked.
The story follows a gripping investigation that gradually reveals more than it first appears, with plenty of twists and turns along the way. The pace was brilliant and I really liked how the plot was built up, with enough detail to keep me invested without slowing things down.
I really connected with the characters and found myself genuinely caring about what happened to them. There were some great twists that I definitely didn’t see coming.
The narration was excellent and really brought the characters and story to life. I was actually disappointed when I reached the end, which is always a good sign!
Definitely a 5 star listen for me. Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to listen to this audiobook.
The story follows a gripping investigation that gradually reveals more than it first appears, with plenty of twists and turns along the way. The pace was brilliant and I really liked how the plot was built up, with enough detail to keep me invested without slowing things down.
I really connected with the characters and found myself genuinely caring about what happened to them. There were some great twists that I definitely didn’t see coming.
The narration was excellent and really brought the characters and story to life. I was actually disappointed when I reached the end, which is always a good sign!
Definitely a 5 star listen for me. Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to listen to this audiobook.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries.
Jessica acts as a mediator between her father and her sister Vicky, who is addicted to drugs. Jess attends therapy and one day she meets a strange woman in a situation almost identical to her own. Meanwhile, her father and Vicky leave voicemails that unsettle Jess.
It is a multi-layered novel with numerous subplots, full of situations which, although they appear unrelated, gradually fall into place like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle dating back 15 years, which we unravel as the chapters alternate between the past and the present.
A gripping psychological thriller full of suspicion, misunderstandings and secrets that keeps you on the edge of your seat as you try to work out what is really going on.
Jessica acts as a mediator between her father and her sister Vicky, who is addicted to drugs. Jess attends therapy and one day she meets a strange woman in a situation almost identical to her own. Meanwhile, her father and Vicky leave voicemails that unsettle Jess.
It is a multi-layered novel with numerous subplots, full of situations which, although they appear unrelated, gradually fall into place like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle dating back 15 years, which we unravel as the chapters alternate between the past and the present.
A gripping psychological thriller full of suspicion, misunderstandings and secrets that keeps you on the edge of your seat as you try to work out what is really going on.
July 15, 2026
3.75⭐️
This is the authors first delve into a psychological thriller, he has a couple of crime/ psych fusions with The Friend and The Game which are excellent. I am always excited to read a new Charlie Gallagher book.
The main character is Jess, her sister Vicky has addiction issues and has gone missing. Her father is involved. Jess is trying to find her, only she has her own secret past.
I enjoyed the premise of the story, the plot has good complexity. For me it’s a slow start, it took me a good while to get into it, which meant that I didn’t read it quickly which I think made it stall more. I didn’t manage to gel with any of the characters. I need to say I don’t know how reliable my review is as I’ve been struggling to concentrate on reading physical books at the moment.
This is the authors first delve into a psychological thriller, he has a couple of crime/ psych fusions with The Friend and The Game which are excellent. I am always excited to read a new Charlie Gallagher book.
The main character is Jess, her sister Vicky has addiction issues and has gone missing. Her father is involved. Jess is trying to find her, only she has her own secret past.
I enjoyed the premise of the story, the plot has good complexity. For me it’s a slow start, it took me a good while to get into it, which meant that I didn’t read it quickly which I think made it stall more. I didn’t manage to gel with any of the characters. I need to say I don’t know how reliable my review is as I’ve been struggling to concentrate on reading physical books at the moment.
September 22, 2026
Wow, that was quite a ride. A very ingenious plot coupled with some good psychological fear and complex family backstories, this was a lot to get my head around but it certainly didn’t disappoint. There is some very sensitive subject matter such as domestic abuse and drug addiction but all handled expertly and with good depth of understanding and respect. The characters are well formed and believable and it was easy to root for the good guys, even with their own imperfections and past mistakes. The action provides some good adrenaline based moments and the outcome is satisfying and pulls on plenty of heart strings. I’d definitely read more by this author, highly recommend.
September 22, 2026
Some psychological thrillers get too intense with too much emotional distress for me to enjoy and early on when Talking Therapy sessions started I was having doubts about the book. Then the plot became more and more silly and I started to lose interest.
Then when Dan was set up to do something ⅔ of the way through I almost gave up. But it became more like a typical thriller then with lots of twists and I finished the book and enjoyed this last section.
The underlying plot was clever but I just thought that it was too implausible so that I never really connected with the book and it's characters.
Thanks to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for the ARC.
Then when Dan was set up to do something ⅔ of the way through I almost gave up. But it became more like a typical thriller then with lots of twists and I finished the book and enjoyed this last section.
The underlying plot was clever but I just thought that it was too implausible so that I never really connected with the book and it's characters.
Thanks to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I enjoyed this one. Jess, Vicky, Dan, and the rest of the characters kept the story interesting, and I liked how their different personalities and relationships came together.
That said, I found the story a little too complicated at times. There were so many things going on and so many twists that at some point it just felt unnecessarily complicated. Some of the plot developments also felt like a bit of a long shot to me. 😂
Still, I had a good time with the book overall. I liked the characters, enjoyed the tension, and never felt like I was forcing myself to finish it. It wasn’t quite a 4-star read for me, but it was definitely an enjoyable one.
3 stars.
That said, I found the story a little too complicated at times. There were so many things going on and so many twists that at some point it just felt unnecessarily complicated. Some of the plot developments also felt like a bit of a long shot to me. 😂
Still, I had a good time with the book overall. I liked the characters, enjoyed the tension, and never felt like I was forcing myself to finish it. It wasn’t quite a 4-star read for me, but it was definitely an enjoyable one.
3 stars.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
🎧 The storyline starts strong and pulls you in with family issues, emotional themes and fast pacing. The initial intrigue was well executed and I was interested to see where it would go but then it all went downhill as it just got a little to far fetched for me and without much explanation which added to that. It had all the potential to be a gripping domestic-crime thriller but it was just a little meh and I found the outcome underwhelming.
Thanks to Netgalley & Head Of Zeus Audiobooks for the opportunity to review this ARC.
Thanks to Netgalley & Head Of Zeus Audiobooks for the opportunity to review this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I expected much more from this book, but unfortunately, I struggled to get into it from the very beginning. I made myself keep reading, hoping the story would eventually come together, but there never seemed to be any consistent direction.
It felt like I was simply reading about random actions of the characters without really getting anywhere. I kept waiting for that “magic” change that would suddenly make everything click, but it never came. Sadly, I finished the book feeling very disappointed.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The story had a strong opening hook that pulls you in with family ties, real emotional stakes and fast pacing. The initial setup with the cafe encounter, the eerie parallels, and the promise of a gripping domestic-crime thriller provides a lot of promise.
It wasn't really my type of story, but it was well done and fast-paced, so if you like a puzzling plot and intrigue, this book is for you.
Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC
It wasn't really my type of story, but it was well done and fast-paced, so if you like a puzzling plot and intrigue, this book is for you.
Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My sister is missing
My father is guilty.
I had to do it is one gripping psychological thriller to give you pimples and goosebumps with full on twisty turns.
Jessica Walsh finds her sister Vicky missing,
Leaving her father so desperate, it's all part of a plan to get Vicky clean.
Acceptional absolutely Acceptional work written from this author.
A big thumbs up from me.
My father is guilty.
I had to do it is one gripping psychological thriller to give you pimples and goosebumps with full on twisty turns.
Jessica Walsh finds her sister Vicky missing,
Leaving her father so desperate, it's all part of a plan to get Vicky clean.
Acceptional absolutely Acceptional work written from this author.
A big thumbs up from me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A thoroughly enjoyable and absorbing thriller, which keeps you guessing until the end. Taking at times a non-linear route to tell the story, things are gradually revealed which subvert what you thought you knew about the story. Slightly slower paced - a slower burn - at the start, as the story progresses revelations come thick and fast.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A multi layered plot that is confusing at first, you don't know where the story is going and it keeps you on the edge of your seat waiting for the jigsaw to fit, definitely not what you expect with loads of twists.
Definitely worth a read.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC and I give my honest review.
Definitely worth a read.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC and I give my honest review.
September 24, 2026
A fast paced and gripping psychological thriller full of twists. It’s an unusual plot and although I couldn’t always fathom where it was going, it all came together at the end and had me completely hooked. This is the first novel I’ve read by this author and I’m looking forward to reading more. Thank you to NetGalley, Aria & Aries and the author for the chance to review the book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Absolutely brilliant! This is Charlie Gallagher at his best. The start is so intriguing that I was completely hooked. The suspense slowly builds with shocks and surprises galore. It kept me gripped right up to the dramatic and unexpected conclusion. Highly recommended.
September 25, 2026
A very enjoyable read and a departure from the usual Charlie Gallagher niche. A catchy opening to get you reeled in and the plot develops at a steady pace. Plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader intrigued. I would certainly recommend this book to those who enjoy psychological thrillers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An interesting dramatic exploration of the damage caused by people who play out the drama triangle in their lives, particularly how the rescuer ultimately harms the victim.
The plot is slightly chaotic and all over the place so you do have to concentrate.
Ending kinda ruins the plot
The plot is slightly chaotic and all over the place so you do have to concentrate.
Ending kinda ruins the plot
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Netgallery for introducing me to another author Charlie Gallagher. This was my first book and I enjoyed the story and characters.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When Jess unexpectedly meets a woman whose family story uncannily mirrors hers, the last thing she expects is for this to make her question her closest relationships.
But like Jess, the woman also has a sister struggling with addiction issues. And a father who is at the end of his tether with respect to the situation. But Jess is certain that her father - unlike that of the other woman - would never resort to violence to sort out Vicky's problems. Would he?
There are layers to this story that are not done justice by the blurb, and those are the parts - which only gradually come to light - that make this book memorable. The mysterious organisation looking out for victims of the domestic abuse epidemic was particularly intriguing.
This is a gripping domestic thriller that will keep the reader's attention captured throughout. I actually enjoyed the audio book version much more than the print version because the narrator does a fantastic job of bringing characters alive.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
But like Jess, the woman also has a sister struggling with addiction issues. And a father who is at the end of his tether with respect to the situation. But Jess is certain that her father - unlike that of the other woman - would never resort to violence to sort out Vicky's problems. Would he?
There are layers to this story that are not done justice by the blurb, and those are the parts - which only gradually come to light - that make this book memorable. The mysterious organisation looking out for victims of the domestic abuse epidemic was particularly intriguing.
This is a gripping domestic thriller that will keep the reader's attention captured throughout. I actually enjoyed the audio book version much more than the print version because the narrator does a fantastic job of bringing characters alive.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
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