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After You Were Gone
What happens to a family when a child goes missing?In a busy street market, Abbie lets go of six-year-old Sarah’s hand. She isn’t a bad mother, just exhausted. When she turns around, her daughter isn’t there.Six years later, Abbie is in love and getting married. But her fragile peace is constantly not knowing what happened to Sarah is like living with a curse.Then she receives a phone call from an unknown number.A man claims to know what happened to Sarah, but if Abbie tells anyone or fails to follow his instructions, she’ll never find out. How far will Abbie go to know the truth?Prize-winning and hugely popular author Vikki Wakefield turns her hand to the psychological thriller in this unputdownable novel that will disturb your dreams!
336 pages, Paperback
First published October 5, 2022
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524 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
October 17, 2022
4.5 ★s
After You Were Gone is the sixth novel by award-winning Australian author, Vikki Wakefield. Almost six years after her daughter Sarah has gone missing, and just a few days after her wedding to a man some twenty years her senior, Abbie Morgan gets a call from someone she’s convinced took her daughter. Just when she seems to be getting a handle on life …
Abbie has thought herself a bad mother at times and carries a lot of guilt over Sarah’s disappearance. Six years on, though, it is still uppermost in her emotions, making her vulnerable to this unknown caller’s demands. If she is to find out what has happened to Sarah, she must follow a set of instructions, do things clearly designed to alienate and isolate her from family and friends, to remove her support base.
“I’d give him what he wanted, whatever the cost, I knew that. Knowing the worst and living with it would be better than imagining the worst and having the story change, daily, like a never-ending twisted fairytale.” This, she does, believing she will be able to take her revenge.
Abbie seems wilful, stubborn and too proud to admit she needs help, perhaps a legacy of a dysfunctional youth under her mother’s critical eye, of being in her friend Cass’s shadow. “The older I got the more I realised I had made decisions— having Sarah, leaving the security of my parents’ home—that were simultaneously risky and gave me a feeling of control. That perceived control, however, was an illusion.”
On her own: “I was me without Cass, without my family being too close, without being judged as a pregnant teen, a single mother, or the careless parent of a missing child.”
The story is told over three timelines: before, after and now. Many will find this an uncomfortable read, with a protagonist whose rationale behind her decisions is difficult to fathom, but most will read on in fascinated horror as she dismantles her life at the direction of an unknown caller with a vague promise, eroding the trust of those close to her. Later chapters bring a twist few will predict.
Wakefield writes a cast of complex characters who don’t easily endear themselves to the reader. She does give them wise words and insightful observations: “I know what it’s like when people treat you as if you’re damaged. It’s exhausting enough trying to live your life without having to convince others you’re fine, just to make them feel better.” Dark, powerful and thought-provoking.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Text Publishing.
After You Were Gone is the sixth novel by award-winning Australian author, Vikki Wakefield. Almost six years after her daughter Sarah has gone missing, and just a few days after her wedding to a man some twenty years her senior, Abbie Morgan gets a call from someone she’s convinced took her daughter. Just when she seems to be getting a handle on life …
Abbie has thought herself a bad mother at times and carries a lot of guilt over Sarah’s disappearance. Six years on, though, it is still uppermost in her emotions, making her vulnerable to this unknown caller’s demands. If she is to find out what has happened to Sarah, she must follow a set of instructions, do things clearly designed to alienate and isolate her from family and friends, to remove her support base.
“I’d give him what he wanted, whatever the cost, I knew that. Knowing the worst and living with it would be better than imagining the worst and having the story change, daily, like a never-ending twisted fairytale.” This, she does, believing she will be able to take her revenge.
Abbie seems wilful, stubborn and too proud to admit she needs help, perhaps a legacy of a dysfunctional youth under her mother’s critical eye, of being in her friend Cass’s shadow. “The older I got the more I realised I had made decisions— having Sarah, leaving the security of my parents’ home—that were simultaneously risky and gave me a feeling of control. That perceived control, however, was an illusion.”
On her own: “I was me without Cass, without my family being too close, without being judged as a pregnant teen, a single mother, or the careless parent of a missing child.”
The story is told over three timelines: before, after and now. Many will find this an uncomfortable read, with a protagonist whose rationale behind her decisions is difficult to fathom, but most will read on in fascinated horror as she dismantles her life at the direction of an unknown caller with a vague promise, eroding the trust of those close to her. Later chapters bring a twist few will predict.
Wakefield writes a cast of complex characters who don’t easily endear themselves to the reader. She does give them wise words and insightful observations: “I know what it’s like when people treat you as if you’re damaged. It’s exhausting enough trying to live your life without having to convince others you’re fine, just to make them feel better.” Dark, powerful and thought-provoking.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Text Publishing.
April 25, 2025
Yes, this one has been sitting on my kindle for way too long, and I am glad that I finally read it, this one is a really good mystery, psychological thriller that pulled me in, how would your life go if you lost your six year old daughter? Abbie finds out when she lets go of her daughter’s hand for just a minute, life changes in a few seconds, there are questions, searches but will they ever find Sarah?
Six years later Abbie has come a long way oh she never forgets what happened but life must go in, she has just married the man she loves, Murray, she is very close to her sister, Jess and her mother Martine is still the same hard to get on with and very difficult at times but Abbie knows that there is love there.
Everything changes when she receives a phone call from a number she doesn’t know and he tells her that he knows what happened to Sarah and sets Abbie on a path to ruin but as far as Abbie is concerned she will do anything to find out what happened to her daughter, nothing will stop her, but what she discovers will shock her.
This is a very complex story and at times I did get frustrated with Abbie and her mother Martine but I really enjoyed this one and I would recommend it to anyone who loves a good psychological thriller, I look forward to reading more from this author.
My thanks to Text Publishing and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
Six years later Abbie has come a long way oh she never forgets what happened but life must go in, she has just married the man she loves, Murray, she is very close to her sister, Jess and her mother Martine is still the same hard to get on with and very difficult at times but Abbie knows that there is love there.
Everything changes when she receives a phone call from a number she doesn’t know and he tells her that he knows what happened to Sarah and sets Abbie on a path to ruin but as far as Abbie is concerned she will do anything to find out what happened to her daughter, nothing will stop her, but what she discovers will shock her.
This is a very complex story and at times I did get frustrated with Abbie and her mother Martine but I really enjoyed this one and I would recommend it to anyone who loves a good psychological thriller, I look forward to reading more from this author.
My thanks to Text Publishing and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
March 17, 2023
This is a hard book to rate, the plot is quite original and there were certainly elements that hooked me in and made me keep reading. To the credit of the author the main character rang true, and here is where the problem started for me. I just couldn't bring myself to like Abbie and what she did.
The story is told in three time lines, prior to Abbie's daughter being kidnapped, the present and the past after the kidnapping. The present finds Abbie six years after her six year old daughter disappeared and about to get married. However, on her wedding day a couple of reminders of Sarah send Abbie into a downward spiral and from there things just seem to get worse.
For the most part the book was wholly believable, but at some stage, I think around the last third it seemed beyond the realm of possibility.
I would be keen to read more by this author as the book is well written and has so much potential packed into it. Thank you Netgalley and Text Publishing for the opportunity to read this digital ARC.
The story is told in three time lines, prior to Abbie's daughter being kidnapped, the present and the past after the kidnapping. The present finds Abbie six years after her six year old daughter disappeared and about to get married. However, on her wedding day a couple of reminders of Sarah send Abbie into a downward spiral and from there things just seem to get worse.
For the most part the book was wholly believable, but at some stage, I think around the last third it seemed beyond the realm of possibility.
I would be keen to read more by this author as the book is well written and has so much potential packed into it. Thank you Netgalley and Text Publishing for the opportunity to read this digital ARC.
August 30, 2022
The distress and emotional trauma over the sudden disappearance of a little girl is played out here in Vikki Wakefield’s debut adult thriller. It’s a nightmare scenario that immediately invites you to put yourself into the shoes of Abbie.
It all started with a trip to the local produce markets that 6 year old Sarah didn’t want to go to but her mother, Abbie, insisted. And then, the fateful moment:
This is a story that is told as both a present day narrative and a return to the past. This style ensures we gain a complete understanding of Abbie’s thought processes and what motivates her in her decision making process.
What we discover is that Abbie’s mother is an overbearing opinionated and critical woman. She never misses an opportunity to point out Abbie’s mistakes, making her life a misery. It eventually drives her out of the family home and into a share arrangement with her best friend.
This constant chipping away at her self-esteem accounts for the actions she takes (and also the ones she doesn’t take) later after Sarah goes missing.
Fast forward six years from Sarah’s disappearance and it’s Abbie’s wedding day. Soon after, she receives a phone call from a man who suggests he knows where Sarah is. After all this time she can barely dare to believe that Sarah may still be alive.
From this moment we witness a slow disintegration of Abbie as she is manipulated by the unknown caller. She estranges herself from her new husband and his children, she becomes a virtual recluse and begins to act in an unhinged manner. Her motivation? The chance to be reunited with the daughter she thought she’d lost forever.
For the majority of this book we are left to wonder what’s going on and can it be true? Is Abbie risking her marriage and sanity based on a forlorn hope? Is she doing the right thing by telling absolutely no-one about the mysterious caller?
My impatience with Abbie’s unwillingness to involve anyone else was tempered somewhat by the realisation that there was one purpose at the forefront of her mind. She lost her daughter once and didn’t want to risk losing her for a second time. She was going to do nothing to jeopardise that possibility from happening and she had to be admired for her singularity of purpose.
It must be stressed, there is a very good reason for the to-ing and fro-ing between the present and the past, so it is important that you pay attention to what you’re reading.
The plotting became rather clumsy towards the end with a number of scenarios that challenged the realms of belief a little too much. Suffice to say, I wasn’t altogether satisfied with the way things were left, but then, that’s often the way things work out in real life too, I suppose.
Ultimately I found When You Were Gone to be an engrossing read. It was fast-paced and well structured with the ever-present mystery over who the caller might be and what their motivations are driving us forward.
With thanks to Netgalley for my ARC copy of this book.
It all started with a trip to the local produce markets that 6 year old Sarah didn’t want to go to but her mother, Abbie, insisted. And then, the fateful moment:
“Sarah tugged at my arm. ‘I want to go home now.’
‘Then you’d better start walking.’ I said it without thinking, and picked up a spiky fruit…After choosing six rambutan and two jackfruit, I unfolded a canvas shopping bag and carefully placed the fruit inside. When I turned to speak to Sarah, she was gone.”
This is a story that is told as both a present day narrative and a return to the past. This style ensures we gain a complete understanding of Abbie’s thought processes and what motivates her in her decision making process.
What we discover is that Abbie’s mother is an overbearing opinionated and critical woman. She never misses an opportunity to point out Abbie’s mistakes, making her life a misery. It eventually drives her out of the family home and into a share arrangement with her best friend.
This constant chipping away at her self-esteem accounts for the actions she takes (and also the ones she doesn’t take) later after Sarah goes missing.
Fast forward six years from Sarah’s disappearance and it’s Abbie’s wedding day. Soon after, she receives a phone call from a man who suggests he knows where Sarah is. After all this time she can barely dare to believe that Sarah may still be alive.
From this moment we witness a slow disintegration of Abbie as she is manipulated by the unknown caller. She estranges herself from her new husband and his children, she becomes a virtual recluse and begins to act in an unhinged manner. Her motivation? The chance to be reunited with the daughter she thought she’d lost forever.
For the majority of this book we are left to wonder what’s going on and can it be true? Is Abbie risking her marriage and sanity based on a forlorn hope? Is she doing the right thing by telling absolutely no-one about the mysterious caller?
My impatience with Abbie’s unwillingness to involve anyone else was tempered somewhat by the realisation that there was one purpose at the forefront of her mind. She lost her daughter once and didn’t want to risk losing her for a second time. She was going to do nothing to jeopardise that possibility from happening and she had to be admired for her singularity of purpose.
It must be stressed, there is a very good reason for the to-ing and fro-ing between the present and the past, so it is important that you pay attention to what you’re reading.
The plotting became rather clumsy towards the end with a number of scenarios that challenged the realms of belief a little too much. Suffice to say, I wasn’t altogether satisfied with the way things were left, but then, that’s often the way things work out in real life too, I suppose.
Ultimately I found When You Were Gone to be an engrossing read. It was fast-paced and well structured with the ever-present mystery over who the caller might be and what their motivations are driving us forward.
With thanks to Netgalley for my ARC copy of this book.
January 17, 2023
Thrillers are one of my most favourite genres to read so I was truly excited for this one. I am happy that I wasn’t left disappointed.
The story jumps between before and after the disappearance of Abbie’s daughter Sarah and how having no answers after six years of her being missing without answers still haunts her.
“It’s okay to be happy.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
I had a miscarriage when I was seventeen years old and there were so many times when I would have to remind myself that it was okay to find happiness in moments in my life so this quote hit me really hard and I had to immediately highlight it.
It might be a silly thing to be happy about but the author is Australian and this story is set in Australia. It’s not often I see things being set there so it made me really happy to be able to read this and support a fellow Australian.
I was so invested in this story from start to finish. It kept me on the edge of my seat and left me anxious to see what happened next which is exactly what you want when it comes to stories like these. I would definitely recommend this to people who enjoy thrillers!
Thank you to NetGalley and Text Publishing for providing me this arc!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The story jumps between before and after the disappearance of Abbie’s daughter Sarah and how having no answers after six years of her being missing without answers still haunts her.
“It’s okay to be happy.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
I had a miscarriage when I was seventeen years old and there were so many times when I would have to remind myself that it was okay to find happiness in moments in my life so this quote hit me really hard and I had to immediately highlight it.
It might be a silly thing to be happy about but the author is Australian and this story is set in Australia. It’s not often I see things being set there so it made me really happy to be able to read this and support a fellow Australian.
I was so invested in this story from start to finish. It kept me on the edge of my seat and left me anxious to see what happened next which is exactly what you want when it comes to stories like these. I would definitely recommend this to people who enjoy thrillers!
Thank you to NetGalley and Text Publishing for providing me this arc!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 28, 2022
tried so hard to get into this book but in the end I had to skip through the pages just to find out what happened in the end. It was a book in two parts, Before and After or Now.
The before was what happened throughout her life to lead up the becoming pregnant and having a little girl and then having the little girl snatched from her. The after or now is since the child (Sarah) was taken and the not knowing what really happened to her.
My problem with this book was that although I know the story needs to be set up it just seemed to drag on, the story just had too much detail and it was just a bit unbelievable to me. I just couldn't get right into it, I found it long-winded and it just didn't keep me enthralled. I almost feel I wasted time reading this one but It persevered and got it done (albeit I did skip a few pages along the way!
After You Were Gone
Vikki Wakefield
The before was what happened throughout her life to lead up the becoming pregnant and having a little girl and then having the little girl snatched from her. The after or now is since the child (Sarah) was taken and the not knowing what really happened to her.
My problem with this book was that although I know the story needs to be set up it just seemed to drag on, the story just had too much detail and it was just a bit unbelievable to me. I just couldn't get right into it, I found it long-winded and it just didn't keep me enthralled. I almost feel I wasted time reading this one but It persevered and got it done (albeit I did skip a few pages along the way!
After You Were Gone
Vikki Wakefield
December 12, 2022
An engrossing read which I found hard to put down. After reading a few reviews and seeing this book on various sites I was intrigued and I’m pleased I decided to read it. If you enjoy reading thrillers or mysteries then make sure you add this one to your list. Highly recommended.
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February 10, 2023The following book reviews have been shared by Text Publishing – publisher of After You Were Gone
'Gripping, propulsive, and unbearably tense – the best psychological thriller I’ve read in years.’
Mark Brandi, author of The Others
'Elegantly written and utterly chilling. A dark and twisting novel of psychological suspense that will have you turning pages and checking your locks.'
Emma Viskic, author of Those Who Perish
'An original thriller full of empathy. Flawed and vulnerable, Abbie is so real. I was with her all the way.’
Sarah Bailey, author of The Housemate
‘An elegant, powerful and utterly compelling thriller. The best book I have read all year.’
Lucy Christopher, author of Release
‘Spooky, believable, compelling. I kept turning the pages hoping for a way out.’
Leah Swann, author of Sheerwater
'After You Were Gone cleaves open ideas of friendship and family, revealing the complex inner workings of our closest relationships. In doing so, Wakefield achieves what all good crime writers aspire to do: she forces the reader to stress-test their own sense of morality. She looks you in the eye and asks what would you do if the unthinkable happened? What would you sacrifice? How far would you go? At once tense and atmospheric, After You Were Gone is also brilliantly plotted and populated with complex characters. An exciting new voice in Australian crime.’
J.P Pomare, author of The Last Guests
‘Beautifully written and superbly unnerving, After You Were Gone is the very best kind of thriller: tender and wise as well as pulse-poundingly tense, with characters so real you want to linger with them even as you race through the pages, desperate to find out what happens. Absolutely wonderful, I could not have loved or admired it more.’
Anna Downes, author of The Safe Place
'Through captivating prose and an intricately crafted plot, After You Were Gone explores the complexities of what it means to be a mother: the joy, the rage, the floundering—and the desperate, unquenchable love.’
Amy Suiter Clarke, author of Girl, 11
‘[A]n expertly crafted psychological thriller that reminded me of Adrian McKinty’s breakthrough international bestseller The Chain in its need-to-know addictive propulsion…The ending felt just right.’
InDaily
‘[S]atisfying and unpredictable…Wakefield delivers compulsive, heart-thumping suspense in spades.’
InDaily
‘This is how to write a psychological thriller; stylish prose in a warts-and-all tale…Wakefield makes a seamless transition into the adult genre.’
Herald Sun
‘[Vikki Wakefield’s] first foray into the realm of adult fiction has arrived in the form of a masterful psychological thriller…Fast paced, perfectly plotted and brilliantly conceived, this is a chilling tale of identity, judgement, loss, determination and complex relationship dynamics.’
ArtsHub
‘After You Were Gone is a pacey and engaging thriller…the characters are well-developed and rich in detail…This is one for the beach or a long flight when you need something entertaining to sink your teeth into.’
Zoya Patel, Courier
‘You’ll be questioning every character, their motives and [their] memories…[A] great thriller.’
Australian
‘Wakefield creates nuanced and complex characters…[She] is brilliant at showing us how insidious the cult of perfect motherhood might be for a young single mum who is hardly capable of looking after herself, much less a child.’
Conversation
‘Chilling and laced with dark suspense.’
Australian Women’s Weekly
‘Taut, fast-paced and tension-filled.’
Alpine Observer
‘A riveting read…Breathtaking.’
Sisters in Crime
‘[Vikki Wakefield] has made a successful and unforgettable transition to the world of adult crime writing with After You Were Gone. Fans of The Lost Man by Jane Harper will find this just as hard to put down.’
ReadPlus
'Gripping, propulsive, and unbearably tense – the best psychological thriller I’ve read in years.’
Mark Brandi, author of The Others
'Elegantly written and utterly chilling. A dark and twisting novel of psychological suspense that will have you turning pages and checking your locks.'
Emma Viskic, author of Those Who Perish
'An original thriller full of empathy. Flawed and vulnerable, Abbie is so real. I was with her all the way.’
Sarah Bailey, author of The Housemate
‘An elegant, powerful and utterly compelling thriller. The best book I have read all year.’
Lucy Christopher, author of Release
‘Spooky, believable, compelling. I kept turning the pages hoping for a way out.’
Leah Swann, author of Sheerwater
'After You Were Gone cleaves open ideas of friendship and family, revealing the complex inner workings of our closest relationships. In doing so, Wakefield achieves what all good crime writers aspire to do: she forces the reader to stress-test their own sense of morality. She looks you in the eye and asks what would you do if the unthinkable happened? What would you sacrifice? How far would you go? At once tense and atmospheric, After You Were Gone is also brilliantly plotted and populated with complex characters. An exciting new voice in Australian crime.’
J.P Pomare, author of The Last Guests
‘Beautifully written and superbly unnerving, After You Were Gone is the very best kind of thriller: tender and wise as well as pulse-poundingly tense, with characters so real you want to linger with them even as you race through the pages, desperate to find out what happens. Absolutely wonderful, I could not have loved or admired it more.’
Anna Downes, author of The Safe Place
'Through captivating prose and an intricately crafted plot, After You Were Gone explores the complexities of what it means to be a mother: the joy, the rage, the floundering—and the desperate, unquenchable love.’
Amy Suiter Clarke, author of Girl, 11
‘[A]n expertly crafted psychological thriller that reminded me of Adrian McKinty’s breakthrough international bestseller The Chain in its need-to-know addictive propulsion…The ending felt just right.’
InDaily
‘[S]atisfying and unpredictable…Wakefield delivers compulsive, heart-thumping suspense in spades.’
InDaily
‘This is how to write a psychological thriller; stylish prose in a warts-and-all tale…Wakefield makes a seamless transition into the adult genre.’
Herald Sun
‘[Vikki Wakefield’s] first foray into the realm of adult fiction has arrived in the form of a masterful psychological thriller…Fast paced, perfectly plotted and brilliantly conceived, this is a chilling tale of identity, judgement, loss, determination and complex relationship dynamics.’
ArtsHub
‘After You Were Gone is a pacey and engaging thriller…the characters are well-developed and rich in detail…This is one for the beach or a long flight when you need something entertaining to sink your teeth into.’
Zoya Patel, Courier
‘You’ll be questioning every character, their motives and [their] memories…[A] great thriller.’
Australian
‘Wakefield creates nuanced and complex characters…[She] is brilliant at showing us how insidious the cult of perfect motherhood might be for a young single mum who is hardly capable of looking after herself, much less a child.’
Conversation
‘Chilling and laced with dark suspense.’
Australian Women’s Weekly
‘Taut, fast-paced and tension-filled.’
Alpine Observer
‘A riveting read…Breathtaking.’
Sisters in Crime
‘[Vikki Wakefield] has made a successful and unforgettable transition to the world of adult crime writing with After You Were Gone. Fans of The Lost Man by Jane Harper will find this just as hard to put down.’
ReadPlus
February 5, 2025
I am actually shocked by the low rating of this book. I devoured it a day.
I was desperate to find out the ending. It was heart stopping in parts
Excellent read.
I was desperate to find out the ending. It was heart stopping in parts
Excellent read.
August 20, 2023
After You Were Gone is a beguiling psychological thriller, exploring the drastic lengths to which a mother will go to uncover the truth behind her young daughter’s disappearance.
November 12, 2022
Ahh!! I was so excited to receive 'After You Were Gone' by Vikki Wakefield in the mail from Text Publishing, as I still vividly remember reading and loving Vikki's previous novel 'Ballad for a Mad Girl' back in 2017. I do love a good thriller, although I have stepped away from the genre a little over the past year... I think it's mainly because out of the few thrillers I've read this year they all felt quite predictable as though the plot followed a formula, however whenever I read a truly thrilling, suspenseful and exciting book like 'After You Were Gone' it really reminds me as to why I love thrillers so much!
There was so much to love about this book. I loved the switching POV of the main character Abbie's life both in current time and 6 years ago prior to when her daughter Sarah went missing. I didn't want to put this book down and read it in a few sittings, but if I didn't have uni and work I know I would've binged it in a day. I think it was just such a well thought out thriller, with so many 'breadcrumbs' and I had so many theories that kept me guessing till the end which I loved. I wish I could know more about the character's lives at the end but all in all I did love the ending and I'm so happy with the outcome - I feel like I went on an emotional rollercoaster with all of the character's and I was cheering for them at the end haha!
All in all, I highly recommend this book for my fellow Thriller lovers that love an Australian setting.
There was so much to love about this book. I loved the switching POV of the main character Abbie's life both in current time and 6 years ago prior to when her daughter Sarah went missing. I didn't want to put this book down and read it in a few sittings, but if I didn't have uni and work I know I would've binged it in a day. I think it was just such a well thought out thriller, with so many 'breadcrumbs' and I had so many theories that kept me guessing till the end which I loved. I wish I could know more about the character's lives at the end but all in all I did love the ending and I'm so happy with the outcome - I feel like I went on an emotional rollercoaster with all of the character's and I was cheering for them at the end haha!
All in all, I highly recommend this book for my fellow Thriller lovers that love an Australian setting.
July 13, 2022
Maybe only 2.5/2.75 ⭐️
There were a lot of things that didn’t work for me in this book but I do still find myself thinking about it.
There were a lot of things that didn’t work for me in this book but I do still find myself thinking about it.
January 29, 2023
This is a beautifully crafted coming-of-age tale that takes the reader on an emotional journey through loss and self-discovery. The author's atmospheric writing style draws the reader in, creating a haunting and evocative atmosphere.
Although the pacing of the book may be slower than some readers might prefer, it allows for a deeper dive into the emotions and introspection of the protagonist. The slow burn of the plot builds a rich and multi-layered world that is both relatable and thought-provoking.
For fans of supernatural coming-of-age stories, "After You Were Gone" is a must-read. The author's style is reminiscent of works by authors like Maggie Stiefvater and Holly Black, with a touch of John Green's introspective storytelling. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a beautifully crafted, emotional read. 4 stars.
Although the pacing of the book may be slower than some readers might prefer, it allows for a deeper dive into the emotions and introspection of the protagonist. The slow burn of the plot builds a rich and multi-layered world that is both relatable and thought-provoking.
For fans of supernatural coming-of-age stories, "After You Were Gone" is a must-read. The author's style is reminiscent of works by authors like Maggie Stiefvater and Holly Black, with a touch of John Green's introspective storytelling. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a beautifully crafted, emotional read. 4 stars.
May 14, 2023
A mother’s worst nightmare comes true when her young daughter, Sarah, goes missing. Six years later, Abbie has never stopped trying to find her daughter but she has also tried to move on with her life. Suddenly, she is contacted by a man who says he can tell her what happened to Sarah if Abbie follows his instructions.
This book is told in three time lines, before Sarah’s disappearance, after her disappearance, and now. I really like multiple timelines in books and for this kind of story it was really important to see the past and present and the moments leading up to the disappearance. Some parts of this were uncomfortable to read and the subject of child kidnapping is always upsetting to me, and this was definitely an emotional read.
At times I struggled to like Abbie but I did feel her pain and anguish at losing her daughter and I thought this was written really well and definitely is hard hitting. I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.
Thank you so much to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is told in three time lines, before Sarah’s disappearance, after her disappearance, and now. I really like multiple timelines in books and for this kind of story it was really important to see the past and present and the moments leading up to the disappearance. Some parts of this were uncomfortable to read and the subject of child kidnapping is always upsetting to me, and this was definitely an emotional read.
At times I struggled to like Abbie but I did feel her pain and anguish at losing her daughter and I thought this was written really well and definitely is hard hitting. I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.
Thank you so much to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 8, 2023
An ok read.
I couldn’t bring myself to like Abbie very much. She just seemed cold and distant throughout the book.
The theme of losing a child amd the aftermath is a relevant one.
Thanks to Text Publishing and Edelweiss for the digital copy.
I couldn’t bring myself to like Abbie very much. She just seemed cold and distant throughout the book.
The theme of losing a child amd the aftermath is a relevant one.
Thanks to Text Publishing and Edelweiss for the digital copy.
July 23, 2023
Before: the anxiety the author creates instantly gets your heart beating. The thought of my own child going missing in a busy location makes me feel sick.
Now: six years later. I loved that even though the pain was still so raw that Abbie got married to Murray.
At this point the back and forth between the chapters became so addictive and I didn’t want to pause as I reached the end of every chapter. I didn’t trust Cass, I was tense with the phone calls. Would Abbie really dismantle the life she has now? The tension grew between the characters so quickly that I didn’t know how far Abbie was going to go. There’s such a great collection of amazing characters that surround Abbie that you can’t help getting curious about hidden motives.
Overall I thought this had a fantastic plot, well described especially when you start feeling as if you were Abbie and placed in her position. It’s heart wrenching, mysterious and when I got to the ‘after’ that just was a whole other level.
Now: six years later. I loved that even though the pain was still so raw that Abbie got married to Murray.
At this point the back and forth between the chapters became so addictive and I didn’t want to pause as I reached the end of every chapter. I didn’t trust Cass, I was tense with the phone calls. Would Abbie really dismantle the life she has now? The tension grew between the characters so quickly that I didn’t know how far Abbie was going to go. There’s such a great collection of amazing characters that surround Abbie that you can’t help getting curious about hidden motives.
Overall I thought this had a fantastic plot, well described especially when you start feeling as if you were Abbie and placed in her position. It’s heart wrenching, mysterious and when I got to the ‘after’ that just was a whole other level.
December 12, 2023
Thrilling
February 13, 2024
Underwhelming, not a great pace
August 12, 2024
Started off good however I got bored 75% through
January 5, 2023
Tense and fast-paced psychological thriller from a fantastic Australian author. Perfect for readers of Jane Harper or Emma Viskic.
November 11, 2022
After You Were Gone is the story of Abbie, who's daughter Sarah disappears. Six years later, Abbie starts getting strange phone calls from someone professing to be able to tell her what happened to her daughter if she follows his instructions.
So, I'll start off by saying this: this book was not my cup of tea. I had figured that this would have been more of a thriller where she puts the pieces together to figure out what ultimately happened to her daughter, but this is not that type of book - it's more about someone putting someone else through a great deal of psychological (and in some cases physical) torture. I found it very irritating and was close to putting the book down in a number of cases.
Subjectively, I'd score this book about a 1 or a 2 as I really did not enjoy it.. But being objective, I'd give it a three. If this is your type of book, it's definitely a page-turner. But on the other hand I found a great deal of it unrealistic - in particular, the lengths that Abbie was willing to go without really questioning the caller or demanding more proof.
Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced reading copy.
#AfterYouWereGone #NetGalley
So, I'll start off by saying this: this book was not my cup of tea. I had figured that this would have been more of a thriller where she puts the pieces together to figure out what ultimately happened to her daughter, but this is not that type of book - it's more about someone putting someone else through a great deal of psychological (and in some cases physical) torture. I found it very irritating and was close to putting the book down in a number of cases.
Subjectively, I'd score this book about a 1 or a 2 as I really did not enjoy it.. But being objective, I'd give it a three. If this is your type of book, it's definitely a page-turner. But on the other hand I found a great deal of it unrealistic - in particular, the lengths that Abbie was willing to go without really questioning the caller or demanding more proof.
Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced reading copy.
#AfterYouWereGone #NetGalley
December 20, 2024
Really enjoyed this, started a bit slow with the three timelines but it starting tying together very cleverly. Could have done with being a bit longer so the book came to an actual conclusion though, or even a little flash forward
August 17, 2024
Took a long while to get me gripped.
July 19, 2023
Title: After You Were Gone
Author: Vikki Wakefield
Pages: 358
Genre: Thriller/Crime Fiction
Rating: 4/5
Synopsis:
When Abbie, an exhausted mum lets go of her six-year-old daughter’s hand for a split second, in a busy street market, every mother’s fear comes to life, her daughter is missing.
Six years later, Abbie is trying to build a life for herself, she has found love and is getting married. But her peace is fragile, as the not knowing of what happened to Sarah constantly haunts her. One day she receives a phone call, an unknown man on an unknown number claims to know what happed to Sarah, but Abbie must follow his instructions and tell no one if she is to find out. How far will Abbie go in order to find out the truth?
Review:
Thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for my place on the book tour!
I couldn’t wait to dive in to this book, the description sounded exactly up my street and it is safe to say, I was not disappointed. This was a book that once I had it in my hands, it would be difficult to put down.
The story is told through past, present and after, these jumps in time flowed nicely and I loved that it enabled me to really see the full picture of the circumstances and the aftermath of Sarah’s disappearance. I also really enjoyed the fact that despite the author giving us all this information, this story kept me on my toes! I genuinely didn’t work out the plot which was refreshing as I’m quite good at guessing!
I’m not sure how I felt about the characters, for some reason I couldn’t really connect or warm to them. Especially, Abbie, I know she had her issues but I couldn’t help but keep her at arm’s length. In no way did this ruin the story for me though- I was still fascinated and intrigued with their stories.
I really was invested in this read from start to finish, I could feel myself flying through the chapters, the plot was very well thought out, it wasn’t the fastest-paced read, but I don’t think fast-paced would have suited this book.
This definitely was a unsettling story and you could really feel the anguish of certain characters at times. Things got a little tense at times and the author did a wonderful job at creating an atmosphere!
Author: Vikki Wakefield
Pages: 358
Genre: Thriller/Crime Fiction
Rating: 4/5
Synopsis:
When Abbie, an exhausted mum lets go of her six-year-old daughter’s hand for a split second, in a busy street market, every mother’s fear comes to life, her daughter is missing.
Six years later, Abbie is trying to build a life for herself, she has found love and is getting married. But her peace is fragile, as the not knowing of what happened to Sarah constantly haunts her. One day she receives a phone call, an unknown man on an unknown number claims to know what happed to Sarah, but Abbie must follow his instructions and tell no one if she is to find out. How far will Abbie go in order to find out the truth?
Review:
Thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for my place on the book tour!
I couldn’t wait to dive in to this book, the description sounded exactly up my street and it is safe to say, I was not disappointed. This was a book that once I had it in my hands, it would be difficult to put down.
The story is told through past, present and after, these jumps in time flowed nicely and I loved that it enabled me to really see the full picture of the circumstances and the aftermath of Sarah’s disappearance. I also really enjoyed the fact that despite the author giving us all this information, this story kept me on my toes! I genuinely didn’t work out the plot which was refreshing as I’m quite good at guessing!
I’m not sure how I felt about the characters, for some reason I couldn’t really connect or warm to them. Especially, Abbie, I know she had her issues but I couldn’t help but keep her at arm’s length. In no way did this ruin the story for me though- I was still fascinated and intrigued with their stories.
I really was invested in this read from start to finish, I could feel myself flying through the chapters, the plot was very well thought out, it wasn’t the fastest-paced read, but I don’t think fast-paced would have suited this book.
This definitely was a unsettling story and you could really feel the anguish of certain characters at times. Things got a little tense at times and the author did a wonderful job at creating an atmosphere!
September 10, 2022
I’m finding this a difficult book to review and rate because the main character, Abbie is forced into becoming a very unlikeable person and I found it quite unpleasant to read about. I don't usually mind being taken out of my comfort zone but this just felt a bit relentless at times.
Single mother Abbie’s daughter Sarah disappeared at an outdoor market when she was six and Abbie has spent the last six years looking for her and hoping to find out what happened to her. Eventually after six years Abbie has remarried a lovely man, a divorcee with two children who love and accept her (she even gets on well with his ex-wife). Then she is contacted by a man who can tell Abbie what happened to Sarah as long as Abbie follows his instructions to the letter.
The novel is told in three time lines – before and after Sarah’s disappearance and now. In the before thread, we learn about Abbie’s dysfunctional relationship with her cold, judgemental mother, her own wilfulness and lack of self-esteem that eventually led to her becoming a single mother and then her own difficulties mothering a wilful child. In the current day thread we watch as Abbie struggles with what is being asked of her by the unknown man and how far she will go to find out about her missing child. Although, the manipulation was cleverly done, it seemed to go on for too long and made for uncomfortable reading such that I found myself skimming through those parts quickly to get to the last thirty percent of the novel where events started to unfold. With her paranoia, insecurity and bad choices Abbie is a difficult character to like but I could feel for her ongoing guilt and grief at losing her child and her need to know what happened to Sarah, which drove her to accept the gaslighting and coercion from an unknown man. It is however an interesting and original story and one that had me questioning what I would do in the same circumstances. 3.5★
With thanks to Text Publishing via Netgalley for a copy to read
Single mother Abbie’s daughter Sarah disappeared at an outdoor market when she was six and Abbie has spent the last six years looking for her and hoping to find out what happened to her. Eventually after six years Abbie has remarried a lovely man, a divorcee with two children who love and accept her (she even gets on well with his ex-wife). Then she is contacted by a man who can tell Abbie what happened to Sarah as long as Abbie follows his instructions to the letter.
The novel is told in three time lines – before and after Sarah’s disappearance and now. In the before thread, we learn about Abbie’s dysfunctional relationship with her cold, judgemental mother, her own wilfulness and lack of self-esteem that eventually led to her becoming a single mother and then her own difficulties mothering a wilful child. In the current day thread we watch as Abbie struggles with what is being asked of her by the unknown man and how far she will go to find out about her missing child. Although, the manipulation was cleverly done, it seemed to go on for too long and made for uncomfortable reading such that I found myself skimming through those parts quickly to get to the last thirty percent of the novel where events started to unfold. With her paranoia, insecurity and bad choices Abbie is a difficult character to like but I could feel for her ongoing guilt and grief at losing her child and her need to know what happened to Sarah, which drove her to accept the gaslighting and coercion from an unknown man. It is however an interesting and original story and one that had me questioning what I would do in the same circumstances. 3.5★
With thanks to Text Publishing via Netgalley for a copy to read
October 11, 2022
“After you were gone” is psychological thriller to confound you, suck you in, spit you out and repeat it all over again. I started this book, only knowing what was written on the back, and I came out wanting to jump back in and read it again. This is a breath-taking example of Australia fiction at its finest. Vikki Wakefield made it very hard for me to put this book down – in fact I read this without stopping. A very simple premise: Abbey and her six year old daughter, Sarah go to the local market in the rain. Sarah vanishes and is nowhere to be seen again. Time moves forward another six years: Abbey is about to marry and try to be happy again after losing her daughter. A picture and a phone call shock Abbey back in time. Someone knows where Sarah is, and to find her, Abbey must let go of everything, and her life switches to self-destruct mode in order to chase the dream Sarah may be alive.
This story moved very fast, so much happens in such a little time to create the malfunction of Abbey’s life that leaves everyone questioning what happened to her. We are left with a mystery – who is the caller? How is he connected to Abbey’s life? Why does Abbey need to destroy all she has left to find what she had in the beginning, her daughter? How far would Abbey go to find her child?
It is such a creepy and unsettling story. It is nerve wracking to travel with Abbey as she sets up her self-destruction. For such a chilling read, it is written so beautifully, full of memory and hope and that deepest desire any parent would have to search for and be reunited with their child. If you want to read something that will capture your mind, this is the book for you.
Thank you to Text Publishing for my gifted copy!
This story moved very fast, so much happens in such a little time to create the malfunction of Abbey’s life that leaves everyone questioning what happened to her. We are left with a mystery – who is the caller? How is he connected to Abbey’s life? Why does Abbey need to destroy all she has left to find what she had in the beginning, her daughter? How far would Abbey go to find her child?
It is such a creepy and unsettling story. It is nerve wracking to travel with Abbey as she sets up her self-destruction. For such a chilling read, it is written so beautifully, full of memory and hope and that deepest desire any parent would have to search for and be reunited with their child. If you want to read something that will capture your mind, this is the book for you.
Thank you to Text Publishing for my gifted copy!
October 11, 2024
"You think your child will love you, but it won't. They aren't capable of love yet—they want, they need, they demand and take—that's what they do, and all you can do is hang onto a rope that never slackens." After You Were Gone is about a single mother's (Abbie) response to her daughter (Sarah) going missing. Like her life, the book is arranged into Before and After the traumatic event. While she has moved on and married (Murray) the loss of her daughter is ever-present. Every decision is measured through that lens: "Another child would only feel like a fill-in for the one I'd lost."
Through exploring Abbie's actions leading up to the abduction, and her troubled relationship with her mother, Martine, Vikki Wakefield explores the idea of the bad or ambivalent mother who finds that motherhood is harder than she thought it might be: "You both struggle to be happy. It's like you're always waiting for the fall." The very normal feelings Abbie has of resentment over the rapid change to her life with the birth of her daughter look much more sinister after the abduction: "I'd be feeding in the middle of night while my family slept, imagining the milk flowing from my breast to Sarah's body, tainted with resentment like poison."
Where the book falls down is in believability. The villain isn't believable. The length of time the scenario plays out over isn't believable. Abbie's willing collusion isn't believable. The conclusion isn't fleshed out well enough, stopping before you really got to see what abduction does to the mother–child bond.
Through exploring Abbie's actions leading up to the abduction, and her troubled relationship with her mother, Martine, Vikki Wakefield explores the idea of the bad or ambivalent mother who finds that motherhood is harder than she thought it might be: "You both struggle to be happy. It's like you're always waiting for the fall." The very normal feelings Abbie has of resentment over the rapid change to her life with the birth of her daughter look much more sinister after the abduction: "I'd be feeding in the middle of night while my family slept, imagining the milk flowing from my breast to Sarah's body, tainted with resentment like poison."
Where the book falls down is in believability. The villain isn't believable. The length of time the scenario plays out over isn't believable. Abbie's willing collusion isn't believable. The conclusion isn't fleshed out well enough, stopping before you really got to see what abduction does to the mother–child bond.
September 27, 2022
Fast moving and totally consuming. The story of Abbie and her lost daughter captivates from the first page. Cleverly divided into three different time segments, before after and now the story unfolds by shape shifting into each of those settings. Abbie’s story is that of a teenage pregnancy and her determination to bring her daughter up as a single mother, it’s not easy and family are not always able to support her choices. She struggles and her life is real and vibrant, beautifully captured. It all falls apart when she loses six year old Sarah at a market. Then the crime thriller starts and just grows and grows till I couldn’t put it down. It is dark , I suspected everyone and everything for three quarters of the novel. The three areas of writing do provide some much needed respite. Just when I thought I would have to take a break we slipped into another time before, after or now. It really worked well for me. Vicki Wakefield knows what she is writing about , she understands grief and trauma and the complexities of living through tragedy. I loved Abbie’s honesty and her ‘risk it all ‘ approach to life. I’m so glad it ended as it did, I couldn’t have taken much more. Thanks to @netgalley and text publishing for a copy to review. The opinions are mine.
July 12, 2023
Abbie is exhausted when Sarah disappears, but she also doesn’t expect a very short moment of not paying attention will lead to the permanent loss of her precious child. Without a trace and without an explanation, just gone. No wonder she jumps at the chance when a mysterious phone call could mean the end of her misery.
There are right fighters and there are people who will do anything to hurt you, even if it means taking the one thing that means the most to you. To destroy, to sever, even to kill. What kind of cruel intention must live on the shoulder of the kind of person who thinks nothing of committing the most nefarious crime against another human being.
It’s a driven piece of work, where emotions live constantly on the cusp of causing an implosion or the complete shutdown. What strength and determination must it take to swim through the devastation of a loss for which you will always blame yourself. The kind of loss that will forever leave a gaping hole.
I found the last few chapters especially poignant, perhaps because it pulls on the invisible threads that bind, especially across the generations. The acknowledgement of past mistakes and the willingness to ensure the generational trauma doesn’t carry on – well at least to try.
There are right fighters and there are people who will do anything to hurt you, even if it means taking the one thing that means the most to you. To destroy, to sever, even to kill. What kind of cruel intention must live on the shoulder of the kind of person who thinks nothing of committing the most nefarious crime against another human being.
It’s a driven piece of work, where emotions live constantly on the cusp of causing an implosion or the complete shutdown. What strength and determination must it take to swim through the devastation of a loss for which you will always blame yourself. The kind of loss that will forever leave a gaping hole.
I found the last few chapters especially poignant, perhaps because it pulls on the invisible threads that bind, especially across the generations. The acknowledgement of past mistakes and the willingness to ensure the generational trauma doesn’t carry on – well at least to try.
September 5, 2022
I am having serious difficulty writing a review of After You Were Gone by Vicki Wakefield. There were parts of the story that certainly had me intrigued especially nearing the end. However, I found it hard to become involved in the story when the main character, Abbie, was so very annoying. I didn’t like her and in fact found her very irritating. The story itself had quite a bit of merit, albeit a very distressing situation when a 6 year old girl, Sarah, goes missing. Unfortunately I found it a difficult read and stopped half way, left it for a few weeks and then came back and finished reading it. My return was more positive as the story as that stage actually moved more smoothly and was less irritating. I’m glad I finished reading it but when I got to the end there was then a feeling that it was incomplete - what happened next?
With the current ending I still felt that the story and characters were irritating and some parts were probably unbelievable.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from Text Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
With the current ending I still felt that the story and characters were irritating and some parts were probably unbelievable.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from Text Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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