I enjoyed this and it was a fast paced read, I felt some areas were a little under developed and the twist came out of no where. Still enjoyed it but felt it was very surface level!

4.5 stars out of 5

A grieving woman is clearing out her late father’s home when she finds a cassette from her long-missing mother. The tape begins with her mother’s voice: “If they say I’m missing, I’m not. I’ve been killed.”

This book grabbed hold of me immediately and never let go. The main character, Eve, is a single mom, a recovering alcoholic, and someone who’s trying to solve her mother’s (supposed) murder, all while juggling a demanding job, dealing with a difficult boss, and planning her father’s funeral. Eve’s history is well written, and the emotional weight she carries throughout her journey is palpable. The characters are relatable, and the relationship between Eve and her daughter was my favorite part of the book.

As a kid who loved recording silly skits and music, I was especially drawn to the premise: Eve discovers 13 tapes of her mother’s voice. Some are about mundane things like her day or her book club, while others include recordings of Eve as a child. Having lost my father, the idea of suddenly finding hours of his voice really hit home.

There were plenty of twists and turns along the way. The red herrings were well thought out, and the ending was satisfying—though it did play out a bit like an old Bond villain revealing every sinister detail. Still, that meant there were no loose ends when the book wrapped up.
I found the pacing excellent and flew through it. I’d never heard of Kerry Wilkinson before and was shocked to learn he’s written over 50 novels. I’ll definitely be picking up another one soon.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Tapes by Kerry Wilkinson was a slow read for me. I just wasn’t a fan of it. Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review.

3.5 stars ⭐️

The Tapes has a chilling premise that hooked me right away. A woman finds a box of cassette tapes in her late father’s garage and hears the voice of her long-missing mother revealing a possible murder. I really enjoyed the serial killer angle, especially as Eve starts to uncover just how deeply her mother may have been involved in something dangerous. The tape excerpts were the strongest part of the story. They were eerie, intriguing, and added a great layer of suspense. I also liked how the story was told through varied viewpoints and formats, including excerpts from a true-crime book, which made the mystery feel more layered and immersive.

While the mystery kept me invested, the pacing felt a little slow at times, especially in the middle, and the dialogue didn’t always feel natural. Still, I found myself curious to see how everything would unravel. This was my first book by Kerry Wilkinson, and I would definitely read more. I think fans of psychological thrillers and true-crime elements will appreciate this book.

I liked this book a LOT. It was a really well paced thriller. It builds a lot of suspense and the plot was super unique and not something I’ve read before.

2.5 ⭐

Thank you NetGalley for the arc

Good premise, underwhelming execution. Too slow for a mystery and the suspense could have built up better at many points. Slightly predictable but the end was good.

3.25*

'The Tapes' by Kerry Wilkinson focuses on Eve, a grieving daughter whose mother disappeared over 10 years previously and whose father has recently died. Going through his belongings she uncovers a box of old cassette tapes left by her mother with one tape revealing that if she disappeared then she likely will have been murdered.

What results is a fast paced mystery thriller following Eve as she tries to uncover the truth behind her mother's disappearance and the link she had to a notorious serial killer.

I really appreciated the nostalgic, analogue atmosphere of the story and the interspersed chapters about the Earring Killer built up the lore and introduced us to the victims as Eve continued to investigate to uncover the truth.

I also found Eve to a relatable lead. She is grieving but is also curious and determined and I found myself rooting for her and like her suspecting everyone around her at one point or another.

That said, some of the momentum was lost about halfway and there were repetitive stretches where the pacing dipped which made the middle third drag and felt a little padded. The supporting characters around Eve also lacked depth and generally I didn't see much character development.

The ending was satisfying though with plenty of tension and the twist worked well so overally I felt that 'The Tapes' was a solid and atmospheric thriller with a compelling hook but it didn't quite hit the heights I hoped. Fans of domestic suspense will likely really enjoy it but I didn't love it quite as much as I hoped I would.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a digital review copy of "The Tapes" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

This book was an easy read, I loved the idea of the tapes and how that gave clues. The twists towards the end were good.

Loved the idea—a mystery tied to old cassette tapes? Total ’90s nostalgia, and it hooked me right away. The story starts strong and jumps straight into the mystery (no slow build-up here 🙌).
But halfway through, it started to lose its spark. The plot got a bit choppy, and I struggled to connect with the characters. I also wished the tapes had been used in a more creative way—it had so much potential!

The mystery wraps up quickly, but the ending wasn’t very surprising.

🎧 Cool premise, solid start, but I wanted more depth.

Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture, and the author for the ARC!

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

The Tapes by Kerry Wilkinson is a suspenseful thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. I received a copy from Bookouture via Netgalley, and it comes out on the 11th of August.

The story kicks off when Eve, while clearing her late father’s house, discovers a cassette player and a box of tapes. Among them is one labelled “Eve,” recorded by her mother, Angela, who disappeared over a decade ago. Hearing her mother’s voice again is bittersweet, but when the tape reveals a shocking confession (If you’re listening to this, I’ve been murdered) Eve is thrust into a web of mystery and danger.

The pace of the story is perfectly balanced, with the tape uncovering more secrets while deepening the tension. The character of Eve is also relatable, struggling with grief while desperately seeking answers, yet never quite knowing who to trust. The twist of discovering her mother’s hidden past and the lurking danger Eve faces was truy exciting. Though, a few moments in the plot could have been expanded a little more.

4,5/5⭐️

THE TAPES BY KERRY WILKINSON.
Release day set for the 11th of August 2025.
I really like the cover for this book.
I've read a fair few Kerry Wilkinson books and I love his writing style and his plots and storylines
The tapes is suspenseful and a very quick and easy read

When I first saw this book I was intrigued… a psychological thriller based on the use of tapes. This book was fast paced, an interesting plot with lots of twists. I would definitely recommend this brilliant book.

“… if this is Eve listening, I just want you to know I’m sorry. If they say I’m missing, I’m not. I’ve been killed - and I need you to know that I love you. “

From the very first chapter of The Tapes, I was hooked. We are introduced to Eve, who is cleaning out her recently deceased father’s house. She stumbles upon cassette tapes that were recorded by her mother, who has been missing for 13 years. On those tapes, Eve hears her mother reveal long-buried secrets, including the identity of a serial killer, who has terrorized Eve’s hometown.

The story alternates in present day, along with excerpts from a book written by one of the victim’s mother. Family secrets are exposed & Eve finds herself in danger as she gets closer to the truth.

The Tapes is a light, fast paced popcorn thriller that’s perfect for readers looking to get into the genre. Grab your copy on August 11th.

Thank you @netgalley & @bookouture for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was given an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for a review.

3.5⭐️ rounded up!

I loved the premise of this book. A set of old tapes found in a garage from a mother that disappeared? A potentially unreliable narrator? Yes please! I fully thought I knew who the killer was early on, and I was 100% wrong. It kept my attention and I stayed up too late reading it multiple nights. All wins in my book! There were parts that were a bit repetitive and probably could’ve used some additional editing, but overall a great story! I’ll definitely be picking up more from this author!

This book was so hard to put down — seriously, I flew through it. From the first few pages, I was completely hooked. It’s fast-paced, exciting, and just a really fun, easy read. You don’t have to overthink anything, but the twists and turns keep things interesting the whole way through.

One of my favorite parts was the old-school element of the cassette tapes — the main character finds tapes with her missing mother’s voice on them, and it was such a unique and creepy twist. Loved it!

I also really enjoyed the way the story was told, with chapters jumping between the main character’s POV and excerpts from a book written about the serial killer, including interviews with victims' loved ones. It added a true crime vibe that made the mystery even more compelling without dragging the story down.

Highly recommend if you’re looking for a suspenseful, fast read that keeps you guessing without being too heavy.

Thank you NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this.This is the first book I've read by this author, but it looks like she has written a ton of books. I enjoyed the storyline, it kept my interest and kept me guessing. I would be curious to read other books by this author. Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read the ARC. This releases August 11th 2025.

When clearing her late father’s house Eve finds a box of tapes from her missing mother. “If they say i’m missing, i’m not. If you’re listening to this, i’m dead.”
Eve is desperate for answers and try’s to seek them out while struggling with her own problems.

This was a captivating story from the start. I found the story to be unique and the writing was very refreshing.
I enjoyed Eves pov, she was a very realistic character. The tape idea was also very fun and i found that to be the most interesting part of the book. I also enjoyed seeing extracts from a fictional book in the story.

Overall, this was a very interesting read and i will definitely be checking out more from this author in the future. Thank you Netgalley and Kerry Wilkinson for the ARC!

Once I started The Tapes, I knew I wasn’t putting it down anytime soon. It has that addictive kind of pacing where every chapter ends in a way that makes you think, “Okay, just one more.” Before I knew it, I was halfway through and already making excuses to keep reading.
Even though I figured out who the killer was before the reveal, I honestly didn’t mind. The tension was still there, and there’s an extra twist near the end that kept things fun and unpredictable.
What stood out most to me was how natural the storytelling felt. It wasn’t overdone or overly dramatic. The plot moved with just the right amount of urgency, and the characters had enough complexity to keep me invested. It felt grounded, but still delivered those intense, thriller moments I was hoping for.
This would be a great pick for anyone looking for a fast, satisfying thriller that keeps you hooked the whole way through.

Eve‘s mother disappeared years ago, and Eve has always wondered- did she simply leave? It isn’t until Eve is cleaning out her recently departed father’s home and comes across the tape marked with her name that she begins to wonder something more sinister might have occurred.

The book was solidly OK for me. The plot is unique and the text is well written. Eve is sympathetic, if a little underdeveloped. Was also a pretty quick read! However, I just had a hard time connecting to the characters or getting as invested in the book as I would’ve liked. I also guessed the plot twist pretty early on in the book and never really wavered, so the ending felt a little anticlimactic. This book was a bit middling for me, but I’ve heard great things about the author and will likely try another one of her books in the future!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC.

This book was really good! From the first page to the last it kept me intrigued which i find is sometimes hard for me. I was investigating along side the fmc, but the ending was sooo different than i expected. very good read super easy and fast paced!