Riveting!

WPC Joanna Hamilton, known as Jo responds to a radio call out for units to attend a domestic. It’s a cold dark wintry December night in 1975. Jo responds………

Oh my, what an exciting book, a right page turning thriller. This book had me guessing and second guessing myself the whole way through, and keeping me in a thrilling suspense.
It was so interesting and exciting, dipping between 1944, the 1970’s, 80’s to 2015, covering the various characters and their lives.
I was almost at the end of the book, with the thoughts in my head of who was the most suspicious? Ooh who?
Cannot wait to read more from the author.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for an advanced e-book copy. Opinions about the book are entirely my own.

Wow! I absolutely devoured this book.
Told through multiple viewpoints and timelines, this book had me hooked from the start.

There was lots to like about this twisty tale which rattles along to a spectacularly dramatic conclusion.
The author specialises in differing timeline plots which sets out the development of the characters' lives. I did feel that the connections (and also in not knowing each other) between one or two of the main characters were exposed as slightly unbelievable but overall it was a strong narrative led by the main character Jo Hamilton in her last working week in the police force.
The fate of girls on the periphery of society/in care/orphans was once again emotionally explored with care alongside some red herrings amongst authority who might well have been suspects to the eventual murder case.
The location was tightly described (I live in East Sussex so could picture it in my mind) and once again the lure of seaside/coastal crimes makes this a vivid crime read.
Overall I thought this novel was gripping enough to keep readers engaged and thinking about what happened - and by whom.

A time travelling mystery from forgotten sisters to a children’s home to Bletchley during the war to the present day. Too many convenient coincidences for me to be completely enjoyable.

Carefully crafted story that shifts between the WWII era (Bletchley Park), 1970s, 1990s, and the present to establish a mystery that truly only unravels once all the pieces are in place. I enjoyed all the characters, though the majority faced more challenges than joys in their lives. I loved the book up to the very end, and, while disappointed in the conclusion (had told myself it can’t possibly be this person), but overall really enjoyed the writing and plot lines.

Thank you to Headline, Headline Review,Netgalley, and the author for early access to this book.

Well I can safely say this has been a truly emotional, heartbreaking and thought-provoking story. It was the alluring and beautiful cover that made me want to read this book amd I'm so glad it did as it truly was a gripping read from start to finish.

There was a lot of characters to keep track of, figuring out what their part was within the story, whether they were a victim, guilty of something or linked to another character in some way. Daisy was probably my favourite character, she was a strong character despite all that she had to endure from a child to adulthood.

I didn’t much like the characters of Lorna or Geoff Price, but then given their role within the story and the things they did, I don't think your meant to like them.

I was truly captivated and enthralled with this book and throughout reading it, I kept trying to piece everything together in my head, and figure it all out, and wondering how it would all end. Suffice to say I couldn't have been more wrong if I tried. I was shocked by the twist near the end as didn't see it coming.

If your new to author Emily Gunnis, then I’d definitely take a chance with her books, as they are all such great reads.

Thank you for the advance copy of this book. I enjoyed the story however it was a bit confusing, The time periods changed so much at times I was confused. I make a promise to myself to always finish all books that I start. A few times I was going to stop but I’m glad I pushed forward. The book did have me on the edge of my seat during the last few chapters. I love books where you think you have predicted the ending only to be pleasantly surprised and wrong. I would definitely recommend the book to other readers.

Compelling thriller with multiple timelines. It's particularly heartbreaking about the children trapped in a home where they are neglected and starved, seemingly with no way out.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me a free eARC of this book to read in exchange for my review!

I followed this alongside the brilliantly narrated audiobook.

The Girls Left Behind is set across four timelines and Emily Gunnis very skilfully connects all of the main characters together across those different eras, so I had no problem keeping up with the timeline and character changes.

The plot is realistically written and I have no doubt that the experiences of the characters in the book accurately mirror the experiences of people who dealt with similar situations in real life, and I felt great empathy for the women in the book.

Despite there being some twists and turns throughout, I was certain I’d sussed out the killer early on, so was completely sidelined by the unexpected ending!

Well worth a read, and I’m looking forward to reading more from Emily Gunnis.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy in return for an honest review.

A murder mystery goes back and forward in time from 1975 to 1985 to 2015 as police officer Jo Hamilton, just a few days from retirement, is called to investigate the discovery of a body near the old children's home in Saltdean. She's convinced it's linked to events involving missing or dead young girls over the course of her career. But her superiors are blocking her investigation. Meanwhile, her mother lies dying in a nursing home, reflecting over her time at Bletchley. How is her story connected to this one? All will be revealed ...
I enjoyed a lot of this story - it was a sound murder mystery with sympathetic characters, and enough clues to help the reader along to the final denouement. Told from the viewpoint of Jo and Daisy, grown-up sister of one of the missing girls, it moved back and forward through forty years with ease.
The 1940s story jarred for me - I felt the running narrative about the Bletchley years interrupted the pace and flow of the story of Jo's investigation, and left me wondering whether I was reading a murder mystery or a wartime saga. But fans of both genres will enjoy the fusion of styles.
The story-telling was good, the style reminiscent of Lesley Pearse books.

Wow! What a great creepy, dark read. The subject matter was difficult but the writing style was on point! A fabulous cast of characters that had me up reading long into the night. Really great character development that added to the story.
Will definitely keep Emily Gunnis on my radar.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book

The blurb of this book sold it to me straight away. A dual timeline with an unsolved case and an investigating officer who is seen as a young green WPC and later nearer the end of her career rather then beginning made it a promising read. I love the way that it indicates Jo Hamilton will follow this case through.
When reading you actually have 3 timelines. 2 including Jo, and a third based in Bletchley Park during WWII.
The treatment of Jo in 1970’s was awful, reminded me of La Plante’s Jane Tennison’s early career. Jo has the same drive as Tennison too, areal top notch character.
This book is a great read and I would recommend.

Superintendent Jo Hamilton is just days away from retirement, when the discovery of bones of a young woman take her back to a tragic unsolved case as a WPC in the 1970s.
Told across multiple timelines.
All the characters were well written and I loved how the three timelines linked together.
I was just heartbroken for all the girls in the home.
Thanks @emilygunnis, @headlinepg & @netgalley for the eARC

I absolutely loved this audiobook. It had so many extra little quirks that made it unlike any other audio book i've listened to. There are a lot of characters so I did have to keep notes. It's full of twists and told brillantly. I highly recommend this one!

What a great read ! Each chapter told by a different character which brings the past and the present together with a great twist! Highly entertaining, I will definitely read more by this author.

I absolutely loved this book!

Told across multiple timelines, I enjoyed reading about Olive’s work during WWII and as the three timelines started to link together, the story just got better and better.

I really liked Jo Hamilton and the two timelines that involved her as a new cop and then a few days before retirement were cleverly linked. In fact, all the characters were well written, even the ones that weren’t nice! My heart broke for Daisy, Holly, Gemma and Eve and all of the kids in the home.

I thought I knew who the perp was and of course I was wrong!

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Emily Gunnis and Headline for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, as it takes the reader through a thrilling journey of the past and present. Jo, a retired detective, is brought back into a case she worked on many years ago when a missing person is found. The story is filled with exciting twists and turns, and kept me hooked until the end. If you're a fan of detective mystery stories, this book is definitely worth a read.

Jo Hamilton is a police superintendent in her last week at work before retirement when a 40 year old cold case of a young girl's 'suicide' raises its ugly head. Another young girl's body is found. Possibly that of a girl Jo rescued from a house fire as a young WPC. Back then prejudice against female officers and her junior status worked against her doing everything she wanted to do to investigate and the girl and her sister were put into a local children's home with an already bad reputation. The cases have shocking similarities. Jo is devastated to think the same thing happening again. Despite her senior status and long service is she really being sidelined and blocked by colleagues as she tries once again to get to the truth? Time jumps back and forth to WW2 reveal the background of the older characters and their work and interactions at Bletchley park are vital to Jo's search for the truth. Unfortunately I guessed the killer quite early on but this didn't spoil the book. I'd give it a solid 4 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

The Girls Left Behind
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️From Headline Publishing Group: by Emily Gunnis.
1985. Separated from her little sister at the children's home where they are taken as orphans, Holly Moore is a troubled teenager in need of love. When she meets a man who promises to take care of her, she hopes her luck has finally changed.

2015. The clock is ticking for Superintendent Jo Hamilton when the discovery of a young woman's remains takes her back to an unsolved case from the past. As a constable, Jo was often called out to deal with runaways from Morgate House, but when Holly Moore disappeared - after another female resident fell from the cliffs - Jo was convinced the home was hiding something. Now, with only days before her forced retirement, Jo decides to track down Holly's sister and re-open the case. But will the trail lead her disturbingly close to home?
********************
My review: I'm not that into thrillers (true crime, yes. Go figure). But I was interested from the start here. The book starts with Jo as a new cop and a night that leads to tragedy. We quickly jump ahead to the end of her career, and a case that may be connected to that fateful night. The in between was the bulk of the story.
I had my suspicions and many questions. I love the way the author slowly brought it all together and connected characters and clues subtly.
All of the characters were flawed or broken in some way and piecing together their histories was an interesting puzzle. Olive's WWII history was especially fascinating and helped me understand her trajectory and how her relationships came to be.
The book definitely kept me engaged and wondering and wanting to see it all come together.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Thank you to NetGalley and Headline Publishing for an advice digital copy in exchange for my review.