Great combination of all of my favorite tropes: paranormal, coming of age, mystery and found family. 13 year old Hannah can hear what you are thinking, she might not get it all or understand what she hears but she definitely has a gift inherited from her grandmother. Not long after she takes a job working at her stepfather's investment firm his partner disappears and Hannah and her mom go on the run. She needs to keep a low profile, but in her new town she needs to reach out, but then a boy falls from a cliff, the sheriff is nosing around and this brings danger closer and closer. Now off to see if the next book is available!

I am a huge fan of Elizabeth George’s novels having devoured the Lynley and Havers series. This book bears no similarities to that series. However it is well written, an easy read that compels you to keep reading one more chapter. The characters are well defined and you find yourself warming to them and the trials they face. Upon completion my first thought are ‘when can I start book 2’
A great read

I've somehow never read Elizabeth George's Lynley novels but I've heard so much about them that I was very interested in reading her latest novel, the first in a new series.

In Saratoga Woods, we find ourselves in the PNW, Whidbey Island. Becca is on the run from her stepfather who has done a lot of bad things--all of which Becca knows because she hears "whispers," other people's thoughts. Tragedy strikes on the island and Becca is unsure if she'll be able to keep her head above water.

Whidbey Island is a character in and of itself in Saratoga Woods. George's writing of the landscape is lush and beautiful, despite being harsh and dark. While there's a fair amount of world building at the start of a series, Saratoga Woods picks up very quickly. I found myself eager to read and very nearly finished in one day.

This is a YA series but there is nothing about the story that I think would stop adult readers from enjoying it. It all came to an exciting and abrupt ending and I can't wait for the next installation.

It’s a good, clean YA book. It’s very clear that it’s part of a series and ends on a major cliff hanger. I’d expect the next book to pick up right where this one ended without any time jumps. There are a lot of characters and story lines that hopefully get more developed as the series continues. I wish the whispers were explained more in this book. However I am invested enough in the main character to want to read the next book. I would recommend it to seventh and eighth grade readers.

Atmospheric and mysterious. Whidbey Island felt like a character itself. An island filled with intrigue and secrets and character dynamics that are hard to grasp. An island that Becca King, formerly Hannah Armstrong, is sent to by her mother. An island that is meant to shelter her from her stepfather who knows she “heard the whispers” in his head. An island that leaves Becca reeling from the first moment she arrives, unable to quite find her footing.
Becca has always been different,; inheriting the family gift of hearing whispers, slivers of thoughts in people’s minds. Armed with an auditory device she is able to mute the noise around her. Arriving on the island at 14, Becca quickly learns she will need help if she is to survive. After a mysterious fall in the woods Becca and other teens on the island are under suspicion.
I found myself fully invested in what happened to Derric and if anyone else played a part. The story was slow paced but it suited the way the story was written.
One thing I wish I had been aware of is this is a 5 part series, and ends on a cliffhanger. The most annoying part is being unable to finish the series as they are only available through kindle and are hugely expensive.

This was an interesting YA mystery. I chose this book because I loved reading Elizabeth George's Inspector Lynley mystery series, so I thought I'd give her YA writing a try.

Her books are always well-written, characters are well-developed, and the plot keeps you guessing right up until the end. This book was no different.

I'll definitely be reading the subsequent instalments in this series.

I couldn’t put Saratoga Woods down and read it in a day. It’s a YA book, it’s adult fiction as well. A young girl is able to hear the whispers in the minds of others, which her stepfather uses to help scam investors. Once she realizes what he’s actually doing, she hears his thoughts deciding to kill her. She and her mother flee to Whidbey island, she becomes Becca King and is supposed to live with her mother’s friend who died before she arrived. Forced to survive alone, she meets special friends, all with problems of their own, but a willingness to embrace and help her.

Elizabeth George’s Inspector Lynley series was one of my favorites, until she killed off my favorite character, Helen, and Lynley started seeing other women; it seemed a travesty at the time and I quit reading her books. Now, many years later, I saw that she has a new series, The abandonment of Hannah Armstrong, and I thought it was worth a try. The first installment in this series, Saratoga Woods, introduces Hannah who is forced to change her name to Becca King because she and her mother are fleeing from Becca’s stepfather, who is a criminal. Hannah has the ability to hear whispers (other people’s thoughts), knows her testimony could send him to prison. Her mother makes arrangements with a friend to take 14 year old Hannah, and sends her on her own on the ferry from Seattle to Whidbey Island to hide out until she can join her. Her mother is adamant that she memorize details of her new identity; she is now Becca King and now has dyed hair and must wear heavy make-up to avoid recognition. The cell phone her mother gives her doesn’t work, and when Becca arrives at the home of her mother’s friend with only a bicycle, she learns that the friend has died; Becca has nowhere to go and has to fend for herself until her mother shows up. Becca befriends a Ugandan boy named Derric, who is injured in a fall while they are at Saratoga Woods, and most believe he was pushed.

George’s excellent storytelling ability stands out from the beginning, and while this first novel in a new series must introduce the characters and the setting, the story will grab readers immediately. The novel is well written and flows with building suspense. Becca, the protagonist, is a character that readers will love, and she is well-developed. The supporting characters seem real, and most readers will be able to relate to them. The story is fascinating, and Becca’s adventures on her way to accepting her abandonment will keep readers on the edge.

All told, Elizabeth George has created an excellent new series, and it is highly recommended for anyone who wants to read something new by a gifted writer.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Elizabeth George, renowned for her Inspector Lynley crime novels, ventures into the young adult genre with "Saratoga Woods," the first book in the Whidbey Island Saga. This captivating novel introduces readers to Becca King, a fourteen-year-old girl with a unique ability to hear the thoughts of others, referred to in this novel as "whispers".

Becca's life takes a dramatic turn when she discovers her stepfather's criminal activities and goes on the run, to Whidbey island, Here, Becca meets a diverse group of friends, including Derric, a Ugandan orphan; Seth, a kind-hearted musician; Debbie, a recovering alcoholic; and Diana, with whom Becca shares a mysterious connection. The plot weaves elements of mystery, the paranormal, and romance, creating a rich and engaging narrative.

Becca is a compelling protagonist, and the supporting characters are well-drawn, each adding depth and complexity to the story. George's skill in character development shines through, making the reader invested in the fates of these young characters.

George's elegant writing style, known for intricate plotting and incisive characterization, is evident in this book, and the dialogue is authentic and engaging, drawing readers into the world of Whidbey Island.

"Saratoga Woods" combines George's signature storytelling prowess with a fresh perspective, resulting in a novel that is thrilling and heartwarming.

Whether you're a long-time fan of George's work or new to her writing, this book provides a memorable journey. I can't wait to read upcoming entries to this series!

This book was great, but it was written for Young Adults. I was kind of used to more adult type books from Elizabeth George. I will get it for my granddaughter who is 13.

I didn’t know what to expect from a Young Adult novel, but I’ll read anything by Elizabeth George. What an unexpected pleasure. The characters were realistic, and the story line had such a hook that I read ‘just one more chapter’ to finish the novel. I loved the Pacific Northwest setting. And I can’t wait to read the next installment.

This is my first book by this author. I didn't realize it was a YA book at first, but I was not disappointed. I fell in love with the characters. Especially Hannah who has a psychic ability, and is exploited by her stepfather. It's a YA book, but adult readers should really give this book a chance!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

*Saratoga Woods* follows 14-year-old Becca King, a girl with a psychic ability that causes her to hear fragments of other people's thoughts. Fleeing from her dangerous stepfather, who’s been exploiting her gift to manipulate clients and investments, Becca’s mother drops her off on Whidbey Island, hoping she’ll stay with an old friend. But when that friend unexpectedly dies, Becca is left alone, hiding from both her stepfather and the authorities.

Now living under the name "Becca," she struggles to fit in with the local teenagers. Her new friends, Derric, an adopted boy from Uganda, and Seth, a troubled outcast, are her only support. But Becca can’t share the truth of her past with anyone, even as danger closes in. When Derric is found injured in the woods, suspicion turns toward Seth and Becca, the mysterious new girl in town.

As Becca navigates the complexities of her psychic gift, teen drama, and the constant fear of being found, she’s forced to decide who she can trust in this small, tight-knit community.

This gripping, suspenseful first book in a trilogy captures the angst of adolescence, the challenges of fitting in, and the tension of living with a dangerous secret. Becca’s journey is both emotional and thrilling, leaving readers eager for the next chapter in her story.

Unusual and gripping, this made-for-teens story is the start of a new series by one of my favorite (adult mystery) authors. In this new genre, we meet Hannah Armstrong, a strangely-gifted fourteen-year-old, who has the ability to hear other’s thoughts, in the form of “whispers”, which are often chaotically disruptive and must be dampened and managed through an external auditory device.

Hannah, a San Diego-based, normal teen in all other respects, suffers from insecurity due to the weight-related nagging of her mother, Laurel, who claims to only want the best for her but is singleminded in her “fat” obsession.

When Hannah is unexpectedly exposed to information not intended for her ears (make that, thoughts), both Laurel and Hannah are thrown into danger, which takes them to seek anonymous refuge in remote Whidbey Island in Washington State.

On-the-run, terrified, Hannah must face her own demons when her mother suddenly becomes unreachable too and Hannah (now Becca) must find a way to survive on the island completely on her own. Here she meets several interesting and confusing characters, not the least of whom is Derric, a handsome black boy from Uganda, connected somehow to the repeating auditory refrain of “Rejoice”. Hannah also encounters two middle-aged women, Debbie Greider, and Diana Kinsale - both of whom have hidden pasts brimming with secrets and appear to have an interest in helping Hannah through this trauma. Hannah will also encounter a collection of high-school students, (replete with all the jealousies, bullying, and social complications one comes to expect of teenage life) and a crime/mystery which will rear it’s ugly head to perhaps threaten them all.

A gorgeously-written, interesting story, how Hannah manages this situation, and what it will lead to, promises a wonderful start to a new series.

A great big thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All thoughts provided are my own.

** four and a half shiny stars

I need an Elizabeth George book for adults written like ones from years ago. I know this was written for YA, but it was still terrible. ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

Mystery, secrets, biases, and self discovery in a small rural town where everyone knows everyone, but maybe not as well as they think. Well developed characters give it a real feel and you will think you are actually there. A little paranormal with Hannah's gift adds to the interest.

I’ve been a huge fan of Elizabeth George’s Lynley-Havers series of mysteries, and frequently marveled at her ability to establish setting and characterization in ways that truly make them REAL to the reader. I received a copy of The Abandonment of Hannah Armstrong, #1 in the Saratoga Woods Series, in exchange for my honest review.

Honestly? I liked it, more than I expected after learning it was a YA novel set in the Pacific Northwest. The protagonist, Becca, has an ability to “hear whispers” – whatever THAT means – and goes to Whidbey Island off Seattle to hide from her stepfather after she discovered his criminal activities. Alone in a way that she hasn’t previously experienced, she becomes friends with Derric, a Ugandan orphan, a high school dropout and musician, a recovering female alcoho;lic who takes her in, and another woman with whom she shares some sort of psychic connection. Yes, all that is a LOT and while it wasn’t really what I was looking for, there is no doubt that Ms. George is an incredibly gifted writer and her plotting is, as expected, spot on. Not sure if I will continue the series, but it is definitely recommended. Four stars.

This was not the Elizabeth George I was used to but that is not a bad thing. I like when authors change things up and try something different. I reaaly enjoyed this book. It was thrilling and at the same time a nice coming to age-story.

I'm an Elizabeth George fan from way back. I devoured her Lynley series many years ago, and have since read anything she's written that I could get my hands on.
This young adult novel wasn't George's best work, but she's still Elizabeth George. Her worst writing is better than most author's best. Still, this is an Elizabeth George book. And anything Elizabeth George writes is never a waste of time.

I really enjoyed this

This is not what I expected from Elizabeth George. I have read most of her work and thought she was British. I was wrong. She is American. This book is set in an island off of Seattle, not London.

The story starts with a 14 year old girl, Hannah, who can hear the thoughts of others. It makes school difficult for her as there are so many voices in her head she has trouble concentrating. Her step-father takes advantage of her special ability and has her listen to the thoughts of his investment firm clients so he can say what they want to hear. When the step-father's partner disappears, Hannah and her mother know that something is wrong and go on the run. Hannah is dropped off by her mother at a ferry to Whitby Island to stay with her mother's friend. But the friend does not show up to pick Hannah up and Hannah finds out the friend died suddenly. Hannah is on her own until her mother can come back and get her.

There is a story line where a young man that Hannah was starting to become friends with is found severely injured from a fall. Hannah does not know if her other friend was responsible. There is lots of angst, but this is resolved just as another issue comes up and the book ends, ready for part 2. I will definitely be reading it.

Although this is from the point of view of a young adult, I did not feel like it was just for the high school aged reader. I enjoyed it quite a lot and am looking forward to reading the entire 5 book series.