The Only Child by S Englefield
Published on 20 February 2025
by Joffe Books
Crime thriller
Zooloo’s Book Tours – Book Tour Schedule (9-18 February)
TW: Death of a cat
Scott Englefield grew up on the Isle of Wight. Despite being surrounded by idyllic beaches and woodland walks, he was often to be found with his head buried in a book.
His love of reading endured into adulthood and now he spends his free time writing crime and psychological thrillers, often having to stop to fend off his cat James who believes his keyboard is the perfect place to sleep.
He is in his mid-forties (and feels it) and lives with his wife, son and cat in the East of England.
He grew a beard once – his wife hated it.
The author’s website is https://senglefield.com/
My thoughts on The Only Child
Some books are so brilliant that no review can ever fully do them justice. The Only Child by S. Englefield is one such book. I devoured this novel in one sitting, utterly unable to tear myself away. It’s not just a book you read; it’s an experience you live. Englefield has created a gripping, emotional masterpiece that left me awestruck and yearning for more.
The story follows Amelia Simpson, who, after the tragic loss of her parents, finishes university and decides against pursuing a career in graphic design. Instead, she moves to the Isle of Wight to be near her grandmother and opens a flower shop, which brings her great joy. For years, Amelia builds a quiet and fulfilling life on the island, but this peace is shattered after a series of tragic events prompts investigations that gradually bring secrets from her family’s past to light. Detective Inspector Jennifer Stone’s investigation into these events is just as riveting, as she painstakingly follows leads while trying to be present at home for her husband and daughter—a constant struggle for a detective balancing her demanding career with family life.
From the very first page, I felt completely immersed in the world Englefield created. The narrative—shifting seamlessly between past and present, as well as different points of view—was masterfully done. It allowed the story to unfold effortlessly, pulling me deeper and deeper into its layers. Every twist and turn felt natural yet utterly surprising, keeping me on edge and unable to stop reading.
The characters are exceptional. Amelia and Jenny, as well as the supporting cast, felt so real and true to life that it was as though I was standing right there beside them. Their emotions, reactions, and relationships were crafted with such authenticity that I found myself fully invested in their lives. And the way Englefield describes the crime scenes? Utterly vivid and chilling. I could picture every detail so vividly it felt as if I had stepped into the scenes myself.
If I had to critique anything—and believe me, this is nitpicking at its finest—I did notice that characters seemed to spill their tea and coffee quite a bit! As for the cat caught up in the horror, while no specifics are given, I choose to believe it survived unscathed (a comforting narrative I’m sticking to). Neither of these points diminishes the brilliance of this book in the slightest.
The Only Child is, without a doubt, an out-of-this-world debut. Yes, I searched for other books by S. Englefield and came up empty, which only makes me more excited to see what comes next. If this is the standard set by their first book, then we’re in for something truly special in the future.
Is it possible to declare a favourite book of the month on the second day of said month? I’m doing it anyway, because The Only Child deserves all the accolades and more. This book is gripping, emotional, beautifully written, and packed with twists you won’t see coming. If you’re looking for a novel that will leave you breathless, Englefield’s debut is an absolute must-read.
Final thoughts: Wow. Just wow. This is a book that will stay with me for a long time, and I’ll be recommending it to everyone I know. Here’s hoping we don’t have to wait too long for the next masterpiece from this incredibly talented author.
As you can probably tell from the above review I LOVED this book. I have already been recommending it to friends! A huge thank you to Zoé of Zooloo’s Book Tours for including me on this book tour. The tour runs 9th – 18th February and I cannot wait to see what the others thought of this book!
Tags: #TheOnlyChild #SEnglefield #ZooloosBookTours #VirtualBookTour #CrimeThriller #BookReview
All views expressed are my own. This review, or parts of it, may also be shared on my social media channels and various book platforms. Links are accurate at the time of publication.
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