"Bad Apple" spins a riveting tale that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. Becky, married to Detective John, knows his facade as a respected officer and family man hides a dark truth—he's a predator who preys on women. Despite Becky's efforts to expose him, his influential connections shield him from justice. Determined to bring him down, Becky embarks on a dangerous mission, knowing only one of them will survive.

Alice Hunter masterfully portrays Becky as a complex protagonist, blurring the lines between reality and imagination. The narrative keeps readers guessing, unsure of whom to trust as paranoia and distrust grip the story. Through skillful storytelling, Hunter unveils John's heinous crimes gradually, alternating between past and present.

The seamless pacing and clear chapter markers make for an effortless read, propelling readers through the intricate plot filled with suspense and mystery. "Bad Apple" sheds light on the disturbing reality of corrupt authority figures exploiting their power, a theme all too familiar in today's news.

This is a nail biting read which keeps you hooked from the very first page. There are twists and turns and false pathways all through this book and I loved it although some of the characters were loathsome and evil lurked where it wasn’t really expected or wanted. Ten out of ten.

Bad Apple by Alice Hunter is a suspenseful thriller. The main character is Becky Lawson, and the story is told in two parts: "Becky Then" and "Becky Now."

When Becky discovered her husband, John, a trusted policeman, was a monster, she reported him. But her faith in the system was crushed when it didn't lead to any charges or consequences.

Now, John lives freely with a new girlfriend and her young daughter, while Becky battles guilt over missing the obvious signs.

Determined for justice, Becky hunts him down. But John wants her silenced. Becky knows only one can survive, and she’ll do anything to ensure it’s her.

Her husband, John, was a real creep. I liked Becky and the plot. The ending was good and satisfying. I would probably recommend this book and would read more by this author.

#NetGalley

This was really suspenseful as the book weaved through the alternate timelines. The author portrayed Becky in a way that made me question everything I was reading. It was a bit repetitive at times but overall enjoyable. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I really enjoyed this book. When Becky Lawson discovers that her fellow police officer John is a rapist, she has no hesitation in reporting him. She is horrified when nothing happens and she ends up leaving the force. However, she is determined to find more evidence of John's crimes and to bring him to justice. But John has friends in high places and is equally determined to stop Becky at any cost. This is a fast paced thriller that will keep you guessing to the end.
Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

Great thriller ..
Dark in places , and twists that didn’t expect.. Still thinking over the epilogue… and wondering who was on the other end of the phone call ..

Thankyou NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!

This was just way too intense for me - but a very good thriller if you can stomach the subject matter!

Fast paced thriller, the writing builds up the tension in the story.

Few twists, some a little predictable but still a really good read.

It does have some topics in that can be sensitive for some readers

I enjoyed reading The Serial Killer’s Wife by Alice Hunter several years ago and was excited to dive into Bad Apple. Becky Lawson had it all, a great career as a police officer and a handsome, loving detective husband. Until it all came crashing down when she found evidence that he was hiding a dark side. Nobody believed her and Becky lost everything. Now she is living in a run down flat, almost broke and alone. Obsessed with taking down her ex husband and bringing him to justice, Becky will stop at nothing. With the help of two former colleagues, she works to find the evidence to take him down for good. The only problem is that there are bad apples everywhere.
All in all, I enjoyed the book. There were parts that were a little too far fetched to really be believable, but for the most part it was a good story.

You assume the police are there to keep you safe, but what happens when they abuse their power?

Becky is married to John, both are detectives. Becky uncovers that her husband has been abusing his power as a policeman to commit heinous crimes. She reports John, but no one believes her enough to take it seriously. In pursuing justice she loses her husband, her home and her job, but she doesn't let that stop her.

This was a thrilling read, gripping from the begining right to the end. It goes back and forth between current day and the past which I really enjoyed as it revealed the history along with the current events.

I would highly recommend this book. Such a great read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the published for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Bad Apple by A. Hunter, published by Avon Books UK, is a fast paced, complex page turner that had me breathlessly craving more.
Becky is an ex-cop who lost everything. Her job, her home, her marriage, and she's driven by revenge. She wants to bring her ex John to justice.
Literally unputdownable, a read in one sitting book that had me guessing til the last page.
Blurb:
How can you live with yourself when you find out the man you love is rotten? Trusted officer. Family man. Monster. Becky's life has been shattered. When she discovered her husband, John – a policeman she once trusted – was a monster, she reported him. But it didn't lead to any charges. Now, John lives freely with a new girlfriend and her daughter – while Becky battles guilt for missing the obvious signs. Determined for justice, Becky confronts John. But he targets her. He wants her silenced – and at any cost. And now, survival is the only option because he’s not the only bad apple lurking in the shadows… A gripping psychological suspense about betrayal, courage, and the darkness that can hide behind a seemingly trustworthy façade.

This is another well written, intelligent and engaging read by Alice Hunter.
I really enjoyed this book and it screams to be made into a tv drama.
This author is fast becoming one of my favourite psychological thriller writers.

3.5 stars.

This was a great read that dealt with some difficult topics. It was almost like watching a movie- I was anxious and on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading. The plot was suspenseful and gripping, and the plot was well paced. I enjoyed the different timelines, especially since not much time was spent in the past; rather, the shifts to the past were at the perfect intervals to provide just enough information to keep the plot moving.

The FMC was frustrating at times. As much as I understood her motivations and her drive, her actions didn't seem to line up with her profession. She didn't think things through and, as a former police officer, you would expect her to handle things in a very different way.

Although the ending was satisfying, there were a lot of unanswered questions and things that seemed to be teased throughout the book that were left hanging. I'm not sure if this is part of a series, but I needed more closure with several plot points.

Overall I had a very good time reading this and would recommend it to friends who enjoy thrillers.

A great read! This was my first book by Alice Hunter, and it will not be my last as I love her writing style! Bad Apple is addicting until the bitter end! It’s a story of Becky vs John and righting the wrongs of “bad apples” which could be ripped from today’s news headlines. Highly recommend! Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. Publication Date: May 9, 2024

First off, thank you NetGalley, Alice Hunter and Avon Books UK for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

*3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars*

“How can you live with yourself when you find out the man you love is rotten to the core?"

Becky's world crumbled when she uncovered the dark truth about her once-trusted husband, John, a policeman. Despite her bravery in reporting him, justice eluded her, leaving John to roam freely with a new partner and child, while Becky grappled with guilt over missing warning signs. Driven by a thirst for justice, Becky confronts John, only to find herself targeted by his relentless pursuit to silence her. As she fights for survival, Becky realizes that John is just one of many lurking dangers in the shadows, making her battle for justice all the more urgent!

The synopsis of this book immediately drew me in with its promise of a captivating psychological thriller, and I must say, it did not disappoint in delivering a gripping and suspenseful narrative that kept me eagerly turning pages. The tension and intrigue woven throughout the story made it impossible to put down, and I found myself completely immersed in Becky's harrowing journey. However, as much as I was engrossed in the plot, I did encounter some challenges with certain aspects of the book. One issue I found was the receptiveness of words, which at times detracted from the overall momentum of the story. Additionally, while I was invested in Becky's quest for justice, I couldn't help but feel let down by the ending, which fell short of my expectations and left me feeling unsatisfied.

In conclusion, despite the mixed feelings I harbored about certain aspects of the book, I am intrigued enough to give this author another chance. With her undeniable talent for crafting compelling narratives, I have no doubt that her future works will continue to captivate and enthrall readers like myself. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Content warnings: rape and abuse

"Bad Apple" by Alice Hunter tells a captivating story of psychological suspense, centered around themes of betrayal and deception.

It follows the journey of the protagonist, Becky Lawson, who discovers shocking truths about the man she once loved. The novel explores the devastating impact of discovering that someone you trust is not who they appear to be, leaving Becky burdened with guilt for not recognizing the signs earlier.

Determined to seek justice, Becky embarks on a relentless pursuit of her ex-husband, knowing that only one of them can come out alive. However, she soon realizes that other dangerous individuals are lurking in the shadows, compounding her sense of paranoia and distrust.

The narrative alternates between the present and the past, gradually revealing the extent of John's heinous crimes.

While the book had an intriguing premise, some readers may find the pacing to be slow.

Nevertheless, the story delves into profound themes of betrayal, courage, and the dark side concealed behind seemingly trustworthy facades.

Though lacking in complete closure, "Bad Apple" remains a gripping psychological suspense that humanizes the characters and speaks to the complexities of human nature.

Intriguing but slightly difficult to follow. Becky marries a man that is a manipulative piece of work. He has spent so long covering up his bad deeds that he believes he will never get caught. But after learning the truth about him, Becky is determined to take him down. Some ends are tied up a little too neatly and I wish the beginning of their marriage was fleeced out a little more to see how her husband was able to cover his tracks.

Becky’s ex husband is definitely one #BadApple in the Manchester police force, but are there more?

Becky reports her husband for rape after finding evidence in her home, unfortunately no one listens to her claims & she ends up losing her job as a police officer as well as her marriage. Now, reeling from finding that out he has been promoted, she is desperate to prove his guilt & prevent further rapes. With help from two of her ex colleagues the cat and mouse game begins.

A twisty, intriguing read. I have enjoyed this & previous books by Alice Hunter & would recommend!

The fantastic cover art and great title of Bad Apple grabbed this reviewer's attention like few other book covers have done. The cover compelled me to read the story description. After that, I had to find out what happens between the pages. I enjoy reading books by authors in the UK, and this novel gave me the entertainment hours I hoped for. Becky, the protagonist, is an empathetic character who takes readers on a dangerous journey to right the wrongs of her ex-husband, a man with power in a community where she has none. That power imbalance is at the core of this story. There are twists and turns in this perilous tale that ultimately lead to a satisfying ending.

Many thanks to NetGalley and AvonUK for providing an advance copy of this book to read and review. This review will post to Bayside Book Reviews at https://baysidebookreviews.com and its Instagram page on release day. Follow us! *NetGalley Top Reviewer*

I loved the premise of this book but unfortunately the execution was rather slow. However, the book is well written and the characters are authentic.