At first it looked like a tragic accident.

A young girl is found dead during the Edinburgh Festival, but when Detective Rachel Prince and DS Brickall are sent to investigate, there is a very strong feeling that something isn’t right. As they gain more knowledge of the sixteen-year-old Dutch girl’s character it is clear that this was far from accidental.

As well as trying to solve the case, Rachel receives a shock from her past that makes the loss of the teenager much more personal to her.

Alison James has created a real page-turner in Now She’s Gone, I was riveted from page one and just didn’t want this book to end. I loved the relationship between Rachel and Brickall, the harmless banter and the fact that the Sargeant never stopped eating gave some lighter even humorous moments. It was good that Rachel had an interesting backstory and you really felt that you got to know another side to the tough, straight-talking detective.

The pace throughout kept me completely hooked and, for me, the conclusion was satisfying. I shall definitely keep my eyes peeled for more books by Alison James and this one comes very highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me with a copy which I have reviewed honestly.

Chilling prologue that captured my attention!

This is book two in the Inspector/Detective Rachel Prince series. She is an international liaison officer in London. She is sent to Edinburgh to investigate the suspicious death of Emily van Meijer , a student visiting the popular Fringe Festival. She is working the case with her Detective Sergeant, Mark Brickall (who may be sweet on her). Loved their dynamics!

This was a solid crime police procedural that was both intriguing and had me invested in the outcome. I felt that Detective Prince was authentic, strong, and definitely had a snarky sense of humor that I enjoyed. While she is a serious character, her softer side along with her flaws made her seem even more likable.

The mystery unraveled with a steady pace and included some other tidbits along the way. We learn about a secret from Prince’s past and she has a bit of a steamy encounter and reminds herself to “get a bloody grip”. I just loved her character!

This was a fast read for me with plenty of page turning action! Loved getting to know Detective Prince. Book Three please!

Had me hooked from the start. Loved the relationship between the two main characters. Although I guessed who the killer was I still wanted to read it to find out how everything fitted together. Very enjoyable book.

I really enjoyed The Lying Kind which was the first book in the Detective Rachel Prince series. Now’s She Gone turned out to be even better. Rachel is investigating the sudden death of a young woman which had initially been ruled an accident. Soon, Rachel and her partner, Brickall, discover that this is anything but an open and shut case.

This is a solid crime thriller with a well detailed investigation. I liked the fact that Rachel had to travel extensively in search of answers. The investigation included witness statements, a number of interviews, analysis of postmortem results, stakeouts, informers and an in depth search for clues. I thought it was realistic and liked how systematically the entire investigation was conducted.

I really liked the character development of the lead detective, Rachel Prince. In this story, readers get to see her softer side as details of her personal life are revealed. At the same time, Rachel is a savvy detective with great instincts so it was great to see her working this case. Brickall’s character was also well developed in this story and I loved his working relation with Rachel. Certain things he did made me curious to know how things will progress between them.

Now’s She’s Gone is a wonderful addition in the Detective Rachel Prince series. If you enjoy cop procedural, this is one series that you should be reading.

Another brilliant read from Alison James.
This book is a gripping crime thriller which will have you hooked from the first few pages.
Detective Rachel Prince is asked to go to Edinburgh to review the accidental death of a Dutch teenager, at the request of the girl’s influential father, via her superiors.
She takes Brickall with her and they soon realise the death was not an acciden - but can they prove it?
There’s a chilly response from the Police in Edinburgh but as more information is gathered they offer their support.
This book has a good amount of humour in it as well and is something I love about this series.
The investigation is full of ups and downs but the final outcome and build up to this in the book, will have you on the edge of your seat.
This is a gripping crime thriller, full of great humour and a fantastic ending.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Thanks to Netgalley for my copy. 4.5*

DI Rachel Prince and her sidekick DS Brickall are tasked with the investigation of the mysterious death of a 16 year old Dutch girl during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. In the midst of all this someone turns up from Rachel's past and turns her world upside down.

In the first instalment I criticized Rachel and her actions and abhorrent behaviour towards every other female. Although she is still a prickly, sarcastic and feisty madam I did find myself warming to her after finding out more about her background and history. I do think though that the author has softened her edges and made her a much more rounded character, thankfully because I detested her in the first book. It was the writer's talent though that made me return and invested in the book.

I love the relationship between Rachel and Mark and the constant banter and bickering between them. I also want to read about about DI Morag Sillars, I thought she was such a colourful character and could envisage her having a larger role in future. Book 3 needs to come soon.

Great read! Rachel, a London detective was called by her commander to attend a meeting at the Netherlands embassy. Dries van Meijer (a very wealthy and politically connected man) needed closure on his daughter's death. She supposedly fell off a cliff by accident while attending a festival in Scotland. Emily (Dries daughter) never would have been drunk or out taking photos at night. Rachel and DC Brickall go to the scene of the festival in Scotland where this all is said to take place. Doggedly, they obtain information regarding Emily's time in Scotland. DI Sillars, of the Scotland police, is abrasive but ends up being very helpful in the quest for answers about Emily's death. In doing so, they discover that another child, Bruno, in the care of the same couple had died 2 years prior. Coincidence? After visiting her ex-husband and his new wife, Rachel finds out that all is not as it seems. "Discreet" parties being held by some of Scotland's wealthy may be the key. Rachel finds out that antifreeze was ingested by BOTH children. In the midst of all of this, Joe, Rachel's biological son, appears. Joe was adopted at birth. He lends a hand in the investigation, much to Rachel's chagrin. After leads that include Mailboxes R US, cleaners, foster parents, Latvian flyers and dodgy parties, everything knits together tightly. Brilliant! Many twists and turns lead the reader to an enthralling conclusion! A must read! Thanks to Bookouture and NetGallery for the opportunity to read this !

Rachel Prince is a child protection detective whose current case is that of investigating the apparently accidental death of a teen girl. Working alongside DS Mark Brickall, she leaves no stone unturned while struggling to prevent another murder from happening, especially once she unearths the true circumstances behind. After being approved for this title to review, I bought book one in this series, Lola is Missing, and read it just prior to reading this. Having done so familiarized me with some of the characters,

There are more twists and turn than in Lola is Missing, especially concerning Rachel's personal life. As a matter of fact, things almost hit too close to home for Rachel. If you read as many of these suspense thrillers as I do, it can occasionally become quite easy to ascertain the perpetrator. Although my assumptions were correct, this in no way diminished the effectiveness of this book. Despite the darkly and often disturbing nature of the crimes at hand, the book is quite compelling. I nearly read it in one sitting, only taking a brief nap overnight just to complete it. Definitely looking forward to book three in this series.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC to review.

I wanted to like this book more but the beginning was just so unbearably slow and most of it seemed irrelevant faffing about. I enjoyed the subplot about the son, I also liked how the ending remained ambiguous even when you "thought" you knew the story. Good pace after the first quarter, no lose ends. I would like to have seen something more specific than just road names about Edinburgh, I feel it could have been set in any city which detracted for me a little. I also want to applaud because I've never hated a minor character as fast as GGD, at first I really wanted to think he was just a typical pretty twat and within a chapter or so I want to do unpleasant things to him so good job on that! The two detectives really do pair well together but I also would have liked to see him go outside the lines or push things more if he's been censored for it in the past. It seems like it's always Prince rushing in which throws that dynamic apart.

Thanks Netgalley for a ARC to read and give my honest opinion.

Second book in the series, book hints at the first but no real big explanations. DI Rachel Prince is commanded to Edinburgh where a large festival is taking place to investigate a VIP's daughters accidental death. The parents don't believe the mysterious events surrounding their daughters death and pull some strings to get an informal second opinion. Once on scene DI Prince's extraordinary sleuth skills reveal something mysterious is going awry at this festival. There are a couple of curve balls as things get rolling but I enjoyed the ride. Four stellar stars of entertainment!

An enthralling story from first page. I couldn’t put it down! A really good easy read, loved the character of Detective Rachel Prince, felt you really got to know her.. can’t wait to read another of her stories.

An intriguing, intense crime thriller! I was on the edge of my seat with all the twists and turns trying to find who was the perpetrator was. It kept me guessing!!! I totally enjoyed it. I am looking forward to reading more of DI Rachel Prince.

It all starts with Rachel been called to investigate the tragic death of a teenager, Emily van Meijer. DI Rachel Prince and DS Mark Brickall head to Edinburgh to investigate. The local police have ruled it a suicide. But as they dig further into the incident they find that Emily’s death is not the only one to have occurred in unusual circumstances. Rachel is lead down a path that leads to even darker events that she expected.

In this book we get to learn more about Rachel’s past. It is great to get to know more about her and find out her life isn’t so perfect. DS Mark Brickall and her have a great bond. The fun banter between them gives a little light-heartedness to the story, which in this case is needed.

This is an extremely well written police procedural thriller. It takes you down a dark and twisted road. But of course, one that you will enjoy. I was able to relate to the characters and feel every emotion with them.
Alison’s writing is intensifying with each book. She will make her mark and be up there with some of the best crime writers.

I only hope that this book does not go through the names changes as the first book did.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.

4 1/2 Stars

A compelling thriller that grabbed me at page one and didn't let me go! Well written and fast paced!

I loved this book so much. Another #Bookouture book that had me on edge of my seat!
Let me say 100 ⭐️s!!!
The story was so riveting and full of twists and turns. Every turn of events the author through in was intense.
And detective Rachel! I love her. Officer Bricknell is awesome and funny and always eating! 😂 Their partnership dynamic is sweet and fun.
I don’t want to give away anything in this book except that it was dark, very dark but also many sweet moments in Rachel and Bricknells lives.

Thank you #Netgalley, the author and the publisher for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I can’t wait to read more from this author!!!!

Good second instalment in the DI Prince series. Very touchy subject re the crimes committed but I think it was done well. Kept me on the edge of my seat and had the right amount of Rachel’s personal life in it as well as the crimes being committed.

what can i say absolutely loved this book! there are some very good police procedural books being written at the moment and this is definitely one of them. and whilst predominantly the story follows the police investigation there is enough side stories of DI Rachel Prince and her banter with her colleague, DS Brickall to keep the reader interested. i certainly look forward to reading more in this series.

many thanks to netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Now She's Gone by Alison James is book 2 in the Detective Rachel Prince series. I absolutely loved book 1 so I was excited to receive the second book. And it was just as good.

In this book Rachel and her partner DS Mark Bricknall travel to Edinburgh to look into the case of a 16 year old girl whose death has been ruled an accident. Her father has asked them to take a closer look as he believes that his daughter was murdered. On their arrival Rachel and Mark discover that there was another similar death 2 years before. Their investigation takes them into the dark, hidden side of the cities nightlife where nobody is who they seem.

While all of this is going on Rachel is coming to terms with a part of her past that has resurfaces, which will change her life forever.

This is an intense and dark story but one that makes you just want to keep reading. I love the characters in this series, Rachel is a strong, tough woman who will do anything to get to the truth.

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book to read and enjoy in exchange for my honest opinions

I’ll start by saying that I truly enjoyed this book. I’d give it a solid 3.5 stars, rounded to 4 for strong writing, but with one caveat – it was a fantastic police procedural book, but I firmly believe it does NOT fall under the realm of “an absolutely gripping psychological thriller”.

DI Rachel Prince is a strong character, but her life isn’t as perfect as it seems – she has some things in her past that come to light throughout the story. She is a very human character. Not perfect, but very real and overall likeable. Her partner, DS Mark Brickall, grew on me a ton throughout the book. They are working together on the case of a 16-year-old Emily who has died in Edinburgh while on a guided trip with other international teens. The police have ruled it a suicide with no further need to investigate, however her emotionally distraught, wealthy father Dries is not convinced. He uses his substantial power & influence to ensure that the case is reopened, and it takes us down a dark and twisted road.

James is a great storyteller. Her characters were very real and I could feel the emotions they were experiencing. I would compare her writing style to that of J.K. Rowling’s Cormoran Strike series, written under the pseudonym of Robert Galbraith. Very descriptive, intriguing and full of vivid imagery and rich character backgrounds developing the protagonists, but not thrillers.

I will absolutely read more of her work, but when I’m in the mood for (very well done) detective fiction, and recommend this book to anyone looking for the same.

Thank you to the author & publisher who provided an advance copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The wealthy and influential father of a recent accident victim from an Edinburgh festival was sure sixteen-year-old Emily’s death wasn’t an accident. Detective Rachel Prince of London police was sent to Edinburgh to check it out, along with her partner, Detective Mark Brickall. But after the initial interviews, Rachel’s gut instinct told her that there was something very wrong with the verdict of accidental death. And she was determined to discover the answers.

As the investigation deepened, Rachel was shocked to find another student had died in suspicious circumstances two years prior – they had both been staying in the same house during the festival, but two years apart. What was going on? Were young people – teenagers – being targeted? Or was it just coincidence?

With Rachel’s long ago past suddenly on her doorstep, and a colleague giving her attention she wasn’t sure she wanted, Rachel’s plate felt overloaded. Keeping the strands in the right order in her mind were proving to be a challenge. But she knew she was on the right track…

Now She’s Gone is #2 in the Detective Rachel Prince series by author Alison James, and just as intense and gripping as the first. From the very first page the pace was electric; the tension palpable and the plot brilliantly done. I’ll be keeping my eye out for #3 in the series – Alison James is a thriller writer to watch IMO. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read and review.

This was a fantastic read!
Being dutch myself, it was a nice touch to see the Dutch Embassy mentioned.

This story takes our detectives to Edinburgh, where they quickly get involved into parties being advertised on the dark web.
Rachel is a great character, she is very human and I love her banter with her partner. This was a great read and I enjoyed it a lot