The Break-In by Katherine Faulkner is a slow-paced thriller with a surprisingly twisty ending. The first 60% of the book unfolds at a leisurely pace, making it suitable for readers who enjoy scene-building before the action begins. There are quite a few points of view to keep track of, and the narrative jumps around a bit before and after the break-in. However, the ending really saved this book for me. I loved the twists that finally propelled the story forward, and I became genuinely interested in uncovering what was happening.

Unfortunately, I believe some readers may give up before the action and intriguing parts take centre stage. Once the action begins, we see how skilled Katherine is at building suspense when necessary.

Alice grabs a stool to defend her family from an intruder. One strike kills him instantly. Out on bail, she starts to realise that things don't add up and becomes determined to uncover the truth behind the break-in. We follow Alice's journey as she copes with her guilt while trying to discover why the boy broke into her house in the first place. She is unprepared for the shocking revelations that await her.

This is a riveting thriller with an unusual storyline. Pay close attention to all the characters, of which they are many, key and relevant, and not always who or what you think. It is all so cleverly interwoven with intertwining relationships. It’s really hard to tell who are the good guys…are there any? Some people could be vindictive or revengeful. The past may have a role. Secrets and chance encounters could lead to blackmail. The twists, turns and drama lasts until the very last page! Recommend

‘The Break-In’ by Katherine Faulkner begins with a terror-inducing situation - art restoration expert and mother Alice is faced with an armed home intruder who is shouting and gesturing towards the door her daughter is playing with friends behind! When self defence turns fatal, she becomes divisive on the internet (heroic mum or murderess?) and begins to think there may have been more to the break-in than initially met the eye…

The book is told in non-linear sections by multiple characters and manages to build suspense by revealing explosive information that turned my theories upside down multiple times. I don’t want to give spoilers, but I will say that elements of the plot are dark and cynical, and that I ended up empathising with characters I never thought I would support.

If you loved ‘Our House’ by Louise Candlish, you will definitely become addicted to this incredible domestic thriller (and to Katherine Faulkner’s other novels!) This gets five well-earned stars from me, so is very highly recommended.

I received an advance Digital Review Copy of this book from the publisher Bloomsbury via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This book didn’t disappoint. A break-in while you are in your house with a small child is everyone’s worst nightmare. People would have a lot of sympathy with a woman attacking an intruder in order to protect her child but killing someone has consequences. Absolutely gripping!

I thoroughly enjoyed The Break-In ..This is written by a new author to me and is now an author I will definitely be looking out for in future. The Break -In had so many twists and turns it was like a roller coaster. Who to believe, who not to believe played havoc with my thoughts throughout the book. This book reminded me so much of Andrea Mara and Louise Candlish books. A definite 5 star read

What would you do if an intruder broke into your home and threatened you and your child?
When this happens to Alice, her actions set into motion a series of events that will have far reaching consequences for her family.
With lies. betrayal, stalking & murder, this book is an amazing read, and I loved it!

My first time reading @katherinefaulknerwrites and I wasn’t disappointed. A brilliantly written mystery thriller. I absolutely loved this book. It’s completely captivating right from the beginning. I couldn’t put it down. A real page turner.
Told from multiple POV’s. It’s layered, full of twists and turns and keeps you guessing until the end. With so many secrets, lies and actions you don’t know who to trust. A very well written story with strong intriguing characters. I enjoyed the authors writing style which is gripping and tense.
I definitely recommend this book if you enjoy this genre. I look forward to reading more from this author.
With thanks to #NetGallery @bloomsburypublishing #RavenBooks for an arc of #TheBreakIn in exchange for a honest review.
Book publishes 19 June 2025

THE BREAK IN

Being a reader, who prefers short, sharp and concise chapters I was concerned when I saw “5 hrs 33 mins left in chapter” at the start of the book.

And I was right to be.
Where the chapters were broken up; seemingly making them appear shorter, I still found them them drag as I personally found this book to not only have unnecessary content, I also struggled to keep up with the vast amount of characters.

But saying that, I did enjoy reading this murder mystery as it unfolded and was shocked by its unpredictable ending.

Thank #NetGalley and #BloomsburyPublishing for my eArc copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

#TheBreakIn #author #KatherineFaulkner #domesticthriller #suspense #murdermystery #unpredictable

Really enjoyed this domestic thriller. A mother kills an intruder but as she investigates why he was there that day, she uncovers secrets and lies. I loved a good domestic thriller and this was a great enjoyable read, with plenty of twists and turns and unreliable, toxic friends and relations. A fun read of a mother’s worst nightmare. Perfect summer reading!

Alice's world was irrevocably shattered when Ezra violently invaded her sanctuary, forcing her into a gut-wrenching fight for survival to protect herself and her daughter. This harrowing event unearths a web of deceit that Alice never saw coming—and honestly, neither did I. This gripping narrative follows Alice as she painstakingly pieces together the chaos, desperate to understand the motives behind Ezra's intrusion. As she delves deeper, she finds herself entangled in dangers far beyond her imagination. The relentless twists left me breathless, with each turn pushing the envelope further. Some moments in this story absolutely devastated me, while others left me starkly incredulous. An expertly crafted thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. I’m giving this book a resounding 5 out of 5 stars.

Katherine Faulkner's "The Break-In" is a slowly building suspense, offering a compelling narrative filled with twists and turns that will keep readers on edge. While it's certainly a slow burn, requiring a bit of patience, the intricate plotting and ultimately satisfying conclusion make the journey well worth it.

From the outset, Faulkner introduces a cast of highly interesting characters, immediately establishing an atmosphere where trust is a luxury few can afford. The novel excels at creating a sense of unease, as new links and connections are slowly revealed between different characters, adding layers to the mystery. This gradual unfolding ensures the suspense continually builds, rather than relying on quick shocks.

There were moments where the pacing felt a little extended, and I did wonder if the narrative could have been slightly tighter. However, even during these stretches, Faulkner's ability to maintain a compelling mystery ensured my interest never truly waned. I remained motivated to stick with the story, eager to uncover the truth.

And I'm certainly glad I did. "The Break-In" truly delivers on its promise of a gripping thriller, culminating in an ending that is incredibly well worth the journey. The resolution ties everything together in a deeply satisfying way, making all the slow-burn anticipation pay off.

If you enjoy psychological thrillers that prioritize character depth and a meticulously crafted, slow-building suspense over immediate action, and you appreciate a story where the final reveal justifies every page, then "The Break-In" is definitely a book you should pick up.

A slow burn of a domestic thriller with many twists and turns. The second half speeded up the narrative but the ending meandered, too much tell and too little show. However, a decent must.

This book held such promise from the beginning and I couldn't wait to get to it, I was so drawn in at the start.

I enjoyed the varying points of view and the unravelling of the storyline, however, I found it really slow in some parts.

There were some good twists and some a little predictable, which was a bit of a let down.

Overall I enjoyed this book, it tied together nicely in the end. I would say it was a little too slow for me a times and didn't quite live up to the build up the beginning had me excited for.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The book started very slowly, I almost gave up a few times but I stuck with it, the second half was thankfully much faster paced.

I personally felt that I was left with far too many unanswered questions at the end, and that the ending was a bit neat and rushed. I didn't particularly feel sympathy for any of the characters, I simply didn't like anyone enough to care!

I did like the premise for the story but the execution didn't fulfil it for me.

This was a very suspensful read especially as you learn more about the day of the murder. Good twists and turns overall.

This book is thriller perfection. It has everything I want in a great read: an original, high-stakes plot, characters you care about (even when you don’t fully trust them), dark secrets and twists that just keep coming. I was hooked from the very first page—and it never let go.

I found myself racing through the pages, compelled by both the mystery and the emotional weight of Alice’s decisions. The pacing is tight, the writing sharp and the tension builds in all the right places. It’s one of those books where you need to read the next chapter… and then the next… and the next. I guarantee you’ll lose sleep over it!

Highly entertaining and impossible to put down, this is a must-read for anyone who loves fast-paced, addictive and cleverly plotted suspense.

Huge thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing for the gifted ARC of this addictive thriller!

THE BREAK IN BY KATHERINE FAULKNER.
Release date set for the 19th of June 2025.
This is my first book by this author and Will deffo read more of her work
This books keeps you guessing.
Very Interesting characters.
I thought it was a good twisty thriller.
Solid 4 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.

After a break in at their house, a young man dies and it’s Alice that killed him. But who was Ezra and why did he choose her?? Was it self defence??
A story full of unlikeable characters who have things to hide, a few twists and turns keeps you on your toes. A good sold read.

Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing Plc for this eCopy to review

The Break-In is a tense psychological thriller. The story follows Alice, a wealthy London mother whose life takes a terrifying turn when a disturbed man breaks into her home during a playdate. In a moment of panic, she kills him, an act later ruled as self-defense. But instead of moving on, Alice finds herself haunted by the incident. Strange online comments, cryptic phone calls, and unsettling behaviour from those closest to her make her question everything. As she digs deeper, she uncovers dark secrets that hit far closer to home than she ever imagined.

Faulkner masterfully builds suspense, keeping the reader hooked with twists and turns that unravel at just the right pace. The exploration of guilt, paranoia, and the complexities of motherhood adds depth to the thriller, making it more than just a mystery. The writing is immersive, and Alice’s journey is both gripping and unsettling.

The Break-In is a compelling read with strong character development and a chilling atmosphere that kept me turning the pages late into the night.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Throughout the entire book I was not sure where the plot was going to go.... right until the end.

It was fast paced and I really enjoyed the writing. The only thing I would say was a negative was the way the time jumps in the narrative were written. It was just a new paragraph and on several occasions I had to double check what I had read to ensure I was following along. But for me that was a minor thing and did not take away from how great this book was.