A slow start to this book and quite distressing at times but it developed into a gripping story . Well worth a read.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC

This is a gripping and at times disturbing psychological thriller . It’s one of those books that reeled me right in as soon as I started it . Twenty years after being attacked by someone she knew Penny has the chance to get her revenge and no matter what she is determined to do everything in her power to achieve this . Whilst she is trying to see justice prevail she is also dealing with her mother who is suffering with dementia . Life certainly isn’t easy for Penny . This book was a real page turner for me and I couldn’t wait to get to the final chapter to find out what the outcome would be . This is a dark read in places with some very unsavoury characters . This was a book that was packed with tension and trauma until the final chapter

This was a slow burn of a tale, and I did wonder if it was too slow for me, however I’m glad I continued as this is a good domestic thriller, that as it unwrapped, I was caught up in the emotions of Penny’s past and her current situation in the courtroom and her mum’s story of what happened in the house when the family moved there. I wanted justice for Penny and her family. I loved the twist in the story that I didn’t see coming until it was happening. Read over 2 sittings I’d recommend this book.

When we first meet Penny she is a young teenager living in a remote farmhouse, a house which is filled with shadows and discontent. When Penny is brutally assaulted in her home by someone she recognises she is too scared to share this experience and carries it locked deep within her. Twenty years later and Penny has the opportunity to seek her own form of revenge but that in itself will have far reaching consequences.

Told in two distinct timeframes, we start to build up a picture of who Penny is, the memories she carries, and also the effect that living in this remote and quite austere house has had on her elderly mother who is now widowed and in the early stages of dementia. There’s a definite sense of the past being unpicked and with each revelation we begin to understand the overwhelming power of secrets. The two narratives merge quite seamlessly and I enjoyed the sympathetic depiction of Connie, Penny’s mother, who had her own demons to face.

Well written, with a dramatic and intriguing storyline The Good Daughter made for uncomfortable reading at times however, there was more than enough drama to keep me turning the pages of this intriguing psychological suspense story.

Penny Collins has spent the last twenty years living with the scars of a brutal assault—one so traumatic, she never spoke of it again, except to her mother, who tragically didn’t believe her. Now, as fate would have it, Penny is summoned for jury duty… and comes face to face with the man she’s convinced is her attacker. Torn between the ethical obligation to disclose her connection and the burning desire for justice, Penny faces an impossible choice: should she speak up, or stay silent and try to sway the verdict from inside the jury box?

This novel is masterfully written, with a dual timeline and POV structure that peels back the layers of Penny’s past while keeping you guessing at every turn. The tension simmers and intensifies with every chapter, and the emotional depth is both raw and compelling. J.A. Baker has crafted a thriller that’s not only suspenseful, but also deeply human. I couldn’t put it down—and I highly recommend it to readers who love smart, twisty thrillers with heart.

It's been a while since I've read a book by Baker, I'd forgotten how good they are.

The Good Daughter starts on the dark subject of a serious sexual assault, and the ripple effects of this continue to reverberate throughout the book in decades to come.

Narrated by both mother and daughter, and interwoven across dual timelines it's an intense read that's full of suspense and drama.

The characters are credible and the author's attention to detail is excellent.

A tough but compelling page turner.

The Good Daughter
by J A Baker
Pub Date: Apr 05 2025

The Good Daughter is a gripping psychological thriller that alternates between the past and the present. Full of dark, difficult subject matter, with themes of sexual assault and trauma at its core, a solid, emotionally intense novel that confronts trauma with ruthless honesty.

I liked the story, it was very engaging. Most of all I enjoyed the way the past-present storytelling was portrayed with present day following Penny, and the past following the story of the house. I highly recommend this 5 star read!

Synopsis: As a teenager, Penny Collins always tried to be a good daughter. Until the night she was brutally attacked as she lay in her bed. The assault, from a man she knew all too well, traumatised Penny. Worse still, after her family refused to believe her initial fears about being watched, Penny told nobody, afraid her family would be convinced she was making the whole thing up...So when Penny comes face to face with her attacker again, she knows it’s time for her to take action and get answers for them all. This time he's in the dock where he belongs, accused of the same terrible crime. And Penny, a good daughter and now a good citizen, sits on the jury - his fate finally in her hands...

Many thanks to #TheGoodDaughter #NetGalley and #BoldWoodBooks for providing me with an E-ARC of this fantastic psychological thriller!

Another great read from the author, a well written storyline that held my interest from start to finish. Touching on delicate subject matter but done so in a delicate way. Flitting between past and present we learn how Penny was assaulted as a 14 year old and felt there was nothing she could do about it but now as an adult there is a chance of getting justice or is it revenge.

The Good Daughter by J. A. Baker is a haunting and emotionally charged psychological thriller that bravely delves into dark, difficult subject matter. With themes of sexual assault and trauma at its core, this novel is not for the faint of heart and absolutely warrants a content warning for sensitive readers. However, for those prepared to face its challenging themes, the story delivers a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of justice, memory, and the long shadow of abuse.

At the center of the novel is Penny, a character whose pain is palpable and whose determination is unwavering. Having survived a horrific attack in her youth, Penny finds herself—years later—on the jury for the trial of the man she believes destroyed her life. While this premise stretches the bounds of courtroom reality, it serves as a compelling framework for Penny’s deeply personal quest for justice—not only for herself but for others affected by the same predator.

Baker crafts a slow-burning narrative that suits the gravity of the subject matter, allowing space for psychological depth and character development. The use of multiple perspectives enriches the storytelling, providing a fuller view of the events and the emotional weight carried by each character. The layers unfold gradually, building suspense and emotional complexity with each chapter.

The Good Daughter is a well-constructed, emotionally intense novel that confronts trauma with unflinching honesty. J. A. Baker handles the subject with care and nuance, creating a story that is both unsettling and deeply human. It’s a story of survival, of reclaiming power, and ultimately, of seeking truth in a system that so often fails the vulnerable.

This book hits hard. There are some difficult topics, but I am so glad they were approached and in a very realistic way. The author really gave your the feel that the victim had and we saw the aftermath of it, especially without her family being a support system. It was heartbreaking and then we saw the twists start to take hold. The author threw the different perspectives and timeframes at us, really giving us a feel for events. We also got to see between Penny and the mother, whom I really did not care for.
Then the ultimate twist and Penny is able to get revenge, or at least attempt to, and in a perfectly legal way. Oh what he must have felt when he looked up and saw her in the jury. Oh how she must have felt to have his fate in her hands. I could get the sense for all of this from the detailed and brilliant writing of the author. I found this book so engaging. It did, again have tough topics, but ones we need to talk about to help those going through it and to show how important it is to believe victims and fight for justice. Great read.

The Good Daughter by J.A Baker is a compelling psychological thriller that delves into the trauma of a brutal attack and it's lingering effects.

Penny Collins has spent the past twenty years trying to overcome a horrific assault in her room when she was a young teenager. Unable to heal her trauma, Penny has just buried the assault and not told anyone except her mother who didn't believe her at the time. But now Penny is called for jury duty and to her utter shock she recognizes the defendant. It is her attacker. She knows that she must tell the court that she has a conflict of interest but what if she doesn't? If she is on the jury, she could potentially help send her attacker to jail. She knows this man is guilty and what he is capable of, but should she try to influence the jury to find him guilty?

This book is definitely packed full of emotional depth and twists. The tension builds steadily and keeps you on edge as the dual timeline and dual POV help you uncover everything that really happened twenty years ago. This is definitely a thriller that I would recommend to readers who love an emotionally charged read!

Thank you to NetGalley, J.A Baker, and Boldwood Books for this ARC! Publication date is April 5th 2025.

Penny was raped as a teenager. As an adult she finds herself on jury duty, with her attacker in the dock for a similar crime. The story is told as a series of flashbacks. Penny’s teenage story is interspersed between her days in court.

The story is well written, with the harrowing details of the attack sensitively handled. The author gradually reveals the long term impact it has had on all members of the family.

I was expecting a twist at the end, which never comes, but justice is served, which makes for a satisfying ending.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

J. Baker’s The Good Daughter is a taut and emotionally charged psychological drama that grips from the first page and doesn’t let go. Centered on trauma, justice, and the long shadow of betrayal, this novel explores the quiet devastation of being silenced—and the powerful reckoning that comes when a woman takes her voice back.

Penny Collins has spent her life trying to be the “good daughter”—obedient, quiet, and dutiful—even after suffering a horrific assault as a teenager by someone she knew. The attack left invisible scars, compounded by the painful disbelief of her own family. Now, two decades later, as she cares for her aging mother, Penny is forced to confront the past she tried so hard to bury. Her mother, slipping in and out of lucidity, wants to talk about that night—and Penny can’t ignore the ghosts any longer.

But when Penny sees her attacker again, this time as the accused in a new assault case, fate delivers a bitter twist: she’s on the jury. What follows is a gripping, morally complex battle—not just for justice, but for the truth that Penny has carried alone for far too long.

Baker excels at character depth and emotional nuance. Penny is a beautifully crafted protagonist—vulnerable, yet fierce in her quiet determination. The novel masterfully balances courtroom drama with psychological introspection, making the reader feel every flicker of doubt, rage, and vindication.

The Good Daughter isn’t just a story of trauma—it’s one of resilience, justice, and the power of finally being heard. Perfect for fans of psychological thrillers with emotional weight, like those by Gillian Flynn or Claire Mackintosh, this is a story that lingers long after the final verdict.

The Good Daughter is a slow-burning psychological thriller with a strong sense of unease woven throughout. J.A. Baker builds suspense gradually, dropping just enough breadcrumbs to keep you turning the pages while questioning every character’s motive.

I appreciated the moody, atmospheric writing—there’s a real sense of dread that lingers, especially in the quieter moments. The story explores fractured relationships and long-buried secrets in a way that feels authentic, even if it takes a while to pick up momentum.

That said, the pacing was a bit uneven for me. The first half moved slowly, and I found myself wanting more tension or twists earlier on. Some of the character decisions also felt a little forced at times, but nothing that pulled me entirely out of the story.

Overall, this is a solid read for fans of domestic suspense who don’t mind a slow build and prefer their thrillers with a steady unraveling rather than high-octane drama. Not my favorite of Baker’s work, but still engaging enough to keep me curious until the final pages.


*Thank you to NetGalley, and Boldwood Books, for sending me a copy of this book and allowing me to read it. This review is left voluntarily and entirely my own opinion.*

My thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Good Daughter’ written by J A Baker in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

When Penny Collins was fourteen years old a person known to her and her family broke into her bedroom and she was brutally attacked. Now, almost thirty years later, Penny is chosen for jury service and the person in the dock is the person who attacked her and the cause of her nightmares. Penny knows she’s breaking the law by not confessing to knowing him but it’s her intention to listen to the witnesses and evidence given then persuade the jury to find him guilty so she’ll finally get justice for herself and the other women he’s attacked.

‘The Good Daughter’ is the gripping courtroom drama of a woman who wants to finally put the past behind her by ensuring the person who attacked her is locked up in prison. The story is told in two timeframes, of Penny when she was fourteen years old to how she is at the present time, and has been cleverly written as it scrutinises the justice system which isn’t always fair. I had a major surprise, though, as I thought I knew the identity of the person in the dock so was amazed when I realised I was wrong and it was that surprise that had me gripped and kept me reading ever faster. The conclusion was wonderful with a perfectly performed act of retaliation for the treatment meted out to the women he was responsible for attacking.

The Good Daughter by J A Baker was another excellent gripping psychological thriller. I love the way this author writes every book I have read I want more, especially as it grips you from the very first page, it was full of brilliant twists and turns throughout that made it another excellent emotional and tense read,

Great book for your holidays and i highly recommend it! I loved it!

Big Thank you for NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my ARC.

I really wanted to love this book as the premise sounded interesting, but unfortunately it fell flat for me. It started really well, setting the scene with a good amount of tension and intrigue, but i felt like it peaked right at the start. I didn't find myself reaching for the book as the pace was quite slow and despite some darkness, there wasn't enough tension. What worked for me: I love a dual timeline and it was interesting to see Penny as a teenager and then again as an adult, and the different points of view between her and her mum. The house itself featured strongly in the book and was almost a metaphor for the nasty things that happened in Penny's life. It was really well described and I could picture it clearly. The writer definitely evokes a good sense of place. The overall plot was good. What didn't work so well: the slow pace; too much 'telling' rather than showing which had a big impact on the tension; the courtroom story - this just didn't quite work for me and I'm not sure why.
I would have loved to have felt more of the emotion in the book as it covered some really traumatic events, but it didn't really come through.

Penny Collins has been called to jury duty. She reluctantly arrives and to her surprise, she recognizes the man being prosecuted. Now Penny really wants to be chosen and she wants to stay through the whole trial as long as no one realizes who she is.

The story goes back and forth between the past and the present and from the points of view of Penny and her mother Connie. Penny is a very self aware, hesitant, smart girl who feels and notices when men are behaving in a particularly lascivious way towards her. When she complains about men behaving like that to her family, her parents just brush her off as dramatic, a liar, blame it on her overactive imagination and are very dismissive. So when she gets raped in the middle of the night at 14, she tells no one. They already have enough problems with their neighbor Douglas Fairbridge, who claims that the land her grandparents left her father belongs to him and he will go to any extent to get it.

Rapes, fires, death, dementia and a brother lost to drugs will all be redeemed by The Good Daughter!

The Good Daughter is about resilience, survival, strength and having a strong heart to endure it all and see justice being served, even when justice fails you.
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Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books.

Thanks to J.A Baker, boldwood books, & Netgalley for this e-arc. This story is about (g)rape & the assailants getting what they deserve in the end. Anyone who has had any kind of SA is well aware how hard life is to get through, all the while not letting the assailant win.

This was a gripping psychological thriller that left me wanting more. Penny is called up for jury service, but the man that’s being prosecuted raped her as a child. She wants him behind bars and doesn’t say she’s knows him. It’s twisty going back and forth with time frames when Penny was a child and the present day. A great read that is well written. A 4 star read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.