Now You See Her by Heidi Perks

NOW YOU SEE HER

by HEIDI PERKS 

Sometimes I wonder why I choose to read a book where the premise completely terrifies me, yet it seems I just can't help myself! There have been a few books this year which have explored what happens when a parent faces an intensely stressful situation with their child, and I think the most impressive thing about Heidi Perks' writing is just how well she writes about what happens when your child goes missing. 

What's so impressive about this novel is just how quickly I found myself in the moment with the character. There is something very convincing and authentic in the way Perks' is able to capture the feelings, actions, thoughts and behaviour of Charlotte as she wanders around the school fete with her children and the daughter of her friend, Alice, who she is looking after. Immediately I could feel myself relating to Charlotte and the attention to detail in describing this opening section firmly sets the scene - evoking the sense of safety as it's at school, the sense of frustration as Charlotte tries to herd everyone through the event and that moment when Charlotte pulls out her phone to scroll through social media while the children go on the slide. 

She only took her eyes away from the children for seconds. But when she looks up, Alice has gone. 

What follows next is a gripping and compelling read as Charlotte realises that Alice is missing, that she'll have to involve the police and then, somehow, find the strength to tell Harriet - Alice's mother - that she has lost her child. 

Initially I read on because of some terrible voyeurism but I was also fully engaged with Perks' characters and the relationships between them. Perks manages to spend enough time dealing with each scene, reaction, conversation and plot development in enough detail to make the story realistic and believable while still maintaining pace and tension. And then, once the reader is engaged and caught up with the characters, Perks begins to create a more sinister atmosphere with a suggestion that all is not right. And sure enough, once the police start to interview both Charlotte and Harriet, it's suddenly clear that there are some dark secrets hiding within these families. 

I really enjoyed the way the story developed. It starts off in one direction and then, cleverly, clues are revealed and the reader begins to search between the lines, in what hasn't been said, and realises that they need to reevaluate their thoughts about the characters. There's a very complex dual narrative at work here and a very well executed time line which shows the reader different points of view, teases them with statements that don't quite tally up and take them on a delicious journey behind closed doors until the shocking truth behind Alice's disappearance can be revealed. 

This is a very readable, very engaging thriller that plays on the fears of mothers, friends, wives and husbands. Perks shows insight into the relationships and friendships formed through children and at the school playground. She makes astute observations about how we welcome people into our lives without really knowing that much about them. And she also explores just how far people will go to protect what they hold most precious. 

A great read and a very well handled storyline. This is a chilling story based on a terrifying premise, with flawed, troubled and deceitful characters. Maybe 'enjoyed' isn't the right word when discussing a book about a missing child, but I certainly stayed up all night to finish this page-turning read. 

Now You See Her is out in July 2018. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy of the novel.