Reappearance : "To stay alive is to be silent"

by Anabel Bright

At 7 years old Courtney was taken when she arrives on her mother’s doorstep at seventeen her mother doesn’t believe that it’s her. She looks like her daughter, but she doesn’t talk. Taking a DNA test proves that Courtney is hers. However, she won’t talk about anything that has happened since she’s been away. Not even when another girl from the neighborhood gets taken. Same age as Courtney had been. The girl had been out riding her bike, her mother gone into the house for just a quick second when she comes out her little girls gone. The cops show up, they question Courtney, pressuring her to talk. When she doesn’t, they send her to a hospital in hopes that she will talk to a doctor/therapist about what has happened to her. There’s something strange about Courtney, though her mother is happy that she’s home after ten years something doesn’t set right with her. Courtney stays up all day/night, looking like a zombie of sorts and at night all she hears is the rocking of the chair that used to be Courtney’s favorite chair when she was little. Courtney’s mother doesn’t realize that Courtney is humming to herself, talking to herself in the middle of the night until one night she’s had enough of the rocking. As she hears the conversation that Courtney seems to be having with no one she begins to wonder if she knows who took the little girl in the neighborhood. Wonders if she’s a part of it. Courtney goes to see hospital/therapist about what has happened to her though her answers are vague she opens up just a little..... Dr. Andrews sitting alone in his office chair wondering what Courtney is holding back

84 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 18, 2020

About the author

Anabel Bright is an inspired author who likes to write in all genres of mystery, suspense, fantasy and even sci fi. She enjoys writing mysteries, crime dramas and thrillers that keep you guessing until the end. She is creative in her unique ways, spinning a fantasy world that draws you in. She is a firm believer that no story is complete without a happy ending. If you're looking for intrigue, suspense and a mystery and that will keep you guessing until the end, then Anabel Bright's book is for you.

"Your support is my inspiration. I am excited to have you read my books on fantasy & sci-fi, mystery suspense, thriller, crime and psychological thriller.”


I have released more than 10 boxset series and some new series releases. I would love for you to join me so that we can go on the exciting adventures together. "

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Reviews

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm going to be VERY honest, I had a few issues with this. Namely the third person story telling. I've read A LOT of third person books, it doesn't usually bother me. But with this one, although I'm told how the characters are feeling, I feel absolutely nothing. If I'm honest, it reminds me of something I would have penned when I was in my teens. It's not even a language thing, by that I mean wording. The language used is fine. It's just, emotionless. It's lacks warmth. I know a few have complained about the length, but you need to bear in mind this is part 1 of a series, yes they are short and novella length. I probably read this in about 40 minutes, may have been less.

My other issue is with the polices actions and also Courtney's mother. If a child (And let's be honest she's what 17? So still a minor) was abducted and then returned 10 years later, are you honestly telling me she wouldn't be checked by a hospital? Injuries? Physical and mental evaluation? I'm sorry but I just don't get it?! I get not questioning her straight away, I get the DNA test, but no evaluation at all? Not until Kylie goes missing and then they mention the hospital? I know her mum does mention about begging the police to let her come home after the DNA test etc, but just seems so juvenile almost that nothing was done for Courtney. Their actions were not realistic at all.

My next issue (Sorry I said I was being honest here) is we hear right at the beginning of the book that there was a relationship breakdown, namely because of Courtney going missing and her mother and fathers relationship crumbles. Yes, I get that. But would you not give your ex husband the heads up his daughter had returned?! Really? Are you that bitter towards him he doesn't deserve to know? And as for Courtney, she mentions walks in the forest/wood behind her house with her dad but that's the only mention. She's not even been told he's not in the picture. Doesn't she wonder if he's alive or dead?

This was BARELY a 3 star for me, I'm actually closer to a 2.5 star so I'm going 2 with this one. I knew this would be short, almost a taste. Will I read the next book yes, although if I don't see an improvement I won't finish the series. I hate bashing books, authors are amazing! I could NEVER do that they do. But there are too many things here that's bothering me already. Still I will read the next part and see if it changes my mind. This is on kindle unlimited, so free if you subscribe to the service.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reappearance - a review by Rosemary Kenny

Courtney, 7, is abducted from the front yard of her parents' home, only to finally reappear, mutely, a decade on. Concurrently with her return, another girl aged 7, has been taken and police appeal to Courtney for help, as potentially it's the same man.

Treatment at a special hospital unit has limited success, but nothing that will help recover young Kylie. What will happen next?

Anabel Bright's tense and grittily realistic tiny 'prologue' reminded me of the real-life case of Natascha Maria Kampusch, who was similarly kidnapped and freed years later.
I thought the spur to Courtney's being willing to open up, by the occurrence of a similar case after her return home was very cleverly done, too.

A not-to-be-missed story that will give you a chilly frisson of delicious terror, make sure to get a copy of Anabel Bright's Reappearance today - and make sure your small children are safe in their beds before you do!

[Douglas Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abducted and then released 10 years later, there are a lot of questions about our heroine, but she isn't talking.

This is book one of the series, so a good place to start.

This is a true thriller involving kidnapping and a lot of mystery. This is a serial, so the story is on the short side, but it is very well written and highly engaging. The mystery and intrigue drew me in right from the start and kept me turning pages for any hints of what is going on. As the first part of a ten part story, there are not a lot of answers here, but I am now along for the ride.

Highly recommended.

I received an ARC from the author for review purposes.

[Russ · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book Courtney reappears after being kidnapped for ten years, ever since she was taken at the tender age of 7. How can you maneuver your way from having suffered so much trauma toward a life of freedom, inner healing and toward a restart of your relationship with your mom? Especially when all that hinges on your ability to remain silent about each moment of those tortuous ten years. “To stay alive is to be silent.” As you read you’ll not only hear that story but it will engulf you and carry you all the way through, and leave you eager to read the next book in the series!

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The blurb caught my attention and once I started reading the actual book I was completely captivated. This is a new author to me, and I absolutely loved this book. Due to the subject matter, there are a lot of triggers in this plot. There is a lot of mystery, suspense and terror wrapped up in this book, I loved every second of it and I’m looking forward to more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joan Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent start to a series. Courtney is returned home after being kidnapped 10 years ago. Ms. Bright takes us through her reacquainting herself with her mother, meeting two policemen that are assigned to her and her psychologist, Dr. Andrews. They are here to help her remember and hope she can lead them to whoever kidnapped her.

Love the writing and how the suspense is building. You find yourself rooting for this girl and experiencing the difficulties she faces.

[Hilda Baard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have only read the excerpt of this book, but it was gripping for sure. I cant wait to read the full book.

[Coletta Wade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where is the rest

It just stopped. It was OK then it It just didn't happen. That's just nuts. Where is the rest of it?

[Charlotte Lowry Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short

More like reading the first few chapters of a book. The first...novelette ends about 65% in then the rest is for the second book. Its pretty rushed and feels inaccurate. Otherwise OK.