What do you think?
Rate this book
Since She Went Away
Three months earlier, Jenna Barton was supposed to meet her lifelong best friend Celia. But when Jenna arrived late, she found that Celia had disappeared—and hasn’t been seen again. Jenna has blamed herself for her friend’s disappearance every single day since then.
The only piece of evidence is a lone diamond earring found where Celia and Jenna were planning to meet, leading the national media to dub Celia “The Diamond Mom.” And even though Jenna has obsessively surfed message boards devoted to missing persons cases, she is no closer to finding any answers—or easing her guilt.
But when her son’s new girlfriend—who suddenly arrived in town without a past—disappears, a stricken Jenna begins to unwind the tangled truth behind Celia’s tragedy. And as long-buried secrets finally come to light, she discovers how completely lives can be shattered by a few simple lies.
The only piece of evidence is a lone diamond earring found where Celia and Jenna were planning to meet, leading the national media to dub Celia “The Diamond Mom.” And even though Jenna has obsessively surfed message boards devoted to missing persons cases, she is no closer to finding any answers—or easing her guilt.
But when her son’s new girlfriend—who suddenly arrived in town without a past—disappears, a stricken Jenna begins to unwind the tangled truth behind Celia’s tragedy. And as long-buried secrets finally come to light, she discovers how completely lives can be shattered by a few simple lies.
388 pages, Paperback
First published June 28, 2016
147 people are currently reading
7519 people want to read
About the author
David Bell
31 books2,281 followersDavid Bell is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning suspense novelist. His most recent thriller from Berkley/Penguin is KILL ALL YOUR DARLINGS. His previous novels include THE REQUEST, LAYOVER, SOMEBODY'S DAUGHTER, BRING HER HOME, SINCE SHE WENT AWAY, SOMEBODY I USED TO KNOW, THE FORGOTTEN GIRL, NEVER COME BACK, THE HIDING PLACE, and CEMETERY GIRL. He is currently a Professor of English at Western Kentucky University and can be reached via his website at www.davidbellnovels.com, on Twitter at Twitter.com/davidbellnovels, and on Facebook at Facebook.com/davidbellnovels.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 461 reviews
August 16, 2024
* Thank you to www.shotsmag.co.uk for my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review*
Jenna Barton asks her friend Celia to meet her at midnight in a local park. All she wants to do is recreate some of their youthful antics - a little excitement maybe, because she feels they're not quite as close as they used to be; and so starts this engaging tale
Jenna turns up fifteen minutes late, and Celia is nowhere to be found. Immediately Jenna feels anxious as Celia is renowned for her timekeeping. Celia's husband reports her missing, and the only clue that she even turned up at the park at all, is the discovery of a single diamond earring identified as belonging to her. This leads to this missing person case being labelled 'The Diamond Mom'.
Jenna tells everyone that it's her fault that Celia is missing because she turned up late for their meeting. Jenna's fifteen year old son Jared however, has reason to believe that he's to blame for her disappearance. The months pass and there's still no clue as to what happened to Celia, or whether she's still alive even. Whilst Jenna comes under immense pressure from the media circus, she does a great job of protecting Jared from the constant intrusion into their personal lives. This intense story is told from both Jenna and Jared's perspectives.
I haven't read David Bell's work before, but I have to say that he writes with great skill, and a natural ability to create a taut and gripping thriller. Jenna and Jared's characters were both likable, though it felt at times that fifteen year-old Jared was perhaps too wise, and sensible beyond his years, and much more so, than his mother.
It was a complex story, with the dual perspectives being brought together really well, plus, the author managed to keep the tension going right until the very end.
All in all, a really enjoyable read.
Jenna Barton asks her friend Celia to meet her at midnight in a local park. All she wants to do is recreate some of their youthful antics - a little excitement maybe, because she feels they're not quite as close as they used to be; and so starts this engaging tale
Jenna turns up fifteen minutes late, and Celia is nowhere to be found. Immediately Jenna feels anxious as Celia is renowned for her timekeeping. Celia's husband reports her missing, and the only clue that she even turned up at the park at all, is the discovery of a single diamond earring identified as belonging to her. This leads to this missing person case being labelled 'The Diamond Mom'.
Jenna tells everyone that it's her fault that Celia is missing because she turned up late for their meeting. Jenna's fifteen year old son Jared however, has reason to believe that he's to blame for her disappearance. The months pass and there's still no clue as to what happened to Celia, or whether she's still alive even. Whilst Jenna comes under immense pressure from the media circus, she does a great job of protecting Jared from the constant intrusion into their personal lives. This intense story is told from both Jenna and Jared's perspectives.
I haven't read David Bell's work before, but I have to say that he writes with great skill, and a natural ability to create a taut and gripping thriller. Jenna and Jared's characters were both likable, though it felt at times that fifteen year-old Jared was perhaps too wise, and sensible beyond his years, and much more so, than his mother.
It was a complex story, with the dual perspectives being brought together really well, plus, the author managed to keep the tension going right until the very end.
All in all, a really enjoyable read.
September 18, 2016
I have been meaning to read one of David Bell's books for quite some time. I thought the description of "Since She Went Away" sounded very interesting. I requested it on Netgalley and was quite happy when it was approved.
Jenna Springer is a hard-working single mother to fifteen year old son, Jared. Her life has recently been turned upside down as just a few months earlier her best friend, Celia disappeared.
The book opens three months after Celia's disappearance. Jenna is at a site where police are searching after something suspicious was reportedly found. Jenna is terrified about what they might find but feels she has to be there in support of her best friend. Jenna is relieved but exhausted when the police finally announce that the search has turned up nothing in relation to Celia's case. However, it's right at that moment that a pushy reporter shoves a microphone in Jenna's face. Feeling cold and tired and not thinking clearly, Jenna reacts and curses, giving the media a clip they are only happy to replay over and over on the news that evening. This causes an already suspicious town to wonder if Jenna really does have something to hide.
The media and public have their suspicions of Jenna as she is her best friend and the last person in contact with Celia. Feeling disconnected from her friend, Jenna had asked Celia to meet her at midnight at one of their old meeting places. However, just as Jenna is about to leave to meet Celia, an issue with her son, Jared comes up. This causes her to be late for meeting Celia. Jenna is known for being late to everything and hopes Celia will understand when she arrives. But when she does get to their meeting spot, Celia is nowhere to be found. At first Jenna thinks Celia just went home but when one of Celia's diamond earrings is found at the scene she is officially declared a missing person.
Jenna is desperate to find out what has happened to Celia. Did someone take her? Or is it possible that Celia could have decided to just walk away from her life? Her life with her husband, Ian and teenage daughter, Ursula seemed fine but who knows what goes on behind closed doors.
Now on top of everything else Jenna's son Jared's new girlfriend, Tabitha has suddenly gone missing. Could this somehow be related to Celia's disappearance?
The story is told from Jenna and her son, Jared's point of view. As the story continues more and more things come to light and it's hard to guess who to trust. We learn more about Celia, and her friendship with Jenna, all the way back to high school. We also learn that Jenna, Celia and Ian (Celia's husband) were all very close friends at one time.
At the same time more information about Jared's relationship with the mysterious Tabitha and her life comes to light. Although both stories are very interesting on their own, we do eventually see how these two story lines intertwine. There was a lot going on in this story.
This is a really good book with an interesting plot and great character development. I really liked the two main characters Jenna and Jared, a single mother and her teenage son that came across as believable characters. I enjoyed their relationship. The many other characters were also interesting and well-written. I loved Jenna's friend Sally. She's the kind of friend I wish I had around, especially during hard times. But still you never know who you can trust in a novel like this. I was suspicious of almost everyone at some point. With the many twists and turns I had lots of different theories about what happened and who was responsible and my guesses kept changing as the story played out.
It came together fairly well in the end and although I had figured out some of what happened I was very surprised in regards to who was responsible for what. I did not see that coming.
I was fairly satisfied with all that happened but found the ending to be rather abrupt. I wouldn't have minded a bit more information about what happened after things were "resolved" and how the characters lives went on.
All in all a very good read. I look forward to my next read from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and David Bell for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
Jenna Springer is a hard-working single mother to fifteen year old son, Jared. Her life has recently been turned upside down as just a few months earlier her best friend, Celia disappeared.
The book opens three months after Celia's disappearance. Jenna is at a site where police are searching after something suspicious was reportedly found. Jenna is terrified about what they might find but feels she has to be there in support of her best friend. Jenna is relieved but exhausted when the police finally announce that the search has turned up nothing in relation to Celia's case. However, it's right at that moment that a pushy reporter shoves a microphone in Jenna's face. Feeling cold and tired and not thinking clearly, Jenna reacts and curses, giving the media a clip they are only happy to replay over and over on the news that evening. This causes an already suspicious town to wonder if Jenna really does have something to hide.
The media and public have their suspicions of Jenna as she is her best friend and the last person in contact with Celia. Feeling disconnected from her friend, Jenna had asked Celia to meet her at midnight at one of their old meeting places. However, just as Jenna is about to leave to meet Celia, an issue with her son, Jared comes up. This causes her to be late for meeting Celia. Jenna is known for being late to everything and hopes Celia will understand when she arrives. But when she does get to their meeting spot, Celia is nowhere to be found. At first Jenna thinks Celia just went home but when one of Celia's diamond earrings is found at the scene she is officially declared a missing person.
Jenna is desperate to find out what has happened to Celia. Did someone take her? Or is it possible that Celia could have decided to just walk away from her life? Her life with her husband, Ian and teenage daughter, Ursula seemed fine but who knows what goes on behind closed doors.
Now on top of everything else Jenna's son Jared's new girlfriend, Tabitha has suddenly gone missing. Could this somehow be related to Celia's disappearance?
The story is told from Jenna and her son, Jared's point of view. As the story continues more and more things come to light and it's hard to guess who to trust. We learn more about Celia, and her friendship with Jenna, all the way back to high school. We also learn that Jenna, Celia and Ian (Celia's husband) were all very close friends at one time.
At the same time more information about Jared's relationship with the mysterious Tabitha and her life comes to light. Although both stories are very interesting on their own, we do eventually see how these two story lines intertwine. There was a lot going on in this story.
This is a really good book with an interesting plot and great character development. I really liked the two main characters Jenna and Jared, a single mother and her teenage son that came across as believable characters. I enjoyed their relationship. The many other characters were also interesting and well-written. I loved Jenna's friend Sally. She's the kind of friend I wish I had around, especially during hard times. But still you never know who you can trust in a novel like this. I was suspicious of almost everyone at some point. With the many twists and turns I had lots of different theories about what happened and who was responsible and my guesses kept changing as the story played out.
It came together fairly well in the end and although I had figured out some of what happened I was very surprised in regards to who was responsible for what. I did not see that coming.
I was fairly satisfied with all that happened but found the ending to be rather abrupt. I wouldn't have minded a bit more information about what happened after things were "resolved" and how the characters lives went on.
All in all a very good read. I look forward to my next read from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and David Bell for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
March 9, 2017
David J. Bell’s novels are like old friends to me; they are reliable, comforting, and consistent. I have, in the past, saved them for times when I’ve hit a reading slump as I know they are the perfect book to curl up with and engage my mind. I actually picked his books back up right after my second baby was born; I read The Forgotten Girl and Somebody I Used to Know (which is my all time favorite DB novel) back to back and have fond memories of waking up early to peace and quiet while drinking my coffee and piecing through his stories. After finally catching up on all his previous novels, I wanted to wait a bit to read his latest as you might hold off the end of a binge watching marathon on Netflix; I just wasn’t ready to be “caught up” without another to look forward to. Once again, I found myself lost in Kentucky with characters who’s lives I wouldn’t envy but enjoy being privy to.
As with his others, SSWA is a classic whodunnit mystery with a side of character study; you always have the chance to follow along and try to solve the crimes yourself which is why I find these stories so engaging. The suspense is slow building but the interest is there from the first page; as a reader you are consistently led to a miniature reward while then returning to patience for the next reveal. The ending was a bit abrupt, but all the major questions are answered and gives closure to the reader. I was a bit surprised while reading this one as it was told in a completely different way than expected; I like how Celia’s character is left very vague and she almost takes a backseat to most characters, even though she is the focus of the main mystery. My favorite characters ended up being Jared and Sally; my only complaint was because I enjoyed Sally so much, I wish her character had somehow been worked into the few remaining chapters of the book.
All of David J. Bell’s novels have stunning covers, and this one is no different; I loved the pop of red in the umbrella and the smokey haze over the trees. These books are the chicken noodle soup of mysteries; they are not violent, graphic, and gory, but they contain all the intrigue of a high octane thriller and have the appeal of a cozy mystery without the storyline actually being cozy. If you’ve never given his novels a try, you really are missing out on some fantastic reads, as they have the potential to appeal to a very broad range of folks. I’m glad I picked this up when I did as it is the perfect read for cooler weather; I recommend snagging a copy and curling up by the fire with a hot cup of coffee. Well done David and cannot wait to see what you come up with next!
As with his others, SSWA is a classic whodunnit mystery with a side of character study; you always have the chance to follow along and try to solve the crimes yourself which is why I find these stories so engaging. The suspense is slow building but the interest is there from the first page; as a reader you are consistently led to a miniature reward while then returning to patience for the next reveal. The ending was a bit abrupt, but all the major questions are answered and gives closure to the reader. I was a bit surprised while reading this one as it was told in a completely different way than expected; I like how Celia’s character is left very vague and she almost takes a backseat to most characters, even though she is the focus of the main mystery. My favorite characters ended up being Jared and Sally; my only complaint was because I enjoyed Sally so much, I wish her character had somehow been worked into the few remaining chapters of the book.
All of David J. Bell’s novels have stunning covers, and this one is no different; I loved the pop of red in the umbrella and the smokey haze over the trees. These books are the chicken noodle soup of mysteries; they are not violent, graphic, and gory, but they contain all the intrigue of a high octane thriller and have the appeal of a cozy mystery without the storyline actually being cozy. If you’ve never given his novels a try, you really are missing out on some fantastic reads, as they have the potential to appeal to a very broad range of folks. I’m glad I picked this up when I did as it is the perfect read for cooler weather; I recommend snagging a copy and curling up by the fire with a hot cup of coffee. Well done David and cannot wait to see what you come up with next!
August 26, 2016
***I won this on a Goodreads Giveaway.
The story circles around Jenna, and her best friend, Celia who has disappeared. Jenna and Celia were due to meet up at a park but Jenna was late arriving and Celia never showed up. Jenna is stricken with grief and is determined to find out some answers. A second story also emerges in this book about Jenna's teenaged son, Jared, and his new girlfriend who suddenly goes missing too.
The storyline was good and the writing is clear and concise. I liked the short chapters. I've read another David Bell book before and he's a good storyteller. Just something was missing in this book (and it just wasn't Celia.) I was hoping the two storylines would connect somehow. I did find myself guessing as to what really happened to Celia throughout the story. I couldn't figure it out. The ending seemed rushed and there were many "loose" ends with the characters. Some of the relationships did not seem very well developed. I think the ending needed more closure.
The story circles around Jenna, and her best friend, Celia who has disappeared. Jenna and Celia were due to meet up at a park but Jenna was late arriving and Celia never showed up. Jenna is stricken with grief and is determined to find out some answers. A second story also emerges in this book about Jenna's teenaged son, Jared, and his new girlfriend who suddenly goes missing too.
The storyline was good and the writing is clear and concise. I liked the short chapters. I've read another David Bell book before and he's a good storyteller. Just something was missing in this book (and it just wasn't Celia.) I was hoping the two storylines would connect somehow. I did find myself guessing as to what really happened to Celia throughout the story. I couldn't figure it out. The ending seemed rushed and there were many "loose" ends with the characters. Some of the relationships did not seem very well developed. I think the ending needed more closure.
July 17, 2016
Bell writes books that I am usually thoroughly engrossed in, but for some reason this one not so much. I was still interested enough to continue reading to the end, and it started out very strong, intriguing, but somewhere along the line I found it a bit repetitious, to much conversation between mother and son and not enough or timely revelations. This slowed the pacing of the middle of the book, in my opinion and I found myself wanting something, anything to happen. Also many times my inner skeptic was on high alert.
Anyway proved to be just okay for me, just thought it could do with some tighter editing and since this is an ARC maybe it will be tightened, shortened in the process.
ARC from Netgalley and NAL publishers.
Anyway proved to be just okay for me, just thought it could do with some tighter editing and since this is an ARC maybe it will be tightened, shortened in the process.
ARC from Netgalley and NAL publishers.
July 4, 2016
Jenna Barton and her best friend Celia had plans to meet at a local park at midnight, but Jenna was delayed by an incident at home. When she arrives fifteen minutes late, Celia is nowhere to be found. Three months later, Celia is still missing. The only clue is a single diamond earring found at the park, inspiring the media to nickname Celia the "Diamond Mom." While Jenna is struggling with immense guilt over her best friend's disappearance, her fifteen-year-old son Jared is in the throes of first love with Tabitha, the mysterious new girl in town. Tabitha lives under unusually strict rules and is reluctant to discuss her family life. Tabitha abruptly disappears and Jared is heartbroken. Where is Celia? Is she alive or dead? Where is Tabitha and why is her father so overprotective?
The story alternates between Jenna's and Jared's perspectives. Their storylines eventually become connected. One of my favorite parts of the book was the fickleness of the media. "The media giveth and the media taketh away." Jenna becomes the target of a Nancy Grace type after she makes an important reporter angry. Jenna has been a regular presence in the media surrounding the case, but she tries to protect her son from the media circus. While Jenna is dealing with everything that comes with being close to tragedy, she is also dealing with the everyday struggles of being a single mom to a teenage boy. She tries to figure out how to communicate with her son without pushing him away and she frequently fails. Jared is an average teenager who just wants to be left alone. He is fixated on his new girlfriend.
The opening was really strong! Jenna is on the scene at a local barn where bones have been found and they are potentially Celia's remains. The tension in that scene is palpable, but it dropped off substantially after Chapter 3. Overall, not much happened. Jenna drinks a little too much, spends time on sleuthing message boards, and reconnects with her missing best friend's husband. Celia's husband has a standoffish disposition and seems to be hiding something. Jared's parts are more of a YA love story. Jared is extremely protective of Tabitha and creeps around the town trying to figure out her situation.
I prefer suspense novels led by journalists or the police. I tend to get aggravated by civilians repeatedly involving themselves in cases and putting themselves in unnecessary danger. When Jenna and her son aren't at home, they are both are constantly running off to question or confront suspicious people without informing anyone. Jenna is a hands-off parent. She gives Jared instructions, but she shrugs it off when he ignores them. She has an I-admire-his-spirit attitude about it all. Her passiveness made it difficult for me to be concerned about Jared when he repeatedly gets himself in dangerous situations. While I did care about the mother/son relationship, I didn't care about their relationships with the outside characters. Jenna has a good friend/co-worker who basically just serves as a sounding board for Jenna. Tabitha barely speaks and her relationship with Jared is 99% lust, so I didn't care about their intense connection and I wasn't overly invested in her fate. We don't get to know Celia and she sounds awful from what we do know, so I didn't care much about her fate either. The ending is really abrupt. We find out what happened to Celia and Tabitha and then it just ends, no wind-down.
Even when I feel 'meh' about a suspense novel, I usually still enjoy them while I reading them. Since She Went Away wasn't super memorable, but it was an entertaining way to spend a few hours. I would read another David Bell book on a lazy afternoon.
------------------------------------
I received this book for free from NAL & First to Read in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
She wanted something to end, something to conclude. And nothing seemed to be. Doors kept opening, leading to more long hallways and doors. She didn't know where she was in all of it.
The story alternates between Jenna's and Jared's perspectives. Their storylines eventually become connected. One of my favorite parts of the book was the fickleness of the media. "The media giveth and the media taketh away." Jenna becomes the target of a Nancy Grace type after she makes an important reporter angry. Jenna has been a regular presence in the media surrounding the case, but she tries to protect her son from the media circus. While Jenna is dealing with everything that comes with being close to tragedy, she is also dealing with the everyday struggles of being a single mom to a teenage boy. She tries to figure out how to communicate with her son without pushing him away and she frequently fails. Jared is an average teenager who just wants to be left alone. He is fixated on his new girlfriend.
We are all so vulnerable, she realized. We all dance on the knife's edge. One push, and we are over. Even someone like Celia. The wrong place at the wrong time and you become a statistic, one of the many missing, their faces fading into the past with every day that went by.
The opening was really strong! Jenna is on the scene at a local barn where bones have been found and they are potentially Celia's remains. The tension in that scene is palpable, but it dropped off substantially after Chapter 3. Overall, not much happened. Jenna drinks a little too much, spends time on sleuthing message boards, and reconnects with her missing best friend's husband. Celia's husband has a standoffish disposition and seems to be hiding something. Jared's parts are more of a YA love story. Jared is extremely protective of Tabitha and creeps around the town trying to figure out her situation.
"We're all kind of living in a swirl. It's like one of those snow globes you have at Christmas. Except this is real, and it's been shaken up and a bunch of bad stuff keeps blowing past our faces."
I prefer suspense novels led by journalists or the police. I tend to get aggravated by civilians repeatedly involving themselves in cases and putting themselves in unnecessary danger. When Jenna and her son aren't at home, they are both are constantly running off to question or confront suspicious people without informing anyone. Jenna is a hands-off parent. She gives Jared instructions, but she shrugs it off when he ignores them. She has an I-admire-his-spirit attitude about it all. Her passiveness made it difficult for me to be concerned about Jared when he repeatedly gets himself in dangerous situations. While I did care about the mother/son relationship, I didn't care about their relationships with the outside characters. Jenna has a good friend/co-worker who basically just serves as a sounding board for Jenna. Tabitha barely speaks and her relationship with Jared is 99% lust, so I didn't care about their intense connection and I wasn't overly invested in her fate. We don't get to know Celia and she sounds awful from what we do know, so I didn't care much about her fate either. The ending is really abrupt. We find out what happened to Celia and Tabitha and then it just ends, no wind-down.
Jenna placed her head in her hands. She wished she could remain in that position long enough--not looking, not seeing--that the problems around her would be resolved in some favorable and benevolent manner. But she knew they wouldn't be. She wasn't a little kid who could play hide-and-seek until somebody else--somebody older and more capable--shouted the all-clear.
It was her life. The swirl around her belonged to her.
Even when I feel 'meh' about a suspense novel, I usually still enjoy them while I reading them. Since She Went Away wasn't super memorable, but it was an entertaining way to spend a few hours. I would read another David Bell book on a lazy afternoon.
People drove or walked by places where unspeakable and awful events happened all the time. A spot where someone dropped dead of a heart attack. A place where one lover told another he or she was leaving. Those spots weren't marked. Nobody knew. Life went on.
------------------------------------
I received this book for free from NAL & First to Read in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Read
July 23, 2016So after speaking with another Goodreads friend who recently read this book, I learned that I am not, in fact, going mad, but part of the plot was actually not wrapped up at the end.
I feel like I can't properly review this book, I am left with so many unanswered questions that this would just be one giant spoiler. I was actually looking for more pages when I finished reading, and may or may not have yelled "that's it?!!". I think of myself as an excellent suspender of disbelief, but there is so much here that seems implausible.
If anyone who has read this could enlighten me, please feel free to send me a message. I have all the questions and no answers.
I feel like I can't properly review this book, I am left with so many unanswered questions that this would just be one giant spoiler. I was actually looking for more pages when I finished reading, and may or may not have yelled "that's it?!!". I think of myself as an excellent suspender of disbelief, but there is so much here that seems implausible.
If anyone who has read this could enlighten me, please feel free to send me a message. I have all the questions and no answers.
June 3, 2016
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life
I love a book with lots twists and turns that keeps me guessing and that is exactly what I found with this book. I found this book to be really fast paced and I couldn't seem to turn the pages fast enough. I was completely pulled into the mystery and wanted to know exactly what happened to Celia. This was a quick read that ended up being a whole lot of fun to read.
Jenna's best friend, Celia, disappeared several months ago. On the night of the disappearance, Jenna had plans to meet up with Celia near the local park at midnight. Jenna was a few minutes late and when she arrived there was no sign of Celia. Jenna feels a lot of guilt over Celia's disappearance and has been in the media spotlight since the search started.
Jared, Jenna's son, has recently met a new girl at school, Tabitha. Tabitha's father is very strict and she lives a life with a lot of rules. Tabitha seems to have a few secrets but she does seem to care about Jared. When Jenna surprises them at home one afternoon, it seems that Tabitha's secrets may run a little deeper. Jared is head over heels for Tabitha and just knows that he wants to be with her.
It seemed from early in the book that there would be two main mysteries. Celia's disappearance and Tabitha's real story. I found each of the main focuses of the book to be equally entertaining and was eager to find the thread in the story that would tie them together. I thought that the two issues were equally balanced in the book and was really investing in learning about both issues.
I liked the characters in this story quite a bit and thought that they felt very authentic. I am currently living with a 15 year old so I have some first hand knowledge of how a teen that age tends to behave. Jared didn't always take the course of action that made the most logical sense but he did stay true to his feelings. Jenna seemed to be taking everything really hard and her character showed the stress of the situation. She did seem to be one of the most patient mother's that I have encountered but there were a few mistakes that did offset her perfection.
The resolution did seem to come together very quickly and maybe a little too perfectly. I would have liked to see just a bit more at the end since it felt very a bit abrupt. I was still pleased with how things did turn out. There weren't any moments in the story where I felt surprised by the turn of events but there was never a time that I thought the story was predictable. This complex story was able to feel realistic throughout the course of the story.
I would highly recommend this book to fans of mystery thrillers. This is only the second book by David Bell that I have had the chance to read but I am finding myself becoming a huge fan very quickly. I look forward to reading more of this author's work in the near future.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Penguin Publishing Group - NAL via First to Read for the purpose of providing an honest review.
Initial Thoughts
This is the second David Bell book that I have read. It is also the second one that I loved. Very entertaining story with a lot of twists and turns that kept me guessing. Likable characters that felt realistic added to the appeal.
I love a book with lots twists and turns that keeps me guessing and that is exactly what I found with this book. I found this book to be really fast paced and I couldn't seem to turn the pages fast enough. I was completely pulled into the mystery and wanted to know exactly what happened to Celia. This was a quick read that ended up being a whole lot of fun to read.
Jenna's best friend, Celia, disappeared several months ago. On the night of the disappearance, Jenna had plans to meet up with Celia near the local park at midnight. Jenna was a few minutes late and when she arrived there was no sign of Celia. Jenna feels a lot of guilt over Celia's disappearance and has been in the media spotlight since the search started.
Jared, Jenna's son, has recently met a new girl at school, Tabitha. Tabitha's father is very strict and she lives a life with a lot of rules. Tabitha seems to have a few secrets but she does seem to care about Jared. When Jenna surprises them at home one afternoon, it seems that Tabitha's secrets may run a little deeper. Jared is head over heels for Tabitha and just knows that he wants to be with her.
It seemed from early in the book that there would be two main mysteries. Celia's disappearance and Tabitha's real story. I found each of the main focuses of the book to be equally entertaining and was eager to find the thread in the story that would tie them together. I thought that the two issues were equally balanced in the book and was really investing in learning about both issues.
I liked the characters in this story quite a bit and thought that they felt very authentic. I am currently living with a 15 year old so I have some first hand knowledge of how a teen that age tends to behave. Jared didn't always take the course of action that made the most logical sense but he did stay true to his feelings. Jenna seemed to be taking everything really hard and her character showed the stress of the situation. She did seem to be one of the most patient mother's that I have encountered but there were a few mistakes that did offset her perfection.
The resolution did seem to come together very quickly and maybe a little too perfectly. I would have liked to see just a bit more at the end since it felt very a bit abrupt. I was still pleased with how things did turn out. There weren't any moments in the story where I felt surprised by the turn of events but there was never a time that I thought the story was predictable. This complex story was able to feel realistic throughout the course of the story.
I would highly recommend this book to fans of mystery thrillers. This is only the second book by David Bell that I have had the chance to read but I am finding myself becoming a huge fan very quickly. I look forward to reading more of this author's work in the near future.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Penguin Publishing Group - NAL via First to Read for the purpose of providing an honest review.
Initial Thoughts
This is the second David Bell book that I have read. It is also the second one that I loved. Very entertaining story with a lot of twists and turns that kept me guessing. Likable characters that felt realistic added to the appeal.
November 2, 2016
First, thank you to RandomHouse/Penguin Canada and Goodreads for my copy of the uncorrected proof of SINCE SHE WENT AWAY by David Bell.
Halfway through this novel, I commented here enthusiastically that I was impressed with the gradual suspense, and thought I might put David Bell on my list of authors to follow, if the pace and drama continued (or words to that effect). Shortly thereafter, sadly, the novel hit a pocket of dead air and somehow remained caught there with very little lift for most of the remainder of the novel. Bummer.
The mystery focuses on Jenna Springer, whose friend has gone missing since Celia did not show up to an impromptu meeting of the childhood chums. Months have gone by without leads but bit by bit pieces of information begin to surface. Jenna, who is harassed by the media, discovers that the fortunes of her well-to-do friend from whom she has grown apart may not have been as perfect as she imagined.
As mother to Jared, her fifteen year old son, Jenna has worked hard by herself as a nurse to be self-sufficient and is suffering under the media and town's critical scrutiny. Jared meets a lovely waif, Tabitha, the new girl from the poorest part of town and falls madly in love only to have his girl and her creepy father leave town under suspicious circumstances. More dead bodies are found and investigator Naomi Poole suspects that Jared and Jenna are covertly looking for leads on their own.
A great deal of the story, midway forward, is spent in conversation between characters which do not add much to the texture nor suspense of the plot. Jenna's internal anguish and her many conversations with a work friend at the bar about her involvement duplicate the emotionally fraught position we find her in when we first meet her, in the first pages of the novel as well as repetitiously retold throughout. Jared, her son, has an active role and helps to move the dragging story forward but he too is mired in talks with schoolmates, deep inner contemplation and obsessive worry about Tabitha. I cared about these people, but the crosstalk and repeated conversations did stagnate the novel significantly.
Halfway through this novel, I commented here enthusiastically that I was impressed with the gradual suspense, and thought I might put David Bell on my list of authors to follow, if the pace and drama continued (or words to that effect). Shortly thereafter, sadly, the novel hit a pocket of dead air and somehow remained caught there with very little lift for most of the remainder of the novel. Bummer.
The mystery focuses on Jenna Springer, whose friend has gone missing since Celia did not show up to an impromptu meeting of the childhood chums. Months have gone by without leads but bit by bit pieces of information begin to surface. Jenna, who is harassed by the media, discovers that the fortunes of her well-to-do friend from whom she has grown apart may not have been as perfect as she imagined.
As mother to Jared, her fifteen year old son, Jenna has worked hard by herself as a nurse to be self-sufficient and is suffering under the media and town's critical scrutiny. Jared meets a lovely waif, Tabitha, the new girl from the poorest part of town and falls madly in love only to have his girl and her creepy father leave town under suspicious circumstances. More dead bodies are found and investigator Naomi Poole suspects that Jared and Jenna are covertly looking for leads on their own.
A great deal of the story, midway forward, is spent in conversation between characters which do not add much to the texture nor suspense of the plot. Jenna's internal anguish and her many conversations with a work friend at the bar about her involvement duplicate the emotionally fraught position we find her in when we first meet her, in the first pages of the novel as well as repetitiously retold throughout. Jared, her son, has an active role and helps to move the dragging story forward but he too is mired in talks with schoolmates, deep inner contemplation and obsessive worry about Tabitha. I cared about these people, but the crosstalk and repeated conversations did stagnate the novel significantly.
June 7, 2016
Really good mystery that sucked me in!
Jenna Barton blames herself for her best friend Celia's disappearance. Friends since high school, Jenna and Celia are now in their late 30's/early 40's. Both have gotten married and each has a child. Their lives took different courses and Jenna felt like they were drifting apart. In order to bring them back together, Jenna persuades Celia to meet in the park after midnight and have a night on the town--this is something that they did in high school. However, Jenna is late to their midnight meeting and when she arrives she discovers Celia is missing. The mystery of Celia's disappearance haunts the town and some begin to view Jenna as to blame. The story begins months later: Celia is still missing and Jenna is determined to find out what happened to her friend.
At the same time, Jenna's 15 year old son Jared has a mystery of his own to solve--he feels like his new (and first) girlfriend, Tabitha, is keeping a secret. Like his mother, Jared is also determined to find out what Tabitha's has been hiding.
The narrative switches back and forth between Jared and Jenna. While their mysteries don't seem to be related, they slowly begin to tie in together and ultimately lead to the resolution of Celia's case.
I really liked Since She Went Away. It had some surprises and it didn't disappoint.
I received a copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley in exchange for an honest read.
Jenna Barton blames herself for her best friend Celia's disappearance. Friends since high school, Jenna and Celia are now in their late 30's/early 40's. Both have gotten married and each has a child. Their lives took different courses and Jenna felt like they were drifting apart. In order to bring them back together, Jenna persuades Celia to meet in the park after midnight and have a night on the town--this is something that they did in high school. However, Jenna is late to their midnight meeting and when she arrives she discovers Celia is missing. The mystery of Celia's disappearance haunts the town and some begin to view Jenna as to blame. The story begins months later: Celia is still missing and Jenna is determined to find out what happened to her friend.
At the same time, Jenna's 15 year old son Jared has a mystery of his own to solve--he feels like his new (and first) girlfriend, Tabitha, is keeping a secret. Like his mother, Jared is also determined to find out what Tabitha's has been hiding.
The narrative switches back and forth between Jared and Jenna. While their mysteries don't seem to be related, they slowly begin to tie in together and ultimately lead to the resolution of Celia's case.
I really liked Since She Went Away. It had some surprises and it didn't disappoint.
I received a copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley in exchange for an honest read.
June 21, 2016
Secrets and betrayal in small town Kentucky! David Bell pulled me into his latest cleverly crafted mystery with a tension-filled opening and kept me guessing until the end.
Two life-long friends, Jenna and Celia, plan to meet at midnight at a local park. Jenna shows up, but Celia never does, and now she's been missing for months. Meanwhile, Jenna's teenage son Jared has fallen for the mysterious new girl in town. She's very secretive and has an uber-strict father, which worries Jared. Then suddenly, she disappears too.
I enjoyed trying to figure out how the two story lines would intersect. My heart went out to Jenna and Jared, who were good people forced into a terrible situation. The townspeople, internet, and even a relentless crime show host all have their opinions about who to blame, and that takes its toll on the main characters.
There were lots of twists in this book, different ways the mystery could have played out, and in the end I was shocked at who the culprit was. I thought the book ended too abruptly though, would like to have heard the reactions of the characters over what was revealed. What happened to everyone in the aftermath?
I always enjoy David Bell's relatable characters and complex mysteries. Looking forward to his next book!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Two life-long friends, Jenna and Celia, plan to meet at midnight at a local park. Jenna shows up, but Celia never does, and now she's been missing for months. Meanwhile, Jenna's teenage son Jared has fallen for the mysterious new girl in town. She's very secretive and has an uber-strict father, which worries Jared. Then suddenly, she disappears too.
I enjoyed trying to figure out how the two story lines would intersect. My heart went out to Jenna and Jared, who were good people forced into a terrible situation. The townspeople, internet, and even a relentless crime show host all have their opinions about who to blame, and that takes its toll on the main characters.
There were lots of twists in this book, different ways the mystery could have played out, and in the end I was shocked at who the culprit was. I thought the book ended too abruptly though, would like to have heard the reactions of the characters over what was revealed. What happened to everyone in the aftermath?
I always enjoy David Bell's relatable characters and complex mysteries. Looking forward to his next book!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
June 9, 2016
Three months ago, Jenna Barton was supposed to meet up with her friend Celia at a local park. Jenna was late leaving the house, and Celia was gone. Disappeared. Consumed with guilt, Jenna has been thrust into the media spotlight as the case of Celia's disappearance keeps hitting dead ends.
Jenna's son, Jared, meanwhile is experiencing first love. He's fallen hard for Tabitha, the new girl at school, but she is strangely reluctant to divulge any details of her past. Then Tabitha disappears.
I absolutely loved reading David Bell's Somebody I Used to Know last year. Bell is very good at creating well-rounded characters that you start to care about from page 1.
This applies to Since She Went Away, too. I was totally wrapped up in the mystery and the lives of the characters from the start, and although this wasn't edge-of-your-seat, nail-biting gory thriller stuff, I found it difficult to put down. The pace is steady and the surprising twists and turns as more and more details are revealed keep you wanting to read more.
Told from Jenna's and Jared's perspectives, David J. Bell keeps you guessing and trying to work out what happened to Celia and how Tabitha's story is connected to it all. I had several theories and not one of them was completely right in the end.
I really liked Jenna and Jared, but I thought Jared was a little too mature and wise for his age. Their mother-son relationship was quite unusual with some very relaxed parenting by Jenna. All in all, the characters as well as the plot remained believable throughout, though. Even the secondary characters were well drawn and seemed authentic.
Overall, a really sound mystery delivered in easy flowing prose and hence, very enjoyable to read.
I received an ARC from Berkley NAL via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Jenna's son, Jared, meanwhile is experiencing first love. He's fallen hard for Tabitha, the new girl at school, but she is strangely reluctant to divulge any details of her past. Then Tabitha disappears.
I absolutely loved reading David Bell's Somebody I Used to Know last year. Bell is very good at creating well-rounded characters that you start to care about from page 1.
This applies to Since She Went Away, too. I was totally wrapped up in the mystery and the lives of the characters from the start, and although this wasn't edge-of-your-seat, nail-biting gory thriller stuff, I found it difficult to put down. The pace is steady and the surprising twists and turns as more and more details are revealed keep you wanting to read more.
Told from Jenna's and Jared's perspectives, David J. Bell keeps you guessing and trying to work out what happened to Celia and how Tabitha's story is connected to it all. I had several theories and not one of them was completely right in the end.
I really liked Jenna and Jared, but I thought Jared was a little too mature and wise for his age. Their mother-son relationship was quite unusual with some very relaxed parenting by Jenna. All in all, the characters as well as the plot remained believable throughout, though. Even the secondary characters were well drawn and seemed authentic.
Overall, a really sound mystery delivered in easy flowing prose and hence, very enjoyable to read.
I received an ARC from Berkley NAL via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2017
Mystery, suspicion and plenty of second-guessing.
Lately, it seems like the trend in the realm of suspense is an unreliable narrator. While I love that some authors have gotten me to toss my morals aside and root for the psycho in their stories, there is something to be said about reading a story told through the eyes of a reliable narrator. Or in this case, two.
From the jump, I liked Jenna and her fifteen-year-old son, Jared. The perspective of the story alternates between the two of them and stems off into two different mysteries.
Jenna was so easy to like. A single mother, she's working hard to take care of her son and desperately seeking answers to her best-friend Celia’s disappearance. Sure, they’ve grown apart over the last few years and Jenna has always sort of been in Celia’s shadow, but that doesn’t stop her relentless search. She shows up at crime scenes just to make sure if it is Celia's body they find, she won’t be alone. That’s a great friend in my book. No matter the amount of media scrutiny or backlash, Jenna doesn’t give up.
Jenna’s son Jared was just as easy to like. He seemed wise beyond his years, at times, but Jenna was pretty liberal with him. She let him get away with quite a bit. My mother definitely did not have the same parenting style. He ends up falling pretty hard for a beautiful girl at school and finds it strange when she won’t open up to him. Things take a weird turn when she dumps him suddenly and disappears. Jared is convinced something is wrong.
This is the second of David Bell’s novels that I’ve read and his stories have that page turning quality that I seek out. For the first 3/4 of the book, I literally couldn’t tear my eyes away. It was fast-paced, full of twists and I wasn’t sure who had the answers Jenna and Jared were seeking. And who to believe? I went back and forth way too many times to count.
When the the two storylines started to overlap - the suspects, witnesses and disappearances, that's when it became a tad much for me. Some parts took on a repetitive feel. Like we were revisiting some of the same information multiple times.
Last but not least, the ending. The whodunnit was a total surprise and I like how the answers were finally revealed. For all of the great pacing throughout, it did feel a little bit abrupt though. That’s not to say it took away from my experience. I really enjoyed this one.
*ARC kindly provided by Berkley NAL and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Lately, it seems like the trend in the realm of suspense is an unreliable narrator. While I love that some authors have gotten me to toss my morals aside and root for the psycho in their stories, there is something to be said about reading a story told through the eyes of a reliable narrator. Or in this case, two.
From the jump, I liked Jenna and her fifteen-year-old son, Jared. The perspective of the story alternates between the two of them and stems off into two different mysteries.
Jenna was so easy to like. A single mother, she's working hard to take care of her son and desperately seeking answers to her best-friend Celia’s disappearance. Sure, they’ve grown apart over the last few years and Jenna has always sort of been in Celia’s shadow, but that doesn’t stop her relentless search. She shows up at crime scenes just to make sure if it is Celia's body they find, she won’t be alone. That’s a great friend in my book. No matter the amount of media scrutiny or backlash, Jenna doesn’t give up.
Jenna’s son Jared was just as easy to like. He seemed wise beyond his years, at times, but Jenna was pretty liberal with him. She let him get away with quite a bit. My mother definitely did not have the same parenting style. He ends up falling pretty hard for a beautiful girl at school and finds it strange when she won’t open up to him. Things take a weird turn when she dumps him suddenly and disappears. Jared is convinced something is wrong.
This is the second of David Bell’s novels that I’ve read and his stories have that page turning quality that I seek out. For the first 3/4 of the book, I literally couldn’t tear my eyes away. It was fast-paced, full of twists and I wasn’t sure who had the answers Jenna and Jared were seeking. And who to believe? I went back and forth way too many times to count.
When the the two storylines started to overlap - the suspects, witnesses and disappearances, that's when it became a tad much for me. Some parts took on a repetitive feel. Like we were revisiting some of the same information multiple times.
Last but not least, the ending. The whodunnit was a total surprise and I like how the answers were finally revealed. For all of the great pacing throughout, it did feel a little bit abrupt though. That’s not to say it took away from my experience. I really enjoyed this one.
*ARC kindly provided by Berkley NAL and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
June 21, 2016
A special thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Master storyteller, David J. Bell returns following Somebody I Used to Know (2015) with another enthralling suspense mystery thriller, SINCE SHE WENT AWAY —a mother finds herself caught in the middle of two crime investigations. Her best friend’s disappearance, and her son’s new girlfriend’s past and present.
The aftermath of a tragedy— long-hidden family dark secrets, and lies.
Jenna Barton had called Celia Waters, her best friend since high school, to meet her at the park in the small Kentucky town of Hawks Mill. Jenna was delayed and her friend just disappeared. It has been months and no word. Jenna is guilt ridden and desperate to find answers. Her body has yet to be found. Murder? Kidnapping? Motive?
She is constantly being scrutinized by the media, the cops, and social media online message boards, in her search for answers.
Mystery, lies, infidelity, and secrets surrounding Celia, her husband Ian, and daughter Ursula. Slowly unraveling the events leading up to the disappearance.
Jenna and Ian also have a complex relationship, when they dated back in high school, and later Celia married Ian. They belong to country clubs and Ursula hangs out with the rich kids.
One of Celia’s diamond earrings was left at Caldwell Park (the designated meeting place); therefore, dubbed as “The Diamond Mom.”
Jenna is a single mom with teen son, Jared, age fifteen. They of course were close friends with Celia and daughter, Ursula (also fifteen), when the kids were younger. However, now they have drifted apart over the years, due to their social class, among other reasons.
Jared is quite inexperienced with girls, with no male role models in his life. However, falls hard for a new girl in town, Tabitha (Natalie). She has natural beauty, even though poor, and is very secretive about her family. Her dad is very strict, and she is not allowed hardly out of the house.
Tabitha is very private. Economically disadvantaged. Mystery and intrigue surrounding this family. Where is the absentee mother, and why the disappearing act? Something is not right about the dad. What is he hiding? Is she in danger?
Readers hear from Jenna and Jared — While Jenna is sleuthing and working with detectives, and crazies on online chat boards seeking answers about Celia, Jared is putting himself in danger, dealing with bullies, while seeking answers to the mystery surrounding his new love and her strange father. Could the father be a criminal, hiding from the law?
The notion of the two things, could they be related? Celia’s disappearance and Tabitha’s?
Other murders—men and women. Teens and adults are missing. Real live monsters. Ruined families. Connections. How are they connected?
With a likable Detective Naomi Poole, a not so likable reporter, and a guest appearance from the online handler Domino55, make for an intriguing cast of secondary characters.
Cleverly crafted, the author keeps readers glued to the pages, racing to the explosive and satisfying finale-- the two mysteries converge. It is like reading two books in one! Betrayal, lies, secrets, blackmail, and deceit. Equal parts mystery, psychological, contemporary, domestic suspense, and crime thriller.
A page-turner full of unexpected twists and surprises! Everyone has deeply buried secrets. Each choice made leading up to the tragedies has consequences. The paths people take. Readers will be dying to solve the mystery (s)—to discover how these two complex separate story lines can possibly connect. (a rollercoaster ride) The second one is as tantalizing as the first, keeping you on the edge-of-your seat!
My fifth book by Bell — Razor-sharp, shocking, and a deliciously good mystery thriller. He just keeps getting better! Where nothing is as it appears.
Fans of Carla Buckley will appreciate the in depth exploration of families; adults, teens, friends; their complexities. Also suitable for the YA audience. Love the cover and an ideal title!
“You have to live with whatever consequences you create.”
JDCMustReadBooks
Master storyteller, David J. Bell returns following Somebody I Used to Know (2015) with another enthralling suspense mystery thriller, SINCE SHE WENT AWAY —a mother finds herself caught in the middle of two crime investigations. Her best friend’s disappearance, and her son’s new girlfriend’s past and present.
The aftermath of a tragedy— long-hidden family dark secrets, and lies.
Jenna Barton had called Celia Waters, her best friend since high school, to meet her at the park in the small Kentucky town of Hawks Mill. Jenna was delayed and her friend just disappeared. It has been months and no word. Jenna is guilt ridden and desperate to find answers. Her body has yet to be found. Murder? Kidnapping? Motive?
She is constantly being scrutinized by the media, the cops, and social media online message boards, in her search for answers.
Mystery, lies, infidelity, and secrets surrounding Celia, her husband Ian, and daughter Ursula. Slowly unraveling the events leading up to the disappearance.
Jenna and Ian also have a complex relationship, when they dated back in high school, and later Celia married Ian. They belong to country clubs and Ursula hangs out with the rich kids.
One of Celia’s diamond earrings was left at Caldwell Park (the designated meeting place); therefore, dubbed as “The Diamond Mom.”
Jenna is a single mom with teen son, Jared, age fifteen. They of course were close friends with Celia and daughter, Ursula (also fifteen), when the kids were younger. However, now they have drifted apart over the years, due to their social class, among other reasons.
Jared is quite inexperienced with girls, with no male role models in his life. However, falls hard for a new girl in town, Tabitha (Natalie). She has natural beauty, even though poor, and is very secretive about her family. Her dad is very strict, and she is not allowed hardly out of the house.
Tabitha is very private. Economically disadvantaged. Mystery and intrigue surrounding this family. Where is the absentee mother, and why the disappearing act? Something is not right about the dad. What is he hiding? Is she in danger?
Readers hear from Jenna and Jared — While Jenna is sleuthing and working with detectives, and crazies on online chat boards seeking answers about Celia, Jared is putting himself in danger, dealing with bullies, while seeking answers to the mystery surrounding his new love and her strange father. Could the father be a criminal, hiding from the law?
The notion of the two things, could they be related? Celia’s disappearance and Tabitha’s?
Other murders—men and women. Teens and adults are missing. Real live monsters. Ruined families. Connections. How are they connected?
With a likable Detective Naomi Poole, a not so likable reporter, and a guest appearance from the online handler Domino55, make for an intriguing cast of secondary characters.
Cleverly crafted, the author keeps readers glued to the pages, racing to the explosive and satisfying finale-- the two mysteries converge. It is like reading two books in one! Betrayal, lies, secrets, blackmail, and deceit. Equal parts mystery, psychological, contemporary, domestic suspense, and crime thriller.
A page-turner full of unexpected twists and surprises! Everyone has deeply buried secrets. Each choice made leading up to the tragedies has consequences. The paths people take. Readers will be dying to solve the mystery (s)—to discover how these two complex separate story lines can possibly connect. (a rollercoaster ride) The second one is as tantalizing as the first, keeping you on the edge-of-your seat!
My fifth book by Bell — Razor-sharp, shocking, and a deliciously good mystery thriller. He just keeps getting better! Where nothing is as it appears.
Fans of Carla Buckley will appreciate the in depth exploration of families; adults, teens, friends; their complexities. Also suitable for the YA audience. Love the cover and an ideal title!
“You have to live with whatever consequences you create.”
JDCMustReadBooks
January 22, 2018
Jenna has been drifting away from her life-long friend Celia and so she plans to meet up with her at midnight in a local park like they did when they were teenagers. At the end moment Jenna got held up and arrived a few minutes late but by that time Celia had disappeared and there was no trace of her except for a diamond earring found in the park.For three months Jenna lived with the guilt of not knowing but when her fifteen year old son’s girlfriend disappears too the cops start believing that there might be a connection and old secrets start emerging which can prove deadly in a small town.
I always love reading David Bell’s books and this one was no exception. The book was fast paced a with a complex story and I really enjoyed reading about the relationship between Jenna and her son. There was lots of twists but the end was too abrupt for me and left me with some unanswered questions
I would like to thank Berkley Publishing Group & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
I always love reading David Bell’s books and this one was no exception. The book was fast paced a with a complex story and I really enjoyed reading about the relationship between Jenna and her son. There was lots of twists but the end was too abrupt for me and left me with some unanswered questions
I would like to thank Berkley Publishing Group & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
June 21, 2016
Full review can be found on www.novelgossip.com
Jenna Barton’s best friend, Celia has been missing for three months now. The two women were supposed to meet at a park but Celia never showed up. The only thing found is one of Celia’s diamond earrings. The media have dubbed Celia as the Diamond Mom and started a media firestorm that pushes Jenna to the brink.
Jenna is the single mom to her son, fifteen year old Jared. He recently started dating a girl named Tabitha who seems to have secrets in her past.
When Tabitha disappears too, Jenna finds herself digging for answers as to what happened to both women. Will what she finds expose lies that may harm her and her son forever?
Review
The basic premise of this novel had me hooked as soon as I read a short blurb on Netgalley. I love nothing more than a good missing persons mystery. As I started reading, I was drawn to the pace of the book. The chapters were short, but not too abrupt. It skips back and forth between Jenna and Jared, which works well. You see Jenna struggle to parent her son during a difficult time for their family, during a time in his life that is already trying as Jared is only fifteen. Jared’s dad left when he was five so it has always been just the two of them. Their relationship is interesting. Many times while reading I grew frustrated by Jenna’s parenting choices and found myself judging her. But the more I thought about it, I realized that Bell was showing her making choices that many real parents would make. Jared has a tendency to run off after being told by Jenna to stay put. Instead of panicking and trying to find him, Jenna trusts him and knows he will make the best decisions he is able to. This would be very hard to do as a parent, but it is one of the many ways Bell makes their relationship seem genuine. Jenna does still try a bit too hard to be Jared’s friend rather than his mom, but it is clear this is because she is learning as she goes along, much like any parent.
Jenna finds herself desperate to do anything to find out what happened to Celia. She spends quite a lot of time surfing message boards that discuss Celia’s case. She develops a strange correspondence with a user named Domino55.
There are quite a few secondary characters that play a role in this book. Sally becomes Jenna’s closest friend after Celia dissapears and I enjoyed their scenes. Reena is a national news anchor who has a tenuous relationship with Jenna. The whole angle of the media’s involvement in Celia’s case was intriguing, probably because we have all seen how vicious the media can be in real life. Ian is Celia’s husband and him and Jenna had a brief connection in high school. His aloofness and cold behavior had me wondering about his intentions throughout. Ursula is Celia and Ian’s teenage daughter who goes to school with Jared. She is a typical high school mean girl who I loved to hate.
Tabitha is Jared’s new girlfriend who just moved to town. Her father is super strict and she doesn’t talk about her mother, but it is clear that something in her past haunts her. The relationship between the teens adds something that could draw in typical YA readers.
Without giving too much away, when there was a resolution, I had already kind of figured it out. Not completely, but still. I do read a ton of mystery/thriller novels though and I tend to play whodunnit even when I try not too.
My only complaint about this book is the ending was jarring and very abrupt. Wham, bam and it was done! I would have liked to see an epilogue, even if it was a brief one.
Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley/NAL for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Jenna Barton’s best friend, Celia has been missing for three months now. The two women were supposed to meet at a park but Celia never showed up. The only thing found is one of Celia’s diamond earrings. The media have dubbed Celia as the Diamond Mom and started a media firestorm that pushes Jenna to the brink.
Jenna is the single mom to her son, fifteen year old Jared. He recently started dating a girl named Tabitha who seems to have secrets in her past.
When Tabitha disappears too, Jenna finds herself digging for answers as to what happened to both women. Will what she finds expose lies that may harm her and her son forever?
Review
The basic premise of this novel had me hooked as soon as I read a short blurb on Netgalley. I love nothing more than a good missing persons mystery. As I started reading, I was drawn to the pace of the book. The chapters were short, but not too abrupt. It skips back and forth between Jenna and Jared, which works well. You see Jenna struggle to parent her son during a difficult time for their family, during a time in his life that is already trying as Jared is only fifteen. Jared’s dad left when he was five so it has always been just the two of them. Their relationship is interesting. Many times while reading I grew frustrated by Jenna’s parenting choices and found myself judging her. But the more I thought about it, I realized that Bell was showing her making choices that many real parents would make. Jared has a tendency to run off after being told by Jenna to stay put. Instead of panicking and trying to find him, Jenna trusts him and knows he will make the best decisions he is able to. This would be very hard to do as a parent, but it is one of the many ways Bell makes their relationship seem genuine. Jenna does still try a bit too hard to be Jared’s friend rather than his mom, but it is clear this is because she is learning as she goes along, much like any parent.
Jenna finds herself desperate to do anything to find out what happened to Celia. She spends quite a lot of time surfing message boards that discuss Celia’s case. She develops a strange correspondence with a user named Domino55.
There are quite a few secondary characters that play a role in this book. Sally becomes Jenna’s closest friend after Celia dissapears and I enjoyed their scenes. Reena is a national news anchor who has a tenuous relationship with Jenna. The whole angle of the media’s involvement in Celia’s case was intriguing, probably because we have all seen how vicious the media can be in real life. Ian is Celia’s husband and him and Jenna had a brief connection in high school. His aloofness and cold behavior had me wondering about his intentions throughout. Ursula is Celia and Ian’s teenage daughter who goes to school with Jared. She is a typical high school mean girl who I loved to hate.
Tabitha is Jared’s new girlfriend who just moved to town. Her father is super strict and she doesn’t talk about her mother, but it is clear that something in her past haunts her. The relationship between the teens adds something that could draw in typical YA readers.
Without giving too much away, when there was a resolution, I had already kind of figured it out. Not completely, but still. I do read a ton of mystery/thriller novels though and I tend to play whodunnit even when I try not too.
My only complaint about this book is the ending was jarring and very abrupt. Wham, bam and it was done! I would have liked to see an epilogue, even if it was a brief one.
Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley/NAL for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 29, 2016
Jenna lives with worry and heartache since she feels responsible for the disappearance of her friend, Celia.
They were to meet, but Jenna was delayed as usual, and when Jenna did arrive at their arranged meeting place, Celia wasn't there and was no where to be found. Three months later, she was still missing.
Secrets and clues kept popping up, but led to dead ends for the most part. Besides Jenna being completely involved in the first disappearance, her son had a girlfriend who then disappears and might have a connection. What the connection may have been or if there really was one added intrigue.
SINCE SHE WENT AWAY is the first book I have read by Mr. Bell. His writing easily flows and pulls you along. The characters could easily be going through some of the problems they are encountering in real life. Social issues were addressed as well as the problem of “who done it” and “where are they.”
SINCE SHE WENT AWAY was a tense read with characters that were believable as well as shady and scary. It was difficult to decide who you could trust and whose story to believe.
The ending had a good twist with hints that led me down the wrong path as I read.
ENJOY if you read SINCE SHE WENT AWAY. It is a well-written page turner that has you finishing the book before you know it. 5/5
I received this book free of charge and without compensation from the publisher in return for an honest review.
July 2, 2016
Since She Went Away by David Bell started out with so much promise. I thought it could be another Gone Girl, but for me it fell apart about midway through the book. Jenna and Celia have been friends since high school. Celia married the boy that Jenna wanted and over the years their friendship lessened except for the occasional phone call. Jenna is now a single parent and one evening she decides to give Celia a call and ask her to meet at midnight at the park where they used to rendezvous in high school. Due to an altercation with her son Jared, she’s late and Celia has vanished. She’s never found. Jenna is blamed, there is a lot of media attention, and this is the story’s plot.
Most frustrating for me was the relationship between Jenna and Jared. Actually, Jenna and Jared bothered me in general. They didn’t listen to anyone, let alone each other. While I could accept this scenario once, it happened over and over again and I began to expect it before it happened. It was tiring. What, I assume, was supposed to be teenage angst between Jared and Tabitha was also difficult to buy. It just didn’t work for me.
No one is likable or should I say “believable” in Since She Went Away, but that shouldn’t be the measure of a book. I do expect more from a storyline though and I don’t think it was provided in this novel.
Most frustrating for me was the relationship between Jenna and Jared. Actually, Jenna and Jared bothered me in general. They didn’t listen to anyone, let alone each other. While I could accept this scenario once, it happened over and over again and I began to expect it before it happened. It was tiring. What, I assume, was supposed to be teenage angst between Jared and Tabitha was also difficult to buy. It just didn’t work for me.
No one is likable or should I say “believable” in Since She Went Away, but that shouldn’t be the measure of a book. I do expect more from a storyline though and I don’t think it was provided in this novel.
June 29, 2016
Since She Went Away by David J. Bell is a 2016 NAL publication.
I thought the dual perspectives of Jenna and Jared was a nice touch since they are each focused on a case, when they suddenly discover they need to work together to find the truth. Most of the time the mother/ son partnership works and they make a pretty good team.
My only complaint was Jenna's permissiveness in one particular situation, with Jared, that I thought sent out a dangerous message, and I wonder why the author insisted on the inclusion of this scene when it had no bearing of the case or the outcome.
Although the ending is a just a little abrupt, I enjoyed this story, with all the twists and turns, the marvelous pacing and the edgy atmosphere where trusting anyone might be a mistake, as nearly everyone has a secret, or has told a lie.
The story is well crafted and executed, cleverly plotted, incredibly intense, and it kept me guessing all the way to the very end, and you can’t really ask for more than that.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries, suspense, and psychological thrillers.
The review is the copyrighted property of Night Owl Reviews. To read the full review, click on this link: https://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Re...
I thought the dual perspectives of Jenna and Jared was a nice touch since they are each focused on a case, when they suddenly discover they need to work together to find the truth. Most of the time the mother/ son partnership works and they make a pretty good team.
My only complaint was Jenna's permissiveness in one particular situation, with Jared, that I thought sent out a dangerous message, and I wonder why the author insisted on the inclusion of this scene when it had no bearing of the case or the outcome.
Although the ending is a just a little abrupt, I enjoyed this story, with all the twists and turns, the marvelous pacing and the edgy atmosphere where trusting anyone might be a mistake, as nearly everyone has a secret, or has told a lie.
The story is well crafted and executed, cleverly plotted, incredibly intense, and it kept me guessing all the way to the very end, and you can’t really ask for more than that.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries, suspense, and psychological thrillers.
The review is the copyrighted property of Night Owl Reviews. To read the full review, click on this link: https://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Re...
July 8, 2016
Missing persons, murder, and mayhem is the basis for this new novel.
What would you do if your best friend was missing? Throwing yourself into the investigation and trying to stay abreast of all of the pieces of the puzzle is exactly what the main character, Jenna, had to do in this book.
But being in touch with everything that is going on is also cause for other issues. Hate, discontent, and judgment from people you know and don’t know abounds. Your life changes as much as the immediate family’s changes. Plus there is some guilt and a few secrets going around too.
With plenty of twists and turns in the storyline, the author keeps us fully engaged in the mystery of the missing woman. Murders start occurring and people wonder if these cases are connected. New people pop in and out, just to keep it interesting and to keep us wondering.
The author is very good at keeping us on our toes as far as figuring out who done it. With plenty of suspects and strange happenings going on, there are plenty of people to choose from.
The author is a craftsman of suspense and mystery and with this book he has another winner! With plenty of action and activity in this book, plus the authors highly descriptive writing skills, this page turner will keep up you long into the night, just like it did for me.
full review - http://amidlifewife.com/since-went-aw... copy received for review purposes
What would you do if your best friend was missing? Throwing yourself into the investigation and trying to stay abreast of all of the pieces of the puzzle is exactly what the main character, Jenna, had to do in this book.
But being in touch with everything that is going on is also cause for other issues. Hate, discontent, and judgment from people you know and don’t know abounds. Your life changes as much as the immediate family’s changes. Plus there is some guilt and a few secrets going around too.
With plenty of twists and turns in the storyline, the author keeps us fully engaged in the mystery of the missing woman. Murders start occurring and people wonder if these cases are connected. New people pop in and out, just to keep it interesting and to keep us wondering.
The author is very good at keeping us on our toes as far as figuring out who done it. With plenty of suspects and strange happenings going on, there are plenty of people to choose from.
The author is a craftsman of suspense and mystery and with this book he has another winner! With plenty of action and activity in this book, plus the authors highly descriptive writing skills, this page turner will keep up you long into the night, just like it did for me.
full review - http://amidlifewife.com/since-went-aw... copy received for review purposes
July 13, 2016
I am always excited when a new David Bell book is released and this one didn't disappoint.
Jenna and Celia have been best friends for decades. Celia is the girl that always gets what she wants, including her husband Ian, although Jenna was interested in him first. When the two women are to meet one night, Celia doesn't show and has seemingly disappeared. As many of Celia's secrets start spilling out, Jenna realizes she doesn't know Celia as well as she thought she did. Jenna is thrown into the limelight as the girl who was late to meet her friend, is blamed for the disappearance and is hounded by press and talk show hosts.
Also going on is the mysterious appearance of a young girl, Tabitha and her father. Jenna's son Jared develops a relationship with her but the mystery still surrounds her. Why does she always seem so scared? Why does she have such strict rules? And what kind of hold does her father have on her?
And then Tabitha disappears.
Are the two disappeared connected?
I can always count on this author to keep me intrigued. He writes spell binding mystery/thrillers that I always enjoy and become engrossed in. I highly recommend this one and all of his others.
Jenna and Celia have been best friends for decades. Celia is the girl that always gets what she wants, including her husband Ian, although Jenna was interested in him first. When the two women are to meet one night, Celia doesn't show and has seemingly disappeared. As many of Celia's secrets start spilling out, Jenna realizes she doesn't know Celia as well as she thought she did. Jenna is thrown into the limelight as the girl who was late to meet her friend, is blamed for the disappearance and is hounded by press and talk show hosts.
Also going on is the mysterious appearance of a young girl, Tabitha and her father. Jenna's son Jared develops a relationship with her but the mystery still surrounds her. Why does she always seem so scared? Why does she have such strict rules? And what kind of hold does her father have on her?
And then Tabitha disappears.
Are the two disappeared connected?
I can always count on this author to keep me intrigued. He writes spell binding mystery/thrillers that I always enjoy and become engrossed in. I highly recommend this one and all of his others.
June 3, 2016
I enjoy David Bell’s books. They are well thought out and his stories always give you just enough that they keep you reading looking for that next clue. Jenna and Celia were going to meet a few months ago but Jenna was late and missed Celia. Now Celia is missing and no one has seen Celia since that Saturday night. Jenna is caught up in the investigation to find Celia and now Jared’s new girlfriend has disappeared. As more and more secrets are uncovered it seems she may not have known her friend or the people of her town as much as she thought she did. Great read. I would like to thank the Publisher and Net Galley and First to Read for the chance to read this ARC.
July 7, 2016
This book got a lot of good ratings but I had to push myself to just get halfway, then I just skimmed it. The main character just goes on and on about how devastated and guilty she is about her friend being missing that I just wanted to shout, "I get it! Just get on with the plot line". The secondary story drags on too but the reveal is very quick, so I guess he needed to drag it out to get it to book length (though it's over 400 tedious pages). Luckily I bought it at an airport bookstore where you can return it for a 50% refund (still overpriced for what I did read).
May 1, 2016
This is a well paced and interesting thriller. There are just enough twists and turns to make things interesting, but not too many to be over the top. Also, there was a great use of minor characters, such as the domino guy.
One thing I didn't get though- why did everyone make such a big deal about the protagonist cursing on TV? I'm from Texas and I don't really think people would care. She was upset after all. And it was bleeped.
One thing I didn't get though- why did everyone make such a big deal about the protagonist cursing on TV? I'm from Texas and I don't really think people would care. She was upset after all. And it was bleeped.
May 16, 2016
Another great book by David Bell!
We meet Jenna, a nurse and single mother, as she's waiting to hear if a body found in a barn is the remains of her best friend, Celia. Jenna and Celia were supposed to go out one Saturday night a few months ago. Jenna was 15 minutes late; she never connected with Celia; and no one has seen or heard from her since.
Jenna is caught up in the glare of the investigation - the media hounds her, the townspeople distrust her, Celia's husband and daughter keep their distance, Internet trolls harass her, even her mother passes judgment on how Jenna is handling all this. But all that matters to her is getting Celia back, or getting justice for her. Whichever is available.
In the meantime, her teenaged son, Jared, is a witness to it all, and gets involved in a mystery all his own. He starts dating the new girl, Tabitha. She has no past - no internet history, no mother or siblings, no freedom besides going to and from school. Jared doesn't care - he just wants to be with her. When she stops coming to school, he shows up at her house, and finds a dead body.
This is the most action Hawks Mill, Kentucky, has ever seen, and it's all swirling around Jenna and Jared.
Bell does a great job keeping this story taut and fast-paced. It's hard to put down. He also does a fantastic job of weaving in secondary characters, drawing them sharply, making them more than props. He keeps you guessing about the who and why until the very end.
The ending is, sadly, a bit anti-climactic. With all the things uncovered by Jenna and Jared leading up to the big reveal, the reason why just ... falls a little flat. It's been done, and nothing new is added to it by these characters or this telling of it.
That being said, I would still recommend this book to anyone. Bell is a master storyteller, and looks into the human psyche in a deep way, vividly bringing his characters to life for the reader. Spending time in his capable hands is always worth the time.
My thanks to Penguin House for an ARC of this book.
We meet Jenna, a nurse and single mother, as she's waiting to hear if a body found in a barn is the remains of her best friend, Celia. Jenna and Celia were supposed to go out one Saturday night a few months ago. Jenna was 15 minutes late; she never connected with Celia; and no one has seen or heard from her since.
Jenna is caught up in the glare of the investigation - the media hounds her, the townspeople distrust her, Celia's husband and daughter keep their distance, Internet trolls harass her, even her mother passes judgment on how Jenna is handling all this. But all that matters to her is getting Celia back, or getting justice for her. Whichever is available.
In the meantime, her teenaged son, Jared, is a witness to it all, and gets involved in a mystery all his own. He starts dating the new girl, Tabitha. She has no past - no internet history, no mother or siblings, no freedom besides going to and from school. Jared doesn't care - he just wants to be with her. When she stops coming to school, he shows up at her house, and finds a dead body.
This is the most action Hawks Mill, Kentucky, has ever seen, and it's all swirling around Jenna and Jared.
Bell does a great job keeping this story taut and fast-paced. It's hard to put down. He also does a fantastic job of weaving in secondary characters, drawing them sharply, making them more than props. He keeps you guessing about the who and why until the very end.
The ending is, sadly, a bit anti-climactic. With all the things uncovered by Jenna and Jared leading up to the big reveal, the reason why just ... falls a little flat. It's been done, and nothing new is added to it by these characters or this telling of it.
That being said, I would still recommend this book to anyone. Bell is a master storyteller, and looks into the human psyche in a deep way, vividly bringing his characters to life for the reader. Spending time in his capable hands is always worth the time.
My thanks to Penguin House for an ARC of this book.
May 15, 2016
Bell is an accomplished storyteller who is equally adept at both character development and plot advancement. I first read his “Someone I Used To Know” last year and was riveted by the nuances of his characters’ personalities. The same is true of “Since She Went Away.” I was vested in these characters by the end of chapter one and only put the book down once.
This is basically the story of RN Jenna Barton, a single mom and her teenaged son Jared, and how their quiet lives in tiny Hawks Mill, Kentucky were up heaved by the disappearance of Jenna’s best friend, Celia, three months prior. Jenna was supposed to meet Celia at their special spot in the park at midnight, where they used to meet as high school BFFs, to try to revive their lost closeness. When Jenna arrived 15 minutes, due to finding a bottle of alcohol in Jared’s room, Celia was gone. The only trace of her was a single diamond earring from a pair that was a family heirloom.
The author does an excellent job of describing the guilt that Jenna feels, as well as the toll it takes on her personally, her teenaged son, her mother, and everyone in her life. That guilt is almost palpable on the pages of this novel. Things are complicated by the fact that Ian, Celia’s husband and father of their daughter Ursula, first paid attention to Jenna, not Celia in high school. Celia then made it her goal to divert Ian’s attention away from Jenna. That has always eaten away at Jenna. When son Jared falls for the beautiful but strangely behaving new girl at school, the tension in the Bartons’ lives ramps up.
Bell then takes us on a fascinating roller coaster ride of plot shakeups. I thought I knew who did it about four times but there is no resolution until the last few pages of the book, when it was all revealed.
Definitely a great read for your summer book list. It is well written with intelligent, relatable characters and plot developments that are both surprising and credible. David Bell’s name on a title is assurance that the pages within are definitely worth your time.
I was given an advance copy of this title by the publisher through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
This is basically the story of RN Jenna Barton, a single mom and her teenaged son Jared, and how their quiet lives in tiny Hawks Mill, Kentucky were up heaved by the disappearance of Jenna’s best friend, Celia, three months prior. Jenna was supposed to meet Celia at their special spot in the park at midnight, where they used to meet as high school BFFs, to try to revive their lost closeness. When Jenna arrived 15 minutes, due to finding a bottle of alcohol in Jared’s room, Celia was gone. The only trace of her was a single diamond earring from a pair that was a family heirloom.
The author does an excellent job of describing the guilt that Jenna feels, as well as the toll it takes on her personally, her teenaged son, her mother, and everyone in her life. That guilt is almost palpable on the pages of this novel. Things are complicated by the fact that Ian, Celia’s husband and father of their daughter Ursula, first paid attention to Jenna, not Celia in high school. Celia then made it her goal to divert Ian’s attention away from Jenna. That has always eaten away at Jenna. When son Jared falls for the beautiful but strangely behaving new girl at school, the tension in the Bartons’ lives ramps up.
Bell then takes us on a fascinating roller coaster ride of plot shakeups. I thought I knew who did it about four times but there is no resolution until the last few pages of the book, when it was all revealed.
Definitely a great read for your summer book list. It is well written with intelligent, relatable characters and plot developments that are both surprising and credible. David Bell’s name on a title is assurance that the pages within are definitely worth your time.
I was given an advance copy of this title by the publisher through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
June 13, 2016
I received this one as an ARC from BookBrowse. I was completely drawn in to “Since She Went Away” staying up late several nights to read it. I found the story to be very believable unlike some suspense novels. I especially thought the portrayal of Detective Poole was well done. She had good police skills and was committed to her job. I admit that I did not see the ending coming, a sign of good writing to me! I found the sensational journalism techniques described to be very realistic and gave me an insider’s view to how challenging it must be to be a family close to the crime. I liked the main character Jenna – we really get inside her head and get a fully formed idea of who she is in trying to raise her son, working, and all of the survivor’s guilt with her friend’s disappearance. I have not read any of David Bell’s previous books, but I will start tracking them down.
July 11, 2019
This is the second book i have read by David and I wasnt disappointed. The only thing I could say it did drag on in places and it ended abruptly and really left me hanging . I wanted to know what happened afterwards to the characters. Having said this I still loved it. The book is actually told by Jenna and her son Jared. I felt emotionally connected to all the characters in the book. I was guessing and changing my view of who done it all the way through. I couldnt wait to have time to read this. Highly recommend.
June 12, 2016
This was my second David Bell book and just like the first one I enjoyed it very much. I remember meeting him and picking up a signed copy of "The Cemetery Girl". Both really impressed me and I was really glad to see this book as a choice on Net Galley. I was very happy when I got approved!
This was a very entertaining read filled with many twist plots that hinted at nothing in particular and did not lead you to any strong conclusions until the end. As I said, this is my second book by David Bell and I would not hesitate to buy any others. You know your going to get your bang for your buck!
Thanks to Berkley and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
This was a very entertaining read filled with many twist plots that hinted at nothing in particular and did not lead you to any strong conclusions until the end. As I said, this is my second book by David Bell and I would not hesitate to buy any others. You know your going to get your bang for your buck!
Thanks to Berkley and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
November 7, 2016
I really enjoyed this book, with one exception: when Jenna allows Jared and Natalie to sleep together. Not only were they both younger than the age of consent in the state of Kentucky, but there was a police officer sitting in the next room allowing it to happen, too! That scene was ridiculous and tended to undermine the otherwise excellent storytelling in the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 461 reviews