Your past is right behind you . . .

Jo has always kept her head down and surrounded herself with strangers who know nothing about her mum’s murder. But fifteen years after the killing she receives a box of unopened letters addressed to her – sent from the prison.

But before she can read them, they’re stolen, and soon Jo realises that someone must have a terrible secret to hide.

Book Tour & Charity Promo: 1st – 14^th December 
Genre: Psychological thriller | Thriller | Scottish Crime 
Publisher: Mountain Leopard Press

Determined to protect her new life from the violence of her past, she embarks on a mission to find out the truth. But can Jo find the sender, before they find her?

A pacy, twisty thriller about secrets and betrayal, set amongst the historic streets of Edinburgh. Perfect for fans of B.A. Paris and C.L. Taylor.

My Review

This was brilliant. I really couldn’t put it down. I was so out of my comfort zone as I have no experience of this kind of life.

The book is written in two timelines. Jo is working in a charity shop with the lovely Jean, who looks after her wellbeing. Jo’s mum was murdered fifteen years earlier and Jo watched her die. Noew everything is going as well as can be expected until a box of old letters is delivered to the shop. On the side the box is stamped HMP. Jo has a good idea who sent it but doesn’t open any of the letters. And then they are stolen before she can read them. Someone wants to make sure she doesn’t see the contents. That same night Jo is at the pub with the staff and volunteers from the shop when she bumps into Ali from her previous life. What is the connection?

The other timeline revolves around Tink and Spider, two young teenage girls. Spider has a bad reputation and is a bit older than Jo. When her father dies in an accident, Tink finds refuge with Spider. But Tink’s mother has spiralled out of control into an alcoholic fugue and treats Tink appallingly. She hates Spider and numerous arguments follow.

There are two twists in the story – one is pretty obvious from the start – while the other is devastating and I would never have guessed. I felt so sorry for Jo, though sometimes it was hard to like her as she is not the most sympathetic character. I felt she needed to shed her guilt and find salvation, but it was very hard for her and she is often defensive and unapproachable. But Jean is always her biggest supporter.

The book is a triumph of survival against adversity. I would highly recommend it.

Many thanks to @lovebookstours for inviting me to be part of the #WatchYourBack blog tour.

Love Books Tours Charity Support

Annually, Loves Books Tours is happy to support charities in a variety of ways including donating our time and free tours to promote charitable causes. This is our final charity tour of 2025, in support of The Brain Tumour Charity, which is very close to Emma Christie’s heart.

The Brain Tumour Charity is the world’s leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally.

Committed to saving and improving lives, they are moving further, faster to help every single person affected by a brain tumour. They are set on finding new treatments, offering the highest level of support and driving urgent change. And they are doing it right now. Because they understand that when you, or someone you love, is diagnosed with a brain tumour – a cure really can’t wait.
Website: www.thebraintumourcharity.org

About the Author

Emma Christie writes psychological thrillers set in Portobello, Edinburgh’s thriving seaside neighbourhood. Her debut novel The Silent Daughter was shortlisted for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year 2021, shortlisted for the Scottish Crime Debut of the Year 2021 and longlisted for the Crime Writers’ Association John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger Award 2021. It was followed in 2022 by her highly acclaimed novels Find Her First and In Her Shadow. When she’s not travelling in her campervan, Emma lives in Barcelona with her girlfriend Mari and far too many plants.

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