The Village

A Compelling Tale…
The mystery surrounding the disappearance of the Harper family from a cottage in the village of Nighbrook has plagued crime journalist Naomi for a decade. When the newly married Naomi finds herself in a position to get as close as she possibly can to the scene of the potential crime she knows that it’s her time to solve that long outstanding mystery. Is raking up the past ever a good idea? A compelling tale, succinctly told, with a cast of credible characters and a solid sense of place.

Another fabulous read from Caroline. This lady does not write bad books. Everything by her is amazing!

Thank you Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for this advanced ebook copy!

The Village by Caroline was an interesting, intriguing book!
It was well written, well paced, and completely engrossing.
Seriously grabs you from the very first page and you just won't be able to put it down... I couldn't at least!
The main character was great. Really loved the journalist Naomi in this book!
I will definitely be reading more from this author.
Overall.... This was a solid read! Enjoyable, Suspenseful, Fast moving story!
A Five Star Book For Sure!
Thank you again for this copy! Loved it! I will post my review closer to pub date!

The Village by Caroline Mitchell


This book is very good.
A family has disappeared from a cottage in the village of Nighbrook. In the days and weeks nothing is found.
Many years later Naomi , a crime journalist looks into the strange case. She sets about looking into it and finding out what happened.
The author Caroline Mitchell is ex police , and this novel showcases her great knowledge of crime and police procedures. Great characters , and great plot. A winner.

Just when you think you know the ending there are a few twists and turns to add to the excitement. I found some of the story a bit unbelievable - why would a millionaire want to spend the night in a sleeping bag in a semi-derelict cottage and why would a journalist buy a house just to investigate it's history?

I was so excited when I got to read this. I love and own all Caroline Mitchell's book. It was a very satisfying read and I read it in a few hours. Cost me some sleep but it was worth it.

Good characters, as always; good storyline, as always; overall just great, as always.

And now I can't wait for the future book. As I always said after a boyfriend didn't work out, NEXT.

Caroline does it again!!!!!
Intriguing and (mostly) engaging characters, tension, mystery, twists and bombshells galore. This is a "clear the diary, silence the phone and read in one sitting" book; totally unputdownable and one of the best I've read in a long time.
Six stars!!!

The Village by Caroline Mitchell. Captivating mystery of the Harper family missing for more than a decade. Set in a small villiage whose residents are not warm and welcoming. Relatable characters, well written, fast moving suspense with unexpected twist at the end.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

Another excellent novel from one of my favourite authors Caroline Mitchell. I am always confident when I pick up one of her books that I am going to be guaranteed an exciting read.

A decade ago the Harper family disappeared without trace. Everything in their cottage appeared to be normal, television on, oven ready for baking but no sign of life. Their disappearance has remained a mystery and become a focus of speculation especially from the more macabre media.

For Naomi, a crime journalist solving the case has turned into an obsession and when the Harpers cottage goes on sale she persuades her wealthy husband to purchase it. Once the couple move into the cottage with her stepdaughter it give Naomi the perfect opportunity to investigate the case. The only problem is Naomi has kept it secret from the rest of the family her real reasons for wanting the cottage and it’s history. The cottage is located in Nighbrook and the locals are far from friendly. None of the locals want to talk to Naomi or answer her questions and there is a very uneasy feeling. The more investigating Naomi does, the more uneasy she feels, are the locals hiding something? and is she putting her own family at risk with her constant digging for the truth.

This is certainly a page turner and there was no way I was going to put it down until the very end. Great characters, full of suspense and so well written. Highly recommended.

I would like to thank both Net Galley and Amazon Publishing UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I received an advance copy of, The Village, by Caroline Mitchell. I really wanted to like this book, but I did not. It kept going back and forth from now to a decade ago. I could not get into this book at all.

I have a lot of mixed feelings about The Village. I instantly loved the premise and I expected the plot to focus around Naomi uncovering what really happened to the Harper family. Rather than being driven by her following clues, the story is a mix of perspectives that reveal a little of the truth, until a culmination where the secret is flatout explained. By the end of the book, the multiple storylines blurred together and were more distracting than riveting.

Readers are only given a few clues, and even those aren't completely fleshed out. For instance, why have Naomi find a diary, for only one entry to be shared?

All of that said, this book held a lot of promise. There were so many elements that could have been really interesting, were they used differently.

Absolutely brilliant! I was so absorbed that I couldn’t put it down. I love a good Mystery and this was right up my street. #TheVillage #NetGalley

A thrilling story about a village that has conspired to keep the truth buried. Ten years ago, the Harper family vanished, with the water left running, the TV on and the oven ready to bake, as well as the doors being locked from the inside. The media speculated on the unsolved disappearance. making the sleepy village of Nighbrook a notorious one. Crime journalist Naomi becomes obsessed with solving the mystery, excited to find Ivy Cottage for sale. It soon becomes clear that the villagers are hiding something, and that her family could be in danger... A dark and thrilling story that keeps you turning the pages until the end. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of the book in return for my honest feedback.

Crime journalist Naomi is obsessed with the case of the Harper family, who apparently disappeared into thin air. Their cottage was found empty, the water running, the doors locked from the inside. In the ten years since, the case has turned the little village of Nightbrook into a media sensation. Now that the cottage is up for sale, Naomi sees her chance to finally get inside the house and the village to get answers. But the villagers aren’t talking and Naomi is sure they’re hiding something, that they know what happened to the Harpers. Eerie and compelling

A good detective story. Ten years ago a family just disappeared and no clues were ever found. Naomi, a newly wed journalist, is obsessed with the story and talks her new husband into buying the house the family lived in. An angry stepdaughter thrown in, strange villagers who are not welcoming all combine to a great story. Good wrap up at the end. Highly recommend this book and author.

The story follows Naomi, an ex journalist, who moves to the village of Niighbrooks along with her husband Ed and stepdaughter Morgan. She buys “Ivy cottage”, which has a past history but deliberately hides it from Ed so as not to worry him.
Ivy cottage once resided by the Harpers is now old and need of renovation. The Harpers disappeared from the house ten years ago and Naomi has never forgotten about the case since she wrote about it.
Naomi wants to solve the mystery and starts questioning the villagers, but soon realizes everyone is hiding something and the local police force is involved too.
The second half of the story brings out all the twists and solves them too, with some being a little predictable yet good. I loved guessing whether all the characters were trying to hide their personal motives or were they really just protecting everyone.

Naomi is obsessed to find out what happened to the Harper family, as they had disappeared 10 years before. their cottage was found deserted. when the cottage comes up for sale Naomi sees it as her chance to find out what happened, but it is not as easy as she thinks, the villagers refuse to answer any questions. keeps your attention from the beginning.

I loved the premise of this book - a missing family that had simply vanished from their home one day and a true crime writer so determined to solve the mystery that she purchases that family's home, Ivy Cottage. The village of Nighbrook where they disappeared from is full of closed-off people who want nothing more than to be left alone, with no outsiders welcome. Is it simply because they are tired of their notoriety? Naomi believes there has to be more to it, and that settling into the community is the only way to uncover the truth.

After moving with her husband and stepdaughter from London to Nighbrook she jumps right in, asking everyone she meets about the family's disappearance. This immediately unsettles the villagers and they make no attempt to hide their obvious distrust. The narrative also includes the point of view of one of the villager leaders, Lloyd, so we know that they held a gathering once they heard the cottage was sold. They were worried about the intrusion to their community but agreed to see how it went. And with all of her questions, Naomi is acting exactly as they feared. We know they want to silence her, but how far will they actually go?

Another perspective of the narrative is that of Grace, the terminally ill daughter of the missing family. This is crucial in establishing why the events play out like they do. The author does an amazing job of misdirection within this timeframe and it isn't clear until the very end on just how brilliantly it works. Whatever you think you know...you don't! I love stories where I'm genuinely surprised and this is one of the rare few. I hope everyone enjoys the book like I did and I cannot wait for the next one!

This is a thriller with unexpected twists and turns. Really appealed to my taste for psychological themes. I love this author.

Crime journalist Naomi has long been obsessed with the mysterious disappearance of the Harper family - Susan, Martin, and their terminally ill daughter Grace. The family haven't been seen for ten years, not since the police found their house empty with the TV playing, the oven on, and water running, as if the Harpers had simply blinked out of existence.

When Naomi sees that the Harpers' cottage is up for sale, she persuades her wealthy husband to buy it and relocate their family to the rural idyll last enjoyed by the Harpers. But the village of Nighbrook is not what Naomi expected. The villagers seem to have closed ranks to anyone who wasn't raised there, and Naomi and her family find themselves unwelcome. But is it just small-town mentality, or is there something more sinister behind the villagers' behaviour? Naomi is determined to find out...

As a huge Caroline Mitchell fan, I was really looking forward to this one, and excited by the premise. However, for me this one fell a little flat. I didn't think it was as well realised or well written as the Amy Winter novels, and I saw the twists coming in advance - usually there's at least one that throws me for a loop. I liked the story itself but the multiple viewpoints muddied the waters a little, and I didn't connect with any of the characters.

Caroline Mitchell remains one of my favourite authors in this genre, but this one was a rare miss - I just didn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publishers who granted me a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

One of those books where you are initially baffled, then start to guess where the storyline is going, before everything gets turned on its head prior to the end!
Naomi is moving with her husband Ed and stepdaughter Morgan from London to the countryside. But why has Naomi, a crime writer by trade, chosen the deserted abs desolate Ivy Cottage? Ten years ago, a family of 3 mysteriously vanished from the house and never been found. Naomi is desperate to solve the mystery but she is bit going to receive any help or support from the locals, who are determined to keep their secrets well hidden….
A great read that kept me guessing. Thank you NetGalley for my review copy.

Well what can i say ............ I loved it, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ another masterpiece, it was quite eerie in parts which i loved, The village has a big secret but can naomi unlock the truth anout the harpers and ivy cottage, it kept me guessing, just as i thought id cracked it there was another twist, highley recommend

I am a fan of Caroline Mitchell's books, particularly the Amy Winter series, so was interested to read this stand alone story. I quite enjoyed it, but it certainly didn't live up to my expectations. The Harper family disappeared without trace 10 years ago and nothing has been found of them since. Right from the start we know that the villagers know what happened that day, but have agreed to keep it secret. Naomi is a crime journalist who is obsessed with the case and jumps at the chance of buying the Harper's cottage, moving in with her new husband and step daughter. She soon regrets her decision to move to Nighbrook as the villagers seem determined to drive them away. I didn't really warm to the characters in the book and I felt the denouement was quite far fetched.
Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

What a Cracker of a read! This has got to be up there with the best of Caroline's books. The suspense was crazy. Full of strong characters with an ending I didn't see coming!

This is my first book by this author and as my favourite genre is psychological thrillers I thought why not. I was impressed with the storyline and strong characters. There was plenty of twists and turns and I didn’t see the ending coming! I will definitely look to read more by this author. I recommend this book.

I found this book very enjoyable to read, it was unpredictable with fast pacing and with a good amount of tension. The characters were good and added to the storyline.

Wow. 2 days to read this book. Just couldn't put it down.
Great story line with excellent characters.
Loved it.

I found this book started off with all the fantastic workings of an amazing mystery. What happened to the Harper family 10 years ago? They seemingly disappeared into thin air? Was this the case? It was something more sinister at play? As the book progressed, I found that there were too many twists thrown into the plot line. One big wow factor would have been enough but this was not the case with The Village. Halfway through the book, I found there was a twist at every turn and I had trouble keeping track of them all.

The setting is a small village in The New Forest. A family of three disappear from their cottage without a trace, leaving the TV playing, food waiting to be cooked and a suitcase half unpacked. Jump forward ten years to when the house is purchased by Naomi on behalf of her husband Ed and her step-daughter Morgan. Naomi is a Crime Journalist and the story of the disappearance has got under her skin and she is determined to do what others have failed to do and find out what happened to the family. Her husband has no idea of the disappearances and Naomi has no idea of the danger she is putting herself and her family in, one thing is for sure there's no warm welcome from the village. The story flits between then and now, there's plenty of twists some I saw coming but others I certainly didn't. I really enjoyed reading this book and I can highly recommend it.

The Village is not friendly to visitors. Especially not to those who want to rake up the past. Here then starts the story surrounding the Harper family who suddenly disappeared and no one knows what happened to them. Enter a new family and history may repeat itself…. There are dangerous people in the village and thst includes the Police.

Claustrophobic dark thriller which kept me engaged throughout.

I hugely admire anyone who can craft a novel and find a publisher. It is a daunting task fully worthy of admiration. Therefore, I always read at least 25% of a book before deciding to abandon it. Unfortunately, my reading of THE VILLAGE did not surpass 25%. Mitchell's writing it decent, but the premise of the novel irritated me. A newlywed woman buys a house with a dark history in order to satisfy her own desire to find out what happened to the family that lived there before. This deception did not ring true to me and the protagonist's blithe approach to moving her new husband and her teenaged daughter into the house grated on me. I couldn't get past it - it seemed too unrealistic.

Thank you Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the eARC.
Naomi, a crime journalist has been fascinated for ten years with the case of a family (a couple with a dying young daughter) who disappeared without a trace. When she manages to buy their cottage, she moves in with her new husband and his reluctant teenage daughter. With her husband away on business and her step daughter's nastiness, she still tries to find out what exactly happened, but the villagers are less than friendly and resent her questions. She soon regrets having left London - there are ominous happenings and she feels danger lurking.
This was a spooky read (in a good way) and I felt for her. It's bad enough the villagers aren't friendly, she also has to contend with the constant nasty tricks her step daughter plays on her.
A good, absorbing read with a surprising twist at the end which I definitely recommend.

Thank you NetGalley for sending this book to my Kindle for an honest review.
I have read a few books by this author and have not been disappointed, this book is no exception. Reading the bio i was immediately hooked. A family of three going missing from their home leaving no trace, a small village who know more than they are telling. Ten years later crime journalist Noami is determined to find out what happened to the Harper family, with a few unexpected twists this book will not disappoint you.

What happened to the Harper’s? Naomi is obsessed with finding out. Will she put her family in danger to satisfy her curiosity? This is the first book I’ve read by Caroline Mitchell and I’m a fan of her work. I loved the twists and turns of the characters in the book. If you enjoy thrillers with lots of surprises you should read this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review form Netgalley.

Naomi is obsessed over how the Harper family disappeared in the middle of the night in a small village years before. When the opportunity arises to buy the deserted house, Naomi convinces her new husband and step daughter to move there. The village surrounding the house is a character in itself. No one wants to talk to Naomi and her family and they won't share anything about the Harpers. She digs deeper and puts her family into danger.

I love how atmospheric this book was. The Village, the house itself, etc. This book had me engrossed and I found myself surprised multiple times by twists. A slow burn suspenseful read.

This was a very good quick read with a unexpected storyline. Caroline Mitchell creates a story of unimaginable domestic abuse.

In the village of Nightbrook the Harper family have disappeared everything is as they left it as if waiting for them to return but they don't and as time moves on nothing is heard of them.Naomi is a crime journalist who is intrigued by the case she wants to know what happened She gets her husband to buy the cottage the Harper family lived in,she is determined to find out the true but no-one is talking keeping things to themselves can she succeed in solving the mystery.
A good read with a surprising twist at the end.
Thanks to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the ARC.

Another brilliant book from the amazing author
Kept me up into the early hours
Well written , a real page Turner
Can’t wait for the next one

Thank you Netgalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Author Caroline Mitchell for this ARC.

I was instantly in love with the premise of this book--a family who went missing right out of thin air twenty years ago and a journalist who buys the house they disappeared from and moves in with her unknowing husband and stepdaughter to solve the case. And I had a blast reading it.

I expected it to be a little different. Maybe more suspense and steeped mystery, but it turned out to be more about a small town and the secrets within its borders among its residents. I kept reading, starving for answers. The conclusion was a little underwhelming and the villain could be seen from miles away, but I had fun none the less. Great mystery read for true crime and Missing person cases lovers.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. A family went missing over a decade ago in a small town in England. Naomi wants to move to the house where they lived. No one in the town will talk about the family. This book kept me guessing until the very end.

DI Amy Winters returns in another crime thriller. The Harper family disappeared from their home in the village of Nighbrook 10 years ago, leaving the house like they upped and left during dinner. The family home has come for sale and crime writer Naomi buys Ivy Cottage determined to solve the mystery of what happened to the Harper’s.
Naomi and her family are not made to feel welcome by the villagers. They are very vague about the topic of the Harper’s then events start occurring and it is clear the villagers want Naomi to leave.
Another great read by Caroline Mitchell, full of suspense and intrigue. The villagers are portrayed to be eerie and full of secrets which slowly become unravelled.

This was an interesting read in the crowded “village won’t accept outsiders” genre, with the unique twist in the plotline about the family disappearing without a trace. The story centers on Naomi, a former crime reporter who convinces her new husband and teenage stepdaughter to move to the secluded cottage where a family vanished 10 years earlier so she can figure out what really happened.

Once they arrive, Naomi starts to investigate the disappearance but it’s clear that someone doesn’t want the town’s secrets to be exposed. There are multiple seemingly friendly characters but she isn’t sure who she can trust. The story alternates between current time and flashbacks to the previous family’s story.

The story was creepy at times and there was a big twist I didn’t see coming. My only small nits are that the story got a tad repetitive at a couple points in the middle, and I thought the end tied up loose ends a little too cleanly. Overall, though, I thought it was a fun read with a unique twist on a common storyline. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Amazon Publishing for this ARC.
This is not your average thriller, I was kept guessing and shocked right up to the last page.

Naomi Ward is recently married and decides to move her new family to the quiet little village of Nightbrook but the home she has picked is the infamous Harper home. Who were the Harpers and how did a family of 3 just disappear? This is exactly what crime journalist Naomi hopes to discover.

I love this author! I am yet to be disappointed by her books! And this was no exception. It had me on the edge of my seat. I was reading late into the night needing to know how this was going to end!! Can't wait to listen to this on audible

I have read several books by Ms. Mitchell, and she never disappoints!
Naomi, a baker and a journalist, has moved out of her small city flat in London and moved to the countryside with her new husband, Ed, and his teenage daughter, Morgan. They bought Ivy Cottage, a house with a past from which a family disappeared ten years before.
This is a good story, with lots of twists and turns. Recommended!

Normally I like Caroline's books, but I just couldn't get into this one. It reminded me of another book i recently read as well. I ended up reading the beginning, which was slow moving, and then turning to the back to see what happened. Just not up to her normal par in my opinion.

“The Village” by Caroline Mitchell is an intense crime-mystery novel that will have readers riveted from start to finish. With so many unexpected twists and turns it will be impossible to see the end coming.

Naomi is obsessed with a case from ten years ago in which the Harper family mysteriously disappears from their house with no trace. Everything in their home suggests the family merely got up and walked away, never to return. Detectives on the case could never figure out what truly happened, but as an investigative journalist, Naomi thinks she has the tools to solve the mystery.

When the Harper family home goes up for sale, Naomi takes a risk and purchases it. Except, when she arrives with her family the village is less than welcoming. They make it clear Naomi and her family are trespassing. Naomi refuses to be intimidated and tries to find answers to her questions about the Harper family.

The harder Naomi pushes, the harder the village pushes back. It’s clear the residents know more than they’re willing to admit. Something happened to the Harper family, something bad enough to keep people tight-lipped a decade later. And the deeper Naomi digs into the past, the more violent and aggressive the response. Solving this case may mean peace for the family but getting herself involved is upsetting a lot of people and when a whole village feels threatened … there is no telling what they may do to keep their secrets hidden.

This was an ending that was impossible to see coming. Every character becomes a suspect and it’s impossible to tell whether they’re all guilty of a crime or completely innocent. Mitchell is a master at keeping the truth hidden until the very end, keeping readers tense the whole way through. The mystery behind the Harper family is at the center of the novel (along with the antics of Naomi’s stepdaughter) which holds the reader’s interest. There are so many questions behind what happened and only little bits and pieces given at a time.

Besides the mystery, the cast of characters is worth the read. There isn’t a whole lot to learn about the villagers as they’re a part of the mystery shrouding the tale, but Naomi is a fierce female lead. Even though investigative journalism can be dangerous, she really shows how there can be a thrill behind it. Wanting to solve a mystery even the police can't crack, going undercover to find answers, the excitement of finding hints and clues that are decades old … she definitely cranks up the suspense!

Naomi’s stepdaughter is a great addition to the story. Morgan’s witty, loves to pull pranks, has quite an interesting backstory, and is slightly rebellious. At times she can be the typical teenager who is self-absorbed in her own issues and refuses to consider anyone else’s feelings. Still, Morgan’s desire to march to her own beat is what adds a bit of humor to the novel and sparks a love interest between herself and a girl in the village.

“The Village” by Caroline Mitchell is definitely a book to be on the lookout for. The expected publication date is January 25th, 2022. Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for providing me with a free e-arc of this novel and the opportunity to share my honest opinion in this review.

“This is a tragic story of lies, love and deceit.”
These are the words Naomi uses to begin her true crime story on the strange happenings in the village of Nighbrook. A crime story that nearly killed her.

Ten years earlier, the Harper family disappeared from Ivy Cottage. Martin, Susan and Grace vanished leaving unfinished tasks and their dog behind. They were never seen again and their bodies were never found. Determined to solve the case, Naomi and her husband Ed, a wealthy film producer, have purchased Ivy Cottage and plan to renovate it. They’ll live there with Ed’s daughter Morgan. There are two immediate problems: neither Ed nor Morgan know the history of the cottage and Morgan hates her stepmother. Things quickly go wrong. The villagers are less than welcoming. They, led by police chief Lloyd and his wife Joanne, want Naomi and her family to leave. How far will they go? And what did happen to the Harpers?

The Village is a quick, creepy read full of twists and turns. You can easily guess the identity of the villain but the ending? Totally shocking! 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and Caroline Mitchell for this ARC.

I REALLY do not like to give negative reviews, but this book was just a bit too far out there. The amount of "bad guys" was just too ridiculous. Not only do we have the villager bad guys, but we also have bad guys in the main characters' personal lives and then they all intertwine? On top of that, Naomi? Seriously? How on earth could you be so obsessed with the original crime? Also, there was an error about 65% of the way through the book that completely gave the ending away. :(

Caroline Mitchell always delivers with gripping books and fantastic story lines

I could not put this down and will for sure read this book again!

I have read a few other books by Caroline Mitchell and thoroughly enjoyed them. For me, this book did not live up to the others that she has written. The description of this novel is amazing and I could not wait to get stuck in. It took me a while to get into the book and found it hard going.

The main story is a few years a go where mysteriously the Harper family disappeared. Naomi is slightly obsessed with the how and the why?! She is recently married and has new step daughter - their relationship is not the best. They move to the actual house of the Harper disappearance, only Naomi that this is the place of the ghostly disappearance Naomi being a journalist has an usual need to find out what happened to the Harpers and sets about her investigation, which as expected does not exactly go the way Naomi wants it to.

The Village is a good read if you like a mystery/thriller with different twists and turns along the way..

Thanks to NetGalley, Caroline Mitchell and the publishers for an arc of this novel in exchange for my review.

The sleepy village of Nightbrook attracted the attention of the media for all the wrong reasons. Ten years ago, the Harper family, Mum, Dad and their terminally ill daughter Grace, appeared to vanish from the face of the earth. In reality, that is very unlikely, and crime journalist Naomi intends to find out the truth. So when the Harper’s home, Ivy Cottage, comes on the market, she persuades her husband Ed to buy it, though he doesn’t know about its mysterious past. Naomi’s stepdaughter Morgan will be joining them, and that in itself is a nightmare, because she hates Naomi.

Nightbrook couldn’t be more different from the bright lights of London, Naomi’s previous home, and if that were the only problem, that wouldn’t be so bad, but the people of Nightbrook don’t like answering questions about the Harpers, and are unwelcoming to the point of being hostile. Although she senses danger, that won’t stop Naomi, because she’s certain they’re all hiding something!

I do love a good mystery, and this didn’t disappoint. It certainly kept me guessing, and the end came with not one twist, but two!

Yet another fantastic book from Caroline Mitchell. Highly recommended.

I really enjoy her Amy Winter books, and was intrigued to try one of her other works. I was not disappointed, and will certainly be reading any of her books that I have miss.

Thankyou to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and the author, Caroline Mitchell, for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of The Village in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
I loved this book. Very hard to put down once started.
The atmosphere, the characters and the storyline keep you hooked.
Well worth a read.

I always find Caroline Mitchell very readable... it feels like the pages almost turn by themselves.
This book was no exception.
I found a lot of it fairly unbelievable,but it didn't detract from the story.
A few twists and turns to keep you hooked.
Good read. .

This book has so many twists in it!! Right off the bat it was giving me vibes of the movie The Village, (although this was wayyy better). I loved the growth between Naomi and Morgan. This is the perfect creepy book for a rainy day. Very well written!!!

This book was a page turner from beginning to end. Things are not always what they seem. Things are not what they seem and will have you guessing until the end. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Amazing, this is a well written story with fantastic characters. Once I started reading I didn't want to stop.

Thanks to net galley and the publishers for this arc.

I absolutely loved this book with its eerie story and murder cover up, I read the book late into the night as I had to find out how it ended.

I will be looking out for more books by Caroline Mitchell in the future

Caroline Mitchell is one of those writers whose books are either a hit or a big miss for me and I am happy to report that this one was a hit. I love books with investigative journalism and if I didn't have a job dealing with books I'd have loved to do something along the lines of a newspaper reporter. I really liked that there were not one but two surprising twists at the end of this story, surprising being the operative word. This was such a creepy story too, perfect for fall evenings leading up to Halloween. I would have given this one 4.5 or even 5 stars but I did find some part were repetitive. all in all an excellent story about the obsession of criminal journalism.

Naomi encourages her husband to buy Ivy Cottage, a dilapidated home in a sleepy little village without telling him, or her stepdaughter, why she wants to live there. Ten years earlier, the Harper Family vanished. The kitchen sink was still running, the television was still playing cartoons, and no trace of the three family members was ever found. Naomi is journalist with a passion for true crime and hopes that with unlimited access to the house she'll be able to solve the mystery. It quickly becomes obvious that Naomi is not welcome in the village. The villagers are actually holding meetings to discuss the new residents and how to deal with them. Her own stepdaughter is determined to sabotage her whenever possible and isn't the slightest bit subtle about it.

Chapters set before the family's disappearance gave me an idea what was going on, although I didn't guess all of the twists. I'm not sure what Naomi expected to find in a house that had been occupied by various sets of renters over the previous decades, in a town that was so hostile to outsiders. But it was an entertaining read and not a bad way to spend a couple of evenings.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an eARC Uncorrected Proof of The Village.

I was drawn into the idea of ‘The Village’, a small town with a ten-year-old secret that revolves around a family of three disappearing without a trace. As an adult who grew up in a small town with the typical everyone knows everyone and their business stereotype, I could relate with the townspeople when the community got together to discuss the new family moving into the Ivy House. The curiosity of who these new people could be, though there really wasn’t a whole lot to search for people on the internet. But, for the villagers of Nighbrook, their safety is above all. Even with the small hint that the area of England they are located in is silently questioned for running out newcomers as soon as they move in. For the townspeople, their secret is more important than their reputation. In a sense.

I was a bit disappointed about how the plot was covered throughout. There was too much jumping between the three primary characters and the point of view of what had happened ten years prior to the events of the book. I was excited to see Naomi piece together the puzzle with the evidence she had put together and see it through to the very end. Especially since she was a cold case writer and, in my mind, could have easily cracked the case without having to worry about her significant other being away or having to form any sense of relationship with her step-daughter. But, alas, Naomi had more struggle with those of the village and her step-daughter. This took away to the mystery of the Harper family away and more towards the relationships that were either too rushed or non-existent.
Because this edition was unedited, I would probably pick it up when the final edition is published.

When crime journalist Naomi sees that the cottage that the Harper family disappeared from ten years ago is up for sale she jumps at the chance to buy it. She has been obsessed with the mystery and thinks living in the house will get her the answers she craves.
She moves into the house with her new husband and his teenage daughter.
Not everyone is happy about her moving there and she has her work cut out to settle into the village and make friends.
A story full of mystery, secrets and lies that was hard to put down.
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much to Amazon Publishing UK for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for a review.

Ten years ago, the Harper family mysteriously disappeared from their home in Nighbrook, with the television still on, the water running, and the locks engaged from the inside.

Crime reporter Naomi has always been obsessed with the case, so when the home goes on the market, she jumps at the chance to move her family there. But the town is not the welcoming place she was hoping for, and no one wants to answer her questions. As it becomes clear they've all got something to hide, Naomi worried just what danger she has put her family in.

The premise of this book, as well as the Scottish setting, drew me in. Unfortunately I was a bit underwhelmed. I was hoping for a little more suspense, but as the book wanders from POV to POV in both the past and present, it became tedious, and took me longer to read than usual. It just never really held my attention.

“Ivy Cottage loomed into view…it was a place tainted by murder, nestled in a village of the damned.”

The Harper family disappearance has been an unsolved mystery that Naomi has obsessed over during her career as a crime journalist. Newly married to a man eager to please his bride, Naomi convinces him to purchase a cottage home in the sleepy village of Nighbrook. But what Naomi fails to reveal is they will be moving into Ivy Cottage—the very home the Harper’s disappeared from 10 years ago.

As Naomi begins questioning the villagers, she quickly learns they are close lipped about the events from that night, and they immediately let her know she and her family are unwelcome. What began as a plan to solve a cold case, escalates to uncovering long-kept secrets…deadly secrets…

Will Naomi and her family survive the darkness that surrounds the village? Or will the truth set them all free?

While reading THE VILLAGE, I quickly saw the villain and thought the outcome would be predictable, but oh how I was wrong! Applauding the author for the little twist at the end! Thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend to fans of this genre!



**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **

Caroline Mitchell knows how to keep my attention going with an exiting book.

This story is about the Harper family who disappeared from the face of the earth ten years ago. Their home gives no sign to what could have happened. It always remained a mystery where they could have ended up.
Enters Naomi, a crime journalist. She is keen on solving the Harper-mystery and seems to carry this to excess. Only problem: the locals are not to happy with Naomi snooping around.

I really enjoyed all the characters and the suspencion building up throughout the story.

Thanks #Netgalley #Amazon Publishing UK for this gripping ARC

I really enjoyed this mystery! I loved the secretive, cozy setting surrounding a family disappearance a decade prior. The story kept me engaged and wanting to read on. I felt the modern day family was as equally interesting as the family who vanished from the very same house long ago. What I thought was going to be a predictable ending turned out to be quite surprising. I cannot think of any plot holes or untidy end points! I recommend this book and give it 4/5 stars!

I loved this book and couldn't put it down. Such a great story with so many twists and turns. I was at the last couple chapters and I thought the book was over and was shocked to find more surprises in the ending of the story. This would make a great book for a book club discussion. there are so many different aspects to discuss

I have ever read any books in this series. But "The Village" was great! There are suspenseful parts and it excites me. When i finished already, i very surprise.
Maybe i'll to read the books in this series.
Thank you for the ARC, netgalley! I received this in exchange for an honest review

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book doesnt just have twists in it. Theres full blown backflips and cartwheels. I dont think more than 10 pages would go by without me going Woah/Whaaaaaa? but in a good way. Definitely deserves more that just 5/5 stars.

Naomi is recently married to a millionaire, with a teenage step daughter who hates her - so far so normal! But Naomi has bought a cottage in the New Forest from which an entire family disappeared overnight with no trace of them a decade later. Her husband Ed has no idea of the provenance of the cottage, but once they have moved in, step daughter Morgan makes it clear that she does.
There are all sorts of warnings about the village - no one stays for long, and the neighbours are not very friendly. But someone must know what happened at the cottage - why won’t anyway say anything? And the Police officer Lloyd Thomas definitely has something to hide - with his monthly meetings with the villagers.
Naomi is determined to find out what happened, except when things start happening to her and Morgan whilst Ed is away.
An easy holiday read in a few hours.

The Village by Caroline Mitchell is another fabulous book from the author. She never seems to disappoint.
Ten years ago, the Harper family lived a happy life in the village of Nighbrook in the New Forest. But one night the family seemed to just vanish.
Ten years later, Naomi a crime reporter has just married to Ed a film director and Ed’s daughter from a previous marriage Morgan. Morgan thinks that Naomi married her father for this money, and they don’t really get on. But it was impossible to stay with her mother who had mental health problems.
Naomi brought the old Harper house while Ed was on location working so he is not aware of went on in the house. But Naomi is determined to find out what happened ten years ago the Harpers family and so obsessed. Which is the real reason she brought the house. But the villagers of Nighbrook are not the welcoming kind and they want to keep secrets of what happened to the Harpers kept secret. Naomi must deal with the villagers but also the things going wrong in the house. She thinks it is her stepdaughter Morgan getting up to mischief. But things are not always as they seem.
Thank you, Amazon, for a copy of The Village by Caroline Mitchell. The author has once again written thrilling, tense thriller. I also found it quite spooky with the strange things going on in the house. Quite apt for this time of year. This had a great storyline and characters and a surprising ending. 5 stars from me.

The Harper family went missing without trace from their family home 10 years ago in the little village of Nighbrook. Naomi and her husband, Ed and her stepdaughter Morgan buy that very house, Naomi is obsessed with the case and has been for years so where better to continue her investigation, she is determined to find out what happened to the Harpers. With a teenage angst stepdaughter to contend with and villagers who are not so welcoming, is she safe in her new home! This book creeped me out, I read it alone one night at home which clearly I shouldn’t have done! It’s a great thriller with plenty of twists, turns and psychological drama, kept me guessing throughout, highly recommend

This book is brilliant! I can say nothing negative about this one!! Absolutely brilliant from beginning to end.

This was a good read that I enjoyed I did feel it was a bit far fetched but that in no way spoiled my enjoyment of it. It’s a creepy read in many ways and also disturbing set in a very closed community of villagers who all seem to have something to hide and there were plenty of twists along the way some of which I guessed. It’s a quick read that held my interest throughout and the writing was excellent but that was no surprise as Caroline Mitchell knows how to tell a good tale and that’s just what this book is. The characters were good most of them I disliked but I quite like that in a book, plenty of suspense in the story and overall for me it was a three star read that I can recommend.
My thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK,Thomas and Mercer for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I’m a big fan of Caroline Mitchell’s series, but I have a more hit or miss relationship with her stand alones. This one was more miss than hit. I wanted to like Naomi. Like her, I was a custodial stepmother to teenage girls as a newlywed. I remember how difficult it was, especially when one daughter went out of her way to cause trouble. But Naomi, a crime journalist, is so obsessed about the Harpers, a family that went missing ten years ago, I just struggled to relate. I mean, she was so obsessed she bought the house they lived in. And this was a house in need of serious repair, but she moved her family in anyway. She didn’t even arrange for the house to be cleaned first or the mold to be removed from the ceiling. And not for lack of money, her husband is a wealthy movie director. It just seemed stupid and unbelievable. So, even though Mitchell painted Naomi as a decent human being and a really good stepmom, I just couldn’t get over her lack of clear thinking.
The reader gets to see what Naomi initially cannot. This is a village that doesn’t want outsiders, let alone nosy outsiders. We’re not privy to what happened with the missing family, but whatever it was the villagers are covering it up.
I just could never get into the story. Clichéd villagers, unbelievable plot points. The ending was pretty good, as it threw my expectations out the window. But the ending couldn’t make up for the first ¾ of the book.
My thanks to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an advance copy of this book.

I consider myself a fan of Caroline Mitchell's detective thrillers, and there was just something about The Village that caught my eye immediately. The family missing without a trace, the whole village somehow hiding something... Spending time in Nighbrook sounded very much intriguing indeed. Now that I've had the chance to read this newest stand-alone, I'm surprised I found myself having mixed thoughts instead... Although it might just have been simply the wrong time for me to read this story.

The fact is: psychological thrillers and me somehow don't tend to see eye to eye anymore, or at least when the story has a noticable domestic/family focus. I was hoping the whole mystery around the missing family would be enough to keep me intrigued, but while I still love the premise behind The Village, the execution was a bit lacking for me personally. I'm struggling to put my finger on the why, but it's possible that these feelings had to do with my lack of connection to the characters. I wasn't able to warm up to any of them, and I'm not sure some of their actions are all that credible... Especially Naomi was hard to like with her moving her new family into a house that is both falling apart and has a dark past; only thinking of herself and her obsession with the missing family case and the village. The story is mostly character-driven, so being unable to connect to any of them made it harder to stay invested in what was happening in Nighbrook.

The writing itself is solid, and makes it still easy to keep turning those pages despite a slower pace during most of the story. Some of the plot twists were very easy to guess, which was a bit of a disappointment... Although things did improve towards the ending both in pacing, plot and entertainment level. I'm not sure if how everything wrapped up was exactly credible, but it made for a surprise at least I guess... It took a long time for things to pick up though, and with the slower pace, unlikeable characters and lack of credibility I don't think The Village is my favorite of her work. That said, part of the problem is most likely me as most (partly) domestic focused psychological thrillers and me don't seem to get along all that well right now.

Sadly, this was a DNF for me. After trying a few times, I still felt I could neither relate to any of the characters, nor understand their motivations. Perhaps this is due to some domestic thriller fatigue on my part as I am finding it difficult at the moment to buy into far fetched premises and get very annoyed with plot holes. So I am conceding that this book just isn't a good match at this time.

Fast paced thriller with lots of twists and turns. A sleepy village with lots of secrets,a family who disappeared and a gutsy determined journalist. A good read.

Not my kind of read and I should’ve known this book wasn’t going to be for me. I could appreciate what the other did, but unfortunately I couldn’t get into the book.

This book is Caroline Mitchell at her best, this book was amazing, I loved it. Thrilling, tense and twisty it kept me engaged and interested right from page one to the finish. A great read that I don’t hesitate in recommending. A big fat five stars from me. Loved it!

I was really intrigued by this and excited to start it. I was not disappointed. It was very easy to read and kept me gripped. There were a few surprises mixed in with a few mysteries that I got just before the clincher happened. All in all I would definitely recommend this to fans of crime thrillers.

Naomi is an investigative journalist who recently quit her job to get married and join her new husband and (reluctant) stepdaughter in a new life in the countryside. But she's hiding something important from her new family: the house she picked out in the small village of Nighbrook to start over in is the same house from which the Harper family disappeared 10 years prior. She's been obsessed by the strange case for years. The family of three vanished seemingly into thin air and the village has kept their mouths shut about it since, shunning outsiders. But Naomi is determined to solve the case once and for all. But it soon becomes apparent that people in the village are also determined - to keep things quiet, at any cost.

This book had a great mystery at the heart of it - with an entire family simply vanishing into thin air, with almost no leads. So what happened? And the story gets almost strangers ad stranger as the story reveals itself more and more - I loved that part of it. It was super interesting. The narrative moves between the present and the events of ten years ago, leading up to the Harper family's disappearance, so we get to see the actual events play out and the learn about them through Naomi's investigation.

The characters are also the big stars of this book - Naomi, Morgan and Grace, to name a few. There's several that are real standouts and make you really question which side they're on and what their motives are. It keep you on your toes. Overall This book was just full of suspense, top to bottom!

When the dust finally settled my jaw was left hanging open with all the twists and turns that went on. The author does a really good job of bringing everything together and wrapping things up nicely - I was really satisfied with the ending. This book is one you have to read until the very end too, things keep being revealed until the last few pages, so don't skip anything!

Overall, if you like suspense and mysteries that will keep you turning pages - don't sleep on this one!

Crime journalist Naomi, with her new husband and stepdaughter, buy a house, Ivy Cottage, in the village of Nightbrook. It's the former home of the Harper family that disappeared without a trace ten years ago. Naomi is determined to solve the mystery. The villagers of Nightbrook do not wish them a warm welcome. Instead they seem to be doing their best to drive them away.
This book has a creepy vibe from the very beginning. The truth is revealed so slowly and gradually, that I could not stop reading as I wanted to know what happens next. There are so many twists and turns. I thought I had everything figured out, but the story took a turn into something completely unexpected.
Most of the characters felt very real. The family dynamics and Morgan's struggles to accept her new stepmother were portrayed so well. As well as the downward spiral of the Harper family. Great reading.

Fairly obvious little thriller from Caroline Mitchell.

I am a fan of her series but her stand-alones are usually pretty hit or miss. This one is a miss.

Family goes missing, years later a crime journalist moves to the village to research. The townspeople sniff her out and don't let her into any secrets.

Eh, it was just okay.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity.

As a fan of the DI Amy Winter series I was looking forward to The Village which is a stand-alone by Caroline Mitchell, however, I was disappointed as the story was unbelievable and at times almost comical with the numerous twists in the last few pages only adding to this feeling.

Sorry not really one for me.

5 stars
Not at all what I expected. I do feel there is a audience for this book. It is not for me. Thanks for the ARC of this book.

The Harper Family disappeared from Ivy Cottage ten years ago. When from journalist Naomi sees the house is for sale, she convinces her husband to buy it with a view to solving the case. However after moving there with stepdaughter Morgan, it appears they are unwelcome in the village. This is a boom of secrets, lies and a sleepy village with a dark past. This book will grip you and entertain to the end. Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing and the author for the chance to review.

Book Review: The Village by Caroline Mitchell
Published by Amazon Publishing UK and Thomas & Mercer, January 18, 2022

★★★★☆ (4.25 Stars)

Quite a delight when the best-selling author of the "DI Amy Winter" British police procedural series enthralls her audience with a twisty modern take on the English Village mystery genre personified by and reminiscent of the works of Agatha Christie, Shirley Jackson, Ngaio Marsh and other heavyweights of that golden era.

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It is the epitome of dedication to the job. Or, is it that of an obsession?

Nightbrook, England. A freelance investigative journalist, in pursuit of answers to the decade-old disappearance of a family of three, moves in from London and purchases a crumbling affair in that sleepy English village where the mysterious vanishing had occurred.

Mum's the word!

This is to be a potentially career-defining scoop, but Naomi Ward, along with her celebrity husband and her bitter, outwardly hostile Gothic stepdaughter are welcomed by the villagers with a collective stiff upper lip stonewall of silence and spite.

And quite rightfully so, as the tiny populace is still beset with closely guarded secrets from that night of unspeakable horrors.

Or was it that of boundless charity?

A game of Ouija, shadows in the garden, an abduction, long lost love fulfilled, domestic abuse, a fatal twist of the knife, and that final, game changing revelation. Author Caroline Mitchell keeps that page turning!

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What makes her crime and police procedural stories authentic may stem from the author's own background and life experience as a former Crime Investigation Department (CID) specialist, a job in which she'd dealt with vulnerable, high-risk victims of domestic abuse and serious sexual offences.

Well-crafted and delightful quick read.

Review based on an ARC from Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Naomi is newly married, with a teenage stepdaughter who dislikes her. They have made the decision to move from London to the New Forest for some peace and tranquility. Although, Naomi is hiding a secret from her family. The cottage she has purchased was the scene of an unsolved crime that happened ten years ago. And with Naomi being a crime fanatic, this is just perfect for her. She is determined to solve this crime and find out exactly what happened all those years ago. Except the villagers have already decided they want that family out and to keep secrets buried whatever the cost.

This author never fails to write a cracking page turner. This story reminded me of other stories all blended together. I really liked all the characters, except Lloyd, but that was to be expected. In fact, I wasn’t keen on many of the villagers, purely down to their morals, or the lack of. The story was really well written, with twists and turns coming often. A highly recommended read.

The Village has an intriguing premise. A family of three - mother, father, and handicapped daughter vanish without a trace. The water is left running, the oven is on for baking, and cartoons are playing on the television yet no one can seem to find any clues to their whereabouts. Did something sinister happen or have they simply moved on?

Crime journalist, Naomi, along with her new husband and stepdaughter decide to move into the house of the vanishing family as Naomi is obsessed with the case. The only problem is that neither her husband or stepdaughter are aware of what has happened here so long ago. That shouldn't be a problem though, should it?

The villagers make it clear to them that they aren't welcome. Should Naomi heed their warning?

This book wins the award of Most Obvious Perpetrator of all time. As soon as this character said their first sentence I knew who was behind the vanishing family and then we have all the village idiots working together to protect one of their own. Wait, I was wrong, this creep isn't the perpetrator? Oh, that's right, because we are entering the land of the ridiculous and the absurd where any whackadoodle thing can happen. And if you think that doozy of a twist is the last one well, you would be wrong, because Mitchell isn't done yet. Remember that little side story going on? Well, it's about to come full circle and surprise! Gotcha! Except it was dumb, just plain dumb. She should have just left well enough alone. This is the type of story that I feel a shower in bleach is necessary. It's not the good kind of creepy it's just gross. For such an accomplished writer this reads to me like a debut novel. Let's just say a love connection was not made between this reader and this author. 2 💩!

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for my complimentary copy.

This was another great book from Caroline Mitchell.
The plot and the characters had a few surprising twists up their sleeves. it was quite unnerving in places.
Definitely a page-turner.
Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Publisjung UK for an ARC in return for an honest review.

It started a bit slowly, gave away a few hints here and there, but left me with more questions than answers. It kept on piling on, and I was not sure what would come out of it. It turned out to be an enjoyable read about a village secret kept by too many people. It seems like the are all hiding something, and they have a new target "to handle".

I liked the way the story was unfolding, although at times I wish a few more details would have been revealed. The old mystery of a family who just disappeared was intriguing, and I liked the story behind it and how the village kept it all hidden.

There was so much going on in the book that I felt like some of the characters did not grow into what they could have been. The main characters are well presented in the book. To my own surprise it was easy to remember them all and distinguish them from each other, which is sometimes not so easy in standalone books.

Love this author! This is a rapid-paced, compelling story with masterful execution. The constant action means there is never a dull moment
Good book! This book was filled with suspense, action, intrigue, and lots of good detective work! It definitely was a good murder mystery! The storyline kept me glued to my Kindle through the whole book! I definitely recommend reading this book! Its well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Ten years ago, the Harper family disappeared. Their deserted cottage was left with the water running, the television was playing cartoons, the oven ready for baking. The doors were locked from the inside. Overnight, the sleepy village of Nighbrook became notorious as the scene of the unsolved mystery of the decade, an epicentre for the ghoulish media speculation. /for crime journalist Naomi, solving the case has turned into an obsession. With Ivy Cottage finally listed for sale, it's her chance to mount an investigation like no other. And her husband and stepdaughter don't really need to know about their new home.... do they?

The truth surrounding the Harper family's disappearance is slowly drip fed to us. Just when you think you know what happened, another twist comes along to put you of the trail. The characters were well developed and believable. I had to keep reading to: 1) find out what had happened to the Harpers. 2) find out why Naomi was so obsessed by it all. This is another well written and addictive read by the author.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #AmazonPublishingUK and the author #CarolineMItchell for my ARC of #TheVillage in exchange for an honest review.

Ten years ago, in the small village of Nighbrook, a family disappeared. There was no sign of foul play and no evidence that they just walked away from their lives. Nevertheless, they are never heard from again. Naomi was working as a journalist at the time the Harper family vanished, and like so many others, she became obsessed with uncovering the truth.
When she finds out that the cottage, the actual cottage the Harper family lived in is for sale, she makes a rather rash decision. She will convince her new husband to buy it and they can live there. Naomi can finally solve this puzzle, and, well, she might have neglected to mention her plan to her husband or stepdaughter, but I mean, what could go wrong?
A lot! She didn't expect to encounter the strange villagers who dislike her on sight and seemingly have quite a bit to hide. How far will they go to make sure their secrets still are hidden? Naomi's plan might just cause her family to disappear too.
I love the author's DI Amy series, and while I liked this book, it just didn't grab me in the same way. There wasn't one character that I connected with, and that might just be me. I was glad to learn what happened to the Harper family, though. If you enjoy a creepy village vibe, you might want to give this a try.

All of Caroline Mitchell's series have been compelling reading and this standalone thriller maintains her very high standard. Ten years ago three people mysteriously disappeared from their house in a tight-knit village and nothing has been heard of them since. A journalist, long obsessed with the case, sees a chance to unravel the mystery when the house comes up for sale. Great characters and fine writing, combined with an intriguing plot, make this a great read.

I’ve always enjoyed the Di Amy Winters series written by this author so was keen to read this standalone latest offering.

Newly wed Naomi Ward has a deep obsession with highly publicised and baffling disappearance of the Harper family. The family vanished without a trace in strange circumstances. As an investigative journalist Naomi is keen to solve the puzzle so much so that when the Harper’s home, Ivy Cottage is put up for sale she persuades her husband to buy it. The remote village the cottage belongs to has a tight knit community with a reputation of being unfriendly and hostile to newcomers. As Naomi probes deeper into the mystery she realises the villagers hold a lot more secrets that they have no intention of revealing at any cost.

I highly enjoyed this book when I thought i had guessed the ending the plot took off in a different direction.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Ten years ago the Harper family disappeared without a trace. From that day forward the village of Nighbrook became the destination for ghost hunters and media spectators.

Crime journalist Naomi who is obsessed with the case is thrilled when the cottage is put up for sale. She jumps on the chance to move her family and finally solve this mystery.

Naomi did not receive the warm welcome from the villagers she was expecting. No one will answer her questions let alone speak to her. It soon becomes clear that the villagers are hiding something. The more she digs, the more dangerous it gets.

I really enjoyed the writing style and I thought the story was ok. It wasn’t bad it wasn’t good. I enjoyed it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

This isn't a novel; it's a 300-page Improbability Machine that's churning out plot twists left and right, until all semblance of plausibility (or narrative structure) goes out the window. Totally ludicrous. It's like the author sat down and started writing, and whenever something didn't fit or things got too boring, POW!, plot twist. At the same time "The Village" unfortunately is boring as all get out, because you never get attached to the characters (who all behave like fresh from the loony bin) or get invested in the plot, because it's just. Too. Much. All those twists and turns left me literally sea sick.
Also, before you spend money on this, please consider if you really want to spend time with people named "Edward Ward", who goes by the name of Ed... Ed Ward... no. Please no. It also helps if you're not too invested in LGBTQ affairs, because there's another un-thought-out subplot going on here where sexual orientation is handled in the most stupid, cheap way -- first that person is straight and very much into a member of the opposite sex (complete with Problems, because this story is nothing without Problems), and then all of a sudden they're gay, because... Because the author thought it would be cool, or something? Like everything else in this novel, it's handled in the most clunky way possible and feels completely unconvincing.
We have a super-nice dreamy millionaire film producer from Scotland who drops everything, including his brand-new spouse, problem child and just-purchased hovel in the middle of nowhere, to go hunt for his vanished druggie ex; we have a borderline psychopath teen girl who is by turns insufferable and insufferably stupid (no worries about her -- at the end she turns into Normal Girl, signified by her "pink pastel woollen jumper... a vast improvement on her black attire of before", so all is well); we have the saintly step-mom/braindead wannabe-sleuth who has turned her ghoulish obsession with some other family's murder into, yes, well, what exactly -- even more of an obsession?
She really wants to solve that case, but her new husband mustn't find out, so of course she has him buy the house where they were murdered and proceeds to lie to him like nobody's business. And, just to bring the crazy home, these are supposed to be the NORMAL people. Now the real weirdos, that's the village population, which seems to consist of, say, seven?, all of them totally strange. Ominously strange. Ridiculously implausibly strange. There are clandestine meetings where they hold creeeepy, creeeepy talks and look at each other balefully. They say super mean things about True Crime basket case lady's cakes (even though they're organic!). It's like they have... a secret?!? And then, because too much is never enough, the author throws in some jack-in-the-box Figures from the Past.
This is a truly great book if your eye-rolling capacities could use some training, but other than that I can't recommend it.

Naomi Ward is retiring as a crime reporter under her alter ego, Marsha Bowers. Newly married to Scottish film producer, Ed Ward, they are about to make a move from London to a small village in Nighbrook, along with Ed’s sixteen year old dsughter, Morgan. Unbeknownst to Ed, Naomi has an ulterior motive in purchasing the rundown home called Ivy Cottage. Twenty five years ago a family of three simply vanished from Ivy Cottage, never to be heard from again. Obsessed with the case and hoping to find answers, Naomi jumped at the chance to purchase the cottage. Nighbrook is not the idyllic village Naomi was hoping for. The residents are unwelcoming and would prefer that the Ward’s leave. What are they hiding and do they know what happened to the Harper’s all those years ago? Having issues with Morgan as well (who isn’t the biggest fan of her new stepmom), Naomi delves in deep to discover the mystery of the Harper’s, but in doing so is she putting her new family in danger? This book had me quite intrigued to begin with, but as the story progressed I wasn’t quite as enamored with it and figured out the conclusion long before reaching the end. All in all it was an OK read, but the twists were a bit on the unbelievable side.

Meh read. The book was just far fetched . A move to a house where the kitchen is completely updated but the rest of house has spider webs and needs a deep clean. The anonymous internet chatter who was not so anonymous. The village and its inhabitants who have stayed stagnant for ten years. Just too many unbelievable events. All the characters carried baggage that made them hard to like or feel compassion for. My last read of 2021. I enjoy Caroline Mitchell’s books but this one did not work for me.

I read this in one sitting as I couldn't put it down. I know how Naomi (the main character) felt as she wasn't giving up until she solved the 10 year old mystery of the disappearance of the Harper family.

10 years ago in Nighbrook village the Harper family disappeared without a trace and their disappearance was never solved.

Naomi is a crime journalist, so when Ivy Cottage (where the Harpers lived) came on the market 10 years after the disappearance, she and her husband Ed purchased it. Naomi was keen to uncover the secrets of the house but Ed knew nothing about the house's history. They relocated there from London with Ed's daughter Morgan, who was determined to make life difficult for her step-mother Naomi from day one.

The villagers in Nighbrook were not at all welcoming to the new family and Naomi soon discovered that the whole village were keeping secrets. As Naomi pushed for more answers the villagers became more hostile. Had she made a huge mistake and were her family in more danger than she realised?

Plenty of twists and shocking moments. Then I was left gobsmacked at the end. I totally didn't see that coming so well done to the author for surprising me!

Many thanks to netgalley, the publishers and the author for an arc. Really enjoyed reading this and will be looking for more from this author.

The Village is a chilling, atmospheric mystery, that combines great characters and suspense with a setting that is both isolated and claustrophobic all at once. From the very beginning of the book I was hooked, invested in the story and the mystery of the Harper family, who disappeared in suspicious circumstances a decade earlier. It is a story that involves us, as readers, in a kind of subterfuge, and yet resolutely holds its secrets from our curious and prying eyes. I, much like Naomi, became quickly intrigued by the mystery, but unlike the books protagonist, I was armed with far more clarity on just what the eponymous village was concealing. Not everything, not by a long chalk, but more than enough to get the hackles up and view everyone and everything with suspicion.

The story follows Naomi and her family as they move to a new home in the village of Nighbrook, the very cottage from which the Harpers disappeared in fact. Far from the idyll they may have hoped for, the house is in need to some major repairs and the location far more isolated than even Naomi feels comfortable with. This adds a kind of conflict and tension to the story, the isolation creating a sense of threat that only grows as the story progresses. And Nighbrook is a very dark kind of village. Everyone knows everyone, and they are in no way welcoming of strangers. And there is nothing delightful about Nighbrook at all. Only a kind of shadow that rests beneath the facade of the picturesque village setting,

But it is not just the villagers making Naomi's life difficult, and the animosity coming in waves off her step-daughter, Morgan, who resentment of Naomi seemingly knows no bounds. There is a real authenticity to this relationship, that idea of the child who doesn't want a new mother, doesn't welcome the intrusion in her family, and who still believes that her parents can and should be together. It is acutely observed by the author and adds to the already high tension of the story. I felt a touch sorry for Naomi, although also frustrated as her position could have been improved tenfold if she had simply been more honest with her family.

This is very much a story of deception, a twisted subterfuge in which people are willing to kill in order to maintain order and keep their long buried secrets. We are privy to some of the past through the memories of those who lived through the disappearance, although whether we can fully trust their perspective is open to question. There are so many lies, and so few people that felt trustworthy, that even when I was shown the apparent truth, I'm not sure I believed it. Caroline Mitchell had me guessing and second guessing myself, sure I knew exactly what was happening, but still shocked by the full extent of the truth. And even then, when it seemed everything was finally out in the open, a final jaw dropping revelation is made that had me nodding in appreciation.

Perhaps there's something to be said about living in a large, anonymous town or city after all.

A dark, twisted tale full of misdirection, secrecy and suspense. Fans of the author will absolutely love it. I think it's one of my favourite books by. Caroline Mitchell to date.

Naomi has been obsessed with the disappearance of the Harper family from Ivy Cottage for years and now she's going to solve the puzzle. Yes, she buys the house and moves her family- her new husband and her typically annoyed teen stepdaughter to the somewhat creepy village of Nighbrook. There are, of course, lots of secrets and lies but there's actually a good puzzle here. It's totally unrealistic in so many ways but hey, that's what makes it oddly compulsively readable. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. No spoilers from me.

The description of The Village grabbed me immediately and when I dived into the book the plot did not let go. It was a great thriller with tension, twists and turns and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC.

This was my first read from Caroline Mitchell. When I read the synopsis, I thought this book was right up my alley. A family of three just up and disappears from their home with no trace? Everything left in a state of suspension, like they would be back at any moment. I love mysteries like this and trying to figure out what happened.

I have to say, I really felt no connection at all with Naomi. She made some very questionable decisions, ones that affected her whole family that she kept mum about. Who moves their family into a house once occupied by a family who mysteriously disappeared, in a remote village, and doesn’t think to mention why? I was unclear as to why she was so completely obsessed with that family and solving that mystery.

The pacing of the book was very slow for me, and I struggled to find motivation to keep reading, as not enough clues or events were happening to keep me moving forward. But I kept going, just to get to the end to find out what happened. It’s obvious the villagers don’t want Naomi and her family there; they are not friendly AT ALL to outsiders.

There were things in this story that did not feel plausible at all. But I suspended belief and kept going to find out what happens. But, I just kept shaking my head at the happenings in the story. I don’t know, this book just didn’t work for me. I commend Ms. Mitchell for what she was trying to accomplish and where she was going with the story, but it sadly just wasn’t my cup of tea.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Intriguing characters and a dark mystery will keep you flipping pages long past bedtime. The plot is told from different character perspectives and bounces between now and the past. There were several twists. I was kept guessing until the reveals. It started off a little slow but then I was hooked. Highly recommend!

3.5 stars
This is a good book that I enjoyed.
Naomi and her husband arrange to move from London to a quiet village called Nighbrook.
Naomi is very keen to live here so she can investigate the disappearance of the Harper family ten years ago.
Ed’s daughter arrives with them and is far from impressed with the state of the bungalow.
There’s other chapters from a group of residents in Nighbrook and it’s clear they will not be welcoming Naomi and Ed to their village.
There’s lots of secrets brewing in this group and Naomi wants to find out what they’re all hiding.
Events take a turn for the worse and more than one life is in danger.
This is a good read but I felt it lacked something to really keep me gripped.
Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Chock full of atmosphere, suspense and tension, aptly-named The Village is perfection to curl up with, especially on a dark, cold night. Ten years ago, a family disappeared into nothingness, leaving the TV blaring and water running in their home, Ivy Cottage. Newly married former journalist turned baker Naomi and her husband Ed, along with his daughter, Morgan, buy Ivy Cottage and move in. Naomi has ulterior motives...she is obsessed with the mysterious circumstances and feels the need to do some digging. Villagers are downright grim and contrarian and do their best to flummox and perplex the newcomers. Not only are the villagers anxiety inducing but Morgan despises her stepmom. And there are other relationships...

I just love flashbacks and differing perspectives in books. Caroline Mitchell does it seamlessly here, nudging with hints and glimpses of then and now, building up an interesting plot and conclusion. Though some aspects of the story are predictable, there are juicy surprises and twists. The tension and relationship quirks are fabulous.

Mystery and Thriller readers should seek out this book. It is atmospheric with a shivery bit of scariness but it's not frightening.

My sincere thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this thrillery book!

This was another excellent book from Caroline who is becoming one of my favourite authors. This bike was fast paced with many twists and turns. I thought I had it all figured out but I was wrong! Loved the ending.

This really builds the tension all through the book. Excellent storytelling, with only a couple of ‘why would she do that’ moments. You really won’t guess what happened in the house in the wood. When you reach what feels like the end, you are still a long way from the final twists. Great characters too.

The Village is a page turning , don't bother me I am reading book.

I could not put it down.

This is a village like no other village !

Naomi being a crime journalist/enthusiast purchases a home that an entire family just disappeared from 10 years ago.

Nighbrook is a village of many secrets and the residents stick together no matter what.

The suspense builds, the pages turn quickly as you race to the ending.

Caroline Mitchell never disappoints and this book is no exception. Don't miss this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing , Thomas #38; Mercer for heart pounding read.

Caroline Mitchell’s The Village opens spectacularly, grabbing the interest of the reader. A family of three who vanishes without a trace is surely a plotline that captures the attention even if one is not a fan of thrillers and Caroline Mitchell has the additional benefit of having worked as a detective and her talent in creating a claustrophobic atmosphere in stories is one of the best out there.

The Village of Nighbrook with its antagonistic residents is not a place that one would wish to live in, but true crime journalist Naomi has no qualms in dragging her new family to Ivy Cottage in Nighbrook as her obsessed mind wouldn’t let go of the Harper family who has vanished without a trace. Her husband Ed is clueless about the house’s history but her stepdaughter Morgan, aware of the past hidden inside the rafters is simply filled with glee in finding an opportunity to torture her step-mom. Naomi’s characterization was confusing, she comes across initially as this laser focussed obsessed woman with no thought about her family’s welfare but then changes direction to the caring stepmom and wife once the true horror of the cottage reveals itself.

The family dynamics create a tense background to the story that unfolds in the village with the arrival of the Ward family in Nighbrook. The small town culture and the phobia of the long held secret have been wonderfully layered into the story, but I did wish for a more tense and menacing atmosphere especially with a cottage surrounded by woods. I have read a few other books by the author and have found them quite compelling but The Village didn’t evoke the kind of goosebump worthy terror that I expected. Another factor that worked against me was that I had guessed almost all the reveals in the story which was kind of a bummer for my reading experience.

The Village is definitely a solid thriller but if you are a first time reader, I would strongly recommend reading the author’s The Perfect Mother or the Silent Twin for that perfect creepy vibe.

Many thanks to Net Galley, Thomas & Mercer publishing, and the author for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.

This review is published in my blog Rain'n'Books, ##Goodreads, ##Amazon India, ##Book Bub, ##Medium.com, ##Facebook, ##Twitter.

I have read quite a few books from this author and enjoyed them all, this was no exception, a good story line that kept me involved all the way with good characters.

I can recommend this book and thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Well this was interesting, wasn't sure really what to make of it but it kept me interested and I had to keep going in one session and finish it as I needed to know how it was going to end.

Really interesting and I am so glad that I read it and will definitely be looking for more for this author. How the author thought of this I don't know but from a reader's perspective I am so glad that she did, I am not saying that I didn't want to throw things at some of the characters but a good book gets you worked up and involved.

I was given an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.

Ten years ago the Harper family simply disappear from their cottage on the edge of a village in the New Forest. Nothing in the home is out of place. The mother was in the middle of a baking session, their daughter watching cartoons on TV. Despite an extensive investigation no one was ever found.
Now Ivy Cottage has a new owner. Journalist Naomi and film producer husband Ed arrive from London with his difficult teenage daughter Morgan. They find the villagers miserable and unwelcoming which makes Naomi, who has deliberately bought the cottage in order to investigate the Harpers’ disappearance, even more keen to unravel the mystery.
From the moment they arrive at their new home deep in the woods, there is an air of menace. It’s winter and it’s dark and when Ed is unexpectedly called away, Naomi feels even more vulnerable.
The story is woven between past and present, teasing out the events leading up to the Harper family’s disappearance. There is tension and a feeling of a community where some individuals will do anything to prevent the truth from surfacing. Overall I enjoyed this book, although I did guess early on who had been involved in the events at Ivy Cottage. It’s not the best psychological thriller I have read, but it entertained and was well written.
My thanks to Amazon, Caroline Mitchell and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of The Village in exchange for an honest review

Ten years ago, Ivy Cottage in the village of Nighbrook in the New Forest was left deserted when the Harper family mysteriously disappeared, and the mystery has never been solved. Now, ten years on and Naomi Ward, a crime journalist, is determined to solve the mystery, the cottage is up for sale and she's convinced her new husband Ed that it would be a great place for them to live with his teenage daughter Morgan, they are both unaware of the history of the house, but that's not going to be an issue is it? Unfortunately the villagers think differently and the Wards are faced with animosity as soon as they arrive, what is it that they are trying to keep secret and is Naomi putting her family in danger by raking up the past?

The Village is told in alternate timelines of the present day and ten years earlier, so the reader gains both aspects of the story. There are some very undesirable characters in this book and I was convinced I'd worked out who the perpetrator was, well it was obvious wasn't it, oh no it wasn't because Mitchell never makes her plots obvious, and that's why they work so well. There are many twists to this tale, with one in particular that I didn't see coming, it's a fast paced, compelling, atmospheric read and in true Mitchell style she drip feeds the tension which kept me wanting more and I devoured it in 24 hours. As with her previous books, this author does not disappoint.

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

Over ten years ago, a family goes missing from their cottage in their small, close knit community. Now, a journalist and her new family moves into the cottage, with the journalist determined to solve the mystery of the family’s disappearance. This is one of those books that had you feeling like “been there, done that”, but the further you get the better this book becomes, and when you finish, you say, “damn, that was pretty good!”. I think the book turns for the better when the cliched “evil stepdaughter” softens up and does a complete 180, as the entire tone of the story changes, you’re rooting for the family, and your contempt turns to sympathy. It truly changes the atmosphere for the reader, and flipped my entire feeling for the book. Well done! I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The premise of this book sounded like a good thriller - 10 years ago a family disappeared without a trace and now a crime reporter has purchased their house and hopes to solve the mystery. But this book was just too all over the place. There was the initial mystery, the village cover up, the relationship between Naomi and Morgan, the relationship between Dawn and Morgan and the flashbacks to 10 years earlier. I had pretty much figured out one of the `twists` fairly early on. The relationship between Morgan and Naomi and Morgan and Dawn changed too quickly to believable. I have not read anything else by Caroline Mitchell so I don't know how it compares to her other books. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC.

This is one creepy read.
I had no idea where this story was going to go when I started it, but I enjoyed the journey it took me on. Naomi is an extremely strong character, which made a pleasant change from the weak female protagonists that often appear in these books.
The book is interspersed with events from the past; these are mainly from Grace, the missing young girl’s perspective. They left you wanting more as nothing was made clear about what was actually wrong with Grace, but as the story progresses, her maladies get worse and worse.
The present-day chapters follow both Naomi and her stepdaughter Morgan. These chapters move at a slightly slower pace, and you feel yourself rushing through them to get some answers to what is going on.
The ending is quite complicated, and I don’t feel like we get all fleshed out answers to everything but just enough to satisfy the reader that they haven’t wasted their time reading this book. I think I would have liked to ensconce myself a little more in the why’s and how’s before jumping to Naomi’s conclusion.
Overall, it was a good read, and I did get through it at a good pace, but I just felt like something was missing from it, which I can’t quite put my finger on. Still, a good four-star read, though.

3.5 rounded up.
I have read and enjoyed many books by this author, mostly series books, but this is a stand alone thriller. It features Naomi who is a crime journalist and her obsession with the disappearance of a family. The Harpers literally vanished one day. TV left on, baking half done. It's like they just upped and left, leaving everyone completely flummoxed and the village on the list of places where strange things have happened. So it is with delight that Naomi moves into the same village. Actually the same cottage! Her husband and step-daughter know nothing of her obsession so she has to try and keep it on the down-low whilst she tries to investigate. An investigation that stalls as the villagers close ranks, leading her to believe that they all must know more than they are saying. But will she get to the bottom of things before her real motive is exposed...?
This was a good solid read that, at the end of the day, wasn't too taxing and which left me mostly satisfied. It didn't blow me out of the water but not all books have that special quality. I can't quite put my finger on why but it didn't quite have that "wow" factor that I was expecting from this author. Maybe the reveals went a step too far and it all got a bit too much. Maybe I didn't quite manage to connect wholly to Naomi. Maybe I just didn't really care about what happened to the Harpers. And what's with moving into a dilapidated house without making it even just the slightest bit habitable? I was just not completely sold on everything that happened.
But, as one swallow doesn't make a summer, one notsogreat books doesn't mean I'm in any way about to write the author off. Her track record with me still speaks volumes. This just wasn't the book for me. Hopefully she will be back on track for me next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

I’d like to thank Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Village’ by Caroline Mitchell in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Naomi, a freelance crime journalist writing under the name of Marsha Bowers, becomes so involved in the disappearance of Martin and Susan Harper and daughter Grace that she persuades her husband Ed to buy Ivy Cottage in Nighbrook, a village in the New Forest, although he’s unaware of its history. The day arrives when they move in with Ed’s daughter Morgan and it soon becomes apparent that no-one wants them there especially as she’s told the villagers have a reputation for driving families away. The longer they stay in the cottage the more Naomi believes they’re being watched until she’s no longer sure they’ve made the right decision moving there.

‘The Village’ is a thriller where the chapters alternate between what happened to the Harper family ten years ago and what’s happening now. From the beginning Naomi tries to make a home for her step-daughter whose self-centred and obnoxious attitude makes it hard for me to like her. The villagers appear to follow the advice of the village’s alcoholic PC Lloyd Thomas and it’s clear they’re all keeping a secret. This is a well-written thriller with an interesting plot, action, drama and twists and turns although it does get a bit far-fetched at times and on one occasion I wondered if I was still reading the same novel. The writing flows well making it quick and easy to read, and maybe it’s not the best book I’ve had the opportunity to read it’s a good solid thriller nonetheless.

A five-star read focusing on the bizarre disappearance of the Harper family and journalist Noami's search for explanations of what happened many years before.

This is a fast-paced thriller, packed full of twists and suspense, making this an exciting read that was hard to put down. The fast few chapters had me engrossed and this quickly became a classic page-turner for me. Told over a timeline of then and now, with some very intriguing characters, it is very easy to read in one sitting, if time allows.

I highly recommend this read to anyone who likes to do a little detective work as a plot unfolds.

Crime journalist Naomi is newly-married to her very wealthy husband, Ed, and, giving up her London flat, she persuades him to buy a cottage in the country. What she doesn’t tell him is that Ivy Cottage, in the village of Nighbrook, has been empty for ten years, because the family who lived there simply vanished one day. The television was left on, taps running, etc, but no sign of what happened to the Harpers.

Naomi thought that the villagers would welcome their new neighbours but, unfortunately, they are anything but friendly. They seem to know what happened on that day ten years ago and certainly don’t want to answer any of her questions. Naomi also doesn’t have an easy time with her step-daughter, Morgan, who lives with them.

A well-written page-turner which I would highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

4 stars

The Village by Caroline Mitchell is a riveting suspense novel set in a bucolic hamlet in the English countryside. Part crime mystery, with touches of horror, it is also a fascinating story of relationships, secrets, lies and redemption that raise the novel above the average murder-in-a-village mystery.
Told from multiple points of view, the story unfolds as Naomi, a successful true-crime writer, finds Ivy Cottage, in the village of Nighbrook, is for sale 10 years after the mysterious blood-soaked evening its young family residents disappear. Naomi finagles the purchase and moves into Ivy Cottage, a “place tainted by murder, nestled in a village of the damned,” with her husband Ed and sullen step-daughter Morgan.
The story then kicks into a higher gear, as her involvement with the villagers, “the glare of suspicion in their eyes,” becomes dangerous for Naomi and her family as she investigates the mystery. The tale is complicated with a number of twists that kept me engaged in the mystery as it came to its tumultuous conclusion!
The characters are nicely fleshed out, especially Naomi and Morgan, with a good look at the newer younger wife--angry teen step-daughter relationship. The villagers are a mixed lot, with some deeper darker characters like Floyd the sheriff and Dawn, the vicar’s teen daughter.
The writing is solid, as the atmospheric descriptions imbue the story with a brooding claustrophobic feeling of dread and the persistent tension of impending disaster.
I liked the overall story, the flashbacks, and the cast of characters, and recommend it to readers who like an intense crime-in-an-English-village mystery tale. This is my first read by Caroline Mitchell, and I will seek out more of her novels.

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my unbiased review.

Thank you to the author, Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The premise is intriguing, but this story about small town/village secrets is a progression of cliched plot threads that clunk into utterly foreseeable twists, which then degenerate into the absurd. Sorry, but this was not for me.

I'm a huge fan of Caroline Mitchell and always enjoy her standalones as well as the Amy Winter series that first hooked me. The Village sucked me in from the very beginning and I was just as obsessed as Naomi with getting to the bottom of the Harper family disappearance. I definitely got Hot Fuzz and their greater good vibes from Nighbrook. There are some parts where you have to suspend disbelief, like when an extremely rich couple move into a damp house with no furniture. I'm aIso not normally a fan of that particular disability trope but it works well in this book.

There is a range of great characters from lovable to hated and everything in between. Even though there are a quite a few names I didn't struggle to keep track of them because they were all written so well. I loved seeing Naomi and Morgan's relationship grow and change. I think Morgan was my favourite character and a lot of her storyline was a rollercoaster of emotions. i just wanted to give her a hug. I kept changing my mind about what I thought had happened and then the ending was just twist after twist. I couldn't put this book down and read it in a day. Definitely recommend.

I received a copy of the ebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

I was so excited to read this book and it certainly did not disappoint. Incredibly tense, gripping and atmospheric. I was pulled in from the start and could not put it down. Utterly brilliant and a must read for any thriller fans.

The synopsis of this book had me really intrigued; a family disappearing from a house with the doors still locked from the inside. Overall it was a good read with twists galore that kept me turning the pages, I guessed one but the last was a jaw dropping moment. It was quite creepy in parts too. You really wouldn’t want to live in this village! Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for letting me read and review this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of #TheVillage by #CarolineMitchell.
Newlywed Naomi is obsessed with an event that happened 10 years ago when a family of three disappeared leaving everything behind.
They never touched their bank accounts or used their passports. Could three people really just disappear. Naomi is determined to find the truth and willing to risk her life in the pursuit.
A great read told through the eyes of the people present now and 10 years ago.
Definitely ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The village by Caroline Mitchell.
Ten years ago, the Harper family disappeared. Their deserted cottage was left with the water running, the television playing cartoons, the oven ready for baking. The doors were locked from the inside. Overnight, the sleepy village of Nighbrook became notorious as the scene of the unsolved mystery of the decade, an epicentre for ghoulish media speculation.
For crime journalist Naomi, solving the case has turned into an obsession. So now, with Ivy Cottage finally listed for sale, it’s her chance to mount an investigation like no other. And her husband and stepdaughter don’t really need to know what happened in their new home… do they? But Nighbrook isn’t quite the village she expected. No one wants to talk to her. No one will answer her questions. And as she becomes increasingly uneasy, it’s clear that the villagers are hiding something—that there is something very dark at the heart of this rural idyll. And the deeper she digs, the more it seems her investigation could be more dangerous than she ever imagined… In raking up the secrets of the past, has she made her own family the next target?
I really really enjoyed this book. I do love this author. Great story and characters. I liked the cover too. 4*.

The Village by Caroline Mitchell was another superb read, then again all of Caroline's books I have read, have been excellent and I am always hooked from the very first few pages. Hence why she has become one of my favourite authors.
I love the way she writes, and her fantastic communication about her new books etc we receive from her.

This new book was a great psychological thriller which is set in the village of Nighbrook in UK. However, Nighbrook has many dark secrets which is all around the disappearance of The Harper family, who mysteriously disappeared ten years ago. No one has moved into their house and it has been left untouched from the day they all disappeared. So when this house went on the market Naomi who is a crime journalist jumped at the chance to purchase it with her husband and her step daughter Morgan, and is hoping to solve the ten year mystery on what happened to them.
However, the villagers of Nighbrook have gone to great lengths to keep these secrets hidden and these newcomers are not welcome to their village,

Will Naomi and her family unlock these secrets of the disappearance of the Harper family?

Are they safe to live in the Harper house they have just purchased?

How did The Harpers disappear? Where are they?

WoW!!! What another brilliant book this was! it is a fast paced and full of great twists and turns throughout that will have you hooked and is great for a holiday read.


I highly recommend this book and all of Caroline's books . They do not disappoint! Just Brilliant Another excellent read.


5/5 star

Big Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve just finished reading a book that is completely entrancing and well worth the time. The Village by Caroline Mitchell is a psychological thriller which is set in the village of Nighbrook in the UK. It concerns Ivy Cottage, which is almost a character in this book. Ten years ago, the Harpers, who were living in the cottage, disappeared, never to be seen again. The house was found empty, with cookies ready for the oven and other normal signs of a family getting on with their day. All were gone except for the family dog. Fast forward to the present and Naomi, a journalist who has always been fascinated with the Harpers’ story, purchases Ivy Cottage when it comes on the market and moves in with her husband and step-daughter. And that is when it becomes clear that the people of Nighbrook have many secrets. The Village is completely suspenseful and it feels like it has several endings. Just when you think you have figured it out, the plot veers into another direction. The author, Caroline Mitchell, is a former police detective and the narrative shines with her experiences. This is my first Mitchell book but I will make a point of reading many more. This book stands apart from the usual in this genre. Highly recommended. Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Crime journalist Naomi moves her family to the cottage of a mysterious disappearance that happened 10 years ago. She is obsessed with solving the case, and immersing herself in the community that appears to be hiding what really happened to the Harper family.

This book is really creepy, in the best possible way. This book really conveys all the ways that the towns people go to (scary) ends to cover up what they feel is something important for the rest of the world not to know. The characters are believable in their obsession, and their actions.

Overall, this was a great story that sucked me in quickly. I enjoyed reading, and the plot moved well. Recommended for those who enjoy stories that will creep you out and make you look at people just a little bit differently.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is two stories in one and is genuinely creepy. The author did a fine job of making the reader feel the atmosphere of menace and danger in the woods and the suspicion and antipathy of the residents.

Ten years ago, a family of three - father, mother, and daughter - disappeared from their home in the small village of Nighbrook and never returned. In the present time, a new family of three - father, stepmother, and daughter - have moved into the house to the consternation of the other people in the village. To say that they don't like strangers is an understatement.

The new family is comprised of Ed, Naomi, and Morgan, Ed's daughter, who is 16. Ed and Naomi have not been married long. Ed is a filmmaker and travels a lot so he is absent for most of the book. Naomi presents herself to their new town as a baker of delicious pastries but while she is a fine baker, she is also a fairly well-known crime journalist. It didn't take the residents long to find that out, and she was met with hostility on her second trip to town. Not only hostility, but the owner of the restaurant she had given pastries to claimed that they contained maggots.

Naomi bought the house without sharing its history with her new family. I was expecting trouble in her marriage from that, but her husband Ed only mentions the history of the house and then moves on. Morgan makes friends with the daughter of the local pastor, Dawn, which makes her a lot happier about the move. Naomi, however, is increasingly troubled and uneasy as she feels isolated, wary of the other residents, and alone with Ed away so much. Dawn is the daughter of the local sheriff.

While I literally did not want to put this book down, I also felt a little let down at the end, maybe because there was not anything actually supernatural about it. Thanks to author Caroline Mitchell, Thomas & Mercer Publishing, and Netgalley for the review copy of this book. It was a pleasure to read and review.

I was hoping to get to read this book before publication day, but unfortunately life has got it the way. I will review asap and leave my review on the relevant sites

That’s one hell of an intriguing prologue! I knew I was in for a treat after reading that opener! I had to know what happened to the Harpers???!

But that will have to wait as I move into Ivy Cottage with the Wards, one dysfunctional family! Naomi is trying her hardest with stepdaughter Morgan but this angst-filled teen is having none of it. But soon it becomes a situation of them against us as the villagers of Nighbrook are hell bent on making them feel unwelcome … BUT WHY???!

I loved the way Mitchell kept me on my toes by switching perspectives so quickly. I got both sides of the present story with brief insights to lead up to the Harpers’ disappearance and boy were those snippets mind-boggling!

The Village is one hell of a dark and unnerving read. Mitchell has wrapped it up with her signature sinisterness that had me looking over my shoulder to make sure I wasn’t the one being followed or watched. My heart was racing as the story hit its shocking climax. You need to read this if you love your psych-thrillers twisted and dark!

A really engrossing story that proves that curiosity may kill. Naomi made changes in her life to pursue her obsession - to discover what happened to the Harpers, the family that lived at Ivy Cottage. The Nighbrook villagers kept their lips tight to keep a secret, although most of them were not totally apprised to the truth. But emerging from the difficulties that Naomi and her stepdaughter Morgan faced, they formed a strong bond that will allow them to live as a family. Will all the truth be disclosed? What will happen to Morgan's relationship with her mother? How will the Nighbrook village cope with the truth being disclosed?
A great plot, written with mastery that keeps the reader entertained till the end!

This was a good book with twists and turns, I felt it took a while to get where it was going and maybe a little bit more information at the end, but overall enjoyable

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing Thomas & Mercer for gifting me a digital copy of the latest thriller by Caroline Mitchell - one of my favorites. She is an ex-police detective so she definitely writes what she knows! 5 stars because I just couldn't put it down!

Ten years ago, the Harper family disappeared from their small village - it looked like they just disappeared from their home. Former crime journalist, Naomi, has been obsessed with the crime and when their house became available, she convinced her new husband to buy it, without telling him or her stepdaughter of its history. That isn't the only secret; the villagers seem to know more about the Harper's disappearance than they've ever shared and are none to happy to welcome a new family into the house.

This is a quick read - mainly because I was racing to see how it would all work out. It's full of interesting characters, great plot twists, and lots of suspense. Don't miss this one - and be sure to read her DI Amy Winters series as well!!

The Harper family disappeared from their home in the little village of Nighbrook 10 years ago. The mystery of what happened to them has never been solved. Naomi is a crime journalist and has been investigating their disappearance for as long as she can remember. When the opportunity to buy the Harper’s house arises, Naomi, her husband and step-daughter move to Nighbrook, but they find the villagers unwelcoming and obviously hiding something.

The premise of this book immediately drew me in! I love a good mystery and this sounded thrilling enough to keep me on the edge of my seat. The book was great and once started I couldn’t put it down. It was certainly creepy-creepy, weirdy-weirdy and the whole storyline left me with shivers down my spine. Naomi was a strange character though and I initially didn’t take to her as much. She was very obsessed with the mystery of what happened to the Harpers, to the point where she put her marriage and even their lives at risk. As the book moved on, I did begin to warm to her and I liked how she handled some situations and that she was really quite a strong character.

The villagers of Nighbrook were seriously weird though, with some of them darker, mysterious and dangerous than the others. They all seemed to be hiding something about what really happened and it was difficult to work out who to trust. I couldn’t work out where the storyline was heading, it seemed that there were many different paths it could take, and this kept me on my toes and thinking about what might happen as I read. The pace built up steadily, and I have to admit by the time I reached the climax of the story I was absolutely hooked. The plot twisted and turned and I didn’t guess at all where it was going!

This was a seriously good thriller and the author did a great job of steering you away from what was actually happening until it happened!! I have read books by this author before, but this was my favourite so far. Full of lies, secrets and danger, I really enjoyed this book! It’s chilling, thrilling and it will certainly keep you checking over your shoulder as you read…just in case! Would definitely recommend!

Ten years ago, the Harper family disappeared. Their deserted cottage was left with the water running, the television playing cartoons, the oven ready for baking. The doors were locked from the inside.
Overnight, the sleepy village of Nighbrook became notorious as the scene of the unsolved mystery of the decade, an epicentre for ghoulish media speculation.
For crime journalist Naomi, solving the case has turned into an obsession. So now, with Ivy Cottage finally listed for sale, it’s her chance to mount an investigation like no other. And her husband and stepdaughter don’t really need to know what happened in their new home… do they?
But Nighbrook isn’t quite the village she expected. No one wants to talk to her. No one will answer her questions. And as she becomes increasingly uneasy, it’s clear that the villagers are hiding something—that there is something very dark at the heart of this rural idyll. And the deeper she digs, the more it seems her investigation could be more dangerous than she ever imagined… In raking up the secrets of the past, has she made her own family the next target?

This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own hone\st voluntary review.

This is a stand alone novel.

I know from reading several of Caroline Mitchell's earlier novels that the characters will be carefully crafted and that there will be plenty of twists and turns in the storyline.

The novel is told over two time frames separated by a decade.
The story is set in a remote fictional village setting in the New Forest.

The10 years ago part of the story revolves around a couple and their daughter who all diappear from their cottage.
The now part of the story concerns a newly wed couple and their daughter who move into the same cottage from which the missing family disappeared.

I won't go into detail about the plot for fear of spoiling the story. Suffice to say that there are enough twists and turns and a few red herrings along the way before the truth becomes clear about the events which occurred in this village where virtually everyone has some sort of secret to hide.

I enjoyed the book and I give my thanks to Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for a copy in exchange for this review.

The Village by Caroline Mitchell is a psychological thriller.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Thomas & Mercer and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Naomi, a true crime journalist, moves from London to Ivy Cottage, in the sleepy little village of Nighbrook.  The last year has changed her life...a new husband, a 16 year-old step-daughter, and now a rural cottage.  She's not sure any of this is a good idea.

But life in Nighbrook has not always been perfect .  Ten years ago Martin Harper, his wife Susan, and their wheel-chair bound 8-year old daughter Grace,  disappeared from their home, Ivy Cottage.

This is the same Ivy Cottage that Naomi has purchased...without telling her husband of it's rather dark history.  Ed would not approve although he is bound to find out.  But as a crime journalist Naomi has never been able to let this story go.  She is obsessed, and determined to find the truth, even if it means buying and living in that eerie little cottage.

The villagers are just as determined to keep their secrets.  They all seem to know what happened 10 years ago, but no one plans on opening up to Naomi.  She may regret moving her new family to this town, because some secrets can be deadly.


My Opinions:   
I really enjoy the Amy Winters series by this author, and have enjoyed her other stand-alone novels, so I really looked forward to this.

Unfortunately, my first thoughts were not good, as it involved a bratty teen-aged stepdaughter.  You sort of knew where that was headed.  So the first quarter of the book, I admit to being a little annoyed with myself for choosing to read this book.  Once I got over the wicked step-daughter thing, I started to really enjoy the book.

The story is told in two time-lines (current and ten years ago).  There was no confusion.  The characters were really interesting, and the suspense built throughout.  Then, when you thought you knew what was going on, the author threw you another curve.  Yes, the plot took some definitely unexpected turns, and a couple of them a little "out-there", but I loved turning the pages to see where we were going next.

It was a really fast read, and the many twists kept me turning the pages to see what awaited around the next corner.  The book gives new meaning to the saying "it takes a village to raise a child".

Anyway, I enjoyed it!



For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/

Ten years ago, the Harper family, a family of three, disappeared from their Ivy Cottage in the sleepy village of Nighbrook. The oven was ready for the cookies the mom was baking, the television was playing Disney for little Grace, and the suitcase was half unpacked from the dad returning from his business trip. For crime journalist Naomi, solving the disappearance case has turned into an obsession. So when she bought the cottage where the family disappeared, she thought she could finally find all the answers.

The Good: this book had a lot of surprising twists. When one twist was revealed there was another shockingly, unpredictable twist that I didn't see coming.

The Bad: all the characters. But especially Naomi. She doesn't consider herself a gold digger, yet she uses her husband's money to buy a cottage, knowingly he would never live there if he knew the history. I had no respect for her. Also, the story with all the twists and turns was so far-fetched and unbelievable.

Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and Caroline Mitchell for a copy of "The Village" in exchange of an honest review.

This review was originally posted on <a href="https://booksofmyheart.net/2022/01/25/%f0%9f%8e%a7-the-village-by-caroline-mitchell/" target="_blank"> Books of My Heart</a>
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I have read another series by this author and somehow didn't pay very much attention to the blurb, thinking this would be a police procedural. <strong>The Village</strong> is much more a psychological suspense.  Naomi, as a crime journalist, wants to know what happened to a family and buys the home where they disappeared.  Her new husband and step-daughter, Morgan, move to this remote small village and she sets out to solve the mystery.

The villagers are close to hostile right away when she asks about it.  They begin shutting her out.  Strange things happen with people in the house and around the house.  Naomi continues reading old newspapers and searching through old boxes in the loft. The village takes right to gossiping and trying to ruin her credibility.

Meanwhile, Morgan is not pleased to be moved away from her mother and into a remote area.  She pranks and maligns Naomi at every chance.  She even has an online "boyfriend" who she shares her rants about Naomi.  She does manage to make a friend in the new village which gives her experiences to better grasp her current situation.

Just when it seems like Naomi will be stymied, she learns some truths, which set off a chain of unexpected events.  Would she and her family die like the Harpers?  The ending was very exciting and well concluded.

*Thank you to Caroline Mitchell, NetGalley, and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

Previously published online at https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/the-village/

“But the memories that hang heaviest are the easiest to recall.”

― Julie Gregory, Sickened: The Memoir of a Munchausen by Proxy Childhood

The Village is an atmospheric and terrifying novel that takes place in a small village in England called Nighbrook. This is a book that completely draws you in from the first page. The reader follows Naomi and her new husband and stepdaughter as they move from London to Nighbrook. Naomi’s ulterior motive is that she has been following a mystery as a crime reporter and has bought the very house where the crime took place. The Harper family; Susan, Martin, and Grace, a very sick little girl with an unidentified illness, disappeared ten years ago without a trace. Leaving all the lights on in the house, the oven on and an unfinished breakfast. The town police officer, Lloyd, is very much in the forefront of this story as his memories of the Harper family pervade the book. We know the small village is protecting a secret, but we don’t know what it is.

The villagers of Nighbrook dislike outsiders and are making Naomi’s life difficult, but it is not just them. Morgan, Naomi’s new stepdaughter, is very resentful of Naomi as she feels Naomi broke up her parent’s marriage. The relationship between them is fraught with animosity and jealousy. Morgan’s mother is mentally ill and an addict, but Morgan very much wants to live with her.

The Village will leave you guessing and second guessing what you think happened to the Harper family. There are so many lies, deception and twisty turns. Each person living in Nighbrook, creepier than the next. The story is told through flashbacks, memories, and present time. There are dual points of view but also the reader sits in on the town meetings and we are privy to the inside information of those who live in the village. As one reader said, perhaps there’s something to be said about living in a large, anonymous town or city after all. The entire book makes you feel you are living in an M. Night Shyamalan movie.

This is my first book by Caroline Mitchell, and I loved it. There is everything you want in a mystery; suspense, intrigue, lies. There are two huge twists right at the end that will cause the reader to rethink who they named the perpetrator throughout the entire book. What actually happened to the Harper family? The answer will surprise you.

An abandoned house, a disappeared family - the Harper family vanished from their home. The TV was left on, someone was baking cookies, & the dog was still outside in the yard, but there was no trace of the parents or their young daughter, then or now. Ten years later, crime journalist Naomi buys the home for her new family comprising her new husband & teenage step-daughter, Morgan. She's hoping there may be some small clue inside Ivy Cottage that she can use to solve the cold case. Her husband is quickly called away, & Naomi is left with her step-daughter who seems to hate her, the villagers are strangely unfriendly, & she feels as if they aren't welcome.

I have mixed feelings on this one. On the one hand, it's a gripping read, I read it in under 4 hours as it keeps the reader thinking 'Just one more chapter', but the plot is kind of out there at times. I wasn't sure about Naomi at first, but I did grow to like her more as things developed, but the insta-relationship between two of the characters just didn't ring true. As if someone who had kept a deadly secret for ten years suddenly decides they have to spill it to someone they've spoken to a handful of times. Also there was a character that appeared near the start, then didn't appear again until near the end. Now if the character had played a bigger part then yes, maybe it would have been a good twist but as it was I really didn't see the point of that character at all. Overall, it was a thrilling read but a bit odd in parts.

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Thomas & Mercer, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

10 years ago the Harper family disappeared without a trace. When crim journalist Naomi realises the house that the vanished from is up for sale, she jumps at the chance to do some serious investigating!
Her husband and step-daughter are along for the ride, but they have no idea of Naomi's ulterior motive for wanting to move to this ramshackle cottage in the middle of a forest. The villagers are less than forthcoming with information about the missing family and when weird things start to happen, Naomi wonders just how far someone will go to keep the truth hidden.
Told in alternate timelines revealing the events that led up to the family disappearance, and present day, we meet a whole host of characters and really don't know who to trust!

This book is a mystery that is difficult to solve…the author has woven a story of intrigue…who did it? Where is the family? What really happened? So many questions…who can answer? This book was sent to me for review by Netgalley…

This twisty psychological thriller from Caroline Mitchell involves a mysterious disappearance, a village brimming with secrets and a super plot. There's a prominent sense of menace throughout and some fantastic characterisation. Crime journalist, Naomi was well drawn as were many other characters. Set in Nighbrook, the New Forest, Naomi moves there with her wealthy husband, Ed and her teenage stepdaughter, Morgan, a place that couldn’t be more different from London, Naomi’s previous home. There are elements of danger and the ending is terrific and satisfying. A super read!

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Amazon Publishing via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

While I really wanted to enjoy this book, I had a hard time truly getting into it, The story felt very draggy to me and I could not really find myself connecting with any character.

Naomi moves her family to a house with a devastating story, she’s eager to find out the answers from a town trying to hide them!
The village of Nighbrook are not at all welcoming to a stranger asking questions about a family that disappeared. The mystery and intrigue is ‘edge of your seat’ and as scary events unfold, it’s hard to know who to trust!
The twisting and turning and plot that keeps you guessing is well written, a page turner!

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

A chilling tale of crime, curiosity and consequences. A creepy story with shocking conclusion, it had me on the edge of my seat.

I couldn’t understand Naomi’s obsession with the case. I get it, she was a crime writer, but I couldn’t understand how this case stuck with her so badly she he’d to buy the house and implant herself into the community to try to solve it herself.

Very twisty and definitely kept me guessing and on my toes.

A riveting, gripping, and intriguing story that kept me turning pages.
The atmosphere has the right level of creepiness, the characters are fleshed out, and the plot kept me turning pages.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Caroline Mitchell and I are just not getting along these days.

The Village sounded immensely intriguing and had so much potential. But it didn’t take long to go off the rails. Unlikeable characters, including the main one, Naomi. Cliché stepmother/stepdaughter relationship. Cliché villagers who are obviously hiding something incredibly sinister. I rolled my eyes so much, it gave me a headache. By the halfway mark, I had already stopped caring about the story altogether.

I’m afraid I won’t be picking up any of this author’s books up again any time soon.

A good read
A book full of secrecy
Plenty of twists and turns and revelations
Definitely would recommend
Thanks NetGalley

An entertaining read though ruined by the fact that it was so unbelievable in places! The premise of the book was good and the twists and turns entertaining but I just couldn’t take this book seriously 😐

Brilliant! A top notch read with an ending you will never guess - Mitchell just gets better and better.

Nighbrook is a town with a tragic history, dark secrets and a very unfriendly bunch of residents. When Naomi moves to the house where the villages most notorious residents vanished she's hoping to solve the mystery. Instead she puts her own family in danger.

Caroline Mitchell has a talent for writing mysteries that are seriously readable but also slightly mental. With this book you think you know. And you do. But then at the same time you don't. Confused? You will be if you read this book. But you'll also be very entertained!

A twisty read that keeps you guessing and always has you on your toes. I liked the storyline, I thought it was very interesting. An enjoyable read a lot of twists and turns

Talk about a story that grabs a reader from the first page and doesn’t let go until the end! My first & definitely won’t be the last book that I will read by Caroline Mitchell. A great story that had me captivated.

I voluntarily reviewed this book.

Intriguing, different, I liked it.
Not what I expected and very unputtdownable!
Thank you - I would like to read more by Caroline

Four stars.
Even though I was able to figure out one of the bigger twists in The Village, I still found myself second-guessing my hunch at times and couldn't put it down. The writing was solid, the plot was tight, well-paced, and compelling, the characters were well done and the twists and action just kept coming. The Village was only my second book by Caroline Mitchell, but she is quickly becoming a must read author for me. Definitely recommended to anyone looking for a good thriller.

I am so grateful to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing/Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read and review The Village.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Village by Caroline Mitchell is an investigative thriller set in a mysterious village named Nighbrook. The story revolves around Naomi, who is a crime journalist following up on the case of the Harper family, who vanished from their cottage one day ten years ago. Now that their cottage is listed for sale, she jumps at the chance to find out what happened all those years ago. Can she solve the mystery?

Here is a creepy excerpt from Chapter 1:

"Twelve months. They had twelve months to make this work. She knew it would not be easy. Also, she hadn't stacked the odds in their favour. Ivy Cottage held a dark history. One she had been perfectly aware of when she put in the offer. Ed would have stalled the purchase if he had known. Of course, he'd find out eventually. This was too big to keep under wraps. But the tug in her gut had been too strong to ignore. She could never pass up the chance of living the Harper family home. The case had haunted her for years."

Overall, The Village is a pretty standard investigative thriller. I was so excited to read this book since I really enjoyed last year's The Midnight Man by the author. In that book, there were creepy locations, a serial killer, and it was exciting. I'm not sure exactly what was missing from the plot of The Village. I just didn't feel invested in it, and it barely maintained my interest. I would recommend checking out The Midnight Man instead if you're looking to try out this author. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of thrillers in general, you can check out this book, which is available now!

I'm ambivalent about this book. I found the first part to be rather uninteresting with a kind of movie-of-the-week feel about it. After about the 40% mark the story picked up a bit and I actually got a little anxious as to what was going on. Then things slowed down again until about the last 25%. Told from the points of view of Naomi, Morgan and various villagers in alternating chapters, it was a quick read with short chapters but it did cause much eye rolling at times. I had suspected where the story was going but there were still a couple of surprises near the end. I think I had expected to experience more tension than I did but overall it was a pretty good book.

My thanks to Amazon Publishing via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.

2.75✨

Now that she is married to a movie director, Naomi wants to have a normal relationship with her husband and teenage stepdaughter. But nothing can be normal about moving into a cottage where a family of three disappeared into thin Air.

Attracted by the mysterious event that took place years ago, neomi can't resist the urge to dig into the case. Her Instinct tells her that she can somehow solve the mystery. But in a quiet village, where everyone looks like they are keeping a secret and where basically no one can be trusted, moving in to try and dig up buried secrets isn't not exactly the safest thing to do particularly in a place like Nighbrook, the tiny village where everyone knows what you're doing.

The story starts when Naomi and her family move into this not-so-friendly village and right off the bat, she notices that people are hiding something and that no one wants to talk about what happened in the cottage.

The book alternates between the past, where we get to see glimpses of the life of the family that left in the cottage, and the present, where we follow Naomi as she tries to solve the mystery.

So, I was very excited about this novel because of the author's background and career. But, I was kinda disappointed.
The mystery was so obvious, and I knew what was going to happen so early on in the book. Honestly, nothing about it was surprising and the plot was so predictable.

The thing that bothered me most about the book was Naomi's relationship with her stepdaughter. It started out with severe hate and the whole thing was just flipped over at some point and they became like besties.

TRIGGER WARNINGS:
Pedophilia, assault, attempted rape, and addiction.

I received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book had an incredibly inter Premise, but I very quickly figured out who the suspected perpetrator was, which left me wanting more! So sad because this was definitely at the top of my list.

Naomi likes to solve cold cases so when the opportunity came to buy a cottage in the New Forest where a murder took place 10 years ago, she jumped at it. This book sounded so good and I hoped I was in for a nice, creepy read but sadly that wasn’t what it was. It was a series of improbable events that instead of being scary had the opposite effect, more of a comedy than a thriller. However it was easy to read and passed the time nicely. Even enjoyable, waiting to see what else was going to happen! Probably an excellent read whilst travelling.

Unsolved mysteries always intrigue me. I find it compelling, trying to unravel the mystery of the last few days of those who've disappeared, the hope to see an unseen angle and finally find out what happened to them. In comes Naomi. She has been a bit obsessed about a family that went missing in a small town. Now that she's freshly married and was looking for a new house together, she's manage to buy THE house the family lived and where they went missing from. She knows her new husband would never go for buying the house, so she neglects to tell him the history and buys it!

I have to say, I was instantly sucked in to this one. I found the chapters from 10 years previous (the missing family) a little jarring at first - but this is probaly because I did this as an audiobook. I loved the addional stress of a stepdaughter, a town closing ranks and the small village claustrophobic feel of the story. I didn't even try to solve it, just rolled along with each clue and each drama that Naomi unearthed and tried to hide. I found the ending surprising and I loved getting a little tidbit of how Naomi's story goes. I recommend this one as an audio too! The narrator did a great job! I loved it!

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

This didn’t thrill me as much as I expected and I thought there was something a bit lacking from this, it was ok but I did expect a bit more intensity and drama from the blurb