‘Thanks, Kels. I really thought I loved him. Maybe I even did at one time, because it wasn’t like he was always so controlling. When we first met, he made me feel amazing, like I was this superwoman who could do anything. He said he admired me. That he’d never met anyone like me.’ She gives a short bitter laugh. ‘What a mug I was to fall for his bullshit. What he really meant was that he’d never met anyone so easy to manipulate.
‘When I was with him, that situation became my normality. I accepted that that was my life. I didn’t dare let myself think about leaving. And in the rare moments that I did, I couldn’t see a way out that didn’t end in violence.’ Fiona blinks and takes a deep breath. ‘But, anyway…’ She waves her hand as though banishing him from the room. ‘Enough about him. Tonight isn’t about the crappy past; it’s about new beginnings.’
I raise my glass. ‘To new beginnings.’
‘New beginnings,’ Kelly echoes.
Fiona, Kelly and I clink glasses and I count myself lucky to have the best friends anyone could ask for. Okay, so it hasn’t always been the easiest of friendships, but who said anything good came easy?
If you raced through One of Us Is Lying, you’ll love The Secret Mother, a gripping psychological thriller that will have you hooked from beginning to end.
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The Secret Mother
‘Absolutely addictive and brilliant with an end I didn't see coming. This is one book you have to read and it gets 5 huge stars from me!!!!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘Are you my mummy?’
Tessa Markham returns home to find a child in her kitchen. He thinks she’s his mother. But Tessa doesn’t have any children.
Not anymore.
She doesn’t know who the little boy is or how he got there.
After contacting the police, Tessa is suspected of taking the mystery child. Her whole life is turned upside down. And then her husband reveals a secret of his own…
Tessa isn’t sure what to believe or who to trust. Because someone is lying. To find out who, she must confront her painful past. But is the truth more dangerous than Tessa realises?
An absolutely unputdownable psychological thriller with a twist that will make you wonder if you can ever trust anyone again. If you loved Gone Girl, The Girl on the Train and The Sister this book will have you hooked.
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Books by Shalini Boland
The Secret Mother
The Child Next Door
The Silent Sister
The Millionaire’s Wife
The Perfect Family
The Best Friend
The Girl from the Sea
The Marriage Betrayal
The Other Daughter
One of Us Is Lying
Available in Audio
The Secret Mother (Available in the UK and US)
The Child Next Door (Available in the UK and US)
The Silent Sister (Available in the UK and US)
The Perfect Family (Available in the UK and US)
The Marriage Betrayal (Available in the UK and US)
The Other Daughter (Available in the UK and US)
A Letter from Shalini
Thank you so much for reading my tenth psychological thriller, One of Us Is Lying. I can’t believe I’ve written ten already; it doesn’t seem possible! I do hope you enjoyed it.
If you’d like to keep up to date with all my latest releases, just sign up at the following link and I’ll let you know when I have a new novel coming out. Your email address will never be shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.
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I love getting feedback on my books, so if you have a few moments, I’d be really grateful if you’d be kind enough to post a review online or tell your friends about it. A good review absolutely makes my day!
When I’m not writing or spending time with my family, I adore chatting to readers, so please feel free to get in touch via my Facebook page, through Twitter, Goodreads or my website.
Thanks so much,
Shalini Boland x
www.shaliniboland.co.uk
The Other Daughter
Nine years ago her daughter was taken. And now she’s back.
Three-year-old Holly is playing happily in a pink plastic playhouse, while her mother Rachel sips coffee and chats with a friend nearby. It should be an ordinary day for all of them. But, in the blink of an eye, it turns into every family’s worst nightmare.
Holly is taken by a stranger and never found.
Nine years later, Rachel is living a quiet life in Dorset. She’s tried to keep things together since the traumatic day when she lost her eldest daughter. She has a new family, a loving partner and her secrets are locked away in her painful past.
Until one afternoon when Rachel meets a new school parent Kate and her teenage daughter Bella. Rachel’s world is instantly turned upside down – she’s seen Bella before. She’d recognise that face anywhere – it’s her missing child.
And she will stop at nothing to get her back…
From the million-copy-bestselling author of The Secret Mother and The Perfect Family, this utterly gripping psychological thriller will have you up all night reading. If you loved Gone Girl, The Girl on the Train and The Sister this book is for you.
Get it here!
The Marriage Betrayal
‘Daddy has been lying.’
Faye Townsend has planned the perfect summer trip for her family. But returning to the small seaside town her husband grew up in does not go to plan, the rain pours and the long days become stifling. And then the unthinkable happens…
Her husband Jake and her six-year-old son Dylan go for an early morning walk along the beautiful, windswept clifftops. They don’t come back.
As the hours tick by, Dylan’s red baseball cap is found on the beach and Faye finds herself being questioned by the police. They want to know everything about the man she married - is Faye ready to face her husband’s dark past? Or will she have to confront her own secrets first?
And just how far will a mother go to save her only child?
From the million-copy-bestselling author of The Secret Mother and The Perfect Family, this utterly gripping psychological thriller will make you gasp out loud as you race towards the unforgettable twist. If you loved The Girl on the Train and The Wife Before You this book is for you.
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The Girl from the Sea
‘I can’t remember anything. Not even my own name.’
When Mia James is washed up on a beautiful, sun-drenched beach she has no idea who she is or what happened to her. She doesn’t even recognise her own face – until a man comes forward claiming to be her boyfriend and providing her with an identity.
As Mia tries to adjust to the perfect life she was living before her accident, she quickly realises that something is wrong. Why is everyone around her lying to her? What don’t they want her to remember?
From the top ten bestselling author of The Secret Mother and The Perfect Family, this completely addictive psychological thriller will have you racing through the pages until the final jaw-dropping twist. If you loved Gone Girl, The Girl on the Train and The Wife Between Us this book is for you.
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The Best Friend
‘I can tell we’re going to be the best of friends…’
When Louisa Sullivan takes her little boy to his first playdate at a new friend’s house she doesn’t realise life is about to change for her family. Because she’s about to meet Darcy Lane.
Darcy is a woman who has everything – a dream house, a powerful husband and enviable wealth.
She’s the perfect wife.
The perfect friend.
The perfect liar.
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br /> From the top ten bestselling author of The Secret Mother and The Child Next Door, this utterly gripping psychological thriller will have you up all night reading. If you loved Gone Girl, The Girl on the Train and The Wife Between Us this book is for you.
Get it here!
The Perfect Family
‘Mummy, she’s gone…’
Gemma Ballantine is getting ready for work one morning when her eldest child comes running down the stairs, saying the words every mother dreads.
The front door is open. And her six-year-old daughter has disappeared. Frantic with fear, Gemma starts a nail-biting search for her little girl.
After what feels like forever, her mother-in-law Diane finds Katie wandering lost a few streets away. Relieved to have her youngest child back in her arms, breathing in the sweet scent of her hair, Gemma thinks the nightmare is over.
But then her perfect family starts to fall apart.
And she realises it’s only just beginning…
From the top ten bestselling author of The Secret Mother and The Child Next Door, this completely addictive psychological thriller of secrets, lies and betrayal will make you gasp out loud at the heart-stopping final twist. If you loved Gone Girl, The Girl on the Train and The Sister this book is for you.
Get it here!
The Millionaire’s Wife
Everyone has their secrets. But this one could destroy your marriage.
When Anna Blackwell opens an email from an unknown sender, the shocking image attached shatters her perfect world. A woman has been killed. And Anna knows who did it. The past is catching up with her.
Is it her turn next?
To protect herself and her husband Will, she must tell him the terrible truth about her first love. But as the secrets of her life unravel, Anna begins to realise that she is not the only one who has been living a lie.
Anna doesn’t know who to turn to: her best friend, her parents, her husband. But she knows that her ex-lover is dangerous and she must stop him, before it’s too late…
From the bestselling author of The Secret Mother and The Child Next Door, this utterly unputdownable psychological thriller will have you gasping at every twist. If you loved Gone Girl, The Girl on the Train and The Sister this book is for you.
Get it here!
The Silent Sister
She used to be your best friend. Now she’s your worst enemy.
When Lizzy Beresford discovers a threatening letter addressed to her, the words on the old, tattered paper chill her to the bone. But who sent it? Living in pretty cottage in a quiet country village, Lizzy’s never made any enemies in her life…
Except her sister.
Lizzy hasn’t spoken to Emma in years. Not since the argument which tore their relationship apart. Would her sister really want to cause her harm after all this time?
As Lizzy receives more disturbing messages, she begins to doubt those closest to her – her boyfriend, her best friend, her neighbours. Because the mystery sender seems to know everything about her. And after a series of malicious incidents, it’s clear they won’t stop until they’ve destroyed her life.
Lizzy knows she must confront her sister. But can she trust her? And will she realise the shocking truth, before it’s too late?
From the bestselling author of The Secret Mother and The Child Next Door, this utterly addictive psychological thriller will have you gasping at every twist and will make you question everyone you know. If you loved Gone Girl, The Girl on the Train and The Sister this book is for you.
Get it here!
The Child Next Door
‘Don’t take my baby.’
Kirstie Rawlings is jolted awake by a child crying. Racing upstairs to check on her new-born, she is plunged into every parents’ worst nightmare. She hears an unknown voice in the baby monitor, saying: ‘Let’s take the child – and go.’
Is someone trying to steal her little girl?
In the bedroom, her daughter is safe asleep in her cot. Is the voice coming from a nearby house? But there aren’t any other children living on her quiet country road…
The police don't believe her. And neither does her husband.
Kirstie knows something isn’t right. She thought she could trust her neighbours, now she isn’t sure.As she unravels the secrets of the people living on her street, Kirstie’s perfect life begins to fall apart.
Because someone is hiding a terrible lie. And they will do anything to stop Kirstie uncovering the truth. But is the danger closer to home than she thinks?
From the top ten bestselling author of The Secret Mother, this completely gripping psychological thriller will make you wonder what really goes on behind closed doors. And will keep you guessing from the first page until the final shocking twist.
Get it here!
Acknowledgements
Without the encouragement of my wonderful mum, I would never have become a writer. She used to be a primary school teacher and instilled a love of books and poetry in me from a very early age. She read every one of my novels and was always so proud and supportive. When I started writing this book, she was diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer. We all tried to stay positive, but sadly she didn’t make it, and passed away peacefully on December 29th, 2019. I’m so sad she never got to read my latest novel, but I feel blessed to have had her in my life for so many years, even if it doesn’t feel like nearly long enough. Sleep well, Mum. Love you to the moon and back, xxx.
Thank you to Ruth Tross for being such an incredible editor and for looking after my books – and me! It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with you and I truly appreciate all your kind and supportive emails over the past few months.
Thanks also to my lovely editor Natasha Harding who’s been cheering me on from the sidelines this time, due to the arrival of her second beautiful little boy!
An immense thank you to the talented team at Bookouture, especially Oliver Rhodes, Jenny Geras, Alexandra Holmes, Hannah Bond, Peta Nightingale, Kim Nash, Noelle Holten, Natalie Butlin, Alex Crow and Jules Macadam. You are the dream team.
Thanks to my brilliant copy editor Fraser Crichton for your edits, honest comments and suggestions. And thank you once again to the fabulous Lauren Finger for another excellent proofread.
Thank you to author and police officer Sammy H.K. Smith for advising on the police procedure, especially as you’ve had your hands full with your work, kids and a house move! As always, any mistakes and embellishments in procedure are my own.
I feel very lucky to have such loyal and thorough beta readers. Thank you Terry Harden and Julie Carey. I always value your feedback, opinions and friendship.
Thanks to Arran Dutton at Audio Factory and to the supremely talented Katie Villa for your stunning narration of my novels. You always manage to bring the books to life.
A huge thank you to all my lovely readers and to the book bloggers out there who take the time to read, review or recommend my books. It means more than you could ever know.
Finally, I want to thank Pete Boland who has managed to keep everything going over the past few months, and who invented the invaluable ‘room of tranquillity’ for me!! (AKA a quiet room to read or write with a cosy fire, scented candles, a cup of tea and no interruptions.)
We – both author and publisher – hope you enjoyed this book. We believe that you can become a reader at any time in your life, but we’d love your help to give the next generation a head start.
Did you know that 9% of children don’t have a book of their own in their home, rising to 13% in disadvantaged families*? We’d like to try to change that by asking you to consider the role you could play in helping to build readers of the future.
One of Us Is Lying: A totally gripping psychological thriller with a brilliant twist Page 25
