Dr Bloom, a psychologist, and Jameson an Ex MI6 agent are an investigative team that agrees to look into a missing mother of a teenage girl. They quickly discover that people are disappearing on their birthday without a trace leaving behind a birthday card daring them to play a game. They seem to go willingly, leaving their lives and families behind without a second thought but where and why. What is this game and why are they playing?

The book manages to keep its secrets well hidden and Bloom and Jameson move from investigators to unwitting participants. The characters are well written, generally likable and believable and the text does not rely heavily on in-depth procedural descriptions and manages to present analyses of psychosis in understandable terms.

I really enjoyed this story. It had a wonderful premise and maintained tension throughout making it an incredible page turned. I would recommend this book to others.

Gone is one of the best books I’ve tread in a long time! The premise is so unusual of (SPOILER) psychopaths are going missing and the game is deadly!! I read this book in two days as I couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend it!!!

I haven’t read a straight crime thriller set in the UK for some time. I find that they tend to be pretty tame in comparison to their American counterparts, or they go overboard with the gore in order to try and stand out. I was pleasantly surprised that this novel fit neither of those stereotypes.

Sixteen-year-old Jane’s mother was missing. Lana left no note, no money, nothing to help ensure Jane’s safety. All that was left was a card saying “Happy 1st Birthday”, containing the message “YOUR GIFT IS THE GAME. DARE TO PLAY?” printed inside.

Frustrated by the lack of interest from the police, Jane reached out online and made a chilling discovery. Lana wasn’t the only one to receive this card – it was discovered in four other missing person cases.

Turning to a family friend for help, Jane just wants her mother to come home. Can former MI6 agent Jameson and his psychologist partner Bloom find Lana and the others? Or will they discover that the missing people are not the ones who need to be saved?

Despite a somewhat shaky start, I was quickly drawn into the narrative, and found the premise to be quite intriguing. The main characters are slightly two dimensional on occasion, but interesting enough for this story and are ripe for development in a possible future sequel. Some of the plot devices were obvious, but on the whole the novel is absorbing and well worth a try.

Gone appears to be a re-release of Deakin’s debut novel, Mind Games.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a book I wouldn’t normally choose. Initially it felt like 2 separate stories and i was concerned i wouldnt really get into the book. However, even though the stories don’t join until over half way through the book it wasn’t an issue

I felt the characters were extremely well developed and the background story was excellent. I was really getting into the book but I felt the ending wasxa little rushed. It seemed to happen all of a sudden and with not much detail. Everything else had been described so well and the ending just felt like it needed to be done. A bit of a disappointment but still a good read

It was an okay read but was a bit far fetched I didn’t really connect with the characters and found it quite boring i wanted it to get better but couldn’t wait to finish it

**Book Review**
I have just finished this book in two days! Here is the blurb and my review below-
Four strangers are missing. Left at their last-known locations are birthday cards that read:
YOUR GIFT IS THE GAME.
DARE TO PLAY?
The police aren’t worried – it’s just a game. But the families are frantic. As psychologist and private detective Dr Augusta Bloom delves into the lives of the missing people, she finds something that binds them all.
And that something makes them very dangerous indeed.
As more disappearances are reported and new birthday cards uncovered, Dr Bloom races to unravel the mystery and find the missing people.
But what if, this time, they are the ones she should fear?
This book had me hooked from the moment I saw the front cover. Deakin’s style of writing flowed so effortlessly I felt like I couldn’t devour her words quick enough. I read it so fast because I had to see if my predictions for the story and it’s characters were correct, and I couldn’t wait to find out. Selfishly I wish the book was longer so it could delve deeper into this deadly game and the fate of the book’s many characters. I have a feeling we will be seeing more of Dr Augusta Bloom!
Thank you to Random House UK and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy.
Definitely put this on your reading list, it’s available 9th of August on kindle and Ereaders . Available on the 3rd of October in paperback.
Would you read this book?

WHAT A FANTASTIC DEBUT THRILLER!!!!
Thank you to Netgalley for the preview of this book, and what a book it was!!
Have you ever read a book then wished for temporary amnesia so you could read it again? This is one of those books where I wished for such.
It starts with a birthday card inviting certain, seemingly random, people to “date to play” and the story from then on places the reader on a rollercoaster of a ride of pure unadulterated thrills, twists and turns.
The “players” go missing upon accepting the dare, but they haven’t been abducted, or kidnapped, they’ve actually disappeared willingly to join a group of like minded select people who are all functioning psycho’s, intent on having power over the “normal” people. The new recruits are given a series of challenges to gain entry into the psychotic group, and those that fail simply disappear. The characters tasked to infiltrate the group and bring them down are a psychologist and her ex secret service partner who are both unknowingly linked to the leader of the group.
I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down, and when I absolutely had to, I was thinking about it. One of the best thrillers I’ve ever read which is a bold statement as I’ve read many, but is certainly worthy of such praise!! I will defiantly read a further book from this author who’s premise for this book was unique, thought provoking and all together possible if not probable. Please write another novel soon, I need the adrenaline rush!

Thanks to Netgalley for sharing a copy for review.

Well, I finished this book in a day, the fastest I have read a book all year which I think says a lot. This is despite the horrific formatting on the version I received, which meant I had to reread several sections more than once to figure out what was going on, and also despite the fact that I figured out the plot at about 40%. But it did keep me hooked to the end, with a caveat that I will get into below.

It is very clear from very early in that the author is an expert in psychology. She weaves the science quite well into the plot, and takes care to explain in basic language what it means so that even the least aware person can keep up. Second, the plot abounds with messages that ring true: for example the exhibitionism we tend to display on social media and how we use different forms differently. Clearly the author has a relevant message for today’s world of interconnected realities and its inherent dangers. The game itself was also quite intriguing a concept. The writing is excellent and the use of words is superb.

That said, there were a few things I didn’t really like which explains the rating. First was the pacing - the whole book felt quite flat to me, and I had a bit of difficulty getting excited or really thrilled. I find a god thriller is one that keeps me on the edge of my seat while I’m reading it, but I didn’t get that feeling with this novel. Second, the character of Marcus felt a bit odd to me - a spymaster who seems to lose all his skills at the first hint of a relationship. Third, I didn’t really feel a connection with Augusta even though she is the main character. I wasn’t sure exactly how to treat her in my mind - is she the “lonely spinster” type, the wiry elderly lady type, a Ms Marple level of super detective, or a Natasha Romanova type of deception artist? And finally, at the end, I understood the Why of the whole plot, but I didn’t really get the So What.

Overall, a commendable effort for a first novel. I enjoyed reading this book, and others might as well especially if you are looking for a fast read.

I was completely hooked after 'reading the very first page. A quality first novel and mystery thriller from a new author with hopefully the start of an interesting new crime fighting partnership to come.

This book was well crafted and the author avoided overusing coincidence in the mystery. This resulted in a suspenseful mystery and when everything was revealed at the end, all the pieces interlocked beautifully. The main characters also felt complete. Their motives and actions matched and it helped propel the mystery smoothly.

I was disappointed with this book, as I had high hopes of it being a gripping thriller. The story is good, and clever, if a little silly, but the characters are a bit wooden, especially Marcus, and it was very easy to spot the "twist" from early on in the book, which made it rather dull. I probably wouldn't bother reading any more books by this author.

You know when you finish a book and just can't stop thinking about it for hours afterwards? Well Gone by Leona Deakin did that to me!

I love a thriller, it's a genre I've reviewed many times before but anything with a psychological element too and I am in so when I read the synopsis of Gone I knew it would be one for me. It's taken a missing person story and flipped it completely.

From the beginning I was captivated by the story and the characters. I was intrigued by Dr Augusta Bloom who despite seeming a little closed off at first, clearly had more about her than just her job and I also loved her friendship with colleague Marcus who almost seemed like the complete opposite to her. I warmed to them both quite quickly. Early on we are also introduced to a young girl called Seraphine who has been involved in a suspicious attack at her school. Augusta is the one to try and figure out Seraphine's involvement and question if there's more to her than she's letting on. This is sort of an underlying story throughout that at times was a little easy to forget about but it gets very interesting towards the end as things start to tie together!

Now onto the game itself which is what starts this whole thing going. What would you do if you received a dare on your birthday? It genuinely makes you question how you would react in that situation and makes you think about your own traits and what sort of person you are. It's so cleverly written and I just love how Leona has taken something that has been written about so many times before and completely switched it up. Despite having lots of characters involved and obviously lots of psychological chat which could have easily been too confusing, it actually flowed incredibly well and I was honestly addicted to it. I got vibes of the film Nerve throughout because of the game and then nearer the end it had a touch of Killing Eve about it which makes for an interesting but brilliant mix!

For a debut novel I think Leona Deakin has proved she's a force to be reckoned with. It's full of suspense, mysterious from the very start and she made me doubt every single character at one point! It touches on some really interesting topics like the impact of technology and social media too which gave me something to think about. I think it's easy to forget sometimes what we put out there can be found by anyone!

Gone has an excellent premise which has been executed extremely well, it's like nothing I've ever read before. I really hope this is the start of a series with characters Augusta, Marcus and Seraphine, I don't want their stories to be over just yet.

This was a gripping psychological thriller. Dr Augusta Bloom and her partner, Marcus Jameson, become involved in what starts as a missing person case. Then they discover more people have disappeared, on their birthday after receiving a card inviting them to participate in a 'game'.

From here the pace hots up, as they realise the 'game' has drawn in more people who have left their lives and not been seen since, and they try to determine what characteristics they share and why they won't come home, as well as tracing the missing woman linked to Jameson's family.

By half way through I was suspecting everyone of being psychopaths! Every new character is viewed with suspicion, as we are shown that psychopaths are not all serial killers, but are able to integrate into society and manipulate people and situations for their own gain.

Pacy, entertaining and keeps the reader guessing until the end, and even though I guessed the ringleader early on it did not spoil the story.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and Black Swan for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Twisted psychological thriller! It was well written and intriguing with plenty of twists and turns. I would recommend this book to fans of this genre.

This was one of those books that I should probably read again having reached the end to fully appreciate! I enjoyed it but found it hard to get into for some reason. Those who like a psychological mystery will enjoy!

Previously called Mind Games. I read this first version.

I have always been an avid thriller reader and have loved all the psychological thrillers that have become so popular but this book was the fist in a while that I was glued to at every available spare minute.
A game that nobody wants to play apart from a certain group of people who are selected because they all possess certain qualities, dangerous and powerful and impossible to track down.
I love a book that instantly gets your attention but isn’t shallow and predictable. This novel is modern and delves into a dark world but one that is not too far from our own, you could be living next door woe working with one of those people.
A great read I hope we see more of the main characters.

I really enjoyed this book. A clever, scary and all too possible idea for crime is happening without anyone being aware of it until a family friend raises the alarm.
The story tackles psychopaths and the possibilities of a person without emotional empathy, planning this crime. I found it interesting from a clinical point of view and adding the personality disorder to todays technical possibilities is scary indeed.
I did identify the protagonist after the timeline became clearer and I found the first few chapters rather confusing as there are several different target people. it wasn't clear that two timelines were running along together at first but as all this detail unravelled I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Recommended!

I loved this book, i was gripped right from the beginning! There are so many twists and turns that really do keep you guessing. Definitely worth a read!

My thanks to Leona Deakin, Random House and NetGalley for the ARC of GONE.
Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. This kind of story is right up my street. Love Augusta Bloom, and her sidekick, Marcus Jameson. This story kept me guessing. How long must it have taken the author to work out the twists and turns. Scary, psychological stuff. Hope there's more to come. Really loved it. 5 super stars.

Deakin’s debut thriller is an intriguing one: what happens when you bring a group of psychopaths together?
It sees psychologist Augusta Bloom and detective Marcus Jameson investigating the disappearance of a group of people who have one thing in common. But how will the detectives react when things start to get personal?
The novel is pacy and full of twists and this sometimes gets a bit confusing and plot develops at the expense of characterisation.
But on the whole it’s a refreshing take on the thriller, and an easy read and keeps you guessing til the end.
I’d recommend it if you like a twisty thriller. I suspect this will become a series based around the detectives as they’re strong characters who could easily be more developed.

This one hooked me in very quickly , I really enjoyed it and I loved the build up of events and the suspense. I really liked the pacing, it kept me guessing all the way till the end and it had a satisfying end too. I liked the style of writing , it was easy to get into and follow all the way through , I found it very engaging and exciting too. I really liked the main characters , Seraphine is brilliant, the wit and coldness made for such fun reading , someone I loved to hate and hated to love. Her connection and interactions with Dr Bloom I really loved.