I don’t really know where to start with this review. I certainly won’t be ‘telling the story’, although I never do anyway. When I read a book I don’t want to know what happens before I begin, I just want to start reading and find out for myself. After the first few pages I was well and truly hooked – not just by the story, but by the skilful and beautiful way it was written. What a very talented author. To be able to plot and write a novel about such a difficult and tragic subject – I’m at a loss for words. This is a shocking, complex, and utterly gripping story that I was literally not able to put down. When I’d read a quarter of it I remember thinking ‘The book could end now, I’ve felt every emotion it’s possible to feel’. I was wrong, there was more, and then more … At one point I had to stop reading (in the middle of the night) and make myself a cup of tea in an effort to calm down! So many twists and turns, so many revelations – it honestly made my heart ache. I’d never even thought of the word ‘masterpiece’ after I finished a book … but I did after this one. Pure brilliance.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this ARC in return for an honest review.

A decent read that starts with a heartbreaking event and then twists and turns to a conclusion.

It's well written, it just didn't really grab me as it has many others.

A solid 3* Good read from me and I can see how folk enjoyed it more, just, not a subject matter for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to preview.

I absolutely adored Take it Back and Trust No One. Kia Abdullah writes about British-Asian communities and the conflict they face so well.
Next of Kin is a departure. It’s a standalone. The characters have Asian names, but that’s about it. They don’t particularly feel Asian.
This follows Leila, who agrees to drive her nephew to nursery one morning when her sister and his brother-in-law are at work. On the way Leila gets a phone call from a colleague and rushes to help him. Amidst this chaos she forgets her nephew is in the car. Hours later she gets a phone call from her brother-in-law. Max never turned up at nursery. Leila hurries to her car and sees that nephew is dead... Shortly she’s arrested and the trial forms the bulk of the novel.

I’ll be honest. I struggled at first. I found the idea that a corporate woman ‘forgot’ her nephew was in the car was implausible. It didn’t work for me. I thought the woman was stupid! It was a plough getting on with the book, but the dynamic between the sisters was cracked and fizzling with tension, that I couldn’t stop reading. And there were a plenty of twists and reveals at the end. Once you bypass the shaky opening premise, this was a readable suspense thriller, and it does touch on interesting dilemma questions that I can’t mention for it would give away the plot. 3/5.

I wasn’t sure if this was a book I’d enjoy as I have children myself, and I did stop at one point. However I am so glad I continued. The story was so well written, and just when I began to breathe, BAM! So unexpected, and then the revelation which I did not expect.

Just finished this book the other day and took a few days to let it all sink in. One of the things I like most about Abdullah's writing is the way she takes a single traumatic event and develops a multi faceted narrative through the eyes of the main protagonists, taking us beneath the surface visceral responses many of us may have.
next of Kin is an emotional read, delving into and challenging many preconceived notions about what constitutes 'family' and the way society views women within that unit.

Her characterisation is spot on, offering us little insights into each key player which then become more meaningful later in the narrative. With skillful plotting and the contrast between the various family scenes and the court room dramas she weves a powerful story that is full of twists and a couple of 'I really didn't see that one coming' moments.

This is a perfectly executed story that is sensitively dealt with, yet is unafraid to challenge our misconceptions and push the reader to redefine their own responses.

This is quite a hard book to read. One involving the death of a child always will be. I did really find myself rooting for the protagonist, Leila, throughout and I did enjoy a lot of the twists. I did have inklings throughout but overall, the main twists at the end I didn't expect. Was I slightly let down by that? Maybe? I also really didn't like Will all that much, I wish he'd had more development, and I expected more from Yasmin. Overall, a solid 3.5 stars which I'll round up to 4 because I was invested enough to read through this book quickly.

This emotionally charged book had me hooked completely from the very beginning. The story follows a heartbreaking tragedy, but is all how it seems? A truly brilliant courtroom drama.
Trigger warning: miscarriage, death of a child

Kia Abdullah is, in my opinion, an exciting new talent who tells stories that need to be heard. She isn’t afraid of tackling subjects many might find taboo and handles each difficult storyline with sensitivity and sympathy throughout.

If you haven’t read Kia’s first two books yet, I honestly can’t recommend them enough. Gritty, shocking, thought-provoking stories that will get under your skin and stay in your mind for a long, long time.

I was so excited to see that Kia has a new standalone book being published later this year and was delighted to read an advanced copy courtesy of Netgalley.

Once I read the blurb of Next of Kin I knew this is a book I had to be in the right frame of mind to read, as the description is harrowing, horrific and every parent’s worse nightmare. So I will stress that if you can’t read about child deaths, then it’s best to avoid this book.

Once again Kia’s writing, character development and storyline are superb. This is so much more than a story about a tragic infant death, it’s a story of family, siblings, loyalty and jealousy.

Leila Syed is a fascinating character. The eldest sister, who is a very successful architect with everything money can buy except a child of her own. Having brought up her younger sister Yasmin single handedly from the age of 18, she dotes on her 3 year old nephew Max and also helps Yasmin and her husband Andrew financially. One morning on the way to work she receives a call from Andrew asking her to drop Max into nursery as he has a work emergency and that’s when everyone’s lifes are turned upside down in the most tragic and unthinkable way.

With a negligent manslaugter charge, the story unfolds through the courtroom as Leila relives that terrible mistake which has blown her family apart.

As usual, when Kia tells a story nothing is as it seems so the reader is continually surprised and shocked.

A difficult subject to read but a fascinating story which I would highly recommend.

A fantastic story yet heart wrenching. There are so many twists and turns in this book that it is hard to put down as you need to know what actually happened!!

This is a very well-written, thought-provoking courtroom drama about two sisters whose lives are derailed following a fateful error. I really enjoyed reading this clever, unputdownable thriller. The characters are realistic, the courtroom scenes tense and the many twists and turns will keep you guessing until the end. Highly recommended.

Kia Abdullah has written yet another riveting read, the author has a knack of choosing an emotive topic and then weaves it into a hard-hitting courtroom drama. Next Of Kin is a tragic tale about two sisters, Leila and Yasmin. Leila is supposed to drop her nephew Max off at nursery. But she forgets, and now Max is dead. What follows is an explosive, high-profile trial that will tear the two sisters apart.

The one thing I really enjoy about this author’s books is nothing is ever black and white there are many shades in between leaving the reader to debate in their head what they would do if found in a similar position. It also ponders a dilemma which sister deserves our sympathy, Leila? Yasmin? Both?Neither? Leila and Yasmin aren’t the most likeable characters, they aren’t without flaws, but it makes them more relatable. Their emotions throughout the book are captured perfectly, you feel their every emotion at some point in the story, pain, anger, loss, grief, hate and despair.

Kia Abdullah writes the most incredible courtroom scenes, the evidence and progression of the trial heightens the tension. Shocking revelations are revealed as sibling jealousy and resentment rears its ugly head. At first everything points to a tragic accident, but as the case progresses it becomes clear, there’s more to this incident than first meets the eye. The court scenes are tense and hard-hitting, the plot is far from predictable. Next Of Kin is a gritty, thought-provoking novel that makes for a heart breaking, disquieting read but it’s one I would highly recommend to those who appreciate a count drama with a challenging storyline.

This is the first time I have read a book by Kia Abdullah and it won't be the last, she is a fantastic author who keeps the reader interested with a plot that twists and turns which ends with suspense and intrigue.
This story will resonate with any parent who has had that heartstopping moment where they lose their child for a second, forget that they are in the car, or have just become wrapped up in day-to-day life.

I highly recommend this book and its author.

Kia Abdullah is an outstanding writer and anyone who has not read her first two books has missed a treat. This is her third novel and it is the first not to include Zara Kaleel as its central character. I hope Abdullah will return to her in the future.

Kia Abdullah’s strength is to examine the impact of the legal process in the most emotive cases, exploring the vulnerabilities of characters on both sides of the divide. She balances the argument beautifully even where the issue seems very clear cut, showing how human behaviour is driven by motives that are not always transparent.

This novel brings to mind Jackie Kabler’s Am I Guilty? (another superb book) in that its starting point is a child who is left to die in a car on a very hot day. In my view it is not quite as successful as Abdullah’s first two novels, partly because the central issue is not quite as compelling and also because she has not found a character as interesting as Zara Kaleel to build the story around. There are times when the behaviour of the sisters does not seem as psychologically plausible as the characters in her earlier books. I would also say that this book may be more successful for a female than a male audience.

Still great writing and a compelling plot. A very powerful ending. Definitely one of the better books in this genre from one of the very best writers of legal thrillers.

So so good! Such a fast paced thriller with a great plot and and equally great main character. For sure will check out this author again.

I received a digital ARC from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. A new author for me and definitely one I will read again. This was a fast paced thriller with more than one unexpected twist at the end.

4-5 stars

Leila Syed is a very successful architect but she and her husband Will carry a lot of pain. As a teenager Leila sacrifices a lot to raise her much younger sister Yasmin, her life now contrasting sharply with the poverty of their youth. Yasmin is married to Andrew and they have a three year old Max, they too are carrying pain. One very hot morning, Leila rushes into work ..... and your heart sinks because you realise she has forgotten something very precious ....

This is without a doubt a very emotional read from beginning to end. The author seems to be able to paint pictures and scenes without overburdening with anything unnecessary but you feel every emotion of the main characters. There’s everything you can think of here from shock to horror to terror, to hate, blame and utter desperation. At times it’s very unexpected because some characters act in ways you don’t foresee which keeps you on your toes throughout. The characters are good but each and every one of them is flawed and damaged in some way although it’s way worse than you initially think. The relationship between Leila and Yasmin is a rollercoaster one with many a high and low with sibling jealousy and resentment rearing it’s head on several occasions. There are hints from about 40% on that things are not what they seem but the last part is dizzying as there are so many twists and turns you aren’t sure which way is up. It’s extremely clever and much more shocking than you imagine and your heart sinks with the enormity of it. The story is full of heartbreak and it’s not an easy topic but the author does a good job in letting us feel the heartache but also progressing the story. There’s one section where Leila’s actions are being judged and the author makes pertinent points about the differences in attitudes that society CAN have about women who are found wanting in some way yet men can be admired for their fortitude for similar actions. This is a multilayered story of tragedy, of relationships, of sibling rivalry, of choices and guilt.

Overall, this is immersive and compelling from start to finish and it makes you reel, your head in a spin with what you read. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HQ for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

I received this book from HarperCollins UK via Netgalley for a review. What an emotional and thrilling ride. Emotional for the subject matter and thrilling for what happens after. Will definitely be watching out for this author in the future.

5 + stars

Wow, this book was just amazing. Totally thought-provoking and packed with emotions running wild, this story held my attention from the first page right through until the last. I can't even begin to describe the feelings I was having while reading this book. I was shocked, angry, disbelieving; then sad, hurt, and last of all suspicious. This book had it all. The writing was perfect, the storyline addictive, emotional and thrilling and that ending!!

Leila and Yasmin are sisters, they are very close because Leila raised Yasmin from the age of thirteen and worked extremely hard to do so. Now they are both grown women with lives of their own. Leila, married but childless has an amazing job, earns a very good wage but yearns for something she just can't seem to have. Yasmin is also married and has a three-year-old child. Although the sisters appear close, there is some niggling jealousy going on in the background which this author writes really well. I could almost feel the tension creeping from the page whenever they are in the same room together. I adored Leila's character and to be honest my heart went out to her. Yasmin, I didn't quite gel with, I thought she came across as an ungrateful spoilt young woman which I guess was the whole point of her character.

When one morning a terrible, tragic event occurs all their lives implode and they will never be the same again. This is that story, one you wouldn't wish on your very worse enemy.

This is a psychological drama, a courtroom thriller at its very best. I guarantee you won't want to miss reading about this family that has their lives shattered by one devastating event. Oh my, I didn't see that one coming for one minute but what a story this is. It is unlike any other I have ever read but will never forget either. Truly a remarkable piece of work from Kia Abdullah, a new author to me and one I will be reading again.

I have previously read ‘Take it Back’ and ‘Truth be Told’ by this author and absolutely loved them so I was always going to read this one. Author Kia Abdullah has set such an high standard with her previous novels and this one was also a great read.

This is a very good legal thriller that is full of emotion and great characters. Really good courtroom drama will keep you at the edge of your seat.

When Leila receives a call from her brother in law asking her why his son Max never turned up at nursery, her life is about to explode. Leila was meant to drop Max off at the nursery but forgot and left him in her car resulting in her now facing a negligent manslaughter charge following his death.

It was never going to be as straight forward as that and there are lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing. A difficult subject but exceptional writing make this book a great read. Another winner for me.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and HQ for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This book grabbed me from the very beginning. It held my attention throughout and kept me on the edge of my seat trying to guess what would happen next. A tense and chilling courtroom drama. Highly recommended.