"Never go back into the woods.
That's what she and Maddie had vowed to each other after they had escaped.
Never go back and never look back.
Maddie had done both."
And now she was missing.
Midsummer's Eve. The Forest of Dean. A local legend known as the Cinderman--a local legend who supposedly haunts the woods and preys on young women. An off-grid commune in the forest called The Clearing. Two sisters (Adele and Maddie)...one missing, the other desperate to find her. An Earl and his son. And Dr. Laughton Rees, a criminologist who's been tracking cases of missing women. She heads to the insular community of Cinderfield to help investigate Maddie's disappearance, not knowing there are other dark secrets in play.
My thoughts: I think I've found a new favorite author. I really enjoyed this mystery. Toyne creates a real sense of urgency as the evil in Cinderfield starts to close in on Rees and Adele. The tension is palpable. Good writing and good suspense made this a very compelling read. And I really liked Laughton Rees. I very much want to read Toyne's previous mystery with her now. There is one major plot twist at the end of this one that had me questioning the feasibility of it in regards to the timeline. But then I decided to let it go and just enjoy the moment. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Happy Reading!
Lark, this one does sound interesting. I'll see if my library has it. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHope you get a chance to check it out. :D
DeleteGreat review! Yes, sometimes we have to just let the story be the story.
ReplyDeleteI agree. :D
DeleteSounds like quite the page-turner…and sometimes you just have to suspend your disbelief and just go with the flow. Especially is something like that happens at the end of a book.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I figured with this one. Why ruin an otherwise good read niggling at the timeline when you could just enjoy the suspense?
DeleteAdding this to my TBR. I don't mind suspending belief if the story itself is enjoyable enough which sounds like the case here.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely. :D
DeleteThis does sound good! I don't read a lot of modern crime, but I think I would like this author.
ReplyDeleteIt's fast-paced and fun...and suspenseful, too.
DeleteAnother one for the reading list. It does sound like a winner.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed it. :D
DeleteWow, I've never heard of this author and he seems to have written a lot of books! My library has the first book in the series so I will put it on hold. Thanks for the suggestion!
ReplyDeleteConstance
I've put his first book in this series on hold, because it does sound really good.
DeleteThis sounds very good, it's always great to find a new fav author.
ReplyDelete:D I agree!
DeleteThis sounds really good! It's awesome that you've found a new favorite author. I'll have to check his books out! :D
ReplyDeleteThis one was really good. I hope his other books are equally good reads. :D
DeleteSounds like a story I'd enjoy! Thanks for putting it on my radar! :)
ReplyDeleteHe's a good author. I'm eager to read his other books now.
DeleteI like these kind of mystery novels where one character goes into the woods and others are left behind to wonder and investigate what happened. I might try Simon Toyne's previous book on Laughton Rees
ReplyDeleteI've put that on one hold at my library. I'm hoping to read it next month. :D
DeleteReally interesting story. New author for me.
ReplyDeleteI'm eager to read some of his other books now.
DeleteWow. Sounds like a good one. I'm adding it to my TBR list - thank you :)
ReplyDeleteI think you would like this one, Nadia!
DeleteIt's great to find a new author to love.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite things. :D
DeleteSounds pretty scary. I think if I were these women -- I'd avoid The Clearing !
ReplyDeleteMe, too!
DeleteThe Laughton Rees character sounds like a good one. I will have to look into this series.
ReplyDeleteI have the first book on hold and can't wait to read it. :D
DeleteSounds really engaging!
ReplyDeleteI got drawn in very quickly. It's an entertaining read.
DeleteOhhhh, this sounds like something I'd enjoy! Awesome review!
ReplyDeleteThanks. It's a good book imo.
DeleteI'm adding this to my list! I read his Tower trilogy many years ago -- think Dan Brown or Steve Berry -- so its interesting to see him do a more traditional mystery.
ReplyDeleteI think I'd like his Tower trilogy. Maybe this summer! :D
DeleteI'm going to have to look into this one! Great review.
ReplyDeleteI want to read his first book with Laughton Rees now.
DeleteOh one of those, like do not go back into the woods!
ReplyDelete:D Definitely not a safe place to go.
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