I am absolutely over the moon to be taking part in Barbara Copperthwaite’s Her Last Secret blog blitz! 🙂 🙂 🙂 So chuffed to be able to share my review of this amazing book with you all!

My review…..

Written Monday 18^th September 2017

OH MY WORD! This is a fantastic read! It’s the most intense and terrifying countdown to Christmas Day I have ever experienced.

In Her Last Secret we meet the Thomas family. On the surface, a loving family enjoying Ben’s success. It just goes to show you never know what might be going on behind closed doors.

The story alternates between Christmas Day and the days on the run up to it. I knew something terrible had happened, but exactly what and why was drip fed to me along the way, making this an absolutely gripping read. I was totally immersed in the Thomas family’s story. I read it in 2 days which might not be unusual for some, but is quick for me.

Ruby seems like a typical teenager to start with, but it soon becomes obvious that her mental health is a serious issue. She has been the victim of bullying and although she comes across as a bit of a spoilt brat, I really sympathised with her. My son was bullied all through high school and I will never know what that really did to him. He has always struggled to make friends and this has a seriously negative impact on his self esteem. I pray to God that he finds the strength to move on and not allow his past to consume him, as Ruby does.

As a parent, I can empathise with Ben and Dominique, as it’s easy to assume our teenagers are just being their usual stroppy selves and it’s easy to miss what might really be going on. You never really know what’s going on in their heads, especially if they are reluctant to talk and constantly shut you out. I can totally see how frustrating it is for Ruby though, feeling like she’s not listened to when she tries to involve her parents. I try my hardest to always listen when my children need to talk, but there is no handbook and non of us are perfect parents. I get things wrong. A LOT!

Anyway, I’m rambling, sorry.

Dominique is a likeable character on the whole. I have no idea how I would cope with finding out my world is falling apart around me whilst trying to keep a smile on my face in the hope of making Christmas special still, despite being desperately unhappy. She does it mostly for the sake of Mouse (Amber) her youngest, as she doesn’t want her to remember Christmas in any negative way. Mouse is the most lovely character. She’s a beautiful little girl who loves to hide in her wardrobe with her ted, torch and a book. She’s very confused why Ruby no longer wants to spend any time with her and is often left disappointed when her mother seems disinterested in anything she has to say. She doesn’t understand the heart-break her mother is facing. She seems quite used to her Dad not being around much though.

Ben is a much less likeable character. His greed and selfishness have landed him, his colleagues and family in a right mess. When things start catching up with him he isn’t left with many options.

This is a very emotional read. It sometimes made me smile, but also made me feel sad, angry and shocked. I did cry at the end! Outstanding, I highly recommend!

Many thanks to the author for my ARC of Her Last Secret and for inviting me to a part of her fab blog blitz. It’s an honour.

Description:

There are some secrets you can never tell.

The last thing to go through Dominique Thomas’s head was the image of her teenage daughter’s face and her heart lifted. Then the shot rang out.

They were the perfect family. Successful businessman Ben Thomas and his wife Dominique live an enviable life, along with their beautiful children; teenager Ruby and quirky younger daughter, Mouse.

But on Christmas Day the police are called to their London home, only to discover a horrific scene; the entire family lying lifeless, victims of an unknown assailant.

But when Ruby’s diary is discovered, revealing her rage at the world around her, police are forced to look closer to home for the key to this tragedy.

Each family member harboured their own dark truths – but has keeping their secrets pushed Ruby to the edge of sanity? Or are there darker forces at work?

This dark, gripping psychological thriller will have you holding your breath until the very last page. Fans of Behind Closed Doors, Sometimes I Lie, and The Girl on the Train will be captivated.

Amazon Links:

UK 🇬🇬 http://amzn.to/2eOtJtF

US 🇬🇬 http://amzn.to/2jhcE0G

Author Bio:

What people say about Barbara’s books:

“Will have you looking over your shoulder and under your bed… Original, gripping, with a deep psychological impact,” Sunday Mirror

“Enthralling, tense and moving,” Real People magazine

“Totally gripping, and scarily believable,” Bella magazine

Barbara is the author of psychological thrillers INVISIBLE and FLOWERS FOR THE DEAD. Both have been Amazon best sellers. She is also the author of THE DARKEST LIES, and her latest book HER LAST SECRET is out on 13 October.

Much of her success is thanks to her twenty-odd years’ experience as a national newspaper and magazine journalist. She’s interviewed the real victims of crime – and also those who have carried those crimes out. Thanks to people sharing their stories with her, she knows a lot about the emotional impact of violence and wrong-doing. That’s why her novels are dark, realistic and tackle not just the crime but its repercussions.

When not writing feverishly, she is often found hiding behind a camera, taking wildlife photographs.