Here’s a domestic thriller that will keep you happily turning the pages—an easy, rewarding read from a British author who knows how to make the most of the genre. The story isn’t earthshattering. A girl goes missing, lives are affected, whodunit? The characters don’t have Shakespearean depth, but they do come across as signally real. They’re easy to get behind, and the tension is palpable even if there’s no real threat of violence.
The only downside: an ending that lacks oomph. The finale feels mailed in (like so many endings in pop thrillers these days), but the journey toward the climax is a lot better than watching TV. This is a good book to read if you need a break from heavy, serious literary fare.