I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I knew by the first sentence of this book I would be unable to put it down, and I was right! Talk about a thrilling read - it’s a game of cat and mouse between Birdie and Jimmy who is the man that killed her sister and is now released from prison. She is consumed by the idea of getting revenge. Of course there are 2 sides to every story and as the reader, it’s captivating because it turns out both main characters have secrets. This book shows how far the aftermath of a crime can reach, even decades later. Amazing writing, fantastic character development, and an addictive plot - my emotions were all over the place!

The Sunshine Man by Emma Stonex is a stunning literary thriller that explores the raw edges of grief, guilt, and redemption. For those who loved The Lamplighters, this follow-up feels even more assured, sharper, bolder, and emotionally deeper.

The novel opens with a jolt: “The week I shot a man clean through the head began like any other.” It’s a line that grabs you instantly, and Stonex doesn’t loosen her grip. The story follows Birdie Keller, whose life was shattered when her younger sister, Providence, was murdered. Eighteen years later, the man convicted of the crime, Jimmy Maguire, is released from prison. Birdie, convinced of his guilt and consumed by long-buried rage, sets out to exact her own justice.

While the premise might suggest a straight cat and mouse chase, The Sunshine Man is more layered than that. The narrative shifts between past and present, Birdie and Jimmy, gradually revealing the events leading up to the crime and the impact it had on everyone touched by it: Birdie, her grandmother, and Jimmy himself. Some readers may spot the twist coming, but its emotional resonance still lands with power.

Stonex’s prose is luminous and poetic. Her descriptions never overwhelm; instead, they elevate the emotional landscape, peeling back the characters’ defenses with elegance and empathy. What emerges is not just a thriller but a compassionate portrait of people shaped by tragedy, two damaged individuals circling the same grief, each with their own fractured truth.

This isn’t a story about simple justice. It’s about what happens when the truth is murky, when the past won’t stay buried, and when pain seeks resolution in unexpected ways. With its richly drawn characters, lyrical writing, and emotional depth, The Sunshine Man is a standout novel from an author in full command of her craft.

Highly recommended.

Emma Stonex’s The Sunshine Man is a tense and compelling psychological thriller that keeps readers on the edge from start to finish. When Birdie Keller learns that Jimmy Maguire, the man responsible for her sister’s death, has been released after eighteen years in prison, she sets out from her quiet life to confront her past—and perhaps settle scores. Armed with a pistol and a burning desire for justice, Birdie’s journey to London becomes a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Stonex masterfully explores the murky depths of family secrets, betrayal, and the human capacity for both violence and forgiveness. As Birdie and Jimmy circle each other, their stories weave together into a web of unresolved pain and hidden truths—each hiding their own skeletons. The author’s storytelling prowess shines through with its atmospheric tension, layered characters, and unpredictable twists that keep the reader guessing until the very last page. The Sunshine Man is a thought-provoking, emotionally charged novel that offers a raw look at the scars left by trauma and the lengths people will go to find closure—or revenge.

Emma Stonex, whose The Lamplighters captivated me with its eerie, immersive prose, returns with another psychologically rich thriller—this time diving into the murky depths of vengeance, guilt, and the ghosts of the past. The Sunshine Man opens with a line that immediately seizes your attention: "The week I shot a man clean through the head began like any other..." From there, you’d expect a breakneck, high-tension revenge story, and while the novel delivers on atmosphere and emotional weight, it takes its time getting there.

Birdie Keller, a woman hardened by grief, sets out on a mission to kill Jimmy Maguire, the man who murdered her sister eighteen years earlier. Meanwhile, Jimmy—newly released from prison—senses he’s being hunted, forcing both characters into a tense, psychological dance. Stonex alternates between their perspectives masterfully, peeling back layers of trauma, societal neglect, and the cyclical nature of violence.

Where The Lamplighters thrived in its taut, mysterious pacing, The Sunshine Man leans more into slow-burning character study. The first half meanders at times, with dense introspection that occasionally stalls momentum. I’ll admit, I struggled to stay fully engaged early on, debating between 3 and 4 stars as I read. But Stonex’s sharp observations about class, justice, and the weight of memory gradually pulled me deeper.

The recurring motif of yellow—not as sunshine, but as something faded, jaundiced, ominous—brilliantly underscores the novel’s themes. And while revenge drives the plot, the real tension lies in whether these broken people can escape their pasts. By the final act, the story gains gripping urgency, culminating in a resolution that feels both inevitable and deeply human.

If you go in expecting a fast-paced thriller, you might find the pacing uneven. But if you appreciate nuanced character work and a haunting exploration of guilt and retribution, The Sunshine Man is a rewarding, thought-provoking read. After much deliberation, I’m rounding my 3.5 stars up to 4—it’s not perfect, but it lingers in the mind long after the last page. Stonex remains a writer to watch.

A massive thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Viking for providing me with an early digital copy of The Sunshine Man in exchange for my honest review!