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Damaged
Nothing is what it seems…
Journalist Emily Blake is sent back to her hometown to investigate the disappearance of a young girl called Becky Clarke. Emily takes the assignment willingly as the case echoes the disappearance of her childhood friend, Alice Abbott, twenty-five years earlier.
Returning to the village, Emily renews old acquaintances and rivalries. She reconnects with her estranged brother Adam, who has never quite recovered from tragic events form their past.
While she looks into the disappearance of Becky Clarke, Emily revisits Alice’s case but not everyone welcomes her investigation.
As lies that have been told for twenty-five years surrounding Alice’s disappearance begin to unravel, Emily is drawn deeper into the mystery.
What happened to Alice?
Will Becky ever be found?
And do the answers lie closer to home than anyone ever imagined?
Journalist Emily Blake is sent back to her hometown to investigate the disappearance of a young girl called Becky Clarke. Emily takes the assignment willingly as the case echoes the disappearance of her childhood friend, Alice Abbott, twenty-five years earlier.
Returning to the village, Emily renews old acquaintances and rivalries. She reconnects with her estranged brother Adam, who has never quite recovered from tragic events form their past.
While she looks into the disappearance of Becky Clarke, Emily revisits Alice’s case but not everyone welcomes her investigation.
As lies that have been told for twenty-five years surrounding Alice’s disappearance begin to unravel, Emily is drawn deeper into the mystery.
What happened to Alice?
Will Becky ever be found?
And do the answers lie closer to home than anyone ever imagined?
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 20, 2020
830 people are currently reading
704 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
January 15, 2020
The tag line for this book is ‘Nothing is what it Seems’ and now having read it I agree!
It’s a startling, grim, horrific opening that then leads into the main story of what really happened to Alice when she disappeared many years ago
Emily was her best friend and years later working as a journo she has the opportunity to return to her childhood home and ‘look into’ the story once again....the book then follows her progress as she unearths secrets and lies she will wish she had left well alone as bit by bit she comes to realise the nasty truth, it’s more than nasty though really is shockingly cruel and life changing
The story is tense, mostly fast paced, as said horrifying in parts and descriptively no holds barred that did have me wincing at times and ‘eye agoged’ at others
When the perp is revealed he is a psychopath like no other and it did shock me!
This is the authors debut book and it is well written, easy to follow and would definitely make me read more from this author in the future
It’s a psychological/domestic thriller with good characterisation, a ‘whodunit’ feel and an edge of nastiness all combined to make a very unsettling but good read
9/10
5 Stars
January 20, 2020
Emily Blake is a journalist being sent back to her hometown to investigate the disappearance of a young girl. It closely resembles the case of another young girl who was taken and disappeared 25 years ago .... Emily's best friend, Alice.
Not everyone is happy with Emily revisiting Alice's case. Alice's mother and brother welcome Emily, but there's a layer of resentment toward her. The brother is a basket case and has never recovered from his sister's disappearance. Emily's brother has gone in the opposite direction .... he has moved on and seems to have no concern at all. The neighbor, a single older man, was accused and has spent a lot of years stating his innocence. Most people don't believe him, but Alice's parents have always stood up for him.
Where did Alice's father go? He left the family 5 years ago and hasn't been seen since. Who is the young woman with blue hair that now lives in the house Emily once lived in? Who's the woman who seems to watch the neighborhood very closely ... what is her agenda?
This is an extremely well written and tightly woven mystery with unforgettable characters. It held me riveted from the very first page to the very last unpredictable explosive ending.
Many thanks to the author / Bloodhound Books for the digital copy of this crime fiction mystery. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Not everyone is happy with Emily revisiting Alice's case. Alice's mother and brother welcome Emily, but there's a layer of resentment toward her. The brother is a basket case and has never recovered from his sister's disappearance. Emily's brother has gone in the opposite direction .... he has moved on and seems to have no concern at all. The neighbor, a single older man, was accused and has spent a lot of years stating his innocence. Most people don't believe him, but Alice's parents have always stood up for him.
Where did Alice's father go? He left the family 5 years ago and hasn't been seen since. Who is the young woman with blue hair that now lives in the house Emily once lived in? Who's the woman who seems to watch the neighborhood very closely ... what is her agenda?
This is an extremely well written and tightly woven mystery with unforgettable characters. It held me riveted from the very first page to the very last unpredictable explosive ending.
Many thanks to the author / Bloodhound Books for the digital copy of this crime fiction mystery. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
February 9, 2020
It's fair to say that I am a biased reviewer as this is my brother's first novel, however, I am confident that people will enjoy this psychological mystery/thriller, particularly if this genre is your bag (it isn't usually mine nowadays).
When he sent it to me to read I was trepidatious - what if it was rubbish, what would I say?! Thankfully, I didn't have to lie - I enjoyed the book immensely; a real page-turner that I read in 2 sittings, exciting, dark, mysterious, well drawn characters and a shock ending that came as a real surprise. I will leave others to give their opinions as clearly mine may be coloured by association, but please go out and buy it in droves so that he can buy me a house with the film rights money ;)
When he sent it to me to read I was trepidatious - what if it was rubbish, what would I say?! Thankfully, I didn't have to lie - I enjoyed the book immensely; a real page-turner that I read in 2 sittings, exciting, dark, mysterious, well drawn characters and a shock ending that came as a real surprise. I will leave others to give their opinions as clearly mine may be coloured by association, but please go out and buy it in droves so that he can buy me a house with the film rights money ;)
January 20, 2020
Damaged is a well written debut novel that I literally inhaled in one sitting. I couldn’t put it down. From start to finish the author had my full attention.
Alice and Emily- two best friends and then Alice disappears. Twenty five years later Emily is a journalist who finds herself in her hometown looking into Alice disappearance. Not everyone is happy as Emily gets close to the truth.
Brilliant story with great twists and turns. Although it’s not a story for everyone I absolutely loved it. So looking forward to reading more from this author.
Alice and Emily- two best friends and then Alice disappears. Twenty five years later Emily is a journalist who finds herself in her hometown looking into Alice disappearance. Not everyone is happy as Emily gets close to the truth.
Brilliant story with great twists and turns. Although it’s not a story for everyone I absolutely loved it. So looking forward to reading more from this author.
January 17, 2020
Fantastic debut novel! A young girl goes missing and there seems to be similarities to another missing child case from years ago and a journalist is sent back to her home town to investigate the fact of these similarities. The fact that the cold case was her friend makes her even happier to investigate!The only problem is not everyone in her hometown is as happy to revisit the case. It's a taut and tense ride for sure! It is fast paced, and thrilling all at once! You pick up the book and it never lets go!
April 12, 2020
What a dark and twisted tale this debut is.
When Emily returns to her childhood town to look into the case of a missing young girl, little does she know what she'll uncover. Emily's childhood friend also went missing when they were 12 and she wonders if the two cases are linked.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The prologue is dark and atmospheric, followed by a story that has many twists and turns. The pace of the story is spot on and there were plenty of times where I kept changing my opinion about who did what to who.
I mean this as a compliment when I say that this book has earned Dan the #sickoauthor tag.
You've been warned!
When Emily returns to her childhood town to look into the case of a missing young girl, little does she know what she'll uncover. Emily's childhood friend also went missing when they were 12 and she wonders if the two cases are linked.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The prologue is dark and atmospheric, followed by a story that has many twists and turns. The pace of the story is spot on and there were plenty of times where I kept changing my opinion about who did what to who.
I mean this as a compliment when I say that this book has earned Dan the #sickoauthor tag.
You've been warned!
February 10, 2020
What a brilliant story this is. Emily is a journalist and hears of a girls disappearance in the town she grew up. 25 years ago Emily's friend, Alice, disappeared from her home whilst her parents were at a neighbours party with Emily's parents, no one was convicted and she was never found. Are they connected? Emily goes back to her home town to investigate.
This story will have you on the edge of your seat throughout and your head spinning. Amazing.
This story will have you on the edge of your seat throughout and your head spinning. Amazing.
January 24, 2020
Got so in to the story I forgot where I was
Loved it. I felt like I was in the story for quite a lot of it and was some what surprised to realise I was reading in my lunch break and I was at work. Would totally recommend
Loved it. I felt like I was in the story for quite a lot of it and was some what surprised to realise I was reading in my lunch break and I was at work. Would totally recommend
January 20, 2020
With an amazing shocking start, I was hooked from the off.
Alice had gone missing as a child, 25 years ago. Her best friend, Emily is back in her childhood home, now a journalist and looking into Alice’s disappearance.
Another child has gone missing. Is there a link to Alice’s case? Who in the town has secrets they are desperate to keep?
This is an incredibly tense tale, it keeps you on tenterhooks with its gritting, twisty plot. The ending will certainly leave your heart racing. A stunning debut psychological thriller from Dan Scottow.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour, for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
Alice had gone missing as a child, 25 years ago. Her best friend, Emily is back in her childhood home, now a journalist and looking into Alice’s disappearance.
Another child has gone missing. Is there a link to Alice’s case? Who in the town has secrets they are desperate to keep?
This is an incredibly tense tale, it keeps you on tenterhooks with its gritting, twisty plot. The ending will certainly leave your heart racing. A stunning debut psychological thriller from Dan Scottow.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour, for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
January 22, 2020
Twenty five years have passed since Emily Blake's best friend Alice Abbott mysteriously disappeared from her bedroom in her house that was situated directly across the road from Emily's house whilst their parents were attending a party at one of their neighbours houses. Her disappearance had a devastating effect on many of the residents who lived on Pear Tree Close and shattered the illusion of safety and security that the residents had been living under.
Now another young girl called Becky Clarke has gone missing and Emily has been sent by the editor of the magazine that she works for to investigate the young girl's disappearance. Emily has her suspicions that the two cases could be connected so she decides to revisit Alice's case as well but not everyone welcomes her investigations.
Not long after she returns to the small village of Palmerston Emily starts to get the feeling that she is being watched whenever she goes out and that some people know more about what happened to Alice than they admitted too during the original investigation.
But as the lies that have been told for twenty five years start to unravel, Emily finds herself in serious danger and discovers that The answers to get questions lie closer to home than she ever imagined.
More than one character in this enthralling,shocking thriller is mentally disturbed in various ways and for various reasons. Many terrible events can cause a ripple effect that gradually widen and pull more people into their epicentre causing more and more pain and devastation. You could say that Emily was the pebble that caused the ripples that spread through the quite village street because of her determination to uncover what happened to her beloved friend all those years ago. Emily was a complex, mixed bag of emotions and was very likeable. I admired her feistiness and her take no crap attitude. I also liked Alice's poor brother Tom and Alan Gillespie. The rest of the mixed bag of diverse characters were not very likeable for various reasons.
Damaged is a extremely well written,fast paced, enthralling but also shocking at times mystery thriller that had me hooked on from the intense prologue and frantically turning the pages. On one had I wanted to learn what had happened to Alice but on the other hand I didn't want the book to end. I would to watch a film adaptation of this story and look forward to reading more books written by this author in the future. Very highly recommended.
Many thanks to Heather Fitt of BloodHound Books for the opportunity to read and review this book and for the opportunity to take part in the blog tour
Now another young girl called Becky Clarke has gone missing and Emily has been sent by the editor of the magazine that she works for to investigate the young girl's disappearance. Emily has her suspicions that the two cases could be connected so she decides to revisit Alice's case as well but not everyone welcomes her investigations.
Not long after she returns to the small village of Palmerston Emily starts to get the feeling that she is being watched whenever she goes out and that some people know more about what happened to Alice than they admitted too during the original investigation.
But as the lies that have been told for twenty five years start to unravel, Emily finds herself in serious danger and discovers that The answers to get questions lie closer to home than she ever imagined.
More than one character in this enthralling,shocking thriller is mentally disturbed in various ways and for various reasons. Many terrible events can cause a ripple effect that gradually widen and pull more people into their epicentre causing more and more pain and devastation. You could say that Emily was the pebble that caused the ripples that spread through the quite village street because of her determination to uncover what happened to her beloved friend all those years ago. Emily was a complex, mixed bag of emotions and was very likeable. I admired her feistiness and her take no crap attitude. I also liked Alice's poor brother Tom and Alan Gillespie. The rest of the mixed bag of diverse characters were not very likeable for various reasons.
Damaged is a extremely well written,fast paced, enthralling but also shocking at times mystery thriller that had me hooked on from the intense prologue and frantically turning the pages. On one had I wanted to learn what had happened to Alice but on the other hand I didn't want the book to end. I would to watch a film adaptation of this story and look forward to reading more books written by this author in the future. Very highly recommended.
Many thanks to Heather Fitt of BloodHound Books for the opportunity to read and review this book and for the opportunity to take part in the blog tour
February 29, 2020
Please thank your brother Matt
Please thank your brother Matt for convincing you this was good enough to get published. The first night I started this I read over 50% of it. Actually had to force myself to put it down so I could get some sleep. Not to worry, I picked it right up the next day and finished it. I could not turn the pages fast enough. Characters were well developed, I could actually picture them in my mind. This book had absolutely no points at which I felt it dragged at all. I'm an so excited I actually felt like doing a fist pump at the end. Not because I finally finished, but because it was so good. I believe this is the first book by this author but as soon as I'm done with this review in going to see if there is anything else by Dan Scottow. If you love psychological thrillers that go at a fast pace and make your heart beat out your chest, this is for you. I know I'm gushing about this book but I did not receive this book for free. It's just that good. HIGHLY recommend.
Please thank your brother Matt for convincing you this was good enough to get published. The first night I started this I read over 50% of it. Actually had to force myself to put it down so I could get some sleep. Not to worry, I picked it right up the next day and finished it. I could not turn the pages fast enough. Characters were well developed, I could actually picture them in my mind. This book had absolutely no points at which I felt it dragged at all. I'm an so excited I actually felt like doing a fist pump at the end. Not because I finally finished, but because it was so good. I believe this is the first book by this author but as soon as I'm done with this review in going to see if there is anything else by Dan Scottow. If you love psychological thrillers that go at a fast pace and make your heart beat out your chest, this is for you. I know I'm gushing about this book but I did not receive this book for free. It's just that good. HIGHLY recommend.
March 16, 2020
Twenty five years ago..Alice Abbot goes missing in the night..For the residents of Pear Tree Close,a close knit community where you could leave your doors unlocked..when the news hits them it shatters the community
At the time there was one suspect Alan Gillespie a quiet man..a loner who lived with his dog.But with no proof he is free to go.But once the Chinese whispers start Gillespie lost everything..his job ..his reputation..yet still he stays at Pear Tree Close..Emily Blake ..now a journalist has never forgotten her best friend.As children they did everything together.They played ..laughed and dreamed of what their future held.When Becky Clarke aged 10 goes missing. Emily goes back and stays with Helen Abbot and her son Tom.On going back she reconnects with her brother Adam who seems to have changed since she last saw him.But Emily is faced with walls of silence..The thing about walls is they can come tumbling down.Pear Tree Close , once a safe haven for Emily is hiding secrets..Secrets ,Lies and Murder.Emily is so unprepared for what she is about to unravel..And in that unraveling..there is A Madness that flows softly..Madness,Suspicion and Murder..A Stunning Debut Wicked Storytelling...
At the time there was one suspect Alan Gillespie a quiet man..a loner who lived with his dog.But with no proof he is free to go.But once the Chinese whispers start Gillespie lost everything..his job ..his reputation..yet still he stays at Pear Tree Close..Emily Blake ..now a journalist has never forgotten her best friend.As children they did everything together.They played ..laughed and dreamed of what their future held.When Becky Clarke aged 10 goes missing. Emily goes back and stays with Helen Abbot and her son Tom.On going back she reconnects with her brother Adam who seems to have changed since she last saw him.But Emily is faced with walls of silence..The thing about walls is they can come tumbling down.Pear Tree Close , once a safe haven for Emily is hiding secrets..Secrets ,Lies and Murder.Emily is so unprepared for what she is about to unravel..And in that unraveling..there is A Madness that flows softly..Madness,Suspicion and Murder..A Stunning Debut Wicked Storytelling...
January 16, 2020
When a story breaks of a missing little girl close to Emily Blake’s childhood neighbourhood her whole world stops. Comparisons immediately go to Alice Abbott; Emily’s childhood best friend who disappeared 25-years ago and by all accounts has never been found. Emily, now a journalist for the local gossip magazine, is tasked to return to the village that holds so many unnerving memories for her. Upon arriving Emily is surprised to discover her estranged brother Adam has been ‘dating’ one of the locals in the once bustling neighbourhood. Not everyone welcomes her return and while digging deeper into the similarities between the two cases Emily can’t shake the feeling that some things are not quite as they appear. How can one unfortunate event that occurred so long ago spiral so many lives out of control? Can Emily piece together the mystery of her past and come out of this spiral unscathed?
This book was FANTASTIC! I loved the mysteriousness of the characters and how the story slowly unfolded. The writing was so clear and descriptive that I could see, feel and smell the words while pouring over the pages. I highly recommend this book. Well done Dan Scottow!
This book was FANTASTIC! I loved the mysteriousness of the characters and how the story slowly unfolded. The writing was so clear and descriptive that I could see, feel and smell the words while pouring over the pages. I highly recommend this book. Well done Dan Scottow!
February 20, 2024
This was a pretty solid thriller from beginning to end.
You have a woman who heads back home to investigate the case of her childhood best friend who went missing many years ago. The possible suspects include the victim’s brother, a neighbor, the parents, the narrator’s brother, a stranger, etc.
What happened to her friend? Where did she go? Is she still alive? Is she dead?
The only part that got me was the situation with the narrator and her brother towards the end of the book. It was weird. I also think it got a little cray cray at the end.
Overall though, I was completely invested and had to know what happened.
You have a woman who heads back home to investigate the case of her childhood best friend who went missing many years ago. The possible suspects include the victim’s brother, a neighbor, the parents, the narrator’s brother, a stranger, etc.
What happened to her friend? Where did she go? Is she still alive? Is she dead?
The only part that got me was the situation with the narrator and her brother towards the end of the book. It was weird. I also think it got a little cray cray at the end.
Overall though, I was completely invested and had to know what happened.
January 1, 2021
Young Alice went missing when her parents were at a party over the road and the children were left alone. Slightly reminiscent of the Madeleine McCann story.
Emily returns to her old home town to investigate when a other young girl goes missing just down the road.
This is brilliant, there are so many little nuggets of information that change your opinion of whose is guilty. There are mystery watchers and shadows, break ins, rumours.
I read this in one day. I couldn't stop.
Emily returns to her old home town to investigate when a other young girl goes missing just down the road.
This is brilliant, there are so many little nuggets of information that change your opinion of whose is guilty. There are mystery watchers and shadows, break ins, rumours.
I read this in one day. I couldn't stop.
May 14, 2021
As debut books go, this has to be one of the best I've read in a long time. Dan Scottow is going to be an author I look out for. Emily and her family leave her childhood home soon after the disappearance of her best friend Alice. 25 years later she returns when another girl goes missing to write a piece for the magazine she works for. She soon discovers Alice's mum and brother have never got over what happened. Can she help them?
July 6, 2021
Audiobook review
2 young girls are best pals and 1 goes missing. Years later 1 of the girls Emily now a journalist returns as another girl has gone missing, she wants to look deeper into her friend Alice’s disappearance.
This is a really good creepy story that kept me hooked right the way through. Lots to follow and easy to listen to.
Narrator was very good & kept me interested.
2 young girls are best pals and 1 goes missing. Years later 1 of the girls Emily now a journalist returns as another girl has gone missing, she wants to look deeper into her friend Alice’s disappearance.
This is a really good creepy story that kept me hooked right the way through. Lots to follow and easy to listen to.
Narrator was very good & kept me interested.
November 2, 2021
I had this all figured out within the first few chapters. Then changed my mind. Then realised I was right, then changed my mind again, was totally gobsmacked with the culprit to then be staggered with the truth.
Loved how easy this was to read and how every character was so easily pictures in my mind.
I would highly recommend this and will now be on the search for more from this author.
Loved how easy this was to read and how every character was so easily pictures in my mind.
I would highly recommend this and will now be on the search for more from this author.
January 15, 2020
Two little girls, two devoted friends; then one summer night it all changes.
Skip forward 25 years and the case of a missing girl in Palmeston takes Emily back to her home town and back to the street where it all began.
Emily is now an investigational journalist and feels that the current case bears resemblance to the disappearance of her dearest Alice 25 years before. Having local links to the area she insists that she wants to return and find out what had happened to Becky but also maybe find out what really happened to Alice.
It’s not long after she arrives that it’s quite obvious someone is not happy about her return to Palmeston and as Emily delves deeper the past starts to reveal itself.
As her investigations lead her closer to finding out what happened to Alice, she has a couple of close encounters which scare her; but she doesn’t realise to what extent that she is actually putting her own life in danger.
As you reach the end of the book and everything is coming together, it becomes very fast paced and becomes quite “raw”, gritty and shocking. It is very descriptive, and I found myself holding my breath.
Partly due to the subject matter but because how Emily’s perception of her life changes forever.
Brilliantly written, and I will be looking to read more by this author.
Skip forward 25 years and the case of a missing girl in Palmeston takes Emily back to her home town and back to the street where it all began.
Emily is now an investigational journalist and feels that the current case bears resemblance to the disappearance of her dearest Alice 25 years before. Having local links to the area she insists that she wants to return and find out what had happened to Becky but also maybe find out what really happened to Alice.
It’s not long after she arrives that it’s quite obvious someone is not happy about her return to Palmeston and as Emily delves deeper the past starts to reveal itself.
As her investigations lead her closer to finding out what happened to Alice, she has a couple of close encounters which scare her; but she doesn’t realise to what extent that she is actually putting her own life in danger.
As you reach the end of the book and everything is coming together, it becomes very fast paced and becomes quite “raw”, gritty and shocking. It is very descriptive, and I found myself holding my breath.
Partly due to the subject matter but because how Emily’s perception of her life changes forever.
Brilliantly written, and I will be looking to read more by this author.
January 15, 2020
Two small girls, best friends forever, until one evening something happens to change that. After The opening scene which is lovely, the book opens with a gruesome image and I wondered what kind of book I was about to read, but all was good (phew). Fast forward, it's now 25 years later and one of the girls is now a journalist. She is given a case which they believe may have connections to a case that happened 25 years ago. So Emily Blake is sent to her hometown to investigate. While there she she meets up with neighbors old and new. She even meets up with her estranged brother whom she has had no contact with for many years. Emily soon realises that something is not quite right here, there seems to be a black cloud hanging over the town. During her stay she soon discovers what lies beneath the black cloud. This book is full of love, hate, lies and deception. Will Emily find out what happened to her best friend Alice? So many twists and turns to this book. The plot was fantastic and certainly had me hooked from the start. Love this book. 😃
January 16, 2020
Wow, for a debut novel Dan Scottow has raised the bar high here. It started off with a bang and at the end of the first chapter I was completely hooked. A young girl has disappeared and links are suspected to an old similar case where the body has never been found. A journalist returns to the town she once lived in trying to find out the truth and if there is any connection between the two cases. It is a place where everyone seems to have secrets. But what are they hiding, and who from? I devoured this book in just over a day and found it to be a fast paced, compelling and thrilling read. Plenty of twists and turns in the plot to keep you guessing, some I expected, and a lot I didn’t. Would recommend this highly and I hope that the author writes a second book, I would certainly read it
January 16, 2020
Another Bloodhound author, another great discovery, a superb story. Tense, intriguing, unputdownable! Journalist Emily is sent to investigate the disappearance of a young girl, a case which bears similarities to the disappearance of her childhood friend, and in the same town too. The revelations are many, the tension crackles and the reader is swept along willingly. Excellent!
January 16, 2020
Very good thriller with plenty of twists and turns. The ending was surprising but not for the faint hearted
January 15, 2020
Well written debut. Fast paced thriller with a surprising twist. Thank you Bloodhound books for the opportunity to read this book. I will be looking for Dan Scottow's next offering.
January 20, 2020
I absolutely love to discover new authors and Dan Scottow is definitely a new author for me. I read the synopsis for 'Damaged' and it certainly sounded like my favourite sort of psychological thriller with a fair few twists and turns along the way. All I can think on finishing this book is 'wowzers'. I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Damaged' but more about that in a bit.
Emily Blake is an investigative journalist. Some years ago she had a childhood friend called Alice, who sadly disappeared and was never heard of again. Another girl, Becky Clarke, goes missing in Emily's hometown and to Emily, the recent case shares certain characteristics with the case of her friend Alice, who disappeared all those years ago. Emily thinks that she has got a bit of a head start on other journalists since she comes from the town where the girls disappeared from. Emily also feels that if she goes 'home' to investigate the recent case then she might find information that helps solve the mystery of what happened to her good friend Alice. Emily reacquaints herself with old friends and old rivalries and she gets back in touch with her estranged brother. What happened to Alice? What happened to Becky? Are the two cases connected? Are there any twists and turns to the tale? Well for the answers to those questions and so much more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
Oh my flipping word, 'Damaged' has to be one of the best books that I have read in a while. I was completely under this book's 'spell' from the moment I picked it up until the moment I closed the back cover. To say that reading 'Damaged' was addictive seems to be the understatement of the decade. If I wasn't reading this book, I was thinking about it. I would go to sleep thinking about the book and looking forward to waking up the following morning knowing that I could pick the book up again. I managed to read the book over the course of a few days and I would have finished it sooner had it not been for life getting in the way. I was gutted when I finished reading 'Damaged' because it meant that I had finished a fabulous book.
'Damaged' is brilliantly written. I had trouble believing that this was the author's debut novel because the author writes with such high confidence and the writing is so polished. He got my attention from the start and drew me into the story. Once the author had my attention he would not let it go until I got to the end of the book. Through the author's vivid and realistic descriptions I got a real sense of the environment that Emily found herself in when she goes back home. I found that I was going through the same emotions that Emily was going through. The author writes so convincingly that I really did feel as though I was part of the story myself.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Damaged' and I definitely recommend that you read this book. I will definitely be reading more of Dan's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
Emily Blake is an investigative journalist. Some years ago she had a childhood friend called Alice, who sadly disappeared and was never heard of again. Another girl, Becky Clarke, goes missing in Emily's hometown and to Emily, the recent case shares certain characteristics with the case of her friend Alice, who disappeared all those years ago. Emily thinks that she has got a bit of a head start on other journalists since she comes from the town where the girls disappeared from. Emily also feels that if she goes 'home' to investigate the recent case then she might find information that helps solve the mystery of what happened to her good friend Alice. Emily reacquaints herself with old friends and old rivalries and she gets back in touch with her estranged brother. What happened to Alice? What happened to Becky? Are the two cases connected? Are there any twists and turns to the tale? Well for the answers to those questions and so much more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
Oh my flipping word, 'Damaged' has to be one of the best books that I have read in a while. I was completely under this book's 'spell' from the moment I picked it up until the moment I closed the back cover. To say that reading 'Damaged' was addictive seems to be the understatement of the decade. If I wasn't reading this book, I was thinking about it. I would go to sleep thinking about the book and looking forward to waking up the following morning knowing that I could pick the book up again. I managed to read the book over the course of a few days and I would have finished it sooner had it not been for life getting in the way. I was gutted when I finished reading 'Damaged' because it meant that I had finished a fabulous book.
'Damaged' is brilliantly written. I had trouble believing that this was the author's debut novel because the author writes with such high confidence and the writing is so polished. He got my attention from the start and drew me into the story. Once the author had my attention he would not let it go until I got to the end of the book. Through the author's vivid and realistic descriptions I got a real sense of the environment that Emily found herself in when she goes back home. I found that I was going through the same emotions that Emily was going through. The author writes so convincingly that I really did feel as though I was part of the story myself.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Damaged' and I definitely recommend that you read this book. I will definitely be reading more of Dan's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
April 2, 2024
This book was wild. The mystery is as incredible and kept me interested the whole time. I finished in one day. This book is not for the faint of heart. It’s incredibly dark and terrifying. It is incredibly graphic. I give this book 3 stars because while it was a great mystery, it was incredibly dark and horrifying. I would not read it again.
March 31, 2021
3*
I enjoyed this for the most part, but the conclusion felt rushed and almost comedic. I was compelled to finish but felt the rest of the book had been much better written and the ending was disappointing and crude in contrast.
I enjoyed this for the most part, but the conclusion felt rushed and almost comedic. I was compelled to finish but felt the rest of the book had been much better written and the ending was disappointing and crude in contrast.
April 23, 2020
3.5 stars
Easy to read and interesting but nothing ground- breaking or surprising.I'm losing faith that I will find complete winner in my favorite genre.
Easy to read and interesting but nothing ground- breaking or surprising.I'm losing faith that I will find complete winner in my favorite genre.
September 27, 2021
When I first read the first chapter I was out off with the overly descriptive narrative. I was shocked but I carried on thinking that you know most things that have me squirm it's once only and it won't bother me.
I was right the book then became more contemporary in style and has really turned out to be great despite my early trepidation.
The story was pretty fast paced which I like. I hate when a story takes a long time to get anywhere.
I enjoyed the characters as well thinking that they were well thought up and designed. What can throw me from a story are characters that just seem to have no point and waste time.
This is very emotional as well as you feel that the event in the book destroyed more than one character and they are trying to find closure and move on.
When Alice goes missing it turns everyone's life upside down. 25 years later and there has still be nothing on Alice. Emily is a reporter and is sent back to compare as now another girl is missing but in different ways then Alice.
Emily you can see as a reporter it pushed her even more to try and find what happened to her friend Alice.
Tom the younger brother of Alice is still suffering as is his mother Helen who both still live in the same house.
The book to me felt a bit predictable for the most part but that didn't damage my thoughts on this book. In fact I like that it wasn't all convoluted and I could just enjoy the story for the story.
Sandie is a very manipulative person and I really disliked her for being that way. However that also made the character stand out as well since you have to have a character that makes you hate them even if she isn't a real bad guy.
Tom I really felt for as he seemed to be struggling with life after Alice. He was a sad man who was not allowed to grow up ever as his mother seemed to want to keep him as a child maybe on replacement of the child she lost
This is a very sick and twisted book which is exactly what I love. I did see the ending coming and figured out what had happened but that actually makes me happy. I don't find it ruins anything figuring it out I get more enjoyment from seeing how the characters get there
I am impressed as this book felt so intense and really had me wanting to know the full story and quickly. Figuring our the end was the cherry on the top because I felt that it justified my thoughts on the book.
This was my first book by this author but it won't be the last. This book was amazing.
I was right the book then became more contemporary in style and has really turned out to be great despite my early trepidation.
The story was pretty fast paced which I like. I hate when a story takes a long time to get anywhere.
I enjoyed the characters as well thinking that they were well thought up and designed. What can throw me from a story are characters that just seem to have no point and waste time.
This is very emotional as well as you feel that the event in the book destroyed more than one character and they are trying to find closure and move on.
When Alice goes missing it turns everyone's life upside down. 25 years later and there has still be nothing on Alice. Emily is a reporter and is sent back to compare as now another girl is missing but in different ways then Alice.
Emily you can see as a reporter it pushed her even more to try and find what happened to her friend Alice.
Tom the younger brother of Alice is still suffering as is his mother Helen who both still live in the same house.
The book to me felt a bit predictable for the most part but that didn't damage my thoughts on this book. In fact I like that it wasn't all convoluted and I could just enjoy the story for the story.
Sandie is a very manipulative person and I really disliked her for being that way. However that also made the character stand out as well since you have to have a character that makes you hate them even if she isn't a real bad guy.
Tom I really felt for as he seemed to be struggling with life after Alice. He was a sad man who was not allowed to grow up ever as his mother seemed to want to keep him as a child maybe on replacement of the child she lost
This is a very sick and twisted book which is exactly what I love. I did see the ending coming and figured out what had happened but that actually makes me happy. I don't find it ruins anything figuring it out I get more enjoyment from seeing how the characters get there
I am impressed as this book felt so intense and really had me wanting to know the full story and quickly. Figuring our the end was the cherry on the top because I felt that it justified my thoughts on the book.
This was my first book by this author but it won't be the last. This book was amazing.
January 20, 2020
This story opens with a woman in a horrible situation. Just a few pages in I'm already rooting for her to survive this. How did she get where she is, and how can she resolve this life-threatening situation? As the story pulls me in deeper, it's easy to get hooked.
Back before the world went crazier, in a time when you could leave your doors unlocked and the kids sleeping while you went and did a few close-by things, this is when the unthinkable happened in Pear Tree Close.
Written in the first person, with strong descriptions as seen through Emily's eyes, I joined the search that she'd been on for the last 25 years regarding Alice's disappearance. Why? For starters, Alice was Emily's BFF. She became a famous unsolved cold case, and now, another girl has vanished. As a journalist with personal connections to the story, Emily has to have answers, no matter the cost.
This book is gripping and fascinating. I liked the famous case set up from the start. It's well written and easy to read. For a debut, it's a very sound one. You have to read it and find out if the ending is one that you expected, or if you're stunned by it. Either way, it's a case worth risking Emily's life to finally have answers.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for my copy of this book. This review is left freely and this review is my own.
Back before the world went crazier, in a time when you could leave your doors unlocked and the kids sleeping while you went and did a few close-by things, this is when the unthinkable happened in Pear Tree Close.
Written in the first person, with strong descriptions as seen through Emily's eyes, I joined the search that she'd been on for the last 25 years regarding Alice's disappearance. Why? For starters, Alice was Emily's BFF. She became a famous unsolved cold case, and now, another girl has vanished. As a journalist with personal connections to the story, Emily has to have answers, no matter the cost.
This book is gripping and fascinating. I liked the famous case set up from the start. It's well written and easy to read. For a debut, it's a very sound one. You have to read it and find out if the ending is one that you expected, or if you're stunned by it. Either way, it's a case worth risking Emily's life to finally have answers.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for my copy of this book. This review is left freely and this review is my own.
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