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The Missing Years
An eerie old Scottish manor in the middle of nowhere that's now hers. Ailsa Calder has inherited half of a house. The other half belongs to a man who disappeared without a trace twenty-seven years ago. Her father. Leaving London behind to settle her mother's estate, Ailsa returns to her childhood home nestled amongst the craggy peaks of the Scottish Highlands, accompanied by the half-sister she's never taken the time to get to know. With the past threatening to swallow her whole, she can't escape the claustrophobic feeling that the house itself is watching her, or ignore how animals take care never to set foot within its garden. When the first nighttime intruder shows up, Ailsa sees that the manor's careless rugged beauty could cost her everything...
304 pages, Paperback
First published April 23, 2019
270 people are currently reading
20167 people want to read
About the author
Lexie Elliott
5 books816 followersLexie Elliott has been writing for as long as she can remember, but she began to focus on it more seriously after she lost her banking job in 2009 due to the Global Financial Crisis. After some success in short story competitions, she began planning a novel. With two kids and a (new) job, it took some time for that novel to move from her head to the page, but the result was "The French Girl", which will be published by Berkley in February 2018 - available to pre-order now!
When she's not writing, Lexie can be found running, swimming or cycling whilst thinking about writing. In 2007 she swam the English Channel solo. She won't be doing that again. In 2015 she ran 100km, raising money for Alzheimer Scotland. She won't be doing that again either. But the odd triathlon or marathon isn't out of the question.
When she's not writing, Lexie can be found running, swimming or cycling whilst thinking about writing. In 2007 she swam the English Channel solo. She won't be doing that again. In 2015 she ran 100km, raising money for Alzheimer Scotland. She won't be doing that again either. But the odd triathlon or marathon isn't out of the question.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 787 reviews
June 12, 2019
This had my dream ratio of “is this or is this not paranormal?”
A Scottish manor with a sordid history- animals won’t go near it, and unexplained things keep happening within its walls.
It was really set up for me to love- an isolated mystery, set in a small town, with a creepy house to boot? Hell yes.
What I loved about it:
The pacing of the reveals was perfect- we know from the jump that her mom is dead and dad has been missing for decades, and the rest of the family (and manor’s) history slowly unravels at carefully plotted moments.
There was a killer friendship dynamic and charismatic AF characters. I would have actually liked 100 more pages with them, adding more backstory, and even more romantic tension (which is SO unlike me.)
The perspective of our main character Ailsa was a joy to read from; she didn’t waste a lot of time just casually wondering about the mystery and not following through on hunches, which is something that often bothers me in mysteries. I think giving her a journalism background was a smart choice, and helped drive a lot of her decisions and results.
I would have liked more red herrings, because the one near the end was seriously epic and I’m quite impressed the author’s ability to shock me like that.
As a final note, I hope there’s an audiobook for this because hearing the character’s varying accents would be really lovely; the writing included Scottish dialogue which threw me off at first as I’m not used to reading it, and I ended up really appreciated that aspect.
A Scottish manor with a sordid history- animals won’t go near it, and unexplained things keep happening within its walls.
It was really set up for me to love- an isolated mystery, set in a small town, with a creepy house to boot? Hell yes.
What I loved about it:
The pacing of the reveals was perfect- we know from the jump that her mom is dead and dad has been missing for decades, and the rest of the family (and manor’s) history slowly unravels at carefully plotted moments.
There was a killer friendship dynamic and charismatic AF characters. I would have actually liked 100 more pages with them, adding more backstory, and even more romantic tension (which is SO unlike me.)
The perspective of our main character Ailsa was a joy to read from; she didn’t waste a lot of time just casually wondering about the mystery and not following through on hunches, which is something that often bothers me in mysteries. I think giving her a journalism background was a smart choice, and helped drive a lot of her decisions and results.
I would have liked more red herrings, because the one near the end was seriously epic and I’m quite impressed the author’s ability to shock me like that.
As a final note, I hope there’s an audiobook for this because hearing the character’s varying accents would be really lovely; the writing included Scottish dialogue which threw me off at first as I’m not used to reading it, and I ended up really appreciated that aspect.
August 10, 2023
**4.5-stars**
The Missing Years is a delightful tale of suspense, with all the dark twists and turns I crave in my Adult Thrillers.
After Ailsa Calder's mother passes away, Ailsa inherits her childhood home; a manse in the Scottish Highlands. Well, technically speaking, she inherits half of it.
She is told by the Estate Agent, that the other half is owned by Ailsa's father, a man who went missing 27-years ago.
Great mystery surrounds the circumstances of his disappearance, all the better for the Reader.
Ailsa wants nothing more than to sell the property, having no desire to leave her life in London behind, but she can't.
Not without having her father legally declared dead, a bureaucratic nightmare perfect for the hopeful home seller.
Ailsa decides to relocate to the manse temporarily, while she attempts to settle the whole mess. Joining her there is her estranged half-sister, Carrie. The girls have never had much of a relationship, so in a way, it will be nice to get to know each other as adults.
It doesn't take long after arriving at the remote location before it becomes clear to Ailsa that someone, or something, doesn't want her there.
When intruders show up in the night and the house begins to rebel against her, Ailsa feels like she is coming unhinged. She tries to keep it together and bond with her sister, but with so much going wrong, she is literally at wits end.
Tie in an interesting group of side characters, as well as a looming sense of dread, and you have yourself a taut little Suspense novel!
There is a constant back and forth of, is it supernatural, is it not, which I absolutely love. I went into this without the highest of expectations and I have to say, I was most pleasantly surprised.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a wonderful job making me feel like I was included in the action. The pacing was fantastic and it kept me constantly wanting more.
This was my first Lexie Elliott, but definitely will not be my last!
The Missing Years is a delightful tale of suspense, with all the dark twists and turns I crave in my Adult Thrillers.
After Ailsa Calder's mother passes away, Ailsa inherits her childhood home; a manse in the Scottish Highlands. Well, technically speaking, she inherits half of it.
She is told by the Estate Agent, that the other half is owned by Ailsa's father, a man who went missing 27-years ago.
Great mystery surrounds the circumstances of his disappearance, all the better for the Reader.
Ailsa wants nothing more than to sell the property, having no desire to leave her life in London behind, but she can't.
Not without having her father legally declared dead, a bureaucratic nightmare perfect for the hopeful home seller.
Ailsa decides to relocate to the manse temporarily, while she attempts to settle the whole mess. Joining her there is her estranged half-sister, Carrie. The girls have never had much of a relationship, so in a way, it will be nice to get to know each other as adults.
It doesn't take long after arriving at the remote location before it becomes clear to Ailsa that someone, or something, doesn't want her there.
When intruders show up in the night and the house begins to rebel against her, Ailsa feels like she is coming unhinged. She tries to keep it together and bond with her sister, but with so much going wrong, she is literally at wits end.
Tie in an interesting group of side characters, as well as a looming sense of dread, and you have yourself a taut little Suspense novel!
There is a constant back and forth of, is it supernatural, is it not, which I absolutely love. I went into this without the highest of expectations and I have to say, I was most pleasantly surprised.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a wonderful job making me feel like I was included in the action. The pacing was fantastic and it kept me constantly wanting more.
This was my first Lexie Elliott, but definitely will not be my last!
April 27, 2019
3.5 stars.
An eerie, haunting and deeply atmospheric mystery.
When Ailsa’s mother passes away, she inherits half of an old Scottish manor house, known as the Manse, set deep in the countryside. Ailsa has deep buried memories of living in this home as a young child. These fuzzy recollections surface randomly, keeping her connected and curious about her family history hidden within the walls of the house.
This was a slow burn mystery that kept me on edge with wonder of how things would all work out. There are many parts to this mystery that are slowly revealed as Ailsa uncovers pieces of her family history. The characters were intriguing, all holding an air of secrecy that kept me curious. The Manse was a character in itself, which was definitely my favourite part of this haunting story. The author, Lexie Elliott, did an outstanding job developing a thick and engrossing atmosphere that had me feeling wrapped up within the walls of the house.
I enjoyed the storyline, characters and mystery, however, the pace felt too slow at several points. While I loved the atmospheric feel, I would have preferred the storyline to progress quicker.
This was a Traveling Sister read that we all felt similarly on.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Berkley for providing me with an ARC to read and review!
AVAILABLE NOW!
An eerie, haunting and deeply atmospheric mystery.
When Ailsa’s mother passes away, she inherits half of an old Scottish manor house, known as the Manse, set deep in the countryside. Ailsa has deep buried memories of living in this home as a young child. These fuzzy recollections surface randomly, keeping her connected and curious about her family history hidden within the walls of the house.
This was a slow burn mystery that kept me on edge with wonder of how things would all work out. There are many parts to this mystery that are slowly revealed as Ailsa uncovers pieces of her family history. The characters were intriguing, all holding an air of secrecy that kept me curious. The Manse was a character in itself, which was definitely my favourite part of this haunting story. The author, Lexie Elliott, did an outstanding job developing a thick and engrossing atmosphere that had me feeling wrapped up within the walls of the house.
I enjoyed the storyline, characters and mystery, however, the pace felt too slow at several points. While I loved the atmospheric feel, I would have preferred the storyline to progress quicker.
This was a Traveling Sister read that we all felt similarly on.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Berkley for providing me with an ARC to read and review!
AVAILABLE NOW!
February 13, 2019
2.75/3 stars
Ailsa Calder has inherited an old Scottish manor (the Manse) from her Mother's estate. Sounds good, right? Except that it is in the middle of nowhere and she only owns half the house, the other half is owned by her father who has been missing for twenty-seven years. She comes to the Scottish Highlands with her younger sister, who feels like stranger to her in hopes of settling her inheritance.
She remembers being at the Manse in the past. She feels as if the house is watching her. She is unnerved and notices that not even animals will come close. To make matters worse, she encounters and intruder in her home and strange things begin to happen.
The premise of this book was fantastic. Creepy manor in the Scottish Highlands. Is it haunted? Is her imagination playing tricks on her? What's with the animals who won’t come into the garden? What is going on with all the strange things happening? Again, fantastic premise which fell flat for me. There were parts that were interesting and good, but other times I was bored. I was hoping that this book would be creepy and sinister. It wasn't creepy enough for me. If you are going to be creepy - then be super creepy-- that's my motto!
Obviously, there is mystery here: where is her father? Why did he go missing? and What is going on at the house? Who is leaving things? Why? Is the house trying to give her messages? Or is Alicia imagining things?
Other reviewers are enjoying this book more than I did, so I encourage reading the other reviews and choose for yourself. This one just fell a little flat for me.
Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Ailsa Calder has inherited an old Scottish manor (the Manse) from her Mother's estate. Sounds good, right? Except that it is in the middle of nowhere and she only owns half the house, the other half is owned by her father who has been missing for twenty-seven years. She comes to the Scottish Highlands with her younger sister, who feels like stranger to her in hopes of settling her inheritance.
She remembers being at the Manse in the past. She feels as if the house is watching her. She is unnerved and notices that not even animals will come close. To make matters worse, she encounters and intruder in her home and strange things begin to happen.
The premise of this book was fantastic. Creepy manor in the Scottish Highlands. Is it haunted? Is her imagination playing tricks on her? What's with the animals who won’t come into the garden? What is going on with all the strange things happening? Again, fantastic premise which fell flat for me. There were parts that were interesting and good, but other times I was bored. I was hoping that this book would be creepy and sinister. It wasn't creepy enough for me. If you are going to be creepy - then be super creepy-- that's my motto!
Obviously, there is mystery here: where is her father? Why did he go missing? and What is going on at the house? Who is leaving things? Why? Is the house trying to give her messages? Or is Alicia imagining things?
Other reviewers are enjoying this book more than I did, so I encourage reading the other reviews and choose for yourself. This one just fell a little flat for me.
Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
March 31, 2019
3-3.5 stars on this one. Review to come!
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
March 24, 2019
3.5*
Ailsa just inherited a house. Well, more like half a house. The other half belongs to her estranged father who’s been missing for years. Unfortunately, Ailsa is prevented from selling the home until dear ole’daddy is found and hopefully agrees to the deal. With no other options, Ailsa quickly moves in with her half-sister, Carrie.
The town is a flurry of second-guessing and rumors! So many theories on what happened to her father, and everyone has their own opinion. Is her home haunted? And why do the neighbors pets walk around the property but won’t ever set foot inside? The questions multiplying like wild-fire.
With some supernatural elements interspersed (truly nothing too scary) the tale of Ailsa, her father and their home unfold.
Lexie Elliott writes an atmospheric read that will draw you in and captivate you throughout. No high-speed, fast paced thriller here. Ms. Elliott keeps the focus on the characters drawing out pieces of their stories like cherished friends.
A buddy read with Susanne! Thank you for reading this one with me!
Thank you to Elisha at Berkley Publishing and Lexie Elliott for an ARC to read and review.
Ailsa just inherited a house. Well, more like half a house. The other half belongs to her estranged father who’s been missing for years. Unfortunately, Ailsa is prevented from selling the home until dear ole’daddy is found and hopefully agrees to the deal. With no other options, Ailsa quickly moves in with her half-sister, Carrie.
The town is a flurry of second-guessing and rumors! So many theories on what happened to her father, and everyone has their own opinion. Is her home haunted? And why do the neighbors pets walk around the property but won’t ever set foot inside? The questions multiplying like wild-fire.
With some supernatural elements interspersed (truly nothing too scary) the tale of Ailsa, her father and their home unfold.
Lexie Elliott writes an atmospheric read that will draw you in and captivate you throughout. No high-speed, fast paced thriller here. Ms. Elliott keeps the focus on the characters drawing out pieces of their stories like cherished friends.
A buddy read with Susanne! Thank you for reading this one with me!
Thank you to Elisha at Berkley Publishing and Lexie Elliott for an ARC to read and review.
April 30, 2019
Creepy. Atmospheric. Haunting.
Lexie Elliot Will completely transport you to this Erie Scottish house with her descriptive writing. I could feel the cold and contempt seeping from the house. The house has a life of its own and is probably the most dynamic character in the book. This is a slow burner that combines mystery, suspense, and magical realism.
Ailsa inherits a house, well half a house. The other half belongs to her father who she has not seen for over 20 years. Unable to sell the house until her father is found, or pronounced dead; Ailsa moves into the house along with her half sister Carrie. It doesn’t take Ailsa Long to figure out the house has a mind and a heartbeat of its own. Not only that she discovers a intruder in the house her very first night there. Then things start appearing and disappearing, noises are heard and there is that feeling of being watched at all times. A dead fox at the door, fire alarms going off, and the flies... oh the flies! Just thinking about the flies gives me the heebie-jeebies! So is the house friend or foe? Is it warning her or scaring her off?
For the most part I really liked this book it was so atmospheric and evocative. However some parts were extremely slow. Also as much as I enjoyed the magical realism element of this book, I wish it had been explored a little more in depth. Time folding? I was left with a few questions I would have liked answered. I recommend this to people who enjoy descriptive writing, a slower burn, and a touch of magic.
*** many thanks to Berkley for my copy of this book ***
3.5 rounded up
Lexie Elliot Will completely transport you to this Erie Scottish house with her descriptive writing. I could feel the cold and contempt seeping from the house. The house has a life of its own and is probably the most dynamic character in the book. This is a slow burner that combines mystery, suspense, and magical realism.
Ailsa inherits a house, well half a house. The other half belongs to her father who she has not seen for over 20 years. Unable to sell the house until her father is found, or pronounced dead; Ailsa moves into the house along with her half sister Carrie. It doesn’t take Ailsa Long to figure out the house has a mind and a heartbeat of its own. Not only that she discovers a intruder in the house her very first night there. Then things start appearing and disappearing, noises are heard and there is that feeling of being watched at all times. A dead fox at the door, fire alarms going off, and the flies... oh the flies! Just thinking about the flies gives me the heebie-jeebies! So is the house friend or foe? Is it warning her or scaring her off?
For the most part I really liked this book it was so atmospheric and evocative. However some parts were extremely slow. Also as much as I enjoyed the magical realism element of this book, I wish it had been explored a little more in depth. Time folding? I was left with a few questions I would have liked answered. I recommend this to people who enjoy descriptive writing, a slower burn, and a touch of magic.
*** many thanks to Berkley for my copy of this book ***
3.5 rounded up
April 13, 2019
I had really high hopes for this novel. The premise of an eerie, creepy and old Scottish mansion sounds like my cup of tea, however, I found the story to be too much of a slow burn for me. Some may find the slower unfolding a plus.
After a quite intriguing and suspenseful beginning, the story seemed to stall at points and I found myself getting distracted. There were moments of suspense that kept me hopeful that the tension would pick up and the characters would pull me in. I just couldn't get invested in them. There is a mystery that slowly unravels, but for me it wasn't enough to make this one a winner.
Fans of a slow-burning mystery with a touch sinister undertones may enjoy this one. My favorite character would have to be the house which was named The Manse.
Out April 23, 2019
Thanks to the publisher for my review copy!
After a quite intriguing and suspenseful beginning, the story seemed to stall at points and I found myself getting distracted. There were moments of suspense that kept me hopeful that the tension would pick up and the characters would pull me in. I just couldn't get invested in them. There is a mystery that slowly unravels, but for me it wasn't enough to make this one a winner.
Fans of a slow-burning mystery with a touch sinister undertones may enjoy this one. My favorite character would have to be the house which was named The Manse.
Out April 23, 2019
Thanks to the publisher for my review copy!
March 26, 2019
3.5 Stars* (rounded down)
Strange things are afoot at the Manse. Does evil lurk? Ailsa Calder doesn’t know.
Dark, Atmospheric and Unsettling! Turn the first page and the hair on the back of your neck will immediately stand up.
Ailsa Calder and her half sister Carrie reluctantly return to the Manse, in the Highlands of Scotland, after losing their mom. Ailsa now owns half of it - the other half belonging to her dad, who has been missing for the last twenty seven years. If only it felt like home. People turn up at every corner, are they friends or foes?
At the very beginning, there were questions that had to be answered in Lexie Elliott’s “The Missing Years” and I couldn’t help but wonder what was going on. For me, this was a character study as well as a mystery/suspense, which, admittedly started out a tad bit slow but sped up as the story progressed. Delving into the minds of Ailsa and her half-sister Carrie was super intense - and the ending? What a doozy!
This was a buddy read with Kaceey. This was a read that had us questioning ourselves at every turn!
Thank you to Elisha at Berkley Publishing Group and to Lexie Elliott for an arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Published on Goodreads on 3.24.19.
Will be published on Amazon and Twitter on 4.23.19.
Excerpt to be published on Instagram.
Strange things are afoot at the Manse. Does evil lurk? Ailsa Calder doesn’t know.
Dark, Atmospheric and Unsettling! Turn the first page and the hair on the back of your neck will immediately stand up.
Ailsa Calder and her half sister Carrie reluctantly return to the Manse, in the Highlands of Scotland, after losing their mom. Ailsa now owns half of it - the other half belonging to her dad, who has been missing for the last twenty seven years. If only it felt like home. People turn up at every corner, are they friends or foes?
At the very beginning, there were questions that had to be answered in Lexie Elliott’s “The Missing Years” and I couldn’t help but wonder what was going on. For me, this was a character study as well as a mystery/suspense, which, admittedly started out a tad bit slow but sped up as the story progressed. Delving into the minds of Ailsa and her half-sister Carrie was super intense - and the ending? What a doozy!
This was a buddy read with Kaceey. This was a read that had us questioning ourselves at every turn!
Thank you to Elisha at Berkley Publishing Group and to Lexie Elliott for an arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Published on Goodreads on 3.24.19.
Will be published on Amazon and Twitter on 4.23.19.
Excerpt to be published on Instagram.
February 15, 2019
MY FATHER IS….
Missing…
really enjoyed reading Lexie Elliott’s first novel, The French Girl, last year but I will tell you now that The Missing Years eclipses her first and has landed its way onto my favorite’s list! The Missing Years crosses genres from suspense, mystery, a touch of romance to a fair amount of magical realism and she marries these together seamlessly. It has an essence of a ghost story while keeping the reader firmly planted in the here and now and much of what one suspects as supernatural turns out to be ominously too close to reality for comfort.
While both The French Girl and The Missing Years comprise a large ensemble cast of characters, with this one Elliott does a better job of fleshing out her characters so that they are more manageable to distinguish from one another and also easier to relate to, feel compassion for and, ultimately invest in their story. As someone with roots in Scotland, I found the history that was included particularly intriguing and learned more about my own past than I was expecting. Trust me, the history is subtle, never boring for a moment.
The Missing Years is an eclectic, atmospheric and suspenseful tale that I highly recommend. While some readers have questioned the addition of magical realism in this book, I found that it was absolutely marvelous and hope this is a continued direction for Elliott’s future work.
I am very grateful to Elisha @berkleypub and #elliott_lexie for my advanced copy #TheMissingYears.
Missing…
really enjoyed reading Lexie Elliott’s first novel, The French Girl, last year but I will tell you now that The Missing Years eclipses her first and has landed its way onto my favorite’s list! The Missing Years crosses genres from suspense, mystery, a touch of romance to a fair amount of magical realism and she marries these together seamlessly. It has an essence of a ghost story while keeping the reader firmly planted in the here and now and much of what one suspects as supernatural turns out to be ominously too close to reality for comfort.
While both The French Girl and The Missing Years comprise a large ensemble cast of characters, with this one Elliott does a better job of fleshing out her characters so that they are more manageable to distinguish from one another and also easier to relate to, feel compassion for and, ultimately invest in their story. As someone with roots in Scotland, I found the history that was included particularly intriguing and learned more about my own past than I was expecting. Trust me, the history is subtle, never boring for a moment.
The Missing Years is an eclectic, atmospheric and suspenseful tale that I highly recommend. While some readers have questioned the addition of magical realism in this book, I found that it was absolutely marvelous and hope this is a continued direction for Elliott’s future work.
I am very grateful to Elisha @berkleypub and #elliott_lexie for my advanced copy #TheMissingYears.
April 23, 2019
In The Missing Years, Ailsa Calder inherits her mother's half of an old Scottish manse, while it is also half owned by her father, who went missing twenty seven years ago. Ailsa moves into the manse with her much younger half sister Carrie, hoping that she can develop a better relationship with Carrie, after spending years away at college and then working on her career. Both women are hesitant around each other as they deal with their feelings about their late mother and whether they can really bond after so many years apart.
The manse is dark, creepy, and seems to have a mind of it's own at times. Not only that but animals won't venture onto the premises, doors bang open and closed, and Ailsa has vague memories of happy times with a dad who than disappeared when she was seven years old. The town seems to have a host of rumors about the manse, Ailsa's dad, and stories about it being haunted and Ailsa can tell that some people resent her presence in the manse and the town. If Ailsa can prove her father is dead than she'll be free to sell the manse and get back to her career and her long time boyfriend, who she can't convince to set aside his career to visit her.
This is a slow character study with the manse being one of the characters. I think the author could have toned down the Scottish dialect and allowed the book to be an easier and more comfortable read. There are some interesting characters and I especially like a little boy that Ailsa befriends. This isn't a thriller but the ending gives us some surprising action. Thank you to Berkley/Penguin Publishing Group and Edelweiss for this ARC.
The manse is dark, creepy, and seems to have a mind of it's own at times. Not only that but animals won't venture onto the premises, doors bang open and closed, and Ailsa has vague memories of happy times with a dad who than disappeared when she was seven years old. The town seems to have a host of rumors about the manse, Ailsa's dad, and stories about it being haunted and Ailsa can tell that some people resent her presence in the manse and the town. If Ailsa can prove her father is dead than she'll be free to sell the manse and get back to her career and her long time boyfriend, who she can't convince to set aside his career to visit her.
This is a slow character study with the manse being one of the characters. I think the author could have toned down the Scottish dialect and allowed the book to be an easier and more comfortable read. There are some interesting characters and I especially like a little boy that Ailsa befriends. This isn't a thriller but the ending gives us some surprising action. Thank you to Berkley/Penguin Publishing Group and Edelweiss for this ARC.
April 23, 2019
3.5 stars
A missing father, an inherited old Scottish manor with rumors of it being haunted, the daughter trying to escape from the feeling of it watching her.
The Missings Years is an easy atmospheric read here with the setting of an old Scottish manor called the Manse that I thought should have felt more creepier and eerier with the secrets it keeps. I had some mixed feelings here and I began to wonder if maybe I have become a predictable reader expecting stories to feel a certain way. Here in this story, the lack of creepiness was made up by the house coming alive for me. It became a strong entertaining character with an attitude and I enjoyed the dynamics here with the house and our main character Ailsa.
The characters here within the small town were also entertaining and I enjoyed hearing the rumors and the vibe it created here in the story. I found the characters to be interesting and the dynamics well down between them.
The Missing Years is a slower paced read that read fast for me and read it quick quickly. It was a different pace from my usual dark and twisted and I thought the mystery came together a bit uneventful however I did love the way things wrapped up with the house. I highly recommend taking some time to get to know this house.
Thank you to Elisha and Berkley Publishing for my complimentary copy.
A missing father, an inherited old Scottish manor with rumors of it being haunted, the daughter trying to escape from the feeling of it watching her.
The Missings Years is an easy atmospheric read here with the setting of an old Scottish manor called the Manse that I thought should have felt more creepier and eerier with the secrets it keeps. I had some mixed feelings here and I began to wonder if maybe I have become a predictable reader expecting stories to feel a certain way. Here in this story, the lack of creepiness was made up by the house coming alive for me. It became a strong entertaining character with an attitude and I enjoyed the dynamics here with the house and our main character Ailsa.
The characters here within the small town were also entertaining and I enjoyed hearing the rumors and the vibe it created here in the story. I found the characters to be interesting and the dynamics well down between them.
The Missing Years is a slower paced read that read fast for me and read it quick quickly. It was a different pace from my usual dark and twisted and I thought the mystery came together a bit uneventful however I did love the way things wrapped up with the house. I highly recommend taking some time to get to know this house.
Thank you to Elisha and Berkley Publishing for my complimentary copy.
February 11, 2019
5 strong stars!!!
Lexie Elliott really has become an auto-read author for me, especially after loving The French Girl last year. Elliott has developed a talent for good slow-building suspense novels, without it ever dipping it's toes in the slow-burn category. Elliott has finessed this talent even further in her amazing sophomore novel, The Missing Years . While others are worried about the "sophomore slump", The Missing Years takes what did well in Elliott's debut, and makes it stronger.
Alisa's mother has just passed away, leaving her the deed to their family house. The only problem with Alisa's new inheritance is that it was also left to her father—a man who disappeared decades earlier. Alisa has no relationship with her father, and doesn't even know if he is still alive. Alisa takes her half sister with her, and the two decide to move into the Manse until Alisa can figure out how to sell it. Maybe Alisa can flip it, and make a hefty profit for her and her boyfriend? Technically, Alisa cannot sell property that she doesn't fully own, yet.
Once she arrives back to her childhood home, Alisa starts noticing some peculiar oddities happening around the property. Why does the neighborhood all know about her father's disappearance, and why do they all have theories on his whereabouts? Why do animals refuse to cross the property? Questions begin to drive Alisa's uncertainty about her decision to stay at the Manse, but it isn't until she spots an intruder in her home when she starts trying to figure the motive behind the peculiarities happening around the property. As things come to a boil, threats begin to happen everywhere she turns. Why is she being targeted, and what exactly happened at that house that she's now calling home?!
Ugh, I really wanted to go into more creepy things that happened at Alisa's home, but trust me, you'll want to uncover that by yourself. In the same vein of The Death of Mrs. Westaway and In The Vines, The Missing Years is Lexie Elliott's grand slam into suspense. She takes a mystery suspense tale and ignites it on fire. I read this book relatively quickly, and I had to hold this review in for as long as possible, but— there she blew, it's here!
I urge you to put this story up on your TBR list and wait for, what I believe, one of this spring's best releases.
Lexie Elliott really has become an auto-read author for me, especially after loving The French Girl last year. Elliott has developed a talent for good slow-building suspense novels, without it ever dipping it's toes in the slow-burn category. Elliott has finessed this talent even further in her amazing sophomore novel, The Missing Years . While others are worried about the "sophomore slump", The Missing Years takes what did well in Elliott's debut, and makes it stronger.
Alisa's mother has just passed away, leaving her the deed to their family house. The only problem with Alisa's new inheritance is that it was also left to her father—a man who disappeared decades earlier. Alisa has no relationship with her father, and doesn't even know if he is still alive. Alisa takes her half sister with her, and the two decide to move into the Manse until Alisa can figure out how to sell it. Maybe Alisa can flip it, and make a hefty profit for her and her boyfriend? Technically, Alisa cannot sell property that she doesn't fully own, yet.
Once she arrives back to her childhood home, Alisa starts noticing some peculiar oddities happening around the property. Why does the neighborhood all know about her father's disappearance, and why do they all have theories on his whereabouts? Why do animals refuse to cross the property? Questions begin to drive Alisa's uncertainty about her decision to stay at the Manse, but it isn't until she spots an intruder in her home when she starts trying to figure the motive behind the peculiarities happening around the property. As things come to a boil, threats begin to happen everywhere she turns. Why is she being targeted, and what exactly happened at that house that she's now calling home?!
Ugh, I really wanted to go into more creepy things that happened at Alisa's home, but trust me, you'll want to uncover that by yourself. In the same vein of The Death of Mrs. Westaway and In The Vines, The Missing Years is Lexie Elliott's grand slam into suspense. She takes a mystery suspense tale and ignites it on fire. I read this book relatively quickly, and I had to hold this review in for as long as possible, but— there she blew, it's here!
I urge you to put this story up on your TBR list and wait for, what I believe, one of this spring's best releases.
April 24, 2019
I LOVED Lexie Elliott’s debut, The French Girl, and could not wait for her latest release, The Missing Years, which is available now! Both books have creepy, atmospheric vibes. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Ailsa inherits half a house, the Manse, from her mother’s estate in Scotland. The other half belongs to her father who disappeared over twenty-seven years ago.
Ailsa returns to her childhood home amongst the glorious Scottish Highlands. Her estranged half-sister, Carrie, meets her there. Ailsa cannot sell the home until her father is found, so she decides to move in with Carrie.
The house feels claustrophobic, eerie, strange, like someone is watching Ailsa. It also frightens her that animals won’t step foot in the garden.
…And then someone uninvited arrives in the night….
The Missing Years is a haunting slow-burn of a read. It’s about the characters and slowly building up to a big reveal. My favorite aspect of this story was definitely the Manse. It becomes its own character here. It groans and watches its residents, holding many secrets. The story slowly develops in bits and tiny pieces, until you get to the exciting ending I never saw coming. This is a book that’s best read quickly. The momentum and tension keep building, and I personally could not put it down!
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
Ailsa inherits half a house, the Manse, from her mother’s estate in Scotland. The other half belongs to her father who disappeared over twenty-seven years ago.
Ailsa returns to her childhood home amongst the glorious Scottish Highlands. Her estranged half-sister, Carrie, meets her there. Ailsa cannot sell the home until her father is found, so she decides to move in with Carrie.
The house feels claustrophobic, eerie, strange, like someone is watching Ailsa. It also frightens her that animals won’t step foot in the garden.
…And then someone uninvited arrives in the night….
The Missing Years is a haunting slow-burn of a read. It’s about the characters and slowly building up to a big reveal. My favorite aspect of this story was definitely the Manse. It becomes its own character here. It groans and watches its residents, holding many secrets. The story slowly develops in bits and tiny pieces, until you get to the exciting ending I never saw coming. This is a book that’s best read quickly. The momentum and tension keep building, and I personally could not put it down!
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
April 23, 2019
Ailsa Calder has just inherited half of her childhood home, an estate known as the Manse in Scotland. The other half is owned by her father who has been missing for over 25 years. Legally she can't do anything with the property until her father is found, except live there, which is what she decides to do.
THE MISSING YEARS is a quiet suspense novel. Ailsa's return to the Manse isn't celebrated by all she comes in contact with, and odd occurrences keep happening in and around the house. The heart of the book is the mystery of her father's disappearance, the toll it's taken on her over the years, and what answers the eerie old manor home can give her.
I enjoyed the setting most of all, the house full of secrets and memories, standing among "the craggy peaks of the Scottish Highlands." Sounds amazing and gothic! On the flip side, I was hoping for a faster pace and more twists. Though the build up was slow, the ending was wild. ♥
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
THE MISSING YEARS is a quiet suspense novel. Ailsa's return to the Manse isn't celebrated by all she comes in contact with, and odd occurrences keep happening in and around the house. The heart of the book is the mystery of her father's disappearance, the toll it's taken on her over the years, and what answers the eerie old manor home can give her.
I enjoyed the setting most of all, the house full of secrets and memories, standing among "the craggy peaks of the Scottish Highlands." Sounds amazing and gothic! On the flip side, I was hoping for a faster pace and more twists. Though the build up was slow, the ending was wild. ♥
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 22, 2019
I have been waiting to read The Missing Years literally from the second I heard it was coming out. I loved The French Girl and I couldn't wait to read Lexie Elliot's next one. So imagine how excited I was to get my hands on this advanced copy!
This creepy mysterious story revolves around Ailsa Calder and her grand but perhaps haunted Scottish manor that she inherited. The manor which is referred to as The Manse has been left to Ailsa and her father Martin Calder. The problem is Martin has not been seen in 27 years!
As Ailsa returns to her once childhood home The Manse, she has to deal with the disturbing questions that have torn her apart for years. Did her father abandon her family 27 years ago or did something far more sinister happen to him?
Lock the doors and check them twice with this one! There is a slow burning creepy story line that builds with intensity as the story goes on. Mysterious things begin to happen that make you question if The Manse is in fact haunted as legend has it or does someone want Ailsa to go back where she came from? As she reconnects with people from her past I was not sure who to trust. Everyone seemed to have a motive to not want Ailsa back in town.
As Ailsa struggles to figure out if her father is still alive and what is going on at The Manse, she uncovers details of the past she may not want to hear. A quite interesting character named Fiona McCue is introduced that has a very interesting history that ties in with The Manse. She has a condition called dyschronometria which as a nurse I have never heard of. I had to take to google to determine if this was in fact a true condition, which it is! Bravo to Ms. Elliott on her creative plot line that managed to carry a creepy undertone the entire story! It kept me guessing all the way to the end!
I read this as a group read with a group of Traveling Sisters so we all could chat about this much anticipated second novel by Lexie Elliott!
Thank you so much Berkley Publishing, Goodreads and Lexie Elliott for this ARC!!
This creepy mysterious story revolves around Ailsa Calder and her grand but perhaps haunted Scottish manor that she inherited. The manor which is referred to as The Manse has been left to Ailsa and her father Martin Calder. The problem is Martin has not been seen in 27 years!
As Ailsa returns to her once childhood home The Manse, she has to deal with the disturbing questions that have torn her apart for years. Did her father abandon her family 27 years ago or did something far more sinister happen to him?
Lock the doors and check them twice with this one! There is a slow burning creepy story line that builds with intensity as the story goes on. Mysterious things begin to happen that make you question if The Manse is in fact haunted as legend has it or does someone want Ailsa to go back where she came from? As she reconnects with people from her past I was not sure who to trust. Everyone seemed to have a motive to not want Ailsa back in town.
As Ailsa struggles to figure out if her father is still alive and what is going on at The Manse, she uncovers details of the past she may not want to hear. A quite interesting character named Fiona McCue is introduced that has a very interesting history that ties in with The Manse. She has a condition called dyschronometria which as a nurse I have never heard of. I had to take to google to determine if this was in fact a true condition, which it is! Bravo to Ms. Elliott on her creative plot line that managed to carry a creepy undertone the entire story! It kept me guessing all the way to the end!
I read this as a group read with a group of Traveling Sisters so we all could chat about this much anticipated second novel by Lexie Elliott!
Thank you so much Berkley Publishing, Goodreads and Lexie Elliott for this ARC!!
May 7, 2019
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
The Missing Years is my first time reading anything by Lexie Elliott, and I was very pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this slow-burning novel.
What it's about: Ailsa Calder has returned home to The Manse after her mother dies. But she has only technically inherited half of the house, as her mom left the other half in the name of Ailsa's dad who just so happens to have been missing for the past twenty seven years. Ailsa decides to stay there, leaving her boyfriend and home behind in London, with her estranged half sister while she figures out what to do. But she feels like the house is watching her, and then when she starts to get messages from someone, it becomes very clear there is someone out there who doesn't want her there.
For me, The Missing Years was such a creepy read that I had a hard time pulling myself away from it. While there isn't necessarily a lot happening for most of the book, the overall sense of foreboding and strange things that were happening made me want to keep reading. There is a touch of the supernatural to this book as well so if you like books like that you'll find a dash of it here. Any book that has a Scottish house nicknamed 'The Manse' has to be good right? The house definitely made this book very atmospheric.
I was really pulled in by Elliott's writing style and how all of the story came together. I was very surprised by the ending, and I also liked how Ailsa seemed to slowly begin to go mad and start second guessing herself. Hers is the only POV in the whole book and you begin to doubt her a little as the book goes on.
Final Thought: I think that The Missing Years is a good book to go into mostly blind so I will wrap up my review without saying too much more. I think it is important to note that some people may find it boring, but if you like a slow-burn with a creepy house and dash of the supernatural, you should love this!
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
The Missing Years is my first time reading anything by Lexie Elliott, and I was very pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this slow-burning novel.
What it's about: Ailsa Calder has returned home to The Manse after her mother dies. But she has only technically inherited half of the house, as her mom left the other half in the name of Ailsa's dad who just so happens to have been missing for the past twenty seven years. Ailsa decides to stay there, leaving her boyfriend and home behind in London, with her estranged half sister while she figures out what to do. But she feels like the house is watching her, and then when she starts to get messages from someone, it becomes very clear there is someone out there who doesn't want her there.
For me, The Missing Years was such a creepy read that I had a hard time pulling myself away from it. While there isn't necessarily a lot happening for most of the book, the overall sense of foreboding and strange things that were happening made me want to keep reading. There is a touch of the supernatural to this book as well so if you like books like that you'll find a dash of it here. Any book that has a Scottish house nicknamed 'The Manse' has to be good right? The house definitely made this book very atmospheric.
I was really pulled in by Elliott's writing style and how all of the story came together. I was very surprised by the ending, and I also liked how Ailsa seemed to slowly begin to go mad and start second guessing herself. Hers is the only POV in the whole book and you begin to doubt her a little as the book goes on.
Final Thought: I think that The Missing Years is a good book to go into mostly blind so I will wrap up my review without saying too much more. I think it is important to note that some people may find it boring, but if you like a slow-burn with a creepy house and dash of the supernatural, you should love this!
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
April 22, 2019
Quick read, just over 300 pages. I felt the pace of this book was very slow, I liked the idea of the book, Erie setting, creepy house, lots of family drama and of course the mystery of Martin being missing for 27 years....
There was suspense at time, but it is a slow burn. It fell a bit short for me unfortunately, if you enjoy a slow burn, you will be rewarded with twists and turns and an enjoyable read...
I received this book as an ARC, thanks to Edelweiss for this copy in exchange for my honest review
There was suspense at time, but it is a slow burn. It fell a bit short for me unfortunately, if you enjoy a slow burn, you will be rewarded with twists and turns and an enjoyable read...
I received this book as an ARC, thanks to Edelweiss for this copy in exchange for my honest review
February 4, 2019
Creepy, twisted and so unique.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This book was a combination of so many different feelings. I was expecting a a suspense thriller, but this book is so much more.
The Missing Years is a creepy story that sneaks up on you.
Have you ever been in an old house that creaks and groans? Or you have the feeling something or someone is watching you and you constantly find yourself looking over your shoulder, waiting for something to pop out, and making your heart pound?
That is just what this book does to you.
Your home holds secrets. People wander in and out of it. Time is warped somehow. The town knows more about your house and the secrets it holds than you do. And where is your missing father who abandoned you so many years ago?
Set in Scotland, you get the flavor of the land and the bits of Scottish dialog that add so much to the narrative. Trying to make friends and fit in, Ailsa and her half-sister Carrie may have got more than they bargained for. Complex characters truly make this story - everyone from the animals to the children make an impression!
Little bits and pieces fall throughout the story, but yet the author holds back and never gives you the full story. Drips and drabs come together in an amazing conclusion that you do not expect in the least.
An awesome novel that is so different from any other, skin crawling creepy and spine tingly, make sure to carve out big blocks of time when reading this one. You will not want to stop reading!
* copy received for review consideration
full review - https://amidlifewife.com/the-missing-...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This book was a combination of so many different feelings. I was expecting a a suspense thriller, but this book is so much more.
The Missing Years is a creepy story that sneaks up on you.
Have you ever been in an old house that creaks and groans? Or you have the feeling something or someone is watching you and you constantly find yourself looking over your shoulder, waiting for something to pop out, and making your heart pound?
That is just what this book does to you.
Your home holds secrets. People wander in and out of it. Time is warped somehow. The town knows more about your house and the secrets it holds than you do. And where is your missing father who abandoned you so many years ago?
Set in Scotland, you get the flavor of the land and the bits of Scottish dialog that add so much to the narrative. Trying to make friends and fit in, Ailsa and her half-sister Carrie may have got more than they bargained for. Complex characters truly make this story - everyone from the animals to the children make an impression!
Little bits and pieces fall throughout the story, but yet the author holds back and never gives you the full story. Drips and drabs come together in an amazing conclusion that you do not expect in the least.
An awesome novel that is so different from any other, skin crawling creepy and spine tingly, make sure to carve out big blocks of time when reading this one. You will not want to stop reading!
* copy received for review consideration
full review - https://amidlifewife.com/the-missing-...
May 25, 2019
Ailsa Calder has returned to her childhood home in Scotland after her mother's death. She is currently living in London with a job as a successful news producer. Her mother has left her half of the house while the other half still belongs to her father, who has been missing for twenty- seven years. Ailsa has not visited for many years and plans to return to London as soon as possible.
Ailsa’s goal is to sell the home but she is lacking her father’s current location or a death certificate. His disappearance has always been a mystery and there are rumors that he left town after a sizable theft. Ailsa starts her search by questioning the local residents but they are unhelpful and make her feel very unwelcome. At the same time, strange occurrences happen at the house making her stay even more uncomfortable.
The Missing Years by Lexie Elliott is an interesting mixture of mystery/ suspense with a splash of family dysfunction. This is the second book that I have read from the author and she does not disappoint.
Ailsa’s goal is to sell the home but she is lacking her father’s current location or a death certificate. His disappearance has always been a mystery and there are rumors that he left town after a sizable theft. Ailsa starts her search by questioning the local residents but they are unhelpful and make her feel very unwelcome. At the same time, strange occurrences happen at the house making her stay even more uncomfortable.
The Missing Years by Lexie Elliott is an interesting mixture of mystery/ suspense with a splash of family dysfunction. This is the second book that I have read from the author and she does not disappoint.
April 29, 2019
4.25 Stars for me here!! A wonderful slow-burn creepy mystery! Definitely enjoyed it more than the French Girl. I loved pretty much everything about the book; I loved the pacing, even though it was a little slower, the characters, the intrigue of the creepy 'manse,' the supernatural element to it (or was there?!?), the possibility of mental illness and therefore an unreliable narrator, the whole atmosphere really worked for me. This one reminded me a little bit of Ruth Ware's The Death of Mrs. Westaway, which I loved...
The reveal was a little predictable (for me anyway, although not for everyone) as there were only 3 realistic suspects, outside of a complete mind screw, but I was okay with how everything wrapped up. I can't wait another year for Elliot's next release, but patience is a virtue so I will hopefully find myself occupied by several other amazing thrillers in the meantime!
The reveal was a little predictable (for me anyway, although not for everyone) as there were only 3 realistic suspects, outside of a complete mind screw, but I was okay with how everything wrapped up. I can't wait another year for Elliot's next release, but patience is a virtue so I will hopefully find myself occupied by several other amazing thrillers in the meantime!
May 7, 2019
Short summary:
An enjoyably eerie mystery set in the Scottish Highlands, with unique and interesting characters!
My thoughts:
It took me a few chapters to get into this book. But after that, I really enjoy it!
We read about an inherited Scottish Manor—known as the Manse—a father who disappeared from a small town of close-knit residents and A LOT of secrets and strange incidents...prepare yourself for a creepy ghost story! I loved all the speculation about what could have happened to the father.
The story was filled with a large cast of interesting characters. The talk of time folding and other strange occurrences definitely kept my interest! The Manse was described in so much detail and so eerily, that it felt like it had a life of its own.
The author did a fantastic job of describing the long list of characters in just enough detail, so they weren’t confusing. Callum was my favorite character...such a sweet and lovable little guy!
Ailsa inherits her childhood home after her mother dies. Her and her sister—Carrie—decide to live there while she sorts out the legal issues so she can sell it. During her stay, Ailsa feels like the Manse is trying to communicate with her. She finds a locked storage room with reminders of her childhood, and hears strange and disturbing rumors about her family and the Manse.
Aside from a few unanswered questions, I was happy with the way the author wrapped up the story.
Thank you to Edelweiss / Berkley / Lexie Elliott for this digital ARC, in exchange for my honest review!
My Rating: 3.5...rounded up to 4 ⭐️’s
Published: April 23rd 2019 by Berkley
Pages: 320
Recommend: Yes, if you like ghostly mysteries 💜
Excerpts:
Book Blurb:
An eerie, old Scottish manor in the middle of nowhere that’s now hers.
Ailsa Calder has inherited half of a house. The other half belongs to a man who disappeared without a trace twenty-seven years ago—her father.
Leaving London behind to settle the inheritance from her mother’s estate, Ailsa returns to her childhood home, nestled amongst the craggy peaks of the Scottish Highlands, joined by the half-sister who’s almost a stranger to her.
Ailsa can’t escape the claustrophobic feeling that the house itself is watching her—as if her past hungers to consume her. She also can’t ignore how the neighbourhood animals refuse to set one foot within the gates of the garden.
When the first nighttime intruder shows up, Ailsa fears that the manor’s careless rugged beauty could cost her everything.
An enjoyably eerie mystery set in the Scottish Highlands, with unique and interesting characters!
My thoughts:
It took me a few chapters to get into this book. But after that, I really enjoy it!
We read about an inherited Scottish Manor—known as the Manse—a father who disappeared from a small town of close-knit residents and A LOT of secrets and strange incidents...prepare yourself for a creepy ghost story! I loved all the speculation about what could have happened to the father.
The story was filled with a large cast of interesting characters. The talk of time folding and other strange occurrences definitely kept my interest! The Manse was described in so much detail and so eerily, that it felt like it had a life of its own.
The author did a fantastic job of describing the long list of characters in just enough detail, so they weren’t confusing. Callum was my favorite character...such a sweet and lovable little guy!
Ailsa inherits her childhood home after her mother dies. Her and her sister—Carrie—decide to live there while she sorts out the legal issues so she can sell it. During her stay, Ailsa feels like the Manse is trying to communicate with her. She finds a locked storage room with reminders of her childhood, and hears strange and disturbing rumors about her family and the Manse.
Aside from a few unanswered questions, I was happy with the way the author wrapped up the story.
Thank you to Edelweiss / Berkley / Lexie Elliott for this digital ARC, in exchange for my honest review!
My Rating: 3.5...rounded up to 4 ⭐️’s
Published: April 23rd 2019 by Berkley
Pages: 320
Recommend: Yes, if you like ghostly mysteries 💜
Excerpts:
”She’s … Look, ask anyone, she’s completely harmless, she’s a sweetheart, but she’s …” He spreads his hands. “She’s a wee bit … different. Not a tinnie short of a six-pack exactly but … a wee bit away wi’ the fairies.”
”Another half thing. Half a house, half a sister, half a boyfriend. A sly whisper tells me that boyfriends are just like houses: if you don’t have the whole of one, you might as well not have one at all.”
Book Blurb:
An eerie, old Scottish manor in the middle of nowhere that’s now hers.
Ailsa Calder has inherited half of a house. The other half belongs to a man who disappeared without a trace twenty-seven years ago—her father.
Leaving London behind to settle the inheritance from her mother’s estate, Ailsa returns to her childhood home, nestled amongst the craggy peaks of the Scottish Highlands, joined by the half-sister who’s almost a stranger to her.
Ailsa can’t escape the claustrophobic feeling that the house itself is watching her—as if her past hungers to consume her. She also can’t ignore how the neighbourhood animals refuse to set one foot within the gates of the garden.
When the first nighttime intruder shows up, Ailsa fears that the manor’s careless rugged beauty could cost her everything.
April 2, 2019
Unfortunately, bit disappointing for me.
2.75/3 stars for me on this one. Review to come.
2.75/3 stars for me on this one. Review to come.
May 12, 2019
So...you are telling me that only half of this house is mine and I can’t sell it until we find my father who disappeared twenty-seven years ago?
The only other choice Ailsa Calder had was to occupy the house which held memories both good and bad.
She finds out there are more bad associations with the house than good.
The neighbors have been freely roaming in it, and the town’s residents have nothing good to say about her father who disappeared with diamonds.
Along with all the trouble with the residents, odd things also happen in the house itself.
Ms. Elliott’s writing style is descriptive, but the book is a bit slow and focuses on where Ailsa’s father could be or whether he is dead and on the house that seems to be haunted.
At the end of each chapter, a blurb is added about where her father may be or where he may have been all these years.
The odd and different characters do pull the story line along and work well together as one mystery after another comes to the surface along with secrets that are revealed.
If you are a fan of old houses, family secrets, sibling rivalry, family sagas, mysteries, and some unresolved issues, THE MISSING YEARS is a book you will want to read.
You just need to move slowly along with the characters and the story line as everything is revealed in the very peculiar, twisted wrap up. 4/5
This book was given to me as an ARC by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The only other choice Ailsa Calder had was to occupy the house which held memories both good and bad.
She finds out there are more bad associations with the house than good.
The neighbors have been freely roaming in it, and the town’s residents have nothing good to say about her father who disappeared with diamonds.
Along with all the trouble with the residents, odd things also happen in the house itself.
Ms. Elliott’s writing style is descriptive, but the book is a bit slow and focuses on where Ailsa’s father could be or whether he is dead and on the house that seems to be haunted.
At the end of each chapter, a blurb is added about where her father may be or where he may have been all these years.
The odd and different characters do pull the story line along and work well together as one mystery after another comes to the surface along with secrets that are revealed.
If you are a fan of old houses, family secrets, sibling rivalry, family sagas, mysteries, and some unresolved issues, THE MISSING YEARS is a book you will want to read.
You just need to move slowly along with the characters and the story line as everything is revealed in the very peculiar, twisted wrap up. 4/5
This book was given to me as an ARC by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
April 17, 2019
Alisa Calder inherited an old Scottish manor from her mother’s estate, but she really only owns half of it. Her father, who disappeared 27 years earlier, owns the other half. With no way to sell or rent the manor, Alisa moves in. She doesn’t relocate alone though, her half-sister, who she doesn’t know well, moves with her.
During her childhood, Alisa lived in the home with her parents, but it’s been so long, she doesn’t feel much of a connection to the local village or the people. The locals remember the Calder family, though not all memories are that favorable. Alisa deals with her present situation, but is also faced with memories from her past… specifically, her father’s disappearance.
While staying in the manor, Alisa encounters a few strange things. In addition, Alisa sometimes questions herself on what is real. This combination makes for a suspenseful and somewhat eerie read.
A slow-building story with intriguing characters. In fact, the home itself is developed as a character rather than a setting. An interesting and complex novel.
I received a free eARC of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
During her childhood, Alisa lived in the home with her parents, but it’s been so long, she doesn’t feel much of a connection to the local village or the people. The locals remember the Calder family, though not all memories are that favorable. Alisa deals with her present situation, but is also faced with memories from her past… specifically, her father’s disappearance.
While staying in the manor, Alisa encounters a few strange things. In addition, Alisa sometimes questions herself on what is real. This combination makes for a suspenseful and somewhat eerie read.
A slow-building story with intriguing characters. In fact, the home itself is developed as a character rather than a setting. An interesting and complex novel.
I received a free eARC of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
April 23, 2019
The Missing Years is an atmospheric read from the very first almost tense chapter. With the manse, the very house, taking on a personality of its own.
It is no secret that this genre is one of my favorites and even though I knew the genre I was getting into when I started this story, I was expecting all the other stuff I would be getting as well.
This story was...a bit creepy in a really good way. The house its self really does take on a personality all its own and I really enjoyed being drawn into the story and the very heart of the mystery. Add in a touch of Scottish lore and setting and you really do have a fun read that kept me guessing, turning the pages and completely entertained the whole way through.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
It is no secret that this genre is one of my favorites and even though I knew the genre I was getting into when I started this story, I was expecting all the other stuff I would be getting as well.
This story was...a bit creepy in a really good way. The house its self really does take on a personality all its own and I really enjoyed being drawn into the story and the very heart of the mystery. Add in a touch of Scottish lore and setting and you really do have a fun read that kept me guessing, turning the pages and completely entertained the whole way through.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
April 24, 2019
3.5 stars
This is my second Elliott book. I had to take a look at my review for the last book of hers that I read, The French Girl, and it seems I have the same feelings with this book as I did with that. "I will say that maybe this is made for a slower pace. Those that like the accelerated pacing with hanging chapters and a quick flip may not be prone to this. I usually am not too much of a fan of a slower paced book. HOWEVER, this one still kept me intrigued. I was happy to go with Alisa on this journey. There is no huge revelation or kick you in the pants WTF moment. Instead, it was like reading a very well put together movie drama... but it did lack in some suspense. I was hoping for just a little more.... something, but that's just my personal taste."
There's a lot more character development and I would include the house, Manse, as a character. My favorite as a matter of fact. Elliott has a way of making a book extremely atmospheric. The descriptions and small history lessons made for the feeling of being immersed in this slightly dark and foggy read.
There are moments of creepy, sinister suspense that made me believe it would continue in that direction or trip me up in some manner, but it never quite got there. It stays in its own consistent manner but there are little spikes that come in every once in a while. I will say I didn't quite expect that ending to happen and it's always lovely to be surprised.
Anyone who loves that slow burn with supernatural undertones will absolutely love this read.
This is my second Elliott book. I had to take a look at my review for the last book of hers that I read, The French Girl, and it seems I have the same feelings with this book as I did with that. "I will say that maybe this is made for a slower pace. Those that like the accelerated pacing with hanging chapters and a quick flip may not be prone to this. I usually am not too much of a fan of a slower paced book. HOWEVER, this one still kept me intrigued. I was happy to go with Alisa on this journey. There is no huge revelation or kick you in the pants WTF moment. Instead, it was like reading a very well put together movie drama... but it did lack in some suspense. I was hoping for just a little more.... something, but that's just my personal taste."
There's a lot more character development and I would include the house, Manse, as a character. My favorite as a matter of fact. Elliott has a way of making a book extremely atmospheric. The descriptions and small history lessons made for the feeling of being immersed in this slightly dark and foggy read.
There are moments of creepy, sinister suspense that made me believe it would continue in that direction or trip me up in some manner, but it never quite got there. It stays in its own consistent manner but there are little spikes that come in every once in a while. I will say I didn't quite expect that ending to happen and it's always lovely to be surprised.
Anyone who loves that slow burn with supernatural undertones will absolutely love this read.
May 5, 2019
Is there anything more compelling than a mystery featuring an old spooky mansion in the country? Few settings are as irresistible for me, and of course I added this book to my TBR list immediately when I heard that one of the starring role went to an old deserted manor house in rural Scotland.
Picture this: you have just found out that you have inherited The Manse, an old stately manor house in the country where you spent a few of your early childhood years. The place where your father went missing, and your family life totally unravelled. Which is probably why Ailsa is eager to sort through her mother’s old stuff at the house and get her affairs in order so she can put the house on the market as quickly as possible. But there is a hitch: her father, who has been missing for 27 years is still officially part owner of the property, and without his consent she cannot sell, lease or convert the old mansion. And the ghosts of the past are about to catch up with her ....
There are two things I particularly loved about this book:
1) The Manse: the old manor house is one of those settings that features almost like a character in itself and plays a huge role in the whole mystery. And it has such potential for spookiness! Doors mysteriously open and close even though there is no draught. Animals are refusing to enter the grounds, acting terrified as soon as they get near it. There are mysterious sightings of shadowy animals and people that no one else can see. It was just so perfect!
2) The mystery of Ailsa’s father’s disappearance: what really happened to him 27 years ago when he vanished without a trace, carrying a load of precious diamonds he was meant to deliver to a local jeweller. Throughout the novel we get to hear different Ailsa has made up about her father’s fate. He is living in Australia / South America / a mental hospital in the next county with a new family / a male partner / a new wife. Her theories are endless. As the story gets a bit more sinister, so do Ailsa’s theories, until .... Well, you will have to find out for yourself!
You are probably wondering: so, what’s not to love here? Alas, it was the ending that ruined this one for me. There are more plot holes than in Swiss cheese in the way this one panned out , and I didn’t get answers to some of the most important questions I had – which I will not discuss here because – you know – spoilers. *sigh* it’s the year of implausible endings for me, and the trend continues. No doubt it won’t bother many of you, so take my review with a large grain of salt. I’m trying to become more adept at suspension of disbelief, but I think this one pushed too many boundaries!
To sum it up: great setting, very intriguing premise but a totally implausible ending for me. However, I loved Elliott’s writing style and have just bought The French Girl, and look forward to reading more from this author!
Thank you to Edelweiss and Berkley Publishing for the free electronic copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.
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Picture this: you have just found out that you have inherited The Manse, an old stately manor house in the country where you spent a few of your early childhood years. The place where your father went missing, and your family life totally unravelled. Which is probably why Ailsa is eager to sort through her mother’s old stuff at the house and get her affairs in order so she can put the house on the market as quickly as possible. But there is a hitch: her father, who has been missing for 27 years is still officially part owner of the property, and without his consent she cannot sell, lease or convert the old mansion. And the ghosts of the past are about to catch up with her ....
There are two things I particularly loved about this book:
1) The Manse: the old manor house is one of those settings that features almost like a character in itself and plays a huge role in the whole mystery. And it has such potential for spookiness! Doors mysteriously open and close even though there is no draught. Animals are refusing to enter the grounds, acting terrified as soon as they get near it. There are mysterious sightings of shadowy animals and people that no one else can see. It was just so perfect!
2) The mystery of Ailsa’s father’s disappearance: what really happened to him 27 years ago when he vanished without a trace, carrying a load of precious diamonds he was meant to deliver to a local jeweller. Throughout the novel we get to hear different Ailsa has made up about her father’s fate. He is living in Australia / South America / a mental hospital in the next county with a new family / a male partner / a new wife. Her theories are endless. As the story gets a bit more sinister, so do Ailsa’s theories, until .... Well, you will have to find out for yourself!
You are probably wondering: so, what’s not to love here? Alas, it was the ending that ruined this one for me. There are more plot holes than in Swiss cheese in the way this one panned out , and I didn’t get answers to some of the most important questions I had – which I will not discuss here because – you know – spoilers. *sigh* it’s the year of implausible endings for me, and the trend continues. No doubt it won’t bother many of you, so take my review with a large grain of salt. I’m trying to become more adept at suspension of disbelief, but I think this one pushed too many boundaries!
To sum it up: great setting, very intriguing premise but a totally implausible ending for me. However, I loved Elliott’s writing style and have just bought The French Girl, and look forward to reading more from this author!
Thank you to Edelweiss and Berkley Publishing for the free electronic copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.
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April 23, 2019
Beginning with the terrifically gothic premise, The Missing Years is an easy book to like. Ailsa Calder, a young woman living in London, finds herself inheriting half of an old Scottish manor when her mother dies. Though she initially wants nothing to do with it, she’s unable to sell it unless the joint owner agrees; the problem being that the other half belongs to her father, who disappeared without a trace twenty-seven years ago. So Ailsa moves into the manor with her half-sister, and from the very first night, she can’t shake the suspicion that something is deeply wrong with the house.
The atmosphere in this book, as I’m sure you can imagine, was pitch-perfect, and that’s really the main reason I’d recommend it. The setting of a creepy old house in the Scottish Highlands is hard to mess up, and Lexie Elliott mercifully uses it to its potential. The potentially supernatural element (is the house actually haunted?) is mostly kept ambiguous until the conclusion, which is how I prefer it when a supernatural element encroaches on a thriller; it’s always interesting to me when characters feel like they’re losing their grip on reality.
The problem with this book for me was that it was severely under-edited. This is a very slow-building mystery, which is fine, but when your book is a slow burn, you still need something to propel it forward; instead I felt like The Missing Years was just spinning its wheels for about two-hundred pages. I felt like I was slowly being driven mad by the sheer amount of repetition here – I wasn’t sure I could take another instance of Aisla anthropomorphizing the house without losing the last shred of my own sanity. I’m not kidding, there is barely a page where Aisla doesn’t reflect on the feeling that the house is watching her, which I thought was a rather ham-fisted addition to what was otherwise a fantastically rendered setting.
I still mostly enjoyed reading this, and I’d suggest picking it up if the setting appeals to you, but if you prefer your thrillers on the fast paced side, it’s probably best to skip this one.
Thank you to Berkley for the advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
The atmosphere in this book, as I’m sure you can imagine, was pitch-perfect, and that’s really the main reason I’d recommend it. The setting of a creepy old house in the Scottish Highlands is hard to mess up, and Lexie Elliott mercifully uses it to its potential. The potentially supernatural element (is the house actually haunted?) is mostly kept ambiguous until the conclusion, which is how I prefer it when a supernatural element encroaches on a thriller; it’s always interesting to me when characters feel like they’re losing their grip on reality.
The problem with this book for me was that it was severely under-edited. This is a very slow-building mystery, which is fine, but when your book is a slow burn, you still need something to propel it forward; instead I felt like The Missing Years was just spinning its wheels for about two-hundred pages. I felt like I was slowly being driven mad by the sheer amount of repetition here – I wasn’t sure I could take another instance of Aisla anthropomorphizing the house without losing the last shred of my own sanity. I’m not kidding, there is barely a page where Aisla doesn’t reflect on the feeling that the house is watching her, which I thought was a rather ham-fisted addition to what was otherwise a fantastically rendered setting.
I still mostly enjoyed reading this, and I’d suggest picking it up if the setting appeals to you, but if you prefer your thrillers on the fast paced side, it’s probably best to skip this one.
Thank you to Berkley for the advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
May 4, 2019
4 1/4 stars
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