"None of the [documentaries and series about missing girls] ever get to the heart of what's so painful and important...the vulnerability, the exhaustion of being a woman."

Thanks for the opportunity to read this! I enjoyed it for the most part, although I had to suspend disbelief for some of the ending. I liked Grace a lot, and was wrong about what was happening because there are so many suspects in this about who might have harmed Katy! The ending was satisfying and at one point I didn't know how dark it would get. Reminds me of Lucy Foley's Paris Apartment in some ways.

Small nitpick: I didn't buy that the documentary episodes were airing every night - a few of them seemed like they would have been 10-15 minutes long and not entire episodes but maybe the UK does this different.

The grammar wasn't perfect; there were plenty of run-on sentences and times like this one where 'but' was used too often, but I will say that the book read quickly that way. (Example: "new evidence that might encourage the police to reopen the investigation, but it didn't, but that's not to say no one else could." Just clunky sentence phrasing at some points.)

We meet Grace who went through the horror of her daughter Katy disappearing. Ten years on, and having just agreed to a documentary about Katy's disappearance the truth still hasnt been uncovered! Just what happened to her, is she still alive or was she killed? What was she working on at the time and did that have anything to do with it?
I loved this novel it certainly had lots of characters who could've been involved. Can see this being made into a movie.
Many thanks to the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read another of Georgina's books she is one of my new favourite authors just love her style of writing. Can't wait for her next novel. Many thanks to NetGalley as well. Highly recommend if you love crime thrillers!!!! And would love to give more than five stars!

This was an amazing edge of your seat twisty book. If you love true crime forums and podcasts. Watching it online. This is the book for you. One of the best books I’ve read lately!

This was a very interesting book which kept me guessing about what had happened to Katy right up to the reveal, there were just too many options for people who may have been unreliable with their versions of events!
Told mostly to us by Grace, we see her 10 years after Katy's disappearance dealing with the fall out from a documentary which had been made following the story and trying to gain new leads on what may have happened.
While this was an entertaining read, well written with some interesting characters, I can only give 4 stars due to the feeling I've read this story before or something very similar many times!

I got so invested in this plot. From chapter 2 onwards, this felt like a book I'd already read half of (in a good way) and I couldn't put it down. For a story with lots of mystery, intrigue and tension it was surprisingly easy to read and I think that's because I just had to know what had happened to Katy. I had my suspicions about a certain character from mid-way through and it turns out, I had guessed correctly. The crumbs were laid out for me and I followed them meticulously.

My feelings towards some of the main characters in the book were complicated. For instance, Grace was a woman I empathised with hugely but there was something about her that niggled me. She wasn't weak, but I felt at times like I wanted to give her a good talking to and tell her to hold herself together for the sake of finding the truth. Though I should have kept in mind that this poor woman had been going through turmoil for a whole decade.

I loved the concept of this story and the mix between perspectives and the documentary across chapters. I love me a true crime doc but this book was a huge reminder that they are about real people and families with real emotions. This was a fantastic thriller and I loved every moment of it.

True crime investigates Katy’s disappearance 10 years after the fact. When a media company wants to do a documentary about Katy, Grace, Katy’s Mum agrees to be involved as she thinks it will help with information to reopen the case and find Katy. The series doesn’t go as Grace expected and she finds herself following leads with some twists and turns. In addition, Katy’s account of what happened the day she went missing is thrown in from time to time.

Mostly told through Grace's viewpoint this one was a bit up and down for me. Some parts I didn’t want to put down and was desperate to find out what was happening, whereas other parts I found I didn’t care that much. And whilst we find out what happened in the end, the ending didn’t do anything for me.

This book had a bit of everything going on.
There was quite a bit of high suspense and action. Throw in murder, mystery, kidnapping, great detective work and you get an intriguing read.
Definitely some crazy twists and turns….
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to review this book for my honest opinion.

I literally could not put this book down. I read it within a day. It’s fast paced, easy to read and makes you want to keep turning the pages.

Best book I’ve read in a while.

Five massive stars from me.

I received an E-ARC with a request for my honest review.

This mysterious, tension filled crime thriller follows Grace, who is dealing with the disappearance of her daughter Katy ten years ago. The case was never solved but with a few known suspects, Grace has never given up hope her daughter will return.

When a TV company approach about a true crime documentary she is reluctant but with promises it will show the dangers of women on the streets and possible new leads she agrees to take part.

Soon she regrets her decision and decides she must look into the clues herself.

What will Grace uncover? Will Katy be found, and if so dead or alive?

This crime thriller is tense throughout as Grace tries to uncover the mystery behind Katy’s disappearance all of them years ago.

I really felt for Grace as it must be so hard not to have that closure to know what has happened to your daughter and must be heart-breaking.

There is plenty of mystery and secrets to be revealed as Grace continues her own investigation, and the storyline twists and turns the more she discovers.

Overall, a mysterious, tense crime thriller where a mother investigates the disappearance of her daughter.

I’d like to thank HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘True Crime’ written by Georgina Lees in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Katy Harper disappears from the home in Bristol that she shares with her mother Grace while studying to be a journalist at university and working part time at NTV. Ten years later Grace is contacted by Hush Media who want to make a documentary about Katy’s disappearance which Grace agrees to as she’s been doggedly determined to one day find out what happened to her daughter.

I’ve been keen to read ‘True Crime’ as I’m a great fan of true crime documentaries on television and this brilliant novel hasn’t disappointed. The story starts with Grace and how opening this new investigation affects her, then from chapter five the documentary commences with interviews from Katy’s friends, acquaintances and the police officer involved in the case. Initially there were three suspects, Katy’s boyfriend, her tutor and the man who says he’s her father, but the police cleared them all as they had sound alibis. The book is a cleverly-written crime investigation that’s been skilfully constructed, and the sections of social media have added to its depth as comments are made on the progress of the case. There are twists and turns, moments of suspense and disappointment, and I got so involved in the story that the last few chapters brought tears to my eyes as the outcome wasn’t what I’d expected. This has been a thoroughly enjoyable read that’s been totally gripping and different to most crime thrillers I read. +I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Grace's life has been changed since her daughter went missing a decade ago. Theirs been very little information about her disappearance. This book delves into her life and others who went missi1ng. An interesting read.

Drawn in from the first pages.A terrible crime the victims and the aftereffects the public information due to the true crime phenomenon a spellbinding read.#netgalley #truecrime

Grace’s daughter, Katy, has been missing for 10 years when a TV company persuades Grace and all the one-time suspects to participate in a documentary about Katy’s disappearance.
Ideal for fans of a protagonist with a straightforward, storytelling voice and an unexpected development arc.
The TV documentary sections and the social media interactions were well paced.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.

Katy, a journalism student, was gaining work experience in a new office with the goal of becoming a journalist. Ten years ago, she vanished after leaving work. The most suspicious persons in her disappearance had been a lonely younger man from her workplace who seemed obsessed with her, her controlling boyfriend, and a professor known for writing inappropriate messages to female students.

Since Katy vanished, her mother's emotional health has deteriorated, and her grief has evolved into a seething anger. Grace's behaviour is erratic, and she angrily lashes out at those she feels may be responsible for Katy's disappearance or may know something that happened to her daughter. Her behaviour is irrational, and she comforts herself by having imaginary conversations with her missing daughter. Even with much sympathy for her tragedy, Grace comes across as a unlikeable character ( along with other unlikeable characters in the story). The book mainly focuses on Grace's point of view, along with several chapters about Katy on the day she disappeared.

Grace is urged to participate in a true crime TV show involving her missing daughter. She is led to believe that viewers may supply new, vital information that will be turned over to the police. She is told that women will be warned to be cautious walking alone in the dark, as Katy had done. Grace is distressed to learn that much of the programs include interviews with the main suspects, a man who claims to be Katy's father which Grace denies, Katy's closest friend, and a police officer still interested in the case. Katy is portrayed in a less-than-perfect light in a few interviews. The TV audience discusses the shows on internet forums, declaring their theories on the crime. Many believe her to be dead. Grace becomes determined to take risks to learn what happened to Katy, and her recklessness results in much tension and suspense.

Katy was believed to be secretly working on a journalistic expose that would have dangerous repercussions if published. Her article could endanger herself, her informant, and her mother. An effort to guard these secrets and avoid scandal could result in Katy's death. She seemed fearful before her disappearance. The solution had little connection with what we already knew and seemed like an 'information dump.' The story was slow-paced and repetitious at times. Its style was plain and direct.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy of True Crime. The book is to be published on January 30th.

I liked this book a lot. I was slightly underwhelmed by the ending. I would have loved to see them reunited. It would have been more satisfying for me as a reader, but that's only my opinion. Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

true crime - Georgina lees ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’m a not much of a thriller girl but this book had me hooked! It was so different from a regular thriller and told a story through the concept of a documentary.

With both past, present and future timelines, this book had me turning pages all day!

i had my suspicions of course but the plot twists still got me.

The ending was what dropped a star, not because it wasn’t good but it wasn’t happy but I guess that’s what you get from a thriller…

I did not really connect with any of the characters but felt I did not need to to love this book, I still enjoyed it without feeling involved. It made me question everyone!!

If you are looking for a new thriller to add to your tbr this is it!!

This book began with a narrator named Grace talking about her daughter, Katy. I was initially quite drawn in by this, as I found some of the things that Grace said quite thought-provoking, and I felt a connection to her. I felt as though this could easily have been someone I knew.

About halfway through the book, I sort of stopped connecting with what was going on. I think I would have preferred the book with just Grace's narrative alone, rather than other parts talking about the documentary.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for this ARC.

I found the first about 20% of this book slower, but then it really picked up and had a hold on me. I enjoyed all the twists and turns. There was a lot of emotions felt while reading this book and that's what lead me to giving this one 5 stars. I found this book really opened my eyes to what people go through one their loved ones go missing. Although, we may enjoy watching True Crime documentaries there are always people hurting that the missing left behind.

Will be recommending this one to my friends!

I would like to thank Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for an advance copy of True Crime, a stand-alone set in Bristol.

Ten years ago promising journalist Katy Harper disappeared without a trace. There were suspects but no proof of wrongdoing and Katy’s mother, Grace, was left broken and without answers. Now she decides to participate in a new documentary about the disappearance to keep Katy’s case alive, but it doesn’t work out that way and leaves her seeking her own answers.

I thoroughly enjoyed True Crime, which is an engrossing read with several unexpected twists and a moreish story. The format is non traditional, but not uncommon, mixing a straightforward first person narrative from Grace and flashback chapters to Katy’s last day, again told in the first person with chat room logs and synopses of the documentary episodes. It sounds confusing, but is actually quite easy to follow and a good way of imparting facts and impressions from various other interested parties.

The difficulty in the novel is following Grace’s thought patterns. She is still grieving so she’s erratic and illogical, but she’s also determined and spends the novel confronting the suspects, all of whom participated in the documentary, and trying to establish some facts. It makes for compulsive reading as she makes progress. I was less impressed by the reason behind it all, which is an old trope and not particularly convincing and loathed Katy by the end of the novel.

True Crime is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

This was a gripping read introducing us to Grace whose daughter, Katy went missing ten years before. She was never found, despite an investigation into her disappearance. When a production company approaches Grace to produce a podcast looking again into Katy's case in the hope that new information may come to light, Grace finds missing evidence appearing which may hold the key.

This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it. It was a little bit of a slow starter, but really picked up the pace as the story moved on. I loved Grace's character, she was just how a mother should be - dogged, determined and never giving up on her child! Ten years without her daughter was obviously really difficult for her, but as new information and evidence comes to light, Grace may finally be able to put Katy's disappearance to bed and move on.

The storyline twisted and turned as it went on. We are given lots of suspects to ponder over, some which had already been suspects in the original investigation. I couldn't work out who was involved or how and there were lots of red herrings and dead ends throughout. I loved the twist in the storyline, which was totally unexpected, and thought the ending pulled all the loose ends in perfectly! I was hooked into the storyline and couldn't put the book down once I'd started it. A cleverly written crime investigation which I would recommend!