This is a heart stopping action packed book. There are so many twists and turns. The plot is intricate and fast paced. The characters were well developed. I liked the main character.

Now this one is a mixed bag for me.

I've previously read and really enjoyed a few of Paul Finch's previous books but this one just didn't quite hot the mark for me. I think it just didn't have the same pace as previous novels which is what I was expecting. This felt alot slower than the usual fast pace the author gives.

Don't get me wrong it was still a book packed with suspense, tension and twists which meant I had to keep going to get the answers I was craving. The whole storyline was a rollercoaster.

The characters were well developed, interesting and believable which is always a massive bonus.

3*

Thanks to netgalley and Orion Publishing for the ARC.

This is the first book I’ve read by Paul Finch but I certainly intend to read more.
I loved the book from beginning to end. Very suspenseful at times with lots of twists and turns along the way. Very well written.

This is the first book I read from this author and I’ve really enjoyed it from the prologue. It’s a fast paced crime triller with engaging characters and unexpected twists. The tension through the book kept me turning the pages and I couldn’t put it down. I’d definitely recommend this book.

If you like your crime fiction to be stuffed to the gills with action, then this latest adrenaline-charged thriller from Paul Finch will set your blood fizzing. It’s a barnstormer of a read: intricate, pacey, and crackling with tension. A page-turner par excellence.

Front and center is has-been hack, David Kelman, once an investigative journalist, now reduced to writing cheap, sensationalist exposés. Ten years ago, David did a bad thing. In his eagerness to get a scoop on a local kidnapping, he crossed a line and blew open the police investigation. His actions resulted in the murder of one of the victims and the disappearance of the other: heiress Jodie Martindale.

When the Martindales once again hit the headlines, this time with the apparent suicide of Jodie’s younger brother, Freddie, David’s curiosity is rekindled. And when some of Freddie’s possessions — including a mobile phone with a two-week old voicemail from Jodie — ‘accidentally’ fall into his hands, David immediately seizes the opportunity to grab the scoop of a lifetime.

What can I say but fasten your seatbelts and hold onto your hollyhocks! This is one heart-stopping, thrill of a ride. After the initial exposition, the pace and twists are relentless, and Finch’s mastery of the narrative so compelling, it’s like watching all the action play out in front of your eyes.

But, this is so much more than a brilliantly executed, plot-driven, action-packed thriller. Let’s just talk for a minute about David Kelman, who initially comes across as a sad, embittered, and not very likable figure. His seeming lack of remorse for his role in the events of 10 years ago and possibly even in Freddie’s suicide is hard to stomach.

As his investigation progresses, however, a new figure emerges: a man who finally owns up to his failings and wants to atone for past mistakes, to be a better person. I loved this transformation and ended up not just rooting for David — who’s street-savvy, fearless and funny — but really, really liking him. Together with his two sidekicks — former colleagues Anushka and Norm — they make a brilliant team.

Please let Paul Finch already be working on a new case for the Essex Enquirer gang. I want more. And soon!

This is an excellent thriller read. Paul Finch has a devilishly dark mind and this is a fast paced and twisty plot that will keep you reading page after page.

This is a highly addictive read focusing on a missing woman. The book moves at a fast pace and I have found it completely unpredictable. I have enjoyed every page and devoured this gem in just one sitting.

The characters in this are well developed and relatable. They come across as a mixed bunch but that makes this a great read. The twists keep coming as you read this one, it’s completely impossible to put this down.

I love how Finch writes, this transports you to the characters and keeps you hooked. I am definitely keen to read more by this author.

Wow! A cracking crime thriller that builds to an action-packed finale. Once you pick up the book you just can’t put it down… My jaw was locked open… Never did I imagine that ending!

Another brilliant novel from the excellent Paul Finch, this time a standalone. A journalist who, some years ago, caused the death of someone when working on a story, comes across some information which could help him to find reconciliation. This is a fast-moving, exciting and surprising tale full of stunning revelations and a satisfying denouement. I loved it!

Compelling, Explosive….
A dramatic disappearance which remains a complete mystery and a message that might just turn everything around in this climatic suspense. Jodie Martindale’s disappearance is still a mystery, a cold case unsolved. David Kelman covered the story. He made a mistake. He now has a message. A compelling, explosive thriller with a well crafted cast of characters and a fast paced narrative.

Never Seen Again – A Finch Classic

Never Seen Again, is the latest thriller from Paul Finch, who writes some of the best Crime Fiction in Britain today. This is no police procedural this is a standalone thriller based in Essex, with some great characterisation, a great pace and bad guys that are easy to hate.

David Kelman has burnt more bridges than he can remember and today has given up on serious journalism, not that anyone would want to employ him. But then he was the master of his own downfall, six years prior when he interviewed the traumatised Freddie Martindale who had witnessed the kidnapping of his sister Jodie and was shot at in the process as he tried to escape.

Six years later Kelman attends the funeral of Freddie Martindale who has supposedly committed suicide. As Kelman tries to find out what happened to Freddie he brings trouble to his door. At the same time, he re-establishes the Essex Enquirer with two former colleagues. This is their first investigation.

David with his former colleagues, Nushka and Norm, their careers both impacted by what David did six years previous find themselves drawn into his world once again. Which brings them face to face with a world they had hoped did not exist. What they bring to the investigation is a moral compass to Kelman’s impulsivity and jumping into things with both feet.

There are intense moments in all Finch thrillers, and this certainly has its breathless moments, where you just cannot see Kelman surviving. There are plenty of twist turns that will keep you guessing as to how it will end. It would be easy to continue but that would mean giving the plot away and this is a book well worth reading.

I can highly recommend this book.

Since his part in a botched investigation 10 years ago, thanks to his exclusive with the victim's traumatised brother after which kidnap victim Jodie Martindale has never been seen again, David Kelman is a journalist/photographer making his living from catching celebrities in compromising situations. That changes when he hears that Freddie, Jodie's brother, committed suicide & Kelman decides to pay his respects. In a stroke of luck, Freddie's last notes on the case & his dead mobile phone come into his possession, & after charging the phone, Kelman is shocked to hear a message from a voice identifying herself as Jodie dated two weeks ago. Kelman is determined to find out what happened to Freddie & if Jodie is still alive.

The pace starts off slow but gradually builds into a taut high stakes ending. Kelman is not a likeable main character at first, but as the story progresses the reader gradually warms to him & his former colleagues, Anushka & Norm. You have to suspend your disbelief at bit that three comparative amateurs could stumble upon the machinations behind a highly organised kidnapping, but it is a gripping read.

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Orion Publishing Group, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

Although some parts of the book develop a little slowly, there is no questioning the complexity of the plot and the rollercoaster of a journey that Finch takes you on with this novel. It's mysterious, unpredictable, pacy and packed full of twists.

Wow, this was a fast paced rollercoaster of a read involving a violent kidnapping being investigated by a renegade reporter who blames himself for causing the death of one of the victims.
Jodie and her boyfriend are kidnapped from their car and the only witness is her 13 year old brother
Freddie. The police begin their investigations and David Kelman, a local Essex crime reporter, decides to cover the story. He manages to find out a fair bit of information but not in a strictly legal way and when Jodie’s boyfriend is found dead and Jodie disappears, Kelman and everyone else including the newspaper blame the article he wrote for revealing too much.
6 years later and Jodie is still missing believed dead when David gains access to a phone call which seems to be from her leading him to restart his investigations. He manages to rope in two old colleagues, Norm and Anushka, and as their enquiries continue, they realise they have managed to involve themselves with some very dangerous people.
I really loved journalists David, Anushka and Norm- they made a great team. In fact I hope they might return in a future novel! I’d definitely be up for reading more about them.
The book was extremely well plotted, holding my attention from the very first page and I certainly didn’t guess the outcome. The main focus was whether Jodie could be found alive and returned to her family or whether the phone call was some sort of hoax.? The tension ratchets up as David begins to get closer to the truth and at one point I wasn’t very sure if any of the reporters would make it out alive.
This was a great read, thoroughly entertaining! The author certainly knows how to write a compelling crime novel. Definitely a five star read and highly recommended!
Thanks to NetGalley and Orion for my review copy.

Never Seen Again by Paul Finch was an excellent book from start to finish especially as I was hooked and could not put it done. This book had great twists and turns throughout and was a great page turner. I loved it and I highly recommend this book.

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publishers Orion Publishing Group for the ARC in return for an honest and unbiased opinion.

Six years ago, Jodi and her fiance Rick went to the cinema to see the latest Batman. Along with Jodi's young brother, him having been dumped on them. On the way home, they park up and send Freddie off to get chips. He hasn't gone far when he hears a scream and returns immediately back to see his Jodi and Rick being taken away... Then Rick is found dead, Jodi remains missing...
Back in the present and journalist David Kelman is on his uppers. A mistake from his past still haunts him. But, circumstances allow him a small chance to make amends. He worked on the original story of Jodi's kidnap and has never got over the part he played and their devastating consequences. Long story short, he comes into the possession of a piece of evidence. Something so shocking and revealing that it threatens to blow the cold case out of the water. Something that, if he investigated it, could finally help him make amends for his past and find some peace...
So, he calls on a couple of old friends to help... Calls on and persuades, that is. He's still a bit poison chalice... But can they get to the bottom of things and find the truth of what really happened to Jodi six years ago...?
Wowsers. This plot took me all round the houses and back again. As it also did with the characters! In a month of any day, I really didn't see it all ending up there! No way... although I did spot one thing early but I'd really put that down to a luck guess rather than based on any substantial facts.
The plot is intriguing and interconnected and so very well executed. Pacing is good, a little slow initially but then there is a lot of foundation to be built up before it can all be torn down as the truth is finally exposed. Characters are well drawn and all play their parts well.
And in David and his two associates, Nushka and Norm, we have an eclectic bunch of, well, misfits I guess. All with something different to bring to the table and their little team gels nicely. So much so that I really don't want this to be the last we see of them. Maybe even this could be the start of a new series...? Maybe... I'd like to hope so.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

I admit to being a fan of Mr Finch's work, having read and thoroughly enjoyed a few of his previous works and Never Seen Again is yet another one to add to the collection.

Here we have a twisty and dark thriller with a plot that is complex which although develops quite slowly, it ramps up and quickly becomes a rollercoaster of a ride with lots of tension and action.

The characters are excellent and well developed. The main character, David, is a journalist who starts off with few scruples and, as a consequence, I found he isn't a particularly likeable person ... at the start at least; he does grow on you as the story progresses. He and his sidekicks, Anushka and Norm, make a great team and I wonder if there is more to come from them? I certainly hope so.

Overall, a great read and I my thanks must go to Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.

David Kelman’s journalistic career was going well until he made a mistake that cost someone their life. Now 6 years later he is working for anyone who will pay for a story but the guilt he feels has never gone away.
When he comes across some evidence that could possibly help to find a missing woman he sees a way to assuage some of his guilt and potentially get his career back on track. He enlists 2 of his former colleagues but they find themselves in a situation far more dangerous than they could have ever imagined. What price will they pay to put things right?
Tense, pacy this book grips from start to finish. It’s a rollercoaster of highs and lows where you think things are going right and something you didn't see coming hits you full on.

Unfortunately this book ultimately wasn’t for me. The blurb drew me in, there was a pretty gripping prologue but then nothing for about 70 pages when the story proper seems to kick in. Maybe just to much of a slow burn for me so unfortunately did not finish.

Seems like I’m in the minority here but we can’t all like the same books.

Thanks for Net Galley and Orion for allowing me access to this.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group for an advance copy of Never Seen Again, a stand-alone thriller featuring journalist David Kerman, set in Essex.

Six years ago heiress Jodie Martindale and her financé, Rick Tamworth were kidnapped. Rick was found dead a week later, Jodie has never been seen since. Journalist David Kelman made a terrible mistake when covering the story, a mistake that everyone claims led to Rob’s death. Now he is a washed up muckraker, who uncovers new evidence and is determined to investigate.

I have mixed feelings about Never Seen Again, although they are not about the novel and are all about me. It is so tense that I had to keep putting it down for a breather. Despite not getting a good run at the novel I view this as a sign of the author’s powerful writing and his ability to pull the reader in to David’s story and to identify with him, despite his lack of ethics and decidedly dodgy investigative methods. He should be sleazy but somehow isn’t, a lack of cynicism and a sense of crusading, perhaps?

The novel is a real rollercoaster with one heart stopping moment after another. David and his two journalist colleagues, Anushka Chawla and Norman Harrington, seem to lurch from one dangerous situation to the next and it’s all based on breadcrumbs of information and guesswork. It’s probably not very realistic, but it’s exciting and stress inducing. To make matters worse (or better, depending on your point of view) neither the reader nor the intrepid investigators have any idea of who or what was behind Jodie’s disappearance. Mystery, excitement and a relatively satisfactory conclusion, what more could a reader ask for?

The novel is mostly told from David Kelman’s point of view in the third person with Anushka and Norman contributing when they have their solo adventures. In the first half the novel also switches between the past and the present before settling into the present in the second half. This works well as it gives events an immediacy that a simple recounting could not manage, especially as the author excels at character fear.

Never Seen Again will not win prizes for realism, but it is a great thriller that I have no hesitation in recommending.

I do love a Paul Finch book. Always guaranteed to entertain and be packed with mystery, tension and unforgettable characters. Never Seen Again did not disappoint, ticking all of those boxes and more. The book centres around journalist David Kelman, a man who had a pretty dramatic fall from grace when his unethical approach to getting a scoop led to a very tragic escalation of an already tense situation. Mistakes were made, and the consequences were deadly. Six years on and David gets the chance to right that wrong, even if it is too late for some, and solve the one mystery that has plagued his career and his conscience - was this really a kidnapping gone wrong and what really happened to Jodie Martindale ... ?

From the very beginning of this book you get a sense of where this book is leading. It may feel pedestrian, especially in those first few pages, but knowing this is a Paul Finch story, it's almost impossible to settle or feel at ease. I was drawn in straight away, if only because I wanted to know what the catch was going to be. It's crime fiction - there is always going to be a catch. And boy was there. Poor Freddie Martindale. Who'd have thought playing gooseberry on your sister's date night would take such a drastic turn. I love how the author manages to turn that quiet opening completely on its head by the end of the chapter, with pulse pounding tension and a real undercurrent of fear permeating each page. It races to a shocking conclusion, really leaving you on the edge of your seat. And that's just the prologue ...

David Kelman is a pretty complex character. I couldn't help liking him, even though there are many aspects of his character that are less than desirable. In many ways he is the worst of the tabloid ghouls, and certainly his most recent career is based on scandal and gossip, ruining the lives of others in order to earn a crust. Yet there is something about him that draws you in. That feeling that, in spite of all he's done, he really does have a conscience and wants to do the right thing by the Martindale family, even if it is a touch too little too late. But he's also a determined reporter who has gotten the whiff of an unbelievable story, and is going to follow the lead no matter how dangerous it proves to be. And believe me it gets hairy.

Alongside David you have his former colleagues, Nushka and Norm, their careers both impacted by what David did all those years ago and yet finding themselves drawn into his world once again. They act as a kind of moral compass and sanity check to David's more impetuous and impulsive nature, even if they don't always manage to keep him under control. The three of them make a brilliant team, with a brilliant blend of banter and journalistic instinct filling each scene they are in. In spite of themselves, David manages to relay a story so packed with intrigue that they cannot resist getting involved, Nushka perhaps a little more readily than Norm ...

The story is paced perfectly, the underlying mystery so carefully threaded throughout the book that it kept me completely engrossed in the story. It's one of those one more chapter kinds of reads that just keeps you powering onward, the tension slowly building up again after that break neck speed ending to the prologue. There are times when we dip back into the past, get shown David's fall from grace and how he managed to derail his and his colleagues careers, but it is the here and now that really captures the inquiring mind. There is a constant sense of threat, as well as a real point of conflict between David and, not only the Martindale family, but the police as well. Brokering scandal was not David's only legacy as a journalist, and he has many enemies in many places, some more obvious than others.

As this is a Paul Finch novel, you are safe to expect some quite intense moments, scenes where the threat is high and the action full on. This is most definitely the case this time around, and from just beyond the halfway point the pace, the tension, and the action, really picks up. It can get quite intense, and with few allies, its set to get pretty hairy for David and his friends. It's violent, but not gratuitously so, but if you've read any of the author's other work then you know not to expect the bad guys to simply hold their hands out and say 'it's a fair cop, Gov'. These are the scenes where the characters may surprise you, and the ones that had me smiling the most. The reasons I love reading books by this author.

Fast paced, full of mystery, action and intensity, it's another winner for me. Definitely recommended.