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debtat2's review against another edition
4.0
DCI Tom Douglas is back for his ninth instalment and this time it will stretch his investigative skills to their very limits.
A knock at the door turns Jo Palmer's life into a waking nightmare.
The police have taken her partner Ash into custody for questioning over accusations of abuse of his step-daughter Millie. Social services have taken Millie to interview her about her stepdad and Jo is left at home, alone, full of fear, doubts and questions of her own.
As if that wasn't bad enough, as time ticks on and she has heard nothing back from either the police or social services she places a phone call to the police for an update. Only the police have no idea what she is talking about. There are no records of any officers ever attending their property and social services have never heard of the family. The only explanation being, whoever has taken Ash and Milly have kidnapped the pair. But why is a mystery to everyone, one that needs to be solved if there is any chance of getting the pair back alive.
And so begins an investigation that leads both police and Jo down unknown roads with some unexpected results.
What began with a normal day, with a normal family, by the end of the day a young girl and her father have been brazenly abducted by a group of people claiming to be from the police and social services, right in front of Jo's very eyes.
Even though this is the ninth instalment of a series this book reads perfectly as a standalone, which is a good thing because this is the first book I have read by Rachel Abbott, so if like me you are new to this series don't let that hold you back as it is a brilliant read in its own rights.
It is fast paced and full of some memorable characters and a protagonist that most will find relatable. The plot line is full of some clever misdirections that will keep you fully engaged and keep you guessing right up until the shocking twist is revealed. With there being so many good books in this genre I feel it is getting harder and harder for authors to keep readers guessing but in 'Right Behind You', Rachel Abbott has managed to do just that. She has cracked the cliched 'shocking twist you won't see coming' masterfully making this a book to not be missed for any fans of psychological thrillers.
A knock at the door turns Jo Palmer's life into a waking nightmare.
The police have taken her partner Ash into custody for questioning over accusations of abuse of his step-daughter Millie. Social services have taken Millie to interview her about her stepdad and Jo is left at home, alone, full of fear, doubts and questions of her own.
As if that wasn't bad enough, as time ticks on and she has heard nothing back from either the police or social services she places a phone call to the police for an update. Only the police have no idea what she is talking about. There are no records of any officers ever attending their property and social services have never heard of the family. The only explanation being, whoever has taken Ash and Milly have kidnapped the pair. But why is a mystery to everyone, one that needs to be solved if there is any chance of getting the pair back alive.
And so begins an investigation that leads both police and Jo down unknown roads with some unexpected results.
What began with a normal day, with a normal family, by the end of the day a young girl and her father have been brazenly abducted by a group of people claiming to be from the police and social services, right in front of Jo's very eyes.
Even though this is the ninth instalment of a series this book reads perfectly as a standalone, which is a good thing because this is the first book I have read by Rachel Abbott, so if like me you are new to this series don't let that hold you back as it is a brilliant read in its own rights.
It is fast paced and full of some memorable characters and a protagonist that most will find relatable. The plot line is full of some clever misdirections that will keep you fully engaged and keep you guessing right up until the shocking twist is revealed. With there being so many good books in this genre I feel it is getting harder and harder for authors to keep readers guessing but in 'Right Behind You', Rachel Abbott has managed to do just that. She has cracked the cliched 'shocking twist you won't see coming' masterfully making this a book to not be missed for any fans of psychological thrillers.
arcrenxx's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
julielb's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed this book up until last 1/4 of it and that’s why the rating isn’t higher than 3⭐️.
Jo is happy in her life, with daughter Millie and long time boyfriend Ash. However Ash has been pushing her to get married and she doesn’t want to so feels that pressure. ash has essentially been the father to Millie, having been a part of their lives for nearly all of the six years since Millie was born.
A knock at the door and they say it’s police with a claim of abuse against Ash, perpetrated against Millie. They take Ash and then social worker takes Millie. And the nightmare begins from there.
I liked how the police were integral part of this book, trying to uncover who could have taken them and why. Who is target: Ash or Millie or Jo?
This was well written but what frustrated me near the end is
* spoiler alert
Throughout the book Jo worked with police detectives but at the end she decides to exclude them and it was such a stupid move, and out of character. I suppose written to create tension but tension could have been there if she had told police and then decided to also go to find Millie. That would have worked. What didn’t, for me, was recklessness of boxing the police out at the end when they had been partnering with her throughout.
End spoiler**
Overall good read.
Jo is happy in her life, with daughter Millie and long time boyfriend Ash. However Ash has been pushing her to get married and she doesn’t want to so feels that pressure. ash has essentially been the father to Millie, having been a part of their lives for nearly all of the six years since Millie was born.
A knock at the door and they say it’s police with a claim of abuse against Ash, perpetrated against Millie. They take Ash and then social worker takes Millie. And the nightmare begins from there.
I liked how the police were integral part of this book, trying to uncover who could have taken them and why. Who is target: Ash or Millie or Jo?
This was well written but what frustrated me near the end is
* spoiler alert
Throughout the book Jo worked with police detectives but at the end she decides to exclude them and it was such a stupid move, and out of character. I suppose written to create tension but tension could have been there if she had told police and then decided to also go to find Millie. That would have worked. What didn’t, for me, was recklessness of boxing the police out at the end when they had been partnering with her throughout.
End spoiler**
Overall good read.
mpr2000's review against another edition
4.0
What would you do if the police takes your husband and daughter to question at the police station claiming abuse? Jo Palmer is facing her worst day, she doesn’t know who to call or ask for help after the police takes Millie and Ash, but everything will start looking much worse when after calling the police department after a while no one knows what she is talking about!
I know it seems really complicated, but it’s much easier than you think! Jo will start to doubt of everyone around her, even her own husband! But let’s face it, everyone in Jo’s position would have the same doubts! Who could want to do so much damage to her and her family? Her “supposed” friends? Her own husband? When the police start investigating, they don’t know where to start and which could be the motives of the kidnapping. So, if the police doesn’t know who is behind the kidnapping, who will help Jo?
This had been a really quick read, it was easy to enter the story and wanting to discover the truth. The characters are well written and developed, I felt being part of the story not only a spectator. I liked how the story is not only centered on the case but the detectives of the case and their personal lives, sometimes it’s nice to know they have a life apart from the case!
This is one of those books that you don’t know who is the “bad” of the story, there are multiple options and all of them possible, but I always love a good mystery to make my bets and discover the truth before it’s revealed, don’t you?
This is an emotional, original and twisted story that will leave you without a gasp, because he/she Is Right Behind You!
I know it seems really complicated, but it’s much easier than you think! Jo will start to doubt of everyone around her, even her own husband! But let’s face it, everyone in Jo’s position would have the same doubts! Who could want to do so much damage to her and her family? Her “supposed” friends? Her own husband? When the police start investigating, they don’t know where to start and which could be the motives of the kidnapping. So, if the police doesn’t know who is behind the kidnapping, who will help Jo?
This had been a really quick read, it was easy to enter the story and wanting to discover the truth. The characters are well written and developed, I felt being part of the story not only a spectator. I liked how the story is not only centered on the case but the detectives of the case and their personal lives, sometimes it’s nice to know they have a life apart from the case!
This is one of those books that you don’t know who is the “bad” of the story, there are multiple options and all of them possible, but I always love a good mystery to make my bets and discover the truth before it’s revealed, don’t you?
This is an emotional, original and twisted story that will leave you without a gasp, because he/she Is Right Behind You!
jdhobbes's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
melreads11's review against another edition
4.0
I just love reading what happens next in Tom Douglas and Lucy’s life. Tom is so committed to his work.
I am slightly disappointed due to it being slow paced and that there was no twist in this story, I could tell what will happen. However the book is well written and due to following the series through, it’s still a good read.
I am slightly disappointed due to it being slow paced and that there was no twist in this story, I could tell what will happen. However the book is well written and due to following the series through, it’s still a good read.
savijax's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
cinta's review against another edition
4.0
I love all books featuring DCI Tom Douglas, and this one wasn’t an exception. It hooks you from the beginning and then you just cannot put it down. Quite the page-turner, with a plot that will keep you wondering, and well fleshed-out characters. I read it in a couple of days. Totally recommendable for lovers of thrillers with unexpected things going on.