Losing you - story of a mother's worst nightmare (Losing You - Nicci French)

Member Name: mjc121

Product:	Losing You - Nicci French
Date:	28/02/09 (110 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: good character descriptions

Disadvantages: no chapters

Nicci French is the name used by the husband and wife writing team of Nicci Jerrard and Sean French and up to 'Losing you' they have also had eight other best selling novels. This was the first of their novels I have read and whilst there was nothing actually wrong with the plot or storyline I have to say I haven't been compelled to buy any of their other books. I actually got this book in a 'bargain set' of five books via my book club. I bought the set for three other books in the set. (as the set was £35 for the five books I thought 'why not?')

For me the best thing about the writing style is the description of the characters and the area the book is set. This may make a book to TV adaptation fairly easy, if this is ever done that is. This book is unusual as it is done all in one continuous run, as in there are no actual chapters. Also the book focuses on one the thoughts and the day of one character the whole time. The lack of chapters does add to the sence of urgency which is depicted in the plot but it may prove to be a problem for those who only read a couple of chapters at a time.

The book does make fairly light reading and the character descriptions do mean you aren't constantly turning back to an earlier part of the book to remind yourself of 'which one was he/she again'. It is a good holiday read but not a book I will read again.

Brief plot summary (trying not to give too much away for those who haven't read the book):

Nina Landry reluctantly moved to Sandling Island with her family two years ago with her family. It was her husband's idea as he wanted to open a seafood restaurant. Unfortunately the restaurant failed and her husband left her and her family. Nina stayed on the island as she had become attached to how peaceful it was and the close knit friendly community that lives there.

Now two years later she is due to go away to Florida for a Christmas holiday with her two children and her new boyfriend. Not only that, but on the day they are due to leave it is her birthday. Much to her irritation her 15 year old daughter, Charlie, had organised a birthday party for her. That was the last thing Nina needed whilst she was trying to pack. Charlie had also been away the night before at a sleepover but had promised to be home in time. Unfortunately she hasn't got back yet, typical teenagers is her first thought.

It's getting later and still Charlie hasn't turned up, Nina is now getting worried, where is she? Nina begins by retracing her daughters steps, the sleep over did anything happen there? Did she complete her paper round? Had Charlie's father picked her up in an attempt to stop Nina taking their children away for Christmas? When she finds the answers to these Nina begins to panic. Something had happened to her daughter. Something very wrong but no one is listening to her. Most still believe 'She's a teenager, she'll come home when she is ready'.

As night falls there are more reasons to make Nina certain that something is very wrong indeed, a mother's worst nightmare begins to form in her mind. Nina believes that Charlie hasn't run away, something worse, much worse has happened to her....

Summary: A story of a Mother's worst nightmare