ljwrites85's review
5.0
This is my first novel by NJ Mackay and after reading Found Her it won’t be my last!
Goodness me where do I start? Found Her had me utterly gripped from the very first chapter. I have to say it’s one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve read for a while, perfectly paced and tension packed.
Eve is a complicated character, not all that likeable but very compelling to read. She’s been punishing herself for ten years after the disappearance of her little sister Belle, unable to sustain relationships apart from those stubborn enough to ignore her prickly exterior. She’s been on an even keel but that all goes out the window when her little sister is found alive but in critical condition. That’s when the story really comes into its own, as Eve’s paranoia gets worse until she’s almost at breaking point and all of her old unhealthy behaviours surface again.
I would have liked the ending to have been a little stronger but of course that’s just a minor thing.
Found Her is a genuine page turner and a must for anyone who loves a good thriller.
Goodness me where do I start? Found Her had me utterly gripped from the very first chapter. I have to say it’s one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve read for a while, perfectly paced and tension packed.
Eve is a complicated character, not all that likeable but very compelling to read. She’s been punishing herself for ten years after the disappearance of her little sister Belle, unable to sustain relationships apart from those stubborn enough to ignore her prickly exterior. She’s been on an even keel but that all goes out the window when her little sister is found alive but in critical condition. That’s when the story really comes into its own, as Eve’s paranoia gets worse until she’s almost at breaking point and all of her old unhealthy behaviours surface again.
I would have liked the ending to have been a little stronger but of course that’s just a minor thing.
Found Her is a genuine page turner and a must for anyone who loves a good thriller.
faysieh's review
4.0
Ten years ago Belle disappears on a walk home from school and her sister Eve is plagued by constant guilt. She lives a half life, punishing herself and one friend in particular who also happened to be present on the day everything went wrong. Bobby is now married to Eve's best friend Mandy but the existing relationship between him and Eve is certainly less than healthy.
Then all of a sudden Belle is found in the road in a dire physical state and taken to hospital. Locke is the detective assigned to the case, talking to Eve about what happened a decade ago as Belle cannot. She requires lots of operations and remains in a medically induced coma.
The girls' Mum died some time ago so the reader can really sense the loneliness and despair of Eve whose ability to get through each day can only be described as dysfunctional. Eve doesn't even know what to say each time she visits Belle at her bedside and can't bring herself to write in the communication book either. And yet she is desperate for her sister to wake and have the torment that has been her constant companion lessen in its brutality.
Belle has a police guard at the hospital and Eve has similar protection outside her house as Locke, a rather likeable but quite unconventional police officer, is focused on finding out who took Belle and kept her captive for so long. He needs to understand the puzzle to solve it before the kidnapper does something worse.
The pace is fast, tense and gripping. I didn't have a clue who was guilty so it is true to say the book is shocking, full of suspicion, danger and twists.
Some of the story is difficult to digest because of the cruelty described and this just spurs the reader on in an indirect mission to see justice metered out.
What makes this type of book fascinating is the psychology behind the psychopath's behaviour and how nurture can create a person with bad intentions and a troubled mind. It is disturbing but compelling.
I didn't see the twist coming at the end, but after so much tension, the end seemed a bit too rushed and tidied up. It is because of this, and some unprofessional behaviour on the part of Locke that has led me to give this book 4 rather than 5 stars. Picky maybe, but my personal stance.
Having said that I would definitely recommend this book to others and I will also be interested to see what NJ Mackay writes next.
Then all of a sudden Belle is found in the road in a dire physical state and taken to hospital. Locke is the detective assigned to the case, talking to Eve about what happened a decade ago as Belle cannot. She requires lots of operations and remains in a medically induced coma.
The girls' Mum died some time ago so the reader can really sense the loneliness and despair of Eve whose ability to get through each day can only be described as dysfunctional. Eve doesn't even know what to say each time she visits Belle at her bedside and can't bring herself to write in the communication book either. And yet she is desperate for her sister to wake and have the torment that has been her constant companion lessen in its brutality.
Belle has a police guard at the hospital and Eve has similar protection outside her house as Locke, a rather likeable but quite unconventional police officer, is focused on finding out who took Belle and kept her captive for so long. He needs to understand the puzzle to solve it before the kidnapper does something worse.
The pace is fast, tense and gripping. I didn't have a clue who was guilty so it is true to say the book is shocking, full of suspicion, danger and twists.
Some of the story is difficult to digest because of the cruelty described and this just spurs the reader on in an indirect mission to see justice metered out.
What makes this type of book fascinating is the psychology behind the psychopath's behaviour and how nurture can create a person with bad intentions and a troubled mind. It is disturbing but compelling.
I didn't see the twist coming at the end, but after so much tension, the end seemed a bit too rushed and tidied up. It is because of this, and some unprofessional behaviour on the part of Locke that has led me to give this book 4 rather than 5 stars. Picky maybe, but my personal stance.
Having said that I would definitely recommend this book to others and I will also be interested to see what NJ Mackay writes next.
laurahastoomanywips's review
5.0
Ten years ago Eve's thirteen year old sister, Belle, goes missing whilst on the walk home from school after Eve, being impatient to get home with her school crush, Robert, allows Belle to lag behind.
Eve blames herself for her sister's disappearance and she punishes herself, enabling her life to take a dark turn, especially sexually.
Eve is contacted by police (Locke) to say that someone matching Belle's description been found after a serious hit and run.
Whilst Eve awaits Belle waking from her coma her life deteriorates as she is taunted by Belle's kidnapper.
Who can Eve trust? Who is responsible?
This is my first book by NJ MacKay (read & enjoyed a short story in the "afraid of the light" anthology), and I was not disappointed. I was actually a good bit behind on pigeonhole but quickly caught up as was so gripped by the story which was very well written, very dark. Although I had guessed one suspect, I was guessing between two for the other half of the duo responsible. A little bit of poetic licence used in the ending but that was forgiven.
Thank you Niki & pigeonhole for the opportunity to read.
Eve blames herself for her sister's disappearance and she punishes herself, enabling her life to take a dark turn, especially sexually.
Eve is contacted by police (Locke) to say that someone matching Belle's description been found after a serious hit and run.
Whilst Eve awaits Belle waking from her coma her life deteriorates as she is taunted by Belle's kidnapper.
Who can Eve trust? Who is responsible?
This is my first book by NJ MacKay (read & enjoyed a short story in the "afraid of the light" anthology), and I was not disappointed. I was actually a good bit behind on pigeonhole but quickly caught up as was so gripped by the story which was very well written, very dark. Although I had guessed one suspect, I was guessing between two for the other half of the duo responsible. A little bit of poetic licence used in the ending but that was forgiven.
Thank you Niki & pigeonhole for the opportunity to read.
alisonannk's review
4.0
This is a throughly engrossing psychological thriller/mystery novel.
The story of a young girl who goes missing and turns up years later has been written about many times. However, this book approaches it from the perspective of her sister Eve, who has a lot of guilt over her sister going missing.
As we follow Eve coming to terms with the reappearance of her sister, and all of the memories and feelings that resurface as a result, we find out more about the events surrounding her disappearance. Eve is a seriously damaged character and not particularly likeable at times. However, despite her stupidity, selfishness and poor judgement, I wanted her to be well and ‘healed’. Her relationships are messy and complex, none less so than the one she develops with DI Locke. I’d also love to read more about him in future novels.
I love a twist and often guess them before they are revealed so it is always great when I come across a book with a twist that I did not see coming - this book was one of those.
I read this on the Pigeonhole platform and the 10 daily instalments definitely helped build tension in an already intriguing plot.
Look forward to reading more by this author.
The story of a young girl who goes missing and turns up years later has been written about many times. However, this book approaches it from the perspective of her sister Eve, who has a lot of guilt over her sister going missing.
As we follow Eve coming to terms with the reappearance of her sister, and all of the memories and feelings that resurface as a result, we find out more about the events surrounding her disappearance. Eve is a seriously damaged character and not particularly likeable at times. However, despite her stupidity, selfishness and poor judgement, I wanted her to be well and ‘healed’. Her relationships are messy and complex, none less so than the one she develops with DI Locke. I’d also love to read more about him in future novels.
I love a twist and often guess them before they are revealed so it is always great when I come across a book with a twist that I did not see coming - this book was one of those.
I read this on the Pigeonhole platform and the 10 daily instalments definitely helped build tension in an already intriguing plot.
Look forward to reading more by this author.
dianesmillie's review
5.0
Great psychological thriller! Great descriptions and the story told by different characters was done well and really let you get to know. Great twist at end and kept me guessing throughout
leona_omahony's review
3.0
I read this book via pigeonhole and found it an ok read. The first few chapters I found quite slow and struggled through them. The second half of the book was so much better. I found the relationship between the detective and the main character very unprofessional and wouldn’t happen in real life.
traceyroberts's review
4.0
**contains spoliers** TW animal deaths and physical abuse
I found the plot really well written and I didn't see the twist until it was right there. I thought the character of Eve was well done, even if totally unlikeable I think the years of feeling the guilt of your younger sister being kidnapped while in your care is bound to mess you up. I really like the way this author is able to write really great if a little broken characters.
However the police procedual element of the book wasn't well done. The detective on the case, Locke, was extremely unprofessional and would have probably lost his job if this was real life. So you have to suspend your belief just a little bit.
I know there are many people who don't like to read books where animals are harmed. So I have to warn you that this is not the book for you. While it was necessary to the story I would have preferred no animals were harmed.
I found the plot really well written and I didn't see the twist until it was right there. I thought the character of Eve was well done, even if totally unlikeable I think the years of feeling the guilt of your younger sister being kidnapped while in your care is bound to mess you up. I really like the way this author is able to write really great if a little broken characters.
However the police procedual element of the book wasn't well done. The detective on the case, Locke, was extremely unprofessional and would have probably lost his job if this was real life. So you have to suspend your belief just a little bit.
I know there are many people who don't like to read books where animals are harmed. So I have to warn you that this is not the book for you. While it was necessary to the story I would have preferred no animals were harmed.
xxkristii's review
4.0
3.5 stars.
I enjoyed this book - it kept me interested and wanting to find out what was going to happen. I particularly liked the little backstory bits towards the end of the book. I felt they definitely increased the intrigue.
I figured out what was going on at about 60% of the way through the book but that didn't take away from the enjoyment and there still was one little surprise for me at the end.
My questions are...
2 - Why did the detective like Eve? She was fundamentally unlikeable but described as kinda pretty. Surely that wasn't it. The detective seemed like a smart guy - I just don't buy that Eve was his type.
I enjoyed this book - it kept me interested and wanting to find out what was going to happen. I particularly liked the little backstory bits towards the end of the book. I felt they definitely increased the intrigue.
I figured out what was going on at about 60% of the way through the book but that didn't take away from the enjoyment and there still was one little surprise for me at the end.
My questions are...
Spoiler
1 - Why did they have to have two doggy deaths? I'm so not into books where the dogs get hurt.2 - Why did the detective like Eve? She was fundamentally unlikeable but described as kinda pretty. Surely that wasn't it. The detective seemed like a smart guy - I just don't buy that Eve was his type.