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Missing
I've known him all my life. I know he has taken my daughter. His mother says she can help me. But she's the last person I can trust...
Samuel lived next door when we were children. We were inseparable. But he didn’t like sharing me with my adored little brother. And one terrible night, he got rid of my brother forever…
Now, years later, he’s free. And my daughter is missing.
I turn on my baby girl’s unicorn nightlight and bury my face in her pillow, my heart breaking. I know Samuel has her – he blames me for ruining his life, and even after all this time, he still doesn’t like to share.
As darkness falls, there’s a knock at my door and I open it to see Samuel’s mother. She says she can help me.
I know I can’t trust her, but I don’t have a choice. With each step I take, my fear grows stronger. Can she help me find my daughter? Or does she know something about what really happened all those years ago? Something that could stop me from saving my baby girl…
Samuel lived next door when we were children. We were inseparable. But he didn’t like sharing me with my adored little brother. And one terrible night, he got rid of my brother forever…
Now, years later, he’s free. And my daughter is missing.
I turn on my baby girl’s unicorn nightlight and bury my face in her pillow, my heart breaking. I know Samuel has her – he blames me for ruining his life, and even after all this time, he still doesn’t like to share.
As darkness falls, there’s a knock at my door and I open it to see Samuel’s mother. She says she can help me.
I know I can’t trust her, but I don’t have a choice. With each step I take, my fear grows stronger. Can she help me find my daughter? Or does she know something about what really happened all those years ago? Something that could stop me from saving my baby girl…
Audible Audio
Published June 16, 2022
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About the author
K.L. Slater
48 books4,769 followersKim is the number one bestselling author of sixteen psychological crime thrillers. She has sold over two million copies of her books worldwide. She has also written four Carnegie-nominated Young Adult novels as Kim Slater for Macmillan Children’s Books. Kim has an MA in Creative Writing and lives with her husband in a small Nottinghamshire village.
Publishers: Bookouture, Sphere, Grand Central, Audible
Agent: Camilla Bolton at Darley Anderson
Author website: www.KLSlaterAuthor.com
Twitter: @KimLSlater
Facebook: KL Slater Author
Instagram: KLSlaterAuthor
Publishers: Bookouture, Sphere, Grand Central, Audible
Agent: Camilla Bolton at Darley Anderson
Author website: www.KLSlaterAuthor.com
Twitter: @KimLSlater
Facebook: KL Slater Author
Instagram: KLSlaterAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 492 reviews
May 19, 2022
3.5 rounded down
I’m usually really intrigued and invested when I start a KL Slater book but I’m disappointed with this one.
The story is told in several timelines starting in 1993 when eight year old Jimmy Bennett is deliberately trapped and subsequently dies inside a disused factory for which Samuel Barlow is convicted. Twenty five years on Samuel is due for release on parole, a huge cause of concern to Jimmy’s sister Josie, a cafe owner and single mum to eight year old Ivy. Maggie, Samuel’s mother is similarly concerned partly because he is now a prison hardened but more than capable of playing games and he was obsessed with with Josie when growing up. Will Josie and Maggie‘s concerns prove to be justified?
I think the start of this is good as is the premise which looks at the impact of one person on several lives especially when prison is thrown into the mix. There are several perspectives and Samuels is good, he is chilling, manipulative and makes your flesh crawl. Maggies is also interesting and via her we certainly get some intriguing and revealing plot twists which help to make sense of a lot.
However, a lot of the novel is from Josie‘s point of view and I can’t get to grips with her and in all honesty she drives me mad! There’s a lot of overexplaining and biscuit baking which gets in the way of the plot and there is repetition between the different points of view which isn’t required either. It starts well and gets a bit lost along the way, it should’ve been riveting reading but it loses its power. The leaping about in time doesn’t help either nor do the reveals at the end which you could describe as creative but I find them unconvincing.
I’ve always been a fan of KL Slater but this is not my favourite book of hers. Sorry!
With thanks to NetGalley especially to Bookouture for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
I’m usually really intrigued and invested when I start a KL Slater book but I’m disappointed with this one.
The story is told in several timelines starting in 1993 when eight year old Jimmy Bennett is deliberately trapped and subsequently dies inside a disused factory for which Samuel Barlow is convicted. Twenty five years on Samuel is due for release on parole, a huge cause of concern to Jimmy’s sister Josie, a cafe owner and single mum to eight year old Ivy. Maggie, Samuel’s mother is similarly concerned partly because he is now a prison hardened but more than capable of playing games and he was obsessed with with Josie when growing up. Will Josie and Maggie‘s concerns prove to be justified?
I think the start of this is good as is the premise which looks at the impact of one person on several lives especially when prison is thrown into the mix. There are several perspectives and Samuels is good, he is chilling, manipulative and makes your flesh crawl. Maggies is also interesting and via her we certainly get some intriguing and revealing plot twists which help to make sense of a lot.
However, a lot of the novel is from Josie‘s point of view and I can’t get to grips with her and in all honesty she drives me mad! There’s a lot of overexplaining and biscuit baking which gets in the way of the plot and there is repetition between the different points of view which isn’t required either. It starts well and gets a bit lost along the way, it should’ve been riveting reading but it loses its power. The leaping about in time doesn’t help either nor do the reveals at the end which you could describe as creative but I find them unconvincing.
I’ve always been a fan of KL Slater but this is not my favourite book of hers. Sorry!
With thanks to NetGalley especially to Bookouture for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
May 27, 2022
3.5*
Josie’s life wasn’t the same after her younger brother went missing, only to be found dead days later. A neighbor Samuel, a few years older was tried and convicted for the murder.
Years later Josie is a single mom raising her daughter Ivy. Petrified of the inevitable release date of Samuel. Heads up Josie, that dreaded day is today!
Now I’m no big believer in coincidences…and neither is Josie. So when her daughter goes missing shortly after Samuels release…well I think we all know who to point the finger at. Don’t we?
This was the first KL Slater book I’ve read in some time. And for the most part I was mostly engaged through it felt a bit too long. Maybe too detailed-oriented for this type of book?
There were some fun surprises along the way but overall it just felt average to me. Not my favorite by this author. But I’m glad this author is back on my radar and will be looking out for her next.
A buddy read with Susanne.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.
Josie’s life wasn’t the same after her younger brother went missing, only to be found dead days later. A neighbor Samuel, a few years older was tried and convicted for the murder.
Years later Josie is a single mom raising her daughter Ivy. Petrified of the inevitable release date of Samuel. Heads up Josie, that dreaded day is today!
Now I’m no big believer in coincidences…and neither is Josie. So when her daughter goes missing shortly after Samuels release…well I think we all know who to point the finger at. Don’t we?
This was the first KL Slater book I’ve read in some time. And for the most part I was mostly engaged through it felt a bit too long. Maybe too detailed-oriented for this type of book?
There were some fun surprises along the way but overall it just felt average to me. Not my favorite by this author. But I’m glad this author is back on my radar and will be looking out for her next.
A buddy read with Susanne.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.
May 21, 2022
Who can you trust?
Josie’s daughter has been taken. She's desperate, scared and wanting nothing more than to get her child back. She is convinced that Samuel Barlow has taken her. She knows Samuel, she has since she was a child. He's the one who killed her younger brother, Jimmy in 1993. Her testimony helped put him in prison. But he's out, paroled early and now her daughter is missing. Like all books, there are characters in this book that readers will either like or dislike. But will you feel sympathy for any of them?
This book is an examination of 'who can you trust?' It's about mothers trying to protect their children and about the truth. Like all books with a mystery, I did my own super sleuthing and came up with a list of subjects. I guessed two of the plot twists early on, but I still found this book to be enjoyable. Confession, Samuel was my favorite character. I feel he was the most developed and richly drawn character. He is devious, manipulative, and cruel, yet he is also a little sympathetic. He is the most complicated character in this book, and I love complicated characters. He's unlikeable yet, has suffered emotional pain in his life which has fueled his anger and actions.
You can feel Josie's fear as she is searching for her daughter, and I felt sorry for her and yet...
Samuel's Mother wants to help, but she lied in the past to protect her child. Can she be trusted now?
Every step of the way, readers will be wondering who can be trusted. This book is told through various character's POV and in the current time and in 1993.
Twists, turns, secrets, deception.... Missing.
3.5 stars
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Josie’s daughter has been taken. She's desperate, scared and wanting nothing more than to get her child back. She is convinced that Samuel Barlow has taken her. She knows Samuel, she has since she was a child. He's the one who killed her younger brother, Jimmy in 1993. Her testimony helped put him in prison. But he's out, paroled early and now her daughter is missing. Like all books, there are characters in this book that readers will either like or dislike. But will you feel sympathy for any of them?
This book is an examination of 'who can you trust?' It's about mothers trying to protect their children and about the truth. Like all books with a mystery, I did my own super sleuthing and came up with a list of subjects. I guessed two of the plot twists early on, but I still found this book to be enjoyable. Confession, Samuel was my favorite character. I feel he was the most developed and richly drawn character. He is devious, manipulative, and cruel, yet he is also a little sympathetic. He is the most complicated character in this book, and I love complicated characters. He's unlikeable yet, has suffered emotional pain in his life which has fueled his anger and actions.
You can feel Josie's fear as she is searching for her daughter, and I felt sorry for her and yet...
Samuel's Mother wants to help, but she lied in the past to protect her child. Can she be trusted now?
Every step of the way, readers will be wondering who can be trusted. This book is told through various character's POV and in the current time and in 1993.
Twists, turns, secrets, deception.... Missing.
3.5 stars
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
April 29, 2022
I love K.L. Slater and I’ve enjoyed a couple of her books in the past—however, this latest offering from her didn’t work for me. I hate to give her a less than 4 star rating but I just couldn’t get through to this book without feeling bad.
The characters were flat and uninteresting. I couldn’t connect and understand Josie, her whole being is very confusing to me. Instead of giving a shock factor to the whole mystery, the twists brought more questions. Like, when the culprit was revealed, I was like; what? Where did that come from?
Also, the truth about Josie wasn’t very effective. I was hoping for a fresh and a very well-crafted revelation but everything dragged until the end. Ugh. Too bad. I’m still a fan, though. If I didn’t like K.L. enough, I would’ve dropped this.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC!
The characters were flat and uninteresting. I couldn’t connect and understand Josie, her whole being is very confusing to me. Instead of giving a shock factor to the whole mystery, the twists brought more questions. Like, when the culprit was revealed, I was like; what? Where did that come from?
Also, the truth about Josie wasn’t very effective. I was hoping for a fresh and a very well-crafted revelation but everything dragged until the end. Ugh. Too bad. I’m still a fan, though. If I didn’t like K.L. enough, I would’ve dropped this.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC!
May 2, 2022
This is my 15th book read and reviewed by the author and can, I think now say she is one of my ‘go to’ authors, always a great story and ‘Missing’ continues this tradition
There are lots of books about people and children who are missing out there and so I wondered what would make this one different, I cant say 🤗 except to say there is an interesting take on the subject and some big twists and turns and a few red herrigs thrown in along the way
I was kinda sure I had it worked out but was wrong, the author has the ability to make you think you know…..only to realise you don’t
It is a tense, exciting story with believable characters and a sad life story for some of them, you might feel sympathy with some that surprise you
A brilliantly laid out tale by this always fab storyteller
10/10
5 Stars
There are lots of books about people and children who are missing out there and so I wondered what would make this one different, I cant say 🤗 except to say there is an interesting take on the subject and some big twists and turns and a few red herrigs thrown in along the way
I was kinda sure I had it worked out but was wrong, the author has the ability to make you think you know…..only to realise you don’t
It is a tense, exciting story with believable characters and a sad life story for some of them, you might feel sympathy with some that surprise you
A brilliantly laid out tale by this always fab storyteller
10/10
5 Stars
May 4, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up
My little girls room is dark. Her bed is empty. I turn on her unicorn nightlight and bury my face in her pillow, my heart breaking. I know who did this. His name is Samuel Barlow. He has pale sallow skin and red-rimmed icy=blue eyes. But no one will listen. As darkness falls and rain lashes against the window, there's a knock at my door and I open it to see those same eyes staring back at me. It's his mother and she says she can help me find my daughter,
Josie's daughter Ivy has gone missing and Josie is sure she knows who took her. This is one of those stories that pulls you in at the beginning and doesn't let you go until you finish. You just need to find out what had taken place and how it ends. The pace is fast and the twists keep coming. I like the authors writing style and the way she can keep me on the edge of my seat. I did feel there were some loose ends needed tying up, so I took half a star off my rating.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #KLSlater for my ARC of #Missing in exchange for an honest review.
My little girls room is dark. Her bed is empty. I turn on her unicorn nightlight and bury my face in her pillow, my heart breaking. I know who did this. His name is Samuel Barlow. He has pale sallow skin and red-rimmed icy=blue eyes. But no one will listen. As darkness falls and rain lashes against the window, there's a knock at my door and I open it to see those same eyes staring back at me. It's his mother and she says she can help me find my daughter,
Josie's daughter Ivy has gone missing and Josie is sure she knows who took her. This is one of those stories that pulls you in at the beginning and doesn't let you go until you finish. You just need to find out what had taken place and how it ends. The pace is fast and the twists keep coming. I like the authors writing style and the way she can keep me on the edge of my seat. I did feel there were some loose ends needed tying up, so I took half a star off my rating.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #KLSlater for my ARC of #Missing in exchange for an honest review.
May 21, 2022
I loved this book.
I was so compelled by the story, I couldn't stop reading. This is my favourite Slater book so far. The plot was so fast, with twists to keep me reading, and constantly thinking about. I loved the characters, but the plot was what I will remember more. I had to know what was happening throughout, and that ending will stay with me for a while to come!
I was so compelled by the story, I couldn't stop reading. This is my favourite Slater book so far. The plot was so fast, with twists to keep me reading, and constantly thinking about. I loved the characters, but the plot was what I will remember more. I had to know what was happening throughout, and that ending will stay with me for a while to come!
May 25, 2022
MISSING is the seventeenth psychological crime thrillers by bestselling author K.L. Slater, a gripping psychological thriller. I have read all of her novels, and again this novel ticked all the boxes for me: a gripping plot, well-developed characters, and a fast-paced gripping read. Another winner!
Her Novels Include:
Safe With Me (2016)
Blink (2017)
Liar (2017)
The Mistake (2017)
The Visitor (2018)
The Secret (2018)
Closer (2018)
Finding Grace (2019)
The Silent Ones (2019)
Single (2019)
The Apartment (2020)
Little Whispers (2020)
The Girl She Wanted (2020)
The Marriage (2021)
The Evidence (2021)
The Widow (2021)
Missing (2022)
This is my review of Missing.
Eight-year-old Jimmy had died twenty-six years ago, a tragedy, being trapped in an old abandoned warehouse when someone had locked the metal door, and left him to die.
Samuel Barlow, the next-door neighbor, had been charged and was serving time in prison. Samuel’s mum, Maggie had lied to the police to cover for her son after murder of the schoolboy,
Jimmy’s big sister, Josie had been thirteen when he died.
Samuel had been obsessed with Josie…always watching from afar, and didn’t like sharing her with her little brother.
Now, years later, Samuel was free. And Josie’s eight-year-old daughter, Ivy is missing. Josie knows that Samuel has taken her daughter, for ruining his life.
Lots of twists, turns, and secrets to satisfy the reader.
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and Net Galley for my digital copy.
Her Novels Include:
Safe With Me (2016)
Blink (2017)
Liar (2017)
The Mistake (2017)
The Visitor (2018)
The Secret (2018)
Closer (2018)
Finding Grace (2019)
The Silent Ones (2019)
Single (2019)
The Apartment (2020)
Little Whispers (2020)
The Girl She Wanted (2020)
The Marriage (2021)
The Evidence (2021)
The Widow (2021)
Missing (2022)
This is my review of Missing.
Eight-year-old Jimmy had died twenty-six years ago, a tragedy, being trapped in an old abandoned warehouse when someone had locked the metal door, and left him to die.
Samuel Barlow, the next-door neighbor, had been charged and was serving time in prison. Samuel’s mum, Maggie had lied to the police to cover for her son after murder of the schoolboy,
Jimmy’s big sister, Josie had been thirteen when he died.
Samuel had been obsessed with Josie…always watching from afar, and didn’t like sharing her with her little brother.
Now, years later, Samuel was free. And Josie’s eight-year-old daughter, Ivy is missing. Josie knows that Samuel has taken her daughter, for ruining his life.
Lots of twists, turns, and secrets to satisfy the reader.
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and Net Galley for my digital copy.
April 26, 2022
K.L Slater is one of the authors I always look out for as her books are fast paced page turners that are difficult to put down. I regularly rate her books highly so I was a little disappointed with her latest offering, perhaps due to the high standards she has set. The book is a good read and I am sure that many people will rate it a lot higher than me but I failed to connect with the characters and didn’t feel the usual addiction to her writing that I normally do.
Josie Bennett’s daughter is missing and she is convinced Samuel Barlow has her. When Josie was a teenager her 8 year old brother Jimmy also went missing and Samuel Barlow was convicted of his murder. Today, 25 years later Samuel Barlow is released from prison only for Josie’s daughter to also go missing only days after his freedom. Josie doesn’t believe that this is just a pure coincidence as her life is turned upside down.
There was plenty to like in this novel and the more I write the more I feel I am perhaps a little harsh with a 3 rating.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Josie Bennett’s daughter is missing and she is convinced Samuel Barlow has her. When Josie was a teenager her 8 year old brother Jimmy also went missing and Samuel Barlow was convicted of his murder. Today, 25 years later Samuel Barlow is released from prison only for Josie’s daughter to also go missing only days after his freedom. Josie doesn’t believe that this is just a pure coincidence as her life is turned upside down.
There was plenty to like in this novel and the more I write the more I feel I am perhaps a little harsh with a 3 rating.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
January 15, 2023
Review coming soon.
September 2, 2023
Missing by K.L. Slater is a mystery thriller based off of a woman’s missing little girl. The same woman whose brother went missing 25 years ago. The killer was just released. Where is little Ivy? Who has her? Where did she go? Just as this mystery appears to be solved, the alleged killer turns up dead.
December 31, 2023
another great read.
Happy Reading 📚📘📒📓📗📕📙📗📕📒📚📓📗📙📘📒📔📕📒📘📚📓
Happy New Year 🎆🎊🎈🎇🎇🎆🎊🎈🎆🎇🎊💖🎶🎈🎆🎉🎊💋
Happy Reading 📚📘📒📓📗📕📙📗📕📒📚📓📗📙📘📒📔📕📒📘📚📓
Happy New Year 🎆🎊🎈🎇🎇🎆🎊🎈🎆🎇🎊💖🎶🎈🎆🎉🎊💋
December 17, 2025
Missing from "Missing" were the thrills.
Waay too much melodrama and repetitive text.
The whiny protagonist was grating, and the book's final twist/reveal was predictable.
I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Kristin Atherton.
1.5 stars.
March 5, 2024
So I have previously read husband and wife and really enjoyed it - solid 4* and led to me adding all of her books to my TBR.
But this book missed the mark for me, I guessed the biggest twist a mile off and I felt like half of the book was just page filling rather than actual story!
I have another one of her books downloaded on my kindle and I am going to give this a go; but if this doesn’t pan out I may be removing her from my TBR.
Life is too short for mediocre books!
But this book missed the mark for me, I guessed the biggest twist a mile off and I felt like half of the book was just page filling rather than actual story!
I have another one of her books downloaded on my kindle and I am going to give this a go; but if this doesn’t pan out I may be removing her from my TBR.
Life is too short for mediocre books!
March 18, 2023
Well, I’m not sure if the author was under pressure to meet a deadline, but this book did not work for me.
Such an excellent start, but the slow development was not very engaging and didn’t feel realistic. The writing was repetitive and I didn’t care for any of the characters.
The conclusion was (again) very disappointing and made the whole story pointless.
Such an excellent start, but the slow development was not very engaging and didn’t feel realistic. The writing was repetitive and I didn’t care for any of the characters.
The conclusion was (again) very disappointing and made the whole story pointless.
May 5, 2022
Many years ago Josie’s young brother is killed by a the son of a family friend. Now 26 years later she learns that he has just go out of prison. When Josie’s young daughter goes missing a few days later she is convinced that this man has taken her daughter.
A story of secrets lies with a few twists.
Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
A story of secrets lies with a few twists.
Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 3, 2023
This is one of the better thrillers by Slater, I really enjoyed the twists and didn't see them coming. For some reason I feel like everything was wrapped up TOO perfectly.
April 26, 2022
“It was 9.6 miles. A fifty-minute bus trip. A twenty-minute cab ride. I always knew exactly how far I was from my past, and it was never far enough.”
Josie Bennett will never forget April 14, 1993. It was the day her whole world changed. It was this day, 26 years ago, that her eight-year-old little brother, Jimmy, went missing. Her 19-year-old next-door neighbour, Samuel Barlow, was charged and sentenced to 30 years in prison. He’s just been granted parole five years early. The problem? Josie now has a little girl, Ivy, who is exactly the same age as Jimmy was when he was murdered….
When Ivy goes missing one afternoon, Josie knows without a doubt who’s responsible.
Missing children are such a popular trope for psychological thrillers, BUT K.L. Slater puts her signature twist with an emotional punch on it and makes it such a compelling read. I was so excited to be granted early access to yet another of the Queen of Psychological Thrillers’ books. Slater knows that our human nature drives us to eagerly flip pages to learn the identity of the kidnapper in this trope, so she takes it up a notch and presents us with a story where the mother already knows the kidnapper’s identity. You would think that it would decrease the panic and that the energy spent searching for a suspect could be spent elsewhere, but it actually adds to the panic and frenzy because the parent knows what the kidnapper is capable of doing. In this case, Josie knows that he killed her little brother. The clock is ticking.
Readers will love the twists, yes, plural, and appreciate what it took for Josie to find the strength to face her past in order to move forward with her future. In exploring parenthood, Slater places us right in the middle of a parent’s worst nightmare, straps us into the rollercoaster and writes to emotionally invest us in the events as we breathlessly and white-knuckled take one twisty turn after another.
Like any great ride at an amusement park, the thrill-seeker will hop off at the end of the ride and line up once more to subject themselves to another adrenaline rush. It’s no different after turning the final page of a Slater thriller. You’ll be eagerly anticipating the next one. Guaranteed.
Will Josie forever be known as the murdered boy’s sister and mother of the kidnapped girl? Will the evil event pass “through the generations like an ill wind” or will Josie be able to press pause and rewrite Ivy’s future?
I was gifted this advance copy by K.L. Slater, Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
.
Josie Bennett will never forget April 14, 1993. It was the day her whole world changed. It was this day, 26 years ago, that her eight-year-old little brother, Jimmy, went missing. Her 19-year-old next-door neighbour, Samuel Barlow, was charged and sentenced to 30 years in prison. He’s just been granted parole five years early. The problem? Josie now has a little girl, Ivy, who is exactly the same age as Jimmy was when he was murdered….
When Ivy goes missing one afternoon, Josie knows without a doubt who’s responsible.
Missing children are such a popular trope for psychological thrillers, BUT K.L. Slater puts her signature twist with an emotional punch on it and makes it such a compelling read. I was so excited to be granted early access to yet another of the Queen of Psychological Thrillers’ books. Slater knows that our human nature drives us to eagerly flip pages to learn the identity of the kidnapper in this trope, so she takes it up a notch and presents us with a story where the mother already knows the kidnapper’s identity. You would think that it would decrease the panic and that the energy spent searching for a suspect could be spent elsewhere, but it actually adds to the panic and frenzy because the parent knows what the kidnapper is capable of doing. In this case, Josie knows that he killed her little brother. The clock is ticking.
Readers will love the twists, yes, plural, and appreciate what it took for Josie to find the strength to face her past in order to move forward with her future. In exploring parenthood, Slater places us right in the middle of a parent’s worst nightmare, straps us into the rollercoaster and writes to emotionally invest us in the events as we breathlessly and white-knuckled take one twisty turn after another.
Like any great ride at an amusement park, the thrill-seeker will hop off at the end of the ride and line up once more to subject themselves to another adrenaline rush. It’s no different after turning the final page of a Slater thriller. You’ll be eagerly anticipating the next one. Guaranteed.
Will Josie forever be known as the murdered boy’s sister and mother of the kidnapped girl? Will the evil event pass “through the generations like an ill wind” or will Josie be able to press pause and rewrite Ivy’s future?
I was gifted this advance copy by K.L. Slater, Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
.
May 16, 2022
I really like this author, but for me, this book fell flat. It was good, fine, adequate, etc., but it didn’t blow me away like some of their other books did. Even with an ending I didn’t see coming, I just found this to be a very average mystery/thriller.
Josie is our protagonist, and she’s kind of an annoying character. I felt for her though, as her little brother was killed when they were children, and the man convicted of the murder is about to be released from prison. With a young child of her own, she’s worried this man will find her and continue the torture he began almost 25 years prior.
To go more into the plot would be fruitless - there are some spoilers, there were a few twists, but for some reason it just didn’t hit very hard. It was well-written, but seemed to be missing that element a book needs to make it a true page-turner.
The ending was unpredictable (to me), but as I said, it just kind of made me shrug my shoulders. It should have been more shocking, but it wasn’t. I see many of my Goodreads friends also gave this 3.5 stars, and I think that’s the perfect rating. It was a decent book by a good writer; it just didn’t blow my mind. Maybe it will blow yours, though!
(Thank you to Bookouture, K.L. Slater, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)
Josie is our protagonist, and she’s kind of an annoying character. I felt for her though, as her little brother was killed when they were children, and the man convicted of the murder is about to be released from prison. With a young child of her own, she’s worried this man will find her and continue the torture he began almost 25 years prior.
To go more into the plot would be fruitless - there are some spoilers, there were a few twists, but for some reason it just didn’t hit very hard. It was well-written, but seemed to be missing that element a book needs to make it a true page-turner.
The ending was unpredictable (to me), but as I said, it just kind of made me shrug my shoulders. It should have been more shocking, but it wasn’t. I see many of my Goodreads friends also gave this 3.5 stars, and I think that’s the perfect rating. It was a decent book by a good writer; it just didn’t blow my mind. Maybe it will blow yours, though!
(Thank you to Bookouture, K.L. Slater, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)
May 2, 2022
For sure, there's no shortage of twists and turns in this one. On the other hand, the only reason most of them happen is that at least one major character can't get her head on straight and ignores even the most conventional wisdom - which I must say didn't exactly endear her to me. Overall, though, it's a nonstop adventure that makes for a perfect read on a sandy beach or next to a roaring fireplace.
A little over a quarter of a century ago, Josie Bennett's little brother Jimmy was murdered - locked in an empty airtight freezer until he suffocated. A 19-year-old neighbor boy who had a history of hurting people, Samuel Barlow, was convicted for the murder - thanks in part to testimony by his mother Maggie. Now, he's unexpectedly getting out of prison a little early.
That news puts Josie on red alert; after all, her daughter with ex-husband Terry is Jimmy's age when he died and Samuel once had a "thing" for Josie. If that weren't enough, his mother Maggie seems to be stalking her. But balancing her need to be extra-watchful of Ivy and keep an eagle eye on her fledgling business, Delicious Desserts, proves almost impossible, even with friend Fiona there to be Ivy's caregiver when needed - which these days, is a good bit of the time. By the time the inevitable happens - Ivy does indeed go missing - just about every character is a suspect. Josie, though, has no doubt whatsoever: the culprit is the same man who murdered her little brother.
When the police aren't much help - they've got all those procedures and rules that must be followed, don't you know - so of course Josie basically sets out to prove she's right about Samuel. His mother, who Josie detests, tries to convince Josie that she can help - but only if Josie doesn't tell anybody else including the cops. So when Josie agreed, while I of course hoped Ivy would be found safe and sound, from that point on I really didn't care what happened to Josie.
Also of course, I won't reveal any of the details (and certainly not the twists). Chapters flip back in time to detail earlier happenings that provide insights - not a technique of which I'm fond, but the author does an exemplary job of keeping things straight so it's all very easy to follow. Now that I've finished and know the whole story, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for providing me with a pre-release copy to read and review.
NOTE: I posted this review here the day after I finished it - no idea why it's suddenly not showing up so I'll try again.
A little over a quarter of a century ago, Josie Bennett's little brother Jimmy was murdered - locked in an empty airtight freezer until he suffocated. A 19-year-old neighbor boy who had a history of hurting people, Samuel Barlow, was convicted for the murder - thanks in part to testimony by his mother Maggie. Now, he's unexpectedly getting out of prison a little early.
That news puts Josie on red alert; after all, her daughter with ex-husband Terry is Jimmy's age when he died and Samuel once had a "thing" for Josie. If that weren't enough, his mother Maggie seems to be stalking her. But balancing her need to be extra-watchful of Ivy and keep an eagle eye on her fledgling business, Delicious Desserts, proves almost impossible, even with friend Fiona there to be Ivy's caregiver when needed - which these days, is a good bit of the time. By the time the inevitable happens - Ivy does indeed go missing - just about every character is a suspect. Josie, though, has no doubt whatsoever: the culprit is the same man who murdered her little brother.
When the police aren't much help - they've got all those procedures and rules that must be followed, don't you know - so of course Josie basically sets out to prove she's right about Samuel. His mother, who Josie detests, tries to convince Josie that she can help - but only if Josie doesn't tell anybody else including the cops. So when Josie agreed, while I of course hoped Ivy would be found safe and sound, from that point on I really didn't care what happened to Josie.
Also of course, I won't reveal any of the details (and certainly not the twists). Chapters flip back in time to detail earlier happenings that provide insights - not a technique of which I'm fond, but the author does an exemplary job of keeping things straight so it's all very easy to follow. Now that I've finished and know the whole story, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for providing me with a pre-release copy to read and review.
NOTE: I posted this review here the day after I finished it - no idea why it's suddenly not showing up so I'll try again.
August 3, 2022
This is really not a good book at all. The ending was absurd and made the entirety of what had come before it unbelievable and pointless.
May 17, 2022
This is another gripping thriller from K.L. Slater.
This one will have your heart racing as the hunt for Josie’s little girl, Ivy, gets underway.
Josie immediately suspects Samuel, who has just been released from prison after being charged with killing Josie’s brother 25 years before.
The Police struggle to find Ivy and Josie becomes more and more distraught.
There’s lots of people with secrets in this book and a few twists and turns in store for the reader.
A brilliant book that will definitely have you hooked from the first few pages.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
This one will have your heart racing as the hunt for Josie’s little girl, Ivy, gets underway.
Josie immediately suspects Samuel, who has just been released from prison after being charged with killing Josie’s brother 25 years before.
The Police struggle to find Ivy and Josie becomes more and more distraught.
There’s lots of people with secrets in this book and a few twists and turns in store for the reader.
A brilliant book that will definitely have you hooked from the first few pages.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
May 8, 2022
Missing was my first book by K.L. Slater but it definitely won't be my last. Missing is an absolutely gripping thriller that will keep your heart rate elevated throughout. What's the thing almost all of us fear the most? That someone we love will be taken and missing or that they are gone for good. That's what Missing is about and it takes the reader on quite the scary journey! I thought I had the mystery solved but I was wrong as the story takes twists and turns throughout. Slater weaves such a great story that I found myself looking for time to read during a busy few days and thinking about the book when I wasn't able to read. That's when you know you're reading a great book!
The main character, Josie, is a mom of a 7 year old girl and is recently divorced. She owns her own business, a bakery in town, and works very hard to keep the business growing. Her ex-husband is lax with his visitation of their daughter, Ivy, due to his gambling addiction. When Josie was a teenager, her younger brother Jimmy went missing and was found dead.a few days later. Jimmy was the same age that Ivy is now. The murder was charged to Josie's neighbor, Samuel Barlow. Samuel served 25 years in prison for the murder and was released 5 years shy of his 30 year term.
When the people in town start gossiping of Samuel's coming release, Josie doesn't know about it yet. She finds out about his release from her best friend, Fiona. She calls the police and finds out it's true. He will be released at the end of the week. The first week that Samuel is released, Josie's daughter Ivy goes missing from her best friend's yard. Josie comes to pick her up after leaving work and she's not there. Ivy's best friend had gone in the house to get a water gun, and when she came back Ivy was gone. No one saw anything or anyone. The search begins for Ivy and you won't be able to put this book down!
If you haven't already done so, do yourself a favor and pre-order this book! If you love a good thriller this is the book for you! I'd like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for an early edition of this book.
The main character, Josie, is a mom of a 7 year old girl and is recently divorced. She owns her own business, a bakery in town, and works very hard to keep the business growing. Her ex-husband is lax with his visitation of their daughter, Ivy, due to his gambling addiction. When Josie was a teenager, her younger brother Jimmy went missing and was found dead.a few days later. Jimmy was the same age that Ivy is now. The murder was charged to Josie's neighbor, Samuel Barlow. Samuel served 25 years in prison for the murder and was released 5 years shy of his 30 year term.
When the people in town start gossiping of Samuel's coming release, Josie doesn't know about it yet. She finds out about his release from her best friend, Fiona. She calls the police and finds out it's true. He will be released at the end of the week. The first week that Samuel is released, Josie's daughter Ivy goes missing from her best friend's yard. Josie comes to pick her up after leaving work and she's not there. Ivy's best friend had gone in the house to get a water gun, and when she came back Ivy was gone. No one saw anything or anyone. The search begins for Ivy and you won't be able to put this book down!
If you haven't already done so, do yourself a favor and pre-order this book! If you love a good thriller this is the book for you! I'd like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for an early edition of this book.
March 20, 2023
I liked this book, which had a few good twists. The story centers on Josie, whose 8 year old brother was murdered when she was a teen. Now it’s been 25 years and she has her own 8 year old child when the convicted murderer is released from prison. When her own daughter goes missing she thinks it’s pretty apparent who did it but the police have to launch a full investigation.
The mystery in the book was sound and the author provided a few believable options as to what was really happening. There were some twists that I didn’t figure out until revealed, though I do wish I had some more background info on many of them. I could empathize with Josie for the most part but there were decisions she made, both in her childhood and in current time, that I really didn’t understand. The ending of the book was satisfying to me and made sense based on the rest of the story.
Overall, good mystery that I kept reading quickly because I wanted to know what happened. Some unanswered questions but a good story that I’d recommend to those who like mysteries. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for for an honest review.
The mystery in the book was sound and the author provided a few believable options as to what was really happening. There were some twists that I didn’t figure out until revealed, though I do wish I had some more background info on many of them. I could empathize with Josie for the most part but there were decisions she made, both in her childhood and in current time, that I really didn’t understand. The ending of the book was satisfying to me and made sense based on the rest of the story.
Overall, good mystery that I kept reading quickly because I wanted to know what happened. Some unanswered questions but a good story that I’d recommend to those who like mysteries. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for for an honest review.
May 2, 2022
The tragic death of her little brother irrevocably changed Josie’s life when she was just a teenager. Their neighbor, Samuel Barlow, was convicted of the crime. Years later, Josie is a divorced mom and successful business owner when her little girl goes missing – right after Barlow is released from prison. Josie is convinced that Barlow has kidnapped her child, but it seems like Barlow’s mother is the only one who believes her.
K.L. Slater is an awesome author and an auto-read for me, and while “Missing” is a solid thriller, it isn’t my favorite book from the talented Slater. While it’s plenty twisty and turny, I just couldn’t connect with Josie. I found her mental self-flagellation to be a bit repetitive, and I was annoyed at the repeated implication that focusing on her career somehow made her a bad mom. I was excited to see DI Helena Price again, who was a character in another of Slater’s books, and who I hope we see again in the future!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me an advance copy of this book.
K.L. Slater is an awesome author and an auto-read for me, and while “Missing” is a solid thriller, it isn’t my favorite book from the talented Slater. While it’s plenty twisty and turny, I just couldn’t connect with Josie. I found her mental self-flagellation to be a bit repetitive, and I was annoyed at the repeated implication that focusing on her career somehow made her a bad mom. I was excited to see DI Helena Price again, who was a character in another of Slater’s books, and who I hope we see again in the future!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me an advance copy of this book.
Read
May 15, 2022An edge of your seat read with twists that when they hit, come thick and fast! Loved it!
July 3, 2022
The book focuses on Josie Bennett who, as a young teenage girl, lost her brother in the most tragic of ways. Jimmy was only 8 years old when he went missing, and family friend, Samuel Barlow was charged with his murder. Twenty-five years on, Josie’s life goes on, she is a single mother with a young daughter and is running a successful catering business. When she hears that Barlow is to be released from prison five years early, her life heads off into a spin and Josie is convinced that Barlow will be out for revenge for Josie giving evidence against him.
This was certainly a thriller of a read which twisted and turned with every page! It captured me from the beginning, and I felt for Josie all the way through her story. Josie is such a nice character, having had some hard life experiences with a neglected childhood, Jimmy dying and her marriage breaking down. She’s a good mum however, although some may not see that as it does seem she is leaving her daughter with a childminder an awful lot to concentrate on a big customer at her bakery business. We’ve all done it though, strived to work hard to provide a good life for our families and Josie does seem to be trying her best to be good at both. The storyline is dark and filled with suspense when Samuel Barlow is released from prison, and he’s definitely a very strange character who manages to set my nerves on edge throughout!
The storyline is quick paced and holds your attention throughout. When Josie’s young daughter, Ivy goes missing, I could feel my panic rising along with Josie, and this didn’t leave me throughout the book! The author cleverly keeps the suspense and tension high as the story moves on and although there are big arrows pointing as to what happened to Ivy, there are also lots of dead ends and red herrings - enough to make me consider everyone a suspect! The chapters switch between not only main characters, but also back in time to when Josie was young. This is done effortlessly, and the storyline is easy to read and understand, even with these switches. I really liked DI Helena Price, the detective who was given the unwanted job of informing Josie of Barlow’s early release and realised how difficult it must be for the police to break through the red tape and bureaucracy of keeping victims’ families informed.
This was a gripping read, which had me feeling nervy, chilled and on edge throughout! The emotions evoked fitted perfectly with the characters personalities and whilst some were definitely more likeable than others, there were one or two of the characters who I wasn’t sure if I could or should trust! Full of tension, suspense, emotions, lies and sadness, this book will keep you hooked until the very end! Would recommend!
This was certainly a thriller of a read which twisted and turned with every page! It captured me from the beginning, and I felt for Josie all the way through her story. Josie is such a nice character, having had some hard life experiences with a neglected childhood, Jimmy dying and her marriage breaking down. She’s a good mum however, although some may not see that as it does seem she is leaving her daughter with a childminder an awful lot to concentrate on a big customer at her bakery business. We’ve all done it though, strived to work hard to provide a good life for our families and Josie does seem to be trying her best to be good at both. The storyline is dark and filled with suspense when Samuel Barlow is released from prison, and he’s definitely a very strange character who manages to set my nerves on edge throughout!
The storyline is quick paced and holds your attention throughout. When Josie’s young daughter, Ivy goes missing, I could feel my panic rising along with Josie, and this didn’t leave me throughout the book! The author cleverly keeps the suspense and tension high as the story moves on and although there are big arrows pointing as to what happened to Ivy, there are also lots of dead ends and red herrings - enough to make me consider everyone a suspect! The chapters switch between not only main characters, but also back in time to when Josie was young. This is done effortlessly, and the storyline is easy to read and understand, even with these switches. I really liked DI Helena Price, the detective who was given the unwanted job of informing Josie of Barlow’s early release and realised how difficult it must be for the police to break through the red tape and bureaucracy of keeping victims’ families informed.
This was a gripping read, which had me feeling nervy, chilled and on edge throughout! The emotions evoked fitted perfectly with the characters personalities and whilst some were definitely more likeable than others, there were one or two of the characters who I wasn’t sure if I could or should trust! Full of tension, suspense, emotions, lies and sadness, this book will keep you hooked until the very end! Would recommend!
May 21, 2022
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Missing' by K.L Slater.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for K.L Slater, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 19th May 2022.
This is the fourth book I have read by this author. I have previously read 'The Girl She Wanted', 'The Widow' and 'The Marriage' which I highly recommend.
I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that 'If you like Liane Moriarty and Lisa Jewell, you will be totally hooked on Missing.' I am a huge fan of Lisa Jewell so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of K. L Slater and if this is half as good as 'The Marriage', 'The Widow' and 'The Girl She Wanted' it is sure to be a page turning read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue, 67 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is set in Nottinghamshire, England 🏴 UK. I always seem to get on with books that are set in the UK better as I am from Wales and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book. I have actually spent many holidays and days out in Nottinghamshire so am looking forward to seeing if I recognise anywhere.
This book is written in a mix of third and first person perspective and the protagonists are Josie Bennett, Maggie Barlow, DI Helena Price and Samuel Barlow. The benefits of books written in first person perspective are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them. If there are several protagonists you also get to see more of what is going on. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything. To have the benefit of both first and third person perspective ensures you don't miss out on anything.
'Missing' ' discusses some topics that may trigger some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book K.L Slater discusses/includes child abduction.
OMG!!!! WHAT DID I JUST READ!!!! I DID NOT EXPECT THAT!!! MIND BLOWN MUCH!!!
Wow!!! This book is fantastically written and had me hook, line and sinker from beginning to end. The descriptions were so in depth and vivid that the hair on my arms was standing on the ends and my heart was pounding throughout. The synopsis, title and cover were perfect for the storyline.
I was absolutely absorbed throughout this page turner. It is filled with tension, suspense, lies, secrets and omg the twists!!! I DID NOT see any of them coming!!! A MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS K.L Slater!! It is getting harder and harder to shock me but by God you did that over and over and over!!! What an ending!!! One of the most gripping unputdownable nerve wracking psychological thrillers I have EVER read!!! You lady have one hell of a talent and I cannot wait to get hold of your previous and future books. I cannot remember the last time I was so hooked by a book but you managed that big time!!! The storyline is filled with crime, shocks, suspense, tension, deceit and murder. There was not one, two but at least 3 explosive bombshells I did not see coming!!! There was so much going on and it was very fast paced and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. Clear your schedule before you start as I read this in one sitting as I could not put it down!! Practically every chapter ended on a cliff hanger so no way could I put it down!! Absolutely hooked!! I would absolutely love to see this turned into a movie!!!!
It is set over multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
I was completely invested in both the storyline and the characters. Each of the characters had their own unique personalities and I felt differently about each of them. I really liked Josie and felt so sorry on her throughout the book. What happened is a mother's worse nightmare and I couldn't even imagine not knowing where my children were and she knew which i should imagine made it even worse, especially considering what she knew about the abductor. I had mixed feelings about Maggie because again as a mother you always want to protect your child. The storyline portrayed village life perfectly and I really do feel that what Maggie went through is what many families of criminals go through on a daily basis. However, she hadn't helped herself by covering for her son. I was glad for Jose's friendship with Fiona who, although Josie attacked her verbally, stood by her in the end. I won't say anymore about the characters as I don't want to give anything away about the storyline not wanting to spoil it for future readers. I loved meeting DI Helena Price again and I think her relationship with DS Kane Brewster was brilliant. I previously "met" them in "The Widow" and was a lovely surprise to come across them again especially as both books are standalones, it's unusual to meet the same characters. They made me laugh a few times especially Helena and her sarcastic attitude and Brewster with his scooby snacks!! All in all a great mix of characters that worked well with this storyline.
This is exactly why you are in my top author Club K.L Slater and your book is one of the best psychological thrillers I have EVER READ!! Bring on the next one!!! I cannot wait!!! Here's to the next success 🥂
Overall an absolutely heart racing, never wracking, unputdownable addictive psychological thriller!!!
Genres covered in this novel include Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, and Psychological Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of 'Gone Girl' , 'The Girl on The Train', 'The Wife Between Us', Liane Moriarty, Lisa Jewell and anyone looking for an explosive thriller filled with bombshells you won't see coming!!
380 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle or free on kindle unlimited (at time of review) via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#Missing #Bookouture #KLSlater #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@KLSlater @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
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Review for 'Missing' by K.L Slater.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for K.L Slater, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 19th May 2022.
This is the fourth book I have read by this author. I have previously read 'The Girl She Wanted', 'The Widow' and 'The Marriage' which I highly recommend.
I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that 'If you like Liane Moriarty and Lisa Jewell, you will be totally hooked on Missing.' I am a huge fan of Lisa Jewell so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of K. L Slater and if this is half as good as 'The Marriage', 'The Widow' and 'The Girl She Wanted' it is sure to be a page turning read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue, 67 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is set in Nottinghamshire, England 🏴 UK. I always seem to get on with books that are set in the UK better as I am from Wales and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book. I have actually spent many holidays and days out in Nottinghamshire so am looking forward to seeing if I recognise anywhere.
This book is written in a mix of third and first person perspective and the protagonists are Josie Bennett, Maggie Barlow, DI Helena Price and Samuel Barlow. The benefits of books written in first person perspective are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them. If there are several protagonists you also get to see more of what is going on. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything. To have the benefit of both first and third person perspective ensures you don't miss out on anything.
'Missing' ' discusses some topics that may trigger some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book K.L Slater discusses/includes child abduction.
OMG!!!! WHAT DID I JUST READ!!!! I DID NOT EXPECT THAT!!! MIND BLOWN MUCH!!!
Wow!!! This book is fantastically written and had me hook, line and sinker from beginning to end. The descriptions were so in depth and vivid that the hair on my arms was standing on the ends and my heart was pounding throughout. The synopsis, title and cover were perfect for the storyline.
I was absolutely absorbed throughout this page turner. It is filled with tension, suspense, lies, secrets and omg the twists!!! I DID NOT see any of them coming!!! A MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS K.L Slater!! It is getting harder and harder to shock me but by God you did that over and over and over!!! What an ending!!! One of the most gripping unputdownable nerve wracking psychological thrillers I have EVER read!!! You lady have one hell of a talent and I cannot wait to get hold of your previous and future books. I cannot remember the last time I was so hooked by a book but you managed that big time!!! The storyline is filled with crime, shocks, suspense, tension, deceit and murder. There was not one, two but at least 3 explosive bombshells I did not see coming!!! There was so much going on and it was very fast paced and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. Clear your schedule before you start as I read this in one sitting as I could not put it down!! Practically every chapter ended on a cliff hanger so no way could I put it down!! Absolutely hooked!! I would absolutely love to see this turned into a movie!!!!
It is set over multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
I was completely invested in both the storyline and the characters. Each of the characters had their own unique personalities and I felt differently about each of them. I really liked Josie and felt so sorry on her throughout the book. What happened is a mother's worse nightmare and I couldn't even imagine not knowing where my children were and she knew which i should imagine made it even worse, especially considering what she knew about the abductor. I had mixed feelings about Maggie because again as a mother you always want to protect your child. The storyline portrayed village life perfectly and I really do feel that what Maggie went through is what many families of criminals go through on a daily basis. However, she hadn't helped herself by covering for her son. I was glad for Jose's friendship with Fiona who, although Josie attacked her verbally, stood by her in the end. I won't say anymore about the characters as I don't want to give anything away about the storyline not wanting to spoil it for future readers. I loved meeting DI Helena Price again and I think her relationship with DS Kane Brewster was brilliant. I previously "met" them in "The Widow" and was a lovely surprise to come across them again especially as both books are standalones, it's unusual to meet the same characters. They made me laugh a few times especially Helena and her sarcastic attitude and Brewster with his scooby snacks!! All in all a great mix of characters that worked well with this storyline.
This is exactly why you are in my top author Club K.L Slater and your book is one of the best psychological thrillers I have EVER READ!! Bring on the next one!!! I cannot wait!!! Here's to the next success 🥂
Overall an absolutely heart racing, never wracking, unputdownable addictive psychological thriller!!!
Genres covered in this novel include Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, and Psychological Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of 'Gone Girl' , 'The Girl on The Train', 'The Wife Between Us', Liane Moriarty, Lisa Jewell and anyone looking for an explosive thriller filled with bombshells you won't see coming!!
380 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle or free on kindle unlimited (at time of review) via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#Missing #Bookouture #KLSlater #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@KLSlater @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
https://www.instagram.com/bookwormwhi...
May 23, 2022
K.L. Slater is back with this thriller that will have you hooked till the final pages. Josie’s little girl, Ivy has vanished and a top suspect is Samuel who has been released from prison after being incarcerated for killing Josie’s brother 25 years before. Some characters you may like, others you may not, but the plot is top-notch, as is the pacing. A terrific, rollercoaster tale packed with twists. Very highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
February 9, 2025
I’ve read a lot of K.L. Slater books and usually really enjoy them. This one was a good one but just wasn’t my favorite. Parts of it seemed more drawn out and repetitive than it needed to be. But all-in-all, I’m glad I read it and will always pick up another book by this author.
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