Best of 4 Child Abduction Novels

Bizarrely I seem to have read a lot of books about missing children recently.

I think it's a coincidence and not some unconscious preference but nevertheless it’s a strange realisation to think that in the last few weeks I’ve read four novels about children being kidnapped. I guess (or hope) child abduction is a common theme in psychological thrillers so I’m going to forego the personal psychoanalysis and give you the low down on these books instead.

1. Little Sister by Isabel Ashdown

A twisted world of family secrets and sibling rivalry. After sixteen years apart sisters Jessica and Emily are reunited. But, when baby Daisy disappears while in Jess's care, was Emily right to trust her sister after everything that happened before? Written in my favourite style where the chapters alternate between the two sisters, this book had me gripped from start to finish. My only criticism was that I like books where everyone gets what they deserve which didn't quite happen here.

Find out more at isabelashdown.com

2. Now You See Her by Heidi Perks

My favourite of the four - I absolutely loved this one. Charlotte is looking after her best friend’s daughter and now she's missing. Devastated, Harriet can no longer bear to see Charlotte. But, someone is hiding the truth about what really happened to Alice. I loved Charlotte, the author beautifully depicted her character and the unimaginable emotions of losing someone else's child. I raced through it, desperate to discover the truth, which meant that it was over all too soon unfortunately.

Find out more at www.heidiperksauthor.co.uk

3. The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena

Your neighbour told you that she didn't want your six-month-old daughter at the dinner party. You only live next door, you'll have the baby monitor but now, as you race up the stairs in your deathly quiet house, your worst fears are realised. She's gone. Now the police are in your home, and who knows what they'll find there. There's no denyinh this is a page-turner, ending chapters with new relevations that continually cast doubt about who was behind it all. That said there's so much going on that it all becomes a bit too unrealistic and frantic at times. 

Find out more at sharilapena.com

4. Lies Between Us by Ronnie Turner

Unfortunately, this one just wasn't for me. Firstly, I just didn't get it, by the end I was no less confused than at the start - I wasn't sure who was who and who'd done what. It's the stories of three very different people who all have something in common, though none of them know it. Again the chapters alternate between the three characters; one of whom is a young but very odd child who's narrative left me thoroughly disturbed and consequently dreading his turn.

Find out more at www.ronnieturner.wordpress.com