She Lies Hidden

Such a striking read! No chance of falling asleep with this one - there's too much going on!

DI Thomasine Albright was only a child when her sister went missing in 1973; her mother has always maintained that Karen would turn up one of these days, even though it's now 2010. When Karen's body is found, Thom has the unenviable job of telling her mother - and quickly, fearing the press may reach her first. Isolated from the official investigation, DI Albright decides to carry out a little snooping of her own. Karen wasn't the only teenage girl to disappear at that time - so where are the others?

This is a scintillating novel, and one you must give your full attention. At first, there seems to be various disconnected threads but, believe me, when they are all stitched together your jaw will drop. I'm astonished that this is a debut novel! This reads like the work of a much more experienced author; the story itself is so skilfully crafted and beautifully written. The suspense is palpable and the overall effect is an astounding read which keeps your attention to the very last. I'll definitely be watching out for the author's next novel! Without a doubt, worthy of a full five shiny, sparkling stars!

My thanks to publisher Bloodhound Books not only for my copy via NetGalley but also for inviting me to take part in this blog tour. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.

Well done to the author on her debut novel. What a great start. I can’t wait to read more from this author in the future.

Thomasines sisters body has turned up twenty seven years after she went missing. Thomasine needs to find out what happened her sister Karen. As to be expected Karen’s disappearance affected her whole family and Thomasine carried the guilt.

This story is told through the past and the present and through several different points of view.
I found this pretty hard to get into but once I read more I didn’t want to put it down, I needed to read more to find out what was gonna happen.

Although the story confuses me at the start and I’d have liked the characters developed more I really liked the storyline. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.

The writing in this book was top-notch, in my opinion. This book had so many seemingly unrelated characters and storylines going on that the author weaves together seamlessly as the story goes on. I loved that. The story was complex enough to keep my interest, but not so complex that I got lost.

There were several perspectives that the story is told from, which gives the reader the advantage of seeing all sides of the characters and story.

I did not figure things out until things were revealed in time. It was a nice ending that wrapped things up with some good twists thrown in. It also gives a different perspective than a
"regular" straightforward police procedural, since Thomasine was "on the other side" of this investigation, as a family member. It really showed how the families are continuously affected, years and years after someone goes missing.

I liked Thomasine and hope to see more of her and Mel Phillips in the future. The author doesn't say whether this will turn into a series, but I liked both main policewomen and hope that they reappear in the future.

Two girls, unconnected to each other, went missing in 1973. The remains of one has just been found. Where is the other one? What happened? Who did this?
Thomasine Albright's sister went missing and has just been found. She's been living with this unknown for 37 years and it has destroyed her family. She's a DI with the Family Liason Office and I believe her sister's disappearance caused her to follow this career path.
The discovery of Karen's remains sets in motion a series of events. Various characters see the news in the newspapers and/or on television and the story develops from there. Lily, her narrator, the artist, Jimmy - where do they fit in? What is their influence?
The story is told from various characters narrative and this adds to the mystery of the story. Through the words of the characters you start to place things in order and the whole story is laid open leading up to the impact-laded ending.
I really enjoyed this book, in fact, once I started it I could not put it down.

I was hooked by the blurb for this one, it sounded excellent and I couldn’t wait to get started!! And that cover is to die for…

I really enjoyed the idea behind the story and the plot was clearly well planned out. I enjoyed the characters and thought that they worked well together.

There was a tad too much detail for me in places and I think that detracted from the main storyline at times and could confuse some readers but overall it was a well written story that ticked all the right boxes for me!

I enjoyed the different view points used to tell the story and how it went from past to the present to give the background more detail – an impressive debut – 4 stars from me and can’t wait to see what she releases next!

IN MY HONEST OPINION, THIS IS AN EXCELLENT BOOK!!!
I am going to be perfectly honest and say, after reading the reviews on She Lies Hidden, I didn't hold out much hope for it. I think it is not gettng the recognition it deserves. Keep a clear head for the first five chapters and you will be hooked.
The story is from alot of different points of view, keep a clear head and it will flow so easily. A gem of a book by CM Stephenson.

A well written story with many twists to keep it interesting . Two girls go missing in 1973 , apparently unconnected at the time ., this follows the story after the body of one is found buried many years later and another missing person is discovered after an accident and has been living under a different name . . Flashbacks to the era when the girls went missing help set the atmosphere .