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Araneya Mystery Series #1
Forgotten
Every family holds a secret.
How far would yours go to keep it?
Twenty-eight year old schoolteacher, Claudia Cabriati, has no memory of her life before the age of eight. This is not something she thought unusual, until a strangely familiar woman possessing knowledge of that life, is shot and killed in the grounds of Claudia’s home.
Another brutal murder follows, along with the heartbreaking revelation of an unimaginable family conspiracy. Claudia crumbles into a world driven by fear and the irrational need to run and hide.
Why were people suddenly dying around her? Were any of her family, particularly her much-beloved Papa, involved in their deaths? More importantly, would her life be next?
With her trust challenged by those she loves, Claudia turns to the mysterious and enigmatic Saul Reardon. Together they embark on a dangerous journey in search of answers.
But is the past sometimes better left buried?
Set amongst the natural beauty of Australia’s eastern coastline and its richly forested hinterland, Forgotten is a fast-paced mystery thriller that explores the controversial nature of family love and protection, loyalty and self-preservation.
How far would yours go to keep it?
Twenty-eight year old schoolteacher, Claudia Cabriati, has no memory of her life before the age of eight. This is not something she thought unusual, until a strangely familiar woman possessing knowledge of that life, is shot and killed in the grounds of Claudia’s home.
Another brutal murder follows, along with the heartbreaking revelation of an unimaginable family conspiracy. Claudia crumbles into a world driven by fear and the irrational need to run and hide.
Why were people suddenly dying around her? Were any of her family, particularly her much-beloved Papa, involved in their deaths? More importantly, would her life be next?
With her trust challenged by those she loves, Claudia turns to the mysterious and enigmatic Saul Reardon. Together they embark on a dangerous journey in search of answers.
But is the past sometimes better left buried?
Set amongst the natural beauty of Australia’s eastern coastline and its richly forested hinterland, Forgotten is a fast-paced mystery thriller that explores the controversial nature of family love and protection, loyalty and self-preservation.
431 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 11, 2016
967 people are currently reading
422 people want to read
About the author
Neven Carr
4 books70 followersNeven Carr lives in what she terms is an author's haven; a quaint fishing village on the east coast of Queensland, Australia.
Her former years as a Primary School teacher provided her with many life experiences, some treasured, some not so treasured, but ones she continually draws upon when writing her novels.
Neven Carr now devotes her time to her three passions, her family, reading and of course, writing.
Forgotten is her debut novel.
Her former years as a Primary School teacher provided her with many life experiences, some treasured, some not so treasured, but ones she continually draws upon when writing her novels.
Neven Carr now devotes her time to her three passions, her family, reading and of course, writing.
Forgotten is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
March 6, 2019
Claudia Cabriati has no memory of her life before the age of eight. Raised in an Italian household, she was always told not to be concerned.
But then the bodies start falling. What they all have in common is ties with her family.
She's having recurrent dreams .. and is someone actually following her, watching her ... or is it strictly her imagination? What is it that her family isn't telling her? What are they hiding? And who wants those secrets buried forever?
This is a well-written Mystery with plenty of suspense, twists and turns, even a little romance in the mix. The characters are finely drawn and lend credibility to the story.
Many thanks to the author for the digital copy of this riveting mystery. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
But then the bodies start falling. What they all have in common is ties with her family.
She's having recurrent dreams .. and is someone actually following her, watching her ... or is it strictly her imagination? What is it that her family isn't telling her? What are they hiding? And who wants those secrets buried forever?
This is a well-written Mystery with plenty of suspense, twists and turns, even a little romance in the mix. The characters are finely drawn and lend credibility to the story.
Many thanks to the author for the digital copy of this riveting mystery. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
May 3, 2017
When Claudia returns home, she immediately knows something is wrong. She can smell it. It's the unmistakeable stench of death. She knows as she's smelled it before. What follows is a complex plot of buried family secrets, murders, cover-ups and more questions than answers.
Enter Saul Reardon, some sort of underground private detective and all-round troubleshooter, and his sidekick Ethan. Together they will do what it takes to keep Claudia safe and figure out why people are dropping like flies around her.
Forgotten is the first instalment in the Araneya Mysteries, which I didn't actually realise until I finished the book (because quite clearly I don't pay enough attention to things), and was left to wonder about the ending.
There was a lot of information coming at me during the first part of the book and I had a hard time getting a handle on things. The pace was too slow for me, although it did pick up in the second half. I felt there was a bit too much talking, not enough action. Also, as will become increasingly obvious as you start to get to know me better, I don't have a romantic bone in my body. So I found the whole developing romance thing between Claudia and Reardon incredibly distracting.
That aside though, Forgotten has the complex plot, the mystery aspect and the beautiful setting of Eastern Australia. Maybe the book and I weren't a match made in heaven, but if you like your mysteries with a host of characters that have dark pasts, and a dash of romance, this one's for you!
Many thanks to author Neven Carr for my copy, which I chose to review honestly.
Enter Saul Reardon, some sort of underground private detective and all-round troubleshooter, and his sidekick Ethan. Together they will do what it takes to keep Claudia safe and figure out why people are dropping like flies around her.
Forgotten is the first instalment in the Araneya Mysteries, which I didn't actually realise until I finished the book (because quite clearly I don't pay enough attention to things), and was left to wonder about the ending.
There was a lot of information coming at me during the first part of the book and I had a hard time getting a handle on things. The pace was too slow for me, although it did pick up in the second half. I felt there was a bit too much talking, not enough action. Also, as will become increasingly obvious as you start to get to know me better, I don't have a romantic bone in my body. So I found the whole developing romance thing between Claudia and Reardon incredibly distracting.
That aside though, Forgotten has the complex plot, the mystery aspect and the beautiful setting of Eastern Australia. Maybe the book and I weren't a match made in heaven, but if you like your mysteries with a host of characters that have dark pasts, and a dash of romance, this one's for you!
Many thanks to author Neven Carr for my copy, which I chose to review honestly.
February 23, 2016
A fast paced romantic mystery down under, Forgotten won't disappoint detective fans. The book is set in Eastern Australia and is told alternately from Claudia or Reardon's perspective. Bodies keep popping up all around Claudia and she has PTSD, memory loss and is not quite sure whether or not she is losing her mind since she seems to be the only one who catches glimpses of the dark hooded character following her. She contacts Reardon, a detective, and he makes the case his primary mission.
The book is faced paced; I read it over a few short days. I really liked that pretty much everyone was a suspect and the clues (and red herrings) appeared regularly enough to keep the wheels in my brain turning.
There is a budding romance between Reardon and Claudia, but since the pair are only together for a short time, it seems to have little substance and seemed a little high-school.
As far as the maturity rating, the book is peppered with profanity, more so towards the rear of the novel when things become more hectic. There are some kissing scenes but nothing vulgar or sexual and the violence is subdued and almost no existent. For the squeamish there are descriptions of the dead bodies found, but even that is pretty tame.
The book is faced paced; I read it over a few short days. I really liked that pretty much everyone was a suspect and the clues (and red herrings) appeared regularly enough to keep the wheels in my brain turning.
There is a budding romance between Reardon and Claudia, but since the pair are only together for a short time, it seems to have little substance and seemed a little high-school.
As far as the maturity rating, the book is peppered with profanity, more so towards the rear of the novel when things become more hectic. There are some kissing scenes but nothing vulgar or sexual and the violence is subdued and almost no existent. For the squeamish there are descriptions of the dead bodies found, but even that is pretty tame.
December 30, 2015
I was given a free copy of the book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Forgotten by Neven Carr is the story of a young woman, Claudia Cabriati, who finds her life turned upside down as she is thrust into the midst of a thrilling adventure revolving around a series of grisly murders. Friendships are formed, and ghosts of her past are revealed.
Carr presents a compelling and unique writing style that I found quite enjoyable. Her characters are well rounded and relatable. The pace of the story keeps you at the edge of your seat.
I enjoyed reading Forgotten. However, I cannot give it five stars because of grammatical errors that popped up quite consistently. As I'm quite anal about these types of things, I found it a little bit of a turnoff, but the intensity of the plot made up for it.
All in all, Forgotten is a great read from a promising new author. This book deserves to be seen.
Forgotten by Neven Carr is the story of a young woman, Claudia Cabriati, who finds her life turned upside down as she is thrust into the midst of a thrilling adventure revolving around a series of grisly murders. Friendships are formed, and ghosts of her past are revealed.
Carr presents a compelling and unique writing style that I found quite enjoyable. Her characters are well rounded and relatable. The pace of the story keeps you at the edge of your seat.
I enjoyed reading Forgotten. However, I cannot give it five stars because of grammatical errors that popped up quite consistently. As I'm quite anal about these types of things, I found it a little bit of a turnoff, but the intensity of the plot made up for it.
All in all, Forgotten is a great read from a promising new author. This book deserves to be seen.
January 15, 2016
Wow what a great book. A mystery and Australia in one book, I am in heaven. lol This book kept me wanting more and I loved it. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
June 13, 2017
This book exciting right from the beginning. There was plenty of suspense, romance, twists and intrigue to keep me interested all the way through.
September 3, 2017
This book introduces you to Claudia Cabriati. Returning from some errands, she smells - death.
With Forgotten, Neven Carr has created the remarkable first book in a mystery series. It is a nicely elaborated read, taking you close to Claudia Cabriati, a complex character. The other characters are of sufficient depth, according to their relevance; fans of psychological mysteries will love to find out what's going on. Neven Carr centres her story mainly on Claudia and Saul, the story comprises interesting events and surprises. I was drawn close to Claudia as the story evolves; she is vulnerable, not sure who is friend or foe, and I had the urge to find the truth. The story has a great flow, carrying the reader on. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series - I am hooked!
This is a book for you if you like (Australian) mystery series, psychological aspects, and complex characters.
Highly recommended.
With Forgotten, Neven Carr has created the remarkable first book in a mystery series. It is a nicely elaborated read, taking you close to Claudia Cabriati, a complex character. The other characters are of sufficient depth, according to their relevance; fans of psychological mysteries will love to find out what's going on. Neven Carr centres her story mainly on Claudia and Saul, the story comprises interesting events and surprises. I was drawn close to Claudia as the story evolves; she is vulnerable, not sure who is friend or foe, and I had the urge to find the truth. The story has a great flow, carrying the reader on. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series - I am hooked!
This is a book for you if you like (Australian) mystery series, psychological aspects, and complex characters.
Highly recommended.
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August 23, 2017
FORGOTTEN. by Neven Carr. New author for me, and was soon delighted to be reading this story. She has a nice flow, and I love her description, you immediately felt like you were Claudia. A neighbor comes to help, he didn't know her fears, her past. She insists there is a body, how do you know ?
The place is immaculate, we must leave, this isn't right. How would one feel, It we didn't relate to our childhood. The author has a way of making you feel like you are the one. Readers, will find this an emotion , and gripping mystery that has you captivated to the end.
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.
The place is immaculate, we must leave, this isn't right. How would one feel, It we didn't relate to our childhood. The author has a way of making you feel like you are the one. Readers, will find this an emotion , and gripping mystery that has you captivated to the end.
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.
March 30, 2016
Title: Forgotten
Author: Neven Carr
Rating: 5/5
Forgotten is an indie suspense novel by author Neven Carr. The synopsis of the book is as follows:
“A young boy is shot and one of the members of an elite gun clan takes his own life. The truth behind what happened lies only in those present, and in the forgotten memories of a seven-year-old child, Claudia Cabriati.
Fear and the bitter stench of death have haunted Claudia for much of her life, even now as a grown woman, along with odd dreams, puzzling cards and the bone-chilling sensation of being watched.
When a vaguely familiar woman possessing secret knowledge about Claudia’s family is murdered, it sets off a string of horrifying events including the brutal murder of a mysterious man and the shocking revelations of family skeletons better left buried.
As Claudia battles her adversaries and her own personal demons in search of answers, she begins questioning her relationship with the man helping her, a man she barely knows. As she starts to learn just who she might be, this mysterious man’s own personal demons must be revealed.”
Carr’s writing captured me from the beginning. Many novels tend to use hooks that can often be seen as inexperienced, but Carr’s beginning was not reminiscent of this. Instead, she treated us with this opening:
“Death has a flavor of its own. I know; I had smelt it before. I smelt it now.”
In these three sentences she tells us the history of her main character, Claudia, without revealing too much and providing further exploration for the reader. I wanted to know more about her immediately and I was not let down. The first chapter took my breath away and with each chapter that followed I was further surprised. The mystery and suspense was not lacking and it was clear that Carr knew who’s story she was telling and that she wasn’t making up anything as she went along. I felt like I was reading the novel of an experienced author who has had many books published before and has not lost her knack or passion for writing. When finishing this book I felt myself craving more. I felt that Carr admired and cared for characters and I wanted to do the same.
The novel is written in first person with each chapter title pertaining to a different character or event (i.e. Claudia, Araneya Estate, etc.) and the writing consists mainly of memories and present experiences in order to connect the two. Since the character of Claudia has a lot of repressed memories we are gifted with being able to relive her memories with her and subsequently live through the pain that she has been through. She is a character whose life has been defined by pain and terrible events that don’t seem to want to let her go. I felt for her on a personal level with every page and the way that Carr forced you to create empathy for her characters was the gift of a truly talented author. She seemed to make Claudia a helpless character but she also gave her hidden strength which allowed her to get past everything that she had been through. Her life was not one that I would like to live on my own but one that I am glad that I had the experience of living along with her.
But aside from her well-developed characters, what made Carr’s novel most beautiful were her descriptions. They were not tacky, as imagery can often times be when used in excess, but instead her imagery was beautiful and painted the novel as though it were a piece of fine art. One of my favorite examples of the imagery that Carr presented to the reader is as follows:
“A roguish sea breeze played with a wisp of my hair. I lazily fingered it behind my ear.”
Her vocabulary presents just how seasoned of a writer she is and shows us how able she is to rearrange and play with words to create the best effect. She was also able to add in bits of humor that detracted from the drama that could have otherwise weighed down the novel too heavily and turned off the reader. Being able to add humor to a novel of such high drama as Carr’s was memorable and made me create a wider appreciation for her work.
I am honored to have experienced her work and highly recommend it to anyone who loves a suspenseful novel with a dash of humor. I will gladly read any future work of Neven Carr and I hope that you also check out her work, because her novel is not one to be missed.
Author: Neven Carr
Rating: 5/5
Forgotten is an indie suspense novel by author Neven Carr. The synopsis of the book is as follows:
“A young boy is shot and one of the members of an elite gun clan takes his own life. The truth behind what happened lies only in those present, and in the forgotten memories of a seven-year-old child, Claudia Cabriati.
Fear and the bitter stench of death have haunted Claudia for much of her life, even now as a grown woman, along with odd dreams, puzzling cards and the bone-chilling sensation of being watched.
When a vaguely familiar woman possessing secret knowledge about Claudia’s family is murdered, it sets off a string of horrifying events including the brutal murder of a mysterious man and the shocking revelations of family skeletons better left buried.
As Claudia battles her adversaries and her own personal demons in search of answers, she begins questioning her relationship with the man helping her, a man she barely knows. As she starts to learn just who she might be, this mysterious man’s own personal demons must be revealed.”
Carr’s writing captured me from the beginning. Many novels tend to use hooks that can often be seen as inexperienced, but Carr’s beginning was not reminiscent of this. Instead, she treated us with this opening:
“Death has a flavor of its own. I know; I had smelt it before. I smelt it now.”
In these three sentences she tells us the history of her main character, Claudia, without revealing too much and providing further exploration for the reader. I wanted to know more about her immediately and I was not let down. The first chapter took my breath away and with each chapter that followed I was further surprised. The mystery and suspense was not lacking and it was clear that Carr knew who’s story she was telling and that she wasn’t making up anything as she went along. I felt like I was reading the novel of an experienced author who has had many books published before and has not lost her knack or passion for writing. When finishing this book I felt myself craving more. I felt that Carr admired and cared for characters and I wanted to do the same.
The novel is written in first person with each chapter title pertaining to a different character or event (i.e. Claudia, Araneya Estate, etc.) and the writing consists mainly of memories and present experiences in order to connect the two. Since the character of Claudia has a lot of repressed memories we are gifted with being able to relive her memories with her and subsequently live through the pain that she has been through. She is a character whose life has been defined by pain and terrible events that don’t seem to want to let her go. I felt for her on a personal level with every page and the way that Carr forced you to create empathy for her characters was the gift of a truly talented author. She seemed to make Claudia a helpless character but she also gave her hidden strength which allowed her to get past everything that she had been through. Her life was not one that I would like to live on my own but one that I am glad that I had the experience of living along with her.
But aside from her well-developed characters, what made Carr’s novel most beautiful were her descriptions. They were not tacky, as imagery can often times be when used in excess, but instead her imagery was beautiful and painted the novel as though it were a piece of fine art. One of my favorite examples of the imagery that Carr presented to the reader is as follows:
“A roguish sea breeze played with a wisp of my hair. I lazily fingered it behind my ear.”
Her vocabulary presents just how seasoned of a writer she is and shows us how able she is to rearrange and play with words to create the best effect. She was also able to add in bits of humor that detracted from the drama that could have otherwise weighed down the novel too heavily and turned off the reader. Being able to add humor to a novel of such high drama as Carr’s was memorable and made me create a wider appreciation for her work.
I am honored to have experienced her work and highly recommend it to anyone who loves a suspenseful novel with a dash of humor. I will gladly read any future work of Neven Carr and I hope that you also check out her work, because her novel is not one to be missed.
October 23, 2017
This fast pace romantic mystery had a complex plot , a few too many descriptive bad words, and required you to pay attention closely to what you read. It was one of those books I wanted to finish before I put it down. A free copy of this book was sent to me for an honest review. Read and enjoy.
February 6, 2017
Check out this review, and many more, on my blog https://jessjesinghaus.wordpress.com
4.5 out of 5 stars
Claudia Cabriati has no memory of her childhood before the age of about 7 or 8. Raised in an overprotective Italian household with a doting father, a somewhat standoffish mother, three brothers and a large extended family she has been convinced this memory lapse is nothing to be concerned about. But as an adult, she begins to question that notion. Do her recurrent dreams have anything to do with it? And what about the nameless, faceless individuals she perceives following her, watching her from a distance? When bodies start to turn up in Claudia's vicinity, and I mean A LOT of bodies, the possible connections become impossible to ignore.
Enter Saul Reardon, an enigmatic man whose sole purpose in life appears to be helping those in trouble. Saul is a mystery, his real motivations and resources never fully explained (maybe we'll get more in book 2?). I equate him to a Robin Hood-like character, replete with his own "Little John" aka his best friend: the womanizing muscle-head Ethan.
I enjoyed this mystery. Alternating POVs between Claudia and Saul kept the tension high. As Claudia digs into her unknown past we get to witness a wonderful character transformation. Doubts give way to answers and she finds her own kind of strength to carry her through.
But there are still so many unanswered questions! Is Claudia finally safe? What really happened to Saul's family? Is Claudia really the key to finding out, as Saul suspects? Who are the mercenary-like soldiers Saul calls for reinforcements when the chips are down? Who is the real villain, still hiding in the shadows at the end of this installment? Damn you Neven Carr!
This was a very well written book. The characters, and their responses, were very realistic. The only fault I would give is the number of unresolved issues. I understand this book is part of a planned series, and my assessment might change after I read book two, but right at this moment the number of loose ends is driving me crazy. Guess that's a good sign; it means I care about the story and its characters.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Claudia Cabriati has no memory of her childhood before the age of about 7 or 8. Raised in an overprotective Italian household with a doting father, a somewhat standoffish mother, three brothers and a large extended family she has been convinced this memory lapse is nothing to be concerned about. But as an adult, she begins to question that notion. Do her recurrent dreams have anything to do with it? And what about the nameless, faceless individuals she perceives following her, watching her from a distance? When bodies start to turn up in Claudia's vicinity, and I mean A LOT of bodies, the possible connections become impossible to ignore.
Enter Saul Reardon, an enigmatic man whose sole purpose in life appears to be helping those in trouble. Saul is a mystery, his real motivations and resources never fully explained (maybe we'll get more in book 2?). I equate him to a Robin Hood-like character, replete with his own "Little John" aka his best friend: the womanizing muscle-head Ethan.
I enjoyed this mystery. Alternating POVs between Claudia and Saul kept the tension high. As Claudia digs into her unknown past we get to witness a wonderful character transformation. Doubts give way to answers and she finds her own kind of strength to carry her through.
But there are still so many unanswered questions! Is Claudia finally safe? What really happened to Saul's family? Is Claudia really the key to finding out, as Saul suspects? Who are the mercenary-like soldiers Saul calls for reinforcements when the chips are down? Who is the real villain, still hiding in the shadows at the end of this installment? Damn you Neven Carr!
This was a very well written book. The characters, and their responses, were very realistic. The only fault I would give is the number of unresolved issues. I understand this book is part of a planned series, and my assessment might change after I read book two, but right at this moment the number of loose ends is driving me crazy. Guess that's a good sign; it means I care about the story and its characters.
January 21, 2016
Timeline: 1987-2010.
Claudia Cabriati (28, narrator, teacher, aka Clauds, aka Carino) suffers from PTSD.
Her other family members are: Vincent Cabriati (Husband/Papa), Adeline Cabriati (Wife/Mama), Milo Cabriati (brother) Marcus Cabriati (brother) & Nonna (grandmother, Alzheimer’s).
They were all brutally murdered when she was at a young age. As was Alice Polinski (49) Claudia’s care provider.
Life doesn’t come any easier for her.
Where will Claudia’s journey take her next?
Warning: This book contains extremely graphic adult content, violence, or expletive language &/or uncensored sexually explicit material which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive to some readers.
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 very well written Mystery book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & 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 huge set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great Mystery movie, or mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Goodreads; Smashwords; Making Connections; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Claudia Cabriati (28, narrator, teacher, aka Clauds, aka Carino) suffers from PTSD.
Her other family members are: Vincent Cabriati (Husband/Papa), Adeline Cabriati (Wife/Mama), Milo Cabriati (brother) Marcus Cabriati (brother) & Nonna (grandmother, Alzheimer’s).
They were all brutally murdered when she was at a young age. As was Alice Polinski (49) Claudia’s care provider.
Life doesn’t come any easier for her.
Where will Claudia’s journey take her next?
Warning: This book contains extremely graphic adult content, violence, or expletive language &/or uncensored sexually explicit material which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive to some readers.
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 very well written Mystery book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & 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 huge set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great Mystery movie, or mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Goodreads; Smashwords; Making Connections; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
May 26, 2018
Forgotten is an excellent book from start to finish. I usually am in the midst of several books at once, but this one was hard to put down. I liked how it’s written from the perspective of both main characters. This gave the story more credibility and kept the drama flowing.
Claudia’s transformation is phenomenal yet believable. She initially appears as a fragile young woman with a bit of a self esteem issue. Throughout the book, however, she matures into a strong character who refuses to be coddled. Well, except for maybe a little coddling from Saul Reardon...but who can blame her for that?!?
The mystery aspect is most certainly present. I found myself wondering about Alice and her part in Claudia’s history right after her introduction. The truth was something I’d considered, but hadn’t expected. There was plenty of anticipation all around to keep me glued to my screen.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope the next one comes out soon. There’s just enough mystery and intrigue left at the end to make me want more.
I give this book 4.9/5 ⭐️ and will be watching out closely for Neven Carr’s next release!
Claudia’s transformation is phenomenal yet believable. She initially appears as a fragile young woman with a bit of a self esteem issue. Throughout the book, however, she matures into a strong character who refuses to be coddled. Well, except for maybe a little coddling from Saul Reardon...but who can blame her for that?!?
The mystery aspect is most certainly present. I found myself wondering about Alice and her part in Claudia’s history right after her introduction. The truth was something I’d considered, but hadn’t expected. There was plenty of anticipation all around to keep me glued to my screen.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope the next one comes out soon. There’s just enough mystery and intrigue left at the end to make me want more.
I give this book 4.9/5 ⭐️ and will be watching out closely for Neven Carr’s next release!
September 20, 2017
Wow! What a first novel. The book starts slowly with seemingly disjointed vignettes, but these vignettes are important to the story. Be sure to pay attention to them. They are an important tool by the author to set up the story. This vehicle will appear from time-to-time throughout the book; by that time you will understand and appreciate them.
After the beginning the story starts to speed up until you do not want to put it down. I am looking forward to Ms. Carr's next book.
After the beginning the story starts to speed up until you do not want to put it down. I am looking forward to Ms. Carr's next book.
June 8, 2017
Forgotten is an exciting read, full of unexpected twists and turns . . . a captivating plot and interesting characters. Neven does a great job of fueling the reader's desire to keep turning those pages in a quest to solve the mystery and find the truth!
July 2, 2017
Wonderful and exciting first novel for this author. Can't wait to continue my journey. Having characters like Claudia and Saul be so well written just makes you want to read Neven Carr's next book Can't wait for Araneya Mystery Club to continue.
August 21, 2017
What a great read! I usually read several books at a time, going from one to the other as the mood strikes. But this book - I couldn't put it down! I can't wait for the next one in the series.
August 1, 2018
A gripping mystery and suspense story with many twists and turns that kept me guessing what was happening behind all the murders and why was this girl, Claudia, so targeted. The intense family drama was well thought out and this was an extremely well written book. I look forward to to more from Neven Carr. Being an Aussie I loved the vivid attention to the beautiful scenery in this part of the country.
February 27, 2020
This is the first book in the Araneya Mystery Series and starts the series off with a bang. Well written with a page turning plot and well developed characters. This was a good book and I enjoyed it very much. Full of suspense, fast action and lots of twists.
February 3, 2018
An enjoyable read, the first in the exciting ‘Araneya Series’, involving a ruthless band of Italian-Australian ex-Vietnam Vets out to silence a child witness when it appears that her trauma-induced lost memory might be returning.
See the full review at www.bookpostmortem.wordpress.com
See the full review at www.bookpostmortem.wordpress.com
January 31, 2018
I really liked this book. I will read more by this author as she kept my interest and I cared about the characters.
January 18, 2019
What a wonderful debut novel. I really enjoyed it. The characters were riveting and wonderful, the story was compelling (I couldn't put it down once I got into the story which didn't take long) I look forward to reading more from Neven Carr. If you read this book I'm sure you will enjoy it as much as I did.
February 8, 2019
This is a great Debut novel. It grabs you right from the start. It has a gutsy main female character and other relatable people throughout. With a surprising twist at the end. Can't wait to read other books by this Author
August 10, 2018
A dark secret hangs over Claudia's family, and there is a mystery begging to be solved. What does Claudia know that is worth killing for? Or rather - what could she remember that could result in her being the next victim? One murder leads to another, and a twisted web of lies and intrigue. Thrilling.
December 4, 2017
Took me awhile to get into this book but 1/4 way trough I was hooked to the end.
January 6, 2019
Recieved free for review:
Some families go to great lengths to protect their own. This is a well woven story of 1 such.
Claudia, with no memories below age 8 tries to find explanations for this lack, but keeps getting stonewalled by her father....
Some families go to great lengths to protect their own. This is a well woven story of 1 such.
Claudia, with no memories below age 8 tries to find explanations for this lack, but keeps getting stonewalled by her father....
September 24, 2017
In Forgotten we meet Claudia Cabriati. She is still haunted by the death of her fiancé and now dead bodies keep turning up where she lives. The first one – Alice Polinksi has links to her past but for whatever reason she can’t remember anything of her life before the age of 8.
I will admit that when I started the book I struggled to get into it, however the more I read, the more I became intrigued by Claudia and her life. I think this was partly due to the fact that all the characters were new to me and the only back story you got for any of them was that of Claudia as her backstory was the story.
I initially got the impression that Claudia was a timid person who had spent most of her life being cosseted and shielded by her family and to a certain extent this was true. As the story progressed however you found that she also possessed a determination to find out why everything was happening to her and also unlock the memories of her past. When events show that she may not be able to trust her family she turns to Saul Reardon, a private detective recommended by her best friend Mel. Now I am not sure that despite it looking like my life may be under threat I would move in with someone who I didn’t know and had only just met based on the fact that they tell me that they can protect me, but that is exactly what Claudia does. There are times though that she does question what she is doing but I think that as Saul is the first person who does not think she is mad and seems to genuinely want to help her she pushes the doubts away.
Saul Reardon is a man who has secrets in his past. Although there are hints as to what they may be we don’t actually get to find out what they are (maybe this could be another book???), but whatever they are they are what drive him to put everything into protecting the people he is working for. I loved the relationship between him and his partner Ethan.
Ethan gives off the air of devil may care ladies’ man but that is more a persona he puts on. Over time you can see that he really cares about Saul and knows all about Saul’s past. He is the one that stops Saul from going over the top when his feelings for Claudia stop being just professional and threaten to affect his handling of the case.
Due to all the twists and turns in the story and the equal mix of clues and red herrings, I changed my mind several times as to who was behind the murders and who was after Claudia. What I will say is that the ending surprised me and the motive behind the chain of events was not one I expected.
I look forward to more from this author and hope that in future books we get to learn more about Saul and Ethan and what makes them tick
I will admit that when I started the book I struggled to get into it, however the more I read, the more I became intrigued by Claudia and her life. I think this was partly due to the fact that all the characters were new to me and the only back story you got for any of them was that of Claudia as her backstory was the story.
I initially got the impression that Claudia was a timid person who had spent most of her life being cosseted and shielded by her family and to a certain extent this was true. As the story progressed however you found that she also possessed a determination to find out why everything was happening to her and also unlock the memories of her past. When events show that she may not be able to trust her family she turns to Saul Reardon, a private detective recommended by her best friend Mel. Now I am not sure that despite it looking like my life may be under threat I would move in with someone who I didn’t know and had only just met based on the fact that they tell me that they can protect me, but that is exactly what Claudia does. There are times though that she does question what she is doing but I think that as Saul is the first person who does not think she is mad and seems to genuinely want to help her she pushes the doubts away.
Saul Reardon is a man who has secrets in his past. Although there are hints as to what they may be we don’t actually get to find out what they are (maybe this could be another book???), but whatever they are they are what drive him to put everything into protecting the people he is working for. I loved the relationship between him and his partner Ethan.
Ethan gives off the air of devil may care ladies’ man but that is more a persona he puts on. Over time you can see that he really cares about Saul and knows all about Saul’s past. He is the one that stops Saul from going over the top when his feelings for Claudia stop being just professional and threaten to affect his handling of the case.
Due to all the twists and turns in the story and the equal mix of clues and red herrings, I changed my mind several times as to who was behind the murders and who was after Claudia. What I will say is that the ending surprised me and the motive behind the chain of events was not one I expected.
I look forward to more from this author and hope that in future books we get to learn more about Saul and Ethan and what makes them tick
November 14, 2019
Forgotten
I found this novel on another author's promotion and I'm giving my review.
This is a first time book from this author? My goodness! This is an amazing read! I was riveted to the last page! Families can have secrets, sometimes they become a driving force to keep the secret, only to become harder to keep, and should they be hidden? This is an account for the destruction that fire a family apart. A very good story line, characters that I came to identify with, to both love and despise. Fast flowing, twists, oh boy! Highly recommend this book!
I found this novel on another author's promotion and I'm giving my review.
This is a first time book from this author? My goodness! This is an amazing read! I was riveted to the last page! Families can have secrets, sometimes they become a driving force to keep the secret, only to become harder to keep, and should they be hidden? This is an account for the destruction that fire a family apart. A very good story line, characters that I came to identify with, to both love and despise. Fast flowing, twists, oh boy! Highly recommend this book!
January 4, 2018
A great detective story that gets you in, provided you get through the first few chapters which, for no apparent reason, are much too drawn out. Her fear of entering her own house is understandable from her point of view but her friend has no reason to share that fear, yet he seems almost more scared. Nevertheless, this is a great story. I enjoyed it immensely.
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