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Where I Lost Her
Eight years ago, Tess and Jake were considered a power couple of the New York publishing world--happy, in love, planning a family. Failed fertility treatments and a heartbreaking attempt at adoption have fractured their marriage and left Tess edgy and adrift. A visit to friends in rural Vermont throws Tess's world into further chaos when she sees a young, half-dressed child in the middle of the road, who then runs into the woods like a frightened deer.
The entire town begins searching for the little girl. But there are no sightings, no other witnesses, no reports of missing children. As local police and Jake point out, Tess's imagination has played her false before. And yet Tess is compelled to keep looking, not only to save the little girl she can't forget but to salvage her broken heart as well.
Blending her trademark lyrical prose with a superbly crafted and suspenseful narrative, Where I Lost Her is a gripping, haunting novel from a remarkable storyteller.
The entire town begins searching for the little girl. But there are no sightings, no other witnesses, no reports of missing children. As local police and Jake point out, Tess's imagination has played her false before. And yet Tess is compelled to keep looking, not only to save the little girl she can't forget but to salvage her broken heart as well.
Blending her trademark lyrical prose with a superbly crafted and suspenseful narrative, Where I Lost Her is a gripping, haunting novel from a remarkable storyteller.
333 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 23, 2016
199 people are currently reading
6653 people want to read
About the author
T. Greenwood
25 books1,822 followersT. Greenwood is the author of sixteen novels. She has received grants from the Sherwood Anderson Foundation, the Christopher Isherwood Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Maryland State Arts Council. She has won four San Diego Book Awards. Five of her novels have been IndieNext picks. BODIES OF WATER was finalist for a Lambda Foundation award and KEEPING LUCY was a Target Book Club selection.
She teaches creative writing for San Diego Writer's Ink and The Writer's Center. She and her family split their time between San Diego and Vermont. She is also a photographer.
More information on T. Greenwood can be found at her websites: http://www.tgreenwood.com
She teaches creative writing for San Diego Writer's Ink and The Writer's Center. She and her family split their time between San Diego and Vermont. She is also a photographer.
More information on T. Greenwood can be found at her websites: http://www.tgreenwood.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 604 reviews
August 23, 2018
*4 Stars!*
At the risk of sounding wildly insensitive, I’ve realized that I head-over-heels love it when a fictional character completely unravels. There’s something highly compelling about witnessing that quiet inner chaos bubbling its way to the surface until everything frantically blows to pieces.
Throw in a first person narrative as unreliable as 2018's Romaine lettuce and I’ll be sitting front row, popcorn and raspberry-lime seltzer in hand.
WHERE I LOST HER is a remarkably well-written psychological thriller that follows a distraught woman on the brink of divorce who may or may not be losing her marbles.
When Tess sees a small child abandoned on a darkened road in the dead of night, her instincts are to rescue her. But the young girl runs off, disappearing into thin air and no one in town can determine the identity of this lost little girl.
What ensues is Tess' unrelenting quest to find this missing child, despite the growing doubt enveloping her.
Although I was left with a few nagging questions by its final page, the quick-pacing of this story reeled me in and kept me on my toes, incessantly guessing and questioning the integrity of almost every character involved. I was fully invested, entirely immersed, and my mind was running wild with speculation.
The ending surprised me. In a way, I was anticipating a different (very specific) outcome; one that would have possibly felt more fitting. But to give credit where it’s due, and after more consideration, I suppose the turnout was pretty damn amazing, in its own right.
Once again, T. Greenwood’s bottomless talent leaves me breathless. If you fancy her work, you should seriously consider considering this one! ;-)
Can't wait to get to Bodies of Water!
Book Stats:
▪ Genre/Category: Psychological Thriller
▪ Characters: Well-developed, unreliable.
▪ Plot: A woman on the precipice of divorce searches for a child who went missing in the woods.
▪ Writing: Polished, smooth, and compelling.
▪ POV: 1st Person Perspective: Heroine
▪ Cliffhanger: None. Standalone
Writing so nice,
I had to read her work twice.
(In a row)
*Thank you, Norma, for your kind gift of this one! You da best ;-) *
At the risk of sounding wildly insensitive, I’ve realized that I head-over-heels love it when a fictional character completely unravels. There’s something highly compelling about witnessing that quiet inner chaos bubbling its way to the surface until everything frantically blows to pieces.
Throw in a first person narrative as unreliable as 2018's Romaine lettuce and I’ll be sitting front row, popcorn and raspberry-lime seltzer in hand.
WHERE I LOST HER is a remarkably well-written psychological thriller that follows a distraught woman on the brink of divorce who may or may not be losing her marbles.
When Tess sees a small child abandoned on a darkened road in the dead of night, her instincts are to rescue her. But the young girl runs off, disappearing into thin air and no one in town can determine the identity of this lost little girl.
What ensues is Tess' unrelenting quest to find this missing child, despite the growing doubt enveloping her.
Although I was left with a few nagging questions by its final page, the quick-pacing of this story reeled me in and kept me on my toes, incessantly guessing and questioning the integrity of almost every character involved. I was fully invested, entirely immersed, and my mind was running wild with speculation.
The ending surprised me. In a way, I was anticipating a different (very specific) outcome; one that would have possibly felt more fitting. But to give credit where it’s due, and after more consideration, I suppose the turnout was pretty damn amazing, in its own right.
Once again, T. Greenwood’s bottomless talent leaves me breathless. If you fancy her work, you should seriously consider considering this one! ;-)
Can't wait to get to Bodies of Water!
Book Stats:
▪ Genre/Category: Psychological Thriller
▪ Characters: Well-developed, unreliable.
▪ Plot: A woman on the precipice of divorce searches for a child who went missing in the woods.
▪ Writing: Polished, smooth, and compelling.
▪ POV: 1st Person Perspective: Heroine
▪ Cliffhanger: None. Standalone
* * *T. Greenwood...
Writing so nice,
I had to read her work twice.
(In a row)
*Thank you, Norma, for your kind gift of this one! You da best ;-) *
February 19, 2018
Wow! This was a great read with a high enjoyment factor for me. Norma, thank you so much for telling me about this one and recommending it as my next T. Greenwood read!
Tess is visiting friends when she comes across a little girl who runs off into the woods. It is dark and although Tess tries to find her, she is not successful. She calls the police and an investigation is launched with search vehicles, search dogs, and search parties. No-one is able to spot the little girl or any sign of her and Tess comes under suspicion of generating a hoax.
That is the basic premise but there are so many more layers to this story, and so much going on that it reads like a fast-paced suspense novel. There are many passages throughout this book that had me on the edge of my seat and had me wondering how or if I would do anything differently if I were Tess.
The roadblocks she faces are insurmountable boulders and she finds the only way around or through them that is open to her. Despite what the police say, she saw what she saw and she is not giving up on finding that little girl – even when she is aware that she may be endangering herself.
This is the third book I have read by T. Greenwood and her literary skills really shine. I could not make up my mind if this was just great literature or a terrifically written suspense story. I had to settle with both, which is also why I gave it 5 Stars and a high recommendation. I look forward to reading more of T. Greenwood’s novels later this year!
Tess is visiting friends when she comes across a little girl who runs off into the woods. It is dark and although Tess tries to find her, she is not successful. She calls the police and an investigation is launched with search vehicles, search dogs, and search parties. No-one is able to spot the little girl or any sign of her and Tess comes under suspicion of generating a hoax.
That is the basic premise but there are so many more layers to this story, and so much going on that it reads like a fast-paced suspense novel. There are many passages throughout this book that had me on the edge of my seat and had me wondering how or if I would do anything differently if I were Tess.
The roadblocks she faces are insurmountable boulders and she finds the only way around or through them that is open to her. Despite what the police say, she saw what she saw and she is not giving up on finding that little girl – even when she is aware that she may be endangering herself.
This is the third book I have read by T. Greenwood and her literary skills really shine. I could not make up my mind if this was just great literature or a terrifically written suspense story. I had to settle with both, which is also why I gave it 5 Stars and a high recommendation. I look forward to reading more of T. Greenwood’s novels later this year!
February 5, 2016
I'd like to thank Netgalley for my digital copy in exchange for a fair and honest review
This book was PERFECTION (for me). The cover art? Beautiful. The writing? Easy to read but so eloquently strung together that I was mesmorized. The plot? Had me on the edge of my seat for 3 days. I easily could have devoured this book in one sitting if my schedule had allowed. It has been awhile that I have been so emotionally invested in a book, not for only the suspense, but also for the characters. This is one to watch for folks; my first experience with T. Greenwood and certainly not my last.
Tess Waters and her husband Jake are headed back to Vermont where she grew up for a little R & R with their best friends of many years. Long story short, Tess and Jake are on the fritz due to a steady growing animosity from 8 years ago involving a botched foreign adoption. As Tess is headed home their first night from picking up more wine for the group, she spots a child on the road wearing nothing but a tutu and ladybug rainbows. She returns to the car to retrieve a sweater for the girl but spooks her and the child runs off into the woods lost. Tess returns home to call the police as cell service is conveniently spotty and so begins the search for the missing girl. The problem is, no evidence of this girl is turning up after days of searching and the police are thinking Tess has imagined the whole thing due to some mental struggles in the past. Is she imagining this girl? Or did she really see her?
I honestly had no clue which way this one would go until the end. I flipped back and forth, not committing to anything and waiting to see how it unfolded. This book is told through Tess' present perspective with flashbacks of the adoption nightmare spaced in between. I thought the pacing was brilliant and the writing was so gorgeous. Every description and metaphor had me sucked in; I felt I was inside the story as opposed to reading it. This one was full of emotion and suspense; I only wish I could un-read it to re-read it for the first time again! Check this one out for sure!
This book was PERFECTION (for me). The cover art? Beautiful. The writing? Easy to read but so eloquently strung together that I was mesmorized. The plot? Had me on the edge of my seat for 3 days. I easily could have devoured this book in one sitting if my schedule had allowed. It has been awhile that I have been so emotionally invested in a book, not for only the suspense, but also for the characters. This is one to watch for folks; my first experience with T. Greenwood and certainly not my last.
Tess Waters and her husband Jake are headed back to Vermont where she grew up for a little R & R with their best friends of many years. Long story short, Tess and Jake are on the fritz due to a steady growing animosity from 8 years ago involving a botched foreign adoption. As Tess is headed home their first night from picking up more wine for the group, she spots a child on the road wearing nothing but a tutu and ladybug rainbows. She returns to the car to retrieve a sweater for the girl but spooks her and the child runs off into the woods lost. Tess returns home to call the police as cell service is conveniently spotty and so begins the search for the missing girl. The problem is, no evidence of this girl is turning up after days of searching and the police are thinking Tess has imagined the whole thing due to some mental struggles in the past. Is she imagining this girl? Or did she really see her?
I honestly had no clue which way this one would go until the end. I flipped back and forth, not committing to anything and waiting to see how it unfolded. This book is told through Tess' present perspective with flashbacks of the adoption nightmare spaced in between. I thought the pacing was brilliant and the writing was so gorgeous. Every description and metaphor had me sucked in; I felt I was inside the story as opposed to reading it. This one was full of emotion and suspense; I only wish I could un-read it to re-read it for the first time again! Check this one out for sure!
December 28, 2018
EXCERPT: I stand in the shadowed doorway, staring at the heavy wooden door. I feel the sweat trickling down my neck. The air is hot and fragrant, the smells unfamiliar. Strong. I think the sweetness comes from the Jacaranda, those trees that stand sentry along this street, an explosion of violet petals. The pavement is littered with their castoffs, like purple confetti after a parade. The impossible beauty of all that color, the cloying sweetness, brings tears to my eyes. But there is another scent, lingering beneath. Tainting it. It smells like something burned. Like something spoiled.
The phonecall came this morning, to the hotel, where we have been staying. Waiting. I have learned such tremendous patience in the last five years, though I worry sometimes that the line between patience and foolishness is a thin one. I have been made a fool of before. Believed promises. Paid dearly for my optimism and blind faith. And yet, trust is like an affliction. Hope overriding all sensibility. This has become my religion: my faith, like all other faiths, driven by the most simple and primitive, selfish want. Accompanied by a wilful and necessary blindness.
Our lawyer said to come right away.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: Where I Lost Her follows one woman's journey through heartbreak and loss to courage and resolve, as she searches for the truth about a missing child.
Eight years ago, Tess and Jake were considered a power couple of the New York publishing world--happy, in love, planning a family. Failed fertility treatments and a heartbreaking attempt at adoption have fractured their marriage and left Tess edgy and adrift. A visit to friends in rural Vermont throws Tess's world into further chaos when she sees a young, half-dressed child in the middle of the road, who then runs into the woods like a frightened deer.
The entire town begins searching for the little girl. But there are no sightings, no other witnesses, no reports of missing children. As local police and Jake point out, Tess's imagination has played her false before. And yet Tess is compelled to keep looking, not only to save the little girl she can't forget but to salvage her broken heart as well.
MY THOUGHTS: 5 very sparkly stars for Where I Lost her by T Greenwood.
Tess and Jake are spending the weekend with their friends in rural Vermont. Although Tess has had too much to drink, she drives to the liquor store to buy another bottle of wine. On her way back to the camp, she sees a small girl dressed in a tutu and ladybug boots on the road. The child takes fright and disappears into the woods. Tess reports the incident and a search is reluctantly started. But no-one has reported a child missing, and there is no trace of her.
And Tess has a past......
This book was compelling and breath-taking reading. I did not want to put it down. I could not put it down. I was consumed by it.
Greenwoods writing is lyrical, beautiful and at the same time thrilling and suspenseful. I will be looking for more from this wonderful author.
💖💕💖💕💖
THE AUTHOR: T. Greenwood is the author of twelve novels. She has received grants from the Sherwood Anderson Foundation, the Christopher Isherwood Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and, most recently, the Maryland State Arts Council. She has won three San Diego Book Awards. Five of her novels have been BookSense76/IndieBound picks. BODIES OF WATER was finalist for a Lambda Foundation award. Her twelfth novel, RUST & STARDUST, will be published in August 2018.
She teaches creative writing for San Diego Writer's Ink and online for The Writer's Center. She and her husband, Patrick, live in San Diego, CA with their two daughters. She is also a photographer.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing a digital ARC of Where I Lost Her by T Greenwood for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
The phonecall came this morning, to the hotel, where we have been staying. Waiting. I have learned such tremendous patience in the last five years, though I worry sometimes that the line between patience and foolishness is a thin one. I have been made a fool of before. Believed promises. Paid dearly for my optimism and blind faith. And yet, trust is like an affliction. Hope overriding all sensibility. This has become my religion: my faith, like all other faiths, driven by the most simple and primitive, selfish want. Accompanied by a wilful and necessary blindness.
Our lawyer said to come right away.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: Where I Lost Her follows one woman's journey through heartbreak and loss to courage and resolve, as she searches for the truth about a missing child.
Eight years ago, Tess and Jake were considered a power couple of the New York publishing world--happy, in love, planning a family. Failed fertility treatments and a heartbreaking attempt at adoption have fractured their marriage and left Tess edgy and adrift. A visit to friends in rural Vermont throws Tess's world into further chaos when she sees a young, half-dressed child in the middle of the road, who then runs into the woods like a frightened deer.
The entire town begins searching for the little girl. But there are no sightings, no other witnesses, no reports of missing children. As local police and Jake point out, Tess's imagination has played her false before. And yet Tess is compelled to keep looking, not only to save the little girl she can't forget but to salvage her broken heart as well.
MY THOUGHTS: 5 very sparkly stars for Where I Lost her by T Greenwood.
Tess and Jake are spending the weekend with their friends in rural Vermont. Although Tess has had too much to drink, she drives to the liquor store to buy another bottle of wine. On her way back to the camp, she sees a small girl dressed in a tutu and ladybug boots on the road. The child takes fright and disappears into the woods. Tess reports the incident and a search is reluctantly started. But no-one has reported a child missing, and there is no trace of her.
And Tess has a past......
This book was compelling and breath-taking reading. I did not want to put it down. I could not put it down. I was consumed by it.
Greenwoods writing is lyrical, beautiful and at the same time thrilling and suspenseful. I will be looking for more from this wonderful author.
💖💕💖💕💖
THE AUTHOR: T. Greenwood is the author of twelve novels. She has received grants from the Sherwood Anderson Foundation, the Christopher Isherwood Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and, most recently, the Maryland State Arts Council. She has won three San Diego Book Awards. Five of her novels have been BookSense76/IndieBound picks. BODIES OF WATER was finalist for a Lambda Foundation award. Her twelfth novel, RUST & STARDUST, will be published in August 2018.
She teaches creative writing for San Diego Writer's Ink and online for The Writer's Center. She and her husband, Patrick, live in San Diego, CA with their two daughters. She is also a photographer.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing a digital ARC of Where I Lost Her by T Greenwood for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
January 1, 2019
This book was added to my TBR list after reading Greenwood's Rust and Stardust. Let's just say that her storytelling has improved greatly since writing this book.
The plot is interesting enough but there is a lot of nonsense fillers about the past and childhood years of the main character yaaaaawwwwnn that don't seem is anybody actually reading this? to have anything to do with her present situation. By halfway through the book I was skipping these passages altogether blah blah blabbity blah blah.
The beginning and the end made for a compelling read but the middle of the story started feeling like a record skipping, blah blah blah blah blah blah which is a shame because this story has the bones I wonder if people actually read these reviews or just copy/paste a comment based on the star rating? needed to turn it I didn't actually insert that question until after the first four comments so they get a pass. This time. to be a thrilling novel.
I'm still a huge fan of this author and it was interesting to take a look back and see how much she has grown as a writer.
The plot is interesting enough but there is a lot of nonsense fillers about the past and childhood years of the main character yaaaaawwwwnn that don't seem is anybody actually reading this? to have anything to do with her present situation. By halfway through the book I was skipping these passages altogether blah blah blabbity blah blah.
The beginning and the end made for a compelling read but the middle of the story started feeling like a record skipping, blah blah blah blah blah blah which is a shame because this story has the bones I wonder if people actually read these reviews or just copy/paste a comment based on the star rating? needed to turn it I didn't actually insert that question until after the first four comments so they get a pass. This time. to be a thrilling novel.
I'm still a huge fan of this author and it was interesting to take a look back and see how much she has grown as a writer.
March 12, 2018
I loved this book. It was fantastic. I am reading Rust & Stardust
which is by this author and its just as good.
January 16, 2016
MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List
How it all began.. Tess and her husband Jake head out of town to visit Tess best friend Effie. They are bringing Effie's girl back to NY where she is going to go to a ballet school. Tess has known Effie since they were little girls so she is considered an aunt to her kids. Devin is Effie's husband and the kids are Plum and Zu-Zu. Tess and Jake are going to spend a few days with them before going back home with Zu-Zu. --->Tess and Jake are having problems, they have been for years.. after several attempts at trying to conceive a child and a traumatic event trying to adopt put a split between them. And Jake seems to be starting his own life behind Tess's back but I'm not going into that.
So one night when Tess goes down to the store to get more wine for everyone, she sees a little girl standing by the road on her way back. She pulls over and goes to the girl who is bleeding, has no shirt, only wearing a tutu like bottom and lady bug boots. Tess tries to talk to her but she's too little and traumatized to speak. Tess goes back to the vehicle to get a shirt for the little girl and the little girl runs off into the woods. Tess runs after her but loses her. (I mean she shouldn't have walked away from her but I digress) Tess rushes back to the house and calls the police and this turns into a major hunt for the little girl. *Note* Cell phone is spotty around there hence her having to wait to get back to the house!
The sheriff acts like a real jerk from the beginning thinking Tess was hallucinating from drinking. But, he goes ahead with the investigations pulling out all the big guns, helicopter, dogs, volunteers, etc. They all search the woods for days.
After a few days Jake goes back to the city because of a contract he's working on for an author and the sheriff calls off the search and says the town is going to bring charges against Tess. He says she made up the whole thing to get attention because of something that happened in her past. I wanted to punch this man in the throat through-out the whole book and you will too if you read it!
Anyhoo, so Tess is just devastated that this man wants to stop looking for this child and she keeps looking on her own. I mean hello, wouldn't you. Tess finds out some really shady things are going down in this town. The girl at the childcare center out in the woods is not what she seems, there are some sex offenders living down the road from said childcare center and Effie's home, there are some other weirdos going around all drugged out and there is some animal abuse stuff going on.
Tess does get a good lawyer and he helps her with a lot of things. She can also tell him everything she is finding without worrying about it. There is also another good cop in the book that is talking with Tess about things. I'm not going to tell you what happens, but it's not good and it's good all at the same time.
The animal abusers do get what they deserve in a sense which is good because I hate me some animal abusers/killers etc.
I think this would be a good book for mystery/thriller fans. I thought it was good and I was so loving the end with the "in your face sheriff" moment!
*I would like to thank Netgalley and Kensington Books for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.*
How it all began.. Tess and her husband Jake head out of town to visit Tess best friend Effie. They are bringing Effie's girl back to NY where she is going to go to a ballet school. Tess has known Effie since they were little girls so she is considered an aunt to her kids. Devin is Effie's husband and the kids are Plum and Zu-Zu. Tess and Jake are going to spend a few days with them before going back home with Zu-Zu. --->Tess and Jake are having problems, they have been for years.. after several attempts at trying to conceive a child and a traumatic event trying to adopt put a split between them. And Jake seems to be starting his own life behind Tess's back but I'm not going into that.
So one night when Tess goes down to the store to get more wine for everyone, she sees a little girl standing by the road on her way back. She pulls over and goes to the girl who is bleeding, has no shirt, only wearing a tutu like bottom and lady bug boots. Tess tries to talk to her but she's too little and traumatized to speak. Tess goes back to the vehicle to get a shirt for the little girl and the little girl runs off into the woods. Tess runs after her but loses her. (I mean she shouldn't have walked away from her but I digress) Tess rushes back to the house and calls the police and this turns into a major hunt for the little girl. *Note* Cell phone is spotty around there hence her having to wait to get back to the house!
The sheriff acts like a real jerk from the beginning thinking Tess was hallucinating from drinking. But, he goes ahead with the investigations pulling out all the big guns, helicopter, dogs, volunteers, etc. They all search the woods for days.
After a few days Jake goes back to the city because of a contract he's working on for an author and the sheriff calls off the search and says the town is going to bring charges against Tess. He says she made up the whole thing to get attention because of something that happened in her past. I wanted to punch this man in the throat through-out the whole book and you will too if you read it!
Anyhoo, so Tess is just devastated that this man wants to stop looking for this child and she keeps looking on her own. I mean hello, wouldn't you. Tess finds out some really shady things are going down in this town. The girl at the childcare center out in the woods is not what she seems, there are some sex offenders living down the road from said childcare center and Effie's home, there are some other weirdos going around all drugged out and there is some animal abuse stuff going on.
Tess does get a good lawyer and he helps her with a lot of things. She can also tell him everything she is finding without worrying about it. There is also another good cop in the book that is talking with Tess about things. I'm not going to tell you what happens, but it's not good and it's good all at the same time.
The animal abusers do get what they deserve in a sense which is good because I hate me some animal abusers/killers etc.
I think this would be a good book for mystery/thriller fans. I thought it was good and I was so loving the end with the "in your face sheriff" moment!
*I would like to thank Netgalley and Kensington Books for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.*
February 20, 2016
Tess had one great desire in life, a child. Not able to have her own she once attempted to adopt, but this endeavor turned into a personal nightmare. Returning to her home roots and best friend Effie and her family, she encounters while driving a young girl, four years old along the side of the road, scantily dressed and with a bleeding hand. The young girl than disappears into the woods.
A book that is very easy to read, but one that depends I think on how the reader feels about Tess. Is she a reliable narrator, or has her past effected her judgment and veracity? I had problems with this character, she tended to run here and there against all advice and at great risk to her own safety in her obsessive need to find this child. She tends to focus on what she does not have and at great length as opposed somewhat she does have, almost to the point of annoyance. I did however, want to see how this ended, what was true or not and despite Tess there were a few characters I did like. Effie and her young daughters were very likable and this definitely added to the story.
So a mixed read for me but interesting in and of itself.
ARC from Netgalley.
A book that is very easy to read, but one that depends I think on how the reader feels about Tess. Is she a reliable narrator, or has her past effected her judgment and veracity? I had problems with this character, she tended to run here and there against all advice and at great risk to her own safety in her obsessive need to find this child. She tends to focus on what she does not have and at great length as opposed somewhat she does have, almost to the point of annoyance. I did however, want to see how this ended, what was true or not and despite Tess there were a few characters I did like. Effie and her young daughters were very likable and this definitely added to the story.
So a mixed read for me but interesting in and of itself.
ARC from Netgalley.
December 12, 2019
This is one of my all-time favourite books!
This book was absolutely amazing, totally loved every minute of it! I was actually sad that it was over. Loved this authors writing style & the plot. I also had emotions while reading this one which doesn't happen very often for me.
This book was absolutely amazing, totally loved every minute of it! I was actually sad that it was over. Loved this authors writing style & the plot. I also had emotions while reading this one which doesn't happen very often for me.
September 12, 2018
3.5 Stars
Tess and Jake went to visit their friends at a campsite. One night, in the middle of the night, Tess was driving while she was a bit drunk! Suddenly in the middle of the road was a child! A four-year-old girl, without a shirt, she was hurt and bleeding! But when Tess went to get a sweater for her, she accidentally hit the panic button and its sound scared the child, she ran away and when Tess came after her, she couldn’t find her. So she marked the place with her sweater. Then she returned to the campsite to bring the help. but the police couldn’t find anything, and there was no kid report missing, no evidence at the site, no witnesses! BUT Tess’s sweater was gone!
So was there really a child? Is it possible Tess was drunk and saw it wrong? Is she reliable, considering her history!? If it was a child, so where was she? Why there were nothing and the police couldn’t find anything? What happened to her??
It wasn’t as exciting as I expected, and the writing was a bit repetitive. I couldn’t connect with the main character, Tess! Actually, I didn’t like her much! It wasn’t that bad but it wasn’t really good either, but still, it had some enjoyable moments! Told in single POV, 1st person. It’s a standalone novel. All in all, it was an okay read and hope you enjoy it!
Tess and Jake went to visit their friends at a campsite. One night, in the middle of the night, Tess was driving while she was a bit drunk! Suddenly in the middle of the road was a child! A four-year-old girl, without a shirt, she was hurt and bleeding! But when Tess went to get a sweater for her, she accidentally hit the panic button and its sound scared the child, she ran away and when Tess came after her, she couldn’t find her. So she marked the place with her sweater. Then she returned to the campsite to bring the help. but the police couldn’t find anything, and there was no kid report missing, no evidence at the site, no witnesses! BUT Tess’s sweater was gone!
So was there really a child? Is it possible Tess was drunk and saw it wrong? Is she reliable, considering her history!? If it was a child, so where was she? Why there were nothing and the police couldn’t find anything? What happened to her??
It wasn’t as exciting as I expected, and the writing was a bit repetitive. I couldn’t connect with the main character, Tess! Actually, I didn’t like her much! It wasn’t that bad but it wasn’t really good either, but still, it had some enjoyable moments! Told in single POV, 1st person. It’s a standalone novel. All in all, it was an okay read and hope you enjoy it!
February 20, 2016
Sometimes Goodreads really frustrates me!! I had a duplicate of this book on my TBR. I made triple sure I was going to be deleting the duplicate, but of course it deleted my entire review with all my likes and comments. At least I was able to get the review through NetGalley.
4.5 stars
Beautifully written, and one of the most realistic books I've read in a long time. No eye rolls, shaking of my head or outright laughing at the liberties some authors take to move their book along.
The characters had depth and were relatable with their strengths and flaws, especially the protag Tess. Floundering in a marriage that has lost its steam, longing for the child that slipped through her fingers years ago, her emotions and reactions felt appropriate.
I also really enjoyed that I had no idea where this story was going to take me, or how it would end. I was hooked from page one all the way through to the end, which was superbly done. And how about that beautiful cover? That is just a preview of what's to come inside...
This is my first experience reading Ms Greenwood, but it certainly won't be my last. I highly recommend to all fiction lovers who enjoy a good mystery
4.5 stars
Beautifully written, and one of the most realistic books I've read in a long time. No eye rolls, shaking of my head or outright laughing at the liberties some authors take to move their book along.
The characters had depth and were relatable with their strengths and flaws, especially the protag Tess. Floundering in a marriage that has lost its steam, longing for the child that slipped through her fingers years ago, her emotions and reactions felt appropriate.
I also really enjoyed that I had no idea where this story was going to take me, or how it would end. I was hooked from page one all the way through to the end, which was superbly done. And how about that beautiful cover? That is just a preview of what's to come inside...
This is my first experience reading Ms Greenwood, but it certainly won't be my last. I highly recommend to all fiction lovers who enjoy a good mystery
March 26, 2018
I have always liked everything I have read by T. Greenwood. She has that wonderful ability to make a story seem like a lovely conversation between her and her readers. Its often easy going style even though she deals with difficult topics, making the story flow and bringing to the surface many emotions and feelings.
This story was no different. It dealt with a woman, Tess, whose infertility seems to be bringing an end to her marriage to Jake. She drinks too much drowning her sorrows, when one late night on a deserted road, she finds a child. She tries to make contact with the little girl, but the child runs into the woods and disappears. The police are alerted but the search turns up nothing. Is she lying? Is this all in her imagination or is there truly a missing child?
Suspense and the issue of so wanting a child propel this novel forward and as we learn more about Tess and her quest for a child of her own. The story was spellbinding and I recommend it to those who love writing that pulls you in and makes you its own.
This story was no different. It dealt with a woman, Tess, whose infertility seems to be bringing an end to her marriage to Jake. She drinks too much drowning her sorrows, when one late night on a deserted road, she finds a child. She tries to make contact with the little girl, but the child runs into the woods and disappears. The police are alerted but the search turns up nothing. Is she lying? Is this all in her imagination or is there truly a missing child?
Suspense and the issue of so wanting a child propel this novel forward and as we learn more about Tess and her quest for a child of her own. The story was spellbinding and I recommend it to those who love writing that pulls you in and makes you its own.
June 12, 2015
I was fortunate enough to get my hands on an early copy of this novel, and absolutely loved it. Touching, suspenseful, heartbreaking, hopefully and everything in between - must read!
July 24, 2018
Top 50 Books of 2016!
An avid fan of talented storyteller, T. Greenwood, she returns following The Forever Bridge, "Best 2015 Literary Suspense Fiction" landing on my Top 50 Books of 2015, with her latest, and most captivating book yet, WHERE I LOST HER—Top Domestic Suspense Thrillers of 2016.
Superbly written, from the striking front cover-- a lost little girl in the woods, appearing in the darkness, in the middle of the road, wearing a tattered tutu and boots, connects briefly with a woman suffering from her own horrific tragedy. A desperate need to save a little girl from impending danger; when no one believes she even exists, questioning her sanity.
In 2007 in Guatemala City, Tess Waters had believed promises. There was a thin line between patience and foolishness. She had paid dearly for her optimism and blind faith. Hope overriding all sensibility. This had become her religion; her faith; driven by simple and primitive selfish want. Willful and necessary blindness. Her hopes and dreams vanished.
"Acclaimed Author T. Greenwood Tackles Psychological Suspense Amid Motherhood, Infidelity, and Madness."
Jump to the present Lake Gormlaith, Vermont, June 2015. Tess and her husband Jake are visiting from Brooklyn. Effie and Devin live in a cabin (a camp by the lake) in a remote area, where she grew up. The couple has two daughters, Plum (ten) and Zu-Zu (thirteen). Tess loves the girls. It has been a year since their last visit—it hurts too much to see this beautiful family, and a cruel reminder of what they have lost.
The girls, always excited with their pending visits, bringing them gifts from the city, calling them aunt and uncle. Tess and Effie had been friends since they were just girls, still like sisters. ZuZu has been accepted into a prestigious summer ballet intensive in the city, and they are to bring her back with them when they leave on Sunday. Effie’s sister is there and will be teaching her classes.
Jake is a literary agent, and two years earlier he started his boutique agency. Tess suspects he is also having an affair; she sees the flirty banter of texts. She has been carrying around this secret for months. She is numb. Tess left the publishing world eight years ago, back from Central America. Effie is a busy mom and drives a bookmobile for the library, and Devin teaches art at the college, an artist himself. Sometimes Tess yearns for this simple life, and she misses her best friend.
Readers never fully understand in the beginning what happened in Tess’s past, and the extent of her tragedy; however, Greenwood unravels pieces of the puzzle as we move along with flashbacks to the days in Guatemala and after. Ultimately the last portion is revealed near the end—powerful.
Tess had a strong desire for a child and was unable to have any, and turned to the adoption route after unsuccessful attempts. She wants nothing more than a to be a mother, with a family of her own-wanting her children to grow up with Effie's. Something happened to shatter her dreams and she is still emotionally hanging by a thread, drowning herself in alcohol. Her hopes and dreams were lost, and now her marriage is in trouble. Something went wrong with the adoption—and ultimately affecting their careers, financial status, and their personal relationship. What happened in Guatemala?
The first night in Vermont, Tess needs another bottle of wine to soothe her nerves and takes off to the store after she has already had a few glasses. Six miles away, a deserted rural dirt road. However, while at the store, she sees a strange man in a white truck at the gas pump, with a vicious pit bull dog. He gives her a creepy feeling.
On her way back to the camp in the bend of the road, she hits a pothole and the wine rolls off in the floor and cracks. All of a sudden when she is reaching, she leans back up and sees something in her headlights. Her heart pounding, she sees a little girl. She is ghostly pale, naked from the waist up, wearing a tattered pink tutu and plastic rain boots, red with black spots like a ladybug. Around four years old, with a little round belly, wild eyes, and curly brown hair. She looks frightened. Her hand is bleeding and she reaches out to her.
The girl is scared, and she notices an orange plastic bunny barrette in her hair, which has come loose. She looks cold, so Tess is walking back to the car to get her sweater; however, she clicks on the remote to the trunk and instead hits the alarm and scares her. Off she goes in the dark black wilderness.
Tess is chasing her in the cold darkness full of adrenaline and heart pounding. She goes back to her car to get her phone and then she sees the headlights of the truck from the store, which passes and does not stop. She has no signal to call 911. She has been drinking, and her car is full of wine. She leaves the sweater as a marker and goes back to her friend’s house to call for help. She is frantic.
They begin an extensive search for days—the authorities are called in with dogs and helicopters. Search parties. No one can find the little girl. No one has reported her missing. Where did she go? Tess will not leave to return to Brooklyn until she finds this little girl. After a while, no one believes her. An illusion, based on her past stress and mental health? Was she drinking and just imagined the girl? They call in a psychic, and she believes her. She gives her clues which help; however, Tess is determined she will continue to search.
When the police call off the search, Tess begins digging and starts her own investigation. However, she soon learns there is a pedophile living close by, a daycare woman which is acting strange, a man in a white truck with a dog with clipped ears, illegal activity, and a criminal drug ring. All the while, she cannot rest until she finds this little girl. She senses she is in great danger.
She lost something once, and now she will fight to the bitter end. Tess’s quest for atonement--she has lost one child, and now is her second chance to redeem herself. She is driven and obsessed with this helpless little girl. Everyone thinks she is the girl who cried wolf and no one takes her seriously, based on her past and present state. On top of her desperate need to find the little girl before it is too late, the cops are suing her for using their manpower for a meaningless search and have to hire a local attorney. All the while she has to stop drinking to be strong to find this little one.
Spellbinding! A bittersweet domestic suspense, both haunting and healing---Greenwood captures readers from the first page to the last, with an ongoing dark sense of foreboding and danger, lurking in the background, drawing you into the suspense and mystery. The scene when she was hiding out in the bathroom--I was on pins and needles, holding my breath!
Having read all T. Greenwood’s books, each is a journey to discovery, a new birth, overcoming tragedy and loss; to hope. Poignant, and compelling, keeping you glued to the pages. An absorbing story which will grab you and characters you recall long after the book ends.
With a blend of Greenwood’s special literary flair, domestic family drama, and the fast-paced, heart-pounding intensity, suspense, and mystery of a riveting psychological -crime thriller! You cannot miss this one—you will be enamored by this little girl and one courageous woman’s determination.
A special thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Cover Love! 5 Stars +
JDCMustReadBooks
An avid fan of talented storyteller, T. Greenwood, she returns following The Forever Bridge, "Best 2015 Literary Suspense Fiction" landing on my Top 50 Books of 2015, with her latest, and most captivating book yet, WHERE I LOST HER—Top Domestic Suspense Thrillers of 2016.
Superbly written, from the striking front cover-- a lost little girl in the woods, appearing in the darkness, in the middle of the road, wearing a tattered tutu and boots, connects briefly with a woman suffering from her own horrific tragedy. A desperate need to save a little girl from impending danger; when no one believes she even exists, questioning her sanity.
In 2007 in Guatemala City, Tess Waters had believed promises. There was a thin line between patience and foolishness. She had paid dearly for her optimism and blind faith. Hope overriding all sensibility. This had become her religion; her faith; driven by simple and primitive selfish want. Willful and necessary blindness. Her hopes and dreams vanished.
"Acclaimed Author T. Greenwood Tackles Psychological Suspense Amid Motherhood, Infidelity, and Madness."
Jump to the present Lake Gormlaith, Vermont, June 2015. Tess and her husband Jake are visiting from Brooklyn. Effie and Devin live in a cabin (a camp by the lake) in a remote area, where she grew up. The couple has two daughters, Plum (ten) and Zu-Zu (thirteen). Tess loves the girls. It has been a year since their last visit—it hurts too much to see this beautiful family, and a cruel reminder of what they have lost.
The girls, always excited with their pending visits, bringing them gifts from the city, calling them aunt and uncle. Tess and Effie had been friends since they were just girls, still like sisters. ZuZu has been accepted into a prestigious summer ballet intensive in the city, and they are to bring her back with them when they leave on Sunday. Effie’s sister is there and will be teaching her classes.
Jake is a literary agent, and two years earlier he started his boutique agency. Tess suspects he is also having an affair; she sees the flirty banter of texts. She has been carrying around this secret for months. She is numb. Tess left the publishing world eight years ago, back from Central America. Effie is a busy mom and drives a bookmobile for the library, and Devin teaches art at the college, an artist himself. Sometimes Tess yearns for this simple life, and she misses her best friend.
Readers never fully understand in the beginning what happened in Tess’s past, and the extent of her tragedy; however, Greenwood unravels pieces of the puzzle as we move along with flashbacks to the days in Guatemala and after. Ultimately the last portion is revealed near the end—powerful.
Tess had a strong desire for a child and was unable to have any, and turned to the adoption route after unsuccessful attempts. She wants nothing more than a to be a mother, with a family of her own-wanting her children to grow up with Effie's. Something happened to shatter her dreams and she is still emotionally hanging by a thread, drowning herself in alcohol. Her hopes and dreams were lost, and now her marriage is in trouble. Something went wrong with the adoption—and ultimately affecting their careers, financial status, and their personal relationship. What happened in Guatemala?
The first night in Vermont, Tess needs another bottle of wine to soothe her nerves and takes off to the store after she has already had a few glasses. Six miles away, a deserted rural dirt road. However, while at the store, she sees a strange man in a white truck at the gas pump, with a vicious pit bull dog. He gives her a creepy feeling.
On her way back to the camp in the bend of the road, she hits a pothole and the wine rolls off in the floor and cracks. All of a sudden when she is reaching, she leans back up and sees something in her headlights. Her heart pounding, she sees a little girl. She is ghostly pale, naked from the waist up, wearing a tattered pink tutu and plastic rain boots, red with black spots like a ladybug. Around four years old, with a little round belly, wild eyes, and curly brown hair. She looks frightened. Her hand is bleeding and she reaches out to her.
The girl is scared, and she notices an orange plastic bunny barrette in her hair, which has come loose. She looks cold, so Tess is walking back to the car to get her sweater; however, she clicks on the remote to the trunk and instead hits the alarm and scares her. Off she goes in the dark black wilderness.
Tess is chasing her in the cold darkness full of adrenaline and heart pounding. She goes back to her car to get her phone and then she sees the headlights of the truck from the store, which passes and does not stop. She has no signal to call 911. She has been drinking, and her car is full of wine. She leaves the sweater as a marker and goes back to her friend’s house to call for help. She is frantic.
They begin an extensive search for days—the authorities are called in with dogs and helicopters. Search parties. No one can find the little girl. No one has reported her missing. Where did she go? Tess will not leave to return to Brooklyn until she finds this little girl. After a while, no one believes her. An illusion, based on her past stress and mental health? Was she drinking and just imagined the girl? They call in a psychic, and she believes her. She gives her clues which help; however, Tess is determined she will continue to search.
When the police call off the search, Tess begins digging and starts her own investigation. However, she soon learns there is a pedophile living close by, a daycare woman which is acting strange, a man in a white truck with a dog with clipped ears, illegal activity, and a criminal drug ring. All the while, she cannot rest until she finds this little girl. She senses she is in great danger.
She lost something once, and now she will fight to the bitter end. Tess’s quest for atonement--she has lost one child, and now is her second chance to redeem herself. She is driven and obsessed with this helpless little girl. Everyone thinks she is the girl who cried wolf and no one takes her seriously, based on her past and present state. On top of her desperate need to find the little girl before it is too late, the cops are suing her for using their manpower for a meaningless search and have to hire a local attorney. All the while she has to stop drinking to be strong to find this little one.
Spellbinding! A bittersweet domestic suspense, both haunting and healing---Greenwood captures readers from the first page to the last, with an ongoing dark sense of foreboding and danger, lurking in the background, drawing you into the suspense and mystery. The scene when she was hiding out in the bathroom--I was on pins and needles, holding my breath!
Having read all T. Greenwood’s books, each is a journey to discovery, a new birth, overcoming tragedy and loss; to hope. Poignant, and compelling, keeping you glued to the pages. An absorbing story which will grab you and characters you recall long after the book ends.
With a blend of Greenwood’s special literary flair, domestic family drama, and the fast-paced, heart-pounding intensity, suspense, and mystery of a riveting psychological -crime thriller! You cannot miss this one—you will be enamored by this little girl and one courageous woman’s determination.
A special thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Cover Love! 5 Stars +
JDCMustReadBooks
February 21, 2018
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
T. Greenwood is an established author of eleven novels to date, although I have not read any of her work until I came across her psychological thriller offering, Where I Lost Her. Although T. Greenwood is a new author for me, I plan to explore more of her books after my eyes were kept glued to the pages of Where I Lost Her.
New York Couple Tess and Jake are used to success coming their way, through their achievements in their lucrative careers. When they try for a family, their attempts are without success. With infertility and a failed adoption attempt plaguing the couple, any further stress to this delicate relationship is not needed. However, when visiting friends in Vermont, Tess witnesses a young girl run past her and quickly after disappear into the woods. Tess’ alarm bells immediately ring. After calling authorities and involving the local community in the search for the little girl, there appears to be no sign of her. Furthermore, no missing persons reports have been filed that could be linked to the girl. In addition, there are no other witnesses that have come forward to back up Tess’ claims. It does not take long before the police begin to doubt Tess’ sighting. Tess remains confident of her vision of the girl and continues to search for her on her own accord.
Where I Lost Her is a novel that slots easily into the popular psychological thriller genre. With plenty of suspense and mystery elements defining this novel, it is a book that immediately got my full attention.
Greenwood’s characters are a vital part of this narrative. Tess and Jake are a convincing couple. Although I didn’t take to Jake, I developed a swift liking for Tess. I also felt extremely sorry for her both in her current situation in not being believed and secondly for her inability to have a child. Greenwood is an author who is successfully able to convey the feelings of despair, confusion and helplessness in the face of the situations her characters placed in. The supporting characters in this novel largely come from the authorities sent in to investigate Tess’ claims. I found the attitudes of the police in particular unhelpful and frustrating!
The atmosphere Greenwood builds in Where I Lost Her is one of foreboding. The setting is quite dark in general, reflecting the turn of events in the novel. With the action taking place around an expansive dark woodland, the sense of menace and uncertainty is plain to see. The locale of the main events of the novel are set in Vermont, an area I am very unfamiliar with. However, Greenwood’s detailed descriptions of her setting come across very vividly to the reader. All in all, this adds further tension to a novel already covered in a significant shroud of mystery.
I liked the use of flashbacks that were included off and on in Where I Lost Her. It gave the reader an insight into Tess and Jake’s complicated background. The scenes based in Guatemala were particular powerful and played a pertinent role in understanding Tess. The flashbacks give the reader clues as to Tess’ state of mind at the time she claims she saw the little girl. Little by little, the reader begins to doubt Tess’ claims and she falls into the unreliable narrator category, which is a key characteristic of books from the psychological thriller genre.
Greenwood ramps up the suspense and intrigue throughout this novel. I raced through this novel very quickly and become quite desperate to know how it would all culminate. When I reached the end, I thought Greenwood did a fine job of concluding her novel. I definitely came away feeling like I had been given a satisfying read.
T. Greenwood has crafted a believable psychological thriller novel in Where I Lost Her. It is a novel that successfully that goes into the depths of the mind, through Greenwood’s exploration of the leading character of Tess. My pure enjoyment of this novel has convinced me to seek out more of T. Greenwood’s work. A recommended read.
T. Greenwood is an established author of eleven novels to date, although I have not read any of her work until I came across her psychological thriller offering, Where I Lost Her. Although T. Greenwood is a new author for me, I plan to explore more of her books after my eyes were kept glued to the pages of Where I Lost Her.
New York Couple Tess and Jake are used to success coming their way, through their achievements in their lucrative careers. When they try for a family, their attempts are without success. With infertility and a failed adoption attempt plaguing the couple, any further stress to this delicate relationship is not needed. However, when visiting friends in Vermont, Tess witnesses a young girl run past her and quickly after disappear into the woods. Tess’ alarm bells immediately ring. After calling authorities and involving the local community in the search for the little girl, there appears to be no sign of her. Furthermore, no missing persons reports have been filed that could be linked to the girl. In addition, there are no other witnesses that have come forward to back up Tess’ claims. It does not take long before the police begin to doubt Tess’ sighting. Tess remains confident of her vision of the girl and continues to search for her on her own accord.
Where I Lost Her is a novel that slots easily into the popular psychological thriller genre. With plenty of suspense and mystery elements defining this novel, it is a book that immediately got my full attention.
Greenwood’s characters are a vital part of this narrative. Tess and Jake are a convincing couple. Although I didn’t take to Jake, I developed a swift liking for Tess. I also felt extremely sorry for her both in her current situation in not being believed and secondly for her inability to have a child. Greenwood is an author who is successfully able to convey the feelings of despair, confusion and helplessness in the face of the situations her characters placed in. The supporting characters in this novel largely come from the authorities sent in to investigate Tess’ claims. I found the attitudes of the police in particular unhelpful and frustrating!
The atmosphere Greenwood builds in Where I Lost Her is one of foreboding. The setting is quite dark in general, reflecting the turn of events in the novel. With the action taking place around an expansive dark woodland, the sense of menace and uncertainty is plain to see. The locale of the main events of the novel are set in Vermont, an area I am very unfamiliar with. However, Greenwood’s detailed descriptions of her setting come across very vividly to the reader. All in all, this adds further tension to a novel already covered in a significant shroud of mystery.
I liked the use of flashbacks that were included off and on in Where I Lost Her. It gave the reader an insight into Tess and Jake’s complicated background. The scenes based in Guatemala were particular powerful and played a pertinent role in understanding Tess. The flashbacks give the reader clues as to Tess’ state of mind at the time she claims she saw the little girl. Little by little, the reader begins to doubt Tess’ claims and she falls into the unreliable narrator category, which is a key characteristic of books from the psychological thriller genre.
Greenwood ramps up the suspense and intrigue throughout this novel. I raced through this novel very quickly and become quite desperate to know how it would all culminate. When I reached the end, I thought Greenwood did a fine job of concluding her novel. I definitely came away feeling like I had been given a satisfying read.
T. Greenwood has crafted a believable psychological thriller novel in Where I Lost Her. It is a novel that successfully that goes into the depths of the mind, through Greenwood’s exploration of the leading character of Tess. My pure enjoyment of this novel has convinced me to seek out more of T. Greenwood’s work. A recommended read.
February 18, 2016
I found this read to be quite a struggle in all honesty. It is a read that cannot quite decide what genre it is going to fit in. On the one hand it could be a relationship drama as we have Tess and Jake who, after years of unsuccessful IVF treatments followed by a failed adoption, are at a point in their marriage where they can barely stand to speak to each other. But, what happens when Tess is driving late at night and finds very young child wandering in the road who then disappears into the woods. We follow the unsuccessful search for this little girl and watch as people slowly start to believe that Tess didn’t actually see anyone in the road at all and it is all a hoax.
My main problem with the book was Tess herself. She came across as being a very negative and bitter person and was quite depressing to read about especially as the entire story is told from her perspective. She is not somebody I would want to be close to in real life because I found her quite draining in all honesty.
My other problem with the book was that the author tended to go off piste quite regularly with a lot of unnecessary description about things that didn’t really matter, such as food. In the end I did start skipping bits just to get back to the main thrust of the story.
Having said that, I did finish it although I only really enjoyed the last 10% or so. Thanks to the publisher via Netgalley for the review copy.
My main problem with the book was Tess herself. She came across as being a very negative and bitter person and was quite depressing to read about especially as the entire story is told from her perspective. She is not somebody I would want to be close to in real life because I found her quite draining in all honesty.
My other problem with the book was that the author tended to go off piste quite regularly with a lot of unnecessary description about things that didn’t really matter, such as food. In the end I did start skipping bits just to get back to the main thrust of the story.
Having said that, I did finish it although I only really enjoyed the last 10% or so. Thanks to the publisher via Netgalley for the review copy.
February 15, 2016
While visiting friends in her hometown Tess volunteers to run into town to pick up another bottle of wine. On the way back from the store she hits a pothole in the road causing the bottle of wine to fall and break taking her attention off the road for a brief moment. When Tess looks up there is a young child standing in the middle of the road. Tess stops and tries to comfort the little girl but she gets scared and runs off into the woods.
The police are called and immediately get suspicious of how much Tess had to drink and if she really saw a child or animal. With no missing person reports and the police and volunteers not finding anything the search comes to a halt but Tess is determined she knows what she saw and there's a little girl out there in trouble.
As it's probably pretty obvious with a five star rating there's really nothing negative at all I have to say about this book. I was completely hooked from the start and didn't want to put it down until I found out whether there even was a little girl out there that night. So many scenarios going through my mind and I still never saw the ending coming at all.
Great writing, great characters and an intriguing plot. The story has flashbacks explaining how Tess and her husband had many failed attempts with fertility, a failed adoption and now are struggling with their marriage. With all that Tess is dealing with she is one complex character that you can't help but become attached to but is her sighting all in her mind as most believe or will she be able to save the little girl this time?
Definitely a book that I'd recommend to the thriller fans, one that will pull you in from the start and not be able to put down.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
The police are called and immediately get suspicious of how much Tess had to drink and if she really saw a child or animal. With no missing person reports and the police and volunteers not finding anything the search comes to a halt but Tess is determined she knows what she saw and there's a little girl out there in trouble.
As it's probably pretty obvious with a five star rating there's really nothing negative at all I have to say about this book. I was completely hooked from the start and didn't want to put it down until I found out whether there even was a little girl out there that night. So many scenarios going through my mind and I still never saw the ending coming at all.
Great writing, great characters and an intriguing plot. The story has flashbacks explaining how Tess and her husband had many failed attempts with fertility, a failed adoption and now are struggling with their marriage. With all that Tess is dealing with she is one complex character that you can't help but become attached to but is her sighting all in her mind as most believe or will she be able to save the little girl this time?
Definitely a book that I'd recommend to the thriller fans, one that will pull you in from the start and not be able to put down.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
December 18, 2016
While visiting friends in her hometown Tess encounters a little girl alongside of the road. Tess stops and the little girls runs off into the woods. When the police arrive, they tell her she must have seen an animal and with no child reported missing to back her up no one is looking for the little girl. Tess is determined to search for this little girl. No one believes her and all she ever wanted was children and if this little girl is out there all alone she will not stop until she has found her. Great read. I would like to thank the Publisher and Net Galley for the chance to read this ARC.
April 8, 2017
Some fellow readers would give this book 4 stars & I'd not question their judgement. But 5 no. Writing is repetitive & verbose & 'vignetting' is not a participle & 'anxiety . . . gnaws @ me like a small but determined chipmunk' is a hilariously bad simile. Also plotlines that contribute nothing like Charlie the novelist who uses a manual typewriter (& retypes every word of each draft as well?) & Jake's mother's having an aneurysm. But basic plot was excellent & you can really speed read this one because you can skip nearly every 2nd word. Let me give you a trigger warning if you have a problem with cruelty to animals - there's Michael Vick stuff, tho' nothing graphic. Mistreatment of children more neglect than abuse, @ least not sexual abuse.
March 11, 2016
I don't like to write negative reviews, so I thought about not writing anything. This 2.5 star rating is my opinion, and for most of my friends this book has been highly reviewed.
The reason I didn't enjoy it was mainly due to the swearing. It bothers me when the Lord's name is taken in vain, and I really don't like to read it. I didn't connect with the main character, Tess. She got drunk several times, and made some dangerously stupid choices.
This is my 6th T. Greenwood novel, and I've really only liked 2 of the 6. They always sound appealing to me, so I read them. I guess I should maybe stick to other authors I really enjoy.
Again, you may like this book, just not my cup of tea :)
The reason I didn't enjoy it was mainly due to the swearing. It bothers me when the Lord's name is taken in vain, and I really don't like to read it. I didn't connect with the main character, Tess. She got drunk several times, and made some dangerously stupid choices.
This is my 6th T. Greenwood novel, and I've really only liked 2 of the 6. They always sound appealing to me, so I read them. I guess I should maybe stick to other authors I really enjoy.
Again, you may like this book, just not my cup of tea :)
March 1, 2017
Where I Lost Her
That's what grabbed me, the title at first. Reading the blurb enticed me further and I added it to my Amazon wishlist for when it would be released this month (March)
My joy when I received this through the post by Corvus from Kirsty Publicity I was over the moon.
This is a tense fast moving pace of a read.
Mostly centres around Tess, however, it widens out to embrace some other past events in Tess life. Her husband, her marriage and their difficulties in having a child.
It's about the powerful pull of motherhood and all the emotions that surround it.
But, it has a thriller element thrown in which hooks you up and dangles you over the danger, the suspense, and the "did she dream this up!"
Tess is driving, alone, at night, she has to stop suddenly as a small child hale dressed and bleeding steps out in front of her.
Tess gets out to see if she's ok but the child is suddenly startled and leaps off into the woods.
Tess gives chase, but it's too dark, too dense to see.
If you saw this, reported it but there were no witnesses, no one has reported a child missing.
Even your own husband is questioning your belief. How would you feel?
Tess won't give up.
This all happens while visiting friends in the rural parts of Vermount.
The stay is over and her husband is now wanting to return home.
Even they're marriage is rock bottom, 'tis been hanging on a thread.
This is a well written thought out plot that keeps a reader totally asking questions "did she, didn't she"
It's one that kept me riveted to each fabulous page.
February 18, 2016
Tess and Jake have been together a long time, but their marriage is fragile. Tess has been yearning for a child while Jake has basically moved on. While visiting friends in her hometown, Tess comes across a little girl who appears to be injured, but then the girl disappears. It was dark, it was in the woods and Tess had been drinking. When the local police can't find a trace of the little girl, Tess starts digging herself. She's convinced of what she saw, but not everyone believes her.
Mysterious and suspenseful, the story grabbed me from the start and didn't let go. The characters were believable, and that's not just the main characters, but the entire setting with all the side characters seemed authentic. A great mix of suspenseful mystery and relationship drama. I was first attracted to this book because of its stunning cover. This was my first experience of reading anything by T. Greenwood, but certainly not my last. I really enjoyed her writing and whizzed through this book quickly.
Many thanks to Kensington Books for my copy via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
Mysterious and suspenseful, the story grabbed me from the start and didn't let go. The characters were believable, and that's not just the main characters, but the entire setting with all the side characters seemed authentic. A great mix of suspenseful mystery and relationship drama. I was first attracted to this book because of its stunning cover. This was my first experience of reading anything by T. Greenwood, but certainly not my last. I really enjoyed her writing and whizzed through this book quickly.
Many thanks to Kensington Books for my copy via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
March 1, 2016
I had a really hard time getting into this book and decided it wasn't so much the story as the story telling. The primary current day plot of the missing girl is exceptional. I loved the title of the book in relationship to this plot. It was a perfect choice. For those who read the book I think they will enjoy this element.
The story focuses on Tess and unfortunately, I was not enamored with Tess. Tess had lots of problems; maybe the main one was being Tess. The rest of the characters are only developed as they revolve around Tess and are therefore lesser developed supporting cast members.
The cheating spouse, the separation, the rift in a marriage due to infertility that is supposed to add depth to the characters becomes a distraction. I have a heavy dislike to stories about cheating spouses - it's not what I read for - so my bias became a frustration. The story had enough frustrating characters without this as well.
The going back and forth from current day in search of a missing child to years ago during the adoption issues is cumbersome. As much as it develops who Tess is today, all these elements create a cumbersome story. And for me the storytelling became the definition of cumbersome: slow or complicated and therefore inefficient.
I wished I loved this book more, but I didn't. I would like to thank Net Galley, T. Greenwood and Kensington Publishers for the opportunity to review this book.
The story focuses on Tess and unfortunately, I was not enamored with Tess. Tess had lots of problems; maybe the main one was being Tess. The rest of the characters are only developed as they revolve around Tess and are therefore lesser developed supporting cast members.
The cheating spouse, the separation, the rift in a marriage due to infertility that is supposed to add depth to the characters becomes a distraction. I have a heavy dislike to stories about cheating spouses - it's not what I read for - so my bias became a frustration. The story had enough frustrating characters without this as well.
The going back and forth from current day in search of a missing child to years ago during the adoption issues is cumbersome. As much as it develops who Tess is today, all these elements create a cumbersome story. And for me the storytelling became the definition of cumbersome: slow or complicated and therefore inefficient.
I wished I loved this book more, but I didn't. I would like to thank Net Galley, T. Greenwood and Kensington Publishers for the opportunity to review this book.
March 7, 2017
Wow- T. Greenwood sure can tell a story.
Tess & her husband Jake are visiting friends at their rural home in Vermont, the town Tess grew up in.
Early on we feel stress between Tess & her husband. Tess heads to the store for some wine & on her way back, she sees something in the road & that's how the story takes off.
Told in a few alternating chapters we get glimpses of Tess & Jake's relationship & to an event that happened to them 8 years before. This event clouds the investigation into what Tess saw in that road that late night in Vermont.
I really love how T Greenwood draws you in, makes you feels something for these characters, & not always something positive.
Can't wait to read another book by this author!!
Tess & her husband Jake are visiting friends at their rural home in Vermont, the town Tess grew up in.
Early on we feel stress between Tess & her husband. Tess heads to the store for some wine & on her way back, she sees something in the road & that's how the story takes off.
Told in a few alternating chapters we get glimpses of Tess & Jake's relationship & to an event that happened to them 8 years before. This event clouds the investigation into what Tess saw in that road that late night in Vermont.
I really love how T Greenwood draws you in, makes you feels something for these characters, & not always something positive.
Can't wait to read another book by this author!!
April 9, 2017
Tess is driving alone at night, sees a little girl half dressed in a tutu and ladybug rain boots standing in the road, she's about four years old and bleeding. Tess stopped to help her thinking that the girl would be cold Tess opened the boot to her car, but the sound of the car alarm made the little so frightened that she run back into the woods. Tess tried to find her but couldn't. The police don't seem to believe Tess account that she see a little girl late at night. The Police won't put out an Amber Alert not without a missing persons report. No parent has called in their daughter missing, so why is this little girl alone in the woods? I enjoyed reading my first novel Where I Lost Her by T. Greenwood.
March 3, 2016
I seriously don't know how she does it. This is T. Greenwood's...what? 10th novel? Each one is gorgeous and amazing yet she always tops herself. This one has more of a mystery bent than her prior novels, but still carries with it her trademark depth. The style and cadence of her prose captivates me every time. I literally did not put this down until I finished it.
Read
July 28, 2017DNF. I tried a few times with this book, but it wasn't for me.
March 20, 2018
Three and a half stars.
Back in 2007 in Guatemala, the world was thrown into turmoil for Tess. Her husband Jake was far less affected by events that she was. As a result her marriage seems to be faltering. Then the narrative flips through to 2015. Tess is on her way at night to visit friends when she sees a young child, about four years old, in a tutu standing in the middle of the road. Before she can help her, the child disappears into the woods.
Tess contacts police. A search is conducted in the town, the media grabs hold of the story. But did Tess really see this chid? That is the question some are asking when they find no trace of a missing child and none have been reported missing. The local police end up concluding no such child exists. Even if no-one else believes her, Tess is determined not to give up till she finds the child and the truth. Unless…. she imagined it?
As the story goes on events from the past and the effect they have on Tess are revealed. She and Jake have been through many failed IVF treatments and that understandably affects Tess. This comes out in the way she acts and responds throughout the story. A lot of how the reader will respond to this narrative may depend on how they feel about Tess. While I wanted to see how the story turned out and never considered abandoning it, and even though I sympathised with her in some respects, I did find Tess a hard character to like. She is strong willed but irresponsible, unwise and scatty in many of her decisions. Running around at times doing things that clearly go against common sense. Her sense of loss runs deep. What she does not have tends to overshadow her life and her attitudes. That said, I still found this quite a good read that kept me turning the pages. This is my first read by this author and I would be interested enough to read more. If you like a book that keeps you guessing, you may like this one as I did. It is a quick easy read that keeps you turning the pages.
Back in 2007 in Guatemala, the world was thrown into turmoil for Tess. Her husband Jake was far less affected by events that she was. As a result her marriage seems to be faltering. Then the narrative flips through to 2015. Tess is on her way at night to visit friends when she sees a young child, about four years old, in a tutu standing in the middle of the road. Before she can help her, the child disappears into the woods.
Tess contacts police. A search is conducted in the town, the media grabs hold of the story. But did Tess really see this chid? That is the question some are asking when they find no trace of a missing child and none have been reported missing. The local police end up concluding no such child exists. Even if no-one else believes her, Tess is determined not to give up till she finds the child and the truth. Unless…. she imagined it?
As the story goes on events from the past and the effect they have on Tess are revealed. She and Jake have been through many failed IVF treatments and that understandably affects Tess. This comes out in the way she acts and responds throughout the story. A lot of how the reader will respond to this narrative may depend on how they feel about Tess. While I wanted to see how the story turned out and never considered abandoning it, and even though I sympathised with her in some respects, I did find Tess a hard character to like. She is strong willed but irresponsible, unwise and scatty in many of her decisions. Running around at times doing things that clearly go against common sense. Her sense of loss runs deep. What she does not have tends to overshadow her life and her attitudes. That said, I still found this quite a good read that kept me turning the pages. This is my first read by this author and I would be interested enough to read more. If you like a book that keeps you guessing, you may like this one as I did. It is a quick easy read that keeps you turning the pages.
July 28, 2016
I waited patiently for the release of T. Greenwood's latest novel and I am so glad a did. LOVED IT! I especially loved the correlation to Breathing Water, another one of my favorites. Greenwood has an amazing ability to link some of her books in the most subtle ways. I love the setting on Lake Gormlaith as it reminds me of summers spent on a lake in Maine and her descriptions of the scenery made me feel like I was there.
I found the plot and characters to be very relevant and though she is so flawed, Tess is my favorite. The scenes in Guatemala are especially profound and sad...
Another fascinating read written by a talented writer.
I found the plot and characters to be very relevant and though she is so flawed, Tess is my favorite. The scenes in Guatemala are especially profound and sad...
Another fascinating read written by a talented writer.
July 15, 2016
I've been on the edge of my seat since page 1. What's going to happen? Where is this going?! Wait! What just happened?! All of those went through my mind as I'm reading this story. While there's one part of the story I wish would have gone a different way - I see why it had to go the way it did. Great suspense. Loved my first T Greenwood novel and can't wait to read more!
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