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Votre fille aînée disparaît - Imaginez : vous êtes sur le quai du métro londonien, à l'heure de pointe. Vos petites filles sont devant vous et montent dans le wagon qui vient d'arriver. Mais alors que vous tentez de les rejoindre en traversant la foule, les portes se referment. Le métro s'éloigne, vous laissant seule sur le quai. Tout le monde ment - Vous atteignez l'arrêt suivant, persuadée que vos enfants ont été prises en charge par la sécurité. Quand vous arrivez, on ne vous rend pas vos deux filles, mais seulement votre cadette : celle de deux ans, à peine capable de parler. La vérité vous échappe - Votre fille aînée s'est-elle perdue ? A-t-elle été enlevée par un inconnu ? Le coupable est-il plus proche de vous que vous ne l'imaginez ? Vous le savez, autour de vous, tout le monde ment. Et plus les recherches avancent, plus la vérité vous échappe.
432 pages
First published May 11, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,390 reviews
February 5, 2023
*4.5 stars*
If only, if only, if only! If only she hadn’t arrived at that precise time - if only she hadn’t received an important email at that exact moment - if only the universe hadn’t conspired to place her at Bond Street tube station at the London Underground on a Monday morning rush hour, when normally she wouldn’t have been anywhere near the city of London at all, but at home in Dublin in the Republic of Ireland!
London is a city of 8 million people, and Sive’s 6 year old daughter Faye has gone missing in the great metropolis! Faye and her younger sister Bea, urged by their mother, rushed to get onto the tube while Sive was otherwise distracted by an email from work, and then the automatic doors closed leaving Sive behind. Her daughters are on the tube without her, and while 2 year old Bea was quickly discovered at the next station, Faye has disappeared!
This is every parent’s nightmare. Sive and her husband, high flying criminal barrister Aaron Sullivan, were in London for a reunion with Aaron’s former flat mates of 20 years ago, but now their whole world has come tumbling down.
Playing on the couple’s worst nightmare, the sheer paralysing terror that held them in an icy grip, author Andrea Mara turns the frantic search for their daughter into a nail biting page turner, that will have you on the edge of your seat. With more red herrings than the local fish market, it leads them up blind alleys, and turns even those they thought they knew, into serious suspects. Highly recommended!
* Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
If only, if only, if only! If only she hadn’t arrived at that precise time - if only she hadn’t received an important email at that exact moment - if only the universe hadn’t conspired to place her at Bond Street tube station at the London Underground on a Monday morning rush hour, when normally she wouldn’t have been anywhere near the city of London at all, but at home in Dublin in the Republic of Ireland!
London is a city of 8 million people, and Sive’s 6 year old daughter Faye has gone missing in the great metropolis! Faye and her younger sister Bea, urged by their mother, rushed to get onto the tube while Sive was otherwise distracted by an email from work, and then the automatic doors closed leaving Sive behind. Her daughters are on the tube without her, and while 2 year old Bea was quickly discovered at the next station, Faye has disappeared!
This is every parent’s nightmare. Sive and her husband, high flying criminal barrister Aaron Sullivan, were in London for a reunion with Aaron’s former flat mates of 20 years ago, but now their whole world has come tumbling down.
Playing on the couple’s worst nightmare, the sheer paralysing terror that held them in an icy grip, author Andrea Mara turns the frantic search for their daughter into a nail biting page turner, that will have you on the edge of your seat. With more red herrings than the local fish market, it leads them up blind alleys, and turns even those they thought they knew, into serious suspects. Highly recommended!
* Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
June 3, 2023
Normally reading a book with many characters can be tiresome. The momentum is halted somewhat when the focus is spread wide. Here it works, though. There is a rich pool of possible kidnappers, and the two timelines works well. You also feel the clock ticking, hoping that more clues will be revealed that will save Sive’s daughter. I enjoyed it immensely!
May 11, 2023
HAPPY PUB DAY!🥰
Thank you Random House UK and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. IYKYK, my reviews are always honest.
Writing: 4/5 | Plot: 4/5 | Ending: 3/5
SYNOPSIS
Sive's oldest child goes missing on the tube. Chaos ensues.
MY OPINION
I'm in such a toxic relationship with NetGalley. I endure so many stankers and tell myself: GIRL get your ass off this site, but then every once in awhile I stumble across something solid, and it ropes me back in 😂 Halp. Anyways. This is one of those books that makes me think NetGalley and I can work it out this time.
This book is Honda Civic Reliable but elevated by solid writing. Great use of group of threes. Also, THIS is what I look for in a thrilling: action from the jump. I think that's why I tend to gravitate toward police procedurals—they waste little time setting the state with bland physical and LinkedIn profile job descriptions and get right down to it. Within a couple of pages, the scene is set and we're off to the races. And the great news is this pace NEVER lets up.
Usually I don't like the elements that were in play here, but idk somehow it worked. Maybe it's because I couldn't get past the first 5 pages of three books in a row and I was willing to accept anything decently written with open arms. Who knows. But regardless, I enjoyed myself throughout this ride and there were several baby bombshells along the way to keep a hoe engaged.
This is very action-driven so we're spared the whiny inner-monologues that most thrillers these days can't seem to get away from. Don't expect a lot of character depth here; it's third person pov and you can certainly feel the distance. That's not to say the characters are shallow or one dimensional, but this book is taking you on an action-filled ride, not a psychologist session.
I only had a few niggles: the police presence is virtually nonexistent, I didn't really understand why Sive trusted Jude so openly and gave her such access into her life, and the ending was way too "catching up with a friend over coffee" style for my liking. Otherwise, this is a solid popcorn thriller that I'd recommend to all "levels" of thriller readers (new to the genre, Scooby Doo gang, and full-on Aaron Hotch).
PROS AND CONS
Pros: well-written, pace was fantastic!!!!, intricate plot, solid mystery that presented a lot of different suspects and kept you guessing most of the way through
Cons: didn't understand why Sive let Jude tag along, ending was too neatly wrapped up
____________________________
For some sick reason, do you want to hear more of my nonsense? Check out my podcast: Novels & Nonsense streaming everywhere.
Thank you Random House UK and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. IYKYK, my reviews are always honest.
Writing: 4/5 | Plot: 4/5 | Ending: 3/5
SYNOPSIS
Sive's oldest child goes missing on the tube. Chaos ensues.
MY OPINION
I'm in such a toxic relationship with NetGalley. I endure so many stankers and tell myself: GIRL get your ass off this site, but then every once in awhile I stumble across something solid, and it ropes me back in 😂 Halp. Anyways. This is one of those books that makes me think NetGalley and I can work it out this time.
This book is Honda Civic Reliable but elevated by solid writing. Great use of group of threes. Also, THIS is what I look for in a thrilling: action from the jump. I think that's why I tend to gravitate toward police procedurals—they waste little time setting the state with bland physical and LinkedIn profile job descriptions and get right down to it. Within a couple of pages, the scene is set and we're off to the races. And the great news is this pace NEVER lets up.
Usually I don't like the elements that were in play here, but idk somehow it worked. Maybe it's because I couldn't get past the first 5 pages of three books in a row and I was willing to accept anything decently written with open arms. Who knows. But regardless, I enjoyed myself throughout this ride and there were several baby bombshells along the way to keep a hoe engaged.
This is very action-driven so we're spared the whiny inner-monologues that most thrillers these days can't seem to get away from. Don't expect a lot of character depth here; it's third person pov and you can certainly feel the distance. That's not to say the characters are shallow or one dimensional, but this book is taking you on an action-filled ride, not a psychologist session.
I only had a few niggles: the police presence is virtually nonexistent, I didn't really understand why Sive trusted Jude so openly and gave her such access into her life, and the ending was way too "catching up with a friend over coffee" style for my liking. Otherwise, this is a solid popcorn thriller that I'd recommend to all "levels" of thriller readers (new to the genre, Scooby Doo gang, and full-on Aaron Hotch).
PROS AND CONS
Pros: well-written, pace was fantastic!!!!, intricate plot, solid mystery that presented a lot of different suspects and kept you guessing most of the way through
Cons: didn't understand why Sive let Jude tag along, ending was too neatly wrapped up
____________________________
For some sick reason, do you want to hear more of my nonsense? Check out my podcast: Novels & Nonsense streaming everywhere.
April 11, 2024
Irish mother Sive is visiting with her family, her husband's friend group; Sive and her kids are on the London Underground when she is separated from her two toddler daughters, and she can only watch in shock and horror when the tube train they alighted speeds off from the platform, where she remains with her baby boy! In utter shock, but with many calls made, she is momentarily relieved when she gets a London Transport call back... only to find only one of her missing daughters is found on the tube train!!!!
Where's her six year old daughter? A nail biting suspense packed read that details the previous three days alongside the continuing search for the missing child. A top drawer missing child read that entertains from start to finish. Loved it! An 8 out of 12 Four Star read.
2024 read
Where's her six year old daughter? A nail biting suspense packed read that details the previous three days alongside the continuing search for the missing child. A top drawer missing child read that entertains from start to finish. Loved it! An 8 out of 12 Four Star read.
2024 read
August 14, 2023
"What he said changed everything"
"The phone call changed everything"
"What happened next changed everything"
A compelling premise that felt like it desperately wanted to be remembered as having twists and turns. Chapters all too regularly ended with a generic cliffhanger statement which would then be revealed shortly afterwards to be quite underwhelming. As a result, it felt like watching a film with someone who repeatedly says "oh wait, here comes the good bit". By the last 100 pages or so, I was very ready to be finished with the book.
And then everything changed.
(nope, it didn't, it just got worse)
"The phone call changed everything"
"What happened next changed everything"
A compelling premise that felt like it desperately wanted to be remembered as having twists and turns. Chapters all too regularly ended with a generic cliffhanger statement which would then be revealed shortly afterwards to be quite underwhelming. As a result, it felt like watching a film with someone who repeatedly says "oh wait, here comes the good bit". By the last 100 pages or so, I was very ready to be finished with the book.
And then everything changed.
(nope, it didn't, it just got worse)
March 19, 2024
I loved this to start with! A woman entering the tube in London, being separated from her two young children, train door shutting before she has the chance to enter behind them while trying to decline a phone call.
Sive is a journalist, and a distant colleague helps shed light on the case, quickly coming to her aid and taking over in a calm and professional manner. I really liked the character of Jude. She is by Sive's side constantly, initially entering the case for her own gain, but we see this change over time.
As in all of these books, the characters are usually well off, which is the case here. Sive and Aaron are successful, Sive more likeable than her husband. They've taken the trip to London from Dublin, for the yearly catch up with Aaron's flatmates from childhood.
What starts as an exciting abduction case, which was palpable and exciting initially, for me turned out to be a crowded and sinister revenge plot that I wasn't a fan of. All the adults unlikable, trying to one up each other, constantly lying and belittling.
A mother's worst nightmare certainly, though I was pushed to capture the desperation. Aaron had secrets whose actions were raising concerns for Sive, but she never followed through to question her husband, always remaining as internal dialogue.
This was a case of men behaving badly in a flatter mystery than I had hoped, with the narrative going in a different direction which I enjoyed less the further it proceeded. Much cat and mouse behaviour and sifting through the lies and trickery, unfortunately it didn't grab me as I'd hoped. Lots and lots of time shifting, even up to 'two hours before'. I didn't like this chopping and changing.
Excellent narration by Jessica Regan, which I listened to via the Libby app and my public library.
Sive is a journalist, and a distant colleague helps shed light on the case, quickly coming to her aid and taking over in a calm and professional manner. I really liked the character of Jude. She is by Sive's side constantly, initially entering the case for her own gain, but we see this change over time.
As in all of these books, the characters are usually well off, which is the case here. Sive and Aaron are successful, Sive more likeable than her husband. They've taken the trip to London from Dublin, for the yearly catch up with Aaron's flatmates from childhood.
What starts as an exciting abduction case, which was palpable and exciting initially, for me turned out to be a crowded and sinister revenge plot that I wasn't a fan of. All the adults unlikable, trying to one up each other, constantly lying and belittling.
A mother's worst nightmare certainly, though I was pushed to capture the desperation. Aaron had secrets whose actions were raising concerns for Sive, but she never followed through to question her husband, always remaining as internal dialogue.
This was a case of men behaving badly in a flatter mystery than I had hoped, with the narrative going in a different direction which I enjoyed less the further it proceeded. Much cat and mouse behaviour and sifting through the lies and trickery, unfortunately it didn't grab me as I'd hoped. Lots and lots of time shifting, even up to 'two hours before'. I didn't like this chopping and changing.
Excellent narration by Jessica Regan, which I listened to via the Libby app and my public library.
December 23, 2022
Early Monday morning, Sive’s day goes horribly wrong when six year old Faye and two year old Bea board a tube train, the doors close and Sive is stranded on the other side with baby Toby in his pushchair. The terror, the nausea, then thankfully, she gets Bea back at the next stop but sadly not Faye. The police, her husband Aaron, the questions, the frantic awful panic overwhelms her and all Bea says is ‘Chase’, ‘Chase on the train’. Her daughter has disappeared in a city of eight million people, no one sees a thing and inevitably there are a million ‘what ifs’ in Sive’s brain and still no sign ........ The novel backtracks to three days earlier to the family’s arrival from Dublin for Aaron’s reunion with friends Dave, Scott, Maggie and Nita, alternating between that and the Monday that Faye goes missing.
Wow, wow, wow. This is another belter from the talented Andrea Mara who effortlessly pulls you in to the storytelling and keeps you there 💯 invested through the character of Sive and like her you become desperate for the safe return of Faye. The plot is multilayered, it’s clever and intriguing as it starts in one scary place and then you see a chasm opening which becomes a deep abyss as it deepens and thickens. It’s a gigantic puzzle, pieces of information come at you - what’s relevant, what’s a blind alley, what’s a red herring? It’s so hard to put down as you’re so keen to get to the truth. It’s scary, fear inducing and a tense emotional heart string puller and your suspicion antenna twitches like a mad thing! What adds to this is the perfectly paced dual timelines, the pace before Faye is missing is slower but the dynamics are utterly fascinating which is juxtaposed to the life tipped upside down intensity of the present day. You also get a sense of Faye, a very endearing child which is so compelling. The characterisation is exemplary, you do a 180 on some for the worse and some surprise you in a good way. As situations escalate, lies are revealed, there are some terrific twists and your eyes pop and gasps are inhaled as it hurtles to a very good ending and yes, Ms Mara ain’t finished until the final words!
Highly recommended if you like psychological thrillers or want to read something that is very well written.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House UK, Transworld for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Wow, wow, wow. This is another belter from the talented Andrea Mara who effortlessly pulls you in to the storytelling and keeps you there 💯 invested through the character of Sive and like her you become desperate for the safe return of Faye. The plot is multilayered, it’s clever and intriguing as it starts in one scary place and then you see a chasm opening which becomes a deep abyss as it deepens and thickens. It’s a gigantic puzzle, pieces of information come at you - what’s relevant, what’s a blind alley, what’s a red herring? It’s so hard to put down as you’re so keen to get to the truth. It’s scary, fear inducing and a tense emotional heart string puller and your suspicion antenna twitches like a mad thing! What adds to this is the perfectly paced dual timelines, the pace before Faye is missing is slower but the dynamics are utterly fascinating which is juxtaposed to the life tipped upside down intensity of the present day. You also get a sense of Faye, a very endearing child which is so compelling. The characterisation is exemplary, you do a 180 on some for the worse and some surprise you in a good way. As situations escalate, lies are revealed, there are some terrific twists and your eyes pop and gasps are inhaled as it hurtles to a very good ending and yes, Ms Mara ain’t finished until the final words!
Highly recommended if you like psychological thrillers or want to read something that is very well written.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House UK, Transworld for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
July 1, 2023
3.5 / 5
This book has the potential to be an absolute banger but it just fell flat and went downhill. This is the classic book with probably a really unique plot with overcomplicated twists to compensate for how simplistic the plot was and thinking that adding so may twists would make it a banger. Absolutely not. The best books have the most basic plot, but well seasoned character development, added with a small amount of twists does the trick.
I felt as though this book had enough twists and turns, and once the plot reached that plateau point more turns were added to try and keep the same intensity it had. The writings good, I’ll give Andrea that. But I really hated the fact that when breakthroughs were happening, we are thrown into the past which has no relevance and than then present that you lose track of what’s going on. It felt like Andrea had purposefully done this to avoid the book reaching its peak too soon. I’m not a fan of obvious clear things being alluded to but no detail as to what it was is given, only for it to be revealed near the end. Which kinda proves my point of- the plot was dying how do I save it? Oh just add a twist, and to make it all fit back together it ended up in a neat lil old package. Honestly, if you cut out all the random throwbacks to the history the book would be 150 pages shorter. It’s only until the end things make more sense, but it clicks when you’re almost 250 pages in. Felt like I was on a wild goose chase, with so many different character names mentioned the purpose was lost.
The plot follows couple Aaron and Sive who visit London for Aaron’s housemate reunion. They have three kids who they bring along: Tobi, Faye and Bea. During commuting time, whilst Aaron is away, Sive arranges plans which requires her to bring her kids to travel on the London Underground. Sivi rushes to get Faye and Bea on the tube, whilst balancing Tobi in a pram and her phone ringing. Preoccupied, the door closes leaving to two kids on the tube. When she gets to the next station she finds only Bea is there whilst Faye is missing.
Overall, this isn’t the best book. It’s ok. At points I found it really frustrating to read just by the amount of flashbacks to history which didn’t have context as the time. If you like wild goose chases, with absolutely zero police influence this is the book for you!
This book has the potential to be an absolute banger but it just fell flat and went downhill. This is the classic book with probably a really unique plot with overcomplicated twists to compensate for how simplistic the plot was and thinking that adding so may twists would make it a banger. Absolutely not. The best books have the most basic plot, but well seasoned character development, added with a small amount of twists does the trick.
I felt as though this book had enough twists and turns, and once the plot reached that plateau point more turns were added to try and keep the same intensity it had. The writings good, I’ll give Andrea that. But I really hated the fact that when breakthroughs were happening, we are thrown into the past which has no relevance and than then present that you lose track of what’s going on. It felt like Andrea had purposefully done this to avoid the book reaching its peak too soon. I’m not a fan of obvious clear things being alluded to but no detail as to what it was is given, only for it to be revealed near the end. Which kinda proves my point of- the plot was dying how do I save it? Oh just add a twist, and to make it all fit back together it ended up in a neat lil old package. Honestly, if you cut out all the random throwbacks to the history the book would be 150 pages shorter. It’s only until the end things make more sense, but it clicks when you’re almost 250 pages in. Felt like I was on a wild goose chase, with so many different character names mentioned the purpose was lost.
The plot follows couple Aaron and Sive who visit London for Aaron’s housemate reunion. They have three kids who they bring along: Tobi, Faye and Bea. During commuting time, whilst Aaron is away, Sive arranges plans which requires her to bring her kids to travel on the London Underground. Sivi rushes to get Faye and Bea on the tube, whilst balancing Tobi in a pram and her phone ringing. Preoccupied, the door closes leaving to two kids on the tube. When she gets to the next station she finds only Bea is there whilst Faye is missing.
Overall, this isn’t the best book. It’s ok. At points I found it really frustrating to read just by the amount of flashbacks to history which didn’t have context as the time. If you like wild goose chases, with absolutely zero police influence this is the book for you!
July 15, 2023
I didn't enjoy this book for so many reasons. It lacked pace, tension, suspense, a decent plot and even one character that I could remotely root for.
I worry when I nitpick early in a book. I found myself wondering how a wealthy woman, who lives in a very large house on Ailesbury Road, in Dublin (price of smaller houses starts in millions), would ever be in London, with 3 very young children, without an au pair or child minder. How she would consider getting the tube instead of a cab or car with driver. How she might think it would be OK to get on a rush hour tube in London, with a PRAM, not a buggy, a PRAM!
Later I found myself looking at the little % icon on my kindle and groaning when I saw how much more was left to read.
It was a good idea for a story, but very poorly executed.
I love this crime thriller genre so it's back to Conan Doyle, Slaughter, French, King, Baldacci, Chandler, Rankin and Rendell, to name but a few, for me.
I worry when I nitpick early in a book. I found myself wondering how a wealthy woman, who lives in a very large house on Ailesbury Road, in Dublin (price of smaller houses starts in millions), would ever be in London, with 3 very young children, without an au pair or child minder. How she would consider getting the tube instead of a cab or car with driver. How she might think it would be OK to get on a rush hour tube in London, with a PRAM, not a buggy, a PRAM!
Later I found myself looking at the little % icon on my kindle and groaning when I saw how much more was left to read.
It was a good idea for a story, but very poorly executed.
I love this crime thriller genre so it's back to Conan Doyle, Slaughter, French, King, Baldacci, Chandler, Rankin and Rendell, to name but a few, for me.
October 15, 2023
Holy molyyyyy. I really enjoyed this book and I think I'll be thinking of it for a long time! Loved the characters and the drama. I actually give this 4.5* instead of 5 as I definitely predicted some of the twists in this book. But I still thoroughly enjoyed it - if you're looking for a fast-paced thriller, then definitely give this a read. The action starts about 2 pages in!
July 12, 2023
What a dreadful book. How on earth does such drivel ever get published? What sort of person brings two young toddlers and a newborn baby in a pram to a London tube station in the middle of rush hour? Or brings them to a ridiculous reunion with the most nauseating former housemates you could ever meet? If the writer had simply written a story about the frantic search for a missing child it could have been a good story, but instead she chose to concoct red herring after red herring and flesh out the plot with the most unbelievable and dislikeable characters imaginable. A total waste of time.
August 27, 2023
3.5 stars for me personally
The story started off with a bang, gripping, and every parents nightmare.... a little girl goes missing on a packed London tube train... but then it starts to become rather complicated with too many characters, too many flashbacks, and too many secrets....
It felt as if everything but the kitchen sink was thrown into the plot, and I was confused (not unusual for me). Trying to keep up with all the main characters and their motives and lies unfortunately just didn't work for me.
The story started off with a bang, gripping, and every parents nightmare.... a little girl goes missing on a packed London tube train... but then it starts to become rather complicated with too many characters, too many flashbacks, and too many secrets....
It felt as if everything but the kitchen sink was thrown into the plot, and I was confused (not unusual for me). Trying to keep up with all the main characters and their motives and lies unfortunately just didn't work for me.
July 8, 2025
He was on his way to kidnap the kid and they just happened to jump on the same train he was on, same carriage as well
Without their mother. Please be so for real right now
Also a central line train at 8am being empty enough for no one to see 2 kids get on without their mother is hilariously ridiculous
Without their mother. Please be so for real right now
Also a central line train at 8am being empty enough for no one to see 2 kids get on without their mother is hilariously ridiculous
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2023
Started off well but got incredibly boring and fast. It was also extremely predictable, no surprise ending, you could tell straight off who it was. Also the author seems to have forgotten that the actual house the child was taken to burnt down as in destroyed !?!
May 26, 2023
second half is very unbelievable
Unfortunately this became really far fetched during the second half of the book. Disappointing considering it was a great first half.
Unfortunately this became really far fetched during the second half of the book. Disappointing considering it was a great first half.
July 17, 2023
4.5 - yesssssss loved this! A really good pool of suspect and definitely a sense of tension building. I loved Jude’s character arc
August 16, 2024
ATTENTION ALL PASSENGERS 🚂💨
I highly recommend this book!
Such a simple premise really but I was hooked from the word go…
Two children get on a train. Only one gets off.
The clock is most definitely ticking on Faye’s likelihood of being found…‘We’re in a city of 8 million people, and Faye could be anywhere.’
This book is filled with if only’s, in a world that is filled with if only…making it one of the most suspenseful books I have read in a while. It was the definition of a page turner and I had to prise it out of my hands; it could easily be a one sitting book if you’re that way inclined.
Despite the drama and intensity of the storyline, there was also a funny element to it. There was quite a lot of characters with very different personalities but Andrea Mara used them to her advantage to create many different sides to this story. This definitely kept my interest at its peak.
In a world where trust is everything, nobody seems to be telling the truth. Their lives are full of lies even Aaron (dad) himself is confronted with the truth, though he reminds his PA: “Trust is everything, Garvin. Lying about small things means a person might lie about big things. No smoke without fire.” 🔥 FIRE. Fire. fire…
As the search for their missing daughter continues Aaron gets a surprise phone call: “YOU WON’T LIKE IT, Aaron, but your task is this….” Yay THIS gave me all the good thriller feels; I love it when they have to do tasks in order to reach their desired outcome 🤪
My only criticism was I found the number of characters to be quite tiresome. However, it did serve a purpose - providing a larger number of possible kidnappers. Overall, it was a very exciting and intense abduction case. It was actually going to be a 4 🌟 read but the last few chapters COMPLETELY CHANGED things and it was easily bumped up to a 5 🌟 read! Now excuse me while I go on the hunt for more of Mara’s books… 📚
I highly recommend this book!
Such a simple premise really but I was hooked from the word go…
Two children get on a train. Only one gets off.
The clock is most definitely ticking on Faye’s likelihood of being found…‘We’re in a city of 8 million people, and Faye could be anywhere.’
This book is filled with if only’s, in a world that is filled with if only…making it one of the most suspenseful books I have read in a while. It was the definition of a page turner and I had to prise it out of my hands; it could easily be a one sitting book if you’re that way inclined.
Despite the drama and intensity of the storyline, there was also a funny element to it. There was quite a lot of characters with very different personalities but Andrea Mara used them to her advantage to create many different sides to this story. This definitely kept my interest at its peak.
In a world where trust is everything, nobody seems to be telling the truth. Their lives are full of lies even Aaron (dad) himself is confronted with the truth, though he reminds his PA: “Trust is everything, Garvin. Lying about small things means a person might lie about big things. No smoke without fire.” 🔥 FIRE. Fire. fire…
As the search for their missing daughter continues Aaron gets a surprise phone call: “YOU WON’T LIKE IT, Aaron, but your task is this….” Yay THIS gave me all the good thriller feels; I love it when they have to do tasks in order to reach their desired outcome 🤪
My only criticism was I found the number of characters to be quite tiresome. However, it did serve a purpose - providing a larger number of possible kidnappers. Overall, it was a very exciting and intense abduction case. It was actually going to be a 4 🌟 read but the last few chapters COMPLETELY CHANGED things and it was easily bumped up to a 5 🌟 read! Now excuse me while I go on the hunt for more of Mara’s books… 📚
February 2, 2025
Whilst attending a reunion of her husband's friends in London, Sive suffers every parent's worst nightmare when her two young girls Faye aged 6 & Bea age 2 stumble onboard a crowded tube train just as the doors slam shut and the train begins to move off. As panic sets in a devastated Sive is relieved to hear her daughters have been found and taken off at the next station but when she arrives she is shocked to find only one of her daughters Bea waiting for her and the other daughter Faye is still missing and according to onlookers no one saw a thing. So begins a race against time for Sive and husband Aaron to find there missing daughter Faye and unravel a mystery from years ago and where the secrets friends hide can have the most devastating consequences.
Exploring the relationships and secrets shared among a group of old friends and how the lies we tell can still have after effects years later.
Exploring the relationships and secrets shared among a group of old friends and how the lies we tell can still have after effects years later.
June 7, 2024
**2.5 stars**
This book is rated quite highly across the board but unfortunately I have to admit I ended up finding it pretty average. At the beginning I found it highly readable and interesting - the chapters are very short so it feels like you are flying through, and what parent wouldn't be horrified at the idea of one of your children disappearing in the space of a few minutes on a crowded train. But I started to find it dragging a bit, and I thought the twists just weren't great. To me what should have felt to be a high-paced heart in your mouth read turned into a lengthy narrative with constant time jumps back to the events of the days prior, where the father of the missing child is having a reunion of sorts with his 'friends' who just seem to be more interested in making each other feel bad. Overall it was okay but not really one I'd personally recommend.
This book is rated quite highly across the board but unfortunately I have to admit I ended up finding it pretty average. At the beginning I found it highly readable and interesting - the chapters are very short so it feels like you are flying through, and what parent wouldn't be horrified at the idea of one of your children disappearing in the space of a few minutes on a crowded train. But I started to find it dragging a bit, and I thought the twists just weren't great. To me what should have felt to be a high-paced heart in your mouth read turned into a lengthy narrative with constant time jumps back to the events of the days prior, where the father of the missing child is having a reunion of sorts with his 'friends' who just seem to be more interested in making each other feel bad. Overall it was okay but not really one I'd personally recommend.
September 17, 2024
I wanted to give this author another chance as I loved the first two earlier books of hers that I read… unfortunately this one just didn’t hit the right notes for me. It wasn’t bad… it just wasn’t that good. It started out so well and then went swiftly downhill for me. Such a shame.. 2.5 stars rounded up.
March 9, 2024
The striking cover and interesting and so plausible premise drew me in.
The idea of a mum hurrying her two children onto the tube, the doors slamming shut before having a chance to get the buggy on board, is scary enough.
Only two find that only one of the kids is at the next station soon becomes every parents worst nightmare.
This was my first read from this author, and it was absolutely reverting.
One aspect that worked really well was that Bea only being a toddler made it hard for Sive to ask where her older sibling Faye went.
The narrative is told through a dual timeline as the reader learns more surrounding the characters and with plenty of red herrings, there's plenty of possible suspects who could have taken the young girl.
Nice fast-paced thriller that kept be hooked.
The idea of a mum hurrying her two children onto the tube, the doors slamming shut before having a chance to get the buggy on board, is scary enough.
Only two find that only one of the kids is at the next station soon becomes every parents worst nightmare.
This was my first read from this author, and it was absolutely reverting.
One aspect that worked really well was that Bea only being a toddler made it hard for Sive to ask where her older sibling Faye went.
The narrative is told through a dual timeline as the reader learns more surrounding the characters and with plenty of red herrings, there's plenty of possible suspects who could have taken the young girl.
Nice fast-paced thriller that kept be hooked.
February 23, 2024
This is either one of the worst books I’ve ever read or the funniest. Surely no one can take this seriously. What starts as an interesting premise quickly evolves into a convoluted interconnected series of increasingly bizarre relationships and people willing to break any law or moral code imaginable.
Three separate characters die from head injuries after simple falls. Two die several days later in hospital, but one immediately after a single shove, stumble, fall and dead. Either I’ve been blissfully unaware of my own fragility or Andrea Mara has a skewed perception of the strength of the human skull.
The dialogue was also unbelievably bad; often things like ‘remember how we all did that thing…’, ‘you know how your sister is…’ Worse still was the children who, though young, were written like idiots. When asked what a six year old would wish for she responded, “I wish for a tree that grows sweets and chocolate bars and to keep it in my room where my mummy can’t see how many I have.”
By that point it was just funny.
Anyway, terrible. Don’t waste your time
Three separate characters die from head injuries after simple falls. Two die several days later in hospital, but one immediately after a single shove, stumble, fall and dead. Either I’ve been blissfully unaware of my own fragility or Andrea Mara has a skewed perception of the strength of the human skull.
The dialogue was also unbelievably bad; often things like ‘remember how we all did that thing…’, ‘you know how your sister is…’ Worse still was the children who, though young, were written like idiots. When asked what a six year old would wish for she responded, “I wish for a tree that grows sweets and chocolate bars and to keep it in my room where my mummy can’t see how many I have.”
By that point it was just funny.
Anyway, terrible. Don’t waste your time
January 12, 2024
The back and forth of two timelines wasn’t necessary. The events from 15 years ago and the events from 3 days ago had no correlation to the story. If I’d read the first couple chapters then skipped to the last couple of chapters, I still would have understood the plot. The criminal’s mind was far from brilliant👎🏾
February 5, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
It won't change your life, but it will give you an entertaining afternoon ☺️
It won't change your life, but it will give you an entertaining afternoon ☺️
May 7, 2023
If you’re looking for a tense, twisty thriller, Irish author Andrea Mara has you covered. Her books are well-plotted mysteries, with lots of interesting characters and red herrings to keep you guessing until the last page.
Her new book No One Saw A Thing is set in London over a weekend, where an Irish couple and their children are visiting for a reunion with old friends. Sive and Aaron are a power couple, she’s a journalist and he’s a high flying criminal defence lawyer.
On Monday morning, Sive is getting on the Tube with her three children when the Tube doors close leaving her stranded on the platform and her daughters on the Tube. The alarm is raised but when the train arrives at the next station, six year old Faye has gone missing and, as the title says, no one saw a thing. Every parent’s worst nightmare - the absolute fear 😰.
As the plot unfolds, it emerges that any number of acquaintances of theirs could have taken Faye - Aaron is not short of enemies.
I read this in a couple of sittings, flying through it. Whilst it’s not my favourite of Andrea’s, this one is perfect for holidays or when you’re looking for something compelling between heavier, longer reads.
*Many thanks to the author, publisher @penguinbooksireland, Transworld for the arc via @netgalley. As always, this is an honest review.*
Her new book No One Saw A Thing is set in London over a weekend, where an Irish couple and their children are visiting for a reunion with old friends. Sive and Aaron are a power couple, she’s a journalist and he’s a high flying criminal defence lawyer.
On Monday morning, Sive is getting on the Tube with her three children when the Tube doors close leaving her stranded on the platform and her daughters on the Tube. The alarm is raised but when the train arrives at the next station, six year old Faye has gone missing and, as the title says, no one saw a thing. Every parent’s worst nightmare - the absolute fear 😰.
As the plot unfolds, it emerges that any number of acquaintances of theirs could have taken Faye - Aaron is not short of enemies.
I read this in a couple of sittings, flying through it. Whilst it’s not my favourite of Andrea’s, this one is perfect for holidays or when you’re looking for something compelling between heavier, longer reads.
*Many thanks to the author, publisher @penguinbooksireland, Transworld for the arc via @netgalley. As always, this is an honest review.*
June 7, 2023
The easiest 5 stars I’ve ever given a thriller.
I picked this up on a whim in Asda, having never heard of this author/book and I am SO glad I did.
This book was SO fast paced, every chapter left you on a major cliffhanger that I couldn’t put the book down. A perfect popcorn thriller.
Just when you think you know what’s going on…. Nope.
READ THIS BOOK
I picked this up on a whim in Asda, having never heard of this author/book and I am SO glad I did.
This book was SO fast paced, every chapter left you on a major cliffhanger that I couldn’t put the book down. A perfect popcorn thriller.
Just when you think you know what’s going on…. Nope.
READ THIS BOOK
September 20, 2023
3.5 Stars
A layered and tense thriller. I was really invested but at the same time uncomfortable. The story follows the search for a missing child and I am a parent so I felt yucky and stressed throughout the whole novel. Therefore, whilst I can appreciate the writing and the complex plot I didn't 'enjoy' it.
A layered and tense thriller. I was really invested but at the same time uncomfortable. The story follows the search for a missing child and I am a parent so I felt yucky and stressed throughout the whole novel. Therefore, whilst I can appreciate the writing and the complex plot I didn't 'enjoy' it.
October 8, 2025
Interesantă, palpitantă și întortocheată.
O mamă este cu fetițele la metrou iar acestea urcă în vagon în timp ce mama nu reușește să intre înainte de închiderea ușilor; la următoarea stație recuperează doar o fetiță, unde este cealaltă?
Capitole scurte, multe personaje și salturi dese între prezent și zilele dinaintea evenimentului.
Am parcurs-o în format audio și pe alocuri mi s-a părut mai greu de urmărit, recomand cartea în format fizic.
personaje îndoielnice și muuulte minciuni. la final, nimeni n-a văzut nimic.
O mamă este cu fetițele la metrou iar acestea urcă în vagon în timp ce mama nu reușește să intre înainte de închiderea ușilor; la următoarea stație recuperează doar o fetiță, unde este cealaltă?
Capitole scurte, multe personaje și salturi dese între prezent și zilele dinaintea evenimentului.
Am parcurs-o în format audio și pe alocuri mi s-a părut mai greu de urmărit, recomand cartea în format fizic.
personaje îndoielnice și muuulte minciuni. la final, nimeni n-a văzut nimic.
February 1, 2023
Well thankyou yet again, Andrea Mara. I've put aside the cleaning, the cooking and the washing because I mistakenly picked up your book this morning and barely put it down.
An interview with Andrea with Bookpunk's Bob Mackenzie revealed that the basis for this latest thriller was loosely based on her own experience of being separated very temporarily from parents on the tube during a holiday in the 80s when she was 12 and her sibling was 6.
It is surely every parent's worst nightmare. But of course Andrea Mara doesn't leave her story at the temporary separation. In this story the two little girls are 6 and 2. In this story the 2 year old turns up quickly but Faye, the 6 year old, has gone.
The rest of the book is the frantic search by parents Sive and Aaron to find out where she is, who has taken her and why.
As with her other fabulous books Andrea sends us down blind alley after blind alley. Just when you think you have one bit neatly figured out she drops another bombshell on you.
It's irritating how well she does this. I'm woeful at working out whodunnits so when I got one bit right I was so busy patting myself on the back that the next bit threw me for six and I was back to scratching my head again.
So thankyou, yet again, for another riveting read. There are quite a few characters to get your head round and the timeline jumps around a fair bit but it won't take you long to get into the swing and then I defy anyone to put the book down until the end
Highly recommended. Just leave yourself plenty of time (and have a pile of snacks ready) to read it all in one go. It's addictive reading.
An interview with Andrea with Bookpunk's Bob Mackenzie revealed that the basis for this latest thriller was loosely based on her own experience of being separated very temporarily from parents on the tube during a holiday in the 80s when she was 12 and her sibling was 6.
It is surely every parent's worst nightmare. But of course Andrea Mara doesn't leave her story at the temporary separation. In this story the two little girls are 6 and 2. In this story the 2 year old turns up quickly but Faye, the 6 year old, has gone.
The rest of the book is the frantic search by parents Sive and Aaron to find out where she is, who has taken her and why.
As with her other fabulous books Andrea sends us down blind alley after blind alley. Just when you think you have one bit neatly figured out she drops another bombshell on you.
It's irritating how well she does this. I'm woeful at working out whodunnits so when I got one bit right I was so busy patting myself on the back that the next bit threw me for six and I was back to scratching my head again.
So thankyou, yet again, for another riveting read. There are quite a few characters to get your head round and the timeline jumps around a fair bit but it won't take you long to get into the swing and then I defy anyone to put the book down until the end
Highly recommended. Just leave yourself plenty of time (and have a pile of snacks ready) to read it all in one go. It's addictive reading.
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