Charlotte Salter disappears the night of her husband’s 50th birthday party. Days become weeks become years. Thirty years later, her son Morgan returns with his older brother to make a podcast which stirs everything up. Secrets are uncovered and the vanishing of Charlotte Salter is finally solved. I didn’t see the ending coming!

Has Anyone Seen Charlotte Salter is an excellent triller. The books is well written with a plot that kept me guessing. I definitely recommend this book. I received an advance copy from the publisher and Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.

I liked this book. A good murder mystery between families that keeps you guessing until the very end. Justvwtwj you think you figured it out, you didn’t. It’s about love of family, and loss even when dysfunctional. Thanks to Netgally for the privilege of reading this ARC. It’s definitely a keeper.

What a well told story! The plot is imaginatively divided in thirds: the crime(s); the police investigation; and the closure 30 years later. The strong women characters, both victims and police, are really the stars of the novel. I especially enjoyed the police procedural part of the third section that managed to bring all of the clues together to a surprising and satisfying conclusion.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for the ARC to read and review.

A mystery told in three parts. Charlotte Salter disappears, this is the story of how her case is mishandled and then investigated 30 years later.

This book is a bit slow to begin but the last part was really well done. Overall I really enjoyed this book despite it taking a while for me to get into reading it.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book to be published March 18, 2024

A melancholy yet compelling mystery that shows the devastation one woman's disappearance can wreak on a family and a close-knit community. Charlotte "Charlie" Salter goes missing the night of her husband's 50th birthday party and nothing is ever the same for her sons and especially her daughter, who falls apart. Decades later a neighbor whose family was also struck by tragedy decides to do a podcast about the disappearance. Old history is dug up, motives are questioned, and the integrity of the investigation is put under scrutiny - when someone is murdered the whole case is looked at again.

I absolutely loved this character-driven mystery. It really drove home the ripple effect that crime and tragedy has on those surrounded by the issues, the little things we do or that happen that can change the course of a whole investigation, and especially how fragile all of our existences really are. We forget about the microaggressions against women in the 90s, and the attitudes that can persist in smaller towns even now. This is a mystery full of heart without being sappy - a great read for a long weekend.

Stunning stunning stunning! I loved reading this, a good mystery where two families intertwined through loss, heartbreak and murder!

Charlotte Salter goes missing and then a family friend ends up dead, days after her disappearance. This stays a mystery for thirty years till someone starts to stir the hornets nest and you know the outcome from that can never be good, especially when another person ends up dead again!

I rated 4 starts only because in my humble opinion book was long but I also understand why. I would have liked to also see how the culprits family dealt with the revelation. (And here I am complaining about the length of the book) 😂.

Solid 4.5 stars!!!!

Can't wait for you to enjoy this, thanks to thr publishers for this ARC!!!

What a good book! This is the second book I’ve read from this prolific writing duo. It is a well-written domestic thriller and a police procedural about two families in a small town, their tragedies and their lives. There are two timelines, 1990 and the present, and the story with many characters and many layers flows easily and seamlessly. This is a really good book! Recommended!

Well written but definitely not a happy or pleasant novel. I had to make myself keep reading because of the amount of angst and frustration at the inept and lazy policemen just after the deaths. If this is your kind of mystery book, you will probably rate it four or five stars.

Charlotte Salter fails to show up for a fiftieth birthday party for her husband, Alec. While Alec appears to be unconcerned about his wife’s non-attendance, his daughter, Etty, is alarmed and calls the police. Where is Charlotte? I am intrigued and read on.

I am interested in the characters in this book. My heart breaks for Etty and her three brothers as they face Christmas without their mother. While this story pulls at my heart strings, I want to solve the mystery of Charlotte’s disappearance. The plot is well-constructed but feels more like a family saga than a thriller. Because the narrative flows well and the dialogue is engaging, I am interested in reading more books written by the husband and wife team, Nicci French.

I have read almost strictly suspense thrillers for over 40 years and for some reason never picked up a Nicci French book. Gross misstep on my part. This one was really good. Now, there are a lot of characters almost right off the bat and throughout and the story moves slower than I usually like but hear me out! The story is told in 3 parts. 1990, 2022 and present day. In 1990, Charlotte Salter fails to show at her husband's 50th birthday party. During the search for Charlotte, a male body is found. Obviously, an affair gone wrong, right? That's what the police quickly conclude even though Charlotte's body is never found. This part and the next move very slowly as we deal with the emotional turmoil from the disappearance. I found myself so invested in the main characters though, that I was still turning pages fairly quickly. Now, Part 3. This part becomes mainly a police procedural. Right up my alley! Enter Detective Inspector Maud. Maud takes over the case as a podcast brings it back out into the present-day spotlight. Maud was an especially great character, and I would love to see more of her. Overall, a really good family drama/police procedural and I am definitely looking for more Nicci French!

Thank you to NetGalley, Nicci French and William Morrow for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I will post my review to Amazon, Instagram and other social media and retail sites upon publication.

have always enjoyed books by Nikki French and this one did not disappoint. Family dynamics that span over many years usually always provide a captivating read, books like this I really enjoy, I am sure we all have members of our own families that have their own inner secrets and truths that may remain hidden at times, this is quite often just a part of human nature as we are all can be such complicated beings. I found the book to be exceptionally emotive and got lost in the characters and revelations as the book progressed.

My only issue with the book is that it could have been condensed a bit, some of the plot was a bit drawn out and did drag at times, I still continued to read as I wanted to see how this would all pan out and am glad I did.

Thanks to Wm. Morrow & NetGalley for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Nicci French runs hot and cold for me; sometimes I love their books, other times, their particular bent on the FMC being super unlikeable really chafes. This one I really enjoyed, as the FMC has lots of good reasons for being unpleasant.

POV switches between present-day, when a podcast is being produced by Morgan and Greg Ackerly, to discuss the case of their father being found drowned just a few days after local wife & mum, the titular Charlotte, goes missing, never to be found, and when the action goes down in the past. A 50th birthday party is being thrown for Charlotte's husband, Alec, who is cranky, self-important, and a cheater. Friends and neighbors come to a rented barn with potluck dishes to celebrate Alec (and get drunk/stoned, especially the teens, including his kids), but Charlotte is a no-show. Her winter coat is later found on the riverbank, and then after Duncan Ackerly is found drowned, his glasses left on the ledge of the bridge, inept police infer that he has killed himself after having murdered Charlotte, a presumed affair gone wrong. But in the present day, youngest child of Alec & Charlotte, Etty, whose life has essentially been imploded by these events, isn't so sure of this answer, and while she and her siblings are cleaning out their childhood home, information finds the light while the podcast stirs up old memories, and a young, female DI, Maud O'Connor (who has her own problems), starts putting the puzzle pieces together.

This book was well-written and kept me fully engaged. The characters were well drawn and, as usual, I didn't guess whodunnit. Highly recommend.

This is the first book I have read by Nicci French, and it won't be my last!

The story is truly a masterpiece of fictional writing. The characterization is so well done that the people in the story were brought to life for me, The details about them dip into how the trials of what they had been through shaped their lives and altered their personalities.

The plot also is drawn out in a way that kept me interested. When Charlie's disappearance becomes a cold case and then the case is reopened years later, so many clues have been lost or not examined to begin with, it really feels as if there will never be any answers. Once again I wan't to mention the details that are so well done it feels like this may mirror real cold cases.

Definitely a five star book.

Has Anyone Seen Charlotte Salter was a beautifully written domestic drama. This was my first book written by the married duo Nicci French and I honestly can’t wait to read more!

As the title suggests, the novel surrounds the fallout, deep lasting trauma, and investigation into the disappearance of mother of four, Charlotte Salter, over a 30+ year period. When Charlotte doesn’t show for her husband’s 50th birthday party, Charlotte’s children’s lives begin to unravel. A few days later a family friend mysteriously dies. What is happening in their small town? The damage done is deep and extensive and leaves both families reeling. 30 years later, Maud, is brought to town to investigate another mysterious death that appears to be connected. Largely told from the POVs of Etty and Maud, we follow their grief, determination, and devastation and when the deceased man’s sons come back to town to do their own digging via a Podcast old emotions and baggage is brought to light.

This book is definitely more of a slow burn. There are 3 parts: 1990, 2020, and then the current investigation. Due to the nature of the topic, the first two parts are at a slower pace and cover disappearance, death and the lasting, all consuming toll it has taken on the families. These sections are emotional and gut wrenching at times. During the last part, we follow Maud during her own personal struggles and investigation. This is when the story speeds up and becomes a true page turner.

Etty and Maud, while both complex women, are great characters and easy to root for. I’d personally love an entire series of Maud cracking open cold cases!

This novel may not be for everyone with it’s slow burning storyline but man did it resonate heavily with me! If you love deeply written characters and excellent writing you will love this book! I truly felt like I knew the characters and felt sad that we never got to experience Charlotte as an active character in the book. The devotion and love Etty feels for her mother is equally beautifully written and heartbreaking.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to enjoy this ARC before it’s intended March 19, 2024 release date.

I have been walking on cloud nine since I received the approval for Has Anyone Seen Charlotte Salter?

I was first introduced to Nicci French by the Bookstagram group. Everyone was obsessing over Unheard, and there was no way I was going to miss out on what everyone else was swooning about so I hit request.

The book gods were working in my favor and my request was granted.

My eyes got big and I devoured the book in just a few hours.

HOLY SMOKE! Bookstagram got it right, this book was absolutely fantastic!

That was the day I fell in love with Nicci French’’s talent. I have since read The Favor, Blue Monday, Tuesday’s Gone and now… Has Anyone Seen Charlotte.

How do I pick a favorite when I have loved them all so much? I cant do it. Instead I will leave it at that each one transported me into a different realm where I was left breathless with a pulse that could probably call for an ER visit.

If you have read a book by French, you know exactly what I am describing, if you havent, what are you waiting for? Has Anyone Seen Charlotte? was narrated with perfection, the plot was executed without being boring or dragged out and the characters were multi-dimensional and came alive before your eyes. The twist? Oh, well I cant tell you that without giving away the book!

Teaser :

A nerve-tingling and atmospheric thriller from master of suspense Nicci French about two families shattered by tragedy and the secrets that have been waiting decades to be revealed.

On the day of Alec Salter’s fiftieth birthday party, his wife, Charlotte, vanishes. Most of the small English village of Glensted is at the party for hours before anyone realizes she is missing. While Alec brushes off her disappearance, their four children—especially fifteen-year-old Etty—grow increasingly anxious as the cold winter hours become days and she doesn’t return. Then Etty and her friend Morgan find the body of Morgan’s father—and the Salters’ neighbor— Duncan Ackerley, floating in the river. The police conclude that Duncan and Charlotte were having an affair before he killed her and committed suicide.

Thirty years later, Morgan Ackerley returns to Glensted with his older brother to make a podcast based on their shared tragedy with the Salters. Alec, stricken with dementia, is entering an elder care facility while Etty helps put his affairs in order. But when the Ackerleys ask to interview the Salters, the entire town gets caught up in the unresolved cases.

Allegations fly, secrets come to light, and a suspicious fire leads to a murder. With the podcast making national news, London sends Detective Inspector Maud O’Connor to Glensted to take over the investigation. She will stop at nothing to uncover the truth as a new and terrifying picture of what really happened to Charlotte Salter and Duncan Ackerley emerges.

"Thirty years ago, in a village in East Anglia where the land is swallowed up by the mudflats and marshes and a hard wind blows in from the sea, a woman went missing." "Has Anyone Seen Charlotte Salter" is a novel about tragedy and how it forever changes families and communities in it's wake. Although beloved wife and mother Charlotte Salter disappeared over thirty years ago, in many ways, it seems just like yesterday to two shattered families. Not only was there a woman who vanished from the face of the earth, but there was also an unexplained death of her friend Duncan Ackerley just days later. How were they related? Charlotte's and Duncan's cases both went unsolved until a new murder occurred during the present time. Most in East Anglia believe the three deaths are related, somehow.

Since the local inept police never solved the original deaths, a new head investigator was brought to the town by headquarters in London. Will Maud O'Connor be able to crack these three cases? Will she be able to extrude evidence, witness statements and clues from the families, locals, and crime scenes?

This was a very descriptive read, but it overwhelmed me with the multitude of character introductions, in rapid succession, at the beginning of the book. This is my only real criticism; too many characters. Certainly a pen and paper to write names down, would have been useful, when reading this book.

Other than the numerous character introductions that kept coming, the story was great. I found myself suspicious of every one of the characters, nobody was eliminated as a murderer in my mind. This story kept me on the edge of my seat and guessing until the very end. It was a thoroughly enjoyable read, one which I highly recommend. Get ready to grab your copy on March 19, 2024 from William Morrow Paperbacks.

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC copy of "Has Anyone Seen Charlotte Salter" by Nicci French. The opinions expressed in this review are all my own. Looking forward to my next Nicci French read and I'm excited to add this author to my line up.

Has anyone seen Charlotte Salter? is a thrilling mystery that unwinds a tangled web of secrets and lies in a small English village. The story moves between past and present, revealing a cast of complex characters with hidden motives. I loved how the author tackled themes like dementia, sexism, and small-town politics with skill and sensitivity. When Detective Inspector Maud O'Connor takes charge, she brings a fresh, fierce approach to the case that had me cheering her on. As the investigation unfolds, the tension builds, leading to a heart-racing climax that left me breathless. What I enjoyed most was how the book kept me guessing until the very end, and the satisfying conclusion that tied everything together. This is a top-notch mystery that had me hooked from start to finish – I'd highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good puzzle!🧩
Thank you Netgalley and William Morrow Paperbacks for my ARC ♥️

Has Anyone Seen Charlotte Salter
Nicci French
March 19,2024
William Morrow
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion .
A nerve-tingling and atmospheric thriller from master of suspense Nicci French about two families shattered by tragedy and the secrets that have been waiting decades to be revealed.
I found this to be a slow paced family drama. I thought about it awhile after reading and decided that this story is much more than a thriller. It tells how grief, family, and secrets hurt a small town.
I will recommend it.
4 stars

Told in three parts, this story read more like a FAMILY DRAMA than a thriller for the first two parts, and a POLICE PROCEDURAL for part three.

1990: Part One

Two families will never be the same when on the day of Alec Salter’s fiftieth birthday party, just before Christmas 1990, his wife Charlotte (Charlie) vanishes. Fifteen year old, Etty Salter is the only one who seems concerned that her mother has failed to show up at the party. Then, while searching for her-Etty and her neighbor Morgan, find another body floating in the river-that of Morgan’s father- Duncan Ackerley.

Not wanting their Christmas plans to be ruined, the police quickly “conclude” that Duncan and Charlotte must have been having an affair before he killed her and committed suicide.

Case Closed despite having no body for Charlotte.

2022: Part Two

Thirty years later, Morgan Ackerley, a successful documentarian, has returned to Glensted with his older brother Greg to make podcast based on their shared tragedy with the Salters. Alec, stricken with dementia, is entering an elder care facility and Etty is back to help clear the house and put her father’s affairs in order.

When secrets get exposed-tragedy will strike again-and it seems to be related to the past.

Part Three:

With the podcast making national news, London sends Detective Inspector Maud O’Connor to Glensted to take over the investigation. Even with a messy personal life, she is clearly more competent than anyone who has worked the cases before. And, she has zero tolerance for her colleagues incompetence or their sexism.

Needing an ally, she enlists the help Carrie Kessler, a friend and colleague who is currently on maternity leave in London.

Up until part three, this story has been a SLOW BURN, but the pace definitely picks up with these two on the case. Unfortunately, part three doesn’t begin until the 60% mark. I might have enjoyed this book more if these two women had made an earlier appearance.

Nicci French is a husband/wife writing duo (Nicci Gerard and Sean French) who has published many books and has countless fans, BUT this is my second time trying their work, and again they will earn only a
three star rating. (average)

I failed to become emotionally invested at any point in the story, and found myself wanting to skim to get to the end-their work just doesn’t resonate with me.

Be sure to read a sample of reviews to determine if this might be a better fit for you.

If you are a fan, you can pick this up on March 19, 2024.

Thank You to William Morrow for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley in exchange for a candid review.