I loved this book and it thoroughly deserves every one of the 5 stars I’ve rated it! To sum up the book in a few words harrowing, unique and twisty.

Ooomph this book sure did pack an emotional punch. My eyes simply couldn’t read it fast enough I loooooove this kind of book it held me tight and didn’t let go!

I would imagine little twists that I knew were coming and WHAM… the twists were bigger, bolder, and even more gripping!! enough! I will be thinking about this book for a while after I take a few breaths that is! Another home run by Chris Bridges.

So, where to start…. This book is dark. The characters are each very complex in their own way and pretty much all of them have complicated pasts that affect how they behave as people and towards each other. I’m not sure I found any of them particularly likeable but I feel as though that was how they were written to be and it was done well. At first I felt a bit sorry for Laura, like she found making friends difficult, but after a while she seemed a little creepy, especially how she was with the eccentric Sadie.
I felt like Laurel House definitely had a pull to it, to make people want to stay. It sounded like a fascinating place although with all that happened in it, I’m not really sure I’d like to visit.

It was a really great story that had me absolutely pulled in, waiting to see where each little secret went and I loved how i was fed little nuggets of information that led to big ‘Oh’ moments where things clicked into place.

If you’re looking for something dark, disturbing and gripping, this book will be right up your street.

Told across two timelines, then and now, this story is about Laura, a student nurse who makes friends with Sadie, a mysterious older student who has Laura in her thrall. Over a decade later, despite not being in touch for all that time, Laura is ‘persuaded’ to revisit The Laurels and take care of Sadie.

A good read that I enjoyed. All of the characters were pretty despicable, you will love to hate them! Story was well written, with a good plot line. If I have a negative it is that the book is overlong and could do with editing, some of the narrative is superfluous and unnecessary.

3.5*

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books Uk.

The Death Bed by Chris Bridges is a dark, unsettling psychological thriller that quietly crawls under your skin and refuses to let go.

Laura arrives at her former best friend’s bedside not out of kindness, but fear. Sadie is dying, and with her final breath she could expose a truth Laura has spent sixteen years burying. What unfolds is a slow, claustrophobic unravelling of guilt, memory and buried trauma, as the past refuses to stay silent.

This is a story that thrives on atmosphere. The pacing is deliberately slow, but it works in the book’s favour, creating an uncomfortable tension that mirrors Laura’s mounting dread. The confined setting, the weight of unspoken history and the creeping sense that something terrible is about to surface all combine to make this a deeply unsettling read.

I especially appreciated the author’s writing style, which feels thoughtful and controlled, allowing the psychological tension to build rather than relying on shock. The themes explored are heavy and handled with sensitivity, and the author’s note at the end adds real emotional depth and context to the story.

This is not a fast thriller, but it is an absorbing one. Quietly disturbing, emotionally layered and deeply atmospheric, it will stay with you long after the final page.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

I found this an enjoyable read with plenty of mystery and twists.
When Laura enrols as a student nurse she embarks on a move to London which takes her away from a past that still haunts her. She fairly quickly becomes friends with fellow student Sadie and settles into her new career. What can I say about Sadie she is a strange one that’s for sure, living in the past but manipulating the present.
The story is told from historical events and the present which I enjoyed.
My thanks to Net Galley and the Publishers for the advanced copy of this thrilling book.

Laura is a nurse who has travelled to care for her dying old best friend. She hasn’t done this out of compassion though, but rather out of fear. Sixteen years ago tragedy tore their friendship group apart and Laura has spent the subsequent years trying to make sure the truth doesn’t come out. Now her old best friend might destroy it all.

Having previously read this author’s first book and really enjoying it, I was excited to be able to read this next one, whilst also enjoying medical thrillers and being drawn to the cover. What I liked so much about the previous book was the unique storytelling and writing style, which I was happy to find this one also contained. The story is a slow burn, but this works well with the writing style and creates a claustrophobic, creepy atmosphere, that you can’t help but read more of. Saying that, at times the pacing made the story feel slightly long. The author explores some serious topics in an authentic, sensitive way. I appreciated the author’s note at the end about the reasons for the story, which resonated with me.

Although there were a lot of unlikeable characters, they were well written and interesting to read. I never quite knew who to trust, with many feeling unreliable, which helped keep up the suspense within the story. I was keen to see where it would go and there were a few twists and turns as the story progressed. I can certainly see this haunting, compelling story having a firm grip on readers who enjoy slow burn, complex thrillers and I will continue to look out for more books by this author. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

*A HEART-STOPPING THRILL RIDE: THE DEATH BED BY CHRIS BRIDGES*

Get ready for a wild ride! 🚨 Chris Bridges' "The Death Bed" is a heart-stopping thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. This debut novel is a masterclass in suspense, expertly weaving together a complex web of secrets, lies, and deadly intentions.

The story follows Detective Rachel Jenkins as she investigates a shocking murder that takes her to a secluded death bed facility, where the lines between life and death are blurred. Bridges' writing is taut and immersive, perfectly capturing the tense atmosphere of the investigation.

The characters are complex and nuanced, with motivations that are both believable and unsettling. Rachel is a compelling protagonist, driven by a mix of personal and professional demons.

The plot twists are expertly done, with a few surprises that will leave you gasping. Bridges' use of misdirection and red herrings is masterful, keeping you on a wild goose chase until the very end.

One of the standout aspects of this book is Bridges' exploration of themes such as mortality, grief, and the consequences of our choices. The writing is evocative and engaging, making it easy to become lost in the world of the story.

The pacing is expertly managed, with a steady build-up of tension that culminates in a heart-pounding climax. If you're looking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, look no further!

Overall, *"The Death Bed" is a gripping and thought-provoking read that will appeal to fans of crime fiction and thrillers*. 👍

Rating: 5/5 stars

Review of ‘The Death Bed’ by Chris Bridges, due to be published on 26 February 2026 by Avon Books UK.  

A story of two parts told in the ‘Then’ and ‘Now’.

Then - we meet Laura and Sadie, amongst a host of supporting characters, who are all training to be nurses in London in the 1990’s.  Sadie, older than the others, has a house with quirky 50’s decor to match her fashion style.  She talks lovingly about growing up there, the people that have previously lived in the house and how she never wants to leave.  Laura is delighted when Sadie asks her to stay at the house with her, finally feeling at home after a troubled past. Until it all goes wrong and Laura has no choice but to leave the house, and Sadie, behind. 

Now - set in 2010, Sadie is dying and deploys her daughter, Elsie, to convince Laura to come back to the house to nurse her in her final weeks.  In fear of her past secrets and career ending indiscretions coming to light, Laura reluctantly agrees.

Both Laura and Sadie are strong, well written protagonists, supporting characters are well developed, each adding their own unique part of the story.  There are surprising plot twists, secrets unearthed that have long been buried, and not everyone is as they present themselves.  It’s a gripping read, that gets its claws into you in from the very first page.

The death bed is a fantastic read. Excellent plot that was both fast paced and engaging. I loved how well it was written and was kept engaged to the end.
Utterly amazing!

The Death Bed is one of those thrillers that hooks you from the very first line and keeps tightening its grip with every chapter. What begins as a simple bedside vigil quickly unravels into a knot of old loyalties, buried secrets, and the kind of guilt that never really dies.

Laura is such a fascinating narrator — controlled, careful, and clearly terrified of the past catching up with her. When she arrives at Sadie’s death bed, it’s obvious she’s not there out of love or nostalgia. She’s there because Sadie knows too much. That tension simmers beautifully throughout the book, and the author does a brilliant job of letting the truth surface in slow, unsettling waves.

The flashbacks to their nursing‑school days add a sharp emotional edge, revealing how one tragedy splintered a group of friends and left Laura carrying far more than her share. I loved how the story plays with the idea that the dying don’t always go quietly — and that sometimes the most dangerous secrets are the ones whispered at the very end.

Atmospheric, twisty, and surprisingly emotional, The Death Bed is perfect for readers who enjoy character‑driven suspense with a strong psychological undercurrent. It’s a story about friendship, fear, and the lengths we go to protect the lies we’ve built our lives around.

A tense and satisfying read.

With thanks to Chris Bridges, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

This is the first book I’ve read by Chris Bridges and one which I thoroughly enjoyed. With this story he has masterfully crafted a gripping and unsettling plot, brimming with rich details and unexpected twists, that not only capture your attention but also manage to trigger deep emotions.

The story is told in both past and present and follows Laura, a nurse who travels to London to care for her enigmatic friend Sadie, who is dying. However her visit is not out of compassion, Laura must ensure that the past stays buried along with their secrets and that the truth never sees the light of day.

Laura narrates the story, offering the reader a glimpse into her psyche and showing us the other characters through her lens. I felt pulled into the unfolding narrative and could sense Laura’s trauma, discomfort and her desperation to fit in, and although I can’t say that I particularly liked any of the characters, I was still compelled to read onward.

Chris Bridges’ writing keeps the pace moving, and the flawed, unhinged characters add to the intrigue. I always enjoy stories set in dual timelines and there were some real surprises in this one.

THE DEATH BED is a moody, psychological thriller that’s explores grief, obsession, the feeling of not belonging and the fragile line between truth and illusion. Part domestic thriller, part family drama and part crime fiction, it’s a cracking read. 4.5 stars

THE DEATH BED will be released on 26th February 2026 and is available to pre-order now.

Thank you to Net Galley and Avon books for the advanced copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for this ARC! This book is dark. This story is about Laura, a student nurse who makes friends with Sadie, a mysterious older student who has Laura in her thrall. Over a decade later, despite not being in touch for all that time, Laura is ‘persuaded’ to revisit The Laurels and take care of Sadie. I enjoyed this book.

Thanks NetGalley for the free ARC!
At first I was a bit disturbed by the scenarios of death and patient suffering, but I am actively grieving and it was a bit raw for me. However, I felt the novel was well written and the descriptive scenarios made me very emphatic towards patients and healthcare workers. I felt the novel was engaging and entertaining as well as suspenseful. I would recommend.