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The Day She Disappeared
Discover the most gripping crime thriller of the year. Winner of the Joffe Books Prize. TRUST NO ONE.
Johannesburg, 1980s Apartheid South Africa.
Augustine flees her vengeful ex-boyfriend with nothing but her child and the clothes on her back, terrified he will find her.
Because she also possesses a dangerous secret.
One he will kill for. One he will never stop hunting her for.
But Augustine is rescued by a wealthy white housewife who takes pity on her, offering both employment and refuge. Or so she thinks.
It might seem that she is safe inside the walls of the prosperous Diamond family home, but outside her every move is watched. Her sanctuary has become her prison.
In this city, where trust is a rare commodity, Augustine has made a mistake that could cost her everything.
This absolutely gripping crime thriller is perfect for fans of Deon Meyer, J.M. Coetzee, Chris Hammer, Jane Harper, Chris Whitaker or Paul Mendelson.
THE SETTING
In the heart of 1980s Johannesburg, where sprawling suburbs meet crime-ridden neighbourhoods, the line between privilege and poverty is razor-thin. The quiet, suburban streets hide dark secrets behind their pristine facades while the streets hum with tension.
Johannesburg, 1980s Apartheid South Africa.
Augustine flees her vengeful ex-boyfriend with nothing but her child and the clothes on her back, terrified he will find her.
Because she also possesses a dangerous secret.
One he will kill for. One he will never stop hunting her for.
But Augustine is rescued by a wealthy white housewife who takes pity on her, offering both employment and refuge. Or so she thinks.
It might seem that she is safe inside the walls of the prosperous Diamond family home, but outside her every move is watched. Her sanctuary has become her prison.
In this city, where trust is a rare commodity, Augustine has made a mistake that could cost her everything.
This absolutely gripping crime thriller is perfect for fans of Deon Meyer, J.M. Coetzee, Chris Hammer, Jane Harper, Chris Whitaker or Paul Mendelson.
THE SETTING
In the heart of 1980s Johannesburg, where sprawling suburbs meet crime-ridden neighbourhoods, the line between privilege and poverty is razor-thin. The quiet, suburban streets hide dark secrets behind their pristine facades while the streets hum with tension.
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Published February 13, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
August 6, 2025
**Audiobook// Ended up finishing but prob should’ve DNF… I was so into it in the beginning but then got confused and bored. Maybe is an easier read! Also no clue what happened in the ending and apparently no one else knows either 😅
February 6, 2025
The story primarily follows Augustine, who has disappeared from a nasty ex-boyfriend and found refuge with a white family.
The ex hires a private investigator to find her, but all is not what it seems...
First up, this book covers a time when the Apartheid was still present in South Africa.
That in itself is a very powerful backdrop to an intriguing story as you are always acutely aware that the characters' actions are mainly due to the Apartheid.
Augustine is such a lovely character, and I really felt for her. As a mixed-race lady, she has seen her fair share of cruelty, and she will do anything to keep her son safe.
I really enjoyed the overall character development with this story as you really do see the story through the eyes of 1980s South Africa, which is a massive eye-opener.
The stoey itself is full of twists and turns, and the introduction of the private investigator any furthers the reader's intrigue as to what the ex-boyfriend is really hiding and what Augustine really knows.
This story has won a Joffee Award, and you can see why. Definitely recommend to all crime/ thriller lovers and even more so if you want a historical fiction element in there (while the story is fiction, the Apartheid was not.)
The ex hires a private investigator to find her, but all is not what it seems...
First up, this book covers a time when the Apartheid was still present in South Africa.
That in itself is a very powerful backdrop to an intriguing story as you are always acutely aware that the characters' actions are mainly due to the Apartheid.
Augustine is such a lovely character, and I really felt for her. As a mixed-race lady, she has seen her fair share of cruelty, and she will do anything to keep her son safe.
I really enjoyed the overall character development with this story as you really do see the story through the eyes of 1980s South Africa, which is a massive eye-opener.
The stoey itself is full of twists and turns, and the introduction of the private investigator any furthers the reader's intrigue as to what the ex-boyfriend is really hiding and what Augustine really knows.
This story has won a Joffee Award, and you can see why. Definitely recommend to all crime/ thriller lovers and even more so if you want a historical fiction element in there (while the story is fiction, the Apartheid was not.)
February 21, 2025
If you want to emphasise that the timeline is apartheid Johannesburg, you need to have your facts right. As a kid who grew up in 1980’s Apartheid, the silly incorrect facts irritated me.
Polokwane was not named this in 1983. It was called Pietersburg
“Non-white” people did not have ID books until the early 90’s
Randomly walking into a post office in Jozi cbd was not as easy as Augustine made it look
Gated houses with intercoms in Greenside in the 80’s? In what universe. We only gated our properties in the late 90’s
Seems like the taxi’s in this “apartheid” universe had it just as easy as post apartheid taxi’s
People were much worse off than the book portrayed it. I mean just randomly sitting at a wimpy having breakfast…. Really?
Polokwane was not named this in 1983. It was called Pietersburg
“Non-white” people did not have ID books until the early 90’s
Randomly walking into a post office in Jozi cbd was not as easy as Augustine made it look
Gated houses with intercoms in Greenside in the 80’s? In what universe. We only gated our properties in the late 90’s
Seems like the taxi’s in this “apartheid” universe had it just as easy as post apartheid taxi’s
People were much worse off than the book portrayed it. I mean just randomly sitting at a wimpy having breakfast…. Really?
April 17, 2025
This started out with great potential, runaway single mom In apartheid S Africa, but the plot got bogged down with too many characters and details. Half way through I had to read other reviews to figure out what I was missing, this being an award winning book and all, discovering many others felt the same way. But I trudged on to the end to discover an interesting plot twist. Still, too much unnecessary confusion along the way. I’m not a diehard mystery novel fan so maybe it’s just me Sorry, not such a great read.
February 23, 2025
This made no sense to me and seemed to go absolutely nowhere. It went on for far too long, with far too many characters and too many sub-plots that just didn’t tie together in the end.
I had to keep going back because it felt like I’d missed whole chapters of information: characters developing relationships, or suddenly being beaten up, but I had no recollection of it happening. Spoiler alert: it’s because you don’t get told about it, it just happens.
Overall, I feel like I’ve just completely wasted my time.
I had to keep going back because it felt like I’d missed whole chapters of information: characters developing relationships, or suddenly being beaten up, but I had no recollection of it happening. Spoiler alert: it’s because you don’t get told about it, it just happens.
Overall, I feel like I’ve just completely wasted my time.
February 15, 2025
Long, tedious, hard to keep my attention. Don’t recommend.
March 30, 2025
Augustine is a young woman of color who was in a relationship with her teacher, only to uncover a horrifying secret about him. When she learns the truth, she flees with her son and crucial evidence of his horrible crimes, seeking a safer refuge. Unfortunately, the world she steps into proves to be far from safe.
During her journey, a pastor offers her shelter, and a family provides her with a job as a maid. However, danger continues to follow her—a detective is relentlessly searching for Augustine and her son, while an unknown serial killer prowls in the shadows. The story captures the deep set mistrust among people, a reality that might seem unimaginable unless experienced firsthand in South Africa.
The narrative is compelling, though it's best appreciated through reading paperbook I think, as the audiobook's intonations may detract from the storyline for some listeners. It’s a tale of survival, mistrust, and resilience in a world fraught with danger.
So, what did I take from this book to myself?
You car run but you cannot hide.
During her journey, a pastor offers her shelter, and a family provides her with a job as a maid. However, danger continues to follow her—a detective is relentlessly searching for Augustine and her son, while an unknown serial killer prowls in the shadows. The story captures the deep set mistrust among people, a reality that might seem unimaginable unless experienced firsthand in South Africa.
The narrative is compelling, though it's best appreciated through reading paperbook I think, as the audiobook's intonations may detract from the storyline for some listeners. It’s a tale of survival, mistrust, and resilience in a world fraught with danger.
So, what did I take from this book to myself?
You car run but you cannot hide.
March 23, 2025
I just finished this book and I came on here to see the reviews because I was so puzzled at the end.
Spoiler Alert: The beginning of the book followed the main character Augustine and her son, then suddenly she gets choked out and you’re like “wait what?!” I wondered the rest of the book if she was choked to death or just to the point of passing out.
Then it follows the private investigator for the rest of the story. (A Weird change of characters but ok, I stuck with it.)
It left me guessing, I enjoyed the historical fiction of 1980’s Africa but then I read on here that even those facts are inaccurate.
There’s two black female characters that help the investigator, and curious paths and maybe possible dead ends, psychopaths, gambling, and more I can’t even explain it. Then the investigator gets shot at once, figuratively says “I’m done” and the book ends. You’re like what?! It’s over, nothing is wrapped up.
He just quits?!
Then there’s a weird epilogue that tries to tie in the whole story with one chapter! I’m so frustrated!
It introduces new characters, more than one and new plot lines not even hinted at earlier, totally out of the blue.
Initially I liked it, now I’m angry and hated it. 3 stars is generous.
If anyone wants to fill me in…
What did Catman have to do with anything?
What did the gambling ring have to do with anything?
Did you understand Kimberly died of aids?
Martins sister said she was going to steal Augustine from him, what was that telling us as readers?
Did you think it was in character for Segert to quit after the shotgun?
Spoiler Alert: The beginning of the book followed the main character Augustine and her son, then suddenly she gets choked out and you’re like “wait what?!” I wondered the rest of the book if she was choked to death or just to the point of passing out.
Then it follows the private investigator for the rest of the story. (A Weird change of characters but ok, I stuck with it.)
It left me guessing, I enjoyed the historical fiction of 1980’s Africa but then I read on here that even those facts are inaccurate.
There’s two black female characters that help the investigator, and curious paths and maybe possible dead ends, psychopaths, gambling, and more I can’t even explain it. Then the investigator gets shot at once, figuratively says “I’m done” and the book ends. You’re like what?! It’s over, nothing is wrapped up.
He just quits?!
Then there’s a weird epilogue that tries to tie in the whole story with one chapter! I’m so frustrated!
It introduces new characters, more than one and new plot lines not even hinted at earlier, totally out of the blue.
Initially I liked it, now I’m angry and hated it. 3 stars is generous.
If anyone wants to fill me in…
What did Catman have to do with anything?
What did the gambling ring have to do with anything?
Did you understand Kimberly died of aids?
Martins sister said she was going to steal Augustine from him, what was that telling us as readers?
Did you think it was in character for Segert to quit after the shotgun?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2025
I could not get into this at all
February 12, 2025
This was my first read by this author and I wasn't sure what to expect from this.
I hardly ever read blurbs, so was going in purely from the title, tag line and the cover, which didn't give too much away, other than that this was going to be a thriller.
This was actually a really dark and difficult read and not quite what I'd expected at all.
Set in Johannesburg during the 1980's - an extremely troubling time given the Apartheid regime - we follow Augustine, a mixed race mother who is fleeing from a bad relationship.
She finds solace with the prosperous white Diamond family who take her in as housekeeper and provide a stable environment - or so she thought!
Although this is a period I lived through, I have very little real knowledge of just how life was living in South Africa during this time.
When you read it in print, it really does open your eyes to just how awful things got and it definitely makes for a brutal awakening.
Such terrible conditions and treatment - I really feel quite emotional reading this.
Apart from these elements - which were really well written and portrayed - this storyline also had me gripped from start to finish and I raced through this, desperate to see how things played out for Augustine.
This was a tense read and was packed with intrigue and suspense - there were some great twists which had me on edge and I loved the ending.
A great first read and one that has me excited to see more from this author in the future.
I hardly ever read blurbs, so was going in purely from the title, tag line and the cover, which didn't give too much away, other than that this was going to be a thriller.
This was actually a really dark and difficult read and not quite what I'd expected at all.
Set in Johannesburg during the 1980's - an extremely troubling time given the Apartheid regime - we follow Augustine, a mixed race mother who is fleeing from a bad relationship.
She finds solace with the prosperous white Diamond family who take her in as housekeeper and provide a stable environment - or so she thought!
Although this is a period I lived through, I have very little real knowledge of just how life was living in South Africa during this time.
When you read it in print, it really does open your eyes to just how awful things got and it definitely makes for a brutal awakening.
Such terrible conditions and treatment - I really feel quite emotional reading this.
Apart from these elements - which were really well written and portrayed - this storyline also had me gripped from start to finish and I raced through this, desperate to see how things played out for Augustine.
This was a tense read and was packed with intrigue and suspense - there were some great twists which had me on edge and I loved the ending.
A great first read and one that has me excited to see more from this author in the future.
February 10, 2025
I haven’t read a novel like this before, it wasn’t just the plot but how it was written. This was magnificent, I truly don’t have the words to express how amazing this book was.
I loved the background it was set in, the details with the descriptions were so vivid & beautiful. I felt every single detail like I was seeing South Africa myself.
The characters were very realistic, and quite a few times I felt the empathy for them & the reality that they had to endure.
This book really grabbed me, it is so deep & atmospheric. All throughout this, I felt the sandy, dry scorching sun that played a big part in the book. Thanks for the authors knowledge, I was learning a lot, plenty of words for me to look up & understand.
This is a story of a very beautiful woman with child that has to escape her secrets and try to disappear. I will never forget this incredible story.
I loved the background it was set in, the details with the descriptions were so vivid & beautiful. I felt every single detail like I was seeing South Africa myself.
The characters were very realistic, and quite a few times I felt the empathy for them & the reality that they had to endure.
This book really grabbed me, it is so deep & atmospheric. All throughout this, I felt the sandy, dry scorching sun that played a big part in the book. Thanks for the authors knowledge, I was learning a lot, plenty of words for me to look up & understand.
This is a story of a very beautiful woman with child that has to escape her secrets and try to disappear. I will never forget this incredible story.
February 8, 2025
Didn't want to put this one down!! Augustine seemed to have a good survival instinct despite being down on her luck and it really seemed that she'd found some genuine people to help her in the end. She clearly wanted the best for her and her son and it seemed that the story was going to be her quest to survive and hide from her ex...
Some great twists and turns in this and a few surprises. I liked how it wasn't easy to work out the ending although I wasn't surprised!! I thought Augustine might eventually win Maggie over and there'd be friendship or a sense of loyalty between them. I was disappointed at how Maggie was so easily coerced although it was clear she did what she needed to do to survive. That seemed a common theme for so many of the characters. Augustine's story is a terribly sad one but there's justice in the end!
Some great twists and turns in this and a few surprises. I liked how it wasn't easy to work out the ending although I wasn't surprised!! I thought Augustine might eventually win Maggie over and there'd be friendship or a sense of loyalty between them. I was disappointed at how Maggie was so easily coerced although it was clear she did what she needed to do to survive. That seemed a common theme for so many of the characters. Augustine's story is a terribly sad one but there's justice in the end!
February 7, 2025
This is one of the few books I’ve read set in South Africa during the apartheid. The environment of the book was very interesting because the seasons were opposite and the drastic differences between race. The characters were very interesting and enjoyable. One of my favorite parts was the chase scene. The look into a different culture and adding missing girls as a mystery makes a great book!
February 8, 2025
A good read.
The Day She Disappeared by Sam Geneva.
I did like the cover and blurb of this book. I did like this book, but it was slow going. I wasn't sure how I felt about the characters. I didn't have any favourites. I did like the story and writing style.
The Day She Disappeared by Sam Geneva.
I did like the cover and blurb of this book. I did like this book, but it was slow going. I wasn't sure how I felt about the characters. I didn't have any favourites. I did like the story and writing style.
March 9, 2025
Set against the backdrop of 1980s apartheid South Africa, The Day She Disappeared is a tense, atmospheric novel that weaves mystery, social commentary, and psychological drama into an unforgettable narrative. Sam Genever expertly portrays the stark racial and class divisions of the time, immersing readers in a world where survival depends on secrecy and fear is an ever-present companion.
The story follows Augustine, a young Coloured woman who discovers damning evidence against her former lover, a White Afrikaans teacher. Knowing that exposure could destroy his life—and put her own in grave danger—she flees with her baby, Justice. Desperate to escape his reach, she finds shelter as a domestic worker in the affluent home of the Diamond family. But safety is an illusion, and it quickly becomes clear that the house she now inhabits holds its own sinister secrets. Meanwhile, the determined detective hired to track her down follows a trail that takes him deep into the shadows of Johannesburg, where poverty, violence, and corruption complicate his search.
Genever’s storytelling is rich and immersive, painting a vivid picture of life under apartheid. The suspense builds steadily, with every turn of the page increasing the sense of unease. While Augustine’s perspective offers a gripping look at survival and resilience, much of the novel focuses on the detective’s search, which, at times, feels overly drawn out. However, the payoff is worth the wait, as the final revelations leave a lasting impact.
More than just a mystery, The Day She Disappeared is a powerful commentary on race, privilege, and oppression. The characters, while not always likable, feel real and complex, each shaped by the brutal realities of their time. The epilogue, set years after apartheid’s fall, offers a haunting look at the long-term consequences of the story’s events.
A compelling and thought-provoking read, this novel will appeal to fans of historical fiction and slow-burning psychological thrillers. Genever’s talent for crafting suspense and exploring human nature ensures that The Day She Disappeared lingers in the mind long after the final page.
The story follows Augustine, a young Coloured woman who discovers damning evidence against her former lover, a White Afrikaans teacher. Knowing that exposure could destroy his life—and put her own in grave danger—she flees with her baby, Justice. Desperate to escape his reach, she finds shelter as a domestic worker in the affluent home of the Diamond family. But safety is an illusion, and it quickly becomes clear that the house she now inhabits holds its own sinister secrets. Meanwhile, the determined detective hired to track her down follows a trail that takes him deep into the shadows of Johannesburg, where poverty, violence, and corruption complicate his search.
Genever’s storytelling is rich and immersive, painting a vivid picture of life under apartheid. The suspense builds steadily, with every turn of the page increasing the sense of unease. While Augustine’s perspective offers a gripping look at survival and resilience, much of the novel focuses on the detective’s search, which, at times, feels overly drawn out. However, the payoff is worth the wait, as the final revelations leave a lasting impact.
More than just a mystery, The Day She Disappeared is a powerful commentary on race, privilege, and oppression. The characters, while not always likable, feel real and complex, each shaped by the brutal realities of their time. The epilogue, set years after apartheid’s fall, offers a haunting look at the long-term consequences of the story’s events.
A compelling and thought-provoking read, this novel will appeal to fans of historical fiction and slow-burning psychological thrillers. Genever’s talent for crafting suspense and exploring human nature ensures that The Day She Disappeared lingers in the mind long after the final page.
February 4, 2025
People Moving Fast, Plot Moving Slowly
The Day She Disappeared by Sam Genever is set in apartheid South Africa. The reader follows the fortunes of a young colored girl, Augustine, and her baby son Justice, as they run away from the baby’s white, schoolteacher father who will surely do them both harm if he finds them. She finds a job as a maid in an affluent neighborhood where the family have a baby son the same age as Justice. Augustine works hard for the family, makes new friends, and is able to hide in their private compound from the people searching for her.
The reader is introduced to the seamy side of South Africa by Segert, a PI employed to find Augustine among other questionable jobs he does. Depending on the reader’s taste in subject matter, one can find Segert’s travels, the dives he visits, and the people he uses to mine for information either incredibly informative about a different culture, or incredibly boring if you are looking for some fast-moving, gripping thrills!
One day the household Augustine is living with falls upon misfortune, the mistress of the house dies, then soon after that Augustine disappears too. Segert finally finds this correct location, but cannot discover any further clues to Augustine’s whereabouts. The reader is then transported 20ish years to post-apartheid South Africa and all is explained.
I found this book disappointing both in lack of the promised “thrills” in the story and in a rather glib resolution for a conclusion, but I am sure there are readers who will enjoy the atmosphere and the education about a different culture. Do not let my personal tastes in hoping for a thrilling mystery, put you off what you might find to be a fascinating read about apartheid South Africa.
The Day She Disappeared by Sam Genever is set in apartheid South Africa. The reader follows the fortunes of a young colored girl, Augustine, and her baby son Justice, as they run away from the baby’s white, schoolteacher father who will surely do them both harm if he finds them. She finds a job as a maid in an affluent neighborhood where the family have a baby son the same age as Justice. Augustine works hard for the family, makes new friends, and is able to hide in their private compound from the people searching for her.
The reader is introduced to the seamy side of South Africa by Segert, a PI employed to find Augustine among other questionable jobs he does. Depending on the reader’s taste in subject matter, one can find Segert’s travels, the dives he visits, and the people he uses to mine for information either incredibly informative about a different culture, or incredibly boring if you are looking for some fast-moving, gripping thrills!
One day the household Augustine is living with falls upon misfortune, the mistress of the house dies, then soon after that Augustine disappears too. Segert finally finds this correct location, but cannot discover any further clues to Augustine’s whereabouts. The reader is then transported 20ish years to post-apartheid South Africa and all is explained.
I found this book disappointing both in lack of the promised “thrills” in the story and in a rather glib resolution for a conclusion, but I am sure there are readers who will enjoy the atmosphere and the education about a different culture. Do not let my personal tastes in hoping for a thrilling mystery, put you off what you might find to be a fascinating read about apartheid South Africa.
February 6, 2025
Here is my review for The Day She Disappeared by Sam Genever
This was a great read that I found really fascinating and intriguing. It hooked me in from the start and I found myself so enraptured with the story that I couldn’t put the book down as I wanted to know what happened next. It was a great storyline that had been well plotted and thought out. The story had been extremely well written and was very gripping. The characters were interesting and slotted into the story well. The main character Augustine was superbly written and was an intriguing character, she took good care of Justice. She seems to finally make a good life for herself but could it all come crashing down? What are Teddy’s intentions once the private investigator finds Augustine and Justice? Augustine ran off with a dark secret as well!
Blurb :
TRUST NO ONE.
Johannesburg, 1980s Apartheid South Africa. The neglected streets hum with tension as Augustine flees her vengeful ex-boyfriend with nothing but her child and the clothes on her back, terrified he will find her.
Because she also possesses a dangerous secret.
One he will kill for. One he will never stop hunting her for.
But Augustine is rescued by a wealthy white housewife who takes pity on her, offering both employment and refuge. Or so she thinks.
It might seem that she is safe inside the walls of the prosperous Diamond family home, but outside her every move is watched. Her sanctuary has become her prison.
In this city, where trust is a rare commodity, Augustine has made a mistake that could cost her everything.
This was a great read that I found really fascinating and intriguing. It hooked me in from the start and I found myself so enraptured with the story that I couldn’t put the book down as I wanted to know what happened next. It was a great storyline that had been well plotted and thought out. The story had been extremely well written and was very gripping. The characters were interesting and slotted into the story well. The main character Augustine was superbly written and was an intriguing character, she took good care of Justice. She seems to finally make a good life for herself but could it all come crashing down? What are Teddy’s intentions once the private investigator finds Augustine and Justice? Augustine ran off with a dark secret as well!
Blurb :
TRUST NO ONE.
Johannesburg, 1980s Apartheid South Africa. The neglected streets hum with tension as Augustine flees her vengeful ex-boyfriend with nothing but her child and the clothes on her back, terrified he will find her.
Because she also possesses a dangerous secret.
One he will kill for. One he will never stop hunting her for.
But Augustine is rescued by a wealthy white housewife who takes pity on her, offering both employment and refuge. Or so she thinks.
It might seem that she is safe inside the walls of the prosperous Diamond family home, but outside her every move is watched. Her sanctuary has become her prison.
In this city, where trust is a rare commodity, Augustine has made a mistake that could cost her everything.
February 10, 2025
The Day She Disappeared by Sam Genever is set in apartheid South Africa, a time and place fraught with tension and danger. The story follows Augustine, a young mother fleeing with a dangerous secret, as she seeks refuge and tries to protect her young child. It’s a premise filled with potential.
Winner of the Joffe Books Prize, this novel is described as “the most unputdownable and gripping crime thriller of the year.” While I can see its appeal, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
The themes of survival, trust, and desperation are compelling, but I struggled to connect with the characters. Augustine’s reliance on leverage over her ex-boyfriend conflicted with the urgency of her situation. The pacing felt slow to me, though this may suit the reflective and detailed style of the book—it simply didn’t match my personal preference for faster-paced storytelling.
The writing style, while unique, sometimes felt disjointed, which made it challenging for me to fully engage with the story. This could reflect the author’s varied literary background, but it didn’t quite land for me as a reader.
Originally self-published, this book has now found a home with Joffe Books, which is a testament to the strength of its concept. While it wasn’t for me, I can see it appealing to readers who enjoy morally complex characters and stories that delve into survival in a historical context.
This novel shows ambition and promise, and I respect the effort and commitment it took to bring it to publication. It just didn’t align with my personal reading preferences.
Winner of the Joffe Books Prize, this novel is described as “the most unputdownable and gripping crime thriller of the year.” While I can see its appeal, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
The themes of survival, trust, and desperation are compelling, but I struggled to connect with the characters. Augustine’s reliance on leverage over her ex-boyfriend conflicted with the urgency of her situation. The pacing felt slow to me, though this may suit the reflective and detailed style of the book—it simply didn’t match my personal preference for faster-paced storytelling.
The writing style, while unique, sometimes felt disjointed, which made it challenging for me to fully engage with the story. This could reflect the author’s varied literary background, but it didn’t quite land for me as a reader.
Originally self-published, this book has now found a home with Joffe Books, which is a testament to the strength of its concept. While it wasn’t for me, I can see it appealing to readers who enjoy morally complex characters and stories that delve into survival in a historical context.
This novel shows ambition and promise, and I respect the effort and commitment it took to bring it to publication. It just didn’t align with my personal reading preferences.
June 21, 2025
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
In The Day She Disappeared, Sam Genever crafts a taut psychological thriller that pulses with buried secrets and the creeping dread of memory lost—or deliberately misplaced. While the premise flirts with the familiar—a young woman vanishes without a trace—the execution is anything but conventional.
What sets this novel apart is how Genever dissects the echo of absence. This isn’t just a missing persons case; it’s an autopsy of a town’s conscience. The narrative is split between unreliable perspectives, including those of the people closest to the vanished woman, and their fractured recollections generate as much suspense as the whodunit itself. The story doesn’t move forward so much as spiral inward, pulling the reader ever closer to the emotional core of the mystery.
Genever excels at rendering atmosphere. The setting—grimy, rain-soaked, and thick with gossip—feels alive with menace. The town is a character in its own right: a maze of half-truths and tightly drawn blinds. As clues emerge and paranoia blooms, the line between victim and witness blurs hauntingly.
Yet, for all its noirish grit, there’s a strange tenderness beneath the tension. Genever explores the loneliness of being unseen—how easy it is to vanish when no one is truly looking—and the guilt that rises in the void someone leaves behind.
Tautly plotted and quietly devastating, The Day She Disappeared isn’t just a thriller—it’s a meditation on memory, grief, and the ache of things unsaid.
In The Day She Disappeared, Sam Genever crafts a taut psychological thriller that pulses with buried secrets and the creeping dread of memory lost—or deliberately misplaced. While the premise flirts with the familiar—a young woman vanishes without a trace—the execution is anything but conventional.
What sets this novel apart is how Genever dissects the echo of absence. This isn’t just a missing persons case; it’s an autopsy of a town’s conscience. The narrative is split between unreliable perspectives, including those of the people closest to the vanished woman, and their fractured recollections generate as much suspense as the whodunit itself. The story doesn’t move forward so much as spiral inward, pulling the reader ever closer to the emotional core of the mystery.
Genever excels at rendering atmosphere. The setting—grimy, rain-soaked, and thick with gossip—feels alive with menace. The town is a character in its own right: a maze of half-truths and tightly drawn blinds. As clues emerge and paranoia blooms, the line between victim and witness blurs hauntingly.
Yet, for all its noirish grit, there’s a strange tenderness beneath the tension. Genever explores the loneliness of being unseen—how easy it is to vanish when no one is truly looking—and the guilt that rises in the void someone leaves behind.
Tautly plotted and quietly devastating, The Day She Disappeared isn’t just a thriller—it’s a meditation on memory, grief, and the ache of things unsaid.
February 8, 2025
The Day She Disappeared
Sam Genever is
Joffe Books
02/04/2025
*Audio will be available on 02/13/2025
The prologue started WIIIIIDDDEEE open. I was not expecting that at all. (good thing). Set in Johannesburg, 1980s Apartheid South Africa, we begin with Augustine and her young son Justice. (aptly named). We know they are fleeing from someone, someone dangerous. She is determined to protect her son at all costs and is very diligent in her surroundings, the people she encounters and is always planning what to do next. Augustine knows there will be consequences if she is caught.
For me, this was so much more than a crime thriller or a mystery. This is a story of survival; of a young woman’s journey in a time and place where money and skin color took precedence over basically anything. Genever perfectly weaves a tale of injustice while transporting the reader to a time and place I would bet very few of the readers have been. Well developed characters (some seedy some not) come to life in this historically accurate tale.
The Day She Disappeared is the winner of The Joffee Books Prize. The Joffe Books Prize is a literary award that recognizes crime fiction writers of color from underrepresented communities.
Sam Genever is
Joffe Books
02/04/2025
*Audio will be available on 02/13/2025
The prologue started WIIIIIDDDEEE open. I was not expecting that at all. (good thing). Set in Johannesburg, 1980s Apartheid South Africa, we begin with Augustine and her young son Justice. (aptly named). We know they are fleeing from someone, someone dangerous. She is determined to protect her son at all costs and is very diligent in her surroundings, the people she encounters and is always planning what to do next. Augustine knows there will be consequences if she is caught.
For me, this was so much more than a crime thriller or a mystery. This is a story of survival; of a young woman’s journey in a time and place where money and skin color took precedence over basically anything. Genever perfectly weaves a tale of injustice while transporting the reader to a time and place I would bet very few of the readers have been. Well developed characters (some seedy some not) come to life in this historically accurate tale.
The Day She Disappeared is the winner of The Joffee Books Prize. The Joffe Books Prize is a literary award that recognizes crime fiction writers of color from underrepresented communities.
January 12, 2025
This is the first book I have read from this author not previously having heard of him. Augustine is a young mother who is fleeing from her older boyfriend and is terrified of him finding out her whereabouts. She has hardly any funds to support herself and finds herself in a town called Greenside after managing to escape her current environment.
She finds work as a housekeeper for a wealthy family, the Diamonds, but from the beginning we are aware that something is not right, she is being watched and is even frightened to sleep of a night, holding her child close. Her ex Teddy has hired a detective to seek her out determined to find her and his childhood.
The book has quite a creepy feel to it and the reader finds themselves immersed in this tale. The characters are very realistic and take you to the heart of the environment the story is set in, from the shady clubs where the detective is trying to find clues to Augustine’s whereabouts to this house she has now become a prisoner in a town where trust is a rare commodity.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.
She finds work as a housekeeper for a wealthy family, the Diamonds, but from the beginning we are aware that something is not right, she is being watched and is even frightened to sleep of a night, holding her child close. Her ex Teddy has hired a detective to seek her out determined to find her and his childhood.
The book has quite a creepy feel to it and the reader finds themselves immersed in this tale. The characters are very realistic and take you to the heart of the environment the story is set in, from the shady clubs where the detective is trying to find clues to Augustine’s whereabouts to this house she has now become a prisoner in a town where trust is a rare commodity.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.
February 4, 2025
An excellent story set in the 1980's South African aparthied when there were clear lines in the privileges afforded to people of color. This young mixed race woman knows the consequences should her whie boyfriend catch her and their child. The tension builds from page 1 as she runs from the only places she has ever known. Those of us who lived during that era can easily feel her desperation. Sam Genever plays the story and the history of the era like a violinist. Even as she finds work, her fear is fed by the sure knowledge that her employers watch everything she does. Along the way, we see the dark side of the options available to those with no sponsor.
The story changes abruptly when the white household is disrupted and the family is scattered. 20+ years in the future Genever gives some hints to the paths taken by the story's characters. This book tells a dramatic story of the lives before the end of aparthied and the changes brought into the open. It is not a light read nor is a thriller. What it is......a picture portraying life, death and something in between when you do not have control of any part of your own life.
The story changes abruptly when the white household is disrupted and the family is scattered. 20+ years in the future Genever gives some hints to the paths taken by the story's characters. This book tells a dramatic story of the lives before the end of aparthied and the changes brought into the open. It is not a light read nor is a thriller. What it is......a picture portraying life, death and something in between when you do not have control of any part of your own life.
Want to read
May 4, 2025Augustine is a young mother on the run with a dangerous secret.
She seeks work as a maid in Greenside, an affluent neighbourhood in Johannesburg, where a wealthy housewife takes pity on her, offering both employment and refuge from Augustine's vengeful ex-boyfriend.
Augustine is driven by a need to protect her child and is forced to rely on the kindness of these strangers. But even hidden behind the walls of the prosperous Diamond family home, Augustine is not safe. Her every move is being watched.
In a city where trust is a rare commodity, she’s made a deadly mistake.
This absolutely gripping crime thriller is perfect for fans of Deon Meyer, J.M. Coetzee, Chris Hammer, Jane Harper, Chris Whitaker or Paul Mendelson.
THE SETTING
In the heart of 1980s Johannesburg, where sprawling suburbs meet crime-ridden neighbourhoods, the line between privilege and poverty is razor-thin. The quiet, suburban streets hide dark secrets behind their pristine facades while the streets hum with tension.
She seeks work as a maid in Greenside, an affluent neighbourhood in Johannesburg, where a wealthy housewife takes pity on her, offering both employment and refuge from Augustine's vengeful ex-boyfriend.
Augustine is driven by a need to protect her child and is forced to rely on the kindness of these strangers. But even hidden behind the walls of the prosperous Diamond family home, Augustine is not safe. Her every move is being watched.
In a city where trust is a rare commodity, she’s made a deadly mistake.
This absolutely gripping crime thriller is perfect for fans of Deon Meyer, J.M. Coetzee, Chris Hammer, Jane Harper, Chris Whitaker or Paul Mendelson.
THE SETTING
In the heart of 1980s Johannesburg, where sprawling suburbs meet crime-ridden neighbourhoods, the line between privilege and poverty is razor-thin. The quiet, suburban streets hide dark secrets behind their pristine facades while the streets hum with tension.
February 19, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley and Joffe Books for this compelling portrait of life under apartheid in South Africa. It is set in and around Johannesburg and is based on restrictions for Blacks, mixed races (Coloured), and White privilege. This is an immersive picture of the time, place, and racial separation. It is a slow-burn mystery, a twisted family drama of greed, power, an estate will, deception, death, and tragedy. Author Sam Genever writes a penetrating picture of the social and political situation at the time, and I look forward to his next book. I would have liked an even deeper look into apartheid.
Augustine, a young Coloured woman, runs away from her boyfriend, a White school teacher. She takes their baby with her. She finds some shocking photos that will damage his life and career. The boyfriend, the child's father, approaches Detective Segret for help. He hires him to find his baby, but his primary reason is to get the pictures back from Augustine.
Segret approaches her parents and best friend in his search but learns nothing. He shows her picture and asks questions of homeless people and prostitutes in the downtrodden, seedy side of town. Where else would a young Coloured woman go to hide with her baby? Segret gives up on finding Augustine alive, as a serial killer is murdering young women. His search moves on to hospitals and morgues, and he neglects his own family.
Augustine has found employment in an upper-class White suburb, in the home of Martin and Kimberly Diamond. She is hired to care for their baby, Nicholas, and as their maid's helper. The house has an eerie vibe that makes her uneasy. She has difficulty sleeping in the sparse, tiny room provided for her and baby Justice. She hopes the child's father doesn't find her and fears the wealthy family and staff are watching her.
The Epilogue is set a couple of decades after apartheid has ended, and we learn some tragic and surprising conclusions about the earlier story and the now political and social upheaval. Has the mystery regarding Augustine's disappearance been solved? Are she and her baby still alive? If not, who is to blame and why?
Will Justice prevail?
This book will be published today, February 4th, 2025. I recommend it to readers who like historical fiction based on fact, an engaging, twisted mystery, and well-drawn characters.
Augustine, a young Coloured woman, runs away from her boyfriend, a White school teacher. She takes their baby with her. She finds some shocking photos that will damage his life and career. The boyfriend, the child's father, approaches Detective Segret for help. He hires him to find his baby, but his primary reason is to get the pictures back from Augustine.
Segret approaches her parents and best friend in his search but learns nothing. He shows her picture and asks questions of homeless people and prostitutes in the downtrodden, seedy side of town. Where else would a young Coloured woman go to hide with her baby? Segret gives up on finding Augustine alive, as a serial killer is murdering young women. His search moves on to hospitals and morgues, and he neglects his own family.
Augustine has found employment in an upper-class White suburb, in the home of Martin and Kimberly Diamond. She is hired to care for their baby, Nicholas, and as their maid's helper. The house has an eerie vibe that makes her uneasy. She has difficulty sleeping in the sparse, tiny room provided for her and baby Justice. She hopes the child's father doesn't find her and fears the wealthy family and staff are watching her.
The Epilogue is set a couple of decades after apartheid has ended, and we learn some tragic and surprising conclusions about the earlier story and the now political and social upheaval. Has the mystery regarding Augustine's disappearance been solved? Are she and her baby still alive? If not, who is to blame and why?
Will Justice prevail?
This book will be published today, February 4th, 2025. I recommend it to readers who like historical fiction based on fact, an engaging, twisted mystery, and well-drawn characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2025
A young mother must hide to protect secrets.
Augustine finds out that the father of her child, a white Afrikaans teacher at her school, has dark secrets after finding explicit photos. She realises that she must go into hiding to save her life. Beukes, the teacher, discovers that she’s found out his guilty secrets and can get him sent to jail. He hires a private investigator to find her. She finds sanctuary in an affluent home where the white woman owner allows her to keep her son Justice.
Sam Genever set the book in ‘80s South Africa, still under Apartheid rules and regulations. The storyline concentrates more on the private detective and his investigations into trying to find Augustine than on the reader finding out more about Augustine’s new life. This was far too drawn out and quite irritating. I also didn’t gel with any of the characters.
Rony
Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of the book from NETGALLEY to review.
Augustine finds out that the father of her child, a white Afrikaans teacher at her school, has dark secrets after finding explicit photos. She realises that she must go into hiding to save her life. Beukes, the teacher, discovers that she’s found out his guilty secrets and can get him sent to jail. He hires a private investigator to find her. She finds sanctuary in an affluent home where the white woman owner allows her to keep her son Justice.
Sam Genever set the book in ‘80s South Africa, still under Apartheid rules and regulations. The storyline concentrates more on the private detective and his investigations into trying to find Augustine than on the reader finding out more about Augustine’s new life. This was far too drawn out and quite irritating. I also didn’t gel with any of the characters.
Rony
Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of the book from NETGALLEY to review.
January 14, 2025
Augustine is of mixed race, a coloured in Apertheid South Africa. She is also a desperate mother fleeing from her boyfriend after discovering his perversion for young girls. Desperate to find a safe place for herself and her son, she takes a job as a maid and nursemaid to a white family in a suburb of Johannesburg. Here, she thinks she's safe from her boyfriend's clutches, but is she?
Set in the 1980s during the hateful time of apartheid and the near slavery conditions and poverty experienced by Black and Coloured people, this is a dark novel.
Teddy, the runaway's boyfriend, hires Segert, a private detective to find her. Teddy's interest, though, is not Augustines safe return but in keeping his perversion secret. The story takes many twists and turns and exposes some of the injustices of Apertheid.
Set in the 1980s during the hateful time of apartheid and the near slavery conditions and poverty experienced by Black and Coloured people, this is a dark novel.
Teddy, the runaway's boyfriend, hires Segert, a private detective to find her. Teddy's interest, though, is not Augustines safe return but in keeping his perversion secret. The story takes many twists and turns and exposes some of the injustices of Apertheid.
February 5, 2025
This my first book by this author but I don't think it will be my last.
It was well written with a story line that was compelling and completely draws you in and characters that are well developed, I really liked Augustine. They were all so believable and relatable for the most part.
I was completely hooked right from the first page and it gripped me all the way through. It was absolutely bubbling with tension on every level, it really captured how I imagine Apartheid in South Africa in the 1980's to be, the tension was so palpable it was so claustrophobic. I felt like i could have slid into the pages and been there to witness all the tension and shady aspects myself.
I really enjoyed it and I can't wait to read more by the author.
It was well written with a story line that was compelling and completely draws you in and characters that are well developed, I really liked Augustine. They were all so believable and relatable for the most part.
I was completely hooked right from the first page and it gripped me all the way through. It was absolutely bubbling with tension on every level, it really captured how I imagine Apartheid in South Africa in the 1980's to be, the tension was so palpable it was so claustrophobic. I felt like i could have slid into the pages and been there to witness all the tension and shady aspects myself.
I really enjoyed it and I can't wait to read more by the author.
December 23, 2024
A page turning, broody atmospheric tale that is intricately woven.
We quickly go into Augustine's predicament. How can she keep herself and her baby safe? She will stop at nothing to protect her son, but can she escape danger?
This multi-layered book is full of grit, tenacity and a determination to get to the truth of why so many young women are being brutally murdered and by whom.
This was a fast paced plot with excellent descriptions of the environment and the way of life. The characters had depth and were very well fleshed out. A difficult read at times but an excellent book.
Thank you to Joffe Books for the ARC.
We quickly go into Augustine's predicament. How can she keep herself and her baby safe? She will stop at nothing to protect her son, but can she escape danger?
This multi-layered book is full of grit, tenacity and a determination to get to the truth of why so many young women are being brutally murdered and by whom.
This was a fast paced plot with excellent descriptions of the environment and the way of life. The characters had depth and were very well fleshed out. A difficult read at times but an excellent book.
Thank you to Joffe Books for the ARC.
January 5, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ Fast paced crime thriller set in apartheid South Africa.
Teen mom Augustine and her baby Justice on the run from her white teacher boyfriend Teddy. Detective Segert is hired by Teddy to find them, but there is another reason he wants them found.
Segert searches extensively through seedy neighborhoods, bars, and residences. What he finds leads to a twist and time jump at the end I did not see coming.
Interesting and complex characters and a great plot. Kept me invested til the surprising ending.
Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Teen mom Augustine and her baby Justice on the run from her white teacher boyfriend Teddy. Detective Segert is hired by Teddy to find them, but there is another reason he wants them found.
Segert searches extensively through seedy neighborhoods, bars, and residences. What he finds leads to a twist and time jump at the end I did not see coming.
Interesting and complex characters and a great plot. Kept me invested til the surprising ending.
Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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