The Family Friend

Claire Douglas
Genre: Psychological Thriller
400 pages
Publisher: Penguin, March 2026 first publication

Synopsis
When Imogen is told she’s inherited a country house near Bath, she thinks it must be a mistake. She last saw its owner, reclusive artist Dorothea Roe, sixteen years ago, during a tragic summer which changed her life for ever.

Now, with partner Josh in tow, it’s a chance for a fresh start.

But after discovering an old box with her name on it in Dorothea’s abandoned study, Imogen starts to believe the woman was trying to send her a secret message.

And when rumors begin to swirl that Dorothea was murdered, she starts to suspect that this gift might not be the life-line she thought it was. Who would want to kill Dorothea? Could it be tangled up in Imogen’s own dark family history? And what if Imogen is now the one in danger?

My review
The Family Friend is my first book by Claire Douglas, and I was looking forward to trying a new author over the weekend. While this isn’t the dark, gritty police procedural or cat-and-mouse psychological thriller I usually read, it turned out to be a fun, fast-paced domestic mystery that was easy to get lost in.

The characters are likable, the story moves along at a good clip, and I was invested enough to fly through it in a day. This is the type of book that is perfect for traveling or when you just want something entertaining without having to keep a spreadsheet to remember who’s who and how everyone connects.

The story kicks off when Imogen unexpectedly inherits a country house, and enough money to keep it running, from Dorothea, an old family friend she hasn’t seen in years. When she discovers a box with her name on it, she starts to wonder if Dorothea was trying to tell her something. Just like that, the inheritance becomes a little more complicated than she expected.

Douglas uses dual timelines that are easy to follow and fit together nicely. The story steadily builds intrigue as more pieces of the puzzle fall into place, and it becomes clear that Dorothea left behind more than just a house and a significant amount of money. I especially enjoyed Dorothea’s chapters being told in reverse chronological order. It was an interesting way to reveal the past and kept me curious about how everything would connect.

The Family Friend doesn’t break any new ground or leave you thinking about it long after you’ve finished, but it’s an entertaining, easy-to-follow mystery with likable characters and a story that keeps moving. It may not be the most memorable thriller I’ve read, but I enjoyed the ride. And sometimes that’s all I’m looking for.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Penguin, and Claire Douglas for an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

My recommendation: a fun read!