2.5/3

This book felt like a fairly typical example of the "innocent-looking old woman turns obsessive" storyline. The premise wasn't particularly novel, and I went into it with that expectation, even though I had some minor hopes for a fresh take on a familiar trope.

The story centers on an old woman hired by a couple for a last-minute house-sitting job, looking after their dog and cat. They seemed to trust her well enough, until an unexpected change of plans brought them home and shocked them all. While it wasn't a groundbreaking read, I did keep turning the pages, mainly out of curiosity to see how the obsession unfolded and what the next development would be.

It's a straightforward read if you're in the mood for a predictable thriller that moves along at a steady pace.

Lots of twists and turns in this book. If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would. I definitely recommend this book.

This was a gripping mystery that had me on edge, questioning every interaction. The tense atmosphere made for an unsettling read, and as the chaos unfolded, I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling it left behind.

Creepy. Twisty. Completely addictive. While You Were Gone had me side-eyeing every house sitter I’ve ever seen.

From the moment Martha enters the picture, you know something's off, but you can't figure out what. I flew through the pages trying to guess where it was going, and just when I thought I had it all figured out... nope. Mark Gillespie threw in a twist that totally blindsided me.

This is one of those books where you find yourself yelling at the characters, questioning everyone’s motives, and wondering how something so simple—a pet-sitting gig—could turn into such a total nightmare. If you love psychological thrillers with seriously messed-up characters and jaw-dropping moments, this one’s for you.

Trusting Martha was a mistake. Firing her? Even worse. Buckle up.

haha i was pulled into this plot with all its eerie glory. right until the end it held you there. the tension that is built from the start and never wavers is just fab. you see how the characters i being impacted and you can almost feel the jittery nerves in your own body. ive got to admit that whenever there are animals involved im all at a tither to begin with. i need to know that no harm to animals went on! so when this couple leave there most precious pets in the care of someone else and then come home to chaos i was instantly in the tense "oh no" mindset.
i couldn't put this one down. i had to know where it was going. i had to know how it was going to end for all our characters.
this book is good. it has a perfect pace and clever plot that doesn't let up. and the end wasn't just a twist or climax for tick boxes. it was the right ending. the best ending.
this is a must for anyone that reads the blurb and think they might like it. because you will, and a whole lot more besides.

The premise had potential, but the unbelievable plot and outlandish, unlikeable characters made it hard to stay engaged. I found myself skimming sections, more frustrated by their decisions than invested in the story. Im sure a lot of readers will still enjoy it but I'm just too type A to have questions left unanswered and I get really annoyed by other people's stupidity when it comes to making decisions lol.

Thank you to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for allowing me to read and review While You Were Gone by Mark Gillespie.

Honestly, I almost DNFed this book at the prologue. It felt like the Angie, the main character, was explaining too much. Another part that made me want to DNF was when Angie didn’t tell Dan about the Martha incident after her car was vandalized. Can we stop with the “keeping things from others” trope? It doesn’t make for a stronger FMC.

I’m somewhat happy that I pushed through because it ended up being an entertaining read, and I finished it in about 24 hours.

Excited at the prospect of their forthcoming holiday in the Scottish Highlands, Angie and Dan are convinced they have found the perfect house sitter to look after their pets in the form of Martha. But an early return from the trip reveals decidedly otherwise...

To their dismay, firing Martha makes the situation even worse. While this story requires a suspension of disbelief, it is both creepy and entertaining entertaining. Mark Gillespie is beginning to hit his stride and this will be enjoyed by fans of Freda McFadden. It gets 3.5 stars.

A mixed bag for me, the writing was strong but the characters and plots occasionally dropped into outlandish slapstick territory for me which made it hard to engage with.

This was a great book. Looking forward to reading others from Mark Gillespie! Thanks for the opportunity.

Angie and Dan return early from their holiday to find their house sitter in a stunning situation. They have no idea how unhinged Martha is when they report her behavior and have her fired from her job, but they are about to find out. This is a page turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. A must read for fans of psychological thrillers.

Thank you to Inkubator Books and NetGalley for allowing me to review the arc of this book.

I personally found this book a little bit slower to get into however it did not disappoint. Enjoyed the storyline and the twists through out the book.

I was immediately drawn to this book. I had a hard time putting it down. I look forward to reading more of this authors books.

🌟 MY REVIEW; 🌟

I really enjoyed reading this book. The blurb was very enticing, & this book literally had me hooked from the very beginning. I felt it was written well; an easy read, written from first-person perspective.

The main characters; Angie, Martha, & Dan, came across as authentic & the plot itself very believable.

This book had me on the edge of my seat at a couple of points within its plot, & most definitely did at the near-end, - & with a 'reader'- satisfying ending/conclusion.

Based on a rating between 1 - 10; where 10 is the highest, I would give this book a 9-star rating, = Deffo a MUST-read

https://staceylouisewrites.blogspot.com/2025/05/while-you-were-gone-written-by-mark.html

This author writes well and there were times when I was really gripped by the tension of the story. I found the protagonist’s back story was very interesting and well developed, explaining her anxiety. The story was a bit predictable and I felt there was not enough exploration of the mental health aspects of the perpetrator to give her greater credibility and to allow the reader more understanding of why she was doing what she was doing,

Gillespie writes plot in this book that will absolutely make you not want to leave your house.
When Angie and Dan need some time away for a holiday, short notice, they hire Martha Hunt.
What can we say about Martha Hunt?
“That sick, twisted bitch. She lied to us.”
Upon returning, Angie and Dan are in for a surprise.

This book is a great book for thriller lovers. The plot flows smoothly, and is a quick read that was hard to put down, until I knew what happened next.

No spoilers here. A word of wisdom… just be careful who you invite into your home!

Angie and Dan go away on vacation and hire Martha to house sit for them while they are gone. However, when they return, their home is in complete disarray. After Martha is let go, she is out to seek revenge on Angie and Dan. But what does Martha have against them? Why is she wanting to hurt the couple? Is Martha psychopath or is it something more sinister? You MUST read this thriller! I guarantee you will not be able to turn the pages fast enough and the ending will absolutely send the reader in a tail spin. My favorite character was Martha. I love some crazy in my characters and did she ever posses that characteristic! Very great read.

Thank you Mark G and NetGalley for the eArc. I can't wait to read more by this author!

While some parts of the story felt a little predictable, While You Were Gone was an enjoyable and engaging read that held my attention right through to the end. Although I found the main character somewhat difficult to connect with, and her recurring grief a touch exaggerated at times, the novel offered a thoughtful exploration of loss and the emotional complexities that come with it. The twists added a layer of intrigue, keeping the story moving and adding unexpected turns. Many thanks to NetGalley and Inkubator for the opportunity to read this – overall, it was a solid read, and I’d be interested in checking out more of Mark Gillespie’s work in the future.

I enjoyed this book a lot! When I read fiction books, I often tend to think that some event/behavior is not logical, doesn’t sound realistic, etc, but this book felt like the main character acted believable and how someone would act in real life (resisting to go to police at first, but later doing it). There wasn’t a lot of unnecessary descriptions and fillers and I really appreciate that. It was a quick and easy book to read and it kept my attention the whole time.

I didn't finish this book I thought the characters were over the top. I always try a few times with a book, picking it back up again the next evening and so on. Not for me.