The Stepdaughter

Starred review from May 18, 2020
In this deliciously twisted psychological thriller from Howells (Her Sister’s Lies), Elise Buckley and her family move to the English village of Abingworth to make a fresh start. Elise’s prosperous, much admired physician husband, Andrew, who has cheated on her, promised to mend his ways, but he doesn’t. Their outwardly beautiful new home is really a “house of charades” and their marriage a sham. Meanwhile, the couple’s 14-year-old daughter, Niamh, becomes friends with 16-year-old Hollie Hampton, whose father and stepmother seem happy, but are they? When Hollie is found floating in a neighbor’s pool with her head battered in, Det. Supt. Nicola “Nicki” May, who recently returned to the force after a month’s compassionate leave because her husband walked out on her, investigates. The tension builds as the narrative shifts among the viewpoints of Elise, Niamh, and Nicky, whose search for Hollie’s killer uncovers extramarital affairs, abusive personal relationships, and worse. Readers will stay up all night to finish this one. Agent: Juliet Mushens, Agency Group (U.K.).