Bad Blood by Sarah Hornsley was a chilling and captivating read.
This was a quick and entertaining read that I finished in a few hours.
A well written story that kept me hooked from the very beginning.
The characters draw you in and keeps you flipping the pages.
The characters were all realistic and very well developed.
I really enjoyed the writing style. I found myself hooked, turning the pages.
A great read.

Thank you Zando and publisher for this approved eARC.

“Bad Blood” by Sarah Hornsley had a strong premise and some gripping moments, but overall, it fell a bit flat for me. I was intrigued by the setup and really wanted to connect with the characters, but I found it difficult to stay fully engaged.

The pacing was uneven, moments of tension were there, but they didn’t always build in a way that felt satisfying. I kept waiting for that “can’t put it down” moment, but it never quite arrived. That said, the writing itself was solid, and I do think many readers who enjoy slower-burn suspense might appreciate it more than I did.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. While this one didn’t completely work for me, I’m still open to reading more from this author in the future.

This is an incredibly written book and I really enjoyed it. Liked the main character and child really feel.her emotions throughout. A great small.town psychological thriller xx

I absolutely loved this book . It contained some great writing and amazing , complicated characters . The tension of the story was great throughout with the story going back and forth from all the different characters viewpoints . I would definitely recommend this book and can’t wait to read more from this author. 5 stars from me

A really good psychological read set in a small Essex town delving into past secrets and the traumas they cause for those left behind.
This was an easy read and I really did like the main character Justine she really wants to leave the past behind and the author really does a good job of portraying her really well especially the things she's hiding.The other characters were rather unlikeable but that makes for a very good story.
Told in multiple POV's that I always enjoy.
A debut novel that delivers with its twist and turns and holds your full attention.
Look forward too reading more by this author.
Thanks to Netgalley and Zando books for the Arc.

Bad Blood tells the story of Justine who, as a criminal prosecutor, has been assigned the double murder case of a past love: Jake. But he's changed his name and he left her with a broken heart when she was eighteen, could he have committed this crime?

We go back to "before", reading the povs of her mother, her brother Max and Jake himself, as the secrets of the past are slowly revealed. Less of a courtroom drama, more a drama about secrets within families and communities and what you would do for love.

The ending though? I hated a character after it was revealed, I was outraged and shooketh so I'm in two minds whether I actually enjoyed this book! I think a strong reaction is a positive with a book like this!

Very interesting premise with an ex love and the power of first love being a central theme it makes the thriller so compelling, my only issue was the pacing and my file had some words blurred out and not clear on my iPad.

This was such a great book! I admit, if an ex ghosted me and then showed up on the stand I wouldn't hesitate to do my job. This book was great and kept you interested until the end!

a haunting psychological thriller that pulls you in and refuses to let go. Tension simmers beneath every page, building an unsettling atmosphere where nothing is as it seems. Secrets unravel, paranoia creeps in, and the mind becomes the ultimate battleground.

With sharp writing, unexpected twists, and a lingering sense of unease, this book keeps you questioning reality until the final, chilling reveal. Every detail matters, and just when you think you have it figured out, everything shifts.

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.

#BadBlood #SarahHornsley #PsychologicalThriller #BookReview #NetGalley #ThrillerBooks #MysteryLovers #ComingJuly2025 #HodderAndStoughton

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!