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The Girl Outside
Her daughter has a dark secret. One that will turn their perfect small town upside down.
Now she's missing.
Mandy Knox can’t shake the gut wrenching feeling that something sinister happened to her teenage daughter. Everyone, including the police, insist she’s a runaway.
Desperate, Mandy tries to find her but only manages to discover the web of lies her daughter left behind.
Mandy won't stop until she finds out what happened,
But everything changes when she opens her front door.
The Girl Outside is a psychological thriller with many twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end.
Now she's missing.
Mandy Knox can’t shake the gut wrenching feeling that something sinister happened to her teenage daughter. Everyone, including the police, insist she’s a runaway.
Desperate, Mandy tries to find her but only manages to discover the web of lies her daughter left behind.
Mandy won't stop until she finds out what happened,
But everything changes when she opens her front door.
The Girl Outside is a psychological thriller with many twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end.
141 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 24, 2022
1476 people are currently reading
1058 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
December 18, 2023
This is a fast paced thriller that is intense, compelling, and unsettling. Mandy‘s daughter is missing, and everyone is a suspect. During her pursuit of the truth behind Callie‘s disappearance, Mandy discovers disturbing truths that are tragic and devastating. This thriller had my heart racing and breaking all at once. Emotional, heart wrenching and gripping. Thank you to the author for my copy.
December 10, 2023
Mandy Knox's daughter Callie is missing and a lot of blood is found on her door. What happened with Callie and how Mandy didn't notice what was going on in her life?
Mandy herself is very unhappy. She had to give away her dreams about the future when she got pregnant in high school. She has been waitressing all her life and recently was fired from the job. She had a very abusive relationship with Steve and their marriage is finished already. She had drink problems and Callie was acting more like a parent in their relationship looking after Mandy.
Callie is a talented girl who dreams about a career in Hollywood. Did she run away from the small town? After her disappearance, Mandy finds a lot of things that she didn't know about Callie.
The story is sad and Mandy is a very unlikable character. The main idea of the book is a very important one and, if told better, could give a lot of thought about parenthood and life in a small town. But the book is a bit rushed and a lot of details are not explained properly. The end is suspended and makes the reader wonder what happened.
The book had a good potential that wasn't completely developed.
Mandy herself is very unhappy. She had to give away her dreams about the future when she got pregnant in high school. She has been waitressing all her life and recently was fired from the job. She had a very abusive relationship with Steve and their marriage is finished already. She had drink problems and Callie was acting more like a parent in their relationship looking after Mandy.
Callie is a talented girl who dreams about a career in Hollywood. Did she run away from the small town? After her disappearance, Mandy finds a lot of things that she didn't know about Callie.
The story is sad and Mandy is a very unlikable character. The main idea of the book is a very important one and, if told better, could give a lot of thought about parenthood and life in a small town. But the book is a bit rushed and a lot of details are not explained properly. The end is suspended and makes the reader wonder what happened.
The book had a good potential that wasn't completely developed.
January 21, 2024
How far would you go to find your daughter? And what if you didn’t like what you found?
This is the premise of The Girl Outside, a gripping psychological thriller that explores the secrets and lies that lurk beneath the surface of a seemingly peaceful small town.
Mandy Knox is a single mother who loves her teenage daughter Callie more than anything. But when Callie goes missing one night, Mandy's world is turned upside down. She becomes desperate to find her daughter, but the more she digs, the more she realizes that Callie had a secret life that she kept hidden from her. And she is not the only one. Everyone in the town has something to hide, and some of them will stop at nothing to protect their secrets.
The Girl Outside is a fast-paced and suspenseful read that will keep you hooked until the end. The author creates a dark and tense atmosphere, with vivid descriptions and realistic dialogue. The characters are well-developed and flawed, each with their own backstory and agenda. The plot is full of twists and turns, as it reveals more layers of deception and betrayal in each chapter. The themes are relevant and thought-provoking, as they touch on parenthood, secrets, guilt, and identity.
This is not a book for the faint of heart, as it deals with some disturbing and sensitive topics, such as child abuse, domestic violence, drug addiction, school bullying, kidnapping, etc. The book also contains some graphic and violent scenes that may be triggering for some readers. However, the book also offers some hope and redemption for the characters who try to overcome their demons and find closure.
The only drawback of the book is the ending, which is a bit disappointing and leaves a lot of questions unanswered. The emotional and heart-wrenching message could have been more powerful but it falls short because of the last chapter.
The Girl Outside is a riveting and compelling read that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end. If you are looking for a psychological thriller that will keep you glued to the pages, then you should definitely check out The Girl Outside by James Caine.
This is the premise of The Girl Outside, a gripping psychological thriller that explores the secrets and lies that lurk beneath the surface of a seemingly peaceful small town.
Mandy Knox is a single mother who loves her teenage daughter Callie more than anything. But when Callie goes missing one night, Mandy's world is turned upside down. She becomes desperate to find her daughter, but the more she digs, the more she realizes that Callie had a secret life that she kept hidden from her. And she is not the only one. Everyone in the town has something to hide, and some of them will stop at nothing to protect their secrets.
The Girl Outside is a fast-paced and suspenseful read that will keep you hooked until the end. The author creates a dark and tense atmosphere, with vivid descriptions and realistic dialogue. The characters are well-developed and flawed, each with their own backstory and agenda. The plot is full of twists and turns, as it reveals more layers of deception and betrayal in each chapter. The themes are relevant and thought-provoking, as they touch on parenthood, secrets, guilt, and identity.
This is not a book for the faint of heart, as it deals with some disturbing and sensitive topics, such as child abuse, domestic violence, drug addiction, school bullying, kidnapping, etc. The book also contains some graphic and violent scenes that may be triggering for some readers. However, the book also offers some hope and redemption for the characters who try to overcome their demons and find closure.
The only drawback of the book is the ending, which is a bit disappointing and leaves a lot of questions unanswered. The emotional and heart-wrenching message could have been more powerful but it falls short because of the last chapter.
The Girl Outside is a riveting and compelling read that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end. If you are looking for a psychological thriller that will keep you glued to the pages, then you should definitely check out The Girl Outside by James Caine.
July 8, 2022
pretty good story and I didn't guess the twist at all but this rates lower as I feel bits of the story were missing and I was left with quite a few questions.
This was also badly edited with multiple spelling mistakes, grammar mistakes, missing words and wrong names. its very disappointing as definitely draws attention away from the story
This was also badly edited with multiple spelling mistakes, grammar mistakes, missing words and wrong names. its very disappointing as definitely draws attention away from the story
July 12, 2022
A short, intense thriller with a wonderful start and heartbreaking lead. I empathize with the mother and daughter in the story and found aspects of their journeys to be very real. I liked how the suspects were set up and felt the sense of mounting dread the mother was experiencing. I do wish the detective’s story and character were flushed out a little more. They weren’t lacking, I just would’ve enjoyed more. This felt so close to a masterpiece, I have high hopes for this author!
The mystery element was good and I liked how it fit together. I wasn’t sure who did it until the reveal. The ending itself was rushed and I was disappointed in how the main characters arcs ended. I don’t feel like I got many answers and the ones I did get felt like a slap in the face. Overall, this thriller hooks you early with relatable and empathetic characters and doesn’t let go. The foundation of this story is solid, a classic in the making. I just think the structure and finer details could still use some work, especially the ending.
There were also some typos, misplaced words and even wrong names that occasionally took me out of the story. Only 3 that bothered me but it feels worth mentioning. I look forward to what else they come out with.
The mystery element was good and I liked how it fit together. I wasn’t sure who did it until the reveal. The ending itself was rushed and I was disappointed in how the main characters arcs ended. I don’t feel like I got many answers and the ones I did get felt like a slap in the face. Overall, this thriller hooks you early with relatable and empathetic characters and doesn’t let go. The foundation of this story is solid, a classic in the making. I just think the structure and finer details could still use some work, especially the ending.
There were also some typos, misplaced words and even wrong names that occasionally took me out of the story. Only 3 that bothered me but it feels worth mentioning. I look forward to what else they come out with.
December 20, 2022
I feel like this book would have benefited from being about twice as long. Everything felt rushed and didn't go into enough detail, which just made for a dissatisfying ending. There were a few things added in that didn't make sense, and were never fully explained. I also didn't get the awkward cliffhanger at the end, especially if there is no sequel. The outcome of Mandy was just weird and sad, and I thought it was an odd choice for the author to make.
Also, I usually have no problem with grammatical and spelling errors, but they were so bad in this book that it was hard to decipher some of the sentences. There's really no excuse for that considering the length of the book.
I did enjoy switching from the present to the journal entry's. It kind of failed at the end, but could have been a really great concept if done correctly.
One more thing- the author described Ferguson as being over 7 ft tall, which is ridiculous lol
Also, I usually have no problem with grammatical and spelling errors, but they were so bad in this book that it was hard to decipher some of the sentences. There's really no excuse for that considering the length of the book.
I did enjoy switching from the present to the journal entry's. It kind of failed at the end, but could have been a really great concept if done correctly.
One more thing- the author described Ferguson as being over 7 ft tall, which is ridiculous lol
November 5, 2024
3⭐️
Summery
Mandy's life is falling apart. Divorced single mother, just lost her job, no experience to find a new one...... What else could go wrong? At least she still has her perfect daughter Callie.
"Her life was always a train wreck, and the only thing that kept her from complete derailment was Callie."
When Callie disappears, Mandy wakes up to realize her "perfect" daughter isn't as perfect as she seems. Does she even really know her own daughter?
My Thoughts
For such a short story, it truly packs a punch. Every page, every paragraph, was a new twist. Every chapter is a new turn. By the end, I couldn't tell what was up and what was down.
None of the characters were well fleshed out. None of them have any true depth. It's an easy quick read that keeps you on your toes and guessing what is going on. It's gripping in its simplicity. I thoroughly enjoyed myself reading it.
Summery
Mandy's life is falling apart. Divorced single mother, just lost her job, no experience to find a new one...... What else could go wrong? At least she still has her perfect daughter Callie.
"Her life was always a train wreck, and the only thing that kept her from complete derailment was Callie."
When Callie disappears, Mandy wakes up to realize her "perfect" daughter isn't as perfect as she seems. Does she even really know her own daughter?
My Thoughts
For such a short story, it truly packs a punch. Every page, every paragraph, was a new twist. Every chapter is a new turn. By the end, I couldn't tell what was up and what was down.
None of the characters were well fleshed out. None of them have any true depth. It's an easy quick read that keeps you on your toes and guessing what is going on. It's gripping in its simplicity. I thoroughly enjoyed myself reading it.
December 5, 2023
"Kneeling now, she noticed it wasn't black, but a dark shade of red. Mandy covered her mouth while the flies aggressively buzzed around her."
This was a short thriller that was fast-paced and had a lot of potential. Unfortunately, I feel like there were still a few too many unanswered questions at the end, if you could call that an ending. Having read a few books from this author this year, I was a little disappointed with this one as it could have been so much better. However, that's not to say this wasn't a good book, it was, the story was good, it just needed a little more.
This was a short thriller that was fast-paced and had a lot of potential. Unfortunately, I feel like there were still a few too many unanswered questions at the end, if you could call that an ending. Having read a few books from this author this year, I was a little disappointed with this one as it could have been so much better. However, that's not to say this wasn't a good book, it was, the story was good, it just needed a little more.
August 9, 2024
This is a short book by Caine, but it packs a lot of story into the words. An alcoholic mom with an abusive ex-husband can’t find her daughter. She is not a very likeable person but you can’t help but feel sorry for her (although she is having an affair with her ex-husband’s brother)! There are capable detectives who are working on the case. I really didn’t care for the ending, but it WAS sorta humorous!
February 23, 2023
eek
Not very good writing. The author provides no real character development. It’s easy to tell that a lot of the story goes left unsaid as part of the big reveal at the end. However, the big reveal is short and not even that big. The story felt like a deflating balloon that never really picked up steam. ALSO there are a ton of spelling issues, one part of the book even uses the wrong characters name calling her Mandy (her moms name) instead of Callie. Overall I would not call this a “gripping psychological thriller” and would not recommend.
Not very good writing. The author provides no real character development. It’s easy to tell that a lot of the story goes left unsaid as part of the big reveal at the end. However, the big reveal is short and not even that big. The story felt like a deflating balloon that never really picked up steam. ALSO there are a ton of spelling issues, one part of the book even uses the wrong characters name calling her Mandy (her moms name) instead of Callie. Overall I would not call this a “gripping psychological thriller” and would not recommend.
November 23, 2024
Mandy was the absolute worst character I’ve ever read. The grammatical errors were insane in this. I’ve read another book by this author and LOVED it, but this one isn’t it…it’s not good. I only finished it so I could get one book closer to my reading challenge, lol.
October 26, 2024
The beginning was really good, then the plot just fell. I was expecting a big twist but it just fell flat. I was hoping to like this one.
February 16, 2024
the plot was pretty gripping but the story felt rushed…more suspense could’ve been built. also cannot get over the amount of spelling mistakes and grammatical errors, as well as the mixing up of Mandy and Callie’s names.
December 17, 2024
DNF @ 10%
I paused this book for a month. It’s not the books fault but I just can’t read 3rd pov cause it’s really confusing. BUT I will give this author another chance and see if i can get into his books🫠
I paused this book for a month. It’s not the books fault but I just can’t read 3rd pov cause it’s really confusing. BUT I will give this author another chance and see if i can get into his books🫠
August 31, 2022
Everyone’s guilty. Definitely keeps you guessing. I need a sequel. 😱😱
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2025
A good read
An easy read full of surprises and as expected a twisted ending.
Once i started to read i could not put it down - a must read.
An easy read full of surprises and as expected a twisted ending.
Once i started to read i could not put it down - a must read.
July 12, 2025
This was a great story, but I had trouble believing that the parents, uncle and teachers were so aloof about their troubled kids. Regardless of age, teachers/administrators will reach out to guardians regarding student concerns. I still had a good time with the story ☺️
November 29, 2024
This is an outlier so far from this author.
A short read (shorter than others); I actually thought this was a novella or something, but it felt longer than it was because of the pacing.
I feel like the story needed more development and also for the characters to be a bit more fleshed out, maybe? I felt very disconnected from Callie's diary entries/narration, and perhaps this made me not really care too much for what happened to the story overall.
A short read (shorter than others); I actually thought this was a novella or something, but it felt longer than it was because of the pacing.
I feel like the story needed more development and also for the characters to be a bit more fleshed out, maybe? I felt very disconnected from Callie's diary entries/narration, and perhaps this made me not really care too much for what happened to the story overall.
November 12, 2023
Yes, a short read. Storyline very good....BUT, OMG, the errors in proofing....this is why 3 stars.
Many, many words that were skipped (writer brain faster than typing), misspelled words (loosing instead of losing) but my biggest pet peeve error (done 4x in a 140-page book)...during a conversation between person A and B ABOUT person C.....Person C, at some point, replaced person A or B in the conversation.
Near the end, the detective who had called the mother, Ms. Knox, the whole story changed to calling her Mandy.....
a familiar NOT used in 90% of the book....guess they went out for dinner, and we were not privy to that.
I have a few more of this author's books and will probably read them (as I said, enjoyed the storyline), but hope I don't struggle as much with writing errors.
Many, many words that were skipped (writer brain faster than typing), misspelled words (loosing instead of losing) but my biggest pet peeve error (done 4x in a 140-page book)...during a conversation between person A and B ABOUT person C.....Person C, at some point, replaced person A or B in the conversation.
Near the end, the detective who had called the mother, Ms. Knox, the whole story changed to calling her Mandy.....
a familiar NOT used in 90% of the book....guess they went out for dinner, and we were not privy to that.
I have a few more of this author's books and will probably read them (as I said, enjoyed the storyline), but hope I don't struggle as much with writing errors.
March 4, 2023
I really enjoyed the book, but I wished it had been a little longer. Have some questions-a sequel would be great. Becoming a big fan of #JamesCaine.
October 2, 2024
Really enjoyed this book, the pace was great and though I guessed the twist it was still entertaining.
May 13, 2024
“A town like Cranston is too small for a girl like Callie. She has her whole life ahead of her.”
Rating:
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Genre:
Psychological Thriller
Mystery Thriller
Horror
Tropes & Themes:
Forbidden Romance
Serial Killer
Addict Mom / “Lady Drunk”
Missing Teenage Girls
“Mandy walked up the stairs, slowing down when she went by Callie’s room. She opened the bedroom door and was almost caught off guard by how dirty it was for a change. Mandy had never had to tell her daughter to clean her room. Callie’s room was always pristine to the point that it made Mandy feel guilty for how badly she kept up with the rest of the house. Usually, when the house was in great shape, it was because of Callie.”
“Her yellow dress flapped from side to side with the breeze. Her matted brunette hair was dirtied from the mud around her.”
The Girl Outside, a twisty psychological thriller by James Caine, follows the lives of Mandy Knox and Alda Lane; their lives crossing paths after tragically, Mandy’s daughter and her best friend, Stephanie Moore, go missing.
Detective Alda Lane of the Pennsylvania State Police Major Crimes Unit, is tasked with investigating the case of missing girls, bestfriends Callie Knox and Steph Moore, alongside her partner Detective Ferguson. While others come to the erroneous conclusion that the girls ran away, (including her partner), Detective Alda pushes back against this notion, digs her heels deeper, maintaining her stance despite the general consensus.
Meanwhile, Mandy Knox, Callie’s mom, isn’t up for any mother-of-the-year awards anytime soon. She’s unable to answer basic questions the detectives ask her, nor does she know the phone number to her daughter’s school or who her friends are. She tells herself often it’s her and her daughter against the world, but it’s always about Mandy and how she feels:
“Callie is gone. All I have is my train wreck of a life.”
She’s ashamed that she knows little of her daughter’s life and is hyper-focused on all the wrong things. She falls back into old habits, like an (super) inappropriate relationship and excessive alcohol consumption, that do nothing to bring her daughter back. The book synopsis paints her as a woman of action, but I completely disagree. What exactly did she do that was helpful? Sure, she came to some of the same conclusions Detective Alda had, but her methods only put herself in danger and brought her no closer to finding her daughter.
“When she didn’t think about drinking, she thought about being with him…”
Mandy’s character flaws made her more interesting to me but what I didn’t understand about her year of sobriety was: why are you less emotionally available to your daughter at this time? With her head clear, I wonder how she missed so many signs that something wasn’t quite right?
There are editing errors, such as dialogue between characters not separated by paragraphs, and words like “corner” when the author meant “coroner” that were distracting to me while I read. In addition, there were developmental editing/ big picture idea errors surrounding Mandy’s sobriety. However, the content of the story was interesting enough to hold my attention. The quick succession of twists at the end were indeed surprising and unexpected, as the blurb promises.
The ending was a bit open-ended; Detective Alda finds Mandy with the last man one would ever suspect. That was odd enough, but it’s clear that the Detective is onto something. It’s unfortunate there isn’t a part 2!
Which brings me to my next point:
I could absolutely see this story as part of a larger series, with the FMC as Detective Alda Lane. I’d love to read another story with her investigating and solving major crimes.
The blurb doesn’t represent the story accurately to me and for the life of me, I have no idea what that bit about opening the front door was about.
Overall, I enjoyed Caine’s storytelling. If you’re a fan of flawed characters, missing persons mysteries, or psychological thrillers, I’d recommend this rollercoaster ride of a read!
Rating:
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Genre:
Psychological Thriller
Mystery Thriller
Horror
Tropes & Themes:
Forbidden Romance
Serial Killer
Addict Mom / “Lady Drunk”
Missing Teenage Girls
“Mandy walked up the stairs, slowing down when she went by Callie’s room. She opened the bedroom door and was almost caught off guard by how dirty it was for a change. Mandy had never had to tell her daughter to clean her room. Callie’s room was always pristine to the point that it made Mandy feel guilty for how badly she kept up with the rest of the house. Usually, when the house was in great shape, it was because of Callie.”
“Her yellow dress flapped from side to side with the breeze. Her matted brunette hair was dirtied from the mud around her.”
The Girl Outside, a twisty psychological thriller by James Caine, follows the lives of Mandy Knox and Alda Lane; their lives crossing paths after tragically, Mandy’s daughter and her best friend, Stephanie Moore, go missing.
Detective Alda Lane of the Pennsylvania State Police Major Crimes Unit, is tasked with investigating the case of missing girls, bestfriends Callie Knox and Steph Moore, alongside her partner Detective Ferguson. While others come to the erroneous conclusion that the girls ran away, (including her partner), Detective Alda pushes back against this notion, digs her heels deeper, maintaining her stance despite the general consensus.
Meanwhile, Mandy Knox, Callie’s mom, isn’t up for any mother-of-the-year awards anytime soon. She’s unable to answer basic questions the detectives ask her, nor does she know the phone number to her daughter’s school or who her friends are. She tells herself often it’s her and her daughter against the world, but it’s always about Mandy and how she feels:
“Callie is gone. All I have is my train wreck of a life.”
She’s ashamed that she knows little of her daughter’s life and is hyper-focused on all the wrong things. She falls back into old habits, like an (super) inappropriate relationship and excessive alcohol consumption, that do nothing to bring her daughter back. The book synopsis paints her as a woman of action, but I completely disagree. What exactly did she do that was helpful? Sure, she came to some of the same conclusions Detective Alda had, but her methods only put herself in danger and brought her no closer to finding her daughter.
“When she didn’t think about drinking, she thought about being with him…”
Mandy’s character flaws made her more interesting to me but what I didn’t understand about her year of sobriety was: why are you less emotionally available to your daughter at this time? With her head clear, I wonder how she missed so many signs that something wasn’t quite right?
There are editing errors, such as dialogue between characters not separated by paragraphs, and words like “corner” when the author meant “coroner” that were distracting to me while I read. In addition, there were developmental editing/ big picture idea errors surrounding Mandy’s sobriety. However, the content of the story was interesting enough to hold my attention. The quick succession of twists at the end were indeed surprising and unexpected, as the blurb promises.
The ending was a bit open-ended; Detective Alda finds Mandy with the last man one would ever suspect. That was odd enough, but it’s clear that the Detective is onto something. It’s unfortunate there isn’t a part 2!
Which brings me to my next point:
I could absolutely see this story as part of a larger series, with the FMC as Detective Alda Lane. I’d love to read another story with her investigating and solving major crimes.
The blurb doesn’t represent the story accurately to me and for the life of me, I have no idea what that bit about opening the front door was about.
Overall, I enjoyed Caine’s storytelling. If you’re a fan of flawed characters, missing persons mysteries, or psychological thrillers, I’d recommend this rollercoaster ride of a read!
July 24, 2023
Mandy is a divorced single mother who is having a sexual relationship with her ex-husband’s brother James, but her ex doesn’t know. Her ex-husband has a temper and was abusive. She realizes her daughter (Callie) never came home from school. She reaches out to the school- she skipped, she reaches out to her drama teacher- she is no longer in drama for this past semester, she reaches out to her dad who she was supposed to have dinner with- there was no dinner planned. She realizes that the daughter she thought she knew, apparently doesn’t know her at all. Mandy finds out eventually that her daughter’s best friend (Steph)that she never even met is troubled. She has a blog online about her sexual history and how her and her sidekick (Callie) have big plans on making it as an actress in LA. Mandy begins to think her daughter may be on her way to Hollywood, CA with Steph and then a girl's body is found in the woods… At first, they think it’s Callie because the girl is wearing her yellow dress, she was wearing last, but it was Steph’s body. Mr. Peterson (drama teacher) has Callie locked up in a cellar and he made her keep a journal and he would read it out loud with enthusiasm and make her rewrite when he didn’t approve, her mom has now turned back to alcohol (she had been sobered for a year) because she couldn’t find her daughter. Mandy showed up drunk to James (with a gun), not knowing her ex was there. He hit her and fought with his brother and while Mandy was on the ground, she spotted the yellow hair scrunchie that Callie was wearing last time she was seen on the floor. James tried to tell her he had an explanation, but his brother was beating him, and Mandy was yelling and then Mandy pulled out a gun on James. The Det busted in where Callie was being kept with her gun and the Det and Mr. Peterson began fighting and Callie was out safe. Mandy ended up killing James (I believe) and went back to her ex-husband, out of fear I believe.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2022
I read this book after reading the In-laws
I found it ok, but untidy. Yes there were mistakes like wrong names and spellings but im sure every author out there would have these problems if they didn't use proof readers.
The concept of the story was good (even if the title was not right for it) it just felt like it could have gone deeper into things, it sort of started then finished very quickly, a bit more depth to the characters would have been nice. Every single male in the book (apart from the cop) seemed to be a predator of some sort sort which i felt was really off. The family seemed to be very cliche, mum was a drunk, dad was handy with his fists, uncle was a pervert and that all equaled a run away teen.
Not once in the book did it mention why the female cop was so sure Steve was the murdered, it would have been nice if that had gone anywhere, instead of her being sure it was him the first time, then never really mentioning why really.
The ending bugged me the most, the mum went back to drinking heavily and getting back with the abusive dad, and the uncle i assume was dead but nothing was mentioned after the gun went off. It would have been a more wrapped up ending if the mum had sorted herself out and actually been there more for her daughter, the mum kept moaning about how she was stuck in a small town, how she was just a waitress, how her life was going no where, and how she should have been more there fir her daughter, and instead of taking her 2nd chance with her daughter and starting a new life where no one knew them, she went back to her old one which made her the worst character in the book.
I found it ok, but untidy. Yes there were mistakes like wrong names and spellings but im sure every author out there would have these problems if they didn't use proof readers.
The concept of the story was good (even if the title was not right for it) it just felt like it could have gone deeper into things, it sort of started then finished very quickly, a bit more depth to the characters would have been nice. Every single male in the book (apart from the cop) seemed to be a predator of some sort sort which i felt was really off. The family seemed to be very cliche, mum was a drunk, dad was handy with his fists, uncle was a pervert and that all equaled a run away teen.
Not once in the book did it mention why the female cop was so sure Steve was the murdered, it would have been nice if that had gone anywhere, instead of her being sure it was him the first time, then never really mentioning why really.
The ending bugged me the most, the mum went back to drinking heavily and getting back with the abusive dad, and the uncle i assume was dead but nothing was mentioned after the gun went off. It would have been a more wrapped up ending if the mum had sorted herself out and actually been there more for her daughter, the mum kept moaning about how she was stuck in a small town, how she was just a waitress, how her life was going no where, and how she should have been more there fir her daughter, and instead of taking her 2nd chance with her daughter and starting a new life where no one knew them, she went back to her old one which made her the worst character in the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2025
I went into this book hopeful, as I’ve enjoyed some of James Caine’s earlier works, but unfortunately this one just didn’t land for me. It took quite a while for the story to really grab my attention, and even then I found myself struggling to connect with the characters beyond surface-level traits.
There were some inconsistencies in the descriptions that made me pause, and the way certain revelations were presented often felt over-the-top, almost like watching a soap opera rather than reading a thriller. Dialogue between characters came across as disjointed, and the way they responded to major events often felt unrealistic.
Another thing that pulled me out of the story was the choice of one particular character names, “Amanda Knox”. Each time she was referred to by her full name immediately made me think of a highly publicised real-life case. On top of that, a number of errors throughout the book made it feel more like a draft than a finished product.
What disappointed me most is that I really wanted to enjoy this book, especially after liking the first couple of novels I’d read from this author. Unfortunately, this one left me wishing I had put it down earlier. To add to the frustration, the ending didn’t feel like a true conclusion and left many loose ends. The “ending” bled straight into the next book in the box set, and I didn’t realise I’d started the prologue for the following story until a chapter in.
Overall, this was a let-down and has shaken my confidence in picking up the final book in the set, though I’ll probably push through just to finish what I started.
There were some inconsistencies in the descriptions that made me pause, and the way certain revelations were presented often felt over-the-top, almost like watching a soap opera rather than reading a thriller. Dialogue between characters came across as disjointed, and the way they responded to major events often felt unrealistic.
Another thing that pulled me out of the story was the choice of one particular character names, “Amanda Knox”. Each time she was referred to by her full name immediately made me think of a highly publicised real-life case. On top of that, a number of errors throughout the book made it feel more like a draft than a finished product.
What disappointed me most is that I really wanted to enjoy this book, especially after liking the first couple of novels I’d read from this author. Unfortunately, this one left me wishing I had put it down earlier. To add to the frustration, the ending didn’t feel like a true conclusion and left many loose ends. The “ending” bled straight into the next book in the box set, and I didn’t realise I’d started the prologue for the following story until a chapter in.
Overall, this was a let-down and has shaken my confidence in picking up the final book in the set, though I’ll probably push through just to finish what I started.
October 23, 2022
The girl outside delivers exactly what you expect from a multiple series mystery/thriller. The plot was intriguing but I found the characters to be lacking in a little bit of development.
Mandy is a mother who is trying to write her past wrongs between her daughter and herself. Healing from a fresh break up with her long-term job she realizes that her daughter is missing. While trying to solve the murder by contacting teachers and friends she realizes just how much she does not know about her daughter. Being caught up in her own mess she has missed a ton of warning signs that her daughter is no longer what she used to be. You get multiple points of view throughout the story between the mother and the detective on the case. The mother is definitely the main plot line while the detective has a somewhat of a sub plot line, however that sub plot line is severely lacking and seems to come super easy. The detective makes correlations between a decades-old case and the current case of the missing daughter within sentences. And resolves it almost immediately. I feel like this book could've been a lot longer and a lot more developed. Overall I feel like the story was a little rushed and could've been developed a lot more to make a better and more enthralling storyline.
That being said, I give this thriller/mystery a 3/5. It was entertaining and I didn't have a problem finishing it, but it just left me really wanting more out of the story.
Mandy is a mother who is trying to write her past wrongs between her daughter and herself. Healing from a fresh break up with her long-term job she realizes that her daughter is missing. While trying to solve the murder by contacting teachers and friends she realizes just how much she does not know about her daughter. Being caught up in her own mess she has missed a ton of warning signs that her daughter is no longer what she used to be. You get multiple points of view throughout the story between the mother and the detective on the case. The mother is definitely the main plot line while the detective has a somewhat of a sub plot line, however that sub plot line is severely lacking and seems to come super easy. The detective makes correlations between a decades-old case and the current case of the missing daughter within sentences. And resolves it almost immediately. I feel like this book could've been a lot longer and a lot more developed. Overall I feel like the story was a little rushed and could've been developed a lot more to make a better and more enthralling storyline.
That being said, I give this thriller/mystery a 3/5. It was entertaining and I didn't have a problem finishing it, but it just left me really wanting more out of the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2023
Mandy Knox is an unlikeable character. She’s a recovering alcoholic who speaks her mind and is sleeping with her ex-husband’s brother. Does she depend a little too much on her daughter? Probably. Mandy’s world is held together by a thread and when her daughter goes missing, her world falls apart.
It turns out, Mandy doesn’t know her daughter, Callie, as well as she thought. Callie was hanging out with people Mandy didn’t know and when she disappears, those are the people she needs. The hunt for Callie is full of mystery and some of that mystery leads to Mandy learning a little bit more about her own life.
Although I didn’t like Mandy, I couldn’t help but feel bad for her. I liked hearing Callie’s side of the story. She is a typical teenager who is only thinking about herself. The reality behind this story is undeniable; parents never know the whole story and there is always more going on than what people observe on the outside.
This story was quick and probably would have benefitted from a few more chapters. The ending was incredibly rushed and seemed almost unfinished. What happens next? Does Alda find James? What is Steve up to? Does Callie live happily ever after? Does Mandy get back on the wagon? There were also some grammatical errors and typos that distracted from the story.
Not my favorite Caine novel, but still enjoyable.
I received an ARC copy of this novel and chose to leave a review on my own.
It turns out, Mandy doesn’t know her daughter, Callie, as well as she thought. Callie was hanging out with people Mandy didn’t know and when she disappears, those are the people she needs. The hunt for Callie is full of mystery and some of that mystery leads to Mandy learning a little bit more about her own life.
Although I didn’t like Mandy, I couldn’t help but feel bad for her. I liked hearing Callie’s side of the story. She is a typical teenager who is only thinking about herself. The reality behind this story is undeniable; parents never know the whole story and there is always more going on than what people observe on the outside.
This story was quick and probably would have benefitted from a few more chapters. The ending was incredibly rushed and seemed almost unfinished. What happens next? Does Alda find James? What is Steve up to? Does Callie live happily ever after? Does Mandy get back on the wagon? There were also some grammatical errors and typos that distracted from the story.
Not my favorite Caine novel, but still enjoyable.
I received an ARC copy of this novel and chose to leave a review on my own.
March 27, 2022
Must Read Novella
As best I can tell, this is the first book from author James Caine. The book came to me via a recommendation on Amazon, and I am glad I didn't pass it up. Once I started reading, I didn't want to stop. Had I not had to work, I would have read it through in one setting. While there are a few minor editing and formatting issues with the Kindle edition, these did not hinder the enjoyment of the book.
At times making me feel reminiscent of The Outsider by Stephen King (in terms of mood and feel without copying the plot), The Girl Outside tackles some very tough themes in a way that seems honest and realistic. None of the characters are perfect people and all of them have their own demons to deal with. Just when you think you've "figured it out" a new twist comes along and derails your assumptions. In the end, though, all the turns add up to a realistic conclusion. To say more would distract from the well crafted suspense and characterizations, and that would be a shame indeed.
Bottom line: this is a must read, engrossing debut novella. I can't wait to see what James Caine gives us next!
As best I can tell, this is the first book from author James Caine. The book came to me via a recommendation on Amazon, and I am glad I didn't pass it up. Once I started reading, I didn't want to stop. Had I not had to work, I would have read it through in one setting. While there are a few minor editing and formatting issues with the Kindle edition, these did not hinder the enjoyment of the book.
At times making me feel reminiscent of The Outsider by Stephen King (in terms of mood and feel without copying the plot), The Girl Outside tackles some very tough themes in a way that seems honest and realistic. None of the characters are perfect people and all of them have their own demons to deal with. Just when you think you've "figured it out" a new twist comes along and derails your assumptions. In the end, though, all the turns add up to a realistic conclusion. To say more would distract from the well crafted suspense and characterizations, and that would be a shame indeed.
Bottom line: this is a must read, engrossing debut novella. I can't wait to see what James Caine gives us next!
December 25, 2023
The summary, the book description of The Girl Outside was much more thrilling and interesting than the actual read. Obviously, this is just my opinion. Mandy Knox is a functioning alcoholic, and we assume she is divorced due to her ex-husband's verbal (and possible physical) abuse. Their daughter, Callie, is the model daughter. Excellent grades in high school, a promising actress, with an incredible future ahead of her. Mandy takes all of this for granted, and she believes she is pulling the wool over her daughter's eyes by having a sexual relationship with her ex-husband's brother. Callie is smart, and she's ready to experience life. Unfortunately, that desire has gotten her into a bad friendship and now kidnapped and missing. We follow the ride along with the law enforcement looking for her, the false accusations, and the eventual ugly ending. The Girl Outside is a quick, entertaining read, regardless of my dislike for Mandy.
May 2, 2025
Average thriller
The Girl Outside by James Caine
A mother's unwavering hope drives her to search for her missing daughter, a rebellious high school student, and in the process, she uncovers secrets about her daughter's life and the people around her. How much did she know about her daughter, if at all? Is the daughter missing or did she run away on her own?
This book had a poor editing job, marked by frequent spelling and grammatical mistakes, as well as some scenes with incorrect character names.
Mandy confesses to feeling envious of her 18-year-old daughter, as her own dreams were derailed when she got pregnant by her high school boyfriend. If she got pregnant in her mid-20s, she would have had time to finish college and secure a better job. However, if she got pregnant before 20, her current age wouldn't add up. I rate this book 2.5/5 for its effort, narrative, and suspense.
The Girl Outside by James Caine
A mother's unwavering hope drives her to search for her missing daughter, a rebellious high school student, and in the process, she uncovers secrets about her daughter's life and the people around her. How much did she know about her daughter, if at all? Is the daughter missing or did she run away on her own?
This book had a poor editing job, marked by frequent spelling and grammatical mistakes, as well as some scenes with incorrect character names.
Mandy confesses to feeling envious of her 18-year-old daughter, as her own dreams were derailed when she got pregnant by her high school boyfriend. If she got pregnant in her mid-20s, she would have had time to finish college and secure a better job. However, if she got pregnant before 20, her current age wouldn't add up. I rate this book 2.5/5 for its effort, narrative, and suspense.
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