The Missing Body

by Kerry Wilkinson

I ran to get help. But her body disappeared. Will anyone believe me?

Megan is unpacking in the spare room of her sister’s house when she hears the scream.

Racing to the nearby woods, she is shocked to see a young woman’s unconscious her pink top bright against the earth, her long, dark hair wet from a nearby stream. But when desperate Megan returns with the police, all they find is empty woodland.

She’s been through so much, her sister whispers, welcoming her home with a kind smile. You can’t blame her for seeing things.

But Megan knows what she saw – and her past shouldn’t come into it. Was the young woman dead, or dying? How can a body just disappear?

Megan left home for a good reason. Now, confronting the past could be the only way to find the truth. But what if Megan is in danger, too? And what price will she have to pay, to find the girl from the woods?

An absolutely gripping mystery thriller that will make you question who to trust and have you racing through the pages. Perfect for fans of Mark Edwards, Claire Douglas and T. M. Logan.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 12, 2024

About the author

Recent and upcoming UK releases:
24 October 2023: The Night Of The Sleepover
15 December 2023: After The Sleepover
2024: The Girl On The Side Of The Road
2024: The Missing Body

Kerry Wilkinson has sold more than two million books - and had No.1 crime bestsellers in the UK, Australia, Canada, South Africa and Singapore. He has also written two top-20 thrillers in the United States. His book, Ten Birthdays, won the RNA award for Young Adult Novel of the Year in 2018 and Close To You won the International Thriller Award for best ebook in 2020.

As well as his Jessica Daniel series, Kerry has written a trilogy featuring private investigator Andrew Hunter, the Whitecliff series, the Silver Blackthorn trilogy - a fantasy-adventure serial for young adults - plus numerous standalone novels. He has been published around the world in more than a dozen languages.

Originally from the county of Somerset, Kerry spent way too long living in the north of England, picking up words like 'barm' and 'ginnel'.

When he's short of ideas, he rides his bike, hikes up something, or bakes cakes. When he's not, he writes it all down.

Find out more at: http://kerrywilkinson.com or http://facebook.com/KerryWilkinsonBooks

Find out more at: his website or Facebook

Reviews

[Zoe Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Megan leaves the dramas in her marriage behind and returns to her home town to stay with her sister Nicola, unknowingly walking into another set of drama or ten. While she is unpacking she hears a scream and goes outside to investigate, finding the dead body of a woman in the stream. Returning to the house for her phone and contacting emergency services, once she returns the body has vanished and everyone insinuates she is crazy. This is the first of many strange things in this small seaside town that Megan encounters.

References to past events keep us on our toes as we await to uncover those secrets and see how they play out in the current situation. The twists and turns are crazy, mysterious characters made me race through the pages as I wanted to see how it all came together. This small coastal town harbours decades of secrets and Megan finds it increasingly difficult to keep her sanity and know who to trust.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Donna Mallery · Rating 4 out of 5]

A steady paced novel about a woman who sees a dead body while staying at her sister’s house. The body promptly disappears before the police can arrive, so what happened? Everyone thinks Megan is a little unhinged after discovering that her husband and best friend are having a baby! Little by little, she finds clues that not all is well in this town where she grew up. It starts out fast and slows a bit in the middle, but overall a satisfying read!

[Milena Bookish❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy New Release!

4.5⭐She hears a scream nearby and rushes to investigate. She sees a body lying in a shallow stream and does what she can to revive the young girl, but is unsuccessful. She runs to phone the police; however, when they arrive, the body has disappeared. No one believes her.

It's a gripping and tense thriller. Megan's life is shattered after finding out about her husband's affair. She runs from home hoping to find peace at her sister's house, but things don't go as planned. With well-written characters, an engaging plot, family secrets, small-town drama, and unexpected twists, it's perfect for a quick read. I appreciate Megan's determination to seek the truth, even in the face of criticism. Her quiet strength and vulnerability enhance the story for me...

Thank you, NetGalley and Publisher for the eARC.

[Shauntelle (shauntellereads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a gripping and tense thriller. Megan returns to her hometown to stay with her sister after leaving her husband. She hears a scream and goes to investigate. What she sees is a woman lying in a shallow stream. She performs CPR then returns to the house to get her phone. When she returns to the spot with emergency services, the woman is gone! Everyone thinks she’s crazy. From here we are exposed to twists and turns as we are exposed to glimpses from the past. More and more secrets are revealed as the plot develops. There were mysterious characters, and I was so invested wanting to know how everything would fit together at the end.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Jody Reads Smut · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read "The Call" by Kerry, and loved it. I was shocked to find out this book surpasses that one in excellence. His writing as always was excellent. Thus, it obtained its original value – an entertaining, fast-paced read with a good plot, realistic characters, and some twists you won't be prepared for. Highly recommended!

Thank you to Bookouture, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

[Heather Flaherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for the book #TheMissingBody by #KerryWilkinson. What a wild ride this book is. Megan returns to her hometown after a split from her husband. As she is settling in her sisters home, she hears a scream. She finds a girl in the water not breathing. After calling the cops the body is gone. Nobody believes her. As she digs into the truth, she finds something horrible. Can she escape? Who is behind this?

[Nicola “Shortbookthyme” · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Missing Body is a gripping thriller that will keep you intrigued throughout the story.
The mystery element is one that will have you shaking your head more than once as you try to figure out what is going on.
The story is full of family secrets and drama.
Author Kerry Wilkinson always delivers a story full of tension and suspense.

Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Paula Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kerry Wilkinson has a warped one in The Missing Body, full of cruel characters and actions, leaving me questioning who to trust. He’s found his niche as a thriller writer and is an auto-read author for me!

Thank you, Kerry Wilkinson, Bookouture, & Netgalley for my early copy! All opinions are my own.

[NomadicReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel definitely has a deep sense of mystery and intrigue. What happened to the body, and what is really going in that town? The tense and complex plot is decently paced, and the author's reference to the past and hidden secrets keep the reader guessing. Full of twists and turns, mysterious characters, and buried secrets, this was a solid read.

[StinaStaffymum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ran to get help...but her body disappeared...will anyone believe me...?

Having just learnt her husband had misplaced the part of their marriage vows which promised to "forsake all others" and "to be faithful", and with her best friend no less, Megan left the remnants of what was her marriage behind and hightailed it to her hometown of Hollicombe Bay where she is now staying in the stifling attic room of her sister's house. It's where she now sits trying to let some air in when she hears a scream. She listens in the stillness. Nothing. Maybe she imagined it. But no, she is sure she heard a woman scream. And so she goes to investigate which thus leads her to the woods behind her sister's house and there in the stream lay the unmoving body of a young woman...maybe nineteen? Twenty at most? Is she dead? Megan isn't sure and so she drags her out of the stream and recalls the adverts on TV that transposed CPR with the Bee Gees "Staylin' Alive"...and so she does that.

"Ah-ah-ah, stayin' alive...stayin' alive..."

1-2-3...breathe...1-2-3...breathe...

And yet the woman remained silent and still. Megan pat her pockets for her mobile phone remembering that it was plugged in on charge in her attic room. She really needs to get help, but she doesn't want to leave the young woman.

Making a dash, she races into the house and up the stairs where she retrieves her phone and makes a breathless plea to emergency services who ask her to remain on the line and outside the address from which she's calling so the services get the right place. All the while, Megan is worried about the woman in the stream alone. When the services finally arrive after what seemed like an endless wait but was probably no more than ten minutes, Megan rushes off leading them back to where she found the woman's body.

But now she's gone.

And now no one believes that she saw a body in the stream, believing instead that she was having some sort of mental breakdown in light of the current status of her marriage. But Megan knows what she saw. And she will stop at nothing to prove she was right. Until she begins to doubt herself too.

Did she really see the body? Or was it just the stress of recent events that she is projecting figments of her imagination into reality? Megan is certain of what she saw...isn't she? And now she must dig for the truth but in doing so uncovers something sinister hidden in the bowels of the sleepy town.

Can she escape this nightmare? And find out the truth behind what is really going on? Before it's too late...

Another gripping read from Kerry Wilkinson. I loved how we returned to the area of Whitecliff for this as he incorporated that are into the neighbouring Hollicombe Bay. And whilst remaining a standalone story.

The characters were all a bit meh. None of them really likeable. Megan was wishy-washy. Nicola was a bossy britches. Ben was blase about everything. Jessie was a typical moody teenager. Pam was nosey and gossipy. Trevor was creepy. Daniel was probably the most OK one out of the lot...which in itself was highly suspicious. LOL

As always, the tale is peppered with Kerry's trademark dry wit and humnour which is what makes his books so entertaining. I love his humour. And while this was a fairly predictable read (I worked out fairly early one what was going on), it was his witty quips and trademark humour that kept it fresh and interesting. Without it I doubt I would enjoy his books as much. I hope we return to Whitecliff and Hollicombe Bay again.

I would like to thank #KerryWilkinson, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheMissingBody in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

[Barb (Boxermommyreads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

While The Missing Person is a thriller, it is definitely a slow-paced one which has a lot going on - sometimes too much.

Megan has left her home and her husband and moved into her sister's attic. The reader is aware there is a good reason Megan left, but it isn't until the middle of the book that we learn why. She is there a few days and when she hears a scream from the woods behind the house. She heads out to look and finds a woman floating in a stream. She is able to pull her to the bank and offer assistance, but she is too late. She runs back to call the police but when they return the body is gone. Megan's sister and the police lead Megan to believe she imagined the whole thing. And Megan herself might even be convinced if so many other things were so weird such as a tooth she later finds at the crime scene, the secrets her sister and her husband Ben seem to be whispering about when no one is looking, Megan's new business venture despite being thousands of dollars in depth and the kitchen staff working in a locked room at her sister's cafe which Megan has been told to never enter.

Like I said, there is a lot going on in the book and at times I wished the action would pick up a bit. Yet saying that, every time I put the book down, I would quickly pick it up again saying "Just one more chapter" because I REALLY wanted to know what was going on. The ending was very satisfying and the way everything wrapped up was done more quickly than anything else in the book. I was cheering for Megan to prove to everyone she wasn't unstable and enjoyed her relationship with her estranged father growing as everything else fell apart.

I have not read from this author before, but if the subject matter piques my interest, I will definitely pick up another book by them again. If you like slower-paced thrillers with lots of mystery elements, then you might just enjoy this one!

[J Kromrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

In the realm of mystery thrillers, it’s a rare delight to stumble upon a book that not only promises an addictive journey but delivers it with such finesse that you’re left questioning the fabric of trust and reality. Kerry Wilkinson’s “The Missing Body” fills that bill and more.

The story unfolds with Megan, who, amidst unpacking in her sister’s spare room, is jolted by a scream that leads her to a horrifying discovery in the woods—a young woman’s body, lifeless and abandoned. Yet, when she returns with the authorities, the body has vanished, casting doubt on her sanity and forcing her to confront a past she’d rather leave buried.

Wilkinson masterfully weaves a tale that is as much about the mysteries we encounter as the ones we carry within us. His narrative is a labyrinth of twists and turns, where each revelation is meticulously crafted to challenge the reader’s perceptions. The prose is sharp, imbued with a tension that mirrors Megan’s escalating fear and determination.

The setting of the story—a quiet town with its own share of secrets—becomes a character in itself, adding layers of complexity to the plot. Wilkinson’s portrayal of Megan is nuanced, making her a protagonist you root for, despite—or perhaps because of—her flawed nature and the whispers of doubt that trail her every move.

“The Missing Body” is a testament to Wilkinson’s prowess as a storyteller. If you’re seeking a book that combines the thrill of a chase with the depth of psychological intrigue, look no further. “The Missing Body” is a masterclass in mystery writing.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A compelling narrative that ensnares the mind and a plot that keeps the heart racing—Kerry Wilkinson’s “The Missing Body” is a standout addition to the mystery genre.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping, shocking, and twist filled. Kerry Wilkinson has delivered once again! Like Megan, the main character in this book, I had many questions and desperately wanted answers while reading this brilliant page turner!

Megan is still reeling from the events that unfolded in her personal life when she moves in with her sister, Nicola, and her family. Just when Megan thinks she is getting settled, she hears a woman scream and finds an unconscious young woman near a stream in the nearby woods. When she returns to the scene with the police the woman's body is missing!

Everyone has doubts about what Megan saw. Megan has been through a lot recently. Was she seeing things as her sister Nicola whispered? Was the body real? Was it moved? What happened? Questions swirled through both mine and Megan's minds. As she digs deeper for the truth, she might not like what she uncovers!

Kerry Wilkinson has a knack for inserting tension, suspense and mounting danger into his books. I also enjoyed the setting in this book. It provided atmosphere and created that small town feel. Small towns are wonderful, but they can also harbor secrets. I had no idea where the plot of this book was heading and enjoyed the twist filled ride that Wilkinson took me on. Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen next, this book took a turn.

I have enjoyed Wilkinson's writing for some time (this is the 14th book that I have read by this author) and always look forward to reading what he writes next. I find his books to be fast paced, well thought out, tension, and thrilling.


Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖

[Kath · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up.
As always we start with this... Warning! This publisher is renown for back filling books with ads etc. The copy I read ended quite early. So you don't get caught out, I would really recommend that you find out where the story ends in the version you are reading before you start!
So... Megan is staying with her sister after the breakdown of her marriage. She is in her attic room when she hears a scream. She rushes downstairs, out of the house, and follows in the direction of where she thought the scream came from. She shocked when she finds the body of a young woman. She tries resuscitation but there is nothing she can do. Having left her phone behind, she runs back to her sister's house to call the police. And this is where things get weird cos instead of her simply leading them to the body so they can start their work, there is no body...
And so begins a rather incredible, at times, story which skirts crazy and unbelievable but which is also quite a lot of fun, and an easy read, so I rounded up the half star. There was also a lot of this author's trademark observational humour that I did find myself chuckling along with all the way through. He really is a master of that stuff.
The plot is complex but well executed, even with all the eye-rolling I did along the way. And with no superfluous waffle or padding, it gets on with itself very well indeed. And the ending, when it eventually came, did satisfy.
All in all, not his strongest book but a worthy addition to what is already an impressive back catalogue. Roll on next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Megan is unpacking in the spare room of her sister's house when she hears the scream. Racing to the nearby woods, she is shocked to see a woman's unconscious body, her pink top bright against the earth, her long, dark hair wet from a nearby stream. But when desperate Megan returns with the police, all they find is empty woodland. She's been through so much, her sister whispers, welcoming her home with a kind smile. You can't blame her for seeing things. But Megan knows what she saw - and her past shouldn't come into it. Was the young woman dead, or dying? How can a body just disappear?

This is a tense read. Megan found out her husband was having an affair with her best friend, so she left and went to stay with her sister while she worked out what she was going to do next. She hears a scream while unpacking her clothes and rushes out to the woods, where she finds a young woman's body. Not sure if she's alive or dead, Megan rushes back to the house to get her phone, and when she gets back to show the police where the body lay, the woman had disappeared.

This is another fabulous read by a very talented author. The pace was fast, there was lots going on, and the plot was complex. The more Megan investigates about the missing woman, the more she doesn't like what she reveals. This is a gripping read.

Published 12th July 2024

I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #KerryWilkinson for my ARC of #TheMissingBody in exchange for an honest review.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this authors books...........and The Missing Body by Kerry Wilkinson was no different. This book was an excellent read from start to finish with excellent twists and turns throughout.

Megan Lexington is staying at her sister and family house in Hollicombe Bay, as her world has turned upside down when she found out her husband is having an affair with her best friend and she was pregnant with his child!
Relaxing on her bed, and wondering what she is going to do, she hears a scream and rushes downstairs to see if she can see who screamed and if they need any help. Megan leaves the house and runs towards the woods, where she thought she heard the scream from, only to find
an unconscious young woman wearing a pink top bright against the earth, her long, dark hair wet from a nearby stream.
As Megan looks around to try and get some help she finds there no one about, and she left her phone charging by her bed. She races back, alerts the police to come quickly and tells them to where to find her and the unconscious woman. But, when she goes back to the spot the young woman was lying she is Gone!!! The Police do not believe her and put it down to her imagination.

Where has she gone? I know she was there! But, no one believes me!!!!!

WoW this book was so good and I highly recommend it or any book by Kerry. His books have all been an excellent read.

Big thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

[Laura Nelson (Tangents and Tissues) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve just spent the last 24 hours talking to myself thanks to this book (shut it!).

Firstly, as I hashed out my theories on what the H-E-Eck was going on…

Secondly, as I patted myself on the back for a job well done (we’re talking the full fist pump/seat shimmy combo – well… if you’re gonna do something right *shrugs*).

You all know I’m mostly a romance girlie, but every once in a while, I enjoy a good mystery thriller and Kerry Wilkinson has certainly delivered that with The Missing Body.

Megan’s unexpected & (initially) unexplained return to her hometown, the discovery of the then disappearing body coupled with the eerie aura of the town had me hooked from the off. Hollicombe Bay was giving me all the ‘Local Shop’ à la The League of Gentlemen vibes… IYKYK!

The author kept up the pace brilliantly, building the tension layer by layer… luring you in to then ease off, but just a smidge *pinches fingers*. Cue my emergency tea break intermission around *mumbles* percent (I can’t give that away!) as my nerves couldn’t take much more. (It’s not like I’m dramatic in the slightest, you understand *side eyes you*.)

I’ve found mystery thrillers can be a bit open-ended at the end (*taps chin* am I saying that right?) but TMB’s ending was satisfying from my POV. Probs because all my theories were correct. (I’m shameless, I know! *smirks*)

Sometimes you have to scratch the surface to reveal the murky truths hidden beneath.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Megan just separated from her husband, because him hooking up with her best friend and getting her pregnant was kind of a deal breaker, and she’s back in the town she grew up in. She stays with her sister and brother in law, and helps out at their cafe while trying to figure out what’s next. Then one day she finds a body, call the police but the body disappears and everyone thinks she’s crazy. Talk about a stressful life.
There’s a lot going on in this book. And while I did love the mentions of Covid and Brexit, I didn’t expect the book to be that political and I’m so there for it.
The drama with Megan and her husband is resolved quite quickly which I liked cause that wasn’t a story I was interested in. I feel like the main story of this book was more about guilt and doing the right thing (or not). Megan and Nicola’s father was part of something awful years ago and he never got over it, which destroyed him. Yet the two people involved back then get a chance to male it up and they take it. The opposite can be said about the business owners of the town who think that their hardship justifies the choices they make ; which feels really real in our current political climate.
It’s a really sad story because in the end Megan still lose a lot. But when faced with a terrible decision she makes the right one.

Thanks to Netgalley for this Arc, The missing body is out in July

[Pav S. (pav_sanborn_bookworm) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was completely caught off guard by the unexpected ending of this book! Wilkinson has truly outdone himself with the intricate plot and surprising twists that kept me on the edge of my seat.

Megan hears a scream and finds an unconscious woman in the woods, but when she returns with the police, the woman is gone. Despite her past troubles, Megan is determined to find the truth about the mysterious incident.

The way Wilkinson skillfully intertwines the external mysteries with the internal struggles of the characters is truly captivating. Each revelation is carefully crafted to challenge the reader's assumptions and keep them guessing until the very end.

The setting of the story, a seemingly quiet town hiding its own secrets, adds a whole new dimension to the narrative. Wilkinson's portrayal of Megan is so well-rounded and complex, making her a protagonist that you can't help but root for, flaws and all. The tension in the prose perfectly mirrors Megan's escalating fear and determination, drawing you further into the story with every page turn.

Overall, this book is a thrilling rollercoaster ride that will leave you breathless and wanting more. Wilkinson's storytelling is truly masterful, and I can't wait to see what he has in store next!

Thank you so much NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Missing Body by Kerry Wilkinson is a top-notch psychological mystery thriller that starts with a bang and leaps straight into the action. The opening is very strong and I was instantly hooked. I really enjoyed the writing style and the easy humorous narration. I remembered from reading an earlier book by Kerry Wilkinson that it was surprisingly funny and The Missing Body has the same deadpan tone and accessible style, making the chapters fly by.

I felt really sympathetic towards Megan, who is a likeable and feisty character, for what she goes through. The wider cast of characters was believable and secrets seemed to be hiding behind every door. There are vivid descriptions of the tired seaside town of Hollicombe Bay and its residents and I could clearly picture the scenes as they played out.

The plot is exciting and full of secrets. There are some genuinely tense moments as the plot progresses and the mystery tightens its grip. I thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns and was urging Megan on in her investigations. The ending is surprising and the book has a satisfying conclusion. I would whole-heartedly recommend The Missing Body to all fans of the genre and will definitely be reading more from Kerry Wilkinson.

With huge thanks to the publisher for my copy of The Missing Body and for my spot on the blog tour.

[Cherry Mischievous · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Thoughts:

One thing I can say about this book, it's not a page turner. Thankfully audible has this nifty feature where you could speed up the the narration.

The plot and the theme are good. It just took forever for the story to unfold. The book also gives you the sense that their will be a book 2 in the future...

This is my first Rebecca Lee audiobook and she is not too bad.

Quantitative Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 2.5
Character development = 3.5
Story itself = 3.5
Writing Style = 3.5
Ending = 4
World building = 4
Cover art = 3.5
Pace = (8 hrs and 8 mins listening time)
Plot = 4
Narration = 4

Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kerry Wilkinson’s “The Missing Body” by author Kerry Wilkinson is a very good thriller that instantly hooks the reader. The story features Megan who, while unpacking at her sister’s house, is shaken by a scream that leads her to discover the unconscious body of a young woman in the nearby woods. The problem is when she returns with the police, the body has mysteriously vanished, leaving behind only empty woodland and a cloud of doubt.

Megan is haunted by a dark past and despite the doubt she remains determined to uncover the truth and her sanity. In her pursuit for the truth she need to face her own demons. The novel is full of suspense as Megan faces her past as well as dealing with the present mystery. Eager to prove her doubters wrong who see her has unstable especially with her past history. Her search for the truth will throw up new tests and put her safety at risk.

I enjoyed reading Megan’s search for the truth despite the doubt and danger making this novel a very enjoyable book.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE MISSING BODY is Kerry Wilkinson’s latest standalone psychological thriller. Megan is a middle-aged woman who has recently moved in with her sister after some life setbacks. She’s walking in the woods when she comes upon a body. She tries CPR, but is unable to revive the young girl. When she tries to call the police and lead them back to help, the body is gone.

Her sister Nicola insists that she must have been seeing things. Her teenaged niece (Nicola’s daughter) seems quiet and stressed. Megan begins working at Nicola’s coffee shop and notes strange things going on around town and in the shop. But how do they add up?

I look forward to all of Kerry Wilkinson’s books because I always feel he has engaging characters, really immerses you in his UK settings, and writes really good thriller/suspense plots. The twists in this book were perhaps a little easy to see coming as compared to some of his other books, but I still enjoyed the book overall and I think it covered a really important topic that is relevant today. Definitely recommended! 4/5 stars.

[Els · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is so frustrating when you have experienced something horrible and nobody believes you because the proof you have has vanished. you know you have seen it. You know it's true what you are saying, but because of your past and what you went trough then, people are convinced you have imagined it...

This is what happens to Megan. But Megan will not be silenced or ridiculed and decides to dig until she uncovers the truth.

The more she investigates, the more sinister it becomes and she realises she has trusted some untrustworthy people. 

The clock is ticking and she has to act fast. She has a plan though and some allies.

I loved the relationship between Megan and her niece and I admire Megan for how she climbed out of the dark space she was in.

A very enjoyable book that captured my attention and never let go. Great story, great premise, wonderufl writing style. 5 stars

Thank you

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

After her marriage breaks down Megan goes to stay with her sister. As she unpacks her things in the attic bedroom she hears a scream. She runs in the direction the scream came from & finds a young girl in the woods. She doesn't appear to be breathing. Megan tries CPR but she isn't sure she's getting anywhere. Having forgotten her phone she goes to call for help but when she leads police to the spot there is nothing there. No-one seems to believe her but she knows what she saw. Reluctantly she goes to help out in her sister's café, not something she enjoys! There seem to be a lot of strange goings on in this small seaside town, Megan cannot help but try & find out what's going on- even if she puts herself in danger.

This took a while to get going. I am a great fan of Kerry Wilkinson but I didn't feel this was one of his best- maybe because I guessed early on what was happening & that doesn't usually happen! It was still a good read though. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

[Karissa Rothstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this one to be a bit slow and have an awful lot going on, but it kept me wondering how it was all going to tie into the end. Some things didn’t tie out at all.

Megan is recently separated from her husband and wants to get away from him and their current life quickly, so she decides to go and stay with her sister Nicola. Her sister has her stay in the attic and while up there Megan hears a scream and decides to go investigate. Upon looking around, Megan finds the body of a girl, and attempts CPR after she finds the girl not breathing. CPR didn’t seem to work so she had to go back to the house to find her phone to call the police. But when the police get there, there is no body to be found. Is Megan just stressed out with what’s going on in her life and she imagined it? Or was there really a body, but if there was, where did it go?

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Megan has separated from her husband, and is living with her sister. On her first day, she hears a scream nearby and rushes to investigate, and sees a body lying in a shallow stream. She does what she can to revive the young girl, but is unsuccessful. She runs to phone the police, and when they arrive, the body has disappeared.
No one believes her - she has to try and investigate what happened to the girl.

A very gripping and tense thriller from Kerry Wilkinson.
I liked Megan's tenacious and dogged determination to uncover the truth, and the various secrets she uncovered in the process.

Definitely another winning novel from Kerry Wilkinson!

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book.

[Louise Allan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.

Megan’s life is shattered. Her husband has had an affair and she runs away from her issues to stay with her sister. When she hears a scream and finds a dead body, Megan rushes to get her phone to alert the police. The body disappears and nobody believes her. What is going on in the town?

This book started one way and went in a whole different direction. Not the story I expected from the cover blurb but I really enjoyed it. Lots of mystery and strong characters. I had a sneaking suspicion about some of this, but the last few chapters were fast paced and not quite what I figured out. Another great read from a fantastic author.

[Farah G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Megan has been going through a difficult time, but she hasn't gone entirely crazy yet. Not that anyone believes her when she tells them that she heard a cry one evening whilst at her sister's house, and found a young woman's prone body in the woods after she went to investigate.

But how can she blame them? When she returns to the spot with reinforcements, they find no one there. The young woman has disappeared! Unfortunately, Megan is the only one who believes that she ever was there...

Kerry Wilkinson specializes in stories about disappeared people. These tales of his are almost always intriguing and this one is no exception, easily scoring 3.5 stars. Go out and get yourself a copy NOW!

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this.
When Megan comes across the body of a young woman by the stream, she attempts cpr and then rushes back to her sisters house where she is staying after her break up from her husband.. when Megan gets back to the scene with the police, IT'S GONE...........
Megan found out her husband was having an affair with her best friend and that she was pregnant, that hurt Megan more than anything.. she works at her sisters cafe to help out whilst staying there, but there is something dodgy going on there, but what? Is the whole village involved in whatever it is that's going on? There were plenty of twists in this, and I couldn't stop reading....it's exciting...... great ending.... highly recommend. Well done, kerry wilkinson on another superb read.