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emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I gave this book 1* because of the inappropriate comment about it always coming back to the parents and going as far as to name a child who went missing a few years ago in the Algarve.
That's a despicable thing that the author did and totally unjustified.
That's a despicable thing that the author did and totally unjustified.
I read this book because it was chosen by a bookclub that I am a part of. I also decided to use this for one of the challenges within the 2021 Popsugar Challenge.
The beginning of the story intrigued me, because it was rather fast paced, full of twists and turns and I was gripped. However, I felt that the plot had stalled somehow, by the middle of the book and I started to get a little bored. I think I would have put the book away and not finished it, had it not started to pick up pace again towards the end.
I found Elisa to be a non sympathetic character, and I couldn't connect to her at all. I found Frederick to be bland and one dimensional. The only character which had a lot of depth and whom I had a lot of sympathy for was Jacqueline.
In my opinion, it is just an average thriller, entertaining but not outstanding.
The beginning of the story intrigued me, because it was rather fast paced, full of twists and turns and I was gripped. However, I felt that the plot had stalled somehow, by the middle of the book and I started to get a little bored. I think I would have put the book away and not finished it, had it not started to pick up pace again towards the end.
I found Elisa to be a non sympathetic character, and I couldn't connect to her at all. I found Frederick to be bland and one dimensional. The only character which had a lot of depth and whom I had a lot of sympathy for was Jacqueline.
In my opinion, it is just an average thriller, entertaining but not outstanding.
Wow! I haven’t been able to put this book down! I think this is everyone’s nightmare- a missing child. This situation even worse when you think it’s an innocent sleepover.
However, I’m not sure I’d let a child sleep over if I didn’t know the parent better. That places a lot of trust in another person. With that said, I know how excited little ones get over play dates and sleepovers, often you don’t want to upset them.
I do like the author’s writing style, I have been pulled into this one and able to lose myself in the pages quite quickly. The ending was completely unpredictable, which made this book even better for me.
I have had a clear and vivid image in my head, the whole time of reading this one. This has made this a more enjoyable read because I felt as though I was watching the scenes play out.
I have thought about this one, long after finishing the book. The plot aroused feelings of unease, discomfort and tension. I would absolutely read more by this author, this book has definitely been a read which I’m glad I came across.
I also like that we’ve had differing points of view. As a reader you’ve really had a feel for the different characters. For me, based purely on the fact of Eliza allowing her daughter to go off with a stranger this is a four star read. I think that factor has made me want to shake her and shout “what are you doing?”.
However, I’m not sure I’d let a child sleep over if I didn’t know the parent better. That places a lot of trust in another person. With that said, I know how excited little ones get over play dates and sleepovers, often you don’t want to upset them.
I do like the author’s writing style, I have been pulled into this one and able to lose myself in the pages quite quickly. The ending was completely unpredictable, which made this book even better for me.
I have had a clear and vivid image in my head, the whole time of reading this one. This has made this a more enjoyable read because I felt as though I was watching the scenes play out.
I have thought about this one, long after finishing the book. The plot aroused feelings of unease, discomfort and tension. I would absolutely read more by this author, this book has definitely been a read which I’m glad I came across.
I also like that we’ve had differing points of view. As a reader you’ve really had a feel for the different characters. For me, based purely on the fact of Eliza allowing her daughter to go off with a stranger this is a four star read. I think that factor has made me want to shake her and shout “what are you doing?”.
Well, at first it was just okay for me. I found it quite strange that any mother would allow their young child to go on a playdate, then sleepover, the house of a women she never met and claims to be new to town. Uhh what?? Sounds like a recipe for disaster. BUT as I got deeper into the story I would of never imagined the plot twist that started to make everything fall into place. From there on I could not put the book down
The story is told in multiple perspectives. I enjoyed getting to know all the characters, what secrets they held, and how this all spiraled into the child going missing. I was left confused by how one character in particular fit into the storyline. I assumed they would be a juicy part of the story so I just dealt with it and boy oh boy I'm glad I did!
The story is told in multiple perspectives. I enjoyed getting to know all the characters, what secrets they held, and how this all spiraled into the child going missing. I was left confused by how one character in particular fit into the storyline. I assumed they would be a juicy part of the story so I just dealt with it and boy oh boy I'm glad I did!
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This story is every parent’s worst nightmare – and I loved it!
Set in Norway, the story starts straightaway with Elisa Blix rushing to pick up her children from school. When she collects Lucia the little girl repeatedly asks for a playdate with her new friend Josie, putting Elisa on the spot, as kids tend to do. Elisa doesn’t know the mother and is apprehensive, but when she meets Line and sees that she is beautiful, smart and well spoken, with the girls giggling and playing nearby, she makes a superficial judgement and decides that it can’t do any harm. Straight away my maternal alarm bells are ringing. I’ve been in this position myself, even when I know the mum, of not wanting to let my children go in someone else’s car, or to their house and especially to a sleepover, but also knowing that you have to let them nurture friendships and encourage independence and it really is a horrible feeling.
The playdate does later turn into a sleepover and Elisa arranges to drop Lucia’s night-clothes and minky mouse to Line and Josie’s house. Elisa is impressed with Line’s beautiful sleek home and stays to have a glass of champagne and a chat with the charming and glamorous mum. She then gives Lucia a goodnight kiss and arranges with Lina that Lucia’s dad, Fredrik, will collect her the following morning.
The next morning Elisa leaves early for work as a flight attendant and it is not until 6.30pm that evening, when she arrives back at the airport to a flurry of missed calls and texts, that she realises something is dreadfully wrong. Line hasn’t dropped Lucia home and Fredrik is unable to reach her by phone. They race to Line’s home and find it empty, with no trace of the family. Lucia has been abducted.
I felt that I was thrown headfirst into this Scandi-thriller as Lucia is abducted and the police investigation starts within the first twenty-five pages. As the investigation gets underway Elisa and Fredrik face an agonising wait for news and the story unfolds via alternating chapters from the different characters, which is a format I always enjoy. The characterisation here is remarkable, they are all complex and intriguing, and reading from the first person perspectives of Elisa and Lucia gives a chilling and heartbreaking insight into their thoughts and emotions.
The author’s writing style is exceptional with such attention to detail. It is beautifully atmospheric in the descriptions of the settings between Norway and France, giving a real feel for the different landscapes, towns and cultures. Moreover it is so incredibly evocative and emotive that I could physically feel the fear and pain of the characters. I was completely invested in this story from the first chapter, willing Lucia to be found safe and well, and constantly putting myself in Elisa’s place wondering how I would feel in this situation, and what would I have done?
This is a clever, believable and tragic story with so many twists that it kept me guessing right up until the end and it will resonate with everyone, not just parents, as comparisons will be drawn with recent real life abduction cases. It’s one of my favourite reads of 2020 and I’m adding all of Alex Dahl’s books to my ever growing TBR pile!
Set in Norway, the story starts straightaway with Elisa Blix rushing to pick up her children from school. When she collects Lucia the little girl repeatedly asks for a playdate with her new friend Josie, putting Elisa on the spot, as kids tend to do. Elisa doesn’t know the mother and is apprehensive, but when she meets Line and sees that she is beautiful, smart and well spoken, with the girls giggling and playing nearby, she makes a superficial judgement and decides that it can’t do any harm. Straight away my maternal alarm bells are ringing. I’ve been in this position myself, even when I know the mum, of not wanting to let my children go in someone else’s car, or to their house and especially to a sleepover, but also knowing that you have to let them nurture friendships and encourage independence and it really is a horrible feeling.
The playdate does later turn into a sleepover and Elisa arranges to drop Lucia’s night-clothes and minky mouse to Line and Josie’s house. Elisa is impressed with Line’s beautiful sleek home and stays to have a glass of champagne and a chat with the charming and glamorous mum. She then gives Lucia a goodnight kiss and arranges with Lina that Lucia’s dad, Fredrik, will collect her the following morning.
The next morning Elisa leaves early for work as a flight attendant and it is not until 6.30pm that evening, when she arrives back at the airport to a flurry of missed calls and texts, that she realises something is dreadfully wrong. Line hasn’t dropped Lucia home and Fredrik is unable to reach her by phone. They race to Line’s home and find it empty, with no trace of the family. Lucia has been abducted.
I felt that I was thrown headfirst into this Scandi-thriller as Lucia is abducted and the police investigation starts within the first twenty-five pages. As the investigation gets underway Elisa and Fredrik face an agonising wait for news and the story unfolds via alternating chapters from the different characters, which is a format I always enjoy. The characterisation here is remarkable, they are all complex and intriguing, and reading from the first person perspectives of Elisa and Lucia gives a chilling and heartbreaking insight into their thoughts and emotions.
The author’s writing style is exceptional with such attention to detail. It is beautifully atmospheric in the descriptions of the settings between Norway and France, giving a real feel for the different landscapes, towns and cultures. Moreover it is so incredibly evocative and emotive that I could physically feel the fear and pain of the characters. I was completely invested in this story from the first chapter, willing Lucia to be found safe and well, and constantly putting myself in Elisa’s place wondering how I would feel in this situation, and what would I have done?
This is a clever, believable and tragic story with so many twists that it kept me guessing right up until the end and it will resonate with everyone, not just parents, as comparisons will be drawn with recent real life abduction cases. It’s one of my favourite reads of 2020 and I’m adding all of Alex Dahl’s books to my ever growing TBR pile!
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No