A twisty story

I wish I had the audiobook! I think I would have found it more interesting, not to say I didn’t love it! I throughly enjoyed this.
A gripping fast paced thriller of a ride. Had me on the edge of my seat literally biting my nails.
Didn’t feel much connection to any character, but I don’t feel bad about it.
I would highly recommend reading the murder tapes if you are a thriller girly like me.

4.5/5 star!
Thank you NetGalley and publishers for this arc.
Definitely will buy a copy for my bookshelf.

The Tapes is a gripping thriller that had me hooked from the very first page. The mystery surrounding the discovered tapes is both chilling and brilliantly paced. Kerry Wilkinson creates a tense, atmospheric setting that adds to the suspense. The main character is relatable and well-drawn, making the unfolding twists even more impactful. I couldn’t put it down and highly recommend it to fans of dark, twisty mysteries.

Reading in Between the Wines book review #80/125 for 2025:
Rating: 4 🍷🍷🍷🍷
Book: The Tapes
Author: Kerry Wilkinson
AVAILABLE NOW!!

Sipping thoughts: This was such a cool concept. I loved the story of finding tapes, old school ones at that, which tell a story and could be behind the reason someone is missing. It gave me such nostalgia. I love Wilkinson’s writing style. He keeps me so wrapped up in each storyline, not wanting to stop reading.

Cheers and thank you to @Netgalley and @Bookouture for an advanced copy of @TheTapes.

#TheTapes #KerryWilkinson #Bookouture #NetGalley #ARC #advancedreader #Kindle #Booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #nicoles_bookcellar #bookworm #bookdragon #booknerd #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #bokreview #bookreviewer #IHaveNoShelfControl #ReadingBetweenTheWines #fiction #thriller #suspense #mystery #MysteryAndThrillers #GeneralFictionAdult

3.5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. I feel like it could have been a little bit shorter, but I really enjoyed the way the tapes play into the story. That intrigued me the most when I came across this book. I liked Eve as the FMC. I felt like I was right back in the 90's while reading this and I really liked that vibe. I also really liked how the story jumps right into action. The first chapter hooked me right away. I could not stop reading, and I could not put this book down.

This book releases 8/11/25 I recommend reading this!

Thank you to Netgalley and Kerry Wilkinson for allowing me this ARC for an honest review. My review is also posted to goodreads.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for the book #TheTapes by #KerryWilkinson. I absolutely loved this book especially with all the tapes and old recordings. Eve’s father just passed and she is cleaning out his house when she finds a box of old tapes her mother, who has been missing for thirteen years, had recorded. She mentions ‘if you are listening to this then I am dead’. As she continues to listen to the tapes she realizes a connection to things that happened years ago. Can she piece it all together to find out where here mother disappeared to and solve some very traumatic cases? Highly recommend.

A interesting psychological thriller! Follows the story a woman, Eve who is thrown into the past with the appearance of her mother’s diary entries on tapes that sets of a story of fact hunting and discovery of her mother’s past and the implications of the present.

I really enjoyed the female protagonist as she was just a woman who has gone through some trials and tribulations, wasn’t perfect, has made some mistakes and is just trying to live her life and better it for her daughter. It felt like a real person that you would meet in your day to day life and it really sold me because I asked myself what would I do in a situation like this?

4.25 / 5 ⭐️. Only reason this is not 5 ⭐️is because I wished that had been more to the tapes in terms of content on the mystery itself. I also figured out 2 of the twists.

Still incredibly enjoyable, easy read with some excellent twists and I will definitely reading more from this author.

Happy reading peoples 🤗

“If you’re listening to this, I’ve been murdered.” That opening line sets the tone for a chilling, fast-paced thriller that blends nostalgia with suspense. The Tapes follows Eve as she uncovers a box of cassette recordings left behind by her missing mother—one of which contains a haunting message that suggests foul play.

The premise is gripping, and the emotional stakes are high. I appreciated the retro cassette angle—it added a unique texture to the mystery. While some plot twists felt familiar, the pacing kept me turning pages, and Eve’s vulnerability made her easy to root for.

This isn’t a twist-every-page kind of thriller, but it’s atmospheric, emotionally charged, and perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell or Shari Lapena. I finished it in one sitting and found myself thinking about the ending long after.

📼 Recommended for readers who enjoy:

Family secrets and buried truths

Nostalgic formats (hello, cassette tapes!)

Fast reads with emotional depth

Would I read more by Kerry Wilkinson? Absolutely.

This book is twisty, emotional, bingeable and it spirals fast. The story blends nostalgia, grief, and suspense as Eve uncovers secrets that make her question everything, including her own safety.

3.5 stars

Thirteen years ago, Eve’s mother vanished without a trace. Now, while clearing out her late father’s house, Eve finds a box of old cassette tapes. They were recorded by her mother and could finally reveal the truth.

This was a tragic and emotional story that started strong, with a plot that pulled me in immediately. Somewhere in the middle, the pacing slowed, and my interest dipped, but the reveal made up for it. All in all, it was a decent read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the free copy.

I loved the premise of this book and the synopsis had me hooked. The idea of a grown daughter finding tapes that her missing mother had recorded? It sounded so intriguing. It started out strong but I quickly got a bit bored. I wish the plot had focused more on the tapes, but it was still a decent read. It just felt a little bit all over for me.

What do you do when you find your mother's old cassette tapes that reveal that she knows the identity of a local serial killer?

I flew through this book in just a few sittings and was excited to have received an ARC of it. For the first 30% or so, I was hooked. I wanted to find out what was going to happen. However, the further we got into the book, the more repetitive each chapter felt, and by the time the plot twist was revealed, I was somewhat disinterested. I wanted to enjoy this one so bad, but the twist didn't feel special or thrilling to me. Instead, I was just a little disappointed in the route the story took.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of The Tapes by Kerry Wilkinson.

The Tapes immediately captures attention with its nostalgic nod to cassette tapes.

The main character, Eve, uncovers a cassette player and tapes while cleaning her late father's cluttered garage. One tape, labeled with Eve's name, contains a chilling message from her long-missing mother, Angela--a confession linking her to the notorious "Earring Killer" case. Eve's life becomes increasingly complex as she investigates her mother's past while managing family responsibilities and police suspicion.
The narrative alternates between Eve's perspective and excerpts from a true crime book about the serial killer. Its strengths include an intriguing premise, quick-paced chapters, and a compelling use of cassette tapes as a storytelling device. It provides an entertaining read for fans of small-town mysteries and cold cases.

Quick summary: After her father’s death, Eve begins sorting through his belongings and discovers a box of cassette tapes recorded by her mother, who disappeared years ago. On one tape, her mother insists she hasn’t gone missing but has been murdered. As Eve digs into the past, suspicion falls on nearly everyone around her. With more deaths occurring, the tension builds in this twisty, fast-moving thriller.

Review: This was a well-written, suspenseful read that kept me guessing until the very end. I truly didn’t see the conclusion coming. The pacing was excellent and the plot stayed engaging throughout. While I didn’t feel a strong connection to any of the characters, including Eve, they weren’t unlikable. They just were not particularly memorable for me. That said, the mystery itself made up for it. If you enjoy quick, twist-filled thrillers that keep you on edge, this one is worth picking up.

I was hooked from the very first page of this book. The short chapters — which I personally love — made it such a smooth and engaging read. I really enjoyed the author’s writing style, which felt both vivid and accessible, and I quickly found myself invested in the characters.

Each chapter ended in a way that made it almost impossible to put the book down; I always wanted to see what happened next. My only minor criticism is that I felt the story took a little while to fully develop, but once it did, I was completely absorbed.

Kerry Wilkinson’s “The Tapes” was another captivating thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. As a fan of his work, I was delighted to find this book to be just as impressive. The plot was cleverly crafted, with shady friends and family members who kept me guessing until the very end. The question lingered: who was the killer, and where was her mother? The writing was well-crafted, and I was left shocked by the unexpected ending.

I would like to express my gratitude to Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book.

I received an e-ARC and am giving my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this opportunity!

This was a really good mystery. The mix between the personal connection of Eve's missing mother and the mystery of the serial killer, it did a great job of enticing the reader. It moved a bit slow at times, but that's more of a personal problem tbh not against the author at all. I really enjoyed this, I haven't read a good mystery in a while. Eve was incredibly written and I absolutely adored her. Her relationship with her daughter was lovely. This really holds all of the mix-ins for an incredible book, and it delivers. A perfect beach read, or to curl up this fall during a rainy day.

4⭐️
A slow burn tension riddled mystery.
I loved that this has multi media formats in the story telling. The tapes were chefs kiss and I liked the excerpts from the Earring Killer book.
It’s giving true crime story

I guess it makes sense but the fact that the mom didn’t just tell us who the killer was… made me annoyed but what kinda story would that be if we had the answer.

A bit slow for my liking but a great story overall

Genre: Mystery/Thriller
My Rating: 3.5

After her father’s death, Eve finds a box of old cassette tapes. They belonged to her mother who disappeared more than 10 years ago. She finds one with her name on it and begins listening. Taped over an innocent recording of a young Eve learning the alphabet is a shocking accusation. Her mother’s voice comes through the speakers, “If you’re listening to this, I’ve been murdered.” As Eve listens to the tape, everyone around her becomes a suspect. She doesn’t know who to trust and she can’t ask for help.

It was well written and a decent read. I was intrigued by the storyline, and I liked that it was broken up with excerpts from a book written about the crimes. Most of the characters were likeable.

There was one instance where the brother stole something from their father’s house, but we never learned what it was or why he stole it. I do wish we had learned more about that. However, it was more of an afterthought that I completely forgot about in the last few chapters.

I would recommend it to anyone who likes Mystery/Thrillers. Even if I’m not the best audience for this book, I know some would love it.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC! After her father dies she is cleaning out the home and finds tapes regarding her mother that disappeared years before…. AND that is just the beginning. OMG this book was crazy suspenseful and twisty.

I loved how fast paced the story was and the short chapters made it easy to read. Having it told from Eve’s POV really pulled me in although I would have loved more emotional depth to her character. I thought I had the ending figured out, only to be completely blindsided. The book starts strong, sprinting right into the mystery of the tapes, and once the murderer is revealed, the ending wraps up pretty quickly. I appreciated that everything was tied up neatly.

That said, there were moments when the narrative felt a bit repetitive, and even with all the twists and turns, I was waiting for a big reveal that didn’t quite land the way I expected. I still would recommend if you love a fast paced mystery!!