2.5⭐️

When I was a kid, I spent hours recording my favourite songs off of the radio on tapes (even though tapes weren‘t a thing anymore and everyone listened to CDs). Nothing was more frustrating than the radio host cutting in before the end of the song. But it still was such a fun time and so I knew I had to read this book for the nostalgia alone.

After all, the premise sounds so interesting. Eve is going through her father‘s belongings, as he‘s recently passed away, when she comes across a tape labeled „Eve“. It‘s a recording by her mum who went missing 12 years prior. On that tape, Eve‘s mum says that she thinks she‘ll be killed because she knows who the Earring Killer is.

So essentially this is a double mystery. 1: who is the Earring Killer and 2: did the Earring Killer murder her mum.

This sounded so exciting but unfortunately it all fell a bit flat for me. I must say that twist at the end was surprising, and yet didn‘t really shock me. Maybe because I really wasn‘t invested in these people‘s lives. Eve is quite a boring character and has the weirdest relationships with everyone around her, including her daughter.

I also struggled with the overall pacing, repetitions and tone. Perhaps my expectations are too high when it comes to thrillers, but I want to be on the edge of my seat. This was just not that exciting to me.

Overall, I‘d recommend this to anyone who is keen for some nostalgia and not bothered about a lack of character depth. However, if you want a nail biter with tons of twists and turns, you might want to give this a miss.

I didn’t know who the Earring Killer was until almost the end.
The betrayals were deep!
Even those in our closest circles can do things we never imagined!
What resonated with me was the importance of the cassette tapes. I spent hours recording songs off the radio trying to keep the DJ’s voice out. I just threw out tons of my mixed tapes a few years ago.
Besides the mystery and suspense this book proves its worth keeping some outdated technology because you never know when a voice from the past will unlock secrets!

Eve is cleaning out her recently deceased father's home when she finds a series of cassette tapes left behind by her mother who has been missing for 13 years. As she listens to the tapes, she realizes her mom was not who she thought she was and may have gone missing since she stumbled across the real identity of a serial killer. This novel kept me guessing at who really did it, since many clues led to many different people. This was a for sure page turner that kept me guessing until the end.

Eve is dealing with the loss of her father & is responsible for going through his things in order to get his house ready to sell. She comes across a box of cassette tapes, some of which with her name on them, & realizes that the tapes were her mother’s. Her mother has been missing for 13 years, & it’s assumed that she ran away to start a new life. However, upon listening to these tapes Eve discovers that her mom, Angela, predicted her own disappearance & ultimately…her murder. Angela even insinuates that her death is at the hands of a local serial killer & that she knows who it is. Now Eve needs to know: did her mother really walk out on her, or was she murdered?

SO good! The suspense, the differing timelines, the serial killer storyline - this book is the ultimate thriller. Definitely recommend to check this one out when it releases just in time for spooky season!

Eve is thrown into the memories of her past when she happens upon old cassette tapes while clearing out her deceased father's garage, one including a message from her mother stating that she's been murdered. This sets Eve on her own investigation of what happened to her mother all those years ago and straight into the sights of a possible serial killer.

This story took off within the first few pages and kept a steady pace throughout. It was unpredictable, and every character introduced seemed to be a possible suspect. There were inserts of a book within a book seamlessy woven in between chapters connecting the readers to each victim, giving them a name instead of just a number. The protagonist was likable, and as the story progressed, she really grew on me, although I wanted just a little more emotion from her. The final reveal was unexpected and clever. Overall, this was a suspenseful, bingeworthy read that I give three and a half stars to.

Thank you, Netgalley and Bookouture, for this ARC.

This was my first book by Kerry Wilkinson and sir, I was not aware of your game! Safe to say I'm here to stay. Finished this book in two nights and it brought me out of my reading slump. From Eve's POV the story takes place over five days and it may sound ridiculous but the pacing is absolutely perfect. This book is proof that every single person out there has a back story and they are so much more than just how they died, because let's face it if someone was killed we never focus on how they lived, only how they died. Unless of course it's someone close to us.
Let's get into the characters!

Eve>I loved being inside her head and I also loved how she immediately jumped into action once she found the tapes. She was ambitious and wouldn't rest until she found what she needed. A part of me was also hoping that by the end of it all, her mother would've been alive but again, the ending was perfect. Her drive to remain sober for Faith was admirable and I also love how the author wasn't focused on her getting a love interest, she's such a girl boss.

Angela>I don't care what anyone says, I love her, she's just a misunderstood queen. The way Eve spoke about her and the tapes really gave you insight to the type of person she is which was written very well considering we never actually met her.

Vivian>I was definitely curious about her since the beginning and wondered about her connection, safe to say I sobbed when I found out just how she is connected. Reading her side of the story was so beautiful, her admitting that she so badly wanted her daughter to be like her, regretting never saying 'congratulations'. Everything about Viv and Paloma was magical.

Peter> I'm just kind of at a loss for his character? Lol. I know Eve brushed it off at the end as they were just not getting along, period but I feel there's more to him that meets the eye. Because what exactly did he take from their father's room? I guess we'll never know.

I don't want to spoil anything so I'll just stop it at that BUT the plot twist quite literally had me staring at the wall and I'm not going to lie, at one point *he* did also convince me that Eve was losing her goddamn mind. But I still had faith in my girl.

Eve is clearing up her father's house after his death with the intention of selling the house. While cleaning, she comes across an old cassette player and some cassettes. Curious, Eve starts listening to them and was surprised to find that her own mother was the one who had been recording those cassettes. Her mother had made the cassettes for her and her mother confess something to Eve--a secret--about who the serial killer known as Earring Killer is and that by the time she made this tape, she would probably be dead. Eve's mother disappeared mysteriously and so Eve is determined to find out what exactly happened to her mother and from whom her mother was actually running away from.

This has a very interesting and promising premise--the plot was good. However, I felt it was a little slow paced and was slightly boring. Nonetheless the story went on and I liked all those little excerpts from the book describing about the victims and about the Earring Killer.

This could have been better but in my opinion it was an OK book. Worth 3.5 stars.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

The Tapes is a cleverly structured, emotionally resonant psychological thriller that builds an intriguing mystery around family and memory. With its eerie analog voice and an unforgettable opening, it’s a binge-worthy read—especially for fans of domestic suspense—even if it momentarily lags before delivering a compelling conclusion.

'If you’re listening to this, I’ve been murdered…'
Well, that’s one way make sure you read chapter 2 and Ill confess I was hooked from that line. I settled in with a cuppa and a healthy touch of scepticism (because let’s be honest, a lot of thrillers these days couldn’t twist their way out of a paper bag). But this one? This one had claws.

Eve is no damsel. After her Dad dies, she starts to clear his house and discovers tapes recorded by her missing mother. This leads to a journey where she is digging through her mother’s past with the kind of grit I respect, no whining, no dithering, just tape after tape of secrets that made me mutter 'bloody hell' more than once. The pacing? Tight. The twists? Sharp enough to make me go back for more. And the emotional gut punches? Unexpected, but well placed.

It’s got that true crime edge without the exploitative nonsense. No filler, no fluff just a solid mystery that steals your time and respects your brain. If you like your thrillers with bite, backbone, and a protagonist who doesn’t need rescuing, The Tapes delivers.

Final verdict? Five tapes out of five.

The cover of this book caught my eye and I was intrigued by the nostalgia of tapes. When I realised it was a thriller I had to read it as I love thriller books that have me gripped. This book is publishing on 11th August. Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advance copy.

I hadn’t heard of this author before and hadn’t realised how many books he has written. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the story other than the promises of a gripping thriller.

‘If they say I’m missing, I’m not. I’ve been killed.’

Eve is clearing out her borderline hoarder dad’s house after his death. She finds a box of tapes that belonged to her mum who has been missing for 13 years. She finds a tape with her name on it and discovers that her mum claims to know the identity of ‘The Earring Killer’ and says that they have killed her too. Eve isn’t sure if she can believe the tapes as her mum often lied, but she’s determined to find out what really happened.

I had a few theories about who the killer was but I’m glad I was proved wrong. I found it difficult to connect with Eve and I found her almost robotic. As the book starts her father has just died yet she doesn’t seem overly upset, instead seems to use it as an excuse. I found that most of the other characters seemed a bit surface level and I would have liked more from them.

The book has an intriguing and gripping start, but definitely tailed off a bit in the middle, then picks up again towards the end. I thought the ending was a bit too rushed and abrupt, I actually flicked back a few pages in case I had missed something.

Overall, I liked the idea of the tapes but the characters weren’t developed enough for me and the pacing was off. I would consider reading more from this author.

After Eve's father dies, she is tasked with cleaning out his house. Among the clutter she finds a box of recordings from her mother, who disappeared many years ago. One recording has chilling words. "If I disappear, I've been killed". Eve must trace the clues to discover if he mom is alive out there or if, in fact, she was killed.

I enjoyed this thriller. I liked the excerpts from the book within a book. I also enjoyed that there were several mysteries within this novel. I did figure out "who dunnit" towards the beginning, but there were a lot of details and factors that were revealed throughout.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Overall a nice thriller. There was a good plot and it wasn’t very predictable, which I like. However I found the tempo of the story inconsistent. It started rushed, then it slowed down to the point of boredom and then it picked up again. This isn’t bad perse but it stood out to me. I think the story was original but somehow it didn’t really grab me. I also think some parts could have been left out or explained more. The author makes you think the wrong person did it, but in the end never explains the actions of this character. I didn’t really like that.

Overall a nice book to read once, but wouldn’t necessarily recommend or read again.

Thank you NetGalley for ARC of this book.
Being that the book is called the Tapes I thought more time would spent looking into the tapes. Instead we’re just on a cat and mouse game of who is the Earring killer.
I did enjoy the book in the end when everything comes together.

Some stories hook you with action. Others with atmosphere. The Tapes grips because of its voice—quite literally.

Eve is packing away the remnants of her late father’s life when she finds an old cassette player and a box of tapes. Most are the kind of thing you’d expect—little slices of the past that stir a moment’s nostalgia. But one is different. Her name is written across the label in her mother’s handwriting. Her mother, Angela, who disappeared more than a decade ago.

Eve presses play. The hiss of static gives way to a familiar voice she never thought she’d hear again. And then—an impossible sentence: If they say I’m missing, I’m not. If you’re listening to this, I’ve been murdered.

From that moment on, the book tightens its grip. The search for the truth moves forward one page (and tape) at a time, each pulling back another layer of Angela’s hidden life. It’s a clever structure that builds momentum while also deepening the personal stakes. It's about solving a mystery, yes, but also a daughter trying to reconcile the mother she remembers with the woman she’s only now beginning to know.

Wilkinson paces the story with precision. There’s urgency, but also room for tension to breathe. You’re not simply rushing to the final twist; you’re listening alongside Eve, piecing together a puzzle that’s as much emotional as it is dangerous.

It’s a tight psychological thriller where grief, secrecy, and trust all coil together. Even as the revelations mount, you’re left questioning whether the truth will bring closure—or more questions Eve isn’t ready to face.

If you appreciate thrillers with sharp edges and a human heart, The Tapes is both tense and resonant. It’s a story that doesn’t just want to be solved—it wants to be heard.

First of all, thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When Eve’s father passes away, she returns to his house to sort through his belongings. She discovers a box of old cassette tapes, recordings made by her mother before she mysteriously disappeared years ago.

On one of the tapes, Eve hears a chilling message:
“…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 that moment, we follow Eve on a journey to uncover the truth about her mother’s disappearance. Gradually, we learn why her mother left this message. It’s because she knew the identity of the Earring Killer.

The suspense throughout the book is excellent. The mystery hooked me right away, and I found it genuinely hard to put down. Questions kept me turning the pages: What really happened to her mother? Could she still be alive? And who exactly is the Earring Killer?

However, I did find the emotional depth lacking. Eve’s father has just died, yet her reaction feels muted. This flatness carries through other moments as well, such as when the mother of one of the Earring Killer’s victims finally learns the killer’s identity after so many years, yet we never hear her emotional response. These missed opportunities made some scenes feel less impactful than they could have been.

I also felt that the way we finally learned the identity of the Earring Killer could have been handled better. It felt sudden and a little rushed. We’re told the truth was revealed on a tape, yet throughout the story we actually hear several tapes, just not the one that mattered most. Experiencing that revelation directly would have been far more powerful.

Overall, The Tapes is a gripping and addictive mystery, but I wished for more emotional weight to match the intensity of the plot.

I will definitely be reading more of Kerry Wilkinson’s books and I’m curious to explore his other works.

Eve uncovers chilling secrets while clearing out her late father’s house. Eve finds an old cassette player and a box of tapes. One tape is labeled “Eve” in her missing mother Angela’s handwriting. When Eve plays the tape, she hears Angela’s voice saying, “If you’re listening to this, I’ve been murdered.” With no one left to turn to, Eve begins listening to the tapes, uncovering secrets that suggest her mother’s disappearance wasn’t voluntary.

I liked the plot premises of this story but unfortunately it was a bit too slow paced for me.

4.5 stars, rounded up!

The only regret I have about this book, is that I didn't have as much time to read it as I had hoped, because it was incredibly hard to put down and resume with my life in between reading 'The Tapes'.

The story starts captivating you right from the very first chapter, where Eve is clearing out her father's garage after his passing. In the garage, she finds a box of tapes left by her mother -who disappeared thirteen years ago- saying that she isn't missing, but that she was killed instead.

Despite that being the premise of the book (so I already knew that this was going to happen), it captivated me and made me just as curious as Eve was. The short chapters made it extremely easy to go through the book at a fast pace, and the urge to say 'just one more chapter' was very big.

I liked Eve as a main character, she was very layered, and most of the actions seemed very realistic and relatable. I especially appreciated her relationship with her daughter, Faith, and even that with her ex-husband. Even though generally in a thriller I prioritize the mystery over the characters, I always feel a bit more enamored when I like those as well.

The mystery unfolds in a pleasing way, not too many useless red herrings, and like I said, the fast pace keeps you really engaged. The conclusion was satisfying, although I felt like I missed just a little something still. Maybe a little more engagement, conversation; maybe I needed it to be bit longer? I can't say much more without spoiling it, but rest assured that the conclusion is satisfying and fitting nonetheless.

Another aspect I really liked, was the book-within-a-book, where there's excerpts of a book discussing the victims of the serial killer, the earring killer, who terrorized the town for years. The way the victims got highlighted reminded me of one of my favorite true crime books, Michelle McNamara's "I'll be Gone in the Dark". The little excerpts broke the story up in a way that added to the tension, instead of taking away from it.

Overall, I really liked this thriller and the excerpts of other books at the end of the book. I think I will definitely be adding some of Wilkinson's titles to my TBR!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Bookouture and Kerry Wilkinson for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This started off as a very gripping, compelling psychological thriller that had me reading it virtually in one go due to its fast pace. As a reader, it was really exciting to be led into different avenues of curiosity when trying to find the killer alongside the main character.

I also really enjoyed the intermittent extracts of the book written about the killer, named ‘The Earring Killer’. The concept of the book was very clever. The fact that these cassette tapes were left behind and found ant a later date added further intrigue as to where her Mother had gone and if she was indeed a victim of the earring killer.

However, personally the downside to this book was that I felt like it ended very suddenly. There was a huge ramp up to the end and I was really gripped when faced with the plot line of the storage unit. However, after this, it really petered out for me and the (other half) of the big reveal was a disappointment. From this point, I blinked and the book was over. I feel it would have been better if it had just been the first reveal that was continued. For me, there wasn’t really enough of a conclusion or a satisfying enough ‘wrap up’ to the story. If there had been a bit more depth to the investigation and resolution at the end, I may have felt differently and rated it higher. I reached the end and said ‘oh’? And wanted more to discover - for example, there were some loose ends that didn’t get tied that I would have loved to have pulled on.

I would still recommend the story though, as it is a brilliant concept - the idea of the earring killer was very intriguing.

Overall I really did enjoy the plot of this book but the writing unfortunately fell short for me in a few aspects. A lot of it felt repetitive but then there were plot lines that were just left as loose ends or sort of just explained away which was frustrating.

There were a few moments where I thought I’d figured out the plot twist so I was genuinely surprised when it wasn’t what I guessed but overall this book had me wanting more atmospheric writing as it felt a bit rushed.

The concept of this book is really what drew me to it, the cover is compelling! I was excited to jump into this book. Although it was overall enjoyable, I found some parts to be a bit slow and hard to get through. Mostly, I wish the cassette tapes were incorporated more into the plot as far as it being transcribed. I still would recommend this book to any thriller reader, I had absolutely no idea what direction it was heading and enjoyed the uniqueness of this plot.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review.