Esther Chilton

I first came across this book at Harrogate Crime Festival a couple of years ago. As I’m sure many a reader who has a massive to-be-read pile will understand, when you get another book, it just goes on top of the pile. Though, I’d heard a lot of great things about Cally’s books and so I kept telling myself I must get and read it.

The blurb says:

‘Look after your daughter’s things, and your daughter.

When a stranger asks Jo Blackmore for a lift she says yes, then swiftly wishes she hadn’t.

The stranger knows Jo’s name, she knows her husband Max and she’s got a glove belonging to Jo’s two year old daughter Elise.

What begins with a subtle threat swiftly turns into a nightmare as the police, social services and even Jo’s own husband turn against her.

No one believes that Elise is in danger. But Jo knows there’s only one way to keep her child safe run.’

So, was the wait worth it? Yes and no. Yes, because there were lots of twists and turns; it wasn’t always easy to know who was being deceived and who was being deceitful. But, if I’m honest, something was missing. I’m not sure if it was because, for me, there were a few too many coincidences and then, when the big twist had taken place, it became a little predictable. Overall, it was entertaining and it did keep me reading, but I feel it’s probably not Cally’s best book. Will I read more? Yes. I’m still sure I’m going to enjoy her books; I may just have started with the wrong one.