Goodreads

Release date: January 14, 2025

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

In this haunting story that spans three decades, a young gymnast escapes a kidnapping. Years later, she’s forced to face the past when her own daughter disappears.

Cora Valentine has her whole life—and a shot at the Olympics—ahead of her. But when she’s kidnapped on Halloween, her name is splashed across headlines not as an athlete but as a victim. Not even her safe return changes that, especially since no one is caught for the crime.

Hounded by the public, Cora’s time as a missing girl and member of the Magnificent Eight has its consequences. Years later, when Cora has her own daughter, she’s determined to leave the past behind for a better life. Her daughter will never face those fears. And Cora will never face them again.

But four years later, on Halloween, the past comes knocking.

Now, Cora’s daughter is gone, and to get her back, Cora must take someone else’s child.

Clearly, whoever took her all those years ago isn’t done with her yet…but as long as they have her daughter, Cora’s not done with them either.

Review:

This was SO intense and exactly what I mean when I say I want a thriller that hooks me right from the start and never lets up. It’s dual timelines, one in present day as Cora searches for her daughter and another in the past when she was kidnapped as a young teenager. Who knew gymnastics and tense thrillers went so well together but when I tell you this combo had me in a chokehold, it was insane. It was very fast paced, one of those head spinning type of reads and even if things were over the top and I had to suspend disbelief I didn’t care, I was hooked! This was unhinged and so addictive and was almost a five star read for me but I guessed a big twist so I’m knocking a half star off. Still definitely worth a read, especially if you want a one sitting thrill ride.

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.