‘An intricate, clever thriller that delves beautifully into family dynamics and small-town politics. I loved it ― Jennie Godfrey, No. 1 Sunday Times bestselling author of THE LIST OF SUSPICIOUS THINGS
A FAMILY FULL OF SECRETS
Justine Stone left her small, claustrophobic hometown in Essex eighteen years ago, turning her back on her family and what happened that terrible night.
A HOUSE FULL OF LIES
But when her childhood sweetheart, Jake, is accused of a horrific double murder, Justine’s world begins to crumble. And when her brother disappears in the wake of the deaths, Justine is forced to open the door to the past again – a door that she’s kept shut for years.
A NIGHT THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
What has her mother been hiding all this time? Why does nobody ever talk about the death of her father? And what did her brother know about the couple Jake is accused of killing?
WHEN EVERYONE HAS A REASON TO LIE, HOW DO YOU UNCOVER THE TRUTH?
‘Incredibly gripping. A triumph’ – Claire Douglas, #1 bestselling author of THE COUPLE AT NO. 9
A FAMILY FULL OF SECRETS
Justine Stone left her small, claustrophobic hometown in Essex eighteen years ago, turning her back on her family and what happened that terrible night.
A HOUSE FULL OF LIES
But when her childhood sweetheart, Jake, is accused of a horrific double murder, Justine’s world begins to crumble. And when her brother disappears in the wake of the deaths, Justine is forced to open the door to the past again – a door that she’s kept shut for years.
A NIGHT THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
What has her mother been hiding all this time? Why does nobody ever talk about the death of her father? And what did her brother know about the couple Jake is accused of killing?
WHEN EVERYONE HAS A REASON TO LIE, HOW DO YOU UNCOVER THE TRUTH?
‘Incredibly gripping. A triumph’ – Claire Douglas, #1 bestselling author of THE COUPLE AT NO. 9
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Reviews
A first-rate psychological thriller!
A page-turner in every sense of the word, BAD BLOOD is a masterclass in pacing
Incredibly gripping. A triumph
Your next favorite read . . . [A] masterful blend of suspense and emotion that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Sarah Hornsley's artful writing and lightning-fast plot will leave you breathless and craving more!
A beautifully-written, atmospheric thrillerwith a killer twist - I loved it. Can't wait to see what Sarah writes next"
A dark, twisted thriller from a compelling new voice. Part law-room thriller, part psychological family drama - and chock-full of secrets and lies - this had everything I expect from a pageturner and more besides. An absolute belter!
BAD BLOOD is a twisty, gripping, fresh take on a legal thriller, deftly weaving an intricate plot that keeps you guessing. Criminally good!
BAD BLOOD is a tangled, twisty, thrill-ride of a bookwith a protagonist you won't forget and layers upon layers of secrets and lies. A super-dark thriller that keeps you guessing and gasping until the very last page
BAD BLOOD is an intricate, clever thriller that delves beautifully into family dynamics and small-town politics. I loved it
Excellent debut psychological / legal thriller. Flawless structure. Taut intelligent, and shockingly gripping. Loved the mentions of Kintsugi, the epistolary flourishes and the descriptions of barrister life. BRILLIANT
I thoroughly enjoyed it, a satisfyingly complex twisty and twisted thriller that takes you in all manner of unexpected directions. Sarah draws her characters with great skill and a knack for pacing that would put many a seasoned writer to shame, let alone a debut . . . A plot that delights in defying expectations at every turn
I was immersed in this tale of a small town where everyone has secrets and nothing is quite what it seems. Sarah Hornsley takes us on a well crafted journey full on tension and twists. Claustrophobic and unsettling in the best way- BAD BLOOD is sure to be the thriller of 2025
'Once I started, I couldn't stop reading this tautly paced tale of family secrets and betrayal. BAD BLOOD is a perfectly titled page-turner; suspenseful, addictive, twisty, and yes, it delivers that sucker-punch ending too! I LOVED it
From the first page of BAD BLOOD, I was completely immersed in the sophisticated labyrinth Sarah Hornsley has created. With brilliant insight into the complexities of trauma, guilt, and complicity, Hornsley peels back the layers in a poignant and captivating suspense that is ultimately about how far we'll go for love. The head-snapping reveals, jaw-dropping twists, and stunning conclusion make this a masterfully sensational thriller