I have read and enjoyed some of Simon Beckett's previous crime novels featuring David Hunter so was interested to read The Lost with a new protagonist in Jonah Colley. This started out promisingly for me and I was interested in the disappearance 10 years previously of Jonah's young son. However I did lose some interest as the novel progressed and I felt that it became disappointingly formulaic. I'm sure other fans of this genre will enjoy this and I would still be interested to read any further books by the author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

This was good. It's got everything you'd expect a crime thriller to have, and the style of writing suits the genre.
It's about Jonah - policeman, ex-husband, and, crucially to the story and his character, an ex-dad. The story wastes no time and sets off at a cracking pace when an ex-friend (yes, an ex-friend too) sends Jonah a message for help. There's the unsolved mysteries of the past, murders, gangs, twists, turns and general cack-ups and conincidences that keep the story skipping along until it seemed to get bogged down in unnecessary complexities.
This book started really well, much improved on a lot of crime thrillers I've read recently. (A general gripe being the genre has been flooded with what appears to be rapidly written, churned out thin stories that are incredible yet simulateously dull - an art in itself I suspect, but that moan is for one of my never-to-be-written book blog posts.)
This book started so well I messaged a friend and asked if they'd heard of the writer, because, if not, I'd found one we'd both enjoy. And I still think I'll seek out his back list, well at least one of them, we'll see how it goes before I commit to them all.
I liked how it felt everything was happening in this story... there didn't feel to be any ideas being retained for the next book or unnecessary soft scenes to up the word count, this was a well-written, solid, thriller. But then it kind of drifted into the fleshy and incredible scenes those bulk produced ones tend to be full of. Perhaps it's me. Perhaps as a reader I'm losing the ability to stretch credibility, but I don't think so. In truth I fear I'm not often surprised at how inventive people can be when finding ways to cheat or be brutal to each other. Or how incompetent people can be at pretty much everything, jumping to conclusions when it's their job to be analytical of facts, misjudging people and making poor decisions... ah, maybe I'm tired of that. Maybe I'm tired of that in real life and now tired of reading about it too. So yeah, could be me.
If you love crime thrillers, this book is one of the best I've read in a while - particularly the first half - so do pick it up. This is a good writer with good ideas and deserves to be read.
Thank you to Netgalley and Trapeze for the review copy.

This is high octane, edge of your seat stuff! A fast paced thriller where you're not sure who to trust, long held secrets emerge and it twists and turns like a helter skelter. Well written, with an excellent building of atmosphere and characters who feel real, with flaws and personalities which are fully rounded. A great book!

I really expected this to more or less be your typical thriller/ domestic noir/ small town cop mystery type but I was actually pleasantly surprised. The main character isn't just a giant cliche and the story doesn't fall back into predictable storyline that have been written a dozen times over. It was a really enjoyable story line that keeps you interested from the get go and has you dying to find out it how it all ends.

A thrilling read that had me on the edge of my seat, suspenseful and unpredictable. I really liked it.

I have been a huge fan of the David Hunter series and have all of these so I was intrigued when a new series was promised.
This does not disappoint in any way. the start of the story drags you in and does not let you go - then the flash backs help to show a very broken cop in search of the truth.
To say much would give the plot away but it twists and turns and builds the drama. right up to the end.
I hope this turns into a series that is as strong as the David Hunter ones which still remain one of my favourite crime book series.
Buy this book and read it and if you have not read the David Hunter Series buy that as well.

The Lost by Simon Beckett

Ten years ago, the disappearance of firearms police officer Jonah Colley's young son almost destroyed him.
A plea for help from an old friend leads Jonah to Slaughter Quay, and the discovery of four bodies. Brutally attacked and left for dead, he is the only survivor.
Under suspicion himself, he uncovers a network of secrets and lies about the people he thought he knew - forcing him to question what really happened all those years ago..
A fantastic twist on a story that starts off as the usual policeman / crime genre.
The author has created a fantastic character in Jonah Volley .
Can't wait until the next one.