Maria Frankland

What could be so bad that a six-year-old stops talking? Domestic violence isn't only perpetrated by men. Ask Paul Jackson who is on remand, accused of stabbing his wife, Michelle. As he reveals his reality behind their troubled marriage, it seems that only his six-year-old knows what really happened. But she's trapped in her own world of silence.

Shaun has spent years stuck in the middle of his wife and his mother. Usually he can keep them apart, but when circumstances conspire to put them indefinitely under the same roof, he's discovers the depth of ill feeling between them. This is a situation that can only have one outcome. One of them has to go. "I have not read a Maria Frankland book that I haven’t enjoyed. She is the queen of dark, domestic thrillers." "If you like domestic thrillers, you will love this book. I highly recommend it." "Two women hate each other and want the other gone - but what measures will each one take to win? Great story."

This Christmas will be when we get our marriage back on track.After all, we’ve got several days of family togetherness with the rest of the world shut out. Right? Wrong. When my wife returns home with her work colleague on Christmas Eve, nothing I do or say will change her mind about having invited him to spend Christmas with us.‘He shouldn’t be alone,’ she insists, ‘it’s the first Christmas he’s being forced to spend without his wife and son.’ She gives me a look that affirms the subject isn’t up for discussion. Then he walks into the room, making it impossible for me to take the argument further.Before long, I feel like an outcast in my own home.There’s no denying how well he slots in. My kids love him and even my mother, normally so hard to win over, can’t see what my problem is. But I can see straight through him.And I’m going to prove why.I voice my concerns to my wife but still, she doesn’t listen. And as Christmas Day dawns, something has to give. Either he’ll be leaving or I will.One way or another.

From where I stand in the shadows of Cassie and Jon’s garden, it’s easy to spot little Teddy in an upstairs window, playing alone in his room. So many parents don’t appreciate what they’ve got. It can take a threat to their child’s safety to make them realise how blessed they are. I wonder if it will come to that… I was so excited – so relieved – to be moving to Cherry Tree Lane. I needed somewhere new, where I could start fresh with my husband Jon and toddler Teddy. Somewhere far away from the fear that came before. I felt so lucky to meet Amy on our first trip to the local playground. Immediately welcoming, warm and kind, she quickly became the friend I’d always wanted. How wrong I was. Because today, I turned up at Teddy’s nursery to find him gone. He’d been picked up an hour ago by Amy. She’s disappeared, taking my precious son with her. And it’s terrifyingly clear I never knew her at all. Now the threats have begun. I let her in to my life, but she already knew everything about me, about my family. The one thing she doesn’t know – and the only leverage I have to get Teddy back – is what really forced us from our last home. But revealing that means destroying the perfect life I have now… I have no choice. I’ll just have to live with the consequences. If I can survive the fallout…

The doorbell cuts through the sound of the howling wind outside. Snowflakes from the freezing December air whirl into the house as I open the front door to the police. The look on their faces says everything. My husband is dead. Did one of my family kill him? Only a few hours ago we were all celebrating by the fire, Christmas lights twinkling on the tree. Now my husband is gone forever. I’ll never get the chance to say I’m sorry our last words were so angry. And as I sob into my mother’s arms I have to face the terrible truth. We’re not the loving family we seem. My younger sister has always been difficult. Why won’t she look me in the eye? My brothers-in-law never liked my husband. Would they have taken it that far? And my older sister’s drinking is out of control. But can she really not remember anything from last night? As devastating accusations are thrown my world falls apart in front of my eyes. Because everyone in my family – everyone I trusted – has been hiding secrets. Are we also hiding a killer? And how far will I have to go, to discover the truth about what happened to my husband? Perfect for fans of Daniel Hurst, Mark Edwards and K.L. Slater, this is an utterly absorbing psychological thriller with the most unexpected of twists. What readers are saying about Maria ‘Wow, wow, wow!! What an excellent, gripping read this is! One of my favourite books this year.’ Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I started reading this after my tea, big mistake! I couldn't go to bed until I had discovered everything! … I almost inhaled this book – the story was that good. And the twists! …’ Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A brilliantly written and addictive read. I need to let my nails grow back… eek! Very much recommended.’ Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Oh wow, what a read. This has to be one of the best domestic thrillers I have ever read… brilliant.’ Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I was hooked from the first page… It took me on a rollercoaster of a ride and I was gripped… full of twists and turns… I was still thinking about [it] long after I had finished the story.’ Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘ Addictive … I just had to finish it within one afternoon as I really wanted to see where it went, just loved it .’ Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘ One of the best domestic thrillers I have read in ages. Had it all, love, hate, tension, remorse, sadness and justification. Loved every minute of reading it.’ Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘ Brilliant … I thought I had cracked it from the beginning, but I should have known there would be a twist!’ Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I loved this book!… When you can see what is happening and can't do anything to help it drives you crazy!’ Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

She wants to be with you. She wants to be you. Lou has known Donna for years. They've been through thick and thin, yet the rougher the time, the tighter their bond. Some friendships stand the test of time but this one is tested far beyond that when Donna grows increasingly jealous of every aspect of Lou's settled life whilst her own spirals out of control. All Donna wants is what Lou's got. Surely that isn't too much to ask?

Melissa has decided to escape her abusive marriage once and for all. However, her carefully laid plans are foiled by an unexpected turn of events which she has no control over - a national lockdown. Trapped in her house with husband Justin, Melissa's hopes of starting afresh shatter as the outside world closes in on her. While the pandemic rages, the claustrophobic existence within her home becomes a twisted dance between deception and danger. Her deadliest threat, she has realised, is the person she feels forced to live with. As Melissa’s life spirals further into despair, Justin’s coercive behaviour and the government-imposed prison she’s found herself in threatens to suffocate her. Curious neighbours and concerned friends try to reach out, but trusting the right person has become a matter of life and death.