Soon, The Secrets of Strangers will be released into the world 🎉🎉 if you’d like to preorder a copy, there are links to the UK and Australian pre-order pages now in my bio 💕
Moving to a peaceful, picturesque Lancashire village is just what thriller writer Janine needs to finish her next manuscript.
But when a local woman, Alexa, goes missing, Janine stumbles into investigating the disappearance. As she uncovers more about Alexa’s life, the case grows increasingly complicated. Nothing is as it seems, and Janine begins to realise that there are disturbing parallels between Alexa’s life and her own.
What starts as curious procrastination quickly spirals into a tangled web of secrets, lies, and a truth Janine may not be ready to face … if she survives.
The Secrets of Strangers by Jess Kitching. Coming April 28. Pre-order now.
Want to know what I see when I watch this reel?
Joy
Nothing but utter joy 💕
Thank you to @thepilkingtonagency for believing in TLE first
Thank you to @anthea.bari and @simonschusterau for making TLE
Thank you to every bookstore that stocked the book and every bookseller who championed it
To every wonderful host of every event
And to you, the readers and reviewers. Thank you for making this experience so magical. For telling friends about the book and buying copies and sharing reviews and your thoughts with me. This year would have been empty without you 💕
Now for 2026, the year of The Secrets of Strangers 👀
#thelifeexperiment #simonandschuster #bookreels #booktalk #mustreads #romancebooks #bookreel #2025books #authorlife #2025wrapped #2025review #goodbye2025 #authorreel #writingabook
Do you post book reviews on places like Goodreads?
A book is made up of hundreds of tiny moments. The idea, the chapters, the sentences, the words
The days inspiration comes easy and the days when it’s a slog
Post-publication is made up of mini moments too. The first 100 reviews on Goodreads is a good one to note 💕
That means that not only have at least 100 people read the book, but they’ve taken time out of their busy lives to review and rate it. These reviews make SUCH a difference - with algorithms ruling the internet, they matter far more than most people realise
So thank you for helping to spread the word about The Secrets of Strangers. It’s harder than even for an author to ‘break through’, so your reviews and support really does matter
And if you’ve not read or reviewed yet… what are you waiting for?! 😉
Are you a member of a book club?
After months of attending, I wanted to shout out the wonderful team at @trumanbooksleeds for hosting such great sessions every month. Making time for what I enjoy, meeting new people and being introduced to books I haven’t read before is such a treat.
Book club really is a calendar highlight!
If you’re someone who wants to join but feels a little nervous, I want to say that any book club I’ve attended I’ve loved. I hope you do too 💕
#bookclub #bookclubpick #bookclubbook #readinglife #ukbookstagram
The Secrets of Strangers by @jesskitchingwrites is a disturbing thriller about ostensibly ordinary people and the secrets they keep. The lengths that some of the characters are prepared to go to are so chilling, I had to stop listening to the audiobook at night, and save it for the daylight hours only. It was wonderfully narrated by Maxine Ellah, whose Northen accent captures the moody and ominous setting. A 5-star read that will haunt you long after you finish. #crimefiction #thriller #psychologicalthriller #bookrecomemdation #bookstagram
We're delighted to be bringing you another virtual event as part of our Summer Events line-up - this one's for the Thriller Readers! Featuring Chris Carter & Jess Kitching in Conversation with Sam Holland, it promises to be a virtual hour of brilliant conversation, bookish insights and more.
Chris's first standalone thriller, Hide & Seek, publishes in July 2026 in beautiful limited trade edition. Jess's upcoming book, The Secrets of Strangers, publishes in trade paperback in August 2026.
Known for keeping readers on the edge of their seats, Chris Carter, Jess Kitching & Sam Holland have captivated crime fiction fans around the world — this is your chance to hear from them live.
#bookishevents #virtualevents #books #reading #thrillers #jesskitching #chriscarter #samholland #readers #bookshop #indiebookshops #goallin #yearofreading
📅 July 22nd at 8pm
📍 Zoom!
🎟️ Tickets available via the Tea Leaves & Reads website including book bundles and Ticket Only options.
/product/chris-carter-jess-kitching-in-conversation-with-sam-holland-22nd-july-8pm-bst-on-zoom/
Sometimes in this job, you feel a bit like you’re writing words no one will ever read
Other times, you get sent photos like the last slide and cry happy tears
Thanks for being with me for all parts of the journey 💕
The Secrets of Strangers has only been out for one week and already the people that know the secret are losing their minds 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯 Jess Kitching is the Queen of the twist 😍😍 shoutout to @simonschusterau for the incredible influencer box 👏👏
Next week, I have the absolute privilege of interviewing Casey Nott about Five Stages of Grace on IG Live
I’m about halfway through the book and it is no exaggeration to say that it is perfection. Every word is purposeful, every feeling is covered with such searing precision, and reality in all it’s beautiful - and difficult - ways is shown
I know it’s only May but I can safely say this book will be in my top 10 of 2026!
Hope you can join us 💕
Is your ‘putting on mascara face’ as good as mine? 😂
A huge thank you to @leesey.reviews for hosting a wonderful morning talking all things The Secrets of Strangers! And to everyone who attended across all the different timezones
