When I began this book, I thought "oh no here we go again", as I believed it was going to follow the formula of so many 'missing teenager' books available at the moment. However, I quickly learnt that I was incorrect, as it delved deeply into the pain of a mother, who lost a particularly difficult child, and posed some serious questions about the effects of this on how the mother and society dealt with this loss. As I work with teenagers, I can allude that kids with issues such as Edie certainly exist, but a spotlight is rarely shone on the mental and physical effects this can have on their primary caregivers. In my opinion this is an excellent book, and it should hold an important place in modern thrillers, whereby books should be written that are raw and real, rather than 'thriller by numbers'.

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Exceptional plot, in depth characters, and extremely well written. Just like Pearces first book this one was just as good if not better.

From the beginning this one hooked me. I honestly didn’t want to put it down! I look forward to reading more by Daisy Pearce.

Thank you NetGalley, publisher and author, for letting me have a copy of this book to read and review. Premise of this book was very interesting. A teenager disappeared years ago and her mom is still trying to find out what happened. Meanwhile a wife discovers her husband may be hiding secrets from her. Shockingly, the couples might have things in common. I was intrigued and excited to find out the possible link between the 2 couples. I wanted to like this book more than I did, sadly. I did not like the narration style of the author. I was so distracted by the use of, sometimes fancy, words to describe details about the characters and their surroundings. "slender curve of the moon", "her hair is a nebula about her drawn face".

Sadly, I wasn't super impressed with this book. I thought it had great potential, but in the end I was left feeling highly underwhelmed. The writing was fine, however, the characters were so unlikable. Not unlikeable in that way where you still love them and kind of question yourself for doing so. They were just boring and flat. The story really fell short for me too. It just wasn't blowing me away at any point. This one wasn't for me.

Told from two perspectives, then & now, about a missing girl. Samantha’s 15 year old daughter Edie goes missing, 18 years later Frances discovers her husbands connection to the missing girl. Very good book, kept me guessing til the end

This suspense-filled novel kept me guessing till the end. Engaging characters, great storylines and good setting make this a book to be read!!

This book packs a punch, a book always rates highly if it can grab my intrigue in the first chapter. Its rare but this book had it. I read 46% in my first sitting. Daisy has a way of description that gave me goosebumps. The story is clearly guided and the jumps back to past are clear with chapter names.. Now and Then.
This was my first read of Daisy Pearce and it won't be my last, I can't describe the talents used to just sprinkle intrigue and anticipation throughout the book. Not knowing what's going to happen, where is this going... These talents are priceless and this book has them all and will keep you reading... Matchsticks should come with this book as they are needed to keep going. I will sleep after this chapter just does not work out... I had to keep reading just one more.
Samantha and Francis are characters who have been described perfectly and each chapter being written in 1st person gives a sense and insight of each lady and their desperation in the missing child and the straying husband, the link between these characters is well developed and is the most intriguing part of the book.
A well written gripping thriller.


#TheMissing #NetGalley #DaisyPearce #bookreview
#bonkersaboutbooks

*** ARC provided by NetGalley via the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ***

This book is told from the perspective of Samantha (now & then) and Frances. Samantha is the mother of Edie who went missing age 15 and was never heard of again. This happened 20 years ago and Frances is thrown into the middle of this decades old story by her own curiosity after seeing a photo of her husband with Edie as a teenager.

The problem with this story is that Edie wasn't the type of child that was missed when she disappeared, in short, Edie was no angel. This, for me, is what makes the book stand out. The story of a forgotten 'bad girl', the media that painted her as a runaway and the mother unsure of how to feel when the daughter who scared her goes.

Good book, would certainly make me keep an eye out for this author in the future

Complex mystery with lots of strands. Unfortunately didn't really get going for me. Loads of suspects,not much to go on,slow unravelling.

I know I’ll sound like a douche but I did not like Edie at all, like for me, she deserved what happened to her. I know I know, I’m evil.
But that’s the truth.
Thanks Net Galley for the ARC of this book.
It was okay.
It could’ve been so much better if the character is likeable.

15-year-old Edie Hudson goes missing.
Two decades later, her mother Samantha still doesn't know what happened to her daughter and can't find closure.
Meanwhile, Frances discovers that her husband William had known the missing girl.
When the two women meet accidentally, they quickly join forces to find out the truth behind Eddie's disappearance, but someone is not happy about it.

The story alternates between two different accounts, Samatha's and Frances'.
I found the two at first seemingly unconnected perspectives really intriguing, and as the story kept progressing, I was quickly drawn in.
This was a gripping read that had me madly turning the pages to find out what happened to Eddie.
The twist at the end was not so much shocking as it was surprising, but the story was fast-paced and suspenseful, and I didn't want to put it down. It was my first book from this author, but it definitely won't be my last.

This is the second book I've read by this author, and it's another great one! Told from alternating narratives of Samantha and Frances, it involves Edie, Samantha's daughter who disappeared 15 years ago, and Frances, who discovers this mystery and the surprising connection it has to her own life. She never heard about the missing girl before, due in part to the police and media writing Edie off as just another troubled runaway. Sure, she was a typical rebellious teenager, more so perhaps, but that doesn't mean her disappearance doesn't matter. And it soon begins to matter to Frances, also, when she discovers that her husband, William, was involved with Edie as a teen.

Frances and William revisit his childhood home due to his mother suffering a terrible fall while in the care of William's brother, Alex. It is while she looks through some old photos that Frances learns about Edie and how she disappeared one day in a graveyard and has never been found. She soon begins digging into the mystery, and meets Samantha along the way. Still heartbroken over her Edie's disappearance, she and Frances join together to discover the truth, whatever the cost. But will that only cause these women to lose more along the way?

I read this all in one sitting - I couldn't help it, I was unable to put it down! So many suspicious characters and motives, I just couldn't rest until I knew what really happened to Edie. It is definitely a mystery you will want to solve and you won't be disappointed!

i really enjoyed this book from daisy pearce .it follows one womans quest to find out what happened to her daughter who went missing when she was 15 .it really tugs at your heart .

Samantha seems to be the only person who still wants to find her missing daughter. It’s been twenty years after all, everyone assumes she either ran off or was killed. But Samantha is determined to uncover the truth and she finds help in an unlikely ally, Frances, a woman interested in what happened to Edie because Frances has found a photo of her husband with the missing girl

Loved this book and I'm sure I watched a series on tv based on the same storyline. Felt so sorry for the mum at all times