Thursday 23 June 2016

The Missing Hours by Emma Kavanagh


Selena Cole is recently widowed, and a single mother to Heather (7) and Tara (3). She disappears, while the girls are in a playground, which leaves them traumatized.

She reappears late the next day, and has no recollection of what happened during her “missing hours”.

Finn and Leah are siblings. Both are on the police force and start investigating this, and another crime – the murder of a solicitor, Dominic Newell. Does the fact that Selena cannot account for her hours make her a prime suspect.

In the process of uncovering the truth, we are plunged into the world of “Kidnap and Ransom” – a fascinating observation of the psychology and negotiation that takes place when high profile people go missing and ransom money is demanded.
I loved the characterizations – Selena is seen through the eyes of her daughter, Heather, and her sister. Finn and Leah are also vividly portrayed. The pain and drama is tangible, and there are unexpected plot twists and very interesting diversions.

I was left a little unsatisfied with the resolution – it felt rushed. And when all is “revealed”, there were some issues I had with the plot that didn’t work for me.
But on the whole, a tense, satisfyingly gripping thriller that will have you compulsively turning the pages to observe what happens next.

I want to give this three stars, but I'm going to add another - the research into the world of high profile missing people was exceptional, and so well constructed.

4 nailbiting stars

ISBN: 9781780894683

You may also enjoy Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter or The Kind worth Killing by Peter Swanson

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