I just finished reading the debut novel, A Matter Of Chance, by author Julie Maloney and all I can say is, “Wow!” This story held me captivated throughout the entire book. I would consider the genre to be more mystery than thriller. It’s about a divorced mother and her 8 year old daughter who one day while spending time on the beach, gets kidnapped by an older lady who was thought to be their friend. It’s a story that causes you to have many questions. Why did Vinni get kidnapped? Was it for some kind of evil act or was it out of love? Where is she and is she still alive? So many times I was tempted to take a peek at the end of the story just to see how it was going to play out. I’m so glad I didn’t. It’s a story of a mother’s undying love and constant belief that she would one day be reunited with her child. It was an emotional read for me, as I cried at the end. In my opinion, it’s one of the best stories I’ve read in a very long time. If this is the authors debut novel, I can’t imagine what we as readers have to look forward to with her future writings! I want to thank NetGalley, She Writes Press, and author Julie Maloney for giving me the opportunity to read an early copy. I can not recommend it enough and rate it at 5 stars!

This book is well written and draws you in immediately. Maddy and her eight year old daughter Vinni are spending the summer at the Jersey Shore. When they see their elderly neighbours in distress Maddy runs to call 911. Rudy has collapsed and Maddy leaves Vinni with his wife Hilda as she goes to make the call. When she returns Vinni and Hilda are gone and Rudy is deceased. As Maddy stays with the EMT’s and police officers she voices her concern that her daughter is missing. After checking the house they realize both Vinni and Hilda are gone. This is only the beginning of a long nightmare for Maddy and you can feel how gut wrenching and horrible this is. As time passes many people believe that Vinni won’t be found alive. Even Maddy’s best friend and ex husband, Vinni’s father give up thinking the search will end positively. Maddy feels and firmly believes that her daughter is alive. She continues the search with the help of a police officer who was first involved in the case. Your heart breaks as time elapses and Maddy misses precious years with her daughter. The characters are well written and the story is well paced. I was totally engaged in this book and the heartache Maddy was enduring. There are more twists and turns along the way as Maddy continues the search for her daughter.

This was one of those books that I could put down until I found out what happened to Vinni, an eight year old child stolen from her mother, Maddy on the beach when she's attempting to help rescue an elderly neighbor who is having a heart attack. Lots of twists and turns that grab you right from the beginning and won't let go until you finish. Read this when you have plenty of time and don't mind staying up late at night.

A Matter of Chance is a mother's worst nightmare. Maddy and her daughter Vinni are on the beach, one of their neighbors collapse. While Maddy goes to call 911, Vinni remains on the beach. When Maddy goes back to the beach, Vinni is gone. This book follows Maddy for 5 years while she tries to find her daughter. The police officer in charge of Vinni's case, Detective John D’Orfini, also continues his search. This story is of a mother's undying love. Maddy is character that you emphasize with and you are totally invested in hoping for the best a reunion with her daughter. I received an advanced readers copy from NetGalley and She Writes Press. All opinions are my own.

Maddy and her daughter Vinni were enjoying a lovely day on the beach when their lives suddenly change. An old man collapses and Maddy runs off to call for help, only to return to find her daughter missing. Who takes a child? This question is asked numerous times throughout the book as Maddy tries to figure out that answer while also trying to figure out how to go on living without her daughter. Despite everyone telling her to stay out of the investigation, Maddy delves deeper and deeper into the lives of those who might be responsible which puts her personal safety in danger.
This story grabs your attention from the first page and doesn't let go. It shows you the undying love Maddy has for her daughter. It teaches you about the struggle of dealing with grief and with guilt through Maddy's emotional decline.
How does one move on when they lose a child? When is a child truly lost? Who takes a child? This book explores all these topics while keeping you guessing at the mystery of where is Vinni.

A brilliant book. Enjoyed it all. A sad story of a mother's worst nightmare. A young child kidnapped and the mothers endless battles and fight to find the truth.

You know a book was good when after you turn the last page you must sit and digest it for a while. This book will have you doing just that. What would any mother do if their child was kidnapped. Would she keep looking year after year goes by or would she give up after a while. This is what happens to Maggie. Luckily there are several people to help her on her journey even when the ups and downs are heartbreaking.

This was a highly impressive debut.

A Matter of Chance was a "Read Now" on NetGalley and had fantastic reviews so I grabbed it up and am so glad I did. Maddy makes a decision in an emergency situation that she will regret and hate herself for in the years to come. Vinni was taken from her by someone she trusted. This someone disappears and Maddy is left reeling with the disappearance of her daughter. Years of searching follow and she is tormented on whether she will ever see her beautiful little girl again.

It definitely pulled me in and had me turning those pages until the very end. It made me hold on to my daughter a bit tighter! I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me an advanced copy of this book. A new author for me that I will have my eye on in the future! Definitely recommend. Impressive debut. Can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

Suspenseful and well written family drama. Maddy and her 8 year old daughter Vinni are walking on the beach one day when they come across their elderly neighbors Rudy and Hilda. Rudy has suffered a heart attack and Maddy runs home to call 911 leaving Vinni with Hilda. When she gets back the ambulance has arrived but both Hilda and Vinni have disappeared. Maddy goes through stages of grief, and denial wondering where Vinni is but never gives up hope she will find her someday. The book describes Maddy's search for Vinni and for herself and for her art career while also going through Maddy's relationship with the head detective on the case John. Maddy never stops searching in NY city for clues to Vinni's kidnapping and Hilda's reasoning for taking her. Everything leads up to a satisfying conclusion.