Today you lucky people are invited to read an exclusive guest post on my blog by Merilyn Davies, author of When I Lost You. I was not able to read this in time, but I am intrigued for sure! So, let us check out what the book is all about!
When I Lost You by Merilyn DaviesPublished by Arrow on August 22, 2019
Pages: 400
Amazon UK
Goodreads
Also by this author: When I Lost You, If I Fall
When a young couple are the lead suspects for the murder of their only child, Crime Analyst Carla Brown and DS Nell Jackson are assigned to investigate.
The evidence seems conclusive, but something just doesn’t feel right.
The case is quickly cast into doubt when the lead forensic pathologist starts receiving threatening letters – containing details only the police should know.
Who’s sending them? What do they want? And how did they get hold of the information?
As Carla and Nell dig deeper, it soon becomes clear that this case isn’t the first of its kind.
They must stop at nothing to find the truth – even if it hits close to home.
Psst…can I tell you a secret….well the Kindle book is only 99p at the moment (link above so you can go and treat myself)
What has been said on tour already then? (Click their name for the full review)
Plot-wise, I was really impressed! Intertwined timelines and voices seemingly unconnected coming together one chapter after, like mosquitoes attracted to the fire, to deliver a splendid, horrendous, and exploding finale that left me blind. I had linked all the dots on the map, jumping from one difficult subject to the other, but I couldn’t decipher the image it created. I had a hard time processing the truth, and it took long minutes for the tension that had crept under my skin to release my body. From child abuse to murders, you get your fair share of what lurks in the dark.
Donna’ Book Blog says
I thought that the author did an excellent job with the plot and structure of the book to make it a gripping read from the start. The suspense builds up gradually and I was hooked to the end. The book does deal with some tough subjects that won’t be to everyone’s taste but I think the author dealt with everything really well and sensitively, what is in the book needs to be there for the plot and it is not added just to sensationalise.
Book Mad Jo says
The book was complex and intelligently written, drawing the reader in with flashbacks to the past for two characters who would not be identified until the conclusion of the present day story.
I loved the way the story was written, particularly with regards to the characters of Carla and Nell, and I found myself wanting to know more about them, which leaves me very excited for the future novels involving these two determined and feisty women.
Over the Rainbow Book Blog says
This is a book that draws you in immediately and I found very hard to put down. I kept promising myself I’d read just one more chapter but then kept having to read one more and then another and another. The ending was very clever and took me completely by surprise which I always love.
The Bookish Outsider says
When I Lost You is a wonderfully addictive story, with a unique plotline, and twists and turns that you don’t see coming. I will admit to trying to guess who certain people were quite early on in the book but it soon became evident that I was completely wrong. It does become obvious at one point, who the ‘guilty party’ is, but this doesn’t take anything away from the story and it was fascinating seeing the different strands of the story coming together to an explosive ending.
What Do I Read Now? says
I think this book shows great thought and meticulous planning has gone in it to this strong debut and believe this is only the start for Merilyn Davies. Shes covered some sensitive subjects and handled them sympathetically and I for one will be following Nell & Carla’s progress and believe this is the start of something great for Jackson & Brown.
Stef Lomas says
The writing is assured, the disturbing elements of the plot that are unearthed as Nell and Carla battle to find out the truth add an element of vein chilling dread as they are revealed one by one, the tension ratcheting as we realise the enormity of the case that sits before them.
Two alternating timelines, between past and present weave the story together seamlessly and the narrative flows almost effortlessly. The plot line is very well constructed, a slow burner that feeds the reader little bits of information, piece by piece, just enough to keep your attention piqued but to also ratchet up the tension and suspense. I had several theories going on in my head but it wasn’t till the end when all the threads were tied up that any were confirmed.
Whew !!!!!! What a brilliant read this was. The prologue gets its claws into you right from the first sentence and you are held captive to the very last word. Taunt, tightly written, endless tension, with a race along pace this book has all the elements that will make it not only a bestseller but the start of a great fictional partnership. With a mix of past and present the author gives you two perspectives on a crime that happened years ago. The fallout from that crime has laid dormant within the lives of the those involved. Unfortunately the past has a way of reaching out and bleeding its poison into the present.
Ginger Book Geek says
Oh my word, ‘When I Lost You’ is one hell of a fantastic debut novel. It didn’t take me long at all to get into this book. In fact by the end of the first page I knew that I would have to cancel any plans I had for the rest of the day because I wouldn’t be able to put the book down. So it proved to be. The book wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it came everywhere with me. I was gripped by the case and I felt compelled (in the nicest possible way) to keep reading, because I needed to find out the truth and who was guilty of what and why. This was one gritty novel that had me on the edge of my seat throughout.
Alex J Book Reviews says
A first class debut, a mix of psychological thriller meets police procedural, and it all feels quite real from an author with a history of dealing with the subject matters in hand.
Tea Party Princess says
I loved how When I Lost You ended, I felt like the ending was a fantastic way to bring everything together. I really hope that this is the beginning of a series, as I feel like there is a lot of scope for the stories of Carla and Nell to continue. And I feel like it would be an excellent TV series.
BroadBean Books says
Considering this is a debut book from Merilyn Davies, I absolutely devoured this as I couldn’t quite figure out how things would turn out. I’m really looking forward to reading more as I think this partnership has a lot more to give!
The story has great suspense and build up to forthcoming chapters, blending the two time lines together effectively and without confusion. I’ve read a few police procedurals this year and this new duo of DS Nell Jackson and crime analyst Carla Brown is one I will look forward to reading more of.
BookReviewsforU says
It is initially a slow burn trying to find out what is going on. The author drip feeds us with just the right amount of suspense. I quite enjoyed her two main characters Nell & Carla and I look forward to finding out more about them. It is a harrowing story-line ultimately about domestic violence, child abuse and that does make for a tough read. While heart-breaking, the author handles the subjects with care. Well worth taking the time for this one…
Check out an excerpt over at Elementaryvwatson
✮ Excerpt ✮
What it is really like entering the police force
Working in the police is an odd combination of being at the heart of your community but also simultaneously apart from it. It’s like a bubble in which you sit looking out at the world. Of all the things I’d expected on joining as a crime analyst – sexism, racism, right-wing attitudes – I hadn’t anticipated quite how close I would become to officers, in such a short space of time, and how removed this made me feel from my prior reality.
It was like entering a secret club, but not one I was accepted into straight away. The first six months were spent with officers trying to suss me out while I did the same to them. I was gobby, opinionated, with a general distrust of authority and they waited patiently to see if this meant I could be trusted or not – to see if I could be let inside their bubble. It is much the same way in my new novel where one of my protagonists, DS Nell Jackson, doesn’t accept new Crime Analyst Carla Brown straight away when she first arrives. For my part, I arrogantly assumed I knew more about causes of crime and how to fix it than they did – after all I had studied sociology. I also assumed I was the only one there who wanted to help people until one day, mid argument, I said to an officer, ‘Well why did you join the police then?’ He looked at me like I was a grade A idiot and said, ‘To help people, of course.’
That made such an impression on me and forced me to challenge the assumptions I’d held about the officers I worked with. I started to listen to them when they spoke to me rather than trying to catch them out, watch how they behaved with each other, noted the compassion they felt for victims and their utter disdain for those who had harmed them. I loosened up, threw in a few jokes, and about seven months in I went on my first night out with them all. Turns out all you need to do to earn the respect of police officers is be able to drink your body weight in alcohol and remain standing.
They day after, with my hangover barely begun, I was let in. They trusted me. I’m sure they thought I was the oddest recruit to the Met, but they started to tease me for my left-wing attitude, wind me up to provoke a rant, include me in their jokes and assumed I felt as passionately about victims and helping them as they did. And they looked after me. They made sure I was alright on nights out and the next day, they noted when I was a bit down and worked to make me feel better. They pushed my forefront of investigations, praised me when I deserved it, had a quiet word when I didn’t. They were like the best boyfriend you could have; the sort who, however hard it gets, will always have your back no matter what.
Wow thank you so much for this and sharing your experience!
Until next time xxx
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