3.5 Stars Rounded to 4.

27th July, 2014 – Eighteen year-old friends, Alexandra O’Connor and Rosie Shaw land in Bangkok, for the holiday of a lifetime, backpacking around Thailand.

15th August, 2014 – Back home in the UK, Lesley and Malcolm O'Connor are worried. They haven't heard from either of the girls for a week. Their daughter’s last text message said they were still in Bangkok. She had promised to phone on the 14th – the day of her A-level results – as they were planning to open the envelope together. There’s no way she would've forgotten? They make the decision to ring the police and report the teenagers missing.

18th August, 2014 – Sees reporter, Kate Walters, travelling to Bangkok to trace Alex and Rosie's movements. Alex's Facebook posts made it sound like they were having a grand old time, but were they really? Why were they so behind on their travel itinerary? They had only intended to spend a few days in Thailand's Capital? What were they still doing there?

The premise, two teenagers missing in a foreign country, far from home, potentially victims of a crime, had me eager to start reading, as it's something a bit different from the norm. Having a large portion of the investigation unfold from a reporter’s perspective was also unique and interesting, and I enjoyed the up close and personal look into chasing a story, interviewing witnesses and trying to keep one step ahead of other reporters following the same trail. This coupled with the fact that a lot of the novel was set in Bangkok, with reporters and British police facing language, cultural, and political barriers, increased my excitement.

Prepare yourself for some sad moments, I was blinking back tears – both emotional and frustrated – quite a few times, in regards to Alex and Rosie and their situation, as well as the personal lives of various characters. My frustration was over the girls poor choices, and if only one, or both, had of just contacted their parents things could've gone so differently. I can understand it from their POV though – this trip was their first taste of independence, their parents had put their trust in them, and they wanted to try and sort it out themselves, were embarrassed to ask their parents for help, as to do so was seen in their eyes as an admission of failure.

The narrative alternated between four distinctive, equally important, points-of-view ‘The Mother’(Lesley O'Connor), ‘The Reporter’ (Kate Walters), and ‘The Detective’ (Di Bob Sparkes) in the present, and ‘Bangkok’ (Alex's POV, starting the day the girls arrived in Thailand, and working forward) interspersed with emails, and social media posts. As I understand it, Kate and Bob appeared in Barton's two previous novels, ‘The Widow’, and ‘The Child’, which I'm looking forward to reading as I enjoyed both characters immensely.

A couple of plot developments involving passports and travelling seemed somewhat unbelievable, especially when you consider this was set in 2014, post-911. And then we get to the final plot twist, which left me feeling conflicted. I personally hated it, felt it was out of character, and not how I wanted the book to end, but I cannot deny that it was unexpected, left me with a lot to think about, and has me eagerly anticipating the next book in the series.

SPOILER!
I hope there will be consequences/fallout for Jake's and Kate's actions in book 4, given these are recurring characters. Even though he was her son, it’s hard for me to get my head around why Kate would cover up for Jake, knowing the intimate details of what those poor girls went through, having spent time with their grieving families, and on top of that she’s lying to her own husband, as well as police. I was really enjoying her character up until that point, but now my opinion of her has drastically altered, and I cannot condone her behaviour. I believe Jake is rotten to the core and fully deserves to be punished for his actions. Not only for his part in covering up Rosie's death, but also because he DID NOTHING to help Alex, a person he claimed to care about, when she was stumbling around terrified, alone, and vulnerable after being drugged by Jamie. He wasn’t even sorry, was just happy he's in the clear, free to get on with his life. Just my five cents. As I said, a thought-provoking final few chapters, that I can't shake.
END OF SPOILER!

My first read by Fiona Barton was largely successful. Look forward to the next installment!

I'd like to thank Netgalley, Random House UK, Transworld Publis¬hers. and Fiona Barton for the opportunity to read this e-ARC.

Review posted on Goodreads, Amazon, Instagram, and Auckland Libraries by NZLisaM.

I really enjoyed this book, there were lots of twists. A quick read. Would read more from this author.

I need to stop reading good books. I’m supposed to be doing preparation for starting my PhD, but these fantastic books keep holding all my attention!
I can’t believe how quickly I read this book; I just devoured it. It really keeps your attention. The interspersed little tidbits of the girls that have gone missing’s side of the story are so few, and far between that you just want to keep reading to get to these parts, so you know what really happened.
I was quite surprised that we were getting a revisit from some of the characters from ‘The Child’ (the only other Fiona Barton book I have read). I thought the reporter and detective had been specific for that book and didn’t realise they were recurring characters throughout her books, so it was nice to reacquaint myself with them.
The twists and turns keep coming towards the end, and I don’t foresee most of them! It’s a sad story as you know it can’t have a real happy ending, but you still want to know what happened just as the girl’s parents did.

Reporter Kate Waters is back. This time she investigates the disappearance of Alex and Rosie, two young women who went missing in Thailand during their gap year. Their parents are very worried about them and, with no other exciting story to make the headlines, Kate wants to discover what happened to them, but soon things take a personal turn for her.

Even though it’s the third book that has as protagonist journalist Kate Waters, THE SUSPECT can perfectly be read as a stand-alone. The story is told from different points of views. Kate is a brilliant reporter who doesn’t stop until she finds out the truth. She knows how to talk to families and how to get the police to reveal things to her. Without hesitation, she travels to Thailand to find out what happened to Alex and Rosie, but she has also her personal reason to go: she hopes to find her son Jake who left university to find himself in Thailand and she hasn’t heard from him in two months. In the meantime, DI Sparkes is investigating the girls’ disappearance from England, but he has his own personal problems to deal with as his wife has cancer. Then we have Lesley’s point of view. She is Alex’s mother. She doesn’t stop until she finds out what happened to her daughter and it was painful to read this mother’s worry, distress, and grief to her daughter’s disappearance. However, Alex’s point of view was the hardest to read. She is a young girl full of expectations and curiosity. She’s been planning her trip to Thailand for months, but, right from the beginning, things don’t go as she hoped. As I read her narrative, her frustration at Rosie, her disappointment in the whole trip, I really felt for her.

Fiona Barton masterly portrays three mothers who only see the good in their children, no matter what is the truth, three mothers who are ready to do anything to find their children, including traveling in a foreign country and dealing with a police force that is not cooperative and journalists who twist the truth to sell more copies. They are determined and brave. They are likable and realistic and the descriptions of their panic and concern makes them more human.

Once again, Fiona Barton didn’t disappoint. After The Widow and The Child, she returns with a thrilling, dark, and riveting novel that captivated me from the first to the very last page and a final revelation that completely took me by surprise.

There can’t be many parents alive who have sons and daughters of a certain age who don’t feel mixed emotions should that child in any way be considering some time ‘travelling.’ It happened to me although my darling daughter had been to uni and lived independently while working and saving to go on her own adventure. On the one hand I was thrilled that she wanted to see how others live and at the same time to expand her own horizons and gain some experiences that I never had. On the other is that unease that it is so far away, in a place where the culture and rules are different and with the knowledge that not everyone you meet in life wishes you well.

I was therefore very pleased that those worrying days are now in the past but I can’t deny that aspects of The Suspect bought back those unstated fears so perhaps if you have a child either contemplating or travelling at the moment, postpone reading this one.

Alex has always wanted to travel with her very best friend and during the last year at school they planned their trip including all the must-see places in Thailand within its detailed itinerary. Then her best friend had to pull out but Rosie who lived down the road was able to find the money which meant Alex had someone to go with and after all an adventure is an adventure, right? And then things go wrong. No one hears from either Alex or Rosie on the day of their A Level results, or afterwards.

The story, as in the previous two books is told in part from the viewpoint of the reporter Kate Waters although perhaps this is the one story that gets far too close to home for comfort as her son is also travelling in Thailand. Also present is the police officer Bob Sparkes and for once we have an author who doesn’t go in for the outright hostility between the two professions but illustrates a more pragmatic relationship between the pair. We also hear from the parents of the two girls. Multiple viewpoints have become far more common in crime fiction but this is an author who uses them to the best advantage. Not once did I feel we were swapping the point of view to deliberately raise the tension (although there is no doubt that there is plenty of that too) but as the stories become more and more entwined these multiple viewpoints alongside Alex’s secret emails paint an entirely different picture than the telephone calls and social media postings had of the truth about the girl’s trip.

This was totally gripping and I felt that the viewpoints of all the mothers that featured in this book were real women. There are times when I feel the primeval emotion we feel about our children are often overblown, here we had the mixture of emotions that I’m sure is far more realistic and the book was all the more powerful for it.

I really don’t think the books need to be read in order, each working exceptionally well as a standalone read but as they are all five-star reads as far as I’m concerned I’m not sure why you wouldn’t!

I’d like to say a huge thank you to Random House UK for giving me a copy of The Suspect ahead of publication on 24 January 2019. This unbiased review is my thanks to them and the author for such an engaging read.

The Suspect is the third outing for journalist Kate Waters and represents everything we have come to know and love about Ms Barton's books: intriguing, well-drawn characters who propel the plot forward, well-executed storylines, a brisk pace and a guaranteed good time; this book is no exception. The chapters alternate between the different perspectives of the major players in the story, but it is evident right away which character is talking because they are very much like real people - easily distinguishable - which shows deft characterisation. It is well written, engaging as ever, and although I guessed where it was heading it didn't ruin my enjoyment.

Barton goes above and beyond other writers to ensure the reader cares for characters by introducing emotion into this gritty crime drama. Despite this being the third novel in the Kate Waters series each of them work well on their own as the main story is self-contained. However, you will not be privy to recurring characters' minor/sub-plots but it isn't essential to appreciating this book. What makes this work so beautifully executed is the structure of the story and it being told from numerous viewpoints as we see how different characters react to the same situations. Needless to say, it was riveting.

Many thanks to Bantam Press for an ARC.

This story had me hooked from page one, another triumph from Fiona Barton.

When two teenagers go missing in Thailand it’s Kate Waters whose story sets in motion an outpouring of public appeals for them to make contact. Whilst investigating their disappearance the topic becomes, suddenly, rather close for comfort.

The chapters alternate between the main characters, headings indicate who is telling each element of the story but the characters had such clear voices that these were a bonus not a necessity.

The personal stories of returning characters was opened up in this book and difficult circumstances handled elegantly.

The story moves along at a great pace and whilst I predicted some of the twists and turns this did not detract from my pleasure in reading this book. I was a little unsure of the ending as, until this point, Kate has been so determined to fight for truth and justice but it does make you ask the question; how far will a mother go to protect her young?

I have been waiting for this since The Child, I love this series and this instalment did not disappoint. My emotions caused by the twists were enough to make me put down the book. I was put off at first by the plot which features missing backpackers in Thailand, however this just added to the adventure and character development.
Is it too early to start waiting for the next one?

I loved this book and read it in a couple of days.
Each chapter is from a different character points of view. Although it is the 3rd book in a series and it makes points to the others but it doesn't contain spoilers for the first 2 so you can read them out of order.
The twists and turns come thick and fast right to the end. would certainly recommend this book. I want to thank NetGalley and the publishers for a advanced copy for a review.

​I read and reviewed Fiona Barton’s debut novel, The Widow, some time ago and was astonished by her ability to make a subject no-one wants to think about so compelling. She does the same with The Suspect: it is a family’s worst nightmare that their daughter or sister go missing abroad, but the plot is so well constructed that I could not help but wonder what had happened to them. This is heightened by the chapters that are set in Thailand , as the reader is shown exactly what the girls got up to day by day. The tension made me turn pages until the end.
The characterisation is also brilliant. Each chapter is written from a different perspective: either that of journalist, the mother of one of the missing girls or the detective in charge of the case. They each have personal issues which affect their involvement in the story, and this gave them an extra layer to their character. I enjoyed gaining a deeper understanding of their mindset, and Barton does a great job of walking in their shoes so that the reader really gets to know them.
The Suspect is actually the third in a series, with The Child coming between this and The Widow. I had not realised this at the start, so I have read slightly out of order, but whilst there are references to previous books, there are no spoilers, so this novel could easily be read as a standalone. That said, I hope there is more to come from Kate in the future!

Alex and Rosie are fresh out of college and have left for the holiday of a lifetime, travelling in their gap year around Thailand, until suddenly they are missing! Their parents are completely frantic and sick with worry.

Reporter Kate Waters is straight on the case, her own son left 2 years ago to go travelling in Thailand and it's a while since she's heard from him.

"And as the case of the missing girls unfolds, they will all find that even this far away... danger can lie closer to home than you might think..."

Firstly, wow, I really couldn't put this down at all, it was such a shame that I had to go to work or even speak to people :) I also want to say thank you to Netgalley, publishers and the author for this ARC.

It is written in the different viewpoints of the characters, each one telling their own versions of the story - it is this style that makes the whole story gel together but be able to twist and turn unexpectedly! The characters were completely believable and easy to relate to.

I really enjoyed this read and would recommend to anybody who loves crime, mystery or a thriller. A definite worthy 5 star read!

This story is told on two strands. Firstly what actually happened, told alongside with the aftermath and search for the truth. As events unfold it turns out the character of many people involved isn't as it originally appears. An intriguing read.

This is my fair and honest review as promised for this ARC. Definitely not my normal genre however, it was such an engrossing story! I switches back and forth between the main characters and at first it kinda put me off. The longer I read, the more into the tale and the way it was written I became. Definitely worth a read!

*Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.* What a book! I was hooked from the very first page and found myself heavily invested in the characters. This is the third book in the Kate Water series, following the excellent publications 'The Widow' and 'The Child'. I must say, the books are getting better and better. The book centres around two young British girls, Alex and Rosie, who are on the trip of a lifetime during their gap year in Thailand. Something goes wrong, however, and their friends and family do not hear them for days. Journalist Kate Waters starts to investigate the story, only to find herself and her family becoming the story. A brilliant insight into family relations, the power of the media and the dangers and temptations of youth. I tore through this book and am keen to read whatever Fiona Barton publishes next.

This is the perfect thriller by one of my favourite authors. I loved the style of writing that jumped between 3 of the main characters in the book. The story is thoroughly engrossing and the whilst the ending may be a little predictable, it is well written and hugely entertaining.
I’d recommend to anyone who likes this style of book.

For many, taking a year off before university to travel sounds like the perfect start to adult life. However, when two teenage girls go missing during their gap-year in Thailand, unimaginable consequences follow. Told in split perspective from a family left behind, a detective searching for answers and a reporter trying to crack the story, Barton writes a dark side of the life-changing experience.

The concept for this one sounded so fantastic and right up my alley! I really wanted it to be something that would just suck me in, but sadly it wasn't. I found the story too slow moving, with the perspectives alternating so often I found it getting repetitive. The dialogue was a little cheesy and difficult to relate to, it just didn't seem natural. What I did love, was the ending. It really picked up in those last 50 pages and left me feeling very satisfied.

The story was a gripping suspenseful thriller, with 18 year old Alex and Rosie going on a trip to Thailand and returning in body bags. What happened in the hostel they were staying in? The story added another mystery when reporter Kate's son, Jake, was found to be a part of the girls' life in Thailand. What did happen on that night? And what was the Thai Police covering up? And where was Jake?

This whirling mystery written in multiple POVs by Fiona Barton narrated the story through the eyes of the characters. Each chapter revealed and discarded one layer of the mystery, while connecting the story to the other layers. I felt like a blind addict who wanted nothing more than the fix of a chapter, peeling away the pages to reach to the crux.

Ms. Barton's writing was so smooth that I constantly felt like I was being thrashed by the waves on the rocks. She ingrained her subplots so insidiously that it had me scampering on the rocks to hold on. The book had me in its swirl from the first line to the last.

I truly and solemnly admit that I read the book in between my room-cleaning sometimes sitting down right in the dirt in between my mop and bucket of water. I couldn't seem to let it go!!

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.

This is the third book I have read about journalist Kate Waters. The Suspect began in August when the news was especially. Quiet. When Kate saw a missing person message from the parents of school friends Alex and Rosie she decided to look into it. The story of the girls resonated with Kate because she had not heard from her son Jake for 7 months. Jake had left his law degree at university to study turtles in Phuket.

Alex had planned a trip of a life time to Thailand with her best friend Mags. When Mags had to cancel Alex `s neighbour Rosie asked to go instead. Once in Thailand Alex regretted
her decision when she realised Rosy enjoyed to party instead of sightseeing. Scared to tell her parents and be called home she e-mailed Mags with her troubles with Rosie.

Days later the dead bodies of Alex and Rosie were discovered after a fire in their hotel. Sensing a story Kate accompanied Alex and Rosie`s families to Thailand to cover the story.

However once there a young Brit told Kate that Jake had been the bar men at the hotel. He had been taken to hospital with severe burns but had run away. Kate is shocked when her son is named prime suspect of causing the fire. Suddenly Jake is found guilty by the press and Kate is hounded by her own journalist friends. With no help from the Thai police she relies on her own investigator skills to find Jake.

The story was told from the POV of Kate, Alex and her Mum Lesley. The plot grabbed me from the first page, it was so good I could of read the book in one sitting.

I liked Alex and I could sense her disappointment when her holiday was ruined by Rosie. I felt for Lesley and the other relatives trying to navigate the Thai Police who just wanted to sweep the crime under the carpet.

The side story of DI Bob Sparkes who was trying to solve the case from the UK whilst his wife was dying was heartbreaking. The scene where his wife was unconscious in the hospice had me in floods of tears.

I predict this will be a best seller for 2019

I wasn’t sure when I first started reading this - it begins with the story told from a reporters point of view. However, I quickly got into it and really enjoyed seeing the same story told from different perspectives.
Kate Waters is a journalist, her son is in Bankok on a journey to find himself. Kate becomes involved in a missing persons case, two girls have gone missinig in Thailand whilst on a gap year.
It quickly turns into a murder investigation however when the girls are found dead when the guesthouse they are staying in catches fire.
Could Kate’s son have become involved in all of this?
A really enjoyable book, thank you for allowing me to review it via Netgalley.

Thanks to Net Galley and Random House UK for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review. A mystery full of suspense.
Two girls go travelling to Thailand- Alex and Rosie. Rosie is a substitute for Alex’s best friend Mags who has dropped out at the last minute.
The story is told by 3 characters, Alex, Kate the journalist and Bob who is the detective in charge of the case when the two girls are reported missing by their worried families.
Kate is interested in the story as her son Jake has been in Thailand for two years, she sees this as a chance to try and find him, she is shocked to discover that Jake is actually involved in the case and also now seems to have disappeared.
There are a few twists and turns to this story, the girls go from missing to being found dead and naked, it’s a giant news story.
As a reader one wonders how far would a mother go to protect a child.
I didn’t particularly like any of the characters and found the book over all to be a bit slow.
3.5 stars.