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Sophie Was Here
The perfect family. The perfect new home. Until I found out about the missing girl…
When I get the keys to Forest Farm, my boyfriend Charlie’s family home, I know I am the luckiest girl alive. This gorgeous five-bed farmhouse with its sweeping gravel drive has been given to us no questions asked. And with Charlie’s parents living so close, I feel like the door has been shut on the secrets of my past and I’ve been welcomed into a brand-new family.
But soon my perfect new life seems more like a nightmare. I hear whispers about Charlie and me when I go to the village shop, and when we stroll to the local pub for drinks, the bar falls silent. At first, I can’t understand why, but then I learn about Sophie, Charlie’s girlfriend who disappeared when she was seventeen.
Charlie was on holiday when she vanished. But when I ask him about it, the coldness in his eyes chills me to the bone. How well do I know the man I’m living with?
And then one lonely evening, I make my way down to the basement. And under the light of the single bulb, scratched into the ugly grey walls, I see the
Sophie was here.
I have to find out what really happened. But in an isolated house, surrounded by a family I no longer trust, will I be in danger if I do?
A gripping and totally addictive story from Amazon best-selling author Kathryn Croft. Fans of Lisa Jewell and The Housemaid will be completely hooked on Sophie Was Here .
When I get the keys to Forest Farm, my boyfriend Charlie’s family home, I know I am the luckiest girl alive. This gorgeous five-bed farmhouse with its sweeping gravel drive has been given to us no questions asked. And with Charlie’s parents living so close, I feel like the door has been shut on the secrets of my past and I’ve been welcomed into a brand-new family.
But soon my perfect new life seems more like a nightmare. I hear whispers about Charlie and me when I go to the village shop, and when we stroll to the local pub for drinks, the bar falls silent. At first, I can’t understand why, but then I learn about Sophie, Charlie’s girlfriend who disappeared when she was seventeen.
Charlie was on holiday when she vanished. But when I ask him about it, the coldness in his eyes chills me to the bone. How well do I know the man I’m living with?
And then one lonely evening, I make my way down to the basement. And under the light of the single bulb, scratched into the ugly grey walls, I see the
Sophie was here.
I have to find out what really happened. But in an isolated house, surrounded by a family I no longer trust, will I be in danger if I do?
A gripping and totally addictive story from Amazon best-selling author Kathryn Croft. Fans of Lisa Jewell and The Housemaid will be completely hooked on Sophie Was Here .
Audible Audio
Published July 3, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews
June 23, 2025
Another great read from this author. It was a slow start, but soon got into this storyline. Emmie boyfriend Charlie wants a new start, leaving their secrets behind them. Charlie parents give them a farmhouse to live in.Emmie discovers writing on the basement wall from Charlie ex girlfriend his ex Sophie disappeared years ago.does Charlie know about about her disappearance...there's alot of secrets to be revealed...Great read looking forward to reading more of her books..
July 3, 2025
Happy publication day 🎉🥳🎧
I’ve already read a few of Kathryn Croft’s books, less than I remember it seems, but perhaps they predate my presence here. I thoroughly enjoyed Sophie Was Here, and guess what? not only did I not see the twist coming, I was completely shocked when it did. I absolutely love not guessing the twist.
Emmie has a great new life to look forward to, boyfriend Charlie’s parents have gifted them a large farmhouse in a beautiful village, a far cry from the life she lives in London. A dream come true, yet a nightmare about to start. The couple haven’t been in their new home for very long when snippets of information start to come at Emmie in whispers, it seems that Sophie, the local girl who disappeared when she was 17 year old was Charlie’s girlfriend, moreover it seems she’s left a message in the basement!
I’d say this was a little bit of a slow burn, or perhaps more methodical than slow, but that allowed me to really get into the story.
Naomi Frederick’s narration was excellent although I did have to adjust my listening speed to 2.
Many thanks to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
I’ve already read a few of Kathryn Croft’s books, less than I remember it seems, but perhaps they predate my presence here. I thoroughly enjoyed Sophie Was Here, and guess what? not only did I not see the twist coming, I was completely shocked when it did. I absolutely love not guessing the twist.
Emmie has a great new life to look forward to, boyfriend Charlie’s parents have gifted them a large farmhouse in a beautiful village, a far cry from the life she lives in London. A dream come true, yet a nightmare about to start. The couple haven’t been in their new home for very long when snippets of information start to come at Emmie in whispers, it seems that Sophie, the local girl who disappeared when she was 17 year old was Charlie’s girlfriend, moreover it seems she’s left a message in the basement!
I’d say this was a little bit of a slow burn, or perhaps more methodical than slow, but that allowed me to really get into the story.
Naomi Frederick’s narration was excellent although I did have to adjust my listening speed to 2.
Many thanks to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
September 20, 2025
This is a slow-burning mystery with several unexpected twists and turns. The story gradually unfolds from two different perspectives and timelines. This approach helped build suspense and kept me engaged in this gripping and at times heartbreaking tale. Secrets, lies, and deception, mixed with a façade of perfection, describe this character-driven story. Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for my copy.
June 26, 2025
The perfect family.
The perfect new home.
But not the perfect book.
WHY?
This slow-burn thriller was too S-L-0-W.
In addition, the book lacked the suspense element and thrills I was seeking.
Kathryn Croft is one of my go-to authors, so perhaps my expectations were too high.
I listened to the audiobook read by Naomi Frederick.
Although Naomi Frederick did a superb job with the narration, the book would have benefited from an additional narrator since it unfolded from two different POVs and timelines.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 27, 2025
An engaging audiobook with twists that had me guessing — and guessing wrong! Kathryn Croft's "Sophie Was Here" managed to draw me in right away and was the perfect palette cleansing thriller between heavier reads. Naomi Frederick did a good job at juggling different timelines and POVs, and I found it easy to follow even on audio. Recommended for fans of character-driven domestic mysteries that lean towards the darker side without being too gritty. 3.75 stars rounding up to 4.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture Audio, and Kathryn Croft for an advance copy for honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture Audio, and Kathryn Croft for an advance copy for honest review.
June 26, 2025
Man this was one crazy ride! Probably a 4.4 rounded up but it kept me guessing so had to give it a little bump. This book did an amazing job weaving the past and the present giving you moments where you are left racing through the pages to find out what happens. This also was such a quick enjoyable read which is always a plus! I do like getting to see some of the characters at a younger age and then seeing them age and find out how much their personalities have changed. This book also does a great job showing how toxic families can be and how much they are willing to do to keep up appearances. Definitely need to read more from this author because it was such a crazy ride!!!! Thanks NetGalley and bookouture for giving me this opportunity to read this early! Was not disappointed at all!!!!!
June 29, 2025
I really wanted to love Sophie Was Here, and in many ways I did. Kathryn Croft delivers her signature psychological suspense, weaving in secrets, doubts, and tension that kept me turning pages. The premise—uncovering what happened to a missing girl—had genuine intrigue, and I appreciated the slow reveal of character motivations .
That said, halfway through I found myself losing interest. The pacing, especially in the middle, dragged a bit, and I began to sense where things were heading—making the final twists feel somewhat formulaic.
Character-wise, Sophie starts off compelling but doesn’t evolve enough to elevate the plot. Her transformation feels subtle rather than climactic. I did enjoy the psychological depth—another reviewer praised the way hidden motivations emerged naturally —but for me, it wasn’t quite enough to sustain the emotional pull through to the end.
Final Verdict: If you enjoy methodical, character-driven suspense or slow-burn mysteries, Sophie Was Here is worth your time. Just be prepared for a slightly predictable middle act and a payoff that doesn’t always land as strongly as it builds. Still, well worth reading—for the tension, the reveal, and the atmosphere.
That said, halfway through I found myself losing interest. The pacing, especially in the middle, dragged a bit, and I began to sense where things were heading—making the final twists feel somewhat formulaic.
Character-wise, Sophie starts off compelling but doesn’t evolve enough to elevate the plot. Her transformation feels subtle rather than climactic. I did enjoy the psychological depth—another reviewer praised the way hidden motivations emerged naturally —but for me, it wasn’t quite enough to sustain the emotional pull through to the end.
Final Verdict: If you enjoy methodical, character-driven suspense or slow-burn mysteries, Sophie Was Here is worth your time. Just be prepared for a slightly predictable middle act and a payoff that doesn’t always land as strongly as it builds. Still, well worth reading—for the tension, the reveal, and the atmosphere.
November 21, 2025
10/10 💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛
What a stomping read. It grips you from the beginning, hitting the ground running.
Within the first few pages the scene is set - Emmie and Charlie are leaving London to live in a farmhouse Charlie’s parents have gifted him. Emmie is not so sure about the move or about Charlie but she is glad to be leaving her stalker neighbour behind.
When they get to their new home Emmie explores the basement and finds a carving “Help Me”. What does this mean? And, why does it disappear overnight? What is Charlie trying to hide? She soon discovers that a teenage girl called Sophie went missing from the quiet English postcard perfect village….. and she had been Charlie’s girlfriend. As Emmie gets to know his rich family her suspicion keeps building.
I enjoyed the pace and found the story to be totally engaging. It was full of twists, red herrings and characters you will like and some you won’t (but could that be misdirection).
Importantly, the ending was satisfying and tired everything up nicely.
What a stomping read. It grips you from the beginning, hitting the ground running.
Within the first few pages the scene is set - Emmie and Charlie are leaving London to live in a farmhouse Charlie’s parents have gifted him. Emmie is not so sure about the move or about Charlie but she is glad to be leaving her stalker neighbour behind.
When they get to their new home Emmie explores the basement and finds a carving “Help Me”. What does this mean? And, why does it disappear overnight? What is Charlie trying to hide? She soon discovers that a teenage girl called Sophie went missing from the quiet English postcard perfect village….. and she had been Charlie’s girlfriend. As Emmie gets to know his rich family her suspicion keeps building.
I enjoyed the pace and found the story to be totally engaging. It was full of twists, red herrings and characters you will like and some you won’t (but could that be misdirection).
Importantly, the ending was satisfying and tired everything up nicely.
June 24, 2025
Sophie Was Here on audio was a delight. As a reader, knowing I’m going to leave a review once finished, I start the review in my head while reading. Initially I did not think this book was good because of all the criticisms I had regarding characters and plot. And then, voila, the ending made it all clear to me what author Kathryn Croft had done. What a clever writer.
This one features a new couple, a gifted home in need of renovation, a village with long time residents and a mystery about a missing teenager from long ago. I can’t say much more without spoiling, but I will tell you to give this one a read if you enjoy domestic thrillers and great beach reads.
This one features a new couple, a gifted home in need of renovation, a village with long time residents and a mystery about a missing teenager from long ago. I can’t say much more without spoiling, but I will tell you to give this one a read if you enjoy domestic thrillers and great beach reads.
June 22, 2025
3.75 ⭐️
Kathryn Croft wrote a chilling, slow burn mystery. Prior to reading “Sophie Was Here”, I had not read any of Croft’s mystery-thrillers. Not sure why I hadn’t because I appreciate her writing style. Croft wrote her newest novel in a straightforward way with character centered dialogue, dual timelines, multiple perspectives, and a slow burn, mood driven pace.
“Sophie Was Here” told the story of Emmie and her boyfriend, Charlie. They moved into Charlie's family home, a beautiful farmhouse. As the story moved forward, Emmie found herself increasingly unsettled by the cold reception from the locals and Charlie's evasiveness about a previous resident named Sophie. As Emmie explored the house, she discovered a chilling message scratched into the basement wall: "Sophie was here”. This fueled Emmie’s growing unease and prompted her to uncover the truth about Sophie's disappearance.
What started out as a slow burn mystery turned into an intriguing culmination. Despite the slower pace, I was most compelled to the underlying mystery of the disappearance of Sophie, the rich fabricated protagonist, and the intriguing mystery themes.
I really enjoyed following, Emmie, the main protagonist. She was a multi-layered and emotionally vulnerable character. Her psychological transformation and emotional state drove most of the tension throughout the story. Even though she was sensitive, Emmie was also suspicious, courageous, and self reflective. From the first chapter to the last, Emmie’s evolution was evident. At the beginning, Emmie was determined to start fresh after having had experienced trauma or loss. I loved how her vulnerability and determination contributed to her transformation. Altogether, Emmie’s journey was a mix of emotional unraveling and psychological growth.
In addition to really liking Emmie’s persona, I also enjoyed the dual timeline structure that alternated between Emmie’s present-day perspective and Sophie’s flashbacks of her life before her disappearance. This enhanced the dialogue by building suspense through a parallel unfolding as well as deepening the characters insight and the themes of hidden truths.
Moreover, I really enjoyed the atmospheric plot. It was an intriguing, slow burn mystery that disclosed revelations and red herrings at precise times that had me continually questioning everyone.
Croft skillfully navigated captivating themes. The most prominent of the themes explored were deception, trust, and the haunting power of the past. The narrative probed how buried secrets within a family can unravel lives, such as Emmie’s psychological unraveling and obsession with learning the truth about Sophie, the story scoured the emotional toll of isolation, the fragility of memory, and the fear that we may never truly know those closest to us. Even more, Croft’s story highlighted how our atmosphere can intensify vulnerability, creating a tense exploration of identity, intuition, and the consequences of confronting long-concealed truths.
Collectively, Kathryn Croft delivered an intriguing and emotionally charged mystery. For those that like slow burn mysteries, unreliable characters, and atmospheric plots, I recommend reading “Sophie Was Here”.
Thanks to Net Galley and Bookouture Audio for an advance audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
Kathryn Croft wrote a chilling, slow burn mystery. Prior to reading “Sophie Was Here”, I had not read any of Croft’s mystery-thrillers. Not sure why I hadn’t because I appreciate her writing style. Croft wrote her newest novel in a straightforward way with character centered dialogue, dual timelines, multiple perspectives, and a slow burn, mood driven pace.
“Sophie Was Here” told the story of Emmie and her boyfriend, Charlie. They moved into Charlie's family home, a beautiful farmhouse. As the story moved forward, Emmie found herself increasingly unsettled by the cold reception from the locals and Charlie's evasiveness about a previous resident named Sophie. As Emmie explored the house, she discovered a chilling message scratched into the basement wall: "Sophie was here”. This fueled Emmie’s growing unease and prompted her to uncover the truth about Sophie's disappearance.
What started out as a slow burn mystery turned into an intriguing culmination. Despite the slower pace, I was most compelled to the underlying mystery of the disappearance of Sophie, the rich fabricated protagonist, and the intriguing mystery themes.
I really enjoyed following, Emmie, the main protagonist. She was a multi-layered and emotionally vulnerable character. Her psychological transformation and emotional state drove most of the tension throughout the story. Even though she was sensitive, Emmie was also suspicious, courageous, and self reflective. From the first chapter to the last, Emmie’s evolution was evident. At the beginning, Emmie was determined to start fresh after having had experienced trauma or loss. I loved how her vulnerability and determination contributed to her transformation. Altogether, Emmie’s journey was a mix of emotional unraveling and psychological growth.
In addition to really liking Emmie’s persona, I also enjoyed the dual timeline structure that alternated between Emmie’s present-day perspective and Sophie’s flashbacks of her life before her disappearance. This enhanced the dialogue by building suspense through a parallel unfolding as well as deepening the characters insight and the themes of hidden truths.
Moreover, I really enjoyed the atmospheric plot. It was an intriguing, slow burn mystery that disclosed revelations and red herrings at precise times that had me continually questioning everyone.
Croft skillfully navigated captivating themes. The most prominent of the themes explored were deception, trust, and the haunting power of the past. The narrative probed how buried secrets within a family can unravel lives, such as Emmie’s psychological unraveling and obsession with learning the truth about Sophie, the story scoured the emotional toll of isolation, the fragility of memory, and the fear that we may never truly know those closest to us. Even more, Croft’s story highlighted how our atmosphere can intensify vulnerability, creating a tense exploration of identity, intuition, and the consequences of confronting long-concealed truths.
Collectively, Kathryn Croft delivered an intriguing and emotionally charged mystery. For those that like slow burn mysteries, unreliable characters, and atmospheric plots, I recommend reading “Sophie Was Here”.
Thanks to Net Galley and Bookouture Audio for an advance audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
June 27, 2025
ALC Review
Summary: In this psychological thriller Emmy and Charlie (her boyfriend ) are moving to charlie's farm house where he grew up. With their lease ending and her loosing her job she thinks this is the best thing that can happen to them when Charlie's Parents gift him their farm house.
But as Emmy is cleaning the house and trying to figure out her new life in this small town she finds something in the basement that shocks her to her core, and when she tries finding answers she gets to know Charlie's teenage girlfriend went missing 16 years ago and has never been found.
Review: I really enjoyed the pace of the book it made listening to it very exciting. I tried so hard to figure out the plot twist but god oh god listening to the last few chapters gave me chills and made me feel so weird i thought i was going to throw up. But this is not in a bad way i mean i really enjoyed it, it is just that i didn't expect the ending (maybe i was hoping for something else , but it is okayyy).
Also the narrator's voice and the way she narrates makes it more interesting and amazing to hear.
Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for providing this Audiobook!!
Summary: In this psychological thriller Emmy and Charlie (her boyfriend ) are moving to charlie's farm house where he grew up. With their lease ending and her loosing her job she thinks this is the best thing that can happen to them when Charlie's Parents gift him their farm house.
But as Emmy is cleaning the house and trying to figure out her new life in this small town she finds something in the basement that shocks her to her core, and when she tries finding answers she gets to know Charlie's teenage girlfriend went missing 16 years ago and has never been found.
Review: I really enjoyed the pace of the book it made listening to it very exciting. I tried so hard to figure out the plot twist but god oh god listening to the last few chapters gave me chills and made me feel so weird i thought i was going to throw up. But this is not in a bad way i mean i really enjoyed it, it is just that i didn't expect the ending (maybe i was hoping for something else , but it is okayyy).
Also the narrator's voice and the way she narrates makes it more interesting and amazing to hear.
Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for providing this Audiobook!!
July 29, 2025
Sophie vanished without a trace and the case went cold now years later there are signs that Sophie may still be alive or that someone knows more than they are saying.
This was another solid read by Kathryn Croft I was hooked from the start. A brilliant quick read thriller with lots of tension and some great twists.
I listened to this on audio and the story was really well read and kept me engaged thoughout the story.
Thank you to Netgalley, Bookouture and Kathryn Croft for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was another solid read by Kathryn Croft I was hooked from the start. A brilliant quick read thriller with lots of tension and some great twists.
I listened to this on audio and the story was really well read and kept me engaged thoughout the story.
Thank you to Netgalley, Bookouture and Kathryn Croft for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 22, 2025
Emmie and Charlie are leaving London moving back to Charlie's childhood home. in the countryside its good timing for Emmie to get away from the creepy neighbour and she has lost her job. The house needs a lot of work. but Emmie sees something on the cellar door Sophie was here. Emmie wants to know who Sophie is and her story she finds out she disappeared, as the story unfolds Emmie can't trust no one a very good addictive read
August 11, 2025
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Bookouture and Kathryn Croft for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Kathryn’s note to the readers at the end of this novel says that she hopes that we went on a journey with her, and that the characters make us feel something. I can definitely say that this was true for me when reading this book.
This is a thriller that focuses on the tension and dynamic between different families in a small town and their relationships. It’s quite dark and there are some very evil people living in this village! No one is quite who you think they are!
I wasn’t sure what to expect as I’ve never read a book by this author - but I was gripped. There were two storylines that run concurrently in different years. Both had me wanting to find out what was going to happen next, so naturally I had to read quickly to get to the other POV each time!
I managed to piece one of the bits of the ‘true story’ together by the end but I had to say that I was shocked by the rest. Croft is insanely clever as there were so many threats to pull at that all came together. I honestly don’t know how she managed to work the writing out for the plot - and write it so seamlessly so that we were never once confused as an audience.
Thinking about it, this could easily be a true story and as there are so many people that go missing that it’s very sad (and likely) that things like this actually happen - but unfortunately we may never find out as we do here.
I think it was very intriguing that the person found guilty of their crime/s didn’t do everything that they went to jail for…
I would definitely recommend this to thriller lovers, as it wasn’t predictable and felt quite fresh compared to some others in the genre. Thrillers have the tendency to be quite predictable as it’s quite hard to make something different, but this definitely stood out for its complexity in plot yet simplicity to read!
Kathryn’s note to the readers at the end of this novel says that she hopes that we went on a journey with her, and that the characters make us feel something. I can definitely say that this was true for me when reading this book.
This is a thriller that focuses on the tension and dynamic between different families in a small town and their relationships. It’s quite dark and there are some very evil people living in this village! No one is quite who you think they are!
I wasn’t sure what to expect as I’ve never read a book by this author - but I was gripped. There were two storylines that run concurrently in different years. Both had me wanting to find out what was going to happen next, so naturally I had to read quickly to get to the other POV each time!
I managed to piece one of the bits of the ‘true story’ together by the end but I had to say that I was shocked by the rest. Croft is insanely clever as there were so many threats to pull at that all came together. I honestly don’t know how she managed to work the writing out for the plot - and write it so seamlessly so that we were never once confused as an audience.
Thinking about it, this could easily be a true story and as there are so many people that go missing that it’s very sad (and likely) that things like this actually happen - but unfortunately we may never find out as we do here.
I think it was very intriguing that the person found guilty of their crime/s didn’t do everything that they went to jail for…
I would definitely recommend this to thriller lovers, as it wasn’t predictable and felt quite fresh compared to some others in the genre. Thrillers have the tendency to be quite predictable as it’s quite hard to make something different, but this definitely stood out for its complexity in plot yet simplicity to read!
June 26, 2025
4.5 stars!
This audiobook was nearly impossible to pause! I found myself walking extra miles just to squeeze in more listening time than I had available. As a fan of this author, I can confidently say I’ve never been disappointed. The narrator did a great job of bringing the suspense and emotion to the surface.
The story follows a girl who moves into Forest Farm, her boyfriend Charlie’s family home, feeling lucky to be welcomed into a new life. However, her happiness turns to unease as she hears whispers in the village about Charlie’s past girlfriend, Sophie, who mysteriously disappeared at seventeen. When she confronts Charlie about Sophie, she feels a chilling disconnect. One night, while exploring the basement, she discovers the words “Sophie was here” scratched on the walls, prompting her to seek the truth about Sophie’s disappearance. As she investigates, she grapples with the fear that she may not be safe in her new home surrounded by a family she no longer trusts.
The main character is both likable and relatable, and her development unfolds beautifully across the chapters. I must admit, I didn’t see the ending coming, nor the true nature of the characters! My jaw dropped, and I absolutely loved the major twist and conclusion. Talk about suspense—this story kept me on my toes! Bravo!
Now, not all characters were as easy to warm up to; some were downright frustrating! Their behavior had me questioning everyone’s motives, making me suspicious of every family member. I did manage to predict a few twists, but that only enhanced the experience in the long run. I guarantee you won’t see what’s coming in this one!
The narrative weaves through dual timelines and multiple points of view, allowing us to fully grasp the plot and its later revelations. If you enjoy stories about unbreakable family bonds, troubled young minds, and a plethora of bad decisions, this book will pull you in. Just imagine uncovering unexpected twists that keep coming at you like a rollercoaster ride!
Thank you, Bookouture Audio, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This audiobook was nearly impossible to pause! I found myself walking extra miles just to squeeze in more listening time than I had available. As a fan of this author, I can confidently say I’ve never been disappointed. The narrator did a great job of bringing the suspense and emotion to the surface.
The story follows a girl who moves into Forest Farm, her boyfriend Charlie’s family home, feeling lucky to be welcomed into a new life. However, her happiness turns to unease as she hears whispers in the village about Charlie’s past girlfriend, Sophie, who mysteriously disappeared at seventeen. When she confronts Charlie about Sophie, she feels a chilling disconnect. One night, while exploring the basement, she discovers the words “Sophie was here” scratched on the walls, prompting her to seek the truth about Sophie’s disappearance. As she investigates, she grapples with the fear that she may not be safe in her new home surrounded by a family she no longer trusts.
The main character is both likable and relatable, and her development unfolds beautifully across the chapters. I must admit, I didn’t see the ending coming, nor the true nature of the characters! My jaw dropped, and I absolutely loved the major twist and conclusion. Talk about suspense—this story kept me on my toes! Bravo!
Now, not all characters were as easy to warm up to; some were downright frustrating! Their behavior had me questioning everyone’s motives, making me suspicious of every family member. I did manage to predict a few twists, but that only enhanced the experience in the long run. I guarantee you won’t see what’s coming in this one!
The narrative weaves through dual timelines and multiple points of view, allowing us to fully grasp the plot and its later revelations. If you enjoy stories about unbreakable family bonds, troubled young minds, and a plethora of bad decisions, this book will pull you in. Just imagine uncovering unexpected twists that keep coming at you like a rollercoaster ride!
Thank you, Bookouture Audio, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 15, 2025
emmie and her boyfriend charlie receive a huge farmhouse from his parents and move from london to the quiet town of peaslake. but from the moment they arrive to his family home, emmie senses something isn't right. when she discovers the words 'sophie was here' scratched into the walls of their basement, along with the mysterious disappearance of a girl named sophie - and charlie's unsettling connection to the missing teen - emmie becomes determined to uncover the truth about what really happened.
well, that was a fun ride! so far, i've liked everything i've read by kathryn croft, and this one didn't disappoint either.
i was curious about what happened to sophie and who was responsible for her disappearance, and it was an enjoyable book to get through.
the story was told from alternating timelines, one set in the present and the other about 17 years ago.
the characters, charlie in particular, were quite unlikeable.
when emmie found the words scratched in the basement and he tried to make her seem kinda crazy by claiming he didn't see anything.
also, he was really manipulative and tried to blackmail sophie back then.
emmie seemed kinda obsessed with solving the case but as the story unfolded, everything started to make sense.
there was a long list of suspects, and i kept guessing who it could be. i liked the twists and the ending was kinda emotional but was really satisfying.
this was a fast-paced domestic thriller with a few twists and a mix of characters that constantly make you question their reliability.
well, that was a fun ride! so far, i've liked everything i've read by kathryn croft, and this one didn't disappoint either.
i was curious about what happened to sophie and who was responsible for her disappearance, and it was an enjoyable book to get through.
the story was told from alternating timelines, one set in the present and the other about 17 years ago.
the characters, charlie in particular, were quite unlikeable.
when emmie found the words scratched in the basement and he tried to make her seem kinda crazy by claiming he didn't see anything.
also, he was really manipulative and tried to blackmail sophie back then.
emmie seemed kinda obsessed with solving the case but as the story unfolded, everything started to make sense.
there was a long list of suspects, and i kept guessing who it could be. i liked the twists and the ending was kinda emotional but was really satisfying.
this was a fast-paced domestic thriller with a few twists and a mix of characters that constantly make you question their reliability.
July 26, 2025
A psychological thriller by an author who I always tend to veer to for a tense and twisty read. Sophie Was Here is exactly that.
What more could Emmie want? She has moved with her boyfriend Charlie into his childhood family home. A farmhouse that needs some work out in the country. She feels so happy until the whispers of the villagers make her wonder what has caused them. Emmie finds out a local teenager went missing. A girl named Sophie and to make matters worse, she was Charlie's girlfriend! Then, on top of these things, she goes down to the basement and sees a message from Sophie. Emmie starts to question everything and everyone around her. Can she really trust Charlie?
Kathryn Croft is an author who has the skill to keep her readers enthralled in her books. Her expert storytelling immerses me every time I read one of her books! Her characters are so well-rounded, and they each have their flaws, which makes them so believable. The tension in Sophie was here is built upon brilliantly. It made me so intrigued that I just kept flipping the pages.
A fast-paced, multi-layered plot that just kept bringing the shocks as the story unfolded! I love it when the twists seem unstoppable!
What more could Emmie want? She has moved with her boyfriend Charlie into his childhood family home. A farmhouse that needs some work out in the country. She feels so happy until the whispers of the villagers make her wonder what has caused them. Emmie finds out a local teenager went missing. A girl named Sophie and to make matters worse, she was Charlie's girlfriend! Then, on top of these things, she goes down to the basement and sees a message from Sophie. Emmie starts to question everything and everyone around her. Can she really trust Charlie?
Kathryn Croft is an author who has the skill to keep her readers enthralled in her books. Her expert storytelling immerses me every time I read one of her books! Her characters are so well-rounded, and they each have their flaws, which makes them so believable. The tension in Sophie was here is built upon brilliantly. It made me so intrigued that I just kept flipping the pages.
A fast-paced, multi-layered plot that just kept bringing the shocks as the story unfolded! I love it when the twists seem unstoppable!
September 12, 2025
This story follows Emmie, who thought life with her boyfriend Charlie would be perfect when they move into a big, beautiful farmhouse gifted by Charlie’s parents. It’s meant to be a fresh start, leaving old worries behind. But almost immediately, things start to feel wrong. When Emmie explores the basement one lonely night, she sees “Sophie was here” scratched into the door. She becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to Sophie, even though the more she digs, the more she suspects that Charlie, his family, and the house itself are hiding dangerous secrets. The book alternates between past and present, and we learn more about Sophie and the past.
This book kept me on my toes wondering what had happened. While I had some things worked out, the ending was definitely unexpected. I honestly would have preferred a bigger twist, as I found Emmie's story to be a bit unrealistic. Overall, this book still had me hooked and I look forward to reading more by the author.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This book kept me on my toes wondering what had happened. While I had some things worked out, the ending was definitely unexpected. I honestly would have preferred a bigger twist, as I found Emmie's story to be a bit unrealistic. Overall, this book still had me hooked and I look forward to reading more by the author.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
July 31, 2025
Emmie has moved with her boyfriend Charlie to his family home. The house belongs to Charlie's parents and he grew up in the area. Soon Emmie begins to find odd things in the basement that Charlie denies any knowledge of but his denials don't fit the evidence. This audiobook is narrated by Naomi Frederick. Naomi does an excellent job helping Emmie's character feel relatable and enhances the shock value of the reveals.
This has an interesting back story and eerie plot elements that increase the 'WTF is going on here' atmosphere exponentially. Unfortunately this suffers from pacing issues and Emmie's behavior feels illogical in places. The reveals really are the best part of this and while they are shocking it's not enough to save this story.
Thank you to Kathryn Croft, Bookouture Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.
This has an interesting back story and eerie plot elements that increase the 'WTF is going on here' atmosphere exponentially. Unfortunately this suffers from pacing issues and Emmie's behavior feels illogical in places. The reveals really are the best part of this and while they are shocking it's not enough to save this story.
Thank you to Kathryn Croft, Bookouture Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.
August 14, 2025
4.5/5 ⭐️ Stars (rounded up) - Thank you to NetGalley & Bookouture for the ALC of ‘Sophie Was Here’ by Kathryn Croft. Wow, wow, wow—what an utterly compelling and gripping read! This psychological thriller was exactly what I needed to shake off vacation mode. I couldn’t put it down, and when I wasn’t listening, I was thinking about it!
The story follows Emmy, who moves in with her boyfriend Charlie to the home where he grew up. While exploring the basement, she discovers a chilling message scratched into the wall: Sophie was here. She soon learns that Sophie was Charlie’s ex-girlfriend—someone who mysteriously vanished ten years ago.
Determined to uncover the truth, Emmy starts digging for clues, navigating a maze of secrets, lies, and betrayals. Told through dual POVs and a dual timeline, the narrative delivers twist after twist until the final reveal—one that left me absolutely gutted.
The description compared this to the works of Lisa Jewell and Freida McFadden, and I can 100% attest to that. A haunting, addictive story I’ll be thinking about for a while… or at least until I pick up my next book. 😉
The story follows Emmy, who moves in with her boyfriend Charlie to the home where he grew up. While exploring the basement, she discovers a chilling message scratched into the wall: Sophie was here. She soon learns that Sophie was Charlie’s ex-girlfriend—someone who mysteriously vanished ten years ago.
Determined to uncover the truth, Emmy starts digging for clues, navigating a maze of secrets, lies, and betrayals. Told through dual POVs and a dual timeline, the narrative delivers twist after twist until the final reveal—one that left me absolutely gutted.
The description compared this to the works of Lisa Jewell and Freida McFadden, and I can 100% attest to that. A haunting, addictive story I’ll be thinking about for a while… or at least until I pick up my next book. 😉
June 29, 2025
I won't lie, the first half of this book, I found slow and repetitive, but I stuck with it, and it got much better. The ending was wild! (No spoilers). If you enjoy small town drama, investigating family secrets and murder. Then you will like this. 4 stars
July 8, 2025
Disappointing, far fetched and not brilliantly edited.
I read it out of curiosity and in hope it would get better but after one too many obvious red herrings I’m left feeling a bit flat.
Not for me, but everyone else seems to love it.
Thanks to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
I read it out of curiosity and in hope it would get better but after one too many obvious red herrings I’m left feeling a bit flat.
Not for me, but everyone else seems to love it.
Thanks to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 7, 2025
Sophie was here by Kathryn Croft
When Emmy��s boyfriend Charlie's Parents want to give the family home to the couple, they move to the country which is something they both needed but what Emmy doesn’t expect to find is a mystery. Of what happened to Charlie's girlfriend when he was a teen. When Emmy asks him about it, he turns cold… That’s not even the worst part.. When she goes down into the spooky basement.. There's a message.. Sophie was here….
I love twisty turny psychological thrillers and this one was epic. Just when I thought I knew what was going on… BOOM! I was on a new path. It was great. I didn’t like any of the characters, they were a tad unlikable and Emmy was dramatic but I think that helped me to be more concerned about what happened to Sophie than the danger Emmy might have been in.
I loved it. The audiobook was absolutely atmospheric! Pacing could have been a bit better but dang.. I was hooked from page one!
4.5 stars
When Emmy��s boyfriend Charlie's Parents want to give the family home to the couple, they move to the country which is something they both needed but what Emmy doesn’t expect to find is a mystery. Of what happened to Charlie's girlfriend when he was a teen. When Emmy asks him about it, he turns cold… That’s not even the worst part.. When she goes down into the spooky basement.. There's a message.. Sophie was here….
I love twisty turny psychological thrillers and this one was epic. Just when I thought I knew what was going on… BOOM! I was on a new path. It was great. I didn’t like any of the characters, they were a tad unlikable and Emmy was dramatic but I think that helped me to be more concerned about what happened to Sophie than the danger Emmy might have been in.
I loved it. The audiobook was absolutely atmospheric! Pacing could have been a bit better but dang.. I was hooked from page one!
4.5 stars
July 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Twisty, atmospheric, and totally addictive!
Sophie Was Here pulls you into a web of secrets, lies, and unanswered questions. Just when I thought I had it figured out, Katheryn Croft threw in a twist I didn’t see coming. I couldn’t stop listening.
Huge thanks to Bookouture and Katheryn Croft for the Advanced Listener’s Copy ahead of the July 3rd release! The narrator was excellent her delivery really captured the tension and emotion in all the right moments.
If you love psychological thrillers with unreliable characters and creeping suspense, this one’s for you.
Twisty, atmospheric, and totally addictive!
Sophie Was Here pulls you into a web of secrets, lies, and unanswered questions. Just when I thought I had it figured out, Katheryn Croft threw in a twist I didn’t see coming. I couldn’t stop listening.
Huge thanks to Bookouture and Katheryn Croft for the Advanced Listener’s Copy ahead of the July 3rd release! The narrator was excellent her delivery really captured the tension and emotion in all the right moments.
If you love psychological thrillers with unreliable characters and creeping suspense, this one’s for you.
June 28, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. It centers on Emmie, who moves to the suburbs with her boyfriend Charlie, only to get caught up in the mystery of a girl named Sophie who disappeared years before and had ties to Charlie’s family. You also get alternating chapters from Sophie’s POV in the earlier timeline.
Both Emmie and Sophie were characterized well, as were the tertiary characters. This was a great mystery that kept me guessing the whole way through. I was happy to figure out one twist but there were so many more that totally floored me. The author did a great job at providing so many surprises while still tying everything together in a way that made sense by the end of the book.
Overall, I thought this was a fast paced and twisty read and I would definitely recommend. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 16, 2025
Sophie Was Here is a psychological thriller about a perfect family and the terrible secret they're hiding after a girl goes missing. From the very beginning, the book's premise had me completely intrigued. I was fully invested in finding out who Sophie was and what had happened to her.
The author does an excellent job of building suspense. There was a great deal of tension and a sense of foreboding throughout the entire book that made it impossible to put down. The twists kept coming, and I was constantly trying to piece together the truth behind the family's secrets. The pacing was good, keeping the story moving forward well.
The characters were well-developed, and the overall experience of this story was a thrilling one. The mystery at the heart of the story and the constant tension made it a very enjoyable read. Naomi Frederick added to the tense story with her spot-on narration. Another great story by Kathryn Croft.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the ALC in exchange for my review.
The author does an excellent job of building suspense. There was a great deal of tension and a sense of foreboding throughout the entire book that made it impossible to put down. The twists kept coming, and I was constantly trying to piece together the truth behind the family's secrets. The pacing was good, keeping the story moving forward well.
The characters were well-developed, and the overall experience of this story was a thrilling one. The mystery at the heart of the story and the constant tension made it a very enjoyable read. Naomi Frederick added to the tense story with her spot-on narration. Another great story by Kathryn Croft.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the ALC in exchange for my review.
September 8, 2025
I've been seeing "Sophie Was Here" frequently on my Instagram, which sparked my interest, and I’m glad I decided to read it—it did not disappoint.
I love novels that focus on bringing villains to justice, and this book does just that. Although several years have passed since the crime, the victim's relatives find some closure. The author also highlights the critical issue of domestic abuse, showcasing it in two distinct forms. This complexity illustrates that abusers can manifest in various ways, and while the characters may not fundamentally change, they refine their tactics to harm others.
Overall, “Sophie Was Here” was a compelling read that will stay with me for a long time. Thank you to Kathryn Croft for crafting such a meaningful novel and to NetGalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
I love novels that focus on bringing villains to justice, and this book does just that. Although several years have passed since the crime, the victim's relatives find some closure. The author also highlights the critical issue of domestic abuse, showcasing it in two distinct forms. This complexity illustrates that abusers can manifest in various ways, and while the characters may not fundamentally change, they refine their tactics to harm others.
Overall, “Sophie Was Here” was a compelling read that will stay with me for a long time. Thank you to Kathryn Croft for crafting such a meaningful novel and to NetGalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
June 18, 2025
This books was actually incredibly thrilling… I had that pit you get in your stomach when you know the twists are going to be dark and insane. This book features our FMC Emmie and the MMC Charlie. It’s about this couple moving from London to a small town where Emmie is hoping to get to the bottom of a 15 year old case on a girl who went missing when she was 17. Little does she know the more she digs the more trouble she is getting herself in. I honestly never would have expected this book to end how it did and although I kind of guessed who did it I never would have guessed how it all went down and I love a thriller that is actually suspenseful and has a good plot twist - or even better multiple. Would highly recommend this to any crime/thriller fanatics!!
July 12, 2025
***** I received this free audiobook from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
Sophie was here is a fun thriller with a bunch of twists. This mystery goes back to the disappearance of Sophie. Nobody in the small town knows what happened to her. When a couple move out onto an old home that was given to them by his wealthy parents they start finding strange things. With this the mystery continues. A great read.
Sophie was here is a fun thriller with a bunch of twists. This mystery goes back to the disappearance of Sophie. Nobody in the small town knows what happened to her. When a couple move out onto an old home that was given to them by his wealthy parents they start finding strange things. With this the mystery continues. A great read.
August 16, 2025
★★★★ 4.5 stars
The perfect family...the perfect new home...until I found out about the missing girl...
I have to say the cover was slightly misleading in that it insinuated a little girl had gone missing, and before reading the synopsis for the book that is just what I assumed. But this tale was a mystery of a whole other ball game. I've read similar tropes, all with similar outcomes, but all just as thrilling all the same.
Emmie and her partner Charlie have ditched the London life for one of an easier pace in the Surrey countryside. His parents have just gifted them the house that Charlie and his siblings grew up in - a sprawling farmhouse in the sleepy village of Peaslake. Emmie has recently lost her mum and been made redundant in a job she loved. There was no better time than now for a fresh start together.
But no sooner had they walked into the damp-filled musty house that has been locked up for over a decade than Charlie's parents and siblings have thrust themselves upon the couple, a chance to welcome Emmie into their family. But not before Emmie found herself in the basement and saw the words etched there...
Please help me.
But when she went back to look at them, they were gone. But how? Only she and Charlie have been in the house. But then Charlie said she had only imagined them and soon she began to wonder had she just conjured them up after all? Until the day she finds herself locked in the basement when the door slams shut and she can't get out. With all her knocking and calling for help, she sees there at the very bottom of the door carved into the wood...
Sophie was here.
So who was Sophie? And what exactly happened to her?
Emmie starts off by asking questions in the village about Sophie - who was she, what she was like, who her friends her - until it becomes clear someone doesn't want her asking questions. And she has to wonder, why not? What do they have to hide? All evidence points her in a direction she doesn't want to go in but what choice does she have? Sophie was here sixteen years ago and then she wasn't. So what happened to her? And why does nobody want to talk about her?
This was a fast paced thrilling read that had me hooked from the very first page. There are so many clues peppered throughout that lead us down paths that may or may not lead us anywhere, but the ride getting there is half the fun! I thoroughly enjoyed this wholly tension-filled read that was there throughout. The story unfolds mostly through Emmie's narrative but peppered throughout we also have Sophie's third person narrative from sixteen years before. And little by little, the pieces slowly fall into place.
I guess in parts it was a bit of a slow burn mystery but the pace was steady throughout that I didn't notice I was enjoying it so much. An addictive read that had both tension and atmosphere. Well worth the read.
,i>I would like to thank #KathrynCroft, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #SophieWasHere in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
The perfect family...the perfect new home...until I found out about the missing girl...
I have to say the cover was slightly misleading in that it insinuated a little girl had gone missing, and before reading the synopsis for the book that is just what I assumed. But this tale was a mystery of a whole other ball game. I've read similar tropes, all with similar outcomes, but all just as thrilling all the same.
Emmie and her partner Charlie have ditched the London life for one of an easier pace in the Surrey countryside. His parents have just gifted them the house that Charlie and his siblings grew up in - a sprawling farmhouse in the sleepy village of Peaslake. Emmie has recently lost her mum and been made redundant in a job she loved. There was no better time than now for a fresh start together.
But no sooner had they walked into the damp-filled musty house that has been locked up for over a decade than Charlie's parents and siblings have thrust themselves upon the couple, a chance to welcome Emmie into their family. But not before Emmie found herself in the basement and saw the words etched there...
Please help me.
But when she went back to look at them, they were gone. But how? Only she and Charlie have been in the house. But then Charlie said she had only imagined them and soon she began to wonder had she just conjured them up after all? Until the day she finds herself locked in the basement when the door slams shut and she can't get out. With all her knocking and calling for help, she sees there at the very bottom of the door carved into the wood...
Sophie was here.
So who was Sophie? And what exactly happened to her?
Emmie starts off by asking questions in the village about Sophie - who was she, what she was like, who her friends her - until it becomes clear someone doesn't want her asking questions. And she has to wonder, why not? What do they have to hide? All evidence points her in a direction she doesn't want to go in but what choice does she have? Sophie was here sixteen years ago and then she wasn't. So what happened to her? And why does nobody want to talk about her?
This was a fast paced thrilling read that had me hooked from the very first page. There are so many clues peppered throughout that lead us down paths that may or may not lead us anywhere, but the ride getting there is half the fun! I thoroughly enjoyed this wholly tension-filled read that was there throughout. The story unfolds mostly through Emmie's narrative but peppered throughout we also have Sophie's third person narrative from sixteen years before. And little by little, the pieces slowly fall into place.
I guess in parts it was a bit of a slow burn mystery but the pace was steady throughout that I didn't notice I was enjoying it so much. An addictive read that had both tension and atmosphere. Well worth the read.
,i>I would like to thank #KathrynCroft, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #SophieWasHere in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
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