I did not see this one coming. This book is unputdownable. The characters bring it to life. The mystery keeps you guessing until the bitter end. Absolutely amazing read. I had to read this in one sitting because I had to know what happened to Sophie… and boy did I not see that coming.
A veritable rollercoaster of suspense and mystery.
An amazing read!

You just might think this will be a predictable thriller based on the description but it's not!

Emmie meets Charlie and they end up moving into his childhood home together. But Emmie soon hears about a girl named Sophie that disappeared when Charlie was a teen himself. She starts doing her own research and learns that Sophie was definitely a bigger part of Charlie's past than he's led her to believe.

The truths just keep coming and this book had me on the edge of my seat. So, so good!!

This is a slow-burn psychological thriller that turns a dream home into a waking nightmare. It’s a tense, atmospheric read overall.

Gripping, thrilling, shocking and twist filled! Sophie Was Here: A totally addictive and absolutely gripping psychological thriller is another captivating book by Kathryn Croft. This story builds slowly and normally I have issues with slow building books but I was invested in the mystery surrounding the house, the disappearance of a young woman, and the family that I just cruised along with this drama filled ride and before I knew it, things picked up and I couldn't put Sophie Was Here down!

Emmie and her boyfriend, Charlie have moved into Forest Farm, Charlie's family home which has sat empty for years. When Emmie discovers writing on the wall ("Sophie was here”) in the basement her interest is piqued! Emmie soon learns that Sophie, Charlie's high school girlfriend went missing years ago. I love a good cold case and apparently so does Emmie's and she begins asking questions around the village about Sophie....

This book is told in two timelines using multiple POV's. This was a nice touch and provided insight into many of the characters' lives from when they are teenagers and into adulthood. I always enjoying trying to determine whodunit and was shocked when the reveal occurred.

Families can be complex, and this family is no exception. There are secrets, lies, and gaslighting galore in this book. At times I wondered who could be trusted, who was telling the truth, and how much danger was Emmie getting herself into by asking questions that made certain characters uncomfortable.

As I mentioned, this book begins slowly as the author builds the plot and introduces readers to members of the family and village. I enjoyed when things began to get tense and individuals began getting uncomfortable. This book has a nice amount to twist which kept me on my toes and changing my list of suspects. There were a few reveals that I did not see coming and I always love it when that happens.

I had both the book and audiobook versions of Sophie Was Here, which made for a full immersive reading experience.

Wonderfully written, well thought out, clever, and full of secrets!

Emmie and her partner Charlie are leaving London and moving to his childhood family farmhouse in Peaslake, gifted to them by Charlie's parents, who have just returned from living in Dubai and have bought a house close by. The farmhouse needs a lot of renovations but they are happy to get started and are looking forward to living there, even though Charlie was quite reluctant at first. Emmie is happy to be a part of the Hollinger family and Heather and Edwin, Charlie's parents, seem to be held in high regard in the village. Then Emmie discovers something carved into the basement wall and questions Charlie about it, he immediately shuts her down so she decides to do some investigating herself, especially when she spots 'Sophie was here' carved into the basement door and she soon finds out that Sophie was Charlie's girlfriend who disappeared when she was seventeen. Does Emmie really know him at all, how much can she trust him and his family, and could she be putting herself in danger?

Sophie Was Here is the latest domestic thriller by Croft and once again she weaves her magic in this multi layered plot that does not disappoint. Told from the perspectives of Emmie in the present day and Sophie in the past, the explosive secrets from all those years ago are uncovered by Emmie but Charlie isn't the only one hiding something and this becomes apparent later in the story. This is a fast paced story that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout, with some very unlikeable and untrustworthy characters. I was intrigued as to why Emmie was so hellbent on discovering the truth about Sophie, but this also became apparent later in the story when the pieces of the jigsaw came together and I loved the troubled character of Charlie's sister, Vanessa who had a complex life. This is a tale with some great twists that I did not see coming, from one of my go to authors who delivers every time.

I'd like to thank Bookouture and Netgalley for the auto approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

Definitely a slow start but it picked up and became an enjoyable twisty thriller. I enjoyed it and would definitely read more from this author!

Really enjoyed this book by Kathryn Croft. I was hooked from the beginning So many different twists.
You would never guess the outcome. Highly recommended.

This was a good read, a little slow at the start and I wasn’t sure where it was going but once it took off it was a great thriller. At the heart of the story is a couple who have moved to the small village where he grew up, into the house his wealthy family have bequeathed them. The story of why the family left suddenly and the mistrust of the villagers about his return is the start of the story, including the girl who went missing there who never was found.

Good plot which really ramps up towards the end and I enjoyed the characters.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. It centers on Emmie, who moves to the suburbs with her boyfriend Charlie, only to get caught up in the mystery of a girl named Sophie who disappeared years before and had ties to Charlie’s family. You also get alternating chapters from Sophie’s POV in the earlier timeline.

Both Emmie and Sophie were characterized well, as were the tertiary characters. This was a great mystery that kept me guessing the whole way through. I was happy to figure out one twist but there were so many more that totally floored me. The author did a great job at providing so many surprises while still tying everything together in a way that made sense by the end of the book.

Overall, I thought this was a fast paced and twisty read and I would definitely recommend. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"Sophie Was Here". Scratched into the wall of the cellar, just before she disappeared years ago. And then the builders are in and it's gone.

This is a great read! Chilling, creepy and well written, I was immersed from the start and struggled to put it down. Emmie and her boyfriend, Charlie, have been gifted a house by his parents, but Emmie is unsettled by comments she hears around the village about Sophie, Charlie's childhood sweetheart who disappeared when she was seventeen, Charlie claims he hardly knew her and his sister, Vanessa, was Sophie's best friend, but can hardy look at Emmie.

Emmie is determined to discover the truth, even if it puts her relationship with Charlie under strain. As a character, I liked the blend of that determination combined with her vulnerability and sensitivity and I enjoyed witnessing her transformative growth as. a person. As well as Emmie's present day narration, the story is told in flashbacks to Sophie's life leading up to her disappearance. The suspense was real!

Kathryn Croft cleverly wove some red herrings into the plot and, as always, plenty of jaw-dropping twists and reveals. Excellent!

4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Kathryn Croft and Bookouture, for an ARC of this book.

The blurb really had my interest and I really wanted to love this but I just found it such a slow burn for the first 3/4’s and it lacked the suspense factor. I found most of the characters unlikeable but there were a couple of exceptions that’s I did like. I was lucky to be able to get this one on audio and ebook but listened more so then read and maybe reading it would have given a different experience but I found the narrator a little irritating with her slow, drawn out pronunciation and monotone. The introduction of another narrator might have added to the listen as it’s told from 2 different points of view and timelines. The last 1/4 did offer up some surprises but I felt it was a little too late for me. Just didn’t do it for me…

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to listen/read and review #SophieWasHere

Kathryn Croft delivers another suspenseful psychological thriller with Sophie Was Here, a slow-burn mystery that keeps readers guessing until the final chapters. The story unfolds gradually, drawing you into a web of secrets, doubt, and emotional tension that builds with every chapter.
While the pacing is more measured than in some thrillers, it suits the narrative well, allowing the characters' complexities and hidden truths to emerge in a natural, engaging way. As a reader, you might think you know where the plot is heading but Croft expertly weaves in twists that feel both surprising and satisfying. There were moments that aligned with my own suspicions, but also turns I didn't anticipate, which kept the tension alive and the pages turning.
The strength of the novel lies in its psychological depth and the slow revelation of the characters' motivations.

Review of Sophie Was Here: I have mixed feelings about this book. At first, the main character comes across as somewhat naive and weak, going along with everything her partner says. She gradually becomes obsessed with the disappearance of a local girl and starts suspecting her boyfriend due to his constant lies. That said, the story gets more engaging as the chapters go by. While a few loose ends remain — the whodunnit isn't fully resolved for the characters — it's still an enjoyable read overall. Thanks to NetGalley for the early review copy!

Thoroughly enjoyed this book!
It had me gripped from the very beginning and just when I thought I'd figured out came phenomenal twists!
Highly recommend

A secret past, lies and more are certain to disrupt Emmie’s life soon after her partner Charlie’s parents gift them their old farmhouse. It all begins when Emmie discovers a chilling message in their basement: Sophie was here. Determined to uncover the truth, Emmie won’t rest until she finds out who Sophie was and what connection she might have had to Charlie.

While Emmie’s dreams were of her future, she is determined to uncover the past. Unearthing clues that go back nearly two decades reveals a web of secrets far more extensive than she could have imagined. Why was finding any information about Sophie so difficult? Curiosity has turned into obsession.

As the drama intensifies, the darkness of the past slowly becomes clearer to Emmie. The author’s chilling tale, with its multiple perspectives and dual timelines, suggests that Emmie might have good reason to distrust Charlie.

This captivating audiobook holds the reader’s attention from the very beginning until the thrilling conclusion. Naomi Frederick’s exceptional narration makes this character-driven story an utterly compelling read. Kathryn Croft has woven together another intriguing read.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

This is my first book that I have read that was written by Kathryn Croft. I initially was drawn in by the cover, but I stayed for the story.

Kathryn Croft delivered a gripping psychological thriller with Sophie Was Here. It kept me on edge from start to finish.

The plot setup drew me in and refused to let me go. Croft demonstrated expertise in building tension well as crafting a narrative that is as compelling as it is unpredictable.

Sophie Was Here had the ability to keep me guessing at every turn. Just when I thought I had it figured out, Croft would deliver another twist that changed everything.

If you enjoy well-paced thrillers that challenge your assumptions and keep you turning pages late into the night, this is a must-read.

I did not see this one coming. This book is unputdownable. The characters bring it to life. The mystery keeps you guessing until the bitter end. Absolutely amazing read. I had to read this in one sitting because I had to know what happened to Sophie… and boy did I not see that coming.
A veritable rollercoaster of suspense and mystery.
An amazing read!

This was a slow burner to start with but definitely increased in pacing as the tension in the plot increased. There were a good amount fo twists and I was definitely kept guessing

Kathryn Croft has once again proven why she’s one of my absolute favourite authors. Sophie Was Here had me completely hooked from the very first page, and I genuinely could not put it down. I devoured it in just over a day because I had to know what happened to Sophie. Every chapter pulled me deeper into the mystery, and the suspense never let up.

The story follows Emmie and her partner Charlie as they move from London into a farmhouse gifted to them by Charlie’s parents. But almost immediately, Emmie senses something is off. The house has a haunting presence, and whispers of a missing girl Charlie’s ex, Sophie begin to surface. When the chilling message “Sophie was here” is found scratched into the basement wall, the tension skyrockets.

The author masterfully builds a suspenseful atmosphere: the isolated farmhouse, the close knit and quietly watchful village, and the creeping sense that someone is hiding something. The pacing is fantastic, with just the right balance of character development and jaw-dropping twists. I loved the way secrets slowly unraveled just enough to keep me constantly second guessing.

Charlie is a fascinating and complex character. You want to trust him, but there’s always something simmering beneath the surface. As more is revealed about him, Sophie, and Emir, the story grows darker and more disturbing. Just when I thought I had it figured out, the author delivered another twist that completely blindsided me. The final reveal genuinely shocked me.

I can’t wait to recommend this to everyone. One of my favourite thrillers of the year! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this brilliant book.

Firstly I would like to thank netgalley and Bookoutune and the fantastic author Kathryn Croft for an early copy of her book to read.

Another great read from this author. A slow start but the storyline got better.Emmie boyfriend Charlie make a new start leaving many secrets behind..Charlie parents gives them a farmhouse to stay in...in the basement Emmie discovers writing on the wall from Charlie ex girlfriend Sophie who disappeared she doesn't trust him as he hides the evidence,does he know what happened to Sophie...more secrets are uncovered...a terrific read.looking forward to reading more of her books.

This book will be reviewed on goodreads and Amazon.