Two young girls go backpacking in Thailand and there starts the nightmare for their families. The story moved along at a good pace and will have you hooked from page 1. The characters are well formed and the descriptions of events, vivid. This is every parents nightmare as everything that happened in this story could happen to anyone. Having read Fiona Barton's two previous novels, the Widow and The child, I think this book is by far her best.

Fiona Barton does not disappoint. Yet again another good read revisiting reporter Kate Waters. Alex and Rosie head off to Thailand for the experience of a lifetime only their requirements and expectations are very different. The story is told in two timelines - until what we think happened and what actually happened merge. The characters are well portrayed and this is every parent's nightmare. Very many thanks to Netgalley for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

Alex & Rosie go to Thailand to see the world before starting college. The plan had been to contact home to get their exam results so when no contact is made their parents begin to worry. Kate is an investigative journalist. When she hears about the girls, she is immediately interested and wants to cover the story- not least because her eldest son went to Thailand & the family have not heard from him in a long time. Bob is a detective. He is looking in to the girl's disappearance but he also has his own demons as his beloved wife begins to lose her battle with cancer. The story switches from character to character. We see what went on in Thailand before the girls disappeared & then we see the narrative unfold from the point of view of the parents, the police & the journalist. I found the first half of the book dragged but just as I was wondering if I could face any more the pace picked up & I was keep to read it to the end. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

I am a great fan of Fiona Barton’s novels. Our formidable reporter is investigating the disappearance of two young girls , Alex and Rosie, in Thailand during their holiday. Unfortunately, she finds herself getting too involved with the story through her son. As well as being a story of thriller, she also brings a moving side of being a mother and how well we know our kids and how much we love them. Cleverly written, nail biting page turner with her trademark unexpected ending. I would highly recommend this to anybody who enjoys a good whodunnit.

As expected from this author contemporary fiction beautifully written. The plot is well developed and the characterisation is credible. An interesting look at current issues for parents and young people.