You Never Came Home

by Mark Gillespie

332 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 24, 2026

About the author

These days, Mark Gillespie writes psychological thrillers, suspense and horror. Previously, between the years 2016-2020, he wrote a lot of apocalyptic/dystopian fiction.

Mark is a former professional musician from Glasgow, Scotland, who nowadays lives in Auckland, New Zealand with his wife Íde and a small menagerie of four-legged rescue creatures.

Favourite books: I am Legend, The Razor's Edge, The Count of Monte Cristo, The Body (Stephen King), I'll Be Gone in the Dark, Trainspotting...

Favourite films: Jaws, Ikiru, The Invitation, Vertigo, The Thing, Eyes Without a Face, Seven Samurai, The Wicker Man...

You can find him on Facebook as Mark Gillespie's Writing Stuff. He's also on Twitter as MarkG_Author.

Website: www.markgillespieauthor.com

Reviews

[Jill Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great Scottish thriller set in the Scottish Highlands. With relatable and engaging characters, it cleverly captures the mood of growing up in small town Scotland and the impact of leaving, or not leaving. And the undercurrent of what goes on beneath everyday lives.
The story is told mostly in the present, but moves seamlessly back to the past. The story kept me hooked and guessing, right until the very end!
I have read a few books by Mark Gillespie and this is definitely one of my favourites. An absolute recommendation to anyone who enjoys thrillers & crime novels.

[Kisxela · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read Mark Gillespie’s Never Came Home, but I honestly doubt I’ll remember anything about it in a week. It’s an incredibly average thriller with a plot that feels neither believable nor memorable. The story is predictable, the twists fall flat, and by the end it all blends into the background noise of forgettable reads.
Even worse, I found most of the characters downright unsympathetic—unlikeable, poorly developed, and hard to care about. There’s simply no emotional hook or tension to pull you in.
All in all, this one left me cold. It’s not terrible, but it’s far from good.

[Bronwyn Kotze · Rating 5 out of 5]

How well do you know your childhood best friends? Their secrets, their regrets, their fears...
When one of a trio of best friends goes missing as an adult, can the other two trust each other enough to find out the truth? What if one is not who they seem to be?

Mark Gillespie is an outstanding psychological thriller author, and did not disappoint with his latest book. I highly recommend this one if you're looking for a well-written and gripping story.

[Sharon Leung]

Enjoyed

This was a good read with a few twists and turns. Three close best friends grow up on different paths. Their journeys at growing into adulthood bring different feelings and secrets with each other. But then the inevitable happens and the cracks start to form. Life isn't quite as they expected. Each on their own unique pathways to life in the big world,bringing all nastiness with it.
Recommended

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this.
This is a thrilling read.

Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.

Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.

Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.

Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.

Recommend reading.

[Michael Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Mr. Gillespie shows his superb talents. This is well-written, with strong characters and vivid descriptions that make the reader feel as though you’re watching a movie. He always has a few twists that keep me engrossed and guessing right through the satisfying ending. I’ve read about 20 books by Mr. Gillespie – I’ve never been disappointed. Try this one – you’ll like it!

[Phthon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a messed up series of events. What messed up lives. I understand Maddy’s quirk, that is something quite a few people deal with. I understand Christian, what his childhood was like leaves scars. I understand Robin’s inability to move on. Losing a friend like that leaves a person stuck in a loop. I just wasn’t ready for that revelation at the end. This is a fantastically written book!

[Kathryn Laing · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a lot of Mark Gillespie’s books and this one is outstanding. A real thriller with well defined characters and a great story. A definite 10+.

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT Read!

Really well written, keeps you turning pages to find out what happens next and why Maddy never came home. If you like suspenseful thrillers you must read this one.