Scan barcode
explorastorynz's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not sure what I can say about this without giving the whole story away, but this was... somewhat disturbing.
And the conclusion was so complex that I was flummoxed until it all of a sudden made some sense in the last couple of pages.
The dedication at the end is also very poignant - remembering Sarah Everard and "Dedicated to all women who were just walking home, or who were dancing, or having a drink with friends or simply existing. To us"
I think thats a fair warning of where this book goes.
And the conclusion was so complex that I was flummoxed until it all of a sudden made some sense in the last couple of pages.
The dedication at the end is also very poignant - remembering Sarah Everard and "Dedicated to all women who were just walking home, or who were dancing, or having a drink with friends or simply existing. To us"
I think thats a fair warning of where this book goes.
lucykae's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
lizamy7's review against another edition
4.0
Rebecca has been left Blackwater House by Gwen an elderly lady who once befriended her. Rebecca had a very tragic and troubled childhood, her mother Gemma and stepfather Terry were drug addicts. She moved away when she started uni and met Daniel, recently widowed bringing up a baby, Ava, alone. They decide to move to Blackwater House, high up on the cliffs by the sea in Cornwall. The house is in an idyllic spot and Rebecca believes it will be an ideal place for Ava to grow up. But On New Years Eve Ava vanishes from a sleepover at the house.
The story is told by Rebecca in both the present day and past. And Kate the family liaison officer assigned to the case. Kate remembers Rebecca from their childhood and knows of her upbringing. There are lots of buried secrets and lies and for Rebecca the ghosts of her past are finally catching up with her.
I enjoyed the book and read it fairly quickly. It's quite dark in places and deals with many issues such as drug abuse, neglect and domestic violence. I will certainly be looking out for more from this author.
The story is told by Rebecca in both the present day and past. And Kate the family liaison officer assigned to the case. Kate remembers Rebecca from their childhood and knows of her upbringing. There are lots of buried secrets and lies and for Rebecca the ghosts of her past are finally catching up with her.
I enjoyed the book and read it fairly quickly. It's quite dark in places and deals with many issues such as drug abuse, neglect and domestic violence. I will certainly be looking out for more from this author.
anotherfangirl's review
1.0
I almost didn't finish this book because the plot and characters are so boring.
The resolution is far-fetched and there are too many plot twists for the story to feel realistic.
I'm also really annoyed with the overuse of the term gluten-free. It is used 19 times, Coeliac disease is mentioned 4 times and both things are not important to the plot.
TW: rape, stillbirth, domestic abuse, drug abuse, mentions of alcoholism
The resolution is far-fetched and there are too many plot twists for the story to feel realistic.
I'm also really annoyed with the overuse of the term gluten-free. It is used 19 times, Coeliac disease is mentioned 4 times and both things are not important to the plot.
TW: rape, stillbirth, domestic abuse, drug abuse, mentions of alcoholism
lizslibrary0915's review against another edition
2.0
Book Review: Return to Blackwater House by Vikki Patis
Rating:
Rating:
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
A dark and twisty page turner with the right creepy level and a cast of interesting characters. I loved the eery setting and the excellent storytelling. The plot is well crafted and full of surprises.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
kaylor_guitar's review
4.0
4.5 stars really.
**CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS!!**
This book is twisted. The story begins with 14-year old Ava, who goes missing from her own slumber party on NYE. Her step-mother Rebecca, sounds the alarm, and sets off an intense investigation for her. The book bounces back and forth in time, from before Ava disappears and the events leading up to it, and in the hours and days afterwards, as the police, Rebecca, and others frantically search for her. Rebecca's tragic past also plays a major part in the story.
**CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS!!**
This book is twisted. The story begins with 14-year old Ava, who goes missing from her own slumber party on NYE. Her step-mother Rebecca, sounds the alarm, and sets off an intense investigation for her. The book bounces back and forth in time, from before Ava disappears and the events leading up to it, and in the hours and days afterwards, as the police, Rebecca, and others frantically search for her. Rebecca's tragic past also plays a major part in the story.
steph1rothwell's review against another edition
4.0
When Rebecca returns to the area she lived in as a child as new owner of Blackwater House she has mixed feelings. Her childhood was difficult, neglected because of drug and alcohol abuse and the only one who was willing to help was Gwen who had left the house to her. She is determined to make the best of it for herself, partner Daniel and his daughter Ava. But when Ava disappears she has to face her demons to try and get her home.
With flashbacks to her childhood, her anxiety over Ava’s disappearance and the noticeable lack of support from Daniel you get to see how strong a character Rebecca was. Even though she couldn’t see it herself. The people she meets, from her childhood, who also show that they have changed since their teens. One of them is her family liaison officer, who features quite strongly in both a professional and personal capacity. I found this really interesting because all too often you only see the job. Another was Ashleigh, whose storyline was unexpectedly more devastating than I expected it to be
But it was Rebecca who touched me most. I loved her relationship with Ava, her need to keep Ava’s mother’s family in their lives despite the increasingly obnoxious Daniel’s wishes. I also had a lot of respect for her determination to escape her past, seek vengeance and protect Ava. All I could do was admire her. Admittedly, I didn’t see any of twists as I was reading but this increased my enjoyment.
I will definitely be looking at this author’s back catalogue, this was a book I liked a lot.
With flashbacks to her childhood, her anxiety over Ava’s disappearance and the noticeable lack of support from Daniel you get to see how strong a character Rebecca was. Even though she couldn’t see it herself. The people she meets, from her childhood, who also show that they have changed since their teens. One of them is her family liaison officer, who features quite strongly in both a professional and personal capacity. I found this really interesting because all too often you only see the job. Another was Ashleigh, whose storyline was unexpectedly more devastating than I expected it to be
But it was Rebecca who touched me most. I loved her relationship with Ava, her need to keep Ava’s mother’s family in their lives despite the increasingly obnoxious Daniel’s wishes. I also had a lot of respect for her determination to escape her past, seek vengeance and protect Ava. All I could do was admire her. Admittedly, I didn’t see any of twists as I was reading but this increased my enjoyment.
I will definitely be looking at this author’s back catalogue, this was a book I liked a lot.
polzhar's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25