Review: The Stepdaughter by Debbie Howells

Title:The Stepdaughter by Debbie Howells
Publisher: Kensington Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 288 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

SECRETS, LIES, AND MURDER ROCK AN ENGLISH VILLAGE IN DEBBIE HOWELLS’ RIVETING NEW PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER

“I live in a village of stone walls and tall trees, a place of cold hearts and secrets . . .”

When Elise Buckley moved with her family to Abingworth, it was supposed to be a new start. She hoped the little English village, with its scattering of houses, pub, and village church, wouldn’t offer enough opportunity for her doctor husband, Andrew, to continue having affairs. Apparently, she was wrong. Now Elise’s only goal is to maintain the façade of a happy homelife for their teenage daughter, Niamh.

When the body of Niamh’s best friend, Hollie, is found, the entire village is rocked. Elise, though generally distrustful since Andrew’s infidelity, believed that Hollie was loved by her father and stepmother. Yet there was something unsettling beneath the girl’s smile. As the police investigation stalls amid disjointed evidence, it’s Niamh who unknowingly holds the key . . .

Flitting between the villagers’ lives, silent and unseen, Niamh is learning about the relationships and secrets that surround her—including those close to home. And as her daughter edges closer to a killer, Elise realizes that the truth may eclipse even her worst suspicions

Review:

The Stepdaughter by Debbie Howells is a multi-layered mystery.

Elise Buckley, husband Andrew and their fourteen year old daughter Niamh live in the small village of Abingworth.  Elise is a flight attendant and Andrew is a GP in a local medical practice. Niamh is quiet and shy but she is close friends with sixteen year old Hollie Hampton.  Hollie’s stepmom Stephanie owns a local flower shop and her dad James is a writer.  Everyone is worried when James reports his daughter missing but their hopes are dashed when her body is found.  Detective Sergeant Nicole “Nicki” May is called in by her boss Detective Inspector Saunders to work the case and she very tenaciously tries to figure who murdered Hollie and why.

Elise is unhappily married but she stays in the marriage for Niamh’s sake. Andrew is a serial cheater and although she no longer cares about his flings, she is upset by his disregard for her. It is already tense in their home but after Hollie’s murder,  Elise grows weary of allowing Andrew to continue treating her badly.  But will Elise do anything about her failing marriage?

Niamh is a silent spectator to her parents’ difficult marriage but she keeps out of the fray as much as possible. She is very concerned about Hollie but her friend is fond of drama and does not heed anyone’s advice. After Hollie’s murder, Niamh keeps her own counsel, but does she know anything that would lead to catching her friend’s killer?

Nicki is a skilled investigator with keen observation skills. She notices that something is not quite right in the Buckley home. She returns several times hoping to find out what, if anything, Niamh knows that could help figure out who killed Hollie. During her questioning of the villagers, Nicki has the sense they know more they are telling, but they appear to have closed ranks. When the murder investigation dovetails with another case, Nicki and Saunders cannot help but wonder if they might be connected.

Unfolding from three distinct perspectives, The Stepdaughter is a clever mystery with multifaceted characters and a complex storyline. The plot is character driven with plenty of secrets and suspense.  With shocking revelations,  Debbie Howells brings this riveting mystery to a twist-filled conclusion.  Highly recommend to fans of the genre.