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Never To Be Found
THE BRAND-NEW 2026 PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER FROM THE NO. 1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF
THE CONFESSION.
She helped him disappear. She'll wish she hadn't . . .
In Japan, one hundred thousand people voluntarily disappear every year, aided by those who help them start over. They call them Johatsu—the evaporated.
I brought the idea to England. No judgment, no questions. Just new identities, packed bags, and discreet escape plans from abusive partners, debt, or simply lives that no longer fit.
I thought I was doing something good—honorable, even. Until now.
I know now that not everyone is fleeing hardship. I've helped someone who committed a crime to flee the police. I've disappeared a murderer.
And unless I find him, I don't know what he'll do next . . .
She helped him disappear. She'll wish she hadn't . . .
In Japan, one hundred thousand people voluntarily disappear every year, aided by those who help them start over. They call them Johatsu—the evaporated.
I brought the idea to England. No judgment, no questions. Just new identities, packed bags, and discreet escape plans from abusive partners, debt, or simply lives that no longer fit.
I thought I was doing something good—honorable, even. Until now.
I know now that not everyone is fleeing hardship. I've helped someone who committed a crime to flee the police. I've disappeared a murderer.
And unless I find him, I don't know what he'll do next . . .
Audible Audio
Published October 27, 2026
About the author
Jo Spain
28 books1,277 followersJo Spain is the author of the bestselling Inspector Tom Reynolds series and several international No. 1 bestselling standalone novels. Her first book, With Our Blessing, was a finalist in the 2015 Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller.
Jo, a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, writes TV screenplays full-time. Her first crime series was broadcast on RTE in 2018 and she's currently involved in a number of TV developments including adaptations of her own novels. In 2021, she co-wrote Harry Wild, starring Jane Seymour, with the Emmy award-winning David Logan (airing 2022).
Jo lives in Dublin with her husband and four young children. In her spare time (she has four children, there is no spare time really) she likes to read. Her favourite authors include Pierre Lemaitre, Jo Nesbo, Liane Moriarty, Fred Vargas and Jodi Picoult. She also watches TV obsessively.
Jo thinks up her plots on long runs in the woods. Her husband sleeps with one eye open.
Jo, a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, writes TV screenplays full-time. Her first crime series was broadcast on RTE in 2018 and she's currently involved in a number of TV developments including adaptations of her own novels. In 2021, she co-wrote Harry Wild, starring Jane Seymour, with the Emmy award-winning David Logan (airing 2022).
Jo lives in Dublin with her husband and four young children. In her spare time (she has four children, there is no spare time really) she likes to read. Her favourite authors include Pierre Lemaitre, Jo Nesbo, Liane Moriarty, Fred Vargas and Jodi Picoult. She also watches TV obsessively.
Jo thinks up her plots on long runs in the woods. Her husband sleeps with one eye open.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews
September 3, 2026
EXCERPT: . . . Well, I can tell from your face, you asked somebody to help today. I'm guessing they didn't comply. So, I have a suggestion.'
"Yes?'
'Yes. I'm police, you're an amateur playing a very dangerous game. You're going to start working with me.'
'I feel like there's an or.'
'There is no "or". And I misspoke. It's not a suggestion. I'll be here tomorrow. Whoever is next on your list, I'll be going with you. Because, Veronica, I don't care that this is your life, your career, your only way of making a few quid, I do not care. I care about the two women who were brutally murdered by the man you went on to help hide from the police. Are we clear?'
ABOUT 'NEVER TO BE FOUND': She helped him disappear. She'll wish she hadn't . . .
There is a chilling phenomenon in Japan known as Johatsu - people who vanish voluntarily from their lives. It's said 100,000 people per year are Johatsu, and an entire industry has sprung up to support those who choose to.
Life is hard. For some people, it's just too much.
That's what I thought when I brought the concept to England. People will disappear anyway. What if I could help them? So I pack their belongings discreetly, create new identities, forge documents, give directions to the cities and towns where the 'night-mover' can live anonymously.
It's just a business. I never saw it as a shameful act. I've helped people flee from abusive relationships, from work pressure, from debt, from unfulfilled lives. People in need.
I consider what I do to be honourable.
Until now that is.
Because I've just learned that I'm not absent of responsibility. That I am capable of doing a terrible thing.
That it's not just a business.
I helped somebody flee from a crime. From the police.
I evaporated a murderer.
And if I don't find him, I can't live with what he might do next.
MY THOUGHTS: Never to be Found starts as a slow burn that rapidly increases in intensity to the point where I was still reading at 3 am because I couldn't put this down and had to know what happened.
I had never heard of Jõhatsu before reading this book and it is a subject I immediately found fascinating, one that presents endless possibilities.
Told entirely from Veronica's POV, her past, making her what she is today, is slowly revealed as the hunt for the double murderer takes place.
Pacey and twisty, I was enthralled from beginning to end.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#NeverToBeFound #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: JO SPAIN is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, writes TV screenplays full-time. She lives in Dublin with her husband and four young children. In her spare time (she has four children, there is no spare time really) she likes to read. She also watches TV obsessively.
Jo thinks up her plots on long runs in the woods. Her husband sleeps with one eye open.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bonnier Books UK, Zaffre, via NetGalley for providing a DRC of Never to be Found by Jo Spain for review. This review reflects my reading experience and all opinions expressed are my own personal opinions.
"Yes?'
'Yes. I'm police, you're an amateur playing a very dangerous game. You're going to start working with me.'
'I feel like there's an or.'
'There is no "or". And I misspoke. It's not a suggestion. I'll be here tomorrow. Whoever is next on your list, I'll be going with you. Because, Veronica, I don't care that this is your life, your career, your only way of making a few quid, I do not care. I care about the two women who were brutally murdered by the man you went on to help hide from the police. Are we clear?'
ABOUT 'NEVER TO BE FOUND': She helped him disappear. She'll wish she hadn't . . .
There is a chilling phenomenon in Japan known as Johatsu - people who vanish voluntarily from their lives. It's said 100,000 people per year are Johatsu, and an entire industry has sprung up to support those who choose to.
Life is hard. For some people, it's just too much.
That's what I thought when I brought the concept to England. People will disappear anyway. What if I could help them? So I pack their belongings discreetly, create new identities, forge documents, give directions to the cities and towns where the 'night-mover' can live anonymously.
It's just a business. I never saw it as a shameful act. I've helped people flee from abusive relationships, from work pressure, from debt, from unfulfilled lives. People in need.
I consider what I do to be honourable.
Until now that is.
Because I've just learned that I'm not absent of responsibility. That I am capable of doing a terrible thing.
That it's not just a business.
I helped somebody flee from a crime. From the police.
I evaporated a murderer.
And if I don't find him, I can't live with what he might do next.
MY THOUGHTS: Never to be Found starts as a slow burn that rapidly increases in intensity to the point where I was still reading at 3 am because I couldn't put this down and had to know what happened.
I had never heard of Jõhatsu before reading this book and it is a subject I immediately found fascinating, one that presents endless possibilities.
Told entirely from Veronica's POV, her past, making her what she is today, is slowly revealed as the hunt for the double murderer takes place.
Pacey and twisty, I was enthralled from beginning to end.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#NeverToBeFound #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: JO SPAIN is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, writes TV screenplays full-time. She lives in Dublin with her husband and four young children. In her spare time (she has four children, there is no spare time really) she likes to read. She also watches TV obsessively.
Jo thinks up her plots on long runs in the woods. Her husband sleeps with one eye open.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bonnier Books UK, Zaffre, via NetGalley for providing a DRC of Never to be Found by Jo Spain for review. This review reflects my reading experience and all opinions expressed are my own personal opinions.
August 13, 2026
➡️ NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER!
➡️ NEVER judge a book by its title.
This "NEVER" book kicked off with a brilliant hook. The protagonist brings the Japanese phenomenon of Johatsu, where people vanish in plain sight to start fresh, to the UK. (What a fun job!) I was instantly sold on the promise of a high-stakes, cat-and-mouse search for people who had wiped their own existence.
➡️ NEVER did I expect a convoluted thriller that lacked thrills.
The romantic sub-plot dragged down what should have been a tense thriller.
➡️ I NEVER thought I would ever reach the finish line.
The book was very, very, very slow-burn. I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Russell Tovey. This 10-hour audiobook should have been a 7-hour audiobook, and I am being kind.
➡️ NEVER did I think I would ever give Jo Spain a 2-star review.
But I just did.
➡️ NEVER say NEVER.
🚫🚫🚫🚫🤫🤫🤫🤫
July 3, 2026
Jo Spain has become one of my favourite crime authors, so getting the chance to dive into another one of her books is always exciting. Never To Be Found is my sixth novel by her, and as one of my most anticipated reads of the year, saying I was eager to revisit her storytelling would probably be an understatement.
The premise of this story is fresh, original and bold, honing in on the dark reality of a Japanese phenomenon called jōhatsu — the “evaporated” people who voluntarily vanish from their lives. Never To Be Found explores the specialised companies known as yonige-ya, or “Night Movers”, who help people disappear stealthily. The prologue was the perfect set-up, grabbing my attention while establishing the tone and atmosphere from the very first sentence. What made it even more interesting was the way Spain took this concept and moved it into the hustle and bustle of Brighton and London, grounding the concept in a familiar setting while still keeping it unsettling.
From the moment we're introduced to Veronica Page, the stakes feel high. Her role in helping people disappear already raises difficult ethical questions, but when she realises she's unknowingly helped a potential killer evade justice, those questions become deeply personal. Veronica was a likeable protagonist too. She’s someone I found myself thinking about long after the audiobook finished, and I’d happily return to her world if Spain ever decided to revisit these characters.
One thing I've always loved about Spain's writing is how effortless her storytelling feels. Her background as a screenwriter really comes through, with scenes that are easy to picture and dialogue that feels authentic rather than overly polished. She also has a great sense of humour, slipping in little moments that lighten the mood just when the story needs it.
If there’s one thing Spain achieved with this novel, it was sending me straight down a rabbit hole. I’d heard of jōhatsu years ago, but never to the point of wanting to explore it further. That changed the moment I finished this audiobook, and I ended up spending far longer than I expected reading about the real-life phenomenon. Honestly, I found it completely fascinating.
Despite exploring loneliness, shame and the desire to disappear, the story never feels completely bleak. I appreciated that Spain chose to end on a hopeful note, reminding us that even in the darkest circumstances there’s still the possibility of a different future.
I’d recommend this to readers who enjoy character-driven mysteries, psychologically layered crime fiction, and stories built around unique, thought-provoking concepts.
The premise of this story is fresh, original and bold, honing in on the dark reality of a Japanese phenomenon called jōhatsu — the “evaporated” people who voluntarily vanish from their lives. Never To Be Found explores the specialised companies known as yonige-ya, or “Night Movers”, who help people disappear stealthily. The prologue was the perfect set-up, grabbing my attention while establishing the tone and atmosphere from the very first sentence. What made it even more interesting was the way Spain took this concept and moved it into the hustle and bustle of Brighton and London, grounding the concept in a familiar setting while still keeping it unsettling.
From the moment we're introduced to Veronica Page, the stakes feel high. Her role in helping people disappear already raises difficult ethical questions, but when she realises she's unknowingly helped a potential killer evade justice, those questions become deeply personal. Veronica was a likeable protagonist too. She’s someone I found myself thinking about long after the audiobook finished, and I’d happily return to her world if Spain ever decided to revisit these characters.
One thing I've always loved about Spain's writing is how effortless her storytelling feels. Her background as a screenwriter really comes through, with scenes that are easy to picture and dialogue that feels authentic rather than overly polished. She also has a great sense of humour, slipping in little moments that lighten the mood just when the story needs it.
If there’s one thing Spain achieved with this novel, it was sending me straight down a rabbit hole. I’d heard of jōhatsu years ago, but never to the point of wanting to explore it further. That changed the moment I finished this audiobook, and I ended up spending far longer than I expected reading about the real-life phenomenon. Honestly, I found it completely fascinating.
Despite exploring loneliness, shame and the desire to disappear, the story never feels completely bleak. I appreciated that Spain chose to end on a hopeful note, reminding us that even in the darkest circumstances there’s still the possibility of a different future.
I’d recommend this to readers who enjoy character-driven mysteries, psychologically layered crime fiction, and stories built around unique, thought-provoking concepts.
July 16, 2026
*A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing*
**4.5 Stars**
This is the first book that I have read by Jo Spain’s and I was thoroughly impressed. It began slowly but gradually built up to become utterly captivating.
We meet Veronica Page, a quiet resident who lives in a wonderful Brighton apartment. Japan plays a significant role in the story and reveals her personal connection to it.
In Japan, they use a real phenomenon called Johatsu, meaning evaporation. While the story is fictional, it serves as a fictionalised guide for those seeking to escape their lives. Some leave abusive relationships while others contemplate ending their lives. Johatsu offers a lifeline for those choosing to disappear without a trace.
Having witnessed this in action and understanding its workings, Veronica brings the concept to the UK.
Over time, she builds a network of individuals to manage the various stages involved. This includes legal professionals, those who can provide new identities, guide people to suitable housing or areas, and each person operates virtually independently, possessing only the complete knowledge of their specific role in the disappearance. Her fee allows her to live comfortably, but apart from her home and Lexus, nothing about her is flashy. Veronica has also changed some of the Johatsu elements to how she wants it to work in the U.K. Many of her clients want to stay in touch with her others she never knows where they are. That’s the whole point.
Veronica relies heavily on her instincts, which have proven invaluable. However, her world is turned upside down when a police officer contacts her, revealing that one of the individuals she helped disappear is a murderer.
Initially sceptical, Veronica is presented with some compelling information that compels her to collaborate with the officer.
This is where the plot thickens with unexpected twists and turns, culminating in a shocking revelation near the book’s end. The narrative alternates between Veronica and the suspect, offering a unique perspective.
Throughout the story, we witness Veronica in perilous situations. The final reveal reveals the truth and exposes the wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Veronica’s past is gradually revealed in sections, allowing readers to develop a deep sense of empathy for her.
**4.5 Stars**
This is the first book that I have read by Jo Spain’s and I was thoroughly impressed. It began slowly but gradually built up to become utterly captivating.
We meet Veronica Page, a quiet resident who lives in a wonderful Brighton apartment. Japan plays a significant role in the story and reveals her personal connection to it.
In Japan, they use a real phenomenon called Johatsu, meaning evaporation. While the story is fictional, it serves as a fictionalised guide for those seeking to escape their lives. Some leave abusive relationships while others contemplate ending their lives. Johatsu offers a lifeline for those choosing to disappear without a trace.
Having witnessed this in action and understanding its workings, Veronica brings the concept to the UK.
Over time, she builds a network of individuals to manage the various stages involved. This includes legal professionals, those who can provide new identities, guide people to suitable housing or areas, and each person operates virtually independently, possessing only the complete knowledge of their specific role in the disappearance. Her fee allows her to live comfortably, but apart from her home and Lexus, nothing about her is flashy. Veronica has also changed some of the Johatsu elements to how she wants it to work in the U.K. Many of her clients want to stay in touch with her others she never knows where they are. That’s the whole point.
Veronica relies heavily on her instincts, which have proven invaluable. However, her world is turned upside down when a police officer contacts her, revealing that one of the individuals she helped disappear is a murderer.
Initially sceptical, Veronica is presented with some compelling information that compels her to collaborate with the officer.
This is where the plot thickens with unexpected twists and turns, culminating in a shocking revelation near the book’s end. The narrative alternates between Veronica and the suspect, offering a unique perspective.
Throughout the story, we witness Veronica in perilous situations. The final reveal reveals the truth and exposes the wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Veronica’s past is gradually revealed in sections, allowing readers to develop a deep sense of empathy for her.
October 27, 2026
🕵️ 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗿. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝘆 𝗴𝗼 𝘄𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴?
A clever premise, plenty of twists, and a thriller that kept me hooked! A few reveals could have packed a bigger punch if they hadn't been telegraphed beforehand, but the story was fantastic.
I'm usually not a fan of romance in thrillers, but I'll let this one slide! 😉 And the audiobook narration by Russell Tovey and Laura Aikman? Absolutely fantastic! 🎧
🎉 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆, 𝗝𝗼 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻! 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆'𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲! 𝗜 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲.
Thank you to Jo Spain, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this ALC. All opinions are my own.
A clever premise, plenty of twists, and a thriller that kept me hooked! A few reveals could have packed a bigger punch if they hadn't been telegraphed beforehand, but the story was fantastic.
I'm usually not a fan of romance in thrillers, but I'll let this one slide! 😉 And the audiobook narration by Russell Tovey and Laura Aikman? Absolutely fantastic! 🎧
🎉 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆, 𝗝𝗼 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻! 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆'𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲! 𝗜 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲.
Thank you to Jo Spain, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this ALC. All opinions are my own.
October 4, 2026
This crime novel introduced me to the fascinating concept of johatsu, a Japanese term which describes people that voluntarily vanish from their own lives. In Japan there are agencies who help these people disappear for a fee, and this is where our protagonist Veronica Paige comes in. She's a UK-based 'night mover', assisting folks with all sorts of worries to discreetly move on and start a new life. Veronica has always carried out her work through a strict vetting process - her clients have been running from genuine problems such as debt or abusive relationships, and she considers her work honorable. But one day a detective named Seb Ashcroft arrives to let her know that she has unwittingly helped a murderer escape and that if she doesn't help find him, she won't be able to live with the consequences.
I was hooked straight away by the book's intriguing concept and Veronica's unusual job. There was also an indication that her line of work might be influenced by some family trauma, which kept me reading. However I felt the plot took a disappointingly predictable swerve into romantic territory, which neither served the story nor my ability to root for its protagonist. I was thinking 'Come on Veronica, you're way better and smarter than this'. A fairly obvious twist and a weak showdown with the villain ended things on a rather flat note. I'll give the author points for coming up with a really clever idea for crime novel - I'm afraid I just found the execution a bit lacking.
I was hooked straight away by the book's intriguing concept and Veronica's unusual job. There was also an indication that her line of work might be influenced by some family trauma, which kept me reading. However I felt the plot took a disappointingly predictable swerve into romantic territory, which neither served the story nor my ability to root for its protagonist. I was thinking 'Come on Veronica, you're way better and smarter than this'. A fairly obvious twist and a weak showdown with the villain ended things on a rather flat note. I'll give the author points for coming up with a really clever idea for crime novel - I'm afraid I just found the execution a bit lacking.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Jōhatsu (Japanese) refers to the people in Japan who purposely vanish from their established lives without a trace. The disappeared or vanished. How have ai never heard of this before! As you know since I went to Japan for the first time in 2025 I am a little bit obsessed with the place. It was fascinating to learn about this practice.
Jo Spain has written one of my favourite books for 2026 in Never To Be Found. What a unique premise for a story. I absolutely loved it, it was clever and addictive. I wanted to devour it but at the same time take my time as I didn’t want it to be over. I did stay up way too late to finish it, you know when you get to that point in a book where you know you just have to keep going. Amazing.
Veronica runs her own business in Brighton in the UK, helping people disappear, voluntary of course. Her business is thriving, until she gets a knock on the door from the police who tell her that she has made a killer disappear and they need her help to find him. She is shocked and feels guilty for doing this so she agrees, against her own rules. This leads to a cat and mouse chase across England putting herself in danger at every turn.
I loved Veronica, she was a tough, single minded woman who was very broken inside. We learn what brought her to do this kind of work as we get to know her better. My favourite parts were the chapters in Japan. It made me want to go back even more than I already do. The food, the customs, the people, the locations.. it was all wonderful. Japan is a very special place and Jo Spain captured it perfectly.
Thank you so much to Bonnier Books UK for my early copy of this brilliant book to read. Out on July 2nd, do yourself a favour and read this book and learn more about Japan in the process.
Jo Spain has written one of my favourite books for 2026 in Never To Be Found. What a unique premise for a story. I absolutely loved it, it was clever and addictive. I wanted to devour it but at the same time take my time as I didn’t want it to be over. I did stay up way too late to finish it, you know when you get to that point in a book where you know you just have to keep going. Amazing.
Veronica runs her own business in Brighton in the UK, helping people disappear, voluntary of course. Her business is thriving, until she gets a knock on the door from the police who tell her that she has made a killer disappear and they need her help to find him. She is shocked and feels guilty for doing this so she agrees, against her own rules. This leads to a cat and mouse chase across England putting herself in danger at every turn.
I loved Veronica, she was a tough, single minded woman who was very broken inside. We learn what brought her to do this kind of work as we get to know her better. My favourite parts were the chapters in Japan. It made me want to go back even more than I already do. The food, the customs, the people, the locations.. it was all wonderful. Japan is a very special place and Jo Spain captured it perfectly.
Thank you so much to Bonnier Books UK for my early copy of this brilliant book to read. Out on July 2nd, do yourself a favour and read this book and learn more about Japan in the process.
June 20, 2026
This standalone thriller is based around the Japanese concept of Jōhatsu – people who vanish voluntarily from their own lives.
Our main character, Veronica Page is a Night Mover in England. She has set up her own network of contacts to support those who want to disappear from their lives, and often their families, in order to begin a new life. Those seeking help can be fleeing from abusive relationships, from debt but no matter what the reason, Veronica will try to help. There is a strict code of conduct and secrecy amongst the network to keep details confidential to ensure success for each client.
The problems begin for Veronica when she is approached by a detective. He is looking for someone suspected of a serious crime and needs her help. At first she refuses – not least because she doesn’t know where this person is however under pressure and upon learning why her former client is wanted by the Police, she has a change of heart – this is where her problems really begin and she is placed in the most dangerous of situations.
There is a reason why Veronica has chosen this career path and it leads back to Japan. Her background is gradually revealed and you can’t help but feel sympathy for her.
I always enjoy Jo’s books and although this is rather a slow burn to start, with revelations later coming thick and fast, the tension increases to a real nail biter of a conclusion. As you would expect from this author there are twists and surprises, together with characters that you will either love or hate – all of which make for an addictive and satisfying read. I very much enjoyed it and definitely recommend.
August 26, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ Трилърите не са моят жанр, но от време на време, когато ми попадне оригинален сюжет, разглеждайки книгите в книжарницата, се изкушавам.
Интересен замисъл, главна героиня с нестандартна професия, вдъхновена от японския феномен “джохацу” - изпарените. Тя помага на хората да изчезнат и да избягат от сегашния си живот, като урежда всичко по пътя. Въпреки това има определен морален кодекс, който спазва и подбира клиентите си. Един ден обаче разбира, че може би интуицията я е предала и е помогнала на убиец да изчезне от лицето на земята.
Увлекателна, макар и предвидима история, която си свърши перфектно работата - да внесе разнообразие в четивата ми за месец август. ✨📚
Интересен замисъл, главна героиня с нестандартна професия, вдъхновена от японския феномен “джохацу” - изпарените. Тя помага на хората да изчезнат и да избягат от сегашния си живот, като урежда всичко по пътя. Въпреки това има определен морален кодекс, който спазва и подбира клиентите си. Един ден обаче разбира, че може би интуицията я е предала и е помогнала на убиец да изчезне от лицето на земята.
Увлекателна, макар и предвидима история, която си свърши перфектно работата - да внесе разнообразие в четивата ми за месец август. ✨📚
August 28, 2026
‘Johatsu’ - the Japanese term for the ‘evaporating’
These people, for whatever reason need/want to disappear and start a new life, its an unaccepted accepted way of life in Japan and a whole industry thrives on it, there are even towns where the majority are the ‘evaporated’
A fascinating subject indeed for a book and it is based around Veronica who facilitates this….but in the UK ( she has her reasons and links to Japan )
However one ‘client’ wasn’t truthful and turns out he is a murderer and so when Seb ( Police kinda ) asks for help tracing him she is in a dilemma as to what to do
What Veronica chooses causes the doors of chaos to open for her but for us gives a massively addictive and tense read full of surprises and shocks
Cant fault this book, loved everything about it and learnt a lot about a different culture and way of life
These people, for whatever reason need/want to disappear and start a new life, its an unaccepted accepted way of life in Japan and a whole industry thrives on it, there are even towns where the majority are the ‘evaporated’
A fascinating subject indeed for a book and it is based around Veronica who facilitates this….but in the UK ( she has her reasons and links to Japan )
However one ‘client’ wasn’t truthful and turns out he is a murderer and so when Seb ( Police kinda ) asks for help tracing him she is in a dilemma as to what to do
What Veronica chooses causes the doors of chaos to open for her but for us gives a massively addictive and tense read full of surprises and shocks
Cant fault this book, loved everything about it and learnt a lot about a different culture and way of life
October 31, 2026
Thank you Jo Spain and NetGalley for the freeo audiobook of this novel.
I absolutely loved the idea for this novel and using Japanese legend to extend to a real life mystery.
I found one character pretty suspicious got a good potion of the novel so the twist wasn't much of a surprise. However, I thought the author did a great job at writing and kept me interested throughout.
The narration performance was great.
Good read.
I absolutely loved the idea for this novel and using Japanese legend to extend to a real life mystery.
I found one character pretty suspicious got a good potion of the novel so the twist wasn't much of a surprise. However, I thought the author did a great job at writing and kept me interested throughout.
The narration performance was great.
Good read.
August 24, 2026
3.5
This book was a very quick read. The idea was interesting: a woman who helped others disappear now had to betray her own code to find the person she had helped because that person was a murderer. I liked how the conflict already started there: Veronica was responsible for making people disappear, but now she had to undo that - find that particular person, which meant doing everything in reverse order.
The execution was good, but not that good. I think partly it resulted from the romance plot line. The romance didn't take up too much space in this story, but it was a bit quick - and I failed to feel the chemistry between two leads. It was so distracting to read Veronica's feeling towards the cop Seb. Although the romance wasn't the main plot line, Veronica and Seb spent most of their time talking about their past and their secrets. It was very enlightening to learn Seb's secrets that led him to this hopess hunt - but having learnt that, I was a bit disgusted at how Veronica easily fell in love with Seb. Please, no. We also learnt a bit about why Veronica started her business, it all stemmed from her dysfunctional family, with her bipolar mother and a loving father who actually disappeared himself to removed himself of the family burden - such an asshole.
I appreciated the point of view from Mark, the hunted person. He was creepy and really emanated evil vibe. Be careful, Veronica. Meanwhile, Veronica and Seb ran around to find Mark's new identity to no success. He was too smart and quicker than the other two. I must suspended some disbelief here, about how easily Seb worked with Veronica to find Mark, while Seb was a cop, investigating an ongoing case (although a cold case, I guess), somehow revealed too much inside information - to a civilian, no less.
The plot thickens when we later found out the truth. There was a shocking twist that caught me off guard. I must say, I liked that twist. It was so obvious and in truth, very predictable from the start but maybe I was too distracted by the romance to notice. The buildup was there, leading to a satisfying conclusion. It seemed like no one was really innocent in this mess, even Veronica.
This book was a very quick read. The idea was interesting: a woman who helped others disappear now had to betray her own code to find the person she had helped because that person was a murderer. I liked how the conflict already started there: Veronica was responsible for making people disappear, but now she had to undo that - find that particular person, which meant doing everything in reverse order.
The execution was good, but not that good. I think partly it resulted from the romance plot line. The romance didn't take up too much space in this story, but it was a bit quick - and I failed to feel the chemistry between two leads. It was so distracting to read Veronica's feeling towards the cop Seb. Although the romance wasn't the main plot line, Veronica and Seb spent most of their time talking about their past and their secrets. It was very enlightening to learn Seb's secrets that led him to this hopess hunt - but having learnt that, I was a bit disgusted at how Veronica easily fell in love with Seb. Please, no. We also learnt a bit about why Veronica started her business, it all stemmed from her dysfunctional family, with her bipolar mother and a loving father who actually disappeared himself to removed himself of the family burden - such an asshole.
I appreciated the point of view from Mark, the hunted person. He was creepy and really emanated evil vibe. Be careful, Veronica. Meanwhile, Veronica and Seb ran around to find Mark's new identity to no success. He was too smart and quicker than the other two. I must suspended some disbelief here, about how easily Seb worked with Veronica to find Mark, while Seb was a cop, investigating an ongoing case (although a cold case, I guess), somehow revealed too much inside information - to a civilian, no less.
The plot thickens when we later found out the truth. There was a shocking twist that caught me off guard. I must say, I liked that twist. It was so obvious and in truth, very predictable from the start but maybe I was too distracted by the romance to notice. The buildup was there, leading to a satisfying conclusion. It seemed like no one was really innocent in this mess, even Veronica.
October 26, 2026
I enjoyed the beginning of this book but found it quite repetitious. The explanation of the Japanese philosophy of evaporation only needed to be explained once or twice. In some areas the plot moved forward. The characters were interesting but in other places it dwindled. Explanations and avoidance tactics were used over and over and it became tiresome.
Now that I've finished the book, because I wanted to see how she ended it, I realised that the romantic entanglement was much more interesting than the Japanese premise. To see how narcissists and psychopaths work towards getting what they want is a much more interesting story, well for me anyway.
I felt like the clients that Veronica had were not that believable. I would have liked to have seen more action on Veronica's part, working with clients and dealing with the complications of running a business in England with a Japanese premise. I think there are still some storylines that could be explored around Johatsu. This one kind of got lost as a cat-and-mouse chase. Veronica is a strong character and would make a fabulous anchor for a TV series about an agency that does “evaporation”. Each episode could be very interesting: a client, a few difficulties along the way, and a happy ending, or not. I think this book doesn't do the concept justice. I would like to see more.
Now that I've finished the book, because I wanted to see how she ended it, I realised that the romantic entanglement was much more interesting than the Japanese premise. To see how narcissists and psychopaths work towards getting what they want is a much more interesting story, well for me anyway.
I felt like the clients that Veronica had were not that believable. I would have liked to have seen more action on Veronica's part, working with clients and dealing with the complications of running a business in England with a Japanese premise. I think there are still some storylines that could be explored around Johatsu. This one kind of got lost as a cat-and-mouse chase. Veronica is a strong character and would make a fabulous anchor for a TV series about an agency that does “evaporation”. Each episode could be very interesting: a client, a few difficulties along the way, and a happy ending, or not. I think this book doesn't do the concept justice. I would like to see more.
July 29, 2026
3.5 rounded down. I liked the premises of disappearing people but I guessed the end quite early on.
July 19, 2026
2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
I like Jo Spain as an author but was slightly disappointed with this one. As always she has come up with a clever and original idea for a plot. This one involving the Japanese act of Johatsu, helping people to vanish from their lives to start afresh.
Like with most thrillers you expect to suspend belief a little for the story to work but I’m afraid this one drifted way over the line and became rather incredible, for me at least. There were some good parts, particularly the storyline that involved Japan and the search for Veronica’s father, but the idea that the police would allow a member of the public to become central to a murder investigation, put her in danger and share with her vital evidence, was faintly ridiculous.
Also I guessed the main twist some time before it happened which takes the edge of things. No more than 5 out of 10
I like Jo Spain as an author but was slightly disappointed with this one. As always she has come up with a clever and original idea for a plot. This one involving the Japanese act of Johatsu, helping people to vanish from their lives to start afresh.
Like with most thrillers you expect to suspend belief a little for the story to work but I’m afraid this one drifted way over the line and became rather incredible, for me at least. There were some good parts, particularly the storyline that involved Japan and the search for Veronica’s father, but the idea that the police would allow a member of the public to become central to a murder investigation, put her in danger and share with her vital evidence, was faintly ridiculous.
Also I guessed the main twist some time before it happened which takes the edge of things. No more than 5 out of 10
October 27, 2026
𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗘𝗘𝗞
Veronica helps people disappear, inspired by the Japanese jōhatsu, an industry that helps people vanish from their lives without a trace. But when she learns she helped a murderer disappear, she risks her business and safety to track him down.
𝗔𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗢 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
This is a straightforward audiobook with two narrators for the two POVs. Both narrators did a good job, and I really liked their voices. Laura Aikman is new to me, and I particularly enjoyed listening to her as Veronica. Russell Tovey also worked well as Mark.
𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
I was completely fascinated by the concept of jōhatsu, the business of helping people disappear from their lives and start over. It kind of blows my mind!
This is an intelligent, accessible thriller, and the concept alone makes it addictive. The conversational writing and short chapters had me speeding through it. The story moves between two timelines and POVs, but I’d have liked more of both. The past timeline was informative, but I wish it had been more suspenseful.
I enjoyed spending time with Veronica, and her reluctance to team up with Seb was fun. Although the story is plot-driven, I’d have loved to know more about the supporting characters, especially Paul and Ilana, and their backstories.
It’s quite a long book, but I didn’t necessarily want less of it. I’d have loved more depth and less repetition instead.
I didn’t guess the twist, although perhaps I should have, as I was certainly asking the right questions! The ending didn’t quite work for me. I wanted more closure and wish the Japanese storyline had been woven more seamlessly into the present day plot for a more satisfying conclusion.
𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
This is such an entertaining cat-and-mouse thriller with a fascinating concept. It’s an addictive, accessible and intelligent read with a fun side, even if the ending didn’t blow me away.
Thank you Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for this gifted ARC.
🎧 Narrated by Russell Tovey; Laura Aikman
📖 Release 🇺🇸 10•27•26 | 🇬🇧 07•02•26 |
404 pages | 9h 45m
Veronica helps people disappear, inspired by the Japanese jōhatsu, an industry that helps people vanish from their lives without a trace. But when she learns she helped a murderer disappear, she risks her business and safety to track him down.
𝗔𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗢 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
This is a straightforward audiobook with two narrators for the two POVs. Both narrators did a good job, and I really liked their voices. Laura Aikman is new to me, and I particularly enjoyed listening to her as Veronica. Russell Tovey also worked well as Mark.
𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
I was completely fascinated by the concept of jōhatsu, the business of helping people disappear from their lives and start over. It kind of blows my mind!
This is an intelligent, accessible thriller, and the concept alone makes it addictive. The conversational writing and short chapters had me speeding through it. The story moves between two timelines and POVs, but I’d have liked more of both. The past timeline was informative, but I wish it had been more suspenseful.
I enjoyed spending time with Veronica, and her reluctance to team up with Seb was fun. Although the story is plot-driven, I’d have loved to know more about the supporting characters, especially Paul and Ilana, and their backstories.
It’s quite a long book, but I didn’t necessarily want less of it. I’d have loved more depth and less repetition instead.
I didn’t guess the twist, although perhaps I should have, as I was certainly asking the right questions! The ending didn’t quite work for me. I wanted more closure and wish the Japanese storyline had been woven more seamlessly into the present day plot for a more satisfying conclusion.
𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
This is such an entertaining cat-and-mouse thriller with a fascinating concept. It’s an addictive, accessible and intelligent read with a fun side, even if the ending didn’t blow me away.
Thank you Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for this gifted ARC.
🎧 Narrated by Russell Tovey; Laura Aikman
📖 Release 🇺🇸 10•27•26 | 🇬🇧 07•02•26 |
404 pages | 9h 45m
July 11, 2026
I loved this latest thriller latest from Jo Spain, a new-to-me author I’ve been meaning to try for some time. I listened to the audiobook via BookBeat.
It was mostly told from Veronica’s point of view, but there were some occasional short chilling chapters from a character called Mark.
I warmed to Veronica as the plot developed. She was a standoffish woman who had trouble making friends, and had a difficult childhood. I guess her business helping people to disappear made her more remote because she couldn’t get close to anyone involved, and it was a fascinating job as as were her clients and ‘colleagues’.
I loved the way the book started with Veronica helping her latest client to disappear. The writing was so good, the descriptions of her pretending to be a Polish cleaner for a horrible woman in a expensive house made me squirm, especially when the women’s lecherous husband comes home! 😱
The plot kept going backwards and forwards in Veronica’s life as I learnt more about why she got into the business of helping people disappear, and who the murderer she helped was, and how she could put things right. It’s really difficult not to reveal too much about the plot, so it’s best to go in blind so you can enjoy it all.
I had a sudden creeping suspicion of what was going on, about two thirds of the way through, but thought I couldn’t be right, except when the big reveal came I was! The audiobook was narrated expertly by Laura Aikman and Russell Tovey, they made it a brilliant listen!
A fantastic, clever thriller that makes me want to investigate the author’s back catalogue.
Highly recommended if you’re looking for a fast paced, twisty thriller.
Book 9 of 20 Books of Summer 2026
It was mostly told from Veronica’s point of view, but there were some occasional short chilling chapters from a character called Mark.
I warmed to Veronica as the plot developed. She was a standoffish woman who had trouble making friends, and had a difficult childhood. I guess her business helping people to disappear made her more remote because she couldn’t get close to anyone involved, and it was a fascinating job as as were her clients and ‘colleagues’.
I loved the way the book started with Veronica helping her latest client to disappear. The writing was so good, the descriptions of her pretending to be a Polish cleaner for a horrible woman in a expensive house made me squirm, especially when the women’s lecherous husband comes home! 😱
The plot kept going backwards and forwards in Veronica’s life as I learnt more about why she got into the business of helping people disappear, and who the murderer she helped was, and how she could put things right. It’s really difficult not to reveal too much about the plot, so it’s best to go in blind so you can enjoy it all.
I had a sudden creeping suspicion of what was going on, about two thirds of the way through, but thought I couldn’t be right, except when the big reveal came I was! The audiobook was narrated expertly by Laura Aikman and Russell Tovey, they made it a brilliant listen!
A fantastic, clever thriller that makes me want to investigate the author’s back catalogue.
Highly recommended if you’re looking for a fast paced, twisty thriller.
Book 9 of 20 Books of Summer 2026
June 21, 2026
This was a great read. A really well thought out and executed plot. The writing was great and the story flowed. Centred around the Japanese ideal of “jōhatsu” the original meaning being evaporated and one of the main characters, Veronica helps people disappear. This choice of career stems from a deep rooted sense of being abandoned by her father.
Veronica becomes involved with a murder case and bringing the perpetrator to justice as she was the one who helped him disappear.
The story unfolds in a fairly predictable way until the ending, which, in my opinion, was very clever.
This is a book where the ending is not neatly tied up and everything is solved so it does leave you wanting more.
Veronica becomes involved with a murder case and bringing the perpetrator to justice as she was the one who helped him disappear.
The story unfolds in a fairly predictable way until the ending, which, in my opinion, was very clever.
This is a book where the ending is not neatly tied up and everything is solved so it does leave you wanting more.
July 7, 2026
4.5 stars.
Jõhatsu is the name given by the Japanese to the hundreds of thousands of people who vanish every year to start a new life. Veronica has brought this idea to England and she creates new identities, for those who those that are fleeing something, or someone.
But what happens if she’s helped a murderer? And instead of being behind bars, he’s living under a new name and has the potential to strike again? She needs to somehow find him, and fast..
Ok gang, this is how you write a thriller. Start with a fascinating subject. I had never heard of Jõhatsu before and found the whole concept intriguing. Simply leaving life behind and starting a new one, imagine? Then throw in some superb character development. Entirely written in the first person, from Veronica’s perspective, ensured that the reader really gets to know her. And as the timeline moves about from the past to the present it’s interesting to unravel how Veronica became the person she is today.
Finally, add a brilliantly tense and fast paced plot, with secrets and lies and drama and twists and turns galore and there you have it, an absolute winner!
Jõhatsu is the name given by the Japanese to the hundreds of thousands of people who vanish every year to start a new life. Veronica has brought this idea to England and she creates new identities, for those who those that are fleeing something, or someone.
But what happens if she’s helped a murderer? And instead of being behind bars, he’s living under a new name and has the potential to strike again? She needs to somehow find him, and fast..
Ok gang, this is how you write a thriller. Start with a fascinating subject. I had never heard of Jõhatsu before and found the whole concept intriguing. Simply leaving life behind and starting a new one, imagine? Then throw in some superb character development. Entirely written in the first person, from Veronica’s perspective, ensured that the reader really gets to know her. And as the timeline moves about from the past to the present it’s interesting to unravel how Veronica became the person she is today.
Finally, add a brilliantly tense and fast paced plot, with secrets and lies and drama and twists and turns galore and there you have it, an absolute winner!
July 25, 2026
4.25⭐
The premise for this one was highly unique and definitely brought something new to the thriller genre. I loved the international settings and storytelling especially the sections that took place in Japan. The plot centers on individuals who desperately want to vanish from their everyday lives without having to take their own lives in order to do so. Veronica is the brilliant head of a secretive organization that sets you up to do just that using a vast underground network. She took the clever idea from Japanese lore where hundreds of thousands of people have done that very thing and are known as Johatsu or the evaporated.
Unbeknownst to her Veronica actually helped a ruthless murderer named Mark disappear and is soon contacted by an officer named Seb who is looking to track this dangerous man down. That massive mistake kicks off an incredibly compelling storyline that sees Mark desperately trying to outrun Veronica and Seb while the duo tries to track him down before they land in his deadly crosshairs. Early on I absolutely loved the tense cat and mouse game because the chapters focusing solely on Mark showcased exactly how clever he was at staying one step ahead.
As for Veronica and Seb I loved diving into their gritty backstories. Veronica explains how she originally got into the business of helping people escape while spending time in Japan. Seb reveals how the brutal murders of the two women Mark is accused of killing deeply affected him while detailing his own troubled past involving the tragic death of his sister. The fascinating history behind Johatsu kept me hooked and I really enjoyed learning about the infancy stages of the vanishing process. Trust became a huge theme since folks blindly relied on Veronica to forge new lives but her own faith in others was put to the ultimate test when she suddenly found herself needing backup.
In classic Jo Spain fashion she leads you down one obvious path only to throw in a massive twist that turns the plot completely upside down. The surprising reveals during the back half really raised the tension as certain truths we were led to believe finally came to light. There were times during the second half where I wish the earlier cat and mouse pace kept up its act but once I reached the climax I appreciated the shift because there was a lot more story to explain. The finale wrapped everything up nicely and proved once again that this underrated author can craft a banger of a mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end.
The premise for this one was highly unique and definitely brought something new to the thriller genre. I loved the international settings and storytelling especially the sections that took place in Japan. The plot centers on individuals who desperately want to vanish from their everyday lives without having to take their own lives in order to do so. Veronica is the brilliant head of a secretive organization that sets you up to do just that using a vast underground network. She took the clever idea from Japanese lore where hundreds of thousands of people have done that very thing and are known as Johatsu or the evaporated.
Unbeknownst to her Veronica actually helped a ruthless murderer named Mark disappear and is soon contacted by an officer named Seb who is looking to track this dangerous man down. That massive mistake kicks off an incredibly compelling storyline that sees Mark desperately trying to outrun Veronica and Seb while the duo tries to track him down before they land in his deadly crosshairs. Early on I absolutely loved the tense cat and mouse game because the chapters focusing solely on Mark showcased exactly how clever he was at staying one step ahead.
As for Veronica and Seb I loved diving into their gritty backstories. Veronica explains how she originally got into the business of helping people escape while spending time in Japan. Seb reveals how the brutal murders of the two women Mark is accused of killing deeply affected him while detailing his own troubled past involving the tragic death of his sister. The fascinating history behind Johatsu kept me hooked and I really enjoyed learning about the infancy stages of the vanishing process. Trust became a huge theme since folks blindly relied on Veronica to forge new lives but her own faith in others was put to the ultimate test when she suddenly found herself needing backup.
In classic Jo Spain fashion she leads you down one obvious path only to throw in a massive twist that turns the plot completely upside down. The surprising reveals during the back half really raised the tension as certain truths we were led to believe finally came to light. There were times during the second half where I wish the earlier cat and mouse pace kept up its act but once I reached the climax I appreciated the shift because there was a lot more story to explain. The finale wrapped everything up nicely and proved once again that this underrated author can craft a banger of a mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end.
July 9, 2026
In Japan, one hundred thousand people voluntarily disappear every year, aided by those who help them start over. They call them Johatsu - the evaporated. I brought the idea to England. No judgement, no questions. Just new identities, packed bags, and discreet escape plans from abusive partners, debt, or simply lives that no longer fit. I thought I was doing something good - honourable, even. Until now. I know now that not everyone is fleeing hardship. I've helped someone who committed a crime to flee the police. I've disappeared a murderer. And unless I find him, I don't know what he'll do next . . .
This was my first book by this author and what a good one! It is a book that instantly grabs your attention and doesn’t release you until the very last page, I was utterly engrossed!
Such an intriguing concept is discussed in detail and with sensitivity, Veronica’s character bringing the story to life with flashback scenes from her past, aligning with the future and her chosen profession. The intrigue of the case she finds herself embroiled within, having to relocate someone she has previously ‘hidden’ provides insightful descriptive prose as she battles with ethical reasoning for her actions in both.
There is an extremely clever twist awaiting the reader at the end of this book and I literally sat there gobsmacked when the big reveal came as, despite some suspicions I had been thrown completely off track - a big round of applause to Jo for planting so many twists and turns, a definite case of expect the unexpected!
A very unique approach for the basis of a thriller and it is executed perfectly. This will be the summer thriller you’ll want to be reading alongside introducing you to an idea that am sure not many people knew about, and have since researched since reading this book, proving the knowledge applied in this title is first class.
“Sometimes not knowing is to be appreciated. It allows for hope. And hope is always better than the alternative.”
This was my first book by this author and what a good one! It is a book that instantly grabs your attention and doesn’t release you until the very last page, I was utterly engrossed!
Such an intriguing concept is discussed in detail and with sensitivity, Veronica’s character bringing the story to life with flashback scenes from her past, aligning with the future and her chosen profession. The intrigue of the case she finds herself embroiled within, having to relocate someone she has previously ‘hidden’ provides insightful descriptive prose as she battles with ethical reasoning for her actions in both.
There is an extremely clever twist awaiting the reader at the end of this book and I literally sat there gobsmacked when the big reveal came as, despite some suspicions I had been thrown completely off track - a big round of applause to Jo for planting so many twists and turns, a definite case of expect the unexpected!
A very unique approach for the basis of a thriller and it is executed perfectly. This will be the summer thriller you’ll want to be reading alongside introducing you to an idea that am sure not many people knew about, and have since researched since reading this book, proving the knowledge applied in this title is first class.
“Sometimes not knowing is to be appreciated. It allows for hope. And hope is always better than the alternative.”
July 23, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley and the UK publishers for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The start and end of this book were great. I got the 5 star feeling at the start, but unfortunately it fizzled out in the middle for a few reasons. Rhe biggest ones were that the cat and mouse storyline wasn't sinister enough for me at times, the Japan storyline didn't have enough mystery to grip me and just dragged me out of the tension.
However, it had a unique twist on the plot and raised some morals questions surrounding the line between illegal and right. I will definitely give this author another chance because I liked the writing style and there were parts that had me hooked. 3.25 🌟
The start and end of this book were great. I got the 5 star feeling at the start, but unfortunately it fizzled out in the middle for a few reasons. Rhe biggest ones were that the cat and mouse storyline wasn't sinister enough for me at times, the Japan storyline didn't have enough mystery to grip me and just dragged me out of the tension.
However, it had a unique twist on the plot and raised some morals questions surrounding the line between illegal and right. I will definitely give this author another chance because I liked the writing style and there were parts that had me hooked. 3.25 🌟
May 2, 2026
I fully enjoyed this read, started off soo strong I was hooked from the beginning!
It was unlike what I usually read and I really was invested in the whole johatsu & learning about it, kept me wanting to know more!
The storyline was brilliant, I didn’t guess the twist towards the end so that did shock me but I was a bit gutted on how it ended, I could have done with knowing more!
It was my first book by this author & I will definitely be reading more!
Also a big thank you to NetGalley for letting me arc read this book ☺️
It was unlike what I usually read and I really was invested in the whole johatsu & learning about it, kept me wanting to know more!
The storyline was brilliant, I didn’t guess the twist towards the end so that did shock me but I was a bit gutted on how it ended, I could have done with knowing more!
It was my first book by this author & I will definitely be reading more!
Also a big thank you to NetGalley for letting me arc read this book ☺️
July 1, 2026
Never to be Found was my first Jo Spain novel, and it definitely won’t be my last!
The premise immediately hooked me in - Veronica helps people disappear from lives that they desperately want to escape, but when one of those people is linked to a violent crime, she’s forced to question her judgement and everything she believes about the work she does. It’s such an intriguing moral dilemma and it certainly kept me turning the pages. The concept of people choosing to leave their lives is a sensitive and complex one and the emotional impact on the people they leave behind must be emotionally catastrophic but I feel that the author explored this so empathetically in this book.
The short, punchy chapters make this a real page-turner, and I was completely invested in Veronica as she grappled with the consequences of her choices. I also really enjoyed how the author gradually revealed Veronica’s personal backstory throughout the novel, adding another emotional layer to both her character and the story. Then just when I thought I knew where the story was heading, it took a totally different direction that I hadn’t anticipated.
I found it a compelling read - really thought-provoking and full of tension. This is an engaging thriller with an original concept and, for me, it’s been a great introduction to Jo Spain’s writing, and I’m looking forward to reading more.
The premise immediately hooked me in - Veronica helps people disappear from lives that they desperately want to escape, but when one of those people is linked to a violent crime, she’s forced to question her judgement and everything she believes about the work she does. It’s such an intriguing moral dilemma and it certainly kept me turning the pages. The concept of people choosing to leave their lives is a sensitive and complex one and the emotional impact on the people they leave behind must be emotionally catastrophic but I feel that the author explored this so empathetically in this book.
The short, punchy chapters make this a real page-turner, and I was completely invested in Veronica as she grappled with the consequences of her choices. I also really enjoyed how the author gradually revealed Veronica’s personal backstory throughout the novel, adding another emotional layer to both her character and the story. Then just when I thought I knew where the story was heading, it took a totally different direction that I hadn’t anticipated.
I found it a compelling read - really thought-provoking and full of tension. This is an engaging thriller with an original concept and, for me, it’s been a great introduction to Jo Spain’s writing, and I’m looking forward to reading more.
October 28, 2026
Jo Spain is a recently discovered author for me and everytime I read her books, I keep thinking I need to read more. Never to be Found was another edge of the seat read. I loved being on the ride as Veronica finds out that someone she helped disappear could be a killer. This premise was so unique and I thoroughly enjoyed how it all came together by the end. I had no idea johatsu was a thing and now I feel like I need to know more!
March 23, 2026
I love Jo Spain’s thrillers which are always original and unexpected and Never to be Found was no different. I’d never heard of the Japanese idea of ‘Johatsu’ and was completely intrigued by it and by the premise of the novel. Johatsu is a Japanese phenomenon of voluntarily disappearing from your life and an industry has developed to support people in this mission. Veronica has set up her own business in the UK to help people disappear and has just discovered she may have aided a criminal to vanish.
I loved this novel, it’s such an interesting concept and I was completely drawn into the stories of those who choose to disappear from their lives. Veronica is a interesting and complex character who is developed well. It’s well paced, with a great twist and I raced through it over the course of 24 hours. An enjoyable and recommended thriller.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
I loved this novel, it’s such an interesting concept and I was completely drawn into the stories of those who choose to disappear from their lives. Veronica is a interesting and complex character who is developed well. It’s well paced, with a great twist and I raced through it over the course of 24 hours. An enjoyable and recommended thriller.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
July 6, 2026
Rating 4.5⭐️
Well Jo Spain has done it again, absolutely blew me away with another banger of a book. I absolutely loved the unique premise of this one which kept me hooked from the very first page. What an incredible book with character development and twists. Pick this one up!
Well Jo Spain has done it again, absolutely blew me away with another banger of a book. I absolutely loved the unique premise of this one which kept me hooked from the very first page. What an incredible book with character development and twists. Pick this one up!
July 10, 2026
3.5 stars
July 10, 2026
Excellent thriller full of suspense and twists. Really different and absolutely huge 5 stars one of my best of year
August 28, 2026
Not my favourite Jo Spain book. Plot was vague at times and I wasn't happy with the non-committal ending. Much prefer the Maeve series!!!
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