UEFA Champions League
To share your reaction on this item, open the Amazon app from the App Store or Google Play on your phone.
Buy new:
£12.99
FREE delivery Thursday, 23 January
Dispatches from: Amazon
Sold by: The UK Book Warehouse
£12.99
FREE Returns
FREE delivery Thursday, 23 January. Details
Or fastest delivery Wednesday, 22 January. Order within 3 hrs. Details
Only 4 left in stock.
££12.99 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
££12.99
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Delivery cost, delivery date and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Dispatches from
Amazon
Amazon
Dispatches from
Amazon
Returns
Returnable within 30 days of receipt
Returnable within 30 days of receipt
Item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund within 30 days of receipt
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
£3.42
This book has been looked after very well and will have minimal signs of use, if any. This book has been looked after very well and will have minimal signs of use, if any. See less
FREE delivery 23 - 25 January. Details
Only 1 left in stock.
££12.99 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
££12.99
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Delivery cost, delivery date and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Dispatched from and sold by The Cotswold Library.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

And So It Begins: A brilliant psychological thriller that twists and turns Hardcover – 15 Nov. 2018

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 32,819 ratings

on any 4 Qualifying items | Terms
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"£12.99","priceAmount":12.99,"currencySymbol":"£","integerValue":"12","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"99","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"xx8GBbtUL1hm02618DVjoiEHO9lPyIxXE7haKSexdg1U84j24bx1bs4mq29jssE3lPteqUQ72216qfXwSogV4sL8EgYhQD8KHr0FJfVaAM4ONRYt8F3eqtPyKVsgKhyHFZrrpjAl4moPzAri0jhFWRCVRxMF2iR34qUga33ys6Co7teFG86DJQ%3D%3D","locale":"en-GB","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"£3.42","priceAmount":3.42,"currencySymbol":"£","integerValue":"3","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"42","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"xx8GBbtUL1hm02618DVjoiEHO9lPyIxX4mIhPWRdNyHrymRJ9qsrVJvG06EVVaR3insFP53bQKBAl3IM5aROirZJyo3XstwUX8i6gTkx4nUFwbzfxDGomPpeHKythB6BajaeRAaJPIcbmYQu5C9No36bijfp6nA6W%2B1e%2BYWsj9dy5JCAebCfVNVUbrgVGvBe","locale":"en-GB","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

And So It Begins is a darkly compulsive psychological thriller with all the hallmarks of a Rachel Abbott bestseller - a provocative dilemma, richly-layered mystery, knife-edge tension, and brilliant characterization. Perfect for fans of Clare Mackintosh and Lisa Jewell.

Frequently bought together

This item: And So It Begins: A brilliant psychological thriller that twists and turns
£12.99
Get it as soon as Thursday, Jan 23
Only 4 left in stock.
Sold by The UK Book Warehouse and sent from Amazon Fulfillment.
+
£10.11
Get it as soon as Thursday, Jan 23
In stock
Sent from and sold by Amazon.
Total price: $00
To see our price, add these items to your basket.
Details
Added to Basket
spCSRF_Treatment
One of these items is dispatched sooner than the other.
Choose items to buy together.
Popular highlights in this book

Product description

Review

I was hooked from the first page, it was absolutely brilliant ... The twists came so quickly I almost got whiplash -- Jenny Blackhurst ― The Foster Child

I loved it! It's
a breathless tour de force that left me hungry for more. I loved the strong female characters, atmospheric Cornish setting and the truly surprising ending. Psychological crime writing at its very best. -- Kate Rhodes ― Crossbones Yard

Really gripping and menacing -
compulsive reading -- Harriet Tyce ― Blood Orange

What a storyteller Rachel Abbott is... I was
hooked from the start -- Cara Hunter ― Close to Home

I raced through this
compelling, twisty novel. Loved it -- Laura Marshall ― Friend Request

Rachel Abbott is one of my favourite authors, and I'm reminded why every time I pick up one of her books...
And So It Begins is an unnerving, twisting tale that you won't be able to put down -- Caroline Mitchell ― Silent Victim

A truly
compelling, twisty, enthralling and satisfying read... Absolutely AMAZING! -- Angela Marsons ― Evil Games

With
And So It Begins, Rachael Abbott has delivered another intricately plotted thriller that never falters on tension or pace ... the suspense doesn't let up until the very last page -- Michelle Davies ― Gone Astray

The definition of addictive - Rachel Abbott's best book yet. Kept me up until the small hours - and you won't see the ending coming -- Phoebe Morgan ― The Doll House

The case is complex, the courtroom drama intense and the shifting perspectives successfully undermine expectation in this novel of obsession, revenge and retribution ―
Woman & Home

There's a clever twist, which Abbott carefully unveils... it's
easy to see why readers keep coming back for this author's thrillsObserver

A
Must ReadS Magazine

The
queen of psychological thrillers does not disappoint with this dark and tense taleFabulous

Abbott's first traditionally published novel is a
powerhouse combination of psychological thriller and intense courtroom drama - and the twists just don't stop coming. -- Lisa Howells ― Heat

Abbott debuts in print with an
explosive thriller. It's a minefield of surprises ... It twists and turns like a snake in an oil slick. ― Peterborough Telegraph

And So It Begins is a
dark, extremely readable, well-plotted psychological thriller culminating in a courtroom drama... It's obvious why Abbott has attracted her huge audience. ― The Times

If you're a fan of
Gone Girl and The Girl On The Train, Rachel Abbott's And So It Begins won't disappoint ... Abbott leaves you guessing until the final few pages. ― Herald

It's easy to see from this
gripping story's frequent twists and bluffs, in a narrative that's rooted in psychology, how word-of-mouth recommendation from one reader to another allowed Abbott to stand out in a crowded market.Morning Star

About the Author

Rachel Abbott began her career as an independent author in 2011, with Only the Innocent, which became a No.1 bestseller on Kindle, topping the chart for four weeks. Since then, she has published five further psychological thrillers, plus a novella, and sold over 2.75 million copies. She is one of the top-selling authors of all time in the UK Kindle store (published and self-published), and her novels have been translated into 21 languages.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Headline Publishing Group (15 Nov. 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 416 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1472254899
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1472254894
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 16.5 x 3.7 x 23.9 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 32,819 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Rachel Abbott
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Rachel Abbott's debut thriller, Only the Innocent, was an international bestseller, reaching the number one position in the Amazon charts both in the UK and US. This was followed by the number one bestselling novels The Back Road, Sleep Tight, Stranger Child, Nowhere Child (a short novel based on the characters from Stranger Child), Kill Me Again, The Sixth Window, Come a Little Closer, The Shape of Lies, Right Behind You and Close Your Eyes. The new thriller in the Tom Douglas series - No More Lies - was released in February 2023.

In 2018 Rachel released the first book in a new series - And So It Begins. This was followed by The Murder Game in 2020 (The Invitation in the US).

Rachel's novels have now been translated into over 20 languages and have sold over 5 million copies.

In 2015 Amazon celebrated the first five years of the Kindle in the UK, and announced that Rachel was the number one bestselling independent author over the five-year period. She was also placed fourteenth in the chart of all authors. Stranger Child was the most borrowed novel for the Kindle in the first half of 2015.

Rachel now lives in Alderney - a beautiful island off the coast of France - where she devotes her time to her love of writing fiction. For more information, see Rachel's website at www.rachel-abbott.com, or follow her on Facebook or Twitter.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
32,819 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers

Customers say

Customers find the book thrilling and enjoyable. They appreciate the twists and turns in the plot that keep them guessing until the end. The writing quality is praised as well-written and easy to read. Readers praise the compelling characters and new lead characters. Many describe the book as a page-turner from beginning to end. However, opinions differ on the pacing - some find it fast-paced and others feel the initial pace feels slow.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

547 customers mention ‘Readability’492 positive55 negative

Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They enjoy the story from start to finish and find it gripping from the first chapter. The tension builds with each page turn, drawing readers in.

"...slow burning read, and you can feel the tension and the intrigue build with each page turn, drawing you in and making you question what is visible..." Read more

"...The premise of this story was a good one, as was the surprise twist, but the characters were mediocre...." Read more

"...All I will say that this is a compelling story, that twists and turns and just when you think you may have it worked out, Rachel counterpunches to..." Read more

"...my blog will know, I love a courtroom drama so this one was an ideal read for me which had me guessing from the first page to the last...." Read more

467 customers mention ‘Twists and turns’393 positive74 negative

Customers enjoy the book's twists and turns. They find the story slick and skillfully written, keeping them guessing until the end. The plot is described as a psychological drama about the death of a character. Readers mention it's a worthwhile family drama with well-developed and believable characters.

"...This, to me, is very clever and keeps each chapter fresh and you get to the end of the chapter and think ooh one more!..." Read more

"...It has a strong theme of family, forcing the reader to think about just how far they would go for their loved ones, and if the ends, in this case in..." Read more

"...born baby and her over protective sister-in-law, made it a worthwhile family drama...." Read more

"...The premise of this story was a good one, as was the surprise twist, but the characters were mediocre...." Read more

112 customers mention ‘Writing quality’108 positive4 negative

Customers enjoy the book's writing style. They find it well-written, engaging, and easy to read. The characters are well-developed and the storyline keeps readers hooked until the end.

"...Wow is all I have to say! It was wonderfully written through the eyes of one character during some parts and the remainder was through a third..." Read more

"...It’s well written, intriguing, gripping and clever. The characters are compelling and I absolutely couldn’t put this book down...." Read more

"...I thought "of course" and they linked together very well and were cleverly written...." Read more

"...Tom and Becky from this series so well because of Rachel’s fantastic descriptive writing...." Read more

104 customers mention ‘Believable characters’73 positive31 negative

Customers enjoy the book's characters. They find them compelling, with strong lead characters like Stephanie and Gus. The book includes new characters like the evil sister Cleo and the police character. Readers appreciate the exciting plot and setting. However, some feel the characters are unrealistic.

"...It’s well written, intriguing, gripping and clever. The characters are compelling and I absolutely couldn’t put this book down...." Read more

"...This book was all about the protagonists, with the Police in the form of Stephanie King and Gus Brodie, almost incidental at the beginning!..." Read more

"...The characters themselves made little impact upon me, and I couldn't get interested in them at all. Not even Evie's horrendous tale struck a chord...." Read more

"The characters are well developed and believable and the twists and turns of the story endlessly surprise the reader right to the end" Read more

37 customers mention ‘Page turner’37 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it engaging from beginning to end with many twists and turns. The book is well-written and lives up to its tagline, unlike some thrillers.

"A great page turner. Not what I was expecting but loved it. Lots of twists" Read more

"...I was delighted to find this book was a real page turner and very well written...." Read more

"I have read most of Rachels books but this was by far the best definiteIy a page turner...." Read more

"...there was enough subterfuge to keep up the suspense make it a true page turner." Read more

58 customers mention ‘Pace’36 positive22 negative

Customers have different views on the book's pace. Some find it fast-paced and engaging, keeping the pages turning quickly. Others feel the beginning drags on for too long.

"...the story in Cornwall is wonderfully evocative and the story moves along at a wonderful pace...." Read more

"...Again, this is not a fast read, but Rachel Abbott still keeps you on the hook as a reader as more and more secrets are revealed and you are forced..." Read more

"i just loved this book, it had me hooked from the get-go #NoSpoilers but the story is slick, like a shark silently stalking you - it's gonna bite..." Read more

"...I found myself reading faster and faster the more I got into the story and this was one where I raced to the end and then was disappointed - not..." Read more

30 customers mention ‘Difficulty to put down’18 positive12 negative

Customers find the book engaging and hard to put down. They say it's brilliant and full of twists. However, some find it emotionally exhausting and repetitive.

"Wow! Revenge can be powerful stuff. I found it hard to put the book down. She thought of everything. Her whole life was about revenge." Read more

"...Very difficult to put down and quite emotionally exhausting. An excellent read." Read more

"...The characters are so well constructed that it's easy to get to know them but, just like real life, do you really know them for certain?..." Read more

"Almost unputdownable. It kept me guessing right to the end." Read more

16 customers mention ‘Grip’7 positive9 negative

Customers have different views on the book's grip. Some find it engaging and a rollercoaster ride from start to finish. Others feel it loses its hold as it progresses and is hard to stay with.

"This book did not hold me and I did not continue to read it." Read more

"...but, as the plot began to build and the twists tightened, it swept me up and carried me through to the end in a rush...." Read more

"Hard-going to stay with as scarcely a likeable character in sight...." Read more

"...brilliant was read in 2 days , just couldn't stop reading it pulls you in . Fantastic read" Read more

A Story of Two Women
4 out of 5 stars
A Story of Two Women
I enjoyed this Rachel Abbott story but not quite as much as I have enjoyed her others. This is the first Stephanie King novel and I was left wondering why the author did not bring back this character's love interest in the final scenes as she did the defence lawyer. The complex plotting of all the other Rachel Abbott psychological thrillers is in the his story which polarises around two women and involves their separate past. I recommend it but I don't think it quite reaches the standard of Abbott's other work.
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry, we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 August 2020
    As a rule if I like an author’s work, I tend to not read reviews. I had seen on social media Rachel Abbott had begun a new series involving a different detective character (Stephanie King). Loving her work I sourced “and so it begins” without reading reviews.

    Wow is all I have to say! It was wonderfully written through the eyes of one character during some parts and the remainder was through a third person narrative. This, to me, is very clever and keeps each chapter fresh and you get to the end of the chapter and think ooh one more!

    The premise is a crime scene and the following goes through the investigation and trial, which some might seem a tad “boring” but not at all! You’re kept guessing throughout on what the outcome will be and at times feel sorry for the victim on trial.

    I don’t do spoilers but the ending is simply fabulous.

    Here’s the thing, after I read it, I read the reviews and how anyone can make a comment with a 1* after reading only 20 pages is beyond me! Do they not understand the meeting of characters and the background which lead up to a main story?

    I also think “And so it Begins” would make a fabulous film:)
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 November 2018
    There is so much I want to say about this book but it is so difficult to do so as there are many elements which could easily slip into spoiler territory. This is the story of Evie, a young woman who meets photographer, Mark, and his sister, Cleo, when she commissions him to take some pictures of her for her father. Work turns to love and soon Evie and Mark are a happy family unit, complete with a beautiful young daughter. But not everything is as it seems and even a beautiful cliff top home, even one which to those outside looking in appears much like a fortress, cannot keep the secrets locked up for long.

    The opening of this book is brilliant. Two police officers called to Mark and Evie's home after a distress call from the address. What they find is horrific turning the stomach of even the most experienced of investigators, but this will not be a simple case to solve even if they appear to have a confession. From here on in the first half of the book primarily focuses upon events which led to that fatal night, to how Evie met Mark and how the police came to be drawn into such a twisted story. This is a deliberately slow burning read, and you can feel the tension and the intrigue build with each page turn, drawing you in and making you question what is visible on the surface and what lies beneath, unseen and unspoken. It left me with many ideas as to what may be happening but also as many questions left to answer.

    A good proportion of the second half of the book deals with the court case in which many of those outstanding questions are answered. Again, this is not a fast read, but Rachel Abbott still keeps you on the hook as a reader as more and more secrets are revealed and you are forced to question even the most simple elements of the crime that you thought you knew. There appear to be no easy answers to the questions posed by both the Prosecution and Defence. And one thing which is abundantly clear throughout the whole story, is that you cannot rely on any of the protagonists to give you a clear picture. This is a book full of unreliable narrators, with scenarios which will make you doubt their integrity nearly every step of the way.

    I can't say that I particularly liked any of the characters in the story and yet I was still compelled to read onward. There are really only two who, by the end of the story, I felt any kind of sympathy for, both of them ultimately victims in a dangerous and deadly game. This is such a twisted and thought provoking read, and the author managed to manipulate my emotions so brilliantly that I went from sympathy to anger in no time flat. She definitely threw in a good few red herrings, although along the way and whilst the ending was not particularly a surprise over all, she still managed to catch me unawares with an unexpected revelation.

    Overall this was a truly engrossing read that I finished in a day. It has a strong theme of family, forcing the reader to think about just how far they would go for their loved ones, and if the ends, in this case in particular, can ever justify the means. I loved the way in which the tension and uncertainty was created very early on and how the story drew me in, leaving me with the need to know the absolute truth. Definitely recommended.
    28 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 October 2020
    I like the way the author arranged the plot. The past to the present, up to the legal proceedings and the revelation at the last 20% of the book, make it edge-grabbing.

    When I read the earlier parts, for a while, I thought I was reading a romance. I was lost in the main character’s narratives about her life with her grief-stricken husband who lost his first wife three years ago. The usual family stuff, with their new born baby and her over protective sister-in-law, made it a worthwhile family drama.

    Then, there was a twist almost at one-third of the book where the main character admitted that she killed her husband, yes, the grief-stricken one. That was where the whole court drama proceeded from there. The most exciting part for me was the way the story was told brilliantly. Throughout the proceedings, the author kept me at the edge of my seat to doubt the admission, by putting in conflicting testimonies at the trial.

    The twist at the end was the icing on the cake. Well, nuf-said, just blow off the candle and read. It’s that good...
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 October 2020
    I read to the end, but that was only because the story was just about compelling enough. The premise of this story was a good one, as was the surprise twist, but the characters were mediocre.
    I don't know if I can explain clearly what I mean, but I'll give it a go! I'm glad I read this book, but I can't help feeling disappointed. After reading the precis/bumph about this book, I wasn't as gripped as I thought I'd be by this story, and neither did I feel compelled to read 'just one more chapter'. Saying that though, neither did I feel that I could not read another word. The characters themselves made little impact upon me, and I couldn't get interested in them at all. Not even Evie's horrendous tale struck a chord. The series is sold as being Stephanie King's, yet she barely made an appearance, and I can't help thinking what has led the author to make her the centre of attention.
    As I've said before, I don't really know what to make of this book, although it's title and it's ending seem to suggest that was just the apperatif - I can only hope the second course is better!! So I'm going to give 'The Murder Game' a try, hoping that the bumph on the back cover is more honest, and that it will be as good as I anticipate!!

Top reviews from other countries

  • Dominika
    4.0 out of 5 stars Suspenseful, unsettling, and utterly absorbing.
    Reviewed in Belgium on 4 December 2024
    And So It Begins is a gripping psychological thriller that explores the dark complexities of relationships, manipulation, and the secrets we hide. Rachel Abbott masterfully weaves a tale of suspense that keeps readers guessing until the very end.
  • jackey
    4.0 out of 5 stars A nice thriller
    Reviewed in Italy on 2 August 2023
    The plot is well built. The suspense is there. The reader is cheated on, though, because we'll learn about Evie's brother only at the end. So, it's obvious Evie has orchestrated a complex plan, but it' s impossibile for us to guess why.
  • Dianame
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thrilled by this book
    Reviewed in Spain on 13 August 2021
    It had me wondering up until the last page!
    Very well thought out plot and exceptional story.
    I am looking forward to Rachel Abbot 's next book.
  • ChrisK
    5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely captivating!!!
    Reviewed in Canada on 31 July 2020
    This book kept me awake all night long as I had a hard time putting it down...love the way the author builds her characters and the story keeps you guessing throughout...right until the very end. A definite must read!!! You will NOT be disappointed!!!
  • Book Junkie
    5.0 out of 5 stars An Absolute Must-Read for Thriller Lovers!
    Reviewed in the United States on 13 October 2018
    NO SPOILERS IN MY REVIEWS, EVER!

    This book completely blew me away! The plot is so thick and twisty, it could stand up a spoon for eternity. I read this in one sitting, I couldn't put it down. Rachel Abbott has truly put together one engrossing, dark, unique, and excellent novel that will leave people with their heads spinning. Kudos to her for such a distinctly admirable job in writing this spell-binding thriller!

    She paced her plot keenly, utilizing flashbacks just enough to give readers a tidbit of information that would make one think, then continue on. This feeding of information would give a reader enough information to puzzle even more, and I was kept on my toes the whole way through. Her characters are well-penned, fleshed out as time passes extremely well. There are many passages that I found to be profoundly important and she deftly addresses issues without the need for a soapbox.

    The sub-plots are critical to the overall theme and direction of the story, adding more layers to achieve an exquisitely-crafted mystery/suspense/thriller. The main characters, Evie, Mark, and Clio are outstanding as a trifecta of possibilities. Ms. Abbott uses them to great effect, and one never really knows what is or has been done, thought or planned by them. The setting echoes the overall theme of the book, and adds to the compelling unease.

    All that written, I am very impressed and pleased by this novel. The ending is especially creative and took me quite by surprise. This book shows true talent and I am 100% confident in giving it five stars and fully recommend it. This is a very disconcerting, puzzling, and immersively-written gem of a mystery/suspense/thriller that was worth every penny. So do yourself a favor, and jump on it to see why I am so impressed! I think that you will be writing a glowing review, as well.

    As Always, I Wish Happy Reads to All from the Unapologetic Book Junkie 😉!