A Fool's Circle by Suzanne Seddon

From Goodreads

Kate Sanders has suffered many years of physical and mental abuse at the hands of her abusive husband Alan, and convinces herself that she is only holding the family together for the sake of her eight-year-old daughter. If it wasn't for her best friend Jill Reynolds, she would have taken the suicide option a long time ago.

As she desperately seeks a way to escape, she is contacted by a solicitor. Kate's old aunt has died and she has been left a small fortune.

For the first time, she sees the light at the end of the tunnel. She dreams of a fresh start, a new home, a new life. What Kate doesn't know is that Jill and Alan have their own secrets, and are both desperate to get their hands on her money.

Kate soon finds herself falling for the charms of Jonathon Jacobs in what she believes to be fate finally intervening and offering her a second chance, unaware that each move he makes has been directed, orchestrated and well-rehearsed as he begs her to leave her husband Alan.

But is it all too late, as she finds herself in the frame for murder.

My thoughts

I gave this a 4/5 stars or 8/10.

This was a chillingly dark story about Kate Sanders, her husband Alan and their young 8 year old daughter Sophie.

Alan wasn't the best husband, he was mentally, physically and at times sexually abusive towards Kate. Kate is very protective of her daughter and thankfully, the abuse hasn't reached as far as her daughter. However, Sophie has seen far more than an eight year old, should ever be subjected to and she feels very protective of her Mum.

Kate would love to be able to forge a new life for her and Sophie away from Alan and his abusive nature. She thinks all her prayers have been answered when she meets and falls for Jonathan Jacobs. It was a chance meeting one afternoon while out with her best friend Jill, that led to them meeting one another and fate seemed to have plans for them both.

However, when her husband Alan is found murdered it's not long before she finds herself in the frame and the main suspect.

I found this a well written debut psychological thriller that was full of twists and turns, that leads you one way and then you find yourself going off in a completely different direction. It sure had me guessing and second guessing myself as I read it. 

I will be watching for more by this Author and I hope this isn't the last that we hear of her.

This was a well written