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The Ones You Trust
The new grippingpsychological thriller from bestselling author Caroline Overington, author of The One Who Got Away
Someone has taken her little girl ...
Emma Cardwell, host of top-rating morning TV show Cuppa, is beloved by audiences and only occasionally stalked by crazy fans. She seems to have it all - fame, money, a gorgeous family - but
when her tiny daughter disappears from daycare, Emma is faced with every mother's worst nightmare.
Is this a kidnapping, a product of her high profile, or is somebody out for revenge?
As the hours tick by and the pressure mounts, everything comes under scrutiny, including her own marriage, and Emma is forced to confront a terrifying question: can we trust the ones we love?
Praise for Caroline Overington:
'Overington keeps you guessing until the last' Daily Telegraph
'Caroline Overington has an ability to home in on the darker, unsettling sides of life, seizing upon topics you might see headlining the news and spinning them into gripping page-turners' Australian Women's Weekly
Someone has taken her little girl ...
Emma Cardwell, host of top-rating morning TV show Cuppa, is beloved by audiences and only occasionally stalked by crazy fans. She seems to have it all - fame, money, a gorgeous family - but
when her tiny daughter disappears from daycare, Emma is faced with every mother's worst nightmare.
Is this a kidnapping, a product of her high profile, or is somebody out for revenge?
As the hours tick by and the pressure mounts, everything comes under scrutiny, including her own marriage, and Emma is forced to confront a terrifying question: can we trust the ones we love?
Praise for Caroline Overington:
'Overington keeps you guessing until the last' Daily Telegraph
'Caroline Overington has an ability to home in on the darker, unsettling sides of life, seizing upon topics you might see headlining the news and spinning them into gripping page-turners' Australian Women's Weekly
336 pages, Paperback
First published August 20, 2018
86 people are currently reading
1079 people want to read
About the author
Caroline Overington
30 books575 followersCaroline Overington is an Australian author and journalist.
She has worked for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, and is is currently a staff writer for The Weekend Australian Magazine.
Caroline is a two-time winner of the Walkley Award for Investigative Journalism. She won her first Walkley for a series of articles about a literary fraud, and her second for a series about the AWB oil for food scandal.
She is also a winner of the Sir Keith Murdoch prize for excellence in Journalism; and of the Blake Dawson Prize.
Caroline has published five books. Her first, Only in New York, was about working as a foreign correspondent in Manhattan.
Her second, Kickback, was about the UN oil for food scandal. It won the Blake Dawson Prize for Business Literature.
Her first novel, Ghost Child, is about a child murdered by his parents.
Her second, I Came To Say Goodbye, takes the form of a letter from a grandfather to a Supreme Court judge. It was shortlisted for both the Fiction Book of the Year, and overall Book of the Year, in the 2011 Australian Book Industry Awards.
Her latest novel, published in October 2011, is called Matilda is Missing. It is set in the Family Court, and it is about a couple's war over custody of their two year old daughter, Matilda.
Caroline's books are proudly published by Random House Australia.
Caroline is a mother of delightful, 11-year-old twins. She lives with her kids, her husband, a blue dog, and a lizard, in Bondi.
She has worked for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, and is is currently a staff writer for The Weekend Australian Magazine.
Caroline is a two-time winner of the Walkley Award for Investigative Journalism. She won her first Walkley for a series of articles about a literary fraud, and her second for a series about the AWB oil for food scandal.
She is also a winner of the Sir Keith Murdoch prize for excellence in Journalism; and of the Blake Dawson Prize.
Caroline has published five books. Her first, Only in New York, was about working as a foreign correspondent in Manhattan.
Her second, Kickback, was about the UN oil for food scandal. It won the Blake Dawson Prize for Business Literature.
Her first novel, Ghost Child, is about a child murdered by his parents.
Her second, I Came To Say Goodbye, takes the form of a letter from a grandfather to a Supreme Court judge. It was shortlisted for both the Fiction Book of the Year, and overall Book of the Year, in the 2011 Australian Book Industry Awards.
Her latest novel, published in October 2011, is called Matilda is Missing. It is set in the Family Court, and it is about a couple's war over custody of their two year old daughter, Matilda.
Caroline's books are proudly published by Random House Australia.
Caroline is a mother of delightful, 11-year-old twins. She lives with her kids, her husband, a blue dog, and a lizard, in Bondi.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 193 reviews
November 11, 2018
4★
“No knees after forty. No cleavage, ever, including toe cleavage (no open sandals.) Hair not too short but not too long either. One set of earrings only and none that dangled. No T-shirt slogans.”
Even worse, no sleeping in and having brekky with the family. Emma has to get up at 3 am to get to wardrobe and makeup in time for her star turn as co-host of ‘Cuppa’, the most popular breakfast show on Australian television. Well, it was, until Emma has been outshone by a rival network’s show, ‘Brew’, that features a sexier young woman.
“Emma wasn’t one of the stand-out pretty girls at Stellar. She was a good, solid reporter, hired by a newsroom boss who had got tired of the bubbleheads and gone looking for actual talent. Which wasn’t to say she was ugly. Emma was pretty, but not bimbo-pretty. There was a touch of shyness about her that people liked. She wasn’t related to anyone at Stellar, which was unusual for a young woman in the newsroom, which ran on nepotism like cars ran on petrol.”
She made her name in Stellar’s newsroom covering “One Black Day” bushfires, when she was filmed giving water to a sooty little boy who collapsed after running out of the fires. The public adored her!
Fast-forward to today when she’s 43 and noticing a few cracks in the mirror that aren’t the glass, so to speak. PJ, her co-host, is a partying, self-absorbed man-about-town who races to sit on the couch at the last second, tidying himself up with a grin suggesting he’s just made it from a late night out – which he probably has. Emma has become the mumsy foil to his naughty-boy routine.
At home, she and her handsome Texan husband, Brandon, have three young kids – two little boys and a baby sister Fox-Piper, 17-months old. Emma is now famous with pre-dawn to dusk commitments, while Brandon is working from home with the kids. A problem you’d think? You’d be right.
When tiny Fox-Piper goes missing from daycare, the blame-shifting escalates, the extended family weighs in, nannies are questioned, the police try to manage the paparazzi and then Maven – ah, Maven.
I mustn’t overlook Maven. She’d never allow it. Maven is the one who transformed Emma, the young reporter, into popular, famous morning-show host “the” Emma Cardwell, loved by the fans. Early morning tweets go out before dawn every day.
“Come and have a Cuppa with PJ and Emma! #Cuppa”
I picture Maven something like Disney’s Cruella de Vil, without the fur coat but with the cigarette. She’s the studio’s publicity powerhouse who knows exactly what and when to release which photos and stories before anyone even realises they ARE stories. All publicity is good publicity, as long as she’s in control of it.
“With each step up the ladder, Maven had become more imperious, indeed regal in appearance. She had seen minions quaver when she got into the elevator, and why wouldn’t they? Maven was tall and wide-bodied, and she never wore skirts, favouring wide-legged pants in expensive, swaying fabric. She had a mane of silver hair that her personal stylist swept up for her, high and away from her forehead, like a Centaur’s helmet, two or three times a week. She was never without her Hermes handbag, her buckled patent flats or her coloured cigarettes. Her company car was a bulletproof black Humvee.”
A force to be reckoned with, and even the studio boss listens to her. She can coo and woo a celebrity as she’s about to give them either the golden retirement watch or a knife in the back.
She crosses swords with the police during the heart-rending investigation as she tries to help Emma but still make sure their studio is the first to air all reports.
It’s a most enjoyable read and I was totally engrossed for about three-quarters of it, and then it took a rather strange turn and I was getting disappointed, until just before the end, when I was surprised again. I was no longer disappointed, since I could see how the story could go that way – it’s perfectly plausible - but I’m not convinced it corresponded with my understanding of everyone involved.
Overington’s an award-winning investigative journalist, so she knows her way around this stuff. She’s also an excellent fiction writer, and I’m sure you’ll recognise these characters. My lopping off of a star is simply because I needed a little more convincing, but that could well be my failing, not hers! She knows these people better than I do. It’s a good read and should do very well. I’m certainly happy to read anything she writes.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the preview copy from which I’ve quoted (so quotes may have changed.
“No knees after forty. No cleavage, ever, including toe cleavage (no open sandals.) Hair not too short but not too long either. One set of earrings only and none that dangled. No T-shirt slogans.”
Even worse, no sleeping in and having brekky with the family. Emma has to get up at 3 am to get to wardrobe and makeup in time for her star turn as co-host of ‘Cuppa’, the most popular breakfast show on Australian television. Well, it was, until Emma has been outshone by a rival network’s show, ‘Brew’, that features a sexier young woman.
“Emma wasn’t one of the stand-out pretty girls at Stellar. She was a good, solid reporter, hired by a newsroom boss who had got tired of the bubbleheads and gone looking for actual talent. Which wasn’t to say she was ugly. Emma was pretty, but not bimbo-pretty. There was a touch of shyness about her that people liked. She wasn’t related to anyone at Stellar, which was unusual for a young woman in the newsroom, which ran on nepotism like cars ran on petrol.”
She made her name in Stellar’s newsroom covering “One Black Day” bushfires, when she was filmed giving water to a sooty little boy who collapsed after running out of the fires. The public adored her!
Fast-forward to today when she’s 43 and noticing a few cracks in the mirror that aren’t the glass, so to speak. PJ, her co-host, is a partying, self-absorbed man-about-town who races to sit on the couch at the last second, tidying himself up with a grin suggesting he’s just made it from a late night out – which he probably has. Emma has become the mumsy foil to his naughty-boy routine.
At home, she and her handsome Texan husband, Brandon, have three young kids – two little boys and a baby sister Fox-Piper, 17-months old. Emma is now famous with pre-dawn to dusk commitments, while Brandon is working from home with the kids. A problem you’d think? You’d be right.
When tiny Fox-Piper goes missing from daycare, the blame-shifting escalates, the extended family weighs in, nannies are questioned, the police try to manage the paparazzi and then Maven – ah, Maven.
I mustn’t overlook Maven. She’d never allow it. Maven is the one who transformed Emma, the young reporter, into popular, famous morning-show host “the” Emma Cardwell, loved by the fans. Early morning tweets go out before dawn every day.
“Come and have a Cuppa with PJ and Emma! #Cuppa”
I picture Maven something like Disney’s Cruella de Vil, without the fur coat but with the cigarette. She’s the studio’s publicity powerhouse who knows exactly what and when to release which photos and stories before anyone even realises they ARE stories. All publicity is good publicity, as long as she’s in control of it.
“With each step up the ladder, Maven had become more imperious, indeed regal in appearance. She had seen minions quaver when she got into the elevator, and why wouldn’t they? Maven was tall and wide-bodied, and she never wore skirts, favouring wide-legged pants in expensive, swaying fabric. She had a mane of silver hair that her personal stylist swept up for her, high and away from her forehead, like a Centaur’s helmet, two or three times a week. She was never without her Hermes handbag, her buckled patent flats or her coloured cigarettes. Her company car was a bulletproof black Humvee.”
A force to be reckoned with, and even the studio boss listens to her. She can coo and woo a celebrity as she’s about to give them either the golden retirement watch or a knife in the back.
She crosses swords with the police during the heart-rending investigation as she tries to help Emma but still make sure their studio is the first to air all reports.
It’s a most enjoyable read and I was totally engrossed for about three-quarters of it, and then it took a rather strange turn and I was getting disappointed, until just before the end, when I was surprised again. I was no longer disappointed, since I could see how the story could go that way – it’s perfectly plausible - but I’m not convinced it corresponded with my understanding of everyone involved.
Overington’s an award-winning investigative journalist, so she knows her way around this stuff. She’s also an excellent fiction writer, and I’m sure you’ll recognise these characters. My lopping off of a star is simply because I needed a little more convincing, but that could well be my failing, not hers! She knows these people better than I do. It’s a good read and should do very well. I’m certainly happy to read anything she writes.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the preview copy from which I’ve quoted (so quotes may have changed.
June 9, 2019
In this novel Caroline Overington takes us behind the scenes of a breakfast TV show to the PR teams that control the lives of the presenters and what the public sees. Australian readers will easily recognise the type of show complete with male and female hosts bantering on the couch, cooking and product demonstrations, giveaways and some feel good news to counteract any bad world news. Unflattering shots by paparazzi and nasty comments on social media are all part and parcel of being a morning show celebrity for Emma Cardwell, host of the popular 'Cuppa.' Although life is pretty good, Emma struggles with the demand that with the early morning starts and publicity appearances have on her family life with her husband and three young children. In her forties Emma knows her days on the program are numbered and the ratings haven't been so good since their competitor on another channel hired a new young host.
When Emma's youngest child Fox-Piper disappears from childcare, the PR machinery goes into overdrive with Emma's home and family squarely focused in the media's lenses. With the police trying to work out whether this is a kidnapping or an act of revenge, Emma is frantic at the thought of her little girl being taken away from her and wondering just who she can trust.
As a journalist, Caroline Overington is very capable of placing her well written plots in a contemporary setting and in this one she brings us inside the workings of the media. The plot is well paced with several suspects in the police's sights. The ending was not what I was expecting and although it shocked me, it also did feel a bit too contrived and I'll be interested to see what other readers make of it. 3.5★
With thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for a digital copy of the book to read.
When Emma's youngest child Fox-Piper disappears from childcare, the PR machinery goes into overdrive with Emma's home and family squarely focused in the media's lenses. With the police trying to work out whether this is a kidnapping or an act of revenge, Emma is frantic at the thought of her little girl being taken away from her and wondering just who she can trust.
As a journalist, Caroline Overington is very capable of placing her well written plots in a contemporary setting and in this one she brings us inside the workings of the media. The plot is well paced with several suspects in the police's sights. The ending was not what I was expecting and although it shocked me, it also did feel a bit too contrived and I'll be interested to see what other readers make of it. 3.5★
With thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for a digital copy of the book to read.
September 11, 2018
3.5 stars.
This was a good audio read. I was guessing throughout and was happy that I got it wrong. The shiny land of television breakfast was the back drop, and of course one could not help but draw parallels with Koshie, Armatyge and all the rest of the Aussie tv stars that wake at such ungodly hours. Throw in some kidnapping and backstabbing and this is a pretty good offering. I only liked one character though, but this makes it more interesting I think, especially when he ended up disappointing, as well.
I only cruised through this, not edge of the seat type listening, I wasn't loving the narrator. This author is a great writer, I will always read her books.
This was a good audio read. I was guessing throughout and was happy that I got it wrong. The shiny land of television breakfast was the back drop, and of course one could not help but draw parallels with Koshie, Armatyge and all the rest of the Aussie tv stars that wake at such ungodly hours. Throw in some kidnapping and backstabbing and this is a pretty good offering. I only liked one character though, but this makes it more interesting I think, especially when he ended up disappointing, as well.
I only cruised through this, not edge of the seat type listening, I wasn't loving the narrator. This author is a great writer, I will always read her books.
August 20, 2018
I have found myself a new Australian author in Caroline Overington. Wow.. what a book... I stayed up late finishing this one last night and it was so worth the extra coffee this morning. This was the first book by Caroline that I have read but I will be checking out her other books without a doubt. I love reading local writers and this one was fantastic. Definitely on my go to list from now on.
Emma Cardwell is a celebrity mum of 3 young children and the host of breakfast TV show Cuppa. She has everything a woman could want - a wonderful family, a great career. Thank it until her youngest daughter disappears from her day care centre.... with somebody that Emma does not know. Her life is turned upside down and her family's lives are under the microscope to try to find her daughter. Is it a crazed fan, a kidnapping? Will her marriage survive this when the truth comes out? Can you really trust those who are closest to you? It also gives you a behinds the scenes look at TV and the lengths that people will go for ratings.
The ending of this book came as a total shock, I did not see that coming at all. A big thank you to Harper Collins Publishers Australia and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and in no way biased.
Emma Cardwell is a celebrity mum of 3 young children and the host of breakfast TV show Cuppa. She has everything a woman could want - a wonderful family, a great career. Thank it until her youngest daughter disappears from her day care centre.... with somebody that Emma does not know. Her life is turned upside down and her family's lives are under the microscope to try to find her daughter. Is it a crazed fan, a kidnapping? Will her marriage survive this when the truth comes out? Can you really trust those who are closest to you? It also gives you a behinds the scenes look at TV and the lengths that people will go for ratings.
The ending of this book came as a total shock, I did not see that coming at all. A big thank you to Harper Collins Publishers Australia and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and in no way biased.
November 28, 2018
The Ones You Trust is the twelfth novel by award-winning Australian journalist, editor and author Caroline Overington. Little Fox-Piper Cardwell-Cole has been collected from Crayon and Clay daycare, located in the Gallery Main Street mall, by an unknown woman. She's just seventeen months old and her parents are frantic. Her mother, Emma Cardwell is the Stellar Network’s morning TV co-host on Cuppa, and a mix-up means that Fox has been missing for seven hours before it is discovered.
Detective Paul Franklin and his team are very quickly on the scene, checking the location, interviewing daycare staff, reviewing CCTV footage, coordinating with the media. Soon, an Amber Alert is declared, and the state is eagerly watching for developments. Franklin tries to cover all the possibilities, initially giving no one the benefit of the doubt. With good reason: he can tell that no one he interviews is being completely candid, but is whatever they are editing out relevant to the events now taking place?
A ransom demand is a long time coming and the family spends an agonising night wondering about the fate of their sweet little daughter and sister. The saturation publicity brings a few weirdos out of the woodwork, serving to distract from the search for Fox. Meanwhile, Stellar’s publicity and crisis management Maven seems determined to cash in on the situation for the publicity value. The paparazzi are relentless and the rival network engages in shameless one-up-man-ship.
Overington splits the story into three parts, with the bulk covering the hours before and during the kidnap, with the latter part of the story devoted to the aftermath in the ensuing weeks. Readers may, understandably, fix on a certain character as the guilty party, but it seems no one is altogether innocent. Overington gives the reader a number of red herrings to keep them guessing, while taking the plot to its jaw-dropping climax through so many turns there may be an increased uptake in chiropractic appointments.
Each chapter is prefaced by a quote from social or conventional media about the ongoing drama. There’s plenty of guilt and blame going on, and Overington touches on several topical issues: the career vs stay-at-home mother, the reversal of traditional parenting roles, the double standard that exists with regards the appearance and behaviour for female and male celebrities. Should we be surprised at how cold, calculating and utterly self-serving many of the people in show business can be, and how quickly the media mobilises to exploit the situation? Probably not. A brilliant page-turner!
Detective Paul Franklin and his team are very quickly on the scene, checking the location, interviewing daycare staff, reviewing CCTV footage, coordinating with the media. Soon, an Amber Alert is declared, and the state is eagerly watching for developments. Franklin tries to cover all the possibilities, initially giving no one the benefit of the doubt. With good reason: he can tell that no one he interviews is being completely candid, but is whatever they are editing out relevant to the events now taking place?
A ransom demand is a long time coming and the family spends an agonising night wondering about the fate of their sweet little daughter and sister. The saturation publicity brings a few weirdos out of the woodwork, serving to distract from the search for Fox. Meanwhile, Stellar’s publicity and crisis management Maven seems determined to cash in on the situation for the publicity value. The paparazzi are relentless and the rival network engages in shameless one-up-man-ship.
Overington splits the story into three parts, with the bulk covering the hours before and during the kidnap, with the latter part of the story devoted to the aftermath in the ensuing weeks. Readers may, understandably, fix on a certain character as the guilty party, but it seems no one is altogether innocent. Overington gives the reader a number of red herrings to keep them guessing, while taking the plot to its jaw-dropping climax through so many turns there may be an increased uptake in chiropractic appointments.
Each chapter is prefaced by a quote from social or conventional media about the ongoing drama. There’s plenty of guilt and blame going on, and Overington touches on several topical issues: the career vs stay-at-home mother, the reversal of traditional parenting roles, the double standard that exists with regards the appearance and behaviour for female and male celebrities. Should we be surprised at how cold, calculating and utterly self-serving many of the people in show business can be, and how quickly the media mobilises to exploit the situation? Probably not. A brilliant page-turner!
November 29, 2018
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The Ones You Trust by Caroline Overington. (2018).
Emma is a celebrity mum and host of a morning show. One day her little girl disappears from daycare and Emma's world is turned upside down. Is it a kidnapping? Is someone out for revenge? Or is this something closer to home? How much do we really know about those who care for our children...and about the people we love?
I've seen this author's books and always intended on reading them but this is actually the first one I've picked up. I quite enjoyed this novel, it felt like a very clever story. As any mum with kids who attend daycare would agree, the thought of one going missing from there is actually terrifying! In this case, nothing is what it seems - I thought I had picked the explanation behind everything but I was a bit off (which is a good thing, I love being genuinely surprised in this genre). Emma's morning show made me think of 'Sunrise' a lot (Aussie readers, you know what show I mean). A well written, good paced mystery/crime/ thriller novel that would be perfect if you are lucky enough to be enjoying a little holiday soon - or, you know, you just want a good thriller book to read haha!
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The Ones You Trust by Caroline Overington. (2018).
Emma is a celebrity mum and host of a morning show. One day her little girl disappears from daycare and Emma's world is turned upside down. Is it a kidnapping? Is someone out for revenge? Or is this something closer to home? How much do we really know about those who care for our children...and about the people we love?
I've seen this author's books and always intended on reading them but this is actually the first one I've picked up. I quite enjoyed this novel, it felt like a very clever story. As any mum with kids who attend daycare would agree, the thought of one going missing from there is actually terrifying! In this case, nothing is what it seems - I thought I had picked the explanation behind everything but I was a bit off (which is a good thing, I love being genuinely surprised in this genre). Emma's morning show made me think of 'Sunrise' a lot (Aussie readers, you know what show I mean). A well written, good paced mystery/crime/ thriller novel that would be perfect if you are lucky enough to be enjoying a little holiday soon - or, you know, you just want a good thriller book to read haha!
June 5, 2019
Two and a half stars.
Emma Cardwell, mother of three is also a co-host of Cuppa, a top rating morning TV show. She appears to be one of those who can have it all, a career, fame, family and wealth. That is until Fox-Piper, Emma’s little girl of 17 months, goes missing from day care. Emma’s world is rocked. Police and the media become involved trying to find out the truth of what has happened to Fox-Piper. Suspicion falls even on her husband Brandon who works from home and was supposed to pick the child up but forgot, so he says.
This novel gives a fair bit of insight into the production of TV shows, the important of ratings and all the behind the scenes people who are involved in getting a show to air each day. That gives an interesting perspective. While it had me interested I found pretty much all of the characters unlikeable for different reasons and disliked the silly names like Seal, Fox-Piper etc. But that often seems to be the case with celebrities.
The plot was quite interesting until the end where the so called twist just became unbelievable for this reader. At the time of finishing the book, I was less than impressed. It just didn’t ring true. The more I thought about it afterwards, the less convinced I was. It did not fit with what had gone before. So what started out really well got pulled down as it struck me as too contrived and the author trying to be far too clever. I know others have enjoyed this book, but for this reader that ending simply didn’t work.
Emma Cardwell, mother of three is also a co-host of Cuppa, a top rating morning TV show. She appears to be one of those who can have it all, a career, fame, family and wealth. That is until Fox-Piper, Emma’s little girl of 17 months, goes missing from day care. Emma’s world is rocked. Police and the media become involved trying to find out the truth of what has happened to Fox-Piper. Suspicion falls even on her husband Brandon who works from home and was supposed to pick the child up but forgot, so he says.
This novel gives a fair bit of insight into the production of TV shows, the important of ratings and all the behind the scenes people who are involved in getting a show to air each day. That gives an interesting perspective. While it had me interested I found pretty much all of the characters unlikeable for different reasons and disliked the silly names like Seal, Fox-Piper etc. But that often seems to be the case with celebrities.
The plot was quite interesting until the end where the so called twist just became unbelievable for this reader. At the time of finishing the book, I was less than impressed. It just didn’t ring true. The more I thought about it afterwards, the less convinced I was. It did not fit with what had gone before. So what started out really well got pulled down as it struck me as too contrived and the author trying to be far too clever. I know others have enjoyed this book, but for this reader that ending simply didn’t work.
September 21, 2018
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Questions of trust, ambition, protection and family are all placed under the microscope in popular psychological thriller novelist, Caroline Overington’s latest novel The Ones You Trust. Overington presents what she knows best, delivering a read that strikes both at the heart of family life and the media world, both are areas she knows like the back of her hand. The Ones You Trust is a page turner that delivers a tense read until the final breathtaking moments of this highly strung tale.
The Ones You Trust revolves around a celebrity breakfast television show host, Emma Cardwell. On the outset it appears if Emma has quite the charmed life, a handsome and hands on husband, a beautiful family and a lovely home. This all comes crashing down in a spectacular fashion, when Emma’s youngest child vanishes from her day care centre. CCTV footage of that fateful day reveals Emma’s daughter in the local shopping centre with a stranger, a figure Emma has never set eyes on before. From this moment on Emma’s life spirals out of control. The Ones You Trust is delivered as it happens, we are privy to the all important moments before, during and after the kidnapping. At the same time, Emma’s already public life is splayed out for all to see. Secrets are revealed, Emma’s circle of trust is questioned and the race to find Emma’s daughter, Fox-Piper is on.
Caroline Overington is an Australian writer that I have come to admire over the years and I always look forward to a new book released by this best-selling writer. There is something unique about Overington’s writing style, I tend to think of her as the closest thing to an Australian Jodi Picoult. Although Sisters of Mercy, an older title of Overington’s remains my all time favourite, The Ones You Trust has definitely scored a place on my list of entertaining novels by this author.
Onto the book, readers will be pleased to see that Overington has based her latest novel back on home soil. There is an American character, but the book’s proceedings take place in Sydney. I think this is where The Ones You Trust succeeds this time around, the local setting is immediate and realistic. There is an excellent sense of foreboding, danger and overall panic that descends on this story. This uptight atmosphere, followed by snappy dialogue to match, is established very early on in the piece and doesn’t ease up until the very close of the novel. I enjoyed this very much.
The characterisation is solid in The Ones You Trust, there are a great array of secondary players that expand this novel’s depths. In particular, I found Emma Cardwell, Overington’s main protagonist immediately appealing. As a working mother, I quickly sympathised with Emma’s mother’s guilt and the difficulty of maintaining a working life/career/relationship/family balance. Overington makes light of this issue with a sense of understanding and realism, it allows the reader to make a swift and lasting connection to Emma. I felt every gut wrenching moment of her daughter’s disappearance and I genuinely hoped that her daughter’s final fate did not end in foul play. I will leave it up to the audience to decide how they feel about this one after the book has reached its close.
Overington’s plot is perfectly poised and situated in the here and now. The timeline flows without any bumps, courtesy of the structured timeline, outlining the date and time present on the pages of this novel. This is a very current and connective novel. For Australian readers, I was reminded of our popular breakfast television shows Sunrise and Today, along with their well known hosts. What Overington did was take this one step further and show us the cut throat world of promotion, ratings, rivalry, co hosts, public relations, social media and the paparazzi. This world is not a glamorous as we all think. This extra dimension to The Ones You Trust hoists the reader further into the world of Emma and her lost daughter, Fox-Piper.
In terms of the central mystery, the case of missing 17 month old Fox-Piper, Overington works hard to deliver plenty of twists, turns and diversions. A range of possible theories were laid out, along with a few suspects and leads. As usual, I was not on the money with this one, although I did sniff out the general gist of the reasons behind the disappearance of little Fox-Piper. Overington is quite the puppet master with this one, pulling our strings until the final curtain call!
The Ones You Trust, the latest psychological thriller by Caroline Overington reminds me of why I turned to her writing some years ago now. Overington’s work is obsessive, compulsive and it always delivers a current moral conundrum to consider. The entertainment value with this one is high and I am happy to recommend The Ones You Trust to readers.
*I wish to thank Harper Collins Books Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
The Ones You Trust, is book #116 of the Australian Women Writers Challenge
Questions of trust, ambition, protection and family are all placed under the microscope in popular psychological thriller novelist, Caroline Overington’s latest novel The Ones You Trust. Overington presents what she knows best, delivering a read that strikes both at the heart of family life and the media world, both are areas she knows like the back of her hand. The Ones You Trust is a page turner that delivers a tense read until the final breathtaking moments of this highly strung tale.
The Ones You Trust revolves around a celebrity breakfast television show host, Emma Cardwell. On the outset it appears if Emma has quite the charmed life, a handsome and hands on husband, a beautiful family and a lovely home. This all comes crashing down in a spectacular fashion, when Emma’s youngest child vanishes from her day care centre. CCTV footage of that fateful day reveals Emma’s daughter in the local shopping centre with a stranger, a figure Emma has never set eyes on before. From this moment on Emma’s life spirals out of control. The Ones You Trust is delivered as it happens, we are privy to the all important moments before, during and after the kidnapping. At the same time, Emma’s already public life is splayed out for all to see. Secrets are revealed, Emma’s circle of trust is questioned and the race to find Emma’s daughter, Fox-Piper is on.
Caroline Overington is an Australian writer that I have come to admire over the years and I always look forward to a new book released by this best-selling writer. There is something unique about Overington’s writing style, I tend to think of her as the closest thing to an Australian Jodi Picoult. Although Sisters of Mercy, an older title of Overington’s remains my all time favourite, The Ones You Trust has definitely scored a place on my list of entertaining novels by this author.
Onto the book, readers will be pleased to see that Overington has based her latest novel back on home soil. There is an American character, but the book’s proceedings take place in Sydney. I think this is where The Ones You Trust succeeds this time around, the local setting is immediate and realistic. There is an excellent sense of foreboding, danger and overall panic that descends on this story. This uptight atmosphere, followed by snappy dialogue to match, is established very early on in the piece and doesn’t ease up until the very close of the novel. I enjoyed this very much.
The characterisation is solid in The Ones You Trust, there are a great array of secondary players that expand this novel’s depths. In particular, I found Emma Cardwell, Overington’s main protagonist immediately appealing. As a working mother, I quickly sympathised with Emma’s mother’s guilt and the difficulty of maintaining a working life/career/relationship/family balance. Overington makes light of this issue with a sense of understanding and realism, it allows the reader to make a swift and lasting connection to Emma. I felt every gut wrenching moment of her daughter’s disappearance and I genuinely hoped that her daughter’s final fate did not end in foul play. I will leave it up to the audience to decide how they feel about this one after the book has reached its close.
Overington’s plot is perfectly poised and situated in the here and now. The timeline flows without any bumps, courtesy of the structured timeline, outlining the date and time present on the pages of this novel. This is a very current and connective novel. For Australian readers, I was reminded of our popular breakfast television shows Sunrise and Today, along with their well known hosts. What Overington did was take this one step further and show us the cut throat world of promotion, ratings, rivalry, co hosts, public relations, social media and the paparazzi. This world is not a glamorous as we all think. This extra dimension to The Ones You Trust hoists the reader further into the world of Emma and her lost daughter, Fox-Piper.
In terms of the central mystery, the case of missing 17 month old Fox-Piper, Overington works hard to deliver plenty of twists, turns and diversions. A range of possible theories were laid out, along with a few suspects and leads. As usual, I was not on the money with this one, although I did sniff out the general gist of the reasons behind the disappearance of little Fox-Piper. Overington is quite the puppet master with this one, pulling our strings until the final curtain call!
The Ones You Trust, the latest psychological thriller by Caroline Overington reminds me of why I turned to her writing some years ago now. Overington’s work is obsessive, compulsive and it always delivers a current moral conundrum to consider. The entertainment value with this one is high and I am happy to recommend The Ones You Trust to readers.
*I wish to thank Harper Collins Books Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
The Ones You Trust, is book #116 of the Australian Women Writers Challenge
September 5, 2018
Absolute pile of shite. Story went on and on for too long without any movement or suspense, and the ending was just ridiculously unbelievable. The premise of this book had the potential to turn into something quite good, but it just lost its way. How this got published is a mystery. This is the third book I’ve read by this author and likely to be the last - the others I read were poorly thought out as well. Thankfully I didn’t waste money buying it and borrowed it from the library - the one saving grace in an otherwise bleak reading experience.
August 23, 2018
I love it when I come across books that wrap a current affairs topic into a delicious bun of mystery, finishing it off with a dollop of intrigue and a smear of blood to make the perfect fictional hotdog. Okay, so comparing a book to a hotdog may be stretching the friendship, but this book was just as binge-worthy as comfort food when you’re on the go and too tired to steam some broccoli. And being set in Australia, dealing with current Australian topics and featuring characters modelled on real Australian celebrities was a real treat. You don’t often find gems like this, and I felt like a fossicker striking gold when I accidentally stumbled across The Ones You Trust!
Overington has a real knack for plucking some hot topics straight out of news headlines and creating captivating fiction. Even though I was prepared to hate Emma for being the sort of woman who is always in the spotlight, beautifully made up, the centre of everyone’s attention, plus the sort of person who gives her children pretentious names like Seal and Fox-Piper (another character in the book made me laugh when they asked: are they running a zoo here?), I came to adore her in the end. Emma is smart, and she is savvy. She may be presenting herself exactly the way her breakfast show viewers want her to be – the responsible, ever well-presented wife and mother – but she is far from stupid. In her forties, and past her prime as far as television is concerned, Emma is fully aware that her days on “Cuppa” are numbered, and that she is likely going to be replaced soon by some sexy young single woman, like Cassie Clay from their rivalling show “Brew”. Because on TV, ratings are everything, and a lot of scheming and foul play goes on behind the scenes to make sure the stars get headlines – even if it’s negative publicity. Emma has been the target of the paparazzi before and knows the prize she has to pay for stardom – but now that she is a mother, this responsibility rests heavily on her shoulder. When her baby daughter is kidnapped from her daycare centre, Emma finds out how costly this price may be .....
If you live in Australia, the parallels of Emma’s world to Australian breakfast television are instantly obvious and relatable. I found it a real eye-opener to hear what goes on behind the scenes of the show, especially the tactics Cuppa’s publicity boss Maven employs to keep the show in the spotlight. When Fox-Piper goes missing, there is a myriad of suspects to choose from that may benefit from the huge media circus that ensues. I certainly had a few theories, but was still unprepared for the way Overington brought together all the strings in the end, and the final reveal. But even if your hunches are right, the power of this novel lies not in the mystery of Fox-Piper’s abduction, but in the events surrounding the event. I loved the everyday feel of the characters’ lives and events, which made this an extremely compelling read for me (I hate making comparisons but the characters and story did remind me a bit of fellow Australian author Liane Moriarty’s books).
Overington’s journalistic skills of tackling current affairs are instantly recognisable in her knowledge about “backstage” happenings, such as the political wheelings and dealings going on in the media world to ensure high viewer ratings. I applaud her for being able to present these in a fictional content without losing their punch – making me feel that I learned a few things along the way. I also appreciated her portrayal of Emma, a woman trying to “make it” in the media, where youth, beauty and the perfect body trump brains and courage, but where smart women like Emma and Maven still find a way to excel. Despite her initial apparent pretentiousness, Emma totally won me over in the end! Emma’s marital problems added an extra layer to the story that highlighted the pressure working mothers with small children are under these days.
In summary, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of The Ones You Trust and sat up way too late into the night reading because I could not tear myself away. The characters were so well drawn that I felt instantly transported into their world, even though their realities are worlds apart from mine. A great read – I look forward to reading more from this author in future!
4.5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Australia for the free electronic copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.
*blog* *facebook* *instagram*
Overington has a real knack for plucking some hot topics straight out of news headlines and creating captivating fiction. Even though I was prepared to hate Emma for being the sort of woman who is always in the spotlight, beautifully made up, the centre of everyone’s attention, plus the sort of person who gives her children pretentious names like Seal and Fox-Piper (another character in the book made me laugh when they asked: are they running a zoo here?), I came to adore her in the end. Emma is smart, and she is savvy. She may be presenting herself exactly the way her breakfast show viewers want her to be – the responsible, ever well-presented wife and mother – but she is far from stupid. In her forties, and past her prime as far as television is concerned, Emma is fully aware that her days on “Cuppa” are numbered, and that she is likely going to be replaced soon by some sexy young single woman, like Cassie Clay from their rivalling show “Brew”. Because on TV, ratings are everything, and a lot of scheming and foul play goes on behind the scenes to make sure the stars get headlines – even if it’s negative publicity. Emma has been the target of the paparazzi before and knows the prize she has to pay for stardom – but now that she is a mother, this responsibility rests heavily on her shoulder. When her baby daughter is kidnapped from her daycare centre, Emma finds out how costly this price may be .....
If you live in Australia, the parallels of Emma’s world to Australian breakfast television are instantly obvious and relatable. I found it a real eye-opener to hear what goes on behind the scenes of the show, especially the tactics Cuppa’s publicity boss Maven employs to keep the show in the spotlight. When Fox-Piper goes missing, there is a myriad of suspects to choose from that may benefit from the huge media circus that ensues. I certainly had a few theories, but was still unprepared for the way Overington brought together all the strings in the end, and the final reveal. But even if your hunches are right, the power of this novel lies not in the mystery of Fox-Piper’s abduction, but in the events surrounding the event. I loved the everyday feel of the characters’ lives and events, which made this an extremely compelling read for me (I hate making comparisons but the characters and story did remind me a bit of fellow Australian author Liane Moriarty’s books).
Overington’s journalistic skills of tackling current affairs are instantly recognisable in her knowledge about “backstage” happenings, such as the political wheelings and dealings going on in the media world to ensure high viewer ratings. I applaud her for being able to present these in a fictional content without losing their punch – making me feel that I learned a few things along the way. I also appreciated her portrayal of Emma, a woman trying to “make it” in the media, where youth, beauty and the perfect body trump brains and courage, but where smart women like Emma and Maven still find a way to excel. Despite her initial apparent pretentiousness, Emma totally won me over in the end! Emma’s marital problems added an extra layer to the story that highlighted the pressure working mothers with small children are under these days.
In summary, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of The Ones You Trust and sat up way too late into the night reading because I could not tear myself away. The characters were so well drawn that I felt instantly transported into their world, even though their realities are worlds apart from mine. A great read – I look forward to reading more from this author in future!
4.5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Australia for the free electronic copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.
*blog* *facebook* *instagram*
October 5, 2018
Wow! Just wow! What a Rollercoaster ride that story was.
The Ones You Can Trust by Caroline Overington was a sensational read and I enjoyed every moment of it.
Talk Show host Emma Cardwell and her husband Brandon have found themselves in the middle of every parents worst nightmare. The youngest of their three children, 17 month old Fox-Piper has gone missing, collected from day care by an unknown and unauthorised person. Caroline Overington did a sensational job of making Emma and Brandons fears palpable and I was right there with them living that nightmare, worrying for the gorgeous toddler. As the police investigation got underway the detectives weren't the only ones busily sleuthing. I cast my suspicions upon almost every character in the book yet despite my many theories I was completely taken by surprise as one twist after another came to light.
Kudos too for the realistic portrayal of the running of the fictional chat show Cuppa. I felt as though I was getting a sneak peak behind the scenes and was agog at the politics, the scheming, the gossip, the media leaks and the utter addiction of some for snaring public attention. With the authors strong media background I couldn't help wondering just how much of this really goes on and how much was elaborated in the name if a great story? I guess it doesn't really matter because when it's all said and done it was a fantastic story and I cannot wait to read more of her work.
Sincere thanks to HarperCollins Publishers Australia and NetGalley for making this digital ARC available to me in exchange for an unbiased review. Highly recommended reading.
The Ones You Can Trust by Caroline Overington was a sensational read and I enjoyed every moment of it.
Talk Show host Emma Cardwell and her husband Brandon have found themselves in the middle of every parents worst nightmare. The youngest of their three children, 17 month old Fox-Piper has gone missing, collected from day care by an unknown and unauthorised person. Caroline Overington did a sensational job of making Emma and Brandons fears palpable and I was right there with them living that nightmare, worrying for the gorgeous toddler. As the police investigation got underway the detectives weren't the only ones busily sleuthing. I cast my suspicions upon almost every character in the book yet despite my many theories I was completely taken by surprise as one twist after another came to light.
Kudos too for the realistic portrayal of the running of the fictional chat show Cuppa. I felt as though I was getting a sneak peak behind the scenes and was agog at the politics, the scheming, the gossip, the media leaks and the utter addiction of some for snaring public attention. With the authors strong media background I couldn't help wondering just how much of this really goes on and how much was elaborated in the name if a great story? I guess it doesn't really matter because when it's all said and done it was a fantastic story and I cannot wait to read more of her work.
Sincere thanks to HarperCollins Publishers Australia and NetGalley for making this digital ARC available to me in exchange for an unbiased review. Highly recommended reading.
May 19, 2018
5, 4, 3, 2, 1 – you’re ON AIR. Think Georgie Gardner and Karl Stefanovic from the TODAY show doing their bit each day to stave off rival breakfast morning show SUNRISE with rising star, Sam Armytage. Except here we have fictional morning TV shows with Stellar airing Cuppa starring PJ and Emma Cardwell and a rival channel airing Brew with pop star, Cassie Clay.
Getting the scoop, prepping the stars, hiding their flaws, micro-managing their lives, chauffeuring them around for extra-curricular publicity, protecting them from sickos and exposing them is what publicity teams do best. Keeping the viewers and maintaining the No.1 spot in the ratings war is all that matters.
Until Emma Cardwell’s beautiful little 17-month-old daughter, Fox-Piper Cardwell Cole, is kidnapped from Long Day Care around 1 pm and no-ones finds out until 8pm. With their frantic lives and constant timetable changes, Emma’s husband, Brandon, forgets to pick up their daughter thinking Emma, or their nanny or even an often-called-upon family member has done it. He’s prepared a nice meal for his wife to patch up an earlier fall out in the day but there are no kids frantically running around as Brandon has settled the boys in their room. “Where’s Fox-Piper, then?” asks Emma. Brandon wants to ask Emma the same thing. You can image the panic that ensues. Believe me, losing a child, for whatever space of time, is the worst feeling in the world.
In a panic Emma rushes to the day care centre way past closing time thinking she might be locked inside. Led by Detective Paul Franklin the police soon follow, and the story is pieced together. Why was she checked out by someone who wasn’t an authorised signatory? Was she taken by a familiar face which might have led to a slip in protocols and are the parents blameless? While Franklin attempts to exclude the parents’ involvement he also has a hefty list of potential suspects – family members, nanny and Stellar staff – to assess as well. And that includes Maven, the publicity machine, who single-handedly keeps Cuppa ‘Australia’s No. 1 breakfast show’.
Because of Emma’s celebrity status, the child abduction warrants an AMBER ALERT – which flags the case at ministerial level and escalates priority and response time. Reluctantly, Franklin recognises Maven’s expertise in this area and you’ve got to love her approach. If you’re a cynic about how media and the press operate you won’t be disappointed by Maven’s actions to win your attention. According to Maven, any news is good news particularly when it translates into greater viewer numbers.
If you ever wanted a deeper insight into how a TV network operates to win and retain its viewers this is a must read. This book has considerable insight from an author with laudable investigative journalistic skills. A wonderful, commercial fiction whodunnit which kept me intrigued to the very end. In fact, the last 80 pages were magnificent. What I would earlier have rated as an immensely enjoyable novel, despite the harrowing scenario, became a finely crafted one with its exceptional plot and character development.
Getting the scoop, prepping the stars, hiding their flaws, micro-managing their lives, chauffeuring them around for extra-curricular publicity, protecting them from sickos and exposing them is what publicity teams do best. Keeping the viewers and maintaining the No.1 spot in the ratings war is all that matters.
Until Emma Cardwell’s beautiful little 17-month-old daughter, Fox-Piper Cardwell Cole, is kidnapped from Long Day Care around 1 pm and no-ones finds out until 8pm. With their frantic lives and constant timetable changes, Emma’s husband, Brandon, forgets to pick up their daughter thinking Emma, or their nanny or even an often-called-upon family member has done it. He’s prepared a nice meal for his wife to patch up an earlier fall out in the day but there are no kids frantically running around as Brandon has settled the boys in their room. “Where’s Fox-Piper, then?” asks Emma. Brandon wants to ask Emma the same thing. You can image the panic that ensues. Believe me, losing a child, for whatever space of time, is the worst feeling in the world.
In a panic Emma rushes to the day care centre way past closing time thinking she might be locked inside. Led by Detective Paul Franklin the police soon follow, and the story is pieced together. Why was she checked out by someone who wasn’t an authorised signatory? Was she taken by a familiar face which might have led to a slip in protocols and are the parents blameless? While Franklin attempts to exclude the parents’ involvement he also has a hefty list of potential suspects – family members, nanny and Stellar staff – to assess as well. And that includes Maven, the publicity machine, who single-handedly keeps Cuppa ‘Australia’s No. 1 breakfast show’.
Because of Emma’s celebrity status, the child abduction warrants an AMBER ALERT – which flags the case at ministerial level and escalates priority and response time. Reluctantly, Franklin recognises Maven’s expertise in this area and you’ve got to love her approach. If you’re a cynic about how media and the press operate you won’t be disappointed by Maven’s actions to win your attention. According to Maven, any news is good news particularly when it translates into greater viewer numbers.
If you ever wanted a deeper insight into how a TV network operates to win and retain its viewers this is a must read. This book has considerable insight from an author with laudable investigative journalistic skills. A wonderful, commercial fiction whodunnit which kept me intrigued to the very end. In fact, the last 80 pages were magnificent. What I would earlier have rated as an immensely enjoyable novel, despite the harrowing scenario, became a finely crafted one with its exceptional plot and character development.
December 16, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel by Australian author Caroline Overington. Having previously read her work I was a little hesitant to try another one and I am so glad I did.
Set amidst a back-drop of Breakfast television this is a fast-paced, gripping thriller with interesting characters, an insightful and realistic perspective of life in the limelight and twists you just don’t see coming. Well worth a read if you enjoy the crime/psychological/thriller genre.
Set amidst a back-drop of Breakfast television this is a fast-paced, gripping thriller with interesting characters, an insightful and realistic perspective of life in the limelight and twists you just don’t see coming. Well worth a read if you enjoy the crime/psychological/thriller genre.
August 20, 2018
I've now read quite a few of Caroline Overington's novels (such as The One Who Got Away ) and almost every time I review them I comment on the fact that they reflect current and very contemporary issues.
Her latest, The Ones You Trust, is no different.
I made a note while I was reading this that Overington seems to use some examples of recent happenings involving public figures here in Australia. And she doesn't pull any punches. Male co-hosts that rock up for the morning show still drunk from the night before. The pressure of female hosts to be young and peppy. And definitely not fat, amidst headlines spotlighting their cellulite.
And then there's the cut-throat PR machines driving these TV shows and the networks. It'd be laughable if it wasn't also (most likely) very very real.
And then there's the changing face of the paparazzi, one of whom we meet is bemoaning the advent of the smart phone and the public's ability to snap pics once only accessible to those with cameras and zoom lenses at the ready, They also grumble about celebs 'papping' themselves and sharing bathroom / gym / just-awake pics - once the bread-and-butter of the tabloid press.
Emma's no dummy and she knows (after over a decade) her days on morning TV are numbered, but she's trying to do everything right. Despite their differences she kinda gets on with her co-host though seems to have a bit of a love/hate relationship with the studio's 2IC or 'fixer' Maven.
Overington takes readers behind the glamorous scenes and we see the flipside of fame and almost-fortune.... namely the lack of privacy and dealing with the usual day to day family, relationship and personal crap while in the eye of the public. There's mention, for example, of the fact that Emma realises almost everyone she meets knows far more about her and her family than she could know about them. (Of course, having said that, our players have chosen to be in that world.)
The entertaining, authentic and complex backdrop of this story, along with a likeable lead in Emma, were certainly the strengths of this book.
Despite the reactions of Emma and her husband, I realised I wasn't overly concerned about the disappearance of the annoyingly named Fox-Piper because there's no sense of maliciousness, which was probably the only weakness in the plot itself.
I think I would have preferred that we not have the first chapter - in which Fox-Piper is 'taken' - which would have allowed us to remain in the dark for longer. It felt a bit too obvious that this was either a publicity stunt of some kind or a grab for attention rather than something more malevolent... although of course, I've seen enough episodes of Law & Order SVU to know that even 'friendly' kidnappings can go wrong.
I was a tad surprised at part of the way this unfolded - and I guess that goes back to the aforementioned 'things going wrong' problem. (Best laid plans and all that!)
This is an enjoyable read. I know a lot of people who are looking forward to this and Australian readers in particular will relate to some of the characters and references, including reality TV stars dropping their pants, the vegetable spiralizer demonstrator and the cash cow prizes ('paying people to watch us')!
3.5 stars
Her latest, The Ones You Trust, is no different.
I made a note while I was reading this that Overington seems to use some examples of recent happenings involving public figures here in Australia. And she doesn't pull any punches. Male co-hosts that rock up for the morning show still drunk from the night before. The pressure of female hosts to be young and peppy. And definitely not fat, amidst headlines spotlighting their cellulite.
And then there's the cut-throat PR machines driving these TV shows and the networks. It'd be laughable if it wasn't also (most likely) very very real.
And then there's the changing face of the paparazzi, one of whom we meet is bemoaning the advent of the smart phone and the public's ability to snap pics once only accessible to those with cameras and zoom lenses at the ready, They also grumble about celebs 'papping' themselves and sharing bathroom / gym / just-awake pics - once the bread-and-butter of the tabloid press.
Emma's no dummy and she knows (after over a decade) her days on morning TV are numbered, but she's trying to do everything right. Despite their differences she kinda gets on with her co-host though seems to have a bit of a love/hate relationship with the studio's 2IC or 'fixer' Maven.
Overington takes readers behind the glamorous scenes and we see the flipside of fame and almost-fortune.... namely the lack of privacy and dealing with the usual day to day family, relationship and personal crap while in the eye of the public. There's mention, for example, of the fact that Emma realises almost everyone she meets knows far more about her and her family than she could know about them. (Of course, having said that, our players have chosen to be in that world.)
The entertaining, authentic and complex backdrop of this story, along with a likeable lead in Emma, were certainly the strengths of this book.
Despite the reactions of Emma and her husband, I realised I wasn't overly concerned about the disappearance of the annoyingly named Fox-Piper because there's no sense of maliciousness, which was probably the only weakness in the plot itself.
I think I would have preferred that we not have the first chapter - in which Fox-Piper is 'taken' - which would have allowed us to remain in the dark for longer. It felt a bit too obvious that this was either a publicity stunt of some kind or a grab for attention rather than something more malevolent... although of course, I've seen enough episodes of Law & Order SVU to know that even 'friendly' kidnappings can go wrong.
I was a tad surprised at part of the way this unfolded - and I guess that goes back to the aforementioned 'things going wrong' problem. (Best laid plans and all that!)
This is an enjoyable read. I know a lot of people who are looking forward to this and Australian readers in particular will relate to some of the characters and references, including reality TV stars dropping their pants, the vegetable spiralizer demonstrator and the cash cow prizes ('paying people to watch us')!
3.5 stars
December 14, 2018
This was a pacy psychological suspense, with well-portrayed characters. It drew me in and I had to keep reading, but the final twist at the end spoilt it - it was totally unbelievable, out of character for the person involved and I felt it was just added for shock value; hence the 3 star rating.
December 9, 2018
3.5 🌟 Emma Cardwell is the host of morning TV show and from an outsider looking in she seems to have it all - A perfect family, fame, fortune, a beautiful home but is it all as believable as it looks? Then her 17 month old daughter is kidnapped and the hunt for her to be found alive is on. The police and media delve into their lives and ask can you really trust the ones you know? ✨ This book was great. I loved the main character Emma and although the ending was a twist I did expect it. As a tv host, you need drama to boost ratings after all. It was a quick paced read and would highly recommend
September 16, 2018
I should have just given up half-way through. Full of very unlikable characters, ridiculous plot twists, and one of the more stupid endings I've read. Common sense should play a part at some point. I did think that Emma's job as a presenter was well-done, but other than that, I'd give it a pass.
February 13, 2024
Idk I struggled to care about the characters or be surprised by anything
September 13, 2018
Review: The Ones You Trust
Title: The Ones You Trust
Author: Caroline Overington
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Australia, 20 August 2018
Pages: 352 pages
How I Read It: ARC book
Genre: Mystery and Thrillers
My Rating: 3 Cups
Synopsis:
Emma Cardwell is the host of the top-rating morning TV show ‘Cuppa’. She has it all, fame, fortune, gorgeous family, beautiful house, the perfect life, but is it what it seems? Who can she really trust?
When her 17 month old daughter gets taken from daycare by a stranger, we see a family in turmoil and a mother desperate to find her little girl. Emotions run wild and relationships are tested. A virtual group of strangers come together to #FIND FOX!
My Thoughts
While I was reading “The Ones You Trust”, I identified with the main protagonist, Emma, for most of the book. She was a busy working mother of 3 and was worried about aging and losing her job to a younger, more attractive prospect. Anyone in their 40s like Emma could easily identify with this.
Before I started the book, I actually expected Emma to be your typical TV star, spoilt, having everyone at her beck and call, everyone else bringing up her children (that bit was true!) and very unlikeable. The way that Caroline Overington wrote about her, made me feel very differently and changed my opinion of her. She portrayed her as a down to earth, busy, working mother of 3, who loved her family and treasured her children, especially her little girl Fox Piper:
‘...she was Emma’s only girl, and Emma had gone all out in her nursery, splurging on a Scandinavian cot…”.
When Fox went missing it really tore at my heartstrings, seeing Emma and those around her go through such a painful ordeal, especially when they didn’t know if she was dead or alive. “...where and how would this story end…?” I found the character of Maven, ‘...the most powerful woman in TV land…’, very entertaining and humorous. She was portrayed as a cutthroat woman without a heart, who exploited people for publicity, but her caring side shone through when she rushed to Emma’s side after the kidnapping, “...okay, okay, let me help…”.
This book gave me an insight into what it’s like behind the scenes on a popular TV show. It demonstrated that no matter how perfect things look on the outside, when you delve deeper, you always find something there! It also demonstrated the levels some people will go to, to keep up the facade.
Unfortunately, even though I really enjoyed the book, I was quite disappointed by the very end. Towards the end there was a twist, which I identified with, but then she threw in a further twist that I really didn’t like. I couldn’t see how this explanation was warranted and it changed my opinion of Emma, the main character, and because I had identified with her throughout the entire book, it left a sour taste in my mouth.
Overall, I would recommend this book for the insights it provided, but be prepared for an unsatisfying conclusion.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
Title: The Ones You Trust
Author: Caroline Overington
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Australia, 20 August 2018
Pages: 352 pages
How I Read It: ARC book
Genre: Mystery and Thrillers
My Rating: 3 Cups
Synopsis:
Emma Cardwell is the host of the top-rating morning TV show ‘Cuppa’. She has it all, fame, fortune, gorgeous family, beautiful house, the perfect life, but is it what it seems? Who can she really trust?
When her 17 month old daughter gets taken from daycare by a stranger, we see a family in turmoil and a mother desperate to find her little girl. Emotions run wild and relationships are tested. A virtual group of strangers come together to #FIND FOX!
My Thoughts
While I was reading “The Ones You Trust”, I identified with the main protagonist, Emma, for most of the book. She was a busy working mother of 3 and was worried about aging and losing her job to a younger, more attractive prospect. Anyone in their 40s like Emma could easily identify with this.
Before I started the book, I actually expected Emma to be your typical TV star, spoilt, having everyone at her beck and call, everyone else bringing up her children (that bit was true!) and very unlikeable. The way that Caroline Overington wrote about her, made me feel very differently and changed my opinion of her. She portrayed her as a down to earth, busy, working mother of 3, who loved her family and treasured her children, especially her little girl Fox Piper:
‘...she was Emma’s only girl, and Emma had gone all out in her nursery, splurging on a Scandinavian cot…”.
When Fox went missing it really tore at my heartstrings, seeing Emma and those around her go through such a painful ordeal, especially when they didn’t know if she was dead or alive. “...where and how would this story end…?” I found the character of Maven, ‘...the most powerful woman in TV land…’, very entertaining and humorous. She was portrayed as a cutthroat woman without a heart, who exploited people for publicity, but her caring side shone through when she rushed to Emma’s side after the kidnapping, “...okay, okay, let me help…”.
This book gave me an insight into what it’s like behind the scenes on a popular TV show. It demonstrated that no matter how perfect things look on the outside, when you delve deeper, you always find something there! It also demonstrated the levels some people will go to, to keep up the facade.
Unfortunately, even though I really enjoyed the book, I was quite disappointed by the very end. Towards the end there was a twist, which I identified with, but then she threw in a further twist that I really didn’t like. I couldn’t see how this explanation was warranted and it changed my opinion of Emma, the main character, and because I had identified with her throughout the entire book, it left a sour taste in my mouth.
Overall, I would recommend this book for the insights it provided, but be prepared for an unsatisfying conclusion.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
November 14, 2018
Not great. Quite far fetched actually.
September 9, 2018
3.5 stars.
I honestly don't know how I would be able to stomach this book if I was a mother. But it was addictive and unputdownable because I needed to KNOW what was happening!!! I became fully invested in the story and that is a wonderful feeling. The characters felt so real to me and I was totally immersed in the story.
I loved (and hated) the huge commercial element to this book. Our MC is a host on a tv show and she gets picked apart by paparazzi for her body etc and I have been struggling a lot with body issues lately. This book had me riled up but also feeling the pressures from society.
It's a confusing book because it was a guilty pleasure read but it also maddened me on SO many levels.
The ENDING?! Holy Crapioli!!!!!! I did NOT see that coming and I love that in a book.
I woke up at 1:30am and just had to finish the book last night.
I did wish this book was more Australian based... I've heard if you watch Australian TV it is but if this is going to be an international book I would have loved MORE of Australia in the story... the setting, the climate, the smells, the animals. I love being transported to the countries I'm reading about in books but here it could have really been set anywhere in my mind.
There was also a big feminine element to this book and I feel the target market would definitely be women. I find it hard to see a man enjoying this book.
Further more there was SOMETHING about the writing that just irked me. I struggle to describe what it was. It just didn't feel polished. It dragged on a bit. I'e felt this way about a number of novels and I can't wait to be able to put it into word, what it is that gets to me!!
I honestly don't know how I would be able to stomach this book if I was a mother. But it was addictive and unputdownable because I needed to KNOW what was happening!!! I became fully invested in the story and that is a wonderful feeling. The characters felt so real to me and I was totally immersed in the story.
I loved (and hated) the huge commercial element to this book. Our MC is a host on a tv show and she gets picked apart by paparazzi for her body etc and I have been struggling a lot with body issues lately. This book had me riled up but also feeling the pressures from society.
It's a confusing book because it was a guilty pleasure read but it also maddened me on SO many levels.
The ENDING?! Holy Crapioli!!!!!! I did NOT see that coming and I love that in a book.
I woke up at 1:30am and just had to finish the book last night.
I did wish this book was more Australian based... I've heard if you watch Australian TV it is but if this is going to be an international book I would have loved MORE of Australia in the story... the setting, the climate, the smells, the animals. I love being transported to the countries I'm reading about in books but here it could have really been set anywhere in my mind.
There was also a big feminine element to this book and I feel the target market would definitely be women. I find it hard to see a man enjoying this book.
Further more there was SOMETHING about the writing that just irked me. I struggle to describe what it was. It just didn't feel polished. It dragged on a bit. I'e felt this way about a number of novels and I can't wait to be able to put it into word, what it is that gets to me!!
September 3, 2018
"This is obviously a terrifying situation...we wish we had more information to give you but, at this point, all we can say is a Mum has apparently turned up to collect her little girl from daycare and she's not there..."
Ooft! I read that first sentence and a pit formed in my stomach. This is, no word of a lie, one of my worst fears, even with all of the security at daycare. Some afternoons when I do the initial scan of the outdoor area where the children are usually playing and cannot see my child immediately my heart starts to race. So when I read that first sentence it was almost as if my fight or flight instincts took a hold of me...but I persisted with the book...and I am glad I did!
This story is the classic tale of a busy Mum, so it kind of really hit home for me. Emma Cardwell is one half of the Breakfast Morning Show Cuppa, she goes through her busy day like normal, gets home to her husband and they realise they've forgotten to pick up their daughter from daycare! They rush up to the school only to find out that their daughter, Fox-Piper was signed out, but by who? And where is she?
I know personally that some weeks, on days where my husband & I both work it is such a juggling act!
Overington is a master at addictive reads. The characters weer likable too, which sort of bucks the recent trends in thrillers/domestic thrillers.
"Jock crossed his hands over his stomach 'I've got to tell you, I was impressed,' he said, smiling. 'We should have a more Texan approach to crime in this country. All the pussyfooting around we do, second chances, third chances, nobody ever going to prison'"
This book delves into modern family lives, Australian politics, the police force and the cutthroat nature of modern day journalism. It makes you wonder if all the media attention around situations like the one in this book are a help or hinderance to cases. It reminds me of cases like poor little William Tyrell or Madeline McCaan, they have gotten more media attention than any other missing child cases & there's still no sight of either child.
Feel free to tune in to our podcast @booksboozepod where we will be interviewing Caroline Overington and discussing this book! I would like to thanks Harper Collins Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
Ooft! I read that first sentence and a pit formed in my stomach. This is, no word of a lie, one of my worst fears, even with all of the security at daycare. Some afternoons when I do the initial scan of the outdoor area where the children are usually playing and cannot see my child immediately my heart starts to race. So when I read that first sentence it was almost as if my fight or flight instincts took a hold of me...but I persisted with the book...and I am glad I did!
This story is the classic tale of a busy Mum, so it kind of really hit home for me. Emma Cardwell is one half of the Breakfast Morning Show Cuppa, she goes through her busy day like normal, gets home to her husband and they realise they've forgotten to pick up their daughter from daycare! They rush up to the school only to find out that their daughter, Fox-Piper was signed out, but by who? And where is she?
I know personally that some weeks, on days where my husband & I both work it is such a juggling act!
Overington is a master at addictive reads. The characters weer likable too, which sort of bucks the recent trends in thrillers/domestic thrillers.
"Jock crossed his hands over his stomach 'I've got to tell you, I was impressed,' he said, smiling. 'We should have a more Texan approach to crime in this country. All the pussyfooting around we do, second chances, third chances, nobody ever going to prison'"
This book delves into modern family lives, Australian politics, the police force and the cutthroat nature of modern day journalism. It makes you wonder if all the media attention around situations like the one in this book are a help or hinderance to cases. It reminds me of cases like poor little William Tyrell or Madeline McCaan, they have gotten more media attention than any other missing child cases & there's still no sight of either child.
Feel free to tune in to our podcast @booksboozepod where we will be interviewing Caroline Overington and discussing this book! I would like to thanks Harper Collins Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
January 1, 2019
An amazing 4.5⭐️!
I’ve always been a Caroline Overington fan, having read most of her books and her latest book did not disappoint! A very quick read which took us through the events of Emma and Brandon’s daughter, Fox-Piper, going missing from her daycare and the moments before, during and after the abduction. As Emma is a high profile celebrity appearing on morning TV, the case became public news in the blink of an eye. It kept me guessing right throughout the book until it was revealed, quite a bit too easily, who did it. But just when I thought the story was closing, the climax was only just beginning! The twists and turns in the final 20% of this book left me agog and having me wondering ‘who can you trust?’
A fantastically frantic read as time ticks down in the race to find Fox and find out who The Ones You Trust actually are!
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins Publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
I’ve always been a Caroline Overington fan, having read most of her books and her latest book did not disappoint! A very quick read which took us through the events of Emma and Brandon’s daughter, Fox-Piper, going missing from her daycare and the moments before, during and after the abduction. As Emma is a high profile celebrity appearing on morning TV, the case became public news in the blink of an eye. It kept me guessing right throughout the book until it was revealed, quite a bit too easily, who did it. But just when I thought the story was closing, the climax was only just beginning! The twists and turns in the final 20% of this book left me agog and having me wondering ‘who can you trust?’
A fantastically frantic read as time ticks down in the race to find Fox and find out who The Ones You Trust actually are!
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins Publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
October 30, 2021
"The Ones You Trust" is a psychological thriller by Caroline Overington. When Emma Cardwell said goodbye to her children before going to work on her morning TV show Cuppa, Emma did not expect her world would be turned upside by the show's end. Foxy, her daughter, was kidnapped. The readers of "The Ones You Trust" will continue to follow Emma and her family to find out what happens.
I am not sure why I have trouble engaging in books written by Caroline Overington. One of the reasons I could not enjoy Caroline Overington's books were too slow for me. I do like Caroline Overington written style and the way she portrays her characters. The way Caroline Overington described the settings of "The Ones You Trust" did complement the plot of this book.
The readers of "The Ones You Trust" will learn about the cutthroat world of TV. Also, the readers of "The Ones You Trust" will learn about the feelings parents go through when their children go missing.
I do not enjoy this book. However, I recommend this book because other readers could enjoy Caroline Overington's books.
I am not sure why I have trouble engaging in books written by Caroline Overington. One of the reasons I could not enjoy Caroline Overington's books were too slow for me. I do like Caroline Overington written style and the way she portrays her characters. The way Caroline Overington described the settings of "The Ones You Trust" did complement the plot of this book.
The readers of "The Ones You Trust" will learn about the cutthroat world of TV. Also, the readers of "The Ones You Trust" will learn about the feelings parents go through when their children go missing.
I do not enjoy this book. However, I recommend this book because other readers could enjoy Caroline Overington's books.
March 3, 2019
A gripping title but the tale did wane in parts. The level of suspense did not escalate in an engaging manner & the writing seemed more of a monologue/journal as a ‘day in the life of’ at times. The writer causes the reader to stay too focused on Emma, her life at Cuppa as the T.V reporter & the guilt she experiences as a working mother. Yes, her world is quickly turned upside down when her daughter disappears, but any investigation or acknowledgement of real impact is lost or a little too hurried. The title did not carry over into the theme of the writing & as a reader I felt somewhat misled. Stronger character referencing would have breathed more life into the book. A solid read
July 25, 2023
Emma Cardwell is host of a top rating breakfast TV show, Cuppa, and gets up every morning at 3.00 am, the Sydney streets are very quiet as she is driven to the studio by her driver Liam. Her Texan husband Brandon, is working from home and between him and the nanny they do drop off and pick up of the 3 children. She arrives home after a busy day to discover Brandon has forgotten to pick up their daughter Fox Piper from day care, but it 8.00 pm, and no one is there, where is Fox? The police are called in, and Emma’s world is turned upside down, and the press coverage is huge. Maven the PR person from the TV network Emma works for is using this as an opportunity to drive up their falling ratings. I did wonder if she had done this as a PR stunt, but the twist at the end surprised me. A suspenseful, gripping read, and every parents worst nightmare.
November 3, 2019
My thoughts go round in circles thinking about this book - in fact any book I've read by this author affects me in the same way. The storylines and character development are so unsophisticated, and yet, once I start reading a book by Overington I can't put it down. I feel completely addicted and get really irritated if I get interrupted. Can't stop until I'm done. They consume me! So despite throwing the book down in anger at the stupid ending - 4 stars!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2022
New fave Aussie thriller author alert! This was a fantastic little thriller - fast-paced, high stakes and lots of details to keep you guessing.
Basically, it plays out what happens when a breakfast TV show host's child gets taken from daycare - the media frenzy, the crazy theories, the escalating drama of it all. Overington does a great job of keeping you turning the pages, making everyone a suspect and leading you a merry dance to a conclusion with more than one twist.
Basically, it plays out what happens when a breakfast TV show host's child gets taken from daycare - the media frenzy, the crazy theories, the escalating drama of it all. Overington does a great job of keeping you turning the pages, making everyone a suspect and leading you a merry dance to a conclusion with more than one twist.
May 23, 2023
Wow what an incredible thriller!!
I can’t believe the twists and turns this book took! The last plot twist right at the end left me 🤯
This is the first Caroline Overington Book I have read but it sure won’t be my last!
I can’t believe the twists and turns this book took! The last plot twist right at the end left me 🤯
This is the first Caroline Overington Book I have read but it sure won’t be my last!
September 23, 2025
I was feeling skeptical during the first quarter, feeling this abduction story line was little far fetched. However, as the story unfolded I found myself more and more invested. The final few chapters reveal multiple twists, which of course bumped my star rating from a 3 to a 4.
The only detail that niggled was the age baby Fox (oh yes, this stupid name was also a niggle). At supposedly only 17 months she seemed far to advanced for her age. 17 months in my book is still a baby.
Fast paced, and easy to read.
The only detail that niggled was the age baby Fox (oh yes, this stupid name was also a niggle). At supposedly only 17 months she seemed far to advanced for her age. 17 months in my book is still a baby.
Fast paced, and easy to read.
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