Every Moment Since

All of it. Every emotion. So many feels. Invested in the story as though I was part of it. Every Moment Since will likely hold the title of favorite summer read of 2024 thanks to my advanced readers copy. Ya'll will be reading this in October so prepare for it to be on your Fall 2024 favorites list.

Centered on a missing child, Marybeth Mayhew Whalen penned a story where multiple main characters each share a single event and we witness the price each pays over the years. As an audiobook I am in awe of the casting - frequently a book has one narrator, occasionally two. This one has a full cast - six narrators, and this experience was like being inside a movie. Each of them knew the assignment and sold me on the emotions of each character.

I just cannot say enough about this book - I'm now gut punched will need days to recover.

And, also me.....running to the internet to discover (and start) another book by Whalen.

It’s 2006 in Wynotte, North Carolina and the jacket of Davy Malcor has just been discovered, reopening a twenty year old cold case; one of the biggest missing child cases in America. In 1985, Davy went missing while out playing with his friends and was never seen again.

In the present, we follow four timelines:
Thaddeus Malcor is Davy’s older brother who was left in charge of watching him the night he went missing. Now, he’s profiting off of the disappearance through his bestselling memoir about the event.
Tabitha Malcor is Davy’s mother who is living in the same house (albeit without the husband now) advocating for other victims.
Anissa Weaver is a Public Information Officer and acting as the family’s liaison but she is hiding her secret connection to the night Davy went missing.
And we have Gordon Swift. The man long suspected of being the one who took Davy but was never tried in court. He rumps around town with the shadow of the disappearance looming over him, trying to keep out of trouble.

Woven in to these present storylines is a past timeline from 1985 where readers get a third-person view of the events leading up to the disappearance. I realize now as I’m writing all of this down that it sounds like a lot to keep straight but I assure you that it never once felt like that as each one of these characters are complex, layered, and easy to distinguish between.

This book is as much of a character study and an intimate study on grief and hope as it is a mystery; an examination on how one tragedy can spread out and affect the lives of so many on a personal level. That said, there are no cheap thrills here. It’s very literary—beautiful really—foreboding, and it never failed to keep me on the edge of my seat.

You will have to rearrange the pieces of your heart after this book shatters it.

Full cast narration—ohhhhh how I LOVE full cast narration—by Cassandra Campbell, George Newbern, Kirby Heyborne, Jane Oppenheimer, MacLeod Andrews, Renata Friedman. They absolutely knocked it out of the park with this one and brought so much to the characters’ voices.

Thank you Harper Muse and NetGalley for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review! Available 10/01/2024! Posted to Goodreads.

THE PERFECT FALL READ!!!! I cannot wait to see people talk about this book. It is simply perfection. I felt like I was apart of the story that's how good the audiobook was.

I LOVE FULL CAST AUDIOBOOKS!!! I wish more books had this. This was absolutely fantastic. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this audiobook!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Wow. A lot to unpack here with this book. First, phenomenal performance by all of the narrators. They did an excellent job.
The beginning of the book was a little confusing with the different POV’s and also the different timelines. However all of it came together and you get to learn more about each character and the roll they played in Davey’s life and disappearance.
Phenomenal book though about family and friends and a town facing a tragic loss and coming together as one to solve what happened.
Some slight surprises at the end that you kind of expected but were unsure about. Really great book.

Every Moment Since by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen is an extraordinary story about Davy, a boy who has been missing for many years, and the people who have been most affected by the tragedy. His brother Thaddeus is a bestselling author whose book detailing the events surrounding Davy’s disappearance has earned him a lot of attention but he hasn’t found peace. Their mother Tabitha makes weekly lists of her regrets but nothing on those lists will bring back her youngest son. Anissa is working on the case and cannot share the crucial information that she befriended Davy the night that he disappeared. Gordon has been accused by the police and the community but he maintains his innocence even after a new clue points to him once again.

This poignant, read-in-one-sitting masterpiece will rip your heart out and give you hope all at the same time. I’m grateful to NetGalley for allowing me to listen to the ARC because the narration was outstanding and I’m now officially a Marybeth Mayhew Whalen fan.

This book is about a terrifying story of a missing boy. What I liked most about the book was the format in which it is written. The story is written in the present day timeline. This is the second audio book that I have listened to, and I am glad I decided to give this one a try. Normally, I am not huge into audio books because they don't hold my attention as well as a physical book was. I get too distracted and easily find myself not paying attention.

This book had be captivated from the start. I really enjoyed the narration and the way this book was written. The way this author writes really makes you feel as though you are in the story with the characters, everything seems so real and it's almost like you can reach out and touch the things around you and physically speak with the characters.

What a breath of fresh air that this author is! Will be looking for this in a paperback version.

For fans of All Good People Here & Wrong Place, Wrong Time comes Marybeth Mayhew Whalen's newest suspense, Every Moment Since. This book is a slow-burn mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end. The characters are well-developed and your heart aches for those affected by this tragedy. With a full cast of audiobook narrators, it really feels like a true crime podcast.

I loved how we had the opportunity to feel all the feels of those affected by Davey's tragedy. Whalen also introduces several characters that will keep you questioning your whodunnit hypotheses as the book progresses.

Each narrator does an exceptional job with the task at hand—bringing these characters to life.

I highly, highly recommend.

This book is such a gem. Beautifully written and full of intelligence and empathy. Each character is vivid and complex and real. Great plot, artfully executed. Really loved this novel.

Thank you to #netgalley and Harper Collins for the chance to read this ARC and give my honest opinion.

Four lives are changed forever when a little boy goes missing. Two decades later they come back together as a discovery may lead to the truth of what happened to Davey Malcor. This book follows his mother, Tabitha. His brother, Thaddeus who has since written a memoir about Davey's disappearance. Gordon Swift the man who has been accused and acquitted for being the one to kidnap him. And Anissa, the little girl who met her new best friend and lost him in the same day. She was the last person to see him alive twenty years ago and now she's the public information officer on his case as it gets reopened.

This book was hauntingly beautiful. It not only changes point of views but goes back and forth between now and what happened when Davey goes missing. Marybeth Whalen had me on the hook throughout the book waiting for answers like I was a part of Davey's family. Though this book is fiction, in the beginning the author notes that this book is dedicated to a handful of people who actually went missing. You could tell she really did her best to do it justice and make the story real. The narrators were fantastic and switched between female and male and you could clearly tell who was speaking in the chapter based on the voices they did for each character.

Even though the subject is tough this was a quick and easy read/listen and I highly recommend this for anyone who loves a mystery. According to my netgalley this releases September 30th.

This is a sad and heavy story about how profoundly the character’s lives are all changed by the disappearance of Davy. The story grabbed me right from the beginning and was gripping all the way through. The characters are well developed and the performance on audio by a full cast is excellent. I thought the author did a great job with the conclusion of Davy’s disappearance and there were some bittersweet yet hopeful changes for the characters. I highly recommend this one.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The setting of this book felt like my hometown. I grew up playing night games in corn fields like the young boy in this book who goes missing. Twenty years later a new piece of evidence is found and everyone is taken back to that horrible night.

I enjoyed the multiple points of view and different narrators for each. I consumed this audiobook in one day. I couldn’t stop. It is that good!

Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins Focus | Harper Muse, and Marybeth Mayhew Whalen for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"Every Moment Since" is a poignant exploration into the different and distinct ways members of a family and a community deal with a tragic situation. When a little boy goes missing one night less than a mile from his home, an entire small town must come to grips with the disappearance and its aftermath. It's now 20 years later, and the little boy is still missing, but a man who has recently purchased some property close to where the boy was last seen finds his jacket in an outbuilding. An investigation long cold suddenly has new life.

If you're looking for a police procedural, though, or a classic whodunit, that's not what you'll find here. This story is so much more personal than that. We follow several characters connected with that night: Thaddeus, the brother of the missing boy who has written a bestselling memoir about the disappearance, Tabitha, the mother who still lives in the house her family occupied at the time; Gordan Swift, the local artist who was the prime suspect in the case; and Anissa, who now works for the police but was present on the night of the disappearance. In amongst these chapters, we get flashbacks to that night 20 years ago and also excerpts from Thaddeus's book, and it's all blended together to create a seamless narrative of the upheaval and tragedy that this event brings to the entire community.

This is an excellent look at guilt and grief from so many different angles. Although we do want to know what happened, that's not really the point. Rather, we get to know each individual involved, and we get a clear glimpse into how their lives continue to be affected by a long ago tragedy. It's heartbreaking at times, but also uplifting and hopeful to watch as people move through the tragedy and find ways to go forward. This book will appeal to mystery fans, but it will also appeal to those looking for a book about family, small town community, and how we all need to come together when life is hard.

I enjoyed each character and their connection to Davies disappearance. It kept you on the edge of your seat, questioning what truly happened. I did not expect the plot twist at the end.

I definitely need a physical copy of this to save my favorite quotes and to reread every year

Story about the aftermath of a little boy’s disappearance. Initially I thought I was going to have a hard time being invested in this book as it’s told by multiple POVs, narrators. However, it ended up being very easy to follow and captured my interest. Describes so well how such devastation can alter the lives of surviving family members and friends. I listened to the audio version and narration was perfect.

This was a really good book. A wonderful thriller with so many twists and turns. I couldn’t put the book down.

When a child goes missing and isn't found...this affects so many people in so many ways. In this case it affects four the most profoundly. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC/audiobooks.

Tragedy changes people. It ripples outward, affecting more than just the usual suspects. It captures the families with the biggest waves, the friends and acquaintances, and still others, too, as reality struggles back into equilibrium. Simply bearing witness to something is enough, sometimes, to change someone. And for anyone involved, it can calcify even the most innocent things into something to be held close like a secret. Words muttered by instinct; others unspoken. Guilt somehow osmotically bleeds into everyone surrounding tragedy. Because it's not just one story, is it? Everyone has their own. Every Moment Since is a brilliant and compelling crime suspense novel that captures these truths, and others, so well through an emotional character driven narrative.

Eleven-year-old Back to the Future obsessed Davy Malcor disappeared one night over twenty years ago. Now, his iconic jacket has been found, and the case is no longer cold. His brother, who now makes a living off of his tell (almost) all book, comes back to town to be with his family as the investigation ramps back up. It is the formative unsolved case for the town of Wynotte North Carolina. There was never any evidence for conviction, but rumor has power too, and the town has its suspect, who never did leave town.

This story was so profound for me. It is not about the solving of a decades-old cold case, it is about the repercussions the disappearance of one little boy had on a whole community of people. The father who could not let go of hope to a level of personal detriment, the mother in denial of deep-rooted resentments, the brother, parading around behind a facade of the truth for a living. The sculptor, the girl next door, the young girl who was the last to see Davy alive...it is such a rich and compelling story with layers that resound through time. It is a study, in some sense (as I suppose all novels are), of human nature.

I loved the jumping perspective. Getting into the heads of so many characters was so interesting, as each one seemed to focus on a different aspect of the tragedy. It also kept the pacing and suspense wound tight. I was lucky to be granted an advanced listening copy by the publisher and netgalley, and the full cast did an excellent job giving life to each of the characters. I couldn't stop listening!

I have been enjoying reading suspense novels more and more as the days grow shorter, and this one is one of the best I've read. If you are a fan of the genre at all, you'll want to get your hands on a copy. I can't wait to read more from Marybeth Mayhew Whalen.

Wow! This book totally took me by surprise and in a good way. Young Davey disappears on a kids game night with his older brother. 20 plus years later, everyone from that dreadful night is still haunted from this event. Everyone has a different side to tell, and with a number of kids from that night and those in town; still no answers on what happened to Davey came to light. Until his beloved jacket is found. His family is again spotlight of the press as his older brother struggles with his continuous guilt. This book I had no clue what happened to him till the very end. Great suspense book with a strong tie of family and effects of a traumatic event can do to it.

I love this book! I really felt for the characters, sadness, dislike, hope…all the things that a great book that is well developed makes you feel. I want everyone to read this book! I did figure it out about 70% of the way through, but still wanted to continue to see if I was correct and what would happen to the other characters in the book who I was enjoying getting to know. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

“Every Moment Since” by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen is a poignant exploration of grief, hope, and the indelible impact of a single event on a small community. Set against the backdrop of Wynotte, North Carolina, this novel delves into the life of Davy Malcor, a boy whose disappearance over two decades ago continues to haunt the town. Through Whalen’s masterful storytelling, readers are invited to witness the reopening of this cold case when Davy’s iconic Marty McFly jacket is found, stirring up old memories and unresolved questions.
The narrative weaves together the perspectives of four individuals intimately connected to Davy’s story. Thaddeus Malcor, the older brother, has crafted a successful memoir from his family’s tragedy, yet he grapples with the weight of untold truths. Tabitha Malcor, Davy’s mother, lives a solitary life marked by advocacy for victims’ rights while privately chronicling her regrets. Anissa Weaver, once a child herself when Davy vanished, now serves as the Public Information Officer for the Malcor family, harboring a secret link to the boy. Lastly, Gordon Swift, long suspected in the disappearance, struggles to maintain anonymity as the renewed attention threatens to expose his past.
Whalen’s prose is hauntingly vivid, pulling readers into the emotional vortex experienced by those left behind. The characters are endearing, each one intricately drawn and compelling in their complexity. The full cast narration, featuring the talents of Cassandra Campbell among others, brings an added layer of depth to the story, making it one of my favorite listening experiences of the year.
The novel is not only suspenseful but also heartfelt, striking a delicate balance that keeps you invested in the outcome. It touches on profound themes such as the essence of motherhood and the agony of losing a child, offering an examination that is both raw and tender. This book stands out as a really special work, resonating with anyone who has ever faced loss or sought closure.
In conclusion, “Every Moment Since” is a beautifully crafted tale that captures the complexities of human emotions and the relentless pursuit of truth. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of community in the face of adversity. Marybeth Mayhew Whalen has created a memorable and moving novel that deserves a place on any reader’s shelf, especially those who appreciate stories that are as suspenseful as they are soul-stirring.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Thank you, NetGalley, Marybeth Mayhem Whalen, and Harper Muse, for providing an early copy of ‘Every Moment Since’ in exchange for an unbiased review.

A haunting and gripping tale that delves into every parent's worst nightmare, exploring the profound impact a child’s disappearance has—not only on the parents, their marriage, and their family—but also on how it alters their view of the world and how others perceive them.

On a Saturday night in October 1985, in a small town in North Carolina, 11-year-old Davy Malcor vanishes without a trace. All that remains are the photos and videos shared with the police and media, redistributed over the years, as if time itself conspires to keep him forever 11 years old.

Twenty-one years later, Davy’s jacket is discovered in an abandoned farm building near where he was last seen. As the case unfolds, we are drawn into the perspectives of four key individuals, shifting between 1985 and 2006.

Tabitha, Davy’s mother, now divorced and an advocate for missing children, fights to keep the media from forgetting her son. She is consumed by her weekly regret lists, but despite her efforts to convince herself otherwise, she cannot overcome her greatest regret: leaving Davy the night he disappeared.

Thaddeus (TJ), Davy’s older brother, who was present when Davy vanished, has written a memoir about the event. However, he seems to have been selective in recounting the details leading up to that fateful night, raising the question: what is he hiding? Struggling with unresolved emotions and fearing the public's judgment, he cuts his book tour short to return home and support his parents.

Anissa, the Public Information Officer for the local police department, serves as the liaison between the Malcor family and the media. She harbors her own memories and regrets from the night Davy disappeared. Although she was new in town when they met that fateful evening, she felt an inexplicable bond with Davy—one that, if revealed, could cost her the case.

Gordon, the prime suspect, is tormented by regret. Although it is unclear what he knows about the night Davy disappeared, it is evident that he is hiding something. Hounded by the media, his life was never the same. He now lives in isolation, focusing on his art. But it seems the past refuses to stay buried, especially now that the discovery of the jacket has once again drawn the media’s relentless attention…

From the very first page, I knew this book was going to be something special. The characters are so well developed that as a reader, you feel like you truly know them.

You can sense Tabitha’s pain, understand what drives her as a victims' advocate, and feel the weight of her regrets and the reasons behind her resignation. Her need to write her weekly regret list, and the realization that despite trying to convince herself otherwise, the past 20 years have been filled with regrets she cannot shake, shows how deeply she struggles to move forward. She cannot accept that Davy is gone, and her inability to move on with her life is palpable as long as there is still a glimmer of hope.

Her relationships with her ex-husband and children are portrayed with such depth that, even though I have not experienced anything like their pain, I can grasp the unique ways they each struggle with guilt and regret.

There is so much more I could delve into, but I do not want to spoil the book. Instead, I highly recommend you check it out and form your own opinion. I, for one, will be exploring Marybeth Mayhew Whalen’s previous releases!

🎧 I highly recommend this on audio if you enjoy audiobooks. It features a full cast of narrators who do an excellent job bringing each character to life.

And of course, how stunning 🍁 is this cover?

Long held small town secrets lurk in Marybeth Whalen's southern fiction thriller surrounding a child's mysterious disappearance and the broken threads of a family grappling with the past... A true family saga story with subtle hints of mystery woven throughout. Whalen’s prose shines in this incredibly moving yet suspenseful novel. Sure to capture book club attention, EVERY MOMENT SINCE is a novel that will keep people talking! The audiobook is the definitive way to read this novel; narrated by a full cast, it is immersive and a breathtaking experience. I loved listening to the story!

What a beautifully written story about moving forward in life after the unimaginable happens. I was completely enthralled by this novel. Losing a child is every parent's worst nightmare, and this novel that looks at that kind of loss decades later brings forward mystery, grief, complex relationships, and the impact it all has on the family and community left behind. I was kind of stunned by how much I enjoyed this book, and I look forward to reading more by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen!

This audiobook gave me all the feels and it was for sure a binge-listen. The narrators did an excellent job with the distinct points of view. There are lots of missing-person stories but I thought this one had a unique spin with unexpected turns and beautiful writing. It was the kind of story that made me want to give my kids a hug and try to be more present before it's too late.

I don't usually read stories about missing children. However, I'm glad I chose to read this one. The story was excellent. I was completely immersed in both timelines. It was difficult reading in some places, but worth it. Great characters, beautiful writing, and a satisfying conclusion make this a five star read.

This is my first audiobook and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The narrators were all excellent, brining in more to the book than the text. The narrator for Tabitha's parts is beyond exemplary, her words stirring in a deep ache as a listen/reader.

This book is a goldmine! What I expected from the blurb was more of a mystery thriller and police procedural on a decades old cold case... But the book is not about the missing child. It's about the family that is lost... Not literally but figuratively.

The plot is about a 11 year old child, Davy Malcor, who is lost one night... Never to be found again. After twenty one years, someone finds his jacket, reopening the decades old cold case. The book follows the family and closed ones of Davy as they deal with the revelations, how they've tried to move on but failed. There is a constant back and forth in timelines, excerpts from a book written by Davy's brother about his disappearance, which might be a little confusing in the initial few chapters.

I sobbed with Tabitha (Davy's mum) and I was shocked at the little plot twists. It's a unique book in the sense that there is no clear villain to hate... It's a giant wheel of consequences which is still haunting everyone involved. Ab absolutely gut wrenching book, which will make you cry for a child you don't know.

I absolutely loved Every Moment Since from start to finish. The audio production was top-notch, immersing me completely in the story. The plot was perfectly paced, offering just the right amount of detail to satisfy my curiosity while still keeping me on the edge of my seat. This is a captivating story that explores the complexities of living with uncertainty and the emotional resilience required when the answers you seek aren't the ones you hoped for. It’s a beautifully crafted, gripping tale that kept me hooked until the very end.

Wow! What a great book! This book was so well written. Even though there were many characters and dual timelines it was so easy to follow. The story being told had me hooked from the beginning. Great book! The narration was amazing! The use of multiple narrators made this a very enjoyable read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins for the chance to read this ARC

This is my kind of mystery read. I was invested in this bittersweet story right from the beginning and couldn’t stop listening. Toing and froing though time this was beautifully written with love and empathy. I felt all the complex feelings of family and friends who have lost a loved one in this way. I’m pretty good at guessing the outcome of books like this but this hard me guessing till the very last moment. Perfect!

Credit to the narrators also for a wonderful performance.

I thought the synopsis sounding interesting and I was very impressed with the audiobook production. The full case of narrators really added a great depth to the story and helped manage the dual timelines we deal with. I was not able to solve the mystery. I also appreciated that we got to see how one boy's disappearance impacted so many different peoples lives. I will be going back and reading some other titles by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen.

EVERY MOMENT SINCE
Pub Day October 1, 2024
New Book Review

Simply put, Marybeth Mayhew Whalen demonstrates great talent for expression through written words in EVERY MOMENT SINCE.

Thus, this work produced a fantastic audiobook-and the performers do an exquisite job!

EVERY MOMENT SINCE is a tragic yet, profoundly compelling story about the loss of a young boy (Davy) that rocked a whole community. Whalen masterfully weaves the story into dual timelines. This gives readers the ability to witness the events leading up to Davy's disappearance. It also provides a glimpse, 20 years into "the future."

In the future storyline, the Davy's Back to the Future inspired, one-of-a-kind, Marty McFly jacket is found. This discovery is made just as his older brother's book about “moving on from loss" is published. His older brother is on the book tour when he gets the call.

Although it is a slow-burn mystery, the pace adjusts appropriately as needed. Despite there not being a super complex or intricate plot, it is a commanding tale.

I found it impossible to put down once I started!

Audiobook presented BEAUTIFULLY by a talented, well-selected cast of voice actors. Each performer brings an element of depth to this heartrending tale. Exquisite work by Cassandra Campbell, George Newbern, Kirby Heyborne, Jane Oppenheimer, Macleod Andrews, and Renata Friedman

#EveryMomentSince #womensfiction
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#thebooktide #preorder #ncauthor #mystery #nostalgia #toberead #comingsoon @harpermusebooks @utapublishing @marybethwhalen @bookshell_f|

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This audio book hit home, the introduction of it started by naming Jacob Wetterling - a boy from my home state of Minnesota that went missing in 1989, and his body was discovered many years later in 2016.

The introduction alone hand me wanting to read more - the book started off the discovery of a jacket from an 11 year old boy that had been missing nearly 20 years.

This book follows two timelines - the night of the disappearance and current time. This book does not disappoint, it is one of those slow burns, that you don’t want to end.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for the chance to read this book prior to publication in exchange for an honest review.

This was very sad yet beautiful to read. A story about a family who’s lost their child and the after effects it has on them. From grief and loss, to moving on and healing.

11 year-old Davy goes missing one night while playing night games. 20 years later his case is reopened when his favorite jacket that he was wearing that night is discovered. A slow burn mystery, you’re slowly fed details of that night through the perspective of 4 people who may not realize just how connected they are in this case. Thaddeus, Davy’s older brother who has made himself a successful career by writing a memoir about his brother. Tabitha, his mother, who even after all these years is still coping with her grief and trying to avoid her regrets. Anissa, the PI assigned to the family who also happened to be with Davy back when she was a kid, the night he disappeared. And Gordon, the man long suspected of Davy’s disappearance. Each character had so much depth to their story. Gordon who’s just doing the best he can given his circumstances, Anissa who’s not only living on the land where Davy disappeared and honoring his memory but dedicating her life to advocating for victims, and the regret and grief exhibited by Tabitha for her lost child. Thaddeus is having a better time than the rest. Although he also deals with guilt of his own, for the most part he seems to be enjoying the success he’s achieved as well as life. Everyone process grief and loss differently and this book did a great job of showing that. This story was so emotional. It put me in a slight hauntingly nostalgic mood, with its small town vibes, the Marty McFly jacket, and as a child of the 90s I grew up playing night games with my friends around the neighborhood. I remember seeing uncensored news and media flashes on our living room tv anytime a child went missing back then, and the opening of this book starts with mentions of kids that have gone missing. The ending wasn’t anything big or over the top, as it should be in my opinion, but with just enough closure to leave a lasting impression.

Thank you NetGalley for ARC

A heartbreaking story of a young boy who goes missing and the impact his disappearance has on the lives of his family, friends and community.
Told in 2 time frames, present day and the day Davey went missing, the story flowed naturally with the events slowly unfolding allowing the reader to be fully immersed in the story and the emotions of the characters.
The audio narration was wonderful, with different voices for each character there was no confusion as to whose story I was listening to.
Although a slow burn, my interest was held the entire time, my first novel by this author but certainly won’t be my last.

With thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me to listen to the audiobook for review.

OMG what a tear jerker. I was captivated by the story of this missing little boy and the search for the answers of what happened to him. The guilt, the hurt, the sadness. I couldnt put this book down and look forward to another MaryBeth Mayhew Whalen book. Great narrator!

5 stars!

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reader copy!

Publish date: 10/01/2024

Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper Muse and Harper Collins Focus for gifting me both a digital and ARC of the new novel by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen, with the audio narrated by a wonderful cast. All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 5 stars!

Meet the Malcor family – dad Danny, mom Tabitha, TJ the older brother, and Davy the younger brother. This book begins on a summer night in 1985 – the parents anxious for a night away, TJ anxious to go out with his friends, and Davy wanting to tag along. But nothing will ever be the same after that night because Davy doesn’t come home.

This book slowly draws you in and makes you feel like part of this family going through decades of trauma. Told from multiple POV in different timelines, the reader gets to feel what a tragedy like this does to a family and community. It’s beautifully written, and my heart was in my throat so much of the time. The small-town setting was perfect, because families and lives were intertwined. It’s a wonderful family drama on dealing with grief, as well as a taut mystery to find out what happened with Davy. Highly recommended – the audiobook was done by a full cast and was perfection!

Davy Malcor went missing without a trace 20 years ago. When local property in the area of Wynotte is purchased, Davy's infamous Marty McFly jacket is found and the cold case is reopened. I listened to the audio book version, which has multiple narrators in order to bring Davy's story to life. It is told by 4 people, and the story jumps back and forth in time from the past to the present. This slowly weaves together the heartbreaking truth about Davy's disappearance, while simultaneously letting the reader step into the lives of four people who were so deeply affected by his disappearance - his mother, older brother, a childhood friend, and the man accused of wrong doing. We get to witness their heartbreak and loss, and also their growth journeys. Having multiple narrators made this audio book feel more like a movie or a series, and I binge listened as I had to know if the cold case would be solved, and also how the characters would grow or change. Spoiler: This isn't a happy ending book. While it isn't a happy book, I felt the characters were quite realistic given what they had been through, and I was glad to see the ending didn't get wrapped up with a bow. I feel a little haunted by the story, and I know it will stick with me for a while. Ironically, the story gave me 'Without A Trace' vibes, a movie from 1983. Imagine my surprise when the Author's note at the end mentioned this movie.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus for the ALC of this book in exchange for my honest review. This is my first book by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen and I would be interested in checking out more of her work.

I really enjoyed this book by Marybeth Maybew Whalen. I read three of her books a few years back and loved them, so I was excited for the opportunity to review this one. I love how she uses multiple points of view to show how a singular event affects so many different people. She does a great job giving each narrator a distinct voice (both literally with the audio and figuratively with the writing) and really brings the characters to life.

I’d say this is half women’s fiction, half mystery. It’s definitely worth a read!

What a book! This is my first exposure to this author, and I’ll definitely look for more of her writing.

This one is the story of what happens to a family and a neighborhood after a little boy goes missing. We learn the story of that night, more than 20 years ago, and how Davy Malcom went out to play “night games” with his older brother and some of the other boys. But the older ones were more occupied with drinking beers supplied by Phillip’s uncle than they were with playing games. And the older brother, TJ, lost track of where Davy was. The awful truth was, Davy never came home that night, and not the next, nor the next. He was never found.

Davy’s entire family has so many scars. His parents divorced, as so often happens after these tragedies. And TJ, now known as Thaddeus James, has written a bestselling memoir which includes many of the events (although not all of them) from Davy’s disappearance and its effects on him and his family. There’s a man who was suspected of abducting Danny, but the police never found any evidence.

And then—-Danny’s jacket from that night is found.

The family gathers as the investigation begins anew, and the subsequent findings and all that happens with this family are so moving that I dreaded putting this book down. Although this is a grim tale with heartbreaking details of a horrible incident, I really loved the writing.

I both read and listened to the audiobook. The narration was spectacularly done with a multi-person cast.

Five stars! Highly recommend!

It's been 20 years since Davy went missing changing the lives of his family and the whole town., if not the nation. Now new evidence is found and the case is reopened. Opening up old wounds along with it. How much can one family take?
I felt like a part of this story. It is so well written you can not but feel for this family. The narration is called a full-cast narrative. I loved this and the cast Cassandra Campbell; George Newbern; Kirby Heyborne; Jane Oppenheimer; MacLeod Andrews; and Renata Friedman do an amazing job of bringing this story to life. It; 's like live theater and different from what I usually listen to. On a personal note, Thaddeus is a name that three of my family members have so in a way it was personal it is not a common name. Finally, I loved the ending. I don't want to say anything more but don't prejudge.
Thank you to NetGalley, Marybeth Mayhew Whalen, and Harper Collins Focus for the ARC.

Southern storyteller and favorite author Marybeth Mayhew Whalen returns with EVERY MOMENT SINCE —a heart-rendering, gripping, character-driven story of mystery, grief, and loss.

The author brilliantly explores the aftermath of a tragedy when a boy goes missing that profoundly affects the family members, friends, and the entire community.

About...

1985 Wynotte, North Carolina

More than twenty years earlier, on a Saturday evening in a small Southern NC town, a little boy named Davy Malcor goes missing.

He wore a jacket his mom made for his birthday. Davy was never found, leaving behind a grief-stricken family and a town with a mystery and no answers.

When the jacket is discovered, the cold case reopens, and Davy's family is back amid another media sensation.

Four lives are forever changed by this single night when Davy disappears.

~Thaddeus is Davy's older brother, who wrote a bestselling memoir about the experience, although he is not forthcoming with the entire story.

~Tabitha: The mother. She is divorced and lives alone, advocating for victims' rights and journaling her regrets (maybe not all of them).

~Anissa Weaver: She was a young girl when Davy went missing. She also does not reveal all. She serves as the Malcor family's Public Information Officer.

~Gordon Swift: He was the artist living in the woods near Davy's disappearance. When the boy came to his house, he sent him away. Then what. Regrets. Is he responsible?

Everyone is front and center, and the suspects are lining up. What happened the night Davy went missing, and where is he now? There are many suspects.

My thoughts...

EVERY MOMENT SINCE is a hauntingly beautiful story of the aftermath of a loss, a traumatic event, and those connected with inner turmoil, grief, and guilt to healing. There is an ongoing mystery, and everyone has hidden secrets about that night. What if they could change the events leading up to that night?

The author brilliantly explores this small rural Southern community and its dark secrets in this slow-burn mystery from past to present. Vivid in place, high in emotion, and strong in character, infused with tension and lovely prose, EVERY MOMENT SINCE is my favorite of Marybeth's. I am a Charlotte, NC native as well, and I love and support NC authors!

It's an emotionally gripping family drama—Heartbreaking, compelling, and suspenseful, with unexpected twists; the characters will remain with you long after the book ends. EVERY MOMENT SINCE is an ideal choice for book clubs and further discussions.

Audiobook...

I had the privilege of reading the e-book and listening to the audiobook, which was superior. The audio features a full cast of superstars (some of my favorite narrators): Cassandra Campbell, George Newbern, Kirby Heyborne, Jane Oppenheimer, Macleod Andrews, and Renata Friedman. The audio was exceptional, and the characters came alive. I highly recommend the audiobook!

Recs...

For fans of the author and those who enjoy stories by Jessica Strawser, Eileen Goudge, Susan Redfearn, Rochelle Weinstein, Jen Craven, and Emma Robinson.

Thanks to Harper Muse and Harper Audio for an ARC and ALC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Oct 1, 2024
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The haunting story of what happens after a family’s worst nightmare comes true. Whalen has skillfully crafted a mesmerizing and heart-breaking narrative that still manages to shine a light into the darkness of loss, offering hope that life can and will and does go on.
I listened to the audiobook for this story, and the narration is fabulous. The use of multiple narrators not only made the multiple point of views easy to follow but also made the story come alive.

*Thank you to HarperCollins Focus & Harper Muse for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I am typically leery of true crime. As a woman and a mother, these headlines always feel too-possible. So I am fascinated by Marybeth Whalen and her deep interest in the genre. For her, following these stories, and tracking the outcomes, is a way to honor both the victims and their families. It is a way to ensure that they are not forgotten in our ever-changing and fast-moving news cycles. So it will come as a surprise to no one that true crime is the focus of Marybeth’s latest novel—Every Moment Since—which publishes today.

What may surprise you is that—despite my apprehension of the genre—I absolutely loved this novel! Every Moment Since is a dual timeline story that alternates between the disappearance of a little boy named Davy Malcor in 1985, and twenty years later when his cold case is reopened due to new evidence. The book bounces back and forth between the “before” and the “after,” slowly increasing the tension until it cleverly culminates as past and present collide.

Told from multiple perspectives, the story dives deep into the hearts and motivations of those who knew, loved, and were impacted by Davy. In 1985 we meet Davy Malcor himself, a sweet eleven year old boy obsessed with Back To The Future and we can’t help falling in love with him. His mother, Tabitha, has deep desire to create an identity outside of motherhood—but twenty years later we see how Davy’s disappearance has become her very life. Thaddeus begins the story as a normal teenager who wants his freedom, especially from his pesky little brother, and ends up a guilt-ridden adult who has written a bestselling memoir about those events. Other characters, including the sheriff investigating Davy’s disappearance, the public information officer who knows more than she can say, and the person of interest in the case add depth and dimension to a story whose impact ripples throughout the whole community. (On a side note, I highly recommend the audiobook version of this story as it is populated with a full cast which helps you get to know all of these characters).

What I really appreciated about the telling of this story is that the focus is not on the trauma of Davy’s disappearance, but instead on the humanity of those left behind and how they survived and learned to live again afterward. In the hands of a less experienced author, this would have only been a story about loss. Instead, it is a story of redemption with echoes of real life. It is the way true crime stories should be treated, and it is the novel that Marybeth was born to write.

At its core, Every Moment Since is about hope and healing and the resilience of the human spirit. And if there is one thing we know about Marybeth Whalen, that is the kind of story she excels at writing.

This is my first by Whalen but I’d be interested to try another by her. I really enjoyed this story.

While not necessarily thrilling, in terms of pacing or the cast of characters, if you are a fan of true crime and find yourself drawn to stories of missing children, such as those the book is dedicated to, this felt like a very respectful, true to life account of what it could’ve been like for so many. It's not so much about the mystery of what happened to Davey, but more so about the effects of what a missing child can have on a person, a family, a community.

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, what a stunning, heartbreaking, beautiful book! I have become obsessed with literary mysteries lately and this one hit all the notes. This is a story of grief and the way a little boy’s disappearance changed the course of so many lives. Full of observations about humanity, and woven with a compelling mystery as to what happened all those year ago, I never wanted to put it down. Such an amazing book!

I absolutely loved this book. I enjoyed the flashbacks to the past to get the story of what happened the night Davy went missing. I also enjoyed the multiple points of view. I was definitely not expecting the ending but I mean that in a good way.

I have not read any books by this author before but because I enjoyed this reading experience so much, I will look for more in the future!

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to listen to the audiobook as an arc.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen and review this book.
Excellent book!
I got the notification that I'd been approved for this book yesterday and just finished it 24 hrs later.
Excellent story of a missing little boy and 20 years later what really happened.
I was enthralled! Totally wrapped up in the complex, dual time storyline.
I will absolutely be telling all of my friends about this book.
All of the narrators did a great job!

The story grabbed me from the very beginning. The writing is wonderful and haunting, and the story is one that is truly all too familiar— young boy disappears, police butcher the investigation, and he isn’t found. The wasn’t a big twist at the end, like so many books include the in the genre but this story was more than that, than the shock value. It’s about how grief and unexpected tragedy can and do change the lives of not just the immediate family but everyone that was touched by it.

Re: audiobook—the full cast was really incredible for this story.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperMuse for the advance copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

5 stars for this audiobook! I thoroughly enjoyed the full cast, some of my favorite narrators were on here, including Cassandra Campbell!

I thoroughly enjoyed Every Moment Since and would like to read more of Marybeth's backlist. 11 year old Davy goes missing which sets off a set of events that affects those around him for years to come. Davy's jacket is found 20 years later in a field which is where the book starts off. This book has multiple POV's and jumps different timelines which made it a very fast read. It is more character driven but because of how Marybeth structured the book, it is paced so well!
This is a somewhat emotionally intense book dealing with grief and pain. It also shows the perspective of Gordon, who was accused but never charged with the disappearance. Gordon has stayed in the small town to take care of his elderly parents, so his story is one I was invested in. This was well written and well paced but I found the end a tiny bit anti climatic so that is why it's not really a 5 star book. Overall, I would highly recommend!
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Muse for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very enthralling mystery that slowly unravels the story behind a little boy’s disappearance over two decades prior. The plot is shared through different characters’ perspectives, both in present day and the night of the disappearance. I loved the way the author reflected both the good and bad of each character, all equally being completely portrayed with depth and emotion that was reflected in such a real manner. The buildup of that tragic night’s events was slow, but engaging from start to finish.

With changing views and dual timelines, it’s typically easy to get lost or confused, but that didn’t happen once with this story. The audiobook narration was fantastic, and surely helped with that. This was a surprisingly great audiobook, that I highly recommend to any fans of this genre.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest review!!

Every Moment Since is everything I hoped for and more! This was my first book by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen, who masterfully weaves a tale filled with gripping suspense and deep emotional resonance. From the haunting discovery of Davy Malcor's jacket, twenty-one years after his disappearance, to the heart-wrenching conclusion, I was completely captivated.

This book evokes such strong emotions; it had me on the edge of my seat, desperately flipping pages to uncover the truth behind Davy's case. Whalen's beautiful prose dives into the complexities of grief, forgiveness, and the weight of lost childhood, making characters like Thaddeus Malcor and his mother, Tabitha, feel profoundly real. Thaddeus, who pens a bestselling memoir about their family's ordeal, grapples with childhood guilt that turns to anger, leading him to be less than fully honest in his narrative. While his actions are understandable given that he was a teenager burdened by the responsibility for Davy's disappearance, it left me with mixed feelings about his character.

The nostalgia throughout the story had me reflecting on real-life tragedies, such as the Adam Walsh abduction, which not only rocked his community but also had a profound impact on the world. Whalen effectively captures that sense of lost innocence, evoking a deep connection to the reader's own memories of childhood and safety.

The vivid sense of place she creates in Wynotte, North Carolina, enhances the story, immersing readers in the emotional turmoil of this small community. You won't want to miss Every Moment Since. It’s a compelling read that keeps you guessing until the very end. Trust me; you’ll find yourself saying, “Just one more chapter,” late into the night!

All the feels.

Had never heard of this one and was excellent on audio! Different narrators for the POV also has dual timeline and was easy to follow and keep up! Narration was perfection!

Masterful storytelling and just fell in love with the Malcor family, the town and all the characters. Absolutely excellent writing! You feel all the things with each of them.

Love the book cover and so thankful for my advanced audio copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Thanks to netgalley and Harper muse for my copy.

Every Moment Since
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What a heart breaking beautiful book. The Author did a fantastic job of telling such a hard terrifying story in such a cool way that was full of hope & ultimately full of joy. Trauma is powerful & life changing. So many people affected family, friends, falsely accused, & more. It runs deep but it matters what you do in the end. Super powerful book.
Thank you NetGalley

This is an incredibly sad story of a family having to revisit the most tragic moment of their lives. It's the story of how a little boy goes missing while out with his brother one night and how this event affected his family in the long term.

20 years after a careless investigation to his disappearance, his jacket is found in an old abandoned building, leading to reopening of the investigation.

The story is well written, with a dual timeline and told from the point of views of friends and family. The conversations are both insightful and deeply heartfelt as they navigate little Davy's disappearance and the possible resolution of the case twenty years later.

I listened to the audiobook and the cast of narrators brought to life all the feelings and tension. I would highly recommend this book for lovers of mystery and suspense.

I received a free audio copy of this book and all opinions are my own.

I loved this book, which offered a riveting account of the disappearance of an 11 year old boy, and what happens to his family as the years pass. The story unfolds in multiple timelines, alternating between the events of the night of Davy’s disappearance in 1985, excerpts from the memoir written by his older brother years later, and from the points of view of multiple characters in 2006, when Davy’s jacket is found and attention returns to this cold case. I listened to this on audiobook, which presented these timelines using multiple narrators, and this really brought the story to life. While the events of this book are harrowing and tragic, they are told with compassion and presented realistically through the characters and the small town setting. I found myself captivated by this sad but thoughtful story about grief, loss, and family dynamics. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audiobook. Highly recommended.

"Davy still counted; his lingering presence was current, not past. Davy was in every week, in every moment since he went missing."

"It's as if God had said this one's special; he won't be here for long."

Some stories stay in your mind but a few live in your heart. The emotionally gripping Every Moment Since, by expressive prose author Marybeth Mayhew Whalen, is such a novel.

In 1985 a perfect storm of events sadly led to 11 year old Davy's disappearance. His parents planned a night out but so did his 15 year old brother TJ. The compromise was TJ taking Davy with him. The problem was TJ got distracted and Davy wandered away.

Now, 21 years later Davy's jacket surfaces. All the festering wounds are uncovered as Davy's Mom Tabitha, keeping a daily regret diary, tops the list with, "I regret not being the mother I should be to the children I have left." This writer squeezes our hearts with the overwhelming continued grief Davy's disappearance has on his family and town.

Going back to that fateful night is viscerally unsettling as the author puts us right there following Davy not knowing how it happens but how it will end.

A full cast enhances this heartbreaking story. Voice actors CassandraCampbell, George Newbern, Kirby Heyborne, MacLeod Andrews and Renata Friedman bring their A game. The standout is the ultra talented Jane Oppenheimer. Her depth of grief as Tabitha, realizing, knowing what happened to Davy will bring closure, but not knowing gave her hope, will forever be with me.

The mystery is solved but this is more a story of feelings, of coping when the unthinkable happens. Beautifully executed, making every moment count.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.