What a surprise this was. Wasn’t sure expecting an entertaining read, but this was just riveting from the beginning and I loved all the clues and was constantly flipping the pages. Can’t wait to read more by this author.

My type of storyline, my type of writing style and yet I’ve not heard of this author before! Unsure why but would read more by him. A good book, great premise and kept me engaged.

3.5 Stars

🎧 If you’re listening to this, I’ve been murdered.
Excuse me while I go check every dusty box in my attic for secret cassettes with ominous last words...

What a premise, right?

A box of old cassette tapes, a dusty player, and one chilling message from a mother long presumed dead: “If they say I’m missing, I’m not. If you’re listening to this, I’ve been murdered.”

Instant. Hook.

Kerry Wilkinson knows how to reel you in. The Tapes feels like a slow spiral into someone else’s memories, one that makes your skin prickle with every twist. It’s dark, it’s atmospheric, and while not quite a five-alarm thriller for me, it kept me flipping pages late into the night like I was the one trying to solve the murder.

Eve is our emotionally worn but determined narrator, clearing out her late father’s house, only to stumble across a box of tapes and a past that refuses to stay buried.
What I appreciated most about Eve is that she wasn’t written as some plucky, improbably brave heroine. She’s grieving, hesitant, unsure, but still persistent. Her motivations felt grounded, even when the plot took turns that teetered on the edge of “okay, but would you really?”

She’s relatable in the “real person dropped into true crime horror” kind of way. And her slow burn unraveling of her mother’s secrets (told largely through those haunting cassette tapes) was eerie and compelling.

The mystery unfolds in breadcrumb style; tape by tape, secret by secret. I loved the retro element with the cassettes. It gave the story a uniquely nostalgic, analog kind of eeriness that made the whole thing feel personal. No tech hacks, no digital digging, just literal rewinding into the past.

That said, it wasn’t as tightly paced as I’d hoped. There were moments where the story meandered or got tangled in too many threads. I found myself wishing for more urgency, especially after a hook as strong as that opening message.

The Tapes isn’t a full-throttle thriller, but it’s a slow-simmer mystery with a fantastic hook and a satisfyingly haunting tone.

If you’re into stories that feel like peeling back layers of an old secret and you enjoy the occasional moral grey area where nobody’s really innocent, you’ll likely enjoy the ride.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc! I found the whole thing to be predictable but ultimately I enjoyed the read (in fact I finished it in one sitting). I was kept engaged even though I was 90% sure I knew what was going on. I felt for the main character and wish the author would’ve delved more into some perceived behaviors but all in all quite enjoyable. 3.5 rounded up.

Wow!! How did I not see that coming! I actually thought I had it all figured out but I was completely wrong
I really enjoyed this. I loved Eve and her flaws she was a relatable character whose growth and confidence was lovely to see.
I still can’t believe how so wrong I was such a good book

Release: August 11, 2025
Author: Kerry Wilkinson
Publisher: Bookoture

Rating: 3.75 ★ 

While sorting through her late father’s house, Eve stumbles on a box of old cassette tapes and a player, bringing a bittersweet wave of nostalgia. Among them, she’s shocked to find one labeled with her name in her mother Angela’s handwriting — the mother who vanished without a trace over a decade ago.
When she plays the tape, she’s stunned to hear Angela’s voice again, but what starts as a tender message quickly turns chilling: her mother claims she hasn’t just gone missing — she’s been murdered.
With no one left to turn to for answers, Eve clings to the tapes, determined to uncover the truth. But as she listens to each one, she learns disturbing secrets about her mother’s past — and realizes she can’t risk going to the police. Worse, the danger that took her mother might not be over… and Eve herself could be the next target.
This book completely hooked me from the very first page — I could not put it down. I told myself I’d read just one more chapter before bed, but I ended up staying up way too late, racing through to the finish because I just had to know what happened next. And wow… what a twist at the end!
The pacing is incredible — fast, tense, and full of surprises that kept me guessing the whole way through. Every time I thought I had things figured out, another jaw-dropping reveal threw me off in the best way. The twists and turns left me feeling like I didn’t know which way was up by the time it was over — in a good way!
It’s one of those rare, truly unputdownable thrillers — a rollercoaster ride that’ll leave your heart pounding, your mind spinning, and your jaw on the floor. I devoured it in one sitting, and the ending will stay with me for a long time. If you love gripping, addicting mysteries with shocking surprises, I highly recommend this one. Definitely deserves more than five stars!

Favorite Quote:
"I think I'm going to be murdered... I don't think I'm a good person. I did something. I've done lots of things... If they say I'm missions, I'm not. I've been killed."

First, I would like to thank NetGalley for the ARC. I requested this book because of the cover and the synopsis. It wasn’t quite what I had hoped it would be, but it was still good nonetheless. It was a quick, windy, twisty, serial killer story full of potential villains, and filled with plot twists. I did figure out early on who was responsible, but that didn’t really take away from the story for me. I don’t want to go into any more detail because I don’t want my review to spoil the book for anyone, but if you’re looking for a decent, quick read, I recommend this one. 3.5 stars rounded to 4.

Eve's mother disappeared many years ago. When her father dies she finds some cassette tapes with her mother's handwriting and listens. She hears her mother's voice telling her that if she went missing it was because she had been murdered. And, in a town where a serial killer operated, she takes his seriously.

The set up is a good one. Eve investigates and finds her mother claims to have know who the killer is. But she doesn't give the name. Eve has little to go on apart from her imagination, and she seems to suspect everyone she knows.

The novel is interspersed with chapters of a true crime book written about the serial killer. This slows the narrative, although does provide back story. But they are just there - it would have made more sense if Eve had read the book seeking answers. And the resolution to the story is rather clumsy.

Overall this is a readable, if frustrating, novel that feels as if it could have made more of a very promising beginning.

I was really intrigued by the synopsis for this book. The premise sounded intriguing and had lots of promise. Unfortunately, The Tapes just fell short for me. It wasn't great but wasn't terrible. It was just kind of lackluster and meh. The big reveal seemed rushed and there wasn't a whole lot of depth to the story.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I was very intrigued by this premise and was excited for the inclusion of the cassette tapes to help with the mystery of the story but I think it fell a bit flat. I think the tapes were an underutilized part of the story. At the beginning it was a bit confusing to follow, not in the normal thriller sense where they use red herrings, but in a a sense a lot of the information wasn’t sticking to form a strong plot line. I did like the main characters tone and her internal dialogue was funny. I think that there were points that the red herrings could be stronger, for example when we were pushed to believe one person was the killer it felt a bit random. In regard to the actual killer I did guess who it was but I wish we had more rationale as to why and insight on their reasoning. It was a bit lackluster when it was all revealed. I also feel like there were some story points that weren’t tied up or connected back to the story. Overall I was intrigued by this and was curious how things would pan out but it wasn’t as gripping as I thought it would be!

DNF @ 34%

There is so much jumping around in this book and so many side characters I'm having a hard time keeping track. And so far there's hardly anything about the tapes.

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. I have enjoyed previous books by Kerry Wilkinson, and this was an engaging, unpredictable read. The plot was interested, and the twists kept coming, although like with many books of this genre, the main character made some interesting decisions.

This is another cracking domestic thriller by Kerry Wilkinson. It comes packed with twists, and I found that I couldn’t put it down once I started reading it. I’d recommend to anyone who likes this genre or author.

“If they say I’m missing, I’m not. I’ve been killed – and I need you to know that I love you.”

***
After Eve’s father dies, she takes on the task of clearing his house. Whilst doing so, she stumbles across a box of old cassette tapes and a player. Pressing play on the tape, Eve hears her mother's voice, predicting her own murder.

With the tapes in hand, Eve sets out on an investigation to discover what happened to her mother—and who is responsible.
***

The opening chapter of this book did an excellent job of sucking me in. I read this in one sitting! I really liked how the cassette tapes added a unique way to spark the investigation and subsequent plot.

Eve, the main character, had an in-depth backstory that added a layer of intrigue to her perspective. I thought her actions throughout the book were quite realistic and relatable. She is a strong character, and I like how assured she is in herself despite the obstacles she faces.

Throughout the book, I often thought I knew exactly what was going on and who was to blame. Every time I was wrong. I absolutely loved the twists and turns that had me second-guessing myself every chapter. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers.

We all have things that haunt us - experiences, regrets, etc. - but what about hearing your mom’s voice on an old tape you discovered hidden in a shed?

“If they say I’m missing, I’m not. I’ve been killed – and I need you to know that I love you.”

A refreshingly unique plot told by a gifted storyteller, The Tapes builds slow, escalating anxiety as the main character attempts to find out if her mom was murdered and by whom.

I was caught up in a compelling read where I waded through decades of lies and secrets and tried to make sense of family and neighbourhood dynamics right alongside the protagonist. Did Eve’s mom really disappear 13 years ago?

If you love puzzling plots, twists and a pacey murder mystery, this one’s for you!

I was gifted this copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Whilst clearing her father’s house after his death, Eve discovers a box of old cassette tapes. Her unreliable mother, declared missing 13 years ago, used them to keep an audio diary and to leave a message for her daughter. This intriguing story opening launches Eve into a desperate hunt to discover her mother’s fate. Was she a victim of the Earring Killer and was she telling the truth when she claimed to know his identity? ‘The Tapes’ is a well structured murder mystery that cranks up the tension as it builds to a shocking conclusion. Kerry Wilkinson not only manipulates the plot expertly, but he creates a cast of very believable characters. Eve in particular is well written and her search for the truth forces her to confront her own personal demons and insecurities along the way.

This book is different than what I usually read. It picks up speed around the middle of the book. Just stick with it it will pick up pace.

First off, big thanks to NetGalley for kindly providing me with an advanced reader copy of The Tapes!

This book definitely kept my attention from start to finish. I was never bored or tempted to put it down, which is always a huge plus for me. The pacing felt solid, the atmosphere was well done, and I found myself genuinely curious to see how everything would unfold. Also—major points for the fact that I couldn’t guess the ending! I really appreciate a mystery that doesn’t make things too obvious.

That said, I did find the main character a bit frustrating at times. She just seemed… bad at connecting clues? Like she kept spiraling into random theories and accusing people left and right, and the actual killer kind of flew under the radar—not because they were super well-hidden, but more because they just weren’t really focused on at all. It felt a bit like the narrative deliberately steered us away from them, so there wasn’t a real chance for the reader to put the pieces together.

Still, the characters were interesting and multilayered, especially the protagonist. She felt original and real, even when her detective instincts were kind of questionable.

All in all, The Tapes was an enjoyable read. While I wish the mystery had been constructed in a way that let me connect the dots more naturally, I still walked away feeling satisfied with the story and the ending. A solid, engaging read.

3.75 ⭐️

Cassette Tapes-Remember those?! What a throw back!! This nostalgic relapse is what grabbed my attention and had me wanting to read “The Tapes”. In addition to the 80’s nostalgia, the overall premise of this book was intriguing.

While Eve was clearing out her late father’s house she discovered an old cassette player along with a box labeled “The Tapes”-part nostalgic artifact, part Pandora’s box. Among them was a tape addressed specifically to her, in her mother Angela’s handwriting — a woman who vanished more than a decade ago. Eve embarked on a harrowing investigation. Each recording peeled back layers of Angela’s hidden life. As Eve dived deeper, she unearthed unsettling truths that put her own safety at risk.

“The Tapes” was the first book I’ve read by Kerry Wilkinson. Prior to reading it, I didn’t have any expectations other than hoping to have found a “new-to
-me” author. And, that was exactly what this book accomplished. I enjoyed Wilkinson’s clean, observational, quietly unsettling writing style. I equally liked its layered and introspective dialogue. Even more, I liked how his prose explored how the past haunted the present. All these aspects enriched the character depth and the suspense across the timelines while it examined the unreliability of memory, guilt and buried truths.

In regard to his newest publication “The Tapes”, the structure was unique because it followed an unconventional format. The story unfolded partially through transcripts, recordings, and fragmented documents. I liked this approach because it added to the true crime aspect which had me more immersed in the mystery.

On the flip side, the pacing was partially inconsistent. The story started out strong. It was captivating and had me engaged. However, about a third of the way in, I became bored with the mundane dialogue. And then out of no where, I became re-engaged and didn’t want to put the books down.

Altogether this was an entertaining and intriguing story. “The Tapes” is a good read for those that love domestic mystery thrillers with unconventional formats and a splash of 80’s nostalgia.

Thanks to Net Galley and Bookouture for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

“Some truths are better left buried. Others are recorded.”

An exciting psychological thriller with a UNIQUE and clever premise and storyline. Read closely, there are clues!

Kerry Wilkinson’s The Tapes is a taut, slow-burn psychological thriller that unspools like a forgotten VHS tape—grainy at first, but increasingly vivid and unsettling as the story plays out. With a premise that feels both nostalgic and chillingly modern, Wilkinson delivers a compulsively readable mystery that probes the fragility of memory, the weight of secrets, and the danger of digging too deep into the past.

🎥 Premise:
When Eve stumbles upon a box of old cassette tapes in her late father’s attic, she doesn’t expect them to contain a mystery. But as she listens, a voice from decades ago reveals a murder—one that was never solved, and one that may be closer to home than she ever imagined. What begins as a curiosity quickly spirals into an obsession, as Eve's investigation threatens to unravel not only her family’s history but her own sense of identity.

🧠 What Makes It Stand Out:

- Narrative Structure:

Wilkinson masterfully weaves past and present through the medium of the tapes. The dual timelines are handled with precision, each revelation on the tapes echoing into Lucy’s present-day investigation. The result is a layered narrative that feels like peeling wallpaper—each layer more disturbing than the last.

- Character Depth:

Eve is not your typical thriller protagonist. She’s flawed, skeptical, and emotionally raw. Her grief over her father’s death is palpable, and her journalistic instincts are both her strength and her undoing. Wilkinson resists the urge to make her a heroine; instead, he makes her human.

- Atmosphere & Tone:

There’s a quiet dread that permeates the novel. The setting—small-town England with its damp secrets and faded facades—feels like a character in itself. The tapes, with their analog hiss and crackle, add a tactile eeriness that digital-age thrillers often lack.

- Themes:

The Tapes explores the unreliability of memory, the ethics of journalism, and the corrosive power of secrets. It asks: What happens when the truth is not just inconvenient, but dangerous?

Minor quibble that knocked a star off my rating.

Mystery fans, or just everyone these days, know all about partial prints, what a kleptomaniac is, gun indicators, etc. This is also the age of the internet, author should avoid "talking down" (or rather "writing down") to the reader. 😉


🕵️‍♀️ Final Thoughts:
The Tapes doesn’t rely on cheap twists or shock value. Instead, it builds its tension slowly, like a tape spooling toward its final, devastating revelation. It’s a psychological thriller that respects its reader’s intelligence, rewarding patience with an imaginative payoff.

Recommended for fans of:
Ruth Ware, Tana French, and anyone who’s ever found an old tape and wondered what secrets it might hold.