What do you think?
Rate this book
Emily Swanson Thrillers #1
Next to Disappear
An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.
Be careful what you go looking for…
When troubled nurse Alina vanishes one night, it’s assumed she ran away from her violent husband. Until disgraced ex-teacher Emily Swanson moves into the couple’s former home.
Emily’s life is in ruins and she’s meant to be making a fresh start. But when she learns about the missing nurse, she sees a chance for redemption. Because finding Alina could help right the wrongs of Emily’s past. It could even mark the start of a new career in private investigation.
But what Emily doesn’t know is that Alina had a horrifying secret. One about the care foundation where she worked. And the closer Emily gets to uncovering the truth, the closer she gets to terrible danger.
Inspired by a shocking true crime, Next To Disappear introduces a thrilling, twist-filled series and a refreshingly different take on the private investigator genre.
Revised edition: Previously published as Lost Lives.
Be careful what you go looking for…
When troubled nurse Alina vanishes one night, it’s assumed she ran away from her violent husband. Until disgraced ex-teacher Emily Swanson moves into the couple’s former home.
Emily’s life is in ruins and she’s meant to be making a fresh start. But when she learns about the missing nurse, she sees a chance for redemption. Because finding Alina could help right the wrongs of Emily’s past. It could even mark the start of a new career in private investigation.
But what Emily doesn’t know is that Alina had a horrifying secret. One about the care foundation where she worked. And the closer Emily gets to uncovering the truth, the closer she gets to terrible danger.
Inspired by a shocking true crime, Next To Disappear introduces a thrilling, twist-filled series and a refreshingly different take on the private investigator genre.
Revised edition: Previously published as Lost Lives.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 14, 2015
3296 people are currently reading
3126 people want to read
About the author
Malcolm Richards
43 books104 followersMalcolm Richards crafts stories to keep you guessing from the edge of your seat. He is the author of several crime thrillers and mystery novels, including the PI Blake Hollow series, the award-nominated Devil’s Cove trilogy, and the Emily Swanson series. Many of his books are set in Cornwall, where he was born and raised.
Before becoming a full-time writer, Malcolm worked for many years in the special education sector, teaching and supporting children with complex needs. After living in London for two decades, he has now settled in the Somerset countryside with his partner and a cat named Sukey.
Before becoming a full-time writer, Malcolm worked for many years in the special education sector, teaching and supporting children with complex needs. After living in London for two decades, he has now settled in the Somerset countryside with his partner and a cat named Sukey.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 271 reviews
April 19, 2017
Strange is the first word that comes to mind about this book... that being said I feel like I must read another about Emily to see what happens next in her insane life....
This novel was about Emily, a young woman with a bit of a tortured past who moves to London into an apartment. The prior couple who lived in the same apartment have moved on until Emily finds out that the woman is missing. She makes fast friends with a man and older woman and begins to track down what happened to the mystery woman who shared the same apartment.
However as Emily peels the layers from Alina's disappearance she becomes involved with a plot so sickening and mind boggling that she puts her life on the line to figure the mystery out.
I gave this a 3.5... it started so damn slow but then picked up. I felt as if the second half was written for an entirely different book as if the author had written two stories and threw them together for one novel.
I do want to read the next one to see what Emily does.
This novel was about Emily, a young woman with a bit of a tortured past who moves to London into an apartment. The prior couple who lived in the same apartment have moved on until Emily finds out that the woman is missing. She makes fast friends with a man and older woman and begins to track down what happened to the mystery woman who shared the same apartment.
However as Emily peels the layers from Alina's disappearance she becomes involved with a plot so sickening and mind boggling that she puts her life on the line to figure the mystery out.
I gave this a 3.5... it started so damn slow but then picked up. I felt as if the second half was written for an entirely different book as if the author had written two stories and threw them together for one novel.
I do want to read the next one to see what Emily does.
May 1, 2016
"Something got lost"
A psychological thriller with a fairly predictable outcome. This was probably very well written and ascribed to all the rules that 'creative writing' imposes. The annoying thing for me was that it was too clever. The writer took ANY chance to use a descriptive passage that read 'such and such...like a..'. followed by a comparison to something totally 'off the wall'. There were too many examples to choose from. Clever it may be, but it didn't add a thing to the story in my opinion. Just get on with it and tell the story - let me paint the pictures. No two readers will see the same image from a writer's words. For me half the fun of reading is doing my own 'colouring-in'.
A psychological thriller with a fairly predictable outcome. This was probably very well written and ascribed to all the rules that 'creative writing' imposes. The annoying thing for me was that it was too clever. The writer took ANY chance to use a descriptive passage that read 'such and such...like a..'. followed by a comparison to something totally 'off the wall'. There were too many examples to choose from. Clever it may be, but it didn't add a thing to the story in my opinion. Just get on with it and tell the story - let me paint the pictures. No two readers will see the same image from a writer's words. For me half the fun of reading is doing my own 'colouring-in'.
October 27, 2016
This started really well and I was enjoying it. Then I came upon part 2 and it descended into fantasy !! Like a totally different story and one I had no interest in so I packed it in at 58%. It had just got too unbelievable for me.
There were quite a few mistakes as well. He mentions a room of 4 windows and then tells us she pressed her face against the glass of the centre one !! He's also annoyingly chosen to go with American spelling-license, ass and realization as examples. He also says "dressed into cotton pyjamas" which really should be changed, used void and not devoid, taught and not taut (!!) I had no idea what the headline "How about you"meant at all........perpetrated was used where it shouldn't be as that line made no sense to me, either, used bunkering and not hunkering, one minute her door buzzes then we hear no more about who was there....and around the same time that happened it headed off into Neverland and I'd seen enough.
Emily, the heroine of the story I found I was irritated by, with all her counting and anxiety. I just want to shake characters like that.....she wakes up, takes her meds and reads self-help books till noon, for goodness' sake. I liked Jerome a great deal, though.
I will be skipping anymore of this series, though.
There were quite a few mistakes as well. He mentions a room of 4 windows and then tells us she pressed her face against the glass of the centre one !! He's also annoyingly chosen to go with American spelling-license, ass and realization as examples. He also says "dressed into cotton pyjamas" which really should be changed, used void and not devoid, taught and not taut (!!) I had no idea what the headline "How about you"meant at all........perpetrated was used where it shouldn't be as that line made no sense to me, either, used bunkering and not hunkering, one minute her door buzzes then we hear no more about who was there....and around the same time that happened it headed off into Neverland and I'd seen enough.
Emily, the heroine of the story I found I was irritated by, with all her counting and anxiety. I just want to shake characters like that.....she wakes up, takes her meds and reads self-help books till noon, for goodness' sake. I liked Jerome a great deal, though.
I will be skipping anymore of this series, though.
June 5, 2016
.
It's an okay story. Not exactly what I expected. And I'm glad it was free to download. I don't think I will read anymore in the series.
It's an okay story. Not exactly what I expected. And I'm glad it was free to download. I don't think I will read anymore in the series.
July 3, 2016
Fairly well written, but unfortunately I had a hard time getting past how the main character gets involved in this investigation. It made no sense to me and ruined my reading experience. If you can ignore the fact that this former teacher with no prior investigative experience decides to play Nancy Drew for a possibly missing person that she has absolutely no connection with, then you may enjoy the book more than I did.
March 8, 2022
This book was based on the true crimes of Dr. Harry Bailey and his illegal use of Deep Sleep Therapy in Australia. I thought Malcolm Richards did an excellent job of recounting events that transpired from Dr. Bailey's case while intertwining a bit of fiction into the plot. I would recommend to a friend who is looking for an easier read that's based off true events.
April 19, 2016
This book started out strong and ended... well... rather weak. I wouldnt recommend it
March 7, 2022
4 stars for this one
The first half of the story was slow paced, then the latter half was quite a bit the opposite. Nonetheless, I still look forward to reading the rest of the book series in the near future.
The first half of the story was slow paced, then the latter half was quite a bit the opposite. Nonetheless, I still look forward to reading the rest of the book series in the near future.
August 22, 2021
Wow
I enjoyed this a lot- more than what I thought I would. Medical and justice entwined. Could definitely read the others in this series.
A gripping and enthralling story, the characters are set with ease and some mystery.
I enjoyed this a lot- more than what I thought I would. Medical and justice entwined. Could definitely read the others in this series.
A gripping and enthralling story, the characters are set with ease and some mystery.
November 19, 2022
Emily Swanson moves to London under a cloud of misery. Her new apartment provides an immediate distraction when she realizes the previous tenants left under their own suspicious circumstances. As Emily digs into the past, she becomes entwined in a mystery that might cost much more than she anticipated.
I was so wrapped up in this story that I couldn't put it down. After reading well into the night, I concluded that a) I was thoroughly creeped out and b) hours melt away when you're between the pages of a great book.
From the introduction, I was very taken with Emily. She was an engaging and sympathetic character, drawing me onto her side. If there was a sticking point it was the rollout of Emily's background. The drawn-out telling of her story was somewhat irritating. It probably belonged with the opening rather than the thrilling denouement and would have lent a little more sympathy to our MC. Regardless, Emily as a character was enjoyable on the whole; the other characters were just as fascinating. The clever avoidance of a romance between the MC and another character was pure excellence, especially since the friendship provided Emily with a sounding board granting the reader insight into her thoughts. So well done!
Next to Disappear isn't a softly, softly cosy. It is, however, a slow-burn thriller with many surprises in store.
I was so wrapped up in this story that I couldn't put it down. After reading well into the night, I concluded that a) I was thoroughly creeped out and b) hours melt away when you're between the pages of a great book.
From the introduction, I was very taken with Emily. She was an engaging and sympathetic character, drawing me onto her side. If there was a sticking point it was the rollout of Emily's background. The drawn-out telling of her story was somewhat irritating. It probably belonged with the opening rather than the thrilling denouement and would have lent a little more sympathy to our MC. Regardless, Emily as a character was enjoyable on the whole; the other characters were just as fascinating. The clever avoidance of a romance between the MC and another character was pure excellence, especially since the friendship provided Emily with a sounding board granting the reader insight into her thoughts. So well done!
Next to Disappear isn't a softly, softly cosy. It is, however, a slow-burn thriller with many surprises in store.
March 7, 2019
When Emily Swanson, seeking a new start, moves into a new apartment in a new city and feels compelled to follow-up on the disappearance of one of the former tenants she finds a herself in a situation more complex and dangerous than she ever thought possible. Another tenant, Jerome, wants to help her but Emily's reticence about her past causes him to keep his distance and she is left on her own with frightening, life threatening results as she investigates patients and staff missing from medical facilities run by two doctors who gain control over Emily and her future.
Initially I was going to give this book two stars because I thought that the plot line was too melodramatic but with the knowledge that the medically questionable deep sleep therapy described in the book actually exists and has resulted in the death of several patients, my assessment of the book changed.
Initially I was going to give this book two stars because I thought that the plot line was too melodramatic but with the knowledge that the medically questionable deep sleep therapy described in the book actually exists and has resulted in the death of several patients, my assessment of the book changed.
January 29, 2016
I was fortunate enough to be given Lost Lives as a gift, and what a lovely gift to receive. Loved this book from the first page until the last.The story of Emily Swanson relocating to London and her investigation into the whereabouts of the former tenant of her new apartment was a briliant read. Loved it that Emily wasn't the perfect heroine and had flaws as well as a mysterious past.Then unlike a lot of us inquisitive women, where we let our imagination run away with us and leave it at that, Emily can't. Faced with danger and her past coming back to haunt her, Emily Swanson had me glued to the pages. Can't wait to read more from Malcolm Richards.
August 12, 2017
This may be a great book and a good start to a trilogy. I'll never know - and I'm ok with that. After reading for an hour and getting 20% into the book, nothing has happened. Or at least nothing that has enough promise to keep me reading. There are hints of good stuff to come, but so far we just have a pretty unsympathetic woman living in a flat in London - she has a past that may or may not be interesting, and something foul has happened in the room she's let. We think... Simply not enough to keep my attention or interest.
April 20, 2019
This was a mild entertaining book of a young woman with some vague secret it takes half the book to discover. Her search for the woman in a painting left in her apartment is the focus. It lends itself to a nice mystery and spooky hospitals and doctors and some reference to past sleep therapies.Her side kick is her gay male neighbor so we are spared a romantic lead character. Good. The book leads us to the next book (another serie$) and I assume the neighbor will be in that one also.
Ive read far worse and this was definitely ok.
January 23, 2020
This is a well written thriller that had me glued to the pages from beginning to end. The author does a great job developing the story and pulls you in with all the suspense and intrigue. It's an action packed story with tons of emotions and is brought to life with vividly painted scenes. The cast of supporting characters play a huge role in bringing the story around. Interesting story I enjoyed reading.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
July 3, 2017
Coming again with another worthy Free Friday from Nook. Curiosity of a missing former tenant quickly turns into obsession as a young woman's search for answers leads her across London and into a dark and dangerous world where the missing are not meant to be found. Her own sanity is called into question. There are some holes in the plot, a bit choppy in part, a somewhat abrupt end. But an easy, enjoyable read.
March 11, 2024
How insane! I keep reading books with insane twists to them! I'm excited to know they've got a sequel to this book, and hopefully I can get my hands on it soon.
August 1, 2024
Like so many psychological thrillers, this started off well, then waned badly with all show and no tell. Emily moves from the countryside to the city. She has issues from her past, and when she moves into her new apartment, she discovers items left behind by the former tenant(Alina), who has disappeared. Eliciting the help of another resident in the building, she sets about playing detective to discover what has happened to Alina and others. Predictable. 3 and a half stars
November 9, 2017
** Warning Contains Triggers **
* If you suffer from a mental health illness and/or anxiety, and have had a negative experience of the mental healthcare system, then please read this book with care. *
I was absolutely gutted after reading this novel and it's taken me some time to think, come back and leave a review. If anything, I feel it important that the author should put statements like I have above (** *) at the front of the book before people start reading.
I was very lucky to receive from the author a copy of the 4th book in this series, which is actually a prequel. I read that first and felt it provided a firm foundation for this book and understanding Emily's psyche and the reason why she acts the way she does. I'm not sure whether the copy of Lost Lives I received was updated, but unlike some previous reviews, I found the novel to be well written and constructed with a thrilling, passionate premise.
It took no small stretch at all to understand why Emily, with her various mental illnesses, inserted herself into the mystery of finding out what happened to the previous tenant of her flat. I've found people with a mental illness to be gifted with an extraordinary amount of empathy and an unwillingness to let injustices go unnoticed and I feel this is what has driven Emily.
As an Australian I am more than aware of the horrors inflicted upon those that were patients at Chelmsford (which inspired part of this story), even though it was before my time. I can also attest that as a person with Bipolar Disorder II, Major Depressive Disorder and a host of anxiety disorders, that horrors inflicted upon those in the mental health and drug rehabilitation system do still happen, albeit most of the time with pharmaceuticals. It is a stain that can never be wiped clean.
The reason this book works so well with combining the initial mystery of the disappearance and the setting of a mental health institution is that the author totally GETS the whole situation and diagnoses of mental illness. His descriptions of Emma feeling panicked with anxiety, the desolation and apathy of her depression and the anger, frustration and helplessness of being a patient in the mental healthcare system ring so true. It is this insight, along with a thrilling mystery that makes this novel as good as it is. The author deserves massive kudos for a difficult topic handled so well.
* If you suffer from a mental health illness and/or anxiety, and have had a negative experience of the mental healthcare system, then please read this book with care. *
I was absolutely gutted after reading this novel and it's taken me some time to think, come back and leave a review. If anything, I feel it important that the author should put statements like I have above (** *) at the front of the book before people start reading.
I was very lucky to receive from the author a copy of the 4th book in this series, which is actually a prequel. I read that first and felt it provided a firm foundation for this book and understanding Emily's psyche and the reason why she acts the way she does. I'm not sure whether the copy of Lost Lives I received was updated, but unlike some previous reviews, I found the novel to be well written and constructed with a thrilling, passionate premise.
It took no small stretch at all to understand why Emily, with her various mental illnesses, inserted herself into the mystery of finding out what happened to the previous tenant of her flat. I've found people with a mental illness to be gifted with an extraordinary amount of empathy and an unwillingness to let injustices go unnoticed and I feel this is what has driven Emily.
As an Australian I am more than aware of the horrors inflicted upon those that were patients at Chelmsford (which inspired part of this story), even though it was before my time. I can also attest that as a person with Bipolar Disorder II, Major Depressive Disorder and a host of anxiety disorders, that horrors inflicted upon those in the mental health and drug rehabilitation system do still happen, albeit most of the time with pharmaceuticals. It is a stain that can never be wiped clean.
The reason this book works so well with combining the initial mystery of the disappearance and the setting of a mental health institution is that the author totally GETS the whole situation and diagnoses of mental illness. His descriptions of Emma feeling panicked with anxiety, the desolation and apathy of her depression and the anger, frustration and helplessness of being a patient in the mental healthcare system ring so true. It is this insight, along with a thrilling mystery that makes this novel as good as it is. The author deserves massive kudos for a difficult topic handled so well.
August 16, 2020
Having read Mr. Richards' prequel "Wish Me Dead", I was hooked so I immediately got into "Next to Disappear".
And stayed up way, WAY past my bedtime to read it through cover-to-cover in one sitting. It was that good. Lyrical prose enhances each scene without being overbearing; a clear picture formed in my mind as I went along in the story. At one point I became so engrossed in the events unfolding that I found myself talking out loud to my computer screen at one a.m., begging Emily (the MC) not to open a certain door.
I foresee more sleep-deprived nights in my future, as I've just bought the rest of this series! Bravo, Mr. Richards!
And stayed up way, WAY past my bedtime to read it through cover-to-cover in one sitting. It was that good. Lyrical prose enhances each scene without being overbearing; a clear picture formed in my mind as I went along in the story. At one point I became so engrossed in the events unfolding that I found myself talking out loud to my computer screen at one a.m., begging Emily (the MC) not to open a certain door.
I foresee more sleep-deprived nights in my future, as I've just bought the rest of this series! Bravo, Mr. Richards!
December 18, 2020
This is my first time reading this author but had seen the books around that I finally gave into temptation. I have become quite a fan of thrillers. So when I opened this one I was swept away right from the start. When a nurse vanishes there are those assumptions. When Emily whom we meet in this is trying to start anew the mystery comes to light thanks to their house she is now in. Of course you can probably guess if you read alot of thrillers and mysteries where her mind goes. Lets find the answers and maybe start a promising new career. Of course as the answers are uncovered so are the dangers that follow so we will be all tied up into this one.
March 11, 2021
I did enjoy this book but I treat it as a one off stand alone novel, I dont feel that I want to carry on reading more in the series. The plot was good, and a little different, which made me want to carry on reading, but I did get a little fed up with the character of Emily and her little by little feeding the reader about her past and how she came to where she was and her almost one woman crusade.
June 29, 2017
I really enjoyed until the end. I would have liked to seen a little more action in the climax rather than just being told what happened. Until then it kept me interested and I didn't want to put it down.
October 3, 2016
A very good read. Twists & turns, unbelievably real.
It could happen today to any one of us. Good suspense with a few unexpected turns. A very good read.
It could happen today to any one of us. Good suspense with a few unexpected turns. A very good read.
November 23, 2016
Couldn't get into this one and gave up at 15%. Main character was a bit too wet for my liking.
October 7, 2021
This is the first of a series written by Malcolm Richards, about a young troubled woman, named Emily Swanson, who finds a mystery and is determined to find out what happened to the woman who disappeared from the apartment she now resides in.
I found this book to be a mystery that I wanted to read until finished. It was gripped by this novel, it had some twists that I wasn’t expecting and I am looking forward to seeking out the next in the Emily Swanson series.
This book is aimed at mature readers, as it has some graphic details that might upset younger readers. His writing style I found to be easy to read, it had plenty of detail to keep my mind involved in the story.
This story is centred around Emily, how her life was falling apart, her mother died, her fiancé dumped her, a student committed suicide after she yelled at him, and the community around her blamed her for the boys death. She needed a new start, so moved to London and into an apartment, where she discovers a mystery, and decides that she may be able to solve this mystery, no she needs to solve this mystery and resolve some of the guilt she feels.
Emily discovers, that people were going missing, and no one was asking what was happening to them. She needs to find proof and so her life as an amateur sleuth begins. We find that Emily is not a perfect person, she comes with baggage, fears and many flaws, which I found made her a relatable character. The supporting Characters were also flawed and had fears and doubts of their own, so she had to work to get them to help her.
Overall this was a great book, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I judge a book about how it makes me feel, does the author make me feel sad, or angry, do I laugh or cry. This book pulled many emotions from me, so I feel Malcolm succeeded.
I was gifted a copy of this book by the author, and I recommend it as a good read.
I found this book to be a mystery that I wanted to read until finished. It was gripped by this novel, it had some twists that I wasn’t expecting and I am looking forward to seeking out the next in the Emily Swanson series.
This book is aimed at mature readers, as it has some graphic details that might upset younger readers. His writing style I found to be easy to read, it had plenty of detail to keep my mind involved in the story.
This story is centred around Emily, how her life was falling apart, her mother died, her fiancé dumped her, a student committed suicide after she yelled at him, and the community around her blamed her for the boys death. She needed a new start, so moved to London and into an apartment, where she discovers a mystery, and decides that she may be able to solve this mystery, no she needs to solve this mystery and resolve some of the guilt she feels.
Emily discovers, that people were going missing, and no one was asking what was happening to them. She needs to find proof and so her life as an amateur sleuth begins. We find that Emily is not a perfect person, she comes with baggage, fears and many flaws, which I found made her a relatable character. The supporting Characters were also flawed and had fears and doubts of their own, so she had to work to get them to help her.
Overall this was a great book, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I judge a book about how it makes me feel, does the author make me feel sad, or angry, do I laugh or cry. This book pulled many emotions from me, so I feel Malcolm succeeded.
I was gifted a copy of this book by the author, and I recommend it as a good read.
June 18, 2025
I got to say, the concept behind this book was something I have never read before and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about it. It was also very creepy on occasions and as someone who can't often handle horror things quite well, I felt this book just touched nicely on the aspect of horror and not enough to make me not to continue reading.
I loved how the main character, Emily, could immediately sense something was off from the moment she moved into her new apartment to escape her past. This is when she sets a plan in motion to try and uncover what happened - after discovering a portrait of a woman in her apartment but also potentially the same woman's work uniform.
However, she does get told two different pieces of information regarding this individual. She is first told that she moved back to Germany to flee her abusive marriage but she soon has suspicions when she goes to the supermarket and notices a poster for the same woman but claiming she is missing.
Emily immediately feels she can not let this woman down and begins to get to work on uncovering the truth.
What a whirlwind of a journey she went on, from getting in contact with the old owner of her apartment, to then ending up in a psychiatric hospital to then escaping and actually getting the culprits arrested for their wrongdoings.
I actually loved the pace of the book, it was fast paced but not too fast paced that the book was over within 200 pages but fast paced in the sense that things moved quickly but there was more and more developments which kept the book interesting and making me want to continue the read to find out what happens next.
I loved how the main character, Emily, could immediately sense something was off from the moment she moved into her new apartment to escape her past. This is when she sets a plan in motion to try and uncover what happened - after discovering a portrait of a woman in her apartment but also potentially the same woman's work uniform.
However, she does get told two different pieces of information regarding this individual. She is first told that she moved back to Germany to flee her abusive marriage but she soon has suspicions when she goes to the supermarket and notices a poster for the same woman but claiming she is missing.
Emily immediately feels she can not let this woman down and begins to get to work on uncovering the truth.
What a whirlwind of a journey she went on, from getting in contact with the old owner of her apartment, to then ending up in a psychiatric hospital to then escaping and actually getting the culprits arrested for their wrongdoings.
I actually loved the pace of the book, it was fast paced but not too fast paced that the book was over within 200 pages but fast paced in the sense that things moved quickly but there was more and more developments which kept the book interesting and making me want to continue the read to find out what happens next.
September 18, 2020
I was quite entertained by this novel despite finding the protagonist, Emily, somewhat irritating. However, it took me a while to get into it due to being thrown off by the numerous US English terms that crop up frequently in a book set in England (examples include "trash", "dumpster", "ass" and the list goes on). This despite the fact the author felt it necessary to include a UK English glossary at the start of the book, which I've never seen before - I'm a British author who writes in UK English and reads American books all the time with no problem. As I said, the book is not actually in UK English - the word "flat" for "apartment" is given in the glossary, but actually "apartment" is used throughout, in every single instance. There are also many American-styled phrasings. I was prepared to overlook this, assuming the author was a well-meaning American - then I read in the bio at the end that he's a fellow Brit who studied writing in London and has also taught literacy and creative writing (presumably in the UK)! This left me scratching my head in befuddlement - like I said, it would have been understandable if the author was American, but I just cannot figure out how the issue arose in the first place.
This might seem petty to some, and I have no problem with US English, but I just expect American authors to use it and British authors to use UK English, especially in a UK-set book - why would it be otherwise? The author is talented - and this was a good story - but this strange approach puts me off reading more of his books.
This might seem petty to some, and I have no problem with US English, but I just expect American authors to use it and British authors to use UK English, especially in a UK-set book - why would it be otherwise? The author is talented - and this was a good story - but this strange approach puts me off reading more of his books.
February 24, 2025
This book reads like there’s no way out; no matter where Emily turns, it leads to greater harm.
Emily moves into an apartment and finds bags filled with the clothing of the tenant before her. She also discovers that this tenant has gone missing, so Emily can't help but find out what happened. In doing so, she endangers herself, putting her at risk in the same manner as that of Alina and several other women who went missing.
In the end, it was “mind over matter” as suggested by another supposed insane suicidal resident at the care facility where Emily found herself trapped; yet, with that piece of advice Emily was able to overcome and get herself over that wall to escape which she did, but only to continue with her snooping and to being incarcerated a second time with no way out this time; she was able to contact the outside world sending evidence of what she’d discovered and they came to her rescue. She did find Alina and saved her, along with several others.
----------------------
I found this article that mixes well with this reading and for mystery genre readers in all….
Why We’re Obsessed with Murder (Even If We Hate Violence)
Murder mysteries aren’t just about whodunit — they tap into our deepest fears, longings and the irresistible urge to make sense of the senseless. But why do we, the ones who abhor violence, keep turning the pages?-- visit BookTrib to find out more...if of interest.
Emily moves into an apartment and finds bags filled with the clothing of the tenant before her. She also discovers that this tenant has gone missing, so Emily can't help but find out what happened. In doing so, she endangers herself, putting her at risk in the same manner as that of Alina and several other women who went missing.
In the end, it was “mind over matter” as suggested by another supposed insane suicidal resident at the care facility where Emily found herself trapped; yet, with that piece of advice Emily was able to overcome and get herself over that wall to escape which she did, but only to continue with her snooping and to being incarcerated a second time with no way out this time; she was able to contact the outside world sending evidence of what she’d discovered and they came to her rescue. She did find Alina and saved her, along with several others.
----------------------
I found this article that mixes well with this reading and for mystery genre readers in all….
Why We’re Obsessed with Murder (Even If We Hate Violence)
Murder mysteries aren’t just about whodunit — they tap into our deepest fears, longings and the irresistible urge to make sense of the senseless. But why do we, the ones who abhor violence, keep turning the pages?-- visit BookTrib to find out more...if of interest.
December 31, 2020
Rounding up to four stars, this book is, in my opinion, a 3.5 or a 3.75. There’s a lot here and much to take in.
Remember when you first learn about the concept of “suspension of disbelief” and how it usually comes with a lesson or two about science fiction? The author asking us, the readers, to trust or accept the actions and worlds they’ve set into motion; the worlds not totally making sense, but believable enough to be enjoyed.
Just don’t think too hard about it.
“Next to Disappear” falls into this all too quickly and waivers between well written honest prose and almost far fetched ideals jumping off the page. Emily Swanson is a character steeped in this dichotomy. She’s everything all at once, but bits and pieces of her shine in less than congruous ways as her adventure wavers to and fro.
If this were a movie on Netflix, it would be the perfect “back door pilot” to a series about Emily Swanson. There’s so much history and character building that by the end, she’s real. And more important, she’s likable.
“Next to Disappear” draws inspiration from a real life crime back in the 1960s and 70s. For that ambition, and for how the story was woven together, I will most likely revisit other adventures of Miss Swanson. Kind of like checking in on a friend who moved away. They’re up to something and every now and again, it’s good to find out what that something is...
Remember when you first learn about the concept of “suspension of disbelief” and how it usually comes with a lesson or two about science fiction? The author asking us, the readers, to trust or accept the actions and worlds they’ve set into motion; the worlds not totally making sense, but believable enough to be enjoyed.
Just don’t think too hard about it.
“Next to Disappear” falls into this all too quickly and waivers between well written honest prose and almost far fetched ideals jumping off the page. Emily Swanson is a character steeped in this dichotomy. She’s everything all at once, but bits and pieces of her shine in less than congruous ways as her adventure wavers to and fro.
If this were a movie on Netflix, it would be the perfect “back door pilot” to a series about Emily Swanson. There’s so much history and character building that by the end, she’s real. And more important, she’s likable.
“Next to Disappear” draws inspiration from a real life crime back in the 1960s and 70s. For that ambition, and for how the story was woven together, I will most likely revisit other adventures of Miss Swanson. Kind of like checking in on a friend who moved away. They’re up to something and every now and again, it’s good to find out what that something is...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 271 reviews