I’d like to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Evidence’ by K L Slater in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Ten years ago Simone Fischer was sentenced to eighteen years in prison for the killing of her husband Grant. She has now agreed to give an exclusive interview to Esme Fox to be recorded for her podcast ‘The Speaking Fox’ hoping that the Court will be pushed for a retrial due to the circumstances of the crime. Esme strikes up a friendship with Simone as she has just separated from her husband Owen and sees similarities in Simone’s marriage to her own, but Esme’s world implodes when her sister Michelle is found severely injured and dumped in woods.

I love everything K L Slater writes and ‘The Evidence’ is no exception. Although slow to start the story gathers pace and helped by the extracts from the interviews with Simone, it becomes more tense as Esme finds herself unable to concentrate on the podcast as her private life unravels. It’s been so difficult trying to decide which, if any, of the characters Esme can trust and it’s kept me guessing long into the night as the many twists and turns have changed my mind and altered my opinion. By the time I reached the last few chapters I was open-mouthed in surprise that the author could think up such a devious and unexpected ending. Once again we’ve been given a stunningly brilliant thriller, thoroughly exciting and impossible to put down, highly recommended and definitely worthy of five stars.

The story centres around Esme, a journalist, who is doing a podcast about Simone who is in prison for killing her husband. Simone has not spoken about her conviction, but now she trusts Esme to help her clear her name. He was abusive and she killed him in defence.

We are also brought through the life of Esme, and her son and estranged husband who is not so happy being estranged!

As usual, KL Slater keeps you guessing until the very very end of this story, unputdownable!

Esme Fox has just started a new business of true crime podcasts called "The Speaking Fox." She has separated from her husband but things are going well. Her son, Zachary, was injured in a hit and run, needs additional care so her sister, Michelle, lives with them to help Esme and she also works for Esme at the new business.

Esme has landed the opportunity to interview, Simone Fischer. The interview takes place on the tenth year of her eighteen year sentence, who has been incarcerated for killing her abusive husband and is breaking her silence by telling Esme the true story. Esme is determined to find what really happened in what she believes, with Simone's many followers and supporters, to be a wrong conviction.

The Evidence is a wonderful psychological thriller. I love the characters and can relate to trying to care for her son and work at the same time being pulled in many directions.. There are many twists and turns in this story and Esme will learn many truths about her family before all is revealed.

Everyone's heard of Simone Fischer. The young mother accused of killing her husband in cold blood, one sunny afternoon, while their son was playing in the room next door. So when journalist Esme sees Simone sitting across the table from her in jeans and a lemon tunic top, she is struck by her ordinariness. Then Simone begins to tell her story of an abusive relationship where she was a prisoner in her own home, and Esme decides the truth must come out.

This is a tricky book to review as I don't want to give away any spoilers. Simone has never told her side of the story until now and Esme's obnoxious mother-in-law is there to "help out". Esme hopes to further her career by interviewing Simone for her podcast, This is one rollercoaster read that you won't want to put down. This is an intriguing read with some unexpected twists. The characters are well developed and believable. This is a gripping and thought provoking read.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #KLSlater for my ARC of #TheEvidence in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first K.L. Slater book, and honestly, I was super impressed. This book grabbed my attention, and I couldn't wait to see what happened. Lots of twists at the end, and I didn't figure it all out, which is always a nice bonus to a book!

Journalist, Esme, sets out to reveal the real truth about why Simone Fischer, who's currently in jail, murdered her husband. While Esme longs to discover everything she can about why Simone snapped, some are unhappy she's bringing the case back into the limelight. Once Esme's sister is attacked and left for dead in the woods, Esme's world is turned upside down, and she fears what may happen next.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I will definitely be reading more K.L. Slater books in the future! Highly recommend this one.

What an incredible ride this book was!
Kudo's to the author for writing a well written, well executed story!
The twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat, and I couldn't wait to see how everything would play out.

Great story!

A podcast ignites a load of trouble for Esme Fox and starts her on a journey that will set so many of her ideas and life into turmoil.

Esme is set to conduct several interviews with Simone Fischer, a woman who was convicted of the heinous crime of murdering her husband while her young son played computer games in the next room. As this seems to be a podcast that will set Esme's newly formed media company on the path to success, Esme becomes totally involved in its production. Esme has recently separated from her husband and has a young son who had been seriously injured in a hit and run accident happening a bit ago and leaving him with injuries that will plague him his entire life.

Esme also has her sister, Michelle, working as part of her staff and added to Esme's worries is that her sister has been brutally beaten and is in the ICU. As her life unravels, her husband Owen, begins to merge himself back into Esme's life. He is annoying, pushy, and controlling but what can Esme do as she needs help with their son?

Shocking details pepper this story and as the podcasts continue so do revelations that seem to have Esme going in confusing and emotionally trying directions.

This was a nice twisty book that kept the reader guessing and offered a convincing story line. Definitely recommended for those who like to get caught up in strange goings on.

Thank you to K.L. Slater, Bookouture, and net Galley for a copy of this book die out on July 1, 2021.

My second book by K.L Slater and another great read!

Simone murdered her husband and up until now has refused to speak to any media outlets about what happened, then in comes Esme Fox and her Speaking Fox podcast, the only person in the media that Simone will speak to about what really happened that day! Esme is excited to finally be able to tell Simones story in her own words, hopefully get Simone a retrial and at the same time boost the popularity of Esmes brand new podcast company. However Esme did not count on her own personal life falling apart as she tries to tell Simones story, threats and manipulation are the order of the day and as secrets and lies come out Esme starts to wonder who she can actually trust.

I really enjoyed this book. Originally I thought I might struggle with the format as it began kind of like an interview but I soon overcame that especially as the interview formats were tiny. I can’t lie at the start I wasn’t sure I liked Esme, she seemed quite ditzy and all over the place but I soon realised this wasn’t the case and in fact she was juggling so many things I was shocked she managed to stay sane. I really didn’t like Owen or his over bearing nasty mother Brooke. By half way into the book I was so drawn in and I have to say the detail the ICU scene went into really raised my stress level and I felt I was really there! Kudos to the author for invoking this in me. There were definitely a couple of times during this book I was left with my mouth gaping open and I didn’t actually guess the big twist at the end.

A really enjoyable book and I highly recommend for fans of psychological thrillers. As I said before, when reviewing another book by K.L Slater, I can’t wait to read more from her.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and K.L Slater for my advanced reading copy. Due out 1st July 2021

The Evidence by K.L. Slater had a couple different storylines going at once. Esme had recently started a new business with her sister - at the same time she is separating from her husband. In her new job cresting podcasts, she is spotlighting a convicted killer who plead guilty to killing her husband. During this time, Esme’s sister goes missing. There is a lot going on and this thriller had me guessing what was going to happen next.

The Evidence by K. L. Slater

Esme Fox, a journalist, has secured and interview with Simone Fischer! Simone is accused of killing her husband, Grant, while their son played video games in the next room. Esme recently started her media company and is hoping her podcast on the story will help her company grow. Simone has never told anyone about her story, until now.

In the midst of interviewing Simone, Esme’s sister, Michelle, goes missing. A coincidence?

Her sister is finally found, badly beaten and left for dead.

Esme’s husband, Owen, in which she is currently separated from is trying to move back in with her against her wishes.

Their son, Zachary, suffers from physical and mental injuries sustained from a hit and run incident.

Can Esme get to the truth of what happened to her sister? Who can she trust?

I really enjoy reading Slater’s books! This is my second!! I kept wanting to read more to know what was going to happen! I’d rate it a 4! There were some parts of the book that I felt dragged on. But she still kept me interested. Although I did guess one of the main happenings I still enjoyed this read!!

Thank you K. L. Slater, Bookouture and NetGalley for the advance copy to read in return for my honest review!

Another brilliant book from K.L. Slater.
This one had me completely hooked and I loved it.
Esme has set up her own business and is recording a podcast with a woman who has been charged with the murder of her husband.
Esme visits Simone and we gradually find out what happened to her husband, and what events led up to his death.
Esme has her own challenges at home with her son who needs her and an ex husband who is trying to wheedle his way back into the family home.
I won’t say what else happens in the book as it will spoil it, but there’s a few shocks in store that will have you racing through the pages to find out how it all turns out.
This is a gripping read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

My Review:

KL Slater has done it again. She just proved once again why she is The Queen Of Suspense. I have read so many of her books over the years but this one tops the cake. This book had it all. I’m so happy I read it but so sad that it ended. I’m definitely looking forward to her next book.

Now let’s talk about the book. There was a specific quote from the book that really summed up the whole book for me. That quote was, “There was nothing like the love of a mother”. This was a reoccurring theme during the whole book and really rings true for all of us mothers out there. Every single one of us would do anything for our child no matter what the cost it to us. Just remember this while reading this book. On to the characters. My favorite was Esme as she was so strong and fierce. She was the type of person that if I knew her in real life I would totally look up to her. She fought for the truth and wouldn’t stop at nothing until she got it. Next up is the plot. I loved how this book centered around finding justice for a woman convicted of killing her abusive spouse. This is a topic that really hits home for me and something as a society should talk more about. There is so much more than physical abuse as this book shows. There is also mental abuse which can be just as damaging maybe even more so than physical. Now to my favorite part of the book, the ending. Omg, it was a dinger. My mouth stayed open the whole time in complete utter shock. I couldn’t believe what I was reading and how this book was ending. It definitely surprised me which is so hard to do. I loved it.

Between the plot, characters and all the twists in this book it made it an easy and fast read. I would definitely recommend it and happily give it 5 Hearts❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

With The Evidence, K.L. Slater remains among my top favorite authors.

As Esme tells the story of Simone through a serialized podcast, her own life begins to unravel. Esme is just trying to do the right thing, while unbeknown to her, people around her (husband, co-workers, her mother-in-law) are throwing obstacles in her way. But Esme remains on her path, investigating a brutal attack on her sister, Michelle, and a woman's imprisonment for a crime of passion (Simone). She's also trying to work out her home situation, shielding her son Zach from his aunt's injuries, and her husband's unsavory goings on.

I also loved the characterization of Brooke, Esme's mother-in-law, who comes in to "save the day" when Esme is left without a sitter and trying to juggle visits to the prison and hospital. Brooke just starts taking over, forcing Esme to examine her relationship with her husband - is he just like his mom, or is he more like Simone's controlling husband?

There are so many twists and turns at the end you won't see coming. An ideal finish to a great story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advance reader's copy for review.

This was my second K.L Slater book and I liked this one the best so far. I definitely plan to read more of her books. The situation in this book was a little more plausible and equally as stressful. I really liked the twists in this book and I didn't see a few of them coming.

Some of the characters in this book are just awful people. It is easy to feel trapped and stressed out for the MC Brooke. She was controlled by her soon to be ex-husband and then by her soon to be ex-mother-in-law. There were times that I was very annoyed with her since she let everyone walk all over her.

Thanks Netgalley and publisher for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Thanks to Bookouture, K.L. Slater and NetGalley for the ARC of The Evidence.

I have read a number of books from this author so was fairly hopeful for what The Evidence had in store. It didn't disappoint. Suspecting everything and everyone, false leads, breadcrumbs clues and strong characters throughout, this was a great psychological thriller with a domestic undertone.

Esme Fox is an investigative journalist who has recently launched her own business The Speaking Fox with her sister Michelle. She has been given exclusive access to speak to prisoner Simone Fisher - a woman who was jailed over 10 years ago for the brutal stabbing and murder of her husband Grant whilst their 12 year old son played games in the room next door. She has always claimed her innocence, saying that instead she was the victim of abuse and coercive control. For Esme, this is a great opportunity to get the truth straight from Simone's mouth about what happened that day and change the views of the public about her.

Finding out the truth is something that sits close to home for Esme. Her young son Zach is disabled following a hit and run as a young boy - the driver of the car was never found, and he has never been the same since, suffering both physical and mental trauma and anxiety.

The podcast starts well with the first 2 episodes being hugely successful with their listeners. The gaslighting and control that Simone talks of feels suddenly close to home with Esme realising that at times her own ex husband Owen sometimes behaves in a similar way, even now trying to influence Esme's behaviour and take control, letting himself into their home and expecting life to be normal even though they are no longer together.

Just as a tv show starts to show interest and arranges a crucial meeting, Michelle fails to show which is extremely out of character. When she is later found brutally beaten in the woods and put in an induced coma in ICU - Esme starts to wonder if she has bitten off more than she can chew.

Does someone want to keep the truth of Simone's life a secret? Is her brother who wanted to write his own book of Simone's life responsible? Who was the strange man Zach saw her get into a car with? Can she trust her work colleagues and team members? Or even her ex husband?

K.L.Slater has a real talent in making you suspect everyone, from an early stage providing lots of potential leads, clues and red herrings to keep you on your toes. I didn't see the ending coming at all and I really enjoyed the way this book panned out. A few bits I felt were a little skimmed over at the end (namely the interactions with her inlaws) but overall, I found this a really enjoyable thriller.

Thankyou netgalley for the advance copy of K.L.Slater’s novel The Evidence which I have just finished reading, I was really looking for to reading it but as much as I wanted to enjoy it I just found myself feeling irritated by it, Esme the main character is so blinkered in her life she can not see what is happening around her and with every new event and bombshell she encounters she is so lacklustre with her emotions that I felt frustrated with her, as to the other characters they are played in the usual way of teasing the reader into thinking they are up to something but then changing the direction again. This is usually a good thing but I just felt it lacked something that I can not put my finger on it.
I’m not saying it’s a bad book, the idea is a good one and the way parts of it were like a podcast added some interest and I know I’m in the minority here but it’s not been one of my favourites.

I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for K.L. Slater's latest addictive psychological thriller THE EVIDENCE.

It goes without saying that I am a HUGE fan of Kim Slater and her cunningly twisted thrillers never disappoint and never cease to delight me. As soon as I see one I must have it as I can never resist the pull of the wild ride I am sure to find myself on. And she almost always surprises me...no matter how much I figure out what's going on, she always has an extra twist to throw in. THE EVIDENCE is certainly not what I was expecting and offered something a little different from the usual domestic dramas that generally unfold amidst the twists and thrills. Sure, we get some of that...but we also get something else entirely.

"There are a thousand ways to control and be controlled."

Investigative journalist Esme Fox left her day job to start up her own podcasting business The Speaking Fox with her sister Michelle and has secured a tell-all interview with convicted murderer Simone Fischer, incarcerated ten years ago for the brutal stabbing murder of her husband Grant Fischer. Simone has never spoken up before and when she finally begins to outline her life with Grant and the abuse that lead her to breaking point, Esme recognises similar red flags in her own marriage to estranged husband Owen. The put-downs disguised as compliments, the wit that is really sarcasm, the chipping away at your self-belief. Was this her life too?

Already struggling with life as a single mum, caring for 9 year old Zach who had been partially disabled in a hit and run accident 18 months previous, Esme must also contend with her brash and pushy estranged husband who refuses to accept that their marriage is over as well running a full-time business. She is grateful that her sister Michelle moved in to help with Zach's care and the school run at the times when Esme herself is busy. But despite their separation, Owen continues to behave as if it's just temporary and helps himself around the house that he now no longer lives in. Michelle, however, is quick to point out to Esme the liberties that Owen keeps making and so she finds herself in a bit of a quandary because Zach adores his father and longs for him to move back home so they could be a family again.

Due to his injuries sustained in the accident, Zach often wakes at night in extreme pain and suffers from ongoing anxiety. As a result, Esme tends to wrap him in cotton wool believing him to be "fragile" whilst tormented by the fact that someone out there has not been brought to justice for the lifelong handicaps they have caused her young son. All the while, Esme continues to juggle her personal life with her new business, often being made to feel guilty, by Owen, for prioritising her visits to a convicted murderer over the needs of their son. But getting the podcast up and running is important because it will guarantee financial stability and security for both herself and Zach, so her long drives to HMP Bronzefield to interview Simone are a necessity.

Then one day, her sister Michelle fails to arrive to an important meeting with the prospect of serialising their podcast for screen and she is left to handle it herself. But her worry for her sister combined with her unfamiliarity with the details Michelle takes care of leaves her looking like an unprepared mess and the meeting is therefore deemed a disaster. She returns home where Owen arrives after collecting their son from school and she leaves them to go in search of the last known places Michelle might have been...to no avail.

A couple of days later two detectives knock at her door with the news that Michelle has been found brutally attacked in some nearby woods and is now in a medically induced coma in ICU. Esme is shocked. Who would want to hurt her sister? Was it a random attack? Or was it targeted? But as Esme begins her own investigation into Michelle's attack alongside her visits to the prison to continue the interviews with Simone for her podcast, she discovers that things may not be as they appear.

Then when Owen is taken in for questioning and later arrested, Esme finds herself having to contend with her monstrous mother-in-law, Brooke Painter, who then moves herself into her home uninvited and proceeds to take over their lives. The women have never gotten on and Esme is at pains to have her here even now...but as Brooke points out, she needs her to help with looking after Zach while she visits Michelle and "that convicted murderer". But knowing Brooke as she does, she cannot help but suspect that she maybe up to something...but what exactly.

And as her personal life crumbles, Esme continues with her podcast and in the process is confronted with some hard truths and secrets making her doubt who of those closest to her, if anyone, can she trust?

The story is told predominantly from Esme's narrative with the odd chapter devoted to the podcast interviews with Simone. We also hear the voice of one of Esme's colleagues, Justine, gathering intel of some kind for who knows what behind the scenes which leaves the reader with a shadow of doubt as to her loyalty. The characters are all well developed and equally flawed, including Esme who is something of a control freak which then causes resentment in others. But at the same time, the reader is left questioning who to trust and just exactly what their motives are. Brooke is my least favourite character and boy, did she make my blood boil! A fantastic love-to-hate character if ever there was one!

Domestic abuse is a common thread in books today but THE EVIDENCE reveals how it can often fall under the cracks going unnoticed and under the guise of care and concern. It shines a light on gas-lighting and coercive control and that abuse doesn't always leave bruises you can see.

An entertaining, easy read that will have you addicted from the first page, there is some predictability but Kim hoodwinks us with those and then hits us with surprises from out of nowhere that you least expect. There is plenty to keep you guessing whilst you turn the pages long into the night. THE EVIDENCE is sure have you absorbed from beginning to end.

A clever psychological thriller that blends domestic drama with the chilling undercurrent of coercive control, THE EVIDENCE is a page-turner full of surprises.

I would like to thank #KLSlater, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheEvidence in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve always enjoyed K. L. Slater’s books but this one went off the star ratings. If I could have given this more, I would have.

The substance within the pages of this was so thick with things going on.
The characters soon took on shape for me in the vision of my head.

From Esme, to Owen to Michele, Simone, Peter and Andrew to name but a few.
The interaction, the connections and the twists and not so straightforward things kept my interest peaked.

A book readers well known cliche is “ I couldn’t put this book down” which I’m not in the habit of using because it’s used a lot in the book community. BUT, I literally couldn’t put this book down at any time without eagerly awaiting to get back to it.

The unique way this thriller was written I had to double check it was by K. L. Slater.

It’s not a ‘run of the mill’ thriller/suspense this. It’s just brilliant.

A podcast is going on.
Esme discovers things within her own life.
Some creepy people.
Bullies and manipulative moves going on.

I was full of questions.

How this played out and how it all came together I thoroughly enjoyed.

I’m going to get a physical copy of this to display on my bookshelf for all to see.

This one I won’t forget in a hurry.


Now and again you come up with a book that WOWS you, this was it for me

Esme is a woman with a lot going on in her life. Her son Zachary was the victim of a hit and run some moths ago and has some disabilities as a result. She is currently separated from her husband and her sister was just beaten and left for dead. Meanwhile, Esme is interviewing Simone who was convicted of murdering her husband and has never told her story until now. And as if that isn't enough, her obnoxious mother in law comes to "help out".
With all of this going on it's no wonder Esme is feeling overwhelmed. But she sticks with her plan to further her career by interviewing Simone for her podcast.
A fast paced read with interesting characters and several twists and turns.
Not my first book by this author and it will not be my last!

Thanks to netgalley and Bookouture for the arc.

Thanks NetGalley, Bookouture and K.L. Slater for a copy to review.
Fast paced engaging thriller from the talented best seller K.L. Slater, not my first read for her and absolutely not the last.
Esme is producing a podcast about a woman convicted of brutally killing her husband while her son was playing computer games in the next room. She never talked about what truly happened until now on the podcast.
Meanwhile Esme's sister got attacked and left to die, her attacker unknown.
Esme is having other issues to deal with, supporting her nine years old son who was a victim of a hit & run accident that left him scarred emotionally and physically as well as trying to cut her husband out of her life.
You will keep guessing and suspecting everybody till the very end.
I absolutely loved it.