Scan barcode
collegiate_assessor_kovalyov's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. This book was truly incredible. It was a shocking and poignant tale of a mother desperately trying to keep the memory of her daughter alive.
Right from the get-go I was intrigued by the story and as I got further in I found myself caring deeply for the characters and being able to relate to Kate's unrelenting sadness and fear.
This is an intense story with an unmatchable depth and a gripping mystery.
I loved every character and found that they were all very fleshed-out and well-written (I especially loved Iris) and I loved that the author explored the stigma surrounding teen mums in Kate's back-story.
I was engaged throughout and found that, biting my nails and looking over my shoulders, I just had to get to the end!
I also highly recommend reading through some of the information quoted in the Author's Note, it is scarily similar to the story itself while endlessly shocking, but equally fascinating and enraging.
This mystery was so dark and conspiratorial and I just could not get enough! Although I have not read Michelle Francis' other books I will definitely be reading them soon and cannot wait to see what she does next.
I was so impressed by this and highly recommend it to lovers of any kind of thriller really, but also those with an interest in conspiracies; you will not be disappointed!
Right from the get-go I was intrigued by the story and as I got further in I found myself caring deeply for the characters and being able to relate to Kate's unrelenting sadness and fear.
This is an intense story with an unmatchable depth and a gripping mystery.
I loved every character and found that they were all very fleshed-out and well-written (I especially loved Iris) and I loved that the author explored the stigma surrounding teen mums in Kate's back-story.
I was engaged throughout and found that, biting my nails and looking over my shoulders, I just had to get to the end!
I also highly recommend reading through some of the information quoted in the Author's Note, it is scarily similar to the story itself while endlessly shocking, but equally fascinating and enraging.
This mystery was so dark and conspiratorial and I just could not get enough! Although I have not read Michelle Francis' other books I will definitely be reading them soon and cannot wait to see what she does next.
I was so impressed by this and highly recommend it to lovers of any kind of thriller really, but also those with an interest in conspiracies; you will not be disappointed!
nicnocs511's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
sooz_767's review
4.0
This is a case of the cover not matching the story at all! From the cover and title, you would think this was a domestic thriller between mother and daughter, maybe with some drama on holiday. It's most definitely not that.
I won't spoil what actually happens as I think it's the strength of this book, but I was invested from the start and enjoyed how it all tied up at the end.
I won't spoil what actually happens as I think it's the strength of this book, but I was invested from the start and enjoyed how it all tied up at the end.
phdee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
mrsruthiewebb's review
3.0
This is the third book I’ve read my Michelle Frances and although it was ok, I was left disappointed. It’s described as a thriller but it really isn’t.
Kate’s daughter, Becky is killed in an accident. But it seems like it could have been deliberate. Becky was an aspiring journalist who may have found incriminating evidence as part of an article she was researching.
Her mother decides to follow up and see if she can piece together what happened.
Whilst the writing is fine, the plot didn’t grip me. For one, it was more of a crime/mystery than a thriller. And two, I know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover but, what’s the relevance of the swimming pool?! I’ll tell you.
It isn’t relevant at all.
I finished this book because it was easy to read but I’m not sure I’d recommend it.
2.5
Kate’s daughter, Becky is killed in an accident. But it seems like it could have been deliberate. Becky was an aspiring journalist who may have found incriminating evidence as part of an article she was researching.
Her mother decides to follow up and see if she can piece together what happened.
Whilst the writing is fine, the plot didn’t grip me. For one, it was more of a crime/mystery than a thriller. And two, I know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover but, what’s the relevance of the swimming pool?! I’ll tell you.
It isn’t relevant at all.
I finished this book because it was easy to read but I’m not sure I’d recommend it.
2.5
kba76's review
4.0
Sometimes it’s the people you least expect who cause the most upset.
Our main character, Kate, fell pregnant while still at school and having a child at fifteen meant certain aspects of her life didn’t quite go as she’d expected. When the story begins we’re seeing adult Kate about to introduce her graduate daughter, Becky, to a new boyfriend.
Very early on we’re told Becky is a trainee journalist, trying to investigate something she feels is a big news story. On the night she’s meant to meet mum’s boyfriend, Becky is killed.
We suspect the two events are connected, but the book focuses on Kate’s efforts to prove this. Before we know it we’re into major intrigue and highly suspicious behaviour.
The narrative is interspersed with past stories and events to flesh out the characters and help give us clues about what’s going on.
I was unsure about quite where this was going, and the storyline involving neighbour Iris and her holiday romance (which just happened to sort things out) was a bit far-fetched. However, Kate as a character was someone you couldn’t help warm to and knowing how her search resolved itself became something I was very keen to know.
Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this prior to publication, and I definitely think I’ll get round to reading The Girlfriend which has been a book I intended to read and haven’t got round to yet.
Our main character, Kate, fell pregnant while still at school and having a child at fifteen meant certain aspects of her life didn’t quite go as she’d expected. When the story begins we’re seeing adult Kate about to introduce her graduate daughter, Becky, to a new boyfriend.
Very early on we’re told Becky is a trainee journalist, trying to investigate something she feels is a big news story. On the night she’s meant to meet mum’s boyfriend, Becky is killed.
We suspect the two events are connected, but the book focuses on Kate’s efforts to prove this. Before we know it we’re into major intrigue and highly suspicious behaviour.
The narrative is interspersed with past stories and events to flesh out the characters and help give us clues about what’s going on.
I was unsure about quite where this was going, and the storyline involving neighbour Iris and her holiday romance (which just happened to sort things out) was a bit far-fetched. However, Kate as a character was someone you couldn’t help warm to and knowing how her search resolved itself became something I was very keen to know.
Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this prior to publication, and I definitely think I’ll get round to reading The Girlfriend which has been a book I intended to read and haven’t got round to yet.
bookworm_smanff's review
3.0
Very easy read. Women fiction/investigative type read. Think Erin Brokovich but much less sass and much more danger!
A good 'fight for justice' type story, before the bad guys get you. based on a mother and a daughter, telling the story from both points of view. Once present and one in the past.
Considering some of the topics in the story, I found it very emotionless. It didn't pull on my heartstrings. But not sure it was meant to. It wasn't written that way.
The characters and their working class life was portrayed well and factored quite a lot into the importance of them being the underdog throughout the book.
A good read - a fight for justice, a lovely surrogate grandmother neighbour and dangerous men out the stop you.
A good 'fight for justice' type story, before the bad guys get you. based on a mother and a daughter, telling the story from both points of view. Once present and one in the past.
Considering some of the topics in the story, I found it very emotionless. It didn't pull on my heartstrings. But not sure it was meant to. It wasn't written that way.
The characters and their working class life was portrayed well and factored quite a lot into the importance of them being the underdog throughout the book.
A good read - a fight for justice, a lovely surrogate grandmother neighbour and dangerous men out the stop you.
cl9244's review against another edition
4.0
This was not as good as her last books (the characters were less unhinged) but I still enjoyed it a lot.