The consequences of a single mistake are laid bare in a web of lies and betrayals in the latest novel published by a local author.

Prolific psychological thriller writer Rona Halsall released her new book, ’One Mistake’, last week.

The sixth book by the island-based author sees the main character swamped by the snowballing events that happen after she tries to cover up a mistake, made some years before, as she desperately tries to keep her family around her safe.

’"One Mistake" came about from a little idea I had about debt, and about how prevalent debt is today and the effects it can have on a family if one person loses their job,’ said Rona.

’Families can take on massive commitments and if someone suddenly loses their job it can turn everything upside down.

’There are three elements to the story, with the first being debt. The second is the length that people will go to to keep their families going.

’I was inspired by an article I read about women selling sex to keep a roof over their families’ heads. It was the only option they felt that they had.

’The third element is the dark web and covert filming. People being filmed when they haven’t got a clue about it.

’I took those three strands and I wrote a story about a woman whose husband loses his job. They look for £9,000 to help to get a business going. She takes the money she needs from her place of work, telling herself she’ll pay it back when they can.

’Everything snowballs from there. She makes one bad decision and the consequences follow on from there.

’To put it right she makes another bad decision and before she knows it, things go horribly wrong and she finds herself stuck in a situation where she can’t get out of.’

’One Mistake’ was praised by many reviewers and fans alike, with many highlighting the tense and suspense-filled plot and the meticulous and tangled web of intrigue and betrayal created by Rona.

’The reception has been fabulous. I think the title is one that people can relate to, as I think we have all made one or two mistakes throughout our lives.

’Often people’s lives go off the rails just because of one mistake or bad decision, especially concerning money and a family’s future.’

’One Mistake’ currently stands at number 20 in the psychological thrillers and at 163 in the total online Amazon book sales charts over the past week.

’With books like mine, the peak of sales and interest tends to come after three weeks, so I am delighted with the initial response to this one. It’s like riding a wave for three weeks, really and then you think "oh that was fun".

’Then your other books start to do well too, as people who have picked this one up want to read others you have written.

’My last book, ’Her Mother’s Lies’, got to number 32 in the US and number one in Canada recently, in e-book sales, which is brilliant and unexpected.’

Rona is currently spending her time working on her as-yet untitled seventh novel.

l ’One Mistake’ is published by Bookoutoure.

by Mike Wade

Twitter:@iomnewspapers