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Emma Thorley is gone...but not forgotten. GONE is a twisty story of murder, guilt and unintended consequences from an exciting new crime novelist.
250,000 people go missing in the UK every year.
91% of those reported to police are found within 48 hours.
99% of cases are solved within a year.
And 1% stay gone.
Eleven years ago, troubled teenager Emma Thorley went missing. The police assumed she was a runaway. But now a body has been found in woods near Blyth.
DI Michael Gardner knows he didn't take Emma's disappearance seriously enough back then, and is determined to make up for it now. But when he and DS Nicola Freeman start to reinvestigate, they discover that nothing is as simple as it seems.
As news of the discovery travels, the past will come back to haunt all those involved. Because there are consequences when good people do bad things, and some secrets cannot stay buried for ever...
250,000 people go missing in the UK every year.
91% of those reported to police are found within 48 hours.
99% of cases are solved within a year.
And 1% stay gone.
Eleven years ago, troubled teenager Emma Thorley went missing. The police assumed she was a runaway. But now a body has been found in woods near Blyth.
DI Michael Gardner knows he didn't take Emma's disappearance seriously enough back then, and is determined to make up for it now. But when he and DS Nicola Freeman start to reinvestigate, they discover that nothing is as simple as it seems.
As news of the discovery travels, the past will come back to haunt all those involved. Because there are consequences when good people do bad things, and some secrets cannot stay buried for ever...
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2015
17 people are currently reading
619 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Muddiman
8 books101 followersRebecca was born and raised in Redcar . She has lived and worked in Holland and London, and travelled across America on a Greyhound bus in 2002. She won a Northern Writers' Award in 2010 and the Northern Crime Competition in 2012. When not writing she spends her time watching Game of Thrones and dealing with her two unruly dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
July 21, 2019
A staggering 250,000 people go missing in the UK every year. 91% of those reported to the police are found within 48 hours. 99% of cases are solved within a year. And 1% stay gone.
I loved reading Gone by Rebecca Muddiman she certainly weaves some clever twist that no one would see coming.
Eleven years ago when Emma Thorley went missing DI Michael Gardner didn't take her disappearance seriously, but he is determined to make up for it now. As a body has been found in the woods near Blyth with Emma's ID on it, DI Freemans starts a new investigation.
Emma was a drug user who visits Ben Swale at a clinic to help her come off drugs. Ben becomes one suspect that he murdered Emma as Ben left working for the clinic eleven years ago at the same time Emma disappeared.
Emma's ex-boyfriend Lucas Yates becomes another suspect that he murdered Emma.
Crime fans you cant miss Gone by Rebecca Muddiman.
It is time now for me to go and put the kettle on, but I will back soon with another crime book review.
November 7, 2016
I actually won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway, so thank you to Goodreads and the publisher.
This is the first book I have actually read by this author. Even though it is the second in a series it easily reads as a stand alone.
The book is made up of pretty short chapters, I think the longest being three or four pages, this made it feel like quite a fast paced read as I flew through the book. Obviously it helps that it was a gripping read also.
I really enjoyed the story line of a missing person. Emma was very much a troubled teen, a former drug addict, the fact that she went missing before, obviously had the police at the time not taking her disappearance seriously. There’s only ever been her dad who believed in her and knew she wouldn’t just take off like that without letting him know.
Gardner and Freeman I liked instantly. The working relationship between the two I really enjoyed.
Lucas, Emma’s former boyfriend is very much a nasty piece of work and I really didn’t like him at all. He ends up giving the police a run for their money in trying to uncover the truth before them and Gardner and Freeman really have their work cut out in staying ahead.
With the short chapters and a gripping story line, this really is a good and solid crime thriller. The author kept me guessing through out and loved that there was a few surprises in store. Will certainly be reading more.
This is the first book I have actually read by this author. Even though it is the second in a series it easily reads as a stand alone.
The book is made up of pretty short chapters, I think the longest being three or four pages, this made it feel like quite a fast paced read as I flew through the book. Obviously it helps that it was a gripping read also.
I really enjoyed the story line of a missing person. Emma was very much a troubled teen, a former drug addict, the fact that she went missing before, obviously had the police at the time not taking her disappearance seriously. There’s only ever been her dad who believed in her and knew she wouldn’t just take off like that without letting him know.
Gardner and Freeman I liked instantly. The working relationship between the two I really enjoyed.
Lucas, Emma’s former boyfriend is very much a nasty piece of work and I really didn’t like him at all. He ends up giving the police a run for their money in trying to uncover the truth before them and Gardner and Freeman really have their work cut out in staying ahead.
With the short chapters and a gripping story line, this really is a good and solid crime thriller. The author kept me guessing through out and loved that there was a few surprises in store. Will certainly be reading more.
January 7, 2015
An extremely clever and addictive mystery story to be found here, another great crime novel and it kept me on my toes throughout. I have been lucky lately to find a lot of new crime novels, one of my favourite genres - this is a top notch addition to my must read authors list.
Some brilliantly drawn characters lead us along - the most fascinating of which is one Lucas Yates, someone who has a past with missing teen Emma Thorley - now presumed dead - and who was not that fond of her. Then we have DI Michael Gardner, a man haunted by his past when it comes to his present colleague relationships, with the sense that he did not do the search for Emma justice at the time of her disappearance. These two very different but equally compelling characters made this book for me - I was eager to find out the outcome for both.
The mystery element is beautifully imagined and very well constructed - as the story ebbs and flows there are some great twists and turns and Rebecca Muddiman has a great turn of phrase and descriptive prose that keeps you deep into the story throughout.
Overall then highly recommended for Crime Fiction fans, an excellent addition to my list of author favourites.
Happy Reading Folks!
Some brilliantly drawn characters lead us along - the most fascinating of which is one Lucas Yates, someone who has a past with missing teen Emma Thorley - now presumed dead - and who was not that fond of her. Then we have DI Michael Gardner, a man haunted by his past when it comes to his present colleague relationships, with the sense that he did not do the search for Emma justice at the time of her disappearance. These two very different but equally compelling characters made this book for me - I was eager to find out the outcome for both.
The mystery element is beautifully imagined and very well constructed - as the story ebbs and flows there are some great twists and turns and Rebecca Muddiman has a great turn of phrase and descriptive prose that keeps you deep into the story throughout.
Overall then highly recommended for Crime Fiction fans, an excellent addition to my list of author favourites.
Happy Reading Folks!
February 1, 2015
Following on from her success with Stolen - the winner of the 2010 Northern Crime Writers competition in 2012 has done it again and places the North East on the North East Noir map.
Read the review with map here - Gone in the North East
The book opens in Middlesbrough and Blyth as we meet a series of characters who have just heard the news -
“The body was found in woods near Blyth earlier today”
Their reactions to it could not be more different and the trail of suspicion starts to weave and coil its way around each and every one of them throughout the novel. The missing girl is thought to be Emma who disappeared 11 years ago but it is DI Michael Gardner, based in Middlesbrough who reacts with regret that he failed the girl. Meanwhile, Louise also in Middlesbrough fears that the discovery will mean that 'they will find out what she's done'. Then we are in Blyth - the scene of the crime and we meet Lucas - a vile and sexist individual who ‘ has history’ with the dead girl.
The investigation into the woods and into those who knew Emma takes the police deep into the heart of Northumberland - Morpeth is a place of interest for someone linked to her past. Alnwick police station - the office of DS Janet Williams - becomes a place of investigation too since someone the police become interested in and so before long the trail from her disappearance to her discovery becomes a veritable trail across Northumberland and beyond.
Still it is the woods near Blyth which provide the dark and chilling point of interest. Added to that, the looming presence of Lucas and the dark criminal clouds start to gather in earnest.
Review
A snappy, well structured and well written tale of a chilling and very real to life case. Maybe it was the statistics in the blurb which did it, but this felt like a real case and for that reason the undesirables you meet in and around Blyth are particularly nasty. very real and believable - just down right nasty.
Told in dual time line - 1999 and 2010 (present day) , this was an effective mix of the confusion and regret of the present day investigation coupled with the dangerous unravelling of the past. very effective two paced thriller which made me want to read just one more chapter in order to fill in another missing piece of the puzzle.
The mix of characters was particularly interesting as the two police officers joined up to solve the crime. The regret and sheer frustration of the investigation past and present rang true and when you add those people Emma knew well - and their past actions - the puzzle grew in complexity and took on a life of its own.
A missing persons case is perhaps the greatest puzzle of all as everyone seems to have a theory or an explanation of what happened. But peel back appearances and there is a lot more ‘behind the scenes’. You the reader feel very much a part of the investigation and the breadcrumb trail Rebecca leaves you is not as easy to follow as you think. I was left wondering what on earth I would find out at the end of it. And I was not disappointed. Gritty, real and a North East Noir pin on the booktrail map.
Read the review with map here - Gone in the North East
The book opens in Middlesbrough and Blyth as we meet a series of characters who have just heard the news -
“The body was found in woods near Blyth earlier today”
Their reactions to it could not be more different and the trail of suspicion starts to weave and coil its way around each and every one of them throughout the novel. The missing girl is thought to be Emma who disappeared 11 years ago but it is DI Michael Gardner, based in Middlesbrough who reacts with regret that he failed the girl. Meanwhile, Louise also in Middlesbrough fears that the discovery will mean that 'they will find out what she's done'. Then we are in Blyth - the scene of the crime and we meet Lucas - a vile and sexist individual who ‘ has history’ with the dead girl.
The investigation into the woods and into those who knew Emma takes the police deep into the heart of Northumberland - Morpeth is a place of interest for someone linked to her past. Alnwick police station - the office of DS Janet Williams - becomes a place of investigation too since someone the police become interested in and so before long the trail from her disappearance to her discovery becomes a veritable trail across Northumberland and beyond.
Still it is the woods near Blyth which provide the dark and chilling point of interest. Added to that, the looming presence of Lucas and the dark criminal clouds start to gather in earnest.
Review
A snappy, well structured and well written tale of a chilling and very real to life case. Maybe it was the statistics in the blurb which did it, but this felt like a real case and for that reason the undesirables you meet in and around Blyth are particularly nasty. very real and believable - just down right nasty.
Told in dual time line - 1999 and 2010 (present day) , this was an effective mix of the confusion and regret of the present day investigation coupled with the dangerous unravelling of the past. very effective two paced thriller which made me want to read just one more chapter in order to fill in another missing piece of the puzzle.
The mix of characters was particularly interesting as the two police officers joined up to solve the crime. The regret and sheer frustration of the investigation past and present rang true and when you add those people Emma knew well - and their past actions - the puzzle grew in complexity and took on a life of its own.
A missing persons case is perhaps the greatest puzzle of all as everyone seems to have a theory or an explanation of what happened. But peel back appearances and there is a lot more ‘behind the scenes’. You the reader feel very much a part of the investigation and the breadcrumb trail Rebecca leaves you is not as easy to follow as you think. I was left wondering what on earth I would find out at the end of it. And I was not disappointed. Gritty, real and a North East Noir pin on the booktrail map.
January 2, 2015
Wow. That's the only word I can think of to start this review, and to say that I wish I was better at writing them as this one will be short! I'm writing this review a few days before the end of 2014, and already I feel that I've read some of 2015's best books, one of which will surely be Gone. Rebecca has written a brilliant story here, one that definitely kept me on my toes throughout. It's a story that had me thinking one thing when I should have been thinking something totally different. I also feel I should have paid more attention, as I might not have been caught so off guard when certain things were revealed. It's such a complex tale, written in such a clever way.
The book opens with the discovery of a body, believed to be that of Emma Thorley who went missing eleven years ago when she was a teenager. We meet three very different people, who have differing reactions to the news. DI Michael Gardner feels that if he had done more at the time of the investigation, Emma might still be alive. Louise, looking forward to Christmas is caught off guard with images of home, and the discovery of Emma as it means that 'they will find out what she's done'. Meanwhile there's a particularly sexist and vile individual reacting to the news, Lucas Yates. Lucas hated Emma, thinking back to the last time he saw her, when he was filled with rage, he believes that it won't be long before the police come knocking. After all, he and Emma have history...
I started this book late at night, planning to read a couple of chapters before bed. I never learn from my mistakes... Fast forward a couple of hours and I was still wide awake totally consumed by this book, with one eye on the clock as I should have been asleep. Sometimes though a book is just too good for sleep and Gone is one of those books. Rebecca writes with such skill, it comes across as effortless, making the book so eminently readable and seriously enjoyable. It's very much a mystery story, featuring a lot of unsavoury characters, all of whom I was afraid to trust. I honestly didn't know what was around the corner, and couldn't turn the pages quick enough. It's twists and turns galore all the way through and I loved it. I could easily see this book being made into a TV drama, and think it would be brilliant if it was. As I started to reach the conclusion I found myself wishing more pages would miraculously appear as I didn't want the book to end as the action is cranked up to the max. I highly recommend Gone to those that like an addictive mystery, which is exactly what this book is.
The book opens with the discovery of a body, believed to be that of Emma Thorley who went missing eleven years ago when she was a teenager. We meet three very different people, who have differing reactions to the news. DI Michael Gardner feels that if he had done more at the time of the investigation, Emma might still be alive. Louise, looking forward to Christmas is caught off guard with images of home, and the discovery of Emma as it means that 'they will find out what she's done'. Meanwhile there's a particularly sexist and vile individual reacting to the news, Lucas Yates. Lucas hated Emma, thinking back to the last time he saw her, when he was filled with rage, he believes that it won't be long before the police come knocking. After all, he and Emma have history...
I started this book late at night, planning to read a couple of chapters before bed. I never learn from my mistakes... Fast forward a couple of hours and I was still wide awake totally consumed by this book, with one eye on the clock as I should have been asleep. Sometimes though a book is just too good for sleep and Gone is one of those books. Rebecca writes with such skill, it comes across as effortless, making the book so eminently readable and seriously enjoyable. It's very much a mystery story, featuring a lot of unsavoury characters, all of whom I was afraid to trust. I honestly didn't know what was around the corner, and couldn't turn the pages quick enough. It's twists and turns galore all the way through and I loved it. I could easily see this book being made into a TV drama, and think it would be brilliant if it was. As I started to reach the conclusion I found myself wishing more pages would miraculously appear as I didn't want the book to end as the action is cranked up to the max. I highly recommend Gone to those that like an addictive mystery, which is exactly what this book is.
November 9, 2017
I really enjoyed this, its what I would call a 'quiet' thriller. It got quite suspenseful towards the end but the entire story was infused with enough drama to keep you turning the pages.
The body of a teenage girl is found in a shallow grave. There is not much of it left but police believe it to be Emma Thorley who had disappeared 11 years ago. DS Niccola Freeman is on the case and tries to contact everyone who knew Emma to see if anyone can remember anything relevant. This brings her to Lucas Yates who had been Emma's boyfriend for a while, although they had broken up by the time she disappeared. She also contacts Ben Swale who was a counsellor at a drug clinic that Emma had attended. Then there's DI Michael Gardner who was the investigating officer for the original disappearance.
As these two police officers team up and dig deeper, initially just to be able to confirm the identity of the body, they start to wonder what really happened and question everything they thought they knew. This was a well written mystery with an excellent twist that kept me turning the pages rapidly until the very end.
The body of a teenage girl is found in a shallow grave. There is not much of it left but police believe it to be Emma Thorley who had disappeared 11 years ago. DS Niccola Freeman is on the case and tries to contact everyone who knew Emma to see if anyone can remember anything relevant. This brings her to Lucas Yates who had been Emma's boyfriend for a while, although they had broken up by the time she disappeared. She also contacts Ben Swale who was a counsellor at a drug clinic that Emma had attended. Then there's DI Michael Gardner who was the investigating officer for the original disappearance.
As these two police officers team up and dig deeper, initially just to be able to confirm the identity of the body, they start to wonder what really happened and question everything they thought they knew. This was a well written mystery with an excellent twist that kept me turning the pages rapidly until the very end.
October 19, 2017
I really enjoyed Stolen and always planned to read the follow up and can’t believe it’s been nearly 2 years. To be honest I have read so much in the intervening period that this was like starting over and the author gives you enough of the characters’ back story to make that possible. I have a bit of a soft spot for DI Gardner and I definitely warmed to DS Freeman as the book went on. This all felt like it could really happen, particularly the way the police officers acted with one another. It felt like it moved up a gear towards the end and I was page clicking like crazy to finish it. I’m going straight on to book 3 as I’m keen to see what Gardner and Freeman do next.
August 21, 2021
Der Schreibstil gefällt mir und war für mich flüssig zu lesen.
Das Buch wird aus zwei verschiedenen Zeitenebenen erzählt, damals und heute wo ca. 11 Jahre dazwischen liegen. Dadurch bekommt man mehr Einblick von den Charakteren. Die Ermittler selbst finde ich etwas platt, da fehlt mir irgendwie etwas.
Aber die Handlung an sich gefällt mir richtig gut und wurde auch durchdacht.
Spannung fand ich erst auf den letzten Seiten, zwischendurch war es etwas langatmig. Hat auf alle Fälle Luft nach oben.
Das Buch wird aus zwei verschiedenen Zeitenebenen erzählt, damals und heute wo ca. 11 Jahre dazwischen liegen. Dadurch bekommt man mehr Einblick von den Charakteren. Die Ermittler selbst finde ich etwas platt, da fehlt mir irgendwie etwas.
Aber die Handlung an sich gefällt mir richtig gut und wurde auch durchdacht.
Spannung fand ich erst auf den letzten Seiten, zwischendurch war es etwas langatmig. Hat auf alle Fälle Luft nach oben.
January 19, 2015
This one gets straight in there with the discovery of a young girl's body, believed to be that of Emma Thorley, a local girl who disappeared 11 years ago aged 16.
Initially, police suspect she was murdered by her violent thug of an ex-boyfriend, Lucas, the local drug dealer and generally all round nasty piece of work. However, more suspects do start to work their way out of the woodwork; such as Ben, a local drug therapist who was straddling the line of appropriate behaviour whilst working with Emma to get her clean; and Jenny, the local drug-addled bike who had a thing for Lucas as well as really disliking Emma.
Coincidentally, both Ben and Jenny left town about 11 years ago. Ben left to look after his sick mother, but when questioned 11 years on he denies ever knowing Emma – even though he was questioned and happy to help the police 11 years ago. And Jenny has not only left town, but taken on a whole new identity. So what are they hiding? And why is Lucas now so desperate to find these two before the police do?
This one was a great read that got straight into it without any faffing about. It switches between the present day investigation and flashbacks of when Emma first went missing. You are only drip-fed the flashbacks though, in order to keep you guessing.
An equal amount of focus is given to the investigating officers, Freeman and Gardner's side of things – including substantial character development – as is given to Emma and all those that knew her.
Throughout you feel like there is much more to all of this than is being alluded to, and you will feel as frustrated as DS Freeman when you feel like things just don't quite add up. But then... BAM!! I was treated to the first twist that has full on slapped me in the face in a very long time! This was one that I did not see coming one little bit! Usually, with even the best of twists, I will probably suss it at the latest by a few paragraphs before the actual reveal. But this one had a one-word reveal, and I genuinely had no clue until I read that one word!
What also made a refreshing change was the male and female officers on the case not ending up in bed together – I find this often cheapens a story, so I was pleased that they remained professional, though not cold.
Speaking of cold, the reader is often reminded of the cold – specifically regarding the weather but also reflecting some of the characters and the bleakness of their stories. Set in the more deprived areas of North-East England, it was also a gritty and stark reminder of how rough life can be.
Essentially I really enjoyed this one. It seemed that I had finished it extremely quickly, but it wasn't lacking, so I must have just been completely enthralled. And my God that twist!
My thanks to the publisher for providing this book for review.
Initially, police suspect she was murdered by her violent thug of an ex-boyfriend, Lucas, the local drug dealer and generally all round nasty piece of work. However, more suspects do start to work their way out of the woodwork; such as Ben, a local drug therapist who was straddling the line of appropriate behaviour whilst working with Emma to get her clean; and Jenny, the local drug-addled bike who had a thing for Lucas as well as really disliking Emma.
Coincidentally, both Ben and Jenny left town about 11 years ago. Ben left to look after his sick mother, but when questioned 11 years on he denies ever knowing Emma – even though he was questioned and happy to help the police 11 years ago. And Jenny has not only left town, but taken on a whole new identity. So what are they hiding? And why is Lucas now so desperate to find these two before the police do?
This one was a great read that got straight into it without any faffing about. It switches between the present day investigation and flashbacks of when Emma first went missing. You are only drip-fed the flashbacks though, in order to keep you guessing.
An equal amount of focus is given to the investigating officers, Freeman and Gardner's side of things – including substantial character development – as is given to Emma and all those that knew her.
Throughout you feel like there is much more to all of this than is being alluded to, and you will feel as frustrated as DS Freeman when you feel like things just don't quite add up. But then... BAM!! I was treated to the first twist that has full on slapped me in the face in a very long time! This was one that I did not see coming one little bit! Usually, with even the best of twists, I will probably suss it at the latest by a few paragraphs before the actual reveal. But this one had a one-word reveal, and I genuinely had no clue until I read that one word!
What also made a refreshing change was the male and female officers on the case not ending up in bed together – I find this often cheapens a story, so I was pleased that they remained professional, though not cold.
Speaking of cold, the reader is often reminded of the cold – specifically regarding the weather but also reflecting some of the characters and the bleakness of their stories. Set in the more deprived areas of North-East England, it was also a gritty and stark reminder of how rough life can be.
Essentially I really enjoyed this one. It seemed that I had finished it extremely quickly, but it wasn't lacking, so I must have just been completely enthralled. And my God that twist!
My thanks to the publisher for providing this book for review.
August 21, 2024
For this review and more bookish posts visit my blog here
Thank you to Mulholland Books for sending me a copy of Gone in exchange for an honest review.
A gripping and well written British crime story, Gone was just absolutely phenomenal.
I haven't read anything from Rebecca Muddiman before, but after devouring this over the space of three days I might have to pick up her other book Stolen which is part of the same series as Gone. Muddiman's writing is just compelling and I can assure you that if you haven't read Stolen it will not be a problem when it comes to enjoying Gone. I have had a quick look at the summary myself and the basic outline of what happens in Stolen is recapped briefly in this second novel. Although, if Gone is anything to go by then I will definitely be giving Stolen a read.
Dropping the reader right into the action, I was instantly fixated with this story line. You'll know by now that I adore crime thrillers due to the immense amount of fun it is to follow the detectives on their case. As I've said before, I would not make a very good detective but not even the cops in Gone had this one sussed. There are just so many twists!
What I also liked was how an equal amount of focus is given to both the suspects and the officers investigating the Emma Thorley case which I find to be quiet rare in a lot of crime novels. As a reader there's nothing more enjoyable than seeing characters develop over the course of the book and it was nice to see how each of their stories played out. From Freeman and Gardner to Emma and those who knew her, these characters were distinct and felt very real.
Speaking of characters feeling very real, I must applaud Muddiman on that feat! The character of Lucas Yates completely made my skin crawl. I don't think I've ever been so unsettled by a fictional character. He was arrogant, vicious and misogynistic. I couldn't hate a character anymore than I hate Lucas. I know you're probably wondering why I'm dedicating an entire paragraph to a character I absolutely despised? Well, the reason is that it proves what a terrific author Rebecca Muddiman is. The way in which Lucas and a lot of characters are written provoke a vast array of emotions whether it be hatred or sympathy. No character in this novel is without flaws and that's something I greatly admire about Gone.
If you're looking for heroes and happiness, this isn't the book for you. Gone is very refreshing in the fact that it's realistic. None of the characters have a perfect life behind closed doors which yes, is tragic, but it's not too far off how real life can be in that aspect.
Gone is everything I want out of a crime thriller. It's gritty, dramatic and will have you on your toes.
Thank you to Mulholland Books for sending me a copy of Gone in exchange for an honest review.
A gripping and well written British crime story, Gone was just absolutely phenomenal.
I haven't read anything from Rebecca Muddiman before, but after devouring this over the space of three days I might have to pick up her other book Stolen which is part of the same series as Gone. Muddiman's writing is just compelling and I can assure you that if you haven't read Stolen it will not be a problem when it comes to enjoying Gone. I have had a quick look at the summary myself and the basic outline of what happens in Stolen is recapped briefly in this second novel. Although, if Gone is anything to go by then I will definitely be giving Stolen a read.
Dropping the reader right into the action, I was instantly fixated with this story line. You'll know by now that I adore crime thrillers due to the immense amount of fun it is to follow the detectives on their case. As I've said before, I would not make a very good detective but not even the cops in Gone had this one sussed. There are just so many twists!
What I also liked was how an equal amount of focus is given to both the suspects and the officers investigating the Emma Thorley case which I find to be quiet rare in a lot of crime novels. As a reader there's nothing more enjoyable than seeing characters develop over the course of the book and it was nice to see how each of their stories played out. From Freeman and Gardner to Emma and those who knew her, these characters were distinct and felt very real.
Speaking of characters feeling very real, I must applaud Muddiman on that feat! The character of Lucas Yates completely made my skin crawl. I don't think I've ever been so unsettled by a fictional character. He was arrogant, vicious and misogynistic. I couldn't hate a character anymore than I hate Lucas. I know you're probably wondering why I'm dedicating an entire paragraph to a character I absolutely despised? Well, the reason is that it proves what a terrific author Rebecca Muddiman is. The way in which Lucas and a lot of characters are written provoke a vast array of emotions whether it be hatred or sympathy. No character in this novel is without flaws and that's something I greatly admire about Gone.
If you're looking for heroes and happiness, this isn't the book for you. Gone is very refreshing in the fact that it's realistic. None of the characters have a perfect life behind closed doors which yes, is tragic, but it's not too far off how real life can be in that aspect.
Gone is everything I want out of a crime thriller. It's gritty, dramatic and will have you on your toes.
February 4, 2015
I am new to Rebecca Muddiman and her novels, and the description of Gone particularity had me intrigued to the point where I couldn’t wait to open the book and start reading!
11 years ago, troubled teenager Emma Thorley went missing. The police assumed she was a runaway. But now a body has been found in woods near Blyth. DI Michael Gardner knows he didn’t take Emma’s disappearance seriously enough back then, and is determined to make up for it now. But when he and DS Nicola Freeman start to reinvestigate, they discover that nothing is as simple as it seems.
I cannot tell you how much I loved this book! I started it without knowing anything about Rebecca’s writing and not having read any previous novels, and I was HOOKED from the very first page. Rebecca very quickly draws you in straight away and holds you there with a mixture of involving writing, suspense, characters you can’t tear yourself away from and a gripping plotline.
One of the things I loved most about Gone is that I genuinely had no idea which way the story would turn next, I had no idea or guesses of what would happen and so I became very immersed in the story. The characters are each fascinating in their own way – they don’t have to be likeable to be fascinating, and Rebecca does a brilliant job of creating complex characters that make you want to see exactly what happens to them and find out their part in the novel. It was particularly interesting to see how each character reacted so differently to the discovery of a body, and I always wanted to read on to see what further involvement they would have.
Gone is a book that really makes you feel involved, lost in and part of everything that is happening. This story is full of twists, turns and is a compelling mystery that deserves to be read and enjoyed by many.
11 years ago, troubled teenager Emma Thorley went missing. The police assumed she was a runaway. But now a body has been found in woods near Blyth. DI Michael Gardner knows he didn’t take Emma’s disappearance seriously enough back then, and is determined to make up for it now. But when he and DS Nicola Freeman start to reinvestigate, they discover that nothing is as simple as it seems.
I cannot tell you how much I loved this book! I started it without knowing anything about Rebecca’s writing and not having read any previous novels, and I was HOOKED from the very first page. Rebecca very quickly draws you in straight away and holds you there with a mixture of involving writing, suspense, characters you can’t tear yourself away from and a gripping plotline.
One of the things I loved most about Gone is that I genuinely had no idea which way the story would turn next, I had no idea or guesses of what would happen and so I became very immersed in the story. The characters are each fascinating in their own way – they don’t have to be likeable to be fascinating, and Rebecca does a brilliant job of creating complex characters that make you want to see exactly what happens to them and find out their part in the novel. It was particularly interesting to see how each character reacted so differently to the discovery of a body, and I always wanted to read on to see what further involvement they would have.
Gone is a book that really makes you feel involved, lost in and part of everything that is happening. This story is full of twists, turns and is a compelling mystery that deserves to be read and enjoyed by many.
July 9, 2015
When the remains of a young woman are unearthed , the police investigation leads the assumption that they are those of Emma Thorley , a teenager who went missing more than eleven years ago. However, as the police investigation gets underway, both DS Nicola Freeman and DI Michael Gardner find that there are more questions than answers , and most of the questions, at the heart of the mystery, seem to revolve around Emma's violent past.
What then follows is a dual time detective story, which reveals Emma's story in flashback whilst at the same time, keeping the momentum of the current investigation. There's an awful lot going on in the novel, with a realistic portrayal of life at the dull end of the social spectrum. It's a sad place where drug dealing, prostitution and violence are commonplace and where young lives are seen as nothing more than a commodity to be bought and sold. The police investigative team feels frighteningly realistic, filled with the petty squabbles and hidden nuances of a gritty crime office. The police procedural part of the story is well handled and the officers involved are presented with flaws and foibles of their own, which gives the story an interesting personal edge.
I can well imagine Gone as a gritty TV drama as there are more than enough red herrings in the plot to keep you guessing and the sinister aspect of the story is tight and well controlled. This is now the second book in the DI Michael Gardner series, the first of which Stolen (2013), was this author's talented debut.
I am sure that this exciting series will continue to go from strength to strength and Rebecca Muddiman is certainly a crime novelist to watch....
What then follows is a dual time detective story, which reveals Emma's story in flashback whilst at the same time, keeping the momentum of the current investigation. There's an awful lot going on in the novel, with a realistic portrayal of life at the dull end of the social spectrum. It's a sad place where drug dealing, prostitution and violence are commonplace and where young lives are seen as nothing more than a commodity to be bought and sold. The police investigative team feels frighteningly realistic, filled with the petty squabbles and hidden nuances of a gritty crime office. The police procedural part of the story is well handled and the officers involved are presented with flaws and foibles of their own, which gives the story an interesting personal edge.
I can well imagine Gone as a gritty TV drama as there are more than enough red herrings in the plot to keep you guessing and the sinister aspect of the story is tight and well controlled. This is now the second book in the DI Michael Gardner series, the first of which Stolen (2013), was this author's talented debut.
I am sure that this exciting series will continue to go from strength to strength and Rebecca Muddiman is certainly a crime novelist to watch....
May 7, 2017
Another cracking book by this author although I preferred Stolen so couldn't give this the 5* as well. I've just downloaded book 3 in the series, too.
There are a lot of little twists in this and almost everybody is a suspect or is up to something they shouldn't be which keeps your interest superbly. I was a little annoyed at Gardner, actually, as he did a rubbish job on investigating Emma's disappearance eleven years before. My favourite character was Ben....a nice guy who inadvertently got himself caught up in allsorts while trying to help people out. Adam was another nice chap.
There were some funny little bits. Loved the mention of the red wine stain from Gardner though I wondered at his relationship with his wife as he seemed upset they split but right before this happened it seemed he despised her !!
I laughed aloud at the mention of "misery memoirs" !! What an ace description. I'm always saying on Twitter that it's like a contest these days with authors or celebrities to see who had the worst childhood, was the most abused, etc...so I'm sure I'll steal that definition at some point !
I'm sure donkey's years should be donkeys' years but could be wrong. Left town too needed a comma as well but that was all I saw I'd have corrected so well done indeed.
At the end there were two parts that made me snivel, especially RIGHT at the end. Even going back over my notes to compose this review it set me off again....You'll know when you read it and I recommend you do.
There are a lot of little twists in this and almost everybody is a suspect or is up to something they shouldn't be which keeps your interest superbly. I was a little annoyed at Gardner, actually, as he did a rubbish job on investigating Emma's disappearance eleven years before. My favourite character was Ben....a nice guy who inadvertently got himself caught up in allsorts while trying to help people out. Adam was another nice chap.
There were some funny little bits. Loved the mention of the red wine stain from Gardner though I wondered at his relationship with his wife as he seemed upset they split but right before this happened it seemed he despised her !!
I laughed aloud at the mention of "misery memoirs" !! What an ace description. I'm always saying on Twitter that it's like a contest these days with authors or celebrities to see who had the worst childhood, was the most abused, etc...so I'm sure I'll steal that definition at some point !
I'm sure donkey's years should be donkeys' years but could be wrong. Left town too needed a comma as well but that was all I saw I'd have corrected so well done indeed.
At the end there were two parts that made me snivel, especially RIGHT at the end. Even going back over my notes to compose this review it set me off again....You'll know when you read it and I recommend you do.
November 2, 2015
Emma disappeared eleven years ago. A body has been found and people are desperately worried that something else might be….their secrets.
DI Michael Gardner and DS Nicola Freeman are having problems of their own and the case to find out who the body is and what happened is taking its toll.
GONE is one of those novels that gives the reader sweaty palms and a beating heart. It is gripping, exciting and the descriptions of 1990 North East England and the people who live there are dank, cold and fearful. The ‘scene’ and the characters are very well captured.
Lucas is a mean and brutal person, who doesn’t care about anything or anyone except himself.
Reading and getting involved with all of the characters left me with mixed emotions. One minute I hated them and the next I had some sort of empathy. Pity, sadness and sometimes just glad for their misery also went through my mind.
There is a ‘WHATTT’ moment and I had to re-read a page because I thought I had missed something. It is an amazing twist and one that I didn’t see coming.
GONE is just WOW.
Rebecca’s book is thrilling, frantic and completely sensational. It will leave you dazed and disturbed, but it simply is one to have on your bookshelf.
DI Michael Gardner and DS Nicola Freeman are having problems of their own and the case to find out who the body is and what happened is taking its toll.
GONE is one of those novels that gives the reader sweaty palms and a beating heart. It is gripping, exciting and the descriptions of 1990 North East England and the people who live there are dank, cold and fearful. The ‘scene’ and the characters are very well captured.
Lucas is a mean and brutal person, who doesn’t care about anything or anyone except himself.
Reading and getting involved with all of the characters left me with mixed emotions. One minute I hated them and the next I had some sort of empathy. Pity, sadness and sometimes just glad for their misery also went through my mind.
There is a ‘WHATTT’ moment and I had to re-read a page because I thought I had missed something. It is an amazing twist and one that I didn’t see coming.
GONE is just WOW.
Rebecca’s book is thrilling, frantic and completely sensational. It will leave you dazed and disturbed, but it simply is one to have on your bookshelf.
December 22, 2015
Gone is a real page-turner and kept me intrigued all the way through.
The narrative switches between 11 years ago, when teenager Emma disappeared without a trace, and the present day, now that a body has been found. The book is realistic, gritty and tightly-plotted, with plenty of twists and turns and well-developed characters.
The book is packed full of social issues, such as prostitution, drugs, violence and teenage angst. It develops into a race between Lucas (a local drug dealer) and the police to put the jigsaw pieces together, to find out what happened to Emma all those years ago. But who is going to solve the puzzle first? This turned into an exciting cat and mouse game that I found difficult to put down.
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher through Bookbridgr in exchange for an honest review.
The narrative switches between 11 years ago, when teenager Emma disappeared without a trace, and the present day, now that a body has been found. The book is realistic, gritty and tightly-plotted, with plenty of twists and turns and well-developed characters.
The book is packed full of social issues, such as prostitution, drugs, violence and teenage angst. It develops into a race between Lucas (a local drug dealer) and the police to put the jigsaw pieces together, to find out what happened to Emma all those years ago. But who is going to solve the puzzle first? This turned into an exciting cat and mouse game that I found difficult to put down.
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher through Bookbridgr in exchange for an honest review.
December 2, 2016
I understand the use of short chapters to keep the reader anxious for the next but, in this instance, I was not sufficiently engaged with the characters and found the constant swapping from past to present quite irritating.
As the story unfolded towards the end of the book, it became more enjoyable - seeing events from several viewpoints was good.
As the story unfolded towards the end of the book, it became more enjoyable - seeing events from several viewpoints was good.
May 29, 2017
⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was an easy to read book, one you can whiz through on holiday for example.
Short chapters, flicking back between two time periods, told from a few key character's points of view.
However this is very 'crime by numbers' - simple story telling, easy to guess the 'twist' about 20% in.
Simple but effective. Wouldn't rush to read another by the author.
This was an easy to read book, one you can whiz through on holiday for example.
Short chapters, flicking back between two time periods, told from a few key character's points of view.
However this is very 'crime by numbers' - simple story telling, easy to guess the 'twist' about 20% in.
Simple but effective. Wouldn't rush to read another by the author.
March 15, 2019
Mmm...looking at the review ratings for this book it would seem that once again I'm in the minority with my opinions.
As is so often these days, this story covers two timelines, in this case the events leading to the disappearance of Emma Thorley in 1999 & the discovery of a body eleven years on....is it Emma?
DS Nicola Freeman reinvestigates Emma's disappearance roping in one of the officers from the original case, Michael Gardner.
I can't say I found any of the characters particularly well-rounded. It wasn't that I disliked Freeman & Gardner, I just didn't particularly like them either as the pair were so lacking in personality it was hard to form any opinion about them. The rest of the cast were pretty much to type & at times there seemed to me to be a rather unpolished undertone to the narrative. Maybe this was because the prose was quite basic & lacking in detail & while I often bemoan the fact that too much description can feel like padding, this could have done with some as in parts the scenes never felt truly set.
On the plus side it was a fast read, with some very short chapters so things moved along at a decent pace. However, the short chapters along with the coarseness of the characters, had me thinking of it as a weird James Patterson/Martina Cole hybrid!
Overall a passable enough read -well to be fair, I did finish it - & I can't say there was anything overly wrong with it just that didn't grip me & there was nothing about it that made it stand out from the crowd. "Nondescript" sums it up for me & I think in a day or so I'll have pretty much forgotten it.......
As is so often these days, this story covers two timelines, in this case the events leading to the disappearance of Emma Thorley in 1999 & the discovery of a body eleven years on....is it Emma?
DS Nicola Freeman reinvestigates Emma's disappearance roping in one of the officers from the original case, Michael Gardner.
I can't say I found any of the characters particularly well-rounded. It wasn't that I disliked Freeman & Gardner, I just didn't particularly like them either as the pair were so lacking in personality it was hard to form any opinion about them. The rest of the cast were pretty much to type & at times there seemed to me to be a rather unpolished undertone to the narrative. Maybe this was because the prose was quite basic & lacking in detail & while I often bemoan the fact that too much description can feel like padding, this could have done with some as in parts the scenes never felt truly set.
On the plus side it was a fast read, with some very short chapters so things moved along at a decent pace. However, the short chapters along with the coarseness of the characters, had me thinking of it as a weird James Patterson/Martina Cole hybrid!
Overall a passable enough read -well to be fair, I did finish it - & I can't say there was anything overly wrong with it just that didn't grip me & there was nothing about it that made it stand out from the crowd. "Nondescript" sums it up for me & I think in a day or so I'll have pretty much forgotten it.......
October 6, 2025
In einem Waldstück wird die Leiche einer jungen Frau gefunden. Alles deutet darauf hin dass sie schon mehrere Jahre dort gelegen hat. Anhand ihrer Halskette wird sie identifiziert: es ist Emma, die vor elf Jahren spurlos verschwunden ist. Gemeinsam mit DI Michael Gardner, der damals die Ermittlungen geleitet hat, rollt DS Nicola Freeman den alten Fall wieder auf.
Emmas Geschichte ist traurig: nach dem Krebstod ihrer Mutter geriet sie auf die schiefe Bahn. Zuerst schwänzte sie nur die Schule, aber dann kam sie mit Lucas zusammen und die Dinge gerieten außer Kontrolle. Der Dealer behandelte sie schlecht, aber hat er sie auch umgebracht. Und was ist mit Ben, dem Sozialarbeiter, der Emma immer wieder aus der Klemme geholfen hat.
Der Fall ist gleichermaßen klar wie verworren. Wer die Leiche im Wald ist, war mir früh klar. Aber wer alles an ihrem Tod und dem Grab im Wald beteiligt war, hat sich erst in in mühevoller Kleinarbeit im Lauf der Geschichte entwickelt. Dazu kamen private Probleme beider Ermittler und Privatpersonen, die auf eigene Faust ermitteln und dabei viel effizienter sind als die Polizei und das Chaos war perfekt. Schade, aus Emmas Geschichte hätte man mehr machen können, auch wenn sie nicht neu war. So aber hat Stilles Grab auf mich den Eindruck gemacht, als ob die Autorin blind in eine Kiste mit Krimi-Zutaten gegriffen und das Gefundene nur grob vermischt hätte.
Emmas Geschichte ist traurig: nach dem Krebstod ihrer Mutter geriet sie auf die schiefe Bahn. Zuerst schwänzte sie nur die Schule, aber dann kam sie mit Lucas zusammen und die Dinge gerieten außer Kontrolle. Der Dealer behandelte sie schlecht, aber hat er sie auch umgebracht. Und was ist mit Ben, dem Sozialarbeiter, der Emma immer wieder aus der Klemme geholfen hat.
Der Fall ist gleichermaßen klar wie verworren. Wer die Leiche im Wald ist, war mir früh klar. Aber wer alles an ihrem Tod und dem Grab im Wald beteiligt war, hat sich erst in in mühevoller Kleinarbeit im Lauf der Geschichte entwickelt. Dazu kamen private Probleme beider Ermittler und Privatpersonen, die auf eigene Faust ermitteln und dabei viel effizienter sind als die Polizei und das Chaos war perfekt. Schade, aus Emmas Geschichte hätte man mehr machen können, auch wenn sie nicht neu war. So aber hat Stilles Grab auf mich den Eindruck gemacht, als ob die Autorin blind in eine Kiste mit Krimi-Zutaten gegriffen und das Gefundene nur grob vermischt hätte.
July 17, 2017
I picked this up in an airport to keep me busy on a flight, finally got around to reading it. It was an easy read, enjoyable though fairly standard crime story. I read it in about 2 days.
Read
July 29, 2017I had never heard of this author but I enjoyed the book will definitely be on the look out for more books. Well written and a great cast of characters with a twist.
August 8, 2017
Painful personal storyline with intriguing twists and switchbacks. Dramatic menacing end story.
December 28, 2017
Slow book, to many characters and not enough action. I can't reccomend this book not sure how it has such good ratings
January 26, 2019
Excellent
April 1, 2019
Muddy and confused writing. I didn't enjoy reading it.
May 1, 2024
Lucas - man I hated this guy. Like more than I have hated other characters. Every time he did something, I felt angry. And then reading about Emma and Jenny - I kept wishing they could get out. And felt their trappedness - their inability to get away from him. It was gross and disgusting but a train wreck I had to keep reading. There were a lot of moving characters but the way they were woven between storylines made sense and didn’t feel overwhelming. For some reason - the dad didn’t sit right with me - maybe it was his portrayal of grief but I shook my head during his scenes. I think the overall theme of injustice will sit with me on this book.
January 25, 2015
When the body of a sixteen year old girl is found buried in woods the news that it is Emma Thorley, a girl who went missing eleven years previously is leaked to the media and a number of people around the country are glued to the coverage for reasons known, in the most part only to themselves.
Right from the start there are delays, Emma was adopted and her father, now in his early seventies isn’t clear on the events that surrounded his daughter’s disappearance which had followed the death of her mother and her subsequent escape with drugs. With no blood relatives to ask for a blood sample, DNA identification is out of the question and the police need to use other methods to positively identify the body.
For DI Michael Gardner the discovery brings back unwanted memories of an unhappy time as well as a measure of guilt that he simply didn’t try hard enough to locate Emma, believing she was just another runaway teenage girl. When the violent, misogynistic yet charming Lucas Yates becomes aware that DS Nicola Freedman is leading the investigation into the murder, he decides to conduct his own counter measures, not least because he was a former boyfriend and knows that it won’t take long for his name to surface in the investigation. Louise Taylor follows the news but seems to want to keep her interest in events hidden from those around her while the police are facing a wall of silence to every question they ask of those who knew Emma. What is everyone hiding?
This is an exceptionally well told tale with the action alternating between the past, 1999 and the present 2010, in short yet engaging chapters so that the full story emerges of the past while the present is full of plenty of action, a format that kept me turning the pages to learn just another snippet to add the picture emerging.
This appears to be a realistic reflection of an actual investigation with the police being frustrated at every turn as the evidence needs to be forced to fit the prime suspect. DS Freedman is tenacious and takes no nonsense, in her personal life which is not in the perilous state of many fictional lead detectives but still has enough interest to make her feel authentic. DI Gardner had his problems in Blyth and moved away yet manfully faces up to what happened all those years before. A good pair of detectives who share a common goal and act like real people, no instant sharing of issues for these two.
All of the civilian characters have flaws with the main one seemingly being shared; a determination that life should turn out as they wanted it to. From the drug counsellor Ben to the scared girl with a secret to the awful Lucas they all want events to go their way and they appear to be willing to lie freely, to themselves as well as others, to preserve their image of what happened in 1999. Despite their flaws the characters keep the right side of parody, even Lucas falls short of becoming a pantomime villain, just but then I do enjoy having a character to loathe.
This had everything I look for in my crime fiction, a good range of characters tied to a story that allows the reader to think for themselves revealing pieces of information like the breadcrumbs for Hansel and Gretel right up to an ending that neither veered off course nor fizzled out.
I received my copy of this book from the publishers, Mulholland Books via Bookbridgr and it is one that I will be widely recommending.
Right from the start there are delays, Emma was adopted and her father, now in his early seventies isn’t clear on the events that surrounded his daughter’s disappearance which had followed the death of her mother and her subsequent escape with drugs. With no blood relatives to ask for a blood sample, DNA identification is out of the question and the police need to use other methods to positively identify the body.
For DI Michael Gardner the discovery brings back unwanted memories of an unhappy time as well as a measure of guilt that he simply didn’t try hard enough to locate Emma, believing she was just another runaway teenage girl. When the violent, misogynistic yet charming Lucas Yates becomes aware that DS Nicola Freedman is leading the investigation into the murder, he decides to conduct his own counter measures, not least because he was a former boyfriend and knows that it won’t take long for his name to surface in the investigation. Louise Taylor follows the news but seems to want to keep her interest in events hidden from those around her while the police are facing a wall of silence to every question they ask of those who knew Emma. What is everyone hiding?
This is an exceptionally well told tale with the action alternating between the past, 1999 and the present 2010, in short yet engaging chapters so that the full story emerges of the past while the present is full of plenty of action, a format that kept me turning the pages to learn just another snippet to add the picture emerging.
This appears to be a realistic reflection of an actual investigation with the police being frustrated at every turn as the evidence needs to be forced to fit the prime suspect. DS Freedman is tenacious and takes no nonsense, in her personal life which is not in the perilous state of many fictional lead detectives but still has enough interest to make her feel authentic. DI Gardner had his problems in Blyth and moved away yet manfully faces up to what happened all those years before. A good pair of detectives who share a common goal and act like real people, no instant sharing of issues for these two.
All of the civilian characters have flaws with the main one seemingly being shared; a determination that life should turn out as they wanted it to. From the drug counsellor Ben to the scared girl with a secret to the awful Lucas they all want events to go their way and they appear to be willing to lie freely, to themselves as well as others, to preserve their image of what happened in 1999. Despite their flaws the characters keep the right side of parody, even Lucas falls short of becoming a pantomime villain, just but then I do enjoy having a character to loathe.
This had everything I look for in my crime fiction, a good range of characters tied to a story that allows the reader to think for themselves revealing pieces of information like the breadcrumbs for Hansel and Gretel right up to an ending that neither veered off course nor fizzled out.
I received my copy of this book from the publishers, Mulholland Books via Bookbridgr and it is one that I will be widely recommending.
November 12, 2016
It seems that to be a police detective in crime fiction a screwed up private life, having an addiction, suffering from guilt or a general alienation from what is considered 'normal' society is a must. If this actually reflects the reality of the British police force that would probably account for their low success rate when real detection is required. However, whatever the obstacles they might face detectives in fiction (nearly) always get their man – or woman.
Those personal failings are present in both the main police characters in this novel but here given an added twist, the female facing a personal crisis in the present similar to that which one of the young women involved in the murder investigation had to confront eleven years ago.
In fact there are a number of twists throughout which makes for an easy and quick read as the pace set makes the reader want to get to know what will happen in the end.
One of the other tropes of crime fiction is that many of the characters seem never to have read a book, watched a film or TV programme in either the crime or the horror genre. They always go into dangerous situations which they should avoid like the plague, they always think they are safe (when common sense dictates the opposite) where they relax and thus become even more vulnerable to attack. They might live in a society where box sets and downloads are the norm but none of them seem to have watched 'Halloween' and aren't aware that the Michaels of this world will always get up when you think they have been killed. It's not only in pantomimes that you find yourself shouting 'he's behind you'.
It's also interesting to see how writers with the setting of their story in the more or less present deal with the subject of mobile communication or telephones in general. Do people really not respond to a text message alert or a phone call because they think they know what the message/call will be about, coming from a colleague or important contact – when, in fact, it is something crucial to the case they are working on.
And are there really working public phones on housing estates anymore? I don't want to be seen nitpicking here but as mobile phones, and all the 'advantages' associated with the technology (e.g., the sending of a picture instantaneously to a hand held device) then there has to be some consistency. In a world where so many people seem to have their mobile phones permanently in hand they are silently hoping for someone to call, they don't just want to get to the phone when it is out of reach and someone is knocking seven bells out of them.
But I'm probably being unfair here. Muddiman is not the first one to have to deal with the potential speed of communication and the problems that can cause. The technology has to be subverted in some ways otherwise the novel will become a mere short story.
This is a good crime novel with misunderstandings muddying the picture and the protagonists trying to get their heads around the twists and turns. The coppers still have their problems unresolved at the end but, I assume, they will be returning in the future to suffer personally as they solve the problems of others.
Those personal failings are present in both the main police characters in this novel but here given an added twist, the female facing a personal crisis in the present similar to that which one of the young women involved in the murder investigation had to confront eleven years ago.
In fact there are a number of twists throughout which makes for an easy and quick read as the pace set makes the reader want to get to know what will happen in the end.
One of the other tropes of crime fiction is that many of the characters seem never to have read a book, watched a film or TV programme in either the crime or the horror genre. They always go into dangerous situations which they should avoid like the plague, they always think they are safe (when common sense dictates the opposite) where they relax and thus become even more vulnerable to attack. They might live in a society where box sets and downloads are the norm but none of them seem to have watched 'Halloween' and aren't aware that the Michaels of this world will always get up when you think they have been killed. It's not only in pantomimes that you find yourself shouting 'he's behind you'.
It's also interesting to see how writers with the setting of their story in the more or less present deal with the subject of mobile communication or telephones in general. Do people really not respond to a text message alert or a phone call because they think they know what the message/call will be about, coming from a colleague or important contact – when, in fact, it is something crucial to the case they are working on.
And are there really working public phones on housing estates anymore? I don't want to be seen nitpicking here but as mobile phones, and all the 'advantages' associated with the technology (e.g., the sending of a picture instantaneously to a hand held device) then there has to be some consistency. In a world where so many people seem to have their mobile phones permanently in hand they are silently hoping for someone to call, they don't just want to get to the phone when it is out of reach and someone is knocking seven bells out of them.
But I'm probably being unfair here. Muddiman is not the first one to have to deal with the potential speed of communication and the problems that can cause. The technology has to be subverted in some ways otherwise the novel will become a mere short story.
This is a good crime novel with misunderstandings muddying the picture and the protagonists trying to get their heads around the twists and turns. The coppers still have their problems unresolved at the end but, I assume, they will be returning in the future to suffer personally as they solve the problems of others.
January 14, 2015
Gone, by Rebecca Muddiman, is a crime thriller that does not attempt to portray the forces of law and order in a particularly positive light. Even the more dedicated police officers appear distracted and inept at times. Resources are limited and witnesses uncooperative. It was frustrating to read but perhaps accurately portrays the challenges of the job.
Sixteen year old Emma Thorley went missing eleven years ago. It was her third disappearance in less than a year so few took this event seriously. As a known drug user she elicited little sympathy. The officers tasked with investigating her case expected that she would turn up eventually, as she had done before.
Now a body has been discovered buried in woodland. Items recovered suggest that it could be Emma but there is no DNA evidence, no dental record, nothing concrete to confirm identification. DS Nicola Freeman is assigned the case and soon has a suspect on her radar, Lucas Yates. As she sets out to track down other persons of interest in an attempt to gather evidence she becomes aware that Lucas is on the same trail.
The character of Lucas Yates is brilliantly developed by the author. An arrogant, vicious, misogynist he could be charming when he chose but was truly unlikeable. He made my skin crawl, not least because his attitude was an exaggeration of laddish behaviour that is still all too commonly accepted. He considered women to be his property, existing to please him. The strong writing evoked angry emotions as I longed to see him taken down.
Many of the male characters showed his attitude towards women in a minor way. The married man whose wife left him for a colleague felt bereft at his loss but also resentful that she should have made him appear lessened in front of others. The loving boyfriend was determined to rescue his girl, partly due to a feeling of embarrassment following his discovery that she had been protecting him when his ego required that he should be seen to be protecting her.
There was little empathy between the characters. Each were existing within their own ideas of what they wanted their lives to be, railing against the actuality. In this it seemed a believable if bleak depiction.
Although I had guessed many of the answers to the various mysteries early on I was not disappointed by the tying up of threads. The short chapters, recaps and time jumps took some getting used to but by the second half I was eager to turn each page.
This is crime fiction for readers who appreciate realism over heroes and happy ever after. There is tension and drama aplenty with DS Freeman and DI Gardner making an interesting team. I wonder if the author plans to develop their relationship in a sequel.
My copy of this book was provided gratis by the publisher, Mulholland Books.
Sixteen year old Emma Thorley went missing eleven years ago. It was her third disappearance in less than a year so few took this event seriously. As a known drug user she elicited little sympathy. The officers tasked with investigating her case expected that she would turn up eventually, as she had done before.
Now a body has been discovered buried in woodland. Items recovered suggest that it could be Emma but there is no DNA evidence, no dental record, nothing concrete to confirm identification. DS Nicola Freeman is assigned the case and soon has a suspect on her radar, Lucas Yates. As she sets out to track down other persons of interest in an attempt to gather evidence she becomes aware that Lucas is on the same trail.
The character of Lucas Yates is brilliantly developed by the author. An arrogant, vicious, misogynist he could be charming when he chose but was truly unlikeable. He made my skin crawl, not least because his attitude was an exaggeration of laddish behaviour that is still all too commonly accepted. He considered women to be his property, existing to please him. The strong writing evoked angry emotions as I longed to see him taken down.
Many of the male characters showed his attitude towards women in a minor way. The married man whose wife left him for a colleague felt bereft at his loss but also resentful that she should have made him appear lessened in front of others. The loving boyfriend was determined to rescue his girl, partly due to a feeling of embarrassment following his discovery that she had been protecting him when his ego required that he should be seen to be protecting her.
There was little empathy between the characters. Each were existing within their own ideas of what they wanted their lives to be, railing against the actuality. In this it seemed a believable if bleak depiction.
Although I had guessed many of the answers to the various mysteries early on I was not disappointed by the tying up of threads. The short chapters, recaps and time jumps took some getting used to but by the second half I was eager to turn each page.
This is crime fiction for readers who appreciate realism over heroes and happy ever after. There is tension and drama aplenty with DS Freeman and DI Gardner making an interesting team. I wonder if the author plans to develop their relationship in a sequel.
My copy of this book was provided gratis by the publisher, Mulholland Books.
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