Unsolved by Heather Critchlow
General Fiction (Adult) - Mystery & Thrillers

Unsolved is a gripping thriller with characters and a plot that will keep you glued page after page. I love the way this author wrote this story. Not just with the compelling writing style and flow but with the way Critchlow wrote with feeling and suspense. The characters have this edge to them, you know something is being kept under wraps and just waiting for the other shoe to drop is the best feeling while reading.

A well-written debut! Unsolved has all the markings of a good mystery. And it also hints at the next installment that looks to be on the same level. The characters, the plot, the writing are all conducive to make Unsolved a good read.

I was on the edge of my seat reading this. It was such a page turner and I stayed up all night reading it!

A chilling debut about a cold case mystery that left me with chills. It's a crime solving skills needed kind of story. I had my detective glasses on!

This book is the first in a series and I could not be more excited! This the story follows multiple cold cases potentially tied to a serial killer. The killer is in jail and won’t reveal all of his victims. Cal is interviewing him for his true crime podcast and to try to get information on additional victims.
The story told in dual timeline and multiple POV. A cold case victim tells her story in 1986 and Cal tells the story in the present. The story takes a little different turn from what I expected in chapter 1 and I was hooked on the story. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series and see where Cal goes.

True crime and a pod cast?! YES! Admittedly I had a hard time getting started on this book, but once Cal became fully invested in finding out what happened to Layla I too was ALL IN. The book alternates present day with the past, and two points of view with Cal and Layla, successfully weaving together a story that I could not read fast enough. I liked the way Cal's mind worked to solve Layla's disappearance, and I enjoyed the development of his relationships with the women in his life. The Scottish countryside plays a big part of this book, lending a very creepy feel to the story.

This is book one in a series and I see book two is due out in January and I cannot wait to read it.

Thank you NetGalley and Canelo for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A real page turner that I read in one sitting, I couldn't put it down it was absolutely gripping. I would highly recommend

Because I'm a big listener when it comes to true crime podcasts I always enjoy a well written fictional story that includes one and Unsolved was a great read.

A good sense of unpredictability and a really engaging main protagonist made this atmospheric and entertaining. The central mystery is intriguing and the characters back story is also fascinating.

A really great introduction to this new crime series. I'm definitely on board for more.

I am normally not a "series" person, but this first book was a great start. I'm interested in reading the second book and hope it comes out soon. I received a free copy for my honest review.

Book Review: “Unsolved” by Heather Critchlow

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5 stars)

In “Unsolved” by Heather Critchlow, we delve into the world of Cal Lovett, a man driven by his obsession to uncover the truth behind missing persons cases. As the host of a true crime podcast, Cal dedicates himself to helping others find justice, even as he grapples with the unresolved mystery of his own sister’s disappearance. When the distraught family of a missing Scottish woman seeks his aid, Cal embarks on a journey to Aberdeenshire, determined to unveil the hidden secrets lurking in the hills. However, what he uncovers may lead him down a path that intertwines with his own family’s past.

The book presents an intriguing premise that immediately captivates readers. The author skillfully portrays Cal Lovett as a complex character whose backstory and motivations are well developed. His relentless pursuit of justice and his personal connection to the case create a compelling narrative thread throughout the story. Cal’s dedication to helping others reflects his deep-seated desire to find closure for his own family’s tragedy, adding depth and emotional resonance to his character.

One of the book’s strengths lies in its vividly depicted setting. The atmospheric descriptions of Aberdeenshire transport readers to the misty landscapes and rugged hills of Scotland, enveloping them in an eerie ambiance that enhances the mystery at hand. Critchlow’s attention to detail brings the setting to life, immersing readers in the story’s atmosphere and adding an extra layer of enjoyment.

However, “Unsolved” does suffer from some drawbacks that prevent it from reaching its full potential. The writing style occasionally feels clunky and lacks finesse, making some sections of the book less engaging than they could be. Additionally, the pacing of the plot is inconsistent, with moments of suspense and intrigue interspersed with slower-paced sections that detract from the overall momentum. This uneven pacing can disrupt the reading experience and diminish the impact of certain plot twists.

Overall, “Unsolved” is a mixed bag. While it may not be a standout thriller, it offers enough intrigue and well-developed characters to hold readers’ attention. The book’s atmospheric setting is undoubtedly one of its highlights, drawing readers into the mysterious world of Cal Lovett’s investigations. Despite its flaws, “Unsolved” remains an adequate choice for those seeking a moderately engaging mystery novel.

**ARC Via NetGalley**

I love an unsolved crime and a missing person trope. It has also got a true crime podcast. This was a well written book which I enjoyed and I cant wait to read the next instalment.

An exciting debut. True crime podcaster Cal Lovett is haunted by the disappearance his older sister since he was little. This draws him to the cold case of missing Layla Mackie. When Cal gets a call from a convicted serial killer, he realises that some things just don't add up. A totally compelling read that will keep you hooked until the very last page.

I was so pleased to be approved to read this book and I'm so happy to say that I really enjoyed it. Unsolved follows Cal as he works on his podcasts looking over old unsolved crimes, and in this novel he takes on the case of a teenage girl who went missing in Scotland. Cal is increasingly invested in this story as there are some echoes of the missing girl in his own life - his sister who has never been found. I did find this novel a little slow to get going but once I got into it I found it so hard to put down. I loved reading about Cal's life but also the story of what happened to the missing girl. This is the first book in a new series and I can't wait for the next one!

Cal is trying to keep his podcasts going but he is in a writers block. When he hears about the death of a teenager, from the past, he decides to make it his project.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC and to the publisher Canelo Crime.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. I really enjoyed this read! I am abit tired of the whole podcast trope in book lately. This was the exception. Great storyline of a missing girl and our main character aiming to discover what happened. Highly recommend

A debut novel and the first in a new series, Unsolved is a crime thriller set in Scotland, which was immediately a tick in the box for me! I was delighted to read this as I love supporting new Scottish writers and it being a crime thriller book made that even better.

Cal Lovett is a true crime podcaster and has become a bit obsessed with getting justice for families of missing people. He takes off to Aberdeenshire to help a desperate mother find out what happened to her daughter. This case has similarities to his own situation, a sister who went missing, and Cal soon becomes all consumed with finding out what happened to the girl.

The book is written between two times; present day with Cal and then chapters from the past. I really like it when books do this and felt that it brought a whole new dimension to the book. This jumping between times was needed to keep the pace of this crime thriller, and I was always left wanting to read more after I had read a Layla chapter from the past.

Cal has a whole host of his own problems to contend with in this book and issues with his daughter is part of that. I loved seeing their relationship play out and some of the writing was beautifully done. I think towards the end these parts were some of my favourites, which surprised me as it’s not what I would have expected in a crime thriller book!

This books sets things up nicely for book 2 and I believe there is a third book in the pipeline too! I could see this being a series that could be enjoyed by many and I will be keeping an eye out for them in the future.

Cal is a man on a mission he has a teenage daughter who is going through teenage things a wife who feels isolated from him but his mission is to solve a decade a mystery about Layla not to mention his missing sister. Despite his wife begging him not to he feels compelled to visit in ignorant but arrogant serial killer who insists on getting candy bars. He also wants to revamp the podcast or at least his producer does. This is the first book in a proposed Siri‘s but I found the book reads like a great mystery they were many sad parts twists family drama and danger end it all evolves into a great ending I do have certain thoughts about the ending or a part close to the ending but if I say it will give keep plot points a ways and it didn’t bother me enough to skew my rating so I will just say if you like a good mystery and want to start what looks like a great Siri‘s then you need to read Unsolved, I really don’t think a lover of mystery will be disappointed. I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

The first in a planned series, Unsolved by Heather Critchlow features journalist and true crime podcaster Cal Lovett, haunted by the disappearance of his older sister, investigating a cold case of Layla, a young woman, who vanished after a horse ride decades previously.

With pressure from his producer to return his once-popular podcast back to the top, Cal is dogged in his determination to investigate this case at the expense of his family life. Unable to communicate with his wife Cal;'s marriage is falling apart. His teenage daughter is also going through her own issues and yet Cal is compelled to find answers for the family.

I found the scenes with his wife slightly heartbreaking, especially the moment when Cal realises his marriage is all but over. We also see a potential love interest (PTI) boiling, but I have to admit I found this part really hard to stomach, given he is so emotionally constipated he cut off his wife, but happily confided in PTI.

The resolution of the case had a couple of minor twists. I do feel this book had first book syndrome - there's a lot to set up about Cal and his life, plus solve the mystery, so I felt that the emotional beats didn't quite land for me. I think this is in part that I know intellectually where he's at, but I don't quite feel who he is. Maybe that's the point! But, overall I think this is a solid and promising debut and I eagerly await more Cal and seeing where he develops as a character.

Thanks to Canelo and NetGalley for the ARC.

Cal is a journaist and true crime podcaster with a legion of followers - he documents and investigates cold cases to try and bring some justice to the family members left in the wake of tradgedy. A tradegy he only knows too well as when he was a child his elder sister Margot disappeared and her story became a cold case. When a notorious criminal asks him to visit him in prison, he jumps at the chance to interview him to discover if any more victims come to light - however the information he is given is too close to home for Cal, how does this murderer know so much? When a family in Scotland reaches out and asks Cal to investigate the case of their missing daughter some 20 years earlier he jumps at the chance, he wants to give the closure to families that he never got. As the case unravells, it becomes tangled in his troubled past, but can Cal put this aside to help find out what happned to that girl so long ago?

This book was nothing short of brilliant! I was instantly gripped by the characters and storyline, and I was invested from the first page. Cal is a complex charater, but it's understandable after what he's been through in his life, but this makes the story even more interesting. Cracking read, thouroughly enjoyed it! I'm looking forward to the next installment, and I'll definitely be purchasing it!

Thank you for the advanced copy in exchange for my review, would definitely reccomend!

Unsolved has the ultimate combination of everything that would be on my wishlist for the perfect crime thriller - unsolved missing persons cases, a true crime podcast, serial killers, a long list of possible suspects and a protagonist who is desperate to uncover the truth. I couldn't ask for any more but what's so great about this book is that you actually get two mysteries for the price of one! The main storyline follows Cal as he is called to the Aberdeenshire countryside to investigate the disappearance of Layla for his podcast Finding Justice. This case is particularly hard on Cal as it dredges up a lot of bad feelings from the time his sister Margot disappeared when he was just nine years old. Coming up to what would have been her fifty-fourth birthday, a surprising lead completely stuns Cal and he starts to believe that he might finally be able to put an end to his family's torment of never knowing what really happened to her.

I am a big fan of books featuring true crime podcasts so this certainly wasn't the first book that I've read with this type of storyline. However, there was something about Unsolved that really hooked me. I feel like sometimes the podcast hosts in these stories can be too arrogant and assuming - overstepping in the investigations and believing that they above the law. Cal on the other hand was such an engaging character. His background and his reasons for creating the podcast were grounded in a understanding and empathy with the victims' families, and a need to help them find the truth rather than trying to get a one-up on the police.

It didn't take long before I was totally invested in Cal and his search to find out what happened to his sister so I was thrilled to see that there was also a sneak preview of Book 2 in the series. From what I've read, it seems even darker than this first investigation so I cannot wait to read on!