What do you think?
Rate this book
The Missing Hour
***Winner of the Lindisfarne Prize for Crime Fiction***
YOUR HUSBAND HAS BEEN ARRESTED.
Maggie's husband is suddenly arrested in the middle of the night, on suspicion of murder.
When Grant dies in custody, her world implodes.
EVERYONE BELIEVES HE IS GUILTY.
All the evidence points to Grant being a killer - including DNA at the scene.
But how can this be true when he was with Maggie all night?
ONLY YOU CAN PROVE THEM WRONG.
Following a trail of deception, it's up to her to uncover the truth.
But Maggie has a secret too. Something she hasn't told anyone.
She was with her husband all night - apart from one missing hour...
YOUR HUSBAND HAS BEEN ARRESTED.
Maggie's husband is suddenly arrested in the middle of the night, on suspicion of murder.
When Grant dies in custody, her world implodes.
EVERYONE BELIEVES HE IS GUILTY.
All the evidence points to Grant being a killer - including DNA at the scene.
But how can this be true when he was with Maggie all night?
ONLY YOU CAN PROVE THEM WRONG.
Following a trail of deception, it's up to her to uncover the truth.
But Maggie has a secret too. Something she hasn't told anyone.
She was with her husband all night - apart from one missing hour...
Audible Audio
Published April 17, 2025
16 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 3, 2025
A year ago I tried to finish Seven Days by this author and decided not to finish it. Way too many words, way too slow. I requested The Missing Hour because I wanted to see how I would like a second book by this author. Turns out that it was actually his first book, that got so many rejections he decided to write Seven Days first.
As pointed out by other reviewers already, the blurb actually doesn’t say anything about what happens when Maggie’s husband Grant is suddenly arrested on suspicion of murder. There is very brief talk about that ‘missing hour’ but more important is that Maggie needs to find out why Grant has been arrested. Before she knows it, she’s a suspect herself and she slowly discovers that there is more, much more. This story is about an international conspiracy and only with determination and perseverance (and a little bit of luck) she discovers the truth.
Words and more words. How can a book with a fast pace like this one feel actually rather slow? I don’t know but it held my attention long enough to finish it. Although I must confess that I somehow still don’t understand what the conspiracy was all about. Is it me or is it the fact that what Maggie discovers come to us slowly during the story, but again, in a lot of words. It somehow feels as if the author couldn’t find a way to have the characters clearly tell or show what was and is happening.
Maggie is an interesting character; she’s by no means flawless but we get to understand her better and better. So, no one star DNF but this time two and a half stars rounded up to three.
Thanks to Hodder and Stoughton and Netgalley for this review copy.
As pointed out by other reviewers already, the blurb actually doesn’t say anything about what happens when Maggie’s husband Grant is suddenly arrested on suspicion of murder. There is very brief talk about that ‘missing hour’ but more important is that Maggie needs to find out why Grant has been arrested. Before she knows it, she’s a suspect herself and she slowly discovers that there is more, much more. This story is about an international conspiracy and only with determination and perseverance (and a little bit of luck) she discovers the truth.
Words and more words. How can a book with a fast pace like this one feel actually rather slow? I don’t know but it held my attention long enough to finish it. Although I must confess that I somehow still don’t understand what the conspiracy was all about. Is it me or is it the fact that what Maggie discovers come to us slowly during the story, but again, in a lot of words. It somehow feels as if the author couldn’t find a way to have the characters clearly tell or show what was and is happening.
Maggie is an interesting character; she’s by no means flawless but we get to understand her better and better. So, no one star DNF but this time two and a half stars rounded up to three.
Thanks to Hodder and Stoughton and Netgalley for this review copy.
June 19, 2025
*DNA*
This book was compelling from beginning to end. I could sense and feel the trepidation of the main character, Maggie, as she grappled with her inability to find a way out or trust anyone.
I went into this book blind, and the theme of DNA was a recurring element. While the plot sounded a bit far-fetched, my mind kept wondering about the what ifs and hows…
The story begins with Maggie and her husband, Grant, being rudely awakened in bed by police storming their home and charging Grant with murder. Grant refuses to cooperate, and the police resort to brutal tactics in their attempt to arrest him. A stunned Maggie watches in disbelief as they drag him away. Grant is an investigative reporter, while Maggie reports on showbiz for the same newspaper.
Little does she know that this will be the last time she sees Grant alive.
Maggie is shocked when she discovers that her husband supposed to be a killer. The police claim to have his DNA as proof, but Maggie can’t shake the feeling that something doesn’t add up.
Determined to prove them wrong, Maggie embarks on a perilous journey to uncover the truth. However, she has a secret: there’s one missing hour that she can’t account for Grant’s whereabouts. If only that was her biggest worry.
As Maggie delves deeper into the mystery, she uncovers a web of secrets that could destroy the reputation of a company working on seemingly impossible DNA experiments. Anyone who crosses their path is silenced. This company has a massive reach across organisations and law enforcement, and soon Maggie becomes the one being hunted. Everyone in her life becomes a target, and some are even killed. They have her DNA How can this be? It’s definitely not a bedtime story.
This book was compelling from beginning to end. I could sense and feel the trepidation of the main character, Maggie, as she grappled with her inability to find a way out or trust anyone.
I went into this book blind, and the theme of DNA was a recurring element. While the plot sounded a bit far-fetched, my mind kept wondering about the what ifs and hows…
The story begins with Maggie and her husband, Grant, being rudely awakened in bed by police storming their home and charging Grant with murder. Grant refuses to cooperate, and the police resort to brutal tactics in their attempt to arrest him. A stunned Maggie watches in disbelief as they drag him away. Grant is an investigative reporter, while Maggie reports on showbiz for the same newspaper.
Little does she know that this will be the last time she sees Grant alive.
Maggie is shocked when she discovers that her husband supposed to be a killer. The police claim to have his DNA as proof, but Maggie can’t shake the feeling that something doesn’t add up.
Determined to prove them wrong, Maggie embarks on a perilous journey to uncover the truth. However, she has a secret: there’s one missing hour that she can’t account for Grant’s whereabouts. If only that was her biggest worry.
As Maggie delves deeper into the mystery, she uncovers a web of secrets that could destroy the reputation of a company working on seemingly impossible DNA experiments. Anyone who crosses their path is silenced. This company has a massive reach across organisations and law enforcement, and soon Maggie becomes the one being hunted. Everyone in her life becomes a target, and some are even killed. They have her DNA How can this be? It’s definitely not a bedtime story.
January 19, 2025
I really enjoyed reading this, and my thanks to NetGalley and to Hodder & Stoughton for sending me an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is a fast-paced & gripping thriller, with plenty of twists & intriguing POV switches to keep you engaged throughout. The characters are varied & well developed, and I loved so many of them - given the wide cast we’re playing with here, Rutherford does an excellent job of giving you reasons to root for each character very quickly. And the writing style itself is very immersive, not only regarding the characters, but in its scene-setting as well.
The story requires an increasing amount of suspension of disbelief as it progresses, in terms of the world-building and character development. I found the ending disappointing, as I feel it undermined the main motivations of the main characters (especially the FMC) from every pivotal decision earlier in the book.
For anyone thinking of reading this, I should also forewarn you that the book synopsis is fairly inaccurate/misleading… I am not going to spoil any plot here, just correct the factually inaccurate info from the book blurb (none of which are plot-twists, just mistakes). The blurb seems to depict a story set within a futuristic “flawless” justice system (when it is actually set in modern day Britain) and with a more complex mystery set-up (murder committed 400 miles away with CCTV, witness & DNA evidence - when it is actually committed 30 miles away & with only DNA evidence) than is actually delivered. The story it does deliver is still very interesting & compelling, just with a different premise than promised in the synopsis. I know that authors don’t always get much say in the synopsis for their books, so this is unlikely to be Robert Rutherford’s doing - but this synopsis feels like it was written by someone who hasn’t actually read any of this book, and it could do with correcting before it’s formally published.
I really enjoyed the 1st vs 3rd person POV switches from one chapter to the next, I think it worked extremely well and added so much depth to both the FMC and the primary antagonist. There were a few instances of 1st person narration suddenly (I think mistakenly) switching to 3rd person halfway through a sentence, though, which sometimes pulled me out of the story as I tried to work out who was being referred to. But I assume that will be polished up before it’s published.
Overall, this is a highly entertaining book, but the ending didn’t fit for me, and I would’ve preferred going into it with more accurate expectations from the synopsis. I still recommend it to any thriller fans who enjoy high-stakes drama in an everyday setting, and aren’t too hung up on moral consistency in their MCs.
Finally, this story involves some subjects that some readers may find difficult, so I am including a list of Content Warnings below. So STOP READING NOW to avoid minor spoilers.
——————
Content Warnings:
This is a fast-paced & gripping thriller, with plenty of twists & intriguing POV switches to keep you engaged throughout. The characters are varied & well developed, and I loved so many of them - given the wide cast we’re playing with here, Rutherford does an excellent job of giving you reasons to root for each character very quickly. And the writing style itself is very immersive, not only regarding the characters, but in its scene-setting as well.
The story requires an increasing amount of suspension of disbelief as it progresses, in terms of the world-building and character development. I found the ending disappointing, as I feel it undermined the main motivations of the main characters (especially the FMC) from every pivotal decision earlier in the book.
For anyone thinking of reading this, I should also forewarn you that the book synopsis is fairly inaccurate/misleading… I am not going to spoil any plot here, just correct the factually inaccurate info from the book blurb (none of which are plot-twists, just mistakes). The blurb seems to depict a story set within a futuristic “flawless” justice system (when it is actually set in modern day Britain) and with a more complex mystery set-up (murder committed 400 miles away with CCTV, witness & DNA evidence - when it is actually committed 30 miles away & with only DNA evidence) than is actually delivered. The story it does deliver is still very interesting & compelling, just with a different premise than promised in the synopsis. I know that authors don’t always get much say in the synopsis for their books, so this is unlikely to be Robert Rutherford’s doing - but this synopsis feels like it was written by someone who hasn’t actually read any of this book, and it could do with correcting before it’s formally published.
I really enjoyed the 1st vs 3rd person POV switches from one chapter to the next, I think it worked extremely well and added so much depth to both the FMC and the primary antagonist. There were a few instances of 1st person narration suddenly (I think mistakenly) switching to 3rd person halfway through a sentence, though, which sometimes pulled me out of the story as I tried to work out who was being referred to. But I assume that will be polished up before it’s published.
Overall, this is a highly entertaining book, but the ending didn’t fit for me, and I would’ve preferred going into it with more accurate expectations from the synopsis. I still recommend it to any thriller fans who enjoy high-stakes drama in an everyday setting, and aren’t too hung up on moral consistency in their MCs.
Finally, this story involves some subjects that some readers may find difficult, so I am including a list of Content Warnings below. So STOP READING NOW to avoid minor spoilers.
——————
Content Warnings:
July 13, 2025
I loved Robert Rutherford's previous novel Seven Days but if pushed, I just might have to say that his latest book, The Missing Hour is even better. From the sheer terror of the opening chapter, through to the poignant conclusion, this is a superior thriller I begrudged having to spend time away from.
When Maggie's husband, Grant is arrested in a brutal late-night raid, her world is turned upside down and the chaotic confusion of that night quickly turns into a nightmare which leaves her a widow desperately trying to clear her husband's name – despite the apparently cast-iron evidence which seems to prove that Grant was a killer. Maggie can't believe he's guilty as he was with her most of the night; however, there is one missing hour she can't account for – then she makes another discovery which suggests that perhaps she didn't know her husband as well as she thought she did...
The fast-moving, compulsive storyline quickly sees Maggie discovering a scheme involving scientific chicanery and corruption and she isn't sure who she can turn to, particularly as it becomes terrifyingly obvious that she is in danger too. At a time when the commodification of our private lives is big business and surveillance capitalism is rampant, The Missing Hour explores the fascinating premise as to whether technological advancements which would result in many more criminals being caught and prosecuted would really bring peace of mind. What if such a facility was controlled by people whose principles have been corrupted by greed and power? How safe would we really be then?
The Missing Hour is a high concept thriller featuring some scarily plausible scenarios and the complex, intriguing plot is complemented by the superb characterisation throughout. Maggie herself is a brilliant protagonist; despite the extraordinary circumstances she finds herself in, her responses are always relatable and her resilience in the face of her grief means it's impossible not to become invested in both her quest for the truth and her increasingly nerve-wracking fight for survival. There are a few people she can trust but the cost is high and there are some electrifyingly tense scenes when it seems as though her enemies are always at least one step ahead of her.
As with the excellent Seven Days, Robert Rutherford ups the ante by recognising the importance of family, even or perhaps especially one like Maggie's which is complicated by past troubles, guilt and the weight of unfulfilled expectations. Her relationship with her father is particularly interesting and helps explain why she is so driven in spite of everything she endures here. However, readers are also left in no doubt as to the love which binds their family together and so the emotional impact of some scenes is devastating.
I tore through the pages of this book and cannot recommend it highly enough; the adrenaline-fuelled excitement of the gripping, thought-provoking plot is matched throughout by the genuinely moving dynamics between the characters. Robert Rutherford has come up trumps again and The Missing Hour is an exceptional, unmissable thriller – undoubtedly one of my top reads of the year.
When Maggie's husband, Grant is arrested in a brutal late-night raid, her world is turned upside down and the chaotic confusion of that night quickly turns into a nightmare which leaves her a widow desperately trying to clear her husband's name – despite the apparently cast-iron evidence which seems to prove that Grant was a killer. Maggie can't believe he's guilty as he was with her most of the night; however, there is one missing hour she can't account for – then she makes another discovery which suggests that perhaps she didn't know her husband as well as she thought she did...
The fast-moving, compulsive storyline quickly sees Maggie discovering a scheme involving scientific chicanery and corruption and she isn't sure who she can turn to, particularly as it becomes terrifyingly obvious that she is in danger too. At a time when the commodification of our private lives is big business and surveillance capitalism is rampant, The Missing Hour explores the fascinating premise as to whether technological advancements which would result in many more criminals being caught and prosecuted would really bring peace of mind. What if such a facility was controlled by people whose principles have been corrupted by greed and power? How safe would we really be then?
The Missing Hour is a high concept thriller featuring some scarily plausible scenarios and the complex, intriguing plot is complemented by the superb characterisation throughout. Maggie herself is a brilliant protagonist; despite the extraordinary circumstances she finds herself in, her responses are always relatable and her resilience in the face of her grief means it's impossible not to become invested in both her quest for the truth and her increasingly nerve-wracking fight for survival. There are a few people she can trust but the cost is high and there are some electrifyingly tense scenes when it seems as though her enemies are always at least one step ahead of her.
As with the excellent Seven Days, Robert Rutherford ups the ante by recognising the importance of family, even or perhaps especially one like Maggie's which is complicated by past troubles, guilt and the weight of unfulfilled expectations. Her relationship with her father is particularly interesting and helps explain why she is so driven in spite of everything she endures here. However, readers are also left in no doubt as to the love which binds their family together and so the emotional impact of some scenes is devastating.
I tore through the pages of this book and cannot recommend it highly enough; the adrenaline-fuelled excitement of the gripping, thought-provoking plot is matched throughout by the genuinely moving dynamics between the characters. Robert Rutherford has come up trumps again and The Missing Hour is an exceptional, unmissable thriller – undoubtedly one of my top reads of the year.
February 26, 2025
‘Missing Hour’ is a fabulous book written by Robert Rutherford about a woman looking to avenge her husband over a scheme that goes deeper than she could ever imagine. After discovering the unsavory dealings of a company called HELIX, Maggie Brewer’s life seems to turn upside down. From the moment I started reading the book, I was hooked.
The descriptions and overall writing style is excellent, submerging you in the story right away. One of my favourite descriptions was “fine rain jewels the air” located at the beginning of the book. An excellent technique Rutherford used was the main character, Maggie Brewer, being written in first person while all the other characters were in third person. This immediately highlights her as the most important character and gives the readers a deeper insight into the story. Her feelings allow the readers to see the plot from a different angle and allows for her characterisation to flourish. The little light hearted comments scattered throughout also really added to it, keeping the book undulating with emotion.
Another excellent aspect of this book is the dialogue. It feels very real and rarely pulls you from the story. It adds a lot to the believability of the characters and pairs well with their realistic characterisation. Throughout reading, it was very easy to create an image of the characters, even without specific descriptions. This is something I just love in a book. I particularly liked the uneasy atmosphere around Declan Clay, a murderous helping hand to the leader of HELIX. His soft Irish accent was the complete juxtaposition to his actions and that translated very well over the page.
The tension is probably my favourite part of this book. Having Maggie’s first person account of her emotions adds so much to the scenes. While the tension continued throughout, it never became tiresome. The pace was fast and the situations were described wonderfully, adding or removing detail depending on the moment.
Finally, the complexity of the plot is brilliant. I started reading, thinking it would be a simple thriller novel but I couldn’t have been more wrong. While, at times, the explanations of HELIX and its associated businesses were complex, it was not too hard to understand overall. I just wish there was more time to digest the information before a new piece was thrown at you.
In conclusion, Missing Hour by Robert Rutherford was excellent. It is fast paced and full of twists. The constant dialogue from Maggie paired with the more light-hearted comments kept the book varied with emotion and provided some release from the heavier scenes. If you love a book with beautiful descriptions and wracked with tension, this one is definitely for you!
The descriptions and overall writing style is excellent, submerging you in the story right away. One of my favourite descriptions was “fine rain jewels the air” located at the beginning of the book. An excellent technique Rutherford used was the main character, Maggie Brewer, being written in first person while all the other characters were in third person. This immediately highlights her as the most important character and gives the readers a deeper insight into the story. Her feelings allow the readers to see the plot from a different angle and allows for her characterisation to flourish. The little light hearted comments scattered throughout also really added to it, keeping the book undulating with emotion.
Another excellent aspect of this book is the dialogue. It feels very real and rarely pulls you from the story. It adds a lot to the believability of the characters and pairs well with their realistic characterisation. Throughout reading, it was very easy to create an image of the characters, even without specific descriptions. This is something I just love in a book. I particularly liked the uneasy atmosphere around Declan Clay, a murderous helping hand to the leader of HELIX. His soft Irish accent was the complete juxtaposition to his actions and that translated very well over the page.
The tension is probably my favourite part of this book. Having Maggie’s first person account of her emotions adds so much to the scenes. While the tension continued throughout, it never became tiresome. The pace was fast and the situations were described wonderfully, adding or removing detail depending on the moment.
Finally, the complexity of the plot is brilliant. I started reading, thinking it would be a simple thriller novel but I couldn’t have been more wrong. While, at times, the explanations of HELIX and its associated businesses were complex, it was not too hard to understand overall. I just wish there was more time to digest the information before a new piece was thrown at you.
In conclusion, Missing Hour by Robert Rutherford was excellent. It is fast paced and full of twists. The constant dialogue from Maggie paired with the more light-hearted comments kept the book varied with emotion and provided some release from the heavier scenes. If you love a book with beautiful descriptions and wracked with tension, this one is definitely for you!
March 31, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC.
Many early reviewers mentioned that the original blurb didn’t align with the actual plot—I completely agree. Had I known the true premise, I likely wouldn’t have requested this, as it leans more into crime fiction than the thriller genre I prefer. However, I believe the blurb has since been updated.
The story follows Maggie and Grant, two journalists based in Manchester. Maggie’s life is upended when Grant is suddenly arrested for murder- and before he can even reach custody, he dies. The evidence against him is overwhelming, including DNA at the crime scene, but Maggie refuses to believe he’s guilty. She was with him all night - except for one unaccounted hour. Determined to clear his name, she starts digging into his latest investigation, all while protecting a secret of her own.
For a book titled Missing Hour, that element plays a surprisingly minor role. From the title to the bed on the cover that makes it feel very domestic thriller feel like really odd marketing choices.
The first 10% was engaging, but from there, the plot quickly became repetitive. Maggie falls into a frustrating cycle: she confides in someone she trusts, flees in fear of putting them in danger, and then the “bad guys” track them down anyway - over and over. The new characters introduced added little to the story, making it feel drawn out with a lack of meaningful progression.
How did the villains always know where she was—whether it was her parents’ house, a friend/boss/fellow journalists’s place, transport provided by siblings? I dunno Maggie, just maybe, because those were the most obvious places to look.
By the halfway point, I struggled to stay invested. I had to take a break before pushing through to the end. The final 30% was somewhat more enjoyable, though still with some of the same repetitive patterns. What kept me going was curiosity about Maggie’s supposed “secret” from the blurb, hoping for a game-changing twist. But when I finished, I wasn’t even sure what part was meant to be the secret -it certainly didn’t deliver a game changing turn around to my enjoyment.
Overall, this was a tough read for me and close to a DNF. The shifting POVs were confusing, especially early on, as there were no clear chapter indicators. Maggie's chapters are in first person POV but contained some mistakes of shifting to third person at times. Other chapters from multiple other POVs the voices were too close together which in the beginning made it difficult to identify the characters.
On top of that, I never connected with Maggie - her poor decisions made it hard for me to root for her.
Many early reviewers mentioned that the original blurb didn’t align with the actual plot—I completely agree. Had I known the true premise, I likely wouldn’t have requested this, as it leans more into crime fiction than the thriller genre I prefer. However, I believe the blurb has since been updated.
The story follows Maggie and Grant, two journalists based in Manchester. Maggie’s life is upended when Grant is suddenly arrested for murder- and before he can even reach custody, he dies. The evidence against him is overwhelming, including DNA at the crime scene, but Maggie refuses to believe he’s guilty. She was with him all night - except for one unaccounted hour. Determined to clear his name, she starts digging into his latest investigation, all while protecting a secret of her own.
For a book titled Missing Hour, that element plays a surprisingly minor role. From the title to the bed on the cover that makes it feel very domestic thriller feel like really odd marketing choices.
The first 10% was engaging, but from there, the plot quickly became repetitive. Maggie falls into a frustrating cycle: she confides in someone she trusts, flees in fear of putting them in danger, and then the “bad guys” track them down anyway - over and over. The new characters introduced added little to the story, making it feel drawn out with a lack of meaningful progression.
How did the villains always know where she was—whether it was her parents’ house, a friend/boss/fellow journalists’s place, transport provided by siblings? I dunno Maggie, just maybe, because those were the most obvious places to look.
By the halfway point, I struggled to stay invested. I had to take a break before pushing through to the end. The final 30% was somewhat more enjoyable, though still with some of the same repetitive patterns. What kept me going was curiosity about Maggie’s supposed “secret” from the blurb, hoping for a game-changing twist. But when I finished, I wasn’t even sure what part was meant to be the secret -it certainly didn’t deliver a game changing turn around to my enjoyment.
Overall, this was a tough read for me and close to a DNF. The shifting POVs were confusing, especially early on, as there were no clear chapter indicators. Maggie's chapters are in first person POV but contained some mistakes of shifting to third person at times. Other chapters from multiple other POVs the voices were too close together which in the beginning made it difficult to identify the characters.
On top of that, I never connected with Maggie - her poor decisions made it hard for me to root for her.
July 26, 2025
As a few other reviews point out, the blurb for this book is confusingly misleading. Rather than being a mystery about whether the protagonist's husband committed a murder, that plot point serves as the setup for a conspiracy thriller about a corporation that the protagonist's husband was investigating, and corruption that reaches the highest echelons of British government. In its best moments, Rutherford's thriller manages to be paranoid and propulsive, sending its protagonist on the run from a ruthless hit squad as she unravels the truth.
However, the novel's prose is sometimes clunky, with long digressive metaphors (during a tense scene where the protagonist investigates a lead at a university, she takes the time to compare its stairs to those at Hogwarts) and a strange tendency towards sentences that, to my eye, are missing commas: "It's a matter of proof Maggie" or "These are dangerous people Mrs Brewer", for example. But perhaps the biggest issue with THE MISSING HOUR is the central conceit of the plot:
However, the novel's prose is sometimes clunky, with long digressive metaphors (during a tense scene where the protagonist investigates a lead at a university, she takes the time to compare its stairs to those at Hogwarts) and a strange tendency towards sentences that, to my eye, are missing commas: "It's a matter of proof Maggie" or "These are dangerous people Mrs Brewer", for example. But perhaps the biggest issue with THE MISSING HOUR is the central conceit of the plot:
April 10, 2025
If you love an intense thriller with action on near enough every page, then The Missing Hour by Robert Rutherford is for you. The novel opens with a shocking opening with a police raid at a house in the middle of the night. The owners of the house, Maggie and her husband, Grant are asleep in bed. The police are here to arrest her husband, but during the arrest, Grant falls, hits his head and dies leaving Maggie shocked, angry and devastated. But the police are still convinced he was involved in the murder of another man, and Maggie sets out to prove her husbands innocence.
I really felt for Maggie. She has suffered an unimaginable tragedy at the hands of the people who are there to protect the public. As she tries to come to terms with what has happened to her, it appears, shockingly, that the police don’t care, which causes her even more distress. Now she has been dealt with the horror of finding out her husband is a suspect in a murder investigation and he isn’t here to defend himself.
The journey Maggie now finds herself on, takes her on a completely different path she never thought possible. Her determination to prove her husband’s innocence takes her on a really dark and dangerous road and she comes up against some frightening people who will stop at nothing to protect their secrets. I thought there were some ingenious and original ideas Robert Rutherford came up with here. These ideas didn’t feel too far out of the realms of possibility and the motivations for the criminals, who have Maggie in their sights throughout the book, come through on the page very clearly. These are people you do not want to mess with. I really admired the determination in Maggie to see this through, no matter what danger she might find herself in.
The Missing Hour is a high octane thriller that I raced through. This is the first book by Robert Rutherford I’ve read and it won’t be the last. I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next.
I really felt for Maggie. She has suffered an unimaginable tragedy at the hands of the people who are there to protect the public. As she tries to come to terms with what has happened to her, it appears, shockingly, that the police don’t care, which causes her even more distress. Now she has been dealt with the horror of finding out her husband is a suspect in a murder investigation and he isn’t here to defend himself.
The journey Maggie now finds herself on, takes her on a completely different path she never thought possible. Her determination to prove her husband’s innocence takes her on a really dark and dangerous road and she comes up against some frightening people who will stop at nothing to protect their secrets. I thought there were some ingenious and original ideas Robert Rutherford came up with here. These ideas didn’t feel too far out of the realms of possibility and the motivations for the criminals, who have Maggie in their sights throughout the book, come through on the page very clearly. These are people you do not want to mess with. I really admired the determination in Maggie to see this through, no matter what danger she might find herself in.
The Missing Hour is a high octane thriller that I raced through. This is the first book by Robert Rutherford I’ve read and it won’t be the last. I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next.
January 29, 2025
With many thanks to Netgalley for this free arc and I am leaving this unbiased review voluntarily
First thing to say is that the blurb is misleading and therefore it was not the story I was expecting/hoping to read. Had it said ‘wife of murdered man goes on the run chased by the bad guys who think she has something they need back’ I probably wouldn’t have picked this book. And the Missing Hour? Not quite sure where that was
So to the actual story itself which did have enough for me to continue reading. It was very fast paced and if you suspend all belief quite enjoyable. The characters are good especially the bad guy Mr Clay and Maggie was somebody you could root for. It has some good twists along the way, although the ending felt a bit flat considering Maggie’s beliefs at the beginning.
April 8, 2025
The Missing Hour is another compelling read from the author of Seven Days.
When Maggie’s husband Grant is arrested for murder in the most dramatic fashion and with DNA evidence against him, Maggie sets out to prove his innocence. What she discovers is way beyond anything she imagined - and her determination to uncover the truth puts her in a very dangerous situation.
This is a story that seems far fetched and yet seems all too possible - and I suspect many of us are intrigued by the increasing sophistication of DNA use. Maggie uncovers a complex conspiracy - and one that keeps the reader guessing as to who is responsible as the tension ramps up.
When Maggie’s husband Grant is arrested for murder in the most dramatic fashion and with DNA evidence against him, Maggie sets out to prove his innocence. What she discovers is way beyond anything she imagined - and her determination to uncover the truth puts her in a very dangerous situation.
This is a story that seems far fetched and yet seems all too possible - and I suspect many of us are intrigued by the increasing sophistication of DNA use. Maggie uncovers a complex conspiracy - and one that keeps the reader guessing as to who is responsible as the tension ramps up.
February 11, 2025
A desperate wife is searching for answers in this story about a woman whose husband is arrested in the middle of the night, allegedly for murder.
When Grant subsequently dies in custody it seems as as though Maggie will never know what actually happened. But she believes in her husband's innocence, because barring one potential loop hole, Grant could not have done this. Or could he?
A gripping thriller, this one is well worth reading and gets 3. 5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
When Grant subsequently dies in custody it seems as as though Maggie will never know what actually happened. But she believes in her husband's innocence, because barring one potential loop hole, Grant could not have done this. Or could he?
A gripping thriller, this one is well worth reading and gets 3. 5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
April 30, 2025
When journalist Grant is arrested in the middle of the night and subsequently dies whilst in police custody, his wife Maggie is convinced of police brutality and corruption and is determined to find answers.
This is an action packed thriller, following Maggie and her quest for justice as she ends up discovering just how deep this corruption is as she seeks answers for Grants death, but what she uncovers is things she could never imagine.
Many thanks to NetGalley, publisher and author for my gifted eARC.
This is an action packed thriller, following Maggie and her quest for justice as she ends up discovering just how deep this corruption is as she seeks answers for Grants death, but what she uncovers is things she could never imagine.
Many thanks to NetGalley, publisher and author for my gifted eARC.
April 25, 2025
The Missing Hour is about a journalist who's husband is arrested in the night for a crime he supposedly didn't commit - his DNA was present at the scene. His wife investigates to clear his name and uncovers a complex scientific cover up going back years. The premise of the book was interesting. The character of the wife was a little unrealistic and the "criminal gangster" elements were a little far fetched at times. I did enjoy the story though I wish the characters were more believable.
May 25, 2025
If you like a thriller leaning into police procedural then this one could be for you.
The story opens with a midnight raid on the house of Maggie and her husband Grant, who is arrested for murder. Sadly Grant dies in custody and Maggie is on a mission to prove his innocence whilst trying to dodge becoming a suspect herself.
I raced through this book and rooted for Maggie throughout. The fast pacing and action packed chapters kept me wanting to read more. Very intense, I loved
The story opens with a midnight raid on the house of Maggie and her husband Grant, who is arrested for murder. Sadly Grant dies in custody and Maggie is on a mission to prove his innocence whilst trying to dodge becoming a suspect herself.
I raced through this book and rooted for Maggie throughout. The fast pacing and action packed chapters kept me wanting to read more. Very intense, I loved
April 10, 2025
An edge of your seat thriller. Maggie's husband is arrested on suspicion of murder, but he was with her all night or was he? Plenty of twists with the plot that keeps you reading just one more chapter. Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for this review ARC.
April 19, 2025
this is a gripping thriller from Robert Rutherford. Maggie's husband Grant is arrested for a crime she is convinced he didn't commit, and then he dies in custody. Maggie must try to prove his innocence but she is hiding something! Gripping from start to finish.
April 24, 2025
I couldn't put this down. Smart, shocking, intense and full of action, I couldn't guess where things were going to end up. So many twists and turns! I was totally gripped throughout. Would 100% recommend, and can't wait to see what he writes next.
August 14, 2025
Following on from the acclaimed and Sunday Times best seller Seven Days, Robert Rutherford returns with the adrenaline fuelled The Missing Hour.
This is a read which hits the ground running at 100 mile an hour and doesn’t let go right until the dramatic finale. A thriller where the stakes couldn’t be higher, where fighting for your own survival is top of the agenda.
Robert Rutherford shows why he one of todays top thriller writers, cliche’s can often be bandied around, but this book is unputdownable, the chapters are constructed in such a way that you need to turn the page to carry on reading, relentlessly paced, a read which had me gripped and on the edge of my seat throughout. Buckle in and enjoy the ride
The opening chapter perfectly embodies and encapsulates everything required to grab the readers attention, the frightening reality, daring in the way it poses the question, what is to follow?
I found the plotting to be inventive, the premise of the book intrigued in a way that you want to know more, then it leaves you needing to know the truth what and who is actually behind the story. It poses many question regarding technology and it uses especially around bringing criminals to justice, it also shows how that power and greed can corrupt as the lines betwen right and wrong become blurred, it’s a frightening concept.
As a read it pulls no punches, the characters are the type to kill first not bother with a question and then move on, there is a certain sadistic nature to them where they appear to take great pleasure in extracting pain, interestingly some of the hardest hitting scenes are those where the author doesn’t describe the horror being perpetrated but lets your imagination run riot and fill in the blanks
All that being said you can have the hardest hitting thrillers but that is nothing without characters, here the author excels at bringing a mixed bag of believable and for some everyday characters. I loved the way Maggie is written the gamut of emotions she runs through, at her weakest moments she find the strength to see justice done. One of the strengths of the book is the use of family and it is interesting how this plays out within the story. On the opposite side you have Clay who seems to have no emotions at all where inflicting pain seems to be his best friend
I particularly like the way action scenes are written, you can feel the characters taking the punches, there is a certain intensity in their construct, they leave you wondering as to how they will play out.
To say the book is slickly written is an understatement, you are soaked in the suspense and tension, it moves faster than a roller coaster but with the same level of twists, every page builds the drama as the body count rises you wonder where it will end.
For all that is a griping action filled thriller, it is more than that, the story has an abundance of human emotion running through it, combined with real quality and depth to the storytelling
I’ve been reading crime and thrillers for over 50 years I know what i’m talking about, Robert Rurtherford is the real deal in the high concept stakes thriller
I cannot recommend this book highly enough, just leave yourself plenty of time and have coffee on drip. A definite reading highlight of the year
This is a read which hits the ground running at 100 mile an hour and doesn’t let go right until the dramatic finale. A thriller where the stakes couldn’t be higher, where fighting for your own survival is top of the agenda.
Robert Rutherford shows why he one of todays top thriller writers, cliche’s can often be bandied around, but this book is unputdownable, the chapters are constructed in such a way that you need to turn the page to carry on reading, relentlessly paced, a read which had me gripped and on the edge of my seat throughout. Buckle in and enjoy the ride
The opening chapter perfectly embodies and encapsulates everything required to grab the readers attention, the frightening reality, daring in the way it poses the question, what is to follow?
I found the plotting to be inventive, the premise of the book intrigued in a way that you want to know more, then it leaves you needing to know the truth what and who is actually behind the story. It poses many question regarding technology and it uses especially around bringing criminals to justice, it also shows how that power and greed can corrupt as the lines betwen right and wrong become blurred, it’s a frightening concept.
As a read it pulls no punches, the characters are the type to kill first not bother with a question and then move on, there is a certain sadistic nature to them where they appear to take great pleasure in extracting pain, interestingly some of the hardest hitting scenes are those where the author doesn’t describe the horror being perpetrated but lets your imagination run riot and fill in the blanks
All that being said you can have the hardest hitting thrillers but that is nothing without characters, here the author excels at bringing a mixed bag of believable and for some everyday characters. I loved the way Maggie is written the gamut of emotions she runs through, at her weakest moments she find the strength to see justice done. One of the strengths of the book is the use of family and it is interesting how this plays out within the story. On the opposite side you have Clay who seems to have no emotions at all where inflicting pain seems to be his best friend
I particularly like the way action scenes are written, you can feel the characters taking the punches, there is a certain intensity in their construct, they leave you wondering as to how they will play out.
To say the book is slickly written is an understatement, you are soaked in the suspense and tension, it moves faster than a roller coaster but with the same level of twists, every page builds the drama as the body count rises you wonder where it will end.
For all that is a griping action filled thriller, it is more than that, the story has an abundance of human emotion running through it, combined with real quality and depth to the storytelling
I’ve been reading crime and thrillers for over 50 years I know what i’m talking about, Robert Rurtherford is the real deal in the high concept stakes thriller
I cannot recommend this book highly enough, just leave yourself plenty of time and have coffee on drip. A definite reading highlight of the year
September 9, 2025
“The Missing Hour” by @robertrutherfordwrites.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
When Maggie’s husband Grant is accused of murder, except there is no way he could possibly do it… As he was with her, 400 miles away… Except for 1 missing hour.
Grant and Maggie are both journalists in Manchester. Grant has uncovered some pretty interesting and terrible information from a company that are taking DNA…
An insane first chapter that starts with some action, Grant being arrested for murder and being taken into custody… I won’t say any more on that as I don’t want to spoil anything… But, WOW! Was not expecting that!
What transpires because of these events and Maggie wanting to prove his innocence was INSANE! I never know what else to expect when I read Robert’s books. This one did not disappoint! I love the way he writes. The characters were great, even the bad guys. I really enjoyed having both POV’s for parts of the book. The pacing was great, gotta love short chapters! It was dark, thrilling and gripping. So many twists and turns it keeps you engaged and wanting to read more and more! Very much looking forward to what he writes next.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
When Maggie’s husband Grant is accused of murder, except there is no way he could possibly do it… As he was with her, 400 miles away… Except for 1 missing hour.
Grant and Maggie are both journalists in Manchester. Grant has uncovered some pretty interesting and terrible information from a company that are taking DNA…
An insane first chapter that starts with some action, Grant being arrested for murder and being taken into custody… I won’t say any more on that as I don’t want to spoil anything… But, WOW! Was not expecting that!
What transpires because of these events and Maggie wanting to prove his innocence was INSANE! I never know what else to expect when I read Robert’s books. This one did not disappoint! I love the way he writes. The characters were great, even the bad guys. I really enjoyed having both POV’s for parts of the book. The pacing was great, gotta love short chapters! It was dark, thrilling and gripping. So many twists and turns it keeps you engaged and wanting to read more and more! Very much looking forward to what he writes next.
March 24, 2025
No secret that Robert Rutherford has been one of my go-to authors for a very long time and it's hard to believe this is only his sixth novel - some absolutely belting opening scenes that completely reeled me in and will probably be the best opener for a thriller that I'll read this year.
How can a man have committed murder in one location, when he was fast asleep all night with his wife elsewhere? Because that's what they're saying has happened. And now they have him silenced and it's up to his wife to prove he didn't because there was that one hour in the middle of the night when she realised he wasn't there. Where was he?
There is no ambiguity. Someone is trying to prove that DNA can't lie. Of course it cant. But Maggie knows Grant. And despite what people are being so easily forced to believe there is so much more to this than can possibly meet the eye...
This is a David and Goliath story, great action, fast-moving plot and lots to follow as we're shown what happened in that fateful hour and much, much more besides. It's also a family story, which was unexpected but nonetheless welcome. As a thriller, though, it does exactly what I want; keeps me entertained and turning the pages - yes, at times suspending a little disbelief, but isn't that what it's all about? Top notch.
How can a man have committed murder in one location, when he was fast asleep all night with his wife elsewhere? Because that's what they're saying has happened. And now they have him silenced and it's up to his wife to prove he didn't because there was that one hour in the middle of the night when she realised he wasn't there. Where was he?
There is no ambiguity. Someone is trying to prove that DNA can't lie. Of course it cant. But Maggie knows Grant. And despite what people are being so easily forced to believe there is so much more to this than can possibly meet the eye...
This is a David and Goliath story, great action, fast-moving plot and lots to follow as we're shown what happened in that fateful hour and much, much more besides. It's also a family story, which was unexpected but nonetheless welcome. As a thriller, though, it does exactly what I want; keeps me entertained and turning the pages - yes, at times suspending a little disbelief, but isn't that what it's all about? Top notch.
April 1, 2025
An interesting, well written and face paced crime thriller with lots of action and thrills along the way.
Some may feel that the storyline was a little far-fetched and unbelievable but the more I think about the more likely that this scenario could happen. Crime fiction of this standard provides us with an image of what could happen in the future and gives us, as the reader, some points and thoughts for us to be aware of when we see similar things taking place in the future.
Personally, the only negative was that the story seemed a little long but it was still easily readable and the author did all the hard work putting it together in the first place. Real places and good character progression really helped me to get connected with the story and its characters.
I now need to read Seven Days, the previous publication from this author.
Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton, NetGalley, and the author for providing me with an electronic advanced copy of the book in return for an honest and unbiased review.
The book will be published on the 10th April in e-book and hardback formats, with the audiobook available shortly afterwards and the paperback published in December
Some may feel that the storyline was a little far-fetched and unbelievable but the more I think about the more likely that this scenario could happen. Crime fiction of this standard provides us with an image of what could happen in the future and gives us, as the reader, some points and thoughts for us to be aware of when we see similar things taking place in the future.
Personally, the only negative was that the story seemed a little long but it was still easily readable and the author did all the hard work putting it together in the first place. Real places and good character progression really helped me to get connected with the story and its characters.
I now need to read Seven Days, the previous publication from this author.
Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton, NetGalley, and the author for providing me with an electronic advanced copy of the book in return for an honest and unbiased review.
The book will be published on the 10th April in e-book and hardback formats, with the audiobook available shortly afterwards and the paperback published in December
April 10, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this eCopy to review
Reading The Missing Hour by Robert Rutherford was an intriguing experience. The story begins with Maggie, whose life is turned upside down when her husband, Grant, is arrested in the middle of the night on suspicion of murder. The evidence against him seems damning, including DNA at the crime scene. But Maggie is adamant—Grant was with her all night. Or was he? There’s one missing hour she can’t account for, and as the plot unfolds, it becomes clear that Maggie has secrets of her own.
The premise hooked me immediately. The idea of a missing hour, a seemingly airtight alibi unravelling, and a trail of deception had me eager to uncover the truth. As Maggie delves into the mystery surrounding her husband’s arrest and subsequent death in custody, the tension builds. The narrative explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets.
The Missing Hour is a solid crime thriller with an intriguing premise and some gripping moments,
Reading The Missing Hour by Robert Rutherford was an intriguing experience. The story begins with Maggie, whose life is turned upside down when her husband, Grant, is arrested in the middle of the night on suspicion of murder. The evidence against him seems damning, including DNA at the crime scene. But Maggie is adamant—Grant was with her all night. Or was he? There’s one missing hour she can’t account for, and as the plot unfolds, it becomes clear that Maggie has secrets of her own.
The premise hooked me immediately. The idea of a missing hour, a seemingly airtight alibi unravelling, and a trail of deception had me eager to uncover the truth. As Maggie delves into the mystery surrounding her husband’s arrest and subsequent death in custody, the tension builds. The narrative explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets.
The Missing Hour is a solid crime thriller with an intriguing premise and some gripping moments,
May 24, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review. This book is a full on rollercoaster of a story! Fantastic opening that had me hooked straight away. I was on the edge of my seat throughout and I certainly couldn’t put it down until I finished it. Great characters, fantastic storytelling and just an overall great story. Highly recommend. 5 stars
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews