Alice’s son is dead. Indigo’s son is accused of murder. Indigo is determined to prove her beloved Kane is innocent. Searching for evidence, she is helped by a kind stranger who takes an interest in her situation. Little does she know that her new friend has her own agenda. Alice can’t tell Indigo who she really is. She wants to understand why her son was killed, and she needs to make sure that Indigo’s efforts to free Kane don’t put her remaining family at risk. But how long will it take for Indigo to discover her identity? And what other secrets will come out as she digs deeper? No one knows a son like his mother. But neither Alice nor Indigo know the whole truth about their boys, and what happened between them on that fateful night. I found Emily's characters to be well rounded and detailed that I felt as if i was following the characters around and that's a good sign I've been hooked by a book, when I feel like I'm another character in the story observing everything unfold. You are quickly introduced to the man responsible for Lou's death, Kane and his mother Indigo. I loved the dynamic between the two mothers, each with their own complex histories, troubled relationships and their passion to find out the truth no matter whatever the circumstances. It's a brilliant story, with the various 'reveals' nicely delivered and the ending really good, I even enjoyed the obvious reveal. Definitely recommend this book, Emily's a great storyteller and it’s great read. Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for an advance copy in return for a fair and honest review

Easy 5 stars from me! This is so good, it starts very dramatically and unfolds very naturally and organically, making the reader go through a whole range of emotions until reaching a really excellent conclusion. This is the story of two mothers and three sons. Alice Hyde is the mother of Benoit, known as Benny and Lou(is) Durand and Indigo Owen, is the mother of Kane. On 17th August their lives collide and shatter when Lou dies and Kane is arrested two days later. What follows is a very moving and powerful story of mothers love as the two women in their different but eventually joint ways try to elicit the truth of what happened to Lou. The story is principally told from the point of view of both women but the story of the night in question is told from the perspectives of the young men who were there. The portrayal of the characters is beautifully observed and described. The teenage boys with their angst, bravado, insecurities and aggression are easy to picture and Indigo is easy to like as she is open and has a loving relationship with Kane. Alice seems so self contained and unemotional that she could easily be mistaken for a robot but you end up really admiring her and most definitely warming to her. I love the dynamic between the two mothers as they did their best for their sons and certainly going the extra mile for them when the police fail to do so. There are some very tense scenes that are so powerful you almost hold your breath. There’s grief, guilt, regret, compassion but ultimately healing as justice is achieved. Some revelations are jaw droppers and I like the danger that emanates from time to time. Overall, this is a slow burner, psychological drama of high quality, there is tension but also powerful emotion. Several scenes really tug at your heart, especially as a parent you are able to empathise with how the characters feel and I confess to the odd tear in my eye. I think Emily Koch is a terrific writer and delivers an excellent well written, thoughtful and thought provoking read. Highly recommended.

I received an advance review, digital edition of this book in exchange for an honest review. I've not read any work by Emily Koch before and I really enjoyed this novel. Set in Bristol it focuses on the family dynamic of a single mother Alice and her two pre-adult / teenage boys Benny and Lou. On Alice's birthday Lou has an accident while out with his brother and tragically dies. The story unfurls from there and is a great character study about families cope in the aftermath of unexpected tragedy. I found Emily's characters to be well rounded, deep and so detailed (but without describing them banaly) that I felt as if i was following the characters around and that's a good sign I've been hooked by a book, when I feel like I'm another character in the story observing everything unfold. You are quickly introduced to the man responsible for Lou's death - Kane (nice biblical touch) and his mother Indigo. I loved the dynamic between the two mothers, each with their own complex histories, troubled relationships and their passion to find out the truth no matter whatever the circumstances. It's a corker of a story, I took my time with it, as didn't want it to end and the various 'reveals' were nicely delivered and the ending really good, I even enjoyed the obvious reveal. Definitely recommend this book, Emily's a great storyteller and I'll be telling my two bookclubs all about this book - great read.

This one took me a bit by surprise as I thought from the blurb that I’d like it but didn’t expect to love, love, love it. Alice and Indigo are the central characters and when one of Alice’s sons is killed, both women question how well they actually know their own sons. I thought the characters were really well drawn and the way the relationship between the mothers evolved was a joy to read. I really connected with this one even though I don’t have children. It was emotional in places but overall it’s a blooming great read and I highly recommend it.

I had already read "If I die Before I Wake "and thoroughly enjoyed it so I was looking forward to reading Keep Him Close and I wasn't disappointed .What a brilliant read,it starts very dramatically and is told through the points of view of two Mothers ,Alice who has two sons Benny and Lou and Indigo who has Kane .Their worlds collide one dreadful night, one a grieving Mother and the other the Mother of her son's Murderer.Both are determined to find out the real truth of what really happened that night.This is a very moving story with some twists and turns until we eventually find out the truth about that night.A wonderful story of Mothers and their strong love for their sons .Many thanks to the Publisher the Author and NetGalley for my review copy in return for an honest review .