Never Let Go

by Gareth Crocker

As he presses a revolver to his head, Reece Cole sees his little daughter's handprints on the windowpane. One last, painful reminder of her all too short life. But then he notices something about the handprints that defies belief. Something that verges on the impossible. He spends the next few days frantically trying to make sense of what is happening. Then a stranger stops at his gate with a small grey envelope. Inside is a single white card, inscribed with six breathtaking words: I can bring your daughter back.

294 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Gareth Crocker was born in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1974. He has a degree in English, Psychology and Communications and has worked as a journalist, copywriter, news editor, public relations manager, publishing editor and, most recently, head of communications and spokesperson for a multinational corporation. Writing is done at night, in a dark room, next to a small window, under a bright moon. Leaving Jack is his first novel, which he wrote in the company of his three dogs, Jill, Rusty and Jack. A new US hardcover version of Leaving Jack, entitled Finding Jack is due for release on February 15, 2011.

Reviews

[Cara Pechey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I have not read any other Gareth Crocker books but I am really keen to read all his others now as I just love his style of writing. He makes it easy to connect with the characters and I love all the witty remarks they make!

[Melissa Delport · Rating 4 out of 5]

Literally read this in one sitting... I couldn't put it down! I honestly didn't know what to expect from what I had read about this book, but it was better than I ever imagined. Highly recommend.

[Heather Ashington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable read.

[Monique Snyman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never Let Go by South African author Gareth Crocker is a beautifully written novel, which will keep the reader at the edge of their seats. Spine-chilling at times, the story revolves around Reece Cole, who has lost his daughter, but who keeps seeing her little hand prints on the windowpane. This ‘haunting’ is a painful reminder to him as to what he’s lost and what he wishes he could have back, and things just becomes too much to deal with. As he presses the revolver against his head, he stares at the hand prints on the windowpane and then notices something that is impossible… Reece stops his attempt at suicide and for the next few days he tries to make sense of what he had seen, but a stranger appears with a small grey envelope. Inside it is a white card with six words that would forever change his life: ”I CAN BRING HER BACK”.

This thriller is a real nail biter, but it plays with one’s heartstrings too. As the author of the international bestseller “Finding Jack“, Gareth Crocker has the ability to keep the reader intrigued from the first sentence through to the last and although it sometimes feel a little slow, it picks up the pace quick enough that it’s hardly noticeable. What makes Never Let Go so special though is the personal touch that the reader will pick up as they read. For some reason the story feels very close to home, and I’m sure a lot of people may actually be able to relate to the characters.

Look, this is not the type of book you want to read when you’re in a bad place – in my opinion, of course – but if you are in the mood for a heartbreaking tale that teaches you about the love that develops between a parent a child, loss, and faith, then Never Let Go is the perfect book to indulge in. It’s not that haunting, but what it lacks in what we expect from a full-blown paranormal novel, it makes up with good writing and a solid plot. Never Let Go is definitely a good read and it’s the type of novel you want to read while you’re camping in the Kruger National Park, with a glass of Amarula to ward of the winter cold in the evening. Yes, it plays off in LA, but still… with nature as your own setting, you’re going to enjoy Gareth Crocker’s story to quite an extent.

[Phillipa · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this was the first of the 2 books I bought at the Bloody Book Week event we went to a few weeks back. He wasn't the author I was paired with, but I enjoyed the story and style of what he read at the event, which is what actually made me buy this one.

And I really quite enjoyed it. The story isn't what I expected at all, it's not actually a Murder Mystery (much as the cover might be misleading). And I loved his writing style. I also love the bite-sized chapters. Sometimes you really need that in a book ... I like to end off reading at the end of a chapter or a paragraph break and sometimes it can make a book feel more exhausting if you feel like you have to wait absolute pages before that happens.

[Bev · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book - so easy to read. And the emotions just completely drew you right in, despite the completely off the wall bits - you kind of wanted it all to turn out ok, so forgave the author for his completely vivid, unbelievable imagination.

Easy to read in a single sitting - perfect weekender novel!

[Phillipa Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am completely in love with Gareth Crocker's books. The pages literally couldn't turn fast enough. Twists and turns catapulted me to the final paragraph of the final chapter where I sat back at the end, breathless, wide-eyes and smiling - and why? Because Gareth Crocker has this wonderful knack of being able to restore one's faith in humanity. Fantastic, gripping story. Highly recommended!

[Shelley]

Actually loved this odd book.

[Alexandra Whittington-jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book especially when I read the blurb at the back as to why he wrote the story. An interesting view on deja vu!

[Karissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool, different story. Pace is great. Keeps interest very well. Recommended for a quick good read.

[Nikki · Rating 2 out of 5]

after reading 'finding Jack' and loving it, I found this book somewhat disappointing and a little unrealistic

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!