This book was full of twists and turns that kept me interested up until the last page. It was such a tense story that had my heart in my mouth. I found this a difficult read at many times and it's simultaneously shocking and creepy.

A difficult read at many times and it's simultaneously shocking and creepy. I struggled with the first part of the book but it picked up after that.

Thank you Boldwood Books and Netgalley and sorry I took so long to read this.
This was definitely different, and I liked some but not all of the book. It was a bit all over the place at times and got confusing.
Good storyline though.

Jennifer lives alone caring for the dogs in her kennels. When a customer comes to find out more about her kennels it changes her life. A fantastic read although parts of the book are very hard to read as they contain child neglect.

Expect the unexpected in this thriller that thrives on delivering shock after shock, keeping you engaged Well into the last page.

I am sure this book may have improved if I had stuck with it. This book started off with the main character being raped and having to live with the consequences. That alone made me not want to continue.

Cannot recommend. Not for me.

Thanks to Anita Waller, Netgalley and Boldwell books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Already available.

Janette is a recluse, who prefers the company of dogs to humans, she looks after them in her homemade kennels, in her back garden.

When a potential customer comes knocking on her door looking to board his dog, she doesn't realise he has evil intentions. Janette is sexually attacked and the perpetrator is left dead in her cellar whilst she is left looking after a child.

A slow burn to start with but definitely worth a read

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Now this was different. A little bit of everything and I’m just not sure if I really liked it. It was ok but also all over the place and a lot going on.
Not bad but confusing at times.

Anita is a very talented author, but I think there might too many triggers in this book that might not be suitable to all of her readers. I did however still enjoy the book, and will read the following with gusto! Recommended.

Anita Waller will give her readers nightmares with her dark and disturbing new thriller, The Family at No. 12.

Janette has always preferred dogs to humans. A woman who prefers to keep herself to herself and to not let people in, Janette has spent most of her life keeping everyone at arm’s length. When she answers the door to a potential customer wanting to board his dog at her kennels, Janette never imagined the shocking turn of events that would unfold that would end up changing the course of her life forever. Never in a million years did Janette think that by opening her door to this stranger, she would end up making the biggest mistake of her life…

Within minutes, the man is dead, his body in Janette’s cellar. However, if she thought that there would be no further shocks in store for her, she was sadly mistaken as weeks later she discovers that she’s pregnant. Dark secrets never stay hidden for long and every single skeleton rattling in No.12’s closet is going to come out into the light – and things will never be the same ever again.

The Family at No.12 certainly makes a change from Anita Waller’s previously published cosy mysteries! Definitely not for the faint-hearted, The Family at No. 12 is a creepy, explosive, shocking, terrifying and tense thriller packed with twists and turns readers certainly won’t see coming. An unsettling, unpredictable and heart-stopping read, The Family at No. 12 is the jaw-dropping new thriller by Anita Waller.

This book was all over the place for me. The beginning really did not resonate with me and I really wasn't sure I was going to be able to finish it after the first part, but then I understood why it was written the way it was after reading the second part because it really did set it up well for the rest of the book but I just didn't enjoy it because it was really heavy and abruptly written. Everything seemed to happen very quickly and without seemingly any drama which I guess made sense after the second part but just didn't feel right to me. I thought the middle parts were entertaining and I did enjoy that but I didn't like the ending either. This was really heavy and dark in parts. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is an absolutely brilliant read that I have devoured in just one sitting.

Anita Waller is fast becoming an auto buy author for me. Each book delivers and is getting better and better. This is a book I raced through with no regrets.

This is a dark read filled with a number of aspects. We are given a multi perspective which I have adored as I feel you get to know the characters better.

Waller has taken my emotions on a journey and it’s one of happily repeat. I have devoured page after page, craving more.

This is completely unpredictable and I have been unsuccessful in working out where this may go. This is my favourite by this author and I cannot wait to see what is coming next.

A must read and one I highly recommend.

My favourite read of the year so far!

This book deals with some very difficult topics but it captures you and keeps you turning the pages all the way through.

Given the wide range of topics covered this book would be perfect for book clubs as gives plenty of opportunity for discussion.

I look forward to reading more books by this author.

This book is very dark, I felt so sorry for the main character. Her life is so small and sad and even though she cuts herself off from people, she still manages to get terribly hurt. It's not an easy read. But it's interesting. It made me wonder if we should take more notice of and be nicer to our neighbours. It also makes me never want to answer the door to a man I don't know!!

A dark and compelling thriller that will keep you on your toes and blow your mind at the end! I loved it but feel like I need to read a rom-com after to bring some light back in my life lol. What a thriller!! 5 stars.

Loved this! the entire time i was reading it (i WHIPPED through it in roughly 4 hours) my heart was pounding and i had so many theories and questions. if you love insanely well written and fast paced books with crazy plot twists and well developed, shady, and secretive characters - PLEASE READ THIS !!!!!

I really enjoyed this book. It was thrilling, suspenseful and atmospheric. The story itself was really good, characters were great. Would definitely recommend.

Oh my gosh! This book is a chilling ride......

"When Janette answers the door to a potential customer looking to board his dog, she never imagines he has nefarious plans. But minutes later he’s dead and in her cellar. Weeks later she realises she’s pregnant. And so she becomes Mother and the baby Child, and a hidden life begins."

Janette is a product of the closeted, solitary life that her mother created for her - this has involved as little contact with the world as necessary. When a traumatic assault occurs Janette further reduces her interactions with the world.....and when she bears a child as a result, that child has the most isolating start to life you could possibly imagine.

This book looks at a time frame moving forwards from 1998: starting with Janette, then moving onto Marta (aka Child). Parts of this book chilled me to my core, parts of this book made me want to hug my own children tighter than I ever have before - but overall I was gripped, and totally addicted to the exploration of how your start in life, both nature and nurture, and your life's path have a huge ongoing impact on the rest of your life, not only how you connect and interact with others, but also how you view the world.

I stormed through this book in 24 hours because I was so gripped by the story - but please be aware of the following trigger warnings: sexual assault/ rape/ child abuse

#TheFamilyAtNo12 #NetGalley
Awesome book.
When Janette answers the door to a potential customer looking to board his dog, she never imagines he has nefarious plans.
But minutes later he’s dead and in her cellar.
Weeks later she realises she’s pregnant.
And so she becomes Mother and the baby Child, and a hidden life begins. But all secrets come out eventually .
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for giving me an advance copy.

From the cover I kind of thought this was one type of book but to my surprise there were many twists in this story. I loved the theme of similarities passing through generations. I find this fascinating and I liked reading about it in this book.
The book as a whole was quite harrowing and I felt my body recoil at some points but I think I give credit to the author for how well written it is rather than that being a negative point. The sensitive matter was dealt with well.
I think the relationships between the characters was explained well and I liked the bonds that were formed.
A really unexpected read, a good psychological thriller.