Happy Thursday, all! Today I am super excited to share my review of another book I group read, and we unanimously endorsed, The Suspect by Fiona Barton, publishing on January 22, 2019 by Berkley!
My Thoughts:
I’ve not read the other books in Fiona Barton’s Kate Waters series, but The Suspect is billed as a standalone, and it certainly does stand alone.
Two eighteen-year-old girls go missing in Thailand, and their families are thrown in front of the press with all their emotions at play. Full of worry and frantic as the time passes by, their parents just want their daughters home.
Kate Waters is a journalist and a motivated one at that. She jumps to cover the events in this disappearance; however, this case becomes personal to her because her son has been missing for two years, also while traveling. Kate becomes close with the families as her means of getting at the true story, but she has no idea what she has stepped into by making this move.
The story takes a huge turn that no one sees coming, and Kate begins to regret her closeness to the story.
The Suspect is a slower burn tale of suspense. I found myself caught up in and consumed by the story and how it would all unfold. I enjoyed the structure and how we were able to hear from Kate, the detective, one of the mothers, and also one of the missing teens. There is added depth in the presentation of the mother-daughter relationship. The writing is effortless, and the pacing is smooth. I definitely enjoyed my first foray into Barton’s storytelling.
Thanks to Berkley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis:
The new must-read standalone crime thriller from the author of Sunday Times bestseller, The Widow, and the Richard & Judy No. 1 bestseller, The Child – featuring unforgettable journalist, Kate Waters.
The police belonged to another world – the world they saw on the television or in the papers. Not theirs.
When two eighteen-year-old girls go missing on their gap year in Thailand, their families are thrust into the international spotlight: desperate, bereft and frantic with worry.
Journalist Kate Waters always does everything she can to be first to the story, first with the exclusive, first to discover the truth – and this time is no exception. But she can’t help but think of her own son, who she hasn’t seen in two years since he left home to go traveling. This time it’s personal.
And as the case of the missing girls unfolds, they will all find that even this far away, danger can lie closer to home than you might think . . .
Check out these reviews by the other Book Besties:
Berit at Audio Killed the Bookmark
Holly at Dressed to Read
Kendall at
Mackenzie at PhDiva
Excellent review, Jen! This sounds pretty unique. I will definitely add it. ♥️
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Thank you, favorite M! I had fun with it! ♥️
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Wonderful review, Jennifer! I agree, the changing narrators added a lot of depth to the story that really was compelling. I am glad we read this together!!!
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Thanks, Mack! Me, too! ♥️
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I read The Child by Fiona Barton and I quite liked it, and like this one it seemed to have a standalone feel. It sounds like the multiple POVs are well written here – great review, Jenn!
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Thanks so much, Stephen! It definitely stood alone well, but Kate Waters is also in this book, so it would continue her storyline, too. I’m definitely planning to read The Child and The Widow now.
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Great thoughts on this suspenseful read Jennifer!! ❤
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Thanks, Holls! ♥️
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As you know, this one was just not for me. However, I am glad you enjoyed it, Jennifer.
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Thank you, Marialyce! I appreciate that. ♥️
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I have read Barton’s books. This is the one I am thoroughly enjoying
Great review… 🔥
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Thanks, Shalini! I’m so happy you are enjoying this one, too! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts! 🔥 ♥️
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I’ve never read Fiona Barton but I always see rave reviews of her books. This sounds good, and I like the “slow burn” aspect of the story. Sometimes slow burn is the best!
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Thanks, Tammy! I think so, too. Sometimes it helps you really relax into the story even thought it’s tense and keeping you on your toes.
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Great Review Jen! And always love your flowery pictures 🙂 x
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Aw, thank you, Umut! You take beautiful pictures too! 💗
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Wonderful review, Jennifer! I’ve read Barton’s other books, and plan to read this one this weekend.
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Thanks, Darinda! I’m so excited to hear what you think of it, especially having read the others.
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Awesome review and picture, Jennifer. I added this thriller to my tbr list. Happy Thursday. 😍🌹💗📚
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Thank you, Virginia! I’m hoping you enjoy this, too! 💗 📚
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Loved your thoughts on this suspense novel Jennifer! Always fun reading these with you ladies <3.
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I really like the sound of this one – thank you for sharing:)
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What a beautiful picture Jen! I’ve never read this author before. Awesome review my friend!😊💜📚
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I’m really glad this one worked out for you! I really enjoyed her previous book, so I’m not sure why this one just wasn’t for me, but it does happen with some books! I’ll read her next one though and do plan on reading The Widow, which I have on audio. A great review, my friend! ❤
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Great review! I really enjoyed Barton’s previous novels, so I’m looking forward to reading this 🙂
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I just finished reading this book yesterday and I loved it. It had me gripped all the way through. I’ve read the previous two novels by this author and they were good but this one it my favourite so far. Great review as always 🙂
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Sounds wonderful; I’ve been seeing this cover around. Fabulous review. I would probably like this one. Anne – Books of My Heart
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I read and enjoyed this author’s second novel, The Child. Thanks for this review of her newest book.
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I’m glad you enjoyed The Suspect. I’m writing my review for it now and enjoyed it overall but had a few mixed feelings. I really liked to multiple POVs though and agree they just added so many layers to the story as it unfolded.
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Wonderful review! This was my first book by her as well and I was equally impressed! 💜
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Thanks, Berit! I’m happy we both loved this one! ♥️
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I love when stories are told from changing narrators!! Also, I love how you’ve described this as a slow burn because I feel like this would keep me intrigued without causing me to become overly stressed while reading!
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Yes, that’s the perfect way to describe the benefit of the slow burn, LP! This author is talented with that style.
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God bless standalones! LOL Missing kids stories are so gripping!
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Brilliant review. Jennifer! I’ve been looking to get into Fiona Barton’s writing for a while now and a standalone is probably the best choice for that so I’ll definitely be adding this book to my TBR!
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I read her first book, The Widow, and didn’t love it as much as most people did, so I haven’t followed up on her. But this one does sound intriguing – my main complaint with the first one was the police procedural aspects which didn’t ring true, and this one doesn’t sound as if it has that aspect. Hmm… I’m tempted. But then I’m always tempted… 😉
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This didn’t have a police procedural feel to me, but I think that is technically still one of its genres. I wish I had read the other two books and could tell you if this one was different enough. I’m always tempted too! You know this! 😉
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I like Fiona Barton’s writing. Great review!
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Fantastic review Jenni as always. If you liked this I really recommend her other two books in the series, my favourite was the second one – The Child (I think?) 😘
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I’m so happy you enjoyed this, Jennifer. There are so many mixed reviews out there and I think this author’s slow burn approach gets misunderstood. I’ve got this on audio because I listened to The Widow and just knew the experience was enhanced (highly recommend that one) by the narration. Thanks for an insightful review!
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Thanks, Jonetta! I can definitely see how the audio would add to the experience of this one. I enjoy a slow burn myself and think this was done well. I will look for the audio of The Widow.
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I particularly like slow burns on audio with a good narrator. I think you’d get a better reading experience from The Widow on audio.
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I love a good missing persons case, fictional ones of course. Thailand as a setting also intrigues. Glad to hear that you enjoyed this one, Jennifer.
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Thanks, Diana! Me, too, to all! Thailand really added an interest element because I don’t read about it often.
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Just finished this last night, and I haven’t read the others either. It was a slow start for me. The second half was much better, though I struggled with one particular part of the ending (I suspect you might know what I’m referring to). I’d be interested to know how the other books compare, as the first got a lot of hype. Do you think you’ll go back and read either of the others?
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Thanks, Myndi. I do plan to go back at some point because I’m curious, too, but I’ve got so many books, I’m not sure when it’ll happen. I’m pretty sure I own both though because I tend to pick up tons of books on Kindle daily deals. 😊
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Ha! Kindle daily deals kill me! And I have a tracking list on ereaderiq, so if I get an email from them, I buy it. I have so many Kindle books/egalleys now that my Kindle no longer has the storage to hold all my unread books. 🤷♀️
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Oh my, Myndi! I didn’t know about ereaderiq (I’m scared!) and I keep upgrading Kindles because I want the newest whatever and only use my most recent three, so I don’t think I’ve filled one up yet! You are my Kindle Daily Deal twin and I love it!
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Oh, I LOVE ereaderiq. Highly recommend it! Because it’s loaded with books I want, I don’t get stuck perusing a list of books that I “didn’t know I wanted until I did”. Fewer impulse purchases. 😀 And I have three Kindles as well…and keep eyeing the newer ones because they have twice as much storage and are waterproof. But I’m trying to be good.
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Myndi, don’t look…I have the newest waterproof one, and I LOVE it. But my favorite is still my Voyage and they discontinued that one. I hope mine lasts a long, long time. ♥️
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Well, I have a Voyage and I hardly use it, so if yours dies, I have a backup for you. 😉 I love, love, love my Oasis (1st gen). I’ve considered getting the new Paperwhite because it has the storage and waterproof feature, but doesn’t cost a fortune. But. I’m being GOOD. 😉
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AT least you’ve read one! I feel like I’m the only person in the planet who hasn’t read a book by this author haha
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I hope you get a chance to soon, Annie! I’m interested in what you think!
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Wonderful review Jennifer. I read The Wife, but not the child. I definitely need to read this one. I have been enjoying several books with multiple POVs lately.
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Thank you, Carla! I’ll be interested in what you think of this one. I am definitely going to read The Wife and The Child, too.
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