Author: Heidi Perks
Genre: Suspense
Type: Hardcover
Pages: 320
Source: Local Public Library
Publisher: Gallery Books
First Published: January 8, 2019
Opening Lines: "My name is Charlotte Reynolds". I lean forward to speak into the microphone, though I'm not sure why.
Book Description from GoodReads: What should have been a fun-filled, carefree day takes a tragic turn for the worse for one mother when her best friend’s child goes missing in this suspenseful, compulsively readable, and darkly twisted psychological thriller.
It all started at the school fair…
Charlotte was supposed to be looking after the children, and she swears she was. She only took her eyes off of them for one second. But when her three kids are all safe and sound at the school fair, and Alice, her best friend Harriet’s daughter, is nowhere to be found, Charlotte panics. Frantically searching everywhere, Charlotte knows she must find the courage to tell Harriet that her beloved only child is missing. And admit that she has only herself to blame.
Harriet, devastated by this unthinkable, unbearable loss, can no longer bring herself to speak to Charlotte again, much less trust her. Now more isolated than ever and struggling to keep her marriage afloat, Harriet believes nothing and no one. But as the police bear down on both women trying to piece together the puzzle of what happened to this little girl, dark secrets begin to surface—and Harriet discovers that confiding in Charlotte again may be the only thing that will reunite her with her daughter....
This breathless and fast-paced debut—perfect for fans of Big Little Lies and The Couple Next Door—takes you on a chilling journey that will keep you guessing until the very last page.
It all started at the school fair…
Charlotte was supposed to be looking after the children, and she swears she was. She only took her eyes off of them for one second. But when her three kids are all safe and sound at the school fair, and Alice, her best friend Harriet’s daughter, is nowhere to be found, Charlotte panics. Frantically searching everywhere, Charlotte knows she must find the courage to tell Harriet that her beloved only child is missing. And admit that she has only herself to blame.
Harriet, devastated by this unthinkable, unbearable loss, can no longer bring herself to speak to Charlotte again, much less trust her. Now more isolated than ever and struggling to keep her marriage afloat, Harriet believes nothing and no one. But as the police bear down on both women trying to piece together the puzzle of what happened to this little girl, dark secrets begin to surface—and Harriet discovers that confiding in Charlotte again may be the only thing that will reunite her with her daughter....
This breathless and fast-paced debut—perfect for fans of Big Little Lies and The Couple Next Door—takes you on a chilling journey that will keep you guessing until the very last page.
My Rating: 4 stars
My Review: This suspense story revolves around one of every parent's worst nightmares -- the abduction of their child. A horrible, chilling thought … but what if your best friend was caring for your child when they went missing?
The story starts off quite slowly and is told using Charlotte and Harriet's points of view in two different time lines - before and after the abduction. There are subjects that are dealt with that would make excellent book club discussions and while a few were hard to read (especially as a mother myself), tackling these subjects gives readers a clear idea of what one of the characters had to deal with and why they made certain decisions.
The tension and pacing pick up mid-way revealing a big twist (I had a few theories but none of them were correct) taking the book in a totally different direction than I had expected. Secrets are revealed and motives fall into place, but I felt the ending petered out and wrapped up a little too predictably after the wonderfully tense scenes leading up to it.
This character-driven domestic thriller is a quick read and will have readers, especially parents, empathizing with Harriet and Charlotte's experiences and as the plot unfolds, and twists revealed, readers will be left wondering what the mistake was and who made it.
The story starts off quite slowly and is told using Charlotte and Harriet's points of view in two different time lines - before and after the abduction. There are subjects that are dealt with that would make excellent book club discussions and while a few were hard to read (especially as a mother myself), tackling these subjects gives readers a clear idea of what one of the characters had to deal with and why they made certain decisions.
The tension and pacing pick up mid-way revealing a big twist (I had a few theories but none of them were correct) taking the book in a totally different direction than I had expected. Secrets are revealed and motives fall into place, but I felt the ending petered out and wrapped up a little too predictably after the wonderfully tense scenes leading up to it.
This character-driven domestic thriller is a quick read and will have readers, especially parents, empathizing with Harriet and Charlotte's experiences and as the plot unfolds, and twists revealed, readers will be left wondering what the mistake was and who made it.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments totally make my day!! I read each and every one and really try to reply to all messages posted. Thanks for stopping by my blog!