This book is told from the different perspectives of all the main characters and it works reallly well!

Avery is abducted by her grandmothers after they fear she is being mistreated at home. What follows is their journey on the run as they try to keep Avery safe and while it is light and funny for the most part, it is also touching and sad at the same time. This story deals with relationships, strained family dynamics, and most importantly the coming together of those to save a little girl they love.,

When Shirley Conifer believes her son is abusing his four year old daughter, she does something nobody would expect and teams up with her mother and Avery's maternal grandmother to abduct her. Told from multiple viewpoints, this was a story that had both sadness and joy in it. Good read.

The Unusual Abduction of Avery Conifer is a very unique Australian story, and not many people would band together and just take off with their grandchildren just to be heard. The story reminds me of some old tv shows, which brings different women together to becoming friends, this odd trio of women going from disliking and tolerating each other to becoming a warm and endearing friendship. I really enjoyed reading the book that I couldn’t put down. An emotional story going from funny to being anxious of them being caught or them pulling the plug. By the end of the book I felt glad that it all turned out right and at times sad and wishing I had a friendship and siblings similar to Shirley’s. A great book, I recommend to readers who like stories about us down to earth Aussies, friendships and family relationships.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin Australia via NetGalley for my honest review of the book The Unusual Abduction of Avery Conifer. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own thoughts, feelings and viewpoints of the book.

Review run date was set for 01 Sep 2021 for Netgalley, unfortunately life stood at a standstill as my health became an emotional roller coaster so here I am today 22 October 2021 posted on my NetGalley, WordPress blog, Facebookwi blog, LinkedIn, Amazon.com.au, goodreads, along with the non-linked retail online stores that sell the book is at:

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This was a much heavier read than I was expecting, an interesting story of how shared interest can bring together opposites. Some fun and funny moments bring relief from the heavy subject matter. Well rounded character and well written.

What an amazing story told with sensitivity and humour. There are subjects being discussed by the characters who often have different opinions only to find in the end they have reached a consensus much to their surprise.
The kidnapping is a platform for Ilsa Evans to cleverly take a critical look at today's many current issues such as child abuse, ageing, marriage, trust, self-worth, women's security in a subtle way so you don't feel you are being lectured. In fact, there are many laughs out loud with three women on the run with an important appointment.

I loved this book, such a different story but totally believable. All characters were well crafted and created some interesting dialogue. Definitely recommending to friends!

Set in metropolitan Melbourne & regional Victoria (Australia) this wonderful book centres on family, in all its messiness & beauty.

Three year old Avery Conifer comes from a pretty dysfunctional home. Her mum is in prison, & Avery’s Grandmothers, Shirley & Beth are worried she is being neglected & abused by her father. Despite Shirley & Beth’s dislike for each other, they decide to take matters into their own hands by abducting Avery & going on the run. Accompanying the trio, is Winsome (Winnie for short) Avery’s 89 year old, tech savvy, Twitter trolling Great Grandmother.

This is a contemporary fiction story told through the third person POV of women from Avery’s family, journalists, social workers & police, with most of the POVs coming from Shirley, Beth & Winnie.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! One of the things done incredibly well was the characterisation of so many unique women (all POVs are female). The characters were so well-developed, distinct & real that I feel like if I met them on the street I’d recognise them. This book dealt with serious issues with respect, & was also incredibly funny at times. It reminded me of Backman’s books, except it wasn’t as emotionally taxing.

The absolute highlight of this story in my opinion, is Winnie. She is such a wonderful character. She’s constantly undermined because of her age, but uses this to her advantage. She also has some of the funniest lines.

I highly recommend checking this book out. It was serious when it needed to be but was also a very fun read.

Thank you to the publisher & Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to net galley and the rest for a free read. I greatly appreciate it and I know my reviews are ordinary.

TW: Child abuse

I don't think I could've ever imagined reading a book like this. I wish my grandmothers had been brave enough to take me away. I cannot tell you how envious I am at generations who can call police and be believed and taken off the people who are abusing them. I once did a police interview where the children got an DVO (domestic violence order, like a restraining order) against their mother so she couldn't hit them anymore.

I loved this book, it took a little while to get into it. If you've ever seen Muriel's Wedding, these women would've fit in well in that film. Shirley and Beth and Winnie are just really special Australian women who have never been listened to and take matters into their own hands. It's a beautiful written book, with a carefully constructed plot with very few loopholes. Winnie's techno acumen is believable (my own grandfather was on the internet at 90) and even her twitter handles are hilarious.

It's funny, it's terrifying, but these three women save their hilarious grandchild and teach her father a lesson he'll not forget in a hurry.

I don't often give four stars. Extremely readable.

I found The Unusual Abduction of Avery Conifer by Ilsa Evans a thought provoking read with an original storyline. It was witty, emotive, full of adventure, humour, and a swell of unique, relatable, and likeable characters.

I flew through the pages with ease reading it within a couple of sittings, it was very enjoyable.

A big thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for so kindly gifting me this to read and review.

The Unusual Abduction of Avery Conifer is a heartfelt, thoughtful and witty novel from Ilsa Evans.

Shirley Conifer has given her youngest son Daniel the benefit of the doubt as he struggles with single parenthood, but on discovering deep bruises on her four year granddaughter’s body she makes the snap decision not to return Avery to her father until he commits to making some changes. Worried that she won’t have the fortitude to follow through, Shirley seeks the support of Beth Patterson, Avery’s maternal grandmother, knowing that even though they agree on little, Beth will be similarly motivated to protect Avery.

Beth thinks Shirley should call the police, but with Avery’s mother, Cleo, serving a three month sentence in prison as a result of the couple’s tumultuous marriage, neither want to run the risk of Avery being placed in foster care. Shirley is confident Daniel will do the right thing but to prove they are serious, the women, with Avery, Shirley’s 89 year old mother, Winnie, and Beth’s beloved schnauzer, Harthacnut, in tow, decide to leave the city for the week.

Daniel is furious when he learns of his mother’s actions, and refusing to accept any blame for the situation, demands Avery be returned or he will report them for child abduction. Determined to protect Avery no matter the cost to themselves, Shirley and Beth reconsider their plan, and go on the run, intending to stay ahead of Daniel, and the police, until Cleo is released from jail.

Unfolding from multiple perspectives, The Unusual Abduction of Avery Conifer, is a complex family drama that primarily explores issues around parenting, mother guilt, domestic violence, relationships, family dynamics, and ageing. Evan’s writing is sensitive and thoughtful, but there is plenty of humour too.

Though the police are confident the women will be found quickly, Beth, Shirley and Winnie prove to be craftier than anyone expects. While Beth lays careful plans to keep them all off the grid, Winnie reveals a surprisingly useful grasp of tech and social media, and Shirley ensures Avery is entertained. I enjoyed the dynamics at play, it’s not easy for the three very different women to spend 24/7 confined in the same space however, and the mood is often tense between them given Beth’s judgemental attitude, Shirley’s love of wine, and Winnie’s bluntness, but they also have the opportunity to learn from each other as they progress from reluctant allies to friends.

While the Grandmothers keep a low profile, Shirley’s very pregnant daughter tries to manage the situation at home, and Cleo is forced to face her mistakes. We’re also given some insight into the lives of the two female police investigators on the case, and a behind scenes look at a tv panel show following the abduction story. While personally I didn’t think the latter two perspectives added much value to the story, they do work within the themes of the novel.

As a fan of Ilsa Evan’s Nell Forrest Mystery series, I was especially delighted that the women ultimately took refuge in Majic, and that a character I had the fortune to win naming rights to in Forbidden Fruit (Grace June Rae) made a cameo appearance!

The Unusual Abduction of Avery Conifer is a thought-provoking, emotive and entertaining novel offering a wonderful mix of drama, adventure and comedy.

An original and quirky plot, original and quirky characters, original and quirky writing. Love the Australian setting.

I liked the balance between serious family drama and laugh out loud humour.

It tells the story of four year old Avery on the run with her two grandmothers and great grandmother. All three women are wonderful characters and very well written.

This book did cover serious topics of child abuse it is covered seriously and with sensitivity, however could be a trigger to some.

4.5*
What a great read. The Unusual Abduction of Avery Conifer was funny and poignant, This story conveys the love of a grandmother (and great grandmother) towards a grandchild and their determination to keep her safe. Scattered with "laugh out loud" passages, I found it hard to put down. . I really enjoyed how the story was told from various characters point of views so you get a good insight into the families and what makes them tick. A well written book that touches the heart and addresses social issues with humour and empathy. Would highly recommend.

A very good story about family issues. Well told and easy to read. The characters where well developed and their interactions with each other were consistent. Really enjoyed this.

This was a really refreshing read - I can't say I've ever read a book with older (& elderly) women as the main characters and I think there's a lot to be learned from a story like this. For example, the way we often underestimate those who are older, or how we misjudge them or believe they aren't capable of thinking the way that the younger generations do.

Content warning that the book deals with big issues - toxic relationships, child abuse and neglect, emotional trauma, dysfunctional families; the list is pretty big. That being said, I personally did not find the book heavy. It was enjoyable, at times light-hearted and full of humour. My favourite character was Winsome as she reminded me a lot of Violet Crawley from Downton Abbey (albeit, if she suddenly found herself in the 21st Century).

Overall this was very enjoyable, unique and UNUSUAL indeed.

Shirley and Beth abduct and hide out with their four-year-old granddaughter Avery after noticing a pattern of suspicious bruises. They are joined on the run across country Victoria by Shirley's 89-year-old mother and Beth's miniature schnauzer. They all love Avery, so it is a shame they all can't get along.

This story lightly portraying complex themes had a lot of potential, and while I mostly enjoyed the read, I felt some of that potential was lost.

I usually love multiple POVs, but I felt this book had too many. I didn't see the importance of some POVs since they're without context, or their POVs did not add significantly to the plot. Descriptions were often lengthy so, I had to work hard to keep my eyes from wandering to the next slab of dialogue. However, while the middle is full of detail, the resolution felt rushed.

Slow to start, I kept reading because the trio of unlikely grandmothers were witty and fun - I loved their chaotic dynamic! The discussions they had on the run while trying to connect were a brilliant way to make the readers think about how their own childhood shapes their beliefs and relationships. Plus, I wanted to see how all would sail for sweet Avery.

We're told that the genre of 'The Unusual Abduction of Avery Conifer' by Ilsa Evans is general adults (women's) fiction. I add that it carries a mystery at its core. Who harmed Avery Conifer that led to the eponymous abduction? Set in Melbourne and rural Victoria in Australia, the book follows three grannies on an unlikely excursion, on the run from the police and their families.

The book is like a movie or TV show in its telling in multiple voices, including 4-year-old Avery's maternal and paternal grandmothers, respectively Beth Patterson and Shirley Conifer, and Winnie, Shirley's 89-year-old mother. There's also amongst others, Sam, Hannah, Kristen, Cleo, Avery Conifer herself, the two cops, Becs and Elsa (who couldn't be more unlike the frail princesses of Frozen – funny) and TV hosts. Too many POVs for my liking, all third person past. Luckily, we didn't have to read Daniel's, Avery's father's, POV. My least favourite POV was Avery's. I don't generally like reading a child's POV in an adult book, and this was no different. I've not heard a child unable to pronounce the letter, "l", like Avery. It's usually the R's or a lisp, so reading her words wasn't cute. My favourite character was Winnie, with her acerbic tongue and secret IT talents.

In the milieu of suspected physical child abuse, the author brings a light touch. Some of the humour had me in stitches. The themes dwelled more on family relationships across three generations and family dysfunction than child abuse; also learning to get along with those who're the opposite of you (cabin fever in the age of Covid 19, anyone?), and misogynistic men, who may leave behind loving parents who wonder what they could have done better.

Beth Patterson is the organised one, who puts a plan in place when Shirley pops at her door. The latter is scatter-brained, kind but a bit of a heavy drinker. Beth brings Harth, her miniature schnauzer, while Shirley brings her Mum, Winnie, along for the ride. Due to being nearly 90, everyone underestimates Winnie, who is tech savvy and could teach the other grannies a thing or two. Avery’s mother, Cleo, is in prison for violating an intervention order placed by her husband, Daniel. As the blurb tells, the grandmothers abduct Avery to protect her from her father, Daniel, who has charmed the system and the police against Cleo. Distrustful of the system, the grannies have no choice but to flout the law, choosing to hide out with Avery her until Cleo is discharged.

The mysteries that kept me turning the pages are: how Avery got hurt, and what would happen to the 3 women at the end. The police appeal to the public as they're getting nowhere in locating the four people and a dog, resulting in the grannies at the centre of media attention. They must endure one another, without getting caught.

Each character including Avery has shades of grey, making this quite long book believable and interesting. I highly recommend this story that made me root for the 3 grannies, hoping they would get redemption, as their motives were so pure though they broke the law to do what they felt they had to do. My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for the ARC.

This review also appears in Amazon.com, https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4243646969, https://thereadersvault.blogspot.com/2021/09/the-unusual-abduction-of-avery-conifer.html. https://www.netgalley.com/.
#TheUnusualAbductionofAveryConifer #NetGalley.

I am not sure what I was expecting from this story, the premise was nothing like I had every read before, which really excited me!

This story held a whole lot of depth, and presented the elderly in such a beautiful and meaningful way. So much heart. Writing was easy to read, characters were unique in their own right and developed appropriately.

4.5 Stars

Wow, this is dark yet funny at the same time. The mystery in this book is written so well. There were times I felt like I was reading a comedic heist film. It was funny, and I laughed so loud.
I also loved how I just wanted to keep reading the book, so I could figure out what the truth was. There kept reevaluating reasons why little Avery would be covered in bruises. I wanted everything to be okay, but my gut kept telling me it wasn't going to be the case. It showed how there is usually no single villain in a broken marriage and how both of Avery's parents had to take a portion of the blame.

The use of multiple POVs works well. It was great that it mainly focused on the female members of the story and how they saw things differently and learned from the others. I think my two favourite POV's was Avery's and Winnie. Both the youngest and oldest had something to say yet were often ignored. Brilliant!

Just a fabulous read from start to finish, full to bursting with a cast of unique, relatable and likeable characters. It's unusual for a book dealing with such difficult themes (abuse, neglect, crime) to be enjoyable but this manages to be genuinely funny without ever minimizing the importance of those issues. Loved it.