by Sandie Jones
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
To my amazing agent, Tanera Simons, at Darley Anderson for her unwavering support and encouragement. Nothing prepares you for the leap into the unknown of the publishing world and she has been at my side when I’ve been too scared to open my eyes.
To everyone at the DA Agency who work tirelessly to get their authors books into the hands of as many readers as possible. They really are the best in the business. Special thanks go to Mary Darby and Kristina Egan in the Rights Department for translating my words into twelve languages. And Sheila David for her work on the secret project!
To Editors Extraordinaire, Catherine Richards at Minotaur Books in the US, and Vicki Mellor at Pan Macmillan in the UK. This novel has had many lives, and I’m so grateful that they helped me give it the best life possible.
From marketing and promotions, to audio and sales, the work that goes into publishing a book should never be underestimated. I am so incredibly lucky to have publishers who go the extra mile in ensuring that my books get out there. Heartfelt thanks to Andy, Kelley, Joe, Sarah, Nettie and Sam in the US, as well as Matt and Becky in the UK.
Thank you to my very special friends, Jo, Karen, Lynn, Nicky and Sam for their support and understanding when I’ve been lost to writing, edits and deadlines. Unreturned phone calls, cancelled get-togethers and postponed trips have not made me the best of friends.
To my mum, who will tell anyone who stops for long enough that her daughter is an author, and to my Aunty Carol; if I can do it, so can you! Dust that typewriter off!
The biggest love and thanks go to my husband and children for putting up with my alter-egos Alice and Beth – who weren’t always the easiest people to live with. They certainly weren’t very good at cooking, housework and keeping on top of the laundry! You’ll be pleased to hear that normal service will now resume (at least until I’m possessed by another character!)
PRAISE FOR SANDIE JONES
‘One of the most twisted and entertaining plots’
Reese Witherspoon
‘An absolute corker – wickedly relatable story, wonderful characters and a great twist. Should definitely be on your reading list for this summer’
T. M. Logan, bestselling author of Lies
‘A nice twist. I enjoyed the increasingly barbed exchanges between the mother and the prospective daughter-in-law – I think a lot of readers will probably identify with events in the book!’
Jojo Moyes
‘A twisty, deliciously fun read’
Sarah Pekkanen, bestselling author of The Wife Between Us
‘What an incredible read. Pammie was such a compelling and unique villain . . . It’s a definite must–read this summer!’
Hollie Overton, author of Baby Doll
‘Knocked my socks off! Psychological suspense at its most addictive, with a shocker of an ending. I couldn’t put it down!’
Michele Campbell, author of It’s Always the Husband
‘Thoroughly entertaining. Pammie is the mother-in-law from hell!’
Michelle Frances, number one bestselling author of The Girlfriend
‘Addictive . . . will keep you glued to the page’
Good Housekeeping
‘A compulsive, claustrophobic read. It made my heart rate climb, speaking to my darkest fears as a wife and mother’
Emma Kavanagh, author of The Killer on the Wall
‘A fast, easy read with skilful twists’
Sunday Mirror
‘Fun and fiendishly clever with a twist you will not see coming. Make room in your beach bag for this one’
Wendy Walker, bestselling author of All Is Not Forgotten
‘An absorbing thriller with a great twist. A perfect beach read’
Kristin Hannah, number one New York Times bestselling author of The Nightingale
‘Devoured this in two days. Compulsive, superbly plotted and all too believable! Earmark it now for your TBR pile’
Michelle Davies, critically acclaimed author of Gone Astray
‘A twisty, dark psychological thriller you’ll want to race through’
Best
THE FIRST MISTAKE
SANDIE JONES is a freelance journalist and has contributed to the Sunday Times, Daily Mail, Woman’s Weekly and Hello! magazine, amongst others. If she wasn’t a writer, she’d be an interior designer as she has an unhealthy obsession with wallpaper and cushions. She lives in London with her husband and three children.
Also by Sandie Jones
The Other Woman
First published 2019 by Pan Books
This electronic edition first published 2019 by Pan Books
An imprint of Pan Macmillan
20 New Wharf Road, London N1 9RR
Associated companies throughout the world
www.panmacmillan.com
ISBN 978-1-5098-8520-6
Copyright © Sandie Jones 2019
Cover Images © MGP/Getty Images
The right of Sandie Jones to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
You may not copy, store, distribute, transmit, reproduce or otherwise make available this publication (or any part of it) in any form, or by any means (electronic, digital, optical, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the publisher. Any person who does any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damage.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
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