The Family Friend by Claire Douglas review – One of Claire’s best yet
Inheriting a house from an old family friend can only be a good thing… right?
The Family Friend by Claire Douglas: Key details
- Publish date: 12 March 2026
- Genre: Thriller
- Publisher: Michael Joseph
- Available formats: Hardback, audio and ebook
- Series/standalone: Standalone
- Length: 400 pages
Blurb: 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 rumours 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?
The Family Friend by Claire Douglas: The review
As certain as the setting sun, I’m going to read a new Claire Douglas book as soon as possible. Her latest, The Family Friend, might be one of my favourites yet. This is the story of Imogen, who has just inherited a beautiful period house from Dorothea Roe, a family friend she hasn’t seen in 15 years. Naturally, she’s curious as to why, and digging in Dorothea’s life and death might uncover some rather sinister secrets…
Written in Claire’s accessible, addictive style, The Family Friend is a very easy read, and one I’ve struggled to put down. It wastes no time in getting straight into the nitty-gritty. There’s description and exposition, sure, but there’s no wasted space or filler. Everything here all adds to a tense, page-turning read.
We’ll learn about Dorothea and her friends, and of course, Imogen and her own family and friends are important. Particularly her insufferable husband Josh, who has successfully earned himself a place on my Most Detested Characters list – but that’s all I shall say. He’s not the only character to make an impression; thankfully, they’re not all as terrible. But some of them are…
With twists aplenty and a pace that never lets up, The Family Friend is a must-read for anyone who’s enjoyed one of Claire’s novels in the past. And if you’re a newcomer? This is a gentle thriller that provides a great entry to the genre, with just enough tension to keep even the most hardcore thriller fans happy.
Thanks to Netgalley/Michael Joseph for providing me with access to an early digital copy of the book.
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