I have so enjoyed George’s Thomas Lynley series but had not read the teen/young adult stories set on Whidbey Island. I found this first of, I think, five books quite absorbing.

Becca King has had a lot go wrong. Her innate ability to hear others’ thoughts inadvertently left her and her mother in danger and needing to flee. Becca is left on her own on this island where she is meant to be anonymous.

Becca interacts with many characters. There are children, high school peers, and a number of adults. Among my favorites were Seth, Derric, Debbie, Ralph and Diana, all of whom have backstories.

Readers will remember the folks of Whidbey. They will root for Becca. Like me, they will want to move on to book two.

Note: The series is reissued so some may already have read them under the original titles.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for this title. All opinions are my own.

Hannah’s journey begins when she finds herself in a precarious situation, feeling lost and disconnected from her family and friends. As she navigates through her feelings of abandonment, she encounters various characters who influence her path to self-discovery. These interactions help Hannah to confront her past and understand the reasons behind her mother’s departure.

Throughout the narrative, readers witness Hannah’s struggles with trust and acceptance as she learns to forge new relationships while coming to terms with her own emotions. The novel delves into the impact of familial bonds and the importance of community support in overcoming personal challenges.

Elizabeth George intricately develops Hannah’s character, allowing readers to experience her growth from a vulnerable girl into a strong individual who learns to embrace her identity. The supporting characters play crucial roles in shaping Hannah’s understanding of love, loss, and forgiveness.

The book addresses significant themes such as abandonment, resilience, and the search for belonging. It highlights how individuals can find strength within themselves and their communities even in the face of adversity.

In conclusion, “The Abandonment of Hannah Armstrong” is not just a story about loss; it is also an inspiring tale about finding one’s place in the world despite difficult circumstances.

Elizabeth George is one of my favorite authors, especially her Inspector Lynley series. Saratoga Woods is the first in a young adult series. I am not the targeted audience for this novel. Main characters are teens with teen behaviors and issues. Fourteen year old Becca and her mother are on the run hiding from her step father. Becca and her mother are separated with Becca to stay with her mother’s friend who has died just as Becca arrives. She is now on her own. Complicating things for Becca is her ability to hear “whispers”, thoughts of those around her. I found it a little slow and took a while before the mystery. It ended with an unexpected major cliff hanger. Now one must read the second in the series to find out what happens to Becca.

Elizabeth George was able to create a unique mystery novel and enjoyed reading this world. It was a strong start to the Abandonment of Hannah Armstrong series, it was everything that I hoped for and was invested in what was happening to the characters. It left me wanting to read more in this series and from Elizabeth George.

5 stars

I enjoyed this mystery/come teenage romance/ thriller but I'm not sure I'm the main audience. I think this series has been revamped from previous books. So it's a bit disappointing that though I can see the next ones on amazon they are not there to purchase.

The heroine, Hannah has to leave her step father's house because she can hear whisperings. He has used this in his business but Hannah realises that her step father's partner has disappered in mysterious circumstances and she is frightened that it could have been terminal. Her mother, Lois flees too. Lois drops Hannah off at the ferry port and points her in the direction of her old school friend, Cariol. This friiend has a fatal heart attack and dies and Becca/Hannah has to find somewhere else to stay. She makes friends with the local school drop out, Seth, who is actually dyslexic. A Ugandan Orphan who has been adopted by the local policeman and falls foul of the local bad girl, I assume that in the next few books her clairaudient powers are more developed.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

I am a fan of the Lyndsey series so was excited to read the first in this new series. It is a good plot with
lots of twists. The character development is good with interesting interactions. Good blood.

Hannah hears ‘whispers’ pieces of other’s thoughts. Her stepfather hires her to work at his office, but he really is using her skill to manipulate their clients and their investments. When his partner disappears, he is worried what Hannah may have picked up from his thoughts. In fear of her life, Hannah and her mom escape, trying to hide from him. Hannah’s mom drops her at Whidbey Island in Washington, planning for her to stay with an old friend. Hannah becomes Becca and the plan goes awry when the friend dies unexpectedly and Becca now has nowhere to hide. She is hiding from her stepfather and the police, worrying he may have reported her missing.
It is a small community, and Becca struggles to fit in with the help of a pair of friends. One mean girl makes her life exceptionally miserable. When one boy is found badly injured on a trail, she goes into hiding. Not knowing who to trust and only 14 years old, Becca often acts impulsively, but she has a good heart.
I enjoyed getting to know Becca and her friends, but this is the first of a trilogy so the adventure will continue.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Very different to her usual offerings, but this latest from Elizabeth George is absolutely captivating. With a cast of incredible characters and a plot line designed to mislead, it is impossible not to be drawn into this story. I loved the ongoing theme of assumptions and stepping back to see the truth of things - and often, the simplicity of what seems most complex. As always, the writing is impeccable with dialogue, characterisation and descriptions all serving to draw the reader entirely into the fictional world. Characters like Grand and Gus stand out as particularly beautiful, but this is a full cast which I can’t wait to revisit.