I loved this book and it thoroughly deserves every one of the 5 stars I’ve rated it! To sum up the book in a few words harrowing, unique and twisty.

Ooomph this book sure did pack an emotional punch. My eyes simply couldn’t read it fast enough I loooooove this kind of book it held me tight and didn’t let go!

I would imagine little twists that I knew were coming and WHAM… the twists were bigger, bolder, and even more gripping!! enough! I will be thinking about this book for a while after I take a few breaths that is! Another home run by Chris Bridges.

So, where to start…. This book is dark. The characters are each very complex in their own way and pretty much all of them have complicated pasts that affect how they behave as people and towards each other. I’m not sure I found any of them particularly likeable but I feel as though that was how they were written to be and it was done well. At first I felt a bit sorry for Laura, like she found making friends difficult, but after a while she seemed a little creepy, especially how she was with the eccentric Sadie.
I felt like Laurel House definitely had a pull to it, to make people want to stay. It sounded like a fascinating place although with all that happened in it, I’m not really sure I’d like to visit.

It was a really great story that had me absolutely pulled in, waiting to see where each little secret went and I loved how i was fed little nuggets of information that led to big ‘Oh’ moments where things clicked into place.

If you’re looking for something dark, disturbing and gripping, this book will be right up your street.

Told across two timelines, then and now, this story is about Laura, a student nurse who makes friends with Sadie, a mysterious older student who has Laura in her thrall. Over a decade later, despite not being in touch for all that time, Laura is ‘persuaded’ to revisit The Laurels and take care of Sadie.

A good read that I enjoyed. All of the characters were pretty despicable, you will love to hate them! Story was well written, with a good plot line. If I have a negative it is that the book is overlong and could do with editing, some of the narrative is superfluous and unnecessary.

3.5*

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books Uk.

The Death Bed by Chris Bridges is a dark, unsettling psychological thriller that quietly crawls under your skin and refuses to let go.

Laura arrives at her former best friend’s bedside not out of kindness, but fear. Sadie is dying, and with her final breath she could expose a truth Laura has spent sixteen years burying. What unfolds is a slow, claustrophobic unravelling of guilt, memory and buried trauma, as the past refuses to stay silent.

This is a story that thrives on atmosphere. The pacing is deliberately slow, but it works in the book’s favour, creating an uncomfortable tension that mirrors Laura’s mounting dread. The confined setting, the weight of unspoken history and the creeping sense that something terrible is about to surface all combine to make this a deeply unsettling read.

I especially appreciated the author’s writing style, which feels thoughtful and controlled, allowing the psychological tension to build rather than relying on shock. The themes explored are heavy and handled with sensitivity, and the author’s note at the end adds real emotional depth and context to the story.

This is not a fast thriller, but it is an absorbing one. Quietly disturbing, emotionally layered and deeply atmospheric, it will stay with you long after the final page.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

I found this an enjoyable read with plenty of mystery and twists.
When Laura enrols as a student nurse she embarks on a move to London which takes her away from a past that still haunts her. She fairly quickly becomes friends with fellow student Sadie and settles into her new career. What can I say about Sadie she is a strange one that’s for sure, living in the past but manipulating the present.
The story is told from historical events and the present which I enjoyed.
My thanks to Net Galley and the Publishers for the advanced copy of this thrilling book.

Laura is a nurse who has travelled to care for her dying old best friend. She hasn’t done this out of compassion though, but rather out of fear. Sixteen years ago tragedy tore their friendship group apart and Laura has spent the subsequent years trying to make sure the truth doesn’t come out. Now her old best friend might destroy it all.

Having previously read this author’s first book and really enjoying it, I was excited to be able to read this next one, whilst also enjoying medical thrillers and being drawn to the cover. What I liked so much about the previous book was the unique storytelling and writing style, which I was happy to find this one also contained. The story is a slow burn, but this works well with the writing style and creates a claustrophobic, creepy atmosphere, that you can’t help but read more of. Saying that, at times the pacing made the story feel slightly long. The author explores some serious topics in an authentic, sensitive way. I appreciated the author’s note at the end about the reasons for the story, which resonated with me.

Although there were a lot of unlikeable characters, they were well written and interesting to read. I never quite knew who to trust, with many feeling unreliable, which helped keep up the suspense within the story. I was keen to see where it would go and there were a few twists and turns as the story progressed. I can certainly see this haunting, compelling story having a firm grip on readers who enjoy slow burn, complex thrillers and I will continue to look out for more books by this author. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

*A HEART-STOPPING THRILL RIDE: THE DEATH BED BY CHRIS BRIDGES*

Get ready for a wild ride! 🚨 Chris Bridges' "The Death Bed" is a heart-stopping thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. This debut novel is a masterclass in suspense, expertly weaving together a complex web of secrets, lies, and deadly intentions.

The story follows Detective Rachel Jenkins as she investigates a shocking murder that takes her to a secluded death bed facility, where the lines between life and death are blurred. Bridges' writing is taut and immersive, perfectly capturing the tense atmosphere of the investigation.

The characters are complex and nuanced, with motivations that are both believable and unsettling. Rachel is a compelling protagonist, driven by a mix of personal and professional demons.

The plot twists are expertly done, with a few surprises that will leave you gasping. Bridges' use of misdirection and red herrings is masterful, keeping you on a wild goose chase until the very end.

One of the standout aspects of this book is Bridges' exploration of themes such as mortality, grief, and the consequences of our choices. The writing is evocative and engaging, making it easy to become lost in the world of the story.

The pacing is expertly managed, with a steady build-up of tension that culminates in a heart-pounding climax. If you're looking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, look no further!

Overall, *"The Death Bed" is a gripping and thought-provoking read that will appeal to fans of crime fiction and thrillers*. 👍

Rating: 5/5 stars

Review of ‘The Death Bed’ by Chris Bridges, due to be published on 26 February 2026 by Avon Books UK.  

A story of two parts told in the ‘Then’ and ‘Now’.

Then - we meet Laura and Sadie, amongst a host of supporting characters, who are all training to be nurses in London in the 1990’s.  Sadie, older than the others, has a house with quirky 50’s decor to match her fashion style.  She talks lovingly about growing up there, the people that have previously lived in the house and how she never wants to leave.  Laura is delighted when Sadie asks her to stay at the house with her, finally feeling at home after a troubled past. Until it all goes wrong and Laura has no choice but to leave the house, and Sadie, behind. 

Now - set in 2010, Sadie is dying and deploys her daughter, Elsie, to convince Laura to come back to the house to nurse her in her final weeks.  In fear of her past secrets and career ending indiscretions coming to light, Laura reluctantly agrees.

Both Laura and Sadie are strong, well written protagonists, supporting characters are well developed, each adding their own unique part of the story.  There are surprising plot twists, secrets unearthed that have long been buried, and not everyone is as they present themselves.  It’s a gripping read, that gets its claws into you in from the very first page.

The death bed is a fantastic read. Excellent plot that was both fast paced and engaging. I loved how well it was written and was kept engaged to the end.
Utterly amazing!

The Death Bed is one of those thrillers that hooks you from the very first line and keeps tightening its grip with every chapter. What begins as a simple bedside vigil quickly unravels into a knot of old loyalties, buried secrets, and the kind of guilt that never really dies.

Laura is such a fascinating narrator — controlled, careful, and clearly terrified of the past catching up with her. When she arrives at Sadie’s death bed, it’s obvious she’s not there out of love or nostalgia. She’s there because Sadie knows too much. That tension simmers beautifully throughout the book, and the author does a brilliant job of letting the truth surface in slow, unsettling waves.

The flashbacks to their nursing‑school days add a sharp emotional edge, revealing how one tragedy splintered a group of friends and left Laura carrying far more than her share. I loved how the story plays with the idea that the dying don’t always go quietly — and that sometimes the most dangerous secrets are the ones whispered at the very end.

Atmospheric, twisty, and surprisingly emotional, The Death Bed is perfect for readers who enjoy character‑driven suspense with a strong psychological undercurrent. It’s a story about friendship, fear, and the lengths we go to protect the lies we’ve built our lives around.

A tense and satisfying read.

With thanks to Chris Bridges, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

This is the first book I’ve read by Chris Bridges and one which I thoroughly enjoyed. With this story he has masterfully crafted a gripping and unsettling plot, brimming with rich details and unexpected twists, that not only capture your attention but also manage to trigger deep emotions.

The story is told in both past and present and follows Laura, a nurse who travels to London to care for her enigmatic friend Sadie, who is dying. However her visit is not out of compassion, Laura must ensure that the past stays buried along with their secrets and that the truth never sees the light of day.

Laura narrates the story, offering the reader a glimpse into her psyche and showing us the other characters through her lens. I felt pulled into the unfolding narrative and could sense Laura’s trauma, discomfort and her desperation to fit in, and although I can’t say that I particularly liked any of the characters, I was still compelled to read onward.

Chris Bridges’ writing keeps the pace moving, and the flawed, unhinged characters add to the intrigue. I always enjoy stories set in dual timelines and there were some real surprises in this one.

THE DEATH BED is a moody, psychological thriller that’s explores grief, obsession, the feeling of not belonging and the fragile line between truth and illusion. Part domestic thriller, part family drama and part crime fiction, it’s a cracking read. 4.5 stars

THE DEATH BED will be released on 26th February 2026 and is available to pre-order now.

Thank you to Net Galley and Avon books for the advanced copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for this ARC! This book is dark. This story is about Laura, a student nurse who makes friends with Sadie, a mysterious older student who has Laura in her thrall. Over a decade later, despite not being in touch for all that time, Laura is ‘persuaded’ to revisit The Laurels and take care of Sadie. I enjoyed this book.

Thanks NetGalley for the free ARC!
At first I was a bit disturbed by the scenarios of death and patient suffering, but I am actively grieving and it was a bit raw for me. However, I felt the novel was well written and the descriptive scenarios made me very emphatic towards patients and healthcare workers. I felt the novel was engaging and entertaining as well as suspenseful. I would recommend.

taut, tense thriller with excellent plotting and some very intense and unusual dramatics. the final reveal is a hair obvious but worked well. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

Thanks to Netgalley for the arc of this book.
This had me hooked from the first page!
A twisty thriller with fantastic characters and a great storyline. The ending was great too. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Laura, the nurse, Sadie, the patient, although she was a nurse too, were the main characters. Both possessed deep pasts, and other characters were affected by current-day events around them. The interactions between the two main characters and the side players made a very interesting combination.

Oblique references to other people, as well as their actions or inactions, are explored throughout the book. As the story progresses, the side characters become increasingly important, causing the reader to question who the threat is and who is being threatened.

Overall, a very interesting read, although it took a while to assimilate all the relevant facts to grasp how events had unfolded.

Regardless of choice, starting a book is always a gamble (both a risk and a stroll). You don’t necessarily know where you’re going — especially when it’s a new author to you, as Chris Bridges was for me.

I’m a prolific reader, dipping into most genres at one time or another, though thrillers are a particular mainstay. A good one gets the blood flowing. It’s also rare for me to start a book and not finish it. If I’ve read the blurb and I’m interested enough to begin, then I’ve committed. The very least I can do is spend a fraction of my time appreciating the creativity an author has spent their time producing.

On this occasion, I also read the reviews — because while I’m not the sole dissenting voice, we are few. Most of the praise comes from well-respected authors. Statistically speaking, you should listen to them rather than me.

Here’s the worst part.

I struggled with the writing style from the opening sentences and continued to struggle throughout. I simply couldn’t settle into it. I reached around 20% before skimming the remainder. Because of that, I can’t honestly rate the book itself — so the five stars are given in respect of the work involved, rather than as a reflection of my personal reading experience.

My thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the DRC of “The Death Bed” by Chris Bridges.
“The Death Bed” is due to be published on 26 February 2026.

Sick To Death was a very impressive debut and The Death Bed is equally enjoyable. Chris Bridges was a nurse in the NHS and he uses his insder knowledge to present a convincing and realistic thriller. The principal character in this novel is also a nurse and, when she turns up at her friend's death bed, it is not to help but to silence her! She has lived with a secret for many years and is worried that a final confession may be forthcoming. The group of nurses is well portrayed, the revelations surprising and the whole novel is a delight.

A very dark book about addiction, friendship and manipulation.

When they meet as student nurses, Laura and Sadie are drawn to each other yet each is hiding something that will test their friendship throughout their student days and beyond.

Absolutely gripping and full of characters that you really won’t like but you won’t be able to put this book down

Having read and enjoyed this author's debut, Sick to Death, a while ago I was very excited to get my grubby mitts on this, the dreaded, scary, tricky follow up. Well... blow me down, this exceeded all my expectations!
That is, if, like me, you like your books chock full of dysfunctional, co-dependent, car crash behaviour. Served with a healthy slice of addiction and the most larger than life, nasty (in a great way) characters...
This book has all that, and then some. Told in a split timeline, with the parts in the past being inserted at exactly the right time to illustrate, explain, and progress what is happening in the present day.
So... Laura is a nurse who has a bit of a chequered past but is getting herself back on track and, when we first meet her in the past, she has just started to train as a nurse. Back in the present, we see that she is still a nurse and has done well by that profession. But her world is about to get torn apart when the daughter of an old "friend" visits her to try and persuade her to come back with her to nurse said old "friend" who is dying. I say friend in quotes as, well, you'll find out. What I will just say is that they haven't been friends since the tragedy that tore them and the rest of the group apart some 16 years ago... But Laura has no choice. After all, a dying woman has nothing to lose and, especially in this case, everything to tell...
And that's all I am saying as to say any more would run the risk of injecting spoilers. Suffice to say that I was absolutely held captive by this book, desperate to find out all the grubby and nasty secrets that were hinted at all the way through and, by the time all was exposed, when the characters were all laid bare and everything made as much sense as dysfunctional, unlikeable, misfits acting out abhorrent behaviour, could, I just had to sit back and applaud the author for a job well done.
All in all, a cracking book that I have no hesitation to recommend for fans of the genre who love a dysfunctional car crash of characters driving a convoluted, interconnected, tightly plotted narrative. Me, I'm now hanging for book three... My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Having read and LOVED Chris' debut book I was super excited to receive an early readers copy of his latest book THE DEATH BED.

The story centres around a young student nurse, Laura, who has moved to London to escape her past. She soon meets the exotic and somewhat enigmatic Sadie and to say she becomes OBSESSED is probably an understatement.

Sixteen years after a tragic event and the women have had no contact with each other, but when Laura is summoned to Sadie's death bed she has no alternative but to attend to ensure her deadly secrets remain secret.

This is a toxic tale of friendship, obsession and sinister twists.

Highly recommend.

If you are looking for a light read, or even a standard thriller where the lines between people who are good or bad are easily seen; this isn’t the book for you. If you are in the market for a complex and twisted tale of human nature, this could well be the book you are looking for.

The Death Bed is set in two timelines. The present day in 2010, where nurse Laura is called to help her estranged friend Sadie, who is terminally ill; and 1991 when Laura and Sadie first meet, as student nurses. Their friendship was so intense, almost obsessively so initially. That level of claustrophobic alliance was always set to fail, and when the fractures start to appear, the fireworks go off spectacularly.

From the very outset, it is obvious that many of the flawed characters carry a lot of baggage, everyone has their own agenda, altruism doesn’t feature highly in the minds of these nursing students. There is so much water under the bridge, many secrets have been buried for so long, or so they thought.

I was gripped tightly, eager to know what had finally caused the ending of the friendship, and whether this would stay buried while Sadie’s pain was eased by powerful drugs.

This is a dark and warped read. I am so glad that these depraved characters are fictional, as I truly wouldn’t want to be nursed by any of them. This atmospheric and tense character driven story, won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but it really is quite the rollercoaster of emotions.

I really enjoyed Chris Bridge's debut novel (sick to death) and was really looking forward to "the death bed". I felt a little more ambivalent about this one, as, to me, it felt like 2 books which didn't quite gel. - a hospital based story about the realities of being a student and qualified nurse, and the twisty plot around Sadie and her relationship and secrets shared with those she drew close to her. I did enjoy the writing though and look forward to more by this author.
Thank you to netgalley and Avon books for an advance copy of this book
3.5 stars rounded up to 4

The Death Bed by Chris Bridges is a dark, tense, and utterly compelling psychological thriller that hooked me from the very first pages and refused to let go.

Laura and Sadie first meet in 1991 as student nurses in London — both loners in their own way, drawn together despite their differences, including Sadie being older and far more enigmatic. Their friendship quickly deepens, and when Sadie invites Laura to live with her, it feels like a lifeline for Laura. Until it all spectacularly falls apart. A devastating row, a sudden departure, and a past left buried — or so Laura hopes.

Fast forward to 2010, and Laura’s carefully built life is shattered when Sadie’s teenage daughter appears at her door. Sadie is dying of cancer and wants Laura by her side in her final days. With no contact for 18 years, Laura knows returning is dangerous… but how can she say no to a dying woman?

That decision turns out to be a catastrophic mistake.

Told across dual timelines, the story slowly peels back layers of secrets, lies, manipulation, and betrayal on both sides. As Sadie’s health declines, the truth about what really happened all those years ago emerges in shocking, often unsettling detail. The tension is relentless — claustrophobic, uncomfortable, and incredibly addictive. I found myself constantly questioning motives, loyalties, and just how far each woman was willing to go to protect the truth.

There are difficult themes here, including suicide, end-of-life care, and PTSD, but they are handled with care and sensitivity, adding emotional weight rather than shock value. The author’s nursing background adds authenticity, grounding the story in a realism that makes it all the more disturbing.

With plenty of twists and revelations right through to the end, The Death Bed is a dark, slow-burn thriller that absolutely pays off. Compelling, unsettling, and impossible to put down — a gripping read that stayed with me long after I finished.

Highly recommended for fans of psychological thrillers who like their stories tense, twisted, and morally complex.

Laura and Sadie first met as student nurses in London. Both, for their own reasons, are loners but get on well together even though Sadie is older. Told in dual timeline, 1991 when Laura and Sadie first met and present day 2010, this is a book full of secrets and lies.

Briefly, getting on so well Sadie invites Laura to live with her which Laura is delighted to do. However, for reasons not detailed there is a substantial row and Laura leaves to return to her home town in Derbyshire. 18 years later, and without any contact in between, Laura receives a visit from Sadie’s 15 year old daughter. Sadie is dying from cancer and wants Laura to help her in her final days. How can Laura refuse! Big mistake Laura, massive! As Sadie slowly declines the truth about their lives emerges in every shocking detail.

There are lies, deceptions and worse on both sides and the truth takes some dealing with by both the women and the reader. There are detailed descriptions around suicide, end of life care and PTSD but these are handled sympathetically. Plenty of twists and some shocking truths right to the end I found this book difficult to put down. A dark, tense and compelling thriller. Great read.
4,5

Brilliant thriller here, twists upon twists! I didn’t see that ending coming and when it did it hits you right between the eyes! Perfect thank you

The Death Bed follows Laura, who arrives at her old best friend Sadie’s death bed, not out of compassion - but out of fear. Because sixteen years ago, tragedy tore their group of nursing students apart. And Laura has spent every moment since then ensuring the truth never sees the light of day. But as Sadie fades, the past refuses to stay buried. And Laura is about to learn: The dying don’t always go quietly. And some confessions are worth killing for.

I loved Sick To Death, so I practically ran to Netgalley to request The Death Bed, and I can honestly say it lived up to my very high expectations of Chris Bridges’ writing.

Told over two parts, the story follows Laura across two timelines, gradually building a complex, tightly woven web that expertly hints and unravels as you read. The chilling prologue hooked me instantly, and I ended up finishing the book in just a few sittings, completely driven by the need to uncover its secrets.

The toxic relationship between Laura and Sadie was addictive to read. It was dark, obsessive, and a compelling exploration of friendship and the fragile line between delusion and truth. The setting, Laurel House, almost felt like a character too in its own right, especially with its eerie pull over everyone connected to it. None of the characters are particularly likeable, but they are layered and complex, and for me, both the strength of the plot and that sense of dislike only enhanced the narrative further.

The Death Bed is another example of Chris Bridges’ talent for delivering dark, disturbing stories, using his past experience to add authenticity and depth. It is more of a slow burn, but in a claustrophobic, tension-building way that fully pays off through its revelations, twists, and a very cleverly executed ending.

Thank you so much to Avon and Netgalley for sending me this copy to read and review. My opinions are my own.

If you are a fan of dark, gritty thrillers that keep you guessing until the very last page, this is a fantastic choice. It is a tense and clever story that focuses on a high-stakes mystery where the clock is always ticking.

The plot is incredibly gripping and revolves around a very chilling premise. I found the pacing to be spot on; it starts with a bang and doesn't really let up, which made it very hard to put down. The author, Chris Bridges, does a brilliant job of creating a heavy, suspenseful atmosphere that feels very realistic and quite unsettling at times.

What I liked most was how the twists were handled. Just when I thought I had figured out where the story was going, another piece of the puzzle would change everything. The characters are well-developed and complicated, which makes you care about the outcome even when things get quite dark and intense. It reminded me of the fast-paced style of authors like Chris Carter or M.J. Arlidge.

Overall, this is a must-read for anyone who loves a "police procedural" or a psychological thriller with a bit of an edge. It is much darker than the L.M. Chilton books, but it is just as addictive. I really enjoyed it and would highly recommend it to any seasoned thriller fan.