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Misplaced
Dream cars have no registration plate...
One evening, Adam’s mum pops out for the milk and doesn’t come back, launching a frantic nationwide search. Yet after weeks with no leads, the television crews drift away, the police start asking hairy questions, and Adam’s dad starts seeing someone else. Adam’s life is falling apart. But then he meets Skye, who it seems has misplaced a parent too, and things start to look up. That is, until a body is found...
One evening, Adam’s mum pops out for the milk and doesn’t come back, launching a frantic nationwide search. Yet after weeks with no leads, the television crews drift away, the police start asking hairy questions, and Adam’s dad starts seeing someone else. Adam’s life is falling apart. But then he meets Skye, who it seems has misplaced a parent too, and things start to look up. That is, until a body is found...
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First published October 23, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
November 4, 2013
Do you remember reading stories of people who pop out for a second to grab something or go for a drive and just vanish into thin air? We think about how on earth this could actually happen and wouldn't somebody spot them or find their body ? How could someone completely vanish from our lives ?
Misplaced is a story of one boy's journey and the year that will follow him , a year of distraught, confusion and anguish as for Adam - his mother popped out to go to the local dairy and never came home. The novel chronicles Adam and his family's reactions , his friendships and how life can change drastically in a blink of an eye. What I liked about Misplaced was that thank goodness Adam still had his two best friends Kieran and Corey to rely on and that no matter what happened they were there for him. In terms of gender based reading, this book can be enjoyed by all teens but I found it is specifically targeted to the male audience as the majority of main characters except for Skye who comes later on in the novel are males. Another thing that I loved about Misplaced is the fact that the author writes about what she knows in terms of the places and landmarks in the novel - this was awesome as I was throughout the book imagining them at the Domain , by the Brookfield shops as I had been there.
Misplaced by Lee Murray is a heartfelt book and at times will have you tear up and leave you hoping that maybe Adam can get some closure but also reminds us on the other hand of all those unsolved disappearances out there e.g Madeline McCann who went missing when she was three years old when her parents were on holiday and she has never been found still to this day.
Misplaced is a story of one boy's journey and the year that will follow him , a year of distraught, confusion and anguish as for Adam - his mother popped out to go to the local dairy and never came home. The novel chronicles Adam and his family's reactions , his friendships and how life can change drastically in a blink of an eye. What I liked about Misplaced was that thank goodness Adam still had his two best friends Kieran and Corey to rely on and that no matter what happened they were there for him. In terms of gender based reading, this book can be enjoyed by all teens but I found it is specifically targeted to the male audience as the majority of main characters except for Skye who comes later on in the novel are males. Another thing that I loved about Misplaced is the fact that the author writes about what she knows in terms of the places and landmarks in the novel - this was awesome as I was throughout the book imagining them at the Domain , by the Brookfield shops as I had been there.
Misplaced by Lee Murray is a heartfelt book and at times will have you tear up and leave you hoping that maybe Adam can get some closure but also reminds us on the other hand of all those unsolved disappearances out there e.g Madeline McCann who went missing when she was three years old when her parents were on holiday and she has never been found still to this day.
October 31, 2013
My intentions with this book were to have a quick flick through the first couple of pages to get a feel for it and then study for my exams. Four hours of not studying and one missed meal later, I had lost a mother and taken a tumultuous journey to recovery through old friends and a budding romance.
Many books in this genre would use Adam’s love life as a substitute for his missing mother, avoiding dealing with real issues by distracting the reader with tacky love triangles or inaccurate references to Shakespeare’s most misquoted tragedy. In a refreshing contrast, Lee Murray does not, instead treating it delicately and realistically as part of a young man’s recovery from a life-changing event. Another unique aspect of the book was its strong New Zealand roots, and the strong communication between this setting and the plot, but communication that did not compromise either. This book would not be out of place in an English class study, with strong symbolism and motifs. I wish I could have chosen this book for my NZ author slot during my high school wider reading assignments.
One of the most powerful scenes in the book was when Adam came home to the smell of his favourite food, and assumed his mother had popped back after weeks of disappearance to cook dinner for him. I would recommend this book to any teenager who doesn’t appreciate their parents enough, which is essentially all of us.
(Read a review copy before publication)
Many books in this genre would use Adam’s love life as a substitute for his missing mother, avoiding dealing with real issues by distracting the reader with tacky love triangles or inaccurate references to Shakespeare’s most misquoted tragedy. In a refreshing contrast, Lee Murray does not, instead treating it delicately and realistically as part of a young man’s recovery from a life-changing event. Another unique aspect of the book was its strong New Zealand roots, and the strong communication between this setting and the plot, but communication that did not compromise either. This book would not be out of place in an English class study, with strong symbolism and motifs. I wish I could have chosen this book for my NZ author slot during my high school wider reading assignments.
One of the most powerful scenes in the book was when Adam came home to the smell of his favourite food, and assumed his mother had popped back after weeks of disappearance to cook dinner for him. I would recommend this book to any teenager who doesn’t appreciate their parents enough, which is essentially all of us.
(Read a review copy before publication)
July 28, 2014
I enjoyed Misplaced and found the cultural differences delightful. Part of the charm for me was the sayings that I had never heard before.
Overall, it was an emotional read because Adam’s mother went missing without a trace. He went through all kinds of emotions dealing with it and trying to get back to his life. I thought his dad was a bit of a dolt, but thought that maybe that was due to the differences in culture.
There was a twist around the middle of the book that took me by surprise, but it all made sense and I kind of felt like I should have seen that coming. After that, there was more action and conflict, keeping things interesting.
I enjoyed his relationship with Skye and how she was able to help him and how he turned around and gave everything he had to help her with something down the road.
The ending did surprise me, but it was touching. Charming story all around.
Overall, it was an emotional read because Adam’s mother went missing without a trace. He went through all kinds of emotions dealing with it and trying to get back to his life. I thought his dad was a bit of a dolt, but thought that maybe that was due to the differences in culture.
There was a twist around the middle of the book that took me by surprise, but it all made sense and I kind of felt like I should have seen that coming. After that, there was more action and conflict, keeping things interesting.
I enjoyed his relationship with Skye and how she was able to help him and how he turned around and gave everything he had to help her with something down the road.
The ending did surprise me, but it was touching. Charming story all around.
December 1, 2013
Misplaced takes the reader to the intersection of longing, hope and grief. The novel speaks to so many of life's truths - the complicated ways we love, miss, get angry with and make peace with each other - it resonates on a level far above that of its 17-year-old protagonist. The characters in this book felt like friends; you've met these people before, shared their pain and helped celebrate their joy. Misplaced is for anyone who's loved deeply and struggled to understand the reasons we hurt each other. With fast-paced dialogue and vivid imagery, Lee Murray paints a world you can not only see, but identify with, too.
July 30, 2014
giveaway
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Book & Author details:
Misplaced by Lee Murray
Publication date: December 1st 2013
Genres: Mystery, New Adult
Synopsis:
Dream cars have no registration plate…
One evening, Adam’s mum pops out for the milk and doesn’t come back, launching a frantic nationwide search. Yet after weeks with no leads, the television crews drift away, the police start asking hairy questions, and Adam’s dad starts seeing someone else. Adam’s life is falling apart. But then he meets Skye, who it seems has misplaced a parent too, and things start to look up. That is, until a body is found…
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Purchase:
—Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Misplaced-Lee-M...
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This is a fascinating book. I like how it looks at the story of what happens in the,lives of the children when a disappearance occurs. I also wonder if Adam had gone like his mum asked would it have been him and what is to happen to him and Skye in the end now that they are at school away from one another.
What was okay:
The writing style: not a fan of third person and sometimes here that got muddled. Sometimes it felt like we were getting Adams’s view and that was great but than it went back to third person and the build-up fell. Didn’t detract from the story but when you get built up and than it falls you get disappointed sometimes.
The dad: not a fan. He didn’t do much to make you like him or feel for him and to be leaving all the time like that and leaving Adam alone ugh. I mean yes you have to work but that wasn’t his only reason and that reason was ugh…not liking the dad.
What I didn’t enjoy:
The psychic: she was a true con artist who exploited people’s desperation. So it is her character as a whole I didn’t like. She also didn’t do much for the storyline.
What I enjoyed:
The concept of the story: I loved how it looked at the lives of the children that are left behind to wonder and worry. Adam certainly did that. It showed what happens after a disappearance and what Adam went through. That is interesting to add-ons he copes and goes on.
The grandma: loved her m. She was crisscross awesome sauce. Helped Adam see things and feel less guilty in the end.
Adam: a good character build-up and in general. You see his anger,fears and guilt play out on the pages. You see his acceptance at the situation and how he is now going on to do what he thinks his mom would be proud of him for. His romance is cute to see as well. You see him support Skye in her dreams and aspirations and also about her dad. Those two go on a maintained quest but that brings them closer to each other and helps Adam find some closure.
The friends of adam: they’re a hoot. Kieran just cracks me up with his thoughts. They are a true support system for Adam.
The flow of the story: at times it gets murky but the book flows nicely into each thought. This helps make a nice easy read.
A nice book on the after effects on the child when someone goes missing and how they find acceptance and closure.
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Book & Author details:
Misplaced by Lee Murray
Publication date: December 1st 2013
Genres: Mystery, New Adult
Synopsis:
Dream cars have no registration plate…
One evening, Adam’s mum pops out for the milk and doesn’t come back, launching a frantic nationwide search. Yet after weeks with no leads, the television crews drift away, the police start asking hairy questions, and Adam’s dad starts seeing someone else. Adam’s life is falling apart. But then he meets Skye, who it seems has misplaced a parent too, and things start to look up. That is, until a body is found…
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Purchase:
—Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Misplaced-Lee-M...
image
This is a fascinating book. I like how it looks at the story of what happens in the,lives of the children when a disappearance occurs. I also wonder if Adam had gone like his mum asked would it have been him and what is to happen to him and Skye in the end now that they are at school away from one another.
What was okay:
The writing style: not a fan of third person and sometimes here that got muddled. Sometimes it felt like we were getting Adams’s view and that was great but than it went back to third person and the build-up fell. Didn’t detract from the story but when you get built up and than it falls you get disappointed sometimes.
The dad: not a fan. He didn’t do much to make you like him or feel for him and to be leaving all the time like that and leaving Adam alone ugh. I mean yes you have to work but that wasn’t his only reason and that reason was ugh…not liking the dad.
What I didn’t enjoy:
The psychic: she was a true con artist who exploited people’s desperation. So it is her character as a whole I didn’t like. She also didn’t do much for the storyline.
What I enjoyed:
The concept of the story: I loved how it looked at the lives of the children that are left behind to wonder and worry. Adam certainly did that. It showed what happens after a disappearance and what Adam went through. That is interesting to add-ons he copes and goes on.
The grandma: loved her m. She was crisscross awesome sauce. Helped Adam see things and feel less guilty in the end.
Adam: a good character build-up and in general. You see his anger,fears and guilt play out on the pages. You see his acceptance at the situation and how he is now going on to do what he thinks his mom would be proud of him for. His romance is cute to see as well. You see him support Skye in her dreams and aspirations and also about her dad. Those two go on a maintained quest but that brings them closer to each other and helps Adam find some closure.
The friends of adam: they’re a hoot. Kieran just cracks me up with his thoughts. They are a true support system for Adam.
The flow of the story: at times it gets murky but the book flows nicely into each thought. This helps make a nice easy read.
A nice book on the after effects on the child when someone goes missing and how they find acceptance and closure.
September 5, 2014
You can also read my review here.
If my mother ever goes out to buy milk then didn’t come back? I’ll probably lose some part of me and just break down and I honestly don’t know how to go on from there. But that’s just me. And it’s probably a good thing that we buy milk together… Like all of us. When it’s grocery day.
Anyway, that’s why I admire Adam. I love that he’s a teenage guy, and even though guy’s are all about looking as if nothing ever fazes them, Adam here is real. He shows and talks and expresses what he’s feeling about his situation vividly. Adam’s mother disappeared, without any clue or trails left behind. The last thing he knew was that her mother left to get milk in the store, a task that is supposed to be his, and she didn’t come back.
There are a lot of things that needs to be dealt here, like, Adam’s response, he’s Father’s reaction, and how people are going to act around them and so on. Because first of all, this things happen. People disappear. I’ve seen it on news and I’ve read some cases of them online. And you know what? It just breaks my heart all the time because I can’t imagine how and what is going through in the mind of the people they left.
Misplaced is a realistic and sensitive portrayal if you want to know the answer about that matter. Lee Murrays characters are authentic and the setting and dialogues in the book are well thought. When I started reading Misplaced, I thought that I’ll probably enjoy it because of the mystery behind Adams mothers disappearance. And yes, it really bothered and nagged me the whole time, but I was more focused on Adam. On how he deals with things throughout the book with the help of his friends and Skye. I love how the romance isn’t so rushed and pointless. It was delicately handled.
Giving it a 3 star rating doesn’t mean it’s a bad book. Nuh-uh. In this case, I just had some problems with the ending. It is true that the ending is appropriate for the story but I just… didn’t like it. (it’s a personal reason, i guess) but other than that, I didn’t encounter any problem at all. Overall, Misplaced is a thought provoking and everything about this book is sincere. With a straightforward writing and genuine characters, Misplaced deserves all the praise that it’s getting.
If my mother ever goes out to buy milk then didn’t come back? I’ll probably lose some part of me and just break down and I honestly don’t know how to go on from there. But that’s just me. And it’s probably a good thing that we buy milk together… Like all of us. When it’s grocery day.
Anyway, that’s why I admire Adam. I love that he’s a teenage guy, and even though guy’s are all about looking as if nothing ever fazes them, Adam here is real. He shows and talks and expresses what he’s feeling about his situation vividly. Adam’s mother disappeared, without any clue or trails left behind. The last thing he knew was that her mother left to get milk in the store, a task that is supposed to be his, and she didn’t come back.
There are a lot of things that needs to be dealt here, like, Adam’s response, he’s Father’s reaction, and how people are going to act around them and so on. Because first of all, this things happen. People disappear. I’ve seen it on news and I’ve read some cases of them online. And you know what? It just breaks my heart all the time because I can’t imagine how and what is going through in the mind of the people they left.
Misplaced is a realistic and sensitive portrayal if you want to know the answer about that matter. Lee Murrays characters are authentic and the setting and dialogues in the book are well thought. When I started reading Misplaced, I thought that I’ll probably enjoy it because of the mystery behind Adams mothers disappearance. And yes, it really bothered and nagged me the whole time, but I was more focused on Adam. On how he deals with things throughout the book with the help of his friends and Skye. I love how the romance isn’t so rushed and pointless. It was delicately handled.
Giving it a 3 star rating doesn’t mean it’s a bad book. Nuh-uh. In this case, I just had some problems with the ending. It is true that the ending is appropriate for the story but I just… didn’t like it. (it’s a personal reason, i guess) but other than that, I didn’t encounter any problem at all. Overall, Misplaced is a thought provoking and everything about this book is sincere. With a straightforward writing and genuine characters, Misplaced deserves all the praise that it’s getting.
July 30, 2014
Misplaced is the story of seventeen-year-old Adam as he deals with the aftermath of his mother’s sudden disappearance. It’s a poignant look into the life of someone dealing with a loved one gone missing – from an inkling that something’s wrong, to filing a police report, to pleas of a safe return featured on the news and newspaper articles, and then, later, trying to come to terms with the fact that this is really happening and there’s nothing anyone can do to bring that loved one home again.
Written from the third person POV of Adam, Misplaced is extremely well-written and just brimming with voice. There’s no real action scenes, but the tension is high and the book is hard to put down. Watching Adam trying to deal with everything that has happened, and getting first person glimpses into his head as he struggles to find sleep while anguishing over missing his mother, feels so real and authentic that it’s heartbreaking.
The supporting characters play an important role in Adam’s path towards coming to terms and healing. When Adam starts to act out it is his support system of key school personnel, friends, and family that keep him sane and pull him back on the right track. Not the least of these is Skye, who Adam feels an immediate attachment to. There may be a little transference as Adam channels his missing his mother into empathy for Skye and her missing parent – a father who left her and her mother before she was born.
I don’t normally read this kind of book, but Misplaced was so skillfully written that I really found myself drawn in. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely read more from this author in the future.
*I received a copy of this book to review. You can find this review and others like it at BookAndCoffeeAddict.com, along with recommendations for a fantastic cup of coffee.
Written from the third person POV of Adam, Misplaced is extremely well-written and just brimming with voice. There’s no real action scenes, but the tension is high and the book is hard to put down. Watching Adam trying to deal with everything that has happened, and getting first person glimpses into his head as he struggles to find sleep while anguishing over missing his mother, feels so real and authentic that it’s heartbreaking.
The supporting characters play an important role in Adam’s path towards coming to terms and healing. When Adam starts to act out it is his support system of key school personnel, friends, and family that keep him sane and pull him back on the right track. Not the least of these is Skye, who Adam feels an immediate attachment to. There may be a little transference as Adam channels his missing his mother into empathy for Skye and her missing parent – a father who left her and her mother before she was born.
I don’t normally read this kind of book, but Misplaced was so skillfully written that I really found myself drawn in. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely read more from this author in the future.
*I received a copy of this book to review. You can find this review and others like it at BookAndCoffeeAddict.com, along with recommendations for a fantastic cup of coffee.
September 8, 2014
This was a very intriguing, well written book.
Pros:
Adam's Mom is like any other Mom. She's encouraging him one evening to get off of the PC, stop playing his games and get to grip with school work. They have a good relationship, this can be seen from the conversation they had then and how he reacts throughout the book when his Mom goes missing.
She tells him she is popping out for some milk, a trip that takes only a few minutes there and back, he's to make his Dad a cup of tea when he comes home from work if she's not back in time.
This is where the story starts. It has some very good twists in it that make you think twice on 'who done it' if they done it or if she's simply just walked out of her own accord. Kept me guessing throughout.
Con:
The only little niggle that annoyed me was the relaying of the messages that Adam was typing on the PC to friends.
At the end of each messaged from either one talking the author added [[ENTER]]
It was a little off putting for me.
This didn't distract me from the actual story though just wondered why it was done that way. I know its a technical world which we live in, but it could be understood what was what I think without the benefit of this.
Stories like this happen a lot, more than we know, most turn out to be OK. But you will have to read this one to find out what happened because its not what you expect.
Pros:
Adam's Mom is like any other Mom. She's encouraging him one evening to get off of the PC, stop playing his games and get to grip with school work. They have a good relationship, this can be seen from the conversation they had then and how he reacts throughout the book when his Mom goes missing.
She tells him she is popping out for some milk, a trip that takes only a few minutes there and back, he's to make his Dad a cup of tea when he comes home from work if she's not back in time.
This is where the story starts. It has some very good twists in it that make you think twice on 'who done it' if they done it or if she's simply just walked out of her own accord. Kept me guessing throughout.
Con:
The only little niggle that annoyed me was the relaying of the messages that Adam was typing on the PC to friends.
At the end of each messaged from either one talking the author added [[ENTER]]
It was a little off putting for me.
This didn't distract me from the actual story though just wondered why it was done that way. I know its a technical world which we live in, but it could be understood what was what I think without the benefit of this.
Stories like this happen a lot, more than we know, most turn out to be OK. But you will have to read this one to find out what happened because its not what you expect.
July 28, 2014
The title is Misplaced. So, what has been misplaced? Adam’s mother (mum). She tells Adam she’s just walking to the local market to pick up milk. But hours later, she still has not returned and no one has seen her. Well, at least no one credible has seen her. Hours go into days; days go into weeks; weeks go into months. The police have been following up on every lead they received, but time begins to turn against them. Phil and Tiffany and their son, Adam, seemingly had a relatively happy nuclear family residing in Tauranga NZ. Now, with Adam’s mum still missing, this is predominantly Adam’s story — how he deals with the initial anguish; how he draws closer to his friends; and how his relationship with his father changes.
The characters are all well-defined. Tiffany goes missing early in the novel, so her characterization is relayed more through Adam’s reflections. I found her likable as a mom and I found Adam very likable. The story is thought-provoking and will stay in your mind for quite a while – it is a contemporary piece in light of our culture today. The genre is classified as Teen and Young Adult, so I just wanted to add my thoughts about the suggested age group. There is a sexual encounter in the novel, so I’d suggest the earliest age range at the age of the protagonist – seventeen and up. I rated Misplaced at 3.5 out of 5.
http://www.fictionzeal.com/misplaced-...
The characters are all well-defined. Tiffany goes missing early in the novel, so her characterization is relayed more through Adam’s reflections. I found her likable as a mom and I found Adam very likable. The story is thought-provoking and will stay in your mind for quite a while – it is a contemporary piece in light of our culture today. The genre is classified as Teen and Young Adult, so I just wanted to add my thoughts about the suggested age group. There is a sexual encounter in the novel, so I’d suggest the earliest age range at the age of the protagonist – seventeen and up. I rated Misplaced at 3.5 out of 5.
http://www.fictionzeal.com/misplaced-...
July 30, 2014
Lee Murray's novel about a wife and mother who disappears without a trace after leaving the house to buy milk, is poignant and thought-provoking, especially knowing that it is dedicated to the author's missing friend.
The majority of the story is written in the third-person, apart from when we experience Adam's dreams, but Lee Murray writes with an immediacy which allows us ti connect with Adam on a deeper level. We share each event as he does; the police questioning, the truth about his father, the loss of his virginity and his utter anguish and despair because he misses his mother.
Although Misplaced centres around Tiffany's disappearance Lee Murray also addresses other issues from romantic love, the 'misplacement' of an identity caused by dementia, (I love Grandpa!), friendship and the stages of Adam's grief. I was emotionally involved with this book, perhaps because the story echoes so many real-life events or because Lee Murray's characters are so accessible.
The ending of Misplaced is not the one I hoped for and I was left stunned and moved. However, there is the realisation that our journey has been with Adam, watching events change him so that he reassess his priorities in life; he is a different young man than the one we met in Morterain's lair at the beginning of the novel.
Misplaced is beautifully written by an author I am excited to have discovered.
The majority of the story is written in the third-person, apart from when we experience Adam's dreams, but Lee Murray writes with an immediacy which allows us ti connect with Adam on a deeper level. We share each event as he does; the police questioning, the truth about his father, the loss of his virginity and his utter anguish and despair because he misses his mother.
Although Misplaced centres around Tiffany's disappearance Lee Murray also addresses other issues from romantic love, the 'misplacement' of an identity caused by dementia, (I love Grandpa!), friendship and the stages of Adam's grief. I was emotionally involved with this book, perhaps because the story echoes so many real-life events or because Lee Murray's characters are so accessible.
The ending of Misplaced is not the one I hoped for and I was left stunned and moved. However, there is the realisation that our journey has been with Adam, watching events change him so that he reassess his priorities in life; he is a different young man than the one we met in Morterain's lair at the beginning of the novel.
Misplaced is beautifully written by an author I am excited to have discovered.
July 28, 2014
As a fan of mystery and romance, Misplaced seemed like a book that I would like to read. From the very first chapter, Murray has readers hooked on the mystery of what happens to Adam's mother when she leaves to get milk and mysteriously never returns.
The concept of the book is one made from a tv movie, it has suspense, action and a bit of drama. You start suspecting characters right from the onset and once Adam discovers some things that will leave you questioning the motives of people whom are close to him.
I quite enjoyed Adam's reflections that he makes to his mother. At times they are very heartfelt and emotional and to me were probably the most poetic and poignant parts of the book. Murray does a wonderful job of tugging at the readers hearts when Adam pours his heart and soul into the reflections of what could have been.
Overall, it was a good read. It definitely made you think and the overall suspense of the plot had you hooked. The characters could have been a bit more developed and the ending will leave you hanging and wanting more. Overall, I would give the book 3 and half stars, as the plot line is very catchy, however, the ending is definitely lacking.
The concept of the book is one made from a tv movie, it has suspense, action and a bit of drama. You start suspecting characters right from the onset and once Adam discovers some things that will leave you questioning the motives of people whom are close to him.
I quite enjoyed Adam's reflections that he makes to his mother. At times they are very heartfelt and emotional and to me were probably the most poetic and poignant parts of the book. Murray does a wonderful job of tugging at the readers hearts when Adam pours his heart and soul into the reflections of what could have been.
Overall, it was a good read. It definitely made you think and the overall suspense of the plot had you hooked. The characters could have been a bit more developed and the ending will leave you hanging and wanting more. Overall, I would give the book 3 and half stars, as the plot line is very catchy, however, the ending is definitely lacking.
December 1, 2013
Lee Murray’s subject of a missing woman seen from the perspective of her likeable teen-aged son, Adam, was delightfully compelling.
Realising the subject, I quailed slightly, fearing the worst – a depressing moray into loss, tragedy and adolescent angst.
Misplaced is nothing like that, and the journey of Adam’s loss was very lifelike, portraying the reaction of Adam, his family, the Police, friends, acquaintances and the public. Reactions, positive and negative, were realistic.
Adam is very much a boy of his time, and faced with what many people would find impossible, he blunders his way from dread to fear and blame. At that awkward age when life and feelings are a mystery at best, he discovers parts of himself he didn't ever dream were there.
Compassionately told, Misplaced was riveting, and my ‘Read of the Year’.
It was such a quality read, I will now look at the other books Lee Murray has written, Battle of The Birds and A dash of Reality.
Realising the subject, I quailed slightly, fearing the worst – a depressing moray into loss, tragedy and adolescent angst.
Misplaced is nothing like that, and the journey of Adam’s loss was very lifelike, portraying the reaction of Adam, his family, the Police, friends, acquaintances and the public. Reactions, positive and negative, were realistic.
Adam is very much a boy of his time, and faced with what many people would find impossible, he blunders his way from dread to fear and blame. At that awkward age when life and feelings are a mystery at best, he discovers parts of himself he didn't ever dream were there.
Compassionately told, Misplaced was riveting, and my ‘Read of the Year’.
It was such a quality read, I will now look at the other books Lee Murray has written, Battle of The Birds and A dash of Reality.
June 25, 2014
3 Stars doesn't do it justice, but it wasn't a 4 star for me here - which is why I hate the rating system.
Misplaced is a tale about Adam Creighton, living in Tauranga NZ. Adam is a normal boy from a normal family, until his Mum just disappears - literally, off the face of the earth. What follows is a story of how such a dramatic event changes the dynamics of the family and the thought processes of a young man, in his last year of college, about to head off into the big wide world.
An interesting story that follows the changes within Adam of wanting to find his mother, then hoping his mother was dead, because it would be easier to live life knowing that she was dead, and not run off abandoning him.
His relationships with his friends and Skye is also a prominent part of the story and rounds out the character of Adam.
A delightful read full of humour, sadness, love and anger. Not forgetting Teenage Angst!
Misplaced is a tale about Adam Creighton, living in Tauranga NZ. Adam is a normal boy from a normal family, until his Mum just disappears - literally, off the face of the earth. What follows is a story of how such a dramatic event changes the dynamics of the family and the thought processes of a young man, in his last year of college, about to head off into the big wide world.
An interesting story that follows the changes within Adam of wanting to find his mother, then hoping his mother was dead, because it would be easier to live life knowing that she was dead, and not run off abandoning him.
His relationships with his friends and Skye is also a prominent part of the story and rounds out the character of Adam.
A delightful read full of humour, sadness, love and anger. Not forgetting Teenage Angst!
May 8, 2016
A poignant and deeply-moving story about a teenager, Adam, whose mother goes out to buy milk from the corner shop and doesn't return. The plot, its twists, and the characters themselves make this a real page-turner. The characters in this novel felt completely real to me, and I shared Adam's journey of confusion, emotional pain and hope. The interactions with his father, his friends, the police, and his new friend, Skye, felt genuine and engaging. It made such an impression on me that I read this book twice.
September 21, 2015
I read this beautifully-told story mostly in one sitting. I couldn't put it down. A part of me yearned to know what happened to Adam's mum who has disappeared while on a trip to the dairy to buy milk but, like her teenage son, the reader is taken along on a journey from hope and waiting to...
You just have to read it! You won't be disappointed.
You just have to read it! You won't be disappointed.
September 18, 2025
The plot was okay, but there were quite a few cheesy similes.
January 30, 2015
Whenever I hear news about missing people, my heart aches for the people left behind. How will they continue to live without knowing what has happened to their loved one? At least with death comes a tiny little bit of closure but with missing, you'd have to cope with the hope that they'd come back which for me is far worse than anything else because it would only leave you hanging. Like your life is put on a pause because your loved one is nowhere to be found and life wouldn't just continue because of that.
I was pretty sure I'd love this because hey, a story like this is as compelling as just knowing its synopsis. How can I not be moved by a story as real as this one? A person goes missing everyday. Some of the missing ones before even emerges like they just went somewhere to buy food or anything. I remember hearing from news before that a missing woman was found almost after ten years. I cannot imagine how her family has felt that time. I'm just happy for them. But as unfortunate as life is, some people aren't found just like Adam's Mom, Tiffany. And I know this is purely fictional but for me, this novel is more of a representation of what happens to the ones left. Knowing that the author has a missing friend, my heart goes for you, Lee.
It happened all fast. If only Adam went to buy the milk. If only Adam wasn't as engrossed in his game. If only Adam didn't somehow took her Mom for granted that day. If I were Adam, I know I'd somehow end up blaming myself. His Mom asked him to buy the milk. If he did, would he be the one missing? Endless questions and What Ifs.
The way everything happened was heartbreaking, at least for me. I knew that Adam's Dad was in that situation which breaks my heart more because his Mom suddenly disappeared. Did she know what was going on? Did she run away because of it? I hate to say this but Adam's Dad was such a douche. Don't get me wrong. I know he had his own down moments about his wife missing. But the way he handled things weren't quite the way I imagined a Dad would. Especially with his new special someone in the picture. I'm not even saying that he shouldn't move on and stuff but Tiffany wasn't even missing for a year. The thing is, your wife is missing. You don't know where the hell is she and you have the time to be flirty with another woman? You're not even taking care of your only son. So how's that, right? Oh and yeah, different people has different ways of coping and that's his way so let him be.
Adam's relationship with Skye was cute and somehow fast. I know the author didn't want to put much detail into their relationship at the start because this would seem like a romance novel. Yet everything was fine because those two just connected at some point. What they did at the latter part of the novel was dangerous and an ironic thing. Adam just left without telling anyone except his best friend. He didn't even think of what his father would think or of Skye's mother. Though I guess those two learned a lesson or two.
At a situation like this, I'm thankful that Adam's Granddad has Alzheimer's. He will only have to remember how her daughter keeps on visiting him and not being missing. I know he knows deep inside what happened but somehow he just chose to remember the good times. Him having Alzheimer's made Adam realized that no matter what, his Mom will always be with him though not physically.
Aside from Adam's Dad, another thing that somehow bothered me was Tiffany's best friend. Her awkwardness made me think if she knew where Tiffany was or that she just cannot face what happened. It just seemed so weird. Yet just as they say, you'd know the people who truly loves you in times of trouble.
I know I'm saying a lot already but given that this is almost a reflection of reality, I just want to keep talking. And I know that no words can ever amount to comfort those who are left behind. The only thing I can think of is just pray that somewhere your loved one is already safe may it be in death or the living.
Misplaced is a heart-wrenching take about a missing person. It's not your guide on how to cope after missing your loved one. It's more of a companion to your situation that somewhere in this world, you are not alone in facing such hardships.
P.S. I felt like I wrote an essay and not a review so forgive me for that. The topic of this novel is just so real that I cannot help but say those insights.
Originally posted at The Bookish Confections
I was pretty sure I'd love this because hey, a story like this is as compelling as just knowing its synopsis. How can I not be moved by a story as real as this one? A person goes missing everyday. Some of the missing ones before even emerges like they just went somewhere to buy food or anything. I remember hearing from news before that a missing woman was found almost after ten years. I cannot imagine how her family has felt that time. I'm just happy for them. But as unfortunate as life is, some people aren't found just like Adam's Mom, Tiffany. And I know this is purely fictional but for me, this novel is more of a representation of what happens to the ones left. Knowing that the author has a missing friend, my heart goes for you, Lee.
It happened all fast. If only Adam went to buy the milk. If only Adam wasn't as engrossed in his game. If only Adam didn't somehow took her Mom for granted that day. If I were Adam, I know I'd somehow end up blaming myself. His Mom asked him to buy the milk. If he did, would he be the one missing? Endless questions and What Ifs.
The way everything happened was heartbreaking, at least for me. I knew that Adam's Dad was in that situation which breaks my heart more because his Mom suddenly disappeared. Did she know what was going on? Did she run away because of it? I hate to say this but Adam's Dad was such a douche. Don't get me wrong. I know he had his own down moments about his wife missing. But the way he handled things weren't quite the way I imagined a Dad would. Especially with his new special someone in the picture. I'm not even saying that he shouldn't move on and stuff but Tiffany wasn't even missing for a year. The thing is, your wife is missing. You don't know where the hell is she and you have the time to be flirty with another woman? You're not even taking care of your only son. So how's that, right? Oh and yeah, different people has different ways of coping and that's his way so let him be.
Adam's relationship with Skye was cute and somehow fast. I know the author didn't want to put much detail into their relationship at the start because this would seem like a romance novel. Yet everything was fine because those two just connected at some point. What they did at the latter part of the novel was dangerous and an ironic thing. Adam just left without telling anyone except his best friend. He didn't even think of what his father would think or of Skye's mother. Though I guess those two learned a lesson or two.
At a situation like this, I'm thankful that Adam's Granddad has Alzheimer's. He will only have to remember how her daughter keeps on visiting him and not being missing. I know he knows deep inside what happened but somehow he just chose to remember the good times. Him having Alzheimer's made Adam realized that no matter what, his Mom will always be with him though not physically.
Aside from Adam's Dad, another thing that somehow bothered me was Tiffany's best friend. Her awkwardness made me think if she knew where Tiffany was or that she just cannot face what happened. It just seemed so weird. Yet just as they say, you'd know the people who truly loves you in times of trouble.
I know I'm saying a lot already but given that this is almost a reflection of reality, I just want to keep talking. And I know that no words can ever amount to comfort those who are left behind. The only thing I can think of is just pray that somewhere your loved one is already safe may it be in death or the living.
Misplaced is a heart-wrenching take about a missing person. It's not your guide on how to cope after missing your loved one. It's more of a companion to your situation that somewhere in this world, you are not alone in facing such hardships.
P.S. I felt like I wrote an essay and not a review so forgive me for that. The topic of this novel is just so real that I cannot help but say those insights.
Originally posted at The Bookish Confections
September 21, 2014
Being a teenager is no simple task. One suddenly goes from being a child with simple needs, to having an increasing awareness of the world that shifts everything around, sometimes painfully so. Needless to say, it’s a complicated time of one’s life, even if nothing out of the ordinary happens.
Like your mother disappearing.
Many if not most of us in North America grew up with stories of people going out for just a little while to fulfill a mundane task such as picking something up from the corner store, only to never come back.
Fortunately, it happens to very, very few of us. Unfortunately, it happens to Adam’s mother in the first pages of Lee Murray’s book, Misplaced, who went out supposedly for a short time to get some milk but never came back. Just like with anyone else who has been through such a traumatic event, Adam probably never through it would happen to him. His mother’s disappearance leaves him with typical yet very difficult questions: why has no one seen his mother? How can there be not a single sighting of an abducted adult woman? And the worse questions of all: where is she, and is she still alive?
Adam finds himself in the midst of a national missing person search, dealing with his emotions and his silent father. Unfortunately there are no leads but at the very least, it means that the media’s notoriously short attention span is soon focused on other things. Adam finally has some time to process what happened, only to realize that his father is acting a little odd lately.
Friendships are one of the cornerstones of navigating sometimes very confusing teenage years. Adam makes a new friend in these troubled days, the lovely Skye, who also has a misplaced parent. The two accompany each other as they try to find their lost parent. One is successful (or at least, relatively so), the other isn’t.
Misplaced delves nicely and wisely into the emotions of a teenager in such a situation. While the characterization is somewhat stereotypical at times, it is reassuringly so; that is to say, it is done in a way that makes the story more approachable and relatable. Adam is a character that reminded me of a few friends of mine; he is both likeable and kind, while at the same time struggling with his imperfections.
The way that Murray deals with Adam and Skye’s relationship was also wisely done. For it could have easily fallen into the painful cliché of Adam replacing the sole female figure in his life, his mother, with a romantic female figure, Skye. But rather, Adam and Skye’s relationship becomes one of mutual support, as both teenagers struggle to figure out what happened with their missing parent.
Perhaps the main reason why this book marks the reader is that while everyone has grieved something, it is usually portrayed in most media as something unnecessarily dramatic and over-the-top. However, in Misplaced, the grief displayed by Adam seems so real: a mixture of anger, longing, guilt, and hope that swirl around a 17 year old boy trying to continue living his life without knowing what happened to his mother.
Because that is the worse part of a disappearance. As Murray herself explained in an interview, “[d]eath is final. It’s terribly sad, but the person is gone. But when someone goes missing, there’s always a chance they might come back. That perennial spark of hope is perhaps the thing that makes loss through disappearance the most difficult.”
I was wondering if Murray had chosen to afflict another character in the book, Adam’s grandfather, with Alzheimer’s as a metaphor for the same feeling of hope; in this same interview, she clarifies that she “felt this was an important parallel to Adam’s story of loss as a person suffering from Alzheimer’s can have occasional periods of lucidity, providing family members with the cruel hope that the person might one day come back.” And as long time readers of my reviews know, nothing gets me more than a book with depth that makes you think. Except maybe chocolate.
Like your mother disappearing.
Many if not most of us in North America grew up with stories of people going out for just a little while to fulfill a mundane task such as picking something up from the corner store, only to never come back.
Fortunately, it happens to very, very few of us. Unfortunately, it happens to Adam’s mother in the first pages of Lee Murray’s book, Misplaced, who went out supposedly for a short time to get some milk but never came back. Just like with anyone else who has been through such a traumatic event, Adam probably never through it would happen to him. His mother’s disappearance leaves him with typical yet very difficult questions: why has no one seen his mother? How can there be not a single sighting of an abducted adult woman? And the worse questions of all: where is she, and is she still alive?
Adam finds himself in the midst of a national missing person search, dealing with his emotions and his silent father. Unfortunately there are no leads but at the very least, it means that the media’s notoriously short attention span is soon focused on other things. Adam finally has some time to process what happened, only to realize that his father is acting a little odd lately.
Friendships are one of the cornerstones of navigating sometimes very confusing teenage years. Adam makes a new friend in these troubled days, the lovely Skye, who also has a misplaced parent. The two accompany each other as they try to find their lost parent. One is successful (or at least, relatively so), the other isn’t.
Misplaced delves nicely and wisely into the emotions of a teenager in such a situation. While the characterization is somewhat stereotypical at times, it is reassuringly so; that is to say, it is done in a way that makes the story more approachable and relatable. Adam is a character that reminded me of a few friends of mine; he is both likeable and kind, while at the same time struggling with his imperfections.
The way that Murray deals with Adam and Skye’s relationship was also wisely done. For it could have easily fallen into the painful cliché of Adam replacing the sole female figure in his life, his mother, with a romantic female figure, Skye. But rather, Adam and Skye’s relationship becomes one of mutual support, as both teenagers struggle to figure out what happened with their missing parent.
Perhaps the main reason why this book marks the reader is that while everyone has grieved something, it is usually portrayed in most media as something unnecessarily dramatic and over-the-top. However, in Misplaced, the grief displayed by Adam seems so real: a mixture of anger, longing, guilt, and hope that swirl around a 17 year old boy trying to continue living his life without knowing what happened to his mother.
Because that is the worse part of a disappearance. As Murray herself explained in an interview, “[d]eath is final. It’s terribly sad, but the person is gone. But when someone goes missing, there’s always a chance they might come back. That perennial spark of hope is perhaps the thing that makes loss through disappearance the most difficult.”
I was wondering if Murray had chosen to afflict another character in the book, Adam’s grandfather, with Alzheimer’s as a metaphor for the same feeling of hope; in this same interview, she clarifies that she “felt this was an important parallel to Adam’s story of loss as a person suffering from Alzheimer’s can have occasional periods of lucidity, providing family members with the cruel hope that the person might one day come back.” And as long time readers of my reviews know, nothing gets me more than a book with depth that makes you think. Except maybe chocolate.
August 1, 2014
You can also find my review for this book on my blog Miss Book Eater on 28th July.
Adam is a very like-able teenage boy, and even though I had to get used to the writing in the beginning, I started to want to turn the pages quicker to see how Adam is coping with his misplaced mother. How many times have you read a story on the news about someone who just popped out to grab some more milk, or just to grab a forgotten thing from the corner shop and to never return? This is such a story. I was really feeling Adam’s struggles, his disbelief at first and hoping or knowing that his mother would walk through the door any minute. Then his blaming himself for her disappearance. Why didn’t Adam shut down his computer game and went out and got some milk? Why wasn’t he studying his French, why hasn’t he paid closer attention to his mom’s appearance, her emotions during that last interaction. Then we go through the anger fase, anger with everyone; his dad, his mum for leaving him, again for himself but then also we see closure and peace.
This journey was wonderfully written by Lee Murray and at times it really choked me up with emotions, I was really feeling his emotions and wanting to know how Adam was doing.
His friends are a blessing, they really understood when he needed someone to listen to, when he needed someone to lighten the mood and when he needed to be put back on the straight and narrow. He couldn’t have wished for better friends really. The school, the police all treated him as a grieving teenage boy instead of belittling him or hiding away the truth. Of course you have the people who don’t know how to cope with a situation like this, which is fair enough when you haven’t been in this situation but very refreshing to read those reactions from Adam’s point of view. Certainly it made me aware of how not to respond and definitely not to ignore the ‘elephant in the room’ as they say.
I really liked him and Skye, slowly getting through their journey together and it wasn’t the well I just met you let’s be in love. It was like a typical young love which was really nice to read, although at some point I started to believe Skye’s mum didn’t really exist.. but she did made an appearance after all ^_^
But most of all I found the relationship between Adam and his dad really interesting to read. The way they had to deal with this sudden misplacement of his mum, the awkwardness of a dad towards his son, who you see struggling but have no clue in how to deal with this situation. But also when Adam finds out things about his dad – how they coped and dealt with it. Adam in a typical teenage way – I felt I was also helping Adam defend himself and his mum ^_^. But also seeing how there might have been issues in the marriage but never been noticed and how his dad tries to deal with not only a missing wife, a grieving and confused son but also tries to live his life which he had planned to do so in this fashion at some point, but never in this kind of situation.
As I have travelled around in New Zealand I was able to recognise and place a lot of places and areas mentioned in this book. I loved that bit, especially Rotorua has got some special memories for me especially the lake and it really helped with getting sucked into Adam’s story.
All in all I thought this was a really good read and a really good book. Definitely worth the read and I would highly recommend this book to others.
Adam is a very like-able teenage boy, and even though I had to get used to the writing in the beginning, I started to want to turn the pages quicker to see how Adam is coping with his misplaced mother. How many times have you read a story on the news about someone who just popped out to grab some more milk, or just to grab a forgotten thing from the corner shop and to never return? This is such a story. I was really feeling Adam’s struggles, his disbelief at first and hoping or knowing that his mother would walk through the door any minute. Then his blaming himself for her disappearance. Why didn’t Adam shut down his computer game and went out and got some milk? Why wasn’t he studying his French, why hasn’t he paid closer attention to his mom’s appearance, her emotions during that last interaction. Then we go through the anger fase, anger with everyone; his dad, his mum for leaving him, again for himself but then also we see closure and peace.
This journey was wonderfully written by Lee Murray and at times it really choked me up with emotions, I was really feeling his emotions and wanting to know how Adam was doing.
His friends are a blessing, they really understood when he needed someone to listen to, when he needed someone to lighten the mood and when he needed to be put back on the straight and narrow. He couldn’t have wished for better friends really. The school, the police all treated him as a grieving teenage boy instead of belittling him or hiding away the truth. Of course you have the people who don’t know how to cope with a situation like this, which is fair enough when you haven’t been in this situation but very refreshing to read those reactions from Adam’s point of view. Certainly it made me aware of how not to respond and definitely not to ignore the ‘elephant in the room’ as they say.
I really liked him and Skye, slowly getting through their journey together and it wasn’t the well I just met you let’s be in love. It was like a typical young love which was really nice to read, although at some point I started to believe Skye’s mum didn’t really exist.. but she did made an appearance after all ^_^
But most of all I found the relationship between Adam and his dad really interesting to read. The way they had to deal with this sudden misplacement of his mum, the awkwardness of a dad towards his son, who you see struggling but have no clue in how to deal with this situation. But also when Adam finds out things about his dad – how they coped and dealt with it. Adam in a typical teenage way – I felt I was also helping Adam defend himself and his mum ^_^. But also seeing how there might have been issues in the marriage but never been noticed and how his dad tries to deal with not only a missing wife, a grieving and confused son but also tries to live his life which he had planned to do so in this fashion at some point, but never in this kind of situation.
As I have travelled around in New Zealand I was able to recognise and place a lot of places and areas mentioned in this book. I loved that bit, especially Rotorua has got some special memories for me especially the lake and it really helped with getting sucked into Adam’s story.
All in all I thought this was a really good read and a really good book. Definitely worth the read and I would highly recommend this book to others.
July 31, 2014
There is so much that is amazing about this book. How Lee Murray manages to capture it all in one book is far beyond me. Misplaced is one story that’s going to keep you hooked to it until the end. I was beyond excited to read this book. It was the first “Mystery” book I’d ever read so I didn’t know what to expect. All I can say is that I loved it.
If there’s anyone in your circle that has gone missing and you never saw them again, then you know a fraction of what Adam—the male protagonist of this book—is going through. His mum stepped out to buy milk and that was the last anyone ever saw or heard from her.
Set in Tauranga NZ, Misplaced follows the now upturned life of Adam Creighton, who deals with a life without his mother—showing equal parts guilt, anger, longing and grief.
This is a kind of book that I wouldn’t say I connected with on a personal level—having never gone through this type of grief myself—but I can say with utmost surety that I’ve hardly ever felt for characters the way I did with this book.
I thought surely this would be a book based on the search parties that would go out to look for Tiffany Creighton but no. It followed Adam’s life and how everything—even his relationships with people—changed because of her disappearance.
There’s the police and the investigations. The bout of “awkwarditis” that the neighbours go through, not knowing what to say to him. Seeing his grandmother in an entirely different light. The visits to his grandfather—who has Alzheimer’s.
Throughout the book, I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop—for the writing to lose its effectiveness, for the story to drag, for unnecessary drama to surround Adam, but thankfully, none of that happened. I was as riveted at 6% into the book as I was at 62%. It was bizarre to be so invested in a book that I even skipped a meal! (See: Rhea never EVER skips meals.)
The Romance:
The “thing” between Adam and Skye wasn’t romance. Not according to me. Let me rephrase.
The Un-Romance:
Why I call this an un-romance is because Adam—when he first met Skye—wasn’t in the emotional condition to follow through with a romantic interest. He thought she was cute, sure, but there’s a big difference in his interest in her only once he starts to see beyond the fact that his mother is missing. Once he starts to at least try to live life as normally as possible. So what they have is more chemistry than romance.
Then arises the crisis of Skye’s own parent being missing. From there on begins a new adventure for Skye and Adam. Then the romance actually comes #didyouseewhatididthere
Unlike a few books that I’ve read this summer, Misplaced is more situation based that character driven. Sometimes, it got a bit too much for me too. I could just imagine what I’d do if I were in the same situation and then cringe and realize that I wouldn’t want to be in the middle of that.
Lee Murray has created poignant characters and a refreshing style of writing. Her clever use of prose and her almost complete control over the reader’s awareness is astounding. I was only so cognizant as Adam himself, which means that I couldn’t predict—not for one moment—exactly what was going to happen next. Her use of everyday life to portray the thriller factor of the book is just astounding.
Highly recommended and a definite keeper!
If there’s anyone in your circle that has gone missing and you never saw them again, then you know a fraction of what Adam—the male protagonist of this book—is going through. His mum stepped out to buy milk and that was the last anyone ever saw or heard from her.
Set in Tauranga NZ, Misplaced follows the now upturned life of Adam Creighton, who deals with a life without his mother—showing equal parts guilt, anger, longing and grief.
This is a kind of book that I wouldn’t say I connected with on a personal level—having never gone through this type of grief myself—but I can say with utmost surety that I’ve hardly ever felt for characters the way I did with this book.
I thought surely this would be a book based on the search parties that would go out to look for Tiffany Creighton but no. It followed Adam’s life and how everything—even his relationships with people—changed because of her disappearance.
There’s the police and the investigations. The bout of “awkwarditis” that the neighbours go through, not knowing what to say to him. Seeing his grandmother in an entirely different light. The visits to his grandfather—who has Alzheimer’s.
Throughout the book, I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop—for the writing to lose its effectiveness, for the story to drag, for unnecessary drama to surround Adam, but thankfully, none of that happened. I was as riveted at 6% into the book as I was at 62%. It was bizarre to be so invested in a book that I even skipped a meal! (See: Rhea never EVER skips meals.)
The Romance:
The “thing” between Adam and Skye wasn’t romance. Not according to me. Let me rephrase.
The Un-Romance:
Why I call this an un-romance is because Adam—when he first met Skye—wasn’t in the emotional condition to follow through with a romantic interest. He thought she was cute, sure, but there’s a big difference in his interest in her only once he starts to see beyond the fact that his mother is missing. Once he starts to at least try to live life as normally as possible. So what they have is more chemistry than romance.
Then arises the crisis of Skye’s own parent being missing. From there on begins a new adventure for Skye and Adam. Then the romance actually comes #didyouseewhatididthere
Unlike a few books that I’ve read this summer, Misplaced is more situation based that character driven. Sometimes, it got a bit too much for me too. I could just imagine what I’d do if I were in the same situation and then cringe and realize that I wouldn’t want to be in the middle of that.
Lee Murray has created poignant characters and a refreshing style of writing. Her clever use of prose and her almost complete control over the reader’s awareness is astounding. I was only so cognizant as Adam himself, which means that I couldn’t predict—not for one moment—exactly what was going to happen next. Her use of everyday life to portray the thriller factor of the book is just astounding.
Highly recommended and a definite keeper!
April 1, 2014
Misplaced by Lee Murray.
Review by Dianne Smith.
When a mother simply vanishes leaving no clue as to where she has gone, or why, Adam Creighton’s life is turned upside down.
The story begins with Adam’s television appeal to anyone, including his mother, to get in touch with he and his dad if they can throw any light onto what has happened. His mum, Tiffaney, had just popped out for some milk, and she never came back, leaving Adam and his dad floundering. Misplaced is as much a story of Adam finding himself as of the search for his mum.
Police are called and despite extensive search and questioning, there is no sign of the missing woman. Chapter by chapter, Murray explores the disappearance as it affects Adam in his relationhips with various people who are important to him, starting with his dad, his grandma, and granddad who has Alzheimers. Concept by concept, we are taken along on the rollercoaster ride of emotions as Adam tries to deal with this awful thing that has happened. At one point when Adam and his dad are reflecting on their loss, the fact that dad was working back nights at the garage should have been a red flag, but Adam seems to have missed it. It wasn’t until, while searching for some money to pay a school fee, that he found proof of his dad’s affair with his secretary that it dawned on Adam to wonder if his mum had good reason to disappear.
Set in Tauranga, Misplaced successfully puts to rest the negative idea - originating in postcolonial attitudes - that New Zealand is an unsophisticated culture, therefore a book set here will not succeed. From start to finish, a reader is struck by the congruency of both characters and settings. Murray has carefully prepared a canvas, and then layer by layer, painted a rich picture of ordinary, everyday, New Zealanders. The magic of this book is in that very thing, that Murray portrays the extraordinary in the ordinary.
When it appears that his mum is not coming back, Adam has to change, and his growing up is like more layers of paint on the canvas. A putty puke-yellow as he vomits through a hangover after experimenting with weed; shaded soft pastels of romance when he falls in love with Skye, as he accompanies her to Australia in search of her father, another missing parent.
In the midst of Adam’s growing frustration and confusion he consults a medium called Anna, who, in the style of mediums, does not commit herself and the three friends storm out. “Wait”, she calls after them, and yes, she does have a message that causes the three to pause. It will also cause the reader to stop and think. It did me!
Murray is at ease with the age group at whom the story is aimed, and familiar with teenage jargon – not too much and not too little! Her placement and use of the word absquatulate, and the French merde is priceless.
Misplaced is both a good read and informative. I have bought two copies to give as gifts, I think it is that good.
Review by Dianne Smith.
When a mother simply vanishes leaving no clue as to where she has gone, or why, Adam Creighton’s life is turned upside down.
The story begins with Adam’s television appeal to anyone, including his mother, to get in touch with he and his dad if they can throw any light onto what has happened. His mum, Tiffaney, had just popped out for some milk, and she never came back, leaving Adam and his dad floundering. Misplaced is as much a story of Adam finding himself as of the search for his mum.
Police are called and despite extensive search and questioning, there is no sign of the missing woman. Chapter by chapter, Murray explores the disappearance as it affects Adam in his relationhips with various people who are important to him, starting with his dad, his grandma, and granddad who has Alzheimers. Concept by concept, we are taken along on the rollercoaster ride of emotions as Adam tries to deal with this awful thing that has happened. At one point when Adam and his dad are reflecting on their loss, the fact that dad was working back nights at the garage should have been a red flag, but Adam seems to have missed it. It wasn’t until, while searching for some money to pay a school fee, that he found proof of his dad’s affair with his secretary that it dawned on Adam to wonder if his mum had good reason to disappear.
Set in Tauranga, Misplaced successfully puts to rest the negative idea - originating in postcolonial attitudes - that New Zealand is an unsophisticated culture, therefore a book set here will not succeed. From start to finish, a reader is struck by the congruency of both characters and settings. Murray has carefully prepared a canvas, and then layer by layer, painted a rich picture of ordinary, everyday, New Zealanders. The magic of this book is in that very thing, that Murray portrays the extraordinary in the ordinary.
When it appears that his mum is not coming back, Adam has to change, and his growing up is like more layers of paint on the canvas. A putty puke-yellow as he vomits through a hangover after experimenting with weed; shaded soft pastels of romance when he falls in love with Skye, as he accompanies her to Australia in search of her father, another missing parent.
In the midst of Adam’s growing frustration and confusion he consults a medium called Anna, who, in the style of mediums, does not commit herself and the three friends storm out. “Wait”, she calls after them, and yes, she does have a message that causes the three to pause. It will also cause the reader to stop and think. It did me!
Murray is at ease with the age group at whom the story is aimed, and familiar with teenage jargon – not too much and not too little! Her placement and use of the word absquatulate, and the French merde is priceless.
Misplaced is both a good read and informative. I have bought two copies to give as gifts, I think it is that good.
September 2, 2014
I was intrigued with this story although the language made it a bit less enjoyable the plot was solid and kept me interested. The story took place in New Zealand so the terms and words used threw me off a bit and broke the flow. The author really takes the reader to that location and creates an atmosphere that makes you feel you are walking the streets and calling items by their given name there.
Adam use to be that normal teenager, rebellious at times, loved to do his own thing, played games and looked for the perfect girlfriend. He seemed to have a close relationship with his mom and her parents and his dad appeared to be a bit inactive in his life. One normal day Adam’s world shifted into the darkness of the unknown. His mom went for milk but she never returned.
We read how Adam begins to scan every face in a crowd looking for any hints that his mother is there. Everyone he talks to from family to stranger becomes a suspect in his mother’s disappearance. His anger at not having any answers and more questions than he knows what to do with begin to tear him apart mentally and then he meets Skye.
Skye can understand Adam because one of her parents is missing as well. She can see a piece of him is gone and a void that can’t be filled is only growing deeper so they begin a strong friendship that will give each other the support they need. Adam’s dad finds it easier to move on than Adam does and this causes more angst for this teenager. How are these people who claim to love his mom moving on when they haven’t found her or been given permission to let go of the hope? Anger seems to be the only thing Adam finds in his search.
When a body was found and Adam waited for his father to identify if it was Tiffany, Adam’s mom, he came face to face with how his future could look. Exhaustion took over and he began to feel things that felt wrong and he was confused. It took a trip to see his mom’s parents to finally find the answers that he needed. His grandpa had Alzheimer’s and was slipping in and out of reality. When his grandma sat down and explained that she understood Adam’s feelings. I felt at that point in the book his future took a new direction.
The ending was a bit abrupt and not how I expected it to end, but the book was full of emotion, twists and turns. The suspense level was high and I waited for the answers to what happen to Tiffany with each turn of the page. I was angry at how his father dealt with him and the situation and wanted to beat my kindle against the wall a few times but then that was the realistic edge the author gave us in the book. If you are into the angst with additional drama in the life of a coming to age young man in another country then you will love this book most likely.
Reviewed by Tbird for Crystal’s Many Reviewers
*Copy provided for review*
Adam use to be that normal teenager, rebellious at times, loved to do his own thing, played games and looked for the perfect girlfriend. He seemed to have a close relationship with his mom and her parents and his dad appeared to be a bit inactive in his life. One normal day Adam’s world shifted into the darkness of the unknown. His mom went for milk but she never returned.
We read how Adam begins to scan every face in a crowd looking for any hints that his mother is there. Everyone he talks to from family to stranger becomes a suspect in his mother’s disappearance. His anger at not having any answers and more questions than he knows what to do with begin to tear him apart mentally and then he meets Skye.
Skye can understand Adam because one of her parents is missing as well. She can see a piece of him is gone and a void that can’t be filled is only growing deeper so they begin a strong friendship that will give each other the support they need. Adam’s dad finds it easier to move on than Adam does and this causes more angst for this teenager. How are these people who claim to love his mom moving on when they haven’t found her or been given permission to let go of the hope? Anger seems to be the only thing Adam finds in his search.
When a body was found and Adam waited for his father to identify if it was Tiffany, Adam’s mom, he came face to face with how his future could look. Exhaustion took over and he began to feel things that felt wrong and he was confused. It took a trip to see his mom’s parents to finally find the answers that he needed. His grandpa had Alzheimer’s and was slipping in and out of reality. When his grandma sat down and explained that she understood Adam’s feelings. I felt at that point in the book his future took a new direction.
The ending was a bit abrupt and not how I expected it to end, but the book was full of emotion, twists and turns. The suspense level was high and I waited for the answers to what happen to Tiffany with each turn of the page. I was angry at how his father dealt with him and the situation and wanted to beat my kindle against the wall a few times but then that was the realistic edge the author gave us in the book. If you are into the angst with additional drama in the life of a coming to age young man in another country then you will love this book most likely.
Reviewed by Tbird for Crystal’s Many Reviewers
*Copy provided for review*
July 31, 2014
The book starts off with seventeen-year-old Adam making a television appeal to his mother Tiffany to come home. Then we go back to when she was last seen and follow the story in real time. Adam has "misplaced" his mum. She goes out to buy some milk one evening and never comes home. Meanwhile, Adam's father is acting suspiciously, as is his mother's friend Maria. What secrets are they hiding?
Through it all, Adam manages to maintain his sense of humor, although missing his mother turns into anger when he starts thinking she has left him and his father. It's great to see Adam get the support he needs from his grandmother, his aunt, the school counselor, and his friends Kieran and Corey. He also manages to be distracted by his track coach, his own search for his mother, and by his developing relationship with Skye, who has family troubles of her own.
Misplaced is told in the third person present tense, giving the story an immediacy and urgency. It is interspersed with first person accounts from Adam. I enjoyed these accounts the best and feel the whole book could have been written this way. The New Zealand dialect and setting add color and interest to the story, and the editing is near-perfect.
*Spoiler Alert* I was, however, disappointed with the ending. I felt that the author was leaving clues throughout the book which would lead to the mystery being solved. However, this was not the case. I was looking for closure, but I guess we are left to feel like those left behind after a loved one goes missing. We are left in the dark, there is no closure, and we just have to move on. I am better able to understand the author's motivation for ending the book this way after reading about her inspiration for writing this story.
An engrossing and worthwhile read.
Warnings: coarse language, sexual references.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Through it all, Adam manages to maintain his sense of humor, although missing his mother turns into anger when he starts thinking she has left him and his father. It's great to see Adam get the support he needs from his grandmother, his aunt, the school counselor, and his friends Kieran and Corey. He also manages to be distracted by his track coach, his own search for his mother, and by his developing relationship with Skye, who has family troubles of her own.
Misplaced is told in the third person present tense, giving the story an immediacy and urgency. It is interspersed with first person accounts from Adam. I enjoyed these accounts the best and feel the whole book could have been written this way. The New Zealand dialect and setting add color and interest to the story, and the editing is near-perfect.
*Spoiler Alert* I was, however, disappointed with the ending. I felt that the author was leaving clues throughout the book which would lead to the mystery being solved. However, this was not the case. I was looking for closure, but I guess we are left to feel like those left behind after a loved one goes missing. We are left in the dark, there is no closure, and we just have to move on. I am better able to understand the author's motivation for ending the book this way after reading about her inspiration for writing this story.
An engrossing and worthwhile read.
Warnings: coarse language, sexual references.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
February 1, 2014
Adam is a typical teenage boy with loving parents and a comfortable way of life. Everything changes when his mum disappears. Author Lee Murray’s third published novel is an emotion charged mystery shown from the young man’s point of view.
There are no clues to his mother’s disappearance. She has simply vanished, which makes it all the harder for him to accept. He feels guilty. If he’d done as she’d asked she might still be there. There are family, friends and neighbours to contend with. Everyone knows what’s best for Adam but no one can provide the one thing he needs.
Time passes and Adam has no choice but to get on with life without mum. The author handles this difficult period artfully, drawing us into the world of a teenage boy. There are tantalizing distractions as Adam falls in love. But all the while there’s the nagging question of what has happened to his mum. Then, just when we’re settling into Adam’s day-to-day existence, the pace changes and surprising information comes to light.
I found Misplaced engaging on several levels. The characters are believable and distinctively New Zealand. Although there’s a serious theme, Adam’s diary entries and his amusing banter with his mates keeps things lively. Details about the police investigation, family relationships and the reaction of Adam’s school provide authenticity.
If you enjoy novels that keep you reading while they inform and make you think, I strongly recommend Lee Murray’s Misplaced.
There are no clues to his mother’s disappearance. She has simply vanished, which makes it all the harder for him to accept. He feels guilty. If he’d done as she’d asked she might still be there. There are family, friends and neighbours to contend with. Everyone knows what’s best for Adam but no one can provide the one thing he needs.
Time passes and Adam has no choice but to get on with life without mum. The author handles this difficult period artfully, drawing us into the world of a teenage boy. There are tantalizing distractions as Adam falls in love. But all the while there’s the nagging question of what has happened to his mum. Then, just when we’re settling into Adam’s day-to-day existence, the pace changes and surprising information comes to light.
I found Misplaced engaging on several levels. The characters are believable and distinctively New Zealand. Although there’s a serious theme, Adam’s diary entries and his amusing banter with his mates keeps things lively. Details about the police investigation, family relationships and the reaction of Adam’s school provide authenticity.
If you enjoy novels that keep you reading while they inform and make you think, I strongly recommend Lee Murray’s Misplaced.
December 1, 2013
One ordinary afternoon, Adam’s Mum pops out to get some milk and mysteriously disappears. Adam, a typical self-absorbed teen, is catapulted away from the mundane concerns of a 17 year old boy, into a world of police questions, rescue searches, television reporters and the well intended attention of friends and family.
In his desperate attempt to cope with his Mum’s disappearance, he reaches out to the people closest to him, only to find them caught up in their own battles to deal with her loss. But help and understanding comes from unexpected quarters, giving Adam the strength to find his own way through an unfathomable situation.
Lee Murray uses a light touch and gentle humour to navigate the intimate subtleties of a teenage boy’s confusion and grief, giving the reader a deep understanding of Adam’s loss without weighing the story down. With familiar references and amusing teenage quirks, she builds recognisable, interesting characters with lives we can relate to. At times intense and completely engaging, the story is woven with subtle layers of the bitter and the sweet.
While Misplaced is a moving and insightful account of a boy’s attempt to understand the inexplicable, it’s also a story of self-discovery, love and above all, hope. A fantastic young adult novel with wide appeal for teens and adult readers.
In his desperate attempt to cope with his Mum’s disappearance, he reaches out to the people closest to him, only to find them caught up in their own battles to deal with her loss. But help and understanding comes from unexpected quarters, giving Adam the strength to find his own way through an unfathomable situation.
Lee Murray uses a light touch and gentle humour to navigate the intimate subtleties of a teenage boy’s confusion and grief, giving the reader a deep understanding of Adam’s loss without weighing the story down. With familiar references and amusing teenage quirks, she builds recognisable, interesting characters with lives we can relate to. At times intense and completely engaging, the story is woven with subtle layers of the bitter and the sweet.
While Misplaced is a moving and insightful account of a boy’s attempt to understand the inexplicable, it’s also a story of self-discovery, love and above all, hope. A fantastic young adult novel with wide appeal for teens and adult readers.
August 20, 2014
This story deals with the trauma and emotional roller-coaster that a teenager faces at the disappearance of his mother. She was home until the evening when she decided to pop out to buy some milk. Adam being a typical teenager did not pay much attention to his mom going out until a couple of hours later when his father returns and she is still not back. Then begins the frantic worry and paranoia. His father at first distraught seems to handle to situation better than he is. The discord in his relationship with his father is shown beautifully with the main events leading to it highlighted for the reader’s notice.
Adam then meets Skye, who draws him out slowly and seems to understand his pain. She has also “misplaced” a parent, her father left when she was small and now Adam sets out to help her find him. He believes that by doing this he can at least make one person happy. There is a lot more to this than just a simple story and the author tells the story really well. She manages to keep the reader hooked on till the end while dealing with all the emotions with delicacy.
Lee Murray has handled the story well and brought in some wonderful twists in the story. This story is worth a read and it will get the reader thinking seriously in various directions.
Adam then meets Skye, who draws him out slowly and seems to understand his pain. She has also “misplaced” a parent, her father left when she was small and now Adam sets out to help her find him. He believes that by doing this he can at least make one person happy. There is a lot more to this than just a simple story and the author tells the story really well. She manages to keep the reader hooked on till the end while dealing with all the emotions with delicacy.
Lee Murray has handled the story well and brought in some wonderful twists in the story. This story is worth a read and it will get the reader thinking seriously in various directions.
December 1, 2013
I read "Misplaced" in almost one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed it. As with "A Dash of Reality" - an adult chick-lit offering from this same author - I loved reading such a very local and recognizable New Zealand setting laced with humor. Murray has a great ear for idiom and uses fresh and quirky imagery.
It's an intriguing premise - a mother goes for milk and doesn't return - and the reader shares the feelings of suspense and dread and waiting that goes with all the unknowns of having a loved one go missing. The awkwardness that can happen when people don't know what to say to someone in a situation of grief or loss comes through strongly.
I found the dementia sub-plot handled sensitively and in a way that raises awareness for those of us who do no have that first-hand experience.
All in all, a story that quickly hooks the reader in, characters who take on a life of their own and pages that seem to turn themselves. This is a novel that will appeal to both teenagers and adults.The price reflects an author breaking into the e-book market and is ridiculously cheap for a top quality read. Definitely five stars.
It's an intriguing premise - a mother goes for milk and doesn't return - and the reader shares the feelings of suspense and dread and waiting that goes with all the unknowns of having a loved one go missing. The awkwardness that can happen when people don't know what to say to someone in a situation of grief or loss comes through strongly.
I found the dementia sub-plot handled sensitively and in a way that raises awareness for those of us who do no have that first-hand experience.
All in all, a story that quickly hooks the reader in, characters who take on a life of their own and pages that seem to turn themselves. This is a novel that will appeal to both teenagers and adults.The price reflects an author breaking into the e-book market and is ridiculously cheap for a top quality read. Definitely five stars.
December 3, 2013
What can be worse than a parent losing a child? In Lee Murray’s Misplaced, Adam Creighton is faced with something equally difficult: the torment of a child who’s lost a parent; the mysterious and still unsolved disappearance of his mum, Tiffany.
On a short outing to the shops for some milk she vanishes without a trace, leaving Adam to wrestle through his grief.
While some readers may struggle with the vocabulary and content along the way, subplots abound throughout as Adam’s story unfolds: accepting his loss, his father’s indiscretions and his own relationship with the new girl in his life, Skye. Interspersed with times of introspection, he works through his dilemma, while friends and family rally round, and a secret trip to Australia lifts the story to a crescendo before Adam posts a letter he’d never dreamed of sending.
Who’d have thought a bottle of milk could cause such turmoil?
On a short outing to the shops for some milk she vanishes without a trace, leaving Adam to wrestle through his grief.
While some readers may struggle with the vocabulary and content along the way, subplots abound throughout as Adam’s story unfolds: accepting his loss, his father’s indiscretions and his own relationship with the new girl in his life, Skye. Interspersed with times of introspection, he works through his dilemma, while friends and family rally round, and a secret trip to Australia lifts the story to a crescendo before Adam posts a letter he’d never dreamed of sending.
Who’d have thought a bottle of milk could cause such turmoil?
September 7, 2016
Misplaced is a compelling and affecting YA book about Adam, a teenager whose mother goes missing after popping out to the dairy. Adam makes a great protagonist, a complex and convincing teenager dealing with a truly horrible situation and it’s as much a coming-of-age tale as story about people facing the stress, grief and uncertainty of a family disappearance. Adam’s friends as a likeable bunch and provide some of the lighter moments in book, and Adam’s budding romance with Skye is sweet and, refreshingly, a far more grounded and realistic portrayal of young love than in some other YA books I’ve read. The narrative voice is used to great effect with the book told in present tense, which helps add to the sense of tension and uncertainty Adam deals with, as well as some first person passages of Adam’s restless dreams and thoughts which reveal some deeper anxieties.
September 12, 2016
Adam is a gamer, preparing for his last high school exams, and his mum has popped out for some milk and never seen again. The book tells the story of how his life continues while he waits for his mother to return, searching for her himself. His friends help him to cope, supporting him as they lose themselves in video games. He meets Skye, a fellow gamer, and she joins his circle of friends. Skye has a secret in her past too which they try to solve.
A very enjoyable book with enough detail given you feel there, but not too much it’s over-described. The writing and dialogue feels natural and the characters real people. Theending was surprising to me and I’m looking forward to reading the next offering from Lee Murray.
A very enjoyable book with enough detail given you feel there, but not too much it’s over-described. The writing and dialogue feels natural and the characters real people. Theending was surprising to me and I’m looking forward to reading the next offering from Lee Murray.
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