Excellent story that’s very cleverly told.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for my honest and unbiased opinion

Stunning read! This book is easy to read in many ways! You are hooked by the plot and it is hard to stop reading the book. You just want to find out more - so another few pages beckon!

Could I describe the book in one word? Atmospheric? Haunting? Chilling? Not easy for me! I had quite an over powering sense of sadness. Perhaps as a parent I could relate more easily to Harry and Zara’s family trauma. What would I have done? I honestly don’t know.

One thing that surprised me was the police investigation throughout. It seemed that the law inadvertently worked against a more thorough investigative process and failed the victim/ victims. I suppose that was disappointingly realistic. The court case scenes were insightful and cleverly portrayed by the author, Imran Mahmood.

The ending had quite a few twists! As a seasoned reader I didn’t come close with any of my guesses!

I could not decide at the end what I made of this book. I wanted to finish it and did not expect the ending but I am not sure whether or not I enjoyed it!

Sophie - their 17 year old daughter - has gone missing and her parents are desperate to find her. The novel is told through the voices of both parents alternately - and you quickly appreciate the devastating impact her disappearance has had on them and the lengths they are prepared to go to find her.

They become obsessed about a neighbour and become convinced that he holds the key to her disappearance. But did they murder him?

There are chapters told from the court room from which you pick up what happened and see the two play the justice system.

An uncomfortable read but riveting.

Very well written book which explores the impact on the parents of a teenage girl. There is also a court case involving the parents and it shares the timeline with each parent's thoughts about their missing daughter. It undeniably captures the horror and the emotional turmoil of a missing teen. Becoming obsessed with a neighbour whilst they search for clues. The court scenes feel very true to life
It's quite slow going and Americanised in terms of spellings and style which jars somewhat with a UK setting
Quite different to lots of other thrillers

Phew - what a brilliant book! Imran Mahmood is an amazing author. I’d read a previous novel of his and loved it so I was really excited to read this one. Talk about emotional – I could feel the parents’ heart-wrenching grief. It was a very clever and complex plot where the suspense and tension is built throughout every chapter. The courtroom scenes were particularly good. A fabulous 5 star read, highly recommended. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the early copy.

A compelling thriller, weaving together the mystery of a young woman’s disappearance, the emotional anguish of her parents' battle to cope and a court case for murder. It is not unusual for a premise to include a missing child as part of its plot, but this feels fresh and has great emotional depth. Also, the legal trial of Mr and Mrs King is both clever and fascinating.

The plot is meticulously planned, and the narrative is tense and well written, leaving the reader hooked to turning the next page. The characters are very well drawn, and Zara and Harry’s pain combined with their motivation will engage readers. Especially, since we realise, they are on trial for murdering someone. Would we do the same if it happened to us? The author has put human thought under a microscope and his observations are acute and authentic..

With accomplished prose, a stunning twist and its universal themes of retribution and love, this novel will be perfect for screen!

In "Finding Sophie," Imran Mahmood crafts a tense and emotionally charged thriller that explores the depths of parental despair and the lengths one couple is willing to go to find their missing daughter. The story revolves around Harry and Zara King, who, after seventeen years of devoted parenting, find themselves plunged into a nightmare when their only daughter, Sophie, goes missing.

Mahmood skilfully navigates the psychological toll of a parent's worst fear, capturing the desperation and anguish of Harry and Zara as they grapple with the uncertainty surrounding Sophie's disappearance. The author masterfully intertwines the emotional journey of the parents with the escalating tension of the mystery, creating a narrative that is both heart-wrenching and suspenseful.

The novel's strength lies in its portrayal of the characters, particularly the distraught parents. The raw emotions, the frantic search for answers, and the increasing obsession with a suspicious neighbour all contribute to the complexity of the story. Mahmood delves into the psychological toll of grief, portraying the characters with depth and authenticity.

The pacing is well-executed, with Mahmood gradually building the suspense as Harry and Zara take matters into their own hands. The narrative is enriched by the exploration of the couple's evolving relationship and the toll that grief takes on their mental and emotional well-being. The author's ability to keep the reader guessing about the truth behind Sophie's disappearance adds to the overall intrigue.

The theme of obsession is a central element in the story, as the couple becomes increasingly fixated on their neighbour, who seems to hold the key to the mystery. Mahmood raises thought-provoking questions about the blurred lines between justice and vigilantism, adding a layer of moral complexity to the narrative.

While the novel excels in its portrayal of human emotions and the psychological toll of loss, some readers may find certain plot elements to be predictable. However, Mahmood's storytelling prowess and the exploration of the ethical dilemmas faced by the characters elevate "Finding Sophie" to a compelling and engaging read.

In conclusion, Imran Mahmood's "Finding Sophie" is a gripping exploration of grief, obsession, and the haunting question of what lengths a parent is willing to go to find their missing child. With well-drawn characters and a narrative that skilfully blends suspense and emotional depth, this novel is recommended for those who appreciate psychological thrillers that tug at the heartstrings while keeping the reader on the edge of their seat.

Wow, what an emotional rollercoaster of a book that really sinks its claws in deep from cover to cover!
Told between alternating chapters of Harry and Zara you get to see through both of their eyes the devastating effects a missing child has on a family. This book is both emotionally charged as they deal with all the emotions of their daughter being missing, a crime thriller as well as part courtroom drama.
But who is in the courtroom and why?
Even after weeks and months of no sightings or no news about their daughter Sophie, neither parent are prepared to even entertain the idea that their teenage daughter is dead.
With the police investigation coming up with no answers, Sophie’s father Harry carries out his own investigation, checking with every neighbour in a several mile radius. All the neighbours and households are willing to talk to him, even filling out his questionnaire. That is all but one!
Number 210 on their own street. The man who lives there behind his high fences, Herman, who won’t even come to his towering locked garden gate, let alone answer his door.
Both Harry and Zara know there isn’t something right with the man who hides himself away and very rarely leaves his house but the police have no cause to suspect him and there is nothing they can do.
That’s when Harry decides to take the law into his own hands and focus his own investigation on number 210.
What transpires is revelation and shocking actions that you will never see coming with several shocking plot twists that will not let you put the book down!
If you are already a fan of Imran Mahmood’s books then you will already know you are in for a real treat with this book, and if you are new to this author you will definitely end up as a fan.
This is a definite must read book of 2024 and I highly recommend pre ordering it now!
Finding Sophie will be published on 14 Mar. 2024 and is not to be missed.

This is the fourth novel I have read by author Imran Mahmood and all of them are written to a very high standard. I love legal thrillers and Imran Mahmood who practiced as a barrister specialising in criminal law writes very good ones. “Finding Sophie” is an emotionally charged novel in which two parents are desperately searching for their missing daughter Sophie. It appears they will stop at nothing to find their missing daughter, willing to sacrifice everything.

Sophie is everything to her parents Harry and Zara King so when she mysteriously disappears, they are desperate to find her.

With each passing day Harry and Zara’s desperation grows and they start to suspect their neighbour may be involved in Sophie’s disappearance. The suspense and tension builds throughout as the couple try to uncover the truth behind their daughter suddenly vanishing.

The cleverly written novel is told and the line between truth and deception becomes fuzzy and keeps the reader on the edge of the seat trying to guess what will happen next. This novel is full of emotion, tension and mystery, with surprises along the way making it a very enjoyable read.

This is another excellent courtroom thriller by Imran Mahmood and yet again had me on the edge of my seat.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for supplying this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I've enjoyed all the previous books I've read by Imran Mahmood and this one was no different, the tension and suspense keeps you hooked.

I am a massive fan of Imran Mahmood's previous novels but trust me, this is his best yet.

This book takes the format which I love so much - dual timeline, Then and Now.

Then - Harry and Zara's daughter, Sophie, goes missing. Harry conducts his own investigation, frustrated at the lack of progress made by the police. Harry interviews everyone in the neighbouring streets except one neighbour who won't open his door. What is he hiding? What secrets was Sophie hiding before she vanished?

Now - Harry and Zara are on trial for murder.......

The plot intricately moves between the two timelines in the very best way. In the Then timeline, we are drip fed information about Harry's investigation as he slowly uncovers secrets about Sophie that he never knew. We also learn about the difficult relationship he had with her and how unhappy she was becoming at home.

Harry's focus on the neighbour who won't open his door becomes an obsession which takes both Harry and Zara past the point of no return....

I won't say much more for fear of spoilers but for anyone who knows Mahmood's novels will know they are in for a truly thrilling ride with some red herrings and a truly brilliant courtroom battle as Harry and Zara fight for their freedom and fight to uncover what happened to Sophie.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ), Raven Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

What a roller-coaster ride this was.
Full of tension, the trying to find Sophie, the flashback scenes, and the court room scenes.
I could never make up my mind if the parents were slightly unhinged , even before Sophie went missing.
By the time we got to the closing chapters, I was on edge of my seat.
Great pacing, good characters, excellent story.
It was cleverly done,
Four books in, we can definitely sat Mahmood is at top of his game.

Finding Sophie by Imran Khan has a bit of everything,it's part thriller,part courtroom drama and part domestic drama.
Teachers Harry and Zara King's teenage daughter Sophie has gone missing after a tense atmosphere at home becomes more serious. The couple canvas their local area in the search for their daughter and are perturbed by the behaviour of a neighbour who appears to be very obviously avoiding speaking to them, let alone answering any questions.
With the police getting nowhere and their relationship collapsing under the stress Harry and Zara decide to take matters into their own hands.

This is the first book by Imran Khan that I've read and the fact that I ordered another one within minutes of finishing it is a clue as to how impressed I was. This is no "by the numbers" thriller, the thoughts,fears and desperation of Harry and Zara are palpable as their lives spiral out of control leading to some unwise decisions. I found myself almost screaming at them as often a simple lack of communication made their efforts so much harder. This is not just a good story,it's great writing as well.

Sophie has gone missing and what begins as a simple plot turns into a twisted tale. The police have no leads, and Sophie’s parents, Harry and Zara are growing frantic, they're convinced that their very “odd” neighbour is hiding something. Frustrated by the police investigation they take matters into their own hands.But just how far are they both prepared to go?

Sophie’s disappearance is one filled with mystery and suspense told mostly from the POV of the parents, your never sure if their narrative is the gods honest truth, or their omitting details to hide the fact that their relationship with Sophie was a difficult one.

The plot is driven by Harry and Zara’s quest for the truth, and the lengths they will go to. Although I appreciated how desperate Sophie’s parents were For answers I thought some of their actions bordered on the unbelievable
There are also chapters told from the courtroom which add to the overall tension. To the Who? And why? are slowly but surely revealed as the layers are peeled back. Along with what what really happened to Sophie. It’s a dramatic, tension fuelled journey getting to the truth but it’s brilliantly told and very cleverly executed

Not for me as a reader. Disjointed and I did not like the writing style. Might be for others but it was not for me as I struggled to connect with the story.

My thoughts about Imran Mahmood’s Finding Sophie is everything you’d want in a mystery thriller, full of twists, deception, and tantalizing crime, which never stops being engaging. Writer Imran Mahmood delivers solid thrills and genuine twists with great effect. This breathtaking thriller, keeps the readers on the edge of their seats. Imran Mahmood has made a habit of pulling off complex thrillers like You Don’t Know Me, I Know What I Saw and All I Said Was True. With ease, and with the multi-layered narrative of ‘Finding Sophie’, he seems right at home. What makes this book feels great is that it knew how to plant the clues and when to reveal the twists and turns in a perfect time. It is a very delicate task to do, yet writer Imran Mahmood seems to manage it. I think, in a way, he knew how put his perspective in the reader’s eyes. Imran Mahmood’s Finding Sophie story begins with Sophie King is missing. Her parents, Harry and Zara, are distraught; for the last seventeen years, they’ve done everything for their only daughter. The police have no leads, and Harry and Zara are growing increasingly frantic – and increasingly obsessed with their highly suspicious neighbour. He won’t open the door, he won’t answer any questions. If they want answers, they’re going to have to take matter into their own hands. But just how far are they both prepared to go. The storyline of Imran Mahmood’s Finding Sophie was arranged like I was involved in solving the crime. The ending gave me goosebumps and was thrilled at the same time. Overall Imran Mahmood’s Finding Sophie is a jaw-dropping, mind-boggling masterpiece that will blow your mind at every second. You don’t get a clear picture of who to root for because the perspective is changed at every turn. It will force you to think one way in one second only to rethink it the next. I like to say a big thank you to author Imran Mahmood and publishers Raven Books for kindly letting me read and review this brilliant book on netgalley which I’ve enjoyed reading. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💥💥💥💥💥