Reviews
Twists of Fate Reviews
READER REVIEWS FOR TWISTS OF FATE
4-STARS - Another cracking read in the Castle Ridge series
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 December 2025
Format: Kindle Edition - Verified Purchase
"I have really enjoyed the books in the Castle Ridge series. Set in Derbyshire in the 70s and 80s, they have built real-life stories around realistic characters with depth.
Twists of Fate revolves around the Watkins family. On the face of it, they are the model family. Mr and Mrs Watkins have three sons, a good business, a nice family home, everything they could hope for. Their cosy life is built on hard work, love and, importantly, trust. Just as two of their sons, Barry and Kenny, fly the nest and start their own families, that trust begins to break as past secrets come to light. Then there is the other son, Mick, who has never really bought in to all the family values. The result? A whole heap of tension and, with it, trouble.
Twists of Fate is another cracking story in this super series, full of twists and shocks. A trip down memory lane too for me with all the 70s and 80s references. Not a mobile phone in sight!"
BOOK MARK! Book-blogger
5-STARS - Fantastic Read, lives up to its title… **NOTE: He also thinks it should be turned into a Netflix series!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 November 2025
Format: Kindle Edition - Verified Purchase
"The 3rd book in the Castle Ridge series set in the 70’s and 80’s but can 100% be read as a stand alone
If ever a title fit a book ‘tis this one
I’ve read some books with ‘twists’ but this has to be one of the twistiest have read ( and got to say Mick one of the character’s is twisted in his twists! )
We are back in Castle Ridge where the Watkins family, mum, dad and 3 grown up lads seem to have all they desire, 2 of the 3 are ‘courting’ and everything is going just great for them…..Mick however has a massive bag of spanners to put into the mix and when he does the family never really recover
A right good family drama here that shocked me at some of the goings on, dark at times and unapologetic in its honesty, was great."
5-STARS - A family who seem to have it all find that old sins cast long shadows…
November 10, 2025
"As a fan of Ann Thorsson’s Castle Ridge books I was delighted to receive a signed copy of this latest paperback edition. I honestly couldn’t put it down! What a page turner- with not one but quite the rollercoaster of twists in the tale. As ever, the characters are authentic to the location and time, with just the right amount of colloquial language to establish that Derbyshire context without making the story inaccessible to a wider readership. I love, love, love the descriptions of locations and events of that time and place. I highly recommend this book which can be enjoyed as a stand alone- or better still after reading the previous three novels. Please keep writing the Castle Ridge books Ann - I’m hoping there will be another to add to my collection soon."
5-STARS - Fabulous, gripping read
November 10, 2025
"Twists of Fate...superb gritty 4th book from Ann, based in Castle Ridge. This is the 4th book but can be read as a stand alone story. All four books are totally absorbing with believable characters set in believable environments but all is not what it seems. Totally recommend this book. Excellent work Ann."
5-STARS - Brilliant addition to the Castle Ridge series.
November 7, 2025 (UK)
Verified Purchase
"Very good and enjoyable read by an exceptional author. I live local to where Castle Ridge is based so my Kindle has so many highlighted parts in it from the area and moments from my own past. So many twists in this book - when you think you know where the story is heading there is another OW moment to keep you gripped. Brilliant book and a great addition to the Castle Ridge series."
4-STARS - Another cracking read in the Castle Ridge series
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 December 2025
Format: Kindle Edition - Verified Purchase
"I have really enjoyed the books in the Castle Ridge series. Set in Derbyshire in the 70s and 80s, they have built real-life stories around realistic characters with depth.
Twists of Fate revolves around the Watkins family. On the face of it, they are the model family. Mr and Mrs Watkins have three sons, a good business, a nice family home, everything they could hope for. Their cosy life is built on hard work, love and, importantly, trust. Just as two of their sons, Barry and Kenny, fly the nest and start their own families, that trust begins to break as past secrets come to light. Then there is the other son, Mick, who has never really bought in to all the family values. The result? A whole heap of tension and, with it, trouble.
Twists of Fate is another cracking story in this super series, full of twists and shocks. A trip down memory lane too for me with all the 70s and 80s references. Not a mobile phone in sight!"
BOOK MARK! Book-blogger
5-STARS - Fantastic Read, lives up to its title… **NOTE: He also thinks it should be turned into a Netflix series!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 November 2025
Format: Kindle Edition - Verified Purchase
"The 3rd book in the Castle Ridge series set in the 70’s and 80’s but can 100% be read as a stand alone
If ever a title fit a book ‘tis this one
I’ve read some books with ‘twists’ but this has to be one of the twistiest have read ( and got to say Mick one of the character’s is twisted in his twists! )
We are back in Castle Ridge where the Watkins family, mum, dad and 3 grown up lads seem to have all they desire, 2 of the 3 are ‘courting’ and everything is going just great for them…..Mick however has a massive bag of spanners to put into the mix and when he does the family never really recover
A right good family drama here that shocked me at some of the goings on, dark at times and unapologetic in its honesty, was great."
5-STARS - A family who seem to have it all find that old sins cast long shadows…
November 10, 2025
"As a fan of Ann Thorsson’s Castle Ridge books I was delighted to receive a signed copy of this latest paperback edition. I honestly couldn’t put it down! What a page turner- with not one but quite the rollercoaster of twists in the tale. As ever, the characters are authentic to the location and time, with just the right amount of colloquial language to establish that Derbyshire context without making the story inaccessible to a wider readership. I love, love, love the descriptions of locations and events of that time and place. I highly recommend this book which can be enjoyed as a stand alone- or better still after reading the previous three novels. Please keep writing the Castle Ridge books Ann - I’m hoping there will be another to add to my collection soon."
5-STARS - Fabulous, gripping read
November 10, 2025
"Twists of Fate...superb gritty 4th book from Ann, based in Castle Ridge. This is the 4th book but can be read as a stand alone story. All four books are totally absorbing with believable characters set in believable environments but all is not what it seems. Totally recommend this book. Excellent work Ann."
5-STARS - Brilliant addition to the Castle Ridge series.
November 7, 2025 (UK)
Verified Purchase
"Very good and enjoyable read by an exceptional author. I live local to where Castle Ridge is based so my Kindle has so many highlighted parts in it from the area and moments from my own past. So many twists in this book - when you think you know where the story is heading there is another OW moment to keep you gripped. Brilliant book and a great addition to the Castle Ridge series."