"Sophie Was Here". Scratched into the wall of the cellar, just before she disappeared years ago. And then the builders are in and it's gone.

This is a great read! Chilling, creepy and well written, I was immersed from the start and struggled to put it down. Emmie and her boyfriend, Charlie, have been gifted a house by his parents, but Emmie is unsettled by comments she hears around the village about Sophie, Charlie's childhood sweetheart who disappeared when she was seventeen, Charlie claims he hardly knew her and his sister, Vanessa, was Sophie's best friend, but can hardy look at Emmie.

Emmie is determined to discover the truth, even if it puts her relationship with Charlie under strain. As a character, I liked the blend of that determination combined with her vulnerability and sensitivity and I enjoyed witnessing her transformative growth as. a person. As well as Emmie's present day narration, the story is told in flashbacks to Sophie's life leading up to her disappearance. The suspense was real!

Kathryn Croft cleverly wove some red herrings into the plot and, as always, plenty of jaw-dropping twists and reveals. Excellent!

4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Kathryn Croft and Bookouture, for an ARC of this book.

The blurb really had my interest and I really wanted to love this but I just found it such a slow burn for the first 3/4’s and it lacked the suspense factor. I found most of the characters unlikeable but there were a couple of exceptions that’s I did like. I was lucky to be able to get this one on audio and ebook but listened more so then read and maybe reading it would have given a different experience but I found the narrator a little irritating with her slow, drawn out pronunciation and monotone. The introduction of another narrator might have added to the listen as it’s told from 2 different points of view and timelines. The last 1/4 did offer up some surprises but I felt it was a little too late for me. Just didn’t do it for me…

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to listen/read and review #SophieWasHere

Kathryn Croft delivers another suspenseful psychological thriller with Sophie Was Here, a slow-burn mystery that keeps readers guessing until the final chapters. The story unfolds gradually, drawing you into a web of secrets, doubt, and emotional tension that builds with every chapter.
While the pacing is more measured than in some thrillers, it suits the narrative well, allowing the characters' complexities and hidden truths to emerge in a natural, engaging way. As a reader, you might think you know where the plot is heading but Croft expertly weaves in twists that feel both surprising and satisfying. There were moments that aligned with my own suspicions, but also turns I didn't anticipate, which kept the tension alive and the pages turning.
The strength of the novel lies in its psychological depth and the slow revelation of the characters' motivations.

Review of Sophie Was Here: I have mixed feelings about this book. At first, the main character comes across as somewhat naive and weak, going along with everything her partner says. She gradually becomes obsessed with the disappearance of a local girl and starts suspecting her boyfriend due to his constant lies. That said, the story gets more engaging as the chapters go by. While a few loose ends remain — the whodunnit isn't fully resolved for the characters — it's still an enjoyable read overall. Thanks to NetGalley for the early review copy!

Thoroughly enjoyed this book!
It had me gripped from the very beginning and just when I thought I'd figured out came phenomenal twists!
Highly recommend

A secret past, lies and more are certain to disrupt Emmie’s life soon after her partner Charlie’s parents gift them their old farmhouse. It all begins when Emmie discovers a chilling message in their basement: Sophie was here. Determined to uncover the truth, Emmie won’t rest until she finds out who Sophie was and what connection she might have had to Charlie.

While Emmie’s dreams were of her future, she is determined to uncover the past. Unearthing clues that go back nearly two decades reveals a web of secrets far more extensive than she could have imagined. Why was finding any information about Sophie so difficult? Curiosity has turned into obsession.

As the drama intensifies, the darkness of the past slowly becomes clearer to Emmie. The author’s chilling tale, with its multiple perspectives and dual timelines, suggests that Emmie might have good reason to distrust Charlie.

This captivating audiobook holds the reader’s attention from the very beginning until the thrilling conclusion. Naomi Frederick’s exceptional narration makes this character-driven story an utterly compelling read. Kathryn Croft has woven together another intriguing read.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

This is my first book that I have read that was written by Kathryn Croft. I initially was drawn in by the cover, but I stayed for the story.

Kathryn Croft delivered a gripping psychological thriller with Sophie Was Here. It kept me on edge from start to finish.

The plot setup drew me in and refused to let me go. Croft demonstrated expertise in building tension well as crafting a narrative that is as compelling as it is unpredictable.

Sophie Was Here had the ability to keep me guessing at every turn. Just when I thought I had it figured out, Croft would deliver another twist that changed everything.

If you enjoy well-paced thrillers that challenge your assumptions and keep you turning pages late into the night, this is a must-read.

I did not see this one coming. This book is unputdownable. The characters bring it to life. The mystery keeps you guessing until the bitter end. Absolutely amazing read. I had to read this in one sitting because I had to know what happened to Sophie… and boy did I not see that coming.
A veritable rollercoaster of suspense and mystery.
An amazing read!

This was a slow burner to start with but definitely increased in pacing as the tension in the plot increased. There were a good amount fo twists and I was definitely kept guessing

Kathryn Croft has once again proven why she’s one of my absolute favourite authors. Sophie Was Here had me completely hooked from the very first page, and I genuinely could not put it down. I devoured it in just over a day because I had to know what happened to Sophie. Every chapter pulled me deeper into the mystery, and the suspense never let up.

The story follows Emmie and her partner Charlie as they move from London into a farmhouse gifted to them by Charlie’s parents. But almost immediately, Emmie senses something is off. The house has a haunting presence, and whispers of a missing girl Charlie’s ex, Sophie begin to surface. When the chilling message “Sophie was here” is found scratched into the basement wall, the tension skyrockets.

The author masterfully builds a suspenseful atmosphere: the isolated farmhouse, the close knit and quietly watchful village, and the creeping sense that someone is hiding something. The pacing is fantastic, with just the right balance of character development and jaw-dropping twists. I loved the way secrets slowly unraveled just enough to keep me constantly second guessing.

Charlie is a fascinating and complex character. You want to trust him, but there’s always something simmering beneath the surface. As more is revealed about him, Sophie, and Emir, the story grows darker and more disturbing. Just when I thought I had it figured out, the author delivered another twist that completely blindsided me. The final reveal genuinely shocked me.

I can’t wait to recommend this to everyone. One of my favourite thrillers of the year! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this brilliant book.

Firstly I would like to thank netgalley and Bookoutune and the fantastic author Kathryn Croft for an early copy of her book to read.

Another great read from this author. A slow start but the storyline got better.Emmie boyfriend Charlie make a new start leaving many secrets behind..Charlie parents gives them a farmhouse to stay in...in the basement Emmie discovers writing on the wall from Charlie ex girlfriend Sophie who disappeared she doesn't trust him as he hides the evidence,does he know what happened to Sophie...more secrets are uncovered...a terrific read.looking forward to reading more of her books.

This book will be reviewed on goodreads and Amazon.

Title: Sophie Was Here
Author: Kathryn Croft
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Psychological Thriller – Family Drama
Pub Date: July 3, 2025
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pages: 369

Story is told from the POV of Emmie ~Present Day and Sophie ~Then. 2009

Emmie and Charlie have been together for about a year when Charlies parent’s give the happy couple Charlie’s childhood home a sprawling farmhouse. It is a dream come true for Emmie but Charlie isn’t excited.
Once they arrive, Emmie finds out that a girl named Sophie, who has been missing for seventeen years was once Charlie’s girlfriend. However, when Emmie tries to talk to Charlie about it he either doesn’t want to talk about it or lies! Emmie then starts her own investigation as she has to know the truth. The more she digs the more she doesn’t trust Charlie.

I am a big Psychological Thriller fan – love to try to figure out or solve it. But I wasn’t close.
In Ms. Croft’s “Letter from Kathryn” she tells us that this story was a joy to write. The story flowed and she felt she was on a journey with her characters.
~ Which to me is just what happened. Some characters were unlikeable but still had me curious.
She also states it is a dark story but believes in a shining light we find in ourselves. Also hope readers felt something.
~ Correct again! Thank you for a⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star read! Story left me thinking about these characters and the situation they got themselves in!!

I read and enjoyed only two Ms. Croft’s stories and they were both great so have been looking forward to another.
I read ["The Suspect and The Girl in Room 12" So I went into this with high expectations!
It didn't disappoint!

Want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for this eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for July 3, 2025 .

The premise of this book drew me in-a missing girl, an old house with secrets, someone trying to cover up the truth….however I felt like the first three quarters of the book drew on and it was difficult to like any of the characters. I was pleased with the dual timeline narration and how the story wrapped up though, hence the 3 star rating. Worth a read for those who are a fan of the thriller genre.

Emmie and Charlie are leaving London moving back to Charlie's childhood home. in the countryside its good timing for Emmie to get away from the creepy neighbour and she has lost her job. The house needs a lot of work. but Emmie sees something on the cellar door Sophie was here. Emmie wants to know who Sophie is and her story she finds out she disappeared, as the story unfolds Emmie can't trust no one a very good addictive read

Read in 2 hours and 25 minutes.

I found the characters to be unlikeable, and the dialogue drifting between hammy and stiff, which was a surprise from this author.
Playing Devil’s Advocate, it could be my mood, having low tolerance for UK heatwaves, but I felt that this book was stretching out, grasping for potential that lay just out of reach.
Even I found Emmie’s obsession with missing Sophie to be wearing thin, despite the reasonable twist at the end, and I wasn’t surprised that Charlie snapped at her constant badgering.
They prematurely inherited a rundown large farmhouse from Charlie’s well off parents (who are still alive) but the only aspect of the house that Emmie ever focuses on is the eerie basement with statements etched into the wall.
At least Emmie has the belated good sense to take pictures of the things she stumbles upon (surely *this* is the widest horror trope??) but stop showing pictures of the evidence to suspects!!
You may as well walk around with a forehead tattoo that says KILL ME!
The frustration generated from actions like this plummeted my enjoyment of the book into low battery mode, although the ending was redeeming.
It contained echoes of fairly solid books like Final Cut, Quiet Girl, Sick To Death, and The Memory Watcher with good eerie tones, but it couldn’t quite keep up with the big dogs.

It’s a shame because I’ve read The Other Husband and The Lying Wife from this author and these had been marinated in mystery a little more.
I’ll reserve further judgment until the next batch of stories is ready.

5 ⭐️
Expected publication date - July 3, 2025

WHAT I LOVED - There were a lot of wild twists, but they weren't ridiculous, eye rolling twists. I was very entertained!

WHAT I LIKED - The dual timelines. I like to learn a little about what happened while someone is trying to unravel the mystery.

WHAT I DISLIKED - A couple parts could have given a little more detail, but nothing took away from the story.

WOULD I RECOMMEND? Yes! This was a great, fast read!

Thank you, NetGalley, and Bookouture for this eARC for review. All opinions are my own.

I’ve never read a book by Kathryn Croft that I didn’t like. She has the ability to keep you reading late into the night.
If you like domestic thrillers with multiple characters that are untrustworthy then you’ll love Sophie was here. Multiple twists that will make up for your lack of sleep the next day. Highly recommend.

I LOVED this book and could not put it down! I really liked the character development and my heart went out to Vanessa especially. So many twists and turns and just overall a great read!

What happened to Sophie? That is the question I kept asking myself and I had in no way guessed the right outcome. The book is so suspenseful with twists and turns around every corner. I was kept on the edge of my seat and I am glad I had my seat belt. A highly addictive gameplay read.

Emmie and her boyfriend, Charlie, move into a farmhouse in a small English town, gifted by Charlie's parents. It is Charlie's childhood home. As Emmie is exploring the new town, she discovers that Charlie's former girlfriend, Sophie, disappeared when she was 17. Charlie was on vacation when she disappeared, but Emmie believes there is more to the story. Charlie acts cagey whenever she asks him about Sophie. Things take a turn when Emmie discovers the words "Sophie was here" engrained in the basement wall. I won't say anything more, as it is a really wild ride that is best to go into blindly!

What a well=written and intricate thriller! I loved the unique story line - always difficult to do in the thriller genre! There were so many layers to this story and it was filled with well-developed and interesting characters. Not only were the twists and turns surprising, but the actual story was just so good and interesting! I found it really hard to put this one down as I had to know what was going to happen and what happened to Sophie.

Definitely one that will stick with you after you finish reading it. Highly recommend!

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.