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Andee Lawrence #4
Hiding in Plain Sight
The surprising new novel from the Sunday Times Top Ten bestselling author of
Behind Closed Doors
and
The Moment She Left
.
Andee Lawrence is in heaven. Well, the South of France to be exact.
Ex-detective Andee has swapped freelance investigation and a broken marriage, for two months in Provence, renovating a beautiful villa with the new man in her life. Pottering around a small picturesque town on an early summer's day, she is at peace.
But her world is about to be shattered.
Remember me?
Two words spoken by a woman from the back of a car that say so much yet reveal so little.
As the car drives away Andee is left reeling, overwhelmed by shock, confusion, self-doubt and mounting trepidation.
Almost thirty years ago, fourteen year old Penny had disappeared from her family's life, never to be heard from again. It is the missing child case that has haunted Andee her whole life; And now Penny - Andee's sister - is back.
The question is: why?
Andee Lawrence is in heaven. Well, the South of France to be exact.
Ex-detective Andee has swapped freelance investigation and a broken marriage, for two months in Provence, renovating a beautiful villa with the new man in her life. Pottering around a small picturesque town on an early summer's day, she is at peace.
But her world is about to be shattered.
Remember me?
Two words spoken by a woman from the back of a car that say so much yet reveal so little.
As the car drives away Andee is left reeling, overwhelmed by shock, confusion, self-doubt and mounting trepidation.
Almost thirty years ago, fourteen year old Penny had disappeared from her family's life, never to be heard from again. It is the missing child case that has haunted Andee her whole life; And now Penny - Andee's sister - is back.
The question is: why?
397 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 10, 2017
169 people are currently reading
517 people want to read
About the author
Susan Lewis
67 books1,216 followersLibrarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Susan Lewis is the bestselling author of over forty books across the genres of family drama, thriller, suspense and crime. She is also the author of Just One More Day and One Day at a Time, the moving memoirs of her childhood in Bristol during the 1960s. Following periods of living in Los Angeles and the South of France, she currently lives in Gloucestershire with her husband James, stepsons Michael and Luke, and mischievous dogs Coco and Lulu.
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Susan Lewis is the bestselling author of over forty books across the genres of family drama, thriller, suspense and crime. She is also the author of Just One More Day and One Day at a Time, the moving memoirs of her childhood in Bristol during the 1960s. Following periods of living in Los Angeles and the South of France, she currently lives in Gloucestershire with her husband James, stepsons Michael and Luke, and mischievous dogs Coco and Lulu.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
August 16, 2017
Susan Lewis is one of my favourite writers. Hiding In Plain Sight is out 10th August 2017 by Century books. If you like Diane Chamberlain your love reading novels by Susan Lewis. What I particularly like about Susan is she is never afraid to tackle gritty subjects. Hiding In Plain Sight follows the story of one of Susan's most popular returning characters, ex-detective Andee Lawrence. Continuing on from Behind Closed Doors and The Moment She Left, Hiding In Plain Sight is a novel that finally unravels Andee most personal mystery, what happened to her fourteen-year-old sister Penny when she disappeared thirty years ago? The question is yes you might forgive but can you forget? Fans of Susan Lewis will enjoy this new novel, making up your own mind if you might forgive......
September 1, 2017
Brilliant! This is my favourite from Andee Lawrence series (the others are Behind closed door, The Girl who came back and The moment she left). Hiding In Plain sight can be read as a standalone but I would recommend to read them in order, so you can learn about Andee’s character, the chooses, she made and how the tragedy of her missing sister had affected her and her family.
When Andee, was a teenager, her sister, Penny got missing, not knowing if she ran away or she was kidnapped, a few days later, they receive a letter from Penny, telling them that she had enough of them, and that she had never felt loved by her family, implying that she wants to take her life.
More than two decades later, Andee saw Penny in France, shocked, she couldn’t believe her eyes, it is true or she is imaging her sister? But then her mother called her, telling Andee, that a woman called her, claiming to be her missing daughter and want to see her. Andee left France immediately barely believing that their prayers to found their loved one has been answered. But how they will react, when are faced with the new Penny, not a teenager but a woman? Is it a blessing or curse, that she is back in their life?
When Andee, was a teenager, her sister, Penny got missing, not knowing if she ran away or she was kidnapped, a few days later, they receive a letter from Penny, telling them that she had enough of them, and that she had never felt loved by her family, implying that she wants to take her life.
More than two decades later, Andee saw Penny in France, shocked, she couldn’t believe her eyes, it is true or she is imaging her sister? But then her mother called her, telling Andee, that a woman called her, claiming to be her missing daughter and want to see her. Andee left France immediately barely believing that their prayers to found their loved one has been answered. But how they will react, when are faced with the new Penny, not a teenager but a woman? Is it a blessing or curse, that she is back in their life?
August 16, 2018
When I got to the end I found it was not the first in a series but it didn't really matter. Good. Easy reading. Would try another of her books.
November 27, 2017
Very boring and long winded!
March 14, 2018
This book was a pleasant enough read, but I do think the story line is a little far fetched and over dramatic.
May 10, 2021
We all have those times in our lives when, no matter how good we are at what we do, we look back with the benefit of hindsight and think "actually, that wasn't my finest hour". David Beckham and Wayne Rooney both lashed out at other footballers during World Cup matches, which resulted in them being sent off the pitch, their teams losing and their country being eliminated from the competition. Michael Schumacher threw away the 1997 Formula 1 World Championship by driving into Jacques Villeneuve. Paul McCartney recorded 'Pipes of Peace' and Robbie Williams released 'Rock DJ' - after which even he said that the lyrics were "a load of b******s".
Closer to home, I narrowly escaped my work being taken to court after I failed to realise that an infra-red sensor couldn't distinguish between hydrogen and carbon monoxide gases (don't ask) and consequently wrote a report that gave totally the wrong recommendations. And Susan Lewis wrote Hiding In Plain Sight.
This is the third novel of hers that I have read, and I enjoyed the other two - The Girl Who Came Back and Forgive Me - very much. They're crime fiction, but with the main focus on the victims of crimes and their families rather than the police investigations. The characters are well-drawn, mostly likeable and I very much ended up wishing them well after the books reached what were happy endings.
I was also happy after reading the blurb to Hiding In Plain Sight to see that the very likeable Andee Lawrence, who had appeared as a secondary character in both of the other books, would now be given a lead role. But after finishing the book, I'm sorry to say that all I really feel is confused. This book didn't work for me at all. I just felt that it was too long and too complicated.
It starts in the south of France, where Andee catches a glimpse of her sister Penny, who disappeared almost 30 years ago at the age of 14. Penny says "remember me?" and then vanishes. The same day, she phones their mother Maureen and says that she wants to meet. This is followed by multiple instances of Penny alternately turning up, sometimes unannounced at Maureen's house, and refusing to answer her phone and apparently not wanting to be found by either Maureen or Andee. Even when Penny does turn up, it's hard to tell how much of what she says is the truth.
And as the book progresses, more strands to the story are introduced which only managed to muddy the waters even further. Child prostitution, modern slavery and sex trafficking, which could have filled a book in themselves are crammed into a couple of chapters, after which almost as many words are used to describe Andee's musings over how skewed Penny's moral compass seems to be. Add the somewhat improbable scenario of police officers giving up their active duties to provide Andee with assistance just because she used to work with them, and I'm afraid I was just left shaking my head.
I have no idea if this review will find its way back to the author, but if it does, I'm sorry that it's not more positive. Just remember though that, as I said at the start, you're not alone in sometimes getting something wrong. For absolute proof of this as well as a bit of comfort, just think how God must be feeling at having to wonder through all eternity whatever possessed Him to create the wasp.
Closer to home, I narrowly escaped my work being taken to court after I failed to realise that an infra-red sensor couldn't distinguish between hydrogen and carbon monoxide gases (don't ask) and consequently wrote a report that gave totally the wrong recommendations. And Susan Lewis wrote Hiding In Plain Sight.
This is the third novel of hers that I have read, and I enjoyed the other two - The Girl Who Came Back and Forgive Me - very much. They're crime fiction, but with the main focus on the victims of crimes and their families rather than the police investigations. The characters are well-drawn, mostly likeable and I very much ended up wishing them well after the books reached what were happy endings.
I was also happy after reading the blurb to Hiding In Plain Sight to see that the very likeable Andee Lawrence, who had appeared as a secondary character in both of the other books, would now be given a lead role. But after finishing the book, I'm sorry to say that all I really feel is confused. This book didn't work for me at all. I just felt that it was too long and too complicated.
It starts in the south of France, where Andee catches a glimpse of her sister Penny, who disappeared almost 30 years ago at the age of 14. Penny says "remember me?" and then vanishes. The same day, she phones their mother Maureen and says that she wants to meet. This is followed by multiple instances of Penny alternately turning up, sometimes unannounced at Maureen's house, and refusing to answer her phone and apparently not wanting to be found by either Maureen or Andee. Even when Penny does turn up, it's hard to tell how much of what she says is the truth.
And as the book progresses, more strands to the story are introduced which only managed to muddy the waters even further. Child prostitution, modern slavery and sex trafficking, which could have filled a book in themselves are crammed into a couple of chapters, after which almost as many words are used to describe Andee's musings over how skewed Penny's moral compass seems to be. Add the somewhat improbable scenario of police officers giving up their active duties to provide Andee with assistance just because she used to work with them, and I'm afraid I was just left shaking my head.
I have no idea if this review will find its way back to the author, but if it does, I'm sorry that it's not more positive. Just remember though that, as I said at the start, you're not alone in sometimes getting something wrong. For absolute proof of this as well as a bit of comfort, just think how God must be feeling at having to wonder through all eternity whatever possessed Him to create the wasp.
May 15, 2018
Fantastic book and literally could not put it down. Have not read anything else by this author so cannot say if I will enjoy any of her others but I will give them a go after this one. No spoilers just very intriguing and full of suspense. Missing sister but a heck of a lot more going on. This is a must read if you like psychological thrillers.
February 4, 2019
My first book by this author, and despite not having read previous books in this series, it worked well as a stand-alone read. Once started, I could not put this down! There were lots of questions about why a missing person would suddenly reappear and what had happened in the intervening 30 years. Full of twists and turns with a satisfying ending.
March 30, 2021
Very readable. I didn't realise it was part of a series but it is a true stand-alone. When Andee's younger sister, who disappeared twenty years ago, suddenly reappears in her life, it is not the happy occasion she had always imagined it would be. In fact, Penny is a complete nightmare.
May 1, 2018
Excellent book a real page turner.
June 22, 2019
Fantastic read from the beginning. Had me hooked and intrigued and I just had to know ‘what it was all about and where it would end’, after the sister turned up. I don’t feel you had to have read the previous books featuring the lead character.
June 29, 2020
This was a very good book and I would have give it 4.5 stars if I could have. Lots of stories involve someone, often a child, who goes missing, as does this one. But it is nothing like anything I've read before. It's part crime, part family, and quite a lot to do with psychological issues re- emerging. I found it very believable and interesting. There are previous books involving the same lead character (which I haven't read), but that wasn't a problem at all.
March 4, 2018
ok, not really my sort of thing. Comparison with one of the main characters and a character in East of Eden was sometimes interesting, and sometimes annoying. All a bit melodramatic really. Novels sound interesting from the synopsis but I will try to resist next time.
May 11, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. It certainly pulled you into the life of ex-detective Andee Lawrence. She now works as an interior designer.
When Andee's 14yr old sister went missing it tore the whole family apart! Nobody knew what happened to Penny...she was never found, until one day they recieve a letter implying that penny is no longer alive.
Nearly three decades later, whilst Andee is working in France a car pulls up with Penny inside...or was it? But Andee's suspicions are confirmed when she speaks to her mother, saying that someone claiming to be Penny wants to meet them...
Andee and her mom should feel happy that Penny is back in their lives...but something doesn't feel right.
So many questions...but Penny seems hesitant to answer them directly.
What happened to Penny all those years ago? And why run away from a loving family and home?
A brilliant read. Definitely reccommended. There are a few books that have Andee Lawrence in them, which go through different stages of her life and as a detective.
When Andee's 14yr old sister went missing it tore the whole family apart! Nobody knew what happened to Penny...she was never found, until one day they recieve a letter implying that penny is no longer alive.
Nearly three decades later, whilst Andee is working in France a car pulls up with Penny inside...or was it? But Andee's suspicions are confirmed when she speaks to her mother, saying that someone claiming to be Penny wants to meet them...
Andee and her mom should feel happy that Penny is back in their lives...but something doesn't feel right.
So many questions...but Penny seems hesitant to answer them directly.
What happened to Penny all those years ago? And why run away from a loving family and home?
A brilliant read. Definitely reccommended. There are a few books that have Andee Lawrence in them, which go through different stages of her life and as a detective.
April 7, 2019
Loved this book, kept me turning the pages long into the night.
August 10, 2017
I only read my first novel by Susan Lewis a couple of years ago and I was hooked! I was sent the novel at the time by her publisher and I wasn’t sure what to expect. My mum has always been a big fan of Susan’s novels over the years so I think I was excited to see what the fuss was all about. I have to admit I was not disappointed and I have not been disappointed since!
Hiding In Plain Sight is part of the Andee Lawrence detective collection of novels by Susan Lewis and having read the others featuring Andee so far I found it to be wonderfully comforting and familiar to encounter the same characters once more. They are now fully developed characters that have such depth and reality to their personalities.
Unexpectedly, I really enjoyed the mother daughter relationships that feature predominantly throughout this novel. Some of the conversations and chapters surrounding these relationships were extremely moving and at times more difficult to read. I found myself putting myself in Maureen and Andee’s shoes trying to imagine what these unusual circumstances must feel like to experience first hand. I must confess that Andee and Maureen are far more accepting and accommodating than I feel I would be in the same situation! I really enjoyed Maureen and Andee’s relationship with one another as well as with Penny. Their relationship reminded me very much of the one that I have with my mum myself.
As for the plot, I was hooked. I needed to know what was happening and why as quickly as possible. I couldn’t fathom what on earth was going on and I don’t think there was any way that I could have guessed. I had lots of possibilities going round my head but none of these matched the reality. In this way perhaps the reality was little bit farfetched but I really appreciated the twists and turns of the novel all the same.
I would (and already have!) recommend this to anyone who usually likes a novel that explores family relationships and dramas with lots of twists and turns. At times these felt almost eerie they were so mysterious. But I really loved the novel and simultaneously all the thoroughly developed characters who featured throughout the novel.
Hiding In Plain Sight is part of the Andee Lawrence detective collection of novels by Susan Lewis and having read the others featuring Andee so far I found it to be wonderfully comforting and familiar to encounter the same characters once more. They are now fully developed characters that have such depth and reality to their personalities.
Unexpectedly, I really enjoyed the mother daughter relationships that feature predominantly throughout this novel. Some of the conversations and chapters surrounding these relationships were extremely moving and at times more difficult to read. I found myself putting myself in Maureen and Andee’s shoes trying to imagine what these unusual circumstances must feel like to experience first hand. I must confess that Andee and Maureen are far more accepting and accommodating than I feel I would be in the same situation! I really enjoyed Maureen and Andee’s relationship with one another as well as with Penny. Their relationship reminded me very much of the one that I have with my mum myself.
As for the plot, I was hooked. I needed to know what was happening and why as quickly as possible. I couldn’t fathom what on earth was going on and I don’t think there was any way that I could have guessed. I had lots of possibilities going round my head but none of these matched the reality. In this way perhaps the reality was little bit farfetched but I really appreciated the twists and turns of the novel all the same.
I would (and already have!) recommend this to anyone who usually likes a novel that explores family relationships and dramas with lots of twists and turns. At times these felt almost eerie they were so mysterious. But I really loved the novel and simultaneously all the thoroughly developed characters who featured throughout the novel.
Read
January 22, 2024So annoyed to be honest! This book supposed to be my best friend, reading it at nights. Like “un libro de cabecera”.
…
These nights just passing by really unbearable. The book I chose to accompany me before sleep, was not helping at any cost.
—-
Getting mad why? Because it could have been my friend, I could’ve enjoyed the sweetness of each page turning. Instead not only it didn’t bring friendship, it also made me think I should consider being very hard on choosing my next book.
—-
Modern world won’t be easy on you writers. We search for companionship, friendship, partnership, knowledge, story that make sense, humor, innovation, creativity, honesty, full of full of full of fantasy and magical realism.
For sake of humanity, please do care you writers!
When it comes to writing there is no doubt that the authors subjectivity is woven into the story somehow. However, in this book; I am finding myself reading a very long set of incidents that are not as catching as the story itself.
It could be the problem of modern literature. The time that the characters are living in the story really matters. It affects the style of the author as well.
I can compare this piece with one of Russians authors in 19th century. Pages of descriptions and acts upon acts. A story full of life and lives. With mystery of deaths.
But no! This book was nothing to compare with other time literature.
It was beautifully and artistically written, but not for the right time.
Honestly, I was expecting something dramatic- romantic as Nicholas Sparks books, that’s why I got the book first place. What can I say, I judged a book by its cover!
Brutal as concrete, no ratings on this one! Couldn’t finish the book either. In fact, It wasn’t a book for me.
—-
Considering these words as subjectively as possible from my end. There must be a group, very big one, loving this type of style. Maybe I get to these stuff a hundred years later, if only it happens to be by then.
…
These nights just passing by really unbearable. The book I chose to accompany me before sleep, was not helping at any cost.
—-
Getting mad why? Because it could have been my friend, I could’ve enjoyed the sweetness of each page turning. Instead not only it didn’t bring friendship, it also made me think I should consider being very hard on choosing my next book.
—-
Modern world won’t be easy on you writers. We search for companionship, friendship, partnership, knowledge, story that make sense, humor, innovation, creativity, honesty, full of full of full of fantasy and magical realism.
For sake of humanity, please do care you writers!
When it comes to writing there is no doubt that the authors subjectivity is woven into the story somehow. However, in this book; I am finding myself reading a very long set of incidents that are not as catching as the story itself.
It could be the problem of modern literature. The time that the characters are living in the story really matters. It affects the style of the author as well.
I can compare this piece with one of Russians authors in 19th century. Pages of descriptions and acts upon acts. A story full of life and lives. With mystery of deaths.
But no! This book was nothing to compare with other time literature.
It was beautifully and artistically written, but not for the right time.
Honestly, I was expecting something dramatic- romantic as Nicholas Sparks books, that’s why I got the book first place. What can I say, I judged a book by its cover!
Brutal as concrete, no ratings on this one! Couldn’t finish the book either. In fact, It wasn’t a book for me.
—-
Considering these words as subjectively as possible from my end. There must be a group, very big one, loving this type of style. Maybe I get to these stuff a hundred years later, if only it happens to be by then.
July 8, 2025
This is the first book I've read by this author and the fourth book in the Andee Lawrence series, which I was totally unaware of until reading the bonus material at the end of the book!
Cosy crime is my genre of choice rather than the subject matters that this book hinges on - young person prostitution and trafficking, the former the life that Andee's sister Penny chose initially in her teenage years as a reaction to her feelings about her place in her family, then sold and forced into the latter. I wasn't sure if I would finish the book but luckily these unpleasant experiences (sadly all too real for some people) aren't the main focus, but rather themes of family relationships and differences and the mental trauma and response to incarceration.
There are twists, turns in this at times sinister and unsettling, mind jarring plot and character driven book with a lot of references to the novel "East of Eden" which becomes a sanctuary akin to a role model and bible for Penny (I read this six years ago but only vaguely remember the plot of this 600 page family epic.)
For the majority of the book Penny is a unlikeable, nasty, vindicative, self-promoting character but by the end you have more understanding and sympathy for her, and a sense of hope that she can form and built positive relationships and bonds with her whole family.
Cosy crime is my genre of choice rather than the subject matters that this book hinges on - young person prostitution and trafficking, the former the life that Andee's sister Penny chose initially in her teenage years as a reaction to her feelings about her place in her family, then sold and forced into the latter. I wasn't sure if I would finish the book but luckily these unpleasant experiences (sadly all too real for some people) aren't the main focus, but rather themes of family relationships and differences and the mental trauma and response to incarceration.
There are twists, turns in this at times sinister and unsettling, mind jarring plot and character driven book with a lot of references to the novel "East of Eden" which becomes a sanctuary akin to a role model and bible for Penny (I read this six years ago but only vaguely remember the plot of this 600 page family epic.)
For the majority of the book Penny is a unlikeable, nasty, vindicative, self-promoting character but by the end you have more understanding and sympathy for her, and a sense of hope that she can form and built positive relationships and bonds with her whole family.
August 8, 2017
I found this another fabulous book written by Susan Lewis that tackles some difficult topical subjects, as well as delving into a complex Mother /Daughter relationship. I was hooked with the plot from the start and found it a good read.
Andee Lawrence, ex-detective, couldn’t find her sister Penny who disappeared at the age of just 14 years old but then neither could her father who also worked in the police force. Obviously a missing child has a huge impact on all the family not knowing if they are dead or alive so much so that their father died leaving Andee and her mother Maureen to continue with their lives always waiting and wondering.
Fast forward 30 years and Andee is in France renovating a beautiful villa when she is approached by a silver Mercedes car and a woman in the back seat who utter the words ‘Remember Me?’ before driving off. Could this be Penny? Andee and her family’s life are about to change forever.
Andee and Maureen are lovely caring characters who tenaciously reach out to Penny offering unconditional love, but Penny with her warped outlook on life is truly different and it soon becomes apparent just how damaged she is due to her previous life.
March 2, 2022
The writing on the front of the book says it all: "You might forgive but can you forget?" It is now 30 years later since Andee's sister left the family at age 14. Was she taken? Did she leave on her own free will? Was she killed? The family had searched and searched to no avail.
Now as Andee is walking a street in Provence, a car pulls up and the window slides down and this voice says "Do you remember me?" Lets all have our heart-rate stop for a moment here! Then the car speeds away. After catching her breath, Andee realizes its her sister Penny that disappeared 30 years ago!
Where does one now go from there? Immediately Andee gets a phone call from her Mother saying she's heard from a lady who claims to be Penny! How can this be reality? This has been a missing-child case that has haunted Andee both during her own childhood years, and then also as an Investigator. And wait a moment, how did Penny even know she was away in Provence? Okay, there is way more than meets the eye here..........something is quite fishy! Nobody can spin a tale like Susan Lewis. Your emotional roller coaster ride is just beginning!
Now as Andee is walking a street in Provence, a car pulls up and the window slides down and this voice says "Do you remember me?" Lets all have our heart-rate stop for a moment here! Then the car speeds away. After catching her breath, Andee realizes its her sister Penny that disappeared 30 years ago!
Where does one now go from there? Immediately Andee gets a phone call from her Mother saying she's heard from a lady who claims to be Penny! How can this be reality? This has been a missing-child case that has haunted Andee both during her own childhood years, and then also as an Investigator. And wait a moment, how did Penny even know she was away in Provence? Okay, there is way more than meets the eye here..........something is quite fishy! Nobody can spin a tale like Susan Lewis. Your emotional roller coaster ride is just beginning!
June 3, 2020
Although this is the fourth book in the series for the character Andee Lawrence, this book can be read without having read the previous three. This book starts off when Andee's sister Penny, who has been missing for 27 years reappears in her life.
The character development in the book has been done mostly via conversations amongst the them which brings you closer to the characters. You understand them and their perspectives on others. And this helps you connect with the storyline in a better way. Graeme, Maureen, Alayna, John, Jonathan, Sven, Gould, Even Blake and Leo... Everyone played their part with perfection.
The book touches upon on some sensitive and serious subjects like human trafficking, it's effects on families and mental illness which has been woven in beautifully. The whole facade of pretending to be someone to earn respect, love or fear has been tackled in a smart way. I'm now inclined to know more about Andee and her past life.
The character development in the book has been done mostly via conversations amongst the them which brings you closer to the characters. You understand them and their perspectives on others. And this helps you connect with the storyline in a better way. Graeme, Maureen, Alayna, John, Jonathan, Sven, Gould, Even Blake and Leo... Everyone played their part with perfection.
The book touches upon on some sensitive and serious subjects like human trafficking, it's effects on families and mental illness which has been woven in beautifully. The whole facade of pretending to be someone to earn respect, love or fear has been tackled in a smart way. I'm now inclined to know more about Andee and her past life.
March 8, 2018
Very long winded and in my opinion ...over dramatised book
I really thought I would enjoy this book when I picked it off the shelf.
But NO!
A girl goes missing at the age of 14 years and suddenly turns up rich and well dressed
many years later....shocking her sister and mother.
All have their own guilt trips on the whys and wherefores of the past!
The Garden of Eden book, is a book the long lost girl is imitating or trying too, the mother and sister go from this woman is evil, mentally sick or just trying to come back and wreak havoc with their lives.
Then is gets more complicated...children, trafficking and surrogacy..are now going into the mix.
Far too much stuff going on... too many heart to heart talks!
No did not work for me...sorry!
I really thought I would enjoy this book when I picked it off the shelf.
But NO!
A girl goes missing at the age of 14 years and suddenly turns up rich and well dressed
many years later....shocking her sister and mother.
All have their own guilt trips on the whys and wherefores of the past!
The Garden of Eden book, is a book the long lost girl is imitating or trying too, the mother and sister go from this woman is evil, mentally sick or just trying to come back and wreak havoc with their lives.
Then is gets more complicated...children, trafficking and surrogacy..are now going into the mix.
Far too much stuff going on... too many heart to heart talks!
No did not work for me...sorry!
October 20, 2018
What do you do when your long lost sister (missing since she was 14, presumed dead) suddenly, casually walks back in to your life decades later. How do you feel when she tells you she left by choice because she didn’t think you wanted her there anyway, that she was never loved and she didn’t think she would be missed at all. Why has Penny decided to show herself to her family now, what are her motives? Andee and her mother are increasingly worried that it is not for any good reason, as it seems this Penny only does what’s good for her, and her motives are not to be trusted. It was quite a good story, but did drag a little in the middle. I stopped and read something else in between, just to refresh my interest.
February 22, 2018
Andee is astonished to be greeted in France by her sister Penny, who disappeared without trace at the age of fourteen. Penny disappears again before Andee can so much as say hello. Andee, who used to be a detective, is left with the task of tracking her sister down and working out why she has chosen to make contact again after so many years.
The story certainly made me want to find out what happened next, but I didn't find parts of the story line very believable, and there were times when the style of writing grated somewhat. I probably will read more by this author, but perhaps not just yet.
The story certainly made me want to find out what happened next, but I didn't find parts of the story line very believable, and there were times when the style of writing grated somewhat. I probably will read more by this author, but perhaps not just yet.
August 4, 2019
WOW!!! Having just finished this, at break neck speed, all in all about 12 hours over 2 days, it was so good I couldn't put it down. Mystery, Intrigue and plenty of twists. Now when I've finished it I realise that this is the 4th book in the Andee Lawrence series, but I must say that it is an excellent stand alone and I had no idea that there are 3 whole books to precede this one as the story doesn't leave gaps. Without having any spoilers all I'll say is if you want plenty of suspense, intrigue and twists this is the book for you. My 2nd read from Susan Lewis and she hasn't disappointed me yet .
August 15, 2018
This book was a slightly combination of a page turner and a "no, I don't believe that could have happened" that I ended up not know whether I'd enjoyed the read or not. The key to the story is a woman who experience abuse, prostitution and drug addition and has now come out of that and is working in another realm and you have to believe her personality and her behaviour for the book to ring true and for me, I just couldn't take that step. But I did keep reading because it was such an original story.
April 20, 2020
My first Susan Lewis novel which certainly won't be my last. A thrilling read which allowed me time to process my own thoughts. What if my sister had just disappeared many years ago. Who would I blame, would I know whether she was dead or alive, should I try and find her? And then one day she turns up again but not to reconnect but just to let you know that she left deliberately because of how she felt the family treated her. Such a thought provoking story about families and how complex they are despite our love for each other.
January 28, 2021
To be honest I didn't enjoy it to begin with, but by the end I loved it, I am so pleased there was a good story for Penny about where she had been and what had happened to her, a very sad story to begin with, but one that I think she managed to turn around into actually being a good person, but still lets people believe she isn't, I ould have liked Penny's story to carry on a bit longer, to see if she managed to get back on track. and I am so glad the ending wasn't what I was fearing, I thought she was conning them all again to go to Sweden, another great book by Susan Lewis :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2018
Up until towards the end, I would have given this book 5 stars. I loved it. It was a page turner. However, towards the end, everything seemed rushed. Things suddenly all got resolved and tied up. There were places in the book that were a little drawn out, unnecessary even, which I have come to expect with Susan Lewis books, if these had been omitted, there would have been more room for a more satisfying end. All that said, overall a good read.
May 16, 2018
This was not a terrible book but two things spoiled it for me even though the story was interesting - firstly I cannot believe the change in the main character at the end and secondly the irritating spelling of names - Andee rather than Andy or even Andi - I kept wanting to emphasise the EEEE at the end and Rowzee instead of Rosie -???? These may seem minor points but they did grate on me - so there it is
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