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katlinstirling_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Well written, fast-paced and gripping but didn’t live up to my expectations. Written by a Brit but seemed very American. I’m angry with how this book ended, I am also angry with the fact the author didn’t include any trigger warnings, nor was there an mention on the fact that force yourself upon someone is wrong and rape! I am disgusted that this book made no mention that it isn’t ok. It’s not a thriller that will stand out for the right reasons.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
bibliophilebookclub's review against another edition
5.0
The Missing is one of those books that you know, especially as a parent, will discuss one of your worst nightmares. Fear of losing your child, in any way shape or form.
When Billy Wilkinson disappears in the middle of the night, his mother Claire and the rest of the family each blame themselves. Six months later and following a disastrous appeal, the family essentially begins to fall apart.
What follows is the harrowing account of Claire’s decent into psychological turmoil as she begins to experience fugue states. This makes for surreal reading, because it can actually happen and it’s frightening. The author has done a great job of staying true to Claire’s traumatic experiences, and they add a huge amount of tension to the story as you are in the dark as much as Claire is as regards what happens when she is in a fugue state.
Along with Claire, the rest of the family are all having difficulty with Billy’s disappearance still unsolved. C.L. Taylor deals brilliantly with each character and their reactions. The family all have secrets, and The Missing is a book that shows you just how much damage harbouring these secrets can do whether you realise it or not.
The Missing is interspersed with Whatsapp messages between chapters. These messages essentially throw the reader as you know someone is doing something they shouldn’t be, with someone they shouldn’t. The senders are only revealed towards the end of the book and I, for one, didn’t expect it. I like the way social media is portrayed in the book as it has such a massive bearing on the lives of young people today and just how dangerous it can be when it’s used unwisely.
I loved this book and hated it at the same time. As a mother my heart breaks for people who have had to endure the trauma of a missing child, in real life or in fiction. I cannot imagine what people go through, but books like this make me hug my kids a little tighter and longer when they go to bed. That is a testament to the author’s understanding of the sensitivity of subjects like this.
Astoundingly written, The Missing pulls you in from the very first page and doesn’t let you go until the final full stop. Heartbreaking, maddening, devastating and frightening in equal measure, The Missing will keep you awake for hours as you try and find out why Billy disappeared in the middle of the night and leave you in shock as to just how easy it is to misjudge the people you know.
When Billy Wilkinson disappears in the middle of the night, his mother Claire and the rest of the family each blame themselves. Six months later and following a disastrous appeal, the family essentially begins to fall apart.
What follows is the harrowing account of Claire’s decent into psychological turmoil as she begins to experience fugue states. This makes for surreal reading, because it can actually happen and it’s frightening. The author has done a great job of staying true to Claire’s traumatic experiences, and they add a huge amount of tension to the story as you are in the dark as much as Claire is as regards what happens when she is in a fugue state.
Along with Claire, the rest of the family are all having difficulty with Billy’s disappearance still unsolved. C.L. Taylor deals brilliantly with each character and their reactions. The family all have secrets, and The Missing is a book that shows you just how much damage harbouring these secrets can do whether you realise it or not.
The Missing is interspersed with Whatsapp messages between chapters. These messages essentially throw the reader as you know someone is doing something they shouldn’t be, with someone they shouldn’t. The senders are only revealed towards the end of the book and I, for one, didn’t expect it. I like the way social media is portrayed in the book as it has such a massive bearing on the lives of young people today and just how dangerous it can be when it’s used unwisely.
I loved this book and hated it at the same time. As a mother my heart breaks for people who have had to endure the trauma of a missing child, in real life or in fiction. I cannot imagine what people go through, but books like this make me hug my kids a little tighter and longer when they go to bed. That is a testament to the author’s understanding of the sensitivity of subjects like this.
Astoundingly written, The Missing pulls you in from the very first page and doesn’t let you go until the final full stop. Heartbreaking, maddening, devastating and frightening in equal measure, The Missing will keep you awake for hours as you try and find out why Billy disappeared in the middle of the night and leave you in shock as to just how easy it is to misjudge the people you know.
gemmasharman's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
willowaus2024's review against another edition
2.0
It had so much potential yet was frustratingly long, had too many characters, some of which IMO were not needed (like Stephen) and I just couldn't warm to the other characters at all. Really disappointing ending too. 2.5 *'s
beckywilles's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
kasmorgan's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a page turner! It has a really good storyline with an end you don't really see coming till the last couple chapters. It's a super easy read and I liked that I could fly through chapters. I would definitely recommend it if you like mystery books. I gave it a four because there was some very gruesome parts that I felt didn't need to be added, but overall a good read.
littlemissbooklover's review against another edition
5.0
Another absolutely fantastic book by the lovely CL Taylor. I guessed the ending of this book completely wrong. I didn’t expect what was coming and it has completely surprised me. I have been hooked from start to finish.
A gripping read which I highly recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A gripping read which I highly recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
hannahchap's review against another edition
Really slow, didn’t have me hooked. Boring.
ashscosybookcorner's review against another edition
2.0
I struggled with this book so much. At some points I was so lost at where the story really was. I felt as though the book was too busy. At one point there were 3 different things going on at the once and I got lost. I just couldnt enjoy this and I'm a little disappointed as I really liked her other books that i read.
I'm hoping for her next one to be better
I'm hoping for her next one to be better