Not the best that I've read by this author duo. Kind of boring and very predictable. I didn't care for the ending either. I would also recommend another round of editing. So many typos. Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for the advance read in exchange for my honest review.

Nicci French knows how to ratchet up the tension, and in her new thriller, a sharply plotted domestic drama about a single mother and her imaginative young daughter, she does just that . Tess isn't given to worrying when her daughter Poppy spend time with her father and his new wife, but when her Poppy returns from a visit with them in a strange mood and then presents her with a drawing of a woman falling off a high tower and repeats "He did kill her", she's confused by the comments and the picture. She gets no answers from Jason, Poppy's father, and the girl's continued regressive behavior worries her enough to do some investigating on her own What she's discovers doesn't ease her mind; it leads her deeper into the mystery of whether there was a death, when it happened, and who it happened to
A carefully thought-out plot, an appealing heroine, and a strong narrative drive this newest French mystery to a rewarding denouement

A well paced, intriguing thriller. A lot of twists and turns that kept me guessing and invested. I would recommend this to tot those who like mystery/suspense.

The Unheard is a well paced, compelling thriller. Tess, the protagonist, is a single mother whose daughter, Poppy, becomes unsettled and angry after a weekend with her dad. She draws a picture of a person falling from a tower. As a mother Tess knows something horrible has happened and her daughter saw it. Tess, neurotic and overprotective, will stop at nothing to discover the truth. She confronts Poppy's father and even goes to the police, but no one will take her seriously.
Then a body is found and it becomes apparent that there really was a crime, but how did the three-year-old witness it, and who is the killer? Lots of twists and red herrings to keep the reader guessing and turning pages.

Poppy goes to her father's house for the weekend. When she comes home Poppy is acting strange. This sets up a string of events that lead to a unexpected place. Tension filled.

The premise basically works, but the people are all so unlikable that I almost wanted bad things for them, which is weird and not altogether pleasant.

This is the first book I read from the duo of Nicci French and I was pleasantly surprised. I will be reading and checking off from their list of previous works.

The Unheard builds on the anxiety of a single mother, Tess, who thinks her daughter has experienced so sort of trauma. Kept me on my toes, with subtle twists and turns. Tess did get on my nerves every now and then but I could imagine that’s how someone protecting their child would react.

I do wish we got full circle closure on some of the side stories.

Overall, very good and suspenseful read. Will be coming back for more Nicci French.

Thank you NetGalley and William Marrow and Custom House for proving me with this arc in exchange for this honest opinion!

I found this mystery to be everything I wanted right now. Spooky, like looking around the corner and not knowing what's there. Or the bump in the night, the shift in the air that raises the hair on your arm... Nicci French has done it again.

Great Read!!! Thank you Net Galley. I’ve never read any books from this author. I’m so glad I was able to get this one. You won’t be disappointed.

A suspenseful mystery that’s riveting from first page to last. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

** Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion. *

This is a very suspenseful psychological thriller. There are many twists and turns and will keep you guessing until the end!

This suspenseful thriller is about a mother who suspects her daughter has witnessed a traumatic event. Determined to uncover what happened, she hunts down clues and pieces them together to find out the truth, even though everyone around her thinks she is crazy. This was a well-paced thriller with a satisfying ending I did not see coming.

The husband/wife team under the name Nick French, didn’t fail to entertain yet again. The characters are developed, a solid storyline, triller pack to the brim with intrigue and mystery.

Unexpected story that somehow all came together in the end and made perfect sense. All things were pointing to a story with a child with special powers and an overprotective mother. Though that seemed believable, the true story was there all the time.

Nicci French (a husband and wife team) is back! I wasn't a fan of their last book but this nerve-wracking thriller/mystery is wonderful. Tess is a divorced mother of a three-year-old daughter who has visitations with her father and his new wife. After a weekend visit, Poppy draws a violent picture and will only explain it to her mother by saying, "He did kill her". The roller coaster ride begins with plausible solutions and dead ends and colorful characters. Just what we hope for in a new thriller by master authors!

“The Unheard” by Nicci French was a well-written, fast-paced mystery/thriller, with a bit of complexity in the storyline, and many entertaining twists. The authors have a well thought out plot and interesting characters, leaving the reader with a multitude of theories on the journey to find the killer amongst them.

A sincere thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Custom House for providing me an advance copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to read this story and leave my review voluntarily.

What a wonderful psychological thriller...a little creepy, suspenseful, and an edge of your seat book!

The Unheard by Nicci French -- 4 Stars
Publisher: William Morrow and Custom House
ISBN: 9780063137745

Was there a murder or was it the imagination of a creative three year old? When it became apparent that there really was a crime, there were many possibilities for the identity of the killer and the reason for the murder.
Tess, mother of the young artist, leads the story through a twisted search, even breaking a few laws, to find the truth and protect herself and her daughter.
Feelings and relationship descriptions sometimes slowed the action. Overall, the story was suspenseful and enjoyable.

Reviewer: Nancy

Wow!! And WOW! Again! If you're looking for suspense, twists and turns, chills, and mystery you need to read the Unheard!
Fabulously written, entertaining, scary and just not a put down till later book.
A definite recommend!

✨ ARC REVIEW ✨

The Unheard by Nicci French
PUB DATE: October 26, 2021

I’ll start by saying I try my best to read and review books closer to their pub days for the best potential exposure, but I was so overly excited to be granted this ARC by @williammorrowbooks via @netgalley and when I left ACOWAR at work one day, it felt like an opportune moment to dig in 😈

THE UNHEARD is a story written by both husband AND wife (I think that’s a pretty sick fact!) about a newly single mother and her three year old daughter, Poppy. Poppy starts acting out, saying and drawing unsettling things, and wetting the bed. This sends her mother, Tess, on a mission to figure out what Poppy was exposed to while visiting her father and stumbles upon an unsolved murder that feels too eerily close to be dismissed.

✨

Although I loved the general idea and concept, this book was too scattered for me. I understand the idea behind being in Tess’ mind, not knowing who to trust, what to do, etc., but there were moments where what was written concerning Tess’ actions (i.e. breaking up with a boyfriend) were a bit unclear and it was confusing to try and understand what exactly she was doing.

The facts of the murder mystery or of Poppy’s behavior were far too repetitive. I think it would have been more concise and had a better flow if it was simply stated that Tess explained Poppy’s behavior in detail to whomever was newly introduced to the story.

However, the ability Nicci French has for getting you to stand in the shoes of each character was fantastic! As a mom, I felt just as anxious and uncomfortable as Tess did concerning Poppy and her care. I had just as much boiling anger for her ex and nervousness and insecurity over her new boyfriend.

On that note.... What was the neighbors deal?! I got no closure with him. No understanding regarding HIS oddball behavior 🧐


RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5