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colorfulleo92's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars. This was one of few thrillers with so many twist and turns that left me dumbfounded and had to collect what. On earth I just read. I was/am having some issues focusing on books but this was the perfect book to somewhat get over the slump. I will absolutely reread it one day to truly get the full ride of the book.
andrew61's review against another edition
4.0
4th in the series and the author has really developed characters that I enjoy and plotting that has me on the edge of my seat.
Luca veste takes themes current in the news and creates crime stories in his native Liverpool. Here a Bullingham style club in the university allows affluent male students to exploit their privilege. Several years later those abuses come home to roost.
A gripping page turner.
Luca veste takes themes current in the news and creates crime stories in his native Liverpool. Here a Bullingham style club in the university allows affluent male students to exploit their privilege. Several years later those abuses come home to roost.
A gripping page turner.
kirsty147's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't manage to finish this novel. The very beginning was promising, but then the story switched to the present day. That's fine, as writing styles go, but I thought not carrying on some kind of action, and having what felt like a lot of backstory of the detective inspector's domestic life was a mistake. My interest level dropped and the story seemed to stall unnecessarily.
lynsey284's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliant read
I really enjoy Luca's books this one was no different. I find Luca 's books addictive they really get you involved in them that much you don't want to do anything else but read them. Brilliant story well thought out plotline had me guessing right to the end
I really enjoy Luca's books this one was no different. I find Luca 's books addictive they really get you involved in them that much you don't want to do anything else but read them. Brilliant story well thought out plotline had me guessing right to the end
anutoon's review against another edition
3.0
So many of these crime novels employ similar style, hard to find a whodunit nowadays that's really good. I found this book boring.
gennina's review against another edition
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
ludivinev's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Suicide, Fire/Fire injury, and Murder
fictionophile's review
4.0
Yes, I know… I’ve arrived late to the party. I’ve been hearing good reviews about Luca Veste‘s novels for some time on Goodreads and I’m only now reading one of them.
It was worth the wait!
Although “Then she was gone” is the 4th novel in the DI David Murphy and DS Laura Rossi series, I had no trouble reading it having missed out on the first three. The author alluded to events in previous novels which kept me abreast of the status quo as to the personal lives of the protagonists. One traumatic event in particular makes me want to go back and read the first three novels.
Set in the northern English city of Liverpool, the story begins with a young father pushing his infant daughter through a park in her pram. He is attacked and the baby is gone. Despite his claims, the police say they have investigated and there never was a baby… They say he invented a story about a woman named Lauren and a daughter named Molly…
Then, when we meet up with the police protagonists they are tasked with a missing person’s case. This is below their remit as they are homicide detectives. The reason they are put on the case is due to the fact that the missing person is running for parliament. As a few days pass, they realize that their being put on this case was a self-fulfilling prophecy.
It turns out that Sam Byrne, the twenty-seven year old missing MP candidate, was sexist, psychopathic pond scum masquerading as a handsome, physically fit politician in a tailored suit. He founded a club in university called the Abercromby Boys Club. He was ambitious, greedy, power hungry, arrogant… and sadistic. The club’s motto? Isolate. Inebriate. Penetrate. That was what they did to the young women who were invited to the club’s legendary parties. When and if complaints occurred they relied on their influential families to get them off the hook. They were all handsome and clever – so expected the university to turn a blind eye.
I really liked DI David Murphy’s character. Tall and gangly, he is a technophobe, resistant to change and social media. He is happily married to Sarah, who has just decided to return to university to study psychology. They have just moved house as their old house held some traumatic memories.
Laura Rossi, his Detective sergeant and valued partner, was also an intriguing character. Of Italian descent, she comes from a family with five brothers. She is a good copper who has been very loyal to Murphy over the years of their working in tandem. On this case however, she seems secretive and remote…. Is she hiding something from Murphy?
As the body count increases the police begin to believe that what they suspect might be true.
If you’re wondering just how the Sam Byrne case and the case of the missing baby, Molly are connected… Well, I guess you’ll just have to read this novel and discover it for yourself.
“When it’s one word against another, those without power always lose”.
This is a well-rendered, character-rich, British police procedural. A novel of revenge, guilt, atonement, and of lives ruined. I would highly recommend this series to all who enjoy a good mystery/crime thriller. Though some events in the novel were predictable, there was a good twist near the end that readers will appreciate. When time permits I plan to revisit this series and start at the beginning. Wish me luck!
Thanks to Simon & Schuster UK via NetGalley for allowing me the pleasure of reading this novel in digital format.
It was worth the wait!
Although “Then she was gone” is the 4th novel in the DI David Murphy and DS Laura Rossi series, I had no trouble reading it having missed out on the first three. The author alluded to events in previous novels which kept me abreast of the status quo as to the personal lives of the protagonists. One traumatic event in particular makes me want to go back and read the first three novels.
Set in the northern English city of Liverpool, the story begins with a young father pushing his infant daughter through a park in her pram. He is attacked and the baby is gone. Despite his claims, the police say they have investigated and there never was a baby… They say he invented a story about a woman named Lauren and a daughter named Molly…
Then, when we meet up with the police protagonists they are tasked with a missing person’s case. This is below their remit as they are homicide detectives. The reason they are put on the case is due to the fact that the missing person is running for parliament. As a few days pass, they realize that their being put on this case was a self-fulfilling prophecy.
It turns out that Sam Byrne, the twenty-seven year old missing MP candidate, was sexist, psychopathic pond scum masquerading as a handsome, physically fit politician in a tailored suit. He founded a club in university called the Abercromby Boys Club. He was ambitious, greedy, power hungry, arrogant… and sadistic. The club’s motto? Isolate. Inebriate. Penetrate. That was what they did to the young women who were invited to the club’s legendary parties. When and if complaints occurred they relied on their influential families to get them off the hook. They were all handsome and clever – so expected the university to turn a blind eye.
I really liked DI David Murphy’s character. Tall and gangly, he is a technophobe, resistant to change and social media. He is happily married to Sarah, who has just decided to return to university to study psychology. They have just moved house as their old house held some traumatic memories.
Laura Rossi, his Detective sergeant and valued partner, was also an intriguing character. Of Italian descent, she comes from a family with five brothers. She is a good copper who has been very loyal to Murphy over the years of their working in tandem. On this case however, she seems secretive and remote…. Is she hiding something from Murphy?
As the body count increases the police begin to believe that what they suspect might be true.
If you’re wondering just how the Sam Byrne case and the case of the missing baby, Molly are connected… Well, I guess you’ll just have to read this novel and discover it for yourself.
“When it’s one word against another, those without power always lose”.
This is a well-rendered, character-rich, British police procedural. A novel of revenge, guilt, atonement, and of lives ruined. I would highly recommend this series to all who enjoy a good mystery/crime thriller. Though some events in the novel were predictable, there was a good twist near the end that readers will appreciate. When time permits I plan to revisit this series and start at the beginning. Wish me luck!
Thanks to Simon & Schuster UK via NetGalley for allowing me the pleasure of reading this novel in digital format.
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