The Night Away: An absolutely unputdownable psychological thriller

by Jess Ryder

  ‘The celebration is for us, really,’ admits Ruby, annoyed with herself for forgetting the gift wrap. She wanted to impress Amber with her new efficiency – ordering the present well in advance, paying extra for named-day delivery when she could ill afford it. Since escaping from the escape room, she’s been scratching a living from temporary bar work while she gives her life a makeover. Last week she heard she’d been accepted onto a degree course in fashion design, starting in the autumn. It’s a big step forward. She’s excited, but also nervous about seeing it through.

  They go into the kitchen-diner. ‘Hi, Mum,’ Ruby says. ‘How’s it going?’

  ‘I could do with some help.’ Vicky puts down the butter knife and looks her younger daughter up and down. ‘Is that what you’re wearing?’

  Ruby prickles. ‘Er … obviously.’

  ‘You know what I mean.’

  ‘Yes, Mum,’ she groans. ‘This is my party outfit.’

  Vicky screws up her eyes. ‘What is it? Some kind of bag?’

  ‘Look who’s here, Mabel!’ says Amber, quickly intervening. ‘Auntie Ruby!’

  Mabel is sitting in her high chair, playing with a piece of bread, the tips of her fingers shiny with grease. She looks up at Ruby and smiles a toothy grin. ‘Da!’ she says.

  ‘Happy birthday to you!’ Ruby sings, bending down to kiss her niece’s cheek. ‘Oh no! Who’s done a smelly poo?’

  ‘Typical!’ Amber laughs. ‘I knew she’d do that as soon as I put her new dress on.’ She unstraps Mabel and lifts her out of the chair, then carries her out of the room, leaving Ruby stranded.

  ‘The salad needs washing,’ Vicky says after a pause. ‘Or you could grate some cheese. Apparently, there are vegetarians coming.’

  Ruby hesitates. She came to help Amber, not Mum, and feels resistant to being ordered about. The difficulties in their relationship were briefly swept aside by Mabel’s return, but there is still an undercurrent there – disapproval at the very least, maybe even dislike. She knows she will never be forgiven for leaving the key in the door. As if Amber was a completely innocent party. She sighs inwardly. Not everyone has been transformed by their recent experience, it seems.

  ‘Better wash my hands first,’ she says, fleeing down the corridor, followed by her mother’s irritable sigh.

  Amber is in the bathroom, cajoling Mabel, who is refusing to lie still and be undressed. ‘You okay?’ she asks as Ruby sneaks in and sits on the edge of the bath. ‘I love the bag, by the way. Where did you get it?’

  ‘I made it.’

  ‘Wow. Your own design?’

  ‘Well, I draped the fabric over me and scrunched it up here and there, if that counts.’

  ‘I’m so pleased for you about the course,’ Amber says, grimacing as she removes Mabel’s dirty nappy.

  Ruby watches as her sister gently cleans Mabel’s bottom with a cotton pad soaked in warm water. There is a tenderness in her actions that was missing before. The postnatal depression seems to have gone and Amber seems happier than ever, even though she’s a single mum now with nobody to share the everyday care.

  ‘Is George coming?’ Ruby asks as he drifts into her thoughts.

  ‘No.’ Amber sits back on her heels. ‘I invited him but he said he’d feel awkward with family there. And he was worried about the media turning up in the park. I don’t think they will, but … you know … He’s very fragile.’

  Ruby nods while Mabel kicks her legs in the air, enjoying the freedom. ‘How often does he see her?’

  ‘Once a week. Sometimes he misses. I don’t think he’ll keep it up. He still loves her, but …’ She sighs. ‘He’s confused. He’s her father and yet not her father – doesn’t know what his role is any more. I feel really sorry for him, but I can’t help.’

  ‘No chance you’ll get back together?’

  ‘No,’ she replies quickly. ‘There’s too much to fix. I think we’d been pulling apart for years, we just hadn’t realised it. We’re putting the flat on the market in September. It’s the best thing. We all need a fresh start.’ She turns to Mabel. ‘Right, you, time to get a lovely clean nappy on.’

  ‘I can’t believe how brave you’re being,’ Ruby says. ‘You amaze me.’

  Amber gives her a grateful look. ‘Mum’s been an absolute rock, and so have you. And there’s Seth, of course. He comes over all the time – cooks meals, cleans the bathroom, hangs the washing up. He keeps offering to babysit, but I’m not ready yet. Hopefully, in time …’ She pauses for a moment to gather herself, then resumes dressing Mabel.

  ‘Seth’s coming to the picnic, I presume.’

  ‘Oh yes. Mum’s not very happy. She regards Seth as a rival in the contest to be Mabel’s favourite.’

  ‘Hey, I win that hands down.’ Ruby grins. ‘But seriously, Mum should adore Seth; he saved her granddaughter’s life. God knows what would have happened if she’d stayed with Terri.’

  A hole opens up in the conversation and the two sisters pour their thoughts into it. By the time the police raided Midsummer Cottage, Terri was already dead – both wrists slashed, Seth’s note crumpled in her bloody hand. He’d been right to trick her, to steal Mabel from under her nose. It would have been too risky to call the police. If Terri had realised that she was about to be caught, she would have killed Mabel before taking her own life. Even DI Benedict declared Seth a hero in the end.

  ‘Well, I’m really pleased he’s coming,’ says Ruby. ‘Mum will just have to put up with it.’

  Amber sits Mabel up so that she can fasten the button at the back of her neck. Her dress, having its first outing for the party, is exquisite – grass-green cotton with tiny yellow flowers, perfectly complementing her peachy skin and auburn hair. Rows of smocking across the front, puffy sleeves and a white Peter Pan collar complete the classic look. She could be a baby from almost any era since the 1950s.

  ‘She’s gorgeous,’ Ruby exclaims, instantly regretting the choice of adjective, forever to be associated with George. Before she can stop it, her mind instantly flits to Lewis. How come she’d never noticed the similarity between father and daughter before? A flame of anger ignites deep inside and she looks away from Amber, biting hard on her lip to beat back the tears. She loved Lewis, really loved him. He hurt her very badly, but he didn’t deserve his punishment. He’s out of hospital now, being looked after by his parents. His mother occasionally sends Ruby updates by email. The last she heard he was predicted to make a full recovery, but it’s been a long haul. He says he can’t remember being attacked, let alone by whom. Ruby’s not sure she believes that, but if he’s lying, she’s impressed by his ability to forgive. The police debated for ages whether to proceed with the prosecution, but eventually the case was dropped for lack of evidence. George was released and, strangely mirroring his victim, went to stay with his parents. It’s as if the men have become children again, leaving the women to carry on with the adult work.

  Amber lifts Mabel up. ‘Shall we give her your present now?’ she asks.

  ‘If you like.’

  ‘Are you all right, Ruby? You’ve got your troubled look back.’

  ‘Yes, I’m fine. Just a bit … you know … sad. Thinking about everything.’

  ‘I know, it’s tough, but we’re doing really well, don’t you think? In the circumstances.’ Amber smiles at her hopefully. ‘I feel closer to you than ever before. It’s like we’re proper sisters at last.’ Ruby doesn’t reply, just squeezes out a thin smile. Disappointed, Amber leaves the bathroom.

  Ruby exhales loudly. Oh, it’s all so complicated and challenging, trying to be grown-up and forgiving, remodelling primitive emotions like sexual jealousy into sophisticated, reasonable attitudes. She was so looking forward to the picnic, but now it feels like an ordeal they all have to get through. It’s okay, she’ll manage it. Amber, Mabel, Mum, Ruby, Seth and a couple of Amber’s mum friends – they’ll put on their bravest faces and have a jolly time, sticking to safe subjects, eating cake and sandwiches, chasing balloons acros
s the park …

  Only the child matters, only the child. And she is safe and well.

  If The Night Away had you hooked and turning pages, then you’ll love The Ex-Wife, a spine-chilling read, brimming with secrets and lies…

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  The Ex-Wife

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  You’ve got everything she wants…

  Newly married Natasha has the perfect house, a loving husband and a beautiful little girl called Emily. She’d have it all if it wasn’t for Jen, her husband’s ex-wife who just won’t leave them alone…

  Then Natasha returns home one day to find her husband and Emily gone without trace. Desperate to get her daughter back, Natasha will do anything even if it means accepting an offer of help from Jen. But can she trust her? And do either of them really know the man they married?

  If you loved The Girl on the Train, Gone Girl or The Couple Next Door then this dark, twisting psychological thriller from Amazon chart bestseller Jess Ryder is guaranteed to have you gripped.

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  Books by Jess Ryder

  The Girl You Gave Away

  The Dream House

  The Ex-Wife

  The Good Sister

  Lie to Me

  AVAILABLE IN AUDIO

  The Girl You Gave Away (Available in the UK and the US)

  The Dream House (Available in the UK and the US)

  The Ex-Wife (Available in the UK and the US)

  The Good Sister (Available in the UK and the US)

  Lie to Me (Available in the UK and the US)

  A Letter from Jess

  Thank you so much for reading The Night Away. If you enjoyed it, and want to keep up to date with all my latest releases, just sign up at the following link. Your email address will never be shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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  This book started in a back-to-front way, after my editor Lydia told me she had a good title up her sleeve and wondered whether I was interested in using it as the springboard for a story. I was keen to accept the challenge and started jotting down some ideas.

  I remembered something our eldest son Renny had told us. Renny lives in Spain with his partner Maria and young son Leo. One evening he went out to play a gig, and when he arrived home late that night, he absent-mindedly left his key in the front door of their apartment. This wasn’t discovered until the next morning. Luckily the key was still there and nobody came to any harm, but with my writer’s imagination I speculated about all the awful things that could have happened. Starting with that small real-life incident, I added some extra ingredients and complications and eventually the story of The Night Away was born. I guess I should be grateful to Renny for being so forgetful, although I doubt Maria would agree!

  I hope you enjoyed reading The Night Away. If you’d like to write a brief constructive review and post it online in the appropriate places, I’m sure other readers would find it useful.

  If this is your first Jess Ryder book, you might want to try my other psychological thrillers – Lie to Me, The Good Sister, The Ex-Wife, The Dream House and The Girl You Gave Away. It’s easy to get in touch via my Facebook page, Goodreads or Twitter.

  With best wishes and thanks,

  Jess Ryder

  The Girl You Gave Away

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  All she wanted was the life they had…

  It is the day of Erin’s fortieth birthday party. Pink and silver balloons drift through her garden, the platters of food are empty and the recycling is overflowing with empty wine bottles.

  As Erin mingles with groups of family and friends, surrounded by love and laughter, she feels like the luckiest woman alive. She has no idea what fate has in store…

  Then a little red envelope lands on the doormat and everything changes.

  Inside is a birthday card from somebody she never dreamed would get in touch. Its message is a chilling reminder of the dark past that Erin has worked so hard to bury, a past that could put her precious family in terrible danger…

  A gripping, spine-chilling read brimming with secrets and lies. If you loved The Girl on the Train or The Woman in the Window, then this dark, twisting psychological thriller from bestselling author Jess Ryder is guaranteed to have you gripped.

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  The Dream House

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  When I first set eyes on Westhill House with its breath-taking views of the sea I knew it was the perfect place for a fresh start.

  The place may be falling apart, but it can be fixed with some tender loving care. And as Jack and I work to repair this beautiful building, maybe we can repair our relationship too. Maybe we can make Westhill House a refuge from all the tragedies that came before.

  Lori has come to Westhill House for shelter too. She says it used to be a place where women went for safety. How can I turn her away, when violence waits for her outside these high walls?

  But the longer Lori stays, the more time Jack spends away. And the more she helps me restore the house, the more secrets start to be revealed.

  Like the children’s drawings under the wallpaper in the back bedroom.

  The hidden papers underneath the floorboards in the turret room.

  But why does Lori know so much about Westhill House, if she’s never been here before?

  What does she really need protection from?

  And now I’ve invited her into my dream house, is there any escape for either of us?

  A gripping, spine-chilling read brimming with secrets and lies. If you loved The Girl on the Train, The Wife Between Us or The Woman in the Window then this dark, twisting psychological thriller from Amazon chart bestseller Jess Ryder is guaranteed to have you gripped.

  What readers are saying about The Dream House:

  ‘Wow, what an amazing thrilling, chilling book that sunk its claws into me from page one and didn’t let go until the very end… Ryder will be on my top list of authors… full of thrills, chills, hearts aches, and twist and turns! Will be highly recommending.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

  ‘I think this may be one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve read in a long, long time. I was hooked! Every time I thought I knew where the plot was going something else would happened and I’d be asking more questions. The twists and turns were gripping and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Seriously get yourself a copy… you won’t regret it!’ Goodreads Reviewer

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  The Good Sister

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  There are two sides to every secret.

  She is staring back at me with exactly my expression – a mixture of wonder, bewilderment and horror. It’s like looking in a dark, cracked mirror.

  ‘Who are you?’ she whispers.

  When her beloved father dies, Josie is devastated to uncover a secret life he has led with another family: a half-sister, Valentina, born in the same week, in the same hospital. They look so physically alike they could be mistaken for twins. But the similarities end there.

  As an unlikely bond begins to form between them, Josie finds herself drawn into Valentina’s complex world; a world where Josie no longer has to be the good girl her father raised her to be. Could the same reckless, self-destructive streak that runs through Valentina’s blood, be running through her own?

  Could Josie be capable of more than she had ever imagined? Could she be capable of murder? One of them is.

  A tense and claustrophobic read that will keep you turning pages into the night. Perfect for fans of Louise Jensen, Claire Douglas and Sue Fortin.

  What readers are saying about Jess Ryder:

  ‘I was hooked in from the very first page of this gripping, fast-paced story of secrets, relationships and betrayals.
I really enjoyed this thrilling debut and would have given it more than five stars if I could.’ Nicki’s Life of Crime

  ‘This is without a doubt the best psychological thriller I have read this year… OMG this book is so damn good!… Just one more chapter I kept telling myself, then before I knew it I had devoured it in one day. If you are looking for a fast-paced engaging read this is the book I highly recommend giving it 5 massive stars.’ Chelle’s Book Reviews, 5 stars

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