My review…..

Wow, what a compelling story!

This is the first book I’ve read by Carla Kovach, but it certainly won’t be my last and I’m so glad this is the start of a new series. If you enjoy a good crime thriller/police procedural you will love this as much as I did.

Deborah Jenkins disappeared, without a trace, four years ago. All she left behind was a shoe, but very little other evidence and over time her case had gone cold. Her husband, Luke, has never stopped loving her, but is just about giving up hope of her ever returning and is starting to move on with his life although he is battling with his guilt. Did Deborah leave them all willingly all that time ago? He couldn’t believe that she would leave the two children she adored, but he has no idea what to believe any more. Luke is just the sweetest character. I warmed to him immediately. I can’t even begin to imagine how anyone would cope with what he’s been through and continues to go through. I was really, really hoping he would get his happy ending.

DI Gina Harte finds herself investigating the case of an abandoned baby when an anonymous call leads them to checking the DNA of the baby girl. She is a match to Deborah Jenkins. Deborah is alive, but where and what’s been happening to her for the last four years? They need to find her and fast.

This is an excellent police procedural, which builds in tension and suspense, but seriously picks up pace towards the end. Honestly, my heart was beating so fast! Gina and her team were racing against time and I was praying for a happy ending. I hardly dared to carry on reading at times, but I was desperate to find out the truth.

Gina is a very likeable character. She’s a professional and dedicated officer, but also very human. She’s had a difficult past and has a strained relationship with her daughter as a result. I loved that we saw this side of her.

I really felt for Deborah. How anyone copes with being held captive by another person for all that time, let alone being separated from her new born baby, God only knows. Her strength of character is astounding.

Although this is very much plot driven, the characters are obviously of great importance to the author and are written with a great deal of compassion. I loved it!

I can’t wait for book two. I’ve pre-ordered and have also added Carla’s other books to my TBR list.

Many thanks to Carla Kovach who very kindly gave me a lovely signed paperback copy of The Next Girl as a gift when she came along to our book blogger/author meet up on 12^th May.

Via AmazonUK…..

IF YOU ONLY READ ONE BOOK THIS YEAR, MAKE IT THE NEXT GIRL…

You thought he’d come to save you. You were wrong.

‘Absolutely the best thriller I’ve read this year!’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
‘I absolutely, totally and utterly LOVED reading The Next Girl… has to be one of my top reads of 2018.’ Ginger Book Geek, 5 stars
‘Oh my goodness! This was gripping and fast moving from page one.’ Southern and Sassy Wine Lady, 5 stars

Deborah Jenkins pulls her coat around her for the short walk home in the pouring rain. But she never makes it home that night. And she is never seen again…

Four years later, an abandoned baby girl is found wrapped in dirty rags on a doorstep. An anonymous phone call urges the police to run a DNA test on the baby. But nobody is prepared for the results.

The newborn belongs to Deborah. She’s still alive…

THE GRIPPING THRILLER EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT – if you like Lisa Gardner, Robert Bryndza or Clare Mackintosh, you will absolutely love this. A completely unputdownable page-turner with an ending that will blow your mind.

‘Boy oh boy… I absolutely blinking well LOVED it.’ Ginger Book Geek, 5 stars
‘Just wow!… FANTASTIC… I just had to keep reading.’ Bonnie’s Book Talk, 5 stars
‘I couldn’t put it down.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
‘Wow, wow wow! Excellent book!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘OMG… gripping… I have goosebumps.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘I am in love with this author.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘Brilliant!… Exceptional… Thrilling… superb.’ Renita D’Silva, 5 stars
‘A fantastic book!!!!! OMG so much suspense.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘I found this book unputdownable!!’ Goodreads reviewer
‘Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘I was hooked from the start right to the last page.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘I loved this book! Chilling, disturbing and gripping!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘DI Gina Harte is my new heroine!’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

‘I like to give honest reviews. If I don’t like a book I will say I don’t like it… So here goes my review of The Next Girl…. without a doubt this is a fantastic book!!!!! OMG… This book literally I was not able to put down it kept me captivated from the first chapter. Who left the baby on the library steps? and why? How is this baby connected to missing person Deborah Jenkins?… YOU will HAVE to read to find out!… There is nothing that I didn’t like about this book. SO much suspense that kept you flipping through the pages to the end! Read today you will not be disappointed!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

About the author…..

Carla Kovach is a crime and horror author from the UK. The Next Girl, is the first book in the DI Gina Harte series and is published by Bookouture. Her earlier works include, Whispers Beneath the Pines, To Let, Flame and Meet Me at Marmaris Castle.

Carla co-runs a video production company, writes stageplays and screenplays. She currently has a horror feature film in production which is due for release in 2019.

Previous post featuring Carla Kovach…..

Our first #Stoke-on-Trent #bookblogger / #author #meetup – 12th May 2018 😊