A great thriller set in the Lake District, which lends the plot an even more sinister angle when you are familiar with how rural and vast some areas are in the vicinity of where the story takes place.

Lisa and Joe live in a small village in the Lake District. Joe is a taxi driver and Lisa runs an animal shelter. Along with their three children, they live a hectic life and struggle to pay the bills, but are a loving and friendly couple. But Lisa's friendship with 'yummy mummy' and much wealthier friend Kate leaves her envious and wondering whether she is always doing the right thing.

When Kate's daughter Lucinda is reported missing, it eventually transpires that she should have been spending the night at Lisa's, with her daughter Sally. But Kate had forgotten she should have been staying over.

What follows is the usual: the investigation into Lucinda's disappearance, the friendship between Lisa and Kate being tested, along with the guilt of feeling responsible. Along the way most of the family member become suspects.

The second twist to the plot though is that there is a predator out there. The reader knows this, as chapters from his point of view appear throughout the book. With one young girl already kidnapped (and having escaped), is Lucinda another of his victims?

As Lisa tries in her own way to help, you can see how close she comes to clues. The reader knows she has hit on something and you're shouting at her, 'just tell the police you saw something, no matter how insignificant!'.

The outcome was not what I expected, but different all the same. What I did like about this book was that Daly shone a light on the pressure of working mothers - those who juggle life, school, work, households and the feeling of being overwhelmed by daily life.

Wow - this was a fantastic book. Believable characters and a pace that never lets up. Will be seeking out more work by this author.