Charlotte Reynolds is taking her three young children to the school fair and has agree to let her friend Harriet Hodder’s 4-year old daughter, Alice, accompany them. This is the first time Harriet has left her daughter with anyone so this was a major event for the both of them. While the children were playing on an inflatable ride, Charlotte was keeping an eye on them from a short distance, briefly checking her phone messages and Facebook page. At some point she notices that Alice isn’t with her two oldest children anymore and has to eventually face the reality that the child is missing. It’s awful enough to lose track of your own child so imagine the anguish of losing someone else’s in your care.
This story clicked for me from the start, even though it’s more of a slowly developing one. It transitions between the present and the day Alice went missing using Charlotte’s and Harriett’s narratives. I loved this technique as it allowed me to really get to know both of these characters from their own points of view and each other’s. I felt the anguish of both women, while different for both, it was still palatable. It was difficult to not sort of judge Charlotte but what happened to her in the aftermath was reflective of our current societal environment with social media used as an outlet for others to weigh in anonymously. The damage wreaked is immeasurable no matter if the parties are innocent or don’t deserve to be judged.
Then this story takes a jaw-dropping turn that I never, ever saw coming. It shifts to a whole new set of suspense factors. Rarely am I caught this far off guard and I literally couldn’t stop listening. There were multiple narrators used and they were just excellent, completely inhabiting their characters’ personalities. I’m so happy I chose the audio format as I loved being told this story by experienced storytellers. I’m also glad I took a chance on a new-to-me author who has now increased her fan base and I’ll be checking out her backlist.
Book Info
- Release Date: January 8, 2019
- Narrators: Kirsty Dillon, Julie Maisey, Sally Scott
- Audio Length: 9 hours, 57 minutes
- UK Title: Now You See Her
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(I received an advance copy from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review)
Woo! So glad you enjoyed this one as much as I did!
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That I did, Eva!
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Brilliant review! I loved this one too! I agree that the dual narrative really gives the reader a chance to get to know the characters better!
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Thank you, Meggy! It didn’t take long for me to really get a great sense of these two women.
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I’ve had this one on my radar, Jonetta, and it sounds like I need to get the audio! Fab review!
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Thanks, Jennifer! I decided to read this one pretty much based on the synopsis and it surpassed me expectations.
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I love your review and now I have another book added to Mt TBR.
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Thank you, Marialyce! I’m sorry?😍
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I think these kinds of stories work well as an audio ‘play’ with multiple actors doing the reading. I might have to check out listening to an audio-novel one day.
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I’m hopelessly hooked, Alexandra. Still a kid at heart, loving have someone read me a story😏
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I like the idea of being read a story, and it being a dramatic rendition of a novel, my only worry is falling asleep at the wrong time! 😉
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Ah I didn’t know it was the same book with another title. It’s one of my next reads! Wonderful review Jonetta!
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Thank you, Inge! It threw me a little bit, too. I hope you enjoy 😊
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Wow, excellent creepy review. I need more space on my TBR for sure. I do enjoy this kind of story even though it is heartbreaking.
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Thanks, Anne! This was such a surprise, pleasant one.
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I have this one on audio! I can’t wait to read it. I’m glad to hear it was good.
Ash @ JennRenee Read
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Ash, you’re in for a really good read!
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I loved this book, Jonetta and am glad you did too! The dual narrators were a wonderful addition, I agree. Wonderful review!
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Thanks, Stephanie! We seem to be of one accord these days💜
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Yes, we definitely do! 💜
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This looks amazing! Wonderful review, I have this on audio and now I want to stop everything and listen!💕
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Thank you, Berit! You’re going to enjoy this one.
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Well that’s in my basket now!
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Yay! I hope you love it, Helen💜
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Me too! We have very similar book tastes so I expect to
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Wonderful review Jonetta. I love when they use multiple narrators. I might have to buy this one, neither of my libraries has it.
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Thank you, Carla! I think you’ll be pleased.
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Oh wow – if you were caught off guard, then I probably would be too!! Now I have to read it!! Great review Jonetta!!!
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Thanks, Mackey! Enjoy.
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Wait, you were caught off guard? This is one to put on my TBR then. Wonderful review, Jonetta.
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Lol! Yes, I was😁 Thank you, RoseMarie!
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You’re welcome, Jonetta 😊
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I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed this book too. I can’t wait to read more from this author.
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Thanks, Suzanne! Me, too.
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Oh wow this sounds good! It’s always that one moment you look away. What a nightmare!!! Great review, Jonetta!
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Thank you, Mackenzie 💜
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