Fabulous thriller as always by Caroline Overington. Could not put it down!! Would highly recommend to others.

A solid 3.5 star read. The depth of Emma’s life and her relationship with those around her drives this story. As Emma begins her search for Fox-Piper, you are taken on the journey with her. Emma had an array of people around her, from her family to her colleagues at Cuppa, her own personal staff, and extended family, all of whom became more important when Fox-Piper disappears.
This dynamic made for a suspenseful read, showing the complexity of Emma's interactions with those around her as you start to realise someone Emma knows could have kidnapped her daughter.
The language at the beginning could have been a little tighter, but overall a decent read.
3.5 stars

An amazing 4.5⭐️!

I’ve always been a Caroline Overington fan, having read most of her books and her latest book did not disappoint! A very quick read which took us through the events of Emma and Brandon’s daughter, Fox-Piper, going missing from her daycare and the moments before, during and after the abduction. As Emma is a high profile celebrity appearing on morning TV, the case became public news in the blink of an eye. It kept me guessing right throughout the book until it was revealed, quite a bit too easily, who did it. But just when I thought the story was closing, the climax was only just beginning! The twists and turns in the final 20% of this book left me agog and having me wondering ‘who can you trust?’

A fantastically frantic read as time ticks down in the race to find Fox and find out who The Ones You Trust actually are!

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins Publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Thankyou to NetGalley, HarperCollins Publishers Australia and the author, Caroline Overington, for the opportunity to read a digital copy of The Ones You Trust in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.
What an awesome storyline. I was up into the early hours on the weekend to finish reading this offering by Ms Overington. But it was totally worth it.
I thought the storyline was well written with engaging characters. I was hooked from the start. The plot was so unpredictable and I really love that in a thriller.
Well worth a read. 4.5 stars.

This book is certainly a roller coaster ride. It had me from the word go. Her writing was addictive , and I felt emotionally involved with the characters. Highly recommend.

4★
“No knees after forty. No cleavage, ever, including toe cleavage (no open sandals.) Hair not too short but not too long either. One set of earrings only and none that dangled. No T-shirt slogans.”

Even worse, no sleeping in and having brekky with the family. Emma has to get up at 3 am to get to wardrobe and makeup in time for her star turn as co-host of ‘Cuppa’, the most popular breakfast show on Australian television. Well, it was, until Emma has been outshone by a rival network’s show, ‘Brew’, that features a sexier young woman.

“Emma wasn’t one of the stand-out pretty girls at Stellar. She was a good, solid reporter, hired by a newsroom boss who had got tired of the bubbleheads and gone looking for actual talent. Which wasn’t to say she was ugly. Emma was pretty, but not bimbo-pretty. There was a touch of shyness about her that people liked. She wasn’t related to anyone at Stellar, which was unusual for a young woman in the newsroom, which ran on nepotism like cars ran on petrol.”

She made her name in Stellar’s newsroom covering “One Black Day” bushfires, when she was filmed giving water to a sooty little boy who collapsed after running out of the fires. The public adored her!

Fast-forward to today when she’s 43 and noticing a few cracks in the mirror that aren’t the glass, so to speak. PJ, her co-host, is a partying, self-absorbed man-about-town who races to sit on the couch at the last second, tidying himself up with a grin suggesting he’s just made it from a late night out – which he probably has. Emma has become the mumsy foil to his naughty-boy routine.

At home, she and her handsome Texan husband, Brandon, have three young kids – two little boys and a baby sister Fox-Piper, 17-months old. Emma is now famous with pre-dawn to dusk commitments, while Brandon is working from home with the kids. A problem you’d think? You’d be right.

When tiny Fox-Piper goes missing from daycare, the blame-shifting escalates, the extended family weighs in, nannies are questioned, the police try to manage the paparazzi and then Maven – ah, Maven.

I mustn’t overlook Maven. She’d never allow it. Maven is the one who transformed Emma, the young reporter, into popular, famous morning-show host “the” Emma Cardwell, loved by the fans. Early morning tweets go out before dawn every day.

“Come and have a Cuppa with PJ and Emma! #Cuppa”

I picture Maven something like Disney’s Cruella de Vil, without the fur coat but with the cigarette. She’s the studio’s publicity powerhouse who knows exactly what and when to release which photos and stories before anyone even realises they ARE stories. All publicity is good publicity, as long as she’s in control of it.

“With each step up the ladder, Maven had become more imperious, indeed regal in appearance. She had seen minions quaver when she got into the elevator, and why wouldn’t they? Maven was tall and wide-bodied, and she never wore skirts, favouring wide-legged pants in expensive, swaying fabric. She had a mane of silver hair that her personal stylist swept up for her, high and away from her forehead, like a Centaur’s helmet, two or three times a week. She was never without her Hermes handbag, her buckled patent flats or her coloured cigarettes. Her company car was a bulletproof black Humvee.”

A force to be reckoned with, and even the studio boss listens to her. She can coo and woo a celebrity as she’s about to give them either the golden retirement watch or a knife in the back.

She crosses swords with the police during the heart-rending investigation as she tries to help Emma but still make sure their studio is the first to air all reports.

It’s a most enjoyable read and I was totally engrossed for about three-quarters of it, and then it took a rather strange turn and I was getting disappointed, until just before the end, when I was surprised again. I was no longer disappointed, since I could see how the story could go that way – it’s perfectly plausible - but I’m not convinced it corresponded with my understanding of everyone involved.

Overington’s an award-winning investigative journalist, so she knows her way around this stuff. She’s also an excellent fiction writer, and I’m sure you’ll recognise these characters. My lopping off of a star is simply because I needed a little more convincing, but that could well be my failing, not hers! She knows these people better than I do. It’s a good read and should do very well. I’m certainly happy to read anything she writes.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the preview copy from which I’ve quoted (so quotes may have changed.

Wow!   Just wow!     What a Rollercoaster ride that story was.     
The Ones You Can Trust by Caroline Overington was a sensational read and I enjoyed every moment of it. 

Talk Show host Emma Cardwell and her husband Brandon have found themselves in the middle of every parents worst nightmare.    The youngest of their three children, 17 month old Fox-Piper has gone missing, collected from day care by an unknown and unauthorised person.  Caroline Overington did a sensational job of making Emma and Brandons fears palpable and I was right there with them living that nightmare, worrying for the gorgeous toddler.   As the police investigation got underway the detectives weren't the only ones busily sleuthing.  I cast my suspicions upon almost every character in the book yet despite my many theories I was completely taken by surprise as one twist after another came to light.   

Kudos too for the realistic portrayal of the running of the fictional chat show Cuppa.      I felt as though I was getting a sneak peak behind the scenes and was agog at the politics, the scheming, the gossip, the media leaks and the utter addiction of some for  snaring public attention.   With the authors strong media background I couldn't help wondering just how much of this really goes on and how much was elaborated in the name if a great story?   I guess it doesn't really matter because when it's all said and done it was a fantastic story and I cannot wait to read more of her work.

Sincere thanks to HarperCollins Publishers Australia and NetGalley for making this digital ARC available to me in exchange for an unbiased review.   Highly recommended reading.

What a rollicking read. The characters were full of depth, and quite likeable. Even PJ, the cohost. Emma, the main character is a busy bee, a fabulous presenter on morning telly who then flutters around before falling into a big heap at night. She faces the usual problems that working mothers have, but is gracious and kind to everyone. However, I can’t quite trust her because who names a child Seal, or Fox!? Fox goes missing! Who do you trust... it really is a great read, nothing overly new until some fabulous twists and turns at the end.

Read in two days so definitely kept me engaged.

Thanks NetGalley for allowing me to preview this book. I will definitely recommend.

My worst nightmare – to trust another with your precious child only to have that person lose them. A harrowing, but emotive premise for a novel that sinks its teeth into every parent who has ever left a child with anyone. Who can you trust?

Having loved her earlier works – I Came to Say Goodbye being the most memorable for its real characters, Australian setting and original story – I looked forward to more of the same. Did she deliver?

I’m afraid The Ones You Trust had a rather soft grip on me, and (without giving away too much) the ending did make me cringe for the human race (I must be naïve but hope that the character capable of such an awful orchestration is a far different (and rarer) kind of human than the one crafted by Overington in The Ones You Trust). Wishful thinking, perhaps?

The challenge with stories that hinge on the final unravelling is that often, to keep the twist surprising, authentic reactions and real emotions of the characters are sacrificed. It is those raw emotions that draw me to novels, and are a strength of Overington’s earlier works. But alas, if she’d shared authentic reactions about how they all felt about the disappearance of her young daughter, the ending would have been ruined. A tough thing to master.I just didn’t want to believe the ending was realistic for the characters portrayed leading up to the reveal, nor was it worth the sacrifice of exploring the characters more sincerely throughout the story.

The award-winning journalist did, however manage to weave in many current affairs relevant in these troubled times, and I am sure many will find the twists and turns of this novel gripping. Great to also see a return to an Australian setting for this popular Aussie author.

Personally, I’m holding out for some of the more heartfelt, character-based stories of her earlier work that have made me a huge fan of this talented and versatile writer.

Book blurb...
From the bestselling author of The One Who Got Away comes a gripping new psychological thriller that will have you thinking twice about who in your life you can really trust ...
Emma Cardwell, celebrity mum and host of top-rating morning TV show Cuppa, seems to have it all: fame, money and a gorgeous family. But when her little girl disappears from day-care - captured on CCTV footage at a nearby shopping centre leaving with someone Emma has never seen before - her world is turned upside down.
As the minutes tick by, and pressure mounts, every part of Emma's life comes under examination. Is this a kidnapping, the work of a crazed stalker, or an obsessed fan? Is somebody out for revenge or is this something closer to home?
And there is the aching question: how much do we really know about those who care for our children . . . and about the people we love?

My thoughts…
A lot of books I enjoy are plot-driven. They are very much about the mystery/crime/whatever. I really enjoy those stories that also have a good character arc that sees the characters growing in some way. This novel focuses very much on plot and less on characters and that left me feeling disconnected. I was not drawn to Emma, or any of the other characters in the story. I was not invested in their plight or journey, so I ambled through the pages not caring very much about the outcome.
The storytelling is very factual. I would have preferred a more emotional portrayal of the family. The concept of such a young child being kidnapped should have created a higher level of emotion in the characters and, subsequently in me, the reader.
The negative portrayal of media and reporters is likely very true to life and it’s probably another reason I did not enjoy this story as much as I had expected I would.

In this novel Caroline Overington takes us behind the scenes of a breakfast TV show to the PR teams that control the lives of the presenters and what the public sees. Australian readers will easily recognise the type of show complete with male and female hosts bantering on the couch, cooking and product demonstrations, giveaways and some feel good news to counteract any bad world news. Unflattering shots by paparazzi and nasty comments on social media are all part and parcel of being a morning show celebrity for Emma Cardwell, host of the popular 'Cuppa.' Although life is pretty good, Emma struggles with the demand that with the early morning starts and publicity appearances have on her family life with her husband and three young children. In her forties Emma knows her days on the program are numbered and the ratings haven't been so good since their competitor on another channel hired a new young host.

When Emma's youngest child Fox-Piper disappears from childcare, the PR machinery goes into overdrive with Emma's home and family squarely focused in the media's lenses. With the police trying to work out whether this is a kidnapping or an act of revenge, Emma is frantic at the thought of her little girl being taken away from her and wondering just who she can trust.

As a journalist, Caroline Overington is very capable of placing her well written plots in a contemporary setting and in this one she brings us inside the workings of the media. The plot is well paced with several suspects in the police's sights. The ending was not what I was expecting and although it shocked me, it also did feel a bit too contrived and I'll be interested to see what other readers make of it.

Emma Cardwell is a well known presenter on the morning show ‘Cuppa’. She knows the ratings are down and that a forty three year old woman with three children can be quickly and easily replaced with a new younger version on daytime TV . These worries pale into insignificance when she realises that her husband has forgotten to pick up their seventeen month old daughter ,Fox Piper, from her childcare and it is now hours after it has closed.
Carolyn Overington shows us the backstage of daytime TV. The cutthroat, callous decisions which must be made to keep the ratings high and the sponsors keen. Her clever twists keep the reader turning pages and, although I found it a little contrived, I enjoyed it to the end.

In her usual style Overington brings another dramatic thriller with an ending that has your head spinning!

I have always enjoyed Caroline Overington's books. Her novels are generally enthralling, topical, page turning reads. But when I read the blurb for her current novel The Ones You Trust, I must say I was intially disappointed. Not another book on a child kidnapping! I thought there were already plenty of great novels covering this topic. What more could be written? Well I'm glad to say I was wrong! Overington adds another dimension to child kidnapping by including the media working not only from the outside but also inside the home! Emma Cardwell is a 43 year old co-host of an ailing morning show called 'Cuppa'. She is married to Brandon who is a house husband to their three children. When Emma's seventeen month old daughter, Fox-Piper, is kidnapped from her daycare centre it sends her family and the Stellar Network into complete chaos. While Emma and her family along with the police are focused on finding Fox, the network want to maximise exposure and exploit the situation in favour of ratings. It is such a fascinating and eye opening situation told so well by Overington. And as per usual Overington's novel has twists and turns you never see coming. Another great read and an excellent addition to this genre.

5* Suspicious

When I saw the eye catching cover of The Ones You Trust, I knew that I had to read this book and find out what was hidden behind that cover. From the first page of this thrilling read you are addicted to find out the truth of how little Fox-Piper disappeared from her day care centre and who had taken her.

The majority of the story takes places over the 2 days that Fox-Piper is missing and how the mother Emma, who is a well known and popular morning TV show presenter, together with her husband and two younger children are coping with this devastating news as their lives are put under the microscope. It was also interesting to see how far the media gets involved not only to help find Fox-Piper but to also gain viewership because their ratings are down.

The characters in the book were very interesting and heartless in the lengths they would to go for their own gain.

Just when you think that the riddle has been solved another twist will throw a curve ball that is absolutely shocking! I thoroughly enjoyed this well written, faced paced thriller.

Many thanks to HarperCollins Australia and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

Fantastic book with a few twists at the end that I never anticipated. I could relate Brew to the morning shows that we have on tv.

I love it when I come across books that wrap a current affairs topic into a delicious bun of mystery, finishing it off with a dollop of intrigue and a smear of blood to make the perfect fictional hotdog. Okay, so comparing a book to a hotdog may be stretching the friendship, but this book was just as binge-worthy as comfort food when you’re on the go and too tired to steam some broccoli. And being set in Australia, dealing with current Australian topics and featuring characters modelled on real Australian celebrities was a real treat. You don’t often find gems like this, and I felt like a fossicker striking gold when I accidentally stumbled across The Ones You Trust!

Overington has a real knack for plucking some hot topics straight out of news headlines and creating captivating fiction. Even though I was prepared to hate Emma for being the sort of woman who is always in the spotlight, beautifully made up, the centre of everyone’s attention, plus the sort of person who gives her children pretentious names like Seal and Fox-Piper (another character in the book made me laugh when they asked: are they running a zoo here?), I came to adore her in the end. Emma is smart, and she is savvy. She may be presenting herself exactly the way her breakfast show viewers want her to be – the responsible, ever well-presented wife and mother – but she is far from stupid. In her forties, and past her prime as far as television is concerned, Emma is fully aware that her days on “Cuppa” are numbered, and that she is likely going to be replaced soon by some sexy young single woman, like Cassie Clay from their rivalling show “Brew”. Because on TV, ratings are everything, and a lot of scheming and foul play goes on behind the scenes to make sure the stars get headlines – even if it’s negative publicity. Emma has been the target of the paparazzi before and knows the prize she has to pay for stardom – but now that she is a mother, this responsibility rests heavily on her shoulder. When her baby daughter is kidnapped from her daycare centre, Emma finds out how costly this price may be .....

If you live in Australia, the parallels of Emma’s world to Australian breakfast television are instantly obvious and relatable. I found it a real eye-opener to hear what goes on behind the scenes of the show, especially the tactics Cuppa’s publicity boss Maven employs to keep the show in the spotlight. When Fox-Piper goes missing, there is a myriad of suspects to choose from that may benefit from the huge media circus that ensues. I certainly had a few theories, but was still unprepared for the way Overington brought together all the strings in the end, and the final reveal. But even if your hunches are right, the power of this novel lies not in the mystery of Fox-Piper’s abduction, but in the events surrounding the event. I loved the everyday feel of the characters’ lives and events, which made this an extremely compelling read for me (I hate making comparisons but the characters and story did remind me a bit of fellow Australian author Liane Moriarty’s books).

Overington’s journalistic skills of tackling current affairs are instantly recognisable in her knowledge about “backstage” happenings, such as the political wheelings and dealings going on in the media world to ensure high viewer ratings. I applaud her for being able to present these in a fictional content without losing their punch – making me feel that I learned a few things along the way. I also appreciated her portrayal of Emma, a woman trying to “make it” in the media, where youth, beauty and the perfect body trump brains and courage, but where smart women like Emma and Maven still find a way to excel. Despite her initial apparent pretentiousness, Emma totally won me over in the end! Emma’s marital problems added an extra layer to the story that highlighted the pressure working mothers with small children are under these days.

In summary, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of The Ones You Trust and sat up way too late into the night reading because I could not tear myself away. The characters were so well drawn that I felt instantly transported into their world, even though their realities are worlds apart from mine. A great read – I look forward to reading more from this author in future!

I've now read quite a few of Caroline Overington's novels (such as The One Who Got Away ) and almost every time I review them I comment on the fact that they reflect current and very contemporary issues.

Her latest, The Ones You Trust, is no different.

I made a note while I was reading this that Overington seems to use some examples of recent happenings involving public figures here in Australia. And she doesn't pull any punches. Male co-hosts that rock up for the morning show still drunk from the night before. The pressure of female hosts to be young and peppy. And definitely not fat, amidst headlines spotlighting their cellulite.

And then there's the cut-throat PR machines driving these TV shows and the networks. It'd be laughable if it wasn't also (most likely) very very real.

And then there's the changing face of the paparazzi, one of whom we meet is bemoaning the advent of the smart phone and the public's ability to snap pics once only accessible to those with cameras and zoom lenses at the ready, They also grumble about celebs 'papping' themselves and sharing bathroom / gym / just-awake pics - once the bread-and-butter of the tabloid press.

Emma's no dummy and she knows (after over a decade) her days on morning TV are numbered, but she's trying to do everything right. Despite their differences she kinda gets on with her co-host though seems to have a bit of a love/hate relationship with the studio's 2IC or 'fixer' Maven.

Overington takes readers behind the glamorous scenes and we see the flipside of fame and almost-fortune.... namely the lack of privacy and dealing with the usual day to day family, relationship and personal crap while in the eye of the public. There's mention, for example, of the fact that Emma realises almost everyone she meets knows far more about her and her family than she could know about them. (Of course, having said that, our players have chosen to be in that world.)

The entertaining, authentic and complex backdrop of this story, along with a likeable lead in Emma, were certainly the strengths of this book.

Despite the reactions of Emma and her husband, I realised I wasn't overly concerned about the disappearance of the annoyingly named Fox-Piper because there's no sense of maliciousness, which was probably the only weakness in the plot itself.

I think I would have preferred that we not have the first chapter - in which Fox-Piper is 'taken' - which would have allowed us to remain in the dark for longer. It felt a bit too obvious that this was either a publicity stunt of some kind or a grab for attention rather than something more malevolent... although of course, I've seen enough episodes of Law & Order SVU to know that even 'friendly' kidnappings can go wrong.

I was a tad surprised at part of the way this unfolded - and I guess that goes back to the aforementioned 'things going wrong' problem. (Best laid plans and all that!)

This is an enjoyable read. I know a lot of people who are looking forward to this and Australian readers in particular will relate to some of the characters and references, including reality TV stars dropping their pants, the vegetable spiralizer demonstrator and the cash cow prizes ('paying people to watch us')!

3.5 stars

I have found myself a new Australian author in Caroline Overington. Wow.. what a book... I stayed up late finishing this one last night and it was so worth the extra coffee this morning. This was the first book by Caroline that I have read but I will be checking out her other books without a doubt. I love reading local writers and this one was fantastic. Definitely on my go to list from now on.

Emma Cardwell is a celebrity mum of 3 young children and the host of breakfast TV show Cuppa. She has everything a woman could want - a wonderful family, a great career. Thank it until her youngest daughter disappears from her day care centre.... with somebody that Emma does not know. Her life is turned upside down and her family's lives are under the microscope to try to find her daughter. Is it a crazed fan, a kidnapping? Will her marriage survive this when the truth comes out? Can you really trust those who are closest to you? It also gives you a behinds the scenes look at TV and the lengths that people will go for ratings.

The ending of this book came as a total shock, I did not see that coming at all. A big thank you to Harper Collins Publishers Australia and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and in no way biased.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia for providing a copy of the eBook for my true and honest review. You can read my review on my blog: https://bookishgirlaus.weebly.com

From the bestselling author of The One Who Got Away comes a gripping new psychological thriller that will have you thinking twice about who in your life you can really trust ...

The Ones You Trust by Caroline Overington is that book that you will stay up all night reading because you just need to know what happens next. I really enjoyed this book and I think it is now my favourite so far with Overington.

The Plot

Our main character Emma Cardwell is a working mum, host of a top-rating morning, is beloved by audiences and only occasionally stalked by crazy fans. She seems to have it all - fame, money, a gorgeous family. However, Emma Cardwell’s beautiful little 17-month-old daughter, Fox-Piper Cardwell Cole, is kidnapped from Long Day Care around 1 pm and no-ones finds out until 8pm. With their crazy life Emma and her husband Brandon both assuming that the other has picked Fox-Piper up, only find out she is missing when Emma comes home with no child. Brandon had forgotten to pick Fox-Piper and now no one knows where she is.

We are introduced to the lead Detective Paul Franklin who heads the investigation of finding Fox-Piper. There are so many questions. Why was she checked out by someone who wasn’t an authorised signatory? How did the childcare allow this? Was it a family member that took her, obsessed fans, angry nannies? There is a lot of suspects along with the parents that need to be investigated and excluded.

In a panic Emma rushes to the day care centre way past closing time thinking she might be locked inside. Led by Detective Paul Franklin the police soon follow, and the story is pieced together. Why was she checked out by someone who wasn’t an authorised signatory? Was she taken by a familiar face which might have led to a slip in protocols and are the parents blameless? While Franklin attempts to exclude the parents’ involvement he also has a hefty list of potential suspects – family members, nanny and Stellar staff – to assess as well. With Emma’s celebrity status an Amber Alert has been given out, with constant media coverage on this investigation. We can see how Maven, the publicity machine, use this situation to boost Cuppa’s rating.

If you have ever been fascinated or wanted more information on how TV networks compete with each other, to gain and retain its viewers, then read this book. Morning TV shows are competitive, TV networks spend millions of dollars on ensuring that they gain their viewers and keep them. In our story we have a fictional morning TV show known as “Cuppa” with PJ and Emma Cardwell (our main character) and the rival channel named Brew. Brew has recently hired a new host, the young Cassie Clay who seems to be slowly but surely stealing the viewers. You have an understanding how micromanaged these “celebrities” are, how every aspect of their lives is planned and controlled by the networks, how they do not get any privacy and often stalked by crazy folks. I actually really enjoyed this aspect of the book. Understanding the “behind the scenes” of those morning shows makes me realise I was so right to a sceptic of the media.

The writing

Caroline Overington can make you forget that you are exhausted, that you have an early morning the next day and that you really shouldn’t read the next chapter and just sleep. Her writing is addictive; you just need to know. It isn’t complicated, it is easy to read which makes it so easy to get completely immersed with the story. You feel a strong connection with the characters because of this.

This is a fantastic piece of work and honestly, I thought I knew who it did but then I realised how complicated this whole story was. I really enjoyed the ending and give it a solid 4.25 stars.

I would definitely recommend this book!