Local Girl Missing by Claire Douglas

On the morning of my 43rd birthday, something strange happened. I woke up with NO BOOKS TO READ. This literally never happens. I always have a pile of books waiting to be read. I’d finished The Lake House by Kate Morton the night before and was planning on buying some books with the book tokens I was bound to get for my birthday.
But I needed to go on a train before I had chance to get to a bookshop. And as all bookworms know, it is against the law to go on a train without a book. Cue an emergency dash to Sainsburys to pick up a suitable read.
Under time pressure (I had a train to catch!) I read the backs of a few books and it was Local Girl Missing by Claire Douglas that appealed to me most. I was taking a bit of a risk – I hadn’t heard of the author before and nobody had recommended it, but I needed a book!
Four days later, I’d finished the book.
It is VERY rare for me to read a book in four days – 1o days is about my usual. That proves just how hooked I was on this story.
Nearly 20 years previously, Fran’s best friend Sophie had vanished, at the age of 21. All that was left of her was a trainer. Shortly afterwards, Fran had left the seaside town where she’d grown up and never returned.
Until a phone call out of the blue from Sophie’s brother, Daniel. Remains, thought to be those of Sophie, had been found and he wanted Fran’s help in finding out what had happened to Sophie. So Fran travelled back to the seaside town to talk to the people she’d known back in the day and try to piece together what had happened to Sophie.
This is quite a scary book. Fran feels threatened by her old friends. What was the dark secret Fran and Sophie had shared, and did anyone else know?
The story moves between Fran’s investigations with Daniel and Sophie’s words in the days before she disappeared.
Local Girl Missing is is a real page-turner and nothing and nobody is as it seems. I definitely didn’t see the twist at the end! If you like your novels on the scary side, I would definitely recommend this book.
Local Girl Missing, Book review, Claire Douglas
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Author: Sarah Mummy

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22 Comments

  1. I dont really like scary novels but I do like a good page turner. I have a huge pile to get through and keep telling myself I need to start tomorrow !

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    • You really must start tomorrow! This one isn’t too scary – definitely avoid the next one I review though!

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  2. Ooh this sounds like a brilliant story, I want to read it! I’m definitely going to look out for it next time I’m shopping because I’m finally starting to get a bit of time to read as well. I’ve finished my last book, going to finish one that I started and lost (and have subsequently found) but then I’ll be on the hunt for a new one.
    Nat.x

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    • So glad you’re finally finding time to read! I’m sure you will enjoy this one, it’s a real page turner!

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  3. Great that your impulse purchase paid off. I’ve never heard of the author before but this sounds like a real page turner!

    #ReadWithMe

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    • I’d never heard of her either, but I would definitely recommend this!

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  4. Love the sound of this, sounds like quite the page turner, popping on my TBR list, thanks for sharing with #ReadWithMe

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    • Thanks! I’m sure you’ll love it!

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  5. This looks exactly the sort of book I’d pick up too. My aim is to try and read a book or two for me soon – not that my youngest is settling into a better sleep habit overnight. I miss the pre-bedtime reading whilst the new baby is in out bedroom. thanks for sharing this #readwithme

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    • I really hope you get a bit of reading time for yourself soon! I used to read a lot when my kids were babies as I always read when I was breastfeeding – even in the middle of the night!

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    • Thanks, I’m sure you will love it! I really couldn’t put it down.

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  6. I haven’t heard of the author but I certainly like the sound of this. Have to say I’ve never browsed for a book in a supermarket. It has been a long time since I have been without a pending read though #readwithme

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    • It’s been years since I’ve been without a pending read! I can’t remember the last time it happened. I used to pick up the occasional book in the supermarket, but haven’t for a long time. I might go back to doing it more often as they have all the latest releases and they’re usually half price!

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  7. I have this book and plan on reading it this month! It sounds really intriguing and right up my street. I’ve read a book called The Sisters by the same author and I ended up really enjoying that book 🙂 #ReadWithMe

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    • I’m sure you will love it! I’ll have to look The Sisters out too, thanks for the recommendation!

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  8. What a great story line. I’m not keen on books that are too scary but this one sounds OK. Will look out for it
    #readwithme

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    • It’s really gripping and a bit scary, but hopefully not too scary!

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    • Thanks! It was a few weeks ago now!

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  9. I like the sound of this book, thanks for sharing.
    Hope you had a nice birthday and I love that you had to go and buy a book for your journey to buy more books!

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