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The Girl in the Van
A tormented mother. An abandoned girl. A deadly game of survival.
What happened to Ellie?
Traumatised by events, Ellie’s mother, Laura, can’t bear to stay in the Welsh seaside town where she lives with her partner, Gareth. She escapes to London, breaking all ties with him, and refusing to tell anyone her new address.
After two years of living alone and working in a mundane job, Laura buys an old campervan and joins a singles holiday. Here, she meets Miriana, a teenage girl who bears a chilling resemblance to Ellie. As Laura uncovers Miriana’s story, she’s shocked by the parallels to her own life.
But stories can be dangerous, and someone out there will stop at nothing to prevent the truth about Ellie from coming out…
What happened to Ellie?
Traumatised by events, Ellie’s mother, Laura, can’t bear to stay in the Welsh seaside town where she lives with her partner, Gareth. She escapes to London, breaking all ties with him, and refusing to tell anyone her new address.
After two years of living alone and working in a mundane job, Laura buys an old campervan and joins a singles holiday. Here, she meets Miriana, a teenage girl who bears a chilling resemblance to Ellie. As Laura uncovers Miriana’s story, she’s shocked by the parallels to her own life.
But stories can be dangerous, and someone out there will stop at nothing to prevent the truth about Ellie from coming out…
300 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 17, 2022
300 people are currently reading
552 people want to read
About the author
Helen Matthews
6 books73 followersDelighted to announce that domestic suspense novel The Sisters is out soon from Bloodhound Books. They also recently republished my prize-winning suspense thriller Girl Out of Sight.
Lies Behind the Ruin, family noir set in France, is available from Amazon. A new edition of The Girl in the Van, winner of the Pageturner prize 2022 in the suspense and thriller category, will be out in January 2025.
I'm originally from Cardiff, studied English at Liverpool University and hold an MA in Creative Writing from Oxford Brookes. I've won prizes for flash fiction and short stories and been published in 'Artificium', Reflex Fiction, 1k story, ElipsisZine, Love Sunday, Scribble and in an eBook 'Garage 54 and other stories'.
Long ago in a galaxy far away (before I focused on fiction) I had some articles published in the Guardian, on the BBC and in lifestyle magazines. I love travelling and you can read about some quirky encounters and places on my blog. I'm an ambassador for the charity , Unseen that fights to end modern slavery.
Lies Behind the Ruin, family noir set in France, is available from Amazon. A new edition of The Girl in the Van, winner of the Pageturner prize 2022 in the suspense and thriller category, will be out in January 2025.
I'm originally from Cardiff, studied English at Liverpool University and hold an MA in Creative Writing from Oxford Brookes. I've won prizes for flash fiction and short stories and been published in 'Artificium', Reflex Fiction, 1k story, ElipsisZine, Love Sunday, Scribble and in an eBook 'Garage 54 and other stories'.
Long ago in a galaxy far away (before I focused on fiction) I had some articles published in the Guardian, on the BBC and in lifestyle magazines. I love travelling and you can read about some quirky encounters and places on my blog. I'm an ambassador for the charity , Unseen that fights to end modern slavery.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
May 7, 2025
An eerie thriller
March 17, 2022
I really tried to like this book as the premise was definitely intriguing but unfortunately the story failed to deliver. I was keyed up for the beautiful Welsh coastline as well as Laura's missing daughter and the young Eastern European woman she found hiding in her van. But honestly I was bored. I really didn't care what happened to the characters - Laura or Ellie or the young woman or anyone else, for matter. And I couldn't stand Laura's mother. I gave up up within the first 20%...as honestly, life is too short to read books you aren't enjoying.
I am not saying THE GIRL IN THE VAN is a bad book or the author is a bad writer...not at all. It's just not every book is going to be for everyone and unfortunately, this one wasn't for me.
I would like to thank #HelenMatthews, #DarkstrokeBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TheGirlInTheVan in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
I am not saying THE GIRL IN THE VAN is a bad book or the author is a bad writer...not at all. It's just not every book is going to be for everyone and unfortunately, this one wasn't for me.
I would like to thank #HelenMatthews, #DarkstrokeBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TheGirlInTheVan in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
March 29, 2022
The Girl in the Van by Helen Matthews had me reading as fast as I possibly could, without missing anything, because it was absolutely gripping. I love the feeling when you’re sucked into a book and you just can’t put it down. This book did that for me.
The pacing is perfect. Fast and thrilling. There were many twists and turns and I didn’t know what would happen every time I turned the page. The plot is complex with many different layers and there wasn’t a time when I knew exactly what the answers to any of my questions were until the end.
If you’re looking for a psychological thriller that will keep you on your toes from the first page to the last, this is it. I highly recommend checking it out, and I also highly recommend starting the book well before bed time, because you won’t be able to put it down!
Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for the free review copy. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
The pacing is perfect. Fast and thrilling. There were many twists and turns and I didn’t know what would happen every time I turned the page. The plot is complex with many different layers and there wasn’t a time when I knew exactly what the answers to any of my questions were until the end.
If you’re looking for a psychological thriller that will keep you on your toes from the first page to the last, this is it. I highly recommend checking it out, and I also highly recommend starting the book well before bed time, because you won’t be able to put it down!
Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for the free review copy. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
March 31, 2022
It's a wonderful feeling that any bibliophile will know all too well. You see a book by an author you've never previously heard of and something about it grabs you. In this case, I love the cover, showing the image of the lit camper van in front of the dark and misty background. I'll even ignore that it's inaccurate, showing as it does a Peugeot / Fiat-based motorhome and not the Volkswagen camper described in the book. (I know, I'm a sad case!) It doesn't matter. I still want to take my own caravan to that location, turn the heater on, pour the wine and drink in the setting as the sun goes down.
I loved the blurb too. It manages the difficult job of being intriguing without giving too much away. I instantly wanted to know what did happen to Ellie, and just what is the truth that someone is so desperate to hide. And then there are the opening chapters, which had me really hooked. The story begins in Tenby, south Wales, which is an area I know well, and I could feel every one of Laura's emotions as her head convinced her to go on a singles' camping holiday, but her heart wasn't really in it. I could visualise her reactions as she first met the strange teenage girl, who bears a resemblance to her lost daughter Ellie, as clearly as if I had been there. And whilst part of me wanted to grab hold of Laura and shake her for believing everything that Mariana told her, another part of me understood it.
The trouble is though that when you love the opening parts of a book this much, it leaves you wanting so much to love the rest of it. And this means that if for any reason you don't, the disappointment is such that it almost hurts.
It's not that there's anything fundamentally wrong with this book. There's certainly nothing bad about it. I read it easily, and enjoyed it. The problem for me was that it somehow didn't come across as powerfully as a psychological suspense thriller really needs to.
I think there are two main issues. The first is that a key revelation that happens fairly early on and serves to rob the book of much of its suspense. The result is that whilst the reader feels sorry for Laura, and shares a sense of loss with her, there's no feeling of desperation and longing which could have been at the forefront. For me, two books that really powerfully convey the feelings of a mother who has lost a child are 'The Necklace' by Matt Witten and 'The Housewarming' by S E Lynes. I have to say that 'The Girl in the Van' didn't come close.
The other point is that there seemed to be quite a lot going on in the book. Laura's uneasy relationship with her mother felt realistic for sure, but I'm not sure how much it really added to the main story. Then there are the dual timelines, as the story switches between the present and two years earlier. These are necessary, but they use up a lot of words and in this case, mean that other key issues raised in the book feature so briefly and so quickly that the sense of horror at what is involved was really lost for me.
The ending to the book is really a continuation of this. I was interested. Excited, even. But for it to have really worked, I would have needed to have actually been frightened, and this just didn't happen.
It's starting to sound as though I didn't like this book and that's not right. As I said earlier, I read it easier and enjoyed it. I also really liked the descriptions and the occasional use of Welsh words and phrases that leave the reader in no doubt as to where Laura originally hails from, even though she's done her best to forget it. But - and I've said this before - the best psychological thrillers are those that leave me feeling like I've been chewed up, spat out and left thanking the author for the experience. This one just left me feeling as though I'd been on a very interesting ride.
My thanks to the author and to 'The Fiction Cafe - Review Group' on Facebook for the digital copy of this book, which I have reviewed voluntarily and honestly. I will post my review on Goodreads, Amazon and my personal blog.
I loved the blurb too. It manages the difficult job of being intriguing without giving too much away. I instantly wanted to know what did happen to Ellie, and just what is the truth that someone is so desperate to hide. And then there are the opening chapters, which had me really hooked. The story begins in Tenby, south Wales, which is an area I know well, and I could feel every one of Laura's emotions as her head convinced her to go on a singles' camping holiday, but her heart wasn't really in it. I could visualise her reactions as she first met the strange teenage girl, who bears a resemblance to her lost daughter Ellie, as clearly as if I had been there. And whilst part of me wanted to grab hold of Laura and shake her for believing everything that Mariana told her, another part of me understood it.
The trouble is though that when you love the opening parts of a book this much, it leaves you wanting so much to love the rest of it. And this means that if for any reason you don't, the disappointment is such that it almost hurts.
It's not that there's anything fundamentally wrong with this book. There's certainly nothing bad about it. I read it easily, and enjoyed it. The problem for me was that it somehow didn't come across as powerfully as a psychological suspense thriller really needs to.
I think there are two main issues. The first is that a key revelation that happens fairly early on and serves to rob the book of much of its suspense. The result is that whilst the reader feels sorry for Laura, and shares a sense of loss with her, there's no feeling of desperation and longing which could have been at the forefront. For me, two books that really powerfully convey the feelings of a mother who has lost a child are 'The Necklace' by Matt Witten and 'The Housewarming' by S E Lynes. I have to say that 'The Girl in the Van' didn't come close.
The other point is that there seemed to be quite a lot going on in the book. Laura's uneasy relationship with her mother felt realistic for sure, but I'm not sure how much it really added to the main story. Then there are the dual timelines, as the story switches between the present and two years earlier. These are necessary, but they use up a lot of words and in this case, mean that other key issues raised in the book feature so briefly and so quickly that the sense of horror at what is involved was really lost for me.
The ending to the book is really a continuation of this. I was interested. Excited, even. But for it to have really worked, I would have needed to have actually been frightened, and this just didn't happen.
It's starting to sound as though I didn't like this book and that's not right. As I said earlier, I read it easier and enjoyed it. I also really liked the descriptions and the occasional use of Welsh words and phrases that leave the reader in no doubt as to where Laura originally hails from, even though she's done her best to forget it. But - and I've said this before - the best psychological thrillers are those that leave me feeling like I've been chewed up, spat out and left thanking the author for the experience. This one just left me feeling as though I'd been on a very interesting ride.
My thanks to the author and to 'The Fiction Cafe - Review Group' on Facebook for the digital copy of this book, which I have reviewed voluntarily and honestly. I will post my review on Goodreads, Amazon and my personal blog.
March 26, 2022
First, I want to thank Helen Matthews, Darkstroke Books, and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with this book so I can bring you this review.
The Girl in the Van is the perfect title for Helen Matthews book! Not only that but the graphic designers did a great job intertwining that aspect.
Helen did an amazing job researching and fact checking for this story and it showed.
The ending of chapter one caught my attention as I needed to know who Ellie was!
I love all things related to The Royals so I grinned ear to ear with the mention of Charles and Lady Diana!
Helen went outside the box and used unique names for her characters. I loved the name Gareth and have never seen that before.
I chuckled at the conversation Laura had with her Mom about the singles holiday camping trip! Her Mom just didn’t know when to stop! I found myself yelling into my kindle that an ex is an ex for a reason!!
Like Laura I was totally shaking my head! She is there for a singles holiday-so why would children be there! It is like going on a blind date and their child comes with them. FYI yes that has happened to me!
Mariana’s character and storyline was an interesting one to read.
Helen keeps us on our toes by jumping around time wise.
The Girl in the Van is the perfect title for Helen Matthews book! Not only that but the graphic designers did a great job intertwining that aspect.
Helen did an amazing job researching and fact checking for this story and it showed.
The ending of chapter one caught my attention as I needed to know who Ellie was!
I love all things related to The Royals so I grinned ear to ear with the mention of Charles and Lady Diana!
Helen went outside the box and used unique names for her characters. I loved the name Gareth and have never seen that before.
I chuckled at the conversation Laura had with her Mom about the singles holiday camping trip! Her Mom just didn’t know when to stop! I found myself yelling into my kindle that an ex is an ex for a reason!!
Like Laura I was totally shaking my head! She is there for a singles holiday-so why would children be there! It is like going on a blind date and their child comes with them. FYI yes that has happened to me!
Mariana’s character and storyline was an interesting one to read.
Helen keeps us on our toes by jumping around time wise.
September 5, 2022
This book has plenty of twist and turns. Great characters and story line.
June 16, 2022
I’m generously giving this book a two star rating based on the first 75% which was enjoyable enough, albeit unrealistic. The last 25% was so far fetched I skimmed over the entire ending.
March 31, 2022
This brilliant, dark, frighteningly believable story has a plot that covers a wide range of authentic and relatable issues, flips back and forth in time and is written from the duel perspectives of two emotionally damaged women.
Almost three years had passed since Laura's beloved sixteen year old daughter Ellie had mysteriously disappeared and Laura's life had descended into a daily nightmare of grief, recriminations and judgement. Laura and her husband Gareth had found opposing ways of coping with the situation. Gareth had reacted with anger and developed what Laura viewed as a stubborn determination to uncover what had happened to their daughter whilst Laura chose to compartmentalize all her feelings within a box inside her head, leave her life in Wales behind and relocate to London. She had cut all ties with her past and now lived a solitary life in which the only person she actually communicated with was her neighbour Callum. Then fate decides to throw a spanner into Laura's chosen lonely journey when it decrees that she will purchase a campervan and join a singles holiday in Wales. A decision that will result in Laura being forced to confront her painful memories from the past and cause her to cross paths with a young woman called Miriana. Someone who bares a striking resemblance to Ellie and will cause Laura to find herself caught up in the twisted mind games of manipulative puppet master and forced to confront the shocking and painful truth behind events from the past.
Laura was a complex character who although I really tried to empathise with, I also found her quite difficult to like at certain times throughout the story. I know that different people have their own unique and personal ways of coping and dealing with the unpredictable events that we each encounter on our voyages along life's bumpy road. And we have absolutely no way of knowing how we are going to react unless we actually find ourselves confronting any one of life's uncertainties. But,I struggled to understand why Laura didn't want to know the truth behind Ellie's disappearance and why she got so frustrated with Gareth's quest for answers and what she called his conspiracy theories. Laura had a number of irritating and frustrating character traits and as with the other members of the author's ensemble of authentic and realistic individuals, I had conflicting feelings about how reliable and trustworthy she actually was.
According to Miriana's narration, her life had been a all too frighteningly authentic and believable story of battles with immigration, misplaced trust, deception, abuse, homelessness, coercion and manipulation. But how much of her story was actually true? Why had she integrated herself into Laura's life? Who was the man that Miriana was trying to escape? How did she know so many details about Laura's past life? By helping Miriana was Laura inadvertently placing her own life in deadly danger?
The Girl In The Van is a enthralling, intricately plotted page turner that hooks the reader in from the first page, keeps you guessing and frantically turning the pages. The thrilling story has more twists and turns than a winding country road and a nail biting, edge of your seat conclusion that ramps the reader's anxiety levels right up to the max. I would love to watch a movie or tv adaptation of this captivating thriller. Worthy of far more than five stars and very very highly recommended.
Almost three years had passed since Laura's beloved sixteen year old daughter Ellie had mysteriously disappeared and Laura's life had descended into a daily nightmare of grief, recriminations and judgement. Laura and her husband Gareth had found opposing ways of coping with the situation. Gareth had reacted with anger and developed what Laura viewed as a stubborn determination to uncover what had happened to their daughter whilst Laura chose to compartmentalize all her feelings within a box inside her head, leave her life in Wales behind and relocate to London. She had cut all ties with her past and now lived a solitary life in which the only person she actually communicated with was her neighbour Callum. Then fate decides to throw a spanner into Laura's chosen lonely journey when it decrees that she will purchase a campervan and join a singles holiday in Wales. A decision that will result in Laura being forced to confront her painful memories from the past and cause her to cross paths with a young woman called Miriana. Someone who bares a striking resemblance to Ellie and will cause Laura to find herself caught up in the twisted mind games of manipulative puppet master and forced to confront the shocking and painful truth behind events from the past.
Laura was a complex character who although I really tried to empathise with, I also found her quite difficult to like at certain times throughout the story. I know that different people have their own unique and personal ways of coping and dealing with the unpredictable events that we each encounter on our voyages along life's bumpy road. And we have absolutely no way of knowing how we are going to react unless we actually find ourselves confronting any one of life's uncertainties. But,I struggled to understand why Laura didn't want to know the truth behind Ellie's disappearance and why she got so frustrated with Gareth's quest for answers and what she called his conspiracy theories. Laura had a number of irritating and frustrating character traits and as with the other members of the author's ensemble of authentic and realistic individuals, I had conflicting feelings about how reliable and trustworthy she actually was.
According to Miriana's narration, her life had been a all too frighteningly authentic and believable story of battles with immigration, misplaced trust, deception, abuse, homelessness, coercion and manipulation. But how much of her story was actually true? Why had she integrated herself into Laura's life? Who was the man that Miriana was trying to escape? How did she know so many details about Laura's past life? By helping Miriana was Laura inadvertently placing her own life in deadly danger?
The Girl In The Van is a enthralling, intricately plotted page turner that hooks the reader in from the first page, keeps you guessing and frantically turning the pages. The thrilling story has more twists and turns than a winding country road and a nail biting, edge of your seat conclusion that ramps the reader's anxiety levels right up to the max. I would love to watch a movie or tv adaptation of this captivating thriller. Worthy of far more than five stars and very very highly recommended.
April 27, 2022
A spine-tingling start with plenty of intrigue. I was hooked from start to finish and read the last quarter at a sprint. Why and from whom is Laura running? Who is Ellie? It is soon apparent that Laura had a completely different life until a terrible incident which seems to have broken her. Laura’s new way of life doesn’t allow for enjoyment – everything is a coping mechanism to enable her to take flight if necessary. Despite Laura’s prickles you are rooting for her.
The arrival of Miriana dredges up maternal feelings and adds a whole new elevation to Laura being out of her comfort zone and through her we begin to find out more about Laura, Gareth and Ellie. Miriana’s story itself is not only current but heart-breaking. Matthews is great at looking at scenarios from all angles and shows the effect stress has upon people and how it can alter their personalities.
This haunting book deals with some hardcore topics; domestic abuse and modern-day slavery, but treats the topics with extreme care and is non-judgemental. It is the things left unsaid which are crucial to this narrative. Unspoken conflict looks for blame as an outlet either in others or in oneself and it’s the corrosive power of blame which, if not dealt with, will never let a person move on. Laura, however, is trying to move forward, hence the camper van, although she finds it so hard because she’s hanging onto so much hurt and emotion.
Matthews has a lovely eye for detail. There are deft little touches: ‘paper napkins…caught on the acer, like ragged blossoms’ contrasting with the horror and bleakness of Tinker’s house. I also loved the description of the open-air swimming pool at Tooting Bec Common and the dry humour as parents’ evening unfolds. There are very subtle clues throughout which foreshadow later events, but all the different threads are seamlessly entwined. Matthews gets the difficulties of being the parent of a teen spot-on and also writes convincingly about the wave of paranoia a police investigation leaves behind. Despite the darkness of the plot, we are allowed respite with the interspersed possibility of romance although, as a reader, it’s very hard to know who to trust.
I think the time switch narrative is very effective at building up the plot layers and the ending is very satisfying with all the details tied up. I started off dreaming about buying a campervan – not quite so sure now! I think the story brought home the fact that one should never underestimate the magnetism and hold some people are able to wield over others but also that past wrongs shouldn’t stop one from allowing trust and forgiveness to surface again. A thrilling and cleverly crafted story which challenges the reader to think about certain topics we’d all rather avoid.
The arrival of Miriana dredges up maternal feelings and adds a whole new elevation to Laura being out of her comfort zone and through her we begin to find out more about Laura, Gareth and Ellie. Miriana’s story itself is not only current but heart-breaking. Matthews is great at looking at scenarios from all angles and shows the effect stress has upon people and how it can alter their personalities.
This haunting book deals with some hardcore topics; domestic abuse and modern-day slavery, but treats the topics with extreme care and is non-judgemental. It is the things left unsaid which are crucial to this narrative. Unspoken conflict looks for blame as an outlet either in others or in oneself and it’s the corrosive power of blame which, if not dealt with, will never let a person move on. Laura, however, is trying to move forward, hence the camper van, although she finds it so hard because she’s hanging onto so much hurt and emotion.
Matthews has a lovely eye for detail. There are deft little touches: ‘paper napkins…caught on the acer, like ragged blossoms’ contrasting with the horror and bleakness of Tinker’s house. I also loved the description of the open-air swimming pool at Tooting Bec Common and the dry humour as parents’ evening unfolds. There are very subtle clues throughout which foreshadow later events, but all the different threads are seamlessly entwined. Matthews gets the difficulties of being the parent of a teen spot-on and also writes convincingly about the wave of paranoia a police investigation leaves behind. Despite the darkness of the plot, we are allowed respite with the interspersed possibility of romance although, as a reader, it’s very hard to know who to trust.
I think the time switch narrative is very effective at building up the plot layers and the ending is very satisfying with all the details tied up. I started off dreaming about buying a campervan – not quite so sure now! I think the story brought home the fact that one should never underestimate the magnetism and hold some people are able to wield over others but also that past wrongs shouldn’t stop one from allowing trust and forgiveness to surface again. A thrilling and cleverly crafted story which challenges the reader to think about certain topics we’d all rather avoid.
November 8, 2023
The Girl in the Van begins with Laura as she embarks on a singles camping trip in her newly bought camper van. This and the lovely cover hooked me in initially as I have a dream of owning a camper van and going on lots of adventures. For Laura, this mini adventure is a step out of her normal life which appears to be a very solitary life, keeping herself to herself and not revealing anything about her past. She prefers her own company so that way nobody can ask her any questions about the life she once had so finds it a little uncomfortable with the unwanted attention she receives at the campsite. However, Laura soon finds herself helping out a young girl who bears a striking resemblance to her daughter and seems to be in some sort of trouble. But, will it be something that she regrets doing and is she prepared for the sort of disruption this will bring to her life? Mariana will take Laura down a path she could not imagine and soon she begins to uncover the truth about her daughter's disappearance. It all seems a lot for an already fragile Laura. Will she be able to handle the fall out?
Initially I didn't really warm to any of the characters, particularly Laura. I found her too complex at times but did warm to her as the novel progressed. Her fears, anxieties and grief painted the picture of a woman who was essentially lonely and crippled by grief, despite telling herself she preferred her own company and that it was safer this way. Her relationship with her mother at first appeared to be cold and aloof but Laura has her reasons for keeping her mother at arms length and I felt quite sorry for her and willed for this to improve.
Laura meets Bill at the campsite and he takes an interest in her. I found the progression of their relationship quite strange and a little stilted and at first didn't trust him, worried he was going to hurt Laura. She has after all been holding in so much for 3 years. An all consuming grief that has seen her become a shadow of her former self. Will Bill be the person to offer her a safe shoulder to unburden herself and help solve the mysteries of Laura's past and present.
The book covers some interesting and traumatic topics and looks at issues such as child sexual exploitation, drugs, immigration difficulties and grief. Its a difficult read at times but the premise for the book is a good one. Thrilled that a percentage of the royalties of the book go to the Charity Unseen which looks to eradicate modern slavery. Well done Helen Matthew. A worthy cause.
Initially I didn't really warm to any of the characters, particularly Laura. I found her too complex at times but did warm to her as the novel progressed. Her fears, anxieties and grief painted the picture of a woman who was essentially lonely and crippled by grief, despite telling herself she preferred her own company and that it was safer this way. Her relationship with her mother at first appeared to be cold and aloof but Laura has her reasons for keeping her mother at arms length and I felt quite sorry for her and willed for this to improve.
Laura meets Bill at the campsite and he takes an interest in her. I found the progression of their relationship quite strange and a little stilted and at first didn't trust him, worried he was going to hurt Laura. She has after all been holding in so much for 3 years. An all consuming grief that has seen her become a shadow of her former self. Will Bill be the person to offer her a safe shoulder to unburden herself and help solve the mysteries of Laura's past and present.
The book covers some interesting and traumatic topics and looks at issues such as child sexual exploitation, drugs, immigration difficulties and grief. Its a difficult read at times but the premise for the book is a good one. Thrilled that a percentage of the royalties of the book go to the Charity Unseen which looks to eradicate modern slavery. Well done Helen Matthew. A worthy cause.
January 11, 2026
Description from Amazon:
Now you see her. Now you don’t…
A haunted mother. A missing girl. A lethal game of deception…
A few years ago, Laura lost her daughter in tragic circumstances. Now, she is running from her past, but a chance encounter with a frightened teenager, Miriana, drags her back into a web of secrets and danger.
As Miriana’s cryptic story unravels, Laura realises the threat is closer than she ever imagined. Someone is hunting Laura, determined to bury the truth about what really happened to her daughter.
A predator is watching. Waiting. Ready to strike again.
Trapped between fear and fury, Laura must confront her darkest suspicions and uncover the terrifying truth before the hunter closes in. Because this time, it’s not just her past on the line—it’s her life.
Laura is ready to face life again and goes on a singles campervan trip. When leaving, she discovers a young girl stowed away in her van and must make the decision of believing her story and helping her or tossing her out since she doesn’t need this in her life. Straight away this grabbed me as I wanted to know how this would play out. And then it became a hit and miss for the rest of the book.
There was a lot to unpack in this – Laura’s new relationship, her relationship with her mother and how her mother didn’t understand why Laura would not get back together with her ex, the relationship Laura had with her flatmate/neighbour, the relationship Laura had with her feelings about her daughter’s disappearance and her disagreement with her ex that he should keep looking, and her relationship with Mariana and the stories she was weaving. Couple this with a dual timeline and it became a bit much at times.
It felt less like a psychological thriller to me than a general thriller as even though psyches are being manipulated, there really isn’t anything that made me grab the edge of my chair and sit there wide-eyed as though I could never have seen it coming. In fact, the ending had me rolling my eyes a little even though the reasons were given. It’s like characters have watched too much Dexter and think they can stage crime scenes now.
There are some hard hitting areas in here like grooming, sexual exploitation, immigration issues, grief and depression, and drugs, so it’s a lot to take in. I feel I should have enjoyed this more, but in the end, I just felt it wasn’t a standout to me as I don’t remember a whole lot about the book now a few days later.
Now you see her. Now you don’t…
A haunted mother. A missing girl. A lethal game of deception…
A few years ago, Laura lost her daughter in tragic circumstances. Now, she is running from her past, but a chance encounter with a frightened teenager, Miriana, drags her back into a web of secrets and danger.
As Miriana’s cryptic story unravels, Laura realises the threat is closer than she ever imagined. Someone is hunting Laura, determined to bury the truth about what really happened to her daughter.
A predator is watching. Waiting. Ready to strike again.
Trapped between fear and fury, Laura must confront her darkest suspicions and uncover the terrifying truth before the hunter closes in. Because this time, it’s not just her past on the line—it’s her life.
Laura is ready to face life again and goes on a singles campervan trip. When leaving, she discovers a young girl stowed away in her van and must make the decision of believing her story and helping her or tossing her out since she doesn’t need this in her life. Straight away this grabbed me as I wanted to know how this would play out. And then it became a hit and miss for the rest of the book.
There was a lot to unpack in this – Laura’s new relationship, her relationship with her mother and how her mother didn’t understand why Laura would not get back together with her ex, the relationship Laura had with her flatmate/neighbour, the relationship Laura had with her feelings about her daughter’s disappearance and her disagreement with her ex that he should keep looking, and her relationship with Mariana and the stories she was weaving. Couple this with a dual timeline and it became a bit much at times.
It felt less like a psychological thriller to me than a general thriller as even though psyches are being manipulated, there really isn’t anything that made me grab the edge of my chair and sit there wide-eyed as though I could never have seen it coming. In fact, the ending had me rolling my eyes a little even though the reasons were given. It’s like characters have watched too much Dexter and think they can stage crime scenes now.
There are some hard hitting areas in here like grooming, sexual exploitation, immigration issues, grief and depression, and drugs, so it’s a lot to take in. I feel I should have enjoyed this more, but in the end, I just felt it wasn’t a standout to me as I don’t remember a whole lot about the book now a few days later.
March 28, 2022
While this book is many miles away from my usual choice of reading, it opens in fairly familiar territory – Laura heading off in her camper van on a singles holiday to Pembrokeshire, calling in on her mother on the way, then the awkwardness of the whole “fun” experience. And as she decides to cut the holiday short, it’s clear that she’s wrestling with a considerable number of unresolved issues – including a broken marriage that saw her flee to London without sharing her new address, and extreme grief at the absence of her teenage daughter Ellie. And then Eastern European Miriana enters her life in a rather unexpected way – and the book follows the complex stories of all three female characters, moving smoothly from present to past and back again, steadily and inexorably building towards an explosive climax.
When I read the author’s last book, I stressed the problem with classifying it and placing it in a nice tidy box – and this book crosses those genre lines too. In the three storylines that unfold, there are exceptionally well handled and developed elements of family drama – she creates some wonderfully complex yet believable characters, not always likeable but who engage you in their relationships and the many twists and turns of their stories. There’s a multiplicity of themes woven into the book’s fabric – drug culture and county lines, displaced people, mental health, dysfunctional families and their secrets, relationship dynamics – but it also has a considerable narrative drive, a pace that’s well sustained with a steady cranking up of tension and uncertainty, never derailed by its handling of the contemporary issues.
I really enjoy the author’s writing – there’s a smoothness about the transitions between past and present and the different perspectives, and while the subject matter might be difficult at times it’s all extremely well and sensitively handled. There’s an overall grittiness about the story that I never find entirely comfortable (that’s just me…), but I did very much enjoy its authenticity. And after the disentangling of the different stories, and the uncovering of a number of intriguing secrets, the focus then shifts just a little and the book satisfyingly becomes an edge-of-the-seat thriller – and it was a progression I felt worked exceptionally well.
When writing a review I usually like to include a little more detail – observations on the characters, perhaps a few story points that I particularly liked – but I’m very conscious of the need to avoid spoilers with this one as they would only lessen the book’s impact. I lingered over the individual stories as they unfolded, and found the gathering pace of the book’s climax impossible to resist, feverishly reading into the early hours – this is a book many would enjoy, and I recommend it really highly.
When I read the author’s last book, I stressed the problem with classifying it and placing it in a nice tidy box – and this book crosses those genre lines too. In the three storylines that unfold, there are exceptionally well handled and developed elements of family drama – she creates some wonderfully complex yet believable characters, not always likeable but who engage you in their relationships and the many twists and turns of their stories. There’s a multiplicity of themes woven into the book’s fabric – drug culture and county lines, displaced people, mental health, dysfunctional families and their secrets, relationship dynamics – but it also has a considerable narrative drive, a pace that’s well sustained with a steady cranking up of tension and uncertainty, never derailed by its handling of the contemporary issues.
I really enjoy the author’s writing – there’s a smoothness about the transitions between past and present and the different perspectives, and while the subject matter might be difficult at times it’s all extremely well and sensitively handled. There’s an overall grittiness about the story that I never find entirely comfortable (that’s just me…), but I did very much enjoy its authenticity. And after the disentangling of the different stories, and the uncovering of a number of intriguing secrets, the focus then shifts just a little and the book satisfyingly becomes an edge-of-the-seat thriller – and it was a progression I felt worked exceptionally well.
When writing a review I usually like to include a little more detail – observations on the characters, perhaps a few story points that I particularly liked – but I’m very conscious of the need to avoid spoilers with this one as they would only lessen the book’s impact. I lingered over the individual stories as they unfolded, and found the gathering pace of the book’s climax impossible to resist, feverishly reading into the early hours – this is a book many would enjoy, and I recommend it really highly.
September 29, 2022
Traumatic events in Laura’s past forced her to retreat into a solitary existence filled with regret, denial, hurt and yearning for her daughter, Ellie. Six years ago, Laura left behind in Wales her husband Gareth and Ellie, and ran away to London. On a mental and emotional level, she’s been running ever since. But the time comes when she attempts to reclaim her life, buys a campervan and goes on a singles holiday in Pembrokeshire.
She meets new people and tentatively, cautiously begins to form a new relationship with Ben, but he doesn’t take the centre stage. The most significant new arrival on the scene is Miriana, a young woman who breaks into Laura’s campervan, and more importantly, into Laura’s life and conscience. Miriana is a reincarnation of Ellie and her background bears many uncomfortable parallels to Laura’s own past. There are ulterior motives and secrets galore, twists and turns which I couldn’t predict but which, when they came, made perfect sense and lent this family noir thriller an air of chilling authenticity.
Matthew’s writing is inobtrusive but also rich and lyrical. She is an accomplished plotter and handles the time slips and complex character-building techniques with mastery. Nothing is obvious or trite. The atmosphere of dread and foreboding penetrates every new development – the author never lets up.
This is the second book I read by this author and I am in awe of her ability to combine a thrilling piece of fiction with social conscience and her well-oriented moral compass. Don’t get me wrong – there is no moralising in Matthew’s stories. She doesn’t shy away from difficult, uncomfortable topics of domestic violence, County Lines, grooming, modern-day slavery and gruelling mental health issues, but she does it without judgment and with great sensitivity.
A deeply affecting read.
She meets new people and tentatively, cautiously begins to form a new relationship with Ben, but he doesn’t take the centre stage. The most significant new arrival on the scene is Miriana, a young woman who breaks into Laura’s campervan, and more importantly, into Laura’s life and conscience. Miriana is a reincarnation of Ellie and her background bears many uncomfortable parallels to Laura’s own past. There are ulterior motives and secrets galore, twists and turns which I couldn’t predict but which, when they came, made perfect sense and lent this family noir thriller an air of chilling authenticity.
Matthew’s writing is inobtrusive but also rich and lyrical. She is an accomplished plotter and handles the time slips and complex character-building techniques with mastery. Nothing is obvious or trite. The atmosphere of dread and foreboding penetrates every new development – the author never lets up.
This is the second book I read by this author and I am in awe of her ability to combine a thrilling piece of fiction with social conscience and her well-oriented moral compass. Don’t get me wrong – there is no moralising in Matthew’s stories. She doesn’t shy away from difficult, uncomfortable topics of domestic violence, County Lines, grooming, modern-day slavery and gruelling mental health issues, but she does it without judgment and with great sensitivity.
A deeply affecting read.
November 7, 2022
The Girl in the Van begins with Laura travelling in her campervan to Wales from London for a singles holiday. Laura is familiar with the area as it's where she lived until a traumatic event involving her daughter, Ellie, made her leave everything behind. This holiday sets in motion a series of unexpected and disturbing situations for Laura when she meets a girl named Miriana who reminds her very much of Ellie. Miriana has her own harrowing story to tell and Laura starts to see similarities with Ellie.
This book comes across from the cover and blurb as a psychological thriller and at times I would describe it that way but much of it is more in the realms of a domestic drama and I really liked that about it. In fact, I very much enjoyed how Laura's home life, both in the past in Wales and in the present in London, kept offering the psychological thriller hints that eventually came to the fore in the last quarter or so of the book.
Helen Matthews is a fantastic writer, making this a compelling story of a lost girl, and the parents who were lost without her, alongside that of another young girl who finds herself cast adrift and struggling to survive. The plotting is genius, especially with regard to that ending I mentioned which I really didn't see coming at all. In fact, I was starting to pin things on at least two other characters.
There are some big issues contained within this story and I feel like they were things that the author really cared about. I've read Matthews before and she excels at taking important and relevant topics and portraying them sensitively and sympathetically.
I highly recommend The Girl in the Van. I found myself eager to get back to it to see what would happen next. A gripping and emotive read.
This book comes across from the cover and blurb as a psychological thriller and at times I would describe it that way but much of it is more in the realms of a domestic drama and I really liked that about it. In fact, I very much enjoyed how Laura's home life, both in the past in Wales and in the present in London, kept offering the psychological thriller hints that eventually came to the fore in the last quarter or so of the book.
Helen Matthews is a fantastic writer, making this a compelling story of a lost girl, and the parents who were lost without her, alongside that of another young girl who finds herself cast adrift and struggling to survive. The plotting is genius, especially with regard to that ending I mentioned which I really didn't see coming at all. In fact, I was starting to pin things on at least two other characters.
There are some big issues contained within this story and I feel like they were things that the author really cared about. I've read Matthews before and she excels at taking important and relevant topics and portraying them sensitively and sympathetically.
I highly recommend The Girl in the Van. I found myself eager to get back to it to see what would happen next. A gripping and emotive read.
March 17, 2022
This is one of the most difficult reviews I have ever had to write. The problem is that anything I tell you has the potential to be a plot spoiler.
Let me start again. If you have read any of the author’s other books then you will know that she writes in a very accessible and lyrical style about people, relationships and the pressures that living can produce. She has covered people trafficking and slavery, family breakdowns and family secrets. If you haven’t read any of her other books, well now you know.
But, this fourth work, which could be classified as Family Noir plus or as a mystery thriller, is even better written and the narrative flow is terrific. The central theme is the breakdown of relationships and the recovery from such traumas. Matthews makes us look at county drug lines, in a reflection of her earlier anti-slavery writing.
I am suffering from brain fog, following Covid. I can only read in a concentrated way for short periods. Even so, this book is so well crafted that I did not find timeslips and back story interrupted the flow of the story.
The pace is well judged and builds towards the final resolution of this story. The characters and their back story build really well and their actions and behaviours ring true. There are opportunities to predict what will happen next. Each time I was surprised but convinced by the twists and turns in the plot. I loved this book.
If you need to know more then ask me directly. Trust me, I was a bookseller and this is one of the best three books that I have read in the last twelve months.
Let me start again. If you have read any of the author’s other books then you will know that she writes in a very accessible and lyrical style about people, relationships and the pressures that living can produce. She has covered people trafficking and slavery, family breakdowns and family secrets. If you haven’t read any of her other books, well now you know.
But, this fourth work, which could be classified as Family Noir plus or as a mystery thriller, is even better written and the narrative flow is terrific. The central theme is the breakdown of relationships and the recovery from such traumas. Matthews makes us look at county drug lines, in a reflection of her earlier anti-slavery writing.
I am suffering from brain fog, following Covid. I can only read in a concentrated way for short periods. Even so, this book is so well crafted that I did not find timeslips and back story interrupted the flow of the story.
The pace is well judged and builds towards the final resolution of this story. The characters and their back story build really well and their actions and behaviours ring true. There are opportunities to predict what will happen next. Each time I was surprised but convinced by the twists and turns in the plot. I loved this book.
If you need to know more then ask me directly. Trust me, I was a bookseller and this is one of the best three books that I have read in the last twelve months.
January 31, 2025
There’s a lot to be said for getting in a van and going on a journey, getting away from it all, and having a reset. Laura is on a journey, but the reset eludes her. She is trying to escape the grief of a lost daughter and a failed marriage.
She books herself onto a singles holiday in her camper van in an attempt to move on, meet like-minded people, and put the past to rest. The great outdoors always helps! Unfortunately for Laura, the past hasn’t finished with her!
This tightly plotted tale takes us from campsite to cliff edge through county lines and conspiracy in a camper van. With details that will delight van bandits, The Girl in the Van takes us on a round trip that sometimes threatens to get overheated but never loses its authenticity.
I liked that the main characters were relatable. The van lifers on the holiday weekend were people we have all met before, some fun, some boozy, all real. Hopefully, none of us will encounter the bricks-and-mortar lowlifes outside the pages of this book, all of whom also leapt off the page.
In the end, the book highlighted the importance of community, making connections, and maintaining them. Life is never neat and tidy, and The Girl in the Van reflects this.
Van life is all about adventure and a vehicle is a supporting player in your story. Just don’t let it become a crime scene!
A good read that kept me turning the pages. Five stars.
She books herself onto a singles holiday in her camper van in an attempt to move on, meet like-minded people, and put the past to rest. The great outdoors always helps! Unfortunately for Laura, the past hasn’t finished with her!
This tightly plotted tale takes us from campsite to cliff edge through county lines and conspiracy in a camper van. With details that will delight van bandits, The Girl in the Van takes us on a round trip that sometimes threatens to get overheated but never loses its authenticity.
I liked that the main characters were relatable. The van lifers on the holiday weekend were people we have all met before, some fun, some boozy, all real. Hopefully, none of us will encounter the bricks-and-mortar lowlifes outside the pages of this book, all of whom also leapt off the page.
In the end, the book highlighted the importance of community, making connections, and maintaining them. Life is never neat and tidy, and The Girl in the Van reflects this.
Van life is all about adventure and a vehicle is a supporting player in your story. Just don’t let it become a crime scene!
A good read that kept me turning the pages. Five stars.
March 28, 2022
The Girl in the Van had an intriguing premise. For the most part, it kept me interested. Laura was a mysterious character and the idea of going off in a camper van was something different in a book. It also kept me guessing; and therein lies the problem.
I like to be kept guessing as to how a story will end. However, it needs to flow well and each piece of information needs to make sense and fit. My problem with The Girl in the Van was that it gave a bunch of interesting information, but then it felt like that part of the story ended and something new then started. At times, it felt like different stories with a connection between each other, but not enough that it didn’t feel I was starting something somewhat new each time.
I can’t say that I loved the characters. I certainly didn’t feel any strong affinity towards them. However, I respect that they were realistic, especially Ellie, who wasn’t as anglicised as many characters in her situation can be.
Originally published here: https://joyfulantidotes.com/2022/03/2...
I like to be kept guessing as to how a story will end. However, it needs to flow well and each piece of information needs to make sense and fit. My problem with The Girl in the Van was that it gave a bunch of interesting information, but then it felt like that part of the story ended and something new then started. At times, it felt like different stories with a connection between each other, but not enough that it didn’t feel I was starting something somewhat new each time.
I can’t say that I loved the characters. I certainly didn’t feel any strong affinity towards them. However, I respect that they were realistic, especially Ellie, who wasn’t as anglicised as many characters in her situation can be.
Originally published here: https://joyfulantidotes.com/2022/03/2...
June 14, 2022
When I began to read The Girl in the Van I was not sure that I would enjoy the book. It tells the story of a woman, Laura, who goes on a camping holiday. She is trying to get her life back on track after the disappearance of her daughter, Ellie, the breakdown of her relationship and leaving a job she loves.
However, the vacation does not do the trick and she leaves early only to find a girl, who looks like her daughter, in the back of her van. She finds the girl shortly after she leaves the campsite and agrees to drive her to London, but how could the two sets of circumstances be connected?
The author weaves her magic. The girl closely resembles Ellie and Laura becomes attached to her. Their lives become intertwined and eventually the story reaches its unexpected but satisfactory conclusion.
I will not reveal any spoilers here. Suffice to say that I very much enjoyed The Girl in the Van and highly recommend it to those who enjoy sophisticated mysteries.
However, the vacation does not do the trick and she leaves early only to find a girl, who looks like her daughter, in the back of her van. She finds the girl shortly after she leaves the campsite and agrees to drive her to London, but how could the two sets of circumstances be connected?
The author weaves her magic. The girl closely resembles Ellie and Laura becomes attached to her. Their lives become intertwined and eventually the story reaches its unexpected but satisfactory conclusion.
I will not reveal any spoilers here. Suffice to say that I very much enjoyed The Girl in the Van and highly recommend it to those who enjoy sophisticated mysteries.
May 11, 2022
I loved The Girl in the Van from the first page. I kept reading as fast as I could as I wanted to know what happened to Ellie? Why is Miriana in the van? What does she want from Laura? Even though a lot is going on in this book: drug trafficking, the loss of a child, mental health, parental problems, and immigration, the story is fast-paced.
An extract from the book without spoiling the story, "A long time ago, many years I was born, my parents came to this country as refugees..." If we look at the world right now (Ukrainian refugees) it seems as if history is repeating itself again and again.
Looking from an Albanian point of view I loved the fact that Miriana turned out to be a positive person at the end of the book.
An extract from the book without spoiling the story, "A long time ago, many years I was born, my parents came to this country as refugees..." If we look at the world right now (Ukrainian refugees) it seems as if history is repeating itself again and again.
Looking from an Albanian point of view I loved the fact that Miriana turned out to be a positive person at the end of the book.
January 4, 2025
The book started well with Laura going on a singles campervan trip to an area she used to know. I was intrigued by her relationship with her mother as it seemed to change throughout the book, and her mother's relationship with Laura's ex. The trip provided a backdrop to her meeting someone and to the events that happened when she found a stowaway in her van. It was interesting how protective she felt over the young girl, due to events in her own life. There were twists and red herrings and some sense of jeopardy, but maybe not enough to make this a really good psychological thriller. I wanted to care more about Laura but found her quite difficult to like or empathise with.
Thanks Bloodhound Books for the ARC.
Thanks Bloodhound Books for the ARC.
March 30, 2022
I loved the first half of the book and the introduction of the characters. Laura has lost a daughter and is struggling to find her way having split from her husband/partner. On the way back from a singles camping trip in her new camper van she finds a stowaway, she tries to find out what Mariana is running from and why she is there. The book explores family relationships, modern slavery, drug mules and deportation, all not easy subjects to put in a book.
I felt the book lost its way part way through with too many different strands and loose ends to be tied up and it didn’t hold my attention as much as I wanted it to.
I felt the book lost its way part way through with too many different strands and loose ends to be tied up and it didn’t hold my attention as much as I wanted it to.
May 18, 2023
Laura and Gareth had a daughter, Ellie a teenager. One day she left to go to see friends and just disappeared. They contact police for help. Laura , a school teacher eventually quit her job due to the pressures and rumors of Ellie being missing. Gareth ended up moving out. Laura had a van and one day she sees a young girl Mirianna sitting alone . She decides to ask if she's okay. Ends up letting her stay with her for a few days, Then things start getting weird. It will take to long to tell what all happened but it was crazy.Do they find Ellie? Woah heres a big surprise,What was really going on with Mirianna? Who keeps telling Gareth where I am?
May 5, 2023
Long-winded would be an understatement. Slow burn would be another. Lots and lots of trivial words and a super slow pace made this borderline boring. Add in some over-reaction from the main character in the 'action' scenes and you begin to wonder if the main character is having a breakdown and everything is happening inside their head. With that said, the writing style is smooth despite being repetitive and wordy, the characters are fleshed out, and the editing is clean. I'm giving it 3 stars for the mystery aspect.
January 28, 2025
This book will grab you from beginning to end, with themes of drugs, human trafficking, death, relationship issues, immigration issues, physical assault, it isn't an easy boom to read. But at the same time, the plot, the narrative and the twists and turns makes it one difficult to put down.
What happened to Ellie, and what is Laura running from? Who is Miriana? and is she telling the truth about her story?
With lots of twists and turns, this psychological thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat and won't let you go until the kind of unexpected ending.
What happened to Ellie, and what is Laura running from? Who is Miriana? and is she telling the truth about her story?
With lots of twists and turns, this psychological thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat and won't let you go until the kind of unexpected ending.
April 4, 2025
Laura has been running from her grief and working 70 hours a week. Her boss is making her take a vacation, so she's bought a campervan and is heading out for a camp out for single people. When her fellow campers start asking her questions to get to know her, she decides to leave early. She can't talk about the past. On her way home she discovers a young girl hiding out in her camper. She's a mystery with a strange story.
There were some twists that made the read interesting. Some of the situations were lame, but the writing was decent. I'll probably read more of her work.
There were some twists that made the read interesting. Some of the situations were lame, but the writing was decent. I'll probably read more of her work.
January 27, 2026
3.25 Stars. This was good, but had its moments where it lost me. This took me a while to get through because there were times when I put it down and didn’t have much of a desire to pick it back up. It had times when I was intrigued, and I was guessing at the plot. It had a good twist and the author did a good job of explaining everything and how it was connected. I didn’t leave the book feeling like I had questions or confused, which was good. Overall, I am glad I finished it, but won’t be seeking out more of this author’s work.
March 20, 2022
This is a great read, which I couldn’t put down. Believable characters who are well drawn, each sharing their own truths from cross cultural perspectives. The story is fast paced, twisting and twisting again right to the end, clues, mystery, foreboding as well as out right danger kept me hooked. Many rich themes make this more than just ‘a good yarn’, parental guilt, mental health, family dysfunction, survival, drug trafficking and county lines amongst them.
June 14, 2022
I did find it a page turner as I read it within 24 hours – but I didn’t quite buy into the central relationship – I didn’t feel I had enough evidence in the story of Laura caring enough about Bill or him getting enough from her that he would be there when she needed him. But regardless, I was still keen to know what happened – and didn’t guess till quite a way in about who was responsible for what happened to Ellie.
April 30, 2023
A completely engrossing story of how the loss of a child can impact your life
A compelling story of a child loss and subsequent death The toll on the family as gossip turns people against them The finding out the story behind her disappearance and finally her death. I won’t say only a mother could understand the feelings of Laura because every woman who reads this will identify
A compelling story of a child loss and subsequent death The toll on the family as gossip turns people against them The finding out the story behind her disappearance and finally her death. I won’t say only a mother could understand the feelings of Laura because every woman who reads this will identify
June 16, 2025
I did go into this blind and had a preconception based on the title of the storyline. Well, I was totally wrong. This book seemed quite random and the van part was pretty irrelevant and there was more contact about where vans were going to park on the busy streets of London than of her being in a van.
Random, pointless and by the end, I didn’t really care. The last couple of pages were awful.
It did have bits in between that piqued my interest and kept me going but no, not for me.
Random, pointless and by the end, I didn’t really care. The last couple of pages were awful.
It did have bits in between that piqued my interest and kept me going but no, not for me.
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