Unfortunately when I requested this book I didn’t realise that it was part of a series. So therefore I am not able to review this.
All the same thank you netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for a honest review.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

Unfortunately this wasn’t a hit for me, I thought the concept was great but it was just a little too far fetched for me. I found that the different storylines didn’t really mesh together and I found it difficult to remain engaged

This was sinister as hell and genuinely slightly terrifying how close to reality it could be in an instant. Very clever and I’m annoyed I put off reading it for so long.

This book took a good few attempts to read it. Not my favourite type of thriller but the concept was interesting. I found it a little dark but I didn’t figure out who it was until just before it was revealed.

Really enjoyed this. DR Augusta is a fantastic character and would love to read more books with her in. Great plot that kept me intrigued right until the end. 4 stars

Not a terrible plot but it was not for me. I enjoyed some parts but then felt like I had to read it just to finish it off. Great read for others but definitely not for me.

This was a good read, and a fair plot. Not the best I have ever read, but I would recommend as a good holiday read.

With thanks to netgalley and the publishers for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I'm so happy right now because this is the first in a series and if the others are anything like Gone then I'm in for a roller coaster of a ride!

Augusta Bloom is a psychologist who is asked to help an investigation into a missing person. It is soon discovered that the missing person is one of many who have disappeared after receiving a mysterious birthday card.

This book had so many twists and turns and I'm sure during some parts I forgot to breathe. Brilliant writing and cleverly researched. I'm off to download book 2 now.

Theres a lot to take in at the start of the book, but once you work our who's who then the story carries you along on a murder investigation quite nicely. Marcus and Augusta are great characters that are easy to spend time with and join on their investigation adventures.

In the background to the story theres what feel like some relevant, thought provoking messages to keep you thinking about this book long after you finish it!

I was slightly confused to begin with and had to persevere but it absolutely paid off. Fascinating reading. Feel like there is more to come.

I downloaded this at a time I wanted to read this, however years have passed now and I am not longer interested in reading this.

Gone is such a gripping read, I struggled to put it down! We follow psychologist (and Private Investigator) Augusta Bloom as she and her investigative partner Marcus Jameson investigate the disappearance of various people, who have upped and left their families on their birthdays for no apparent reason other than all receiving a birthday card inviting them to play a game. It’s a intriguing premise and it really drew me in.

The story is well plotted and moves at just the right pace. We find out more about the link between Bloom and Jameson, and I found both the main characters likable. The plot is also very interesting in that it features some psychopaths, and that alone is a very intriguing topic for a book!

Although I did one particular twist coming, there were still lots of surprises and intrigue to keep me wanting to read on. It’s also the start of a new series, so I am really looking forward to diving back into Bloom and Jameson’s world – they’re interesting characters and Gone definitely leaves big parts of Bloom’s character and past a mystery, so I want to read subsequent books to find out more about her!

Definitely recommended – a past paced, enjoyable and satisfying thriller!

A thriller with a great pace to it and fascinating to read. As ever, a thriller with twists, but you may find that some are predictable. Still very well written and an enjoyable read

This was a great read, full of great characters, plot, writing and pacing. I enjoyed the book and finished it in one day — I just couldn’t put it down!

I very much enjoyed this book. It has a good story and excellent main characters. I would definately recommend this book.

Terrible - just terrible. Cliched and predictable and worse than that I just did not care for any of the characters.

Well what a debut novel from Leona Deakin. It was certainly a page turner and I read the book really quickly. Interesting main characters and a brilliant plot line. I figured what was happening early on but certainly didn’t expect the ending. The author has the scene for more books to hopefully follow with Dr Augusta Bloom and Marcus Jameson.
Definitely worth a read, highly recommended

4-4.5*
Augusta Bloom is a psychologist and has worked with the police on previous occasions. Augusta still continues with her private practice as a psychologist. She has also teamed up with Marcus Jameson, ex intelligence services, as private detectives. She has come to regard Marcus as a friend as well as a colleague.

Marcus asks her to help find the mother of a teenage girl who often stays with his sister Claire’s family. Augusta is wary of how close Marcus is to this and she has her clients but he knows how to draw her in and she agrees.

As they investigate it becomes clear that there are more, many more missing people and it looks like it’s a strange game that is being played out. If Augusta is right these people are not always the victims they seem to be.

The police are interested but, on the surface, these are adults choosing to walk away from their current lives and there’s nothing illegal about that. Then there’s a murder.

Augusta specialises in psychopaths and knows that they can be functional members of society but given the right circumstances can potentially be very dangerous and someone is bringing them together.

As Augusta and Marcus become deeply embroiled in their investigation the possibility of what is happening begins to dawn on Augusta but with this story there are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing and hooked.

In this well written, intricate story we are introduced to the rather dark but impressive Dr Augusta Bloom a character I certainly want to read more about. The story leaves the relationship – both working and personal – between Augusta and Marcus badly damaged. Whether that is irrevocably can only be found out in the future books.

I have very much enjoyed this book and certainly recommend it. It’s a terrific, unique and chilling story which kept me gripped. It is a fascinating book with its insights into this character type. This is a really good debut book which kept me engrossed and has left me wanting to read more from this compelling author.

Thanks: With thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for inviting me to read and providing an eCopy of Gone by Leona Deakins via NetGalley. I have also purchased a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own, I have not received payment for this review.

Really enjoyed this book as it was a bit different and it was the usual detective investigating the disappearance of people who just seem to walk out on their lives after receiving a game card
Augusta Bloom is a psychologist, her and Jameson work together when someone goes missing from their lives - it seems to be something about a dare. It's a complicated case.
Augusta is also working with a young girl Seraphine who attacked a guy who works at her school with a pencil to the neck. He doesn't die but Augusta thinks Seraphine might be a psychopath and she is an expert having specialised in identifying psychopaths her whole life.
What exactly is Augusta's connection to the case ?