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Reported Missing
Four months ago Becca Pendle's husband disappeared. So did 14-year-old Kayleigh Jackson. Just a coincidence? Becca wants to believe so...but as the police start to draw parallels between Chris and Kayleigh, it's getting harder for her to trust his innocence. Faced with an angry town that believes Chris has abducted the teenager, Becca is desperate to get to the truth.
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First published June 11, 2017
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About the author
Sarah Wray
5 books44 followers– Hi I’m Sarah. Freelance writer: Smart cities, IoT, data etc. Fiction writer too.
– My first book was published recently and my second is on its way.
– The picture on the left just about sums it up
You can write to me at sarah@sarahwray.co.uk
Sarah received a Northern Writers’ Award (Arvon Award) for an early draft of her debut novel in 2015.
– My first book was published recently and my second is on its way.
– The picture on the left just about sums it up
You can write to me at sarah@sarahwray.co.uk
Sarah received a Northern Writers’ Award (Arvon Award) for an early draft of her debut novel in 2015.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
May 31, 2017
She loved murder mysteries…until that became her life.
Kayleigh, a 14 year old girl goes missing. The same day, Chris, a grown man from the same small town is also gone without a trace. Are the two cases linked? It would appear at first that Chris did the unthinkable and took off with the young girl. Whatever the answer, his wife Rebecca is left behind to face the wrath of the townsfolk. It's also up to her to find the reason behind her husband's disappearance.
This was so long and drawn out for the first 40% I considered putting it down. It seemed to lack any real direction. Just an endless loop. As well, I had difficulty connecting with the lead character Rebecca. While the speed did pick up in the second half, I still felt it was lacking…
Just not for me. Hope others can connect better than I did.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Sarah Wray for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Kayleigh, a 14 year old girl goes missing. The same day, Chris, a grown man from the same small town is also gone without a trace. Are the two cases linked? It would appear at first that Chris did the unthinkable and took off with the young girl. Whatever the answer, his wife Rebecca is left behind to face the wrath of the townsfolk. It's also up to her to find the reason behind her husband's disappearance.
This was so long and drawn out for the first 40% I considered putting it down. It seemed to lack any real direction. Just an endless loop. As well, I had difficulty connecting with the lead character Rebecca. While the speed did pick up in the second half, I still felt it was lacking…
Just not for me. Hope others can connect better than I did.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Sarah Wray for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 2, 2017
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.beckiebookworm.com
So "Reported Missing" What did I think?
Well I would love to say that this bowled me over, but sadly I can't, It was an ok read and I did finish, but it was definitely a struggle to get to the end and I really did consider abandoning Reported Missing numerous times throughout.
So a brief run-through.
Our story centres around Rebecca Pendle (Bec) whose husband "Chris" has been missing for four months. Coincidently Schoolgirl "Kayleigh Jackson" is also missing and Rebecca faces a small town who believe the two events to be linked, as she tries to discover the truth about her husband's disappearance, secrets are revealed that lead to a totally different conclusion for all involved here.
So why didn't we gel?
Well There were a few things going on here that grated on me the first being that I found Rebecca as a character a really annoying,abrasive, selfish and very whiny individual, I wanted to give her a huge kick up the backside and tell her to wake up and smell the coffee!!!
Now the way this story was told we were in Rebecca's head the entire book and that a real no no if you are not liking the person whose head you are in and I so wasn't liking Rebecca at all.
I was in a word really bored.
Bored with Rebecca's wanderings and pointless repetitive thoughts that seemed to lead nowhere, in particular, frankly, I was losing the will to live and I wanted out of her constricting narrow-minded headspace.
Now Look, I get it that her husband has walked leaving her floundering but it shows the mettle of this person in how she deals with this awful happening, Rebecca is still floundering in the pits of self-Pity four months later.
need I say more?
And also By the time we do get some answers for her I'd actually lost interest in the question and its reply, all that time we spent inside Bec's head I kept expecting something to happen, but no it's just more random wool gathering and self-pity, woe is me type stuff, and when we do get some actual closure I found it very anti-climatic indeed, it was like is that it?
I found this a very predictable read and you could kind of guess where it was going (and I was right)
There were some redeemable features to Reported Missing, and these did keep me persevering to the final curtain.
For one there were some great secondary character's, in particular, the friend Jeanie, I thought she was an unappreciated saint and Bec was very lucky to have her.
Also, Julie from the Caravan park, loved her, what a legend.
I also didn't like the lack of closure the whole experience gave me overall.
I found Reported missing very well written, it was just that the subject matter itself didn't grab me by the throat and I really failed to connect with the main character Rebecca.
Like massively!!!
This might have a totally different outcome for you.
I would like to Thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with a free advanced readers copy of Reported Missing, this is my own honest unbiased opinion.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.beckiebookworm.com/
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
https://www.beckiebookworm.com
So "Reported Missing" What did I think?
Well I would love to say that this bowled me over, but sadly I can't, It was an ok read and I did finish, but it was definitely a struggle to get to the end and I really did consider abandoning Reported Missing numerous times throughout.
So a brief run-through.
Our story centres around Rebecca Pendle (Bec) whose husband "Chris" has been missing for four months. Coincidently Schoolgirl "Kayleigh Jackson" is also missing and Rebecca faces a small town who believe the two events to be linked, as she tries to discover the truth about her husband's disappearance, secrets are revealed that lead to a totally different conclusion for all involved here.
So why didn't we gel?
Well There were a few things going on here that grated on me the first being that I found Rebecca as a character a really annoying,abrasive, selfish and very whiny individual, I wanted to give her a huge kick up the backside and tell her to wake up and smell the coffee!!!
Now the way this story was told we were in Rebecca's head the entire book and that a real no no if you are not liking the person whose head you are in and I so wasn't liking Rebecca at all.
I was in a word really bored.
Bored with Rebecca's wanderings and pointless repetitive thoughts that seemed to lead nowhere, in particular, frankly, I was losing the will to live and I wanted out of her constricting narrow-minded headspace.
Now Look, I get it that her husband has walked leaving her floundering but it shows the mettle of this person in how she deals with this awful happening, Rebecca is still floundering in the pits of self-Pity four months later.
need I say more?
And also By the time we do get some answers for her I'd actually lost interest in the question and its reply, all that time we spent inside Bec's head I kept expecting something to happen, but no it's just more random wool gathering and self-pity, woe is me type stuff, and when we do get some actual closure I found it very anti-climatic indeed, it was like is that it?
I found this a very predictable read and you could kind of guess where it was going (and I was right)
There were some redeemable features to Reported Missing, and these did keep me persevering to the final curtain.
For one there were some great secondary character's, in particular, the friend Jeanie, I thought she was an unappreciated saint and Bec was very lucky to have her.
Also, Julie from the Caravan park, loved her, what a legend.
I also didn't like the lack of closure the whole experience gave me overall.
I found Reported missing very well written, it was just that the subject matter itself didn't grab me by the throat and I really failed to connect with the main character Rebecca.
Like massively!!!
This might have a totally different outcome for you.
I would like to Thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with a free advanced readers copy of Reported Missing, this is my own honest unbiased opinion.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.beckiebookworm.com/
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
June 14, 2017
Four month before Rebecca Pendle’s husband had disappeared but she's had a tough time getting the police or other area residents to care that he is missing since on that same day fourteen year old Kayleigh Jackson also vanished without a trace. From the very start everyone assumed that since a young girl was gone that Rebecca's husband must have been the one who took her.
Now Rebecca is staying as off the grid as she can to avoid the whispers, stares and sometimes even threats that she must have known what her husband was up to. All Rebecca wants are answers since she's never believed her husband could have anything to do with the missing girl and that their marriage was solid until his disappearance.
I went into Reported Missing extremely excited to read this story as it reminded me a great deal of a story that had been on the news recently here in the US. There was an older male that had left with a teenage girl and of course the controversy to the story came with did the girl go willingly or was it kidnapping? And regardless the man should not have taken off with an underage girl so the hunt was on to find that man. My thoughts had always wandered to the wife that was left behind and felt this story was extremely close to that situation.
The first few chapters of this book had my attention for sure learning of how Rebecca was still somewhat in mourning for her husband and unable to face that he may have been involved. There's also be the build up of everyone being against her and her husband without a bit of proof that the two disappearances had anything to do with one another. But that was where it fell a bit apart in my opinion, the story just sort of stalls in that mode without much progress and leaving the reading just hanging on for something, anything exciting to happen. By the end of this one the slow pacing just had about done me in in really caring who had done what so this one only rates in at about 2.5 stars for me.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
Now Rebecca is staying as off the grid as she can to avoid the whispers, stares and sometimes even threats that she must have known what her husband was up to. All Rebecca wants are answers since she's never believed her husband could have anything to do with the missing girl and that their marriage was solid until his disappearance.
I went into Reported Missing extremely excited to read this story as it reminded me a great deal of a story that had been on the news recently here in the US. There was an older male that had left with a teenage girl and of course the controversy to the story came with did the girl go willingly or was it kidnapping? And regardless the man should not have taken off with an underage girl so the hunt was on to find that man. My thoughts had always wandered to the wife that was left behind and felt this story was extremely close to that situation.
The first few chapters of this book had my attention for sure learning of how Rebecca was still somewhat in mourning for her husband and unable to face that he may have been involved. There's also be the build up of everyone being against her and her husband without a bit of proof that the two disappearances had anything to do with one another. But that was where it fell a bit apart in my opinion, the story just sort of stalls in that mode without much progress and leaving the reading just hanging on for something, anything exciting to happen. By the end of this one the slow pacing just had about done me in in really caring who had done what so this one only rates in at about 2.5 stars for me.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
July 15, 2017
An interesting premise that didn't completely work for me but still kept my attention. I found it to be a little too slow-moving for my liking. It's a debut for the author, and I do think the writing is solid, just lacking the action I expected from reading the synopsis. I'm looking forward to seeing what else she comes up with. It's as much about Rebecca's breakdown as it is about her missing husband.
Rebecca's husband is gone. He's been missing for months with no signs of life or evidence as to where he's gone. She's wrecked... unable to stay in their house, not working, drinking way too much. She spends most of her time in the caravan she's renting, sleeping or drinking. Occasionally she goes to a bar called Barnacles, which I thought was a fitting name considering how utterly stuck in life she is.
She still has a friend on her side, but that's about it. The town is against her. You see, her husband disappeared on the very same day a teenage girl went missing. Disappearances around there just aren't that common, and everyone thinks they're linked. The missing girl is only fourteen years old. Everyone thinks Chris has either run off with her or kidnapped her, making him a pedophile. Rebecca's place is vandalized and she's followed and threatened. She starts to get strange phone calls where no one speaks, just breathes. Is it Chris?
She never suspected her husband might have liked little girls, and never thought he would run away from her and their home. Ostracized by the town, questioned by the police and even questioning herself, she's sunk into a deep depression. Will she ever be able to find out the truth and claw herself out?
I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley and Bookouture, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.
Rebecca's husband is gone. He's been missing for months with no signs of life or evidence as to where he's gone. She's wrecked... unable to stay in their house, not working, drinking way too much. She spends most of her time in the caravan she's renting, sleeping or drinking. Occasionally she goes to a bar called Barnacles, which I thought was a fitting name considering how utterly stuck in life she is.
She still has a friend on her side, but that's about it. The town is against her. You see, her husband disappeared on the very same day a teenage girl went missing. Disappearances around there just aren't that common, and everyone thinks they're linked. The missing girl is only fourteen years old. Everyone thinks Chris has either run off with her or kidnapped her, making him a pedophile. Rebecca's place is vandalized and she's followed and threatened. She starts to get strange phone calls where no one speaks, just breathes. Is it Chris?
She never suspected her husband might have liked little girls, and never thought he would run away from her and their home. Ostracized by the town, questioned by the police and even questioning herself, she's sunk into a deep depression. Will she ever be able to find out the truth and claw herself out?
I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley and Bookouture, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.
October 19, 2017
There are two ways to be fooled, one is to believe what isn't true, other is to refuse to believe what is true
The book starts with these beautiful lines, which immediately made me feel I am in for a thrilling ride, with mysteries untold and secrets unsaid.
Rebecca's husband, Chris is missing since the past four months, 112days and so is a teenager Kayleigh from the town of Shawmouth. Both disappeared on the same day, at the same time... Together??
The dirty insinuations by the people and the police investigation in that direction, the shock of her husband running away with a girl not even fifteen, caused Rebecca to have a nervous breakdown and she spent the first month in a daze, under medication, in bed. To escape the violence against her, she moves out of her house, rents a caravan and slowly after four months, starts her own investigation. Her search for the truth leads to shady localities, unsavoury characters, nasty school kids and the dark underbelly of the town.
Sarah Wray has written the book in good English, with minimum swear words. There are unexpected happenings leading to shocking endings. Her flow of the story is a little different than what a normal psychological thriller ought to be.
There are sporadic moments in the book which are sensitive, Rebecca's visits to her mother who is at a care facility, her persistence inspite of opposition, her belief in her husband, her intentions are appreciated. Rebecca's investigative methods are different but they lead to results at the end of the book, barring a few details which are not explained.
There are few niggles I have to mention here
If the author's intention was for me to get irritated, yes she succeeded. If she wanted me to read the book real fast, without enjoying, yes she succeeded...
Rebecca just drinks and drinks and drinks and then wonders why she gets irritated fast and why her reactions are slow.. I just have one thing to say to that.. duh
Just keeping a watch on a shady pizza place and needling school girls and then, coming back to drink is not investigation.
A thirty five year old woman, getting bullied by a bunch of fourteen year old school kids and then hiding in her caravan is not investigation... Grow a backbone, woman...
I wonder what genre this book aims for, its just blehhh. In 60% of the book, Rebecca has gone nowhere. She manages to irritate all her friends, become paranoid, lose her job, owe a huge credit card debt (her husband has a gambling debt), and yet have money to DRINK.
Can I emphasize on drink more????
How is this a psychological thriller, it just ended up killing my thrill psyche and I couldn't read this book fast enough for all the wrong reasons.
I agree that what happened to Rebecca was horrible, she was collateral damage in a deed which had nothing to do with her and anyone in her position would lose hope and drink but this is fiction not a true incident book. There has got to be a strength in the main character. Pulling herself out of a difficult situation and turning her life around, thereby clearing her husband's name would have made this book a better reading.
If the author Sarah Wray has wanted to show the rising of the Phoenix, with the main character, then she has not done it, at least not with this book. This psychological thriller does not thrill only kills my brain cells.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher Bookouture and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
The book starts with these beautiful lines, which immediately made me feel I am in for a thrilling ride, with mysteries untold and secrets unsaid.
Rebecca's husband, Chris is missing since the past four months, 112days and so is a teenager Kayleigh from the town of Shawmouth. Both disappeared on the same day, at the same time... Together??
The dirty insinuations by the people and the police investigation in that direction, the shock of her husband running away with a girl not even fifteen, caused Rebecca to have a nervous breakdown and she spent the first month in a daze, under medication, in bed. To escape the violence against her, she moves out of her house, rents a caravan and slowly after four months, starts her own investigation. Her search for the truth leads to shady localities, unsavoury characters, nasty school kids and the dark underbelly of the town.
Sarah Wray has written the book in good English, with minimum swear words. There are unexpected happenings leading to shocking endings. Her flow of the story is a little different than what a normal psychological thriller ought to be.
There are sporadic moments in the book which are sensitive, Rebecca's visits to her mother who is at a care facility, her persistence inspite of opposition, her belief in her husband, her intentions are appreciated. Rebecca's investigative methods are different but they lead to results at the end of the book, barring a few details which are not explained.
There are few niggles I have to mention here
If the author's intention was for me to get irritated, yes she succeeded. If she wanted me to read the book real fast, without enjoying, yes she succeeded...
Rebecca just drinks and drinks and drinks and then wonders why she gets irritated fast and why her reactions are slow.. I just have one thing to say to that.. duh
Just keeping a watch on a shady pizza place and needling school girls and then, coming back to drink is not investigation.
A thirty five year old woman, getting bullied by a bunch of fourteen year old school kids and then hiding in her caravan is not investigation... Grow a backbone, woman...
I wonder what genre this book aims for, its just blehhh. In 60% of the book, Rebecca has gone nowhere. She manages to irritate all her friends, become paranoid, lose her job, owe a huge credit card debt (her husband has a gambling debt), and yet have money to DRINK.
Can I emphasize on drink more????
How is this a psychological thriller, it just ended up killing my thrill psyche and I couldn't read this book fast enough for all the wrong reasons.
I agree that what happened to Rebecca was horrible, she was collateral damage in a deed which had nothing to do with her and anyone in her position would lose hope and drink but this is fiction not a true incident book. There has got to be a strength in the main character. Pulling herself out of a difficult situation and turning her life around, thereby clearing her husband's name would have made this book a better reading.
If the author Sarah Wray has wanted to show the rising of the Phoenix, with the main character, then she has not done it, at least not with this book. This psychological thriller does not thrill only kills my brain cells.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher Bookouture and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
July 15, 2017
All of my reviews can be found on www.novelgossip.com
The premise of Reported Missing totally drew me in, imagine your spouse goes missing on the exact same day that a teenaged girl does. The media jumps to the obvious conclusion that Rebecca’s husband was involved in Kayleigh’s disappearance, and at first glance, it’s easy to see why. But things aren’t always as they seem and Wray takes the reader on a complicated path full of secrets and misdirection.
The pacing of this book starts out slow, which I know can be frustrating for some people, but it worked well for me here. The slow and steady pacing made the book more thought provoking and the second half did speed up a bit. This is very character driven, the author spends a lot of time showing how Rebecca’s life has changed since Chris vanished. She is such a mess and it was simultaneously heartbreaking and fascinating watching her unravel. Her out of control paranoia and fear caused me to experience the same feelings which is always a good sign to me!
Reported Missing was a different type of thriller, it was smart and well thought out and it didn’t rely on crazy, far fetched plot twists though it did have some surprises. It had solid writing, an interesting premise and an unexpected ending, overall an engrossing read.
The premise of Reported Missing totally drew me in, imagine your spouse goes missing on the exact same day that a teenaged girl does. The media jumps to the obvious conclusion that Rebecca’s husband was involved in Kayleigh’s disappearance, and at first glance, it’s easy to see why. But things aren’t always as they seem and Wray takes the reader on a complicated path full of secrets and misdirection.
The pacing of this book starts out slow, which I know can be frustrating for some people, but it worked well for me here. The slow and steady pacing made the book more thought provoking and the second half did speed up a bit. This is very character driven, the author spends a lot of time showing how Rebecca’s life has changed since Chris vanished. She is such a mess and it was simultaneously heartbreaking and fascinating watching her unravel. Her out of control paranoia and fear caused me to experience the same feelings which is always a good sign to me!
Reported Missing was a different type of thriller, it was smart and well thought out and it didn’t rely on crazy, far fetched plot twists though it did have some surprises. It had solid writing, an interesting premise and an unexpected ending, overall an engrossing read.
August 1, 2017
Rebecca's husband is missing. At the same time, a young girl is also missing. Are the two incidents related? The police seem to think they are and so begins a witch hunt. People are more sympathetic to the fact that a 14 year old girl is missing, much more so than a grown male. Especially one that has a reputation now of a pedophile. Therefore, Rebecca has trouble finding anyone to help her. She no longer works but spends her days wandering the streets in hope of finding her husband. I had trouble liking Rebecca. She was someone that I wouldn't call a strong personality. She drank a lot, felt sorry for herself a lot, didn't to anything to help her situation, made enemies.....a lot. She allowed teens to bully her, which I didn't quite understand. I wanted to scream at her to fight back!! She was a weak character that I couldn't bring myself to like. As for the mystery.....it was ok but nothing memorable about it. I couldn't fathom why the police would keep thinking that the two disappearances were related? So they both went missing on the same day. That's what links them together? I don't know, the whole thing didn't work for me. Nothing much happened throughout this story. You basically just "watch" Rebecca bumble through her life. If your looking for a shocking thriller.....look elsewhere. There were no shocks, thrills, twists, basically anything that makes a good thriller. In the end, I found this book to be quite boring.
**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 15, 2017
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for a copy of the eARC in exchange for a fair review.
Rebecca is a hot mess because four months ago her husband went missing and the same day he disappeared so did Kayleigh Jackson. Since that happened everyone has linked the two together and she knows unable to face all the attacks. She has abandoned her house in favor of living in the caravan, and her drinking is out of control.
Rebecca struggles to come to terms with the man she thought she knew and all the allegations against him. Not long after he went missing she found out he lost his job, and he wiped out all of their money. Everyone acts as if she is just as bad as him, she has lost nearly everything, but in moments of sobriety, she decides that she needs to know what happened.
I am not sure how I felt through this book, and I can't say too much without spoilers, but on the one hand, I felt it was horrible how everyone treated her, and I could see that the doubts were eating her alive. She wasn't always likable, but the situation was definitely realistic.
I can't say I didn't see the end coming I suspected it heavily but I wasn't actually positive until I read it. Overall a quick gripping read from a totally different perspective than normal.
Rebecca is a hot mess because four months ago her husband went missing and the same day he disappeared so did Kayleigh Jackson. Since that happened everyone has linked the two together and she knows unable to face all the attacks. She has abandoned her house in favor of living in the caravan, and her drinking is out of control.
Rebecca struggles to come to terms with the man she thought she knew and all the allegations against him. Not long after he went missing she found out he lost his job, and he wiped out all of their money. Everyone acts as if she is just as bad as him, she has lost nearly everything, but in moments of sobriety, she decides that she needs to know what happened.
I am not sure how I felt through this book, and I can't say too much without spoilers, but on the one hand, I felt it was horrible how everyone treated her, and I could see that the doubts were eating her alive. She wasn't always likable, but the situation was definitely realistic.
I can't say I didn't see the end coming I suspected it heavily but I wasn't actually positive until I read it. Overall a quick gripping read from a totally different perspective than normal.
September 16, 2023
I’ve been trying to read some of my backlist books where I wasn’t controlled!
Us bookworms….
I’ll have that one…
Oh yes
And that one, maybe that one there….
Yes and the next 50 books, just throw them all my way!
Easier to select than to read……right?
So this is one of them. I’m
I did like the premise of this book it ticked certain tropes I like….
However, it was slooooow
And I tended to overtake it on the fast lane by ending up after getting halfway flicking the pages which is something I’ve only ever done maybe once per a blue moon.
I wasn’t on the edge of my seat
I wasn’t invested
I lost quite a bit of interest really and my mind wandered.
There’s been good reviews on this one so don’t let me put you off.
Us bookworms….
I’ll have that one…
Oh yes
And that one, maybe that one there….
Yes and the next 50 books, just throw them all my way!
Easier to select than to read……right?
So this is one of them. I’m
I did like the premise of this book it ticked certain tropes I like….
However, it was slooooow
And I tended to overtake it on the fast lane by ending up after getting halfway flicking the pages which is something I’ve only ever done maybe once per a blue moon.
I wasn’t on the edge of my seat
I wasn’t invested
I lost quite a bit of interest really and my mind wandered.
There’s been good reviews on this one so don’t let me put you off.
July 13, 2017
My actual star rating for this book is 4.5
Four months ago Rebecca Pendle`s husband Chris disappeared on the same day as 14 year old Kayleigh Jackson
Rebecca wants to believe that it's all a coincidence but with the police,angry town and the media all believing that Chris has abducted the teenager it is getting harder to trust his innocence.
Rebecca tries to discover the truth but what she uncovers shocks her more than she ever thought.How well did she actually know the man that she loves?.
I admit that I don't normally enjoy reading books where the story starts quite slowly,I love action,twists and cliff hangers.Very often if a story takes too long to get going I find myself losing interest and end up not finishing the book.This book does start off quite slowly but the story had some intreguing elements that held my interest and I really wanted to know what had happened to Chris and Kayleigh.
The whole story is narrated by Rebecca who is not a very likeable character.You really feel like you should feel some sympathy for her because of everything that she going through but she really didn't help herself at times and her constant whining and feeling sorry for herself became very frustrating and irritating.
Most of the other characters where unreliable and unlikable although I did like Julie,Rebecca`s Mum Averil and Rebecca`s best friend Jeannie.The authors portrayal of Averil`s fear,confusion and frustration due to her dementia was chillingly realistic and Rebecca's treatment of her mother only helped to intensify my dislike of her character.I feel it would have added more intregue to the story if there had been a couple of cryptic chapters narrated from Chris point of view or even narrated from the point of view of a mystery character that could have been Chris but that's just my opinion.
Don't go into this book expecting happily ever afters because that's not what happens in real life,not every story can finish all wrapped up nicely with a pretty little bow.It's a well written thriller that does have some intense danger moments as the story unfolds.I did enjoy the debut thriller and would happily read more books by this author in the future.
Many thanks to Bookouture for a arc of this book via netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
Four months ago Rebecca Pendle`s husband Chris disappeared on the same day as 14 year old Kayleigh Jackson
Rebecca wants to believe that it's all a coincidence but with the police,angry town and the media all believing that Chris has abducted the teenager it is getting harder to trust his innocence.
Rebecca tries to discover the truth but what she uncovers shocks her more than she ever thought.How well did she actually know the man that she loves?.
I admit that I don't normally enjoy reading books where the story starts quite slowly,I love action,twists and cliff hangers.Very often if a story takes too long to get going I find myself losing interest and end up not finishing the book.This book does start off quite slowly but the story had some intreguing elements that held my interest and I really wanted to know what had happened to Chris and Kayleigh.
The whole story is narrated by Rebecca who is not a very likeable character.You really feel like you should feel some sympathy for her because of everything that she going through but she really didn't help herself at times and her constant whining and feeling sorry for herself became very frustrating and irritating.
Most of the other characters where unreliable and unlikable although I did like Julie,Rebecca`s Mum Averil and Rebecca`s best friend Jeannie.The authors portrayal of Averil`s fear,confusion and frustration due to her dementia was chillingly realistic and Rebecca's treatment of her mother only helped to intensify my dislike of her character.I feel it would have added more intregue to the story if there had been a couple of cryptic chapters narrated from Chris point of view or even narrated from the point of view of a mystery character that could have been Chris but that's just my opinion.
Don't go into this book expecting happily ever afters because that's not what happens in real life,not every story can finish all wrapped up nicely with a pretty little bow.It's a well written thriller that does have some intense danger moments as the story unfolds.I did enjoy the debut thriller and would happily read more books by this author in the future.
Many thanks to Bookouture for a arc of this book via netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
Want to read
April 1, 2018I'm not in mood for slow...maybe later
August 13, 2017
This book made me so mad! Why were everyone so mean! Poor Rebecka! It was not her fault her husband had done what he had...or had he done anything at all?
That is what I was wondering this whole book. Maybe he had been killed. Maybe he had just left. Maybe he had taken that girl.
And as for Kayleigh. Maybe someone had taken her. Maybe she had run away. Maybe someone had killed her. Maybe he had taken her, maybe they left together.
Left back home is Rebecka. Kids throw things at her. People whisper behind her back. Like it was her fault. Like she knew. All she wanted was the truth and as she had arisen from her drunken stupor she tries to find out what her husband was really about.
And I kept on guessing. It was just too hard to tell to be honest. I wanted to believe the best of him, but as she started to falter so did I.
Good book. And to be honest, yes it shows it is British. It is just something in the tone of it
That is what I was wondering this whole book. Maybe he had been killed. Maybe he had just left. Maybe he had taken that girl.
And as for Kayleigh. Maybe someone had taken her. Maybe she had run away. Maybe someone had killed her. Maybe he had taken her, maybe they left together.
Left back home is Rebecka. Kids throw things at her. People whisper behind her back. Like it was her fault. Like she knew. All she wanted was the truth and as she had arisen from her drunken stupor she tries to find out what her husband was really about.
And I kept on guessing. It was just too hard to tell to be honest. I wanted to believe the best of him, but as she started to falter so did I.
Good book. And to be honest, yes it shows it is British. It is just something in the tone of it
July 13, 2017
3.5* --> 4*
“There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true. The other is to refuse to believe what it is true.”
Four months ago, fourteen year old Kayleigh goes missing. On the same day, Rebecca’s husband Chris disappears as well. Is it a coincidence or is there more going on? The town where Rebecca lives is quick to jump to conclusions. What really happened on that day?
Reported Missing didn’t quite turn out to be what I was expecting. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, mind you. There are a few twists and turns and while the ending took me by surprise, it also left me a bit disappointed. It’s a super tense ride though with excellent and realistic characterisation, albeit it not action-packed.
Some might say this book is quite slow and in a way it is but I actually enjoyed that. Watching Rebecca struggle on a daily basis was incredibly heartbreaking and thought-provoking as she not only has to deal with the fact that her husband is gone, but also with the accusations and angry glares from the town residents. A town that is clearly unfamiliar with the concept of innocent until proven guilty. Rebecca finds herself guilty by association and the town doesn’t make a secret of it.
You can’t help but feel for Rebecca or wonder how you would deal with a situation like this. I was rooting for her all the way. No matter what her husband has or hasn’t done, she’s the innocent party here. He’s not her responsibility, a fact most people forget in a heartbeat.
All in all, a really well written and thought-provoking story of ordinary people being thrown into turmoil and trying to find a way to keep their head above water.
“There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true. The other is to refuse to believe what it is true.”
Four months ago, fourteen year old Kayleigh goes missing. On the same day, Rebecca’s husband Chris disappears as well. Is it a coincidence or is there more going on? The town where Rebecca lives is quick to jump to conclusions. What really happened on that day?
Reported Missing didn’t quite turn out to be what I was expecting. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, mind you. There are a few twists and turns and while the ending took me by surprise, it also left me a bit disappointed. It’s a super tense ride though with excellent and realistic characterisation, albeit it not action-packed.
Some might say this book is quite slow and in a way it is but I actually enjoyed that. Watching Rebecca struggle on a daily basis was incredibly heartbreaking and thought-provoking as she not only has to deal with the fact that her husband is gone, but also with the accusations and angry glares from the town residents. A town that is clearly unfamiliar with the concept of innocent until proven guilty. Rebecca finds herself guilty by association and the town doesn’t make a secret of it.
You can’t help but feel for Rebecca or wonder how you would deal with a situation like this. I was rooting for her all the way. No matter what her husband has or hasn’t done, she’s the innocent party here. He’s not her responsibility, a fact most people forget in a heartbeat.
All in all, a really well written and thought-provoking story of ordinary people being thrown into turmoil and trying to find a way to keep their head above water.
July 29, 2017
I am a victim. A cover love victim. There was no way my eyes would not catch the beautiful contrast of colors and the tagline that hints to my favorite trope: the suspect husband! No wonder why I don't want to get married, haha!
The title gives you a good idea of what to expect in this book. Missing people. A teenager. A man. Coincidence? Crime stories and newspaper headlines have taught us not to believe in them, so I could totally see why the town, the police, and every Tom and Harry would think those two disappearances were connected. I would probably have thought the same! Yes, the police are supposed to “investigate all leads” but don't we hear that the easiest explanation is the right one? Can we really blame them for looking at the first facts and drawing conclusions?
Rebecca trusts her husband. Trusted. But while his life got “suspended”, hers kept going, the town had to find someone to blame, and her life took a turn for the worst. Living in a caravan, she is only the shadow of herself. With a head full of questions, bottles around, and weeks since she's heard anything from the man she was supposed to spend her life with, there is not much for her to look for anymore. I first felt so sorry for Rebecca. I understood her need to stick to her husband's side, and I felt the unfairness of how the disappearances had been handled. After all, people go missing every day. The fact a young girl and a former teacher vanished the very same day could only be a joke from life, and I couldn't help feel angry at the police for the angle with which they handled the case from the beginning. If Chris only had disappeared that day, the police would have treated the information differently, and I couldn't help thinking he did not stand the same chance as a beautiful and lively teenager.
Rebecca feels in her guts that her husband has nothing to do with what happened to Kayleigh, but as time goes by, she can't help but wonder, and when she witnesses strange happenings in town, she decides to dig a little. Only the digging brings doubts, and I can't blame her for that! I can blame the alcohol and bad decisions, though. This is when I started to detach myself from her distress. I know not all women are strong and ready to fight for what they believe in, live for and whatever, but I was so frustrated to see Rebecca wonder and wonder without doing anything to prove her husband's innocence, and her naivety and helplessness got on my nerves. I could only take so much of drinking, sleeping pills and feeling sorry for herself. She did not deserve some of the things that happened to her, but I was hoping it would trigger something, a reaction from her, and make things more exciting, but Rebecca never really left her shell.
I appreciated that the story explored what happens to the other side, the ones left behind with a wall of questions, a deafening silence, and a broken heart. I only believed it took too long for the plot to move on from the poor victim Rebecca to tangible facts and events. I admit I was wondering about Chris throughout the story, and as information was given to us, the shadow of a man appeared, a very different man than described by his wife. Rebecca is caught in the past, the good memories, and the life she had, and she cannot cope with the assumption that something happened. Except it did, whether or not the disappearances are connected. I wished a hundred times that I could shake some sense into her.
The mystery and possible link between the cases weren't enough to keep me turning pages like a crazy lady. I struggled to finish the book. Maybe a more resilient main character and a slightly faster pace would have helped. I couldn't find a way to connect and get curious about the teenager, and her friends did not help. I did however enjoyed the answers I got and the open ending. I felt it was perfect for this particular book. My only regret is that it took way too long to have me interested in what was happening.
Reported Missing could satisfy readers looking for a different perspective on missing people cases and lovers of assumptions, if they can handle a slow pace and a load of self-pity.
June 19, 2017
Without a doubt, this debut novel is going to hit the right notes for a ton of readers. For me, however, it fell a little bit flat.
For sure, it's a solid plot and the writing is very good; and overall, I enjoyed reading it and give it 4 stars without hesitation. For the most part, what colored my experience, I think, is that I've read too many of late with a similar theme: A spouse/lover/child suddenly goes missing (or is accused of a crime, or both), and the remaining spouse/lover/parent desperately tries to figure out what happened while refusing to believe what others insist is true. Whether the chapters reflect the perspective of a single person (as is the case here) or alternates points of view among several characters, each one adds "clues" that crescendo to an ending that's intended to knock readers' socks off.
All that happens here as well, to a woman named Rebecca Pendle. In the midst of a seemingly happy married life, her husband Chris Harding suddenly disappears without a trace from Shawmouth, the small English town to which they'd recently moved from the hustle and bustle of London. That same day, 14-year-old Kayleigh Jackson went missing as well, leading authorities to suspect the two disappearances might be connected. In short order, many of the townspeople turn against Rebecca - as do some of her former friends and neighbors, who now taunt and shun her because she was close to a person they believe to be a pedophile or worse.
Rebecca, of course, still loves Chris and doesn't believe for a second that he's played any role in the young girl's disappearance. To escape, she relocates to a rather seedy "caravan" park; but even here, she can't get away from the rumors and things that go bump in the night. And little by little, clues crop up that make her begin to doubt how much she really knew her husband - for instance, the fact that he never told her he'd been fired from his job two weeks before he disappeared.
Rebecca narrates her attempts to ferret out the truth, which often take her to places she knows she shouldn't go and to people she knows don't want to see or hear her. The clues she picks up here and there, though, only add to her self-doubt, angst and paranoia. And here is where I really got bogged down. Admittedly, I come from a sturdy stock of female role models, but never in a million years would I allow myself to be victimized by other people's words or actions. Certainly, I can understand the emotional toll of not knowing, say, whether a missing loved one is alive or dead and the need to get answers; but only up to a point. Rebecca reaches that level early on and then drags it to an all-new high. By the halfway mark, I had a single nerve left - a frazzled one at that - and she was standing square on the middle of it. From then on, I remained interested in learning who did what, but I really didn't care a whit how, or even if, Rebecca herself survived.
But that, folks, is just me. As I said at the beginning, this is a solid effort that I expect - and hope - will do well. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review it.
For sure, it's a solid plot and the writing is very good; and overall, I enjoyed reading it and give it 4 stars without hesitation. For the most part, what colored my experience, I think, is that I've read too many of late with a similar theme: A spouse/lover/child suddenly goes missing (or is accused of a crime, or both), and the remaining spouse/lover/parent desperately tries to figure out what happened while refusing to believe what others insist is true. Whether the chapters reflect the perspective of a single person (as is the case here) or alternates points of view among several characters, each one adds "clues" that crescendo to an ending that's intended to knock readers' socks off.
All that happens here as well, to a woman named Rebecca Pendle. In the midst of a seemingly happy married life, her husband Chris Harding suddenly disappears without a trace from Shawmouth, the small English town to which they'd recently moved from the hustle and bustle of London. That same day, 14-year-old Kayleigh Jackson went missing as well, leading authorities to suspect the two disappearances might be connected. In short order, many of the townspeople turn against Rebecca - as do some of her former friends and neighbors, who now taunt and shun her because she was close to a person they believe to be a pedophile or worse.
Rebecca, of course, still loves Chris and doesn't believe for a second that he's played any role in the young girl's disappearance. To escape, she relocates to a rather seedy "caravan" park; but even here, she can't get away from the rumors and things that go bump in the night. And little by little, clues crop up that make her begin to doubt how much she really knew her husband - for instance, the fact that he never told her he'd been fired from his job two weeks before he disappeared.
Rebecca narrates her attempts to ferret out the truth, which often take her to places she knows she shouldn't go and to people she knows don't want to see or hear her. The clues she picks up here and there, though, only add to her self-doubt, angst and paranoia. And here is where I really got bogged down. Admittedly, I come from a sturdy stock of female role models, but never in a million years would I allow myself to be victimized by other people's words or actions. Certainly, I can understand the emotional toll of not knowing, say, whether a missing loved one is alive or dead and the need to get answers; but only up to a point. Rebecca reaches that level early on and then drags it to an all-new high. By the halfway mark, I had a single nerve left - a frazzled one at that - and she was standing square on the middle of it. From then on, I remained interested in learning who did what, but I really didn't care a whit how, or even if, Rebecca herself survived.
But that, folks, is just me. As I said at the beginning, this is a solid effort that I expect - and hope - will do well. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review it.
July 12, 2017
Finished reading: July 10th 2017
"My guts clench, a phantom pain where my instinct used to be, telling me what to do, showing me the way. Nowthe needle just spins and spins."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
May 24, 2017
Brilliant! A book that had me on tenterhooks. Packed with tension and twists, this is an amazing, unputdownable page turner. Felt for Rebecca and was with her every step of the way. This is a thought provoking, sensitively written, brilliantly executed story of ordinary people stretched to breaking point. Loved it.
June 25, 2017
I give Reported Missing by Sarah Wray 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars. I will tell you why in a minute.
To say Rebecca is having a rough time is an understatement. One day, her husband goes to work and never comes back. In other news, there's a 14 year old girl, Kaleigh, who went missing the same day.
Are they linked together? The public sure thinks so. Rebecca is getting phone calls, being followed, being taunted. The police are unable to share any information and she is living her life in limbo.
Stars be gone...
The story itself was excellent. Sarah Wray's writing is good for a first time novelist. But, there's always a but, the first quarter of the book was... So. Darn. Slow. I'm pretty sure I could have gotten a feel for the troubled life Rebecca was leading in less than 25% of the book. That's the reason for the loss of a whole star.
The other half of the missing star was because even though it became interesting after 25%, the book pace seemed very slow to me. Thus, 3.5 stars for me - rounded up for the good story.
Stars be here...
On the other hand, Sara Wray's Reported missing fully earned it's 3.5 stars that I did give. Once I got past the 25% point, we finally got into the meat of the story. While there wasn't much emotional ups and downs for me, Sarah Wray did a really good job of keeping the ending a secret. This drew me into the book (instead of doing chores uh hem) easily because I was really dying to see what was going to happen in the end.
The ending was unexpected and that's always a bonus for me.
P.S. Isn't that a gorgeous book cover?
Thank you bookouture, Netgalley, and Sarah Wray for an advanced copy of Reported Missing. My opinions are my own and not biased in any way.
To say Rebecca is having a rough time is an understatement. One day, her husband goes to work and never comes back. In other news, there's a 14 year old girl, Kaleigh, who went missing the same day.
Are they linked together? The public sure thinks so. Rebecca is getting phone calls, being followed, being taunted. The police are unable to share any information and she is living her life in limbo.
Stars be gone...
The story itself was excellent. Sarah Wray's writing is good for a first time novelist. But, there's always a but, the first quarter of the book was... So. Darn. Slow. I'm pretty sure I could have gotten a feel for the troubled life Rebecca was leading in less than 25% of the book. That's the reason for the loss of a whole star.
The other half of the missing star was because even though it became interesting after 25%, the book pace seemed very slow to me. Thus, 3.5 stars for me - rounded up for the good story.
Stars be here...
On the other hand, Sara Wray's Reported missing fully earned it's 3.5 stars that I did give. Once I got past the 25% point, we finally got into the meat of the story. While there wasn't much emotional ups and downs for me, Sarah Wray did a really good job of keeping the ending a secret. This drew me into the book (instead of doing chores uh hem) easily because I was really dying to see what was going to happen in the end.
The ending was unexpected and that's always a bonus for me.
P.S. Isn't that a gorgeous book cover?
Thank you bookouture, Netgalley, and Sarah Wray for an advanced copy of Reported Missing. My opinions are my own and not biased in any way.
July 18, 2017
Oooooooh! I love when a debut novel just wraps its icy hooks around you and chills you to the core! That is exactly what Sarah Wray’s Reported Missing did to me – I am only sorry I waited so long to pick this beauty up!
Set in the seaside town of Shawmouth, the reader is instantly faced with sadness, fear, loss, misplaced guilt, mistrust, hope, terror & torment, a search for the truth that has you questioning everything you thought you knew.
Told in the first person POV, this story had me breathless – there was an intensity in the plot that just kept me wanting to know more. This is not a fast-paced read, it can’t be- it shouldn’t be- because the reader is taken on a journey with the main character in her search for answers. I was hooked from the start and immediately knew that I, like Becca, had unanswered questions that I needed to find the truth to as well! What I learned shocked me and made this book memorable!
Characterisation was a strength in this novel and something that really pulls me into a book. There were a lot of characters to keep this storyline tight and unwavering. Becca (Rebecca) Pendle is the main character – we are told the story through her eyes. Becca is broken; tormented by those in her small hometown, she questions everything she once believed to be true. It was almost tragic and I really felt for her. We feel her thoughts, emotions and actions as if we are right there with her. Becca had a determination and courage that made me urge her to succeed in her search for the truth.
I loved her friend Jeannie. Wanting to help her friend but also wanting to encourage her to face the fact that sometimes the truth hurts – even when we can never be sure of what that truth is. Paige and Kat were another two that dominated (in a good way) this story. I was constantly torn between feeling sorry for them – two young girls whose friend has gone missing on the one hand but also Paige being a right gobby cow! I actually wanted to smack her a few times! 😜
Becca’s husband is a mystery. As the story develops, we learn bits and pieces about him – but if I am honest, I think I would have liked to have known more! What makes a man leave his wife, no calls….no note…and on the same day a 14 year old girl goes missing! And Kayleigh…where does she fit into all of this? What is her story? Like Becca, I was going crazy trying to figure it all out! This novel really brought to the forefront that sometimes we tarnish people as guilty and expect them to prove their innocence!
Do I recommend this book? Hell Yeah, I do! This was a well crafted read and I was amazed it was a debut novel! It has an intensity to it, beautifully written and something that is totally believable! If you like atmospheric reads, with mystery, suspense, allure and a twist that will surprise you – this book is definitely one you will want to add to your TBR!
Set in the seaside town of Shawmouth, the reader is instantly faced with sadness, fear, loss, misplaced guilt, mistrust, hope, terror & torment, a search for the truth that has you questioning everything you thought you knew.
Told in the first person POV, this story had me breathless – there was an intensity in the plot that just kept me wanting to know more. This is not a fast-paced read, it can’t be- it shouldn’t be- because the reader is taken on a journey with the main character in her search for answers. I was hooked from the start and immediately knew that I, like Becca, had unanswered questions that I needed to find the truth to as well! What I learned shocked me and made this book memorable!
Characterisation was a strength in this novel and something that really pulls me into a book. There were a lot of characters to keep this storyline tight and unwavering. Becca (Rebecca) Pendle is the main character – we are told the story through her eyes. Becca is broken; tormented by those in her small hometown, she questions everything she once believed to be true. It was almost tragic and I really felt for her. We feel her thoughts, emotions and actions as if we are right there with her. Becca had a determination and courage that made me urge her to succeed in her search for the truth.
I loved her friend Jeannie. Wanting to help her friend but also wanting to encourage her to face the fact that sometimes the truth hurts – even when we can never be sure of what that truth is. Paige and Kat were another two that dominated (in a good way) this story. I was constantly torn between feeling sorry for them – two young girls whose friend has gone missing on the one hand but also Paige being a right gobby cow! I actually wanted to smack her a few times! 😜
Becca’s husband is a mystery. As the story develops, we learn bits and pieces about him – but if I am honest, I think I would have liked to have known more! What makes a man leave his wife, no calls….no note…and on the same day a 14 year old girl goes missing! And Kayleigh…where does she fit into all of this? What is her story? Like Becca, I was going crazy trying to figure it all out! This novel really brought to the forefront that sometimes we tarnish people as guilty and expect them to prove their innocence!
Do I recommend this book? Hell Yeah, I do! This was a well crafted read and I was amazed it was a debut novel! It has an intensity to it, beautifully written and something that is totally believable! If you like atmospheric reads, with mystery, suspense, allure and a twist that will surprise you – this book is definitely one you will want to add to your TBR!
July 16, 2017
Hi, guys. Hope you are having a great Sunday afternoon. Today I have the honour to be part of the Sarah Wray’s blog tour for the latest book Reported Missing. And if you are in the search of a book that will make you doubt in everyone and everything till the last page, look no further. This is the book for you.
Fourteen-years-old Kayleigh Jackson is missing. She goes out to visit her friends and never gets there. Very same day, a man disappears too. His wife, Rebecca Pendle, reports him missing. The two cases do not seem connected at first, but as the time goes by, rumour has it that Chris has something to do with Kayleigh’s disappearance. Everyone is looking for the missing girl, no one seems to care for the missing man.
The only person who believes in Chris’ innocence is his wife, Rebecca. She starts her own investigation. She is the only one who doesn’t believe in the rumours of her husband being a paedophile. People talk that there was pornography found on his computer, that he hung out with Kayleigh, that he kept her hostage somewhere. To find out what really happened and to clear her husband’s name, she has to find out what really happened four months ago.
But her investigation doesn’t come out as she planned. Kayleigh’s friends seem to hide something, they do not talk much, and someone is always following Rebecca. There are strange phone calls, things are moved in her house, things are missing from her mother’s room in the nursing home. Maybe there is a simple explanation for everything, or maybe Rebecca doesn’t want to see the truth.
Reported Missing is a beautifully written thrilling story. I like the way the story flows, the tension that rises on every other page. I like the hints, the turnovers that the author includes in the main story, that makes you suspect in everyone and everything. I must say that the ending didn’t really leave me with my jaw dropped, but the storytelling made me wonder if Rebecca was following her gut or was wearing her pink glasses. Overall, it is a thrilling, nail-biting story definitely worth reading.
Fourteen-years-old Kayleigh Jackson is missing. She goes out to visit her friends and never gets there. Very same day, a man disappears too. His wife, Rebecca Pendle, reports him missing. The two cases do not seem connected at first, but as the time goes by, rumour has it that Chris has something to do with Kayleigh’s disappearance. Everyone is looking for the missing girl, no one seems to care for the missing man.
The only person who believes in Chris’ innocence is his wife, Rebecca. She starts her own investigation. She is the only one who doesn’t believe in the rumours of her husband being a paedophile. People talk that there was pornography found on his computer, that he hung out with Kayleigh, that he kept her hostage somewhere. To find out what really happened and to clear her husband’s name, she has to find out what really happened four months ago.
But her investigation doesn’t come out as she planned. Kayleigh’s friends seem to hide something, they do not talk much, and someone is always following Rebecca. There are strange phone calls, things are moved in her house, things are missing from her mother’s room in the nursing home. Maybe there is a simple explanation for everything, or maybe Rebecca doesn’t want to see the truth.
Reported Missing is a beautifully written thrilling story. I like the way the story flows, the tension that rises on every other page. I like the hints, the turnovers that the author includes in the main story, that makes you suspect in everyone and everything. I must say that the ending didn’t really leave me with my jaw dropped, but the storytelling made me wonder if Rebecca was following her gut or was wearing her pink glasses. Overall, it is a thrilling, nail-biting story definitely worth reading.
July 19, 2017
Rebecca Pendle is depressed but it is very understandable because 4 months ago she had a lovely house, a job, an husband and money in the bank but now she lives in a caravan, hanging by a thread with her job, a missing husband and escalating debt! To top it all off though on the same day as her husband disappeared so did a 14 year old girl from the small seaside town where they lived. Neither of them had been seen since. What a difference a day can make. Just one day and none of it was her fault, she was just collateral damage left behind in the whole scheme of things.
This is such a hard hitting and powerful story about Rebecca, the kicking post for a town that didn’t have any answers to where her husband Chris and the young girl Kayleigh were. Had he abducted her or worse? Were they even connected to each other? I mean surely the wife knew something was going on. All the normal assumptions that people that haven’t got a clue make. Rebecca was constantly tortured mentally and physically by a gang of teenagers, friends of the missing girl and shunned by a town that should have known better. The whole story is very heart breaking in so many ways.
There is no escape for her, she is determined to be there if or when he comes home and also for her mother in the care home in the town suffering from dementia. There are some very touching moments that even with her mum being in such a state she could still find comfort and protection just by being near to her. Rebecca battles with bouts of hiding away and throwing herself into some rather dodgy situations in order to find out the truth. Some of which she wishes she could undo and never know. As the story progresses the pace quickens along with the tension.
I really enjoyed this story that high lighted the innocent victims by association of a suspected crime, looked at from different angles including the police investigation.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, this is my honest and unbiased review.
This is such a hard hitting and powerful story about Rebecca, the kicking post for a town that didn’t have any answers to where her husband Chris and the young girl Kayleigh were. Had he abducted her or worse? Were they even connected to each other? I mean surely the wife knew something was going on. All the normal assumptions that people that haven’t got a clue make. Rebecca was constantly tortured mentally and physically by a gang of teenagers, friends of the missing girl and shunned by a town that should have known better. The whole story is very heart breaking in so many ways.
There is no escape for her, she is determined to be there if or when he comes home and also for her mother in the care home in the town suffering from dementia. There are some very touching moments that even with her mum being in such a state she could still find comfort and protection just by being near to her. Rebecca battles with bouts of hiding away and throwing herself into some rather dodgy situations in order to find out the truth. Some of which she wishes she could undo and never know. As the story progresses the pace quickens along with the tension.
I really enjoyed this story that high lighted the innocent victims by association of a suspected crime, looked at from different angles including the police investigation.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, this is my honest and unbiased review.
August 31, 2017
For the last four months Rebecca Pendle has been bearing the brunt of a whole town’s hate. Four months ago her husband went missing on the same day that 14 year old Kayleigh Jackson also went missing. Did he take her? Did they run away together? No one, least of all Rebecca has the answers that Kayleighs family and the rest of the town want.
Finding out that her husband Chris had lost his job but failed to tell her, instead leaving Rebecca to pack his lunch and say goodbye to him every morning has been a huge shock to her, but surely if Chris was a man that would abduct a teenager she would know. She would see something like that in his eyes?
The premise of this book completely drew me in. Rebeca, the main character for the most part I wanted to grab by the shoulders, shake and scream vigorously “Pull yourself together woman”. Rebecca decides to investigate things herself but can barely stay sober long enough to walk out of the caravan that she has taken up residence in.
While this was a fantastic story the ending was only half tied up for me. It still left a great many questions unanswered and that always leaves me with an uneasy feeling when I finish a book! 4.5 stars from me!
Finding out that her husband Chris had lost his job but failed to tell her, instead leaving Rebecca to pack his lunch and say goodbye to him every morning has been a huge shock to her, but surely if Chris was a man that would abduct a teenager she would know. She would see something like that in his eyes?
The premise of this book completely drew me in. Rebeca, the main character for the most part I wanted to grab by the shoulders, shake and scream vigorously “Pull yourself together woman”. Rebecca decides to investigate things herself but can barely stay sober long enough to walk out of the caravan that she has taken up residence in.
While this was a fantastic story the ending was only half tied up for me. It still left a great many questions unanswered and that always leaves me with an uneasy feeling when I finish a book! 4.5 stars from me!
July 30, 2017
The premise of this book had me really wanting to read it, but unfortunately it didn’t live up to expectations for me. The book started quite slow, I was constantly waiting to discover some answers to what had gone on. When the truth started to finally come out I did get drawn back into the book, but then that truth only covered part of the mystery.
I was left a bit disappointed if I’m totally honest, and I hate feeling that way after really looking forward to reading something. Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing a copy.
I was left a bit disappointed if I’m totally honest, and I hate feeling that way after really looking forward to reading something. Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing a copy.
May 29, 2017
What if your husband failed to come home? What if a young girl from the village disappeared on the same day? What if over a short period of time, everyone begins to assume the two events are related? Reported Missing examines the despair that envelopes Rebecca Pendle, when on July 17, both her husband Chris and young Kayleigh Jackson disappear.
Rebecca wants to trust that her husband had nothing to do with the disappearance of fourteen-year-old Kayleigh, but the town has already decided. When Chris does not return within a few days, Rebecca begins sliding into deep depression. Four months later, no trace of Chris or Kayleigh has been found.
Unable to stay in the home she and Chris shared, Rebecca moves to a caravan park where she spends months drinking too much and sleeping with the aide of pills. The story quieted down for a while, but a planned vigil for Kayleigh's fifteenth birthday stirs the town up again. After teenagers discover where she is living and harass her, Rebecca decides to conduct her own investigation to prove her husband's innocence.
But Rebecca isn't a confident heroine with a clear plan. She is a confused and despairing woman who finds many of her best memories of her husband tainted. Much of what she learns does little to improve her hopes. How well did she really know her husband?
I wasn't at all sure that I would like this book, but I ended up engrossed. It isn't fast-paced, but it is an intimate examination of a woman going through a terrible emotional trauma and eventually managing to try to take charge of her life.
Reported Missing is a fascinating debut novel.
Read in May; blog post scheduled for July 6.
NetGalley/Bookouture
Psychological/Suspense. July 14, 2017. Print length: 356 pages.
Rebecca wants to trust that her husband had nothing to do with the disappearance of fourteen-year-old Kayleigh, but the town has already decided. When Chris does not return within a few days, Rebecca begins sliding into deep depression. Four months later, no trace of Chris or Kayleigh has been found.
Unable to stay in the home she and Chris shared, Rebecca moves to a caravan park where she spends months drinking too much and sleeping with the aide of pills. The story quieted down for a while, but a planned vigil for Kayleigh's fifteenth birthday stirs the town up again. After teenagers discover where she is living and harass her, Rebecca decides to conduct her own investigation to prove her husband's innocence.
But Rebecca isn't a confident heroine with a clear plan. She is a confused and despairing woman who finds many of her best memories of her husband tainted. Much of what she learns does little to improve her hopes. How well did she really know her husband?
I wasn't at all sure that I would like this book, but I ended up engrossed. It isn't fast-paced, but it is an intimate examination of a woman going through a terrible emotional trauma and eventually managing to try to take charge of her life.
Reported Missing is a fascinating debut novel.
Read in May; blog post scheduled for July 6.
NetGalley/Bookouture
Psychological/Suspense. July 14, 2017. Print length: 356 pages.
August 7, 2017
One could argue that the real victim in this scenario is Rebecca. She has committed no crime other than being married to a suspect in the disappearance of a teenage girl. There is no concrete proof other than the fact that both Chris and young Kayleigh vanished on the same day. Does a simple coincidence have more sinister connotations or has Chris been leading a double-life?
The public believes Rebecca has been harbouring a deviant and they also think she supports him. The fact that she is searching for him seems to imply a sort of complicity. Her actions would be perceived as those of a caring and worried wife under other circumstances.
Rebecca starts to admit to herself, as the story progresses, that perhaps her life with Chris wasn’t so picture perfect. She has a selective memory, which is probably why she finds it hard to accept the reality of his betrayal.
As I mentioned before, I think Rebecca is the real victim. She is completely vilified by nearly everyone she encounters, especially a certain group of youngsters. Her life has disintegrated into a fog of sleeping pills and alcohol. Her husband is presumed guilty just based on circumstantial evidence and a heck of a lot of rumours.
Wray has written a cracking read, there is no doubt about that, but I believe she deserves a kudos for perhaps unintentionally calling out the media and society for pointing fingers without proof. For showing the negative aspects of social and mass media where fake news and false rumours are prevalent and reputations are destroyed in the blink of an eye, and the actual truth has become almost inconsequential to the majority of people.
*I received a copy of this book courtesy of bookouture via NetGalley.*
The public believes Rebecca has been harbouring a deviant and they also think she supports him. The fact that she is searching for him seems to imply a sort of complicity. Her actions would be perceived as those of a caring and worried wife under other circumstances.
Rebecca starts to admit to herself, as the story progresses, that perhaps her life with Chris wasn’t so picture perfect. She has a selective memory, which is probably why she finds it hard to accept the reality of his betrayal.
As I mentioned before, I think Rebecca is the real victim. She is completely vilified by nearly everyone she encounters, especially a certain group of youngsters. Her life has disintegrated into a fog of sleeping pills and alcohol. Her husband is presumed guilty just based on circumstantial evidence and a heck of a lot of rumours.
Wray has written a cracking read, there is no doubt about that, but I believe she deserves a kudos for perhaps unintentionally calling out the media and society for pointing fingers without proof. For showing the negative aspects of social and mass media where fake news and false rumours are prevalent and reputations are destroyed in the blink of an eye, and the actual truth has become almost inconsequential to the majority of people.
*I received a copy of this book courtesy of bookouture via NetGalley.*
May 24, 2017
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.
When the story opens four months have passed since Rebecca's husband, Chris, disappeared. On the same day as his disappearance, a 14-year old girl called Kayleigh also went missing. There has been speculation that the two events are linked and Rebecca has moved out of her home and into a caravan to try to escape from public hostility.
I found the first third of this novel extremely slow and depressing and I would not have continued with it, had I not agreed to review it. Rebecca drinks too much vodka, goes for a swim, is treated kindly by the caravan park owner, is bullied by teenage friends of Kayleigh, ponders the fact that she has no money and is living off her credit cards, wonders where Chris is, drinks more vodka and so on and so on. Rebecca was hard to like and I never really worked her out - one moment she was brave and defiant, the next she was intimidated and afraid, she treated her best friend badly and often behaved in a way which seemed odd to me.
It picked up to an extent once we learnt more about what Chris had been like during the months before his disappearance, but this was revealed excruciatingly slowly and Rebecca continued to be her own worst enemy; I spent the whole time I was reading the story wanting to tell her to move back home, go back to work and stop feeling sorry for herself. On the plus side, the uncertainty she began to feel about Chris was well portrayed and I thought the novel was generally well-written.
The ending was a little underwhelming, but by then I was glad to have got to the end.
When the story opens four months have passed since Rebecca's husband, Chris, disappeared. On the same day as his disappearance, a 14-year old girl called Kayleigh also went missing. There has been speculation that the two events are linked and Rebecca has moved out of her home and into a caravan to try to escape from public hostility.
I found the first third of this novel extremely slow and depressing and I would not have continued with it, had I not agreed to review it. Rebecca drinks too much vodka, goes for a swim, is treated kindly by the caravan park owner, is bullied by teenage friends of Kayleigh, ponders the fact that she has no money and is living off her credit cards, wonders where Chris is, drinks more vodka and so on and so on. Rebecca was hard to like and I never really worked her out - one moment she was brave and defiant, the next she was intimidated and afraid, she treated her best friend badly and often behaved in a way which seemed odd to me.
It picked up to an extent once we learnt more about what Chris had been like during the months before his disappearance, but this was revealed excruciatingly slowly and Rebecca continued to be her own worst enemy; I spent the whole time I was reading the story wanting to tell her to move back home, go back to work and stop feeling sorry for herself. On the plus side, the uncertainty she began to feel about Chris was well portrayed and I thought the novel was generally well-written.
The ending was a little underwhelming, but by then I was glad to have got to the end.
August 4, 2017
As soon as Bookouture revealed the cover to Sarah Wray’s debut, I knew I had to read it! I’m a sucker for the monotone covers with striking accents!! Particularly ones with red, my favourite colour!
By some pure fluke, I started this slow burner of a psychological thriller on the day that this story is hinged upon, 17 July. The day that teenager Kayleigh and former teacher Chris disappear. Are their disappearances linked or is it just one of life’s coincidences to which Chris’ wife Becca, our leading lady is clinging to? The whole town is focussing on the disappearance of Kayleigh as you’d expect because she’s a teenager but Becca is desperate to find her man despite him being branded as the guy who has kidnapped the young girl.
Becca is one of those characters that you’re wary of. She’s a victim of circumstance, she’s being targeted and forced out of her own home into a caravan park where she’s desperate to hide. But she’s developed a crutch in the form of alcohol so how much can you trust her? How much is in her mind? I did feel sorry for her, she’s being bullied and no one will help her find her husband. She’s grasping at straws and pestering the police for updates when their energies are focussed on finding young Kayleigh.
I found the whole story tense, I really wanted to find out what happened to our two missing persons. I’m looking forward to seeing what Sarah has to offer next!
By some pure fluke, I started this slow burner of a psychological thriller on the day that this story is hinged upon, 17 July. The day that teenager Kayleigh and former teacher Chris disappear. Are their disappearances linked or is it just one of life’s coincidences to which Chris’ wife Becca, our leading lady is clinging to? The whole town is focussing on the disappearance of Kayleigh as you’d expect because she’s a teenager but Becca is desperate to find her man despite him being branded as the guy who has kidnapped the young girl.
Becca is one of those characters that you’re wary of. She’s a victim of circumstance, she’s being targeted and forced out of her own home into a caravan park where she’s desperate to hide. But she’s developed a crutch in the form of alcohol so how much can you trust her? How much is in her mind? I did feel sorry for her, she’s being bullied and no one will help her find her husband. She’s grasping at straws and pestering the police for updates when their energies are focussed on finding young Kayleigh.
I found the whole story tense, I really wanted to find out what happened to our two missing persons. I’m looking forward to seeing what Sarah has to offer next!
August 21, 2017
I was interested in reading this book because of the premise. I was intrigued by the idea of the missing girl and the man who disappeared on the same day. I was curious to know whether this was just a coincidence or did Chris really take the girl.
This book wasn’t for me because of the pacing. The story starts out slow and ends up staying that way to the last page. It mainly focuses on Rebecca’s life after Chris went missing. At first, it shows her despair although after a while, she decides to investigate and find out what happened to Chris. I thought the investigation would help move things along but it didn’t. The only reason why I kept reading the book to the last page was because I was curious about what happened to Chris and Kayleigh.
I think this book will appeal to readers who enjoy slow paced, character-driven mysteries. However, check out other reviews especially on goodreads before deciding whether or not to read this book.
This book wasn’t for me because of the pacing. The story starts out slow and ends up staying that way to the last page. It mainly focuses on Rebecca’s life after Chris went missing. At first, it shows her despair although after a while, she decides to investigate and find out what happened to Chris. I thought the investigation would help move things along but it didn’t. The only reason why I kept reading the book to the last page was because I was curious about what happened to Chris and Kayleigh.
I think this book will appeal to readers who enjoy slow paced, character-driven mysteries. However, check out other reviews especially on goodreads before deciding whether or not to read this book.
November 30, 2017
This was a lot slower then I would of liked. I carried on reading because the story itself really peaked my interest and I wanted to know how it played out. However I didn't like how it was written. Nothing really happened for ages and it was extremely dull and long-winded to begin with. The main character wasn't likeable at all, I get that she was going through something bad but it was just depressing to read and she didn't seem to have any personality at all.
I also felt that the story wasn't really concluded well in regards to Chris. I read the book wanting to get to the end to find out what had happened to Chris and Kayleigh but Chris's whereabouts was never explained and I finished the book rather disappointed. I'm hoping this author's next book is better.
I also felt that the story wasn't really concluded well in regards to Chris. I read the book wanting to get to the end to find out what had happened to Chris and Kayleigh but Chris's whereabouts was never explained and I finished the book rather disappointed. I'm hoping this author's next book is better.
July 13, 2017
A chilling page turner.Rebecca's husband Chris disappears one day at the same time Kayleigh a teenage girl disappears.The angry town assumes they are together everyone looks at Rebecca with hate.Rebecca herself is in shock where is her husband was he involved with the missing teenager.As we get to know Rebecca find out the real story of their marriage more&more questions kept me racing through the pages.
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