It is ages since I have read a Kerry Wilkinson novel and I have missed them. Olivia Adams disappeared 13 years ago at the age of 6 but has returned. It is a well crafted psychological thriller which makes you want to turn the page.
Everyone is holding secrets including Olivia and you are never sure who to believe.
Time to read his back catalogue of books.

If you want a nice gritty little story then The Girl Who Came Back is for you.

It's well written, fast paced and has some nice little twists and turns thrown in. The pace builds gradually and you are totally immersed in the plot line. I though the main character was believable identifiable and her character worked well with the others.

All in all a good 4* read and I look forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the chance to review.

Brilliantly written. A definite page turner. Highly recommended. Great character development, which is a plus in any book I read. Thank you, Netgalley for a digital copy of this book.

My review as posted on Goodreads:

To start with this novel appears to be clear cut. A journey to discover what happened to Olivia. The girl who disappeared, at the age of six, who reappears 13 years later.

Then a second story about Lily also begins. It starts with Lily aged 11 and progresses in short chapters. What is this all about?

Throughout the book I knew that everything could not be what is seems.
The pace of the story is fast and engaging.

I really liked the way in which Kerry Wilkinson has crafted and developed the characters.

I need to avoid writing anything which spoils the story. Suffice to say that the loose ends are tied when the book reaches the end. This is a very entertaining thriller.

I give thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan (Bookouture) for a copy in exchange for this impartial review.

Thanks to Netgalley for my copy.

Olivia returns to the village after thirteens years of being missing at the age of 6. Her mother welcomes her with open arms but her stepfather and his brother are sceptical and downright menacing. Her parents had divorced after her disappearance and her father takes solace in alcohol.

Lily's story is told in flashbacks as we learn of the death of her mother and her subsequent neglect by her father.

The basic premise of this story is good even though I had worked out most of Lily's history it didn't spoil my enjoyment. The problem I had is that a young girl returns after 13 years and there is zero police and media involvement. This is so unbelievable that it spoiled the book for me hence the 3* rating. I don't care how small the village is there will always be that one person who will inform the media to make a quick buck.

13 years after disappearing from a small town in England, Olivia returns. This is where the story starts, which left me a bit unsettled. No tear filled angst at the loss of a child, no scattered man hunt or optimist and dedicated detective. From there the story continued to feel a bit detached. When Olivia returns she casually reveals herself to her mother. No huge cries of relief. Only her father seems to emotionally breakdown, but he was already broken by her disappearance and the subsequent fall out. No one really pushed to find out what had happened to Olivia. I never felt like the characters were very vested in the story. It was all too easy and seemed a bit unrealistic.

There are a lot of books out there in which a child goes missing, but THE GIRL WHO CAME BACK is absolutely the most unique and twisted thriller I have ever read. Olivia Adams disappeared from her back garden when when she was only five years old. Her mother Sarah has since remarried her old childhood sweetheart Max, and her father Dan has become a drunk since he blames himself for her disappearance. Thirteen years later, Olivia comes back to Stoneridge and tells the tale of what happened to her that terrible afternoon. She is even willing to take a DNA test to prove that she is actually Olivia. But what dark force is there to make sure that she does not take her place in the town again? For there is evil in the town of Stoneridge, and Olivia is there to find it. The reader will not be able to put this book down once it captures you with all of its many characters who play a part in the life and times of little Olivia and now grown-up Olivia. The twist at the end is amazing and one no one will see coming. Don't read ahead and spoil it....just wait for it because it is worth the wait! This is the first book that I have read by Kerry Wilkinson, and it was a wonderfully told tale that kept me reading well past my usual bedtime.

3.5 stars Not my favorite KW book, but still good. Is she Olivia or Isn't she - that is what this one is about. You will find some twists while reading, but overall, the clues are pretty obvious so for me, no surprise about Olivia. However, KW does manage to throw in a nice little gem at the end that will have you giving him a mental "high five" :)

I did find some of the characters to be a little bit clichéd, but once again KW gives us a thoroughly enjoyable read.

**Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley in exchange of an honest review.**

This was a fantastic thriller that truly enjoyed reading from beginning to end I just had to know what the link was between Olivia and Lily , this is a definitely quick read ,that I highly recommend I had so many thoughts as to how the ending would come out but this ending left me satisfied. I felt for Olivia and Lily story but at the end I'm glad she is as able to be herself . The only thing I would recommend for the author is a different more eye-catching cover the cover now I don't feel does the book justice.

This is my first book by Kerry Wilkinson and I am looking forward to reading others because from what I have researched, I might like them a bit more. This book was a little slow at the beginning but picked up as I kept reading. There are two story lines that eventually intertwine. Olivia was kidnapped as a child an returns home (after 13) years out of the blue. Not everyone believes that it is her, however her mom is sure it is. Then there is Lily who is abused by a close family friend with a story all her own. How these two girls are connected kept me reading until the end. Good writing, interesting plot and characters for the most part. I guess it seemed to me that the police would be much more interested in a high-profile kidnap victim returning after all these years. I'm not sure I understand why they weren't.....everyone just seemed so calm when she just showed up in her own car and there wasn't any real excitement.

This book was such a good read, it just took me a few hours, I was hooked. Olivia Adams was playing in the back garden of her family home when she disappeared, she was six years old. Years later, Olivia comes back, things have changed and everyone wants to know her story, but not everyone is pleased to see her. Olivia has a lot of questions to answer and a lot to catch up on since the disappearance, she has friends, a baby brother and parents that have been hurting for so long. I felt all sorts of emotions reading this, my only regret is I have finished it now and have no idea what to read after this. Five stars from me.

Typically, if a book is dealing with the return of a missing child, the perspective is from that of the parent(s) or others trying to discern if the child is the real deal. Here, the book is told from the perspective of the child.

After 13 years of being missing, Olivia returns to the town of her childhood and finds her mom. Her mom is convinced it’s her, but Olivia’s new stepfather and his brother aren’t. Given that she was five when she was nabbed, it’s understandable that her memories of her early life and abduction are vague. One discussion she has with a childhood friend rang particularly true. Nattie says she's not sure how many of her memories are true or she's heard her mother tell a story so many times the story became a memory. I often feel like this, unsure if something is an original memory or a transplant, so to speak.

Interspersed with the chapters on Olivia are ones about Lilly, growing up with just her dad after her mom’s death. Wilkinson doesn't explain the link between the two storylines and it's a long time coming.

Over the past year, I’ve become a huge Kerry Wilkinson fan. I devoured his Jessica Daniel series. This one was slower to grab me. It's more of a slow burn with this book. There's something off about the whole thing, but you don't know what. That's what keeps you turning the pages. I had my suspicions from early on. And I sort of, kind of got it right.

My thanks to netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of this book.

The Girl Who Came Backis the first book I have read by Kerry Wilkinson and I will definately read more.!
This Psychological Thriller starts off with 6 year old Olivia disappearing while playing in the back yard.
Miles away a few years later Lily has had a neglected and abused life being raised by her alcoholic father after the death of her mother.
Thirteen years later Olivia returns home to find her mother and reclaim her childhood friends. some welcome her with open arms, but not everyone believes her.

Draws you in right from the get-go. This was my first novel by Kerry Wilkinson and will not be the last. I love the fact this was in first person narrative - it allows you to dive into their thoughts and immerse yourself in the character. While I did guess the underlying mystery fairly early on, it didn't detract from the rest of the novel unfolding. Very fast paced read. 3.5 stars

I am a huge fan of Wilkinsons books and am already excited to read a new one.... once again he has not let us down!

13 years ago 6 year old Olivia goes missing and 13 years later she suddenly returns - but is she the real Olivia?

This is a real page turner told from the POV of Olivia and also a further story arc about a girl called Lily who is struggling to grow up under the shadow of the death of her mother.

Olivias appearance is welcomed by her mother, father and old friends... however not everyone is pleased to see her. Not everyone believes she is who she says she is.

Wilkinson once agian brings his magic of creating well developed, interesting characters who appeal to the reader.

A brilliant read.... I would very much reccommend it!

This intriguing story comes with dual modern stories that at first seem totally unrelated, but in your heart you really know that within the time you are reading the novel, their connection is going to become evident and crucial to the plot. There are also two historic stories connected by the characters in the modern thread which gradually revealed and become the essence of the story. I really love dark stories like this and Kerry Wilkinson did not disappoint me one iota. In fact his plot reveal was exciting, unexpected, twisted and expertly crafted, woven into the story with ease and cunning intent.
Young Olivia Adams was abducted from her garden and disappeared without trace thirteen years ago. Her parents were destroyed by their loss, both in different but devastating ways. Secrets of the past haunt the family until at last Olivia comes back to her first home. Her mother and father are overjoyed and have no doubt that their daughter is who she claims to be. But others close to home question her identity and are not at all pleased by her return. Secrets of the past must be carefully guarded. There is just too much to lose. Resentment sizzles at the unexplained miracle of her reappearance. It’s a game of cat and mouse until the right moment suddenly presents itself and then there is no stopping the inevitable confrontation.
‘The Girl Who Came Back’ is a terrific psychological thriller with a jaw-dropping plot reveal. It will keep you guessing and turning the pages right to the very last chapter. The storytelling is masterful, bouncing question after question into the mix, leading you down blind alleyways and shocking you with a few well chosen words. It’s twisted, dark, violent yet full of light and sparkle. The characterisation is well crafted with some wonderful characters that you will come to really like, but beware; there are also some odious and truly evil characters whose motives and actions will appal you. This is a terrific read and I would like to thank NetGalley and publisher Bookouture for my copy, sent to me in return for an honest review. This is one heck of a story and is not to be missed. It’s a well deserved 9.5/10 from me.

Have read Kerry Willinson before and was eager to try this. Having lived in a small village l was aware of the issues and could imagine how an abduction would affect the whole community and never go away. The characters were people l have met in daily life and village mentality was accurately portrayed. Yes l guess the twist but it did'nt detract from what was a good read and one l recommend thank you to netgalley for the opportunity of reviewing this book

I am yet to read a book by Kerry Wilkinson that I haven't enjoyed. The Girl Who Came Back is no exception. It's well plotted with a variety of believable characters.
Readers are dropped in to the missing child plot around thirteen years after the event when she makes her way back to her family. The news of Olivia's return is received in different ways by other characters in the story as they try to work out what happened since she went missing and if it is really her who has returned.

As a reader, you're not entirely sure where the story will take you and how it will end. This meant I didn't want to out it down and stayed up to finish it.
Kerry Wilkinson is a quality writer and draws his readers in by forcing them to ask questions about what they're reading. I found myself theorizing what had happened all the way through.

Another great book.

Yet another great book by Kerry Wilkinson!! He has rapidly become one of my favourite authors and I have enjoyed each of the genres he has covered.

This is the story of Olivia Adams a six year old girl who disappeared from her back garden and was never found. Thirteen years later Olivia walks back into the village of Stonebridge, but is it her or is it an imposter? There are so many twists and turns in this novel that it was almost impossible to put it down.

Olivia starts trying to put all the pieces of her life back together in the small village where people know more than they let on, and are quick to gossip about everyone and everything. Would you be able to handle it?

Then you have the storyline of Lily and all the things that she goes through in her nineteen years. It's heartbreaking what this young woman endures. As you're reading along you begin to wonder what she has to do with the story, but Kerry Wilkinson beautifully weaves the storylines together.

I'm not going to ruin the suspense for you, but take the time to read any of Kerry Wilkinson's novels. You won't be disappointed!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and the very talented Kerry Wilkinson for my ARC for a fair and honest review.

Thirteen years ago when Olivia Adams was only five years old she disappeared from her yard with no trace leaving her parents to wonder just what happened to their little girl. Now a young woman walks into the diner owned by Olivia’s mother and approaches the woman with the claim that she is Olivia and she’s finally returned home.

Olivia’s mother is immediately sure that this is her daughter that has returned to her but others around her are not so sure and demand answers. Olivia’s story is one that is believable, she’s spent the past thirteen years being raised by travelers and has come to escape them to return. But it’s odd that Olivia doesn’t want to go to the police so can anyone believe she is who she claims to be?

The Girl Who Came Back by Kerry Wilkinson is another very solid thriller that will leave readers guessing up until the very end just where the author is taking them on the journey within the pages. I will say I held back a bit getting connected with Olivia trying to figure out if I should root for her to be the real daughter returned or if she would be an imposter so it took me a bit to get truly invested but the mystery kept the pages turning.

The majority of this story is told by Olivia as she returns home and rejoins her family but there is also a side story throughout with a girl named Lily. The mystery of the two girls slowly unravels throughout the read and as many guesses as I came up with when it was all said and done this was one thriller that I didn’t find easy to piece together at all and was quite impressed with how it worked out in the end. Would definitely recommend checking this one out having enjoyed it along with others by this author I’ve read.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.