Member Reviews
Thank you to NetGalley, Joe Clifford, and Square Tire Books for providing the ebook. This is a powerful story about deep, lasting trauma and its effects that persist into adulthood. It explores the complex ways the mind and body cope with such pain, and how living with the weight of the unknown can be unbearably torturous.
This thriller had moments of gripping me and having me on the edge of my seat and moments where I was confused and disappointed. The ending didn't stick for me.
All Who Wander is one of those books that engages the reader from the beginning. It's a story of poor relationships, lack of love and affection, physical and emotional abuse, and living life in search of redemption. Brooke is enraged with the life she leads, she feels betrayed, unloved, abused and wants to leave everything behind, and so she does without leaving a single trace. Her disappearance will darken her step-brother's, her ex-boyfriend's and her best friend's lives till someone decides to get revenge and then all hell breaks lose, making the past become the present and the secrets held coming to light. With a great plot, All Who Wander is fast-paced eliciting the characters to shed their covers and face the truth.
I thank Mr. Clifford, his publisher, and NetGalley for the copy of this book.
This book had all my favorite thriller aspects…dual POV, domestic thriller, alternate timelines, etc. This was so suspenseful and such an enjoyable read!
Thank you Square tire Books and NetGalley for this ARC of All Who Wander by Joe Clifford
OH MY GOD, were the only three words I had when I read the blurb, whilst I was reading this book and when I finished this book!
Brooke went missing, presumed dead in 1998, Her brother Robert was never fully satisfied with the verdict and then a young woman claiming to be her daughter comes knocking at her uncle's door. This sets of a chain of events, uncovering past deceptions, half truths, shocking secrets and a nail biting finish...
Every Chapter compelled me to read, just one more... and before I knew it, I had read to the end, and wow I did not see that coming. This is a must read and whilst it is my first Joe Clifford book, it's definitely not my last.
A page turner and a must read! With really amazing wintry vibes. Loved it.
I absolutely breezed through this fantastic thriller that had all the checkmarks of what a thriller should be. This was written and structured so well that it was so easy to label this author as an auto-buy/read. The plot was thrilling, the characters were well rounded and the end was all wrapped up incredibly that you don't want to miss out on this read. Honestly I wish I was exposed to this author so much earlier.
This was set up as a dual timeline: (1) Brooke and the few days before her disappearance and (2) twenty-one years later of her half-brother Bobby (now Robert), who was now an esteemed professor, being paid a visit from a young woman claiming to be Brooke's daughter. This thriller dove so much more into all of that, about Brooke's life as well as Robert's current family dynamics and his own struggles. There was the psychological thrill that rode beautifully throughout the reading as well as the emotional redemptions in a lot of these characters. The unraveling of what had happened was done so well with this. I 100% recommend this book!
Thank you to NetGalley and Square Tire Books for the eARC. This was published Sept 5, 2023. All opinions are my own.
All Who Wander is a psychological thriller involving the disappearance of Brooke Mulcahy, twenty-one years ago. Robert Kirby (Bobby), Brooke’s half-brother, has moved on from the tragedy and is now a university professor, living a comfortable life, with a family of his own. He is no longer the strange, teenage boy who Brooke despised. Brooke was young, reckless and had a hard upbringing. Years later, when a young woman comes forward claiming to be Brooke’s daughter, Robert decides to do some investigating. The story is told in dual timelines and contains a host of horrible characters, including Robert and Brooke. Despite the unlikable main characters, I still enjoyed this mystery. Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my copy of Joe Clifford’s book.
Good thriller about a missing person, well written and suspenseful! Requested from Net Galley for my Kindle, I had never read this author before. Story line was interesting and really liked the ending. Could have used less vulgar language! Will read others by Joe Clifford.
I really enjoyed All Who Wander by Joe Clifford. This psychological/domestic thriller is told through dual timelines and multiple POVs. In the past, we meet Brooke, a 20 year old dealing with a traumatic childhood. The present is Robert’s story, working to figure out what happened to his stepsister years ago.
The timelines weaved together seamlessly, and I found myself really enjoying the main characters, even though they weren’t always particularly likable. The ending prevented me from giving this five stars. I was underwhelmed and was expecting more. All in all, this was a very entertaining read.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
Joe Clifford’s All Who Wander is a gripping psychological thriller that delves deep into the human psyche, exploring themes of loss, redemption, and the haunting shadows of the past. This novel is a masterclass in suspense, keeping us on the edge of our seats.
The story follows the protagonist, a former detective turned private investigator, drawn back into a cold case that has haunted him for years. The disappearance of a young girl in a small, tight-knit community sets the stage for a complex web of secrets, lies, and unexpected twists. As he digs deeper, he uncovers connections that challenge his perceptions and force him to confront his own demons.
Clifford excels in creating multi-dimensional characters that are both relatable and deeply flawed. The protagonist’s journey is particularly compelling, as his personal struggles and professional challenges intertwine, revealing a man grappling with guilt and a desperate need for closure. The supporting characters are equally well-crafted, each adding depth and nuance to the narrative.
Clifford’s writing is both evocative and precise, painting vivid scenes that draw readers into the story’s atmospheric setting. His ability to build tension and maintain a sense of unease is remarkable, making All Who Wander a true page-turner. The dialogue is sharp and realistic, further enhancing the authenticity of the characters and their interactions.
At its core, All Who Wander is a meditation on the impact of unresolved trauma and the lengths to which people will go to uncover the truth. Clifford explores the darker aspects of human nature with sensitivity and insight, offering a thought-provoking commentary on the complexities of memory and identity.
All Who Wander is a standout in the psychological thriller genre, offering a compelling blend of mystery, emotion, and psychological depth. Joe Clifford has crafted a novel that is thrilling and introspective, making it a must-read for fans of the genre. Whether you’re a longtime admirer of Clifford’s work or new to his writing, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression.
The plot is good, but it's like a movie that could've been PG-13 and went for the extra stuff to be rated R. The level of drug abuse/sexual activity/ foul language really distracted from the story. - Harm to animals (especially a dog) needs to be included as a trigger warning.
I took a minute to get into the plot and once I did I loved it. I will not post this negative review because I feel like my opinion & feelings may be distracting from my thoughts for the plot. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.
I was given an advance copy of this book from netgalley.com and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are truthful and my own.
I enjoyed this book. I am a sucker for all thrillers that take place in Vermont. I know some people don't like dual timelines, but I thought it worked for this story. It was dark and twisty, and an excellent weekend read.
3.5/4 stars
I liked the writing and was drawn into the mystery, but ultimately was disappointed by the ending and didn’t like any of the characters. The story was gripping and I was able to fly by reading along eagerly waiting to see what happened. When characters are unlikeable it can either make or break the book. In this instance, it was somewhere in the middle. The snow setting gave me chills as it's the perfect environment for things to go wrong. The story does start off slow, but then gets going and twists and turns are at every corner. Some parts didn't have to be included and left some places feeling confusing.
Overall a good book.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This was an awesome read! The story was told in multiple POVs and timeline. It was part domestic thriller and part mystery. The characters were well done and relatable. Looking forward to more from this author
A riveting psychological thriller that explores family secrets, betrayal, and the haunting consequences of the past..The suspense builds throughout and the atmospheric setting adds to the tension.
Many thanks to Square Tire Books and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.
🌟 Just finished "All Who Wander" by Joe Clifford and I'm in awe! 📚 Clifford masterfully weaves together a gripping tale of redemption, loss, and the power of second chances. With vivid prose and deeply nuanced characters, he takes readers on a journey through the heartache and hope of protagonist Mickey's life. From the gritty streets of New Jersey to the windswept coast of California, Clifford paints a vivid portrait of a man searching for meaning amidst the chaos of addiction and despair. If you're looking for a raw and riveting read that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page, "All Who Wander" is a must-read. 📖💫 #BookReview #AllWhoWander #JoeClifford #MustRead #RedemptionJourney #netgalley
I received an complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Highly recommend this great plot with many twists that will keep you guessing throughout the entire book!!
This is a story about a brother and sister. Neither one had an easy childhood due to how they were raised. The boy did fairly well for himself with no help from his 'parents'. The girl left their small town seeking something better. All they found of her was her car, that had an accident in a raging snowstorm. I really felt sorry for these two people. A very interesting story about life and how we live it. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
What a suspenseful psychological thriller with domestic drama and a heart-pounding mystery all rolled into one!
All Who Wander is a deep, dark and dynamic psychological thriller. If you liked Girl on a Train or Gone Girl, pick this one up. I read this in one sitting, I couldn’t find a chapter to stop on that didn’t have me wanting more.
So here is the premise, I don’t want to go in too deep, as not to spoil anything.
In 1998 on a snowy night in rural Vermont Brooke Mulcahy’s car slides off the road. Her car was finally discovered, but there is no sign of Brooke. Her step brother Bobby, her best friend Aaron Reardon and her ex who was very possessive and was an addict are all still reeling from her disappearance 21 years ago.
When a young woman, Lily shows up to Roberts (Bobby) door claiming to be the daughter of Brooke, Robert doesn’t know what to believe. Robert goes back and revisits that night where everything happened. Then he uncovers a horrible deep dark secret. The story is told in a dual timeline and dual POV and is quite the page turner.
Currently on KU for FREE, so if you’re looking for a dark atmospheric read with domestic drama and want to be in the winter season setting, this one's for you!
Told in the past, leading to the night of Brooke’s disappearance and now, twenty years later. Robert is half brother to Brooke who wants to uncover the reason why and how she disappeared. Mike is suspected having been her on and off bad guy boyfriend last known to have been with her that last night. Aaron, one of the good guys, is her best friend that was in love with her. A young woman seeks out Robert to disclose she is the child of his long missing half sister. He doesn’t take her word since many claims and sightings brought false hope through the years. The ending for all characters dramatically changes in the end which is not at all how I expected.