Close Your Eyes

by Teresa Driscoll

Finding missing children is Matthew’s job—but this time it’s his own daughter who’s disappeared.

When private investigator Matthew Hill picks up the call from his wife, Sally, his world comes crashing down. Their eight-year-old daughter, Amelie, is missing. One second, she was there, the next, she was gone.

It’s the very nightmare they’ve been dreading. Long ago, Matthew left the force after a woman blamed him for her son’s death, promising that he too would one day feel her pain. It’s a threat that’s hung over his family ever since, and now it’s Amelie’s picture on the news.

Matthew knows how these things go—the longer their daughter is missing, the less hope there is of finding her alive.

As the clock ticks and a canal is searched, he and Sally must reckon with their greatest fear…

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Audiobook, Suspense, Crime

330 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2025

About the author

Teresa Driscoll is a former BBC TV news presenter whose psychological thrillers have sold over two million copies in more than 20 languages. Her first thriller I AM WATCHING YOU was kindle #1 in the UK, USA and Australia and has sold more than 1.5 million copies in English alone.
Teresa writes book club fiction as well as thrillers and her work has been optioned for film.
During her long career as a journalist, Teresa worked for newspapers, magazines and television, including 15 years presenting the BBC TV news programme Spotlight. Covering crime for so long, she was deeply moved by the haunting impact on the relatives, the friends and the witnesses and it is those ripples she explores now in her darker fiction.
Teresa lives in glorious Devon with her family and blogs regularly about her "writing life" at her website - www.teresadriscoll.com.

Reviews

[~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again, Teresa Driscoll didn't fully succeed at building a suspenseful, engrossing mystery.

The potential was there, but too many chapters were bogged down with unnecessary details, asides, arguments, and backstories that went nowhere.

There are multiple distractions: Claire (Sally's friend) being questioned by the police (but the other best friend somehow never even calling); Melanie's son breaking his arm and the marital drama with her husband; the death of the homeless man and interviews with the suspects; the coffee, sandwiches, burgers ... the fuck do I care about what the detectives eat?

I know the author is trying for a "slice of life," real people approach, but none of it serves any purpose beyond filler: foam, bubble wrap, peanuts - it's all trash in the end.

The chapters from Sally's perspective were particularly tedious. She lost track of her young daughter for half an hour, maybe longer, but was sure quick to blame her husband and point fingers. I wanted to feel sorry for a grieving mother, but I couldn't stand Sal.

I was invested in the Olivia storyline, but no way do I believe that a schizophrenic man who killed his wife, his daughter's best friend, and his daughter's sort of boyfriend would have had any qualms about shooting a kid pointblank. The idea that Amelie somehow saved her own life by standing up to him and refusing to run away is beyond ridiculous.

And IF that actually happened, why would an 8-year-old keep that detail from her parents and the police for so many years until the grand reveal in the epilogue? *massive eye roll*

I was into the story for a long while, but unfortunately, the book was brimming with superfluous information that weighed down the plot. That, coupled with the too-neat-and-tidy epilogue, dropped my rating.

I've accepted that this author's style simply doesn't jive with me.

[Melany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wild ride! From the start, it was gripping, and things just kept turning and twisting! It was such an interesting topic, and the father thought it's linked to his past. I was truly interested and HAD to find out who was behind it all and what happened! I love Teresa Driscoll's writing style. It makes you feel like you're there and experiencing the story alongside the characters. And that ending! Whatt! Worthy read, just make sure to block out some time so you can read it in one sitting!

I received this book from NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer to read and review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.

[Jayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never closed my eyes while listening to "Close Your Eyes".

Not for one minute.

From start to finish, this child abduction thriller sizzled and soared.

After finishing this book, I listened to Teresa Driscoll's earlier releases.

How did I miss this talented author?

Teresa Driscoll's titles are not available from the library.
😭😭😭😭

Fortunately, her titles are available from KU's Books with Narration.

(My trial subscription expires in two weeks!)

Teresa Driscoll's books are pacey, intricately plotted, and unputdownable.

In all releases, I especially enjoyed the interplay between private investigator Matthew Hill, Detective Inspector Melanie Sanders, and the protagonists of each book.

I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Steve West and Elizabeth Knowelden.

Both narrators did a superb job with the narration.

All the stars!

[Nina (ninjasbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very invested in the outcome.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful writing, wonderful story, and wonderfully rich characters!! So glad I chose this as my Amazon first read this month! Full RTC!

[Maren’s Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5⭐️ I’m just not sure 😂🤦🏻‍♀️

[Angie Miale · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not sure what it was about this book that made me keep speeding up the time so it would go faster. I think perhaps since the mystery itself was revealed to the reader early in the book and it was not solved by the crime's victims until later. I just couldn't wait for the characters to discover who took their daughter. THeme of toxic theology and religious and cultural trauma. Audiobook narrator uses a british accent and the pacing of the mystery just didn't work for me. This one was a miss for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

[Alylally⛰️⛺️⛈️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was actually really good!! I wouldn't say it's super "thriller-y" but the mystery was done perfectly! I LOVED the detectives POV!! If you want a crime/cop/detective book this is yours!! This had the best detective scenes I've ever read, you actually feel like you are alongside the detectives solving the mystery!

I was debating between 4.5 and 4.75 when I realized I can't think of stuff I didn't like?!? I loved this! It was super quick, suspenseful, heart breaking, and incredibly intriguing. The characters were well thought out, they had great thoughts and were very driven. They were also relatable. You like who your supposed to like and hate who your supposed to hate.

I'm so happy I picked this us from Kindle unlimited. I would highly suggest everyone checks it out if this review sounds up your alley! The average rating doesn't lie!

[Jeff · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eight year old Amelie goes missing while out shopping with her mother. The police have no leads, but Amelie’s father, private investigator Matthew Hill, was a police officer, and had received threats from the family of a youngster Matthew had killed when on the force. Close Your Eyes gets off to a promising start, as there’s a frenzy of activity when Amelie disappears. But the story gets excruciatingly slow, as Matthew’s past is dissected, and prior books involving him are also rehashed. The police investigation is also repeatedly recapped, and the slow pace prevents any sense of suspense from building. The big finale is anticlimactic, and just didn’t sync with the buildup. I’m a fan of this author’s prior books, but this one misses the mark. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting ride! It got me anxious at times and I was like what the hell is happening but overall it was a good story! I’ve always enjoyed reading about PI Matthew Hill and his wife Sally since reading about him first in her perfect family and then the start of their relationship in the promise and continuing his cameo in I will make you pay. I always enjoy when an authors pies past characters in their new novels, especially law enforcement. The only thing I’d say is that I wish the ending was a bit more explained and more detailed but other than that it was a good thriller and I’d recommend it!

[Danielle-Gemma💜 · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read that didn’t take a lot of thought

[John Valley · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 rating ... book a toss-up. 3 is too high a rating (60% approval), and 2 is too low (40%).
Drug on during the middle of the story and too rushed at the end.
Police angle with Matthew & Mel was to unrealistic. She involve him in a case where his daughter is kidnapped and I don't think he was on police payroll yet. She constantly gives him insider info then is furious when another cop gives him the address of their primary suspect.
Then Matt shows up and harasses their main suspect in their home running around like the tasmanian devil thereby jeopardizing their case(guess Mel never watched Broadchurch).
And they solve the abduction when Matt mentions a simple thing that he forgot to do with his PI job & Mel says tell me everything ... a little lazy conclusion.
And then not knowing the situation where they think Amelia is being held & knowing new suspect has a legal gun permit, Mel think it is a good idea to invite Matt & Sally to come watch the situation unfold, even knowing Matt has proven to be a loose cannon. A little too unbelievable for me.

[✿ Ash ✿ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

[Lynda Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 5th book I've read by this author and I luckily snagged this one free on the Kindle First thing. I really enjoyed it but there were too many niggling mistakes, especially regarding hyphens, that got my back up throughout and cost it for me, I'm afraid. Time the publishers paid a little more attention and applied better spit 'n' polish to their presentation. I give you:
Bakery cum cafe
Pre dive
Commitment phobia
Panic stricken
Kitchen cum diner
Tunnel visioned
Off site
Out of hours
ALL merit hyphenation and some were oft-repeated. I could feel my blood-pressure rising, trust me !! A few question marks were also missed. Just irritating. Clinches was written when fists are usually clenched and then we had waiver not waver. She persisted in writing inquiry the American way and not enquiry the whole way through which drove me to utter distraction each time it got mentioned......I also made a note that there were too many M names. We had Matt and Melanie and then Molly or Milly.....just made it needlessly confusing, I thought. We kept being reminded that Matt had a past and will be joining Mel's new team and it's been in the papers, you know.....I've no idea why she felt the need to keep repeating it.
I did like the way Amelie described Matt at one point. That was really touching and gave me a big old "gulp" moment.
All in all the story is good but the presentation spoilt it for me. After 5 books we shouldn't be seeing silly errors like this, especially from a well-known publisher. So here's hoping the next I pick up by her will be almost perfect, or at least most improved.

[emily *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
whew this was a wild ride and i was hooked from the very beginning. when sally and matthew- an ex police officer and a current PI daughter goes missing they can only assume the very worst. will they find her and will she make it home alive? this thriller had so many twists and turns i didn't see coming.

thank you to the publishers and netgalley for this ARC!

[Keeshell · Rating 4 out of 5]

SO GOOD, really enjoyed this book.
There were so many layers to this story but the authors style of writing made it easy to follow along.

[Sherry Steveson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Initially, I had no idea this book is a continuation of a series involving the two main characters Matthew and Melanie. I don’t believe you have to read any of the previous books to understand what happened in the past. If anything, this book spends an enormous amount of time rehashing the backstory. However, once I started reading, I realized I had read a previous book with these characters. It was fast paced what I could remember of the plot was it had an interesting plot. I don’t remember a lot about it but didn’t have any major complaints. With that said, this book will fall in the “probably won’t remember much at all” category and thus made it pretty forgettable within hours of reading it. Just a strange motive for the crime and a far fetched ending. Unlikely in so many ways that the crime is so unsolvable for so many days in an area with so much CCTV. Again, the things I’ll remember are things that were distractions from a well thought out thriller.
An average thriller that will be easily forgotten.

[Trina Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fabulous read from Teresa Driscoll. A parents torment as their daughter goes missing on a shopping trip. Sally feels guilty as she was on the phone for a few minutes and turned her back, Matthew feels guilty as he's not sure if it's linked to a previous case. A case that's bothered him for years, the grieving mum cursing him at the inquest of her deceased son.
This was a fast paced novel, you feel the anguish of all the characters as they race to find Amelie, knowing that every hour counts. This is the perfect book to begin the new year

[Alexandra Garcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has me thinking so many thoughts. I thought the beginning was slow and I didn’t really connect to the characters. But towards the middle of the story, I did feel more invested. I just feel that there is something missing from this story. I can’t really put my finger on it, but something made it feel incomplete.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a little cracker of a book, which had me on the edge of my seat. Driscoll doesn't waste any time getting to the meat of the story; there's no slow build up, nope, it's straight in there with every parent's worst nightmare....child abduction.

Dark themes are the order of the day; child abduction, murder, religious mania, and brute control.
This is definitely not a book for the faint hearted.
Despite, or maybe because of, these themes, Close Your Eyes is a captivating, suspenseful read.

[Meddings_Musings: Erin Meddings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matthew Hill and Melanie Sanders are at it again in this suspenseful and thrilling read!

For years, Melanie has tried convincing Matthew to return to the police force but he’s remained steadfast in his assertion that he’s better suited for his private investigator business. Despite this, Melanie frequently asks Matthew for his help in her cases, much to his wife’s, Sally, dismay. Matthew was recently shot in the shoulder helping with a case and Sally is always fearful of the danger he puts himself in.

But then Matthew finds himself asking Melanie for her help when a case hits much too close to home. Sally is shopping with a now 8 year old Amelie and is distracted by finding information on her phone as Amelie pleads with her to let her try on a green dress. Feeling rushed and hurried, Sally says no then steps outside the shop to take a call. When she returns inside, Amelie is gone.

Matthew has made a name for himself both as a former police officer and as a private investigator. But there are people who feel Matthew has ruined their lives and want revenge. With Melanie requesting to be involved in the search, Matthew feels helpless being regulated to the sidelines. Where is Amelie and will they find her? Has Sally had enough of the danger Matthew puts his family in? Readers can find out November 1st which is the anticipated release date!

Thank you to NetGalley, Teresa Driscoll, and the publishers for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review. Having read all the other books with Matthew and Melanie, it was a pleasure! *This book is scheduled to publish November 1st.

[Sarah Grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

I will admit that I couldn’t put the book down. However, I skimmed over most of it. Like others have said, the beginning is fast paced and interesting - although the dialogue feels clumsy and fake - but after a while, the plot just trudges on.

I wish that the various plot lines were more interesting. I finished the book, not because I enjoyed it but because I wanted to see how it ended.

I probably could have just read the first few chapters and the last few and that would have been fine.

[MJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started off strong. I was invested and the characters had a lot of depth. The writing was descriptive without being redundant.

Fast forward to the 50% mark and it just seemed to ramble on. The descriptive writing continues but now it gets repetitive. The “plot twist” was told too early on and the ending fell super flat for me.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a fan

I really thought I’d enjoy this book but i felt like it was such a drag and could have been much shorter than it was i just found it boring and found myself skipping pages near the end.

[Sophia Pan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this on Amazon First Reads. Finished in a day while traveling! Fast paced but dragged a little in the middle, unique motive for the antagonist. The use of 4 different POVs while still third person was also interesting. Not my favorite thriller, but a solid read.

[Meire Albuquerque · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow!… Tense and captivating… Full of twists and turns and shocks!… Raced through it, eager to find out the ending – which was just brilliant!’

[Donna Mallery · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was tense and exciting. At times the father of the missing child was stupid with his actions. But how can anyone who hasn’t lost a child judge those actions. There is a woman who blames him for her son’s death many years before so we have an instant suspect. But is that realistic? We slowly find out as the tension builds.

[Maddie Weeks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from the start until the end!

It is an intense, fast paced thriller that is told through multiple POVs so you get to experience what each character is feeling/going through.

I can tell you that this is one of the only books where I have had no idea how it was going to end or what was happening, the plot twist is just HUGE and the ending caught me off guard! Fantastically written.

The chapters are short and snappy so the story flows really well.

I highly recommend this to anyone who loves a gripping and tense thriller.

Overall, I rate this book 5 stars!

[Lindsay Johnston · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the storyline but I hated the way it was written. Hard to get through

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been meaning to read a book by Teresa Driscoll ever since I spotted her book I Am Watching You YEARS ago. I am so glad I finally picked one up, and her newest Close Your Eyes will run you through the gamut. A missing girl only eight years old will already hurt some hearts, but the other things that happen in the storyline also help to keep the tension high. There is plenty of suspense and even though I would say the pacing isn’t *fast* it does move at a steady clip and will easily keep the reader invested. I loved the decision to include multiple viewpoints including a detective which gave this a police procedural vibe as well.

Lucky for me, Close Your Eyes is a KU title so I was quick to snatch up the audiobook on Audible. Elizabeth Knowelden’s performance was incredible considering how many viewpoints she had to narrate, and I never felt like I was lost or didn’t know what POV I was in. This was also down to the clarity of the writing, so bravo to the author and narrator alike! The end was a lot twistier than I thought it would be and was a fitting conclusion to a tense read. I read that PI Matthew Hill makes an appearance in all of Driscoll’s psychological thrillers but can be read as standalones and I would agree. I didn’t feel lost at all.

Read this if you want a tense and emotional storyline, can suspend a bit of disbelief, and like a mystery where you know the whodunnit and are waiting for the arrest/finding/what happened to her bit.