I rarely say this it but I loved everything about this book. I was gripped from the first page, desperate to soak up every part of the mystery. I particularly liked the way my feelings for the two main ladies, Sarah and Isla, changed with each chapter. In the end I felt that they were both flawed in their own ways but throughout the novel I really felt like I was being swayed by one character or the other at different times.

I loved the family dynamics. The characters felt so realistic and I was so thrilled with the way Lucy portrayed the teenagers in the book. A huge pet peeve of mine is talented writers who completely fail at realistic depictions of differing age groups but Lucy has it down to a tee.

This is such a great Summer read, especially for those who like a lighter thriller. It also really reminded me of Broadchurch so if you’re still after your South coast fill then it’s a fabulous book to pick up!

I would give this book 4.5 stars if I could, it was a very intense yet enjoable experience.

Two friends Isla and Sarah had two baby boys at more or less the same time. They also have two beach hut in the same stretch of beach and the two boys grow together happily.

Until a tragic day when one of the boys drowned in the sea.
7 years later on his birthday and on the anniversary of the death of his friend, the surviving boy goes missing too.

This novel has elements of your typical psychological thriller, missing people, searches, secrets and the feeling that you can't really trust anyone. Not even the main characters. But it is not a thriller as such, it is more of a family drama, it is about forgiveness, mothers and children and above all what we can or can't do for love.

But there are some big twists and reality is not what it seems. As you read your sympathy moves from character to character as you realise there are no devils nor angels here.

Overall a well written book, interesting three dimensional characters that you can relate to and a good plot. And if you like the sea, you might enjoy it even more as everything seems to happen on a beach. Definitely the book to read this summer.

Last Seen was a good book but I did struggle at times in the beginning ,stuck with it and it did get better towards the end. Loved the twist at the end.
Two boys went missing seven years ago, only one made it back. But then he disappears again on the anniversary of the accident.......

This is an enjoyable holiday read. Jumping between time periods and Isla and Sarah's version of events spoils the narrative flow. The plot also stretches the imagination.

A slow start but as more detail is revealed it became an excellent read

Seven years ago two ten year old boys Marley and a Jacob, went for a swim and tragically only one, Jacob, returned. What really happened on that day? Was there more to it than a trajic accident. On the anniversary of the accident and on Jacobs' birthday he mysteriously disappears.
The story unfolds in a series of flashbacks and explores the toxic friendship between the boys mothers, Sarah and Isla. They have remained very close since the loss of Marley and for part of the year have adjacent beach huts. They share a long history, Sarah is now married to Nick and are Jacobs' parents, Nick was originally Isla's boyfriend. Secrets and jealousy abound, you are never quite sure which version of anything is true. The story is gripping to the end, fast paced and poignant. I'd recommend this novel and would like to read more from this author.

Unfortunately I felt this book wasn't really for me. Although it was advertised as a fast paced psychological thriller, and the plot itself moved speedily enough, the narrative felt too clumsily handled with heavily dropped hints and suspense. Others who enjoy this genre may feel very differently, of course, but its not one of my favourites, I'm afraid.

I really enjoyed this intriguing dark novel, which initially was a slow burner for me , but after a few chapters I was hooked. Last Seen is a clever, character driven story, each character is well crafted and evokes strong and differing emotions.
Lucy Clarke does an excellent job of portraying the grief, fear and terror in this chilling tale.
A very well written book where I had to keep reading just one more chapter!

Thank you!

7 years ago two boys go into the sea, but only one comes back. The boys mothers Isla and Sarah have been friends for years but as Isla tries to come to terms with her loss the friendship begins to fracture. Now, on the anniversary of her sons disappearance Sarah's son goes missing. As she and her husband Nick frantically search for their son secrets and lies begin to be revealed, secrets that will ruin lives.....

This novel is the very definition of a slow burner. The story is told from both of the women's perspectives, revealing their shared pasts. Islas is filled with anger and pain, Sarah's with paranoia and panic. By building slowly to the events surrounding the first disappearance the author has crafted an enthralling thriller which is impossible to put down. There are so many twists and turns you'll be dizzy after reading this!

I received this from Netgalley.

Two friends grow up together and have sons at the same time but one is lost and one is not.

The book begins with the aftermath of some altercation, the details of which are slowly revealed alongside the revelations of the tragic events of the past that led to this point.

The beginning of the book seemed a little slow and just seemed to hint at the story to come rather than be part of it but as the novel progressed, the pace improved and I was hooked by the mystery to be unravelled. The story is told in first person from two people's point of view switching between each one as the tale progresses.

Looking forward to reading other novels by Lucy Clarke.

I absolutely loved this book , I couldn't put it down. a fabulous thriller with an excellent twist 10/10

I had high hopes for this book. In all honesty I found it quite long winded and it seemed to take ages before we got to the nitty gritty of the book. I liked the fact it went between past and present as it added some depth to the book but I felt it only really got going towards the very end when the twists and turns were introduced.

Thank you to the publisher and author for the chance to review.

I loved Lucy Clarke's other books so this had a lot to live up to, and it didn't disappoint. It had me hooked from the first page and I have to admit I found it hard to put down once started. It had plenty of thrills and chills, and a fast pace that was maintained through out. The characters were easy to relate to, and this in its self makes to plot more scary, this could happen to any of us. Lucy Clarke's writing of both characters and plot is perfect for me, she manages to get the balance just right; neither dominate the other. A compelling psychological thriller that gives a whole new meaning to a beach read.

A fast paced psychological thriller with lots of twists and turns. Two mothers. Two sons. An accident and only one son returns. Years later, on the anniversary of the accident, the other boy disappears, leaving his mother distraught. Someone knows what happened that day. They want it kept quiet.

I really couldnt put this one down and read it in a day which has to be a good recommendation! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy.

Excellent book. Great storyline and wonderful main characters. I would recommend this book.

I loved this book. Great author, will look out for more by her.

Kept me turning the pages and I liked the set-up and some of the false paths it led me down but not keen on the ending.

Last Seen

Two boys went missing at sea and only one came back...

Wow!! This is one of those books that you genuinely can't put down. Full of twists, turns, suspense and secrets, you cannot fail to be enthralled and entertained by this fabulous book! Five shiny stars from purplebookstand.

Seven years ago, two boys went missing at sea, but only one was brought to shore. The Sandbank, a remote area of coast, is dotted with beach huts, has been scarred forever. Sarah's sun survived, but he disappears on the anniversary of the accident. With new secrets surfacing and tension growing with unanswered questions, Sarah's search grows more desperate as she mistrusts everyone she knows. Is someone covering up what they say seven years ago? Will they do everything they can to keep the truth buried?

I loved this novel. A story of secrets, lies betrayal and hidden connections. The two women take turns at narrating the story. We also get flashbacks of their pasts. There are lots of twists and turns to keep your attention. It's gripping, tense and has a well kept pace. I was kept guessing throughout this book and and the ending was unexpected. This is the first book I have read by the author until won't be my last.

I would like to thank NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and the author Lucy Clarke for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4,5 stars

Sarah and Isla know each other since they were kids. They are still close friends. They got pregnant almost at the same time. Sarah is married to Isla’s ex-lover- Isla is a single mother. Both bought beach huts on the English coastline where they spent their summers. All is perfect until one day the boys went swimming but only Jacob, Sarah’s son, returned. Marley, Isla’s boy, was never found and presumed drowned. Isla is desperate. But despite this happened on this sandbank she returns every year to to visit Sarah and her family and feel close to Marley. She loves remembering how happy her little boy was while they were at the hut. How he played with Jacob. But after a few years she senses little fractions in her friendship to Sarah. It seems as Sarah doesn’t want to share her family any more with Isla.

The book begins after Jacob disappears. He is 17 know and he did not come home after a beach party. Isla just left after the anniversary of Marley’s death. It is obvious that something happened between the two women.

The story is told alternating from Sarah an Islas point of view. We learn that everybody has secrets. Especially one of them has a huge problem with telling the truth. One lie leads to the next and soon there are many layers of lies which build up to a tragedy.

The author did a great job in creating a very atmospheric story. I loved the setting of this English sandbank and the little beach huts. Both women love their huts where they spent so many happy summers with their sons. Especially Isla loves to return to the hut because it reminds her so much of Marley. For me this was a dark and sad story. I felt especially sorry for Isla and poor Marley. Lies are told to protect somebody but mostly to protect oneself. But these lies destroyed two families. A little boy died tragically and another life was ruined.

The characters in this book are very realistic and strong. I felt with both women although I started to despise one of them while reading. It is a complex and clever story but also a slow burner. It is not a fast paced book but it is worth your reading time.

This was my second book from Lucy Clarke but definitely not my last one