I found this book quite difficult to get into and not quite gripping from the beginning. I did not find the characters engaging.

A brilliant read which makes you question right vs wrong and what you might have done. Then there is the whole journey to the what happened. I thoroughly enjoyed it and finished it in a day as I couldn't stop reading!

Before I launch into my review, I would like to say a huge thank you to Karen Faulkner, Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, and Netgalley for the Advanced Digital Reader Copy of this title. For anyone with their eye on this novel, here is my personal review of the book to help you decide whether you are interested or not. All opinions offered are my own.

Admittedly, I was a little worried about the repeated comments in the advanced praise that referred to the novel as a slow burn. However, I remember being extremely taken with Faulkner’s debut, Greenwich Park, and whizzing through it because each chapter gave me just information to make me read just one more chapter. Before I knew it, I was at the finish line and wanting more. This next edition (for me) of Faulkner’s way with words and mystery has been much anticipated.

As soon as I opened the book and saw the titles for the three parts, I knew I was going to like the perspective on offer. The book starts after the ‘break-in,’ continues by wandering back in time to the day of the break-in, before reaching the third and final part of the book that focuses on life after the break-in.

Alice is at home entertaining a friend whilst her nanny minds their children in the next room. A strange man appears at the window, and before they know it, the agitated intruder is in the house, making a beeline for the children. Mothering instincts kick in and Alice defends her home against a knife-wielding attacker. Fortunately, or not, the intruder dies at the scene and what unfolds is a complex, tangled web of lies, deceit, selfish motives, manipulation, and a whole heap of secrets that take a while to surface.

This book starts with a bang, or more like a thwack. It hurtles rapidly towards the middle of the book with items being disposed of by unknown characters, arrests, interviews, and amateur investigations. It all appears to be a cut and shut case. I mean, Alice was only protecting her property, right? All these events pave the way to creating a rich tapestry of events that are populated by richly created characters with well developed histories and motives. I reached the midpoint of the novel where the action slowed down and I had the case all sewn up, until I didn’t. Every time I thought I had worked out why the break-in had occurred, Faulkner would write another piece of history into the story, or reveal a new scene, or conversation that rendered my theories null and void. The ground continued to shift beneath me until the very end. There were so many twists that I was well and truly tied up in knots until the end.

I loved how the book was told through the various female perspectives, often overlapping or providing a different angle of a scene. These characters included Alice, the murderer, Stella, the journalist friend who witnessed Alice kill Ezra in self-defense, Becca, the nanny, Linda, the victim’s mother, and Jade, the victim’s sister. Each has their own secrets for various reasons, not realizing how they have the potential to impact themselves and others if they are discovered. I often wanted to jump inside the pages and shake some sense into the characters. I was constantly torn between who I liked and disliked and my sympathies for each of them ebbed and waned depending on the action. After a short lull, I was literally on the edge of my seat, zipping through pages to have all the mysteries revealed.

The book questions how well you really know anyone, especially those closest to you. It also examines the lengths one would go to for revenge, for justice, and for the truth. I would recommend this book to lovers of thrillers and mysteries. There is so much to unpack in this book that it requires your full attention. If you have the time and the brain power to spare, I say, run, don’t walk to reserve yourself a copy when the book is published on Jun 19th, 2025. Other than the slump, which was probably required in a book of this depth, it was a fantastic read from start to finish.

I was really pleased to be offered an ARC of “The Break In" by Katherine Faulkner and it’s the first book I’ve read by this author.

Alice knew her life would change the moment she killed the intruder in her home, it was self-defence. But as the initial shock subsided, a chilling unease settled in its place.

She began her own investigation, a desperate attempt to understand the life she had taken and, more importantly, why he had come to her door. Alice's quest led her down a rabbit hole of cryptic clues and unsettling discoveries.

It was a thrilling read from the first page to the last, the book maintained a palpable sense of suspense that kept me eagerly turning the pages. The pacing ensured that the story never lagged, drawing me deeper and deeper into the unfolding mystery, with plenty of twists throughout.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an early copy.

Devoured this book in a single sitting—The Break-In is a twisted psychological thriller brimming with tension from the very first page. Katherine Faulkner has crafted a story that grips you with a perfectly-timed drip-feed of reveals, each one deepening the mystery and pulling you further into the web of secrets.

The narrative unfolds with nail-biting tension, a thread that links and continues to entangle, becoming more complex and compelling as you go. Faulkner’s skill at unravelling the layers of truth—while always holding something just out of reach—makes this one compulsively readable.

What struck me most was how vividly I could put myself in the characters’ shoes—their fear, confusion, and growing paranoia felt so real, it was like I was living the story alongside them. If you love thrillers with emotional depth, shocking twists, and that creeping sense of dread that builds with every chapter, The Break-In delivers all of that and more.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC! This is a 3.5 rounded up.

Alice, at first, seems like the average middle class London mother with the perfect husband, great job and lovely nanny. We first follow Alice after the break-in which resulted in her killing a man. Seeing Alice’s reaction to this is fascinating and feels incredibly real and raw. From there, the plot absolutely spirals (in the best way) with twists and turns throughout.

I loved the concept of this book, using the stereotypical main character and throwing them into the most unusual situation. Throughout most of the book I felt incredibly frustrated by the actions of both Alice and her friends/family. Some of Alice’s decisions felt so infuriating but remained completely believable.

Though stereotypical and often overused, having Alice’s friends/family display little sympathy kept me hooked, desperate to see them proved wrong. The side characters and their relationships felt well fleshed out in some ways but a tad unbelievable in others. How can you be friends with a woman for a year and not know her surname?

I was hooked whilst reading this and found myself desperate for answers, however I do feel it could have been shorter. I understand how the author dragged out the mid-section in order to build tension and frustrations, but it began to drag. I did enjoy how the plot unfolded and how answers were found, but I feel as though the last few chapters lost momentum and were almost too wrapped up in a bow.

Overall I’d definitely recommend this book as the plot is great and quite unpredictable. I do think it could do with a couple of editing tweaks/refinements.

This is such an awesome read! The plot was so unpredictable and really original - it had me hooked from the get go.

The story is told mainly from the perspective of Alice, a woman living in affluence in London, hosting a play date and sharing a drink with her mum friends when an intruder forced entry into her home. In an attempt to protect the children Alice inadvertently ends up killing the young intruder. Unable to move on from this tragedy Alice pays a visit to the intruders mum and from there Alice becomes embroiled in events that ultimately shows the realities of her life are vastly different from what she believed to be the truth.

So gripping - I can’t recommend this psychological thriller highly enough!

My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.

There is SO much going on in this book! In a way it is almost like 3 stories rolled into one as there are so many threads that lead into the main story - that being the fall out from a young man breaking into a house and a mother acting in self-defense.

Alice's perfect life unravels somewhat from this point and the author has cleverly crafted a plethora of scenarios that appear utterly unlinked and yet as a reader you are aware that they must be, somehow.

With a large cast of key players and multiple POVs it soon becomes clear they may not all be entirely trustworthy.

I tried to like Alice and for the most part I did and I found her relatable to a point - but then in equal measure I found myself deeply frustrated with her and virtually screaming at the book willing her not to (repeatedly) do certain things.

From this point, the book explodes into differing arcs that spin the reader into dizzying circles desperately trying to unravel the truth.

Overall, a complex and engrossing thriller - my thanks to the author, Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for an ARC in return for an honest review.

A brilliant read, I loved how the characters linked and stories combined. I wanted to feel sorry for Alice but so often I found myself asking ‘what are you doing?!’, going to Linda/Jade’s home multiple times! A really good ending and would definitely recommend this to others.

*The Break-In* is twisty, tense, and completely addictive—exactly the kind of psychological thriller that keeps you glued to the page. Katherine Faulkner masterfully sets up a domestic scene that quickly spirals into chaos, and from there, the suspense only builds. Alice is a layered, believable protagonist, and her descent into doubt and obsession feels chillingly real. As the story peels back the layers of what *really* happened that night, every revelation is more unsettling than the last. With tight pacing, sharp writing, and twists you won’t see coming, this is a binge-worthy thriller that will leave you questioning everything.

This book was a ride. It kicks off immediately with the break-in (no slow build-up here), and from that moment I was completely hooked. Like, cancel-your-plans kind of hooked.

Told from multiple points of view, which I love, because it had me constantly second guessing everything. Just when I thought I knew what was going on — nope. Another twist. And then another. And THEN a twist on the twist. It was wild.

Super fast-paced, super addictive, and just really fun if you’re into twisty thrillers. I already have another book by Katherin Faulkner on my TBR, and after this, I will definitely be reading it next.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing Plc for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Alice has a couple of friends over with their children for a play date with her daughter Martha. What happens next is truly frightening. A man is breaking into the family home. Feeling threatened, Alice picks up a metal stool and smashes it over his head, killing him.
Alice is eventually cleared of any wrongdoing citing self-defense. She receives an anonymous phone call, which leads Alice to find out who Ezra was and why her family was targeted.
Jamie, her husband, and their nanny Becca start to act oddly. Jamie just wants Alice to move on and get on with her life.
This is a gripping psychological thriller that has many secrets, twists, and turns.
I found Alice to be very annoying and naive. I found myself shaking my head on many occasions at her stupidity.
I read this in two sittings as I wanted all the answers. I felt it got a little complicated towards the end with so much explaining.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for the ARC in return for an honest review.

The Break-In by Katherine Faulkner is a taut and engaging psychological thriller that keeps readers guessing from beginning to end. With a well-crafted plot and an atmospheric setting, Faulkner expertly builds suspense as secrets unravel and tensions rise. The characters are nuanced and relatable, drawing the reader deeper into the mystery with each chapter. Smart, twisty, and full of emotional depth, The Break-In is a compelling read for anyone who enjoys domestic thrillers with a sharp edge.

This book acts as a magnet; it literally sucks you in and you can’t put it down. A high-octane murder mystery thriller which captivates you from start to finish.

The plot centers around a break in at Alice’s house. She has a few mums around for a semi play date when it happens. A young boy, Ezra, breaks in unhinged and slurring his words. Alice has no choice other than to protect her young daughter and the other children in the next room. Using a metal chair, she smashes it over his head: killing him.

That’s where the mystery starts. Alice can’t accept that this was a random attack and vows to do her own investigation starting with the boy’s family. There are numerous subplots as the characters each provide their back stories. They all, however, connect in some way to a missing girl who disappeared in Africa years ago while volunteering. Jamie, Alice’s husband seems to hold all the secrets but he’s not giving anything away. And with her nanny silenced by a non-disclosure agreement, Alice runs the risk of disappearing down a rabbit hole. There are some great characters in this book in particular Linda, Ezra’s long-suffering, gin drinking mum who is also holding a secret of her own and Jade who simply cannot get a break.

I thoroughly enjoyed this and highly recommend it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

An ever-changing muti-person narrative, charting the days before and after a mother kills an intruder in self defence. Just when you think you understand, it all shifts again.

While it wasn't my favourite book by the author, there was enough going on in The Break-In to keep me interested throughout. Alice as a character can be quite frustrating at times as she makes some silly decisions but I did sympathise with the position she was in. I enjoyed the mixture of POVs although I do think Jamie's would have been an interesting addition to have too. There's some nice little twists throughout but I do think you need to suspend belief as it feels a little far-fetched at points.

The story begins with Alice murdering an intruder into her home. She is struggling to come to grips with what she has done and makes some very questionable choices, During this time, she realises that he wasn’t in her home by chance and feels compelled to find out why he was there. The story introduces the family of the deceased man and you slowly learn more about their past and how and where it crosses with Alice’s own, Therre is also a journalist who seems to be befriending Alice but is she really trying to help her? As her life unravels, you can’t help but feel for her and I liked that she was strong towards the end, This was a very enjoyable thriller with some unexpected twists. Thanks to a Netgalley for an ARC.

struggling with the multiple POVs and it's just very slow paced. not for me sorry. I felt like it needed more development of each character to make them more distinctive. They all seemed like the same person to me.

This book hooked me right from the very beginning and kept me awake long past the witching hour. It is hauntingly good, complex and clever, and the tension gathers pace with a relentless momentum until one is shocked by unexpected revelations and twist after stunning twist.
There's an evocative creepy eerieness to the scenes on the side of the Regent's canal as characters pass through all the extremities of London's housing - from the bleak and decrepit, the cold and heartless hostels, to the 'posh end' of town.
I don't think I will ever forget any of the characters. They all made a considerable emotional impact on me and I applaud the author's ability to bring such unique realism to imagined lives.
An absolute tour de force.

Whilst having a play date with her daughter and some friends, Alice discovers a burglar in her home. When it all comes down to it, Alice does what she needs to to protect her family, which results in the death of the intruder.

The plot was well thought out, it provided a lot of unexpected twists and kept me guessing what links would be revealed next. I liked that the author kept the main characters to more of a minimum compared to a lot of thrillers that I have read recently, this really helped with following the plot and understanding where the story was leading. There were times throughout the book where it felt slightly messy with switching between characters and different situations, but this wasn’t a regular thing, and generally speaking I felt it was very well written.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend reading it. It was a real rollercoaster and you truly didn’t know what to expect next, which is exactly what I want from a thriller. Thank you NetGalley for my ARC.