My familiarity with Charlie Gallagher’s novels has been the two Abigail Morton thrillers that were released earlier in 2026. Both books were excellent and held my attention throughout. I’m hoping for another one before the end of the year or early 2027.

Seeing a non-series thriller by Gallagher was being released. I couldn’t wait to read “I Had to Do It”. I had to wonder how well his style would match up with the description of the book.

I found the book quite enjoyable for the first half of the book. I was interested in what direction he was going to go with the book. There were several choices that he had laid out for where he could go. And then I got worried. I felt like he was losing the plot.

“Oh, ye (or should I say me) of little faith!” Dear Mr. Gallagher (Can I call you Charlie?), I must apologize to you for ever doubting you.

By the end of this book, I had a huge smile on my face. Let’s just say, what you think is going on, you are most likely wrong.

I know a lot of books promise that. This one actually delivers.

I still prefer the Abigail Morton books, but this was a fun way to kill a rainy day.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

My sister is missing
My father is guilty.
I had to do it is one gripping psychological thriller to give you pimples and goosebumps with full on twisty turns.
Jessica Walsh finds her sister Vicky missing,
Leaving her father so desperate, it's all part of a plan to get Vicky clean.
Acceptional absolutely Acceptional work written from this author.
A big thumbs up from me.

Jessica Walsh is minding her own business before her weekly therapy session, drinking her usual coffee and watching the world go by. But when she bumps into a complete stranger with a very similar story to her own, she can't stop thinking about the mysterious woman she met - especially when other aspects of her story begin to be mirrored in Jess' life too. And when her sister leaves a voicemail saying she's under attack - and it's her father wielding the axe - Jess rushes to their house, only to find that desperate times have seemingly called for desperate measures - and life as she knows it will never be the same again.

This another fantastic standalone from Charlie Gallagher and an incredibly tense read! I didn't know where it was going to end! 5*.

What a ride!!!!! Didnt know if i was coming or going, and loved every minute...especially the end i thought i knew but didnt see coming. Hit me like a freight train!!

This was absolutely incredible!

From the very first page I was all in. Life on pause, I needed to keep reading. Charlie Gallagher's writing is always on point and the way he delivers a story is masterful.

Told across different timelines, from years before to days after and the present, there are so many details and subplots that nothing really feels connected until everything clicks into place. Then you get that "oh!" moment. It is such a clever way to tell the story. Had it been written any other way I think the plot would have been far more obvious, but the structure is completely deliberate and brilliantly executed.

I loved the constant tension and the way Jess is pulled in so many directions as she tries to help her sister, rebuild her relationship with her daughter and work out who Dan really is.

I honestly loved every minute of it. In fact, I love Charlie Gallagher's books. I discovered him by chance on NetGalley and now, whenever I see his name, I request the book without even reading the synopsis because I know I'm going to enjoy it.

If you've never read Charlie Gallagher before, what are you waiting for?

Thanks to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

My head is still reeling after finishing this wonderful book. My thoughts were being blown in many different directions and my heart was racing to catch up with them. Psychological thriller and family drama with a multitude of twists and turns. Great characters and original story lines - loved it!

Absolutely brilliant! This is Charlie Gallagher at his best. The start is so intriguing that I was completely hooked. The suspense slowly builds with shocks and surprises galore. It kept me gripped right up to the dramatic and unexpected conclusion. Highly recommended.

keep these psychological thrillers coming. they are my favourite kind of thriller.
this was a complex situation and i wondered where it could possibly go. because Jess has a sister who is poorly with addiction. and now she has gone missing. her father knows "a plan" but Jess doesn't feel right about this at all. especially not when she has met a woman who has a situation just like her own.
there is so much going on under the surface of what you first might think going into this book. and there is past and present to delve into. as the picture builds and grows i just became more and more fast paced with my need to read!
the little surprises and twists feel like they fit with the story. they dont just feel bunged in for the sake of it either.
i want to see Charlie's mind map of this book. because all the clever plots and threads we have in this book is brilliant. the way they weave and create such complex and well thought out snippets of lives that then come together is fab. i thought i knew and then some i did know but had those definite exciting "ha gotcha" moments too.
i really like how original this book felt. such a human and tricky premise we find ourselves walking into the middle of with this character and her family and yet that is nothing, nothing compared to what is going to come next.
im excited for others to read this and go back and see what they thought. because right now on here im trying to not give too much away although i really want to!

What an excellent read. Its all about Jessica, her partner, daughter and sister Vicky.. It started off really well, and then the unraveling started with the simple postage of a package. It then continued until nobody knew who to believe and what the truth was anymore. We were take back in time to the important back stories which put everything into perspective, and then skilfully back and forth from the past and present. It then it was just a race against time. Excellently written with just the right amount of tension to keep the reader totally engaged. Loved it.