Pick this up if you dare. It is dark. It is chilling. It is unputdownable. Don’t say I did not warn you first.

A gripping suspenseful psychological thriller exploring the eternal question of Nature Vs Nurture.

The plot is solid with lots of twists, secrets, and betrayals. Told from different perspectives through alternating timelines, the story deals with quite tough and thought provoking topics including post natal depression, murder, and sibling jealousy.

I voluntarily reviewed this book, thanks Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the "Read Now" option.

Nurture versus nature... not a new discussion topic, yet the perfect theme for Picture of Innocence.

Maddie is exhausted - a mother of three young children, with one of them being only two months old. She certainly has her hands full. And on top of everything, she’s been experiencing black-outs.

While these blackouts make Maddie a bit of an unreliable narrator, I still appreciated her character and found myself wanting to believe her when tragedy strikes. Noah, her newest baby, is found dead in his crib, and everyone is seeming to blame Maddie.

But Maddie knows she would never knowingly hurt one of her children. Unless. She can’t remember.

At the same time, readers are learning about an abused little girl named Lydia who experiences horrible acts of violence and neglect. Only later do we learn how Lydia fits in with Maddie’s story.

Everything came together and connected, and I must say I was gripped from the first chapter. Well done. I’d recommend this to any fans of thrillers and mysteries, and especially those who have ever heard of The Bad Seed.

what the actual F***... I'm reeling here after just finishing Picture of Innocence.... wow what a book, a pure gripping psychological thriller, my head is spinning, is it Nature Vs Nurture.... I will not say anymore for fear of ruining it, I'm still shocked, this is definitely one that will stay with me, if you read one book this year, make it this one!!! Highly recommend it!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Penguin UK - Michael Joseph for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Picture of innocence was a gripping thriller. The cast of characters were endearing and their stories interesting and compelling. The story was twisted in the very best way. The suspense and the who done it nature of the story will make you doubt the characters innocence and your own suspicions. A page turner that will leave you chilled to the bone and asking for more. 5 stars.

I enjoyed this book and the story kept me guessing. The plot lost some of the pace about 75% through but I stuck with it and enjoyed the ending.

This is a story of a family, specifically a mother, postnatal depression, sibling rivalry and murder. Difficult subject matter handled well and some neat twists and turns.

An ok read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to preview this book in exchange for my honest review.

Oh my....what a rollercoaster of a read.
Where I was unsure in the beginning where the two paths were going to come together, I sure didn't expect it when it did.
Don't want to spoil the story line so won't say to much other than life wasn't easy for Maddie or Lydia, the two main characters, but they held their own.
I did guess early on "whodunnit" but not how it would lead there, this made it all the more addictive to see if I was correct. I'm sure the author planned it that way!! Had to have an extended t-break to get through the last chapter as I was holding my breath.
All I can say is, if you're unsure if this will be a good read, it so is.... 5 stars from me*****

This messed with my mind in the greatest way possible. I am going to be thinking of this book for weeks. While I would consider this a domestic thriller, it doesn’t follow the typical, tired pattern. The plot is interesting, fast-paced, and easy to read although it tackles complex issues. The characters are developed and feel like real people. I have a feeling this might be a best-seller. I look forward to reading more titles from this author.

This was a great book, it had me quessing, the characters were well developed, it was a very enjoyable read.

Enjoyed it! This book was very entertaining and it kept me guessing about whodunit. I would recommend this read.

Really wasn’t expecting this. Great book with a great storyline. Not what I was expecting at all so was a nice surprise. Easy to read and good characters in there too.

This title appealed to me from the cover and tagline. Normally family orientated novels aren't something I would favour but this novel has changed my mind.

The twists were constant, every time I thought I worked everything out the author revealed another bit of information that cast doubt.

I liked the way the book has two main characters and then their paths cross in the most unexpected way. I did thoroughly enjoy this book.

The reason I have given 4 stars instead of 5 is because of a paragraph that mentions Madeleine McCann which I felt was unnecessary and actually took away from the story the author had penned.

However, I would recommend this book and if you like a page turner, you will enjoy this book.

This was a good psychological thriller I was pleasantly surprised.. good twist at the end. First time to read any books by this author, I will recommend this, and will be looking out for other books by this author in the future

Idle curiosity led me to pick this one up. The description sounded like some book I've read before, but it was the haunting eerie cover that swayed me.
A few chapters into this book, I was glad I picked this one up. A true page-turner with sinister, thrilling and poignant stuff. It is very hard to come by books with such combinations that strike just the right chord with me and this book is among the front-runners in my list of psychological thrillers.
I'm surprised this the first book by T. J. Stimson - I truly believed that I was reading the work of a seasoned author.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and T. J. Stimson for this arc.

The 'Picture of Innocence' has to be one of my favourite psychological thrillers that i have read for some time. So many twists and turns, which had me guessing right to the end. Each time i thought i had it figured out, so the story took another twist. I also enjoyed that the story was based around areas that i know. It is the first time that i have read a book by this author and am keen to read more. I seldom write what a story is about as i prefer one to read it for themselves, but i do highly recommend this book.

My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for my copy.

This is a very emotional and sad novel dealing with some very difficult subjects but done in a very empathetic way combining it with thriller elements making it an exceptional novel. I haven’t read any other books by Tess Stimson and was really impressed by the quality of the writing and the excellent portrayal of the characters, I read it in just over a day it was a difficult book to put down as although I suspected what might be happening I just had to keep reading to find out. I look forward to reading more from the author and would recommend this this book and brings many topics up for discussion.
My thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is a well written compelling thriller which I couldn't put down! So many twists and turns - very clever indeed!
Addresses the question if evil is learned or inherited and whether anyone can really be an innocent victim of their circumstance or if everyone needs to take responsible for their actions irrespective of their surroundings. I really enjoyed this book. Thank you.

Picture of Innocence by TJ Stimson is the most addictive psychological thriller I’ve read in a very long time! A TRUE page-turner that kept me enthralled, entertained, guessing and gasping til the very last line!

Maddie is married to Lucas who is just wonderful. They have 3 beautiful children. Although she is struggling with the demands of motherhood, she has a network of friends and family who support her. But tragedy strikes and Maddie is convinced somebody has hurt her child deliberately. She suspects everyone, including herself.

The themes Ms. Stimson explores are heartbreaking: nature versus nurture and whether a killer is made or born. The moral dilemma’s keep coming, supported by a well-developed cast of characters and a very believable story. It’s a cross between Jodie Picoult and Gillian Flynn!

This is Ms. Stimson’s first foray into domestic noir and boy has she cracked it! I look forward to reading more of her books!

4.5 stars.. What an edge of your seat wondering what is going on great thriller! Wondered how the two parts of the book would come together was a surprise i didn't see coming!!


Thanks to the publisher and net galley for an early release of this book