Bad Blood: the biggest debut of 2025 - an explosive psychological crime thriller with a triple twist

(Hardback)

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Description

'Incredibly gripping. A triumph' - Claire Douglas, #1 bestselling author of THE COUPLE AT NO. 9

What would you do if your childhood sweetheart was accused of murder

Justine Stone left her hometown in Essex eighteen years ago, and she hasn't looked back since. Married to Noah, with a beautiful house and a high-flying career as a barrister, she rarely thinks about her ex-boyfriend, Jake.

Until she's given her first murder case, and sees his face staring up at her, charged with a horrific double murder.

The Jake that Justine loved would never have hurt anyone. But as evidence begins to come to light, Justine has to face up to the fact that perhaps she never really knew Jake at all. And as the past begins to merge with the present, Justine's life that she's worked so hard to create begins to fall apart.

You can run from your secrets. But they'll always catch up with you.

Reviews

Incredibly gripping. A triumph * Claire Douglas, #1 bestselling author of THE COUPLE AT NO 9 *
A page-turner in every sense of the word, BAD BLOOD is a masterclass in pacing * Anstey Harris, author of WHEN I FIRST HELD YOU *
BAD BLOOD is a twisty, gripping, fresh take on a legal thriller, deftly weaving an intricate plot that keeps you guessing. Criminally good! * Amy McCulloch, author of BREATHLESS *
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 * James Oswald, author of the Inspector McLean series *
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 * Cressida McLaughlin *
A beautifully-written, atmospheric thrillerwith a killer twist - I loved it. Can't wait to see what Sarah writes next" * Catherine Cooper, Sunday Times bestselling author of THE CHALET *
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 * Roxie Cooper, author of THE DAY WE MET *
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 * Will Dean, author of THE CHAMBER *
'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 * Fionnuala Kearney, author of THE BOOK OF LOVE *
A first-rate psychological thriller! * Guy Morpuss, author of FIVE MINDS *
BAD BLOOD is an intricate, clever thriller that delves beautifully into family dynamics and small-town politics. I loved it * Jennie Godfrey, Sunday Times bestselling author of THE LIST OF SUSPICIOUS THINGS *
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! * Russ Thomas, bestselling author of SLEEPING DOGS *
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! * Elizabeth McCullough Keenan and Greg Wands, authors of Trust Issues *

Author Bio

Sarah Hornsley started her career in publishing in 2012 at Orion Books, followed by a short stint in script development before becoming a literary agent in 2015, joining PFD in 2021. She was selected for The Bookseller Rising Star list in 2019. She lives in Essex with her family, and writes alongside working as an agent. Bad Blood is her first novel. Rights have sold in multiple territories and it has been optioned for television.