John Marrs – författare

ITW Thriller Award winnerInternational Book Awards winnerNina can never forgive Maggie for what she did. And she can never let her leave.They say every house has its secrets, and the house that Maggie and Nina have shared for so long is no different. Except that these secrets are not buried in the past.Every other night, Maggie and Nina have dinner together. When they are finished, Nina helps Maggie back to her room in the attic, and into the heavy chain that keeps her there. Because Maggie has done things to Nina that can’t ever be forgiven, and now she is paying the price.But there are many things about the past that Nina doesn’t know, and Maggie is going to keep it that way—even if it kills her.Because in this house, the truth is more dangerous than lies.

This updated edition of The One comes complete with an exclusive letter from the author, and five never-seen-before bonus chapters catching up with all the key characters ten years later.___"A mind blowing journey with nonstop thrills until the very last page."—Freida McFadden___HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO TO FIND THE ONE?A simple DNA test is all it takes. Just a quick mouth swab and soon you’ll be matched with your perfect partner – the one you’re genetically made for.That’s the promise made by Match Your DNA. A decade ago, the company announced that they had found the gene that pairs each of us with our soul mate. Since then, millions of people around the world have been Matched. But the discovery has its downsides: test results have led to the breakup of countless previously secure relationships, and shattered traditional ideas of dating, romance and love.Now five very different people have received the notification that they’ve been Matched. They’re each about to meet their one true love. But ‘happily ever after’ isn’t guaranteed for everyone. Because even soul mates have secrets. And some are more shocking than others…___With over 3000 5* reviews, this is what real readers are saying about this addictive, page-turning high concept thriller:'I just couldn't stop reading''Brilliant twists that I didn't see coming''One of the most gripping stories I've read for a long while''I was hooked and didn't want it to end'(Note: Previously published as A Thousand Small Explosions)

In this thrilling novel from bestselling author John Marrs, a young couple’s house hides terrible secrets—and not all of them are confined to the past.Mia and Finn are busy turning a derelict house into their dream home when Mia unexpectedly falls pregnant. But just when they think the house is ready, Mia discovers a shocking message scored into a skirting board: I WILL SAVE THEM FROM THE ATTIC. Following the clue up into the eaves, the couple make a gruesome discovery: their home was once a real-life murder house, with the evidence still concealed within the four walls.In the wake of their traumatic discovery, the baby arrives and Mia can’t shake her fixation with the monstrous crimes that happened right above them. Tormented by the terrible things she saw, she is desperate to dig into the past to find answers.Secrecy shrouds the mystery of the attic, but when shards of a dark truth start to emerge, Mia realises the danger is terrifyingly present. She is prepared to do anything to protect her family—but will the previous tenants stop her from discovering their secret?

From the multi-million copy bestselling author comes a chilling tale about life flashing before your eyes—including terrifying scenes you don’t remember.When Damon survives a near-drowning, his life flashes before his eyes. Every memory is crystal clear—except one. A dead boy. A face he can’t place. A moment he doesn’t remember living. At first he tells himself it’s a trick of the mind. But everything else he saw was real. So why not this?With his waking life stalked by the disturbing scene, confusion quickly turns to obsession. Desperate for answers, Damon digs into his fractured past, and becomes convinced that the only way to remember…is to die again. And again. And again. When he meets a perfect stranger who’s all too willing to help, the stage is set for his dice with death.But if this is what it takes to uncover the truth, maybe some memories are better left buried…

“Electrifying and page-turning, John Marrs is not to be missed.”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden"I am such a fan of John Marrs' books and You Killed Me First is another five star read."—#1Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah Pinborough"This is trademark John Marrs and then some."—Sunday Times bestselling author Andrea MaraThree women. Three smouldering secrets. Who will make it out alive?It’s 5 November, and a woman awakens to a nightmare. Bound and gagged, she lies trapped in the heart of a towering bonfire. As the smoke thickens, panic sets in – she’s moments away from being engulfed in flames. How did it come to this?Rewind eleven months: Margot, a faded TV star, and her long-suffering friend Anna watch as glamorous Liv and her flawless family move into their street. The three women soon fabricate the perfect pretence of friendship, but each harbours her own deadly secret – and newcomer Liv senses something is terribly wrong beneath the polished exteriors.As cracks widen in the veneer of perfection and lies escalate out of control, tension ignites. Bonfire Night is approaching and someone is set to burn…But who will it be?

“Whatever you do, don’t read this in the dark…” —Cara Hunter, author of Close to HomeHe hides in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment. Each kill is calculated, planned and executed like clockwork.Struggling to balance her personal and professional life, young DS Becca Vincent has landed the biggest case of her career – and she knows that it will make or break her. But how can she identify one face in a sea of thousands? With the help of Police Super Recogniser Joe Russell, she strives to catch a glimpse of the elusive murderer, but he’s watching her every move.Time is not on their side. The body count is rising, and the attacks are striking closer and closer to home. Can Becca and Joe uncover the connection between the murders before the killer strikes the last name from his list?From the bestselling author of When You Disappeared and The Good Samaritan comes his most thrilling novel yet.Her Last Move returns with a fresh cover. This version incorporates an exclusive epilogue; while this enhances the reading experience, the main narrative is unchanged from earlier editions.

'Impossible to put down' – Alex Michaelides, author of The FuryWhat if marriage was the law? Dare you disobey? The Marriage Act is a dark, high-concept thriller from bestselling author of The One, John Marrs.'A page-turning and thought-provoking read' – Daily MirrorBritain. The near future. A right-wing government believes it has the answer to society’s ills – the Sanctity of Marriage Act, which actively encourages marriage as the norm, punishing those who choose to remain single.But four couples are about to discover just how impossible relationships can be when the government is supervising every aspect of our personal lives, monitoring every word, every minor disagreement – and will use every tool in its arsenal to ensure everyone will love, honour and obey . . .Black Mirror meets thriller with a dash of Naomi Alderman’s The Power. 'Few writers do domestic suspense meets dystopia better than John Marrs' – Lucy Foley, author of The Midnight Feast'Clever, compelling and terrifyingly plausible' – C. J. Tudor, author of A Sliver of Darkness'Brilliantly tricksy' – Liz Nugent, author of Strange Sally Diamond

All she wanted was the truth, but she’ll wish she never found out.When Catherine wakes up alone one morning, she thinks her husband has gone for a run before work. But Simon never makes it to the office. His running shoes are by the front door. Nothing is missing—except him.Catherine knows Simon must be in trouble. He wouldn’t just leave her. He wouldn’t leave the children.But Simon knows the truth—about why he left and what he’s done. He knows things about his marriage that it would kill Catherine to find out. The memories she holds on to are lies.While Catherine faces a dark new reality at home, Simon’s halfway around the world, alive and thriving. He’s doing whatever it takes to stay one step ahead of the truth.But he can’t hide forever, and when he reappears twenty-five years later, Catherine will finally learn who he is.And wish she’d stayed in the dark.Revised edition: Previously published as The Wronged Sons, this edition of When You Disappeared includes editorial revisions.When You Disappeared returns with a fresh cover. This version incorporates an exclusive epilogue; while this enhances the reading experience, the main narrative is unchanged from earlier editions.

'John Marrs is not to be missed' – Freida McFadden, bestselling author of The Housemaid'Few writers do domestic suspense meets dystopia better than John Marrs' – Lucy Foley, bestselling author of The Paris Apartment'The books of John Marrs have become a quiet phenomenon . . . Thoughtful, well written . . . and alarming' – Daily MailSome families are virtually perfect . . .The world’s population is soaring, creating overcrowded cities and an economic crisis. A growing number of people can no longer afford to start families, let alone raise them.But for those desperate to experience parenthood, there is an alternative. For a monthly fee, clients can create a virtual child from scratch, accessing them via the Metaverse and a VR headset. To launch this new initiative, the company behind MetaChildren has created a reality TV show. It will follow its contestants as they raise a MetaChild from birth to the age of eighteen, in a condensed nine-month time period. The prize: the right to keep their virtual child – or risk it all for the chance of a real baby . . .The Goodreads Choice Award runner up, The Family Experiment is set in the same universe as John Marrs's bestselling novel The One and The Marriage Act. A dark and twisted thriller about the ultimate 'tamagotchi' – a virtual baby.'Speculative fiction at its best – original, dark and wickedly clever' – C. L. Taylor, author of Every Move You Make'His best yet. Frighteningly plausible, gripping, dark, and so clever' – Claire Douglas, author of The Woman Who Lied'Hurtles towards a chilling denouement – a truly thought-provoking, single-sitting thriller' – Ellery Lloyd, author of The Club'Chilling, inventive, horribly plausible and brilliantly addictive' – C. J. Tudor, author of The Gathering

How far would you run to escape your past? The Vacation is a compulsive, holiday-set thriller from John Marrs, the author of The Family Experiment and The One. Venice Beach, Los Angeles. A paradise on earth. Tourists flock to the golden coast and the promise of Hollywood. But for eight strangers at a beach front hostel, there is far more on their mind than an extended vacation.All of them are running from something.And they all have secrets they’d kill to keep . . .Pulsing with drama, The Vacation expertly weaves a wide cast of characters into a compulsive, emotional thriller. Perfect for fans of T. M. Logan.Praise for John Marrs:'For the addicts of adrenaline-fuelled twisty rides' – Peter James, author of Stop Them Dead'I found it impossible to put down' – Alex Michaelides, author of The Fury'Brilliantly addictive' – C.J. Tudor, author of The GatheringReaders love The Vacation:'A real page turner! I was hooked from the beginning''There are so many twists and turns''Great characters, wild twists, and he strikes the perfect emotional chords''I loved everything about this book'Originally published as Welcome to Wherever You Are, this is a re-edited release.

‘For the addicts of adrenaline-fuelled twisty rides' — PETER JAMES_________________________The Black Mirror-esque thriller from the author of the million-copy international bestseller THE ONE._________________________Five strangers guard our secrets. Only four can be trusted...In the 21st century, information is king. But computers can be hacked and files can be broken into - so a unique government initiative has been born. Five ordinary people have been selected to become Minders - the latest weapon in thwarting cyberterrorism. Transformed by a revolutionary medical procedure, the country's most classified information has been taken offline and turned into genetic code implanted inside their heads.Together, the five know every secret - the truth behind every government lie, conspiracy theory and cover up. In return, they're given the chance to leave their problems behind and a blank slate to start their lives anew.But not everyone should be trusted, especially when they each have secrets of their own they'll do anything to protect...

'Provocative, terrifying and compulsive. Another savagely clever near future thriller' — Cara Hunter, bestselling author of Close to Home.-------------------------The Black Mirror-esque thriller from the author of the million-copy international bestseller THE ONE.-------------------------Eight self-drive cars set on a collision course. Who lives, who dies? You decide.When someone hacks into the systems of eight self-driving cars, their passengers are set on a fatal collision course.The passengers are: a TV star, a pregnant young woman, a disabled war hero, an abused wife fleeing her husband, an undocumented immigrant, a husband and wife - and parents of two - who are travelling in separate vehicles and a suicidal man. Now the public have to judge who should survive but are the passengers all that they first seem?____________________'A 1970s disaster movie by way of Black Mirror, with a dash of Michael Crichton ... a sleek, exhilarating ride' - Financial Times'With some real jaw dropping moments, it was an edge of your seat read that even surpassed The One' - Claire Allan, bestselling author Her Name Was Rose'Full of twists, vividly drawn characters you'll love or love to loathe, and pacy action...it's a hell of a ride' - SFX'Marrs is brilliant at twists and for the addicts of adrenaline-fuelled twisty rides, this book really delivers the goods' - Peter James, UK No. 1 bestselling author

Shortlisted for the CWA Twisted Dagger 2025 Award."A proper twisty thriller."—Sarah PinboroughA stranger has infiltrated your family…and now he’s taking over.Paul’s just here to help, or so he claims—sent by a charity for vulnerable people to do odd jobs for elderly widow Gwen. But for Gwen’s daughter Connie, there’s just something about Paul that rings alarm bells from day one. He’s a little too kind, a little too involved…Worse still, Gwen seems to have fallen under his spell.The last thing Connie wants is a stranger meddling in the safe routine she’s built around Gwen. She loves being the one Gwen turns to for cooking, cleaning and company. But the more Paul visits, the more Gwen is relying on him. By the time he conveniently finds himself between homes and has no choice but to move in, Connie is certain he’s trying to push her out completely.It’s her word against his, though, and as her attempts to unmask him become ever more desperate she’s not the only one left wondering if she’s lost her grip on reality. But when events start spiralling rapidly out of her control, should Connie wage all-out war on Paul and risk losing Gwen forever—or has that been his plan all along?

Shortlisted for the Goodreads Awards 2023.From John Marrs, the bestselling author of The One. Set in the same world, The Marriage Act is a dark, high-concept thriller.'Few writers do domestic suspense meets dystopia better than John Marrs' - Lucy Foley, author of The Midnight FeastWhat if marriage was the law? Dare you disobey?Britain. The near-future. A right-wing government believes it has the answer to society’s ills – the Sanctity of Marriage Act, which actively encourages marriage as the norm, punishing those who choose to remain single.But four couples are about to discover just how impossible relationships can be when the government is monitoring every aspect of our personal lives, tracking every word, every minor disagreement . . . and will use every tool in its arsenal to ensure everyone will love, honour and obey.Black Mirror meets thriller with a dash of Naomi Alderman’s The Power.Praise for John Marrs:‘One of the most exciting original thriller writers’ - Simon Kernick, author of Good Cop Bad Cop'A page-turning and thought-provoking read' - Daily Mirror'A socially aware novel packed with thought-provoking questions' - SFX Magazine'Clever, compelling and terrifyingly plausible. A near future nightmare that grips from the first page and never let’s go . . . talk about a page-turner. This one will leave you with paper cuts! – C. J. Tudor, bestselling author of The Chalk Man'A smart, gripping and scarily believable story from the master of the speculative thriller'— T.M. Logan, author of The Catch'John’s creative, high-concept thrillers never fail to keep me furiously turning the pages and The Marriage Act is no exception . . . dark, immersive speculative fiction at its very best!' – Sarah Pearse, author of The Retreat'A scarily plausible alternative future with a truly twisted narrative. Tensely plotted and terrifyingly imagined! - Harriet Tyce, author of Blood Orange

'Impossible to put down' – Alex Michaelides, author of The FuryWhat if marriage was the law? Dare you disobey? The Marriage Act is a dark, high-concept thriller from bestselling author of The One, John Marrs.'A page-turning and thought-provoking read' – Daily MirrorBritain. The near future. A right-wing government believes it has the answer to society’s ills – the Sanctity of Marriage Act, which actively encourages marriage as the norm, punishing those who choose to remain single.But four couples are about to discover just how impossible relationships can be when the government is supervising every aspect of our personal lives, monitoring every word, every minor disagreement – and will use every tool in its arsenal to ensure everyone will love, honour and obey . . .Black Mirror meets thriller with a dash of Naomi Alderman’s The Power. 'Few writers do domestic suspense meets dystopia better than John Marrs' – Lucy Foley, author of The Midnight Feast'Clever, compelling and terrifyingly plausible' – C. J. Tudor, author of A Sliver of Darkness'Brilliantly tricksy' – Liz Nugent, author of Strange Sally Diamond

'John Marrs is not to be missed' – Freida McFadden, bestselling author of The Housemaid'Few writers do domestic suspense meets dystopia better than John Marrs' – Lucy Foley, bestselling author of The Paris Apartment'The books of John Marrs have become a quiet phenomenon . . . Thoughtful, well written . . . and alarming' – Daily MailSome families are virtually perfect . . .The world’s population is soaring, creating overcrowded cities and an economic crisis. A growing number of people can no longer afford to start families, let alone raise them.But for those desperate to experience parenthood, there is an alternative. For a monthly fee, clients can create a virtual child from scratch, accessing them via the Metaverse and a VR headset. To launch this new initiative, the company behind MetaChildren has created a reality TV show. It will follow its contestants as they raise a MetaChild from birth to the age of eighteen, in a condensed nine-month time period. The prize: the right to keep their virtual child – or risk it all for the chance of a real baby . . .The Goodreads Choice Award runner up, The Family Experiment is set in the same universe as John Marrs's bestselling novel The One and The Marriage Act. A dark and twisted thriller about the ultimate 'tamagotchi' – a virtual baby.'Speculative fiction at its best – original, dark and wickedly clever' – C. L. Taylor, author of Every Move You Make'His best yet. Frighteningly plausible, gripping, dark, and so clever' – Claire Douglas, author of The Woman Who Lied'Hurtles towards a chilling denouement – a truly thought-provoking, single-sitting thriller' – Ellery Lloyd, author of The Club'Chilling, inventive, horribly plausible and brilliantly addictive' – C. J. Tudor, author of The Gathering

How far would you run to escape your past? The Vacation is a compulsive, holiday-set thriller from John Marrs, the author of The Family Experiment and The One. Venice Beach, Los Angeles. A paradise on earth. Tourists flock to the golden coast and the promise of Hollywood. But for eight strangers at a beach front hostel, there is far more on their mind than an extended vacation.All of them are running from something.And they all have secrets they’d kill to keep . . .Pulsing with drama, The Vacation expertly weaves a wide cast of characters into a compulsive, emotional thriller. Perfect for fans of T. M. Logan.Praise for John Marrs:'For the addicts of adrenaline-fuelled twisty rides' – Peter James, author of Stop Them Dead'I found it impossible to put down' – Alex Michaelides, author of The Fury'Brilliantly addictive' – C.J. Tudor, author of The GatheringReaders love The Vacation:'A real page turner! I was hooked from the beginning''There are so many twists and turns''Great characters, wild twists, and he strikes the perfect emotional chords''I loved everything about this book'Originally published as Welcome to Wherever You Are, this is a re-edited release.

An ITW Thriller Award finalist.She’s a friendly voice on the phone. But can you trust her?The people who call End of the Line need hope. They need reassurance that life is worth living. But some are unlucky enough to get through to Laura. Laura doesn’t want them to hope. She wants them to die.Laura hasn’t had it easy: she’s survived sickness and a difficult marriage only to find herself heading for forty, unsettled and angry. She doesn’t love talking to people worse off than she is. She craves it.But now someone’s on to her—Ryan, whose world falls apart when his pregnant wife ends her life, hand in hand with a stranger. Who was this man, and why did they choose to die together?The sinister truth is within Ryan’s grasp, but he has no idea of the desperate lengths Laura will go to…Because the best thing about being a Good Samaritan is that you can get away with murder.Revised edition: This edition of The Good Samaritan includes editorial revisions.The Good Samaritan returns with a fresh cover. This version incorporates an exclusive epilogue; while this enhances the reading experience, the main narrative is unchanged from earlier editions.

‘For the addicts of adrenaline-fuelled twisty rides' — PETER JAMES_________________________The Black Mirror-esque thriller from the author of the million-copy international bestseller THE ONE._________________________Five strangers guard our secrets. Only four can be trusted...In the 21st century, information is king. But computers can be hacked and files can be broken into - so a unique government initiative has been born. Five ordinary people have been selected to become Minders - the latest weapon in thwarting cyberterrorism. Transformed by a revolutionary medical procedure, the country's most classified information has been taken offline and turned into genetic code implanted inside their heads.Together, the five know every secret - the truth behind every government lie, conspiracy theory and cover up. In return, they're given the chance to leave their problems behind and a blank slate to start their lives anew.But not everyone should be trusted, especially when they each have secrets of their own they'll do anything to protect...

'Provocative, terrifying and compulsive. Another savagely clever near future thriller' — Cara Hunter, bestselling author of Close to Home.-------------------------The Black Mirror-esque thriller from the author of the million-copy international bestseller THE ONE.-------------------------Eight self-drive cars set on a collision course. Who lives, who dies? You decide.When someone hacks into the systems of eight self-driving cars, their passengers are set on a fatal collision course.The passengers are: a TV star, a pregnant young woman, a disabled war hero, an abused wife fleeing her husband, an undocumented immigrant, a husband and wife - and parents of two - who are travelling in separate vehicles and a suicidal man. Now the public have to judge who should survive but are the passengers all that they first seem?____________________'A 1970s disaster movie by way of Black Mirror, with a dash of Michael Crichton ... a sleek, exhilarating ride' - Financial Times'With some real jaw dropping moments, it was an edge of your seat read that even surpassed The One' - Claire Allan, bestselling author Her Name Was Rose'Full of twists, vividly drawn characters you'll love or love to loathe, and pacy action...it's a hell of a ride' - SFX'Marrs is brilliant at twists and for the addicts of adrenaline-fuelled twisty rides, this book really delivers the goods' - Peter James, UK No. 1 bestselling author

Brought to you by Penguin.The Black Mirror-esque thriller from the author of the million-copy international bestseller THE ONE.Five strangers guard our secrets. Only four can be trusted...In the 21st century, information is king. But computers can be hacked and files can be broken into - so a unique government initiative has been born. Five ordinary people have been selected to become Minders - the latest weapon in thwarting cyberterrorism. Transformed by a revolutionary medical procedure, the country's most classified information has been taken offline and turned into genetic code implanted inside their heads.Together, the five know every secret - the truth behind every government lie, conspiracy theory and cover up. In return, they're given the chance to leave their problems behind and a blank slate to start their lives anew.But not everyone should be trusted, especially when they each have secrets of their own they'll do anything to protect...'For the addicts of adrenaline-fuelled twisty rides' - PETER JAMES(c) John Marrs 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025