Simone has been convicted of killing her husband and sent to prison. Amidst nationwide hatred and despise for her, she has secluded herself and has refused to be interviewed. Now, for the first time, she allows a journalist Esme, to interview her. To hear her own side of the story.

The Evidence is fast paced, with each chapter ending in a twist. I love how Esme's life is the main focus of the story. When she thinks everything is going well, her sister goes missing and after some days is found unconscious in a park. That's when the story gets really interesting. It's mindgripping and shocking to say the least. I enjoyed guessing on who I thought was the guilty one and that included Simone. I thought she might prove to be a psychopath pretending to be the victim in her marital life. I wasn't ready for the shocking betrayal towards the end. Esme's mother-in-law is another case of mother-in-law from hell. The nerve of that lady! I can't believe people can be that horrible. But yeah, people can definitely be and worse.

The book discusses a lot of issues including domestic violence. This is very obvious in Simone's life, as her abusive husband was inflicting on her both physically and mentally. I flinched a lot reading how she was manhandled and insulted by him. It really got me furious reading about the inhumane treatment she had to go through. Esme, even though It doesn't look like it, was living with a controlling husband as well. Even though they separated, he was still somewhat trying to control her. I think her interview with Simone helped her realize that she was in a similar situation as well. The signs were all there but she didn't realize. Abuse of this kind could be psychical, psychological, or even emotional. Whichever one it is, abuse is abuse and control is control. Living under these circumstances are depressing and awful. That is why I say Esme and Simone are warriors. Strong women that never give up.

Thank you very much to Netgalley, the Publisher and the author for the arc copy.

I enjoyed K.L. Slater's The Marriage, so I was excited to read The Evidence...and it did not disappoint! The characters were very well-written, and I found it easy to empathize with Esme, Zachary, and Simone (and I was 100% infuriated by Owen and Brooke). This novel is full of secrets and surprising revelations, and I had a hard time putting it down. Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read and review another great K.L. Slater book. : )

3.5 rounded up for past experience by this author

I love this author and the stories I’ve read. They are compelling and suspenseful. This story was good but it was intense and a lot (as far as drama). The timelines were also bit wonky for me. When I got into the groove though, I did really enjoy this ride. This author is pretty solid and I would recommend this and look forward to the next.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Bookouture for a copy in exchange for a review.

A quick page turner! I have read a few of her books and love the suspense of her writing. Simone is serving out her sentence for the murder of her husband and she has never spoken in public about him. She has now agreed to break her silence. What happens next is a surprise.
This book is great at keeping you engaged without the whole book. It’s a rollercoaster of a ride that you will never guess. Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy of this book.

Another great book by K.L. Slater.
This story follows true crime podcaster, Esme who meets up with Simone, a lady convicted of murdering her husband while her son was in the room next door.
Simone has finally decided to speak out about what happened and Esme is convinced there’s more to the story than meets the eye.
This book is so well written, sensitively covering the issues of coercive control, gaslighting and abuse in relationships.
With lots of twists and red herrings thrown in to keep you guessing until the end, I really enjoyed this one.
Great read from start to finish.

More twisty turny brilliantness from the pen of this talented author.
Unusual plots and brilliant twists

Unusually I struggled with The Evidence by K.L. Slater, I’ve loved all her previous books but I was unable to finish this one. I felt this was predictable and I was bored and disappointed in this one. Sore I was unable to finish it.

This is my second or third book by this author and I love them all! She's really good at twists and this book definitely had a few of those that I never saw coming. I was actually shocked at one point, which never happens in a book for me. I also didn't know who might have been the baddie as there were quite a few people in the running for the title. Overall, another solid suspense from someone who is shaping up to be an auto buy author for me!

🔪 Simone Fischer is charged with the murder of her husband and is currently serving her sentence in the HMP Bronzefield women's prison in Middlesex. Esme Fox, a middle aged journalist is determined to project Simone's account of the incident through her podcast program. While everyone is against this podcast, including members of Esme's own family, two sudden misfortunes befall her family, shattering her completely. Someone clearly doesn't want the truth to be uncovered. Will Esme be able to overcome her hardships and uncover the truth behind this ten year old murder?

🔪 The story is quite a gripping psychological thriller with multiple twists. There are multiple POV as well as detailed accounts of domestic abuse and manipulative relationships. I came across the term gaslighting and became aware of the same. All the characters were morally gray so there wasn't a favorite character for me, but I did like the bond between Esme and Simone. The book wraps up in 69 chapters and takes around 4 to 5 hours to complete. The cover design could have been better. The title makes sense only in the climax. Emotional manipulation and betrayal play a vital role in the book so it may act as a trigger for some. Although it is a work of fiction, it felt tlike it was based on a real life incident.

🔪 Recommended to everyone who enjoyed reading The Silent Patient.

This was a captivating, thrilling book with so many twists I couldn't put it down. It's a very fast read and well-written.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.

Loved this! A real edge-of-your-seat thriller with several twists and turns. I particularly liked the relationship between Esme and her son. Don't pass this one up!

The Evidence by K.L.Slater
Esme is working herself to the ground to get her new podcast series and company up and running to give her son the best future possible after he was injured in a hit and run 18 months ago. With support from people close to her - master manipulators Esme fights for the truth and hope and light at the end of the tunnel.

A very enjoyable plot, it is full of betrayal and lies and cleverly leads you down a garden path that has so many branches you won’t know what’s happening until the very end!

I’m a huge fan of K.L Slater so was delighted to get approved for this one on Netgalley. It’s a psychological thriller that will keep you turning the pages. Once I got a good run at it I really got stuck in. There is a lot going on in this book with great twists and turns. The intrigue and suspense just keeps building throughout. Some really likeable characters along with not so likeable ones but that for me really adds to the read. Storyline is an interesting and engaging one that definitely holds your attention. There’s several storylines going on but there so well written the way they intercept and come together. Really enjoyed this read and would recommend.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this ARC thats was published on the 1st of July.

Cohesive control. Such an important issue.

It’s a massive step forward that the law now reflects emotional abuse as well as physical.

This book was shocking and had lots of different strands to it so you never really knew where it was going.

Well written and racy. Excellent read.

What a roller coaster of a read this one was!
From the opening podcast transcript to the closing thoughts on the bonds between a mother and her child, the author did a fantastic job of keeping the tension ratcheted through a compelling narrative.
At first, I didn’t know what to make of Esme. She seemed high-strung and very much like a helicopter parent. Some of her early reactions to co-workers and her son made me question her stability.
However, I could also see how her demeanor was vital to the other characters’ motivations.
That sentence makes sense in the context of the book.
I never really got a bead on Michelle at all. There were only a handful of scenes with her “in person” before other events occurred. After that, everything came from Esme’s point of view. This made it a little difficult to understand why Michelle did what she did.
Yep, speaking in riddles to avoid spoilers. That’s what you’ll get here.
I did like how Justine’s actions were questionable. Was she looking to sabotage Esme because of Esme’s control of pretty much everything? Or was she actually trying to help Esme? Justine’s role in everything was explained quite satisfactorily.
Owen was a real piece of work – but once I “met” his mom, Brooke, I realized that there was no other way that he could have been. I did not see that whole plot thread coming at all, and that was a real jaw-dropper!
I did guess something about Simone early on, but as I mentioned, the author did a fantastic job of throwing just enough red herrings and twists in that I wasn’t sure if I was right or not until close to the end.
What I think I enjoyed most about the book was how Esme’s podcasts of interviews with Simone actually mirrored what Esme was experiencing in real life – and Esme only caught glimpses of it herself.
It’s difficult to see situations for what they really are when you’re smack dab in the middle of them. It sometimes takes outside perspective to shine a light on things.
I just now realized that Esme’s gut was telling her that all along. Wow…didn’t put that together while I was reading. Nicely done on that!
I also just realized that there more parallels between Esme/Zach, Brooke/Owen, and Simone/Andrew than I originally thought.
The power of a good book is that it plants enough seeds that you keep thinking and discovering aspects long after you have finished reading it.
I can’t say much more about this book without going into plot details, and I don’t want to do that, because it’s definitely one that you want to experience on your own, without spoilers.
If you are looking for a taut thriller that will keep you guessing, with some excellent observations on the lengths that mothers will go to in order to protect their sons, this should definitely be at the top of your list.

It's an open and shut case. Simone Fischer murdered her husband in cold blood while her son played in the next room over. Everyone's heard what happened, but no one knows why. And for more than 10 years, she hasn't told anyone. 

Esme Fox is a true-crime podcaster who's hoping she might be able to get Simone to open up. Surprising everyone, Simone agrees to tell her story. She reveals an abusive relationship and horrifying details of what she endured through the marriage. As she talks, Esme sees her own life reflected in Simone's words. Thankfully, Esme was able to avoid the same fate. Her sister supports Esme by helping with her son, injured by a hit and run driver that left him with lifelong injuries. But when Esme's sister disappears and is found close to death after a brutal attack, she searches for the truth as her life begins to unravel. Can she finish the podcast, find her sister's attacker, and hold off her obnoxiously overbearing mother-in-law?

Honestly, the review was tough to write because there are so many twists, turns, and merging plots that I don't want to accidentally give anything away. Just trust me on this one and get the book!

Wow, what an amazing read. We are introduced to Esme who has recently separated from her husband. She also cares for their nine year old son who is still struggling to cope with life changing injuries that he suffered after a hit and run accident two years previously. Esme has set up a media company and is compiling a podcast on the case of Simone. Simone, a young mother, was convicted in 2009 of murdering her husband in cold blood while their young son was playing in the next room. She has always refused to speak about it, even at her trial, but has now agreed to break her silence and be interviewed by Esme. As her story unfolds Esme begins to sympathise as she seems similarities in both their marriages. But Esme receives some devastating news as her sister Michelle, who she jointly runs the media company with and who lives with her, goes missing. She is later found with serious injuries and left abandoned in the woods. Although the story seems slow to start with it gathers pace and becomes more tense as Esme’s private life unravels and she doesn’t know who she can trust. A highly recommended psychological thriller with an unexpected and devious ending.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my copy to review on netgalley. I’ve read a few of her books and wow she is a phenomenal author. The evidence is no exception to this fact !

I raced through this today needing something gritty to get my teeth into. It’s fast paced and completely addictive.

Who can be trusted and is the truth going to be a bitter pill to swallow. Thought provoking and quite close to home for me in some parts.

A real mix of characters…some not so nice id say.

Excellent plot which is unpredictable and exciting to the very last page.

Published 1st July

THE EVIDENCE is a psychological thriller by bestselling author K.L. Slater. I have read all of her books and being a huge fan, I couldn’t wait to read this novel.

Her Novels Include:
Safe With Me (2016)
Blink (2017)
Liar (2017)
The Mistake (2017)
The Visitor (2018)
The Secret (2018)
Closer (2018)
Finding Grace (2019)
The Silent Ones (2019)
Single (2019)
The Apartment (2020)
Little Whispers (2020)
The Girl She Wanted (2020)
The Marriage (2021)
The Evidence (2021)

This is my review of The Evidence.

Esme Fox, is the director of her own small media company, called “The Speaking Fox”. She is a single mum, while still on friendly terms with her to be ex-husband, Owen, is raising her nine-year-old son, Zachary. Esme lives with her sister, Michelle, who works with Esme in the business, and looks after Zachary, who had been a victim of a hit-and-run, and now as a result faces a lot of challenges.

Twenty years ago, Grant Fischer was killed by his own wife, Simone in his kitchen while his son, Andrew, played video games in the next room. She was driven to kill after suffering years of abuse on a daily basis.

Now Simone is an inmate convicted of murdering her husband, and has agreed to break her silence and speak to the media through a podcast interview with Esme Fox. The purpose of these interviews was to uncover the truth about Simone’s marriage, with the potential to help other victims. Was she a victim or a cold bloody killer?

Simone revealed that she lived with an abusive husband, and thought he would eventually kill her. She felt she had no choice in the matter.

But not everyone is pleased that Esme is telling Simone’s story. And when Esme’s beloved sister is left for dead in a nearby wood, Esme’s life begins to fall apart. Esme can’t help but wonder if murder was the only way out of Simone’s marriage. Why has it taken Simone so long to tell the world the truth? And how will the consequences effect Esme and her family?

The Evidence is bound to be well received. and will keep you guessing right until the very end. Her novels just get better and better. This is a fabulous read, that will reel you in …one line at a time…

This gripping psychological thriller held my attention from beginning to end, with intricate plot, relatable characters and plenty of twists and turns to the satisfying ending.

Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and Netgalley for my digital copy.

Esme’s life was going so well – her podcast was doing well, she got out of her toxic marriage, and her sister is helping her with her son. And then it’s not. Esme ends up questioning everything and with good reason. I felt terrible for her. She had no one left to trust and it’s all a mess. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. There were plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. I am always a fan of the podcast setup and the parallels between her and Simone were well drawn out. It was a little slow in the beginning but once it picked up, it didn’t stop. This is my first book by this author but I will definitely read more.