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The Girl Who Never Came Back
Twenty years ago, eight-year-old Charlotte Abernathy vanished while playing near her family's house. Despite a frantic search, no trace of her was found until a year later, when the little girl turned up on the doorstep with no memory of where she'd been. Today, Charlotte has put her mysterious ordeal behind her, even though she's never learned where she was during that missing year. However, when her eight-year-old niece vanishes in similar circumstances, a fully-grown Charlotte is forced to make a fresh attempt to uncover the truth. The Girl Who Never Came Back is a psychological thriller about a woman who is forced to confront her family's dark past. In the process, she begins to unravel the secret surrounding her disappearance, the horrific truth about her niece's fate, and the identity of the ghostly figure that seems to haunt the family.
266 pages, Paperback
First published November 24, 2013
448 people are currently reading
1608 people want to read
About the author
Amy Cross
662 books1,677 followersAmy Cross writes novels and short stories in a number of genres, mainly horror, paranormal and fantasy. Books include The Farm, Annie's Room, The Island, Eli's Town and Asylum.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
October 11, 2020
3.25 STARS 🌟
♢ Premise:
Eight-year old Charlotte Abernathy goes missing, but returns exactly a year later with no memory of the last year. Twenty years later, she has put that ordeal behind her. But history repeats itself when her eight-year old niece Sophie goes missing. If she has any chance of finding Sophie, Charlotte must first uncover the truth of exactly what happened the year she had been missing.
♢ Thoughts:
The first part was pretty decent, maybe even a solid 4 star. However, the last 10% really dampened this one for me. There were two major plot twists (both of which I'd already guessed), that were really weird and strange. So, 3.25* it is!
♢ Premise:
Eight-year old Charlotte Abernathy goes missing, but returns exactly a year later with no memory of the last year. Twenty years later, she has put that ordeal behind her. But history repeats itself when her eight-year old niece Sophie goes missing. If she has any chance of finding Sophie, Charlotte must first uncover the truth of exactly what happened the year she had been missing.
♢ Thoughts:
The first part was pretty decent, maybe even a solid 4 star. However, the last 10% really dampened this one for me. There were two major plot twists (both of which I'd already guessed), that were really weird and strange. So, 3.25* it is!
November 29, 2013
This was a fascinating little story and I enjoyed it and didn't guess what was going to happen either.
Charlotte was eight when she disappeared for a year and nobody knows to where or what happened to her while she was gone. It was odd as I got a long way into this and had no clue where it was set only to realise it was over here but the author used American spellings.......hence my confusion. I liked Charlotte. She has a cutting turn of phrase that made me laugh even whilst cringing at times.
There were some odd mistakes too. Very silly ones I feel should have been easily noticed. The word if replaced by of, things used where it should have been thinks, place and not places, extent and not extend.....the worst one for me was foot-stall !! Ouch. Then the sentence, "It was a stupid". Then like was replaced by last and unchanged by unchained. In some ways it's like it was dictated and somebody wasn't listening properly or paying attention to what they put down. Then her was used instead of his. Yet there were no mistakes till around a third into the book. Maybe the author used a new editor for the other two-thirds.
The book itself finishes at 86% making it quite a short story all in all. I only realised today I also have another by this author downloaded. I'd recommend this one. It's different and interesting. I just hope her other I have doesn't have the careless bits that let this one down, though.
Charlotte was eight when she disappeared for a year and nobody knows to where or what happened to her while she was gone. It was odd as I got a long way into this and had no clue where it was set only to realise it was over here but the author used American spellings.......hence my confusion. I liked Charlotte. She has a cutting turn of phrase that made me laugh even whilst cringing at times.
There were some odd mistakes too. Very silly ones I feel should have been easily noticed. The word if replaced by of, things used where it should have been thinks, place and not places, extent and not extend.....the worst one for me was foot-stall !! Ouch. Then the sentence, "It was a stupid". Then like was replaced by last and unchanged by unchained. In some ways it's like it was dictated and somebody wasn't listening properly or paying attention to what they put down. Then her was used instead of his. Yet there were no mistakes till around a third into the book. Maybe the author used a new editor for the other two-thirds.
The book itself finishes at 86% making it quite a short story all in all. I only realised today I also have another by this author downloaded. I'd recommend this one. It's different and interesting. I just hope her other I have doesn't have the careless bits that let this one down, though.
June 5, 2015
A very well written, clever mystery that intrigued me all the way through.
It's not easy to say too much without spoilers, however, this story has an undercurrent of curious insanity running through it, but it's not clear who is crazy or what is real - that's its fabulous appeal.
I am not sure why this book has received negative reviews - maybe other readers didn't feel satisfied with the ending, but for me it made perfect sense, even if I wanted certain characters to be punished...although sometimes circumstances make it difficult.
I thought the characters were fascinating and loved the plot and its original storyline. Yes, different, and a refreshing change to the humdrum 'formula' books, of which there are too many.
An excellent read and recommended to those who like to think outside the box.
It's not easy to say too much without spoilers, however, this story has an undercurrent of curious insanity running through it, but it's not clear who is crazy or what is real - that's its fabulous appeal.
I am not sure why this book has received negative reviews - maybe other readers didn't feel satisfied with the ending, but for me it made perfect sense, even if I wanted certain characters to be punished...although sometimes circumstances make it difficult.
I thought the characters were fascinating and loved the plot and its original storyline. Yes, different, and a refreshing change to the humdrum 'formula' books, of which there are too many.
An excellent read and recommended to those who like to think outside the box.
October 31, 2018
I hated Charlotte when she was eight. And I hated her still at twenty-eight. She should never come back. Eight and twenty-eight years old Charlotte sounded the same. She thought she was special for having two personality. She never stop to think that probably others do too only maybe they kept it hidden. Norman Bates for one never advertise it.
I truly wanted to like her. She's the MC. But, I just want to reach into my e-reader and suffocate her. My hate for her have clouded my judgement of everything else in this story. And so, do not ask me what was the story about.
BEWARE of SPOILER
I truly wanted to like her. She's the MC. But, I just want to reach into my e-reader and suffocate her. My hate for her have clouded my judgement of everything else in this story. And so, do not ask me what was the story about.
BEWARE of SPOILER
May 17, 2015
Actual rating - 2.5
I found this one pretty boring to start with, and then it turned really weird. I had a hard time following the story because of it, and I just wanted to hurry up and finish it.
I found this one pretty boring to start with, and then it turned really weird. I had a hard time following the story because of it, and I just wanted to hurry up and finish it.
June 4, 2017
I couldn't stop reading, I just had to keep turning the pages, wanting to know what was going to happen next. This kept me guessing until the end. And I didn't see THAT coming. At. All!
October 17, 2018
Great read. Another awesome Amy Cross book.
February 7, 2017
The Girl who never came back written by Amy Cross is a well thought through mystery with a slight paranormal addition to the story. The author developed a great twist that she slowly unravels throughout the story. The story line keeps going back and forth from current day to what happened 20 years ago. The pace of this book is spot on, it never feels dragged out or rushed.
Charlotte is the sister I never had. Even though her sister Ruth is downright abusive to her, she keeps wanting to help her, and that never changes throughout all Ruth puts her through. She learns the mystery of how she disappeared and returned the following year, while reliving it in the present as her little niece goes missing. She is definitely the stronger person than I am since I would have never put up with the things she had to deal with.
This book only has a hint of paranormal and mostly is a mystery on "what happened".
Charlotte is the sister I never had. Even though her sister Ruth is downright abusive to her, she keeps wanting to help her, and that never changes throughout all Ruth puts her through. She learns the mystery of how she disappeared and returned the following year, while reliving it in the present as her little niece goes missing. She is definitely the stronger person than I am since I would have never put up with the things she had to deal with.
This book only has a hint of paranormal and mostly is a mystery on "what happened".
December 31, 2018
20 yrs. ago, Charlotte Abernathy (8), & Ettolrahc (fictional friend/playmate) vanished while playing near her family's house.
Ruth Abernathy (10, older sister) said she was never found.
A year later Charlotte suddenly retuned but had no explanation where she had been.
Fast forward. Charlotte (sister) informed Tony (husband/father, brother-in-law) & Ruth (wife/mother) Sophie (8, daughter) was playing down by the river.
The 3 of them looked everywhere.
Déjà vu Sophie was gone.
S&R teams & divers were called in. They could not find her.
Charlotte had been seeing Dr. Gould (therapist).
Yrs. Later what were John & Charlotte discussing?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A fairly well written thriller book. It wasn’t always very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish, but never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. It took me to the very end to grasped the whole story content, so I will only rate it at 4/5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Dark Season Books; BookSends; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Ruth Abernathy (10, older sister) said she was never found.
A year later Charlotte suddenly retuned but had no explanation where she had been.
Fast forward. Charlotte (sister) informed Tony (husband/father, brother-in-law) & Ruth (wife/mother) Sophie (8, daughter) was playing down by the river.
The 3 of them looked everywhere.
Déjà vu Sophie was gone.
S&R teams & divers were called in. They could not find her.
Charlotte had been seeing Dr. Gould (therapist).
Yrs. Later what were John & Charlotte discussing?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A fairly well written thriller book. It wasn’t always very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish, but never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. It took me to the very end to grasped the whole story content, so I will only rate it at 4/5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Dark Season Books; BookSends; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
May 27, 2014
This story needed a lot of work. Please get an editor! The actual storyline is very good. But there is so much hatred between all of the characters and Charlotte herself is not a very likeable person. Also the sheer amount of language and vulgarity are a major turn off. Okay, with all of that being said, I firmly believe that if this book were to be re-edited and cleaned up (a lot), it would be a great psychological thriller. The conclusion was one that I didn't see coming at all! Very good job on that. Also, by the end you did understand why everyone was the way they were but is was still just to hard of a read the way it is written. I was very happy with the ending though. I couldn't figure out where it was going but was very surprised and pleased with how it ended. Even with that though, I really didn't like the book as a whole and would not recommend it unless it were to be redone.
December 6, 2013
I wasn't expecting a whole lot from this book, but I was pleasantly surprised. I thought it would be a mystery, psych thriller book, but to be honest, for a while I wasn't sure if it was going in a paranormal direction. There were a few errors (if instead if I'd, a weird name mistake...) but it didn't take away from the story for me. It was a quick read about a screwed up family. Charlotte goes missing as a child and mysteriously returns a year later with no memory of where she's been. 20 years later her niece goes missing in the same fashion and everyone believes they're connected. The ending was great! I didn't see it coming! Some of it was far fetched, but it was a very entertaining read. Highly recommend.
January 7, 2014
I only ordered this book as a kindle freebie and was pleasantly suprised. Charlotte is eight years old when she disappears and then she returns a year later with no memory. Twenty years on her eight year old niece disappears, can history repeat itself?
The story flows nicely along and grips you wanting to know what happened to Charlotte and if she can try to remember her childhood disappearance to help Sophie her niece.
It's well worth a read, however a couple of minor points.. the editing is awful with quite a few mis-placed words and although it's set in the UK it seems to be grammatically American which I found slightly annoying.
The story flows nicely along and grips you wanting to know what happened to Charlotte and if she can try to remember her childhood disappearance to help Sophie her niece.
It's well worth a read, however a couple of minor points.. the editing is awful with quite a few mis-placed words and although it's set in the UK it seems to be grammatically American which I found slightly annoying.
January 26, 2016
The last of my holiday reads.
This is another book that I have had sat in my kindle for months. Even though a relatively short book, probably bordering on a novella as it took me no time to read it, the storyline had me gripped throughout.
A very dark read with a few twists that I certainly didn't see coming. Very much an enjoyable read.
This is another book that I have had sat in my kindle for months. Even though a relatively short book, probably bordering on a novella as it took me no time to read it, the storyline had me gripped throughout.
A very dark read with a few twists that I certainly didn't see coming. Very much an enjoyable read.
July 4, 2015
This was an intriguing little book, so much so that I read it in one sitting. A little girl disappears from her family at the age of 8. She reappears a year later but with no memories. 20 years later her niece disappears at the age of 8. It is a clever mystery which kept me guessing to the end.
January 24, 2017
I read this in one sitting on a long train journey. Like others have stated, it needs alot of work - some good editing and a background to the personalities of these atrocious characters (Why on earth was Tony with Ruth? Why did Ruth live in the the family home? Why did Ruth think the way she spoke to everyone was okay? )...however I must admit, I really enjoyed it.
I didn't mind that the characters were so unlikeable, I found that a unique reading experience as normally I need to love the characters. The plot was enough to keep me intrigued and as I said, I read it very quickly.
The ending was ridiculous, so many questions that couldn't be answered but it didn't make me dislike the book - which is another unique experience. I think with some more rounding out of characters and more padding of the story as a whole this could have been something quite special...as it was it was an enjoyable, intriguing, unique read with plenty of problems but not enough to spoil the fun.
I didn't mind that the characters were so unlikeable, I found that a unique reading experience as normally I need to love the characters. The plot was enough to keep me intrigued and as I said, I read it very quickly.
The ending was ridiculous, so many questions that couldn't be answered but it didn't make me dislike the book - which is another unique experience. I think with some more rounding out of characters and more padding of the story as a whole this could have been something quite special...as it was it was an enjoyable, intriguing, unique read with plenty of problems but not enough to spoil the fun.
January 20, 2019
I liked this alright. This was decently written and the plot had me curious enough to keep reading. I honestly didn't see the ending coming. I thought the main character might be a ghost? A victim of abuse who blocked out memories? I dunno.
The ending though...is it weird that I find the ending unbelievable?
This was okay, not my favorite Cross book. But well written and engaging enough to keep me reading.
The ending though...is it weird that I find the ending unbelievable?
This was okay, not my favorite Cross book. But well written and engaging enough to keep me reading.
August 12, 2025
I haven't read a good psychological thriller in a while. It's not a full on thriller but more like a lite version but still pretty good. For a bit I had thought it'd end one way and actually it ended on another. Basically, what happens when a child goes missing and somehow comes back a whole year later with no memory of having gone missing? And why? The story has a good twist on the subject. One that I wouldn't be shocked to ever hear of actually happening. And as a person who listens to a LOT of missing persons stories on podcasts and such, this is pretty good. I plan on reading more books by the author. She did very well on going back and forth from the day of the disappearance from the child's point of view to the adults point of view. It made it all the more curious as to how a child could missing much less two in the same family.
August 26, 2017
Overall this was an entertaining book. I think that it's strength lies in the middle of the book as a character study of different issues in a this family dynamic. Exploring Charlotte's relationship with her mother and sister and dealing with the faded memories of the past was more compelling of a story to me. The actual disappearance of the daughter was a bit irrelevant to me as I saw it as more of a catalyst to being the characters together and to pit them against each other.
I also found the ending to strain credibility and believability a little and I felt like there was too concerted of an effort to arbitrarily steer the plot into a more straight-forward mystery. I like the ideas here and the characters. I just wish it had gone in a slightly different direction.
I also found the ending to strain credibility and believability a little and I felt like there was too concerted of an effort to arbitrarily steer the plot into a more straight-forward mystery. I like the ideas here and the characters. I just wish it had gone in a slightly different direction.
May 25, 2020
Don't read this book. This reads like perhaps a draft of a potentially good book. It needs and editor and it needs basic proofreading. The story is odd. The characters are not likeable. But the plot is unusual and it keeps you wondering. Also the book ends with a thud leaving those loose ends just trailing in the wind. Someone could have written a really good book with this plot. Or maybe someone did and I just don't know about it. If so, please let me know.
January 16, 2017
Really good thinking book, not predictable to me at all!
I liked the fact that this book kept me wanting to read more, I couldn't put it down! I never guessed what was going to happen next, true page turner! I read this in one afternoon/evening... Forget house chores, etc- I HAD to read this!!! I will be looking at this authors other books for sure!
I liked the fact that this book kept me wanting to read more, I couldn't put it down! I never guessed what was going to happen next, true page turner! I read this in one afternoon/evening... Forget house chores, etc- I HAD to read this!!! I will be looking at this authors other books for sure!
November 18, 2017
Interesting and well written, I liked the main character and the story was really engaging, I couldn't stop reading to learn what had happened.
But then...the explanations felt way too far-fetched for me; it'd demand a lot more of my suspension of disbelief to buy it all. Still liked the novel enough to give it 3 stars and will probably read more from the author.
But then...the explanations felt way too far-fetched for me; it'd demand a lot more of my suspension of disbelief to buy it all. Still liked the novel enough to give it 3 stars and will probably read more from the author.
April 1, 2019
Great twist, was not expecting that
Wow, I have quite a few questions going round my head, like why did Charlotte bother in the end. I really enjoyed the book but think it would still have worked without having the part about Charlotte being in the cave, don't think it really added anything. Other than this it kept me turning the pages.
Wow, I have quite a few questions going round my head, like why did Charlotte bother in the end. I really enjoyed the book but think it would still have worked without having the part about Charlotte being in the cave, don't think it really added anything. Other than this it kept me turning the pages.
January 12, 2020
Great read, held my attention to the plot twist end.
I don't agree that Charlotte was an unsympathetic character due to her imagination,
she was 8 years old. Ruth seemed the unlikable character, as well as the mother, which seems
proved towards the end.
Shame you can't always pick your family...
Well worth my time!
I don't agree that Charlotte was an unsympathetic character due to her imagination,
she was 8 years old. Ruth seemed the unlikable character, as well as the mother, which seems
proved towards the end.
Shame you can't always pick your family...
Well worth my time!
May 24, 2020
It was okay
No idea when I downloaded this. But figured I’d read it. Totally random. Lots of twists and turns. Is a decent thriller, but needs more depth. The ending was a hilarious twist to me. Basically I only could say wtf is happening the last few chapters! 🤷🏾♀️😦😯. I enjoyed it.
No idea when I downloaded this. But figured I’d read it. Totally random. Lots of twists and turns. Is a decent thriller, but needs more depth. The ending was a hilarious twist to me. Basically I only could say wtf is happening the last few chapters! 🤷🏾♀️😦😯. I enjoyed it.
February 19, 2017
Worst book ever had the misfortune to read
The plot is weak and unbelievable and the characters are one dimensional. Glad it was free and i have not wasted money. Nothing else to say really.
The plot is weak and unbelievable and the characters are one dimensional. Glad it was free and i have not wasted money. Nothing else to say really.
May 10, 2017
Strange
I really didn't know nothing about this book before reading. This a story about a young girl who ends up missing and then returns a year later. And then on a family visit her niece ends up disappearing. Wow what amazing ending.
I really didn't know nothing about this book before reading. This a story about a young girl who ends up missing and then returns a year later. And then on a family visit her niece ends up disappearing. Wow what amazing ending.
November 24, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. I did have an idea what happened to Charlotte from about half way through but what happened with her niece totally blind sided me I did not see that coming at all. Still trying to figure out if the ending worked or not!
March 13, 2018
I had a hard time following this one. Between the annoying characters, the annoying language and that boring start and the weird ending.... this one wasn't for me. I enjoyed the idea of it and behind it, but otherwise I didn't much like it.
December 2, 2018
Spooky
Supernatural story by Amy Cross in which a young girl goes missing and after a year gone just turns up out of the blue with no recollection of where she 's been. Another good one by Amy.📕👌
Supernatural story by Amy Cross in which a young girl goes missing and after a year gone just turns up out of the blue with no recollection of where she 's been. Another good one by Amy.📕👌
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December 6, 2019The Girl Who Never Came Back
Expect the unexpected. Once you think you have it figured out. Well, just think again, because you probably dont. I was like. Wait a minute, scratch of the head............
Expect the unexpected. Once you think you have it figured out. Well, just think again, because you probably dont. I was like. Wait a minute, scratch of the head............
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews