This book was not it, I did not enjoy it. It was my first read for Kerry Wilkinson and I think that the writing is just not my vibe. I appreciate the author as a whole, but it was not for me.

A cozy night in, slow burning thriller that pulls you in 🔥

THE TAPES by KERRY WILKINSON

Genre: thriller/suspense
Rating: 4 ⭐️
Release Date: August 11 2025

There’s something inherently eerie about a cassette tape. It’s physical, it’s intimate, and when it plays a voice from someone long gone, like a missing mother confessing she may have been murdered, it hits differently.

That premise is alluring and fun and it’s exactly the setup in this novel, a cleverly layered thriller that combines retro vibes with slow-creeping dread. When our main character stumbles on a tape labeled with her name in her mother’s handwriting, it sets off a chain reaction of secrets, lies, and long-buried truths. The tape doesn’t just contain a message. It’s a warning.

The structure of the book is smart. Part present-day investigation, part chilling audio confession, with a third thread woven through excerpts about a serial killer whose crimes may be close to home. The tension builds like a simmer rather than a boil (aka slow burn), but it’s a compelling journey all the way through.

Wilkinson excels at crafting atmosphere. There’s a real sense of unease laced through every scene, small-town quiet that feels a little too quiet, characters who never say quite enough, and a growing sense that someone is always just out of frame.

A couple of plot turns were a bit easy to spot ahead of time, and I found the final chapters slightly rushed after such a carefully laid buildup. Still, the central premise is so strong, and the audio-tape device so effectively executed, that it’s easy to overlook those hiccups.

If you’re in the mood for a twisty, emotionally-charged mystery with a vintage edge and a steady undercurrent of dread, The Tapes is a gripping listen—er, read.

Thank you to the author, @netgalley, and the publisher for this advanced readers copy! I look forward to reading more from Kerry😊

I rate this book 3.5.
The title page immediately caught my attention. It was nostalgic and creepy. The book started off well. I really enjoyed the tapes and parts of the book that jumped back into the past. However, the tapes had so much more potential, they could have been explored more. Instead, it became a little repetitive.
There were lot's of characters that lacked depth. It felt like there was a lot going on a times but not much happening in regards to character development. If you're a fan of slower paced books then this is definitely for you. I'd say it's less of a thriller, more of a mystery.
I didn't expect the twist so the ending was fun but felt underwhelming. It ended abruptly. Overall, I'd say this book is brilliant for people new to the genre or looking for a quick and easy read.

‘If they say I’m missing, I’m not. If you’re listening to this, I’ve been murdered.’

Oh my goodness. It took me a short while to get into but once I once I was in the thick of it all, I COULD not put this down.

I loved the excerpts of Vivian’s book (well I say I loved but that’s a bit morbid) and the plot twist, well I never expected that.

Overall I really enjoyed this book

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Tapes’ written by Kerry Wilkinson in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Eve’s father has died and it’s left to her to clear his house of its contents prior to selling. As she fills bags with rubbish she comes across an old cassette player and boxes of tapes recorded by her mother who disappeared thirteen years ago and never seen again. One of the tapes in particular interests Eve as it has her own name written on it in her mother’s handwriting. The quality of the tape is poor due to its age but Eve is stunned when she hears her mother’s voice saying that if people say she’s missing she’s not, she’s been murdered by the Earring Killer.

I’m a great fan of Kerry Wilkinson and when I pick up one of his novels I never know what to expect, a five stars thriller or a more disappointing one. ‘The Tapes’ comes somewhere in between but I’d call it more a mystery than a thriller. The characters have been cleverly described especially Eve who’s had alcohol problems in the past but with her daughter Faith to think of is has kept sober. The plot is well thought-out with a number of twists and turns but goes at a slower pace than I’d like with none of the suspense and drama I’ve come to expect from the author, except towards the end that kept me involved, and although I’d guessed in advance the identity of the Earring Killer the actual conclusion did take me by surprise. Although not one of my favourites, this has been an enjoyable read that I can recommend.

There were 9 reported victims of the Earring Killer in total and it’s moving to hear the husband of one victim agonise over the dehumanisation of these woman:

'The thing is, as soon as someone said "Earring
Killer"', that was it. Janine was no longer her own person, she was "victim number two". I tried not to read too much, or listen to any of it, but it was impossible to ignore. People wouldn't use her name, or talk about who she was. She was just
"the second victim",', or "number two in a
series..." It felt like it was this big competition, like how many could he kill. They became numbers, not names, and I found it so hard to deal with. Even now, you get the odd thing and they'll put up the victims like it's a league table!”

The Lake of Lost Girls also discussed this, although I prefer this punchy but poignant reminder.
As the serial killings were marked by the women having one earring snatched by the murderer, and one left in their earlobes, this became his calling card.

Janice, an outreach officer for the local network of churches, bitterly points out that the emphasis- just like in real life- is on women to protect themselves so they don’t “deserve” to be slaughtered, rather than the act itself:

'That escalation with poor Eleanor told women we weren't even safe in our own homes,' Janice says. 'We'd already been told we had to go everywhere in pairs or groups; that we could protect ourselves if we chose not to wear earrings; that we should avoid nights outs. But then, even if a woman abided by all that, we were still under threat. If we can't feel secure at home, how can we live our lives at all?'

Certain events in the story, such as how the women react to this treatment, remind me of the distressing Sarah Everard case, where social expectations and compliance aided the killer.
I mention her particularly because it deeply impacted so many woman in the UK, like myself, and I don’t believe that her name should be forgotten.

I appreciate how snippets of another fictional book within this book, written by an expert on this case, are tacked onto each chapter, which legitimise the cases.
As they contain interviews with the families of these women, their perspective fleshes out the story and taps into the ongoing heartbreak; the news may move on but the pain will never leave.

This was the first book that I’ve read by this author but it certainly won’t be the last!

Interesting premise but not great in execution. It was difficult to get through as some parts of the book were boring. Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.

Here we meet Eve, who following the death of her father, finds some tapes her mum made before disappearing 13 years ago.

I really enjoyed this book, it felt appropriately paced mostly (I found some bits a little slower though) and I loved the ending. I never guessed who it was going to be. I did struggle to keep track of some of the side characters at points but it definitely kept me guessing. I think if I had read it in one or two sittings it would have flowed more consistently. I really enjoyed the chapters from the book that Vivian wrote - they held my interest and conveyed the story of the Earring Killer in really interesting way, instead of just detailing it through Eve’s conversations. It made it feel really realistic actually, at points I found myself thinking ‘is this true?’ I liked the way Eve’s drinking was handled throughout the book and how sensitively it was discussed. I find a lot of books will just portray stopping drinking and then forget about it but there was a nod to her strength and ongoing journey with alcohol. I enjoyed the strong female characters, some of the male characters left a lot to be desired (Mark’s attitude for example?!).

I would definitely read something from this author again and would recommend this book!

My first by Kerry Wilkinson and it won’t be my last. I really enjoyed the story and the intensity of the book. I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. Thank you for an arc of this gem.

Wow - the journey this story takes you on. I thought I had the mystery narrowed down to one of two people and was absolutely blown away by the ending.

It reminded me slightly of “Listen for the Lie,” but instead of following a podcast, you follow an early version where Eve’s mother records herself talking on cassette tapes. Here we learn more about Eve’s early life, family dynamics, and it leads to inner dialog about real time relationships and memories. With a serial killer still on the loose, Eve is pulled to the center and the many different theories of who the killer could be.

It did take me a few chapters to really feel into the story, but once you’re in, you might as well cancel all remaining plans to finish the book in one sitting. My first Kerry Wilkinson book, but definitely not my last. Will definitely be recommending to others.

The premise of this book really hooked me. The tapes, the mom stating that she was murdered, and the mystery behind who killed her.

Unfortunately, I think this one fell kind of flat for me. I was expecting more from the tapes and I found some plot points to be pointless… I also just found the relationships between the characters kind of off. It was almost like there was so much happening but also nothing happening in the middle of the book. Between work issues, her dad’s funeral, the tapes, her daughter, her own personal issues, the after math of dealing with her Dad’s belongings and other things. It just felt all over the place. I wish the tapes played a larger role in pushing the plot. A character wrote a book about the victims of the Earring Killer and you get chapters explaining what happened to them and I kind of just found those boring.

The ending was good enough but I wouldn’t say this book was very thrilling. It’s more of a soft thriller or suspense.

What a twisty story!

Imagine uncovering tapes your mother left where she confessed to knowing who a serial killer is, but with no context. That’s what Eve found.

It was a super twisty book that really just hooks you in from the first chapter. And you are left not expecting the ending too! It was so well written, easy to get into and not a super intense thriller (but with enough tension that you don’t want to put it down!)

Thirteen years after her mom vanished, Eve returns home to pack up her late father’s house and finds a cassette tape with her name on it. On the tape, her mother claims she’s about to be murdered… and confesses to crimes Eve knows can’t be true. Was she delusional, or hiding something darker? As Eve searches for the truth, her small town is still haunted by an unsolved string of murders. A serial killer, known only as the Earring Killer, is still out there, and the answers Eve needs might be more dangerous than she ever imagined.

I just finished The Tapes by Kerry Wilkinson, my first book by him, and what a ride it was. I went in totally blind, just hoping for a solid mystery, and ended up really enjoying the mix of eerie vibes, layered storytelling, and a true-crime feel. It’s part domestic thriller, part true crime, with a really cool format using tapes, transcripts, and old documents that made it feel super immersive. The pacing was a bit uneven: strong start, slow middle, then it picked up, and I flew through the rest. I loved the creepy, emotional undertones and how it explored memory, guilt, and the messy stuff we don’t always talk about. I was positive that I had it figured out, but I am so happy to say I was VERY wrong.

If you like twisty mysteries with a unique structure and a little 80s nostalgia, definitely check this one out. Big thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy — all opinions are mine!

Thank you to Bookoture and NetGalley for gifting me this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first Kerry Willinson book and it certainly won’t be my last! This was a nice quick read that was full of twists and turns. There were a few moments of repetitiveness and points where the paced slowed a bit but it was quickly rectified with another twist or turn that kept me engaged.

I didn’t guess the bad guy - which is always the sign of a good thriller! I will definitely be looking into more of Kerry’s books.

This was one of those books with such a killer premise that it sucks you right in to the story and you have to keep going. I will continue to read this author!

I read *The Tapes* by Kerry Wilkinson in just one day — I honestly couldn’t stop turning the pages. From the very beginning, it had this gripping sense of suspense that pulled me right in. The story had a great pace, with just enough twists and tension to keep me constantly wondering what was really going on. I loved how it all slowly unraveled, and every time I thought I had it figured out, something else would shift.

The ending totally surprised me, but in the best way. It felt complete — everything came together and made sense, which I really appreciate in a psychological thriller. Nothing was left hanging or unclear. If you’re into thrillers with a bit of a true crime feel, I highly recommend this one. It’s clever, compelling, and genuinely hard to put down.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

Imagine clearing out your estranged father’s house after his death—boxes, dust, and more emotional baggage than you packed for. Now imagine stumbling on a box of old cassette tapes. One of them is labeled “Eve,” in your long-missing mother’s handwriting. You pop it in, and her voice calmly says:
“If you’re listening to this, I’ve been murdered.”
Yep. That’s how The Tapes begins—and I was instantly in.

Eve hasn’t seen her mother, Angela, in thirteen years. She disappeared without a trace, leaving behind a mystery that was never solved. But now, with her voice coming back to life through these eerie cassette tapes, Eve is thrown into a chilling journey to uncover the truth. As she listens, piece by piece, her mother begins to link her disappearance to none other than the infamous Earring Killer—a serial killer who once terrorized the area and was believed to be long gone.

This was my first time reading Kerri Wilkinson, and while it started off slow, the story picks up speed like a tape on fast-forward. The use of the cassette tapes as a storytelling device was brilliantly creepy, and the slow drip of secrets kept me glued. The connection to a notorious serial killer gave it that extra edge of true crime thrill that made the stakes feel dangerously high.

I’d recommend The Tapes to anyone who loves layered domestic thrillers, buried family secrets, or true crime-inspired plots with a twist. Also—note to self: never ignore a dusty cassette tape labeled with your name.

Rating: 4/5 cassette tapes
Perfect for: Thriller fans, true crime junkies, and readers who know nostalgia isn’t always comforting.

Thank you to NetGalley and @Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Tapes hooked me right from that first creepy line: “If you’re listening to this, I’ve been murdered.” I mean… how do you not keep reading after that?

The book follows Eve, who’s cleaning out her late father’s house when she stumbles on a box of old cassette tapes, one of them labeled with her name in her mom’s handwriting. Her mom, Angela, vanished over a decade ago, and when Eve hits play, she’s hit with a wave of emotions... and then that eerie message. From there, things unravel fast.

The setup is super compelling, and I loved the nostalgic touch of the cassette tapes. It added this slightly vintage, eerie vibe that really worked. The mystery unfolds through the recordings, and as Eve starts to piece together what really happened, it becomes clear her mom was hiding a lot and that someone may still be watching.

Eve was a believable and easy to root for main character. Her grief, confusion, and stubbornness all felt really real, and I found myself just as desperate as she was to figure out the truth. The pacing kept me turning pages, and while a couple of the twists didn’t totally catch me off guard, they still landed well.

If you’re into twisty domestic thrillers with a slightly retro feel and a lot of emotional tension, this is the book for you. It’s the kind of book you could easily finish in a weekend. Creepy, emotional, and just the right amount of suspense!!!

4 Stars!


#NetGalley, #TheTapes, #KerryWilkinson, #Bookouture, #SuspenseBooks, #ThrillerBooks

i'm sorry, i just couldn't do it. the prompt is interesting, and there are moments where you want to keep reading to figure out what happens and where the story goes, but the writing is just not in a style i could follow. for a more forgiving audience, perhaps

⭐⭐⭐⭐ WoW!!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Imagine finding a tape that has your mom's voice recorded on it in a old abandoned shed. Here is the plot twist though, she has been missing or worse, she is possibly dead. This thriller was full of suspense, mystery and all those characteristics that make a thriller marvelous. An absolute page turner from the beginning. I could not put this one down. This is a summer must read.

Thank you NetGalley for the eArc.