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Detective Gina Harte #9
One Left Behind
Music and loud voices echo through the woods surrounding her. Wiping her tears, she hears the rustle of leaves close by. Footsteps. She has no time to scream before a hand covers her mouth and her entire world goes black.
In a patch of forest on the outskirts of a small town, five teenage school friends prepare to spend a night away from home. Carrying their tents and sleeping bags, they laugh and joke as they make their way into the darkest part of the woods, away from prying eyes. But as the sun rises the following morning, only four are left alive.
Devastated, Leah’s friends all swear they didn’t see or hear anything. Her best friend sobs as she recounts what she remembers from that night – dancing, roasting marshmallows, sipping warm cans of beer by the fire – but is it grief, or is she hiding something? What happened to Naomi in the hour that no one can account for? And what troubled past lies behind the perfect manners of the boy who organised the trip, and who is prepared to lie to keep it buried?
As the cracks in their stories grow, it’s clear one of them is lying, and one of them is next…
Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Cara Hunter and Clare Mackintosh, One Left Behind is a thrilling crime novel that will have you hooked from the very first page!
In a patch of forest on the outskirts of a small town, five teenage school friends prepare to spend a night away from home. Carrying their tents and sleeping bags, they laugh and joke as they make their way into the darkest part of the woods, away from prying eyes. But as the sun rises the following morning, only four are left alive.
Devastated, Leah’s friends all swear they didn’t see or hear anything. Her best friend sobs as she recounts what she remembers from that night – dancing, roasting marshmallows, sipping warm cans of beer by the fire – but is it grief, or is she hiding something? What happened to Naomi in the hour that no one can account for? And what troubled past lies behind the perfect manners of the boy who organised the trip, and who is prepared to lie to keep it buried?
As the cracks in their stories grow, it’s clear one of them is lying, and one of them is next…
Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Cara Hunter and Clare Mackintosh, One Left Behind is a thrilling crime novel that will have you hooked from the very first page!
356 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 15, 2021
433 people are currently reading
1988 people want to read
About the author
Carla Kovach
33 books1,039 followersCarla Kovach was born in Birmingham, UK and now resides in Redditch, Worcestershire. Author of supernatural drama 'Flame,' psychological thriller 'To Let,' crime thriller 'Whispers Beneath the Pines, and romantic comedy 'Meet Me at Marmaris Castle.' Carla also writes stage and screen plays, some of which have been produced in the Worcestershire area.
Her new novel 'The Next Girl,' is available for preorder now. (Published by Bookouture).
Her new novel 'The Next Girl,' is available for preorder now. (Published by Bookouture).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
June 12, 2021
It’s August, a group of teens go camping, there’s drinking and more, it gets a bit out of hand and the following morning one of them is found dead. Who is to blame? Is it one of them or does the net spread a bit wider? DI Gina Harte and DS Jacob Driscoll are the prime investigators with DCI Chris Briggs in support which Gina needs in more ways than one. The story is told principally by Gina with several other points of view interspersed.
There’s a lot going on in this one with multiple layers in the plot line. I like that part of this takes us into Gina’s past as things come back to haunt her and this is a strong part of the storyline. The novel is dark on several fronts, there’s one particularly shocking aspect of a very vulnerable character at the mercy of another and this is very powerful and raises a number of emotions. The portrayal of this is done well with anger/ sadness and love and hate along with the fear that goes with dependence. We have a certain amount of mob mentality, warp speed quick to judgement which is both physical and on social media, demonstrating its dark side presenting people with the opportunity to vent and make unsubstantiated and dangerous statements. This grows thus ramping up tension significantly. In addition there is a tinder box situation with the teenagers with jealousy, stupidity, thoughtless and dangerous actions that spiral out of control with threats arising as a consequence. The teenagers are well portrayed with their fears coming across well along with an increasing sense of claustrophobia. In all the storylines there are some major secrets, lies and potential blackmail. The pace is fast and there’s plenty going on to keep you immersed in the storyline.
My only negatives are that some threats feel a bit weak but maybe that’s intentional when the perpetrator is revealed though I can’t help but feel this person feels a bit like a stereotypical villain complete with cackle!
However, reservations aside, I enjoyed this ninth instalment. The plot packs a punch, there’s plenty going on to make you think and I like the character of Gina very much.
With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
There’s a lot going on in this one with multiple layers in the plot line. I like that part of this takes us into Gina’s past as things come back to haunt her and this is a strong part of the storyline. The novel is dark on several fronts, there’s one particularly shocking aspect of a very vulnerable character at the mercy of another and this is very powerful and raises a number of emotions. The portrayal of this is done well with anger/ sadness and love and hate along with the fear that goes with dependence. We have a certain amount of mob mentality, warp speed quick to judgement which is both physical and on social media, demonstrating its dark side presenting people with the opportunity to vent and make unsubstantiated and dangerous statements. This grows thus ramping up tension significantly. In addition there is a tinder box situation with the teenagers with jealousy, stupidity, thoughtless and dangerous actions that spiral out of control with threats arising as a consequence. The teenagers are well portrayed with their fears coming across well along with an increasing sense of claustrophobia. In all the storylines there are some major secrets, lies and potential blackmail. The pace is fast and there’s plenty going on to keep you immersed in the storyline.
My only negatives are that some threats feel a bit weak but maybe that’s intentional when the perpetrator is revealed though I can’t help but feel this person feels a bit like a stereotypical villain complete with cackle!
However, reservations aside, I enjoyed this ninth instalment. The plot packs a punch, there’s plenty going on to make you think and I like the character of Gina very much.
With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
June 24, 2021
A very strong 4 stars for this one.
Ah teenagers and their secrets! We’ve all been there but I don’t recall ever thinking my parents would “kill me” over some of the mischief I got into.
A fun night of drinking and carousing turns deadly for a group of 16-17 year olds during (I’m assuming) their summer break from school. Five friends camp in a little area of woodland, surrounded by housing, overnight. In the morning one of them is found dead. DI Gina Harte and her team swing into action. The stories given by the four remaining friends all sound suspiciously similar. Gina is sure they are hiding something. Also of interest are the man who runs a garage/take away shop nearby, a trucker who parked up overnight at the garage and a local man who has previous form for voyeurism.
Everyone is put under a microscope but nothing is sticking. The next day another of the teens in found dead after a fall down some mossy steps near a creek in the woods. A half shoe print on his back indicates he may have had help with his descent! Despite Gina’s best efforts the kids are sticking to their story - they had a bit to drink and, ok, they shared a joint. That’s it! But Gina knows there is much more to the story yet.
At the same time she, and her secret love interest DCI Chris Briggs, are getting threatening messages about the death of Gina’s long dead abusive husband, Terry. Someone claims to know what really happened on the night he died. Gina is petrified the truth will come out and her life and the job she loves will be over. Briggs is the only person whom Gina has confided in.
The plot suddenly gets much, much murkier and all bets are off regarding what really happened. This story was excellently plotted with little bits of clues being slowly dribbled out but even then I was unable to crack it! The story also addresses bullying and how even seemingly harmless fun can have terrible consequences. That and petty jealousies can blow things out of proportion. When you’re 16 everything is high drama and the parents struggled to realise that, instead seeing things through more adult eyes. You never know how people are going to react. The kids had a pact of silence which only worked against them in the wash up. The ending was quite shocking and unexpected.
I’m glad to see DI Gina Harte is back. I’ve been reading the author’s new series but I do prefer this one as it is a bit darker and more realistic. I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and am providing this review voluntarily.
Ah teenagers and their secrets! We’ve all been there but I don’t recall ever thinking my parents would “kill me” over some of the mischief I got into.
A fun night of drinking and carousing turns deadly for a group of 16-17 year olds during (I’m assuming) their summer break from school. Five friends camp in a little area of woodland, surrounded by housing, overnight. In the morning one of them is found dead. DI Gina Harte and her team swing into action. The stories given by the four remaining friends all sound suspiciously similar. Gina is sure they are hiding something. Also of interest are the man who runs a garage/take away shop nearby, a trucker who parked up overnight at the garage and a local man who has previous form for voyeurism.
Everyone is put under a microscope but nothing is sticking. The next day another of the teens in found dead after a fall down some mossy steps near a creek in the woods. A half shoe print on his back indicates he may have had help with his descent! Despite Gina’s best efforts the kids are sticking to their story - they had a bit to drink and, ok, they shared a joint. That’s it! But Gina knows there is much more to the story yet.
At the same time she, and her secret love interest DCI Chris Briggs, are getting threatening messages about the death of Gina’s long dead abusive husband, Terry. Someone claims to know what really happened on the night he died. Gina is petrified the truth will come out and her life and the job she loves will be over. Briggs is the only person whom Gina has confided in.
The plot suddenly gets much, much murkier and all bets are off regarding what really happened. This story was excellently plotted with little bits of clues being slowly dribbled out but even then I was unable to crack it! The story also addresses bullying and how even seemingly harmless fun can have terrible consequences. That and petty jealousies can blow things out of proportion. When you’re 16 everything is high drama and the parents struggled to realise that, instead seeing things through more adult eyes. You never know how people are going to react. The kids had a pact of silence which only worked against them in the wash up. The ending was quite shocking and unexpected.
I’m glad to see DI Gina Harte is back. I’ve been reading the author’s new series but I do prefer this one as it is a bit darker and more realistic. I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and am providing this review voluntarily.
July 13, 2021
One Left Behind is the ninth book in the addictively dark and twisty DI Gina Harte series set in the fictional Midlands town of Cleevesford. Sometimes by this stage in a police procedural series, an author starts running out of ideas, but not here - Kovach has produced another cleverly plotted murder mystery that once more kept me completely in the dark about whodunnit. I’ve read all of these in order within the last three years, and think that while you do get enough background to read this as a first outing, it is worth starting from the beginning to appreciate Gina’s character evolution.
A group of teenagers camp out in the woods for a party on a hot summer night of cider, music, weed, hook-ups and pranks, but in the morning, one is found dead. DI Harte and her team are not short of suspects - the shifty trucker, the diffident cafe owner, and the local perve were all nearby, but it soon becomes clear that the teens themselves are hiding secrets - could one of them be a killer? Meanwhile, someone is sending Gina messages, threatening to reveal her own terrible secret - that only someone close to her could know about.
I’ve grumbled previously that this series features an unrealistic number of predators always targeting women, for a small town, and while superficially this presents like more of the same, with a young female victim and hints of a sexual motive, this takes things in a completely different and scarily sinister but cunningly original direction. It’s quite some time since I was a teenager but I’m sure we all remember the sneaking about, experiments with booze, painful crushes, jealousy, bullying and torturous melodrama, that our parents couldn’t possibly understand. I was just fortunate to go through it before the time of social media, phones with cameras and Snapchat. This delves into that murky world, and contrasts it beautifully with the behaviour of the supposed adults who themselves become vicious bullies given half a chance.
For those who’ve been following this series and wondering when Gina will finally confront her sometimes tedious guilt over the death of her husband years earlier, this brings a welcome resolution, as well as some degree of progress in the relationship between her and Briggs.
I liked the way she deals with her cyber-stalker and hope she can move on from this sub-plot which has stretched out over all nine books. Hopefully this isn’t the end of the series now, as I do like Gina! 4.5 rounded up for keeping me up reading until midnight - it’s been a while since I’ve been this immersed in a story - Bravo!
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC. I am posting this review voluntarily.
One Left Behind is published on July 15th.
A group of teenagers camp out in the woods for a party on a hot summer night of cider, music, weed, hook-ups and pranks, but in the morning, one is found dead. DI Harte and her team are not short of suspects - the shifty trucker, the diffident cafe owner, and the local perve were all nearby, but it soon becomes clear that the teens themselves are hiding secrets - could one of them be a killer? Meanwhile, someone is sending Gina messages, threatening to reveal her own terrible secret - that only someone close to her could know about.
I’ve grumbled previously that this series features an unrealistic number of predators always targeting women, for a small town, and while superficially this presents like more of the same, with a young female victim and hints of a sexual motive, this takes things in a completely different and scarily sinister but cunningly original direction. It’s quite some time since I was a teenager but I’m sure we all remember the sneaking about, experiments with booze, painful crushes, jealousy, bullying and torturous melodrama, that our parents couldn’t possibly understand. I was just fortunate to go through it before the time of social media, phones with cameras and Snapchat. This delves into that murky world, and contrasts it beautifully with the behaviour of the supposed adults who themselves become vicious bullies given half a chance.
For those who’ve been following this series and wondering when Gina will finally confront her sometimes tedious guilt over the death of her husband years earlier, this brings a welcome resolution, as well as some degree of progress in the relationship between her and Briggs.
I liked the way she deals with her cyber-stalker and hope she can move on from this sub-plot which has stretched out over all nine books. Hopefully this isn’t the end of the series now, as I do like Gina! 4.5 rounded up for keeping me up reading until midnight - it’s been a while since I’ve been this immersed in a story - Bravo!
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC. I am posting this review voluntarily.
One Left Behind is published on July 15th.
June 22, 2021
One left behind by Carla Kovach is number 9 in the DI Gina Harte series and Wow, this one like her others, does not disappoint. This is a follow up to the last book but can also be read as a standalone.
It’s August and the school holidays and 5 teenagers decide to go camping and have a laugh. There is booze and drinks and drugs and all they want to do is have a good time. But when they wake up the next day, they find that one of the parties is dead. Each other swears they didn’t hear anything, and the deceased was happy before they all fell asleep.
DI Gina Harte is called in to investigate with her colleague DS Jacob with boss Briggs showing the background. As each teenager is questioned Gina knows that they all are hiding something but what?
This is another intriguing, tense thriller with her famous multi layered story that comes together in the end. It has current storyline and I like how the relationship between Gina and Briggs is getting on, and they have concluded the story of her husband to rest. 5 stars from me.
It’s August and the school holidays and 5 teenagers decide to go camping and have a laugh. There is booze and drinks and drugs and all they want to do is have a good time. But when they wake up the next day, they find that one of the parties is dead. Each other swears they didn’t hear anything, and the deceased was happy before they all fell asleep.
DI Gina Harte is called in to investigate with her colleague DS Jacob with boss Briggs showing the background. As each teenager is questioned Gina knows that they all are hiding something but what?
This is another intriguing, tense thriller with her famous multi layered story that comes together in the end. It has current storyline and I like how the relationship between Gina and Briggs is getting on, and they have concluded the story of her husband to rest. 5 stars from me.
July 18, 2021
DI Gina Harte has been called to a very difficult crime scene. Several teens snuck out to the woods. Five went out. Four came back. One was murdered. As Gina and her team begin the investigation they soon learn that kids camping in the woods is nothing new in the small town. In fact, Gina can imagine several suspects, and they include the other teens and a local shop owner.
Meanwhile, Gina is facing quite a dilemma. This involves the death of her husband years ago. Gina has been forced to hide certain facts about his death and someone is threatening to expose those secrets. She is in a relationship with DCI Chris Briggs and he knows of Gina's secrets and someone knows that as well.
However, Gina is forced to push that to the back of her mind and focus on the girl's death. As Gina begins her investigation, she discovers a previous party and that at least one other teen was not present at the most recent one. Someone is hiding something, and it might be more than the kids at the party.
As this is going on, at least a couple of the kids receive threatening messages. There is also a man who had a prior conviction and he also becomes a suspect. Due to what is going on, this sensitive story goes beyond the mystery and delves into abuse, dependence and control, all while Gina's situation is never far from her mind. One Left Behind is a thrilling addition to a series that I have been enjoying almost since the very beginning.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Meanwhile, Gina is facing quite a dilemma. This involves the death of her husband years ago. Gina has been forced to hide certain facts about his death and someone is threatening to expose those secrets. She is in a relationship with DCI Chris Briggs and he knows of Gina's secrets and someone knows that as well.
However, Gina is forced to push that to the back of her mind and focus on the girl's death. As Gina begins her investigation, she discovers a previous party and that at least one other teen was not present at the most recent one. Someone is hiding something, and it might be more than the kids at the party.
As this is going on, at least a couple of the kids receive threatening messages. There is also a man who had a prior conviction and he also becomes a suspect. Due to what is going on, this sensitive story goes beyond the mystery and delves into abuse, dependence and control, all while Gina's situation is never far from her mind. One Left Behind is a thrilling addition to a series that I have been enjoying almost since the very beginning.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
August 2, 2021
Why do I love this series so much? Honestly because Carla Kovach is a legend! Book 9 in the Gina Harte series, fyi read book 1 to 8 first.
5 teens go into the woods for a boozey camp out but one of them ends up dead. There doesn't seem to be a reason why someone would want a 16 year old dead so when another member of them ends up dead the following day, detective Harte knows the teens are hiding something but what?!
This was a great installment in the series I wanted to fund out about the texts messages Gina had been recieving so along side the case we are also presented this mystery as well. Gina's guilt is evident and she still feels guilty about Terry. Believing her days are numbered she isn't one hundred per cent.
The case was really exciting as there were only a handful of suspects, but no one seems to have a clear motive so I had no idea who was the killer my mind was blown when it was revealed (thsts a hard task for me.) It was really interesting and ad always we have parnell stories along side the investigation. We have a disabled woman whose husband is a clear abuser and one of the teens who has some clear ptsd.
Honestly can't say much more if I do then I will tell u the entire plot. Just b prepared for an adventure! Once more secrets are revealed the suspect list increases but still what's the motive that's what I loved about this book, the why it's not obvious and that is what makes all in this series brilliant literary works!
Would I recommend?
HECK YEAH! read the all of them if you are looking for a new crime series look no further!! If you are a fan of English crime fiction this is fir you. If you (like myself) are a fan of Lisa Regard, Wendy Dranfield or Katerina Diamond to name a few then this is for u. If you're new to the genre welcome and pick up this series! Basically just read!! 5 stars easily
5 teens go into the woods for a boozey camp out but one of them ends up dead. There doesn't seem to be a reason why someone would want a 16 year old dead so when another member of them ends up dead the following day, detective Harte knows the teens are hiding something but what?!
This was a great installment in the series I wanted to fund out about the texts messages Gina had been recieving so along side the case we are also presented this mystery as well. Gina's guilt is evident and she still feels guilty about Terry. Believing her days are numbered she isn't one hundred per cent.
The case was really exciting as there were only a handful of suspects, but no one seems to have a clear motive so I had no idea who was the killer my mind was blown when it was revealed (thsts a hard task for me.) It was really interesting and ad always we have parnell stories along side the investigation. We have a disabled woman whose husband is a clear abuser and one of the teens who has some clear ptsd.
Honestly can't say much more if I do then I will tell u the entire plot. Just b prepared for an adventure! Once more secrets are revealed the suspect list increases but still what's the motive that's what I loved about this book, the why it's not obvious and that is what makes all in this series brilliant literary works!
Would I recommend?
HECK YEAH! read the all of them if you are looking for a new crime series look no further!! If you are a fan of English crime fiction this is fir you. If you (like myself) are a fan of Lisa Regard, Wendy Dranfield or Katerina Diamond to name a few then this is for u. If you're new to the genre welcome and pick up this series! Basically just read!! 5 stars easily
March 14, 2025
Mam mieszane odczucia - bo zdecydowanie lubię warstwę kryminalną w tej książce, ale przestałam lubić panią detektyw i mam ochotę jej przywalić.
March 30, 2024
Vijf tieners bereiden zich voor op een nacht kamperen in het bos vlak buiten hun kleine stadje. Lachend en bepakt met tenten en slaapzakken banen ze zich een weg richting de donkerste delen van het woud, ver weg van nieuwsgierige ogen. Maar wanneer de volgende dag de zon opkomt, zijn er nog maar vier vrienden over.
Leahs vrienden zijn er kapot van en zweren dat ze niks vreemd hebben gezien of gehoord. Haar beste vriendin kan nauwelijks door haar tranen heen praten wanneer ze de gebeurtenissen van die nacht omschrijft – dansen, marshmallows roosteren, bier drinken bij het kampvuur…
Maar is dit echte rouw, of verbergt ze iets? En wat is er met Naomi gebeurd tijdens dat ene uur waarover niemand iets kan vertellen? Welk verontrustend verleden schuilt achter de perfecte manieren van de jongen die de kampeertrip organiseerde en wie is bereid te liegen, en meer, om zijn geheimen te bewaren?
'Toen waren er vier' is het negende deel van de serie met Gina Harte in de hoofdrol en deze keer draait het om een groepje tieners.
Het verhaal begint met een proloog die wat vragen oproept. Vervolgens spring je naar het heden en lees je al vrij snel over de mysterieuze zaak van één van de tieners.
Dit verhaal heeft meerdere verhaallijnen en je leest dan ook vanuit verschillende personages. Dit maakte het erg interessant, want er kwamen enorm veel verdachten voorbij. Tot het einde wist ik nog steeds niet zo goed wie de dader was, dus dit verhaal is wederom erg goed opgebouwd! Ondertussen werd de zaak ook steeds vreemder.
Natuurlijk lees je ook vanuit Gina Harte. Niet alleen is haar werk het gespreksonderwerp, maar ook haar privé issues spelen deze keer weer een rol. Ik vind Gina een interessant personage en ik ben dan ook heel benieuwd hoe zij zich nog verder gaat ontwikkelen.
Dit negende deel was zeker weer heel fijn om te lezen en ik vind Carla een ontzettend prettige schrijfstijl hebben. Ook het nawoord was zeker interessant, actueel en realistisch.
Gelukkig komen er nog genoeg delen aan, dus ik kijk nu al uit naar het vervolg van deze geweldige serie!
Ik wil @boekerij / @bestofthrillers enorm bedanken voor deze toffe boekenpost!
Beoordeling: 4,0 ⭐️
Leahs vrienden zijn er kapot van en zweren dat ze niks vreemd hebben gezien of gehoord. Haar beste vriendin kan nauwelijks door haar tranen heen praten wanneer ze de gebeurtenissen van die nacht omschrijft – dansen, marshmallows roosteren, bier drinken bij het kampvuur…
Maar is dit echte rouw, of verbergt ze iets? En wat is er met Naomi gebeurd tijdens dat ene uur waarover niemand iets kan vertellen? Welk verontrustend verleden schuilt achter de perfecte manieren van de jongen die de kampeertrip organiseerde en wie is bereid te liegen, en meer, om zijn geheimen te bewaren?
'Toen waren er vier' is het negende deel van de serie met Gina Harte in de hoofdrol en deze keer draait het om een groepje tieners.
Het verhaal begint met een proloog die wat vragen oproept. Vervolgens spring je naar het heden en lees je al vrij snel over de mysterieuze zaak van één van de tieners.
Dit verhaal heeft meerdere verhaallijnen en je leest dan ook vanuit verschillende personages. Dit maakte het erg interessant, want er kwamen enorm veel verdachten voorbij. Tot het einde wist ik nog steeds niet zo goed wie de dader was, dus dit verhaal is wederom erg goed opgebouwd! Ondertussen werd de zaak ook steeds vreemder.
Natuurlijk lees je ook vanuit Gina Harte. Niet alleen is haar werk het gespreksonderwerp, maar ook haar privé issues spelen deze keer weer een rol. Ik vind Gina een interessant personage en ik ben dan ook heel benieuwd hoe zij zich nog verder gaat ontwikkelen.
Dit negende deel was zeker weer heel fijn om te lezen en ik vind Carla een ontzettend prettige schrijfstijl hebben. Ook het nawoord was zeker interessant, actueel en realistisch.
Gelukkig komen er nog genoeg delen aan, dus ik kijk nu al uit naar het vervolg van deze geweldige serie!
Ik wil @boekerij / @bestofthrillers enorm bedanken voor deze toffe boekenpost!
Beoordeling: 4,0 ⭐️
July 7, 2021
A great addition to this series.
Teens meet in the moods to drink, party and do those stupid things teens do. The next morning one of the girls wakes up to pee, stumbles upon Leah - dead.
Caro and Anthony had been invited - but stayed home. Did they narrowly miss being killed?
Someone is stalking Caro - sending threatening messages. But Caro is starting to remember the last party. Did someone slip something in her drink?
Assigned to the case, Gina struggles to get the truth from the remaining teenagers. They are lying- who are they protecting?
Sandy is wheelchair bound, suffering abuse and neglect from her husband. He threatens her to uphold his alibi. Where did he really go that night?
Will the case be solved before another teenager is murdered?
Will Gina finally discover the person sending texts, claiming to have proof Gina killed her husband?
Fast paced. Excellent plot. Loved the characters. Did not guess the killer.
Highly recommend!
Teens meet in the moods to drink, party and do those stupid things teens do. The next morning one of the girls wakes up to pee, stumbles upon Leah - dead.
Caro and Anthony had been invited - but stayed home. Did they narrowly miss being killed?
Someone is stalking Caro - sending threatening messages. But Caro is starting to remember the last party. Did someone slip something in her drink?
Assigned to the case, Gina struggles to get the truth from the remaining teenagers. They are lying- who are they protecting?
Sandy is wheelchair bound, suffering abuse and neglect from her husband. He threatens her to uphold his alibi. Where did he really go that night?
Will the case be solved before another teenager is murdered?
Will Gina finally discover the person sending texts, claiming to have proof Gina killed her husband?
Fast paced. Excellent plot. Loved the characters. Did not guess the killer.
Highly recommend!
September 13, 2021
One Left Behind by Carla Kovach is the 9th in the Detective Gina Harte series.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Series Background: (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books)
DI Gina Harte works homicides. Her team consists of: DS Jacob Driscoll, DC Harry O’Connor and DC Paula Wyre, with a lot of assistance from PC Smith and PC Kapoor. Gina is a stubborn lady, and a determined detective. She has had a rough life, which has led to an uneasy relationship with her daughter and grand-daughter. It has also led to a lack of real friends, and an on-again/off-again relationship with her boss, DCI Chris Briggs. It is not common knowledge that her husband was abusive, and no one knows that she helped him fall to his death many years ago.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
A group of teenagers camp out in the woods, but one of them doesn't survive the party.
Leah's friends all tell the same story. They all agree they were drinking, there was one joint passed around, and that was it. They roasted marshmallows. Leah decided to go home alone, and the rest went to bed. So how did she end up dead? All her friends stories sound remarkably the same, and Gina is sure they are hiding something. Then there were the two others that were invited to the party, but didn't attend. Why not? They seem to be hiding something too.
Meanwhile, both Gina and her boss/lover are receiving threatening texts. Someone knows what Gina did to her dead husband, and plans to reveal it.
My Opinions:
The series is still going strong, but I am really sick of Gina' past continuing to raise it's ugly head. I think we are finally moving on!
This is the second book in a row where the cover didn't seem to have anything to do with the book. Not sure who is picking the covers, but maybe they should read the book first.
I really like the characters in these books, and they work together really well. I have not been a fan of Hannah's, but perhaps things will change now.
The plot was really good, if a little dark. It dealt with teenagers, who, due to peer pressure, bullying, and just general hormonal changes, do some really stupid things. It also dealt with a woman who was in an abusive relationship, made worse by the fact that she was handicapped, and who relied on her abuser for everything. That was just sad. As well, it showed that tossing the blame around can come back to haunt you!
Overall, the pace was really fast, and the writing good. I was really stunned as to the identity of the killer, so that was great, and I can't wait for the next book!
For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
December 26, 2024
Blijft een sterke reeks rond het personage van Gina Harte. Ook dit boek bleef boeiend en spannend tot het einde.
June 9, 2021
Nope, nope, nope! I did not see that coming!
One Left Behind is that kind of can’t-put-down thrill ride that you’ll keep reading all night long. There were so many wrong people in this book – but the most wrong one of all simply shocked me. Every theory I had was wrong.
Also, my teenager is now banned from all parties and outings until she’s 45. And maybe longer.
I loved this one. The author completely surprised me again and again. Would definitely read the author in the future!
*ARC provided via Net Galley
One Left Behind is that kind of can’t-put-down thrill ride that you’ll keep reading all night long. There were so many wrong people in this book – but the most wrong one of all simply shocked me. Every theory I had was wrong.
Also, my teenager is now banned from all parties and outings until she’s 45. And maybe longer.
I loved this one. The author completely surprised me again and again. Would definitely read the author in the future!
*ARC provided via Net Galley
June 12, 2021
Another great read from this author who I have been an admirer of from Book 1 in this series. It was well written as usual, an interesting and unusual topic which kept me on the edge of my seat from the beginning until the end and I just loved every word on every page.
I cannot speak highly enough about this book, a very worthy five stars from me and I am glad the reference to the abusive husband looks to be coming to an end and I hope Gina & Briggs will settle down and be happy together.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read this book and well done Carla I look forward to number 10.
I cannot speak highly enough about this book, a very worthy five stars from me and I am glad the reference to the abusive husband looks to be coming to an end and I hope Gina & Briggs will settle down and be happy together.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read this book and well done Carla I look forward to number 10.
October 18, 2025
Ik las deze week dat deel 8 komende maand al uitkomt, en hier zijn wij, er achteraan hobbelend met deel 9.. Ik hoop dat we snel inhalen, want ik wil weten wat er nog allemaal gaat komen.
Ik kan wel weer eenzelfde riedeltje houden over het door het boek heen vliegen, de makkelijke en toegankelijke schrijfstijl, de meerdere verdachten die Carla zo goed op weet te zetten en de verschillende verhaallijnen die altijd ergens samenkomen, maar ik geloof dat jullie dat nu allemaal wel weten. Daarom kom ik meteen maar ter zake en probeer deze recensie wat korter te houden. Ik denk dat iedereen die deze recensie tegenkomt toch zelf ook al de voorgaande 8 delen heeft gelezen.
Ik kom maar meteen met de deur in huis vallen. Voor mij was 'Toen waren er vier' het minst leuke deel van de serie toe nu toe. Ik heb van de voorgaande delen erg genoten, al werd het met per deel steeds ietsje minder na ongeveer het vijfde deel. Het vorige deel heeft me echt positief verrast en ik hoopte ergens dat dat nu dus ook weer zo zou zijn, maar helaas was het me deze keer niet gegund.
Carla Kovach heeft een goed verhaal neer gezet, daar wil ik niet op afvallen. Ze heeft een mooie doelgroep uitgekozen om een verhaal omheen te schrijven, ze heeft weer een lekker vlot verhaal geschreven en het was ook wel spannend. De karakters waren interessant en het onthullen van alle geheimen in het verhaal was ook weer leuk om te doen. Er zaten ook weer wat toxische mannen in het verhaal, wat eigenlijk een standaard is in de boeken van Carla Kovach. Maar... En daar komt hij, ik kon me niet goed vinden in het verhaal. Ik was wel benieuwd naar de afloop, het was wel verrassend in de zin dat ik de dader niet helemaal zag aankomen en dat er dingen gebeurden die ik niet helemaal door had vanaf het begin. Maar ik kon me gewoon niet vinden in deze doelgroep.
Ja, ik ben ook een tiener geweest, maar ik heb geen normale tienerjaren geweest. Ja, ik hield geheimen achter voor mijn ouders, maar die waren compleet anders dan de geheime feestjes met alcohol, drugs en seks. Dus ik snapte de helft van de acties van deze tieners niet. Het intimideren, het manipuleren.. Ik kon het gewoon moeilijk snappen of me erin inleven om eerlijk te zijn. Ik kon bepaalde karakters (of eigenlijk 1 ervan) nog wel begrijpen. Maar het feit dat ik in die zin een hele periode van mijn leven heb gemist, nooit echt puber ben geweest, zorgt er wel voor dat ik een bepaalde afstand ervaarde tijdens het lezen. Misschien dat anderen zich er wel heel goed in konden vinden, maar ik deze keer niet zo.
Interessant vond ik de tweede verhaallijn die door het verhaal heen liep, de afhankelijke vrouw, zowel mentaal als fysiek, die raakte me wel en dit deel van het verhaal vond ik dan ook het leukste van het hele boek. Natuurlijk is dit een terugkerend onderwerp in de boeken van Carla Kovach, maar deze psychologie hierachter is zo goed uitgewerkt dat het voor mij gewoon een heel interessant lijntje is door de boeken heen.
Wat me ook opviel is dat ik merk dat weten dat er al 18 delen zijn ervoor zorgt dat de spanning rondom de verhaallijn van Gina Harte bij mij wat zijn doel mist. Als je dit boek leest op het moment dat het uitgebracht wordt, dan weet je niet wat er komen gaat en kan elk deel de laatste zijn door de geheimen van Gina die misschien naar boven komen. Maar omdat er al 9 delen meer zijn dan deze, weet je gewoon dat er toch weinig gaat gebeuren en dat zorgt ervoor dat het voor mij nu wat uitgemolken gaat voelen. De band die ik met Gina voelde begint wat te vervagen en het duurt mij net wat te lang allemaal. Natuurlijk is het fijn dat er ook in dit deel weer stappen in de goede richting komen, maar daarvoor moet er wel weer van alles gebeuren, wat voor mij nu een beetje als onnodig gaat voelen. Ik was in het vorige deel zo blij dat Gina sterker leek te staan. En tuurlijk weet ik dat herstel met pieken en dalen gaat, dat er geen rechte lijn is, maar toch merk ik na 9 delen dat het mijn interesse niet meer zo heeft, en dat ik me vooral afvraag wat er dan nog zou moeten komen in die volgende delen. En heel langzaam begin ik er wat tegenop te zien om dan nog weer een deel aan te moeten zien dat Gina zichzelf in de nesten werkt door te liegen en bedriegen.. Ik vind hem lastig.
Deze boeken zijn heerlijk, maar toch verliezen ze bij mij ook een klein beetje charme en ik hoop hoop hoop zo ontzetten dat ik in de volgende delen mijn liefde voor Gina en Briggs weer terug kan vinden...
Ik geef "Toen waren er vier" 3,25 sterren!
~ Live Your Life Reading
Ik kan wel weer eenzelfde riedeltje houden over het door het boek heen vliegen, de makkelijke en toegankelijke schrijfstijl, de meerdere verdachten die Carla zo goed op weet te zetten en de verschillende verhaallijnen die altijd ergens samenkomen, maar ik geloof dat jullie dat nu allemaal wel weten. Daarom kom ik meteen maar ter zake en probeer deze recensie wat korter te houden. Ik denk dat iedereen die deze recensie tegenkomt toch zelf ook al de voorgaande 8 delen heeft gelezen.
Ik kom maar meteen met de deur in huis vallen. Voor mij was 'Toen waren er vier' het minst leuke deel van de serie toe nu toe. Ik heb van de voorgaande delen erg genoten, al werd het met per deel steeds ietsje minder na ongeveer het vijfde deel. Het vorige deel heeft me echt positief verrast en ik hoopte ergens dat dat nu dus ook weer zo zou zijn, maar helaas was het me deze keer niet gegund.
Carla Kovach heeft een goed verhaal neer gezet, daar wil ik niet op afvallen. Ze heeft een mooie doelgroep uitgekozen om een verhaal omheen te schrijven, ze heeft weer een lekker vlot verhaal geschreven en het was ook wel spannend. De karakters waren interessant en het onthullen van alle geheimen in het verhaal was ook weer leuk om te doen. Er zaten ook weer wat toxische mannen in het verhaal, wat eigenlijk een standaard is in de boeken van Carla Kovach. Maar... En daar komt hij, ik kon me niet goed vinden in het verhaal. Ik was wel benieuwd naar de afloop, het was wel verrassend in de zin dat ik de dader niet helemaal zag aankomen en dat er dingen gebeurden die ik niet helemaal door had vanaf het begin. Maar ik kon me gewoon niet vinden in deze doelgroep.
Ja, ik ben ook een tiener geweest, maar ik heb geen normale tienerjaren geweest. Ja, ik hield geheimen achter voor mijn ouders, maar die waren compleet anders dan de geheime feestjes met alcohol, drugs en seks. Dus ik snapte de helft van de acties van deze tieners niet. Het intimideren, het manipuleren.. Ik kon het gewoon moeilijk snappen of me erin inleven om eerlijk te zijn. Ik kon bepaalde karakters (of eigenlijk 1 ervan) nog wel begrijpen. Maar het feit dat ik in die zin een hele periode van mijn leven heb gemist, nooit echt puber ben geweest, zorgt er wel voor dat ik een bepaalde afstand ervaarde tijdens het lezen. Misschien dat anderen zich er wel heel goed in konden vinden, maar ik deze keer niet zo.
Interessant vond ik de tweede verhaallijn die door het verhaal heen liep, de afhankelijke vrouw, zowel mentaal als fysiek, die raakte me wel en dit deel van het verhaal vond ik dan ook het leukste van het hele boek. Natuurlijk is dit een terugkerend onderwerp in de boeken van Carla Kovach, maar deze psychologie hierachter is zo goed uitgewerkt dat het voor mij gewoon een heel interessant lijntje is door de boeken heen.
Wat me ook opviel is dat ik merk dat weten dat er al 18 delen zijn ervoor zorgt dat de spanning rondom de verhaallijn van Gina Harte bij mij wat zijn doel mist. Als je dit boek leest op het moment dat het uitgebracht wordt, dan weet je niet wat er komen gaat en kan elk deel de laatste zijn door de geheimen van Gina die misschien naar boven komen. Maar omdat er al 9 delen meer zijn dan deze, weet je gewoon dat er toch weinig gaat gebeuren en dat zorgt ervoor dat het voor mij nu wat uitgemolken gaat voelen. De band die ik met Gina voelde begint wat te vervagen en het duurt mij net wat te lang allemaal. Natuurlijk is het fijn dat er ook in dit deel weer stappen in de goede richting komen, maar daarvoor moet er wel weer van alles gebeuren, wat voor mij nu een beetje als onnodig gaat voelen. Ik was in het vorige deel zo blij dat Gina sterker leek te staan. En tuurlijk weet ik dat herstel met pieken en dalen gaat, dat er geen rechte lijn is, maar toch merk ik na 9 delen dat het mijn interesse niet meer zo heeft, en dat ik me vooral afvraag wat er dan nog zou moeten komen in die volgende delen. En heel langzaam begin ik er wat tegenop te zien om dan nog weer een deel aan te moeten zien dat Gina zichzelf in de nesten werkt door te liegen en bedriegen.. Ik vind hem lastig.
Deze boeken zijn heerlijk, maar toch verliezen ze bij mij ook een klein beetje charme en ik hoop hoop hoop zo ontzetten dat ik in de volgende delen mijn liefde voor Gina en Briggs weer terug kan vinden...
Ik geef "Toen waren er vier" 3,25 sterren!
~ Live Your Life Reading
August 16, 2022
One Left Behind is yet another brilliant book in the Gina Harte series by Carla Kovach. This series started off with a great book and it just keeps getting better. This is the 9th book in the series and Gina has come a long way since The Next Girl. I love that Gina is unlike any other female detective, middle-aged and a dark secret that can destroy her. Wow! Having that hanging over your hear day in and day out must be taxing but Gina ever the professional compartmentalizes so well! This book sees her come head on with thus secret and the potential it has to completely destroy life as she knows it.
The main plot of this book is gripping and unique. The characters especially the teenagers were so very twisted. And that fabulous twist in the end!! I did not see that coming! I knew teenagers can be mean but malicious ness to this extent? No thank you I'm so glad I'm past that phase!! While the main plot was great I was also high-key interested in what Gina has to bear with owing to her dark and twisted truth. In the end I think this was a GREAT book in the series. I hope there's more!!
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and Carla Kovach for this arc!
The main plot of this book is gripping and unique. The characters especially the teenagers were so very twisted. And that fabulous twist in the end!! I did not see that coming! I knew teenagers can be mean but malicious ness to this extent? No thank you I'm so glad I'm past that phase!! While the main plot was great I was also high-key interested in what Gina has to bear with owing to her dark and twisted truth. In the end I think this was a GREAT book in the series. I hope there's more!!
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and Carla Kovach for this arc!
July 26, 2021
This is yet another gripping instalment in the fantastic Gina Harte detective series. Be sure to start at the beginning because there's a sensational backstory which lingers in the background of each book. In this one, it comes to the fore when someone keeps sending Gina messages about a significant event that has blighted her recent past. I was on the edge of my seat every time one of these messages cropped up.
Getting back to the heart of the story, it begins with a group of sixteen year olds having a wild party in the woods and escalates into something far more sinister when one of the kids find her best friend dead in the undergrowth. Gina and her team dig deep and find a few leads to investigate but frustratingly they lead nowhere. Are the kids keeping secrets? If so why? Has Gina and her team got it in them to get to the bottom of things before yet another youth loses a life?
Gina has to deal with teenage angst while wrestling with her own personal demons. This was another edge of your seat gripping thriller from the outset and one I thoroughly recommend this police procedural series.
Getting back to the heart of the story, it begins with a group of sixteen year olds having a wild party in the woods and escalates into something far more sinister when one of the kids find her best friend dead in the undergrowth. Gina and her team dig deep and find a few leads to investigate but frustratingly they lead nowhere. Are the kids keeping secrets? If so why? Has Gina and her team got it in them to get to the bottom of things before yet another youth loses a life?
Gina has to deal with teenage angst while wrestling with her own personal demons. This was another edge of your seat gripping thriller from the outset and one I thoroughly recommend this police procedural series.
August 21, 2021
Wow! Talk about a book that packs a punch. Just a few pages in I was blown away by One Left Behind. The police procedural element, where every detail is well-researched and fed in seamlessly, is simply excellent.
The premise is every parent’s worst nightmare: five sixteen year old friends sneak out to party one night, as kids do. Only four live to tell the tale, but are they telling all of it? Immediately we are presented with other credible suspects within the community and it’s down to Gina Harte and her team to separate the wheat from the chaff and get to the truth before another teenager dies. I have to say here how much I love the author’s characterisation. Each and every person we are introduced to is utterly believable. With their individual voices and quirks, you can visualise them in every complex detail.
The team are in a race against time to find the murderer before they strike again. Woven into the plot – again, seamlessly – is Gina’s backstory. Reminded of the dark secret she hides by events at crime scenes, alongside ominous texts from an unknown sender to her boss and lover, Briggs, it appears Gina herself might be facing her day of reckoning.
One Left Behind is a hugely satisfying read with lots of twists and turns to keep the reader as well as the team on their toes – and an absolute corker at the conclusion. The book can be read as a standalone or as part of the brilliant Detective Gina Harte series and is one I would highly recommend.
The premise is every parent’s worst nightmare: five sixteen year old friends sneak out to party one night, as kids do. Only four live to tell the tale, but are they telling all of it? Immediately we are presented with other credible suspects within the community and it’s down to Gina Harte and her team to separate the wheat from the chaff and get to the truth before another teenager dies. I have to say here how much I love the author’s characterisation. Each and every person we are introduced to is utterly believable. With their individual voices and quirks, you can visualise them in every complex detail.
The team are in a race against time to find the murderer before they strike again. Woven into the plot – again, seamlessly – is Gina’s backstory. Reminded of the dark secret she hides by events at crime scenes, alongside ominous texts from an unknown sender to her boss and lover, Briggs, it appears Gina herself might be facing her day of reckoning.
One Left Behind is a hugely satisfying read with lots of twists and turns to keep the reader as well as the team on their toes – and an absolute corker at the conclusion. The book can be read as a standalone or as part of the brilliant Detective Gina Harte series and is one I would highly recommend.
June 11, 2021
These books never disappoint! I’ve read the entire series as advanced copies - I feel so lucky - and can’t recommend this series enough. This is book 9 in the series and to see how the characters have evolved and the arcs they’ve made over time just keeps me wanting more. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Gina next.
This is a must read and most definitely recommend reading them in order.
Thank you again #netgalley and #bookouture for another fantastic eARC.
This is a must read and most definitely recommend reading them in order.
Thank you again #netgalley and #bookouture for another fantastic eARC.
June 10, 2023
The ninth entry in this long running series featuring Gina Harte. You'd have thought by now the series would be getting repetitive or stale but the author manages to keep it fresh, interesting and just as addictive. The one is one of the best entries in the series so far and features a fast-paced thriller of a story that you won't want to put down.
July 12, 2021
I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Carla Kovach's latest Gina Harte thriller ONE LEFT BEHIND.
Still haven't read the first two books in this series but I've been an avid fan of Gina Harte since "My Pretty Bones" as I have watched her character develop as well as her relationship with her DCI, Chris Briggs. In the previous book, my reviewed stated that it was about time Gina got her act together and either settled with Briggs or not...as well as the constant bringing up of her past with and the death of her husband Terry. This time I've had to eat my words because both topics feature heavily in this exciting installment almost coming to a head.
A very difficult crime is at the forefront of this book and DI Gina Harte has been called to oversee. Five teenagers snuck out in the dead of night to camp out and party in the woods. Five went in but only four came out.
Naomi Carpenter wakes feeling groggy and unwell and takes herself off to answer the call of nature. She hears a twig snapping. One of the boys, Jordan or Oscar, probably spying on her. She yells that it's not funny. She hears another snap. Suddenly frightened she hurries to get back to camp, tripping over something on the way. Somebody's legs. It's Leah. What is she doing sleeping here? She was pretty wasted...maybe she crashed. But then she sees Leah's eyes, open and staring...and she screams.
Gina and her team have the task of investigating what happened in those woods but it isn't long before she gets the feeling that the teens are not telling her everything. They are admittedly shaken and admit to booze and drink and a little weed...but what else happened to make them clam up? What really happened in the woods that night?
Then the team discover two other teenagers who were invited to the party but didn't attend. Caro Blakely and Anthony Truss had been at a previous party that was held in the same woods two weeks before. So why weren't they at this one? What had happened to keep them away this time?
Desperate to remember what really happened at the last party, Caro keeps a notebook detailing the snippets of information that has come back to her. But who can she talk to about what happened? Not Oscar. She thought he liked her but she caught him having sex with Leah...or was it Elsa? Jordan's an idiot and Naomi it a bit of a bitch. Anthony? Yes, Anthony has always had her back. She needs to speak to him because someone is sending threatening messages via Snapchat, disappearing into oblivion after she's read them. They tell her to keep her mouth shut or she's next.
Meanwhile, Gina has had some threatening messages of her own. Someone, it seems, knows her secret. Someone apart from Chris. And he's been getting threatening messages as well. And to top it off, her daughter Hannah has sent her a strange text which leaves her worried. What does Hannah know? Is Gina's deepest secret about to be revealed? Is she about to lose everything she has worked for?
Pushing those thoughts to the back of her mind, Gina focuses on uncovering the truth behind the party in the woods and Leah's death. But before she can make much headway, another teen is discovered dead. Who is killing these kids? And why?
Then the team discover that a man with a prior conviction for voyeurism lives close by bordering the woods and he quickly becomes a suspect. Has his interest gone beyond looking to murder? Once his secret is out and published all over social media, a hate campaign begins outside his house in which his disabled wife is imprisoned and the recipient of all the hate. This aspect of the story is a sensitive one as the mystery broadens and delves into abuse, dependence and control. It makes for uncomfortable reading at times and it's a situation with which Gina sympathises greatly.
ONE LEFT BEHIND is a taut and tense crime thriller that is multi-layered with a lot going on both within and behind the scenes. It almost feels like a penultimate climax concerning Gina's past and leaves readers wondering is this the end of the road? The identity of who is making the threats is not surprising though I am surprised I didn't think of it at the time. But it does leave us pondering is time running out for Gina and her secret?
An intriguing and tense thriller, ONE LEFT BEHIND is a thrilling addition to the Gina Harte series and at last I enjoyed the relationship between her and Briggs, instead of being annoyed with her to-ing and fro-ing over it all. At last they were on the same side and frequency. I admit to shedding a tear at the end in her conversation with Hannah as Gina realises she can no longer hide the truth from her daughter.
Can be read as a standalone but due to the underlying theme, it is best read from the beginning.
I would like to thank #CarlaKovach, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #OneLeftBehind in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
Still haven't read the first two books in this series but I've been an avid fan of Gina Harte since "My Pretty Bones" as I have watched her character develop as well as her relationship with her DCI, Chris Briggs. In the previous book, my reviewed stated that it was about time Gina got her act together and either settled with Briggs or not...as well as the constant bringing up of her past with and the death of her husband Terry. This time I've had to eat my words because both topics feature heavily in this exciting installment almost coming to a head.
A very difficult crime is at the forefront of this book and DI Gina Harte has been called to oversee. Five teenagers snuck out in the dead of night to camp out and party in the woods. Five went in but only four came out.
Naomi Carpenter wakes feeling groggy and unwell and takes herself off to answer the call of nature. She hears a twig snapping. One of the boys, Jordan or Oscar, probably spying on her. She yells that it's not funny. She hears another snap. Suddenly frightened she hurries to get back to camp, tripping over something on the way. Somebody's legs. It's Leah. What is she doing sleeping here? She was pretty wasted...maybe she crashed. But then she sees Leah's eyes, open and staring...and she screams.
Gina and her team have the task of investigating what happened in those woods but it isn't long before she gets the feeling that the teens are not telling her everything. They are admittedly shaken and admit to booze and drink and a little weed...but what else happened to make them clam up? What really happened in the woods that night?
Then the team discover two other teenagers who were invited to the party but didn't attend. Caro Blakely and Anthony Truss had been at a previous party that was held in the same woods two weeks before. So why weren't they at this one? What had happened to keep them away this time?
Desperate to remember what really happened at the last party, Caro keeps a notebook detailing the snippets of information that has come back to her. But who can she talk to about what happened? Not Oscar. She thought he liked her but she caught him having sex with Leah...or was it Elsa? Jordan's an idiot and Naomi it a bit of a bitch. Anthony? Yes, Anthony has always had her back. She needs to speak to him because someone is sending threatening messages via Snapchat, disappearing into oblivion after she's read them. They tell her to keep her mouth shut or she's next.
Meanwhile, Gina has had some threatening messages of her own. Someone, it seems, knows her secret. Someone apart from Chris. And he's been getting threatening messages as well. And to top it off, her daughter Hannah has sent her a strange text which leaves her worried. What does Hannah know? Is Gina's deepest secret about to be revealed? Is she about to lose everything she has worked for?
Pushing those thoughts to the back of her mind, Gina focuses on uncovering the truth behind the party in the woods and Leah's death. But before she can make much headway, another teen is discovered dead. Who is killing these kids? And why?
Then the team discover that a man with a prior conviction for voyeurism lives close by bordering the woods and he quickly becomes a suspect. Has his interest gone beyond looking to murder? Once his secret is out and published all over social media, a hate campaign begins outside his house in which his disabled wife is imprisoned and the recipient of all the hate. This aspect of the story is a sensitive one as the mystery broadens and delves into abuse, dependence and control. It makes for uncomfortable reading at times and it's a situation with which Gina sympathises greatly.
ONE LEFT BEHIND is a taut and tense crime thriller that is multi-layered with a lot going on both within and behind the scenes. It almost feels like a penultimate climax concerning Gina's past and leaves readers wondering is this the end of the road? The identity of who is making the threats is not surprising though I am surprised I didn't think of it at the time. But it does leave us pondering is time running out for Gina and her secret?
An intriguing and tense thriller, ONE LEFT BEHIND is a thrilling addition to the Gina Harte series and at last I enjoyed the relationship between her and Briggs, instead of being annoyed with her to-ing and fro-ing over it all. At last they were on the same side and frequency. I admit to shedding a tear at the end in her conversation with Hannah as Gina realises she can no longer hide the truth from her daughter.
Can be read as a standalone but due to the underlying theme, it is best read from the beginning.
I would like to thank #CarlaKovach, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #OneLeftBehind in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
April 23, 2024
Ik las ‘Toen waren er vier’, de nieuwste thriller van Carla Kovach. Lees zijn recensie hieronder. ⬇️
Leah en haar vrienden zijn er helemaal klaar voor. Een nachtje kamperen in de vrije natuur. Ze duiken diep het bos in en op een mooie plek slaan ze hun kamp op. Maar de volgende ochtend wanneer ze wakker worden is er één plek leeg.
Uiteraard wordt Gina Harte op deze case gezet en moet ze alle zeilen bijzetten om erachter te komen wat er gebeurd is. De race tegen de klok begint pas echt als er meerdere tieners vermoord terug gevonden worden. Kan Gina, samen met haar team, deze zaak oplossen?
Ondertussen zijn wij alweer aangekomen bij het negende deel in deze serie. Stuk voor stuk geweldige boeken. Echter bij dit negende deel heb ik toch een beetje het gevoel dat de personages een beetje stil staan en maken ze, in mijn beleving, niet erg veel groei door. Is dit jammer? Ja, natuurlijk. Maar aan de andere kant is het ook begrijpelijk want als je al acht geweldige boeken hebt geschreven is het ook een beetje logisch dat de rode lijn in de serie even tot rust komt. dat is in het dagelijks leven natuurlijk ook zo.
Is het verhaal dan niet spannend? Zeker weten wel. Kovach weet de nieuwe personages weer erg sterk neer te zetten en je kunt, als lezer, weer fijn aansluiten bij haar team om mee te puzzelen. Kovach is ook een kei in het opbouwen van de spanningsboog. Voor een groot gedeelte van het verhaal staat deze boog gespannen en daar hou ik toch wel enorm van.
Ben je nog niet bekend met de verhalen rondom Gina Harte? Dan raad ik je wel aan om de serie op volgorde te lezen, aangezien er toch een belangrijke rode draad door de serie loopt. Daarnaast zijn de boeken té spannend om niet te lezen en als thrillerfan zul je hier zeker geen spijt van krijgen.
Persoonlijk hoop ik wel, dat in het vervolg, dat in augustus verschijnt, wel meer gebeurd rondom de hoofdpersonages. Maar ik blijf toch erg nieuwsgierig naar deze serie en kan dan ook niet wachten tot het augustus is.
Dit boek ontvingen wij van Boekerij. Dit beïnvloedt onze mening niet.
Leah en haar vrienden zijn er helemaal klaar voor. Een nachtje kamperen in de vrije natuur. Ze duiken diep het bos in en op een mooie plek slaan ze hun kamp op. Maar de volgende ochtend wanneer ze wakker worden is er één plek leeg.
Uiteraard wordt Gina Harte op deze case gezet en moet ze alle zeilen bijzetten om erachter te komen wat er gebeurd is. De race tegen de klok begint pas echt als er meerdere tieners vermoord terug gevonden worden. Kan Gina, samen met haar team, deze zaak oplossen?
Ondertussen zijn wij alweer aangekomen bij het negende deel in deze serie. Stuk voor stuk geweldige boeken. Echter bij dit negende deel heb ik toch een beetje het gevoel dat de personages een beetje stil staan en maken ze, in mijn beleving, niet erg veel groei door. Is dit jammer? Ja, natuurlijk. Maar aan de andere kant is het ook begrijpelijk want als je al acht geweldige boeken hebt geschreven is het ook een beetje logisch dat de rode lijn in de serie even tot rust komt. dat is in het dagelijks leven natuurlijk ook zo.
Is het verhaal dan niet spannend? Zeker weten wel. Kovach weet de nieuwe personages weer erg sterk neer te zetten en je kunt, als lezer, weer fijn aansluiten bij haar team om mee te puzzelen. Kovach is ook een kei in het opbouwen van de spanningsboog. Voor een groot gedeelte van het verhaal staat deze boog gespannen en daar hou ik toch wel enorm van.
Ben je nog niet bekend met de verhalen rondom Gina Harte? Dan raad ik je wel aan om de serie op volgorde te lezen, aangezien er toch een belangrijke rode draad door de serie loopt. Daarnaast zijn de boeken té spannend om niet te lezen en als thrillerfan zul je hier zeker geen spijt van krijgen.
Persoonlijk hoop ik wel, dat in het vervolg, dat in augustus verschijnt, wel meer gebeurd rondom de hoofdpersonages. Maar ik blijf toch erg nieuwsgierig naar deze serie en kan dan ook niet wachten tot het augustus is.
Dit boek ontvingen wij van Boekerij. Dit beïnvloedt onze mening niet.
July 14, 2021
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of One Left Behind, the ninth novel to feature DI Gina Harte of the Warwickshire police.
A teenager is found strangled after a night of camping and partying. Her friends all say they know nothing as they had been drinking. It soon becomes apparent that they are lying and have secrets to keep.
I have read and enjoyed the previous novels in the series but One Left Behind seems stale and it failed to capture or hold my attention. I put it down several times in favour of more appealing reads. Some of that is down to the plot as I can’t identify with teenagers and their compulsive secret keeping and the rest is down to the usual subplot of Gina and her involvement in the death of her abusive husband years ago. After so many novels you would have thought that it had run its course, but no, it’s back with the twist that someone has seemingly found out. Well, whatever, I have no enthusiasm left for it.
Just because I couldn’t get invested in the novel doesn’t make it a poor offering. It has plenty to offer an interested reader with twists, unexpected events and a well disguised perpetrator. It is told from multiple points of view and each character has a story, often to do with the impact the murders have on them. This necessarily gets the novel off to a slow start as they and their backgrounds are explained and the reader tries to work out where they fit in to the overall narrative (probably not where you think it will be).
One Left Behind is a solid read.
A teenager is found strangled after a night of camping and partying. Her friends all say they know nothing as they had been drinking. It soon becomes apparent that they are lying and have secrets to keep.
I have read and enjoyed the previous novels in the series but One Left Behind seems stale and it failed to capture or hold my attention. I put it down several times in favour of more appealing reads. Some of that is down to the plot as I can’t identify with teenagers and their compulsive secret keeping and the rest is down to the usual subplot of Gina and her involvement in the death of her abusive husband years ago. After so many novels you would have thought that it had run its course, but no, it’s back with the twist that someone has seemingly found out. Well, whatever, I have no enthusiasm left for it.
Just because I couldn’t get invested in the novel doesn’t make it a poor offering. It has plenty to offer an interested reader with twists, unexpected events and a well disguised perpetrator. It is told from multiple points of view and each character has a story, often to do with the impact the murders have on them. This necessarily gets the novel off to a slow start as they and their backgrounds are explained and the reader tries to work out where they fit in to the overall narrative (probably not where you think it will be).
One Left Behind is a solid read.
July 2, 2021
Oh my this one was a great read!!! I got this as an ARC and I was really intrigued when I read the synopsis! A teen is found dead in the woods, and none of her friends are talking. Who killed her? Was it someone she knew, or a random creepo who lived in the area nearby? Soooo many sketchy people. Sooo many secrets needing to be revealed. I didn’t know where this tale would go! There were a ton of twists, a surprising ending, and the satisfaction of all the puzzle pieces falling into place! This was a GREAT novel and I am really excited that I now had a chance to read a Carla Kovach book! It was so easy to get into this thriller and I definitely would say it got me out of my thriller reading slump! Pick this one up when it gets publishing July 15!!Thank you to netgalley and bookouture for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
July 21, 2021
One Left Behind (Detective Gina Harte Book 9) by Carla Kovach
📓Genre: Mystery | Thriller
Star: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌠(4.1)
🔖 This book by Carla Kovach is the 9th one in the Gina Harte series, although the story is quite captivating on its own even if you read it as a standalone thriller.
🔖After a long night of camping and crazy partying in the forest – a group of teenagers wake up the next morning to the shocking realization that one of them has been murdered.
🔖DI Gina Harte serves as the protagonist of the tale, with the primary plot focusing on the murder investigation.
🔖As each teen refuses to speak up, DI Harte and her team leave no stone unturned to solve the case. But as with the previous novels in the series, the story is layered, complete with interesting twists and turns.
🔖While still keeping the pace uniform, the author has also nicely wrapped up the story in the end.
🔖The characters have definitely grown over time. I specially liked how DI Harte's backstory has been given equal importance – with her own life, history and relationships reflecting on and intermingling with the case. It also served as an interesting sub-plot.
🔖Overall, I really enjoyed reading this twisty thriller.
🔸Final Verdict: Good
🔸Book Cover: Intriguing
🔸Writing Style: Keeps you on the edge
🔸Character Development: The characters are penned with good back stories.
✨Many thanks to Bookouture (Publisher) and Netgalley for sending me the ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
#OneLeftBehind #NetGalley #netgalleyreads #arc #2021reads
📓Genre: Mystery | Thriller
Star: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌠(4.1)
🔖 This book by Carla Kovach is the 9th one in the Gina Harte series, although the story is quite captivating on its own even if you read it as a standalone thriller.
🔖After a long night of camping and crazy partying in the forest – a group of teenagers wake up the next morning to the shocking realization that one of them has been murdered.
🔖DI Gina Harte serves as the protagonist of the tale, with the primary plot focusing on the murder investigation.
🔖As each teen refuses to speak up, DI Harte and her team leave no stone unturned to solve the case. But as with the previous novels in the series, the story is layered, complete with interesting twists and turns.
🔖While still keeping the pace uniform, the author has also nicely wrapped up the story in the end.
🔖The characters have definitely grown over time. I specially liked how DI Harte's backstory has been given equal importance – with her own life, history and relationships reflecting on and intermingling with the case. It also served as an interesting sub-plot.
🔖Overall, I really enjoyed reading this twisty thriller.
🔸Final Verdict: Good
🔸Book Cover: Intriguing
🔸Writing Style: Keeps you on the edge
🔸Character Development: The characters are penned with good back stories.
✨Many thanks to Bookouture (Publisher) and Netgalley for sending me the ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
#OneLeftBehind #NetGalley #netgalleyreads #arc #2021reads
July 12, 2021
This is a brilliant series and I think this book is one of the best so far.
A group of teenagers all get together for a sleepover in the woods, with drink and some drugs being part of the night. The next morning one of the girls is found dead and the group are in shock.
Gina attends the scene and is determined to find the killer.
Her and Jacob follow several leads but all eventually lead to dead ends.
Gina and Briggs are both receiving messages about being guilty of Terry’s death and it really starts to get to Gina. This is made worse when her daughter Hannah says she needs to talk to her and will be coming to visit soon.
There’s lots going on in this book and it’s very cleverly written. I had no idea who the killer was and loved the way all the threads were pulled together at the end.
This is a great crime thriller that I’d highly recommend.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
A group of teenagers all get together for a sleepover in the woods, with drink and some drugs being part of the night. The next morning one of the girls is found dead and the group are in shock.
Gina attends the scene and is determined to find the killer.
Her and Jacob follow several leads but all eventually lead to dead ends.
Gina and Briggs are both receiving messages about being guilty of Terry’s death and it really starts to get to Gina. This is made worse when her daughter Hannah says she needs to talk to her and will be coming to visit soon.
There’s lots going on in this book and it’s very cleverly written. I had no idea who the killer was and loved the way all the threads were pulled together at the end.
This is a great crime thriller that I’d highly recommend.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
December 20, 2024
Het einde viel me een beetje tegen. Ik had een ander einde verwacht. Voor de rest was het mega spannend.
June 12, 2021
I was so excited to read another instalment of the Gina hart series and this one certainly didn’t disappoint. These books are part of a series for which this is book number 9 although could easily be read as a standalone. I liked that this one explored a bit more of Gina’s back story and also her developing relationship with Briggs. If you like edge of the seat murder and crime stories with lots of twists and turns then I highly recommend This series. This was a brilliant plot that kept me on my toes throughout and had me guessing until the end. I am now eagerly awaiting the next instalment.
April 15, 2025
3,5-4*
April 10, 2024
“Toen waren er vier - Carla Kovach”
🏕️🏕️🏕️🏕️🏕️
Deel 9 al en ik kan er maar niet genoeg van krijgen! 😍🫣
Verschillende verhaallijnen, dus je moet er wel je kopje bijhouden! 🤯
Maar wat een goed verhaal! 😅 en opnieuw de aangename schrijfstijl die we gewoon zijn! 👌🏻
Mevrouw Kovach mag nog veeeel schrijven! 🤭
🏕️🏕️🏕️🏕️🏕️
Deel 9 al en ik kan er maar niet genoeg van krijgen! 😍🫣
Verschillende verhaallijnen, dus je moet er wel je kopje bijhouden! 🤯
Maar wat een goed verhaal! 😅 en opnieuw de aangename schrijfstijl die we gewoon zijn! 👌🏻
Mevrouw Kovach mag nog veeeel schrijven! 🤭
Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews