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Guilty: A gripping psychological thriller that will have you hooked Kindle Edition
It begins with a phone call. It ends with a missing child.
On a warm summer’s morning, thirteen-year-old school girl Constance Lawson is reported missing.
A few days later, Constance’s uncle, Karl Lawson, suddenly finds himself swept up in a media frenzy created by journalist Amanda Bowe implying that he is the prime suspect.
Six years later …
Karl’s life is in ruins. His marriage is over, his family destroyed. But the woman who took everything away from him is thriving. With a successful career, husband and a gorgeous baby boy, Amanda’s world is complete. Until the day she receives a phone call and in a heartbeat, she is plunged into every mother’s worst nightmare.
An utterly compelling psychological thriller that will keep you guessing to the very last page. Perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train, Gone Girl and Sarah A. Denzil’s Silent Child.
Read what everyone is saying about Guilty:
‘Guilty was such a great book. It was filled with so many twists and turns…It was well written and definitely made you wanting more with every page turn.’ Oh My Lit
‘Guilty is one gripping psychological thriller with a well-constructed plot and realistic and believable characters…Incredibly thought-provoking, it'll make you question everything.’ Novel Deelights
‘A mesmerizing psychological thriller…and will leave you completely fulfilled with a flawless ending. Guilty is the first novel I have read by Laura Elliot and it will NOT be my last. I found Guilty to be impossible to put down, the characters are intoxicating, and the story compulsively addictive.’ Books and Smiles
‘A great thriller that is full of suspense and tension.’ Goodreads Reviewer
‘This book is a raw, edge-of-the-seat page-turner. The story is told in four parts, all of which lead into each other beautifully.’ Goodreads Reviewer
‘This tense psychological thriller grips you tight from the prologue and adds layers of tension with each page you turn…Laura Elliot has skillfully crafted an excellent novel. Her writing style keeps you flipping pages at a frantic pace.' Goodreads reviewer
‘This is a very well written psychological thriller.’ Strong Reviews
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateJune 22, 2017
- File size1.9 MB
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Editorial Reviews
Review
The level of suspense is kept high throughout GUILTY, and those who enjoy stories that just can't be put down will love this psychological thriller. ―Bookreporter.com
Guilty is one gripping psychological thriller with a well-constructed plot and realistic and believable characters...Incredibly thought-provoking, it'll make you question everything.―Novel Deelights on Guilty
I was gripped from the first few pages and found myself hooked on a rollercoaster ride up to the last few pages ... I read it in pretty much one sitting, I just needed to know how the book was going to end.―Donna's Book Blog on Guilty
"Guilty was such a great book. It was filled with so many twists and turns...It was well written and definitely made you wanting more with every page turn."―Oh My Lit on Guilty
"A mesmerizing psychological thriller...and will leave you completely fulfilled with a flawless ending. Guilty is the first novel I have read by Laura Elliot and it will NOT be my last. I found Guilty to be impossible to put down, the characters are intoxicating, and the story compulsively addictive."―Books and Smiles on Guilty
"My emotions were in overdrive...absolutely gripping - one of my best reads of the year so far."―Literary Lighbox on Sleep Sister
"This is a tense and breathtakingly emotional story of the fierce bond between sisters, and a family destroyed by a harrowing and disturbing secret."―Donna's Book Blog on Sleep Sister
"A gripping tale of adultery and illusion."―Evening Herald on The Betrayal
"The story is beautifully descriptive...one of those truly unforgettable stories which you just want to tell everyone to read for themselves."―Jaffa Reads Too on The Betrayal
"I was astounded at how the book ended! Not many books make me say wow at the end, but this one has me repeating it. It is an ending that you won't see coming in a million years."―Kelly's Book Corner on The Betrayal
"Fragile Lies has a little bit of everything, love, tragedy, infidelity, lies and secrets... Excellent plot, interesting characters and plenty of intrigue."―Dot Scribbles on Fragile Lies
"A wonderful story incredibly well told, full of secrets, love and illusion, lies and revenge, which will keep you gripped well into the early hours..."―Being Anne on Fragile Lies
"A bittersweet tale of love and heartache."―Evening Echo on Stolen Child
"An entertaining and highly thought-provoking tearjerker."―Closer magazine on Stolen Child
"A page-turner...has all the ingredients of a bestseller."―RTE Culture on The Lost Sister
"This page-turner is gripping, all the more because it presents the dilemmas of betrayal with brutal honesty."―Irish Independent on The Lost Sister
"This well-crafted and compelling story traces the deceits which begin unnoticed but end in the destruction of friendships and lives."―The Irish Times on The Lost Sister
About the Author
Laura Elliot's novels include The Wife Before Me, The Thorn Girl, Sleep Sister, Stolen Child, The Prodigal Sister, Fragile Lies and The Betrayal. Writing as June Considine, she has twelve books for children and young adults. Her short stories have appeared in a number of teenage anthologies and have also been broadcast on the radio. She has also worked as a journalist and magazine editor.
Product details
- ASIN : B072J79X7D
- Publisher : Bookouture (June 22, 2017)
- Publication date : June 22, 2017
- Language : English
- File size : 1.9 MB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 394 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: #33,530 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #462 in Psychological Fiction (Kindle Store)
- #546 in Psychological Fiction (Books)
- #1,044 in Psychological Thrillers (Kindle Store)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Laura Elliot lives in Malahide, a picturesque, coastal village in Dublin, Ireland. She enjoys writing psychological thrillers and, to date, she has written eleven novels: The Thorn Girl, The Wife Before Me, Guilty, Sleep Sister, The Betrayal, Fragile Lies, Stolen Child ( also titled On Your Doorstep) The Prodigal Sister (also titled The Lost Sister) The Silent House, After The Wedding and her latest novel, The Marriage Retreat.
In the UK she is published by Bookouture, Sphere and Avon - and by Grand Central Publishing in the US. Her novels have also been widely translated.
AKA June Considine, she has written twelve books for children and young adults. In her earlier career, she worked as a journalist and magazine editor.
For more details check http://lauraelliotauthor.com/
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book enjoyable and admirable. They appreciate the twists and turns in the plot, which keeps them engaged until the end. The writing quality is praised as well-written with vivid imagery and descriptions. Readers praise the characters as well-developed and credible. Many describe the book as hard to put down, making it difficult to put down. However, some readers found parts of the story boring or pointless. Opinions differ on the pacing, with some finding it fast-paced and engaging, while others say it's slow.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it engaging and relatable, with a satisfying story that keeps them hooked. While some found the first part okay, others felt the rest was long and drawn-out at times. Overall, readers appreciate the relatable characters and the twists and turns that keep them engaged.
"...at different times in the story line, making the story seem that much more authentic." Read more
"Wow! Such a clever plot! I loved the entire book. It was impossible to guess what was going to happen." Read more
"...a page turner of the most intense sort, but it is definitely a decent page swiper...." Read more
"...Some of the characters are despicable, some honorable & admirable - all are written w/great depth and detail...." Read more
Customers enjoy the twists and turns in the story. They find the plot superb and the ending satisfying. The author keeps the book suspenseful and develops the characters well. The story arc progresses at a nice pace, keeping readers guessing until the end. Overall, it's a compelling psychological thriller that is a must-read for readers.
"...Laura Elliot creates a story much like a large jigsaw puzzle, giving you bits and pieces at just the right pace...." Read more
"...the characters to be fully rounded and credible and the story arc progressed at a nice pace...." Read more
"Wow! Such a clever plot! I loved the entire book. It was impossible to guess what was going to happen." Read more
"This novel is filled with interesting characters and plot twists. It was almost like reading 2 books in one...." Read more
Customers find the writing quality good. They appreciate the vivid imagery, beautiful phrases, and great descriptions. The dialogue is crisp and there's just enough description to give the story depth. Readers describe the book as a quick and easy read with subtle yet effective storytelling.
"...Even when I was certain I has it all worked out, the writing kept my attention until the ending...." Read more
"...I can't think of anything I'd change about it because it is all so humanly detailed, and so spot on." Read more
"...but it does not reach The Shining-level shake-up and can easily be read at home alone in the dark with a check-the-doors-and-widows twice level of..." Read more
"...are despicable, some honorable & admirable - all are written w/great depth and detail...." Read more
Customers find the characters well-developed and credible. They appreciate the tightly woven plot and journey into the lives and secrets of several characters.
"...Well done! I really enjoyed this read. The characters were developed nicely- I had no problem connecting to their emotions, or, imagining them as..." Read more
"...I found the characters to be fully rounded and credible and the story arc progressed at a nice pace...." Read more
"This book takes you on an amazing journey into the lives and lies of several characters...." Read more
"...book that at times it became slightly overwhelming and there are so many characters I frequently backtracked to figure out who was who...." Read more
Customers find the book hard to put down with its unexpected twists and intrigue. It holds their attention and draws them in right away, making it unputdownable. The characters also make the book unforgettable.
"...Hard to put down and I would read until the wee hours of the night and then pick it up and re-read it lest I missed even the most minute detail!..." Read more
"...The author builds up the intrigue very well and makes it hard to put the book down." Read more
"I found guilty intriguing, exciting and hard to put down. However the profanity in several places added nothing to the novel ...." Read more
"It seemed to drag on and on. I just wanted it to resolve. It was too good to put down, it also seemed to drag out too long" Read more
Customers have different views on the pacing of the book. Some find it engaging and hard to put down, while others feel the story slows down or jumps ahead too quickly. They also mention that parts drag on for too long and there are time jumps without notice.
"...In 2018 I did start it but it started off really slow. When I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down because I wanted to finish...." Read more
"...It was fast paced, page turning, believable characters, and good ending. Thank you for a great read, Ms. Elliot!!" Read more
"It seemed to drag on and on. I just wanted it to resolve. It was too good to put down, it also seemed to drag out too long" Read more
"...It was a very quick and easy read but it was just entirely too boring." Read more
Customers have different views on the psychological tension in the book. Some find it gripping and compassionate, making them feel compassion for the characters. Others feel it's not a gripping thriller that keeps them hooked, with a less satisfying ending.
"...So, this book is 100% tragic, re-emerging secret from the past, 100% holding steaming mugs of flavorful stuff, 100% one of these people is a bad guy..." Read more
"...The story takes a gritty and raw perspective at morality, and delves into the real psychological scars that result when exploitation is used for..." Read more
"...It begins with he tragic loss of a young girl and it's irreparable effects on the survivors which continue to ripple outward, as events unfold over..." Read more
"...So much happens in this amazing book and I experienced so many emotions during the read. I highly recommend." Read more
Customers find the book boring and lacking excitement. They say it's frustrating and pointless, describing it as dull and predictable.
"...is that so much is crammed into this book that at times it became slightly overwhelming and there are so many characters I frequently backtracked to..." Read more
"...The first part was okay, the rest was long, drawn out and boring at times...." Read more
"This book is not the genre I normally read. I love action and spy books...." Read more
"...well developed, but this book lacked excitement and certainly did not thrill me. It took a lot of persistence for me to even finish the book...." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2018Two big thumbs up, highly recommend this novel. There are some seemingly farfetched occurrences, but sometimes even in real life, coincidental happenings create ironic seemingly farfetched happenings, so I'll buy into believing that it could happen- in one of those weird coincidental moments. Even when I was certain I has it all worked out, the writing kept my attention until the ending. Laura Elliot creates a story much like a large jigsaw puzzle, giving you bits and pieces at just the right pace. You may be able to figure out what the picture is, but you have to keep reading to figure out how everything ties together, because you just know it will be more satisfying. Well done! I really enjoyed this read. The characters were developed nicely- I had no problem connecting to their emotions, or, imagining them as real identies. The story takes a gritty and raw perspective at morality, and delves into the real psychological scars that result when exploitation is used for personal gain, whether financial or innate. The characters display both attributes of victim, and perpetrator at different times in the story line, making the story seem that much more authentic.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2017How far would you go to exact revenge on someone who decimated your family?
Sometimes things are set in motion--a careless word here, speculation there--which have such powerful, far-reaching results that life is never again the same for those involved. Especially when those words take on a life of their own in the social media, distorting and ruining reputations.
In this gripping psychological thriller a family is ripped apart when teen-aged Constance Lawson goes missing. No one really thinks she's run away but if not that, what is the alternative? Family ties and loyalties are tested to the breaking point as her absence in the family circle continues.
There is drama here but not the kind of melodrama that smacks of poorly developed characters and plots. I found the characters to be fully rounded and credible and the story arc progressed at a nice pace.
It's hard to not become emotionally bonded with some of these characters. My heart ached for their losses, and the downhill slide of every one of their lives as things are put into motion which can never be recalled. I experienced all kinds of emotions along this journey, everything from fear to empathy to anger. There are not so likeable characters who create the story's chaos, and there are sympathetic ones I couldn't help but root for all the way.
This novel has it all. I can't think of anything I'd change about it because it is all so humanly detailed, and so spot on.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2024Wow!
Such a clever plot! I loved the entire book.
It was impossible to guess what was going to happen.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2017Ok, a sort-of standardized synopsis of most mysteries: Nice-but-wary person has a mysterious and tragic past that threatens to re-emerge from the shadows and destroy their long-awaited, new-found peaceful existense of sipping aromatic, steaming mugs of something with the dream-come-true person who may or may not be a harbinger of impending danger and with whom they will, at some point, have a tragic misunderstanding which threatens to tear them apart, etc. So, this book is 100% tragic, re-emerging secret from the past, 100% holding steaming mugs of flavorful stuff, 100% one of these people is a bad guy type stuff, but there was enough newness in the actual plot that I stayed interested, and some of the characters actually stirred me up a little more than the ones in your usual formulaic mystery novel, and the imagery is pretry I darn disturbing sometimes, which I consider a good thing, but it does not reach The Shining-level shake-up and can easily be read at home alone in the dark with a check-the-doors-and-widows twice level of fear. I can't really cliche it as a page turner of the most intense sort, but it is definitely a decent page swiper. TLDR version: I liked it better than most formulaic mysteries, but I didn't pee my pants and sleep with a machete under my pillow.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2017This novel is filled with interesting characters and plot twists. It was almost like reading 2 books in one. It begins with he tragic loss of a young girl and it's irreparable effects on the survivors which continue to ripple outward, as events unfold over time. Lives are destroyed, deceptions revealed, relationships forever lost/changed/created as the result of one significant event. If nothing more, we see how one human life can touch so many others for better or worse.
Some of the characters are despicable, some honorable & admirable - all are written w/great depth and detail. Descriptions are exquisite drawing you into the story even further.
My one criticism is that so much is crammed into this book that at times it became slightly overwhelming and there are so many characters I frequently backtracked to figure out who was who. So many themes running through it- too many things happening at once that it became distracting & hard to focus.
Overall, it was well written and would try another book by this author. Recommend
- Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2024This book takes you on an amazing journey into the lives and lies of several characters. So much happens in this amazing book and I experienced so many emotions during the read. I highly recommend.
Top reviews from other countries
- Katya JissovaReviewed in Canada on October 11, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars A very good read!
Guilty
4.5*
Wow!
Definitely, this is one great entertaining read.
They say that revenge should be served cold and it is true.
A short synopsis:
Karl Lawson is a successful magazine editor, has a beautiful family, an adorable little daughter, a deep bond with his brother and his family, but he loses everything in a blink of an eye.
Wrongly accused of kidnapping and murdering his niece, his world is shattered into pieces. His family falls apart, everybody’s thinking he is guilty. His brother accuses him of the unimaginable. His relationship with his wife deteriorates beyond salvation. His daughter starts growing without him.
He is sent to prison without hard evidences, only suspicions are thrown his way. Karl is unable to prove his innocence.
All this is happening because of a newspaper reporter Amanda Bowe. Half driven by the desire to be a famous and successful reporter and half wanting to get back at him, because of an audition went wrong, she is unscrupulous by any means. She makes the headlines, destroying a man’s life without a second thought.
As it turns out Karl is innocent and everything was just unfortunate coincidence. Wrong person in the wrong place at the wrong time. The damage however is already done and it is not easy, on the contrary, to start over or to make amends.
Six years later …
Karl still struggles to get on his feet, because no one is willing to ignore the fact that he was once accused of murder. The society is just unforgivable even though there was no truth in it.
On the other end, Amanda is highly successfully TV presenter, married to the owner of the network, has a son and her life is perfect.
Until the moment Karl decides to have his revenge.
Very careful, very thoroughly he planes, executes and retrieves his steps, without leaving any leads.
Amanda’s life is in ruins, like his before. Karl’s revenge however is even more sinister, because of the on-going implications that could arise in the future.
I was glad that Amanda got what she deserved. I was rooting for Karl all along.
The book is a very good example of how misinterpreting information can destroy someone’s life; how subjectivity is a driving force when it comes to reputation; how no one is innocent; how life can change in a matter of seconds.
This is a simple reminder of how one should be careful what she is doing, because it can come back to her in full force.
Definitely, a good read! It was very enjoyable and thought-provoking.
I recommend!
- Ipsita BanerjeeReviewed in India on March 5, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars What a lovely book!
That was my first thought as I turned the last page. And I stand by it. Highly recommended, I loved this.
- Angie67Reviewed in Italy on June 30, 2019
4.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Really enjoyed this book! It's not so much a whodunit mystery thriller as a superbly plotted revenge novel. It's about how important the media is and how someone's life can change in a matter of a few days and never be the same again. It's about how, depending on the perspective, an innocent can become guilty and the guilty can easily become the victim. It's all a matter of perspective...
A solid 4 stars!
- GracelikestoreadReviewed in the United Kingdom on November 23, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars An Absolutely Gripping Thriller.
I've read most, if not all of Laura Elliot's books and they don't disappoint - this one didn't either.
She tackles strong themes like revenge and guilt and what I like most about her writing is that they are genuinely thought-provoking and unforgettable.
The writing flows throughout and it is really hard to put the book down.
You're never 100% sure if you should be on the side of the main character or not… you are and then you're not…but the grey area is always the most interesting and it is a testament to the strength of the writing that you are kept wondering.
There are many twists and turns in 'Guilty, and the result is a thoroughly enjoyable nail-biting thriller.
- Amazon Stephen R. CReviewed in Japan on October 28, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping from start to finish.
A real emotional rollercoaster of a read. Can terrify with the knowledge this could easily happen to you.