Two Sides, One Lie

Anna Andrews, a BBC news presenter, and Jack Harper, a detective, are both drawn into a murder investigation in the small English village of Blackdown. Each tells their story in alternating chapters, revealing their own secrets, biases, and unreliable memories. Anna is reeling from losing her coveted anchor job, while Jack is stuck in a stagnant life, haunted by past mistakes. Both are forced to return to Blackdown, a place filled with old wounds and unresolved trauma. The narrative quickly establishes that everyone has something to hide, and that the truth is always more complicated than it seems. The story's structure—his and hers—immediately sets up a tension of perspective, making the reader question who, if anyone, is telling the truth.

The Body in Blackdown

The peace of Blackdown is shattered when a woman's body is discovered in the woods. Jack, now a local detective, is called to the scene and is shocked to recognize the victim: Rachel Hopkins, a woman he knew intimately. The murder is brutal, with a message—"TWO FACED"—painted on the victim's fingernails, suggesting a personal motive. Anna, sent to cover the story as a correspondent, is horrified to realize the victim is someone from her own past. The investigation quickly becomes personal for both Anna and Jack, as their histories with Rachel and with each other resurface. The murder is not just a crime, but a catalyst that forces everyone involved to confront the secrets they've tried to bury.

Past Shadows, Present Fears

Anna's return to Blackdown is fraught with anxiety. She is forced to confront her estranged mother, whose dementia and hoarding have worsened, and the memories of a childhood marked by poverty and violence. Jack, meanwhile, is haunted by the loss of his daughter and the collapse of his marriage to Anna. Both are drawn back into the orbit of their old friends and enemies from school, all of whom seem to be connected to the murder. The past is not dead; it is very much alive, shaping the present and fueling the paranoia and mistrust that pervade the investigation. The sense of dread intensifies as Anna and Jack realize that the killer may be someone they know.

The Newsroom Unravels

Anna's professional life is in turmoil. She has lost her anchor job to Cat Jones, a seemingly perfect woman with a hidden connection to Blackdown. The newsroom is a microcosm of ambition, jealousy, and betrayal, mirroring the dynamics of Anna's old school clique. As Anna tries to reclaim her career by breaking the murder story, she finds herself manipulated and undermined by colleagues and former friends. The boundaries between personal and professional become dangerously blurred, and Anna's desperation to prove herself makes her both a target and a suspect. The media's hunger for scandal only adds to the chaos, as secrets begin to leak and reputations are destroyed.

Secrets in the Woods

The investigation into Rachel's murder uncovers a web of secrets stretching back decades. The woods, once a place of childhood games and teenage rebellion, are now a crime scene and a symbol of everything the characters have tried to forget. Anna and Jack both recall a pivotal night in their youth—a birthday party that ended in betrayal, humiliation, and violence. The woods are haunted by the ghosts of the past, and the clues found there—friendship bracelets, missing shoes, cryptic messages—suggest that the killer is reenacting old grievances. The sense of menace grows as it becomes clear that the first murder is only the beginning.

Old Friends, New Enemies

The investigation reveals that Rachel, Anna, Jack's sister Zoe, Helen Wang, and the outcast Catherine Kelly were all part of a fraught circle at St. Hilary's school. Their relationships were marked by bullying, exclusion, and shifting alliances. As adults, they have all returned to Blackdown, carrying the scars of their shared past. The murder forces them to confront the consequences of their actions as teenagers, and the possibility that one of them is seeking revenge. Old wounds are reopened, and the line between friend and enemy blurs. The killer's motive appears to be rooted in the events of that long-ago night, and everyone is a suspect.

The Bracelet Clue

A red-and-white friendship bracelet is found tied around Rachel's tongue, a chilling signature that recurs with each new victim. Anna realizes that the bracelet matches ones she made for her friends at her sixteenth birthday party—the night everything changed. The bracelets become a symbol of both innocence and betrayal, a reminder of promises broken and secrets kept. As more bodies are discovered, each with a bracelet and a message, Anna and Jack race to decipher the killer's code. The bracelets tie the murders to the past, and to the group of women who once wore them. The question is: who is using them now, and why?

The Ex-Husband's Guilt

Jack is increasingly implicated in the murders. He had an affair with Rachel, his car and boots are linked to the crime scenes, and evidence is planted to frame him. His relationship with Anna is strained by mutual suspicion and unresolved grief over their daughter's death. Jack's sister Zoe, another member of the old clique, is also drawn into the investigation, her own secrets making her both a suspect and a potential victim. Jack's desperation to clear his name and protect Anna leads him to make reckless choices, and he becomes both hunter and hunted. The investigation becomes a test of loyalty, love, and the limits of forgiveness.

The Mother's Confession

Anna's visits to her mother's house are fraught with tension and guilt. Her mother's dementia blurs the line between memory and fantasy, but she eventually confesses to killing Anna's abusive father and burying him in the garden. This revelation forces Anna to confront the legacy of violence and secrecy that has shaped her life. The confession also mirrors the central mystery of the novel: the ways in which women are forced to protect themselves and each other, sometimes at terrible cost. Anna's mother's actions are both a crime and an act of love, complicating the moral landscape of the story.

The Schoolyard Pact

Flashbacks reveal the truth about Anna's sixteenth birthday party, where the group's cruelty towards Catherine Kelly reached its peak. The girls, led by Rachel, humiliated and ostracized Catherine, with Anna complicit in her silence. The party ended in violence and sexual assault, leaving Catherine broken and the others bound by guilt and denial. The friendship bracelets, once symbols of belonging, became tokens of exclusion and shame. The events of that night set the stage for the murders, as the killer seeks to punish those responsible for Catherine's suffering. The past is not just prologue—it is motive.

The Second Victim

Helen Wang, now the headmistress of St. Hilary's, is found dead in her office, her throat slit and a bracelet tied around her tongue. The word "LIAR" is stapled to her chest, and drugs are planted to suggest a double life. The killer's pattern is clear: each victim is marked with a message that reflects their perceived sins. The police and media descend on Blackdown, and the sense of panic escalates. Anna, now both a reporter and a suspect, is drawn deeper into the mystery, while Jack's position becomes increasingly precarious. The killer is closing in on the remaining members of the group.

The Circle Narrows

With two victims dead and the killer's pattern established, suspicion falls on everyone in the original group. Anna's car is vandalized, her belongings stolen, and evidence planted to implicate her. Jack is suspended from the investigation, and his sister Zoe becomes the next target. The killer's knowledge of the group's secrets suggests an insider, someone who has been watching and waiting for years. The tension between Anna and Jack reaches a breaking point, as they struggle to trust each other and themselves. The circle of suspects narrows, and the sense of impending doom intensifies.

The Cameraman's Secret

Anna's cameraman, Richard, is revealed to have a hidden past and a connection to the group. He is married to Cat Jones, who is in fact Catherine Kelly, the outcast from school. Cat has reinvented herself, erasing her old identity and seeking revenge on those who wronged her. Richard's involvement is ambiguous—he is both a victim and an accomplice, caught in the web of lies and violence. The revelation that Cat is the killer's true identity is a devastating twist, forcing Anna to confront the consequences of her actions and the limits of redemption.

The Night of Betrayal

The full horror of the birthday party is revealed: Rachel orchestrated the humiliation and assault of Catherine, with the others complicit in their silence or participation. Cat's transformation from victim to avenger is complete, as she enacts her plan to punish those who destroyed her life. The narrative shifts between past and present, showing how trauma can warp memory, identity, and morality. The party was not just a turning point for Catherine, but for all the girls involved, binding them together in a pact of silence and shame. The killer's motive is not just revenge, but a desperate attempt to reclaim agency and justice.

The Killer Revealed

Cat Jones, once Catherine Kelly, is unmasked as the killer. Her murders are meticulously planned, each one a symbolic act of retribution for the wrongs done to her. She manipulates evidence, frames Jack, and lures Anna into a final confrontation. The police, led by Priya Patel, are slow to see the truth, distracted by red herrings and personal biases. The climax unfolds in the woods, where Cat confronts Anna and her mother, seeking to complete her revenge. The confrontation is brutal and cathartic, forcing all involved to reckon with the past and the cost of survival.

The Final Confrontation

The final showdown takes place in the woods, echoing the site of the original trauma. Cat attacks Anna and her mother, but is ultimately killed in self-defense, with the help of Jack and Priya. The truth about the murders, the party, and the group's complicity is finally exposed. Anna's mother confesses to her own crime, and the cycle of violence and secrecy is brought to an end. The survivors are left to pick up the pieces, haunted by what they have done and what they have lost. Justice is imperfect, and forgiveness is elusive, but the possibility of healing remains.

Aftermath and New Beginnings

Six months later, Anna and Jack have rebuilt their lives in London, raising Jack's niece Olivia and caring for Anna's ailing mother. The past cannot be erased, but it can be survived. Anna returns to her job as a news presenter, and Jack finds a new role in the police. The house in Blackdown is renovated and rented out, the garden—once a grave—now covered by a new patio. Anna's mother, in a care home, hints at her own role in the murders, suggesting that the cycle of violence may never truly end. The story closes on a note of ambiguity, as the characters strive to create a new family and a new future, even as the shadows of the past linger.

Characters

Anna Andrews

Anna is a complex, deeply flawed protagonist whose life is shaped by trauma, ambition, and guilt. As a child, she endured poverty, an abusive father, and the emotional distance of her mother. Her teenage years were marked by a desperate desire to belong, leading her to participate in the bullying of Catherine Kelly. As an adult, Anna is driven by her career, but haunted by the loss of her daughter and the collapse of her marriage to Jack. Her alcoholism, self-doubt, and tendency to hide from the truth make her both sympathetic and suspect. Anna's journey is one of reckoning—with her past, her complicity, and her capacity for forgiveness. Her relationship with Jack is fraught but ultimately redemptive, as they find a way to heal together.

Jack Harper

Jack is a man defined by loss and regret. Once a promising detective in London, he retreated to Blackdown after the death of his daughter and the end of his marriage to Anna. Jack's affair with Rachel, his strained relationship with his sister Zoe, and his inability to move on from the past make him both a suspect and a victim. He is dogged, principled, but also prone to self-destruction and denial. Jack's guilt over his failures—as a husband, father, and brother—drives his determination to solve the murders and protect Anna. His arc is one of atonement, as he learns to accept his limitations and embrace the possibility of a new beginning.

Catherine Kelly / Cat Jones

Catherine Kelly, once the bullied outcast of St. Hilary's, reinvents herself as Cat Jones, a successful news presenter. Her transformation is both a survival strategy and a weapon, allowing her to infiltrate the lives of those who wronged her. Cat's murders are acts of revenge, meticulously planned and symbolically charged. She is both sympathetic and monstrous, a product of the cruelty inflicted upon her and her own choices. Cat's psychological complexity lies in her ability to mask her pain, manipulate others, and justify her actions as justice. Her ultimate downfall is a tragic reminder of the cost of vengeance and the impossibility of erasing the past.

Rachel Hopkins

Rachel is the quintessential "queen bee" of the school clique—beautiful, charming, and ruthless. Her outward compassion (running a charity) masks a history of manipulation, theft, and cruelty. Rachel orchestrated the bullying and assault of Catherine, setting in motion the events that lead to her own murder. As an adult, she continues to exploit others, including Jack, for her own gain. Rachel's death is both a mystery and a reckoning, forcing those around her to confront the consequences of her actions and their own complicity.

Zoe Harper

Zoe is a complex figure—creative, rebellious, and deeply damaged. As a teenager, she participated in the group's cruelty, and as an adult, she struggles with addiction, unemployment, and single motherhood. Zoe's relationship with Jack is fraught with resentment and loyalty, and her own secrets make her both a suspect and a victim. Her murder is staged as a suicide, with a message implicating Anna, highlighting the killer's psychological warfare. Zoe's death is a turning point, exposing the depth of the group's dysfunction and the killer's determination.

Helen Wang

Helen is the "clever one" of the group, whose ambition and need for approval mask her own vulnerabilities. As headmistress of St. Hilary's, she maintains a facade of success, but her involvement in the group's past and her own moral compromises make her a target. Helen's murder is marked by the word "LIAR" stapled to her chest, a brutal indictment of her duplicity. Her death underscores the theme of hidden truths and the destructive power of secrets.

Anna's Mother (Mrs. Andrews)

Anna's mother is a figure of both weakness and resilience. Her dementia blurs the line between truth and fantasy, but her confession to killing Anna's father reveals a capacity for violence in the name of love. She is both a victim and a perpetrator, shaped by a lifetime of hardship and sacrifice. Her relationship with Anna is fraught with guilt and misunderstanding, but ultimately redemptive. Her final actions suggest a willingness to do whatever it takes to protect her daughter, even as her own mind and body fail her.

Priya Patel

Priya is Jack's junior partner, eager to prove herself and navigate the complexities of a high-profile murder case. Her youth, idealism, and determination make her both an asset and a liability. Priya's relationship with Jack is marked by admiration, frustration, and a desire for approval. She is both a foil and a mirror for Jack, highlighting his strengths and weaknesses. Priya's role in the investigation is crucial, as she uncovers key evidence and ultimately helps bring the killer to justice.

Richard Jones

Richard is Anna's cameraman and Cat's husband, caught in the crossfire of the group's vendetta. His past, including a conviction for assault, makes him a suspect, but he is ultimately a victim of Cat's manipulation. Richard's loyalty to Anna and Cat is tested, and his death is a tragic consequence of secrets kept and truths ignored. He represents the collateral damage of the group's toxic dynamics.

Olivia

Olivia, Jack's niece and Zoe's daughter, is a symbol of innocence and the possibility of redemption. Her presence in Anna and Jack's new life represents the hope of breaking the cycle of violence and secrecy. Olivia's relationship with Anna and Jack is a source of healing, reminding them of what they have lost and what they can still build together.

Plot Devices

Dual Narration and Unreliable Perspective

The novel's structure alternates between Anna's and Jack's perspectives, each offering their own version of events, memories, and motivations. This dual narration creates a constant tension, as the reader is forced to question who is telling the truth and what is being left unsaid. Both narrators are unreliable, shaped by trauma, guilt, and self-preservation. The use of first-person present tense heightens the immediacy and intimacy of the narrative, while also emphasizing the subjectivity of experience. The reader is drawn into the characters' psychological landscapes, experiencing their confusion, fear, and doubt in real time.

Flashbacks and Nonlinear Timeline

The story unfolds in a nonlinear fashion, with frequent flashbacks to Anna's childhood, the fateful birthday party, and the group's school days. These flashbacks are triggered by memories, objects, and encounters, gradually revealing the truth about the characters' relationships and the origins of the killer's motive. The nonlinear timeline mirrors the characters' fractured psyches and the way trauma distorts memory. The past is not a distant backdrop, but an active force shaping the present and driving the plot forward.

Symbolism of the Friendship Bracelet

The red-and-white friendship bracelets are a central symbol, representing both the innocence of childhood and the betrayal that destroyed it. Each murder is marked by a bracelet, tying the victims to the past and to each other. The bracelets are both a clue and a taunt, a reminder of promises broken and the price of complicity. Their presence at each crime scene is a signature, linking the murders and pointing to the killer's identity and motive.

Misdirection and Red Herrings

The novel is filled with misdirection, as evidence is planted to implicate Jack, Anna, and others. The killer manipulates the investigation, framing others and exploiting their weaknesses. The use of red herrings keeps the reader guessing, as suspicion shifts from one character to another. The narrative structure, with its alternating perspectives and unreliable narrators, amplifies the sense of uncertainty and paranoia. The truth is always just out of reach, and the final revelation is both shocking and inevitable.

Thematic Motifs: Guilt, Revenge, and Forgiveness

The central themes of the novel—guilt, revenge, and forgiveness—are explored through the characters' actions and relationships. The murders are acts of revenge for past wrongs, but they also perpetuate the cycle of violence and secrecy. Guilt is both a burden and a motivator, driving characters to confess, atone, or destroy. Forgiveness is elusive, but the possibility of healing is held out in the novel's final chapters, as Anna and Jack attempt to build a new life together. The story asks whether it is possible to break free from the past, or whether we are doomed to repeat it.

Analysis

His & Hers is a masterclass in unreliable narration and psychological suspense, using its dual perspectives to explore the ways in which trauma, guilt, and memory shape our lives. The novel interrogates the idea that there are always two sides to every story, and that the truth is often a matter of perspective. By weaving together past and present, Feeney shows how the wounds of childhood can fester and erupt in adulthood, with devastating consequences. The use of symbolism—the friendship bracelets, the woods, the bracelets—underscores the themes of innocence lost and the price of complicity. The novel is also a commentary on the pressures faced by women in both personal and professional spheres, and the ways in which ambition, jealousy, and betrayal can destroy lives. Ultimately, His & Hers is a story about the possibility of redemption: that even in the aftermath of violence and loss, it is possible to find forgiveness, healing, and a new beginning. The final twist—that Anna's mother may have been the true mastermind—leaves the reader questioning everything, a fitting end to a story built on the shifting sands of truth and lies.

Last updated: January 8, 2026