by K. L. Slater
I killed Cock Robin.
I whisper the words of the nursery rhyme and smile as I remember how it was one of my own favourites as a child. The boys have a book at home with the rhyme in it, and sometimes I read it to little Josh.
My boys.
How happy they’ll be that finally they are mine alone.
The one thing I have always been certain of is that the boys will be mine.
Alive or dead, they’re always mine.
David, Ben, Noah and Josh. Nobody can ever take them away from me again.
***
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Read Blink: A psychological thriller with a killer twist you'll never forget
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A Letter from K.L. Slater
Thank you so much for reading Liar, my third psychological thriller.
Readers often ask how I get my plot ideas, and I guess it all tends to start with something that piques my interest. That’s what happened with Liar.
I’ve long been fascinated by the mother-in-law–daughter-in-law relationship. It’s one that can be very rewarding; close and mutually supportive. But sometimes the connection can be fraught with negative emotions that bubble and simmer just under the surface – a power struggle that is often unseen and unnoticed by other family members.
Take a mother who can see no wrong in her darling son, add in a couple of perfect grandchildren and blend with a feisty young woman who is determined to run the show without interference … and suddenly you’ve got a whole load of trouble!
Most people fall into an amicable middle ground, of course, but they are not the relationships that interest me! I am attracted by the suspicion, the festering resentment and the point-scoring that can literally become a dangerous obsession.
The idea for Liar first began when I came across an article about estranged grandparents and the shameful fact that legally they have no rights in the UK to see their grandchildren. In researching further, I was shocked to find so many online groups and forums offering vital support and advice to heartbroken grandparents who are blocked, for one reason or another, from seeing their own grandchildren.
I thought about how my daughter, now a young woman, was very close to her granny as a child and enjoyed a special bond and the wonderful enrichment that most grandparents so selflessly give.
Then the usual thing happened for me: the psych thriller switch got flipped in my head and I began to wonder … if a new partner of an adult son or daughter entered a close family situation and all was not well, what lengths might a devoted grandparent go to protect her family? And how much power could a conniving and convincing stranger wield against her if she so wished?
We all know the difference between right and wrong, but when strong emotions come into play, would we be more concerned with our morals and integrity … or might our only priority be keeping our loved ones safe from a perceived threat?
In this book, I also took the opportunity of exploring the menopause through Judi’s character, shining a spotlight on how women often suffer in silence and can feel embarrassed or even ashamed to ask for help in coping with this perfectly natural phase in life. Put up and shut up? I don’t think so … let’s talk about it, girls!
The book is set in Nottinghamshire, where I was born and have lived all my life. Local readers should be aware that I sometimes take the liberty of changing street names or geographical details to suit the story.
Reviews are so massively important to authors. If you’ve enjoyed Liar and could spare just a few minutes to write a short review to say so, I would really appreciate that.
You can also connect with me via my website, on Facebook, Goodreads or Twitter. Please do sign up to my email list below to be sure of getting the very latest news, hot off the press!
Kim’s Email Sign-Up
And just when I thought I had a short respite from the voices of wicked, scheming characters in my head after finishing Liar, a whole new cast has now arrived – not long to wait for my fourth psychological thriller!
Best wishes,
Kim x
@KimLSlater
KimLSlaterAuthor
www.klslaterauthor.com
Blink
A psychological thriller with a killer twist you'll never forget
What if the person you love most in the world was in terrible danger … because of you?
Three years ago, Toni’s five-year-old daughter Evie disappeared after leaving school. The police have never been able to find her. There were no witnesses, no CCTV, no trace.
But Toni believes her daughter is alive. And as she begins to silently piece together her memories, the full story of the past begins to reveal itself, and a devastating truth.
Toni’s mind is trapped in a world of silence, her only chance to save herself is to manage the impossible. She must find a way to make herself heard. She must find her daughter.
A compelling, gripping thriller with a breathtaking twist that will keep you awake until the early hours. Perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train, Behind Closed Doors and The Sister.
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What readers are saying about Blink:
'I was excited to start reading this one and once I started I couldn't stop. I devoured it. Chomped away chapter by chapter until I have hoofed the whole damned lot and you know what? It left me hungry for more ...An absolutely stonking 5 stars from me. Jen Med's Book Reviews
'The book had me from the very first sentence and kept hold of me until I finished it.... There are twists galore but on one occasion my jaw actually dropped open as I realised that all was not as it seemed. Fantastic writing, excellent characterisation that has left me salivating for book number three! Five stars.' Angela Marsons
'WOW,What a corker of a book, gripping story, believable untrustworthy characters and not just one but two totally jaw dropping unexpected twists.' Nicki's Life of Crime
'a fantastic psychological thriller and I was kept hooked throughout. Lots of twists and turns, an excellent pace and so much suspense and surprise, I didn't quite know where the book was going at times ...couldn't be anything other than five stars!' Donna's Book Blog
'With bucketfuls of suspense and intrigue Blink is guaranteed to keep the most hardened psychological thriller love on the edge of their seats. Five Stars. ' The Book Review Cafe
What everyone's saying about Safe With Me:
'Wow, just wow! … I cannot praise this book or author highly enough. I absolutely loved every second of the story … definitely my book of the year so far… 5 stars from me, I wish I could give it more!' Feminisia Libros Reviews
'Just WOW … could hardly put it down … Whew! To say that this book is good is a huge understatement … K. L. Slater knocked this one out of the proverbial park.' Shelf Knowledge
'Just plain brilliant! I was glued to the pages! This book is the reason why I love to read!' Loud and Proud Book Junkie
'Holy Hell what a jaw dropper!...Just need a moment to lift my jaw back off the floor, what a fantastic debut!' Chelle's Book Reviews
'A very clever psychological thriller that plays with your mind and makes you feel like you've stepped off the waltzers at the fairground!' By the Letter Books
'A superb psychological thriller. Fast-paced and thoroughly gripping.' The Book Review Cafe
'Fast paced with plenty going on to keep a reader glued to their seat' Strange Alliances
'Oh my gosh! What a belter of a debut! Safe With Me is totally brilliant' The Little Bookworm
'Sublimely dark and all-consuming, Slater has written a novel so gripping, so captivatingly exciting that I found myself shushing everyone and ignoring everything simply so I could carry on reading.' Becca's Books
Safe With Me
A psychological thriller so tense it will take your breath away
Thirteen years ago someone did something very bad to Anna. Now it’s her turn to get even …
Anna lives a solitary existence, taking solace in order
and routine. Her only friend is the lonely old lady next door. She doesn’t like to let people to get too close – she knows how much damage they can do.
Then one ordinary day Anna witnesses a devastating road accident and recognises the driver as Carla, the woman who ruined her life all those years ago. Now it’s Anna’s chance to set things straight but her revenge needs to be executed carefully …
First she needs to get to know Liam, the man injured in the accident. She needs to follow the police investigation. She needs to watch Carla from the shadows…
But as Anna’s obsession with Carla escalates, her own secrets start to unravel. Is Carla really dangerous or does Anna need to worry about someone far closer to home?
A compelling, gripping psychological thriller, perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train and The Sister.
Get it now!
What everyone's saying about SAFE WITH ME:
'Holy Hell what a jaw dropper!.....Just need a moment to lift my jaw back off the floor, what a fantastic debut!' Chelle's Book Reviews
'A very clever psychological thriller that plays with your mind and makes you feel like you've stepped off the waltzers at the fairground!' By the Letter Books
'A superb psychological thriller. Fast-paced and thoroughly gripping.' The Book Review Cafe
'First let me say, just WOW. It has been a long time since I read a book this good. I was completely spellbound by this psychological thriller and could hardly put it down... Safe With Me went far beyond my expectations in every way ...There are so many secrets, backstories, and undercurrents, and this wonderful feeling of dread throughout, it is like nectar for the reader. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves a psychological thriller. I am looking forward to the next book from K.L. Slater. She has knocked this one out of the proverbial park' Shelf Knowledge
'Oh my gosh! What a belter of a debut! Safe With Me is totally brilliant' The Little Bookworm
'Sublimely dark and all-consuming, Slater has written a novel so gripping, so captivatingly exciting that I found myself shushing everyone and ignoring everything simply so I could carry on reading.' Becca's Books
Also by K.L. Slater
Safe With Me
Blink
Acknowledgements
I am fortunate to have so many supportive and talented people around me.
Huge thanks must go to Jenny Geras at Bookouture, who came up with the fabulous title for this book and who has worked tirelessly with me on editing Liar, offering such useful suggestions and advice throughout. Also thanks to Lydia Vassar-Smith, who contributed to early ideas on the book before heading off on her maternity leave. Now the book has arrived and so has Lydia’s beautiful new baby daughter, Mary, a sister to the gorgeous little Violet!
Thanks to ALL the Bookouture team for everything they do, especially to Lauren Finger and to Kim Nash, who is always there to support authors any time of the day and who, I am certain, must never sleep!
Thanks to my writing buddy, Angela Marsons. We’ve shared the ups and downs of our writing journeys from the very beginning and held hands on the crazy writing roller coaster … and now we share the same fabulous publisher!
Thanks, as always, to my agent, Clare Wallace, who continues to give valuable support and advice in my writing career. Thanks also to the rest of the hard-working team at Darley Anderson Literary, TV and Film Agency, especially Mary Darby and Emma Winter, who work so hard to get my books out into the big wide world, and of course Kristina Egan and Rosanna Bellingham.
Massive thanks as always go to my husband, Mac, for his love and support and for taking care of everything so I have the time to write. To my family, especially my daughter, Francesca, and Mama, who are always there to support and encourage me in my writing. To Dad, who always asks how things are going.
Special thanks must also go to Henry Steadman, who has designed the most fantastic cover for Liar, which I loved on first sight!
Thank you to the bloggers and reviewers who have done so much to help make my first two thrillers a success. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to post a positive review online or taken part in my blog tour. It is always noticed and much appreciated.
Last but not least, thank you SO much to my wonderful readers. I love receiving all the wonderful comments and messages, and I am truly grateful for the support of each and every one of you.
Published by Bookouture - an imprint of StoryFire Ltd.
23 Sussex Road, Ickenham, UB10 8PN, United Kingdom
www.bookouture.com
Copyright © K.L. Slater 2017
K.L. Slater has asserted her right to be identified as the author of this work.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publishers.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organisations, places and events other than those clearly in the public domain, are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
ISBN: 978-1-78681-210-0
