Never a dull part in the book. The pace is consistent and pulsing. Debbie Howells writes great novels with great plots, but also has great characters.

While this book was not what I expected, it was a decent psychological thriller. It is told by using dual points of views which allows for a good flow of information. There are quite a few twists and turns within to help hold the interest, although they seemed to be revealed rather slowly. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

Wow! I have not read suspense novels in a while, but this book was a page-turner! I had no idea how it would end until literally the very last pages. I had to keep myself from peeking the entire time! I felt for the main character so much! The pacing was excellent and the prose nice and clean. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is a fan of unreliable narrators and taught plots

Debbie Howells literally had me hanging on to every word! There were multiple unexpected twists and turns, heart-pounding moments of suspense and passages that would cause you to hold your breath in anticipation.

An exceptional novel, I would highly recommend it!

AfterThought: This is the first book I have read by Ms. Howells, but it will not be the last!

The Stepdaughter is the fourth book I've read by Debbie Howells and it sat on my iPad for months and months as I'd believed its publication was deferred until next year. (And I only just discovered it wasn't / isn't.)

I very much enjoyed Howells' first psychological thriller, The Bones of You, in particular.

Her latest is another complex story of relationships and of secrets and lies. I should also mention that it features domestic violence and references to child pornography (though no details etc).

This book unfolds from the points of view of Elise, a flight attendant; her daughter Niamh; and (later) Nicki, a detective sergeant investigating Hollie's death. I liked that Elise and Niamh's thoughts crossed over in time a little so you got different perspectives of the same event or discussion and I think this is one of the book's strengths.

Howells also cleverly unpicks Elise's marital issues. We know there's infidelity as Elise tells us that off the bat but I felt initially she was unfairly antagonistic towards her husband Andrew and very petty. I didn't understand why she stayed in the relationship. She talks about wanting to keep things normal for Niamh, but it seems like a really toxic environment for them all. Things change however and we learn we've only seen one side of Andrew and their marriage. That being said, I wasn't sure the behaviour of the couple (and Elise's thoughts to which we're privy) were entirely consistent throughout the novel.

We meet Hollie before her unfortunate demise and she's obviously very troubled, though - like those around her - we're unsure if she's being overly-dramatic.

Howells offers a number of potential plot-lines and suspects here so we're kept guessing.

There's reference to someone called Dylan - which I must admit I found distracting as he was mentioned before any context was provided. And then of course there's Andrew's infidelity, his treatment of Elise, Hollie's father's financial woes and dodgy investments. 

Howells paces this really well and keeps the surprises coming. Both mother and daughter are keeping secrets from us throughout most of the novel. Niamh is obvious about it but Elise less-so. And of course we're unsure if those secrets play a role in Hollie's death and all that came before it.

I was perhaps a little confused about some of the backstories, including that of Hollie's mother (as opposed to her step-mother). Some of the timing didn't seem to fit. It's also highly likely I missed something about Andrew's history and the couple's decision to move to Abingworth in the first place.

In some ways we're forced to consider who we trust and why here, and wonder if the people we assume to be 'good' are actually 'bad'? Or at least, not innocent.


3.5 stars

Small town secrets!! lots of lies.!! This book is filled with suspense. It is extremely well written. The book switches between characters. Some huge revelations . The book is fast paced and kept my interest right to the very end. This was my first read by this author it definately wont be my last.

An intense and wild ride from this book. I assumed it would be a quick read but I was enthralled with the story and characters.

This book started slowly but then the story speeds up with affairs, drugs and domestic abuse. It developed into a very good read

This book was a bit of a slow read for me. I really enjoyed the plot premise and got right into it from the start, my interest wained somewhat after halfway and I had hoped for a much stronger ending. It's been compared to The Lovely Bones but that is a HUGE stretch. This is nothing like it.

When Elise's stepdaughter Nieve's best friend is found the small village they have just moved to is stunned. It's the type of village where you would expect nothing very exciting to happen and certainly not this. With the police investigation coming back time and time again to Neive Elise wonders just how much her stepdaughter is holding inside. What is she not sharing?

With betrayal, secrets and lies as an undercurrent the novel meanders along. It switches voice between characters which I did find really good, hearing things from different perspectives but it just lacked that oomph to really push this one out there as spectacular. Compared to other books read this year this one is a decent read but nothing to shout about. A solid three stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for my copy. All review opinions are my own and totally unbiased.

Cheating doctor Andrew Buckley, his wife and flight attendant Elise, and teenage daughter, Niamh, have moved to the little village of Abingworth, England for a new start. A girl from the village, Hollie Hampton, is close friends with the quiet and reserved Niamh. James, Hollie's dad, is a writer and her stepmother, Stephanie, owns the local florist shop. When Hollie is found dead, the entire village is stunned. Detective Sergeant Nicki May takes up the case to determine who killed Hollie...

In The Stepdaughter the author's complex, dark, and disturbing storytelling drew me in easily. As the compelling tale switches smoothly between the protagonists - Elise, Niamh and Nicki, secrets lurk amongst the clues and misdirections. Unfolding from the three distinct perspectives, this is a clever mystery with a highly suspenseful, character driven plot. Packed with some shocking revelations, Debbie Howells masterfully brings this enthralling mystery to a snakelike, cherry topped conclusion. I highly recommend this exciting and worthy read to lovers of the genre.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Fantastic psychological thriller That suspended me, mercilessly, at the edge of my seat, turning pages frantically to uncover the truth of the stepdaughter and her fate. The reader Is constantly pondering the idea that begins the story : that most people are Essentially good -throughout this tale of power, control, betrayal and abuse. Riveting page turner down to the last page.

First of all I will give a trigger warning because it deals with domestic violence. Ok now to what I think. When I first started reading it I felt like it was kinda V. C. Andrew ish which I loved. The more I got into the book the more I loved it. It's a really well written book, makes you feel like you are part of the investigation. The story goes from investigating a porn ring to uncovering secrets from the past. The Stepdaughter is a must read.

I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The description of this book is what really sold me. I love a good thriller when it grabs a hold of you right away, keeps you on the edge of your seat, and then throws you a curve ball right at the end. Only some of that happened with this novel. While I loved that it wasn't predictable at all, at least in my opinion, I did feel like there was just too much going on. Affairs, abuse, drug overdoses, etc it just felt like there would never be an end to the drama. Then when it did finally end, it seemed awfully abrupt, but shocking nonetheless.

This book took me by surprise. It kept me interested throughout the story and I needed to see what was going to happen. I truly enjoyed the pacing of the story and the well-written characters. I would recommend this story to all.

This was good at the beginning but fell apart at the end. I guess I’m reading too many of this type of book and they all start sounding the same.

⭐⭐⭐💫
A nice solid mystery thriller about domestic abuse and murder.

I did find the book a slow burner especially in the beginning but then it picked up pace nicely. I loved the description of the little small town but sometimes wanted to throttle Elise for being such a wimp. Some of the twists I was able to predict but in the end, I still enjoyed the read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

EXCERPT: Hollie isn't coming back.

I saw the single car, its blue light flashing as it passed me on its way to Deeprose House, its siren breaking the silence. There was a fluttering in my veins as I watched, motionless, even before the unmarked ambulance made its way slowly along the same route, half an hour later, sending a chill through me, because I recognize it.

It's the kind of ambulance they send when someone's dead.

ABOUT THIS BOOK: “I live in a village of stone walls and tall trees, a place of cold hearts and secrets . . .”

When Elise Buckley moved with her family to Abingworth, it was supposed to be a new start. She hoped the little English village, with its scattering of houses, pub, and village church, wouldn’t offer enough opportunity for her doctor husband, Andrew, to continue having affairs. Apparently, she was wrong. Now Elise’s only goal is to maintain the façade of a happy homelife for their teenage daughter, Niamh.

When the body of Niamh’s best friend, Hollie, is found, the entire village is rocked. Elise, though generally distrustful since Andrew’s infidelity, believed that Hollie was loved by her father and stepmother. Yet there was something unsettling beneath the girl’s smile. As the police investigation stalls amid disjointed evidence, it’s Niamh who unknowingly holds the key . . .

Flitting between the villagers’ lives, silent and unseen, Elise is learning about the relationships and secrets that surround her—including those close to home. And as her daughter edges closer to a killer, Elise realizes that the truth may eclipse even her worst suspicions...

MY THOUGHTS: I am having a hard time settling on a rating for The Stepdaughter by Debbie Howells. The publicity blurb for this book isn't at all indicative of the contents, a dark domestic thriller centred around various forms of abuse. There is everything from physical violence to psychological abuse and even child pornography, although the latter is only referred to and not gone into in any detail.

None of the characters are particularly likeable, even the victims. I felt for Elise, and for Niamh, but not as much as I should have. My favourite character would have to be DI Nicki May, supportive both practically and emotionally as she does her job.

The story is told from three points of view, that of Elise, Niamh's mother, Niamh herself, and DI Nicki May.

I didn't find The Stepdaughter particularly suspenseful. I think that this has something to do with the author's writing style, which doesn't resonate with me. The sentences are often too long and clumsy, not conducive to suspense. I was quite surprised, in the author's acknowledgments at the end, to discover that this is her 5th novel. It reads more like a first. I cottoned on to a couple of the major twists early on. Perhaps I am finally getting more astute at reading the clues.

Personally, I would have liked this book to have begun with Dylan and Hollie's story and to have omitted the child pornography ring altogether. There was enough domestic drama/noir to have carried the book without the addition of a criminal element. Another instance of trying to cram too much into one plot. I would also have liked a little more depth to the characters. We know nothing about them outside of the confines of the time period of the book.

The blurb states 'When Elise Buckley moved with her family to Abingworth, it was supposed to be a new start', and yet one of the major twists hinges on an extremely long running relationship between two characters. Is this why they moved to the village? 🤷‍♀️ It just doesn't quite gel for me.

If the cover art is meant to reflect the stepdaughter, Hollie, it doesn't. She had dark hair....

A disappointed 🤷‍♀️🤦‍♀️.6 stars

#TheStepdaughter #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: Debbie self-published three commercial women's fiction novels before writing The Bones of You, her first psychological thriller.
Three more have followed, the most recent of which is Her Sister's Lie.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Kensington Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Stepdaughter for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage

A definite winner. Dark and taunt. An edge of your seat thriller that will have you guessing till the end. Well told story that will have you flipping pages as fast as you can. Happy reading!

Pub Date 02 Jan 2079 | Archive Date 16 Jun 2020

Elise is staying in an abusive relationship with her serial cheater husband for the sake of their teenage daughter, Niamh.

Hollie is Niamh's best friend who lives with her father and stepmother. Her mother died a short while ago and she still hasn't come to terms with it.

Hollie has secrets .. that she shares with no one... not even her friend. She hints at things about her father ...about Niamh's father, but only talks in generalities.

When Hollis is found dead in an abandoned neighboring pool covered with leaves, the entire village is beyond shocked. As the police investigate stalls, it’s Niamh who unknowingly holds the key . . .

And then Hollie's stepmother is found dead .... suicide? murder?

There are many small town secrets ... and many, many lies. What did Hollie know ...or see?

This psychological thriller is suspenseful, filled with characters that, honestly, I did not like at all. The cheating husband, the cold manipulating husband, a smart woman staying in an abusive relationship, the dead victim's boss,,another controlling man. However, in order to pull those emotions from me shows that there was a well-written plot. The ending was totally unexpected.

Many thanks to the author / Kensington Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of THE STEPDAUGHTER. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

This is a hybrid between domestic noir, police procedure, and a murder mystery.
Is is a slow build told from two POVs that of the mother and the daughter.

Elise and her family moved to a small town hoping for a fresh start to her miserable marriage. She is married to a self centered, abusive, and womanizer doctor who is also very manipulative. They have a daughter.
The things take a drastic turn when a girl was murdered, and Elise believes that her daughter knows more about the murder than what she is telling.

As in a small town setting, there are always dark secrets and it is up to the detective to uncover the truth from all the lies.

Its an interesting premise, but the action was largely slow and not much surprises were happening.
Also I guessed most of the twists although the final one was unpredictable and brought the story to a fitting conclusion.

3.5**** Thanks #Netgalley, the publisher and author for an ARC in exchange for a fair review.

The constant flipping back-and-forth between characters in this book made it much more difficult to read then had the story flowed continuously
When 16 yr old Hollie goes missing secrets start to come out. Her best friend, Niamh has sworn to Hollie she will keep her darkest secret but at what cost.. Meanwhile the marriage between Niamh's parents Andrew and Elise is crumbling. Secret text and phone calls are becoming increasingly common and neither will break the silence on who they are talking to.
As the search for Hollie continues (not giving many spoilers) the truth starts to unravel. We learn that Andrew and Elise's son Dylan had been Hollie's boyfriend and that the suicide happened not long after their breakup.
Each character has different thoughts of why they broke up however Niamh knows the truth
Did it have something to do with her disappearance?
The other underlying storyline in this book is the child porn ring that the male main characters have gotten involved in. In some ways it adds so the complexity of the story but in other ways it detracts from the main story line