Panic skitters around every cell in my body. I can’t breathe.
I need to hide the evidence. From everyone.
What have I done?
When Mia Finch begins documenting her daughter’s battle with a rare blood disorder, she never expected to become a popular social media influencer. And she never expected that fame to turn into a nightmare …
One year later, a true crime documentary airs looking into the case of the Finch family tragedy. As the documentary uncovers more about what really happened to the Finches, public interest in the case reaches fever pitch. In a world where everyone is watching, how can you keep your darkest secrets hidden?
I Did a Bad Thing is a one-more-chapter psychological thriller exploring how even the most well-intentioned lies can spiral into catastrophe – and murder …”
Hello and welcome to damppebbles. Today I am delighted to share my review of I Did A Bad Thing by Louise Jensen. I Did A Bad Thing was published by HQ on 23rd April 2026 and is available in paperback, audio and digital formats. I chose to read a free eARC of I Did A Bad Thing but that has in no way influenced my review.
I’m a huge fan of Louise Jensen’s psychological thrillers and have been for around ten years now. There’s something about Jensen’s books that really gets under your skin. Terrible things happen to perfectly normal people. Situations escalate, and you find yourself reading through half-closed eyelids as a character you’ve grown to root for makes a decision that will change everything. They’re supremely gripping, completely engrossing and utterly thrilling. Which is why Louise Jensen is one of my favourite authors. I’ve been eagerly anticipating the release of I Did A Bad Thing and it was everything I hoped it would be. If you’re looking for a highly readable, intriguing, family-based story where the dread tantalisingly builds, then this is the book for you.
Mia and Sean Finch have received the news every parent dreads. Their fifteen-year-old daughter, Lottie, is seriously ill. She has a rare condition that, without the right treatment and a suitable bone marrow match, could end Lottie’s life. It’s a frightening prospect, and there is a long road ahead for the family. Mia will do anything to save her daughter. She becomes passionate about raising awareness by documenting Lottie’s journey through the surgery and her post-op recovery, uploading the videos to her fledgling YouTube channel. Before long, Mia’s channel is gaining followers faster than she ever imagined. But fame comes at a devastating cost…
I Did A Bad Thing is a cracking psychological thriller from an author who never disappoints. A parent’s worst nightmare, coupled with the scarily real perils of social media, and you’re looking at a timely, suspense-packed tale. It’s not so much the kids who are unaware of the perils of being online this time around though. It’s a devastated mother trying to do the best for her acutely unwell daughter. Mia becomes blinkered. Seeing only the good she’s doing, not the hurt or anguish she’s causing. But when you have secrets of your own, it’s rarely a good idea to put yourself in the spotlight. After all, these things never stay buried. Soon, the truth comes kicking and screaming to the surface. No good deed goes unpunished, and all that. Mia isn’t the most likeable of characters. I could understand some of her decisions, but most of the time I found myself wincing as she made yet another poor choice. It was wonderfully uncomfortable to watch from afar. My heart ached for poor Lottie. For what she was going through with her horrible illness and how completely unaware her mother was at times. Sometimes, with the best intentions, you do the worst possible thing.
Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. You cannot go wrong with a Louise Jensen thriller. There’s something so beautifully normal and relatable about Jensen’s characters. As I said before, they’re everyday people put into the most unsettling, unnerving and unpredictable situations. The story flows seamlessly from start to finish, bringing the reader into the fold and not letting them go until that final page. I wasn’t completely surprised by some of the twists, but by not knowing who the victim was until much further on in the book, the author had me hooked. I don’t mind predicting the odd twist or turn here and there. It happens when you read a lot of psychological thrillers. And being able to guess whodunit in this instance certainly didn’t take me away from the story. Told from multiple points of view and interspersed with scenes from a true-crime show in which the highly unlikeable presenter grills those involved in the Finch family case, I Did a Bad Thing is an eye-opening, modern-day thriller. A warning to all who post every aspect of their lives all over the web. Intriguing, full of suspense and highly emotional. Another cracking family-led thriller from one of my favourite authors. Recommended.
I chose to read and review a free eARC of I Did A Bad Thing. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.
Louise Jensen has sold over a million English language copies of her International No. 1 psychological thrillers ‘The Sister’, ‘The Gift’, ‘The Surrogate’, ‘The Date’, ‘The Family’, ‘The Stolen Sisters’, ‘All For You’ and ‘The Fall’. Her novels have also been translated into twenty-five languages, as well as featuring on the USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestseller’s List. Her next thriller publishes in Spring 2024.
Louise has been nominated for multiple awards including Goodreads Debut Author Of The Year, The Guardians ‘Not The Booker Prize’, best polish thriller of 2018 and she has also been listed for two CWA Dagger awards. All of Louise’s thrillers are currently under option for TV & film. She has also written short stories for various publications including ‘My Weekly’, ‘Hello’, ‘Best’ and ‘The Sun’, as well as having stories featured in multiple anthologies.
Louise also has a penchant for exploring the intricacies of relationships through writing heart-breaking and uplifting stories under the pen name Amelia Henley. ‘The Life We Almost Had’ and ‘The Art of Loving You’ were international best sellers. ‘From Now On’ is her latest Amelia Henley release.
Louise lives in Northamptonshire. She loves to hear from readers and writers.
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