This is my first book by Joe Hart and it will not be my last. It was a fast paced thriller and kept me on the edge of my seat. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review. To be published April 2024.

As a longtime fan of Joe Hart I’m always excited to see a new release. This time around we get the sequel to Where They Lie, titled Never Come Back. This is the second book in the Nora McTavish series, and another excellent thriller. I’ve been reading Joe Hart for over a decade and enjoying thriller after thriller. They are as great as anyone out there, if not better.

In Never Come Back Nora is working her latest case helping her childhood friend fight for custody of her daughter Kendra. Unfortunately for Nora all is not what it seems and a missing child is just the tip of the iceberg. An unexpected call from a childhood friend sends Nora down the rabbit hole of emotions. Her internal struggles with her own childhood trauma are again front and center. This is where Joe Hart shines, creating characters with depth and a have a life of their own. The mystery and plot are well constructed, no holes to be found here people! I’m always at a loss to solve it before the conclusion. This makes the ride all the better when I finally reach the conclusion.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Nora had a hard childhood. Harder than most. She does not let this define her, and makes her life’s work about providing a “Sanctuary” to families in their hardest times.
She is incredibly likable, and not to mention totally kick ass. Joe Hart poured an incredible amount of intelligence, self awareness, and insight into our main character.
Nora gets the chance to reconnect with a long lost friend, Tess, who she knew at a simpler time, when they were kids. Tess desperately needs Nora’s help to maintain sole custody of her daughter, Kendra, after Tess’s now ex husband is accused of murdering one of his students.
Nora must decipher truths from lies, and clear blurred lines to get to the bottom of things.
Who really killed the student? Where did Nora’s mom go all those years ago? Can she actually trust her former best friend whom she loved like a sister?

‘Never Come Back’ was an action packed journey. It almost felt like a movie.
Hart does an excellent job of making the reader feel like they are in the scene. I could hear the rain tapping on the windows, and could feel the cold of the Pacific Ocean while I read about it. The fact that there are multiple questions being asked at once, was so exciting and really kept me on my toes, without being confusing or overwhelming. The slight hints that are given can easily be skipped over, but that is the beauty of Harts writing. Sometimes the answer was right in front of you.

I throughly enjoyed this book, and cannot wait to read more of Joe Harts work.

Good book, great storyline! Strong, brave, female protagonist! I received a free ARC for review and this is my honest feedback.

Thank you Thriller Book Lovers, Thomas & Mercer, and Joe Hart for the advanced copy of Never Come Back in exchange for my honest review.

Worth noting: this is book two in a series, but as someone who did not read book one I can attest to the fact that it can easily be read as a standalone.

This was sooo bingeable and twisty, I absolutely loved it! I originally rated it 4 stars but woke up the next morning still thinking about it so had to amend my rating to 5 stars.

I love the mix of old secrets and new, the fact that as the reader you never really knew who you could trust, and the big reveal maybe feels like you should see coming but I definitely did not.

Based on the book's ending I think it's safe to say this series will no doubt be continuing. I definitely will be reading more from this author in the future!

Never Come Back will be on bookshelves April 2.

Nora has struggled with her past for years so when someone from that time reaches out for her professional help, she really cannot say no. Not when there is a child involved. Her friend from childhood is in the midst of trying to protect her daughter as her husband was the number one suspect in a college students death but the charge did not stick and so now he is fighting to get more custody of his daughter. But things are never as they seem and as Nora tries her best to help her friend and her daughter things are not seeming to add up and the mixed information she is getting has her questioning her friends true motive for Nora's help. Maybe justice did get this one right, and the husband is innocent but with a child in the middle Nora knows she cannot leave until the truth comes out. This was such a good read and I really enjoyed the storyline and how it all came together. I am looking forward to reading more by this author. Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Thriller Book Lover Promotions for the complementary ebook. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

This was a thrill ride that I truly enjoyed despite a few areas that I had to suspend some disbelief over. While I was reading the second in the series about Nora McTavish, I decided I needed to go back to the first book and check it out to see if her backstory was necessary to understand while reading the 2nd book. I listened to Where they Lie and discovered that while I got a little more of her backstory, it wasn't necessary for me to read book 2. So that was great to be able to share that it is a stand alone book in the series that provides enough information to allow you to understand the history of her trauma. With that said, I do recommend you read book #1 if only you will appreciate some of her insightful mindset to the world around her. She is portrayed as part detective/advocate/warrior of justice. I like her character even if romance isn't going to be part of her vocabulary. You can tell she is keeping her relationships at arms length.
Given all of that, this story is a continuation of her finding herself in the middle of things that are messy and violent. She goes to help an old childhood friend that she hasn't seen since she was 9 years old and so there is a bridge that needs to be crossed to reconnect. There's some mystery and thriller elements to this story and the pace is fast and keeps moving quickly. I enjoyed her observations of the world around her (particularly men that she seems to have a knack for reading their motives and personalities quickly). I think I'd like to see her get some professional help with her childhood trauma and abandonment issues so we can see how it might allow her to break down some of her walls.
The main story is also bookended with a case that she is working on in her capacity as a child advocate and that story reveals how broken the system of child welfare can be. I like that we get to see her fight for children and families reveal a side of her that is fierce as hell.
The final aspect of the story centers around her missing mother who left their family when she was a young child. It is revealed that Nora may have a clue where her mother might be and it leaves it open to the possibility that she may go searching for her.
My only gripe is that we get descriptions for other characters in the book but we never get any of Nora. It is revealed at some point that she's in her mid 30's but we don't know what she looks like. I like to visualize a character especially if we are following them in a series where I'm going to try to get to know her deeper. Also, how she has the money to "not work" at times seems a bit of a mystery as well. These little details are sometimes just the thing to make a reader feel closer to the character and I feel would add to the story.
Given all that, I recommend this series and look forward to another installment.

Nora a child advocate goes back to her home town to help an old friend that is going through a custody battle after her ex was accused (but let go) of murder.
Nora's time is spent going back to her home to help a young developmentally disabled couple keep custody of their young child and staying at her friend Tess's house to help. While she is staying with Tess strange things happen such as a rock being thrown through a window of her house, a black SUV following them, etc. As Nora starts discovering some of Tess's secrets and lies there are twists and turns leading up to a satisfactory ending.

Joe Hart did it again! I was completely enraptured by the second book in the Nora McTavish series. First of all, can we discuss how eye catching that cover is. Once I cracked it open, I was riveted. Nora is a phenomenal character. She has many layers that Hart exposes slowly. Her terrifying past is always mixing in with the present. In this book Nora, has gone out on her own as a family advocate. She knows the system inside and out, considering what her own family experienced growing up.

Nora is shocked to hear from one of her friends whom she has not seen in twenty years. Tess is in desperate need of Nora's experience. Her ex-husband has been accused of murdering one of his students and has been let off on a technicality. Tess does not want him near their 9-year-old daughter Kenny. With a touch of doubt Nora heads their way. She is met with family secrets, affairs, and so many people who could be behind all the weird occurrences. Who can any of them trust? Can they even trust each other?

I loved how the past and the present flowed effortlessly throughout the book. Bringing you so much closer to Nora and the strength that she has. She is one of a kind and will do anything for a child that is being mistreated. I hope there is a third book coming out, I need more Nora in my life. Thank you, Joe Hart, for sending me a copy of your newest book. I could not put it down! Do yourself a favor and read this series.

Frankly, I love Joe Hart. I love the series he creates. I love his horror, even though it terrifies me. I love the characters he creates and I love that many of his books are set in the Midwest (not this one.) I read Never Come Back in one sitting, never suspected who the killer was, adored the pre-teen - which I rarely, never do - so, naturally, I loved this book as well.

I really enjoyed the first Nora McTavish book, and when I saw there was a second one, I wanted to read it right after finishing the first. I didn't enjoy it as much as the first though. I did like most of it, but somewhere along the line it lost me and didn't have the same grip on me that the first did. I think maybe there were just a few too many things that felt pretty unrealistic for me.

Overall it was good, I just preferred the first!

A second book in a series featuring Nora McTavish (the book can be read without reading the first book). Nora, a family advocate, is called by a childhood friend (Tess) to help when Tess's husband is accused of murder. Concerned about her daughter's safety and her husband's released from jail, Nora is called to help out the family. Twists and turns, who did what and when makes for an exciting read. I plan to go back and read the first in the series.

3 stars for readability but the story just didn't hold water. The main character is a family advocate, which sounds great, but the way she describes it doesn't sound like she could make money. People's actions didn't make sense -- I can't explain without spoilers but nothing about the way things happened seems like it could have worked. And one of the characters turns out to have been doing terrible things but it's shrugged off because the person didn't know the truth.
I've read other books by this author and I'll read more.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

Three plots running parallel - one bittersweet, one scary and one TBD for the future. Action, surprises, betrayal…Never Come Back has everything for a quick to read, solid mystery.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read this ARC.

"Never Come Back: A Thriller" is book two of the Nora McTavish series. I had read book one and found the character of Nora well developed and a protagonist I would follow in a series. This is saying a lot for me because generally I tend to stay away from series books because I just can't commit to anything when it comes to reading (too many books, so little time!)

Nora works in child advocacy and does not let many people get close to her. She has a painful past yet she is empathetic, a champion for others and despite having only a relationship with her loyal dog companion, she does indeed have a big heart.

In Never Come Back, an old childhood friend, Tess, has reached out to Nora. Tess' husband has been arrested and accused of murdering a young girl on the campus he works on. Tess could use a friend and some help throughout this ordeal. Tess has a very bright 9 year old daughter Kenny who is, understandably, having a though time.

Throughout the book, we dive into the mystery wondering if Tess' husband Neil really did kill someone and if he didn't, who did? Mixed into the book, it hits the topic of child custody, child abandonment and touches at your heartstrings.

The ending of the book had some great action heart pounding edge of my seat moments which I appreciate in any murder mystery/thriller.

Would I read a book three of Nora McTavish? Absolutely.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the electronic advanced reader copy to read and review.

“Limits…we all have them. I prided myself on knowing my own and trying to obey them”…

Now a family advocate, Nora McTavish helps people everyday - especially those who most need it. Nora knows all about that; with her hellish childhood and complicated life, helping others weaved into the very fiber of her being. When her childhood friend Tess calls for help, Nora feels compelled to help her. Tess is recently divorced and fighting for sole custody of her daughter Kennedy. Her husband was accused of murdering a student and even though he was cleared of the crime, Tess still doesn’t feel safe having her daughter with him. When Nora begins to investigate, strange things start happening in Tess’ neighborhood, causing Nora to think that Tess may not be telling her the whole truth.

I loved Joe Hart’s previous book in this series, “Where They Lie” so much that it was one of my top reads of 2023! Hart created such a mysterious and deeply complex character in that of Nora McTavish. That being said, it’s definitely better to read the first book before starting this one, as that gives a lot of background information on Nora. Putting her previous experience as a CPS Agent to use, Nora is now a family advocate, still leading with her heart but never forgetting to apply the lessons she has learned.

I truly had no idea what was going to happen next in this story! Like Nora, I got the sense that the situation with Tess was more complicated than it appeared but I wasn’t expecting the twists and turns things would take. Nora is a very likable, relatable character and it was fun to see how she grew in this story, in her new role and personally too. I can’t wait to see what is next for her, because I really hope there is more in this series!

I can’t “Never Come Back (Nora McTavish #2) releases April 2, 2024. Thank you to Netgalley and Joe Hart for the ARC!

Nora goes to help an old friend she hasn't seen in years and in the process get's drawn into a custody dispute, intrigue and murder.
I loved the characters and were completely invested in Nora and what she was trying to do. This is the second book in a series but can definitely be read as a stand alone novel, I've not read the first book but will certainly go and by it!
100% recommend if you like a thriller

"Never Come Back: A Thriller" by Joe Hart is a gripping novel of suspense that delves into the complexities of family, lies, betrayal, and murder. Nora McTavish, a family advocate, finds herself entangled in the turbulent custody battle of her childhood friend Tess Grayson. Tess is fighting to protect her daughter from her ex-husband Neil, a university professor rumored to be involved in a scandalous affair with a student who was later found murdered.

As Nora investigates the shattered Grayson marriage, she discovers layers of secrets and lies that challenge her understanding of the situation. The novel skillfully unravels old secrets and explores Nora's own past, adding depth to the narrative. The tension escalates when another murder occurs, drawing Nora closer to a dangerous killer.

Hart weaves a compelling story with well-developed characters, intricate plot twists, and a strong sense of suspense. Nora McTavish emerges as a resilient and relatable protagonist, navigating the complexities of her profession and personal life. The author's ability to capture the emotional struggles and moral dilemmas faced by Nora adds depth to the narrative.

"Never Come Back" is a captivating addition to the Nora McTavish series, showcasing Joe Hart's talent for crafting suspenseful and emotionally charged thrillers. The novel offers a perfect blend of mystery, drama, and character development, making it a highly recommended read for fans of the genre.

I would like to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy for the book. This is my honest review.

This book started very slow for me. I honestly had to keep pushing myself to keep reading. It finally picked up and got interesting about 60% in. After that I finished the book quickly.

My biggest issue for me, is I just never connected and cared about any one in the book. So that made it very hard for me to want to continue. I have read the first book in this series and did not have a huge connection with Nora but her job and the story keep me reading. In this book she has changed jobs and while the new job is a part of the book. It just did not have the same feel for me. I almost wanted to skip over the job parts of the book just to get thru the book.

When it finally got interesting, I could not put the book down. I did not see the who it was until it was uncovered. Had some nice turn of events i did not see coming.
So in the end it was worth the read.

I am not sure if I will continue this series, just for the fact I don't care about Nora or knowing what is next for her in life.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the copy of Never Come Back by Joe Hart. Every once in a while a thriller will come along with amazing writing and great characters that completely involves me in the story. I really liked Nora, an independent family advocate, who is called by her childhood best friend after years of being out of touch for help with a custody battle. Nora goes to see how she can help Tess, which is the main part of the plot. There were a couple of smaller but significant stories, one about Nora’s mother who abandoned the family and the other about Gayle and Joel, parents trying to regain custody of their daughter. How Hart weaves all of the stories together for a satisfying conclusion is masterful and emotional. This was a new author to me and I’ll be looking for his other books because I loved this book!