In a brilliantly twisted debut set among Boston’s elite, Edwin Hill introduces unforgettable sleuth Hester Thursby—and a missing persons case that uncovers a trail of vicious murder . . . Harvard librarian Hester Thursby knows that even in the digital age, people still need help finding things. Using her research skills, Hester runs a side business tracking down the lost. Usually, she’s hired to … Usually, she’s hired to find long-ago prom dates or to reunite adopted children and birth parents. Her new case is finding the handsome and charismatic Sam Blaine.
Sam has no desire to be found. As a teenager, he fled his small New Hampshire town with his friend, Gabe, after a haunting incident. For a dozen years, Sam and Gabe have traveled the country, reinventing themselves as they move from one mark to another. Sam has learned how trusting wealthy people can be—especially the lonely ones—as he expertly manipulates his way into their lives and homes. In Wendy Richards, the beautiful, fabulously rich daughter of one of Boston’s most influential families, he’s found the perfect way to infiltrate the milieu in which he knows he belongs—a world of Brooks Brothers suits, Nantucket summers, and effortless glamour.
As Hester’s investigation closes in on their brutal truth, the bond between Sam and Gabe is tested and Hester unknowingly jeopardizes her own safety. While Gabe has pinned all his desperate hopes of a normal life on Hester, Sam wants her out of the way for good. And Gabe has always done what
Sam asks . . .
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Edwin Hill is a new to me author. I am fortunate enough to be friends with him on facebook and received a copy of this book from him.
Sam and Gabe both lived in the same small town. Sam with his sister, Lila, after the death of their parents. Gabe was a foster kid whose parents were drug addicts and only cared about themselves.
I felt sorry for Sam in the beginning. But as the story progressed I truly did not like him. He was a user and didn’t care who he hurt in the process. He wanted to be something he wasn’t and never would be. Instead of trying to make something out of his life he ran away and used everyone that crossed his path. I think a part of him wanted to have a life but he was way to selfish to get that the hard way. Hard work and being good to others. Even to Gabe.
Lila, I didn’t care for her at all. She was very selfish also and in my opinion was a child abuser. Not once in this story did she become likable to me. She lied to get what she wanted. She used people and she had a cruel heart in my opinion.
Gabe, I felt very sorry for him. Despite the fact that he would do almost anything for Sam he had a conscience. He cared about others. But he felt so obligated to Sam. Like he owed him. Gabe was mistreated so bad. In ways no young guy should ever be done. He was exposed to things and experiences that were horrendous. But he still had a heart. I believe he truly wanted a home, wife, child and a dog. He wanted to have a life. But he also could not say no to Sam. He trusted Sam even when his mind told him not too. I did like him and a huge part of me felt so sorry for him. He had a heart at least.
Hester, she was something else. I loved her, Kate and Morgan. Hester was a wonderful character throughout to me. She fought hard when she needed too. She cared about others and loved Kate and Morgan so much. Kate is Morgan’s sisters child who Hester and Morgan are raising. Hester finds people. She is hired to find Sam and Gabe. It does not take her long to find them but it seems like it takes her forever to really “find” them. In mental sense. She goes the extra mile, even without her consent, for Gabe. She definitely a fighter and my very favorite character in this book.
This book is very intense in places. It will make you wonder just what is going on. It will make you shed a few tears. Maybe a lot of them toward the end. It will put a smile on your face in part and even possibly bring a chuckle. From the very start to the very end you will want to find out what is happening. Who is the true people in this story. Who is bad, real bad.
I think the characters are done great. The author did a fantastic job of making you feel what they felt. Of being about to picture each one and feel the tensions they felt. The fear some felt and the anger others felt. The love in some and the evil in others. It’s a well written book with lots of things going on to keep you turning the pages.
I gave this book a 5 star rating and look forward to the next book THE MISSING ONES. What will Hester be up to in that one.
Thank you #Edwin Hill for the copy of this book. I highly recommend it.
Little Comfort by Edwin Hill was such a great read!
The characters are well done, multi-faceted and even the ones I disliked had traits or back stories that made me empathize with them. I especially like Hester. Such an old-fashioned name attached to a fascinating character. She’s torn over Kate ~ not really wanting to be a mom and missing her work, yet she loves Kate even as she puts her in some dangerous situations without really meaning to.
The character I’d love to know more about is Morgan. I do hope he is explored further in future books in this series. He has a big heart and seems to be muddling through as best he can. I can’t wait to know more.
This story drew me in quickly and honestly never let me go until the ending. I found the author’s use of the postcards as clues to be such a great touch! I haven’t really run into something like that in a book before and not being too familiar with the movies associated with them, I was surprised as each clue was figured out. I doubt I’d have been able to figure them out anyway!
If you are looking for a good mystery / thriller with a great plot and a cool primary character (I mean really, a librarian? chasing after bad guys? Oh yeah! Add in that said librarian has a 3 year old in tow? Even cooler!) pick up this book. I guarantee you’ll be glad you did.
Thank you very much to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a copy at my request. My thoughts in this review are my own and joyfully given because I loved this book.
Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “Little Comfort” by Edwin Hill, Kensington Publishing, July 30, 2019
Edwin Hill, Author of “Little Comfort” has written a captivating, intriguing, intense, riveting, edgy, thrilling, and suspenseful novel. The Genres for this novel are Mystery and Suspense, Thriller and Fiction. The timeline for this story is in the presents and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters and events. The author describes his dramatic cast of characters as complex, and complicated. Some are quirky, dangerous, and dysfunctional. There are twists and turns, betrayals, threats, danger, and murder. Some characters appear different from what they are. Of course, Animal lovers will be happy to know there are dogs and kittens in this story.
Hester Thursby is on leave from her librarian position, while she and her significant other are taking care of her three-year-old niece, for possibly an unknown amount of time. Hester does make use of her research skills part-time to look for missing people. A new client wants Hester to find her missing brother, who disappeared more than twelve years earlier. Sam Blaine and his friend Gabe left home after a strange incident. The only information that Hester is given are postcards and the fact that Sam keeps changing his name.
“Sam” is charismatic and charming and obsessed with wealthy lonely people. Gabe feels indebted to Sam and does basically what Sam tells him. Of course, it doesn’t take long for Hester to locate him. Unfortunately, the more Hester investigates, the more danger she is in.
One of my favorite characters is Hester Thursby. She is portrayed as fragile and tiny, but make no mistake, that is quite misleading. Hester says what is on her mind, and “shoots from the hip” so to speak. She tells it like it is. Despite what might look like weakness, Hester is independent, yet loyal, and makes her own decisions.
I would highly recommend this suspenseful and edgy novel for readers that love mystery, suspense, and adventure. I can’t wait to read the next Hester Thursby book.
Disturbing.
Really so depraved. The abused become invisible murderers.
Feisty Hester Thursby reminds me of a modern Day Molly Murphy, the creation of Rhys Bowen. Hester is a librarian and part-time sleuth, with a reputation for locating missing persons. With a three-year old in tow, she does not miss a beat! She’s taken on a new missing person assignment and a colorful one it is! The writing is riveting and the characters and pace fantastic! Twists and turns, suspense and intrigue made this an intense page-turner with a eureka moment at the end. Wow! If this is book one of a Hester Thursby series, bring them on!
I’m looking forward to this series and this character and all of the people in the book expanding into other stories.