And Then She Was Gone

by J.A. Baker

22 Northwood Drive has been all but empty since the disappearance of Eliza Phillips ten years ago.

Now Tessa Whiting and her 11-year-old son have moved in. And almost from day one, Tessa can tell something isn't right. Noises in the night. Strange marks on the windows. An intruder who seems determined to get inside.

Surely these strange goings on can't be linked to what happened to Eliza Phillips? Having upped and left her previous life so quickly, Tessa can think of other people - one person in particular - who might be very interested in where she is.

And yet... she can't stop thinking about the fate of young Eliza. The more she delves into the mystery, the more she learns that the girl wasn't safe.

And neither is Tessa...

Praise for J. A.

"A dark and twisting thrill ride that asks the how well do you really know your parents? It kept me hooked until the final page!" Bestselling author M.A. Hunter ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"A dark and twisty thriller that keep you guessing at the truth, The Perfect Parents is an addictive read!" Bestselling author Alison Stockham ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

264 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication October 26, 2026

About the author

J. A. Baker was born and brought up in the North East of England.

When she's not writing and thinking up new and inventive ways of killing off her fictional characters, or looking after her young grandchildren, she can be found pottering around her garden with her madcap dog, Theo or in a coffee shop eating cake with her long suffering husband.

Reviews

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

22 Northwood Drive has been all but empty since the disappearance of Eliza Phillips ten years ago. Now Tessa Whiting and her eleven-year-old son have moved in. And almost from day one, Tessa can tell that something isn't right. Noises in the night. Strange marks on the windows. An intruder who seems determined to get inside. Surely these strange goings on can't be linked to what happened to Eliza Phillips? Having upped and left her previous life so quickly, Tessa can think of other people - one person in particular - who might be very interested in where she is. And yet.... she can't stop thinking about the fate of young Eliza. The more she delves into the mystery, the more she learns that the girl wasn't safe. And neither is Tessa.

This story has a dual timeline and it's told from multiple points of view. Tessa and her son Isaac are starting over after Tessa leaves her abusive ex-husband. They move to 22 Northwood Drive, and Tessa hopes they are going to be happy here.

This is quite a dark read. I was pulled in by the end of the first page of this well-written and gripping read. The pace was perfectly set. We get to know some of Tessa's new neighbours. The tension builds throughout.

Published 26th October 2026

I wouldlike to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #JABaker for my ARC of #AndThenSheWasGone in exchange for an honest review.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last thing you want to hear when you move into a new home, one that you hope heralds a new start and happy times for you and your son, is that ‘strange things’ happened years ago and an unresolved ‘missing person’ case is linked to the house

And then there are the tales of ‘others’who tried and failed to make a go of it there before you moved in

It is all very unsettling for Tessa and when she hears bumps in the night and other weird occurrences she starts to regret her move to this mysterious house

And then things really go wrong

Told with descriptive emotive writing and the authors ability to be dark with some light getting through it is as always a intriguing and full on read

And will 100% make you look more closely when considering a move to a new house!……😎

The book starts with a very honest authors note for readers and a lovely acknowledgments section

[Mara · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

A big thank you to Net Galley, Boldwood Books, and J.A. Baker for the advanced copy of And Then She Was Gone! I devoured this book in three days and had so much fun reading it!

This book truly had me second-guessing everything. The dual timelines and multiple POVs kept me invested, and the creepy house setting added such a good layer of tension. I also loved the theme of women finding the strength to start over after difficult circumstances — it gave the story more emotional depth than I was expecting. There were multiple twists and genuine “oh my god, what?” moments along the way, and the ending completely took me by surprise.

My only small complaint was that there was a stretch in the middle where I found myself waiting for something bigger to happen to really move the story forward. But once it did, boy did it.

This would also be a great "starter thriller" to anyone who has been interested in the genre but isn't sure where to start.

Again, loved this book, had a lot of fun!

[Sarah Bloomfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to netgalley, the author and Boldwood Books for approving my request to read this book.

Tessa a domestic violence survivor and her 11 year old son Isaac are starting afresh at number 22 Northwood Drive and are warmly welcomed by their neighbours. Tessa is really hopeful about this new chapter of their lives but the house has secrets and it would seem someone close by does too.

I thoroughly enjoyed this tense psychological thriller and the residents of Northwood Drive kept me entertained throughout, I loved the back stories! I found this book highly engaging from the first page until the last, I'll definitely be recommending this one!

[Maja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you very much Boldwood Books for this ARC!

Alright. There are things I did like and things I did struggle a bit with while reading JA Baker's new book, And Then She Was Gone. The creepy house with the noises and marks appearing? Yes! A missing child? Yes and Yes! Dual timelines? Yes, yes and yes!

It was dark, and there were so many twists that I had no idea anymore in the end what to believe. And I surely felt for Tessa and her son! I also did not mind the story being more on the slow side, however, more often than once, things felt repetitive. This is why I decided on 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4!

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tessa and her young son have moved into an old house that has been empty for a long time and needs quite a lot of updating.
From the first night she can hear noises and finds that someone has been trying to gain access to the house.
Has she made a mistake in moving here?
A psychological thriller that had me hooked from the beginning.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

[GG · Rating 2 out of 5]

This started well with building tension, but then it slowed and fell flat for me. I felt descriptions and events could’ve been taken further to create a more unsettling atmosphere. I just found the overall story a bit uninspired, and mostly predictable. I did enjoy the multiple POVs and I did feel for Tessa and Isaac. Overall this wasn’t for me.

[Alison Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

22 Northwood Drive has stood vacant for some time, but the house holds secrets. Dark secrets that begin to unfold when Tessa and her son Isaac move in, completely unaware of the horror that once took place within its walls.
The author immediately drew me in with a powerful and incredibly vivid prologue, showing us the horrors of the past in such detail that it was genuinely unsettling. It was emotionally gripping, and I knew almost instantly that this was going to be a book I would become fully invested in.
Tessa and Isaac are running from their own demons and desperately need somewhere they can feel safe and begin again. A fresh start, away from judgement and the dreaded "I told you so's." Isaac is excited about their new home in the way only a child can be, while Tessa is understandably more concerned about the practicalities. Despite her worries, she hopes this house can give them both the chance at a new life.
The story moves between different perspectives and timelines, which worked really well for me. We are taken back to the past to learn about Eliza, who moved into the house following the death of her parents. Her story is gradually revealed throughout the book, with each chapter giving us another piece of the puzzle.
We also get to know some of the neighbours, who are given their own voices within the story. Roxy, Tessa's next-door neighbour, particularly caught my attention. Her reactions to certain situations and memories are so intense that there is something about her that feels distinctly unnerving. It's clear that she is hiding something, and that immediately gave the story another layer of intrigue.
Then Tessa receives an anonymous letter with a terrifying warning: Get out of this house!
What's even more frightening is that Tessa realises the letter hasn't come from the abusive ex-husband she is running from. So who sent it, and why?
When Tessa turns to Roxy for help, we begin to see that her neighbour may know far more than she is letting on. And from there, things become increasingly strange. Every night, Tessa is woken by noises coming from downstairs, until one night she becomes convinced that someone is actually inside the house. When the police arrive, there are signs that someone has gained entry, but there is no obvious explanation for who they are or what they want.
Determined to find answers, Tessa contacts the previous tenants to discover whether they experienced anything similar. They point her towards a journalist who had his own theory about what happened to Eliza — and the information Tessa uncovers leaves her shocked and terrified.
As the story progresses, we finally discover what happened to Eliza, and some of these scenes are genuinely chilling. J.A. Baker writes the darker moments brilliantly, creating an atmosphere that had me completely absorbed.
There is so much packed into this story: action, secrets, lies, intrigue and plenty of twists and turns. I particularly enjoy a book that can surprise me towards the end, and this one definitely delivered. I also loved the way the story explores just how far people are willing to go to protect themselves, their secrets and the things they don't want others to discover.
The ending was perfect and brought everything together in a way that really worked for me.
Another fantastic read from an author who has once again managed to keep me hooked. If you enjoy atmospheric thrillers filled with secrets, suspense and unexpected twists, And Then She Was Gone is definitely one to add to your reading list.

[Mona Sami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of *And Then She Was Gone* before publication. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I really enjoyed the setup of *And Then She Was Gone*. Tessa Whiting moves into 22 Northwood Drive with her eleven-year-old son, hoping for a fresh start, but almost immediately there is something unsettling about the house.

Ten years earlier, a young girl named Eliza Phillips disappeared from the same address, and the house has remained largely empty ever since. Now Tessa is hearing noises at night, finding strange marks on the windows and becoming increasingly convinced that someone is trying to get inside.

What I liked most was that there are really two mysteries running alongside each other. Tessa becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to Eliza, but she is also clearly hiding something about her own past and the reason she left her previous life so suddenly. That kept me questioning whether the danger was connected to Eliza or whether someone from Tessa’s past had finally found her.

The house itself creates a really effective atmosphere. I liked the constant feeling that Tessa and her son should be safe inside their own home, while everything happening around them suggests the opposite. The noises, the intruder and the history attached to the property give the story an uneasy, claustrophobic feel.

The missing-child mystery also becomes darker the more Tessa investigates. She gradually realises that Eliza may not have been safe even before she disappeared, which made me much more invested in finding out what had happened all those years ago.

There are some familiar psychological-thriller elements here, particularly the mysterious house, buried secrets and protagonist running from her past, so not every development felt completely original. But the two timelines of danger worked well together and the story remained easy to keep reading.

Overall, *And Then She Was Gone* was tense, unsettling and addictive. I enjoyed the mystery surrounding Eliza, the atmosphere of the house and the gradual revelation of Tessa’s own secrets. A very enjoyable psychological thriller with plenty of reasons to keep turning the pages.

[Meg Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a dark and unsettling psychological thriller that gets you wondering what is really going on from the very beginning.

Tessa Whiting and her eleven-year-old son, Isaac, are looking for a fresh start after Tessa leaves her abusive husband. They move into 22 Northwood Drive, hoping to build a happier life together, but there is something seriously wrong with their new home. The house has been almost empty for ten years following the disappearance of a young girl, Eliza Phillips, and before long, Tessa begins experiencing strange noises, mysterious marks on the windows, and attempts by someone to get inside. Are these incidents connected to Eliza’s disappearance, or is someone from Tessa’s own past trying to find her?

I really like the sound of the dual timeline and multiple points of view in this story, especially when the past and present gradually begin to connect. The creepy house setting adds an extra layer of tension, and the mystery surrounding Eliza makes you want to keep reading to uncover what happened to her. There are plenty of secrets, twists, and moments that make you question what you think you know.

What also stands out is the emotional side of the story. Tessa and Isaac are trying to rebuild their lives after a traumatic experience, and their search for safety becomes increasingly frightening as the secrets surrounding their new home begin to emerge. The darker themes give the thriller more weight than just a simple mystery, although readers should be aware that it deals with domestic abuse and other potentially upsetting subject matter.

Overall, And Then She Was Gone sounds like an atmospheric, suspenseful read for fans of psychological thrillers involving missing people, creepy settings, and secrets that refuse to stay buried. If you enjoy stories that slowly piece together the past while keeping you guessing about the present, this one is worth adding to your reading list.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tessa and her son move into a dilapidated house. She has no choice but needs a safe place to stay. After all, a house can be renovated. She is a victim of DV, and her ex has found her once before and threatened her life and that of his son.
What Tessa doesn't know is that the house has a history.
Yes, the neighbours are all kind people, sending welcome cards, but there is something else going on, and Tessa fears for her life.

The suspense! The build up! You can feel Tessa's trepidation throughout the book, She puts up a brave front for Isaac, but is terrified. She has to investigate to find out more, and she finds out more than she expected about the previous occupant.

I had my suspicions about one of the neighbours. I was correct,

Young Isaac really caught my heart. Sensitive and caring. Has seen too much in his young life, I really felt for him.

The plot of this book is good. The characters are well developed, and the entire atmosphere of the book is eerie and dark, and kept me on edge throughout.

The twists! Arrgh!! I wouldn't have guessed.

Trigger warning: DV.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Victoria · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Title: And Then She Was Gone
Author: JA Baker
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟 1/2
Publication Date: October 26, 2026

I have read many books that follow this same storyline: something bad happens at a house, new people move into said house, and creepy things start happening to the new people at the house.

This story takes place over two time periods and from two different points of view; Tessa's point of view in the present and Eliza's point of view from 10 years ago.

This is definitely a slow-burn. Things didn't start to pick up and get exciting until just over half way through the book. There were just sooooo many characters, some of them unnecessary, that I had to take notes in an attempt to keep them all straight.

Once the pace of the book picked up, it became more enjoyable. The author is a very descriptive writer, making it easy for the reader to visualize what was going on.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review.

[Katie Hunter · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

This was a bit of a slow burn to begin with. There was lots of building work going on at the house and introduction of various neighbours and characters so I became suspicious of everyone and everything that was happening, but kept waiting for the drama to unfold. Then approx the last 20% of the book, it all sprang into action. This was another book where I was screaming at more than one of the characters through my kindle screen in frustration!!
There wasn’t one main crazy twist. The plot lines had been weaved together so that the knowledge grew on you throughout the book who was going to be involved - although not how or why. Then there was an extra twist at the very end that I didn’t see coming at all. And I have some questions about that 🤣

I enjoyed this book while reading it, but I’m not sure I will remember it well a year from now. I would read more from this author though

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Thank you netgalley for the chance to read this early in exchange for my honest review**
This one was intense. It starts by describing an empty, unloved house and how a little love and a new family can change it…or can it?

Then we go to a very injured person, begging for their life….then we switch gears again. What!?

Now on to Tessa and her son looking for a fresh start. They end up in the house that was just described. Yikes. There are mysterious rumors, a missing former owner and break ins.
I ended up spooking myself and not being able to sleep. I was so paranoid right along with Tessa. Some parts are rough to read. But I stuck with it and am so glad I did. That ending!

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

And Then She Was Gone is an unsettling and tense thriller.

Tessa and her eleven-year-old son move into a new neighbourhood after fleeing an abusive relationship. At first, the house seems perfect and a bargain too, but the secrets it hides soon begin to threaten their happiness.

There is much to like about this book; the dual timeline is engaging and the sinister tone builds effectively. I felt genuine sympathy for Tessa and Isaac, while the dark events of Eliza's storyline provide a genuinely creepy backdrop.

Although the pace occasionally dips, the suspense remains high, making this an intense and enjoyable read.

Review of advanced copy provided by NetGalley.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you #Netgalley for the advanced copy!

When Tessa moves into a new home with her son Isaac. She finally felt like she was safe, away from her abusive husband. She is in a new town and is sure he doesn't know where they are. Her anxiety is still high and she begins to hear things at night as if someone was in the home...did he find them? She is losing sleep and questioning the home and noises. The neighbors don't share too much about that house, but we slowly being to learn they all have their own secrets that end up merging in the end...

[Teri Moore Stover · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I enjoyed most about And Then She Was Gone was how the past and present slowly started to come together. Tessa moves into a house already tied to the disappearance of a young girl, and it doesn't take long before strange things begin happening around her. I liked the uneasy feeling that something wasn't right and the questions surrounding both Tessa's past and what happened in the house years ago. There were plenty of secrets to unravel, and I enjoyed trying to work out how everything was connected.

[Roo · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

This is a gripping read that leaves you checking the house. Tessa and her 11 year old son has just moved into a house when strange things start happening, break ins, but they don’t steal anything, someone is watching them, but why? It all happened 10 years ago when Eliza went missing from that very house, but what happened to her? This book does have trigger points, the author does write that there is, but doesn’t say what it is until you start reading. It’s a great psychological thriller that will leave you spooked. A 4.5 star read. Thanks to NetGalley and the author for a copy.

[Zoe C · Rating 2 out of 5]

At first the book took you through some suspense with tessa and the strange happenings at the new house.
It became obv that the neighbours Roxy and Kat were somehow involved.

Towards 3/4 way through it started to fall a little flat. The whole man with the broken legs still managing to take down a police officer was a bit far fetched for me.

The book started off okay but it did loose its suspense along the way.. and the 10 year later passage passage titled 'Jerry' was just very odd and random.

I knew all along where the money was stashed... was so obvious

2/5 for me

[Rustic_Reads_ Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A creepy house, an unsolved disappearance and a fresh start that quickly turns into something much more sinister! This was right up my street, with strange goings-on, secrets from the past and questions about who can really be trusted.

I love a psychological thriller where you’re trying to piece together what’s happened while wondering what the characters might be hiding themselves. With Eliza’s disappearance and Tessa’s own past coming into play, there’s plenty here to keep you guessing. And that suggestion that neither Tessa nor her son are safe has me wanting to know how it all unfolds!

[KDRBCK]

And Then She Was Gone by J.A. Baker is a full length stand alone thriller published by Boldwood Books.
An haunted house, a single mom with a 11 year old son, suspicious activity - I mean what's not to love in this pulsepounding, nailbitind, fast paced pageturner.
Writing is excellent, characters are to "die for". 5 stars.

[Sarah Clarke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy and enjoyable thriller, The pacing was steady, and there were a few twists I didn't see coming, which made for an entertaining read.
While I liked the story overall, some parts felt a bit predictable. Even so, it was a solid read that I think thriller fans will enjoy.
Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Improve depth for stronger writing

[Maggie · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was a twist which was nice. Though I would have liked more resolution.

But, overall, what tipped it to a 2 rather than 3, was there were too many repeating phrases and flip flops in this book.

How many times do we need to talk about our breathing? Or how we're going to be brave now no matter what but the next second we're terrified. Over and over.

[Diane Jewell · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

And Then She Was Gone by J.A. Baker ⭐⭐⭐.5

Slow burn I was 50% in before I felt intrigued to finish reading the rest. Lots of characters and suspense, I wished the whole book was that way.
POVs between Tessa with the present day and Eliza from 10 years before. Pay attention or you'll be lost.

Book releases October 26th.

[Britney Ireland · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing suspense thriller! 4.5 stars from me.

I enjoyed the storyline and characters in this novel! The plot was executed perfectly and kept me on the edge of my seat and eager to see where the story ended. Loved the conclusion. Will be recommending.

Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC!

[Ashton Rohrer · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a little longer to get fully invested but once I did, i was hooked! It definitely kept me on my toes, and I did NOT see that ending coming at all! Overall, such a good read

[Priscilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

22 Northwood Drive has been all but empty until Tessa and her son move in and start hearing strange noises and other disturbances. What is going on in this house?
The mystery of this book develops through twists and revelations rather than giving away the answers too quickly. The characters have emotional depth, particularly through their reactions to the disappearance and the secrets they carry. If you enjoy psychological suspense and stories involving missing-person investigations, you will likely appreciate the gradual uncovering of the truth. It is an absorbing mystery with plenty of suspense, secrets, and unexpected developments, and I would recommend it if you enjoy thrillers that focus as much on the characters and their emotions as they do on solving the mystery.

[Sandy Goguen-Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tense psychological thriller. Immediately was hooked and couldn't put it down. I enjoyed the back story, and lots of twists and turns. A great female character and loved seeing her continue to grow.

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC book and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.