Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

She was fifteen, her mother's golden girl.
She had her whole life ahead of her.
And then, in the blink of an eye, Ellie was gone.

Ten years on, Laurel has never given up hope of finding Ellie. And then she meets a charming and charismatic stranger who sweeps her off her feet.

But what really takes her breath away is when she meets his nine-year-old daughter.

Because his daughter is the image of Ellie.

Now all those unanswered questions that have haunted Laurel come flooding back.

What really happened to Ellie? And who still has secrets to hide?


I haven't read a Lisa Jewell book for some time, but the books I have read by her have been completely different. I was excited to read a book of a different genre by her and to see if she was able to adapt to a different genre.

This story if about Laurel Mack, her daughter went missing ten years ago. She never did find out what happened to her and has never given up hope of finding some clues. One day she meets a man in a cafe, after they hit things off she discovers he has a daughter, who is about 9 and looks the spitting image of the daughter she lost.

After time goes on Laurel begins to think there is more to her relationship and the coincidence of Poppy, the daughter of Floyd (the man she is seeing). She begins to do a bit of research of her own.

I found the story had good pace and I wanted to pick it up to finish it. I thought I had guessed the ending early on in the story, and although I hadn't I wasn't far from the ending of the book and that is why I have given this 4* and not 5*.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and will be reading other new Lisa Jewell books in the future.

I Invited Her In by Adele Parks

I Invited Her In by Adele Parks
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

When Mel hears from a long-lost friend in need of help, she doesn’t hesitate to invite her to stay. Mel and Abi were best friends back in the day, sharing the highs and lows of student life, until Mel’s unplanned pregnancy made her drop out of her studies.

Now, seventeen years later, Mel and Abi’s lives couldn’t be more different. Mel is happily married, having raised her son on her own before meeting her husband, Ben. Now they share gorgeous girls and have a chaotic but happy family home, with three children.

Abi, meanwhile, followed her lover to LA for a glamorous life of parties, celebrity and indulgence. Everything was perfect, until she discovered her partner had been cheating on her. Seventeen years wasted, and nothing to show for it. So what Abi needs now is a true friend to lean on, to share her grief over a glass of wine, and to have some time to heal. And what better place than Mel’s house, with her lovely kids, and supportive husband…

This dark, unsettling tale of the reunion of long-lost friends is thoroughly gripping exploration of wanting what you can’t have, jealousy and revenge from Sunday Times bestseller Adele Parks.


Well written but totally too long and drawn out. There were no surprises in this novel, it was all very transparent and predictable.

I felt that although the subject matter was good Adele Parks just never took it to the next level. It was such a predictable tale of jealousy and revenge that it didn’t stand out from any other novel of its kind.

I didn’t particularly bond with any of the characters and felt their individual responses to events in the novel were at best weak and at worst not believable.

I expected more from such an established author and was frustrated with the overly long outpouring of feelings that contributed to make this novel border on boredom. I hate giving such negative reviews but such an experienced author should produce better in my view. It wasn’t awful but just not satisfying enough to set it apart as a great read. Sorry but this can only get a two star rating from me, too long, so predictable and overall disappointing.

The Brighton Mermaid by Dorothy Koomson

The Brighton Mermaid by Dorothy Koomson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Brighton Beach, 1993

Teenagers Nell and Jude find the body of a young woman and when no one comes to claim her, she becomes known as the Brighton Mermaid. Nell is still struggling to move on when, three weeks later, Jude disappears.

Twenty-five years on, Nell is forced to quit her job to find out who the Brighton Mermaid really was – and what happened to her best friend that summer.

But as Nell edges closer to the truth, dangerous things start to happen. Someone seems to be watching her every move, and soon she starts to wonder who in her life she can actually trust…


Surprisingly I’ve not read anything from this author before although I do read and review a lot of novels and psychological thrillers are a particular favourite. Having read many novels in this genre it gets harder to review them as my expectations rise. I wasn’t disappointed with this one, it had good pace and the tension was built chapter on chapter.

The characters were likeable even though they are flawed and enough twists and turns means you’re never quite sure which of the suspects are guilty.

A good whodunit novel that is gripping with multifaceted characters and a multi layered plot that will hurtle you towards the end. Plenty of suspense, drama and intrigue with a little twist at the end that I didn’t guess.

Good recommended read and worth 4 stars - I will look out for Dorothy Koomson novels in the future.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

A Danger to Herself and Others by Alyssa B. Sheinmel

A Danger to Herself and Others by Alyssa B. Sheinmel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Only when she's locked away does the truth begin to escape...

Seventeen-year-old Hannah Gold has always been treated like a grown up. As the only child of two New York professionals, she's been traveling the world and functioning as a miniature adult since the day she was born. But that was then. Now, Hannah has been checked into a remote treatment facility, stripped of all autonomy and confined to a single room.

Hannah knows there's been a mistake. What happened to her roommate that summer was an accident. As soon as the doctor and judge figure out that she isn't a danger to herself or others, she can get back to her life of promise and start her final year at school. Until then, she's determined to win over the staff and earn some privileges so she doesn't lose her mind to boredom.

But then she's assigned a new roommate. At first, Lucy is the perfect project to keep Hannah's focus off all she is missing at home. But Lucy may be the one person who can make Hannah confront the secrets she's avoiding - and the dangerous games that landed her in confinement in the first place.

A glimpse into the mind of a mental health patient this novel, aimed at YA’s reveals the fragile line between reality and psychotic illness.


Hannah finds herself institutionalised when her best friend and room mate falls from their second floor room and as a consequence suffers severe brain damage. Believing Hannah had some part in this she is sent to a mental hospital because it’s believed she is a danger to herself and others. While there she is assessed over many months and in her belief that it’s all been a huge mistake she works hard to please the doctors so she can be released.

The story is tightly woven so that the reader almost becomes Hannah in that the reader also is unsure of the reality or the psychosis that Hannah experiences. Frighteningly the deeper the psychosis and her logical analysis goes the cloudier the lines get between reality and imagination.

An insightful and disturbing read it almost shouldn’t be YA material in my view because of the vulnerability of this age group. Having said this it is a powerful and thought provoking novel that is sadly tragic and highlighted for me the inevitability of the stigma attached to mental illness and the vulnerability of its sufferers.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

My Sister by Michelle Adams

My Sister by Michelle Adams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My name is Irini. Our parents sent me away.
My sister is Elle. They kept her.
Families should stay together. What happened that day ripped mine apart.

A successful doctor, with a loving boyfriend, Irini Harringford is finally happy. But when Elle tracks her down everything starts to unravel.

Irini knows only too well what her sister is capable of. However, her desperate need for answers drags her back to a shocking past.

She always thought her family didn't want her. What if the truth is even worse?



I really enjoyed this psychological thriller and the bonds that tie siblings together.

Irine is sent away from the family home to live with her aunt and uncle when she is three years old. She grows up believing that her parents didn’t want her while they kept her sister Elle.

Irine cuts herself off from her family but is constantly pursued by her sister Elle so much so that Irine is forced to keep moving to stay away from her. Elle is toxic and dangerous and Irine doesn’t want her in her life. When their mother dies Irine goes reluctantly back to the family home hoping to get answers of why her parents sent her away and kept Elle - what she eventually finds out threatens to destroy many lives.

A good psychological thriller that uncovers jealousy and hidden truths. Ellie is manipulating and crazy but I also felt that Irine was also a little weird and wicked.

A good pace and well thought out plot made this an enjoyable and interesting read. A few red herrings and twists add up to a satisfying read. Definitely worth 4 stars - a recommended read.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

Monty and the Ocean Rescue - A plastic disaster

Monty, Cookie and the spangles are back at the beach for the fifth book in this series of childrens books.

When Cookie sees a splash in the water her newfoundland instinct to rescue takes over and she immediately heads out to help. When she returns the dogs get a huge surprise as they hear a desperate plea.

What follows is an adventure that could turn out to be their biggest and most difficult so far.

This is a gentle introduction for children about the issues of plastic pollution in our oceans and even features Sir David Attenborough.

Links to purchase

Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1913071138/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_3KeXCbN7NYT1S

Signed and pawtagraphed copies are available worldwide via the website https://www.montydogge.com/bookstore

The book is also available via most online bookstores.


Review:

This is a wonderful picture book for children to learn the importance of looking after the environment. 

There is good rhythm in the text, it flows well and rhymes, which keeps the childs interest.

The story is about Monty a dog and his friends, who go on a mission to help save the animals in the sea, along the way, they meet many other animals who needs their help. When they save them they join the journey to help the others. 

Looking after the seas is such an important topic at the moment and this book really helps to educate children into putting their rubbish in the bin and using less plastic as it shows the effects it has on the animals in the sea. 

I really enjoyed reading this picture book and when my little one arrives very very soon, this will be a book I will like to share with him. 

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

Author Bio

MT Sanders

MT Sanders is a writer, blogger and author of the children's book Monty and the Ocean Rescue.

An accidental career began after he took early retirement and began writing stories on social media about his five dogs. Life according to Monty Dogge soon attracted a huge following and led to invites to blog live from Crufts and other high-profile events.

In 2017 and 2018 Vuelio placed it in the top ten UK pet blogs and the still growing readership encouraged MT to write a book. I’m not a Pandacow was the debut children’s book released in 2017 and this has been quickly followed by four more to date.

MT and Monty spend the major part of their time touring schools across the country bringing the tales to life as children get to meet the star of the books.

The latest book is a real passion project for the author who is a huge supporter of conservation projects and a champion for animal welfare. It goes without saying that MT was delighted to receive a handwritten message of good luck from no other than Sir David Attenborough who features in the book.

Social media links

Life according to Monty Dogge and the Books of Monty Dogge on Facebook @montydogge on Twitter @monty_dogge on Instagram

The Perfect Stranger by Megan Miranda

The Perfect Stranger by Megan Miranda
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

What happens when your best friend becomes your worst nightmare...

Having reached a dead end in Boston, failed journalist Leah Stevens needs a change. When she runs into an old friend, Emmy Grey, who is moving to rural Pennsylvania, Leah decides to join her. But their fresh start is quickly threatened when a woman with an eerie resemblance to Leah is assaulted by the lake, and Emmy disappears days later.

Determined to find Emmy, Leah helps Detective Kyle Donovan to investigate her friend's life for clues. But with no friends, family or digital footprint, the police begin to suspect that there is no Emmy Grey. Forced to question her version of reality and to save herself, Leah must uncover the truth - no matter how dark or terrible it may be...


Forced to leave her job as a reporter in Boston when she goes too far on an investigation, Leah Stevens finds herself running from her past to Pennsylvannia with her friend Emmy Grey who equally wants to escape a traumatic relationship.

Leah re-invents herself and takes a teaching position in the small town while Emmy manages to get by cleaning and doing bar work, they pass each other like ships in the night as Leah works days and Emmy works nights.

When a woman who looks remarkably like Leah is attacked and left for dead and Emmy goes missing, Leah starts to question how much she really knows about her roommate. Getting no where with the police looking for Emmy Leah draws on her investigative skills and tries to solve the mystery herself. It seems Emmy has vanished but more worryingly it seems to those around her that she never existed at all. To save her sanity and her clear herself of any involvement leading to the attack of the woman at the lake, Leah must uncover the truth herself whatever the consequences.

It was an OK psychological thriller, it had pace but I felt that it was racing towards a finale that just didn't live up to expectations. I was expecting more but there was no twist or curve ball ending it all just kind of fizzled out. It was just an anti-climax really with unanswered questions hanging in the air. I feel it could have had a much more explosive ending that left the reader reeling but it was a missed opportunity. Having said all that it was still a decent read and I would recommend, it was a good read but not a great read so I can only give it 3 stars.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

The Gypsy Code: The true story of a violent game of hide and seek at the fringes of society by Mike Woodhouse

The Gypsy Code: The true story of a violent game of hide and seek at the fringes of society by Mike Woodhouse
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Mike Woodhouse had everything: an engineering business, a wine bar, a home, a Range Rover and a boat. Then he caught a group of travellers stealing from his warehouse. A car chase, petrol bombing and court case later, and everything had changed.

A marked man, Mike was forced to leave everything behind and move to the Peak District for a fresh start. But his old life was never far behind and when he fell for Rhoda, a Romany Gypsy, kin to the very people he was hiding from, he knew he wouldn't be safe for much longer . . .

This is a true story of Mike Woodhouse who seemed to have it all, a successful business and comfortable life until the day he caught a group of Gypsy travellers stealing from his warehouse. He then sets about a vigilante style revenge with some like minded friends and gets himself into some dangerous situations that eventually lead to him loosing everything he has built up and a life living in fear.

His hardships and decisions he has to make as his life spirals out of control change his perception of the travellers he has been fighting and he learns the consequences of his actions. Honest, gritty and honest even when he portrays himself in an unfavourable light.

Not a fan of his writing style however, it felt at times he was on the verge of turning this into a novel rather than a true story although I think as a novel it would have worked fine. As an insight into this world it worked but seemed to lack emotion for me so only 3 stars for this reason.

A Beautiful Corpse by Christi Daugherty

A Beautiful Corpse by Christi Daugherty
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A murder that shocks a city…
Shots ring out on one of Savannah's most famous streets. A beautiful law student lies dead.

A case full of secrets and lies…
Three men close to the victim are questioned. All of them claim to love her. All of them say they are innocent of her murder.

An investigation that could prove deadly…
As crime reporter Harper McClain unravels a tangled story of obsession and jealousy, the killer focuses on her. He's already killed one woman. Will he kill another?

The second in this series in the Harper McClain books begins with Harper attending the shooting in a tourist area of the city. When she arrives at the scene with her friend Bonnie (who she was having a drink with earlier in the evening) she discovers that the dead woman is Naomi Scott a girl that works at the same bar as Bonnie. Harper wants to help find out who the murderer is and tries to track down the killer. Harper is having problems of her own at the same time with a break-in at her apartment and the feeling that she is being followed, coupled with the detective investigating the murder being her former lover Luke, Harper is more involved that she thought she'd be.

The pace is good and the plot twisty enough to keep you reading to the end. Atmospheric and well written this makes for a compelling read. The ending is not really 'the end' and there is sure to be another in the series, I hope so.

Again easily readable as a stand alone novel but easily more enjoyable if you read both books. Again an easy 4 stars for this one.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

The Tapestry Bag by Isabella Muir Audio Review

The Tapestry Bag: A gripping mystery, full of twists and turns: Volume 1 by Isabella Muir
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A young woman, Zara, goes missing, one year to the day that her boyfriend, Joel, was killed in a hit and run. Is Zara in danger? Is she still alive? What really happened to Joel and who is to blame?

In the quiet seaside town of Tamarisk Bay, the police appear to be doing little to find Zara. Her friend Janie decides to make it her mission to track her down. It’s the ‘swinging sixties’ and Janie fears that Zara may be mixed up with drugs, alcohol, or worse. As Janie explores the strange circumstances of Zara’s disappearance, she starts to question the truth about Joel’s death.

Janie runs the mobile library and has a passion for crime fiction, especially Agatha Christie. Can Poirot help Janie solve the mystery of Zara’s disappearance?

As she looks for clues she comes across some unsavoury characters who each have a reason for wanting Joel dead. Can Janie untangle the web of lies and find out the truth?

When I listened to this on audible I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I don't particularly like books set in the past, however I was pleasantly surprised with this.

I thought the story progressed quickly and I really got into it. It was bought to life by the narrator, I was a little unsure about her at first but after listening for a while I thought she was the perfect choice.

This is a story about a mystery, Zara goes missing and her friend is determined to get to the bottom of what happened to her, even when it seems like everyone else has given up on her. This has a very Agatha Christie vibe to it, one that will keep you wanting to listen to the end.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys mysteries/thrillers. I listened to this really quickly and it helped housework and other boring things go by a lot quicker!

I would like to thank audible for sending me this in exchange for an honest review.

The Echo Killing by Christi Daugherty

The Echo Killing by Christi Daugherty
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The most exciting new crime voice you’ll read this year!

Fifteen years ago her mother’s killer got away. Has he finally struck again?

MURDER SHOCKS PEACEFUL NEIGHBOURHOOD

A woman in her thirties. Found naked and stabbed on the kitchen floor. Discovered by her twelve-year-old daughter after school.

As top Savannah crime reporter Harper McClain stares at the horrific scene before her, one thought screams through her mind. This murder is identical to another murder she has witnessed. Her mother’s murder…

For fifteen years, Harper has been torn apart by the knowledge that her mother’s killer is walking free. And now, it seems he’s struck again. There are no fingerprints. No footprints. No DNA. Yet still, Harper is determined to discover the truth once and for all.

But that search will come at a cost…and it could be one she isn’t ready to pay.

A slow burning thriller mystery part one of two this sets the scene for the second in the series and ends with unresolved questions that continue in the second book.

A woman is murdered that appears to mirror or echo a murder that happened 20 years ago where the daughter of the murdered woman is now a reporter. Harper is a crime murder reporter and finds herself at the scene of the murder of a woman that appears to echo that of her mothers.

The murderer was never caught and it becomes personal for Harper so she embarks on trying to solve the case herself. As she becomes further involved she risks losing her job and her relationships.

We are introduced to a range of characters some likeable some not so much. Harper is likeable but damaged and as she delves deeper into the criminal mind she risks her own safety to uncover the truth. With the help of a cop boyfriend, her colleague photographer and a few close friends she slowly uncovers some painful truths.

As I said this story is not fully resolved at the end as there is a second book in this series. As a stand alone it is a decent read and gets 4 stars from me.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

Sleep by C.L. Taylor

Sleep by C.L. Taylor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

All Anna wants is to be able to sleep. But crushing insomnia, terrifying night terrors and memories of that terrible night are making it impossible. If only she didn’t feel so guilty…

To escape her past, Anna takes a job at a hotel on the remote Scottish island of Rum, but when seven guests join her, what started as a retreat from the world turns into a deadly nightmare.

Each of the guests have a secret, but one of them is lying – about who they are and why they're on the island. There's a murderer staying in the Bay View hotel. And they've set their sights on Anna.

Seven strangers. Seven secrets. One deadly lie.

Someone’s going to sleep and never wake up…

To begin with, after reading the blurb I thought this would be in the style of Agatha Christi and 'and then there were none'. I was actually very wrong, although I was kind of looking forward to one of those style stories!

I found this was a very easy, quick read, I managed to work a full week and still find time and the want to pick up the book after work, this is something I don't do often!

Anna the lead character has been in an accident and decides she needs a fresh start. After applying for a job on the island of Rum in Scotland she packs her bags and makes the journey up there. This island is really remote, there isn't a doctor, he comes over every couple of weeks and if the community need anything they have to travel to the mainland for this.

Anna's job is in the only hotel on the island and when the guests turn up she begins to realise things are what they seem. Throughout sleep we begin to learn a little about each of the characters and the plot really draws you in.

Personally I was a little disappointed with the ending, I felt it could have been better and I had already worked out who the killer was, saying that it didn't spoil my enjoyment of the novel.

This is one I recommend you read. I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.