Trees rustle behind the empty park. The swing creaks in the breeze. Caught on its rusted chain is a pink hair ribbon. Charly only wore it to make me happy. Now it’s all I have to remember her by, my perfect girl...
A murder that shocks a small town…
Pictures of the missing girl Charly Dean are plastered across every newspaper and television screen in the country until a dog walker discovers her body in the woods. A chilling detail at the crime scene leads the local police to believe they have a serial killer on their hands, and he’s just getting started.
A killer with unfinished business…
Months later, with Charly’s murder still unsolved, her parents can hardly look at each other, torn apart by grief, blaming themselves – and each other. Then a second victim is found in the same woods. Charly’s parents will stop at nothing to find justice for both girls. But that means facing the shocking truth that the killer didn’t pick Charly at random. She was carefully chosen. And the sinister reason lies somewhere in their past…
A gripping page-turner that will have you racing to the twisty end. Readers of Cara Hunter, Rachel Abbott, K. L. Slater and Clare Mackintosh will be absolutely gripped by Her Perfect Girl.
I’m a lover of extremes. I own a narrowboat and you’ll often find me cruising the Oxford and Coventry canals. I, also, own a Harley Davidson. I learnt to ride at 50. Best thing I’ve ever done.
I’ve loved reading crime fiction since I was a child. I devoured Nancy Drew, then Agatha Christie, then Dorothy L. Sayers.
My current favourite authors are: Val McDermid, Mark Billingham, Fiona Cummins, Angela Clarke and Angela Marsons.
My debut novel, Bat Girl, is now available on Amazon Kindle and paperback.
I’m currently writing a police procedural series featuring DI Amelia Barton of the National Crime Agency.
This multiple pov thriller will keep you long up into the night as you read throught the mixture of emotions. A parents worse nightmare their daughter goes missing from a relatives home and turns up dead. 6 month on and dead on the inside they are just going through the motions of life until a second young girl is found murdered. Everything is brought back to the front and now as they try desperately to help people find the killer before anyone dies they find their deep oast may have sonething to do with it. A teal page turner with little snippets from the killer made it compelling. All characters were written honestly and realistically. The chapters were short and engaging so although it was long it fidnt feel long. The investigation felt very fast and perhaps a bit unrealistic. I loved every minute of this as I was fully invested in the characters and tried alongside them to work out the identity. The only thing was the ending seemed very quick and I gueese I wanted a more detailed explanation of why from the killer . Highly recommended to all thrillers readers. Thank you netgallery and publisher and author fir this cracking 5 star read.
This story revolves around every parents worst nightmare. 6 months ago Charley, a six year old is murdered. Her parents, Emma and Robert are trying to just survive when another child is found murdered. Emma and Robert want to help the police, and also be there for the parents of this newest child.
This story is well paced. It is told by multiple POV’s. This style works with this story because each person telling their part is integral to the plot, and it is done in a very cohesive manner.
I felt for Emma and Robert. They are each grieving and trying to heal in their own way, yet keep their marriage in tack. The author is very effective at writing these scenes. You feel the anguish, anger, grief and guilt from each parent as they struggle. The moments where they are experiencing happiness, then are shattered by guilt for enjoying themselves are heartbreaking. I really like the honest, and sometimes brutal, portrayal of this couple as they try to find their way to a future.
The detectives and investigation is very thorough. It is a quick paced read!
My only struggle: when the story was told through the POV of the killer. I skimmed! Over and over, the description of wigs and wig making was redundant. I really did not feel creeped out a lot when it was told through this POV. And the end felt a little rushed, with no real explanation of why the killer really targeted the girls and made the wig. The reader could infer these answers by analyzing his story part. However, a solid explanation and his reasons were not specifically given.
Overall I liked this. I will be reading another by this author- I just hope the issues above will be addressed in her next book!
Thank you NetGalley and storm Publishing for the ARC. This is my voluntary, honest review.
Nicky Downes is a new author to me, and I enjoyed this Mystery/Procedural Thriller. A young girl sneaks out to the park from her grandmother's house and becomes the victim of a killer who seems to be just beginning. Charly Dean's death forever changes the lives of her parents who even in their grief, want to get justice for their daughter. This is a fast-paced and emotional book. The chapters and many of the sentences are short, keeping the story moving quickly but also coming across as choppy at times. I got used to this writing style after a few chapters and really became engaged in the story. The book has multiple points-of-view, including some very creepy chapters giving us a glimpse inside the mind of the killer.
It took me a bit, especially with Emma, but I grew to like Charly's parents, Emma and Robert. I also enjoyed getting to know the members of law enforcement investigating the case. It takes a bit to warm to DI James Chambers even though he is a good detective. I especially liked PC Sara Mason who works hard at searching for clues in places that even DI Chambers doesn't think of. The book has a lot of sadness, but has a satisfying and hopeful ending. I don't know if this is the start of a new series, but I would love to see this team investigate other cases.
I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and Storm Publishing. My review is voluntary and unbiased.
I don’t know what’s wrong with me but I love listening to thrillers while I’m home alone, doing mundane tasks like folding laundry.. let me just say that I got a lot of chores the day I crushed this audiobook in one sitting.
It was such a creepy and captivating listen! I don’t think I would be able to handle listening to this if I had kids of my own.. it’s a twisted nightmare brought to reality.
This was a unique book to read because the chapters were so short, but contained what felt like so much detail. There was a lot that went on throughout the pages. When I saw how many chapters there were I had to do a double take. I thought it was going to take forever to finish, but the chapters were shorter than any other book I've read and I loved it. It made it super easy for me to just continue reading because I didn't have to dread long chapters.
We follow from about six-seven perspectives, but because the chapters are short, the author made it rather simple to remember who each character was.
It's a very sad plot. It deals with the murder of children. It deals with grieving parents. It's honestly a beautiful book. There's not too many books that really focus on grieving parents, but I liked the realistic part about that.
There was lots of mystery and plot twists. The only thing that I would mention about the book that made me rate it lower was the ending. It just felt a bit rushed; there was this huge build up and then the plot was executed too quickly. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed the book and I recommend it to the thriller, suspense, and mystery-loving community.
** Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my copy of this book. I'm very grateful! **
Six year old Charly goes missing on a Friday night whilst being looked after by her Grandmother, her parents Emma and Robert are devastated to learn she has been murdered. Six months later the same fate befalls six year old Samantha and Robert and Emma want to support her parents as best they can and help find the person responsible for these brutal crimes. This is every parents worst nightmare and the pain and emotion can be felt throughout the pages. As details of the crimes come to the surface the police are working on theory after theory on potential suspects which we learn of throughout the book.
There are 190 chapters in this 388 page book, short, snappy and it works really well, multiple pov, snippets of what’s going on from all angles at the same time and the book flows great, this urged me read much faster aswell as I didn’t want to stop and the storyline was compelling and fast paced. I was pleasantly surprised as I wasn’t expecting this to be such a good read if I’m honest, but I was fully invested from page 1. The ending fell a bit flat for me but all in all a decent book.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for my eARC.
The pain of the poor parents who lost their daughter is so raw and real. Slowly but surely getting closer to the killer -wondering if he’s going to get away with it- had me glued to the pages in suspense. A great read
This story is told through multiple point of views, with short chapters, that keep the reader from getting bored. Some chapters are told from the point of views of both of the grieving parents, the killer, and multiple investigators. It will keep you guessing until the last moment when everything comes to light. I liked the fact that we just jumped right into the story, and didn't have to wait for things to actually happen. My attention was grabbed in the first chapter, and this book didn't let me go until I was done. I stayed awake after my shift in order to finish this when I really needed to sleep instead. It was worth it.
My only complain was that I wish we went more in depth into the mind of the killer during this POVs at the end of the book to get more of an explanation as to why he did what he did. That's the reason why I'm giving this book 4 stars instead of 5.
Thank you to Nicky Downes, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for the eARC of this book.
It is the first time I have read anything by this author. 'The Perfect Girl' was in my opinion not the psychological thriller I was expecting from the blurb but more of a crime novel which was disappointing.
Written from the perspectives of not only the police investigating team and the parents of the missing girl, but also that of the murderer. An intense storyline that unfolds in a large number of chapters, probably intended be short and sharp and therefore add to the urgency. For me though it just made the novel feel disjointed. To be honest I found the format spoilt the read for me.
Although not for me, I imagine ' The Perfect Girl' will appeal to fans of the genre and style. It is with thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley that this title was made available for me to read and review.
digital arc was provided by Netgalley and Storm Publishing
Disappointing read, I skimmed most of the book.
Synopsis A couple lost their daughter and some months later, another one was taken.
What I like Almost nothing.
What I don't like Too many povs/characters that didn't contribute whatsoever to the plot, one timeline explained by not two but often four people was a lot. I didn't even care for the police/DI, or any of the character. There was also no explanation on the killing.
Final thought Almost dnf-ed but decided to skimread because I partially curious. Sadly, it gave no closure for me.
Title- Her Perfect Girl by @nickydownesauthor Rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book had an engaging and captivating story line that kept me hooked until the very end, but unfortunately, the conclusion felt incomplete and left me yearning for more closure. Despite this, I thoroughly enjoyed the refreshing perspective offered by the varying POVs, which were expertly woven together and never confusing. The chapters were also the perfect length, offering a convenient and comfortable reading experience. If you’re looking for a quick and satisfying read, I highly recommend this book.
Synopsis-
A murder that shocks a small town…
Pictures of the missing girl Charly Dean are plastered across every newspaper and television screen in the country until a dog walker discovers her body in the woods. A chilling detail at the crime scene leads the local police to believe they have a serial killer on their hands, and he’s just getting started.
A killer with unfinished business…
Months later, with Charly’s murder still unsolved, her parents can hardly look at each other, torn apart by grief, blaming themselves – and each other. Then a second victim is found in the same woods. Charly’s parents will stop at nothing to find justice for both girls. But that means facing the shocking truth that the killer didn’t pick Charly at random. She was carefully chosen. And the sinister reason lies somewhere in their past…
A gripping page-turner that will have you racing to the twisty end. Readers of Cara Hunter, Rachel Abbott, K. L. Slater and Clare Mackintosh will be absolutely gripped by Her Perfect Girl.
Ooof. This book has all the feels & all the find them going for it! So good. Just felt it went bam bam bam from start to finish. The parents, I was so glad to see alternative parents, locs & spiky hair, nights out with others. Feel seen! Things can happen to anyone & it does. That’s scary but better to read & see & beware. Honestly a great book, hard subject as kids but written well & the storyline just took it & ran. Enjoy!
It was a good story, and it kept me reading, but just a couple of points.
I still feel like i dont really know why the perpetrator did what he did.i have a vague idea, but we never really get true reasoning behind it. I feel like its more of an examination of the relationship between the two main characters than an investigation into the death of their daughter, its almost an afterthought.
I finished this but still with questions as to what really happened!
In "Her Perfect Girl", Nicky Downes delivers a gripping and chilling mystery/thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The novel centers on the harrowing disappearance and subsequent murder of Charly Dean, a case that sends shockwaves through her small town and leaves her family shattered.
The story opens with a jolt, thrusting readers into the lives of Robert and Emma Dean six months prior to the present day. They are enjoying a rare night out at the only music venue in the small town of Stanton when their evening is abruptly interrupted by the police. The devastating news about their six-year-old daughter, Charly, sets the stage for the events that follow, catapulting both the readers and the characters into a frantic search for the serial killer who is turning their small town upside down.
As the investigation unfolds, a dog walker discovers Charly's body in the woods, revealing a chilling detail that suggests the presence of a serial killer. Downes masterfully creates an atmosphere of tension and dread, pulling readers into the intricate investigation led by the local police. The unsettling detail at the crime scene not only serves as a grim signature of the killer but also sets the stage for a series of disturbing events.
Months pass with no leads, leaving Charly’s parents grappling with their grief and guilt, their marriage strained to the breaking point. The raw portrayal of their emotional turmoil adds depth to the narrative, making their quest for justice both heartbreaking and compelling. When a second victim is found in the same woods, the urgency of solving Charly’s murder intensifies. The revelation that Charly was specifically targeted, and that the reason lies buried in the family's past, propels the plot into even darker and more suspenseful territory.
Downes excels in character development, creating multi-dimensional individuals who are both relatable and flawed. Charly’s parents, in particular, are portrayed with a realistic complexity that highlights their pain and desperation. Their interactions and personal struggles add a layer of emotional resonance to the thriller, grounding the high-stakes mystery in a poignant human story.
The plot is meticulously crafted, with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end. Downes deftly weaves together the investigation and the personal lives of the characters, maintaining a brisk pace that ensures the narrative never loses momentum. The revelation of the killer's motive, tied intricately to the family's past, is both shocking and satisfying, providing a resolution that feels earned and impactful.
What sets "Her Perfect Girl" apart in the mystery/thriller genre is its ability to balance the procedural elements of the investigation with the profound emotional journey of its characters. Downes’ writing is sharp and evocative, capturing the suspense of the hunt for a serial killer while also delving into the psychological scars left on those affected by the crime.
Fans of the genre will appreciate the novel’s intricate plotting, well-drawn characters, and the palpable tension that runs throughout. "Her Perfect Girl" is a testament to Nicky Downes’ skill as a storyteller, offering a thriller that is as emotionally engaging as it is suspenseful. It is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a meticulously crafted mystery that explores the darkest corners of human nature and the enduring strength of those seeking justice.
Giving this one a 3.5. It wasn’t terrible or anything, it just wasn’t show stopping – kind of middle of the road for me. The plot was great, it's just that the execution was lacking a bit. I found the writing to be a little choppy at times. The chapters were very short and the pace of the book flowed nicely. This book is the stuff that makes up every parent’s nightmare. It opens with this quirky couple (Emma & Robert) out at a venue to listen to one of their favorite bands play. The police show up to the club and ask to speak to them privately and that’s when their world fell apart. Their six-year-old daughter Charley has been found murdered after sneaking out of the house while her grandmother babysat her. The story then fast forwards 6 months down the road and the reader sees just how broken both Emma and Robert are. Both are dealing with the trauma and grief in their own way and are stuck in between wanting to get better but not wanting to forget their daughter. When a second little girl is found murdered, the whole town gets put on alert. The similarities between the little girls cannot be ignored. They are both six years old and they both have long, blonde hair. The one thing that probably saved this book and gave it some life is that the story is told by the multiple POV’s of Emma, Robert, a few police officers, and the killer – who turns out to be a sicko. I do wish the author had expanded on more of the killer’s story. It felt incomplete and I didn’t really understand the experiences in this life that made him the way that he is. Little bits and pieces were briefly mentioned, but I could not get a clear picture on how Robert and Emma were connected to him. The ending was solid, descriptive, and where all the action was. I felt like I was there witnessing the altercation with the killer, I just wish it didn’t feel so rushed. The ending could have gone on a bit longer since it was the killer’s time to shine. It would have given the reader a better look inside his twisted mind.
I'm sorry but nothing can make me like this book. The plot was boring and slow. the characters were annoying and hard to follow. The ending was rushed and just overall annoying. No wonder took me so long to finish.
"Her Perfect Girl" by Nicky Downes is a gripping and dark thriller that dives deep into the lives of the victims' family members and the investigators tasked with solving the case. The character growth throughout the novel is both profound and heart-wrenching. Written from the perspectives of those most affected by the crimes, the book masterfully portrays how the characters navigate their grief and ultimately contribute to the police investigation. This unique approach not only adds depth to the narrative but also highlights the emotional toll such cases take on everyone involved.
The plot is highly engaging, with numerous twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Despite the large number of chapters, each being only a page or two in length, the story progresses swiftly and maintains a steady pace. This structure allows for a quick yet immersive reading experience. However, just as you start to connect with a character, the chapter often ends, and the perspective shifts to another point of view. While this can be somewhat jarring, it also keeps the suspense high and the reader constantly guessing.
Nicky Downes expertly conveys the themes of loss, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of justice. The impact of the crimes on both the victims' families and the investigators is portrayed with raw honesty, making "Her Perfect Girl" a compelling read for fans of psychological thrillers.
Overall, "Her Perfect Girl" is a chilling and intense novel that offers a unique perspective on crime and its aftermath. It's a must-read for those who enjoy thrillers that delve into the darker aspects of human nature.
Thank you to Nicky Downes and Storm Publishing for allowing me to be an early reader. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I didn’t particularly care for many of the characters. Several of them weren’t particularly fleshed out so we only got a superficial understanding of them and their motives. Some of the characters and situations just felt like filler, not advancing the story in any significant way, and lot of Emma and Robert’s actions made no sense. I understand that they were desperate for answers and frustrated by the investigation, but why would you conceal evidence from the police when there is a murderer on the loose obviously targeting not only you, but also other young girls.
Short chapters can sometimes move the pace of the story along more quickly, but these chapters were too short. Just when you were starting to get into the chapter and the character’s head you’re pulled out of it to a totally different character/situation. It was jarring and made the story feel disjointed at times.
It was also hard to get a clear sense of the police work being done. The lead investigator talked about how important solving the case was but I didn’t get any real sense of urgency from him. He seemed more concerned with potentially losing control of the case than solving it, and it seemed like a lot of important details fell through the cracks in the investigation. The case was solved more by chance than through any stellar police work, and the motives of the killer were never clearly defined. The ending was anticlimactic and left us with more questions than answers.
The premise of this story was a good one. It just needed a little something more to meet that promise.
Thanks NetGally and Storm Publishing for the advanced copy.
When Emma’s daughter goes missing, she and husband Robert will do all they can to find her. After all, Charley is HER PERFECT GIRL. But Nicky Downes makes her the perfect girl for another, more sinister soul who is on a mission.
After an extensive search Charly’s body is found by a dog walker. While the entire town mourns, Emma and Robert’s once strong relationship begins to come apart. Then another girl goes missing and. Emma begins looking for common denominators between the girls; their mother’s shop at the same stores and they are in the same school system. As the police follow up on their own leads, they begin to wonder if they have a serial killer in their midst. Bringing in numerous suspects for questioning, they move, ever slowly toward the truth. Can sins of the past reverberate into the future?
I have to give a shout out to PC Sarah Mason who is dogged in putting herself out there and finding the links between cases. I enjoyed this one, my first Nicky Downes novel and hope to read more from her. The only problem that I had was that there were SO many names to try to keep track of, leading to confusion at times. While I felt that all the names WERE necessary to keep me guessing, it was a lot. However, I’d love to see PC Sarah Mason advance in her career. I’m curious to see where Nicky takes me next. I DID like the short, quick chapters that read like bullet points that I could run through quickly.
Thank you to Net Galley and Storm Publishing for this ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.
That was rather anticlimactic in my opinion. It felt unfinished to me, and I wanted more. I was hooked from the beginning but the ending left me disappointed.
𝖡𝖫𝖴𝖱𝖡:
Trees rustle behind the empty park. The swing creaks in the breeze. Caught on its rusted chain is a pink hair ribbon. Charly only wore it to make me happy. Now it’s all I have to remember her by, my perfect girl...
A murder that shocks a small town…
Pictures of the missing girl Charly Dean are plastered across every newspaper and television screen in the country until a dog walker discovers her body in the woods. A chilling detail at the crime scene leads the local police to believe they have a serial killer on their hands, and he’s just getting started.
A killer with unfinished business…
Months later, with Charly’s murder still unsolved, her parents can hardly look at each other, torn apart by grief, blaming themselves – and each other. Then a second victim is found in the same woods. Charly’s parents will stop at nothing to find justice for both girls. But that means facing the shocking truth that the killer didn’t pick Charly at random. She was carefully chosen. And the sinister reason lies somewhere in their past…
A gripping page-turner that will have you racing to the twisty end. Readers of Cara Hunter, Rachel Abbott, K. L. Slater and Clare Mackintosh will be absolutely gripped by Her Perfect Girl.
Her Perfect Girl by Nicky Downs is a phycological thriller. The story Starts with the disappearance of Charley Dean who is staying with her grandmother and when her grandmother calls Charley and she does not answer she goes looking for her. Charley has snuck out to the park to play on the swings without telling her grandmother, as her parents went to a concert. Charley is only six and when she is found murdered her parents Emma and Robert’s nightmare has just begun as they fall apart. Then another six-year-old goes missing and the police are quickly on the case and realise after finding her murdered it must be the same killer as both girls' hair has been chopped off.
The story is every parent's nightmare and is professionally written intense and will keep you on the edge of your seat as you read this thought-provoking story that has plenty of twists and turns. It is an emotional book, but the chapters are short, and the team of investigators work well together. An awesome crime thriller. The storyline is dark and twisted, while the characters are real and raw. My only problem was the ending fell flat for me but overall, a relevant story. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A murder shocks a small town when six-year-old Charly Dean is abducted and murdered in Her Perfect Girl by Nicky Downes. Charly’s murder remains unsolved 6 months later, and her parents can hardly look at each other, torn apart by grief, blaming themselves and each other. Then, a second victim is found in the same woods. Charly’s parents will stop at nothing to find justice for both girls. But that means facing the shocking truth that the killer didn’t pick Charly at random. She was carefully chosen. And the sinister reason lies somewhere in their past.
The story is told from various points of view and different timelines. The author skillfully unravels the story. Her Perfect Girl is a thrilling mystery with credible characters. The storyline was quite sad and I cried a few times. The story did end rather quickly, but was still good.
The story shows Robert’s and Emma’s journey through their grief and their hope and how memories don’t fade but their effects get weaker as time passes. But when something does remind them, those feelings slam back into their lives.
A very good psychological thriller with a good mystery and good writing.
read if you like: 👶🏻 missing children 🕵🏻 detective procedurals 🖐🏼 multiple POV’so 🗣️ short, quick chapters 🔥 slow burns
summary: This book is about two parents, Robert and Emma, whose daughter Charley went missing months prior, and was ultimately found dead. With her case unsolved, another girl goes missing, and the families and detectives struggle to identify — why were these girls chosen? Was it random? If not, what did they have in common? With both families ravaged with grief and regret, they look to each other to try to get justice for their children.
This story is written from multiple POV’s - Emma’s, Robert’s, two of the law enforcement officials, and ultimately, the killers. Even though the book itself is fairly long, each chapter is short, quick and to the point, keeping you on your toes. The chapters each tell the story from a different angle, which makes it interesting. Ultimately I didn’t think the reveal was as dramatic as it could have been, but it’s still a satisfying ending, especially for people who like things wrapped up nicely and happily! I just could have used a bit more shock and surprise.
Thank you to Storm Publishing and Net Galley for the ARC. This book comes out July 12!
Her Perfect Girl by Nicky Downes is told from multiple POVs. It begins with Emma and Robert Dean's daughter Charly going missing. We find out that six-year-old Charlotte Dean has been murdered. She snuck out of her grandmother's house while her parents were at concert (gig).
Her Perfect Girl is fast paced with really shot chapters. Multiple POVs work great in this one because each POV has an intricate part to play in the storyline.
Quote: "He was skilled at keeping the darkness at bay."
One POV is that of the murderer. The murderer is obsessed with blonde hair, and we read over and over that he is making a wig.
Who murdered Charlotte and will there be other victims? Does the killer get away with his crimes? What secrets are Emma and Robert hiding? Are Emma and Robert somehow responsible for what happened to their daughter?
The plot of Her Perfect Girl by Nicky Downes in grieving parents. It does a good job with portraying what a grieving parent goes through. All the questions you ask that you just cannot find the answers to.
I will definitely try more books by Nicky Downes and recommend this author.
Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review Her Perfect Girl by Nicky Downes.
Her perfect Girl by Nicky Downes is a fast place mystery thriller surrounding the events of the abduction and subsequent murder of their little girl Charley Dean. Charley’s parents Emma and Robert are social pariahs, with most people talking down to or about them, while the parents are so wrapped in grief, they just go through the motions of being alive. The police haven’t found the killer and leads are cold, until six months later and another six year old has been murdered, Samantha Porter. Who is next?
I really liked the beginning of the book. From the first page I was hooked, quickly become drawn into this mystery thriller, with suspects everywhere. The development of the characters were good, and you feel the Deans heartbreak. The ending was rushed and it just felt disjointed. This is where it went from a four to three.
You also get the point of view of the killer, who cuts the girls hair off in an obsession to make a wig that’s just for “her”. Who is his obsession? And why choose the girls he did? This book is great for people that want a fast moving story. The book left a few minor questions for me at the end, and other than feeling a bit rushed, I enjoyed the book.
Emma and Robert are grieving the loss of their 6 year old daughter, Charly, who was murdered. Months later, Charly's killer is still on the loose. The police are no closer in figuring out the killer. When another young girl is found dead, it is clear that the killer is not done. Emma and Robert come to the realization that Charly was targeted. They are determined to find her killer and will stop at nothing to do so.
I LOVED the super short chapters. It made for a fast paced and suspenseful novel. The author did an excellent job at creating mystery around "whodunit". I was going back and forth the entire novel and was surprised by the ending. However, the ending did wrap up quite quickly. I also wish that the ending had more of a bang or another final twist.
This is a great edge of your seat thriller - you w0n't be able to put it down!
This was my first Nicky Downes novel. What a talented author! Looking forward to reading more by Ms. Downes.
Thank you Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is a story that will take you on a gripping journey through different emotions. This book has multiple POVs and the nice thing about it that each chapter is being told from another character’s point of view. This is very well done and I haven't encountered head-hopping. The great thing about this is that you feel the emotions from different characters, which I really liked. The chapters are really short and have a total count of 190. Although the short chapters weren't a very big deal for me, I wouldn't mind them being a bit longer. It is a page turner and finished this book within a day. The characters were engaging and I felt for some of them. The thing that bothered me was the end. The ending felt a bit rushed and didn't feel closure and still had questions about the killer's motive. All by all I did enjoy the story and if you like mysteries this one would be a good read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, NetGalley, and Storm Publishing for this ARC.
This spine-tingling mystery will give you chills and make you physically ill at times. Little Charly disappeared from a park with only a little pink ribbon left behind. Although her parents hold out hope for a rescue, sadly it was not to be. When a second victim is found killed in the same manner, the town is rocked to its core. The police are baffled. The parents want to solve it themselves.
You are provided with an inside look into the horrid thoughts of the killer throughout the story. This individual is deranged. His thoughts were beyond chilling. You know he has an agenda. You are just not sure exactly what that agenda may be.
It was a heart breaking story that is every parents' nightmare. Even though the premise behind this mystery was horrible to think about, it was well-written. I simply could not put it down. There is a definite creep factor in this one that I will not soon forget. I need to purge my brain with some cartoons.
Thank you to Storm Publishing for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing. Charly, a 6-year-old girl disappears only to be found dead a short time later. When a few months later another girl turns up murdered in the same way, the police know they have a serial killer on their hands. The novel is written from different POV. It shows us how parents try to cope with the loss of their only daughter and move on without her. Emma and Robert try to find their daughter's killer now that they realize she was not a random victim. It also includes the perspective of the police investigation and that of the killer himself. It's a read that keeps us on edge, suspicious of everything and everyone, rooting for the parents, empathizing with their grief. On the other hand, the police procedural part is very enjoyable and provides more information to keep us guessing who did it. The book is so smooth that I felt more like I was “watching” a series than reading it. A really entertaining and engaging read.
When their little girl, Charly, is murdered Robert and Emma are at a loss. When another little girl is killed, more questions than ever are being asked. By the parents. By the police. Why take the girls and, more importantly, WHO took the girls? As these parents navigate their own guilt over Charly, one small clue may be the key to finding the killer. That killer may be closer than anyone ever believed.
This is a story that will grab you and hold on. It's told from different viewpoints, and this will lead you on a fast-paced read. It was an emotional roller-coaster that was both thrilling and well written. It captivates in a way many books, similar in style, do not. The characters were easy to follow and like, well, some anyway.
Overall, this was an easy read that kept me engaged.
*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*