I really enjoyed the way this mystery unfolded. A little boy, lost and suspected to be gone forever, has his story told by a wide cast of characters who played a part in his life at the time of his disappearance. The pacing was solid, and it wasn’t an obvious ending my any means.

The haunting story of what happens after a family’s worst nightmare comes true. Whalen has skillfully crafted a mesmerizing and heart-breaking narrative that still manages to shine a light into the darkness of loss, offering hope that life can and will and does go on.
I listened to the audiobook for this story, and the narration is fabulous. The use of multiple narrators not only made the multiple point of views easy to follow but also made the story come alive.

*Thank you to HarperCollins Focus & Harper Muse for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

An Emotional and Intense Family Drama

SUMMARY
Wyknotte, NC. On Saturday night, TJ Malcor and his younger brother Davy rode their bikes to a nearby cornfield to hang out with the other kids in the area. Hours later, Davy disappeared without a trace, no one knows what happened to him.

Twenty years later, Davy is still missing. TJ, or now Thaddeus as he prefers to be called, has written a best-selling memoir about his family’s experience. Thaddeus does not quite tell the whole story in the book, preferring to keep some things to himself. He is on a book tour when he gets a call from his mother, Tabitha, saying that Davy’s special jacket, which he wore the night he went missing, has been found. A new search begins in the area where the jacket was found.

The police department has assigned Public Information Officer Annissa Weaver to help the Malcor family deal with the barrage of media about this new search. Forgotten by most, Annissa was on the field with Davy the night he went missing. Gordon Swift, the long-standing suspect in the case, is again brought into the police station for questioning.


REVIEW
EVERY MOMENT SINCE is an emotional family drama by author Marybeth Mayhew Whalen. The novel delves into themes of regrets, guilt, and the impact on those left behind when a child goes missing. Whalen's writing is fast-paced, intense, and tragic, drawing in the entire Wyknotte community. She particularly excels in bringing the characters Davy, TJ, and Annissa to life.

Whalen's writing is gripping and evocative, effectively conveying the anxiety and fear experienced by the characters. A standout element of the book is the hopeful friendship that develops between Davy and Annissa one night in the field. Additionally, the weekly routine of Davy's mother, Tabitha, making a list of her regrets for the week adds an intriguing layer to the story.

I listened to the audiobook version, and the captivating performance by a diverse group of narrators made the story come to life. The pacing, tone, and accents added depth to this highly recommended drama.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.


Publisher Harper Collins Focus/Harper Muse
Published October 1, 2024
Narrated Cassandra Campbell, George Newbern, Kirby Heyborne, Jane Oppenheimer, MacLeod Andrews, and Renata Friedman
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

Every Moment Since follows the fractured lives of the friends, family, and accused following the disappearance of 11-year old Davy Malchor. The narrative alternates between the final time he was seen in 1985 and when clues to his fate finally emerge in 2006. Davy's older brother, Thaddeus, has written a bestselling memoir about surviving Davy's loss, and must return home to his small town to await news from the sheriff as to whether they will finally have answers about Davy's case. Back home, Thaddeus must wrestle with the discomfort of his parents' broken marriage, his own lost love and friendships, and even the changes to the town and landscape he knew as a child.

The audiobook features a full cast, and I am always a sucker for that. Each of the actors did a wonderful job establishing their characters and the different time periods for their portion of the story.

This novel was competently written and I appreciate that the author wanted to portray the heartbreak of the families who wait for years for any progress on their cases. However, this novel has the unfortunate fate to have been released in the shadow of All the Colors of the Dark. If you find that book too daunting and would rather read something a bit shorter with an ending that is more pat, then this is a great alternative for you.

This review will be posted to Goodreads and Instagram on October 1, 2024.

A child goes missing...every parent's worst nightmare. But this is just the beginning of this well-crafted tale. Whalen explores every perspective in this very emotional story, from the parents and family, to the town and police force, the suspect, the brother and friend, as well as the victim himself.
This was such an unexpected take on a missing person case. Rather than action-packed whodunnit twists and turns, it carefully unfolded the perspectives of those impacted by the events. I hung on to each word anticipating what might be revealed next.
The multicast audio version was the perfect way to handle the main characters, allowing the listener to feel the impact of their emotions with the dual timeline.
Highly recommended...I've read When We Were Worthy and look forward to checking out more from this talented author.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for this ARL. All opinions are mine.

Every Moment Since by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen is a mystery about a boy who disappeared and his grieving family many years later when there's a new lead in the case.

You know those true crime podcast some of us listen to? This book answers the question, "what is the mourning side's perspective in this case?" The answered as you probably guessed, quite sad.

I didn't know what to expect in this novel, I kind of went in it blind and it did not disappoint. The characters were well developed and the story sucked me in the entire time.

I did guess who it was before they revealed it (I figure around 3/4th into the book). There were a lot of characters which sometimes made it hard right keep track who was who.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an emotional mystery or anyone who likes true crime podcasts.

Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins focus, and Marybeth Mayhew Whalen for this audio Arc in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed my time.

Southern storyteller and favorite author Marybeth Mayhew Whalen returns with EVERY MOMENT SINCE —a heart-rendering, gripping, character-driven story of mystery, grief, and loss.

The author brilliantly explores the aftermath of a tragedy when a boy goes missing that profoundly affects the family members, friends, and the entire community.

About...

1985 Wynotte, North Carolina

More than twenty years earlier, on a Saturday evening in a small Southern NC town, a little boy named Davy Malcor goes missing.

He wore a jacket his mom made for his birthday. Davy was never found, leaving behind a grief-stricken family and a town with a mystery and no answers.

When the jacket is discovered, the cold case reopens, and Davy's family is back amid another media sensation.

Four lives are forever changed by this single night when Davy disappears.

~Thaddeus is Davy's older brother, who wrote a bestselling memoir about the experience, although he is not forthcoming with the entire story.

~Tabitha: The mother. She is divorced and lives alone, advocating for victims' rights and journaling her regrets (maybe not all of them).

~Anissa Weaver: She was a young girl when Davy went missing. She also does not reveal all. She serves as the Malcor family's Public Information Officer.

~Gordon Swift: He was the artist living in the woods near Davy's disappearance. When the boy came to his house, he sent him away. Then what. Regrets. Is he responsible?

Everyone is front and center, and the suspects are lining up. What happened the night Davy went missing, and where is he now? There are many suspects.

My thoughts...

EVERY MOMENT SINCE is a hauntingly beautiful story of the aftermath of a loss, a traumatic event, and those connected with inner turmoil, grief, and guilt to healing. There is an ongoing mystery, and everyone has hidden secrets about that night. What if they could change the events leading up to that night?

The author brilliantly explores this small rural Southern community and its dark secrets in this slow-burn mystery from past to present. Vivid in place, high in emotion, and strong in character, infused with tension and lovely prose, EVERY MOMENT SINCE is my favorite of Marybeth's. I am a Charlotte, NC native as well, and I love and support NC authors!

It's an emotionally gripping family drama—Heartbreaking, compelling, and suspenseful, with unexpected twists; the characters will remain with you long after the book ends. EVERY MOMENT SINCE is an ideal choice for book clubs and further discussions.

Audiobook...

I had the privilege of reading the e-book and listening to the audiobook, which was superior. The audio features a full cast of superstars (some of my favorite narrators): Cassandra Campbell, George Newbern, Kirby Heyborne, Jane Oppenheimer, Macleod Andrews, and Renata Friedman. The audio was exceptional, and the characters came alive. I highly recommend the audiobook!

Recs...

For fans of the author and those who enjoy stories by Jessica Strawser, Eileen Goudge, Susan Redfearn, Rochelle Weinstein, Jen Craven, and Emma Robinson.

Thanks to Harper Muse and Harper Audio for an ARC and ALC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Oct 1, 2024
Oct 2024 Must-Read Books
October Newsletter

I do not normally seek out reading books about children being abducted. But the cover was so pretty and going in blind to all books got me this time. HOWEVER, the book was good. The multiple POVs and multiple timelines were clear and well written. I often feel like multiple povs and multiple timelines are too hard to read as the audiobook but not for this one.

This is book is about handling pain. An 11 year old boy has gone missing. The timelines are the day he goes missing and 20 years later. The point of views are the brother of the boy, the mom of the boy, and a girl who was there that night.

I loved the full cast of narrators for this audiobook. I felt like it helped bring each character to life. The beginning of the book was a little slow for me and it took me a few chapters to understand where the book was going. After the first few chapters I was hooked. The flipping between the past and present was done well, helping add detail and context to the situation. I was glad the family got closure and enjoyed how the book ended. I felt like all my questions were answered.

This was very unexpected.
The story is about an 11 year old boy (Davy), his older brother (Thaddeus) and his very young sister. Davy always wanted to tag along with and play with his older brother. Of course Thaddeus, (aka TJ), wanted nothing to do with his little brother. So, when their parents were going out one night, with friends, TJ promises to take Davy out with him for an hour, and then return them both home to the babysitter and their little sister. This is back in 1985.

🛑 STOP HERE if you don't want to know anything else, as I'm going to give a loose outline here! 🛑

TJ wants to go out drinking with his friends, for the first time ever. He does NOT want his little brother with him...so, he loses him in the surrounding forest...figuring he'll just grab him up later...to take him home. Unfortunately, when he finally goes to leave, Davy is nowhere to be found...

After spending some time looking for him, he needs to get the police involved...and his parents.

There is a dual timeline in this one, so 1985, and mid 2000's...when we are still looking for Davy.

His mother plays a prominent role in this as well. She has never given up hope.

Their neighbor Anissa also played a part, and now has an ancillary job with the police. But she was just a little girl at the time.

And last, but not least, is Gordon, who was the main suspect, as he was believed to be the last one to see Davy alive...

The book takes you through both timelines, and will literally break your heart over and over as we feel all the emotions the family is feeling...and trying desperately to work through. Right up until the sale of a local property, where the new owner finds a jacket that looks suspiciously like the one Davy was wearing on that terrible night.

And so, we open up a whole new can of worms...
Davy's family gathers together once more to try to find out what exactly is going on.
And the ending just kind of slides into place. No big reveal. But definitely NOT what I was thinking, OR expecting...

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #HarperCollinsFocus, #HarperMuse for an ARC of the audiobook which is due for release on 10/1/24...TOMORROW!

#EveryMomentSince by #MarybethMayhewWhalen and narrated beautifully by a full cast, including #CassandraCampbell, #GeorgeNewbern, #KirbyHeyborne, #JaneOppenheimer, #MacleodAndrews and #RenataFriedman.

Feel free to like, follow and friend me on: Goodreads,
Insta @ #BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine.

Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, and click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️

Rating: 4 ⭐️
Pub Date: October 1, 2024
How I Read It: 🎧

Synopsis

Davy Malcor was just a small boy when he went missing in his small town of Wynotte, North Carolina, but what happened to him that night has remained a mystery for over twenty years. When his Marty McFly jacket is unexpectedly found, his case is reopened and his family is forced to relive his disappearance all over again.

My Thoughts
The character development was good with this book. We got to glimpse into the characters’ past, the events that led up to the disappearance, and the present day. The book had me guessing the whole time, was Davy dead? If so, who killed him and why? Davy’s brother was not nice to him, making fun of him before his disappearance because of his Marty McFly jacket. It bothered me, probably because I knew Davy was going to go missing. It’s just hard to read sometimes and you feel the family’s grief throughout. There a a few suspects, but it’s hard to pin down. The ending was not at all what I was expecting. If you’re going to pick this one up, I do recommend the audio version. The narrators were great and kept me engaged in the story.

❗️Of Note
Child Death
Grief

Themes
🫣 Suspense
🔪 Murder


Ratings
Characters: 4 ⭐️
Pace: 3.5 ⭐️
Enjoyability: 4 ⭐️
Narrator: 5 ⭐️

Thank you HarperCollins Focus | Harper Muse and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book!

It's been 20 years since Davy went missing changing the lives of his family and the whole town., if not the nation. Now new evidence is found and the case is reopened. Opening up old wounds along with it. How much can one family take?
I felt like a part of this story. It is so well written you can not but feel for this family. The narration is called a full-cast narrative. I loved this and the cast Cassandra Campbell; George Newbern; Kirby Heyborne; Jane Oppenheimer; MacLeod Andrews; and Renata Friedman do an amazing job of bringing this story to life. It; 's like live theater and different from what I usually listen to. On a personal note, Thaddeus is a name that three of my family members have so in a way it was personal it is not a common name. Finally, I loved the ending. I don't want to say anything more but don't prejudge.
Thank you to NetGalley, Marybeth Mayhew Whalen, and Harper Collins Focus for the ARC.

📖 Audio Book Review 📖
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

This audio book, while evenly paced, had an anticlimactic ending. The use of multiple narrators did help me as the listener stay connected and follow along throughout the whole story.

You will feel lots of emotions of loss, grief, and sadness.

Release date: October 1st

I loved this book and devoured it in a single day!

This book contains heavy topics and deep emotions, but it was absolutely beautiful. I loved seeing the events of the book through everyone’s different perspectives, and the full cast on audio made it even better.

If you liked Middle of the Night by Riley Sager or All Good People Here by Ashley Flowers, you will love this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the advance copy!

I listened to this as an audiobook. It is such a powerful story about loosing a child, brother and friend. The author does a good job with getting you to feel a bit of what the characters are feeling or at least she did to me. You can distinguish between each character and even tho it is a bit of a slower paced story it really hits you hard and you don’t want to put it down. The ending wasn’t that surprising but a tragedy nonetheless. It goes between two timelines but not in a choppy manner it was very well done. You never loose track between the then and now.
If you are looking for a story that will keep you wanting to read a bit of a mystery, but more of a woman’s fiction. You definitely need to read or listen to this one

Every Moment Since is beautifully written but hauntingly sad. This story is told in two timelines: the fall of 1985 when 11-year-old Davy went missing and 20 years later, when new evidence emerges. I was completely immersed in both timelines, which doesn't always happen for me as a reader. This book is part family drama, part crime/mystery. I enjoyed this as an audiobook, which featured an incredible ensemble cast. This is my first book by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen, and I look forward to reading more from her!

Thanks to NetGalley for early access.

Every Moment Since- The storyline was even paced. Each charter had a lot of development. No much of a suprise at the end but the writing was good. Davy goes missing when he is eleven this story covers how it affects the whole family and town.

It is never easy reading about the heartache of missing children. I think the author did this with such honesty that it differentiated itself from others who have tried. When the book goes back and forth in time you know it isn’t going to end well for little Davy. Weirdly, this book had the exact same ending as one I recently read so I don’t think it had the impact it would have had otherwise.

What a book! This is my first exposure to this author, and I’ll definitely look for more of her writing.

This one is the story of what happens to a family and a neighborhood after a little boy goes missing. We learn the story of that night, more than 20 years ago, and how Davy Malcom went out to play “night games” with his older brother and some of the other boys. But the older ones were more occupied with drinking beers supplied by Phillip’s uncle than they were with playing games. And the older brother, TJ, lost track of where Davy was. The awful truth was, Davy never came home that night, and not the next, nor the next. He was never found.

Davy’s entire family has so many scars. His parents divorced, as so often happens after these tragedies. And TJ, now known as Thaddeus James, has written a bestselling memoir which includes many of the events (although not all of them) from Davy’s disappearance and its effects on him and his family. There’s a man who was suspected of abducting Danny, but the police never found any evidence.

And then—-Danny’s jacket from that night is found.

The family gathers as the investigation begins anew, and the subsequent findings and all that happens with this family are so moving that I dreaded putting this book down. Although this is a grim tale with heartbreaking details of a horrible incident, I really loved the writing.

I both read and listened to the audiobook. The narration was spectacularly done with a multi-person cast.

Five stars! Highly recommend!

Every Moment Since AUDIO by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen is the interesting story of the aftermath of what was thought-to-be a child abduction. Davey disappeared one night when he was playing in the dark, escorted and then dumped y his brother, TJ. It was all their mother’s fault. She just had to go to that party and leave him stuck with Davey. Twenty-one years later, after Thaddeus (TJ) has written a successful memoir discussing most aspects of the case as they know it, Davey’s jacket is found. We hear parts of his book. Then it starts all over again. So many lives were impacted. It was frightening to see it unfold.

Thaddeus felt guilt, also remorse. His mother had started writing weekly regret lists that week. His parents divorced. The girl next door, whom he should have loved and married, married someone else. But, he, Thaddeus had escaped that town and that house. His life was shallow: endless speaking engagements, endless drinking, and endless, nameless women. Then he was called home and odd things started happening. It was a small town and most people hadn’t left. He was happy about that, but also so sad. This was a heart-rending book. This is a situation that can have no good end. Davey had been eleven so it was hard to believe he had forgotten them, but they all hoped for just that. So may people. So many lives. Such a sad, sad book. Well done, Ms Whalen

Narrated by Cassandra Campbell; George Newbern; Kirby Heyborne; Jane Oppenheimer; MacLeod Andrews; Renata Friedman who did an amazing job keeping the characters and the time periods straight. If ever a book called for an ensemble cast, it was this one.

I was invited to listen to Every Moment Since by Harper Collins Focus. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #HarperCollinsFocus #MarybethMayhewWhalen #EveryMomentSince