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The Village

Not yet published
Expected 25 Mar 26
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Justice is coming... and it knows where you live.

At exactly 1:45 pm, three phones buzz with the same message: I know what you did on Valentine's Day. Alice...

Faith sees it first. Mick sees it next. River sees it last.

Each recipient carries a secret from the day Alice vanished, secrets entwined with the whispers of Blackstone, a village where death is never as simple as it seems.

So, did Alice disappear by choice? Or has she fallen victim to a killer with a twisted idea of mercy?

Someone has been watching. Someone knows.

And when another body appears, it's clear the message is more than a threat - it's a countdown.

A psychological suspense thriller, packed with twists and turns, perfect for readers of Frieda McFadden, Harlan Coben, Linwood Barclay, Lisa Jewell, Shari Lapena, Maria Frankland, Daniel Hurst and Adele Parks.

331 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 25, 2026

11 people are currently reading
69 people want to read

About the author

A.J. Campbell

15 books722 followers
AJ Campbell is an Amazon USA top 40 bestselling author, who loves throwing characters into unbelievable situations and figuring it out from there. The result is psychological suspense novels full of twists, turns, and torment, with gasp-worthy endings. An avid hiker, AJ lives in the UK on the Essex / Hertfordshire border with her husband, sons, and cocker spaniel, Max. She is a Netflix junkie, a theatre tragic, and a wine and Asian food enthusiast. 

Connect with AJ here:

www.ajcampbellauthor.com
www.facebook.com/AJCampbellauthor
www.instagram.com/ajcampbellauthor/

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for Diane Elizabeth Taylor.
358 reviews13 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 24, 2026
Atmospheric, Tense and Utterly Captivating! ​
A.J. Campbell has crafted the ultimate literary jigsaw puzzle.
In this gripping tale, tutor Alice has supposedly taken a break from her life, but is the truth is far more sinister? 
Set against the backdrop of the quiet village where Alice grew up, a chilling question looms: is a predator targeting the sick elderly villagers? Opinions are divided. 
​Told through a shifting kaleidoscope of perspectives, the narrative's momentum is relentless and I was racing through pages faster than a hamster on a wheel. 
Just as the pieces began to click, Campbell masterfully pivoted, defying every expectation. 
With brilliantly drawn characters and mounting tension, this is a "just one more chapter" kind of read. The bonus chapter provides the perfect, haunting finish to a stellar mystery.
My thanks to A.J Campbell for the privilege of an advance copy. All views expressed are voluntary and my own.
80 reviews8 followers
Review of advance copy
February 23, 2026
I was an advanced reader of this book and wow how lucky was I? A gripping book right from the opening pages when the messages ping into the phones! I was HOOKED! I read in a day- twists and turns - every theory I had was turned on it's head! One of AJ Campbells best books to date and they are all five star reads - you are in for a treat! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Profile Image for Jo Woodcock.
164 reviews6 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 2, 2026
WOW first of all im so pleased to be an ARC reader for one of my favourite authors AJ Campbell. Her books just gets better and this one definitely didn't disappoint. With all the characters and the twists the book has you totally hooked from page 1 to the end. absolutely brilliant and when published its going to be a total hit x
6 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 2, 2026
I really enjoyed this book the story had me on edge all the way through
The characters pulled you into the story and I would say this is going
to be another best seller for AJ
Readers won't be disappointed
Profile Image for Carrie Shields.
1,758 reviews194 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 12, 2026
𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈'𝐦 𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐀𝐦 𝐈, 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐈 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐭, 𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝? 𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞.

A quiet community is suddenly shaken when three people receive the same chilling message at the exact same moment: 𝑰 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒊𝒅 𝒐𝒏 𝑽𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒆’𝒔 𝑫𝒂𝒚. Faith, Mick, and River are each tied to the mysterious disappearance of Alice, which becomes a day the village of Blackstone clearly hasn’t forgotten. As whispers start circulating and another body turns up, it becomes obvious that someone has been watching and waiting. What begins as a threat quickly starts to feel like a countdown, and in a place where everyone knows everyone else, the question isn’t just what happened to Alice, it’s who’s about to pay for it.

This is one of those thrillers that leans hard into atmosphere. Blackstone feels like the kind of village where secrets don’t stay buried for long and every neighborly smile might be hiding something a little darker underneath. The tension builds through shifting perspectives and the slow unraveling of what really happened on the day Alice disappeared. Watching the characters scramble as the walls begin to close in on their carefully hidden secrets gives the story that uneasy “someone is always watching” feeling that psychological thriller fans long for.

By the final stretch, the story becomes less about one disappearance and more about the complicated web of guilt, truth, and consequences tying these characters together. The author clearly enjoys playing with the idea that justice doesn’t always arrive in the way we expect, and in a village full of buried secrets, it rarely comes quietly. If you enjoy small-town thrillers where the tension festers and the past refuses to stay buried, this is one that will definitely keep you guessing about who really knows the truth and who might be next. Many thanks to the author for the gifted copy and my place on her book tour. THE VILLAGE will publish March 25, 2026.
Profile Image for KKEC Reads.
1,107 reviews71 followers
March 8, 2026
The Village by AJ Campbell
Holy. Buckets. This was twisted. I love the choreographed chaos. The way this story kept twisting, overlapping, and intertwining was quite brilliant.

I love how AJ brings a story to life. The setting is just as much a character, and this story village, Blackstone, was no different. The people added extra elements to bring everything together.

I really liked River. She was such a great character, and her journey was relatable and sad. But she was such a vibrant woman, and she figured it out. Like moving water, nothing was going to stand in her way of moving forward with the things she wanted in life.

Faith was intelligent, determined, and brave. I enjoyed her development. She chased the story through to the end, and even when the truth gave her whiplash, she kept pushing.

The way the narrators alternated and the story unraveled was pure genius. This goes from bad to worse, dark to darker, and dangerous to deadly.

I devoured this book. AJ knows how to hook you and keep you engaged. This was a fantastic book, with strong characters and a plot that kept me guessing. You think you have it all figured out, but I promise you, you don’t.

Publication day: March 25, 2026
Profile Image for Bob Fendt.
167 reviews15 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 6, 2026
ARC Review
Release date 25th March

The Village

Author AJ Campbell

The Village is one incredible, fast-paced psychological thriller by AJ Campbell.
I was totally hooked on this book, page one pulled me in, and held me fully immersed in this intense and suspenseful chiller.
Full of twists and turns going in all directions and kept me guessing throughout to the gripping and desperate ending reveal.

At the same time Faith, Mick & River receive a text. "I know what you did on Valentine's day. Alice...."
Valentine's day was the day Alice vanished and the three of them carry secrets of the village of Black stone where gossip and rumours spread by villagers of a large number of deaths are not as clear cut as they seem, was there lives ended too soon?

Did Alice want to disappear or was she murdered because she was getting too close?
Someone is watching, knowing, but who?

What I loved about this book by AJ Campbell is that the suspense and tension started from the beginning and never let up right through to the end, and kept me guessing until the totally unexpected conclusion.
Amazing characters bearing mixed emotions and psychological and guilt issues, excellently portrayed.
23 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 10, 2026
ARC REVIEW - Publication date 25th March 2026
The Village by AJ Campbell
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wow! Yet another amazing book by AJ.

3 text messages, sent at the same time is all it takes to set justice in motion.

Set in a quiet village this story is far from sleepy!

A few years ago, terminally ill villagers started to die before expected and now it's happening again!
Some think the 'Angel of Death' is to blame. Others think it was just their time to go.

Alice, who is the granddaughter of one of the villagers and works at the University, sends one of her journalist students to investigate the story. But then Alice mysteriously goes missing after an argument with her boyfriend. Does Alice just need a break or is something more sinister going on!?

I found this book to be slightly slower paced than her previous books, but that certainly doesn't distract from the brilliant storyline, great characters or the thrilling suspense.
It captivates and draws you in from the very first page and keeps you guessing right until the end.
And the bonus chapter at the end is the icing on the cake!

Make sure you pre order your copy today. Not to be missed!
Profile Image for Michelle.
1,792 reviews166 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 4, 2026
First, I would like to thank AJ Campbell for an advanced copy of The village.
When three people receive the same text message, I know what you did on Valentines Day. Alice.. a chill runs down their spine. All three have secrets that they are hiding,
Alice disappears on that day, but every thinks that she has taken a break for a while. Except her boyfriend Mick that thinks there is more sinister at play. As all her belongings are still in the flat they both live in and so is her passport. The Police doesn’t think anything is a miss. But her disappearance is linked to the small village of Blackstone, where she grew up and years ago someone was killing terminal ill elderly people. Which local called the angel of death.
This is another gripping read full of tension from the author. That kept me guessing who the Angel of death was. This story was told in many Pov’s and back in forth in time, which made captivated though out to find out the truth about Alice. He she dead or Alive? Another 5 star read.
Profile Image for VDKeck.
604 reviews79 followers
Review of advance copy
March 12, 2026
Y’ALL! Quiet villages are supposed to be peaceful… the kind of place where everyone waves and nothing bad ever happens.

Blackstone clearly missed that memo. 😏

Y’all, The Village kicks off when three phones buzz at exactly 1:45 pm with the same chilling message: I know what you did on Valentine’s Day. The texts land with Faith, Mick, and River—three people connected to the day Alice mysteriously vanished. And let’s just say… they’re all hiding something.

As secrets start slipping through the cracks of this tight-knit village, the tension builds fast. When another body turns up, it becomes clear the messages aren’t just threats—they’re a countdown.

Campbell’s writing is sharp, fast-paced, and wickedly clever, bouncing between perspectives and dropping twists faster than gossip at a small-town Southern diner. Just when you think you’ve figured it out… boom—another surprise.

Dark secrets, messy characters, and a twisty mystery that keeps you guessing. I flew through this one and loved every minute. 📚🔥

Thanks to AJ Campbell for this ARC opportunity.
Profile Image for Donna McMullen.
25 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 2, 2026
What a wild roller coaster ride from the beginning to the very end! A J Campbell has perfected an intense, nail biting thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The characters are well developed and the story flows perfectly. It tells about Alice and Mick, who are in love. Things have been going great until they get in a huge fight. The next day she is gone and no one knows where she is. Then three phones light up with a chilling message “I know what you did on Valentines Day” signed Alice. Where is she and who is hiding something? To add to the intrigue, people have been dying in the Village with alarming regularity! They fear it is a serial killer who they call The Angel of Death. The twists and turns keep coming. Just when you think you have it figured out, you are blindsided. The ending was totally unexpected! The bonus chapter helped shed some light on things as well. I loved this book and will recommend it to everyone! What are you waiting for? Preorder it now!!!
559 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 6, 2026
I really enjoyed reading The Village, a psychological thriller by AJ Campbell.

Faith, Mick and River all receive a chilling message via their cell phones with the exact same message: I know what you did on Valentine's day. Alice...

In a village named Blackstone, there is someone known as the angel of death killing the elderly and vulnerable residents, one by one.

Then Alice suddenly disappears, and Mick her boyfriend , receives conflicting views from their friends that she needed a break to think about their relationship, or that she has gone on a conference with a work colleague abroad.

Is Alice another victim of the angel of death or not?

Faith and Finn probe deeper into the sudden demise of elderly and vulnerable residents in the village, by making a documentary for Faith's assignment at college.

What a revelation to find out who the angel of death is at the end.
31 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 28, 2026
What a ride from start to finish!

Three phones light up with the same chilling message- “I know what you did on Valentine’s Day…” From that moment, there’s no turning back, you’re hooked!

Where is Alice? Who’s telling the truth? Is there a serial killer hiding in the village? The tension builds as suspicion seeps into every page and character.

I loved how the story unfolds through three different perspectives, each running alongside each other before intertwining in a way that is brilliant.

The twists and turns come thick and fast, and just when you’re convinced you’ve figured it out, the story flips on its head.
AJ Campbell has delivered another gripping, jaw-dropping thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end
Profile Image for Sharon Valler:  Live Love Read Review.
1,066 reviews18 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 13, 2026
The Village is so good that I read it twice! I really had no inkling of where it was going to end up and it was a brilliant tangle of twisty shock when all was revealed at the end. All of the characters and plot lines came together perfectly, tying up all of the loose threads and blowing my mind!

The plot is so meticulously detailed and I was certain there were clues and hints along the way that I may have missed, and so I read it again and enjoyed it even more!

The bonus chapters at the end, give a fascinating insight to one of the main characters and what they experienced. They are just like deleted scenes that give extra depth to the story after you’ve read it - but definitely not before!

5 ⭐️ Thank you to AJ Campbell for gifting me an ARC of this book.
Profile Image for J.C. Ward.
Author 4 books18 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 3, 2026
This psychological suspense thriller gripped me from the start. Three phones buzzing in unison with “I know what you did on Valentine’s Day” immediately set a tone of dread. The rumor-filled village of Blackstone, a place where secrets flow through narrow streets and no one is quite as innocent as they seem. As Alice’s disappearance unravels through the perspectives of Faith, Mick, and River, each revelation deepens the mystery, layering suspicion with expertly timed twists that constantly upend assumptions. Just when I thought I had untangled the truth, another turn sent me turning the pages. This is the kind of thriller that keeps you turning pages late into the night.
Profile Image for Leanne.
2,232 reviews47 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 8, 2026
What happened to Alice? That is the question you will be asking yourself as the story starts and progresses. It's a unrelenting jig saw puzzle and will have your mind working overtime. I enjoyed reading from different perspectives to get the full picture although sometimes it is more confusing. Once it all comes together though it makes perfect sense. The pace is quite fast I felt like I was running on the treadmill! I enjoyed working through the mystery puzzle and I am satisfied that it ended in a pretty little bow.
Profile Image for Nina Massey.
16 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 11, 2026
Once again, A.J. Campbell has penned a page-turner! “The Village” had me guessing throughout the twists and turns in this psychological thriller! The village of Blackstone is known for its small, close-knit, and gossipy community. One of the town’s residents, Alice, is missing, and some suspect foul play. You will believe you’ve figured it out, but as the plot unfolds bit by bit, you will keep changing your mind until the surprising ending! Jump on board for the exciting and suspenseful ride in “The Village” — you won’t be disappointed!
11 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 12, 2026
I really enjoyed the storytelling of this book- the descriptions and characters felt really believable. I always find AJ Campbell’s writing style of short paragraphs help to move the story along and keep the flow annd pace and this book was no exception.
For me, while I was not immediately drawn in this time and actually for once did not get a surprise when the plot revealed itself, I would not hesitate to recommend this book. A highly entertaining read.
Thanks to the author for the ARC, all views and opinions are my own
Profile Image for Shaz Mcdill.
249 reviews12 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 5, 2026
3 phones receive the same message "I know what you did on Valentine's Day" just that alone makes you want to keep reading, this was definitely a just one more chapter kind of book.I loved how the story was told through 3 different people and all came together brilliantly.I didn't guess any of it which is what I love , a good thriller that has you guessing right to the end I would definitely recommend this one a solid 4 stars
Profile Image for Rachel Browning.
732 reviews11 followers
March 6, 2026
“The Village” by A. J. Campbell is a mysterious and suspenseful read that kept me turning the pages. The village of Blackstone is full of secrets, and the deeper you go into the story, the more unsettling those secrets become. The pacing keeps the tension building throughout. Just when I thought I had things figured out, the twists kept coming. A gripping, twisty read that mystery and thriller fans will enjoy.
Profile Image for Jessica Chiles.
145 reviews9 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 9, 2026
I love AJ Campbell! She never disappoints and The Village is no exception! I have enjoyed seeing the author evolve as much as I have enjoyed her books.

The Village is riveting from the very first page until the very end. I enjoyed the multiple povs and alternating chapters. The suspense is top tier as we have come to know and love from AJ. The characters are well written with depth that makes it easy to love them or hate them. A must on your reading list!
Profile Image for Karen Andrew.
789 reviews55 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 9, 2026
Another brilliant AJ Campbell book. Now this book started slower than some of Amanda's other books but it soon picked up speed and that was it i was invested.  This book is cleverly written and I got the ending wrong again. The chapters are short and split into different characters which is something I love in a book.

Im obsessed with Amanda's books, she is an instant read author for me and there hasnt been a single book ive not loved.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
13 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 12, 2026
What a fun and twisty book!

AJ Campbell wrote The Village quite cleverly, sharing chapter by chapter the unique experiences of at least four different characters while allowing the tension to build. The plot came together beautifully and as always, she kept me guessing every step of the way.

I reviewed an advanced copy of the book and I highly recommend it.

On my next holiday this is one village I’d prefer to miss!
Profile Image for Mrs Lindsay Scarborough.
31 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 3, 2026
Wow, what a read?!!!
I could've read loads more about all of the characters. And, I was completely off with who I thought, the 'Angel of Death' was; I was actually thinking it was River! Shocker!
A sequel, perhaps?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1 review
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 3, 2026
I was lucky enough to receive this as an ARC copy from the author. From the beginning it had me hooked and I read it within a day and half. I enjoyed reading it from the different characters perspectives and trying to work out where Alice had gone. Would highly recommend reading it.
Profile Image for Michele.
30 reviews2 followers
March 5, 2026
Thank you AJ Campbell for the ARC.
This was a twisted psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. I recommend this book if you like Freida McFadden, Lisa Jewell & others psychological thriller authors.
2 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 6, 2026
Wow what a fantastic read ! Thanks so much to AJ Campbell for the opportunity to be an ARC reader. This gripped me from the very start and kept me enthralled the whole way through . Thoroughly recommended
2 reviews
Review of advance copy
March 7, 2026
Another great read by AJ…..

A book full of obsessions, addiction and murder.

The Angel of Death helping others to pass or not??? Real questions and thoughts around assisted dying and what is right and wrong….

Keeps you guessing until the End.
Profile Image for JoAnn.
13 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 10, 2026
Wow A.J.Cambell has done it again! This book kept me on the edge of my seat from the first chapter. The suspense along with twists were crazy. This is a book to movie deal. So so good. Thank you so much for arc. Cannot wait for next read. She does not get credit due and is an amazing author.
702 reviews9 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 2, 2026
An interesting story of how life can be in a small Village, where everyone thinks they know everyone.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews

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