How well do you know your neighbours? Odetta’s life has shrunk to a daily round of drudgery, running her father’s grocery store in a remote Albanian village. One day, an enigmatic stranger from Tirana turns up, promising her an exciting career in London. Odeta’s life is about to change, but not in the way she expected. Kate, a journalist, lives on a quiet London street, but her seemingly perfect life is filled with anxiety for her son, Ben. The boy is obsessed with online gaming but struggles to make friends. Kate sets out to create a simpler life for her family, disconnects them from the internet, and tries to build a community on her street. On a visit to her home village in Wales, Kate is forced to confront a secret from her past. But even greater danger lies where she lives. Perhaps her neighbours are not the friendly community they seem at first glance…
As a proud resident of Wales (I may not have been born here, but I’ve certainly been bred here), I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be part of this tour, and I’m so glad I did—it did not disappoint!
The characters are enigmatic and strong, and the story is backed by incredible stamina and a fast-paced writing style. What truly stands out is the book’s powerful, timely theme surrounding human trafficking. It really makes you question how much you know about the people living close to you. The fact that such organized crime could be happening in a small town is absolutely chilling, especially since, sadly, it does happen.
I didn’t manage to finish the book in one sitting like some of my fellow tour bloggers, but I definitely struggled to put it down! The descriptions of places, the raw emotions of the characters, and the building suspense were all incredible. I’m so grateful to have had the chance to read Girl Out Of Sight!
Author Bio.
Helen Matthews is the author of gripping psychological suspense and thrillers, with a keen fascination for the darker side of human nature and how a single moment can change a life forever. Keep an eye out for her upcoming release, Girl Out of Sight, from Darkstroke Books—a second edition of her prize-winning 2017 title After Leaving the Village.
Earlier this year, her psychological suspense mystery, The Girl in the Van, was published by Darkstroke Books and was longlisted for the prestigious 2022 Pageturner Book Awards. A chilling page-turner, it delves into serious, complex themes such as personal grief, vulnerability, and society’s responsibility to the disadvantaged and dispossessed.
Helen’s previous works include Facade, a twisty noir about tragedy, guilt, and revenge in a family where “silence echoes louder than truth,” and Lies Behind the Ruin, a domestic noir set in France.
As an ambassador for the charity Unseen UK, Helen is available to give talks at festivals, author events, and local groups, sharing insights on the themes explored in her novels.
I’d like to thank ZooLoo’s Book Tours for giving me the opportunity to read Matthews’ latest novel and share my thoughts.
Morelli’s Reads 