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Some Day I'll Find you
Set during, and after World War II, this is a fast-paced, love story. You might not want to read the blurb on the back as it rather spoils the book.
405 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
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416 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
July 27, 2013
A BIG question mark hangs over this book: would anyone really want to buy it if it didn't have Richard Madeley's name on the cover?
After all, the runaway commercial success of the likes of Katie Price, aka Jordan, proves that a famous name can almost guarantee best-seller status, regardless of any literary capabilities the author may possess.
Richard Madeley is still one of the biggest names in TV, despite no longer being on it, and his involvement with the commercially-catalytic Richard & Judy Book Club has endeared him to publishers, reviewers and readers throughout the land.
But that doesn't mean he can write.
To his credit, Richard admitted as much only last week when he appeared at the Ways With Words Festival in Dartington to plug his new novel, Some Day I'll Find You.
For despite his own ways with words as a debonair television presenter, and his background as a newspaper journalist, he revealed that he was nervous when his publisher was about to release his novel into the community.
For even if tens of thousands of people bought it, as happened, that wouldn't necessarily mean that his writing was any good.
But I have news for him: he needn't have worried.
Some Day I'll Find You is an excellent, unputdownable novel - a thriller that enthralled me from the first page to the last and which, I believe, will remain in my thoughts for many years to come.
It's a cracking story, masterfully told, and has the credibility that journalists-turned-novelists tend to include as standard.
Like all the best characters in fiction, these don't feel as if someone's made them up; it's more as if the author has discovered them and reported what he found.
The book could fit into several genres, but it seems to me to be a thriller of the quality of The Man In The Brown Suit, one of Agatha Christie's lesser-known but nevertheless superior works.
Richard's narrative has pace and variety, poetic decriptions, and a deep understanding of human emotions and behaviour.
I cannot imagine anyone being disappointed with it - and I genuinely cannot wait to read his next novel.
I also can't wait to see what he thinks of my comic novel, A Prize To Die For, which he promised to read when I met him at the festival and was asked if he'd read my book if I read his.
After all, the runaway commercial success of the likes of Katie Price, aka Jordan, proves that a famous name can almost guarantee best-seller status, regardless of any literary capabilities the author may possess.
Richard Madeley is still one of the biggest names in TV, despite no longer being on it, and his involvement with the commercially-catalytic Richard & Judy Book Club has endeared him to publishers, reviewers and readers throughout the land.
But that doesn't mean he can write.
To his credit, Richard admitted as much only last week when he appeared at the Ways With Words Festival in Dartington to plug his new novel, Some Day I'll Find You.
For despite his own ways with words as a debonair television presenter, and his background as a newspaper journalist, he revealed that he was nervous when his publisher was about to release his novel into the community.
For even if tens of thousands of people bought it, as happened, that wouldn't necessarily mean that his writing was any good.
But I have news for him: he needn't have worried.
Some Day I'll Find You is an excellent, unputdownable novel - a thriller that enthralled me from the first page to the last and which, I believe, will remain in my thoughts for many years to come.
It's a cracking story, masterfully told, and has the credibility that journalists-turned-novelists tend to include as standard.
Like all the best characters in fiction, these don't feel as if someone's made them up; it's more as if the author has discovered them and reported what he found.
The book could fit into several genres, but it seems to me to be a thriller of the quality of The Man In The Brown Suit, one of Agatha Christie's lesser-known but nevertheless superior works.
Richard's narrative has pace and variety, poetic decriptions, and a deep understanding of human emotions and behaviour.
I cannot imagine anyone being disappointed with it - and I genuinely cannot wait to read his next novel.
I also can't wait to see what he thinks of my comic novel, A Prize To Die For, which he promised to read when I met him at the festival and was asked if he'd read my book if I read his.
August 24, 2013
It will be obvious to most people of course, but Richard Madeley is famous, and at the risk of seeming blunt, that is the only reason that this book has been published. It is not without it's merit and should Richard wish to become a legitimate writer I would say he has considerable potential, but like all writers, he's going to have to put in the work.
From the missing speech marks on the opening page (the opening page!) to the laboured use of language ("bestowed", "gavotte") and the extraordinary over use of hyphens and italics (the lazy man's punctuation tools), it is clear that this book did not have an editor. Or far more likely, it had an editor who didn't want to upset a very valuable client. The book is littered with factual and continuity errors, the dialogue often dropping in phrases completely out of step with 1940s Britain ("that was really something, dad","so unfair!" langauge more at home in a US teen sitcom)and shows rather a lack of respect for the reader.
This is a good early draft of a first attempt at writing a novel that someone starting to write could be justly proud of. All writers have to start somewhere, and all writers who go on to be good will have dumped their first, second, third maybe fouth attempts. Unfortunaley for Mr M, no-one told him he needed to try a little harder and someone knew that in terms of sales, it wasn't going to matter.
If Richard really does want to be a writer, as opposed to a celebrity who has written a book, then he absolutely could be. But like anything else worth achieving, he's going to have to put in the hours.
I suggest two things: first, ignore the lavish praise from fans and instead read what evey review of three stars and below has said. It contains genuinely good advice. Secondly, try sending the next manuscript to an agent or publisher under another name and see what happens.
From the missing speech marks on the opening page (the opening page!) to the laboured use of language ("bestowed", "gavotte") and the extraordinary over use of hyphens and italics (the lazy man's punctuation tools), it is clear that this book did not have an editor. Or far more likely, it had an editor who didn't want to upset a very valuable client. The book is littered with factual and continuity errors, the dialogue often dropping in phrases completely out of step with 1940s Britain ("that was really something, dad","so unfair!" langauge more at home in a US teen sitcom)and shows rather a lack of respect for the reader.
This is a good early draft of a first attempt at writing a novel that someone starting to write could be justly proud of. All writers have to start somewhere, and all writers who go on to be good will have dumped their first, second, third maybe fouth attempts. Unfortunaley for Mr M, no-one told him he needed to try a little harder and someone knew that in terms of sales, it wasn't going to matter.
If Richard really does want to be a writer, as opposed to a celebrity who has written a book, then he absolutely could be. But like anything else worth achieving, he's going to have to put in the hours.
I suggest two things: first, ignore the lavish praise from fans and instead read what evey review of three stars and below has said. It contains genuinely good advice. Secondly, try sending the next manuscript to an agent or publisher under another name and see what happens.
March 22, 2021
Idk why I did this to myself but this book was doomed from the start. Didn't even like Diana or feel the least bit of pity for her. She was the most self centered, selfish and vain character I have come across. It was a predictable read, but given the length I expected atleast some plot twists but no it was as boring as they come.
July 26, 2013
Okay, I admit it, I fell for the hype. A psychological thriller it said, the book would have made it even if it hadn't been written by someone well known it said etc etc. I don't usually go for books set in the not so distant past. This one was second world war time and then the 1950s.
The pace - was fine. It wasn't a difficult book to read. I wish it had been.
The characters - the only one I liked was the father. The others I didn't like at all. That's a bit of an issue in a book like this where we're supposed to like the characters. Well, all but one.
They all seemed so empty and flat to me. There was no passion, no excitement. Now, I will admit that that was part of the problem with the style of writing - it was set at a period when Brits were more reserved and in that sense - the style -fit. But personally, I didn't find it fun to read. The characters didn't come alive for me. Still, could easily be my fault - different expectations.
The plot - this was my big issue. Half the book is all hunky dory. Then things kick off. Anyone who hasn't guessed from very early on what is going to happen, well.... I don't want to spoil what plot there is but I didn't accept the initial premise and what followed after didn't work at all for me.
The book is okay - but it's not worthy of the hype. If I said it was an old fashioned Mills and Boon type story - I don't mean to offend Mills and Boon readers - the point is that this book is published by a BIG company, there are talks of film deals - (WHAT??) If you want a gentle story - with the nasty bits carefully sanitized, you might like it, but I was incredibly disappointed. If felt like a first novel - one that should have been a way to learn how to write the next one.
So - not for me. Sorry.
On and why the hell does it have that title? Implies someone who is missing has someone searching for him or her. Err -- I must have missed that.
I am a picky reader. I don't like to give low stars. I know they hurt. If this had been a book by someone unknown, I wouldn't have written a review at all. Just put it down as a bad choice on my part but I don't like to see books getting tons of praise and lots of publicity on the basis that the author deserves it because the book is great - when that's not the case in my opinion.
The pace - was fine. It wasn't a difficult book to read. I wish it had been.
The characters - the only one I liked was the father. The others I didn't like at all. That's a bit of an issue in a book like this where we're supposed to like the characters. Well, all but one.
They all seemed so empty and flat to me. There was no passion, no excitement. Now, I will admit that that was part of the problem with the style of writing - it was set at a period when Brits were more reserved and in that sense - the style -fit. But personally, I didn't find it fun to read. The characters didn't come alive for me. Still, could easily be my fault - different expectations.
The plot - this was my big issue. Half the book is all hunky dory. Then things kick off. Anyone who hasn't guessed from very early on what is going to happen, well.... I don't want to spoil what plot there is but I didn't accept the initial premise and what followed after didn't work at all for me.
The book is okay - but it's not worthy of the hype. If I said it was an old fashioned Mills and Boon type story - I don't mean to offend Mills and Boon readers - the point is that this book is published by a BIG company, there are talks of film deals - (WHAT??) If you want a gentle story - with the nasty bits carefully sanitized, you might like it, but I was incredibly disappointed. If felt like a first novel - one that should have been a way to learn how to write the next one.
So - not for me. Sorry.
On and why the hell does it have that title? Implies someone who is missing has someone searching for him or her. Err -- I must have missed that.
I am a picky reader. I don't like to give low stars. I know they hurt. If this had been a book by someone unknown, I wouldn't have written a review at all. Just put it down as a bad choice on my part but I don't like to see books getting tons of praise and lots of publicity on the basis that the author deserves it because the book is great - when that's not the case in my opinion.
September 18, 2013
Sad as it is - I quite like Richard Madeley and thought that the book description sounded quite good. It was REALLY slow, wasn't sure about the writing of it, bit too 'jolly hockey sticks' for me but suppose it was set in the war. Battled on as kept thinking that it would pick up speed .. it didn't.
Wouldn't waste time reading this one when there are much better books out there waiting to be read!
Wouldn't waste time reading this one when there are much better books out there waiting to be read!
December 29, 2022
This was not at all as I had imagined it to be, but I actually enjoyed reading it.
It took me a while to get into it as it felt like the initial scene setting took ages to warm up, and then there was a section of calm before the story really ‘kicked in’. The end came all too quickly for me and felt too rushed.
It was a good story and I’d recommend others to read it and make up their own minds, but for me needed to be better paced to warrant more stars.
It took me a while to get into it as it felt like the initial scene setting took ages to warm up, and then there was a section of calm before the story really ‘kicked in’. The end came all too quickly for me and felt too rushed.
It was a good story and I’d recommend others to read it and make up their own minds, but for me needed to be better paced to warrant more stars.
August 17, 2013
Now I am not a huge fan of Richard Madeley, to be honest the man irritates me. SO that was not the reason why I wanted to read the book...
I happened upon Richard Madeley in an interview where he gave a brief synopsis on his book and I was intrigued. This is more or less what he said....
" The story is about a girl called Diana who falls in love with a fighter pilot during World War 2. They get married and on the day of their wedding he is shot down over France. Everyone believes he is dead. Ten years after the war Diana is in France enjoying a coffee outside a cafe. A taxi goes past and she hears the voice of her husband coming from the taxi. Dianna chases after the taxi but the taxi is lost in a sea of traffic... hence the title Some day I will find you." He also stated quite emphatically that the husband was a psychopath. This got my attention anyway and I wanted to find out what happened... was it her husband?? why was he a psychopath??
The next week I wandered into WH Smiths and they had a promotion on The Times newspaper and if you brought the paper you got the book for £2.99. So I brought it... and here's what I thought...
The most sinister part of the book is the title, however, I did enjoy the story and it was an entertaining read.
The book is begins with a chapter that is very similar to the brief synopsis mentioned above in the year 1951. The book then takes you back to just before the beginning of World War 2. There is a brief history of how Dianna's parents met and the families rather bizarre tradition of changing their names. It moves beautifully between past and present, triumph and tragedy with grace and ease.
Dianna is an engaging character, with movie star looks and a feisty personality. Fighter pilot James is a complicated character and I felt his motivation was lacking a bit, I wouldn't call him a psychopath. James I felt wasn't sinister enough. Don'y get me wrong, he wasn't nice, he is not the type of person you would ever like to meet and though his exploits were detestable I felt he did not quite fit the psychopath box. I think I would have liked him to be a bit more callous. James motivation was money and getting rich, he enjoyed a feeling of power, but he could never be more than a small fish in a big pond and he knew that, even though people were scared of him, it was hinted at or told third hand. When he did do something it went so far... then it stopped almost as though the author was afraid to take it that little bit further... the tipping point that would make him a psychopath.
All the action is in the last 80 pages of the book and the ending is predictable as it ends in the only way it can.
As a first work of fiction for Richard Madeley it was very good, tentative at times but an entertaining and compelling read.
I happened upon Richard Madeley in an interview where he gave a brief synopsis on his book and I was intrigued. This is more or less what he said....
" The story is about a girl called Diana who falls in love with a fighter pilot during World War 2. They get married and on the day of their wedding he is shot down over France. Everyone believes he is dead. Ten years after the war Diana is in France enjoying a coffee outside a cafe. A taxi goes past and she hears the voice of her husband coming from the taxi. Dianna chases after the taxi but the taxi is lost in a sea of traffic... hence the title Some day I will find you." He also stated quite emphatically that the husband was a psychopath. This got my attention anyway and I wanted to find out what happened... was it her husband?? why was he a psychopath??
The next week I wandered into WH Smiths and they had a promotion on The Times newspaper and if you brought the paper you got the book for £2.99. So I brought it... and here's what I thought...
The most sinister part of the book is the title, however, I did enjoy the story and it was an entertaining read.
The book is begins with a chapter that is very similar to the brief synopsis mentioned above in the year 1951. The book then takes you back to just before the beginning of World War 2. There is a brief history of how Dianna's parents met and the families rather bizarre tradition of changing their names. It moves beautifully between past and present, triumph and tragedy with grace and ease.
Dianna is an engaging character, with movie star looks and a feisty personality. Fighter pilot James is a complicated character and I felt his motivation was lacking a bit, I wouldn't call him a psychopath. James I felt wasn't sinister enough. Don'y get me wrong, he wasn't nice, he is not the type of person you would ever like to meet and though his exploits were detestable I felt he did not quite fit the psychopath box. I think I would have liked him to be a bit more callous. James motivation was money and getting rich, he enjoyed a feeling of power, but he could never be more than a small fish in a big pond and he knew that, even though people were scared of him, it was hinted at or told third hand. When he did do something it went so far... then it stopped almost as though the author was afraid to take it that little bit further... the tipping point that would make him a psychopath.
All the action is in the last 80 pages of the book and the ending is predictable as it ends in the only way it can.
As a first work of fiction for Richard Madeley it was very good, tentative at times but an entertaining and compelling read.
July 27, 2013
We love Richard and Judy as a book club and think its fantastic that they have brought so many new authors into our living rooms, but writing their own books?? Well I haven.t read any of Judy's yet and wasn't to happy about Richards...But I have to say after a slow start I was presently surprised at how much of a compelling read it is with brilliant historical facts relating to WWII. I have top stand up on this occasion and say well done...a good book!
May 25, 2015
I enjoyed this book. It is set during WWII England and following the war in France, and it is a mystery about a couple who marry and are separated by the war and what becomes of them. I was a little concerned after reading some of the reviews, but I didn't find the book quite so predictable, and I enjoyed the mystery. My only complaint was how the character of Douglas was treated at the end. I didn't feel he deserved it, but that is life sometimes, isn't it?
July 17, 2017
I had quite high hopes for this book when I first started reading it but it ran out of excitement quite soon after the first chapter . It read like a 1950s film which would have been ok in its day . For today's readers there was nothing new and the story line seemed like repeats of bits of other books and films put together Sorry not original enough. Richard and Judy book choices are usually very good so when Richard wrote his own book I thought it would be of a similar standard.
July 25, 2013
Read this, strangely because I thought he'd told the full story during his interviews on the tele. Anyhow, fantastic beginning and middle but a little disappointed with the end/ish!! You could see where it was going and that's not a bad thing! For a first novel though well done can't wait for the next
July 27, 2013
Pacey. Evocative re Provence. Rather predictable. Made the main female character look a bit dim, not in keeping with the way he was trying to portray her as a clever 'Girton girl'. A quick read.
July 27, 2014
Note to self: look further than the 'popular paperbacks' shelf just inside the door of the library
June 23, 2020
This was a wonderfully summery read. A perfect sojourn to the French Riviera of the 1950s.
The characters are delightful and I was fully seduced by the charm of all of them, even the devilishly horrid James Blackwell.
Towards the end, I did find myself wondering if there was going to be a big, weird twist, like maybe Douglas was the mafia boss who was pulling James' strings after all, or that Diana was actually in on it and her and James were going to run away together with their daughter and her father's money and start a new life.
My only criticism was that I did think Douglas was too accepting of Diana's affair. I think that part of the book was rushed so the rest of the story didn't lose pace at the end.
The characters are delightful and I was fully seduced by the charm of all of them, even the devilishly horrid James Blackwell.
Towards the end, I did find myself wondering if there was going to be a big, weird twist, like maybe Douglas was the mafia boss who was pulling James' strings after all, or that Diana was actually in on it and her and James were going to run away together with their daughter and her father's money and start a new life.
My only criticism was that I did think Douglas was too accepting of Diana's affair. I think that part of the book was rushed so the rest of the story didn't lose pace at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2018
Quite unrealistic, but so stupid I had to keep reading, as would be something I imagine could come from the mind of Richard Madeley.
Woman whose father is a high profile lawyer falls in love and marries a man who tried hard to hide his working class background, and becomes an RAF pilot. He seems wonderful. Then when he's shot down in France during WWII he murders people while making his way to the south of France, where he becomes a gangster. His wife just happens to see him when she moves to the same area, and then he kidnaps the daughter he didn't know he had with her for money
Woman whose father is a high profile lawyer falls in love and marries a man who tried hard to hide his working class background, and becomes an RAF pilot. He seems wonderful. Then when he's shot down in France during WWII he murders people while making his way to the south of France, where he becomes a gangster. His wife just happens to see him when she moves to the same area, and then he kidnaps the daughter he didn't know he had with her for money
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2019
Story from the beginning sounds certain and monotonous-- the usual drama and twist we expect at every nook of the book. The engulfing of war into France has been beautifully drawn. The best part was the life Diana lives after a leap of 10 years. And the bad part is even before you complete the novel, ending becomes certain. The spoiler is already revealed at the early or the starting of the novel. Beginner may enjoy it, pro-readers will find the former for sure.
March 14, 2021
The book actually doenst give the hype the title gives. I had expected a beautiful, heart warming with the title. The story is mediocre, and gives off the main twist in the beginning itself. Wished it was concealed in the beginning. The good thing from this book is it shows the the life of RAF, their immediate family members and how it effects them being away. At the end, one day you may regret what you found...
March 20, 2018
This book was fantastic - pacey and gripping. I read it in three days as couldn't put it down. The story was original and unpredictable with great characters. It totally surprised me and I would read it again! Unfortunately I couldn't get away with the follow on book 'The Way You Look Tonight' it was too gruesome, and therefore not for me!
August 3, 2019
On the day Diana marries James, he is recalled into service as a WWII fighter pilot and is then lost, presumed dead. 10 years later Diana hears a voice she thought she would never her again. It takes a while for the story to be build up and then it is suddeny over. I enjoyed the story, but there was a not a lot of depth to it, a quick read.
March 30, 2021
A very well written novel by Richard. I was a bit sceptical but after only a few pages I was hooked. A interesting story based during WW2 then the early 1950s. A woman's husband shot down over enemy territory rises from the dead 11 yrs later. James is a villain big style and a total chancer. The ending is a fitting one.
November 20, 2021
I was enjoying this book and then I forgot to take it on holiday with me, and I missed reading it! I wanted to know what would happen.
Richard Madeley writes so well and I really enjoyed this book. It was just the right pace, and had an exciting plot. It had been well thought out and was just a good story.
Better than I expected it to be, and I would read other books by the same author now.
Richard Madeley writes so well and I really enjoyed this book. It was just the right pace, and had an exciting plot. It had been well thought out and was just a good story.
Better than I expected it to be, and I would read other books by the same author now.
January 30, 2019
My friend lent me this book and judging by the author and the front cover I was really unconvinced I would enjoy it at all.
How wrong I was, I found it an absolute page turner,
A mystery set in WW2
Great read
How wrong I was, I found it an absolute page turner,
A mystery set in WW2
Great read
January 6, 2021
A very good book with twists and turns.
January 24, 2021
I felt there was a bit of repetition which began to irritate me but all in all a decent story.
March 13, 2021
This book started off bland and a lot of setting the scene before it got going into something more interesting. I'm pleased I kept with it as it ended up a good story and a pleasing read.
July 25, 2022
Excellent story
Loved this book. The story is excellent and quite different to the usual romances. I can highly recommend it. Looking forward to reading his other books.
Loved this book. The story is excellent and quite different to the usual romances. I can highly recommend it. Looking forward to reading his other books.
May 12, 2023
I really enjoyed this fictional offering from Ri hard Madeley. I hope he writes more...full of twists...it felt like I was transported to rural France!
May 23, 2023
a VERY EASY POOLSIDE READ WHEN YOU ARE ON HOLIDAY.
Richard Madeley obviously would have loved to be the real cad of the story.
Quite a good yarn, but bits of it are a bit Boys own paper, for those of us who remember who are old enough to have read it.
Richard Madeley obviously would have loved to be the real cad of the story.
Quite a good yarn, but bits of it are a bit Boys own paper, for those of us who remember who are old enough to have read it.
September 1, 2023
It got better!
October 1, 2023
Characters two-dimensional and the tension could have been ramped up so much more
Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews