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The Lost Ones
Some secrets are better left undiscovered.
When a nine-year-old girl goes missing in Harwood Forest, the search for her brings back memories of an unsolved double murder some forty years earlier. Could the key to Erin Jackson’s disappearance lie in the bloody fate of Elijah and Joanna Ingham, bludgeoned to death while their young daughters slept? Were the Inghams really the victims of opportunistic burglars—or a more sinister fate?
The woods are combed for signs of the child, but Erin’s brother, Jake, mounts his own investigation, uncovering evidence that puts the Inghams’ daughters—vanished Rachel and ‘crazy’ Mary—in the frame. Meanwhile, Erin’s father suspects that the ragtag army of eco-warriors besieging his quarry development may have something to hide.
As devastating secrets and betrayals are revealed, the Jackson family is brought to a breaking point. But time is running out. Erin is still missing and Jake’s unorthodox enquiries have left him dangerously exposed. They must find Erin and lay the past to rest—before they become its latest victims.
366 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 25, 2016
225 people are currently reading
582 people want to read
About the author
Ben Cheetham
46 books257 followersBen Cheetham is an award-winning writer and Pushcart Prize nominee. His writing spans the genres, from horror and sci-fi to literary fiction, but he has a passion for dark, gritty crime fiction. His short stories have been published in Swill Magazine, The Fiction Desk, Deadcore (Comet Press), The London Magazine, The Willisden Herald New Short Stories 3, The Grist Anthology of New Writing, Dream Catcher, Staple, Fast Forward: A Collection of Flash Fiction, Voice From The Planet (Harvard Square Editions), The Momaya Annual Review, Transmission, The Chaffey Review, and numerous other magazines.
Ben lives in Sheffield, UK, where - when he's not chasing around after his two-year old son - he spends most of his time locked away in his study racking his brain for the next paragraph, the next sentence, the next word.
Ben lives in Sheffield, UK, where - when he's not chasing around after his two-year old son - he spends most of his time locked away in his study racking his brain for the next paragraph, the next sentence, the next word.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
November 10, 2016
“Fifty percent of something is better than than one hundred percent of nothing.”
----Chuck Barris
Ben Cheetham, an award winning English author, pens a dark and an intriguing family thriller, The Lost Ones which centers around the mystery of a little missing girl right under the nose and eyes of her own mother near the forest which is and was popularly known for the cult who performed their rituals there located in a small town with some ugly secrets behind the unsolved murder case of a married couple, that has a strong similarity with the features of the little girl's disappearance.
Synopsis:
Some secrets are better left undiscovered.
When a nine-year-old girl goes missing in Harwood Forest, the search for her brings back memories of an unsolved double murder some forty years earlier. Could the key to Erin Jackson’s disappearance lie in the bloody fate of Elijah and Joanna Ingham, bludgeoned to death while their young daughters slept? Were the Inghams really the victims of opportunistic burglars—or a more sinister fate?
The woods are combed for signs of the child, but Erin’s brother, Jake, mounts his own investigation, uncovering evidence that puts the Inghams’ daughters—vanished Rachel and ‘crazy’ Mary—in the frame. Meanwhile, Erin’s father suspects that the ragtag army of eco-warriors besieging his quarry development may have something to hide.
As devastating secrets and betrayals are revealed, the Jackson family is brought to a breaking point. But time is running out. Erin is still missing and Jake’s unorthodox inquiries have left him dangerously exposed. They must find Erin and lay the past to rest—before they become its latest victims.
Erin goes missing right from the watchful eyes of her mother in a very small English town and soon a search is launched to find the missing girl in the dark forest that have been an epicenter for cult practices since the beginning of time. Whereas Erin's father is pretty sure that his daughter's abduction is a ploy by the environment supporters to stop him and his team from developing the forest quarry. And Erin's elder brother, Jack, launches his own investigation and finding starking similarities and links with the town's forgotten twin murders that took place forty years ago of a married couple left slaughtered in their own house while their daughters slept away in the adjacent rooms. Jack finds clues to his sister's abduction and the twin murders but that throws him on the harm's way and within no time, he finds the diary of the murdered couple's missing daughter that says a lot about the night of that murder. Before Jack comes to a conclusion, he must be careful to uncover some of the ugly secrets of his sleepy town.
The book opens with an alluring epilogue about the abduction of the little girl and how her family is thrown on a downward spiral path to destruction. And the author has captured that trauma and the pressure of the kidnapping of the daughter among the mother and father and how their trust begins to fall apart, all these details have been strikingly portrayed into the story and the readers can actually feel the weight of this mystery burdening the souls of the couple. Also the story brings out the mentality of small town folks perfectly and flawlessly and i bet readers can easily contemplate with that part.
The author's writing style is fluent with an equally sharp prose, laced well with emotional turbulence thereby reflecting a realistic feel to this thriller. The pacing is really fast, although the fast pacing did not work out well with the story line, as the story will feel often rushed by the readers at some moments especially near the climax. The narrative is not that polished and often confusing yet the emotional depth is strong and that makes it quite interesting and captivating enough for the readers to stay glued to the book.
The mystery part comes undone in this book, even though this is a thriller book, yet it will feel more like reading a dark family drama. There are many layers to this tale yet the layers are not well concocted into the story line. Each and every twist is foreseeable hence the mystery loses it charm in that respect. But overall, the story line, the logic and the back story and everything else feels right and is in sync with the story's general flow.
The characters are one thing that made this novel even more compelling for the readers to keep turning the pages of this book till the very end. The author has painted the key characters with many hues of dark shades that makes them look flawed and psychologically challenged still extremely likable. The main character, Jack is very much well developed, through his teenage issues, his insecurities and his determination to find his missing sister. Jack's investigation will make the readers not only fall for this unusual teenage boy but will also make them stick to the edge of this story. The rest of the supporting characters are well crafted out and are portrayed with enough realism.
In a nutshell, this is an enjoyable and absorbing crime fiction that will provoke the thoughts of its readers.
Verdict: Definitely a promising part thriller and part family drama.
Courtesy: Thanks to the author, Ben Cheetham, for giving me an opportunity to read and review this book.
----Chuck Barris
Ben Cheetham, an award winning English author, pens a dark and an intriguing family thriller, The Lost Ones which centers around the mystery of a little missing girl right under the nose and eyes of her own mother near the forest which is and was popularly known for the cult who performed their rituals there located in a small town with some ugly secrets behind the unsolved murder case of a married couple, that has a strong similarity with the features of the little girl's disappearance.
Synopsis:
Some secrets are better left undiscovered.
When a nine-year-old girl goes missing in Harwood Forest, the search for her brings back memories of an unsolved double murder some forty years earlier. Could the key to Erin Jackson’s disappearance lie in the bloody fate of Elijah and Joanna Ingham, bludgeoned to death while their young daughters slept? Were the Inghams really the victims of opportunistic burglars—or a more sinister fate?
The woods are combed for signs of the child, but Erin’s brother, Jake, mounts his own investigation, uncovering evidence that puts the Inghams’ daughters—vanished Rachel and ‘crazy’ Mary—in the frame. Meanwhile, Erin’s father suspects that the ragtag army of eco-warriors besieging his quarry development may have something to hide.
As devastating secrets and betrayals are revealed, the Jackson family is brought to a breaking point. But time is running out. Erin is still missing and Jake’s unorthodox inquiries have left him dangerously exposed. They must find Erin and lay the past to rest—before they become its latest victims.
Erin goes missing right from the watchful eyes of her mother in a very small English town and soon a search is launched to find the missing girl in the dark forest that have been an epicenter for cult practices since the beginning of time. Whereas Erin's father is pretty sure that his daughter's abduction is a ploy by the environment supporters to stop him and his team from developing the forest quarry. And Erin's elder brother, Jack, launches his own investigation and finding starking similarities and links with the town's forgotten twin murders that took place forty years ago of a married couple left slaughtered in their own house while their daughters slept away in the adjacent rooms. Jack finds clues to his sister's abduction and the twin murders but that throws him on the harm's way and within no time, he finds the diary of the murdered couple's missing daughter that says a lot about the night of that murder. Before Jack comes to a conclusion, he must be careful to uncover some of the ugly secrets of his sleepy town.
The book opens with an alluring epilogue about the abduction of the little girl and how her family is thrown on a downward spiral path to destruction. And the author has captured that trauma and the pressure of the kidnapping of the daughter among the mother and father and how their trust begins to fall apart, all these details have been strikingly portrayed into the story and the readers can actually feel the weight of this mystery burdening the souls of the couple. Also the story brings out the mentality of small town folks perfectly and flawlessly and i bet readers can easily contemplate with that part.
The author's writing style is fluent with an equally sharp prose, laced well with emotional turbulence thereby reflecting a realistic feel to this thriller. The pacing is really fast, although the fast pacing did not work out well with the story line, as the story will feel often rushed by the readers at some moments especially near the climax. The narrative is not that polished and often confusing yet the emotional depth is strong and that makes it quite interesting and captivating enough for the readers to stay glued to the book.
The mystery part comes undone in this book, even though this is a thriller book, yet it will feel more like reading a dark family drama. There are many layers to this tale yet the layers are not well concocted into the story line. Each and every twist is foreseeable hence the mystery loses it charm in that respect. But overall, the story line, the logic and the back story and everything else feels right and is in sync with the story's general flow.
The characters are one thing that made this novel even more compelling for the readers to keep turning the pages of this book till the very end. The author has painted the key characters with many hues of dark shades that makes them look flawed and psychologically challenged still extremely likable. The main character, Jack is very much well developed, through his teenage issues, his insecurities and his determination to find his missing sister. Jack's investigation will make the readers not only fall for this unusual teenage boy but will also make them stick to the edge of this story. The rest of the supporting characters are well crafted out and are portrayed with enough realism.
In a nutshell, this is an enjoyable and absorbing crime fiction that will provoke the thoughts of its readers.
Verdict: Definitely a promising part thriller and part family drama.
Courtesy: Thanks to the author, Ben Cheetham, for giving me an opportunity to read and review this book.
October 25, 2016
The Lost Ones instantly caught my eyes with its wonderful cover and I thought the description of the book sounded very exciting. And, luckily, the book proved to be a real gem. I had never read anything by Ben Cheetham before I read this book, but now I must add his name to the list of authors to keep an eye out for.
The story is engrossing, a young girl goes missing, and since her father has a lot of enemies is there plenty of suspects. The town has once before been through an ordeal. Forty years before, Elijah and Joanna Ingham was brutally murdered in their house only their daughters survived. But, surely this murder of Elijah and Joanna Ingham couldn't have anything to do with the missing girl?
The Lost Ones is intense and heartbreaking to read. Little Erin is missing, and her parents are desperate to have her back, but has someone taken her or is she just lost? As the hours pass the situation becomes more and more desperate and secrets are revealed. The book is very good and I must admit that I was a bit surprised by the ending. I liked how Cheetham really demonstrated throughout story how devastating this is for the family and the toll it takes on them. You know from the beginning that Erin's mom has a secret, but what is she hiding? The murder at the Ingham house forty years ago, and the legend that the place is haunted gave the story an extras feeling of darkness.
I want to thank Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
The story is engrossing, a young girl goes missing, and since her father has a lot of enemies is there plenty of suspects. The town has once before been through an ordeal. Forty years before, Elijah and Joanna Ingham was brutally murdered in their house only their daughters survived. But, surely this murder of Elijah and Joanna Ingham couldn't have anything to do with the missing girl?
The Lost Ones is intense and heartbreaking to read. Little Erin is missing, and her parents are desperate to have her back, but has someone taken her or is she just lost? As the hours pass the situation becomes more and more desperate and secrets are revealed. The book is very good and I must admit that I was a bit surprised by the ending. I liked how Cheetham really demonstrated throughout story how devastating this is for the family and the toll it takes on them. You know from the beginning that Erin's mom has a secret, but what is she hiding? The murder at the Ingham house forty years ago, and the legend that the place is haunted gave the story an extras feeling of darkness.
I want to thank Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
December 11, 2016
I'm a bit of a sucker for missing things, search until you find it.
A book that has a missing person?
Search until you find them dead or alive.
Missing children? Hopefully alive and returned however, I'm a realist and some never make it home. I'm yet to see that ending in a book.
The plot was quite tight, the quick chapters helped the reading.
The "red herring" the author threw in fell flat, us readers are getting more clever, we knew who it was!
So then it was just solving...why.
From there on it sort of slumped my interest but was still good and I had to continue.
I know I'm not making full sense but it was good. Just a few things I raised my eyes to the ceiling about.
I would still recommend this.
I'm even confusing myself now....so I'll stop.
Thank you to the author of course and publishers Thomas &Mercer via Net Galley for my copy.
A book that has a missing person?
Search until you find them dead or alive.
Missing children? Hopefully alive and returned however, I'm a realist and some never make it home. I'm yet to see that ending in a book.
The plot was quite tight, the quick chapters helped the reading.
The "red herring" the author threw in fell flat, us readers are getting more clever, we knew who it was!
So then it was just solving...why.
From there on it sort of slumped my interest but was still good and I had to continue.
I know I'm not making full sense but it was good. Just a few things I raised my eyes to the ceiling about.
I would still recommend this.
I'm even confusing myself now....so I'll stop.
Thank you to the author of course and publishers Thomas &Mercer via Net Galley for my copy.
October 22, 2016
Full review on www.novelgossip.com
Anytime I read a blurb that talks about a missing persons case I’m immediately interested. It never fails to grab my attention, and if the missing person is a child I’m even more intrigued. Maybe it’s because I’m a parent and I know I will be able to relate to the parents in the book or maybe it’s because I’m a bit weird, but the combination of a missing young girl that’s possibly tied to a cold case screamed READ ME NOW to me.
The book begins on the morning of Erin Jackson’s disappearance. She’s out on a walk in the woods with her mom, Amanda and she just vanishes into thin air. As the small community unites to search for Erin, secrets and long buried betrayal begin to come to light. How in the world is the murder of a local couple in 1972 linked to her disappearance? What secret is Amanda hiding? And is this secret part of the reason Erin is gone? Tons of questions like this and more come up during the investigation.
I’m smack dab in the middle of my rating scale here with this one, there were things that really worked for me, then there were other things that didn’t work at all. I liked the pacing and structure of this one. Each chapter is time stamped and the bulk is told over forty eight hours. As the book progresses, the chapters get shorter and snappier which was great as it really ramped up the tension. It had a bit of a domestic suspense vibe to it, and that’s been one of my favorite genres as of late. Not enough to categorize it that way, but enough that I felt the need to mention it. Besides the characters of the Jackson family which includes Amanda, her husband Tom, son Jake and Amanda’s parents Henry and Cathy, there was Seth. He’s a mysterious out of towner who inserts himself into the investigation and I was really curious about how he would fit into everything.
What didn’t work so well for me? Well the mystery was just ok. I knew who the “bad guy” was, it felt rather obvious to me as Cheetham used a red herring that was just way too obvious to fall for. Another issue was that it was labeled as crime fiction and there wasn’t enough of the police officers perspective for me. In fact, there wasn’t anything from their POV at all. Yes, they were present in the story, but not really relevant and to me crime fiction always has a heavy presence of cops. Though I was pretty sure I knew how it would end, it played out slightly differently than I anticipated. Mostly because the ending reached a fever pitch rather quickly and things came off feeling very frantic and harried. It just didn’t sit well with me.
I feel like this may be my most confusing review to date! I didn’t love or hate this one, it was just ok. As I said before smack dab in the middle and unfortunately one I don’t think I’ll remember after I finish writing this review. I will say I would definitely give this author another chance as his writing was solid and the overall concept and plot was decent, I just can’t give this one my endorsement.
Anytime I read a blurb that talks about a missing persons case I’m immediately interested. It never fails to grab my attention, and if the missing person is a child I’m even more intrigued. Maybe it’s because I’m a parent and I know I will be able to relate to the parents in the book or maybe it’s because I’m a bit weird, but the combination of a missing young girl that’s possibly tied to a cold case screamed READ ME NOW to me.
The book begins on the morning of Erin Jackson’s disappearance. She’s out on a walk in the woods with her mom, Amanda and she just vanishes into thin air. As the small community unites to search for Erin, secrets and long buried betrayal begin to come to light. How in the world is the murder of a local couple in 1972 linked to her disappearance? What secret is Amanda hiding? And is this secret part of the reason Erin is gone? Tons of questions like this and more come up during the investigation.
I’m smack dab in the middle of my rating scale here with this one, there were things that really worked for me, then there were other things that didn’t work at all. I liked the pacing and structure of this one. Each chapter is time stamped and the bulk is told over forty eight hours. As the book progresses, the chapters get shorter and snappier which was great as it really ramped up the tension. It had a bit of a domestic suspense vibe to it, and that’s been one of my favorite genres as of late. Not enough to categorize it that way, but enough that I felt the need to mention it. Besides the characters of the Jackson family which includes Amanda, her husband Tom, son Jake and Amanda’s parents Henry and Cathy, there was Seth. He’s a mysterious out of towner who inserts himself into the investigation and I was really curious about how he would fit into everything.
What didn’t work so well for me? Well the mystery was just ok. I knew who the “bad guy” was, it felt rather obvious to me as Cheetham used a red herring that was just way too obvious to fall for. Another issue was that it was labeled as crime fiction and there wasn’t enough of the police officers perspective for me. In fact, there wasn’t anything from their POV at all. Yes, they were present in the story, but not really relevant and to me crime fiction always has a heavy presence of cops. Though I was pretty sure I knew how it would end, it played out slightly differently than I anticipated. Mostly because the ending reached a fever pitch rather quickly and things came off feeling very frantic and harried. It just didn’t sit well with me.
I feel like this may be my most confusing review to date! I didn’t love or hate this one, it was just ok. As I said before smack dab in the middle and unfortunately one I don’t think I’ll remember after I finish writing this review. I will say I would definitely give this author another chance as his writing was solid and the overall concept and plot was decent, I just can’t give this one my endorsement.
January 17, 2023
I have read one other Ben Cheetham and rather enjoyed it so had high hopes for this one. Sadly although it wasn't a terrible book it wasn't as good as his other I had read. I normally enjoy the missing persons kind of cases and this one features missing child Erin Jackson. Whilst out walking with her mother Amanda she literally vanishes into thin air. Amanda's husband Tom is informed and he is beside himself with worry. There are elements of the story that will make the reader question a variety of characters as they all have hidden secrets and skeletons in the closet.
The story feels a little stilted in places but I think that is more because the culprit was pretty obvious to me, but then maybe that is just me. The pace seemed okay and the writing is certainly as decent as the last book I just didn't gel as well with this story. Overall not a bad book, just not a favourite for me!
The story feels a little stilted in places but I think that is more because the culprit was pretty obvious to me, but then maybe that is just me. The pace seemed okay and the writing is certainly as decent as the last book I just didn't gel as well with this story. Overall not a bad book, just not a favourite for me!
February 7, 2017
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
It's a busy time of year with the holidays I think that's why I'm having a hard time getting into this book. I just haven't had the time to sit down to read and really get into it.
***
And I'm finally finished.
I think Cheetham would have been better served to leave some of the underdeveloped plot twists/story lines out. He's a good writer but in an effort to sneak attack the reader with surprises, things were just lost and/underdeveloped. This book is like a nice leather purse that someone insisted on hanging too many gaudy baubles. It's completely functional and had lots of potential but too much is too much.
With all that said I would probably try to read this author again. I didn't hate the book or the writing.
It's a busy time of year with the holidays I think that's why I'm having a hard time getting into this book. I just haven't had the time to sit down to read and really get into it.
***
And I'm finally finished.
I think Cheetham would have been better served to leave some of the underdeveloped plot twists/story lines out. He's a good writer but in an effort to sneak attack the reader with surprises, things were just lost and/underdeveloped. This book is like a nice leather purse that someone insisted on hanging too many gaudy baubles. It's completely functional and had lots of potential but too much is too much.
With all that said I would probably try to read this author again. I didn't hate the book or the writing.
October 27, 2018
When a nine-year-old girl goes missing in Harwood Forest, the search for her brings back memories of an unsolved double murder some forty years earlier.
A gripping chilling psychological mystery, I liked how it dealt with a tragic incident can effect a couples relationship.
A gripping chilling psychological mystery, I liked how it dealt with a tragic incident can effect a couples relationship.
March 13, 2019
Great fun!
Great mystery, full of twists and turns and unexpected surprises. I highly recommend you snuggle in with this book and a cup of tea. Keeps you guessing until the end.
Great mystery, full of twists and turns and unexpected surprises. I highly recommend you snuggle in with this book and a cup of tea. Keeps you guessing until the end.
February 21, 2022
When a young girl goes missing the fingers point to many and the blame also falls on many! This was a gem of a read that kept me gripped.
I have not read this author before and I would certainly read more. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
I have not read this author before and I would certainly read more. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
May 26, 2019
The Lost Ones: A psychological thriller full of twists and turns
By: Ben Cheetham
5 out of 5 stars
The story The Lost Ones: A psychological thriller full of twists and turns by Ben Cheetham is a psychological thriller. It is a story that has mystery, suspense, and danger. It had me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. There is enough suspense that I had to remind myself to breathe. It is every parent’s nightmare come true, their child is missing. That is what starts this book and a story that was shocking and had me turning pages to the very end. When Erin Jackson disappears, a search is called, and the town answers that call. As the story unfolds, the author takes you by the hand and leads you down dark paths that most would not like to tread on. With tensions rising and a betrayal revealed will Erin be found? If and when she is found will it be alive or dead? Could there be a connection between the murders that happened years ago and her disappearance? Read this book to find out. This is a book that the characters show their raw emotions and the way that the story is written you find yourself feeling them all. I know I did. The story makes you feel like you are right there with the characters. The thrills and chills keep coming in this story and I found myself not wanting to put the it down. An amazing book that will have you staying up far into the night to finish. Highly recommended.
By: Ben Cheetham
5 out of 5 stars
The story The Lost Ones: A psychological thriller full of twists and turns by Ben Cheetham is a psychological thriller. It is a story that has mystery, suspense, and danger. It had me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. There is enough suspense that I had to remind myself to breathe. It is every parent’s nightmare come true, their child is missing. That is what starts this book and a story that was shocking and had me turning pages to the very end. When Erin Jackson disappears, a search is called, and the town answers that call. As the story unfolds, the author takes you by the hand and leads you down dark paths that most would not like to tread on. With tensions rising and a betrayal revealed will Erin be found? If and when she is found will it be alive or dead? Could there be a connection between the murders that happened years ago and her disappearance? Read this book to find out. This is a book that the characters show their raw emotions and the way that the story is written you find yourself feeling them all. I know I did. The story makes you feel like you are right there with the characters. The thrills and chills keep coming in this story and I found myself not wanting to put the it down. An amazing book that will have you staying up far into the night to finish. Highly recommended.
October 26, 2016
The lost ones
Instantly gripping from the very first page. A literary page turner full of wonderful twist and turns and an ending you won't see coming.
A MUST BUY MUST READ for all.
I must admit that the cover and description had me from the first moment. But sometimes it builds it up to something it's not. Thankfully this is all it promises to be and more. This is my first book by Ben Cheetham but it certainly won't e my last.
A nine year of girl had gone missing in Harwood forest. The town go looking for the child. But when your father has lots of enemies is it really that easy to track down the kidnapper?
While looking for the child the investigation finds many clues that link to a crime that has happened before. Where Elijah and Joanna Ingham were brutally murdered in their own home. But their daughter survived the fact that was dealt to her parents.
What is everyone hiding?
We all have secrets right? But how bad a secret could it be to make someone harm your daughter?
Is the case really linked to the mystery that surrounds the Ingham murders?
All these questions and more will be answered in this book. If you like crime/thriller/suspense books this is definitely for you.
Thank you to NetGalley, Ben Cheetham and Thomas and Mercer or the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Happy reading everyone
Instantly gripping from the very first page. A literary page turner full of wonderful twist and turns and an ending you won't see coming.
A MUST BUY MUST READ for all.
I must admit that the cover and description had me from the first moment. But sometimes it builds it up to something it's not. Thankfully this is all it promises to be and more. This is my first book by Ben Cheetham but it certainly won't e my last.
A nine year of girl had gone missing in Harwood forest. The town go looking for the child. But when your father has lots of enemies is it really that easy to track down the kidnapper?
While looking for the child the investigation finds many clues that link to a crime that has happened before. Where Elijah and Joanna Ingham were brutally murdered in their own home. But their daughter survived the fact that was dealt to her parents.
What is everyone hiding?
We all have secrets right? But how bad a secret could it be to make someone harm your daughter?
Is the case really linked to the mystery that surrounds the Ingham murders?
All these questions and more will be answered in this book. If you like crime/thriller/suspense books this is definitely for you.
Thank you to NetGalley, Ben Cheetham and Thomas and Mercer or the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Happy reading everyone
February 2, 2020
When a nine-year-old girl goes missing in Harwood Forest, the search for her brings back memories of an unsolved double murder some forty years earlier. Could the key to Erin Jackson’s disappearance lie in the bloody fate of Elijah and Joanna Ingham, bludgeoned to death while their young daughters slept? Were the Inghams really the victims of opportunistic burglars—or a more sinister fate?
The woods are combed for signs of the child, but Erin’s brother, Jake, mounts his own investigation, uncovering evidence that puts the Inghams’ daughters—vanished Rachel and ‘crazy’ Mary—in the frame. Meanwhile, Erin’s father suspects that the ragtag army of eco-warriors besieging his quarry development may have something to hide.
As devastating secrets and betrayals are revealed, the Jackson family is brought to a breaking point. But time is running out. Erin is still missing and Jake’s unorthodox enquiries have left him dangerously exposed. They must find Erin and lay the past to rest—before they become its latest victims.
The woods are combed for signs of the child, but Erin’s brother, Jake, mounts his own investigation, uncovering evidence that puts the Inghams’ daughters—vanished Rachel and ‘crazy’ Mary—in the frame. Meanwhile, Erin’s father suspects that the ragtag army of eco-warriors besieging his quarry development may have something to hide.
As devastating secrets and betrayals are revealed, the Jackson family is brought to a breaking point. But time is running out. Erin is still missing and Jake’s unorthodox enquiries have left him dangerously exposed. They must find Erin and lay the past to rest—before they become its latest victims.
March 26, 2020
I loved this book. Did find it hard going for the first few chapters but once the story line got going, i was hooked.
Amanda isnt having a good day when she takes a call and loses her daughter. Her husband is a bit of a control freak but has lots of other things on his mind. Their son eventually plays a key part in the solving of the mystery, I really liked the bits in the old house, it was very much alive for me, something about old houses grips my brain. I found myself absorbed in the background story of what happened 40 years before!
Seth was a strange character, although I feel he was meant to be an odd ball.
I lost a lot of sleep once I got into this book as I couldn't think of anything else, so this makes it a fab read in my opinion. I dont get up at 5.30 am ever but did because I had to finish it off before I went to work.
Amanda isnt having a good day when she takes a call and loses her daughter. Her husband is a bit of a control freak but has lots of other things on his mind. Their son eventually plays a key part in the solving of the mystery, I really liked the bits in the old house, it was very much alive for me, something about old houses grips my brain. I found myself absorbed in the background story of what happened 40 years before!
Seth was a strange character, although I feel he was meant to be an odd ball.
I lost a lot of sleep once I got into this book as I couldn't think of anything else, so this makes it a fab read in my opinion. I dont get up at 5.30 am ever but did because I had to finish it off before I went to work.
July 4, 2019
Lost Loads of Sleep - AGAIN!
I have neglected my home and family and my Hobby of Jewellery Making ! Thanks to an amazing Author , Ben Cheetham!The story was part of my life for 3 nights! Always a twist , but then I was hit with another unexpected twist ! Even though I “ knew” some characters , I find Ben Cheetham doesn’t” page fill “ with references to previous books . Just the odd sentence here and there to bring back some memories of previous characters in a series . Just read it .
I have neglected my home and family and my Hobby of Jewellery Making ! Thanks to an amazing Author , Ben Cheetham!The story was part of my life for 3 nights! Always a twist , but then I was hit with another unexpected twist ! Even though I “ knew” some characters , I find Ben Cheetham doesn’t” page fill “ with references to previous books . Just the odd sentence here and there to bring back some memories of previous characters in a series . Just read it .
July 4, 2017
The Lost Ones is an absolutely forgettable mystery with way too many coincidences and improbable "AHA!" moments for its characters. Normally I would have read a few chapters of this trite book and then moved on, but I was reading this while taking brief breaks from packing up a house. Honestly, I didn't have enough energy to select anything else. I'm not sure where or how I got this book on my Kindle, but I know it was a freebie.
July 30, 2017
I received the kindle book through the giveaways.
A child goes missing - and so begins the unfolding of many secrets and lies which will change a family forever.
I really liked this author's writing style. It was descriptive, and felt very real. There were many times during this book that I could picture what I was reading, like bits of a movie replaying in my head.
It didn't end the way I thought it would, but I was still satisfied with it.
A child goes missing - and so begins the unfolding of many secrets and lies which will change a family forever.
I really liked this author's writing style. It was descriptive, and felt very real. There were many times during this book that I could picture what I was reading, like bits of a movie replaying in my head.
It didn't end the way I thought it would, but I was still satisfied with it.
November 19, 2016
I didn't find anything new or appealing in this book except for a wife and brother-in-law with no sense of loyalty, and a murderer that made no sense.
July 6, 2017
3.5 stars
Nine-year old Erin Jackson goes missing while on a walk with her mother in Harwood Forrest. Tom Jackson, Erin's father, has made a lot of enemies due to his involvement in a quarry project. Was Erin kidnapped or did she wander off by herself? Is is possible that the decades old unsolved murder of Elijah and Joanna Ingham will help provide clues to the whereabouts of this missing child?
While this certainly is not the best mystery I have read, it definitely held my interest. Without spoiling the book, I'll say there were quite a few parts of the story which left me wondering how it was all going to come together at the end. That is what kept me reading.
What I disliked about the book was characters continuing to make poor decisions. I realize when a child goes missing, emotions are high, but there were just too many instances of thoughtless behavior that it became frustrating as a reader. While there is a definite conclusion to the story it does seem to end rather abruptly.
I received a free copy of the ebook in a giveaway but was under no obligation to post a review. All views expressed are my honest opinions.
Nine-year old Erin Jackson goes missing while on a walk with her mother in Harwood Forrest. Tom Jackson, Erin's father, has made a lot of enemies due to his involvement in a quarry project. Was Erin kidnapped or did she wander off by herself? Is is possible that the decades old unsolved murder of Elijah and Joanna Ingham will help provide clues to the whereabouts of this missing child?
While this certainly is not the best mystery I have read, it definitely held my interest. Without spoiling the book, I'll say there were quite a few parts of the story which left me wondering how it was all going to come together at the end. That is what kept me reading.
What I disliked about the book was characters continuing to make poor decisions. I realize when a child goes missing, emotions are high, but there were just too many instances of thoughtless behavior that it became frustrating as a reader. While there is a definite conclusion to the story it does seem to end rather abruptly.
I received a free copy of the ebook in a giveaway but was under no obligation to post a review. All views expressed are my honest opinions.
January 5, 2017
3 and ½ stars
This was an adequate book. The writing was very good, but the characters were predictable, especially the men. They were all angry about one thing or another and wanting to punch each other out. Really? No cool heads at all?
A nine-year old girl goes missing on a walk with her mother (who was on the phone to her “boyfriend”). Was she kidnapped? Did she wander off?
Her fifteen-year old brother wants to go out and investigate. He sneaks out and actually finds more clues than the police do.
Meanwhile, this whole other drama is going on with a double murder from decades earlier. Does this have something to do with Erin’s disappearance? And the eco-activists are an easy target.
While Mr. Cheetham’s prose kept me interested in the book, the plot itself was ho hum.
I’d like to read something else by this author.
Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for granting me the opportunity to read this book.
This was an adequate book. The writing was very good, but the characters were predictable, especially the men. They were all angry about one thing or another and wanting to punch each other out. Really? No cool heads at all?
A nine-year old girl goes missing on a walk with her mother (who was on the phone to her “boyfriend”). Was she kidnapped? Did she wander off?
Her fifteen-year old brother wants to go out and investigate. He sneaks out and actually finds more clues than the police do.
Meanwhile, this whole other drama is going on with a double murder from decades earlier. Does this have something to do with Erin’s disappearance? And the eco-activists are an easy target.
While Mr. Cheetham’s prose kept me interested in the book, the plot itself was ho hum.
I’d like to read something else by this author.
Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for granting me the opportunity to read this book.
October 31, 2017
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in return for my honest opinion.
This book caught my attention because of the cover and the fact that it is listed as crime fiction. I thought it would be more of a police procedural book, but it was not. It was a good read and the story was good. I enjoyed that the pieces of the book were slowly revealed and it kept my interest and kept me reading, I had to know how it ended. I did question some of the motives and decisions of the characters, but overall and enjoyable book. I must say, the ending was shocking and I did not see the book turning out the way it did.
I will look for more books by this author.
This book caught my attention because of the cover and the fact that it is listed as crime fiction. I thought it would be more of a police procedural book, but it was not. It was a good read and the story was good. I enjoyed that the pieces of the book were slowly revealed and it kept my interest and kept me reading, I had to know how it ended. I did question some of the motives and decisions of the characters, but overall and enjoyable book. I must say, the ending was shocking and I did not see the book turning out the way it did.
I will look for more books by this author.
July 27, 2019
Very Good Thriller
This is the first book that I've read by Ben Cheetham and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It does contain lots of twists and turns. A young girl named Erin walks away from her mom and disappears. The mother was talking to the brother of her husband whom she has been having an affair and thus lost sight of Erin. This begins the story of the search for Erin and the near collapse of the family. Lies abound and no one is capable of telling the truth. An old murder surfaces and Erin's in-laws cause distrust and lies abound. Good yarn and very hard to put down. A very satisfying read.
This is the first book that I've read by Ben Cheetham and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It does contain lots of twists and turns. A young girl named Erin walks away from her mom and disappears. The mother was talking to the brother of her husband whom she has been having an affair and thus lost sight of Erin. This begins the story of the search for Erin and the near collapse of the family. Lies abound and no one is capable of telling the truth. An old murder surfaces and Erin's in-laws cause distrust and lies abound. Good yarn and very hard to put down. A very satisfying read.
August 13, 2019
Where’s the Rest of the Book?!
The story was good, but it moved too slowly. I stayed with it because I cared about the characters and wanted to see how the story turned out. Finally the pace picked up and issues were moving toward conclusion! A huge major act occurred that concluded one major.part of the story but left a lot of questions still to be resolved. I turned the page to see what came next. What came next was the screen on my Kindle asking me to review the book. So - here is my review expressing how aggravated I feel toward authors who don’t finish their books.
The story was good, but it moved too slowly. I stayed with it because I cared about the characters and wanted to see how the story turned out. Finally the pace picked up and issues were moving toward conclusion! A huge major act occurred that concluded one major.part of the story but left a lot of questions still to be resolved. I turned the page to see what came next. What came next was the screen on my Kindle asking me to review the book. So - here is my review expressing how aggravated I feel toward authors who don’t finish their books.
September 4, 2022
I really enjoyed the book. I guess it shows how people can react when faced with unexpected situation, such as child going missing, and what it brings out of them. And in some cases, it can even suddenly bring old nasty history back to light.
Yes, sometimes I was wondering if I would really react like the parents would, but I do not have children so I cannot really judge it! And yes, the ending was bit surprising and I do wonder what will happen next to the family. The ending in this is bit opened, but the book is well worth the read and I enjoyed it.
Yes, sometimes I was wondering if I would really react like the parents would, but I do not have children so I cannot really judge it! And yes, the ending was bit surprising and I do wonder what will happen next to the family. The ending in this is bit opened, but the book is well worth the read and I enjoyed it.
October 2, 2017
I hope I never have the misfortune to meet a group of people as unpleasant as the characters in this book.
The only thing they're good at is swearing, kids and all. Grandparents who treat their married daughter as though she is still a child even though she has children of her own and their son-in-law with contempt. I had a job finishing it and shan't read any more books by Ben Cheetham
The only thing they're good at is swearing, kids and all. Grandparents who treat their married daughter as though she is still a child even though she has children of her own and their son-in-law with contempt. I had a job finishing it and shan't read any more books by Ben Cheetham
October 19, 2018
The Lost Ones review
The Lost Ones is a great read. So many twists and turns, kept me guessing who the killer was for a while. And little Erin... That was a surprise too. This is one of those books you don't want to put down. A family murdered, another time apart, or are they? Buried secrets exposed decades later. A great cast of characters, so many strong personalities. Love it!
The Lost Ones is a great read. So many twists and turns, kept me guessing who the killer was for a while. And little Erin... That was a surprise too. This is one of those books you don't want to put down. A family murdered, another time apart, or are they? Buried secrets exposed decades later. A great cast of characters, so many strong personalities. Love it!
January 16, 2020
An absolutely cracking read!
I read quite a few reviews for this book before I chose to read it and I saw that they were quite mixed. Well I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. There are a great mix of characters some of whom you'll like and some you'll hate and the storyline never lets up. It certainly kept me thoroughly entertained. I think this story would make a great TV drama.
I read quite a few reviews for this book before I chose to read it and I saw that they were quite mixed. Well I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. There are a great mix of characters some of whom you'll like and some you'll hate and the storyline never lets up. It certainly kept me thoroughly entertained. I think this story would make a great TV drama.
March 5, 2019
Ben Cheetham never fails to keep me flipping pages! He has an interesting mind, with the things he writes, a nightmare making story. His characters are so well developed, you love of hate them, sometimes both! His story line develops, twists, turns, and leaves you breathless. Read this one, it's among his best!
April 25, 2019
Very good but what happened next??
Enjoyed the book, as usual for this author - but, also as usual, I reached the last page without the questions I had being answered, or even addressed. Is there a sequel or did the last chapter miss the print run?
Frustrating but it probably won’t stop me reading another Ben Cheetham novel
Enjoyed the book, as usual for this author - but, also as usual, I reached the last page without the questions I had being answered, or even addressed. Is there a sequel or did the last chapter miss the print run?
Frustrating but it probably won’t stop me reading another Ben Cheetham novel
March 30, 2020
Boring
This book was actually boring and I wasn't sure I would be able to finish it but once I get a book started I'm going to head and say let's go to the end the last chapter was actually pretty good the ending was unusual the book just had too many things going on when the main thing was supposed to be finding the Lost child
This book was actually boring and I wasn't sure I would be able to finish it but once I get a book started I'm going to head and say let's go to the end the last chapter was actually pretty good the ending was unusual the book just had too many things going on when the main thing was supposed to be finding the Lost child
April 27, 2020
Engrossing
I could not put this down and read it in an evening. From the beginning when a young girl goes missing this book takes you on a ride of twists and turns, with you never really being sure who the real villain is. The story shows how quickly facades people show to the world can be broken and that underneath, evil can lurk. Excellent
I could not put this down and read it in an evening. From the beginning when a young girl goes missing this book takes you on a ride of twists and turns, with you never really being sure who the real villain is. The story shows how quickly facades people show to the world can be broken and that underneath, evil can lurk. Excellent
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