What do you think?
Rate this book
The Sharif Thrillers #1
When He's Not Here
Eva's killed Jack.
A catastrophic mistake that's destroyed her career.
Only Eva doesn’t make mistakes; she’s a pathological perfectionist.
Something happened that morning, something she can’t remember.
By day, she’s tormented by tremors, nosebleeds and blackouts.
By night, her violent dreams leave her shaken.
They should.
They hold a devastating secret.
With the help of enigmatic psychologist, Saeed Sharif, Eva delves into her dreams.
Only to discover that her reality is far more terrifying.
She’s holding a gun.
She has six seconds.
She can save herself and her unborn child … by shooting the love of her life.
Could you?
Will she?
It’s time to find out.
The gripping DEBUT psychological thriller of 2020 with a jaw-dropping twist.
For fans of Behind Her Eyes, Before I Go To Sleep and Gone Girl.
A catastrophic mistake that's destroyed her career.
Only Eva doesn’t make mistakes; she’s a pathological perfectionist.
Something happened that morning, something she can’t remember.
By day, she’s tormented by tremors, nosebleeds and blackouts.
By night, her violent dreams leave her shaken.
They should.
They hold a devastating secret.
With the help of enigmatic psychologist, Saeed Sharif, Eva delves into her dreams.
Only to discover that her reality is far more terrifying.
She’s holding a gun.
She has six seconds.
She can save herself and her unborn child … by shooting the love of her life.
Could you?
Will she?
It’s time to find out.
The gripping DEBUT psychological thriller of 2020 with a jaw-dropping twist.
For fans of Behind Her Eyes, Before I Go To Sleep and Gone Girl.
400 pages, Paperback
First published August 10, 2020
731 people are currently reading
1193 people want to read
About the author
Carrie Magillen
5 books54 followersCARRIE MAGILLEN spent fifteen years as a computer engineer, all the while with a yellowing copy of Plot by Ansen Dibell on her bookshelf and her soul dying a little every time she asked if you'd switched it off and back on again.
She left IT in 2006 and studied creative writing at Webster University in the Netherlands, Wollongong University in Australia, and Winchester University in England. She lives in Hampshire with her husband and her two very hairy children (American cocker spaniels).
Her debut novel, When He’s Not Here, was a No.1 bestseller in 2020. Stone the Dead Crows is her second novel.
Carrie loves hearing from readers and you can reach her via her website: carriemagillen.com
She left IT in 2006 and studied creative writing at Webster University in the Netherlands, Wollongong University in Australia, and Winchester University in England. She lives in Hampshire with her husband and her two very hairy children (American cocker spaniels).
Her debut novel, When He’s Not Here, was a No.1 bestseller in 2020. Stone the Dead Crows is her second novel.
Carrie loves hearing from readers and you can reach her via her website: carriemagillen.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
April 20, 2022
Took a while to read the story could’ve been shorter but the ending was good.
March 21, 2022
A woman accidentally puts a prized stud French bulldog to sleep. The backlash ends in her being promptly fired, berated in local and national news, receiving threatening letters from the dog's bereaved owners, and feeling utterly lost, unable to sleep, to function properly. In her shrewd mother's pushy fashion, she sets up an appointment with a therapist. Reluctantly, she goes. During that first session, Dr. Saeed suggests hypnosis. Feeling it's a bit silly and with nothing to lose, she agrees. Eva wakes feeling rested but sees fear and shock on her therapists face. He refuses to give her the details of what happened, only that it's nothing like anything he's seen before.
This book was so good. A deep mystery with puzzle pieces popping up without connection. Questions abound about who, what, how, and why. But then things start to turn around the halfway mark and, for me at least, not for the better. I don't recall seeing any sort of trigger warning on or in this book but it NEEDS one. Holy shit it gets so rapey. Every other scene is rape. After the second scene, I had to skim. I can't handle that stuff. Aside from all that, there were really explosive twists I so did not see coming.
This book was so good. A deep mystery with puzzle pieces popping up without connection. Questions abound about who, what, how, and why. But then things start to turn around the halfway mark and, for me at least, not for the better. I don't recall seeing any sort of trigger warning on or in this book but it NEEDS one. Holy shit it gets so rapey. Every other scene is rape. After the second scene, I had to skim. I can't handle that stuff. Aside from all that, there were really explosive twists I so did not see coming.
September 29, 2020
I listened to the audiobook first and loved it so much I immediately dived into the book. Once you get sucked into the world of the main character it’s difficult to think of anything else. There are so many twists and turns. I was so desperate to find out the answer to the mystery I read the whole book in three days. It doesn’t disappoint. No spoilers, but there is a brilliant revelation at the end that I never saw coming.
September 28, 2020
This book had me riveted! It is deeply psychological, deeply moving and the twist at the end just astounded me. I did NOT see that coming! I love a good twist but most of the books I've read recently have had me skipping bits just to get to the end. This one is so well written that I savoured every chapter. Eva is a complex character with a lot going on in her mind but she is also funny and engaging. I was with her every second of this book. Dr. Saeed is written so well that I'm a bit in love with him. I started reading this book again the second I finished it wondering how I could have missed the clues. Wow! How have I never heard of this author before? I devoured this book from start to finish. Definitely by far the best thriller I've read this year... And I read a lot of them!
December 11, 2020
Firstly, I feel that every book that includes rape should have a Trigger Warning. This book does include rape, and is quite detailed. I don’t believe it would be graphic enough to disturb someone who hasn’t experienced rape, but for survivors of rape - it is quite detailed.
The book opens with the main character accidentally killing a dog - but for the first few chapters, it is written so you believe it is a child. When the dog bit was revealed I didn’t think I would enjoy the book.
However, the story line is very good. Lots of twists. And overall I really did enjoy the story.
The book opens with the main character accidentally killing a dog - but for the first few chapters, it is written so you believe it is a child. When the dog bit was revealed I didn’t think I would enjoy the book.
However, the story line is very good. Lots of twists. And overall I really did enjoy the story.
December 14, 2021
Difficult to rate. Maybe a 2, maybe a 4, but not really a 3.
Decent start. Much dragging in the middle where I felt like I was plodding through. Pretty interesting ending, albeit tied up with a neat little bow.
I liked the premise. Some difficulty with execution.
(I always suspend disbelief.)
I would read another by the author. However, the blurb for the next isn’t grabbing my attention, so maybe the next!
Decent start. Much dragging in the middle where I felt like I was plodding through. Pretty interesting ending, albeit tied up with a neat little bow.
I liked the premise. Some difficulty with execution.
(I always suspend disbelief.)
I would read another by the author. However, the blurb for the next isn’t grabbing my attention, so maybe the next!
November 14, 2021
Wow! Just Wow!!!!!
This is my first time writing a review, and I read about 4 books a week, most in this genre..... Had to say to all out there " Give this book a read, you won't be sorry!!! "One of my favorites this year!!! Enjoy!!!!!!!
This is my first time writing a review, and I read about 4 books a week, most in this genre..... Had to say to all out there " Give this book a read, you won't be sorry!!! "One of my favorites this year!!! Enjoy!!!!!!!
September 8, 2021
Great book but not until the last 100 pages. took entirely too long to get to the point
January 1, 2023
This was pretty bad, very slow and the concept was so far fetched I regretted finishing the book. It kept me just enough entertained to keep reading, there was a twist but everything was mostly very obvious.
Wouldn’t continue the series unfortunately!
Wouldn’t continue the series unfortunately!
May 18, 2022
S
P
O
I
L
E
R
S
.
.
.
.
.
You’ve been warned!
Okay, I absolutely liked this book up until the most dramatic turn of events and the Big Reveal happens.
There is so much poetic and literary magic. I highlighted so many gorgeous, perfectly word-smithed passages.
And then bam. No, silly, it’s an EVIL TWIN.
Ughhhhhhhhhhhh. Really?
And then the whole DID theme gets a unique spin playing out.
But the husband did whaaaaaat? And didn’t see this coming with the outcomes of 3 other women prior?
And can we talk about the totally, utterly unbelievable aspect that he is sharing his wife with this twin? Who is knowingly raping/hurting his supposed love? (Vomit emoji)
I’m sorry, this plot twist was too much for me.
And that ending pregnancy. Nah, I’m good.
Lastly, this book should come with a HUGE trigger warning about rape. I had to skip entire parts…speaking of entire parts, a tighter edit would have been great!
BUT can we talk about the Saeed character? (Removing the mumbo jumbo of him actually doing therapy, I liked him as a character.) Okay, if this is a series, I will definitely look into the next book. But if I see the name Eva or “J,” I. Am. Out.
*** one last thing. Am I the only one who didn’t realize that she had killed a dog and not a human Jack for the first 10 chapters or so? Ugh yeah, let’s clarify that, please!
P
O
I
L
E
R
S
.
.
.
.
.
You’ve been warned!
Okay, I absolutely liked this book up until the most dramatic turn of events and the Big Reveal happens.
There is so much poetic and literary magic. I highlighted so many gorgeous, perfectly word-smithed passages.
And then bam. No, silly, it’s an EVIL TWIN.
Ughhhhhhhhhhhh. Really?
And then the whole DID theme gets a unique spin playing out.
But the husband did whaaaaaat? And didn’t see this coming with the outcomes of 3 other women prior?
And can we talk about the totally, utterly unbelievable aspect that he is sharing his wife with this twin? Who is knowingly raping/hurting his supposed love? (Vomit emoji)
I’m sorry, this plot twist was too much for me.
And that ending pregnancy. Nah, I’m good.
Lastly, this book should come with a HUGE trigger warning about rape. I had to skip entire parts…speaking of entire parts, a tighter edit would have been great!
BUT can we talk about the Saeed character? (Removing the mumbo jumbo of him actually doing therapy, I liked him as a character.) Okay, if this is a series, I will definitely look into the next book. But if I see the name Eva or “J,” I. Am. Out.
*** one last thing. Am I the only one who didn’t realize that she had killed a dog and not a human Jack for the first 10 chapters or so? Ugh yeah, let’s clarify that, please!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2021
Well....I’m not quite sure WHAT to think! I thought the beginning was a really silly story around Jack...it wove itself nicely and I did quite like the main character. The middle of the book picked up pace and I couldn’t put it down....but then I just thought the end was daft if I’m honest. So, some good writing, I’d like to have seen Maria’s character developed a bit more....but the end, was well, quite frankly a bit of a car crash in my humble opinion. It was like the author thought it needed a twist - all good thrillers have one don’t they? and then realised, that’s not enough...I’ll write six twists and it all went a bit ridiculous!
I didn’t read this book though, I listened to it on Audibles which I love as it lets me listen in the car on my way to/from work. The down side of that is that I really did NOT like Amelia Fox’s accents - the American South one for Jacob was awful, and Maria came across as a KGB spy with a thick Eastern European accent, so maybe that also helped me not like it that much!
My test is always, “would I read another book by the same author” and I’d have to say yes, but only one more and if that had the same silly storylines, that would be it for me.
I didn’t read this book though, I listened to it on Audibles which I love as it lets me listen in the car on my way to/from work. The down side of that is that I really did NOT like Amelia Fox’s accents - the American South one for Jacob was awful, and Maria came across as a KGB spy with a thick Eastern European accent, so maybe that also helped me not like it that much!
My test is always, “would I read another book by the same author” and I’d have to say yes, but only one more and if that had the same silly storylines, that would be it for me.
December 8, 2022
I really really hated the experience of reading this book. I forced myself to push through because I am stubborn, and somewhat regret that decision.
For one, I’m so tired of DID being used as a twist. It’s unnecessary, and it’s boring. I feel like the new fad twist is a second reveal where it’s not actually DID. But, I’ve read another book with that twist and it was tolerable.
What made this book intolerable was that it was essentially just rape after rape after rape. Sexual assault being used in books is fine and necessary, even. But I have never seen a book where there is just gratuitous detail of assault after assault. I’ve never read a book with a single gratuitously detailed assault because just… why would you ever need to include such details? But to have the book be strung together by countless long scenes of great detail was so pointless and gross.
The story could have been okay maybe if it weren’t written like this. But the story felt pretty slow. And sexual assault took up like 60% of the book it seems.
For one, I’m so tired of DID being used as a twist. It’s unnecessary, and it’s boring. I feel like the new fad twist is a second reveal where it’s not actually DID. But, I’ve read another book with that twist and it was tolerable.
What made this book intolerable was that it was essentially just rape after rape after rape. Sexual assault being used in books is fine and necessary, even. But I have never seen a book where there is just gratuitous detail of assault after assault. I’ve never read a book with a single gratuitously detailed assault because just… why would you ever need to include such details? But to have the book be strung together by countless long scenes of great detail was so pointless and gross.
The story could have been okay maybe if it weren’t written like this. But the story felt pretty slow. And sexual assault took up like 60% of the book it seems.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2022
3.5 star. This definitely had a big twist near the end I didn’t see coming. I don’t know that I actually liked the main character or her actions but I’m willing to chalk most of her thinking to the drugging. Also I wanted to still root for Jacob even though he was definitely shady af especially after finding out he was an expert shooter. I’m happy that letter explained most of it. I totally believed he had DID so that big twist was a wtf moment. My main thing was this story dragged out a lot longer than it needed to. It also had A LOT of traumatic rape in it. Also, a lot of the drugs involved (including the contraceptive pill) and how they work was iffy in my mind in terms of lasting in the body as well as how quick they were to work and how the hell did she never have any bruises, bleeding or even rope burns the next day?? Also, pretty pissed I thought Jack was a human child for the first 4-5 chapters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2021
I listen to lots of books and have been known to return a couple. Not this one. The book was recommended to me by a friend when I was searching for a new writer and it certainly didn’t disappoint. I love psychological thrillers like J P Delaney and this book is easily out there with the best. Emilia Fox narration was just the perfect finishing touch.
The character is very likeable, the plot is well thought out and written. It got me guessing pretty much to the end. I thought I got to the end when there were still 2 hours remaining and wondered whatever could come next? The unraveling was perfect. I’m very excited to have discovered Carrie Magillen and have added her to my favourite writers. Considering this was a debut novel I think there are very exciting things to come. Cannot wait for the next book to be released.
The character is very likeable, the plot is well thought out and written. It got me guessing pretty much to the end. I thought I got to the end when there were still 2 hours remaining and wondered whatever could come next? The unraveling was perfect. I’m very excited to have discovered Carrie Magillen and have added her to my favourite writers. Considering this was a debut novel I think there are very exciting things to come. Cannot wait for the next book to be released.
February 14, 2021
Disappointing
Truthfully, this was not the book that I expected and was no at all for me.. It didn’t create the buy in for me to recommend it.
Truthfully, this was not the book that I expected and was no at all for me.. It didn’t create the buy in for me to recommend it.
May 8, 2021
Do not bother- one of the worst books.
September 27, 2021
When He’s Not Here by Carrie Magillen ( The Sharif Thrillers Book1) is an outstanding debut book. I found that I was totally engrossed in reading this book and did not get the twist to the tale. The characters were crisp and realistic and authentic. It was not a predictable storyline and it did offer the reader an opportunity to read a thriller that was unorthodox.
I am looking forward to reading book 2 in The Sharif Thrillers, Stone The Dead Crows.
Highly recommended.
I am looking forward to reading book 2 in The Sharif Thrillers, Stone The Dead Crows.
Highly recommended.
October 22, 2021
Brilliant!
Just finished this book, read it in two days, I loved it.. What a great story, not going to give anything away, but it has a few surprises which will take your breath away, trust me!! I’m looking forward to reading Carrie’s next book, what a great writer, well done..
Just finished this book, read it in two days, I loved it.. What a great story, not going to give anything away, but it has a few surprises which will take your breath away, trust me!! I’m looking forward to reading Carrie’s next book, what a great writer, well done..
October 14, 2021
Wow
Wow have to say was in two minds about reading this after reading mixed reviews but definitely don't regret it .Had me hooked from page one At first I thought it started off in a hospital but you soon learn it's a vets .
Eva is a veterinarian surgeon whose life changes in an instant for something she thinks is her fault .
Only after sessions with a sleep therapist does she realise what has been happening too her for years and all the things that have gone wrong were not her fault .
I don't want to give away any spoilers but will just say read this book it will have you hooked .
First time reading this author .
Wow have to say was in two minds about reading this after reading mixed reviews but definitely don't regret it .Had me hooked from page one At first I thought it started off in a hospital but you soon learn it's a vets .
Eva is a veterinarian surgeon whose life changes in an instant for something she thinks is her fault .
Only after sessions with a sleep therapist does she realise what has been happening too her for years and all the things that have gone wrong were not her fault .
I don't want to give away any spoilers but will just say read this book it will have you hooked .
First time reading this author .
February 25, 2022
Absolute crap
April 25, 2022
I found the beginning of the book really dragged on. It took me longer to finish this book than it normally would because I like to read before bed and would keep drifting off after finishing a chapter. The ending was definitely a twist but was beyond far-fetched. I'm not sure how we're supposed to believe that Jacob was truly in love with Eva but was willing to share her with his brother. I mean they're both monsters. Even if she didn't know the things his brother was doing, he knew that he hurt her on occasion and still let that happen. And we're supposed to have some sort of sympathy for him because he was planning on giving up his identity to his brother? His brother that he should have seen for who he was and that he would never let Jacob separate from him? He just thinks it'll be that easy to assume a a new identity and hope that Eva would go along with it? This book just left me with more questions than answers and it was really frustrating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2021
Couldn't put When He's Not Here down ... it's tightly plotted, super fast paced, and full of gut-wrenching twists. A really unsettling book that gets under the skin. I can't wait for Carrie's next offering!
August 5, 2021
I really enjoyed the style of writing in this book: the author managed to add humour and wit to a dark thriller, not an easy task that is rarely done well in this genre. The plot is clever, offering enough twists to keep you gripped without becoming too convoluted. An author I’ll be keeping an eye out for in the future.
June 9, 2022
This was quite easily one of the worst books I have ever read. I wanted to stop reading but kept thinking surely it can’t get any worse, but it did. It is ridiculous beyond belief. This book just goes on and on and on. I was desperate for it to end. Do yourselves a favour and don’t waste hours/days reading it that you could spend reading a good book.
January 25, 2021
This was a decent mystery, you immediately get pulled into the story....but it could have been about 50-75 pages shorter-there was a lot of unnecessary detail. Also a lot of finger banging I could have lived without. On the plus side, the last 80 pages have a ton of twists and turns.
November 9, 2021
Wow you need to read this book if you have a spare weekend.Eve a surgeon married to J a barrister when she kills a patient then things start happening can’t give to much away you think you know but you’re wrong. Enjoyed this book .
December 18, 2021
Didn't see that one coming! I enjoyed the book, but felt that the ending was a bit drawn out. On the other hand, at least the reader got an explanation for what had happened, so there was a feeling of completion.
January 17, 2022
Very Engaging
This story grabbed hold and didn’t let go. Read it in one go. I thought I had it figured out but the big twist threw me for a loop. If you were Eva, would you forgive him? I’ll be thinking about that question for awhile to come.
This story grabbed hold and didn’t let go. Read it in one go. I thought I had it figured out but the big twist threw me for a loop. If you were Eva, would you forgive him? I’ll be thinking about that question for awhile to come.
December 11, 2021
Absolutely fantastic. I was horrified when I read the first chapter. And then the early twist was mind blowing. It just keep getting better and better, I’m going to read it again!
December 8, 2020
If you love a good thriller, just read this. Did not expect these twists and turns.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews