Kim Croft is babysitting for her nine-month old grandson Noah while her daughter Tallulah and her live-in boyfriend Zach go out for a much needed date night. Kim suspects that this might be an even more special night for them as she discovered a ring in his coat pocket earlier in the week. When they hadn’t returned by morning, Kim becomes worried and sets out to find them. She learns that they left the pub with a group and went to the estate of one of the members of the party, Scarlett Jacques. Tallulah and Zach left to return home around 3:00 am but then seemed to have vanished. This begins Kim’s nightmare that lasts much longer than she’d ever imagined.
The story is told from the points of view of Kim, Tallulah and Sophie Beck, a cozy mystery writer who accompanies her boyfriend to the village after he accepts the position as head teacher at Maypole almost a year later. The contrasts between these narratives couldn’t have been more fascinating, especially those of Kim and Tallulah. Kim’s perceptions of her daughter and her relationship with Zach differed so greatly from Tallulah’s reality. It had me shifting my opinions and theories throughout the story and when Sophie began investigating, it became a real puzzler.
This was my first experience with the narrator and I found her performance excellent, especially her voice distinctions. I never had to work at figuring out the transitions between narratives because Kim, Tallulah and Sophie were so distinguishable. The mystery took a while to gain ground but ultimately I was able to figure most of it out but not all the details. And, that ending left me with something further to chew on as I’ve come to expect from this author. While the story dragged a bit until it got traction, I enjoyed it as it took me down twisty paths and near the end, I couldn’t put it down.
Book Info
- Release Date: September 7, 2021
- Narrator: Joanne Froggatt
- Audio Length: 11 hours, 56 minutes
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Blue Mood Café 
Glad you enjoyed it Jo, the narration was so good!
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Thanks, Nicki💜 She was wonderful! A new name to add to my list.
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This is one that I haven’t read though I love the author. I’ve definitely been eyeing it though. Your review has me looking at fitting it in once I get through my crazy pile of ARCs that I have to read through March.
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Tessa, this one is a slow burn, which I prefer on audio. You may want to consider that format. Whichever way, I think you’ll enjoy how this story develops.
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Great review Jo. I’m currently reading Invisible Girl by Lisa Jewell at the moment and I’m really enjoying it.
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Thank you, Jacob💜 I enjoyed that one, too!
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I’m still struggling with the different Lisas I’ll have to email because I couldn’t keep track of the comment. I’m thinking this is one of the good ones.
Anne – Books of My Heart
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I’m not sure of the other Lisas you’re thinking about. This one is my auto read!
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I too struggled with this story and pushed it aside for awhile. Your review told me to pick it up again.
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I hope it turns out well for you, Marialyce💜 About 1/3 of the way through, I found myself having to soldier on and then things shifted. It took a bit but was well worth my patience.
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Fab review! I definitely need to find time to read this one some time soon…
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Thank you, Yvo💜 I hope you enjoy it when you do.
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Great review Jo. I don’t think I have listened to this narrator before, so will watch for her. Glad you enjoyed this one as much as I did.
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