A thoroughly enjoyable start to a new series. I’m already a fan of Mari Hannah and was excited by the prospect of a new series. The plot had me hooked from the start and read it in one sitting. Full of suspense, twists and turns, an excellent story which I thoroughly recommend.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for my advance copy in return for an honest review.

Don't you love that feeling when you try a book by an author "new" to you and realise that you love it? Then you have a look and realise that its the first in a series, result! This is an excellent story with great protagonists and great potential. Now I just have to read Mari's other series :)

I'm a fan of Mari's, having read all of her previous books, so was intrigued as to what to expect with a new cast of characters and wasn't disappointed. It's written to her usual high standards, in such an effortless style that makes for easy yet compulsive reading, and a plot that keeps teasing you, making you think you have it all figured out, when you're actually barking up the wring tree. Can't wait to see what the future holds for her latest creations!

Utterly reliable and satisfying police story with dedicated cop who pushes all the way to rather dire conclusion, physically hurt for one thing along the way. In some ways the confrontations among police hierarchy (and romantic resolution in one important case) is matched by familial intensity in victims' lives, who may not be as clear cut in their roles as it may seem. I felt in confident hands .. this just rises above the usual police novel ... the central cop figure is terrific creation which is why this slides into 4 stars

I would like to thank Netgalley and Orion for an advance copy of The Lost, the first book in a new series featuring Northumbrian detectives DI David Stone and DS Frankie Oliver.

David Stone has recently returned to the North East after 15 years with the Met. He has struck up a good working relationship with DS Frankie Oliver, a third generation local officer but is unsure when she urges him to take the disappearance of 10 year old Daniel Scott seriously, after all he has only been missing for a few hours and there is little evidence of foul play. What follows takes a much darker turn than a simple missing child case.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Lost which is a very absorbing police procedural that kept me up way too late in full "just another chapter" mode. I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting. The plotting is superb with plenty of unexpected and audacious twists and turns which drew me in and didn't let go. It might push the boundaries of credibility by the end but the readability will easily allow you to overlook it. I'm already looking forward to the sequel although I'm not sure Ms Hannah can top The Lost.

I like the characterisation. David and Frankie are very likeable people, both dedicated and smart but the spark in their relationship comes from their differences. David is the steady, measured one while Frankie is more impulsive and fiery. They both have tragedies in their lives which are hinted at in this novel but will be gradually be revealed over the course of the series I imagine. It adds a certain anticipation to the series.

The Lost is a great start to a new series which I have no hesitation in recommending.

I’m a huge fan of Mari Hannah so was very excited to get to read the first novel in her new series and I THOROUGHLY enjoyed it.

Nobody writes police drama quite like this author and she just confirms that here with the start to her new series – character driven and multi-layered with a cleverly intriguing mystery at the heart of it, The Lost is an almost perfect lead in to what is sure to become a popular duo in crime world – Stone and Oliver.

It is a brilliant mix in plotting of character building and mystery elements – plenty of twists and turns, some heart stopping moments and an unpredictable sense to the outcome – making it an addictive and immersive read that just makes you want to read more immediately.

I loved how we saw what was going on external to the police investigation – and as for that I fell immediately for both our main protagonists who have plenty of compelling background that engages but without being cliched – all done with that little flair that I’ve come to know from Mari Hannah.

Overall an excellent read. Bring on more Stone and Oliver I say – as soon as possible.

Recommended.