First Lines Fridays 13th February 2026 | Jo Linsdell

First Lines Fridays 13th February 2026

    

First Lines Fridays


Books: First Lines Fridays 13th February 2026

There’s something especially compelling about an opening that doesn’t rush to impress, but instead invites you to lean in. This week’s First Lines Fridays pick does exactly that, offering an intimate glimpse into a moment charged with emotion and unspoken tension. The voice feels authentic and grounded, making it easy to forget you’re only at the beginning. Whether you recognise the style straight away or simply feel drawn in by the atmosphere, these first lines are designed to spark curiosity and keep you guessing.


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I'm participating in First Lines Fridays as I think it's a great way to highlight more of the books that are on my bookshelves. 

What is First Lines Fridays?

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines? 

  • Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page 
  • Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first 
  • Finally… reveal the book!

My Pick For This Week


The first lines of the book:


Armonk Police Precinct   “How could he?” “Mrs. Winter?” “I just . . . I don’t understand.” I bury my head in my hands, then look up at the detective sitting across from me in an interrogation room not quite the size of a Manhattan studio apartment. “Unfortunately, these things happen.” “These things happen? I’m sorry, Detective, but I beg to disagree. These things don’t just—” I air quote my fingers around the word — “happen.” But he has a point, I suppose — these things do happen. They just don’t happen here. At least, they didn’t until Bennett’s son TJ moved to town.


Do you know which book this is from? Scroll down to find out!


First Lines Fridays




And the book is...


The Stepson by D.L. Fisher



About the book


Book synopsis for The Stepson by D.L. Fisher

I had no idea my husband had a son. Now he’s living with us. I don’t know if I’m safe in my own home.

Bennett and I about to celebrate our first wedding anniversary when a young man turns up on our doorstep. He has my husband’s dark hair and eyes the exact same shade of blue. He says he’s Bennett’s son, TJ. His mother is dead and he needs a place to stay.

I had no idea Bennett had a child. He kept it from me. He lied to me.

When the body of a teenage girl is found in the nearby woods — murdered — everyone turns on TJ.

Shortly after, another girl disappears.

Our neighborhood was safe until he arrived. He says he has nothing to do with it, that it’s all just a coincidence.

I then discover that TJ’s mother’s death might not have been an accident after all.

I have no idea if I can trust him. I don’t know him . . . Have I made a huge mistake letting him into my home?

An absolutely addictive psychological thriller packed full of twists from author D.L. Fisher. Perfect for fans of Daniel Hurst, Freida McFadden, Valerie Keogh and Cole Baxter.


Buy now



Where to find The Stepson by D.L. Fisher online: 

 



First Lines Fridays


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