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Coping Without You
From NY Times and USA Today Bestselling author M A Comley author of the award-winning Justice series who has sold over 4.5 million copies world wide.
Missing, presumed dead until the evidence proves otherwise…
Zara Starr has been living on the edge for the last two years, since her husband, Christian, went missing.
Reaching out to DI Sally Parker proves challenging but it’s the only hope she has left.
Sally and her team look into a cold case which has a shocking revelation for all concerned.
If Christian is out there, will he do the right thing and come forward to save the life of a family member?
Other books in this series are.Wrong Place - a top 50 selling book in the UK,
No Hiding Place
Cold Case
Deadly Encounter
Lost Innocence
Goodbye My Precious Child
The Missing Wife
Truth or Dare
Where Did She Go?
Sinner
Coping Without You
Could It Be Him?
Missing, presumed dead until the evidence proves otherwise…
Zara Starr has been living on the edge for the last two years, since her husband, Christian, went missing.
Reaching out to DI Sally Parker proves challenging but it’s the only hope she has left.
Sally and her team look into a cold case which has a shocking revelation for all concerned.
If Christian is out there, will he do the right thing and come forward to save the life of a family member?
Other books in this series are.Wrong Place - a top 50 selling book in the UK,
No Hiding Place
Cold Case
Deadly Encounter
Lost Innocence
Goodbye My Precious Child
The Missing Wife
Truth or Dare
Where Did She Go?
Sinner
Coping Without You
Could It Be Him?
228 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 14, 2024
177 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
M.A. Comley
176 books815 followersNew York Times, USA Today, Amazon Top 20 bestselling author, iBooks top 5 bestselling and #2 bestselling author on Barnes and Noble. Over one million copies sold world wide. I am a British author who moved to France in 2002, and that's when I turned my hobby into a career.
When I'm not writing crime novels I'm either reading them or going on long walks with my rescue Labrador, Dex.
I hope you enjoy reading my books, especially the Justice series, Cruel Justice, Impeding Justice, Final Justice, Foul Justice, Guaranteed Justice, Ultimate Justice, Virtual Justice, Hostile Justice, Tortured Justice, Rough Justice, Dubious Justice, Calculated Justice, Twisted Justice, Prime Justice. There are several novellas and short stories in the series too.
My other successful series are: The DI Sally Parker thriller series, which includes WRONG PLACE, NO HIDING PLACE and COLD CASE
The Hero series, TORN APART, END RESULT, IN PLAIN SIGHT and DOUBLE JEOPARDY(published by Bloodhound Books)
I have three books in the Intention series, Sole Intention, Grave Intention and Devious Intention.
I've also written a couple of standalone novels - EVIL IN DISGUISE and FOREVER WATCHING YOU.
As well as co-authoring The Caller with Tara Lyons.
And Clever Deception, Tragic Deception and Sinful Deception co-authored by fellow NY Times bestselling author Linda S Prather.
If you'd like to keep up to date with new releases you can find me on Facebook by following this link http://smarturl.it/sps7jh or sign up for my newsletter http://www.hyperurl.co/su1xnt
If you fancy a lighter read, why not try one of my romances: A Time to Heal, and A Time for Change--Based on a TRUE story. I also have a selection of short stories and novelettes available which I know you'll enjoy.
You can find out more about me at the following blogs.
http://melcomley.blogspot.com
http://melcomleyromances.blogspot.com
When I'm not writing crime novels I'm either reading them or going on long walks with my rescue Labrador, Dex.
I hope you enjoy reading my books, especially the Justice series, Cruel Justice, Impeding Justice, Final Justice, Foul Justice, Guaranteed Justice, Ultimate Justice, Virtual Justice, Hostile Justice, Tortured Justice, Rough Justice, Dubious Justice, Calculated Justice, Twisted Justice, Prime Justice. There are several novellas and short stories in the series too.
My other successful series are: The DI Sally Parker thriller series, which includes WRONG PLACE, NO HIDING PLACE and COLD CASE
The Hero series, TORN APART, END RESULT, IN PLAIN SIGHT and DOUBLE JEOPARDY(published by Bloodhound Books)
I have three books in the Intention series, Sole Intention, Grave Intention and Devious Intention.
I've also written a couple of standalone novels - EVIL IN DISGUISE and FOREVER WATCHING YOU.
As well as co-authoring The Caller with Tara Lyons.
And Clever Deception, Tragic Deception and Sinful Deception co-authored by fellow NY Times bestselling author Linda S Prather.
If you'd like to keep up to date with new releases you can find me on Facebook by following this link http://smarturl.it/sps7jh or sign up for my newsletter http://www.hyperurl.co/su1xnt
If you fancy a lighter read, why not try one of my romances: A Time to Heal, and A Time for Change--Based on a TRUE story. I also have a selection of short stories and novelettes available which I know you'll enjoy.
You can find out more about me at the following blogs.
http://melcomley.blogspot.com
http://melcomleyromances.blogspot.com
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 5, 2024
I appear to be the outlier here based on the great reviews. And that’s fine. It wasn’t a bad book although I felt it ended abruptly. I just couldn’t stand the juvenile banter back and forth. It usually doesn’t bother me but this one was particularly bad. Just insubordination and acting stupid at times. I guess I expect my detectives to act more professionally. Don’t kill the messenger. It’s just an opinion, lol!
March 4, 2024
This book is part of a series - actually number 12, wowsers, where does the time go... Although the main story is self contained, if by any chance you haven't been with the series (and indeed the author) since like forever, to get the very best from it with regard to the characters, backstories and development, you could start from the beginning and read in order. It's kinda the point of a series tbh...
So... Sally and Lorne have their work cut out for them when they are asked to investigate the disappearance of Christian, husband and father who literally walked out of his life a couple years ago. Since then, Zara has struggled to both look after herself and their daughter Mila, and, when Sally first meets them, they are not well at all. In fact as the case is just getting going, the stakes get a whole lot higher as Mila's health plummets and Christian, if alive, is the only one who can save her...
Whew... Just when I thought this author couldn't raise her already well high bar any further she really pulls out all the stops in this book. As well as all the usual, brilliant characters, a cracking plot well executed, and no superfluous waffle or padding, she has also included all the feels. It's a pretty emotional book all told. I can't really get too deep into the why as it would spoil things but she really got my hackles up with a few things certain characters did or didn't do along the way. Got my grrrr juices flowing. I think I got a bit too involved... But in a really good way. Thank goodness there are good people around. And hopefully not just in fiction...
All in all, with the bar set up a notch, I'm wholly satisfied by this book but, at the same time, pretty gagging for the next!
So... Sally and Lorne have their work cut out for them when they are asked to investigate the disappearance of Christian, husband and father who literally walked out of his life a couple years ago. Since then, Zara has struggled to both look after herself and their daughter Mila, and, when Sally first meets them, they are not well at all. In fact as the case is just getting going, the stakes get a whole lot higher as Mila's health plummets and Christian, if alive, is the only one who can save her...
Whew... Just when I thought this author couldn't raise her already well high bar any further she really pulls out all the stops in this book. As well as all the usual, brilliant characters, a cracking plot well executed, and no superfluous waffle or padding, she has also included all the feels. It's a pretty emotional book all told. I can't really get too deep into the why as it would spoil things but she really got my hackles up with a few things certain characters did or didn't do along the way. Got my grrrr juices flowing. I think I got a bit too involved... But in a really good way. Thank goodness there are good people around. And hopefully not just in fiction...
All in all, with the bar set up a notch, I'm wholly satisfied by this book but, at the same time, pretty gagging for the next!
February 25, 2024
A complex and, as yet, unsolved cold case - unputdownable.
The team are, as usual, working through tying up all the necessary paperwork from their last case when a friend of Sally’s invites her and Lorne to her café for coffee and cakes.
What they then discover is that Sally’s friend, Kim, has a favour to ask concerning her good friend Zara. This involves opening an unsolved cold case which Sara is not certain will provide any more useful information than the original which was closed due to lack of sufficient leads.
However, Sally, having learned that Zara’s husband suddenly left her two years ago with a number of large debts and disappeared without a trace, agree to take a look at the case.
Sally’s suspicions were alerted by the fact that the original Investigating officer had seemingly not spent much time on it before closing it down, resigning his post and moving away.
Sally and Lorne visit Zara to interview her about what happened initially and find the woman in an extremely poor state of health. Zara is then urgently admitted to hospital and concerns are raised about her general health. Things are further complicated when Zara’s daughter is then also rushed into hospital with a critical kidney disease which shows no sign for improving.
From here on in matters necessitate an urgent search for a suitable kidney donor and the search for Mila’s father becomes even more urgent.
What follows is intense and to say more would ruin the story.
One of the most gripping stories in this series with some truly shocking twists and revelations.
Highly recommend.
The team are, as usual, working through tying up all the necessary paperwork from their last case when a friend of Sally’s invites her and Lorne to her café for coffee and cakes.
What they then discover is that Sally’s friend, Kim, has a favour to ask concerning her good friend Zara. This involves opening an unsolved cold case which Sara is not certain will provide any more useful information than the original which was closed due to lack of sufficient leads.
However, Sally, having learned that Zara’s husband suddenly left her two years ago with a number of large debts and disappeared without a trace, agree to take a look at the case.
Sally’s suspicions were alerted by the fact that the original Investigating officer had seemingly not spent much time on it before closing it down, resigning his post and moving away.
Sally and Lorne visit Zara to interview her about what happened initially and find the woman in an extremely poor state of health. Zara is then urgently admitted to hospital and concerns are raised about her general health. Things are further complicated when Zara’s daughter is then also rushed into hospital with a critical kidney disease which shows no sign for improving.
From here on in matters necessitate an urgent search for a suitable kidney donor and the search for Mila’s father becomes even more urgent.
What follows is intense and to say more would ruin the story.
One of the most gripping stories in this series with some truly shocking twists and revelations.
Highly recommend.
March 3, 2024
Sally an Lorne are back with a new cold case on their hands. Zara’s husband disappeared two years ago with no leads as to what happened to him. It will have you intrigued as to whether he is dead or alive and if alive, why would someone walk out on their family?
It soon becomes a race against time in finding out what happened to Christian and I didn’t fancy the teams chances with zero leads to go on. Whilst it is a crime thriller, it raises the question of how well we know the ones we love and the break down of families. Its sad that it takes something major to happen before families start pulling together and building bridges.
Coping Without You was an emotional yet thrilling read that will have you asking yourself what you would do in the characters shoes. None of us know how we would react if the same events happened to us and it is so easy to judge. There are some twists with an ending that shocked me to the core. Am loving these cold cases and that nothing is as straight forward as they first appear. A dark and tense story that will have you gripped through out.
My thanks to the author for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
It soon becomes a race against time in finding out what happened to Christian and I didn’t fancy the teams chances with zero leads to go on. Whilst it is a crime thriller, it raises the question of how well we know the ones we love and the break down of families. Its sad that it takes something major to happen before families start pulling together and building bridges.
Coping Without You was an emotional yet thrilling read that will have you asking yourself what you would do in the characters shoes. None of us know how we would react if the same events happened to us and it is so easy to judge. There are some twists with an ending that shocked me to the core. Am loving these cold cases and that nothing is as straight forward as they first appear. A dark and tense story that will have you gripped through out.
My thanks to the author for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
March 16, 2024
Definitely recommend.
Coping without you by MA Comley.
Missing, presumed dead until the evidence proves otherwise…Zara Starr has been living on the edge for the last two years since her husband, Christian, went missing. Reaching out to DI Sally Parker proves challenging, but it’s the only hope she has left. Sally and her team look into a cold case that has a shocking revelation for all concerned. If Christian is out there, will he do the right thing and come forward to save the life of a family member? Could It Be Him?
I really enjoyed this book. I love this series. I do like the cover and blurb. Emotional at times. I did have a theory, but it wasn't what I thought. Great story and plot. I love Sally Lorne Jordan Joanna and Stuart. They are a great team. There was nothing I disliked about this book. I was surprised by what the truth revealed. I loved the ending. I hope there is more to come. 5*.
Coping without you by MA Comley.
Missing, presumed dead until the evidence proves otherwise…Zara Starr has been living on the edge for the last two years since her husband, Christian, went missing. Reaching out to DI Sally Parker proves challenging, but it’s the only hope she has left. Sally and her team look into a cold case that has a shocking revelation for all concerned. If Christian is out there, will he do the right thing and come forward to save the life of a family member? Could It Be Him?
I really enjoyed this book. I love this series. I do like the cover and blurb. Emotional at times. I did have a theory, but it wasn't what I thought. Great story and plot. I love Sally Lorne Jordan Joanna and Stuart. They are a great team. There was nothing I disliked about this book. I was surprised by what the truth revealed. I loved the ending. I hope there is more to come. 5*.
February 19, 2024
Sally and Lorne take on a case where the woman’s husband disappeared after work two years ago. Christian left Zara with a string of debt and she wants to know if he’s alive or dead.
Due to the distressed state of Zara, Sally decides to take the cold case on and see if they can help her.
When Zara’s eighteen-year-old daughter, Mila, is taken into hospital seriously ill, the team must look into every avenue to find out just what happened to Christian.
I found this to be quite a sad story. My heart went out to both Zara and Mila, both being left in the dark for two years and losing everything.
It was great to have Sally and Lorne at their best, working the case. I love their work partnership, as well as the fact that they are great friends.
The story was well written and I was eager to know just what had happened to Christian.
Due to the distressed state of Zara, Sally decides to take the cold case on and see if they can help her.
When Zara’s eighteen-year-old daughter, Mila, is taken into hospital seriously ill, the team must look into every avenue to find out just what happened to Christian.
I found this to be quite a sad story. My heart went out to both Zara and Mila, both being left in the dark for two years and losing everything.
It was great to have Sally and Lorne at their best, working the case. I love their work partnership, as well as the fact that they are great friends.
The story was well written and I was eager to know just what had happened to Christian.
April 5, 2024
This is book 12 in the DI Sally Parker series and it doesn’t disappoint!
Sally is asked by an old friend to look into a case of a missing person, Christian Starr. At first glance the case doesn’t fit the teams normal cold case criteria but Sally wants to speak to Christians wife to get the details. When they arrive at Zara Starrs Sally and Lorne are really concerned for her well-being, as it’s obvious she hasn’t been taking care of herself, and ultimately she admitted to hospital. In the meantime they have bridges to build with Zara’s estranged family in order to get them to look after the Starrs daughter whilst Zara is in hospital. Then it becomes a race against time to find Christian as it turns out his daughter needs a kidney transplant. Is Christian still alive and if so will he do the right thing and come forward. So many twists and turns in this story I really enjoyed it!
Sally is asked by an old friend to look into a case of a missing person, Christian Starr. At first glance the case doesn’t fit the teams normal cold case criteria but Sally wants to speak to Christians wife to get the details. When they arrive at Zara Starrs Sally and Lorne are really concerned for her well-being, as it’s obvious she hasn’t been taking care of herself, and ultimately she admitted to hospital. In the meantime they have bridges to build with Zara’s estranged family in order to get them to look after the Starrs daughter whilst Zara is in hospital. Then it becomes a race against time to find Christian as it turns out his daughter needs a kidney transplant. Is Christian still alive and if so will he do the right thing and come forward. So many twists and turns in this story I really enjoyed it!
May 4, 2024
Wow another seemingly impossible case for the dream team of Sally and Lorne to try to solve.
And this is a story that really got under my skin,, like it did to Sally and Lorne and their team.
Just the initial meeting with the victim, was really tough to read, but yet equally it's a situation that others probably find themselves in quite a lot, but still shocking
I loved following our dream policing team over the course of this case, and I devoured this book incredibly fast, while on a cruise ship in rainy Ecuador.
Yet another totally amazing book in one of my favourite M. A, Comley series.
Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
And this is a story that really got under my skin,, like it did to Sally and Lorne and their team.
Just the initial meeting with the victim, was really tough to read, but yet equally it's a situation that others probably find themselves in quite a lot, but still shocking
I loved following our dream policing team over the course of this case, and I devoured this book incredibly fast, while on a cruise ship in rainy Ecuador.
Yet another totally amazing book in one of my favourite M. A, Comley series.
Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
March 14, 2024
DI Sally Parker book 12.
Another great addition to the DI Sally Parker cold case series. i can't believe it's book 12 already.
When Cristian Starr goes missing without a trace, he is presumed dead, even though they have never found his body. When Sally and the team are called in, they need answers for the family. When a medical situation arises, which is life or death, the team is up against the clock . This had me on the edge of my seat. I really enjoyed it, you never know what is going to happen. Love it!! Highly recommended
Another great addition to the DI Sally Parker cold case series. i can't believe it's book 12 already.
When Cristian Starr goes missing without a trace, he is presumed dead, even though they have never found his body. When Sally and the team are called in, they need answers for the family. When a medical situation arises, which is life or death, the team is up against the clock . This had me on the edge of my seat. I really enjoyed it, you never know what is going to happen. Love it!! Highly recommended
October 25, 2024
Little disappointed
I have read DI Sally Parker books from the beginning.
Unfortunately I probably won't be reading many more. I thought the first books were pretty interesting but the recent ones seem to have a lot of unnecessary padding in the middle (Sally took a coffee with her to tackle her daily mind-numbing chore and paused at the window to admire the view that was far-reaching in the morning sun). However the endings always seem stupidly rushed, as if she's suddenly lost interest in the storyline and just wants to finish writing.
I have read DI Sally Parker books from the beginning.
Unfortunately I probably won't be reading many more. I thought the first books were pretty interesting but the recent ones seem to have a lot of unnecessary padding in the middle (Sally took a coffee with her to tackle her daily mind-numbing chore and paused at the window to admire the view that was far-reaching in the morning sun). However the endings always seem stupidly rushed, as if she's suddenly lost interest in the storyline and just wants to finish writing.
March 13, 2024
This author keeps churning out the books and the quality never drops.This book starts off with a bang and keeps exploding with every page. Not only is it a brilliant storyline but it also keeps you second guessing yourself.
Whilst it is basically a police procedural it also shows the human side of police work and also shows the effect that their work can have on them. Mel keeps it simple and that is what engages the reader. I highly recommend this fast paced read.
Whilst it is basically a police procedural it also shows the human side of police work and also shows the effect that their work can have on them. Mel keeps it simple and that is what engages the reader. I highly recommend this fast paced read.
March 14, 2024
new cold case for D I Sally Parker & her team to unravel.
When a friend approaches Sally and Lorne regarding a disappearance of a husband from 2 years ago they wonder if it’s worthwhile to reopen the case as there’s no new evidence to go on.
Once they start to go through the existing file they realise that certain clues haven’t been followed up.
Nothing is straightforward & it shows you how families don’t communicate.
A great but emotional read but one that I really enjoyed.
When a friend approaches Sally and Lorne regarding a disappearance of a husband from 2 years ago they wonder if it’s worthwhile to reopen the case as there’s no new evidence to go on.
Once they start to go through the existing file they realise that certain clues haven’t been followed up.
Nothing is straightforward & it shows you how families don’t communicate.
A great but emotional read but one that I really enjoyed.
April 15, 2024
Zara Starr's husband Christian vanished in plain sight over two years ago ..and for Zara and her daughter ..its the not knowing what really happened..and if he is alive or dead .When Sally's friend asks for a favour , neither Sally or her partner or anyone in her team could ever imagine what lies ahead..Book 12 in the series is a story that is Taut, Gripping and emotional ..pulling at your heartstrings as the story reels you in ...
February 20, 2024
Could not put this book down.
Love this series with Sally and Lorne at the best of times but this book is excellent. Unsure and hard to work out exactly what had really happened in Zara and Milas lives, how could one man cause so much pain?
Truly shocking but brilliantly written.
Worth much more than 5🌟
Love this series with Sally and Lorne at the best of times but this book is excellent. Unsure and hard to work out exactly what had really happened in Zara and Milas lives, how could one man cause so much pain?
Truly shocking but brilliantly written.
Worth much more than 5🌟
March 13, 2024
I always look forward to reading about another new case Sally and Lorne are investigating in the Cold Case department. This one involves Zara who's husband has been missing for a couple of years and her health has suffered significantly during that time. Will Sally and Lorne be able to trace him? Another brilliant read.
April 19, 2024
Another excellent story
Another excellent story by M A Volley in the Sally Parker series with all the usual characters. What a great storyline. It kept me gripped from start to finish and as for the ending, I could never have imagined it. Looking forward to reading more in the series
Another excellent story by M A Volley in the Sally Parker series with all the usual characters. What a great storyline. It kept me gripped from start to finish and as for the ending, I could never have imagined it. Looking forward to reading more in the series
February 19, 2024
OMG I thought these books couldn’t get any better but they do.
Didn’t think it would end like that but yep I’m happy with the end (soz not soz)
It’s a great read & I would recommend all to read this book.
Didn’t think it would end like that but yep I’m happy with the end (soz not soz)
It’s a great read & I would recommend all to read this book.
March 10, 2024
Well this one definitely flew off!
Sally & Lorne had their hands full and the rest.
A missing husband and the secrets around him before he disappeared. Then what comes as things unravel.
Excellent storyline and I just devoured it tbh.
Sally & Lorne had their hands full and the rest.
A missing husband and the secrets around him before he disappeared. Then what comes as things unravel.
Excellent storyline and I just devoured it tbh.
April 12, 2024
Wow! What an ending!
Absolutely loved this latest Sally Parker story. A story with a difference. No spoilers from me! Mel Comley does it again with this page turner of the highest order! Brilliant read!
Absolutely loved this latest Sally Parker story. A story with a difference. No spoilers from me! Mel Comley does it again with this page turner of the highest order! Brilliant read!
May 28, 2024
Outstanding Book!
Exciting, suspense, crazy thrill ride. You won't see it coming. Wow!
It amazes me how the people we love can hurt us the most. The truth always comes out in the end!
M A Comley, is a brilliant writer! You won't be disappointed.
Exciting, suspense, crazy thrill ride. You won't see it coming. Wow!
It amazes me how the people we love can hurt us the most. The truth always comes out in the end!
M A Comley, is a brilliant writer! You won't be disappointed.
March 17, 2024
Secrecy
Omg this book had me hooked from first page I can't believe the ending I'm in tears here Mel 5 stars
Omg this book had me hooked from first page I can't believe the ending I'm in tears here Mel 5 stars
March 18, 2024
Disappointing story. Too much feminism.
March 16, 2024
You are in for a real treat. Just when you think you know what is going on you find out you had no clue. That is the kind of book I love to read!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews