A quick easy read that I finished in one sitting. Well paced, a good level of tension and suspense with twists that kept me guessing all the way way through. I really enjoyed it.

The Family at No23 was a strange story to get into. Was not sure that I was not sure I would finish but it kept me wanting to find out what happens. Iris Simmonds is the main character. She is walking home when she sees an elderly woman who has fallen and hit her head. She helps the woman home. Her name is Rosemary Parker. The woman lived in a rundown home on Riddleston Road, a very desirable street. No 23, very close to her friend, Laura iand her husband, Ivo live. Their sons, Ben and Freddie are good childhood friends. She feels that Rosemary should go to the hospital but she refuses. Iris makes Rosemary some tea and takes it to her in her parlor where she finds her dead. Rosemary had lived in the house all her life and it had been left to her by her parents,

Six months later, iris and her husband, Steve and their son Ben have moved into the house which they are renting. It is in the school district that Iris wants her son to attend. the private school, Toppingdon. A tortoiseshell cat dits in her yard and juslt looks at the house.. Her friend, Laura surrprises Iris to welcome Iris to the new home which she is fixing up. Although Ben and Freddie are in the same school they are not in the same form. Freddie is popular with the boys playing sports while Ben stays in the library,

Of note: Iris had wrapped Rosemary in the pink sheets from her bed when she buries the body. She came back when it was dark and dug the grave, etc. Iris pretended that the house had come up for rent and while her husband was on a business trip she moved them into the house. She has taken a part-time job at a consignment shop. She kept the secret of Rosemary from her husband. Iris is called to the principal's office as they are concerned about Ben. He has not been sleeping well and having strange dreams. Iris does not take the information well, Ben seems to spend most of his time in the house in his bedroom. Steve likes to watch TV in the parlor but Iris does not like being in the room.

Laura after years of trying to get pregnant she finds that she is. She calls Steve to tell him about the pregnancy. She has been having an affair with him.

One evening an older man arrives at Iris's door. It is the caretaker at the school. He had found the rugby boots that Ben claimed was taken and wass returning them to Iris. He tells her that he knew Rosemary and her sister, June. They had grown up together. June had gotten pregnant and her mother threw her out of the house as it was a complete scandel for the family. He didn't know what had happened to June and her baby after she left.

This is where the story takes off with all it's twists and turns, There is so much going on that I will leave it to the reader to enjoy to the surprising ending. I was surprised but happy to read that Iris and Ben are happily living in a new apartment in the city.

Thank you NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for this ARC.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.

The Family at No 23 by Kathryn Sharman is a psychological thriller set on Riddleston Road, where each house appears pristine but hides dark secrets. The story follows Iris, who moves into Number 23 with the hope of securing a better future for her son. However, she harbors a secret about how she acquired the house, and someone knows the truth. Through the story Iris is manipulated by those around her and she becomes entangled in psychological games and she begins to second-guess her own reality. The tension that is around her in the seemingly perfect neighbourhood makes Iris question who she can trust and Iris's choices leave to a series of events that force her to confront the consequences of her actions.

I enjoyed this book and read through it in one night as i got that involved. Good if you enjoy psychological thriller books and enjoy other authors in this genre such as Freida McFadden or Lisa Jewell. Its a good story which keeps you guessing until the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advance copy.

This book is filled with twists and turns that keep you on your toes. I read it in two sittings because I just needed to know what was coming next. Definitely will be adding this to my shelf.

This story is wild!! Actual mind blowing psychological fiction that has you simultaneously shouting at the characters to stop their crazy antics, while turning pages at a rate of notts to find out what will happen next!!

In an attempt to keep up with her best friend, (who has moved to an affluent catchment area to get her teenage son into a better school, Iris indulges in some very questionable behaviour to follow suit! What follows is immense!!

This is the most original book I have read in YEARS! Highly recommended.

My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.

This book by Kathryn Sharman answers two very simple questions. What deep dark secrets is Iris hiding and what did she do to get to where she is today? What will a mother do to protect her son and his potential future?

Full of manipulation, dark secrets and desperation, this was a page turner for me. This book embodied what a psychologically thriller should be made of. The characters were enjoyable, relatable, and full of personality that you didn't get bored with them. The plot was good and every element you look for in a thriller I found. Twist, turns, jealousy, and a plot twist at the end that you didn't expect.

This is a must add to any collection. Thank you NetGalley for my eArc!

This does suffer from having a bizarre plot from the start, I found it completely insane and wondered how Sharman would get a logical, exciting read out of it. First actions aside, and the plot does become more plausible the more I read, and I found myself enjoying the book a lot. There was a lot of intrigue in this read, as well as other secrets, which certainly kept my attention.
Iris and Laura are interesting characters, they are not particularly likeable or sympathetic but there was something about them that kept me reading this. As the plot progresses it is clear they both have secrets and maybe they can help each other out of a sticky situation.
Stick with this read as the bizarre plot becomes intense and thrilling.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advance copy.

A Twisting Tale of Deception and Desire!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review of The Family at No. 23. Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, Hodder & Stoughton, for this opportunity.

Kathryn Sharman’s newest psychological thriller expertly weaves the lives of two couples into an intricate web of secrets, ambition, and deception. The Family at No. 23. thrives on the suspense of not knowing who can truly be trusted, as shifting alliances and well-placed twists keep readers on edge.

At its core, the story explores themes of jealousy and the desperate lengths Iris will go to in order to match the luxurious life of her friend Laura. Iris’ struggle for status leads to a series of decisions that escalate tension, creating a gripping and immersive experience. Unbeknownst to Iris, Laura is also guarding a lie that cannot stay hidden for long. As their deceptions deepen, Laura and Iris increasingly struggle to uphold the carefully crafted illusions they present to the world.

The Family at No. 23. is an engaging read, offering an engrossing mix of psychological tension and unpredictable turns. Fans of character-driven mysteries will appreciate its layered narrative and morally complex cast.

This story does a good job of taking a familiar trope - London property prices and the competitive furore over postcode lotteries between ambitious parents who want theirchildren to have the best educational opportunities - and gives it an unexpected and sinister twist.

How apparently normal people can do horrifying things is amply demonstrated. Although one or two story elements do require a suspension of disbelief. There are plenty of creative twists, and I particularly liked the reveal with respect to the identity of the blackmailer in the story.

I enjoyed the story, despite a somewhat distasteful aspect of it that emerges in the beginning, and recommend it for its originality and characters that are well drawn - if not always likeable!

I really enjoyed this one. This book had a very interesting premise that drew me in and I was happy that the story itself got even more interesting as I kept reading. I'm usually not one for family drama / domestic thriller type of books, but I love them under the right circumstances, which this book definitely had.

The characters were all kind of crazy, which worked for the story. And it was fun unraveling all their secrets as I read. I loved the pacing - it was just fast enough to keep me hooked, but not so fast that I wished I could stay in the scenes longer. It was just right for me. I also liked the distinctive British "feel" to the book, which I don't get to read very often here in the US.

One thing that I wasn't a fan of was that a couple of the characters were very different later on in the book than how they started off. It was like they had switched places with completely different people, and it threw me off a bit. I also didn't like how the cat was being treated so a bit of a trigger warning for that.

Overall, I had fun reading this book and highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys a good domestic psychological thriller.

A big thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

An intriguing domestic thriller, this book has lots of surprising twists and turns. The characterisation was good and the plot keeps you on your toes until the end. I did find some of it a little far-fetched however, so I’m giving it three stars. With thanks to the publisher for providing me with access to this ARC in return for an honest review.

Kathryn Sharman’s The Family at No 23 looks at life behind the tidy facades of suburbia and doesn’t bother dressing it up. The story centers on Iris, a mother who moves her family to Riddleston Road—one of those streets where the houses look like they were made for magazine spreads, but everyone inside has something to hide. Sharman uses this setting to question assumptions about domestic bliss and exposes the pressures and ambitions that drive people to protect their secrets, sometimes at a cost to themselves and others.

Iris offers a fresh angle as a protagonist. She arrives at number twenty-three with the same hope many parents have—security, a good life, and opportunities for her child. But there’s a real sense that Iris is running from more than just her past address; her secret is the kind that could tear her world apart if revealed. Unlike characters written to win sympathy or admiration, Iris stands out for being complicated. She is driven, willing to compromise ethics for her son, and chooses survival over likability. This messiness and the decisions she makes under pressure give readers a strong sense of tension about what she might do next.

Sharman doesn’t shy away from showing how suffocating life behind “perfect” front doors can be. Riddleston Road is painted as appealing but unsettling. The place feels both welcoming and sinister—the sort of suburb where everything looks in place but nothing really is. Suspicion and unease slip into daily interactions, especially when side characters like Laura arrive on the scene. Sharman’s secondary characters, though at times not fully developed, fuel the claustrophobic sense that no one is to be trusted.

Ambition and fear are the main drivers in The Family at No. 23. The longing for the “Pinterest-perfect” life, and the lengths people go to maintain it, are sharply drawn. Sharman exposes what happens when the pressure to look stable and happy turns into deception and isolation.

The writing style is straightforward, rarely flowery but often gripping. Using Iris’s perspective, Sharman keeps readers close to the anxiety and suspicion that ripple through the story. The twisty plot builds gradually, making readers question what anyone is really hiding. By the end, the urge to look closer at our own supposedly “stable” environments is hard to ignore.

Kathryn Sharman’s novel draws a sharp line between appearances and reality. Through Iris and the world of Riddleston Road, the book shows how quickly the wish for normalcy can spiral into secrecy and drama. While some supporting characters could use more detail, the strength of the narrative comes from its honest look at imperfection, both in individuals and communities.

Readers drawn to stories about families and neighborhoods with secrets will find plenty to relate to here, and may finish the book reconsidering the true cost of fitting in.

What. A. Debut. This one is going to get people talking when it hits the shelves later this year.

A domestic thriller packed with morally grey characters, it’s a standout in the genre – and I read a lot of them. The characters aren’t always likeable, but they’re absolutely compelling. You’ll fly through the pages wanting to know what happens next.

Iris and Laura have been friends for years, bonded by their sons, Freddie and Ben. But when Laura, her husband Ivo, and Freddie move to the other side of town, the better side, things begin to shift. Their children are about to begin secondary school and Laura's new postcode means Freddie now qualifies for a different school – while Ben is left out of catchment. Iris, whose own family could never afford the rent in this area, is quietly seething with envy. Her son is sensitive, often unwell, and she worries about him being left to navigate a new school without his best friend.

After meeting Laura for coffee within her affluent new area, Iris witnesses an elderly lady fall in the street, bumping her head. She helps her home – but after making them both a cuppa tea, she returns to find the woman has sadly passed away in her absence. Peacefully. Quietly. And oh, what a wonderful house she has...

What follows is a fantastic read that you will not want to put down. Bravo!

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the ARC.

This is a chilling read and Iris is a woman not to be messed with. She loves her son and will do anything to give him a good life.

This is a pacy read with twists, twists and more twists. it is a one sit read and I could not put it down.

I loved how the shocks kept coming and I cannot wait to talk about this book.

I was hooked from the beginning and I had to find out what was going to happen. I didn’t even want to go to work because I’d have to stop reading. You won’t want to put this book down I finished it in 24 hours!

This book was well written, fast paced, fantastic character development and story line..Just wow! It kept me on my toes the whole time and instantly grabbed my attention. It's definitely a must read!

I hadn't come across Kathryn Sharman before – my loss! Just love this authors writing style and the characters. This one is a winner.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars!

How far would you go to give your family everything they need? Today a family have moved in to No 23.. A family who really shouldn’t be there.

Finished this in just over 24hrs. It was a great read with a great mix of characters. Some I liked more than others. I loved the dry humour too it. I’m usually quite good at guessing the twist however I didn’t see that at all at the end.

Quick fun read! The plot is interesting and engaging. I loved the dry humor of it all. Plenty of suspense to keep the reader engaged. Interesting look into the lengths a mother would go to for her child.

Check in out in August! Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for the advance copy.

Thank you so much NetGalley for the early copy of this book!

Just finished The Family at No. 23 by Kathryn Sharman and wow, I devoured it. Honestly I couldn’t put it down. It starts off with this quiet, picture perfect vibe, and then bit by bit, things start to unravel in the best way.

I loved the dry humour, it’s subtle but so on point. And the twist? Didn’t see it coming at all. I had to go back and reread a part just to make sure I hadn’t missed something.

It’s one of those books where you keep thinking about the characters even after you’ve finished. Definitely one to keep an eye out for when it comes out in August 2025.

3.5

The Family at No 23 is an absolute rollercoaster! So many twists and turns... I had no idea what would happen from start to finish, It was a very engrossing read, and when I thought I'd figured it all out... BOOM! there came the ending. I'm speechless! The character arcs were fantastic, I loved how "meaty" it was, and how we got to know the whys and hows behind actions, I loved the psychological aspects of the story. I flew through this book!

Thank you Hodder and Stoughton and Netgalley for the ARC.

On Riddleston Road each house reaches three storeys high, with smart gabled roofs and neat garden paths unfurling from pastel coloured front doors. Wide, sash windows stare outwards from the brick facades, revealing a glimpse of beautiful interiors. And concealing dark secrets.

Today a new family has moved into number twenty-three. A family who shouldn't be there.

As Iris stacks boxes in the hallway, she knows she has made a mistake in coming here. This house will mean her son will get the future he deserves. That will make everything she's done worth it.

But someone knows Iris's secret and what she did to get her dream home... Would she kill to keep it?

I didn't find this book overly thrilling. I didn't really care fir thd story, despite the interesting description. 2.5 out of 5 ⭐️