Home Truths by Charity NormanBook Synopsis: “What’s left when your family is destroyed by lies?

Livia Denby is on trial for attempted murder. The jury have reached a verdict. Two years earlier, Livia was a probation officer in Yorkshire, her husband Scott a teacher. Their children, Heidi and Noah, round out a happy family – until the day Scott’s brother dies. Grief and guilt leave Scott searching for answers, which take him into the world of conspiracy theories, his grip on reality weakening until he disappears with the children. As the authorities launch a search, Livia begins her own and discovers that Noah’s life is in appalling danger. Livia’s family has been torn apart, and now her son’s life is hanging in the balance. Just how far will she go to save the ones she loves?“

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My Review

I loved this book from one of my favourite authors.

The story is set in Yorkshire, and is told by Livia, a probation officer, her husband Scott, a secondary school teacher, and their teenage daughter Heidi, as they look back on the events that led Livia to be on trial for attempted murder. It starts in early 2022 and then goes back to August 2019, where it all began on Heidi’s 13th birthday.

I really liked Livia and rooted for her right from the first page. Scott however did my head in quite early on! Heidi I felt very sorry for more and more as the story unfolded.

The pace and the twists were perfect all the way through, making me want to find out what was going to happen next.

As I mentioned above Charity Norman is one of my favourite authors and I loved the way she tackled the very beginning of the Covid Pandemic and the ensuing conspiracy theories. Two huge subjects we’ve all been touched by, some more than others. There’s a an excellent author’s note at the end of the book which is a must read.

Highly recommended if you enjoy domestic and courtroom dramas, it’s one of my favourite reads this year!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Allen and Unwin for my digital copy via the NetGalley app.