Girl Out of Sight

by Helen Matthews

Previously published as After Leaving the Village

In London and an Albanian village, two young women have vastly different lives—but a shocking secret is about to connect them . . .

Odeta lives a dull life running her father’s grocery store in a remote Albanian village. So when an enigmatic stranger appears, promising her an exciting career in London, she jumps at the opportunity. Odeta’s life is about to change, but not in the way she expected . . .

Kate, a journalist in London, has a seemingly perfect life. But she worries that her son spends too much time online, and decides to disconnect him so Ben can get outside and make some friends. But there may be things she doesn’t know about her own community . . .

What connects Kate and Odeta? And can you ever really know your neighbors?

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Ebooks, Crime, Fiction, Contemporary, Amazon

311 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 4, 2022

About the author

Delighted to announce that domestic suspense novel The Sisters is out soon from Bloodhound Books. They also recently republished my prize-winning suspense thriller Girl Out of Sight.

Lies Behind the Ruin, family noir set in France, is available from Amazon. A new edition of The Girl in the Van, winner of the Pageturner prize 2022 in the suspense and thriller category, will be out in January 2025.

I'm originally from Cardiff, studied English at Liverpool University and hold an MA in Creative Writing from Oxford Brookes. I've won prizes for flash fiction and short stories and been published in 'Artificium', Reflex Fiction, 1k story, ElipsisZine, Love Sunday, Scribble and in an eBook 'Garage 54 and other stories'.

Long ago in a galaxy far away (before I focused on fiction) I had some articles published in the Guardian, on the BBC and in lifestyle magazines. I love travelling and you can read about some quirky encounters and places on my blog. I'm an ambassador for the charity , Unseen that fights to end modern slavery.

Reviews

[Sophie Narey (Bookreview- aholic) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was one of the best I have read this year so far, as you read it you realise it's so much more than just a crime thriller book.

Both characters that feature in this book are very well developed and the more you find out about them the more connected you feel to them. The story is fast paced , deep, mysterious and thrilling. You will devour this book in no time , a truly gripping read!

[Teuta Metra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartbreaking story and a great read.

I was interested in this book since I read the blurb. Finally I read it. I was curious to see Albania through the eyes of a foreigner. It was obvious that the author has a good understanding of the human trafficking phenomenon in Albania and Albanian culture as well. I was impressed by the fact that she even visited the country. Helen Matthew knew very well what she was doing. It’s heartbreaking to read that many young girls were tricked, promised a better life in Europe, especially in the UK. Just like Odeta and Marije (I suppose the names are fictional), there are many other real Odeta and Marije that have had the same fate. The traffickers studied their victims. They are always girls like Odeta, trying to escape their misery. Girls who seek for a better life. Girls, nobody would look after them. Sometimes, while reading, i got goosebumps.
I loved the fact that Kate helped Odeta. It doesn’t matter where you come from, the language you speak or the accent you have...
When I finished the book, this stayed with me: In Albania, families are poor but they look after their disabled relatives; neighbors help one another.

[AM SMOLANDER · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yesterday, 12th of November was my spot on ZooloosBookTours for Girl Out Of Sight by Helen Matthews. I’m so happy to have read this crime novel as an ebook for this tour as thrillers and crime novels are my favourite genre to read. While I was reading this novel I noticed a news item about Albanian criminal gangs operating in the UK. This makes this novel very timely and poignant. This novel is a tense and harrowing tale about a young Albanian girl who is trafficked to London. She is a true survivor and very courageous.
I found the idea that criminal activity like this could be happening in an quiet neighbourhoods and right under our noses very scary.
This novel made very gripping reading and it definitely held my interest and attention throughout. It is thrilling reading right from the start until the end.
I think other readers will also like this crime novel, and I’m rating it 4 stars as I found it a riveting read. This is the first novel that I’ve read by the author but I’m sure to read more in the future.

[Priya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent read!
The fast paced narrative going back and forth between the two main protagonists kept me glued.
Odeta is a young Albanian teen-ager who is lured to London with promises of a job and a better life. Only to be betrayed by the man she thought loved her and thrown into a terrible life she has no way of escaping.
Kate, on the other hand, is a freelance journalist, who has just moved to a new house and is perpetually worried about her son's inability to make friends. When she makes a decision to go technology free to force her son to notice people around him instead of screens, it has consequences she did not foresee.
Kate's need to feel part of a community like she did when she grew up and Odeta's desperation to get out of her misery build up and lead to a riveting finish
I wanted to hug the vulnerable Odeta and warn her of the danger ahead... her innocence and dreams were so palpable.
4.5 * read for me.

[Alexa Whitewolf · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author did a good job showcasing the lover boy method of human trafficking. It was heart wrenching reading about Odeta’s journey. The pace moved along well, and I finished this in one sitting.
Lost a star because the pace of the ending slowed down to a crawl, without diving deep into Odeta’s aftermath (how she recovers from her traumatic journey, which would’ve been a good segue to wrap it all up), nor do we see more of Kate’s aftermath (how was she affected by what she’s been confronted with - human trafficking on her street, being kidnapped, etc). Good read, though. Would recommend.

[pawsreadrepeat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you @helen.matthews7/ and @zooloosbooktours for my #giftedbook!

Girl out of sight is eye opening and will keep you engaged from start to finish. This book tackles a very heavy topic (human trafficking) with dignity and respect. This book is a slow build that keeps you thinking about how well we really know our neighbors. In our increasingly disconnected world, would you know if something was off with your neighbors?


Filled with a cast of colorful characters. I appreciated the author's ability to create depth within the characters while moving the story forward while building suspense. The descriptions are so good, I felt like I was part of the journey.

I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a crime thriller spanning two countries and bringing two women together in the most unexpected way.

[Linda Mainville · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent and disturbing book about sex trafficking. A 17-year old Albanian girl, Odeta, falls in love, and he lures her to London under the guise of starting a business and living with his relatives. Instead, he drops her off with Tomas, the disgusting head of a sex trafficking operation. There's a parallel story line about Kate, who lives next door to the house they use for their base.

It's interesting, disturbing, sad and satisfying all at the same time, and I stayed in bed today until I finished it, hoping my iPad wouldn't run out of charge before I did.

[Kathy Shields · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I've read in months! I was riveted, and couldn't stop reading.

[Katharine Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent novel which kept me up all night reading. I was drawn in by the opening chapters in Albania, which set the story up so that I got to know Odeta and understand her situation. These scenes are so well done and I had to keep reading to find out what would happen to her. The story's told in two viewpoints - I especially liked Odeta's but it was good to have the counterbalance of ordinary suburban life going on next door and it keeps you wondering how these two worlds might be brought together. It ends in a gripping finale. I'll certainly be looking out for more books by this author

[karen fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an intense read. An extremely well written book covering a very harrowing subject but expertly split between two women following very different lives to each other. This helps to stop the enormously horrific nature of the human trafficking side of this story from becoming too much. You can really see how this can take place in reality and how it can go unnoticed right under people's noses. Cannot praise highly enough how completely captivating this book is, would definitely recommend it.
I will be looking for more from this author.

[Miriam Drori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third novel I've read by Helen Matthews and all were excellent, gripping me with their narratives. Girl Out of Sight is a story that's hard to believe, and yet we all know these crimes exist and are committed somewhere, next to unsuspecting neighbours - just not in our street, surely.

Highly recommended.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right from the 1st page I was gripped and found it hard to out down, Switching between both women's lives I found it fascinating and had to read just one more chapter every night.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read, human trafficking story and thriller that keeps you reading until the end. So sad that this is still occurring, would recommend this book!!

[loopyloulaura · Rating 3 out of 5]

TRIGGER WARNING: contains rape and sex trafficking
Odeta is keen to follow her heart and her lover to England, leaving her rural Albanian life behind. But her dreams don't come true and she faces the horrific truth...
Girl Out Of Sight is a tense crime thriller novel set in Albania and the UK.
Odeta works in the family shop when she meets a man who woos her with stories of a better life in England. She believes his lies and follows him onto the plane. But once they land he snatches her passport and hands her over to his contact. Odeta is forced to confront her abandonment as well as the sexual expectation forced upon her.
Meanwhile, living next door is Kate. She has problems in her family life but has no idea of the horror in her street. Her choices lead her into danger as well... I liked the idea that we never know our neighbours especially as we live increasingly insular lives and the idea of community diminishes.
I wanted to shouted at Odeta to stay home, that Kreshnik was lying to her and danger was looming. The developing realisation of her situation and the sexual violence are dreadful to read and I found it impossible to enjoy. The book is vividly written and this brought the characters to life. I felt emotionally invested in Odeta and Kate's lives and concerned for the threats they face.
Girl Out Of Sight is a book that deals with a truly terrible concept but it has an important message about the dangers of modern slavery and exploitation.

[N.L. Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Odeta works in her father's shop; but when an opportunity arises for her to leave the boring life behind for something better she takes the chance. However, her life won't be as she expects it to be.

Kate lives in London with her son Ben but wants to give him a better life, allowing him to have a simpler life.
But it's not long before she feels her neighbours are not all they seem.

Matthews writes a dark narrative about human trafficking, this has a somber tone to the writing style and opens readers' eyes to this specific theme.

The author writes an engaging narrative with characters I found myself continuously questioning, as I was unsure of them and constantly wanted to know their motives.

I found this a tough read due to the theme, but really enjoyed this read.

[Rye · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was a difficult read. the depiction of trafficking & the men who participate in it forces a grim reflection on the depravity of the male ego. the first lead's (Odeta) journey is harrowing but the parallel, contrasting stories of the two women (Odeta & Kate) were interesting to follow but really at the core of their narrative was the systemic cruelty designed to favor men & enable their exploitation of power. my only gripe is the ending - the author clearly aimed for a cliffhanger (I think?) but it was not used effectively and I think it lacked a meaningful impact.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Girl Out of Sight by Helen Matthews.

Odeta’s life has shrunk to a daily round of drudgery, running her father’s grocery store in a remote Albanian village. One day, an enigmatic stranger from Tirana turns up, promising her an exciting career in London. Odeta’s life is about to change, but not in the way she expected.

Brilliant read. Great story. 5*.

[kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and I fiinsihed in one sitting, it was a quick and easy thriller read.
It was well written with an engaging narrative, compelling storyline and well developed characters. The pacing worked perfectly and I didn't it to end.

[Mikki O · Rating 4 out of 5]

Girl out of sight

Great book, well thought out and definitely well written.
Triggering topic to read but like I said it was well out together.
My only complaint about this book was the ending. I need to know more.
I'd definitely read more book's from this author..Well Done!!

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense

The lives of two women intersect when Ben goes missing and Anna tries everything to find him. Instead she finds herself caught up by the sex ring in the house next door. Intense!

[lynda johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sorry

Great read but sad that people have to endure so much pain for other people's profit and gain, harrowing story

[Barbara Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t want to continue with this once I started because of the subject matter. But I finished it. Well written.

[Lisa Brakspear · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really difficult read about the human trafficking trade and cuckooing. The main character's journey from innocent teenager to sex worker in a matter of months was really well told.

[Bethany · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a predictable book. I didn’t hate it, but it didn’t have to guess what was going to happen either. It was just meh for me.

[Amelia Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in 3 days, it was so gripping but a very difficult read at times. I had to stop reading sometimes but it was such an amazing book

[Tracy Refson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good paced thriller particularly first half felt it lost its way a bit toward last third

[leemarriott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fave book by Helen so far.

[cecilia crook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compulsive

Gruelling & very disturbing knowing that this does happen a lot. Unusually for me, I had to keep reading in one sitting.

[Rachel Bridgeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will not leave you untouched, it will leave you sobbing in a corner, but luckily we have that luxury whilst women and girls like Odeta do not.

It is so well explained, just how easy she was manipulated into leaving her home in Albania for the bright lights, so she thinks, of London where she will become a model. However, the first inklings of concern for her safety are presented to the reader on page 13 where Kreshnik, her boyfriend,tells her what she will need a new name and identity . When Odeta asks, ‘What about Marije.Won’t she be needing her passport?’ Kreshnik replies-

”You’re full of questions, my pretty one.”He taps his forefinger agaisnt the side of his nose.”We’re going to England soon and we’re going to be together.Let’s celebrate that.And as for Marije-no.She won’t be needing it.”

It gives you shivers , as do many moments in this book which unflinchingly, yet not graphically exposes the horrors of the modern slave trade. What is so brilliant is that Helen Marshall shows how the West is still held as an ideal for those who live in poverty and how easy it is to bribe someone, who has nothing, with a dream.

As Odeta explains, the boys move away from the village, and at the going away party that her parents throw her, she sees in her recently engaged cousin, exactly the opportunities which lie ahead for her if she stays. Marriage and babies with the boys who stay behind. It is totally possible to understand how Kreshnik seduces her with promises of a life full of splendour.

The book has many heart stopping moments which are bone chilling-when Odeta realises she is being handed over, like a piece of meat to men at the other end of her journey,she cannot even ask for help as she cannot speak English, In a few deft strokes byt the author you feel sick to your core as she desperately tries to catch the attention of people who turn away, not wanting to get involved.

What follows is horrific , unending abuse, contrasted with her neighbour just a few doors down. A journalist originally from Wales, Kate lives with her increasingly screen addicted son and husband in the same London street that is housing a dark deadly secret. Her response to the technological cravings of her family and her thwarted attempts to bring them together is to finally flip and cut all the wires in her house. Her husband loses his temper and she sees a darker side of him than she everexpected was there. Taking their son to visit her parents, she uses the opportunity to breathe and proposes to her editor to creat think pieces on being offline. Kate’s reasons for leaving her village for the lights of London were to follow her dream and escaping a tragedy but it’s one that has turned into a nightmare.

Her return to London results in her really looking at her community, or lack thereof and beginning to try and build some relationships with her neighbours and here her path, and Odeta’s cross in a most unexpected way.

Suspenseful, gripping, dreadfully heartbreaking , this is a book that really brings home the fact that slavery is not something which happens ‘elsewhere’,it happens in brightly lit surburban streets. It engenders so many feelings of inadequacy in the face of what seems an overwhelming worldwide issue but Helen has signposted the organisation Unseen (link below) which gives the reader ways of supporting their work.

[Nicola Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Odeta is an Albanian girl, 17 years old and from a small village. When dashing Kreshnik tells her she could have a more exciting life in London, she can't wait to leave her father's shop behind. But she's an innocent - she doesn't know what lies ahead for her in London. She ends up being held in the house next door to Kate, a journalist who subjects her family to an experiment of living with no internet, which leaves her at odds with her husband and son.

We start the book with Odeta leaving Albania and arriving in London. Poor Odeta, she had no idea how much she would yearn to be back in the simple life she had before. We witness her confusion and distress at the way she is being treated and see her trying to adjust, before we are introduced to Kate. I hadn't reread the blurb before starting to read this book and so was a little surprised when the story switched in this way and Kate was brought in. Newly moved to the area, she's trying to make friends with her neighbours - don't they say that each area of London is a village? But she's also from a small village in Wales and a trip there makes her remember something that happened when she herself was a teenager. I must admit I'm not entirely sure what this added to the story, apart from to flesh out Kate's own story, but I suppose it was a good way of illustrating the meaning of the title - both of these women had left behind a village and this was their story of what happened next.

And what brilliant and fascinating stories these are. From the time we meet Kate the story is told in alternate chapters from Odeta's and Kate's points of view. Comparisons between the completely different lives these two women are living, next door to each other, are inevitable and from being completely separate, they end up becoming intertwined, leading up to a very exciting conclusion.

After Leaving the Village is a fantastic read. I loved every minute of it. Towards the end my heart was racing and I couldn't put it down as I was desperately rooting for the two women to succeed, to survive. It's a stark reminder of how vulnerable girls can be preyed on, trafficked and abused. It's also a look at how the internet has taken over our lives, becoming something we (almost) can't do without.

I really wouldn't have known this was a debut novel. It's so well-written and has obviously been researched in detail. I think Helen Matthews has done an amazing job with this book. It's insightful, intense, interesting and really quite thrilling.