Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the opportunity to read the ARC.
Bad Blood was a quick thriller but more of a family drama than courtroom as I imagined. A little predictable but easy to follow and would be a great place to start if you are dipping your toes in to the thriller genre.

A good debut novel with an interesting writing style.Having to face up to her past after the death of her brother and reemergence of her lost first love Justine a KC in a London chambers starts to piece together events from her teenage years growing up in a seaside town. The backstory is unraveled using past events told from the point of view of all the main characters. The ending mixes the expected with the unexpected. A good but not exceptional debut from an author who shows great promise.

This is a legal thriller with a family drama at its heart and it is the latter that gives this book its intrigue. The main protagonist is Justine Stone, a criminal barrister working for the prosecution, who likes to win. Not only in court as it turned out, but also in life. When her ex-boyfriend is accused of double murder, she returns to the small town where they grew up. After having left this place behind many years ago without any intention of ever returning, once more she has to face the (beautifully captured) small-town mentality of her homestead, together with the complicated and painful legacy of her family. Does bad blood run through all of them?

The underlying themes of the plot deal with questions like: What is truth and to what extent can it be interpreted and manipulated? What is right and wrong and to what extent can mitigation right a wrong? Or can it? How far would you go to protect a loved one? And in all this, there is also an exploration of what makes relationships within a family truly dysfunctional.
Food for thought embedded in a twisted plot with plenty of suspense.

I am grateful to NetGalley and Hodder&Stoughton for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sarah Hornsley’s "Bad Blood" is a gripping thriller that masterfully combines elements of mystery, suspense, and family drama. Set against the backdrop of a small, tight-knit community, the novel delves into dark secrets, intense rivalries, and the destructive power of vengeance. With its complex characters and intricate plot, "Bad Blood" keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

The story centers around Rachel Harper, a successful lawyer who returns to her hometown after receiving a cryptic message about her family's dark past. Rachel left the town years ago to escape the shadow of her family's notoriety, but the mysterious message draws her back into a web of lies, deceit, and long-buried secrets. As she begins to unravel the truth, Rachel finds herself entangled in a dangerous game of cat and mouse, where trust is a luxury she can’t afford.

Hornsley excels at creating a tense and atmospheric setting. The small town of Cedar Ridge is depicted with meticulous detail, from its quaint streets to the eerie woods that surround it. This setting provides the perfect backdrop for the unfolding drama, heightening the sense of claustrophobia and tension that permeates the novel. Hornsley’s vivid descriptions and evocative prose transport readers to Cedar Ridge, making them feel as though they are a part of the town’s dark underbelly.

Rachel is a compelling protagonist, whose determination and intelligence make her a character that readers can root for. Her return to Cedar Ridge forces her to confront painful memories and unresolved issues from her past. As Rachel delves deeper into the mystery, she uncovers shocking revelations about her family, challenging her perceptions of loyalty and justice. Hornsley’s portrayal of Rachel’s internal struggles is nuanced and realistic, adding depth to her character.

The supporting characters in "Bad Blood" are equally well-developed and contribute to the complexity of the story. From Rachel’s estranged family members to the enigmatic townspeople, each character has their own motives and secrets. Hornsley skillfully weaves their backstories into the narrative, creating a web of intrigue that keeps readers guessing. The relationships between the characters are fraught with tension, betrayal, and a sense of impending danger, making for a riveting and emotionally charged read.

One of the standout features of "Bad Blood" is its intricate plot and well-executed twists. Hornsley masterfully crafts a narrative that is both unpredictable and compelling. Each chapter ends on a suspenseful note, propelling readers forward and keeping them hooked. The clues and red herrings are cleverly placed, ensuring that the mystery remains engaging and complex. As the story progresses, the stakes are raised, leading to a climax that is both thrilling and satisfying.

The novel also explores themes of revenge, justice, and the impact of past actions on the present. Rachel’s quest for the truth forces her to confront the darker aspects of human nature and the moral ambiguities that come with seeking retribution. Hornsley’s exploration of these themes is thought-provoking and adds a layer of depth to the novel. The moral dilemmas faced by the characters make for a compelling and emotionally resonant read.

Hornsley’s writing style is both engaging and polished. Her prose is crisp and evocative, capturing the emotional nuances of the characters and the intensity of their experiences. The dialogue is natural and reflective of the characters’ personalities, adding authenticity to their interactions. The pacing of the novel is well-executed, with a perfect balance of introspective moments and action-driven scenes.

Both entertaining and deeply moving, "Bad Blood" by Sarah Hornsley is a masterfully crafted thriller that offers a perfect blend of suspense, mystery, and family drama. With its well-developed characters, intricate plot, and thought-provoking themes, it is a must-read for fans of the genre.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I liked the premise of the novel, thinking it was a sharp courtroom thriller but it turned out to be a dual timeline story of lost love, family and childhood trauma. I did not engage with the narrative or characters.

I was hoping for a courtroom drama, instead I got a flip-flop novel (past and present, constantly switching) so a double negative for me. The story is not very novel although there was a nice twist towards the end. Justine the barrister fulfills the meaning of the title and what a piece of work she is. I won't explore the story here because it would spoil the enjoyment someone might get from it. I will mention the pace and liken it to trying to light a firework on a sodden November evening, plus it contained more padding than a winter quilt. For those reasons I am afraid it's a three from me.

An engrossing thriller about family secrets, told from different point of views, with lots of twists and turns throughout. Whilst I had expected this book to be more courtroom based, I liked how the story and characters developed and didn't expect the ending. 3.5 stars rounded up. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance reader copy.

A fast-paced gripping thriller that revolves around family secrets, grief and fragile appearances.
I was instantly drawn into the court room action of the book and how KCs get cases etc, there wasn't as much of this as I'd anticipated from the blurb, as the story deviates inevitably to the main character's return to her previous life, surrounding her childhood home. I enjoyed how much I was never really sure of the characters, the narratives all had slight twists and issues with reliability, and this ultimately fed through the book's theme of what the "truth" really is.

Sarah Hornsley’s Bad Blood is an engrossing psychological crime thriller that expertly weaves past and present timelines to craft a tense and twisty narrative. Set in the UK, the story follows Justine Stone, a barrister whose seemingly perfect life—a thriving career, loving husband, and enviable home—takes a sharp and unsettling turn when she is handed her first high-profile criminal case.

The case involves her ex-boyfriend, Jake, who has been accused of a double murder in their shared hometown. As Justine delves deeper into the case, she is forced to confront long-buried secrets about her past, her family, and the role they played in events that still haunt her. Told through alternating timelines and multiple perspectives, the narrative unfolds with surprising revelations that keep the reader on edge.

Hornsley masterfully develops Justine’s character, portraying her struggle to balance her professional obligations with her personal turmoil. The dual timelines add layers of intrigue, as the present-day investigation intertwines with dark truths from Justine's youth. Each perspective contributes to the suspense, offering fragments of the bigger picture while keeping the ultimate resolution tantalisingly out of reach.

The twists and turns are impeccably timed, with each revelation raising the stakes and drawing the reader further into the story. Hornsley’s ability to maintain tension while exploring themes of family loyalty, betrayal, and justice makes this a standout thriller.

For fans of psychological crime fiction, Bad Blood is an absolute page-turner. With its complex characters, sharp plotting, and riveting twists, this book is sure to keep readers hooked until the very last page.

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An author that is new to me but will definitely be reading more of.

This book was fantastic, really enjoyed it and found myself thinking about it when I wasn’t reading.

Thank you NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review

This book was abit of a slow burner for me, but I did like how the story unfolded towards the end. It was well written and I enjoyed uncovering the secrets each characters had.

Absolutely brilliant book!
I am a big fan of this author and love the writing style!
I cant wait to read more!

The suspense in this book kept me awake at night. Every reveal deepened the mystery and kept me turning pages.

4.5/5 Stars: A Riveting and Twisty Thriller

Sarah Hornsley’s Bad Blood is a masterfully crafted psychological thriller that hooks readers from the first page and doesn’t let go. Combining intricate plotting with emotionally charged storytelling, Hornsley delivers a tale of betrayal, family secrets, and the devastating effects of buried truths.

The protagonist is a standout, a flawed yet relatable character whose journey feels raw and authentic. As they navigate a tangled web of deceit and danger, readers are drawn into their inner turmoil and high-stakes decisions. Hornsley’s supporting characters are equally compelling, each one shrouded in just enough mystery to keep the reader guessing about their true intentions.

The pacing is impeccable, with each chapter ending on a note of suspense that makes it nearly impossible to stop reading. The twists are expertly executed, some completely unexpected, while others are cleverly foreshadowed, rewarding attentive readers. Hornsley also weaves in themes of loyalty, identity, and the dark side of ambition, adding depth to the gripping narrative.

The only minor drawback is the ending, which, while shocking and satisfying, feels slightly rushed in its resolution. Still, this does little to detract from the overall experience.

Bad Blood is a must-read for fans of twisty, emotionally charged thrillers. Hornsley is a writer to watch.

An assured court room drama and crime investigation from debut author Sarah Hornsley.
Justine Stone is a confident experienced barrister; when she’s given the case of a lifetime, prosecuting a brutal double murder, she is sure that she’s up to the task. But when she finds out that her first love Jake is the one accused, she has the chance to answer some longstanding questions about her past and her own family.

I really enjoyed this book, it was interesting to see how the characters interlinked and I loved finding out what was going to happen next.

A rather unusual story, which turns preconceived notions on their head. Well written and a convoluted plot to keep you guessing.
Some quite uncomfortable confrontations are described regarding child abuse so please be aware if you are sensitive.
A good read, I enjoyed it

Going into this I didnt really know what it was about. But I was quickly invested in finding out what happened. Not only the current crime but the past as well.
Seeing how each character was intertwined.
The pacing and writing made this such a fast and easy read. Perfect for a quiet night read.

I read Bad Blood by Sarah Hornsley the explosive psychological crime thriller with a triple twist due out March 2025, and here are my thoughts. Justine Stone is a criminal barrister who has just been given her first murder case. The accused is the guy who ghosted her 18 years ago, the one who was her first love. He changed his name and fled their Essex hometown. But he wasn’t the only one who left that week and never looked back. Only Justine has never been able to ghost her past. She has a shrink on speed dial, and now Jake has resurfaced on a charge of double murder back in their hometown.

With Blood Orange and Anatomy of a Scandal vibes the book switches when Justine returns home gathering evidence for the prosecution, with supposition, hearsay, and misdirection small-town Kala vibes.

Bad Blood is a real dog and pony show with all the familiar entertaining attractions done really well. An accused with a mysterious backstory linked to the prosecution with more questions than answers, a happily married high-flying prosecutor with secret emotional ties to the defendant, a set of friends with divided loyalties. Unreliable witnesses, bias, and witnesses withholding information, perhaps because they are dead? Scores to settle, grudges held, a police detective who isn’t a local who has a hunch she can't let go, and a journalist who doesn’t play by the rules. And did I mention Freemasons? We watch and we judge because we are the jury but can the verdict ever be safe?

In my closing statement, I am going to thank NetGalley and author Sarah Hornsley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book, and I will admit to being guilty in the highest degree of enjoying Bad Blood. I couldn't put it down... cuff me!

I just finished this book and I started it months ago. I don't know what it was about it, but I just couldn't get into it.

I read it all though and it's an ok story. I found the ending a bit frustrating. The writing was good tgough. I didn't like the main character which didn’t help. Unfortunately, it just wasn't for me.

I would give 3.5 stars but can't so rounded to 4