An absolutely gripping reflection on the true crime phenomenon, and the various victims of both the initial crime and its exploitation for entertainment.

True Crime by Georgina Lees follows the story of a mother whose daughter was abducted, and even after 10 years, she hasn't accepted the presumed death. When offered the chance to participate in a reality show about her daughter's disappearance, she accepts, hoping to uncover new details about that tragic night. However, she gets increasingly entangled in a web of secrets larger than herself, secrets that led to her daughter's disappearance. What I liked is that we not only witness the mother's perspective but also Katy's (the daughter) before her presumed abduction, aiding the reader in connecting the pieces. Additionally, some chapters are dedicated to describing the reality show episode as if the reader is personally witnessing it. The story is captivating, engaging, and never verbose.
I enjoyed the character cast, although I would have liked even more tension and mystery. Nevertheless, I believe the author did an excellent job, and I highly recommend this book to all genre enthusiasts, especially those who appreciate true crime.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC in return for an unbiased review.
Katy has been missing, presumed dead for ten years.
Her mother has never given up hope of her safe return and via a online chat page about Katy's disappearance What happened to Katy ten years ago and will her mother uncover the truth.
Decent read and worthy of a solid 3.5 stars which I'll round up to four.

Grace's pain steps off the pages of this book and smacks you in the face- how can she ever get over the disappearance of her only child with no body and no answers?
Tangled up in a search for Katy and for the truth a number of untrustworthy and unsavory characters come to the fore as a documentary around the 10th anniversary of the disappearance is made and aired.

The book moves at a good pace and each character is well introduced within the plot- that goes from Grace to Katy to the documentary perspectives and makes nice use of online forums to deliver snippets of suspicion.
I was slightly disappointed in the ending but otherwise a really good read.

I really enjoyed this book a lot!

I thought the author did a great job at showing the complexities of life after someone goes missing and the way true crime documentaries that we are all so enamored by aren't just TV shows...they're lives. While it's entertaining to us because we aren't directly affected by them, they are real events that ruined the lives that we're watching.

It was a very quick read and I enjoyed it a lot. The end seemed far fetched when you first read it, but when you really think about it...is it? Maybe not.

If you're into true crime documentaries and mystery books, I think you'll enjoy this. I would recommend it.

thank you to net galley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC.

Really good! I found myself reading late into the night because I couldn’t put it down. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Now this is what I call a page turner. I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish this book, aI just had to know. At first I thought this was going to be your typical missing girl story but it was far from it. I loved the true crime documentary storyline that helped to tell us what happened to Katy.

10 years ago, Katy disappeared on her way home from work. She hasn’t been seen since. Her mother, Grace, still holds out hope that she will come home, and agrees to be part of a documentary about her daughter’s disappearance. She hopes that it will bring about new leads so she can find her daughter. We hear the story from Hrace and Katy’s points of view as well as the documentary.

I thought the author did a fantastic job of showing the emotions and the fears of this left behind. Her mother’s sadness and hope felt so real, I was sad for her. The ending was nothing like ai was expecting and I loved it.

Thanks so much to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. Publishes on January 30th, this is well worth picking up

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

True Crime was the first book of this authors that Ive read. I found the first 30-40% of the book hard to get into and a slower pace than I’d like.
I flew through the last 60~% and couldn’t put it down.

True Crime was a quick read and I really enjoyed the concept. It read as a real true crime story. A mother never stops looking for her missing daughter. A true crime podcast enters the equation and things get suspenseful.

Thank you NetGalley, Harper Collins UK and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to One More Chapter and NetGalley for the ARC. My first by this author. I really enjoyed the writing style for a quick domestic suspense that flowed well and kept me reading. Recommend

Ten years ago, young student/journalist Katy went missing. The case was never solved and her mother, Grace, has had to live with subsequent pain and anger. Now, a true crime documentarian wants to delve into the mystery and interview all the suspects from that time, including the boyfriend she split with, the sleazy professor, and the colleague who appeared to be stalking her. As they go down the rabbit hole of investigation, will new clues surface and what will be the human cost of the show?

It’s been a while since I stayed up late into the night and early morning to finish a book, but this one did it for me. Well written, engrossing, and quite realistic, the story grabbed me and would not let me go. As the twisted story unfolded, I kept wondering where it would go. At first, the solution seemed a bit questionable to me, but the more I thought about it, the greater the plausibility.

The narrative is told from Grace’s POV interspersed with Katy’s accounting of her last day before she went missing, and a summary of what is revealed in the episodes of the documentary. There are some important topics broached here including the true crime phenomena and the exploitation of victims and those surrounding them as stories are documented. It is, as the book points out, a painful fact that being white, pretty, and from better socioeconomic status helps for one’s story being covered and it doesn’t hurt to be blond. The constant vulnerability of women in society is another critical theme explored here.

I’m glad I found this book…well worth the read for mystery/thriller fans.

There’s nothing more exciting than finding a new author to add to your reading list, and if this book is representative, then most likely, it will not be the last one I will ever read from her.

The tale was cleverly narrated from several points of view, allowing a rich palette of views to enhance the story’s textured feel. I flipped through its pages, which was gripping since it involved a high level of intrigue and suspense that did not allow me to put this book down.

The author’s telling of this story proves her superior skill in narrating and making an exciting plot. It’s a must-read for those who love great thrills with serious plots.

Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

I enjoyed this book so much!

It is really well crafter. You'll meet a cast of well-crafted characters, each with their own motivations, secrets, and quirks that add depth to the story. Grace, Katy's determined mother, is a relatable and compelling figure, driven by love and an unwavering desire to uncover her daughter's fate. The supporting characters, including the controlling boyfriend, the inappropriate professor, and the clingy colleague, add layers of intrigue and mystery, ensuring readers are kept guessing with every twist and turn.

What truly makes this novel stand out is its insightful exploration of the emotional toll experienced by those left behind when a loved one disappears. The author skillfully delves into the complex web of emotions, guilt, and obsession that entangle Grace and others connected to Katy's case. The narrative gracefully alternates between the present-day investigation and flashbacks, creating a compelling storytelling structure that keeps readers engaged.

Perfect for true crime enthusiasts and anyone seeking an inviting and immersive read, this book offers a fictional yet entirely believable glimpse into the complex dynamics surrounding a long-cold case. With its well-crafted plot, relatable characters, and an unrelenting pursuit of truth, this novel will keep you captivated until the shocking, final revelation. Mrs. Lees has crafted a story that will leave you with a sense of satisfaction and wonder, making it a delightful addition to the true crime genre.

True Crime is gripping, suspenseful and twisty!!! What I enjoyed the most was the way it was written from three angles, Grace (Mum) in the first person, the documentary and Katy at the time of the event (10 years prior)

We are left guessing throughout.

This is definitely Georgina Lees best book to date.

I found this book really easy to get into and because I wanted to know what had happened to Katy it meant I couldn’t put it down. I really enjoy Georgina Lees books and this one was great.

Thank you to NetGalley and one more chapter for my advanced reading copy.

True Crime follows Grace who is taking part in a true crime documentary about the disappearance of her daughter, Katy, who vanished years before.

I wanted to love this, the premise was great but I just found it a bit messy and the unrealistic twists were just a bit much by the end.

Omg wow this book was awesome it was a different take on a crime book. Which I absolutely loved it had me glued to my kindle from the very first page until the very last. Fantastic fast paced thriller told from two different perspectives that definitely helps build the tension. It had many twists and turns which I had me gasping at some. Excellently written which I can’t wait to recommend. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my advanced copy.

This was a much different approach to a missing persons mystery than any I have read before. For so much of the book, I wasn't sure if Katy, who disappeared ten years before, was dead or alive. The author, Georgina Lees, pulls this off quite well.

Katy's mom, Grace, is left completely devastated by the situation, and Georgina does a great job of showing how difficult life has been for her. The action moves back and forth between real-time events and the last day Katy was seen. The revelations about Katy's life and the secrets she kept are slowly revealed.

I thought this was a well written 5 star book, but I wish the ending would have been different.

Ok a definite 5 star book right here! It was so fast-paced and engaging! This book had my head spinning and reeling (in a good way). I absolutely devoured this book and I have zero regrets! Will be buying a physical copy when it comes out for sure!

Always nice to find a new author to add to your list and if this is anything to go by it won't be the last I read by them.
Told in different points of view this was a brilliant read filled with mystery and tension throughout I really couldn't put it down and read in one sitting..For me this is definitely one to watch out for in 2024, your in for a treat.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK One More Chapter for the ARC.