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The Lost Boy
One island. Two women. A journey to hell.
The Clarke family, Penny, Rod and their two young boys, are delighted when they are offered a holiday in a high-end guest house on a remote and beautiful island.
Their hostess Anna seems like a lovely woman. But what the Clarkes don’t realise is that this is no random invitation, that Anna has carefully selected the family to satisfy her own sinister agenda.
Penny soon begins to sense there’s something off about Anna. She often speaks about her husband and son, but is it odd that they are both away? And that Anna seems perfectly content to be alone in this isolated place?
And then there’s the way she looks at Penny’s boys – as if she's sizing up chickens for the slaughter.
Penny grows increasingly uneasy and begins to do a bit of digging, which leads to a horrifying discovery – she finally realises who Anna is, and then she knows exactly why they’ve been invited to the island.
She also knows that if she and her family are ever going to leave, they’ll have to fight for their lives... and find the answer to one terrifying question – how far would you go for the people you love?
The Lost Boy – the gripping psychological thriller from the author of The Stepson and The Child Who Never Was.
The Clarke family, Penny, Rod and their two young boys, are delighted when they are offered a holiday in a high-end guest house on a remote and beautiful island.
Their hostess Anna seems like a lovely woman. But what the Clarkes don’t realise is that this is no random invitation, that Anna has carefully selected the family to satisfy her own sinister agenda.
Penny soon begins to sense there’s something off about Anna. She often speaks about her husband and son, but is it odd that they are both away? And that Anna seems perfectly content to be alone in this isolated place?
And then there’s the way she looks at Penny’s boys – as if she's sizing up chickens for the slaughter.
Penny grows increasingly uneasy and begins to do a bit of digging, which leads to a horrifying discovery – she finally realises who Anna is, and then she knows exactly why they’ve been invited to the island.
She also knows that if she and her family are ever going to leave, they’ll have to fight for their lives... and find the answer to one terrifying question – how far would you go for the people you love?
The Lost Boy – the gripping psychological thriller from the author of The Stepson and The Child Who Never Was.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 10, 2022
486 people are currently reading
240 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
July 12, 2022
A free vacation on a secluded Scottish Isle, all expenses included. What could go wrong? This book was a quick read and an adventure story about what happens when the past comes back to haunt you. Rob and Penny have arrived on the island of Faida after winning a free vacation arranged by a bird watcher friend of Robs named Anna. Anna and Rob met on a bird watcher website and Anna owns the beautiful, secluded isle which has a variety of birds and a beautiful coast. Upon arriving, Rob is overjoyed at the idea of spotting some of his favorite birds but Penny is less enthralled. The couple also brought their two young sons and the boys are immediately difficult, destroying property and spilling things everywhere. Rob is pretty laid back but Penny is already distraught about their family business losing money and having to also chase after the boys is too much for her to take. The family are put up in the guest house, but host Anna seems always around and acts strange
I expected a slowly building sense of danger but things kick up right away when oldest son, ten year old Freddie disappears. Freddie has a habit of running away and hiding, but the family worries because of all the dangers of the island including the sharp drop off cliffs. The novel then goes between the viewpoints of Anna and Penny and we find out the real reason for the island invite. I don't really like stories where bad things happen to children and the kids were the only sympathetic characters in the story. There were a couple of twists but I never found myself invested in the characters or the storyline. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for a review.
I expected a slowly building sense of danger but things kick up right away when oldest son, ten year old Freddie disappears. Freddie has a habit of running away and hiding, but the family worries because of all the dangers of the island including the sharp drop off cliffs. The novel then goes between the viewpoints of Anna and Penny and we find out the real reason for the island invite. I don't really like stories where bad things happen to children and the kids were the only sympathetic characters in the story. There were a couple of twists but I never found myself invested in the characters or the storyline. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for a review.
January 10, 2023
The Lost Boy by Jane Renshaw is an atmospheric thriller set in an island off Glasgow. Anna is all set to harm Freddie or Alfie, the two boys of Penny and Rod Clarke whom she invited to the island on a pretext of a free holiday. But will she go through with it? Is Freddie, an uncontrollable brat? Will Penny save her son?
The book starts with so much anticipation and goes onto reveal many twists and turns. I didn't expect how Jane Renshaw made me completely alter my opinions about the characters. With unpredictable characters and a suspense filled plot, this is definitely an unputdownable novel. This book has all the elements that make it a riveting thriller.
The eerie and isolated island, complex and layered characters and an intriguing plot with many twists make for an engrossing read. This is one of the best atmospheric thrillers that I have read recently. I will be sure to check out Jane Renshaw's other books. I highly recommend The Lost Boy. Grab it if you are looking for a compelling thriller.
The book starts with so much anticipation and goes onto reveal many twists and turns. I didn't expect how Jane Renshaw made me completely alter my opinions about the characters. With unpredictable characters and a suspense filled plot, this is definitely an unputdownable novel. This book has all the elements that make it a riveting thriller.
The eerie and isolated island, complex and layered characters and an intriguing plot with many twists make for an engrossing read. This is one of the best atmospheric thrillers that I have read recently. I will be sure to check out Jane Renshaw's other books. I highly recommend The Lost Boy. Grab it if you are looking for a compelling thriller.
August 5, 2022
The Lost Boy was my first read from Jane Renshaw and I was captivated from beginning to end. Add another name to my list of authors are certainly worth a look.
Penny and Rod Clarke and their two young sons arrive on a remote island where they have been offered the opportunity to stay at a high-end guesthouse. Their hostess, Anna, is welcoming from the start, but something is off, and a sense of unease begins to build. Where are the husband and son Anna speaks of frequently, and why does she seem to feel such animosity toward her guests, particularly the highly spirited boys? Perhaps this invitation was not quite as random as the Clarke family was led to believe.
This is a riveting read that gave me chills from the very first chapter. I look forward to exploring more from this new to me author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for an ARC.
Penny and Rod Clarke and their two young sons arrive on a remote island where they have been offered the opportunity to stay at a high-end guesthouse. Their hostess, Anna, is welcoming from the start, but something is off, and a sense of unease begins to build. Where are the husband and son Anna speaks of frequently, and why does she seem to feel such animosity toward her guests, particularly the highly spirited boys? Perhaps this invitation was not quite as random as the Clarke family was led to believe.
This is a riveting read that gave me chills from the very first chapter. I look forward to exploring more from this new to me author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for an ARC.
June 21, 2022
After the first chapter it lost a lot of momentum but I am so glad I persevered. The Clarke family have been invited for a free holiday on a remote island in the far north of Scotland but the owner has her own adgenda. Penny hates it, Rod loves it he is a twitched and in his element and their two young boys are completely out of control.Penny and Rod have a dark secret and Anna the owner knows about it. One of these three will do anything to keep this secret but who? There is a back story which is heartbraking. This book was not what I was expecting it was so much more. Packed to the rafters with tension and suspense and a great ending. A very happy reader.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
July 18, 2022
Ah I was absolutely hooked on this book! This book is the type that slowly creeps along , the story and tension building throughout the book.
One of the main characters Anna is fascinating , she is very complex and it is great to see her character progress throughout the book. In this book each chapter is a different characters perspective of what is happening, each character is completely different from each other but each is fascinating to learn about.
The storyline is one that hooks you , it starts filling you with many questions regarding the situations , but the answer are made clear by the end of the book which for any reader is great news! Definitely a good thriller type book to give a go !
One of the main characters Anna is fascinating , she is very complex and it is great to see her character progress throughout the book. In this book each chapter is a different characters perspective of what is happening, each character is completely different from each other but each is fascinating to learn about.
The storyline is one that hooks you , it starts filling you with many questions regarding the situations , but the answer are made clear by the end of the book which for any reader is great news! Definitely a good thriller type book to give a go !
November 7, 2023
2 stars
Veeerrryyyy long and boring and so many irrelevant stories and details. The whole story could fit in one very predictable page.
The ending, that had a hint of "die hard-terminator" was ridiculous to say the least.
Veeerrryyyy long and boring and so many irrelevant stories and details. The whole story could fit in one very predictable page.
The ending, that had a hint of "die hard-terminator" was ridiculous to say the least.
July 24, 2022
Thank you Netgalley, Inkubator Books and Jane Renshaw for letting me read 'The Lost Boy' in exchange for an honest review.
"The Clarke family, Penny, Rod and their two young boys, are delighted when they are offered a holiday in a high-end guest house on a remote and beautiful island.
Their hostess Anna seems like a lovely woman. But what the Clarkes don’t realise is that this is no random invitation, that Anna has carefully selected the family to satisfy her own sinister agenda."
I was pleasantly surprised to find this book was not what I had expected it to be having read the synopsis. The book has been well written in a dual narrative with a compelling and gripping plot. When I began the book I felt there was a clear 'goodie' and 'baddie' character but all is not what it seems.
Despite being a little slow to get going, the careful 'scene-setting' at the beginning was integral to the story, and the slow and gradual build in suspense as the story progressed left me hooked and on the edge of my seat.
This was the first book I have read by Jane Renshaw. It certainly won't be the last.
"The Clarke family, Penny, Rod and their two young boys, are delighted when they are offered a holiday in a high-end guest house on a remote and beautiful island.
Their hostess Anna seems like a lovely woman. But what the Clarkes don’t realise is that this is no random invitation, that Anna has carefully selected the family to satisfy her own sinister agenda."
I was pleasantly surprised to find this book was not what I had expected it to be having read the synopsis. The book has been well written in a dual narrative with a compelling and gripping plot. When I began the book I felt there was a clear 'goodie' and 'baddie' character but all is not what it seems.
Despite being a little slow to get going, the careful 'scene-setting' at the beginning was integral to the story, and the slow and gradual build in suspense as the story progressed left me hooked and on the edge of my seat.
This was the first book I have read by Jane Renshaw. It certainly won't be the last.
August 28, 2022
3.5 ✨
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my review. While this wasn't the best book I've ever read, it was still an enjoyable story line. I didn't care for almost every character in this book, but enjoyed the plot. I went into this book thinking who I thought the deceiver was to finding out sm it was someone completely different. The character I hated the most in the beginning I ended up liking a lot in the end. I was totally surprised with the ending to this book and my mind was completely blown!
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my review. While this wasn't the best book I've ever read, it was still an enjoyable story line. I didn't care for almost every character in this book, but enjoyed the plot. I went into this book thinking who I thought the deceiver was to finding out sm it was someone completely different. The character I hated the most in the beginning I ended up liking a lot in the end. I was totally surprised with the ending to this book and my mind was completely blown!
July 23, 2022
I really enjoyed this one, despite not liking a single character in the book, the author’s writing style and the plot kept me engaged throughout. If you like a good psychological thriller then this is definitely a book you will want to add to your list!
July 20, 2022
I have been a fan of Jane’s work for a little while now. I have read and enjoyed each and every one of her books to date. When I read the synopsis for ‘The Lost Boy’, it certainly sounded like the sort of book I have come to expect from Jane – a psychological thriller with more twists and turns to it than you would find on a ‘Snakes & Ladders’ board. Well ‘The Lost Boy’ was certainly all that and more. I really enjoyed reading ‘The Lost Boy’ but more about that in a bit.
I have to be honest and say that it took me a little while to get into ‘The Lost Boy’. I think that part of the problem was the fact that I didn’t immediately gel with any of the main characters as I was highly suspicious of each of them and what they were up to. However, once I got into the book then that was it and I was away so to speak. I had my own suspicions as to what was going to happen so I had to keep reading to see if I was on the right track or if I had wandered down the wrong path entirely. I would pick the book up intending to read a chapter or two but I would become so wrapped up in the story that I would still be sat there reading over several chapters later. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘The Lost Boy’. I found ‘The Lost Boy’ to be a gripping, tense and dramatic read, which certainly kept me guessing.
‘The Lost Boy’ is very well written but then I have come to expect nothing less from Jane Renshaw. She certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and draw them into what proves to be one hell of a story. For me, this was a bit of a slow burner type of read in the sense that the pace started off gentle but as the story continued, the pace of the story gathered momentum and led to a tense and dramatic conclusion. The chapters are written from the point of view of different lead characters and describes what is happening through their eyes. The different chapters interlink well and the story flows seamlessly as a result. I love the way in which Jane makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action.
In short and overall I did enjoy reading ‘The Lost Boy’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Jane’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.
I have to be honest and say that it took me a little while to get into ‘The Lost Boy’. I think that part of the problem was the fact that I didn’t immediately gel with any of the main characters as I was highly suspicious of each of them and what they were up to. However, once I got into the book then that was it and I was away so to speak. I had my own suspicions as to what was going to happen so I had to keep reading to see if I was on the right track or if I had wandered down the wrong path entirely. I would pick the book up intending to read a chapter or two but I would become so wrapped up in the story that I would still be sat there reading over several chapters later. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘The Lost Boy’. I found ‘The Lost Boy’ to be a gripping, tense and dramatic read, which certainly kept me guessing.
‘The Lost Boy’ is very well written but then I have come to expect nothing less from Jane Renshaw. She certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and draw them into what proves to be one hell of a story. For me, this was a bit of a slow burner type of read in the sense that the pace started off gentle but as the story continued, the pace of the story gathered momentum and led to a tense and dramatic conclusion. The chapters are written from the point of view of different lead characters and describes what is happening through their eyes. The different chapters interlink well and the story flows seamlessly as a result. I love the way in which Jane makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action.
In short and overall I did enjoy reading ‘The Lost Boy’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Jane’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.
July 8, 2022
I think this one wasn’t for me. I struggled a little bit with the some of the non US colloquialisms…they weren’t overwhelming, but just enough for me to lose a little momentum. But where I particularly struggled was with the repetitive bird/nature references where my interest went into a nosedive. The author hits a slam dunk in landscape/scenery description, but for me, it was a bit too focused on those descriptions rather than the momentum of the story. There were a couple of twists that completely surprised me and they were well placed so that it earned redemption points, but overall, I struggled through it.
Thank you netgalley and Inkubator Books for an ARC of The Lost Boy!
Thank you netgalley and Inkubator Books for an ARC of The Lost Boy!
July 11, 2022
This was a dark thriller with beautifully written descriptions of the fictional island of Faida. The author translates the Gaelic and Scottish words (e.g., Traigh Bheag - the small beach). It was interesting to read about the different landscapes and birds of the island.
Anna was a little strange from the get-go, with her crazy smile and constant contact with her houseguests. Her husband and son were away, and the rest of the guest cottages were closed for renovation, so the Clarke family had the run of the island. Which probably isn't a good thing when you have two willful and adventurous boys.
Soon enough, one of the boys takes his exploration a little too far and winds up in trouble. While his dad, Rod, is very concerned, mom Penny seems content to camouflage her worry with work and wine. Anna starts to see the disconnect between husband and wife, and soon has Rod telling her confidences.
I love how the author had us sympathizing with the Clarkes but agreeing with Anna that the boys were just spoiled beyond reason. By the end, my heart and mind had shifted completely.
Thanks to NetGalley, Inkubator and Booksprout for an advanced reader's copy.
Anna was a little strange from the get-go, with her crazy smile and constant contact with her houseguests. Her husband and son were away, and the rest of the guest cottages were closed for renovation, so the Clarke family had the run of the island. Which probably isn't a good thing when you have two willful and adventurous boys.
Soon enough, one of the boys takes his exploration a little too far and winds up in trouble. While his dad, Rod, is very concerned, mom Penny seems content to camouflage her worry with work and wine. Anna starts to see the disconnect between husband and wife, and soon has Rod telling her confidences.
I love how the author had us sympathizing with the Clarkes but agreeing with Anna that the boys were just spoiled beyond reason. By the end, my heart and mind had shifted completely.
Thanks to NetGalley, Inkubator and Booksprout for an advanced reader's copy.
July 24, 2022
When I picked up this book I thought I had it figured out to a point but nope, no way, nada. Jane plants a HUGE plot twist and it was like WHOA!! It turned the entire story on its head and I loved it!
I mean you just have to go with the plot, it is crazy at times but it’s my favourite kind of crazy!! It was done fabulously and wow what a rotten character one of them was. Jeez, talk about chilling me to the bone!!! Shudder!
I do love how your support for characters switches and waivers at times. You never quite know how it is ultimately going to play out but that end game was a cinch!!
Jane is a new to me author, but I will be definitely looking out for more books bu her. She sucked me in from the start, with the creepy crows, the over-the-top nicety of Anna, and the reserved Penny. Just everything. All worked for me!
I mean you just have to go with the plot, it is crazy at times but it’s my favourite kind of crazy!! It was done fabulously and wow what a rotten character one of them was. Jeez, talk about chilling me to the bone!!! Shudder!
I do love how your support for characters switches and waivers at times. You never quite know how it is ultimately going to play out but that end game was a cinch!!
Jane is a new to me author, but I will be definitely looking out for more books bu her. She sucked me in from the start, with the creepy crows, the over-the-top nicety of Anna, and the reserved Penny. Just everything. All worked for me!
July 20, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. It is well written with a compelling storyline told from a dual narrative and well developed characters although most of them were quite hard to like, particularly the two little boys, although I thik this was totally the point.
It is definitely a slow burning thriller and whereas I normally prefer a faster paced thriller, the pacing really worked for this book. It was a gripping read right from the start and I couldn't put it down, It kept me guessing right until the end.
It is definitely a slow burning thriller and whereas I normally prefer a faster paced thriller, the pacing really worked for this book. It was a gripping read right from the start and I couldn't put it down, It kept me guessing right until the end.
November 23, 2022
I am not able to finish this book.
I found it very boring and too descriptive of the surroundings.
I found it very boring and too descriptive of the surroundings.
August 15, 2022
Rod and Anna become friends after bonding over their shared interest: they’re both avid birdwatchers. When Anna invites Rod to bring his wife and kids to her family’s island, he eagerly accepts. Surely a free holiday on a picturesque island offered by someone they met online cannot be too good to be true?
From the very beginning, it’s made clear that Anna has much darker intentions than hosting a random family. In fact, inviting Rod Clarke’s family is anything but random. She has her eyes on the two Clarke boys in particular, as she tries to calculate and choose. Freddie or Alfie, which one is it going to be?
Rod’s wife, Penny, suspects something isn’t right about the invitation and about Anna’s demeanor. With the running of the family company, looking after the children, and a less than perfect marriage, Penny has enough on her plate without having to figure out what Anna is all about. However, soon she will have no other choice. As tension mounts, a series of events prevents the Clarkes from just leaving and Anna from pretending she never had any unsavory intentions.
The story is set on the fictional Scottish island of Faida, inspired by real places on the west coast of Scotland. The descriptions of the land (there is even a map inside!) and the various plants and animals really help set the tone and ground the story in the beautiful surroundings. After the prologue, chapters alternate between Anna’s and Penny’s points of view, and both of these characters show depth and complexity. As shocking secrets are gradually revealed, the readers’ perception of the characters changes. Their actions are put into perspective, and we’re forced to rethink who we’re rooting for. The full story emerges piece by piece, through vivid flashbacks and the characters’ recollections, and those are juxtaposed beautifully with the crackling action set in the present.
The way the two children are portrayed is also striking – they are their own fully-fledged characters, especially Freddie, and it’s fascinating to see the way different adults perceive him. Even through over-the-shoulder rather than first-person narration, the voices of Anna and Penny are very distinct, and the different ways in which they interpret their situation and their surroundings are captivating. There are Anna’s connections with the locals, her keen observations of other people and the wildlife around her, and in contrast there’s Penny’s urban, practical character and desire to be seen as successful and put-together. There is a lot of attention to detail in the way the characters are portrayed (for example, the way each character interacts with the family of crows that Anna feeds), and that makes it enjoyable to read about how they handle the events.
Overall, The Lost Boy is a well written, gripping thriller with a lot of depth and heart and a stunning setting.
From the very beginning, it’s made clear that Anna has much darker intentions than hosting a random family. In fact, inviting Rod Clarke’s family is anything but random. She has her eyes on the two Clarke boys in particular, as she tries to calculate and choose. Freddie or Alfie, which one is it going to be?
Rod’s wife, Penny, suspects something isn’t right about the invitation and about Anna’s demeanor. With the running of the family company, looking after the children, and a less than perfect marriage, Penny has enough on her plate without having to figure out what Anna is all about. However, soon she will have no other choice. As tension mounts, a series of events prevents the Clarkes from just leaving and Anna from pretending she never had any unsavory intentions.
The story is set on the fictional Scottish island of Faida, inspired by real places on the west coast of Scotland. The descriptions of the land (there is even a map inside!) and the various plants and animals really help set the tone and ground the story in the beautiful surroundings. After the prologue, chapters alternate between Anna’s and Penny’s points of view, and both of these characters show depth and complexity. As shocking secrets are gradually revealed, the readers’ perception of the characters changes. Their actions are put into perspective, and we’re forced to rethink who we’re rooting for. The full story emerges piece by piece, through vivid flashbacks and the characters’ recollections, and those are juxtaposed beautifully with the crackling action set in the present.
The way the two children are portrayed is also striking – they are their own fully-fledged characters, especially Freddie, and it’s fascinating to see the way different adults perceive him. Even through over-the-shoulder rather than first-person narration, the voices of Anna and Penny are very distinct, and the different ways in which they interpret their situation and their surroundings are captivating. There are Anna’s connections with the locals, her keen observations of other people and the wildlife around her, and in contrast there’s Penny’s urban, practical character and desire to be seen as successful and put-together. There is a lot of attention to detail in the way the characters are portrayed (for example, the way each character interacts with the family of crows that Anna feeds), and that makes it enjoyable to read about how they handle the events.
Overall, The Lost Boy is a well written, gripping thriller with a lot of depth and heart and a stunning setting.
July 24, 2022
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“The Lost Boy” is a compelling thriller that shines for its characters!
The book is a different psychological thriller because of the small set of characters on the canvas. You have a maximum of five main characters, and initially, I wondered how the author could shock me with just these characters. However, the author writes the emotions and backstory of the characters so well! You second guess each of their intentions and wonder what is happening. Moreover, I liked the mysterious backdrop of the Island where you don’t know what will happen to them.
Moreover, the highlight for me was the two main characters, Anna and Penny. Anna and Penny are complete opposites, and I enjoyed how the author portrayed them. What’s also interesting is how the author made me change my perception of both characters throughout the tale. Initially, I rooted for Penny and thought Anna was strange and sinister. But, as the story progressed, I realized I rooted more for Anna and didn’t like Penny. I liked how the author seamlessly moved the transition and alternated the chapters between the perspective of the two characters. Anna, in particular, is fascinating. You can see the hurt and love she feels whenever she thinks of Broc and Tam.
Another highlight of the tale was Freddie. For some reason, this character unnerved me. There were times when Freddie’s reactions to the situation didn’t seem normal, and I thought something sinister was happening. After reading the story, I still feel that the author could have dabbed more into Freddie, as he was undoubtedly a strange boy. I hope the author writes a sequel focusing on Freddie.
Overall, “The Lost Boy” is an exciting thriller worth checking out if you love character-driven stories more than the plot, and I liked it.
July 24, 2022
Penny and Rod Clarke and their two young, not-well-behaved boys, Freddie and Alfie accept Anna’s offer of a holiday a remote Scottish island. Rod is excited to see the island’s birdlife. Penny is excited to have some time away from the stress of trying to keep the family’s business alive. The two boys are not excited by anything, unhappy to be on an island with nothing to do and they soon make their feelings known. In fact, they're both badly-behaved, spoilt brats.
Anna’s husband is out in the North Sea on a fishing boat and her teenage son is staying with her sister and brother-in-law on the mainland where he attends school. They’ll both be home soon.
But Penny is suspicious of Anna and does some snooping and sure enough… but by this time, Freddie has gone missing. He’s run off before so Anna is not too concerned. Rod returns from bird watching though and accuses Anna of negligence again and the incident becomes the subject of a major rift between Penny and Rod and then becomes the subject of an extensive search exercise - police, islanders, fishing boats, a helicopter… but no Freddie. Anna is even searching the island's coastline in her small yacht.
And then Rod goes missing.
I’ll leave the description there because I don’t want to spoil the plot twists and intrigue that develops and creates the essence of the story. Suffice to say, the story is well-constructed, with a number of twists, one of which is the bad characters become good and the good characters become bad. And the ending is well worth waiting for.
Peter
www.books-and-beans.com
Please visit my site to read more reviews of books (and cafes).
Anna’s husband is out in the North Sea on a fishing boat and her teenage son is staying with her sister and brother-in-law on the mainland where he attends school. They’ll both be home soon.
But Penny is suspicious of Anna and does some snooping and sure enough… but by this time, Freddie has gone missing. He’s run off before so Anna is not too concerned. Rod returns from bird watching though and accuses Anna of negligence again and the incident becomes the subject of a major rift between Penny and Rod and then becomes the subject of an extensive search exercise - police, islanders, fishing boats, a helicopter… but no Freddie. Anna is even searching the island's coastline in her small yacht.
And then Rod goes missing.
I’ll leave the description there because I don’t want to spoil the plot twists and intrigue that develops and creates the essence of the story. Suffice to say, the story is well-constructed, with a number of twists, one of which is the bad characters become good and the good characters become bad. And the ending is well worth waiting for.
Peter
www.books-and-beans.com
Please visit my site to read more reviews of books (and cafes).
July 31, 2022
Before I start the island of Faida map is really interesting and I love love love a map. Don’t you also love it when an author makes the prologue extremely gripping so you have an air of mystery before you even begin to read. Loved this, on top of the ‘yoda’. I enjoyed the authors descriptive writing and I could visually see the characters presented to me on top of the surroundings. The humour built in was creative and I did find myself laughing when I probably shouldn’t be. Whether this was intentional or not I’m unsure but it was an unusual touch in this genre of books.
The chapters are told from different perspective which is a top reading love of mine and by the end of the first chapter I was left in ‘oh my god’ would a child actually be killed? You know something bad might happen which prompts you to continue to read but the shocking discovery about Anna even though I expected it felt so real and intense. I kept imaging what I would do if I was in the shoes of Penny. When you discover the emotions behind the intent you almost feel unsure if what you’re feeling is the right kind of emotions.
I loved the psychological aspects but also the thriller aspects too. It’s a really quick paced read from chapter to chapter and the constant descriptions really make the suspense build. I loved the turns and twists in this and it was well written to create that overall perfect ending.
The chapters are told from different perspective which is a top reading love of mine and by the end of the first chapter I was left in ‘oh my god’ would a child actually be killed? You know something bad might happen which prompts you to continue to read but the shocking discovery about Anna even though I expected it felt so real and intense. I kept imaging what I would do if I was in the shoes of Penny. When you discover the emotions behind the intent you almost feel unsure if what you’re feeling is the right kind of emotions.
I loved the psychological aspects but also the thriller aspects too. It’s a really quick paced read from chapter to chapter and the constant descriptions really make the suspense build. I loved the turns and twists in this and it was well written to create that overall perfect ending.
August 22, 2022
Anna invites the Clarke family to stay on her remote Scottish island. But despite her smiles, her intentions are deadly...
The Lost Boy is a psychological thriller. Right from the start we know that Anna is intent on harming one of the Clarke boys. They are not at all likeable but surely murder is a little extreme?! The boys' parents Rod and Penny have a fraught relationship with each other and their children which adds an extra layer of tension.
The book is written from the alternating perspectives of Anna and Penny in the third person. Their actions and feelings are explored and contrasted. Around halfway through the book, my suspicions were confirmed about the motive behind Anna's behaviour in a huge plot twist which then changes the direction of the book.
I was completely caught up in the idea of good people doing bad things and the lengths people will go to in order to protect themselves and those they love. Penny and Anna were portrayed very authentically with flaws and vulnerability. There was also an emotional side to the characters as they deal with their experiences.
The chapters are short which drives the plot along at a speedy pace. We are thrown straight into the plot and action, aware of the danger the Clarkes face. The drama really ramps up in the second half of the book and my feelings towards the characters changed completely as secrets are revealed.
The Lost Boy is very entertaining with interesting moral dilemmas and plenty of drama.
The Lost Boy is a psychological thriller. Right from the start we know that Anna is intent on harming one of the Clarke boys. They are not at all likeable but surely murder is a little extreme?! The boys' parents Rod and Penny have a fraught relationship with each other and their children which adds an extra layer of tension.
The book is written from the alternating perspectives of Anna and Penny in the third person. Their actions and feelings are explored and contrasted. Around halfway through the book, my suspicions were confirmed about the motive behind Anna's behaviour in a huge plot twist which then changes the direction of the book.
I was completely caught up in the idea of good people doing bad things and the lengths people will go to in order to protect themselves and those they love. Penny and Anna were portrayed very authentically with flaws and vulnerability. There was also an emotional side to the characters as they deal with their experiences.
The chapters are short which drives the plot along at a speedy pace. We are thrown straight into the plot and action, aware of the danger the Clarkes face. The drama really ramps up in the second half of the book and my feelings towards the characters changed completely as secrets are revealed.
The Lost Boy is very entertaining with interesting moral dilemmas and plenty of drama.
July 25, 2022
I would like to thank Netgalley for an advanced readers copy in exchange for a review. Penny and Rod Clarke and their two sons, Freddie and Alfie are very happy when they are offered an all expense paid stay in a high end guest house. The guest house is located on a remote island and is peaceful and beautiful. As the saying goes, “if something is too good to be true, it probably is,” For starters, the family members offering the stay are complete strangers. Penny and Rod accept the offer and travel with their two sons to the destination. The two boys are very difficult to control, especially Freddie. Yet Anna, the hostess does not seem to mind which makes Penny suspicious. The boys destroy property among other unacceptable behavior. As the days go by, Penny begins to to notice that Anna’s behavior is very odd. Her husband Rod pays no mind to Penny’s concerns. Penny begins to suspect that Anna’s reasons for inviting them to stay at her guest house come with ill intentions. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it. Both the scenery and the characters were well defined.
August 31, 2023
An excellent psychological thriller that kept me on the edge so I could not put it down. The setting is an eerie, isolated Scottish island with a guest house and an unusual host with a sinister agenda. The Clark family consisted of Penny, Rod and their two sons. They accepted an invitation from the host, Anna. She is a birdwatcher that Rod met online through mutual interest in bird watching. This invitation is an all expenses paid trip.
Throughout the trip Anna speaks of her husband and son, but they haven't met them. After an adventurous Freddie, that has a habit of mischief, disappears, they realize this was no random selection of people. What they discover is shocking and dangerous and they need to find Freddie before it is too late.
An amazing twist that will shake up everything you think of the characters. My mind was changed midway that not everyone is as they seem, which will have you racing to the end for safety.
An amazing job by this author. She sets the stage and lets the characters fall in and out of place to keep you guessing until the end.
Throughout the trip Anna speaks of her husband and son, but they haven't met them. After an adventurous Freddie, that has a habit of mischief, disappears, they realize this was no random selection of people. What they discover is shocking and dangerous and they need to find Freddie before it is too late.
An amazing twist that will shake up everything you think of the characters. My mind was changed midway that not everyone is as they seem, which will have you racing to the end for safety.
An amazing job by this author. She sets the stage and lets the characters fall in and out of place to keep you guessing until the end.
November 20, 2022
The Lost Boy by Jane Renshaw is a solid psych thriller that is a mostly good read with some really good twists. It is obvious right from the start that something is not right with Anna. Sure, she says it flat out at the end of the very first chapter. But even in the introduction of her character, it was apparent that there is an oddness about her. The author excels in two places throughout the story: the description of obnoxious children and location/scenery. Honestly, the two boys are so well written that one has to think that the author knows an annoying kid or two. The book does pick up in the second half as the truth about Anna’s background and motivations come to light. For more details, please visit Fireflies and Free Kicks. This review was written based on a digital copy of the book from Inkubator.
July 23, 2022
Writing:
The writing style of the author is really good. It was good enough to keep me hooked.
Plot:
The plot was really interesting, you think you know who is good and who is evil but as the story proceeds you start questioning your opinion.
Characters:
The characters were well described. All were somehow flawed. I would like to write more about some of the characters but I would spoil the story.
Things I didn't like:
The main thing I didn't like that the truth came out way too early and after that it was all kind of predictable.
Around halfway through it I was eager to know what will happen further but that wasn't enough for me to not skip through the pages.
For me, it was a little stretched out which made it kind of boring from time to time.
The writing style of the author is really good. It was good enough to keep me hooked.
Plot:
The plot was really interesting, you think you know who is good and who is evil but as the story proceeds you start questioning your opinion.
Characters:
The characters were well described. All were somehow flawed. I would like to write more about some of the characters but I would spoil the story.
Things I didn't like:
The main thing I didn't like that the truth came out way too early and after that it was all kind of predictable.
Around halfway through it I was eager to know what will happen further but that wasn't enough for me to not skip through the pages.
For me, it was a little stretched out which made it kind of boring from time to time.
July 29, 2022
This book was fantastic! Brilliant writing that kept me reading late at night.
Right from the start, it is revealed what Anna is planning and I love how my first thoughts were shock and hatred towards her. This then really changed as the book developed and I learned more about Anna and her family.
I have noticed recently that I have been paying more attention to the prologue of books and they've kept me thinking back to them as I've been reading. This book did just that. As I read on in the book I was thinking back to the prologue and wondering what it related to. I think the author wrote this book really well. Giving us just enough information to keep us interested but not enough to give it away.
Right from the start, it is revealed what Anna is planning and I love how my first thoughts were shock and hatred towards her. This then really changed as the book developed and I learned more about Anna and her family.
I have noticed recently that I have been paying more attention to the prologue of books and they've kept me thinking back to them as I've been reading. This book did just that. As I read on in the book I was thinking back to the prologue and wondering what it related to. I think the author wrote this book really well. Giving us just enough information to keep us interested but not enough to give it away.
November 7, 2022
The Clarke family, consisting of Penny, Rod, and their two sons, are offered a holiday in a high-end house on a remote island. The woman hosting them, Anna, seems to be very friendly at first. The family doesn't realize that they have been chosen to come there deliberately for sinister purposes. Penny soon notices that something is off with their hostess and begins looking into Anna. This leads to her discovering a horrifying realization about who Anna really is and why they were invited to the island. The plot is told through both Anna and Penny's perspectives, and the story plays out in flashbacks and recollections. It changes your mind on who you want to root for, and the ending was definitely great. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy.
September 19, 2022
This book was not for me. I prefer a story where I am off balance, where I have to try to figure out which character is being truthful. I prefer a story filled with misdirection and credible red herrings. I want a surprise a reveal that I never saw coming. This story was the opposite. Everything is pretty much spelled out from the start so I knew exactly how it would play out.
July 16, 2022
Wow! A great atmospheric read where nothing is as it seems and no one is who you think they are. I have read all of this author's books and they always keep me reading late into the night. A definite must read for fans of psychological suspense.
July 17, 2022
Enthralling tale
This novel captures the essence of the way that people can hide behind a mask. The emotions of grief, anger, and unbelievable loss, can skew one's sense of justice. Twists and turns make this book an unmissable story.
This novel captures the essence of the way that people can hide behind a mask. The emotions of grief, anger, and unbelievable loss, can skew one's sense of justice. Twists and turns make this book an unmissable story.
July 18, 2022
Perfectly Executed
The author gave nothing away, which made for a perfect thriller. The surprises will hold you transfixed and on the edge waiting for the next surprise that you won't see coming.
The author gave nothing away, which made for a perfect thriller. The surprises will hold you transfixed and on the edge waiting for the next surprise that you won't see coming.
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