This book totally took me by surprise! It was so fast paced, so unexpected, and such a great read. I read it in just two nights and can't wait to recommend it to friends!

I really enjoyed this book. It took a little while to get into the story, but once I did it really got me in its hold. The last few chapters I just had to finish and didn't want to put it down.

I would absolutely recommend this!

Traces of Her grabbed me right from the start and delivered the twists and turns until the ending! I loved the dual narratives and timelines between Rose and Ava and just had to know what happened! Recommend for lovers of psychological thrillers and mysteries with twists!

2nd story by this author, enjoyed the 1st more.

I had a hard time getting into this story, the writing on this one threw me off for some reason. Plus there were a lot of characters and events to keep track of. I found myself going back and rereading sections in the beginning. After a while I picked up speed.

I did like the format as far as alternate narrators and timelines. I enjoyed the sections from the past more than the present.

There were some twists but the final reveal? Wow, did not see that coming at all! It was a bit crazy but I enjoyed it nonetheless... Overall, it was entertaining!

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and HQ Digital for a copy in exchange for a review.

WOW!! WOW!! WOW!! Where do I even start? This book was, simply put, mind blowing!

I was hooked from the beginning and simply could not stop reading, devouring TRACES OF HER in two sittings! I loved the alternating narratives and timelines between Rose and Ava and just had to keep turning pages to find out what truly happened 18 years before.

The story opens with a Prologue that sets the tone instantly with a chilling sense of foreboding that is so haunting it will give you goosebumps. From this point on, I was completely drawn in...and couldn't turn those pages quick enough! I would have devoured it in one sitting had I not required sleep...lol

When Rose doesn't hear from her stepsister Willow for a month, she wasn't particularly worried as Willow has always been unreliable and has often taken off on a whim in the past. But this time is different. When she suddenly receives a call from Willow, she is surprised to hear that she is in Cornwall and begs Rose to join her, pleading with her in desperation. Rose has always been soft where her stepsister is concerned and knew she would concede in the end so promises to make the five hour drive down on the weekend.

A couple of days later, Rose receives a mysterious package from Willow with photos of four suspects relating to a cold case in which two sisters died 18 years before. One of them was Willow's birth mother, Ava. And now she is obsessed with uncovering the truth about what really happened to Ava and her sister, Gail.

The news comes as a shock to Rose, who didn't even know Willow was adopted. She confronted her stepmother Eleanor who confirmed that Willow's mother had been murdered by her sister Gail, who then committed suicide. Eleanor was a case worker for the family and after the deaths, the girls' mother was incapable of looking after her granddaughter and relinquished custody, afterwhich Eleanor adopted her.

Armed with this new information, Rose and her 14 year old daughter Becky made the long journey to Cornwall but upon arrival find the cottage in which Willow is supposedly staying to be empty. Her luggage, clothes and any sign that she was ever hear has gone. All that remains is her jacket laying in one of the bedrooms...the only sign that Willow had even been here. Rose knows that she wouldn't have just upped and left, knowing that Rose was on her way to her. So where was she?

Rose then begins by asking locals at the pub and in the shop about the men in the photographs, hoping it will lead her to Willow, and to gauge their reactions. Asking if they remembered the Ava Millar murder, she soon learns that Ava was full of secrets with a history of numerous relationships with different men...or rather, boys. Justin (Willow's father), Peter and Maxen - making all them appear suspects. She hopes that the more she can find out about Ava and her murder, the closer she will get to finding Willow.

But someone doesn't want her digging up the past. On more than one occasion, Rose receives messages to LEAVE, and becomes fearful when she has the sense of being watched. Who is trying to drive her out of town? Who doesn't want the truth uncovered? And what really happened on the beach that night? The night of Ava's sister's wedding.

There are plenty of characters you will love to hate and others that is easy to sympathise with. I am unsure how I feel about Rose because she seemed to defer to her daughter an awful lot, and given that she is just 14, I thought that was a little unrealistic. Considering Becky had Rose slightly wrapped around her finger, she didn't seem to be completely ruined...which was a surprise. But I did find myself questioning just who was the adult in this relationship at times. We didn't see much of Willow as an adult but more as a precocious 2 year old when Ava was still alive, so it was hard to really have much of an opinion of her. Rory, Gail, Jeanette, Justin...could not stand any of them. As for the many other characters...most I didn't like all that much, basically because I didn't trust them.

Told through the alternating chapters between Rose in the present and Ava in the past, as well as the addition of a unknown narrative titled YOU, TRACES OF HER is a well-plotted, intriguing tale of two sisters across two timelines - Rose and Willow, and Ava and Gail - and the fate that awaits them. There are suspects aplenty as the mystery deepens. What really happened to Ava? And why was she so brutally killed? And where is Willow now?

Despite the triple narrative over dual timelines, TRACES OF HER is very easy to follow and will have you enthralled throughout. With many twists and turns, you may figure out the killer or you may not. I had my suspicions throughout most of the story of two major factors which turned out to be correct...which I only questioned when something occurred in the past to make me wonder "what if?" To me, it was so out of left field I thought that it would be mind-blowing twist that readers (except me) would never guess and it seems I was on the same wavelength as the author. And it never detracts from my enjoyment of the book if my suspicions prove to be correct. I find it a kind of challenge...to see if I can work it out.

There are many secrets and lies in this deftly crafted thriller with plenty of twists to keep you guessing. Its fast pace did not let up throughout and by the time it ended, I was left breathless.

Overall, a brilliant read from a new author to me. I have not read Amanda Brittany before and, if this book is anything to go by, it won't be my last. I do have to question if the author is a fan of the Australian soap "Home and Away" with the characters such as Justin, Willow and Ava...with the female characters roles reversed? lol

TRACES OF HER is just brilliant. Just mind-blowing. I cannot express just how much I loved this book, despite some of its loathsome characters. I just hope I was able to do such a brilliant book justice with my review.

If you love a good psychological thriller with a twist you won't see coming at the end (although now you will...lol), then grab yourself a copy of TRACES OF HER! You will love it, I'm sure!

I would like to thank #AmandaBrittany, #NetGalley and #HQDigital for an ARC of #TracesOfHer in exchange for an honest review.

The synopsis of this book was so good it grabbed right from the beginning. Loved the cover and it had lots of twists and turns and suspense. It has such a great ending. I loved it.

Thank you Netgalley, publisher and author for the advance copy of this book.

I had trouble getting into the book and found I couldn't connect to the characters. The story was confusing and too much detail with not enough fact.

I did finish the book and like the twist but it wasn't really for me.

What a thrilling, compelling read this book is! Be warned though there's a lot going on! This has a complex storyline with many characters although I did connect well with all of them.

Rose's step-sister Willow is known for being a wanderer never staying in one place for long she is determined to find out who killed her birth mother.
When Rose receives a letter containing four photographs of male suspects and a desperate plea for help, Rose sets off for Cornwall to help very concerned for Willow 's safety.

Told from the perspectives of Mainly Ava, Willows Birth Mother and Rose this is very tense. There's lots of unexpected twists and although a certain amount of concentration is needed to read this book it did pay off.

This book was very confusing so much detail and very little fact. I did finish it however and surprisingly there was a twist at the end. However I did not enjoy this book.

I found this book slow to get into and I just couldn't relate properly to the characters. I felt my investment in the story wasn't enough to fully enjoy the book, and I'm sure that's possibly just that I'm not quite the target audience for this book, though I do enjoy others in the same genre.
The characterisation was believable, but....a bit flat I guess. I liked the storyline, but I just didn't feel like it was quite there for me.
The writing wasn't deficient, I just...didn't connect fully.
That said, I did talk to a friend, who did feel like she'd really enjoy it, and she's grabbed a copy and has had a far more positive response to the book, so that's great!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book to review.

I received a digital advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really felt like I couldn't get into this book. It was a great story, and the writing was wonderful but I didn't connect with the characters at all.

I really liked the authors descriptive writing style. I feel I might not have been the right audience for this book. It was good but not my cup of tea.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this title.

3-4 stars. I couldn’t give this one a full 5 stars, as I couldn’t get into it on a few occasions, but it did eventually get my attention. While I felt it was well written, something was missing for me, I don’t know what exactly, but it just wasn’t a love. I have been very moody, so it may be more that than the actual book, but did feel it was not developed properly which did confuse me at times. Overall, I would recommend because I do think it has sone amazing suspense, thrills, chills, and good writing!
Will make sure I buzz it up!

For this being Amanda's first book, it really was not that bad. I liked it a lot and I really enjoyed the characters. It was a little confusing at times in some parts regarding the sisters but other than that, it was pretty good. I'll definitely read more from this author.

Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was quite a complex mystery which had me lost in some parts with the sheer number of characters, but brought me into the story with its intrigue.

Rose did not hear from her stepsister Willow for over a month, then cane to know she was investigating the death of 2 sisters 20 years ago. She knew to find Willow, she had to solve the cold case.

My first book by author Amanda Brittany, the story was told in dual timelines. The mystery kept the plot going. Many characters muddied the trail, but it was still entertaining as murder mysteries are.

The writing kept the thrill going, it felt smooth, and the twists added to the plot. Characters ranged from likable to non likable and were all cast under my suspicious eye.

Overall, it was a fun twisty murder mystery.

Dysfunctional family, disappearances,deceit and murder. Psychological suspense and an unexpected end that twists even to the very last page. Thank you Netgalley, HQ Digital and author Amanda Brittany for an ARC of Traces of Her. The review and comments are my honest opinion.

I am on 2 minds about this book. In one mind it was a very easy read in terms of the plot, however it feels like it has been done multiple times in a number of different books.

The characters didn't have much depth and it all fel a bit like and then this happened and then this happened. It struggled to flow for me.

I have come away with more questions than answers here. For a start there are so many questions around the police and believability. Also the fact that the 'you' chapters aren't even by the killer

The flipping between past and present saved it slight however both just seemed a bit superficial.

Sorry but this just wasn't for me.

An engrossing thriller that kept me hooked up till the end. I really appreciate it when the authors think of all the small details and tie up all the loose ends. This author is one such. Recommended.

My thanks to HQ Digital for the blogtour invite and my gifted review ebook copy of 'Traces Of Her' which is out from 25th October!

Featuring two timelines (a 'then in the 1990's and a 'now') the reader is plunged into a nightmare of a mystery whose tendrils stretch across decades and have unfathomable effects.

Ava is the 1990's narrator-the younger sister of the glamorous Gail, and absent Peter who has run off to Australia, brought up by a mother who has never forgiven Ava's arrival being the trigger to her father's abandonment.

Rose is the 'now' narrator, using the mystery of her disappearing step-sister, Willow, to distract herself frm an increasingly fraught relationship with her daughter Becky. With her ex about to marry his same sex partner, her current partner being constantly on the move as a pilot, her world is in flux.

Mixed in  with this , is the unsolved murder(or murders) of two sisters. On Gail's wedding day, her dress and a suicide note is left pinned to her wedding dress, next to the body of her sister, Ava. Is Gail dead? If not, where is she? How can all these families ever hope to gain closure of the death of Ava whilst the case remains open?

Add in a determined Welsh detective, hidden secrets and small town reality and you have a psychological thriller which will keep you guessing till the very last page.

It's a really good thriller which will appeal to fans of mysteries and family sagas.

Traces of Her is a thriller that will fit perfectly on the shelves of every airport in America. It will be picked up by bored travelers and read during long flights and boring business trips. It will be left behind in many hotel rooms and side tables.

It's...a stereotypical story. A woman goes missing, a strange package arrives, , etc etc etc. There's nothing especially special or thrilling about this story, nothing unexpected. Still, it will be good plane reading.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I have read a couple of Amanda's books now and those I have read, I have thoroughly enjoyed. I read the synopsis for her most recent book, 'Traces Of Her' which was released on 25th October 2019, and I was most intrigued. The book screamed 'you need to read me' at me and so I settled down with a nice cup of tea in one hand and the book in another hand and began to read. I finished reading it fairly recently and all I can say is 'wowzers'. I flipping well loved reading 'Traces Of Her' but more about that in a bit.
I really felt for the character of Willow, although it did take me a little while to warm to her. She is a young woman, who is a bit of a nomad in a sense. She often disappears for days and often weeks at a time and her step sister cannot help but worry about her. Willow lost her birth mother, after she died in tragic circumstances. Since then I get the impression that Willow has been a lost soul and drifts from place to place. Willow disappears again and her step sister Rose receives a phone call from Willow to say that she is in Cornwall, staying in a hotel, which has been paid for by a mysterious character, and she is making progress in her investigation into who killed her birth mother. Willow makes Rose agree to go to Cornwall so that she can tell Rose in person what she has found out. Rose can't help but fear for Willow's safety. This feeling intensifies when she receives four polaroids of men that Willow suspects of being involved in her mother's death. I could get where Willow was coming from in terms of wanting to find out who killed her mother and doing anything to find out. I kept everything crossed that Willow stayed safe and in one piece at the end of the book and that she discovered who or what had killed her mother. Does that happen? Well you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
I have to be honest and say that it took a little while to get into this book. To start with, I found that a lot of different characters seemed to be introduced into the story within a relative short space of time. I ended up having to flick back in the book a few times to keep track of who was who. I felt confused on occasion but then it doesn't take much to confuse me. Once I got into the story then that was it, I just couldn't put the book down. I was sufficiently intrigued to keep reading. The pages turned increasingly quickly as my desperation to find out what really had happened to Willow's birth mother grew and grew. All too quickly I reached the end of the book, which I had mixed feelings about. Don't get me wrong I was pleased to finish because at least I knew how the story concluded but I was disappointed to finish the story because I was enjoying the story and the characters so much that I just wanted the book to continue.
'Traces Of Her' is well written and the author certainly knows how to grab your attention from pretty early on. Once Amanda has your attention, she will not let it go until the moment you turn the back cover as it were. Amanda has skilfully created a complex plot that will keep you gripped and on the edge of your seat throughout. I found that Amanda describes the characters and the storylines so well that I actually felt as though I was part of the story myself. The book is written using two different timelines and they switch back and forth with ease. One timeline describes events as they happened in the past to Willow and her birth mother and the other timelines describes present day events. I did wonder if that way of telling the story might be a bit confusing but I needn't have worried because the chapters interlinked really well and the story flowed seamlessly as a result.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Traces Of Her' and I would recommend this book to other readers. I will definitely be reading more of Amanda's work in the future. Here's hoping that we don't have too long to wait. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.