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The Millionaire's Wife

Shalini Boland (Goodreads Author)

3.90 · Rating details · 5,850 ratings · 391 reviews

Everyone has their secrets. But this one could destroy your marriage.

When Anna Blackwell opens an email from an unknown sender, the shocking image attached shatters her perfect world. A woman has been killed. And Anna knows who did it. The past is catching up with her.

Is it her turn next?

To protect herself and her husband Will, she must tell him the terrible truth ab ...more

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Kindle Edition

Published May 17th 2018 by Bookouture (first published April 27th 2017)

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May 20, 2018 Berit☀️✨ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: net-galley, 2018, need-to-review

4.25 Who Can You Trust? Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟.25

Shalini Boland has become an autobuy/request author for me... her writing style flows so well and has such a crisp and clean feeling to it (not even sure if that makes sense, but it does in my head)... this book was originally self published and now is being brought to you by Bookouture.... I had a busy reading weekend and this book made it so easy... after I picked it up I did not want to put it down... I needed to find out what was going on?

Anna appears to ...more

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May 17, 2018 Malia rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery-suspense, netgalley

This is my fourth book by Shalini Boland, and I know it won't be my last. Her style is so easy to read and all her books have held my attention from start to finish. The Millionaire's Wife is, I believe, Boland's first book which she self-published and now that it is being re-issued by Bookouture, I was offered a chance to read it by the publisher, for which I am very grateful. The story centers around a woman, Anna, and jumps back and forth between the past and present, revealing two important This is my fourth book by Shalini Boland, and I know it won't be my last. Her style is so easy to read and all her books have held my attention from start to finish. The Millionaire's Wife is, I believe, Boland's first book which she self-published and now that it is being re-issued by Bookouture, I was offered a chance to read it by the publisher, for which I am very grateful. The story centers around a woman, Anna, and jumps back and forth between the past and present, revealing two important romantic relationships in her life. I don't want to give anything away, because there are quite a few twists in this book, but something happens in her past that catches up to her in the present, even though she had hoped it was over. This draws her into a rather frightening situation, which quickly seems to spiral out of her control.
A little aside - having just reached the point after the big reveal when the real action was set to begin when my kindle froze and I panicked that I wouldn't immediately get to find out what would happen next. I have not been a frequent reader of ebooks until a few months ago, so this was quite jarring. Fortunately, the problem was fixed and I could continue. This did make me think (as I always have) what a dependable treasure actual, physical books are!
As with Boland's other books, The Millionaire's Wife is fast paced and clever, even if certain points strained my credulity. I didn't really care if there were a few issues in terms of logic, it was just pure entertainment. I did feel a little irritated with Anna sometimes, because I wanted to shake some sense into her and couldn't really understand why she was making certain choices, but she was a fairly likable character and I did feel for her. Also, I guessed one of the major twists quite early on, though it wasn't confirmed until I was near the end, so it didn't take away much in the way of reading pleasure for me. All in all, I found this book to be engaging and satisfying from beginning to end.
If you are looking for a gripping summer read and are a fan of this author or writers like Claire Mackintosh, Angela Marsons or K.L. Slater, I feel certain you will enjoy this book as well. I already look forward to reading her next book!

Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com

Thanks to Bookouture for supplying me with a copy of The Millionaire's Wife in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Apr 09, 2017 Courtney Wells rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: quality-indie-books, courtesy-of-the-author, spine-tingling-stuff, thrills-and-chills

- cracks knuckles and neck -

Okay, suspense is admittedly not my usual forte BUT having read about vampires and a dystopian future by this author I am going into it with sincere optimism. She's always been solid about her backstory and I would love to see how that talent applies to a woman with a deep, dark past rushing up on her.

Firstly, snazzy cover. Minimalistic but still eye-catching and subtly emphasize someone with a double life who must confront the darker aspects of it.

Regarding the pages ...more

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Aug 11, 2018 Gary rated it liked it · review of another edition

I really enjoy the writing style of Shalini Boland and it is an entertaining read but this book was a little too far fetched for my liking and left me feeling disappointed. I have enjoyed other books by this author and I am sure I will read more of her work but this one was not for me.
The book certainly has a lot going for it, interesting characters, decent plot, but I am sure that if it was a little more believable then I could have been hooked.

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Sep 15, 2018 Mandy White rated it it was ok

Shelves: kindle-unlimited

I am a fan of this writers recent books, her last I absolutely loved. But this one just went way off track and kept going. It was completely far fetched and not like her later books at all. I did read it in one sitting but it just shocked me and not in a good way. Sorry, this one was not one of her best

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Apr 28, 2017 Sarah Joint rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This book is crazy. I'm choosing to blame the book instead of my own lack of responsibility for my exhaustion today, because it kept me up late. I needed to see how it ended! It's definitely outlandish, but it's so absorbing and flows so well that I didn't mind. Please take my advice and stay away from spoilers on this one. I really believe they'll ruin the experience. Some of the twists left me stunned, and I'm usually pretty hard to surprise.

On the other side of the world from our dear Anna, a ...more

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May 21, 2018 Sarah rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fiction

Anna has it all. She’s married to a millionaire who she is very much in love with and life is good. That is until her ex makes a reappearance threatening to take everything away from her.

The story flicks between present day and to the past at different stages of Anna meeting Fin and their relationship together. I really enjoyed getting to see why Anna was so worried and what sort of man Fin was. Certainly not a very nice one, that’s for sure.

I loved Will. Obviously the fact he is rich is just an ...more

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Mar 03, 2018 Jess the Audiobookworm rated it really liked it · review of another edition

4.25★ Audiobook⎮ I’m new to Shalini Boland, but already impressed. The Millionaire’s Wife was a solidly told thriller. It may not have knocked me off my feet or necessarily even kept me on the edge of my seat, but it definitely kept me listening.

At just over seven hours of runtime, I was easily able to hear all of The Millionaire’s Wife in one day. Boland’s writing style was concrete and straightforward, bordering on simple. You wouldn’t think that style of writing would work well for suspense, 4.25★ Audiobook⎮ I’m new to Shalini Boland, but already impressed. The Millionaire’s Wife was a solidly told thriller. It may not have knocked me off my feet or necessarily even kept me on the edge of my seat, but it definitely kept me listening.

At just over seven hours of runtime, I was easily able to hear all of The Millionaire’s Wife in one day. Boland’s writing style was concrete and straightforward, bordering on simple. You wouldn’t think that style of writing would work well for suspense, but Boland has proven that a good thriller doesn’t have to be overly complex. With a premise as original as this one, there’s no need for convoluted twists and turns.

The plot’s development may have edged toward predictable at times, but never in an unsatisfactory manner. Is satisfyingly predictable a thing? Like when you’re aware of where the plot is [probably] headed, but are okay with it because it’s where you want it to go. Shock and awe isn’t everything, people.

The Millionaire’s Wife was more of a psychological thriller than an all around action-packed adventure. However, the action it did have was well executed. It had the feel of an old film classic, probably starring Julia Roberts or Sharon Stone. Although the main character was a blonde Swedish woman, so Malin Åkerman is probably a more modern selection. Anyway, I could absolutely see The Millionaire’s Wife being optioned for film.

I plan to return to Shalini Boland the next time I’m in the mood for some quick suspense. I typically turn into Agatha Christie in those times, but it’s nice to have a more contemporary author who can deliver the same effect.

Narration review: I have heard Saskia Maarleveld’s narration before, but never like this. My previous experiences with her as narrator were in the context of Speculative Fiction. I’ve heard her narrate Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, and Young Adult Fantasy, but never a thriller. I have to say, the performances are not comparable. They’re like apples and oranges. As much as I enjoyed Maarleveld’s previous work, The Millionaire’s Wife was her best performance to date. She seemed comfortable with the material and in her element, vocally. I hope Boland plans on working with Maarleveld again. ♣︎ ...more

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Jun 10, 2018 Anna rated it it was ok

Shelves: psychological-thriller, 2-stars, read-in-2018

Rating: 2.5 stars

I've read two other books by this author, rating them 4.5 stars The Child Next Door, and 4 stars The Secret Mother.

This third one started also started and built up very well, but the last few chapters were ridiculous, suddenly turning into childish action adventure rather than staying tense and interesting.

Disappointing. ...more

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Apr 12, 2017 debbicat rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, 2017-reads

What a great thriller. I have read two other novels by Shalini Boland, The Girl From the Sea, and The Best Friend and I enjoyed this one just as much. Boland is a great writer.

This story begins with what appears to be an accident while a couple is on a vacation in Barbados in January 2017. Barbados seas are warm and refreshing. Katie wants to spot dolphins and goes for a swim even though her husband would rather lie on the beach. Katie, a woman in her late 20's, is killed in a boating accident What a great thriller. I have read two other novels by Shalini Boland, The Girl From the Sea, and The Best Friend and I enjoyed this one just as much. Boland is a great writer.

This story begins with what appears to be an accident while a couple is on a vacation in Barbados in January 2017. Barbados seas are warm and refreshing. Katie wants to spot dolphins and goes for a swim even though her husband would rather lie on the beach. Katie, a woman in her late 20's, is killed in a boating accident not long after she begins playing around in the warm water. Something doesn't line up and soon we suspect there is more to the story.

Secrets. "The trouble with revealing secrets is that you never know how to the other person is going to react. A secret is like gravity, pulling everything inexplorably towards it in a deteriorating orbit. The bigger the secret, the bigger the pull."

In another part of the world...Anna Blackwell lives a charmed life with her adoring husband, in a cliff top mansion overlooking the ocean. Anna has been keeping a lot of secrets from her husband, Will. She doesn't want to any longer. It's also Will's birthday and she is decorating and getting ready to throw him a big party.

Anna sees the report of the accidental death of the woman on the other side of the world and fears her past has caught up to her.

Secrets and lies unfold as the plot develops. While at the celebration for her husband, she gets a text..."Hello Anna. Your turn next. " WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

From here the story goes back and forth from 2007 when Anna and her best friend Sian spend high school days together; Anna falls in love with a boy, Fin, and into the present, where Anna is living in fear of what that text means, with more texts to follow...and how to hide all of this from her husband...the life she had. Who she was. She loves her present day life and feels very fortunate to have it. Now she may lose it all...depending on what she does.

It's a quick read, a page turner and I soaked it up. Well executed thriller. I highly recommend it!

I am thankful to Shalini Boland for offering me a chance to read this novel in exchange for a review. It comes out this week so grab a copy for yourself. (April 27) I am not one to give away too much of a plot in my reviews. Just know that this has lots of surprises and suspense just the way I like it. Would make a terrific movie! ...more

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Apr 10, 2017 Diana rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Since I discovered Shalini Boland I've become addicted to her booka. And I didn't even like thrillers before! She has a masterful way of writting, and I love how she settles the drama and the mistery and then she begans to feed us little clues, snipets of information and everything begans to evolve and morph in front of your eyes. It is amazing.

This book is about Anna, a woman who marries a millonaire and holds a secret from him. She plans on telling him when she is sent a gruesome pic of a dead ...more

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Jul 04, 2017 Alafair rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Really stupid girl!

Anna meets Fin when she is 15. They are classmates. She has excellent grades and could attend any university of her choice but insists on moving in with Fin after graduation. They struggle to pay bills and eventually their relationship goes from bad to worse.
I hate reading a book where the main female character is so weak and stupid. It was impossible for me to even care what happened to Anna since I did not like her at all. So many horrible events took place because she was t ...more

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Apr 09, 2017 Alissa H. rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: provided-by-author-or-publisher

I would like to thank Shalini Boland for providing me with a digital ARC of this book! Review is now up on Diva Reads! ...more

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Apr 21, 2017 Yvonne (It's All About Books) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: suspense, mystery, sweden, thriller, psychological-thriller, arc, 2017-releases, favorites, sent-by-author

Finished reading: April 21st 2017

“The trouble with secrets is that you never know how the other person is going to react.”

*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***

(view spoiler)

Finished reading: April 21st 2017

“The trouble with secrets is that you never know how the other person is going to react.”

*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***

(view spoiler)[

I became an instant fan of Shalini Boland's thrillers as soon as I I finished reading The Girl From The Sea last year. I've been lucky enough to receive an ARC copy of The Millionaire's Wife, which is already my third thriller by this author. My expectations were set high after the previous two books, but this one has turned out to be yet another winner. I found myself on the edge of my seat for the duration of the ride and the story was gripping until the very last page. Well written and enjoyable prose, many many plot twists, well developed and unrealiable characters and a very intriguing plot; what more to ask of a psychological thriller?! It was almost impossible to stop reading The Millionaire's Wife as the need to find out what happens next was just too big... And you will find yourself face to face with one or two true plot twists bombs along the way as well. The POV switches between past and present and the Swedish nationatity of one of the main characters is without doubt very well used. It definitely adds another original touch to the story! If you like fast-paced, suspenseful and well written thrillers with plot twists that will blow you away, The Millionaire's Wife is a must-read. You won't regret it!

Anna Blackwell seems to have a very comfortable life with a loving husband and a big house, but can she really outrun her past? When she finds out a woman is killed on the other side of the world, Anna realises that her past has definitely caught up with her in the end. She knows what will come next... And her greatest fear is about to come true. Will she be able to find a way out before it's too late?

The Millionaire's Wife had me hooked right from the very first page and I couldn't stop reading until I found out how the story ended. The switches between past and present keep up the high level of suspense and the unreliable characters do the rest of the job. You will find yourself wondering what will happen next until the very last page and there are some very twisted characters and plot twists to join you along the way! If you like a good psychological thriller, this one should definitely be on your wishlist. (hide spoiler)]

P.S. Find more of my reviews here. ...more

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Apr 10, 2017 Alicia Huxtable rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

If you're looking for a suspenseful read, look no further.
When Will marries Anna, he has no idea of the secrets she holds, but secrets have a way of coming out.....especially when a deranged ex knows them too. This book made me feel like I'd been slapped in the face several times with its WOW didn't see that coming moments.

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Sep 18, 2017 Ceecee rated it did not like it · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jun 04, 2018 Amy Mc rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Excellent! The main character is so frustrating at times, but that was a delicious thriller!

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Apr 18, 2017 Angela rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: author-requests

Shalini Boland is a skilful writer of suspense and The Millionaire's Wife is as tense and gripping as her first two of this genre – The Girl From The Sea and The Best Friend.

The story is set over two timelines – now 2017, and ten years earlier, 2007 when all the characters first met. It dramatically starts with the death of Fin's wife when she is run over by a high speed motor boat while holidaying in Barbados. A few days later, Anna, newly married to Will and was many years ago the girlfriend o Shalini Boland is a skilful writer of suspense and The Millionaire's Wife is as tense and gripping as her first two of this genre – The Girl From The Sea and The Best Friend.

The story is set over two timelines – now 2017, and ten years earlier, 2007 when all the characters first met. It dramatically starts with the death of Fin's wife when she is run over by a high speed motor boat while holidaying in Barbados. A few days later, Anna, newly married to Will and was many years ago the girlfriend of Fin, receives a text saying “you're next” with a photo attached of Fin's dead wife.

Anna's story becomes very tense, she can't tell her husband about the alarming text because she would have to tell him her whole story and that could spell the end of their marriage. She doesn't want to tell her best friend, Sian, at this stage because she can read Anna like a book. For now, Anna is in limbo with her past threatening to collide with her comfortable present. Anna lives a millionaire lifestyle with an unwanted past creeping dangerously close. He's near, sending her texts, in the shadows outside her house and a threat to those she loves.

In the 'past' part of the book, we learn how Anna and her boyfriend, Fin, get together, are so attracted to each other, and start their life living in a fairly squalled flat and as things get financially worse, have to move into Fin's father's garden shed. We see how Fin manipulates and controls Anna and has a hold over her way beyond the break up of their relationship.

Shalini Boland's writing is so very easy to read, she writes interestingly of relationships, both the dizzying heights of first love and the vicious, and toxic disintegration of those same romances. She cleverly weaves past and present so as not to give the whole plot away, while at the same time building characters that we love or despise.

I like to try new authors but as this is the third book by Shalini Boland in the space of a year, I think it's safe to say I love her books and will definitely read more by her. ...more

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May 15, 2020 Erica rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Anna Blackwell is holding on to multiple skeletons in her closet, whilst trying to move on with her life with her husband Will. As far as she is concerned, the past is gone and is no longer a threat to Anna’s new life. Unfortunately for Anna, her past is certainly not forgotten and, with one small detail brought to Anna’s attention, that fact was cemented straight away. Should she tell Will what is going on? Or should she wait to see whether the past goes through with the threat?

One moment life ...more

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Apr 13, 2017 Kath Middleton rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Anna, an ordinary girl, met and married Will, a rich man, though she didn’t know that at the time. She’d been involved with Fin, a boy she met at school and they eventually moved in together. Eventually, things fell apart, as they do, and her best friend Sian saw her through the worst of it. Now she has the relationship she’s always wanted – and the money doesn’t hurt! A single text message throws it all up in the air.

This is just the sort of book I love. Characters I can believe in, a plot whic ...more

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May 07, 2017 Shih Writes rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Sad. I really wanted to like the follow up books to The Girl from the Sea by this author. This was just bad. The story was far fetched, the characters were uninteresting and the attempt at a plot twist didn't work.

The writing didn't work either. What does "She pulled a face" mean? Is this a real expression. She also used "set my teeth in edge" more than once and other cliches.

I feel that her first book was too good and she rushed to write follow up books in a hurry.

My advice - slow down, make it ...more

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Jul 31, 2017 Keri rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Ugh.

Interesting premise. I had high hopes but this book did not meet my expectations at all. Very contrived story. I was so disappointed because the book ended up feeling very childish and just ridiculous towards the end. Grown adults would not have made the decisions the characters did in this book. Waste of time.

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Aug 26, 2017 Kristi Elizabeth rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Read all my reviews at: https://brainfartsandbooks.wordpress.com

Wow, this was the first book I’ve read by Shalini Boland and it was a real page turner! I’ve had a few dud books lately so when I started reading this one I was so excited to find that I couldn’t put it down.

Anna is a beautiful girl with a crazy ex-boyfriend named Fin. But back in high school, EVERYONE wanted to be with Fin. After high school, the couple has a hard time making ends meet and goes their separate ways. Fast forward thr ...more

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Aug 31, 2017 Laura rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: three-star

Despite falling within the suspense category, this was a surprisingly easy read. I enjoyed it for the most part but found the writing and characters behaviours too obvious throughout.

Anna is married to the rich and successful Will and life is good. That is until her past begins to crawl out from the woodwork and she is forced to confront the lies and secrets she had buried beforehand.

I thought the storyline was good and fairly unique although the characters are a bit too one dimensional for my ...more

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Apr 18, 2017 Melissa Borsey rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shalini Boland has once again knocked it out of the park with a super suspenseful story! Anna is living her dream life with her wonderful husband, Will. She receives a text with a picture of a dead woman who has lost half of her face and is immediately hit with the fact that life as she knows it is over. Why? Who is this woman and what does her death have to do with Anna? Through flashbacks from the past we slowly learn about the horror that is coming her way. Could not put this one down, excell ...more

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Apr 21, 2017 Sue Wallace rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

The Millionaire's Wife by Shalini Boland.
How far would you go to be with the one you love? Lie . . . Cheat . . . KILL?
When Anna Blackwell sees a news report about the death of a woman on the other side of the world, she knows her greatest fear is about to come true. She knows it’s her turn next . . .
OMG. Absolutely fantastic read with brilliant characters. I was not expecting that. 5*. Highly recommended. Tbc on fb.

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Apr 13, 2017 Sarah rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

If anyone can have me reading until 2am and finishing a book in less than 48hrs in the school holidays its this author....massive five stars from me.
Shalini Boland has a lovely talent for drawing you into a story and giving you well developed characters bit by bit and then just as you think you know where the story is heading she throws in a paragraph (or even just a sentence) that sweeps the rug from under you and turns everything upside down. The story was intriguing in a way that is impossib ...more

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Apr 27, 2017 Suzy Turner rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I should start by saying I'm a HUGE Shalini Boland fan. I've read everything she's ever published and loved it all. And The Millionaire's Wife is no exception. It had me on the edge of my seat from the very beginning, sucking me in at every turn.
Well-rounded characters and a plot that is simply brilliant, The Millionaire's Wife is full of twists and turns, which will leave you desperately wanting to read more of Shalini's books. I know I want more thrillers like this!

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Apr 26, 2017 Terry rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Really enjoyed this. I was hooked from the start the young couple, how they managed or didn't, then life goes on. The teaser taste of badness, then at 1 point Woah! What.....
Such a good oomph. But the story is fully rounded, it came together and was great.
Well worth buying and reading.

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May 22, 2018 Renita D'Silva rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Wow! This author never disappoints! Every book is edge-of-the-seat, nail bitingly thrilling. I just couldn't put this one down and read it in one sitting, late into the night! One of the best thrillers I have ever read! Amazing! Cannot wait for more from this fabulous author!

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About Shalini Boland

Shalini Boland

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Hello :) I write suspense thrillers and dark adventures, and I live in Dorset, England with my husband, two children and our dog. I only write reviews for books I enjoy!

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