I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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Last Seen by Joy Kluver Also by this author: Broken Girls , Left for Dead
Series: Detective Bernadette Noel #1
Also in this series: Broken Girls , Left for Dead
Published by Bookouture on 26th March 2021
Genres: Crime, Suspense, Thriller
Pages: 358
Format: eARC
Source: from Netgalley
Goodreads
Amazon Kindle
‘A little girl is missing from under her mother’s nose. She’ll be scared and vulnerable – if she’s still alive. But no one is helping us search. No one wants to give us information. No one even seems surprised. What’s going on?’
Detective Bernadette Noel came to this quiet rural corner of south-west England from London to lie low after a high-profile prosecution led to death threats against her family. But she has barely settled in when the call comes. A woman’s voice, shrill with terror and thick with tears: ‘Help – it’s my daughter, Molly – I only had my back turned for a minute… She’s gone!’
A child abduction is about as far from lying low as it gets, and her boss wants to assign a different detective. But there’s no way Bernie’s not taking the case – she can’t miss this chance to prove herself.
Five-year-old Molly Reynolds has been snatched from the playground in the village where she lives. Normally in cases like this the community is an asset – eager to help search and full of local knowledge. But although Molly’s mother Jessica is in anguish, the other villagers don’t seem to want to know.
As details emerge, Bernie discovers a possible link to a shocking crime that has never been solved, and which the locals have never forgotten. But what exactly is the connection to Molly’s abduction? Cracking a cold case is the only way to find out – and meanwhile time is running out for Molly.
A dark and compelling crime thriller that will have you reading late into the night. If you like Val McDermid, D.S. Butler or Angela Marsons, you’ll love Joy Kluver.
Thank you to Bookouture for my copy of this book via Netgalley and for letting me take part in this tour. I have been looking forward to reading this one for a little while.
This book is the first in a new series and is Joy’s debut book! Bernadette Noel is a newly promoted DI and has caught quite the case! We got some good hints at Bernadette’s past but I am very eager for more. I can’t wait to see more of what happened to Bernadette in London. I also can’t wait to see what happens to her in the future too. She is a strong character. She is very good at her job and is extremely determined.
I loved Kerry and Matt. I think they are such a good support to Bernie. There were also quite a few characters that I wasn’t sure about and I look forward to seeing what happens with them in future books. Bernie moved to start over and keep a low profile I’m concerned for Bernie’s welfare now that her location can be easily be found. She was on national TV which is not exactly low profile.
The case was quite a tricky one. A missing 5-year-old is always a high profile and high-pressure case. When you throw in a village that doesn’t want to help it just became almost impossible for Bernie and the team. The book was well-paced and well written.
Joy had me hooked from the prologue and there’s just enough of a tease to keep you reading chapter after chapter. I read this book mainly in 2 long stints. I just couldn’t break away.
I am shocked that this was Joy’s debut book and I can’t wait for what I know will be an excellent series. Joy is a very promising writer who I think will go from strength to strength.
About Joy Kluver
Joy Kluver has been an avid reader and writer since childhood. More recently she’s been escaping the madness of motherhood by turning her hand to crime novels. A book blogger, she’s also part of the First Monday Crime team and if you’ve been to any of their events it’s likely you’ve eaten one of her cookies. She also organises author talks for her local library. Joy lives in SW London with her husband and three children. ‘Last Seen’ is her debut novel and the first book in the DI Bernadette Noel series.
Joy is represented by Anne Williams at the Kate Horden Literary Agency
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
@bookouture Thank you so much Emma!
@JoyKluver Thanks so much!