Things are seldom what they seem on the face of it in a Billingham novel and sorting it out is the pleasure of the read. Here, Thorne and his partner DI Nicola Tanner find themselves chasing a con man who has entranced and fleeced women. There's an alternating chapter about a young woman named Sarah. Things will come together, as you know, but not in the way you might expect. Thorne and Tanner are both coping with changes in their own lives and Thorne, in particular, is a bit morose. If you're a fan of this series or even if you've only read one or two, as I have, or none at all, you will find this a good read. These are well drawn characters, a sufficiently complex mystery, and the writing is perfect- not too much not too little. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. Perfect for fans of the British procedural.

I haven't read a Mark Billingham book before, in fact, other than the name sounding vaguely familiar for some reason, I don' think that prior to a couple of weeks ago, I knew who he was. Then, via a round-about route, that involved watching Red Dwarf with my kids and thinking of other things that they would enjoy, I was looking into what happened to other actors from Maid Marion and her Merry Men and discovered that one of the Sherif of Nottingham's hapless sidekicks was now an author. It wasn't until I got into the most recent of his books, after getting it on NetGalley that I discovered that I'd actually see TV adaptations of some of them a few years ago. I'm well aware that I'm rambling and that this has nothing to do with my review, but please indulge me for a second or scan through that, until I start my review proper:
It's always a joy to discover a new detective series. This one is number 16, so it's clear that there has been a lot already in the series. Did that matter? Not really. I suspect that I could quite easily go back and read earlier ones without them being ruined, although at least one earlier case was mentioned in this book, at least in passing.
Thorn is, like many other of his ilk, a bit of a mess, but a good detective. I liked reading about him and although he's clearly far from perfect, he was an interesting lead in this story. Perhaps that's what made him interesting and likeable?
The story is about two people who work, in their own way, in a web of lies and fabrication. One is a con-man who takes women for their life savings and the other a woman who lies to satisfy what is lacking in her own life. Once they meet, they become something much darker and more intense. This particular story gives insight into the criminals from the start, so although everything isn't revealed, this isn't a mystery to solve by the reader. It is still gripping and entertaining and I read on, anxious to know how it would play out.
Told from multiple points of view, it was easy to almost feel some level of sympathy for the wrongdoers. I think Billingham is careful to not give too much insight into how they became who they are so that we know that Thorn and Tanner are on the side of justice and good.
This might be my first Mark Billingham, Tom Thorne novel, but I strongly suspect that it won't be my last. A great read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

3.5 stars. This is the first book (out of 16) in the Tom Thorne series that I’ve read. Although there appeared to be some background issues that I didn’t fully get, this can be read as a stand alone story. The writing was good and the story line interesting, but the Thorne character was pretty . . . bland? Maybe if I had read some of the earlier books, I would be more invested in Thorne, his moodiness, and the other detectives. The killers were sex-crazed psychopaths (the sex is insinuated and not graphic) and the ending was decent. Overall, good enough to make me want to read other books in this series.

Ah, l’amour…..ain’t it grand. Well, you might want to hold that thought. While many people exchange rings as a symbol of their union, you’re about to meet a couple who are a little…uh…less traditional.

Tom Thorne is called to one of the underground stations where the body of a young woman lies across the tracks. There’s not much doubt she took her own life but in the interest of ticking all the boxes, he begins to dig into her background. It seems she was the victim of a charming scam artist who professed his love before emptying her bank account. And like her money, he’s gone.

In alternate chapters we meet Sarah, a mysterious young woman who spends her mornings bonding with other moms after dropping her son at school. It’s a quiet life but that may be about to change. She recently met a charismatic man who’s obviously interested & begins to wonder if he could be “the one”.

And that’s all I’ll say about that side of the story. Just know it took off in directions I never could have predicted with plenty of WTH moments along the way.

Meanwhile Tom & DI Nicola Tanner have more than enough to keep them busy. Another body & another woman who believed she’d found true love. Right up until the guy disappeared with her savings. Tom begins to take the cases personally. His own love life is in shambles & if he can’t fix that, maybe he can find some justice for these women whose only mistake was to trust the wrong man.

There’s a darker tone to this outing than previous books in the series. Partly due to the subject matter but also because of Tom. He’s (sort of) single again & not taking it well. Or maybe too well…he’s not sure. He’s more reflective than usual but veers away from examining himself too closely. Either way, he’s in a funk & moping has become a part time job. Thankfully, Phil Hendricks is around to verbally kick his butt in typical style.

Tanner, also, is mourning lost love. As partners go, she & Tom are chalk & cheese but have learned to accept each others tics. To be honest, I’m still warming up to her character. And with both MC’s singing the blues, I found this instalment lacking a bit of the usual sparkle (thank God for Phil).

However, it’s completely in keeping with the story lines. Love in all its forms is definitely the theme of the story. Fated, unrequited, lost or obsessive….we witness the degrees of happiness or carnage that can result when 2 lives collide. Just be warned: by the time the dust settles, you might start thinking of love as a four letter word.

In this splendid series Mark Billingham keeps the reader engrossed not only by the plot lines but by shaking up the personal lives of the principal characters. Here we see Tom Thorne back in his own flat following the breakdown of his relationship with Helen.. The two main villains have a Brady/Hindley relationship consisting of fake identities and false lives. Murder and kidnap eventually lead to the inevitable implosion of their relationship and the detailing of this outcome is fascinating.

This is Billingham at his best . He knows how to craft believable flawed characters and fast paced keep you guessing plots. Loved this one.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book

I didn't know "Their Little Secret" was part of a series: for that reason, the first few chapters were a little bewildering. But I got over it fast and this novel does stand alone. What a treat! To find a writer who has lots and lots of books still to read!

This is a very good psychological thriller with some very twisted characters. Detective Inspector Tom Thorne is called to the suicide of a woman who threw herself in front of a train. He learns that she was the victim of a con man who bilked her out of everything. Thorne sees this as a homicide, not a suicide, and decides to pursue the conman despite being told to leave it alone.

Dedicated mom Sarah waits outside a school to pick up her son Jamie and meets the same parents to drop him off. She's trying to fit in at the new school to help her son make friends. She goes with them to a local coffee shop where she meets a handsome man named Conrad. Sparks fly. We figure out who he is pretty fast, but what about Sarah? Will she be his next victim?.

I loved the way the story fit together, the surprises along the way. There are no holes in the story, it's smooth, tricky, and delectable. I'm tickled that there are, what, 15 other novels by this writer to enjoy?

Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to review this novel.

Their Little Secret is another great read by ark Billingham with fully developed characters and plot line. Worth the read!

Billingham at his absolute best. I love the Tom Thorne series and once again was not disappointed. A compelling page turner that was difficult to put down. Can’t wait for the next instalment.

DI Tom Thorne, assigned to the Homicide Assessment Team, is called to the scene of an apparent suicide of a young woman. Sarah, sitting in a cafe, after dropping off her son at school, meets a handsome, charming man. Then a man's body is found on the beach. How are these events related? From here, Billingham develops a clever plot revolving around damaged and dangerous people. The story, told from multiple points of view, flows smoothly.. The sense of place is vivid. Added together, all of these aspects provide a captivating crime novel.

Another instalment in the Tom Thorne Detective series and lets be fair, they never let you down! Tom attends the scene of a suicide where a woman threw herself in front of a train, he can't seem to get away from the fact that all was not what it seemed, it was obvious she jumped but he just can't shake that feeling!!!

Thorn decides to do some digging and it turns out the woman, Phillipa Goodwin had been conned by a man called Patrick Jennings, so not only did she lose a lump sum but her life also as obviously couldn't live with the shame of it... Thorne makes it his mission to track down this Jennings.....

With plenty of action and more cases, Thorne has a big case load and has a lot going on or off (depending on your outlook!!!) in her personal life.

As always, a great read with plenty of twists and red herrings along the way, if you love a good twist police procedural read, then this series is for you.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Grove Atlantic for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I loved this book and would highly recommend it to all. It has a great story line, brilliant main characters and is a real page turner. I couldn't put this book down.

Zipped through this in a couple of long afternoons. Not because it’s a lightweight read, but because the trademark Thorne short chapters and crackling dialogue make it very ‘moreish’ as usual.
It seemed maybe a little slower in the first quarter than previous books but soon picked up. Fraud tips over into murder and Thorne, Tanner and the rest of the team have to piece together why that is and who is doing it. I found myself wondering if Sarah could indeed access the places she did and I’m still not sure in this age of locked schools and safeguarding, but that doesn’t detract from the story too much. I don’t recall a dog being featured before the end, either? These issues aside it’s still miles ahead of most crime novels these days and the author resists making Thorne any kind of Hero whilst not over-emphasising his flaws, rather letting the character develop naturally and not at the expense of fleshing out supporting characters.
Thoroughly enjoyed this latest instalment, roll on the next!

Another great book in the Tom Thorne series. Thorne turns up to the scene of the suicide of a poor woman who has thrown herself in front of the train . Something doesn’t sit right with Thorne he then finds out she was seeing someone who took all her money . Then in Margate a murdered lad turns up and the D.N.A matches with Thornes . The Conman now changes his appearance onto his next victim Sarah. This is a book that keeps you well in thralled to the end .

Very different style to this book and I really enjoyed it up until the end. I don't feel things were explained very clearly and it seemed a bit rushed.

Having read all of the Tom Thorne novels I couldn't wait to get stuck into the latest.
Throughout the book you knew clearly what was going on while being totally confused at the same time!!Mark Billingham clearly has a very complex and twisted mind! Once again there was a little something towards the end that you hadn't been expecting.
10/10
When's the next book out? 😊

My first Mark Bellingham book a tense chilling thriller.Found this book unputdownable kept me racing through the pages.Love to discover anew to me author an author with a library of book I can grab.Highky recommend.#netgalley #groveatlantic.

I have read all of Mark Billingham's books and especially love Tom Thorne. This book kept me up all night as I couldn't put it down. The perpetrators were on a different level in this story with an ending that satisfied me nicely! As always, there is a good mix of crime, and personal issues. Can't wait for the next one.

This is my first Tom Thorne murder mystery novel and I really enjoyed it. I’m going to have to go and read some of the other ones.
The characters are rich and very likable. The writing takes twists and turns galore. This mystery isn’t an easy one to solve...had me going to the very end.

London copper DI Tom Thorne has been entertaining us since his debut in Sleepyhead (2001). His creator, Mark Billingham, has developed an enviably reliable repertory company of other players who share the stage with the main man. There is his best mate Phil Hendricks, a pathologist who, despite being gay, supporting Arsenal against Thorne’s beloved Spurs and having piercings in places where most folk don’t even have places, is the voice of sanity in Thorne’s often chaotic world. Thorne’s love interest (from whom he is currently living apart) is Helen, another police officer, but one who works in the traumatic world of child protection. Nicola Tanner is Thorne’s professional partner and they have history, but not one that either reflects on with much pleasure. Tanner’s partner Susan was brutally killed in a previous episode, and her death hangs over the pair like a pall.

Their Little Secret begins with the much-loved trope of an apparent suicide which is viewed with suspicion by the central character. This time, however, it is slightly different. When a woman goes fatally head-to-head with an underground train, there is no suspicion that she was physically pushed, but Thorne believes that something traumatic - and criminal – tipped her over the edge in both sense of the phrase. He discovers that she had been targeted by a conman who had relieved her of a large sum of money and then disappeared, leaving her heartbroken, ashamed of her own gullibility and with her self-respect shredded. Despite the reluctance of his boss to spend any more time (and money) on the case, Thorne discovers that Philippa Goodwin is not the first victim of the conman.

In an ostensibly unconnected narrative thread, Billingham introduces us to a Sarah, a vulnerable single mum who is anxious to gain the approval of other mums with whom she at the primary school gates twice each day. They seem confident, successful and financially comfortable. Sarah tries to join in with their daily sojourn at a pretentious ‘artisan’ coffee shop after the morning school run, but she still feels like the outsider. Her world is just herself and her son Jamie, and she struggles to compete with the gossip and banter that fly like sparks between Karen, Caroline, Savita and Heather. Until. Until the day when, sitting apart at her own table in HazBeanz, Sarah is chatted up by distinctly fanciable slightly older fellow. Almost instantly, Sarah finds the others anxious to swap phone numbers in return for daily updates about the new romance.

So, we can all see where this is going, yes? Sarah is about to become the latest victim of the romantic predator who Thorne and Tanner will eventually track down and bring to justice? At his point, I will disengage from the plot so as not to spoil things. Suffice it to say that Billingham plays the Pied Piper, and we are the innocent children of Hamelin.

If you are new to the world of Tom Thorne, don’t dismiss this book as just another police procedural. Yes, the atmosphere of the Incident Room, the evidence gathering, the financial pressures and the grim fare of the police canteen – everything is just as it should be, authentic and convincing. But Billingham gives us so much more. Thorne is, in some ways, unlovely. He can be insensitive, self-centred and, it has to be said, something of a slob. His impulsiveness has got him – and others – into bother on more than one occasion, and as for his musical obsession with the lonesome highway world of Hank Williams, you must be your own judge. Earlier novels in the series told of Thorne’s impotent distress at the decline of his father as dementia took hold and turned a fine mind into mush. As middle age peaks and ‘the other side’ beckons, he still dreams of his mum and dad. He is not alone.

There is poetry within the pages of any Tom Thorne novel. It may be brutally comic, and it may be poignant and stark. Thorne recalls the first suicide he had to attend:

“It had been a teenage girl, that first one. A slip of a thing dangling from the branch of an oak tree in Victoria Park. A ripped blue dress and legs like sticks and the muddy heels of her trainers kissing.”

On a grimly humorous note, Thorne/Billingham has a sour take on the pretentions of the middle class London enclave of Shoreditch:

“ It was all a little ….full of itself for his liking. ‘Dirty’ burgers, whatever they were, and shops knocking out overpriced tat that was probably meant to be ironic. A few too many gastropubs serving parsnip dust or garlic foam and more artisan bakeries than you could shake a shiitake mushroom at.”

Their Little Secret is a masterpiece of misdirection, suspense and contains as convincing a portrayal of insanity as I have read in many a long year. Tom Thorne is the perfect hero for our troubled times, Emotionally and professionally, he ploughs a lonely furrow, but his honesty and often clumsy care for those he loves are deeply moving. Their Little Secret is published by Little, Brown and will be available from 2nd May.