The Suspect was great! I liked the exotic location and having the girls go missing there added to the suspense. I was a little confused by the big reveal at the end. I think I'll go back and read Barton's other books to see what I'm missing.

This was a fast paced story that wouldn't let go. The characters came alive and you cared. I would highly recommend this book for bookclubs and any mystery lover.

Kate is a reporter and her son, Jake, has been in Phuket, Thailand for a couple of years. Kate and her husband rarely hear from him. Meanwhile, two teenage girls have gone missing in Bangkok and Kate wants the story, so goes to talk to the mothers of the girls to see what she can find out before heading to Thailand to see what she can learn there.

I really liked this. It’s one that kept me wanting to read, to find out what happened! It’s the third in a series, but it can be read as a standalone. I’ve read the 2nd and 3rd books now, and want to go back and read the first. I did find the personal story of the detective good, and I bet there is more background on that, as well. The common factor in the books appears to mainly be Kate, but the detective is there, as well.

The premise of this book hooked me from the start - the ultimate parental nightmare of two young girls going missing during their gap year in Thailand. I'd heard great things about Fiona Barton and had been looking forward to finally getting a chance to read one of her books.

Ultimately I was disappointed. It's like there's something missing; details that should suck you in and make it into a compelling family drama somehow...don't. It took awhile to really get going and was somewhat predictable. The story is told from multiple points of view and I wish that we would have heard more from the girls and less from the reporter main character.

Am I the only one not to like this book? I loved "The Widow" but found The Suspect completely boring.

These two girls disappear in Thailand, and Kate's son (Jake) is in Thailand. One thing leads to another and Jake becomes a suspect (or not). I mean, this didn't have any thrill. Why were two teenagers backpacking to a country of dubious security by themselves? And how old was this Jake that he needed to get away to "find himself" traveling? Then we have this long emails that one of the girls sends to I don't know who detailing their trip (as if I cared for what two girls who were dead from the beginning of the book were doing before they disappeared).

The story also has the "my daughter doesn't do drugs" and "Jake won't do drugs" lines. Probably, but what do you expect of kids traveling by themselves with no adult supervision?

I didn't like the plot, the narrative, the characters... I didn't like anything at all. I DNF it at 85% because I wasn't interested in knowing if the girls' death was an accident or not. And obviously, Jake wasn't going to be the culprit because that is not the way that books work (so I gather).

Jake has disappeared, as in 'he doesn't want to be found' (remember he was traveling to "find himself"). Initially, Kate went to Thailand to cover the story of the two girls but now she has to find out where his son (Jake) is to clean his name...

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this title.

4.5 stars, actually.

Although this book has recurring characters from the author's first two terrific books - "The Widow" and "The Child" - it's billed as a standalone. There's a reason for that; reading through this one, I literally forgot any familiarity with the central character, journalist Kate Waters, until very near the end. In fact, both she and detective Bob Sparkes appeared in those two earlier novels. I mention this to make it clear that readers who may have missed the first two should feel comfortable starting here (although I highly recommend reading those first simply because they're great - I gave both well-earned 5-star ratings).

This one is excellent as well; as proof, I'll note that I was happy that the few TV shows I watch with regularity were in reruns for the Christmas holidays so I could keep my nose in the book with fewer interruptions. At the same time, I must admit I enjoyed it a teeny bit less than the first two (emphasis on teeny). Timelines and perspectives jump all over the place in this one, although they're easy to follow; in the beginning, two girls take a time-out before heading to college to visit Thailand (why they picked that country escaped me, but if they'd wanted to get themselves in trouble fast, they certainly picked the right place). Now their parents have reported them missing, and Kate is all over the story - no doubt feeling a sort of kinship with the parents because her own son Jake abruptly left home to head out to "find himself" two years earlier and hasn't been seen by them since.

Gradually, bits and pieces of what happens to the missing girls are revealed and the story isn't pretty (nor, in some respects, does it seem totally believable - hence my ever-so-slightly lower 4.5-star rating). And as readers might assume early on - and Kate learns soon thereafter - they have a connection with Jake. Exactly how they're linked is for Kate and her detective friends to find out, and it may not be what Kate wants to learn. There are a number of twists and turns before the final chapter (and there's a bit of a surprise near the end that could, I suppose, come back to bite in a future book). Overall, it's quite an enjoyable book that I highly recommend, and I once again thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

3.5/5 As a frequent traveler myself, this one caught my attention. It tells the tale of a gap year gone horribly wrong. In some ways, you can take it as a cautionary tale of what not to do while abroad, but I hope people don't come away from this book thinking that traveling in developing countries always comes with this cast of characters.

Overall, I would have liked some stronger character development- especially for Kate, one of the main characters, who doesn't even seem to have any emotional connections with her own family. I think Alex's side of the story could have been flushed out a little more as well. Interesting read though, and you don't need to have read the author's previous books in this series to read this one.

The third in the Kate Waters series and this may be my favorite! Two girls go missing in Thailand and Kate is swept up into the story until the story hits very close to home and she becomes a subject in the story instead of a reporter on the story.

There are two things I completely love about this book, the short chapters and the pacing. I think they go hand in hand, but this book read so quickly because I couldn't put it down and every time I said one more chapter it ended up bring a few more! I read this book in a few sittings, but all in one day. I just needed to find out who was responsible and how it all happened.

This book reminded me of a movie and to this moment I can't put my finger on the title. Girls going to Thailand and getting caught up in mischief and bad things happen sounds like the plot of a few movies!

The cast of characters in this book was so fully developed. From Kate the main character to the mothers and fathers of the girls in Thailand - I even really enjoyed Kate's co workers who really become a part of the story when she has to take her reporter hat off and becomes a player in the story. I may have said this when reviewing previous books in this series but it so interesting to read through the perspective of a reporter instead of a police person when an investigation is happening. It seems like a different take on the same story.

I will continue to read Kate Waters' stories if there are more, I love her as a main character and the stories that she gets involved with.

Anything written by Fiona Barton gets my attention. As expected, this accomplished author has written another hit with “The Suspect,” the story of three families sharing a crisis situation in totally different ways.

Kate and her husband haven’t heard from their son much since he began traveling in Thailand, etc. As much as she misses him, Kate doesn’t really worry too much about him. In fact, he doesn’t really come to mind when she’s assigned to write a newspaper story about two missing English girls.

According to social media, the girls are enjoying their trip to Thailand. When they start missing calls home, their families begin to worry. Missing reports lead Thai police to suspect the girls may have burned to death in a guest house fire.

The girls’ families blame each other and themselves. Through Barton’s writing, we learn one is a single mom with a two-timing, gambling ex-husband. The daughter, a last-minute substitute for the trip, is flightly, impulsive – and a liar. The other family is more traditional, bringing their daughter up to be responsible and dependable.

As Kate investigates the fire and deaths, she learns her son may have played a part in the story. Was he the mystery man at the guest house? Or was he simply the focus of a young woman’s crush?

Barton has carefully, meticulously crafted a story that weaves the three families into a tight blanket of suspense. A vacation to paradise becomes a twisted tale of murder, suspense and family dynamics. As with her other novels, Barton proves no one is ever completely innocent.

I didn't realize this was third in a series, and while it claims to be a standalone, I stopped when I felt like I was missing a lot about key characters. Will revisit as I like this author.

This is a great book! The plot and characters pulled me in and I wanted to keep reading.

A reporter is informed about the deaths of two English girls that were traveling in Thiland. She starts to investigate Web the story and finds out that her own son was involved! On top of that bombshell, the Thiland police are lying about what happened and are covering up the real story. What really happened to the English girls? What did her son do? Why are the Thiland police covering it up?

Thsee are just some of the questions that you need answered before you want to put the book dow

Another fantastic book by Fiona Davis! This is the best book in the series and can easily be read as a standalone. The writing is flawless and hooked me from the first chapter. I love a good mystery filled with believable twist and this book delivered perfectly. Wow that ending!!!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

‘The Suspect’ started out strong, holding my interest at the beginning with the mystery of what happened to young Alex and Rosie when they were in Bangkok. Unfortunately I eventually started to lose interest and I had a hard time finishing it. I put it down several times and read other books before finally committing myself to powering through and finishing it.

Part of the problem for me was that it seemed really long. At over 400 pages, it dragged in parts. I had a hard time connecting to many of the characters; Alex is probably the most sympathetic, but we know early on in the book that she dies under mysterious circumstances; it is difficult to get attached to a character you know is going to die before the book is over. The other characters were thinly developed and I didn’t care about any of them.

Another problem for me is the way Thailand, and Thai people, are portrayed. I have visited Thailand many, many times and none of the descriptions of Bangkok rang true for me. There was nothing that evoked a sense of place, very few descriptions of the city, food, or people. All the action was limited to a very few dissolute characters in a seedy guest house. The police were portrayed as inept, and Mama, the guesthouse owner, was dishonest and worse. None of the beauty, intensity, chaos and color of the city were here. It felt like a great disservice to have a novel set here and not take advantage of that rich setting.

Finally, I wish I had known before I read it that this was part of a series. Maybe if I had read previous books, that would have helped me connect to the characters.

In all, a lukewarm police procedural that just didn’t ring true for me or really engage me as a reader.

In Fiona Barton’s third book in the Kate Waters series, the journalist is assigned to investigate two missing girls on their gap year in Thailand. When Kate journeys to the foreign country, she learns that her son Jake, also in Thailand, is somehow involved in the girls’ disappearance.

Fraught with tension and urgency, the plot takes you back and forth between characters’ points-of-view, time periods and countries. Barton is adept and creating a fast-paced narrative. I found the this to be unique and addictive - an excellent addition to an outstanding series.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and Fiona Barton for my complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I love the character of Kate Waters and I loved that I was able to go back to her world again. The story she is covering now hits pretty close to home. As she investigates the two missing girls, a connection to her son is discovered. The question is to find out how deeply he is involved, if he actually is involved. Or maybe it's just a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The Suspect was a page-turner for me as the plot thickened and the mystery unraveled. Told in alternating perspectives of three of the characters, it was interesting to watch the story come together. And then the ending. Whoa, was not expecting the ending that this talented writer came up with. It's amazing what a mother's love will make some people do.

I devoured Barton’s last book in the Kate Waters series, The Child. It amazed and delighted me with it’s twists and turns, and compulsive readability. So I was thrilled to pick up The Suspect, the latest book in the series.

The Suspect is a bit of a departure from the first two books in the series, as this one takes place in Thailand. Journalist Kate Waters is covering the story, as two girls from her community in the UK have gone missing while on holiday in Thailand.

The plot is richly drawn as we travel first with the girls, Alex and Rosie, to Thailand, and later with Kate Waters as she tries to piece together what may have happened and encounters the possibility that her own son who she hasn’t heard from in 2 years might be involved.

I love Fiona Barton. She is a journalist by trade and it shows. She covers all the right details for the most part and really gets inside Kate Water’s brain. But I did want a little more from this one.

A good friend of mine is a missionary in Thailand and while I haven’t been to visit her (again, where is my adventurous free-spirited side???), I have learned from her visits home, photos and stories about how rich the culture is Thailand. The foods, the customs, the people. I wanted to see more of that from the girl’s stories and from Kate Waters. I understand the main thread of the book was their story. But why base it in such a richly cultural place if you don’t weave some of that through the pages?

Another element I was a little annoyed with is that the story switches back and forth between Alex’s perspective before they go missing and Kate’s as she searches for them. There seemed to be a big chunk in the middle of the book where they stayed in present day too long. I’m not sure why it was offsetting and I think it was done to raise suspense, but I didn’t love that.

Still, Barton spins a good a tale. And if you are a Kate Water’s series fan, this one is a must-read. Special thanks to Netgalley and Berkeley Publishing Group for an e-galley in exchange for my honest review. It’s out January 22, 2019. This review will be featured on my blog, Women in Trouble Book Blog on December 22, 2018.

The story is all about a parents worst nightmare. We want to raise strong independent children, but on the other hand, we want to protect them as much as possible as well.

Young people today love to travel the world. In fact, my son and his girlfriend took the time and did that. I was afraid for them every day.

The Suspect is a multi-part story. Kate, the reporter, is telling her story on one side, with her son traveling in Thailand, but yet not staying in contact as he should. She wonders why he doesn’t call and stays out of contact. Slowly the truth comes out.

The other part of the story is set of missing girls who are traveling in Thailand. They have failed to check in as they should have and they are listed as missing. Kate becomes a trustworthy contact for the parents and decides to find out the rest of the story.

What Fiona Barton creates is a winding twisted, story loaded with the underground secrets and truth about the underbelly and vulnerability people can have when traveling in Asia.

It’s like an onion and each page you turn removes yet another layer of what appears to be the truth. However, the truth is never what it seems.

Layer after layer and several twists later, the ugly truth starts to reveal itself. Is it what you expected?

We hear the story from the parents point of view, the reporter’s point of view, and also from many of the kids too. Drip Drip Drip… we get bits and pieces that add up to fear and misguided stories. Twists and turns that keep the stomach churning.

The author does a wonderful job of telling a story about a parents nightmare and keeping us well invested in the story. Even though this is a long book, the chapters just fly by.

Plenty of intrigue and highly detailed description of secrets, coverups, and what money can do regardless of the truth.

The Suspect is an eye opening story that will make you want to never have your kids travel or leave your sight again!

Two British teens go missing while on a trip to Thailand. To distract herself from her own worries about her son who she hasn't seen in two years, journalist Kate Waters immediately contacts the girls' parents so she can be the first with any breaking news. The case soon explodes with secrets and betrayals as they begin to piece together the girls' activities on their trip. Fiona Barton delivers another tense, twisted thriller that was very hard to put down. I was so engaged with her characters that, although I've never been a parent, I felt great empathy for the nightmarish situations they find themselves in while searching for answers. Hours after finishing the book, I'm still wondering what I would have done had I been in their shoes. Great book!

This book was engaging and had lots of twists and turns. It kept you guessing throughout. I would definitely recommend to a patron or for a book club read.

What drew me to this book was the premise, young people taking a “gap year” or vacation far from home, in this case Thailand. The world can be a very scary place particularly if you have led a somewhat sheltered life and young people make decisions based on emotions often without thinking far ahead of possible consequences. These girls are quite young, just graduated from high school, to be traveling alone in a dangerous country with no back up plan should things go awry.

Alex is a great student who has saved for a long time for this trip. She has it planned down to what they would be doing every day, what she hopes to see in Thailand, the trip of a lifetime. However at the last minute her good friend Mags tells her that she really can’t go, she doesn’t have the money. Alex is disappointed, so when Rosie, just an acquaintance, not really a good friend, offers to go with her, the trip is back on. Her best friend cautions her about Rosie, she is known to make bad decisions in the past but Alex is desperate to go on the trip she has planned for so long.

Things go wrong very quickly and the girls parents are alarmed. They haven’t heard from the girls in 3 days or more. Soon the police are involved and Kate Waters, a journalist, wants to cover the story. She has a very personal reason, her own son, Jake, has been in Thailand for two years with very little communication between Jake and his parents. She arrives on the scene of a terrible fire in a hostel where the bodies of two young women have been found, they are soon identified. The only known witness is in the hospital, but Kate is too late, by the time she arrives the witness has fled.

Soon Kate herself is part of the story as her son Jake is identified as the lone witness. There are so many questions that she wants to ask him, but he will not contact her no matter how hard she tries.

There were lots of things I liked about this book. It had a great premise, the characters were interesting, if not quite believable, and there was a mystery to be solved.

I do think that this book will have you turning the pages to figure out the mystery of what happened. It is a complicated, well written mystery. I do feel as though the characters could have been more well described. We know very little about the girls and Jake except for what is taking place at the time. I think if I would have known more about them I would have cared more about the story.

For me this was a mediocre read, not one that I will rave about but still a good read.I had trouble believing that Kate would let two years pass without checking on her only son but then she flies off to Bangkok quickly when in pursuit of a story. I don’t really get a feel for her personality as a mother or wife. Her husband plays little part in the unraveling of the story.

I had the same feeling with Ms. Barton’s other books, her strength lies more with the mystery than the characters.

I received an ARC of this mystery from publisher through NetGalley.

Will post to amazon upon publication in January 2019.