Not every missing person is meant to be found… Because finding Alina could help right the wrongs of Emily’s past. All she needs to do is follow the clues.
But what Emily doesn’t know is that Alina had a horrifying secret. One about the care foundation she worked for. And the closer Emily gets to uncovering the truth, the closer she gets to terrible danger.
Inspired by a shocking true crime, Next to Disappear is the first book in a twisty British mystery and suspense series from Malcolm Richards.
“Electrifying… Should surely be on TV.” — The Bookseller
“A suspenseful murder mystery.” — Readers’ Favorite
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The Emily Swanson Series:
1. NEXT TO DISAPPEAR
2. MIND FOR MURDER
3. TRAIL OF POISON
4. WATCH YOU SLEEP
5. KILL FOR LOVE
Please note: This book was previously published as ‘Lost Lives’.
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This book had some interesting plot twists. I enjoyed it very much.
This is the first of a series written by Malcolm Richards, about a young troubled woman, named Emily Swanson, who finds a mystery and is determined to find out what happened to the woman who disappeared from the apartment she now resides in.
I found this book to be a mystery that I wanted to read until finished. It was gripped by this novel, it had some twists that I wasn’t expecting and I am looking forward to seeking out the next in the Emily Swanson series.
This book is aimed at mature readers, as it has some graphic details that might upset younger readers. His writing style I found to be easy to read, it had plenty of detail to keep my mind involved in the story.
This story is centred around Emily, how her life was falling apart, her mother died, her fiancé dumped her, a student committed suicide after she yelled at him, and the community around her blamed her for the boys death. She needed a new start, so moved to London and into an apartment, where she discovers a mystery, and decides that she may be able to solve this mystery, no she needs to solve this mystery and resolve some of the guilt she feels.
Emily discovers, that people were going missing, and no one was asking what was happening to them. She needs to find proof and so her life as an amateur sleuth begins. We find that Emily is not a perfect person, she comes with baggage, fears and many flaws, which I found made her a relatable character. The supporting Characters were also flawed and had fears and doubts of their own, so she had to work to get them to help her.
Overall this was a great book, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I judge a book about how it makes me feel, does the author make me feel sad, or angry, do I laugh or cry. This book pulled many emotions from me, so I feel Malcolm succeeded.
I was gifted a copy of this book by the author, and I recommend it as a good read.
It went on and on -with no worthwhile substance –
I must admit the beginning -had a hook –
This was a very intriguing tale that kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end!
Hard to put down. Stayed up late reading.
I think I held my breath through most of this book…especially at the ending!!! Literally scared me to death.
After I got further into the book, I found I couldn’t put it down.
I loved this book because the style of writing had me thinking I was taking a ride along with the characters and not just reading a book. One should read this book deliberately and not just to finish it. While reading place yourself in the story and really experience it. Character development was wonderful. Worth the time it takes to read.
Can say it was a pleasure!
Brilliant eventually I could not put it down up most of night reading to see what happened.
You read about people just going missing and don’t think much about it. Maybe you should.
Emily is a former schoolteacher, once married. She’s moved into a large place with no friends, no family, and a past she refuses to discuss.
Alina and Karl lived in the place before her and a portrait of Alina and clothes were left behind. Rumors are Karl beat her, she ran away…maybe.
Jerome is a waiter, barely getting by and lives directly below Emily….the friendship is solid as long as he doesn’t ask about her past.
Meet a few neighbors and the staff of a private hospital where Karl and Alina worked. Seems people disappear from the place and no one cares. Emily cares and makes it her job to find Alina and the others.
The creepiness becomes palpable as Emily feels she is being watched. Her place is broken into, her thoughts keep returning to a shocking incident in her past. Is she being too dramatic about Alina? She and Jerome make a great team and Grace, Rosa, and others try and help.
Once you are committed to a hospital, can you just walk out? Are all doctors gods and rulers without oversight?.
Emily may be small, timid, psychologically beaten down but she has more guts, more strength than most people. She will not be silenced or ignored this time! 4.8 stars. Couldn’t put it down, wonderful ending. An inspiring lady.
I didn’t receive this book
Allow two FULL days for this dark PG15 account of some really strange occurrences.
Malcolm Richards got me from the beginning of the story. The way the plot has been written, layers are being added and unless you really follow what is going on you may get lost, as the past of the main character is only really clear in the last quarter of the story and her present is confusing as she is always running from something. The need to have a purpose in life is what will lead her to unveil the macabre story behind the disappearence of people. What really made the hair in the back of my head rise is to learn that, in reality, part of the trial treatment detailed in the story was really executed by a doctor in Australia for 16 years!
I´m looking forward to read the next book in the series and learn what Emily – the main character – will be doing.
This is a different kind of crime story with an unlikely protagonist, Emily Swanson. With secrets to hide and painful memories, she escapes to London to start a new life, only to find a mystery lurking in the new flat she rents.
The previous occupier, Alina, disappeared one night. Emily’s enquiries reveal an abusive relationship between Alina and her husband. Teaming up with Jerome from the floor below, Emily feels compelled to find out what happened to Alina. But when Emily goes to Alina’s last workplace, a care home for the elderly, she has no idea of the horrors she’s about to confront, many of them in her own mind.
It’s an interesting and entertaining story of mystery and suspense that’s well delivered and easy to follow. Though an unlikely investigator, Emily Swanson is determined to fight her demons and atone for her past by solving the mystery of people who seem to disappear without anyone noticing.
Her investigation is anything but straightforward, taking a couple of unexpected turns. It puts the values of friendship, loyalty and trust under the microscope as she battles an enemy much stronger and more powerful than her.
This fast paced page turner with its twists and turns is a must read for Mystery Thriller fans. I was hooked to the book and cannot wait to read the next one.
This is my first time reading this author but had seen the books around that I finally gave into temptation. I have become quite a fan of thrillers. So when I opened this one I was swept away right from the start. When a nurse vanishes there are those assumptions. When Emily whom we meet in this is trying to start anew the mystery comes to light thanks to their house she is now in. Of course you can probably guess if you read alot of thrillers and mysteries where her mind goes. Lets find the answers and maybe start a promising new career. Of course as the answers are uncovered so are the dangers that follow so we will be all tied up into this one.
This book is a well written, fast paced thriller. I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommended
Having read Mr. Richards’ prequel “Wish Me Dead”, I was hooked so I immediately got into “Next to Disappear”.
And stayed up way, WAY past my bedtime to read it through cover-to-cover in one sitting. It was that good. Lyrical prose enhances each scene without being overbearing; a clear picture formed in my mind as I went along in the story. At one point I became so engrossed in the events unfolding that I found myself talking out loud to my computer screen at one a.m., begging Emily (the MC) not to open a certain door.
I foresee more sleep-deprived nights in my future, as I’ve just bought the rest of this series! Bravo, Mr. Richards!
This is my first time reading anything by this author. It’s a great mystery thriller that quickly turned into a page-turner for me. I have found a new author to watch out for.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.