The New York Times bestselling author of The Widow returns with a brand new novel of twisting psychological suspense about every parent’s worst nightmare…When two eighteen-year-old girls go missing in Thailand, their families are thrust into the international spotlight: desperate, bereft, and frantic with worry. What were the girls up to before they disappeared?Journalist Kate Waters always … disappeared?
Journalist Kate Waters always does everything she can to be first to the story, first with the exclusive, first to discover the truth—and this time is no exception. But she can’t help but think of her own son, whom she hasn’t seen in two years, since he left home to go travelling.
As the case of the missing girls unfolds, they will all find that even this far away, danger can lie closer to home than you might think…
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This is the second book by Fiona Barton and I thoroughly enjoyed this suspense thriller.
It was a bit of a slow start but once the story picked up steam, and we caught up with the travelers, I really enjoyed the story. This is told from many points of view and the author did a great job keeping things straight and building their worlds; the complexity between the relationships between parents and children at the forefront.
But what I really enjoyed were the new connections, ones that hinted towards what was to come. This provided for a gradual unfolding of the mystery. All in all it’s very well done.
I recommend this to readers of suspense/thrillers.
When I heard that Fiona Barton was releasing another Kate Waters novel, I preordered, because I knew it would be another fast-paced and compelling whodunit read. And sure, it was, but ugh…it took a while to get there.
Early in The Suspect, there is a “coincidence” that snatches our competent Kate Waters away from her role as The Reporter, and turns her into The Story. I enjoyed seeing the conversion, where Kate is forced to see things from the other side and finds out how awful it is to be hounded by her own reporter competitors. However, the coincidence is so contrived, I had to stop, put the book aside, and give it a few days. It was ludicrous. But once I’d done some head shaking and swallowed that contrivance, the story took off and developed well as all the players bounced back and forth between steamy, sketchy Thailand and good old England.
Another great read by Fiona Barton
The Suspect has many components: thriller, mystery, family relationships and a mother’s journey as their children grow up and make their own decisions.
Two mother’s are on a journey to find out what happened to their daughter’s when they disappeared in Thailand.
Another mother’s journey who happens to be a reporter investigating the disappearance of the girls and at the same time wondering where her son Jake has been for the last 2 years.
The pace is fast, the story is good. You think you might know what happened, but do you ?
I am a big fan of Fiona Barton’s and The Suspect just gives another reason why.
Get your copy, settle in for a good read.
Kate, the trusted heroine of Fiona Barton’s two previous novels, is back again, but this time the determined journalist always in search of a story, becomes the story. The novel explores the theme of every parent’s worst nightmare: gap-year teens go missing while traveling overseas.
Readers who enjoy this might also like Half A World Away by Cath Staincliffe.
This author is a definite must read author for me. Her books are always so well written and engaging. I don’t know how anyone could not enjoy her books.
This book is a standalone. However, it is connected to her first two books. The main characters of the reporter and inspector are important parts of all three of her books now. Things with these characters’ personal lives and how they intertwine with this book are essential. My advice is to read The Widow and The Child before you read this one. You can follow this book without them, but you won’t have the whole backstory and friendship that are important to all three books.
This book… Wow. I really don’t know what to say. My heart broke for every parent in this book. Barton did such a wonderful job at portraying each parent playing their part so well, it seemed real. Not that it couldn’t have been real. Things like this happen all too often.
So here we are…. Where are the missing girls? What happened to them? Where is Kate’s son, Jake? In Barton’s previous two books you got a glimpse into the woes of Kate and Bob. In this book, their lives and friendship are put to the test when everything seems to intertwine with one another. Trust is a big key component in this book. It is safe to say we can’t always trust those who are closest, but we also can’t turn our backs on those who are more likely to hold us up.
This book, like the previous books, is a slow build. It’s delicious and sets the stage for a story that is bound to hold you captive from start to finish. The characters, the plot, the little twists that leave you scratching your head. My advice, hold on tight. This book is bound to take you on a ride!
When crimes are committed outside of the USA things can get very complicated. Two girls having a holiday in Thailand show up dead. The search is on for the suspect. A story that will have you to turning pages to see how things end.
I love the character of Kate Waters and I loved that I was able to go back to her world again. The story she is covering now hits pretty close to home. As she investigates the two missing girls, a connection to her son is discovered. The question is to find out how deeply he is involved, if he actually is involved. Or maybe it’s just a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The Suspect was a page-turner for me as the plot thickened and the mystery unraveled. Told in alternating perspectives of three of the characters, it was interesting to watch the story come together. And then the ending. Whoa, was not expecting the ending that this talented writer came up with. It’s amazing what a mother’s love will make some people do.