It took me a little while to understand this and completely immerse myself in the narrative. Once I did, I realised how much I enjoyed accompanying DS Ally Fields on the inquiry. The main character in this story had a tonne to cope with, including carrying a tragic past, being nine months pregnant, and dating a terrible excuse for a man while attempting to solve an arson investigation that morphed into a missing kid case. As a mother, I empathised with the women but simultaneously yelled at them for their decisions because the passion and misery were so awful to read. Given how carefully this author crafted her plot and its layers, I'm surprised that this is only her second book. When I say that reading this book made my heart race, I mean RACED! I was ecstatic to be permitted to write an arc for The Returned, Amanda Cassidy's second book. Her debut book, Breaking, was a huge favourite of mine. The Returned is a page-turner with a powerful emotional impact.
With realistic and understandable characters, this work is cleverly and thoroughly written. I adored DS Fields and her inexperienced Clarke. The way the people and plot from the past and present were mixed flowed beautifully, and it truly put me through the wringer.

5/5

#TheReturned @canelo-_co #crime #mysteryandthriller #watchthisauthor