Thoroughly enjoyed joyable read full of suspense. The main character is Emma who is suffering mainly from a psychological illness affecting her mobility and living with her mother and step father who treats her abominablly. There are lots of twists and surprises in the storyline and I would recommend this as a great read.

A very solid and gripping read, this was my first book by this author but I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for more

Absolutely brilliant book!
I am a big fan of this author and love the writing style!
I cant wait to read more!

As a chronically ill person, I adored how the novel doesn't shy away from the darkness in sickness. The simmering rage against a society that demeans and marginalises is perfectly articulated in Emma. Characters like Peter are apt vessels for the challenges faced by a lack of empathy chronically ill people face. Without giving anything away, the novel retains authenticity whilst allowing for a victory of sorts, which I very much enjoyed! Bring on way more novels with ill protagonists being angry and raw!

This was such a clever, twisty and addictive thriller. It certainly kept me guessing.

The first half was a slow burn, getting to know and understand our main players. You really do appreciate Emma’s situation and isolation due to her illness. Her stepfather is truly awful to her but she feels stuck as she cannot work and take care of herself and her daughter. Her hope is wonderful when she meets Adam, a good looking doctor who cares about her.

I really appreciated the way the author deal with the characters illness, a somewhat invisible one that had people thinking she was faking it or taking advantage of things. As somebody who has been there, it was refreshing to see a character like Emma, who was still tough and determined. After reading the author’s note, I see that it comes from his own personal experiences.

There is much talk about birds in this book which really creeped me out as someone who is not a bird lover! it worked in the story but images of all these birds did little to keep me calm!

A unique thriller thatI can highly recommend.

Thanks to Avon Books UK for my early copy of this book to read. Published on March 27th.

A heart-stopping thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The plot is packed with unexpected twists, driving the suspense to a nail-biting climax. Though some characters could be more developed, the intense pacing and clever storyline make it hard to put down.

I was instantly drawn to this book by the description and the cover, I was eager to read it.

Emma is sick of everything in her life. Except for her boyfriend Adam. I absolutely loved the way the author slowly built everything up. You never knew who to trust.

I really liked Emma although really she should be pretty unlikeable, but you can’t help but like her. She struggles with her illness and terrible family life. But she is stronger than anyone thought and sick just not how you think.

The twists and turns in this were so good and the last chapter!? So so good. Such a brilliant read. Highly recommend it.

I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for an early copy.

This was a very enjoyable and impressive book, - it went in a direction I definitely didn't expect! All of the characters were flawed and selfish which made for a very interesting read. Plenty of very surprising twists and turns, I think this maybe the first book from this author, I will certainly look out for more from them.

Wow. What a story. I was deeply invested from the start.
I wish the uncle would've gotten more justice served. Such a bad man.

Sick to Death by Chris Bridges ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Emma suffers from a functional neurological disorder that keeps her from working, living alone and even caring for her daughter. She lives in her familys home with an unsufferable step father, scheming step sister and mother who doesn't stand up for her. She mets Adam who happens to live down the street and also happens to be married. They connect and together plot the death of his wife and her step father but things aren't always what they appear.

I really enjoyed this novel, lots of drama and lies!

This is a remarkable debut; well written with skilful plotting and a host of well depicted characters. Emma, the central figure isn’t having the best life. It’s not helped by those closest to her but then things change. I liked the way the first part of the book carefully and fairly slowly sets the scene. The reader gets to know the people and a bit of back story. Then the tension starts to ramp up, the plot thickens, and there are twists and then some. Much faster pace which has you racing through the pages. I had no idea how it would pan out and found this an immersive and rather clever story. Chris Bridges is definitely an author to watch.

I enjoyed the first half of this book as a standard thriller/woman snapping after being treated terribly by those around her…but then I started reading the second half and I was completely hooked and obsessed. I adored this book. It was so cleverly done and I was really rooting for the main characters throughout. I am so glad that I enjoyed it as the author has been really nice when he’s interacted with my instagram posts about books (we seem to have very similar tastes in books so it was inevitable that I’d love his work!).

Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Chris Bridges’ “Sick to Death” is an unconventional psychological thriller that delves into the dark corners of illness, isolation, and desperation. With a sharp focus on Emma, a woman battling a debilitating neurological condition and the suffocating limitations it imposes, the book explores how desperation can lead to morally ambiguous choices.

At its core, “Sick to Death” is Emma’s story. Living with her unwelcoming family in a cramped, stifling environment, Emma feels unseen and unsupported. Her encounters with Adam, a kind and charismatic doctor, offer a glimmer of hope. But Adam’s wife, Celeste, stands as an obstacle to Emma’s dreams of happiness, leading Emma down a dark and twisted path. As events unfold, Emma’s illness and her obsession with freedom—symbolized by her fascination with birds—drive the story forward, creating a narrative rich in tension and psychological depth.

Bridges skillfully conveys Emma’s emotional and physical struggles, with the depiction of her illness feeling authentic and tactfully handled. The author’s note sheds light on the inspiration for the story, adding an educational layer for those unfamiliar with the challenges of living with an invisible disability. Emma’s feelings of entrapment and the way they manifest in her darker actions make her a complex and, at times, unsettling protagonist.

The first half of the novel excels in building atmosphere and suspense, oscillating between oppressive darkness and moments of hope. Emma’s perspective immerses readers in her isolated world, making her inner turmoil palpable. However, the second half of the book, which shifts to multiple perspectives, injects much-needed momentum and expands the narrative scope. While this shift enhances the tension, it also introduces some repetitiveness and a few overly convenient plot points.

The climax and resolution felt a bit rushed. The mystery’s conclusion is cleverly executed, but the true ending—rooted in Emma’s personal growth and moral reckoning—leaves a lingering unease that aligns with the psychological thriller genre.

Overall, “Sick to Death” skillfully represents Emmy’s invisible disability with care, adding depth and authenticity while the evolving tone and suspenseful atmosphere keep you engaged throughout. Despite a bit of a slow build-up in the beginning and a bit of an abrupt ending, Emma’s morally complex, multifaceted character kept me engaged throughout. “Sick to Death” is a disturbing and thought-provoking psychological thriller that combines dark twists with themes of illness, isolation, and moral ambiguity. Readers looking for a slow-burn thriller with psychological depth and unexpected turns will find much to appreciate here.

I’m often drawn to a book by the title or the blurb and this book drew me in with both. Sick To Death is Chris Bridges’ debut novel due to be published in February 2025.

Emma is our narrator and main character. She suffers from a debilitating condition. This leaves her unable to work or even care for her young daughter. She has had to move back to her childhood home. There, she lives with her mother, step-father and step-sister in a cramped home. Her step-father is a nasty bully and her mother is a doormat. Her life is basically either visits to the hospital or sleeping, unable to function.

It’s whilst she is leaving the hospital she meets Adam, a young doctor. Quickly they strike up a friendship which then turns into a relationship. The only problem is that Adam has a wife, but Emma is determined this little problem can easily be removed, permanently.

This story has elements of Strangers on A Train with a huge dollop of The Kind Worth Killing and it really ticked all the boxes for me to give it a 5 star review.

So, if you enjoy books with unreliable narrators, twisted individuals, dysfunctional families, secrets and lies and plenty of twists, then I would definitely recommend Sick To Death.

I can’t wait to read more from this author.

What a twisty read. I really enjoyed it and flew through the book

Thanks for the opportunity to review

Compelling Suspenseful Drama..
Emma’s a neurological condition means that everyone has an opinion of her - not all of them good, certainly not all of them helpful. Emma has a boyfriend. Her boyfriend has a wife. That, in itself, is a problem for Emma. Compelling domestic drama with a well written cast of characters, a menacing undertone and a suspenseful and pacy narrative. Multiple points of view and short snappy dialogue keeps momentum throughout as tension ratchets and the author maintains a thread of authenticity with the main character whilst writing with empathy.

This is a psychological thriller that delves into the life of Emma, a woman grappling with a neurological condition that has left her unable to work and confined to her family's cramped council house. The novel explores themes of illness, frustration, and the human desire for control and autonomy which feels more and more like real life and ot fiction!

Emma's character is complex and multifaceted. She is sick in more ways than one: physically debilitated, tired of being dismissed and told to "get over it," and fed up with being the other woman in a love triangle with her boyfriend Adam and his wife, Celeste. Emma's illness and her role as the other woman are not her only defining traits, though. She is also portrayed as cunning and determined, with a plan to target Celeste.

The portrayal of Emma's neurological illness is a standout aspect of the book, offering a window into the impact such a condition can have on a person's life. The author, Chris Bridges, has been commended for the vivid depiction of Emma's struggles and the oppressive atmosphere of her life.

"Sick to Death" promises to be a novel that not only entertains but also provokes thought about the challenges faced by those living with chronic illnesses.

Really struggled with this one, sadly was a DNF for me :( just couldn’t get into it. However that may be more of a reflection on me and my ability to focus when I’m not immediately drawn in!

Our main lead character – although this one is told from multiple perspectives – is Emma, a single mother who has a chronic neurological condition which limits her abilities to have a “normal” life. Stuck in the household with her mother, step-father and step-sister, Emma doesn’t have a happy life. She meets a man and falls in love, but he also has an unhappy life, trapped in a marriage he doesn’t want to be in. Maybe they can help each other find a way out?

Enjoyed this one for about ¾ of the way through. After the scene setting, some nice suspense building up, some clever surprises along the way. A little disappointed with the ending, I have to confess, as I felt the tension released earlier than I’d like, and no major suspense in the concluding chapters.

A bit of a slow-burner for me, this one. I struggled to get into it at first and felt there was too much focus on Emma’s illness. As the story progressed, I found it easier to read but didn’t really relate to any of the characters and found the story to be a little far-fetched. I appreciate this is fiction, but I didn’t think the events fitted with Emma’s character.
A good plot but I think the characters could have been stronger. 3⭐️