The Unusual Abduction of Avery Conifer in Aussie Readers

Sep 13, 2021 Brenda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc, own-read, 2021-release, net-galley, aussie-authors, 5000-2021, read-on-kindle, contemporary-fiction, family

Shirley Conifer and Beth Patterson didn’t much like one another, but they had four-year-old granddaughter, Avery in common. Beth’s daughter Cleo, who was married to Daniel, Shirley’s son, was currently in jail over breeching an AVO, leaving the care of Avery to Daniel. As Shirley slowly became more suspicious, the day arrived that she took Avery to Beth’s place and between them they planned Avery’s abduction. Shirley’s tech-savvy eighty-nine-year-old mother, Winnie, declared she was joining them Shirley Conifer and Beth Patterson didn’t much like one another, but they had four-year-old granddaughter, Avery in common. Beth’s daughter Cleo, who was married to Daniel, Shirley’s son, was currently in jail over breeching an AVO, leaving the care of Avery to Daniel. As Shirley slowly became more suspicious, the day arrived that she took Avery to Beth’s place and between them they planned Avery’s abduction. Shirley’s tech-savvy eighty-nine-year-old mother, Winnie, declared she was joining them.

With photographic evidence of Avery’s injuries, the three women set off, embarking on a journey not for the faint hearted. Deciding to remain on the run until Cleo was released from prison was their best option, as it meant Daniel wouldn’t have control over Avery. But when the police became involved, the three women, along with Avery and Beth’s miniature schnauzer, knew things were serious and they needed a place to hunker down for the remaining weeks. But would it be possible to stay out of sight for that long? To not use their phones or credit cards to give themselves away?

Sam (Shirley’s daughter) and Hamish, plus Alex (Shirley’s son) and Hannah, also Brendan, Shirley’s aggrieved husband, along with Daniel, were all interviewed by the police, with the media picking the story up. It was a free-for-all, a media scrum – and Winnie kept a close eye on it. Would the police be able to catch up with the wayward grannies, a little girl and a dog?

The Unusual Abduction of Avery Conifer is a laugh out loud, extremely well written, look at child abuse and what grandmothers and mothers would do for their children. The harm is mild in this case, but obviously still not tolerated, and the actions of the three women brilliant. Aussie author Ilsa Evans has written a heartwarming, heartfelt novel filled with wisdom, humour, and much debating between everyone involved. I loved Winnie! She’s dry, smart, switched on, and of course Avery is all kinds of cute. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
...more

44 likes · Like · see review

Sep 01, 2021 Helen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: review-copy-from-publisher

I thoroughly enjoyed this story from start to finish, there is a lot of family drama and emotion when two grandmothers, Shirley Conifer and Beth Patterson unite to abduct their four year old granddaughter, Avery for her protection, and here starts a journey that will have you turning the pages there are laughs along the way as well as serious discussions and lots of nurturing and support.

Avery is the daughter of Daniel and Cleo Conifer they are estranged and Cleo is in prison for contravening an I thoroughly enjoyed this story from start to finish, there is a lot of family drama and emotion when two grandmothers, Shirley Conifer and Beth Patterson unite to abduct their four year old granddaughter, Avery for her protection, and here starts a journey that will have you turning the pages there are laughs along the way as well as serious discussions and lots of nurturing and support.

Avery is the daughter of Daniel and Cleo Conifer they are estranged and Cleo is in prison for contravening an AVO and Daniel has the full time care of Avery but when Daniel takes her to Shirley’s for a visit and she has bruises Shirley is worried. Shirley decides it is time to take action and conscripts Avery’s other grandmother Beth to help and also brings along her own mother eighty nine year old Winnie and Beth brings along her dog Harthacnut a miniature Schnauzer and the journey to protect Avery begins.

The Abduction is reported to the police and the media get involved the need to keep a low profile and out of the limelight doesn’t always go as planned but their journey across Victoria is helped along by Winnie who knows a lot more than anyone ever gave her credit for, disguises and planning play a big part in their hope to stay under the radar for the next seven weeks, time spent together also brings these women a lot closer together than they were at the start.

I loved this story it opens up a lot about families, it makes them all see truths that they may not have before, as they came together for the love of Avery and found themselves as well. There was a lot of nurturing and caring along the way and they would became firm friends. There were lots of laughs, frustrations and wine along the way as well, I loved Winnie so much and the way she helped them all she is so witty, Avery is a delightful little girl and as for Shirley and Beth they both I think became better in themselves especially Shirley.

This is a story that I would highly recommend, it is written beautifully with lots of caring and love as MS Evens brings these characters to life, there were lots of cheers coming from me for them all, I thought the ending was so good and there are so many fabulous characters that added so much to the story, I did love this one.

My thanks to Harlequin AU and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
...more

20 likes · Like · see review

Sep 21, 2021 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley-reviews, arc-are, aussie-author

The Unusual Abduction of Avery Conifer is a heartfelt, thoughtful and witty novel from Ilsa Evans.

Shirley Conifer has given her youngest son Daniel the benefit of the doubt as he struggles with single parenthood, but on discovering deep bruises on her four year granddaughter’s body she makes the snap decision not to return Avery to her father until he commits to making some changes. Worried that she won’t have the fortitude to follow through, Shirley seeks the support of Beth Patterson, Avery’s The Unusual Abduction of Avery Conifer is a heartfelt, thoughtful and witty novel from Ilsa Evans.

Shirley Conifer has given her youngest son Daniel the benefit of the doubt as he struggles with single parenthood, but on discovering deep bruises on her four year granddaughter’s body she makes the snap decision not to return Avery to her father until he commits to making some changes. Worried that she won’t have the fortitude to follow through, Shirley seeks the support of Beth Patterson, Avery’s maternal grandmother, knowing that even though they agree on little, Beth will be similarly motivated to protect Avery.

Beth thinks Shirley should call the police, but with Avery’s mother, Cleo, serving a three month sentence in prison as a result of the couple’s tumultuous marriage, neither want to run the risk of Avery being placed in foster care. Shirley is confident Daniel will do the right thing but to prove they are serious, the women, with Avery, Shirley’s 89 year old mother, Winnie, and Beth’s beloved schnauzer, Harthacnut, in tow, decide to leave the city for the week.

Daniel is furious when he learns of his mother’s actions, and refusing to accept any blame for the situation, demands Avery be returned or he will report them for child abduction. Determined to protect Avery no matter the cost to themselves, Shirley and Beth reconsider their plan, and go on the run, intending to stay ahead of Daniel, and the police, until Cleo is released from jail.

Unfolding from multiple perspectives, The Unusual Abduction of Avery Conifer, is a complex family drama that primarily explores issues around parenting, mother guilt, domestic violence, relationships, family dynamics, and ageing. Evan’s writing is sensitive and thoughtful, but there is plenty of humour too.

Though the police are confident the women will be found quickly, Beth, Shirley and Winnie prove to be craftier than anyone expects. While Beth lays careful plans to keep them all off the grid, Winnie reveals a surprisingly useful grasp of tech and social media, and Shirley ensures Avery is entertained. I enjoyed the dynamics at play, it’s not easy for the three very different women to spend 24/7 confined in the same space however, and the mood is often tense between them given Beth’s judgemental attitude, Shirley’s love of wine, and Winnie’s bluntness, but they also have the opportunity to learn from each other as they progress from reluctant allies to friends.

While the Grandmothers keep a low profile, Shirley’s very pregnant daughter tries to manage the situation at home, and Cleo is forced to face her mistakes. We’re also given some insight into the lives of the two female police investigators on the case, and a behind scenes look at a tv panel show following the abduction story. While personally I didn’t think the latter two perspectives added much value to the story, they do work within the themes of the novel.

As a fan of Ilsa Evan’s Nell Forrest Mystery series, I was especially delighted that the women ultimately took refuge in Majic, and that a character I had the fortune to win naming rights to in Forbidden Fruit (Grace June Rae) made a cameo appearance!

The Unusual Abduction of Avery Conifer is a thought-provoking, emotive and entertaining novel offering a wonderful mix of drama, adventure and comedy. ...more

7 likes · Like · see review

Oct 09, 2021 Tien rated it liked it

Shelves: australian-author, contemporary, for-review

I just love this title, The Unusual Abduction of Avery Conifer; it's a bit of a mouthful but it does give a little of a comic air so you would expect it to be a humourous tale. The premise itself sounds rather unusually funny and yet, there is some serious themes explored in this light-hearted-sounding novel. You just have to dig deep.

This book is told by a myriad of perspectives. The main 3 being by the 3 instigators of this kidnapping of Avery but then there were perspectives of those sitting ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Aug 20, 2021 Jenny (Bookbookowl) rated it it was amazing

Thank you so much to Harlequin for sending me a copy of this book, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review!

When Shirley finds evidence her granddaughter, Avery, is being physically harmed, and not for the first time, she decides she’s going to have to do something. And that something is taking her granddaughter and her 89 year old mother on the run. On the way she visits Avery’s other grandmother, Beth. Beth’s daughter is estranged from Shirley’s Son and in prison for breaching an AVO. B ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Aug 19, 2021 Nikki Sims-Chilton rated it really liked it

The title of this book is perfect – it is all about an unusual abduction… two Grandmothers one Great Grandmother and a miniature schnauzer who go to great lengths to protect 4 year old Avery. When Shirley suspects her son is neglecting his daughter (Avery), she seeks the help of Avery’s other Grandmother Beth (who she doesn’t particularly like) to take Avery out of harms way. Where is Avery’s mother you might ask? Beth’s daughter Cleo is currently serving time in jail for contravening a family v ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Sep 01, 2023 Rhoda rated it really liked it

Shirley has a sneaking suspicion that her four year old granddaughter Avery is being harmed by her father - Shirley’s own son. So she does what she believes any good grandmother would do and abducts Avery. She is also accompanied by her own 89 year old mother Winnie and Avery’s other grandmother Beth, even though the two women don’t get along, and Beth’s schnauzer Harth.

The foursome and their canine companion spend their time moving to different locations around regional Victoria hiding from po ...more

Like · see review

Aug 28, 2021 Nell rated it really liked it

This book is hilarious!!! A couple of grandmothers abduct their grandchild. And then the fun begins. Winnie steals the show. A lot of fighting! A really good read.

Like · see review