Nikki Smith studied English Literature at Birmingham University before pursuing a career in finance, working in a variety of different companies including an investment bank and a trampoline park. She always had a passion for writing and in 2017 she had a 'now or never' moment and applied for a Curtis Brown Creative 3 month writing course which she absolutely loved. Later that year she had a short story published in the Writer's Forum Magazine, and submitted the opening chapters of her novel to a competition where she won the opportunity to be mentored by the author Amanda Reynolds. She lives near Guildford with her husband, two daughters and a very friendly Burmese cat called Saffi.
Based on a True Story (2026) Sarah Vaughan "This is certainly one party no one will forget. With a cast of characters I loved to hate and secrets galore, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Smart, propulsive and so much fun...I loved it."
Troublemaker (2026) Lesley Kara "A twisty thriller that had me gripped right from the very start after the protagonist witnesses a murder that then appears not to have happened. Lesley had me guessing all the way through the book and I loved the pairing up of two fantastic characters in Lena and Storm. A fabulous read!"
My Husband's Wife (2026) Alice Feeney "Brilliantly constructed, it kept me guessing right up to the final page. Feeney delivers a flawless resolution to such a clever premise - I absolutely loved it."
Kiss Marry Kill (2025) Laura Marshall "If you enjoyed Bad Sisters you will absolutely love this. A brilliant blend of laugh out loud funny combined with a horrifying expose of coercive control. Brian is one of the most unpleasant characters I have ever encountered in a book!"
59 Minutes (2025) Holly Seddon "A race against the clock thriller that packs a huge punch. I was desperate to find out what happened to the group of characters whose lives Holly draws us into so brilliantly from the very first page. Such an original premise - bravo."
Some of Us Are Liars (2025) Fiona Cummins "Stunningly written with a twist that hits you like a slap around the face. Fiona writes with such emotional resonance that it's impossible not be deeply moved by the characters as well as enthralled by the plot . . . Absolutely loved it."
The Break-in (2025) Katherine Faulkner "The Break-In opens with a reader's worst-case nightmare scenario and continues to twist the knife as the truth is gradually revealed. A tense and clever thriller - highly recommended."
It Should Have Been You (2025) Andrea Mara "Such a brilliant concept; I inhaled this book in less than 24 hours - Andrea Mara just gets better and better. More twists and turns than a roller coaster - with pitch perfect pace and plotting. I loved it."
The Cliffhanger (2025) Emily Freud "The Cliffhanger is a mind blowing rollercoaster ride of a book! I loved following Emma and Felix's story and trying to work out who would destroy who - it is a credit to Emily's brilliant writing that it was impossible to guess the twists - which came like sucker punches as we headed towards the finale. A fabulous read!"
Notes on a Drowning (2025) Anna Sharpe "A terrific, gripping page turner that tackles societal and political issues with sensitivity and a subtle touch of humour. Loved it."
Dead Mile (2024) Jo Furniss "Such an original concept with brilliantly drawn characters, I honestly felt I was stuck out in the blistering heat on the tarmac of the motorway with them. DEAD MILE is a fantastic read - a pacy page turner with a twisty plot and a sense of tension that doesn't let up until the final page. Loved it."
The Next Girl (2024) Emiko Jean "A stunning novel that explores the endurance of the human spirit and asks how far someone would go for love."
Clickbait (2024) L C North "An utterly gripping thriller that explores the addictiveness of reality TV in today's society, and the lengths some people will go to in order to achieve fame. Whip-smart and incisive, I couldn't put this book down."
Moral Injuries (2024) Christie Watson "Intelligent, propulsive and disturbing - I couldn't put it down. The ethical dilemmas at the centre of the book will have readers asking themselves, again and again, what would I do?"
Leave No Trace (2024) (Kat and Lock, book 2) Jo Callaghan "As brilliantly plotted and innovative as In The Blink Of An Eye, AIDE Lock & DCS Frank are back in Leave No Trace. This time attempting to solve horrific murders in the dead of winter; the story chilled me to the bone and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Callaghan writes with such intelligence; interspersing humour with moments of utter heartbreak."
The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou (2023) Eleni Kyriacou "An incredibly powerful story of two women and the tragedy that destroys them both. Chilling, gripping and a story that stayed with me long after I'd finished the book."
Notes on a Murder (2023) B P Walter "A sultry heat-filled thriller set on a remote Greek island where guests end up with so much more than just dinner. Dark and delicious."
The Escape (2023) Ruth Kelly "Devastatingly dark, I couldn't stop turning the pages."
The Contest (2023) Karen Hamilton "This brilliant thriller made me feel like I was taking every step up Mt Kilimanjaro. It's a fabulous read, exploring what lengths we are prepared to go to succeed."
Coming to Find You (2023) Jane Corry "Nancy's story kept my heart in my mouth--right up to the chilling denouement."
The Assistant (2023) Amanda Reynolds "Beautifully written ... Gail is a superbly drawn, fascinating character and it's a refreshing change to read something from the viewpoint of a woman 'of a certain age'."
You Can Run (2023) Trevor Wood "Trevor Wood has written another cracker of a book. A different cast of characters from his previous trilogy but equally engaging with a theme that focuses on community and what it takes to belong. I loved it."
If I Let You Go (2023) Charlotte Levin "It is both heartbreaking and hopeful - Charlotte writes the most stunning prose and her character observations are both darkly humorous and incredibly insightful. I loved it!"
Dirty Laundry (2023) Disha Bose "Disha writes stunning prose and her characters jump off the page. Dirty Laundry is a devastating examination of what lies beneath the surface of three suburban marriages, and how we can never truly leave our past behind."
The One That Got Away (2023) Charlotte Rixon "I fell completely in love with Benjamin and Clara and was absolutely desperate for them to get back together by the end of the story. The book is so evocative and beautifully written. Poignant and moving, I defy anyone who has experienced the heartbreak of first love not to cry when they read it."
The Girls Are Good (2022) Ilaria Bernardini "I absolutely loved this book - I couldn't put it down. Twisted in every sense of the word and so, so dark - it's absolutely brilliant."
All the Wicked Games (2022) Lauren North "As twisty as hell with a plot that accelerates at 120mph. Highlighting the danger of not knowing who you are really talking to behind a screen on social media . . . simply brilliant!"
Do No Harm (2022) Jack Jordan "The ultimate page turning edge-of-your-seat thriller. Loved it."
It Ends at Midnight (2022) Harriet Tyce "Toxic friendships, deadly secrets and a chilling finale. This thriller is one wild ride."
Lucky (2021) Rachel Edwards "A brilliant portrayal of one woman’s descent into the world of online gambling – I felt every spin of the wheel; the highs of adrenaline followed by stomach churning nausea."
The House Guest (2021) Charlotte Northedge "Fabulously twisted, disturbing slow burn of a thriller that explores the relationship between a life coach and her protegee where nothing is as it first seems."
When They Find Her (2021) Lia Middleton "A brilliant concept that pulled me straight into the story and kept me hooked to the end."
Safe and Sound (2021) Philippa East "Such a brilliant portrayal of the chasm that often exists between the reality of our lives and how we portray ourselves. It drew me in from the first chapter and had me hooked until the end!"
People Like Her (2021) Ellery Lloyd "I loved it! I was actually holding my breath towards the end. Such a chillingly dark examination of what can happen if you filter the reality. . . through Instagram & pretend to be someone you’re not."
The Silence (2020) Susan Allott "A suspense-filled story set in Australia, highlighting the effects of an official policy that has haunted generations. Allott's prose builds an incredibly convincing portrayal of the destruction caused by dysfunctional relationships. A fantastic debut."
