I received an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

"Then You Were Gone" by Claire Moss is a well-crafted, engaging crime story that will certainly appeal to fans of the genre. The writing is smooth and easy to follow, making it a great choice for a quick read, like during a coffee break or on a long train ride. Moss delivers a solid narrative, building tension and intrigue, yet it treads familiar territory with a plot that feels well-worn rather than groundbreaking. While it ticks all the boxes for a compelling mystery, there are no real surprises or twists that set it apart from similar books in the genre. The characters are likable enough, and the pacing is steady, but overall, it didn't offer anything particularly new or fresh. It's a good read, but for anyone looking for something innovative or original, this may fall short. It's a perfect read for fans of traditional crime fiction, but not for those seeking the next big twist.

Claire was an author I had not heard of before I saw this book on Netgalley - my interest was apeked. Really quite liked this enjoyable story - whiled away a few hours.

On the whole a good read that was written well. Relatable characters......but...
A story that’s been written before albeit different names and places and circumstances.

Her fella goes missing.....
That’s a sort of question and a half as he’s left a note saying not to look for him but of course, off she goes to investigate.

Don’t get me wrong it’s a well written edition of a well used plot but it held no surprises for me at all.

2.5 and half stars, really.

Mack has confessed his love to Simone. Then he went MIA - with a letter of plea not to look for him, that that here is a danger in that. But Simone and best pal of both of them Jazzy can’t just do nothing. What will they learn when on lookout?

Well, this one could be a nice ride. And for long it have looked like that! But, heavens, the last chapters killed all the possibilities. What might be dangerous and interesting became just mundane, uninteresting and emotionally dull. Some ruthless editor might make it better, but the basic problem is that - why to go for emotionally stirring, when at the end there are no real emotions and no real catharsis?

But not to be only critical and to give compliments where they are due - half-star goes for the interesting triangle of Simone, Jazzy and Mack. I love the best friends attraction and while nothing never happened, the bond between Jazzy and Simone sounds much more true that the one between Simone and Mack, who is not present throught the most parts of the book. What about rewriting the book and go for them? (Without the wife, of course. I am against cheating, so make Jazzy a single guy).