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She's Not Coming Home
Suppose your wife leaves work but never arrives home; you call, only to find nobody there has heard of her. If she doesn’t work there, where has she been going?
Matthew Gibbons thought he had it all – a house in a leafy Boston suburb, his wife Ruth and a beautiful son. But when one evening, after texting him ‘leaving now’, she doesn’t arrive home, and the staff at her office say they have no Ruth Gibbons working there, he sees his whole life collapse around him.
What could have made Ruth walk away from her home and her family? When Matt tries to piece together his wife’s life, he finds he never really knew the woman he married, the woman who apparently died in a car crash three years earlier…
Matthew Gibbons thought he had it all – a house in a leafy Boston suburb, his wife Ruth and a beautiful son. But when one evening, after texting him ‘leaving now’, she doesn’t arrive home, and the staff at her office say they have no Ruth Gibbons working there, he sees his whole life collapse around him.
What could have made Ruth walk away from her home and her family? When Matt tries to piece together his wife’s life, he finds he never really knew the woman he married, the woman who apparently died in a car crash three years earlier…
326 pages, ebook
First published October 14, 2012
47 people are currently reading
351 people want to read
About the author
Philip Cox
16 books8 followersPhilip Cox was born and raised in the UK seaside city of Southend on Sea, which lies forty miles east of London.
After graduating from High School, he began a career in UK Banking and Financial Services, and spent the next decades working his way through the ranks, finally becoming a Branch Manager of a major UK bank.
Philip left banking after the birth of his first child to be a stay-at-home father, and it was during this time that, in between changing diapers/nappies, he began to write his first novel, ‘After the Rain’.
Now having written sixteen books, he is based in the county of Hertfordshire, some twenty miles north of London, with his wife and two daughters.
During his spare time (what spare time there is between school runs and writing!), Philip enjoys indulging his interest in Model Railroading/Railways.
He is tall and slim, has a few grey hairs, and wishes he could get to the gym more often.
Philip’s website is www.philipcox.moonfruit.com, and he can be followed on twitter @philipcoxbooks, on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/philipcoxbooks, and facebook https://www.facebook.com/philipcoxbooks.
After graduating from High School, he began a career in UK Banking and Financial Services, and spent the next decades working his way through the ranks, finally becoming a Branch Manager of a major UK bank.
Philip left banking after the birth of his first child to be a stay-at-home father, and it was during this time that, in between changing diapers/nappies, he began to write his first novel, ‘After the Rain’.
Now having written sixteen books, he is based in the county of Hertfordshire, some twenty miles north of London, with his wife and two daughters.
During his spare time (what spare time there is between school runs and writing!), Philip enjoys indulging his interest in Model Railroading/Railways.
He is tall and slim, has a few grey hairs, and wishes he could get to the gym more often.
Philip’s website is www.philipcox.moonfruit.com, and he can be followed on twitter @philipcoxbooks, on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/philipcoxbooks, and facebook https://www.facebook.com/philipcoxbooks.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
October 5, 2013
** I was given a free copy of this book by the publisher in exchange of an honest review**
She's Not Coming Home is a suspenseful mystery. Every day when Matt's wife Ruth walks home she sends him a tex saying she is on her way. One evening though she never shows up home. Matt becomes sicks with worry in trying to find out why she never came home that cold evening. & so begin's Matt's journey on finding out what happened to Ruth and what led to her dissapearence,
The story picks up speed pretty quickly from the beginning. I liked the characters. Especially Lt. Web. He really rocked! The ending to me was good. I have read some reviews that said the ending was far fetched. I disagree I think it ended just right. I have to say though that I had a feeling about someone in particular being involved halfway through the book and my suspicions were right!
Great read for a fall day/night. I do recommend this one!
She's Not Coming Home is a suspenseful mystery. Every day when Matt's wife Ruth walks home she sends him a tex saying she is on her way. One evening though she never shows up home. Matt becomes sicks with worry in trying to find out why she never came home that cold evening. & so begin's Matt's journey on finding out what happened to Ruth and what led to her dissapearence,
The story picks up speed pretty quickly from the beginning. I liked the characters. Especially Lt. Web. He really rocked! The ending to me was good. I have read some reviews that said the ending was far fetched. I disagree I think it ended just right. I have to say though that I had a feeling about someone in particular being involved halfway through the book and my suspicions were right!
Great read for a fall day/night. I do recommend this one!
June 17, 2013
The storyline was OK, but the ending was a bit rubbish to be honest. It seemed that the (long and drawn out) story went on forever but then the ending was condensed into nothing.
There were typos. One example was "sure" it was typed as "surely" and that really irritated me. There were mistakes where sentences didn't make sense and then I'm sure the author is English but basing a book in America? He referred to the boys Mother as Mummy and Mommy a number of times. The book was full of little things like this, if it was a couple of times through out the book then fair enough, but it was a few times every couple of pages.
There were typos. One example was "sure" it was typed as "surely" and that really irritated me. There were mistakes where sentences didn't make sense and then I'm sure the author is English but basing a book in America? He referred to the boys Mother as Mummy and Mommy a number of times. The book was full of little things like this, if it was a couple of times through out the book then fair enough, but it was a few times every couple of pages.
April 28, 2013
Really enjoyed this novel. The main character Matt, was totally believable and likeable. The story line was intriguing and fast paced enough to grip,but not too fast that the characterisation was missed.
This was the first book of Philip Cox that I have read, but already downloaded his next into my Kindle.
This was the first book of Philip Cox that I have read, but already downloaded his next into my Kindle.
November 26, 2019
I really enjoyed the plot, nice characters. I will definitely read more by this author.
April 7, 2013
This gripped me but infuriated me too!
There was a good story line and I wanted to see where it would end but the picky side of me grew frustrated with the grammatical spelling mistakes (lots of them) and the need to give detailed geographical directions like Google maps whenever the character went anywhere - I tended to speed read these bits!
Would a police man really let a man investigate the crime with him? How did he always sleep and eat when his wife and then child went missing? Why did he still go to work when his wife was missing?
just several things made it implausable
There was a good story line and I wanted to see where it would end but the picky side of me grew frustrated with the grammatical spelling mistakes (lots of them) and the need to give detailed geographical directions like Google maps whenever the character went anywhere - I tended to speed read these bits!
Would a police man really let a man investigate the crime with him? How did he always sleep and eat when his wife and then child went missing? Why did he still go to work when his wife was missing?
just several things made it implausable
May 30, 2013
Other comments that I've read are spot on. The grammatical errors are such as to cause the reader to pause while reading before resuming which is bothersome. Taking care of this editing would increase the reading experience and allow a reader to concentrate on what is a solid and good story.
April 2, 2013
absolutely loved this book. story was excellent but ending could have been stronger. i didn't always appeciate the geographivcal description of where everything was. a fine read though
April 19, 2013
Was a good read to kill time.
April 24, 2013
An enjoyable cheap read. It kept me interested although the spelling mistakes and typos were a bit annoying.
May 2, 2013
Loved this! The story really gripped me and Matt, the main character, was extremely likable. I am really interested in reading some other books by the author now.
January 17, 2015
This book, until the end you did not know what was going on. Kept you guessing. Will read other books of this author for sure.
September 8, 2017
I found this book irritating, mainly, as other reviewers have pointed out, due to the large number of typos and bad grammar, plus the seeming obsession with road names and numbers and the weird amount of detail given to inconsequential things.
I felt like giving up on a few occasions, but it's a bit of a thing with me that if I start a book I have to finish it. And to be honest I was kept more than a little intrigued to discover what had happened to Ruth, the wife who disappeared.
Again like a number of others, I found the ending rushed and disappointing.
I felt like giving up on a few occasions, but it's a bit of a thing with me that if I start a book I have to finish it. And to be honest I was kept more than a little intrigued to discover what had happened to Ruth, the wife who disappeared.
Again like a number of others, I found the ending rushed and disappointing.
July 12, 2020
Half a day I won’t get back
I really dislike leaving negative reviews but this book is so inconsistent and unrealistic and ridiculous story. Far too much detail in every road in and around Boston and no real oomph to the story. It was like a wet blanket.
A sub story through it that was pointless, an ending that made no sense at all and points in the middle almost two cringing to read.
I really dislike leaving negative reviews but this book is so inconsistent and unrealistic and ridiculous story. Far too much detail in every road in and around Boston and no real oomph to the story. It was like a wet blanket.
A sub story through it that was pointless, an ending that made no sense at all and points in the middle almost two cringing to read.
June 17, 2024
This story started with potential when Matt's wife Ruth doesn't return home to him and their son, Nathaniel. Then sadly, this became implausible and was filled with so many descriptions of everything Matt ate and every road he ever travelled on that the story weakened considerably. The inclusion of a likable detective, Weber, resurrected the story but only somewhat, and the ending was left wanting. 3 stars
August 1, 2018
New reader of this author
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, and his style of writing was just my cup of tea. Hopefully this will be the first of many Philip Cox 's books that I intend reading. Well done.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, and his style of writing was just my cup of tea. Hopefully this will be the first of many Philip Cox 's books that I intend reading. Well done.
September 18, 2018
A very weak and unbelievable plot line with far too many coincidences.
January 5, 2019
Wasn't expecting this ending.
June 21, 2019
Great story
I finished this book in less then 12 hours. Could
not stop reading. Great story so exciting, not expecting the ending.
I finished this book in less then 12 hours. Could
not stop reading. Great story so exciting, not expecting the ending.
January 6, 2014
How disappointed am I ?? This sounded SO GOOD but I've ended up packing it in at 23% due to some dire mistakes in it. Why oh why do authors not check what's being put out there in their name ?? I did see some other reviews complaining about mistakes in it but I'd already downloaded it by then. Amazon haven't updated my copy since March 2013 when I got it and if they're at fault then the author should be giving someone a good kick up the backside.
I spotted a needless apostrophe, too replaced by two (horrors), timed and not time, words dropped from sentences like the, eight floor and not eighth, then lost speechmarks, a used and not an. This sentence was almost the end for me-"As he got to six feet away, the man happened got up"....but then I took my hand off the delete button till I saw Danny on the next page saying "You assumed I was Rurh Gibbons". Really ?? At one point we're told the night duty police come on at 7pm but then at 8.40pm the original ones were still working and weren't relieved.
There were a lot of traffic directions in it which really seemed to drag on and were superflous to the story. Fine if you know the area but even then they're really not needed.
Yet I thought the story was fascinating till then and I did want to persevere as now I'll never know what happened to Ruth but all the mistakes ruined it for me. A real shame.
I have 2 more recent ones by the author downloaded so I'm hoping they might have been properly proofread. I've selected them at varying times so his stories clearly appeal to me. What a shame.
I spotted a needless apostrophe, too replaced by two (horrors), timed and not time, words dropped from sentences like the, eight floor and not eighth, then lost speechmarks, a used and not an. This sentence was almost the end for me-"As he got to six feet away, the man happened got up"....but then I took my hand off the delete button till I saw Danny on the next page saying "You assumed I was Rurh Gibbons". Really ?? At one point we're told the night duty police come on at 7pm but then at 8.40pm the original ones were still working and weren't relieved.
There were a lot of traffic directions in it which really seemed to drag on and were superflous to the story. Fine if you know the area but even then they're really not needed.
Yet I thought the story was fascinating till then and I did want to persevere as now I'll never know what happened to Ruth but all the mistakes ruined it for me. A real shame.
I have 2 more recent ones by the author downloaded so I'm hoping they might have been properly proofread. I've selected them at varying times so his stories clearly appeal to me. What a shame.
July 3, 2016
"She's Not Coming Home" -- at least that's what Matt is afraid of when his wife doesn't show up after leaving work even though she texted him as she was leaving. Although he can't really believe Ruth might leave him even as he allows for the remote possibility, he's absolutely certain there's no way she could also leave Nathan, their young son. However, the office where his wife supposedly works tells him they've never heard of her. As he works with Lt. Weber from the Boston Police, he starts to realize his wife's previous life is somewhat of a mystery. Which didn't bother Matt before but might be more important than he thought.
The book describes his life after her disappearance and his futile searches for information, not only about her current whereabouts but her past life. Oddly, it goes into a LOT of detail about his drives to and fro -- the color of the traffic lights, the streets he turned on, his stops for food and gas, etc. It seemed as though the (possibly British) author was trying to show his extensive knowledge of American cities and life. And the ending, while in some ways was fairly predictable seemed also kind of rushed in some ways and slightly illogical in others. Still, even with all that said and the obvious need for additional proof-reading, this action novel was reasonably interesting to read. I'd say 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
The book describes his life after her disappearance and his futile searches for information, not only about her current whereabouts but her past life. Oddly, it goes into a LOT of detail about his drives to and fro -- the color of the traffic lights, the streets he turned on, his stops for food and gas, etc. It seemed as though the (possibly British) author was trying to show his extensive knowledge of American cities and life. And the ending, while in some ways was fairly predictable seemed also kind of rushed in some ways and slightly illogical in others. Still, even with all that said and the obvious need for additional proof-reading, this action novel was reasonably interesting to read. I'd say 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
November 16, 2015
This book is a standalone novel with a HEA. I am an independent reviewer.
This story is a mystery. Matt's wife disappears and he is trying to figure out what happened. The story itself was interesting, but the minutia the author used to describe each morning, each long drive, each walk through Boston was exhausting. The story felt padded with all the unnecessary words. Matt tells his story and his progress to multiple people. The paragraph could practically be copied and pasted as Matt describes his progress to his boss, co-workers, parents and the police.
The phrasing in the story was unusual. I didn't recognize some of the phrasing. I think the phrase "sorting it out" is a European phrase. There were also quite a few errors in editing. I noticed a lot of words in the wrong tense.
This story is PG rated. The base story was interesting, but the errors and padding ruined it for me.
This story is a mystery. Matt's wife disappears and he is trying to figure out what happened. The story itself was interesting, but the minutia the author used to describe each morning, each long drive, each walk through Boston was exhausting. The story felt padded with all the unnecessary words. Matt tells his story and his progress to multiple people. The paragraph could practically be copied and pasted as Matt describes his progress to his boss, co-workers, parents and the police.
The phrasing in the story was unusual. I didn't recognize some of the phrasing. I think the phrase "sorting it out" is a European phrase. There were also quite a few errors in editing. I noticed a lot of words in the wrong tense.
This story is PG rated. The base story was interesting, but the errors and padding ruined it for me.
February 4, 2016
I found this an easy read but I mainly kept reading it to find out why she hadn't come home and just disappeared but I did find the storyline a little unbelievable - when it all came to a head I just found myself doubting the story and finding little holes in it, for instance why didn't she ever contact her Mother again and explain after Danny and Gail caught up with her again.
Also there was never an explanation as to what Danny and Gail's ultimate goal was.
I also found the writing a little bit too descriptive, when Matt was driving their was a lot of needless descriptions of him turning here and there and onto this and that road.
Also there was never an explanation as to what Danny and Gail's ultimate goal was.
I also found the writing a little bit too descriptive, when Matt was driving their was a lot of needless descriptions of him turning here and there and onto this and that road.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2014
When I first heard about this book I looked forward to reading it and it was bought as gift for me alongside about 5 other books. I chose to read this one first what a disappointment. Book begins interestingly but drags on. So much detail is given to directions and travelling, yet little is given on emotions and characters. But the worst part of the book by far if you struggle to the end like I did was the ending. The climax of the story is actually brilliant but is crammed into about 50 pages with next to no detail and you are left wanting so much more. Wouldn't recommend!
April 7, 2013
Not sure what to say about this one. The story was interesting and the concept was good. It was a quick read with a couple of good plot twists but the book was poorly edited, dragged at times and I found the dialogue to be very formal. I kept thinking that people don't really talk like that to each other! Overall, I'm not sorry I read it but I'm glad I didn't pay for it.
January 17, 2016
Intriguing storyline but badly written. This book needs to have the unnecessary tedious details edited out! I also didn't find the responses of the characters to be believable. After a certain point, I was skipping whole unnecessary pages just to find out how the story would end. The ending was also rushed and difficult to believe.
February 25, 2014
I can appreciate other peoples views on this book.. Was absolutely engrossed untill the last chapter when it almost felt that the ending was 'right I've hit my word count'
Regardless it was a good storyline and the characters were believable.
Regardless it was a good storyline and the characters were believable.
July 11, 2014
A nice intrigue and quite a gripping scenario. I was a bit disappointed by the ending.
It has the same hallmark of Philip Cox - an excessive, in my opinion, detail of roads and subway stations. Some may find this interesting. I find it irritating.
It has the same hallmark of Philip Cox - an excessive, in my opinion, detail of roads and subway stations. Some may find this interesting. I find it irritating.
September 13, 2014
What do you do when your spouse doesn't come home from work? And then you begin to realize that you married a stranger
His book was surprisingly good because the police quickly eliminated the husband as a suspect.
His book was surprisingly good because the police quickly eliminated the husband as a suspect.
September 27, 2014
She didn't come home either of
This story had me baffled the more than ever as I read it. The plot was full of twists and turns but interesting. A mother love for her child is strong but a father's loved proved to be more. I was sweep up and surprised at the end
This story had me baffled the more than ever as I read it. The plot was full of twists and turns but interesting. A mother love for her child is strong but a father's loved proved to be more. I was sweep up and surprised at the end
October 28, 2015
I couldn't put this down! Each chapter left me wanting to know what happened next!!! Definite 5 stars from me. This chaps wife mysteriously doesn't come home one night and this is the story of how he tries to track her down.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews