I don't want to ruin this book for everyone who still has to read it, but believe me when I say that you are in for a thrilling read!
The story is really well written and I could not put it away. Can highly recommend!

I loved this book and would highly recommend it to all. It has a great story line, brilliant main characters and is a real page turner. I couldn't put this book down.

Well, before I begin I should just say Happy Publication Day Mr Billingham. Book 16! Incredible stuff. I love waking up to new books on my kindle and Their Little Secret looks very tidy next to all my lovely crime books and all its fellow Tom Thorne titles.

What I love about the Tom Thorne series, is the way in which the stories absolutely ring true, the way in which the author takes plot lines which are essentially ripped from the headlines and weaves them into a highly engrossing, entertaining and often thought provoking read. Their Little Secret is yet again another prime example of this, in reality combining two distinct stories into one sordid and compelling tale that had me on the edge of my seat and completely focused on my kindle until I had finished. And I finished in pretty well one sitting, if you ignore a quick break to do my grocery shop. I mean, I'd have forgone that myself but apparently my cats expect me to provide food, even when I'm reading an excellent book. I know - rude right?

The book opens in a way which immediately caught my attention, if only because it is highly unusual to see Tom Thorne presiding over the investigation into what is a clear case of suicide. But this is no ordinary case and Thorne's spidey senses are soon tingling, just as mine did as a reader. Thorne wants to know why the woman took her own life, and trusting his instinct leads him to a case which is far more complex than anyone could imagine.

Then we are introduced to Sarah, a single mom with an intense love for her son, Jamie. It seems innocuous enough as a storyline - a new figure at the school gates, trying hard to fit in and make the right impression for the sake of her child. Lurking on the edge of the already established group of parents, slowly ingratiating herself yet remaining aloof. It all seems to be going well for Sarah. Until she meets Conrad ...

One of best things about this series are the central characters. Tom Thorne, Nicola Tanner and Phil Hendricks are absolutely brilliant, completely fleshed out characters who you can both identify with and root for. The stories are never just about the case and you get a real sense of the people behind the investigation, the complicated and yet very real lives they lead and the way their job impacts on them. The banter between them is perfect, but so are the tensions. I loved seeing more of Tom and Hendricks together as they are an unconventional and yet perfect pairing, and the sparring between them is always good entertainment, offering a few moments of light humour in an otherwise tense investigation.

If you have read the previous book, The Killing Habit, then you will know that the three of them are tied together in a way that perhaps none of them would have expected, or wanted, and it does affect them in this latest offering. It feels very real, very believable, far more so than if life had carried on as normal. And life, especially for Thorne, is far from what he had come to consider as normal. Then again, no-one wants to read about a Detective who has a balanced and stable home life, free from guilt or hassle. Where's the fun in that?

Aside from the main team, you are always treated to very nuanced, textured and well developed secondary characters, in this case the characters of Conrad and Sarah. Theirs is a very complex relationship, the two of them seemingly very different and yet undeniably suited to one another. There is a kind of dependancy that develops between them, and the lines between who is manipulating who get crossed so many times that it is hard to decide where the real power lies in the relationship. Mark Billingham has done a brilliant job of delving into the psychology of the characters, examining the instability of particularly fragile minds. How past comes to inform the present - nature verses nurture if you like. He explores the very nature of toxic relationships and how they develop and thrive into manipulation and control. As I read the book my mind was immediately drawn to similar partnerships which have made headlines over the years. One such case is clearly referenced in the book, but it had me thinking of all of the other, very similar relationships that have existed throughout history.

Their Little Secret is a combination of both the expected and the unexpected. There are things revealed which will perhaps not surprise readers that much, the signs being very obvious from the start. And yet there are moments that will completely blindside you whilst adding new texture to the story, and as each scene plays out you start to get a clearer picture of what is going on. It is not as fast paced or perhaps even as dark as some of the other books have been. The deaths are all still quite violent in their nature, but the action is kept largely off the page. This is a book that leans far more toward the psychology of the perpetrators, than the act of killing in itself. One that explores not only the complexities of the fatal attraction between Conrad and Sarah, but also the impact of acting against their normal moral code on our main protagonists.

Their Little Secret is quite an intoxicating mix, both obvious and yet surprising, relaxed but full of tension. I loved it and can't wait to see what comes next.

I thought Their Little Secret was OK, but no more than that. It’s my first Mark Billington so it won’t be helped by my not having read the previous books in the series, but even so I had my reservations.

Tom Thorne, an inspector in a serious crime unit, is called to an obvious suicide on London’s Underground but feels compelled to look further into the circumstances. (Really?) He is soon on the trail of a murderous couple, whose point of view we also get, intercut with the police narrative. It’s well enough done, but I found the psychologising and supposed parallels with Brady and Hindley a bit thin, as was the obligatory Personal Story of Thorne himself. Somehow, it all just clunked a bit for me so that although Billington avoids quite a lot of the clichés of the genre and generally writes pretty well, it never quite engaged me.

Overall, I found this competent rather than great. It would make a decent beach read, but I won’t be rushing to read another in the series.

(My thanks to Little, Brown for an ARC via NetGalley.)

This is sooooo good! It’s testament to the excellent writing that I was gripped throughout as, it’s slow to start, but, stick with it as it develops into a fabulous fascinating tale of obsession, manipulation and murder. I loved it.

It’s been a while since I last read a Tom Thorne book and I particularly enjoyed re engaging with him and Hendricks, it was like meeting up with old friends and I’d forgotten how great the humour and banter is in these excellent books. Don’t worry if this is your first Tom Thorne book though, it stands alone and will only encourage you to read more.

As I mentioned, it starts slow and is all the better for that. Thorne is slightly obsessed with getting to the bottom of a suicide, caused by a manipulative con artist. Along the way, he is attracted to someone close to the victim. A real shocker for me, as, she wears crocs!! Nooooo, Tom!
That aside (& it did take me a while to forgive him) this is an excellent read, with chapters telling interlocking stories from the perspective of various characters; one is another woman involved with the con-man and a third storyline that weaves through the book and then becomes clear.
Brilliant!

Thanks so much to Netgalley, Mark Billingham and Little Brown for the opportunity to preview this book in exchange for my honest review.

Now I have to be honest and admit that even though I have read quite a few of Mark billingham book I haven't kept completely up to date so was slightly lost with this one as alot had happened in the personal lives of Thorne and Tanner since the last one I read. Normally this isn't too much of a problem in this style of book series but Billingham conveys these characters and their stories so brilliantly I was left slightly confused at quite a few points along the way and backpedalling to try and work out what I'd missed.

I'm definitely going to have to go back and read the missed books and read again to put it all into perspective!

BUT.... once again a fast paced brilliantly written storyline that you wont be able to put down. Full to the brim of twists and turns when your least expecting them and leaves you guessing for more. Thorne and Tanner are the perfect partners!

Love the fact that it touched on mental illness, the chaos and loneliness of parenthood and the kind of deception that now happens in this day and age of 'ghosting' and 'catfishing'.

A must read for all Billingham fans but note to self... keep up to date with the series woman!

Another incredibly immersive Tom Thorne novel from the indomitable Mark Billingham here, a beautifully addictive procedural with an excellent side order of psychological thriller.

Their Little Secret features a twisted boy meets girl scenario and throws Thorne and Tanner into an all consuming hunt for the truth. Around that their personal stories continue to expand and engage, creating a perfect storm of a read that is utterly gripping and often a little horrifying.

What I love about this series is the way the central protagonists are entirely authentic, living the lives we all lead, with all the ups and downs, highs and lows, but set apart by the job they do and the evil they see. It creates a realistic base that then throws the reader into all kinds of turmoil as less ordinary events overtake them.

In this particular story the “villain” is extraordinarily intriguing, the psychology of it all is fascinating and I read this in one huge gulp of a sitting staying up into the early hours in order to get to the resolution. There’s no better recommendation I can offer.

Truly excellent once more. Don’t miss it Crime fiction fans.

First off let me say that i have read everything this author has written and I have never been disappointed.
This read is brilliant, a very original plot, some very devious minds and unrequited love when it goes wrong. I was hooked from the first to the last page I could not put it down. Finally finishing this tour de force in the wee hours. In places I was literally holding my breath, sat on the edge of my seat and tapping my kindle like a demented wood pecker. This is writing at its best, gripping, atmospheric and of course we have Thorne. An easy five stars and so Highly Recommended. I LOVED IT!!!!!!
I would like to thank the author, Little Brown Book Group UK and Netgalley for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

#Their Little Secrets # Netgalley
Wow what a book, Mark Bellingham does it again and again, A awesome storyline that’s fast paced, one you genuinely will not put down, Brilliant storyline with twists and turns just coming out of nowhere. So unexpected you really think you have got it just about sussed when suddenly bang!!!!!! Suddenly another twist what a rollercoaster of a ride. Just typical of Mark Billigham definitely definitely keeps you guessing right to the end fantastic storyline, with a really twist towards the end. This is a definite must read

With thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown for the ARC.

Mark Billingham is one of the UK's foremost crime novelists and this, his 18th DI Thorne novel, cements his place at the top of the tree.

Thorne is not convinced that what appears to be a routine suicide is quite so mundane.
He digs a little deeper and finds enough discrepancies to satisfy his boss that he's not wasting his time.

Meanwhile an outwardly normal single mum mixes with her friends at the school gate every day.
All very normal.......

Murder, mental illness, deception and chaos ensue.

Thorne and his partner DI Tanner are pulled into investigating seemingly unconnected incidents around the country and trying to piece the puzzle together.

Thorne and Tanner are great together, they dovetail perfectly most of the time.

While there is references to previous incidents in the series, this in no way detracts from the story being told here and this could easily be read as your first Thorne novel.

Highly Recommended.

This is another great read from Mark Billingham. We are all used to the characters by now and this book is filled with the usual twists,turns and surprises we have grown to expect from Marks writing. Also surprises galore so just when you think you know whats going on something happens and puts you back to square one. It can be read as a stand-alone but I would recommend you read the others as they are all great but you also get the background of the characters. I highly recommend this book and author!!

Now, I have a slight confession. Mark Billingham has written a ridiculous amount of books but this is only the third one I've read. I've previously read Sleepyhead (Tom Thorne) and Die of Shame (Nicola Tanner). The two characters come together in Their Little Secret and I love the way they work and wind each other up. Nicola has a very sensible down to earth approach whereas Tom's life just resembles the Country and Western songs he loves so much - only happy when he's miserable.
Thankfully both he and Nicola (who's still grieving for her dead partner) have a case that stretches and tests them. Tom Thorne is called to a suicide at a Tube station. It's meant to be an open and shut case but there's something that bothers him. Something off kilter that niggles. As Tom and Nicola start to investigate, they discover that their perpetrator isn't going to be easy to spot. How do you find someone who manages to transform like a shape-shifter and then hides in plain sight?
Mark Billingham has a writing style that's easy to read, even with changes of viewpoints. I particularly liked it when we heard from Sarah, the single mum. Now (trying not to give any spoilers) if I'd come across Sarah at the school gate, I think I'd have rumbled her. I've been doing the school run for 14 years (!) but all schools work differently. At our school, the parents wait with their children by the classrooms but at others the pupils go in straight from the gate. I liked the slow reveal about Sarah and certainly at the beginning I was convinced by her.
I also like the little ironic touches Mark Billingham puts in, such as the congregation singing Amazing Grace at a Humanist funeral and the special reference to The Blacksmith and Toffee Maker pub, just across the road from City University. I'd like to think that Mark included it especially for First Monday Crime. The irony, of course, is that it's currently shut and so we won't be going there next Tuesday!
Although most of the story is tied up, there is one loose thread at the end. In one way, it's really annoying but in another, it mimics real life cases where criminals keep their mouths shut, refusing to reveal their final little secret. There's a particular real life case that Mark Billingham refers to (I won't say as it's a spoiler) and in the final chapters, the pain of the fictional victim's family member is evident. But it made me think of the families of the real life victims and the terrible suffering they have gone through.
I don't think you need to have read all the DI Tom Thorne books to enjoy this. It works well as a standalone as Mark Billingham adds in background information for his characters. I enjoyed Their Little Secret immensely.

Mark Billingham never fails this is another tense thriller full of twists turns and surprises.I was immediately drawn into this well written thriller .Each character comes alive jumps off the pages .Highly recommend the whole series .# netgalley # littlebrownuk.

My thanks to NetGalley and publisher Little Brown Book Group UK for the ARC.
Another excellent read from Mark Billingham, with all the usual cast of characters his regular readers will know well.
DI Tom Thorne is troubled by Phillipa's suicide on the London underground. He subsequently discovers from her sister and niece that her boyfriend Patrick had turned out to be a conman and, once he'd secured a large amount of money from her, had disappeared. He wants to dig into this further and gets his boss to agree to a forensic search of her house. This of course yields-up Patrick's DNA - but he isn't on their databases.

A few days later, divorcee Sarah is in the coffee shop with a small number of parents, a common sojourn after dropping their children off at school, when she is 'picked-up' by good-looking Conrad. Within 3 weeks Conrad had moved in with her.

One night in Margate Kevin Deane 'got lucky' - propositioned by an older woman into having sex on the beach, but was discovered the next day with his head caved in by a bloodied and discarded rock. Thorne is contacted because the DNA from the murder weapon matches that which he filed for Patrick.

Now the conman is connected to a murder Tom and his team has the resources to investigate the extent of the conman's 'work'.

Meanwhile, we have an explosive relationship between Sarah and Conrad. Sarah is cold, calculating, passionate and deluded, and Conrad would do anything for her. They have no secrets between them - or so she thinks. When her delusional world starts to unravel, so does she - with devastating consequences.

Lots of little twists but an unforeseen larger one for Tom to get his head around as his net closes in.

Thoroughly recommended.

Fast paced & pished to perfection I was addicted to this amazing thriller from the first page. You need to read this book I’d highly recommend it to anyone!

This book hooks you from the start. It is typically well written with the twists and turns coming regularly. It’s written so skilfully that you don’t see what’s coming but it’s also not infuriatingly opaque like some of these novels can be.

Thorne is a great character and there are some genuinely funny lines. The dynamic between him and Hendricks is lovely and I like the way the troubles in his personal life are handled in this book.

This is a really easy and enjoyable read that is well worth a go.


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I received a free ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity.

I read the first couple of Mark Biilingham’s Tom Thorne books when they came out, and I enjoyed them, but for whatever reason haven’t read any since, until now. My first question, therefore, was what have I missed and, second, will this book contain spoilers for earlier books in the series?

The answer to the first question: yes I have missed a fair bit in Thorne’s personal life. He is coming out of a relationship I didn’t know he was in. Does it affect the plot? No not really. It is nothing that impacts on the story.

The second question is a little more difficult. There is discussion of previous storylines, and they take up a bigger proportion of the book than I would have liked. I wouldn’t, though, say that they were spoilers. By the end of the book I knew a few details of one or two previous books, but I had no idea who the perpetrators were or how the plotlines in those books would play out. I would classify them more as teasers as they made me want to read the previous stories.

With these questions out of the way, we can look at this book, which begins with a suicide. A woman throws herself under a train because she was conned. Although this is not a murder, Thorne still feels the need to investigate. Those around him do not understand but go along with him. Consequently, they have DNA information that links to an actual murder.

The story is told from the POV of Thorne, Sarah, a mum on the school run who doesn’t initially tie-in, and con-man Conrad. The plot is quite twisted. Maybe it says more about my mind that I saw some (though not all) of the twists coming, but this never took away from the enjoyment. Sometimes the tension and the fun is in the anticipation.

The most uncomfortable bit for me was when the con-man was considering the best angles to use on his victims, how best to prey on their sympathies in order to get them to part with their money. In particular, how to make them feel it was their own idea to hand the money over. I wondered whether I would have been taken in. The way it was described, I couldn’t be one hundred percent certain I wouldn’t, which was unsettling.

I really enjoyed this thriller. I was intrigued that it didn’t start with a murder. After 15 books you can do that, I guess. I enjoyed the ride and am now planning to go back and start again with book #1, Sleepyhead.

Don’t be put off is you haven’t read any Tom Thorne before. You will still enjoy the story and it won’t ruin earlier books in the series. If you are up to date on your Thorne thrillers, you will be delighted with this new addition.

This is the 16th book in the Detective Inspector Tom Thorne series by author Mark Billingham. I love this series and always look forward to the next book so when offered the opportunity of getting an early read, I jumped at it. Instantly hooked and read the 400 pages very quickly such was the tension built throughout.
The novel begins with DI Tom Thorne being called to the site of a routine suicide. At the scene he discovers that Philippa Goodwin apparently threw herself in front of an underground train. For no other reason than a gut feeling Thorne senses that something is not right and decides to dig deeper. He soon discovers that she was the victim of a callous con-man who preys on vulnerable women, and whose deception plunged Philippa to her end. With the assistance of DI Nicola Tanner, Thorne tries to hunt down the con-man and bring him to justice. A young man's savagely killed body is found on the shore of a nearby seaside town and the detectives discover that the two cases are linked in a very surprising way.
This story is expertly plotted and the tension builds up throughout leaving you with no option but to continue reading. Mark Billingham is a very good author but with this latest addition to the series he raises the bar yet again. An excellent read.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Mark Billingham could write a shopping list and make it stonkingly good! THEIR LITTLE SECRET is yet another of his trademark gripping reads. I read it in 2 sittings......Tom Thorne and his sidekick Nicola Tanner are a great combo, with their differences only highlighting how wonderfully they work together in pusuit of their quarry. An intelligent and gritty thriller, written low-key but nevertheless enthralling and had me on the edge of my seat. Thanks to NetGalley for sending me this advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion. THEIR LITTLE SECRET is a must read for those who enjoy realistic and accurate police procedurals. Can't wait for Billingham's next foray with Thorne and Tanner. For this book - 10 out of 10!

To the outside world, Sarah is just a normal single mum, juggling her home and work life like the other mums in her circle. She craves more though, something that will excite her. Meanwhile, DI Tom Thorne is investigating the death of a woman who, although appearing to have committed suicide, seems to be have been driven to it by a man who preys on vulnerable women. A man who Sarah is about to become acquainted with…

I have been a huge fan of Mark Billingham for many years, ever since reading Sleepy Head, the first Tom Thorne novel. Now, eighteen years later, Their Little Secret is the sixteenth Thorne book in a series that is showing no signs of losing its touch!

What we have in Their Little Secret is an incredibly clever plot. Sarah, to all intents and purposes, is a normal mum, her life revolving around her son, Jamie. There are a few little hints that she is hiding something but I was not prepared for what exactly this was! I loved the way the author developed her character to the point where I found my opinion of her at the end of the book was completely different to what I felt about her at the start!

Thorne’s experience really comes through in this book when he gets a hunch that there is more to the suicide of a woman than meets the eye. Not being able to explain what it is, and with his colleagues including Nicola Tanner less than interested, he is vindicated when the suicide case leads him to a seasoned conman and murder. Thorne is a great detective and I always feel that he comes across as a very real character. His relationship with his best pal, Phil Hendricks, is always a highlight in these books and there are certainly some great moments here.

Their Little Secret is a masterclass in how destructive relationships can be and how we don’t always know someone as well as we think we do. With several twists along the way, this was one of those books that I did not want to put down, reading it in a day. I think this may have become one of my favourite Thorne books and if this is a series you haven’t yet read, I can recommend all sixteen!