When Alice accidentally murders an intruder to her home, her life falls apart. She feels the need to make contact with the young man’s family as she feels the house was targeted and she needs to find out why.
This is an excellent book and I really couldn’t put it down. With many gasps escaping me as I read it, it is full of twists and turns that I did not see coming. It’s well written, meaning “just one more chapter” was never enough.
Highly recommended.

Gripping, twisty, and hard to put down.

The Break-In wastes no time pulling you in with a tense and chilling opening. The suspense builds steadily, and I loved the use of multiple POVs as it added depth and kept the momentum going. Alice is a compelling main character, and watching her life slowly unravel kept me hooked.

Though some of the plot reveals felt a bit overexplained toward the end, the pacing and tension more than made up for it. This is a slow-burn thriller with sharp twists, solid writing, and enough mystery to keep you guessing.

Highly recommend for fans of domestic thrillers that explore the blurred lines between guilt, grief, and truth.

This was another excellent book, with super characters and it felt very true to life in the reactions of other people after this tragedy. I felt sorry for Alice as it was not meant to happen. The ending took me by surprise but what excellent writing, that made it 5 stars for me and I will recommend this for your summer reading.

Loved this book from the beginning. It was riddled with twists and turns, some of which left me gasping as I didn't see them coming. It was a pacu thriller and an absolute page turner. Need I say more. Just get your hands on a copy and read on .

4.5 stars
Wow, this book was excellent!
Right from page 1, I was hooked and completely intrigued by what was going to happen. I was totally sucked in by the building tension and suspense.
One thing I really did enjoy about this book was that we got different POVs throughout. If we were just reading this from our MC Alice's point of view, I have a feeling it would have become a bit dull and repetitive.
I was never once bored or skimming ahead and the tension did not let up for one second for the whole book.
The pacing was spot on and I absolutely raced through it, I couldn't put it down. It certainly didn't feel like it was a 400 page book.
One very slight thing that I wasn't a big fan of was as the story was being wrapped up, it felt like the plot and reveals were being unnecessarily over explained to the reader.
Apart from that very slight issue I LOVED this book. Highly recommend.

A slow burn with different points of view that didn't meet my exp3cttaions. When I read thrillers I am lookimg for a fast-paced story that makes me feel I don't want to out the book down and unfortunately it wasn't the case with this one. A shame, since I liked the premise.

Katherine Faulkner’s The Break-In is a gripping and suspenseful read that hooks you from the very first page. The plot is unpredictable, and part of the fun is not knowing where it’s headed. Faulkner does a great job of building tension, keeping you on edge as the story unfolds.

While there were a few moments that felt confusing, that seemed more like a reflection of how twisty the plot is rather than a flaw in the writing. Everything clicks into place eventually, and the ending delivers a satisfying payoff.

What stands out most is how the book explores trust and deception- reminding readers that sometimes, the people closest to us are the ones we should question the most. It’s a chilling theme that lingers after you’ve turned the final page.

⚠️THE BREAK-IN; REVIEW‼️⚠️

Written by author
Katherine Faulkner,

Blurb;

You know who.
You don't know why.

The play date started well. The children happy in one room while their mothers relaxed and drank wine in another.

But then the stranger appeared at the window. And then he was inside the house. And then he grabbed the knife...

Alice only means to stop him. She doesn't mean to hit him so hard. She didn't mean to kill him.

The police conclude that she acted in self-defence, but wracked with guilt, Alice sets out to apologise to Linda, the mother of the young man she killed - only to find she is unable to come clean about who she really is. But as Alice learns more about Ezra and why he was at her house, she starts to wonder whether she really has the full picture about what happened that day...

This latest simmering suspense novel from the internationally bestselling Katherine Faulkner is an unputdownable must-read that will have you hooked from the first twist to the last.

My Review;
OMG! I absolutely LOVED this book! 👌👌👌 = It drew me in right from the very start, the characters came across as authentic, & it had a good pace throughout, - & it had so many 'edge-of-your-seat' twists & turns that I could never have guessed where it was headed; or 'who'/'why'! - VERY cleverly written, & an utterly GRIPPING read, = One that I NEED to buy the physical copy of now, to add to my 'favourites/outstanding' collection! I would DEFFO, ☆HIGHLY☆ recommend‼️👌

Out of a rating of 1-10; where 10 is the highest, I am giving this book a rating of ⭐️10!⭐️, - yep, it was actually THAT good!, 👌👌👌😉,
x ~ X ~ x

After Alice kills an intruder at he London home her world is turned upside down. Although she acted in self defence to protect her young daughter Martha, she feels guilty and tracks down the intruders family which causes more upheavel in her life.

Really liked the premise for this and there were lots of twists to the story to keep it interesting. It was well written with the tension ramping nicely as Alice got closer to uncovering the truth.

The main character Alice is believable in her quest for the truth and her main aim is to protect her family.

An entertaining psychological thriller.

The Break-In manages to combine convincing characters, great writing and an intricate, well-planned plot - all of which made me reluctant to put this book down!

We’re following Alice, whose house is broken into one stormy evening whilst she has some friends and their children over to play with her daughter Martha. A seemingly drunk young man, who the paper reports is called Ezra, breaks in, picks up a knife and heads towards the room where all the children are playing… so Alice doesn’t hesitate. She picks up a stool, whacks him around the head with it... and kills him.

Although Alice is hopeful that she won’t be charged with murder, she can’t help thinking about the case and that there’s more to the break-in than chance. This is further reinforced by some anonymous calls she’s been receiving, suggesting as much. She becomes more wrapped up in the family of the boy whom she killed and starts to realise there WAS more to the case than she thought.

I loved the way this book was told - firstly, we see the period after the break in, and jump between different perspectives: Alice’s, Linda’s (Ezra’s mother), Jade’s (Ezra’s sister), Becca’s (the nanny who helps look after Martha) and some other people in Alice’s life too - as well as the occasional newspaper article.

Then in the next section, we go travel to the day of the accident (again seeing lots of different perspectives), and finally we observe the period in the Autumn after the break in. This way we start to find our little nuggets of information we wouldn’t otherwise have known, and it really helps to build the intrigue.

There’s some convenient moments in the story that are there to help the story move along but nothing felt too much - I really enjoyed how the plot sped along and at the same time I felt like I really got to know Alice’s thoughts. She - along with most of the characters, to be honest - isn’t perhaps the most likeable character, but I enjoy a story with flawed characters and the author did a great job of making you really see how mentally stressful this situation is, as well as how little you can know someone you spend so much time with.

This was a well-crafted, intriguing thriller that certainly kept me guessing, much like many of Katherine Faulkner’s books.

The Break-In is a brilliantly layered book which verges on a domestic thriller but which has a dark mystery running throughout it.

We begin shortly after a break-in and death has occurred, as we focus on how our main character, Alice, is dealing with the aftermath. It's safe to say she's not doing great, knowing there must be more to a random burglary gone wrong.

As we step back and forth in the timeline, going back to the break in itself and months before, I enjoyed how the non-linear structure allows you to slowly piece the story together.

Faulkner's writing is always incredibly sharp which is what engages me in her stories so deeply. As with Greenwich Park, you get a brilliant sense of setting and location. She describes the urban surroundings brilliantly, which really helps you to flesh out the characters.

It's a very intriguing premise and it definitely kept me guessing throughout. And with a fast pace and engaging characters, it's definitely one to add to the summer reading list!

Actual rating 4.5.

I’ve loved Katherine’s books since her debut, and this may just be her best yet - I couldn’t put this one down! I like the way these thrillers always have motherhood and the tough decisions that come with that at the heart of them, and whilst I didn’t necessarily warm to any of the characters, I found myself hooked trying to work out what had happened and what was going to happen! A great binge read 🙌

Alice, a professional mother of one, is hosting a playdate with friends at her upscale London home when a disturbed man breaks in. With her child in the next room, Alice panics and kills him—an act later ruled to have been in self-defense.
Everyone tries to encourage Alice to move on with her life—but with strange comments appearing online, a mysterious phone call telling her all is not as it seems, and her husband, nanny, and friends behaving strangely, Alice finds herself drawn to the mystery of who her intruder really was. As she digs deeper, she discovers a trail of dark secrets that spiral closer to home than she ever could have imagined.

If you thought domestic thrillers couldn’t surprise you anymore, think again!

Having previously found Faulkner's earlier works lacking the depth I craved, I approached this novel with cautious optimism. However, The Break-In proved to be a stunning revelation. Faulkner's narrative is both compelling and meticulously crafted, drawing readers into a web of intrigue and suspense. The pacing is impeccable, maintaining tension without overwhelming the reader. Character development is another strength; Alice's journey from confusion to determination is portrayed with nuance and empathy.
In conclusion, “The Break-In” is a brilliantly explosive, emotionally charged thriller that defies expectations at every turn. Faulkner has outdone herself this time, delivering a story that is not only gripping, but deeply unsettling in the best possible way!

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