Book Review - Without A Trace by Carissa Ann Lynch #BookReview #BookBlogger #AmReading

A very unexpected read on domestic violence and the need to escape the situation at home. Officer Ellie gets a frantic call from a woman Nova that her child Lily had been kidnapped by her husband. Nova had run away from his house to escape his abuse, and apparently, he had found her and taken the child to punish her. Ellie investigates, goes to the husband Martin’s home, but there is no trace of child Lily ever being born, but instead there is a file at the local police station about Nova’s violence, psychosis, and community sentence. Who is lying and how will Ellie get to the truth?

My first book by Carrisa Ann Lynch, and OH MY!! What a book!! This was both a thriller and a domestic noir. The story was told from the POV of three women Ellie, Nova, and the owner of the cabin Nova had rented secretly. The story took its twists and turns, each character leapt off the pages at different times. At one point, I was not sure who, the husband or the wife, was lying. I too didn’t see evidence of child Lily, hence that made me doubt their statement versions.

I liked the rigmarole which was created, it felt like I was in a house of mirrors. The story was clear in its investigation but so confusing in the evidence given by all of them. I liked Officer Ellie. Sometimes being a woman in an essentially male dominated career is difficult, but Ellie carried off the mantle of strength proudly. Domestic violence was shown well, and I was really scared of Martin and his brand of evil.

Alas, my niggles… I wanted more of a thrill, the story, though complete, lacked a certain X factor to pull me in completely. But the onus of that could be on me personally. I have great expectations from the stories I like. Making the beginning read faster and the ending slower would have helped.

Overall, a gripping read which took me on a merry ride for a few hours.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher Killer Reads, and this is my journey into its pages, straight from the heart!!

All my reviews can be found here

Carissa Ann Lynch is a USA Today bestselling author. She resides in Floyds Knobs, Indiana with her husband, children, and collection of books. She’s always loved to read and never considered herself a “writer” until a few years ago when she couldn’t find a book to read and decided to try writing her own story. With a background in psychology, she’s always been a little obsessed with the darker areas of the mind and social problems.

A little girl has gone missing.

Lily was last seen being tucked into bed by her adoring mother, Nova. But the next morning, the bed is empty except for a creepy toy rabbit.

Has Nova’s abusive ex stolen his “little bunny” back for good?

At first, Officer Ellie James assumes this is a clear custody battle. Until she discovers that there are no pictures of the girl and her drawers are full of unused toys and brand new clothes that have never been worn…

Is Ellie searching for a missing child who doesn’t actually exist?

Publication Date: 5th April 2019

Publisher: Killer Reads