I am new to Rachel Abbot's work, although I know how well-respected she is as an author. I believe And So It Begins is her first psychological thriller and so I was really keen to make this my first Abbot.

It's a fabulous read and one which intrigues from start to finish. It's a masterclass in revenge and we never know who to trust, who is telling the truth and who is lying.

The story begins with two police officers attending a bloody scene in a bedroom in a house by the side of a cliff. From there, we travel back to see what led to that scene. Evie Clarke is the main protagonist and we hear from her throughout in the first person. She's in a relationship with photographer, Mark North, whose sister is Cleo. Cleo is very protective of Mark due to their early years together and she never really takes to Evie, especially when Evie starts to have 'accidents' and suspicion falls on Mark. The dynamic between this trio is fascinating throughout the book and they're three very cleverly written characters.

From the start this is a fast paced story. It's full of twists and turns and centres very much around relationships and how intense and difficult they can be at times. It's a book that crams so much into its 416 pages. We have a death, we have the complications of family, we have a police investigation and we have a courtroom drama. It's just such compelling reading. I found the courtroom scenes the most thrilling as the reader begins to learn so much about Evie's past.

And So It Begins is tense and gripping, exciting to read and a book that throws up so many questions before it answers them. I loved it!

An engaging psychological thriller with a detailed courtroom section and a host of absorbing female antagonists and protagonists. The plot is twisty, and although I worked out Evie's secret in the last third of the book, I think this is the author' intention, so that the final dramatic chapters have maximum impact.

Evie, Cleo and Mark all have mental health issues, the question for the reader to solve is who is the most twisted and manipulating the facts for their ends. This story has a menacing quality but also an inherent sadness due to the waste of life and the opportunity to be happy.

The female detective protagonist's role in the story is pivotal, and although Stephanie has her emotional heartache, her detective skills are notable.

Packed with detail and characters who are not what they first seem, this is a standout read in the crowded genre of psychological thrillers.

I received a copy of this book from Headline- Wildfire via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

A distress call to the police from a screaming woman starts off this twisty tale of murder and intrigue. The dead line is traced and Sergeant Stephanie King arrives at the sumptuous cliff-top home of Marcus (Mark) North, to find him dead on his bed in a pool of blood, and his wife Evie, injured. We know Evie killed Mark because she tells the police so - immediately - but why? Was it self defence? Evie claims so; Mark was abusive and regularly hurt her, and she had no choice but to kill him in order to save her own life and that of their little girl, Lulu. In fact, Evie has been covered in bruises, and injuries for weeks; her friends have been talking bout it and suspect that she has been covering up for Mark, saying all is ok and she is just really clumsy.

The house itself and victim Mark are familiar to Sergeant King as this is not the first tragedy to have happened there. Previously, Mark's first wife Mia - the source of Mark's fortune - was found dead at the bottom of the stairs leading to the basement gym. Although foul play was suspected, Mark was not around at the time of the accident, and Mia was ruled to have tripped over a rogue shoelace case closed. However Stephanie's spidey senses are once again tingling after this latest piece of 'bad luck' to happen here and she's not surprised to hear that Mark was not the paragon of virtue he was made out to be.

Evie is left facing murder or manslaughter, depending on which side of the story you believe. Mark's sister Cleo - virtually obsessed with her brother and jealous of any of his partners, doesn't believe a world of it and is determined to see Evie behind bars for life for what she has done. On the other hand, Evie's lawyer believes that Evie can be a poster girl for women who refuse to suffer at the hand of a domestic abuser is determined to get her off the hook.

As the tale unfolds from three different perspectives, we see how Evie came into Mark's life in the first place and secured a place in his life and the real story begins to unfold through the three main characters, while the real action is taking place in the courtroom.

The story keeps you guessing all the way through. You think you know what's going to happen, then suddenly, it all changes and you don't. I felt it got a bit over dramatic towards the very end but the actual ending was quite surprising all the same. All in all, a good stand-alone thriller.

3.5 stars

There’s nothing more thrilling than reading a psychological thriller that is deliciously twisted, one that literally leaves your head in a spin, and a plot that’s big on the unpredictable And So It Begins by Rachel Abbott fits the bill perfectly. Evie Clarke meets Mark, a reclusive widower, and they soon become a couple. Mark starts to feel he has a future after the accidental death of his first wife. There’s only one fly in the ointment, and comes in the shape of Cleo, Mark's overprotective sister, who is is mistrustful of Evie from the start. What first appears to be a fairly straightforward story of a marriage gone wrong soon ascends into something darker and far more disturbing.

As the reader you are privy to details of the couples personal struggles, at times this made for a disquieting read, but you can’t help but read on in fascinated horror as Rachel Abbot reveals more details about the couple and Cleo’s past. Now normally I have to feel some connection to the characters to invest in their story, both Evie and Cleo had qualities that made them impossible to like, but if anything it actually made the story far more interesting as I only took them at face value. I do love an unreliable narrator and in this book you don’t get one but two! and so I found myself constantly questioning their involvement and motives. There is an undercurrent of lies and deception throughout the book and it is not clear until the very end where the deceit lies.

I was pleasantly surprised when I realised this novel was part court room drama, but if anything this was the part of the book I enjoyed the most, as the author deftly reveals more details about the damaged characters within the book. And So It Begins Is a book that is guaranteed to keep you guessing it’s not about the “who” as that’s revealed early on in the book it’s the complexities of the “why” that make this book such an exciting read. With themes of jealousy, violence, toxic family relationships, and damaged characters, it’s one of those books that holds surprises at every deviously twisted turn. I must mention I love the fact that author Rachel Abbott manages to maintain the element of surprise right up to the last page, making this novel a thrill a minute read. Highly recommended

This review maybe altered slightly and edited prior to publication on my blog

Mark, Evie, and Cleo… Mark is a reclusive photographer whose first wife died suddenly. He is coaxed out by Evie who wants a series of photographs taken. Cleo is Mark’s sister and is very protective of him and doesn’t appreciate Evie spending time in Mark’s life… Evie stands trial as this dark and twisted thriller unravels their stories.

Wow…and Wow… and why have I not read anything by this author before…?

This is such an addictive read that really did have me on the edge of my seat. This author really knows how to keep me guessing from the tantalizing few words of the prologue right through to the very end. She had me second guessing my thoughts, the characters, and the motives. When I thought I had a handle on things she managed to twists things and leaving me wondering what was going to come next.

As the stories of each of the three main characters start to open up I was given the chance to see their roots as it were, a chance to get a glimpse into their childhoods and their upbringings. A chance to get into their thoughts and how they worked, but nothing quite prepared me for what was to come.

The trial part of the story was something I really enjoyed and when combined with the police investigations the truth starts to be revealed. Some of these had me squirming and others had me horrified as abusive treatment details came to light.

This book is so well paced and I found myself not wanting to put my kindle down for a single moment. This is a dark and devious psychological thriller that encompasses a crime, with wonderful of courtroom and police procedural elements. A story that delves into family and relationships. This is a real cracker of a read that kept me guessing and one that I would highly recommend.

AND SO IT BEGINS
RACHEL ABBOTT

When Evie Clarke manages to convince Mark, a reclusive widower, to take some photographs of her, it's the beginning of a whirlwind romance. Evie soon becomes pregnant, and Mark starts to feel he has a future after the accidental death of his first wife. The one problem is Mark's overprotective sister Cleo. Cleo doesn't trust Evie and Evie doesn't trust Cleo.

When Evie starts to have minor accidents at home, people begin asking questions. Then one night the police are called to their cliff-top house and find two bodies covered in blood, but one of them is still alive. Was it murder or was it self-defence?

Part police procedural, part psychological thriller and part courtroom drama, And So It Begins aims to go all Jed Mercurio and wrong foot us, tangle us up in riddles and confuse the hell out of us from the beginning. The trouble with trying to be all things is that you end up with a super strong start, an intriguing set up, a terminally slow build and an ending that even though it tries to double bluff you, you still see coming. The narrator shifts continually from the first person to third – sometimes midway through chapters – this is a book that demands the reader's attention, but can it maintain it? The narrative volte-face sometimes feels as though it disrupts the flow of the story and can be a little jarring in places, especially towards the end.

The characterisation is too muddy, and with several unreliable voices, it's hard to get close to anyone. The only likeable characters are the police officers (who disappear after the first chapter for far too long) and Cleo's friend Aminah. Evie, whose narration takes up a sizable chunk of the viewpoint, is portrayed as too neurotic and needy. When we (finally) find out about her motives and her past, we haven't warmed to her enough to care. The stand out character is Sgt Stephanie King, whose compassion, loyalty and nose for detail are the most exciting part of the novel.

Fans of Abbott's work may love this three-course dinner thriller, but those who like their crime to be served at a fast food pace will most likely find it too slow and disjointed.

And so it Begins is a fabulous psychological thriller with many twists and turns and secrets, fantastically written.
A chilling thriller full of twists turns and secrets, 'And So It Begins' hooked me in from the start. Addictive, definitely a page-turner. Brilliant. Recommended..

And So It Begins is a chilling and twisty story of a marriage gone wrong, and a gruesome murder leading to a trial that could set an example and provide hope for domestic abuse victims.

Evie is either the clumsiest woman in the universe, or there’s something sinister going on behind closed doors. She claims her marriage with Mark is just fine, and basically nothing to see here. So when the dude ends up dead in a puddle of his own blood in the bedroom of his own oh-so-oppressive cliff house, eyebrows are raised.

Mark’s sister Cleo wants to see Evie behind bars for murder, while a well known lawyer and women’s rights supporter wants to use this case to get public attention and help other women get the courage to come forward and get their justice. It was quite emotional, and frankly, I couldn’t help but sympathize with Cleo, even though she did come across a bit of an asshole from time to time. Her relationship with her brother was a tad bit questionable though. In the “bloody hell, lady, what’s wrong with you? Obsessed much?” sort of way.

Part domestic thriller, part courtroom drama, this story has something to offer for the fans of both genre. Rachel Abbott had me guessing about a lot of things. Who did what? Why? It was crazy!

Sergeant Stephanie King, while not the main focus of the book also had her own story line, and it was nothing short of heartbreaking. How she still managed to function and do her job properly, I don’t know, but I want to be just half as cool as she is!

The shocking twist at the end was a bit overshadowed by the theatrical events that took place, and I’m not particularly fond of characters launching into dramatic monologues either, but the rest of the story was so good, that it didn’t bother me too much. I’ve read the DCI Tom Douglas series by Rachel Abbott (which is awesome by the way), and I don’t recall anyone behaving like a Shakespearean villain in those.

Although this seems to be a standalone, I wouldn’t mind seeing Sergeant King again!

I was so excited to be given the opportunity to read the new Rachel Abbott book. I have absolutely loved her Tom Douglas Thrillers and couldn’t wait to try this.

I have give it 4 stars as I found it hard to get into to start with. I had to start the book 3 times to get into it properly.

I won’t go into any spoilers but the book revolves around 3 main characters, Evie, Cleo and Mark. The characters have been very well created and the dynamics between them keeps building up. It’s cleverly written so I wasn’t able to guess “whodunnit” at all! Rachel also makes you feel really feelings (be it hatred, annoyance or love) for the characters.

The second half of the book is a courtroom drama style and I really enjoyed this. I haven’t read one with a courtroom scene in for a while and it’s made me want to read more!

Overall, a great book, just a bit slow starting for me.

This is a brilliant story that had me gripped all the way through.
I just had to check the blurb to see what I can and can’t say about it, as I really don’t want to spoil it for you.
The story focuses on three main characters, Evie who is living with Mark and his sister, Cleo.
It’s clear from the beginning that Cleo does not like Evie but basically she is so protective of her brother, I don’t think she would approve of anyone.
The story begins when the Police are called out to Mark’s house following a distressed phone call from a woman. When they arrive two bodies are intertwined on the bed, covered in blood.
Someone has been killed and we follow the trial to see if the other person is found guilty or not.
The story doesn’t end after the verdict and Rachel Abbott takes the reader through yet more twists and turns which was brilliant.
I really enjoyed this book and will definitely read more of Rachel’s books.
Thanks to Wildfire and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I am a big fan of Rachel Abbott's work so I have been looking forward to reading. 'And So It Begins' did not disappoint, Rachel has delivered another story that I found difficult to stop reading.
I didn't really like either of the main two female characters, but I am not sure I was supposed to.
It was a little slow to start with, but for me this helped to build the story and it turned out to be a rollercoaster with a brilliant ending.
I can't wait to see what Rachel Abbott has to offer next.

That Rachel Abbott, she knows how to keep a reader on the edge of their seat! I was totally entranced by And So It Begins; walking around the house reading because I couldn't bear to put the book down, even for a second! I was fascinated by Evie and desperate for clues to her motivation. Mark was such a likeable and straight forward character that it was obvious he must be some kind of monster! WRONG!!! My heart broke for Cleo, so much love and no one to give it to. The warped and twisty conclusion blew my mind, I didn't see that coming! And So It Begins is yet another example of Rachel Abbott at the top of her game. A genuinely thrilling thriller, I highly recommend.

I’ve read all of Rachel Abbott’s previous books and really enjoyed them, so I was looking forward to reading this one. It didn’t disappoint and is up to her usual brilliant standard. The story is cleverly plotted with three dimensional characters and a lot of tension, which is stretched like a piece of elastic, to the point where you literally can’t put the book down as you just have to know what happens. A well deserved five stars. I’m already looking forward to the next one!

And So It Begins is an exciting psychological thriller. At the very start of the book we know that out of two characters one must die. We don't know, however, who or why.
Evie and Mark are a couple with an infant daughter. Mark's first wife died accidentally and he is now a wealthy photographer in a magnificent house overlooking the sea. All in the house is not as it appears though and the story of Evie and Mark unravels slowly and with great suspense.
Told in 3 narratives, this book has it all...murder, jealousy, betrayal, family tensions, secrets and lies. There is great character development in the book and you're never quite sure which character you're rooting for, particularly during the courtroom scenes which were at times so tense I was on the edge of my seat. There are lots of twists and turns which only serve to enhance your confusion over who is the real victim. A great read.

We know there's something very strange going on as soon as we join the story: we begin by hearing how it's going to end and that someone must die. But that's just a hint: for the time being we're with two police persons. Stephanie's the sergeant and she has Jason, the probationer with her in the squad car, but Stephanie doesn't like where they're heading. The house is stunning, but the last time she was here it was because there was a dead body at the bottom of the stairs to the pool. This time there's been a 999 call with a woman screaming for help: the omens are not good and when they enter the house they find two tangled, blood-soaked bodies in the bed. They both look dead, but one of them moves - it's Evie Clark and she confesses to killing her partner.

Although Evie's not saying a great deal about it you suspect that there's a lot more behind her story. People who know her are suspicious that her partner, Mark North, has been abusive. There have been a few too many injuries requiring hospital treatment, explained by stories which ''might'' be true, but - somehow - don't ring so. They all seem to happen just as Mark is going away on an assignment and Evie has recently seemed frightened of him when he returns, although she's quick to point out that he's an excellent father to their baby daughter, Lulu. The situation is exacerbated by Cleo North, Mark's sister. She freely admits to not liking, or trusting Evie, but then she didn't like Mia, Mark's dead wife, either. The only people she does like is a friend, her brother - and his daughter, with whom she's besotted.

You're sympathetic towards Evie. We all listened to ''The Archers'', didn't we? We know what can happen in marriages and relationships which look perfect to outsiders, but which are abusive. And yet, and yet... there's a nagging voice which tells you that all is not quite as it seems, or even as you feel it ought to seem. We've a lawyer wanting to make a name for herself by defending the case - and even the police are torn. Stephanie is seconded to CID and sympathises with Evie. Her boss is convinced that Evie is guilty of murder.

The plot is excellent: it's a book to read to enjoy and then to read again later to see how it was all done. I was surprised by just how quickly I got through what's quite a big book. The chapters are not ''very'' short, but I kept succumbing to the temptation to read 'just one more' before I did what I ought to be going. I was impressed and I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.

Thanks to the publishers and Net Galley for ARC in return for unbiased review.
Read this in one sitting whilst on the beach in Greece.
Strong characters, more than a few twists along the way and an ending I didn't see coming.
Thoroughly enjoyed it and glad I read it.
No hesitation in recommending.

This book is bloody brilliant! I have read and enjoyed all of this author's books so was delighted to have an opportunity to read this as an arc. Rachel Abbott is definitely the queen of domestic noir!
We know from the beginning that something is not quite right with the relationship between Evie and Mark, and the story gradually reveals what has really been going on between them. This is a story of jealousy, violence, toxic family relationships, secrets and lies. It is also in part a courtroom drama, which I am not usually too keen on but in this case it really works. I love a story with damaged characters who have tragic backstories, where the reader can't quite figure out the motivation behind their actions. I have to admit the ending really shocked me, there was definitely an 'Ah, now I realise what has been going on!' moment and I just love books which keep that moment of realisation just beyond the reader's grip until near the end.
Absolutely wonderful book and although I thought I would be missing Tom Douglas, this worked brilliantly without him!

This is a really good read. It’ll keep you guessing right until the last page!
You’ll be unsure who to root for. You’ll be mesmerised by the clever and unusual story.
When you think it’s over - it’s not!!!!
5/5 on good reads

This was my first Rachel Abbott novel but it won’t be my last. I love psychological thrillers and like most people enjoy trying to figure out what will happen. However I didn’t quite manage it with this one as it twisted and turned to its dramatic conclusion.
The opening is at once dramatic two bloody bodies are discovered entangled in a sheet in a remote house by the sea. Then we are sucked into a whole world of drama with credible and interesting characters, just what had happened that night. I love a good Court case too which still leaves the reader wondering. The characters are great the plot is very readable and the ending doesn’t peter out which is often the case with thrillers. I particularly like reading about the main characters back stories so that you can form a better picture of them in your mind. A great read and I look forward to looking at more of Rachel’s work.

This had all the hallmarks of a Rachel Abbott novel , intriguing characters , twists and turns and brilliantly written , finished this in one night as was desperate to know the outcome !