Hardback: 341 pages
Genre: Psychological Thriller, Contemporary Fiction,
Publisher: Quercus, March 2026
Source: Tywyn Public Library
Review Quote: 'Twisty, unexpected and utterly convincing' DAILY MAIL
First Sentences: As it turned out, the house was lovely. No, Kate thought, more than lovely: it was spectacularly, breathtakingly perfect.
Setting: England
My Opinion: First discovered this author thanks to his earlier novel Playing Nice being selected as a Richard and Judy Bookclub choice. Since then he has been on the list of authors I select when in the mood for a psychological thriller.
In the author's notes for 'The Move ' J.P. Delaney explains how he got the inspiration for this novel from two of his favourite writers, E.M. Forster and Daphne Du Maurier who were both obsessed with houses.
The protagonists of the story are Kate and her family, who are moving out of London to the countryside for the dream idyllic lifestyle. Settling in things start to feel not quite right, starting with the neighbours. It was a surprise when they turned out to be the couple who had sold them the cottage, now living next door. Tensions build as the local community appear to turn against the incomers and their plans for 'Trade Cottage.' How will the situation resolve itself as dark secrets are revealed?
Worth reading if you are a fan of psychological thrillers.
Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:
Kate and Matt Crowther are finally moving out of London, in search of a better life for their young family. Trade Cottage seems to be the house of their dreams - and they immediately hit it off with the sellers, Rosemary and Paul Finch, who brought up their own family there.
When Kate and Matt move in, they're pleased to discover the Finches still very much in offering advice, introducing them to the local community, and becoming honorary grandparents to Will, 11, and Tilly, 9. But when the Finches take exception to Kate and Matt's renovations, relations with the neighbours sour, and Kate and Matt find themselves subjected to a vicious campaign of hate.
But Kate isn't giving up her dream home without a fight. And it turns out Trade Cottage has secrets of its own to reveal - secrets that may endanger the very family Kate has moved there to protect . . .
Previous Reviews: Playing Nice My Darling Daughter The New Wife
Author Profile :
JP Delaney is a British writer of psychological suspense. His novel THE GIRL BEFORE was an instant New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller which sold over a million copies in 40 countries. It was adapted by him for the BBC and HBO Max in 2021. His second thriller, BELIEVE ME, was also an international and Sunday Times bestseller, as were his subsequent books THE PERFECT WIFE and PLAYING NICE. His fifth psychological thriller, MY DARLING DAUGHTER, was published in 2022.
JP Delaney has previously written bestselling fiction under other names. The Carnivia Trilogy, a series of three standalone but interlinked thrillers set in present-day Venice and written under the name Jonathan Holt, was published in more than 20 countries.
Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites.
Author Official Website Amazon Author Page