Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this ARC. I loved I Can Be a Better You by this author but this one was sadly not my favourite.

The plot felt a little messy and slow. The main character claimed she was doing everything for her son but would then put herself in dangerous situations that could have gotten her killed, leaving him without a mother. The police repeatedly say “it’s your word against theirs” but that doesn’t seem to apply to the other person, only Iris and her grandmother. Don’t get me started on the big twist, it was ridiculously far fetched and I really don’t see how Iris could not have at least had an inkling that something was up.

The setting was eerie and well described but that was the only thing really appealing to me. The ending fell flat and the characters weren’t really likeable apart from the grandmother and Cal. Unfortunately I don’t really recommend this although if you still wanted to read it it was released on 14th March.

Unfortunately I didn’t enjoy this one. I’m a huge Tarryn Fisher fan so I was looking forward to its release. I just couldn’t get into the story. It follows two timelines and it was just really bitty trying to understand who was who and what was being referred to

What if your sister goes missing, and no one believes you?

This is ultimately what the book is about and i can tell you, you are in for a thrilling read!

This was interesting and gripping - I couldn’t put it down as I was desperate to know what happened! Iris’s twin sister was kidnapped when they were 15 and she’s spent every day since feeling immense guilt and plotting to find out what actually happened. She build her whole life around getting to face who she believes is her sister’s killer, finally coming close enough when she gets a job at the mental hospital for the criminally insane where he’s incarcerated.

I mean, the twist 🤯 I knew A twist was coming but I wasn’t expecting… that? My heart broke for Iris. While the last 15% of this book was hella gripping, it was also hella confusing and chaotic 🙃 Nonetheless I enjoyed sitting for a while working it all out after I finished reading 😂

What to expect:

- thriller set in a criminally insane mental hospital
- twin seeking truth about disappearance of her sister
- shocking twist

The download date was unfortunately missed, I would be happy to re-review if it became available again. I have awarded stars for the book cover and description as they both appeal to me. I would be more than happy to re-read and review if a download becomes available. If you would like me to re-review please feel free to contact me at thesecretbookreview@gmail.com or via social media The_secret_bookreview (Instagram) or Secret_bookblog (Twitter). Thank you.

Iris Walsh watched her twin sister Piper get kidnapped at 15. No one believed her they said she was a runaway. Now an adult, Iris knows that Pipers never coming back, but she wants the truth, and she knows where to find it by interning at the isolated Shoal Island Hospital for the Criminally Insane. She knows Pipers killer is in there, and she'll do what it takes to get to him. But something sinister is going on in the hospital. Will Iris make it out alive?

This was slow going with not much really happening until the last 20%. We alternate between past and present, and usually, that keeps the pace up, but in this case, it didn't, which is disappointing. I feel this could've been better if we had Pipers' pov in there, too. This disappointed me as I usually love Tarryn Fishers stories.

I tried several times to get into this novel as I liked the premise. However I have up at 20 per cent. This does not reflect on the authors writing talent and I may try reading it in the future via a different medium.

The author has an interesting style but unfortunately it rather ended up style over substance as far as I was concerned. Not an awful read but too predictable on the whole.

I experienced a book that explored twin relationships, and it was quite the emotional journey. While I empathized deeply with the main character's struggles and felt a profound sadness for their journey, I also grappled with moments of frustration and disbelief.

The disappearance of one twin set the stage for a captivating narrative, yet as the story unfolded, certain developments felt implausible to me. Despite this, I appreciated the author's portrayal of grief and loss, which was depicted with poignant sincerity.

Ultimately, while the book didn't entirely meet my expectations, it left a lasting impact. It served as a poignant reminder of the complexities inherent in twin relationships and the challenges of navigating life's uncertainties.

Iris sees her twin sister kidnapped but the police don't believe her. Piper is never found. Now an adult Iris knows who killed Piper and wants proof so she takes a job on Shoal Island a hospital for the criminally insane. Iris has no idea of the danger she is actually walking into.

I could not put this book down ! It had me hooked right from the start. The story kept me guessing right to the end and the twists had me 😲 Th book was mostly written in duel timelines which is always something I enjoy and this was done so well. This was a brilliant suspenseful thriller and I would definitely recommend.

Thank you to Nettgalley, HQ and Tarryn Fisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Iris Walsh's journey in "Good Half Gone" is an electrifying ride that seamlessly blends suspense, psychological intrigue, and a touch of romance. From the very first page, Fisher hooks you with a storyline reminiscent of Shutter Island, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and Sound of Freedom, but with its own unique twists and turns.

The novel introduces Iris Walsh, a determined young woman haunted by the kidnapping of her twin sister, Piper, which no one believed had happened. As she embarks on a quest for justice, Fisher crafts a tale that grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go. The thin veil between reality and madness is skillfully explored as Iris delves into the secrets of Shoal Island Hospital, a setting as eerie and chilling as any psychological thriller aficionado could hope for.

The dual timelines, a device I'm not always fond of, work seamlessly here. In the past, Iris and her grandmother fight tirelessly for Piper's justice, while in the present, Iris grapples with the truth within the walls of the mysterious mental hospital. It adds depth to the narrative, keeping the reader engaged and invested in both timelines.

Iris as a character is a standout, her determination to uncover the truth and seek revenge sending chills down the spine. The dynamic with her eccentric grandmother and her son, Calvin, adds layers to her character, making her relatable and sympathetic.

The pacing of the story is relentless, and I found myself devouring the pages in a single sitting. The suspense is palpable, especially within the eerie confines of Shoal Island Hospital. The author's vivid descriptions bring the setting and characters to life, creating an immersive experience.

The major reveal towards the end had its moments of brilliance, but there were aspects that left me wanting more satisfaction. Despite this, "Unveiling Shadows" is a well-executed winner that delivers on its promise of being a gripping psychological thriller. Fisher weaves a tale of suspense, revenge, and the thin line between justice and danger that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

Claustrophobic, creepy and intriguing. It was good read even if it's not my favourite by this author as I found it a bit too slow at times
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

An explosive opening with Iris’s transcript of her phone call to the police had me immediately hooked on this story. In this phone call, Iris’s panic is palpable as she reports her sister’s kidnapping. Yet, the authorities are not interested and do not take her report seriously. Years later, Piper’s disappearance has never been solved and it would appear that Iris has done some of her own investigating, having never received closure about what happened to her twin.

I enjoyed the earlier part of the story as Fisher establishes the narrative and Iris’s character. Switching between the events leading up to Piper’s disappearance and present day, I felt like I could really understand the journey that Iris has been on. Add in the relationship she has with Cal and her grandmother, the obsession that Iris has over her sister’s abduction never really falters and I could see how this informed her actions in present day. Furthermore, I got a real sense of her frustration when the police pretty much accuse Iris of exaggerating the events, never really showing interest in properly investigating Iris’s claims.

Yet, as the story progressed, I think the tension lessened and the revelations were too long in coming. I didn’t get a sense that Iris was making any headway when she starts working at Shoal Island Hospital and I was desperate for Fisher to give readers more clues about the identity of the suspected perpetrator. It wasn’t until the final thirty-odd pages does the tension really crank up again, and as a result, I thought the ending was quite rushed and lacking impact.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed how Fisher manipulates the reader until believing aspects of Iris’s story. I did not predict how the novel would conclude and loved how unexpected this was. Yet, at the same time it felt too long coming and I didn’t get a sense that Iris really believed in what she was doing at the mental hospital. In addition, it didn’t help that this story reminded me too much of 'The Institution', and I could not help but draw some comparisons.

In conclusion, the premise excited me, the opening chapters pulled me in, but this intensity did not continue throughout the story. The ending was shocking (verging on unrealistic but, you can run with it a little bit), but it took too long to get there. I found Iris’s energy towards her investigations became more of a dwindling fire that were often distracted by memories of her sister and looking after her grandmother and Cal.

With thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Iris twin sister Piper goes missing but the police don't want to know. As it seems she 'ran away' however Iris was an eye witness and said she was taken.

Iris spends years trying to work out who took her sister and whether or not she is still alive. So what did happen to Piper.

A great story. I was truly engaged in and enjoyed reading. A couple of twist that I didn't expect. Although I did figure out who took Piper early on.

I was looking forward to this after reading the premise and having enjoyed previous books by this author, but it sadly didn't quite live up to my expectations. Despite being and engaving story, it was a bit too predictable for me.

I really liked the sound of this one and the while premise of it however I just could not get into this story and ended up dnf-ing it.

This is my first Fisher book so I'm unsure on if I just dont gel with her writing style or if this one just wasn't for me.

A lot of people have really enjoyed this one so I'm definitely the odd one out when it comes to this book.

Thank You to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Engaging, I like Fisher’s writing and this story was no exception but I did find the book rather predictable and this did ruin it all a bit for me.

I have read a few Tarryn Fisher books and have really enjoyed the general content of her books. Good half Gone was no exemption. The narrative itself kept me engaged right until the end. It also raised different emotions including anger at the way the police initially handled the case and how they did not believe Iris. It's definitely twisty, turny storyline with a satisfying ending.

Thank you Netgalley, Tarryn Fisher and HQ publishing for this eArc of Good Half Gone

I love this author and this one is one of her best. A good, dark story with brilliant characters, I guarantee you'll get sucked right into this. A brilliant twisty story that will have your pulse racing. Highly recommended xx

I've always enjoyed Tarryn Fisher books and this latest didn't disappoint. Thought Iris was a great character and enjoyed hoe she transformed into a strong woman throughout the book, committed to finding out what happened to her twin sister and making sure her killer.paid. I thought her relationship with her gran and son was well written. I especially liked the twists and turns and surprise ending, which I didn't see coming, but, did think the Dr seemed to good to be true!