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Wherever She Goes
From New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong comes a brand new psychological thriller about the lengths one woman will go to in order to save a child.
“Few crimes are reported as quickly as a snatched kid.”
That’s what the officer tells single mother Aubrey Finch after she reports a kidnapping. So why hasn’t anyone reported the little boy missing? Aubrey knows what she saw: a boy being taken against his will from the park. It doesn’t matter that the mother can’t be found. It doesn’t matter if no one reported it. Aubrey knows he’s missing.
Instead, people question her sanity. Aubrey hears the whispers. She’s a former stay-at-home mom who doesn’t have primary custody of her daughter, so there must be something wrong with her, right? Others may not understand her decision to walk away from her safe life at home, but years of hiding her past – even from the people she loves – were taking their toll, and Aubrey knows she can’t be the mother or wife she envisions until she learns to leave her secrets behind.
When the police refuse to believe her, she realizes that rescuing the boy is up to her alone. But after all the secrets, how far is she willing to go? Even to protect a child.
“Few crimes are reported as quickly as a snatched kid.”
That’s what the officer tells single mother Aubrey Finch after she reports a kidnapping. So why hasn’t anyone reported the little boy missing? Aubrey knows what she saw: a boy being taken against his will from the park. It doesn’t matter that the mother can’t be found. It doesn’t matter if no one reported it. Aubrey knows he’s missing.
Instead, people question her sanity. Aubrey hears the whispers. She’s a former stay-at-home mom who doesn’t have primary custody of her daughter, so there must be something wrong with her, right? Others may not understand her decision to walk away from her safe life at home, but years of hiding her past – even from the people she loves – were taking their toll, and Aubrey knows she can’t be the mother or wife she envisions until she learns to leave her secrets behind.
When the police refuse to believe her, she realizes that rescuing the boy is up to her alone. But after all the secrets, how far is she willing to go? Even to protect a child.
292 pages, Hardcover
First published June 25, 2019
About the author
Kelley Armstrong
272 books30.3k followersKelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers' dismay. All efforts to make her produce "normal" stories failed.
Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.
Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 657 reviews
June 24, 2019
If there is any chance that a boy is out there, in trouble, and no one is searching for him, then I must be that one person. The person who cares. The person who gets involved.
Whatever the cost.
2 1/2 stars. I've been reading Kelley Armstrong's books for almost ten years now (!!) and at her best she is such a good comfort-read author. Cosy thrillers, fun paranormal romance, strong heroines... but unfortunately this one was just average for me. I think it's because I feel like I've read a few hundred versions of this same plot.
Wherever She Goes was most compelling in the beginning when we are first introduced to Aubrey and discover that she is trying to rebuild her life after a recent divorce. Her struggles to be a good mother to her three-year-old daughter, especially constantly being compared to her wealthy, got-his-shit-all-together ex-husband, made it emotionally engaging. I related to her anxiety, the pressure she felt, and the doubts she has about whether she will ever be good enough.
Then, one day, she gets pulled into someone else's mother/child drama. Well, maybe. Because even though Aubrey sees the son of a woman she met in the park getting dragged into a man's car, the police won't believe her. They think she might have imagined it, or even exaggerated events for attention. When no one reports a missing child, the case is pretty much closed.
Except Aubrey can't forget about it. She never got the woman's name, but she's determined to find out who and where she is, and hopefully save the boy from his kidnappers.
Aubrey's personal life was by far the most interesting part of the book because the crime/mystery aspect felt very recycled. Another case of a woman witnessing a crime and having to go digging herself because the police believe she is hysterical. It's yet another The Girl on the Train or The Woman in the Window, except in this case I couldn't really understand why the police assumed she made it up. Even with the absence of evidence, their immediate assumption that she was making it up seemed... not very believable.
Of course, Aubrey also has a dark past. Though I think it is played up more than necessary given what it actually is. It's not even that exciting.
The ending, too, was a little disappointing. I was underwhelmed by the reveals and how things turned out . The singular "twist" of the book, if it can even be called that, was immediately obvious.
I liked it most as a portrait of motherhood, anxiety and divorce. As a mystery/thriller, it was forgettable.
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June 21, 2019
My reviews can also be seen at: https://deesradreadsandreviews.wordpr...
4.5 Stars!!!
What a great read!
Aubrey Finch has made mistakes. The pain in her shoulder is a reminder of a big one.
Aubrey is separated from her husband, Paul who has primary custody of their daughter, Charlotte. Aubrey didn't want to uproot her daughter until she found an acceptable place for them to live. It was supposed to be temporary. That was six months ago. Aubrey and Paul are civil with each other. They both seem to want the best for Charlotte. But Aubrey knows if Paul ever found out about her past, he wouldn’t be so civil.
Aubrey loves her daughter, but motherhood has never come naturally to her. She watches the other parents; tries to “ observe and assimilate ”. She reads all the articles and blogs but she just can’t relate to the other parents.
One day while doing cartwheels with Charlotte at the park, Aubrey meets another young mom who doesn’t seem to fit in either. They strike up a conversation as they watch their children play.
“I see this young woman, with her old needle scars and her worn jeans and her shabby sneakers and the way her face glows every time her gaze lights on her son, and she’s the mother I connect to.”
A few days later Aubrey is jogging through the same park. She notices a boy on the swings. It looks like the boy from the other day. Aubrey doesn’t see his mother anywhere. Suddenly she hears someone shout and the boy heads in the direction of a big SUV. But when she hears him cry out. “No! Let me go!” Aubrey starts to run in his direction. The car pulls into traffic and roars off.
It’s gone.
Aubrey tries to explain what she saw to the police but they tell her that no one else saw anything. The police also say that the other parents see Aubrey watching them and their kids. “ You make some of the other parents uncomfortable ”.
Aubrey contacts the police again and they tell her no one has reported a child missing. She feels like no one believes what she saw, but her gut tells her she’s right.
Aubrey tries to put it out of her head. Her daughter needs to be her primary focus.
“Even if I am right, is it worth the risk to help a stranger?”
Then she sees a story in the local news that changes everything. Suddenly, Aubrey is more involved than ever. She still worries about being exposed. Her past coming out could ruin everything, but she can’t just stand by. She NEEDS to help. Aubrey knows what it is like to be left behind, to wait for someone...anyone to come. She’s going to find a way to prove what she saw.
But if she continues to investigate will she be putting her own child in danger?
How far would you go to save a child that wasn’t your own?
I really enjoyed this engrossing and thought-provoking read. I thought it was a unique take on a missing child story.
I really felt for the main character. Aubrey is a single mother who isn’t confident in her parenting skills. She hasn’t always made the best decisions but she was a relatable character. I was fully invested in the story and wanted Aubrey to succeed.
Overall, this was a touching and well-paced domestic suspense novel that held my interest from start to finish.
I'd like to thank St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an advanced copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.
July 3, 2019
I love this authors Casey Duncan series, such a unusual setting and place. This one is a standalone, or maybe part of a new series. While this was suspenseful in parts, my feelings were mixed.
What I liked
The premise, Aubrey sees a young boy being kidnapped and becomes involved.
Her estranged husband, hard not too since he was a very nice man.
The easy style of writing and smooth pace.
What I had a little trouble with.
Aubrey's constant moaning about her past. Got a little old after a while and her regrets were mentioned way too often
The ending, too late by far.
Don't get me wrong, this is worth reading. It's quick and Armstrong is a good writer.
ARC from Netgalley.
What I liked
The premise, Aubrey sees a young boy being kidnapped and becomes involved.
Her estranged husband, hard not too since he was a very nice man.
The easy style of writing and smooth pace.
What I had a little trouble with.
Aubrey's constant moaning about her past. Got a little old after a while and her regrets were mentioned way too often
The ending, too late by far.
Don't get me wrong, this is worth reading. It's quick and Armstrong is a good writer.
ARC from Netgalley.
May 21, 2019
I adore Kelley Armstrong, and while I didn't love Wherever She Goes as much as her urban fantasy novels, it was still a worthy read, and one I did enjoy. The author has taken a story that's been done before and put her own spin on it, which will work for many folks, especially those looking for a surface level, fast paced psychological thriller. Although I can't quite put my finger on why, I didn't find the characters in this story as compelling as others she has created. Perhaps they were too generic and unlikable? An easy read, and one that will be perfect entertainment while chilling by the pool or beach on summer vacation.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy via NetGalley.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy via NetGalley.
September 14, 2019
It’s a heartbreaking set-up for Aubrey Finch. She is separated from her husband, Paul, and their daughter Charlotte who is living with him. Aubrey is the one who left her beautiful child and home behind for a dumpy apartment but generous visitation rights with Charlotte. With only a high school diploma, Aubrey considers herself fortunate to have landed a job in a library. Aubrey blames herself for the disintegration of her marriage and refuses all monetary offers from Jack.
Psychological mysteries such as Wherever She Goes are about my least favorite mystery/thriller, just above cooking and old lady sleuths. However Wherever She Goes is written by Kelley Armstrong. C’mon, it’s Kelly Armstrong! I’m as likely to pass on reading one of her books as I am to give up chocolate for Lent. After all, she is the author of two series that are in my permanent top seven.
Aubrey’s story gets even worse when she witnesses a small child being kidnapped. A child she and Charlotte had met only the day before playing in the park where they like to play. So Aubrey knows nothing about the boy or his mother. No one believes Aubrey; not the yummy mummies, not the police, nor her husband who just seems to be humoring her.
For a stay-at-home mom, Aubrey seems to have some mad investigative and physical skills. These seem to be related to her past she has hidden from her husband; much to the detriment and likely end to her marriage. Jack is already dating the perfect woman.
Aubrey puts her skills to use, she’s not about to abandon the small boy, but even Aubrey isn’t prepared for the tangled and dangerous web she discovers.
Aubrey is a tenacious, fierce woman, but she is the only well-developed character. The others serve only to move the story along and to reflect the lioness that is Aubrey. Eventually Jack shows some quiet strength in his dealings with Aubrey and the villains.
Wherever She Goes is fast-paced with some surprising character twists and certainly kept my attention. The story was told from Aubrey’s POV, and she told a straight-up story. When she finally needed to face her past, she owned it, used it, and tried to forgive herself. Armstrong has always excelled in flawed female characters, Aubrey Finch is no exception.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange of a fair and honest review.
Psychological mysteries such as Wherever She Goes are about my least favorite mystery/thriller, just above cooking and old lady sleuths. However Wherever She Goes is written by Kelley Armstrong. C’mon, it’s Kelly Armstrong! I’m as likely to pass on reading one of her books as I am to give up chocolate for Lent. After all, she is the author of two series that are in my permanent top seven.
Aubrey’s story gets even worse when she witnesses a small child being kidnapped. A child she and Charlotte had met only the day before playing in the park where they like to play. So Aubrey knows nothing about the boy or his mother. No one believes Aubrey; not the yummy mummies, not the police, nor her husband who just seems to be humoring her.
For a stay-at-home mom, Aubrey seems to have some mad investigative and physical skills. These seem to be related to her past she has hidden from her husband; much to the detriment and likely end to her marriage. Jack is already dating the perfect woman.
Aubrey puts her skills to use, she’s not about to abandon the small boy, but even Aubrey isn’t prepared for the tangled and dangerous web she discovers.
Aubrey is a tenacious, fierce woman, but she is the only well-developed character. The others serve only to move the story along and to reflect the lioness that is Aubrey. Eventually Jack shows some quiet strength in his dealings with Aubrey and the villains.
Wherever She Goes is fast-paced with some surprising character twists and certainly kept my attention. The story was told from Aubrey’s POV, and she told a straight-up story. When she finally needed to face her past, she owned it, used it, and tried to forgive herself. Armstrong has always excelled in flawed female characters, Aubrey Finch is no exception.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange of a fair and honest review.
July 5, 2019
4.5/5 stars
I love everything that Kelley Armstrong writes. This is a psychological thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book!
Kelley Armstrong is one of my favorite authors and is my most read author. I absolutely adore everything that she writes. I was beyond thrilled to be able to read her newest book.
The narrator is 30 year old Aubrey/Bree. This story takes place in Chicago and the suburbs of Chicago.
This book had a chilling beginning. And I was hooked right from the start. Bree is separated from her husband Paul, who is a defense attorney. They have a 3 year old daughter. Bree has a lot of secrets to do with her past.
Right from the start I was dying to know what Aubrey's secrets were. And I was not disappointed. I loved finding out things about her past.
This book had a bit of a creepy vibe. Aubrey witnesses something at the park. And she has to decide what to do about it.
I was so invested in this story. Aubrey is a very unique narrator. She is strong and determined. But she also often acts without thinking things through. She was really unusual. But I really enjoyed reading about her.
The story has a mystery about a woman and her son. It is dangerous and the mystery was so interesting that I was completely engrossed in the story.
This book was unsettling. I loved seeing Aubrey play detective. This book was riveting.
I really enjoyed everything to do with her husband Paul. And I thought that the book definitely took a somewhat unexpected turn where their relationship was concerned.
I am such a big Kelley Armstrong fan. This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year.
This book had everything that I want. It had an intriguing mystery. It had romance. It was a chilling psychological thriller. This book was different in many ways from the author's other books. Although she writes so many different types of books and genres. This was a great read!
Thank you so much to netgalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read this book. This is one of my most anticipated reads of 2019!
I love everything that Kelley Armstrong writes. This is a psychological thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book!
Kelley Armstrong is one of my favorite authors and is my most read author. I absolutely adore everything that she writes. I was beyond thrilled to be able to read her newest book.
The narrator is 30 year old Aubrey/Bree. This story takes place in Chicago and the suburbs of Chicago.
This book had a chilling beginning. And I was hooked right from the start. Bree is separated from her husband Paul, who is a defense attorney. They have a 3 year old daughter. Bree has a lot of secrets to do with her past.
Right from the start I was dying to know what Aubrey's secrets were. And I was not disappointed. I loved finding out things about her past.
This book had a bit of a creepy vibe. Aubrey witnesses something at the park. And she has to decide what to do about it.
I was so invested in this story. Aubrey is a very unique narrator. She is strong and determined. But she also often acts without thinking things through. She was really unusual. But I really enjoyed reading about her.
The story has a mystery about a woman and her son. It is dangerous and the mystery was so interesting that I was completely engrossed in the story.
This book was unsettling. I loved seeing Aubrey play detective. This book was riveting.
I really enjoyed everything to do with her husband Paul. And I thought that the book definitely took a somewhat unexpected turn where their relationship was concerned.
I am such a big Kelley Armstrong fan. This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year.
This book had everything that I want. It had an intriguing mystery. It had romance. It was a chilling psychological thriller. This book was different in many ways from the author's other books. Although she writes so many different types of books and genres. This was a great read!
Thank you so much to netgalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read this book. This is one of my most anticipated reads of 2019!
June 27, 2019
Wherever She Goes by Kelley Armstrong is one of those crazy thrillers that keeps you guessing whether there’s even anything to solve. What you have is an unreliable narrator hiding her own secrets while insisting a crime has happened.
Aubrey Finch has just left her marriage behind her after years of hiding her past from her husband. Aubrey and her husband still share custody of their daughter though while they work out the divorce with Aubrey getting to spend weekends with her daughter.
One day while out at the park Aubrey and her daughter meet another young mother and her son. Audrey feels drawn to the other woman because it seems the two share a lot in common and don’t fit with the other mothers. A few days later when Aubrey sees the boy alone she tries to keep an eye on him but he ends up pulled into a vehicle.
So what would you do if you saw a young child struggling with someone in a car? Call the police? Well, that’s what we have here except when no one other than the MC seems to have reported a child abduction the police find it hard to believe since parents should be frantic. So many questions the pages where definitely turning with this one and things only increase in intensity the more you learn. Great story to check out!
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Aubrey Finch has just left her marriage behind her after years of hiding her past from her husband. Aubrey and her husband still share custody of their daughter though while they work out the divorce with Aubrey getting to spend weekends with her daughter.
One day while out at the park Aubrey and her daughter meet another young mother and her son. Audrey feels drawn to the other woman because it seems the two share a lot in common and don’t fit with the other mothers. A few days later when Aubrey sees the boy alone she tries to keep an eye on him but he ends up pulled into a vehicle.
So what would you do if you saw a young child struggling with someone in a car? Call the police? Well, that’s what we have here except when no one other than the MC seems to have reported a child abduction the police find it hard to believe since parents should be frantic. So many questions the pages where definitely turning with this one and things only increase in intensity the more you learn. Great story to check out!
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
July 18, 2019
I’ve not read many of Kelley Armstrong’s books, but I do enjoy her writing. This one pulled me right in. I was beginning to suspect Aubrey was going mental. Then I kept thinking back to the people in the pizza joint. They’re what kept me grounded. So, I really enjoyed this one. I should catch up on her other books besides the Rockton series.
January 11, 2020
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
I had such a good time with this book! I am a little mad at myself for not picking it up sooner but I guess I am glad that I was able to enjoy it now. I was hooked by this story right away and had such a hard time setting the book aside. I just had to find out how everything would work out. I found this book to be a really strong story all the way around.
Aubrey is the mother of a little girl who she loves more than anything. She is separated from her husband but they have a rather cordial relationship. Aubrey doesn't always feel like she fits in with the other mom, especially since her separation. Aubrey has a quick encounter with a mother and son that leaves an impression. The next day when she sees that same boy being taken against his will at the park she knows she has to get involved. There is one big problem - no one has reported the boy missing.
I was hooked by this story right away. There is a lot of different things going on in this story and I loved how everything played out. Aubrey has her own secrets and problems in her personal life but she just can't help but try to help that little boy. Aubrey proves to have a lot of skills and I thought it was a lot of fun to see how far she was willing to go to try to get to the bottom of the boy's disappearance. I thought that Aubrey was a great character and it was really easy to cheer her on with all of the challenges she faced in this story.
Therese Plummer did a phenomenal job with the narration of this audiobook. She really brought this story to life and added a lot of emotion to her reading. I liked the variety of voices that she used in the book for the various characters, including a couple of small children. I think that she was able to make the story even a bit more exciting. I am pretty sure that I enjoyed this book just a bit more because of her narration.
I would recommend this book to others. I found this to be a really well done and exciting thriller with a lot of different layers. I cannot wait to read more from this talented author.
I received a digital review copy of this book from St. Martin's Press - Minotaur Books via NetGalley and borrowed a copy of the audiobook from my local library.
Initial Thoughts
Why didn't I read this one sooner?! I had a fantastic time with this book and cannot believe that I didn't make room for it in my reading schedule before now. I was hooked by this story right away and completely entertained until the very end. The mystery was quite complex and there were a lot of different things going on for Aubrey to content with. I listened to the audiobook and I thought that Therese Plummer did a great job in bringing this story to life. This was a book that I didn't want to put down.
I had such a good time with this book! I am a little mad at myself for not picking it up sooner but I guess I am glad that I was able to enjoy it now. I was hooked by this story right away and had such a hard time setting the book aside. I just had to find out how everything would work out. I found this book to be a really strong story all the way around.
Aubrey is the mother of a little girl who she loves more than anything. She is separated from her husband but they have a rather cordial relationship. Aubrey doesn't always feel like she fits in with the other mom, especially since her separation. Aubrey has a quick encounter with a mother and son that leaves an impression. The next day when she sees that same boy being taken against his will at the park she knows she has to get involved. There is one big problem - no one has reported the boy missing.
I was hooked by this story right away. There is a lot of different things going on in this story and I loved how everything played out. Aubrey has her own secrets and problems in her personal life but she just can't help but try to help that little boy. Aubrey proves to have a lot of skills and I thought it was a lot of fun to see how far she was willing to go to try to get to the bottom of the boy's disappearance. I thought that Aubrey was a great character and it was really easy to cheer her on with all of the challenges she faced in this story.
Therese Plummer did a phenomenal job with the narration of this audiobook. She really brought this story to life and added a lot of emotion to her reading. I liked the variety of voices that she used in the book for the various characters, including a couple of small children. I think that she was able to make the story even a bit more exciting. I am pretty sure that I enjoyed this book just a bit more because of her narration.
I would recommend this book to others. I found this to be a really well done and exciting thriller with a lot of different layers. I cannot wait to read more from this talented author.
I received a digital review copy of this book from St. Martin's Press - Minotaur Books via NetGalley and borrowed a copy of the audiobook from my local library.
Initial Thoughts
Why didn't I read this one sooner?! I had a fantastic time with this book and cannot believe that I didn't make room for it in my reading schedule before now. I was hooked by this story right away and completely entertained until the very end. The mystery was quite complex and there were a lot of different things going on for Aubrey to content with. I listened to the audiobook and I thought that Therese Plummer did a great job in bringing this story to life. This was a book that I didn't want to put down.
June 10, 2019
Armstrong always delivers with an action packed, suspense filled mystery that kept me turning the pages and eager for more.
Wherever She Goes was all these things and best of all, kept me guessing numerous times and had me swaying back and forth with exactly what was going on and what in Aubrey's past was catching up to her.
A story where everyone is suspect and you never know who to believe or what is going to happen next this was fun filled with a very believable story line, both with the mystery and with Aubrey's personal life, this had me interested right up until the end.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Wherever She Goes was all these things and best of all, kept me guessing numerous times and had me swaying back and forth with exactly what was going on and what in Aubrey's past was catching up to her.
A story where everyone is suspect and you never know who to believe or what is going to happen next this was fun filled with a very believable story line, both with the mystery and with Aubrey's personal life, this had me interested right up until the end.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
June 28, 2019
5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2019/06/27/...
I just finished Wherever She Goes by Kelley Armstrong and it was so intense that sitting down to write this review now, my heart is still pounding a mile a minute in my chest. I’m a huge fan of the author’s thrillers, in particular her Rockton series, and it was a delight to find that this was in the same league in terms of excitement and drive, though of course it was also different enough to offer a new and refreshing change of pace.
In this standalone novel, we follow protagonist Aubrey Finch who has just recently separated from her husband Paul. But while she has long since accepted the fate of her doomed marriage, what she refuses to give up on is joint custody of her daughter Charlotte, who is Aubrey’s whole world. Despite being an independent, resourceful and smart woman, Aubrey knows her questionable past and lack of financial resources would not stand a chance in court against Paul, a successful defense lawyer who can provide stability for their child. And so she throws herself into being the best mother she can be, bringing Charlotte to the park on their weekends together, trying to mingle with the other moms to prove to others and herself that she is perfectly capable of taking care of her daughter.
This is how Aubrey first meets the young blonde woman, who shows up at the park sometimes with her little boy. They’ve talked on occasion, though never shared names. Just the usual kind of chitchat you have with your typical friendly mom who brings their kid to the playground. But then one day, during a jog through the park on her lunchbreak, Aubrey witnesses the blonde woman’s son being pulled forcefully into a car, with the woman herself nowhere to be seen. In a panic, Aubrey calls the police to report a kidnapping, expecting them put out an Amber alert, mobilize a search, the whole nine yards. Instead, nothing happens. The police say that no one has reported their child missing, so there’s nothing that can be done other than to follow up on the limited leads that Aubrey has provided, which have been checked and have gone nowhere. Frustrated, Aubrey decides to do her own digging into the situation, knowing what she saw was real, that somewhere out there, a child is in danger. And yet, the more she pushes, the more trouble she seems to find herself in. People are starting to question her sanity, wondering whether her fears of losing her own child might be making her delusional. Worse, her investigation activities might be drawing some unwanted attention, threatening to expose details from her past that she would prefer to leave unexplored.
Leave it to Kelley Armstrong to write such an addictive and immersive thriller! I was captivated from the moment it started, and I don’t think the pace slows down at all. Story-wise, Wherever She Goes might come across as the same old, same old—a missing child, an amateur detective protagonist whose obsession with the case leads others to doubt them, and so on and so forth—but what Armstrong does that few other authors can pull off is a perfect sense of timing and a writing style that can convey a sense of desperate immediacy. We’re with Aubrey every step of the way as she carries out her own investigation, feeling the full brunt of her anxiety, fears, and tension. Any moment this fragile situation could come tumbling down on her, jeopardizing her own life as well as those she loves.
And speaking of Aubrey, what a fascinating character Armstrong has created. Aubrey Finch a bright young woman with a real knack for technology, but life hasn’t exactly gone her way due to some unfortunate circumstances as well as mistakes on her part. Throw in a bit of social awkwardness, and others aren’t always willing to trust her because they find her aloof and slightly strange. The fact that this story takes place in a big city doesn’t help, where people are either apathetic to point of nihilism or so prying and judgmental that they always seem to be sticking their nose in your business. Aubrey finds herself dismissed as a crazy person trying to make trouble, and it was so frustrating seeing her brushed off by everyone. Still, this is a lady you don’t want to mess with. Whether she’s hacking into network systems of fighting off thugs that are more than twice her size, she can take care of herself. She’s also fiercely independent, refusing to accept help even if she could really use it. Despite her occasional bullheadedness and her tendency to run headlong into the unknown though, I still found her extremely likeable and relatable and easy to root for.
There were also some surprises in this otherwise straightforward thriller, including discovering that Paul was actually quite a decent guy despite Aubrey’s initial fears that he might fight her over custody arrangements for Charlotte. And there were so many twists and turns in the second half of the novel, it was hard to know who to trust anymore.
Bottom line, Kelley Armstrong is an author who knows how to keep you on your toes. Granted, I have not read many of her paranormal/fantasy work, but with books like Wherever She Goes, I definitely find myself gravitating more towards her thrillers. This was another winner for me, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys exciting and suspenseful mysteries.
Audiobook Comments: I absolutely adore Therese Plummer, whom I think is one of the industry’s most talented narrators. I became a fan when I first listened to Kelley Armstrong’s City of the Lost (and then the rest of the Rockton series) in audio, and I was so glad to find out that Plummer was on board for this one too. Her voicework gave dimension to Aubrey’s character, making her personality feel genuine, and the sense of urgency her performance brought to the plot was perfect for a thriller.
I just finished Wherever She Goes by Kelley Armstrong and it was so intense that sitting down to write this review now, my heart is still pounding a mile a minute in my chest. I’m a huge fan of the author’s thrillers, in particular her Rockton series, and it was a delight to find that this was in the same league in terms of excitement and drive, though of course it was also different enough to offer a new and refreshing change of pace.
In this standalone novel, we follow protagonist Aubrey Finch who has just recently separated from her husband Paul. But while she has long since accepted the fate of her doomed marriage, what she refuses to give up on is joint custody of her daughter Charlotte, who is Aubrey’s whole world. Despite being an independent, resourceful and smart woman, Aubrey knows her questionable past and lack of financial resources would not stand a chance in court against Paul, a successful defense lawyer who can provide stability for their child. And so she throws herself into being the best mother she can be, bringing Charlotte to the park on their weekends together, trying to mingle with the other moms to prove to others and herself that she is perfectly capable of taking care of her daughter.
This is how Aubrey first meets the young blonde woman, who shows up at the park sometimes with her little boy. They’ve talked on occasion, though never shared names. Just the usual kind of chitchat you have with your typical friendly mom who brings their kid to the playground. But then one day, during a jog through the park on her lunchbreak, Aubrey witnesses the blonde woman’s son being pulled forcefully into a car, with the woman herself nowhere to be seen. In a panic, Aubrey calls the police to report a kidnapping, expecting them put out an Amber alert, mobilize a search, the whole nine yards. Instead, nothing happens. The police say that no one has reported their child missing, so there’s nothing that can be done other than to follow up on the limited leads that Aubrey has provided, which have been checked and have gone nowhere. Frustrated, Aubrey decides to do her own digging into the situation, knowing what she saw was real, that somewhere out there, a child is in danger. And yet, the more she pushes, the more trouble she seems to find herself in. People are starting to question her sanity, wondering whether her fears of losing her own child might be making her delusional. Worse, her investigation activities might be drawing some unwanted attention, threatening to expose details from her past that she would prefer to leave unexplored.
Leave it to Kelley Armstrong to write such an addictive and immersive thriller! I was captivated from the moment it started, and I don’t think the pace slows down at all. Story-wise, Wherever She Goes might come across as the same old, same old—a missing child, an amateur detective protagonist whose obsession with the case leads others to doubt them, and so on and so forth—but what Armstrong does that few other authors can pull off is a perfect sense of timing and a writing style that can convey a sense of desperate immediacy. We’re with Aubrey every step of the way as she carries out her own investigation, feeling the full brunt of her anxiety, fears, and tension. Any moment this fragile situation could come tumbling down on her, jeopardizing her own life as well as those she loves.
And speaking of Aubrey, what a fascinating character Armstrong has created. Aubrey Finch a bright young woman with a real knack for technology, but life hasn’t exactly gone her way due to some unfortunate circumstances as well as mistakes on her part. Throw in a bit of social awkwardness, and others aren’t always willing to trust her because they find her aloof and slightly strange. The fact that this story takes place in a big city doesn’t help, where people are either apathetic to point of nihilism or so prying and judgmental that they always seem to be sticking their nose in your business. Aubrey finds herself dismissed as a crazy person trying to make trouble, and it was so frustrating seeing her brushed off by everyone. Still, this is a lady you don’t want to mess with. Whether she’s hacking into network systems of fighting off thugs that are more than twice her size, she can take care of herself. She’s also fiercely independent, refusing to accept help even if she could really use it. Despite her occasional bullheadedness and her tendency to run headlong into the unknown though, I still found her extremely likeable and relatable and easy to root for.
There were also some surprises in this otherwise straightforward thriller, including discovering that Paul was actually quite a decent guy despite Aubrey’s initial fears that he might fight her over custody arrangements for Charlotte. And there were so many twists and turns in the second half of the novel, it was hard to know who to trust anymore.
Bottom line, Kelley Armstrong is an author who knows how to keep you on your toes. Granted, I have not read many of her paranormal/fantasy work, but with books like Wherever She Goes, I definitely find myself gravitating more towards her thrillers. This was another winner for me, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys exciting and suspenseful mysteries.
Audiobook Comments: I absolutely adore Therese Plummer, whom I think is one of the industry’s most talented narrators. I became a fan when I first listened to Kelley Armstrong’s City of the Lost (and then the rest of the Rockton series) in audio, and I was so glad to find out that Plummer was on board for this one too. Her voicework gave dimension to Aubrey’s character, making her personality feel genuine, and the sense of urgency her performance brought to the plot was perfect for a thriller.
October 22, 2019
3.5 stars. A tense story about a woman who reports a young boy’s kidnapping, only to have the police not believe her. She begins investigating on her own, all the while trying to raise her daughter, deal with her husband, with whom she’s separated, and keep her own less than legal past hidden from everyone.
The pace is fast, and while I enjoyed the story (I listened to the whole thing in one day), and I liked how competent the main character was at ferreting out information, but I also felt there were some logic gaps in the story.
The pace is fast, and while I enjoyed the story (I listened to the whole thing in one day), and I liked how competent the main character was at ferreting out information, but I also felt there were some logic gaps in the story.
April 22, 2019
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was a solid 3-1/2 stars for me, but not one that I'd round up to 4.
Let me start by saying that Kelley Armstrong is one of my favorite authors and I absolutely love the majority of her books. Unfortunately, I wasn't quite as enamored with this one. I thought it was good and it absolutely held my attention to the point that I read it in two sittings, so I definitely think it's a worthwhile read.
As the description says, Aubrey sees a little boy get snatched, but the police are doubtful of her story. This leads to her beginning her own investigation. At first I struggled with the concept of a suburban mom estranged from her husband going to the extremes that Aubrey did to find out what happened to this boy, but we soon learn Aubrey isn't your typical suburban mom. That's not a spoiler, but if I go into any further detail it will be.
Honestly, as the story progressed I was so drawn into finding out what happened to this boy that I didn't have difficulty just going with the flow of Aubrey's actions. However, what I did have a problem with was how strong and focused she was in solving this mystery and the total opposite wishy-washy Aubrey whose self-flagellation when it came to her husband and child was just really difficult for me to swallow. There were times I wanted to give her a kick in the ass and say, "Come on!"
Overall, this was a good book that kept me turning the pages, but I didn't like the characters in this book very much -- and this was a huge issue for me because Kelley Armstrong's characters are usually half of the selling point for me with her stories. So this was a good book that I have no problem recommending, but it definitely wasn't one of my favorites from this author.
Let me start by saying that Kelley Armstrong is one of my favorite authors and I absolutely love the majority of her books. Unfortunately, I wasn't quite as enamored with this one. I thought it was good and it absolutely held my attention to the point that I read it in two sittings, so I definitely think it's a worthwhile read.
As the description says, Aubrey sees a little boy get snatched, but the police are doubtful of her story. This leads to her beginning her own investigation. At first I struggled with the concept of a suburban mom estranged from her husband going to the extremes that Aubrey did to find out what happened to this boy, but we soon learn Aubrey isn't your typical suburban mom. That's not a spoiler, but if I go into any further detail it will be.
Honestly, as the story progressed I was so drawn into finding out what happened to this boy that I didn't have difficulty just going with the flow of Aubrey's actions. However, what I did have a problem with was how strong and focused she was in solving this mystery and the total opposite wishy-washy Aubrey whose self-flagellation when it came to her husband and child was just really difficult for me to swallow. There were times I wanted to give her a kick in the ass and say, "Come on!"
Overall, this was a good book that kept me turning the pages, but I didn't like the characters in this book very much -- and this was a huge issue for me because Kelley Armstrong's characters are usually half of the selling point for me with her stories. So this was a good book that I have no problem recommending, but it definitely wasn't one of my favorites from this author.
May 16, 2019
WHEREVER SHE GOES was a fast-paced, tension-filled, twisty thriller. Aubrey Finch didn't think much about talking to a young mother and son when she is playing in the park with her daughter. But when she sees the boy again a few days later and sees him being dragged into a car, she knows she has to do something. The only problem is that no one has reported a child abduction and the police don't believe that Aubrey saw what she saw.
It is time for Aubrey to dust off her computer hacking skills and look into the case herself. Aubrey has a past that she is keeping from her husband Paul. She lost her mother in a car accident when she was two, her military father committed suicide when she was eighteen which caused her to drop out of MIT where she was in a computer technology program. She went astray and joined a gang of thieves who broke into empty houses and robbed them. After being shot by a homeowner, she chose to leave and reinvent herself. When she met Defense Attorney Paul, she didn't share any of her past secrets.
Paul and Aubrey's marriage is faltering and she feels guilty both for keeping her secrets and for what she sees as her lack of skills as a mother. Paul and Aubrey are separated and main custody of their three-year-old daughter Charlotte is with Paul. She empathizes with the young mother whose son has been taken and is even more concerned when she learns that the mother has been murdered.
As Aubrey tries to find the young boy, she discovers more and more about the young mother's past and her connection to the Russian mafia and finds herself in more and more danger. And the danger seems to be following her home to her husband and daughter.
This was nicely twisty with a bunch of possible villains. While I thought that Aubrey seemed a little lacking in self-confidence and a little too accommodating of her husband's perceived needs, I still found her an interesting character that I was pulling for and wanting to know more about.
It is time for Aubrey to dust off her computer hacking skills and look into the case herself. Aubrey has a past that she is keeping from her husband Paul. She lost her mother in a car accident when she was two, her military father committed suicide when she was eighteen which caused her to drop out of MIT where she was in a computer technology program. She went astray and joined a gang of thieves who broke into empty houses and robbed them. After being shot by a homeowner, she chose to leave and reinvent herself. When she met Defense Attorney Paul, she didn't share any of her past secrets.
Paul and Aubrey's marriage is faltering and she feels guilty both for keeping her secrets and for what she sees as her lack of skills as a mother. Paul and Aubrey are separated and main custody of their three-year-old daughter Charlotte is with Paul. She empathizes with the young mother whose son has been taken and is even more concerned when she learns that the mother has been murdered.
As Aubrey tries to find the young boy, she discovers more and more about the young mother's past and her connection to the Russian mafia and finds herself in more and more danger. And the danger seems to be following her home to her husband and daughter.
This was nicely twisty with a bunch of possible villains. While I thought that Aubrey seemed a little lacking in self-confidence and a little too accommodating of her husband's perceived needs, I still found her an interesting character that I was pulling for and wanting to know more about.
July 12, 2019
I think it's really great that Kelley Armstrong is able to try out different genres, but also most of her non-urban fantasy ones just . . . don't really work for me. Mostly, this was boring. There was too much of Aubrey's past concealed in the beginning and there were times near the beginning when .
Anyway, Armstrong is an interesting case for me because I always consider her an autobuy author, but really I just mean for her established series (of which I guess there's just one now). Otherwise, I go with the library.
Anyway, Armstrong is an interesting case for me because I always consider her an autobuy author, but really I just mean for her established series (of which I guess there's just one now). Otherwise, I go with the library.
July 26, 2019
*Source* Library
*Genre* Thrillers, Suspense
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Kelley Armstrong's Wherever She Goes asks the question, how far would you go to save a child? 6 months after separating from her husband Paul and voluntarily giving up primary responsibility for her daughter Charlotte, Aubrey Finch witnesses a boy being taken in an SUV. As a mother of a young daughter with lots of regrets, Aubrey's instinct's kick into high gear. She calls the police who claim that there is no reports of a young boy missing. Since there's no reports of a missing child, they consider the case closed.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Thrillers, Suspense
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Kelley Armstrong's Wherever She Goes asks the question, how far would you go to save a child? 6 months after separating from her husband Paul and voluntarily giving up primary responsibility for her daughter Charlotte, Aubrey Finch witnesses a boy being taken in an SUV. As a mother of a young daughter with lots of regrets, Aubrey's instinct's kick into high gear. She calls the police who claim that there is no reports of a young boy missing. Since there's no reports of a missing child, they consider the case closed.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
March 25, 2020
Kelley Armstrong is a marvel, that writes one hell of a good thriller! I know when I pick up one of her books that I will be hooked from the first page. I especially enjoy the gumption of the women that feature in all of her books!
June 8, 2019
Estranged wife and mother Aubrey Finch witnesses the kidnapping of a young boy but when she tells the police, they inform her that no child has been reported missing and do not take her seriously. Aubrey takes matters into her own hands and becomes an amateur detective, investigating the crime and the people who she learns are involved. She runs into more than she bargained for when her sleuthing puts her own life and that of her loved ones in peril.
I found this plot to be reminiscent of Heidi Perk’s Her One Mistake, but there was definitely a difference in how the protagonist was presented. What I loved most about Aubrey was her strength and perseverance. Though clearly not living up to her potential, she is resourceful, highly intelligent, and not afraid to confront the most dangerous of enemies. I love a good strong female character who rescues rather than needs to be rescued.
One minor pet peeve I had was that Aubrey refers to herself as a “librarian,” even though she does not have an MLS or hold a true librarian position. Just because someone works in a library does not mean she’s a librarian. As a librarian myself, I found this detail a slightly irritating.
Regardless of this oversight, I enjoyed this and recommend it to those looking for a fast-paced suspense with a strong female character.
Many thanks to Edelweiss, Minotaur Books and Kelley Armstrong for my complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I found this plot to be reminiscent of Heidi Perk’s Her One Mistake, but there was definitely a difference in how the protagonist was presented. What I loved most about Aubrey was her strength and perseverance. Though clearly not living up to her potential, she is resourceful, highly intelligent, and not afraid to confront the most dangerous of enemies. I love a good strong female character who rescues rather than needs to be rescued.
One minor pet peeve I had was that Aubrey refers to herself as a “librarian,” even though she does not have an MLS or hold a true librarian position. Just because someone works in a library does not mean she’s a librarian. As a librarian myself, I found this detail a slightly irritating.
Regardless of this oversight, I enjoyed this and recommend it to those looking for a fast-paced suspense with a strong female character.
Many thanks to Edelweiss, Minotaur Books and Kelley Armstrong for my complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
June 10, 2019
Aubrey Finch meets a young boy and his mother in the park while she is there with her own daughter. Several days later while she is doing her daily run she sees the boy again but this time his mother is no where around. Aubrey follows the boy and he leads her to the parking lot where a car stops and snatches the boy inside. She can't believe what she has just seen, she immediately tries to take a picture of the plates but they are covered with mud. Aubrey calls the police and when they arrive they take her statement and tell that they have everything under control, they will contact her if they need anything else. She soon learns that not only has no child has been reported missing and the police think that she was seeing things. She knows she is not crazy but know that the people around her are looking at her as if she is. When she learns that the police aren't going to do anything else about the missing boy she knows that she must figure things out on her own. Her life is already complicated enough, she just got divorced, her ex has custody of their daughter, and now he is dating someone new. She wants to be in her daughters life as much as possible but things just seem to keep getting in the way. With all this going on can she really find a missing boy that no one else thinks is really gone? Follow along as Aubrey takes all the things she has learned throughout her life and hidden from others and searches for the boy that she knows is missing. This was an exciting read that had you hurting for Aubrey and hoping that her life would turn around. That she would be able to find the missing child and show all those who doubted her the truth that none of them could see.
I received an ARC of this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received an ARC of this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 7, 2019
***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of WHEREVER SHE GOES by Kelley Armstrong in exchange for my honest review.***
Separated from her husband Paul, Aubrey only sees her daughter on weekends. When she sees a small boy abducted from the park, the police think she’s making up the story for attention. Aubrey is a hot mess, hiding in plain sight from the law, even Paul doesn’t know about her past. She flounders at her job in the library, the source of gossip from coworkers. She decides if the police won’t investigate the boy’s kidnapping, she will.
WHEREVER SHE GOES had me guessing about the reliability of Aubrey’s narration from the get go. After all, someone who lies about her past to her husband for her their entire marriage may also lie to readers. Or she might be mentally ill. Telling the truth was further down my list of possibilities.
I can’t say much about why I didn’t enjoy the book more without giving away the plot but I will say the way things transpired didn’t engage me as a reader.
WHEREVER SHE GOES kept me interested enough to read in one sitting.
Separated from her husband Paul, Aubrey only sees her daughter on weekends. When she sees a small boy abducted from the park, the police think she’s making up the story for attention. Aubrey is a hot mess, hiding in plain sight from the law, even Paul doesn’t know about her past. She flounders at her job in the library, the source of gossip from coworkers. She decides if the police won’t investigate the boy’s kidnapping, she will.
WHEREVER SHE GOES had me guessing about the reliability of Aubrey’s narration from the get go. After all, someone who lies about her past to her husband for her their entire marriage may also lie to readers. Or she might be mentally ill. Telling the truth was further down my list of possibilities.
I can’t say much about why I didn’t enjoy the book more without giving away the plot but I will say the way things transpired didn’t engage me as a reader.
WHEREVER SHE GOES kept me interested enough to read in one sitting.
October 24, 2019
Mini review:
The mystery was really meh. I enjoyed Bree’s family drama more than the mystery, and that was honestly the only reason why I finished the book. The ending was so underwhelming, and I think the author was trying too hard. It felt flat, and I wanted to roll my eyes a lot. In the end, I gave it two stars because the family drama was interesting.
One sentence summary: An interesting family drama with a meh mystery.
Overall, 2 stars.
★★☆☆☆
Blog | Goodreads | Reedsy
The mystery was really meh. I enjoyed Bree’s family drama more than the mystery, and that was honestly the only reason why I finished the book. The ending was so underwhelming, and I think the author was trying too hard. It felt flat, and I wanted to roll my eyes a lot. In the end, I gave it two stars because the family drama was interesting.
One sentence summary: An interesting family drama with a meh mystery.
Overall, 2 stars.
★★☆☆☆
Blog | Goodreads | Reedsy
May 9, 2019
This book really didn't go where I thought it would after the start of it. I was on the fence with Aubrey and her choices to leave her family, but as things went on and we learned about her past her choice made sense and she was doing what she thought was right. Aubrey was great with Charlie, right there playing with her, being in the moment.
When Aubrey witnessed the kidnapping things really changed for her. She knew what she saw, but the sad thing is no one believed her. Aubrey ended up going down the rabbit hole as she worked to find out what was really happening. Along the way it seemed like she was going to loose everything, instead by the end of the book she gained so much and could finally live her life in the open. I have a feeling it will be nothing but sunshine for her.
When Aubrey witnessed the kidnapping things really changed for her. She knew what she saw, but the sad thing is no one believed her. Aubrey ended up going down the rabbit hole as she worked to find out what was really happening. Along the way it seemed like she was going to loose everything, instead by the end of the book she gained so much and could finally live her life in the open. I have a feeling it will be nothing but sunshine for her.
July 22, 2019
Aubrey has a hidden past from her near perfect husband. She feels she isn't good enough to be his wife and moves out. He keeps little Charlotte and they share custody. Aubrey briefly meets a young mother and her son at the park one day and she witnesses the little boy a few days later get snatched. No one will believe Aubrey since no child has been reported missing, but Aubrey will not give up. I thought this book went off in different directions towards the end, but I still enjoyed reading it.
April 21, 2019
Another Awesome Armstrong! Question! Who is Aubrey Finch? Yes she is a soon to be ex-wife, a mother, part time librarian, and a women with a maze of secrets in her past. All this being said; She comes across as a peculiar personality enlisting scowls and reluctance to believe her from others. Nevertheless; She has skills to take matters into her own hands when Police refuse to believe she has witnessed a young boy's kidnapping. Lots to keep the pages turning and the reader ready to slip off their seats. "A copy of this book was provided by St. Martin's Press via Netgalley with no requirements for a review. Comments here are my honest opinion." NEVER GO WRONG PICKING UP AN ARMSTRONG novel - -HUGE FAN!
June 20, 2019
Thanks to the publisher, via Netgalley, for an advance e-galley for honest review.
3 stars? 3.5 stars? I feel as though I'm being somewhat ungenerous in ratings lately.
As a big fan of Kelley Armstrong's Rockton series, I was interested in what she was going to do with this standalone thriller. I found Wherever She Goes to be a decently paced story with an intriguing main character who is still holding herself accountable for the initially unclear transgressions of her past. The last 20% or so of the story greatly increased the tension and pace, and I thought the ending of this story was exactly right. Aubrey was an interesting main character, and I think Kelley Armstrong could definitely use her again as I think she could have more story to tell with her.
3 stars? 3.5 stars? I feel as though I'm being somewhat ungenerous in ratings lately.
As a big fan of Kelley Armstrong's Rockton series, I was interested in what she was going to do with this standalone thriller. I found Wherever She Goes to be a decently paced story with an intriguing main character who is still holding herself accountable for the initially unclear transgressions of her past. The last 20% or so of the story greatly increased the tension and pace, and I thought the ending of this story was exactly right. Aubrey was an interesting main character, and I think Kelley Armstrong could definitely use her again as I think she could have more story to tell with her.
June 26, 2019
Thank you, Minotaur Books and Penguin Random House Canada for copies of Wherever She Goes, in exchange for my honest review. This title released June 25, 2019.
I really enjoyed Armstrong’s Cainsville books and read Watcher in the Woods earlier this year from her Rockton series, and have been a huge fan of her writing for some time. You can imagine my excitement when the release of this book was announced – SIGN ME UP!
This was fast-paced story with an interesting twist on domestic suspense surrounding the kidnapping of a child. The twist: the missing child doesn’t belong to the woman desperately looking for him.
Aubrey witnesses a child being abducted from a park one morning and while facing her own domestic squabbles, she makes it her mission to find the little boy she witnessed being stolen. But no one quit believes her story and her past blurs her credibility even among her own family and friends. SO what will Aubrey do and how far will she go to find the missing boy all while trying to keep from losing her own daughter in the process?
You’ll have to snag a copy of this one to find out!
With short and engaging chapters and a well-paced domestic suspense story line this book held my interest from cover to cover. It was a slow starter but once it picked up halfway through, the story went full steam ahead.
In usual Armstrong fashion, the narration flowed quickly and the cast of characters were well-developed. I was pleased with how the story all came together in the end and feel the author did a great job at wrapping up what seemed like would be a chaotic series of loose ends.
I recommend adding this one to your TBR as I think it will make for a perfect summer read.
I really enjoyed Armstrong’s Cainsville books and read Watcher in the Woods earlier this year from her Rockton series, and have been a huge fan of her writing for some time. You can imagine my excitement when the release of this book was announced – SIGN ME UP!
This was fast-paced story with an interesting twist on domestic suspense surrounding the kidnapping of a child. The twist: the missing child doesn’t belong to the woman desperately looking for him.
Aubrey witnesses a child being abducted from a park one morning and while facing her own domestic squabbles, she makes it her mission to find the little boy she witnessed being stolen. But no one quit believes her story and her past blurs her credibility even among her own family and friends. SO what will Aubrey do and how far will she go to find the missing boy all while trying to keep from losing her own daughter in the process?
You’ll have to snag a copy of this one to find out!
With short and engaging chapters and a well-paced domestic suspense story line this book held my interest from cover to cover. It was a slow starter but once it picked up halfway through, the story went full steam ahead.
In usual Armstrong fashion, the narration flowed quickly and the cast of characters were well-developed. I was pleased with how the story all came together in the end and feel the author did a great job at wrapping up what seemed like would be a chaotic series of loose ends.
I recommend adding this one to your TBR as I think it will make for a perfect summer read.
December 6, 2021
This one was very exciting and I was very engaged to the end. I am being a little stingy in regards to the rating, more like 3.5 stars. I think that I will be checking out more books by this author.
September 6, 2019
Aubrey is a recently separated mom who meets another woman with her son in the park when she is with her daughter Charlotte. Two days later, she sees that boy without his mom and he has yanked against his will into a vehicle and disappears.
But no one believes her. And no child is reported missing. When a woman’s body is found shortly after, Aubrey is the only one convinced that the woman murdered is the mother of the boy that she met in the park. But the murdered woman has no children.
How far would you go to prove what you thought you knew? What if it caused harm to your own family? What if trying to prove the truth uncovers a whole lot of skeletons in your own past? Things you didn’t want anyone to know?
I devoured this book one rainy day at the cottage and enjoyed every minute of it. I love Kelley Armstrong’s writing and I love how she can tackle supernatural writing as well as various other genres for both young adult and adult and do them all well.
But no one believes her. And no child is reported missing. When a woman’s body is found shortly after, Aubrey is the only one convinced that the woman murdered is the mother of the boy that she met in the park. But the murdered woman has no children.
How far would you go to prove what you thought you knew? What if it caused harm to your own family? What if trying to prove the truth uncovers a whole lot of skeletons in your own past? Things you didn’t want anyone to know?
I devoured this book one rainy day at the cottage and enjoyed every minute of it. I love Kelley Armstrong’s writing and I love how she can tackle supernatural writing as well as various other genres for both young adult and adult and do them all well.
June 1, 2019
3.5 stars
Wherever She Goes is an engaging thriller from one of my favorite urban fantasy writers. Bree is a soon-to-be divorced young mother who witnesses a kidnapping in a local park. Only no one believes her as there has been no report of a missing child. When circumstances prove to Bree that not only was she right but that the child likely is in danger, she falls back on her skills from her former life which she has kept secret from her husband to find the boy herself.
As with her other stories, Armstrong has created a likeable heroine in Bree, and the narrative flows quickly and smoothly to a satisfying conclusion. I sympathized with Bree from the start and wanted very much to see her succeed. If some of her skills, especially her physical ones, seemed unbelievably strong considering her 5+ year hiatus, I could let that slide because I connected with Bree and was eager to read on to see what happened.
All in all, this was a very readable thriller with relatable characters. Though this reads as a standalone, I wouldn’t mind seeing a sequel.
Wherever She Goes is an engaging thriller from one of my favorite urban fantasy writers. Bree is a soon-to-be divorced young mother who witnesses a kidnapping in a local park. Only no one believes her as there has been no report of a missing child. When circumstances prove to Bree that not only was she right but that the child likely is in danger, she falls back on her skills from her former life which she has kept secret from her husband to find the boy herself.
As with her other stories, Armstrong has created a likeable heroine in Bree, and the narrative flows quickly and smoothly to a satisfying conclusion. I sympathized with Bree from the start and wanted very much to see her succeed. If some of her skills, especially her physical ones, seemed unbelievably strong considering her 5+ year hiatus, I could let that slide because I connected with Bree and was eager to read on to see what happened.
All in all, this was a very readable thriller with relatable characters. Though this reads as a standalone, I wouldn’t mind seeing a sequel.
March 30, 2020
RATING: 4 STARS
2019; Minotaur Books/St. Martin's Press
I have been a fan of Kelley Armstrong since I picked up her novel, Stolen, and have followed her through different genres (paranormal fiction, suspense, young adult, etc). I will be honest and admit that while I will read any book by Armstrong, and she is a favourite author, I do not always love her novels (Nadia Stafford series, Age of Legends series and Bitten). I try and go into her novels with no expectations, as I did with this standalone novel.
Wherever She Goes is a contemporary suspense novel that reminds me of Harlan Coben - an every day woman gets sucked into a msytery that turns her life upside down. Aubrey is a single mother, that sees a young child get abducted from the park. She calls the police to report the kidnapping, but no one believes her. No one has reported their child missing and nobody else saw what Aubrey did. Her past, a mother who leaves her family, and gives primary custody to her ex-husband, doesn't help her cause. She can walk away or find the child herself and why no one cares.
I could not stop reading Wherever She Goes in any waking spare time I had. The suspense was crazy, but I had this nagging feeling that this was going to end badly (twist wise). As I rushed with Aubrey to get the mystery solved, I finished the novel pretty satisfied. After reading this book, I am motivated to start another one of her books.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
2019; Minotaur Books/St. Martin's Press
I have been a fan of Kelley Armstrong since I picked up her novel, Stolen, and have followed her through different genres (paranormal fiction, suspense, young adult, etc). I will be honest and admit that while I will read any book by Armstrong, and she is a favourite author, I do not always love her novels (Nadia Stafford series, Age of Legends series and Bitten). I try and go into her novels with no expectations, as I did with this standalone novel.
Wherever She Goes is a contemporary suspense novel that reminds me of Harlan Coben - an every day woman gets sucked into a msytery that turns her life upside down. Aubrey is a single mother, that sees a young child get abducted from the park. She calls the police to report the kidnapping, but no one believes her. No one has reported their child missing and nobody else saw what Aubrey did. Her past, a mother who leaves her family, and gives primary custody to her ex-husband, doesn't help her cause. She can walk away or find the child herself and why no one cares.
I could not stop reading Wherever She Goes in any waking spare time I had. The suspense was crazy, but I had this nagging feeling that this was going to end badly (twist wise). As I rushed with Aubrey to get the mystery solved, I finished the novel pretty satisfied. After reading this book, I am motivated to start another one of her books.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
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