The Perfect Family: An unputdownable psychological thriller with a heart-stopping twist

Shalini Boland

Nov 2018 · Bookouture

About this ebook

‘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.

Why readers are gripped by The Perfect Family:

‘Completely and utterly mesmerising!... I read it until the early hours… I literally couldn’t put it down!!… had my heart beating so fast I thought it would burst! The suspense and tension was amazing.’ Stardust Book Reviews, 5 stars

‘Without a doubt one of the best books I have read this year… truly a rollercoaster of a book that I couldn't put down… full of twists and turns until the very last page… superb.’ NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars

‘Wow what a brilliant book… Deliciously dark and totally compelling it grips you from page one and then just messes with your head until the final pages… certainly a thrill of a ride with its twists and turns… Excellent.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

‘The perfect psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end… I could feel the tension building… I felt myself wanting to scream… a twisted story that will leave your mouth hanging open. Oh that ending, you just wait for that ending!’ It’s All About the Thrill, 5 stars

‘OMG The queen of killer twists has done it again!!... had me tearing through the pages… my heart was pounding. The story delivers lots of thrills right up until the last page… an exhilarating page turner of a read… will take you by surprise and have you hooked until the very last word.’ By the Letter Book Reviews, 5 stars

‘I literally had to pick my jaw up off the floor…!!!! This is a book that messes with your head (as I told a friend earlier!)… a perfect psychological thriller!!!... to say you’re going to thoroughly enjoy this one is an understatement... Hold onto your hats, you’re in for a hell of a ride!!!!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘ALL the stars!!!... A super crazy page turner… I finished this in less than a day because It had my heart pounding with all its WTF moments!... I just love Shalini Boland’s writing…. pulls you in and sets you right smack dab in the middle of the plot where you literally feel your palms sweating and heart racing along with the characters… a 5 star winner! Gripping and fast paced and OH THAT ending!!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘AMAZING… I am totally hooked… The Perfect Family is absolutely unputdownable!!!... HEART PALPITATING!’ NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars

‘Started with an absolute heart stopping bang… The plot took a deep swerve and landed where I least expected… the story kept me gripped from start to finish. I hardly took time to breathe.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

Ratings and reviews

Absolutely brilliant draws you into the story were you dont want to put it down....even gets you doubling guessing whos behind it all. Well done!

Couldnt put it down read it in 2 days

Nonstop intrigue! Few psychological thrillers can hold interest throughout a book. Fast paced and TRULY unpredictable - parts were delicious! Enticing from varied viewpoints, and the ending was (while suspected) quite satisfying! Totally worth the read!!!