I read the premise and blithely assumed that this would be a run-of-the-mill small-town murder mystery but it was actually far more profound and I was unprepared for the emotional intensity of this truly involving novel.

When London-based illustrator, Emily Kirkland, take a call from her father’s neighbour informing her that seventy-five-year-old Felix has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and his condition is deteriorating, she reluctantly returns ‘home’ to the rural town of Arapito, New Zealand. Emily hasn’t lived there for years but with her twin siblings both of the opinion that the local care home is the answer for their father, she returns somewhat apprehensively. Her father, Dr Felix Kirkland, is a much loved retired community GP and search and rescue volunteer but as a father and husband he was remote, undemonstrative and rarely at home through his work. Emily’s memories of Arapito are also blighted by the disappearance of Leah Parata, neighbour and ecologist, after she set out on a hike to the nearby Ruahine Range of mountains that overlook Arapito. At the time Felix was one of the first to begin the search and it is Leah’s heartbroken mother, Raewyn, who phoned Emily and has been keeping an eye on ailing Felix. It quickly becomes clear that Raewyn wasn’t exaggerating Felix’s decline as Emily witnesses delusions and false memories however as she helps her father to declutter his paperwork several things give her reason to suspect that he might know more about Leah’s disappearance than he has ever disclosed.

With Felix living more and more in the past as his short-term memory fails, his revelations about Leah, along with the insights into his upbringing with a deeply religious mother, seem frighteningly lucid. The lives of both the Kirkland and Parata families are closely entwined and as keeper of what she suspects is a horrific secret and her father’s betrayal, it leaves Emily facing an unenviable dilemma. The novel is set across two timelines, June 1994 when Leah disappeared and Emily’s return in 2019 coinciding with the lead-up to the twenty-five year anniversary of Leah’s disappearance. The evolving relationship between father and daughter is central to this novel and both Felix and Emily are incredibly well-drawn. Norman does a superb job of charting Felix’s gradual decline in what felt to me like an authentic manner and likewise, the impact on Emily as his primary carer. The growing father-daughter is beautifully observed and despite Emily’s evident sadness for her father’s decline, this is also a book about a daughter making sense of the past and coming to understand more about the man her father once was.

The novel has a strong sense of place with the backdrop of the imposing Ruahines dominating the horizon and keeping Leah’s memory ever-present throughout, with the raw beauty and loneliness of rural NZ captured stunningly. Remember Me has a clear vein of suspense running through it which I registered as nerve-shredding anxiety for both the Kirkland and Parata families and the revelations to come. I thought I had largely worked out the disclosures that would unfold and was fearing a messy ending, but Charity Norman surprised me completely with a sublime denouement that felt so wonderfully fitting.

Touching, tender, poignant and with a narrative that reaches deep into the hearts and souls of its characters, Remember Me is another mesmerizing and emotive read from Charity Norman. I loved everything about it, from the rugged setting of New Zealand’s North Island to the sensitively handled narrative and the beautifully crafted protagonists.

The premise is one that will resonate with just about everyone.

Emily has returned to New Zealand from the UK to visit her ageing father, Felix, a retired GP, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Unable to face the thought of him being put into a care home as long as he still retains some idea of who he is, she decides to extend her stay to look after him. Little has prepared her though for the discoveries that lie in wait: long buried secrets — some good, others bad — that reveal sides to her father that she never knew existed.

It’s a profoundly compelling and multifaceted story that progresses gently but always with momentum. It doesn’t shy from exploring some serious issues and builds to a shocking but ultimately fitting (at least for me) conclusion.

The unfolding drama aside, what I found most affecting was the slowly shifting relationship between Amy and emotionally distant Felix. I loved how we saw the affection between father and daughter become more open and tactile, as Felix, his mind released from its inhibitions, was able to freely declare his pride, love and — perhaps most importantly for Amy — his trust.

And it is this renewed bond, I believe, which gives Amy the strength and clarity of mind to make the right decision when the time comes. Not the judgement I was expecting her to face, but still one requiring recourse to deep soul searching. It also had me asking questions of myself: Just how far would I be prepared to go for someone I love?

Kudos to Norman for once again taking on topics of a moral and ethical nature, and for doing so with the acuity and sensitivity of a writer who has a deep understanding of what it is to be human. She is fast becoming one of my favorite authors.

Although excited to read this, as I really enjoyed this authors last book, I did go into it with a touch of trepidation as the theme of Alzheimers running throughout is very close to home for me at the moment and I wasn't sure if that was going to affect my enjoyment.

Emily is at her flat in England when her Dad's neighbour in New Zealand calls her. She is very worried about Felix and is concerned that his Alzheimers is getting to the point where he needs more care. Although her brother and sister are still on New Zealand, their too busy lives mean that it is Emily who flies over to take care of him.

Alongside the Kirkland family's heartbreaking story is the case of their neighbours daughter, which is coming up to the 25 year anniversary of when she went missing. Leah, a very competent and practiced hiker, set off into the bush one day and has never been seen since. Will they finally find the answers they have been hoping for all these years.

This was an absolutely beautifully written story of hope, family and the heartbreaking decisions that have to be made. The anxiousness I felt around the subject matter before starting never did materialise as everything, although raw, was writtten so sensitively, yet without holding back. It gives a great insight into the issues families that have to cope with this horrific disease, and others, are affected.

Highly recommended!

Charity Norman is one of a handful of authors that I read WITHOUT checking the blurb simply because I adore her writing and each of her books are brilliantly researched, thought-provoking, original and highly topical so when Anne Cater asked me if I wanted to be on the blogtour for Remember Me I said “absolutely 100% yes” immediately.

Now being a good little blogger I like to read my blogtour books at least three weeks in advance so I settled down one evening, opened the book on my kindle and quickly glanced at the description on Goodreads. My stomach literally dropped when I saw it was about a daughter returning to her childhood home to look after her father who has dementia, because unfortunately this for me is a little to close to home and rather raw. I try not to read books that would affect me in such direct ways, always viewing books as an escape from reality, but I had committed myself to the tour and pulled up my big girl’s pants and settled down to read.

Remember Me is about Emily, the youngest daughter of a family of 3 siblings, now living in the UK, working as an illustrator for a childrens author, with a grown up son travelling the world. One day she receives a call from her father’s neighbour in New Zealand, his health is deteriorating, his mental health is on the decline and he has been diagnosed with Alzheimers, can she fly over and look after him for a few weeks?

Emily doesn’t have a close relationship with her father, in fact it’s practically non-existent. Growing up she yearned for his approval and love but he was incapable to showing either to her, her siblings or mother. A strict and aloof man, Dr Felix Kirkland spent his time and attention on his patients oblivious to the hurt he caused his own family.

Emily’s move back to her childhood home in New Zealand brings up memories she has suppressed for years and one particular event which caused ripples of grief throughout the small town of Tawanui. A childhood friend and neighbour Dr Leah Parata disappeared on a hike 25 years ago, Emily was the last person to see her alive and as it’s the anniversary of her disappearance the media want to reinterview everyone involved with Leah at the time.

Spending time with her father, Emily starts to uncover secrets that Felix has kept from everyone since that fateful night Leah disappeared. Whilst trying to deal with the slow and painful realisation that her father isn’t the man she thought or hoped, she also has to cope with his dementia. Watching this previously strong and independant man who was competely in control of his feelings and emotions, struggle with his memories and everyday tasks was so heartbreakingly real and raw for me personally but gave me a better understanding in the affects of Alzheimers for both the family and the sufferer.

Remember Me deals with grief and loss, secrets and betrayal, hurt and forgiveness and takes the reader on an emotionally charged story full of compassion and warmth.

Another easy 5 stars from me and if you haven’t read any of Charity’s books before – please pick one up and immerse yourself in her incredible storytelling.

I’ve read and loved Charity’s books previously and this one was no exception.

Emily is at her home in England when she hears that her dad, Dr Felix Kirkland, is suffering from Alzheimer’s at his home in New Zealand. It’s now 25 years since Emily left NZ, not long after their neighbour Leah vanished into thin air, with no trace of her ever being found. Emily returns to her family home, where the memories of a Leah seem to be everywhere…..especially where her dad is concerned. Just what did happen to Leah - surely someone knows?

I could not put this book down. A couple of times I thought I had sussed what was to be revealed, only to be completely wrong footed more than once. I feel bereft now it is finished.

Breathtakingly beautiful! I just love the e way charity Norman writes, so eloquent and it’s as if the characters are really speaking to me. Felix’s voice is so strong and clear.

This is a story about love, loss, heartbreak and choices.

I adored everything about it, the writing, the characters, the scenery and imagery as well as the message. It really makes you think about right and wrong and about how you would manage in difficult circumstances.

I'm a big fan of Charity Norman books in any case, but this one just resonated. It is beautifully written, and Charity brought the characters and the setting to life so vividly that you actually felt you were present and living with Emily as the story unfolds.

Highly recommended

For beautifully written, thought provoking fiction I don’t think you can go wrong with a Charity Norman novel. Remember Me is simply stunning, a powerful, captivating exploration of the ravaging effects certain diseases/illnesses have over the mind and body and the anguish felt by families left coping with the disappearance of a loved one, their fate or whereabouts a mystery. Charity Norman transports you to New Zealand to Arapito homestead, Tawanui, home of retired doctor Felix Kirkland who unfortunately cannot hide his condition any longer. Daughter Emily, a childrens book illustrator living in London flies back to her homeland to care for her mentally ailing father at the request of good family friend and neighbour Raewyn Parata. Coincidentally it is approaching the twenty five year anniversary of the disappearance of Raewyn’s daughter Leah, a young conservation biologist who went tramping one weekend to continue her study of Marchant snails, but failed to return home. Memories of that time still haunt those left behind, none more so than Raewyn and son Ira for whom life has dealt a double blow, stealing both beloved husband and father Manu and then Leah from them within a short space of time. In a narrative in which hope and love never truly die Emily, the last person to see Leah alive, finds her father remarkably changed from the man she remembers from childhood, unwittingly chancing upon some worrying and perplexing discoveries which together with Felix’s failing memory may well shed light on the mystery that’s tainted this small community.

Charity Norman is a phenomenal writer. The sense of place in this novel is tremendous adding another layer to prose that is already hauntingly, achingly beautiful and tragic at the same time. In all likelihood I shall probably never be lucky enough to visit this part of the world but I truly felt as if I were in the midst of this scenic landscape, in awe of its beauty and vastness. The author’s perception of what it means to live with a disease that slowly strips the sufferer of all their dignity whilst leaving their families to stand by and witness their disintegration, almost powerless to ease their pain is razor sharp. It’s unflinchingly honest and it took my breath away. As will be the case for many readers who have either experienced or are currently experiencing the impact cruel diseases such as dementia have on the whole family, this aspect of the novel will touch a raw nerve. With my own father already in the grips of this disease the glimpse of what the future further down the line might look like at times makes this a painful, unsettling and uncomfortable read. Combine this with the sense of loss and lack of closure Raewyn and Ira have to endure on a daily basis, a situation that I found almost too harrowing to contemplate and you’re presented with a highly emotive, intelligent and superbly crafted read that flows naturally and effortlessly. Quite how Charity Norman kept her emotions in check as she wrote this storyline goodness only knows because it took all of my willpower not to unravel. However there comes a point in the narrative where holding back the tears is futile.

From the caring, selfless Emily, brilliantly managing her father’s confusion and fear to her not so caring or patient siblings, twins Carmen and Eddie to the portrayal of Felix gradually robbed of his memory, Charity Norman’s characterisation is as excellent as her plot line. I particularly liked the change in dynamic between father and daughter, the author depicting a bond that is tenuous in childhood but which alters to accommodate a new vision of Felix, taking Emily by surprise. Raewyn is a wonderfully loyal and supportive friend to both Felix and Emily and a remarkable woman all round. Hers is a friendship that has stood the test of time and is one that takes on an added poignancy as the storyline unfolds.

Yet for all the obvious heartbreak (of which there are many layers) this is a compelling read too. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the ongoing drama that surrounds Felix but intertwined with his deterioration is the desire to solve the mystery surrounding Leah’s disappearance. Like me you may well have an inkling early on as to the direction this storyline will take but in reality I was clueless! I felt Raewyn and Ira deserved some answers to the questions that have tormented them for years but I was in no way prepared for the eventual outcome. It’s only by dredging up the past that some disturbing secrets are revealed. Truth often comes at a price and the truth as it transpires is a bitter pill to swallow. Suffice to say it takes huge reserves of courage on behalf of these characters to accept the harsh, cold facts. The ending, as you might anticipate, is incredibly moving to say the least, scoring a 10 on the emotional equivalent of the Richter scale!

When you hold a author in high regard it can be disappointing if a new novel falls short of expectations. Not so with Remember Me. This will be a book that will stay with me for a long time and given the choice I would give this novel all the stars rather than just the 5. I will be recommending this to anyone and everyone!

My thanks as always to the publisher Allen and Unwin and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.

A mystery of a missing girl 25 years earlier and a daughter who connects with her father as she is losing him to Alzheimers . Charity Norman is a great author and this book is no exception . A tale of love and sadness and what you do to protect and help the ones closest to you . Highly recommend

I had forgotten how much I loved Charity Norman’s books.
This book was beautifully written with really interesting descriptions of New Zealand and a really good story. In short it was just a perfect read.
Many thanks to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read it.

Another wonderful story from Charity Norman. The characters are so cleverly described that it almost feels like you know them . This is a book I highly recommend
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and ARC

Oh my! On my! My heart feels like it might burst after reading this beautifully written story from Charity Norman.
Set in New Zealand the story follows two main plot lines - the disappearance of Leah Parata and the relationship between Emily Kirkland and her father Felix as she cares for him following his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease.
As Felix’s memory deteriorates he lets slip various glimpses into his past that had previously not been known, he had always been too busy working as a local GP whilst Emily was growing up that she rarely saw him, but within her new caring role she is able to rekindle her relationship with him and learn more about him. However past secrets are uncovered which are set to explode within the family and the wider community.
Charity Norman writes with immense insight, empathy and compassion about the impact of dementia on the person living with it, as well as about the devastating impact a dementia diagnosis can have on family dynamics.
I absolutely loved this book and was held enthralled by how tenderly the author revealed some truly earth shattering truths. Poignant, heartfelt, gripping, compassionate and compelling - I highly recommend this book. A wonderfully beautiful read. Get the tissues ready!

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers Allen & Unwin for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.

I am becoming a real fan of books by Charity Norman and this one is no exception.
Charity writes with real warmth and understanding of characters and family dynamics. In particular ‘Remember Me’ brilliantly reflects the relationships and rivalry between adult siblings. Charity also writes with a deep empathy and understanding of watching the development of Alzheimer’s in a family, something sadly, I have my own experience of.
This story is beautifully located in a small town (Tawanui) in New Zealand, with the landscape spectacularly brought to life. It is written with two timelines, 25 years apart, with the mysterious disappearance of Leah Parata all that time ago, remaining unsolved. Its wide reaching effects, leaving the whole community unsettled ever since.
I found myself cherishing the bond between the remaining Parata family (Ira & Raewyn) and Emily (visiting her father from the UK) and Felix Kirkland, their friends and neighbours. The easy, caring relationship built over many years, but so vital as Felix health deteriorates.
This story totally caught my imagination and curiosity, with the mystery disappearance. My mind was kept puzzling as clues were cleverly layered into the plot.
This book, although set so far away from my location, transported me there easily and I read with great enthusiasm and interest. The way the author dealt with many sensitive issues like the traumatic effects of Huntingdon’s disease, alongside dementia, grief and love is quite brilliant.
I would totally recommend this book!

I found Charity Norman in the last 12 months and every book I have read I have loved so when Remember me was available as an ARC I was delighted I was accepted.

They never found Leah Parata. Not a boot, not a backpack, not a turquoise beanie. After she left me that day, she vanished off the face of the earth.

A close-knit community is ripped apart by disturbing revelations that cast new light on a young woman's disappearance twenty-five years ago.

After years of living overseas, Emily Kirkland returns to New Zealand to care for her father, Felix, who suffers from dementia. As his memory fades and his guard slips, she begins to understand him for the first time - and to glimpse shattering truths about his past. Truths she'd rather were kept buried.

Above is the books premise I love a bit of mystery and wondering what has happened!

Like the other books of Charity's that I have read this was full of emotions, there was so much real emotion not the light emotions that I see most often in books but real gritty emotions, the love/hate relationships we can have with our family members, the frustrations at dealing with the more erratic behaviour of someone with advancing dementia.

Emily is torn and it is clear she wants to protect a father that when she looks back has been mostly emotionally absent, yet the instinct to shield and protect him grows stronger.

It is hard to write a candid review without leaving spoilers and the beauty of Charity's writing is the way she builds your relationship with the characters.

Suffice to say Remember me didn't disappoint and as an adult daughter of a similar age to Emily I was able to empathise with the situation she found herself in.

There was intrigue and a desire to know what happened which kept me hooked there was also heartbreak for a daughter who finally found and understood her father at a time when he was losing himself.

A beautiful emotional read.

#rememberme #netgalley #charitynorman

I loved this book. I have enjoyed a number of Charity Norman’s books but I found I identified with this one most.
The story is beautiful and sad and I have no doubt whatsoever, that it will stay with me awhile. The characters still live on…
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers, Allen & Unwin, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

What a good read this was! I found it to be a very interesting storyline which kept me turning the pages. We start off knowing what has happened in the story but we are only given little snippets about this and we find out about other characters and the place they live. The characters were well developed, and their everyday lives and problems were realistic and believable.

By the end we know the truth, I thought I knew what had happened by the end of the story but I was proved wrong. I like it when that happens!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Charity Norman never disappoints! Every one of her books is totally outstanding and this just continues her huge success. She is one of my favourite authors. I was welded to this book - unable to leave it for very long as I was so eager to get to the bottom of the mystery as to why a young woman mysteriously disappears and stays missing for 25 years whilst her family hopes, grieves, wonders and searches for answers. Emily travels from England to New Zealand to help her father who has Alzheimer's. This part of the story is told exceedingly well and really captures the issues of a parent living with the illness. Emily discovers things about her father that make her question everything she has ever believed about him and this is where the surprises and shocks come into play. I failed to work out the secrets he carried and so each new twist and revelation took me by surprise and I flew through the book to find out the truths that had been hidden for so long. I loved the descriptions of New Zealand having visited there myself and I was transported to that beautiful country via the author's words. As the book leads us to its conclusion there are some emotional scenes that are quite beautifully expressed and if you are a softie, like me, tissues may be needed. I absolutely adored this book and wish to thank Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me the privilege of reading a pre release copy in exchange for my honest review.

A really good read with a brilliant storyline. I found it to be a bit of a slow burner but when it got going it was up there with this author's previous books which have all been brilliant.

An excellent read from this author, great story-telling and a very compelling read which I enjoyed from beginning until the end. Very good descriptive characters which I became involved with and I can thoroughly recommend this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atlantic (Allen & Unwin) publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Emily Kirkland returns to New Zealand from London to care for her father, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease, as her two siblings based in NZ don't/can't care for him. Returning home brings up memories of Emily's friend, Leah, who disappeared while hiking in the local mountains and was never found. Emily digs deeper into what happened to Leah and also forms a stronger bond with her father. A story about love, family, secrets, nature and the devastation of Alzheimer's. Beautifully written, great characters and I really liked the ending. Overall a wonderful portrayal of New Zealand and it's natural beauty. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book.