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What Lies Below
Everyone has nightmares. One woman is living hers…
Gilly O’Connell’s nightmares aren’t just bad dreams; they’re glimpses of terrifying realities to come. Gilly has spent her entire life trying to suppress the foreboding visions. So when a dismissed premonition leads to her husband’s murder, she buries the guilt and pain of the unsolved crime in the only way she knows how—she runs from it.
Three years later, after overcoming a battle with addiction and starting over in a small Texas town, Gilly dares to believe the worst is over. That is, until another crime rips her heart open: the abduction of a three-year-old girl. Gilly knows more about it than anyone…
She’s dreaming again.
Gilly is convinced that if she tells the police she dreamed of the kidnapping before it happened, there’s no way they’ll believe her. But when she finally gets the courage to come forward with what she saw, people don’t see her as crazy—they see her as a suspect.
Now, in order to help a desperate single father save his child, Gilly must first clear her own name. But as the nightmares of the past catch up to her, Gilly’s only chance for salvation might be the dreams she’s spent so long trying to ignore.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 15, 2018
415 people are currently reading
6040 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Taylor Sissel
12 books712 followersBarbara Taylor Sissel writes issue oriented, upmarket women’s fiction that is threaded with elements of suspense and defined by its particular emphasis on how crime affects the family. Next to writing books she loves to edit them, and with more than fifteen years in the profession, both as a bestselling author and as a developmental editor, she's got experience. Contact her via her website if you're interested. Please include the details of your fiction project (a brief summary and total word count) for more information and her availability.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 189 reviews
May 3, 2019
Nightmares that foretell events? Nightmares that could solve crimes? Nightmares that Gilly is afraid to think about or let anyone know about.
Gilly seems to be clairvoyant but is afraid to tell the police for fear of their suspecting her of the kidnapping of a friend's daughter. Gilly saw Zoe being kidnapped in her dream, and the next day it happened.
We join in the search for Zoe along with the entire town. The small town of Wyatt loved Zoe and her father, Jake, and they all had their own theories about what happened and who took Zoe.
This tense, well-written thriller was difficult to put down and had marvelous, mysterious characters that all seemed to have some secret.
Ms. Sissel’s writing style is pull-you-in and descriptive. The title also had me intrigued with my thinking it referred to what really was below the surface of what the characters were showing on the outside.
If you like books that dig into a character's background and a story line that will keep you guessing, WHAT LIES BELOW will be a good read for you.
I really enjoyed WHAT LIES BELOW - this was my first book by Ms. Sissel. 5/5
This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
May 15, 2018
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 / 5
What Lies Below by Barbara Taylor Sissel was a fairly fast-paced novel that focuses on one woman's past and the kidnapping of a young girl.
After losing her husband in a convenience store robbery gone wrong, Gilly moved from Houston to a small town in Texas where she doesnt know anyone. Here she ends up finding herself involved in the kidnapping case of a young girl named Zoe. Gilly isn't like everyone else, she has dreams and premonitions and she just happens to see Zoe's abduction in a dream the day before it happens. The book is told in alternating viewpoints between Gilly and Zoe's dad Jake. Gilly's past comes to light throughout this book, as does Jake's romantic history.
What Lies Below was a fast read for me, but I didn't get much of a thriller vibe from it even though I'm sure lots of people will. It was more of a mystery to me of who took Zoe, and what are the things from Gilly's past that she's keeping from everyone. The aspect of Gilly being a bit of a "psychic" (although she didn't consider herself one) was very unique, and I haven't read anything like this before.
I personally found Gilly a bit frustrating at times, and I thought some of the characters didn't ask questions of others that seemed obvious to me. I also thought a few of the chapters had confusing endings that didn't translate well into the following chapters, but that might have been because it was an advanced copy. Despite these things I really enjoyed it though.
Final Thought: Nothing really came as too much of a shock to me, and I only really remember having one "whoa!" moment, but I thought there was a very solid mystery contained in the pages of this book. There are definitely a few moments that will make some people's hearts race too, but that just didn't happen to me for some reason. I still definitely recommend What Lies Below to anyone that likes a book with a bit of paranormal-ish vibe (the dreams and premonitions) and a good mystery. It was definitely something different from all the other child abduction books out there.
What Lies Below in 3-ish words: Unique, Mysterious, Complex
What Lies Below by Barbara Taylor Sissel was a fairly fast-paced novel that focuses on one woman's past and the kidnapping of a young girl.
After losing her husband in a convenience store robbery gone wrong, Gilly moved from Houston to a small town in Texas where she doesnt know anyone. Here she ends up finding herself involved in the kidnapping case of a young girl named Zoe. Gilly isn't like everyone else, she has dreams and premonitions and she just happens to see Zoe's abduction in a dream the day before it happens. The book is told in alternating viewpoints between Gilly and Zoe's dad Jake. Gilly's past comes to light throughout this book, as does Jake's romantic history.
What Lies Below was a fast read for me, but I didn't get much of a thriller vibe from it even though I'm sure lots of people will. It was more of a mystery to me of who took Zoe, and what are the things from Gilly's past that she's keeping from everyone. The aspect of Gilly being a bit of a "psychic" (although she didn't consider herself one) was very unique, and I haven't read anything like this before.
I personally found Gilly a bit frustrating at times, and I thought some of the characters didn't ask questions of others that seemed obvious to me. I also thought a few of the chapters had confusing endings that didn't translate well into the following chapters, but that might have been because it was an advanced copy. Despite these things I really enjoyed it though.
Final Thought: Nothing really came as too much of a shock to me, and I only really remember having one "whoa!" moment, but I thought there was a very solid mystery contained in the pages of this book. There are definitely a few moments that will make some people's hearts race too, but that just didn't happen to me for some reason. I still definitely recommend What Lies Below to anyone that likes a book with a bit of paranormal-ish vibe (the dreams and premonitions) and a good mystery. It was definitely something different from all the other child abduction books out there.
What Lies Below in 3-ish words: Unique, Mysterious, Complex
July 17, 2018
4 stars!
What Lies Below is the story of Gilly O’Connell and the kidnapping of a young child. Gilly, a waitress in a small town, experiences occasional dreams with premonitions. Gilly is still fairly new to the town of Wyatt, and when a well known resident’s little girl, Zoe, goes missing, Gilly must deal with the dreams she has surrounding Zoe’s disappearance. But doing so also opens the door to Gilly’s own devastating past, and just as Gilly’s trying to get back on her feet, they are knocked out from underneath her once again.
Combining mystery, suspense, psychic phenomena, heartbreak, and relatable characters, What Lies Below is a fast paced, entertaining read. I enjoyed this book and believe it would make a fun, quick beach read this summer!
What Lies Below is the story of Gilly O’Connell and the kidnapping of a young child. Gilly, a waitress in a small town, experiences occasional dreams with premonitions. Gilly is still fairly new to the town of Wyatt, and when a well known resident’s little girl, Zoe, goes missing, Gilly must deal with the dreams she has surrounding Zoe’s disappearance. But doing so also opens the door to Gilly’s own devastating past, and just as Gilly’s trying to get back on her feet, they are knocked out from underneath her once again.
Combining mystery, suspense, psychic phenomena, heartbreak, and relatable characters, What Lies Below is a fast paced, entertaining read. I enjoyed this book and believe it would make a fun, quick beach read this summer!
May 6, 2018
Today my Saturday plans got totally changed. This morning I decided to start What Lies Below and just read a couple of chapters. Here it is in the early evening and I have just finished the book after spending the entire day reading - cooking and cleaning can wait for another day! WOW - what a fantastic book. I was so invested in Gilly's life that I just couldn't stop reading.
From the first page, the reader falls in love with Gilly. She has had terrible things happen to her - the loss of her husband and baby and the use of drugs and alcohol to help her cope. She has moved to a small town and joined AA to help her live her life but every day is a struggle. In the past, she has had dreams that came true and when her current dream of a child being abducted comes true, she has to face the skepticism of the police and her own desire not to become involved to help find the little girl. I can't say much about the plot without giving away a possible spoiler but I will tell you that the twists and turns keep coming and just when you think you have some answers, you find out that you were totally wrong.
This is a fantastic book that keeps the reader turning pages to find out more about Gilly and to find out if the abducted little girl is found. I absolutely loved it and think that this fast paced thriller needs to be on everyone's tbr list. It's a MUST READ!
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
From the first page, the reader falls in love with Gilly. She has had terrible things happen to her - the loss of her husband and baby and the use of drugs and alcohol to help her cope. She has moved to a small town and joined AA to help her live her life but every day is a struggle. In the past, she has had dreams that came true and when her current dream of a child being abducted comes true, she has to face the skepticism of the police and her own desire not to become involved to help find the little girl. I can't say much about the plot without giving away a possible spoiler but I will tell you that the twists and turns keep coming and just when you think you have some answers, you find out that you were totally wrong.
This is a fantastic book that keeps the reader turning pages to find out more about Gilly and to find out if the abducted little girl is found. I absolutely loved it and think that this fast paced thriller needs to be on everyone's tbr list. It's a MUST READ!
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
April 29, 2018
Thrillers are one of my favorite genres, but lately I have been disenchanted with them as they all feel the same.
What Lies Below is a breath of fresh air!
It tells the story of a missing little girl, with the main character, Gilly, having vision-like dreams about where she is. She must decide whether to trust these dreams or if they are a mental product of her traumatic past.
I was enthralled throughout and was along for the twisty journey, not knowing what was going to happen next. My heart literally raced at points!
This story had a lot of questions about the missing child and what happened in Gilly’s past, but it was never confusing. I really enjoyed Gilly as a main character and hope she may be a reoccurring character in the future.
What Lies Below is a breath of fresh air!
It tells the story of a missing little girl, with the main character, Gilly, having vision-like dreams about where she is. She must decide whether to trust these dreams or if they are a mental product of her traumatic past.
I was enthralled throughout and was along for the twisty journey, not knowing what was going to happen next. My heart literally raced at points!
This story had a lot of questions about the missing child and what happened in Gilly’s past, but it was never confusing. I really enjoyed Gilly as a main character and hope she may be a reoccurring character in the future.
March 7, 2019
Barbara Taylor Sissel's What Lies Below is suspense at its finest -- heartrending, compelling, and beautifully written. If you're looking for your next up-all-night read, look no further. (Many thanks to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read and review early.)
April 26, 2018
There are books that we don't know why but tend to stay on our TBR list for ages without a real explanation. I have had one Barabara Taylor Sissel old novel on my kindle for years, and I recently bought the audible copy of "Faultines", but didn't start any of the two simply because I thought they were "just some probably good thriller" as many others I read this year. In fact I read so many of them that I'm kind of bored of their similarities, their lack of depth, the big twists that doesn't shock anymore.
I'm so sorry it took me all that time to read my first book from this author. Now I have to buy all the ones I don't already own and start reading them as soon as possible! I was amazed at how good is her writing, characterization, the depth of every thought and situation. I knew when I was less that 20% that I wouldn't be disappointed because when an author knows how to write you can love the story or not but you know it will make sense and the conclusion will be fitting to the story. I could have given my five stars review right from the beginning and I wouldn't be wrong. I also took my time to read it slowly because I wanted to savour it, particularly knowing the ending will be good so no need to rush there! I admit I am a slow reader but this is the kind of book that you can't read all in one day without spoiling a little the pleasure it will give you!
About the plot, child kidnapping isn't usually one of my favourite themes but it was done so well it didn't bother me. The psychic topic also was not overdone althought I think people in real life would be a little less believing.. but I have to said I never tried telling someone I have precognition dreams! (luckily I don't!!!!!)
So if that isn't already clear enough I completely recommend this book. I can't compare to others from the author but if you're tired of all that so called thrilles, this one is different, refreshing and so good!
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for giving me ARC of that book in exchange for an honest review.
I'm so sorry it took me all that time to read my first book from this author. Now I have to buy all the ones I don't already own and start reading them as soon as possible! I was amazed at how good is her writing, characterization, the depth of every thought and situation. I knew when I was less that 20% that I wouldn't be disappointed because when an author knows how to write you can love the story or not but you know it will make sense and the conclusion will be fitting to the story. I could have given my five stars review right from the beginning and I wouldn't be wrong. I also took my time to read it slowly because I wanted to savour it, particularly knowing the ending will be good so no need to rush there! I admit I am a slow reader but this is the kind of book that you can't read all in one day without spoiling a little the pleasure it will give you!
About the plot, child kidnapping isn't usually one of my favourite themes but it was done so well it didn't bother me. The psychic topic also was not overdone althought I think people in real life would be a little less believing.. but I have to said I never tried telling someone I have precognition dreams! (luckily I don't!!!!!)
So if that isn't already clear enough I completely recommend this book. I can't compare to others from the author but if you're tired of all that so called thrilles, this one is different, refreshing and so good!
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for giving me ARC of that book in exchange for an honest review.
June 5, 2018
The right blend of mystery, romance, and character study.
Like Aimee Molloy’s ‘The Perfect Mother’, ‘What Lies Below’ is another book that even though it deals with child abduction is a tamer read than a lot of books in this genre. There is some violent content but it’s pretty non-graphic, and language wise there are a couple of instances of the F-word, but that’s about it.
I felt the author painted a wonderful picture of small town life in Texas. The descriptions of Wyatt, it’s surroundings, and the townsfolk made me feel as if I was right there with them. The story is told from the POV of two characters with troubled pasts – Gilly (a woman who has a psychic vision of a pre-schooler being kidnapped from day care) and Jake (the father of the abducted child). Both characters are likeable, interesting, and you’re really rooting for them to have a happy ending. I thought the author did a stellar job of showing that even those who commit atrocious criminal acts are not always essentially evil. It made a nice change of pace. Not that I don’t love books with truly evil characters, with little, or no, redeeming qualities, but this read as more realistic and true to life.
This was another book where I guessed who was behind the abduction, and why, early on, but I don’t think it was that obvious, I just happened to catch the clues for once. And there were other parts, involving sub-plots, that were a complete surprise, so that was a plus. There were snatches of dialogue that didn’t match the emotional state of the character speaking, but for the most part the dialogue was excellent and well-written. In a couple of places the author told us what was happening in one POV, and then in the next chapter switched POV’s and had the character finding out what we as readers already knew from the previous chapter, which I think can work sometimes, but in this case it dragged out the plot too much. All and all an awesome book, by an author who is new to me, and one I will be reading more of in the future.
Like Aimee Molloy’s ‘The Perfect Mother’, ‘What Lies Below’ is another book that even though it deals with child abduction is a tamer read than a lot of books in this genre. There is some violent content but it’s pretty non-graphic, and language wise there are a couple of instances of the F-word, but that’s about it.
I felt the author painted a wonderful picture of small town life in Texas. The descriptions of Wyatt, it’s surroundings, and the townsfolk made me feel as if I was right there with them. The story is told from the POV of two characters with troubled pasts – Gilly (a woman who has a psychic vision of a pre-schooler being kidnapped from day care) and Jake (the father of the abducted child). Both characters are likeable, interesting, and you’re really rooting for them to have a happy ending. I thought the author did a stellar job of showing that even those who commit atrocious criminal acts are not always essentially evil. It made a nice change of pace. Not that I don’t love books with truly evil characters, with little, or no, redeeming qualities, but this read as more realistic and true to life.
This was another book where I guessed who was behind the abduction, and why, early on, but I don’t think it was that obvious, I just happened to catch the clues for once. And there were other parts, involving sub-plots, that were a complete surprise, so that was a plus. There were snatches of dialogue that didn’t match the emotional state of the character speaking, but for the most part the dialogue was excellent and well-written. In a couple of places the author told us what was happening in one POV, and then in the next chapter switched POV’s and had the character finding out what we as readers already knew from the previous chapter, which I think can work sometimes, but in this case it dragged out the plot too much. All and all an awesome book, by an author who is new to me, and one I will be reading more of in the future.
February 9, 2018
I finished this gripping page-turner two nights ago, and every time I think about little Zoe's abduction, the adrenaline rush returns. This is a fast-paced thriller with heart. Gilly is my favorite kind of heroine: broken but brave (her premonitions were an added bonus). As she struggles with sobriety, grief, the past, her privacy, and heartbreaking mistakes, I fell for her big time. The multi-layered plot also weaves together two separate story threads. I figured out one of them and was 99% sure I knew who the real bad guy was…and got it dead wrong. Is there anything better than being wrong in a whodunnit? Thank you, Barbara Taylor Sissel, for a wild ride!
February 14, 2018
Take a deep breath and grab on! WHAT LIES BELOW takes the reader at break-neck speed from the opening paragraph to the last satisfying page. From jaw-dropping reveals and unexpected twists, I found myself rapidly turning the pages, as desperate to learn the outcome as were Sissel’s characters. A fast-pace thriller, Sissel’s stories keep getting better and better.
April 8, 2018
MY REVIEW OF “WHAT LIES BELOW” BY BARBARA TAYLOR SISSEL
Kudos to Barbara Taylor Sissel , Author of “What Lies Below” for writing an intense, riveting, captivating, and intriguing novel with tremendous suspense. From the Blurb on Goodreads,” Everyone has nightmares. One woman is living hers…….”
The Genres for this Novel are Fiction, Mystery and Suspense. The author describes her characters as complex and complicated. The timeline of the story is in the present and goes back three years as it pertains to the events and the characters.
Gilly O’Connell has had dreams for years predicting things that would happen. After a major crime and tragedy affect Gillian, she regards her dreams as nightmares. At one point nightmares and reality cause Gillian to become addicted to alcohol and drugs. Gillian manages to straighten herself out, but runs from her life and takes a job as a waitress in another town. Can one really run from her past?
Gilly starts having dreams and nightmares about a little girl in this town that gets kidnapped. The actual crime takes place and the little girl is kidnapped. Gilly has blackouts from her past, and is afraid no one will believe her. Gilly can relate how this crime affects the family and community.
Also Gilly may be trying to run from her past, but there is danger for Gilly. There are still criminals from her past that could be looking for her. There are betrayals, and twists and turns.
I appreciate that Barbara Taylor Sissel discusses the importance of family, love , hope and forgiveness. I highly recommend this amazing novel for those that enjoy a suspenseful read. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
Kudos to Barbara Taylor Sissel , Author of “What Lies Below” for writing an intense, riveting, captivating, and intriguing novel with tremendous suspense. From the Blurb on Goodreads,” Everyone has nightmares. One woman is living hers…….”
The Genres for this Novel are Fiction, Mystery and Suspense. The author describes her characters as complex and complicated. The timeline of the story is in the present and goes back three years as it pertains to the events and the characters.
Gilly O’Connell has had dreams for years predicting things that would happen. After a major crime and tragedy affect Gillian, she regards her dreams as nightmares. At one point nightmares and reality cause Gillian to become addicted to alcohol and drugs. Gillian manages to straighten herself out, but runs from her life and takes a job as a waitress in another town. Can one really run from her past?
Gilly starts having dreams and nightmares about a little girl in this town that gets kidnapped. The actual crime takes place and the little girl is kidnapped. Gilly has blackouts from her past, and is afraid no one will believe her. Gilly can relate how this crime affects the family and community.
Also Gilly may be trying to run from her past, but there is danger for Gilly. There are still criminals from her past that could be looking for her. There are betrayals, and twists and turns.
I appreciate that Barbara Taylor Sissel discusses the importance of family, love , hope and forgiveness. I highly recommend this amazing novel for those that enjoy a suspenseful read. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
May 15, 2018
A child missing, a waitress with visions who also has a hidden past, a father with troubled romances in his past, a mother with drug addictions. So many scenarios that could be at play here. These characters will make their way into your heart and you will love little Zoe something fierce. This is a story that will keep you captivated and guessing with every page and one you will want to add to your list!
I received an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
I received an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
April 1, 2018
I've long been a fan of Barbara Taylor Sissel and this novel lives up to her previous works and then some. Just when I thought I'd figured something out, a new plot twist came my way. I intended to read the book over the course of two or three days but wound up reading past my usual bedtime because I was so invested in the story and the characters. An excellent book with a satisfying conclusion.
I was fortunate in that I was able to read an early NetGalley copy of this book. Put this one on your TBR list. You aren't going to want to miss it.
I was fortunate in that I was able to read an early NetGalley copy of this book. Put this one on your TBR list. You aren't going to want to miss it.
May 19, 2018
Gilly O'Connell is trying to forget her past and find a new life after the unthinkable happens which shatters the life she had. Little does she know that her past will come back to haunt her and force her to face not only the day her life changed forever but also the current crisis of a little girl who desperately needs her help.
Three years after her husband was murdered and the culprit managed to get away, Gilly is trying to rebuild her life working as a waitress in a small Texas town hoping that the murderer will never find her since she was the only witness to the crime. The thing about Gilly is that she sometimes has premonitions or dreams that occasionally come true as with the murder of her husband. A little girl who comes often to the restaurant where Gilly now works is abducted and her father is desperate to find her at any cost. It just so happens that Gilly had a vision of this happening but also cannot account for time lost while having the vision. She becomes a suspect and is desperate not only to clear her name but also find the little girl she has become so fond of.
I enjoyed this book for so many reasons. I felt a connection with the characters of Gilly, and especially the father because of the way Barbara Taylor Sissel developed them. They had such a complex and developed past and it was easy to see why the characters acted and thought as they did. I found the book very hard to put down and stayed up late to finish it.
I received a copy of What Lies Below from Lake Union Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
Three years after her husband was murdered and the culprit managed to get away, Gilly is trying to rebuild her life working as a waitress in a small Texas town hoping that the murderer will never find her since she was the only witness to the crime. The thing about Gilly is that she sometimes has premonitions or dreams that occasionally come true as with the murder of her husband. A little girl who comes often to the restaurant where Gilly now works is abducted and her father is desperate to find her at any cost. It just so happens that Gilly had a vision of this happening but also cannot account for time lost while having the vision. She becomes a suspect and is desperate not only to clear her name but also find the little girl she has become so fond of.
I enjoyed this book for so many reasons. I felt a connection with the characters of Gilly, and especially the father because of the way Barbara Taylor Sissel developed them. They had such a complex and developed past and it was easy to see why the characters acted and thought as they did. I found the book very hard to put down and stayed up late to finish it.
I received a copy of What Lies Below from Lake Union Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
July 9, 2018
This book was a pleasure to read. A sprinkle of supernatural and a whole lot of thriller, it kept me guessing right until the end!
July 7, 2018
A review is generally the encapsulation of the journey the book takes you on. I love books which take me on a wild journey leaving the realities behind. This book took me to the edge of precipice and left me there. It didn't allow me to fly.
I have read books by Barbara Taylor Sissel, and I have enjoyed her writing. Her blurb captured my imagination.
A missing child + psychic dreams = fun read
But for that fun read to occur, the main character has to accept herself and her talents. The book felt half cooked in that idea. I liked that the author dealt with a lot of social issues like aftereffects of death of a partner, miscarriage, addictions, mental health.
But the story went so much into these issues that the rollercoaster ride which the blurb promised me was forgotten. The book was fun to skim read, but it had no twists, no turns, no intrigue, no suspense, over reactions by the main character. The main character Gilly wasn't someone I would want as a friend, she sees the dream of Zoe being kidnapped, is friendly with the father, yet does not warn anyone, as in the past nobody believed her.
It is all me, I believe children should be protected, and whatever we can do as adults, we should do it, even if the world does not believe, even if there are people criticising you. Even if we can save one child, we have done our primary duty as a human being.
But Gilly doesn't, is in her own world and the story moves ahead and I could reach — The End
I have read books by Barbara Taylor Sissel, and I have enjoyed her writing. Her blurb captured my imagination.
A missing child + psychic dreams = fun read
But for that fun read to occur, the main character has to accept herself and her talents. The book felt half cooked in that idea. I liked that the author dealt with a lot of social issues like aftereffects of death of a partner, miscarriage, addictions, mental health.
But the story went so much into these issues that the rollercoaster ride which the blurb promised me was forgotten. The book was fun to skim read, but it had no twists, no turns, no intrigue, no suspense, over reactions by the main character. The main character Gilly wasn't someone I would want as a friend, she sees the dream of Zoe being kidnapped, is friendly with the father, yet does not warn anyone, as in the past nobody believed her.
It is all me, I believe children should be protected, and whatever we can do as adults, we should do it, even if the world does not believe, even if there are people criticising you. Even if we can save one child, we have done our primary duty as a human being.
But Gilly doesn't, is in her own world and the story moves ahead and I could reach — The End
May 31, 2018
Gilly sometimes has dreams. She was in the third grade when she dreamed that her best friend's brother was going to be shot in a hunting accident. She spoke up, told her best friend. It didn't happen. She lost her best friend.
She dreamed later on in life that her husband, Brian, was going to be shot in robbery. He was.
Now trying to move on, she has moved to a new town, lost her architectural business and is now working as a waitress in a small town cafe. One of her customers is a four year old little girl, Zoe, that Gilly adores. She makes her animal pancakes every Wednesday. One day Gilly dreams that Zoe is taken by a woman in a metallic blue sedan. Her legs go dead beneath her the next day when it actually happens.
The disappearance of Zoe brings everyone, good and bad, out of the woodwork when that dream is revealed on TV.
What follows is a suspenseful plot twisted story that brings Gilly's past front and center.
An excellent read that I just sped through and could not put down.
Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
She dreamed later on in life that her husband, Brian, was going to be shot in robbery. He was.
Now trying to move on, she has moved to a new town, lost her architectural business and is now working as a waitress in a small town cafe. One of her customers is a four year old little girl, Zoe, that Gilly adores. She makes her animal pancakes every Wednesday. One day Gilly dreams that Zoe is taken by a woman in a metallic blue sedan. Her legs go dead beneath her the next day when it actually happens.
The disappearance of Zoe brings everyone, good and bad, out of the woodwork when that dream is revealed on TV.
What follows is a suspenseful plot twisted story that brings Gilly's past front and center.
An excellent read that I just sped through and could not put down.
Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
April 21, 2018
Thank you NetGalley for the copy in exchange for my honest review.
I loved this book from the very first chapter. Mainly because of all the character composition - it was like a masterfully designed bouquet of exquisite flowers. But then it started to drag a bit in places and I felt like skipping over because while there were some rather important triggers about the plot, my main focus had remained with separate characters and I just felt like returning to pages where all of them were playing the guessing game tother.
I would definitely look into more writing from this author.
I loved this book from the very first chapter. Mainly because of all the character composition - it was like a masterfully designed bouquet of exquisite flowers. But then it started to drag a bit in places and I felt like skipping over because while there were some rather important triggers about the plot, my main focus had remained with separate characters and I just felt like returning to pages where all of them were playing the guessing game tother.
I would definitely look into more writing from this author.
June 7, 2018
Barbara Taylor Sissel knocks this one out of ballpark. A must read for this summer. We meet Jake and his little girl Zoe. Zoe suddenly disappears from preschool one day. Who took her? Gilly is the new girl in town who works as a waitress. She loves making pancakes for Zoe shaped as animals. But Gilly's past is troubled. Was it Jake's ex-wife Stephanie? The list grows longer. The town comes together to look for Zoe. The gossips and list of suspects grow. The ending was a total surprise. Barbara Sisssel is one of the most talented writers out there. A must read this summer.
April 11, 2018
This book grabbed me from page one. I loved the main character Gilly. I can't imagine having the so called gift she had. Lots of twists and turns in this story and it had me thinking one way when it was going the other way. This was a great mystery and I was so surprised at the end. I look forward to reading more from this author. I highly recommend reading this!! Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC. This review is in my own words.
April 20, 2018
What Lies Below is a riveting suspense novel...and so much more. There are so many layers to this story: a woman haunted by her past, a desperate father dealing with the abduction of his little girl while struggling with his own bad choices, and a story filled with unexpected moments! I loved that the characters in this book were each dealing with demons and heartache and regret...nothing was cut and dry...the relationships were ambiguous and complicated. The story was fast-paced, keeping my attention all the way thorough. I cared so much about these characters, especially Gilly...my heart was in my throat as she dealt with her demons, her heartache, and her struggle to put her past behind her and move forward.
April 2, 2018
In this story about a deeply broken woman forced to employ her psychic ability—a dark gift directly connected to the tragedy that destroyed her own life three years previously—in order to try to save an abducted child, Sissel creates a heart-wrenching page-turner full of unexpected revelations. Clear time from your schedule—you won't want to put this one down.
June 4, 2018
A fast-paced, well-written mystery that won’t disappoint!
Gilly has dreams that have a tendency to come true. She dreamt that her husband was murdered and it happened causing her to lose control. Now that she’s sober, Gilly has moved to a small town to start over again as a waitress. Everything is going fine until she dreams of little Zoe’s kidnapping the night before it happens. Gilly eventually tells the police of her dreams and instead of thinking she’s crazy, the police now view her as a possible suspect. Now to clear her name and to help find the little girl, Gilly must try to dream again even though all her life she’s been taught to ignore them.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Gilly has dreams that have a tendency to come true. She dreamt that her husband was murdered and it happened causing her to lose control. Now that she’s sober, Gilly has moved to a small town to start over again as a waitress. Everything is going fine until she dreams of little Zoe’s kidnapping the night before it happens. Gilly eventually tells the police of her dreams and instead of thinking she’s crazy, the police now view her as a possible suspect. Now to clear her name and to help find the little girl, Gilly must try to dream again even though all her life she’s been taught to ignore them.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 2, 2018
A little girl has gone missing, a woman dreams it will happen, that same woman has taken a child before. I thought this was a good mystery that kept my attention throughout. I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
June 6, 2018
This was my first book by Barbara Taylor Sissel and this one was definitely a doozie! I couldn't read it fast enough. If you enjoy suspenseful reads, this is the book for you!
August 26, 2018
Gilly is a middle aged woman that moves to a small town to start over after her husband is murdered in a store robbery. The shock of losing her husband sends her into premature labor and she loses their baby girl as well. Gilly saw all this happen in a dream prior to it happening, she has had this gift of seeing things happen to people hours or days before it does since she was two years old. Some people say she is psycic, she says she is cursed. Gilly falls into a deep depression and starts drinking and experiments with drugs to numb the pain, while in one of these stupors she kidnaps a newborn baby girl from the hospital to replace her daughter that she lost. She realizes then she needs help.
Gilly moves to Wyatt Texas to start over and becomes a waitress in a cafe where a father and his 4 year old daughter come every wednesday morning for pancake breakfast. Gilly becomes attached to them and looks forward to wednesdays. But then she has a terrible dream that the little girl Zoe is kidnapped. The next morning she finds out that her nightmare came true, Zoe was kidnapped from school. The father learns of Gillys pyscic ability and begs her to tell him where her daughter is but she tries to tell him it doesnt work that way.
The father is frantic looking for his little girl, then he starts to get phone calls and notes on his car asking him how it feels to lose his daughter, you didnt want her anyways, you dont deserve her. The person never asked for a ransom so he knows he is dealing with a very sick person.
Gilly is so overcome with sadness of Zoe missing that she begs God to let her have a dream that will show her where Zoe is. Gilly lays down for a nap and she does have a dream with scattered pictures of a run down house and a white truck but shes not sure if that is where Zoe really is or if she just wanted it so bad that her brain made it up. So not wanting to lead the police in thewrong direction she doesnt say anything. Gilly talks to a friend about it and she tells Gilly that she needs to tell someone, That maybe someone will know of such a house and such a truck.
This was a very good mystery, one I couldnt put down. Thank you for selecting me to be a first to read of your story. I would love to read more stories from this author... If you like a good mystery this is one I recommend.
Gilly moves to Wyatt Texas to start over and becomes a waitress in a cafe where a father and his 4 year old daughter come every wednesday morning for pancake breakfast. Gilly becomes attached to them and looks forward to wednesdays. But then she has a terrible dream that the little girl Zoe is kidnapped. The next morning she finds out that her nightmare came true, Zoe was kidnapped from school. The father learns of Gillys pyscic ability and begs her to tell him where her daughter is but she tries to tell him it doesnt work that way.
The father is frantic looking for his little girl, then he starts to get phone calls and notes on his car asking him how it feels to lose his daughter, you didnt want her anyways, you dont deserve her. The person never asked for a ransom so he knows he is dealing with a very sick person.
Gilly is so overcome with sadness of Zoe missing that she begs God to let her have a dream that will show her where Zoe is. Gilly lays down for a nap and she does have a dream with scattered pictures of a run down house and a white truck but shes not sure if that is where Zoe really is or if she just wanted it so bad that her brain made it up. So not wanting to lead the police in thewrong direction she doesnt say anything. Gilly talks to a friend about it and she tells Gilly that she needs to tell someone, That maybe someone will know of such a house and such a truck.
This was a very good mystery, one I couldnt put down. Thank you for selecting me to be a first to read of your story. I would love to read more stories from this author... If you like a good mystery this is one I recommend.
May 17, 2018
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union for giving me this book in exchange for my honest review.
What would you do if you lost everything. If your world was turned upside down by one person’s actions. If your best friend, husband, was killed in a senseless act. You lost your baby because of that? Would you seek revenge? Would you turn to anything to help you forget?
What if your child was taken. Kidnapped. And you had no idea where she was or who had her. Only that you was not there to protect her.
Gilly’s whole world was crushed when her husband was killed in a convenience store robbery gone bad. She was 26 weeks pregnant and it caused her to go into early labor. She lost her baby and her husband. She turned to alcohol and at times drugs to forget. To escape that pain. She ends up in a small town in Texas trying to start a new life. To escape the things in her past. She’s finally clean and sober and needs a new start.
Jake is a single dad. He has custody of his baby girl. A three year old daughter who is his world. Then the unthinkable happens. She’s taken. Someone has her and he is desperate to get her back. He taught her to never go with strangers, but what if it’s her mother. She would feel safe going with her mom. Jake races to find his daughter before it’s to late.
Gilly has had dreams her whole life. Dreams of things that happen before they happen. She dreamed of Zoe being taken from her preschool. Saw the person, and the car. But only in a dream. Would anyone believe her? She had to try and help.
This book will keep you on the edge and rooting for a father who loves his little girl more than life and for a woman who lost everything. It kept me turning pages when I should have been doing other things. It’s an emotional story of what ifs and who dunits. It’s a story of lost loves, lost lives. Mental illness. Desperation. Desperation to find a way to keep your family whole. Desperate acts that cause so much pain. Is forgiveness in the stars for anyone who does such awful things. I have to believe maybe we all are capable of forgiving to some degree. I hope anyway. This is a very good story. One you won’t forget.
A 5 star book. I loved it. I loved the start, middle and ending. It was well written. I love Barbara Sissel’s books. I’ve enjoyed a couple and have a few more to read. She knows how to weave a story and pull you in from the start and hold you hostage until the very end.
What would you do if you lost everything. If your world was turned upside down by one person’s actions. If your best friend, husband, was killed in a senseless act. You lost your baby because of that? Would you seek revenge? Would you turn to anything to help you forget?
What if your child was taken. Kidnapped. And you had no idea where she was or who had her. Only that you was not there to protect her.
Gilly’s whole world was crushed when her husband was killed in a convenience store robbery gone bad. She was 26 weeks pregnant and it caused her to go into early labor. She lost her baby and her husband. She turned to alcohol and at times drugs to forget. To escape that pain. She ends up in a small town in Texas trying to start a new life. To escape the things in her past. She’s finally clean and sober and needs a new start.
Jake is a single dad. He has custody of his baby girl. A three year old daughter who is his world. Then the unthinkable happens. She’s taken. Someone has her and he is desperate to get her back. He taught her to never go with strangers, but what if it’s her mother. She would feel safe going with her mom. Jake races to find his daughter before it’s to late.
Gilly has had dreams her whole life. Dreams of things that happen before they happen. She dreamed of Zoe being taken from her preschool. Saw the person, and the car. But only in a dream. Would anyone believe her? She had to try and help.
This book will keep you on the edge and rooting for a father who loves his little girl more than life and for a woman who lost everything. It kept me turning pages when I should have been doing other things. It’s an emotional story of what ifs and who dunits. It’s a story of lost loves, lost lives. Mental illness. Desperation. Desperation to find a way to keep your family whole. Desperate acts that cause so much pain. Is forgiveness in the stars for anyone who does such awful things. I have to believe maybe we all are capable of forgiving to some degree. I hope anyway. This is a very good story. One you won’t forget.
A 5 star book. I loved it. I loved the start, middle and ending. It was well written. I love Barbara Sissel’s books. I’ve enjoyed a couple and have a few more to read. She knows how to weave a story and pull you in from the start and hold you hostage until the very end.
May 11, 2018
WHAT LIES BELOW by Barbara Taylor Sissel is a fast-paced and gripping thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The story centers around Gilly, a woman who has lived through the tragedies of her husband’s murder, her newborn’s death and her own descent into alcohol and drug abuse. A dramatic event serves as a wake-up call for Gilly and she attempts to get her life back on track by getting sober and leaving her home and career to start fresh in a small town where no one knows about her or her past. When a local child is suddenly abducted, Gilly is unwillingly dragged into the public eye when she reveals to a friend that she has had a dream where she visualized the abduction. Gilly suddenly faces skepticism and even suspicion from the locals. Desperate to get his little girl back, Jake begs Gilly to try to help find Zoe. There are so many layers to the plot. Every time I was sure I had figured out what had happened, another twist was thrown into the mix and I was proved wrong. As much as this is a thriller, it is a story that packs an emotional punch. Themes of love, family, guilt, regret and forgiveness are woven throughout. I totally enjoyed this engrossing book and I look forward to reading more from Barbara Taylor Sissel. Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read an early copy.
May 14, 2018
Gilly is trying to put the past behind her, but the memories refuse to stay buried...
Gilly has moved to Wyatt, Texas hoping to move on and put the murder of her husband and the loss of her daughter behind her. She meets a young single dad, and his daughter Zoe - who come into the cafe where she works each Wednesday morning for breakfast. Gilly has dreams, disturbing dreams about things that are going to happen. Sometimes they come true, sometimes they don't. But the newest dreams really bothers her. Zoe is being taken by a woman. When she gets to work and discovers that the dream is true, she is frightened. She knows that her past could catch up with her and she could become the prime suspect.....
This book was fantastic! I read it in one sitting. I could not put it down at all. There are some adult scenes, and language throughout the book.
This book will keep you guessing through all the twists and turns that it takes. A missing girl, a frantic community, and the one person that no one can place - yet will break the case wide open...
A huge THANK YOU to Lake Union Publications and NetGalley for the chance to read this book! It was amazing!
Gilly has moved to Wyatt, Texas hoping to move on and put the murder of her husband and the loss of her daughter behind her. She meets a young single dad, and his daughter Zoe - who come into the cafe where she works each Wednesday morning for breakfast. Gilly has dreams, disturbing dreams about things that are going to happen. Sometimes they come true, sometimes they don't. But the newest dreams really bothers her. Zoe is being taken by a woman. When she gets to work and discovers that the dream is true, she is frightened. She knows that her past could catch up with her and she could become the prime suspect.....
This book was fantastic! I read it in one sitting. I could not put it down at all. There are some adult scenes, and language throughout the book.
This book will keep you guessing through all the twists and turns that it takes. A missing girl, a frantic community, and the one person that no one can place - yet will break the case wide open...
A huge THANK YOU to Lake Union Publications and NetGalley for the chance to read this book! It was amazing!
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