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Anna #2
Here One Minute
Julia Miller puts her teenage daughter on a plane, secure in the knowledge that she will see her again in a few days.
Now you don’t…
But when the plane lands, Anna is nowhere to be seen. She definitely got on the flight, but then she just…vanished.
Is she gone forever?
Julia’s world is about to be rocked. Because when the truth comes about what’s really happened to Anna, nothing will ever be the same again. And time is running out to save her daughter…
Now you don’t…
But when the plane lands, Anna is nowhere to be seen. She definitely got on the flight, but then she just…vanished.
Is she gone forever?
Julia’s world is about to be rocked. Because when the truth comes about what’s really happened to Anna, nothing will ever be the same again. And time is running out to save her daughter…
378 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 24, 2024
169 people are currently reading
520 people want to read
About the author
Alex Lake
14 books898 followersAlex Lake is a British novelist who was born in the North West of England. After Anna, the author’s first novel written under this pseudonym, was a No.1 bestselling ebook sensation and a top-ten Sunday Times bestseller. The author now lives in the North East of the US.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
October 29, 2024
One minute should have been taken to state that "Here One Minute" is Book #2 of a trilogy.
"After Anna" is book #1.
"After Anna" was written 9 years ago so my memories of Book #1 were fuzzy.
Less time elapsed between Book #1 and #2 would have been preferred.
Although the book's "What Happened to the Abducted Children?" premise was compelling, this book was all over the place with an eye-rolling ending.
Told from multiple POVs in different timelines, the book was dizzying.
Some characters were more developed than others.
I listened to the audiobook, read by Antonia Beamish.
Antonia Beamish's narration was stellar, but the book would have benefited from a full-cast narration.
This author has penned many 5-star books but this was not one of those books.
2.5 stars rounded up.
October 23, 2024
This is a great mystery thriller.
When Julia says goodbye to her daughter Anna as she goes to visit her father, she doesn't realise she will soon vanish.
Her step-mum is there to meet her, but Anna is nowhere to be found.
She soon gets another shock when her son has gone missing too.
The Police start their investigations and it soon comes up about Anna's disappearance when she was younger.
There's lots of people hiding things in this book and a few red herrings make this a great read.
Thanks to Harper Collins UK for the opportunity to read this book.
When Julia says goodbye to her daughter Anna as she goes to visit her father, she doesn't realise she will soon vanish.
Her step-mum is there to meet her, but Anna is nowhere to be found.
She soon gets another shock when her son has gone missing too.
The Police start their investigations and it soon comes up about Anna's disappearance when she was younger.
There's lots of people hiding things in this book and a few red herrings make this a great read.
Thanks to Harper Collins UK for the opportunity to read this book.
October 12, 2024
A totally absorbing and gripping read, I couldn’t put it down!
Fifteen year old Anna boards a plane at Heathrow, but when the flight lands at Manchester, where her step mum is waiting to collect her, Anna doesn’t appear. How can someone board a flight and then disappear?
I loved the writing, the characters, the plot, the red herrings, the tension and the twists!
5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Alex Lake and Harper Collins for an ARC in return for an honest review.
Fifteen year old Anna boards a plane at Heathrow, but when the flight lands at Manchester, where her step mum is waiting to collect her, Anna doesn’t appear. How can someone board a flight and then disappear?
I loved the writing, the characters, the plot, the red herrings, the tension and the twists!
5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Alex Lake and Harper Collins for an ARC in return for an honest review.
March 6, 2025
Disappearing children...
Julia Miller saw her fifteen-year-old daughter, Anna, safely off on a plane from Heathrow to Manchester, to spend some time with her father and his second wife. Her stepmother, Willow, was a few minutes late to meet her at the other end of the flight, and was a little concerned that Anna wasn't already waiting for her. Anna doesn't show up and when the airport authorities check the CCTV footage it seems that she went to the toilets in Arrivals and never came out again. Anna's father Brian stays at the airport while Willow rushes off to collect her young son Oakley from football practice. But when she gets there, to her horror, Oakley has disappeared too...
This book is actually a sequel to a previous novel of Lake’s from 2015, called After Anna. I haven’t read that one, but I felt enough information was given in this one for me to gradually understand the backstory. So while reading the first one first probably helps, I felt this one works well enough as a standalone. Like the book, though, my review inevitably includes spoilers for the earlier book.
It transpires that this is the second time Anna has gone missing. The first was when she a young child, when she was abducted by her grandmother, a woman who was seriously evil, having murdered her husband. Clearly Anna was found on that occasion and, although her grandmother was apparently never caught, she has since died abroad. So the police, and the three parents, have no idea who could be behind the current abductions, if indeed they were abductions. It is conceivable that teenaged Anna has disappeared for reasons of her own, and maybe little Oakley has just wandered off and got lost – again, because of the problem at the airport, Willow was a few minutes late to pick him up. It’s also conceivable that if both children have been abducted, the abductions may not be linked, however unlikely that coincidence might be. But if they were abducted by the same person or people, then what is the motive? None of the parents can think of any reason why someone would be doing this to them. They are not rich enough to be the type of people whose kids get kidnapped for ransoms.
To be honest I felt the answer was pretty obvious, and it took quite a long time and a good deal of repetition to get there. Had I read the first book, I’m sure I’d have got there even quicker. However, the mystery of how Anna disappeared in the airport was intriguing (although the police really need to hire brainier detectives), and the motive behind the disappearances doesn’t become clear until quite late on. So there was enough to keep me interested. It’s written competently in a plain style – no literary flourishes – but that works fine for this type of book where the plot is the important thing. And the author does quite a good job of showing the impact on the parents and the stress on the police officers, especially when time passes and they don’t seem to be getting any closer to finding the children.
The ending is ridiculous, far beyond the credibility line, but then that’s the norm for this kind of contemporary thriller. I didn’t have an ‘OMG! I didn’t see that coming!’ moment because OMG! I did see that coming! Is there any possible amazing twist left that hasn’t been used a million times already? And I felt some of the amazing twists in this one were pretty clearly sign-posted.
Overall then, I found this pretty standard fare, but with enough intriguing elements to hold my interest. An undemanding read, that filled a few hours quite enjoyably. 3½ stars for me, so rounded up.
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, HarperCollins.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
Julia Miller saw her fifteen-year-old daughter, Anna, safely off on a plane from Heathrow to Manchester, to spend some time with her father and his second wife. Her stepmother, Willow, was a few minutes late to meet her at the other end of the flight, and was a little concerned that Anna wasn't already waiting for her. Anna doesn't show up and when the airport authorities check the CCTV footage it seems that she went to the toilets in Arrivals and never came out again. Anna's father Brian stays at the airport while Willow rushes off to collect her young son Oakley from football practice. But when she gets there, to her horror, Oakley has disappeared too...
This book is actually a sequel to a previous novel of Lake’s from 2015, called After Anna. I haven’t read that one, but I felt enough information was given in this one for me to gradually understand the backstory. So while reading the first one first probably helps, I felt this one works well enough as a standalone. Like the book, though, my review inevitably includes spoilers for the earlier book.
It transpires that this is the second time Anna has gone missing. The first was when she a young child, when she was abducted by her grandmother, a woman who was seriously evil, having murdered her husband. Clearly Anna was found on that occasion and, although her grandmother was apparently never caught, she has since died abroad. So the police, and the three parents, have no idea who could be behind the current abductions, if indeed they were abductions. It is conceivable that teenaged Anna has disappeared for reasons of her own, and maybe little Oakley has just wandered off and got lost – again, because of the problem at the airport, Willow was a few minutes late to pick him up. It’s also conceivable that if both children have been abducted, the abductions may not be linked, however unlikely that coincidence might be. But if they were abducted by the same person or people, then what is the motive? None of the parents can think of any reason why someone would be doing this to them. They are not rich enough to be the type of people whose kids get kidnapped for ransoms.
To be honest I felt the answer was pretty obvious, and it took quite a long time and a good deal of repetition to get there. Had I read the first book, I’m sure I’d have got there even quicker. However, the mystery of how Anna disappeared in the airport was intriguing (although the police really need to hire brainier detectives), and the motive behind the disappearances doesn’t become clear until quite late on. So there was enough to keep me interested. It’s written competently in a plain style – no literary flourishes – but that works fine for this type of book where the plot is the important thing. And the author does quite a good job of showing the impact on the parents and the stress on the police officers, especially when time passes and they don’t seem to be getting any closer to finding the children.
The ending is ridiculous, far beyond the credibility line, but then that’s the norm for this kind of contemporary thriller. I didn’t have an ‘OMG! I didn’t see that coming!’ moment because OMG! I did see that coming! Is there any possible amazing twist left that hasn’t been used a million times already? And I felt some of the amazing twists in this one were pretty clearly sign-posted.
Overall then, I found this pretty standard fare, but with enough intriguing elements to hold my interest. An undemanding read, that filled a few hours quite enjoyably. 3½ stars for me, so rounded up.
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, HarperCollins.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
January 3, 2025
I felt a little meh about this one. Spoilers hidden below.
In case you weren't aware (which I was not) this is actually a continuation of a previous story written by this author, After Anna. I feel like I may have connected with the characters more (or at least been less irritated with them) if I had read that book first.
Spoilers for anyone curious:
In case you weren't aware (which I was not) this is actually a continuation of a previous story written by this author, After Anna. I feel like I may have connected with the characters more (or at least been less irritated with them) if I had read that book first.
Spoilers for anyone curious:
December 7, 2024
I’ve enjoyed a few of Alex Lake’s books, but Here One Minute didn’t work for me. I struggled to stay engaged with the story, and it would have been helpful to know earlier that this is a sequel to After Anna. While some readers seem to enjoy the twists and fast pacing, I found it hard to connect with the plot and characters this time around.
October 24, 2024
Teenager Anna gets on a plane but disappears once it lands. Her parents are frantic with worry, even more so because this isn’t the first time she has vanished, having been kidnapped a decade earlier. Surely this can’t be related?
I have enjoyed quite a few of Alex Lake’s previous novels, therefore was really looking forward to reading this one. I must admit that I did not know this was a follow up to a previous book, however this had no negative impact as I managed to follow the story easily. The story was engaging with a complex plot and lots of twists and turns.
The characters were well written, although some came across as very unlikeable. One in particular really frustrated me. As the story picks up pace there are more shocking scenes to discover and suspense built, although some parts are quite far fetched. Even though having not read the first book did not ruin this book for me, I would have preferred to have read it prior to get some back story. I would definitely be intrigued to see where a third book in this series would go. 3.5 stars rounded up. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
I have enjoyed quite a few of Alex Lake’s previous novels, therefore was really looking forward to reading this one. I must admit that I did not know this was a follow up to a previous book, however this had no negative impact as I managed to follow the story easily. The story was engaging with a complex plot and lots of twists and turns.
The characters were well written, although some came across as very unlikeable. One in particular really frustrated me. As the story picks up pace there are more shocking scenes to discover and suspense built, although some parts are quite far fetched. Even though having not read the first book did not ruin this book for me, I would have preferred to have read it prior to get some back story. I would definitely be intrigued to see where a third book in this series would go. 3.5 stars rounded up. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
January 1, 2025
Brilliant follow on to “After Anna” - read it a very long while ago, but was such an iconic story I remember it well!
February 15, 2025
A few pages into this book, it made me think of another book I read years ago - turns out this is the sequel to After Anna. It has a great plot line.
January 25, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
This was not as twisty as I was hoping for, but it still was a fast read for me
This was not as twisty as I was hoping for, but it still was a fast read for me
August 28, 2024
A mystery thriller that hooks you with an intriguing premise but leaves you with more questions than answers. The story begins with Anna, a 15-year-old girl who mysteriously vanishes after being seen exiting a plane, walking into a restroom, and then seemingly disappearing into thin air. This isn't the first time Anna has gone missing—ten years ago, she was kidnapped by her own grandmother. The plot thickens when, at the same time Anna goes missing, her 6-year-old half-brother Oakley also vanishes after his mother arrives late to pick him up from football practice. Is it a coincidence, or is there something more sinister at play?
The authors crafts a narrative full of twists, turns, and suspense as we follow this dysfunctional family grappling with their own secrets while trying to assist the police in solving the kidnappings. However, despite the compelling setup, the novel struggles to deliver on its promise.
While the mystery is intriguing, the story is bogged down by too many red herrings and an abundance of meaningless dialogue, which makes it difficult to stay invested in the characters. The plot twists, rather than heightening the tension, often feel forced and confusing. In the end, Here One Minute had the potential to be a gripping thriller but ultimately left me feeling underwhelmed and disconnected.
The authors crafts a narrative full of twists, turns, and suspense as we follow this dysfunctional family grappling with their own secrets while trying to assist the police in solving the kidnappings. However, despite the compelling setup, the novel struggles to deliver on its promise.
While the mystery is intriguing, the story is bogged down by too many red herrings and an abundance of meaningless dialogue, which makes it difficult to stay invested in the characters. The plot twists, rather than heightening the tension, often feel forced and confusing. In the end, Here One Minute had the potential to be a gripping thriller but ultimately left me feeling underwhelmed and disconnected.
October 29, 2024
‘24 - 3 STARS
DESCRIPTION : Now you see her. Julia Miller puts her teenage daughter on a plane, secure in the knowledge that she will see her again in a few days. Now you don’t. But when the plane lands, Anna is nowhere to be seen. She definitely got on the flight, but then she just…vanished. Is she gone forever? Julia’s world is about to be rocked. Because when the truth comes about what’s really happened to Anna, nothing will ever be the same again. And time is running out to save her daughter.
REVIEW :
Previous 6 books by this author were all 4 or 5 stars for me; Final Call (‘23 - 5 Stars), Ready or Not (‘21 - 4 Stars), The Choice (‘20 - 4 Stars), Seven Days (‘19 - Read ‘20 - 5 Stars), Copy Cat (‘17 - Read ‘20 - 4 Stars) and After Anna (‘15 - Read ‘20 - 4 Stars).
This book got a little repetitive in the middle and started to drag. I think 15 year old Anna seemed a lot older which made her role in this disappearance and subsequent return quite unbelievable. Very blah tale. I read this was a sequel to After Anna which came out 9 years ago; way too long to write a sequel.
DESCRIPTION : Now you see her. Julia Miller puts her teenage daughter on a plane, secure in the knowledge that she will see her again in a few days. Now you don’t. But when the plane lands, Anna is nowhere to be seen. She definitely got on the flight, but then she just…vanished. Is she gone forever? Julia’s world is about to be rocked. Because when the truth comes about what’s really happened to Anna, nothing will ever be the same again. And time is running out to save her daughter.
REVIEW :
Previous 6 books by this author were all 4 or 5 stars for me; Final Call (‘23 - 5 Stars), Ready or Not (‘21 - 4 Stars), The Choice (‘20 - 4 Stars), Seven Days (‘19 - Read ‘20 - 5 Stars), Copy Cat (‘17 - Read ‘20 - 4 Stars) and After Anna (‘15 - Read ‘20 - 4 Stars).
This book got a little repetitive in the middle and started to drag. I think 15 year old Anna seemed a lot older which made her role in this disappearance and subsequent return quite unbelievable. Very blah tale. I read this was a sequel to After Anna which came out 9 years ago; way too long to write a sequel.
October 26, 2024
This storyline had me on the edge of my seat for quite some time as I and the police tried to understand how teenager Anna disappears. Anna gets on a flight at Heathrow Airport to visit her Dad but after landing at Manchester she is nowhere to be found even CCTV draws a blank.
What makes this book even more intriguing is that her grandmother Edna kidnapped Anna 10 years previously, so her parents are distraught.
This book had plenty of mysteries to solve which added to the tension I felt throughout.
My thanks to Net Galley and publishers Harper Collins for the advanced digital copy of this book.
What makes this book even more intriguing is that her grandmother Edna kidnapped Anna 10 years previously, so her parents are distraught.
This book had plenty of mysteries to solve which added to the tension I felt throughout.
My thanks to Net Galley and publishers Harper Collins for the advanced digital copy of this book.
October 1, 2024
Here One Minute is a mystery thriller and, apparently, the second book in a trilogy. This is the first book, I have read from this author so I hadn’t read the first.
The story unfolds with Anna, a 15-year-old girl, about to embark on a domestic flight in the UK. She is due to spend time with her father and his second wife. All goes well until the plane lands and Anna doesn’t come through arrivals. CCTV shows that she walked into a restroom just after landing, but wasn’t seen to exit. It is as though she has vanished into thin air. What separates this from a normal missing child story is that this is not the first time Anna has gone missing. Ten years previously, she was abducted by her grandmother, who has since passed away. The plot is complicated by the fact that Anna’s 6-year-old half-brother Oakley has also gone missing after football practice. Is there some bizarre plot at play?
The book is fast-paced and has the feel of a movie screenplay. All the family players have secrets and seem to be pretty dysfunctional. I enjoyed the author’s writing and the plot with its twists and turns.
Where the book fell was in the characterisation. Not one character had a single redeeming quality. Anna is a brattish teenager and her brother Oakley is a whiner. The father is an ineffectual lump whose claim to fame appears to be managing to marry not one, but two completely awful women. The detective is a complete fool, who I doubt could catch the most blatant of criminals. The eventual perpetrator was a cardboard cut-out Bond villain. I half expected them to produce a white cat.
So, overall the book was a mixed bag. It was fast-paced and a definite page-turner. However it was extremely entertaining, but for all the wrong reasons. I’m not sure how the author will craft a sequel unless the aforementioned white cat is going to make an appearance.
My thanks to NetGalley, Alex Lake and Harper Collins for the much-appreciated ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.
The story unfolds with Anna, a 15-year-old girl, about to embark on a domestic flight in the UK. She is due to spend time with her father and his second wife. All goes well until the plane lands and Anna doesn’t come through arrivals. CCTV shows that she walked into a restroom just after landing, but wasn’t seen to exit. It is as though she has vanished into thin air. What separates this from a normal missing child story is that this is not the first time Anna has gone missing. Ten years previously, she was abducted by her grandmother, who has since passed away. The plot is complicated by the fact that Anna’s 6-year-old half-brother Oakley has also gone missing after football practice. Is there some bizarre plot at play?
The book is fast-paced and has the feel of a movie screenplay. All the family players have secrets and seem to be pretty dysfunctional. I enjoyed the author’s writing and the plot with its twists and turns.
Where the book fell was in the characterisation. Not one character had a single redeeming quality. Anna is a brattish teenager and her brother Oakley is a whiner. The father is an ineffectual lump whose claim to fame appears to be managing to marry not one, but two completely awful women. The detective is a complete fool, who I doubt could catch the most blatant of criminals. The eventual perpetrator was a cardboard cut-out Bond villain. I half expected them to produce a white cat.
So, overall the book was a mixed bag. It was fast-paced and a definite page-turner. However it was extremely entertaining, but for all the wrong reasons. I’m not sure how the author will craft a sequel unless the aforementioned white cat is going to make an appearance.
My thanks to NetGalley, Alex Lake and Harper Collins for the much-appreciated ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.
November 2, 2024
Fifteen year old Anna's mum puts her on a plane at Heathrow to travel to Manchester where her step mother will be waiting to collect her. Anna boarded the plane however never comes through Arrivals at Manchester. Consequently her step mother is then late to collect Anna's young half brother from his football training. When she arrives at the pitch, expecting to see her son waiting with the coach, there is just one car in the car park and no sign of Oakley. So begins a nightmare! This isn't the first time Anna has gone missing. Ten years previously she was abducted, only to be returned a week later. Is there a connection between the disappearances of both children?
This is the second book about Anna. The first, 'After Anna', tells the tale of Anna's abduction when she was five, and the subsequent events following her return to her family. Whilst 'Here One Minute' can be read as a stand alone thriller to get the most enjoyment from the book, I would recommend reading 'After Anna' first.
There is much tension, plenty of twists, turns and red herrings in this cleverly crafted thriller. I particularly liked the detail and time given to the anomaly of how a person can board a plane and then not arrive at their destination. The characterisation of DI Wynne, the lead detective in Anna's first abduction, and her dogged determination to solve this riddle is well written. Whilst I had an idea of who and why, it didn't detract from my enjoyment due to a number of misleading clues which I fell for. My only criticism is the similarities of the finale in both books.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for my advanced reader copy in return for my honest and unbiased review
This is the second book about Anna. The first, 'After Anna', tells the tale of Anna's abduction when she was five, and the subsequent events following her return to her family. Whilst 'Here One Minute' can be read as a stand alone thriller to get the most enjoyment from the book, I would recommend reading 'After Anna' first.
There is much tension, plenty of twists, turns and red herrings in this cleverly crafted thriller. I particularly liked the detail and time given to the anomaly of how a person can board a plane and then not arrive at their destination. The characterisation of DI Wynne, the lead detective in Anna's first abduction, and her dogged determination to solve this riddle is well written. Whilst I had an idea of who and why, it didn't detract from my enjoyment due to a number of misleading clues which I fell for. My only criticism is the similarities of the finale in both books.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for my advanced reader copy in return for my honest and unbiased review
November 10, 2024
"Here One Minute," authored by Alex Lake, is the second instalment in a trilogy, yet it possesses the strength to stand independently. This quality ensures that readers unfamiliar with the first book can easily engage with the storyline, allowing them to immerse themselves without feeling disoriented or lost.
The narrative is structured as a fast-paced thriller, brimming with suspense and intricate plot twists. Lake demonstrates a remarkable ability to create tension by skilfully interweaving multiple surprises and red herrings throughout the plot. These unexpected developments genuinely challenge readers, keeping them on their toes and uncertain about what could happen next.
While some readers might interpret the depiction of Anna's parents as overly nagging or excessively protective, this characterization contributes significantly to the complexity of the family's dynamics. It highlights the varied dimensions of parental concern and its impact on Anna's life. Furthermore, the grandmother’s motives remain enigmatic, leading readers to contemplate her intentions, past actions, and the secrets that may surround her character.
Overall, "Here One Minute" presents a rich tapestry of mystery and drama, making it an engaging and worthwhile read. The book is particularly appealing to those who have a passion for thrillers that capture their attention and keep them eagerly anticipating each new revelation. The blend of suspense, familial relationships, and unresolved questions ensures that readers are not only entertained but also engaged in a deeper exploration of character motivations and narrative intricacies.
Recommended reading for fans or this author or genre!
The narrative is structured as a fast-paced thriller, brimming with suspense and intricate plot twists. Lake demonstrates a remarkable ability to create tension by skilfully interweaving multiple surprises and red herrings throughout the plot. These unexpected developments genuinely challenge readers, keeping them on their toes and uncertain about what could happen next.
While some readers might interpret the depiction of Anna's parents as overly nagging or excessively protective, this characterization contributes significantly to the complexity of the family's dynamics. It highlights the varied dimensions of parental concern and its impact on Anna's life. Furthermore, the grandmother’s motives remain enigmatic, leading readers to contemplate her intentions, past actions, and the secrets that may surround her character.
Overall, "Here One Minute" presents a rich tapestry of mystery and drama, making it an engaging and worthwhile read. The book is particularly appealing to those who have a passion for thrillers that capture their attention and keep them eagerly anticipating each new revelation. The blend of suspense, familial relationships, and unresolved questions ensures that readers are not only entertained but also engaged in a deeper exploration of character motivations and narrative intricacies.
Recommended reading for fans or this author or genre!
February 3, 2025
Wow. As I have come to expect from Alex Lake this was unputdownable. I literally could barely be parted from my kindle as I was reading this.
And although I had half a suspicion about one bit of this, the overall picture totally shocked me.
To say there is a whole lot more to this than the blurb implies is an understatement. It's layer on layer of deviousness, and shocks.
And it's only just now as I'm writing this review I've realised that this is a follow on story from the only one of Alex Lake's books that I haven't read (although I do have a copy sitting in my bedroom), but it does mean I can safely say this is definitely a standalone and I didn't even get the feeling while reading that I was missing out on what I'm guessing is another cracking book.
Back to Here One Minute and that is literally the case with 15 year old Anna - she definitely gets onto a plane, footage sees her getting off, but then she disappears into thin air from Manchester airport. I mean with all the security at an airport how can someone just disappear.
The writing style was fabulous. Lots of short chapters with a quick headline of sorts as to whet your appetite of just one more chapter syndrome, and these chapters were often separated into two or three sub parts all related. It made it incredibly easy to read, and impossibly to put down.
This was addictive, compelling and shocking and just totally brilliant. I couldn't have enjoyed it more. Just wow!
Thank you to Harper Collins and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
And although I had half a suspicion about one bit of this, the overall picture totally shocked me.
To say there is a whole lot more to this than the blurb implies is an understatement. It's layer on layer of deviousness, and shocks.
And it's only just now as I'm writing this review I've realised that this is a follow on story from the only one of Alex Lake's books that I haven't read (although I do have a copy sitting in my bedroom), but it does mean I can safely say this is definitely a standalone and I didn't even get the feeling while reading that I was missing out on what I'm guessing is another cracking book.
Back to Here One Minute and that is literally the case with 15 year old Anna - she definitely gets onto a plane, footage sees her getting off, but then she disappears into thin air from Manchester airport. I mean with all the security at an airport how can someone just disappear.
The writing style was fabulous. Lots of short chapters with a quick headline of sorts as to whet your appetite of just one more chapter syndrome, and these chapters were often separated into two or three sub parts all related. It made it incredibly easy to read, and impossibly to put down.
This was addictive, compelling and shocking and just totally brilliant. I couldn't have enjoyed it more. Just wow!
Thank you to Harper Collins and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
October 10, 2024
Julia's fifteen year old daughter Anna is heading off to stay with her dad for a few days in Manchester and is flying from Heathrow, it's only a short journey so what could possibly go wrong, and Brian will be there waiting to pick her up, but that doesn't stop Julia worrying about her and rightly so because when the plane lands Anna is nowhere to be seen. Airport security and the police are at a loss as to how she could just vanish, could history be repeating itself, surely that's not possible...
Here One Minute is the latest thriller by this author and the fourth one of his I've read so far. Lake knows how to draw his readers in with an intriguing prologue and a story that captivates you more at every turn of the page, and this one is no different. It's a fast paced read with a premise that is every parent's worst nightmare and some complex characters who, in the main, aren't very likeable. The story has some great twists and a few red herrings thrown in along the way to keep the reader second guessing. I didn't realise that this was a sequel to After Anna, which I've not yet read, until I was halfway through this one and something just triggered me to look at Lake's previous books on my tbr pile, although this one can easily be read as a standalone. Another great read from an author that delivers every time.
I'd like to thank HarperCollins UK and Netgalley for inviting me to read this book, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.
Here One Minute is the latest thriller by this author and the fourth one of his I've read so far. Lake knows how to draw his readers in with an intriguing prologue and a story that captivates you more at every turn of the page, and this one is no different. It's a fast paced read with a premise that is every parent's worst nightmare and some complex characters who, in the main, aren't very likeable. The story has some great twists and a few red herrings thrown in along the way to keep the reader second guessing. I didn't realise that this was a sequel to After Anna, which I've not yet read, until I was halfway through this one and something just triggered me to look at Lake's previous books on my tbr pile, although this one can easily be read as a standalone. Another great read from an author that delivers every time.
I'd like to thank HarperCollins UK and Netgalley for inviting me to read this book, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.
September 4, 2024
3* Clumsy over-emphasis on 2-3 red herring-type characters and an incompetent cop who doesn't even think to compare numbers, makes this pretty transparent. And Anna's motives require considerable suspension of disbelief.
This is my first book by this author, and it's well written and readable. But, there's quite a lot of waffle meant to detract, I think, from a barely believable plot, especially given the events that become apparent, started by the same perpetrator in the previous book. I mean, how could the dad be so naive to take things at remote value? How could Anna have lived through her previous trauma at an age where she'd not fully forget it or be unaffected by it and still...?
The ending was rushed and again something was taken at remote value, not dotted and ticked/crossed to death, pun intentional, and ugh, it sounds like there could be potential for book 3, but if so, for me, that doesn't bear reading because this family would officially be classed as TSTL.
ARC courtesy of Harper Collins and NetGalley for my reading pleasure.
This is my first book by this author, and it's well written and readable. But, there's quite a lot of waffle meant to detract, I think, from a barely believable plot, especially given the events that become apparent, started by the same perpetrator in the previous book. I mean, how could the dad be so naive to take things at remote value? How could Anna have lived through her previous trauma at an age where she'd not fully forget it or be unaffected by it and still...?
The ending was rushed and again something was taken at remote value, not dotted and ticked/crossed to death, pun intentional, and ugh, it sounds like there could be potential for book 3, but if so, for me, that doesn't bear reading because this family would officially be classed as TSTL.
ARC courtesy of Harper Collins and NetGalley for my reading pleasure.
October 2, 2024
Julia puts her teenage daughter Anna on a plane, knowing she will see her again in a few short days. But when the plane loads, Anna is nowhere to be seen. She definitely got on the flight, but then just.... vanished. And this isn't the first time Anna has disappeared. When she was just five years old, Anna was kidnapped. But that's all in the past, and Anna's disappearance couldn't possibly be connected. Could it?
This is a fast-paced read. It's book 2 out of 3 in a trilogy. Anna is now fifteen and vanishes after boarding a plane. Anna has disappeared without a trace before. Ten years ago, she was kidnapped. Anna's six-year-old half-brother Oakley has also vanished. Everyone has secrets, the family is dysfunctional. I did not like any of the characters, but Anna is quite feisty for her age. I will read the third book when it becomes available.
Published 24th October 2024
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK and the author #AlexLake for my ARC of #HereOneMinute in exchange for an honest review.
This is a fast-paced read. It's book 2 out of 3 in a trilogy. Anna is now fifteen and vanishes after boarding a plane. Anna has disappeared without a trace before. Ten years ago, she was kidnapped. Anna's six-year-old half-brother Oakley has also vanished. Everyone has secrets, the family is dysfunctional. I did not like any of the characters, but Anna is quite feisty for her age. I will read the third book when it becomes available.
Published 24th October 2024
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK and the author #AlexLake for my ARC of #HereOneMinute in exchange for an honest review.
October 8, 2024
Here one minute by Alex Lake I understand is the second book in a trilogy. I was aware of this but, it was not a problem as you can read it as a standalone.
Julia Miller put her fifteen years old daughter Anna on a plane to go and see her father. Anna doesn’t understand it and wonders why she cannot just be got by train. But instead of her father picking her up at the airport. His new wife does instead. But when the plane lands at the airport, she goes into a restroom never to be seen again.
But ten years ago, when Anna was only five, she was kidnapped by her Grandmother Edna. Can her recent disappearance be linked. The only problem with that is there was news that her grandmother is recently deceased.
This is a fast-paced thriller with an air of mystery that I found to be a quite enjoyable read. There is a lot of twists and turns and quite a few red herrings along the way, The parents’ characters were a bit naggy and I was slightly confused on what the real motives were of the grandmother but nevertheless I thought this is worth the read. 4 stars from me.
Julia Miller put her fifteen years old daughter Anna on a plane to go and see her father. Anna doesn’t understand it and wonders why she cannot just be got by train. But instead of her father picking her up at the airport. His new wife does instead. But when the plane lands at the airport, she goes into a restroom never to be seen again.
But ten years ago, when Anna was only five, she was kidnapped by her Grandmother Edna. Can her recent disappearance be linked. The only problem with that is there was news that her grandmother is recently deceased.
This is a fast-paced thriller with an air of mystery that I found to be a quite enjoyable read. There is a lot of twists and turns and quite a few red herrings along the way, The parents’ characters were a bit naggy and I was slightly confused on what the real motives were of the grandmother but nevertheless I thought this is worth the read. 4 stars from me.
October 19, 2024
I have read a few of Alex Lake's books and enjoyed them so would consider myself a fan and this one is just another to add to the list of great books written by this author.
Julia sees her 15 year-old daughter, Anna, off on a flight from Heathrow to Manchester to be met there by her step-mother but she doesn't appear - she definitely got on the flight, got off but then disappeared and this isn't the first time this has happened. The first time, she was kidnapped by her grandmother but she's dead so what the heck has happened?!? Then the worst thing happens, Anna's six year-old brother, Oakley, goes missing ... this can't be a coincidence ... can it??
This is an intriguing mystery thriller that's full of red herrings, twists and turns. It's full of really interesting characters that are well-fleshed out and it's written at a fast pace and I really enjoyed it.
Many thanks to the author, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this intriguing story.
Julia sees her 15 year-old daughter, Anna, off on a flight from Heathrow to Manchester to be met there by her step-mother but she doesn't appear - she definitely got on the flight, got off but then disappeared and this isn't the first time this has happened. The first time, she was kidnapped by her grandmother but she's dead so what the heck has happened?!? Then the worst thing happens, Anna's six year-old brother, Oakley, goes missing ... this can't be a coincidence ... can it??
This is an intriguing mystery thriller that's full of red herrings, twists and turns. It's full of really interesting characters that are well-fleshed out and it's written at a fast pace and I really enjoyed it.
Many thanks to the author, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this intriguing story.
June 4, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
Julia puts her daughter Anna on a plane, so she can go and visit her father. The flight is very short, and Anna is a teenager now. Anna's step mum arrives at the airport to collect Anna, but she doesn't turn up. Her step mum waits for a while longer, knowing she needs to get back and pick her son up. Anna's step mum starts to panic after a while, and contacts Anna's dad who comes to the airport and find out where Anna is. It seems Anna got on the plane, but has disappeared in to thin air. Anna's dad and step mum then learn their son has disappeared too, and so begins the mystery of where the children have gone.
This was a gripping and fast paced domestic thriller, as usual from this author. I really enjoyed how the story panned out, and all the twists and turns that were within the pages. The story was well written and flowed seamlessly. The characters were on point, and the step mum I found really unlikable. Overall, it had a wonderful mix of atmosphere and tension, and I raced to the end.
Julia puts her daughter Anna on a plane, so she can go and visit her father. The flight is very short, and Anna is a teenager now. Anna's step mum arrives at the airport to collect Anna, but she doesn't turn up. Her step mum waits for a while longer, knowing she needs to get back and pick her son up. Anna's step mum starts to panic after a while, and contacts Anna's dad who comes to the airport and find out where Anna is. It seems Anna got on the plane, but has disappeared in to thin air. Anna's dad and step mum then learn their son has disappeared too, and so begins the mystery of where the children have gone.
This was a gripping and fast paced domestic thriller, as usual from this author. I really enjoyed how the story panned out, and all the twists and turns that were within the pages. The story was well written and flowed seamlessly. The characters were on point, and the step mum I found really unlikable. Overall, it had a wonderful mix of atmosphere and tension, and I raced to the end.
June 8, 2025
Another first for me with this author. I had no idea what I was going into, but was quickly drawn into the emotional pull Julia has, putting her daughter on a plane and the sense of dread.
Told from several viewpoints, Julia, Willow (the second wife), Brian, the dad, Anna and an unknown narrator, allowing the reader an all round view of events as they happen, although it does take a while for all the bits to slot together to make total sense of the developments. Set across a variety of locations, I can see this working well as a tv series!
I did have a suspicion about the unknown narrator, reading on eagerly to follow the events to see if I was right. Some parts are quite dark and brutal, but necessary to the plot. There are several additional characters, with their own stories, causing the investigating police a whole myriad of issues. Which one leads to the real path?
I really enjoyed the book, which was gripping and fast paced. It was read as a standalone, which worked so well, I didn’t realise there was an earlier book.
Told from several viewpoints, Julia, Willow (the second wife), Brian, the dad, Anna and an unknown narrator, allowing the reader an all round view of events as they happen, although it does take a while for all the bits to slot together to make total sense of the developments. Set across a variety of locations, I can see this working well as a tv series!
I did have a suspicion about the unknown narrator, reading on eagerly to follow the events to see if I was right. Some parts are quite dark and brutal, but necessary to the plot. There are several additional characters, with their own stories, causing the investigating police a whole myriad of issues. Which one leads to the real path?
I really enjoyed the book, which was gripping and fast paced. It was read as a standalone, which worked so well, I didn’t realise there was an earlier book.
October 21, 2024
After travelling alone on a flight from London Heathrow to Manchester to visit her father, step mother and step brother, fifteen year old Anna Miller goes missing. Her stepmother Willow is waiting for her at the arrivals gate and raises the alarm when she doesn’t appear. Believing it’s Anna playing up to annoy her Willow, leaves to pick up her own son 6 year old Oakley from football training but due to the delay when she arrives she finds everyone has already left including Oakley. The Police are called to investigate both disappearance and it’s revealed Anna has gone missing before ten years earlier after she was kidnapped by her paternal grandmother.
The story of Anna being kidnapped a decade earlier is told in After Anna a previous book y the author. I loved the fact that Here one-minute picks up with the same family and the readers can see how their lives turned out. The book can also be enjoyed as a standalone as the characters are well developed and enough of the backstory is revealed to keep the readers informed.
I enjoyed the premise and enjoyed how the plot was revealed.
Thanks to netgalley and Harper Collins for the advanced copy.
The story of Anna being kidnapped a decade earlier is told in After Anna a previous book y the author. I loved the fact that Here one-minute picks up with the same family and the readers can see how their lives turned out. The book can also be enjoyed as a standalone as the characters are well developed and enough of the backstory is revealed to keep the readers informed.
I enjoyed the premise and enjoyed how the plot was revealed.
Thanks to netgalley and Harper Collins for the advanced copy.
October 24, 2024
This is a sequel read to ‘After Anna’ but can also be read as a stand alone.
At Heathrow Julia puts her 15 year old daughter Anna on a flight to Manchester to visit her father Brian. Brian’s wife Willow is waiting to collect Anna but she never makes it through to arrivals. Every parents worse nightmare comes to life and within an hour their six year old son Oakley is also missing. What is going on?
Ten years ago Anna was abducted too (this is covered in the first book - After Anna) so her parents cannot believe it is happening again. Last time her grandmother was behind the abduction but who is it this time?
This is a basic thriller, I did enjoy but I wouldn’t say this is Alex Lakes best, I have recently read the authors whole back catalogue and I think I was expecting a bit more from this.
Many thanks to NetGalley, published and author for my eARC in exchange for my honest review
At Heathrow Julia puts her 15 year old daughter Anna on a flight to Manchester to visit her father Brian. Brian’s wife Willow is waiting to collect Anna but she never makes it through to arrivals. Every parents worse nightmare comes to life and within an hour their six year old son Oakley is also missing. What is going on?
Ten years ago Anna was abducted too (this is covered in the first book - After Anna) so her parents cannot believe it is happening again. Last time her grandmother was behind the abduction but who is it this time?
This is a basic thriller, I did enjoy but I wouldn’t say this is Alex Lakes best, I have recently read the authors whole back catalogue and I think I was expecting a bit more from this.
Many thanks to NetGalley, published and author for my eARC in exchange for my honest review
November 19, 2024
Wow, just wow! One of those books that rarely come along and you seriously wish that you didn’t have to go to work today because you really need to finish this all in one go. The plot was absolutely riveting and cliche alert, unputdownable I really did need to know how it was all going to pan out.
The premise is that two children go missing from the same family on the same day. One of them is a 15 year old girl who simply vanishes into thin air after disembarking from a flight and one is her 6 year old stepbrother. The catch is that this has happened before to the girl when she was 5 and the perpetrator in that instance was her grandmother, who is now dead, so why is history repeating itself?
The plot is clever, ingenious and definitely kept me on my toes. The family dynamics are fascinating and in places sinister and lines greyed about what defines helping someone you love and your motives thence connected.
Seriously riveting and an amazing read, you won’t be disappointed.
The premise is that two children go missing from the same family on the same day. One of them is a 15 year old girl who simply vanishes into thin air after disembarking from a flight and one is her 6 year old stepbrother. The catch is that this has happened before to the girl when she was 5 and the perpetrator in that instance was her grandmother, who is now dead, so why is history repeating itself?
The plot is clever, ingenious and definitely kept me on my toes. The family dynamics are fascinating and in places sinister and lines greyed about what defines helping someone you love and your motives thence connected.
Seriously riveting and an amazing read, you won’t be disappointed.
January 19, 2025
After Anna is my all time favourite book so I had high hopes for the sequel
Some things just didn’t make sense to me like WHY Anna decided to “get revenge” against Edna and what the plan was when all she was doing was endangering her and her 6 year old brother
The ending including dale throwing away his sentimental gift from his grandad because Anna was now safe made no sense because great she’s safe but he never gave it to her as protection he gave it to her as a keep sake and to return one day because it meant a lot to him
Also willow and Brian mending their relationship seems stupid to me since Brian claimed to always love Julia and willow fully blaming Brian for Oakley being kidnapped and never seemed to care much for Anna his other daughter
This book took a long time to write as the end of after Anna did hint towards a sequel so due to that and after Anna being a 5 star read I had higher hopes
Some things just didn’t make sense to me like WHY Anna decided to “get revenge” against Edna and what the plan was when all she was doing was endangering her and her 6 year old brother
The ending including dale throwing away his sentimental gift from his grandad because Anna was now safe made no sense because great she’s safe but he never gave it to her as protection he gave it to her as a keep sake and to return one day because it meant a lot to him
Also willow and Brian mending their relationship seems stupid to me since Brian claimed to always love Julia and willow fully blaming Brian for Oakley being kidnapped and never seemed to care much for Anna his other daughter
This book took a long time to write as the end of after Anna did hint towards a sequel so due to that and after Anna being a 5 star read I had higher hopes
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2025
a gripping read—I stayed up far too late because I couldn’t stop turning the pages! The story revolves around Julia, whose teenage daughter Anna mysteriously disappears after boarding a plane. One moment Anna is on the flight, and the next...she’s gone. The book dives into the frantic search to uncover what really happened.
I didn’t particularly like the characters in the family—Julia included—but I have to say they were written in a way that felt believable. Their flaws and complicated relationships made the stakes feel real, even if they weren’t exactly endearing. The twists kept me on my toes the whole way through, and I really enjoyed the fast pace and how it kept me guessing until the end.
If you’re in the mood for a tense, twisty thriller with plenty to talk about, this is a great pick for a book group. The ending alone will give us lots to discuss—perfect for unpacking over tea!
I didn’t particularly like the characters in the family—Julia included—but I have to say they were written in a way that felt believable. Their flaws and complicated relationships made the stakes feel real, even if they weren’t exactly endearing. The twists kept me on my toes the whole way through, and I really enjoyed the fast pace and how it kept me guessing until the end.
If you’re in the mood for a tense, twisty thriller with plenty to talk about, this is a great pick for a book group. The ending alone will give us lots to discuss—perfect for unpacking over tea!
June 8, 2025
Julia puts her teenage daughter on a plane as she is going to meet her father and expect her to reach at her destination but when the plane lands, Anna vanishes. Her disappearance raises questions if Anna was on the plane or she disappeared after landing? Her stepmother was waiting for her to pick her up from the airport. But that’s not it, someone else also disappears. And it was not the first time Anna vanished. It has happened with her before also.
Every character has a secret in this book.
There was unsettling past, history, secretes, mystery and unthinkable keeps happening. The truth was so twisted and shocking. The book kept me on the edge. I felt all the emotions characters were going through. Bravo to the author for creating such an emotional characters and not only sharing their emotions but also unveiling their facades and secrets each of them were harbouring.
4.5 ⭐️ Thanks to the Publisher
Every character has a secret in this book.
There was unsettling past, history, secretes, mystery and unthinkable keeps happening. The truth was so twisted and shocking. The book kept me on the edge. I felt all the emotions characters were going through. Bravo to the author for creating such an emotional characters and not only sharing their emotions but also unveiling their facades and secrets each of them were harbouring.
4.5 ⭐️ Thanks to the Publisher
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