I really enjoyed this book and the mother/daughter relationship between Natalie and Scarlett and the protective measures Natalie goes through to protect her daughter. Full of twists and suspense throughout, had me turning the pages. Who killed Bernie? Was Ed innocent? This was probably my favorite of Rachel Abbott's so far. Thank you to NetGalley and Black Dot Publishing for a copy of this book!

Another great psychological thriller from Rachel Abbott. Lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing. I was gripped throughout and couldn't put this book down. I think this is her best so far.

Wow! Can I breathe again yet? I feel like I have been on an emotional rollercoaster with this latest thriller from Rachel Abbott. I always have that frisson of anticipation when I start a new book by a favourite author but then I get a nervous excitement, alongside my fear that the latest offering will not live up to my high expectations. But as soon as I began The Sixth Window I knew it wasn’t going to disappoint, and my worries disappeared as I sank into it like it was a bathtub full of hot bubbles!

Tom Douglas is back! My favourite Detective Chief Inspector is called in to investigate the suicide of a teenage girl but when it becomes clear that the case may be connected to the unsolved hit and run of an undercover detective, Tom and Becky have to unravel a case that might be a little bit too close for comfort. I read the scene where police officer Bernie is out walking his daughter’s new puppy, with my heart in my mouth, what could possibly have happened within this lovely family to warrant such an horrific attack? His widow Natalie has now built a new life for herself and their daughter Scarlett but for now long?

Natalie was a great character creation. I really felt for her as she worked through her grief with the help of Ed, Bernies best friend. It takes a lot of courage to begin a new relationship as a widow, especially one with a teenage daughter, but she has bravely begun a new life giving herself another chance at love and happiness. When she sees signs that something isn’t quite right with Ed and Scarlett’s relationship and when she also finds something shocking on Eds laptop, she takes Scarlett and runs. As mothers we know to trust our instincts and read the signs even if it means destroying our own happiness. But have you ever heard that phrase “out of the frying pan and into the fire”? Well, the apartment block they move onto is hiding more than a few more secrets of its own.

Although it was fantastic having Tom back, this was first and foremost a psychological thriller and we are only fed snippets of Toms personal life in the background as the case is his main focus! But I did love the relationship between mother and daughter that takes centre stage here. And it was kept very current with the plot developments that occurred. Teenage girls don’t have an easy time of it nowadays with the evolving social media and peer pressure so they can be more vulnerable than we realise and here the fears that every parent has are brought to the surface as the we watch Scarlett becomes embroiled in something that, due to her upbringing and inexperience, she struggles to extricate herself from. I had no idea where this was heading and as the tension increased so did my fears for Scarlett.

The twists and turns of the The Sixth Window had me second guessing myself constantly right up until the end. And what an ending!! I loved this book from start to finish and now want to go back and reread all Rachel’s books from Only The Innocent. I will always need DCI Tom Douglas in my life!

Natalie lost her policeman husband Bernie in a horrific hit and run accident, and has found love with her husband’s best friend - Ed Cooper - and has moved herself and fifteen year old daughter, Scarlett, into his home. But Natalie begins to suspect Ed has a dark side - and even darker intentions. She and Scarlett move to a new home that holds secrets of its own. But has removing Scarlett from one potential threat placed her in far greater danger? How do they link to the suicide of a teenage girl being investigated by the police? Is there a link to Bernie's death?

This is tremendous plotting at its very best. To avoid giving anything away, I won't say any more than that I couldn't put the book down! Rachel Abbot has produced another fine thriller with the usual unexpected twists.

DCI Tom Thorne is one of my favourite detectives so I was eagerly awaiting this latest outing for Tom and his team. His DI Becky has returned after recovering from injuries received in the line of duty and we have a new Detective, Keith. The interaction of the team and even some light humour with Becky's matchmaking and Keith's stiffness add to the depth of the novel..

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for a review copy.

Natalie is a widow with a fifteen year old daughter - Scarlet. Her husband, Bernie, was a policeman and was killed three years earlier in a hit and run. Now Natalie and Scarlet have moved in with Ed Cooper, Bernie's best friend and colleague, but she's found something unsavory on Ed's laptop and is fearful for Scarlet's safety so they both move into an apartment in Central Manchester. Scarlet starts hearing voices and begins to think that the apartment is haunted but then realizes that the noises are coming through an air vent from the neighboring apartment - but everyone tells her it's empty. DCI Tom Douglas is investigating the suicide of a young girl. Her family are convinced she wouldn't have killed herself due to their religious beliefs but the more they investigate the more secrets the girl was keeping they find. When the investigation into Natalie's husband's death is re-opened Tom can't help thinking that there is a link between the case Bernie was working on prior to his death and what happened to the young girl that killed herself. Fantastic read - I haven't read any of this series previously but will be adding them to my to be read list immediately.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publishers and Rachel Abbott for giving me th opportunity to read and review this book.

Wow. Just plain bloody wow. I love the Tom Douglas series but this book in particular just had me hooked. It was exciting and excellently written as always from Rachel Abbott. The only bad thing I can say about it is that it came to an end. And what an ending it was. So yeah I loved this book

This story starts off with a huge bang which dominoes a sequence of events that destroy.

I refuse to go into details of this story simply because I'm bound to let something slip. I don't want to do this because it's such a fabulous plot that's keeps you enmeshed from the beginning to end.

Each character is clearly defines, rounded out and very real in your minds eye.
There are no muddling up of characters to cause the reader confusion.

I was endeared to the Mom and the daughter. A great close relationship, although misguided at times to protect each other from hurt. But totally vital to the story and very cleverly weaved in.

Misplaced loyalties can be hard.
If you have a unit of friends, a unit of trust but you know something. But you reveal it and that not only can cause hurt, but it can cause a knock on effect with trust "why didn't you tell me!!"
Sitting on things to not cause harm or hurt yet causing yourself pain and loss.

A human fact most of us at sometime can go through but to a lesser degree than this (hopefully)

The author never ceases to amaze me how she comes up with such shockingly good plots that I dare any reader who loves thrillers, not to love.

I was really taken with this book, so yes, I'm gushing because I loved it so much.

I've spent 2 days on and off twisted within the spinning web of this tale, this clever piece of work. And when I have had to go to sleep or carry on with daily life, I've wanted to pick up the book and get into it again.

I am a reader that can't wait for the next 'Rachel Abbott' book to be released

My thanks to Black Dot Publishing via Net Galley for my copy

This is Rachel Abbott at her best, had me from the first off and never let me go , with a few red herrings thrown in the mix. I thoroughly enjoyed it.and give it a 5*

It's nearly killed me not being able to review this book for the 5 long weeks before The Sixth Window was released! Praise once again goes to Rachel Abbott for the 6th instalment of the brilliant series featuring DCI Tom Douglas. Although this is part of a series it could easily be read as a standalone as the important references to the past are mentioned.

Rachel never shies away from difficult topics; instead tackling them head-on with power but sensitivity. I demolished this book in two sittings and was left wanting more! The tension is relentless and the twists are unpredictable and shocking with an ending that will leave you gasping!

5 shiny stars from me!

Thanks to Black Dot Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've come to expect excellent books from Rachel Abbott and that's exactly what I got! Dark, twisted, and gripping. She is one of few authors that always manages to surprise me somehow. I never figure everything out until she tells us. A very enjoyable read. I love Tom Douglas! This was a very complex storyline with memorable characters. When's the next one come out?!

Natalie lost her husband to a tragic hit and run eighteen months ago. He left behind her and her daughter, Scarlett. She's found an unexpected comfort in the aftermath of his loss in the arms of his best friend and fellow police officer, Ed. Scarlett loves him and he makes Natalie feel safe and cared for. Soon after they move in with Ed, Natalie finds something alarming on his computer. Not willing to take any chances, she leaves him almost immediately. She would do anything to protect her teenage daughter, despite Scarlett's confusion as to why they left so abruptly. Could there be some explanation to the questionable site, or is the man she's spent months with hiding a dark side?

DCI Tom Douglas is investigating an apparent suicide of a young girl with the help of Becky, who has recently returned to the force after a long medical leave. The young girl's parents insist she wouldn't have killed herself, but they soon learn they didn't know everything about their teenage daughter. A strict religious upbringing may have caused her to rebel and head down a dangerous path. Could someone have pushed her off that building, or did she think it was her only option after someone drove her to want to end her life?

The two stories connect when Tom Douglas finds new evidence about the unsolved death of Natalie's husband, Bernie. A jealous lover, someone who needed to keep Bernie quiet, or a terrible drunken accident? The investigation rips open wounds for Natalie and Scarlett that have barely begun to heal, but the truth must be found... and they may not like it.

I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley and Black Dog Publishing, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.

Regular readers of my blogs will know that I have been a fan of Rachel;’s for the past 12 months+ since discovering her DCI Tom Douglas series.

This is the sixth book in the series (I have missed one out but in all honesty I’m keeping it back for when I need a Rachel Abbot ‘fix’) Her last book, Kill Me Again along with Sleep Tight were listed in my Top Ten Books of 2016.

Natalie and her daughter, Scarlett are still mourning the loss of their husband/Dad Bernie, but doing their best to get their lives back on track. Natalie has recently entered into a new relationship with one of Bernie’s friends, Ed but starts to suspect all is not what it seems. They move out, and into an apartment block, which quite frankly gives me the shivers from the moment they enter it.

Meanwhile, DCI Tom Douglas is called to investigate the death of a young schoolgirl and determine whether her fall from a high rise building is suicide as first it seems, or was she pushed? I love the interaction between Tom and his colleague, Becky Robinson. Threads of previous books are woven in very cleverly, with Becky returning to work after almost dying at the end of Kill Me Again.

The feeling of tension and suspense throughout the book really grows and grows. There were several occasions that I had to have a breather, as I just feared the worst would happen. The writing of Rachel Abbott is so clever that each book has a familiar feel yet completely different settings.

I have every one of Rachel's books, so when I saw an opportunity to read a copy from NetGalley I took it. This is a very gripping read. and really well written, as per usual. A definite must read!

After eighteen months of grieving for her husband Bernie, killed in a horrific hit and run accident, Natalie Grey has found love with her husband’s best friend - Ed Cooper - and has moved herself and fifteen year old daughter, Scarlett, into his home. But Natalie begins to suspect Ed has a dark side - and even darker intentions.
Desperate to get her daughter to a place of safety, she and Scarlett move to a new home that holds secrets of its own. But has removing Scarlett from one potential threat placed her in far greater danger?
This was a really enjoyable read, despite the subject matter. With a deft pen and a penchant for always moving the story forward, Ms Abbott creates an excellent crime thriller, mostly told from the POV of the victims. However, an added layer is that Natalie’s husband Bernie was a policeman and Natalie’s new love is also a policeman. This added an extra frisson to the investigation into his death. The adjoining investigation into a predator grooming young girls and blackmailing them with their sexy photographs and eventually the sex act itself, was really well written, with a ring of realism that was upsetting to read. Ms Abbott never fails to deliver, and is well deserving of the accolades heaped upon her.

This book has your heart racing while holding your breath at the same time. In my opinion it is the best in the series so far and I absolutely can't praise it enough. There are many different aspects to the story and I was desperate to find out how the different characters were connected and what the outcome would be. I obviously have to mention the wonderful DCI Tom Douglas and his second in command DI Becky Robinson, who has been on sick leave due to her being pulled from a murky river in a previous investigation. They work brilliantly as a team even if Becky does seem to over step the mark at times, Tom is still pleased to have her back at work. His plan to ease her gently back into work don't quite go to plan as they find themselves involved in two investigations that require their full attention.

Rachel Abbott’s thrillers come with a sort of unspoken guarantee that they’ll give a really great read and I can confirm that ‘The Sixth Window’ is no exception. It was a twisty, menacing read that I really loved and didn’t want to end!
All the characters are well developed and believable with DCI Tom Douglas being of particular interest. The exploration of the mother-daughter relationship between Natalie and Scarlett was fascinating and felt authentic.
The plot was complex and shocking at times, revealing a dark underbelly of life that most of us would rather not think about. However, the storyline raises very important issues that need to be talked about.
Overall, this is a pacy, gritty and unpredictable read that kept me guessing. Abbott skilfully steered the narrative to a tense and satisfying ending that had me fearful of what might happen to the characters, Scarlett in particular. Highly recommended!

All I can say is that Rachel Abbott has done it agin with another cracking read, I absolutely loved it, such a thrilling, heart stopping read that had me hooked!!

Interesting thriller with unexpected twists along the way. Scarlett's father, a policeman, is mown down by a hit and run driver and unfortunately nobody has been caugh and convicted of the crime.. Gradually trying to put the past behind her Natalie, Bernie's widow moves in with Ed, Bernie's best friend on the force. Then 18 months after the hit and run accident some new evidence comes to light.
Tom and Becky, the investigating officers try to work out what happened to Bernie. Meanwhile they are also looking into the death of a young girl who seems to have become mixed up in a peadophile ring.
Natalie then sees something strange on Ed's computer and she decides to move with Scarlett to a flat of their own, away from Ed where a distraught Scarlett discovers an extra "sixth window " in their new block of flats. Trying to find out more about it she gets embroiled in a series of events which are frightening for the teenager.
This is a further novel in a series featuring DCI Tom Douglas although it is not necessary to have read the earlier books to enjoy this one.
One of the main themes in the novel is trust- none of the main characters know who to trust. Natalie is not sure if what Ed is telling her is the truth. Scarlett loves her late father but is not sure that he was trustworthy. The young girls in the novel including Scarlett herself trust certain characters but the trust is misplaced.
I enjoyed the way that the story switched between Scarlett's viewpoint and that of the police as the plot was gradually unveiled.
This was a real page turner and I just had to keep reading to find out what happened to Bernie and whether one of the young girls, Jennifer, had been murdered or commited suicide.
In fact this is a novel that kept you guessing right up until the last page.
Recommended to fans of psychological thrillers who enjoy a novel full of unexpected twists
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

THE SIXTH WINDOW will certainly keep you guessing. Unlike many thrillers, it was difficult to deduce who the villain was or what motivated them. DCI Tom and DI Becky are engaging characters and while Natalie's character was a bit overblown, her relationship with her daughter Scarlett rings true. Abbott's writing is fast-paced and she knows how to build suspense. A very enjoyable read.

A good read, lovely characters and a tense plot. Loved the detectives leading this case and will definitely look out for more. Chilling tale if you have a teenage daughter!! A touch predictable in places, but enough twists to keep the reader happy.

I do love me a little but of DCI Tom Douglas. Who in their right mind doesn't. I will admit to having had a bit of a gap in my reading and to reading the books completely out of order, having missed the last couple as I struggle to make headway with my personal TBR, but then that is nothing unusual for me. But when the opportunity came up to get an advance copy of the The Sixth Window, the latest instalment in Rachel Abbott's DCI Douglas series, well... I just couldn't say no.

This is a really interesting story, high on tension, with a very difficult subject as a backdrop to the main action. We follow the life of Natalie Grey, a widow and mother whose husband Bernie, a police officer, had been killed in a hit and run accident over a year ago. She is now living with his best friend Ed, but discovers something on his laptop that she cannot ignore, something which could put her and her daughter Scarlett in real danger. Natalie thinks she has found them a safe haven in an apartment in the city but when the estate manager is attacked, and Scarlett starts to hear strange noises from within their flat, just how safe are they really?

As Scarlett begins to investigate the apartment block, Tom Douglas is looking into the suicide of a young girl. From a family which follows a strict religious code, her death makes little sense. Her mother will not accept that it is suicide, insisting that her daughter was murdered. The girl's younger brother seems to be keeping a secret and her father is not as blinkered as his wife, but there is something truly troubling in the girls past and Tom needs to find out the truth before anyone else gets hurt.

The two stories intersect in the most troubling of ways, with Tom's team being tasked with investigating the hit and run which killed Natalie's husband after the suspected killers alibi checks out. There was a time when I wondered how the stories could possibly pull together, how a girl looking into a reputedly haunted apartment could possibly have anything to do with the suicide of the other young girl, someone the family had no contact with and what that had to do with the hit and run. But this is the beauty of Rachel Abbott's writing. She has an ability to pull together many seemingly unconnected threads and weave them into a rich tapestry which truly engages the reader. The Sixth Window was no exception.

I really liked the characters in this book. It goes without saying the Tom Douglas and Becky Robinson, both long standing characters from the series are as well written and engaging as ever. We see a little of the playfulness of their relationship as Becky starts to interfere in Tom's personal life, but this is part of the wonder of the pairing and it works perfectly. The supporting characters are well rounded and elicit a range of emotions from incredulity to suspicion to outright shock as I struggled to understand their motivations or their actions. Scarlett is a really strong character seemingly having gained some of her tenacity and resolve from her father. She is curious and brave beyond her years but that bravery leads her into danger creating one of the most heart stopping scenes of the whole story.

As I said at the start, the backdrop to this story is a very difficult one. One of child sexual exploitation and abuse. But just who is responsible is not entirely clear and there is misdirection galore throughout the book as Abbott carefully moves the focus from one character to another. The finger of suspicion even falls to the police at one point, with corruption being cited at the very top of the tree. I can't say I was entirely surprised by the conclusion, I had my suspicions early on which proved correct, but the story was so enthralling and the question marks over certain characters actions so bold that I was willing to be proven wrong. In spite of everything, of suspecting what would come to pass, I still didn't see that ending coming. Not at all.

I love these books and you can hardly ask for a stronger and more competent development of both character and plotting than you get from Rachel Abbott. I am even more determined now to play catch up (thank the world for Audible), and can't wait for the next book in the series. I have loved Tom Douglas since I first read The Back Road, even though at that stage the police investigations were very much secondary to the main story. This book was different, with the Police playing a much greater part in the action and I think I loved it even more because of that. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that this will be another stonking great hit for Rachel Abbott.