There is no surprise that this book received such a prestige award because it begins at an almighty pace and just gets faster! Australian Kim Leamy was doing pretty well for herself as a photographer. Well that was until an American stranger knocked her world from under her when he announced that she was his little sister, who had been abducted from Kentucky over 20 years ago. Now that's not something you hear everyday but after a rummage among her family photos and finding nothing of her before the age of 2 and a blood test well she can't deny what he is saying. Kim packs her bags and goes to find out more about her short life in America and the family that she was taken from.
For the first two years of her life her name had been Sammy Went and her family lived in a very over the top and pretty weird religious community with a fair assortment of snakes. God fearing, deadly snakes that judge the guilty and innocent. Whoa this felt like stepping back in time. Kim was going to have her work cut out in this tight-lipped community, that really aren't the friendliest of people. Kim is determined to find out more about her family and the reasons behind her abduction.
The story dips back and forth into the past and present day with an increasing uneasiness growing the more the two time lines are coming together. There are some pretty awesome characters in this story, not all good, but real get to you sort of people who will be a long time before they fade from my mind. And there are stories within the story that just stopped me in my tracks. Could these things really happen? The story made me have that uneasy, butterfly in my stomach feeling in so many parts and in others I felt horrified enough that if I had been there I would have been frozen in fear.
What a cracking story, perfect for the super sleuth readers and mystery seekers of the truth. It doesn't lack a few dead people either. Did I mention snakes? There are plenty of very deadly snakes! Highly recommended.
I received this e-copy of the book from NetGalley and the publisher which I have reviewed honestly

Nutshell review: “The Nowhere Child” was a cracking read.

I’ve tried to keep this review as spoiler-free as possible so you can read it without too many preconceived notions about the plot, characters, or other details… because with a novel like this it’s easy to drop spoilers completely by accident.

The concept of this novel had me interested from the outset, because it poses a fascinating hypothetical question. None of us can remember very much of our early childhoods, meaning that we can only rely on documentary evidence and the memories of our parents, siblings, and others for details of our lives before we began to form permanent memories.

What if everything we were told was a lie?

That’s the reality faced by Melbourne photographer Kim Leamy when a an man seeks her out to say he believes she’s someone else, a child who went missing over two decades ago from a small town in the United States of America.

The novel alternates between the present and the past as it unfolds what happened to Kim and why. The way the author handled the two time periods is one of my favourite things about the book.

On the one hand, it would have been very easy for details drip-fed to the reader in the past section to spoil revelations and surprises in the present.

On the other, it would also have been easy for the withholding of details or the provision of misleading details to feel cheap and cheesy, done just to maintain surprises in the present.

For the most part, White did an excellent job of balancing these two risks. Information from the past gently misleads the reader on occasion, but in a way which is fair and reasonable given the unfolding situation.

Characters in “The Nowhere Child” are drawn very well indeed. Even the most unlikable of characters are somewhat sympathetic, while the cast of generally likable individuals is likewise not without its flaws.

The book does a fine job of ruminating on the subject of loss and grieving, and I also felt that the locations and times featured in the novel were evoked well, without going into enough detail to distract from the ongoing narrative.

My favourite element in the novel was the way it didn’t shy away from the fact that three of the characters involved in the narrative are not heterosexual, and the way in which it portrayed their trials and tribulations living in a small town with a strong religious community.

I definitely recommend “The Nowhere Child” to you if you’re a thriller fan. I chewed through the book in no time at all and I was always keen to find out what was going to happen next!

It’s been a while since I read a book where I didn’t want it to end, but at the same time I can’t put it down as I have to know the ending!
I felt like I really got to know the characters of this book and they got under my skin! It was as if I was there with Kim and all the others living what they were going through. This was so well written to draw you in in this way, as so many books you just read you don’t feel what the characters are feeling. With this book you really did.
The church element was really creepy, had a very cult vibe and eeek to the snakes. This story is how I imagine the Madeleine McCann story to end. A woman living her life somewhere utterly oblivious to who she was and how it would mess up her mind if someone tracked her down and unloaded this onto her. Completely ripping her life up from under her!
This was a brilliant book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! However, I’m gutted that this is the author’s debut novel as it means there isn’t a back catalogue to catch up on!

It’s hard to imagine living into adulthood and then a bombshell explodes and you have to question everything you thought was true. The Nowhere Child is a rollercoaster ride of events and emotions as Kim Leamy travels from Australia to America in search of the answers to her identity. Christian White manages to paint great pictures of both countries in this incredible debut novel that sucked me in and spat me out. This is suspenseful thriller writing at its best. Thanks to HarperCollins for the ARC.

A mystery wrapped in a familial saga which culminates in some interesting outcomes. White's debut here is a classic mystery/thriller and could be contentious with the best of them. As the cover declares that this is a book for fans of Harper's The Dry, I may go a step further and declare that it has some superiority to Harper's work...

Engaging readers from the outset, the narrative flips back and forth between the 'then' and the 'now' of the life of Kim and some intense revelations about her past. The story itself is a solid construction, which leads readers through the mystery, suspense and climactic moments of tension we anticipate from this genre, yet, all the while develops characters who have some depth and quality which allows for empathy and intrigue also.

Overall, this is a great page-turner of the most traditional sense - you are with Kim on her journey, constantly intrigued and entertained by the premise of her journey and those she encounters along the way. The Nowhere Child touches upon subject matter which is somewhat controversial, (especially in the latter half of the text), and executes events and discussion of it with taste and power. Ideas about family, religion and abuse are presented with power, relevance and remain true to the characters and narrative style of the novel's concept.
A thrilling page turner - no, The Nowhere Child may not be a feat of traditional literary fiction or necessarily even a work of eloquent prose; however it sets out to enthrall it's reader, and, boy, doesn't it just! White is a new author who is one to watch!

#netgalley #TheNowhereChild #ChristianWhite #bookstagram

An interesting idea of a story, but for me i just could not connect with the story as much as i had hoped. That is not to mean others will not enjoy the book, i liked the idea for the story a lot and the psychological thrills where there, i was left wondering what was going to happen next quite a few times. The writing for a debut author was very good, and i hope to see more from this author in the future and see their writing style develop. Worth a read, just not for me and my reading likes this time.

A really riveting read! I devoured the book in two sittings. It is a very absorbing read with likeable and dislike able characters. Very atmospheric of the southern states of America. I really enjoyed this. #NetGalley#TheNowhereChild

The Nowhere Child
Author: Christian White
Publishers: HarperCollins
Gripping Psychological Thriller.

This debut novel won the Victorian Premier's Literary Award, previously won by 2 authors whose work I had read and loved, and I can see why it won. I read it in 2 sittings, I really did not want to put it down. The writing was great, the characters instantly believable and the story, about a missing child, was taut and gripping with an ending which I hadn't guessed but loved. I'd recommend this to anyone and everyone.

Many thanks to the author, publishers and netgalley for giving me this digital reader copy in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.

The opening of this book introduces Kim Leamy a photography teacher in Melbourne, Australia in the present time. She is approached by James Finn, a stranger from America who informs her of the kidnapping of a little girl (2 years old) thirty years ago – Sammy Went.

The following chapter takes us back to that time in a small town in America when Sammy goes missing. The plot in this period unfolds through Jack, Sammy’s father and Emma, her 13 year old sister. In this fashion we are introduced to Emma’s brother Stuart, the sheriff Ellis and Travis a neighbour and we learn of the mother’s obsession with ‘The Light Within’ a fundamentalist, cult-like group to which she belongs.

The plot follows this structure of alternating between the two time frames. We witness Kim’s confusion and disbelief as it is revealed that James (in reality Stuart, Sammy’s brother) declares that Kim is that kidnapped child.

Well done Mr White. You have presented a complex, challenging plot with a cast of interesting characters. I liked the structure; I liked the characters and most of all I loved reading this book even if the rattlesnake thing un-nerved me somewhat.

Heartily recommended.

Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.

Snakes, exorcisms, cults and much more!

Kimberley Leamy lives in Melbourne, Australia is shocked when a man approaches her while at the college where she teaches photography. He claims that she is his sister, Sammy who had been abducted when she was two years old from Manson Kentucky USA. Stuart Went gives her irrefutable evidence as to who she really is.

The story is told in two parts. The story of what happened to Sammy, how the members of the Church of the Light Within (a cult who use poisonous snakes in their services) had influenced her (biological) parents and the present, where Kim/Sammy gets to find out the story of her kidnapping. The biggest shock for her is realising that her life had been based on a lie and the people who she had always considered to be her true parents are not.

The storyline moves at a very fast pace. I found that I was making excuses to read, even waking up early, so that I could fit in at least another couple of hours before my day started. Christian White has painted a very disturbing picture of the cult and the scenes with the snakes (creatures I’m terrified of!) had me forcing myself to continue reading even though I wanted to hide under a blanket. He’s captured the family’s torment following the abduction of Sammy. Equally, he’s captured Kim coming to terms with the lie she’s lived since her abduction.

A truly memorable book and one that will continue to give me nightmares every time I hear the word snake and God forbid that I trip over one as I holiday here in Africa!

Imbali

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.

I have to say, The Nowhere Child was a highly anticipated read for me, yet when I started reading, I wasn’t sure if I enjoyed it that much. Maybe because there were too many descriptions and unnecessary dialogs (for my taste) ?
And I also wasn’t sure about the whole church (or more like cult) thing that seemed to take over the American side of the story. But, it all made sense at the end, even if some parts were somehow unlikely and a bit far fetched for my liking. I can see most of it happening though, but it’s hard to explain without giving too much away!
The plot starts by an accountant approaching Kim Leamy in Melbourne, claiming she’s a long lost girl called Sammy Went, who disappeared from her bedroom in a small town in Kentucky, 28 years ago. Kim decides to go to the US to find out what happened to her that fateful day.
I liked how the main characters were portrayed, some of them were truly horrible and that fitted the story well. It also handles some pretty thoughtful issues - but again, can’t say much without spoiling it!
There are two timelines, one in the now, from Kim’s POV, the second back in 1990, starting from the day Sammy disappeared.
Around halfway through, I was pretty sure I figured it all out (it seems fairly straightforward at first, I had a few theories to start with but then I was fairly certain I knew! ) and I thought I knew what happened to Sammy. Turns out I was wrong. It was quite shocking and maybe a little improbable, but it made for an original story.
All in all, it makes a refreshing read, even though I found the writing a little “too much” at times, the plot makes up for it! I would definitely recommend this book and I would definitely read more from this author in the future!

Thank you NetGalley, Christian White and Harper Collins UK for my free copy to read!

I liked this book a lot. After only a few pages, I knew it was going to be good. I liked the back then and now concept, the chapter lengths were just right for this. The story flowed well, I liked the backstory sideline titbits that added to the intrigue and mystery.

This is a book worthy of a duvet day as it's frustratingly good that you just want to get answers so just one chapter while I have 5 minutes turns into sorry I'm busy.... while you read more....

I highly recommend this author. I'm looking forward to his next book.

Thank you to #NetGalley and the author and publishers for the opportunity to read this book #NowhereChild

“The reader gives the author a dozen or so hours of their life, and in return, hopefully, the author gives them a story worth their time.“

Christian White’s Author’s Note at the finish of the book is very sweetly self-deprecating as he calls on the pact between author and reader and prays we will forgive him if we feel this story is not worth our time, because this is, after all, a debut. Luckily, I did feel this story was worth my time and would recommend it to others who have enjoyed the latest spate of Aussie crime thrillers.

Kim Leamy, an Australian photographer is brought into contact with a man who claims to know details of a past of which Kim has no memory. Deciding to go into more detail and hear how her story might interact with a toddler who went missing in Kentucky years before might open a Pandora’s Box of secrets. So of course, she proceeds. What follows is a gripping page-turner.

Okay, so it’s not perfect. There are occasions where you have to suspend your disbelief, for example (without giving too much away) why didn’t Stuart do some more digging to find out about Kim’s parents?
But would any of the moments of disbelief stop me from recommending it highly to others? Not when the point of a thriller is to to keep the reader enthralled. This does just that.

An excellent debut and I look forward to reading more by this author.

Many thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK and Christian White for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is brilliant there is no other way to describe it. I started reading it not knowing what to expect. The premise a simple idea but the book turned into something more. The story has so many twists in it. From the start with Stuart to the end with Dean. Kim /Sammy lead you down her story but the past and present story telling leading you into the finale had me gripped. I was sleep deprived at the end of it but it was worth it. The ending left me with the what's going to happen to Kim/Sammy this new family, her old family, her step dad. I feel emotionally invested in her now and hope the author does do a continuation. I want to know what happens next! This was a brilliant debut and I look forward to reading more of Christian Whites work.

The book tells the story about Sammy, a little girl who went missing many years ago, and Kim who is believed to be the same child, almost 30 years later.
It took a while to become absorbed in the story as it switches between two time frames – the past (a small town religious community in Kentucky, USA) and Australia, where Kim currently lives. And as new characters are introduced it becomes more complex, I kept flipping back pages to check how certain characters fitted into the story.
Characters and scenery are well drawn and developed by the author, vivid descriptions regarding areas making you feel you were there. The book starts slowly but gathers pace as this dark, disturbing story graphically unfolds, taking you along with Kim as she finds out about her dark, disturbing past and the dangers it still holds.
I found the book difficult to put down as I wanted to find out who had kidnapped Sammy and the circumstances leading up to her abduction. An engrossing read, which will keep readers turning the pages.

A fast-paced psychological thriller with vivid characters and an intriguing premise, The Nowhere Child is an entertaining read. It's deftly plotted and has a (rare for the genre) satisfying conclusion. However, it doesn't feel particularly Australian to me and some of the characters, particularly the American cast, feel horribly cliched. I don't suspect it matters, as this book will sell in its millions!

Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy.

It's hard to review this without giving too much away.

A 28 year old woman in Australia gets approached by a man from Kentucky, who claims she is his long lost sister, who went missing at 2 years old.

There's man just released from prison; her father's secret male lover; a cultish church, a withdrawn mother...

It's an engaging read - one that you want to speed through to find out what happened. It's a fantastic thriller.

Wow! What a fantastic debut novel from Christian White. I finished it within a couple of hours as I couldn’t wait to get to the end of this thriller and find out what had happened.
Imagine finding out as an adult that your life to date had been a lie, and you had been kidnapped as a child and moved continent.
Torn between hurting the family she was brought up with and finding the truth, Kim Leamy travels to America to get to the bottom of the allegation from a stranger that she went missing as a toddler.
I’ve read several books about missing children, but this one was different in that it didn’t have the predictable “happy ending”.
Would thoroughly recommend this read, and will definitely keep an eye out for further books by Christian White in future.

Thanks to Net Galley and Harper Collins UK for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.
This is a dark read and full of suspense.
Jack and Molly Wents youngest daughter who is only two disappears, They are distraught, Jack searches relentlessly for little Sammy, Molly is sustained by her rather bizarre faith in her church of The Light Within.
More than 20 years have passed when Kim who lives in Australia and is a photographer is approached by a man, Stuart, who claims that Kim is the missing toddler. Kim’s mother passed four years ago, so she is unable to ask her the many questions that are running through her mind. When she asks her stepfather and DNA tells her she is indeed Sammy, Kim travels to Manson Kentucky with Stuart, who is her brother to find out what happened all those years ago.
The story is told in ‘then’ and ‘now’ and the tension builds, lots of twists to the story with a totally unexpected ending.

Well-plotted suspense

A 2 year old girl disappears in Kentucky. 28 years later a man tells a photographer in Melbourne that she is that girl. How? Why?

Chapters alternate between past and present. There's a temptation to jump ahead into the present to find out what happened. It's worth resisting that temptation though, and to enjoy this well-crafted story. Hard to put down.

Recommended.