Teenager Anna gets on a plane but disappears once it lands. Her parents are frantic with worry, even more so because this isn’t the first time she has vanished, having been kidnapped a decade earlier. Surely this can’t be related?

I have enjoyed quite a few of Alex Lake’s previous novels, therefore was really looking forward to reading this one. I must admit that I did not know this was a follow up to a previous book, however this had no negative impact as I managed to follow the story easily. The story was engaging with a complex plot and lots of twists and turns.

The characters were well written, although some came across as very unlikeable. One in particular really frustrated me. As the story picks up pace there are more shocking scenes to discover and suspense built, although some parts are quite far fetched. Even though having not read the first book did not ruin this book for me, I would have preferred to have read it prior to get some back story. I would definitely be intrigued to see where a third book in this series would go. 3.5 stars rounded up. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

I liked this book! The beginning was strong and it kept me wanting to know more the entire time, the only criticism I have it is that I felt like more context was needed at times. Other than that the writing was good and I enjoyed

A totally absorbing and gripping read, I couldn’t put it down!

Fifteen year old Anna boards a plane at Heathrow, but when the flight lands at Manchester, where her step mum is waiting to collect her, Anna doesn’t appear. How can someone board a flight and then disappear?

I loved the writing, the characters, the plot, the red herrings, the tension and the twists!

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Alex Lake and Harper Collins for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Julia's fifteen year old daughter Anna is heading off to stay with her dad for a few days in Manchester and is flying from Heathrow, it's only a short journey so what could possibly go wrong, and Brian will be there waiting to pick her up, but that doesn't stop Julia worrying about her and rightly so because when the plane lands Anna is nowhere to be seen. Airport security and the police are at a loss as to how she could just vanish, could history be repeating itself, surely that's not possible...

Here One Minute is the latest thriller by this author and the fourth one of his I've read so far. Lake knows how to draw his readers in with an intriguing prologue and a story that captivates you more at every turn of the page, and this one is no different. It's a fast paced read with a premise that is every parent's worst nightmare and some complex characters who, in the main, aren't very likeable. The story has some great twists and a few red herrings thrown in along the way to keep the reader second guessing. I didn't realise that this was a sequel to After Anna, which I've not yet read, until I was halfway through this one and something just triggered me to look at Lake's previous books on my tbr pile, although this one can easily be read as a standalone. Another great read from an author that delivers every time.

I'd like to thank HarperCollins UK and Netgalley for inviting me to read this book, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

Absolutely amazing, kept me guessing until the very end, loved the storyline and the ending was brilliant also, another masterpiece and I cant wait to read the next one, definitely one of the best books I have read this year AAA

The book starts off strong, with a fast pace that kept me engaged throughout the opening chapters. However, as I read on, I started to feel like I was missing some context. After a quick bit of research, I realised that this book is actually a sequel to "After Anna"—something I hadn’t initially known, and I wasn’t alone in missing this crucial detail. While the book is still readable on its own, something is definitely lost, as you're missing the full background.
The story begins to lose gas about halfway through, and the ending felt quite rushed. Without giving too much away, some of the characters’ decisions felt unrealistic, and I found it hard to believe they wouldn’t have considered more thoughtful or safer plans. Additionally, all characters felt a bit one-dimensional, and I had hoped to see some sort of redemption arc, but that never materialised.
All in all, while it wasn’t a bad read and kept me entertained without much eye-rolling, there was definitely something missing.

Here one minute by Alex Lake I understand is the second book in a trilogy. I was aware of this but, it was not a problem as you can read it as a standalone.
Julia Miller put her fifteen years old daughter Anna on a plane to go and see her father. Anna doesn’t understand it and wonders why she cannot just be got by train. But instead of her father picking her up at the airport. His new wife does instead. But when the plane lands at the airport, she goes into a restroom never to be seen again.
But ten years ago, when Anna was only five, she was kidnapped by her Grandmother Edna. Can her recent disappearance be linked. The only problem with that is there was news that her grandmother is recently deceased.
This is a fast-paced thriller with an air of mystery that I found to be a quite enjoyable read. There is a lot of twists and turns and quite a few red herrings along the way, The parents’ characters were a bit naggy and I was slightly confused on what the real motives were of the grandmother but nevertheless I thought this is worth the read. 4 stars from me.

Fantastic read. This is the 3rd book I’ve now read from this author and loved them all. It had me hooked right from the beginning. It was fast paced and exciting. Lots of twists and turns and I mean lots. Great plot that played out well. Very well written. Will now be looking for his next book he’s becoming one of my favourite authors

When I requested this book I didn’t know it was the second book in a trilogy. I still enjoyed the story but felt like I had missed something. I’m going to read the first book and read this again. It is an unusual story in the fact that a teenager vanishes after getting off a flight to stay with her father and stepmother, who I instantly disliked. This is a good read for anyone who enjoys thrilling writing.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Firstly thanks for my early access in exchange for a review . I’ve enjoyed all this authors previous books
And I didn’t realise this was essentially a sequel to one .
I raced through this in the early hours as was incredibly gripping.
Fast paced with twists and turns aplenty!
Fantastically written and execuated this plays out every parents worst nightmare .
What happens when the truth is even scarier than your fears !

Julia puts her teenage daughter Anna on a plane, knowing she will see her again in a couple of days. But when the plane lands, Anna is nowhere to be seen. She definitely got on the flight, but then she just.... vanished. And this isn't the first time Anna has disappeared. When she was just five-years-old, Anna was kidnapped. But that's all in the past, and Anna's disappearance now couldn't possibly be connected. Could it?

This is a fast-paced read. It's book 2 out of 3 in the trilogy. Anna is now fifteen and vanishes after boarding a plane. Anna has disappeared without trace before, ten years ago she was kidnapped. Anna's six-year-old half-brother Oakley has also vanished. Everyone has secrets, the family is dysfunctional. I did not like any of the characters, but Anna is quite feisty for her age. I will read the third book when it becomes available.

Published 24th October 2024

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK and the author #AlexLake for my ARC of #HereOneMinute in exchange for an honest review.

Here One Minute is a mystery thriller and, apparently, the second book in a trilogy. This is the first book, I have read from this author so I hadn’t read the first.
The story unfolds with Anna, a 15-year-old girl, about to embark on a domestic flight in the UK. She is due to spend time with her father and his second wife. All goes well until the plane lands and Anna doesn’t come through arrivals. CCTV shows that she walked into a restroom just after landing, but wasn’t seen to exit. It is as though she has vanished into thin air. What separates this from a normal missing child story is that this is not the first time Anna has gone missing. Ten years previously, she was abducted by her grandmother, who has since passed away. The plot is complicated by the fact that Anna’s 6-year-old half-brother Oakley has also gone missing after football practice. Is there some bizarre plot at play?

The book is fast-paced and has the feel of a movie screenplay. All the family players have secrets and seem to be pretty dysfunctional. I enjoyed the author’s writing and the plot with its twists and turns.
Where the book fell was in the characterisation. Not one character had a single redeeming quality. Anna is a brattish teenager and her brother Oakley is a whiner. The father is an ineffectual lump whose claim to fame appears to be managing to marry not one, but two completely awful women. The detective is a complete fool, who I doubt could catch the most blatant of criminals. The eventual perpetrator was a cardboard cut-out Bond villain. I half expected them to produce a white cat.
So, overall the book was a mixed bag. It was fast-paced and a definite page-turner. However it was extremely entertaining, but for all the wrong reasons. I’m not sure how the author will craft a sequel unless the aforementioned white cat is going to make an appearance.
My thanks to NetGalley, Alex Lake and Harper Collins for the much-appreciated ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.

Here One Minute by Alex Lake is a compelling psychological thriller that hooks readers from the first page with its suspenseful and emotionally charged premise. The story centers on the sudden disappearance of a young child, who vanishes in the blink of an eye, leaving the family devastated and the community in shock.

Alex Lake skillfully weaves a gripping narrative that alternates between different perspectives, allowing readers to explore the emotional turmoil of the parents, the investigation by law enforcement, and the unsettling presence of the kidnapper. The shifts in viewpoint create a dynamic reading experience, keeping readers guessing about the motivations behind the kidnapping and the fate of the missing child.

One of the novel’s strengths lies in its exploration of fear and guilt. The parents, particularly the mother, are portrayed with raw vulnerability as they navigate the psychological trauma of losing a child. Lake delves into the complexities of grief and how the fear of judgment from others can complicate an already unbearable situation. The portrayal of parental anxiety feels authentic and relatable, adding emotional weight to the thriller’s tense atmosphere.

The pacing is brisk, and Lake does an excellent job of maintaining suspense throughout the novel. Every chapter ends with a cliffhanger or revelation that urges the reader to keep going. The twists and turns are well-executed, with several surprising developments that keep the plot unpredictable. However, some of the plot twists, while shocking, may feel a bit far-fetched, testing the limits of believability.

Character development is strong, particularly in the depiction of the mother’s emotional journey. Her feelings of helplessness, rage, and despair are palpable, and readers will find themselves deeply invested in her quest to find her child. The secondary characters, such as the investigators, are less developed, but they serve their purpose in advancing the plot and heightening the tension.

While Here One Minute offers a gripping and emotional ride, some readers might find the resolution a bit rushed. The final revelations come quickly, and while satisfying, they may leave readers wishing for more exploration of certain psychological themes and character motivations.

Overall, Here One Minute is a solid thriller that explores the terrifying reality of a child’s abduction and the psychological toll it takes on a family. Alex Lake masterfully builds tension and delivers a few powerful surprises along the way. Fans of psychological suspense will find this a page-turner that keeps them on edge until the very end.

Rating: 4/5

It’s really refreshing to read a thriller which isn’t overtly gruesome!

Anna’s stepmother, Willow is awaiting her arrival at the airport. When she doesn’t turn up and police begin to investigate, a series of family secrets unfold. The story really picked up the pace towards the end and there were plenty of twists I hadn’t expected.

I enjoyed Here One Minute, it’s the second book I’ve read by Alex Lake but this had quite a different feel to the first. I look forward to reading After Anna next!

3.5 ⭐️

LIGHTENING DOESN’T STRIKE TWICE DOES IT!?

A teenager vanishes at an airport… There isn’t a single sighting on CCTV!!!!

This mystery thriller completely drew me in… &had the edge of an action packed movie! An original story line with twists &turns.

The ending was slightly rushed for me &I struggled to empathise with the characters (they weren’t quite developed enough for me). I have to say Final Call is still my favourite book by Alex.

Perfect for those who enjoy:
- Mystery’s
- Suspenseful thrillers
- Original storylines

With thanks to Harper Collins Netgalley for an ARC copy in return for an honest review.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I have enjoyed all of the booked that this author has written and this was no exception. The storyline was great as was the characters and had me hooked from the first page

Having read previous novels by Alex Lake I had high expectations and this didn't disappoint I really enjoyed it


Thanks for the opportunity to review

I started off enjoying this book until about 50% then I began to lose interest in the storyline.

It all became a bit boring for me and the continued use of the F word just began to spoil it personally.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for this ARC.

I absolutely loved this book, it had me hooked from the very start and felt like I was watching a super fast paced action movie! This book gives a whole new take on "pager turner" If I could give it more than 5 stars I sure would, highly recommended for those thriller lovers out there.

I really enjoyed this book which was unlike my usual reading. I felt that even when I could see what must have happened that there were unexpected events and I had to piece together slowly with new information.