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Martha
A sixties-inspired mystery novel by Emma Smith, perfect for fans of Holly Jackson and Cat Clarke.
The year is 1968, and change is on the horizon...
When Ellie was three years old, her two older sisters were kidnapped. She's been used to living in their shadow, over-protected by her paranoid parents... but now that she's seventeen, she wants some of her freedom back. That's the plan, anyway.
Until her older sister Martha reappears, fourteen years after she was last seen. Where has she been all this time? Who took her? How did she manage to escape? No one seems to be asking the most important questions... they're just so glad that she's back, safe.
And Ellie is the only person who wants to know why.
A young adult mystery tackling the pains of growing up, set deep in a crime scene on the bleak North York Moors.
The year is 1968, and change is on the horizon...
When Ellie was three years old, her two older sisters were kidnapped. She's been used to living in their shadow, over-protected by her paranoid parents... but now that she's seventeen, she wants some of her freedom back. That's the plan, anyway.
Until her older sister Martha reappears, fourteen years after she was last seen. Where has she been all this time? Who took her? How did she manage to escape? No one seems to be asking the most important questions... they're just so glad that she's back, safe.
And Ellie is the only person who wants to know why.
A young adult mystery tackling the pains of growing up, set deep in a crime scene on the bleak North York Moors.
392 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 12, 2024
About the author
Emma Smith
14 books567 followersEmma Smith is a young adult and children's author from Yorkshire. She wrote and illustrated her first “book” when she was seven years old and hasn’t stopped writing since. When she’s not walking on the beach or drinking an iced coffee with a crumpet and some chocolate, you’ll probably find her reading something dark and mysterious… and most certainly YA.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
April 30, 2024
This book broke me in the best way possible.
Set in Yorkshire in the 1960s, the story follows 17 year old Ellie Stockton, sister to two missing girls. But when Martha (the eldest of the three) returns on the 14th anniversary of their disappearance, Ellie has questions... Why is she back now? Why does she look healthy? And why is no one else wondering these things?
Determined to find out what happened to them, and to find the other sister safe and sound, Ellie and her best friend Tilly set to work unpacking the mystery themselves. While trying to be normal teenagers - kissing boys in parks... sneaking out to parties - something strange is going on. But what?
This book dealt with grief in such a spectacular way, the protagonist finding a place in my heart very quickly. Ellie is such a lovable character and her story so tragic.
For anyone interested in mysteries... and coming-of-age novels, this is the perfect read for you! An easy 5 stars for me and I cannot wait for Emma's next book to release.
Set in Yorkshire in the 1960s, the story follows 17 year old Ellie Stockton, sister to two missing girls. But when Martha (the eldest of the three) returns on the 14th anniversary of their disappearance, Ellie has questions... Why is she back now? Why does she look healthy? And why is no one else wondering these things?
Determined to find out what happened to them, and to find the other sister safe and sound, Ellie and her best friend Tilly set to work unpacking the mystery themselves. While trying to be normal teenagers - kissing boys in parks... sneaking out to parties - something strange is going on. But what?
This book dealt with grief in such a spectacular way, the protagonist finding a place in my heart very quickly. Ellie is such a lovable character and her story so tragic.
For anyone interested in mysteries... and coming-of-age novels, this is the perfect read for you! An easy 5 stars for me and I cannot wait for Emma's next book to release.
April 30, 2024
I don’t usually comment when I rate books but I absolutely loved loved this. It hooked me right from the start. I love Emma Smith’s writing style and the way she creates fun, but realistic characters. The ending had me questioning all my life decisions😭 I will definitely be reading more of this author :) I hope she soon gets the attention she deserves <3
April 19, 2024
I loved this book sm !! I’ve read all of Emma’s books, and they are all great (this one is no exception!) I loved the ending of the book, I really didn’t see it coming 💔💔 this was an amazing book that I’ll definitely reread millions of times, great job Emma 💗💗
July 1, 2024
this book gripped me right from the start, and towards the end, when the mystery was beginning to be solved, i physically could not put it down! i loved the characters ellie and tilly so much and would 100% recommend.
July 20, 2024
The twist!! The last 6 chapters had me saying ‘just one more page’ over and over. I’m on holiday at the moment so have been binging books, hence me finishing this in less than 24 hours! It took me a while to get into it but once I did, I just couldn’t stop turning the pages.
April 25, 2024
a banger!!! the vibes were immaculate, the mystery was twisty, the characters were everything. the ending made me question EVERYTHING. truly couldn’t recommend it enough <3
May 17, 2024
EMMA!!! Shattered. Obsessed. In awe. 100% my new favourite Emma Smith book! Cannot wait to see how far she goes!
July 9, 2024
Has Emma written a book that isn’t five stars? I doubt it
I have so much to say about this book, but I’m gonna start with the writing.
As usual, Emma’s writing was filled with humour, seriousness and relatability - to some extent - which kept the book interesting.
Emma also captured the setting amazingly, which created a clear depiction of the small towns and moors featured throughout the novel.
I loved how this book balanced the romance and mystery genre, both without drowning the other one out. Whenever the chapter was focussed on her sisters, that’s what I was focused on, and the same applies for the romance-side.
Emma also added constant reminders through Ellie’s perspective, which also reminded the reader of the mystery she was trying to solve.
Personally, I’ve never had a missing sister - thank god, and hopefully never will - but I found other parts of the novel, when Ellie got up to usual teenage stuff, slightly more relatable.
Although, I thought Ellie’s character was really well written (as Emma Smith characters are) and I found myself feeling bad for her throughout the book.
I’ve never really read a book set this far in the past, and in all honestly, the sixties never really interested me. I wondered how much I’d like the book because of this, but it was never really something I struggled with whilst reading.
Finally, I wanna talk about the plot twist. After reading Dead Fine, I figured there would be a crazy twist, and there were.
When Ellie found the picture of her dad and Reverend Richard, I was NOT expecting that, but I thought it was a really clever detail to add.
When it was revealed Mr Browne kidnapped them - I was kind of disappointed with the lack of tension I felt, and I kept reading and it turns out THAT WASN’T EVEN THE PLOT TWIST?!
THE FINAL CHAPTER, OH MY GOODNESS! I LITERALLY COULD NOT BELIVE IT!!! I LITERALLY DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO SAY BUT IT WAS SOOOO INCREDIBLE OMG
Another five star book from Emma ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I have so much to say about this book, but I’m gonna start with the writing.
As usual, Emma’s writing was filled with humour, seriousness and relatability - to some extent - which kept the book interesting.
Emma also captured the setting amazingly, which created a clear depiction of the small towns and moors featured throughout the novel.
I loved how this book balanced the romance and mystery genre, both without drowning the other one out. Whenever the chapter was focussed on her sisters, that’s what I was focused on, and the same applies for the romance-side.
Emma also added constant reminders through Ellie’s perspective, which also reminded the reader of the mystery she was trying to solve.
Personally, I’ve never had a missing sister - thank god, and hopefully never will - but I found other parts of the novel, when Ellie got up to usual teenage stuff, slightly more relatable.
Although, I thought Ellie’s character was really well written (as Emma Smith characters are) and I found myself feeling bad for her throughout the book.
I’ve never really read a book set this far in the past, and in all honestly, the sixties never really interested me. I wondered how much I’d like the book because of this, but it was never really something I struggled with whilst reading.
Finally, I wanna talk about the plot twist. After reading Dead Fine, I figured there would be a crazy twist, and there were.
When Ellie found the picture of her dad and Reverend Richard, I was NOT expecting that, but I thought it was a really clever detail to add.
When it was revealed Mr Browne kidnapped them - I was kind of disappointed with the lack of tension I felt, and I kept reading and it turns out THAT WASN’T EVEN THE PLOT TWIST?!
THE FINAL CHAPTER, OH MY GOODNESS! I LITERALLY COULD NOT BELIVE IT!!! I LITERALLY DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO SAY BUT IT WAS SOOOO INCREDIBLE OMG
Another five star book from Emma ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2026
This book totally blew me away. It was the book of the month for one of my Chapter 25 Book Club picks, and it's not a book I had heard of. It sounded right up my alley, and it sure was. This is going to be one of my top books of 2025.
We are in 1968, and following 17 year old Ellie. When Ellie was three years old, her two older sisters, Martha and Susan, were kidnapped right in front of her. She managed to get away, but the loss of the two girls has made her parents overly protective of Ellie. But now that she is a teenager, she wants more freedom. Her and her best friend Tilly are determined to enjoy themselves, but must sneak around to do it.
Ellie's world is turned upside down when her oldest sister, Martha, turns up at the local police station. She doesn't say anything, but she looks well fed and cared for so her kidnappers have obviously been taking good care of her. She won't say what has happened to Susan. Her parents and the police believe she needs some time to reacclimatise to being free, but Ellie isn't so sure. There is something wrong, and she can't figure out what it is.
As Ellie tries to continue living her life she can't hide her curiosity about her sister. Why isn't she talking? Why won't she tell everyone where Susan is, or even if she's still alive? She and Tilly take it upon themselves to start investigating. What they uncover will change their lives forever.
My emotions were all over the place with this book, and my heart was pounding throughout. It really puts you through the ringer as a reader, but it's worth every heart pound.
The only challenge I had with this book at times was that the book club I was reading it with is a chapter a day club, or in this case 2 chapters a day as there are 60 chapters in total. I managed to keep to the schedule right up until the final few chapters, when I could not put it down.
If you like heartstopping drama and intrigue, then do yourself a favour and grab a copy of this book.
We are in 1968, and following 17 year old Ellie. When Ellie was three years old, her two older sisters, Martha and Susan, were kidnapped right in front of her. She managed to get away, but the loss of the two girls has made her parents overly protective of Ellie. But now that she is a teenager, she wants more freedom. Her and her best friend Tilly are determined to enjoy themselves, but must sneak around to do it.
Ellie's world is turned upside down when her oldest sister, Martha, turns up at the local police station. She doesn't say anything, but she looks well fed and cared for so her kidnappers have obviously been taking good care of her. She won't say what has happened to Susan. Her parents and the police believe she needs some time to reacclimatise to being free, but Ellie isn't so sure. There is something wrong, and she can't figure out what it is.
As Ellie tries to continue living her life she can't hide her curiosity about her sister. Why isn't she talking? Why won't she tell everyone where Susan is, or even if she's still alive? She and Tilly take it upon themselves to start investigating. What they uncover will change their lives forever.
My emotions were all over the place with this book, and my heart was pounding throughout. It really puts you through the ringer as a reader, but it's worth every heart pound.
The only challenge I had with this book at times was that the book club I was reading it with is a chapter a day club, or in this case 2 chapters a day as there are 60 chapters in total. I managed to keep to the schedule right up until the final few chapters, when I could not put it down.
If you like heartstopping drama and intrigue, then do yourself a favour and grab a copy of this book.
May 5, 2024
Oh I think I've found my favourite Emma Smith book so far!! (Still have a few to read!). I absolutely LOVED this.
Firstly Emma's writing is so good - the descriptions of everything are beautiful. She really has a way of transporting you to a place. I could really feel the bleak moors and the Whitby seaside.
The characters are also so well written. I got a full understanding of what they were like and for one of them in particular, it was interesting to see their true selves revealed as the book went on!!
The different themes and subplots thrown in gave the book a real depth. I also loved the 60s setting!
It also kept me hooked! I had so many theories as misleading clues were thrown in. I didn't suspect the end at all. And the very end!!!! Ahhhhhhh still not over it!!
Really recommend this one!
Firstly Emma's writing is so good - the descriptions of everything are beautiful. She really has a way of transporting you to a place. I could really feel the bleak moors and the Whitby seaside.
The characters are also so well written. I got a full understanding of what they were like and for one of them in particular, it was interesting to see their true selves revealed as the book went on!!
The different themes and subplots thrown in gave the book a real depth. I also loved the 60s setting!
It also kept me hooked! I had so many theories as misleading clues were thrown in. I didn't suspect the end at all. And the very end!!!! Ahhhhhhh still not over it!!
Really recommend this one!
July 22, 2024
Wow my jaw is on the floor! Once again, Emma has succeeded in crafting such an intense and enjoyable thriller. It had me hooked from beginning to end and always guessing. I also loved that it was set in the sixties which added to an already eerie atmosphere and made it unique from other modern mystery thrillers. I enjoyed finding out how the characters dealt with their challenge and the ending was absolutely shocking in the best way possible. I implore you to read this if thrilling coming-of-age books are your thing. I would also recommend “Dead Fine” which is another book by Emma that is also incredible. Fair play for once again creating an amazingly compelling story!
April 13, 2024
Wow just wow. Bloody amazing! I couldn’t put it down and I’m still lost in the pages
December 13, 2025
3.25
That ending was insane and I’m mad about it
That ending was insane and I’m mad about it
August 4, 2025
First of all, I have to say that I really enjoyed reading this book. It was the first novel I read by Emma Smith, and I didn’t have high expectations going in—but I ended up liking both the pace and the story.
However, the ending truly brought me to tears. Why end it like that? After all the build-up to a long-awaited family reunion, she is killed —it completely caught me off guard. I was genuinely shocked and deeply moved. I was really expecting a more happier ending for our protagonist.
However, the ending truly brought me to tears. Why end it like that? After all the build-up to a long-awaited family reunion, she is killed —it completely caught me off guard. I was genuinely shocked and deeply moved. I was really expecting a more happier ending for our protagonist.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2024
I just finished this book 5 minutes ago and WOW, what an ending, my jaw is still on the floor, WOW EMMA WOW.
“Martha” portraits so well what’s going on on a teenage girl’s head while overthinking something.
“ I’m silent, eyes fixed on the water trickling down the window, splashing into the unknown, lost in thought.” i just LOVE this quote 🥹
and the complexity of the characters? AMAZING, just AMAZING.
My breath was held almost all the time while reading, the strangeness, the mystery, the doubt! As a reader you feel like you’re in the center of everything, you experience everything with the characters.
once again WOW.
“Martha” portraits so well what’s going on on a teenage girl’s head while overthinking something.
“ I’m silent, eyes fixed on the water trickling down the window, splashing into the unknown, lost in thought.” i just LOVE this quote 🥹
and the complexity of the characters? AMAZING, just AMAZING.
My breath was held almost all the time while reading, the strangeness, the mystery, the doubt! As a reader you feel like you’re in the center of everything, you experience everything with the characters.
once again WOW.
April 13, 2024
I think it’s safe to say that this is 100% my favourite Emma Smith book, and my current favourite book for sure!
Usually I’m not into books set years ago but this managed to completely hook me. For the first time in ages I was so invested in a book I read 300 pages in one sitting LMAO. Every other chapter had me theorising about what happened (each theory being completely wrong), and when the reveal happened?? Jaw DROPPED
Emma you are absolutely incredible, each book I read is even better than the last! I’m absolutely honoured to have gotten a mention the the acknowledgments 🥲🫶
Usually I’m not into books set years ago but this managed to completely hook me. For the first time in ages I was so invested in a book I read 300 pages in one sitting LMAO. Every other chapter had me theorising about what happened (each theory being completely wrong), and when the reveal happened?? Jaw DROPPED
Emma you are absolutely incredible, each book I read is even better than the last! I’m absolutely honoured to have gotten a mention the the acknowledgments 🥲🫶
June 1, 2024
I’m not usually a fan of mystery books but this book has absolutely changed my view of the genre. I LOVED IT!! The whole time I was reading this book I thought I knew what was going to happen and what the twist would be but I was absolutely shocked when the kidnapper was revealed! I thought for sure that Ellie’s dad was involved. I could not put this book down and finished it in around 4 days which is really fast for me.This is 100% the best book I have read so far in 2024 and I can’t wait to read more books from this author 😊
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2024
-☆☆☆☆☆-
A addictive and incredibly well-written book, full of shocking twists and unpredictable turns. The ending was completely unexpected.
The vibes of this book are perfect, and so are the characters.
The mystery is incredible, making you question everyone and everything. I was so invested in this book and loved reading and making theories (all of which were wrong)
I have read basically all of Emma Smith's books and they never disappoint!
I would 100% reccommend, a great read!!
A addictive and incredibly well-written book, full of shocking twists and unpredictable turns. The ending was completely unexpected.
The vibes of this book are perfect, and so are the characters.
The mystery is incredible, making you question everyone and everything. I was so invested in this book and loved reading and making theories (all of which were wrong)
I have read basically all of Emma Smith's books and they never disappoint!
I would 100% reccommend, a great read!!
January 26, 2025
This book had me hooked from the start with the 50s/60s setting and the whole person missing for 14 years reappears. I flew through this book and I felt the build up, I was there in the cafe with Elvis records playing in the background sneaking a Babycham with a cherry! The twists and turns are never ending and I cannot wait to read more work from the author
April 22, 2024
PLS this book was absolutely insane i was in shock the whole way through ESPECIALLY the end😭 i always love emma’s books but this one was so crazily good i enjoyed it so much - they honestly get better every time if that’s even possible! need everyone to read this rn because it’s scarily good💘
November 30, 2024
I absolutely adored this book, the details are amazing and the whole book just transports you to the world of Martha
January 27, 2025
this book is SO good!!! twists at all the right places and it got me SHOOK at the end like holy fuck 😭 needs more recognition immediately!!!!!!
May 9, 2025
i'm speechless.
THAT LAST CHAPTER???????
THAT LAST CHAPTER???????
May 25, 2025
THE ENDING?! CHRIST
September 23, 2025
You thought it was gonna end happily right? So close but so far!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2024
3.25🌟
Let me start by saying that this star rating does NOT mean this was a bad book in any way shape or form, it just was not for me, i went into this knowing that may be the case because it’s set throughout the 1950s-1970s and had certain themes that i do not share interest in, however i really loved reading through the main characters POV i thought her thought process was very intricate and interesting, the plot twist was not a huge surprise for me and wasn’t a favourite of mine but then something happens in the last chapter and ‘newspaper’ article at the end that had my jaw DROPPED, so i had a very strange reading experience with this book because particular parts i enjoyed and some i didn’t, i thought each character had depth and an interesting story behind them without going into huge detail about them, overall i believe this book is good and I would recommend it but it depends on what type of books you like to read and everyone has a different opinion 🤍
Let me start by saying that this star rating does NOT mean this was a bad book in any way shape or form, it just was not for me, i went into this knowing that may be the case because it’s set throughout the 1950s-1970s and had certain themes that i do not share interest in, however i really loved reading through the main characters POV i thought her thought process was very intricate and interesting, the plot twist was not a huge surprise for me and wasn’t a favourite of mine but then something happens in the last chapter and ‘newspaper’ article at the end that had my jaw DROPPED, so i had a very strange reading experience with this book because particular parts i enjoyed and some i didn’t, i thought each character had depth and an interesting story behind them without going into huge detail about them, overall i believe this book is good and I would recommend it but it depends on what type of books you like to read and everyone has a different opinion 🤍
August 6, 2025
3 stars
i did like this but i felt very disapointed by the plot twist as it was really easy to guess ,
i did love the setting and i do wish theres was more description on that
I love the age-time period (1960s) of this book
I did find the parents suscpicous at times but I also felt some bits felt rushed
i did like this but i felt very disapointed by the plot twist as it was really easy to guess ,
i did love the setting and i do wish theres was more description on that
I love the age-time period (1960s) of this book
I did find the parents suscpicous at times but I also felt some bits felt rushed
January 4, 2026
THE ENDING HELLO????
i have mixed feelings about things but overall i really enjoyed it, i just wish we got more clarity into martha’s intentions in the last few chapters bc i feel like everything happened so quickly 3
i have mixed feelings about things but overall i really enjoyed it, i just wish we got more clarity into martha’s intentions in the last few chapters bc i feel like everything happened so quickly 3
November 30, 2025
This book was ok. I would have like more eventful things to have happened as we went through the book.
May 3, 2025
I have SUCH mixed feelings for this book!!!! While I wanted so badly to love it I found it a bit too stereotypical (and at times frustrating) making it difficult to read. I enjoyed (as demonstrated in other books of hers) the representation of adolescence however I just felt like it was a bit too modern? While the religious underpinnings (and their eventual move to the main plot) did act as a reminder that this was in fact a more historical book I found that fact to be easily forgotten, at least in my experience. On the surface it was an intriguing book for me but it was insanely frustrating at times (which was probably a symptom of Ellie's own frustration at being misunderstood and ignored). It was a heavily predictable read at times rendering it slightly flat and not as gripping, though the red herring was good (and what did ever come of that debacle..left unfinished and I'd have enjoyed at least a little of an allusion to that). I also struggled to entirely understand the motivations of the overarching antagonist, I get it but it also..seems a little bit of a simplistic justification for an insanely large crime. Overall I may have gone into this book with too-high expectations though it was predictable and the end did leave a bad taste in the mouth (highly unexpected and a bit..disappointing).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews