Thank you, NetGalley and Blackstone publishing for an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I seem to be in the minority here when I say that this book was not as fast paced or engaging as other readers found it to be. I did appreciate the audiobook narrator, which made for an enjoyable listen.

I thought the most interesting part of the story was the long time that had passed between mother and daughter and how that affects decisions when the daughter goes missing and is accused of kidnapping two children.

what I liked least about the book is that it felt like it was picking up in the middle of a story – or that I had somehow missed an earlier book in a series. Again, I seem to be in the minority on this one and so I would urge you to read it for yourself if the premise sounds interesting.

Wealthy family. Nefarious dealings. Estrangement. Disappearance of two children. Rose Campbell is a former police officer and the Mother of the nanny of the two children who disappeared. Mal Blackwood is an Australian police officer on the case.
What a twisty tale. Told from multiple perspectives - both police officers work this case at the same time, but parallel to one another - they do not work the case together. Australia.
I was fairly engaged in the story, but I am disappointed in the ending.
Without giving too much away, I will say why this book frustrated me.
I felt like we were never going to get anywhere! The questioning and questioning and questioning went on and on for what felt like forever. I just felt like I wanted to jump out of my skin.
All of the ingredients for a 4-5 star book are here, but they are just pieced together to so poorly, I just couldn't take it.
The parallel plot lines have to be written so incredibly well if you are going to write a story in this manner. While I felt like the plot had some structure, the pace of the plot dissipated whatever connectedness that I had with the plot.
The characters were fairly developed. I had a hard time connecting with them, primarily due to the pace of the book.
I did almost DNF this book, but pushed through to give it my best fair shot.
The plot does get darker as the book progresses, and it becomes more layered, but again, the pace killed it.
Give it a shot if you love this author, because again, all of the ingredients are here, I just felt it wasn't put together in a manner that I could enjoy it.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book!
Happy Reading!

The narrator was lovely. Enjoyed this book and was rooting for Rose and her daughter. The ending wrapped things up nicely.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #BlackstonePublishingAudiobooks for the book #WhenSheWasGone by #SaraFoster. Rose has received word that her daughter, Lou is missing and also the two children she’s in charge of. Not having seen her daughter in a decade, she wonders is she is the right person to help search for them. As she digs into the search, secrets from the missing children’s family start seeping out. Can she find her daughter and the two children before they face a tragic fate?

A nanny and her charges are missing. The nanny is the estranged daughter of a former detective who nevertheless flies overseas to help find her daughter. The children are the grandchildren of Jock Fisher, ultra- wealthy businessmen, whose youngest, good-for-nothing son and his wife have secrets to hide from the police and from each other.
It is an interesting structure with the local police looking for the children of the rich family and the former- detective-mother looking for her daughter. The author does a good job contrasting what the police can do and what a determined citizen (albeit one trained as a detective) can accomplish with just her wits in a foreign country. Because the local police don’t think they need her help. Structurally, when a piece of evidence is discovered and speculation ensues, we then jump back to the actual event that left said evidence. I enjoyed the story more than the actual mystery part, which is straightforward enough to guess at. That means the writing and audiobook narration kept my interest up for the entire novel. 4 1/4 stars.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @BlackstoneAudio, and #NetGalley for access to the audiobook of #WhenSheWasGone for review purposes. This book and audiobook are now available.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 Stars (Excellent)
Setting: Western Australia
Genre: Psychological Thriller

This story gripped me from the first page and didn’t let go. When She Was Gone is a slow-burn, emotional mystery layered with tension, family secrets, and the ache of estrangement. Rose Campbell’s journey from a retired London police officer to a mother desperate to save her missing daughter and the children in her care is both suspenseful and deeply personal.

Sara Foster does a great job weaving together multiple timelines and perspectives without losing the thread of the plot. The remote Western Australia setting adds an eerie isolation to the story, and the mystery surrounding the Fisher family’s wealth and influence kept me on my toes. DSS Mal Blackwood, preparing to retire, brought depth and a bit of weariness that grounded the investigation in realism.

While the pace lagged a little in the middle and I found myself wishing for a stronger emotional connection between Rose and Lou earlier on, the final act was worth the wait. The ending pulled everything together in a satisfying and believable way.

A well-written, twisty read that had me guessing and second-guessing—perfect for fans of layered family thrillers with heart. #netgalley #whenshewasgone #booked_this_weekend

This is my first book by Sarah Foster and man did it not disappoint! Former cop turned DV advocate Rose goes to Australia to help find her estranged daughter Lou and two kids she’s nannying after they all go missing. The twists and turns and accurate depiction of difficult relationships kept me hooked until the end!

"When She Was Gone" offers a compelling premise that definitely kept me turning the pages, though it didn't quite reach that five-star, stay-up-all-night level. The setup is intriguing: a mother estranged from her daughter suddenly thrust into a desperate search when Lou disappears and is suspected of kidnapping. Sara Foster does a solid job of building suspense around Lou's disappearance and the mystery of the missing children.
I appreciated the dual perspectives of Rose, the determined mother, and DSS Mal Blackwood, the seasoned detective on his final case. Their parallel investigations and eventual convergence added layers to the narrative. Foster skillfully weaves in the pressure from the wealthy Fisher family and the relentless media attention, highlighting the complexities of the case.
However, at times, the pacing felt a little uneven. Some plot threads took a while to develop, and I occasionally found myself wanting a bit more urgency. While the secrets surrounding the Fisher family and Rose's past were interesting, some of the reveals felt a tad predictable.
Overall, "When She Was Gone" is a decent psychological thriller with a strong emotional core driven by a mother's love. It's a solid read if you enjoy suspenseful mysteries with family drama, just be prepared for a few lulls along the way.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in audiobook and print format.

Sara Foster’s "When She Was Gone" is a gripping psychological thriller that plunges listeners into a tangled web of family secrets, power struggles, and the desperate search for truth. The story follows former London police officer Rose Campbell, who is forced to confront her past when her estranged daughter, Lou, vanishes from a remote Australian beach—along with the two children she was nannying. As the investigation unfolds, layers of deception, privilege, and misogyny are revealed, and this is an addictive read / listen

Sophie Loughran’s narration plays a crucial role in amplifying the suspense and emotional depth of the novel. Her ability to shift between perspectives—whether embodying Rose’s quiet determination, DSS Mal Blackwood’s weary skepticism, or the chilling arrogance of the Fisher family—adds a compelling dimension to the storytelling.

Foster’s writing is sharp and evocative, weaving a narrative that is both intricate and deeply unsettling. The Australian setting is vividly rendered, from the isolated beach where Lou disappears to the suffocating wealth and influence of the Fisher family. The novel explores themes of parental guilt, systemic power imbalances, and the lengths people will go to protect their own. This is a 5 star mystery in print format, the audiobook format elevates it even further, making it a truly excellent psychological thriller and police procedural.

"When She Was Gone" is a masterfully crafted thriller that thrives in its audiobook format. The combination of Foster’s taut storytelling and Loughran’s compelling delivery makes for an unforgettable listening experience. Whether you’re drawn to psychological thrillers, police procedurals, or you enjoy audiobooks that elevate the tension through voice performance, this one is well worth your time.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for gifting me an audio ARC of the latest thriller by Sara Foster., beautifully narrated by Sophie Loughran. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Former London police officer Rose Campbell has been estranged from her daughter, Lou, for almost a decade. But when Lou disappears from a remote beach in Western Australian-and the police suspect her of kidnapping the two young children in her care-Rose is asked to help bring Lou home. Detective Senior Sargent Mal Blackwood is getting ready to retire when he is called in to head this last case. The missing children are heirs to the Fisher property empire, and their multimillionaire grandfather is breathing hard down Blackwood's neck. What has happened to Lou and the children? And can Rose and Blackwood find them in time?

This was a fast-moving thriller, made even better with short chapters from many different POV, giving us insight into the characters. There was a lot of emotion in this book and all well-played - not too much, but enough that I was invested into the characters. I loved Mal, trying to do the best job possible while simultaneously trying to save his marriage; Ruth was driven to save domestic abuse victims and was trying so hard to do the right thing for her daughter. I couldn't put this one down and loved it!

When She Was Gone is an engaging mystery that kept my interest throughout. The pacing was steady, and the unfolding investigation had enough twists to keep me curious about what would happen next.

The use of multiple points of view worked well for the story. It added some complexity and allowed the narrative to explore different angles of the mystery.

Rose was by far the most compelling character for me. As both a mother and a determined investigator, she brought a lot of emotional weight to the story. Her drive felt believable and grounded.

Overall, When She Was Gone is a solid mystery with a strong central character. It might not break new ground in the genre, but it’s definitely worth picking up if you’re looking for a thoughtful, character-driven story.

Good narration and pacing. Likeable characters. Tenuous family connections and manipulation. Reconnection with the past and moving forward. Interesting story and a look at how families can manipulate each other.

This novel centers around rich people behaving badly, told through the lens of an unreliable narrator—a combination that held promise but didn’t quite deliver. While the setup was intriguing, the twist and ending lacked surprise, which dulled the impact of what should have been pivotal moments. As someone who enjoys police procedurals on screen but not as much in book form, I found some of the investigative elements dragged and detracted from the overall momentum. That said, the narration was a highlight, lending a compelling voice to an otherwise uneven story. Worth a read if you enjoy psychological drama with a touch of mystery, but temper your expectations

🎧 Review – When She Was Gone by Leah Mercer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
Audiobook ARC provided by NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing – thank you!

Lou is working as a nanny for a wealthy family in Australia when she disappears during what should’ve been an innocent beach outing with the two children. Her sudden vanishing shocks everyone — and her estranged mother, Rose, jumps on the first flight from the UK to Sydney.

Rose and Lou haven’t spoken in decades, but that doesn’t matter now. With her background in law enforcement and a mother’s fierce instinct, Rose is determined to find her daughter — no matter what it takes. Enter Detective Mal Blackwood, recently returned from medical leave, hoping to ease back into work... but this case drags him straight into deep waters, both professionally and personally.

🧩 Told from multiple POVs, including Rose, Mal, and Lou, the story unfolds in short, tension-filled chapters that had me hooked from the start. The pacing was just right, and the audiobook narration kept the stakes high and emotions raw.

What I enjoyed:
✔️ The layered perspectives added depth and mystery.
✔️ Rose is such a compelling character — fierce, flawed, and relentless.
✔️ The setting (Sydney’s coastlines, urban tension) was vivid and atmospheric.
✔️ It felt like a grounded, emotional thriller rather than an over-the-top drama.

What didn’t quite land for me:
➖ I didn’t feel fully connected to all the characters — some felt more sketched than fleshed out.
➖ At times, it relied more on telling than showing, especially in emotional scenes.

🎧 Audiobook note: The narration was excellent — each voice distinct and engaging. If you enjoy thrillers in audio format, this one’s a great pick.

📚 Final thoughts:
A solid, character-driven mystery about motherhood, second chances, and the lengths we go to for the people we love. Fast-paced without being chaotic — perfect for fans of domestic thrillers that focus more on heart than shock value.

this was actually my first book by sara foster and honestly? definitely not the last. it started off a little slow but once it got going i was all in.

the story’s set in australia and follows some seriously flawed characters . there’s a dual investigation going on, one more official and the other low-key which kept things interesting.

it’s emotional, suspenseful and gets darker and twistier as you go. if you like slow burns that build into a gripping ride this one’s worth your time

also the audio book was reallyyyy good!!

I am a huge fan of this author, even though I don't understand Australia and I don't like like cop stories. This was perfect! I also loved the narration. I felt for the losses in this one.

I honestly liked it so much more than I expected! I went into it thinking it would be a pretty standard thriller, but it ended up pulling me in way deeper than I thought. The pacing was great, the tension kept building, and I found myself really invested in the characters. I also have to say, the narrator was a really good choice — they captured the tone of the story perfectly and made it easy to stay hooked. Overall, a really solid read. Not quite a full 5 stars for me, but definitely one I’d recommend if you’re looking for something gripping!

When a nanny employed by the affluent Fisher family, goes missing with the family’s two young children on the beaches of Western Australia, a media frenzy and intense scrutiny ensue. The author’s writing gradually captivates readers, maintaining their attention until the middle of the narrative. Sara Foster introduces a novel twist to this time-of-the-essence thriller.

Review: Occasionally a bit wordy, multiple POV that may be hard to follow for some. Overall I would recommend this book and Author to friends.

Narration: great rhythm and expressive tone.

Rating: 3.5 rounded to 4.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone for this Advanced Audio Copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was an interesting crime thriller. I liked the different characters and points of view, and having the mother (Rose) of one of the missing persons being a former detective herself. This didn’t get me completely committed to the book until about halfway through, and then I couldn’t stop. I honestly had no clue where this was going and couldn’t predict the ending, either, so bonus points for that!

𝑾𝒉𝒐 𝑰'𝒅 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐:
Crime fiction/thriller/mystery lovers.

𝑨 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏:
I loved the narrator’s voice, although it was almost so relaxing that I fell into lulls while listening.

This one was seriously addictive—dark, emotional, and packed with characters you’ll love to hate.

Told from multiple POVs, it follows the frantic search for a missing nanny who vanishes from her wealthy employers’ vacation home—along with their two kids. Did she run off with them? Or is something more sinister going on?

It’s suspenseful and layered with just the right amount of emotional weight. I flew through it in one sitting because I had to know how it ended.