Every Moment Since is a very powerful story of a small town and the cold case of a young boy. I appreciated the character development and plot line in this novel as it kept my attention all the way to the end. The narrator was easy to listen to.

Thank you Net Galley, Marybeth Mayhew Whalen and Harper Collins Focus for the opportunity to preview this title. The opinions shared are my own.

This novel/audiobook is now available.

I really enjoyed this book! I loved that it was a full cast audio book. I feel like it added so much depth to the story. I like how real the whole book felt. Everything that happened felt so natural and well written. The pacing was good and there was enough suspense to keep me focused and engaged.

Thank you so much NetGalley & the publisher Harper Muse for allowing my to listen to an advanced copy of this book!

I really enjoyed this mystery book. We’re following a family in this small town where one day in 1986 their youngest son goes missing. We follow multiple POVs, which at first was a little confusing not gonna lie. We also follow 2 timelines, one is from the night the little boy went missing, and the other is from “present day” which takes place in 2005. The writing was good & I thought the characters were interesting to follow.

Ultimately I felt it was very surface level all of the topics that were brought up throughout the book. I don’t feel like I got to know the characters super well or anything like that. We just saw them at face value. The only character who I thought was interesting was Anisa. Also the mystery got wrapped up very quickly in the end, almost too quickly for my taste.

Overall a good read, but not outstanding! I would recommend if you’re just getting into mysteries.

Wow, what a stunning, heartbreaking, beautiful book! I have become obsessed with literary mysteries lately and this one hit all the notes. This is a story of grief and the way a little boy’s disappearance changed the course of so many lives. Full of observations about humanity, and woven with a compelling mystery as to what happened all those year ago, I never wanted to put it down. Such an amazing book!

Every Moment Since takes readers on an emotional journey into the lasting effects of grief and loss, framed around the cold case of Davy Malcor’s disappearance. The story gently unravels how tragedy reverberates through the lives of those left behind, offering a thoughtful and sensitive portrayal of this emotional weight.

Whalen does an excellent job of showing the deep toll grief takes on her characters, making you feel their pain with each page. It’s a book that demands a slow pace, allowing you to sit with the raw emotions. However, the pacing can be a double-edged sword—at times, the momentum drags, but it felt... necessary.. for the story’s depth. It’s not a fast-paced thriller with quick answers but more of an introspective look at the impact of loss.

The cold case mystery isn’t always the main focus, which may leave some readers wanting more of the crime-solving aspect. Instead, the story shines brightest in its exploration of the emotional aftermath, where Whalen’s writing truly stands out.

This book isn’t for readers in search of a high-stakes mystery, but for those who want to explore the deep emotions of loss and the slow, often painful, journey toward healing.

This is my first by Whalen but I’d be interested to try another by her. I really enjoyed this story.

While not necessarily thrilling, in terms of pacing or the cast of characters, if you are a fan of true crime and find yourself drawn to stories of missing children, such as those the book is dedicated to, this felt like a very respectful, true to life account of what it could’ve been like for so many. It's not so much about the mystery of what happened to Davey, but more so about the effects of what a missing child can have on a person, a family, a community.

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I am typically leery of true crime. As a woman and a mother, these headlines always feel too-possible. So I am fascinated by Marybeth Whalen and her deep interest in the genre. For her, following these stories, and tracking the outcomes, is a way to honor both the victims and their families. It is a way to ensure that they are not forgotten in our ever-changing and fast-moving news cycles. So it will come as a surprise to no one that true crime is the focus of Marybeth’s latest novel—Every Moment Since—which publishes today.

What may surprise you is that—despite my apprehension of the genre—I absolutely loved this novel! Every Moment Since is a dual timeline story that alternates between the disappearance of a little boy named Davy Malcor in 1985, and twenty years later when his cold case is reopened due to new evidence. The book bounces back and forth between the “before” and the “after,” slowly increasing the tension until it cleverly culminates as past and present collide.

Told from multiple perspectives, the story dives deep into the hearts and motivations of those who knew, loved, and were impacted by Davy. In 1985 we meet Davy Malcor himself, a sweet eleven year old boy obsessed with Back To The Future and we can’t help falling in love with him. His mother, Tabitha, has deep desire to create an identity outside of motherhood—but twenty years later we see how Davy’s disappearance has become her very life. Thaddeus begins the story as a normal teenager who wants his freedom, especially from his pesky little brother, and ends up a guilt-ridden adult who has written a bestselling memoir about those events. Other characters, including the sheriff investigating Davy’s disappearance, the public information officer who knows more than she can say, and the person of interest in the case add depth and dimension to a story whose impact ripples throughout the whole community. (On a side note, I highly recommend the audiobook version of this story as it is populated with a full cast which helps you get to know all of these characters).

What I really appreciated about the telling of this story is that the focus is not on the trauma of Davy’s disappearance, but instead on the humanity of those left behind and how they survived and learned to live again afterward. In the hands of a less experienced author, this would have only been a story about loss. Instead, it is a story of redemption with echoes of real life. It is the way true crime stories should be treated, and it is the novel that Marybeth was born to write.

At its core, Every Moment Since is about hope and healing and the resilience of the human spirit. And if there is one thing we know about Marybeth Whalen, that is the kind of story she excels at writing.

🍁𝔸𝕃ℂ ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨🍁

📖: Every Moment Since by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️{4}

I found this to be an enjoyable listen, just not super grabby for a mystery, definitely a little on the slower side. It read more as adult fiction with like an overarching mystery storyline for me if that makes sense! But I really liked the story itself and felt the author did a great job portraying the different characters. There’s multiple POVs and timelines in this one as you follow the story of young Davy’s disappearance one Saturday night. I loved to see how she portrayed how everyone’s lives were affected by his disappearance not just immediately, but years later. There was also a surprising amount of character growth for a mystery, I feel like it’s not something I typically see a lot of in these types of novels and I really enjoyed it!

𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭 𝓲𝓯 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮:
🍁unsolved child disappearance
🍁small town mystery
🍁multiple POV
🍁multiple timelines
🍁character development

𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚛, 𝙷𝚊𝚛𝚙𝚎𝚛 𝙼𝚞𝚜𝚎, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙽𝚎𝚝𝚐𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚢 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚊 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚗 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝙰𝙻𝙲. 𝙰𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚖𝚢 𝚘𝚠𝚗.

A young boy, Davy, goes missing in the 80s. The case is cold. We jump to today and get to follow 4 people close to Davy: his brother, him mom, an Information Officer, and a suspect, as they all react to Davy's jacket being found all these years later. This book was really well done. I was in tears by the end. Pick this up if you like mysteries, especially cold cases.

I highly recommend the audio. There were 4 POVs and each one got is own narrator. They all did a great job.

I'm not sure why I'm drawn to books and movies about missing children. It's truly a parent's worst nightmare. This book definitely powerfully captured how a tragedy like this affects the entire family.

Every Moment Since is about the night an 11 year old boy named Davy Malcor went missing and how his family has lived every moment since that awful night 21 years before. It's told from the perspectives of his mother Tabitha (Tabby), his brother Thaddeus (formerly TJ), Gordon who is a man that has long been suspected of being involved in Davy's disappearance and Anissa who met Davy the night he disappeared and then becomes the Public Information Officer for the family when the case is re-opened when Davy's Marty McFly jacket is found.

I listened to the audiobook and kudos go out to the narrators as well as the author. This was an excellent book but the audio really made it that much more powerful.

It's a sad story, but without giving anything away, I'll say that I felt that it ends with closure and hope that this family will survive and thrive after this horrible tragedy.

Thanks so much to Harper Muse, NetGalley and MaryBeth Mayhew Whalen for the advanced reader copy of both the e-book. Both are available for purchase now.

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
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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.

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