Review: The Girl Who Came Back by Kerry Wilkinson

Thirteen years ago Olivia Adams went missing. Now she’s back… or is she?

When six-year-old Olivia Adams disappeared from her back garden, the small community of Stoneridge was thrown into turmoil. How could a child vanish in the middle of a cosy English village?

Thirteen years on and Olivia is back. Her mother is convinced it’s her but not everyone is sure. If this is the missing girl, then where has she been - and what happened to her on that sunny afternoon?

If she's an imposter, then who would be bold enough to try to fool a child’s own mother – and why?

Then there are those who would rather Olivia stayed missing. The past is the past and some secrets must remain buried.

Kindle Edition, 303 pages

Published September 8th 2017 by Bookouture 

Kristine's Thoughts:

** I received an advanced readers copy from Bookouture in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**

Olivia went missing from her backyard garden and thirteen years later she showed up in her mother's coffee shop. Questions immediately started formulating in the heads of the characters in the book and mine as well. Where was she for the last thirteen years? What happened on that day? Why did it take so long to come back? Who abducted her? Was she really Olivia like she claimed to be? Regardless of the questions and the answers that everyone was dying to know, it was a really great start to what was looking like a really great story.

The story was told from Olivia's point of view after her return but within a few chapters the reader also got to hear a separate story from a girl named Lily. I desperately wanted to know what the connection was between the two girls and how it would all play out. I pride myself in being able to figure out the "twist" or "mystery" early on but I admit that it took me a little longer with this one. Before it was all revealed I had it figured out but it wasn't as easy or obvious as some.

It is always difficult to discuss a book in which it is important not to give away too much so I will keep my thoughts relatively vague where it comes to the plot. I will say that this book was a very easy read. In fact, I had it finished in one day. The story itself was interesting and the unknown aspects were intriguing enough that I felt the need to keep turning the pages to figure out the whole picture. I was unsure of both Olivia and Lily but I found myself liking Lily a little better. The question of whether Olivia was really Olivia stopped me from fully routing for her.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book. It was actually one of the better ones that I have picked up in the last little while. Kerry Wilkinson is a new author to me but after reading The Girl Who Came Back I can assure you that he won't be new for long!

 

About the Author

Kerry Wilkinson has been busy since turning thirty.

His first Jessica Daniel novel, Locked In/The Killer Inside, is a number one ebook bestseller, while the series as a whole has sold one million copies.

He has written a fantasy-adventure trilogy for young adults, a second crime series featuring private investigator Andrew Hunter, plus the standalone thrillers, Down Among the Dead Men and No Place Like Home.

Originally from the county of Somerset, Kerry has spent far too long living in the north of England, picking up words like 'barm' and 'ginnel'.

When he's short of ideas, he rides his bike or bakes cakes. When he's not, he writes it all down.

Connect with Kerry

Website/Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads