It’s the day after Grace Sullivan’s 9th birthday. She has been out for the day with her best friend, and Lucie and Blake Sullivan, Grace’s parents, have agreed for Grace to walk the short 4 minute journey home from her friend’s house to theirs. On the way though, Grace disappears. Lucie and Blake are obviously overcome with worry as to what has happened to their daughter, but when Lucie receives a message from her past, she realises she needs to reveal the secret she has been keeping all these years.

I was so excited to hear this author’s new book! I’ve read I think all of her books and have loved every single one of them! When I was given the opportunity to read this one, the decision to move it right to the top of the To Be Read pile was an easy one. I’d also just finished reading another book, so the timing was perfect. At the time, I was not well, and having completely lost my voice I was able to use the opportunity of not having to talk to anyone and to crack on and get through this book, which I read in just under a day!

I do love this author’s books. Her writing is spot on, not just in how well it’s written but also in how up to date the story was….I mean, even Fortnite gets a mention! The storyline features every parent’s nightmare – your child going missing after walking home on their own. In the book, Grace, whilst still only 9 years old, wants to become more ‘grown-up’ and independent. Her mum is not so keen, and who can blame her! But, unfortunately we do have to cut the apron strings at some point and begin to let our children do these things. My son will be 12 this year and is now at secondary school, yet I still pace up and down in the kitchen like a caged tiger when I’m waiting for him to get home.

The author manages to get the emotions just right throughout the story. It switches from worried to scared to untrusting to accusing with a load of other different emotions thrown in the middle of those as well! I had a feeling of unease throughout the book, and my maternal side obviously kicked in and had such an empathy for Lucie. The chapters mainly alternate between present day and 16 years before giving the viewpoint of Lucie during her university years. I did initially wonder how this all fitted in, but all became evidently clear as the story moved on. The other characters were all great and I had trouble determining which ones of them could be trusted and which couldn’t. Needless to say, as per normal, my guesses were wrong!

You don’t get to find out what has happened to Grace until very near the end, leaving you on tenterhooks throughout the whole book. The tension and suspense builds at a fast pace and by the end you feel like you have been put through an emotional washing machine…..on the fast spin!! I didn’t guess what had happened to Grace until the reveal, and I certainly didn’t guess who was involved. I did though have an early inkling as to what was discussed between Grace’s parents at the end of the book, but the ending rounded off a very high tension and thrilling book perfectly!

It was a fantastic story of lies and mistrust, with a ‘slap in the face’ reminder that secrets never stay secret and that your past will always catch up with you. Highly highly recommended! Superb!!