Kudos to Carissa Ann Lynch for tackling a subject that not many people are willing to talk about - spousal abuse. It was a times heart breaking, but sometimes it seemed like everyone was being abused and felt heavy handed. It did catch my attention and I devoured it in one night. This is my first novel by this author, but I do want to check out her other mystery/thrillers.

A woman fleeing domestic violence, a missing child but there is no record of her existence. Is Lilly real? Ellie is called in to investigate and the more she does the more questions she has.
Ellie: The police officer called in to investigate the missing child. As the only woman on the force, she had a lot to prove, but finding the missing child was her main priority. She was focused and once she had an idea, she acted on it whatever the consequences.
Nova: Fleeing domestic violence, she takes Lily her daughter and goes into hiding.
Clara: The landlady of Nova’s rented property. After her daughter moved out, she lives there where her memories and secret that she wants to remain hidden.
With dedicated chapters for Ellie, Nova and Clara, it enables you to follow the case from each of their POV and learn more about their backstory. Each chapter was well labelled so there was no confusion which character you were reading about. The topic of domestic violence was written with sensitivity and through Nova, you got to learn what she went through on a day to day basis. As Ellie was investigating Lily and with no evidence to prove there was a child. Her determination to solve the case was strong and even when she had nagging doubts, she still remained focused.
This story was well plotted and due to its fast-pace, I read it in a day in between real life. With the mystery of Lily, I kept changing my mind whether the child was real, which made me read quicker. This story had plenty of twists and everything is explained in detail and it all comes together at the end. Without giving anything away, I did have to google one part of the plot as I was not aware of this happening in the UK so I was interested in reading about it.
This is another good thriller written by this author and it would be interesting if we had more cases involving Ellie.

Another new author for me and I definitely need to read more from this author. The premise has been done before but this one is OMG SO GOOD!!!!!
Once I started this book I could not put it down, it got my heart racing, holding my breath at times and tapping my kindle faster and faster. This book is gripping, tense and had me most of the time sitting on the edge of my seat. YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK!!!!!! After reading this book it has left me wanting more. An easy five stars and so Highly Recommended.
I would like to thank the author, Harper Impulse and Killer Reads and Netgalley for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

# Without Trace # Netgalley
Oh my word, I am totally blown away by this novel. With twist and turns you could not even begin to know which way they are going. It’s absolutely beautifully brilliant, especially once the in-depth story towards the end starts to unravel. Not in a million years did I expect it to end the way it did. You just wouldn’t even have thought about it, which in itself makes for a fantastic read. You can’t help but feel so much fear and almost tearful of Nova and Lilly’s domestic abuse. I love the way the author as brought this problem to the forefront of people’s mind. I don’t think whatever country you live in, it’s pretty much the same, not enough is being done about it. I would have loved to have known how Clara if any was...... stopping myself now, I do believe whoever as read the book know what I am trying to say but I genuinely don’t use spoilers if I can help it. This is a novel that goes deep into certain situations that should be more open, Carissa Ann Lynch thank you so much not just for The hours I was literally hooked on the amazing book. But also for bring a taboo subject to light. To all you other readers YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK, ITS BLOODY AWSOME, very very clever written. I can not praise this book enough. In one word SPELLBINDING

Enjoyable and a fun read!

The story caught my eye from the moment I read the blurb, and I just knew I wanted to read this book. I was not let down and can recommend this to everyone!

This was a very interesting read. There were so many twists and turns - some you cold predict and some you would have never seen coming. Each chapter after the first few intro ones, were just full of secrets and reveals as you tried to understand - is there a missing little girl or not? And where is the mom / wife?

I liked the POV of the detective too. Her office politics and frustration made the lead into how things played out and all the twists so much more believably.

I did think the message was a <i>little</i> heavy handed. But the message was a good one so I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing. I liked this one!

This was a gripping, tense thriller about an abusive husband and a missing daughter. The story cleverly circles around until all the dots are joined up by the end. Very enjoyable thank you I would read this author again.

Thank You Net Galley, Harper Impulse and Killer Reads and Carrissa Ann Lynch for a chance to review this book.

There's something about a missing child and marital abuse that makes for really painful reading. Coz' even after the book is done, the story lingers in the mind. Carrissa Ann Lynch's Without a Trace definitely packs a punch, the premise of not being able to determine the existence of a child is itself a very interesting concept. The story moves thru 3 POV's. There's the Mother, Nova, the Cop, Ellie and then the neighbor, Clara. There's enough suspense built into the story that the tension ratchets up to a maddening tempo. Each and every one has some secret to reveal and thus the drama of missing child manifests into a domestic abuse, missing spouses and what not. I loved how the author has used the bare minimum to convey the thrilling aspects of the story. Impressive!

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. I'm unsure what I thought of this book to be honest, it seemed to drag in places, but was rushed in others, and whilst what was going on became clear, it felt contrived. The author wrote multiple characters well, and I liked the concept of how Nova sought support for her abuse, but there were other aspects of the story I'm uncertain about. I can't put my finger on my ambivalence about this story, but although I wanted to find out what happened, I wasn''t as captivated as I am with some books.

Great book will be reading other books by this author.
Will also recommend this book to others.
Great read! 5***

Nova and her daughter Lily have escaped the prison her husband keeps them in. When they arrive at the first safe place Lily is abducted from her bed. The police can find no records of her existing! Not even a single picture.
A very twisty read. The POV switches between Nova, the cop and the neighbor or landlord Nova rents her getaway hideout from. This wasn't a book I easily knew what would happen next in. I finished it in hours wanting to know what really happened to Lily and Nova.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and author for my copy to read and review.

What a Big page turner, Without a Trace was By Carissa Ann Lynch before I knew it, I had finished it.
I found this brilliant book hard to put down. I would recommend this book to anyone who want a quick read that will have you hooked.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Impulse and Killer Reads for my e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a great book, easy to read and follow. The characters were described well so you really understood them. I didnt want to put the book down it kept
my attention and made me really wonder and change my mind on who really did it!! lol. A new author that i will follow from now on and can’t wait to read whats next by her. Thank you for the ARC.

Loved the book!! It was fast paced and I couldn't stop reading because I needed to know what happened. There were so many twists and turns. I wasn't sure who to believe and kept wondering if Lily really existed. On the other hand, I kept thinking, if Nova is telling the truth about her husband then he is one scary/crazy person. Loved Officer Ellie James and she was by far my favorite character. I hated how her fellow officers treated her. Not sure how I feel about the ending. I honestly wasn't expecting it. I thought it was going to end differently but was so happy to finally learn the truth about everyone.

Definitely recommend the book. Loved every part- the story, characters and writing style. I can't wait to read more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harper Impulse and Killer Reads through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Title: Without A Trace

Author: Carissa Ann Lynch

genre: thriller

pages:200



Lily’s gone.

Someone took her.

Unless she was she never there…

A little girl has gone missing.

Lily was last seen being tucked into bed by her adoring mother, Nova. But the next morning, the bed is empty except for a creepy toy rabbit.

Has Nova’s abusive ex stolen his “little bunny” back for good?

At first, Officer Ellie James assumes this is a clear custody battle. Until she discovers that there are no pictures of the girl and her drawers are full of unused toys and brand new clothes that have never been worn…

Is Ellie searching for a missing child who doesn’t actually exist

My Thoughts

Rating: 5

Would I recommend it? yes

Will I read anything else by this author? yes

This story pulls you in from the very start it makes you ask is Lily real and if so where is she, was she taking by her father , or was she killed by her mother or did some one else take her, or is she a fragment of Nova's imagination, and those are the same questions that Officer Ellie James has to answer as well, right form the start you since there is something really wrong but who is telling the truth and if Lily is real then why can't Ellie find anything on her and why doesn't nobody know about her, or if they do know about her who are they protecting is is Lily , Nova or both or is it Nove's ex, like I said it pulls you in to the story and keeps you guessing and making you want to know what it it the truth and what are the lies and who is tell them . There are times that I would go back and froth on with Lily was real or not. And there is more going on then what you think is going . With that said I would like to thank Netgalley for letting me read and review it exchange for my honest opinion.

A page turner, impossible to put down. Thrilling and nailbiting-ly good. The only thing I had an issue with, was the abrupt ending. It felt a little rushed, something I wasn't ready for at this point. Aside from that it was really, really good.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Impulse and Killer Reads!

Really good read. I liked the plot and the characters and the writing style. There were a few shocks and the build up in the suspense was great. I did not guess the ending and thought it was a good way to end the story.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

I've read quite a few of this author's stories and they usually involve domestic settings, with a mystery, and cleverly built suspense. The stories are dark and the characters are believable, but usually have secrets, which lead to outcomes most readers wouldn't foresee.

'Without A Trace' is creepy and sinister, told from three main, first-person points of view. The psychological thriller is characterised by an unreliable protagonist. This story has three and accompanied by a plot full of twists, and misinformation. It is difficult for the reader to decide who to believe. What is the truth? What is fiction? Are the answers somewhere in between?

Domestic abuse is the primary theme of this story, it is the reason Nova runs. The twisty plot is always coherent, you can see where this story is going, but you don't know what you will find when you get there.

The short chapters, providing viewpoints from the three main female protagonists, work well with this suspense led story. The reader has to wait to see what happens next to the character, whilst they are given additional facts and motivations from the other characters.

Poignant and dark this story has important messages, and the final events and resolution of the mystery are realistic and memorable.

I received a copy of this book from Harper Collins - Killer Reads via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Nova has left her abusive husband and rented a log cabin next to Clara's farm in West Virginia. Nova lived with her husband in Tennessee.She did not feel comfortable living with her daughter in abusive relationship.she is afraid Martin,her husband,will find them.When she goes to check Lily she is not in the bed.The cop Ellie's mom is afraid for her safety and how people in church will view her being a cop. Ellie is busy trying to figure out what happened.Clara was having breakfast when heard Nova scream and the police arrive.I liked the multiple points of view.There was action from beginning.Nova has been talking to a friend online for escape tips and that's how she got to WV. A lot of twists and turns but was able to predict the ending .

Unputdownable!!

Wow! I think this just might be Carissa Ann Lynch’s best work yet! I was completely and immediately hooked!!! I could NOT stop reading. I love these characters. The story line had me on the edge of my seat. I had no idea what was going to happen.

With some surprising twists and turns, Without A Trace, is an absolute must read. This is one I’ll be recommending to my friends.

I can’t wait to see what Carissa Ann Lynch comes up with next!