#BookReview: Every Missing Thing by Martyn Ford @Martyn87
Hi everyone. Today, I have a book review for you from debut author Martyn Ford. This is a gripping crime thriller and psychological thriller.
About the Book:
One family. Two missing children. A lifetime of secrets.
Ten-year-old Ethan Clarke’s disappearance gripped the nation. Just as his parents are starting to piece together a life ‘after Ethan’, their world is ripped apart once more when their daughter, Robin, disappears in almost identical circumstances. They’ve lost two children within a decade … and now doubts about their innocence are setting in.
Detective Sam Maguire’s obsession with the first case cost him his own family, but he has unfinished business with the Clarkes. He is convinced that discovering what happened to Ethan holds the key to finding Robin. But what if the Clarkes know more than they’re letting on?
With the world watching eagerly, the clock is ticking for Sam as he embarks on an investigation that forces him to confront his own demons. To uncover the truth, he must follow a trail of devastating deception—but the truth always comes at a cost …
My Review:
A gripping read from a debut author. I look forward to more books from this writer.
Most parents can’t imagine how they’d cope were a child to go missing, never to be found. Ten years on, your boy remains missing presumed dead. Then your daughter vanishes as well. What do you do with that and the subsequent media frenzy while your husband comes under suspicion?
The story is told from multiple points of view … the wife, the husband, the daughter, and the detective. Each voice is distinct, and the troubled detective is excellently written. I connected with each character.
Here are a couple of lines that stood out for me:
‘To fall into a void so absolute that not even memories can find you.’
‘The truth is such a powerful animal if only we respect it. Just touch its warm skin, feel its fur, and you’ll see it’s like silk when stroked head to haunch, a coarse brush stroked any other way.’
The story has many layers and plenty of dark twists and turns. I thought I’d sussed out how this one would end but I hadn’t. The finale took me completely by surprise. If you like a gritty crime drama, you’ll love this read. Every Missing Thing gets a resounding 5 stars from me.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
I’d love to hear what you think of this review. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
For anyone interested, here are the Amazon links …
US … https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0841YG2HC/
UK … https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0841YG2HC/
Sounds like a good one.
One I much enjoyed. Thanks, Craig 🙂
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this one, Harmony! It sounds as if it would make a great movie!
For sure! Thanks, Jan 🙂
Great review, Harmony:) You have me curious.
I think you’d like this one, Denise 🙂
This sounds really good, Harmony. I like stories that are told from multiple points of view. And it’s always a plus when the ending comes as a surprise!
Yes, it’s not often I fail to work out the ending before I reach it, so this is a bonus. Thanks, Mae 🙂
Great review, Harmony. I loved the two beautifully done quotes you included, and would like to read more of this author, though I don’t do well with stories about bad things happening to children. Still, she sounds like a writer to keep an eye on, and hopefully I’ll be able to read other books by her.
Thanks so much for sharing!
He certainly is a writer to follow. I look forward to seeing what he comes up with next. Glad you enjoyed the review. Thanks, Marcia 🙂
Sorry I misread HIS name. Am checking him out on Amazon, because I truly love elegant phrasing, and hopefully his next work will be one that doesn’t give me nightmares. (I can read about monsters and aliens and dragons all day long, but let something bad happen to a child, and I’m a wreck.)
Lols. Just like I did when you introduced me to Leigh Bardugo! 😁💕
Good thing the child prevailed! 😀 😀 😀
I can’t imagine living through that. And I love that the ending surprised you. Sounds like a winner to me. Thanks for sharing.
A definite winner. Thanks, Staci 🙂
Thank you for sharing Martyn with us. Though the book covers a terrifying topic, your review and quotes prompt me to want to read it. 💜
It’s not an easy read in the sense of mising kids, but it sure is a gripping one. Glad you enjoyed the review. Thanks, Gwen 🙂
I can’t think of a worse thing to happen to parents, Harmony. To never have closure is to horrific for words. Thanks for this excellent review.
It’s certainly a nailbiter of a book. Glad you enjoyed the review. Thanks, Robbie 🙂
It sounds like an especially terrifying book if you’re a parent. Kudos to Ford for hitting a home run on a debut novel. Good review!
I cannot imagine not ever having closure. Glad you enjoyed the review. Thanks, Priscilla 🙂