The Tapes by Kerry Wilkinson
AD | book tour – Kerry Wilkinson’s The Tapes is a gripping, fast-paced psychological thriller that hooks you from the very first page. Afterall, with a strapline of: “If you’re listening to this, I’ve been murdered.” what else would you expect?! That’s exactly why I was excited to jump on the book tour, and I didn’t regret it!
WHAT I THOUGHT ABOUT THE TAPES
The Tapes is a suspenseful journey of discovery, secrets, and long-buried truths. The novel follows Eve, a woman sorting through her late father’s belongings when she stumbles upon a box of cassette tapes—one of which is labeled with her name in her mother’s handwriting. Her mother, Angela, vanished over a decade ago, and the voice on the tape claims she was murdered. What unfolds is a tense, emotionally layered investigation as Eve tries to piece together her mother’s past and uncover the truth behind her disappearance.
Eve is a compelling narrator—relatable, determined, and emotionally complex. Her voice carries the story with clarity and heart, making her journey not just a mystery to solve, but a personal reckoning. Taking place over just five days, Wilkinson weaves in excerpts from a fictional true-crime book about the town’s serial killer, giving a voice and a name to the victims and adding depth to the narrative. These interludes are haunting and effective, offering a broader perspective on the crimes and their impact.
The plot is easy to follow but never simplistic. It’s filled with twists—some expected, others genuinely surprising. One twist in particular caught me completely off guard, which is always a welcome bonus in this genre. While a few parts felt slightly repetitive and some secondary characters very two dimensional, the emotional payoff—especially Eve’s evolving understanding of her mother—makes it worthwhile.
What truly kept me turning the pages though was the pacing. The story moves briskly, with just enough tension and emotional stakes to keep you invested. The tagline intrigued me, but it was the execution that delivered: a blend of nostalgia, suspense, and emotional depth.
In short, The Tapes is a satisfying read for fans of psychological thrillers with a personal edge. If you enjoy stories that blend mystery with emotional discovery, and a narrator you can root for, this one’s worth picking up.
THE BOOK TOUR
If you liked reading about what I thought about The Tapes by Kerry Wilkinson, then why not check out the other blogs on the tour.
DISCLOSURE: I was provided with a digital copy of The Tapes for the purposes of this book tour. As usual though, all opinions are my own.
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