The perfect marriage. The perfect house. The perfect secret...
As I step through the cherry-red door of my new home, I know I should feel like the luckiest woman alive. I have a handsome husband, a beautiful daughter and now the house of my dreams. And to everyone else my life looks perfect...
When the neighbours stop by to welcome us, I tell them my name is Stephanie Hamlin and, under the watchful gaze of my husband Richard, I introduce him and our curly haired little girl Poppy. I smile as wide as I can and desperately hope I can fit in to this exclusive place with its pretty communal gardens. Because I've risked everything to be here.
Behind closed doors I try to relax, to unwind in the huge clawfoot bath and forget about my complicated past. It's hard being the new couple on the street when you've got secrets.
Because the truth is, my charming husband isn't really my husband.
And I'm not Stephanie Hamlin...
An absolutely gripping psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the last page. If you love Behind Closed Doors, My Lovely Wife and The Perfect Couple, you'll be hooked.
What readers are saying about Alison James:
'Oh my god! This had me on the edge of my seat, read it in one sitting... Fantastic... I was completely gripped... Absolutely loved it, totally deserves five stars.' Bonnie's Book Talk, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'WOW!! This book grabs you in from the first chapter and just doesn't let go. I stayed up until 2am just to finish it, it was that good. Five stars-a must read!!' NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Wow... I finished this in less than 24 hours, desperate to find out what happened!' Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Just brilliant, I loved every page and couldn't put it down... Brilliantly addictive... Left me wanting more... A very worthy five stars from me.' NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Totally gripping and addictive, this is definitely one of the best psychological thrillers I've ever read. Such a clever plot, and excellent characters, it will completely pull you in and not let you go until the end.' Sibzzreads, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'A MUST READ, this book is crying out to be made into a film. A very happy reader and definitely left me wanting more.' Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Absolutely brilliant!! So many twists and turns from the start. I was kept on the edge of my seat and enthralled throughout. A hair-raising family psychological thriller. I would highly recommend it.' Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
They seemed like the perfect family. But their secrets are about to come out...
I push open the door to the beautiful French villa and my clever, handsome husband and adorable wide-eyed children follow me inside, taking in the breath-taking view. This should be a blissful summer break, filled with sun, swimming and relaxation but the truth is very different.
Because my husband has just revealed the real reason we're here.
When our friends staying at the sprawling villa greet us on the sun-soaked terrace, I smile brightly and attempt to calm my nerves. If I can just behave normally, everything will be fine. But if any one of the people sitting around the clear, blue pool discovers the truth my whole world could be shattered.
So I have to pretend we're the perfect family and I'm the perfect wife - all the while knowing that our lies could destroy us.
If our secrets begin to unravel, how far will my husband and I go to protect them? And will two weeks in the sun end in murder...?
What readers are saying about Alison James:
'One word: WOW!... Brilliant, fast-paced and it kept me guessing throughout... Perfect... From the very first page I was drawn in and I couldn't put the book down, it was so good I read it in a day!' NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
How well do you know your husband?
Since Alice's fianc walked out on her, she never thought she'd meet 'The One'. But all that changes when she meets Dominic. Handsome, charming and kind, Alice can't believe her luck when he proposes a few months later and moves into her West London home.
Three years on, Alice's catering business is thriving and she is married to a man she adores. So when she sees that little blue line, it should be the happiest moment of her life: they're going to have a baby. But then the police knock on her door and Alice's whole world is turned upside down... Dominic is dead.
Distraught, Alice goes to identify the body. There's no doubt that it's her husband. Yet when his estranged brother comes to view the coffin, he insists the man lying there is not Dominic. Alice refuses to believe it at first, but when confronted with irrefutable proof she finally has to face the truth:
The man she married is not the person he said he was. And if he lied about that, what else was he hiding from her?
An absolutely gripping psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the last page. If you love Behind Closed Doors, My Lovely Wife and Friend Request, you'll be hooked on The Man She Married.
What readers are saying about The Man She Married:
'Had me firmly in its grasp from the very first page. The twists just kept coming, and I tore through this one at warp speed in a desperate bid to unravel it all... gripping and addictive.' Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
'Could hardly but this book down, read it in a few hours. So many twists and turns, kept me guessing all the way through ' Netgalley Reviewer, 5 stars
'Another great book from Alison James. Fast paced story, full of twists and turns... I couldn't put it down and read it in a day.' Netgalley Reviewer, 5 stars
'Didn't take me long to devour this book. Keeps you on your toes... ' Goodreads Reviewer
'This is a book full of twists and turns it will keep you guessing til the end.' Netgalley Reviewer
'Alison James' thriller is enthralling... novel revealed a few twists I had not predicted so it kept my attention.' Goodreads reviewer
I let her into my home. And now she's destroying my life...
I open the creaking oak front door of my beautiful country house to see a stranger on my doorstep. The woman is stunning with glossy red hair and flawless make up. 'Can I help you?' I ask.
That was my first mistake.
Alexis tells me she is a distant relative and shows me a DNA match on her phone. She has no family and would love to get to know us. My husband Hugh invites her in to join our dinner party. As we drink wine, she opens up about her sad childhood. Her amber eyes are mesmerising and I can see my husband is being drawn in by her story. Then she asks for our help.
Saying yes was the second mistake.
As Alexis and Hugh spend time together, swimming in our luxurious pool and playing tennis in the sunshine, my husband grows distant and the deep cracks in our relationship begin to show. And when our house guest gets me to open up about my marital problems, I start to wonder why she's really here.
And then I discover a secret about Alexis that makes my blood run cold.
Am I being paranoid? Or will inviting Alexis into our home destroy my marriage? And is it too late to get rid of her, before she puts our lives in danger...?
An absolutely addictive and unputdownable psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the last page. For anyone who loves Ruth Ware, Freida McFadden and Claire McGowan.
What readers are saying about Alison James:
'One word: WOW!... Brilliant, fast-paced and it kept me guessing throughout... Perfect... From the very first page I was drawn in and I couldn't put the book down, it was so good I read it in a day!' NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Absolutely unputdownable!... I loved everything about this book... I found myself desperate to come back to the book!... I would 100% recommend this... my favourite book of the year so far.' @amandasbookcase, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
She rolls over and reaches for her instinctively: her baby. Her hand hits air and flaps redundantly. She stumbles out of bed and switches on the light. But this only confirms it. The baby is gone. Someone has taken her.
Sixteen years ago, Lizzie Armitage woke to find her newborn baby gone. Just days later, Lizzie was dead.
Her sister Paula swore she would do everything she could to find the child. If she hadn't promised to keep Lizzie's pregnancy secret, maybe the baby wouldn't have disappeared. And maybe Lizzie would still be alive. But, in nearly a decade, Paula's never found any trace. Until now...
When Paula bumps into an old friend from the past, she realises she wasn't the only one who knew about her sister's child. Someone knows what happened that day. Someone knows where Lizzie's baby went.
But can Paula find out the truth before another family is ripped apart?
A twisty, unputdownable psychological thriller that will keep you hooked until the last page. Fans of Behind Closed Doors, Friend Request and The Girl on the Train will love Her Sister's Child.
'Wow what a read!... I was up all night reading this... An absolutely gripping psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the last page... Full of mystery and suspense with twists and turns to keep you on your toes, I was completely hooked... Gives you goosebumps.' Once Upon a Time Book Blog, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'WOW!!!!! Hooked from the first page and read this book in one sitting... Full of tension and suspense. A real page turner, a domestic noir but OMG so much more!!!!!' Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Absolutely one of the best books I have ever read... Exceptional' NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
At a luxury resort in Mauritius, two newlywed couples are on honeymoon. On the surface, they seem to have it all. But behind the filtered photos and fake smiles is the truth...
Tansy isn't really in love.
Daniel is trying to escape the biggest mistake of his life.
Nikki's past is catching up with her.
Arne's heart is about to be broken.
They all have secrets. And before the honeymoon is over, their happiness will be shattered.
Because one of them is going to die...
This dark, addictive thriller will have you gripped until the final, shocking twist. Fans of Behind Closed Doors, The Guest List and The Wife Between Us will be hooked by the latest page-turner from US top five bestseller Alison James.
Why readers are gripped by Alison James:
'I held my breath all the way through, wanting, yet not wanting to know the outcome. Spectacular read.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I gasped out loud and my jaw hit my chest several times. I could not put this book down and just kept on reading to be able to get to the end.' Fiction Vixen Reads
'Oh. My. God... I am all tingly inside, filled with excitement of this fast paced, suspenseful, a minute a twist thriller... I had to scream out loud when I finished the book... It took me on a dizzying ride, a perfect roller coaster.' Book Reviews by Shalini, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
An ordinary journey. A shocking secret. And the perfect murder...
Hattie travels on the 18.53 train home every night. She sits in the same seat, in the same carriage, and sees the same people. The unwritten rule is you don't talk to your fellow passengers, but Hattie has been watching them all for months now to distract herself from her own troubles.
Then one night a commuter suddenly drops dead. And the terrible accident changes everything.
In the aftershock of the tragic death, the group of strangers huddled around the two tables in carriage 3 strike up a conversation. Boundaries are shattered, connections are made and Hattie becomes tangled up in the lives of her fellow passengers as they travel to and from London every day.
But Hattie has no idea what she's letting herself in for. The ordinary people on her ordinary journey all have dangerous secrets. When another commuter is killed, Hattie suspects someone in carriage 3 is responsible. Who can she trust? And is the truth closer to home and more dangerous than she could have guessed?
An absolutely addictive psychological thriller that will keep you up late into the night. If you love Behind Closed Doors, Gone Girl and The Perfect Couple, you'll be gripped.
What readers are saying about Alison James:
'Oh my god! This had me on the edge of my seat, read it in one sitting... Fantastic... I was completely gripped... Absolutely loved it, totally deserves five stars.' Bonnie's Book Talk, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'WOW!! This book grabs you in from the first chapter and just doesn't let go. I stayed up until 2am just to finish it, it was that good. Five stars - a must read!!' NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Wow, this had me picking up my Kindle at every available opportunity. I finished this in less than 24 hours, desperate to find out what happened!... Kept me gripped from the off... An absolute triumph.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
She took a mouthful of the sweet liquid and started to feel a pounding in her head. Arms went around her waist and she was half lifted and half pulled. The last thing she was aware of was her head hitting a step...
Sixteen-year-old Emily had everything to live for. A bright, beautiful teenager with a promising future ahead of her. But in one night her life is cut short. The police say it's an accident. But her parents think she was murdered.
When Detective Rachel Prince is called in to investigate the shocking death at the height of the Edinburgh festival, her instincts tell her that things are not as they first appear. Something is very wrong.
As the case takes an unexpected turn, Rachel discovers a chilling link with the suspicious death of another international student, who stayed in the same house as Emily two years before.
Just as Rachel finds herself on the hunt for a serial killer, a painful relationship from her own past catches up with her. And Rachel must decide what is more important - catching the killer or keeping her own secrets?
A breath-taking, tense roller-coaster crime thriller featuring unforgettable series detective Rachel Prince. Now She's Gone is perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Peter James and Karin Slaughter.
What readers are saying about the Detective Rachel Prince series:
'I was hooked from page one and couldn't put it down until I'd reached the end. The twists and turns just keep coming... will have you gasping in surprise.' Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
'I held my breath all the way through, wanting, yet not wanting to know the outcome. Spectacular read.' Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
'One of the BEST police procedural thrillers that I have read lately. From the start to the finish, it gripped and held me tight... I can't wait to see more of Rachel Prince.' The Book Nurse, 5 stars
'Had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Jam packed with twists and turns... If you love crime and are as addicted to police procedurals as I am you will love this book 'Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
'Captivated from the first page... plenty of twists and turns... dramatic, stomach wrenching... This book was an awesome start to a new series, I can't wait for the next instalment ' Bonnie's Book Talk
'Omg what a read... I had a few ideas as to what happened... But nothing prepared me for that. Wow. I was shocked. 5 stars Highly recommended.' Sue Wallace Site, 5 stars
'I was hooked from page one and couldn't put it down until I'd reached the end. The twists and turns just keep coming... will have you gasping in surprise.' Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
'Police, please... My daughter's gone ... she's been abducted...'
Michelle Harper's world is shattered when six-year-old Lola Jade is stolen from the safety of her own bedroom. She says her ex-husband has taken their daughter. Lola's father denies it was him.
Family, friends and neighbours all say they didn't see a thing. But someone must know where the little girl is. Who is lying? And who is telling the truth?
Detective Rachel Prince knows the longer a child is missing, the less likely they are to be found alive.
Can Rachel find Lola Jade, before it's too late?
Truly addictive from start to finish, Lola Is Missing is a nail-biting crime thriller that will shock you with the final heart-stopping twist. Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Peter James and Karin Slaughter.
What readers are saying about Lola Is Missing:
'I held my breath all the way through, wanting, yet not wanting to know the outcome. Spectacular read.' Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
'One of the BEST police procedural thrillers that I have read lately. From the start to the finish, it gripped and held me tight... I can't wait to see more of Rachel Prince.' The Book Nurse, 5 stars
'Had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Jam packed with twists and turns... If you love crime and are as addicted to police procedurals as I am you will love this book 'Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
'Captivated from the first page... plenty of twists and turns... dramatic, stomach wrenching... This book was an awesome start to a new series, I can't wait for the next instalment ' Bonnie's Book Talk
'Omg what a read... I had a few ideas as to what happened to Lola Jade. But nothing prepared me for that. Wow. I was shocked. 5 stars Highly recommended.' Sue Wallace Site, 5 stars
'A compelling thriller, absorbing, dramatic and full of action... unexpected twists which kept me guessing till the end. I'm looking forward to reading the second in the series.' Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
'Fabulous, intriguing and thrilling I couldn't wait to find out the conclusion of this story The plot kept me twisting and turning trying to figure out the real culprit I enjoyed it a lot. Looking forward to reading more about Detective Prince.' Goodreads Reviewer
Previously published as The Lying Kind.
Phoebe. Tiffany. Melissa. They all made one little mistake...
When twenty-five-year-old Phoebe Stiles opens the door to her perfect apartment she doesn't realise it's the mistake that will kill her...
The body of the beautiful English girl is discovered months later - dumped behind the back of a department store. But who was the stranger she let into the safety of her home?
As Detective Rachel Prince pieces together the mystery surrounding Phoebe's death, another young, blonde girl is found brutally murdered and abandoned in the grounds of an old theatre.
In the most dangerous case of her career, Rachel must track down the faceless individual to stop the body count rising. But to uncover the shocking truth, Rachel has to put herself at risk... can she catch the twisted killer, before they catch her?
A gripping page-turner that will have you completely hooked until the utterly jaw-dropping twist. Fans of Angela Marsons, Peter James and Karin Slaughter will love this crime series, featuring unforgettable Detective Rachel Prince.
Why readers are gripped by Perfect Girls:
'Hands down one of the best thrillers I've read all year It was so full of mystery and suspense Lots of twists and turns I loved it ' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
'Full of suspense, it was gritty and you didn't know what was coming next... had a hard time putting it down and read late into the night and finished it in a day... you really don't want to miss this one it's one of my favourites so far of 2018 ' Bonnie's Book Talk, 5 stars
'A gripping page-turner that will have you hooked until the twist at the end. I stayed up late just to be able to finish it.... I found myself on the edge of my seat from start to finish. It was just that good Goodreads reviewer
'So gripping you forget about everything else around you.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
'WOW... a brilliant book... an excellent read... gripping...' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
'Chilling... kept me glued to the pages... highly recommend the series to any fans of this genre.'The Book Nurse, 5 stars
'Brilliant... I was gripped from the start.... a heart-stopping conclusion... captivating and enthralling.' Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
'My fav detective in a series, I love her attitude and the way she tackles cases 'head on' and never lets anything stop her until the case is solved... an exciting tense story...' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
I'm Lucy, and I have a secret
I have a beautiful home, that I'm desperate to escape.
But that's not my secret.
I tell my friends I've never wanted children, when I always have.
But that's not my secret.
My husband is a celebrated surgeon, who tries to control me.
But that's not my secret.
Adele knows.
Once upon a time, I knew everything about her and she knew everything about me.
Best friends forever.
But now our secret is beginning to surface.
I can trust her more than anyone. We made a pact.
And she's never do anything to hurt me. Would she?
This absolutely gripping psychological thriller will have you forgetting everything until the last shocking twist. Fans of Behind Closed Doors, Friend Request, and The Girl on the Train will be hooked.
Why readers are gripped by The Friendship Pact:
'Wow What a book ... I mean...Well...just Wow ... A really well thought out plot line that the author has turned into an amazing story. This psychological thriller will have the reader on a roller coaster of emotions. It'll take you on a journey that will linger with you long after the story ends... Honestly, just a brilliant all-round novel One I shall definitely be recommending to everyone A well-earned and deserved 5 stars.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
'A gripping thriller with never-ending twists thrown in.Just when I thought there couldn't possibly be another, one popped up... I gasped with delight and shock I flew through this book in delight and loved every page.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
'A brilliant read An extraordinary read The characters are well depicted...MUST READ for the summer ... a twisty read with many surprises along the way ' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
This throws you into the action from the very first page and doesn't let up until the very last. This is one exceptional book that will keep you up late until the night.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
'A fast-paced, riveting domestic thriller that had me glued to the edge of my seat for the duration. A brilliant read, this one has me clamouring to devour more from the talented Ms James. I could not put this down... This is a gritty, gripping thrill ride of a read that will have you guessing until the final page.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
'Fantastic book. So much detail and a brilliant story and the thought gone into the twists and turns is fab... kept me on the edge of my seat brilliant.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
'What a whirlwind of a book Great read, loved it, kept me guessing.' Goodreads reviewer
'Wow ... There were so many twists by the end that you were glued to the pages as you never knew what was coming next...Between the plot, characters and all the twists in this book it made it an easy and fast read. I would definitely recommend it.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
Discover how Zendaya conquered the worlds of film, TV and fashion to become the face of a generation.
Zendaya is a phenomenon. Beginning as a precocious child star on the Disney Channel, she has since graduated to adult roles in some of the biggest movies of the last five years, including The Greatest Showman, Dune and Marvel's Spider-Man trilogy. In television, she is the star of Euphoria, which has become the second most-watched HBO show of all time after Game of Thrones - in large part thanks to her presence. Today she is, according to some industry analysts, the most popular actor in the world. In this riveting and in-depth biography from the publishers of Harry, Adele and Billie Eilish, journalist and author Alison James explores every aspect of Zendaya's life and career to date. Featuring a stunning, full-color photographic plate section and spanning everything from her early forays into music, to her sensational ascent in the fashion world and her high-profile personal life - including her relationship with Spider-Man co-star Tom Holland - this is the most complete portrait yet of one of the world's hottest stars.Can fiction change the world? Does it in fact do so? From Don Quixote's delusions to Emma Bovary's romantic daydreams, fiction has often portrayed its own effects in negative terms, while contemporary anxieties about video games or virtual worlds revive ancient fears of the confusion between fiction and reality. Beyond these representations and denunciations, there is ample evidence of the influence of fictional universes on real lives, identities, and social practices. Drawn from varied cultures and media, the examples studied here include the political fictions of premodern Japan, uses of fiction in legal cases, and contemporary activist fanfiction. They illustrate the effects of fiction at different scales, from the paradoxes of individual emotional response to large-scale collective action.
Alison James is Professor in the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures at the University of Chicago, Akihiro Kubo is Professor in the School of Humanities at Kwansei Gakuin University, and Françoise Lavocat is Professor of Comparative Literature at the Université Sorbonne Nouvelle.