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Morgan Vine #1
Without Trace
For four long years, journalist Morgan Vine has campaigned for the release of her childhood sweetheart Danny Kilcannon - convicted, on dubious evidence, of murdering his 14 year-old stepdaughter.
When a key witness recants, Danny is released from prison. With nowhere else to go, he relies on single mum Morgan and her teenage daughter, Lissa.
But then Lissa goes missing.
With her own child now at risk, Morgan must re-think all she knows about her old flame - 'the one that got away'. As the media storm around the mysterious disappearance intensifies and shocking revelations emerge, she is forced to confront the ultimate question: who can we trust...?
When a key witness recants, Danny is released from prison. With nowhere else to go, he relies on single mum Morgan and her teenage daughter, Lissa.
But then Lissa goes missing.
With her own child now at risk, Morgan must re-think all she knows about her old flame - 'the one that got away'. As the media storm around the mysterious disappearance intensifies and shocking revelations emerge, she is forced to confront the ultimate question: who can we trust...?
320 pages, ebook
First published January 28, 2016
17 people are currently reading
616 people want to read
About the author
Simon Booker
7 books36 followersI’m an author and screenwriter with many credits in primetime drama on BBC1 and ITV. I’ve written original thrillers like The Stepfather for ITV1, penned BBC1 adaptations such as Just William, and worked on long-running series including The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, Holby City and The Mrs Bradley Mysteries starring the wonderful Diana Rigg. I’ve also written romantic comedies for American TV, including Perfect Strangers starring Anna Friel and Rob Lowe (and yes, his eyes really are that blue). I started my writing career with a collection of plays for BBC Radio 4 and have worked extensively as a TV and radio producer, and as a journalist.
Without Trace is the first in a series of psychological thrillers featuring Morgan Vine, a single mother and journalist who specialises in miscarriages of justice. I enjoy writing for TV but it’s great to branch out into new territory. And I hope Morgan Vine might one day show up on a screen near you.
I live in London and Deal, Kent. I’m a volunteer facilitator in restorative justice, working with offenders at HMP Brixton. My partner is fellow crime writer Melanie "M.J." McGrath. We often discuss murder methods over breakfast.
Without Trace is the first in a series of psychological thrillers featuring Morgan Vine, a single mother and journalist who specialises in miscarriages of justice. I enjoy writing for TV but it’s great to branch out into new territory. And I hope Morgan Vine might one day show up on a screen near you.
I live in London and Deal, Kent. I’m a volunteer facilitator in restorative justice, working with offenders at HMP Brixton. My partner is fellow crime writer Melanie "M.J." McGrath. We often discuss murder methods over breakfast.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
June 17, 2016
Morgan Vine, a journal has been campaigning for the release of her childhood for 4 years.
Danny Kilcannon was convicted of killing his 14 year old stepdaughter. After a key witness recants he is released from prison.
With no where to go he moves in with Morgan and her daughter Lisa. When Lisa goes missing Morgan has to rethink what she knows about Danny and when the media gets involved in the disappearance it intensifies and shocking revelations emerge.
Another brilliant debut crime novel that you won't want to put down.
I would like to thank Net Galley, Bonnier Publishing Twenty7 and the author Simon Booker for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Danny Kilcannon was convicted of killing his 14 year old stepdaughter. After a key witness recants he is released from prison.
With no where to go he moves in with Morgan and her daughter Lisa. When Lisa goes missing Morgan has to rethink what she knows about Danny and when the media gets involved in the disappearance it intensifies and shocking revelations emerge.
Another brilliant debut crime novel that you won't want to put down.
I would like to thank Net Galley, Bonnier Publishing Twenty7 and the author Simon Booker for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2016
Simon Booker seasoned screenwriter of prime time TV drama has turned his hand to writing a new series of crime fiction, Without Trace is the first book which introduces us to Morgan Vine, a journalist and childhood friend of Danny Kilcannon. Danny is in HMP Dungeness after being convicted of killing his teenage step-daughter Zoe four years previously.
Unusually for crime fiction much of this book focusses on the end result for the perpetrator of crime, prison. Danny is in prison, his life has been narrowed down to the confines of his cell, one of the few highlights being the prison book club which his old friend Morgan runs as a volunteer. What most of the other prisoners don’t know is that Danny and Morgan were close friends, went to school together and she has been one of the chief campaigners for his release. Absolutely convinced that he didn’t kill Zoe, likewise she also believes that his wife Rowena committed suicide and that’s why she disappeared without trace. When a key witness withdraws his statement Danny earns his freedom. But, then Morgan’s own teenage daughter goes missing.
This is a tense book, with flashbacks to her teenage years in the late 80s, a time when Danny was one of the closest friends of the girl whose father was headmaster of the school. In these excerpts we understand a little of what makes Morgan tick, why she has been so determined to free her former friend. In the present in the aftermath of her daughter’s disappearance it is only too easy to see why the doubts, never previously voiced or entertained begin to trouble her.
It might be tense but this book is also a fast moving thriller with new evidence, false leads and dodgy characters present on practically every page there was a point where I thought it was inevitable that the book would fall into the mid-section dip, surely unable to keep the frantic pace going while still holding the multiple strands of plot into any semblance of order. I was wrong, this is a book that doesn’t let up so don’t start it late at night if you have to get up early the next morning! With its short chapters a style that any serious bookworm knows just begs for ‘just one more chapter before…’ it was definitely hard to put down! In many ways the style reminded me that this author has been a writer of TV drama as the focus was definitely on the action and the complex plot while most of the characters being drawn with a broader brush, to keep the story moving at a pace.
Although fictional, and obviously so; I simply couldn’t really buy into the fact that any police investigation would sanction a journalist, the missing person’s mother to boot, being told key details along the way, it is also just as obviously well-researched. The scenes in the prison (which although a fictional HMP) felt entirely authentic with the smell and the unpredictability of men locked up while still coming across as human come from the author’s own volunteer work for restorative justice and prison reading groups.
As I stated at the beginning this is the first in a new series featuring Morgan Vine and I will definitely be interested in how her character develops. I know some of her background now, her fierce maternal instinct and her thwarted journalistic ambition which is plenty to build on for a second novel and I can’t wait to see how, following the fantastic resolution to this book, what is in store for her next. Unfortunately the next book isn’t due to be published until 2017.
I was lucky enough to receive a proof copy of this book for review purposes.
Unusually for crime fiction much of this book focusses on the end result for the perpetrator of crime, prison. Danny is in prison, his life has been narrowed down to the confines of his cell, one of the few highlights being the prison book club which his old friend Morgan runs as a volunteer. What most of the other prisoners don’t know is that Danny and Morgan were close friends, went to school together and she has been one of the chief campaigners for his release. Absolutely convinced that he didn’t kill Zoe, likewise she also believes that his wife Rowena committed suicide and that’s why she disappeared without trace. When a key witness withdraws his statement Danny earns his freedom. But, then Morgan’s own teenage daughter goes missing.
This is a tense book, with flashbacks to her teenage years in the late 80s, a time when Danny was one of the closest friends of the girl whose father was headmaster of the school. In these excerpts we understand a little of what makes Morgan tick, why she has been so determined to free her former friend. In the present in the aftermath of her daughter’s disappearance it is only too easy to see why the doubts, never previously voiced or entertained begin to trouble her.
It might be tense but this book is also a fast moving thriller with new evidence, false leads and dodgy characters present on practically every page there was a point where I thought it was inevitable that the book would fall into the mid-section dip, surely unable to keep the frantic pace going while still holding the multiple strands of plot into any semblance of order. I was wrong, this is a book that doesn’t let up so don’t start it late at night if you have to get up early the next morning! With its short chapters a style that any serious bookworm knows just begs for ‘just one more chapter before…’ it was definitely hard to put down! In many ways the style reminded me that this author has been a writer of TV drama as the focus was definitely on the action and the complex plot while most of the characters being drawn with a broader brush, to keep the story moving at a pace.
Although fictional, and obviously so; I simply couldn’t really buy into the fact that any police investigation would sanction a journalist, the missing person’s mother to boot, being told key details along the way, it is also just as obviously well-researched. The scenes in the prison (which although a fictional HMP) felt entirely authentic with the smell and the unpredictability of men locked up while still coming across as human come from the author’s own volunteer work for restorative justice and prison reading groups.
As I stated at the beginning this is the first in a new series featuring Morgan Vine and I will definitely be interested in how her character develops. I know some of her background now, her fierce maternal instinct and her thwarted journalistic ambition which is plenty to build on for a second novel and I can’t wait to see how, following the fantastic resolution to this book, what is in store for her next. Unfortunately the next book isn’t due to be published until 2017.
I was lucky enough to receive a proof copy of this book for review purposes.
July 27, 2016
Without Trace is a humdinger of a thriller with more twists than a barrelful of adders. With summer holidays approaching and either being stuck in a caravan in rainy Rhyl, or on a flight to a more exotic beach vacation, this could be a perfect read…
Being practically impossible to review in terms of plot, due to the pitfall of numerous potential spoiler moments, I’ll steer clear of the plot as much as possible, as I read this in a vacuum avoiding every other review of it. What I would say is that from the outset, Booker has tremendous fun with his readers, all believing ourselves to be pretty good amateur detectives, in a murderous tale packed full of red herrings and twists aplenty.
As our intrepid heroine Morgan Vine, a fairly normal divorced mother of one, expends her entire strength into clearing the name of her childhood sweetheart, Danny Kilcannon, having campaigned for his release from prison, she is increasingly drawn into personal danger when her daughter disappears. Some would say that her daughter, Lissa, is such a charmless little madam, that we shouldn’t care too much about her fate, but Morgan is not to be thwarted. As her suspicions about Danny rise, and she gets drawn in deeper with two female detectives investigating Lissa’s disappearance, Morgan finds herself increasingly isolated and at physical harm. Is Danny really as innocent as she believes him to be, and just where the jiggins has Lissa gone?
This is a good old page turner, using the pace and strategic reveals so beloved of American authors like Linwood Barclay and Harlan Coben, and so leads to a book that one finds quite difficult to put aside as the energy and pacing of the plot drives you onwards. The characterisation has just enough clarity and depth to keep you intrigued by their personal travails, and Danny’s character in particular sways your empathy back and forth throughout. I will be honest and say that my incredulity was stretched as the end of the book approached, and the final denouement does take more than a bit of suspension of disbelief, as Morgan does suddenly morph into Lara Croft in a violent conclusion to the tale, but for all that, I quite enjoyed reading this entertaining thriller with its curve balls and false leads. Switch off, relax and enjoy the ride.
I still think the dead sheep was in on it though…
Being practically impossible to review in terms of plot, due to the pitfall of numerous potential spoiler moments, I’ll steer clear of the plot as much as possible, as I read this in a vacuum avoiding every other review of it. What I would say is that from the outset, Booker has tremendous fun with his readers, all believing ourselves to be pretty good amateur detectives, in a murderous tale packed full of red herrings and twists aplenty.
As our intrepid heroine Morgan Vine, a fairly normal divorced mother of one, expends her entire strength into clearing the name of her childhood sweetheart, Danny Kilcannon, having campaigned for his release from prison, she is increasingly drawn into personal danger when her daughter disappears. Some would say that her daughter, Lissa, is such a charmless little madam, that we shouldn’t care too much about her fate, but Morgan is not to be thwarted. As her suspicions about Danny rise, and she gets drawn in deeper with two female detectives investigating Lissa’s disappearance, Morgan finds herself increasingly isolated and at physical harm. Is Danny really as innocent as she believes him to be, and just where the jiggins has Lissa gone?
This is a good old page turner, using the pace and strategic reveals so beloved of American authors like Linwood Barclay and Harlan Coben, and so leads to a book that one finds quite difficult to put aside as the energy and pacing of the plot drives you onwards. The characterisation has just enough clarity and depth to keep you intrigued by their personal travails, and Danny’s character in particular sways your empathy back and forth throughout. I will be honest and say that my incredulity was stretched as the end of the book approached, and the final denouement does take more than a bit of suspension of disbelief, as Morgan does suddenly morph into Lara Croft in a violent conclusion to the tale, but for all that, I quite enjoyed reading this entertaining thriller with its curve balls and false leads. Switch off, relax and enjoy the ride.
I still think the dead sheep was in on it though…
January 20, 2020
3.5*
A good solid debut from an author I would definitely read more of.
There was one too many mysteries woven together that at some points it did feel a little confusing because of the amount of characters and how they all linked together.
I am still on the fence on whether or not I like the protagonist Morgan. I liked her way of investigating but at some points she just happen to be in the right place at the right time to hear exactly what she needed to.
A good solid debut from an author I would definitely read more of.
There was one too many mysteries woven together that at some points it did feel a little confusing because of the amount of characters and how they all linked together.
I am still on the fence on whether or not I like the protagonist Morgan. I liked her way of investigating but at some points she just happen to be in the right place at the right time to hear exactly what she needed to.
June 10, 2016
This leaves a very big trace!!
The first thing that attracted me to this book was the location. I used to visit Dungeness and Romney Marsh when I was a kid and I loved how bleak and desolate it appeared to be. The idea of living on the beach was so appealing that my parents had to drag me away sometimes. In later years I also had the amazing good fortune to visit a Martello Tower which is described here too. And the entire mood of those visits was captured here from someone, I suspect, who loves the place too. So from the start there was much to endear me to this novel.
But I’m not here to reminisce about my childhood haunts! For me this book was a slow burner, building up very nicely until I just couldn’t put it down. There are so many red herrings you could open a stall at Billingsgate and I just never second guessed any of them!! Now that makes me mad!! Why? ‘Cause I’m a smartass who likes to think they know their way around a crime novel! BUT it also makes me jump for joy because it means the writer has an imaginative brain and isn’t afraid to use it!!
To a certain extent I would say some of this story is contrived but intelligently contrived so it didn’t grate. It was a fine line between four and five stars and I deferred to four because of this and the slowish start. The tension was palpable. It was contemporary, well plotted and the main character, Morgan Vine was real, flawed and vulnerable as we all are, but tenacious too and all the more a heroine to me, because of it. The book gives us two stories, Morgan the adult now and Morgan as an adolescent. The two work well in tandem and fuel the psychological aspects of the tale and inform our perceptions and understanding of her current situation. All the ends are tied up and the two tales dovetail into a satisfactory conclusion.
This is a debut novel but a little research showed me that this author is an experienced writer and screen writer and this is evident in this first psychological thriller. I hope he decides that Ms. Vine is worth at least another outing although I’m not sure where he could take her. But I’ll throw it down as a challenge, Mr. Booker. Please?
Whizz
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
The first thing that attracted me to this book was the location. I used to visit Dungeness and Romney Marsh when I was a kid and I loved how bleak and desolate it appeared to be. The idea of living on the beach was so appealing that my parents had to drag me away sometimes. In later years I also had the amazing good fortune to visit a Martello Tower which is described here too. And the entire mood of those visits was captured here from someone, I suspect, who loves the place too. So from the start there was much to endear me to this novel.
But I’m not here to reminisce about my childhood haunts! For me this book was a slow burner, building up very nicely until I just couldn’t put it down. There are so many red herrings you could open a stall at Billingsgate and I just never second guessed any of them!! Now that makes me mad!! Why? ‘Cause I’m a smartass who likes to think they know their way around a crime novel! BUT it also makes me jump for joy because it means the writer has an imaginative brain and isn’t afraid to use it!!
To a certain extent I would say some of this story is contrived but intelligently contrived so it didn’t grate. It was a fine line between four and five stars and I deferred to four because of this and the slowish start. The tension was palpable. It was contemporary, well plotted and the main character, Morgan Vine was real, flawed and vulnerable as we all are, but tenacious too and all the more a heroine to me, because of it. The book gives us two stories, Morgan the adult now and Morgan as an adolescent. The two work well in tandem and fuel the psychological aspects of the tale and inform our perceptions and understanding of her current situation. All the ends are tied up and the two tales dovetail into a satisfactory conclusion.
This is a debut novel but a little research showed me that this author is an experienced writer and screen writer and this is evident in this first psychological thriller. I hope he decides that Ms. Vine is worth at least another outing although I’m not sure where he could take her. But I’ll throw it down as a challenge, Mr. Booker. Please?
Whizz
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
January 18, 2017
WHO CAN YOU REALLY TRUST?
Morgan is convinced her childhood friend, Danny, is innocent of killing his 14 year old stepdaughter 4 years ago, despite his conviction for her murder. But when he is actually exonerated and released from prison things are not as rosy as she imagined and many people, including the police, are still convinced of his guilt.
Danny is evasive and there are trust issues on both sides. There are still question marks about his missing wife, and the witness who curiously recanted his statement of 4 years ago when he claimed to have seen Danny fleeing from the scene of the murder.
When Morgan's daughter, Lissa, goes missing however, she puts her faith more in the police than in Danny to find her. Events seem to be converging and Morgan has to decide who to trust. But has she made a terrible mistake? Morgan realises that childhood friends may be unrecognisable as the same people in adulthood.
I thought the book dragged a bit in the middle particularly where Morgan was trusting Danny then not trusting him, rinse and repeat a few times. I was going to take off a star but the book redeemed itself with a nice suspenseful and twisty ending.
Morgan is convinced her childhood friend, Danny, is innocent of killing his 14 year old stepdaughter 4 years ago, despite his conviction for her murder. But when he is actually exonerated and released from prison things are not as rosy as she imagined and many people, including the police, are still convinced of his guilt.
Danny is evasive and there are trust issues on both sides. There are still question marks about his missing wife, and the witness who curiously recanted his statement of 4 years ago when he claimed to have seen Danny fleeing from the scene of the murder.
When Morgan's daughter, Lissa, goes missing however, she puts her faith more in the police than in Danny to find her. Events seem to be converging and Morgan has to decide who to trust. But has she made a terrible mistake? Morgan realises that childhood friends may be unrecognisable as the same people in adulthood.
I thought the book dragged a bit in the middle particularly where Morgan was trusting Danny then not trusting him, rinse and repeat a few times. I was going to take off a star but the book redeemed itself with a nice suspenseful and twisty ending.
July 4, 2017
Review to follow!
February 17, 2016
Disclaimer: While I aim to be unbiased, I received a copy of this for free to review.
Two things convinced me to read this book – the first was that the story line sounded interesting, and the second was that it’s published by twenty7, who’ve sent me a few awesome books before. I’m pretty impressed by what’s coming out from them, and I hope they send me some more.
Loosely speaking, the story follows what happens when a woman campaigns for the release of her childhood sweetheart, who’s imprisoned for a murder that she believes he didn’t commit. Eventually, he’s released, but shortly afterwards, our protagonist’s teenage daughter disappears.
This book is the first Morgan Vine thriller, a new series of books coming soon from Simon Booker. I enjoyed this one so much that I’m looking forward to reading the next one, and I hope that I get to read it. Whilst Booker does a great job of tying up all of the loose ends here, there’s still plenty of room for new developments, and Morgan herself has a number of choices to make.
I just couldn’t give this book anything lower than a nine – it’s very well written and a lot of fun, full of plenty of twists and turns. It’s also kind of a detective novel and kind of not, and I like the way that the author plays with genre. It’s fun to see him flexing his authorial muscles, and if this first book is anything to go on then this is a series to keep an eye on.
It’s also interesting to note that despite the length of this book, it’s a lot of fun to read, and it never feels tedious – in fact, it forces you to keep on reading, because there’s always something just waiting to happen. The foreshadowing is great, the characterisation is good, and I’d be up for re-reading it again sometime in the future.
So there you have it – it’s a strong start from Simon Booker, and definitely a book that I’d recommend if you’re interested in thrillers, and crime. Another interesting thing to note about it is that it’s contemporary, too – it refers to current popular culture, as well as technology and stuff in a way that feels refreshing. It’s a nice surprise to be sent books like this. Big up twenty7 books!
Two things convinced me to read this book – the first was that the story line sounded interesting, and the second was that it’s published by twenty7, who’ve sent me a few awesome books before. I’m pretty impressed by what’s coming out from them, and I hope they send me some more.
Loosely speaking, the story follows what happens when a woman campaigns for the release of her childhood sweetheart, who’s imprisoned for a murder that she believes he didn’t commit. Eventually, he’s released, but shortly afterwards, our protagonist’s teenage daughter disappears.
This book is the first Morgan Vine thriller, a new series of books coming soon from Simon Booker. I enjoyed this one so much that I’m looking forward to reading the next one, and I hope that I get to read it. Whilst Booker does a great job of tying up all of the loose ends here, there’s still plenty of room for new developments, and Morgan herself has a number of choices to make.
I just couldn’t give this book anything lower than a nine – it’s very well written and a lot of fun, full of plenty of twists and turns. It’s also kind of a detective novel and kind of not, and I like the way that the author plays with genre. It’s fun to see him flexing his authorial muscles, and if this first book is anything to go on then this is a series to keep an eye on.
It’s also interesting to note that despite the length of this book, it’s a lot of fun to read, and it never feels tedious – in fact, it forces you to keep on reading, because there’s always something just waiting to happen. The foreshadowing is great, the characterisation is good, and I’d be up for re-reading it again sometime in the future.
So there you have it – it’s a strong start from Simon Booker, and definitely a book that I’d recommend if you’re interested in thrillers, and crime. Another interesting thing to note about it is that it’s contemporary, too – it refers to current popular culture, as well as technology and stuff in a way that feels refreshing. It’s a nice surprise to be sent books like this. Big up twenty7 books!
June 20, 2016
I would like to thank NetGalley and Bonnier Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest and open review. This is the perfect book in what I hope will be a new series.
It has thrills, suspense and twists and turns, along with a few red herrings.
The characters are well-developed and all their traits are shown, good and bad.
Throughout the book I kept changing my mind as to who I could, and could not trust.
Mr Booker has written a first class thriller that held my attention from the first page to the last.
I will definitely be reading more of his books.
It has thrills, suspense and twists and turns, along with a few red herrings.
The characters are well-developed and all their traits are shown, good and bad.
Throughout the book I kept changing my mind as to who I could, and could not trust.
Mr Booker has written a first class thriller that held my attention from the first page to the last.
I will definitely be reading more of his books.
April 19, 2016
Solid 3.5 in reality.
What is this about?: Morgan has spent four years working to help Danny Kilcannon prove his innocence, and a lifetime nursing her childhood love for him. But when he's released, it's her daughter that he sleeps with before she disappears. Did Danny kill her? Did he really kill his wife and step-daughter after all?
What else this is about?: There's no need for much else. Booker weaves an intricate mystery that forces Morgan and readers to question everything. He brings the threads of Morgan's investigation and her search for Lissa, her daughter, together with the larger question of trust about Danny.
Should you read?: Yes, absolutely!
Morgan Vine is a struggling journalist and cleaner, working to make ends meet while she tries her best to prove her teenage boyfriend's, Danny's, innocence of the double murder of his wife and her daughter. Morgan has been steadfast in her belief in him, going so far as to start a reading group at the prison where he is. Ultimately, he is released, and to Morgan's dismay her dreams of a reunion are crushed when he doesn't show as much interest in her as she has been harboring in him.
That's not to say he isn't grateful, and when he comes to thank her, he meets her daughter, Lissa. She is 18, a handful and has no regard for anything but herself -- still a girl, despite her age. Soon after, Lissa disappears and Morgan is forced to question everything she thought she knew about Danny.
During her investigation of Lissa's disappearance, she meets two cops, Jacqui and Donna, and together they work to uncover Lissa's whereabouts. There's also a reporter, Clive, intent on getting her to write about Killer-cannon for his paper, and is willing to pay handsomely. There's a slimy prison employee, Nigel, intent on dating her and lusting after Lissa -- these characters are compelling additions to the cast, and Booker makes use of them of them all as this story progresses.
As much as this is a story about Lissa and her disappearance, I can appreciate the care that Booker has given all the players: Morgan's character is explained through well-used flashbacks, revealing her relationship with Danny, and why she believed in him so much. It requires a deft touch to be able to balance the hope she harbored for a future with him and the revelation of his relationship with Lissa, without making Morgan look positively sad. Instead, she is strong but not unaffected by the revelations of his relationship with Lissa -- and that's what resonated with me -- Morgan stumbles, she's not perfect but I could understand and empathise with her.
Jacqui and Donna are drawn with broad strokes, giving us just enough of their history with Danny's case, and their desire to help Morgan find Lissa. It's the present that Booker focuses on, building them up as Morgan's strongest allies -- those to whom Morgan finds herself turning more and more, despite their completely opposite takes on Danny's innocence.
Danny himself is broken. He knows what he did with Lissa was wrong and works hard to prove to Morgan that he is innocent and even tries to help find Lissa. However, he has a breaking point too, and when Morgan's distrust of him goes to the point that it's unavoidable for him to endure, whatever relationship they might have had breaks.
But, no-one is what they seem and this is one twist I can appreciate because as I mentioned, Booker's writing is deft, bringing his plot points together by the end.
What is this about?: Morgan has spent four years working to help Danny Kilcannon prove his innocence, and a lifetime nursing her childhood love for him. But when he's released, it's her daughter that he sleeps with before she disappears. Did Danny kill her? Did he really kill his wife and step-daughter after all?
What else this is about?: There's no need for much else. Booker weaves an intricate mystery that forces Morgan and readers to question everything. He brings the threads of Morgan's investigation and her search for Lissa, her daughter, together with the larger question of trust about Danny.
Should you read?: Yes, absolutely!
Morgan Vine is a struggling journalist and cleaner, working to make ends meet while she tries her best to prove her teenage boyfriend's, Danny's, innocence of the double murder of his wife and her daughter. Morgan has been steadfast in her belief in him, going so far as to start a reading group at the prison where he is. Ultimately, he is released, and to Morgan's dismay her dreams of a reunion are crushed when he doesn't show as much interest in her as she has been harboring in him.
That's not to say he isn't grateful, and when he comes to thank her, he meets her daughter, Lissa. She is 18, a handful and has no regard for anything but herself -- still a girl, despite her age. Soon after, Lissa disappears and Morgan is forced to question everything she thought she knew about Danny.
During her investigation of Lissa's disappearance, she meets two cops, Jacqui and Donna, and together they work to uncover Lissa's whereabouts. There's also a reporter, Clive, intent on getting her to write about Killer-cannon for his paper, and is willing to pay handsomely. There's a slimy prison employee, Nigel, intent on dating her and lusting after Lissa -- these characters are compelling additions to the cast, and Booker makes use of them of them all as this story progresses.
As much as this is a story about Lissa and her disappearance, I can appreciate the care that Booker has given all the players: Morgan's character is explained through well-used flashbacks, revealing her relationship with Danny, and why she believed in him so much. It requires a deft touch to be able to balance the hope she harbored for a future with him and the revelation of his relationship with Lissa, without making Morgan look positively sad. Instead, she is strong but not unaffected by the revelations of his relationship with Lissa -- and that's what resonated with me -- Morgan stumbles, she's not perfect but I could understand and empathise with her.
Jacqui and Donna are drawn with broad strokes, giving us just enough of their history with Danny's case, and their desire to help Morgan find Lissa. It's the present that Booker focuses on, building them up as Morgan's strongest allies -- those to whom Morgan finds herself turning more and more, despite their completely opposite takes on Danny's innocence.
Danny himself is broken. He knows what he did with Lissa was wrong and works hard to prove to Morgan that he is innocent and even tries to help find Lissa. However, he has a breaking point too, and when Morgan's distrust of him goes to the point that it's unavoidable for him to endure, whatever relationship they might have had breaks.
But, no-one is what they seem and this is one twist I can appreciate because as I mentioned, Booker's writing is deft, bringing his plot points together by the end.
February 15, 2016
"Morgan had chaired the book group for two and a half years but had no idea why most of 'her boys' were behind bars. Prison etiquette was strict-don't ask, don't tell-but nobody needed to enquire why Danny Kilcannon was serving a life sentence. Although never a household name, his face was vaguely familiar even before the trial. A carpenter by trade, he'd earned a few quid as a T.V. extra, graduation to a single speaking part as a murderous priest in a BBC drama. During his trial , the role had been a gift to tabloid editors casting around for a nickname. To the world at large, Danny was now 'Killer-cannon.' Except in here......."
This mystery thriller takes place in England. A journalist named Morgan Vine has been actively trying to seek the release of a child hood friend, Danny Kilcannon. He was accused of murdering his step daughter and causing the disappearance of his wife, if not also her murder. She found a way to see him in prison. Everyone knows the lengths she went to help him win his release.
The story takes a turn when Danny is released and Morgan's teen daughter also disappears within days of meeting Danny. Should Morgan have listened to everyone else? Is Danny innocent or did he take her 18 year old, Lissa? While Morgan continues to hunt for Lissa she also shadows Danny's life to see if she can uncover anything that will either prove once and for all that he's innocent or that perhaps he really is guilty.
She has a few friends, some mysterious messages and a lousy job she's willing to give up. Morgan also has a past of things with her family that may cloud her thinking. Can she find Lissa? Can she find out the truth about Danny "The Killer-cannon" Kilcannon? Is his wife Rowena alive or dead? Who is leaving her messages? Is it someone close or a stranger?
A steady, exciting pace. Lots of twists in this mystery you won't see coming. Not predictable! I enjoy this kind of complicated mystery. You won't stop reading until you find out what happened to Lissa or Danny and his family.
Was Morgan wrong to trust her child hood friend? Will she lose everything she loves or gain something in the end? Did she help a killer go free? Could someone really disappear "Without Trace" or could they commit murder "Without Trace?" Read and find out!
Thank you Netgalley and Bonnier Publishing/ Twenty7
This mystery thriller takes place in England. A journalist named Morgan Vine has been actively trying to seek the release of a child hood friend, Danny Kilcannon. He was accused of murdering his step daughter and causing the disappearance of his wife, if not also her murder. She found a way to see him in prison. Everyone knows the lengths she went to help him win his release.
The story takes a turn when Danny is released and Morgan's teen daughter also disappears within days of meeting Danny. Should Morgan have listened to everyone else? Is Danny innocent or did he take her 18 year old, Lissa? While Morgan continues to hunt for Lissa she also shadows Danny's life to see if she can uncover anything that will either prove once and for all that he's innocent or that perhaps he really is guilty.
She has a few friends, some mysterious messages and a lousy job she's willing to give up. Morgan also has a past of things with her family that may cloud her thinking. Can she find Lissa? Can she find out the truth about Danny "The Killer-cannon" Kilcannon? Is his wife Rowena alive or dead? Who is leaving her messages? Is it someone close or a stranger?
A steady, exciting pace. Lots of twists in this mystery you won't see coming. Not predictable! I enjoy this kind of complicated mystery. You won't stop reading until you find out what happened to Lissa or Danny and his family.
Was Morgan wrong to trust her child hood friend? Will she lose everything she loves or gain something in the end? Did she help a killer go free? Could someone really disappear "Without Trace" or could they commit murder "Without Trace?" Read and find out!
Thank you Netgalley and Bonnier Publishing/ Twenty7
June 22, 2016
Simon Booker’s Without Trace had me hooked from the very first chapter.
Morgan Vine is a journalist who runs a reading group in the local prison, the prison in which her childhood sweetheart, Danny Kilcannon, is serving time for the death of his step-daughter, Zoe. His wife has also been missing since the death of Zoe. Four years into his sentence, he wins his appeal and is a free man. This is where the story starts and what a story it is!
Morgan hopes their relationship will be re-kindled, however following his release her daughter, Lissa, goes missing and this event puts doubt in Morgan’s mind about Danny’s innocence. Throughout the book I changed my mind constantly as to whether I thought Danny was innocent or guilty, whether or not he had done something to Lissa and whether or not I liked him. I also found myself at various points in the book doubting every character. If Danny is innocent then who is the guilty person?
I wondered how Morgan could be sure of Danny’s innocence at the beginning, especially as she hadn‘t seen him for two decades prior to his conviction, however, we learn about her past through flashbacks to 1989 and it becomes clear why she views him through rose-tinted spectacles.
Morgan’s life is pretty sad - her relationship with her daughter’s father failed, she has no contact with her ailing father, her journalism career has failed, her daughter is a spoilt brat and yet she has the tenacity to find out the truth and follow every lead to find her daughter. I really travelled this journey with Morgan and Simon has done a great job in building her character and this is a huge strength in this book. I look forward to the next novel featuring her.
The suspense build up is second to none and I had to keep turning the pages and reading more to find out the truth. The sentence structure during tense times is cleverly done, making you hold your breath in anticipation. Full of perfectly placed red herrings, this book had me questioning everyone until the shocking end.
A fantastic thriller that will keep you guessing throughout and on the edge of your seat. Cannot wait to read more by Simon and meet Morgan Vine again. Highly recommended.
Thank you to Simon Booker, Twenty7 and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
For all my reviews visit www.bloominbrilliantbooks.com
Morgan Vine is a journalist who runs a reading group in the local prison, the prison in which her childhood sweetheart, Danny Kilcannon, is serving time for the death of his step-daughter, Zoe. His wife has also been missing since the death of Zoe. Four years into his sentence, he wins his appeal and is a free man. This is where the story starts and what a story it is!
Morgan hopes their relationship will be re-kindled, however following his release her daughter, Lissa, goes missing and this event puts doubt in Morgan’s mind about Danny’s innocence. Throughout the book I changed my mind constantly as to whether I thought Danny was innocent or guilty, whether or not he had done something to Lissa and whether or not I liked him. I also found myself at various points in the book doubting every character. If Danny is innocent then who is the guilty person?
I wondered how Morgan could be sure of Danny’s innocence at the beginning, especially as she hadn‘t seen him for two decades prior to his conviction, however, we learn about her past through flashbacks to 1989 and it becomes clear why she views him through rose-tinted spectacles.
Morgan’s life is pretty sad - her relationship with her daughter’s father failed, she has no contact with her ailing father, her journalism career has failed, her daughter is a spoilt brat and yet she has the tenacity to find out the truth and follow every lead to find her daughter. I really travelled this journey with Morgan and Simon has done a great job in building her character and this is a huge strength in this book. I look forward to the next novel featuring her.
The suspense build up is second to none and I had to keep turning the pages and reading more to find out the truth. The sentence structure during tense times is cleverly done, making you hold your breath in anticipation. Full of perfectly placed red herrings, this book had me questioning everyone until the shocking end.
A fantastic thriller that will keep you guessing throughout and on the edge of your seat. Cannot wait to read more by Simon and meet Morgan Vine again. Highly recommended.
Thank you to Simon Booker, Twenty7 and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
For all my reviews visit www.bloominbrilliantbooks.com
June 13, 2016
This was first in a new crime series. It’s a thriller that keeps you guessing and draws you in. Morgan had campaigned for the release of a childhood friend and when he is released he comes to live with her and her daughter. But now he is released- does she really know who he is and what he’s capable of? Is her daughter in danger? It really makes you question and raises the issue of trust. There are lots of clues and twists- which path will the story take? It’s very chilling in parts and full of suspense and makes you wonder what you would do in her position and whether everything is going to be ok! You really don’t want to leave it and are anxious to read more.
I would be keen to read the next in this series and will look out for the next book.
With many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for a copy of this book
I would be keen to read the next in this series and will look out for the next book.
With many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for a copy of this book
January 30, 2016
You'll find my review at https://crimeworm.wordpress.com/
Will try and remember to cut and paste it here later when I'm on my laptop.
If you enjoy a fast read that keeps you guessing, this one's for you. You'll zoom through it - the term "pageturner" was coined for books like this! Perfect for crime/psychological thriller fans, although the background is a miscarriage of justice which results in the release of the main character's childhood sweetheart - but when her daughter disappears shortly afterwards, Morgan Vine, our heroine, has to question: How well do you know anyone? And who can you trust? I'd recommend it if this sounds like it would appeal to you. Just expect a late night or two...
Will try and remember to cut and paste it here later when I'm on my laptop.
If you enjoy a fast read that keeps you guessing, this one's for you. You'll zoom through it - the term "pageturner" was coined for books like this! Perfect for crime/psychological thriller fans, although the background is a miscarriage of justice which results in the release of the main character's childhood sweetheart - but when her daughter disappears shortly afterwards, Morgan Vine, our heroine, has to question: How well do you know anyone? And who can you trust? I'd recommend it if this sounds like it would appeal to you. Just expect a late night or two...
June 29, 2017
Už viackrát sa mi potvrdilo, že najlepšie knihy sú tie vydané potichu, bez veľkého kriku. Novinka Komu možno veriť môže pokojne konkurovať trhákom ako Dievča vo vlaku či Stratené dievča.
Únos dieťaťa je otrepaná zápletka, no postava Dannyho miešala karty v odhadovaní toho, „kto je vrah“ až do úplného konca. Práve vo chvíli, keď všetky náznaky ukazovali na neho, stalo sa niečo, čo ma donútilo opäť pochybovať o jeho nevine.
Neurotická matka, zvláštne odkazy, neistá spolupráca s políciou či novinármi bažiacimi po senzáciách knihe síce nepridávajú na originalite. Samotný štýl písania ma však natoľko bavil, že som ju úplne hltala.
Celá recenzia tu: http://www.monicqa.sk/knihy/simon-boo...
Únos dieťaťa je otrepaná zápletka, no postava Dannyho miešala karty v odhadovaní toho, „kto je vrah“ až do úplného konca. Práve vo chvíli, keď všetky náznaky ukazovali na neho, stalo sa niečo, čo ma donútilo opäť pochybovať o jeho nevine.
Neurotická matka, zvláštne odkazy, neistá spolupráca s políciou či novinármi bažiacimi po senzáciách knihe síce nepridávajú na originalite. Samotný štýl písania ma však natoľko bavil, že som ju úplne hltala.
Celá recenzia tu: http://www.monicqa.sk/knihy/simon-boo...
June 27, 2016
I received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
Reading this book was a strange experience for me. I found myself reacting to the characters/story in almost the same way as I'd react to things in reality (and I'm sure I would have reacted EXACTLY the same, if I hadn't kept reminding myself it was a story).
I wasn't overly-fond of any of any of the characters (again, close to my reality!), but the story line made the book hard to put down. There's a lot of surprises near the end - the plot is so tangled (in a good way) that I don't think anyone will figure it out!
The writing is of a very high standard.
Impressive!
Reading this book was a strange experience for me. I found myself reacting to the characters/story in almost the same way as I'd react to things in reality (and I'm sure I would have reacted EXACTLY the same, if I hadn't kept reminding myself it was a story).
I wasn't overly-fond of any of any of the characters (again, close to my reality!), but the story line made the book hard to put down. There's a lot of surprises near the end - the plot is so tangled (in a good way) that I don't think anyone will figure it out!
The writing is of a very high standard.
Impressive!
July 27, 2022
Kind of baffled by this book. It moved along very quickly and was compelling enough, but I can't help feel like something was off with the treatment of the child abuse storyline... the victim was treated like a pariah, and then I waited and waited for the "peeping Tom" to be punished, or confronted, or at least called out, but nothing ever came of it. Left a bad taste in my mouth and wondering if I'd missed the point.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2020
It was a gripping read and I was always kept wondering who the guilty were. I'm quite heartbroken about Danny's circumstance (resulting from the false accusations, but not an excuse for domestic violence) as well as Morgans' father :( I am actually really sad about the ending, where Danny succumbed to his own HEARTBREAK :'((
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2018
An enjoyable first instalment of a new private eye. Vine is pleasingly downmarket, which tends to be a good way of involving the reader. She's deeply implicated in events which is also very engaging. The English southeast is well drawn in all its charm and, em, reality. Fair rattles along, though at times Booker keeps too loose a rein. There's some confusion in continuity. At one stage Vine awakes on a London morning and we're supposed to be surprised that she reaches Kent before dark. Traffic's not that bad, is it? The denouement is a bit convoluted, as characters run in circles around hidden passageways. Ho hum. That said, there's an engaging story, well drawn character and setting, and humurous dialogue and asides. I'll revisit Vine in another instalment.
March 20, 2017
This book is a true page turner...can't remember the last time I read a book this size so quickly, nor one where I had to dive in and finish reading it as soon as I got home from work. If this is an indicator of things to come, I look forward to reading the next book.
There were so many plot twists I really didn't see some of them coming...very cleverly woven stories bringing the main characters. The big question...how do you know who is telling the truth; and who can you truly trust??
Morgan's relationship with Danny swings between love and hate, through distrust and fear...and there are glimpses of their childhood story thrown in to give more insight into how well they (think) they know each other.
If you like a good crime novel then you need to read this one
There were so many plot twists I really didn't see some of them coming...very cleverly woven stories bringing the main characters. The big question...how do you know who is telling the truth; and who can you truly trust??
Morgan's relationship with Danny swings between love and hate, through distrust and fear...and there are glimpses of their childhood story thrown in to give more insight into how well they (think) they know each other.
If you like a good crime novel then you need to read this one
July 6, 2017
A novel full of twists and turns!
Morgan's childhood sweetheart is released from prison for the murder of his teenaged stepdaughter, and although Morgan believes in him, when her teenaged daughter goes missing, she is not sure she can trust her childhood friend. This is a great novel with many subplots that keep the reader guessing.
Morgan's childhood sweetheart is released from prison for the murder of his teenaged stepdaughter, and although Morgan believes in him, when her teenaged daughter goes missing, she is not sure she can trust her childhood friend. This is a great novel with many subplots that keep the reader guessing.
July 28, 2020
A real page turner
June 9, 2016
This is billed as a taut, psychological thriller for fans of "Gone Girl" - for me, it definitely delivered! As with the most successful titles currently dominating the "grip lit" genre, Booker introduces us to compelling characters, frightening situations and unexpected twists. The most appealing part of this novel was that you never knew who to trust, who was acting out of revenge and who was acting out of genuine goodness. I was constantly changing my opinion of who I felt empathetic towards - who was a victim and who was dangerous - and every time I thought I had it sorted, Booker would come along and trip me up with another twist or revelation!
The novel is about Morgan, single mum and journalist, who has been campaigning for the release of Danny from his prison sentence for murdering his daughter and possibly his wife. They were childhood sweethearts and share a past from which Morgan is still recovering. For Morgan, Danny is the "one that got away" and she is convinced of his innocence. He is released after four years and with nowhere else to go, he turns to Morgan, befriending her teenage daughter who is at first unhappy about having a murderer in their house. Slowly Morgan fights to change the public's opinion of Danny, which reminds steadfast in believing him to be guilty. Then Lissa goes missing. And suddenly Morgan is no longer sure if she can trust Danny and begins to questions everything she knows about him. Has the past blinded her to the present? Is Danny capable of murder? Is he a dangerous man that has been wrongly released or does he want to find Lissa and support Morgan in her traumatic search for her daughter?
This is a real cliffhanger of a book. Each chapter leaves you dangling and forces you to read on. The chapters are short but fast- that fatal trick of being short enough to squeeze in "just one more" and then finding you are still there thirty minutes later! The writing is efficient and despite the short sentences, it is easy to visualise setting and atmosphere. They also build tension and suspense incredibly effectively. The dialogue is often also brief, but deftly used to create believable three dimensional characters.
The main characters, Danny, Morgan and Lissa, are very well crafted and I really bonded with Morgan. On one hand she is a slight victim, a little fragile and damaged from her past which is cleverly intertwined through flashbacks at various points in the novel; she is vulnerable and fallible. She could generate pity but actually she is strong and resourceful and dedicated - the way that she fights to find her daughter reveals drive and a deeper inner strength.
Danny is gloriously menacing. Yet, the backstory reveals a much more caring, sensitive, loving character and helps to explain why Morgan is so quick to defend him and let him manipulate her. There are some fantastically threatening passages where he hovers like a ghostly shadow; a creepy predatory presence. I loved the way Morgan finds "the toilet seat raised" but then realises she is alone.... Booker keeps us guessing about Danny and as I said before, just as you believe he is involved, he does something which makes you question this, reminding you of how he is struggling to adapt to life on the outside, the constant prejudice everywhere he goes as he also tries to overcome the bullying he endured in prison.
Booker uses telephone conversations between Morgan and Danny to heighten the tension. As with the dialogue, they are used to make the characters feel more exposed and confused. The conflict explored in the relationship between Danny and Morgan is interesting. How do you deal with someone who has been the biggest part of your childhood, a knight in shining armour, a wronged victim......but then someone who has changed and whose behaviour implies that actually they could be more dangerous than you think.
No one is this book is what they seem. The police officers working on the case and the other journalist are equally deceptive and manipulative in their behaviour. All have motives and hidden agendas. Morgan's true strength of character is tested as she battles to identify who she can depend on and who can help her to save Lissa. It is utterly impossible to guess the ending of this captivating, white knuckle ride of a story!
The setting is Dungeness beach and the marshes - already stirring up images of Dicken's "Great Expectations" and a place perfect for murderers and a bleak, unfriendly landscape. Some of the events, observations and dialogue reminded me of the film "Sleeping with the Enemy" which still has the power to send shivers down my spine!
I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a thrilling, exciting read with a genuine, cliche-busting protagonist. If you like to be kept guessing and continuously challenged, you will love this. If you like a fast paced, well written novel full of believable and realistic characters, you will love this!
My thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy in return for a review and my thanks to Simon Booker for another sleepless night!
The novel is about Morgan, single mum and journalist, who has been campaigning for the release of Danny from his prison sentence for murdering his daughter and possibly his wife. They were childhood sweethearts and share a past from which Morgan is still recovering. For Morgan, Danny is the "one that got away" and she is convinced of his innocence. He is released after four years and with nowhere else to go, he turns to Morgan, befriending her teenage daughter who is at first unhappy about having a murderer in their house. Slowly Morgan fights to change the public's opinion of Danny, which reminds steadfast in believing him to be guilty. Then Lissa goes missing. And suddenly Morgan is no longer sure if she can trust Danny and begins to questions everything she knows about him. Has the past blinded her to the present? Is Danny capable of murder? Is he a dangerous man that has been wrongly released or does he want to find Lissa and support Morgan in her traumatic search for her daughter?
This is a real cliffhanger of a book. Each chapter leaves you dangling and forces you to read on. The chapters are short but fast- that fatal trick of being short enough to squeeze in "just one more" and then finding you are still there thirty minutes later! The writing is efficient and despite the short sentences, it is easy to visualise setting and atmosphere. They also build tension and suspense incredibly effectively. The dialogue is often also brief, but deftly used to create believable three dimensional characters.
The main characters, Danny, Morgan and Lissa, are very well crafted and I really bonded with Morgan. On one hand she is a slight victim, a little fragile and damaged from her past which is cleverly intertwined through flashbacks at various points in the novel; she is vulnerable and fallible. She could generate pity but actually she is strong and resourceful and dedicated - the way that she fights to find her daughter reveals drive and a deeper inner strength.
Danny is gloriously menacing. Yet, the backstory reveals a much more caring, sensitive, loving character and helps to explain why Morgan is so quick to defend him and let him manipulate her. There are some fantastically threatening passages where he hovers like a ghostly shadow; a creepy predatory presence. I loved the way Morgan finds "the toilet seat raised" but then realises she is alone.... Booker keeps us guessing about Danny and as I said before, just as you believe he is involved, he does something which makes you question this, reminding you of how he is struggling to adapt to life on the outside, the constant prejudice everywhere he goes as he also tries to overcome the bullying he endured in prison.
Booker uses telephone conversations between Morgan and Danny to heighten the tension. As with the dialogue, they are used to make the characters feel more exposed and confused. The conflict explored in the relationship between Danny and Morgan is interesting. How do you deal with someone who has been the biggest part of your childhood, a knight in shining armour, a wronged victim......but then someone who has changed and whose behaviour implies that actually they could be more dangerous than you think.
No one is this book is what they seem. The police officers working on the case and the other journalist are equally deceptive and manipulative in their behaviour. All have motives and hidden agendas. Morgan's true strength of character is tested as she battles to identify who she can depend on and who can help her to save Lissa. It is utterly impossible to guess the ending of this captivating, white knuckle ride of a story!
The setting is Dungeness beach and the marshes - already stirring up images of Dicken's "Great Expectations" and a place perfect for murderers and a bleak, unfriendly landscape. Some of the events, observations and dialogue reminded me of the film "Sleeping with the Enemy" which still has the power to send shivers down my spine!
I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a thrilling, exciting read with a genuine, cliche-busting protagonist. If you like to be kept guessing and continuously challenged, you will love this. If you like a fast paced, well written novel full of believable and realistic characters, you will love this!
My thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy in return for a review and my thanks to Simon Booker for another sleepless night!
April 23, 2017
I didn't like this book at first and I nearly gave up on it. I'm glad I didn't because it was a page turner. Although when I thought about things later some parts were a bit too unbelievable/coincidental, but when I was reading it I was gripped. It's an easy read and good to help unwind at the end of the day.
June 6, 2020
‘Without Trace’ is one of those novels that you can’t just stop reading. I found constantly fooling my self that a chapter would be my last for the day. I finished this book for one day as I was addicted with the story. Truly, Simon Booker made the characters in this novel very interesting and multi-dimensional (hate it when authors try to integrate ridiculous backstories to characters). The plot was engrossing and easy to digest (hate #2: novelists trying to be pretentious) even for a young Filipino such as myself. I highly recommend this book if you’re into ‘whodunnit’ novels.
February 22, 2016
This book left me pretty much speechless and breathless - a feat very rarely accomplished by...well, anyone really.
Morgan Vine is convinced Prisoner FF7836 is innocent. The fact is, her former childhood friend and lover Danny Kilcannon would not have killed his stepdaughter, she's as sure of this as she is of anything in her life. When Danny's appeal is successful and he's released, Morgan is thrilled, but not everyone is glad the man is back on the streets. Receiving messages and notes warning her off, Morgan's belief stays steadfast…until her own 18 year old daughter Lissa goes missing. As Morgan goes in a panic-induced search for her precarious teenage daughter, she learns that nothing is what it seems, and that everyone she meets along the way has secrets and dark sides and agendas. IS Danny capable of murder? Did she get it wrong and help free a killer?
So, WITHOUT TRACE isn't my usual read. It's a psychological thriller with zero romance, but it is absolutely WILD. You just don't know what to believe…was Danny set up? Is Morgan's stalkerish behavior toward him making her delusional? Did Lissa's sexual antics seal her fate, and if so, with whom? As I got deeper into the book, the more freaked out I became when things were revealed piece by disturbing piece. I wanted to shake Morgan and scream at her to WAKE THE HELL UP! but I couldn't decide what I wanted her to wake up to--Danny's ultimate guilt or innocence. And still, Morgan somehow remained delusional, hoping for some sort of future with Danny.
For Danny's part…I just couldn't read fast enough to find out the truth behind the murder he says he didn't commit. Is he responsible somehow? There were so many red herrings, so many moments where I literally said out loud "holy shit" and "oh my gawd," especially as the book drew toward its end and all of the proverbial shit hit the fan. I'm not going to say anything else about this read, it's so much of a mind fuck that readers deserve to experience the entire roller coaster without prejudice on anyone.
Bottom Line: Crazy, insane, intense but not downright scary, this book is one I've been recommending to friends and family since before I even reached the midway point. You've got to pick this one up! - See more at: http://www.theromancereviews.com/view...
- See more at: http://www.theromancereviews.com/view...
Morgan Vine is convinced Prisoner FF7836 is innocent. The fact is, her former childhood friend and lover Danny Kilcannon would not have killed his stepdaughter, she's as sure of this as she is of anything in her life. When Danny's appeal is successful and he's released, Morgan is thrilled, but not everyone is glad the man is back on the streets. Receiving messages and notes warning her off, Morgan's belief stays steadfast…until her own 18 year old daughter Lissa goes missing. As Morgan goes in a panic-induced search for her precarious teenage daughter, she learns that nothing is what it seems, and that everyone she meets along the way has secrets and dark sides and agendas. IS Danny capable of murder? Did she get it wrong and help free a killer?
So, WITHOUT TRACE isn't my usual read. It's a psychological thriller with zero romance, but it is absolutely WILD. You just don't know what to believe…was Danny set up? Is Morgan's stalkerish behavior toward him making her delusional? Did Lissa's sexual antics seal her fate, and if so, with whom? As I got deeper into the book, the more freaked out I became when things were revealed piece by disturbing piece. I wanted to shake Morgan and scream at her to WAKE THE HELL UP! but I couldn't decide what I wanted her to wake up to--Danny's ultimate guilt or innocence. And still, Morgan somehow remained delusional, hoping for some sort of future with Danny.
For Danny's part…I just couldn't read fast enough to find out the truth behind the murder he says he didn't commit. Is he responsible somehow? There were so many red herrings, so many moments where I literally said out loud "holy shit" and "oh my gawd," especially as the book drew toward its end and all of the proverbial shit hit the fan. I'm not going to say anything else about this read, it's so much of a mind fuck that readers deserve to experience the entire roller coaster without prejudice on anyone.
Bottom Line: Crazy, insane, intense but not downright scary, this book is one I've been recommending to friends and family since before I even reached the midway point. You've got to pick this one up! - See more at: http://www.theromancereviews.com/view...
- See more at: http://www.theromancereviews.com/view...
May 10, 2016
Well, I was warned before I started this book that I wouldn't be able to put it down and that's exactly what happened. Luckily I had done a few chores already and so it wasn't as much of a guilt trip as it may have been although I was lucky to have read it on a day where I didn't have to feed anyone else and survived myself on pickings out of the fridge. It's been a while since I have been at the mercy of a book as much as this one!
So, Morgan has been a long time campaigner for the innocence of her childhood friend, and first love, Danny Kilcannon who is currently in jail for the murder of his step-daughter Zoe. Morgan keeps in touch with him by running a book club in his prison and is absolutely certain he didn't do it. His case is not helped by the disappearance of his wife shortly after losing their daughter.
When his latest appeal is successful and he is exonerated and released Danny teams up with Morgan to try to figure out who actually killed Zoe but soon Morgan's own daughter Lissa disappears and she starts to doubt her faith and trust in Danny.
Told in the present day with flashbacks to Morgan and Danny's teenage years, this book took me on one heck of a roller coaster ride culminating in a jaw-dropping finale that had me literally gasping for air. To say this book is well plotted would be a gross understatement and the action starts from page one and doesn't let go until right at the end with only the occasional respite for the reader - well needed at times.
Characterisation was excellent. There are a lot of main players in this book and all were perfectly drawn and easy to relate to / emote with. I can't really say that I liked many of them as the majority were, in one way or another, a bit on the dodgy side or hiding secrets or a bit dubious in some way, but I did feel for Morgan especially with her personal life and the way her daughter was with her.
Yes, there were a couple of clichés in the book. Yes it followed a kind of formula. Yes it did contain a few of the "hot topics in books" that I have noticed in the last few books I have read but all of these things meant nothing really as, when taken as a whole, this was in itself a blooming cracking read. So much so that I will be definitely be interested in seeing what Mr Booker has lined up next. Hopefully he'll give me long enough to recover from this one first!
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
So, Morgan has been a long time campaigner for the innocence of her childhood friend, and first love, Danny Kilcannon who is currently in jail for the murder of his step-daughter Zoe. Morgan keeps in touch with him by running a book club in his prison and is absolutely certain he didn't do it. His case is not helped by the disappearance of his wife shortly after losing their daughter.
When his latest appeal is successful and he is exonerated and released Danny teams up with Morgan to try to figure out who actually killed Zoe but soon Morgan's own daughter Lissa disappears and she starts to doubt her faith and trust in Danny.
Told in the present day with flashbacks to Morgan and Danny's teenage years, this book took me on one heck of a roller coaster ride culminating in a jaw-dropping finale that had me literally gasping for air. To say this book is well plotted would be a gross understatement and the action starts from page one and doesn't let go until right at the end with only the occasional respite for the reader - well needed at times.
Characterisation was excellent. There are a lot of main players in this book and all were perfectly drawn and easy to relate to / emote with. I can't really say that I liked many of them as the majority were, in one way or another, a bit on the dodgy side or hiding secrets or a bit dubious in some way, but I did feel for Morgan especially with her personal life and the way her daughter was with her.
Yes, there were a couple of clichés in the book. Yes it followed a kind of formula. Yes it did contain a few of the "hot topics in books" that I have noticed in the last few books I have read but all of these things meant nothing really as, when taken as a whole, this was in itself a blooming cracking read. So much so that I will be definitely be interested in seeing what Mr Booker has lined up next. Hopefully he'll give me long enough to recover from this one first!
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
April 19, 2016
Book Blurb…
Her daughter missing, her childhood sweetheart the only suspect: a gripping and suspenseful debut thriller
For four long years, journalist Morgan Vine has campaigned for the release of her childhood sweetheart Danny Kilcannon - convicted, on dubious evidence, of murdering his 14 year-old stepdaughter.
When a key witness recants, Danny is released from prison. With nowhere else to go, he relies on single mum Morgan and her teenage daughter, Lissa.
But then Lissa goes missing.
With her own child now at risk, Morgan must re-think all she knows about her old flame - 'the one that got away'. As the media storm around the mysterious disappearance intensifies and shocking revelations emerge, she is forced to confront the ultimate question: Who can we trust...?
My thoughts…
Who can we trust? What a great premise for a story.
Without Trace, by Simon Booker, is exceptional reading.
If my Kindle had pages they would have been turning so fast...! And once I reached the 30% mark there was no way I could put it down, no matter what else needed my attention.
I found myself so caught up in this story and feeling sorry for Danny and his predicament. But soon I was wondering if they were wasted emotions. While Booker had me swinging from guilty to innocent and back to guilty again (several times over) the main character, Morgan, who had campaigned to have Danny released from jail at the beginning of the book, desperately needs to believe he was innocent. Soon enough, Morgan finds herself starting to wonder about her childhood sweetheart, especially as everyone around her is convinced Danny Kilcannon should have stayed in prison for the murder of his stepdaughter.
Was Morgan’s belief in Danny misplaced? I highly recommend you read Without Trace for yourself and find out.
A must-read thriller, full of suspense, that will have you turning the pages.
Her daughter missing, her childhood sweetheart the only suspect: a gripping and suspenseful debut thriller
For four long years, journalist Morgan Vine has campaigned for the release of her childhood sweetheart Danny Kilcannon - convicted, on dubious evidence, of murdering his 14 year-old stepdaughter.
When a key witness recants, Danny is released from prison. With nowhere else to go, he relies on single mum Morgan and her teenage daughter, Lissa.
But then Lissa goes missing.
With her own child now at risk, Morgan must re-think all she knows about her old flame - 'the one that got away'. As the media storm around the mysterious disappearance intensifies and shocking revelations emerge, she is forced to confront the ultimate question: Who can we trust...?
My thoughts…
Who can we trust? What a great premise for a story.
Without Trace, by Simon Booker, is exceptional reading.
If my Kindle had pages they would have been turning so fast...! And once I reached the 30% mark there was no way I could put it down, no matter what else needed my attention.
I found myself so caught up in this story and feeling sorry for Danny and his predicament. But soon I was wondering if they were wasted emotions. While Booker had me swinging from guilty to innocent and back to guilty again (several times over) the main character, Morgan, who had campaigned to have Danny released from jail at the beginning of the book, desperately needs to believe he was innocent. Soon enough, Morgan finds herself starting to wonder about her childhood sweetheart, especially as everyone around her is convinced Danny Kilcannon should have stayed in prison for the murder of his stepdaughter.
Was Morgan’s belief in Danny misplaced? I highly recommend you read Without Trace for yourself and find out.
A must-read thriller, full of suspense, that will have you turning the pages.
July 28, 2016
I've never read psychological thrillers or crime novels of any kind because my precious reading-time is devoted to writers like Rose Tremain, Maggie O'Farrell, Annie Proulx, Ali Smith and the like. But I've just discovered I'm missing a whole bag of tricks. The reason I read Without Trace is because Simon Booker is a friend, but I was blown away and I'm already looking forward to the next book in the Morgan Vine (psychological) Thriller series.
I've never read a novel that I absolutely had to stay up to finish. Never read a novel that gave me such an adrenaline rush that even after I'd read the last page I couldn't get to sleep for ages. (Be warned: if you take it on holiday, start reading early in the morning if you want to get a good night's sleep. Even then, know you'll be up for partying when you've finished.) Never read a novel that had me gasping aloud and saying, 'No, don't do it! Don't do it!' to thin air. Never read a novel whose twists and turns took me by surprise so many times without ever losing plausibility. Never read a novel that had me wondering about the characters' (and my own) ability to deceive myself/themselves, nor one where the truth seems so close so often and yet remains so elusive (until the end). Never read a novel in which I began to see/hear/imagine things, motives and characters that might or might not exist, just as Morgan Vine, the journalist protagonist, does.
Without Trace is a debut novel but it reads as if it's been written by a master of the genre (it has). Booker has many tv screenplay credits, including original thrillers (see here: http://simonbooker.com/about-simon/) but despite all signs to the contrary this really is his first novel.
I recommend recommend recommend a thousand times. And I want to hear from you if you can put it down. I'm not anticipating a single reply.
I've never read a novel that I absolutely had to stay up to finish. Never read a novel that gave me such an adrenaline rush that even after I'd read the last page I couldn't get to sleep for ages. (Be warned: if you take it on holiday, start reading early in the morning if you want to get a good night's sleep. Even then, know you'll be up for partying when you've finished.) Never read a novel that had me gasping aloud and saying, 'No, don't do it! Don't do it!' to thin air. Never read a novel whose twists and turns took me by surprise so many times without ever losing plausibility. Never read a novel that had me wondering about the characters' (and my own) ability to deceive myself/themselves, nor one where the truth seems so close so often and yet remains so elusive (until the end). Never read a novel in which I began to see/hear/imagine things, motives and characters that might or might not exist, just as Morgan Vine, the journalist protagonist, does.
Without Trace is a debut novel but it reads as if it's been written by a master of the genre (it has). Booker has many tv screenplay credits, including original thrillers (see here: http://simonbooker.com/about-simon/) but despite all signs to the contrary this really is his first novel.
I recommend recommend recommend a thousand times. And I want to hear from you if you can put it down. I'm not anticipating a single reply.
March 27, 2016
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I received this book via NetGalley to give an honest review.
I found this to be a good murder suspense book, but there were some things that bothered me about it. I will get into that later on in the review.
So Morgan has been trying to get her childhood sweetheart Danny to become free after 4 years in prison for something she believes he didn't commit. Though once he becomes free it isn't all rainbows and sunshine for the two he doesn't seem to want the relationship that Morgan wants and we see how she struggles with believing him during certain times. When her daughter comes home and ends up missing all of it points to Danny but he insists he is innocent. Morgan will stop at nothing to find her daughter and will uncover the truth on what really happened to Danny's step-daughter.
When the twist came for me I was like oh snap really? How did I not see that coming.
Now the issues I had are with the daughters in this story they both seemed to be seeking attention just acting spoiled and bratty and their parents did nothing. They disrespected their parents and nothing was done Morgan just would breath and let it go like really?
Another thing that bothered me was it seemed the big disease that came up was dementia. Every other character seemed to have this and I just found that to be too weird.
Overall a good story with plenty of suspense and wondering who actually has committed a crime. I do believe I will look into more by this author as he did a good job with this one. The cover is beautiful and really calls you to pick this book up.
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