On a shopping trip Sally answers her phone, when she turns back around her 8 year old daughter Amelie is nowhere to be seen. Panic stricken Sally isn’t convinced her worst fears have come true and someone has taken Amelie. Sallys husband is a ex police officer turned private investigator and he is sure this could be connected to one of his old cases and he knows the longer his daughter is missing the less chance of her being found alive.

This was an all rounder of a suspense thriller, kicking off with a frenzied start with Amelie missing. A lot of the book was going over Matthew’s past which at times bored me as I knew these were just snippets and not the full story, after finishing I found out there are previous books featuring these characters which I would have liked to read first as I don’t enjoy reading books as standalones if there were others beforehand, I think I would have had more enjoyment if I had read the others. The ending suggests there will be more from these characters so I think I will go back and read the rest.

Many thanks to NetGalley, publisher and author for my eARC.

I have mixed feelings about Close Your Eyes by Teresa Driscoll. It’s one of those books that’s hard to pin down—part of me enjoyed the journey, but another part was left feeling underwhelmed. The pacing is slow, and not much really happens for large portions of the story, but I still found myself turning the pages. Driscoll has a knack for crafting those little hooks at the end of chapters, the kind that compels you to read “just one more,” even if you’re not entirely gripped by the plot. That’s a skill I admire in an author, even if the overall story didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
For much of the book, I struggled with the lack of excitement or significant developments. It’s clear Driscoll wanted to build tension gradually, but at times, it felt too drawn out. I kept waiting for that pivotal moment when everything would shift, and while there were some intriguing revelations, they weren’t enough to make up for the slower sections. The end of Part 1, however, was where things started to pick up. Introducing a new perspective gave the narrative a much-needed boost, and it’s the new character’s story that made the book worthwhile for me. It added layers to the plot and created a sense of urgency that had been missing earlier on.
Unfortunately, the ending left me feeling flat. After investing so much time in the mystery of why Amelie was taken, I was expecting something shocking or emotionally charged—something that would linger with me after I closed the book. Instead, the explanation felt tame, even forgettable. The motivation behind the abduction lacked weight, and I couldn’t help but think the author had missed an opportunity to push boundaries. A more controversial or unexpected resolution would have made the story so much stronger and left a lasting impression. As it stands, the conclusion didn’t match the promise of the build-up, and I felt a bit cheated as a reader.
That said, there’s something to be said for the book’s readability. Despite my frustrations, I kept coming back to it, eager to see how it would all unfold. It’s a testament to Driscoll’s writing that I enjoyed the process of reading, even if the final product wasn’t as satisfying as I’d hoped. Her ability to create suspense and craft engaging characters is undeniable, even if this particular story fell short in some areas.
Overall, Close Your Eyes wasn’t my favourite by Teresa Driscoll, but I wouldn’t write her off. She’s clearly talented at weaving together mystery and suspense, and I’ve enjoyed some of her other works far more. While this one didn’t quite deliver the impact I was looking for, I’d still recommend it to readers who appreciate a slow-burn mystery with strong character development—even if the ending might leave you wishing for more.

A Gripping Tale Of Kidnapping And Its Effects On All People Involved

Sally Hill and her eight-year-old daughter, Amelie, are in a dress shop. Amelie wants a green dress, but her mother does not want to buy it. Amelie is very insistent, but Sally needs to get her back home to be picked up for a party. Once outside, she receives a call from the mother, who was to pick up Amelie and others. Sally tells Amelie to wait right next to the door. The mother has turned her ankle and cannot pick up the children. Sally must have been on the call longer than she thought because Amelie is gone. She enters the store and checks the changing and restrooms. Then, she tries the nearby shops. A concerned woman tries to help her. She suggests calling the police, but Sally wants to call her husband before calling the police. The woman calls the police. From this start, a complex story begins.

The novel has two main storylines. The first is the abduction of Amelie. These chapters are narrated by the parents, Sally and Matthew Hill, and the lead detective, DI Melanie Sanders. There are problems right from the start. Each one believes their actions led to the abduction. Matthew and Melanie served together in the police force until Matthew quit. She was recently promoted to head a CID in Bristol but offers to take over this investigation even though it is outside her jurisdiction. She gives Matthew more access than she would a normal parent, but his actions keep causing her grief. This case receives much publicity, and thus, Sanders is under much pressure to produce. Success is very slow. The second thread starts and was a complete surprise to me. It is Amelie’s side of the story, but the narrator is not Amelie but the daughter of the abductor. The author weaves these two threads to keep the question of whether Amelie will survive unclear. The complexity of the plot was at a level I enjoyed. My attention was captured and kept to the very end of the novel.

Two B-storylines provide most of the background. The first is between Sally and Matthew, including Sally’s best friend, Carol. This thread offers much background, starting with how Sally and Matthew met. The second thread is the relationship between Matthew and Melanie. Their start was their time in the police academy, and they served together. These two threads provide a good environment for the main storyline to unfold. For me, this background and B-storylines enhanced my reading enjoyment.

Very few aspects of this novel will cause some readers to stop reading. There are no intimate scenes. Only mild swearing and impious language are present. Violence is mainly in the threat of violence. Child abuse is present but psychological rather than physical. Lastly, I did read this as a standalone novel. While reading it, I searched for a location in the novel and discovered a previous novel six years ago with the same main characters. It was the story of how Sally and Matthew met. I read and reviewed that novel but did not remember it. Looking back, I did not feel that I was missing anything. Most readers should be able to read this novel.

The only downside I found was that the status of the investigation was often rehashed. The only mitigating aspect was that there was usually some new piece of information each time, but the flow of the novel was slowed down. I liked that the author kept the suspense and thus my attention without car or motorcycle chases and full-scale shootouts. Also, while reading, many potential loose ends emerged that needed explaining. They were by the end. As I mentioned above, I have read some of her previous novels. She has stayed solidly in my Will-Read author category. I enjoyed reading this novel and look forward to reading more by this author. I rate this novel with four stars.

I received this novel's free prepublication e-book version through NetGalley from Thomas & Mercer. My review is based solely on my own reading experience. Thank you, Thomas & Mercer, for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.

There is gripping, and then there is gripping! I flew through this book.

I think the writing was really easy to follow, the plot was brilliant and the character development was spot on.

I will be recommending this to others - and reading more of Driscoll's backlog!

I love a good kidnap story and this one ticked a lot of the boxes. A scenario you can imagine happening with heart stopping tension and believable characters.
If I have a complaint it’s only a small one that there did seem to be some repetition in the telling but I really did enjoy it.

I'm in two minds about this book if I'm being perfectly honest.
It starts off well, diving straight into the story as panic ensues when eight-year-old Amelie goes missing. It begins fast-paced, and that feeling of unsettling dread is planted...
However, the story gets excruciatingly slow when it delves more into Matthew's past and hints at his involvement in previous books. (I had no idea going into this one that this was the case) While I didn't feel like you had to read the other books to fully understand this story, a brief explanation of his past was repeated SO MANY times... it puts me off wanting to read the others.
I enjoyed Olivia's perspective, and she was a character I felt a lot of empathy for, but I just couldn't bring myself to like Matthew or Mel at all.
And the ending was a tad rushed, in my opinion.
It's not the worst book I've read this year, but it's definitely not one of my favourites.

Thank you, Netgalley, for allowing me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

My thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Close Your Eyes’ written by Teresa Driscoll in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Private Investigator Matthew Hill’s wife Sally rings him that their eight-year-old daughter Amelie is missing from a high street fashion store in Maidstead. Their friend DI Melanie Sanders is asked to head the team investigating Amelie’s disappearance on the understanding that Matthew keeps his distance as he’d previously received threats from Dawn Meadows who thought he was responsible for her son’s death.

‘Close Your Eyes’ is a brilliantly written fast-paced thriller that’s had me in its grip from page one. The story is told by Sally, Matt and Mel as the search briefly leads into a separate crime when the canal is searched where Amelie is thought to have disappeared. Teresa Driscoll has such a wonderful style of writing that the reader can’t help but be involved and with the suspense and twists and turns it’s been impossible to stop reading. As the story unfolds and tension increases in Part 2, I’ve been so enthralled that I’ve found myself holding my breath and when I reached the unbelievable epilogue I had a tear in my eye. This is an amazing and thoroughly enjoyable thriller that I’ve loved reading and have no hesitation in recommending.

Sally Hill is out shopping with her eight year old daughter Amelie, she's in a rush as she needs to get Amelie back home ready for her lift to a birthday party, then she answers the phone and when she finishes the call she turns round and Amelie has disappeared. She calls her husband Matthew to break the news that he's been dreading for a long time. Matthew is now a private investigator, but years ago he was a police officer who left the force after being blamed by a woman for her son's death, promising him that one day he would feel that same pain, could she be the one responsible for his daughter's disappearance, all Matthew does know is that every hour that passes without her being found means less chance of her still being alive.

Every parent’s worst nightmare comes true in this latest thriller by Driscoll when Amelie disappears, Sally blames herself because she took her eye off the ball while she was on the phone and Matthew blames himself as he believes his daughter has been taken by someone linked to a previous case that he has worked on. I was hooked from the first page of this story, with the descriptive writing by this author it was almost like I was living through the nightmare with them, I felt every emotion that they went through and then some. This is a well crafted plot with short chapters, some very dubious characters and great twists along the way and an impressive ending that tied everything up very nicely. I’ve read quite a few of Driscoll’s books now and enjoyed them all, can’t wait to see what she has to offer us next. A great read that I highly recommend.

I'd like to thank Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for the approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

WOW! If this isn't a book to brag about I don't know what is... I started it late last night. Never did I anticipate I would be closing the book at 1am left in complete shock... This book was insane! It was twisted, it was gripping but it was so darn good! Wow!…All parents worse nightmare their child goes missing…….

First book I have read from this author.. It had plenty of suspense to keep me guessing. Great characters. Enjoyed the style of writing.. All round great book. Look forward to the next one. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it

A well paced thriller about a missing child and the guilt her father feels. Matthew is a retired police officer who dotes on his daughter Amelie as does his wife Sally. But Amelie disappears when Sally turns her back for. a moment while on a shopping trip and now the two of them are on a frantic search to find her. Matthew has darkness in his background, including from a woman who vowed to make him pay. These are well drawn characters and Driscoll has good storytelling skills. Thanks to Negalley for the ARC. A page turner.

I received an arc copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it.i absolutely loved everything about this book. There were twists that kept me turning the pages fast and hard to put down. I have enjoyed other books by this author and this book did not disappoint! Great job!!!!

4.5⭐️
whew this was a wild ride and i was hooked from the very beginning. when sally and matthew- an ex police officer and a current PI daughter goes missing they can only assume the very worst. will they find her and will she make it home alive? this thriller had so many twists and turns i didn't see coming.

This was fantastic! Reading this story, you will feel the thrills of the chase to find who has abducted Amelie and the heartbreak of her parents as the trail gets more and more difficult to follow. This is truly how a thriller should be written! Enjoyed every minute!

Wow!… Tense and captivating… Full of twists and turns and shocks!… Raced through it, eager to find out the ending – which was just brilliant!’

Emoji synopsis: 🏬 + 👗 + 📱 = 👮 + ⏱️ + 🔒

Review: Close Your Eyes is a tense story about every parent’s worst nightmare; losing a child. The story follows the disappearance of 8 year old Amelie and the panicked efforts as her loved ones try to uncover the truth. The clock is ticking.

Told through multiple perspectives, the narrative alternates between:
Sally (Amelie’s mother)
Matthew (her father, a private investigator who has recently returned to the force)
Melanie (Matthew's best friend and detective assigned to the case)
Olivia (a woman trying to track down her missing mother).

Each character's POV adds depth and complexity to the investigation. But will their secrets and fears impact their success?

While the main storyline revolves around the disappearance of Amelie, there’s a subplot involving Olivia that initially seems disconnected. However, as the plot unfolds, it becomes clear that Olivia’s troubled past is inextricably linked to the mystery surrounding Amelie’s case.

The twist at the end of Olivia’s story actually made me say “oh, no way”. It’s a shocking revelation that not only ties everything together but also leaves a sense of unease. I’ll certainly be checking under patios on my next walk…

Rating: 2.3/5

This is my second experience of Teresa Driscoll's work, having previously read the impressive "Her Perfect Family". Although it has its merits, "Close Your Eyes" did not make the same positive impression on me.

One thing that both books have in common is that the author immediately cuts to the chase, rather than easing the reader gradually into the central plot. Unfortunately, that same sense of urgency is not consistently maintained throughout the remainder of the novel. Although I am sure that the writer was aiming for growing tension, there were too many occasions when it comes across as treading water instead. Similarly, some sections intended to be dramatic fail to hit the mark and err on the side of melodrama. The book contains dark themes such as abduction, imprisonment and coercive control. I have read a number of other novels that have dealt with similar subject matter and succeeded in producing psychological thrillers that genuinely keep the reader on the edge of their seat, but, by comparison, "Close Your Eyes", in spite of its potential, falls a bit flat.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.

My first Teresa Driscoll novel but most definitely not my last! Fabulous characters that kept me flipping pages long past my bedtime. This story gave no alternative to being 100% invested. Packed with unwavering tension. Loved it!
Thank you NetGalley, Teresa Driscoll and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read and review this cracker of a book. Big 5 stars from me.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for my honest review. It was a fun read but not that rememberable.

"Close Your Eyes" is a masterful thriller that expertly weaves psychological tension with a gripping narrative, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. From the outset, the author immerses us in a web of suspense that had me biting my nails, unsure of how the story would unfold.

The pacing is expertly crafted, with the suspense building steadily as the plot progresses. The introduction of multiple potential suspects adds layers to the mystery, making the experience even more engaging. Each character is well-developed, prompting readers to question their motives and complicity, which heightens the overall intrigue.

The author’s skillful storytelling ensures that the twists are both surprising and plausible, keeping the reader invested until the final revelation. The psychological elements enhance the emotional stakes, drawing you deeper into the characters’ minds and their dilemmas.

In summary, "Close Your Eyes" is a thrilling ride that will satisfy fans of the genre. With its well-executed suspense and a cast of intriguing suspects, this book is a must-read for anyone looking for a gripping psychological thriller that will keep them guessing until the very end.