The first book I’ve read by this author and didn’t really know what to expect. It was a little bit of a slow burner and I found the main character to be a little bit of a cold character and couldn’t work out why she did certain things ( don’t want to give details as will ruin the ending ! ) but it all came clear within the last few chapters of the book which was a really clever ending

debut by author Anna Wharton, I liked how I constantly kept doubting the actions of Chloe who at different moments was a wonderful granddaughter looking after the well being of a grandmother with dementia.

Then there were those times when I found her actions beguiling. My mind kept swinging like a pendulum. Tick tock tick tock the time went as I continued reading. There were scenes which didn’t make sense, that pushed my curiosity to the limits.

Driven by my need to know along with the author placing Chloe in the home of the missing child as a lodger the book ran at full steam. The last chapter explained it all how the different parts were all connected. It was quite a height I would have never reached.

But something in me felt decidedly off. The ending didn’t explain all the scenes seamlessly. It made a good effort but didn’t leave me feeling satisfied at having spent the time in it.

Maybe Chloe was made too unlikable and her different views had no basis of conviction. She came across as a girl with some wild theories.

A little more TLC to the book would have made it a stupendous thriller.

What did I just read? WOW! I am speechless, I don't even know where to begin. It is difficult to revie this book without giving away spoilers, so all I can saw is you will love the mystery behind it and all the twists and turns... and that ending!!! Thank you for my ARC.

Chloe is a doting granddaughter to her nan suffering from dementia, she’s 29 and works for the local newspaper. When a story from the archives catches her eye she sets off in search of the family of a 4 year old girl who went missing 25 years ago. That girl would be the same age as her now. What is her motive; does she think she can dig around for a story for the newspaper, or is she the one they’ve been looking for all this time. I like how the book plays out with the different scenarios being a possibility, amongst others. I had a moment where I thought I had it all worked out, only to find I was completely way off the mark! Just remember that things are not always as they seem!

The Kyle family were advertising for a lodger, by chance this was Chloe’s opportunity to get close to them and see the people behind the tragic story. But, when she does she finds out things about them she wasn’t expecting, things that could put a different slant on the case of missing Angie. There are many heart in mouth moments as Chloe digs around for clues, but, when she does she can’t forget what she finds out.

This book is wonderfully full of mystery; everything seems to fall into place and then you’re thrown completely off course by a twist! I love how the pieces fall into place and you realise little clues had been dropped in which now all bring the ending together.

I always enjoy a book which allows me to draw my own conclusions, to make my own assumptions, and then to find I’m completely wrong and if I had looked at things in a different way I would have expected a different ending. I loved this book and I enjoyed the style filled with suspense and dark moments! A highly recommended read!

A lovely original story from an author’s debut. A child has been missing since 1980 and a story of dementia. Not my usual book choice which just goes to show you should try every book you’re given as you never know when you’re going to miss out on a jewel like this. Had me hooked from the get go.

The synopsis of this book sounded brilliant and I was excited to read.it. Unfortunately however I found it fell a bit flat for me and I struggled through to the end.

Working as a newspaper archivist, it seems that Chloe's life is falling apart around her. Her grandmother is quickly succumbing to dementia and is getting harder and harder to help through the tough times.
But one day, Chloe comes across a newspaper article about a missing girl called Angie. She starts to look further into it and begins to fall in to the family, believed to be the missing girl finally returned home.
Not everything is how it seems, however, and Chloe soon finds herself in a situation she isn't sure she can get out of. Not safely, anyway.

My 5 stars is solely based on the epilogue. Because I did not see that coming. Wow. Would recommend to those who love thrillers, who loves twists and especially those who can wait for a good pay off from the very end of the book.

Vry impressive first novel. Entertaining characters and lots of twists and turns.. The main character is a bit frustrating at times but the compelling storyline gets past this.

This book was…underwhelming to say the least. I thought the plot sounded interesting enough but the combination of the slow pace and the detached character perspective fell completely flat for me. I think Chloe’s unsettling nature is intentional but it just served to make me less connected to the novel and I didn’t feel like any of it had any impact for me, even when it was supposed to. For instance the fact that Chloe’s nan has dementia and is going through this difficult experience but it just lacks any depth or gravity. The whole novel felt like we were constantly being ‘told’ things, rather than letting it unfold in a more natural manner and the repetition was just too much for me.

Judging by other readers thoughts however, I think this just wasn’t the book for me but perhaps you’ll enjoy it more so still give it a chance.

I did enjoy this book. The pace ebbed and flowed at times but the main characters kept my interest right until the end. Recommended.

I have to admit I switched between loving this and hating it, largely because of how annoying Chloe was. However, I stuck with it and I ended up being really glad I did, especially when I hit the ending - that final reveal had my jaw on the floor! Definitely worth a read, especially if you enjoy a good family drama with a thread of thriller running through it. However, if you're put off by an unsympathetic main character then maybe give it a miss.

3.5 stars rounded down to 3.

Disclaimer - I was fortunate enough to be provided with an advance reading copy of this book by NetGalley. This has not affected my review in any way, and all opinions are my own.

Set in 2014 Chloe is juggling looking after her grandmother who has dementia and her job as an archivist at a local newspaper.

After a written warning from her boss and numerous calls from her grandmother’s social worker Chloe finds herself at her wits end.

During her archiving she comes across a story of a missing girl who would be the same age as her now. She becomes obsessed with the story, takes the file home and when it’s discovered to be missing she loses her job.

Chloe goes back to the office to copy the file and starts her own investigation into the girl’s disappearance.

She find herself at the parents’ new house, and as if by chance they are advertising for a lodger at the local newsagents. With her grandmother in a home and no longer with a job to fill her days Chloe finds herself living with them and it’s not all that it looks to be on the surface.

This was a slow burning thriller where you wondered what was going to be the end result.

I had a few theories in my mind but none of them met the twist at the end. I really wasn’t expecting that!

There were enough red herrings to keep you guessing and enough people to suspect.

I did find the timeline odd in that I don’t know why it was set in the early 2000’s rather that today. Perhaps it was written earlier and dates not changed or the time period meant something to the author? It didn’t detract from the story but didn’t really add anything either.

A good novel for fans of thrillers and mysteries. It will definitely keep you guessing and you won’t realise what is said at the end. It left me open mouthed!

Many readers found this book interesting and gave a high rating. How I wish it gave the same impact on me had I read it when I was in the best health ( I could maybe give it 3.5-4.5 had I invest more time and focused🌟)😢.

The book had potential, perhaps a very satisfactory read but sadly I read it at the wrong moment so I had to rush through and end up not able to keep long. I'm very sorry but I'm more towards DNF. I'll give the book a read if I were to come across it again or had a copy.

This is a chilling début featuring newspaper archivist Chloe whose Gran has dementia. Troubled Chloe becomes fascinated by the case of four-year-old Angela Kyle who went missing in the 1980s. When the decision is made for Chloe's Gran to move to a care home, Chloe realises she will be effectively homeless. She spots an ad for a lodger which happens to be in the home of the missing girl's parents.

In The Imposter, the author examines some seriously sensitive topics brilliantly and compassionately. Angela's mum, Maureen is characterised superbly, as is Chloe. The pace is perfect and the suspense is also artfully done along with the slowly accelerating tension. With its palpable unease, I was glued to the pages throughout. You need to read this evocative début from Anna Wharton.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Pan Macmillan via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Unfortunately this one just wasn’t for me.

I really did love the idea of the book and was completely drawn in by the plot but unfortunately it just didn’t deliver.

I really couldn’t grasp Chloe as a character and there were far too many conveniences and coincidences in the plot that were just unrealistic and annoyed me

Although the plot wasn’t for me, I did enjoy the authors writing style. It flowed well and was easy to read.

Reading other’s reviews, I am definitely in the minority for not enjoying it as so many people enjoyed it. Perhaps a case of reading it at the wrong time? I’d hate to put others off reading it because this is purely my opinion so if you like the sound of it, please give it a go. Many people have enjoyed this

This book kept me thinking about it long after I’d finished reading, a tense and exciting thriller. Great writing, intense story.

I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was not disappointed! I really enjoyed this book and enjoyed the writing style!

I wasn't sure what to expect with this one but it was a pleasant surprise - I really enjoyed it. Very evocative and well written that held my attention right to the end. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review.

Chloe lives an unassuming life. She lives with her grandmother and has a job as an archivist at the local newspaper.  She doesn’t stand out, she just blends in with the crowd and that suits her just fine.

Her grandmother suffers from dementia, it breaks Chloe’s heart to see her like this and her only escape is with her job.  Through newspaper cuttings she lives other people’s lives, from birth to death, she has them all filled in away in an array of cabinets.  Most of the clippings don’t weigh on her mind until one sticks, a case of a missing 4-year-old girl some twenty-odd years ago.

Little Angie Kyle was at the park with her dad, one minute she was there, the next she was gone.  Never to be seen from again.  The Kyle’s have never given up hope and their loss becomes Chloe’s obsession.  She tracks down every bit of information and sets out to see for herself the location of this disappearance. 

Her obsession takes over, she loses track of everything, her grandmother gets taken in to the care of a nursing home, the home they shared will have to be sold and she loses her job at the newspaper.  Her life is unravelling, but still her obsession grows.  She wants to be closer to case.

With homelessness looming over her head, Chloe answers an advert for a room.  It is in a village that she is in by no accident.  It is the new home of the Kyle’s and they are looking for a lodger. Will ingratiating herself with these bereft parents get her closer to the mystery of Angie’s disappearance or will the threads of her obsession start to come away.

This was a great read. It was one of these stories I thought I had the measure of, but came with a twist that put me back in my place!  It starts off a little slow but stick with it as it is a story of obsession done very well.

Chloe is trying to balance her job as a newspaper archivist with looking after her nan, her only family, who has dementia.

When her nan is put into a home for her own safety, Chloe becomes obsessed with a case she found in the archives about a 4 year old girl who went missing 25 years ago. She makes it her life’s goal to solve the case, even managing to lodge in a room with the parents who are still hoping their daughter will return one day.

Although the main plot line is the missing girl, to me the book was more about personal struggles, relationships and dealing with heartbreaking tragedy.

I anticipated the end would be predictable but I was pleasantly surprised with the extremely well thought out and surprise conclusion.

Thank you to NetGalley and PanMacmillan for a copy to review.