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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It has been 14 years since Abigail disappeared from the beach. Each family member reacts differently when Abi reappears. This creates a lot of animosity and distrust between family members. Where has Abigail been all this time? What happened to her that night she disappeared?
The story is told from Sarah’s and Abi’s points of view, with occasional chapters of an unknown voice. This unknown voice hints that there are things far more disturbing going on behind the scenes. I enjoyed both Sarah’s and Abi’s POVs. It is obvious when reading that neither one is telling the whole truth. You will find yourself questioning both narrators and trying to deduce what is really going on. They will keep you guessing throughout the story. The twist at the end was perfectly executed and shocking. This was my first book by Lauren North, and it definitely won’t be my last. I highly recommend this book to anyone that loves psychological thrillers! I give it 4/5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The story is told from Sarah’s and Abi’s points of view, with occasional chapters of an unknown voice. This unknown voice hints that there are things far more disturbing going on behind the scenes. I enjoyed both Sarah’s and Abi’s POVs. It is obvious when reading that neither one is telling the whole truth. You will find yourself questioning both narrators and trying to deduce what is really going on. They will keep you guessing throughout the story. The twist at the end was perfectly executed and shocking. This was my first book by Lauren North, and it definitely won’t be my last. I highly recommend this book to anyone that loves psychological thrillers! I give it 4/5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Fourteen years ago, four year old Abigail disappeared from the garden of the holiday cottage she was staying at with her family. Now, a seventeen year old girl arrives and declares that she is the one and only Abigail Wick. Sarah Wick isn't convinced though. Is this girl the real Abigail? If so, where has she been all this time? And if not, what is going on?
Personally I felt that one of those mysteries was solved just that little bit too quickly, taking away much needed suspense for the rest of the story. Whether the girl is Abigail or not, she is filling a big hole that's been ripping the family apart for the last fourteen years. Each family member has their own way of dealing with the grief. Sarah made a very conscious decision to move on. After all, she still had two other children who needed their mother. Now though, Sarah struggles with a sliver of hope on the one hand, and extreme paranoia on the other hand. Why isn't her family seeing what she sees?
That's a part of the story I think Lauren North did really well. The various ways the remaining family members dealt with Abigail's disappearance. Her big brother who mostly hides away within himself, the younger sister who seems to think she always needs to be happy and cheerful to keep everyone else going, the mother who focuses on her career, and the father who, even after all this time, is clinging on to hope. That gradual accepting, somehow, that Abigail's face is no longer featured in the media; that nobody is looking for her anymore; that she won't be coming home with them from the holiday. It all felt quite real and believable.
In contrast, most of the rest of the story for me didn't. Obviously I can't give anything away, but I found it all became rather far-fetched and over the top. Yes, I know, it's fiction. And I quite happily take many leaps and bounds, and go on wild rollercoaster rides but sometimes there's that wee step too far. Which I feel is what happened here. I suppose, on the plus side, I didn't see any of it coming so there's that.
That said, 'She Says She's My Daughter' is a well-paced and addictive page-turner. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing, and if you don't dig too deep or ask too many questions, it's a perfectly entertaining read. I think I just expected more from this author.
Personally I felt that one of those mysteries was solved just that little bit too quickly, taking away much needed suspense for the rest of the story. Whether the girl is Abigail or not, she is filling a big hole that's been ripping the family apart for the last fourteen years. Each family member has their own way of dealing with the grief. Sarah made a very conscious decision to move on. After all, she still had two other children who needed their mother. Now though, Sarah struggles with a sliver of hope on the one hand, and extreme paranoia on the other hand. Why isn't her family seeing what she sees?
That's a part of the story I think Lauren North did really well. The various ways the remaining family members dealt with Abigail's disappearance. Her big brother who mostly hides away within himself, the younger sister who seems to think she always needs to be happy and cheerful to keep everyone else going, the mother who focuses on her career, and the father who, even after all this time, is clinging on to hope. That gradual accepting, somehow, that Abigail's face is no longer featured in the media; that nobody is looking for her anymore; that she won't be coming home with them from the holiday. It all felt quite real and believable.
In contrast, most of the rest of the story for me didn't. Obviously I can't give anything away, but I found it all became rather far-fetched and over the top. Yes, I know, it's fiction. And I quite happily take many leaps and bounds, and go on wild rollercoaster rides but sometimes there's that wee step too far. Which I feel is what happened here. I suppose, on the plus side, I didn't see any of it coming so there's that.
That said, 'She Says She's My Daughter' is a well-paced and addictive page-turner. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing, and if you don't dig too deep or ask too many questions, it's a perfectly entertaining read. I think I just expected more from this author.
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
As per usual Lauren North has written yet another gripping thriller. I couldnt put it down, just wanting to read a little bit more to find out what was happening.
Very addictive story of a family torn apart by the disappearance of 4 year old Abigail during a family holiday. And when, 14 years later,she suddenly appears, mum Sarah is very suspicious and wonders who Abi is.
I feel sometimes it's a cliche to say a book has many twists but on this occasion it really has. I had no idea which way the story was going to go right up until the last line.
I feel this would make a fantastic tv series
Very addictive story of a family torn apart by the disappearance of 4 year old Abigail during a family holiday. And when, 14 years later,she suddenly appears, mum Sarah is very suspicious and wonders who Abi is.
I feel sometimes it's a cliche to say a book has many twists but on this occasion it really has. I had no idea which way the story was going to go right up until the last line.
I feel this would make a fantastic tv series
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.75⭐️
Having loved My Word Against His (audiobook) I was keen to read the latest psychological thriller.
Abi was taken when she was four, 14 yrs later a young woman turns up claiming to be the stolen child Abigail Wick, the mother Sarah refuses to believe it’s her.
The story unfolds using several POV, including the antagonist who is anonymous utilising then and now time frames. It has a menacing vibe, lies and mistrust running throughout. There’s a lot of angst particularly from Sarah and Abi which is unsettling for the reader. I was constantly questioning what is the truth, as there’s a high level of unreliability introduced.
The characters aren’t likeable, Rebecca the daughter was the best of the bunch.
It started strongly, then I felt that the pace and interest nose dived for a large section of the book. There are plenty of red herrings to keep the reader guessing. The final section of the book was very full on, a bit too much so for me.
I found it a quick easy read, the author certainly keeps the reader guessing over the mystery element,but it’s not a favourite for me. I much preferred My Word Against His. I think an audiobook version might have engaged me more. It’s got some great reviews, so I think it’s more that I didn’t totally gel with this one.
Sarah's daughter Abigail disappeared fourteen years ago with no clue as to what happened, yet now a seventeen year old teenager has turned up claiming to be her missing daughter. Can she be trusted?
She Says She's My Daughter is a phenomenal book.
I am a huge fan of Lauren North's writing and this was no exception. I absolutely raced through it because I was instantly drawn into the clever plot. I desperately wanted to get to the truth about what really happened because it seemed that there were so many secrets waiting to be revealed. This is definitely a book that you won't be able to put down because it is incredibly gripping.
The well-written characters really made this book for me. They were intriguing and I enjoyed how the story was told from different perspectives, it worked so well with the plot.
Another outstanding book from Lauren North that you should not miss out on.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you Netgalley for this advanced copy!
The concept of the book captivated me. It really reminded of Madeleine McCann's case.
I found the dual pov of the book very clever. Sarah's was in first penson perspective, since she is very raw and honest of her feelings. Abi's on the other hand is in third, which makes you feel like she doesn't really let you in, and that she is hiding stuff from the reader. I loved her perspective especially. I had a very good time theorising and there are enough twists to keep you enthralled. However, the reveal of who was behind everything, really bothered me. Daniel organising everything was a bit off-putting but I liked the idea of emotionally scarred boy trying to cope with his sister's death that he caused. The last two pages of the book extremely soured my mood. I really didn't like the villainification of mental illness, and the implication that he was manipulating the therapists.
On the other hand I loved the reveal of what really happened to Abigail.
Family drama always intrigues me. I couldn't care less about the romantic subplot with the police officer.
I would recommend this book if you are looking for a quick mystery book with unreliable narrators and juicy family drama.
The concept of the book captivated me. It really reminded of Madeleine McCann's case.
I found the dual pov of the book very clever. Sarah's was in first penson perspective, since she is very raw and honest of her feelings. Abi's on the other hand is in third, which makes you feel like she doesn't really let you in, and that she is hiding stuff from the reader. I loved her perspective especially. I had a very good time theorising and there are enough twists to keep you enthralled. However, the reveal of who was behind everything, really bothered me.
On the other hand I loved the reveal of what really happened to Abigail.
Family drama always intrigues me. I couldn't care less about the romantic subplot with the police officer.
I would recommend this book if you are looking for a quick mystery book with unreliable narrators and juicy family drama.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a very intense story and because for the most part it is set in the home of the Wick family I also found it quite a claustrophobic read. The tension never lets up from the get go really. It’s quite difficult to summarise the plot too, other than what is already in the blurb, for fear of giving anything away.
Sarah and Michael’s daughter Abigail was snatched while they were away on holiday on the coast. Daniel their son was 6 years old and Abigail 4, with Rebecca just a baby when the tragedy struck. Despite intensive police searches at the time, Abigail was never found. We the reader meet up with the family 14 years later. On the face of it, they seem to have come to terms with their loss. Rebecca obviously too young to have even known her sister, and Daniel now grown up, are getting on with life and happy enough. It’s been tough on Sarah and Michael’s marriage with Michael finding it difficult to give up searching for Abigail, while his wife Sarah has chosen to try not to look back, concentrate on her family and her career as a TV presenter and resigned herself to believing Abigail is dead. When they receive the news a young girl who would be the age their daughter would be now, has walked into a police station claiming to be Abigail it comes as a shock to the whole family.
The story is mainly told from the point of view of Sarah but we also hear of Abi’s life from the age of 7 up to the present time. She certainly hasn’t had a very pleasant life. As I followed the story I was intrigued to know how certain events would turn out. Though later into the book I had vague suspicions about one of the characters, I couldn’t work out why and the eventual reveal came as quite a surprise. Another twisty, compelling story from this author who has written some brilliant domestic noir and this is yet another satisfying read to add to the list.