Book Description
Alex Devlin’s life changed forever fifteen years ago when her sister Sasha’s two small children were snatched in broad daylight. Harry’s body was found a few days later, but Millie’s remains were never discovered.
The Bad Things opens with the release of Jackie Wood, who was jailed as an accessory to the twins’ murder, her conviction is quashed by the Appeal Court.Alex decides to interview her for an article she is writing, in the hope woods will reveal where Millie is buried
During the interview Wood reveals information that shocks Alex to the core and threatens to uncover the dark secret she has managed to keep under wraps for the past fifteen years.
The Bad Things by Mary-Jane Riley is her first published book, and what a debut, a psychological thriller, with a fascinating plot guaranteed to keep the reader engrossed until the last page. The story is shared between Alex and DI Kate Todd who found Harry’s body, both woman still have issues connected to what happened 15 years ago, and they are impacting on their personal life’s.
Both characters are very well written and believable and I felt empathy for both of them at times. Although this book is about two children being murdered, a very upsetting subject, it’s is done sensitively and not over dramatised. As the tension mounts, secrets that have been buried, begin to surface one after another adding to the suspense.
The last couple of chapters left me breathless, as what really happened 15 years ago is revealed layer after layer. The Bad Things was a much better debut novel than I expected, and feel overtime Mary-Jane Riley will become a well respected writer in psychological thrillers, I will certainly look forward to her next offering with anticipation.
5 ☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️ Out of 5
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