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Forget Me Not
Manchester's Westy Lane is the hunting ground for a killer who leaves a tiny blue flower in the torn body of each victim after he kills her. Lisa Noone, twelve years old and wise beyond her years, lives too near the lane and her mother is a member of the oldest profession in the book. Their lives are far from perfect, but they will always have each other. Or will they? One night Benny arrives in Lisa's life. Tall dark, the most gorgeous man she's ever seen, Benny is not all he seems. While Lisa savours true love, Benny wants more from her than she will ever know.
435 pages, Paperback
First published January 6, 2003
82 people are currently reading
454 people want to read
About the author
Mandasue Heller
37 books449 followersMandasue was born in Cheshire and moved to Manchester in 1982. She spent ten years living in the notorious Hulme Crescents which have since become the background to her novels. Not only is she a talented writer, but she has also sung in cabaret and rock groups, seventies soul cover bands and blues jam bands.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
June 10, 2014
This is a good read. It's one you'd read in one sitting with a hope that nobody will interrupt you. It was the first novel I read by this author and it was the one that made me want to search her other books out.
It's gruesome but not to the point it's overboard, you feel your trying to figure out who it was and what would happen next. A really good read!
It's gruesome but not to the point it's overboard, you feel your trying to figure out who it was and what would happen next. A really good read!
September 7, 2017
Loved the whole book. I was with them every step of the way. Highly recommended to any thriller reader.
Loved the whole book. I was with them every step of the way. I would highly recommend this to all thriller readers.
Loved the whole book. I was with them every step of the way. I would highly recommend this to all thriller readers.
May 20, 2023
Lisa Noone is a tough 12-year-0ld living in Manchester with her mother, Pat, a local prostitute. Neither seem too worried about the fact that there is a serial killer operating in the area, prostitutes being his primary choice of victim. He guts them and leaves a forget-me-not flower on their dead body.
After a youth club disco, Lisa is subjected to sexual harassment from two classmates when a very handsome stranger comes to her rescue. His name is Benny and Lisa falls instantly in love with him, despite the fact he is in his twenties. This devotion blinds her to the fact that Benny might not be such a wonderful guy...
I thought this might be some sort of police procedural or gangland drama, but it's not. it's more of a drama with a thriller edge. There is a police investigation led by DI Ken Seddon, but it doesn't really come to much. We know the identity of the killer pretty early and it did get dull reading him trying to catch up to what I already know. Detectives in fiction only work if the reader knows as much as they do.
So, that aspect kills a fair bit of the suspense. As does the slow-burn build-up. We spend far, far, far, far, far too much time with Lisa as she bickers with her best friend, Debbie. It just went on and on and on. Nobody likes hanging around with snotty 12 year olds in real life, so why would I want to read about it for 200-odd pages? The Benny stuff should have kicked in much sooner.
Be warned, a lot of this involves sexual detail and sexual activity of minors. Later, this turns into sexual violence.
It's not a great book. I considered giving it 2 stars. The plot is simple and there is a lot of extraneous material that could be removed without affecting the story. The police investigation angle didn't need to be there. The subplot regarding Pat's client, Sam, seemed somewhat unnecessary too, considering we know who the killer is. But yet, it always kept me interested and wanting to come back to it. It's also refreshing to read crime fiction that isn't bogged down by all the tropes we're currently getting. This was a simple, character-driven thriller, grittier and edgier than the norm.
After a youth club disco, Lisa is subjected to sexual harassment from two classmates when a very handsome stranger comes to her rescue. His name is Benny and Lisa falls instantly in love with him, despite the fact he is in his twenties. This devotion blinds her to the fact that Benny might not be such a wonderful guy...
I thought this might be some sort of police procedural or gangland drama, but it's not. it's more of a drama with a thriller edge. There is a police investigation led by DI Ken Seddon, but it doesn't really come to much. We know the identity of the killer pretty early and it did get dull reading him trying to catch up to what I already know. Detectives in fiction only work if the reader knows as much as they do.
So, that aspect kills a fair bit of the suspense. As does the slow-burn build-up. We spend far, far, far, far, far too much time with Lisa as she bickers with her best friend, Debbie. It just went on and on and on. Nobody likes hanging around with snotty 12 year olds in real life, so why would I want to read about it for 200-odd pages? The Benny stuff should have kicked in much sooner.
Be warned, a lot of this involves sexual detail and sexual activity of minors. Later, this turns into sexual violence.
It's not a great book. I considered giving it 2 stars. The plot is simple and there is a lot of extraneous material that could be removed without affecting the story. The police investigation angle didn't need to be there. The subplot regarding Pat's client, Sam, seemed somewhat unnecessary too, considering we know who the killer is. But yet, it always kept me interested and wanting to come back to it. It's also refreshing to read crime fiction that isn't bogged down by all the tropes we're currently getting. This was a simple, character-driven thriller, grittier and edgier than the norm.
June 25, 2013
I am reviewing the novel Forget Me Not by Mandasue Heller which is an excellent thriller which I bought from a local secondhand bookstore. The story is primarily about the hunt for a serial killer and kicks off with someone being stabbed by the killer at the beginning. The key character is 12 year old Lisa who lives with her mum in a rough part of Manchester. Her mother has to go to court but they are lenient and give her a suspended sentence. Her mother has a boyfriend but also works as a prostitute. She has to support a drug habit. Lisa falls out with her friends over her best friend getting a bit friendly with her boyfriend. Her boyfriend and his mate try to rape her and an older man saves her from that fate. She really likes this man but he is the serial killer. Anyway he attacks her mother who is seriously injured and kidnaps the daughter, Lisa and then the story follows the police hunt to try and save her. One thing stressed in this story is that serial killers seem like you and me and it isn't obvious they are a killer. There is a happy ending and I enjoyed reading it. Apparently Mandasue lived in the Hulme Crescent area of Manchester and this story is quite realistic.
June 27, 2016
As usual was a very entertaining book to read. What I love about the author is that the only similarity in her books is that they are set in Manchester. Other than that the characters are diverse and either lovable or loathsome. Some of the language and phrases are very recognisable (being a northern chick myself).
February 15, 2025
Lisa Noone is twelve years old and lives with her mother Pat. Pat is one tough cookie and makes ends meet by the only profession she knows, the old one. They live on a tough estate in Manchester where there is a killer on the lose known as the ‘Forget me Knot killer’. One night at the youthy disco Lisa meets Benny who will make an big impression on her.
My Thoughts:
On the front cover of the book Martina Cole says that Mandasue has played a blinder with a fantastic novel. Well it is fair to say that if you like Martina Cole then the reader should enjoy Mandasue Heller as they are the same genre. I have to say that I enjoy Martina Cole and I did to a certain extent enjoy this book.
I don’t think that MH is as gritty as MC but she is getting there. I found this book a lot milder than MC and there wasn’t an over use of the very bad language that MC is known to use in her books.
The story I quite enjoyed which focused on Lisa and her mom and the lives that they live. I did feel because a lot of the story was about Lisa that I felt at times I was watching an episode of ‘Grange Hill’. There was quite a few chunks in the book that were about Lisa and her mates down the youthy and fighting over fellas.
Minor Spoiler
The book is a thriller with a killer on the lose and I did find that if the police in this book were real then I don’t know how any perp would ever get caught. One instance is when Pat is attacked and left for the dead the police breaking down the door didn’t check on her condition and it was the quick thinking of the detective Seddon who thought to check for a pulse and guess what….Pat has a pulse.
I did find that all the characters did have their own ending so the book finished all nice and neat rather than the reader being left wondering what could have happened.
Apart from the many flaws and some of the book being very unrealistic at times the story wasn’t bad at all. There was enough for me to keep going. I do have another couple of books by MH on my shelf that are quite destined for the charity shop just yet.
My Thoughts:
On the front cover of the book Martina Cole says that Mandasue has played a blinder with a fantastic novel. Well it is fair to say that if you like Martina Cole then the reader should enjoy Mandasue Heller as they are the same genre. I have to say that I enjoy Martina Cole and I did to a certain extent enjoy this book.
I don’t think that MH is as gritty as MC but she is getting there. I found this book a lot milder than MC and there wasn’t an over use of the very bad language that MC is known to use in her books.
The story I quite enjoyed which focused on Lisa and her mom and the lives that they live. I did feel because a lot of the story was about Lisa that I felt at times I was watching an episode of ‘Grange Hill’. There was quite a few chunks in the book that were about Lisa and her mates down the youthy and fighting over fellas.
Minor Spoiler
The book is a thriller with a killer on the lose and I did find that if the police in this book were real then I don’t know how any perp would ever get caught. One instance is when Pat is attacked and left for the dead the police breaking down the door didn’t check on her condition and it was the quick thinking of the detective Seddon who thought to check for a pulse and guess what….Pat has a pulse.
I did find that all the characters did have their own ending so the book finished all nice and neat rather than the reader being left wondering what could have happened.
Apart from the many flaws and some of the book being very unrealistic at times the story wasn’t bad at all. There was enough for me to keep going. I do have another couple of books by MH on my shelf that are quite destined for the charity shop just yet.
February 26, 2018
This was definitely not the best book I’ve ever read but it certainly wasn’t the worst either.
It’s definitely gritty in the way that only the best British crime fiction is, I love the way Heller has written the characters, in all their warts and all glory and pronunciation.
The plot is well enough executed but I did feel it lacked depth, I felt as though just as you get an insight as to what’s actually going on, the book ends, perhaps a little too abruptly.
However, that isn’t to say that it didn’t make sense or that it was overly obvious.
It is graphic though so for those of you with slightly weaker stomachs, perhaps give this one a miss. It’s definitely brave writing in that regard and some sections wouldn’t have been anymore pleasant to write as they were to read.
I still flew through it in about a week and it was very pleasant to read on the train to and from work, and really that’s the test.
It’s definitely gritty in the way that only the best British crime fiction is, I love the way Heller has written the characters, in all their warts and all glory and pronunciation.
The plot is well enough executed but I did feel it lacked depth, I felt as though just as you get an insight as to what’s actually going on, the book ends, perhaps a little too abruptly.
However, that isn’t to say that it didn’t make sense or that it was overly obvious.
It is graphic though so for those of you with slightly weaker stomachs, perhaps give this one a miss. It’s definitely brave writing in that regard and some sections wouldn’t have been anymore pleasant to write as they were to read.
I still flew through it in about a week and it was very pleasant to read on the train to and from work, and really that’s the test.
March 5, 2019
NO SPOILERS (2.5 rating)
This book reveals the killer way before the book ends.
It could have been written better. The plot is good but it lacks suspense and thrill. The book starts of pretty well but gets boring.
It is a fine read for those who have recently started reading thrillers or murder mystries. But if you are a fan of the adrenaline boost while reading, this book is probably not for you.
This book reveals the killer way before the book ends.
It could have been written better. The plot is good but it lacks suspense and thrill. The book starts of pretty well but gets boring.
It is a fine read for those who have recently started reading thrillers or murder mystries. But if you are a fan of the adrenaline boost while reading, this book is probably not for you.
July 29, 2017
I read this book over a period of a few months - it was my 'emergency' book for when I ran out of things to read. No matter how long had passed between reads, I was always able to jump back into the story. The characters were memorable and the storyline was nicely dark and thrilling.
A great read, and a great author.
A great read, and a great author.
September 10, 2021
This is just such a gripping story right off the bat, and with so many important characters! This was my first book by Mandasue Heller, and it's not usually the type of book I read. But following the story of Pat, Lisa, Samir and DI Seddon, it had me hooked at every chapter! And it certainly was not the ending I was expecting! Looking forward to reading more books by this author now!
April 3, 2025
One of my favourite of this authors books. A good one to start with if you have not read Manadasue's books before.
I won't add anything more as don't want thu o spoil the book for anyone, but if you like thrillers and authors like Martina Cole and Kimberley Chambers then you will love this book and author.
I won't add anything more as don't want thu o spoil the book for anyone, but if you like thrillers and authors like Martina Cole and Kimberley Chambers then you will love this book and author.
July 1, 2025
Not a book for the nervous ,it will give you nightmares but s brilliant read so eould
I would not recommend this book to any person with a nervous disposition , if you enjoy a good read ignoring the very gory ,& bad language you will enjoy this book I couldn't put it down. but glad when I Had finished it ,my pulse was racing to much .
I would not recommend this book to any person with a nervous disposition , if you enjoy a good read ignoring the very gory ,& bad language you will enjoy this book I couldn't put it down. but glad when I Had finished it ,my pulse was racing to much .
November 12, 2025
I was hooked from the first page. Dark, clever, and utterly compelling, Forget Me Not keeps you guessing until the very end. The characters are beautifully flawed, the tension never lets up, and there’s just enough edge to make it deliciously gripping. A perfect read for anyone who loves psychological crime with a sharp twist!
July 31, 2018
Absolutely FANTASTIC!!!
I couldn't read the pages fast enough. It's ages since a book got my heart racing like that!
All Mandasue's books are gripping, but this one, for me, is the icing on the cake!!
Keep 'em coming Mandasue!! 👍
I couldn't read the pages fast enough. It's ages since a book got my heart racing like that!
All Mandasue's books are gripping, but this one, for me, is the icing on the cake!!
Keep 'em coming Mandasue!! 👍
May 3, 2019
Fair read so you will progress quite well. However, you end up realising that the investigation has no bearing on what happens in the story arc or even the ending. Don’t know about you but I feel a bit duped.
December 11, 2019
I loved this book, it was totally gripping. This was the second book I had read of Mandasue, after being given a previous book of hers. I loved it so much that I am reluctant to read another of hers in case I am disappointed, so will leave it a while before I read another of Manadues' books.
February 28, 2025
A brilliant read, kept me invested in the characters and couldn't help but root for Pat and Lisa throughout the book. Lisa truly was a mini version of Pat with such strength of character, tough as nails just like her mom.
July 2, 2025
Brilliant from start to finish. You are soon hooked into the mystery behind the killings and there’s a great turnaround for some characters you might find unlikeable to begin with but soon find yourself rooting for them.
July 29, 2017
Grim but compelling but i thought the ending was disappointing, i kinda lost interest about two-thirds through.
December 22, 2018
Very outdated views on mental illness.
July 9, 2020
Not the best, maybe it was me that just didn’t get along with Heller’s style of writing. Kind of got bored half way through but really good ending!
July 21, 2020
I've read seventeen Mandasue Heller Books and never been disappointed - Forget Me Not continues to be a great read. A bit gory in places but not too much. As always, look forward to each page!
September 13, 2020
Thriller
Really good read,Heller has such a good way with words. Would recommend this book to anyone..one to keep you glued to the end.
Really good read,Heller has such a good way with words. Would recommend this book to anyone..one to keep you glued to the end.
August 19, 2021
Absolutely loved this book.. looking forward to reading the other books :)
July 30, 2022
Bit slow to start but gets better
It was very slow, too much focus on the kids , gets better toward the middle , first time reading this author, will try another book
It was very slow, too much focus on the kids , gets better toward the middle , first time reading this author, will try another book
August 12, 2023
Intense I couldn't put it down once started
July 9, 2024
I give it 4 stars because of the detectives in it do not carry over into her other books and for me personally I really gravitated towards the detectives involved
December 31, 2024
Predictable but well written. It was frustrating how poorly the cops handled their investigation.
June 26, 2025
Brilliant
Couldn't put it down,great story,you have done it again absolutely brilliant. Can't wait to see what your next book will be
Couldn't put it down,great story,you have done it again absolutely brilliant. Can't wait to see what your next book will be
January 21, 2018
Forget me not
Another great book from Mandasue Heller. Believable characters, strong storyline and a happy ending, for some! At the moment this author is definitely in my top five favourites.
Another great book from Mandasue Heller. Believable characters, strong storyline and a happy ending, for some! At the moment this author is definitely in my top five favourites.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews