This review is written with thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for my copy of Blink.
Evie Cotter is five when she disappears following an after school class. After three years, no trace of her has been found. Evie's mother,Toni, has never given up hope that she is still alive. Will Toni discover what happened to her?
Blink has two separate narratives. The first takes place in the present day, and the second takes place three years previously. The switch between the time frames is seamless, and it helps Slater to write a novel that is fast paced and full of tension. I read Blink in two days, and spent most of them on the edge of my seat, unable to put the book down!
At the beginning of Blink, we learn that Toni and Evie have recently moved to Nottingham from Hemel Hempstead. As they settle into a new life, Slater shows us the many characters with whom they are in contact. In some way, Toni has difficult relationships with most of these people, which meant that when I was trying to work out what had happened to Evie, I found that there were several suspects, and my thoughts as to what had happened changed with each chapter. It is clear that the majority of the characters in the novel have secrets, and past lives from which they would like to move on. As this is true on some level for most people, this made the characters very relatable, but also very intriguing.
It is very difficult to write about Blink without giving away the ending, in which there is a massive twist: a twist I didn't see coming that made me question everything I'd read up to that point. This makes the ending particularly climactic and I was desperate to see what happened.
Blink is one of my favourite books of the year so far and I can't wait to see what else Slater has up her sleeve.

A compelling thriller until about two thirds the way through and then has a mess of an ending. Shame.

The short chapters made this book very easy to read. It kept me promising “just one more chapter” in spite of the late hour! I enjoyed and found it easy to follow the movement in time and different narration from multiple characters.

Unfortunately I really did not find Toni a sympathetic character. Actually I think all the characters grated on me a little.

Disappointingly I figured out part of the “twist” quite early on. I think the saving grace for me about this book was there were some aspects I didn’t expect. But the ending was very rushed. I feel some characters just disappeared without explanation.

In summary this wasn’t the right book for me, but I am positive many others will love it.

This one had me spellbound from the first few pages. It goes back in time and back to present day to allow for the full story to be released and leave you wondering where the missing child is and whether she's safe.

Toni the mum has gone through an awful time and when she is late to pick her daughter up, the press jump on that to blame her. You can feel the horror of living through your worst nightmare. Toni is trying to make their lives better- but is struggling to juggle everything and manage to keep everyone happy.

There are a collection of really interesting characters leading you to believe you know where the book is heading only to discover that maybe it's someone else! I love the way the title of the book is introduced into the story and it's a really interesting part of the story.

It's my first book by Kim Slater and I am really keen to read her first book now.

I voluntarily read an arc of this book.

Told in alternating timelines, Blink is the story of a five year old girl who is abducted while her mother is barely holding it together as it is. Blink alternates between the present time, where Evie is missing, and three years prior, which reflect the events leading up to the kidnapping.

What happened to Evie and who took her? Read to find out, and make sure to trust no one…


I loved Blink! This was my first K.L. Slater book and now I can’t wait to read her other novel, Safe With Me! Blink was fast paced, and I was hooked from the first page. Toni, Evie’s mother, is a flawed character who relies on sedatives to get through her day to day life after losing her husband two years prior.

I loved that each character in the book did things that were suspicious, leaving you with the feeling that you can’t trust anyone. There are so many parts of the book that the hair on the back of my neck stood up! For one, part of the present day narratives are told by a woman who is in a hospital, attached to a ventilator. Doctors are convinced she’s in a vegetative state and that she’ll never wake up…only, she can hear and understand everything that’s happening, she just can’t make her body move or make herself talk. That on its own is terrifying! There’s the creepy next door neighbor who has a history of being in jail, the meddling know it all mother, the overbearing teacher who seems to like Evie way too much, and the boss from hell. There are so many characters that are all creepy in their own way! Then, as the story continues, creepy things happen, and Toni starts questioning her own sanity because she loses pieces of time.

If you’re looking for a dark, fast-paced thriller, with deeply flawed characters, each with their own agendas and problems, this is the book for you! A huge thank you go Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book. It was my pleasure to provide an honest review.

I have to say Bookouture is really cranking out the thrillers lately. I read this on the heels of Little Girl Lost by Carol Wyer and had high hopes that this would be another 5 star read. Blink by K.L. Slater is a quick, fast paced read and the idea behind the book is great. The beginning starts off brilliantly with an ominous warning from a psychopathic kidnapper and then I was plunged right into present day where a woman lies unresponsive in a coma. However, it becomes quickly apparent that the woman is completely alert in her mind and body, she just can not move or communicate with anyone. Who is this woman? What has she done? Is she the mother of the lost child? Questions ran rampant in my mind and I was immediately sucked in. I could not read fast enough. There is some nasty business with a wasp nest hidden deep down in a bouquet (which I thought was complete wicked evil genius) and I was trying hard to figure out who the kidnapper was. Then things just started to unravel.

There is a LOT of crazy going on in this story – the neighbors are crazy, Toni is going crazy, Harriet is crazy, Toni’s co-workers are crazy (Byrony EEEKKKKK!) – it was just too much. For me it took away from the plot rather than enhancing it. Little things started to turn me off, the main one being that no one ever consulted with Evie’s actual teacher. I realize that Toni was completely pilled out a lot of the time but the grandmother was not. I found it unrealistic that no one ever talked to the teacher or any other school personnel at any time especially given Evie’s behavior as her time in class progressed.

My other big problem with it was the ending. It was a “wait, WHAT?” moment but not in a good way, and I thought it was too abrupt once the identity reveal occurred. I also thought the contents of Harriet’s special room was just overkill at this point and the whole ending just left me unsatisfied. This is a 3.5 star read for me. Many many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the opportunity for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Excellent story! Brilliant twists! Highly recommended for thriller fans!

Very absorbing read. I wasn't quite sure about another "missing child" book but I did end up enjoying it. I liked that the mother had her faults. Sometimes I did want to shake her, but she is only human and not perfect. One thing: why mention the "killer twist" on the cover? I know it's not uncommon, but neither are psychological thrillers with twists. While the book is trying to lead us one way, we know from the cover that we are being led astray. I think it might have been better to leave that off. I really liked that there were some genuinely creepy parts in this book that made you think. Some of it will stay with me!

The past... Tori lost her husband in a tragic accident in Afghanistan. Now she and daughter Evie must learn to live without him... with the help of Tori's mother. Smaller house, new area, different school... but they haven't left everything behind. Tori is still occasionally taking sedatives that were never prescribed to her. It's her way of avoiding really dealing with the death of her husband. No one can blame her for having a hard time, but it's starting to affect her life and caring for her five year old child. Along with that, she has to deal with trying to find a new job, a controlling mother that often thinks she knows what's best for Evie, strange neighbors, and a daughter who is suddenly very reluctant to go to school.
Now, Evie is gone. She's been missing for years. The police have no idea where she is, who took her, or if she is still alive. How did we get to this point and can we get back?

I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley and Bookouture, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.

Blink by K.L. Slater is a psychological thriller that takes you on a roller coaster ride filled with unseen twists and turns. It grabs you from the first page and doesn’t spit you out until the end. It gradually unfolds filled with characters that seem creepy. All who could be the one.

Toni’s 5-year-old daughter, Evie, is having a difficult time adjusting to the sudden death of her father. Toni has moved to be closer to her mother for what little support she can offer and is trying to start over as a single mother. However, Eve soon disappears from school and for 3 years the search for her is unsuccessful. With no witnesses, and no trace of Evie, the police have never found her. Now, “locked in” following a severe stroke, she knows who has taken Eve, but unable to move or speak, how can she tell?

Exploring what it would be like to be “locked in” following a stroke adds to the horror of the situation. Knowing the answers and unable to speak or communicate in any way, can she find Eve in time, or will they unplug the machines keeping her alive.

At times, this book seemed to repeat itself but keep reading. The feelings of helplessness and desperation continue to build and when things finally unwind, the reader is in for a shock that they didn’t see coming. It was a great book to read.

I received a ARC of this book from NetGalley and Bookouture with no obligation to review it. This is my honest review after reading,

I’m starting to think Slater’s books need to come with a warning label: Do not start reading this unless you’re prepared to sacrifice sleep and be so consumed that nothing will take your attention from it until you’ve turned the last page. I read this on Valentine’s Day and my poor husband fell asleep while waiting for me to finish reading 😂 whoops!

I loved Slater’s debut, Safe With Me and I can safely say that I loved Blink even more! I also did a buddy read for the first time with Annie at The Misstery and Danielle at The Blonde Likes Books and it was SO fun. Even though we all finished at different times it was really great to be able to discuss theories and opinions with these two fabulous ladies, can’t wait to do this again!

This is told partly in flashbacks from three years ago and partly in the present day and from multiple points of view, and this structure is flawlessly executed by the author. There’s a woman in a coma in the present day portions and she’s suffered a stroke and is now a victim of locked in syndrome where her body is physically unable to move, yet her mind works just fine. She can hear the doctors talking about the possibility of ending her life, yet she can’t let them know that she’s still very much aware. Can you even imagine?! Shudders. Toni is a single mom to Evie and narrates the flashbacks. Her husband Andrew died and she’s just trying to survive, even though she’s having a really hard time. There are several other perspectives but you’ll have to read those for yourself, you guys know I don’t do spoilers.

This is relentlessly paced, there was no way that I was able to put this down until I figured out exactly what was really going on. Having read so many thrillers I was distrustful and suspicious of everyone, but every single character was so very twisted and untrustworthy that it was impossible to decipher who was really up to no good here. I was mislead so many times my head was spinning and by the time the big twist was revealed I was gobsmacked, what a truly killer turn things took. This was a cleverly crafted psychological thriller and I cannot wait to see what Slater comes up with next! She just signed a new four book deal with Bookouture and I couldn’t be more excited for her.

It is a truly terrifying premise for a book. After a stroke a woman lies in a hospital bed being kept alive by tubes and machines. The doctors and nurses all cluster round her bed talking as though she isn’t there, talking about switching her life support off. Trapped in a body that refuses to respond she is unable to communicate with them, unable to tell them her true story. She is still in there and everything is slowly going back to her. They need to know what she remembers about the abduction of five year old Evie, about the guilt that she feels for not looking after her properly.
The book switches between the present time in the hospital bed and three years previously when Toni and Evie relocated to Nottingham. After the death of her husband Andrew, in Afghanistan, Toni struggled to cope with her previous life. Unable to work because of the grief she began to crumble under the burden of debts and sadness. Making the decision to relocate nearer to her mother meant there would be more help, more support. Maybe then Toni could stop taking the strong sedatives that had been prescribed for her husband. The pills that took away the pain but also left her lethargic and fuzzy. The earlier chapters alternate between several characters including Toni, Evie and the strange teaching assistant Harriet Watson.
Like K L Slater’s first book (Safe With Me ) this is a book that you won’t be able to put down. Blink is one of those books that will keep you guessing right up till the last page with a couple of killer twists that I really didn’t see coming at all.
Supplied by Net Galley and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review.

Blink by k l Slater is a mystery and thriller and general fiction (adult) read.

What if the person you love most in the world was in terrible danger … because of you?

Three years ago, Toni’s five-year-old daughter Evie disappeared after leaving school. The police have never been able to find her. There were no witnesses, no CCTV, no trace.

But Toni believes her daughter is alive. And as she begins to silently piece together her memories, the full story of the past begins to reveal itself, and a devastating truth.
OMG absolutely fantastic read with brilliant characters. Kept me thinking. Full of twists and plots. Definitely didn't see that coming. Highly recommended. Definitely worth more than 5*. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from netgalley.

I could not put this book down! And when I had to, I couldn't wait to get back to it! And during the last 30% of the book, I swear I had to remind myself to blink......my eyes were glued to the pages and words.....my mind reeling. So many possible outcomes. Wow! This is how you write a psycho thriller people!

This is the story of a grieving mother. After losing her husband, struggling to keep things together, and raising their 5 year old daughter with only the help of her mom, she moves to a new home for a fresh start.

That's all I'm going to say. There are so many secondary characters. There were so many assumptions to make. There were so many predictions to make. And what a twisty turny story it became. Good luck with those predictions......

This is my first book by Ms. Slater and will not be the last! I REALLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK!

Review: Blink by K. L. Slater Published by: Bookouture (16 February 2017)

ISBN-13: 978-1786811295

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 4*

Synopsis:
Three years ago, Toni’s five-year-old daughter Evie disappeared after leaving school. The police have never been able to find her. There were no witnesses, no CCTV, no trace. But Toni believes her daughter is alive. And as she begins to silently piece together her memories, the full story of the past begins to reveal itself, and a devastating truth.Toni’s mind is trapped in a world of silence, her only chance to save herself is to manage the impossible. She must find a way to make herself heard. She must find her daughter.

Review:
We're given a lot of information about the main characters in this book, so we get to learn a fair bit about Toni and little Evie, and their life together before Evie's disappearance. I really like it when authors give more background on characters as it makes me feel I know them a bit more, like friends, maybe; or neighbours. Perhaps this is why I felt so invested in Toni - I was rooting for her from the beginning. I got exasperated alongside her and anxious about her, as well as silently (I read quite a lot of this book in a public place!) willing her do/not do certain things! All the characters here are believable and very well written.

As with the author's previous book, Safe With Me, the narrative switches between the present time and a point in the past. In this book, however, I think it comes across almost seamlessly; much improved since the author's debut novel. The point in the past is the time of Evie's disappearance, upon which the tension builds and builds like a pressure cooker.

I was so shocked by the killer twist, which I definitely didn't see coming! To say any more would give the game away, but...wow! I found this book compelling in places would recommend it to fans of psychological thrillers.
Thanks to K. L. Slater, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for my honest review.

There are a lot of books going around just now where the plot surrounds a child that has gone missing so I was hesitant when I started Blink, however it is written in flashback narrative to three years earlier and Evie has not yet gone missing. This combined with alternating present day chapters piqued my interest right from the start and kept a hold of it the whole way through.

Mother Toni has had a rough ride, her husband was killed in Afghanistan and she is struggling to cope with her grief. She up sticks and moves to Nottingham to be closer to her own mother and give her and Evie a fresh start. Toni really needs the extra support as she is increasingly relying on sedatives that were prescribed for her late husband. Someone is watching Toni’s every move and is ready to snatch Evie the minute Toni takes her eye off the ball.

There are a colourful blend of characters, none of which I found very likeable as I had my suspicions on them all at one point. Any one of them could have been involved in Evie’s disappearance. I found Toni very frustrating as she made some unwise choices and couldn’t see what was happening under her nose. I just wanted to give her a good shake!

KL Slater has the cunning ability to play on your own fears and anxieties. She also has the ability to lure you into a false sense of security the turn the story on its head. I was so busy trying to suss out all the red herrings I missed the game changer that was right in front of me.

The writing flows effortlessly and the pace keeps up right until the end. I especially enjoyed how the author explored the perception that when a child is taken the mother must automatically be at fault, and how they are portrayed in the media.

This book is just so clever, it really had my head spinning. The title is ingenious which you find out why if you read the book. Overall rating four fantastic stars. Thanks to KL Slater, Bookouture and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

I really struggled with this book as i found the story took a long to get underway and didn't find any of the characters particularly likable. Toni's inner monologue was highly repetitive and i found her very annoying, as a result i didn't warm to her and struggled to care what happened to her or how she ended up in her current situation.

5* from me. The story is set 3 years ago and now. Evie, Toni's 5 year old daughter disappeared from her new school 3 years ago and has never been found. A fantastic read from K L Slater. I had read Safe With Me a few months back and loved that too. Very clever. Just when you think you know what's going on, it takes another turn somewhere else. One to recommend. My thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Absolutely loved this book! Had me glued to every page and I didn't want it to end. I seriously could not put this book down and can't wait for the next one from this author. One of the best books I have read in a long time.

Blink
Toni moves to a new area nearer to her mother following the death of her husband. Even with the support of her mother Anita, Toni finds it hard to settle into her new home and bring up her 5 year old daughter Evie. She begins to trust her new work colleagues and Harriet Watson a teaching assistant who supports Evie.
But when Toni is late to pick up Evie one day after school, Evie disappears and Toni believes she is still alive. Where is Evie?

The first few chapters of this novel hooked me right away. It starts off with the reader hearing from a woman in a comatose state who is completely cognizant of everything around her but is, of course, unable to move. The story switches from past to present, which was done quite well. The novel was fast-paced and there were loads of candidates for the role of antagonist, which led to a fun guessing game.

However, the story suffered because of the characters. There was nothing redeeming about many of the characters and they were all 2D. I really couldn't feel any sympathy for the main character, and Toni's actions made no sense to me whatsoever. I found that the plot twists at the end weren't well developed or explained; they caught me off guard but it was more out of disbelief than anything else. Unfortunately, the rapid pace and switching between past and present wasn't enough to save this story and I would have to give it an overall low rating in terms of character development and illogical twists.