Truth Will Out by N. J. Hatton

 

Jack Kilby is filled with panic as he rushes his pregnant wife to hospital; it's far too early for their baby to be born. A momentary distraction results in him hitting and killing a cyclist. Leaving the body at the side of the country lane, he continues on to the hospital. In the aftermath, wracked with guilt, he realises that he needs to turn himself in to the police, but when he gets there, he discovers they've already arrested the person they believe is responsible.

I spotted a review for Truth Will Out by N. J. Hatton on Instagram, and it sounded like the type of thriller I'd enjoy. I certainly wasn't wrong. This is incredibly twisty, with the type of moral dilemma that makes you think about how you'd react in the same situation. Jack isn't trying to avoid owning up to his crime; he's simply hoping that he can buy himself and his wife a little extra time to ensure the survival of their unborn child. Luckily, he's a defence lawyer, so he is able to represent the wrongly accused man, keeping him out of jail for as long as possible.

While Jack is the main character, we also gain the perspective of others involved in the story. It is difficult not to empathise with the individuals involved in this tragic tale. Jack wants to buy time, but he's torn when he begins to see the effect representing the accused has on his family. Callum, the accused, is desperate to prove his innocence, a difficult thing to do when he's part of a notorious criminal family. Alongside this, we see the reactions of the victim's family. Alice wants revenge for her brother's death, and Harry is frantically trying to protect his daughter while coming to terms with the tragedy.

By using a variety of POV's, the pace never lets up, and the numerous twists leave you slack-jawed. My heart was racing as I frantically turned the pages towards the end, wondering if anyone would survive the shocking events. Then just as my heart rate started to settle, N. J. Hatton managed to throw in one almighty twist, something that made me question a lot of my assumptions.

Truth Will Out by N. J. Hatton will be published on 10th September 2026 in paperback, ebook, and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Hera Books for a review copy.

Author Details

N. J. Hatton is an award-winning screenwriter and director whose work has screened on Netflix, BBC, Sky, and Disney+ and a recent Alumnus of Faber Academy. My second novel will be published in June 2027.