I really enjoyed this book! It held my attention throughout the entire book. I would definitely recommend this book to any mystery, thriller, crime readers! As a first time author, this is a very impressive read and I will be sure to recommend it to others! Thank you to NetGalley and Sarah Hornsley for the ARC!

A really great read! The writing was captivating and the twists were too! One I would definitely recommend. Thanks for the early access

This was like Freida but more grown up? I don't know how to describe it, I love Frieda but sometimes the resolutions can be a bit unbelievable and dramatic, this was tense and captivating I had a hard time putting it down, it has all the ingredients of a great thriller, characters are fully fleshed and authentic, found myself firmly invested in their story, fantastic plot I didn't see most of the twists which is so refreshing (I like to think I'm quite good at guessing where a book is going) highly recommend this to fans of psychological/family drama thrillers!

The book is intense, gripping and unputdownable. The revelation at the end was shocking. The ending was so unexpected. I do recommend this book.

Thanks to the publisher and author.

📖 Released 1 July 2025

Some secrets refuse to stay buried.

Sarah Hornsley’s Bad Blood is a diabolical psychological thriller that grips from the first page and doesn’t let go. Told across dual timelines—18 years apart—and shifting perspectives, the novel masterfully unravels a tangled web of secrets, betrayals, and dark pasts that refuse to stay hidden.

When ambitious criminal lawyer Justine Stone lands her first murder trial, she’s ready to prove herself—until she sees the accused. Jake Reynolds. Her first love, the boy who vanished from her life years ago, now standing trial for a brutal double homicide. To convict him, she needs to be absolutely certain of his guilt. But the search for truth drags her back to her hometown, a place filled with memories of loss, pressure, and unresolved trauma. And when her brother Max disappears, it becomes chillingly clear that the past and present are more connected than she ever imagined.

Hornsley’s writing is sharp and immersive, weaving an atmosphere thick with tension. Each perspective—Justine, Jake, Max, and Eleanor—adds depth, making the story feel layered and compelling. The pacing is relentless, with twists that keep you second-guessing until the final, satisfying reveal.

Unputdownable and utterly absorbing, Bad Blood is a gripping tale of family dysfunction, long-buried secrets, and the ghosts of first love. If you love thrillers that are dark, smart, and compulsively readable, this one is for you.

💀 Highly recommended for fans of Gillian Flynn, Lisa Jewell, and Tana French.

📚 Thank you to NetGalley and @hodderbooks for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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This was a wonderful book full of twists and turns, I didn't see what was coming!
If you're interested in books like Freida, this gives a similar vibe.

Bad Blood is an outstanding debut novel full of exciting twists and turns. An absolute page-turner, you won't be able to put this one down!